First Wedded Thanksgiving

Yesterday was our first Thanksgiving as a married couple - I guess you could say it was eventful, while definitely memorable.

We spent this entire week helping with a research project at Dookie that dealt with nutrition and physiology in pigs. This is what we did on Thanksgiving:

We took blood samples from 32 pigs every 5 minutes for 6 hours. It was mind-numbing at times but most of our Australian friends were there so that was fun.

For Thankgiving dinner, there was no turkey, stuffing or mashed potatoes. However, after a few sad looks and a pouty lip, I got Hyatt to drive to town and get me some charchoal chicken, chips and gravy. Roasted poultry with gravy; can't go wrong. Dinner with friends and Hyatt was a pretty nice Thanksgiving after all.

You're probably wondering what I"m thankful for (a lot) but I wrote it on another blog so please read here if you're interested in all the blessings I'm thankful for this year.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. To my family: I can't wait to see you all in less than three weeks for the Ohio gang and five weeks for the Kansas gang. Love you all!

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

Hyatt and NHS

Hyatt sometimes gets what I lovingly refer to as NHS (Nappy Hair Syndrome) and therefore, to save $$$$, I have to practice my expert hair shaping skills. It’s gonna get real, folks. Here’s happy Hyatt prior to the hair cutting extravaganza

Check out my tools – clippers, backcomb (mine and lives in my purse) and utility scissors.

To begin with, you wet the hair. Try not to get water in his eyes or he whines and it’s annoying – then make a Mohawk because seriously, what other chance do I have while he’s sitting still and not squirming around. Bam!

Isn’t he dashing?

OK – next step, attempt layering. He likes it a little longer on top and short on the sides so I clip the sides with the comb and clippers and then I pull the middle together and trim and trim and trim and trim.

I come it to the front to see if I’m doing well and realize that maybe I shouldn’t be cutting hair.

Me thinks it looks a little uneven. Or it’s his weird hairline and misshapen head. I think the latter.

He cut me off from taking pictures after this but I should let you know that I totally evened it up and he looks fantastic. I took this picture the next day when he was in a better mood. See???

Well, his hair looks fantastic. His face looks grouchy.

And that’s how you cut your hubsy’s hair, friends.

 Please, soak up the knowledge that is emanating from this blog.

Until next time,

~ Buzzard ~

Side Kiss Greeting Thing...Awkward

Today marks the completion of this goal "98. Post every day for 1 month on From Oz to Aus" from this list. So yay me (and Hyatt helped too)!

But I feel like posting that above paragraph doesn't really count as a post so I better come up with something real, right?

Ok - random thoughts and events for the week.

1 - Australians greet people with the side cheek kiss thing. I think it comes from the British influence. Regardless, it makes me feel super awkward. If you still don't know what I'm talking about, here's a visual:

This lady looks much happier than I am when she's being greeted.

I feel like this is a semi invasion of my personal space but I go along with it because it's hard to avoid an incoming kiss-greeting and it's also a little bit rude to turn it down, I think. But it still makes me feel weird and I never kiss back. Next time you meet someone new, speak with an Australian accent and do the side kiss greeting - you'll freak people out. I think I'm going to do it when I return to stateside.

2 -  Tonight while on our way to dinner at our friend's house, I started walking a pipe fence. I made it 16 steps without falling off - woo. Big life accomplishment. So on the way home, Hyatt decided to try his hand. **Sidenote**: Hyatt is NOT coordinated. Although he tries very hard. Anyway, for 20 flippin minutes he tried walking the fence to beat me. Unsuccessful - personal best 11 steps. I wish I had a video of it, because you would have peed your pants from laughter. I love him but wow.

3 - Tomorrow (Saturday) marks the first weekend that I haven't had to get up early for a conference, meeting, work or to catch a flight. Amen to that.

4 - Two months from today (Friday) we will be doing some major life changes..... drumroll............................................. We will be returing to the states that day. Only two short months left and we've got them jam packed - trip to Tasmania, trip to Alice Springs/Uluru/Coober Pedy, two research projects (not Hyatt's) and a conference in Adelaide where Hyatt and I will both be presenting. Time will fly by and we're going to try to fit as much time in with our friends here in Melbourne before we leave. :(

Ok- that's about all for today. Thanks for reading and commenting. I noticed that commenting has started to drop off towards the end of the 30 day goal so I/we must have been annoying you. No worries, you can expect to only have 2-3 posts/week from here on out. Much more manageable I hope.

Lastly, at the conclusion of this little adventure, what would you like to see done with this blog? Should I add the phrase 'and back again' to the original title? Continue with our random life happenings? Cease the blog? Looking for some comment love here, folks

Holla,
~ Brandi ~

Victory is Mine!

Not sure if you're aware of this but Hyatt and I are pretty big Scrabble fanatics. You also probably know that Hyatt generally dominates this competition because he is annoyingly smart.
HOWEVER, about once or twice every year I manage to scrape up a win. This year a win occurred on October 2 and I won by 39 points.

Hyatt was pouty. Go figure.

Here he is brooding over his next move after I rocked his world with my first two plays.

And a picture of the board with my BA plays highlighted:

and here is ecstatic me :)

Oh and here is the link to the Family Guy inspired title of this post.

Until tomorrow,
~ Brandi ~

I'm not Canadian

Another installment of YKWRGMG - with a disclaimer first.

I have a handful of Canadian friends. They are all very cool and I think Calgary, Alberta is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. That being said....

I'm not Canadian.

And this week, I've been asked if I'm Canadian several times. At least twice per day.

As I said, I have nothing against Canada or Canadians but I'm an American.

Loud and proud. American.

It REALLY upset me last week when a guy asked me if I was Canadian and then after I replied that I was indeed, American, he told me, "EH, SAME THING."

Uh, no. Not even close.

So, as future advice to those who may encounter international students or guests: It's ok to guess someone's nationality incorrectly but it's not okay to say that their country is the same as your incorrect guess. Rude.

Again, to my Canadian friends who are reading this (cough; Crystal) - Canada was awesome and I really think I could enjoy living in Alberta.

TTFN
~ Brandi ~

p.s. Hyatt told me to tell ya'll (see, I'm American) that he isn't Irish. Apparently, he has been called Irish several times this week. It's an intercultural marriage - Irish and Canadian ;)

Marriage Revelation #13

I'm certain I've had more than 13 revelations since we've been married, but 13 is my favorite number so it seemed fitting.

This is not only a revelation about our marriage, but about myself which affects our marriage. It runs full circle - get it?

I was clicking away on the wonderful world of Pinterest (if you don't know what Pinterest is, I'll invite you. No one should be deprived of pinning) and saw this list:

I read it and suddenly realized aloud - "I'm an introvert." Holy crap. It took me 25 years to figure this out about MYSELF. So many things that Hyatt and I get into teensy arguments about stem from these personality characteristics.

I've always known Hyatt was an extrovert but I kind of thought I was too because I'm very outgoing and loud around my friends and family but once I saw all of those pieces of information together in one list - it made it very clear to me why Hyatt and I get frustrated with each other. Hyatt is the first extrovert I've ever been in a relationship with (and definitely the only one I've married) so it's safe to say we have some personality clashes.

I promptly emailed him this list and told him that A) this would explain so much for him B) understanding and committing these traits to memory would help us grow as a couple and C) if he avoided doing these things, we'd argue less and be happy more.

I guess that goes to show that we never stop learning about ourselves or each other. Many thanks to Pinterest for helping me discover my inner introvert!

Until tomorrow,

~ Buzzard ~

p.s. just before I posted this, Hyatt told me he 'was glad I'm coming out." Cripes.

So good with kids

Hyatt and I have been helping out at the Royal Melbourne Show. Think American Royal crossed with Kansas State Fair but way less animals and no western shopping. Today, Hyatt volunteered to help with a booth about beef cattle run by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). He held a Simmental heifer and answered questions like:

- Is it a boy cow or a girl cow?
- What's it's name?
- What kind of cow is it?

(I may or may not have posed as a curious show attendee and asked the above questions).

Of course, as with any animal exhibit, there are a ton of people around. Look for yourself.

Notice anything interesting?

Look at Hyatt - interacting with all those kids. He'll be a great dad. Someday. Ten years from now.

Or more.

Until tomorrow,
~ Buzzard ~

Is Your Husband Awesome?

Because mine is :)

A few days ago I may have alluded to the fact that Hyatt was happier to get Cap'n Crunch than he was to see me. I stand corrected. On a scale of 1 - 10; 1 being feeling like a negative amount of money and 10 being the Buckeyes win the BCS Title (Hyatt's scale, not mine), I've been told that seeing me again was a 9 and the Cap'n Crunch was 6.5. I'm feeling pretty good about myself right now - goooo me!

My flight arrived at Melbourne International Airport at 9:30 a.m. I was through customs, luggage pickup and the food quaratine/questioning station by 9:50 and very ready and excited to see hubsy after 31 hours of traveling in order to be reunited after 6 weeks of separation.

**Sidenote: I have never gotten through customs so quickly! There was no line, my luggage was first off the conveyor and the snide food lady didn't make me open up my suitcase to show her the extensive confectionary (read: candy) collection I had. I probably could have gotten beef jerky into this joint. Rats**

At about 10:10 a.m., I'd been walking around searching for said hubsy when I saw a tall, handsome man leaning against the wall. Hooray! I wrapped my arms around him, teared up (I've turned into a crier since we started dating way back in 2008) and gave him a well-deserved smooch. Why well-deserved?


He brought me these!!!!!

In case you didn't know, yellow roses are my FAVORITE! He knows me so well and must love me a lot.

If that wasn't enough, when we got back to the Flat, hubsy had another surprise for me.  I've always wanted to be classy and cultured and go to an opera but Manhattan, KS and Colony, KS don't exactly make that opportunity available. However, Melbourne is the arts capital of Australia and I was delighted to find out that we were going to an opera that night.

IT WAS FREAKING FANTABULOUS! I was in awe the entire time. The opera singers just blew Hyatt and I away - they had some pipes, let me tell ya. If you have a chance to go to this opera, do so because you won't be disappointed. Bonus: it's in English, unlike this one.

**Sidenote #2: Hyatt says it was a musical. Yes, it was a musical play but they belted out some high notes so I say opera. If you google it, the know all genius Wikipedia says musical but I"m sticking to my guns and saying opera because it makes me feel fancier.**

Bonus #2: I can now mark #70 off of this list.

All in all, it was a great day back in Melbourne. I have an amazingly thoughtful and kind husband who made my bittersweet return to the driest continent very spectacular. I'm very lucky  :)

The next day we went to Dookie and started feeding pigs and cleaning pig crap up again. Oh joy!

Until next time,
~ FroBuzz ~
p.s. Let Hyatt know how awesome he is. I love to brag on him and he always brushes me off. ;)

What I learned today...

We recently got our bond back from our previous landlord. You know, the landlord of the ML? To get caught up read this, this and this. I'll wait.

Ok - back to business. So after a long drawn out process of rescheduling the 'court' date about 3 different times, we got approximately $950 back. That's about $750 less than we wanted but at least the issue is resolved and we're through.

The reimbursement checks came to Hyatt and I. Since we don't have the same last name (yet) they had to send half of the money to me and half to Hyatt. The only problem is that they addressed the check to Brandi Frobose. I have a couple of issues with this:

1 - That's not my name.
2 - If the reason for splitting it up is that we don't have the same last name, then why does the check I received say Brandi Frobose? Stupid.
3 - It's extremely difficult to deposit a check made out to Brandi Frobose into an account held by Brandi Buzzard. See the issue?

I made the 30 minute walking trek to the bank, which was rougher than usual because while I was in the states I reverted back to my lazy American self and drove everywhere, and finally got the issue sorted out thanks to the lovely staff at The Bank of Melbourne.

In closing, I've learned that you can do one of the following things if you're ever in my situation:
 A - don't move to another country 3.5 weeks after you get married unless you can magically fast track the name changing process on your visa and passport

-OR-

B - wait to get married until you get back from said country.

C - Confirm with authorities your name before the checks are issued

D - Make friends with a friendly bank teller named Darin who will vouch that you are Brandi Frobose (even though you're really not) and will deposit the check anyway.

I chose to follow through with option D.

Have a great day!

Until next time,

~ FroBuzz ~

The BIG two-five

Yep, I turned 1/4 century old on the 28th but it was awesome because I got TWO birthdays - one on the 28th here in Australia and the other on the 28th in the states. Yessssssssss.

It was a great day - I got to sleep in, Hyatt took me for a picnic lunch and for a shopping trip. I got a new purse and some sweet new earrings. No picture of the bag but here are the new lobe ornaments.

Yes, they are PURPLE FEATHERS. boom.

Vickey, Kristy and Hyatt organized dinner at a local pub so we got all dressed up....

and went to dinner with the gang



From l to r: Joanna, Hyatt, me, Vickey, Kristy, Ryan and Fahri.





We had a great time and I am so blessed to have such great friends here. Thanks to everyone who sent cards, emails, packages and tweeted birthday wishes.  Your kindness is much appreciated :)

Cheers
~ FroBuzz ~

Sydney and Easter

So a few weekends ago we went to Sydney to visit Royal Easter Show which is kind of like the state fair in a highly populated state like Ohio or California. Here are some of the pictures from the show.  It was great to finally see some cattle!

Cute little Angora goat

Well groomed Angus cattle and their 'home' for the week

The Charolais show

We also got to go to the Blue Mountains and see the 3 Sisters (unfortunately, the 3 Frobose sisters weren't there)

Got to see the Big Merino in Goulburn

and his big backside, too.

Sydney was a blast - we're going back in June and I'm definitely going to make sure my cameras are charged so I can get pictures of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Easter was fun - we went to church (will eventually write a post about our church), I made engagement chicken for dinner and then Dean, Maree and their daughters Olivia and Bridget took us to our first Australian footy game!

Engagement chicken - that's a lemon sticking out, btw.

In front of Etihad stadium before the game

 Hyatt and Dean talking footy

Hyatt and I with the North Melbourne mascot, the Kangaroo

The footy field in Etihad Stadium

We had a pretty eventful holiday weekend.

Cheers,

~ FroBuzz ~

A GREAT Day!

Today I received several reminders of just how truly blessed I am to have such amazing family and friends.

When I checked our mail today I found not one, but two, packages waiting for me (none for Hyatt, just me). Inside was a wealth of goodies, momentos and cards from so many people!

Double the fun!

MJ sent me a new book to further strengthen Hyatt and I's marriage (she's the best), cheetos, gummi worms and Crystal Light!  I am so spoiled!

Movies, Peeps, Crystal Light and a photo album from my Aunt Jody in Logan, KS. 

Also in the same box was a Target giftcard, McD's gift card and picture frames!

The Easter Bunny doesn't know jack about treats - look at all the great stuff my family and friends sent me!

I'm going to have to ration all these wonderful goodies.

Probably the best thing I've received in the mail yet - yay! I love getting mail!

I also got a ton of birthday and Easter cards - you guys rock!

Hyatt and I are so truly blessed. Thanks so much to everyone who has sent us cards and goodies. You have absolutely no idea how much it means to us that you are keeping us in your thoughts.

Pics of the ML

Well, we're moving. Don't know the new address yet but we are definitely moving. So, before we head out of the ML forever (after 5 weeks of living here) I present to you..... da da da duh duh da DAH! Pictures of our ML. Once we get set up in the new place, I plan to decorate and transmit pictures of my HGTV skills but I didn't really have a chance to decorate the ML so these are pretty plain jane pictures. Enjoy!

Lounge room - the ML came equipped with everything you see here - yes, even the carpet was included (but not the laptop)

Another view of lounge room - stylish loveseat, mirror and floral pillows were part of the deal

If stand right up against the stove- I can put my foot against the opposite wall without straightening my leg. Did that makes sense? Read: it's small

For some reason I think I'm attracted to grey and orange bedding. We received orange and grey bedding from my aunt and uncle as a shower gift also (their gift is way way nice than what we have here). Check out our handy storage underneath the bed - the closet are next to the night stand on this side of the picture.

NOT AN AIR CONDITIONER

Will post pictures of the new joint once we get settled in - not sure what I'll name it. I doubt it will have as much character as the ML.

Cheers,

~ FroBuzz ~

Lessons Learned

and they sure run deep. They don't go away and they don't come cheap. Oh Tracy Lawrence, you speak the truth.

We've been here in Australia for a whole month and boy howdy, have we learned a lot! Indulge yourselves in our mistakes, triumphs, bloopers and lessons of living in Melbourne for a whole month.

1. Everything is more expensive - get used to it.
2. Australian's live a more laid back life and are more care free.
3. Walking is part of life - suck it up and buy some Nike's.
4. Public transport is not un-masterable.
5. Bread will mold if not consumed or frozen within 3 or 4 days (preservatives are useful).
6. White cheese is not necessarily mozzarella.
7. Not having a Wal-Mart every 20 miles forces you to visit produce markets which in turn causes you to fill your fridge with fresh produce which is DELICIOUS.
8. You should research tenancy laws before moving to a new country.
9. 'Evaporative cooler' is NOT an air conditioner.

and perhaps the most important lesson (which is bittersweet) is:
10. Being totally dependent on one another can be a great situation even though it is exasperating at times - it causes you to grow and strengthens your bond as a couple.

Although we have learned a lot in the little time we've been here, I'm positive more epic life lessons are on their way.

Cheers,
~ FroBuzz ~