Acceptance

I got my Victorian drivers license yesterday! This was a big step in accepting that I actually live in Australia. I could have kept using my Wisconsin license until I became a permanent resident, but it was time for me to get on with it and blend in. I'll face less discrimination now that I can flash the VIC license as my I.D. If I keep my mouth shut, they won't even know that I'm an American...

The process was a lot less painful than the DMV's in America, too. Although I got the dreaded question, "Do you have an appointment?", I was still able to get the license without any dramas. I had to fill out a short form at the counter, pay the $42, and then get my photo taken. The whole process took about 15-20 minutes! They had to "invalidate" my Wisconsin drivers license by punching a hole through it. Now I can put it on a keychain.

Other updates: I have a new student at Kilbreda College (not as in "college/university," but a secondary school, grades 7-12), giving me a total of 4 students there. I still have 19 students at Parkville Music School ranging in age from 4 to about 13. Needless to say, I am really looking forward to the next break.

Lachlan is still working hard at the Trading Post, and training hard at race walking. Recently we went to a CD launch party at the Esplanade Hotel (bar) in St. Kilda where they had about 1,000 Krispy Kreme doughnuts! The first Krispy Kreme store is about to open somewhere in Melbourne. I hadn't had a Krispy Kreme since New Year's Day 2004 with Gayle and Pete!

Jackie is a picture of content. Recently Kathryn and I took Jackie on a long walk in Jells Park where she went swimming in the swamps and challenged the livestock to a barking contest. Soon she'll be staying with Popsie Wopsie down in Crib Point while we go up to Canberra for a race walking event.

That's about all I have to report. Ciao for now!