A Few Observations

1. Australian money is beautiful
After taking out money at the bank, we were shocked at how beautiful Australian currency is!  Take a look at all of the Australian notes:

2. Most of the workforce in Gladstone wears a uniform
And now we're like most people!  Check out Nick's new uni:

Most of the uniforms you see look like Nick's.  There is some variation in color but all are the same basic design.  The first day we walked around town, I was curious at the number of people wearing a uniform and assumed they all worked at the same place.  We soon found out that most companies require a uniform.  


3. Australians (I mean Aussies) abbreviate everything
Here are a few words we have noticed since we've been here:

     McDonald's = Maccas

     breakfast = Brecky

     barbeque = Barbie

     Brisbane = Brissie

     football = Footy

     Woolworth’s(our grocery store) = Woolies

     How’s it going = How’s going

     Australia = Oz

     good day = G'day

Also, here are some new words we have learned:
     parking lot = car park
     car trunk = boot
     car hood = bonnet
     green pepper = capsicum
     salsa = tomato relish
     ketchup = tomato sauce
     NFL = gridiron
     not stylish = dag
     gas station = servo
     redneck = bogan
     truck = Ute

  

4. Australian men wear short shorts

This is what I have become accustom to seeing at the gym and even on the street:

Dad, you would fit right in!

5. Gladstone has very exotic looking birds

Australian Ibis

Rainbow Lorikeet

Kookaburra (picture from the internet)

Pink Galah (picture from the internet)

We can hear the Kookaburras in the trees just across the street from our home.  The song should go, "screech, Kookaburra, screech" instead of, "laugh, Kookaburra, laugh".  It sounds like we are living next to a bunch of monkeys!  See what I mean?
 
I would write more about Australian insects and reptiles but I am too scared to look up pictures on the internet.  The less I know, the better!