Facts about Australia from the Pro

Since obviously one week in a country gives you authority to educate others who know nothing, about the country you know very little about. Cheers.

(This is the part where you pull out your note book and begin to take notes.)

I have slightly more authority than the ones that have been here only one week, given the fact that it has now been 12 days since my Asian flight line successfully touched down on Brisbane tarmac. Pro tip number one, fly a good asian airline for long haul flights... Asians are so clean even the lav's stay somewhat tidy. Another pro tip would be to select your seats beforehand. Other wise, you may end up being the unfortunate soul stuck in the middle seat, with one snoring Asian on one side, and on the other, one who found a way to slurp everything he put into his mouth. I'm pretty sure I elbowed one or the other a few times in my sleep. But I promise it was unintentional. One more flight tip is to moisturize. Yes, I am one of those girls who uses moisturizer every single day, but I'm not being dramatic. Use. It. Often. Other wise you will begin to flake, as airplane air is very dry. By flake, I mean your skin will fall onto your lap and make you feel like the crusty stale stinky traveler you are. It's one thing to be that. It's another thing to feel it. I repeat, spare yourself and everyone else and moisturize. Amen.

In all of my 12 days, here in Australia, I feel like I've gained a months worth of experience and knowledge. The very first thing I learned is that in January, the air is perpetually hot. It is never not, hot. It even smells hot. There is always a warm sticky closeness about you. Second thing I learned, that I had known before but you learn about it in a different way when you actually experience it, is driving on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right side of the car. I'm used to it now. But the ride home from the airport was stressful.
Aussie's drink rain water. They bathe in rain water. I don't know if a well is ever dug here. Why do that when huge cement tanks can hold water that falls from the sky? I decided I approve after I had one shower and it pretty much healed my dry brittle winter hair. The only down side to this is that the water is never cold. Unless you put ice cubes in your cup, water is tepid. I got used to it quickly though. The heat has been a little harder to get used to. Being perpetually hot is not one of my hobbies.

"It's a wonderful life, with you by my side"

I had the privilege of joining two very dear friends on a road trip to Sydney a few days after Iarrived. We decided to do things the cheap way, so it made for some very interesting and really funny experiences. We drove most of the way in Suzie, our little white rental car, and then traded her for a train, and finally left all mode's of transportation and headed to our hostel on foot. Yes, we stayed in a hostel. My first thought, after stepping inside the door, was "Why, did, we, do, this...?" But it proved to be an educational and comfortable stay. If a small bunk room with moldy carpet and possible bed bugs can be called comfortable. It it's defence, it had AC, private rooms, hot water, and I slept like a bug in a rug. Most of our time, however, was spent touring the country side, and eventually Sydney. I've decided Australia is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It's very quickly stealing parts of my heart. We indulged in beautiful views, famous land marks, bubble tea, Chinese dumplings, and a host of other wonderful comforting things such as makes one feel very content and happy.

The Sydney Opera House 

Our little adventure ended with a flight, long delayed train waits, a bus ride, and finally Charity coming to our aide for the last hour of the trip home. I plunged right in to school. The week was a blur. I won't go into detail, but I'm glad it went as smoothly as it did, and this coming week will hopefully reap benefits of the chaos of last. I will mention h

Ginger Beer pared with an Aussie Meat Pie

ere, that my completely unbiased opinion is that I genuinely have the best students. They are smart and cute and make me laugh, and the oldest one can make a killer cup of coffee.
Anything else you should know about Aussie's? Yes, actually.
I found out I have a cool accent. People look at me adoringly and go "Canadian accent is it, Love?" and I go all heart eyes back at them.
I also had something that changed my life, and should change yours as well. It's a thing called Ginger Beer. (Non alcoholic to be sure.) It's pretty much the undiluted purest form of Ginger Ale. And its seriously life changing.
Another thing I feel I, as an abiding citizen, must address, is a few myths. First and foremost. The fires. Those dreadful fires. Yes, they exist. No, not even close to half the country was burned, and yes, they are basically over now. Yes they were terrible, but everyone will very much survive. Secondly, this notion that I'm standing on my head... that notion must cease. I'd just like to mention that I am 15 hours into the future, and I am beginning to be bronze in skin tone. Let that sink in before you call me dizzy. Another myth, that I'm able to debunk thanks to the goodness and faithfulness of God, is the issue pertaining to snakes and spiders. They are not plentiful. Most of them aren't even dangerous. (Besides mild heart exertion when you happen upon one) I've encountered three perfectly harmless and relatively small spiders. And no snakes. I'm still waiting for the day I happen on one of those, I will let you know if I survive. If I don't, please have a glitter bomb go off at my funeral. I insist on having a celebration and no sadness. Not sure why I added that since I plan on being a big girl and surviving the ordeal (If and when it happens) with little to no trauma.

This Kanga lives in a Gaol.

Other than that, Australia, like I mentioned earlier, is one of the most beautiful and diverse places on earth. Rolling green hills, dotted with cattle and sheep. Mountain roads that wind to and fro. Palm tree speckled, white sand beaches. Warm Pacific waves, crashing onto rocky cliffs. Parrots and dolphins and kangaroos and koalas. Mango, eucalyptus, and fig trees. Deep blue skies, with puffy white clouds. Crickets and tree frogs. Geckoes and lizards. Even magpies, who, by the way, are every bit as annoying as the story books make them out to be.
One note on the caption below my kangaroo picture, the english here is very English. I have collected a list of words they use here that are definitely not American. Gaol, for example, (more commonly known to us as Jail) was confusing for me at first as I kept thinking it said "goal."
Parking spaces are called Car parks. Gasoline is petrol. A motor way is our highway. A car rental place is called a Car Hire. And to pass someone on the motor way is to "Over take" them. It's really fascinating.

The Eastern Most Point of Australia

There have been countless moments when I pause and shake my head at the reality that I am here. Living. Breathing. Loving. Thriving. In a land I'd only dreamt of seeing. I've been so completely overwhelmed at the goodness and faithfulness of Jesus. Completely blown away at how he provides for every detail of our lives when we give him every detail. I don't even know how to act some times. I, of all people, do not deserve such a life. But it is a gift God has given, and I intend to use it to the praise of His glory. Until next time homies.