Today at work

The very first day Ray and I arrived in Australia, we went on a tour of Amway Australia. While we were walking down the Watch 24 hallway Ray asked the HR representative to confirm that Watch 24 was going away. The HR person turned around in shock and put his finger to his mouth for Ray to hush up. No one knew that Amway was looking to sell Watch 24. The only thing that the employers knew was that W24 was under review. When I got hired in I signed a contract for 3 months, with the idea that no one knew what was going to happen in the future. I was told that I needed to keep it a secret till September 23.
On Saturday when we were at our friends for dinner, I thought it was funny to find out that people within the W24 business thought I was hired in as a spy. I was even called "the spy"- behind my back of course. Obviously, I was no such thing, I just had inside sources-Ray.
Well, today the annoucement was made that W24 is going away. It was a sad day for many. The office was quiet, and many contemplated where their life was heading now. I know this was a difficult choice for Amway as well because they do not like to be put in this position where employees no longer have jobs. They are going to their best though to find other work within the Amway community, so hopefully not too many people will be left jobless. W24 was not producing the figures that they had hoped, and so they needed to make a business decision.
The good news for Ray and I is that my contract has been extended to the end of January, so I will have work up until the time that I go. I will be busy scanning and filing for the next months to come!!!! Brainless work...
Ray continues to stay busy with work. The other day we were driving home from work and he states, "Janell, I love my job!" He has definitely found his nitch here in Australia. I think he dreads (may be too strong of a word, but) the idea of going back to Ada where he is no longer the manager of things, but merely the "data analyst." He enjoys being at the core of things, and meeting with the big kahunas...like the CEO, and the head man of the Atlas project (Huge global project) to name a couple. Ray seems to have the respect of many around the office, and seems to be doing a good job at easing people into the change that is taking place.
Just wanted to make a special "Shout-out" to the September birthdays!!!
Happy Birthday Grandma and Grandpa Prins, Cole DeJonge, Mom Frens, and Eric!!! We love and miss you guys, and hope you had wonderful birthdays!

Dictionary of Australian words translated to U.S.A:

"There are some really great bush walks!" Australian
"There are some really great forest walks!" U.S.A

"I love fairy floss!" Australian
"I love cotton candy!" U.S.A

"Do you have a texter?" Australian
"Do you have a marker? U.S.A

"Would you like some lollies?" Australian
"Would you like some candy?" U.S.A

"If you drive west a few hours, you will find many wheat paddocks." Australian
"If you drive west a few hours, you will find many wheat fields." U.S.A

"Call the fire brigade!!!" Australian
"Call the fire department!!!" U.S.A

"I put an order in for a smokie to be installed." Australian
"I put an order in for a smoke alarm to be installed." U.S.A

A few phrases heard often:
"No worries!"
"Not a drama."