How ya going mate?

The settling in process is almost complete for my new Melbourne habitation. I live in a town called Alphington about 10 min NE of the city proper. The landlord is rumored to be selling the house though so there might be another move in the near future. That would make 4 moves in 6 months. The house is a great place though as its kind of old and has a lot of those strange corners and angles in the ceiling that give it some charm.

My bout with hay fever is drawing to a close as well. My head felt like it was about to explode for about a week and I have never had to blow my nose so many times in my entire life. I'm assuming it is the pollen and heat which I have never been exposed to that triggered it as I have never had allergies in my life.

The restaurant that I currently work in is in the Crown Casino Complex which is the big entertainment area that people go to in the city. The Greco European Grill as it is called is owned by Greeks, run by French and worked by Brits, Asians and myself. Oh, and there are two Australians (kind of ironic that they are in the minority). But I think it safe to say that I never want to work in a restaurant again (although I probably will). The happiness I felt when leaving the restaurant bizz when in the States is matched by the depression I feel every time I walk into this place. So, I am now waiting word about a position at the Melbourne Aquarium for which I had an interview a couple days ago.

Other than the work aspect of my new life in Melbourne I've been sampling the local fair, been golfing at the Yarra Bend Golf Course (shot a 43 which ain't bad for me), went on a wine tour to the Yarra Valley, visited the Melbourne Zoo and the Royal Botanical Gardens. I also went to the beach at Torquay (pronounced Tor-key). My opinion of the local fair is that it lacks in flavor but perhaps its just different from what I'm used to. I can only assume that the golf courses are easy given that I actually played well but then again I've only played one course (the cheaper one too). The wines were quite tasty and very palatable as the array of melon, peach and oak were very pleasing ( I have no idea what I'm talking about). The Zoo was amazing as I saw a Kangaroo for the first time as well as a Koala and a couple others that only exist over here. Did you know: Koalas sleep for 20 hours a day and eat for the other 4. Evidently the Eucalyptus leaves are so low in nutrition that they have to sleep so long for their body to carry out all its functions. They will sometimes eat themselves out of their habitat by completely stripping the trees of their leaves.

The weather has been hot but thankfully not humid. It feels as if I am in an oven sometimes as the cement just feels like its cooking you. It rains very infrequently and Victoria has been in a 13 year drought. But when it does rain its really just a moderate sprinkle. What's funny is that there are very few really tan Aussies as most people will try to stay out of the sun rather than lay in it. And sun screen is always a must, it doesn't matter how tough you think you are.

I'm starting to miss some things though, especially Boston, friends and family but I know that's something I'll get used to. I wish I had brought more now that I've set up shop but I know it would have been hard to get anything more here. The snowboard and golf clubs were hard enough. I've already read 3 books as finding anything to do that keeps you out of the sun for too long is key.