Chapter 5: Tis the season.....Merry Christmas!!!!

Sorry for the lack of updates this past while. I've been slacking off - haha! We've been getting all set for Christmas here in Oz. What else has been happening, I hear you ask?! Well, Dad's been sick and he's hurt his back. Didn't last too long thankfully. He still managed to take us ice skating one of the days. No skating for him though. His back still isn't 100% yet but he's getting on okay. He blames his old age - I think he still sees himself as being in his 20s.

I'm not as bad at the old skating as I make myself out to be. Ice skating is one of my Christmas traditions so it was nice to be able to do that over here. I can't honestly believe that it's Christmas Eve.  It's not the same here without the cold weather. I don't mean that in a bad way - I love the sunshine, and I certainly don't envy everyone in Ireland right now with all those storms and weather warnings. I hope everyone is doing okay! Most of the shopping has been done and wrapped. There's a Christmas tree, lights decorating houses all over the neighbourhood and beyond and Rose is excited for Christmas morning already. But, there is something to be said for being huddled beside a live fire in your pjs and dressing gown, drinking hot chocolate and watching old movies!

 Louise and I took a trip into Brisbane last week. It was a beautiful day, cloudy to begin with but clear blue skies had invaded by lunchtime. We surveyed the city from the Wheel of Brisbane and climbed up into the Memorial Garden on South Bank. We ate ice-cream with mini m&ms and tim tams while watching the ibis ( a species of bird). We got some good photos too!

On Friday morning, Dad, Louise, Rose and I went bowling (or 10 pin bowling as the Aussies call it). Now, I'm not particularly good at it and I played pretty poorly in the first game but, I won the second. Not only did I win but I got a few strikes/spares and I also beat Dad which was awesome. He wasn't too happy about it - haha. I don't think he expected it after how I played during the first game. Neither did I, if I'm honest!

That night, we went into town. Brisbane is lovely at night. It was packed of course, being that it was the Friday before Christmas. there was a Christmas Parade starting from Queen Street Mall. It rein-acted the nativity scene and scenes from the Nutcracker ballet, encompassing live animals and performers. After that we walked down to Town Hall where there was a lighting performance displayed on the outside of the building. It was beautiful. I'm hoping to upload a video of it with this entry so fingers crossed that'll work okay! (Edit: I'm sorry to say that the videos didn't turn out well so I've uploaded a fair few photos instead.)

In this last shot, I think it looks like there's snow. I love the lighting in this photo too (below)

Obviously, I can't say that I'm not having a good time. I've been  looking into possibly staying on or coming back in the near future. Seems stupid not to take advantage of the freedom I have now - I won't have it forever! I've made New Years plans too so I'll be moving on from Brissy soon. Down to Melbourne and I'll meet up with a few friends who are lolling about the place! And then, somehow I'll make my way up to Sydney from there. Can anyone say they've survived twelve hours on a bus??! I'll let you know how I get on  with that!

We're expecting a bit of a heat wave here over Christmas. That'll include sunshine, possible thunder storms and temperatures of up to 35 degrees in QLD. It's hotter down in Melbourne at the minute -about 40 degrees. The one thing I regret is not being able to drive over here. If a genie approached me and offered me three wishes, my first would be to be able to drive and have a car to drive over here. Oh the adventures I could have!

Anyway, I'll do my best to be a better correspondent from now on. Thank you all (whoever you are) for reading this. I'm amazed that so many read it!

Happy Christmas and I'll be taking to you in the new year!

Love Tasha x

A poem from long ago!

So, I wrote this poem about 10 years ago and now, as his anniversary approaches, I think it might be nice to share it with anyone who might like to read it

To My Grandfather 

Softly falling snow, black drawn carriage

Carrying the man who wakes no more.

Father, brother, husband, son

The list goes on - oh, how he will be missed!

The mourners come from all the land 

To reconcile those left behind

To watch him glide

Graciously 

Underground

Where he comes 

 No more.

Oh! How I shall miss your face

Your dark brown eyes

That twinkling smile

You have gone from this world

It seems 

Goodnight

Sweet Tom O' Dreams!

Chapter 4: South Bank, Tree Climbing and Sickness

So, what’s happened since I last posted?! Well, the girls have been sick all weekend but thankfully, all stomachs have settled today after many unsure days. Aside from that, the three sisters have been climbing trees and I have been getting an animation education in the form of Despicable Me 1 & 2 (those minions are so cute) and Rise of the Guardians (Loved it!!) .

On Thursday, we went to the park because dad had to work. All it took was one go on the giant swing to remind me of my childhood. It’s funny. No matter how old you are; we’re all the same age in a playground. We did a lot of climbing and laughing. Here are some photos from that day!

On Saturday, dad and I decided to vacuum the pool (it was full of leaves) and I had a swim in it with Rose in the afternoon. I got burnt a bit but not badly thankfully!

On Sunday, Dad and I went into Brisbane. I enjoyed our catch up over lunch and afterwards we did a bit of hat shopping as I really need one in this weather. Beautiful as it is, it’s important to keep your head out of the sun. We took a stroll through Queen Street Mall, over Victoria Bridge and down to South Bank. It’s a lovely part of the city; which encompasses The Wheel of Brisbane, Griffith University, many picnic areas and man-made beaches. It is the centre of culture, recreation and entertainment, according to my guide book – and I agree. It has a market and bars/restaurants, busy with locals and tourists shopping and enjoying themselves in the hot summer sun (despite being in the shade haha). The sun is taken for granted here by the locals as the sun will come out tomorrow. 

Entrance to the Memorial Park (below) and the Brisbane skyline (above)

Brisbane skyline from South Bank beach (below)

The Wheel of Brisbane (below)

 This one (below) was taken outside the Preforming Arts Centre just beside The Wheel of Brisbane.

This one is a few of the river, South Bank to the right and The Wheel of Brisbane from Victoria Bridge.

That's all for now. Catch you guys in the next instalment.

Tasha 

Treat yourself this weekend!

Chapter 3: Allergic reactions, Christmas lights and getting to know you

And so, I have been here over a week. Already!! It’s been pretty chilled out thus far. Saturday was the only rainy day. It was my sister’s birthday party – typical haha! Dad cooked lunch on the BBQ and it was delicious. I got to meet all their cousins again. It’s a fun family they have out here. Dad’s sister-in-law brought her two dogs as well which added to the mayhem – bringing the total count to eight adults, one teenager, one child and four dogs. Unfortunately, didn't get many pictures of the festivities.

That evening, we (me, Dad and my sisters) walked down to the local church. You should have seen it! It was covered with Christmas lights – green, blue, red, purple, turquoise, pink and white. There were koalas in the trees; an Indian monument inspired montage; lights that spelt out ‘welcome’ in all sorts of world language – I did notice, however, that they left out ‘Fáilte’ which is the Irish for welcome. There was a giant angel in the grass area outside; the usual suspects – reindeer, stars, the three wise men, Santa, Mary and Joseph etc. It was all very impressive!

On Sunday, I found that I had been bitten (by a mozzy most likely) and by that evening, my right ankle had blown up to three times its usual size – making the contrast between my feet almost comical. The bite had blistered and it was a bit painful. I couldn't walk on it and I had to keep it raised. What dramatics?! And I'm only in the country a few days!  It still hasn't cleared properly but the swelling has gone down considerably and the redness is fading. I am hoping it will disappear completely by the weekend. It’s not the most attractive thing to look at, I'll admit.

I realise that up until this point I have refrained from dropping names but I know that it would become extremely difficult and confusing to continue like that. So, without further ado, I will give my sisters aliases. The eldest, I will call Louise and I will call the youngest Rose.

Louise has been on summer holidays since Friday but Rose only finished school today. Monday morning saw Louise dragging herself out of bed to go running with Dad at 9am before breakfast. I had said that I’d go too but as I couldn't walk the day before, I figured that it wouldn't be the smartest thing to go running on it so soon. Instead, I walked on the side-lines, took a photo or two and soaked up a bit of vitamin D. Dad did a lap at the end and Louise and I had way too much fun shouting insults from the finish line. These failed to reach him as he raced around the track – what a show off! Ha!

Here's a photo of them heading out to the track.

Tuesday, Louise and I had a bit of a bonding session. We walked in the warm summer heat up to the local cinema to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. We both loved the film and dissected it on the walk home. Afterwards, she introduced me to her favourite music and we watched Mrs Brown’s Boys which is big over here. One interesting thing about it (which you probably know already), is that although it’s set in Ireland and all the cast is Irish, the show itself is recorded in Scotland.

Louise is great. She is smart, both academically and outside the classroom (i.e. her head is screwed on properly). She has a love of all things electronic and is a talented storyteller and writer. She’s interested in drama and would either like to be an author or an actor when she grows up. I wish I knew that much at her age! Oh, and she has a part-time job too.

Rose is your typical little girl – interested in everything, chatty, full of energy, questions and mischief. She has a bold streak but she does try to behave herself, despite driving her dad to distraction haha! She’s full of smiles and likes to pose for photos. She likes to draw, sing, and make up stories/songs. She’s a smart kid and does well at school too. Her's a photo of Rose.

That's enough for now. More photos to follow in my next post. 

Hope you're having a good day,

Love Tasha x

Chapter 2 - Getting here, battling jet lag and easing into Aussi life!

Phew, made it! Australia, Brisbane, and the Sunshine State – you can say that again. I could get used to this weather. After a long and patience testing twenty-seven hour flight - where sleep was prevented due to close quarters, multiple time zones and screaming children – we touched down into Brisbane International Airport. Twenty-three degrees at 8pm, something I have never encountered before. Grabbing my bag and passing through customs glitch free, I walked through the arrivals doors scanning the area for the sight of my dad. There you are, phew! It was great to see him after six years. He hasn’t changed except for a little less hair on top haha! And I’m still taller which I’m far too happy about. We head for home.

Butterflies invade as we approach the house. It’s the eve of my sister’s birthday and she doesn’t know I’m coming. Ek - I may be more excited than she is. I can hear the dogs’ barking as my dad opens the door. She’s grown taller but it’s the same little girl I met 8 years ago. Hugs and some tears on her part. More hugs. Some food and a quick catch up before I crash for the night.

The next morning I met my youngest sister, for the first time. She knew who I was but it took the day yesterday to get used to me. She spent breakfast in silent observation as if she couldn’t quite believe I was there. By the afternoon we were playing Guess Who?, Snakes & Ladders and Connect Four and in the evening I read her a bedtime story. She loves having someone new to play with.

Earlier on in the day, dad and I took a little drive up to Mt. Coot-tha lookout which is close by. Spectacular views: - you get a panoramic view of the whole city of Brisbane – the river, its suburbs and the mountains in the distance. I felt in awe of its beauty. Time kind of stood still up there. Despite being a tourist spot, it’s a very peaceful place. It’s nice to play the tourist for a change rather than serving them.

That's dad in the last one!

We also stopped at the Planetarium and had a look inside. It's named after Sir Thomas Brisbane. Yep, that's guy that the Brisbane is named after. It was full of school kids so we didn't stay too long.

It’s been beautiful weather so far as you can see from the pictures. Palm trees are a new thing for me, as is the temperature. Today it is approaching the 34 mark and we are expecting a bit of a thunder and lightning storm and then the weather will get a bit cooler tomorrow! This morning was my youngest sister’s Christmas show and after that dad and I went to his squash match. Who knew dad could run?! Haha! He’s a good player and has been playing for the last eight years. We’ll go next Friday too for the final match. Anyway, that’s all for now. Hope all is well wherever you are.

Love Tasha

Chapter 1 - Terminal 2.

I'm sitting here, in a sleepy departure lounge waiting to check in. To set the scene – passengers are sprawled out on couches, hoping to catch forty winks before the stress of travelling begins; others peruse their laptops and other technological gadgets, perhaps checking themselves in on Facebook (as I will probably do myself shortly) to prove to others that we do have a life; the lazier of us stare into space and there is one gentleman reading an ACTUAL book! It’s so dark outside that all you can see is the reflection of the terminal and the blinking  of Christmas lights outside. There is a Christmas tree in one corner. I haven’t slept since last night. I'm wondering how long I'll be able to maintain this state of being awake.

I have been planning this trip since March. It’s been a long yet short wait – if you've ever been looking forward to something you'll agree and understand that. I still can't believe I'm here. FINALLY! And so, with time to spare (as I'm ridiculously early, as per usual), I've decided that I would set up this account of my travels in Australia and any other corners that life takes me. Having left my Irish family behind (tears and hugs in abundance), I'm off to see the Australian contingent! It feels very surreal to me - I've been planning it for so long I suppose so it won't hit me until I get to London to my connecting flight which will take me to Malaysia and then on to Australia.

I haven't seen my dad and sisters in years and one sister I have yet to meet so this trip is giving me the opportunity to reconnect with them and to have some well-deserved fun. I’d be lying if I said I wasn't excited – haha! I'll have to learn the lingo, I suppose. And there are BBQ plans afoot for my sister’s birthday at the weekend so I'll get some photos up from that in my next post. 

I hope, whoever you are – family, friend, foe or complete stranger, that you will enjoy reading these little anecdotes. Even though I may be away for a while you will be able to see what I get up to and keep in touch. Enjoy and happy reading! Love Tash