Date: April 11, 2020 07:03 pm Title: Chapter 35: Gift Shop
Comfect, this, all of this is just so good! No other way to say it! There hasn't been a chapter I haven't enjoyed, Jim and Pam are so in character, I can visualize the scenes you write so easily... it's just a really great story!
Thanks for writing, updating frequently and giving me something to look forward to!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I'm really enjoying writing it, so knowing that it's good for you to read it too really matters.
Date: April 11, 2020 11:28 am Title: Chapter 34: Kangaroos
I had to google Kelly green - it looks nice and suits Kelly as well.
And - yay! Kangaroos (or, rather, wallabies) at last! And it's great to see the thoughts that Pam had when she drew these lovely creatures; I like that confidence in her so much!
Other very-very endearing detail Jim's reaction to the word 'posterity.' He's adorable :)
Author's Response: Thank you! I appreciate that you're still enjoying both characters :)
Date: April 11, 2020 04:44 am Title: Chapter 34: Kangaroos
“Kelly green (that one, high up on the branches of a tree, he couldn’t resist suggesting was probably talking all the other colors to death” This was the laugh I needed!
Wallabies/kangaroos - semantics. This is all very precious. Both their reaction to the fluffy creatures, and their reactions to one another. Super sweet chapter.
Author's Response: Thank you! And yes, I know it's semantics, but it's a semantics people get hung up on sometimes, and I could see these two at least entertaining that idea. :)
Date: April 10, 2020 09:50 pm Title: Chapter 34: Kangaroos
Jellybean!!!
Author's Response: Thanks!
Date: April 10, 2020 05:01 pm Title: Chapter 34: Kangaroos
Lovely chapter. Kinda fun to see Jim's thoughts of now and his looking forward into the future. Also loved the "dating a Crayola factory" line. Made me laugh and my wife quirk her eye at me, thus me needing to explain the laugh.
However for me the standout moment is Pam here. Yes we've known forever she's an artist, but it was really great to get a peak into how her mind works. Also the fact that she's now with someone who knows when to stand back and let her enjoy this thing for herself. I saw it as yet another way that Pam is blooming into a Fancy New Beesly even without distance, other significant others, or fire walks. Great little scene there.
Author's Response: Thank you! And yes, I enjoyed writing Pam a lot here. It's important to show her blossoming here, I think, in ways she doesn't get to do until later in the series, since she has a different more positive trajectory in this AU.
Date: April 10, 2020 12:00 am Title: Chapter 33: Arrival at the Park
Double review because soon after my first review I realized something. It's one thing to make a suggestion to an author, it's another to write the story for them. So if my last review came across as pushy or anything like that, I apologize. It's your story to write and you're doing a masterful job with it.
Author's Response: Not a problem! Didn't feel pushy, just like you wanted to convey where the scene had led you in your head.
Date: April 09, 2020 09:32 pm Title: Chapter 33: Arrival at the Park
Delightful banter. Good on Jim to get one back at Pam for her making him go all agog since her arrival.
At first I was thinking Jim was going to offer to give her a foot rub. Her being hesitant because she's ticklish. Jim saying something sweet like he'd never tickle her if she didn't want to be tickled. Him giving her a nice foot rub, and then her falling asleep on his shoulder or some such. Ah well, maybe later.
One thing I haven't mentioned thus far. Of all the Pam-goes-to-Australia fics I've read, I really love this one because the story doesn't end there at the airport or wherever Jim and Pam meet. So thanks for giving us what is so much more to the story. It's a ton of fun.
Author's Response: Thank you! I appreciate the feedback! I don't see that happening right out in public like that, and I don't think Pam would be OK with that if it did, so that's why it didn't.
Date: April 09, 2020 09:17 pm Title: Chapter 33: Arrival at the Park
So much flirtation and I am living for it! This is so much nicer than a season of angst... I wish I still had jellybeans...
Author's Response: Thank you! I also wish we'd gotten more of their early moments as a couple and less angst...but I guess one sells better.
Date: April 09, 2020 07:00 pm Title: Chapter 33: Arrival at the Park
Fun!
Jellybean
Author's Response: Thank you! :)
Date: April 09, 2020 05:28 am Title: Chapter 32: A Long Walk
The final line is killing me. It's sooo good... almost as good as the whole "That's not a... - THAT is a…" game.
I'm a little worry about Pam's feet (after THAT walk they must be sore as hell), but I have a feeling that this journey will totally pay off :)
Author's Response: Thank you! I think she'll manage but yeah, it's not great for her.
Date: April 08, 2020 09:20 pm Title: Chapter 32: A Long Walk
Jellybean
Author's Response: Thank you!
Date: April 08, 2020 08:14 pm Title: Chapter 32: A Long Walk
Comfect. I can’t with the Crocodile Dundee references. I’m originally from a very small town. My hometown celebrity is the buffalo from Crocodile Dundee. His name was Charlie and he was an angel. I am very deep in my feels right now...
So, I learned from this chapter that there is an American way of spelling “kilometre” which makes no sense to me considering you guys don’t use kilometres? But, there you go...
This chapter was lovely, I don’t know how you took something as boring to experience in reality like sitting on a train/bus and made it well worth reading, but you did!
Author's Response:
Awww. That's an amazing story. I have...uh...not actually seen the whole film. But even I knew that reference...maybe I'll look up this buffalo of yours.
We do use kilomet(re)s in science. And we have the word meter. So there you go: kilometers. And thanks! It's really nice to know this was worth reading :)
Date: April 08, 2020 07:38 pm Title: Chapter 32: A Long Walk
Ah Crocodile Dundee, I was wondering if any sort of reference to that would show up. Still waiting for an overenthusiastic "Crikey!" at some point. Hopefully when the promised fluffy things make an appearance and not the many pointy, pokey, or poison-y things make appearances.
The thing of it is though, I never once got the impression Jim and Pam were ever lost in this chapter. A bit befuddled about the location of their destination to be sure, but they're not lost. They're right where they're supposed to be, together.
Author's Response: So, confession, I've never seen it. But I knew a reference was a necessity. And yes, I do think that's an appropriate reading of "lost" here. Thanks for the review.
Date: April 08, 2020 05:19 am Title: Chapter 31: Waiting for a Train
Oh, it's so nice to see how comfortable Pam feels around Jim. That she can be concentrated, silly, playful, and it won't cause her to feel guilt or something like that. I think this 'spring feeling' was something that they both needed so much in their lives.
Lovely, lovely, lovely!
Author's Response: Thank you, thank you, thank you! I think this is the time that if it had happened Pam would have felt best about it--fresh off the strength of breaking up with Roy (the way I describe it at least, where it's a good faith effort and a fairly reasonable break).
Date: April 07, 2020 09:10 pm Title: Chapter 31: Waiting for a Train
Ok. I’m just going to attach a verbal jellybean to each chapter.
So here: jellybean
Author's Response: Thank you! I appreciate it :)
Date: April 07, 2020 06:43 pm Title: Chapter 31: Waiting for a Train
Haha, I’m glad you could put my knowledge of our subpar public transport system to use!
Describing Pam’s laugh in terms of the seasons was lovely. Such a beautiful description. Their banter continues to be all sorts of adorable. Nice to see the Halpert Helper make another appearance. Onwards to the fluffy creatures!
Author's Response:
Oh, I am going to use that to the hilt. Thank you!
Fluffy creatures soon--first, my own transit errors in Sydney.
Date: April 07, 2020 05:43 pm Title: Chapter 31: Waiting for a Train
Gah! Why do I not have any jellybeans left! If anyone out there is reading this and can jelly bean this chapter, please, make it like the Easter bunny tripped and fell all over this chapter.
I mean, this was just pure simple, grin inducing, fun. Of course Jim is a better boyfriend than, *cough him cough*. I love how Jim is being respectful of her in several ways and at the same time giving as good as he gets in regards to her teasing.
Him finding the Halpert Helper was a hoot. As was all of their banter here. Still great fun.
Author's Response: Aw, thanks! I always take it as a point of pride if I can run you out of those before I run out of story. I hope you keep enjoying!
Date: April 07, 2020 01:20 pm Title: Chapter 30: Planning
Awww, Jim's thoughts about Pam's beauty are so sweet!
And I hope they'll see kangaroos after all :)
Author's Response: Thanks! They will, though it might take a couple of chapters to get there.
Date: April 07, 2020 04:16 am Title: Chapter 30: Planning
I don’t know how one would get to the botanic gardens exactly (because I tend to be on foot or in a car in these places) but I can tell you if they’re intending on catching public transport the chances of it being late or not running at all are very, very high in Sydney... Just a super “fun” fact...
This chapter was absolutely delightful - particularly Jim’s “gah” and “um.” Hilarious. This Pam is a whole lot of fun. She’s lighter somehow, and I love how she feels that way, without you having to step out that she is that way. If that makes sense...
Author's Response: TRAIN! I love trains. It's a long journey though, so I'm definitely taking advantage of your fun fact. Thank you for the review! It's nice to know she's coming across that way.
Date: April 06, 2020 08:46 pm Title: Chapter 30: Planning
Gob-smacked Jim was a delight. No other word for it there. He's still in shock from everything and it come off as adorable.
Good on Pam for stepping up to the plate. Quick little stumble there with the "out of our...Roy's place." However it's a great little character moment. Old habits die hard so quick slip-ups like that are bound to happen.
Good on Jim to not make a big deal of it though. They're both just enjoying each other's company and it's lovely to see.
Author's Response: I love writing gobsmacked Jim. It's so fun! And yeah, there's no way Pam's not still thinking of it partly as her place. No matter how much she's moving on. And she definitely is.
Date: April 06, 2020 01:58 pm Title: Chapter 29: The Night into Morning
I like that despite Pam and Jim are together now and have four (disputable, but let it be four) dates, they are still nervous and don't quite believe that this is all for real.
It's adorable and touching... well, I love everything about Jam, but this fragile stage of their relationships takes a special place in my heart.
Author's Response: Thank you! It's a lot of fun to write--most of my stories hit that fragile time at least once. This one of course is deep in it.
Date: April 05, 2020 09:56 pm Title: Chapter 29: The Night into Morning
Is knackered part of the American vernacular? I did a bit of a double take because it sounded so very Australian - a good thing in this story!
I like contrast here, in Jim having a very random selection of clothing, & Pam having everything. Although, I’m with Pam there, sometimes it harder to pick something when you have all the options (& somehow no options all at once... story of my life...)
That last little bit. Ugh. I can see it all so clearly. Jim’s disappointment & then the way he would light up at seeing Pam. Beautiful.
Author's Response: Not really, no. I just like the word so I used it! Glad you're enjoying :)
Date: April 05, 2020 07:29 pm Title: Chapter 29: The Night into Morning
Back to introspection. Nothing wrong with that mind you. Considering the subject matter of the chapter, it's rather fitting. Love the comparisons of them choosing their wardrobes. Jim's pink shirt, green henley, and a bomber T-shirt. (Gives Comfect a quick Jim face and resolves to keep working on his own stuff as soon as this review is written)
Pam's dream was fun to envision. Written subtle enough to keep the rating, but considering the talent for writing more detailed fics about such things on the forum, still plenty there to one to envision. Nice balance. Also kinda of fun to envision Pam, Penny, and Kelly heading out for a girls night with Penny and Kelly trying to do their best to get Pam out of her normal attire.
The last lovely image was right at the end of course. Where Jim sees her coming out of her room. Something tells me he'll be looking like that at her for some time. Which is of course adorable.
Author's Response: Thank you! I will always take introspection breaks, especially if I can make Jim look ridiculous ;). Bombers and Jim just go together you know (I'm behind on reviewing, sorry).
Date: April 05, 2020 02:00 am Title: Chapter 28: One Hostel
Okay, one of the first things I've done after reading this chapter was googling 'Waltzing Matilda' and listening to the song. This is what I love about this story - it doesn't just entertain, but educates. That's great!
Also, though Pam disagrees with me, I think it would be cute if the first night together they spent just sleeping :)
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying all aspects of the story! And I might agree with you, but trying to figure out Pam's POV I think she wouldn't...
Date: April 04, 2020 09:43 pm Title: Chapter 28: One Hostel
To be fair, I would *totally stay at a touristy trap like the Big Apple Hostel in New York (*if I was 10 years younger & actually stayed in hostels. Give me the creature comforts of an actual hotel any day). But Pam & Jim as locals-ish probably not so much.
This whole exchange continues to be banter-y and adorable. I’m glad they’re going to their own rooms. Now they have things straightened up between them, it’s nice for them to have a few moments to process it all before really diving in.
The way Pam has been gently teasing him every step of the way has been just perfect. I love that there’s a little moment like that in every chapter. She really does never quit - and it’s delightful.
Author's Response: I mean, so would I, but I think Pam and Jim think of themselves as a little more sophisticated about the town since they're closer to it (same asterisk as you of course). Thank you for the review, and I really am glad you're enjoying the teasing.