We’ve got all sorts of fun plans in the making for while Skinner is here. First and foremost – he gets here the day before new year’s eve and new year’s eve is supposed to be loads of fun here. Apparently the entire city more or less shuts down as everybody crowds downtown to various locations to get a view of the fireworks… should be fun. Then we are going to Melbourne for 3 days where we have a wide variety of new things to experience. We’re going to a Cricket match on the 5th (well just one day of the 5-day match) and I’m very excited for that.
Cricket is the most ridiculous sport in the world. It lasts forever – it’s unbelievable. Matches are 5 days long… and they play all day. It would never fly in the United States. Nobody could concentrate that long…
Anyway, Christmas here was quite interesting. It really felt nothing like Christmas. It was so bizarre. I mean when I came here I knew it’d be sunny and warm on Christmas but I had no idea that the vibe would also be completely different. We went to a BBQ at one of my work friend’s house and made some delicious chicken skewers and sausages. There weren’t many people there but it was fun hanging out at a real house for a change, with a back yard and a dog and everything. Then we went over to Bondi Beach for the ‘Sunburnt Orphans Christmas’. It cost 50 bucks and included entry into a big party on/near the beach where thousands of people with no families (within a thousand miles or so) were all gathered having a good time. There were a couple DJs and dancefloors and lots of santa hats all around. There was even an airplane smoke ad from Telstra encouraging us to call our mom.
Boxing day was equally as bizarre here as well… in that it is a holiday that makes no sense and isn’t real, but somehow exists. I think boxing day is like when we have the Super Bowl at home, except it’s a national holiday that most people get off work for. See when we have the super bowl everyone just kinda goes over to a friends house, maybe throws around a football, grills up some burgers and hotdogs, eats, drinks, and watches the game. Here it is similar because everyone watches cricket or has a bbq. We went to the park and threw around a Frisbee and hit around a volleyball with some of my friends from work. It was a nice day, little windy, but nice, and the park is gorgeous so we had fun. Then Erin had to work and Lindberg and I just kinda hung out for a while. I took a nap, watched catch me if you can with Brian, and now I’m blogging for all you people out there.
I feel like I should have so much more to say, but it’s been so long that I can’t really fill you guys in on everything that’s happened since I last blogged. Instead – I’ll just throw some interesting pictures from the last couple weeks and give you a little description of what they are and where they came from and what their significance is. Should be fun. Enjoy!
This one is another view of Tamarama Beach... the one you've been seeing in Linder's blogs. This pic was from the first time when Brian and I went to investigate the volleyball situation and we were up at the top edge of a cliff looking down on this gorgeous view. We thought there wasn't volleyball or anything because we couldn't see it from where we were. Great beach though...
This, believe it or not, is our $20 Christmas tree. I know, I know, it's fantastic right? So wonderful. We put a lot of time, money, and effort into creating this beast. I wish we had a picture from Christmas morning when all the presents were under there... but we were too eager and forgot. Most of the presents under the tree were from the Claytons, who sent us all sorts of gadgets and games that we'll be playing with for the next 9 months.
You may be trying to figure out what the heck that is... and for good reason. We were trying to figure it out for a while. Erin walks into the bedroom and freaks out - screaming - running - jumping - etc. So I go in there to investigate and find some sort of massive spider having its brains sucked out by some sort of orange and black giant bug. It was quite disconcerting, especially considering I had killed a spider of similar size the night before under the dresser in the bedroom. After some internet searching and asking around, it turns out the spider is relatively harmless in Australia terms (which means it will only bite you and make you bleed or something, instead of killing you with poisonous venom) and the blackish bug is just a terrifying wasp of some sort. That bug was actually probably somewhat dangerous and poisonous, but wouldn't kill us or anything. At least I hope not. Oh well - it's dead and gone now. Fun stuff.
This picture is a shot from the Sunburnt Christmas Party that we went to at Bondi. As you can maybe see, there were loads of people in Santa hats and whatnot... and we were supposed to call mum (which we all did, I might add).
And last but not least is the three of us on the beach at Bondi, on Christmas Day. Crazy, huh? Erin has her reindeer hat on and I've got my Santa hat on and we're all just excited to be where we are (but still missing everyone at home bigtime).
Anyway, I guess that's all I've got for now... keep your eyes open because I'm predicting a heavy week for blogging because I'll be home with nothing to do until skinner gets here so I'll try to take as many pics as possible of different things and write about them for your enjoyment. I love you all!
- Jesse "good to be back" Meredith
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JB, Good bloggin bloke. Lots a good stuff this time. But then its been a while too. I think you better save your Charlie Brown Christmas Tree and bring it home. There can't be another tree like that in the world.
ReplyDeleteThe spider caper certainly was interesting. Do you have many of these large bugs in the house? Maybe its time to move. Maybe your landlord is out to get you or something. Or maybe you can breed them to see how big you can grow one. Then if you have a nasty neighbor, well send the attack bug!
Still a little confused about Boxing Day. Are there boxing matches on the tele? I looked up boxing day in the aussie dictionary and nothing popped up.
Great talking to you yeaterday on skype. We had a very laid back day. The Stiger were here as usual and only Nate and Nikki did not come. Caleb brought his girlfriend. She "Lindsy" is very nice and easy to talk to. Nik had his Wi set up, so you can imagine where all the youngens were. Mom was bowling with Nik and woke up this am stiff. She really gets into it. Then she started to play tennis and hit Sam in the nose on her first swing. Sam slinked out of the room. He had to have some TLC and be coaxed back into the room. Ron bought a new 21 ft hot rod boat. They are very excited about that. No gifts were exchanged as we all thought it best to donate farm animals to various missions in Africa and Australia instead. The filets were simply scrumptious. We had to delay dinner because the tenderloin roast was not done when the directions said it would be. But believe me, worth waiting for. Everyone had their fill and there is enough left over for a meal for mom and I.
I am trying to buy another car b4 the new year. Need a big deduction for 08, and have a possibility in South Carolina. I have a mini van sold, but need the van now. Mabye a trip to SC is in order next week then drive home.
That about covers it for today. Love, DD
Hey Jess, Glad to have you back in the world of bloggerton. Missed you lots Christmas and Christmas Eve. We will also be missing you tom. at Uncle Jeff's. Have a great time off and have fun with Skinner. Love, Pie-mom
ReplyDeleteHey Jesse,
ReplyDeleteGood newsy blog mate! Bet your glad to have some time off even though you must have been raking in the green stuff with all of those hours.
Your Christmas sounded like fun even though it was different from good old Pennsylvania.I always felt that way when living in Palos Verdes for 7yrs. Good picture of the three of you on the beach. It rained Christmas day in Dewey & down in Phoenix too, where we were for dinner.
Nasty looking bugs down under. Don't blame Erin for being a lot upset. Be on the look out!
Jesse there is $50 more in your account as of today, from your grand parents.
Well Laddie, thats it for now. Can't wait for your next blog! Happy New Year & have a great time when your friend gets there.
Love you, Aunt Sandy
Sometimes I feel so jealous and want to be in australia, but then you include pictures of giant wasps cleaning out the eye sockets of a giant spider, and I come very close to crying because the thought of that is so frightening and I'm a huge baby, and I then never want to go to australia ever.
ReplyDeleteBut then I forget about it by your next blog post and I want to go again.
I was so great to hear about your lovely Christmas down under...It was also great to a picture of Erin!! We miss her tons!
ReplyDeleteTake Care!
Carrie