Alas, again I have fallen behind and neglected this blog. It’s like my little online garden patch. It’s fast going to seed, so I better get weeding.
To start off on a very sad note, we lost my grandfather Alfred on Saturday, 22 May. He was 93 and an inspirational man. He was in very good health up until the last year or so where he slowly began to deteriorate. My grandmother and Alf’s daughter Helen cared for him for a long time at home and he only spent a small amount of time at hospital at the end, which I’m sure is just the way strong, independent Alf would have wanted it. He was born in rural NSW and was a typical farm boy and keen sportsman who dealt with snakes bare-handed and who scored many a try one-handed. He fought in WWII and was a prisoner of war at Changi. Yet the horrors he experienced there never made him bitter or hateful of life. He had a reputation as a larrikin but always had such an incredible “strength” about him – both physical and mental.
Tom and I flew up to Brisbane for the funeral. It was an incredibly sad day but being with all the family helped us to remember Alf and to support each other and Grandma through this really difficult time. Grandma is constantly in my thoughts these days. There have been a few losses this year which have been very difficult to deal with. I sometimes wish I was a little closer so I could drop around for a cuppa and “just be there” with her. My brother gave a wonderfully poignant speech about Alf at the funeral and Helen also spoke some very moving words. There were many tears and a few chuckles. I am so glad we were able to go to Brisbane for it. To say goodbye to Alf was very hard. Vale Alfred.
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On a completely different note, uni classes are finished for the semester and we are on the road towards exams. 5 of them. Argh!!! On a happy note, I got my psychology essay back and I got 97% which I was absolutely over the moon about! I also got 91% on my biology report which was most pleasing! I did however fail my Biostatistics and Calculus quizzes 
( Thankfully the average for both was a fail mark (5/12) so am counting on that bell curve! I probably do need to get more of a move on with my study though – I’ve spent a lot of time with Chemistry so far and nothing else. I gotta focus!
Oh and in wonderful news, Tom did brilliantly well in his half marathon!!! I am so proud of him! He ran a time of approximately 1 hour 45 mins and finished around 2200 out of 8000 runners! Not bad for his first ever run event! It was a very early start to go watch him but I am so glad I did. I ran around the course to catch some glimpses of him and got a couple of pics of Maratom! Afterwards, we met up with some of Tom’s colleagues who also ran in the race for some drinks and lots of food. Actually, that was a marathon effort in itself - did not feel well the next day!
But in terms of the “Look Amazing” campaign, I was inspired by Tom’s efforts and have signed up for the City2Surf which is on in August. I’ve got about 9 weeks of preparation ahead. Now I am in terrible shape at the moment, so have to be realistic about how I am going to go. I’ve drawn up a training plan (with the help of Tom) and am hoping it will enable me to finish the race with me jogging more than halfway and maybe briskly walking the rest. I am actually really looking forward to working towards this goal. We started off yesterday morning with a very brisk walk for an hour around the track which will be my “training route”. Now, hoping for no injuries!
I have also started on a pill which should help my skin and I’m sure increased exercise levels will help in that respect too! So next things to do are to sign up with a yoga class in the area. The only thing is that our funds are a little limited at the moment and we need to change our car registration from QLD to NSW! So once pay day comes around, I am going to go along for a trial class. Will help with the stress of exams I am sure!
Oh and in very very exciting news, we have a load of visitors planned for December. Tom’s lovely mother and her partner Jan are going to meet us in New Zealand for a wonderful 2 week holiday in the beginning of December. We are then going to Brisbane for a couple of days for Christmas where Tom’s sister will join us and then we will head back to Sydney for New Year’s Eve where Tom’s friend Arjan will arrive as well! So yes, our little studio is going to be one heaving joint! But I am sure we will manage! I realllly cannot wait for New Zealand. Hiking, long walks, good wine, good food, fresh air, mountains and good company! Should be lovely!
Things are really pootling along well here in Sydney. I actually really like living here. I’ve said it before, but living in a nice neighbourhood in a nice place really helps. We are so close to loads of shops, restaurants and cafes. The bus is a 1 minute walk from our door and it only takes about 10-15 minutes to get into the centre of Sydney. We have been for a number of walks to the Rocks and the harbour from home (takes around an hour but a very pleasing walk over that famous coathanger bridge!). Life is good at the moment!
Oh and I did finally go brunette and am loving it! It’s nice to have a change and not worry about regrowth 2 weeks after getting my hair done! Yay! Found a good neighbourhood salon that is not too exhorbitant so double ticks!
Okay so here are some pics. More will follow in next post!
Oh and I apologise to Sarah and Phil who commented on my last post and I never got back to….your advice and lovely words are always appreciated. In fact Phil’s blog and her attitude to life are uber inspiring and I am constantly motivated by those gold nuggets of info and advice that she so eloquently dispenses! Thanks Phil!
OK, off to uni to meet up with a friend and lament about our study woes!
