Breaking News!

Most of you know the story now of our little bird (for those of you who don't, I rescued him in the park one day and adopted him) and that we've been trying to train him to trust us. Well, today was a big day: Elvis chose to get on my finger and let me touch him!

Two weeks ago we started taking his food away at night and calling out to him when we put it back in the morning (the idea being he thinks we bring him treats and we train him to associate certain calls with food so he'll return when called). Then I started teaching him to step up onto a familiar stick (though lately he's just been pushing it away when I bring it near him). Next I started getting him to eat from my hand by offering him treats in the morning before I set out his food. And tonight I offered my finger when I came home and he didn't even try to bite (though he did nibble a bit as a test)!

I'm so proud of my bird training skills and how far he is coming! He even ate the fresh food I left him for the first time today! He ate cucumber, tomato, carrot and lettuce (leftover from a salad I made). I feel like the bird whisperer!

When I got him on my finger I started yelling at Jeremy to go get the phone and take a picture so here's the evidence! Elvis is in my hand, nearly domesticated! What a sweet bird!

Movie Culture

One of those little differences that never ceases to surprise me is that you can get glasses of wine at the movies here in Australia. Back at home, you would never see this but here it's very much a cultural thing.

It's no secret that Australia has a very vibrant and healthy wine industry but alcohol consumption in general is a big part of the culture. Almost every restaurant and cafe is licensed to serve alcohol--and if they aren't, they usually have a BYO (bring your own) policy wherein they charge either a corkage fee (something in the order of $3-5 per bottle) or a fee per glass ($3-4 per person). You even see people drinking in the park--and I'm not talking homeless people. Everyone here drinks. Maybe it's a European thing (Australia is very multicultural) or maybe it's just a "colony of criminals" thing (hahaha), but there's no getting around it: Australians will drink whenever and wherever they can. In some instances, it's actully *cheaper* to buy wine than it is to buy water. But then again, look at the beer and spirits prices and you'll faint!

So why bring this up? Jeremy and I are going to the movies tonight to see Skyfall and I thought it was a timely topic. I won't be indulging in any wine but I thought you might find the topic interesting. As I said, I'm always surprised no matter how many times I go to the movies!

Word of the Day: Mobile Phone

There are so many little differences between Australian and American English. Some days it can be hard to understand each other--throw in some "ocker" accents (strong, country accents) and it's impossible. One little term that I often slip with with Mobile Phone. Of course in the US we call it a Cell Phone. Thankfully most people understand when I call it a "cell" though I have been made fun of for this once or twice.

Why is it a "cell" phone? Basically, mobile phones operate like a radio--a tower emits a frequency receivable within a certain distance, creating a circle around the tower--or cell--of usability. As I type this Jeremy (my boyfriend) tells me that in his network engineering classes, his professors refer to it as a Cellular Network--further confirmation that the American usage is correct. (Not that it matters.... Or that anyone is keeping score....)

Just for fun: what's an ocker accent sound like? This guy is a backpacker here in Oz (I think) but his accent is "spot-on" (as the Aussies would say)!

A Resurrection of Sorts

I've finally decided to resurrect my blogging "career" and start one all about living in Australia. Many of you remember my old blog and loved reading it (and truthfully, I miss blogging a bit), so I'm back by popular demand!

A little explanation about the old blog and why it is no more: I quit blogging to save my sanity. I felt like what was a very personal blog about my thoughts and the adventure of discovering myself had become a negative place (both due to external voices and my own inward thoughts). It was very hard to go from a carefree vagabond life back to a 9-5 job with rent payments, and I struggled every time I tried to blog to find joy and adventure in my new home. Bottom line: I didn't enjoy the life I had and looking at my blog, remembering the joy I had in my old lifestyle of traveling the world, made me very, very sad.

Granted, I still struggle in that regard. I felt so much more alive when I was traveling but I'm finding new ways to enjoy the sedentary life I lead these days. I find humor in my situation more often now, I find myself speaking like an Aussie, I find my values changing a bit (more on that later), and I'm finding comfort in the predictability suburban life can bring. Will it ever be as exciting as trekking the wilds of Kyrgyzstan? Probably not. But will there be value in this new adventure? Absolutely--I just have to look for it.

So come with me as I explore this strange but familiar culture, this desert island, these fascinating places downunder!