Life as of late

Last Friday I took the ferry to meet John and some of his new co-workers for drinks. Not a bad commute!

We hit up the Hunter Valley Wine Fest in Mosman. 

Then we stumbled upon one of the scariest things I've ever experienced- The Sydney Zombie Parade. 

I can't handle that. 

November 5th was The Melbourne Cup---a big horse race similar to The Kentucky Derby. I went to a pub to experience the hustle and bustle of it all and it was quite entertaining. Lots of drinking and gambling! 

 

At home, we've been figuring out our appliances and watching lots of Breaking Bad. 

On another note...it's weird to me how little information people know about the States. I mean it makes sense because we are made to think that the world revolves around the USA. But I haven't met too many people here who have traveled overseas to the States or many who know/care about what happens there. 

Conversations have gone like this: 

Store clerk- "Where are you from?"

Me- "The States"

Store clerk- "Oh very nice. Where abouts in the States?"

Me- "tennessee"

Store clerk- (Pause) "oh. ok. And that's in the...mid part? Right?"

Me- "well not really- more like the southeast"

(Pause)

Store clerk- "is that like, the country?"

Me- "Well some of tennessee is in the country but I'm from Nashville so it's fairly metropolitan"

Store clerk- "Oh ok- I think I've heard of Nashville. I've been to New York. It was cold!"

I love the way people talk here. The accent of course but also the lingo. Here are some new words/terms I'm learning to use:

Lift = elevator 

Rocket= arugula 

Trolley= cart/grocery cart 

Chemist = pharmacy 

Partner = spouse 

Voucher = coupon 

Jetty= harbour/pier 

Sunnies= sunglasses 

Toilet= restroom 

AC/air conditioning= aircon

Cell phone= mobile (pronounced mobyle)

CV= résumé 

Schooner= small beer (15 oz) 

Heap= tons (there are heaps of restaurants in that area)