Australians are obsessed with "America" and want to know all about what life is like in "America". The fact that we're from Canada doesn't matter!
The fact they imitate iconic American TV shows is no surprise. However, some things just shouldn't be messed with...
Today we turned on the TV and instead of Lassie... it was Skippy!!
Skippy is the Australian kangaroo who saves young children that have fallen into the local well or billabong.
"What's that Skippy? Johnny's is the well???"
Hop, hop, hop.... scratch, scratch, scratch.
Yep, that's Australia!
HILARIOUS!!!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
See Australia and Die???
Dave was given this book called "See Australia and Die" before we left. It was more of a gag gift I think but I have to say it is turning out to be my life.
The book relates stories of how tourists come to Australia and something in the wild, usually something ridiculous, ends up killing them.
Now I'm being dramatic but today I was teaching volleyball to my grade 11s. We were kicked out of the gym again for some random reason and had to set up the net outside in the field. The only problem was that it was 35 degrees and climbing at 11am and the kids wanted to play in the shade.
I surveyed the scene, like the professional I am, and said that we should play in the little clearing in the treed area. Once I finally got everyone playing and into the game I took my position as ref which happened to be under a 20 ft tall tree.
I can't really explain what happened or how I knew what was going on above me, but as I'm refing the game, I heard an enormous "SNAP" and knew instantly that the tree above me was falling. Without looking up, I put my hands over my head and bolted the 15 feet I needed as this enormous branch broke off the tree and landed right where I was standing!! Thank goodness no kids were in the area!
The kids all looked at me and yelled, "Miss, you almost died!" Once I realized what happened I was impressed with my cat-like reflexes and just started laughing! Next thing I know the whole school thinks I'm spider woman for escaping this near death experience!
The snap and crash was so loud that the automotives teacher heard it from his shop across the field and came out. The gardener then came and needed a tractor to pull the branch away!
And like the good PE teacher I am, we finished the game!!
If it's not the heat, humidity, jellyfish, stingers or students trying to kill me... it's the trees!!!
The book relates stories of how tourists come to Australia and something in the wild, usually something ridiculous, ends up killing them.
Now I'm being dramatic but today I was teaching volleyball to my grade 11s. We were kicked out of the gym again for some random reason and had to set up the net outside in the field. The only problem was that it was 35 degrees and climbing at 11am and the kids wanted to play in the shade.
I surveyed the scene, like the professional I am, and said that we should play in the little clearing in the treed area. Once I finally got everyone playing and into the game I took my position as ref which happened to be under a 20 ft tall tree.
I can't really explain what happened or how I knew what was going on above me, but as I'm refing the game, I heard an enormous "SNAP" and knew instantly that the tree above me was falling. Without looking up, I put my hands over my head and bolted the 15 feet I needed as this enormous branch broke off the tree and landed right where I was standing!! Thank goodness no kids were in the area!
The kids all looked at me and yelled, "Miss, you almost died!" Once I realized what happened I was impressed with my cat-like reflexes and just started laughing! Next thing I know the whole school thinks I'm spider woman for escaping this near death experience!
The snap and crash was so loud that the automotives teacher heard it from his shop across the field and came out. The gardener then came and needed a tractor to pull the branch away!
And like the good PE teacher I am, we finished the game!!
If it's not the heat, humidity, jellyfish, stingers or students trying to kill me... it's the trees!!!
The Magic of Margaret River
Well, we finally left the bustling city of Perth headed down south for a little R&R in wine country. Only problem... every other Australian had the same idea!!
Our 3 hour trip turned into a 7 hour marathon where Dave and I exhausted our Ipod playlist. We wanted to leave perth at a decent time so that we wouldn't be driving at night with all the jumping roos looking to end their lives... or so we heard! Luckily we made it into Margaret River without any sighting. It was the next day that we saw the highway littered with dead roos on the side of the road (they might be dumber than deer)!
It turns out that Michael Buble was in town for a concert at a winery where he played for 12,000 people. The little strip of Margs double in population over night! Margaret River has a very Canmore feel to it but with no mountains... just vineyards.
We stayed with another couple, John and Annette, on exchange from Nanaimo and it was wonderful to talk to other Canadians without having someone make fun of our accents (ridiculous really since we don't have accents!) We hit up a few wineries, breweries, and of course saw the amazing surfing beaches. Dave and I have resided to the fact that no matter how athletic, how good of a swimmer we think we are, we are not surfers. All that work to paddle out through the crashing waves, sit and wait for the perfect wave hoping there was no shark sighting today, only to stand up for 30 seconds!!! Ridiculous!
Back to Margaret River. One thing about being out of the city is the chance to finally see dozens and dozens of kangaroos roaming around. Watching them jump through the fields is absolutely hilarious as they really do look like they are out of a cartoon. One of the best things about the trip was staying at the house which is on 8 acres and having the roos roam around the backyard. Mamas and joeys and even the boomer himself made an appearance. It was magical.
Good thing we get to do it all over again in three weeks when Mom and Dad come!
Our 3 hour trip turned into a 7 hour marathon where Dave and I exhausted our Ipod playlist. We wanted to leave perth at a decent time so that we wouldn't be driving at night with all the jumping roos looking to end their lives... or so we heard! Luckily we made it into Margaret River without any sighting. It was the next day that we saw the highway littered with dead roos on the side of the road (they might be dumber than deer)!
It turns out that Michael Buble was in town for a concert at a winery where he played for 12,000 people. The little strip of Margs double in population over night! Margaret River has a very Canmore feel to it but with no mountains... just vineyards.
We stayed with another couple, John and Annette, on exchange from Nanaimo and it was wonderful to talk to other Canadians without having someone make fun of our accents (ridiculous really since we don't have accents!) We hit up a few wineries, breweries, and of course saw the amazing surfing beaches. Dave and I have resided to the fact that no matter how athletic, how good of a swimmer we think we are, we are not surfers. All that work to paddle out through the crashing waves, sit and wait for the perfect wave hoping there was no shark sighting today, only to stand up for 30 seconds!!! Ridiculous!
Back to Margaret River. One thing about being out of the city is the chance to finally see dozens and dozens of kangaroos roaming around. Watching them jump through the fields is absolutely hilarious as they really do look like they are out of a cartoon. One of the best things about the trip was staying at the house which is on 8 acres and having the roos roam around the backyard. Mamas and joeys and even the boomer himself made an appearance. It was magical.
Good thing we get to do it all over again in three weeks when Mom and Dad come!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Margo... here we come!
Off to Margaret River this long weekend.... should be fun to hang out with Canadians that speak proper english! I just hope beer is cheaper in the south!
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