Found this on FB and I do love this little jingle

To Do

-Put the millions of dollars in the bank tomorrow morning that I have made at the cafe the past two days...ok maybe not millions

-Go to my new gym that I got a membership for in the morning and do some sit ups 

-Beach run

-Blog about my new cafe job

-Blog about Christmas and post pictures

- Go on a boat for housemate Ryan's 29th birthday and cruise around the SYD harbor

-Work at the cafe some more

-Watch the 4 movies we rented

-Figure out NYE and what kind of trouble we will be trying not to get into

-Continue to make money and save so I can buy some plane tickets to other parts of Australia and New Zealand

-Grow wings so I can fly to America for a few days to watch and cheer on the captain of the CDH Raiders hockey team

-oh oh and blog about backpacking flashbacks

After A Christmas Day BBQ

Pictures to come but I thought I would show you what Brad and I found 

Chritmas Eve In Bondi

I am going to be honest here. 100 percent truthful because Santa is probably listening and I want him to deliver presents to me tonight. Here is how Christmas Eve happened in Bondi....

I went to work at the cafe and found out they need to up the hourly rate or I won't last long...got home about 645PM

Then I overreacted. We had no set plans..no Christmas party, no dinner plans....lots of ideas but no ball was rolling and in motion. There was a lack of communication...so I took a long shower, pored a glass of wine and went out back to the garden. Brad came out with a cold beer, we had a little chat...I guess I wanted a more Christmas Eve type of night..so did he but we are both so...ok I will do this, or that....or that. Not good at making decisions the two of us. Practice makes perfect though.

Something that was not even on the let's-do-list until tomorrow morning was thrown into play among all of our other ideas. Christmas Mass. We had 15 minutes to shower and rock and roll up to St. Patrick's Church. Christmas hymns, Baby Jesus in a Manger and me crying though the whole song Silent Night. NOW we are talking Christmas.

After mass we went for some Tapas and wine at a great little Spanish place, followed by a night cap and dessert at a trendy bar called Rum Diaries, then topped off with a second night cap at Bondi Social with live music over looking the ocean.

PERFECT

UNPLANNED

FLYING BY THE SEAT OF OUR PANTS kinda night

It was a GREAT Christmas Eve. So lucky to have Brad and so EXCITED because tomorrow we are going to have a wonderful present opening session, championship breakfast, family skype dates and beachside BBQ's. Bring on the Christmas spirit cause Santa really is coming to town!!  

Santa is almost here!

I hope everyone has their Christmas shopping done, gifts wrapped and cookies baked. Things are going great over here and looking forward to having my first beach Christmas. Last year a Thai Christmas, this year seaside...who would have thought?

I thought I would do a quick little update with what has been going on around here. I will start with the cat AKA the party cat. This little kitty is black and likes to sneak in our back door..he is not the 1st cat to try to get into our canned tuna but lately he as been hanging out a lot.

The other night I woke up to Brad out of bed walking around the room saying "come here little buddy" I had no idea what he was doing but my 1st thought was he is sleep walking! In a startled voice I asked what he was doing and he said looking for the black kitty cause it had crawled into bed and was walking on him!! Party Cat you have gone to far sneaking into our bed! Then again, the other night all the doors were closed and there were a few of us in the living room watching TV. Who do you think comes barreling around the corner and into the living room? That tricky kitty. I am not sure how he gets in or how long he hides under beds until he revels himself but I am pretty sure the boys like him and are feeding him and scratching behind his ears to keep him around.

One other not as interesting thing going on is I got another job. I am trying my hand at cafe girl again. This one so far looks more promising. No dishes, no food making, no crazy cleaning the place head to toe when the shift is over. I get to actually interact with customers like my old waitress gigs I had in Chi. The best part is instead of serving shots and miller lights until all hours I get to serve fresh juice, coffees, poached eggs, fruit and yogurt until about 1 or 2(if I get the early shift) then skip down to the beach and read my latest romance novel.

We have some plans cooking for Christmas but nothing set in stone. Hope everyone is having a grinch free Christmas season!

see anyone you know...

A bit of a trend....

--Sunday morning wake up and crave a fruit bowl from Zohara

--Order coffees and see what people have to offer on the notice fridge...cabin rentals, babysitters, puppies

 --To go to the beach or not to go to the beach

  --Go to the beach

--Struggle a little bit

--Seaside nap

--Wind blown hair

 --Stroll home and take note of all the cafes hoppin on a Sunday afternoon

--Shower, shave and put on Sunday's best

--A few Sunday funday cocktails with Brad's work mates

--A seafood raffle....we took home a PLATTER of prawns, smoked fish and oysters

--Sunday night BBQ

--Counting down the minutes until my eyes close and I am having sweet dreams till Monday morning

IPAD Christmas Fun

Last week we put up a tree....let me rephrase. Brad put up a tree, I played with photo booth on his Ipad.  To give me some credit I did help with the lights and capturing our 1st Christmas tree set up in super cool pictures. 

Two Peas in a Pod

This weekend has been very busy and filled with heaps of good times.  Maybe one of my favorite nights was last night in Sydney.  The day started off with the beach and Bondi Markets and ended sometime are 4 AM after patio parties, dance parties and a late night Skype to Lisa....who thinks it is a good idea to skype their mother at 4AM after drinking ALL night. I do. Come on Rach!  

Karter and Brad are great friends and it is hard not to have a smile on your face when you hang out with these two knuckleheads.  Karter is heading back to the States today with a 50/50 chance of returning all depending on a few different job opportunities...I wish him nothing but luck and can't wait to have dance parties again soon whether they are at King Kongs or somewhere in the States. You know how people get home sick? I bet Brad and Karter get Brad/Karter sick so I am going to have to keep Brad busy and cross my fingers Karter returns in a few weeks!!

An evening at the theater

It was date night last night and what a date it was!  Brad took me to Jersey Boys!  We had both seen it in Chicago but loved it so much we thought why not give the Australian cast a shot.  They did not disappoint! Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons....what a story, what a show.

I met Brad downtown after work so we could grab pre-show drinks and dinner.  There is this new bar that opened up that him and his work buddies LOVE.  It is very secret and only the cool kids know about it. When he turned me down back alleys, took me down fire escape stairs that were dirty and started pushing open a big heavy door I was thinking to myself I was about to end up a missing girlfriend story.  Just kidding, no I didn't. Maybe the thought crossed my mind for like, .5  seconds

Yea, so anyway. Brad pushes this big heavy door and it was like entering a different time zone.  This bar was awesome.  Dark lighting, candle fixtures on the walls letting off a romantic and mysterious glow, old pictures, bartenders with mustaches and bow ties, walls of whiskey. bowls of pretzels.....Baxters Inn my official favorite bar in Sydney.

After we each had a whiskey on the rocks we headed over to a Chinese place across from the theater for some dim sum and stir fried veggies.  I feel bad for any place Brad and I ever eat dim sum again.  After that gem of a place we found in Melbourne our standards and expectations are pretty dang high.

Our timing was impeccable we sat down in our seats right as the curtain was going up. The music started, the dancing was picking up, the costumes were sparkling and I was thinking to myself why the hell am I sitting in this dang seat I should be up there!!  Only if those voice lessons would have worked out and I stuck with the tap dancing...maybe then I would have made it as a star.

I tried telling Brad at intermission over a glass of wine I was born to be on that stage. I think he might of thought I was kidding.  I do have a resume started for it.  Cinderella in 4th grade, a ditsy daughter in Music Man in 8th grade....I should have no problem locking down a role in no time.

Aside from being called to the stage it was the perfect date night.  What more could a girl ask for? Thanks Brad for a wonderful theater night in Sydney Australia!

So about rebuilding that tan..

Rain rolled in about 20 minutes after our arrival..I asked for it by putting up the 1st post this morning.  I will never again be boastful about the weather..

 After we got chased away from the beach by the thunder we had a pretty low key Sunday.  Fine by me because we all happened to be a little over served this weekend...this one bar we went to last night was HUGE room after room, inside and outside, upstairs and downstairs, live band area and dj booth area..crazzyy. Oh and I was so excited because the 1st bar of the night was called Mississippi so I thought I would be in some great American flavored place.....turns out it was spelled Mrs. Sippy. Shoot..  

Ok well I am spent off to bed in hopes to rest up.  Big week.....I hope to be working heaps and we have some fun evenings planned, I bet my head will not even remember hitting the pillow here in a few minutes. 

Australia is feeling better!!

The clouds have stopped crying and the sun is shinning again!! For a second I was beginning to think the sun had forgotten about Bondi.  Swimsuit, book, towel, quick cafe brekkie/coffee and we will be trying to rebuild the tan. 

276

I can't and I won't say much but if your read this blog please send me your address. I can't confirm or deny one thing. Thanks~!!  oh and I am told this is my 276th blog post......I feel like I should almost have a party on my 300th blog.

It was a sunny day in bondi today and the babysitting jobs are rolling in like waves so if you were sending me JOB vibes THANK YOU.  HAPPY FRIDAY.

 ra.dietsch@gmail.com

Working in Childcare

Would you be keen to change his nappie?  Would you change his diaper?

I got to wee!!! I have to go to pee!!

Time to pack away!  Clean up, clean up!!!

Quick Sticks!  Ok, fast, hurry it up kids!

Morning tea/afternoon tea.....  morning snack/afternoon snack

Can you pat them to sleep?  Can you rub their backs so they take a nap?

Do you need a cuddle?  Do you need a hug?

Put that in the bin.  Put that in the trash

Alright, clearly this is not as complicated at the Thai Language but I won't lie it takes some time to get used to these words.  If I use words like diaper or clean up or snack I get looked at like what the heck is this lady with a funny voice talking about????  I have given a lot of blank stairs, stutters and have to had to ask people to explain exactly what they want me to do.  Everyone has different accents. SOME Australian, British, Dutch, German, French....you name it... we are all trying to understand each other. The thing is going from center to center they all are use to each other and know the routine of the day so I am usually the only foe in the headlights. I can't wait to come home with all my new vocabulary. Australian with some leftover Thai. I am going to be a real treat.

Two children who deserve a mention. One little girl who "flies" wherever she walks while wearing a hot pink pretty princess fairy dress. The other little girl. Naughty. Pulls hair and bites and screams at the top of her lungs. I would like to compare myself to child number one.  

That is all for today. Rainy day here AGAIN in Bondi.  I would like to thank Rachel S. for the use of her inbox this afternoon, the beach for making my run in the soft sand challenging, all the kids this morning who did not poo in their nappies since I was on morning nappie duty, my friends at the corner cafe for comparing notes on India, and this cup of vanilla green tea for keeping me company while I do a quick blog post. 

Frosty Mug

Once upon a time two girls were on a little day trip to a farm.  Their names were Caroline and Rachel.  Caroline had family down in Southern MN and this particular weekend the farm had two puppies that had not been sold. The girls played and played with these puppies all day long. Gave them baths and even tied blue ribbons around their necks. The inevitable happened. The girls fell in love with the puppies...what could be better then being best friends...oh yea...being best friends with puppies that were brothers!!! AHH!! Matching PUppies!!!  

Rachel called home and was told no puppies were to be brought home. Rachel called back and asked little sister Amy to be put on the phone and told Amy the situation. White puppy, blue ribbon, from farm....go work your magic on Mom and Dad.

Later that night Rachel walked a cute little white puppy though the James Ave door step. He would soon be called Frosty. Caroline took her puppy to Portland Ave who would be blessed with the name Albert.

Rachel grew up and went to college in Chicago.  She loved Chicago so much that she stayed there for summers and even after graduation. Frosty was always invited to come live with her in her small Chicago apartments.  However, Frosty always denied the invitation because he would miss Oreo to much and Master Lisa and Master Mark fed him like a king and took him on daily power walks by the Mississippi.  He just was not ready to give up that lifestyle. 

Even though he did not like thunderstorms, was an accomplice to Oreo in the guinea pig murders and got into trouble with Master Lisa while the rest of the family were building snowmen on Christmas...we still loved him...maybe a little less when he got a haircut and looked like a drowned rat....no, ok, we still loved him then too. But all dogs must go to doggie heaven and it was his time on Saturday....

Poor little Rachel found out in Australia today (Tuesday)...I guess that kind of news takes its time..even though she is pretty sure she had skyped with members of the household between the time of death and today.  (Secrets secrets are no fun...unless you're trying not to upset Amy during finals...Amy don't be sad. At least you did not have to try to say goodbye cause we both know you would have put him in your pickup trunk and tried to save him in your APT in South Dakota.) 

Rachel dates a wonderful boy named Brad who will one day leave his job to become a poetry writer. He left these words on her facebook wall and there were no real tears for Frosty until she read his Ode to Frosty Mug

there was an old dog named frosty mug

he sat like a bunny and loved to hug

and although he liked amy the best

he still had love for all the rest

sadly it was time for frosty to move on

rachel ann and co. cant believe he's gone

but I hope he can count to 2 million and seven

cause thats how many bones he'll get in doggy heaven

-BW

Sleepy Sunday

Sunday consisted of only a few activities
Sleep
Eat
Shower
Ipad games
Sleep
Eat
Ipad games
Coffee and Mag time
Ipad games
A wild and crazy adventure 1 1/2 blocks away to Bondi Pizza

It was a cold, windy and rainy day in Bondi yesterday. Not very pleasant at all for doing anything but the above activities. Oh well I think all that doing nothing yesterday let a little something something take over my body. I came home with the shivers and body aches and today I am home sick in bed with a fever, more body aches, a pounding head and moments of hotness and shivers.  Uh. Come on body snap out of it!

6.4 million

What a Saturday!  I LOVE not working on the weekends because it allows me to have one heck of a time with my favorite accomplice.  Brad and I started the day off with a coffee and a stroll though the Bondi markets sampling cookies and people watching. 

 Yesterday was beautiful the sun was shining and there was a nice breeze to keep us cool as we wandered around Bondi.  The board below shows all the different coffees that these bondi kids sip on all day everyday.  I usually go for the long black but if I want to be fancy and high maintenance I order a strong skinny flat white 3/4 milk. Just delightful...Brad has been on a soy flat white kick..soy it up babu.

 I am going to make more of an effort to carry around the camera so I can snap more pictures of day to day life over here.  This car is a staple part of a beach town off the coast of Australia.  Surfboards tied to the top of the car, wet suits drying out the window and towels hanging wherever.  If you peek in the windows there is a good chance you see the actual surfer taking an afternoon nap resting up for the evening ride.

 We walked over to Bronte which is a town right next to Bondi.  Brad as been raving about M Cafe and their breakfast bowls..I mean these bowls were a taste of heaven.  Fruit, yogurt, bircher muesli and toasted muesli..this alone is a good enough reason to come visit us way down here.

 After brekkie we were off on a hunt for some special items for an event we had Saturday evening.  We took some short cuts and got off track a little here and there but that made the day even more fun.  As you can see the houses around these parts are pretty sick. HUGE and millions of dollars..I would be lucky if I even got my foot on the front door step. Well my luck changed. There was an open house and auction at one of the mansions by the sea. If you are wondering, yes we did put a bid on the house. Brad and I would look good in this house and throw some killer dinner and dance parties you are all invited to.

              THIS HOUSE (click here to see our new home)  Brad works hard for his millions so he has no problem spending some on a sweet house. Plenty of bedrooms, private pool and fantastic entertaining area. I would have to say the best part about touring this house was when we were up on the second floor back balcony.  As other potential house buyers were talking to the real estate agent Brad was yelling for Joanne to come into the house because dinner was ready.  He did this in a loud and very country accent.  They knew we were serious about putting a bid down after this because we were already role playing and making it home.

 After a great day of walking around, eating, coffee drinking and hunting for props it was time to shower and shave. It was soccer banquet time. An evening to be filled with awards, Chinese food, karaoke, wine and trouble. Our friends Mr. Love Heart and Ms Pinky came over for some pre dinner drinks then we were off for yet another night to go down in history.

Confession

All I have wanted to do is see a kangaroo. 

Not in a cage or at a zoo but in its natural habitat hopping around. 

Last night some heartless soul ordered kangaroo grilled with a side of dipping sauce. 

I denied it. 

Then I tried it. 

I accidentally went for seconds. 

I am sorry Mr Kangaroo you tasted just like chicken