Finally... The Bachelorette!!

So, the hardest part about being in Australia is not having current American TV shows.  I left for Australia after the 2nd episode of the Bachelorette.  Everytime I come across a news story online, I try really hard not to look at it, thinking that I'll catch up on it when I get home to the states.  I've googled and searched every way to possibly try to watch American TV online.  I finally figured out the best and legal way to do it.. just buy the season on iTunes!  And let me tell you.. it is worth the $13.99!!  I feel more American now.  I was losing touch with my country, but I'm back! 

Everything on TV here is atleast a complete season behind.  There are plenty of reruns of Friends, That 70's Show, Keeping up with the Kardashians, Kloe and Lamar, One Tree Hill and ect. 

Actually, the new season of Keeping up with the Kardashians started last Tuesday--so that is a plus. 

Even trying to buy a book on Beau's Nook proved to be problematic.  It seems that the little booger realizes when it's not in the U.S.  You cannot buy books from the Nook outside of the U.S.  Who knew?  We didn't!  Good thing Callie saved the day.  She has since purchased me two books on Beau's Barnes and Noble account from the U.S.  When she puts them into his account online in the states, we can transfer them over into the Nook at any time.  Thanks again Callie!

Cooking Dinner for the Roomies

Wednesday night, Beau and  I cooked dinner for Stan and Z.  We bought the delicious Nando's Marinade for our chicken.  I made Shirley Potatoes and sautéed green beans.  Stan loved the Shirley Potatoes so much, he didn't leave any for Z.  We also bought the Peri-Peri sauce that goes with Nando's chicken which was also great on the potatoes. 

Café Culture

The Café Culture is big in Australia.  People love to go have drinks at local cafés in town.  On Wednesday, Beau and I decided to become apart of it!  We headed out to Chives, a Sandringham café.  I had a Mocha while Beau had his usual Hot Chocolate.

A lot of businesses here don't have an offical closing time.  They close up when things are getting slow.  When we walked into Chives, we asked if he was closing.  He said "Yeah, not right now, come in and have a drink.  I just close things up when I feel like buisness is slowing down."

Celebration in the City

After Beau proposed he told me, "Well there is more.  Tonight we are going into the city to stay at the Crowne Hotel and Casino.  We are going to go to dinner, gamble and celebrate.  One of the coaches for Sandringham, Tony Barca, set everything up for us."  It was such a special night and a great way to celebrate our new engagement.  Thank you so much to Tony for your thoughtfulness and generosity!

On our way to the Casino!  Thanks Z for driving us!

The lobby of the beautiful Crowne Hotel and Casino.

Beau loved the walk-in closet!

Yes, I watched TV while I took a bath.

Views from our hotel room window:

Beau sitting in the window seat looking out over the city.

Ready to celebrate with my Fiancé!

Dinner at Rockpool in the Casino.  It was delicious!

Beau studying the menu.  We were starving by this point. 

The most delicious Calamari ever.

Grey Goose and Rasberry for Beau.

Prawns (or as we like to say in East Texas- Jumbo Shrimp) and goat cheese tortellini for me!

We're Engaged!!

While I was showering and getting ready for the day, Beau went down to the beach for his regular routine of walking around in the water.  They go to the water to get in as recovery and the cold water down at the beach is just another form of an ice bath.  While Beau was gone, I was looking in my purse for the camera so I could update the blog.  I kept digging and digging, and I couldn't find it.  We had gone out to St. Kilda the night before and had dinner.  I took pictures at dinner, so I figured I had just accidently left the camera on the table.  When Beau came up from the beach he said "Babe, you have to come down to the beach.  There is something down there that is so weird.  Stan and I have been down there trying to figure out what it is."  At this point in time, I was more worried about losing the camera then whatever this "weird thing" was that Beau wanted me to see.  I told him how I couldn't find the camera, and how I thought I might have left it at Amigo's.  He assured me that if we left it there they would save it for us and we would call about it when we got back from the beach.  So, Beau led me down the beach and I kept asking him "Well what is it?" and he kept saying "I really don't know.. it is so weird."  When we got to the sand Beau was leading me over to his favorite spot on the beach for when he needs to take a break or get away.  As we were walking he was saying "You know babe, I wanted you to come down to Australia and have a good vacation.  I want this trip to be fun and relaxing.  But I also wanted you to come to Australia so I could ask you something important."  By this time, he had led me over to the part of the beach where he had written in the sand Will you marry me?  When we got to that spot, he dropped to one knee, pulled out the ring and said "Mallory Grubb, will you marry me?"  Of course, I said "YES!" We are so excited to be starting this chapter in our lives.  Beau said it best when he said "It just goes to show, God really does answer prayers."

 YAY! He did a wonderful job!  And thanks to Kelly McCurry for helping him pick everything out! :)

Beau built this in the sand with his sandal. 

Just to give you a glipse of the beautiful beach he proposed on.  What a beautiful day!

 The ring is a three stone setting with diamonds in the prongs.  That makes it EXTRA sparkly!!  I absoultely love it. 

 This is the side view of the ring.  If you notice, there is a little diamond under the center stone on both sides.

Beau has had the ring in Australia for the past month.  It had to be shipped over from the U.S. and go through customs.  After he got it, he put it in Coach Vince Crivelli's safe.  He waited to ask my Dad for my hand in marriage until I was on the plane to Australia.  He was worried that if he did it too soon, the secret might get out.  Good Job Baby!  You really thought of everything :)

Exploring Melbourne and St. Kilda

Originally, Beau and I went into the city on Sunday to go to the Melbourne Zoo.  Being from the ol' backwoods of Lufkin Texas, we aren't too familiar with public transportation.  The Sandringham train line that goes directly into the city was down for repairs so we had to bus hop to another train line to get into the city.  Much easier said than done for two countryfolk.  When we finally got into the city, an hour later, we accidently got on the wrong train.  Instead of heading towards the Zoo, we were heading out the other side of Melbourne.  We quickly realized our mistake and decided to switch trains once again to head back into Melbourne.  Because we wasted so much time, we scratched the Zoo idea and just went to explore Melbourne.  Here are our travels:

This building looked like it had been slimed, Nickelodeon Style.

In the city!

Of course, we had to stop in for a snacky-poo.  Beau and his friends have found this really cool restaurant called Nando's.  It is a Portuguese restaurant that specializes in chicken and really delicious sauces. 

We had a piece of the mild chicken and the hot with a side of spicy rice.  It was delicious!!

We found a really quaint bowling alley right around Nando's so we stopped in for a quick bowl! 

Outside concert in a Melbourne promenade.

This contraption was also in the promenade. 

We stopped in for a few drinks at Tranport on the river. 

After having drinks, we headed down to St. Kilda to meet up with some of Beau's teamates and their buddies.  David, aka Moorsey, introduced us to a great new beer-- Boag's.  From left to right are: David Moore, Beau, Kye Patrick, Phil

Beau and Kye playing Buck Hunter.

After hopping all over the city and meeting up with friends, we finally went to dinner around 11.  We tried the Mexican food place, Amigo's.  Beau had another fruity concoction.

Of course, I had wine. :)

 

This was our "queso" or so we thought.  Turned out to be bean dip with a little bit of cheese on top.  It was still tasty though!

Sizzling fajitas served in a tomato sauce.  Mexican food is definately different down under.