Aussie BBQ

Making pavlova with Katie and Brooke

On Saturday, Jeanette organized a bbq with lots of family, even more food and tons of fun. Matthew made a family tree to help us remember everyone’s names, but it was still a challenge. There were twice as many kids than adults around, as Jeanette’s nieces had two or three children each. I find it so interesting when people talk about the same subjects that we talked about in my classes here. For example, Jeanette’s brother was mentioning how there are just too many ‘boat people’ and Australia is becoming overpopulated with them. Before my Australia, Asia and the World class, I probably wouldn’t have wanted to comment on what he was saying. After learning about refugees and Australia as a changing nation, it’s so interesting to hear actual Aussies talk about it in normal conversations. The grandparents were also commenting on how Australia is the pure place it used to be, and it’s now so influence by the immigrating people.

For instance, the Pacific-Islanders are getting government compensation and living in fancy homes and going to private schools, when there are thousands of Australians struggling to make a living. It was so intriguing to listen to their points of view and I enjoyed conversation throughout the day. This past semester I was deprived of eating meat, because a) it’s expensive and b) I become fond of rice, veggies and red kidney beans. So this past week I have made up for it being in a REAL Aussie home, where meat is served every day, almost every meal. Us girls decorated the pavlova, which is an authentic Aussie dessert made of egg whites in a cake form topped with fresh fruit and passionfruit syrup. SO delicious. 

It’s the first thing I’m going to try to make when I get home. That, and then meat pies. After a day of lots of kids running around, fun conversation and lots of food, we said our goodbyes and it reminded me of how my family says goodbye: it takes over an hour, and includes many rounds of hugging and see ya later-ing.

It was a perfect way to meet and mingle with their lovely family and feel a sense of comfort from all the wonderful people.