Sudan

He got the Job!!! Working with Dan Church Aid. And is headed to Sudan sometime in November maybe. BIG Changes, I mean Huge. And all of a sudden, but hey, isn't this what we wanted? More on this later when I know more.

Blog is going to be about America and all the travels based out of there.

Revised topics:
New City, Suburbia
Family Life
Americanisms
Food (of Course)
Travel excursions (in the US and internationally for work and play)
Etc.

Ramblings

The theme of this month seems to be food, this is apparent as I scroll down through the recent posts and peek down at my expanding waistline. I am feeling the extra poundage, which I have been ignoring as simple "winter weight", but I can't stand it any longer! (I say this after I made the trip to the local chocolaterie for a tasty treat yet again - these trips are my excuses to leave the house and provide a destination/purpose for an exercise outing). I'm off bread and sugar for the time being as of now. I don't think this declaration will do much good in time for Bali next week, but it will make me feel better to be doing something, taking control. And I am glad that bread is not a staple in Indonesia.

To change things up, I'll try to post something other than food here:

Melbourne is turning into spring making the air so floral and fragrant! I am very grateful that I do not have allergies as I see the pollen float around in the breeze.

Richard is exploring the possibility of working in Sudan, he is in Copenhagen now for his final interview. Finger-crossed. But this means big changes will take place sooner rather than later. So I am almost in packing mode, trying to restrain myself until I know more definitive details. Regardless, we are gonna move soon, and time is running out to enjoy things here. I will have to revise this blog and focus on experiences in my next new home. Anticipating a whole new life chapter, apprehensive, nervous, excited, all those feelings in more running around in my head creating wrinkles and premature aging. ARgh!

I am enjoying my current solitude uncharacteristically - hence the trips to the chocolaterie, yesterday it was the fancy bakery. I make it a long brisk walk to get some exercise into my routine. I write lists of things to do, tidy, organize shit, bask in the cleanliness of the house now that there is only me to mess things up. And I am knitting like a crazy woman. In anticipation of packing up, I want to use up all my yarn - everyone is getting something knitted for Xmas. Maybe not, but I'm trying.

And I am waiting..... security clearance...... still pending....... Still a lady of leisure........ "Enjoy it while you can", I keep saying to myself.

Waiting some more.....

Images of Melbourne:

Also of note:
Grand Finale (kinda like the Super Bowl for Aussie Footy) was last Saturday, Collingwood Magpies and St. Kilda, which ended in a draw (tie)! What sporting event organization lets that happen? They have to play again this Saturday!

Unmotivation

So haven't been motivated to post anything about my boring ordinary life. Its been tough lately and I am mostly filled with rage and complaints that I really don't need to dwell on. Anyone got any good news, happy stories?

The Easter bunny made it to our house!

Stepped out this morning to find a little something the Easter bunny
left behind on our doorstep. It made my day! And Richard got to
satisfy his craving for cadbury creme eggs. They taste like Easter.
That sickeningly sweet creme filling inside hard chocolate shells.
Thousands if miles away from home and family our Easter Sunday was
pretty quiet. With Richards mum in town for the morning we took a
stroll down the street to our favorite coffee spot "seventeen squares"
for a cuppa. There seemed to be an awful lot of people out in the
shops. I don't know, but I think I remember a lot more things closed
down for the holiday over in the states. And the following Monday
turns out to be a bug shopping day and everyone has the day off. There
is little less peace in our building with the neighbors kids running
around blah.

St kilda rose garden

Just across the street lies a beautiful rose garden. My favorite place
to unwind and lay out a blanket. On this particular day we received a
care package from Amy and I proceeded to sit here all afternoon
reading my real simple magazine she sent. One of our better days.

Screwed

Some of you have probably already heard, maybe not, cause its taken me this long to want to mention it – and its needs to be noted because it changes everything, but our dreams of pursuing a stable family life in modern Australia was quickly dashed at the start of this year by the likes of a greedy, dodgy business man. A great big surprise slap in the face from the guy who had made so many promises and assurances. Too bad we believed him and changed our lives completely around, sacrificing quite a lot, to help him out (with personal benefits of course). So now we're screwed having no employment and no concrete prospects in this super expensive city. When or If I ever encounter this person again, he will truly come to know the Wrath of Rachel. Until then, only Evil thoughts about that certain person though I am trying to be the better person and just forgive and forget. But it is oh so hard now that we are faced with great heartache, uncertainty, and fears as we rearrange our lives once again at great expense so that we can recover and move on. All due to the actions of one stupid man. Pray that we are able to avoid such situations in the future and that evil/stupid men throughout the world are unable to victimize good people. And pray that we can skip over this low period quickly and get on with living in what should be the prime of our lives.

So now you can see we have some extra time on our hands to do all the things that working people don't have time to do. Such as on-the-fly camping trips, jetting off to another country for a few months, taking up a new hobby… anything – which I will recount in this blog. We are really gonna try our damdest to enjoy this period of freedom (on a budget) before we become seriously tied down by jobs and family in the near future. Stay tuned…

Amy help! How do I make milk pie

Oh I wish you were awake right now cause I can't for the life of me remember how to make milk pie like when we were little. It's a rainy, dreary day - my favorite- and I had a hankering for something crunchy and caramely. But settled on trying to recreate this. It's still a bit soupy though after one hour of baking. Are you supposed to add an egg? I rembered the can of evaporated milk (always a staple in house when we were growing up) and sugar inside my rapid pie crust. Was gonna call you or mom but it's 2 am your time so I hope this will suffice.

Street art down a dark alley

Came across these while out in Chinatown for Chinese New Year. In Croft Alley to be specific. Pretty cool eh? I love the integration of really good graffiti artists into everyday urban life. And I must say that alleyways fascinate me, having grown up in the country these were never encountered, and they are actually pretty rare in the likes of DC or New York despite contrary depictions in movies. I am surprised to see so many in Melbourne cause it seems like such a waste of space in this town where real-estate is sky high.

Blessed are the cheesemakers

This is what Richard got up to one Saturday a few weeks ago as part of the Melbourne Sustainability Fest, sponsored by the Port Philip Council. Cheeselinks He is very proud of himself, making two types of Feta and some homemade yoghurt - All organic. And he is keen to do it again at home, aren't I the lucky wife. Very yummy stuff, fresh and light and you can mix it up depending on the type of milk that you use. Next up - a sourdough bread making class in May and soon our Kitchen will be so gourmet. Move over domestic goddess - I have a Domestic King.

Tord Boontje Fancy Lighting

I just saw this fantastic home accessory through RBF on the Unica Home website. I so want the black one.

Melbourne Art Scenes

Some fabulous graffiti art that I've passed by while exploring the City. On a visit to St. Ali for brunch we found a whole project underway, decorating the entire alleyway (residential and commercial warehouse buildings) with mad skills - the purple tree house and funny tribal face are only part of the whole.

Sucker for flowers

My husband is the best! Always bringing home fresh flowers for me. These
are particularly wonderful and smell amazing throughout the house. My
new favorite.

Trapeze in oz

Caught this act in Melbourne CBD on the way back from yoga. Excited to see the fad has made it to this side of the world, though wasn't too impressed by their actual performance that didn't seem to have a theme, lots of random yelling hey, ho and fake mustaches falling off. I think it was supposed to be a take on circus performances in the days of old. I'll look for more and better. I'm lookin for skill and artistic expression.

My man Adam at Toni & Guy

Fabulous haircut again from my man Adam over at Toni and guy salon on Fitzroy street. Nothing like a good cut to make you feel like a fresh new woman who take in anything. Gotta get a good one though and Adam has the touch. I trust him completely. I do hate that uncertainty over whether to talk to the hair stylist. And you know I'm not the talkative type. I prefer to quietly go through the fashion magazines that I refuse to buy on my own. But I do end up feeling awkward and out of place. But it's all worth the end result - a layered, easy to manage and style, face-framing cut with a slight, sweeping fringe. I don't really do anything to it and I can get a tousled chic look everyday effortlessly (almost). I got lots of complements over Christmas and rarely ever had to blow it dry. Ta dah. Now to conquer the rest of my day's idleness.
Til next time.