Just kidding. The previous post where readers submitted questions for the kids was great (now that it's done). It also makes us miss the US a lot. I think we've hit that point in our move where we've settled in and reality has hit. HOLY SMOKES! We live in AUSTRALIA! Whoa.
We miss our friends and family terribly. It's bizarre not planning a trip to Michigan for Passover (but we'll make do with 13 days in New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji!). We're not thinking about summer plans, because summer has just finished and autumn is upon us. A little taste of "home" can keep us going strong.
The boys miss American foods like Cheerios, Cheez-Itz and Olive Garden (if you've been a longtime reader, you'll notice OG has come up before!). There are Australian Cheerios but they were quickly rejected by the crew. I found American Cheerios at a specialty store. They were $10AUS / box. That's about $7.50USD. Did you read that correctly? $7.50 for a box of Cheerios. If a Cheerio falls on the floor, I declare a loss of $0.50. A little exaggeration, but not by much.
You know what happens in late February / early March in the US? Girl Scouts emerge hawking their amazing cookies. You know what happens in Australia then? Nothing of note. Nothing. It's not cookie time.
We really miss brunch at Table Mesa, lunch at Hammontree's, pizza from The Rail and so much more. We've found some interesting places near us, but the kids palates haven't yet acclimated to ethnic foods. We do have kosher restaurants in the area, so that's a BIG bonus!
I ventured out a bit recently to Costco. There is *one* Costco in New South Wales. That would be like having only one Costco (or Sam's Club, for our Bentonville peeps) in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina combined. I found some wonderful American treasures, and seeing the Kirkland brand was very comforting. We haven't gotten desperate enough to order from USA Foods near Melbourne but it is an option.
We also miss US sports. We had originally planned to spend US spring break in FL at Tigers spring training, seeing family and celebrating Papi's big birthday. That's obviously not happening. We have been able to get the March Madness games on Foxtel. Granted they start at 1AM or so, but that's what DVR is for.
What we really, really, really miss is you. We're enjoying each day here but are looking forward to visitors (with suitcases stocked full of Cheerios and Cheez-Itz). In the meantime, stay tuned for Aaron's upcoming guest blog ;-)
I remember feeling so much of this in Korea where we could buy Cheerios buy only in the blackmarket stores! A baby with no Cheerios??!! What??! Then there was a magical day when Costco started carrying Cheerios. Expat forums went crazy! We all rushed to Costco for Cheerios. Ah, the memories. I also recall dreaming about Target and Trader Joe's which to be fair still happens in NWA. Hope some of the homesickness has abated a bit. It will ebb and flow. You're loved and missed here. Xx
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DeleteI remember eating at Table Mesa with you, and I would miss it too! Have you found any American chain restaurants, like Pizza Hut or Chili's, or Outback Steakhouse?
ReplyDeleteDominos, Pizza Hut, Little Caesars; we DID find an Outback -- it's pretty far outside the city but hilarious to have stumbled upon. I saw a Krispy Kreme, too. There are a few Starbucks but not many. Ordering a coffee here still alludes me. But I'll figure out soon enough!
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