another place for Christmas

December 22, 2008

you know how I mentioned a farm in my last email... well, that's where I'm at now. in a town called Berrigan, a few hours north of Melbourne. it wasn't an easy decision, but I've left Newcastle.

I'm living with a family - Simon, Anita and their two daughters, Tillia (15) and Mia (9). At their home they have horses, chickens, ducks, geese, dogs, cats, a talking cockatoo, a guinea pig, and guinea fowls. Their farm consists of cattle, sheep and crops (barley, wheat, oats, canola, lupines, and triticale). I will be spending Christmas with them and then heading to their beach house for a couple of weeks. We will be back on the farm by mid-Jan and I will most likely get work as a fruit picker. A slight change from living on the beach. I'm not sure how long I will be here... maybe one month, maybe three...
then off to somewhere new, i suppose

wishing you a merry Christmas!

love,
julie

more pictures & song

Feel free to sing along...

Aussie Jingle Bells

Dashing through the bush
In a rusty Holden Ute
Kicking up the dust
Esky in the boot
Kelpie by my side
Singing Christmas songs
It's summer time and I am in
My singlet, shorts & thongs

CHORUS:
OH, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
ON A SCORCHING SUMMER'S DAY
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
CHRISTMAS TIME IS BEAUT
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE
IN A RUSTY HOLDEN UTE

Engine's getting hot
Dodge the kangaroos
Swaggy climbs aboard
He is welcome too
All the family is there
Sitting by the pool
Christmas day, the Aussie way
By the barbecue!

CHORUS

Come the afternoon
Grandpa has a doze
The kids and uncle Bruce
Are swimming in their clothes
The time comes round to go
We take a family snap
Then pack the car and all shoot through
Before the washing up

CHORUS

change is happening

December 15, 2008

so i moved into a new place even closer to the beach...
i just started working at a fine dining restaurant as a waitress. the name is "Cibo tapas bar" and it's about a 15 min bike ride from my house.

however...
i might have an opportunity to work on a ranch through one of my mom's friend's friend.
australia has been an interesting experience so far. not easy, not even too fun most days... but challenging and life changing, so i guess that's good.
wow... Christmas is just around the corner.
i hope you guys have a good one.

love,
julie

more pictures