Weeks 8 and 9 in Maroochydore

Well, week 8 began with suspected mumps (which turned out to be a salivary gland infection), and so I had to make a pretty swift exit for the sake of Parker... and ended up in Maroochydore!

It's pretty small and right by the sea, with plenty of shops and a nice beach- a great place to relax and recover! I've spend the days visiting the local shopping centre, drinking milkshakes by the river, swimming in the pool and going for walks. We had almost a week of dreadful weather, which I used to watch films in the TV room and apply for jobs online.

Last Saturday, we went to the famous Eumundi markets, which were huge and, quite simply, fascinating. There was an incredible variety of stalls selling crafts and food, and live music scattered around the tents. I was tempted to buy many things, including old car prints for dad and a superman bib for Parker that read 'Somebody put my cape on backwards'. Luckily, I resisted temptation and only bought some fudge (a definite weakness of mine).

The hostel I'm staying in is very homely, and I've made more friends here than anywhere else I've been so far. I've been for 2 nights out, but enjoy spending evenings here playing cards or watching horror films. Cooking in the evenings is incredible with people from so many countries cooking such an amazing variety of dishes. One of my room-mates, Liv, took myself and another room mate to a pub to watch a rugby league game which was pretty cool- much more interesting than American football.

Yesterday, I went to work as a strawberry planter on a farm, but only lasted a day. I was burnt, had a sore back, was bitten by an insect and then had a swollen hand after it hot infected. A good experience, but not one I'd want again.

Tonight I took the 'why not' attitude and booked a flight to Sydney for Monday evening. I have a trial at a cafe about 25 minutes walk from the Sydney Opera house on Tuesday which I'm hoping will go well and result in a job for a while. Also, my fantastic friend Lucy and her friend Hayley have booked to fly over here in May for the best part of 6 weeks which I am very excited about.With a lot to look forward to, I'm feeling pretty positive and happy right now, and looking into the option of travelling to other countries before I return home (without extending the time I'll spend away, as I don't think Haylee, Aimee or Grandma would ever forgive me!).

Weeks 5, 6 and 7 in Brisbane

Weeks 5, 6 and 7 in Brisbane

It seems crazy to think that I have been here so long already! And I cannot remember all of the things I've done in the last 3 weeks since I last blogged, so here goes an attempt at remembering.

The last few weeks have involved a lot of (failed) job hunting attempts. I have been giving CVs out and sending in online applications daily, but have had few replies and only one interview (apparently its a city thing). I also started getting around by bike a bit, which proved pretty unsuccessful at first but is improving slowly.

On St David's day I made Welsh Cakes and we had a Garage Sale on the front lawn, which felt very American! During that week, I also met up with another Au Pair from Philadelphia (USA) called Phoebe, and we went for drink in West End in a roof top bar near the river. The view was lovely, and I had a great time comparing life in the USA with life in Wales. We went for a walk in West End and I tried a Philly Cheese Steak- I seem to be trying loads of new foods here, including foods that are invented in Britain!

Kat and I spent a morning going for breakfast in the pancake hut, going to the cinema and going shopping. I've been swimming at the local leisure centre with Lolly (there were 4 swimming and they were all outside!), been to the cinema with 2 Au Pairs from Germany to see '12 Years a Slave', helped Kat make a rainbow cake, and been to the local Sunday market. Kat put myself and Lolly in charge of 'filling the fish tank' so we returned home with a Siamese fighting fish- apparently she just meant the water and decorations! Oops! However, Steve the fish is now a fully fledged member of the family :)

We  had a very eventful weekend when Parker ended up in hospital for 2 nights with Croup. Kat stayed there overnight with him, and I caught the bus in each day to visit. The hospital is much nicer than the one at home, and they are planning on refurbishing it all as it is 'old'- crazy! I was very glad to have them home 3 days later, and spent a whole day watching films and eating cookies with Kat.

I have spent a lot of time with 2 friends I met at the hostel, Kat and Rosie (sisters from England). We went for a bit of sunbathing at South Bank, took a trip to Manly for the day, and had a BBQ with Kat, Lolly, Arbi and his two children. I am hoping to go up Mt Coot-tha with them net week to watch the sunset over Brisbane and have a picnic. Older Kat (My Au Pair Mum) took me up Mount Gravatt to watch the sunset and have fudge, and we took some pictures overlooking Brisbane.

This week Arbi took me to his church which is not too far from the house. It is massive, and a world away from the church I go to at home- no order of service, hymn books, robes, or any kind of tradition. I look forward to going again, to see a service this time. I also experienced my first chocolate restaurant- fattening, unhealthy and utterly delicious!

This is basically what I've been up to in the last 3 weeks, though not written particularly coherently or in chronological order, simply because I cannot remember everything I have done and this blog took a fair bit of brain storming. Next week, I hope to leave my host family for 2 weeks to travel around the coast. Then, I will be returning for 2 weeks over Easter before I fly down to Melbourne to meet my other friend Rosie (How confusing- 2 Rosie's, 2 Kat's!). I am dreading leaving my host family, they are so lovely and have made me feel so welcome.

I have to conclude the blog this week with a request to the lovely people who read my blog- Parker's godfather, Arbi, is organising a large fundraising event called 'Push for Parker', in which 100 skateboarders will ride 100km from Caloundra to Noosa and back (on the Sunshine Coast). The money raised will go towards Parker's early intervention therapies (he has up to 15 hospital and therapy appointments per month). If any of you would like to sponsor a Skater, make a donation, or simply find out more, please find the 'Push for Parker' page on facebook- after all, it only takes a few minutes to check it out!

Lots of love xxx