So I put on my best, and I stick out my chest...

... come on Newsies fans...

And I'm off to the races again!

That's true folks - I'm going to a horse race. Today was the day of THE horse race, but we're going on Thursday. I'm so excited! I got a new, super-cute dress, a fascinator (a mini-version of a hat or a really expensive bunch of feathers), and am really excited to spend a day drinking champers and people-watching!

So to explain more, Spring Racing Carnival is in full swing. Today, the Melbourne Cup was held. It is appropriately called "the race that stops a nation." In Victoria (my state), the banks, post offices, and several businesses are closed. CO still has school, but today is a holiday. Kids are out of school. Derby Day (another race) was held last Saturday and it was really fun to see ladies in their dresses (frocks), hats (fascinators) and heels. They go all out!

I guess Spring Racing season lasts something like 50 days, and we're in the best week. CO and I aren't going to Melbourne Cup, we're going to "Ladies Day" or Oaks Day. I think it'll be a lot less crowded, at least I hope it will be.

Just a reminder, please go out and vote! CO and I mailed in our ballots what seems like ages ago, and are excited to see how the elections end up... VOTE!! I think you can get a free Starbucks drink if you do! (If that's not incentive enough, I don't know what will be!)

Overheard on the train the other day...

... and I quote,

"She has the attention span of a retarded goldfish"

Lol.

Eavesdropping can be fun.

Hi Dad!

Well, we're back from Tasmania, and as soon as I can figure out how, I'll do so... but we had a great time hiking, spending time with family, visiting wineries, and seeing echidnas :)



I did end up quitting my job. It just wasn't worth it. But, being a nice/lazy person, I agreed to stay on until she found someone else, and she has interviews lined up for Friday.

It's October.

Yeah, no shocker there. But funny how it works - my brain keeps thinking of delicious fall-ish/autumny recipes. Like applesauce. And apple pizza. And pumpkin pie spiced everything. That's swell, Julie... what's the deal? Uh. Here in OZ it's spring. Or so they tell me, it's still pretty cold.

I tried to quit my job today. It was just getting to me too much and making me cranky all the time. I told the mother of the kids and she asked me to think about it. I'm so non-confrontational I said ok.

I'm super-excited about this weekend - we're going to Tasmania :)

Oh, and has anyone been to New Zealand? I'm looking for travel tips!

The list is out.

THE list. You know, the one we get to look at, analyze, and choose where we want to be for the next few years. THE LIST.

What do you do if you don't really like most of the options?

CO has always gotten cool assignments. This time, Alabama's on the list. Uh (pause). I'm not sure I'd be suited for Alabama. There's one good place on the list - we'd be happy to live there. We'd already have a house, a church, friends within a few hours...

sigh.

You could win a trip to...

CO and I watch travel shows. It cracks us up because one is offering a series of free trips that you can win. And the destinations? France, Italy, the Mediterranean and a great US destination - Texas! Ha! Really, Texas is the best they could come up with for the US? Heaven help us.

Picture Pages

Here are a whole bunch of pictures... some seem to be missing still and I can't find them on my computer :(

The Prahran Market - where we get fresh pasta

Cook's Cottage
(as in Captain James Cook, explorer)
why they moved it to Melbourne from England, I shall never know

Statue of Cook close to his house

Conservatory in the same garden - great place to read!

St. Kilda sunset on the way to see little penguins

Melbourne

Little penguins - no flash is allowed, so I edited the pics so you could see the birds

Flat Stanley project for my cousin's kid -
Yes, there really are koala crossing signs.

Visiting Sovereign Hill - set in the period of the gold rush

Panning for gold. I didn't get any :(

Daylesford Lake - very calm and relaxing!

My host on our girls day
Louisa at Daylesford Lake

Mineral water at Hepford Springs
It was disgusting to drink!

Lavender farm

CO heading out to surf with Manuel (from Spain) and Dan (from UCLA)
They have nearly weekly trips out to Bells to surf.

Another perfect day at Bells

Hanging out in Federation Square with John and Buelah
and Peter and Fiona (from Sydney)