We are desperate . . .

we spent our Sunday watching the USC/Nebraska game . . . live . . . using our Slingbox connected to a friend's TV in the US. Now, you may not think that sounds desperate, you're probably thinking that it's pretty cool that we can actually watch US TV in Australia. Well, I classify it as desperate because the picture quality was very grainy and fuzzy and you could barely make out the blobs running across the screen. But hey, it's Nebraska football!! As Bryan said, "it's like radio with color." So, Evan and dad were dressed in their Husker garb, and Evan was cheering "Go Big Red" and "touchdown" (even when not appropriate) throughout the game.



Bryan spent half of the previous week in New Zealand finishing his dealer training. He forgot to take the camera but a co-worker of his took several pictures so hopefully we have some to share with you next week. Bryan has already decided that we need to make a family trip back to New Zealand soon.

Australian Education: As I have explained to many of you, the Australian medical system is VERY DIFFERENT than the US. In Australia there is free medical care/insurance through Medicare so all Australian citizens have public insurance. On top of public insurance some choose to also pay for private insurance. Although I have "private" insurance, it is US based and therefore doesn't qualify for the same benefits as Australian private insurance. Which is unfortunate for me because when having a baby in Australia with some private insurance companies you get: 4-6 nights in the hospital following the delivery, a nurse that comes to your house weekly for several weeks following the delivery to check on things, and either a bulk supply of NAPPIES (diapers) or a cleaning lady for 2-4 hours. Several mothers in our playgroup told me this and were amazed when I told them I could only stay in the hospital 48 hours following the birth of the baby and that in the US you usually only get a phone call following the delivery to check on things.