Work
Christmas Functions
We have had a few Christmas events. We put up the traditional Christmas tree in the Consulate and did a KK. The Christmas party was a dinner at the residence .. I tried a new beer called Blue Tounge (trust me that was the most exciting part of the party!) and we had our Consular lunch at the Wheeltapper where we exchanged kk presents.
Lt. Farewell
Our Lt. Peter left to head back to Australia as his posting was up. He and Suzanne were so kind when I needed somewhere to live at short notice so I thank them again for being so amazing to me! I wish them and there little baby Kiren all the best for their next adventure .. we will miss them so much!!
Boston Australian Survival Night
I headed up to Boston to speak at the Resident Alien Survival Night for Australians and Nzlders. I didnt know I was actually speaking until two days before .. I thought I was just going to answer questions on a one to one basis .. little did I know!! I caught the Amtrak train up there and it was so pretty going through CT and RI and seeing the water and houses on the way. There were maybe about 40 people there .. so I wasnt nervous. UNTIL the tax specialist before me spoke for an hour and a half … we were over scheduled time by a hour and security were coming to kick us out! I got up … and did my first ever lectern speech .. its funny how that object in front of you actually makes you more nervous when you aren’t used it it. Do you lean on it, stand away from it … touch it hehe. It didnt go too badly I spoke for about 7 mins .. and one Australian said I was funny enough, brief enough and covered everything that needed covering. We had a few drinks at the hotel afterwards and I jumped on the train back into Manhattan .. now I know how whirlwind business trips are!! and how I need more practice with lecterns!!
Business in Boston
My boss has chosen me to go and represent the Consulate with our Honorary Consul, Adam Bryan in Boston for the American Australian Association Alien Survival Night, Nov 16. And Im pretty excitied about that!!! This is a night for Aussies who live in the New England area to meet up and learn about issues for them in the US see : http://www.americanaustralian.org/calendar/
It will be just like representing the Vic Police Firearms Department at the gun shows .. only less guns .. hehe
Changes to my Team
Cameron has now joined my team while he and Bahara take a job “swap” for a 6 months .. theres alot of stress, gossip and anger around work at the moment … feel like Im back in High School!!
Dinner at the Consul’s
Kevin had been trying to have a dinner with the Consular staff at his house. It kept being postponed due to people being away and other events clashing .. so we finally went over to his house for dinner and only half of ended up making it!! But it was great food and a great night.
Seattle Passport Conference
There is a passport conference happening in Seattle .. I wasnt chosen to go .. so whatever.
Breakfast at the Ambassadors Residence
Ian, the Ambassadors chef, and I discovered that we actually grew up in Blackburn South only a few streets away from each other! He asked me to help him last Sunday in the Ambassadors kitchen as he was having breakfast for a large group of people. Basically my role was simple : wash the dishes!! BUT I haven’t worked with a world-class chef such as Ian before. I learnt so much. How to wash a dish properly, how to stack a dishwasher and more importantly ……….. how to fold an apron!!!!I believe I can now make the announcement .. thanks to Ian’s patient training …. I am a fully qualified dish washer!!!
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Plodding Along (catch up of June/July/August/September)
Well work has been plodding along the last few months… nothing too exciting to tell at all. We had a special viewing of the ABC Foreign Correspondent show that focused on Aussie Expats living around the world, New York was one of the cities it interviewed prominent Australians. I wasn’t one of them .. so obviously the showing wasn’t a great event lol. No the report itself was ok .. I just felt it focused on Australians who had already had their notoriety celebrated and projected to Australia. Everyday I meet fascinating Australians doing just as amazing things as these Aussies we have already heard about … some of these people have more amazing stories and are doing just as important things…
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The General Assembly of the United Nations is still under swing, but Minister Downer payed us a visit and we had a nice conversation about Steve Irwin. I also had the opportunity to escort Minister Vanstone. As you are all aware I do not know much on politics .. so I see more of the social side of things and I must say she seemed very friendly. Hey she was nice to me .. that’s all that matters in my book!!!
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Passports .. where would we be without passports .. I love passports .. that’s all I have to say about that.
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