Week in Review

Over this past week Callie and I have been quite busy with the arrival of another American friend to our first Australian "barbie."  Callie has been working and I had my first test, and so we have been pretty occupied over the last several days.

Last Thursday we met Daniel Ferguson, a fellow SpeakFirst debate coach who is actually teaching and researching in Japan over the next year, for a morning in the city.  Daniel was traveling in Australia and New Zealand with a group of Japanese teachers, and having some spare time, we decided to get together.  We walked through the CBD to Circular Quay and took the ferry to Manly, which is a beach community on the northern shore of the harbour.  Although it is less well-known than Bondi Beach, its southern counterpart, it is arguably more picturesque.  We spent our time walking among the abundant boutiques and cafes and along the ocean enjoying the clear water and the gently breaking waves.  Our time was short-lived, however, as Daniel had to depart for Brisbane and I had class in the afternoon, but having a chance to enjoy the morning with a friend from home was certainly a nice way to begin our eventful weekend.

On Friday afternoon, I joined Callie at Caffelatte and had a chance to meet Steve and Kate.  Steve, who Callie works with, and Kate, Steve's wife, are absolutely delightful, and we spent the next several hours getting to know each other.  As it just so happened, Steve and Kate were hosting a neighborhood bonfire and "barbie" the next evening, which they graciously invited us to attend.  The food was amazing as was the company, and we were again showered with the hospitality that must be required to live in Australia.  So . . . we have now attended an authentic Australian barbie, and although we didn't have shrimp (or rather prawns), it felt like an appropriate substitute for our usual end-of-summer Labor Day celebrations.

The only disappointment from the weekend was the fact that Australia suffered its worst Tri-Nations loss ever against South Africa, but our disappointment about the Wallabies was quickly compensated by our elation about the Tide and Tigers.  We were able to watch some of the Alabama-Clemson game through Skype, and having both teams win made the week's beginning more enjoyable.  Between studying and working, things have been pretty normal here.  Callie brought home a variety of fruit desserts, and I had a test in Governance and Civil Society, but otherwise things are routine.  The days are getting both longer and warmer, and with the arrival of spring, we continue to enjoy the abundance and opportunity that has welcomed us in Australia.