Livin' like locals... I got glass in my toe.

Sorry for the delay in blog postings... but we are on Aussie time now... which means no specific time at all! We wanted to compile a bunch of stuff to tell you about so that it would be a juicy post (aka between partying, surfing, sleeping, and trying to get on our free internet when it is actually connected, we we didn't have time!)! So, where to start??

We have started to truly live like locals. I especially feel like one as I have really taken to the local custom of not wearing shoes anywhere... including the grocery store. Yup, was in there the other day buying some chocolate milk in nothing but board shorts and a bikini top! We have met a lot of the locals here and are having a great time... specifically with the locals at the Irish Pub down the street where we had way too many on St. Pattys Day! Also, I went with our friend Jay (from Whistler who has lived here for 2 years) and some of his friends to a huge sand beach for the day while Mars was in Sydney. We took out a 4 wheel drive, packed a cooler and some surf boards, and drove like crazy people on the sand... so much fun! My surfing has also improved in the last week... I can now stand up on my board without any help from Josh and even stood up a fair sized wave all the way to the beach today! Will post some pictures once I get them. Mars has stood up as well, but is a few "lessons" behind me. She should be there soon!

On the other side of the coin, like locals, we have had to get jobs :( As I said earlier, Mars is working at a place right on the beach called Berardos and is adjusting well to serving... which is great considering she lied on her resume and said she has experience! The picture of the restaurant is Berardos. I am working at a restaurant called Rococo (in the pic of us on Hastings Street above, it is the place with the yellow umbrellas on the left). They get the bills paid, but as you all know, we have never really been fans of having jobs! (my back is killing me, and her ankles are sore... we are unprepared for this type of work after years in the veal fattening pens... um, I mean cubicles...). I will say, however, that I find it highly entertaining that the patrons are so amused by my accent. They always ask where I'm from, which then gets me chatting away with every table, which makes me look like the slowest waitress on earth. Mom - there is no denying that I inherited your penchant for talking to EVERYONE! Too bad they don't tip here! (I've had 2 marriage proposals thus far... they really want me to stay in the country...)

As per the requests we have been getting, I have attached some photos of our new hometown. The street behind us is Hastings Street, the main downtown area in Noosa and the second most expensive retail area in Oz. The sunset is the view from our balcony. The beach pics are of Main Beach... right off of Hastings Street and where we spend most of our time when it's sunny and we're not working. Not a bad life! We are excited for everyone who has plans to come and visit... hope this gets you pumped about the trip (and makes you overlook the 24+ hours of travel time!) Shouts out to Glen, Tom, Afton, and Kristina who are currently on the roster to spend some time here. Don't worry about bringing shoes and be prepared for some big wipe outs in the waves!

Speaking of shout outs, would also like to send out a few more: To Steve and Julie - congrats on the baby news and thanks for reading the blog! Please continue to follow along and live vicariously as you prepare for 18 years (minimum) of kid jail :) To The Bridge Club - Thanks for reading in between games. To Kathy, Sherry and Don, and all of our parent's friends who are likely thinking "good for them, but glad it's not my kids!". And to the peeps at The General - Keep fighting the good fight!

Update: I have had my first 2 official "kim-isms" (injuries sustained while traveling): 1. Had to fish a piece of glass out of my toe with a travel kit sewing needle. The glass got in there when I was walking shoeless and I left it in there for reasons unknown. 2. Got stung across the back of the leg by a blue bottle (like a jellyfish) when surfing. There were no lifeguards with vinegar, and I was surfing alone so nobody was around to pee on it. So again, I just left it. Dave - you have trained me well in "field first aid" as I tended to these injuries, as well as taped up Mars' ankles.

Will try to post again in a shorter intervals this time... just so everyone knows we're still alive... and tanned.