I figured I can't leave without one last blog post to summarize everything that's happened since May! Really, the bulk of what happened here in Australia was writing and frantically crunching numbers for my dissertation. It was one of the hardest couple of weeks I've lived through, but somehow I got it done...AND I passed! Woohoo, Master's Degree is mine!
So, by the beginning of June everything was over, and I had some time to relax and have fun before packing up. I had arranged to move out of my apartment in Ashgrove at the start of June, so Mark and Leah were wonderful and kind enough to offer me their spare bedroom for three weeks. Scott (my Ashgrove flatmate) was awesome and helped me move all of my stuff. Mark and Leah rent a house just a few minutes away from where I was living, so it was an easy move. They live in a typical 'Queenslander' style house, which typically means a house built up high (to catch the breeze), with lots of things like windows and doors that open wide. Queenslanders also have typical decorative touches that I really love, like wood carvings, wood flooring, and wrought iron work. I love that their house is bright blue!
So, by the beginning of June everything was over, and I had some time to relax and have fun before packing up. I had arranged to move out of my apartment in Ashgrove at the start of June, so Mark and Leah were wonderful and kind enough to offer me their spare bedroom for three weeks. Scott (my Ashgrove flatmate) was awesome and helped me move all of my stuff. Mark and Leah rent a house just a few minutes away from where I was living, so it was an easy move. They live in a typical 'Queenslander' style house, which typically means a house built up high (to catch the breeze), with lots of things like windows and doors that open wide. Queenslanders also have typical decorative touches that I really love, like wood carvings, wood flooring, and wrought iron work. I love that their house is bright blue!
Living here has been awesome, and I'm so thankful to them for letting me stay here. I'm also glad I got the chance, because I've gotten to know Mark better and really think Leah picked a great husband :o) Also, Leah is a FANTASTIC cook. We've shared lots of really tasty meals, and played Scrabble and Uno at night. It's been really nice, and a total change from Scott's apartment where I was usually by myself. Also, Leah is pregnant with a son, Henry, and it's been awesome to be around watching him grow and feeling him kick! Here are the happy couple, taking their weekly photograph of Leah's growing belly:
Last week my friend Melinda and I attended a benefit dinner for a non-profit run by one of Scott's mates. He invited us to come, and I'm so glad we bought tickets! What a fun night -- there was a sit-down dinner, silent and live auction, and a live band. I won a football signed by the local rugby team, the Brisbane Broncos!
On Saturday all my friends got together to wish me farewell, and I had a great time partying with everyone:
Me and Jess, Sophie's flatmate
Me, Scott, and Bernadette (his girlfriend)
Me and Melinda
Me and Etel, one of my SPH classmates
Me and Rhona, another classmate (this is when we were saying goodbye, yuck!)
Tara, Rhona, and MeSo, after all the fun I really had to start packing, and my little room looked like a complete mess!! Here is the before:
And after:
My whole life here, crammed into three suticases. I leave tomorrow morning at 11AM, and it doesn't really feel like it's actually happening. Tonight I had a nice dinner with Leah and Sophie, and we talked about things we miss from home and the things we like here in Brisbane. I will miss this place like crazy, but I think most of all I'll miss all the good friends I've made here.
So, thanks Australia! It was fun, and I hope I see you again soon.
