2nd first post!!

Happy Friday (on this side of the world) everyone!

*Insert your choice of 17 curse words*

I'm still trying to figure out this whole blogging thing and it turns out that I deleted my first post. In the editing mode it looked like an extra draft and I accidentally got rid of it and it seems like way to much work to try to post that one again because of all the pictures so if you missed it, sorry ya snooze ya lose.

Anyway, since my last post I started driving on the LEFT side of the road and maneuvering it was a little easier than I thought it was going to be. Before I got to Australia I had no idea what the set up was like with the driver on the right side of the car. I had no idea if you had to use your left foot or if the gas and brakes were switched. Turns out, everything is the same, you still use your right foot, the gas is on the right, and the brakes are on the left. Something that's been throwing me off though is the fact that the turn signal is on the right side of the wheel and the windshield wipers are on the left. So there I am, trying to focus, and not look like a total idiot with Tim in the car for my driving session, he tells me to turn onto a street, and before I could even think about it, my muscles automatically switch the windshield wipers on. He of course busts out laughing, but I was so startled because I was so thrown off by the blinker not being on the right side. Also something that I didn't think would be so difficult to get used to; is that the gear shift is still in the middle console. Anytime I would be parking or reversing, before I even have time to think, my muscle memory goes straight for my right hand and I would end up slapping my hand on the car door/window and obviously I would try to play it off like I wasn't just reaching for a nonexistent gear shift. Fml. Then yesterday, after the gym I was walking back to the car while looking at my phone, and when I looked up to insert the key in the door to unlock it, I realized I walked to the passenger side of the car. Besides my arms having their own minds, driving on the other side of the road is pretty easy.

On my second weekend here we went "caravanning", but basically we went to the beach to camp with a camp trailer. We went to a camp park called Ocean Beach Holiday Park at Umina Beach; it has pools, a splash zone for toddlers, inflated jumping "pillows", activities, and playgrounds. Which is pretty cool for families since there's tons of stuff to do with kids besides going to the beach.

The beach is sort of in a cove and so the waters were really shallow. There's lots of surfers, paddle boarders, and body boarders on this beach. Not sure if it's common knowledge but for those of you who don't know, the sun in Australia is supposedly a lot stronger than other parts of the world. And most children wear hats and rash guards to protect them from the sun. Putting sunscreen was such a foreign concept to me because in the states I RARELY put it on. But I was too scared to fry my Oregonian-winter-skin the first couple weeks so I've put it on a few times since I've arrived in the land of Oz.

Right now Tim, is in Santiago so it's just Shae and I until Monday. We're still all getting situated with living with each other and I'm still learning routines so we've just been hanging out. I mostly watch Vance (10 mo old) since he takes lots of naps and is generally a very happy baby, while Shae takes Nox (now 2 years old) to his activities like play group, or for errands. Both boys go to swimming on Mondays (Vance with me & Nox with Shae) and music class on Tuesdays.

This Tuesday was Nox's 2nd birthday, so on the Sunday before we had lunch with Tim & Shae's immediate family at the Hornsby RSL club. Idk if we have these in the States or not, but I had no idea what it was. RSL clubs are all over Australia and RSL stands for Returned & Services League which is a program that basically helps Veterans. The clubs were started to provide services to vets and now you don't have to be a vet to go but they're a very common place to get cheap eats. There's gambling, restaurants, a cafe, sports bar, entertainment, I don't even know what to compare it to in the states.

I've been here for 3 weeks now and it's always fun when Tim, Shae, and I get confused on what the other's talking about because our different terminology. Here's a few translations I've picked up:

• Dodgy- sketchy

• Capsicum- bell pepper

• Jumper- sweatshirt (unsure if this applies to sweat pants too)

• Stubby holder- Koozie

• Straya- Australia

• Heaps- a lot, loads (not really slang but EVERYONE uses it "heaps")

• Bogan- basically means redneck

Also, Australian's say "how ya going" for "how are you" "how ya doing". And yes, people actually use "mate", pretty often too. However, I have yet hear about or see anyone drink Fosters... After we get the kids into bed, Tim & I usually crack open a Coppers to go along with dinner. My understanding is that it's a pretty standard beer, not cheap, and not expensive. If my memory serves me correctly, it kind of tastes like coors light though, even though its a pale ale.

What else is different in Oz?

BACON

There is sliced "capsicum" shown for scale. Apparently the bacon we have in the states is called "streaky bacon"idk what this giant bacon is called but it's cray. Also they have "short bacon"

But I'm pretty sure these are just ham slices...

I feel like there was more that I wanted to talk about on this post, but I can't remember right now and I have to go do some laundry... BUT BEFORE I GO. It is March 2nd today in Oz, which means it's my favorite person in the whole world's birthday.

HAPPY 24TH BIRTHDAY SKYLAR RUIZ!!!

I love you lots and you deserve the best day ever!! Everyone, go wish Skylar a happy birthday tomorrow and I hope you all have a great weekend!!

Love,

Aivi