A Not So Traditional Thanksgiving

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I hope everyone back home had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. My roommate and I celebrated Thanksgiving the Sunday before by hosting our own Thanksgiving Feast. We had a pretty good turnout…about 20 people showed up. We had the traditional basics (tofu turkey, sweet potato casserole, biscuits, sweet tea, pumpkin pie) but everyone also brought a dish. Since it was a mainly international crowd, we also had some non-traditional dishes like French crepes, Spanish Sangria, Israeli Salad, and Macedonian Peppers. Anyway it was a lot of fun, and even though we all ate way too much we were still working on leftovers for the rest of the week. All the traditional thanksgiving foods went down pretty well…even the sweet potato casserole, which most people were a little suspect about because of the marshmallow/sweet potato combo.

Melbourne is gearing up for Christmas, though I have to admit I still can’t get used to it being so warm. So far I have discovered two things about an Australian summer 1) the sun 2) the flies. Because Australia is so close to the hole in the ozone, the sun is extremely strong. Australia has the most cases of skin cancer in the world, and I can see why…just walking in the city for an hour or two is enough for me to burn. The flies are also very annoying and very persistent. When people swat flies from their face it is also jokingly referred to as the “Aussie Wave”. But anyway back to Christmas, the city has put up a scary looking Christmas tree, and the rest of its decorations consist of hanging stars from anything that isn’t moving. I haven’t seen a lot of people decorating outside of their houses yet with lights and stuff…so either it isn’t as popular as it is at home or they actually wait until it gets close to Christmas.

It looks like I may finally have secured an internship for next semester, which I am very excited about. I don’t want to jinx it but if it comes through I could be spending three months in Croatia.

I explored the King’s Domain, which is a park in the city.
The Shrine of Remembrance which is Victoria’s war memorial is located there, an impressive Greek looking structure. As well as memorials or statues for just about everyone else. There is a lot more stuff there as well as the neighboring Botanical Gardens so I definitely want to explore that area more.

Also went to see Sarah Blasko, an Australian singer in concert the other night in Belgrave at a music club called Ruby’s. It was a cool little club that advertised it’s self as “an oasis in a sea of bogens” (Aus slang for rednecks). Anyway it was a great show, and if your looking for some new music check out her website..you can listen to her cd for free. http://www.sarahblasko.com/index.php?page=music#audio

Have gotten a job at a café making coffee. It is actually part of a YMCA so I get to use the pool for free. Am finally learning how to swim. Okay now I am starting to ramble…enjoy your cold holiday season!

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Photos

The Shrine of Rememberance
Victoria's War Memorial in the King's Domain.

O' Christmas Tree
Melbourne's big Plastic Christmas Tree in Fed Square

Tofu Turkey
Mmmm..Mmmm..Good

Just Desserts!
"Frenchie", Marta, and Sara enjoying the best of the meal.

After the meal..
Kristina, Soshi, and Soshi's husband Tal recuperating on the couch

Me with good hair...(for once!)
and Kelly and Will.

The stars on Swanston
Another example of Melbourne's Christmas decorations...they also have a Christmas Tram...which is painted bright red.

Grufty and his true love...
No blog would be complete without a Grufty pic. He likes to chew up his tennis balls and sometimes when they tear in half, he gets them stuck over his nose so he can't breathe. He isn't the brightest one.

King Edward
A statue in the King's Domain honoring the late King.

Comments

[john henry]

very good pictures nice to see you and kelly miss you both,,have a good holiday jh