In my typical fashion, I managed to get sick within a few weeks of entering this foreign land. I had my first diagnosable (i.e. non- “common cold”) illness in a long time, an ear infection. Ack. It was awful, but luckily being in a country with socialized medicine has great perks. Even though I’m not working, I have a medicare card with which I was able to see a doctor on a Sunday afternoon, get a prescription and get it filled in less than 30 minutes. I’d probably still be waiting to see my doctor in Arlington. I’m on the mend and trying to enjoy my last week of unemployment…

… That’s right – I got a job! I start on 4 May and so wish me luck!

I haven’t been doing much since I’ve been sick, but Jon and I managed to get out of the apartment to celebrate Anzac Day (Australia’s version of memorial day) . We went to the Caulfield RSL (Australia’s version of the VFW) and took in the culture. The Caulfield RSL is quite the place and includes a full bar, restaurant, pokies (slot machines), a sports book and more. On Anzac day and only on Anzac day, an Aussie-invented game of chance called two-up is legal and enthusiastically played throughout Australia. Jon and I observed this custom which is quite entertaining, progressively so in fact which I attribute to the cumulative amount of beer consumed.

In other news, Jon shaved his head so those of you worried about where this hair thing was going can breathe a sigh of relief.

Well, I’ve been here a month now and am settling in to a routine.  I’m running on the trails and have even been playing in basketball leagues.  It is beginning to feel normal to be here.  Sometimes I even forget I’m in different country / hemisphere.  Then I go to catch a tram or train and find myself standing on the wrong side of the platform.  I still look both ways twice when crossing streets.  Oh, and then I see strange things that seem familiar in grocery stores.  Like this cereal:

Or I happen down the baking aisle and stop and double take when I see eggs.  Yes, eggs, not refrigerated.

Early on when I got here I went to a comedy show, and the Irish comic compared Australian culture to how schoolkids act when the teacher leaves the room.   I’m finding that description apt at times.

There was just of video out of their prime minister skolling (chugging) a pint of beer at a bar and it is just kind of shown on the news as a funny thing that happened.

I have signed up for a carshare service here, so my next goal is to take up driving so I can stop carrying groceries and beers back from the stores.  Also, I can become more confused by life here driving on the wrong side of the road from the wrong side of the car.  “Turn on Red” doesn’t seem to be legal.  Oh, and I’ll have to deal with trams and “hook turns”.