Forgot to mention...

I realized I forgot to mention a few points that you might find interesting...

Kangaroos are EVERYWHERE! There are literally hundreds of them, that run in packs, and come within feet of me everyday. Very interesting animals and supposedly very dumb. Not dangerous, but they'll stand a stare at you even if you're 5 feet away. Anise always comments on how cute they are...she thinks everything is cute ;)

The seasons are the complete opposite here than home. Winter has just begun, so it is stormy and cold. Nothing like Sweden, but it's weird to not be going through a summer right now. We're staying pretty warm with fires and heaters in our rooms, but still strange to hear about the 90 degree weather at home, and not have that here. I hear that Sept/Oct. will start to warm up since that will be the Spring time here. There are a lot of opposites here that I'm still getting used to.

This includes the driving...yes, they drive on the left side of the road. The steering wheel is on the right side of the car also. It was really only weird the first few times I drove, then it just became normal I guess. I just have to think about it constantly, as I'm getting into the car , turning, parking, new lanes, etc. Basically all the time. But it's not too bad. I still have to learn how to drive manually their way...oh what a scary challenge! Wish me luck...

I'm loving the accents of course! Still boggles me to be living in a foreign country where everyone speaks english. Following Sweden, this is a HUGE change and convenience for me. I'm still half expecting to hit a language barrier when I go to the grocery store or something. So easy now!! And yes, it's a very attractive language ;) I asked Chloe (one Anise's friends) what language she thought I spoke where I come from, and she replied "Bonjourn??" Love it...

Fishing, fishing, fishing!! It's huge here, and I love it. There is a fishing pole here for me that I use, and I'm loving it! Have only gone a few times, but a lot of people are very successful just fishing right here on our beaches. This morning, Simon's mom caught about 5 huge fish! Dinner tonight! Going out with a group to try my fishing soon today...hopefully I'll be lucky too!

Think that's it for now...thought I'd include these little interesting bits. Cheers mate!

Life has begun down under!

G'Day everyone!

I appologize for the delay on getting this Australian blog started, but everything has just been so exciting and busy! No excuse, because I know you all like to hear the latest and you know I love to share these experiences.

After 4 months of living at home with Mom and Dad, I made the long long journey to Jervis Bay on April 23rd, 2010. As luck would have it, I came on one of the biggest party days in Australia...Anzac Day, which is basically equivalent to our Memorial Day or 4th of July. Huge celebration and ordeal. It actually really worked out for the best, when dealing with the jetlag. I had a great non-stop flight and arrived at 6am Sydney time Sunday morning. I stayed up until 9pm that night (this is basically sleeping about 3 hrs in 24 hrs), then slept for 12 hours. Suddenly, I was just fine and right on schedule, no problems. This loooooong day on my arrival was great! We all still talk about how I made my entrance and met everyone. Worked out for the best.

I'm living with Simon and Fiona Bonavita, and their daughters Jasmine (JJ) 6yrs, and Anise 4. Fiona and I have actually been in touch since before Sweden, so when we all met, it was almost like seeing an old friend. It was just simple, like this is where I'm supposed to be and with them. Jervis Bay is located about 3 hours south of Sydney on the eastern coast of Austrlaia. Man, did I pick an incredible location!! Feel like I've won the lottery!! I'm listening to the waves outside as I'm writing this blog...so rough. The beaches really are "that" incredible. I basically cried the first time I saw the beach, because it was like "ahhhh, I made it!!" Jervis Bay is a Navy Base, so the beaches are private and you hardly see anyone. Feels like a strange dream....empty beautiful beach? Feels like I'm in the series Lost (which I'm catching up on finally). The base is extremely extremely small. Small like 600 people max. But, there are a little larger towns close by to go see a show, the girls have swim or dancing, shopping, food, etc. The base is quiet, but the people here that I've met are outstanding and fun people. I immediately became great friends with the other moms here and their kids. Like my dad says, I'm new blood, so everyone is interested and already knew my name before I arrived.

Fiona is an Executive Officer and does a lot of training of navy leaders...basically very important! She's very smart (of course), logical, likes to cook, dance, exercise, drink wine, etc. Which of course, I'm interested in all those, so we get along just fine. She's very professional and knows how to have fun at the same time. Simon is in the Army in Nowra, about 30 minutes away. He is a Parachute Jumper trainer for the army, very cool huh! Not sure of his exact title, but he loves what he does. Both Fiona and Simon are very fun loving, affectionate parents and love to spend every second available with the girls. There is a LOT of laughing and smiles in this house, I love that! Jasmine is 6 and is very much like Fiona. She's very smart and always likes things done a certain way. Loves to ask me questions about America and loves to point out how I talk funny and say words incorrectly. She and Reese Hobby have started a pen-pal letter exchange! Anise really is "Little Miss Sunshine." One of the happiest girls I've ever met, and I can't help but giggle even as I write about her. Everything in this world is good through her eyes. She'll ask me "is that cool?" Both girls are incredibly loving with cuddles and kisses, and just a delight to know and be around. They are definitely girly girls who love anything with princesses, pink, Hannah Montana, Taylor Swift, flowers, sugar, fashion, music, etc. I get to take them to their swimming and dance lessons, and it really is beyond cute.

Haven't really done too much to report yet, really just getting my feet wet...literally. Sorry, but I'll never get sick of simple runs on the beaches here. I've tried surfing once (better luck next time), lots of fishing, happy hours with new friends, went down to Melbourne for a quick weekend to see Simon's family....but have a few things planned in the next few months. Have a friend living in Sydney that I hope to go see and stay with soon, and another friend coming in July that I'm hoping to meet up with ;)

Once again, I have been extremely blessed with another amazing family and location. Everday, I have a "Life is good today" attitude. Hard not to when you live in a place like this and everyone around you is so positive and laid back. I'm literally still pinching myself. Only 7 more months left! Who's coming out here??

Miss everyone at home and hope all is happy and healthy!! Enjoy everyday, because it's a day and a gift ;) Aussie Aussie Aussie!! Oi oi oi!!

Jani the Nanny