The Olympics started at 6 something this morning. We've taped it and are waiting for my in-laws to arrive before we start watching. I love the Olympics and will watch as much as I can. I boycotted the Beijing Games because it's a travesty that a government that abuses human rights as much as it does has no business hosting the games.
Anyway, we wait and get ready to watch. I've been trying to prepare the kids with history of the games and talking about American accomplishments. I figure they will hear enough about Aussie accomplishments from the tv and their friends I need to do my part to remind that the still are Americans. It's still odd to me to see all the Green and Gold stuff around. I keep expecting to walk into Woolies and see GO USA everywhere. I'm not anti Australia, please don't think that. I just want to remember the good parts of America so I'm using this as a way of doing that. So far this is the knowledge that I've been able to impart to my kids.
1. The Soviets cheated in the 1972 games in Basketball and every American is or should be still pissed. When we watch Men's Basketball we all remember the lying cheaters and point out how they deserve to loose. It doesn't matter if the Soviet Union doesn't exist. Soviets, Russians, whatever...they LOOSE!
2. Less humorlessly, in 1972 11 Israeli athletes were kidnapped and brutally murdered. Sadly, this is the 40th anniversary of that horror. Since the IOC is apparently made up of bunch of cowardly anti-Semites so they refuse acknowledge that horrific event. Well my family does talk about what happened and WE REMEMBER!
3. Americans rock at the Summer Games. We can't ski for crap so we are down a few pegs in the Winter Games but the Summer. Oh yea, that's for us!
4. We will watch Gymnastics but it's not the only sport happening. If you watch just Bob Costas and the NBC feed it's mostly Gymnastics. I HATE when they broadcast Gymnastics warm ups and training when their are medal events occurring in other sports. Ok, maybe they aren't all glamorous but someone has worked hard to try and earn a medal, I would like to see it. Also Rhythmic Gymnastics? Get serious. That's just stupid. Sorry. It's not a sport. No.
5. I like a fair fight. I love watching diving, boxing, pretty much everything but I despise events that are decided by judges. Everyone has heard the joke about the East German judge deliberately low-balling Americans to knock them out. Know why everyone knows it? BECAUSE THEY DID IT. They would cheat some hard working kid just to prove a point. I hate that. Since there is no longer an East Germany we usually sit and play "Spot the new East German Judge" just so we can know who to boo. Mature? No. But it does make for entertaining moments.
So that's what I covered so far. I wish my Aussie friends the best of luck and I fully expect you guys to kick the crap out of us in Swimming 'cause you people are fish. Good racing. Good luck to all the athletes, no matter where you are from. Unless you play basketball for the Russians. Sorry, nothing personally but I hope you come in last.
An American family living in Australia. While we all speak English here, I wouldn't say we all speak the same language.
Showing posts with label American. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American. Show all posts
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Happy Anniversary
Five years ago today my family stumbled blear- eyed off of a 14 hour flight and woke up in Sydney. A new country, a new continent and even a new hemisphere. Within 24 hours of travel time we left the mild temps of Spring in North Texas and arrived in the mild temps of Fall in Australia. Looking back I marvel at our audacity and stupidity. My husband, being a military brat, grew up around the world. So moving wasn't new to him. I moved all over the Northeastern US as a kid so I wasn't a slouch either. But moving as a kid is VERY different than moving as an adult. I developed a new found respect for my parents and my in-laws.
Moving is vile. Moving with kids is horrific. Moving internationally with kids is beyond words.
In our arrogance Ted and I thought we'd be fine because 1) we've moved before, many times and 2) Australians speak English. We figured we would just have to learn to drive on the other side of the road and all would be good. I don't think its possible for us to have been any more wrong. From learning about subtle, yet important culture differences to learning to drive on the other side of the road to finding out they are serious about closing stores at 5:00 to constantly being the US representative for every damn thing that happens - "I don't know what George Bush was thinking, that's kinda why we're here" - it was all right there...in our faces every day. On top of that mountain there was the minor task of raising 3 young children; 2 of which were within a year of being diagnosed with Autism. Every night I knew, I just knew it was all going to Hell and we weren't going to be able to pull it off. When it takes 3 months to get a telephone installed you know things aren't looking good for the home team. My mother had died 4 months before we moved and I was still reeling from grief...no matter how old you are when you're scared, alone and lost you just want your mom. I still do. If I sit very quietly and concentrate I can smell her perfume...Emmeraude.
It was a nightmare. And it was one of our own choosing to add insult to injury.
But then things change. I made friends with some of the moms at Teddy's school. I got the girls into a pre-school. We bought a car and within 6 months I could drive without feeling nauseous. We were the Yank family - I started feeling like there were things I could do. Things I could handle. Connor and Tessi were in their therapies and while I'd be a massive liar if I said it was easy or even not horrible...it was working. Both my daughters are in a mainstream school. Many people don't even know they are Autistic. Teddy is doing well and is known as Texas Ted by some, well people who like to annoy him. We laugh that he's bilingual because he knows the words nappies and diapers and can use Imperial and Metric.
So what I have I learned in 5 years.
1) People are people no matter where you live. In a group of 3 people, 2 will talk about the 3rd. The gaggle of moms at the school is the same everywhere. Kids are vicious little monsters to each other one minute and then offer unconditional love the second.
2) Americans have a really bad reputation outside the US. Some of it deserved, some of it not. Yes, we have our share of rotten jerks in government and many mistakes have been made. However racism, bigotry, greed and cowardice were not invented in the US. What has YOUR government done to stop injustice?
3) The Pacific Ocean is NOT warm. I freeze my tush off every time I get into the water at the beach. Seriously, 1000 degrees in the shade and I step in the water and my teeth turn blue. Insane.
4) Australians are the BEST at understanding that you work hard and you play hard. I mean this with the utmost respect. When they are on holiday work can stick it. I love that. Americans really could learn from this ideology. I bet the number heart attacks would plummet.
5) They have weird beautiful terrifying and ridiculous insects here. Seriously. I thought most of this stuff was made up. It's not. See some of my previous posts.
6) Australians are fiercely independent but have a weird tie to the Crown. Americans will NEVER understand any reason why a county would allow another country to have say over their government, recognize their holidays or have the Queen on their money. Australians will never understand the American need to be on it's own and turn it's back on a fundamental part of it's history. Deal with it. We're just going to have to agree to disagree. By the way, I will NOT sign an allegiance to Betsy when I become a citizen in a few years. The Australian Govt now has another form immigrants can sign because there were so many objections.
7) The Australians have treated their indigenous population just as horribly as the Americans treated the Native Americans. There is no restitution strong enough to rectify that fact. The horrors were just too great. I think apologies are needed from the governments (Australia has done so) but the indigenous people need to give up thinking that they will get enough repayment to make amends. Both sides need to move forward. The future generations deserve peace.
8) I will never fully understand Cricket. I swear to God they change the rules just to mess with me. 5-6 hours to play 1/2 the game? Stopping for tea breaks? Professional games that can last 5 days and end in a drawl? Nooooo, that's weird to me. I like AFL as it makes more sense to me. You run, kick the ball and hit people. That is a sport I can relate to. Rugby is growing on me. But to be honest, I miss my Steelers. Go B&G!!!!!!!!!!!
9) I miss my family in the US and I miss cheap shopping. Christ Almighty things are expensive here. But I don't want to live in the US again. I'm not a True Blue Aussie but I'm not a Yankee Doodle Dandy anymore. Not sure what that makes me. Perhaps a little of both?
Happy Anniversary Tencza Family!
Moving is vile. Moving with kids is horrific. Moving internationally with kids is beyond words.
In our arrogance Ted and I thought we'd be fine because 1) we've moved before, many times and 2) Australians speak English. We figured we would just have to learn to drive on the other side of the road and all would be good. I don't think its possible for us to have been any more wrong. From learning about subtle, yet important culture differences to learning to drive on the other side of the road to finding out they are serious about closing stores at 5:00 to constantly being the US representative for every damn thing that happens - "I don't know what George Bush was thinking, that's kinda why we're here" - it was all right there...in our faces every day. On top of that mountain there was the minor task of raising 3 young children; 2 of which were within a year of being diagnosed with Autism. Every night I knew, I just knew it was all going to Hell and we weren't going to be able to pull it off. When it takes 3 months to get a telephone installed you know things aren't looking good for the home team. My mother had died 4 months before we moved and I was still reeling from grief...no matter how old you are when you're scared, alone and lost you just want your mom. I still do. If I sit very quietly and concentrate I can smell her perfume...Emmeraude.
It was a nightmare. And it was one of our own choosing to add insult to injury.
But then things change. I made friends with some of the moms at Teddy's school. I got the girls into a pre-school. We bought a car and within 6 months I could drive without feeling nauseous. We were the Yank family - I started feeling like there were things I could do. Things I could handle. Connor and Tessi were in their therapies and while I'd be a massive liar if I said it was easy or even not horrible...it was working. Both my daughters are in a mainstream school. Many people don't even know they are Autistic. Teddy is doing well and is known as Texas Ted by some, well people who like to annoy him. We laugh that he's bilingual because he knows the words nappies and diapers and can use Imperial and Metric.
So what I have I learned in 5 years.
1) People are people no matter where you live. In a group of 3 people, 2 will talk about the 3rd. The gaggle of moms at the school is the same everywhere. Kids are vicious little monsters to each other one minute and then offer unconditional love the second.
2) Americans have a really bad reputation outside the US. Some of it deserved, some of it not. Yes, we have our share of rotten jerks in government and many mistakes have been made. However racism, bigotry, greed and cowardice were not invented in the US. What has YOUR government done to stop injustice?
3) The Pacific Ocean is NOT warm. I freeze my tush off every time I get into the water at the beach. Seriously, 1000 degrees in the shade and I step in the water and my teeth turn blue. Insane.
4) Australians are the BEST at understanding that you work hard and you play hard. I mean this with the utmost respect. When they are on holiday work can stick it. I love that. Americans really could learn from this ideology. I bet the number heart attacks would plummet.
5) They have weird beautiful terrifying and ridiculous insects here. Seriously. I thought most of this stuff was made up. It's not. See some of my previous posts.
6) Australians are fiercely independent but have a weird tie to the Crown. Americans will NEVER understand any reason why a county would allow another country to have say over their government, recognize their holidays or have the Queen on their money. Australians will never understand the American need to be on it's own and turn it's back on a fundamental part of it's history. Deal with it. We're just going to have to agree to disagree. By the way, I will NOT sign an allegiance to Betsy when I become a citizen in a few years. The Australian Govt now has another form immigrants can sign because there were so many objections.
7) The Australians have treated their indigenous population just as horribly as the Americans treated the Native Americans. There is no restitution strong enough to rectify that fact. The horrors were just too great. I think apologies are needed from the governments (Australia has done so) but the indigenous people need to give up thinking that they will get enough repayment to make amends. Both sides need to move forward. The future generations deserve peace.
8) I will never fully understand Cricket. I swear to God they change the rules just to mess with me. 5-6 hours to play 1/2 the game? Stopping for tea breaks? Professional games that can last 5 days and end in a drawl? Nooooo, that's weird to me. I like AFL as it makes more sense to me. You run, kick the ball and hit people. That is a sport I can relate to. Rugby is growing on me. But to be honest, I miss my Steelers. Go B&G!!!!!!!!!!!
9) I miss my family in the US and I miss cheap shopping. Christ Almighty things are expensive here. But I don't want to live in the US again. I'm not a True Blue Aussie but I'm not a Yankee Doodle Dandy anymore. Not sure what that makes me. Perhaps a little of both?
Happy Anniversary Tencza Family!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Words Matter
There has been quite a brouhaha the last few days about Rush Limbaugh and his decision to label a woman asking for insurance coverage for a friend a "slut" - among a few choice adjectives.
Limbaugh, being the seasoned attention whore that he is has had his name googled more times in the last 3 days than he he did when he admitted his addiction to drugs and removal from ESPN.
I think it's time to take America back from this cretin.
If you feel the same way please scroll down and view the list of his sponsors. Write, call or email as many as you can and inform them because of their support of this man you will not only not be a customer of theirs, you will work to encourage others not to use their services as well.
Hurt what he truly cares about; his wallet.
Quicken Loans - confirmed sponsor
1050 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
Client Relations - (800) 863-4332
and: (800) 251-9080
also: you can chat online
Century 21 Real Estate LLC - confirmed sponsor
International Headquarters
1 Campus Drive
Parsippany, NJ 07054
Web contact form
ProFlowers
Email
Web contact form
Sales or Service: 1-800-580-2913
Phone: 800.580.2913
eharmony
300 N. Lake Ave., Suite 1111
Pasadena, CA 91101
media@eharmony.com
Web contact form
Email
626.795.4814
FAX 626.585.4040
CARBONITE, Inc.
617-587-1100
177 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
carbonite@mailnj.custhelp.com
Direct Dial Office: 617-587-1100 EXT:1115
Sleep Number Bed
Select Comfort Corporation - confirmed and long-time advertiser
6105 Trenton Lane N
Minneapolis, MN 55442
Phone: 763-551-7000
Fax: 763-551-7826
800-438-2233
investorrelations@selectcomfort.com
Oreck Upright Vacuum Cleaners
Oreck Corporation
100 Plantation Road
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123
Online contact form
800-289-5888
Mid-West Life Insurance Company of Tennessee
9151 Grapevine Hwy.
North Richland Hills, TX 76180
Phone (800) 733-1110
(web banner ads on rushlimbaugh.com)
AutoZone Inc.
901-495-7185; Fax: 901-495-8374
P.O. Box 2198, Memphis, TN 38101
investor.relations@autozone.com
LegalZoom.com - confirmed and long-time advertiser
800-773-0888; Fax: 323-962-8300
Site has a Web Form
Citrix Online (GoToMyPC)
6500 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117
Phone: 805-690-6400; Fax: 805-690-6471
info@citrixonline.com
American Forces Network
Contact Us: @MyAFN.net
Mission Pharmacal Company
10999 IH-10 West Suite 1000
P.O. Box 786099
San Antonio, TX 78278-6099
Telephone: (800) 531-3333
Bennett Kennedy - Citracal Product Manager
Life Quotes, Inc.
32045 Castle Court
Evergreen, CO 80439
1-800-670-5433
info@lifequotes.com.au
If you know of any other Limbaugh advertisers who should be on our list, you can send them to us. If we can't shut him up at least we can try and make his life less comfortable than it is now.
These companies were once on our list of Limbaugh advertisers but were removed when they stopped advertising on this program and/or for other valid reasons. You can view our list of former advertisers who were removed.
------------------
Employers and other information you might find helpful:
Clear Channel Communications (parent company of Premiere Radio Networks, Inc.) 200 Basse Road San Antonio TX 78209 Phone 1-210-822-2828
Lowry Mays, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
LLowryMays@clearchannel.com
Mark Mays President and Chief Operating Officer
MarkPMays@clearchannel.com
Randall Mays, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer RandallTMays@clearchannel.com
Lisa Dollinger, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communication Public Relations lisacdollinger@clearchannel.com
pr@clearchannel.com
International Email
Advantage Website
www.clearchanneladvantage.com
Email - Lori Wellinghoff
Phone 1-REACH-OUT-70 (1-732-246-8870)
Radio Station Listing
Phone 1-210-822-2828
Premiere Radio Networks, Inc. (Rush's immediate employer)
15260 Ventura Blvd. 5th Floor
Sherman Oaks CA 91403
Kraig Kitchin http://www.premrad.com/
Members of the press, please contact: Amir Forester, 818-461-5404 aforester@premiereradio.com
Main: (818)377-5300 Fax: (818)377-5333 Toll Free: (800)533-8686
Citadel Broadcasting Providence WPRO (airs his show) 1502 Wampanoag Trail East Providence, RI 02915 Business Phone: 401-433-4200 no website contacts found
List of stations that air him
------------------
Contact Information:
Show Call-in Number 1-800-282-2882
Show Fax Number 1-212-563-9166
If you would like to contact Limbaugh at his PRIVATE email addresses, you might do so on AOL/Compuserve at: 70277.2502@compuserve.com or rhl@eibnet.com or rprivate@eibnet.com
Rush's public email address is: rush@eibnet.com
"Show your Support to Rush's Sponsors" - of course our viewers will want to do just the opposite
Limbaugh, being the seasoned attention whore that he is has had his name googled more times in the last 3 days than he he did when he admitted his addiction to drugs and removal from ESPN.
I think it's time to take America back from this cretin.
If you feel the same way please scroll down and view the list of his sponsors. Write, call or email as many as you can and inform them because of their support of this man you will not only not be a customer of theirs, you will work to encourage others not to use their services as well.
Hurt what he truly cares about; his wallet.
Quicken Loans - confirmed sponsor
1050 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
Client Relations - (800) 863-4332
and: (800) 251-9080
also: you can chat online
Century 21 Real Estate LLC - confirmed sponsor
International Headquarters
1 Campus Drive
Parsippany, NJ 07054
Web contact form
ProFlowers
Web contact form
Sales or Service: 1-800-580-2913
Phone: 800.580.2913
eharmony
300 N. Lake Ave., Suite 1111
Pasadena, CA 91101
media@eharmony.com
Web contact form
626.795.4814
FAX 626.585.4040
CARBONITE, Inc.
617-587-1100
177 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
carbonite@mailnj.custhelp.com
Direct Dial Office: 617-587-1100 EXT:1115
Sleep Number Bed
Select Comfort Corporation - confirmed and long-time advertiser
6105 Trenton Lane N
Minneapolis, MN 55442
Phone: 763-551-7000
Fax: 763-551-7826
800-438-2233
investorrelations@selectcomfort.com
Oreck Upright Vacuum Cleaners
Oreck Corporation
100 Plantation Road
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123
Online contact form
800-289-5888
Mid-West Life Insurance Company of Tennessee
9151 Grapevine Hwy.
North Richland Hills, TX 76180
Phone (800) 733-1110
(web banner ads on rushlimbaugh.com)
AutoZone Inc.
901-495-7185; Fax: 901-495-8374
P.O. Box 2198, Memphis, TN 38101
investor.relations@autozone.com
LegalZoom.com - confirmed and long-time advertiser
800-773-0888; Fax: 323-962-8300
Site has a Web Form
Citrix Online (GoToMyPC)
6500 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117
Phone: 805-690-6400; Fax: 805-690-6471
info@citrixonline.com
American Forces Network
Contact Us: @MyAFN.net
Mission Pharmacal Company
10999 IH-10 West Suite 1000
P.O. Box 786099
San Antonio, TX 78278-6099
Telephone: (800) 531-3333
Bennett Kennedy - Citracal Product Manager
Life Quotes, Inc.
32045 Castle Court
Evergreen, CO 80439
1-800-670-5433
info@lifequotes.com.au
If you know of any other Limbaugh advertisers who should be on our list, you can send them to us. If we can't shut him up at least we can try and make his life less comfortable than it is now.
These companies were once on our list of Limbaugh advertisers but were removed when they stopped advertising on this program and/or for other valid reasons. You can view our list of former advertisers who were removed.
------------------
Employers and other information you might find helpful:
Clear Channel Communications (parent company of Premiere Radio Networks, Inc.) 200 Basse Road San Antonio TX 78209 Phone 1-210-822-2828
Lowry Mays, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
LLowryMays@clearchannel.com
Mark Mays President and Chief Operating Officer
MarkPMays@clearchannel.com
Randall Mays, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer RandallTMays@clearchannel.com
Lisa Dollinger, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communication Public Relations lisacdollinger@clearchannel.com
pr@clearchannel.com
International Email
Advantage Website
www.clearchanneladvantage.com
Email - Lori Wellinghoff
Phone 1-REACH-OUT-70 (1-732-246-8870)
Radio Station Listing
Phone 1-210-822-2828
Premiere Radio Networks, Inc. (Rush's immediate employer)
15260 Ventura Blvd. 5th Floor
Sherman Oaks CA 91403
Kraig Kitchin http://www.premrad.com/
Members of the press, please contact: Amir Forester, 818-461-5404 aforester@premiereradio.com
Main: (818)377-5300 Fax: (818)377-5333 Toll Free: (800)533-8686
Citadel Broadcasting Providence WPRO (airs his show) 1502 Wampanoag Trail East Providence, RI 02915 Business Phone: 401-433-4200 no website contacts found
List of stations that air him
------------------
Contact Information:
Show Call-in Number 1-800-282-2882
Show Fax Number 1-212-563-9166
If you would like to contact Limbaugh at his PRIVATE email addresses, you might do so on AOL/Compuserve at: 70277.2502@compuserve.com or rhl@eibnet.com or rprivate@eibnet.com
Rush's public email address is: rush@eibnet.com
"Show your Support to Rush's Sponsors" - of course our viewers will want to do just the opposite
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Cricket is No Longer a Bug
Alright, yes it is bug still but in my mind it's no longer JUST a bug. Teddy has been selected for his school's Rep Cricket team as the wickie. Also known as the wicket keeper. Which is sort of like a catcher. Sort of. Today I drove him and his mates to the field so they could play another school. He has a large kit bag for his stuff and then tonight he has cricket training for his team for the local club.
What the Hell is this nonsense? MY son plays cricket? We're Americans for Chrissake! We play football and baseball and basketball and hit things hard and laugh outrageously loud. Ted is a massive Minnesota Vikings groupie, I adore my Steelers. Ted's dad is a Giants worshipper and has even raced stock cars and the latest generation of Tencza dresses in all white to stand around for days and cheering when the bowler ALMOST gets someone out? Wha??
When we first moved to Australia Teddy tried to play baseball but it was hopeless. In Year 1 they were still playing t-ball. Just plain silly. Plus all of Teddy's friends played cricket so the following year he wanted to try it and was hooked. So now we go to cricket games and think, "Oh wow, it's a short game today, only 4 hours"
But people go for the day, even days to see these cricket games. Aussies love their cricket. The weird rules - you can run if you don't hit the ball, they stop game for tea breaks, and the team captain is supposed to turn in his own teammates for unsportsmanlike like conduct, all of it, they love it. Even the 2 or 3 Australians who don't like sports know about cricket. Ask ANYONE about Don Bradman, and you'll be gently reminded that it's SIR Don Bradman.
So here we are, Americans living in Australia and our oldest child plays cricket. 5 years ago I heard the word I thought of a chirping insect and now I think of an entire day sitting outside watching paint dry. At least I can bring my iPod.
The day I can watch without getting pissed that he's wearing all white and rolling around in the mud that's when I know I'm Australian.
What the Hell is this nonsense? MY son plays cricket? We're Americans for Chrissake! We play football and baseball and basketball and hit things hard and laugh outrageously loud. Ted is a massive Minnesota Vikings groupie, I adore my Steelers. Ted's dad is a Giants worshipper and has even raced stock cars and the latest generation of Tencza dresses in all white to stand around for days and cheering when the bowler ALMOST gets someone out? Wha??
When we first moved to Australia Teddy tried to play baseball but it was hopeless. In Year 1 they were still playing t-ball. Just plain silly. Plus all of Teddy's friends played cricket so the following year he wanted to try it and was hooked. So now we go to cricket games and think, "Oh wow, it's a short game today, only 4 hours"
But people go for the day, even days to see these cricket games. Aussies love their cricket. The weird rules - you can run if you don't hit the ball, they stop game for tea breaks, and the team captain is supposed to turn in his own teammates for unsportsmanlike like conduct, all of it, they love it. Even the 2 or 3 Australians who don't like sports know about cricket. Ask ANYONE about Don Bradman, and you'll be gently reminded that it's SIR Don Bradman.
So here we are, Americans living in Australia and our oldest child plays cricket. 5 years ago I heard the word I thought of a chirping insect and now I think of an entire day sitting outside watching paint dry. At least I can bring my iPod.
The day I can watch without getting pissed that he's wearing all white and rolling around in the mud that's when I know I'm Australian.
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