There were a lot of realizations, a lot of laughs, and a lot of thanks. This was my last weekend in Darwin, as I leave for Sydney on Saturday. It came quite quickly. Roger and I were sitting in the lounge on Sunday when we realized a week from now I will no longer be living here. It does not feel like it has already been 6 weeks. Though some of the days were longer than others, the weeks have flown by. As much as I am looking forward to spending a week in Sydney with Al, with no responsibilities and no obligations, I will miss the lovely people who have grown to take such a special home in my heart. So this weekend was filled with the ones who I will miss so dearly a week from now. It was a weekend to cherish the time we have together, to laugh, and to have fun.
On Friday, Roger and I cheers'd to a great last week with the champagne I got from the owner of the restaurant we went to on my birthday. He also set up their little Christmas tree, and I got some lovin' from Sammy--the dog everyone should be afraid of, but who has taken a great liking to me. it was a good night in after a late night out Thursday.
On Saturday, Kaye and I went into town to do some shopping in the early afternoon. I bought some gifts for my people back home. Kaye bought herself a Christmas gift from Roger, and I was browsing around while she found what she wanted. Before making her purchase, she ever so casually told me to just pick out a Pandora ring that I wanted, as a "love present" from her. It was such a beautiful gift, and since she knows how much I wear rings, it was so thoughtful and so loving. As she said, it will be a constant reminder of the love I have from Australia. When we got home, we spent the day laughing, making Christmas crafts for her 3rd graders, and sharing stories. Roger even made the extra apple pie we had in the freezer from Thanksgiving.
On Sunday, Warwick a family friend of Kaye and Roger's took me to the Territory Wildlife Park. This park is run by the government as a way of animal conservation. The rangers are constantly discovering new animals, and with the help of the aboriginal people they continue to better understand the land and the things we share it with. There have recently been 5 new spiders, a lizard, and a frog discovered. While at the park, we saw stingray and barramundi feedings, a bird show where a 5 month old emu was being trained, an aquarium, a nocturnal house, dingoes, and did quite a bit of walking. We even got to ride on the train to and from some locations. On our way home, in a rush because I needed to shower before dinner, we stopped so I could see the Barry Springs watering hole where many people go swimming. Unfortunately the swimming was not open due to crocodiles being in the water. Each day the water (as well as all identified swimming areas) is inspected for crocs, and if there are some sighted, it is closed and these signs, as shown, are put up. With 20 minutes to spare, I showered and made myself presentable for a dinner with Catherine, John, and Amelia. We went to The Wharf for dinner, where the view is absolutely beautiful. Because it is on the water, there was a bit of a breeze. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes also came out as the sun started to go down. John and Catherine brought their own cooler of wine and beer, and we sat around enjoying each other's company before ordering fish and chips. The Wharf is set up with a bunch of different food places, a food court of sorts. However, Catherine and John both recommended the fish and chips, and they were actually quite delicious! Not something I would have ever ordered before at home, that's for sure! After much conversation about the differences in teaching in the States and Australia (the pay being the most shocking for them) and discussions about the must see sights in Sydney we purchased ice cream and headed home.
All three of these days were a constant reminder of the people I have met in Darwin and how lucky I am to have had these experiences with each of them. Each of these relationships I have are different, but each of them I will treasure far beyond my departure on Saturday. And now it's just 4 more days of "teaching" (Christmas movies, crafts, and a trip to the cinema) and I will no longer be an undergraduate student!
On Friday, Roger and I cheers'd to a great last week with the champagne I got from the owner of the restaurant we went to on my birthday. He also set up their little Christmas tree, and I got some lovin' from Sammy--the dog everyone should be afraid of, but who has taken a great liking to me. it was a good night in after a late night out Thursday.
On Saturday, Kaye and I went into town to do some shopping in the early afternoon. I bought some gifts for my people back home. Kaye bought herself a Christmas gift from Roger, and I was browsing around while she found what she wanted. Before making her purchase, she ever so casually told me to just pick out a Pandora ring that I wanted, as a "love present" from her. It was such a beautiful gift, and since she knows how much I wear rings, it was so thoughtful and so loving. As she said, it will be a constant reminder of the love I have from Australia. When we got home, we spent the day laughing, making Christmas crafts for her 3rd graders, and sharing stories. Roger even made the extra apple pie we had in the freezer from Thanksgiving.
On Sunday, Warwick a family friend of Kaye and Roger's took me to the Territory Wildlife Park. This park is run by the government as a way of animal conservation. The rangers are constantly discovering new animals, and with the help of the aboriginal people they continue to better understand the land and the things we share it with. There have recently been 5 new spiders, a lizard, and a frog discovered. While at the park, we saw stingray and barramundi feedings, a bird show where a 5 month old emu was being trained, an aquarium, a nocturnal house, dingoes, and did quite a bit of walking. We even got to ride on the train to and from some locations. On our way home, in a rush because I needed to shower before dinner, we stopped so I could see the Barry Springs watering hole where many people go swimming. Unfortunately the swimming was not open due to crocodiles being in the water. Each day the water (as well as all identified swimming areas) is inspected for crocs, and if there are some sighted, it is closed and these signs, as shown, are put up. With 20 minutes to spare, I showered and made myself presentable for a dinner with Catherine, John, and Amelia. We went to The Wharf for dinner, where the view is absolutely beautiful. Because it is on the water, there was a bit of a breeze. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes also came out as the sun started to go down. John and Catherine brought their own cooler of wine and beer, and we sat around enjoying each other's company before ordering fish and chips. The Wharf is set up with a bunch of different food places, a food court of sorts. However, Catherine and John both recommended the fish and chips, and they were actually quite delicious! Not something I would have ever ordered before at home, that's for sure! After much conversation about the differences in teaching in the States and Australia (the pay being the most shocking for them) and discussions about the must see sights in Sydney we purchased ice cream and headed home.
All three of these days were a constant reminder of the people I have met in Darwin and how lucky I am to have had these experiences with each of them. Each of these relationships I have are different, but each of them I will treasure far beyond my departure on Saturday. And now it's just 4 more days of "teaching" (Christmas movies, crafts, and a trip to the cinema) and I will no longer be an undergraduate student!