Elsja Down Under

How Many Banks do YOU Use? May 29, 2008

So I was thinking yesterday, I use 6 banks. Yes, 6! I never really thought about it until I went to make a withdraw and really had to think about which ATM card to pull out of my wallet. Depending on which bank I’m at (and which account I need to withdraw from) I have to use the right card. It’s not an easy thing to keep straight!!

So in the US, I have 2 banks:

Citibank- I still have this open even though I don’t use it much anymore.

B of A- This is where my paychecks go

ING- I use this for my savings because the interest rates are much higher than Citibank or BofA

In Australia:

Westpac – don’t actually have an account here, but this is where I have to make withdraws from my US Bank of America account. If I go to ANY other bank, I’ll get charged a crapload of fees. So, when I want to get money out from my US account, I go to Westpac and it’s free!

Citibank – So once I withdraw money from Westpac, I have to put it into an Australian account. I could use westpac to make it easy (withdraw and deposit at the same place) but Westpac has way more fees… so I have an Aussie citibank account because then I can use that ATM card to make purchases and I can also use my Citibank ATM card at ANY Aussie ATM for free.

NAB – Again, I don’t actually have an NAB account- but when I withdraw from Westpac and deposit into Citibank, I actually have to make the deposit at NAB. It’s the only bank that takes citibank deposits (citibank doesn’t have branches).

Luckily, Westpac and NAB are within a 2 minute walk from each other, so I just walk into one and then straight over to the other. And I do all this to keep my bank fees at 5 bucks a month. Not too bad considering I’m doing some serious international withdraws and deposits!!! Ahh…the price I pay to prevent paying high prices!

Still Lazy? May 28, 2008

Well, while I still haven’t got off the couch TOO much over the last few days I have managed to actually acheive a few things I’ve wanted to do. We finally decided on a destination for our trip… I think. We’ll hopefully be heading off to Costa Rica in August. Now, we haven’t actually planned ANYTHING yet, but at least we’ve decided on a location. I think.

I cleaned out my itunes so I can cross #69 from my 101 in 1001 list! It’s about time I checked an item off my list.

My spanish class is going well. The teacher pretty much just teaches in Spanish- I’m amazed I even understand anything.

I also managed to get to the gym yesterday! So, even though it is 3:30pm and I haven’t gotten off the couch… at least I’ve done SOMETHING in the last few days. I realize this sounds worse than it actually is… until 1:30 or so I was actually WORKING from my couch… that’s what I do. So really only 2 extra hours were spent in laziness today. Just had to clear that up.

In addition to planning and working and cleaning… here are some other things I’ve been thinking about today.

1. Sex and the City. It doesnt come out until next weekend for us- so please don’t go and spoil it for me all you US people. Even though I never REALLY followed the show until it ended and moved to the regular network (versus the paid cable that I never had), I’m still really excited to see it. A few of us girls are going to grab some dinner and then head to the movies next Saturday, It better not let us down!

2. Pasta Sauce. Seriously, there is this one pasta sauce here that is just so delicious and I can’t get enough of it. The thing is though, I’m not actually eating pasta a lot. I put this sauce on crackers with cheese like little mini cold pizza snacks. Once I’m done spooning the fantabulous sauce on to my crackers, I lick the spoon. But then I decide that I like the sacue so much by itself that I actually start scooping out spoonfulls of it and shoveling it into my mouth like it is some kind of cold soup. Disgusting right? But it’s just so good. THey really SHOULD make it into a soup. I love this pasta sauce.

3. Laundry. I should do some.

Wow… am I that boring?

Well I guess today, I am.

I Won The Battle May 26, 2008

But I’m still not sure if I’ve won the ongoing war.

War on what you ask?

BUGS! Stupid shitty bugs that like to attack my poor innocent plants. My Cilantro (Coriander) plant was my only plant left that was free from bugs. After Hawaii, I got it back from the plant-sitter (aka Veronica) and it was perfect. I was so happy that it hadn’t been attacked. But then a few days ago, I went out and saw it covered with aphids and my heart sank. It went so long without being attacked, I thought I was safe. I just figured aphids don’t like Cilantro.

Well turns out they do. I almost gave up and just decided to let it die… but I refused to let these little shits win and crush any more of my gardening hopes and dreams! I’m sick of losing all my herbs to bugs! How can bugs beat me?? I did some research and discovered that if you just spray them with a strong hose, they fall right off without causing damage to the plant. Well, living in this apartment, I don’t have a hose. So I took my dear plant into the bathtub and held the plant sideways under the tap for 5 minutes. I watched the little suckers fall right off and swim down the drain to their miserable death. There must have been hundreds and hundreds of them. I took it back outside, dug out some of the dirt from the top that had a few little pests chillin’ and threw that dirt away. I then covered it with some new dirt, hopefully suffocating any of the aphids that I may have missed. Finally, based on the advice of a few websites, I sprayed the plant with a water/dish soap mixture. I will admit, I don’t have a spray bottle, so I used a squirt bottle and think I may have soaked the plant a bit too much because it became a bit wilty… but now, 3 days later… it looks healthier, happy and bug free!

I saved my plant! I will not be overtaken by bugs! Now, let’s hope the cilantro still tastes like cilantro… not like Dawn or Palmolive.

Motivation May 25, 2008

Sometimes my motivation is high… I have energy and willpower and brainpower and I get things done. Take Jen’s wedding for instance. When she called to tell me she was getting married, I got my butt into gear and started researching, planning, ordering, buying and emailing. I was so motivated by this in fact that I actually started planning other things as well, like dinners with friends and picnics. I started looking up recipes and cooking a lot of new things. I was in a good place  But lately, the motivation has been oh so low. I like to sit on the couch and think about all the things I should or could be doing, but I never actually get around to doing any of these things I should or could be doing.

I could be trying to plan our trip for August. Where should we go? What should we do? How much will it cost? How long should we go for? I don’t know. I’m too lazy to think about it. I used to be great at planning trips, now I just can’t make decisions. The sad thing is, I sit on my couch using my laptop all day because I’m too lazy to get up and do anything else, but even then I can’t be bothered looking up trip ideas online. I’m the queen at wasting time online, you would think it would be REALLY easy to just do a few google searches on trip ideas. But no.. too much brainpower involved.

I could be studying Spanish for my class on Wednesday night. I could be reading, writing, looking things up. But nope… don’t really feel like it.

I could be looking up information on inventions. I have a good idea and everyone says I should go for it… but really it’s so much work and effort. I just need someone do do all the research for me! I will admit- I did actually spend 10 minutes of my life today doing a google search on my idea and it looks like SOMEONE may have already put in a patent request for something similar… so that just decreased my motivation to do research even more. But if one day, some lady out there is rich because of this great idea… I’ll be PISSED. Maybe I should just write to Oprah and she’ll help me out.

I could be going to the gym. After the food and drinks I had this weekend, this is probably the first thing I should do today. And maybe it will be… once I get my butt of the couch.

I could be shopping. Not that I SHOULD be shopping or anything, but this weekend when I was out with Andrew’s friends I was telling the girls how I just DON’T shop for clothes here. How I’ve only bought 2 dresses for weddings the entire time I’ve lived here. They were appalled… If my excuse was that I just don’t have the money, it may have been understandable. But really, the truth is… I just don’t feel like carting myself to the mall on a bus and searching around in stores that I have NO clue about to find things that are just too expensive for their own good.

I could be working on my 101 in 1001 list. I’ve been really slacking there. I did so well at first… but now, not so much. I could be doing things like cleaning out my itunes, cleaning out my contacts, researching charities, etc. But nope. 

I could be blogging more. I really do have things I could talk about. But thinking about what to write is a bit too much for my brain at the moment.

Ok, so after writing this out, I feel waaaaay too lazy. I need to get off my ass and get cracking on things. First I’ll go to the gym, then I’ll come home and research trip ideas and then I’ll work on 1 of my 101 items. I may even throw in some planning of a dinner party or something. Ok. here I go. Getting off the couch in 10, 9, 8, 7…

The Ups and Downs of Vacation May 21, 2008

Aloha… I’m finally back to blogging after my vacation. 

Maui was woooonderful! The food, the sun, the cocktails, the beach, the pool, the snorkeling… it was all so great. But like most things… even vacations have a downside. Here are a few of the ups and downs I’ve noted from our holiday.

UP: My great tan I’ve acquired in 1 week. I keep surprising myself as I walk by the mirror and see a bit of brown rather than the glowing white that I’ve been displaying for the last few months!

DOWN: The return of the sun spots on my face that had disappeared with some wonderful cream the dermatologist gave me. Not to mention, the appearance of NEW spots that look like a rash on my hands. Seriously- I feel old. I probably should stay out of the sun.

UP: Mai Tais, Coronas and Lava Flows.

DOWN: Not drinking enough of these!

UP: Qantas, such a nice and easy airline to fly with. We didn’t have any problems with staff travel and the planes weren’t too cramped.

DOWN: Hawaiian Airlines BLOW! They were SO rude, SO unorganized and SO USELESS!

UP: On the airplane (or aeroplane for the aussies), we had a spare seat on the way back. We could stretch out a little and enjoy a BIT more comfort.

DOWN: Did I mention it was a 10 hour flight?

UP: The gym was right downstairs. Just a simple elevator trip and I was there working my booty into shape.

Down: After the gym, I usually went straight to the pool where I ordered more cocktails…reversing any positive effects of the previous gym experience.

UP: Beautiful weather… warm sun, clear skies (for the most part), the ability to wear skirts and dresses outside at night.

DOWN: Coming home to the cold

Ok, so that’s enough with the downers- really, there aren’t too many when you’re on a wonderful Hawaiian holiday… here are a few other things I truly enjoyed about our trip!

• Homemade guacamole, grilled corn on the cob and Coronas enjoyed at a sunset BBQ with family and friends.
• Mai Tai Lounge… a new restaurant that I HIGHLY recommend! Nachos made with wonton chips and sweet chili sauce are the BEST nachos ever! Oh and the wasabi mashed potatoes?? YUM!
• Snorkeling for FREE on the beach and seeing giant Sea Turtles. A few years ago we paid for a snorkel tour and didn’t see ANY turtles.
• Drinking wine on our balcony with a beautiful view of the ocean and pool.
• Playing glow putt with Andrew, Preston and Emma and kicking butt! I putt much better in the dark than I do at normal mini golf courses.
• Our cool ATV adventure. Even though I was really scared that we were going to tip over, it was pretty fun and I’m glad we did it!

If anyone is interested in seeing pictures, I have a few of them HERE and HERE… haven’t uploaded them all- my internet is crappy and slow!

Leaving on a Jet Plane May 9, 2008

Well, this post tackles two topics, both regarding flying.
First of all, we’ll be flying to Maui later this evening!! YAY! This will be the first trip andrew and I are taking together on a plane in the entire 2 1/2 years we’ve been together.

Airports are usually full of sadness. I’m always saying goodbye to someone. It used to be Andrew all the time and those days were HARD. Now when I travel I’m saying bye to Andrew or my family and friends. It will be SO nice to go to an airport for the first time in years and NOT have to say goodbye. Instead we’ll be saying ALOOOOOOHA!

We’ll be staying with my sister and the kids so it will be great to see everyone… Andrew hasn’t seen them all in a year and a half!
We’ll be flying Qantas… which is ironic because soon, someone I love will be actually FLYING Qantas… yes… actually flying the plane (or at least hanging out in the cockpit!)

That’s right! Andrew got accepted into Qantas! He’s been flying for Qantaslink (Eastern) for the last 9 months but his goal his whole life has always been to fly for Qantas on the big jets. Well a few days ago he found out that he’s been accepted for a Second Officer postition. It’s actually way less work and responsibilities than he has now (which isn’t necessarily a good thing) but it’s a lot more money and holds a much better future.

He probably won’t start until December or so but at least he’s in line! He had his interview and Sim test 5 weeks ago and he wanted to keep it a secret from everyone. He was supposed to find out within 3 weeks and this week was #5, so you can imagine how agonizing and stressful the last few weeks have been.

Who knows… maybe one day Andrew will be the one flying the plane to Hawaii!!

I Don’t Get Sick May 8, 2008

Until today…

I can’t remember the last time I got sick. Typically, if I start to feel under the weather I start downing my Wellness Formula vitamins that I SWEAR by and the little sick bugs never fully take over my body. Literally, if I start to feel a BIT off, I take the pills and by the next day I feel totally better.

Well what am I supposed to do when my body gives me NO warning? How am I supposed to start taking my pills without the hints of of impending illness?? Today I woke up at 2:45am with a horrible sore throat. I didn’t even have to swallow… it woke me up from my peaceful slumber and I just KNEW that as soon as I swallowed… I was going to be in for it. But I had no warning last night… didn’t feel even slightly off balance. Just WHAM… I was hit with this crap out of nowhere as I slept!

But never fear, I got up and started taking my vitamins and took them a few times throughout the night. When I woke this morning, my throat was just a little hot and uncomfortable- not severely hurting like it was at 2:45am. Even more of a reason why I love these miracle vitamins!

I still felt like crap all day. Weak, aching, sore (I think that is primarily from my crazy gym outings lately) and I didn’t have much of an appetite at all until about 3pm. The odd thing is, I’ve eaten better this week than I have in months. I’ve ONLY had water all week and I’ve had a lot of it! I’ve been working out pretty hard (maybe too hard??) Regardless, I’ve had a very healthy week and then this crap happens! UGH.

I’m hoping and praying that my Wellness Formula kicks some serious virus butt as I sleep tonight so I can wake up feeling better. It would be nice to get off the couch tomorrow. And it would be nice to get dressed and feel decent enough to pack for my trip on Saturday.

Coommme on Wellness Formula! I’m counting on you to make me allll better!!

UGH May 7, 2008

I had a whole Idol review typed out last night. Hit post and then went on my merry way. Well this morning it has disappeared. Damnit! All that work for nothing. SO here’s my revised SHORT review.

David Cook: Song 1 was fine, song 2 was good. He’s still the leader I think.

Syesha: She has really stepped up! So much personality and a great voice! I really like her now, but her second song was still quite boring to me.

Jason: BLEW tonight. Song 1, SUCKED. Song 2 was better but still wasn’t good. He needs to get out of his cloud of pot smoke and get his act together. I’ve accepted that he won’t win, but I still hope he makes it in the music world- I’d like to hear more of him.

David A.: Song 1- GREAT. I loved it! Song 2- boring as shit. But he still has a great voice, especially for a kid! He’s come around and I’m starting to like him again, I still don’t think he has enough personality to be a real star though.

Predictions:

Syesha and Jason will be in the bottom 2. Jason will be out for 2 reasons. 1. He blew tonight. 2. Syesha is always in the bottom 2 but she never loses, so I’m sure it will be the same tonight.

Finally May 5, 2008

Did I mention that I’m SO happy the writer’s strike ended awhile ago and that shows are finally back on. I’ve already watched 2 new Grey’s Anatomy and some new Gossip Girl (oh yeah, did I mention that’s my new secret love). I still have 1 or 2 LOST episodes to catch up on, so I’ll watch those on Wednesday when Andrew goes on an overnight trip. Oh… after American Idol of course Oh… and after my Spanish class that I’m finally starting on Wednesday! I really should’ve taken a Spanish class years ago, better late than never I suppose!

Did I also mention that I’m going to Maui on Saturday? Andrew and I are very excited that we finally get to go on a real trip together. There’s always a slight fear that we won’t get on our flight since we have staff travel… but when tickets from Sydney to Maui cost $358 bucks round trip, you really can’t complain!

What else have I been doing?? Getting my booty kicked at the gym by a trainer. I’ve been two times… trying to finally burn off some of this Aussie flab that has started to creep up on me since moving here. I just don’t know where it’s all coming from!! My best guess is the higher quantities of wine that I’ve been consuming in the last few months! Friday I did an upper body work-out, but that just couldn’t compare to the agony of the lower body workout today. Pretty sure I might not be able to walk tomorrow, but it’s all good. Should’ve started this a few months ago… seeing as how I’ll be hanging out in a bikini all next week!

Oh and I finally found something else to eat at lunch! I pretty much eat the same exact thing every single day. Turkey and cheese sandwich on a big bread roll.  I decided last week that I needed to find something else with less cheese and less bread. I wanted to mix it up a bit and try something that could be a tad healthier. So thanks to Leighton and Julz, I discovered these rice wrap things. They are kinda like really thin square tortillas, but they are made from rice. Anyways, I got some tzatziki and some shredded chicken and cashews and tomatos and wrapped it all up and had myself a delicious new lunch for my tummy. Very healthy and very satisfying. I can’t wait until lunch tomorrow, where I will eat the same exact thing.

Mmm I’m hungry. I should go to bed.