First, a note about this photograph. Jen and I were at a Division Meeting with the local Guide leaders tonight - it was their year-end wrap up and we'd been invited along so we could meet the other leaders. We had a BBQ in one of the leaders' backyards. Everyone headed inside as dusk fell because it got cold (currently it's supposedly 16C outside, but it sure feels colder than that!). When we went back outside at the end of the evening to finish clearing away the dishes, we scared up this possum who'd been happily investigating our leftovers. Now, you need to understand that possums here fill the same niche as raccoons back home (e.g., they're pests in the city) - but c'mon, you've gotta admit he's CUTE!I've not really been doing anything exciting over the last few days, which would be why my blog has slowed down just a little. I mean, I'm doing stuff, but I don't know that much of it is, well, blog-able. So forgive me for meandering a bit in tonight's writings. I've been struggling with a whole series of mixed emotions. I'm feeling a little homesick because it's starting to sink in that I won't be going home for Christmas. I'm excited about our upcoming travel adventures at the end of December. I'm relieved that my holiday shopping is all done and winging its way homeward. I'm embarassed that the presents I did manage to send home are so small - but between my lack of income this year and the hideous cost of postage, there wasn't much I could do. I'm frustrated that I haven't explored the city as much as I thought I would have by this time, and I worry that I haven't done enough travelling. I'm sad that most of my housemates are moving out over the holidays, and that when Jen and I get back at the end of January, we'll be coming home to a house full of strangers. So yeah, like I said, lots of crazy, conflicting emotions right now.
SO! In an attempt to put myself back into a positive mindset, I'm gonna list ten things that are making me happy right now:
1) It's December and I'm wearing sandals and shirtsleeves - and even, sometimes, shorts... although not as often as you might think!
2) Jen and I got invited to Sydney for Christmas - so we have a place here where we now belong, and family too. This is unbelievably cool.
3) There are so many beautiful birds here - even if they do wake me up at 5am with their calls. I mean, it's not like I've got to go to work in the mornings or anything.
4) I live in a cool house full of fun, funny people - and I will enjoy their company for as long as I can before so many have to leave.
5) I have not had to deal with one single crabby parent or challenging student for the past four months - nor have I written a single report card. Talk about a stress reliever!
6) There is a lemon tree in the yard of a house further down our street, so whenever we need a lemon (like last night, for example), all we need to do is pluck one off the tree (whilst ensuring nobody's looking, tee hee! Seriously - there are SO MANY lemons on this tree that one less will hardly be noticed. The over-ripe ones just fall off and lay rotting on the sidwalk!). As a sidebar - we've decided that not-quite-ripe lemons (the ones that are still greenish) are lime-ons.
7) All things considered, I seem to be doing ok for money so far... which was one of my big concerns going into this trip.
8) I can snap photos of the local wildlife and giggle like a small child and not feel embarassed about this in the least. Sometimes being a tourist is a good thing.
9) My friends and family back home have been wonderful and supportive of me on this adventure. I appreciate the hours that many of you have spent with me on MSN and on Skype - it helps to keep me grounded in reality. :-)
10) I am on this adventure with one of my best friends - and she keeps me on an even keel when I'm feeling blue. Thanks, Jen.
