Fist pumping hits Australia

Jersey Shore has made its debut in Sydney and I couldn't be more excited. The reaction Aussies will have towards a nonsense show about Italian-American guidos/guidettes will be priceless. Dave's sister, Leoni, already knows how to fist pump. If I thought Sydney was awesome before, it just got a million times better. I get to watch the entire season all over again! GTL, baby!

People helping people

Yet again, I'm adding a new adventure to my life. No, I'm not moving to another country. This time I'm staying put...well, not exactly. I signed up for my first marathon! You might be wondering why I've decided to attempt such a seemingly impossible task. Here's why:

1. Because it does seem impossible. Anyone who has ever run even a mile can understand the mental and physical demand of 26.2 miles.

2. To help raise money for Cure Cancer Australia - because it seems like everybody these days has been affected in some way by cancer. I joined a non-profit organization called Can Too that will train me for 20 weeks for the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival Marathon on September 19. In return, I have agreed to raise $2,000. Not only am I working towards completing a marathon but I am curing cancer at the
same time because that's what Gators do!

3. If my parents can do it, I "Can Too!" Alright, that was lame. Anyway, my dad is 51 years old and has completed 65 marathons with a personal best time of 2 hours and 26 minutes. Pretty impressive, huh? As a kid, I always thought it was normal to have a dad that was so passionate about running. It didn't matter if it was pouring outside, my dad would get up at the crack of dawn every single day and run for miles and miles. I didn't appreciate or understand the dedication it took until I started running myself. My point is that I look up to a man who has done the impossible 65 times and is still going which gives me all of the encouragement in the world that I can do at least one. My dad's love of running has motivated my oldest brother to run a marathon and my mom to complete seven marathons and several half marathons. He has worked his magic again. There's nothing like the support of your family when they can actually understand all of the blood, sweat and tears you put into something.

Unlike most of my adventures, I need more than just moral support. Yep, this is the part where I'm asking you for money because I know everyone reading this can spare something. Think of it as one less drink at the bar (and some of you really should consider drinking less anyway) or going without Starbucks for a few days. I mean it. Every little bit helps. By donating, you're helping me accomplish a personal goal and helping a deserving cause. It's a win-win for everyone! And if you believe in good karma, here's your opportunity to have something good happen in your life. Maybe you'll get that promotion at work or run into your favorite celebrity. So, now that I've plead my case and called you out on your alcoholism, whip out your credit cards
and donate! Ready, set, go!

To donate go to http://www.cantoo.org.au/ and click "sponsor now" on the top, right-hand corner. Type in my last name, enter the amount you wish to give and, voilà, you've just done a good deed!

Phone credit

Goodbye, AT&T. Hello, inconvenient, annoying Optus. I'm adding something new to the list of things that are different in Australia...having to refill your cell phone credit.

Here's a question, why doesn't everyone use contracts so you always have minutes? Getting a "refill your minutes" text is like getting your period and not having a tampon--you're not prepared for it!

Clearly, I was subjected to this madness today and immediately went into panic mode because I had to go 15 minutes without my cell phone. I'm such an American. Anyway, that's my venting for the day.

My daggy birthday

April 14 has come and gone yet again. This year, I celebrated 14 hours ahead of schedule. Lucky me! I spent the day with Jo, James and Josh at the beach. We sat down to have fish and chips and right as I was about to put my first chip (ok, they're fries) into my mouth, a bird swooped down and stole it from me! I was a little scared to eat more but I figured I'd be safe if I leaned over my food so the birds couldn't see it. Of course I had to feed my little puppy, Josh, since he has learned that if he fusses a bit, I'll give him my entire meal. He really doesn't even have to fuss, he looks at me and can get whatever he wants. Anyway, as I was cutting the fish, the same bird came back and took the entire piece and smacked me in the face while he was at it. I was traumatized and we left immediately.

Jo and Dave took me out to dinner at Dave's favorite Greek restaurant, Diethnes. The food was delicious although, the restaurant itself was, as Dave put it so lovingly, daggy. Naturally, I didn't know what this word meant so Dave took the liberty of explaining it to me by using an example.

"When your mom wears clothes that are 30 years old, that's daggy." -DJB

Anyway, I suppose it was a daggy restaurant but they can be daggy all they want with food like that! Dave and I both got the lamb and potatoes and I loved every bite of it.

After dinner, we went to a lounge that has the best view of the city. It was the perfect ending to a perfect birthday. At least, it was the perfect ending to my Aussie birthday.

Usually, the day after a birthday is a little sad because you realize you have to wait another 365 for the next one. However, being on the other side of the world cured that problem for me. The next day was filled with lots of birthday wishes from my family since it was the 14th at home. I woke up at 5:23am to talk to my dad (3:23pm EST aka my birth time) as part of our annual tradition. My mom had talked to me at 3:23pm Sydney time (1:23am EST). My birthday would not have been complete without those phone calls or listening to Isn't She Lovely?, of course.

After two days of celebration, I'm officially 22. It's the best feeling to be so far away from home but still feel the love. So, thank you to my family and friends for the very sweet birthday wishes!

Bubbly

Obviously, not all of my posts have directly relate to me being a nanny but rather just my experience in Sydney. I wanted to make it clear that this is one has nothing to do with nanny life. I don't condone drinking on the job ;)

Before life in Aussie, I only sipped champagne on New Year's Eve or for some sort of celebratory occasion. Here, bottles pop open anytime, any place. No special reason. No toast. Just because.

This can be very exciting to a newbie like me but also very dangerous. Since I am only used to drinking small amounts of champagne, I never realized how hard it can hit you. After a few glasses, I was already giggly and letting wildly inappropriate things fly out of my mouth. To top it off, I woke up with quite a headache the next morning.

So yeah, whether to celebrate or for no good reason at all, beware of the bubbles. Beware of a culture where drinking bubbles anytime is acceptable. Or, you can pop the top and welcome this phenomenon with open arms.

Footy

Last weekend, I decided to watch some Friday night football with Dave. Of course, it is completely different than American football. And no, it wasn't actually soccer. First of all, they do not wear any pads or protective gear of any sort. The game also doesn't stop at all when someone gets injured. They basically play around the medical staff. It's barbaric.

"Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject. So, you know you are getting the best possible information." -Michael Scott

With that said, I will allow Wikipedia to better explain the rules...

No more than 18 players of each team are permitted to be on the field at any time.
Up to four interchange (reserve) players may be swapped for those on the field at any time during the game. In Australian rules terminology, these players wait for substitution "on the bench." In Round 8, 2008 a new rule was introduced for the remainder of the season. The AFL club has to lodge a piece of paper with an attendant AFL official detailing the player to come off the ground and his replacement.

There is no offside rule nor are there set positions in the rules; unlike many other forms of football, players from both teams disperse across the whole field before the start of play. However, only four players from each team are allowed within the 50 m centre square before every centre bounce, which occurs at the commencement of each quarter, and to restart the game after a goal is scored. There are also other rules pertaining to allowed player positions during set plays (i.e., after a mark or free kick) and during kick-ins following the scoring of a behind.

A game consists of four quarters and a timekeeper officiates their duration. In professional Australian Football, quarters are 20 minutes plus time on. Time on refers to clock being stopped when the ball is out of play, meaning that an average quarter could last for 27 to 31 minutes.

Games are officiated by umpires. Australian football begins after the first siren, the umpire bounces the ball on the ground (or throws it into the air if the condition of the ground is poor), and the two ruckmen (typically the tallest players from each team), battle for the ball in the air on its way back down.

The ball can be propelled in any direction by way of a foot, clenched fist (called a handball or handpass) or open-hand tap but it cannot be thrown under any circumstances. Throwing is defined in the rules quite broadly but is essentially any open hand disposal that causes the ball to move upward in the air.

A player may run with the ball but it must be bounced or touched on the ground at least once every 15 metres. Opposition players may bump or tackle the player to obtain the ball and, when tackled, the player must dispose of the ball cleanly or risk being penalised for holding the ball. The ball carrier may only be tackled between the shoulders and knees. If the opposition player forcefully contacts a player in the back whilst performing a tackle, the opposition player will be penalised for a push in the back. If the opposition tackles the player with possession below the knees, it is ruled as a low tackle or a trip, and the team with possession of the football gets a free kick.

If a player takes possession of the ball that has travelled more than 15 metres from another player's kick, by way of a catch, it is claimed as a mark and that player may then have a free kick (meaning that the game stops while he prepares to kick from the point at which he marked). Alternatively, he may choose to "play on:" forfeiting the set shot in the hope of pressing an advantage for his team (rather than allowing the opposition to reposition while he prepares for the free kick). Once a player has chosen to play on, normal play resumes and the player who took the mark is again able to be tackled.

There are different styles of kicking depending on how the ball is held in the hand. The most common style of kicking seen in today's game, principally because of its superior accuracy, is the drop punt (the ball is dropped from the hands down, almost to the ground, to be kicked so that the ball rotates in a reverse end over end motion as it travels through the air). Other commonly used kicks are the torpedo punt (also known as the spiral, barrel, or screw punt; the ball is held at an angle and kicked, which makes the ball spiral in the air, like a rugby throw, resulting in extra distance) and the checkside punt or "banana", kicked across the ball on the outside of the foot is used to curve the ball (towards the right if kicked off the right foot) towards targets that are on an angle. There is also the "snap," which is almost the same as a checkside punt, except that it is kicked off the inside of the foot and curves in the opposite direction. It is also possible to kick the ball so that it bounces along the ground. This is known as a "grubber". Grubbers can bounce in a straight line, or curve to the left or right.

Apart from free kicks or when the ball is in the possession of an umpire for a ball up or throw in, the ball is always in dispute and any player from either side can take possession of the ball.

The two tall central posts are the goal posts, and the two shorter outer posts are the behind posts.

A goal is scored when the football is propelled through the goal posts at any height (including above the height of the posts) by way of a kick from the attacking team. It may fly through on the full or bounce through, but must not have been touched, on the way, by any player from either team.

A behind is scored when the ball passes between a goal post and a behind post at any height, or if the ball hits a goal post, or if an attacking player sends the ball between the goal posts by touching it with any part of the body other than a foot. A behind is also awarded to the attacking team if the ball touches any part of an opposition player, including his foot, before passing between the goal posts. When an opposition player deliberately scores a behind for the attacking team (generally as a last resort, because of the risk of their scoring a goal) this is termed a rushed behind. Before the start of the 2009 season, this would be the same score as a regular behind. However, because in the 2008 grand final, the Hawthorn Football Club rushed 11+ behinds a new rule was introduced stating that the behind will be counted and the player that rushed the behind will also concede a free kick in the goal square.

A goal is worth 6 points whereas a behind is worth 1 point. If the scores are level on points at the end of play, then the game is a draw; extra time applies only during finals matches in some competitions.

Josh is ONE! :)

Yesterday, we celebrated Joshy's first birthday. He had no idea what that meant but loved all of the hugs and kisses, and of course, the cake. When I woke up yesterday morning, I had package waiting for me with lots of yummy treats (thanks, mom!) including funfetti cake mix. I took it upon myself to make him mini cupcakes because they're so delicious and I also couldn't wait a week for my birthday. I'm pathetic.

Joshy had his own cupcake and then when I went to take a picture with him, he told my cupcake out of my hand and put the entire thing in his mouth. It was too cute! I feel like such a little mommy these days. I basically share all of my food with him since he always wants whatever I have. It started with me sharing grapes with him. And by that I mean I would eat half of a grape and give him the other half since a whole one is too big for him. Now, we share all meals and snacks. It's adorable.

"I run the way I did when I was a kid because it's the only way it's fun." -Pheebs

Since I've been here, I vowed to run at least five times a week. So far, it's been working out pretty well for me. I love that my regular run is along the water, past the sailboats and yachts, to the boathouse and back home. However, it stops being fun when everyone and their mother brings their dog out for the same run and doesn't put them on a leash. It's great that people want their dogs to get exercise. Trust me, I wish Belle would run with me. But seriously, if I trip over one more dog, I'm going to flip out.

Circular Quay

I'm a little behind so let me jump back to Wednesday night. Marisa and I decided to meet up for dinner. I hopped on the bus of course, missed my stop. Oh well, Circular Quay was just as good. Marisa needed to get on a bus to find me so I was waiting for her near a McDonald's. Yep, there's McDonald's here. Although, they are overpriced and the ketchup is way too sweet. Not that I've had a happy meal or anything to know this information :) Anyway, as I was waiting, an old man passed by and said, "Don't worry, love, he'll be here soon." My response? "I won't hold my breath."

We went to the Opera bar which is the best place to be to sit and enjoy Sydney at night. It's the perfect view of the Opera House, Anzac Bridge and the city. While enjoying the view and celebrating Marisa getting a job (yay!) we split potato wedges with sour cream and sweet chili sauce. Yet again, another Aussie thing I have discovered and loved!