Sorry, no eftpos here

---

To start off, my blog title is in regards to what the Australians call credit cards here. It's very often that the stores won't accept "Eftopos." An unfamilar term to add to my Aussie dictionary!

Aussie slang: "Trolley" is a shopping cart. (And it's normal to push these around in the malls.)

It's also important to "Watch out for your grapes" in the grocery store while pushing your trolley because they are concerned about rolling grapes in the grocery store. It's logical, yes, but I couldn't help but laugh, and take photos of a sign labaled "Look out for grapes."

My positive thoughts are growing greater because today at Nestle Inn was even better. I must say it was better because the weather was on our side today. It only rained for an hour or two in the morning and by mid morning we were playing outdoors and digging for bugs and caterpillars. The children were also split up into Turtles and Whales for a good portion of the day and that decreased the "unstructured play time." I was outside with the children looking for bugs and they were fascinated by this for hours. Let's just say...head week teacher lesson plan ideas scrambling in my head! The pre school girls here are also huge fans of My Little Pony. A strong similarity to American pre school girls! It's neat to find the similarities/interests of students all around the world!

A curiosity that sparked me today: The students sat down and did a sign language lesson, but the sign language was not the sign language I am familiar with. Prior to today I thought sign language was universal. Turns out it's not. There are different types it appears. If any of you reading know any more about this give me a comment! (For now, untill I have time to research more about this.)

Highlight of the day: Giving myself a tour (yet again) of the Australian malls. After school today we met up with the other two girls (April and Kelsey) at the mall. Our Australian Mum brought us to the mall, and we also got to meet our Mum's graddaughters. They were in their uniforms straight from school. Uniforms are required for all students in Australia. The grades here in Australia are also referred to as "years." Year 9, year 10, year 11, year 12. (Versus freshman, sophmore, junior senior.)

I found that the Mcdonald's in Australia sell a "Sydney burger." In addition, they sell a dessert called Paris chocolate delight. ALSO sold at Mcdonald's is a selection of pies, crissonts, muffins! All we get at Mcdonald's in America is boxed apple pies and soft serve. Their living luxary Mcdonald's here.

In the mall today, I also noticed an odd number of people walking around barefoot. It appears to me that just like parking your cars on the grass in Australia, it's acceptable to walk barefoot in a mall.

Tomorrow is Friday and that concludes my first full week at Nestle Inn.

Plans for the weekend? Byron Bay. We each (4 of us girls) just purchased cheap bus tickets (9 dollars) to Byron Bay (about a 20 minute ride). Byron Bay, as far as I know, is a touristy, party, shopping area where the young people go to party. The weather for the weekend isn't looking in our favor, but today was gorgeous for half the day which proves that the weather forecast isn't always right. So give a little sunshine dance and send it towards Australia please and thank you!

Peace and love from down unda.

---