A new time has started and I am beginning a phase in my life.  This phase will be quite different from what I've been use to in the past couple of years.  Going from working for a great company and a "normal" life to moving to Perth. Australia and, well, not a normal life.  

As I wait for my classes to begin, I am keeping busy with moving into my house with about 10 other girls (and one toilet.....oh yeah! fun!) and meeting tons of new people.  But, before I start my new life here in Australia, I couldn't pass up the chance to visit my sister and her family. Since I had tons of pictures (and they're know to be worth a lot of words), I'll stop babbling and let the pictures do the talking.  

Russia

Here, my sister invited some of her Russian friends over to make homemade Borsch.  It was one of my favorite meals the whole time I was there (probably b/c of the vegetables).  

I couldn't pass up this picture b/c of the beautiful editing from my sister.  Isn't it beautiful?  Ironically, this is where all the beheadings took place outside of St. Basil's.  You could still see the blood stains (creepy, isn't it?)

How can you go to Moscow and not get a picture of St. Basil's? The picture does NOT do it justice.  It's huge and a lot more colorful!  I never thought I wanted to go to Russia, but I was floored at the beauty of this place and would go back in a heartbeat.

Onto Perth!  

On the left is the main building on our base.  The base itself it kind of small, but about 200 people work/study here.  

On the right is a huge park near my house.  The river in the background is a salt river.  The cluster of people under the tree to the left is an engagement party I went to on  Saturday.  

     This is the city of Perth.  It's not very large and when you go into it, it has the feel of a small town more than a city.  And as you may notice, they drive on the other side of the street.  Though I don't drive, it's still very confusing to cross the street and know which way to look for traffic.  

Here are some differences I have already encountered here in the Australian culture.  

1-Don't do the peace sign (with your palm facing you).......it's like flicking someone off

2-They have separate rooms for showers and bathrooms.....so you have ask "where is the toilet"

3-Instead of using the word "crap" (as a slang term)........use the word "rubbish" (also used for "trash")

That's about it.  Hope you've enjoyed my tour.