November flew by and so did December, with the cafe getting busier over the Christmas holidays, the La Cloche Christmas party and getting everything ready to go over to Australia for a few weeks. I watched at least one Christmas movie per day, had an early Christmas dinner with Hannah and Muffin, met up with the handball girls and had a girls night with a lot of dancing before getting on the plane to Australia.
I was so excited to go back to Brissy, I couldn't wait for the flights and the wait to be over. I was supposed to meet up with Hui at Sydney airport, before he was flying to Brisbane as well (on a different flight), but we got our wires crossed and I ended up having to spend 4 hours at the airport all by myself.
Arriving at BNE, Chris was waiting for me at the gate and took me down to get my bags. Michelle (his mum) wanted to take a picture and as she was trying to do this, someone tapped me on my shoulder. I thought it was just a friend who wanted to say hi, but when I turned around, my dad was standing right there. That was when the waterworks started. My parents were not supposed to come to Brisbane, or so I thought. Apparently everyone had been keeping a secret from me for about 3 months and it was absolutely amazing.
On Christmas day we went to the Santomauro's for a few hours before having a marvelous lunch with Chris's family. Boxing day was spent shopping at Indooroopilly and after that we went on several trips. With my parents, we visited the Currumbin Rock Pools, North Stradbroke Island (where we saw dolphins, turtles, manta rays and had a beautiful swim), Daisy Hill, Gold Coast, met up with my friends in Brisbane, too many things to describe and let's be honest, words wouldn't do it justice.
It was absolutely amazing to be able to spend Christmas and New Year's with my parents, continuing the 24 year tradition of spending Christmas with my parents. I still cannot believe it and I am so grateful to everyone who made this possible and kept it a secret for me (I still hate you all for it as well of course).
Arriving at BNE, Chris was waiting for me at the gate and took me down to get my bags. Michelle (his mum) wanted to take a picture and as she was trying to do this, someone tapped me on my shoulder. I thought it was just a friend who wanted to say hi, but when I turned around, my dad was standing right there. That was when the waterworks started. My parents were not supposed to come to Brisbane, or so I thought. Apparently everyone had been keeping a secret from me for about 3 months and it was absolutely amazing.
On Christmas day we went to the Santomauro's for a few hours before having a marvelous lunch with Chris's family. Boxing day was spent shopping at Indooroopilly and after that we went on several trips. With my parents, we visited the Currumbin Rock Pools, North Stradbroke Island (where we saw dolphins, turtles, manta rays and had a beautiful swim), Daisy Hill, Gold Coast, met up with my friends in Brisbane, too many things to describe and let's be honest, words wouldn't do it justice.
It was absolutely amazing to be able to spend Christmas and New Year's with my parents, continuing the 24 year tradition of spending Christmas with my parents. I still cannot believe it and I am so grateful to everyone who made this possible and kept it a secret for me (I still hate you all for it as well of course).
With cricket being one of the most played in sports in Australia and the test match against India on. I was forced to watch it on the television and I even had to endure and entire game on New Year's Day. To the cricket you are supposed to wear funky t-shirts and everyone gets a bucket hat, and of course Chris couldn't help himself (see picture below) :). The cricket was a lot more fun than I expected it to be and it ended up being an amazing afternoon, even though I almost got hit in the face by the kid sitting next to me, every time the dance cam came on.
Chris and I decided to get away from the hustle and bustle of Brisbane and went on a trip to the Bunya Mountains, where we stayed in a remote bunker on a farm with dogs and horses and all kinds of birds that kept flying into the windows. We went for a few beautiful hikes, saw 4 dried up waterfalls and loads of wallabies (I tried to count them, to Chris' annoyance)! We visited the Japanese Gardens in Toowoomba where we had a lovely lunch, interrupted by some ducks and ibises that came to beg for some food. It was lovely to just be away and just not have to do anything for a few days. All kudos to Chris for organizing this amazing trips.
When we got back from the Bunya mountains, it was time for Chris to go back to work. Which meant more free time for me! I slept in, met up with my friends for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the Santomauro's and went for a pamper day and movie with Michelle.
Going back to New Zealand was exciting, but unfortunately saying goodbye never gets easier. Thankfully it was a late flight and I was able to spend the afternoon with Chris and he got to drive me to the airport, for my 6 pm flight.
After getting home Saturday morning at 1 (Wellington time) and not getting too much sleep before going back to work, by now (after a 7 pm - 7 am sleep on Sunday) I am getting into the working rhythm/life again. This new year will be an exciting one: Beach Handball Nationals in Adelaide, Erin's wedding in March, Janna coming to visit and travelling New Zealand and Australia with her in May/June and finally, moving to Europe with Chris halfway through June!
Can't wait to tell you all about it!
Going back to New Zealand was exciting, but unfortunately saying goodbye never gets easier. Thankfully it was a late flight and I was able to spend the afternoon with Chris and he got to drive me to the airport, for my 6 pm flight.
After getting home Saturday morning at 1 (Wellington time) and not getting too much sleep before going back to work, by now (after a 7 pm - 7 am sleep on Sunday) I am getting into the working rhythm/life again. This new year will be an exciting one: Beach Handball Nationals in Adelaide, Erin's wedding in March, Janna coming to visit and travelling New Zealand and Australia with her in May/June and finally, moving to Europe with Chris halfway through June!
Can't wait to tell you all about it!