Death By Spam

We are all familiar with the all-to-frequent emails that offer us millions of dollars for simply providing some poor political prisoner or heiress with our bank account details (and all our money of course) – but this one that I received last week decided to take a different tact with its readership – I think they should be commended for their creativity and willingness to think outside the box!

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This is the only way I could contact you for now, I want you to be very careful about this and keep this secret with you until I make out space for us to see. You have no need of knowing who I am or where I am from. I know this may sound very surprising to you but it's the situation. i have been paid some ransom in advance to terminate you with some reasons listed to me by my employer. It's someone I believe you call a friend; I have followed you closely for a while now and have seen that you are innocent of the accusations he leveled against you. Do not contact the police or try to send a copy of this to them, because if you do, I will know, and might be pushed to do what I have been paid to this is the 1st time I turn out to be a betrayer in my job. I took pity on you, that is why I have made up my mind to help you if you are willing to help yourself.

Now listen, I will arrange for us to see face to face, but before that, I need $6000. I will come to your home or you determine where you wish we meet; I repeat, do not arrange for the cops and if you play hard to get, it will be extended to your family. Do not set any camera to cover us or set up any tape to record our conversation, my employer is in my control now.

Payment details will be provided for you to make a part payment of $3000 first, which will serve as guarantee that you are ready to co-operate, then one of my boys will deliver a copy of the video tape to you that contains his request for me to terminate you (I tape recorded our conversation), which will be enough evidence for you to take any legal action against him. i advice you be fast about this before he employs another person for the job. You will pay the balance of $3000 once you receive the tape.

Warning; do not contact the police, make sure you stay indoors once it is 7.30pm until this whole thing is sorted out, if you neglect any of these warnings, you will have yourself to blame. You do not have much time, so get back to me immediately. Note: I will advise you keep this to yourself alone, not even a friend or a family member should know about it because it could be one of them.

Contact me for now on this e mail: rebel@ameinfo.com

Good Luck.

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Good luck indeed!

Saying goodbye to the city

My final week in New York brought with it the same degree of insanity and chaos that had characterized every other week here – amazing – but exhausting. The internship experience here has involved daily meetings with individuals who could significantly influence my future in the field – and thus maintaining the constant façade of intelligence has been exhausting. For nine long hours each day I would ensure that my witty repertoire of jokes involving New Zealanders and sheep was kept in check – pronounce each word properly – including each and every friggin ‘r’ so that I was easily understood – contributed knowing glances and frightfully well-executed head nods during departmental meetings – and provided my fair-share of well-timed and insightful responses like ‘that IS interesting’ and ‘lets brainstorm that for the next meeting’. All in all it was an incredible experience – and provided an invaluable opportunity to meet those working in the field and learn from them first-hand. On a more amusing note – after a final dinner with my supervisor –we found out later that her friend at dinner was none other than George Bush’s cousin – he strangely enough doesn’t like to bring this up at dinner.

The countdown to my NYC departure also brought a visitor – with Steph flying out to the Big Apple to take advantage of the ‘broom closet on steroids’ that I call a bedroom. Despite work commitments the three of us were able to launch ourselves into some of the many unique gastronomical adventures that the city has to offer. These included a very causal ‘death by chocolate’ at the famous Serendipity 3 – where even my sweet tooth was no match for their sundaes and frozen hot chocolates. This particular venue also possesses the world’s most expensive sundae - $1000 (Guinness Book of Records) – with 48 hours notice being needed to fly in the ingredients. I am still not sure which is worse – the fact that this even exists – or that someone actually purchases one about each month. Given the price – I would want to ensure I was - at the very least – highly constipated for two weeks to really get my moneys worth. After this healthy indulgence it was off to Magnolia – purveyor of fine cupcakes – and while the irony of standing in a line at 10pm for a cupcake seemed to be lost on most people in attendance – these little cups of heaven were well worth the wait. Oh yeah – and we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art – not bad – but after setting the bar so high with the cupcakes – it was always going to be tough for a few Monet’s or Van Gough’s to stand out.

Now – as the summer comes to a close – and I pack up my bag once more – it is time to return to Notre Dame, get back to work, and stop enjoying life so damn much!

Pictured: Death by Chocolate at Serendipity & New York from the air

Bringing it to Beantown

After six weeks of taking care of myself - oblivious to my unkempt appearance and the mysterious odor being emitted from my closet - living on eggs, breakfast cereal and bananas - and apparently determined to test the boundaries of what is truly defined as 'cooking' - Jennifer finally arrived in New York to clean me up for the final week of my internship.

Strangely parrelling visitors to South Bend - our first order of business was to plan a trip out of New York - and thus we were off to Boston within days of Jen's arrival to visit some friends - and for Jen to see this beautiful city for the first time. Therefore - after spending Friday with Jen's brother and his wife - and eating and drinking at places we would normally be barely able to afford to use their restrooms - we were on an early morning bus to Boston - and a visit to the city of Sam Malone and Cheers, and more American history than you can poke a stick at -

With perfect weather we set about exploring the city by foot - spending Saturday evening walking with no map and no plans - and enjoying the less chaotic atmosphere of Boston. Sunday morning we set about avoiding any form of American history - beginning the day with a beer at Cheers - then a trip to Harvard to '...see what smart people look like...'. Finally - we embarked on the famous Freedom Trail - 3 miles of history and a preview of the US citizenship exam. After tackling nearly an hour of historic sites - and attempting to walk inconspicuously behind a paid tour - we came across a pastry shop known for its killer canoles. It was worth the walk and the history - as these things were amazing - a chocolate mousse filling with chocolate chips and the ends dipped in dark chocolate - worth the trip to Boston alone! Then Sunday night we were back on the greyhound - ready for our final week in the Big Apple.

Pictured: Some would say a requirement for living in New York...&...the beautiful Boston Common.

Milk & Cookies

The first weekend in August had been on our calendars for a good time now - as it held a very special occasion - the marriage of our close friends Philip and Michelle. This was to be quite an event - and I had scheduled red-eye flights to LA in order to maximize my time there. It proved to be a beautiful ceremony - simple and elegant - with perfect weather and 200 people in attendance to wish these two all the best. Philip and Michelle have known each other since they were little tikes - and thus the slideshow that ended the night was particularly memorable as we were able to watch these two grow up together - and also just how long Philip had had a sweet spot for Michelle...she did play hard to get though - making Brother Dunn wait 25 long years before giving into his dashing good looks and biting wit. While observing the happiness of these two was great and all...the personal highlight for me was the non-traditional wedding cake that emerged later in the night. Apparently as a slightly uncoordinated teenager - Philip had managed to knock over a wedding cake - an event that left long-term mental scarring - and thus nearly twenty years later - at his own wedding - a traditional cake was outlawed. In its place...and thanks to a very dedicated mother...1000 chocolate chip cookies and a number of large jugs of milk adorned a table in the corner. The bride and groom dipped their cookies - savored the moment - before letting the flood gates open - as I set about consuming my own body weight in cookies. The remainder of the night was spent at a nearby hotel - where 70 or so close friends and family gathered to celebrate the occasion.

The remainder of my time was spent relaxing and enjoying a few days away from writing - with a relaxing trip to Laguna and days spent by the pool. Then it was back to NYC - and the chaos of Manhattan.

The fast track

This week began with the stark and blindingly insightful realization - that the years I was set to spend studying diligently towards a PhD were all a waste of time. This wonderful moment took place in a hospital elevator - with few witnesses and little realization of the critical importance of what was about to unfold. I was adorned in a typical white lab coat - ready for hospital rounds - and into the elevator steps an 80 year-old female patient - declaring as she looked around - what in the world she was going to do with '...all these cute doctors'. Normally of course - such a compliment from a woman (granted she was half-naked, obviously highly medicated and wouldn't be able to see her hand in front of her face) would send me into at least an hour of glancing longingly at my own reflection - this particular occasion however called for a different response - as I duly noted the use of the word 'Doctor'.

So here I was - spending years of my life - working harder than ever before (that might not be true..but seems to fit this line of reasoning) - towards a PhD - when all I needed to do was spend $22.95 on a lab coat and parade around a hospital. This was a wonderful moment...and now my days are spent strolling through the wards - attempting to squeeze every ounce of self-righteousness into my step - while desperately hoping that I don't actually get asked to do anything (thus exposing my critical lack of medical training) and that nobody realizes my pager is filled with candy and plays 'Raindrops are falling on my head'...

The rest of my week was far less exciting of course...as few things can live up to an elderly woman with blurred vision calling you cute...but I did make it to the opera in Central Park...and it turns out that the new Adam Sandler movie is being filmed a block from where I work - and thus my lunch-breaks have been spent watching the magic that is film production...in effect...one of the most tedious, boring and mind-blowingly slow processes I have ever observed...

Pictured: Adam Sandler on set -

With the flip a coin...we are on our way

Faced with a free weekend from work commitments I decided to make the most of it - and venture outside of the city. Thus, Friday afternoon I sat at a computer staring at a map of the surrounding area - and contemplating the various ways the weekend could unfold. Unable to make a decision I decided to leave it to chance, and thus Saturday morning I found myself at Penn Station with a quarter - decidedly unprepared for any sort of trip - and ready to find out where I was going. The coin landed and it was decided - armed with a plastic bottle of gin and a change of underwear - I was jumping a train to Point Pleasant and the Jersey shoreline two hours from Manhattan.

It was amazing to be leaving the chaos of New York City behind me for a night - once more gaining a degree of personal space. I had been lucky enough to get in touch with a friend of a friend - who invited me to stay with her and her family in one of the beautiful small towns along the shore. As you can see by the photo - it was perfect weather as my train pulled into the station in the midst of a thunderstorm. The night was thus spent relaxing at one of the harbor side bars in town - enjoying the distinct lack of traffic noise and gunshots...and then Sunday morning - refreshed and rejuvenated - I was back on the train to the city and ready for another week at work.

Peaceful Chaos

New York is many things...many wonderful things in fact...but peaceful it is not. While running in the park provides significant relief, and I have also been fortunate enough to find myself living in a relaxing apartment - where each night I venture to the roof with a drink to piece together my sanity - I decided this past week to venture out and investigate some of the other options in this controlled chaos of a city. It was this in mind that I set out to investigate many of the Buddhist temples in the city - attending talks and discussions, as well as their regular sittings. With hundreds of people in attendance - some were more interesting than others - however these hours of staring at my navel did create a modicum of peacefulness as I continue to move throughout the city.
Next on the list were examples of another way by which to gain peace in such a thriving metropolis...alcohol. Armed with some recommendations - and a well-lined stomach - I set out to see some of the more unique bars and pubs NY has to offer. Perhaps one of the more interesting was McSorley's - one of the oldest bars in Manhattan - and judging by the decor - obviously determined to prove such a title. Complete with saw-dust on the ground - and serving 'Ale' not 'Beer' (as each customer is politely informed) - this place was worth a visit - if only for the experience of buying a drink that left change from a $20 -
So another week comes to a close - and was finished off with a little taste of home. I managed to get along to the Summerstage Concert in Central Park - and sure enough - despite being half a world away from Australia - it turned out to be Cat Empire playing - a local band from Melbourne in a not-so-local place -

Pictured: My rooftop bar...a location largely responsible for maintaining my sanity since arriving - and the Public Library with its spectacular Reading Room.

New York City

So after a few weeks here – I am slowly learning to be a New Yorker. I am trying to walk faster with no regard to other people or moving vehicles, and I have nearly disposed of the habit to look people in the eye. This latter tendency is bound to get me into trouble, as those who do meet my eye often look like they want to hurt me…although I did have an accidental breakthrough the other day when sure enough…someone smiled at me…that’s right…I s**t you not…they smiled. I am also now an avid Central Park runner - logging close to 40miles/65kilometers a week – and participating in an activity with thousands of locals who claim it is the only thing that maintains their sanity.

My work here is going brilliantly. I have been attending oncology courses, a few lectures, and working on projects underway at Sloan Kettering and Mt Sinai. I have also been fortunate enough to meet with a lot of people in the field, and attend rounds at the hospital. All in all – it is proving to be a very intense, but invaluable experience.

So last week was my culture and self-improvement week. I attended the New York Philharmonic’s annual free performance in Central Park, a few meditation sittings in the city, and even happened to walk past as Bill Haley and the Comets performed their famous hits ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ and ‘Rock Around the Clock’ at a free concert. Next week therefore is a shift to the other extreme…with a long list of bars and blues clubs to check out.

Pictured: The NY Philharmonic performs in front of thousands in Central Park, and the view from one of the offices I am working in.

How do you celebrate the 4th of July in Australia?

While it is sadly true that I have been asked this question on more than one occasion – I would like to focus on some of the more positive and truly American aspects of this crazy celebration. Unsure when I would find myself in NYC on the 4^th of July again – my sister and I decided to make the most of the occasion – and departed early on this day of days – to travel to Coney Island for the world-renown and magical experience that is…Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

It was hard to remain calm as such an epic and emotionally laden competition unfolded before our very eyes. 20,000 people surrounded us discussing each of the contestants form over the past year – and whether or not the much coveted title belt would return to American shores. It was like a fairytale - almost as if following a patriotic and wonderful script – the American challenger successfully defeated the world champion in a nail (hotdog?) biting finish – consuming a grand total of 66 dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Exhausted and close to tears – swearing our allegiance to a country capable of producing such wonderful sporting moments – we made our way back to Manhattan to regain our strength in time for the fireworks that night.

Despite an emotional afternoon at Coney Island – we pulled ourselves together and trekked out into the rain to see the much talked about fireworks over the East River. This turned out to be a very worthwhile trip – as thousands gathered to watch enough fireworks to launch a small rocket explode over the water. It was a pretty amazing site – even in the rain – and my best (first) 4^th of July ever!

Biting into the Big Apple

So I am still standing after my first week in the organized chaos that is New York City. After a year living in a small town in the Midwest I must admit – I had got used to a lot of personal space…and very little sensory excitation…it’s a quite life and I had adjusted to it. Now, being back in a big city – and one with the population of Australia crammed into a space that seems roughly equivalent to an airplane lavatory – it is time to readjust…relinquish my personal space…acknowledge that in New York you don’t look people in the eye and smile…and get down to business.

With my sister’s last week being spent here in NYC – we had a long list of sites to cover in between my working hours. We successfully covered the city – seeing the major sites, some museums, and tasting the best bagels and pizza New York had to offer.

I also settled into my apartment and began work as an intern at the hospital nearby. So far it has been an incredible experience – with a lot of luck coming my way as I get settled in for the next two months – with a good friend finding an apartment for me – and a scholarship covering travel, accommodation and meals during my time in the Big Apple.

I am living in a nice neighborhood about a block from Central Park on the west side – not far from Central Park West and a short walk through the park to 5^th Avenue. It is an incredible space to have in such a city – with plenty of room and even a private roof deck overlooking the city – just as icing on the cake. I am working a few blocks from the famous 5^th Avenue shopping strip – and it seems so far that this will be an invaluable experience as I begin to make my way through graduate school.

Road Trippin...

In the past few weeks we have been fortunate enough to welcome some friends and family from Australia to our home here in South Bend. We have however begun to notice a slight pattern starting to emerge...with all our visitors number one priority being a road trip OUT of South Bend. First it was our trip to Kentucky to sample the Bourbon trail...and this past weekend...with my sister's lifelong dream in tow...it was back in the Red Devil for the casual 12 hour drive to Georgia. Why Georgia I hear you say? Well if you had harbored an overwhelming obsession with the band REM since you were 9 years old...and REM happened to be from Athens, Georgia...then this location would be on the top of your list too.

So there we were...two hours and four drinks after Jen succesfully completed the GRE...car loaded and with a close friend and Georgia local in tow...on our way through two states to the birthplace of REM. We drove through the night, eating breakfast at dinner time, dinner at breakfast time, delirious and attempting to sleep in the most uncompromising positions. We arrived at 6am and gratefully greeted unconsciousness at Rae's grandmothers home on the outskirts of Atlanta.

The following day we were back in the car...still attempting to sleep...on our way to Athens and the Athfest music festival. Athens turned out to be a brilliant college town, with bars upon bars, beautiful streets and everything within walking distance...everything South Bend isn't. The live music was great and after surveying the historic sites...where Michael Stipe first experienced diarrhea...where REM played their first gig...where Michael Stipe bought his first pair of pants...we were back on the road to Atlanta.

Atlanta is a great city...home of the 1996 Olympics and also happens to possess the worlds largest aquarium. Well, since we were obviously too late for the games...we decided to check out the aquarium. This watery paradise contained a huge selection of fish, seals, penguins and whales...and if you were willing to beat down 30 or 40 three year olds then you could touch some of them as well. Unfortunately, my sister is none too fond of crowds...even more unfortunately we arrived on a Saturday and Atlanta happens to be home to approximately 5 million people...therefore much of Kat's time was spent attempting to glare people to death.

After a short rest it was off to the airport to drop Jen...who was deserting us and flying to LA for the summer. After 10 months together we realized that the long-distance was the only thing that kept the relationship interesting...and thus decided it was time for a break...and will therefore spend the summer on opposite sides of the country. We are both looking forward to getting back to phone calls and emails...as well as the ever present ridicule of close friends and family.

As for us...it was back on the road, tripping through picturesque Tennesse and 'too big for its own good' Kentucky to our humble home in Indiana. With Kat's dream complete...and my state's visited count up to 34...it was time to get back to work for a few days before we head to New York and my summer internship.

Pictured: Athfest...who wants to pat the monkey wearing Depends...and our friends at the aquarium.

Take me out to the ballgame…

After exploring all that South Bend has to offer on Tuesday morning – it was time to pack up and head to the Windy City…determined to sample all this wonderful American city has to offer. The first night we picked up my sister from the airport…taking the Aussie count to a staggering total of four…checked into our room…and began to prepare for the massive day ahead. With one full day and no regard given to our digestive system…we set out for a walking and eating tour of Chicago. We strolled through downtown, took in Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile and the Lake…before tracking down one of the best soup restaurants in the city for lunch. Then it was time to reload over a few drinks and head to Wrigleyville for true Chicago style pizza and a Cub’s game at Wrigley Field. Then, determined to finish the day a pound or two heavier…we made it to a blues bar for a few drinks, live music, and to watch Dougie attempt to commit suicide by Buffalo Wings…

The following morning it was time for sad goodbyes…this time over some famous triple-decker sandwiches the size of our heads. It was an amazing week with Rach and Dougie, and it was very sad to see them go. Now it is back to South Bend with my sister…a week before the GRE for Jen…and then it is off to Atlanta and our next big adventure.

Three Australians, an American and a Fijian…

Rach and Dougie’s trip to the Midwest had the all the makings of a bad joke or a Griswald Vacation movie…a road trip to Kentucky, the Bourbon Trail, too little sleep, too much alcohol, triple-level beer-pong, AFL football and I am sad to say…KFC.

This particular adventure began with strong winds and a four-hour delay flying into Chicago. Jen and I figured this was the Dunstan’s way of testing how much we loved them…and thus we bunkered down in the airport carpark, slept, ate all the food we had brought for Rach and Dougie, and partook in a marathon game of Thumbwars…it still amazes me that after four years together our relationship is still as exciting and fast-paced as ever.

We finally had our exhausted guests in the car and were heading back to our apartment in South Bend. Even though we had seen our friends just a few weeks prior, it was great to welcome them into our home, and begin to show them our part of the country.

So the adventure began with a trip out in South Bend on Friday night…just for a few drinks before our departure the next day south to Kentucky. On the way to the bar it was decided that a 6am departure was by far the most logical course of action…the sort of plan that can only seem reasonable on the way to the bar…and thus sure enough after a few hours sleep we were packed and heading south towards one of Rach and Dougie’s dreams. It turned out to be a very cool experience – with free taste testing, bourbon education, and incredible scenery. By the end of the day, and with many of their life’s goals marked off the list, Rach and Dougie, with bourbon and a KFC bucket in hand, provided us and passers by with a photographic tribute to the use of sterilization.

The romance of immigration law.

So ladies and gentleman...in light of the many horror stories we have heard from couples who have sought wedded bliss across international borders (and the many not-so-flattering comments directed towards those wonderful people working in the immigration department), we took our first step/lunge/terrifying leap in this magical and romantic process and visited an immigration lawyer. It was even more incredible than we both could have imagined; a smug lawyer sitting across from us talking about his 'credentials' and the need for us to consummate our relationship in the same breath...the strange glance he directed towards me as he mentioned the many complications a criminal past can cause...and the ever-present desire to tell a distasteful lawyer joke. Strangely enough, once you are willing to hand over a good portion of cash to this slick gentleman...the whole process does not seem as overwhelming or as complicated as we once envisioned. So no dates yet...but my mind is ticking over...and Jen is looking increasingly nervous every time I bend down to tie my shoe.

Pictured: How to make yourself ill in Mexico City...cut-price cakes. Jen thinks I even somehow look fatter in the second photo.

The full sensory assualt of Mexico City

As the spring semester came to a close, with a frantic rush to complete final assignments and tie up loose ends, it was interesting to reflect on our first academic year here in South Bend. It has indeed been full of adventures, beginning with a cross-country road trip, the settling up an apartment, various trips to LA and Melbourne, flooding and car accidents, a challenging winter, and of course...our classes and jobs. With a degree of success achieved by both of us, we decided that the end of the semester called for a trip abroad...back to Mexico City...one of our favorite cities...to meet Rach and Dougie from Melbourne.
Mexico City is an amazing place - home to the same number of people as all of Australia, in a sprawling and overwhelming metropolis. The architecture within the historical center is a merger of Paris and Berlin, with a walk anywhere in town resulting in a vast array of sounds and smells, as well as the inevitable loss of personal space. Road laws are either non-existent or simply there for show - with each road crossing becoming an adventure in itself; while partaking in the traditional foods of Mexico is its own gastronomical showdown. So while this would probably not be the first choice for a relaxing week away - it was incredible to be back in the city - sitting on a balcony overlooking one of the main streets - and taking in the chaos that is Mexico City.
It was also amazing to see Rach and Dougie again - as they daringly attempted to make their own way through Mexico with a Spanish phrase book and an Australian accent - always a dangerous combination. An amazing week was spent walking through the many distinct areas of this huge city, absorbing record amounts of cheap rum and vodka, and partaking in the various cultural sites the city has to offer.
Our time there was all too short - especially in regard to catching up with some old friends - but this departure from reality was very much needed! Now it is back to work...at least briefly...until Rach, Dougie and my sister all arrive in South Bend in a few weeks.

Pictured: Mexico City in all its glory.

Biting into the Big Apple!

The phrase 'summer break' for a graduate student is one used in jest or gentle mockery of the general state of constant work that exists throughout the year. If faced with an enthusiastic student who accidentally mentions a trip to Europe, or a beach vacation, they will be carefully reminded by faculty that we are paid on a 12month basis - and hence should be working on a 12month basis. So, faced with a summer of school work in South Bend, I decided to get creative in my avoidance and applied to an internship in New York City. Fortunately (as this is where my creativity stopped), this past week I received a letter of acceptance - and thus I will be taking in the sites of NYC for most of this coming summer.
I will be working at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan - one of the top cancer hospitals in the country. For seven weeks I will take intensive courses in oncology - from diagnosis to treatment, with a primary emphasis on psycho-oncology. I will also participate in clinical rounds and patient care, and collaborate with a research team with the goal of producing something publishable. It will be an extraordinary experience, and one that I have been very fortunate to be given.
The added bonus will be living in New York for a short time - it will be tough - but something I am willing to do - for academic reasons of course. Strangely enough the number of people willing to fly and visit me has increased fairly dramatically since hearing of my short stay on the East Coast - this I can't understand at all - with South Bend already close to my heart - and Jen proclaiming that it is her favorite city in the world - much better than LA (too hot), New York (too many people), London (too expensive), Paris (too romantic) or Rome (too cultured)...
Not to be outdone, and with clinically diagnosable abandonment issues, Jen will be off home to LA for most of the summer to take classes and see her family and friends. So my friends - Jen will be in LA and myself in New York, and thus with us covering both coasts of America, we will be able to see as many of you as possible this coming summer.

Pictured: New York, New York...and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Easter, Evolution and a 14-hour work day.

Easter has come and gone and I successfully absorbed my usual 30 pounds of chocolate in a 12 hour time period - a true test of will power and endurance that I train for each year. Now despite this being one of my first Easters away from home - I was luckily able to create a couple of my home traditions. Thanks to my family I had home grown Australian chocolate to eat at 8am on Sunday morning - but I had to work a bit harder to get my traditional hot-cross buns. Undeterred by the 3.5hour preparation time warning - deciding this was a generous time for those too lazy to work quickly in the kitchen - I set about creating the worlds finest hot-cross buns. 5 hours later I put the finishing touches on a dozen strangely shaped pieces of dough. Now given that the recipe asked that you allow the dough to rise in a warm place approximately 12 separate times - I had a chance to indulge in Jen's traditional Easter practices. So there we stood decorating hard-boiled eggs - trying desperately to hide the extreme pride we were taking in our artwork - before hiding them and sending Jen on a egg hunt. As an added incentive I informed her that the eggs we painted were lunch - and that we wouldn't be able to eat until she found them all. It's funny how in Australia the prospect of egg hunts and decorating eggs was largely abandoned in favor of simply handing over the eggs so that children could make themselves sick without having to expend any extra energy. Definitely the way it should be.
This past week also enabled us to venture to a few interesting presentations on campus - with Hollywood director Haskell Wexler in town presenting his documentary 'Who Needs Sleep' - a movie based on the sweatshop conditions that many of those working on movies deal with. Amazingly enough - these people were required to work so many hours - that when they began to demand fairer conditions - it was to have their hours reduced to 14 hours per day - crazy.
The next night we were fortunate enough to see a lecture given by Kenneth Miller - one of the big name players in the controversy surrounding evolution and religion. It turned out to be a pretty educational talk - complete with a clip of him being interviewed on The Colbert Report - damn entertaining.

Pictured: Hot-Cross Buns and success in the egg hunt.

A 40° drop...and only 19 days to go!

So after a solid few days of beautiful weather...the weather gods decided that there was way too much enthusiasm bouncing around the place...and thus we watched as the temperature dropped from 73F (24C) to 27F (-2C) in just 8 hours...sun to snow...shorts to pants...in one foul swoop. What was particularly amusing was the level of annoyance by which such a change in weather was received. After surviving the winter and moving into spring, people considered the falling of snow to be a personal insult, and one that not only demonstrated a distinct lack of respect on the weathers behalf...but was just plain inconvenient.
Now to the exciting news...and the count down to the 26th of April. There are few days marked on the calender that makes you feel special...appreciated...loved...but a friend pointed out that my special day had finally come...putting aside the somewhat ambiguous and suspicious beginnings of this event...April 26th is none the less marked on a number of calenders as "Hug an Australian Day". In true Aussie form...ain't that beut! Now being the only Australian in the department I figure I am in for a day of veritable worshiping and admiration...and have in turn set forth to establish similar wonderful days...including "Give an Australian $5 Day"...and one that would no doubt trump Christmas for any Aussie in America..."Buy an Australian a Beer Day". The options are no doubt endless...but this is a wonderful start...and will be celebrated in true Australian style...a pair of Hard Yakka shorts, a blue singlet, alcohol and an endlessly amusing diatribe of uniquely Australian profanity.

Pictured: Spring time in South Bend...

The Perks of Academia

So after a good 7 months of academic slavery I was finally able to experience one of the perks of academia - funded trips to conferences. A truly fantastic experience, made even better of course by the four hour delayed flight into Washington DC which meant I missed my conference presentation. Therefore, with no commitments, beautiful weather, and the department paying the bills - I settled back for a few days of luxury. With the cherry blossom festival only a week away there were already parts of the city blooming, making walks around the town a very peaceful experience indeed. The conference was also very interesting, with topics based on the general theme of behavioral medicine. I discovered the best sushi I have eaten (and thus ate there 4 times in 2 days), 'networked' until my arms fell off, caught a few museum tours, and then gladly passed out at my hotel. So I think this conference deal is a good one - now the challenge is to smuggle Jen with me as my young secretary.

Pictured: The cherry blossoms of DC, a different 'slant' on a telephone box at the Hirshhorn, and to ensure that this trip wasn't too high brow...the best door mat I have seen in awhile.

Spring Break !

So Spring Break came and went in a flash of sunshine, beaches and family events back in Los Angeles. After a hectic first half of the semester it was a tough decision as to where to spend our week away from South Bend. We considered Cancun, Puerto Rico, the Galapagos Islands, Jamaica, or a quick trip to Florida…before deciding on our final vacation spot of LA. Hollywood, Disneyland, Venice Beach – how could we go wrong – and I was sure that Jen’s brothers would be able to put on as good a wet t-shirt competition as any that could be seen in Mexico. So after the savoring the joy of flying out of South Bend rather than Chicago, we settled down to a relaxing few days seeing Jen’s family and soaking up the fat from every food emporium unique to the West Coast. It was a great week – with trips to Huntington Beach and movies and drinks with friends and family. It was a slightly stressful trip of course – seeing as we are small town people now. All the lights, the people and the hussle and bussle of the big city – was just a bit overwhelming for us. We survived though – and luckily I still dress just like one of those big city folk and so we didn’t stand out too much in public. Thus, 5 pounds heavier, and having renamed LA the City of Indigestion – we climbed back on board our plane and retreated to South Bend…looking forward to the quiet streets, the gentle rhythmic sound of a horse and buggy, and the warm comforting sight of corn.