Kolas, Kanagroos and Wombats

Two weeks in and we are already zoo and aquarium members (thanks to dad for the aquarium membership gift). Like most things in Australia the zoo is huge. We couldn't do our typical 1 hour quickie zoo tour....there was a lot to see. Plus you gotta love a zoo that has it's own ferry boat stop. The giraffe house has one of the best views in Sydney. We could only hope to have such a nice view.

We've also toured the smaller (and less posh) Koala Park. What the Park lacks in real estate and quality food (note to other visitors- bring your own picnic)it makes up for in access to the animals. Unlike in the US with more onerous law suites in Australia they will let you hold and sit with wild animals (like a bitting wombat). We could to walk in the kanagroo pen and hand feed them. We were surprised to learn that the kanagroo snack of choice is cheerios. After a brief and boring lesson we got to pet the kolas (very cute). Did you know that kolas sleep ~20 hours a day- only waking 3 brief times a day to eat...admirable degree of laziness. One of the kolas poo'd on Nate- is that a sign of good luck like bird poo? He found it funny at least....when asked later what was his favorite part of the day he replied getting poo'd on. Great idea for promoting tourism....poo on them.
"If you have any poo...fling it now"...name that movie :)- ok 4 year old potty humor.

And so it begins....

And so it begins....our big adventure in a new land. A vast place to explore on the opposite end of the world. As far as imaginable from everyone we know. (Michael views this a perk). When I moved from NYC to Seattle 13 years ago my mom told me (in a Jewish guilt tone) that I couldn't have moved further away from her. Ha...apparently it was possible to move even further. Moving to Australia makes NYC to Seattle seem like a manageable daily commute.

What brings us to Sydney you ask? A thirst for adventure and a good career opportunity for Michael. And so we begin our adventure. Mind you that there are still some details to work out- such as finding a house to live in, getting Nate into school, learning how to drive on the other side (I'm trying to be sensitive and not call it "the wrong side"), and figure out my own career plans. Just a couple of balls in the air :)

I am just happy to be done packing up and closing the Seattle chapter. (note to all our friends and family- do not mis-read this statement and become concerned - we will not be living in Australia for ever and plan to return to Seattle). Have I mentioned how far away we are? Imagine a flight so long you could watch more movies in a row than you've likely seen in the last several months combined. When you glance up at the monitor with the silly plane tracking your status you will realize that you still have 5 hours left to go. Don't let this depressing description deter you from coming to visit- just plan on bringing a couple of good, long books and heavily drugging your children ;)

I had the fantastic luxury of flying by myself as Michael and the kids went earlier in the week. Of course as luck would have it I was seated in between four rows of screaming infants. As I watched these moms try to entertain squirming over tired little monsters I felt a huge amount of appreciation and gratitude to Michael. I know that it sounds like bragging but we have wonderful children. No, truely. After watching the unrulely crew for hours I am thankful that my children are usually well behaved (and weren't with me). One (ok, maybe just me)has less patience for screaming and whining when it isn't your own child.

Thank goodness, gone are the days of dressing up when traveling. I can't imagine my grandmother wearing sweatpants, no make up and being completely desheveled on such a momentus journey. So far I am not off to a great start on my new life. I've decided that Australia will be a clean start. Like the Groundhog Day of New Year's Day. I aim to eat healthier, exercise more regularily, and take better care of myself. Yes- quite ambitous. I'll keep you posted on my status.

Ok I've bored you all long enough for my first entry. And yet I still have 4 hours left on my flight. I can only thank the brilliant inventors at Bose for these wonderful head phones that muffle the shrill shreaking coming from the row in front of me.

Cheers & G'day Mates!
Mimi