Christmas is over!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I spent Christmas with family and new friends. Leading up to Christmas, I was a little nervous. This was a first for me and I wasn't sure what to expect. So I just kept busy with other things. I went to the Night Market with a friend to do last minute shopping and of course to see the famed Wednesday Night Market... very cool. On Christmas Eve, I spent the day with Cal and we visited the Botanic Gardens for a lovely stroll and the Crown Casino for the Christmas Light Spectacular. I felt like a little kid amazed my the flashing lights and moving parts... and definately looked like one! Then we hit the pokies where I am sad to say, I did not win. But Cal did at Roulette (we played for you Uncle Woody) and we won big on my birthday number... lucky me! Then I had my Christmas gift from the Anderson family... a massage. Just what every backpacker wants after a year of carrying a backpack and countless other bags and odds and ends. Could have been there a month and still needed more. But I feel a little better. Got me into the Christmas spirit. So, thank you to Cal, Sue, Lizzie, Sophie and Billy. That evening, I learned a very important skill - how to behead and shell prawns. It was a little messy but I really got into it. Very Aussie Christmas!

At last, Christmas day arrived. We opened presents, had french toast and bacon for breakfast (with REAL Canadian maple syrup... mmmmm!) and got ready for mass. After church, we went to the in-laws for Christmas lunch. I met more "family" and had a wonderful time. We had an amazing spread of food with excellent company. I learned to play Baci (and did the impossible, on one of my throws I managed to have the ball bounce back right to my feet. The odds of that happening, well let's just say they're high. But not the goal of the game... much to everybody's entertainment). We just enjoyed each other's company and enjoyed the festivities. By far one of my highlights was getting a call from home and being able to talk to all my family back home. It made Christmas a little easier... especially since we get to have our own Christmas at home when I return. The best of both worlds. On the way home, we stopped at a ver decorated house to see all the lights and Chrstmas decorations. And... to see snow! Yes, I did get snow for Christmas, in Australia! It was so cool... twirling under the snow. Only that it tasted like soap. But whatever!

I decided not to go shopping on Boxing Day... don't do it back home so why would I start now. I had a lazy morning (well, I did go for a walk) before I met up with Nicola and Ben and we went to the cinema. We saw "Sherlock Holmes" which was excellent! Then I spent the afternon with the Marshall's and had to finally say goodbye. Te hardest part about meeting people when you travel is having to eventually say goodbye. I thought it would get easier... but it hasn't. But I guess that is a good thing. My last night in Melbourne was spent with family. Thank you to Cal, Sue, Lizzie, Sophie and Billy for welcoming me into your home and family. Made the holidays that much better!

So today I fly to Canberra where I will meet another part of my family. Them in only a few days, I will be back in Sydney. Less than two weeks, I'll be home! Crazy.

Love, Lisa