Elsja Down Under

Elsja’s News from Down Under September 30, 2007

First and foremost I’d like to discuss Gray’s Online. I think this is going to be one of the best sites we’ve ever discovered. It’s an online auction where you can buy all kinds of stuff (i.e. wine). We bought a case of wine- 12 bottles for 34 bucks! I’ts like 2 buck chuck… but better- and it’s delivered right to your door  They have daily wine sales so you just go online- pick out the kind you want and bid.  Rather than paying 10-15 per bottle, we will just buy all of our wine online from now on. If it tastes like crap, we’ll just buy another case of a different variety. So exciting.

In other news- last night was the Grand Final of Footy, a.k.a. Football, a.k.a. Rugby. This event is like our superbowl- but on a smaller scale. We went out to a cool place called Cabana Bar to watch the game and celebrate Andrew’s friend’s birthday. We only made it through the first half because I was tired and Andrew had to wake up at 4am today. The first half is 40 minutes- and by 40 minutes I mean 40 minutes. US football quarters are 12 minutes but they last probably 40 minutes each. But in this game- 40 minutes is 40 minutes. It’s SO nice. But, that also means no timeouts really and no changing of teams… and THAT means no fun commercials to watch like we have during superbowl. However; there was 1 really cool commercial that I loved.

Additionally-

This weekend I also went up to the Oaks (a pub/bar up the street) with some of Andrew’s friends. He was away over night for work- but I managed to get out and actually stay up until 12 which is about 3 hours later than I usually manage to stay awake. Yesterday I went with Andrew’s family to a BBQ brunch (again Andrew sadly had to work). But I got to hang with andrew’s whole family (minus a few brothers) and I got to see Benn and Tanya’s new baby, Amelia. She’s so tiny and sweet. I’ll post some pictures later.

Today is Labor day in Australia so everyone has the day off. Andrew should be home from work soon so I’m off for now.

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The Good, The Bad and The Just Plain Weird September 28, 2007

Here are the things I’ve found so far about living in sydney:

The Good:

1. ANDREW!

2. The weather is just getting warmer each day

3. Thai Intra and Bow Thai… yum

4. Jet lag actually is kind of nice when you come here. You get really tired at night- but then you sleep wonderfully and wake up extra early which is rare for me!

5. I can walk to the harbor and it is beautiful- better than watching football on the elipticals at the gym

6. Did I say Andrew?

 

The Bad:

1. In the US, we have Best Buy, Comp USA, Fry’s, etc. Here- they have something comparable to a semi-big Radio Shack. THAT’S IT!

2. At home, voltage converters cost 30 bucks. Here- 60+!

3. Small pizzas = $20 bucks.

4. I need to get a new skype phone because mine broke (crap) and it’s impossible to find somewhere that sells these (this sort of goes with #1).

5. My family and friends aren’t here.

6. Target here is just not the same. It’s more like Walmart. Sad.

 

The Weird:

1. Yellowtail wine… made in Australia. Costs MORE here than it does in California. HOW is that possible??

2. For some reason, my hair dries quicker here when I blow dry it.

3. They are talking about lowering the legal voting age to 16 here (which is also when you can legally move out of home)! Are 16 year olds really even that responsible? Let me answer that… NO!

4. There are birds here that will attack you. Literally will fly down from the trees and smack you in the head with their beak because they think you are going to hurt their nest. So you have to make eye contact with them and they won’t attack you. People even wear hats that have fake eyeballs on the back so that the birds think they are looking at them. Why does this place have such freaky animals??

 

 

So Long September 24, 2007

Well I’m off tonight to Sydney…

After nearly 2 years of a long distance relationship- I’m finally going to get to live on the same continent as my boyfriend! YAY. Of course that excitement does come with sadness as well as I say goodbye to my loved ones and my home, but I will be back to visit often.

I must say, I had a WONDERFUL last weekend in California.

Thursday was a really fun night out at the Yardhouse in Irvine with some of my co-workers. The all came out to wish me farewell and although I didn’t plan on drinking much, somehow I did. That’s just what happens when your co-workers love to drink and party.

  

Friday we finished off my last day at work doing shots in the kitchen of the office. Now, you would think this was a special occasion since I was leaving and all- but no- they do shots and drink beers every Friday at work. I’ll miss that place!

 

After drunkfest at work – My friends and I went to the Muse concert at Verizon- and although I’ve been to many many Muse concerts, this was by far the best!!! Great seats, great energy, great music, great stage and lights. Being a little drunky added to the excitement. Soooooo much fun! Jen wrote more about it here too if you are interested and I also added a little snippet of one of my favorite songs too for your viewing pleasure. They really are amazing musicians!

Muse at Verizon

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Saturday I was pretty tired from the nice night out before- but I had another fun night ahead. We went out with about 9 girls to Landmark Steakhouse for my sister’s birthday. Oh good God did I drink a lot. I progressivly drank more and more each night starting Thursday and Saturday night was the topper! My sister has all the crazy drunken pictures so I’ll have to post those later if I ever get them- but 9 drunk girls (well 8 plus a driver) and awesome music and industrial fans made for a crazy night. (and when I say industrial fans, picture 30+ year old women dancing in front of them with hair blowing and posing like models). The fans were very useful for the 2 times I got spilled on too… I dried up in a jiffy!

And finally Sunday. Sunday night was great – we had wine and cheese night at Jen’s although I skipped out on the wine (I figured the 3 nights before were probably good enough for 1 weekend). Jen got cheese and crackers, grapes and made the phenomenal apricot brie. We spent time with Lisa, Leslie and Christine just talking and sharing stories. It was a nice night that I will surely miss. 

I look forward to more wine and cheese nights when I come in December! I’ll miss you all and I wish everyone the best in the US!

ta ta for now!�

For Once September 18, 2007

I will actually post something good about driving in traffic. Traffic is one of my least favorite things in the whole world but some good things have been happening in the world of traffic lately that make me happy.

1. College is back in session! At the begining of the summer traffic got horrific and it was taking me about 40-50 minutes to get home every day- even if I waited to leave until 6:30. If I left earlier than that-I’d be screwed and it wouldnt take me less than 50 minutes. Well, the last few weeks- it’s only been taking me about 30 minutes. It was like a miracle when it first started happening- and now it’s continuing and it makes me so happy.

2. Traffic travel time signs. I look forward to the sign like this on the 405 every day on my drive home. It always says the same two things:

Beach Blvd: x minutes

605 Freeway: x minutes

As I approach it, I squint and try really hard to decipher the times. Does it say 10 minutes or is that 20?? It’s a big surprise every day. 

For reference- Beach: 10 minutes, 605: 15 minutes is GOOD. Well, some days I drive by the sign and see 25 minutes to beach and 35 to 605. Damn, thats when I know it will take me awhile to get home. But lately- it has consistently been about 10-15 minutes. I get so excited every time I drive by and see those magic numbers because I know it won’t take me forever to get home.

3.People that tailgate me and get mad that im ONLY going 75mph and they try to drive around me but get stuck behind someone slower in the next lane and I just smile and give a little chuckle as I pass them….. hahahah – that was a long one. It really makes me happy when people are dicks and then they get screwed by their own stupid actions.

 

And lastly- I just thought I would point out that today on my way home I felt like singing really loud in my car. I hardly do this- but I was in the mood (probably in a good mood because of the 3 points above). But… I feel like a dumbass singing in the car because you know everyone around you is looking at you thinking “wow that girl is rocking out.”

Soooo… I decided to hold my phone up to my head as I sang. Seriously. HAHAHAHHAHA – then it just looked like I was talking on the phone.

So gay.

For My Love… September 14, 2007

…who is bummed that all my posts lately seem to be about things I will miss when I leave – (even though in that picture over there I know he is just thinking about how excited he is that I am coming soon)!

Here is a list of things I am looking forward to In Australia!

1. Seeing Andrew (especially in his new pilot uniform with hat and all!)

2. Hugging Andrew

3. Kissing Andrew

4. Thai food from one of the 3 fab places by his house… or maybe even a new one or two. But we definitely will NOT be going back to Chili Lime Too!

5. Being able to walk to the grocery store to buy food for lunch, or dinner… or anything really

6. Working in the mornings and going to the beach in the afternoons.

7. Going out in all new places.

8. More wine tasting weekends… I hope we get to do more of those!

9. Being able to go on beautiful walks.

10. Cooking and drinking wine with Andrew.

11. Another summer!

12. Getting to skip the dark part of the year when daylight savings time ends.

13. Not having to count down the days before we have to say goodbye again.

14. Maltesers  and Tim Tams (even though I can get these at Cost Plus… it’s more exciting in Sydney)

15. And finally (because I have to end this list at some point)… the most important one of all. – Starting my life with the boy I love more than anything!

11 Days and Baby Crazy September 13, 2007

When you leave your home, even for a short time- you think of the things you will miss… favorite restaurants, boyfriends/girlfriends, pets, your own comfy bed…

But when you are leaving for good… you REALLY start to think about things you’ll miss. Things you never really even thought about. Sure I always realized I’d miss my friends and family, my dog, mexican food, dr. pepper, Thanksgiving,  etc. But I thought about it today and realized… in 11 days I’ll also have to say goodbye to:

KROQ (and all the other radio stations I listen to), driving, jello pudding snacks, my treo, my housekeeper, parking lots (although I have thought about this one a  lot), my own closet, the gym, TV shows when they actually come out (yeah, I’ll be way behind all of you this season), my family doctor who has taken care of me since I was 5, Sephora, online shopping (i guess it’s not that easy in Aus), fat-free cream cheese (I don’t even eat this that much, but I hate the fact that if I want to one day… I won’t be able to), my hair stylist/eyebrow waxer and nail salon (looks like I’ll be beautifying every 3 months when I come home). Ok Ok that’s enough for now.

On the other hand… I will not miss:

my $100 texting bills (well maybe it’s cheaper than calling????), sitting in traffic after work every day, Orange County freaks of nature, oh I could go on and on; but lets talk about happier things.

Like BABIES.

Well, this is a happy topic to SOME people, not necessarily me- but I’d like to say congrats to the 3 people I know who had babies in the last 5 days! (and that makes 4 people in 2 weeks if you include little Nelson).

• One of our web developers at work had a baby on the 8th… MY birthday! What a special girl! Welcome little Elizabeth!
• Daryl and Cindee had their little sweet pea, Brooklynn Hope Sakaguchi on 9/11/07. Yay for more little girls.
• And finally, yesterday (well it was the 13th in Australia already) Andrew’s cousin Benn and his wife Tanya welcomed their first baby, Amelia into the world.

So many girls this week! And this week FLEW by! I can’t believe my party was almost a week ago! Only a little more than 1 to go.

Shaking All Over the World September 12, 2007

At around 4:30 am, I was jolted awake by some shaking- it was a pretty big jolt too! Since this woke me from my peaceful sleep, it scared me way more than it would have if I were awake. So, in normal “jolted awake by shaking” fashion – I ran to the doorway. By the time i got there (probably 1.4 seconds) the shaking stopped. I stared into the hall waiting for my sister or someone to come out of their room because clearly they must have been jolted awake too; but, silmilarly to the last earthquake I felt (also at my sister’s house), no one else even seemed to notice. Again I thought… “am I losing it? Did I really just feel that?” But unlike last time, when I thought I was just off balance due to the rolling effect, I KNEW I wasn’t losing it this time. I even had to sleep with the door open for fear of more earthquakes hitting.

So this morning I go online to check the news for earthquake reports and I see a huge piece for this horrific event in Indonesia-

While this is a huge earthquake, I don’t quite think it was the one I felt. SO… I kept searching, but I just couldn’t find ANYTHING for 4:30am. So then I started thinking… maybe I really AM crazy. Or maybe in some way, this Indonesia one WAS felt across the world… ok wait- now THAT makes me sound crazy.

But finally, FINALLY I found what I was looking for – a 3.7 at 4:30am that hit about 9 miles from where I am. I’m not crazy!! But I do have a nice big brusie on my leg from the door handle when I was trying to run for cover.

 

Self Portrait September 10, 2007

I found this picture the other day. It’s pretty much the coolest self portrait ever:

And what’s even cooler is that I’ve met the guy lucky enough to take this picture, Clay Anderson - See… here we are:

About 5 years ago when I visited my sister in Texas we went to NASA to take a tour of the NBL (Neutral Bouyancy Lab). My sister Jan knew Clay who was an astronaut in training there so he took us around and showed us all the action going on in the gigantic pool. It was really cool. Well, when I was in Texas this June, we heard that he was up in space!

So several months later- he is STILL up there. I stumbled on this picture that was taken in August and thought it was so cool!  I would LOVE to be able to take that self portrait! I’ve always been fascinated with outer space and stars and all the crazy stuff out there. I’d love to fill his shoes for just one day – can you imagine the other amazing pictures you could take from up theres?

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Another Year Older September 9, 2007

Last night I had a wonderful time at by 27th birthday/going away party. I’m so thankful for all my friends and family who came out to celebrate with me. It was definitely a bittersweet celebration- but luckily no tears were shed (that I know of)

To everyone that came out – THANK YOU! I had so much fun and I hope you did too. And thanks to those of you who missed the UFC fight- just for me I’m glad you were able to tivo it

Thanks for the gifts! People were way too generous!

Thanks to my mom and sister who put it all together, to Jen for the fab decorating ideas, and to my mom and dad for doing a majority of the cleaning!

Wow I feel like I’m giving an Oscar speech!

 

 

To see all the pictures from the night (from my camera) click here.

Anyways, now that my birthday is over- that means I only have 2 more weeks before I will be leaving to Australia. I still don’t think it has totally hit me yet. And in the meantime, I still have several more things to look forward to:

1. Amanda’s visit

2. The Muse concert

3. Many more dinners with friends

4. Happy hour with my coworkers

5. My sister’s birthday 

 

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Changing of the Seasons September 5, 2007

So the sad news is, there are only roughly 16 days left of summer. Boo… here comes autumn… blah blah blah (and P.S. this weekend was the first time I even went out in the sun… I had a fun day of swimming, relaxing and listening to Lionel Richie with Jen, Shannon, Dougie and Peter)!

Now, I really don’t even care THAT much because even though I really slacked off this summer in terms of sun usage (I spent practically no time outdoors)- it’s ok because it is now officially Spring in Australia which means more sun ahead. And yes, it IS officially Spring there, our seasons start on different days- weird, I know.

But what I DO care about is the fact that stupid Panera discontinued my most favorite salad in the whole entire world. The Strawberry Poppyseed Salad is really the ONLY salad I will order as a real meal.  It was delicious and low fat and wonderful… and now, it’s gone. In its place they have some nasty looking salad with gorgonzola cheese. Sorry I dont eat cheese with blue fungi growing on it! They also advertised their new pumpkin spice lattes, which should have made me really excited… read all about my PSL obsession here (scoll down the page- yes, I now have 5 whole posts on the topic); however, this failed to excite me because: A. I really just am devastated about losing the salad- and B. It’s too FREAKING HOT for hot coffee.

 

When I realized I only had about 3 weeks left until I had to say goodbye to the salad anyways, I felt a little better.

Did I just say 3 weeks? Geez that’s crazy, but when I realize it’s actually 2 1/2 weeks, that’s even crazier. And the craziest of all…..

I am going to be 27 in 3 days. UGH so old. I can’t even believe how old I am. But at least I’m not 28 like Nicole. HEHEHE

Happy Birthday Carter and Nelson! September 1, 2007

I’d like to say happy 2nd birthday today to my youngest nephew, Carter. Such a sweet baby- although I hear that he’s starting to show signs of the terrible twos…. and weighing in at over 40 lbs… he’s not easy to manage. Let me just point out something- you can see this kid is clearly not fat, yet at 2, he weighs more than my 4 1/2 year old niece. Just a solid little boy. My sister definitely has her hands full.

Also, welcome to the world Mr. Nelson Kade Sikes.

My cousin gave birth to their 3rd little boy yesterday. Here’s just the first camera phone pic- but i think it’s cute because his face is all squishy