Aussiestory

Australian Taxes - Check!

2010-10-26T22:44:00.000+08:00

If you caught my post awhile back, and I do mean awhile as I've gotten pretty lazy about posting lately (sorry Mom!) ;) - you might have read about my triple taxation nightmares...

Well, drum roll please... we're done with our taxes. Yes, all three of them - American, Swiss and Aussie taxes. Although I think we still owe some money on the Swiss taxes, remind me to write that BIG check will you? Oh and remind me to deposit that teeny tiny check for the American taxes puhleeeze...

To be honest, I'm glad it's over and that as of next year I'll be able to focus on just two sets of taxes - US and Australian. Yes, being an American citizen, I'll always have to file my US income taxes, even if I don't actually end up owing them a cent. Joy.

This year, we had the fun of filing US taxes, Swiss taxes and Australian taxes. Thankfully the deadlines were all a bit apart and the systems ensure that you don't get double taxed anywhere (at least in principle). Regardless, it's all awfully daunting, especially since I'm not an American tax specialist to start, let alone a foreign tax specialist. Being an expat... and this might be the only time you hear me say this... can sometimes really suck.

In the end, we had to pay a little and we got a little back... so I guess I can't complain, but what I really hate is having tax agents help you and not knowing if they are being honest or taking advantage of the expat's naivete when it comes to foreign tax affairs, wondering if they're perhaps charging a bit extra here and there...

When it comes to the Australian taxes, I have to admit that the e-filing system makes filing Australian taxes as an expat a relatively painless process. We did everything online, using the help tools (and a bit of advice from Mum! thanks!), and everything was nicely itemised in the e-file application which you can save for your documentation and to use as a starting point next year. Smart.

If I had any complaints, it would be that they don't allow you to file jointly (why!?!) or save a copy of the summary results in PDF format. You can only either print the document summary, or save the e-file... not convenient, but hey, those are my only complaints. Otherwise, both Jace and I did our taxes (again, can't do it jointly) in a few hours and submitted our claims online... easy peasy.

Only a few more months and I'll get to do it all over again for the US!!!

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Vote for Aussiestory Blog!

2010-10-20T11:37:00.002+08:00

If you love Aussiestory, why not head over to Go Overseas and vote for Aussiestory blog as your favourite Australian blog. What a honour to be nominated!

Look forward to more posts soon!

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King's Park Wildflower Festival 2010

2010-09-30T13:11:00.000+08:00

Want more wildflower photos? Your wish is my command...

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of going to the Wildflower Festival at King's Park with two fellow Americans. They also blog - check out their adventures on American in Perth. ;) The company and the festival were really lovely - lots of flowers, stalls with things to buy, food and entertainment - Monday's public holiday also saw the event jazzed up, with ongoing Jazz music throughout the day, so we enjoyed a picnic and some jazz while lounging on our blankets with smelly cheese at hand.

In comparison to the last festival that I went to in 2005 or 2006, I was surprised that they didn't have as many fields full of paper daisies or Everlastings (photo above). So I didn't get a picture of me swimming in the field of daisies... shame. That was my only disappointment though, and I actually prefer their new approach (if there is one) of planting sustainable gardens instead of short term displays.

They had some really excellent garden beds with some critically endangered plants which I found very interesting. At one point a woman who looked like a King's Park volunteer or festival employee was walking around looking for a sign to identify one of the native plants, and I decided to be helpful and direct her to the sign saying, "Oh, I think the one you're looking for is over here... it's a very pretty one..." and she relied, "Oh thank you... but they're all pretty..." And I have to admit, I she couldn't have been more right.

I hope you enjoy these additional photos of the wildflowers. I'll be out taking more this weekend before the season ends. Enjoy the Spring weather!

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Wildflower Season in Western Australia

2010-09-23T22:02:00.000+08:00

I love plants. If you have followed my blog for awhile (back when I used to write more regularly!), you'll know that I'm an avid gardener... if I could keep my dog from pulling out all my new plants, I'd have a lot more to talk about on this blog when it comes to my latest gardening adventures - but alas, I can't keep Sascha from eating the plants, so I have to relish what I can get outside of the confines of my own backyard, and it when it comes to gardening excitement, it doesn't get much better than Wildflower Season in Western Australia!

Some of the world's most unique and rare species of plants and flowers exist in remote Western Australia, so we're really spoiled when it comes to a beautiful and brilliant Spring display. From September through until about October, perhaps November if you're lucky, you'll find a spread of colour across the State - everything is in bloom, and you better take in in before the rains dry up and everything turns brown for about 6 months... I kid you not.

I am lucky enough to have a small bit of bushland around my house still - please, Department of Land, don't take this from me - so all of the photos on this post and in the slideshow were literally taken within a kilometer of my house. I couldn't possibly name all of the different types of flowers, but I know that the first photo is a catspaw and not a kangaroo paw as you might think and that some of the flowers in the slideshow are native orchids... other than that, I'm still discovering the names of these beauties myself. Help from readers would not be turned away.

There are heaps of events throughout the Wildflower season and organised drives and walks if you're up for that. But again, if you just go for a walk around the native bushland near you, I am sure you're bound to find a beautiful rainbow of flowers in bloom. In fact, we took a drive out to Bindoon, Chittering for the Annual Wildflower show and I have to admit - I enjoyed it but I enjoyed walking around in the bush and exploring new flowers on the path far more. At the show in Bindoon they had all types of flower arrangements, labelled cuttings from hundreds of species, and a market full of goodies to buy, but we arrived on the last day of the event and most of the flowers had seen better days... if you go next year, try to go on the first day of the event. The smell of the dirty water and wilted flowers was a bit overpowering on the last day, but that's by no means a reflection of the effort put into the show - it really was a top notch collection of wildflowers.

If you thought I was done now, my bags packed up for next year, you'd be wrong... I will be getting more of my fill of wildflowers and wildflower photography this weekend at the King's Park Wildflower Festival that will be on all (long! yippee!) weekend, and there will also be a native plant sale in King's Park again (not that I'll be buying anything, right, Sascha?)! I'm really looking forward to it.

So - what are you waitin' for!? Get out there and enjoy the Spring Wildflower Season in WA before it's too late!

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Should I become an Australian Citizen?

2010-09-03T13:12:00.002+08:00

A few weeks ago- on the day of the national election to be exact, I ran into another American that has been living in Australia for awhile, and I was surprised to hear that he had voted.

Why was I surprised? Well, because unless you're an Australia citizen, you cannot vote in Australia, and I thought that Americans couldn't be dual-citizens. As it turns out, it would seem that I'm wrong. (There's a first for everything... ;)

I always knew that my future children might be able to be dual-citizens because they will be born into a dual nationality family - however, I always just figured that unless I wanted to give up my American citizenship (which I don't), I was resigned to a life of always being an Australian permanent resident - which means no voting and no business ownership in Australia, as well as other disadvantages.

Since that encounter with my fellow Yank, I've done a bit of research on dual-citizenship for Americans, and the ever so helpful US Consulate site (please read with total sarcasm - it's like reading stereo instructions really... totally useless) was able to shed a bit of light on the issue for me.

Basically, if I understand it correctly, I can apply for Australian citizenship if I'm over 18 (check - but only just, haha), I'm a permanent resident (check), I'm likely to stay in Australia or maintain a continuing association with Australia (Jace isn't going anywhere that I know of!), and if I satisfy the residence requirement (I just need to wait until I've been back a full year - that's in December). Oh and I have to be of 'good character'... well that's debatable isn't it? ;) See info below.

Plus, as far as the US is concerned, it seems that so long as I continue to pay taxes in the US and ensure that if anyone ever asks me if I intended to give up my American citizenship I say "no, no way, I'm American through and through and always will be" that they don't mind if I am a dual citizen. Sounds like there's nothing stopping me then from being an Australian citizen...

What do you think? Could you stand to be a friends or family member of an Australian national? Would I have to like and eat Vegemite? Can I live with myself if I have to say things like "She'll be apples?" More importantly... will I be less of an American!?

So.. the question is: Should I become an Australian citizen??? If anyone has experience here, I'd love to hear about it before taking the plunge.

A few resources:

Eligibility for Australian Citizenship - copied from the Application (current as of today's posting date):
You should use this form if you meet the general eligibility criteria for Australian citizenship, that is, you:
• are aged 18 years or over and under 60
• are a migrant who is a permanent resident
• satisfy the residence requirement (see Step 2)
• are likely to reside, or to continue to reside, in Australia
or to maintain a close and continuing association with
Australia, and
• are of good character.

General residence requirement
Permanent residents must:
• have been living in Australia on a valid Australian visa for 4 years immediately before to applying, including one year as a permanent resident immediately before applying, and
• not have been absent from Australia for more than one year, including no more than 90 days in the year before applying.

( Disclaimer: As always, please don't make decisions on things as important as your nationality by just reading my blog. Please do your own research before making any decisions. ;)

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Memories of a German speaking life...

2010-09-02T14:40:00.001+08:00

I was on the Cat this morning, one of the free bus shuttles that goes around Perth that I take to get from the train to work, and as I was practically sandwiched up against the woman in front of me, I was able to get a good look at the pages of notes that she was frantically studying. At first, I figured she was just boning up for an exam, but at closer inspection I realised it was notes for an interview as she had paraphrased what the company did and her strengths for the role. But upon closer examination, I saw that in amongst the notes, she had something else... lists of translations from English to German and vice versa.

And it hit me - I was her just a few years ago. I was the lady on the train, frantically trying to memorize index cards with words like ambitious, hard-working, and organised. I was the one trying to translate what exactly they wanted from the job advertisement into English and back into German so that I could ace the interview. Here I was, thousands of miles away from Switzerland, years later, staring at a version of my former self, and I felt a tinge of regret.

I really wanted to say "Viel Gluck damit!" to her or say something whitty about - "I know what you're going through... I used to work in Switzerland..." But instead, I just read over her shoulder and wondered how she must feel trying to land a job in a foreign country, in a foreign language. I wondered if she would feel relief after the interview when she walked out the door. I wondered if she'll question whether they understood her or whether she should have used another word to explain her experience. And most of all I wondered if she would get the job and feel a swell of achievement at having her accomplishments recognised by those with a foreign tongue, in a foreign country, in a foreign life.

Ps. I know I haven't blogged in about a month... ok so over a month, and if you have been checking in for updates frequently, I'm sorry. I don't have as much time as I did in Switzerland to keep things updated as frequently... so I hope you add me to your blog reader so you can get updates when I do update this little ol' blog. Thanks for hanging on there.

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Perth Worldwide Photo Walk 2010

2010-07-30T10:53:00.001+08:00

I started a basic photography course on Monday, a bit of a birthday gift to myself, and I am quite excited to improve my skills and learn something new. The course is put on by Central TAFE, the equivalent (I think) of a community college in the US. The course goes 8 weeks and I have even dragged along a friend to take it with me. Thanks Michelle! ;)

I am feeling quite inspired by it actually - but perhaps the weekend also played a part. I am not sure if it was the Worldwide Photowalk on Saturday last weekend in Perth or the annual Photomarket in Leederville on Sunday that got me re-energized about the hobby, but I am keen to start exploring the camera and trying new things. I just have to make sure my new appetite for photography doesn't mean a big fat bill for new equipment... ;) But a 50mm fixed lens does look awfully tempting though!

For now, a few photos of mine from the Photo walk in Perth organized by Scott Kelby... with dreams of lots more creative photos to come! (And here are the photos from last year from Zurich if you missed them!).

All photos were taken in Perth on the Photo Walk.

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Dim sum in Northbridge

2010-07-22T22:18:00.003+08:00

Dim sum in Northbridge's Golden Palace, taken on my iphone.

Last weekend, for my birthday, Jace took me out for some dim sum in Northbridge, just north of the Perth CBD. We went to a place called the Golden Palace, and we were warned to come early as there are usually lines of hungry diners at opening. We thought it would be impossible for the two story dim sum joint to be packed just minutes after opening, but to my disbelief, we got the very last table by the kitchen door at 10:40 am (they open at 10:30!).

As soon as we sat down, the mayhem began - carts whizzing by with stacks of bamboo steamer goodness, waiters pouring tea and clearing empty plates, and the drone of table numbers being called as those in the rapidly expanding waiting line got called to their tables.

I love dim sum, so this was all a feast before the feast for me. Then the fast grab began, as you pick out items that come by on the cart, the steamer is then placed on the soon filled table, and as the woman simultaneously scratches on your card what you will soon consume.

There was so much to choose from, and being by the kitchen we got first pick as the carts rolled by. We ended up sharing about 7 baskets of goodness, things like sweet pork steamed buns, prawn dumplings, sticky rice, spring rolls, pork dumplings with roe, and crispy fried prawns - not to mention a few pots of Chinese tea and some sweet almond buns to finish it all off.

All together it cost us $45, and we were so stuffed that we hardly ate dinner that night. It was really fun and I am keen to go again soon as there were heaps of other dishes I am dying to try! I'd highly recommend it for a different and delicious brunch in the city.
- Posted from my iPhone

Life with a dog.

2010-07-17T10:26:00.000+08:00

If you've read this blog before... you've probably seen a few (ok make that a few hundred) photos of my dog. I guess at one time it got so bad that some of my most treasured, long time readers decided to unsubscribe from my blog's email updates... Yeah, I get those alerts. I'm not bitter... ok, so I am bitter. But I understand... but let me just explain my latest puppy maddness and perhaps you'll understand....

You see, I've never really owned a dog. We had a few when I was a wee spring chicken, younger than 5 I'd say - a lovely dalmation that I remember riding around the back yard and then a big fluffy Dulux type dog. Since then we had cats and horses and rabbits and bears (oh my - just kidding), but no more dogs. So when Jace longed to have a dog, since he's had one in the family his whole life, I was onboard from the start. However, you can't travel the world and take your pets with you - so we compromised, and when we came back to Perth 7 months ago, we got a new member of our family, Sascha, and I am so glad we did.

It seems like just yesterday we brought her home, but I know that's not the case as we've been through a lot already - the incessant whining in the first few early days, puppy school madness, obedience classes, the operation which she still bears scars from with a big bald patch on her belly which is slowly growing back... not to mention the countless toys that are now in toy heaven... boy does that dog love to chew. And let's not recall the horror of the dozens of plants she's dug out of my garden just hours after I lovingly planted them... I'm still sore about that, Dog!

But really, all it take is one look... and I can't be angry for long. I mean, could you be mad at this dog very long? Look at those big brown eyes....

Sascha with the rubber bone I accidentally threw over the

neighbour's fence and will never see again.. woops!

They make me melt every time... and what about those seriously long, John Howard-esque eyebrows? They are too cute for words, I know. I can say no more.

I won't bother to recount all the things that make my heart melt. Let's just stop now and say that I think it's pretty obvious... I just love that dog.

It's weird to think that I've become a dog person in so short of time. After years of having a nomadic life and finally being able to settle down and have our own house again and our own dog... it's just so surreal. But I always knew we'd get a dog as soon as we came back to Perth, and hell, I was so excited that I was on the list at the breeder's month's before we even left Switzerland.

So while sometimes I wish I were still strutting down European streets, living the metropolitan life... I have to remind myself that in that life, I couldn't have a dog... and now I can... Sometimes, that and she makes all the difference...

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Tax time times three.

2010-07-15T21:30:00.000+08:00

No it's not April 15th again. You didn't miss something. Instead, I did. Being an expat totally messes with your head sometimes, especially when you are changing time zones and seasons and systems so often. And one thing that I find uber complicated about being a chronic expat is taxes.

It would be simple if I could just pay the taxes for whatever country I was in at the time and call it quits.

But nooooooooooooooooooooo. It is never that simple.

First, I'm American, which means I'll always be American (unless I become an Australian citizen and give up my American citizenship... not really an option at the moment), so that means I will always have to file American taxes. Yup. Always.

So while I was in Switzerland... I had to file.

Now that I'm in Australia... I still file. Uncle Sam has me on speed dial.

Albeit, I get some breaks having foreign earned income, but I still have to file all the paperwork and fill out the foreign earned income stuff. My tax preparer, Cookie (no joke), in Germany (also no-joke, they do all the US military in Germany's taxes, so they know how to handle foreign earned income) does a great job though and I usually don't have to pay much extra. Heck, this year I even got a small refund that covered her fees - coincidence? I think not.

So if I'm American, you'd think that'd be it - file in the US and be done with it.

Nope. Especially not this year.

This year, we have to file in the US, in Australia and in Switzerland. Yes, I know, the joys!

Switzerland, for example, gives you 12 months to file your taxes, so we have until the end of this year to file for 2009. There you had taxes pulled out of your wages each month if you were a foreigner, Swiss residents don't and the 13th pay is usually there to cover the tax man. So even though I paid my taxes monthly, I still have to file... and like all things Swiss, a Swiss tax accountant is expensive. Joy.

Then, on top of Swiss taxes and US taxes, I soon get the joy of filing Australian taxes because the financial year goes from July to June here... so after just doing the US taxes, I get to do the Swiss and Australian taxes in tag team... why don't they just take my entire wages now and give me a small pittance for bread?

Really though - you don't get taxed doubly - or triply... you get breaks for tax you pay in foreign countries, but there are so many loop holes and different laws that it really does pay to get professional help when it comes to being an expat and filing your taxes - at least for the first year or so until you get an example of how it's supposed to be done!

So next time you're complaining about taxes - think about me. This year, I've got tax time x's three...

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Margaret River Chocolate Factory - Chocolates & Rocky Road Bars Galore!

2010-07-14T21:02:00.001+08:00

Let's face it - Australia is not Switzerland. It can try to be a land full of chocolate and cheese, but it will NEVER be the land of chocolate and cheese. Nevertheless, Australia is doing its best and one local in particular is high up there on my list of excellent chocolates... for Australian chocolates that is... It's The Margaret River Chocolate Factory, in Margaret River of course.

Whenever we go "Down South" - as the Perthites call it, we have to stop in to the Margaret River Chocolate Factory. It's in and amongst all the wine land so it's hardly out of your way... I mean, you need a palate cleanser in between all those wine tastings really, so it's practically ordained that you should stop here.

It's grown a lot since the last time I was here - before it was just a little shop with a few shelves and a big bowl of chocolate chips (choc bits if you're Aussie, pastilles if you want to be fancy) welcoming you when you walked in the door, beckoning you to take a handful and munch on them while you're looking around. Now, it's a few bigger bowls plus aisles, upon aisles of products with everything from chocolate bars to truffles and sauces, to the more out there chocolate bath salts and massage products!

To be honest, I was captivated by the bars, and they are so lovely right - like something you'd find in Willy Wonka's safe, but to tell you the trust (and the sales girl and I did the math three times, and she said it was crazy, too...) the bags are the best value - by a lot. So unless you need to hide your secret stash, go for the bags of chocolates. They're the same flavours and the better value. My favourites are the chocolate with roasted peanuts and the jamaican rum chocolates, and Jace loves the cookies and cream!

After you've done a few laps of the store and you still can't make up your mind what to take home, don't fret, there's a lovely little cafe at the back of the store that will give you a bit more time to help you make up your mind. While they're preparing your heart's desire, you can also watch the chocolates being made through the viewing window!

While I was watching them make some chocolate freckles, they were pouring me a big glass of hot chocolate, made from steaming, hot milk and a handful of the very same chocolate chips/bits that I had been carrying around the store. Now this is the real deal when it comes to hot chocolate! Check out those bits of chocolaty goodness in the bottom of my glass! YUM! I almost wanted to slurp them up with my spoon.

What's that in the background you ask? Well, Jace snuck that onto his plate while I was lost in chocolate maker heaven, watching the chocolatiers fill plastic moulds with dark chocolate and store them in the fridge for good little girls like me to buy later... this Kalorienbombe as my German host mother would have called it is a Rocky Road slice.

Heaven knows if these are in the States, but they are very popular here... no marshmallows in my hot chocolate, but there was one on the side and plenty of them in this dessert to satiate our appetites for sweet, yummy goodness - homemade, too, I think! Boy was this sweet- I am getting a cavity just looking at it, but the perfect treat to ensure you don't buy too much on the way out considering that you just ate half the store in one sitting! Rocky Road bars are full of marshmallows, nuts, and loads more if you make them yourselves... share your recipes, please, if you do!

But let's focus refocus - The Margaret River Chocolate Company... you are the worst kept secret in Margaret River and for good reason - you're delicious. Even if you don't drink, there's a reason to come Down South and enjoy the view and the epicurean delights. Let me know if you stop there and what chocolates you buy - as you won't get out without buying a few bags, or bars, or both!

Margaret River Chocolate Factory
Best chocolates in Australia
http://www.chocolatefactory.com.au/

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The Great Australian Sausage Roll

2010-07-07T22:39:00.003+08:00

That's right - The Sausage Roll!

If you missed my post yesterday, scroll down. In a nut shell, we're talking about Australian food, and my first review is the sausage roll. Now, colour me disappointed, because I've just realised that I've already screwed up this whole, "Let's look at Australian food" theme-o because a short Google search has revealed that in fact sausage rolls are BRITISH. AHHHHHHHHHHHH! This is going to be a long ride. I should have revealed Vegemite and been done with it (if you don't consider Marmite the same as Vegemite that is... and many don't.)

So unfortunately I went with my and Jace's favourite, thinking it was traditionally Australian, and it's not. Live and learn, I suppose. But let's not dwell on this food-faux pas... let's embrace it, shall we, and if you ask my love handles, I do. Boy, do I.
Sausage rolls are the baker's gift to savory lovers everywhere. Where one might have a muffin for morning tea or breakfast, the Australians have sausage rolls - whether jumbo, Mrs Mac's, itty pitty party pie sized, or just your regular corner bakery variety, you can't go wrong with this filo dough, pastry wrapped, greasy goodness.

The one above was a pretty delicious, jumbo-sized version of the sausage roll, served up at the infamous Dunsborough Bakery. Jace let me have a bite as that was initially all I wanted, already full from eating a long stack of pancakes only an hour earlier, but regardless, after one taste I wanted more of the flaked pastry goodness.

Now, I'll just come out and say that when it comes to the filling, the less recognisable the better it seems. Sausage rolls are generally filled with, in my opinion, a mix of 25% pork mince and 75% indistinguishable goodness along the lines of spam and baloney... Actually, that's not true at all, as you do come across some very posh sausage rolls these days, but I'll go out on a limb and say the pinker and more bready the insides the better in my book.

Apart from the Dunsborough Bakery, I'm a sucker for those at Croissant Express, the Giant Sausage Roll at servos (which is Aussie slang for gas stations and usually are Mrs Macs brand), and any local bakery where the paper bag it's given to you in becomes instantaneously see through. I always eat mine with tomato sauce, or you can call it ketchup if you're up for a flogging, and trust me it's worth it to pay the extra 30 cents for the sauce and you'll want something a bit salty sweet to wash it all down. Remember, the rest of the world doesn't give free condiments like Mac Donald's. And if you can keep a few flakes of pastry on the creases of your mouth until afternoon tea time, consider it you're lucky day - you've saved room for dessert.

I should also mention that these are pretty easy to make, and are a show stopper at parties, but for the reasons mentioned above all the recipes I've tried have been way too wholesome, too pork like to be real sausage rolls... the combination of mince and roughage needs to be jussstt righttttt.

So there you go - the first Aussie food that's not really Aussie but will be claimed by Australians. It's the sausage roll, and I love it.

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What is Australian Food?

2010-07-06T20:53:00.000+08:00

I asked another blogger awhile ago what she'd like to hear about from Australia, and naturally, having read my Swisstory blog, she said, "THE FOOD!" While at first I thought, "Sure, no worries!" as the Australians say, after some thought, I realised that it wouldn't be as easy as it seemed.

Sure, there are lots of foods that people eat in Australia that I would call traditional - but are they Australian? Unlike Switzerland where I could rattle off about a dozen dishes that you probably would not eat anywhere else in the world, Australia fails to have dishes that are 'uniquely Australian.'

For example, Jace loves his Sunday roasts - but that's a direct nod at his and many Australian's direct link to a British heritage.

There are the pavlovas and scones with jam and cream... both British.

Meat pies? British, too.

What about... Tim Tams!? Sure, we'll talk about those, but I am not really a fan. Sacrilege! I know. Deport me now! But those are just cookies, (call them bickkies if you must) that's not really a mark of Australian cuisine.

Is it lamb roast? I mean, Australians would rather eat a lamb roast than meet Tom Cruise, but it's just roast lamb... compare that to Geschnetzeltes or spare ribs, and let me tell ya, I wouldn't hang my food heritage on a simple lamb roast... no way.

Even when I asked Jace, "Hey babe!? What's Australian food...?" He scratched his head and said, "It's really hard to know what is Australian food ..." - as if it needed a name tag or something.

And well, perhaps it does?! So I am taking on the challenge with this blog, along with sharing what life is like living as an American expat in Australia, to try to answer the question: What is Australian Food?!

Tomorrow, I'll take a cop out and go for an easy first review. Want to take a guess what my first Australian Food critique will be? I look forward to your comments. ;)

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Don't be sad... I'm back!

2010-07-01T08:49:00.000+08:00

So I've taken a wee break from blogging. But I missed it, so I'm back. No more pouty faces, ok?

To be honest, I think I need to chalk this break up to a bit of reverse culture shock, perhaps mixed with a bit of a FUNK. (Do you watch Glee too? Yeah, a funk like that! That's the episode we're up to at the moment... God, I love that show. I 'm breaking into song now just thinking about it...)

What I'm trying to say is that it's hard to be back sometimes... I feel like the party is a bit over and I'm back to the grind, no adventurous weekends ahead (except for the awesome one Jace planned... but it's not Europe, is it?), no snow for miles around (= no more snowboarding unless I can get my bum to Melbourne), no giant Christmas markets, and no quick weekends to France or Italy. It's a bit depressing sometimes... so I cuddle with my baby (Sascha) on the couch, tell myself there is nothing to blog about that anyone would want to read, and put it off for another day....

But alas, I've talked myself back into blogging. Why? Well, I got a nice email from a blog reader the other day, asking what I've been up to and if I'm ok because I've taken a bit of a break, and I realised - you know, I really let myself down and others down when I don't blog. I really enjoy it and I can talk about whatever I want - even if it is my puppy 24/7 - although I promise I'll mix it up a bit, Dad. ;) And it helps me keep my life in check and helps me realise what's imporant - connections with friends and family and keeping in touch, even if it's not to blog about the latest and greatest trip or European destination.

But just a word to all those expats though that are going back to the US and other countries soon, expect this period. I thought that because I had travelled so much in the past that I was beyond this funk, but alas, it hit me. And it will probably hit you too... it's hard to come back from living the dream. I guess that's what new dreams are for and I just need to work on what that next chapter will hold.

Thanks for still reading. :) More coming soon.

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Jean Pierre Sancho - Best Croissants in Perth!

2010-06-11T12:32:00.003+08:00

I reported awhile back about my Friday routine - getting a coffee and muffin at Cafe Vinyl. Well, I've got an update. Ever since I found out that a French bakery, Jean Pierre Sancho, was coming to town, all I could dream about was chocolate croissants, a la those I had every Friday in Switzerland. So as soon as this amazing French boulangerie in downtown Perth opened up, serving up all sorts of crazy delicious croissants and French breads and pastries, my previous routine was thrown out the door. I still get my coffee at Cafe Vinyl, but now I accompany it with a deliciously flakey, chocolatey croissant, like those you would eat while strolling down a cobble stoned street, wearing a beret... I believe they're easily the best croissants in Perth!

They have all sorts of yumminess in their gorgeous store, but get there soon before all the fresh bread and delicious desserts sell out. They usually have a few baskets of chocolate croissants though - for me that is! I am not a fan of their weak coffee, but the chocolate nut cookies they serve as a garnish are delish. Oh and everyone has a French accent - so I feel like I'm catapulted back to my European days. I am in love. Thank you Jean Pierre for bringing your French baking secrets to little ol' Perth. You've changed my Fridays and my life.

Also, check out this great article about Jean Pierre Sancho on SixThousand - love this quote, "While you are on the bus, while you are at work, while you are sleeping, Master Sancho is carefully fermenting his yeast. Sexy, huh?!" Oh yeah, it does it for me, that's for sure! ;)

Jean Sancho Patisserie
Read the history of this store, it's enchanting.

878 Hay Street Perth,
corner of Hay Street and Shafto Lane.
Open: Monday to Friday 7am to 6 pm

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My little girl's all grown up... Sascha turns 6 months.

2010-06-04T15:18:00.005+08:00

So I couldn't wait any longer to do an update for Sascha, our yellow Labrador. I don't care if you're all Sascha'ed out and this is becoming a Sascha story! It's my puppy's 6 month birthday today, well it was a few weeks ago really, but today I took her in to get the big O (as in operation folks). She's recovering as I write this and I'll be able to pick her up in about an hour and a half. It's pretty excruciating knowing that my little girl is sitting in a cage, all locked up with a bunch of howling other mutts and cats, but I suppose the Vet has to do his job and monitor her post surgery. I'd be upset if he didn't actually.

So 6 months already! Isn't is astonishing how big she has grown? Don't remember how she looked as a puppy? Oh you'd like a little wee reminder? I think I can whip one up for you... yes, I will provider a reminder, no problem - here you go!

Look at that little puppy! I hardly recognise her! She's so big now and almost looks like an adult dog. Just wait until she fully fills out!!!

She is doing really well actually - she loves her walks in the morning and she's not pulling on the lease really now that we use a harness with her, she is growing fast and big, and we think there's still some room in those paws, so watch out! It's still hard to find something for her to do during the day besides eat all my precious native plants - but now that most of those are gone (down her gullet!), she needs something else to do. We're freezing Kongs and using everlasting toys to try and entertain her. She's also finally taken to her Igloo-the dog house we got for her from my mother in laws. Who would have know that just turning the entrance to the Iggie was all she'd need to be encouraged to go inside?! Thank goodness as it's cold outside now and the Iggie is nice and warm - although I think she might find a spot inside this weekend while she is recovering. ;)

I hope you all have a great weekend and I'll let you know how Sascha goes come Monday after the Foundation Day long weekend. Enjoy it!

Ps. The Labrador Club of Western Australia is having their Championship and Open Shows on Monday, June 6th. If you're interested in seeing some other fine specimens of the Labrador breed, head on down! Details on the website.

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Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

2010-06-01T12:55:00.000+08:00

Cape Leewin Lighthouse, Western Australia

When we were in Margaret River last weekend, we drove from Margaret River about 30 minutes south (or shall I say Jace drove as I was fast asleep by this point of our journey - I know! I know! I tried to keep my eyes open but the car always lulls me to sleep!) to Cape Leeuwin. The drive was really scenic actually - what I remember of it - but the destination was even better. Cape Leeuwin is the site of the largest lighthouse in Western Australia, and it is also the most south-westerly point on the continent... oh and it also marks the spot where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet!

It's actually closer to go to the South Pole from here than it is to go to Sydney. Well, not exactly, but it's very southerly - I mean, even these sign say so! ;) The one on the right shows how far you are from major cities and the South Pole... check it out when you're there.

The lighthouse is great for a little visit if you want to take a break from all the wine and beach fun in Margaret River. You can take a tour of the lighthouse for $15, they are run twice an hour I believe during peak seasons. We opted not to take a tour as we just wanted a quick visit and we wanted to try and beat the storm clouds. And to be honest, I don't know if you need a tour as there are heaps of great signs and information stands to help you find your way around and help you feel like you know what you're looking at.
Some highlights were the little houses where the three lighthouse keepers used to live, back in the day before they automated everything and hooked up the electrics on the place. Also a neato fact is that there were supposed to be two lighthouses - this one pictured and another smaller one. In the end, they thought the smaller one would attract too much attention to a dangerous area, instead of keeping ships away... so they put that second, smaller lightout at Rottnest!!! It's still there today.

By the way, for all your photography lovers out there - this is how not to take a photo of someone with a lighthouse in the background (at right) ... JACE! So yeah, I made him take that one AGAIN! Never put anything like a big tree or a HUGE LIGHTHOUSE sticking out of someone's head. Photography Rule #1. ;)

The area around the lighthouse was a common area for ships to wreak - naturally why they needed a lighthouse in the first place. Since then, it's done it's job and only one ship wreak has happened in these waters since that time...

We had a great time looking around and just beat the impending storm that caused us to rush back to our car in a flurry. If you're in Margaret River - make sure you drive on down to Cape Leeuwin. Hell, bring some of your wine and a picnic blanket in the summer and make a picnic out of it. It would be a lovely day.

Cape Leeuwin
The most South-Westerly point on the Australian continent, and Western Australia's largest lighthouse
* More information
* Brochure

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The Dunsborough Bakery - Oh how I love you...

2010-05-26T22:23:00.001+08:00

Dunsborough Bakery, Dunsborough Western Australia

Like I said yesterday, we stopped in Dunsborough before going to Yallingup actually - as Jace had a craving... a recurring craving... one that he gets whenever he's in the vicinity of Dunsborough - and that's a craving to visit the Dunsborough Bakery... And let me tell you, after visiting there just once (and seeing these photos again, YUM!) I think I too will have a perpetual craving. I love this bakery!

The Dunsborough bakery is actually renowned for their meat pies. Something very typically Aussie, meat pies are actually on the iconic Australian food ladder right next to Vegemite. Now unfortunately, the entire trip was a surprise, so destinations were only revealed as they came onto the GPS, so although I wanted to do a "One of everything please and a big fat doggie bag!" - since I was full of a short stack of pancakes, I only had a bite of Jace's sausage roll... but boy, was that good. I am already saving up my appetite for a future visit, and I need it because...

... they have everything, in a beautiful arrangement, under glass in this little bakery in the town square: cinnamon scrolls, jelly donuts, florentine slices, muffins, croissants, meat pies, mud cakes, donuts, apple pies, and much... much more. And if you don't believe that this place - like it's food - is an Aussie icon, just take a look at some of the ball caps above the entrance, signed by some of Australia's most famous celebrity icons that also call this bakery one of their favorite pits stops Down South!

If you're in the area - or even if you're not - pop in for something special at Dunsborough Bakery. You won't regret it...

Dunsborough Bakery
243 Naturaliste Tce
Dunsborough WA 6281‎ - (08) 9755 3137‎

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Weekend Down South - First Stop: Yallingup

2010-05-25T22:18:00.003+08:00

I've got a pretty great husband... want proof? Ok, snuggle in for this little story.

Last weekend, Jace planned a surprise. Now, let me start by telling you that I actually have been at Jace for a few weeks now to plan a weekend just for the two of us (I'm a pretty persistent wife...) - as we've had a few busy weekends with friends and family and really haven't had much time to ourselves. And after living in Europe, always going on weekends away, just to two of us, to exotic places, it can sometimes get to you when the most exotic thing you suddenly do all weekend is sand and paint the walls or blower-vac the patio (although I do find that awfully exciting some weekends...).

To be honest, I wasn't asking for much really -breakfast in bed, perhaps dinner somewhere special in Fremantle or going to the movies... so when Jace picked me up on Friday after work with the dog in the back seat of the car, I actually believed his stories about her just wanting to come along for the ride, and I totally didn't see anything up his sleeve - even when I noticed that he seemed to have packed a few drinks for the 10 minute ride home. It was only when we missed our exit that I realised something was amiss and instead of going home we were going on a weekend away! Yippee!

Jace had it all planned - a weekend, just the two of us in Margaret River! I hadn't been "Down South" - as the Perth-ites say - since we returned to Perth - unless you count Bunbury which is where Jace's mother lives (a nice place to getaway but it's more like a home away from home that we visit once a month) so it was a great surprise to spend a nice Fall weekend in Western Australia's wine and tourist region - a magical area that I could visit again and again!

We spent Friday night in Bunbury and dropped off Sascha with the babysitter - thanks again, Mum! ;) And then Saturday, after one of THE BEST pancake breakfasts at Sears Cafe on the cafe strip in Bunbury, we took off on our little adventure, stopping in Dunsborough and Yallingup before making our way to Margaret River.

We stopped in Dunsborough for one thing and one thing only - which I'll detail tomorrow. Ooh the suspense.

For today, let's continue the photo theme with a few more shots of Yallingup, one of the beach towns just 30 minutes from Busselton, about 45 minutes from Bunbury... and you'll see what I mean when I say that this is a really magical part of WA - beautiful beaches and coastline, brillant ochre coloured rocks, blue skies and seas, and lush green, salt water swept vegetation for as far as the eye can see, into the rolling surrounding hills. Yallingup is great for a swim or a surf, weather permitting, and it's really blossomed into quite the holiday destination so if you're going down for a visit - and why wouldn't you really! look at those photos! - do book early. I would love to come back in the summer and stay in one of the town's villas or camp somewhere nearby.

More about my lovely weekend away this week - and by the way, I'm reinvigorated to share my WA experiences with you after this weekend! So stay tuned blog - you'll be getting a workout!

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Friday Follies - Sascha can shake

2010-05-14T14:22:00.002+08:00

I've got a few good, Aussie Expat related posts next week, but until I can get my act together - how about some more video of my super cute pooch, Sascha? Is that ok? Oh, good. I am pleased.

In this one, she's showing how she can shake as I try to get her to show off her lost bottom canine tooth... she's actually gotten rid of most of her milk teeth now, which is good. She was super annoying before, chewing on virtually EVERYTHING for awhile... But I can't be mad at her long - I mean, look at those big brown eyes. She kills me with her cuteness...

(Ps. Please don't focus on how stupid I sound talking to my dog...you have to speak in a high pitched sound like that - it's scientifically proven that the high pitched noises make the dogs look smarter and cuter when you play back the vidoe... and if you believe that...! ;)

There is another Friends of Kings Park native plant sale on Sunday that I am considering attending, otherwise, a quiet weekend! I hope you've got some good plans - enjoy the weekend everyone!

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It's official - I'm a terrible (puppy) mother

2010-05-11T22:10:00.000+08:00

One of the latest videos of Sascha - she liked this video and kept cocking her head

My friend Michelle said "Happy first Mother's Day!" to me on Sunday when I walked Sascha by her house, and at first I wanted to say, "Huh, I'm not a Mum!" but then I saw her glance at my little baby dog and got what she meant. So yeah, I guess it was sort of my first Mother's Day... but before you start to congratulate me and tell me what a great job we've done with our baby, let me put it out there -I'm a terrible mother.

I mean, ok - so Sasha is pretty bright - you just have to watch something like the video above to see that she is getting the hang of the commands - she's got sit and stay and come down, whereas the down command is only done with food in your hand. She knows when to go to her mat and she is just too cute when she does the bum wiggle as she runs to greet me as soon as I get home. She obviously love us and we love her and smother her with attention... but I'm still a terrible mother.

Why? Well... tonight while sitting in front of the computer, Sascha wanted to get up on my lap - as she usually does - and I let her and she was sitting with me - all 20 kg of her! - while I was reading emails and pondering what to blog. Then I started to organise some of the videos I have taken of her lately, and I ran across the following videos below, like ones from the day we took her home. And at first it was just innocent and we thought it was funny that she was responding to the video by wagging her tail and making short whines here and there... but then suddenly, it was NOT FUNNY. Sascha, don't ask me how she did it, recognised her family in the videos.

She did NOT like this video, for example... poor puppy

Now, I know you think I am crazy, but I played her a few videos before I played the ones with her family in them - ones where she was crying those first few days because we put her in her crate to sleep and she wanted out, ones where she was playing with her boyfriend Winston and the like... but when she watched those videos of her siblings and her Mum and Dad... SHE WENT NUTS. She wouldn't stop whining... she wanted to jump on the screen! I have never seen her so shaken lately... So of course I stopped the video and tried to calm her down, but she was whining and whimpering just like the day we brought her home. It was heart wrenching.

I mean, what kind of terrible mother am I? Oh I know - the one that plays back the most traumatising day of her life to her poor baby without thinking she's smart enough to know what you're showing her and at first laughs until she sees that the dog's response is obviously not one of interest and joy - but rather of pure panic!

Man, I feel awful. I took her outside to play as I thought that calm her down - but I'll be darned if she didn't run to the exact spot outside the house that is behind the monitor and whine and rummage around for her Mum and Dad. I mean, perhaps I am imagining this but honestly - I think I traumatised the poor thing.

So yes, I'm a terrible Mum. The videos are now banned and Jace (yes, he was in on the action too - so I guess I am not the only one to blame) and I are terrible parents... no Happy Mother's Day for me!!! Poor puppy....

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Guide Dog Association of WA Open Day

2010-05-04T13:07:00.004+08:00

h
On Saturday, I went out to Victoria Park for the Guide Dog Association of WA Open Day. I was interested in going because 1. Sascha is a lab, so I wanted to see for myself what her breed is truly capable of and 2. I am in awe of what those guide dogs do and I have a blogger friend that raises a guide dog herself, and although I can't do that (but would love to! - hi Megan!), I figured I could still support int other ways. So off I went - sans dog - to the event.

The event was at the association's huge, seemingly new facility. It was well organized and I made it in time to partake in two of the scheduled sessions - guide dog puppy class and a talk by one of the senior guide dog trainers.

The guide dog puppy class was so cute - dogs from 4 months to 18 months were on hand. The session was pretty low key for the demonstration. I expected to see dogs delivering newspapers and opening doors but instead it was doggie push ups (down then sit then back down) and come commands. Sascha can do that stuff! But for one thing, these dogs were WAY more focused, calmer and less distracted than my baby.

They even had a special guest trainer on hand, the assiciation's spokesperson, F reo Docker's Chris Tarrant. And let me just say that as soon as he came out, almost all the women in the crowd forgot all about the dogs - until he did some commands with the dog and then every woman was awing because nothing is cuter than a hot athlete with a cute dog. Smart choice Guide Dog Association. The only smarter thing you could have done was gone around for a collection at that moment as at least all the women were ready to empty - and perhaps lose - their pants. Good session indeed.

The talk from the trainer was great, and I learned a lot about how they select guide dogs from litters (pick the middle of the road dog - not too shy, not too hyper) and how much it takes to train and prepare the dogs for a life of service (like $25,000 worth of training and care) and how even then, some like the guide dog brought to our session, won't even graduate from the program! Big tip for the guide dog trainer doing the speeach - don't start the talk with "Hi this is Yandi, one of our guide diogs, but she is one the fence, she probably won't make it..." as that killed the audience's mood. We could only wonder for the remaining 29 minutes what could possibly be wrong with such a sweet, smart dog! I wanted to scream, "Bring in the hot Footie player, we need a pick-me-up!"

Honestly though, the talk was great - you learn all kinds of interesting things like how the dogs go through 18 months of training with a host family and then if they are selected to continue they go through 3 months of daily training, some of it with their future partner. They also do some interesting things in terms of choosing the right dog for the right person and teaching the dogs to be able to handle all kinds of different scenarios... a lot of effort goes into this program!

So yes, it was a great day all around - very inspiring. And so what if I learned that I probably have a guide dog reject- she is still a smart girl! ;) And she can do a lot of the stuff the guide dogs can - she just can't... guide. ;)

For more information or to support Guide Dogs WA, visit their website.
http://www.guidedogswa.com.au/

YouTube Video

New Norcia - Spanish Architecture & Benedictine Monks in the Australian Bush

2010-04-29T22:15:00.006+08:00

New Norcia's main chapel

We had a long weekend this past weekend, which sounds pretty special, but to be honest, I think it's our fourth or fifth since the beginning of 2010. That's definitely one of the perks of being back in Australia - 20 days of paid holidays and almost as many public holidays. Got to love it! So when Jace suggested last week that on Saturday we pack up the car for a mini road trip to New Norcia, I was totally game considering I had two more days to refuel and I am always up for a bit of adventure.

Top - The Abbey Church

Bottom - the monk's living quarters, off limit to the general public, men can go in on invitation

New Norcia is about 2 hours north east of Perth in the inland - meaning it can be hot as balls sometimes without a coastal breeze, but we lucked out and had a nice cool, sunny day - or should I say it was 'fine'? New Norcia, however, it is not well known because of it's location - but rather it's a popular tourist destination because of what you'll find there - Australia's only monastic town of Benedictine monks!

Carving of St. Benedict in the Abbey Church

The commune was established in 1847 by Don Rosendo Salvado, a Spanish Benedictine monk that established the town and monastery, originally with the hopes of converting the Aboriginal tribes in the area and then later schooling many of the local Aborigines as well as the children of the neighboring farming communities through its two boarding schools. Unfortunately, the last Spanish monk died last year, but there are still 8 monks that live in New Norcia. They prey 6 times a day and farm their huge (I believe over 30,000 acres, and keep everything running smoothly. If you go on a weekday, you can actually meet a monk as part of the tour! (We saw 2 though - just a glance - they wear long black robes!)

The actual monastery - this is off limits to the public, but especially off limits to women!

The St Ildephonsus’ and St Gertrude’s Colleges,
now just used for occasional class visits from outside schools

The only way to see the monastery grounds is to take one of the twice daily tours - which costs $27 each if you combine it with a ticket for the museum. I would have said at first glance that the museum wasn't worth it - but if you read the plaques, you'll find there are so many interesting snippets that really just make the experience that much more worthwhile - for example, the story of how Savado's Aboriginal friend pretty much saved them one dry day by carrying water to the monks, and when asked where he got it, he said out of a crevice of a rock. And when they asked how he got it out of the rock, he said 'with his mouth.' Oh yes, the monks were saved by some backwash.

The manger scene a la Australian bush, Abbey Church

I also loved the story on the tour about how Salvado saved the monastery and the church back in the day from a raging bush fire by holding up a painting of Mary and yelling into the oncoming blaze. The fire pretty much turned on his heals and the monastery was saved. He got a few converts that day from the onlooking Aborigines, of that I am sure. And don't forget to check out the amazing paintings from the 70's in the chapel, complete with a manger scene painted especially for the Aborigines, complete with sheep skin blanket, grass tree and kangaroo settings... and there is a small hint in one of the paintings as to exactly when the paintings were done - can you say moon walk anyone? Check out the astronaut tucked into this scene below! (If you think this is odd, don't - they went to great lengths to get the Aborigines to trust them and their religion as you'll learn on the tour... but I believe Salvado did have their best interest in heart, so much so that even when he died his last wishes were to return to" his children...")

The tour took in the chapels, public areas and schools - everywhere except the monk's living quarters really, and the guide was full of delightful little stories and shared many interesting highlights. I would highly recommend it. It is so crazy some of the architecture you'll see - it reminded us of being back in Europe!

Jace in St Gertrude’s College chapel

The whole day was great really - except they don't have a bakery on site! How deceiving. The only bread they make now is for themselves and the gift shop. They sold the rights to what is now the popular New Norcia Bakery to someone in Perth that owns the two bakeries around...so disappointing. But once you get over the loss of having something on a sourdough roll, it's still a delightful day. So if you are in Perth or visiting and want to get away for a memorable day trip, repeat after me - New Norcia. (For all you foodies - I'll have a post about the food at the pub there tomorrow, too! It wasn't sourdough, but it was still delish!)For now, here's a slideshow of some more of the highlights from our day trip to New Norcia:

New Norcia - Australia's only monastic town

See it on Google Maps
Things to see & do on the WA Tourism site

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My Friday grind: Cafe Vinyl

2010-04-23T18:23:00.004+08:00

Being back in Perth is great, especially since I work in the city and can take advantage of the shops on my way to & from work (such a budget tempter though)! I found this great little coffee shop around the second week of work, Cafe Vinyl , right next to the super alternative record store & it music scene destination, Vinyl Records, and after the great service & delish coffee (not to mention huge, choc filled muffins which almost replace my former choccie Gupfulie obsession...), I was sold. Plus they gave me a rewards card that sealed the deal.

So this is my new Friday morning splurge - the only morning I allow myself to eat out usually and it is so worth the wait - every week and the long line of fans in queue for their morning java. So what if they only know my name because it's written on my rewards card?! Somehow it still feels like my own little local joint... See you there next Friday - save a choc coconut muffin for me!

Ps. It's a long weekend- we have lots in store so do check in come Tuesday! Happy Anzac Day to all my Aussie readers!
- Posted from my iPhone

A typical Perth morning commute

2010-04-22T08:03:00.004+08:00

It is all quiet for the first few stops...

Then...a few more passengers arrive, a steady flow up until the city, come and go, and I am lucky to have a seat! The trains are much smaller here than in Switzerland, and no double deckers and no dogs allowed except for service dogs- what a shame...

Everyone reading - usually me too on my Kindle, which hasn't really caught on here yet (waiting for ipads I suppose)- I guess you can survive without the free Metro papers like they hand out in major US and European cities like Zurich.

You do get a great view on the way in though...if you ignore the freeway along the riverside and all the vandalism on the train windows...

It is always a battle out of the train and into the station and beyond. The platforms are a quarter of the size of the Swiss ones...

And once you wrestle your way through the crowds, you are on your way to work...

Tomorrow, you do it all again...

- Posted from my iPhone