Re: the acknowledgement of Country - our Indigenous peoples are still here, still very much marginalised and disadvantaged in many ways, and acknowledgements are one small way we can close the gap and show respect. Definitely a good and relevant thing. Kevin Rudd's apology speech is a good place to start if you're interested.
100% agreed! I understand how important and delicate the First Nation Peoples discourse is, but back then I didn't know any of that. It's clearly not taught in European schools and I did zero research before landing, so that's on me. I agree that it's important to acknowledge there is much that could be done. The Voice referendum was my official first vote as a citizen!
That's awesome to hear! And really, it's not something you'd find with pre-research - I've worked with plenty of immigrants who assume it's all in the past, because colonisation in their country of birth was over and done with long ago, it's not ongoing. I grew up in Melbourne but I was in my 20s before I even heard about the Stolen Generations. Luckily we're a bit more open about it now, in certain places, anyway.
I hope it’s okay to laugh while reading this but I had to laugh hard a few times 🤣 especially when you talked about Australian border control. When I lived in Sidney for 6 months as a 15 year old (half my life ago) I got a letter from a friend, but the letter never arrived. I was sent a letter from border control weeks later, that they confiscated it because it was written on self-pressed paper with flower petals in it. 🤣 I think I could have paid to get a printed copy but I was so embarrassed and scared, that I neither told my friend nor followed up with the border controls
Wow that's what you'd call a thorough security. Don't get me wrong, I'm impressed, but also, your friend went above and beyond to write you :( what a pity. Are you still in touch at all?
Well, I guess they were scared of the flower petals as European plants 😅
Yes we’re still in touch although living in different European countries now. We no longer write letters but the occasional WhatsApp’s and meet once annually if we happen to be “back home” the same time.
That's nice! Whatsapp is a pretty cool invention! I like to tell my friends that I am only one tap away but, living in two different parts of Europe is considerably easier and closer than living down under.
I love your writing style. What a fun read. Glad you are settling in well here in Australia. I love Melbourne but a bit cold for me in winter (I'm from Brisbane).
Thanks for reading! :) well, I'm getting used to the cold, and it's a COOL way to make small talk plus everyone wears mostly black so I felt immediately at home ;) I've never been to Brisbane but I've heard it's gorgeous !
> I tried pumpkin soup for the first time in a little cafe in Sydney. I’ve not found another pumpkin soup to match in all my travels.
> I also had a wonderful Barramundi dish (I don’t remember the details of the recipe) in Canberra.
> Emu was quite tasty, not too “gamey” and kangaroo tasted like chicken. Both of these were at a cookout somewhere out near Alice Springs if I remember correctly (no internet or Instagram to save photos to back then 😂)
Pumpkin soup is always a good idea!! It even comes in instant-soup-in-a-cup (mind-blowing). I don't think I've ever had barramundi before coming here, but I'm not a fish person... I would pick kangaroo meat over fish any day ;)
You’re my favorite pistachio. And yes, I’m also worried about chick parm, substituting delightful eggplants with chicken is a crime on so many levels.
I agree, they could have called it anything else, chicken Alfredo or whatever...
Another hilarious read!! Immigration - lucky clover - 16 layered Michilan man - the magpie! - cricket. HAHAHA!!!!
AND a leaf from my graduation laurel wreath shhhhhh 🤐
HAHAHAHA!!!! 🤐
Re: the acknowledgement of Country - our Indigenous peoples are still here, still very much marginalised and disadvantaged in many ways, and acknowledgements are one small way we can close the gap and show respect. Definitely a good and relevant thing. Kevin Rudd's apology speech is a good place to start if you're interested.
And you'll learn to love the magpies 😂
100% agreed! I understand how important and delicate the First Nation Peoples discourse is, but back then I didn't know any of that. It's clearly not taught in European schools and I did zero research before landing, so that's on me. I agree that it's important to acknowledge there is much that could be done. The Voice referendum was my official first vote as a citizen!
That's awesome to hear! And really, it's not something you'd find with pre-research - I've worked with plenty of immigrants who assume it's all in the past, because colonisation in their country of birth was over and done with long ago, it's not ongoing. I grew up in Melbourne but I was in my 20s before I even heard about the Stolen Generations. Luckily we're a bit more open about it now, in certain places, anyway.
I hope it’s okay to laugh while reading this but I had to laugh hard a few times 🤣 especially when you talked about Australian border control. When I lived in Sidney for 6 months as a 15 year old (half my life ago) I got a letter from a friend, but the letter never arrived. I was sent a letter from border control weeks later, that they confiscated it because it was written on self-pressed paper with flower petals in it. 🤣 I think I could have paid to get a printed copy but I was so embarrassed and scared, that I neither told my friend nor followed up with the border controls
Wow that's what you'd call a thorough security. Don't get me wrong, I'm impressed, but also, your friend went above and beyond to write you :( what a pity. Are you still in touch at all?
Well, I guess they were scared of the flower petals as European plants 😅
Yes we’re still in touch although living in different European countries now. We no longer write letters but the occasional WhatsApp’s and meet once annually if we happen to be “back home” the same time.
That's nice! Whatsapp is a pretty cool invention! I like to tell my friends that I am only one tap away but, living in two different parts of Europe is considerably easier and closer than living down under.
I love your writing style. What a fun read. Glad you are settling in well here in Australia. I love Melbourne but a bit cold for me in winter (I'm from Brisbane).
Thanks for reading! :) well, I'm getting used to the cold, and it's a COOL way to make small talk plus everyone wears mostly black so I felt immediately at home ;) I've never been to Brisbane but I've heard it's gorgeous !
Must agree with you on the vegemite (it’s been about 30 years since I visited Australia, but the taste still haunts me).
Hahaha in theory it's salty and a bit vegetably, like soy sauce, but in reality no thank you. Was there a gastronomic highlight of your Aussie visit??
I don’t know if I’d call them highlights, but:
> I tried pumpkin soup for the first time in a little cafe in Sydney. I’ve not found another pumpkin soup to match in all my travels.
> I also had a wonderful Barramundi dish (I don’t remember the details of the recipe) in Canberra.
> Emu was quite tasty, not too “gamey” and kangaroo tasted like chicken. Both of these were at a cookout somewhere out near Alice Springs if I remember correctly (no internet or Instagram to save photos to back then 😂)
Pumpkin soup is always a good idea!! It even comes in instant-soup-in-a-cup (mind-blowing). I don't think I've ever had barramundi before coming here, but I'm not a fish person... I would pick kangaroo meat over fish any day ;)