A Year in Australia: Half way mark!!

The half way mark to our adventures is approaching quickly.

We have just started feeling a bit homesick the past month or so. I think it was mainly due to having the two week break and Karen's moms visit which gave us a taste of home.

It was hard getting back into the swing of things for all of us. There was very little appeal to getting up early, walking to school, teaching the nutcases, swimming and dance lessons, the mundane routine of everyday life after the holidays. However, we've adjusted back and am looking forward to another fantastic term!! Time is passing so quickly, we really need to stay positive and enjoy every minute!

Margot mentioned for the first time since arrival that she might like school here in Australia better than Canada. She said she is getting used to it and enjoying it.

Fergus' year 8 boys go to Manly every other Tuesday for surfing lessons. Fergus was able to go this past week and he had a great time. He was in the water for only an hour or so but he was shattered by the time he got home, especially after an hour and 15 on the bus with 40 13 year old boys! Anyhoo, maybe Ferg will be a proficient surfer by the end of the year.

Karen was not looking forward to walking to and from school for the next 10 weeks. A typical day is to get up, walk Margot to school, walk home and stop for coffee with Fiona while she has a quick play at the playground, walk to swimming lessons, Fiona has swimming, come home to tidy up, make dinner, answer some emails, hang out the laundry, walk to school to pick up Margot, walk home, homework, dinner, bath, stories, bed, etc.

However, there are other days of the week when both Fiona and Margot are at school and Karen might have lunch or coffee with a bunch of Moms or head to the city to do some exploring. This week she went to the World Press Photo Exhibit at the NSW State library. It was fantastic as it always is. She also made it to the Parliament building, Sydney Hospital, the Mint, St James Cathedral, all of which are on MacQuarie Street. She enjoyed being in the city with the workers, the tourists, the busy people. She also saw Carson Kressley from Queer Eye at Myers department store doing a show!! Fun and camp and over-the-top!

So basically life is GOoooooood! We're off to the Blue Mountains tomorrow!