New Apartment

It has been a while since my last post, but we have been REALLY busy the last couple of weeks. We only had that first apartment we were in for one month so we had to find a new place and be out of the old place by November 12^th. The place we found is tiny. So, tiny that we weren't sure if a double bed would fit in either of the rooms. We are pretty much settled into the new place. It is turning into a pretty cute place with all of the little touches I have added. Today I am thinking on an inexpensive way to build a short wall around the AC unit that sits on the balcony. It's nice today and not too hot so I was going to sit out there in the sun for a bit. Then came the BUT... a big smelly BUT in my sun-sitting plan. Someone (a previous tenant) got the bright idea to put a pea-green shag rug on the balcony, but when it rains it gets all wet. Well, rain after rain after rain and that rug REEKED. It smelled so bad that I was starting to wonder if something had died under it. Just thinking about it makes me gag. I took one for the team and managed to get it into a garbage bag and down the trash shoot it went never to be seen again. Swept off the balcony and now it's back to that pesky AC unit. I just don't want to stare at every time I want to go out there. I think I've learned that fabric is the wrong way to go, but wood or metal paneling might be expensive; not to mention that my tool set consists of a $10 tool set we bought at Walmart. Oh well, I'm sure I'll come up with something.

Back to our new place. We are further north than we were before, but are still basically in the CBD. We are walking distance from Lygon St. too which is turning out to be nice. There are lots of little shops and restaurants there. There is lots of Italian with some Greek, Indian, Thai, and Japanese also. Ian and I went for a walk just the other night and ended up getting Gelato for dessert. Sooooo good. Kayla, my big sis, would probably say not as good as real Italy, but I like to think it's close. I got a kick out of the fact that we moved to AU and flew 9,000 miles (14,000 km) to live in a primarily Italian area. Lucky for me that I love Italian food.

We are much closer to the market now too. We still aren't going any more than we were before, but we don't have to walk as far to get there. Got more kiwi and mango when we went last. They are so sweet that I just can't seem to get enough of them. Sprite too; I love Sprite here. Can't hardly stand it at home, but since everything is made with sugar it is delicious. Mt. Dew is not the caffeine sugar rush that it is in the states which makes me sad, but I think I can survive without it. I've learned to put milk in my tea. Sorry Dad, but that's just how it is here. I kept ordering tea when we went out and couldn't figure out why it came with a side of milk. I decided I should at least try it and it's pretty good. I tend to add one teaspoon of sugar to one cup of hot water and add one tea bag. I let that sit for a few minutes then remove the tea bag. I then add just a little bit of milk; only about a tablespoon or so. A little bit goes a long way when you're adding it to tea.

What else? I found a Domino's close to our apartment. Sometimes you just need a little bit of home and cheap Americanized pizza is exactly what we needed the other night. It's not as cheap as Little Caesar's Hot and Ready, but it tastes just like it does back home.

I was able to talk with my parents for a while today; that was really nice. I get to see my Kona when I call home too. I miss my puppy more everyday and my mom says she misses us too. I can't wait until Friday (it will be Thursday at home) when I'll get to talk to the whole family.

I should probably go get ready to leave. Ian and I are going to St. Kilda today. It's warm and sunny and I want to go walk on the beach for a bit. That's right, while you are all snuggled inside away from the snow we are going to the beach. Also, when the sun goes down the penguins head back to their rocks. Ian didn't go the last time I went down there and he wants to see the penguins. We might get a beautiful sunset tonight too. I'll take lots of pictures if there is anything worth taking pictures of.