Everything's Famtastic

January 27, 2019June 26, 2021

My Down Under- The Good, the Not So Good and the Ugly

Just last week I posted about Reverse Culture Shock where I talked about my (and most repatriates’) feelings of returning to my “home country”.

In a way it was a difficult post to write, as it required quite a lot of introspection and carefully-planned wording. Speaking about travelling and relocating and returning brings with it a rollercoaster of emotions and memories. Some great, some not so good and some painful. Not only for me, the writer, but I imagine also for a lot of readers who have been or are still going through a similar phase.

You know that saying “Home is where the Heart is”? But what if you have TWO homes?

January 20, 2019June 26, 2021

It’s Like Culture Shock, But in Reverse

As you probably already noticed, I was missing in action for a few weeks. This was because my family and I (all 5 of us!) flew from Germany back to Australia to celebrate Christmas last month! I am still here in Australia and thought “Hey! Why not keep on writing about my experiences here?!?”. And so I shall…

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I LOVE being back in Australia. There are so many awesome things about being here: my entire extended family, old friends, the weather, the hot summers, the long, sandy beaches, foods of my childhood, restaurants serving awesome, international-flavoured delights, driving on the left (yes, left!) side of the road, I can speak English all the time and be understood, the cute and furry native animals, the wide open blue skies …

But, and this is a big BUT… it is not entirely easy or without complication coming back here. And I am not talking about the humdrum yet stressful things like: How the hell can we afford to fly there? or Seriously, will we be able to fit everything in the suitcases? or Is the school going to really reject our request for the girls to miss the last couple of days of school?

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No, I mean the practical and emotional effects of

January 13, 2019June 26, 2021

The Expat Returns for Christmas: Celebrating Christmas in Australia

Helloooooo!! It has been too long since I put up a proper post here on Everything’s Famtastic. I did briefly explain my reasons why here but basically, my family and I flew from Germany back to my native soil Australia for Christmas.

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Now since I am talking about it, allow me to fill you in to what it’s like to celebrate Christmas in Australia (at least in my family) and what it’s like if you are a returning expat with a multicultural bilingual family to boot. *phew!* That was a long sentence 😉

I love Christmas time. And I especially love that our family has tried to include traditions from both the German side and the Australian side, no matter which country we happen to be celebrating in. Naturally the kids think it’s BRILLIANT that the Christmas celebrations never seem to end. German traditions, Australian traditions, immediate family, extended family, food, presents… Seriously, Christmas in our family of 5 can last several days.

Fun Fact #1: December in Australia is SUMMER.

Did I just say that?!?

January 9, 2019June 26, 2021

Back in the Game

Wowsers! It really has been a long time since I was here. I have been missing in action for a few weeks. Waay too long! But how nice is it to be back in the game, posting again?!? I really have missed it.

So why was I MIA for nearly a month? (Man, a month…). Do you remember just the other week many of us across the planet celebrated that little holiday called Christmas? Already seems like an eon ago, right?

Well, as you may know already, I am an expat. Specifically, I am an Australian living in Germany with my German Hubby and our 3 kids. And what do many expats scattered around the world do at special times of the year? Travel back home! I’ll give you a gold star if you can guess where we spent this past Christmas…

emu, wildlife, bird, Australia, Australian wildlife, expat life, travel — Say “G’day!” to the locals in Australia

December 19, 2018June 26, 2021

Organ Donation- The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Ever wondered what it’s like being a person who has received a donor organ (or tissue)? I believe that there is no greater gift than an organ given to someone in need. And since we are currently in December, the season of Christmas and giving, I thought it was an appropriate topic to discuss!

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I know that the topic of organ donation can be a thorny issue. There are many people out there with strong opinions, both for and against, about becoming an organ or tissue donor. I want to share my own story as a recipient.

Let’s just think of it as a lead up to **Jenny’s Public Service Announcement**, shall we?

Recently I had a check-up at appointment with my doctor at the eye clinic where I had a cornea transplant in May. Happily I can report that my eye looks great, all parts are exactly where they should be and my vision remains hugely improved. THANK GOODNESS. *Happy dance*

“Steady on!” I hear you say. You had a transplant? Of the cornea? At your sweet and tender age as a 40-something year old woman? Isn’t that just for old people? Yes, yes indeedy, I did. And no, apparently not. As evidenced by my eyeball. Yes, cornea problems are usually reserved for those in their 50s, 60s and beyond. But not for this chickadee here.

December 12, 2018June 26, 2021

Get Up and Move Mama

A few backs, I went for a very brisk walk. At 8am. On a Saturday. Which lasted more than 5 kilometres. A walk that took me through quiet nearby neighbourhoods and even quieter recently-harvested fields. All now covered in a slight layer of frost. See, it was only 1 degree Celsius when I left the house. Brrr! Cold, right?!?

But I went out for that walk anyway. Why? Because I needed it. Not because I had to. But because I wanted to, NEEDED to.

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Not in a “If I don’t go exercise sometime I will never lose that weight” type of need. Although weight loss would surely be a welcome and additional benefit. And, at least for today, it wasn’t a “I need time out for myself” type of need, because I have the house to myself for half the day today anyway (yay me!). No, it was a “My body really wants me to move” kind of need.

Now, some of you are probably thinking “Well, duh. Of course you should get your body moving”. And some others of you might be thinking “What the heck is this woman even talking about? Exercise? Bah humbug!”.

December 9, 2018November 29, 2023

Easy DIY Fabric Ornaments to Sew this Christmas

Hear ye, hear ye! Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! Yep, it’s just a few short weeks away!

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How are you going with your preparations? All ready to celebrate? Or are you like me and tend to wait until the start of December to start shopping/ baking/ sewing/ crafting/panicking?

And why is it that?!?

December 5, 2018June 26, 2021

Mum the Taxi

Do you ever have those days when you feel like you have spent the whole time in the car driving here and there and everywhere? Sounds like a great title for a Dr Seuss book: “I’lldrive you here, I’ll drive you there, I’ll drive you everywhere!” Right?!? But not a great way to enjoy the afternoon.

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Wednesdays are a PITA. My nemesis, if you will. You see, Wednesdays are the day when all 3 of my children need to be picked up and/or dropped off at least one place each, all with the most inconvenient spacing between appointments. It is not the only day of the week that we have plans, but it is the most heavily-booked.

Grab a cup of your favourite hot beverage (or alcoholic if you choose, LOL), get comfy and strap yourself in for the fun rollercoaster-ride of my afternoon (and some tips on how to organise days like this!)…

December 2, 2018June 25, 2021

Who Would Start a Blog Anyway?

You’ve never met me, yet you have entrusted me with your valuable, precious time. To read this post. Perhaps some of my other posts. To hear me. To get to know me. And for that I am immensely grateful. *big smile*

I have put myself out on a pretty long, flimsy limb by starting to write a blog and I was hoping you would let me share my why with you.

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Have you ever wanted to start a blog? Felt that you had a story to tell, or an ability to help others in some way?

Did you do it???

November 30, 2018June 25, 2021

Make Classic Calendars from Your Fantastic Photos

So, it’s already November, which means the clock is ticking towards December. Not ticking. Racing toward December. This of course means Christmas is coming, ready or not!

I am generally not prepared weeks in advance for the so-called silly season. But I AM determined to do things differently this year. That means getting organised with gifts. Or at least gift ideas…