Look, I don't know what I'm talking about and there isn't a person in this room who can tell me I do

Did someone say nachos? Yep, that's right, I can upload pictures now, and I have a million billion, so you're not going to see them all on my blog. However, this one is for my favourite breadtangle (my only breadtangle). I saw this my first full day in the US and just had to take a photo.

I got a bit lost driving today, but it's all a part of the experience. I have done sooooooooo much driving, it's just not funny. I'm sure all the other motorists are scared out of their minds, not that any of them drive well either. They take no notice of speed limits (rendering them speed suggestions), and they believe that they are the most important people on the road. Mothers picking up kids in 4WDs are the worst. The ones in Australia are tame in comparison.

American food is growing on me a little. There are subtle differences in everything, and the bread is really sweet. I hope I don't get used it, I like the bread at home. I really like American ice cream. The type we buy is sold in pints, and they're managable enough to be eaten by a single person. I'll let you know when I devour a whole one in a sitting. I'm waiting to feel really, really homesick before I do that. (I ate Maccas in the heart of New York. Am I tragic enough for you? They call that a "medium" meal>>>>>)



Speaking of homesick, I'm surprised I haven't really felt it that badly. I woke up the other morning and wanted to be at home, but that was just because I didn't want to be responsible for waking up 3 grouchy teenagers (no Mum, I was not as bad getting out of bed as these kids are). Other than that I'm starting to plan the places I will go and the things I will see. Cornerstone is looking promising.

Thanks Mum and Dad for sending my stuff. It got here this morning.



Ella, the Brown's last Au Pair has been helping me out this week, and today she left to go and visit her brother in London. She was really good, but now I'm flying solo. We'll see how I go. The kids are good enough if you aren't waking them up for school in the morning.



Now, I'm used to being told I look quite young. In fact people guess my age as about 15 or 16, which is fine by me, but yesterday and today I have faced both extremes in people questioning my age. Yesterday the children's grandfather asked me if I went to school with Caroline (who is 11). I've never been told I looked that young. Then, not 2 hours ago I was asked if I was Elizabeth's mother (Liz is 15). This is one bizarre country.



So that's what I've been up to of late. I guess there's not much else to say except:

Then how do you roast a turkey?

I have made it to the USA!! Actually, I've been in this incredibly daunting country for a week now.

I spent my first week in the Au Pair School at St John's University on Long Island. It was good fun and I met Au Pairs from around the world, who will be going all over America. I also managed to squeeze in a tour of New York City. It wasn't in depth, but it did give me a look at some local hot spots (Rockafella centre, Time Square, the Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Madison Square Garden and took a ferry past the Statue of Liberty).

I spent a fair bit of time with the Swedish and German Au Pairs. They were all quite nice and taught me some basic phrases in their language. I also met the other Aussies who travelled over on a different plane and they were cool. There's a Swedish Au Pair in my city and an Aussie Au Pair in my state, only a shortish drive away.

Speaking of driving, I did that today, and it was a little confusing. When you make a left turn you go to the right side of the road. It's a bit bizzare. I was worst in the car park, but driving in America isn't something most people are good at, so I fit right in with all my learning.

I saw a squirrel too. So all you people who lie when you say the Invader Zim line, "I saw a squirrel...", now I can say, "You did not!! But I did!!" I have also seen snow. I stood in the falling snow twice, and I love it so much!! Unlike most other people, I'm not freezing cold, even outside in the wind. It was minus 2 (celcius) today, and I was outside in my jeans, a sleeveless shirt and my tracksuit top, the wind roaring past us and me saying to two other Aussies, "What's wrong with me? I'm not cold enough!!"

On the agenda for the upcoming week or two is learning my way around, learning to drive on the wrong side of the road, going shopping for some essentials and starting church shopping.

Let me know what's going on at home. Wish you were all here to see this place!!

You didn't care that I broke the hula record, or went to Mars

Well folks, this is going to be a short one. I'm in Sydney, I fly out on Sunday and a week from today I meet my family. I've just been on a wonderful camping trip for the last 2 and a bit weeks, and I will tell you one exciting story from our time down here.

I went skim boarding (google it if you don't know what it is) and it was botchn (new word for exceptionally cool that we tried to use in scrabble). Earlier in the holiday I made the comment that I had never had an injury that landed me in hospital. Someone (who shall remain nameless, Benjamin Harris), said, "We can arrange that." And he did. While I was skim boarding I managed to fall off (it's not as easy as it looks), and sprain my ankle so badly all the adults were convinced it was broken. I knew better. Regardless, I wound up being x - rayed in hospital and came back to the campsite on crutches, or as I prefer to call them, the evil walking while injured devices. They really are evil. I gave up on them after 2 days. My ankle is still quite weak, but I'll manage.

Anyways, I best be off to keep arranging all my last minute arrangements. Oh, and when you see Lesley, give her a massive hug for me because I wouldn't be on the flight if it wasn't for her. LESLEY ROCKS MY MISMATCHED SOCKS!!