The Set Up

So I wrote a few weeks ago about an election party I attended at the University of Sydney for the US presidential election.  At that same event, I met a few people who work at the school, including a professor of Japanese studies from the US.  I got his business card and he invited me to have lunch at his house and stay over for a night.  I accepted and took his offer and went over to Glenfield (45 minutes west of Sydney).  It was a nice lunch and great to meet his wife and 2 children (4 and just under 2 years old).  The guest there was one of his students with his wife and daughter.  It was nice to have a different experience hanging out with families instead of mostly backpackers around my age.

It also turned out that the student and his family (Dallas, Helen, and daughter Isabel) were going away for most of December on vacation.  It would be easier for them if someone stayed in their house while they were gone.  They live 20 minutes west of Sydney and their house is right across the street from the train station.  So I just moved into their house yesterday and will stay there for a month.  I was very surprised that this just came together that way (seemed like I was pretty lucky).  I'll also get to drive their car, which opens up many opportunities for traveling.  It's a great set up.

Anyway, I stayed the night with the Stavros family (professor & family) and learned a little basic Japanese as well.  We also went to Royal National Park and fed some birds.  It was fun.