Australian Slang:
Beaut, beauty : great, fantastic
Billabong : an oxbow lake cut off by a change in the watercourse. Billabongs are usually formed when the course of a creek or river changes, leaving the former branch with a dead end.
Bloke : man, guy
Bottle-o : liquor shop (originally a man with hessian bags going around picking up beer bottles in the 50's and 60's)
Chokkie : chocolate
Chunder : vomit
Dipstick : a loser, idiot
Esky : large insulated food/drink container for picnics, barbecues etc.
Fair dinkum : true, genuine
G'Day : hello!
Galah : fool, silly person. Named after the bird of the same name because of its antics and the noise it makes.
Lollies : sweets, candy
No worries! : Expression of forgiveness or reassurance (No problem; forget about it; I can do it; Yes, I'll do it)
Porky : Lie, untruth (pork pie = lie)
Reckon! : you bet! Absolutely!
you little Ripper! : Exclamation of delight or as a reaction to good news
Sheila : a woman
Stubby : a 375ml. beer bottle
XXXX : pronounced Four X, brand of beer made in Queensland
Welcome back to Australia..... The accent is thick, the sun is shining, everyone is laid back and my family and friends are here ready for lots of hugs and laughter. I arrived back on the Friday to the Gold Coast and had my nephew Ethans 1st Birthday party on the Saturday.
Lots of happy babies playing, a typical Aussie BBQ dinner, family all gathered together and I was feeling jet lagged. With only two days recovery I started my new job at the Gold Coast Hospital on the Monday, talk about straight back into it, no time to be nervous having had a year and half off from being a physio, would I remember what to do?
My evenings have been quiet for me, after work, but I'm having fun being an Auntie and helping with the feeding, bathing and playing with Ethan. I got my lower back x-rayed because the pain has been still really bothering me and it turns out I have a suspected fractured S3-4 (my sacrum bone). So the pain is immense, my first broken bone in 28 years! I've been some what frustrated not being able to exercise, that I went for 2 runs over the weekend silly girl as I felt like I could barely move after them, despite having that awesome familiar feeling of 'the buzz' after a good exercise session. On a positive note I also got tested for Coeliac disease (gluten intolerant) and I've found out I'm not, so it means I guess I'm just intolerant to wheat and can take that option without worrying about being as strict as I'd need to be as a Coeliac.
To Ski or not to Ski? That is the question
My cousin Chris and his girlfriend Jess had invited me to a ski trip with them in Victoria, Aus while I was still living in Canada. Knowing Aussie skiing would be nothing compared to Canada, I was still super keen to get out for a ski with them both. I had it all booked before I hurt myself and was really disappointed to know I really shouldn't be skiing, one fall on my backside would be seriously painful and a stupid chance to make the injury worse. It turns out that weekend was the long weekend for the Gold Coast so I changed my flight and flew in to have the evening with Micky J, Jimma and his girlfriend before we drove at midnight down to the mornington peninsula.
I spent the Friday at my Grandmas place, it was lovely to see her doing so well after a serious period of illness, when I really wasn't sure if I was ever going to get to see her again. We releaxed on her porch in the sun chatting as friends from the village would call by to say hello. I was able to have dinner with my Auntie and Uncle before Chris, Jess and myself jumped in the Troppie (3 seater) poor Jess in the middle and had a road trip to Mt Buller.
To Ski or not to ski? 1st weekend of Spring........
It was just the 5 of us staying at the cabin, I'd been and stayed here once before back in 2004 so was bringing back memories. Adrian, Jocelyn, Chris, Jess and myself couldn't make a decision, to ski or not to ski? I knew I shouldn't be but didn't want to be the reason we didn't go, what made the decision was the supposed lack of snow and our alarm clock going off in the morning and no one jumping out of bed with excitement to get up.
Instead we went hiking up to Mt Sterling, which is where the cross country ski tracks are and spotted the lack of snow on Mt Buller! good decision. The hike was lots of fun, snow ball fights, a kind of snow man and a decidant lunch in one of the cabins escaping the strong wind from the summit.
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| Mt Buller - lack of snow!!! |
We enjoyed our evening with a roaring fire, lots of yummy food, chocolate and dessert and fun board games with some yummy cider. I've been missing good cider in Canada. Another relaxed late start on the Sunday and we only made it for a short stroll by the river in area but of course had time for yet more yummy food.
This weekend away was so lovely, it really felt like a holiday, and I really appreciated being included in such fun times..... As I've been trying to make a big decision on a unique exciting new job offer, the support and advice from this weekend away really helped......
Decision made......
