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Hi everyone. So I know she is not due until the 16th of Feb. but just wanted you all to know that we are still waiting - impatiently! I mean really, she could come a little early...especially since it is so hot and humid outside and her mom is just sweating it out waiting for her to come! And why would the doc tell me he thinks she will be early (two weeks ago) and get my hopes up like that? No matter what happens, the hospital bags are packed, the baby books have been read and I (and Kieran) am as ready as I am going to be. Bring it on I say...the waiting game is too annoying! I am trying to stay busy but school went back last week so most of my playmates are all back at work and Kieran is working long hours so he can cut back when she does decide to come. Anyone want to get on a plane and come hang out? :)

I think I had my last big outing lat Tuesday for Australia day (think Fourth of July Down Under). We went to the city and met our friend Aiden and we were in a boat race in the harbor! So fun. They had four companies competing in a ferry boat race. Aiden got us tickets through his work. We spent three hours out on the water and it was so nice to be out amongst the festivities. Our boat came in last though. See the link below for some pics (we were on the boat that had all of the red decorations on it. The photo of Kieran and I above was also from that day.

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This last week or so, however, I have stayed close to home and tried to rest a lot. Not up for too much. We have also been trying to go to dinner and spend quality time together because we know what lies ahead (I think!).

I have a feeling the next time I write on here there will be some exciting news...for now though, know that she is not here yet but hopefully she will come by her due date...neither Kieran or I are "late" people so hopefully that rubs off on her and she at least is on time!

Write back and let me know how you are all doing - I have lots of time to read emails!

XOXO

New Year's Resolution starts now.

So as I said in an earlier email, my New Year's Resolution was to be better about maintaining my blog and putting up photos. I think the baby will be my motivation but as she is not here yet I will get started now!

2010 has flown by so far. we ran gin the new year by going on a dinner date and then off to a friends house to watch the Sydney fireworks and hang out. It was th first time I had seen the Sydney fireworks other than on TV and they were really impressive!

Kieran went back to work on the 4th and I am off now until July! Even though I am not "working" I have been keeping busy nesting and ticking things off a long list of stuff to do around the house. It was all fun stuff at first like SHOPPING for baby nursery items, living room furniture and other things to complete our home. Now that I have spent all of our money (haha) it is more cleaning and organizing things so when Feb. rolls around we are ready to go. I had a baby shower this weekend where I got lots of nice gifts so we are pretty much set for Baby Houlahan's arrival.


She will be here anytime really. We had aour classes at the hospital and we feel as prepared as we can be but man, it is scary when they show you the birth video, epidural needle, etc!! Fingers crossed everything will go well. Kieran has both cars full of gas at all times and the bags are packed for go time! I still feel well but it is getting really heavy and uncomfortable. She is super active and I am at the point where I just want it to happen. Energy levels are low and sleeping is pretty uncomfortable. I am resting lots too because I k.ow once the baby comes it is all over!!

I have stopped going to the gym now but still exercise by swimming. I have gotten back into it by going down to our beach (pictured below) and swimming laps in the "rock pool". This is a fenced off area where there are no waves or fish to worry about. I have my little goggles and go down and swim some laps with the senior citizens...all the cool young people are surfing and in the waves but I'm happy just to be weightless for a little while and out in the sun getting some exercise:) These photos were taken on Xmas eve day...no snow here!

Kieran is good. He is back in work mode since it is the pre-season. He has a new CEO at work and will be opening a new merchanidse shop near the stadium which will be open 5 days a week.

Lots of planning and time went into it. It is good for him to exercise and stay social. A lot of the guys he plays with have young kids so they are a good support group for him since many of his friends are not able to relate to what he is going through. I am hoping he will contribute to this blog once in awhile so it is not all about me!

We really miss everyone back home and this is our way to try and keep you all informed. I will use this writ info on but I think I will be using a site called, "smilebox" to put up baby photos. Will keep you posted. We also are on SKYPE so add us if you are on there and want to talk - it is a nice way to see everyone and talk for free as well.

Ok - signing off for this month. Will update again when something exciting happens...just playing the waiting game for now! Feb. is going to be the biggest month of our lives!!

Baby AND a new place, guess it's time to grow up!

Well, as you all know, our lives have been pretty chaotic these last couple of months. We moved into our new place the last weekend in July only a week after finding out I was pregnant! The baby was a big surprise but one that we have embraced. So far everything is going smoothly (minus a few sessions hugging the toilet and my clothes starting to not fit). We went to the doctor a week and a half ago and we were able to hear the heartbeat which was great! Kieran has been awesome about cleaning and taking care of me on the days where I just have enough energy to drag my butt out of bed and go to work. He is busy with the football season being in full swing as well so I am Lucky to have such a hard working hubby.

Our place has been a good fit for us so far. It needs a lot of work to get it where we want it to be and the ball really gets rolling next Monday when some workers come in and put in some electrical work, new lighting and a false ceiling (to cover up the nasty old one we have from back in the 1960's).Once that is finished we will paint the rooms and get started on the nursery. I took some photos of the inside of our place but I think they will look better once I can compare them to the "After" shots so I will hold off on posting them. I have put some pictures of the exterior of our building and the paint colors we have picked. It is hard to get a good feel for what they look like but we are trying to get the "beachy" feel happening since we are a block from the ocean and right on the lake. In one of the photos I am in a kayak since we rented kayaks by the lake where we live to go around in. Pretty cool. The only real work we have done to our place so far is some sanding back of doors and windows so they are ready to be painted when the time comes. You can sort of see where my baby bump is starting to form in that picture :)

My personal training class is done in 5 weeks and then I have no idea what I will do as I will be too pregnant to get a job at a gym. Probably just train some of my friends and then once the baby comes decide how much I will go back to work. I am meeting with my principal next week to discuss maternity leave options. I am sure I will only work part time so I can spend time with the baby and save money on daycare. Still have to get through the next 6 months before we worry too much about that. Anybody want to move here and be alive in nanny? haha
Well, I will do MUCH better with photos and things as we progress. Keep in touch and if you have good baby name suggestions r house renovation tips let us know!

The Houses come to Sydney

Hey everyone! I have thought about writing an email home about 100 times in the last couple of weeks but have been so busy with my parents here that I have never actually gotten around to it - lame I know but the truth. We have been having lots of fun. Not much of a school "break" for me, but great to have people to show around and play with :) Since I have a day to myself I figured I could do an update to the ol' blog and put up some photos too. Here are some of the highlights:

• They came to my classroom for an Easter egg hunt during the first week they were here so they got to meet the kids in my class.
• LOTS of time in the city.
• They spent two nights at a hotel in the thick of it all taking in the Opera house, ferry rides, tour bus etc. I did the Wild life world with them as well as a tour of an area called the Rocks where the first convicts lived.
  
• Lots of good food and drinks of course too.
• Easter Sunday we did church and then the Manly home game (which they won!)
  Lunch with Kieran's family at a nice seafood restaurant in the Eastern Suburbs
• We had a bbq with some of our friends, including a few of the boys who were in the wedding.
• Hanging out and cruising the beaches and towns in our area


• Ocean world in Manly
• Learning to peel and eat raw prawns
• A day trip to the Blue Mountains and another one to Kieran's parents' house for lunch to meet the animals and visit the "farm".
  

Those are the main highlights so far. There have been a few days that were pretty low key but not many. No wonder I needed a nap today! I have been their personal tour guide :) The weather was good until Saturday night and now it has been chilly and rainy most of the time. It was 9 Celsius at the Blue Mountains yesterday ( about 42f!) so winter is here. A bit warmer in Sydney but things have really changed in the last week or so. They are going on a tour of an area called the Hunter Valley today which is where a lot of wineries are. I am staying home to do some things around here though.

Kieran and I are flying up to the Sunshine Coast for a wedding this weekend so I need a day off before then. Our friends Ben and Allie (whom some of you met at the wedding) are tying the know up there. After that I go back to school already! Man, time flies.

My personal training course starts on May 19 so I will be busy then. Kieran is good despite lots of set backs Manly have had. They are 2-4 so at least they have chalked up a few wins. I have a feeling it may be a long season however! Oh well. My parents now understand rugby league and have been religious followers of the Eagles. I think my dad will actually miss watching it on tv.

Alright well, I will write again soon.

Long Time no post

Well it looks like my computer will let me upload photos again, so here are a few new ones along with some news. I am on school holidays right now so I actually have time to catch up on all of the things I have been meaning to do for awhile. It is stinking hot today (we are going into spring) and I spent the afternoon at the beach and now I am in the air conditioning. I only have nine weeks of work left before the school year is over!! Crazy how time flies. And to think the wedding was basically this time last year. It has been a good but hectic year.

Malnly are in the Grand Final again this year (it is on Sunday) and the Northern Beaches have MANLY FEVER!!! It is such a good atmosphere. It is a rematch of last year so it will be huge if they win since they lost last year. Everywhere you go there are Manly car flags and people in Jerseys and t-shirts. Makes me proud since Kieran is in charge of all the merchanidise. I have not seen him for more then 3 or 4 hours since last Saturday night after they won - long hours that hopefully will be worth it when they win! The photo below is at the semifinal. He will be getting a well deserved break. He leaves for the States on Nov 14 and plans on spending down time in Florida and Cali while he does his work traveling.

My work is great. Last term was a long 10 weeks with some drama with some staff and parents but we all survived and the kids are doing so well. Most of them are going to mainstream classes ("normal 1st and 2nd grade rooms) next year so we are getting them ready for that. I will get to be out of room a lot and taking them to spend time in the mainstream rooms next term. Very big deal for them and their parnents. We went to the beach on the last day before holidays...it is right across the street from our school! We had a picnic and the kids had a great time making sand castles and running around. Some of the boys are in the photo above. So good to have warmer weather and longer days!

The cat turns one this month and he pretty much runs the show around here. An unfortunate habit he has picked up is hunting. His favorite vicitims are these tiny lizards that run around everywhere. He feels the need to bring them in and show me which is starting to get gross. Oh well. Other then that he is great. No more real dramas with ticks which is a relief. He will hate being at the kennal when we are in the States - too bad we cannot bring him with.

We are still saving up for a place. We really like where we are though and really lucked out. So grateful our friendd is letting us stay here. It is great being by a lake with a nice path and the beach is right beyond the lake. Kieran has his fishing gear all ready for when the season is over. I'm still biking or walking to work and Kieran is only like 15 min from his. Well, not much else to report on. I have another week of lunches with friends and R&R before going back to school. I plan on heading home on Dec. 11th so it will be here before you know it!!

can u believe it has been a year?

Well I have been here for over a year now and it is hard to believe. There have been so many changes in my life it is pretty amazing!

I moved across the world and dealt with making new friends, and fitting into a different culture
I have had THREE jobs (4 if you count the dog walking)

I have been married
I have moved house since arriving here.

No wonder I have had my homesick moments and stress! I would not change any of it though and I have become one tough chick because of it all. I am gaining some true friends and some great work experiences as well.

i

I have not written on here on a bit so here are some updates from our neck of the woods. We are all settled in at our new place. We are really liking it and think t is much better than the last place we had. Winter is here and I have had to bundle up when I walk to work and do my recess duties. Not too much rain like last year though. I have been fighting a cold for the last week and a half or so and there have been lots of sick kids at school.



Kieran and I have had some busy weekends recently. When he does not have to work at a home game it seems like lately we have had a lot on. One of the highlites would be the Australia Vs. New Zealand game we went to a few weeks ago with our friends from New Zealand. We took a a party bus into the city and then went to the game. The Aussies dominated so Kieran was happy. We then all went out to some nearby pubs - the New Zealanders really know how to party! Another event was an Australia South Africa Rugby Union game (I'm noticing a trend here). We went to Manly for a late lunch and took the ferry into the city to meet our friends Dom and Sejr. I also have become pretty social with the girls I work with and there have been some dinners and nights out. We also are thankful for the quiet nights at home too.


Our new place is a good little home for us. This past Saturday we went to see what was out there to buy in the near future and a two bedroom apartment in our area will set us back a bit but we are nearly ready to buy. It was fun to look around and see what was out there. I think whatever we get we will renovate bits a pieces. We are happy here for the rest of the year though. It has been great walking to work in the morning. Kieran and I both are having success with our jobs. I spoke with the principal at the school last week and it looks like she is more than happy to let me get some teaching experience next year - I just need to get listed with a teaching agency. I think the Catholic Diocese will be my best bet. It is being looked into anyhow. I am happy!

Happy (late) Valentine's Day

Hello everyone! Hope you all had a good Valentine's Day - I love you! We had a pretty quiet one. I was going to upload some photos on this but the website is not allowing it for whatever reasons.

My new job is going SO great! I have fallen in love with my students and feel so blessed to be able to help them. There are 9 boys. Most are mildly delayed mentally and a few who are a bit more severe. The teacher I work with really respects me and involves me as much as possible. I get to put my PE skills to use and do some motor skills with the boys a couple of times a week. We had parent teacher night on Friday and everyone was saying how their boys really like me. The cutest thing is that one of the boys cannot pronounce my name so he calls me "Mrs. Helping Hand". How funny is that? Sota made a little trip to the class the other day which was fun.


Speaking of Sota, we still have a cat but we have had our moments where we have wanted to say bye bye to Sota! He is a great kitty so loving and cute but man can he be obnoxious! The latest thing he does is try to escape from our apartment (and he has done so successfully about 5 times now)! He never gets far but let me paint a picture of why this is a problem...


Sota sleeps all day when we are at work so when we are asleep he is pretty good until like 3 am. Then he wants to go nuts and play. Lately we get up and give him some milk and lock him in the bathroom until we wake up. Well it was really warm the other night s we had the bathroom window open. Somehow Sota pushed the screen out and jumped (thankfully we are on ground level). When Kieran woke at like 5:30 the cat was gone! It was pitch black and raining out. We did find him but he has since done it again (pried the window open on his own!). Hopefully he grows out of it. He is such a good suck up it is hard to stay mad at him :)



Kieran is well and work is busy busy. The season kicks off on the 14th of March. I decided to help out selling merchandise at home games (man am I a sucker!) . so I will be more involved. His grandmother passed away a few weeks ago so that was tough but other than that he and his family seem to be doing ok. We are still working out the details of his trip for work to the States in the coming months - looks like we will be over there in December (and I may stay through most of January possibly).

Keep in touch - can you believe it is almost Easter?! Time flies - I will have been here for a year as of the beginning of May!

...and kitty makes three

So the Houlahan's have gained a family member...we got a kity named, "Sota"...you know like Minnesota! He is about 15 weeks old and has TONS of character. This is fun most of the time but when you are trying to sleep and he is running sprints up and down the hallway or nibbling on your toes it is not so cute. He is very into cuddling and seems to love us so it is fun. He will be good company for me when Kieran gets busy with all of the pre-season chaos which is coming up in the next few months.

As most of you know Margaret was here for a few weeks and we had lots of adventures! It was great to have a visitor and it sounds like we will be having some more in 2008. I like it because I get to play tourist too! If any of you are thinking of coming let us know so we can plan accordingly.

Summer is in full swing and I am trying to learn about water safety in the ocean (I am starting to get more and more brave) and cricket. Right now Austarlia is playing India in Cricket and the Australian Open tennis tournament is on so Kieran is in heaven :) I go back to work next week which should be good. This week I have been trying to relax as much as possible.

Ok, well I will write again soon! Hope everyone is having a good start to 2008!!

Seasons Greetings

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas?...So this will be my first Christmas without seeing any snow or cold weather to speak of. It is strange being able to wear shorts and flip flops in December. Granted we have not had the best weather ever. Australia tied and set more records this month for rain fall. The past few days we have had major thunderstorms and even some hail. I still think I would take it over snow though. It has been nice to go to the beach after work on hot sweaty days and take a dip.

The last month has seen Kieran and I add some more additions to our place including a brand new bed and a Christmas tree! Holding true to some of my family traditions, we had a cookie bake at our apartment the first weekend of December. It was just the two of us and we only successfully made three types but it still was nice. No Thanksgiving turkey this year however. It fell during a busy week for us but next year we DEFINATELY are celebrating somehow because I feel like a bad American. :)

One other change this month is that I have taken yet ANOTHER job! I feel like such a quitter, but the department of education will not grant me a teaching license (to teach in state schools) until I take two more course which I would have to go over an hour away to take and pay way too much money. It is not realistic right now and the job I currently have is just not able to give me full time work. I was looking on the web for teaching positions at private schools and could not find any full time PE jobs either. I did however find a position as an aide working in classrooms with special needs children. I have always loved working with children like this and it is at a Catholic school only 15 min from where we live so I figured I would jump on it and see if maybe it would lead to a "teaching" job down the road. Plus it will be better than what I am doing now because I won't be bouncing from school to school and I will actually get to know the people I work with. Fingers crossed!

I am still doing my dog walking/pet care job a few afternoons a week and posted some photos of my regulars. Fred is the lab mix who is 11 but thinks he is about 3 - he is my favorite. Smokey and Bandit are the two crazy girls below him. They are sort of a pain in the butt and are very much still puppies. All muscle and they walk me more than I walk them sometimes I think!

Kieran is well and his work is pretty slow at the moment. This is good because we can spend quite a bit of time together. He is playing soccer with some friends on Wednesday nights when I play basketball. He is a bit dissapointed in th eelection outcome as of a few weeks ago. Australia has a new Prime Minister and everyone is worried intrest rates will sore even higher. His grandmother is in a nursing home at the moment after having a bit of a stroke. We have gone to visit her a few times. Hopefully she will be able to come spend time with us on Christmas.

All in all life is pretty good. We are thinking of all of you during this holiday season. Not sure when I will be able to get back home to see everyone but hopefully it will be in the next 12 to 18 months. You can always come see us.....

Mrs. Houlahan

Well hello again! I have been VERY slack about updating my blog, but in my defense, I have had a few things going on in the last month or so! First of all - I am a MARRIED WOMAN! Kieran and I tied the knot on October 12th in my hometown of New Brighton, MN. For those of you who were able to make it I think you would agree that it might just have been the party of the year! It was so great to have so many family and friends around to share the day with us!

The Australians invaded America for a few days and it was a blast! They bonded with my family and friends and even took part in a softball game (America V. Australia) the day after the wedding. Many of them were put up by my (dysfunctional) family and become honorary members of their home...everyone will be talking about it for a long time I'm sure!

After the wedding, and a few tears on my part, Kieran and I headed to NYC for our honeymoon. The weather was awesome while we were there and we were able to walk around in t-shirts and sandals most days!

The first full day we had there, we took a tour of Manhattan via tour bus...an 8.5 hour tour that is! I was exhausted from the wedding and all of the late nights with visitors and fell asleep for 45 minutes towards the end of the ride! Some of the high lites were: Ground Zero, the UN building, and a ferry ride out to the Statue of Liberty. It was a long day but a great way to learn about the city.

One of the other fun things we got to do was go to a taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman". No major celebs that day (LeAnne Rimmes was the biggest) but still fun to be a part of. We went to dinner in Little Italy one night and wandered down through Greenwich Village and Sojo, which we loved. Times Square and the Empire State building were a short jaunt from our hotel which was cool. We also met up with Kate Gales and her boyfriend, Patrick, for drinks one night.

We would have loved to have a few more days to explore but we just ran out of time. Now it is back to reality.

Work is going ok. I got a letter from the Department of Education when I got home saying I need to go back to school for another semester if I want to teach at public schools in this state which is disappointing...I'm trying to fight it but will see what happens. At least I have work for now. I started my pet care job too which has been really fun. I work for a place where you walk, feed and care for owners' pets while they are away. Pretty flexible hours and I get to play with all the cute dogs and stuff!

Summer is definitely on its way. We went to the beach just today actually with some people and had a bbq at our place - it will be great to be so close to the beach! I tried my hand at body boarding the other day but I am not sure if the ocean is my cup of tea - it is pretty exhausting! I have started playing on a basketball team on Wed nights and we joined a co-ed softball team (which got rained out our first game the other night). Still finding it sort of tough to get a group of friends but slowly meeting people.

Miss all of you and think about you often! Please keep the emails coming!
XOXO

Spring has Sprung!

Well, it is officially the second day of Spring and I am so glad that the days are getting longer and warmer! The only bad thing is that the LOUD birds around here start squawking at about 530 in the morning!! These are not quiet birds either. They are cockatoos and kookaburras - sounds like we are living in the freakin' jungle!

Otherwise life has been pretty good! My job has been great - I really have learned so much about teaching gymnastics so it has been a really good learning experience. I missed a day last week due to the fact that I had a bad sinus infection, but the kids have been great and I am happy.

I am on the fence trying to decide about getting my masters. Kieran gets back into his MBA courses in January and I think I might take a class towards my masters in education - we will see. I also am in the process of getting my qualifications updated to teach swim lessons.

I have been able to spend some time with Kieran and his family the past few weekends. Last weekend we had his family over for a picnic since it was his dad's birthday. It wound up being an indoor picnic because it rained when we wanted to eat but then it fined up and we went to the beach and park so his nephew could play. Nice day. Then I was at the football game with his parents today. they won their last regular season game of the year and playoffs start next weekend. It was also Father's Day here today. I think Kieran is ready for the season to be over. It has been a great year but busy for him.

We really do not have much else excitement in our lives these days. I fly into Minneapolis on Sept. 29th at 930pm and Kieran will be coming a few days later since he needs to work at the Rugby Grand Final (whether Manly is in it or not). It sounds like a lot of you are able to come so I am really looking forward to seeing all of you!! I sent the playlist in to the DJ today so get ready to boogie! We are working on a video of our area to show at the reception as well so we will see. It will be a home video, but I took it to the rugby today and have been getting bits and pieces each day.

Love all of you!! XOXO

City to Surf

So I survived the Sydney, "City to Surf". It is a 14K fun run - a fun run with 64, 761 people this year to be exact!! As you can see in the photo to the right it was a packed event. Kieran and I had never done this event before so we were not sure what to sign up for. There were three groups - the serious runners, the semi-serious runners, and the rest of us. We signed up to be "Back of the Pack" which was good since neither of us trained very hard for this. We wound up walking most of it and finished in about 2 1/2 hours. The weather was awesome. We start in the middle of the city and walk to Bondi Beach. It was a gorgeous course with plenty of hills and views of the city and water. Once you got to the beach it was one big party! Very good day. If you are interested in seeing more about the event you can check out http://city2surf.sunherald.com.au/

Otherwise things are going well. The weather is getting much better which has improved everyone's moods. Teaching is fun and I have learned so much. We do not have a whole lot else planned before the wedding. Kieran will be very busy at work right up to the end of the season because Manly just keeps on winning. They have a good chance of winning the whole thing this year. I survived my detox and maybe even lost a pound or two - it is good to have meat and dairy again after two weeks without it though!! We made a field trip to IKEA the other weekend and got a bookcase and some decorations for around the place. We also got a futon so bring on the visitors!! Our apartment is becoming more and more of a home everyday. Well, that is all for now. Keep in touch and I will see everyone soon!

So I have been in Sydney now for about three months. Some days it feels like it has been longer and other times it seems like I just got here! Life has been pretty good lately. I started my new job with the company Sportspro (see my spiffy unform?) and so far it has been much less stress than the one with the Y. I'm still adjusting to things but I think it will be a good fit. I'm at three different schools throughout the week and so far it has been a good experience.

My weekends have gotten busier it seems like as I begin to meet more people. The highlight of the month so far has been the costume party Iwent to this weekend. Kieran and I were invited to go on a party cruise through Sydney Harbour. He had a work function to go to so I went with some of the girls he works with. We dressed up as construction workers. Costume parties are always a good time. We then docked the boat in the city and went to a place called, "The Retro". There are three levels and each level is a different decade theme. There were the 70's floor, 80's and the floor where they played more current and 90's stuff. Very fun place. I can't wait to explore the city more now that I have been getting out. We also have joined a softball team which starts soon so that should be good too.

Kieran and I played babysitter this past Sunday watching after his nephew (soon to be my nephew too!), Nicholas.HE is almost 2 years old and super cute! We took him to our apartment and had a picnic in the park by our place. Then we took him to the beach where he laughed so hard when he put his toes in the water! HE took a bit of a spill and got covered in water and sand (fully clothed by the way) but we had a great afternoon.

All that is really new otherwise is that I started a detox diet. I am not allowed meat, caffine, dairy, or chocolate and I take these pills to help "flush" my insides. Iam not doing it to loos weight but to feel better inside and out. I am on day 4 and I have not had meat yet, but I have cheated a bit in all of the other areas. I have been feeling better though...I give credit to anyone who has done a diet:)

Wedding plans are ticking along thanks to my mom and sister! They have been amazing! Kieran and I went and got our wedding bands the other day and will be working on our programs this weekend. Crazy to think I will be home in two months time!! Can't wait to see everyone. I really hope all of you are considering coming to visit us. We live in such a beautiful area and I really hope I get o share it with all of you. You all are welcome anytime!! Can't wait ot hear from you all!!!

Ticking Along...

So not a whole lot is new and exciting these days. Just working and trying to plan the wedding and get more settled in here in Newport. I am slowly ticking things off of my massive list of things to get, register for, and pay for! I had my last day at my job for the YMCA on June 30th so that should be less stress for me...the photo on the left was taken a few Sundays ago when Kieran and I were driving back from Church. It is the next suburb north of us and where I will be teaching a few days a week in my new job. Nice little shacks they have, huh?

The kids are on school holidays right now so I don't officially start my placement for my new job until next week but I have been working a few days at vacation camp. It is basically glorified babysitting but it's money. Otherwise just relaxing and tomorrow I am going to look for a waitressing job or something for a few nights a week. A little extra money and something to do. I applied to get my Australian Swim instructor certification so hopefully that goes through so I can teach swim lessons. I might look into volunteering somewhere or something too. My new job is only 30 hours week so it will be good to have more to do. I also joined a gym so I have been going there a lot.

Trying to meet people. The photo to the right is of me and some girls I have become close with. The blonde is actually from Maryland and married an Aussie. I met the girl on the far right through Kieran last year when I came so we kept in touch. Very nice girls. I still miss everyone from home though!! Keep the emails and letters coming - they mean a lot. Kieran and I are super excited for the wedding. I plan on coming home around Sept. 30th so please contact me or stop by my parents' house so I can see everyone!

Not a whole lot else to report on. The Sea Eagles are currently in 2nd. They won 56-0 on Saturday so that was exciting. Only a month left in the regular season. We have been watching the Twins on mlb.tv so I have been loving that. Kieran is officially a Twins fan!! We have to go to our engaged couples retreat for the Catholic church this weekend. Not sure what to expect but hopefully we will learn some stuff. Well, that is all I know for now. Keep in touch everyone!!

Bloody Winter!

I really do not know much else these days other than the fact that the weather has been terrible! Winter here does not mean snow but this month it has been raining non-stop! I have seen the sun about three times in the last three weeks - yuck! The photo to the left is of me at the Manly game the other night. I felt like I was at a high school football game with the weather...at least I get to go in the Presidents lounge to warm up - thanks Kieran!! I wish I was in MN having summer but I am making the best of things :)

The only other info that I really have is that I am now certified in CPR/First Aid by the Australian Red Cross. They do not recognize my American Red Cross certs over here so I spent all day Saturday and Sunday getting that taken care of for my job. They do not do the Heimlich maneuver over here so I learned another technique. I also had to learn how to care for spider, snake, and jelly fish stings/bites - yikes!! When you all come visit I will be able to help save your lives...

Rain, Rain go away

Well, Kieran and I have survived the biggest storm New South Wales has seen in over 30 years this weekend!! It rained last weekend basically non-stop from Thursday to Sunday morning. There were winds of 106 kilometers per hour and waves nearly 15 feet! I wanted to take photos, but did not want to wander out to do so.



Our power went out multiple times last weekend and some places are just getting power back. A coal transporter ( a huge tanker ship) ran aground up the coast a few hours away and may become a genuine ship wreck if they are unable to get it back out to sea!! Kieran drove home on last Friday and there was a part of some one's roof in the middle of the main road!! Kieran said he had never seen anything like it...that did not however, stop him from going out to his bachelor party on Saturday. This is party #1 for those who cannot make it Vegas in October. The boys braved the weather and went out paint balling amongst other things. I really don't want to know. :)



Monday was the Queen's birthday so there was no work for me! I went to the local Pub near were Kieran and I live called "The Newport Arms" with some girls I met from Kieran's work. The weather cleared up enough for me to enjoy a bit of sunshine. Kieran stayed home and nursed his paintball welts.

Then after a few nice days Mother Nature decided to pound us with more rain! It has been raining since Thursday afternoon (it is now Saturday night) and I want the Sunny Australia I thought I was going to get when I signed up to come here!! It has been damn cold too which is sad. Ah well - now they cannot say anything about water shortages on the news for awhile!

My big news though, is that I decided to get a new job. I love the school I am at right now, but I do NOT love working for the YMCA. I felt totally alone and unsupported at that job. I signed on mid-May and have seen my boss once since then! Sure I have free reign for the most part as to what I teach, but I get no feedback and have no one to really bounce ideas off of or anything...not really the best for someone just starting out.

Long story short, I am going to be working for a company called, "Pro sports". They send out qualified PE teachers to elementary schools (public) throughout the Sydney area. They currently have around 42 schools. The public elementary schools here do not hire PE teachers full time but this way parents can pay a standard (low) fee for their child to have a PE teacher come and teach them a 45 minute lesson once a week. Same as the Y, but at this place I will always be team teaching with someone else. I think it will be a much better fit for me. I have been so stressed having no one to talk to about my ideas and stuff that this should be much better. The staff all seem really cool and I think I will be placed at a school 5 minutes from my apartment - I have been pretty lucky thus far I must say.

Birthday weekend

Well, I am officially one year older (I am now 25) and I spent my birthday in Australia for the second time. Last time was when I turned 20. My actual birthday was pretty uneventful, but we spent a nice day in the City on Saturday.

Kieran and I took the ferry from Manly over to the City. It is about a half hour ride and totally gorgeous. When you arrive in the city you go right past the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, etc. We took a little stroll around Circular Quay and then got some sandwiches and sat on the Opera House steps to eat...really nice spot to people watch! The sea gulls on the other hand, are torture!!


The Opera House is a very unique building with lots of history. We took a guided tour that lasted about an hour. We got to go in the different theaters and the main concert hall which was huge! Definitely something to check out for future visitors...they have all sorts of shows as well. There were some Americans on our tour who were quite obnoxious. Made me sort of embarrassed actually - just loud. You can check out more about the opera house at this website:
www.sydneyoperahouse.com.

I know some musicians in the family who would be super interested in the organ: like 300+ pipes or something - unreal!

After our tour we got an ice cream and wandered

through the Royal Botanical Gardens (photo at the top of page and far right). Very nice spot for a picnic, nap, run, or all of the above! Not a ton of flowers right now since it is winter, but really nice regardless. Then it was back on the ferry and then home for a quite evening.

Everyday on my day to work I pass the Bia' Hai' temple. I have been curious about what it is like so I ventured there for mass on Sunday. It is a "all-denominational" temple. The ceremony included readings from all different religions and was just very meditative. Not sure if I would go there regularly but still an interesting place in my new neighborhood!

It was a relaxing weekend and I am feeling more settled but still like a tourist at times. School is getting more routine and I am not as stressed anymore. The kids are great and I do not feel like an outsider at all. If you would like to check out their website it is:

http://www.lindfielde-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Also, Kieran's rugby team has a website: http://www.manlyseaeagles.com.au . They are tied for first place right now so it has been good for Kieran....easier to get/keep sponsors when the team is doing well!

K, I'm off -what do ya think of my first, real blog page?? :)