March already… The MIDDLE of March! That little groundhog popped up and saw his shadow (how would he not if he comes out any time other than noon?) and the month of leprechauns and rainbows ran hot on his heels. And now, April showers are quickly approaching.
I know it has been well over a month since you’ve heard from us, and I feel terrible! It has been an incredibly rough time for us, though, too!
February was a busy month. Chad and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary together. 5 whole years!! It has been an amazing journey – quite impressive to look back on it all and to think that just over 5 years ago, we were here in Australia just one state over, beginning our lifelong romance! We celebrated a bit late by treating ourselves to one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen (Chad will divulge those details later!)
We were allowed only a brief moment of revelry, however, as we were swimming through an overwhelming amount of stress. Chad and I were frantically trying to work on our “Case Study” project for Uni (school), and simultaneously prepare our presentation for the Sydney ASMMIRT conference. On top of all of that, my health was progressively spiraling downward.
By the end of the month, we were finally in the clearing after submitting and presenting our case study project, and I was forced to experience the health care system from a - foreign – patient’s point of view. My “nut shell” observation is that, although the doctors were lovely, the overwhelming majority of receptionists treat the patients like crap – ESPECIALLY if you DO NOT have a medicare card. Apparently, paying up-front is the biggest inconvenience that the front desk could ever be confronted with. If anyone could explain this to me, my ears are open…
When March arrived, we decided it was time for a vacation. My health was getting under control, the school term was ending, we were switching hospitals again, and a new housemate moved in. Not to mention that good ol’ Australia had yet another public holiday coming up – the Adelaide Cup Day. For those of you back home, this is the equivalent of the superbowl for Adelaide. What better time to escape for a 3-day weekend and a holiday?
We rented a car – which was absolutely blissful to escape the shin splints that accompany speed walking to the bus stops multiple times a day, only to wait a half hour for a late bus. We journeyed southeast for a fancy dinner at “The Victory” Pub, and a night in their cozy cottages on the hill. I can’t describe to you the loveliness of an area to yourselves for the night.
The next day, we journeyed back home through Willunga, stopping to enjoy the scrumptious-ness of Lavender Brownies at the Market, picking up some other goodies along the way. Then in McLaren Vale we stopped to seek out a delicious cider I had tried on our wine-tour, and I haven’t been able to find since. We had to go straight to the vineyard – Oxenberry Farms – where we tried some yummy wines, and spent a bit too much on bags of booze. I will definitely be disappointed with the fact I can’t get my hands on that stuff in the states! Definitely a name to keep your eyes open for, wine-o’s!
We were able to make it to Mt. Lofty for a refreshing, incredibly steep hike. I got to meet a little bandicoot at Waterfall Gulley, and we were able to enjoy some delicious meals that we just miss out on without a set of wheels. It was quite possibly the un-healthiest diet we’ve had in the last six months… or in short – it was lovely!!
As it all came to an end, we concluded our 3rd term, and began our very last with a month at the Repat.
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