G'Day mates! Or should I say G'Night mates! It's Sunday evening, I just poured a cup of tea and I am ready to reminisce/update about my life! This post will be rather lengthy but, no worries it won't be extremely detailed! Enjoy!
Before I left Brisbane I was able to kayak the Brisbane river! I believe I had previously mentioned this but didn't have time to share the photos! Anyways, D [another fellow speechie] and I enjoyed the afternoon as we dabbled in the art of kayaking while dodging bull sharks...
Before I left Brisbane I was able to kayak the Brisbane river! I believe I had previously mentioned this but didn't have time to share the photos! Anyways, D [another fellow speechie] and I enjoyed the afternoon as we dabbled in the art of kayaking while dodging bull sharks...
Then on December 8th I began the trek home to CANADA! I still remember the exciting feeling of waiting to board the plane and over the next 20 odd hours I was the happiest long distance traveller onboard! I enjoyed my first coffee in Canadian airspace at 37000 feet and the excitement escallated once both feet landed on Canadian soil in Vancouver!
I spent the first five days back in Canada in Vancouver with my Grandma Holst, her siblings, their spouses and extended family. It was a lovely, relaxing week of transitioning from that awful 19 hour time difference. Over the week tons of great food was devoured, shopping had occurred, over 200 perogies were made and TONS of Christmas lights were viewed. Then on Friday, I spent the day and evening with A. I love how we can meet up and laugh as if we are 9 years old again as the stories pour out while we excitingly shop till we drop [as per usual].
Next, I was off to Edmonton to visit Grandma and Grandpa Hawken for the weekend! It felt great to be Alberta bound and the wonderful weather was also a treat! Over the weekend I cooked, cleaned, baked, caught up with J and in true Canadian fashion caught an NHL game!
Finally, after all the not-so-fun visits, dental and eye appointments, were finished I was going to be reunited with MOM! When I walked back into Grandma and Grandpa Hawkens house and saw Mom I was the cow-jumped-over-the-moon excited! After a short catch-up with Gma and Gpa I then got to check out her new ride! A beautiful 2015 Toyota Rav 4. Of course, before we left the city we HAD to stop at Costco. I squaked, squealed and screamed with excitement at all my favourite Canadian products and food from Costco before heading home! The trip to the farm went by quickly! I remember pulling into the yard as tears were already welling in my eyes. I WAS HOME! Looking back now, it's incredible how a place you once wanted to leave more than anything [hmm, hmm. as a reckless 17 year old girl] was now the place I wanted to be more than anything! The small layer of snow on the ground made the farm look so pretty and definitely put me in the Christmas spirit! Of course, I was first greeted by the most adorable dog, Ditchy-girl. She was so very excited to have me home [as was I] and she officially became my tag along for the rest of my time home. Then of course there was also Pawsy, whom didn't care to greet me kindly at all [no surprises there]. Either way, being officially "HOME" with Mom, Dad and the pets was overwhelmingly AMAZING! The rest of my time in and around Provost seemed to fly by! It contained many visits with family and friends but more importantly created many remarkable memories!
Suddenly, 34 days had come and gone. It was time to head back to Australia!! However, this time I wasn't going to be travelling alone! Michelle was accepted into the JD law program at Bond University in the Gold Coast and was beginning her journey Down Under! With a quick evening stop over in Vancouver we caught up with A & P again for dinner and drinks! It was nice having someone to travel with and it has been exceptionally great having a familiar face around!
We safely landed in Brisbane on January 12th and since then I have been very busy enjoying the sunshine! I want to throw out a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone I had a chance to see/visit/stay with over my 'holiday within a holiday' trip! It was lovely being home to Canada and I already cannot wait to return at the end of the year!
Until then, stay safe, warm and in touch my fellow Canadians!
Until then, stay safe, warm and in touch my fellow Canadians!