Three Weeks Later...

(Pictures aren't working now, but hopefully I'll get them eventually)

Well, three weeks later I am finally getting around to my final post, like I promised. I apologize for the lateness, although I also don't think my blog is that in demand, but hopefully you can still enjoy it!

My last week in Australia was great, but the weekend that followed was really even more magnificent. I can't say that it was the best weekend, because honestly Sydney is a hard act to follow, but I really made the most of my last week and weekend in Australia.

I realized, althought the tempurature didn't help, that Christmas was getting closer and closer, and really it was the buzz on everyone's mind...especially the kids, and as you can guess because of this it was really quite difficult for them all to focus, but then again what else is new :) That Wednesday night I went to their Carols concert which is all the kids performing various Christmas songs and poems, and really just enjoyed the evening. And because of it we had late arrival (at 10!) the next day...except for the teachers.

The next morning was to be the thank you tea for which meant the teachers had to be there early (at 8!) to make sandwhiches and snacks for all the parents that were to come to be thanked for all the work they had put in that school year...then we were off to the pool with the 5/6's to go swimming (which for me meant get sunburned and sprayed with a hose by the kids...ha!) Friday was in the Kris Kringle party for the kids, and I got a book, "Twas the night before Christmas Aussie style!" It was so great I had to buy more to share with friends and family back home...which I did. That night my family took me out for Indian food, which I had never had. (It was good, but definitly not one of the favs)

Saturday was so busy! We started in the city at the Vic Market...wow...lots of shopping! And inexpensive...I wish I still had money left at the end of my trip because I would have really bought the whole place :) They even had White Sox stuff! Too cool! Amanda and I spent the rest of the day around the city, getting some last minute souveniors and opals and then made our way to the casino for the Christmas show...the pictures not that great

After that we grab some Mackers (aka micky d's) and split so I could head to the Cathedral in the city that I've been waiting for nearly the whole trip, and she headed to the Green Day concert a little early. I got to go to mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne...it's an absolute gorgeous Cathedral.

After that I met up with Amanda, and Cara and her friend at the Green Day concert performing with Jimmy Eat World and My Chemical Romance. It was pretty good (especially sitting fourth row with free tickets :) )...I enjoyed the music and all...but lets just say I'm not as America hating and liberal as Green Day is... I don't know if they just play it up for the international audience, but yikes!

Sunday I headed with my family to Puffing Billy, a steam train that goes through some "mountains" in Victoria. After that I finally got to experience an Aussie BBQ (or Barbi) and then got to take my two host families out for some exquisite Greek dining that evening. A good time was had by all! That night I packed and got psyched for the long trip home...20 hours on a plane is just way too long...ugh But alas...I survived!

Monday morning I went to the school one last time to say my goodbyes and thank yous (and made my host families cry...awww). Then it was to the airport. And well...the rest is history...