Home Again...Sydney still beckons...

Well, I am home now. Seattle is sunny, Mount Rainier is out in all of her glory, university begins for me in the first week of September (hurray!!!), and my children are all on their educational paths. Life couldn't have a rosier glow cast about it...but...Sydney still beckons.

Like the Sirens of old, I hear the sea calling to me, the surf rolling in my ears, and the sun beating upon me as I walk, and walk, and walk. Yes, I walked everywhere, and took the public transportation. The multi-pass cost me $41 Australian Dollars a week, and covered the ferry system, trains, and buses. I found much to enjoy about the ease of the commute, yet, still felt at times as though I was in a Dr. Who episode at times. Everyone politely (most of the time) funneled in lines as they were directed, dressed properly, spoke properly, worked on crossword puzzles, there were newspapers handed out at the stations for free, and the horoscope page read "should I get out of bed tomorrow" or something similar....hmmm, let me see...a resounding YES!

I walked from King's Cross to the Sydney Opera House, and then took the ferry to Birkenshead/Birkenhead Point to do some damage to my budget. A conscientious fellow informed me I would only have 25 minutes to shop, and spoke with me about Sydney and Seattle. Terrific conversation, and a definite example of the type of people I would meet throughout my stay in Sydney. Although...he was one of the few men I met taller than me in heels...:)

So, yes, I will begin school, study like a fiend, and keep working on myself and moving forward down my path. George picked me up from the airport, and let me know how glad he was to have me home. My dad is the salt of the earth, as were the people I met "down under". I left a piece of me in Oz....

Another Country...same me

Yes, I am in Sydney, Australia. This is my 10th day of 17 days here. Today, I am staying in, cooking Goulash for my host and I, and feeling happily domesticated. Yes, I love the beach, walks, and sightseeing. However, this is my FIRST trip ever abroad. I like to enjoy the quiet things that make life enjoyable. Doing laundry and hanging it on the line, writing, hunkering down with a good book, exercising and walking to alleviate stress, cooking a meal from scratch and watching others enjoy it, and laughter with good friends I have known most of my life. I have all of that here at the moment, and feel truly blessed.

I have met some good people locally, and will be attempting to cultivate and maintain those connections into longtime friendships. Walking in the gusty wind and warm rain today from the local butcher and green grocer was a pleasure, as I had a mocha (no sugars) in my hand. The only thing that makes life any better is knowing I have my family to return to when this journey is at a close, and a heart full of precious memories and experiences to reflect over for the rest of my life.

You Never Know....

So, this post is finding me on my first vacation as an adult of my lifetime, for an extended period of time. Of course, in order to take this "vacation", much planning was involved to have the bills paid prior to leaving, monies for time here, staying with friends, and wrapping my mind around finally following my feet to where they want and need to travel. I am loving Australia!

To date, I have ventured to Watson's Bay, from North Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach, Mrs. Macquarie's Chair/Bushwalk to Sydney Harbor to the Opera House, Camp Cove, Darling Harbor and the Maritime Museum. I am on my way to yoga in a bit with my host. Life is good! More to come later!

D-Day

Today, is June 6th. It has a myriad of meanings to me. Growing up, my uncle, Andrew, passed away from a brain tumor. Basically, they opened his head and closed it right up saying it was too far gone. He died when I was two.

Andy was the oldest of 8 children; six that lived past birth. My father was the 7th of the 8 children. With 17 years between them in age, they still had a very close and loving relationship. One of my favorite stories was of my father's two older brothers returning home from World War II. Uncle John, was a Navy Baker 2nd Class. He was a boisterous and genial personality, and when Johnny came marching home...the town knew it:-)

Uncle Andy was a quieter soul. Still waters, as we know, run deep. His, it seems at times, were nearly unfathomable. Their dogs, according to my dad, were always strays that came up the driveway and stayed. My grandfather, Andrew Sr., always named them Jack or Jackie:-) This particular Jackie, was Andy's dog. Many stories exist about the intelligence of the stray, and the feats he did on looks, or subtle commands Uncle Andy would give him. When Andy left for war, and became a track driver, Jack aged, and eventually became listless, according to my father.

When the war ended, not everyone knew when they would end up back home, or how they would arrive. Uncle Andy did not wire ahead. He simply walked from town. According to George, Jackie perked up, ran in circles, and dashed down the farm's 1/4 mile driveway. Andy was home! Jackie died a week later.

Andy landed on Normandy Beach, and dove beneath the waves to avoid being shot. His fellow track driver that he tried to bring to shore, ended up missing his head. Andy made it safely ashore, and through the hail of bullets, only to end up wounded somewhere in Italy bleeding out his ears and everywhere else. The doctors believed his injury had something to do with the brain tumor that took him in 1970. We will never know.

The landing on Normandy Beach happened on June 6th, which is my grandfather Andrew Sr.'s birthday. Today, June 6, 2010 took on a different meaning. My daughter's high school senior class baccalaureate took place. It was a joyful and nice ceremony. Giving thanks and praying for the blessings of the outgoing class of 2010. We are currently in a state of war overseas yet again. It certainly made me think about the young men and women who may be facing similar circumstances post graduation. Especially if they are already in the ROTC. It is bittersweet to watch the young so fresh and ready to face the world, and realize that they are facing the possibility of being in battle so soon after beginning their new life. D-Day....a day of facing life. Then, and now. Thank you Uncle Andy and Uncle John for serving, and may God bless the senior class of 2010.

Daddy's Girl...

Okay...so Santa & I....obviously we go way back. So does my mistrust of bearded men :-) This was taken in 1969, when I was 1.5 years old. The white leather shoes with the oddly shaped cylinder by the shoe's tongue were daily wear for me. The bells inside the cylinder jingle-jangled with every step I took. My mother knew where to find me at all times too, just by honing in on the sound. Clever woman...

This photo always makes me smile, because I love believing in the unseen, fairy tales, folklore, and just the good in humankind. Santa is supposed to epitomize that, if the stories are true. Well, Jolly Old St. Nick has a competitor....my dad. Yes, I know it gets old at times, and may sound like hero worship, however, what's a girl to do? I don't hate my dad, resent him, or anything of the sort. I actually love the guy, respect him, and would want to be his friend if we were not related. I didn't have the opportunity to choose my dad, however, I wouldn't want it any other way than fate dealt me.

George has been spending time of late on the campaign trail for a well regarded family friend. The stories are hilarious. Travelling up through the rural hills and suburban stomping grounds of both his and my childhoods. Seeing people that remember him from different points in life, both school, and professional. Reconnecting is what it is all about. Life is good, and I am truly blessed to have the life I do.

How Do You Spend Your Day???

Well, yesterday, I was in a conversation on Skype (great product by the way) to the Land of Oz. We were outlining how I budgeted/managed my time. In thinking back over the last 15 years of life, and what my days have entailed, it brings to light what you could do different or better currently, to improve on past experiences. Would I have done things differently in the past? A few things, yes. Mostly, no.

I do not feel as though I have missed out on the party scene or the grand events that others partake in. I have had some wild times, enjoyed wine tastings that went beyond wine tastings to other wine bars....I have ventured out to the fireworks at various places, attended concerts for Duran Duran, Rod Stewart/The Kin, had fun at the Scottish Highland Games (Clan Frasier baby!), took my trip to Fort Worden and hiked around, haunted The Swiss and The Fenix for some dancing and great live music, and of course, mothered my young, did the school activities, worked, and am now enrolling in college.

I love the fact that I do have a home in which to spend time in, revamp the decor, and soon, start entertaining in a new kitchen. That is the plan for the summer. New windows all around, fresh exterior paint, and a new floor kitchen set up. Life is good, and it gets better every day.

So, now that I was instructed on how to better manage my time, I must dash off to be "constructive";) Over and out!

Blessings Abound!

Yesterday, I found out that all the financial aid was in place for my education! What a fantastic day that was. I told both of my parents independent of each other, and dad just laughed and asked who I bribed, with pride in his voice, and mom took a deep and emotional sigh, and said "I have waited a very long time to hear this news". I graduated high school in 1986. I have waited that long to attend college/university.

I telephoned admissions about my conditions of admission, and there aren't any out of the ordinary. Normal admission. Sean, my admissions counselor stated "it is a little odd to tell an adult this, but you are so independent and headstrong, I have no doubt you will make it". Wow, I have never met the man personally, only telephonic to date. Yet, he hit on a core of my personality. It proves that no matter how you perceive you project yourself to people, your perceptions are not always correct. I thought I was this mild mannered female. Obviously not...

So, September 7th is my first day at the University. My life is turning a bend in the road, and I feel like the Old Irish Blessings are here for me:

"May the road rise up to greet you, may the sun shine bright upon your face, may the wind blow at your back...."

Forward I go, with a bright countenance, and thankful for everyone who is the wind at my back. George and Caroline....thank you for your parenting and backing, I couldn't have done it without the solid foundation you provided me.