Welcoming Brunch at Maroubra Beach

Rebecca from Jeremy's office put together a little welcome to Australia brunch for us down at Maroubra beach. We dined on wonderful food and then got to walk down to the beach (that we live only minutes from) and watch the huge waves crashing in. We still can't believe that we get to live here!

Day 15: Saturday

Fun with the Linkous Family!

We finally got together at Tommy Dean's house and met his beautiful family, for a little Aussie barbie. Tommy's wife Annita and I played with their children Asher, Zara and Ava along with little Harper of course. They have a beautiful home and we spent the day talking, going for a walk at the park near their home and eating really great food.

Annita and myself

Sweet Harper at the park

Jer and Harper in the kitchen

The always funny Tommy Dean

The kids playing

We talked about everything: how we all met our spouses, our weddings, having babies, and jobs...

Day 14: Friday

Jeremy had the day off so we went and met with the cleaning crew at the Howard House to talk to them about what we wanted done. We also talked to our property agent who told us we couldn't paint the house, even at our expense, because the owner didn't think it needed it. So mad! Still meeting with a painter this afternoon though to get a quote in case they change their minds. We have apparently offended our new land lords by saying the house was dirty and wanting to make improvements to it.

We measured the house for furniture and hopefully when our things arrive it will look much better...

Day 13: Thursday

Shopping Day Part Two!

Tommy Dean came and got Harper and I for another round of heavy shopping for the house today. He called up the Grandson of a major appliance chain here in Australia, Bing Lee, and he met us at the store to make sure I was taken care of. I think when they saw my list of items to buy they were very happy....

That list included: t.v., DVD player, washing machine, dryer, fridge, microwave, Dyson, dust buster, printer, iron, 2 space heaters, warranties to go with and of course they threw in a soccer ball for Harper :)

The prices were negotiable, so cool! I think we walked away with quite a deal as with delivery and everything above cost $3600. Oh, did I mention we also received a years supply of laundry soap?!

Day 12: Wednesday

Locked myself out of the rental, in my pajamas, with Harper inside (sleeping in her cot at least)! Thankfully the professors from Germany were upstairs, with their house guests, and I was able to use their phone to call the landlord and beg them to come over and let me in. Nothing like having a cup of tea with strangers in your night clothes to start a morning!

Finally got my mobile phone today! It only took 3-hours....I thought I was going to have to give them a blood sample or hand over Harper. But I have my beloved Iphone again. Here, you rent your Iphone, you don't have to buy it. Pretty cool :)

Here is a little Harper love.....

Day 11: Tuesday

Howard House Day!

We all went to get the keys and get a look at our new home today! I was very nervous as I had yet to see the inside, remember Jer picked this out by himself. We signed the paperwork and headed over....ummmm Aussie clean is not American clean.

Howard House

The house, while I know I am a little nutty on how clean things are, was gross. The tenants before us were disgusting pigs, end of sentence. After talking to the agent, they are going to get a professional crew of cleaners in to help but I know it is going to take awhile before Jeremy and I are comfy in the level of cleanliness. I have put in our requests for improvements for the house and we will see if any are doable. I just hope we can paint the horrible pink walls...

At least Harp can find humor in this ;)

Odd Things So Far....

Just a few things that I have noticed to be "different" here:

-the keys, or at least some of the keys look like "U"s

-the light switches

-they have voiced over U.S. commercials with Aussie accents (the red-headed Glade woman for one...)

-Same products, different names (Degree is called Rexona here)

-tipping is not required or expected in restaurants...servers make at least $15 an hour, get health insurance and get a retirement fund that never goes away if they leave their job

-child care is wonderful, expensive, and extremely hard to get into....we are on several waiting lists

-beer is stupid expensive ($15.00 for a 6-pack)

-Aussie's only wear Uggs as house slippers

-getting a cell-phone here is harder than getting a drivers licenses in the States....I had to give them my visa info, medical insurance proof, bank account approved statement, passport

-when you want to rent a property you have to get the "inspection time" from the agent, be there for the 15 minutes that they have it open and then apply and cross your fingers

-when you rent a property it is common for you to have to supply your own fridge