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So we're approaching Christmas and everything is weird. It's grey raining and miserable most of the time, but hot. I don't need a coat, but an umbrella. It really doesn't feel like Christmas time - but the decorations are everywhere and all those around me are in the mood - so I'm playing catch up.
Late spring into summer is changing colours from the purples of Jackarandas to these red ones which no one knows the names of. I will grow some when I eventually have a garden though!
It looks like we'll be moving into 51 Hillside Drive (the rest of my address is the same as previously) as of early February. It is not as big as I thought it would be, but has 5 bedrooms and play room - so is still sizable. It needs a lot of work though, so we'll probably put our meagre belongings in one room to begin with and then magnolia the whole things just to give it a face lift. All carpets and flooring will be changed too eventually... But most importantly!
THE KITCHEN! I am not cooking in that thing - my cooking skills are a risk hazard as it is! And combined with that kitchen I can't see positive results. All the k*** have fallen out of the oven and the stove looked lethal. Not surprising since it hasn't been replaced since the house was built by Glen's multi-talented dad in the 80s. But his folks are kindly letting us rip out the kitchen and get a new one in ASAP, so that will make a huge difference. We'll chat with them more over Christmas.
Money-wise we're doing ok now, what with Glen's steady job and my casual work helping. As of Friday I am officially unemployed again and can't wait. I think I need to slow down - arriving in a foreign country and then going into fulltime work has driven me to the ground. I think looked at an open January is giving me a big lift, and I've got a few work-things in the pipeline which won't start kicking off until New Year and the new budgets - so I doubt I'll get that much time off having to travel to the city and meet contacts! But I'll make the most of it. I'm going to go to things that Glen thinks is rubbish (such as Bondi beach) but all tourists must do, and then other things with him after he finishes work at modday. Plus the girls on the coast are coming up with lists for me to do here, so we're going quadbiking over a beach apparently!
I have managed to fit some stuff in though - I went to the award winning Govindas last Friday - its a vegan Indian all-you-can-eat restaurant with an upstairs cinema - all for $28 (£13ish). The food, depsite lacking meat, is gorgeous and I'm not a huge fan of Indian! Cinema-wise, you need to be more tactical than me and Rachel and keep an eye on the playlist. With only one screen, you just have to take whats on the night you go, unless you have the foresight to plan ahead - We had one free night before Christmas and ended up watching The Women - interesting but I wouldn't go as far as entertaining - A great night though, and we will return in the new year on a night where there is a good film on.
Other than that, my credit card was used in Europe to buy clothes - but thankfully the transactions were declined and I'm getting a new card. I am very impressed with the bank and that they called my parents when it happened - gives you some faith in the system!
Plus my train route to work has had track work for the last fortnight - they actually rip out one side (there are only two tracklines throughout the entire Central Coast) and so only one line is active. But it only added 30min to my 2hr journey... you get used to it!
Christmas-wise I have nothing for anyone in Australia! I've sent some stuff back to the UK, but Glen has nothing to open on the day at the moment, and neither has anyone else! It is very odd not to know where to go! In the UK, if I was stuck for ideas I'd go the gadget shop or search the Argos catalogue, or wander the charity shops, none of which exist here in the same capacity. I guess it'll be a case of panic buying next Saturday! And they we fly to Cairns on the Sunday!
We arrive late on the 21st, and fly out early on Boxing day as Glen us working on both days. Whilst it will only be a whistle stop tour, we're going to go diving for a day, and go to the markets (I feel Christmas shopping may happen there....). Plus Glen's folks have a spa on their decking and his aunts and uncles each have a swimming pool! Wahoo!! Unfortunately the beach is out of the question - this time of year is the Box Jellyfish season, so there are literally thousand washed up on the sand and near the shore. One sting and you're rushed to hospital, and as long as you get treatment soon enough you won't die. I think I'll give the beachs a miss - although it does give me second thoughts about diving - but apparently the jellyfish stick to the shallows.... we'll see!
Anyway - that accounts for my recent activities. I have only just discovered the message wall on this blog site, so for those of you have written on it, I apologise for not responding back when you wrote! And for all of you who haven't written on it WRITE!!!
I can get this website printed into a book, so one day I want a huge book with all my photos and musings, and it would be lovely if I have some comments on my wall from you guys and what you have been up to!
I miss you all, and wish you a merry Christmas! Have a drink and a pig-in-blanket for me, and I'll do the same for all of you ;)
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