FIFO/FILO and Adult Summer Camp

A funny thing happened recently, not funny haha but funny odd. The first friends that we met are our first friends to leave, our FIFO friends/first in first out.  I met her through her blog. I blog stalked her for about a year before we moved to Oz.  Eventually once we moved here I got the courage to email her and she turned into an email friend, then she invited me to the American Thanksgiving at Balmoral and from there we emerged into a real "live" friendship. In a small world way, we would have met eventually, her BFF's Mom and M's Mom are BFF's back in California. We also ended up living about 500 meters from each other.  I am confident are paths will cross again. For other friends that have already become so dear so quickly I have no such certainty.

With a four year visa and contract to match we are on the long haul end of the expats. Most assignments are a bit shorter, 2 years seems to be the norm. I am sure by the end of four years we will watch many of our friends leave, I think of us as the FILO friends/first in last out. I have a few friends that are "locals" they maybe from somewhere else but they are not leaving, they are residents or citizens. I wonder what it would be like to be in their shoes making friends with people whose time will expire before the next World Cup?

Relationship fluidity and time expiration is a very strange aspect to this lifestyle. It is a bit like being at adult summer camp. You know it is not permanent. You know you only have a certain amount of time to accomplish whatever goal or desire you set out for when you agreed to this madness. You know your friends will move. You know you will move. Yet, you still begin friendships and seek out new relationships and put time and energy into them. You do all of this despite the knowledge that some people you may never see again after your visa expires. In some cases, friendships go deeper and farther than you would at "home" because just like summer camp, you are somewhat isolated from all that you know, you do not have family around, so your friends become your de facto family. There is always the chance in any situation that your friends will move but here as an expat it is a confirmed certainty. Just like summer camp, life is no less real, but it is not really your real life, it is a fun/challenging/exciting/scary/wild diversion for a set period of time. You throw yourself whole heartily into the mix and then when it is over, well it is over and you take the 10:30am or the 1:30pm back to LAX then further afield and camp is over.  Just like camp you sign up for everything you can in an effort to have as much fun in a finite of time. You take trips like mad. You never waste a beautiful weekend running errands. You live like you have an expiration date, which in reality, you do.

Some people leave their real life behind exactly as it was. When they fly home they sleep in their own bed, use their own towels, drive their own cars and socialize with their old friends. They slip right back into their "real" life. In some ways I can imagine it feels like you never left which could be wonderful or it could be terribly challenging to commit to one life or another. Others pack up their old life lock stock and barrel and have a blank slate waiting when they return. We are a blank slate and for me that is perfect.

Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park

Today was my first proper bushwalk and the boys first bushwalk/hike in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.

Lame. Lame. Lame. We had the camera but were having too much fun to take any pics. This is a shame because this place is gorgeous and massive. We barely scratched the surface. This pic is from the Aus Gov. website.

One of us, CM, seemed to be very very at home and totally and completely absorbed and enamored with nature. I think he could have walked for miles. This may mean camping is in our future, and I do not mean staying at an exterior corridor motel. The things you do for love.

Freshwater Beach

There about 1001 really great spots in Sydney. I feel like I say about 2-3 times a day, "oh, I could live in this place or that place." Freshwater is no different. It's got a laid back surfer vibe and a beautiful beach. It is just another reason Sydney is one of the best cities in the world.

When in Freshwater do as the locals do and just lay back.       

It was a crazy windy day! There were still plenty of surfers out.

Our little thrill game of "run from the incoming waves at the last possible second," finally caught up with us and took down our smallest player. He was too devastated and wet and cold for pics. Trust me it was a scene. I think he was indignant that the wave had the nerve to catch him. 

Happy July 3!

Just because we are away from home does not mean we can let milestones like July 4 slide by unacknowledged. To the contrary, we "celebrated" all weekend long.

July 3 we were invited to the house of one of M's colleagues for a July 4 Lebanese feast that was to die for, as they call it a "lebo feast." They went all out for us inviting other Americans, dressing their little one in American flag gear and buying Miller Beer (remember that is an import and as such it is priced like an import).

CH knows the best place to be is eating amazing food with a pretty lady! They are enjoying, kibbeh, lamb, pita, hummus, sausage and more!

We are on the books to have them over next for "American" food. I think shrimp and grits, or BBQ maybe in order. Although, I fear grits are an "acquired" taste I also fear getting deported for smuggling in grits! They have been to the States twice but they knew about grits from My Cousin Vinny! And they know about American football and football slang from Ace Ventura. And when I asked, they came up with 911 before 000 for emergencies. They quickly corrected their mistake, but first instinct was 911. This learning of America and Americans through our TV could explain why we get such a bad rap, as shows like COPS,  Swamp People, and Paris Hilton's My New BFF are TV staples here. Not to mention Two and a Half Men plays on a a continuous loop. This could explain the ugly American thing.

Another funny cultural thing here are nicknames, everyone and everything has a nickname or a short name, ala "lebo feast." His name is Warren and most people call him Waz. Even his wife calls him Waz. M tells me the guys at work who are called by their last names are also called that by their wives. Just strikes me as a bit odd.

Happy July 2!

July 2 found us celebrating our Nation's Independence in the dead of winter (70'F and sunny) on foreign beaches. Sounds rough, huh? To be fair there were no fireworks or parades but we have addressed this with the embassy and let's just say next year...well, we might have to fly home for that.

Among the six families celebrating at Clontarf Beach there were three sets of twin toddlers, if you are looking for mental birth control we can invite you to our next party! Not just Americans got into the spirit, there were Aussies, and Scots! Thus proving that in Australia the opening of an envelope is cause for celebration if there is a BBQ, a beach or a beer nearby! With all three, you are guaranteed a good time!

No one can resist an unguarded food table.

Our wonderful Scottish friend was so proud of herself exclaiming in her cute brogue, "I brought something so very American! Chips and Salsa!" It is true, we Americans are crazy about Mexican food, I can see why she would think it is American, because all American Expats talk about is eating good Mexican food. But sadly, we did not invent it! The honor goes to our neighbors down South.

Our friend W is a lova not a fighta. The dog finally was the one to break off the relationship after about 20 kisses, he felt it was getting too serious!

Put me in coach! 

As our friend Tar Heels Down Under said, "shut your eyes, cross your hands, scream... and voila!"

God Bless big boys who make little boys feel special.