Time for some bitching

What else?  I don't get why every restaurant in Darwin feels they need to offer the exact same fucking menu.   I don't even have to go in the place and I can tell what they will serve.  Sure there are the few rare exceptions -- specialty places like Greek, Italian, Indian etc but if you just roll into a normal Aussie restaurant, you're gonna get the same shit...everywhere.  On the road trip, I found this to be true in other parts of Aus as well.  In fact, in wine country, I had a major breakdown because I couldn't take it anymore -- lol, sad but that is a true story.  I refused to eat and instead had 3 glasses of wine :-P

Anyway, no matter where you go, here's what you will likely be offered:
Appetizers (called entrees here) :
garlic bread
trio of dips (seriously, everywhere has this and it sucks.  it's 3 dips, whatever they have hanging around with some stale pita...ew)
bowl of chips (aka fries)
bowl of wedges (aka steak fries)

that's it -- those are all the choices and they all blow -- hard!  Sometimes we will go for a happy hour and want a snack.  "oh idk -- it's just so hard to choose between chips or wedges...I just dont know if I feel like a thicker fry today" FML

Salads:
Caesar salad with or without chicken
thai beef salad -- which, if you have ever had that, know it's not really a salad.  it's noodles with beef and some greens, but mostly noodle

Entrees (called mains) :
fish and chips
chicken schnitzel with gravy or parm
lamb chop
"steak burger"  aka steak sandwich
"burger" regular hamburger, often topped with pineapple and beetroot  - they love the fucking beetroot here
"chicken burger"aka fried chicken sandwich -- which 1st time ordering I thought I was getting something like a turkey burger
steak
another kind of steak
strange pizzas with toppings like bbq sauce
random asian foods like laksa and pho

Ahhhh!  I can't take it anymore!  I am so sick of those foods, therefore I never eat out.  Not to mention basically nothing is on lil chunkaaa's diet! I can't be mowing down on schnitzels and fish and chips!

In job news, shit is going down at cappuccino typing gig.  I am basically the only one who works there now, as my only co-worker has quit.  Needless to say, that didn't go over well.  Owning your own small business really sucks.  When you only have a few employees, losing one is like losing a whole department.  They asked me today what my intentions are if I dont get gov gig.  I said idk, still looking etc.  Truth is they are very nice people (it's a family, but they all work in an office down south) but I don't really want to work in a small start up company.  I just want a stable job.

Speaking of gov job, I received this message from them today:

Alexandra

Just to keep you up to date with proceedings – the recruitment file has gone up for approval by our placement committee, so I hope to have an answer for you in the next couple of days.

wtffff????  Is it MY recruitment file?  Someone else's?  WHAT DOES THIS MEAN????  I am starting to lose interest, lol.  But really, it is kinda making me have some doubts...  mainly how difficult is it going to be to get things done in this office?  I remember they asked some question at the interview like, what do you do when youre faced with a challenging situation that is beyond your control... or something.  I think I am already understanding that.

Cheerio

The vote was taken yesterday morning, and no new prime minister.  They voted 30something to 70something to keep Julia Gillard.  So basically 1/3 of her party and 1/4 of her own cabinet voted for change.  Everyone is saying the same thing, it's ridiculous, they have kissed next election goodbye, etc.  Still funny to me!  My coworker told me the news yesterday after the vote happened.  I said something like this whole scenario is so bizarre to me, and she said, "Me too.  Is the parliamentary system like this in England?"   I kinda shrugged like idk and she said, "You're from there, right?"  WHAT?! No, I am American!  "You sound British to me."  Obvs I was highly offended!  Peeps always say Canada, which although offensive, is understandable, but never British!  LMFAO WTF FML

STILL no word on the job :(  what the fucking fuck (WTFF)??  This must be like a major decision!  I just want to know so I can stop wondering and planning 50 different scenarios of if I do vs dont get it.  Typing cappuccino job is getting better.  I have responsibilities now, other than retyping.  I still want to go home if I am left in Darwin for 3 months, but realistically idk if I can.  Seeing my fam is always the most important for me, but I think at some point I have to try and stay put for a minute and get my shit together.  Last week I thought I would turn down job, just to have opportunity to go home.  I realize I can't do that and I need to accept the fact that I really live here -- at least for now.  It is a scary thought. 

That being said, I was thinking of moving into the 21st century and getting my first smart phone.  Now, I don't know if I really need it, but right now I am rocking total flip phone circa 2004 -- legit I think my mom had this phone in 04.  Coincidentally, it's Jason's mom's old phone.  Here is what it looks like:  http://www.cellularreviewer.com/lg-c3310-review-2/  LOL..  it's from the days when a color screen and camera were cool.  I also have been apprehensive about getting a phone contract (the whole I dont really live here thing) so it is a pay as you go phone.  Sometimes I run out of minutes mid-call.  Is it time for grown-ups phone??

"You suck! I quit!"

Australian politics is nutso.  Seriously, it is so funny to watch this shit.  There is major drama going on right now, and I can't get enough.  Australia is still part of that ol' Parliament / Commonwealth / whateveryouwanttocallit  system.  There is the Queen (Elizabeth), the Senate, and the House of Representatives.  When you vote at election time -- and voting is mandatory -- you vote for the party, not the individual.  The elected party then votes internally and chooses the person they would like to be the leader, ie Prime Minister.  Currently, the Labor Party is in control and shit is going DOWN!

The Prime Minister is Julia Gillard and the Foreign Minister was Kevin Rudd -- until yesterday when he resigned in Washington.  These bitches HATE each other, and they don't hide it.  Rudd said during his surprise resignation that he was quitting because she sucks so bad he can't work with her.  They are in the same party!  He has been talking shit for a while now, but I don't think anyone thought it would get this ugly.  Gillard struck back in a press conference today and said they would put it up for ballot.  So now all the politicians in Labor are going to vote on Monday who they want their leader to be.  If they vote in K-Rudd (as the media calls him), then he becomes the PM, Gillard and her cabinet would be out.  Fucked up, huh??  So Monday there could be a new Prime Minister.

In the meantime, the party is using this opportunity to publicly slam each other!  Peeps are coming out as being on one side or the other, making it publicly known who they intend to vote for and why.  Funny thing is Rudd has already been the PM before and got kicked out.  I don't understand how they think this is effective and if I was a voter, I would be pissed off!  Get your shit together!

Google it if you would like to know more, especially since my rendition is not well researched, just what I have been seeing on  the news.  It really is quite interesting to watch, even if you're not into politics, the mudslinging is hilarious.

Here's a video that tells you a little more.  Watch it, it's funny.

http://theprojecttv.com.au/video.htm?movideo_p=39696&movideo_m=164536

Double Post

Curious question for my gardening friends...  who has successfully grown parsley from seed?  I have grown it in MA, but I wouldn't say too successfully.  I think out of a whole package of seeds, I ended up with one plant that died.  Anyway, I would think most herbs/veggies would like the climate here... My tomato def likes it and basil/other herbs are taking off, but parsley will NOT germinate.  I read to pour boiling water over the seeds and soak them overnight, but still nothin.  Anyone have advice for me??

BTW, bitching about prices again, I am growing every herb possible because they run $3-4 a bunch here in the market -- WTF LMAO??? I am not paying that!

Also, I feel like I am in a cooking rut.  Same recipes, over and over.  Anyone got anything delicious for me?  In exchange, I will give you the recipe for my own dish I invented (kinda... maybe a dish I adapted lol) low fat chicken enchiladas with homemade sauce.  And if you are vegetarian, subtract chicken, add bean.  BTW-- they don't sell black beans here...like not at all!  Very frustrating!

lil chunkaaa

I am bored.  I have been bored this whole day.  Bored, but with stuff to do.  I think they are fucking with me at my job.  They give me like 65 page documents and tell me to retype them.  So whenever I have nothing to do, I am doing that, retyping stuff that's already typed.  It is really funny.  And since they have this $3000 cappuccino machine there, sometimes I am too hopped up from pounding caffeine all day to be able to concentrate on my typing.  LOL.  Ahhh, the life of a temp.  Checked in with other job today, aka real job.  Dude says they are still sorting things out and will know next week.  I don't understand.  When they checked my references, I thought I had it in the bag.  But temp boss says they check the refs on the top 3 applicants, which is kinda annoying.  If I was top 3 in like 5 jobs I applied for, they would keep contacting my references? Seems weird. Keep in mind, I applied to this job the first week of DECEMBER!!!

Anyway, if I don't get the job, I won't be too bummed.  Who am I kidding?? Yes I will, no one likes rejection, but there is a bright side.  If I stay at cappuccino typing job and dont kill myself -- which they said is fine, I can stay as long as I like --I will be able to save enough to go home for a little bit in early summer.  I am going to be home alone from May-July, so I figure maybe I will just peace out for a while.  In October I can apply for a real visa, without any complications, so this might be the year of temping.  If this is not making any sense, I will explain.  The reason I am having a tough time getting hired is my visa.  I have the "backpacker's visa." It's a one year visa you can get til you're 30.  I can work with it, but only for 6 months per job.  In October, I will have lived "de facto" with Jason for a year, meaning in the eyes of immigration, we are in a "serious and committed relationship" and I can then get a "partner visa."  Basically like a green card, and sorry for all the quote marks.  So, get job, stay in Darwin.  Don't get job, visit home.  Both are ok  :)

If I do get the job, I am joining the gym -- HOL-LA!  No more running this fucking circle outside.  I run around the marina in my neighborhood and I have had it with that shit.  It's very pretty -- nice houses, boats, dogs, 2 bridges...and hot/humid as hell!  I am drenched in sweat, I get sunburned, bitten by bugs, attacked by crocs, everything bad.  And sticking to the plan, I have had tofu for the last 3 dinners, LOL.  I seriously wish I could just eat whatever I want -- dont we all??  Remember when the low carb fad had just started and I tried to prove it wrong by inventing the Dr. Al-kins diet?  There were 3 basic ingredients to any Alkins meal -- flour, cheese, and tomatoes -- because nearly everything delicious contains these elements.  Pizza!  Pasta!  Burritos!  Breakfast burritos!  Lasagna!  Grilled cheese!  You get the picture...  Anyway, Alkins is a good plan if you want to move from lil chunkaaa to supreme chunkaaa, which was the result of that.

Ok, enough rambling, just one last thing...  I just happened to come across this article tonight about how Aus prices are way disproportionate to the rest of the world and one major difference they mentioned is books!  Thank you!  Apparently, due to some fucking law passed in 1968, Australia does not import books, they are all printed here...higher wages = more expensive books.  Need...my...Kindle!!!

http://au.news.yahoo.com/today-tonight/consumer/article/-/12982759/australia-s-pricey-prices

Can't stop, won't stop

Scratching, that is!!  Can you scratch yourself to death?  Because I could be headed for the incredibly torturous death by scratching.  I don't like midges!!!  (pronounced midgee, btw).  Argh.  By the time I leave Darwin, I will be covered in scars from insect bites...sexy.

As if things couldn't get any worse with unwanted things in the apartment, my roommate now has it in his head that he wants a bird.  Dead serious.  He's like, "Oh I asked today if we can have pets.  They have to get back to me, but if they say yes, I am going to get a bird."  I was so thrown off that I didn't know what to say.  He has brought up wanting a bird before, but now that he is supposed to be getting deployed, I just assumed bird was off.  Then -- and I dont know how this happened -- he went to use a washing machine in another apartment (our washer is being repaired) and these people had the fucking bird!!  He comes back all excited -- "Guess what?!  They have a bird over there!!  It was sitting on the couch eating cheesy bread out of the Domino's box!!  How awesome is that?!?!"  NOT AWESOME AT ALL!! I said, "You can't get a bird, you are going to overseas," to which he said, "Oh I will bring the bird down to Melbourne."  Seriously???  I am going to throw this bird on the barbie.   I am so hoping this whole bird thing blows over before we have to have an argument about it. Grrrrrrr.

UPDATE:  I just went out to the kitchen to get a snack (obvs) and he called me over to look at pictures of birds!  NOOOOO!  I said, "I am not so sure about this bird," and he said, "Haha."  FML

I'm itchy!

Home alone!  Home alone!  Is this toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association?  LOL

Ok, I am not really home alone, my roommate is here too.  But, Jason is gone all week, leaving me to run a muck in the fiesta!  Except I hate driving...especially on the other side of the road and a manual car.  Who can believe I drive stick anyway?  And there is nowhere to go.  Alright, what I am really going to do is eat tofu, start Hunger Games, write in the blog, and drink wine!  YESSSSSS!  In fact, I just had some tofu to kick things off.  Now I need some wine.

As you know, I work now.  Life is incredibly exciting.  I work in a 2 person office that is one mile from my house.  Even though it is only a mile, I don't walk there -- way too hot and dont want to smell all day.  When I say 2 person, I mean myself and one other person are usually there -- but that person can change from day to day.  I don't have much to do, so if you see me on gchat, HOLLA!  I dont mind the job for now, but I think after a month there I would lose my shit.  I am still hopeful about the one I interviewed for, although they are taking their sweet time with the hiring process.  They did check up on my references though, shout out to Brandon for the glowing recommendation he gave... thanks boo!

So the main unit air conditioning broke last week, leaving us in Darwin with no a/c.  That's comfortable... NOT.    Pretty sweet that it takes them a whole week to send someone to fix it.  Not like we need it.  Cooking and eating in the house is just ridiculous.  You sweat cooking, then you sweat while you are eating, then you sweat while washing dishes.  I have to shower after I eat.  It is so hot, that we sit away from the lights to keep a little cooler.  It is also too hot to cook outside on the grill or the portable burner.  I did make the shabu shabu on Friday though, and despite there being equal parts sweat to broth, it was delicious :)

Shabs

Another horrible thing about Darwin -- yes, ANOTHER thing -- is if eating outside, your dinner will be destroyed by mosquitoes, or even worse, midges.  I dont like to spray insect repellent on myself because that shit cant be good for you, but really you have no choice.  Repel or succumb.  I had never heard of these "midges" before, but these little fuckers will fuck you up worse than a mosquito.  They are TINY biting flies, you almost cant even see them.  But they sting when they bite and make you SO itchy.  I am covered in them right now.  And being slightly crazy and paranoid, I am convinced they are still biting me here in my bed.  Phantom bites!

UGH

Who thinks working 5 out of the 7 days a week is 2 days too much, raise your hand!!!

hahaha, It's thursday of my first week and already bitching.  I will be posting more next week when I am home alone all week :)

Like it or not...

I start working on Monday.  I am excited to have money and get out of the house, it just all happened so fast!  I met with a temp agency on Wednesday and they already have a permanent assignment for me.  It's near my house at a training and recruiting agency.  Small, laid back office, so I think it will be a good fit.

I also had my govt interview today, which I think went well.  Except when they asked me if my visa was all sorted. I said yes, which might not be entirely true.  But I have 6 months before I have to worry about that.  So we'll see, they said things are slow moving, so I might not know right away if I got that position.  Either way, I have a job.  

Ant Invasion!

OK, that is it.  I am not fucking around anymore, these ants bout to get fucked up!  The past 2 days have been the worst ant days yet.  They got in the drawers... silverware, cooking utensils, and knives drawers all had to be emptied and scrubbed and all contents washed.  I even replaced the fucking drawer liners for petes sake!  I put the stuff back in, but I kept the drawers out, thinking if they were coming in from the walls, being on the counter would at least deter them a little bit (did that make any sense?).  Obvs it did not work!  Today ants were so bad, I actually had to take the drawers OUTSIDE and wash them down with the HOSE.  I feel so defeated!  I really cant handle it anymore.  I threw away any wooden spoons I had because they seem to be particularly attracted to those.  I don't want to be throwing my own shit away!!

Yesterday was a major day for ant research and it has been determined that I have "coastal brown ants."  Apparently they have taken Darwin by storm in the last 5 years.  They eat anything -- sugars, proteins, wooden spoons -- and are often looking for water as well as food.  Oh, almost forgot, I went to make coffee and the kettle was loaded, that has never happened before!  So, like I mentioned before, it's not raining right now, so ants are coming in looking for water.  Ants, hello?!  There is a pool 10 feet away, go there!  These ants nest outdoors and given I live in an apartment complex, it will be nearly impossible for me to find their nests.  Ok, now it gets crazy.  I read they build "super colonies" and if they feel their colony is stressed (ie poisoned, flooded), they join some friends in another colony, just making their population even bigger.  Also read they recognize the scent of ant baits and often won't eat them.  Someone said they can have "sacrificial" ants who will try the food first!  Are ants really smarter than me??

Word around Michie Court is that my upstairs neighbors are super untidy.  They just moved in around a month ago.  I am thinking this is not helping my situation either, ants prolly travel easily between our places. And yesterday, one little fucker bit me and left a mark bigger than a mosquito bite, wtf???

I am at a total loss.  All my food is locked up, like in ziplock bags inside of tupperware, but still they keep coming.  It is impossible for me to remove all moisture from my kitchen, many times they are hanging out around the sink.  The sink is always going to be a little wet!  I actually think it is the water that is really attracting them.  When we were gone, there were no ants because there was no water source.  ;-(  

to go running or to bake cookies?

THAT is the question...

Snoozin

Ok, so, I spent the whole day yesterday not knowing the Super Bowl score, only to fall asleep in the last 5 mins of the game!  I was in STRUGGLESVILLE!  The game was scheduled to start at 1030pm.  I am thinking, I got this.  No big deal, I can stay up late.  Ughh, not the case!  The game didn't actually start until 11 and I fell asleep at almost 230am.  Every time a commercial would come on, I would try to pass out.  And we don't get the superbowl commercials here, obvs.  Honestly, don't get me started on commercials here in general.  There are about 7 ads that they just play over and over again.  And they're not even fun product-selling ads, no catchy jingles.  It's all "this child has cancer" "this woman suffers from depression..."  I am getting depression from watching them!  And how to "Be Croc Wise."  LOL.  But, sadly, Pats lost and I missed this controversial last minute because I was snoozin! I am sure everyone's heard Giselle's statement that her husband cannot both pass and receive the ball.  She's got a point, lol!

I am still pissed that I couldnt stay up.  I even had Sam Adams beer and made chicken wings -- obvs I still ate the chicken wings, but even they didn't keep me awake.  I did enjoy the half time show though, even though I had no idea what was going on.  Madonna has moves!  Still didn't like the Nicki Minaj though, I am such a hater of her.  Hi Hater!

In Darwin news, crocs are running wild.  There was a 10 foot croc found in the backyard of a woman whose daughter was eaten by a croc 3 years ago!  The croc apparently tried to eat her boyfriend!  She lives in an area near the water.... Lady, it's time to move!  We are also heading into a dry spell and it is not supposed to rain for the next 10 or so days.  Not always a good thing as it gets so unbelievably hot and the rain kinda breaks that heat a little bit.  

Oh Christmas Tree

Damn I wish this picture had come out better, but I already felt bad taking it.  This is an Australian Christmas Tree, taken at one of Jason's friend's homes in Canberra.  I totally lost it when I saw this tree.  Most peeps here have fake trees, given that the holidays are in the summer and evergreens don't really grow here -- although they are claiming this tree to be an evergreen.  I could see the branches hitting the window from outside and I thought, do they have a real tree here???  When I saw the tree up close I was laughing so hard I thought I would pee.  I really thought they cut it down from the back yard,  but apparently it's from a florist.  By far, one of the top trees I have ever seen!

Aussie sports

Today being Superbowl Sunday, er Monday, here, I figured I would post about how Aussie sports are, on average, far inferior to American sports -- obvs.  No football or baseball here, but effing AFL, rugby, and worst of all, "the cricket."  AFL (known as "the footy") is nuts, the field is enormous, I don't even know how you could run that far.  It looks to me like what you would get if you combined soccer and football, but that's probably not accurate.  Rugby is rugby, but there's like several different kinds, so I don't get that either.  Lots of tackling and throwing the ball backwards.

The Cricket is the def the worst one.  IT IS ALWAYS ON!  I know the most about the cricket (which is not much) because it is on everyday, and everyday I am forced to watch it.  There are 3 kinds of cricket.  Test cricket goes for several days --  yes, one game lasts several days. They play like 9-5 everyday, stopping for lunch and tea.  Yes, tea.  Then there is the one day cricket, which lasts just one day.  I think that is called 20/20 Cricket.  Then there is fast cricket, which goes just a few hours.  I feel like they are always playing India.  Basically, some guy called the bowler runs at the batsman and throws the ball trying to hit 3 sticks called the wicket.  The batsman tries to hit the ball with this bat that looks like a paddle. If he hits it, he runs a short distance and that is one run.  Players can get like 300 runs a piece, they stay up there for fucking ever.  And 2 people are batting at a time.  That is my interpretation of what's going on, which is probably wrong.  The cricket is the 2nd most popular sport in the world after soccer!

Needless to say, we don't really have any of these sports in Darwin because it is too hot to play here.  I have been to one rugby match and that's it.  And everything is "the."  "You watch the cricket, mate?" "Nah mate, I watched the footy."  "Good on ya!" LOL

Go Pats!

So I can't go on most major websites today or watch tv because I dont want to know the score of the super bowl.  I am not watching it for another 13.5 hours -- it's on live right now, but I don't want to watch alone.  And if I am going to be drinking at 9am, I dont want to do that alone either.  So waiting solves both the watching and drinking alone problems and I will see it when it's re-aired at 1030pm. I would also like to know what peeps think of the Madonna half time show.  This I dont mind hearing about in advance, not that I think anyone is going to read this any time soon...  But really, am I the only one who has been so over Madonna for like a million years?  I like that one song from maybe 2005 - hung up on you or hanging up on you.  Whatever, but even that is 7 years ago.  And how can I forget Nicki Minaj???  UGH.  Who likes her?  Really?  Ok, I admit that turn me on song was great for running, but it's sooooo overplayed -- even on commercials here.  Her "rapping" is ridiculous, she is like female Kanye, but not nearly as good/insane.  I think BIEBER would be a good half time show :)

I have a job interview on Friday.  It's with the NT department of local government and regional services.  I really need to get this job, so please say your prayers to whoever you pray to that they hire me.  Please do a lot of praying.  As you know, govt jobs are never easy to get initially, but once you're in, you're in. And I need to be in! But moreover, it would be a great opportunity for me to get involved here and start my own network.  I still don't feel like I really "live" here yet.

It was a pretty uneventful weekend.  Jason was working, so I rolled solo for most of it.  I made my first ever scrapbook with pics from our trip.  Fuck, this scrapbooking shit is expensive...and a pain in the ass!  I really like the way it came out, but don't know if I could make another one anytime soon.  It took me forever, and all that cutting and pasting made a huge mess!  I also made dinner in the crock pot, so I am a full blown stay at home mom, minus the kids.  Word of advice, if the recipe calls for a can of frozen orange juice and lime juice, and the frozen OJ is not available, you cant just throw in oranges and limes.  My Cuban pulled pork tasted like an orange rind.  NOT delicious.  

Books

I mentioned in the last post that books are super expensive here -- paper costs more?  Idk.  And also my kindle is fucked, so e-version is not an option.  Anyway, I know with the movie coming out, there has been a lot of hype around The Hunger Games.  I saw it at Big W yesterday (aka Aussie Walmart) "on sale" for $18.  Should I get it?  Is it worth the likely $60 I will end up dropping if I read all of them?  I would go to the library, but you know they never have the "trendy" books.  Who's read it?  Is it another Twilight?  Not that that's a bad thing, just want to know what I am getting into.  

Outrageous Aussie Prices

When I first came to Australia last year, I could NOT believe the prices. I mean, some things you expect are going to be pricier than in America -- like gas ("petrol" as it's called here).  Gas is about $1.60 a liter, which comes out to be about $6 a gallon. You can imagine how much we spent on gas on the xcountry trip!  But it is pretty common knowledge that although we bitch about gas prices in America, they are way lower than most of the world.  However, I was not prepared to pay $3 for a can of coke in a convenient store.

I think the worst one so far was hydrogen peroxide.  As you might know, one of my favorite hobbies is diagnosing myself with some illness based off information I found on the web.  I wouldn't say I am a hypochondriac, although others might disagree with me.  Anyway, I recently came to the conclusion that I had gum disease, which could be fixed with a new flossing technique and brushing daily with hydrogen peroxide.  I was immediately in the drug store (called the "chemist" here, wtf) to purchase the necessary remedy.  I could not believe my eyes, a regular size bottle, maybe 99 cents at home, was $13!  There must be some mistake!  The small bottle, only 300 mls, was $8.  I brought it to the register and asked if this was the correct price.  Then I reluctantly forked over my $8 :-(  (on a side note, I have now determined my gum disease is cured, so this remedy works!)

OMFG WTF!  Hydrogen peroxide is hydrogen and oxygen!  How the fuck are they charging so much for it???  Also shocking, $8 for rubbing alcohol!  I just don't get how they get away with this!!

Other insane prices I have encountered:
Groceries:  I never leave the grocery store without dropping $50 for one bag full.  Seriously, we need a Market Basket here stat.  Especially crazy items are iceberg lettuce $3.50 a head, sliced roast chicken from the deli at around $14 lb (sold in kilos here, obvs -- about $30 a kilo), cage free eggs (not organic) $6 dozen, butter comes 2 sticks for about $4, instant coffee (very popular here) $20 a jar.  I could go on and on.

Powerade or Vitamin Water:  $4 a bottle.  No, they are not bigger bottles.

McDonalds:  I ate here once on the road trip.  It is not a cheap alternative!  Between the 2 of us, we had one quarter pounder, one 10 piece nugget, and one chicken sandwich -- no fries, no drinks (they don't have combos)........................... TWENTY TWO DOLLARS!!

Beer/booze in general:  Ok, now this is a real problem for me.  I like drinking, it's no secret.  A case of non-imported Australian beer runs you about 50$.  Yes, there are 24 in a case.  Imports are anywhere between 55-85$.  You don't even want to know what a case of bud would cost.  Liquor is terrible too.  Expect to pay about $90 for a bottle of Grey Goose, and that's not the big bottle.  Also popular here are pre-mixed drinks, like cans of Jack and Coke.  It's a normal strength drink, equivalent to a beer, comes 24 in a case...for $95.  Wine - thankfully - is cheaper, but I swear a lot of these Australian wines are sold cheaper in the US!  Trader Joe's staple Yellow Tail will run you about $15.

Toiletries: Don't judge, but I wash my hair far less here because shampoo is so expensive.  When I first got here, I was swimming a lot to keep cool.  Then my hair started falling out from the salt water and chemicals. I went to the salon and got a regular sized reconstructing shampoo, conditioner, and a leave in conditioner.  That came to $87.  Even shit shampoos like Garnier cost around $12.  Needless to say, I don't go in the pool often, and def not if I have recently washed my hair.  Maybelline lipstick is $22.  Body wash, around $10.  Oh and I got a haircut.  They didn't even wash my hair, just wet it - $65.  I almost fell over.  And I hated the cut.

Books: I broke my kindle packing it in my suitcase to come here.  Apparently it didn't like when I sat on the  top to zip it up, because the screen has totally shit the bed.  I have bought one paperback book since being here - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.  Not a new release, $22.  OUCH!  Really need to get that kindle situation sorted.

I haven't really bought any clothes, but word is they are they might be the craziest.  Don't expect to pay less than $100 for sneakers.  Electronics are twice the price in general.  Oh, almost forgot!  I obvs need a KitchenAid standing mixer for my kitchen.  Well, maybe I don't, considering they retail for $800.

You get the point.  

Muppet of a man

Off topic, but since this blog is basically a forum for me to complain about anything, I will now complain about the Oscar nominations.  First off, Moneyball is not the shit!  I asked Amski to see it back in September or whenever it came out, and she was like I don't want to see that shit.  It opened way later here, I think November, so I dragged Jason to it and I remember asking him after about an hour if it was ending soon because I felt like I had been watching it forever.  And what's with them making it seem like the daughter wrote that "caught in the middle" song??  -- which was stuck in my head for days, btw.  The only reason I bring it up is peeps are making the biggest deal over it here, Moneyball this, Brad Pitt that.  Peeps here saying they are going to be A's fans now, wtf??  I did enjoy Jonah Hill though, I am not usually a fan.  BP was ok, too but I can't really take him seriously anymore.

The only other nominated film I saw was The Help, which I enjoyed.  I feel bad for that Skeeter chick because she seems to be the only one not nominated for something.  The other movies look really bad!  Except for the Descendants, which I want to see.  Especially bad-looking is War Horse!  The dude falls in love with his horse -- snooooooooooze.

I was happy to see Muppets got a nomination -- although they should have been in best picture category.  But "Man or Muppet" is up for best song, and that song is awesome!  Muppets rule, everyone knows.  Remember when Muppets came out in theaters and Fox News was all pissed off because they thought the movie attacked the oil industry and Muppets were teaching kids to be Communists???  Miss Piggy has fired back at a UK press conference!  So good :)  (maybe you guys already know about this, I feel a little behind here).

PS A Muppet press conference is amazing, all in itself.