Listen up, participaction people

It's not always a big love affair between Australia and I. I have my days when I am completely frustrated by how different it feels from Canada (and not in a good way). For example, Aussies don't seem to use that politeness/political correctness filter that most of us Canadians use in our conversations. More than once I've left a conversation thinking "Was that guy a total jerk, or was he just being Australian (and am I being too Canadian)? Also, I can't stand that they still teach scripture in public schools, and don't get me started on the attitudes towards and treatment of asylum seekers in this country (I know, I know, I'm just asking for a mean comment from Anonymous....bring it on!).

But, here's where I think they've done something really great. Surf Life Saving is an iconically Australian organization, largely run by volunteers, who patrol the beaches and save people from rips, stingers and sharks. The best part about it is the Nippers program for kids. This program runs throughout the summer months, once a week, on the beach, and it involves sand and water sports for kids. It's designed to encourage fitness outdoors and to teach surf safety (and if you could experience our beach with its huge waves and massive rips - you'd know how important this is). And because it's run mostly by volunteers, it leads to a a real sense of community. Gus is in Nippers this year and he's loving it. He's especially loving board training and since he's started it, he likes to talk to me about catching a good glider and the value of eskimo rolls (I told him he should tell his instructor that they should be called inuit rolls, but he won't do it).

So, participaction, are you listening? How about a snow safety program? Just think about it.

Gus in board training:


Parents and kids waiting for Nippers to start.

Gus, waiting for Nippers (yeah - I don't get the hat either)

Sand races

Swim races

Check

It's funny how the simple task of making a list can be so motivating. For the past two years that we've been here, on the Friday nights when we occasionally order pizza, I've been tempted to order the Aussie pizza (toppings: egg, bacon and ham) but have always just ended up going with the safe bets that I know we'll all like.

After writing the list earlier in the week, I finally ordered a large Aussie pizza from Crust last night (Friday night=takeaway night for us). The verdict: pretty yum. The egg looked like it had been beaten then poured over top the bacon and ham and then topped with cheese. Not bad, not bad at all.

Now to book that flight to Uluru.

The List

Top 20 things on my list before I leave Oz.


Thanks to chicmate's etsy shop for making the list look pretty.

Let them eat (mud) cake

Mud cake, mmmm. One of the things I love about Australia is that mud cake can be found everywhere, in cafes, on all the dessert menus, and as of last week - in my home.

Last week, someone gave me this recipe for mud cake. It's super easy and super delish.

Melt 200g dark choc and 200g butter.

Add ¼ cup cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla essence, 1 cup castor sugar, 3 eggs lightly beaten, sift in ¾ cup self raising flour. Combine.

Pour half into lined and greased cake pan. Add 100g chopped chocolate. Pour over remaining cake mix.

Bake 55-60 mins at 160C.

I made it last week and we all inhaled it over the next couple of days. Even Vic, who prefers savoury to sweet, enjoyed a few pieces that night and with a coffee for smoko the next day.

Images of Bali

Bali was everything we hoped for and more, a perfect mix of experiencing a new culture, new sights and smells, and plenty of sun, sand, snorkeling, fishing, spa-ing and chillaxing.

Cragging

When I was in Canada this past June, over one or two glasses of wine, Jen, Trev and I came up with a new term: cragging. Cragging is that thing that people do when they pretend to be complaining but what they're actually doing is bragging. You know what I'm talking about: that person who complains that they can never find clothes that fit them because it's hard to find anything at the shops in size zero, or that it's so hard to maintain their great big pool in their backyard. Blech! We all do it a little bit, but some people are chronic craggerts and they're just plain obnoxious.

All that to say that this post is pure crag - so I apologize in advance for that.

This afternoon we leave for Bali. BALI!!! I've been working like a madwomen to try to get a few things off to my advisors for them to review while I'm away. Not to mention trying to tidy up the last of some casual work that I committed to finishing up before I leave. I've been especially stressed to try to get these things done so that I can leave all thesis-related work behind in Sydney. The words social networks, injecting drug users and blood borne viruses will not pass my lips not a once while we're away, and I'm pretty excited about that!

We've also been busy preparing for the trip. We've been studying up on things like how to avoid "Bali belly" and trying to figure out what exactly Gus is going to eat. We're a little worried about him since he is the very definition of "fussy eater", he only eats about 10 items, none of which include nasi goreng. He's all arms and legs these days and appears to be only a couple of skipped meals away from starvation. Suggestions for warding off starvation are welcome!

And meanwhile, amidst all this craziness, after about 10 minutes of Spring weather, it seems we're now into Summer weather (at least, what we Canadians would consider Summer!). The beaches are filling up again and Vic and Gus had their first swim of the season this past weekend. My coastal runs have been amazing, all blue skies with the sun sparkling off the ocean. The views may even rival those from Julie's NZ runs.

First swim of the season.


And for a little Where's Waldo fun, can you spot Gus and Vic in the water?

Spring has sprung

Proof:

• Scary magpies swooping children and parents at Gus' school
  
• Finding a cockroach the size of my thumb in the kitchen last week
  
• No longer needing flannel pyjamas, socks and a hot water bottle at night

And you know what that means? Summer, cornettos and ocean swims are right around the corner. Yippeeee!