oh so fowl!

This morning after work - I decided to head down to the lake, about a two minute drive from my house, and embraced my inner "old lady" and just hung out with the birds for a bit.

One of the symbols of Western Australia, is the black swan. They're beautiful. There's something almost magical about a black swan ... they seem so out of place ... for me at least, they have an air of mystery to them. But their beauty still matches that of their white cousins, with their long slender necks, and graceful movement in the water ... it's as if they know they are the prima ballerinas of the lake.

I wish that I was a better photographer so that I could capture it a little better.

Also below, I have a picture from the Frangipani tree in the front yard. I wish that I could explain to everyone how sweet they smell, they've been in bloom the whole time I've been here, and require little care. Sweet, sturdy, and dependable Frangipani ... I think I have a new favorite flower.

the first REAL shift.

So it's absolutely official!

On Friday I had my very first real shift with the Department for Child Protection. And it was quite the experience! I had just finished three orientation shifts, and a friend (Pat) had called me, asking if I would be willing to cover a shift for her because her dog Winston had been feeling poorly (hehe- you can tell that I hang with a bunch of pommies!), and she had been unwell herself.

I agreed to take the shift (any shift offered to me, I'm gonna take!) and so I left my home around 11:00 and took the train to Midland (an hour and half away from my house) where Pat met me, and then took me to the house in Swanview, she was also going to pick me up from work because she knows that I still don't have a car (heaven bless Pat!).

I rocked up to (arrived at) the house finally at 1:30pm and as I walked towards the front door I saw a familiar face ... it was Josh. We had gone through training together ... and it was then that I realized that Josh must be doing an orientation shift. That was a bizarre realization for me ... especially when I realized that I was meant to be the person (full fledged staff at this point) whom Josh was meant to "shadow". Only one day of training separated us, and I was meant to train him?

As I entered the house, a sweet 16 year-old boy came bounding out and said very happily sang, "Hi, Molly!!" And then quickly gave me a hug. This I appreciated all the more because I've gotten very used to the common, "Who the f*** are you?" when I rock up to the houses ... haha, so hugs are AWESOME! And I was surprised that he knew my name.

This boy, whose name I learned is Isaac* led me to the office so that I could meet the other staff members, and complimented me on my accent the entire way. By the way, Isaac is the first person to have ever said that he liked my accent, so I really enjoyed that! I met staff, and filled out some of the requisite paperwork, before going out to the lounge and joining two of the boys in a game of Uno (pronounced 'you-no' here).

Then it was time for the official hand over, where I learned that two of the boys were to be taken to the Youth Centre and be supervised (the older one was fine to go on his own, but the younger one was new - and has a bit of an arson history and so needs some supervision), and that I was meant to drive them, and that Josh was meant to shadow me.

My heart immediately leaped to my throat. I hadn't driven in Australia yet. I've been using public transportation ... and while I'm very comfortable driving on the left, I hadn't ever driven in a car that had the steering wheel on the right hand side ... and now my first go of it was going to be in a completely unfamiliar environment (I live an hour and half away), and with two teenage boys in the back ... and someone who was technically meant to take notes from my book ... to say I was stressed would be an understatement.

I wasn't used to the car and ended up honking the horn by accident twice as I slowly pulled us out of the drive way, having to back out. I was a little horrified ... the kids on the other hand, LOVED IT. They thought it was the funniest thing, and the twelve year old aboriginal boy (named Oscar*)  in the back was giving me detailed advice ... how a 12 year old knows so much about driving ... I'd rather not know.

When I went to turn on the turn signal another roar of laughter came from the backseat ... I had used the same hand that I would use to turn on the turning signal in the States ... which here in Australia, didn't turn on the turn signal ... but turned on the windshield wipers (let's just say I definitely did that more than once). A couple of other bloopers like that and we finally made it to the Youth Centre, where one kid hung out with his girlfriend and played pool, while the 12 year old played ping pong, and an Xbox game that involved him needing to stab people in the throat and other equally violent things. I'm usually pretty lax when it comes to violence in games, but after hanging out with these kids the last little while, I've come to realize that they don't need any encouragement in the violence department, and now look at these games and television with a wearier eye.

Josh and I had just walked into the youth center and had a seat, before a woman walked over to us, and said that we were very rude not to introduce ourselves, and gave us both the third degree because we might be pedophiles or something. Josh turned and immediately said, "Oh sorry, I'm shadowing Molly today" and pointed to me. Great. So I apologized for our rudeness and explained that I was new and that I wouldn't make the same mistake again. This woman's name happened to be Molly as well ... and when she learned of our shared name became softer with us (well, marginally - haha). She described the program a little to us, and when she told us the age of kids that they allow to come to the Youth Center, I chimed up that actually both Josh and I, without being there to supervise kids were technically young enough to still hang out at the youth center (without being harassed). Come December I would be considered too old, but as of right now, the services of the Youth Center are opened to me as well.

At one point in our few hours at the youth center, Oscar (the 12 year old) decided to take a smoke break - yep, you read that right. Most of the kids I've been looking after smoke, and none of them are allowed to smoke in the house, so they all congregate together in the backyard to smoke. Who sells cigarettes to kids? And where do they get the money to buy the expensive packs?

Well, the kids don't buy them. They go around and collect "bumpers" which are the little ends that adult smokers have thrown on the ground after a smoke break, and the kids collect the little cigarette buts, disassemble them, and then roll their own cigarettes from all the tobacco that they collect from the ground, trash cans, you name it.

We ended up leaving but the older kid who had been hanging out with his girlfriend was going to see if he could sleep over at a pal's house (which he's allowed to do, if it's alright with his pal's mom). So we followed him to the house in case the kid's mom said that tonight was not a good night for a sleepover, and that way he'd still have a way to get home. On our way there, another one this kid's buddies did a wipe out on his bike and cut his leg up pretty badly ... and his entire calf was saturated red with blood.

My kid jumped to get the first aid kit from the car (while it was still moving - slowly - but moving) because the window was rolled down. I grabbed the pack from him, and got out of the car to check the kid out. I put on a glove and started cleaning him up using the small little alcohol swabs in the kit but decided it was a much bigger job than my little alcohol swabs could handle and sent him home to his mom who he said was home so that she could wash it out with water, and sent him home with a gauze bandage.

It had been a pretty full few hours at work.

Once we finally were back at the house and the kids had had dinner, I was doing some dishes when all of a sudden I heard a familiar voice on the television. And I ran towards it ... one of my very best friend's cousins was the one getting arrested on the show COPS, and I said as much. The boys already held a level of respect for me because they assume the scar on my arm is the result of being stabbed (and not from my dermatologist), but now that I know someone who's related to someone who was arrested on COPS ... I approached almost idol status ... at least for a few minutes. (But still, before I left, I was conned over giving the kids extra ice cream - haha ... oops)

All in all - it was a slightly terrifying ... but also exciting ... first official shift as a full fledged staff member :)

clang clang went the trolley, ding ding went the bell

I've been working, YAY! And with that, I've been taking a lot of buses and trains. This past week I've been going to the Keith Maine Centre which is situated within a State Park up north of the river, and it takes about 2 hours to get there, and 2 hours to get back (thank heavens that I didn't have to be there until 9 am). 

My trip consists of a twenty minute bus ride, a 70 minute train ride, and then a coworker and I share a drive for thirty minutes more before we get there. I usually spend my time listening to music or talk radio on my mobile and sometimes sneak in some general people watching ... but it can be a little awkward on the train, because the seats face one another (so other people are watching right back at you ... kind of like trying to people watch in an elevator), and if you're not in a seat, and standing, you've got two different sets of people staring at your waist. But I've gotten pretty good at still sneaking in the people watching. 

It seems like there are always a wide assortment of characters that travel with me. There's the suave young professional ... who wears fitted gray slacks, a light 'salmon' colored shirt, and tie, with bright polished pointed black shoes, while reading the latest on their IPad, most of them look like models who've escaped from a GQ "Business" shoot (I'm not kidding either, they all look like they come from central casting). There's the slightly older professional, who wears a full suit, a clunky expensive looking watch, and reads the paper, never lifting his eyes off the page, bits of gray salting his hair almost as much as his light aftershave salts the air. There's always at least one elderly woman, dressed in fine, pressed clothes, and holding a feminine sun hat and large purse in her lap, a gentle smile waiting at the corner of her mouth whenever her eyes meet with someone else's. The middle aged woman absolutely engrossed in a thick book with pictures of virile young men on the cover embracing scantily clad women with long waist length hair. The hoards of school aged teenagers, who fill the cars with satchels, black school shoes, about five or so different uniform variations, and the giggles and laughter of youth.  And of course, the ever present backpackers and hippies. Nose ring, barefeet, singlet, and yoga pants, the groups only really differentiated by the presence of a backpack. 

Once I was on the train, and a young woman (mid twenties or so) on a motorized wheelchair came on board (the kind that you direct with a joy stick), with some Transperth Staff assistance. She thanked the staff member for the help in getting her on the train, and the people around her for making sure that there was room for her. Once we were on our way, she decided she wanted her mobile. At which point, she stood up, and walked behind her wheelchair looking through the things that were hung on the back. Eyes stared with absolute awe, and some slightly naive disgust as she walked around her motorized wheel chair. I almost busted out laughing as I watched the expression of one man dressed in a construction worker uniform, as he looked on mouth slightly agape, and eyes the size of grapefruits. 

Or one time, I was on the bus, and a woman in her sixties was talking to a handsome young man in his twenties. They were strangers, and she kept telling him how handsome he was, and asking about the girlfriend that he must "surely" have. The guy was really cool about it,  seemingly more flattered than creeped out, and seemed to really enjoy talking with her, until he had to get off (in front of a gym ... haha, oh but of course!), and the woman flirtatiously said goodbye to him. 

My favorite though, has to be a guy who came on the train at Claisebrook and got off in the city. He was holding a guitar and sat immediately across from me. He raised the guitar to his lap and gently began strumming the strings before deciding to just go for it, and began flat out playing the guitar on the train in front of me. I took my ear phones out of my ears (why listen to the radio, when you've got a live show). He never looked up from his guitar. He was so engrossed in his music. And he played until the train doors opened in the city and he jumped up from his seat and left. 

You don't get to have these stories if you're driving!! ;) 

Next week I start working in the houses ... phew! We'll see what that's like! ;) 

Morning Tea

I had induction for my new position on Friday, and today I had my very first official day of training. I left this morning just before 7 am to make sure that I would make it on time. I was the first to arrive (arriving 30 minutes early), and I was quickly ushered into the lobby area of the building where I was told to enjoy some coffee, tea, and biscuits. 

This is perhaps one of my most favorite bits of Australian professional culture. Every work place that I have been to so far, is equipped with a small kitchen, that has a sink, a hot water dispenser, and a dishwasher. The Learning Center where I'm beginning my training, is no different. You might be wondering why there is a dishwasher in just an average office building ...

Well, I was grateful for my stint at Morton Seed and Grain, which had instructed me on the appropriate cultural practices for this moment in an office kitchen. ;) Step one. Grab REAL mug from cabinet (as in ceramic ... ya, you heard me). Step two. Pour water from special hot water dispenser. Step Three. Steep Peppermint tea bag in mug. Step Four. Grab a teaspoon from the silverware drawer (yes, there's a proper silverware drawer at work, with REAL spoons, forks, knives) ... if there aren't any more tea spoons in the drawer ... look at the coffee/tea/sugar station, there is always a collection of 'already used by someone else to stir" teaspoons, that you can bravely pick out, and put in your coffee/tea for a stir. Step Five (and most important step) grab an Arnott's biscuit from the biscuit jar, for dunking purposes. 

I enjoyed my tea and biscuit until people starting filing in, and our instruction began. 

At 10:30 am, we broke for Morning Tea. Where everyone indulged in another 'cuppa', and a second biscuit. 

At Noon, we broke for lunch. 

Then, again at 2:30, we broke for Afternoon Tea. Where everyone indulged in yet another 'cuppa', and their third biscuit. 

By the time I left work today, I was feeling a little bit like a hobbit ... waiting on elevensies and my fourth biscuit for the day. 

But instead, I went home, and had Tea (dinner) with my roommate. 

If you didn't quite catch that ... here is the Australian meal order:

Breakfast
Morning Tea - cuppa and a biscuit
Lunch
Afternoon Tea - cuppa and a biscuit (or it can be an assortment of snacks instead)

Tea - (Dinner) 

Below is a picture of high tea, which replaces afternoon tea, where you drink tea and eat fancy petit fours and sweets, and allow yourself to feel really fancy ... this we don't do at work ... 

Stuff Perth People Say

Alright, so this is a bit of fun! It's a youtube clip poking fun at some pretty common Perth-isms. I think that my favorite line from the clip is: 

"Forty dollars for a pub steak?! ..... Ya, alright." hehe. Oh Perth!!

Hope you enjoy! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpW1dv6rTgk 

No-Booze Cruise

So I finally went to my very first YSA activity! We did a River Cruise from Perth to Freo and Back ... but mostly it was like a dance on a boat at night - so pretty cool! It wasn't really a place to meet people, but it was a place to have fun with some of the people that I already know. I was really lucky because I went to the CES Fireside before this, and had a chance to meet more people there. The YSA here seem like a fun bunch! 

Haha ... so my costume takes some imagination ... but pair my cool headband with, a sink plunger,
and dots all over my skirt ... and what do you have?
An obviously AWESOME Dalek costume! ;)

Yina and Fiona, two good friends (Yina on the left, is an especially close friend) both are from China
and both are recent converts, and the sweetest girls you'll ever meet. Yina is preparing for a mission right now

Charli

Plunger for my costume in hand, and Perth behind us ... (oh! all girl relatives reading this, please notice
the perfect curl that formed at some point during the night just above the plunger - hurrah for humidity!!)

Perth

Had to take a picture with the girl dressed as captain America ... haha she was worried that I was
offended because she had 'defaced' an American flag (obviously, I loved it and didn't care),
she didn't think she'd run into any Americans but I saw her, and there's also a new guy from
SLC Utah in town ... looks like we're taking over! ;)

End of the Night, that's Perth! :)

Australia Day (Jan 26)

Australia Day!

For those not in the know (I sure wasn't) Australia is commemorating the arrival of the first fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and British Sovereignty over New Holland (thank you Wikipedia.org). In laymen terms ... Australia Day equals Australia's version of the fourth of July. Flags are waved proudly, and can be found on aprons, thongs (flip flops), backpacks, blankets, ... you name it, and there is an Australian Flag.

It's a day for Aussies to get together ... have a sausage sizzle, throw some prawns on the barbie, and play a bit of cricket in the backyard ... all followed by fireworks!

(speaking of Barbies, every year around Australia Day there's an ad campaign for Lamb here in Australia, below is the link for this year's ad)


Australia Day Lamb Campaign "Barbie Girl"

Here are some pictures of my experience of my very first Australia Day:

Cicerellos!! It's an AWESOME place. Fish and Chips in Freo, and super tasty

Didn't think to take a picture until I was half way done. Eaten with traditional malt vinegar ... and
not so traditional sweet chili sauce 

One of the little ones with us

Yes my friends ... you are looking at an ELECTRIC bagpipe!!

Bather's Beach in Freo (pretty nice view of the Indian Ocean, eh?)

Waiting for the fireworks to start

We put on some cool tats while we waited

Haha, this is Blair, his wife Naomi was sick and couldn't come. I have a couple pictures like this
Blair likes to steal the camera when I'm not looking! Haha.

Showing some Aussie pride! :)

Youngest in our brood

We were so close to the water that the guy taking photos on the right
got all wet from a wave that came and engulfed his little spot

Me and my man for the night! :)