Firsts

I might be an addict. I dream about Max Brenner. I long for Max throughout my day. I’ve tried to quit cold turkey. I’ve tried to limit myself. But it is to no avail. At the end of the day, I send out a text to my mates asking if they are up for another trip to Australia’s award winning chocolate bistro! So far I’ve sampled the milk shakes, the fondue, the flat white, the latte, and the Frutti Tutti Belgium waffle. I thought for sure my second Australia homecoming wouldn’t provide many “firsts” but somehow I’ve made my first Max Brenner experience become a repeated offense, a sweet reward after a long day’s work (thank you Kreton for introducing us!).

Here are some more firsts…

1. I made mash potatoes for the first time. In my family, Sean is the master masher, so I was always put on potato peeling duty. How’d they taste??? Awesome. I put my wrist into it. The masher was packed so I had to use a fork!!!!
2. Driving on the left side in Australia. Well I guess I did a few times in the Outback but that doesn’t really count seeing as there were no other vehicles or lanes even. The first time I embarked on a trip solo, I went all the way to Blacktown. I was a bit frustrated because I couldn’t find a street I needed to turn onto (which turns out Google didn’t know it didn’t exist!!!). At one point, I had to reorient myself back onto the road I needed and I was at the front of the left turn lane. All morning I had been chanting to myself, “stay left stay left stay left.” The problem is I stayed so far left that I entered the bus only lanes!!!! It turns out that using the bus lanes is a big no no. So I’m living in dread of a large ticket arriving in the mail. Unlike the vast United States' Mid-West, Sydney’s all about their traffic cameras catching violators. I plan on pulling the dumb American card in court.
3. Cross Fit. Riaaz is trained in this new fitness craze. (It originated in the U.S. Look it up!). Every day is a different workout. It pushes your body to the limit. I felt great after my first two go’s at it. Except my legs kept giving out on stairs! Not such a good feeling when you’re toting a nine month old around. Even though I felt a bit abused the rest of the week, the boys said I didn’t do so horrible. I think I might join the craze!
4. Watching the winter Olympics in the summer!
5. Eating lentil tacos. I didn’t even know Aussies were into Mexican food! Yum.
6. Having to hold little boys missing their mum. The update on the Mulcahy’s…Judy is back in the hospital after a less than 24 hour stay back home. All of the boys want her home. We all do.  Matt and Andy needed extra cuddles all day and even knocked on my door for a kiss goodnight.  Heartbreaking.  The future is looking….well….never never give up, as Judy always says. Please keep us in your prayers.
7. Sweating. For some reason, Australia makes me sweat when I work out!!! Also to be duly noted, the air here somehow infuses me to go running for longer distances. Boo yah!!!!
8. Not living with Tara. We reunited last Friday night for the first time in five months!!! When we saw each other, our first moments were silent with arms of steel about each other. I don’t think I breathed for a few minutes and the corners on my smile burned! One male bystander even remarked that he was impressed that we didn’t scream. Screaming with glee inside, no worries.

"You're Brilliant" Award: Tara’s arrival in time for the Chinese New Year. The Year of the white metal Tiger is all about changes and great passion. It coincided with February 14^th this year, which means love will supposedly reign. Doesn’t love always reign?

"Lame As" Award: Mums being ill.

**Please keep me updated about your lives! It brings me such great happiness to know the life happenings of all my dear ones.**