Crazy Hat New Years

Gavin of Green Gables
Originally uploaded by ami_arsenault

This year we spent New Years with our friends Kirbee and Leigh. They had a few people over for boardgames and mojitos. The theme of the party was Crazy Hats. I made my very own Anne hat but as you can see Gavin liked it and stole it for his own. Good times were had by all.

My Christmas Vacation

Merry Christmas
Originally uploaded by ami_arsenault

This year we spent Christmas at Ken and Sharon's home in Hornsby. On Christmas eve we were joined by our Canadian friends, Sarah, Al and Tucker. We fed lorikeets, ate snacks and sat in the hot tub.

Christmas morning we were up bright and early opening presents. Laura, a fellow Canuck and honourary Seymour, cooked the traditional Seymour breakfast, Christmas Morning Wifesaver. It was delicious.

After breakfast we prepared for more guests. Sharon's sister and her family joined us for Christmas lunch. We spent the day eating, playing in the pool, opening more presents, and finally, sitting in the hot tub.

It was a good Christmas.

Carols in the Domain

Carols by Candlelight
Originally uploaded by ami_arsenault

It is hard to get into the spirit of Christmas in 40C weather when you are used to snow and cold. In past years I have forced familiar Canadian traditions in hopes of feeling festive. Usually it only makes matters worse. It is too hot for baking. Carols about snow just make me homesick.

This year we stumbled on something Aussie that was just what I needed. Carols in the Domain. More than 100,000 people pack a downtown park and sing Christmas carols by candlelight. Local and international celebrities come out to sing and entertain. This year we enjoyed the Wiggles and Englebert Humperdink among others. We went with some Canadian friends, brought a picnic and had a great time. The candles remind me of the old candlelight services at First Baptist...ahh singing Away in a Manger with hot wax running down my hand...what could be more festive.

Interac / Eftpos

When I do any shopping here in the land of OZ I usually use my bank card to pay. Here that service is called Eftpos. The system works exactly the same as in Canada. The procedure is a whole other kettle of fish. Here is what happens when I show a cashier that I am paying with a bank card:

1. The cashier takes the card from me.
2. They swipe the card for me.
3. They ask me if it will be on Savings.
4. I say no, it is cheque (not called chequing here).
5. They push the account button for me.
6. They then allow me to put in my own PIN number.
7. They give me my card back.

The first two steps make sense. I am sure it is painful for cashiers to watch shoppers continually swipe the wrong way. It is the following steps that boggle me. Isn't the whole idea of mounting the device on the counter facing the customer to allow the customer to enter their own information? Sometimes they don't even ask me what account I want they just enter Savings. It is one of those everyday things that always reminds me I am living in a foreign land.

I Knew I was Adapting to Life in Australia When...

...I smelled ripe mango at the grocery store and my first thought was Christmas.

CBC Bar?

CIMG5446
Originally uploaded by ami_arsenault

On a recent walk in my neighbourhood, just past the House of Fetish, I noticed a bar with a logo suspiciously like the CBC logo. Interesting.

I Won! I Won! I Won...Third.

My horse, Mourilyan, came third. A bit of a surprise. I think I win $6...and third place gloating rights. Not too shabby.