Down Under Christmas
The Christmas holidays in Australia always seem weather-challenged to anyone who has grown up in the cold of North America. Here in Australia, the summer holiday blends the traditions of European cousins and colder climates but with some significant differences. There are the artificial Christmas trees with tiered branches covered in metallic leaves and artful […]
Thanksgiving Thoughts
An Australian friend recently asked me about the significance of the Thanksgiving holiday in America. Living abroad, I am accustomed to people not understanding this holiday as it is uniquely American and does not have its roots in European traditions like Christmas and Halloween. And because it is only celebrated in the United States, it […]
Learning Leisure Activities
We planned a glamorous two-day holiday on the coast of Victoria for my birthday, but instead of feeling like a holiday, it felt more like a trip to a comic Twilight Zone. Admittedly, our challenges were first world problems, but it was startling to realize what novices my husband and I are at pursuing leisure activities. […]