1/2 a year in oz

yes, it's true. just over 6 months ago now, we hopped a plane from wet and snowy vancouver and arrived, 24 hrs later, all bleary eyed from the flights, into the 30+ degree weather and beautiful sunshine that is perth. (well, in summer anyhow. definitely not at this time of year) after dropping our massive quantities of luggage at our hostel, we stepped out to discover our new life in australia. feels like yesterday sometimes. and other times, it feels like we've been here for so much longer. strange how that happens.

so, i decided that we would inform all of you of the things we've learned about australia, what we love, what we hate, and what we miss from home (other then our family and friends of course, which is obvious).

things we've learned:

-aussie's abbreviate EVERYTHING
-things cost more here (from housing to food to underwear to toothpaste)
-the mining industry is the best way to make money in a short time (i'm considering a change in careers)
-aussie's are truly obsessed with Vegemite -a yeast based "spread" that they put on sandwiches
-they have better coffee then we do
-aussie's seem to be obsessed with Big Brother. it's on every night, at least once. urgh
-the sunsets here are some of the most beautiful i've seen
-going for a run along the coast will never get old
-whilst this is a country that hates cold, the houses are very poorly insulated and it's freakin' cold inside - in winter -
-walking around barefoot in shops is considered normal. even when said shop is very far from a beach
-you can get a "surfboard attachment" for your bike
-there are no yellow lines on the road here. it's alway white. (which gets confusing at times)
-minimum wage is actually a liveable wage
-aussie rules football is the most ridiculous sport ever. and very very cool.

things we love:

-tim tams (thanks katie)
-kangaroos and koalas
-12 degree days are considered cold and wintery
-living 5 mins from the beach (by bike)
-non-commercial radio (it's so great)
-produce that comes from the same state that we live in. delicious!


things we hate:

-bundaberg rum (dirty ashtray...)
-deadly spiders and snakes (not that we've run into them yet)
-australian internet. (it sucks. a lot!)
-poorly insulated houses
-how far everything is from something else (we thought we'd be used to that from home, but nope. it's worse here)
-Big Brother
-tv shows are half or a full season behind north america
-kookaburas. aka: the monkey-bird -because it sounds like a monkey in your tree- annoying at 5am!

things we miss from home:

-black beans (people have no idea what they are)
-glossette raisins and junior mints (my 2 favourite chocolates...)
-diet pepsi (pepsi light and pepsi max are just not the same)
-proper rum
-the cost of living in hamilton...
-heaters (in winter anyhow)
-RW, jacob, the gap, etc.
-our starbucks travel mugs

and so much more, of course.

xo