Ode to Oscar and Jules

Don't get me wrong moving across the world is a big deal and while we have had a few bumps in the road it has been a relatively easy move.  The bumps are mainly because of US banks...don't even get me started…that is a whole conversation that maybe I will blog about after some wine. I think (now I have probably jinxed it) that our American Citi account was unfrozen today, fingers crossed. 

But this post is about family and friends that are basically family. Here is my family at the beach in New York saying bye to us the day we left - miss you guys!

Not gonna lie, this photo got me a little teary at the airport!

Moving on to the friends that really are just like family. We can credit the ease of moving here to the Australian welcoming committee - Oscar, Jules and their families! From our very first day we were taken care of, picked up at the airport, given a place to stay on a mattress FedExed from the States for a mere $2,500 (that is not a joke), scenic drives & walks, brunch with friends. On our first day we had drinks with Greg, Katina and Poppy (Oscar’s family) and a visit and dinner with Nick, Chris, Ammalie, John, Judy and Oscar The Cat, who really acts like a dog (Jules family). Full disclosure, by dinner on our first day Chris and I were almost falling asleep in our food.

Oscar took us on a walk - can you believe it Jules?!?!?!

Jules started work right away, so we got to hang out with chef Oscar in his brand new kitchen. Who knew he was such a great cook, I didn’t. Over the 2 weeks we lived with them we benefited greatly from his cooking! He hates photos but I managed to get one!

This stew was AMAZING! 

We somehow have weaseled our way into a delicious, family, home cooked meal every Sunday we have been here. We even got ot meet Tilly, Oscar’s younger sister. She just got into exchange at Georgetown for a semester! I'll be calling on my BMaryland family to make sure she is taken care of in the States! Although Jammi might scare her away :) 

Greg even wore his Chicago shirt for us, he must really like us :)

We also moved into our apartment with literally nothing. Well not nothing, the 9 bags of mainly clothes and shoes we came with. We also have nail polish and a strainer, cause those are necessities. Greg and Katina lent us their camping mattress; Oscar and Jules their pillows, sheets, blanket and towels (how did we not think to bring any of that?!?!?); and my mom’s gift of sleeping bags came in handy! 

Our set up for the first few days in our apartment! 

But seriously, Oscar and Jules you guys are the best! Thanks to you and your families for welcoming us to Sydney! You’ve made us feel right at home! We look forward to crashing your family and friend outings for years to come!  

Robbie also had us over for dinner with his family before he left Australia to travel all over the place. I am pretty sure the Sandigs are the nicest people in Australia! We met the whole fam, all the siblings, parents and even Nanny.  I still regret not taking a photo of the massive display case of Sandig sibling trophies and medals, next time!