The New Abode

Being home has meant that I have had the opportunity to check out our new house. The one we bought over the Internet. LOL. One day we will really enjoy living in this home. It has a lovely outlook and the house has a great feel about it. Love my new kitchen and our outdoor living space. Here's a few pics.

"We Are Geelong"

Being a single Mum at the moment I sometimes have to do the things that I normally wouldn't do. Going to the Football is one of the things that I usually steer clear of having to do, too much testosterone and rough play for my liking. Although don't let it be said that I don't mind looking at a nice pair of legs in short footy nicks.

But today was a different story all together. Andrew's brother had planned a day out for the family to go up to Melbourne and see our beloved team Geelong play Essendon at Etihad Stadium. What an amazing place. It was my first visit to this stadium and it was a great place to watch the football. I had requested to Mark that we wouldn't be sitting in the nose bleed area high up in the stands, I don't do well with heights. Even though we were up on the top level it was still really cool. Great seats and a great view of the ground.

We were joined by 48,000 other mad football supporters and we got to see a good game, good of course, because our team Geelong thrashed Essendon in a rather easy game for them. The kids were all stoked to be going and Mac was keen to be on the playing field. He didn't quite get the idea that we were there to watch, not participate. He was also very excited to see Half Cat the team mascot and called out over and over to try to get Half Cat's attention. Poor kid didn't really understand that it was probably a bit hard to hear from 3 levels below.

Walking to the arena with Uncle Dave

Cousins having a blast

'Half Cat, Half Cat, Half Cat, I'm up here!!!'

"Do you think he saw me Mum?'

GO CATS

Mac, my little Geelong Supporter

Day Trip

Yesterday we had a great day visiting me sister Kerrie in Anglesea, which for my overseas friends, is a lovely little seaside town on the Great Ocean Road. Being a bit cold for a day at the beach we thought the next best thing was a visit to the park. The kids had fun being let loose in the great outdoors, playing on the pirate ship, kicking the footy and throwing the Frisbee. Followed of course, by a walk into town for a coffee and Vanilla slice. It is so nice to be able to be outside without being in a lather of sweat and rug up in a scarf and coat and have some fun. The kids are loving being home.

Home Sweet Home

It's 9am Sunday morning, sitting at the computer drinking a Vanilla Latte and eating Red Tulip mini Easter eggs, thanks to my lovely sister who had extreme self discipline not to eat them. Yum. Its Mothers Day and my 3 little darlings are all still sound asleep. No Breakfast in bed for me today. We have been back in Lara now for 36 hours and it feels like we have never left. We are all slotting back into life here very well. It has been great to see lots of friends and family. Last night we even had Fish and Chips for dinner and you know, when you miss something heaps you long for it and when you have it, sometimes it's a disappointment.

Our flight home was great. Mac fell asleep before we even got on the plane in Chennai and stayed asleep for the flight and the 3 hours lay over in Bangkok. Woke up as I lifted him out of the pram to get on the next flight, so we had a good 6 hours of peace and quiet for him. Eliza and Sam did well, with Sam asking me the time every half an hour. We arrived in Melbourne at 8pm on Friday night and were welcomed home by our welcoming committee. It was great to walk through those doors and see some familiar faces. Mostly white too. Anne-Marie welcomed us with a box of Crispy Cream Donuts, mmmmmmmmm They were good.

Fast forward 2 days, Tuesday morning and I am determined to get this posting finished. Mac is nagging me to come outside and play. Need to shower and get ready for the day but I think the kids have other plans for me. They have spent so much time enjoying the yard.
We are so blessed to have come home to beautiful weather. Cool, crisp, fresh air. The days are sunny and bright and the nights cool. Ah, trackie pants, love the comfort and warmth of cosy casual warm clothes. Even the warm slippers have made an appearance. The kids are in the element. Playing outside on the bikes that Gramps had rounded up for them. Awaiting them all was a football each and a basketball to play with too. As I sit here I can hear the bouncing of the ball outside. How will I ever get these kids back to Chennai after 9 weeks of normal Aussie life. I guess all good things must come to an end.

Australia Bound

In less than 6 hours we will be sitting on a plane on our way home. I can't quite believe the time has come. We have all been eagerly awaiting this day for some time. The kids have dreams of Six Ways fish and chips and McDonald's drive through on the way home from the airport. Me, I just have dreams of a peaceful, uneventful flight home. God willing, this time tomorrow we will be home safe and sound. That is as long as we get on the plane with Eliza coughing and spluttering. Darn that swine flu........
Nine weeks at home will be just what the doctor ordered, just enough time to fatten Mac up and catch up some much needed family time. Some immunisations are also on the agenda, the kids may not be so keen to find that out.
As usual, there are mixed emotions when leaving the place we now call our temporary home. Leaving Andrew here is also hard but we know Margaret is here to look after her Master and cook his meals and do his washing. God bless her. He will be joining us in June for a week, so that will be great.
We have met so many great friends and it is with much sadness that I have said goodbye to 2 lovely friends today that will be moving on to their next big adventures. That, I suppose is the life of an expat, constantly fair welling people at either end of the globe.
Anyway, can't wait to see all our family and friends and look forward to catching up for a coffee with you all.
Wish me luck and say a prayer for a weary Mother of 3 tired kids.

ITS OVER

The school year for the Purdy kids is OVER.

O

V

E

R

I am so proud of the way the have copped with the massive change in their lives. It has not been a easy transition for the kids going to the school they have been at this year.

Leaving home at 7.30am and travelling so far everyday has also been a huge change from our one minute drive around the corner to school at home.

Eliza has faced the biggest challenges with the subjects she has done. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Environmental Management and French. These have been the hardest and most foreign of the subjects she has done. Along with Maths that was far advanced in comparison to what she had ever done at home.

So report day was today and she has done pretty well, all things considered. She finished 9th in her class of 20 and has really opened up socially this term, much to her teachers delight.

Sam......What can I say, he has done well with A's and B's in all his subjects and possibly a D in his conduct according to his C**P teacher. (But we all really love Sam, he is so funny, but so naughty) Get the drift? Lets just say we are very happy to have him OUT of there. Her discipline methods left alot to be desired.

Now begins the LONG break. 15 weeks to be exact. We have 12 more days in Chennai till we depart to cooler weather. Nearly 9 weeks at home and then back here to start the new school year at AISC. Lets hope it's all we are wishing and hoping for. Another new school for the kids to get used to and new friends to make. And hopefully lots of discipline for my Sam.

And The Winner Is.......

Since living in Chennai now for 9 months, we have been on the eternal hunt for the best Chocolate Brownie.

And today we found it.

Oh my goodness, it was a taste sensation from heaven. We had a lovely lunch but decided that we had best try a Brownie to share between the 5 of us. It was warm and moist and tasted like "REAL" chocolate, unlike some phony brownies you come across here in Chennai. It was also served with marscapone cheese, not something you commonly find here.

I nearly fell off my chair when Andrew the, I don't really like desert person, suggested we order another.

YUM

Do you think I have a problem?

All I seem to blog about these days is what we are eating or else I am whinging about living here.

After today life in Chennai just got better.

They also do a great Cold Coffee, can't drink the hot stuff these days as you feel like you are going to internally combust.