Having a whinge

Learned a couple of new Australian terms. This week we've been 'having a whinge' (whining) about our Internet situation. We thought all our problems were solved when this arrived in the mail:

 However, it doesn't work. Greg spent two hours on the phone with a technician to no avail. So. Over. It. Until someone from Telstra (the company that has a monopoly here in Alice) comes to the house to assess the situation, Greg and I will continue to share my laptop with our one plug-in USB Internet connection, which is unreliable, weak and expensive.

Despite that, being able to use Skype is awesome. The video part is a problem with our current Internet connection, but that should improve when we finally get our broadband. Before we left the states, we invested in a U.S. phone number through Skype for anyone in the states to use to call us with no international long distance charges and no charges at all if you are calling from the D.C. area (703.584.4473). Once we got here, we did the reverse and paid for a 12 month plan through Skype so we can call anyone in the states. A heads-up that when we call, the name that pops up is: Flora Baxter. If you get a call from Flora, it's us!

I've been making friends and community connections here in Alice; finding my place in this part of the world. Driving on the other side in my little 5 speed Hyundai is going well, although I do still flick on the windshield wipers (which are to the left of the steering wheel) when I mean to turn on the blinker. All I need to navigate the town is my old fashioned map and an address! I bring this with me everywhere:

This is my new friend Emma. She's so chic and stylish. We meet for coffee once a week or so for girl chat:

I'm still loving my flat whites. The barristas make pretty pictures with the foam. This one has a little smiley face in it:

Prior to coming to Alice I connected with some folks here through Linked In, Twitter and Facebook. Greg and I had coffee on Saturday with a lovely couple -- Amanda and Gary. In addition to their regular full time jobs (Amanda is a Ph.D. cultural anthropologist), they run a local travel company. We so enjoyed hearing more about the things to see and do in and near Alice. Amanda also taught us that "fanny" in Australia refers to ....ahem.... the front of a woman, not the back. And only a woman has a fanny. Good to know.

My boss from the Brain Injury Association has been in touch with me about doing some consulting/writing work for them. I'm thrilled! I would love the paid work and being able to stay connected to my friends at BIAA, but I'm also looking for organizations here in Alice where I can lend a hand and my communications expertise. I've had a couple of meetings with members of a coalition called Right to a Home. David Havercroft, who is spearheading the coalition, loaded me up with some books so I can learn more about the issues affecting homelessness in the Northern Territory.

 I also met this week with the staff of the local equivalent to The Arc back home -- the Disability Advocacy Service organization. Very excited to do what I can to help them.

On the cooking front, I made a very tasty dish last week that incorporated chicken breasts, potatoes, fresh green beans, carrots, onions, garlic. fresh lemon and olive oil.

Berries are in season here so we've been loading up on those while they are fresh and relatively affordable.

I offered to make a pan of brownies to bring to an event. Learned that a "pan of brownies" here is half the size of what we consider a pan of brownies in the U.S. Probably not such a bad thing!

Greg spent a good chunk of time this week working on the itinerary for our Christmas trip to New Zealand with the girls. Cannot wait! It is going to be so wonderful to have Katie and Megan come to Alice and for all of us to spend time in NZ. The girls are psyched about the adventure stuff ... that is where bungee jumping started. Not sure how I feel about me doing it .... we'll see. It will be a trip of a lifetime!