It's almost time to be leaving Australia this time. The suitcases are out in the living room, and we're cleaning inside and outside. I'm wrapping up things in the classroom, sending home report cards and finished assignment books. Friends are inviting us for "one more" tennis game, karaoke night, luncheon, fishing night, game of bowls, and more.
Last weekend we made sure to get to Paul and Diana in Port Macquarie to visit for the afternoon. This weekend will be Christmas dinner with some friends, starting at noon and lasting till ??? as usual! I'm gathering thank you and goodbye gifts for the special people here. Wow. Where did this year go? Oh, if I scroll down I guess I can read where it went!
We're looking forward to being home again, but it's very, very hard to say goodbye here for now. Very.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Mom, can I drive?
Ross knows I will always say yes if he asks to drive me to the beach for a walk. We're 5 minutes or 20 minutes to a beach, depending on which one we choose. The 5 minute one goes straight out a wooden boardwalk from downtown (all two blocks) Urunga. The next one means driving through the kangaroo park area. Others are down the road a little further. Each one is long, unspoiled, unpopulated, and fantastic.
We're able to have "car talks" when we walk on the beach. You know, those talks we've all had throughout the years with our own folks, maybe, where you're in the front seat and can discuss things without too much eye contact and with no way to leave! I guess that makes these "beach talks." It's also the time we talk about plans for next year or what's going on with different things for us. Some walks have been chances to watch dolphins playing in the surf and cruising along the shoreline just out from the wave line. We've also laughed together over the comical Aussies fishing or camping very rustic-style on the beach. It's such a fun lifestyle.
Our goal before we go? A beach a day. Hmmm. With record rainfall, that may make it tricky for every day. Wish us luck!
We're able to have "car talks" when we walk on the beach. You know, those talks we've all had throughout the years with our own folks, maybe, where you're in the front seat and can discuss things without too much eye contact and with no way to leave! I guess that makes these "beach talks." It's also the time we talk about plans for next year or what's going on with different things for us. Some walks have been chances to watch dolphins playing in the surf and cruising along the shoreline just out from the wave line. We've also laughed together over the comical Aussies fishing or camping very rustic-style on the beach. It's such a fun lifestyle.
Our goal before we go? A beach a day. Hmmm. With record rainfall, that may make it tricky for every day. Wish us luck!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Here Today Gone Tomorrow
Jetting back to the states for this quick trip was eye-opening in a couple of ways. First of all, everyone talked like I talk! The money looked really weird, too. I rented a car so was driving right out of the airport, but that didn't seem strange at all, like I expected, to be on the right side of the road. I couldn't get the turn indicators or wipers at all, though. And now that I'm back in Australia, I really can't get them. Like I don't even try. I just hit one and hope! My head won't make the change this time, I guess!
I took back lots of bags (read souveniers, sweaters and Lacross sticks . . . )to leave there until January. So on the way back, I carried only my small day pack. I got the funniest looks in line at the check in counter and later in customs. That's the way to travel, I've decided! No cart necessary for me! Actually, the immigration folks were not amused and questioned me a little longer than some others!
As the folks were sad leaving Australia on the way out, I had the happy feeling of getting to come back in a few days. But I did think of how it will feel in 3 weeks, when it's our turn to be leaving and saying goodbye to this beautiful place. I guess I'll do the same again, think how happy it is that we will come back - some day.
I took back lots of bags (read souveniers, sweaters and Lacross sticks . . . )to leave there until January. So on the way back, I carried only my small day pack. I got the funniest looks in line at the check in counter and later in customs. That's the way to travel, I've decided! No cart necessary for me! Actually, the immigration folks were not amused and questioned me a little longer than some others!
As the folks were sad leaving Australia on the way out, I had the happy feeling of getting to come back in a few days. But I did think of how it will feel in 3 weeks, when it's our turn to be leaving and saying goodbye to this beautiful place. I guess I'll do the same again, think how happy it is that we will come back - some day.
A Weekend Away
Well, but this time it was a hemisphere away, too! The trip back to San Francisco for my dad's celebration was a good trip, and I'm so thankful I could do it. Seeing everyone was so heart-warming, and it was a beautiful time to remember Dad. I spent the last day in Sonoma where my mom's family roots are, which was also a warm hug all the way around.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Saying Bye to My Dad
It's been over a week now, and you can imagine I've been reluctant to type the words out. But my dad passed away in Sacramento, California, and we've all been working to come to terms with it.
He was an amazing man, quite a character, a talented musician, horseman, marksman, and private investigator. He'd been ill for a few weeks fighting off this and that in the hospital, and finally wasn't able to fight off this last bit. No matter that one expects it coming, it is always a shock, isn't it? And of course it brings up so many human emotions. That's probably a good thing. Some of them need to be felt again if it's been awhile.
So there is a beautiful celebration of his life being planned by my sister and step family there, and I'll come out for the weekend before flying back to finish up work here at Macksville.
So the blog has been quiet for awhile as we've teetered between phonecalls, conversations, memories, and arrangements. I'm glad that Dad is at peace now, and I take comfort in knowing that his life was rich and full with wonderful friends and an adoring family near and far.
He was an amazing man, quite a character, a talented musician, horseman, marksman, and private investigator. He'd been ill for a few weeks fighting off this and that in the hospital, and finally wasn't able to fight off this last bit. No matter that one expects it coming, it is always a shock, isn't it? And of course it brings up so many human emotions. That's probably a good thing. Some of them need to be felt again if it's been awhile.
So there is a beautiful celebration of his life being planned by my sister and step family there, and I'll come out for the weekend before flying back to finish up work here at Macksville.
So the blog has been quiet for awhile as we've teetered between phonecalls, conversations, memories, and arrangements. I'm glad that Dad is at peace now, and I take comfort in knowing that his life was rich and full with wonderful friends and an adoring family near and far.
Back to the Grind - Urunga Style
So Monday it was back to work, back to school, and back to the washing. Ross' pack from his trip was full of dirty laundry, cheap sunglasses, souveniers, and I'm sure I don't even know. His room was as if a bomb had hit and he'd been home 24 hours.
The students at school were putty in my hands, all rested, refreshed and once again amazed at my clever teaching strategies. That usually lasts one and one half days. This time, this country, this hemisphere it was no exception.
Pat, inspired by Aaron's backyard river fishing, had a pole in the water each day this week.
Peaceful in Paradise.
The students at school were putty in my hands, all rested, refreshed and once again amazed at my clever teaching strategies. That usually lasts one and one half days. This time, this country, this hemisphere it was no exception.
Pat, inspired by Aaron's backyard river fishing, had a pole in the water each day this week.
Peaceful in Paradise.
Monday, November 8, 2010
The Last Night in Urunga Pub Tradition
In honor of the long-standing, 11 month tradition of the Last Night in Urunga spent at the Pub, we had to take the "kids" there as their final evening in our town. Friends met us there and listened to our travel tales.
Ross was home from Viet Nam, so it was a reunion all around. He missed eating with chop sticks, even though the meal was hot chips (fat french fries). He harrassed his stepbrother who harrassed him back. And he caught up through the window with his buddy working in the kitchen.
The best part about having family visit is that family visits! The worst part is that they leave to go back home. It was a glorious time, and each day was like gold to both Pat and me. Hugs and kisses till we get back!
Ross was home from Viet Nam, so it was a reunion all around. He missed eating with chop sticks, even though the meal was hot chips (fat french fries). He harrassed his stepbrother who harrassed him back. And he caught up through the window with his buddy working in the kitchen.
The best part about having family visit is that family visits! The worst part is that they leave to go back home. It was a glorious time, and each day was like gold to both Pat and me. Hugs and kisses till we get back!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
October 10 - Seal and Dolphin Kisses!
Picture torrential rains. That was our day with the seals and dolphins! Nevermind! We're true Oregonians, and we never let a little rain dampen our spirits, even if it is the "kids'" last day in Australia, darn it!
The Pet Porpoise Pool is a local attraction that features a dolphin show and sea lions on stage. The good news is that it is small, intimate, and uncrowded. We each got a kiss from the dolphin, we each got a kiss from the seal, we each fed fairie penguins (eew - the feeding part, not the penguin part), and we each petted the dolphins as they swam by in the waist-high pool. The park is very interactive. We were even able to feed shrimp to the sea turtle and gigantic fish. Let's just say they were plenty hungry and I dropped my whole tongs in when the fish snatched the prawn I was saving for the turtle! Nevermind the explicative I used with the nice small-child family standing nearby! Yikes. Fun, but always a surprise in store, that's the story of this year!
The Pet Porpoise Pool is a local attraction that features a dolphin show and sea lions on stage. The good news is that it is small, intimate, and uncrowded. We each got a kiss from the dolphin, we each got a kiss from the seal, we each fed fairie penguins (eew - the feeding part, not the penguin part), and we each petted the dolphins as they swam by in the waist-high pool. The park is very interactive. We were even able to feed shrimp to the sea turtle and gigantic fish. Let's just say they were plenty hungry and I dropped my whole tongs in when the fish snatched the prawn I was saving for the turtle! Nevermind the explicative I used with the nice small-child family standing nearby! Yikes. Fun, but always a surprise in store, that's the story of this year!
October 9 - Museum of Interesting Things
Did you know Russell Crowe owns a museum? Neither did we. He lives in our area and owns a pub and museum about 1 1/2 hrs from here in Nymboida. We took a drive out to see his place and enjoy the countryside, or as the Aussies call it, the bush.
Nymboida is a beautiful setting northwest from here, with a river flowing by. In the summer you can rent a tube and PFD and float the river - but it' more like a water park float, so you have to be prepared for action! Next to the river is his historic pub and museum. Next to that, well there isn't much next to that but more bush!
The museum is a barn out back with some of Crowe's collectibles, including costumes from some of his movies, like Gladiator. Antique motorcycles, gold records from Cash and others, replicas of stage coaches, and early domestic items and tools are on display. It's a hodge podge of things, but fun anyway. Aaron and Pat, being the movie buffs they are, could share bits and pieces from the different movies represented.
Late that night was a Fishing Trip. Graeme took Pat and Aaron out, but no luck. No one seemed too disappointed, though. I'm learning that's okay with them!
Jolyn and I enjoyed a cozy evening at home reading and talking until late. The only thing missing was a couple of quarts of Haagan Daz! Next time, Jolyn!
Nymboida is a beautiful setting northwest from here, with a river flowing by. In the summer you can rent a tube and PFD and float the river - but it' more like a water park float, so you have to be prepared for action! Next to the river is his historic pub and museum. Next to that, well there isn't much next to that but more bush!
The museum is a barn out back with some of Crowe's collectibles, including costumes from some of his movies, like Gladiator. Antique motorcycles, gold records from Cash and others, replicas of stage coaches, and early domestic items and tools are on display. It's a hodge podge of things, but fun anyway. Aaron and Pat, being the movie buffs they are, could share bits and pieces from the different movies represented.
Late that night was a Fishing Trip. Graeme took Pat and Aaron out, but no luck. No one seemed too disappointed, though. I'm learning that's okay with them!
Jolyn and I enjoyed a cozy evening at home reading and talking until late. The only thing missing was a couple of quarts of Haagan Daz! Next time, Jolyn!
October 8, Brissie to Urunga
After plane-ing to Brisbane (or Brissie, as the locals call it), we checked in late to the Youth Hostel, got a few hours of sleep, and caught the early morning train to Urunga. The train was smooth, comfortable, and very easy to finish our night's sleep on as the photo suggests! We were met at the train station by Graeme who brought us home and enjoyed our photos that Pat popped onto the laptop straight up! I was able to make sandwiches right away since Graeme had also stocked our fridge for us with bread, meat, cheese, and milk. There were even fresh flowers on the counter, and the windows were opened for fresh air. So sweet.
Weather in Urunga? Cold and rainy! What! Aaron and Jolyn had three days until they were to leave back for the States, and it couldn't be raining! But it was. Like good Oregonians, we made the best of it.
Weather in Urunga? Cold and rainy! What! Aaron and Jolyn had three days until they were to leave back for the States, and it couldn't be raining! But it was. Like good Oregonians, we made the best of it.
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