Reminiscing

I can't believe I never realized how lucky I was to have an office to store my stuff and a guaranteed practice room anytime I wanted it. Well, I sort of knew it was unique, but now I really know. Here I am finding it difficult to practice... going to the Con is an option, but if students need my room, out I go. I can go to the TQO Studios, but the evening is really the only time. So, I fear that my playing is slipping beyond repair... Hopefully I can get it back. My goal is for our next apartment/flat/house to be more conducive to practice. It will work out, I just can't believe I used to have an office and didn't jump up and down everytime I went in there. Now I understand why some people stay in school forever...

New words I've learned...

Brekky=breakfast
She'll be right mate=it'll be ok (used in ANY circumstance; even if your arm has just been cut off)
Chips=fries
Crisps=chips (potato)
Biscuits=cookies
Uni=college, university, etc.
Boot=car trunk
Good on ya=Well done, great job
Pram=baby stroller
Nappy=baby diaper
Eupho=euphonium
Lift=elevator
Footpath=sidewalk
Flat white=espresso coffee with milk, as opposed to a long black, not bumpy white
Crook=sick
Dag=funny, as in "You're a dag!"
Ute=truck (Ford Australia's famous vehicle that looks like those old car/truck hybrids)

I know there are more... will add as I can remember them...

Also, every cafe here seems to have milkshakes! YUM!

Saturday market!

Today we went to the Saturday market in West End. I was expecting a modest farmer's market with a few produce stands and was just hoping to get a few deals. Well, was I mistaken! The market is spread out near the river, bordering a cricket oval (I believe they were playing rugby today), and it was packed with people. There were arty-crafty type things, probably 10 different produce stands, a few different coffee stands, fresh meat and fish (a bit fishy though), people sitting around playing digeridoo, flowers, and even crepes and smoothies, which we had for lunch. It was great! Definitely something for us to go to frequently on Saturdays (though not all the time because it could get ridiculous after awhile). We also found a booth with fresh herb plants, which I have been wanting for awhile. The lady gave us two cilantro plants (here they call them coriander) for free because the leaves were starting to turn a bit yellow. To top off our adventure, we saw signs for a garage sale, so we toddled over to that, while I secretly yearned for a large pot to boil pasta.... and lo and behold, there it was! We got a large pot and two saucepans for a very low price. It was excellent luck.

Last night was an evening of music. The orchestra played Brahm's Academic Festival Overture, Liszt's Piano Concerto (gorgeous---I had never heard it), and Beethoven's Sixth. The orchestra sounded great and I enjoyed sitting nearer to the front than usual. The orchestra has another run tonight and then tomorrow Thomas is playing the Penderecki Capriccio at a recital. Quite a busy weekend!

I've created a Blog!

After much wishy-washying, I've finally created a blog to commemorate my new and exciting life in Brisbane! (Thanks, TZ, for the idea... if you have time for it, goodness knows I do!)

So, stay tuned for information and pictures. Now that I have found some things to do with my time here, I will have many updates!

Now I will attempt to post a picture...