My Christmas holiday is an experience that can’t be summed up in a paragraph or two. This is why I have been stuck on writing about it for 4 months now. With every sentence I write the words never do the experience any justice. But regardless here it is:
I spent my holiday in Narrabri with the Buckman family. Jemima and I weren’t close friends at the time but I jumped at the opportunity to spend Christmas in a family environment never expecting that it would have the impact it did on me.
It was an 8hr car ride to Narrabri that was filled with anxiety because I couldn’t believe that I had just agreed to live on a farm for 8 days…I don’t even like animals! But regardless the car ride went fast as I chatted with Jemima’s sister Rebekah; Jemima and Mr. Buckman followed in the car behind us. Rebekah soon found that little everyday things excited me, during the trip I saw road kill kangaroos and wallabies, got randomly selected to do a breathalyzer (well Rebekah did since she was driving), and as dusk came upon us kangaroos could be spotted. It was straight out of the movie Australia just having them hopping alongside the road. I was mesmerized by them.
Once we arrived I was informed that bottle feeding the two pet lambs would be Jemima and mine’s job. Since the Roger and Errol didn’t have mothers they were allowed in the house yard which meant that bright and early in the morning you could hear them crying out for food because they were hungry. Roger became my little baby and turns out I really miss feeding him, it was one of favorite things during my stay. Errol, Jemima’s little man has since passed away due to a dog attack. These things happen; I just didn’t realize how hard it was.
Christmas day was HOT! We opened presents, made snow (courtesy of Jemima), helped with the preparation of the feast, went for a dip in the pool (check out facebook for these pics), and just enjoyed being with the family. But because farm life is 24/7 work still needed to be done, animals needed to be feed and the windmill turned on. (Once again please check out facebook to see the very sexy outfits we were in to turn off the windmill on Christmas).
For such a dry place the week I was there it rained quite a lot after Christmas. Things around the farm started to get green fast. But after it rains you can go up to the national park that borders the Buckman farm and see this amazing phenomenon…hot pink slugs. They were everywhere. It was not only a first for me but for some of the Buckman family members as well.
I wish that I could describe the struggles of farm life but I know that even what I experienced is nothing compared to what the Buckmans go through. But here is a link from a contest that Jemima won back in 2008, where she describes an incident that hit the family hard.
http://blogs.abc.net.au/heywire/2009/01/heywire-winn-19.html
To understand farm life you must experience it. I have such respect and love for the Buckman family and will always hold them dear to my heart.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
I am getting terrible at updating this blog.
New Zealand seems so long ago but this is what I got up to while I was there.
From the Nov. 18 to Nov. 21 I was with Jenna. We toured Raumati, saw New Moon, went to Lindale where I bottle feed a lamb and baby pig, went into town with Jenna’s friend Natalie, and toured Wellington. Raumati has beautiful beaches; they were like nothing I had ever seen before. The sand was dark, black when wet and a grayish color when dry.
On the 21st Jenna dropped me off at the Postlewaits, Moana and Naomi’s parents place; I stayed with them until the 23rd. The Postlewaits have nine children, all up beat and friendly. I felt right at home among all of them. Jamie, the Postlewait’s oldest son, took me on a small tour of the area and then insisted on me driving. Despite my reservations about driving I went for it. It was a good thing I had him with me because I needed constant reminding to stay left. It was a weird feeling to be on the other side of the car as well as the other side of the road. It was all fine while going straight but taking turns required extra attention.
On the 22nd Monika, Anna and Clare arrived at the Postlewaits so the next morning we could all leave together early to catch the ferry to Picton. Places we visited once in the South Island included Greymouth, Fox Glacier, Te Anau, Milford Sounds and Christchurch. Fox Glacier was incredible due to the fact that I have never seen a Glacier. We didn’t walk on it because it required a guided tour and equipment that none of us had but it was still neat being able to walk to the base. The highlight of my trip though had to be the 3hr. cruise through the Milford Sound. It was rainy and really windy but with the amazing waterfalls and the wildlife that we saw the rain hardly mattered, with the exception that it meant not many photos could be taken. The wildlife included NZ fur seals, Fiorland crested penguins and bottlenose dolphins.
NZ has such an arrangement of colors. There were the white snow capped mountains, green hillsides, all different shades of blue water, brown farmland, and gray rocks. The waterfalls were breathtaking and could be seen along our drive, it made it impossible to arrive anywhere close to our expected time because we were constantly stopping along the way. I can’t seem to find the right words to capture the beauty that I saw while I was there. The farmers down there have mountain goats, cows, sheep or deer. It was strange seeing the deer farms because I am use to having them run wild in my backyard. Pictures don’t do it justice but check out my facebook, I will be posting pictures soon.
From the Nov. 18 to Nov. 21 I was with Jenna. We toured Raumati, saw New Moon, went to Lindale where I bottle feed a lamb and baby pig, went into town with Jenna’s friend Natalie, and toured Wellington. Raumati has beautiful beaches; they were like nothing I had ever seen before. The sand was dark, black when wet and a grayish color when dry.
On the 21st Jenna dropped me off at the Postlewaits, Moana and Naomi’s parents place; I stayed with them until the 23rd. The Postlewaits have nine children, all up beat and friendly. I felt right at home among all of them. Jamie, the Postlewait’s oldest son, took me on a small tour of the area and then insisted on me driving. Despite my reservations about driving I went for it. It was a good thing I had him with me because I needed constant reminding to stay left. It was a weird feeling to be on the other side of the car as well as the other side of the road. It was all fine while going straight but taking turns required extra attention.
On the 22nd Monika, Anna and Clare arrived at the Postlewaits so the next morning we could all leave together early to catch the ferry to Picton. Places we visited once in the South Island included Greymouth, Fox Glacier, Te Anau, Milford Sounds and Christchurch. Fox Glacier was incredible due to the fact that I have never seen a Glacier. We didn’t walk on it because it required a guided tour and equipment that none of us had but it was still neat being able to walk to the base. The highlight of my trip though had to be the 3hr. cruise through the Milford Sound. It was rainy and really windy but with the amazing waterfalls and the wildlife that we saw the rain hardly mattered, with the exception that it meant not many photos could be taken. The wildlife included NZ fur seals, Fiorland crested penguins and bottlenose dolphins.
NZ has such an arrangement of colors. There were the white snow capped mountains, green hillsides, all different shades of blue water, brown farmland, and gray rocks. The waterfalls were breathtaking and could be seen along our drive, it made it impossible to arrive anywhere close to our expected time because we were constantly stopping along the way. I can’t seem to find the right words to capture the beauty that I saw while I was there. The farmers down there have mountain goats, cows, sheep or deer. It was strange seeing the deer farms because I am use to having them run wild in my backyard. Pictures don’t do it justice but check out my facebook, I will be posting pictures soon.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
I leave tomorrow!
My Thanksgiving will be spent touring New Zealand with friends from Australia. Monika and Anna are attending a wedding in the North Island and I will be meeting up with them following that. I leave on the 18th and will be staying with Jenna until the 22nd. Seems like Jenna has a lot planned for that short period, I can’t wait! On the 22nd I will meet up with Monika, Anna and their friend Clare to start touring the South Island. We are going to get in some of the sites from Lord of the Rings. The three of us will be returning on the 30th. I am so EXCITED!
Fun Fact #8 : Movies take FOREVER to be released over here. Last Friday was the opening night for the Time Travelers Wife.
Fun Fact #8 : Movies take FOREVER to be released over here. Last Friday was the opening night for the Time Travelers Wife.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Tuesday, November 9, 2009
The first Tuesday in November is always the Melbourne Cup. The Melbourne Cup is a horse race, known as the race that stops the nation. Before work we shared in a glass of champagne as we waited to see whose horse would win the race. After being the in the lead for the majority of the race, my horse came in dead last, so out of pity I got my money back. It last all of 2/3 minutes but it is a huge part of Australia’s identity.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Today was a perfect beach day. I only had work in the morning so I was able to head to Coogee right after lunch. The walk there is only going to get worse with summer coming; it isn’t too bad now though.
Before you get into the water the waves don’t look so big but once you are in them you can feel their strength as they toss you around they seem massive. You have to time getting into the water just right otherwise you can get pulled down, it is quite scary actually. Off to the side of the main part of the beach are built in pools. These pools are filled by the ocean waves; they are great for small children and night swimming.
While we were drying off, I noticed people standing and pointing at the water. Turns out there were WHALES! You could see them coming up for air and spitting water out their blow holes. There were at least three, they kept turning over and it looked like they were waving to us. It was the perfect end to a great beach day.
Before you get into the water the waves don’t look so big but once you are in them you can feel their strength as they toss you around they seem massive. You have to time getting into the water just right otherwise you can get pulled down, it is quite scary actually. Off to the side of the main part of the beach are built in pools. These pools are filled by the ocean waves; they are great for small children and night swimming.
While we were drying off, I noticed people standing and pointing at the water. Turns out there were WHALES! You could see them coming up for air and spitting water out their blow holes. There were at least three, they kept turning over and it looked like they were waving to us. It was the perfect end to a great beach day.
Friday, Oct. 16-Sunday, Oct. 18
On Friday I went to Luna Park, it is an amusement park right on the Harbor. Some of us took Monika and Anna’s little sister there. It was fun but the best part was the walk we did in order to reach Luna Park. The park is on the other side of the harbor bridge so we decided to take the scenic view across. It was a great view of the city at sunset. Hopefully pictures to come.
Saturday was a nice sunny day so I headed straight to the beach and stayed there for the better part of the day.
On Sunday Cassie, one of the girls studying at UNSW, invited me to go to St. Mary’s Cathedral to say good bye to the world youth day icon of Our Lady. It was the second time that I have attended mass there. It is has beautiful architecture and is very elegant. Mass can sometimes get distracting with tourist coming in and out during the service. This week’s experience was nice because the Cardinal was present. Following the service we meet up with a group of her friends at a pub down the road.
Fun Fact #7: Australia has KINDER EGGS!
Saturday was a nice sunny day so I headed straight to the beach and stayed there for the better part of the day.
On Sunday Cassie, one of the girls studying at UNSW, invited me to go to St. Mary’s Cathedral to say good bye to the world youth day icon of Our Lady. It was the second time that I have attended mass there. It is has beautiful architecture and is very elegant. Mass can sometimes get distracting with tourist coming in and out during the service. This week’s experience was nice because the Cardinal was present. Following the service we meet up with a group of her friends at a pub down the road.
Fun Fact #7: Australia has KINDER EGGS!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sorry it has been so long.
It is finally getting warm again. It was in the 40s/50s for 10 days, that wasn't the issue it was the rain and wind that we got on top of that they made me stay inside.
My weekend was spent doing indoor activities. Saturday I went to Maroubra, where they have an indoor swimming pool, it was really nice to be out and doing something however I will not get use to all the men wearing speedos!
Sunday I took a trip to the Sydney aquarium. Got to learn safety tips on crocodiles...stay away from them! Saw scary sharks in underwater tunnels...SO COOL! The aquarium is located at Darling Harbour so I had lunch there watching the boats.
Fun Facts:
#3 The light switches are upside down. You put it down to turn on the lights.
#4 They don't know what s'mores are well didn't. I was a good American and showed them, this was a difficult task considering they don't have graham crackers or Hershey bars. They were made with M&Ms, cookies and marshmallows. It was a failed attempt.
#5 In exchange for teaching them about s'mores, I was taught how to do a Tim Tam Slam. Tim Tams are to cookies with chocolate in the middle then dipped in chocolate. When doing a Tim Tam Slam you need a cup of hot chocolate. You bite of opposite corners and sip hot chocolate through the cookie. This causes the cookie to melt so we for it melts in your hand you slam it into your mouth...SO YUMMY! (Chris, I will be sure to bring some back for you and teach you how to do this!)
#6 Cotton candy is called fairy floss. Guys try ordering that one!
My weekend was spent doing indoor activities. Saturday I went to Maroubra, where they have an indoor swimming pool, it was really nice to be out and doing something however I will not get use to all the men wearing speedos!
Sunday I took a trip to the Sydney aquarium. Got to learn safety tips on crocodiles...stay away from them! Saw scary sharks in underwater tunnels...SO COOL! The aquarium is located at Darling Harbour so I had lunch there watching the boats.
Fun Facts:
#3 The light switches are upside down. You put it down to turn on the lights.
#4 They don't know what s'mores are well didn't. I was a good American and showed them, this was a difficult task considering they don't have graham crackers or Hershey bars. They were made with M&Ms, cookies and marshmallows. It was a failed attempt.
#5 In exchange for teaching them about s'mores, I was taught how to do a Tim Tam Slam. Tim Tams are to cookies with chocolate in the middle then dipped in chocolate. When doing a Tim Tam Slam you need a cup of hot chocolate. You bite of opposite corners and sip hot chocolate through the cookie. This causes the cookie to melt so we for it melts in your hand you slam it into your mouth...SO YUMMY! (Chris, I will be sure to bring some back for you and teach you how to do this!)
#6 Cotton candy is called fairy floss. Guys try ordering that one!
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