Yes, the posts are becoming less frequent. As I am beginning to settle into a 'normal' routine, I find less 'newness' to share with y'all. This week I've been simply going to work, cooking dinner, doing laundry (have to wash sheets in shifts because of limited drying/hanging space), watching a little TV, and planning some future travels (bring on the spreadsheets!). The work schedule is later here, which works well for me since I prefer to stay up at night and sleep later in the morning. However, it makes the day seem a lot shorter, especially now in winter when it's dark around 5:30 PM. Work hours are around 9-6 or sometimes later. By the time I take the tram home and possibly stop for a few things at the grocery store, it's 7-8 PM before I walk in the door. Grocery shopping is a little different here - no cheerios, no tostitos, no Jiff - not much brand recognition. Cheddar cheese is white and yogurt is creamier.
I finished my last day of 12d training today, which means I have a rental car again. I'm becoming a regular pro driving on the wrong side of the road. Will I be able to drive in TX again? I drove to a new neighborhood tonight, Malvern, only a few miles from where I live. It's the second richest neighborhood in Melbourne, pretty upscale, as opposed to my bohemian, grungy, eclectic hood. I had dinner at my co-worker Mike's house, who is here with his wife Tara and daughter Madison. Mike and Tara are both around my age. They moved here in February from Colorado, but Tara is originally from Odessa, TX and Mike is from Wisconsin. He actually was working in Austin for 6 months on the URS 183A project and in Minneapolis a few years prior, but our paths never crossed. Small world. We had mexican food for dinner which is a real treat in Australia, because it is very difficult to find good mexican food here.
