This was a big week for us. Jeff had his first day of work, and I began adjusting to my new life as a stay at home wife... oh behave (Aussie term for calm down), I'm only kidding, I start work on Tuesday. I did however enjoy my week off work...
I'm like a proud mom. Jeff on his first day of work...
To celebrate my week off work, Brisbane decided to have its first bought (since we've been here) of crummy weather. Needless to say, without a car, local friends, or the means to really do much, I was a little homesick for the first time (yes, feel sorry for me). So, I spent the week reading (The Help, great book), making more Anzac biscuits, shopping, and getting a Queensland license. Surprisingly, its quite easy to get a drivers license here, I simply filled out a form, paid 50 dollars, and poof! I'm legal. Everyone should feel safe with me driving on the other side of the road. Oh, I also booked a trip for Jeff's birthday weekend. We're going to Noosa, an island 2 hours north of Brisbane... sounds awesome. I'll keep you posted.
The wonderful weather we had for 3 days this week. Yes, that's rain.
My Queensland drivers license
Anchor Man?
No, this is the local news guy. He always makes me laugh, so I had to share to joy with everyone
3rd bath of Anzac biscuits. They look and taste better each time
Jeff and I have been enjoying our mornings jogging along the floating sidewalks of the Brisbane River, see exhibit below. Things like this make working out easy(ier).
On Friday evening we went to a KPMG happy hour, which we discovered happen every Friday at 4:30pm in the office. Let me repeat that, drinking in the office, every Friday at 4:30. Free alcohol at work. This will be hard to get used to...
After the work happy hour we went to our first rugby game, Brisbane Reds vs. South Africa Stormers, at SunCorp stadium. I'm not sure if I'll enjoy rugby, first off because I'm not sure I fully understand the game... but I'm giving it a fighting chance. Good news, Reds won! See pictures from the game below.
Saturday morning we woke up and headed to the New Farm Farmers Market. This happens the 2nd and 4th weekend of every month, and is a HUGE local farmers market, with delicious produce, fish, baked goods, and coffee. It was simply amazing. We were in an organic heaven. We sampled some of the best foods we've had so far, and purchased some great stuff. This is one of my favorite things we've done, obviously second to the koala sanctuary. See photos below.
Jeff in New Farm, walking to the Farmers Market
New Farm Park
Farmers Market!
Colleen, this one's for you... Free Range! 
Jeff taking it all in...
After the farmers market we walked around the city and into Parkland Botanical Gardens. It was a gorgeous park, with some of the most beautiful landscaping. There were several weddings taking place... ladies, I'll volunteer to be your wedding planner if you marry here ;)
To conclude our Saturday afternoon we stopped by a wonderful pub and enjoyed delicious lemon sorbet treats. Yum. I recommend these to any visitors.
Sunday was Anzac Day, so to celebrate we went to the beach. Amy forgot the camera... sorry blog readers. Refer to beach pictures from the second post. I promise to be good about remembering my camera. Regardless, we had a wonderful day and enjoyed the beach. Jeff attempted to surf again, I read more of my book, and considered getting in the water until I heard a local discussing shark attacks. Unfortunate they speak English in Australia.
We had Monday off work, to continue celebrating Anzac Day of course. We had a picnic with some of our new Brisbane friends. It was a fantastic day. We had our first taste of kangaroo and learned to play lawn ball.
Park for our Anzac picnic
To conclude, we've been working on our Aussie vocabulary, and plan to fully integrate it into our conversations. Study up!
Heeps = A lot.
Thongs = Flip Flops.
Brekkie = Breakfast.
Rubbish = Trash.
Bin = Trash Can
Hen's night = Bachelorette Party (love that one)
Roosters night = Bachelor Party
Stubby = bottled beer
Hotel = Pub/bar
Lollies = candy
Sickie = fake sick day from work
Sunnies = sunglasses
Uni = college or university
Biscuit = cookie
Car Park = Parking garage
Lift = elevator
Petrol = Gasoline
Drink Drive = drunk driving (VERY big No No here)
Takeaway = to-go
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ReplyDeleteLove the lingo. I took a sickie myself last week after I had heeps of stubbies while sitting out on a hotel patio. I really need to realize I'm not in the Uni anymore and Wednesday is not a Hen's night. I of course did not drink drive, but felt like a big rubbish bin the next day.
ReplyDeleteDrinking in the office at 4:30 - oh, reminds me of the days in the restaurant biz. Haha, but no seriously, wine glasses were situated right next to the coffee mugs in our office.
ReplyDeleteMiss you kids!
Is Drink Drive really a "yes yes" anywhere?
ReplyDelete