Tiger has come to his forever home

This afternoon Tiger came to his forever home with us. I am sooooo happy! He looks pretty happy too. So far, we have played ball, taken a few romps around the yard, sniffed every inch of the house and yard, peed on the most likely bushes and did a nice poopiedoo in the far corner near the compost bin and right up against the fence. He's such a good boy, my Tiger.

C~ took quite a few pics of him, which I am going to post here just so I can gush some more about how wonderful he is. We don't have stairs, so I'm not really sure how he is with them, must try the front steps tomorrow. At our main house entrance (the garage side), we have a ramp which he seems to love as he gets going at a good clip when he goes up it.

He loves his stuffed plushie toys, especially the baby seal one, and we also have a squeaky rubber toy that he just adores. I have never seen a greyhound BOUNCE before. He just gallops and hops around like a little puppy, it's hilarious! Oh and the other funny thing he does is stare out through the security bars of our front window to the house across the street which has 4 cats roaming around.

Looks like the only thing we need to work on is whining, which he hasn't done much but I don't want him doing every time he sees a cat across the street. He hasn't been counter surfing yet, but he has stuck his nose over the counter so we will put a quick stop to that as well.

Ok, now for the piccies. Enjoy!

Almost there

Yes, Saturday is almost upon us, and I have to work tomorrow from 7:30-12:30. Who goes to the damn dentist on Saturday morning? No one I tells ya!

Anywho, tomorrow is the day that Tiger comes to his forever home. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so excited I could just spit. (Say that with a southern accent*grin*) Also, C~ has bought tons of toys, plushies and balls and other stuff, a bed too...one of those off the ground things that everyone here in OZ seems to have for poochies outside during the day. Honestly, I don't think it's big enough for him...we shall see. Tons to do tonight and am still waiting for C~ to call me to go pick him up from the train station...poor thing would have to walk over a Km to get home in this heat and wearing long sleeves too. Well, time to go...I need to make sure to have some piccies taken when Kirsty brings him home to us. I promise to post as man as I can.

Decisions, decisions....

How could I decide? I just did. That's how. C~ asked me which one this morning and I changed my mind again, but I've stuck to it.

We are going to get Tiger unless something wierd or bizarre happens. Hopefully Kirsty Bringer of Everlasting Joy & Dogs shall be delivering him on Saturday. We shall see. In the meantime, C~ must finish the fence on one side of the house. The gates are all painted and ready to go...now we are just waiting for the rest of the lattice to go with it. It was supposed to be delivered two days ago at the very latest. Now they say it will be here on Tuesday at the latest. Sheesh, on Tuesday we have a Cricket match to go see, then it's off to work for me and for C~ off to new job in the city. I am working Saturday morning, but if all goes well, we can have the fence (all 6 feet of it in length, including gate) put up between the two of us Friday night and be all ready for newbie dog on Saturday arvo.

Wooooooohhhhhhhooooooooo *does happy dance*
Have no piccies of Tiger but will as soon as I have him.

And then there were two...

Yeah TWO! I have to choose grrrrrrrr! This morning we went to see Tiger and Dee, the potential doggie adoptees. Both are gorgeous and sweet. Both have what I'd love to have in a dog. Why oh why can't I roll them up into one? Life is so unfair.

Both of them took to C~ instantly. WTF am I, chopped liver? Nooo they might actually LIKE that! Both ignored me and went straight to him. Perhaps he was giving off some "I just lost my best friend" vibes they picked up on. Earlier this week, his parents put their 13 yo poodle, Colonel, to sleep. C~ has been really torn up about it. He grew up with him and I can imagine what he's been feeling this week, especially with us due to go look at two dogs. I imagine a bit like a traitor, but I'm hoping a new dog for us will help that.

Anywho, after much driving to the north side of the city, we arrived at Dee's foster home first. Dee wiggled and waggled, and grinned and goofed off for us a little while we talked with Nicola, her temporary mom. We decided to put on her muzzle and go for walkies down to the park. SHe was such a good girl! She kept acting like a silly thing, rubbing her nose/muzzle on our legs a few times, then settled into the walk like a pro (which she apparently is). We had a sit down, a few scratches and pats, even a few kissies, and then had to give her back. When we were leaving, she followed us down the length of the fence only stopping when she got to the end of her yard. So we stoppped and gave her a goodbye pat and felt we must surely have her, wishing we could take her with us right then. But alas, we must go visit Tiger. Dee is a beautiful black girl....not so little as I was led to believe, she's about 29 kgs. *Sigh*

Onto visit Tiger who is living with a foster family out in the BOONIES! Oh yeah, people out there actually have property! Whoa, am I ever jealous and would love to live way out there in Pine Rivers Shire. It's unbelievable! Rolling hills, beautiful new homes *drool*, I could go on and on, but I'll go on to Tiger.
Tiger greeted us at the door. All of 4 feet tall, I'd swear! He's so tall! No wonder he's called Tiger, he's all striped and when lying down he looks like a fawn and black zebra or a giraffe with stripes. I was told he is blue, but now he's more fawn with blue stripes. He even has a little sexy eyeliner and lipstick (gothy black, of course, as only a grey will have). We came in and I promptly sat down on the floor next to him and his bed and played squeak the toy (I'm a well trained monkey), he just looked at me as if I'd gone off my rocker! *gasp* Anywho, his foster carer took us outside and into the paddock where we found a BALL! I was raring to go play ball with this beautiful creature. Pam warned me that he likes to run after the ball, pick it up and then drop it....way far away from you. He doesn't fetch. Hrrrrrmmmmm, we shall see about this no fetchy thing. I screamed in my best high pitched girly voice, "Come on Tiiiigerrrr, come on! Let's play ball!!!!" Threw the ball, he took off at a gentle gallop and brought me the ball! Twice he brought me the ball...after that, he just went off to greet the next door neighbor dogs, a german shepherd mama and her pup that were sticking their heads through the large fence wanting pats and scratches, too. I obliged them then took off after the wayward Tiger to see if I could interest him in more play but he wasn't having any of that, so off we went for a walk on leash. He did great! What a guy!

Once inside, Tiger fell asleep on the floor completely ignoring us crazy humans. We chatted with Pam for a bit, then off we went to the door. Tiger followed, but only after much calling to see if he wanted to say bye bye to us...I guess he figured if he wanted to be in the running for a new home, he'd better comply. More pats and scratches and off we went.

Now we are home to debate who it shall be. Good heavens it's gonna be hard to choose!

On the one hand, I think Dee, then I think Tiger...and on and on it goes. I may just have to draw straws.

New Pals

I've just added a couple of great blogs. Both very funny and I love the pics of all the greyt dogs aka greyhounds. Katy and her needle nose pals, both her own and the ones she fosters. Also there is Adele and her cat Chicken, boy is he a meanypuss! She has greys too, plus she's a foster mom extraordinaire. Ya'll enjoy!

Owie freakin OWWwwwww

Yeah that's what I said. OW! Damnit ouchie poo, too. Mama always said God doesn't give us more than we can handle but somedays I think He toys with me way too darn much. Why oh why does it sometimes feel like I'm a hundred and thiry-eight instead of 37, nearly 38? Woke up this am it was barely 4:30 am and I'd not even gone to sleep til after 11. C~ made me stay up and watch the last of the Cricket match between NZ and Australia. It WAS an awesome game, especially the ending overs. Australia barely one by 8 balls! Talk about close call. McGrath pulled it out on the end making up for all the shitty fielding he'd done earlier. I also have to commend the NZ batters, wow!

Anywho, the reason I'm sitting here at 5 am is because I had some awful bloody (literally bloody) dream involving dogs. An accident in the dream, totally horrific to wake up to, then the pain came about 5 minnutes after I was coherent enough to understand the signals body sends to brain.....it was instant OWIE time. That's sorta like Hammer time, but not as much fun....dancing is optional, depending on the owie factor.

For those who don't know, I had tumour removed from spinal cord nearly 4 yrs ago. Medical term is laminectomy. What it IS is this : I'm left with NO bony covering over my spinal cord between my shoulder blades on 2 vertabrae. They cut all the muscles in my back and lots of nerves too. Sometimes if I'm touched on one side, it feels like the touch comes from the other side. Truly wierd feeling, especially when it's a fingernail or when I scratch my own back. What I'm left with is chronic, daily pain...without medicine it's off the charts, want to jump off bridge kinda feeling. With daily meds it's generally good. I know it's there, but it's a dull thumping 5 - 7 on a scale of 1 - 10. This am it was good solid 9 1/2....not weeks lol that'd be supa! But I wanted to slam my toe on the new chest at the end of the bed to make it hurt less, cuz it ain't time for me medicine, gotta wait at least til 6. At least here Down Under we can buy codeine OTC and that helps in times like this. So does writing. If you're totally in the dark now. I take a 12 hour time release medicine which is the equivalent of 20 mg of codeine, not a whole lot, not even a Tylenol 3! But whatever, it works and I'm forever thankful for aussie medicine and doctors. So, like now I just take a couple short acting panadeine and all is well for another hour (as I grit my teeth and correct yet another typo pfft snort, "well, uh huh, shhhuuuure it is well). i hate typose more than any other , forget grammar. I suck at it, always have always will...but spelling is another matter entirely and I get serious about that. I am a spelling slut from hell.

Ok Doggie time now. SO! I have been tentatively offered my choice of two dogs. One is named Tiger, the other is Dee. Ugh on the names btw. Must change, hubster agrees wholeheartedly. Tiger is leaving what was supposed to be his forever home because he snapped at a 5 yo. My guess is that 5 yo is FULL ON lol and Tiger was having none o' that mess. Fine by me, I have zero kiddieos. Dee is a bit of a mystery right now. So far, I know that she is a bit shy of dogs in the distance and reacts in some way. Howling? Whining? Not sure. The other odd thing is that she cannot be spayed. Apparently, the vet went to do it and said her uterus is the size of a small kittens and cannot rtemove it for some reason. Now, we know of no logical reason for this, even the hormones shouldn't have done that. Racing dogs take hormones to prevent pregnancy, kinda like some women do...smart doggies *grin*. Now the vet wants to take an ultrasound in 1 yr to check again. I do not know if this means that sha cannot get preggers. Don't have a problem dealing with the heat thing, though I know if I foster it may cause some extra sniffing and stuff lol and lotsa licking. That's what they make little girlydog panties for *sigh*. It prevents stuff getting on furniture and floors in case you were wondering. 'Nuff said.

So, this coming Saturday, C~ and I will day trip to the North Side of the city and have a looksee at them both. Note to self: need to look at stand alone freezers. We plan on using the BARF diet. and it's easier to just buy it and freeze it...also gotta find who stocks it over here. Ok, time for walkies since the sun is kinda up. Ciao peeps.

New dog

OMG! Seriously! I just got a call from THE LADY! Oh yeah *does happy dance* We basically have a choice of two dogs. BUT, grrrrrr, just found out from C~ that the ant baits we laid out won't allow us to have a dog in the yard for a fortnight. Fuckety fuck. Sheesh, and yesterday we went out and bought cool dog bowls (raised off the floor a cool foot and a half), a doggy mat aka horse saddle blanket in a totally cool shade of purple *grin*, plus curry comb and brush. I'm so excited I could spit! Now it's hurry up and wait. Ok, time to calm down and think about food...for me not the future dog. You know you were so thinking it LOL.

Happy Australia Day, Mate!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. OI!OI!OI! Goes the now familiar chant.

I wanted to say congratulations to fellow blogger and my nearby American "friend" Mooselet and her family for becoming Australian citizens today. How exciting for them! It's like becoming an American citizen on Independence Day.

This season is also known as storm season here in Queensland. Last night we got a real whopper according to The Hubby. Didn't seem all that bad, except for the fast that we had just picked up some DIY bookshelves from the warehouse and they were getting wet in the trailer behind the car as we rushed home. Did I mention that we have TWO sets of gates in our new home? Yep! TWO! One at the street and one at the entrance to the carport and front of the house. They are all of a little over a car length apart so one can park between them for convenience, but we had to get the car AND trailer under the carport ASAP last night. I was completely drenched by the time Hubby got the car parked. Oh, he ALSO put blankets on top of the boxes to help keep the rain off? WTF? It only made things worse! Heavy wet blankets on top of cardboard boxes. Right now those blankets are lying on the carport floor in a heap where I was barely able to drag them off because they were so water-logged and heavy.

We did succeed in getting the bookcases inside and dry, Thank God for not so small miracles. So, after we got all dry and cleaned up, Hubby decides we are now NOT gonna go out to eat, which I'd been looking forward to all day! Grrrrrrr. I convinced him to anyway. We drove first to the local Tavern. One look inside told me We did not want to eat there, so good naturedly drove down to the local Irish Pub. We could hear the badly tuned cover band inside before we even parked. Worse yet, gamely, we walked to the door. As we approached, there were two men standing outside for a smoke....not so uncommon here as smoking is not permitted in any establishments. However, when I passed them I got a whiff of something that was defintely NOT tobacco. WEED! OMG! I honestly cannot remember the last time...no wait, I can remember the last time I smelled it. LOL! Anywho, I was appalled. In public? Here? In suburban Brisbane? I was shocked. This city is in many ways like New Orleans, hot and humid, laid back people and attitudes. But weed in public? I'd never have imagined it. In New Orleans one just expects to see it pretty much everywhere, it's no big deal...but I suppose that's a story for another time.

Well, the music was way too loud for my tastes. I wanted something quiet and intimate for supper. I did get it, by way of Red Rooster and take-away LOL! We ended up home eating our chips and chicken in the new recliners in front of the telly. What a night it was! At least it ended peacefully, with no one maimed beyond recognition and with full bellies to boot. Nice way to end a Thursday night if I do say so myself.

Getting a dog

Finally! My house is sorted out enough to where I can sit down for a few moments to write. I never thought it would come. I'd forgotten how hard it is to move and get things done. I also didn't realise just how much stuff we've accumulated since we got married a little over a year ago. It's enough to have filled this 3 bedroom home we are currently renting....and that's a whole lot! Luckily we also have a nice sized yard to go along with it. Which brings me to what I sat down to write about.

We have decided to adopt a retired greyhound. We made this decision a long time ago...or at least I did. C~ came to agree after we visited the GAP exhibit at The EKKA, a Queensland State Fair. From my point of view, he was quite impressed with the breed. GAP dogs are ones that have been tested with smaller dogs and deemed suitable for adoption to homes. If the dog isn't healthy mentally or physically from the stresses of the track, then they are humanely put to sleep.

C~ and I aren't really picky people. We don't have cats or other small animals that greyhounds like to chase, we also like the idea of NOT having a puppy - This is a definite bonus in the retired dog. I am SOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!

We don't really have any idea how soon we will be able to get one. Hopefully not TOO soon. We need at least a couple more weeks to get all the boxes unpacked and also put up a short fence between the house and other fence to separate the front and back yards. This will help keep people from letting the dog out while we are at work. Also, the Energex guy has to come onto the carport to check the electric meter and when we met him a last week he explained that he'd been bitten 27 times and doesn't care what kind of dog we have. I think maybe he's not a nice guy so dogs don't like him if he's gotten bitten that many times. Well, either that or he's just plain stupid around dogs.

Anywho, I'll keep everyone updated on the adoption progress. Until then, I am going to continue reading and learning as much as I can about them.

Finally All Moved In

Well, we finally got all moved in. Whew, what a week this has been! I went to back to work on Tuesday with the house "sort of" in shape. Meaning that most of everything had been moved in, but since we weren't on a strict time schedule to move out of the old place, things just kind of dragged along...until last night. Ye gods, when I got home, C~ was in the final stages of moving in dressers and wardrobes and the like.

Since it was Friday and we'd both had such a long week, we tool off to Pepe's (our favorite Mexican restaurant) and had a great meal, topped off by stepping across the street afterwards for some ex-rentals at Blockbuster. We finally picked up a couple of movies we have been wanting. Once we got home, we put on The Da Vinci Code (ggod flick btw - but better book) which I watched and C~ promptly fell asleep. Internet and computers were all hooked up as of noon today, so I've just been doing a bit of catching up. Now it's time for a nap before supper. Nice cool air conditioned bedroom here I come!

KFC Twenty20 Big Bash QLD v NSW

We went to the Twenty20 (as it is apparently correctly named LOL) last night at The Gabba to see XXXX Gold Queensland Bulls vs NSW SpeedBlitz Blues. It was awesome! Talk about fast and furious! I was stoked, thinking that Andrew Symonds would be playing, then I remembered that he's been down with the Aussie Test team kicking Big British Butt! HAHAHA! Lmao! just had to say that. Didn't matter, (hottie bowler) Nathan Bracken was bowling for NSW and he was pretty good, but the Bulls were just slamming the balls away. It was a mighty close match to the very end when NSW needed 30 runs off the last 5 balls. They hit 3 balls for 6 runs each! Talk about being ALMOST there! Holy COW!

The worst part of it was finding out at the entrance that backpacks were no longer allowed, but my collapsible cooler bag from ALDI was, so we stuffed everything into my bag, checked the backpack, and headed on in for some really great fun. Then at the end, we waited 40 minutes to retrieve said backpack (poor us lol), though it did make for a short wait at the bus line. We didn't mind a bit, really, there were some nice people in line...except for the old guy behind me chain smoking and blowing it in my face *GAG*, so we kind of shuffled around to the smoke smell commiserating with fellow cricket fans waiting to claim their possessions and made jokes with the local coppers how we were REALLY waiting in the long line for autographs (yeah right ).

All in all it was a great night and we had an awesome time. I can't wait until next month when I get to see England v New Zealand in the one dayer here in Brisbane at The Gabba.

We are moving....FINALLY!

YAY! We are finally moving. Yesterday we were approved for a nice house. It's kinda out in the boonies, but not really. Only about 10 minutes further from the city by train, and about 10 minutes closer to my work ( I work about 30-45 mins south of the city).

So today was spent doing a 2 hour inspection complete with digital photos to back everything up *grin*. What can I say? Hubby is a lawyer LOL! Then we spent awhile doing some general clean up, wiping down surfaces and cabinets, putting a few things away.

The funny thing is, well...the lady that lived there before was elderly, and she painted, decorated, and did whatever to suit her very own "special" tastes. Hrmmm, tastes, yes that's what I suppose I should call it. I have put up a pic of the shot into the kitchen (note that there is NO stove/oven), where the fridge is in this pic, is where our oven currently is. Our fridge will have to go in the dinette, as there is no space for a fridge now that the oven and stove are in place lol. Notice that she has placed Pepto Bismol Pink lattice between the two "rooms". Not only is it there, but it is also between the dinette and living/dining areas, as well. Can someone please get me a trash can so I won't mess up my keyboard? *gag* Not only that, but she has decorated with some lovely hanging things that have blue, yellow, green, red, and orange fluff balls hanging from them. What cannot be seen in the photo is the coloured crystal beads between the fluff balls. *sigh*.

What can I say? To each his or her own.

Honestly, I really AM looking forward to moving in, despite the decor. I can slap on some paint if I have to. Dunno when I can post again since I will be busy as a bee this week. Moving plus a full week of work on top. Imma be dead!

Taboo Sex

Yes, sex seems to be a taboo subject except on the most explicit blogs. Honestly, sex is something I am not really comfortable with, but it came up when I was posting a comment on Sister Mary Lisa's blog earlier today. Her post was about not being able to take the Lord's name in vain without feeling like she had committed a mortal sin. My reply was that I'd pretty much gotten over that lol. My fav curse word is the all purpose F-word. I love it, probably too much. Oh well, there are worse things in this world. At least I'm not a pedophile or into goat sex.

See, there we go again....a taboo sex subject. I happen to LIKE sex, A LOT. I mean, who doesn't? The problem is the guilt we have associated with our childhoods. You know, mom saying sex is only good when you're married kind of thing. When one grows up, one figures out that one does NOT have to be married to have great sex. Ok maybe sex is merely good for most marrieds, perhaps its absolutely fabulous for non-married folks. Or perhaps its fantastic for those that are able to get past the childhood guilt that religious people spin it out to be. I have a friend who is SO marvelous. She understands me completely. I Love reading her blog because she is so open about her sex life, what she loves, wants and needs. Her blog is totally devoted to her views on the lifestyle she has chosen...slightly to the left of the average American person, probably because it IS a lifestyle and it isn't the "we have missionary sex every Saturday night" lifestyle.

The strange thing is that my ex used to accuse me of not liking sex. Odd because I love sex...it was just that he had no idea what I liked and didn't bother to ask or try to find out in any way. I suppose that it was also my fault for not really telling him. How does one ASK for certain things? What if your partner finds your fantasies "way out there" or disgusting? Most likely they won't but the fear is that they will think we are strange at best and filthy at worst. I guess that everyone has the fantasy of their partner being the stranger picking them up in the bar or the policeman hitting on them instead of giving out a speeding ticket. What of those that fantasize of getting a spanking or being tied up or blindfolded? Is that just too much, too 'out there'?

I think the greatest thing about my partner is that he and I can communicate about everything...especially sex. It was one thing that we both insisted on from the very beginning. Given that we met on the internet and it took a year before we met in person, our interaction included quite a few pretty hot discussions. Lucky me, lucky him. I hope everyone can be so lucky too.

Total Control

I shall seek and find you. I shall take you to bed and control you. I will make you shake and sweat til you grunt and groan. I will make you beg for mercy. I will exhaust you to the point that you will be relieved when I leave you. You will be weak for days...

All my love,

The Flu

* I SO had to use this, it was too funny not to*

Happy New Year

Happy Happy New Year 2007 !

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year! I hope to have a lot more to say in the coming year, not to mention hoping to sharpen my wit and writing ability.

Daniel Craig & Casino Royale

Casino Royale! - Warning! SPOILER!
I finally got to see it last night. WOW! Was I ever impressed! Totally NOT what I expected in the new Bond Film. Daniel Craig was HOT. The movie, Casino Royale was more than a step away from the expected in a Bond Film. I'm not certain what I actually expected before I went, but I knew it was going to be a departure from the traditional role that Ian Fleming created...the archetypal suave and debonaire spy that all the women loved and all the villains loved to hate and could never best.

Yes, it was crude. M said that she wanted Bond to be more than a blunt instrument. One could see how he needed to have two kills to be a "Double O" and the first was harsh, gritty, and messy. The second just a simple "plop" of a pistol - Oh so easy. Or so one is lead to think. I could just see the sociopath growing stronger as he became accustomed to killing.

Then, came the scene where he followed some guy into the Ugandan Embassy. I do use the term followed loosely, as it's THE most action packed scene in the whole film. It was a WOW, OH. MY. GOD!!! Type of scene, where I was gasping for air, squeezing C~'s thigh and arm, and generally feeling like I was right there in the thick of things as the scene unfolded. The only other movie that did that to me was Saving Private Ryan.

Needless to say, I felt that it was an awesome movie. I don't often get to go to the theatre to see movies, so when I do, I want it to be spectacular. So far, I haven't been disappointed this year.

So far, I have seen, Eight Below, The Prestige, The Legend of Zorro, and perhaps one or two others that I can't pull out of my sleep deprived brain at this moment. If I do remember, I shall attempt to edit this for more info.

Enjoy the DC pic, I did, thanks to wikipedia where I took it from *grin*

What it's like to live overseas, especially during the holidays...

"This was originally posted on UK-Yankee.com by Mindy and other
long-time members there. It's been changed slightly for the
Americans-in-Australia crowd. :-)
<http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=25243.15>"

I have borrowed this from my yahoo group...it was re-posted by the moderator and I am using it for several reasons. 1. So that my friends and family "back home" can perhaps have an inkling of what I am/have been going through over here. 2. For others that read my blog and are perhaps considering a move to another country. 3. To remind myself of these things as well, so that when I get a little down, I can remember that others all over the world are going through the same exact things, too. I have posted as is, with only a few minor alterations to protect certain people.

This is a topic that I've been thinking about for awhile now. I
haven't posted it as a response to anyone, and I don't want anyone
to think it's aimed at them. It isn't. It's just some honest
advice that I think people should take into consideration before
making the move. I think that at times people get a bit carried
away with being in love and don't think about the reality of moving
to a different country. And I also think that because our two
cultures are similar and we speak the same language they think that
it's going to be easier than it actually is.

I also don't want to be too negative or scare people off. You can
move here and make a life and be happy, but there are some things
that I think would be a good idea to ask yourself.

*Are you open minded? Moving to a new country is remarkable
experience, but you need to be able to look at things from a
different viewpoint than the one you were raised with. You're going
to meet people with different backgrounds, opinions and ways of
doing things. You need to accept that the American way is not the
only way.

*Are you set in your ways? Things are different here. Schools,
hospitals, banking and work practices are just a few of the many
things that you're going to run up against that are 'not the way we
do it'. You have to be willing to learn how things work if you are
going function in a country that is totally not like your own

*Are you diplomatic? You're going to come across people who are
critical of your country and its government. You are going to need
to keep your cool and talk yourself out of some situations where you
feel uncomfortable. You're also going to have learn when someone's
only joking and when someone's serious about this.

*Are you good at watching and listening? You need to learn
everything. The best way to do this is to watch other people, see
how they do things without telling them how you think it should be
done.

*Are you a homebody? If you've never left the place where you were
born, if you're very close to your family, then it's going to be
difficult. Really difficult. You need to be prepared to have years
between visits home, you need to be prepared to not see parents,
siblings and nieces and nephews. The most difficult part of being
an expat is having bad things-death, illness, accidents-happen and
not being able to be there. You're going to miss good things too-
weddings, births, family parties. And not all family and friends
are good about keeping in touch. A lot of expats feel abandoned by
their families when they move.

*Do you have family support? You need your family to be behind you
in a supportive non-judgemental way. It's not impossible without
this, but it sure makes it easier.

*Are you determined? It's not easy making friends here.
Australians, especially women, relate to eachother a little bit
differently from Americans. They tend to make friends young and
hang onto them for life. You can make friends but it will take
determination and a thick skin on your part. You need to be
outgoing and proactive.

*Are you adventurous? You'll have to take buses and trains, and go
to unfamiliar places. Everyone will be a stranger to you. You have
got to be brave or you'll never leave the house.

*Is your career everything to you? Because it's not always easy to
find a job in your field and a lot of people have had to take jobs
that they were vastly overqualified for. And not all degrees and
qualifications automatically transfer. It takes a lot of
perseverance to find the right job for you.

* Can you live on a tighter budget than you're used to? Not only
may you have a lower salary than you did in the US, but you may find
that the cost of living in Australia is higher. Don't assume that
you will be able to dine out every week, or buy the latest fashions
as soon as they show up in the shops.

* Are you running away from anything? A job you hate, family
problems, a bad relationship, depression? Most people go through a
very stressful adjustment period when they get to a new country to
live - either for a set length of time or indefinitely. While it is
entirely possible to work through your issues during the process of
moving, you need to be prepared for the fact that life might not be
all smiles and roses right away.

* Do you have realistic expectations of what life in Australia may
be like? Have you visited (yes, some people plan moving here having
never visited!)? Have you spent a significant amount of time here?
If not, make sure that your perceptions of everyday life over here
are not based on books you've read, television shows, etc. Remember
that Australia is like any other country -- your way of life will
vary according to the place you live and your income, amongst many
other things. Try to not build up a vision of life here based on
stereotypes or you be disappointed.

* If you are moving over with kids, make sure you know the
differences in the educational system & if it would work for your
kids. Be prepared for some serious blowouts with them...or they may
love it while you are unhappy.

* If you are moving over with kids: Is your nuclear family secure?
While you are adjusting to a new place, the only people you will
have to rely on is each other. Your kids will need that stability.

* *Are you willing to try new things? There's no good Mexican food,
there's no Wal-Mart, there are no graham crackers or Hersheys
chocolate. You're going to have to try new food, find substitutes,
shop in unfamiliar stores. If this fills you with dread or you
can't cook without Hamburger Helper it's going to be difficult.

* If moving over to be with a spouse - are they aware of what issues
you may face? Can you speak to them openly? Are they control freaks
that insist you automatically do everything their way? Or tell you
everythign you do is wrong? Basically, do you have an open and
healthy relationship? Moving countries is hard work and if your
spouse is a horses patootee it will not help.

* For the ladies (certainly something I've had to consider) -- are
you willing to have and raise a baby without your own
mother/grandmother/family around long-term?

* If moving over to be with a spouse - what are your in-laws like?
Do they like you? Are they accepting of the fact that
you're "different"?

* If moving over to be with a spouse - are you commited? If in the
back or your mind, you're thinking that this is only temporary or
you're going to be able to change your spouse's mind about moving,
then you're probably kidding yourself. You'll find it hard to
settle if you really haven't got the mindset that this is your new
life and you've got to live it.
If your spouse has said he/she doesn't want to move to the US, he's
probably not going to change his mind, and once you have a mortgage
and babies and commitments that will get harder and harder.

*Do you think you can change people? The person you're
marrying/moving to be with is NOT American. They're not going to
become American. They aren't going suddenly start
dressing/acting/talking and beleiving like an American. If you have
kids, they are not going to be American. And you cannot recreat
the 'American Experience'. It doesn't exist and you're just going
to make everyone unhappy with all your comparing.

*Are you creative? You'll need to incorporate your own traditions
into Australian ones. You'll need to be able to find substitutions
for food items you're used to. And you'll need to look at new ways
to celebrate holidays that are important to you.

* Are you willing to seek professional help? Many expats suffer
from depression... not just sadness, but depression... they then try
to "snap out of it" or "go it alone". You need to be willing to ask
for help and then follow through with that help sometimes.

Just one more of my own to add:

* The reversal of seasons. How do you feel about celebrating
Christmas in the summertime and bundling up during June & July? I'm
not talking about once for novelty's sake, but FOREVER. I think
this affects people more than they think it will. Also, most
Australians don't celebrate Halloween and definitely not
Thanksgiving. Unless you go out of your way to celebrate and find
all the "authentic" decorations & foods, it'll be "just another day"
here. Something else to think about.

Personally, the big thing for ME has been the celebration of holidays. Especially the way I'm used to celebrating things "back home". I miss snow, I miss cold weather. I miss dressing up in velvet and long-sleeves to go out to Christmas parties and spending time with my family. I miss Thanksgiving and cooking a huge meal for everyone to enjoy, again, in the cold weather LOL. It's really weird cooking a huge holiday meal in 90 degree weather with no air conditioning.
These were just a few thoughts, and my friend and moderator of my yahoo group posted this just as I had been thinking about it, as well as getting in arguments with C~ over things just like this.

I Elf'd myself lol

I Elf'd myself...it was pretty fun...hehehhe.

Oh yeah, and Don't shoot your eye out, either!

Longing for the Genteel South

It's finally over! Boxing Day is DEAD!

Thank the good Lord! I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I agreed to go shopping this morning for leftover Christmas goodies to match our other Christmas goodies that we'd paid full price for weeks ago.

Yes, I am an American. Yes, I've been shopping on Black Friday. Yep, also on the day after Christmas. Once again, yes to having shopped on Christmas Eve.

Oh. My. GOD! I have never in my life been stepped on, shoved, pushed, and reviled to get the hell out of someone's way just so they could fight over some tacky piece of 50% off shitty, half broken ornament. What the hell is this world coming to? C~ hastened to remind me of all the horror stories that come over from the USA of shoppers experiences...such as people getting mugged whilst in line, "ladies" fighting in parking lots, full on battles over Tickle Me Elmo's and so on and so forth, ad nauseum.

Well! I have never seen it happen. Perhaps it is because I am a product of the "Genteel South"? Who knows? All I know is that now I am about to settle down at 3 pm to rest my poor widdle feetsies, have a glass of wine, turn on the Boxing Day Test, and read a little bit of a "trashy" (tongue on cheek) Catherine Coulter novel called Lord Harry.

*gif image borrowed from mooselet*

The best thing about being a grown-up at Christmas

You know, one of the greatest things about being an adult is being able to open one's presents on Christmas Eve. The other great thing is being able to eat dessert before dinner and not giving a darn if it ruins dinner.

I love being married to C~ because he gives me silly gifts that he KNOWS I'll love. Like the ladder climbing dwarf (one of the seven dwarves) to put on one of my potted plants. Way better than a garden gnome! Don't get me wrong, I love garden gnomes, and am still searching for the best one. I mean, there are just too many to choose from!

The other wonderful thing about C~ (and yes I know I'm gushing) is that when he told me that it's a possibility that we may not be able to find a house to rent where they will allow us to have a greyhound, then we can get a cat. I couldn't believe it! This is the man that thinks all cats are evil! So, I've been looking through the RSPCA website here in Queensland to see if there are any older or possibly disabled homeless cats. Yes, I do intend to adopt an older or needy cat or dog. That is why I am looking at retired greyhounds and the RSPCA. I wouldn't mind at all caring for and giving a good home to the neediest animals I can find.

I honestly have no idea WHY I feel compelled to do this. I think it's because I know how it feels to be unloved, cast out, and even though I'm not an invalid, I do know how it feels to be disabled (even if it was only a temporary thing). I want and desperately need to do something, and now Iam going to be in a position to actually do what I've always wanted - work with a rescue organisation. Once we have moved and have our schedule in a bit of order, as if that will ever be totally done lol. Anyway, I've always wanted to be able to work with animal rescue...I have rescued and adopted out many animals on my own. But here, there are so many needy animals, not just dogs and cats....but even guinea pigs, budgies, wounded koalas, and kangaroos. SO MANY in need. I just have to do something!

Picture credits: Kangaroo Rescue, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia