In Melbourne!

Hello everyone! Well, I am back on Aussie soil. I had a long day of travel from Christchurch to Sydney to melbourne but I arrived with everything intact (even my sanity!). I was greeted at the airport by my friend, Nicola, who I met in Europe. I stayed at her parents house for the past 4 days. It has been great: Ian, Marilyn, Nicola and Ben have all been very gracious, helpful and welcoming. It has made the past few days much easier. Because I do have to admit, I am starting to miss home and my family. The closer Christmas is, the more I think of them. So it has been wonderful to have a "family" while I am away.

The past few days have been wonderful. The first full day back in Oz was spent with Nicola. I had a lovely breakfast in Surrey Hills and then we went on a road trip to Healesville for lunch. What a cute town. As we were looking at the llamas the rain started so we headed back to the city. The rest of my day was spent at "home".

The following day I took the tram into the city where I spent the day exploring Melbourne: went to an art gallery, walked through the small lanes packed with people and cafes, looked at the large department stores for a new years eve dress. The dress I pictured was a green sleeveless high-waisted dress.. I did find a stunning lemon chiffon one-shoulder flouncy dress that I absolutely loved but it was a little pricey to say the least. So I moved on (with it in the back of my head). I had to go to the spa for my Christmas gift from my parents. My mother arranged for me to have a pedicure and manicure... so amazing is my mommy. So I had an amazing afternoon of pampering and my feet and hands love me again. Then I wandered through the city before heading back home. The evening was spent hanging around with Nicola and her friends, eating Thai takeaway and chatting. I really appreciated how welcoming everyone has been.

Yesterday was another day in Melbourne but this time I went to Fitzroy, a neighbourhood that was recommended to me for shopping. It is a alternative and unique place with a lot of diverse shops. A great place to wander. After a morning, I was a little disheartened and thought that I would not find my NYE dress here and then I went into Khoben. It is a beautiful store with a lot of classy clothing and this is where I found what I thought was going to be my NYE dress. It is a red wrap dress with stunning trim detail. The dress can also be dressy and casual so very versatile. I was so pleased. And then I walked two doors down and saw a depot store for another Aussie designer, Alanna Hill, and found a stunning cream and violet satin dress. I knew right away that THIS was my NYE dress... the other would become my Christmas dress. I was so happy with my purchase - much better than what I had envisioned. Once I made it back into the CBD I went shopping for shoes. So excited that I found two pairs (there was a sale!). So for less than the price of the lemon dress, I got two dresses and two pairs of shoes. I think I had a very successful day... and I will look good for the holidays. Last night was family night (which I kind of crashed) and it was a great time. Thank you to the whole Marshall family for welcoming me and making me feel at home when I needed it the most.

Today, Ian and Marilyn took me out to St Kilda. I loved that neighbourhood. We went to the market to browse the stalls, walked along the pier and then enjoyed fabulous cake in an adorable cafe. On the way home we drove through the more affluent neighbourhood... pretty but a lot of space to clean! So now I am jut getting ready to move from the Marshalls to stay with family. My mother's cousin lives in Melb with his family so I will be spending Christmas with them. I am excited.

I have been handling this whole "Christmas in the middle of Summer" thing well. I still shake my head when I see decorations and gingerbread houses with fake snow, and am baffled by the weather (walking around in a singlet and thongs or shall I say flip-flops!). But it is a new experience that I am embracing and all the people I am spending time with have made the whole experience that much better. Thank you everyone for making my first non-White Christmas less of a fright! It's only days away.

I hope everyone is gearing up for an amazing holiday season surrounded by love and festivities. Enjoy yourself, wherever you are, and hopefully I will message you on Christmas.

Love, Lisa