Australian Adventure

Nearly six years ago, I arrived in Australia with my husband, a selection of our belongings (four suitcases and three on the way), eight books, a B.A. in English Lit, and an entry-level marketing contract with an IT firm in Sydney.

My first day in Australia - palm trees, fountains, and Darling Harbour!

Now it's time for me to return to Canada. I kept my husband, but I've added a Kindle, a professional wardrobe, nicer suitcases, life experience, an MLIS and a career in libraries...  Plus, I can say things like, "Ah, bless," "Heaps," "It's my shout," and "The kids at the library were feral today!"

My contract with the public library is up at the end of this month, and a replacement state manager has been appointed. I've been kept busy wrapping things up at work, packing, and doing other things that are necessary but not fun. There isn't time to farewell everyone, as much as I'd like to, because our flight leaves the day after Canada Day - that's July 2nd.

If you're in Sydney, I'm planning a drop-by evening on Friday 27 June. Please DM/email/SMS me for details.

Celebrating 7 years of marriage, and finally dressed to match Sydney

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the tremendous amount of personal growth since I left Vancouver Island in 2008.  Between being thrown into my marketing role, taking on leadership roles at uni and church, public speaking, finding my profession, making numerous new friends and growing in my marriage, I'm not the person I was when I arrived. Now, I get to take all of that life experience with me, and leap once more - back to Canada.

Harry Potter comes to mind: "I'm not going home - not really." Australia is my second home, and I will see Canada differently now. It was a difficult decision, but Mr J and I made it together. We are moving back to Vancouver Island, to the city where we met and married. I have family there and Mr J has a job lined up. The experience I've gained here has been invaluable and I hope to find work soon.

My home in Canada - ocean, mountains, and evergreens.

Friends - you are lovely, and you've made my time in Australia so much more than the scary adventure I was expecting. It's been "unbelievable, mate, unbelievable." Thanks for welcoming me and teaching me, and for sharing your enviable weather, wine, mangoes, beaches, sport, culture, weekend markets, and so many good times.

Julia

Some Riot, Others Bake

I was hoping to write about the triumphant win of the Vancouver Canucks over the Boston Bruins in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, but alas, the Bruins won,  4-0. The Canucks had more shots on net than the Bruins, but Boston's goaltender Tim Thomas is freaking amazing. (Also there were a lot of shots off the post.)

I was embarrassed when Game 7 ended in a shutout (ie; one team prevents the other from scoring), but not nearly as embarrassed as I came to be in the aftermath. Some people are ruining the end of the playoffs for everyone. Some people are rioting in downtown Vancouver.

As most of you know I'm a proud Canadian, but this breaks my heart. I want to disassociate myself from these hooligans. I want to assure you that we aren't all like this. Yes, we love our hockey, at least as much as Australians love footy and cricket and the Melbourne Cup. But most of us understand that it is sport. It is not something both teams can win. It is something to get excited for, be passionate about, make some noise over. It is not worth a riot. Hopefully those idiots responsible will be identified, arrested, and fined for the damages.


As for me, I was sad, so I commiserated with some friends online, then went into the kitchen. I pulled out Craisins and white chocolate chips, and set out to make Canadiana Choc Chip Cookies.

note: you can see baking powder in the pic, but don't use any! Only baking soda.

1 C butter or margarine, softened
Scant 3/4 C white sugar
Packed 3/4 C brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla




Combine the above ingredients until creamy. In a separate bowl, sift together:

1 1/2 C whole wheat or plain flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 C oatmeal
1 C chocolate chips
1/2 C toasted walnuts and/or Craisins


Combine the dry ingredients with the wet, a little at a time. Because of the oatmeal the dough won't stick together as much as a basic choc chip recipe, but don't worry - they'll work.

This recipe turns out better as large cookies, though, so use about 3 tablespoons of dough for each one. Bake on trays, about 6 to a sheet (they spread out!) for 10-12 mins at 190 C. I used parchment paper. If you're in Canada or the US, your oven is probably larger and you can fit 8 to a sheet, and bake at 375 F.


If using two trays at once, rotate on the racks halfway through baking. Take them out when the edges are brown but the middle is still soft. Serve with milk or a cup of tea.