Changes

One of the only constants in our lives (besides the presence of the Lord, hallelujah) seems to be the presence of change. In the course of about 4.5 years of marriage *wow* we have moved five times, lived in four different cities, and held many different jobs (Amy: Whitworth campus visit coordinator, full-time student, club vb coach, Starbucks barista, 3rd & 4th grade teacher, summer nanny, high school vb coach. Jonathan: Whitworth tour guide, athlete, construction worker, full-time student, ski instructor, running coach). We've gotten pretty good, I guess, at rollin' with the punches; how could life in Australia prove to be any different? Here are two major changes that have taken place recently.

Change #1: The Job...
I (Amy) am no longer working at the coffee shop (*sigh). Okay, so this is kind of old news but I haven't blogged about it. After being "hired" and working a shift at Rivers Cafe, I repeatedly called the manager for my hours, only to be told to call back later. This cycle continued for a week or two and my little hunch proved true eventually. They decided they were in need of a weekend cook and not a weekday Barista, thus I was sacked (does it count as "sacking" if you only worked one shift?). Of course, it would have been great if they were honest up front, but what can you do? I spent the weeks after looking for work, enjoying a long period of "rest", and running into a lot of dead ends (no substitute teaching, it would take 4 months to become "Queensland Certified" - no childcare, 1.5 months to get a "blue card" -etc...).

Last week, however, things changed. Thanks to a connection we made with an awesome couple at church, I am now employed as.....(drum roll, please)....a cleaning lady. Yes, you read correctly. I, Amy (Mrs.) Hook, am now scrubbing floors, cleaning toilets, and making impressive "hospital corners". It's true. The funny thing about it is that I am actually really enjoying it. Sounds kind of crazy, huh? Yes, it is definitely making me miss those precious 4th graders in Evergreen, CO, but I am just so incredibly thankful to be working and doing something productive. I think it helps to know that it is very much a job for the short term. Still, it is a huge blessing and I am even learning some new techniques:).

Here is a picture of the resort I clean for: Reflections

Change #2: The House...
We are moving on Sunday. Yes, we've only been here for a little over six weeks. Yes, we signed a lease until our departure in May. Yes, you probably think we're crazy. However...an incredible couple from church (we need to include a blog update about our church - we'll do that soon) has offered for us to stay at their home until we depart. They are going on a six-week trip to Europe and want us to "house sit" while they're gone. Since their place is pretty large, they want us to stay there, even after they've returned, until we depart in May. The whole thing was entirely unexpected but will be such a blessing! They also are letting us use their car, their surfboards, and basically anything we'll need. We've met with our landlords and they are letting us out of our lease, praise the Lord! In two days we'll be residents of Buderim, QLD instead of Cotton Tree (Maroochydore). Although we will miss living so close to the beach, we are excited to have our own space again. We'll post pictures of our new "home" later, but here is a picture taken from Buderim (its on a hill overlooking the ocean):
Thankfully, Jonathan has been splitting time between the Maroochydore and Buderim clinics, so we'll still be close to his work two days a week. We're not entirely sure what the internet connection will be like at our new place, so hopefully the blogs will keep coming. We'll do our best!

Mountain, Beach & Dirty Lake

This weekend the sun returned in all her glory! On Saturday we awoke just before 5am to attempt a sunrise climbing of Mt. Coolum. It took us a little bit too long to get out the door, however, so we missed the actual sunrise. It turned out to be a great thing, though, that we climbed the mountain so early because it made it to 37 degrees (98.6) yesterday! I wish we took a picture of the trail. Aussies don't mess around here with switchbacks or any of that nonsense. They just cut a trail straight up! The incline reminded me of some of the most intense moments climbing a 14er in Colorado- a great workout:). Here are a few pics from our hike, including some views from the top....

After sweating our way to the top of Mt. Coolum and enjoying the stillness of the morning, we made our way down and headed north to Noosa, one of the most famous Aussie vacation destinations. We had a glorious breakfast (including REAL espresso!), walked along the beach, and eventually made our way to the national park. It was absolutely gorgeous - as I'm sure you can tell from the pictures.

Some views from Noosa & Great Sandy National Park...

What the pictures don't show, though, is the heat. It was ridiculously hot! We just kept applying sunscreen, sweating, applying more sunscreen, sweating, swimming and getting sand all over ourselves, applying sunscreen and rubbing the sand around (naturally exfoliating!). There's nothing quite that feeling of sticky sand/sweat/sunscreen.

Then we hopped upon the good ol' scoot and went north to Lake Cootharaba. You will not see a picture of this lake because we didn't take one. We were expecting a picturesque lake with clear waters and lush green banks. Instead, we were disappointed to find a brown lake with flat surroundings. I guess when you grow up going to Priest Lake (the most beautiful lake in the world, in my opinion), there is a high standard of what a lake should be! We decided to head back to the beach for the rest of the afternoon. We did stop, despite the heat, to act as complete toursits and take a few pics by the kangaroo signs...


I'm sure the passing cars were impressed by Jonathan's roo-like capabilities...

The Goggles

Jonathan admiring himself in the mirror

The close-up

As you can see, Jonathan just made an exciting new ebay purchase. He ordered these intense "aviator -style" goggles about a week ago from Japan. On occasion we have some nighttime scooter adventures and now Jonathan can safely drive w/out the tinted sunglasses or the bugs getting into the eyes. Most importantly, he can drive in style. I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit jealous that I don't have my own pair:).

Groceries...on Foot

I may have mentioned before that we do all our grocery shopping on foot. Even though we have the scooter now, I like to shop during the day while Jonathan is at work. Let me tell you, it has taken some getting used to. Initially, I prided myself in this great eco-friendly approach. In fact, we even bought a few reusable grocery sacks, furthering my pride in my ability to "do my part". Well, just when I was feeling pretty good about myself, I came crashing down. Today I got a little over ambitious at the grocery store. I had a list, but I added a few extras along the way...just a little here and a little there. Before I knew it, I was standing at the checkout counter, paying for the goods and realizing the five bags I was getting were a bit much.

So...compiled during the deadly walk home is a list of how you know when you've overdone it w/ the on-foot groceries:

1. You don't even make it out of the store before your arms are hurting
2. Three different people make comments to you as you walk down the street (including one kind offer for a ride)
3. You have to stop at least ten times to "adjust" -- but honestly you're just taking a breather
4. You get in "Bloomsday" or "Bolder Boulder" mode and start setting mini goals for yourself --just make it to the garbage up there, Amy, you can do it --
5. You have sweat through the back of your t-shirt by the time you reach your kitchen (I know that I've always been an easy sweater, but still!)

So, hopefully I have learned my lesson. I even thought of some reasonable solutions:
1. Take the scooter
2. Take my husband
3. Take multiple trips
4. Just say no to the extra jar of Nutella!

Here is a pic of my groceries. They may not look like much, but trust me...
(the reusable sacks are only beneficial when you remember to bring them with you)

Just for fun, a few of our staples here in Oz: muesli for breakfast, tuna for lunch, and Nutella (okay, we bought the store brand -- here there are at least four brands) for ANYTIME!

I splurged today and bought the ingredients for my favorite scones in the entire world. A two pack of yoghurt: $2.21. Long-life full cream milk: $1.09 (they don't have half & half here!), white chocolate chips: $3.64 and some almonds: $2.34 It will be worth every cent (I hope)!

Just for fun, here is the recipe. I'm not kidding when I say these scones are amazing. Can I get anyone to second that? Andrea, Janie, Greg, Sarah, Aunt Gayle, Coworkers, Leah, Ethan, Dev, Laris, Mom????

White Chocolate Chip/Craisin Scones
3 c. flour (or 2 c. flour, 1 c. oats)
1/2 c. white sugar
2 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
dash of salt
6 T. butter
1 c. vanilla yogurt
1/4 c. cream or half&half
1 1/3 c. craisins
2/3 c. white chocolate chips
*add toasted nuts, cocunut, berries, be creative!

Mix the dry ingredients well. Cut in the butter w/ a pastry blender or knife. Add yogurt, cream and blend 'til moist. Add craisins, chocolate and anything else you'd like. Drop onto a greased cookie sheet in mounds (don't worry about doing the regular scone triangle thing). Brush them with a bit of cream and sprinkle them with sugar. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

And for a little something special, try the sauce to go with them too:
Cream cheese
Powdered sugar
Cream
*I can't remember the proportions, just mess w/ it until you get a thick & creamy, slightly sweet mixture.

YUM!!!!! I can't wait to make them tomorrow! We'll grab two cappuccinos "to go" from a cafe somewhere close by and we'll hit the beach for an early morning breakfast. Heaven!

Coffee in Oz

Instant coffee - a true Aussie favorite

More instant coffee (did I mention that they have more isle space devoted to instant coffee than they do Mexican food)

The beloved cappuccino -
(This one was our first cup at McCafe, McDonald's attempt to rival Starbucks)

As many of you know, I am a lover of coffee. I always have a hard time answering the question "what is your favorite drink?" because it changes constantly. I am not just a tall nonfat vanilla latte kind of girl (although I do love tall nonfat vanilla lattes). I go through phases. Mostly these phases have to do more with spending $$ on coffee than they do with my actual tastes. When I worked at Starbucks and coffee was free, I drank everything: frappuccinos, cappuccinos, americanos, lattes, mochas, caramel macchiatos. Everything! When I am at home with my Starbucks espresso machine (thank you, wonderful husband), I make all kinds of concoctions. When I'm feeling guilty about spending money, I usually order americanos or basic drip coffee. Although there are times when I have loaded gift cards and still order drip coffee because I love it too. My brother's drip coffee obsession recently produced in me a renewed love of the stuff (since he drank a few gallons a day during Christmas break). The bottom line is that I just love coffee -- pretty much all/any of it (except maybe the breve)!

Okay, that was the longest introduction EVER to get to the point (you guys know I am the queen of prefaces. sorry). What I want to say is that coffee is weird in Australia. I know it's different everywhere, but it seems especially so here. Case in point: drip coffee. It does not exist in Australia. I am not joking. No one has ever even heard of it here. I have gotten the funniest looks when just trying to describe it at a coffee shop. "Oh you mean tall black" the barista said at our first ever breakfast here. I was then given about a quad-shot in a cup. She look confused when I then asked for half & half. They just don't have it here. "Oh, the pot I've seen in movies before," said our housemate when I described it to him. It is nonexistent.

What they do have here in Australia, are two other options. The cappuchino & instant coffee. That's right, those are the choices. Jonathan's clinic, for example, has an espresso machine. For a coffee break, employees whip up a little fancy beverage (*Side note: there are three common drinks here in Oz that are all, in essence, the same. The flat white (no foam latte), the latte (same as US), and the cappuchino (most common drink here - basically it's the latte with about a scoop more foam and a little dusting of chocolate powder on top). More common, however, is this freeze-dried rubbish (to use an Australian term). It's EVERYWHERE. Instant coffee is the option, sadly, that I have been forced to choose. We can't afford an espresso machine. Jonathan gets his fill at the clinic of the good stuff. I splurge on it occasionally at a local cafe. For now, we wake up in the morning to two steaming cups of Woolworth brand's instant coffee. It's heartbreaking, really. Especially after you see read my introduction and respect me (right?) for my coffee flexibility. I am being stretched in new ways here, that's for sure:).

*I must add a disclaimer that the espresso here is great; really, it is. We just, of course, cannot afford it every day and my drip coffee love will just have to wait (er, I should say, except for one day a week when my longing is fulfilled - more to come later...)

Underwater World

Yep, that's a stingray swimming above Jonathan

I don't think I need to tell you what that is

One of my favorites: a dragon fish

A seal feeding during the show

One of the displays of fresh fish at the wharf - prices in kilos (I can't begin to tell you how fun it is to constantly perform conversions in your head -both from lbs. to kilos and australian dollar to U.S. -I'm not very good at it, to say the least...)

It's been rainy here for the last week, off and on. There was a bit of a break on Friday and since Jonathan has that day off each week, we were able to enjoy the beach for a few hours together. Then rain returned soon after, though, and when you have a scooter as your form of transportation, it's not a very good combination (rain + scooter =bath). So, we looked into some indoor activities this weekend. We decided on Underwater World.

Underwater World is a nice little aquarium just south near the wharf. We spent a good part of Saturday there, enjoying the marine sights and sounds (sights I guess mostly, as none of the creatures made much noise:)). We enjoyed the seal show and the underwater shark and stingray exhibit the most. It was kind of crazy, watching sharks swim right above you! That's as close as I hope to ever come with the species.

Since we were right on the wharf, we had to take advantage of the fresh fish & chips again. This time we were wiser and decided to split a basket of the fresh goodness:). All of the places along the spit sell fresh seafood as well, so we're hoping to pick some up and do some cookin' one of these days. It was a fun day, although we're hoping for the return of the sunshine really soon!

The Home Tour

Our living room area

The smallest bedroom in the history of the world (ours)

Jonathan showing off his crazy maneuvers in the kitchen during a lunch break

The bathroom - nice and clean

Our little eating area

Okay, per a few requests, here are some pictures from the inside of our home. It isn't much, but it is starting to feel like home. We are getting more used to the shared accommodation thing, though it is not without its frustrations sometimes:). That is nothing against our housemates, they have been really great thus far.

We have an outside view of the home in one of our earlier blogs. It's really a nice looking house and the location makes it awesome. You can't see clearly from the above pic, but the ocean (just a small view of it, but still) can be seen from our little dining area. It's not too bad, really. A blessing, I think.

Crab Madness!

Jonathan enjoying the live ones during his lunch break

All eight in the crate - trying to claw their way to freedom

Ben showing me the tricks of the trade

Even after he killed them they kept moving - gross!

The pile of legs

One of our housemates, Ben, works as a manager of a crab company on the spit. Yesterday he brought home eight huge live crabs. We had agreed that if he brought the meat, I'd attempt to make dinner with it. Sure enough, we went through the entire process together. He (thankfully) killed them and then we pulled out all the meat. It was about a two-hour process and we are still smelling the after effects in our kitchen today. I made my first ever crab cakes as well as crab dip. Both actually turned out great and all the housemates were enjoying the goodness of fresh crab!

We still have lots of crab left over and I'm trying to figure out what to do with the rest of it. I'm going to attempt a crab quiche recipe and then we might just do it Australia-style and throw them on the ol' barbie -- that or broil them. It's been quite the experience. I've never cooked with crab before, much less had the live ones crawling around my kitchen! Yet another adventure:).

The Wharf

Above are some pictures of the wharf south of Mooloolaba (and of the beach). I had discovered this sweet spot on a long walk I'd taken a few weeks ago, but we went back for the first time together this weekend. In the northern end is Mooloolaba beach and then the entrance to the wharf is just south. They call the area along the wharf the "spit" -- where locals go to collect seafood from the boats and enjoy some freshly cooked seafood at a few local restaurants.

We spent the evening out there walking along the harbour and the beach. We also had our first official fish & chips experience. Jonathan tackled the "fisherman's basket" which included at least eight different varieties of fish. We should have taken a picture of our plates! Next time we will.

Prior to our wharf experience, we hiked Mt. Coolum and were so sad to find out that our camera battery died just as we reached the summit (bummer!). From Mt. Coolum we took the scooter north to Eumundi to this incredible outdoor market. There we enjoyed a few hours of shopping, topped off by eating probably my favorite food in the universe: gyros (I think they call them kababs here - pita bread filled w/ lamb & vegies, humus & tahini - yum!) Of course, our camera was dead for all of this, so we'll hopefully be able to return and take some pictures again. My husband is now bound and determined to hike Mt. Coolum at surise (reminds me of the time he woke me up at 2am to get to Aspen in time to take a sunrise pic of the Maroon Bells), so pictures will likely be coming your way soon:).

Left Of Way

So, I just had to add a little something here about the weirdness of living in a "left of way" place. You know what I mean, I country w/ drivers on the left side of the road. Not only is this an interesting phenomenon in itself, but it has some implications that extend even further than the road.

First of all, I haven't been behind a wheel in a car here, so I don't fully know what it's like. Of course, the steering wheel in on the "wrong" side, so I have, as a passenger, embarrassed myself a few times by trying to climb into the driver's side of the vehicle. The scooter we drive doesn't "feel" like an Australian scooter because it's just "normal". This can be tricky because one can easily lapse and forget where one is ("Ah, Jonathan! Left side of the road!" I've been known to scream as we turn onto a new street, holding on for dear life...).

I think what's far more interesting, is how this "left" business affects all traffic situations. On our first run here together, we (naturally) started out on the right side of the path. We soon realized, however, that people gave us funny looks before yielding to us; they were all running straight at us. We were supposed to run on left side too! We are far more intentional now as we go on runs. At the grocery store the same rules are followed. When passing, unless stopping to look for items, of course, keep left.

It's still tricky though, even thinking through "passing" situations. Hmmm. If we pass on the left in America, we should pass on the right here in Aussieland. I feel like I'm always doing that here. Thinking to myself -- "well, if I normally look left first before crossing a street, I should now look right first" and so on. It is still far from being natural, let me tell you. Usually I end up looking "left, right, left again, right again" before crossing the street. Then I stop halfway across and try to remember from what direction a car would come in that next lane. I am not very good at this left way of thinking!

Jonny's Dream Come True

Jonathan's dream of owning a surfboard is now a reality. This week he purchased this board from a surf shop just down the street. Although they mostly sell new boards, they occasionally get used ones to resell. This fine 7 foot 6 inch board was just sold to the shop from a surfer who was leaving to return home after a holiday. That made for perfect timing -- since the store owner says that used boards rarely hang around for more than a few days before they're taken.

You may not have to do more than glance at these pictures to feel the joy that my husband is experiencing:). We'll just say that not all athletic endeavors involving this board have produced the same quantity of joy (he's been throttled a couple of times). However, he is getting better all the time and it's fun to watch. I plan on busting a move on the board pretty soon myself. While he's been rocking the waves of Maroochydore Beach, I've been enjoying swimming and my leisurely reading on the beach (we're both currently devouring Harry Potter -- I admit, I have taught for almost three years and hadn't cracked open a cover from the series). Stay tuned for more surfing news to come -- hopefully none that involve the sh--k word!