Top Ten Things I Will Miss

Yes, I am happy to be returning to the United States. However, Australia is an amazing place and there are a lot of things that I will miss.

10. Birds
Julie was disappointed when she found out there are no hummingbirds in Australia. However; the lorikeets with their amazing color combinations, cockatoos with the exotic plumage, and magpies singing their soothing songs have more than made up for the dearth of hummingbirds. When people think about Aussie animals, they usually conjure up images of kangaroos. I have seen kangaroos in the wild, but they are not found anywhere near the city. Every day I can see and hear these birds and I will miss them.

9. School Uniforms
Carson is in prep (the same as kindergarten). He is expected to wear a uniform every day and it really makes life easy. He knows what he is supposed to wear and getting into his uniform couldn’t be easier. Yes, it has made life easier with Carson, but the real benefits would have been with Zoe. With her in a uniform, getting her dressed would have been a snap. Now I have a few years of me picking out clothes for her and her telling me she doesn’t like what I picked.

8. Public Toilets
OK, this is a strange one, I admit it. However, in my unscientific survey, there are more public toilets readily available and they are much cleaner than I have come to expect after living in the United States. Although I appreciate being able to pee when I have to go, it is even more convenient when I am out and about with Carson and his patent pending just in time potty warning system.

7. Public Transportation
I admit, getting packed like a sardine into a crowded tram at the end of a long day when it’s extremely hot out sucks. There is a big part of me that can’t wait to drive a car all the time again. However, when I’ve had a few after work and it’s time to get home, having public transportation readily available or the option to grab a cab is kinda nice too.

6. Food
America has good food too. The service is much, much better and the prices are lower. So what is food doing on this list? Well, there are some things I will miss that I just don’t expect to find in America. For example, Cheezels are the greatest artificial cheese flavored snack ever invented. Cheetos suck in comparison and are dead to me. Being able to go out to lunch on a work day for dumplings, feel absolutely stuffed, and have the bill come out to $10 a person will also be missed. Lamingtons, hot jam doughnuts, and abundant good coffee will all be fondly remembered.

5. Lack of Homelessness
I think this one says it all. I can walk around the CBD or St Kilda and never see a homeless person or have someone hit me up for change. It’s nice. I don’t look forward to seeing panhandlers and being constantly badgered.

4. Weather
The weather in Melbourne is pretty freaking awesome. There are four real seasons, but it never gets that cold. In fact, when the weather gets down to fifty degrees people go nuts complaining about how cold it is. The Seattle summer is pretty spectacular, but it is short. There are months of freezing weather, rain, and a lack of sunlight coming ahead and I am sure I will miss blue skies and the outdoors.

3. Beaches
We live a block from the beach and have views of the water from our house. That’s pretty awesome.

2. Footy
St Kilda is losing one of their biggest fans. I loved being able to get to the footy cheaply and easily. It’s fun with my kids and it’s fun without them. Damn it, footy is pretty cool.

1. People
Before I came here, I said that I never met an Aussie I didn’t like. Well, I have now met plenty. However, with all due respect to Depeche Mode, people are people. It doesn’t matter where you go. Some people are great. Others not so much. Here, I would like to focus on the people I have met that have made a lasting impression on my life. There are too many to name, but I will miss you. Remember, you always have a place to stay in Redmond.