On the Beach

We saw the place on the beach this afternoon and are putting in an application for it. Unless absolute disaster strikes, we'll get to rent this place and move in after August 14th. The full set of pictures available are here:
2/1 Randall Drive, Salamander Bay

The next step is to start shopping for appliances, furniture, and kitchenware. It makes me tired just thinking about it!

"10" is the New "50"

Eric and I are finding that much of what we're occupying our minds with is conversions. If it's 10 degrees Celsius outside, what is that exactly in Fahrenheit? After finally reconstructing the formula on a napkin, we came up with 50 and then amused ourselves with finding the point where Fahrenheit and Celsius cross (-40 for those keeping score). What can I say, it's how engineers entertain themselves! Now we know for certain that their winters really are nicer than the winters back home because that's the morning temperature. Of course, there are also the conversions between miles/kilometers, gallons/liters, and pounds/kilograms, but I'll spare you those details. Needless to say, we're getting some mental exercise.

We are also getting our fair share of entertainment in the driving department. The usage of the "international turn signal" (i.e., the wipers) is slowly decreasing. It now only seems to be happening at moments of extra stress or just when you relax because you think you've got it well in hand. We took delivery of the Toyota RAV4 that we are leasing for the next couple years Friday afternoon so we did a tag-team drive up to the Newcastle airport to return the rental - without mobile phones (non-US speak for cell phones), but it was no worries, mate.

We found a great church to worship at this morning and felt very welcomed. It probably helps that it was easy to figure out we were new what with our accent and all. It is so comforting to know that there are fellow believers here and that they, too, serve a risen Savior (well, actually Saviour). We were so at home there that we found ourselves contemplating whether or not we could make this our home church even though it will most likely be at least 50 minutes from where we end up living (umm, 45 if I'm driving!). Guess we'll just have to wait and see where the good Lord leads us.

I saw some kangaroos yesterday (Eric was focusing on the road - good man!). We haven't seen any koalas. I keep checking the eucalyptus trees for them, but no luck so far.

We were shown another possible rental apartment yesterday. It wasn't what we were hoping for. There's another place coming available in a couple weeks or so and we are applying for it sight unseen. I'm really hoping we get it as we were able to see the unit above it so we know it won't be a dive. The apartment is on the beach and there were some pelicans out there to greet us - pretty cool!

The Stuff of Life

It's hard to believe that we have compressed the essentials of our lives into 8 suitcases. Umm, compressed being rather literal I'm afraid - those suckers are stuffed! It was a very interesting experience contemplating the stuff of our lives. I feel like this is the beginning of our "minimalist" phase or at least comparative minimalism. Now the trick is to keep from beginning another period of accumulation. Not sure how we'll accomplish that since it is looking like we will have to get an unfurnished place.

On top of the nutso packing, we had to say goodbye to the family which was rather hard and Zuzu, our dog, didn't even wait for us to leave to start moping. She knows when those suitcases come out it's bad news and there were so many I think she figured she might as well get an early start on being depressed.

I'm sure the enormity of this change will hit me soon, but at the moment I'm so tired I can hardly think (apparently going to bed at 6:00 AM will do that to you).

Stay tuned for the blubbering when I start missing everybody...

Bushed Already

We haven't even left and we're already tuckered out. At least it was for a very good reason - Amber and Steven's wedding (so far Mom only has a picture from rehearsal). It's hard to believe our daughter is married now. Where did the years go? If the speed of the passing of time for Amber's 22 years is any indication, we'd best not blink for the next few in Australia or it'll be over before we know it.

I should be packing with a vengeance for this move, but we still have relatives in town, and, frankly, I'm rather zapped from the wedding. Tomorrow I will just have to start, zapped or not, because our departure date of July 21st (which, by the way, is our 31st anniversary!) is practically here.