Day 50: comfort & joy

My last day in Perth; my last day with AB & The Scot. Sniffle.

I was thinking of going to Rottnest Island, maybe even doing a dive there, but this morning that felt too ambitious & what I really wanted to do was just hang out with AB.

I woke up to an email from chick suggesting we skype so AB & I video chatted with her! Got to say hi to my friend (her boyfriend - read his blog, Discard The Lard, its funny!), Todd, & somewhat fuzzily waved to his visiting family. The connection was terrible so conversation was limited; we mostly laughed at the robotic moves & freeze-frame faces our computer cameras generated. Todds roommate also entertained is by doing top-hat dances & playing one-note songs behind chick. So silly.

After that, we sat around for a while, watching bad TV as I caught up on blogging & she looked at wedding mags. It was one of those completely inconsequential but completely perfect moments where you're just comfortable, relaxed & happy with another person.

In the afternoon, we headed out to Leederville for some window shopping, stopping at the post office on the way to ship off some Christmas packages.

We sat in the window of a cafe, drinking coffees, talking about our last few years - who we've become - and our next few years - where we're going. I'm really at a crossroads in my life, completely directionless, and I've been hoping this trip will engage the magnet of my internal compass. I'm proud of AB and envious of the life shes built for herself; though we're both artists, our paths are almost polar opposite but our basic intent is the same. And so she gets me. We talked possibilities & I started to feel the thrill of new ideas.

Window shopped some lovely stores; I was tempted but I didn't buy anything. I enjoy looking at what's in fashion in different countries & it did give me some creative ideas for home decorating... someday...

Went back to the house where The Scot was sleepy with a hangover & AB & I goofed off til Lauren came over. We all walked across the street to the beachfront restaurant The Blue Duck for their $20 mussels night. I'd never had mussels til I got to Perth but I like 'em. Yummers.

We sat outside & laughed & laughed & laughed, long after the food was gone & we were almost the last people there.

Then home to print out my flight details, wash clothes (clumsy me, I splattered Thai mussel sauce all over myself), pack, and say some "we'll see each other soon" goodbyes. I went to bed way too late.

Today I'm so happy & grateful for:
~ AB & The Scot's hospitality & love - I'm so lucky to have friends like you
~ insight
~ beach sunsets

Xo! n.

Day 49: bridesmaid duties

The Scot went to a huge Proclaimers (yes "I would walk 500 miles" - they're Scottish) concert so AB & I had a wonderful girly day to ourselves!  I love The Scot, and I love their friends, but AB is one of my best friends & it's really nice to just have some time alone with her.

First we went to Caversham Wildlife Park, which has been on The Scot's to do spreadsheet since he read my wanderlist & saw I want to hold a koala.  Well, they wouldn't let me hold it, but i did get to pet it & it was freaking adorable & just as soft as you'd imagine.  I want to take one home!  Koalas are so funny - they just pass out in whatever position they were sitting, faces all scrunched up against the bark, bodies slumped like a boneless teddy bear.  Hilarious.

my & my koala friend

It's a beautiful wildlife park & there are even walk-through areas that are open fields where you can pet all the animals.  I petted a wallaby, kangaroos (though I've done that before!) and walked right next to a peacock.  We saw emus up close - their crazy shocked-looking faces so funny - Quokkers, which are fat big guinea pig looking things that live on Rottnest Island (the island off the coast of Perth), dingoes (looked like the cutest doggies; I totally felt like I could just go up & cuddle them, apart from the electric fence separating us!), a super pudgy wombat butt, furry chickens cuddling with goats, and lots of sleepy animals curled up in hollow logs so I could only see their little bums or tails or paws flinching in dreams.

There were also a ton of really cool birds: flat-faced owls, jewel-toned parrots, bright blue kookkaburras ruffling feathers & posing, a parrot that AB & I reckoned was totally doing a michael jackson impression (hilarious!), beautiful red-tailed cockatoos, wild-eyed long-legged birds, egrets, swans, and the craziest bird i have ever seen - a cassowary, which looks like a dino-bird with black long feathers over it's body, a blue & red neck & head with skin like a turkey, and a huge bone mohawk - so weird!

We had a fanastic time wandering around the park laughing at all the crazy animals, but after an hour, we were drenched in sweat; thank God AB carries a little toiletry case & had deoderant so we could re-apply!

After the park, we drove into the Swan Valley wine region for a very posh lunch at Stewarts at Brook Leigh, which is a winery & an equestrian center.  It was beautiful & we took our sweet, relaxed time.

our posh lunch: watermelon & feta salad, scallops, salt & pepper prawns.  mmmm...

We'd brought all of AB's wedding magazines & her planning notes, and we spread it all out on the table, laughing at ugly dresses, pointing out what we liked & exchanging ideas.  I've never been a girl who thinks much about her wedding, but it's so fun to be all girly & help my friends plan.  AB & The Scot's wedding is going to be beautiful & classic & a crazy party; I'm so glad I was able to be a small part of the planning.

We spent so much time sipping our wine & perusing magazines that after our appetizers, our waitress just assumed we weren't eating a meal & we almost missed out on the kitchen!  After we finally ate & wrapped things up, we quickly ran into the city to grab some last-minute final presents I need to send home and then were going to go into Leederville for dinner but we were both too sweaty & tired so we headed home first.

Threw on our bathers & walked down to the beach; the wind was crazy & so were the waves - I was actually scared to get in the water!  We were standing at the edge & I said to AB "if we get in, I'll get in" and she just laughed at me - I meant, if you go, I'll go but I'm not going by myself!  Finally, there was a calm minute & AB said GO and we went!  The water felt so great and the waves were huge but they only got me by surprise a couple times.  :)  My first time in the Indian Ocean!

not me :)  from weheartit.com

After we got out of the water, we tried to walk down to the main strip of Cottesloe beach but the wind - called "the doctor," I don't know why - was whipping sand like needles into our legs & funnelling right into my ears.  It was terrible so we had to go back, but no matter - the day was beautiful & that big Australian sky meeting the ocean just made me feel so happy.

Went back to the house, showered & changed with every intention of still going out, but we got side tracked online looking at wedding photographer & videographer websites, wedding dresses & bridesmaid dresses.  Giggling like silly girls.  When The Scot called to say he was on his way home, we realized it was already almost 9 & no restaurants would be open so we ordered Thai delivery - good choice! - and changed into our pjs.  The Scot got home, we skyped with his sister, they played (and he danced to) the tentative wedding setlist, and it was just a nice, fun night.

Today I am so happy & grateful for:
~ swimming in the ocean in December!
~ super fun girly giggly day with AB
~ posh long lunches & dinner in pjs

xo! n.

Day 48: Santa with a suntan

Christmas tree decorating party day!  Woot woot!!

Got up to the lovely little family feeling of an egg & coffee brekkie with AB & The Scot, looking out past the Christmas tree over the ocean.  Sat on the couch and read for a nice chunk of time - reading by Christmas lights snuggled up in a couch always makes me feel comfy & holiday-y, probably because I always got Calvin & Hobbes books as a kid every Christmas, and I used to read them next to the fireplace.  Well, it's way too hot for a fire, and I was reading a murder mystery, but the joy of it is the same.

AB & I went out to the shops for some last-minute provisions & I wore my bathers (bikini), sundress, and the springy santa hat - yeah, I got some looks.  Mostly smiles.  Ah Christmas spirit.  :)  I thought about making mulled wine, like I usually do, but decided no one wants to drink hot wine on a hot day & instead made a to-die-for peach sangria.  The perfect fruity drink for a summer Christmas party.

After some concocting, cooking, and jujjing of the house, the Christmas music was on, the windows were open, and friends started to arrive.

Little kids are always so entertaining at a party. Toddlers are like chubby little drunk men, stumbling around and laughing.  You can't help but watch them.  The oldest wanted to help decorate the tree but noticed the youngest was pulling the decorations off so he put them where the youngest couldn't reach them; we found about 18 candy canes hidden in the branches, deep, next to the tree trunk.  Later, the oldest was watching Finding Nemo & his little face was so concentrated, his little brow so furrowed one moment, then eyes open wide in surprise and delight, like a bad actor, yet so very honest -- only kids can be that unguarded & unselfconcious.

Plenty of fun was being had in the over 3-ft tall section of the party as well.  The Scot was on the porch grilling, beer & champers & laughter were flowing, and the tree was slowly getting bedecked & bedazzled.  I finally met Ingvald (I'm sorry, I know I spelled that wrong!), one of my lovely readers, made even more lovely by the baby bump she proudly wears.  She, fellow preggo Uta, and mum of the 2 little ones present, Sherie, talked baby, funny stories were exchanged, and I was happy to sit & listen & laugh along. Christmas crackers were cracked open (the dinkiest plastic prizes ever! that's what you get from the reject shop) and Christmas crowns were donned.

Uta in my awesome santa hat & Sherie in her crown

Tegan came by in her sparkly shorts & always-adorable head scarf (I gotta get me one), the kids went to bed, and the sun set behind the Christmas tree. The guys broke into the port & competed in a table football (soccer) game & the girls sat on the porch drinking champers (or fruit juice) & eating mince pies.  Sexual stereotypes really do come from somewhere.  It was a balmy evening and I, still in my bathers & sundress, was perfectly comfortable in the night breeze.

As people trickled home, AB & I joined The (sloshed) Scot, Gary (also Scottish & also sloshed ;) ), and Ingvald (not sloshed, preggo) for a glass of port & a fun conversation until it was time to head to bed.  As tired as I was - and I had a headache from the heat & not enough water - I still stayed up til 3am to finish my book.  Just like when I was a kid, complete with getting spooked by "creepy" house noises & snuggling deeper under the covers.

Today I am so happy & grateful for:
~ books that you don't want to put down
~ twinkling Christmas lights next to a sunset over the ocean
~ being able to wear a bathing suit to a Christmas party

xo! n.

Day 47: stressbuckets!

Woke up, had a coffee and called my momma on skype.  I'm used to talking to my mom about twice a week & we've talked twice in the past two months, so it was a much-needed chat.  for reals.

But after that, I spent the entire rest of the day trying to figure out my last week in Australia.  I stressed, sweated, cursed.  You don't even want to hear about it.

I finally decided that, with how ginormous Australia is, even just the Queensland area, I need more days.  So I changed my flight back to LA to December 21 and moved it from Cairns to Brisbane.  This way, I should be able to still meet up with my friend T (who is flying into Cairns Monday!) and spend some time with her as well as still seeing the rainforest & having more than 2 days in the Whitsundays sailing & diving.

Sorry to anyone who is terribly surprised by this news.  I'll still be back for Christmas!

AB & The Scot got home just as I was trying to make myself unwind & stop feeling anxious.  They made a super delicious (I swear, they are really spoiling me) dinner of steak & cheesy potatoes as I skype chatted with my friend G in Texas - he was getting ready for the sun to rise as I watched it set. 

skype chat and ...blogger! G was distracting me from my posting duties

So his silliness made me feel better, food in my belly made me feel better, and then it was time to put the Christmas tree up, which made me feel hell better!

Their Christmas stockings - almost as big as AB!

The Scot got out the tree & started setting it up and then (with a bit of couple-y bickering :) ) they both strung the lights & with the sunset behind it (cue angel singing) it was beeeaaautiful!!!  We put on some Christmas music and suddenly it felt like the holiday season, despite the hot summer weather.

Today I am so happy & grateful for:
~ the internet (travel resources & lovely connections galore!)
~ ocean breezes & fans
~ the Christmas spirit always jollies me up!

xo! n.

Day 46: Freo

First day off in Perth!  Woo hoo!  I still woke up pretty early but I slept well so it's a-ok.

Took the train over to Fremantle; The Scot had to work and AB and Lauren went Christmas shopping in the city so I had the afternoon to myself & I had every intention of doing my shopping AND getting back to super tourist mode.  However, I got so wrapped up in Christmas pressie shopping that I didn't end up doing any touristy stuff at all!  I actually even sort of stressed myself out trying to get all my presents sorted.  Hours later when AB called to say they were coming over to meet me, I suddenly realized that I never did the prison tour, which I had been really looking forward to for weeks!  sheesh.

Ho Ho Ho! My bag of presents - look closely, yours just might be in there...

But Fremantle was pretty cool; the markets were up, which was great, and they were totally uncrowded bc it was the first Thursday of the Christmas season, so that was even better.  There were stalls full of random stuff to distract & delight, and I just wandered around gawking at everything.  It's a pretty, bohemian town by the water - but I, of course, didn't see much of it because I was one-track-mind on the hunt for presents.  It's all good though; I managed to get most of my shopping done.

 Freo Market - the food side

It was a bit of a strange day because I think I was still in work mode, feeling like I had to go-go-go & get things done. I also got a really random pick-up; some guy walked up to me on the street & asked me if I was single.  He was dressed really weird & looked waaaaay too young for me, so I lied.  He said, well, no harm in asking and walked away.  Flattering, yes, harmless, yes, but stuff like that always makes me feel really self-concious.

AB called in the afternoon & she & Lauren came over to meet up with me.  We had plans to meet The Scot at Little Creatures Brewery, which they've been raving about to me for years, but after we'd finished shopping/wandering, it was still too early so we went to mad monk for a beer & some potato wedges.  Of course, as soon as our food arrived, The Scot texted to say he was at the brewery early!  waaa waaaah.

When we got there, he was sitting outside - views of the harbor, beautiful! - with a friend who was moving to America the next day.  I'd say Little Creatures is a good send-off.  :)  The Scot was very sad & droopy about his buddy leaving, but as more friends showed up, the sun was setting on the water & you just couldn't help but smile.

Lauren & AB, goofballs

We ordered tons of food - pizzas, nachos, mussels, fries, chorizio - and tons of ciders & beers.  Great conversation, lots of laughter.  I've only been here three weeks but I'm really going to miss my new friends!  It's ok, Lauren will be in LA this spring - Teeter & Chick, we'll have a couch-crasher & you're gonna love her.  :)

Lauren drove us home & almost made us vomit by playing Hanson's Christmas album!  Whaaa??  I got back to a treat from AB & The Scot - Christmas hats!  They're santa hats with tall boingy springs on them - I have got to wear mine on the boat in the Whitsundays...

Today I am so happy & grateful for:
~ getting my Christmas shopping done
~ Little Creatures
~ fun silly dress-up stuff

xo! n.

Day 45: the final Awesome day

(**PS pre-script: there are THREE new posts below this one!  don't forget to check them out bc at least one of them is funnnnny.  xo!)

Yesterday was meant to be my last day of work. Yesterday was meant to be the last day I'd have to wear these jeans, caked with dirt, sawdust, sugar, sweat. Yesterday I was meant to put some odor eaters in these tennies & give them a rest. And yesterday I was meant to retire my Awesome shirts as souvenirs.

But J asked me to work just one. more. day. ...Sigh.

It wasn't too bad, five hours of a little heavy lifting, a lot of running around returning borrowed things & a ton of cleaning. But I just couldn't fully wake up. Even after a flat white coffee. Even after a lunch of dim sum (I'm so glad I'm not a picky eater bc J & Kat like to order for the table & some of that food looks WEIRD). My body was just too tired. I had been hoping Tuesday would be the last day & my muscles had been banking on it. But alas. I had to coerce them into cooperation with the promise of a week off.

Around 2, I stumbled into the office to drop off the final load & AB suggested I nap on the beach. No. Too much effort. It was all I could do to keep myself awake & focused on my book during the bus ride home.

Showered, journal'd, washed a load of laundry, napped. Glorious. I dreamt I was watching a play & when my alarm went off I woke up embarrassed that my phone was ringing during the show. :)

Feeling rejuvenated, I shopped AB's closet - that girl has got some cute clothes - and hopped the bus back into town for dinner at "that little Mexican place" (yes that's actually what it's called!) that has been on The Scot's to do spreadsheet since day 1.

AB & my enchilada

We met Jeff there & had some deeeelicious food - cheese dip, breaded jalapenos, and I had a cactus enchilada!  mmmmm...  All the restaurants here are BYO & I'm so jealous - do you know how much money chick, teeter & I would save if we could bring our own two buck chuck to nights out!??  :)  Anyway, it was such a nice night, great conversation, great food.  

On the way back we passed by some Christmas lights!  I still don't feel like it's Christmastime yet, but this was still nice to see.  :)  Felt a little like home.

Got home, posted blogs, watched TV with The Scot & went to bed, with the blissful knowledge that I don't have to work tomorrow...  ahhh... sleep...

today I am so happy & grateful for:
~ I'm done with the working part of my holiday!
~ naps
~ cactus is delicious

xo! n.

Day 44: r-e-s-p-e-c-t

Finished destroying llamaland; Rose & the guys gave a beating to the furniture that was going to the dumpster (over 800 kilos!) and Jason carried around his "beating stick" - a table leg with a bolt sticking out of it - for the rest of the day. Boys.

After cleaning up the Blue Room, I was sent to Forest Place to relieve Isaac, who'd been there all night. I sat in a shipping container & kept an eye on airplane chairs for two hours. Caught up on my blogging. :)

Oh, and I got an email on my phone from... Me. huh? Apparently Dan (which I've been spelling wrong, its Daan) got online to check his email & my gmail account was still open! Whoops! So he wrote me a very cheeky email about never trusting the Dutch & him thinking I'm allright despite being American. Once I decided there was nothing uber embarasing he could've read in my inbox, it cracked me up. Cheeky bastard.

Jason, Matty & Sean loading Rose's Llama on top of the airplane chairs & various other junk

We loaded those heavy dang airplane chairs up in the ute & drove out to a dodgy storage area where we loaded them into a different shipping container to be hooked to a train early the next morning. On the way there & back, I sat between two stinky boys: Matt, who was snoring, and Jason. Jenna was navigator & she kept telling Sean to take a "sneaky left" which I think is funny & I'm totally taking home.

Its Kat's birthday so when we were done we went back to the hangout, William st, for a birthday drink, and ended up talking politics for a bit. I learned that when you cross aboriginal country lines, you're supposed to wait to be welcomed or else its extremely disrespectful & very bad luck. I was ignorant! I wonder if that's why this trip's been so challenging...?

Later we went out to Kat's favorite restaurant, Uncle Billy's, for a Chinese shmorgasboard. It was fun & delicious. Jason drove me home again; I owe him - he's totally been my taxi service this week. :) Talked with AB & The Scot a bit & then went to bed.

Not the most exciting day, but it was just fine.

Today I am so happy & grateful for:
~ not having to take a cab
~ being almost completely done with the festival
~ earning the respect of the people I work with

Xo! n.