Vegitarian Thanksgiving???

Yeah right, like that would ever fly - no matter where in the world you are. So I bucked up and ordered a turkey. And I wouldn't just say a turkey, this was a 22 lbs turkey. And not one of those frozen kinds that are nicely cleaned; one from the local butcher with some feather stuff still in it (not to mention the neck skin that seemed to stretch for miles). But enough about the nasty bits - I got it cleaned and stuffed (taught Mark that there are two cavities in a bird you can stuff).

By 10:00 it was in the oven...by 10:20 the oven door was shut. Had a bit of an issue with the size of the oven. Turns out they are much smaller here than my mom's. But good smart Sally figured out which way to put it in and luckily we got a bendable pan. So the turkey is in and we were off to get ready for the day.

As a traditional Fender thanksgiving goes this year's theme was a "Halloween Party." Perfect, because we didn't get a change to celebrate Halloween. I must say we did have some amazing costumes. Mr and Mrs Shrek showed up, along with a witch, a pirate, a cat, that scary guy from scream, a few vampires, a school girl, a "true" Australian, a guy from the future, a rockstar, and of course a party isn't complete without Paris Hilton.

I somehow got very lucky and the bird was done on time, it stopped raining long enough to eat and everyone was able to pull off their "Fender Thanksgiving Recipes" without a hitch. While most were confused about my cousins fruit salad and how that goes with Thanksgiving, it was the first thing that anyone said they were thankful for during dinner. While some thought the turkey was the best (bless their hearts), others went for the stuffing, some the cranberry sauce, and others (exculding those who made it) loved the green bean casserole (aka: Fat A$$ Beans).



The day consisted of our traditional Uno games (although there was a lack of $h#t talking that is normally heard around the table). Sally also introduced a few UK traditional games (or a Letchford household traditions). The first was the cereal box game. Its simple, start with a cereal box and pick it up with your teeth. Note you cannot touch your hands, elbows, or knees to the ground. Still simple enough. Once everyone has picked it up with his/her teeth the cutter cuts down the box about an inch and the process begins again. After awhile the box gets shorter and everyone has to get closer to the ground. A few have started to drop out and then it gets to a piece of cardboard laying on the ground with no sides sticking up. Needless to say, we need to figure out a way to make this game a bit more difficult next year as we had about six people tie for first.

The game after dinner included a cookie and your face. Yep put the cookie on your forehead and move it (with no hands) down your face and into your mouth. I would say that some people were awesome (Sally, Rodger, Keith and Mark) and some of us need a bit more practice (cookies flying off the face and onto the ground.

Australian's are just down right nice

Now I know that is a big generalization (but I doubt that any of them are going to be upset about it) - and it is true.

Story One: During my first three weeks here it was all about getting everything set up (apt, utilities, car, bike, work) and during that I decided that getting an iPhone would be a necessity. So I went to my nearest Vodaphone (think Verizon) and tried to get one. Unfortunately they were all sold out and the lady was looking at other stores that had them in stock. She found one is a suburb down south only about a 20 minute drive. I mentioned that I didn't have a car and wasn't sure how I was going to get there...No worries - she could stop by the store on her way home and pick it up for me. Really? That was going to be awesome!

Story Two: Last Wednesday Mark and I went to dinner and a movie (This Is It: MJ which is completely worth it). At dinner I accidentally left the keys on the table and off we went to the movie. By the time we got out the restaurant had closed and we had to take a cab home. Well the restaurant didn't open until 4:30 the next day and I was parked in a two hour carpark. So I rode my bike down there and wrote a note detailing the situation and that I would appreciate my car not being towed (while promising its quick exit once I retrieve the keys). Well I managed to get the keys and while walking to the car I noticed the one next to it had a ticket, but mine was untouched. What a nice ticket man...

Story Three: While Australian's are not the best drivers (I know another generalization but it is also true), they don't have any rode rage and are typically very courteous drivers. Everyday I drive to work I come to a street to turn right and there is a load of cars waiting. Instead of making me wait until the end of that line, there is always someone there who will let me in. Also, I notice that when traffic is bad (which is a loose term compared to Denver traffic) no one stops in the intersections and always lets cars in or turn through. I must say that is has been a pleasant experience driving down here (even on the other side of the road) and I've never been nervouse that someone is going to get mad and run me off the road.

Spring Carnival

I have heard a few stories about my grandma (Mamo) and how much she enjoyed the horse races. I'm not sure if it is genetic and something that is passed down from generation to generation, but boy I could not agree with her more.

This weekend was the big kick-off to the Melbourne Cup (the Cup is on Tuesday which is a public holiday for the state of Victoria). The internationals and I got in our spring dresses (shirt and slacks for the fellas) and got our hats and/or hair pieces ready to go. We were lucky enough to get into the KPMG suite at the Adelaide race course where we enjoyed a nice lunch, great company and probably a few too many drinks.




That day there were races in every state. They were timed so that no two races were competing for a TV spot. So there we were with multiple TVs, a real race course and a booky right in our own suite. For me its not exciting to bet on horses when they are on TV (I feel silly yelling at them to run faster when they can't hear me). So I stuck with betting on the races at the race course.

I've been told that my grandma always bet on the grey horses, since those were the easiest ones to spot on the track. I didn't see any grey horses in any of the races, so I had to choose by name. I took the safe way out and pick one horse and put $5 to win and $5 to place. It must have been the Fender luck because after 6 races (total of 7 but I didn't bet the first race) I came out $40 ahead.

All in all a great day with the internationals.