“What’s dating like in Australia?” “It’s fucked.” *** We all know by now that I’m Curious George when it comes to the world and the people in it. I had a window of opportunity to move to Australia, took it and it’s been an incredible journey ever since. I received so many messages from friends back… Read More What I Learned After Living in Australia for a Year
“I’ll have a schooner of four x.” “What?” “A schooner of gold, mate.” “I really can’t understand you.” *points to the beer on tap “Oh.” *** I’ve been living in Australia for almost one year now (!!!) and during this entire time, I’ve kept a running list on my phone of all the Australian lingo… Read More How to Decode Australian Slang
“I just saw a snake on the sidewalk.” *** What a HECTIC week we had here in Australia! Although we were delirious by the end of it, our road trip ended in Townsville, Queensland on April 16 and now (a week and a half later) we are finally, FINALLY settled in. (I know a week… Read More Australian Adventures: Settling into North Queensland
“Can I pet it?” “You can go right on up to him and take a pic!” *** My road trip up the east coast of Australia is going great! It’s been quick, but I’ve still been able to experience this beautifully weird country. So I’ll begin where I left off! We hopped in the car… Read More Road Trip Update: I Took a Selfie with a Camel
“I can’t picture you working on a farm for three months.” “You don’t think I could do it?” “No” “Me neither.” *** I’ve been living in Melbourne for eight months now and during that time, I’ve learned how to take care of kids, how to drive on the wrong side of the road, kick-started my… Read More Goodbye Melbourne—My Next Big Adventure
“You live in Melbourne? That’s the best city in Australia.” *** Melbourne has been named the most livable city in the world for seven consecutive years. SEVEN. That’s something to brag about. The Economist ranks cities based on topics such as stability, low crime rates, culture and environment. While those are all great technical terms,… Read More Why Melbourne Is the Most Livable City in the World
“Marina, make a list of things that I say and write about it one day.” “You think you’re that quotable?” “Obviously.” *** When I moved to Australia to be an Au Pair, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I moved in with a family that I had never met before and… Read More Nanny Diaries: Kids Really Do Say the Funniest Things
“I’ve never seen so many guys in short sleeve button down shirts in my life.” “And I’ve never seen so many guys in overalls in my life.” *** Australian music festivals are unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. And the people who go to them are a different breed of cool. When I first arrived in… Read More All The Australian Festivals Worth Planning Your Trip Around
“A combined $44 million is spent on outfits for the Melbourne Cup.” “Well, I contributed $19 to that.” *** I had no idea what the Melbourne Cup was before moving to Australia. Obviously, I could have guessed it’s a horse race. But I didn’t know it’s the race that stops the nation. The Melbourne Cup… Read More Australian Adventures: Attending the Race That Stops the Nation
“Do they even celebrate Halloween in Australia?” *** I’ve asked it. My friends have asked it. And now I’m telling you: They do celebrate Halloween in other countries! This came as a great surprise for me because Halloween is one of my favorite holidays (I had a cat named Halloween, RIP). My best Halloween was NYC circa… Read More Nanny Diaries: Celebrating Halloween in a Different Country