The last few days of summer...

The last couple days have been good.  I legitimately didn’t leave the house Friday.  I woke up late to the stormiest, nastiest weather and just couldn’t bring myself to follow through with either of my two plans for the day (both of which required a couple hours of walking outside).  I was still productive, thoughJ.  I wrote a few emails, finished my book and did a lot of work on my plans for intra-Australian travel.  I’m really excited!  My first big trip is in a couple weeks to Cairns.  It should be great… surfing, sun, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, hiking in the rainforest… cant wait!  The next day (Saturday), I woke up to the most beautiful blue sky and decided to take off on the previous day’s “plan a”.  I walked about an hour to a park that I had noticed passing on the tram and read and just laid out in the morning sun.  It was so peaceful and beautiful and perfect.  I then walked back, worked out, ate lunch and then went to the store.  I got back and sat outside reading and coloring.  It was the perfect stress release to my non-stressful dayJ.  Today (Sunday) was another great day!  I woke up and went to Church again.  I really like it, especially (as I have said before), the people!  They are really great.  After church, I went into the city and made my way to the Queen Victoria Market.  It is like their Pike Place Market (except not nearly as coolJ).  It was fun seeing the people, though, that actually came to do their weekly shopping.  That was new to me.  I wandered around a little, but by the time I got there, some vendors were already closing up and there wasn’t a whole lot that interested me.  I walked back across the city and into the gardens by the Yarra River. I walked a long ways to the Royal Botanic Gardens and wandered through them trying to find the perfect place to read and just be still.  The only problem with a limited about of sanctuary in the city is that everyone seeks refuge there.  Regardless of the other people, it was nice to find a grassy place, away from the street noise and hustle.  I am so excited to be here and to have the opportunity to experience Australia and another culture, but it is helping me realize the true blessing of where I live.  At home, I live in a field… perfect.  At school, I am a short drive from solace… perfect.  Here it is a trek and even then, it’s hard to be alone.  But the beauty of it is that I get to experience every unique and awesome thing here and the refuge of nature will be waiting for me when I get home… proJ.  I start school tomorrow… finally!  Big dayJ.  Sending my love and some of the beautiful sunshine I felt today.

PS.  Almost every Australian I’ve met tries to call me Kelly.  Apparently with my “accent” it’s hard to tell the differenceJ.