Elsja Down Under

Job Market in 2009 March 27, 2008

Good Things March 24, 2008

Some good things to write about this week:

1. Jen’s Beautiful Shower. Some friends and I threw together this shower in a little over a month. Planning things from another country isn’t easy, but we managed to work together- even from a distance and it all came together perfectly. When you’re 17 you go to house parties with kegs and beer bongs… when you’re 27 you go to parties like these…

 

2. Jen’s Engagement Party. Again, planned from the other side of the world, and yet it was a complete success. I think everyone had fun learning to give lap dances and spin on a pole And even more fun eating our delish din din and drinking yummy cocktails and wine at Landmark Steakhouse… and let’s not forget the dancing!

 

3. My Online Billpay was restored. I had to open another Bank Of America account last week since Citibank sucks ass. I used to have a B of A account until I closed it and changed to CB before I moved in Sept. Well, yesterday I go online so I can re-add all my linked accounts to billpay. I actually have the same login info as before, which I thought was pretty convenient, but when I went to add my billpay accounts the site said I did not have an account that could be used with billpay. So I was annoyed and called customer service. She said “let me do some maintenance on the account and it should be active in up to 8-24 hours.” Well 5 minutes later, I logged on and it was active. NOT ONLY was it active, but all my old accounts were already linked up and I didn’t have to add anything!!! That saved me about an hour of time and it was SUPER convenient. I really hope this new account works easier in Australia than my shittybank account.

#13 – Complete a List of 20 Tasks I’ve Already Accomplished March 23, 2008

Task 2 of 101. So since the list is still new, I decided it was fitting complete # 13 create a list of things I’ve already completed or are continually doing that I am proud of. Some of these things were goals of mine, some just happened. Regardless, these are all things I can say I’m proud of or things that have made me happy in the last few years.
 

1. I Go to the gym at least 3 times/week.
   
2. I eliminated fast food from my diet and only eat it a few times a year (gotta have my In N Out every now and then).
   
3. I Completed a 10 day lemonade detox fast.
   
4. I graduated from CSULB with honors (cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa).
   
5. I got my Masters degree from Pepperdine (and graduated with a 4.0).
   
6. I Took a flying lesson (my initial goal was to get a pilot’s license, but then I started dating a pilot and realized I didn’t want a license anymore).
   
7. I Took a wine course.
   
8. I found a wonderful boyfriend. Yes, this is something I’m proud of.
   
9. I toughed it out in a long distance relationship for almost 2 years!
   
10. I Bought nearly everything for our apartment before I even moved.
    
11. I re-covered our dining room chairs with no help.
    
12. I decided in my head one day that I could paint, so I tried it and turns out- I could!
    
13. I just helped plan a wedding shower and bachelorette party for my best friend they turned out perfectly!
    
14. I was a therapist for 1 1/2 years and hopefully helped at least 1 person in some way.
    
15. I was a “stay-at-home mom” for my nephew when my sister went off of maternity leave.
    
16. I paid off credit card debt and started a savings.
    
17. I’ve traveled to 4 of the 7 continents.
    
18. I hiked to the top of Yosemite Falls.
    
19. I did the zip line thingies in the jungles of Puerto Vallarta and Costa Rica.
    
20. I moved to a new country!
    

 

 

5 Years Ago Today March 19, 2008

Yes, I am aware that 5 years ago today, the “War on Terror” started. But more importantly, (to me at least) it is also the day that my beautiful niece was born. Her birth is much happier than war, and she is much prettier and sweeter than war… so that’s why I’m blogging about her and not my thoughts on the war. I’d like to say Happy Birthday to my favorite (and only) niece Emma Linnea!

5 is so old. 5 is halfway to 10! She’s growing up too quickly!!

 

I Take Things Very Seriously March 18, 2008

Including my 101 in 1001. I wasn’t going to start yet… in fact, I’m technically not supposed to- but I actually had free time tonight, so I did. One of my tasks is to blog about my tasks… uh, does that make sense? Well, that’s what I’m doing.

#100, Create a special calendar to track all my tasks

Well tonight I did just that, I created my own fancy excel spreadsheet. I love spreadsheets and I thought this would probably be the easiest and most organized way to track everything, so here’s a piece of what it looks like:

Yes, I know I probably got a little carried away, but I take things very seriously. And, I love creating excel sheets. I’m sure i’ll modify it over time, but it will work for now

1 task down, 100 to go!

I Forgot What I Was Missing March 17, 2008

When I moved to Australia, I knew there would be things I missed. Well, eventually I started missing certain things less and less and even forgetting about some items all together.

UNTIL TODAY… when I went to the giant Albertsons and realized that I had forgotten how wonderful the US grocery stores are. I felt overwhelmed, so many aisles, so many deli selections. I just went to get a few things for dinner and some bread for my mom and I got lost!! Literally, I couldn’t find the boboli pizza crusts, but finally- there they were! I was so happy to see a boboli. I couldn’t find pita chips (never did actually). I was like a kid in a candy store and realized that I must only buy the things I need because I was hungry and needed to get home.

The produce was SOOOOOOO nice and CHEAP. No 2.99 avocado bullshit that we get at woolies in Sydney. They were only $1 each.

But I really had the urge to go up and down each aisle and inspect everything in full detail to see if there were things that I should bring back to Australia with me. Maybe I’ll go back when I have more time.

In Australia’s defense (for lack of quality grocery stores), there was one item I wanted that I couldn’t find at all. Muesli! I’ve grown to really like it in Australia and they just didn’t have any good looking stuff here. Oh well- give and take I guess.

P.S. I really can’t wait to start my 101 list, but I’m SO glad I’m not starting until April because this week has been non-stop action-packed and SO busy!

The Thunder Really IS Down Under March 13, 2008

In the airport in Sydney I walk to the bathroom and notice a guy that looks really familiar, but I couldn’t place him. I thought about it but realized…I don’t know ANY aussie actors. but I knew I had seen this guy before. Then as I come out of the bathroom I see him again and see another guy who he is with and it instantly hits me!!! 

Then as I come out of the bathroom I see him again and see another guy who he is with and it instantly hits me!!! 

THESE GUYS ARE THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER!!!!!!!!! You know, the STRIPPERS in Las Vegas!?! 

 

 

 

 Does anyone else find it completely creepy (and pathetic) that not only did I recognize them after seeing them 2 times in the last 5 years (hey once was for a bachelorette party and the other time we were just yong and stupid)… but I also remembered EXACTLY where I knew them from.

I was so tempted to ask them “do you work in vegas? but by the time I got the guts we were on the plane and they were way ahead of me and so I would have had to walk to to the bathroom way ahead of me and the hostie people probably would have yelled at me. I even wanted to ask the gay Asian hostie to ask the two guys up in the emergency row if they worked in Vegas, but he wasn’t overly friendly so I passed on the opportunity.  So here they are… I still CAN’T believe I recognized them!!

I was so tempted to ask them “do you work in vegas? but by the time I got the guts we were on the plane and they were way ahead of me and so I would have had to walk to to the bathroom way ahead of me and the hostie people probably would have yelled at me. I even wanted to ask the gay Asian hostie to ask the two guys up in the emergency row if they worked in Vegas, but he wasn’t overly friendly so I passed on the opportunity.  So here they are… I still CAN’T believe I recognized them!!

 

I was so tempted to ask them “do you work in vegas? but by the time I got the guts we were on the plane and they were way ahead of me and so I would have had to walk to to the bathroom way ahead of me and the hostie people probably would have yelled at me. I even wanted to ask the gay Asian hostie to ask the two guys up in the emergency row if they worked in Vegas, but he wasn’t overly friendly so I passed on the opportunity.  So here they are… I still CAN’T believe I recognized them!!

I was so tempted to ask them “do you work in vegas? but by the time I got the guts we were on the plane and they were way ahead of me and so I would have had to walk to to the bathroom way ahead of me and the hostie people probably would have yelled at me. I even wanted to ask the gay Asian hostie to ask the two guys up in the emergency row if they worked in Vegas, but he wasn’t overly friendly so I passed on the opportunity.  So here they are… I still CAN’T believe I recognized them!!

 

101 Things in 1001 Days March 10, 2008

 

So I decided to start the 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days Project. Read all about it here. Thanks to Silver on YDU for enlightening me on this fun project. I am going to start on April 4th, the day I get back to Australia from  California. I figure I’ll push it out a few weeks in case anyone else would like to create a list and join me on the journey. Could be lots of fun!! Oddly enough, my end date will be 12/31/10. Perfect way to round out the year The total time for this mission will be 1001 days (33 months).  If I do this well, I’ll have lots of fun things to do, lots to blog about and lots of money saved in various ways. Plus there is always that great sense of accomplishment that comes with checking off items on a to-do list J I also reserve the right to change new tasks as I see fit (if I think of a better one than one I’ve already listed). Soooo…here is my list, it wasn’t easy to create. 101 things is a lot and I really sat and thought hard all throughout the day about things I really wanted to do and/or things that would really be a good challenge for me. Here’s my list… you should make one too! I’ll update my list on my “101 in 1001 List” page… (click the link on the top right of my blog)

Loved Ones:
15. Clean out my contacts and update with current addresses/numbers and birthdays
16. Write at least 1 email to friends/family each month (0/33)
17. Talk to my niece and nephew on the webcam once per month (0/33)
18. Send Christmas cards each year (0/3)
19. Make a “Things we want to do together list with Andrew
20. Get engaged (not really in my control, but I still hope it happens in the next 1001 days!)
21. Buy 24 postcards and send one per month to a different person each time (0/24)
22. Complete the All about Us book with Andrew
23. Get in touch with someone I haven’t talked to in years
24. Start a tradition with Andrew

Go Green:
25. Plant a chili pepper plant
26. Plant a bigger herb garden and keep it alive and free from bugs
27. Buy cloth grocery bags and decline plastic bags

Social Deeds:
28. Donate blood
29. Find 3 charities that mean something to me and donate to them regularly (at least once/year)
30. Give 2$ to these charities for every goal I don’t complete
31. Research presidential candidates and policies
32. Vote in the 2008 election
33. Research a really good cause/charity and educate others on this cause through my blog
34. Donate 1,000,000 grains of rice through www.freerice.com (0/1,000,000) 

 Fun Times:
35. Go on 3 picnics (0/3)
36. Go on at least one planned date each month with Andrew (0/33)
37. Do the Harbour Bridge climb or at least walk across the bridge
38. Learn to SCUBA dive (get a license)
39. Host a game night for friends
40. Go kayaking
41. Organize a large picnic/bbq- just because
42. Watch the sunrise
43. Go wine tasting again
44. Go to at least one festival each year (0/3)
45. Add 3 new board games to our collection (0/3)
46. Watch the fireworks over Sydney Harbour on New Year’s Eve 

Money & Stuff:
47. Own a property
48. Save at least $5000 (0/5000)
49. Start a loose change bucket and save $500 in change
50. For each task I complete, put 5$ in a savings account and do something fun with it 

Travels & Adventures:
51. Create a master packing list that I can use on all future trips
52. Hike to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail
53. Go on a cruise
54. Go somewhere in Asia
55. Visit my sister in Texas
56. Fly business class
57. Go on 3 spontaneous day/weekend trips with Andrew (0/3)
58. Get a globe or good Atlas and learn about new countries
59. Go home to CA at least 6 times (0/6) 

Arts, Culture, Music:
60. Take a painting class
61. Paint something and sell it
62. Take a Spanish class
63. Take at least 2 other evening courses just for fun (0/2)
64. Take photobooth pictures with Andrew
65. Create a black and white photo album
66. Make a mix-tape (CD) with some of my favorite songs and give to friends
67. Take a class/workshop with Andrew
68. Read the Aussie citizenship book a few times
69. Clean out old stuff I don’t want from my Itunes  Shopping:
70. Buy a fancy digital camera
71. Buy a new bed/furniture that doesn’t cause everything to smell old and musty
72. Buy a Wii
73. Buy new pillows for the bed
74. Buy a dehumidifier to help alleviate mold/allergy problems caused by the humidity here 

Food, Bev and Yummy Stuff:
75. Eat an entire shrimp/prawn
76. Create a signature cocktail
77. Bake and decorate fancy cupcakes
78. Be able to eat something cooked with beef
79. Create a cookbook with at least 20 personally created recipes
80. Write down my recipe for chili
81. Learn how to make Swedish pancakes from my mom
82. Go 2 weeks without eating any cheese
83. Go 1 month without drinking soda
84. Make Sangria
85. Buy a fondue set and use it
86. Try 20 new restaurants and blog my reviews of them (0/20)
87. Buy a how-to cooking book and read it cover to cover
88. Start reading wine reviews/buy wine books and buy wines based on reviews, not price (at least sometimes J)
89. Start a recipe book/box and copy all of mom’s recipes that I like

Other Items:
90. Become a resident in Australia (get a visa)
91. Get an Aussie driver’s license
92. Drive by myself in the city and/or to and from the airport
93. Get renter’s insurance
94. Go through all my old clothes and donate things I don’t wear
95. Blog about each of my 101 tasks as I complete them (0/101)
96. Create 3 new goals each in 2009/2010 and complete them by the end of the 1001 days (0/6)
97. Buy fresh flowers once a month (0/33)
98. Get rid of 50 things no longer used (other than clothes) (0/50)
99. Buy a filing system and organize all paperwork
100. Create a special calendar to track all my tasks
101. Decorate for Christmas all 3 years (2008-2010) (0/3)
And when I’m done complete a new list of items

More Weddings March 9, 2008

  Will the weddings ever end? We’ve been to 3 in the last 3 months, not to mention one we had to miss, plus Jen and James’ coming up later this month!! We had a really fun time at Rob and Monica’s wedding on Friday night! Good fun, good food, good dancing! Annnnd… I caught the bouquet! First time I’ve caught one since I was about 11. Obviously it didn’t do much for me back then (that’s a good thing), so I don’t really have any hopes this time… but it was a great way to get all of Andrew’s friends to give him a hard time for 2 minutes. Fun Fun! And the champagne and guava was flowing… Not sure what’s up in this country but the C&G is the wedding drink of choice and DEFINITELY my drink of choice. It is way too easy to drink and just looks so pretty. I love champagne and I love it even more with guava juice. Weddings are pretty different in Australia than in the US. Here are a few differences: 1. They sign the wedding license as part of the ceremony, in the US this is typically done separately. 2. The whole part before dancing starts is WAY longer. Appetizers/Entrees are served first, then mains, then speeches, then about 3 hours into the night the dancing finally starts. 3. I haven’t seen one father/daughter dance at any wedding here. Guess that’s just popular in the US. 4. Every wedding so far has only had 2 bridesmaids/groomsmen (as opposed to the 4-7 I see at most US weddings). 5. When they cut the cake, they don’t actually feed each other the pieces. They literally just cut it and that’s it. Hmmm… there are many others that I’ve noticed but those are the main ones in my brain at the moment. It’s going to be interesting to go back to a US wedding after seeing 3 in Australia recently.

I’ve been Invaded March 7, 2008

Well, my basil plants have, that is. Invaded by bugs. UGH. The guy at the shop told me to buy mint and plant next to the basil and that would keep the bugs away. Well, it seemed to work for about 3 weeks. Now today I go out there to see that my basil plants (that were thriving and growing rapidly) are suddenly sparse and sickly looking due to CATERPILLARS. The little shits are eating all the leaves. I pulled off 2 average size ones, a little one, and 3 TINY ones that I just happened to see randomly. But, I’m afraid there are definitely more- must have some eggs in there for them to be all sizes. Stupid camoflauge bugs. GROSS! And there’s all these little fuzzy white things and little black things and on the back of the mint there are little green things. I counted 4 types of bugs. I’m really sad. I’m going to try to go to the shop up the street and buy some organic bug killer or something to get rid of them. I don’t want to sacrafice what’s left of my dear basil just because these little pests came to ruin my day.

Going Back to Cali March 4, 2008

Well everyone… I know this last 2 months has been tough without me back in Cali- but I will be gracing the good ol’ US of A with my presence soon enough. I’ll be “home” on March 12th. OMG that’s next week! I’ll be there an entire 23 days so hopefully I get a lot of quality time with family and friends. Although one friend has kind of monopolized the time a bit due to her shotgun wedding plans But she’s my best friend ever and she’s worth it.

I booked my ticket today to come back. I’m pretty sure it didn’t cost much more than my last trip from California to Texas. Gotta love staff travel!!

Things I want to do when I’m back…anyone care to join me?

• go to In N Out
• go to don joses
• go to this new place I’ve never tried – Counter Burger

Other great things that will happen in the next month:

• I’ll see Amanda and Alison. Everyone will be back in one place!
• Jen’s shower, bachelorette party and her and James’ wedding will be super fun
• My niece Emma will turn 5! Oh she’s so big. I can’t wait to see her and Preston
• I plan on painting something REALLY cool at Emma’s Color-me-mine birthday party
• I will stock up on alcohol, bisquick, green chilis, reeses pieces and other necessities that I can’t find in Australia at reasonable prices

See you all next week!

Vehicles, Vocab & Vermin March 2, 2008

Driving:  Guess what I did yesterday? I drove for more than 5 minutes, on a freeway even! I drove out to Andrew’s dad’s house and I didn’t even crash or end up on the wrong side of the road. I don’t know what is hardest…

 

• Driving on the left side?  – Nah…I think I’m getting used to thatÂ

• Remembering that the blinker is on the right so that I don’t actually turn the windshield wipers on every time I turn… Yep I think I’ve got that one down! Didn’t screw up once yesterday!Â

• Looking at the speedometer to find I’m going 100??? Oh wait… that’s KPH… still feels fast though!Â

• Checking the speed every 10 seconds to make sure I’m not going over the speed limit?? Ummm… I do think this might take the cake. Usually I don’t worry too much about speeding a little, but here in Australia there are speed cameras EVERYWHERE and you really CAN’T speed or else you WILL get a ticket. Yup, this was the toughest for me on this long drive!Â

I did notice about 20-25 minutes into the drive that I hadn’t looked in my rearview mirror ONCE!! I only noticed when I FINALLY looked and realized I hadn’t adjusted it to where I could actually see. And I wondered why I couldn’t figure out if there were cars behind me. It’s just not natural yet to look up and left when I want to see the rear. 

 

Pronunciations:  I’m adding a new feature to my blog… Aussie pronunciation of the week (or day or whenever I see fit). I’ll start this week off with a few examples.

 

• Hyundai… here it is pronounced Heeunday
• Nissan… here it’s Nissin (like listen)

• Tortilla… tor till uh. I guess the Aussies just pronounce it how it is spelled, but it’s just SO funny to hear! (there’s really NO Mexican/Spanish influence in this country).