Paradise

We've arrived safe and sound after a 32 hour jaunt across the Pacific. We were met by a welcome team including my new principal! Since it was Christmas Eve, and all the stores would be closed for the next two days, they thought it would be great to stop in at the grocery store for a few things. It was a very good idea, but I'll tell you, reading kilograms and figuring the exchange rate with a very fuzzy head was a task!

Debbie and Graeme brought us to our beautiful new home. Christmas morning we woke up still fuzzy, but so glad to be here. Instead of the usual routine of waking us all up, lining up to walk in to open the stockings, and ripping open presents, we lolled in the pool. We made our way through the cupboards to make toast, instant coffee, and cold cereal. Pat has since purchased a real-live coffee maker, so this morning was much better for all of us!

I was buzzed by a lorikeet on my first morning walk. Today on a walk along a nearby boardwalk at the ocean, we saw a sea turtle coming up to have a look at us. We have a resident miniature lizard out the back door, and at my new school we saw a blue-tongued lizard! Noah, if you're reading this, I thought of you immediately!!

And yes, I said my new school! Our friends drove us to Macksville so I could peek in the windows and walk down the corridors! It is charming and comparitively rustic. It has a fresh coat of bright, playful blue paint. The playground comes with a cricket batting cage area. It is multi-level with classroom building pods up and down the hillside. It reminds me of summer camp. Ha! Maybe because I'm still on vacation!

Best of all, no offense to Macksville, was seeing KANGAROOS!!! In the park, not 5 minutes from the house, are scads of them, hanging out on the side of the road nibbling at the grass. FABULOUS. We saw 6 or 7 by the time we were through the little park. One mama had a joey in her pocket that should have been given the car keys two months ago. His head and feet and tail were sticking out, he was so huge. Poor mama had to work to hop away as we finished our photos.

Dream come true.