What's that I smell in the air? Could it be the cool breezes of Aussie winter creeping in under our doorway? This week June hits us with a vengeance, and as Canada warms up to the summer of 2011, here in the Aussie East we have just experienced the first night cold enough to crank up the heater ... what a switch!
Just six short weeks left ... WHERE did the time go??
It seems like just yesterday I was scampering off the plane and into the pacific ocean for the first time, completely thrown off by the right-side steering wheels and red-shingled rooftops ... a confusing and wonderful feeling that soon melted into well-adjusted comfort and true love for the aussie nation. And now, just as I'm getting used to being an honorary Australian, I'll be swept back to Canada, my real home, for the first time in 10 long months. So many thoughts, so many feelings ....
In truth, I am beyond ecstatic to see Canada again, not to mention everyone and everything in it. Friends and fam alike, prepare for a serious homecoming showdown upon my return .. I guarantee you'll be sick of the stories by the time my jet lag wears off, but nevertheless I am more than stoked to see and hug all of you again :) That being said, leaving this magical place is going to be very, very difficult .. to say the least.
BUT that's a problem for future Jill, as I still have six wonderful weeks left, and I plan on making every single moment of them count! Here's what we've been up to in the Maytime ...
Just six short weeks left ... WHERE did the time go??
It seems like just yesterday I was scampering off the plane and into the pacific ocean for the first time, completely thrown off by the right-side steering wheels and red-shingled rooftops ... a confusing and wonderful feeling that soon melted into well-adjusted comfort and true love for the aussie nation. And now, just as I'm getting used to being an honorary Australian, I'll be swept back to Canada, my real home, for the first time in 10 long months. So many thoughts, so many feelings ....
In truth, I am beyond ecstatic to see Canada again, not to mention everyone and everything in it. Friends and fam alike, prepare for a serious homecoming showdown upon my return .. I guarantee you'll be sick of the stories by the time my jet lag wears off, but nevertheless I am more than stoked to see and hug all of you again :) That being said, leaving this magical place is going to be very, very difficult .. to say the least.
BUT that's a problem for future Jill, as I still have six wonderful weeks left, and I plan on making every single moment of them count! Here's what we've been up to in the Maytime ...
It's amazing how fast a place can turn into a home ...Last Sunday the tondara crew braved the rain and hoards of children for a discount entrance at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, and so began another day of hanging with the animals.
Koalas; the ring leaders of creative napping.
Mister Wombat!! Finally!! My #1 Aussie mission is officially accomplished, and not since the introduction to The Rescuers Down Under have I seen something so cute and awkward ... They are pretty much tiny furry hippos, bumbling along and being adorable. Despite all my efforts to take one home with me, they proved to be far too heavy and far too secured for a quick getaway.
The boys making their very best wombat faces.
... halfway through the day there was a flip-flop casualty, but thanks to the endless supply of yellow electrical tape conveniently tucked in my purse, I was able to makeshift some functional (and horribly stylish) footwear for the rest of the day. Move over gladiators, there's a new shoe style in town ...Contact me for a pair in your size!
Adam making friends ...
Me making friends ...
Dao scaring friends away (as usual) ...
Just chillen.
Off to see the giant crocodile ... and very excited about it!Good day all around, sadly the camera died right before we went to visit the giant croc (I'm talking, GIANT. looked like a dinasour. I'm gonna say, easily the length of all three of us put together, plus one wombat) but lack of pictures aside, we had an excellent day.
Other recent tondara adventures include all that is enjoyable in life, good food and good drink and good music (sometimes all at once). We've met some truly wonderful people, from the four-minute friendships spawned during messy bar nights to the beautiful ladies living right next door, I couldn't have asked for more in my last six weeks here on this side of the planet. I leave you now, with a few of my favourite moments of the last month.
two tiny manatees, hard at work ...
... and hard at play. I am proud to call you my roomies.
One more dip in the ocean, before it gets too cold!
Gonna miss those sunsets ♥
