06 April 2014

The Best Thing About Moving Back To Australia

So I should say it's about being closer to my family. But, to be honest, right now it feels like I saw them more when I lived in Seoul. The whole house thing has sucked all my time and all my energy. They've come to visit me (which has been ace), but I haven't been to Melbourne since before xmas, and I'm not going to get there before May. I see photos of my nephews on Instagram and they look so freaking grown up; it happens so quick! Which makes me sad, but not sad enough to book a whirlwind trip to Melbourne (I value my sanity).

I should say that it's about spending more time with the step sons. But when we were in Seoul it was permanent school holidays - sleep ins, slap up breakfasts, pyjamas days, trips to the country and the crazy lion, tigers and bears show. The most stressful thing was making sure there was enough food in the house. And North Korea, sometimes. But now - now it's 6am wake ups and attending school recitals and whole days seemingly spent in the car. Oh, and the reminding - any homework tonight? Have you got a uniform for tomorrow? Do you have a train ticket? Done your viola practice? Aren't you meant to be somewhere else, right now? Sigh. I shouldn't complain, because really it is actually awesome. Just a bit of an adjustment for me to make, and a bit Groundhog Day-ish. (I know, I know - you've all been living that for years, welcome to your world, etc, etc...). 

Anyway. It could be clean air (and it kind of is), and easy access to beautiful, beautiful beaches (and yes, it kind of is), and a mild climate and great restaurants (yep, this). But…no. 

Call me shallow, call me a junk food junkie - but right now Cheezels are the best thing about moving back to Australia. They're so cheesy, so crispy, so salty, so tasty (especially compared to the appallingly bland puffed rice cheese treats you get in Asia). They're my guilty pleasure; my crutch when I'm sleep deprived or cranky, or both.  And just look at how orange they are - orange is happiness, isn't it? 

And if you only eat a mini packet (and share it with the dogs) they're not so bad for your calorie count. (FYI I've also found that a Cruskit topped with aged cheddar works quite well if you want that crispy cheesy hit with a few less chemicals.) 

In between kale smoothies and chia porridge do you have a guilty pleasure? Are you an expat lusting over some kind of junk food you can only get back home?  Do leave me a comment, but I can't promise a reply - I'm off to eat some Cheezels… 

*Many, many Cheezels where harmed during the production of this blog post.

7 comments:

  1. now i'm extra glad i sent you cheezels in your welcome home gift. x :)

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  2. I'm an American expat... and my very similar "I miss you food items" are cheese puffs and SmartFood White Cheddar cheese popcorn. Good cheddar is surprisingly difficult to find in Munich. Who'da thought? Also, best of luck with the house. To help keep your sanity, if you took any "before" pics, I'd stick them somewhere visible. I think it helps to keep seeing the changes you're making, and that all the stress is for a reason.

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    1. That is a brilliant idea Adri! Unfortunately I don't really have any before shots as we were overseas when it started. Sigh. I can kind of picture it in my head though...

      (And glad I'm not the only one with expat junk food cravings! And cheese puffs...yum!)

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  3. Have you ever had a briezeel? Stick a little bit of brie in the middle… life changingly cheesy!

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    1. Whaaaat?!! I am both excited and scared about trying this!

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  4. I'm not a big junk food person either, but as silly as it may sound, I miss Shapes. I don't know how many boxes of those I consumed when we were in Australia for our honeymoon. My husband thought I was a crazy person, at which I told him-- "I haven't had these in 9 years, and I might not get to have them for another 9!"

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    1. Confession time - I haven't eaten one BBQ or Pizza Shape since I landed. Because I know once I eat one I'll be eating a box a day...I can definitely understand your addiction!

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