Last week I was informed that one of the nice local men that I serve a couple times a week is actually Paul Hogan's brother. If you don't know who Paul Hogan is he is the star actor from the stereotypical Australian movie "Crocodile Dundee".
He is such a great guy, and we mostly talk about Canada and how much he loved it when he once lived in the GTA. I have also made him a special drink that he calls "The Canuck" made with pineapple, cranberry and vodka...kinda looks like the Canadian flag. Now that I am aware that he is his brother, their looks are identical and it is really funny to know this little fact!
Within the first few weeks of arriving to Australia I decided to apply to some musical festivals. I thought it would be great experience, and also probably full of perks. In late December I received an e-mail saying that I had been accepted to assist in the styling, theme and set-up of the festival. So yesterday I went down to the Parklands where the concert will be held on Saturday, and I helped set-up and style the event.
From 8 am-1 pm, I was joined into a group of three other girls and put to start helping out the team. One of the girls happened to be from Waterloo and lived in Mississauga about 20 minutes away from where I live. Such a small world! Our duties for the day were to help set up this bright pink fabric all around the fences to help decorate and conceal the privacy of the concert from the outside, and also to help make it an attractive looking event. We also helped to assist in colouring the lights, and the bar set-up, by putting up flags, putting up material to change the colours of the lights, and assisting in the signage for the drinks. 
It is actually crazy how much work actually goes into a huge event like this. All of the little things, one would never notice. It took us most of the morning to set-up one bar, usually when we arrive at these events, we don't think past the actual talent on the stage, to really sit and think how many creative minds are out there behind the scenes who help make these amazing events come to life! There are 3 stages and over 30 different performers going from 12 pm-10 pm. This is an annual concert that happens throughout the entire country in three other major cities; Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. 
Since I worked helping to set up the event I was rewarded with a free ticket to the show, worth $150! I am so excited for the huge concert, especially since I was able to see behind the scenes of how it all comes to life. There are some major artists playing, like one of my favs Ludacris! I will let you know how it all turned out, and if it was a success!
If you want to check up the rest of the line-up feel free to go to www.goodvibrations.com.au
Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope everyone enjoyed this loveable day with the ones they love. Whether that be a significant other, or just some really great friends and family, I hope everyone enjoyed some sort of love or romance today and that lots of chocolate and candy was had!
For Valentine's night I worked. It was the first time I worked on Valentine's Day, but it was really fun. We had a special Valentine's menu with plenty of appetizers, mains, and desserts to share, and everyone got a complimentary glass of champagne. It was nice to see so many young, and old couples out and about in love.
Lots of love to everyone I love back at home ♥
Bagels really are a Canadian thing. It is so hard to track down a bagel in any of the stores here. Most bakeries don't even sell them! If you are lucky to find some in grocery stores, you can find them on the bottom shelf, in one brand, with only two or three different flavours. Almost evertime they are sold out! I have only recently been lucky to find a bag on the shelf that hadn't already been taken (probably by another Canadian), but it definitely wasn't as satisfying as I remember. I just want an everything bagel!! And maybe even a double double from Timmies too!
Most Australians don't really care too much about the Super Bowl. In order for us to catch the game, we had to head to the good ol' American Hooters Restaurant to catch some game day action. Since we are half a day ahead of North America, the broadcast started around 9 a.m. Monday morning, and was finished about 12:30 p.m. Even though it is not a huge TV event here, the place was packed full of football lovers, and filled with beer and wings! Hope everyone enjoyed all the food and parties and that you were happy with the end result. If not, there is always next year right? (Wise words from a leaf fan)
I am sure most of you are aware, but tonight there will be a category 5 cyclone in Cairns, which is apparently supposed to be the most devastating cyclone Australia has ever experienced before. It is supposed to be bigger, and more devastating than Katrina, and is bigger than Tasmania. I am extremely lucky to not be close to this disaster. Cairns is about 19 hours away from where I am living, but it still seems to hit close to home. Watching the news it is extremely heartbreaking to see and hear how terrified these people are, and how serious it will become as many peoples home and lives will be destroyed tonight.
Please keep all of the people of Cairns in your thoughts and prayers today!
