Vocabulary Lesson

After I made the brilliant suggestion that we provide our corporate volunteers with "fanny packs" during a staff meeting today, I felt this was an appropriate time to give a run-down of (some of) the strange-yet-cute vocab I have encountered thus far in my Australian adventures:

fanny - downtown lady parts (Learned this England and unfortunately for me, thought it only applied there)
bogan - redneck
CUB - cashed up bogan (i.e. Duck Dynasty/Honey Boo Boo)
ute - Aussie attempt at a pick up truck except it's short and weird looking
arvo - afternoon
brelly - umbrella
esky - cooler
chips - french fries
crisps - chips
Zed - the letter Z (They even called Brad Pitt's recent movie "World War Zed". Weird.)
Good on ya mate - Good for you/Well done friend
pram - stroller
fortnight - 2 weeks
cheers - Thank you
trading hours - business hours
lift - elevator
sunnies - sunglasses
goon - cheap wine
ranga - redhead (i.e. orangutang...couldn't make this stuff up if I tried)
thongs - flip flops
tomato sauce - ketchup
jumper - sweater
chemist - pharmacy
prezzies - gifts
starched - tired/exhausted (Bob's most used phrase: "Man I'm staaaaaaaahhhhched")

So you can see how my genius suggestion of adding purposeful and efficient waist bags to our arsenal of corporate supplies was received with...awkward laughter. But what I've come to realize is that aside from some of the stranger words (arvo?!) it's basically just a matter of abbreviating everything and then adding -ie or -y. It also helps that I got used to the Queen's English and its misuse of -s and -ou while in England. Don't think I'll ever really get used to "organise" and "colour" though. Sorry bout it, Liz.

Oh yeah...and it's officially Under Offer!

We drove by the house yesterday and saw an exciting development...the Under Offer sign! We'll have to be satisfied with that until the official SOLD sign is put up in October. Squeee!

Our New Home!

• Sooo...we bought a house. Well technically Bob bought the house but I am the owner of aesthetics, ensuring things are more "refined shabby chic" versus "bogan bachelor pad". Either way though, we have a pretty good foundation to work with :) (FYI: We haven't moved in yet so all the furniture are display items from the selling process!)

• This is the kitchen in which I plan to finally unveil my secret/hidden cooking abilities. This will be a shock to everyone (possibly including myself) but I have many cookbooks and Pinterest boards for inspiration. We'll see how that goes...

The biggest thing that we wanted in a house was an open floor plan. Bob and I both have so many memories of family feasts with people moving from the kitchen to outside to the dining room and wanted that for our new place. So now we just need visitors to make this fanciness happen...so plan your visits!

• The one room to which Bob is most dedicated is his self-described man cave aka theatre room. It's a great room (albeit a little unnecessary) but we're excited to watch movies and have people over for big sports games. I also introduced Bob to the glory of reclining couches and chairs. Apparently the American-styled couch potato is not as popular here but not for long! Bob is also trying to convince me of our "need" for a 70" TV. Needless to say this is not a priority for me but maybe he can trade me for a KitchenAid mixer? Just a thought...

• The most important thing all friends and family should take away from this post is the following: massive guest rooms and bath! Shower and tub available for all visitors and you'll note the shower head has some kind of rainfall shenanigans happening. Hope everyone is sufficiently excited for their IMMINENT visits. Thank you.

• We move in on 16 Oct and until then we are doing proper Scott Tillson weekend investigating into furniture options, complete with price comparisons, consumer reports and hours spent at the Perth equivalent of Miramar Road. I'd like to think I know what I want but then I see 25 other things that I want and then I am stymied. Bob's engagement in the process lasts until we pass the first television department which means I'm usually on my own to decide between fabrics like beachcomber ice and beachcomber alabaster and full frame or headboard only. And we haven't even been to IKEA yet. Groan. Wish us luck.