Something clicked for me this week.
I've been riding my bike to work every day for 3 weeks now (except for the day it was raining). We purposely got a house within riding distance because we haven't purchased a car yet, so now my fear of driving will last just a little longer. But Mackay is a great place to learn, whether it be biking or driving, because it's a small city and drivers seem to be relatively more courteous here. And I have a really flat route. It only really inclines at all around the bridge over the creek and another bridge over the river, but even those are minimal.
I was probably afforded the opportunity of enlightenment this week because my rear end has finally stopped hurting when I sit on the seat, which is magically wonderful in itself.
The most important thing that clicked was 'slow and steady wins the race' when it comes to biking, especially after becoming so unfit the last 7 months without a gym membership. I'm also not a seasoned biker and up until I moved to Oz, I hadn't ridden much since I was a kid. So for some reason, I think when I get on the bike, I feel like I need to go really fast (something I also coincidentally feel like doing when driving), which isn't a good strategy because I just end up getting tired and have to stop peddling for a break. Then I slow way down, then the cycle continues.
But finally this week, I subconsciously (I guess) decided just to peddle slow and steady. Amazing! It's so much more fun now!!
I've learned some other things on my zen biking journey as well, like:
better understanding of how traffic here works... which will help me when I finally start driving;
what to do when your wheels are loose because the movers didn't put your bike back together properly... actually, this one requires a meltdown phone call to your husband so he can calmly give you instructions. But it all worked out;
it's not so bad wearing stretchy pants... at least while actually on the bike, anyway... off the bike, still not cool;
the bike helmet isn't that bad either... but I still don't see how it's going to protect anyone in a car collision, though. But everyone else has to wear them, too, so I don't feel like such a dork; and
riding my bike is a chance to smell the roses... or at times, the fish guts people leave on the sidewalk on the bridge. "Wow, the river smells fishy today... oh, it's just the fish guts on the ground..." But for real, some days the bike time may be the only time I spend outside all day, so why not enjoy it? You get to see all things you wouldn't normally see through the car window. (photos of which I'll post someday)
So along with getting my free daily exercise and free transportation, I'm starting to really enjoy bike riding.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
It's been awhile since I've posted anything because it's been another round of whirlwind life change and adjustments. As soon as I was selected for a job with the State government, we immediately started making plans to move. We flew up to Mackay for a few days to suss out the housing situation, and luckily on the last day in town our application was approved for a rental house! We were really excited because first, it can be a bit of a nightmare finding any rental properties in Australia, because there's no central way to search and the market is huge. You have to visit every real estate agency in person practically every day to keep up with the new listings, inspections, applications, etc. Then they go off the market so fast, you really have to be on your toes. So we were relieved that we got that part done so quickly.
Then the next step was packing, moving, and tying up loose ends in Kirra. I pretty much moved up to a hotel room in Mackay and starting working right away, while Theo stayed behind in Kirra to pack, see our stuff off with the movers, and clean our apartment before we officially moved out.
The job has been great! It's exactly what I had wanted to do. I'm still getting to know the work processes and people, but there's always a learning curve. I have 2 other Americans in my office, which was surprising! Every day I'm impressed by the progressive policies and work environment. As far as employers, I couldn't have done any better!
Mackay as a city is not bad either. I didn't really know what to expect, since I didn't get to see much during my interview visit. It's still a coastal city, but not as big as the Gold Coast. Not as touristy either, which is really nice. It's further north, so it has a warmer climate than where we came from (a Fijian friend says it's on the same latitude as Fiji!), so they grow a lot of sugar cane and other tropical crops here. It's also not far from the mines, so a lot of people who live here actually work in the mines. Many have one week on/one week off type schedules. This can sometimes be a negative because miners get paid so well, it can create a kinda false economy, with businesses catering to and inflating prices for miners. But it's not too bad. If we lived any closer to the mines, it would be much worse!
We're still getting settled into the new house. We have practically no furniture, and it's a 3-bedroom house, so it's going to take awhile to make it feel cozy. But we have everything we need, really. The best parts about it are the wood floors, the awesome front deck, and the fruits growing in the back yard - passionfruit and mandarins! The backyard is fenced in case we find a cute puppy to take home, and the neighborhood seems really nice. There are definitely things about the house we would change if we could, though. It's pretty old, and they must have added the toilet later, because it's in the back, down a few stairs off the laundry room. So it's not that fun when you have to get up in the middle of the night. And on a related note, the water pipes are really old and unpredictable and the bathtub is an awful pink color. But the good things definitely outweigh the bad... Just glad to be employed and semi-settled at the moment...
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Miss List #1
In keeping with the David Letterman Top 10 List style, the #1 answer is anti-climatic, but "drum roll please" anyway.....
#1: Real Mexican Food
I've already harped on this subject, but humor me and let's cover it one more time. I'm not talking about Tex-Mex... nachos or burritos... which aren't purely Mexican inventions... I'm talking about the real stuff, my favorites being:
Real Mexican-style tacos on homemade corn tortillas with nothing but cilantro, (onion if you like it), and the hottest salsa in the restaurant. As you know, if they bring it to you automatically, it's not the hottest salsa in the restaurant.
Carnitas are another favorite. Fortunately, I can make that one myself, since it's not that hard and doesn't require exotic ingredients. My other favorite dishes I used to cook at home were chicken tinga, made with chipotle peppers and onion, but without tostadas that wouldn't be much fun to eat... and green mole with shredded chicken. That one has multiple availability issues (green mole sauce and tomatillos).
And lastly, my own personal version of cochinita pibil (Once Upon a Time in Mexico reference)... the pork chile verde... Oh how I love chile verde. I haven't figured out the recipe for that one, but I have a similar one that will do when I want to have it at home. Of course it's another one of those dishes made with tomatillos, one of the things I can't get here. So watch out Mexican restaurants, when I return to the States for my next visit, have my chile verde ready!!!
I'm serious. :)
#1: Real Mexican Food
I've already harped on this subject, but humor me and let's cover it one more time. I'm not talking about Tex-Mex... nachos or burritos... which aren't purely Mexican inventions... I'm talking about the real stuff, my favorites being:
Real Mexican-style tacos on homemade corn tortillas with nothing but cilantro, (onion if you like it), and the hottest salsa in the restaurant. As you know, if they bring it to you automatically, it's not the hottest salsa in the restaurant.
Carnitas are another favorite. Fortunately, I can make that one myself, since it's not that hard and doesn't require exotic ingredients. My other favorite dishes I used to cook at home were chicken tinga, made with chipotle peppers and onion, but without tostadas that wouldn't be much fun to eat... and green mole with shredded chicken. That one has multiple availability issues (green mole sauce and tomatillos).
And lastly, my own personal version of cochinita pibil (Once Upon a Time in Mexico reference)... the pork chile verde... Oh how I love chile verde. I haven't figured out the recipe for that one, but I have a similar one that will do when I want to have it at home. Of course it's another one of those dishes made with tomatillos, one of the things I can't get here. So watch out Mexican restaurants, when I return to the States for my next visit, have my chile verde ready!!!
I'm serious. :)
Friday, July 23, 2010
Miss List #2
#2: $5 Matinees
What I would give for a Sunday afternoon $5 matinee movie with my little sis! We used to go an average of twice a month, sometimes several times in a row. Those days are loooong gone. I got quite a sticker shock at the movie prices here. They can cost up to $16 to $18 for an adult ticket... no matinee prices. Up to $22 for an extra special 3D theater show. I felt a little guilty for spending that much to see Alice in Wonderland, but I figured I was worth it!
Most theaters might have one night a week, when you can watch movies for $7 - 9, which is in the realistic range, and if you get a loyalty card, they have a movie of the week that's only $9, but it's usually the worst movie on the market at the time. But that's about the only time we go now... which is why we've been taking advantage of the awesome DVD selection at the library for now. You can't beat free!
What I would give for a Sunday afternoon $5 matinee movie with my little sis! We used to go an average of twice a month, sometimes several times in a row. Those days are loooong gone. I got quite a sticker shock at the movie prices here. They can cost up to $16 to $18 for an adult ticket... no matinee prices. Up to $22 for an extra special 3D theater show. I felt a little guilty for spending that much to see Alice in Wonderland, but I figured I was worth it!
Most theaters might have one night a week, when you can watch movies for $7 - 9, which is in the realistic range, and if you get a loyalty card, they have a movie of the week that's only $9, but it's usually the worst movie on the market at the time. But that's about the only time we go now... which is why we've been taking advantage of the awesome DVD selection at the library for now. You can't beat free!
Miss List #3
#3: Chipotle
It is no secret that I'm addicted to Chipotle. I could not get enough of it from the moment I moved to Kansas City and discovered it through my co-workers in 2000. I still remember my "first time" and how it was impossible to eat the burrito without making a huge mess. I also remember when they finally moved across the KC border into Wyandotte County. My fellow Chipotle aficionados and I made a party of it, we were so happy!
One time, Theo and I even dragged our little sister to one on halloween and dressed up in foil, just to get our free halloween burrito! She definitely thought we were crazy at first, then I think she secretly enjoyed it. (These are the lengths we go to...)
It was always the fallback dinner decision when Theo and I couldn't decide what to have for dinner... One of us would say... Chipotle? and the other one always agreed. :)
My favorite is barbacoa with the hottest sauce and sour cream. Ahhhh, the flavors...
I even offered my services directly to Chipotle. Since I just happened to be conveniently moving to Australia, I suggested to them that I could help set up the first overseas branch. But they politely declined my gracious offer (I couldn't even believe they answered my email, to tell you the truth!!). I really did understand, though, since they source most of their meat from farms that don't use antibiotics, and try to use local ingredients, it would be quite a setup ordeal.
Last year, they did finally expand overseas, albeit to London. You can really blame them, Europe is a much bigger market. But I can still dream...
It is no secret that I'm addicted to Chipotle. I could not get enough of it from the moment I moved to Kansas City and discovered it through my co-workers in 2000. I still remember my "first time" and how it was impossible to eat the burrito without making a huge mess. I also remember when they finally moved across the KC border into Wyandotte County. My fellow Chipotle aficionados and I made a party of it, we were so happy!
One time, Theo and I even dragged our little sister to one on halloween and dressed up in foil, just to get our free halloween burrito! She definitely thought we were crazy at first, then I think she secretly enjoyed it. (These are the lengths we go to...)
It was always the fallback dinner decision when Theo and I couldn't decide what to have for dinner... One of us would say... Chipotle? and the other one always agreed. :)
My favorite is barbacoa with the hottest sauce and sour cream. Ahhhh, the flavors...
I even offered my services directly to Chipotle. Since I just happened to be conveniently moving to Australia, I suggested to them that I could help set up the first overseas branch. But they politely declined my gracious offer (I couldn't even believe they answered my email, to tell you the truth!!). I really did understand, though, since they source most of their meat from farms that don't use antibiotics, and try to use local ingredients, it would be quite a setup ordeal.
Last year, they did finally expand overseas, albeit to London. You can really blame them, Europe is a much bigger market. But I can still dream...
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Miss List #4
#4: "American-style" Coffee Shops
I don't really know the history of coffee shops, so I'm not sure if this is an accurate description of a solely American version of a coffee shop, but from my experience, this is what I consider it to be:
A cozy, warm, inviting place devoted entirely to the distribution of fairly affordable coffee, tea and other drinks, as well as desserts and snacks, such as cake, cookies, etc, and maybe a light meal. The staff is often extremely friendly, the furniture usually very comfortable with at least one couch and comfy chair. Most of time time, wireless internet access is not only free and available, but also easy to access without much fuss.
This is what I'm used to, but is extremely hard to find here. Most of the time the cafés here have a full menu as well, so the place takes on the air of a restaurant, rather than a coffee shop. And since they're aiming for a restaurant/café feel, the furniture is not that comfortable, as they probably don't want you hanging around very long. If there is internet access, you usually have to ask for the password, at which point they either look at you sideways (as if to say, yeah, you can have it, but don't use it very long), or they might even complain to you about it, which is what happened to us one time when I met my first rude American ex-pat. She went on about how expensive internet access is here, even though we were buying food from her we really didn't even want, just to use her internet.
Don't get me wrong, the coffee here is yummy, and sometimes it is nice to just sit at the cafés near the beach and just stare off into the ocean while sipping your coffee, but sometimes I just want to nerd out on my computer for a while in a comfy place and maybe meet some new people.
I actually did find such a place here in Mackay, strangely enough! It has a seven deadly sins theme and everything in the shop is either red or black. It's really cute and has a very friendly staff. Of course, it was created by someone not from here, so that probably helps explain things. So I know where I'll be hanging out...
I don't really know the history of coffee shops, so I'm not sure if this is an accurate description of a solely American version of a coffee shop, but from my experience, this is what I consider it to be:
A cozy, warm, inviting place devoted entirely to the distribution of fairly affordable coffee, tea and other drinks, as well as desserts and snacks, such as cake, cookies, etc, and maybe a light meal. The staff is often extremely friendly, the furniture usually very comfortable with at least one couch and comfy chair. Most of time time, wireless internet access is not only free and available, but also easy to access without much fuss.
This is what I'm used to, but is extremely hard to find here. Most of the time the cafés here have a full menu as well, so the place takes on the air of a restaurant, rather than a coffee shop. And since they're aiming for a restaurant/café feel, the furniture is not that comfortable, as they probably don't want you hanging around very long. If there is internet access, you usually have to ask for the password, at which point they either look at you sideways (as if to say, yeah, you can have it, but don't use it very long), or they might even complain to you about it, which is what happened to us one time when I met my first rude American ex-pat. She went on about how expensive internet access is here, even though we were buying food from her we really didn't even want, just to use her internet.
Don't get me wrong, the coffee here is yummy, and sometimes it is nice to just sit at the cafés near the beach and just stare off into the ocean while sipping your coffee, but sometimes I just want to nerd out on my computer for a while in a comfy place and maybe meet some new people.
I actually did find such a place here in Mackay, strangely enough! It has a seven deadly sins theme and everything in the shop is either red or black. It's really cute and has a very friendly staff. Of course, it was created by someone not from here, so that probably helps explain things. So I know where I'll be hanging out...
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Miss List #5
#5: Anything Buffalo Flavored
I remember the first time Theo was introduced to buffalo flavor. We went to a pizza place and I was surprised when he ordered the buffalo pizza. I was thinking, YUMMY!! When it arrived to the table, the disappointment on his face was immediate.... I thought I ordered BUFFALO pizza, he said. Of course, after I realized he thought the pizza was going to come with buffalo meat on it, I burst into laughter, as I still do when I think of it today.
Sadly, there are no buffalo pizzas in Oz. I also had a sad incident the first time I had pizza here. I ordered a Meat Lover's pizza, which is what a always order (me being the most contradictory environmentalist I know). I took my first bite and it tasted sweet and awful! I said, Theo, I think there is something wrong with my pizza, try it. He tasted it and said, Oh yeah, that's BBQ sauce. They always put in on all-meat pizzas (instead of tomato sauce). I was sooo disappointed. I didn't even really want to eat anymore, but that's all we had for dinner, so I suffered through it. I definitely learned my lesson, though.
But I digress. I love buffalo flavored things: buffalo chicken wings, buffalo pizza, buffalo chicken wraps, buffalo chicken burgers... My fave burger is at Granite City restaurant/bar. They make the BEST buffalo chicken burger I've ever had, with this creamy bleu cheese sauce, OH YUM! It's definitely on my list of things I have to eat when I come to the States during our next visit!
I remember the first time Theo was introduced to buffalo flavor. We went to a pizza place and I was surprised when he ordered the buffalo pizza. I was thinking, YUMMY!! When it arrived to the table, the disappointment on his face was immediate.... I thought I ordered BUFFALO pizza, he said. Of course, after I realized he thought the pizza was going to come with buffalo meat on it, I burst into laughter, as I still do when I think of it today.
Sadly, there are no buffalo pizzas in Oz. I also had a sad incident the first time I had pizza here. I ordered a Meat Lover's pizza, which is what a always order (me being the most contradictory environmentalist I know). I took my first bite and it tasted sweet and awful! I said, Theo, I think there is something wrong with my pizza, try it. He tasted it and said, Oh yeah, that's BBQ sauce. They always put in on all-meat pizzas (instead of tomato sauce). I was sooo disappointed. I didn't even really want to eat anymore, but that's all we had for dinner, so I suffered through it. I definitely learned my lesson, though.
But I digress. I love buffalo flavored things: buffalo chicken wings, buffalo pizza, buffalo chicken wraps, buffalo chicken burgers... My fave burger is at Granite City restaurant/bar. They make the BEST buffalo chicken burger I've ever had, with this creamy bleu cheese sauce, OH YUM! It's definitely on my list of things I have to eat when I come to the States during our next visit!
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