First BAD experience: Moth Epidemic

I will post a pic to showcase this Moth situation in Australia...so of course this is not common and this is something that has never happened in this city. Riiight. So the 2 - 3 weeks they are supposedly alive is the same time I arrive in Sydney (well week 2).....now if anyone knows me they know my Cicada experience in Wisconsin this last June...lets just say it has been that multiplied by 50....

The huge ugly Moths have invaded the city. The winds have been particularly strong this Spring (Fall for US) and it has blown the migration of this annoying insect right into the city. Fabulous! So basically my worst fear came true last night....I moved into my new apartment...bought all kind of initial things (sheet, pillows, the essentials to sleep there)...got home during a crazy lightening storm and sure enough there were a few moths in my apartment. I thought...this aint nothing I cant handle with a little bug spray. I hit the store got some essentials there (Windex, toilet paper, bug spray, etc)....

This bug spray was sold to me as "kills instantly" - as I try to spray the 2 Moths...I awoke the gazillion in hiding...no kidding a few hours later and 38 moths...a few panic attacks, screams later I was on my way to a hotel. It was 1 in the morning, all hotels were booked, but I manage to find an extremely expensive room for a little shut eye. I just cant explain how horrible this way...again those that know me or know fear can relate. They don't just sit on the wall - once I spray the bug kill they got pissed and were erratically flying all over, at me, on my stuff. YUCK.

This morning I headed to get some bug bombs - I tried to set up but 5 more came at me.... I had a full fledged panic attack...thank god for Kai! I went back to work and was very embarrassed to be crying... but Kai helped me and I think it should be ok. I will be buying duct tape for the windows tonight :) I probably will be staying in a hotel again. Long post was this was serious stuff!

Saturday - Watson Bay / Oxford Street Adventure

After getting some good travel tips from the "happy bus" man in Bronte Beach the other day- Chiara and I headed out early on an all day venture. The day started with the realization of the Moth epidemic in Sydney (I will post about this separately)....we headed to Circular Quay for a ferry trip....to Watson Bay. It was such a lovely day - see all the great pics below...

We walked, chatted, found a cool area...I would love to live here. We found a beach cove and a National Park...we strolled through the park, I saw my first nude beach...this is something Aussie's grew up with so its natural...but was a site to see that for sure... we found some unique trees, I learned what bindie is (sticker bushes intertwined in grass...hurts!), found some cool lighthouses, old historical places (army shelters, anchors), relaxed on the edge of Australia, saw some new wild birds.... we made our way back to the city, did some venturing on trains, shopping along the way in boutique shops, and meet up with friends at the Clock Tower Bar.

Met her friend Blaize...very fun character! I had some long talks with him and learned a lot about this new country...more to come on semantics later :) We had a blast...did some prefunking at his house (where again the moth situation was ever so present - dancing in a room with 15 huge moths...facing my bug fear), we headed to Oxford street and the night never ended...danced, talked...good times....

The magical tree...
Nude beach on the left

Picture op! Who knew how fun a cannon could be...

First Vietnamese Dinner....very cool restaurant- that plate is on fire... I was surprised that I liked it so much!

Meet Blaize... in a NY cop outfit... what else can one say about that... good times! Getting our dance on...

Adjusting to work life again...

After so many weeks off it is taking some time to remember how to work again....I started my new job on Monday! So far so good. It is different than Seattle in almost all ways....but all ways positive. I feel I have a huge opportunity and nothing that I did not expect. The ambiance here is much different and people actually interact...playing music out loud...something in the that would not work in the"library"... keep it real Rose!

There are upwards of 40 people, mostly creative/developers, in the office. The media team is growing quickly. As expected the Account Manager are also the planners, main client contacts, technical person, etc....

I got my desk a little more aligned today so I am settling in...things are good. I will be posting pics from my outstanding weekend...met lots of people and got a taste of the wild night life on Oxford Street...

Its only semantics...

As I am learning my way through this new country some words mean different things and some things are just called different words....how poetic of me - it only takes view glasses of wine. Ha.

Ok so...
Arugula (salad leaves) = Rocket
Elevator = Lift
Mail = Post
Green Pepper = Capsicum
Take Out = Take Away
Friend = Mate

In the States, asking for a toilet is not very "lady-like"....but is the norm in Australia. It is not "where is the restroom", rather more simply "where is the toilet"...or possible ask for the louvre.

Also before I left I was told not to say Route (root) as in "what route should I take to the park" or "I root for the Seahawks"....this was to mean sex....well the hotel concierge on the second day said this to me, either he was taking a cheap shot at an American or this doesnt mean what I was told - either way I will not use it in the short team...it would be like wearing a cowboy's hat in a bar :)
I also recall not to say Slurpee - they have them here so I am not sure what was around that piece of advise?

More to come...

Bronte Beach - Video

Bronte Beach

An other perfect day :)

Week 1 - I fell in love with Sydney

I ventured on the train Friday to check out some areas of the city to see where abouts I want to live. I quickly found that saying "excuse me" is not common...lots of people ran into me...the hussel and bussel of city life. Which was upsetting but after talking to Jodie I felt better - she experienced the same anger with that as well...I will adjust as I learn these culture idiosyncrasies.

Also pedestrians do NOT have the right away - when you step into the street...they step on the gas...seriously! I was pissed.

The Bondi Junction area has a lot going on - fun but a little overwhelming for me given how new everything is...I walked to the famous Bondi Beach - it was beautiful (see pics below). There were tons of people and it was windy. I took it in, did some reading and headed out. I walked around the city and ended up at a fun Italian restaurant on Darling Harbor (close to MTV Real World house).

Getting lost is the best way to learn - I have been doing a lot of that. The city is very clean and safe. Lots going on with fashion let me tell you...I will snap some photos to exemplify...it is like 80's colors/accessories meet 60's peace statements with LA glam.....funny stuff.

Saturday: The apartments are only open for 15 minutes and there is a line of people waiting...I struggled to locate a few of them and they were nice but unfurnished. I learned that they have to specify "furnished" if it is...good to know that the Real Estate industry is totally different here...not helpful or knowledgeable.

GET THIS the food service industry is paid good; therefore, we are not expected to tip... which as you can imagine the servers have no incentive to provide service for a tip...NO customer service in this country. This again will take some getting use to. I have a hard time not tipping.

I struggled in the busy streets - I never know which way to look, it can be stressful.

Travelodge was booked Sunday night because Monday was their Labor Day. I had to transfer to another Hotel (Amora) which was awesome - I was missing out. This one was huge, nice room...

View from the window

After getting ALL my stuff in the room (which has been a task in of itself- everyone always looks at me like I am crazy...not traveling light - but after I explain I am moving and this is everything I have... they understand :))I headed over to meet Jodie. I was surprised to find my way...we went to Moore Park to hang out - Kai and Ben were playing tennis and we just relaxed...which was much needed after the apartment hunting outting on Saturday. We walked over to a food and wine festival...the wine here is very flavorful and good! The sun was killer - so HOT...I need to invest in some hats.

We hit up happy hour at a local bar which I am told we will frequent often :) ...i like it.

Oh and the red light by work rumor is true - the blue building in the picture is work and the red light indicates they are open for business...prostitution is legal.

Jodie is opening up my world to all kinds of new foods that I have not tried. I am up for trying things hopefully my tummy will allow it. So it is difficult to get a liquor license so a lot of restaurants are BYO - crazy huh. I got a kick out of bringing our own wine to dinner.

I had to switch hotels yet again! But I woke up early to enjoy some coffee, talk to the folks and watch the Seahawks play (live - it was Monday so Sunday in US). The TV is pretty much the same, possible a little delayed I hear? Their coffee is a lot stronger too but tasty. I also had to take advantage of the bathtub...

This time I am moving to the Best Western which is close to work as well as Kai/Jodie's place. I am submitting an application to take over their place - it is convenient and a good first place until I get my feet wet. I guess it is the Capital Hill of Sydney but even more extreme... the Toolshed on every corner is not a handy place to get hardware. I have yet to experience the full extent of the area but Jodie's enlightening me.

View from Hotel 3 (Hyde Park)

Jumping on the bed is a must...

Jodie took my to Paddy's (the B&I of AU) - lots of good cheap stuff. Did some shopping - got me a cowgirl hat :) We spent the day at Coogie Beach - the water is super cold! But it was amazing day - tons of people out. We had lunch/dinner right on the beach - lush happening area..and that is when I fell in love with Sydney. It is paradise and they is so much left to learn and do!

Past few days has been some housekeeping - opening bank accounts, trying to get a cell phone, etc. I was randomly walking around and I met a girl from New York...she is super nice; moved here a year ago with her husband but out in the "bush"....so she doesn't really know the city...we ventured around darling harbor and the city, got some happy hour and we found my new favorite pizza joint!