I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

Dear friends,

It's been a while! I know that was the same opening message of my last blog post, but I have been beyond busy. Between working 30 hours a week for my host family, plus 25 hours a week at lululemon, plus babysitting in the evenings for a couple families and studying for my two final exams, life has been a little chaotic! However, I have still found some time to have some adventures so I've got pictures and things to report on.

First things first - I went out in Fremantle! Sarina, Wanda (aka: Wombie), Sophie, Hannah, Sarina's co-workers and myself went out for some dancing on the coast. After a little bit of a fiasco (involving a poor young man over indulging and getting very sick), we hit up two bars/clubs, danced all night, I sang with a street performer and got home at 4am. Here are some highlight photos:

Sarina and I at the pre-party

Classic

Hannah (fellow Canadian!) and myself at the club. Please note the guy to the left!

Wanda, Sarina, Myself and Sophie!

Sarina and I getting our dance on.

The au pair crew.

Singing at 3:30am on a street corner!

As you can see, we had a pretty incredible night and I'm sure we'll have some more soon. The next major event was a short two-day excursion/road trip to Busselton and Margaret River with Sarina! We drove down on a Monday morning and returned on a Tuesday afternoon. We got the pleasure of staying with Paul and Diane, friends of my host family, who were so incredible and hospitable! They've adopted me as their Canadian daughter and invited me to come and stay with them for the Southbound Festival in January, YES PLEASE!

We went into Busselton and saw the long, long jetty then realized there wasn't too much else to see there so hopped back into the car and drove to the chocolate factory outside Margaret River. YUM! Here are some highlight photos from our road trip, I hope we have another when she gets back from Canada!!

On our way back to Perth we stopped in Bumbury at the Dolphin Discovery Centre (where wild dolphins come into the shore every day) and we had missed them by one minute that day. Can you believe our luck? I was pretty sad about it.

As you can see, Sarina is a serious driver.

That little kid grabbed my flip flops and threw them over the wall!

 Just a few 'roos, kickin' it.

Sarina and I enjoying the beautiful sunset on the beach in Busselton 

Getting goofy before bed

Sitting, hoping and wishing that those wild dolphins will come back

So since that little trip, I've really just been working an awful lot! If you know me, you know I love to be busy, so I have been really enjoying it! Cycling to and from work in the city is probably my favourite (and least favourite) part of working in the CBD (central business district for all you non-Australian folk). Favourite because I get 25 minutes of exercise each way and enjoy the scenery as I go. Least favourite because there is consistently a head wind on my way home!!

There have been a few times in the past couple of weeks that I've finished a shift at the perfect time to enjoy the sunset on my bike ride home. Talk about a luck gal, eh?

I'm hoping to do some longer bike rides soon and will hopefully head north along the coast (wind permitting of course!).

 As for news here at the house, little Paul just celebrated his second birthday!!! We rang in the celebrations with a family trip to the pool. Of course I brought my handy underwater camera for some shots of the action. Paul is an absolute fish, just like his brothers. He loves going underwater and is very good at holding his breath, blowing bubbles and even kicking his legs. Pretty good for a new two-year-old who doesn't talk yet!

The three brothers

Sue and Paul - look at that smile! 

Myself and Adam 

Awesome! 

I'm not drowning this baby. 

Adam, Me, and Luke!

Underwater family shot (Gavin was missing).

So folks, that's my large, complete with colour photos, update! I've written the two exams for those two online courses I was taking (thanks, Concordia) and my Christmas cards are all ready to get popped in the mail! My apologies to those who do not receive theirs before Christmas day; they are more Holiday cards I guess...(good excuse?).

Saturday evening I have a Christmas party with all the au pairs here in Perth. It's at a restaurant/bar that has a dress code and I've realized that I don't have anything but thongs (flip flops) to wear, which are not up to code...guess it's time to have a little look around the Aussie shops!

I really can't say it feels like Christmas here because to me, it is perpetually August. Whenever I see something referring to Christmas and snow I get a little bit homesick, but because it's so hot and sunny here it doesn't feel like I'm missing anything. By that I mean that if it were snowy and cold I would be longing for Christmas at home, but Christmas here is so laid back! Well, not for some; my family loves Christmas and the kids are very enthusiastic about it. I'll love you and leave you with a photo of what I came home to one night after work:

Stay cozy and warm my North American friends. Sip tea by the fire for me and enjoy the Christmas movies on CBC, I'll be missing them and you!

With love,
Megan