Wordless Wednesday

Empty Nest

Four days have now passed since Eliza left Chennai to head home to Australia. The house seems strange...quiet, tidy, empty. Not that she made a lot of noise, but having one less around to argue over the TV does make a difference. I never imagined that our 13 year old daughter would be living 8779 kms away from our family. It's only for 11 weeks and we will be reunited again. All living back together as a family, a new start in our new home.

My heart also feels empty. A month ago I would have said, and probably did, that it would be nice to have a break from our teenager. Be careful what you wish for. It doesn't feel right. We can speak on Skype a couple of times a day, but it's not the same. Prying information out of her over the wonders of the internet doesn't work.

I am so proud of her for having the courage to make this big step in her life. Repatriating is hard, doing it alone without her family around who have been through the same life changes in 2 years is tricky. But I am sure with the love and support of our family at home she will be ok. We are so lucky to have the best parents who have taken on the challenge of being her primary caregivers till we get home. I know I have trained Mum and Dad well. They raised me and we all survived, so Eliza should be a piece of cake.

So, to my beautiful girl, we have given you wings to fly. Soar like an Eagle my love, you have the world at you feet. Don't waste a second of the amazing opportunities that lay ahead of you. Embrace your new school and the friendships, old and new.

We love you

Turn Left HERE!!!!!

Lucy and Eliza managed a ride in an Auto. Getting into an auto certainly gets you up close and personal with India. The smells, sights and the bone crunching ride is something you don't forget in a hurry. Especially interesting is when you take all sorts of detours on the way, like dropping something off to the auto drivers boss, getting fuel and then having to direct the driver who has no idea where to go to take you home and doesn't speak great English. It's all good fun.

Sam Hits Double Figures

No, that title doesn't have anything to do with cricket, but Sam did celebrate his 10th Birthday this week. He had a great day with lots of sporty presents and a trip to the movies. He was so happy to have Grandma, Gramps and Lucy here to celebrate with him. He had been planning the day for weeks, what he wanted to do, from breakfast right through to dinner. You know when you are 10 those birthdays seemed to take forever to come around? So you have to make them special.

Happy Birthday Sam.

Dressed Up Indian Style

This is the finished product. The girls got all dressed up in the Sari's and we hit the town for lunch. They looked so beautiful and received many admiring looks and comments. I am sure they felt very grown up and elegant and I still can't believe they travelled home on the plane wearing their Sari's.

An Indian Experience For The Girls

To get that truly India look while wearing their Saris I took the girls for a treat to the salon to have some Mehndi done. This is a temporary Henna tattoo which is done in India for occasions like weddings and special ceremonies. They also had their eyebrows Threaded, which is a hair removal technique also used in India using a piece of cotton thread twisted and then pulled tight to remove the hair. It is a great technique and hurts a lot less then waxing.

Nothing like a true Indian experience. It's ok though there were no nose piercings or anything permanent.

Shopping Shopping Shopping

Shopping wasn't the only thing we did with Lucy, we did show her some culture. But she did take home lots of treasures. This is a couple of pics from our shopping trip to Spencer Plaza.

Pashmina Store, too many to choose from.

Getting the giggles while Grandma and I shopped in the Silver shop.

Holding the ceiling up in the shoe shop. Yes it was very low......