i would put my kids in the sydney public school system… knock on wood.

I ride the train a lot around Sydney... and so do a lot of kids.  I have heard some ri-diculous conversations over the last couple weeks, but this one is my favorite thus far: [two teenagers, a boy and a girl, in tank tops and neon board shorts.] Boy: I just can't stand Tonya. Girl:…

little miss lipstick.

The other day I was walking with the Vincents into a drug store [here they call it the Chemist... weird].  While walking in, we saw a little girl who was about three years old with her mother.  The little girl had lipstick ALL over her face.  Well maybe not allll... but definitely covering most of…

my humble abode.

For all of those who wonder what my accommodations are like here in Australia... ...this is a very sad, very blank, view of my room.  I didn't even think to pack things to decorate my walls.  I even left my dinosaur poster at home!  Sad days.  We are about to move houses, so no point…

AUSTRALIA DAY.

...it's a big deal over here.  And by big deal, I mean it's a huge frat party.  I am currently sitting in the living room kinda watching "Friends" and kiiiinda watching all the half-naked drunk people walking to or from the beach.  One guy actually turned around in circles before walking into our yard!  He…

this person.

I must recommend this book... ...but not to everyone. My first encounter with this book was reading the story "This Person" in this bookstore: I finally finished the book yesterday... then quickly flipped to the front and started it again.  I never wanted it to end!  I stretched out the time between stories so that…

…and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

My first wander into the proper city of Sydney was because of Barack Obama.  I took a 40 minute train ride to get to Sydney University where I found that there would be a get together to watch a screening of the Inauguration around lunch time.  I found out about it from Facebook... big shock. …

uh oh…

all’s i’m saying.

The mornings in Australia have proven to be a renewing force close to a religion in themselves.  Sights and sounds here are more beautiful and exotic than I could have imagined.  Every morning I wake up and go out by myself (whether it's a run or a stroll) and I breathe deep the peace. The…

this picture most explains my trip.

more to come... soon.

i made it.

I made it to Sydney!  It's great!  Well maybe not great, yet.  I was kinda in shock/a funk all day.  But I can tell you this, the family I'm working for is awesome.  Better than I imagined, actually.  It is such a breath of fresh air. A story from the flight: I'm boarding the plane…

never mind.

oh i know you are all on the edge of your seats... but i'm gonna make it.  no denver layover... hollllllerrrrrrrr.

the anticlimax.

Did you know that my whole life in physical possessions that I need to move to another country weighs only 97lbs? I found this out at the lovely Austin Bergstrom Airport... my current hang out.  Turns out there's a delay in my flight and I won't even leave Austin for another hour and then I'll…

sites for sore eyes [and ears].

p.s.  Dog Hate Me. A new [to me] site that I'd like to share with you.  It's like Exploding Dog but better cuz it's all comic-ed up.  I particularly like TUE DEC 30th... "I'm a fancy drunk." I've been packing a lot and spending a lot of time with family and close ones for my…