new friends

This is our house. It's not really tilted.










A few quick stories for today. This morning, Mark went and played his first real round of golf since we left home. He had a great time and is looking forward to playing again with his own clubs if they ever arrive. We were told that all our stuff was loaded into a big container in Los Angeles and then onto one of those monstrous ships that defies every law of physics as it stays afloat with all its girth and heft. The ship allegedly then sailed across the Pacific Ocean and was supposed to arrive in Sydney sometime last week. I've been here on the Tasman Sea for about a month now. Every time I've been at the beach, I've seen between six and ten of those monstrosities sitting out there, way off shore, not moving a millimeter. Their omnipresence makes me feel like I'm being watched. I was curious about why there are so many ships out there, not moving, every day. And I'm absolutely convinced that one of those ships has my stuff on it. So I spoke with my stepdad about it, as he knows a little bit about everything. He said it is possible that they are being "docked" out there. Sometimes, he told me, when there isn't enough shipping work going on, they keep the big ships out there rather than dock them onshore where they take up too much room.

So I'm thinking, if they are that short of work, why not go ahead and make themselves busy by bringing in our stuff???

Anyway, my point is, Mark had to play with rental clubs today and found those clubs, in combination with the thick air and the yardage marked in meters to add a bit of challenge to the otherwise effortless game. He really enjoyed the course and had a good story about his chat with an older gentleman, originally from Scotland. After this man learned where Mark was from, he asked, "Have you had the operation yet?" Mark said, "Excuse me?" The man asked again, "Have you had the operation yet? They'll have to remove about 90% of your brain if you are going to stay here." There's this sterotype that Australians are stupid--the 'all brawn and no brain' kind of sentiment. I've found it hard to remember not to confuse the laid back, 'no worries' kind of attitude with dim-wittedness, not because I find the people here lacking in intelligence but because I hear that sort of joke about them so frequently that I am starting to look around to see if it's true. I've never heard of an entire culture dubbed dumb--drunks, yes, but not plain stupid. I'll keep doing some research and let you know what I find. So far, I'm not seeing it.

I wanted to share a story about a conversation I overheard between Gabe and Jordan. It is a great illustration of how they are processing all the new things they are learning. We were driving and an ambulance wailed by us with lights flashing. Gabe said, "I only see ambulances here, not fire trucks." Then he thought for a moment and said, "It's because it is so humid here, there are not really any fires." Jordan countered, "No, it is because the cars in Australia and skinnier than the ones in America and so the fire trucks are too big." I'm sure I've come to similar sorts of conclusions about strange circumstances here as well.

While Mark was playing golf this morning, the kids and I went to a party in the park by the lake and got to meet a whole slew of families we'll be going to school with this year. Very friendly folks with very happy children. Really, it seemed like a slice out of the 1950s at this park today. The kids played tug-o-war and parachute games and whacked at the pinata for a good 20 minutes and hunted for chocolate treasures in the bushes and trees. The dads managed the games and the moms congregated around the food, nursed babies and the random injured child. Everyone got along beautifully and both the children and the parents welcomed the three of us into their world easily. Gabe disappeared from my side within 30 seconds of our arrival and joined in with a group of probably 15 boys he'd never met before. He did check in with me once--when he got thirsty. Jordan stayed with me for some time until we found a little girl named Eve that will be in her class. Eve's mum and I asked her if she'd like to take Jordan to play and off they went with two other girls. Jordan did check in with me quite a few times while we were there but was always eager to return to playing when invited.

I realized while I was answering all the questions from these new people I met today that this transition has been amazingly smooth. The bumps have been so short-lived that they don't seem to take up much stage presence in my mind when I think of how things have gone so far. I know things haven't run perfectly, but the little bumps would probably be categorized as par for the course. The ease and flow has been far more remarkable than any of the knocks we've had so far. And when any of us struggles, Mark and I seem to be able to see things clearly for what they are and navigate our way through. Like Mark said early on in our travels, "We can't alienate each other (like we are sometimes want to do) because we are all we have." For the most part we haven't and, as a result, when it is time to change tack, we consult and do so together relatively quickly. I am so grateful for that ability as I think it is what will make or break this experience.

So we got a phone number for a playdate next week, Jordan has met and likes her teacher, Gabe will be fine with just about any teacher, I know what I have to pack in their lunches and what time to bring them next Tuesday--I think we are all set. Ahhhh.

Tomorrow is Australia Day. We'll be downtown and at the beach celebrating with all our mates on this very special day. I'll let you know if I find out what Australia Day is!