home time

I like going home.

My sister picked me up from the airport and on the way to her house we saw a shooting star. We were driving down a hill, the view was of city lights, and for a split second we both saw a light stream across the sky. It was beautiful to see as it has been many years since I have seen one.

I spent the first night sleeping at my sister's. I told her it there was no need for heating in my room because I felt so cosy under the layers of blankets... but I regretted that decision when I woke up at 2am and couldn't go back to sleep because it was so cold.

When the morning came, my sister and I went to buy yellow roses (my mum's favourite) and we went to the family house to surprise her. On the way there we spotted the sky whale - a new hot air balloon in Canberra. My sister was so excited to see it that she was hardly looking at the road.

When we arrived at the house, I walked through the doors and mum reacted normally and then suddenly it clicked and she said, "what are you doing here!!" it was nice that she didn't expect me.

The next day mum and I woke up early to see the Sky whale tethered at the park near Questacon.

This boobied hot air balloon apparently caused a fuss with Canberra citizens. People said the money should go to schools or hospitals rather than the balloon. My mum said that she has grown to love it and thinks that the money has gone to something that is interesting and fun for all people to view.

I love Canberra when it is changing from Autumn to winter. The days are sunny and the air is so crisp. In the mornings, the grass is covered in beautiful frost while the trees are filled with magnificent colour.

In my spare time, I made pomegranate juice out of the ageing fruit and it was delicious! I also spent time with my sister and mum trying on bridesmaids dresses and watching my sister try on numerous bridal gowns.

Dad cooked a feast for mum's birthday. It was just a family dinner and it was really really great. I wouldn't have missed it for anything else in the world. The night was full of laughing and happiness.
I am very grateful to have my family. I love them all greatly.

My sister and I spent a lot of time making a pineapple shaped cake for my mum. I added a little cat next to it (its meant to be Taichee!)

The birds outside ate the offcuts off the birthday cake (so in a way they celebrated with us)

Speaking of Taichee... She joined us for dessert!

I think mum really enjoyed her celebrations. We even put her name in the paper with a photo of the family... she was surprised and remarked, "Now EVERYONE knows my age!!" haha whoops.

- - - 

I caught the flu while I was in Canberra so the flight back into Melbourne was very painful. My ears ached so much as the plane descended. They have never hurt so much in my life. Still my hearing is muffled... I hope when I wake that my hearing will be better.

Today I received an email from the Estonian exchange office. They told me that my artistic level was impressive and thought that I would be better suited to their Fine Arts courses or Design courses as opposed to their Architecture ones. In any case, I wasn't offered a place for Interior architecture. They did tell me to apply for Fine Arts and Design and wanted to hear back from me, but I think it is unlikely that that would work out with my RMIT arrangement.

I had this feeling from the start that I wouldn't get in. It wasn't a bad feeling at all, it was just something that was constant. As if to say I'm meant to do something else. I think I felt some pressure to go to Europe because I wanted to see Sarah and Vanni so much. I know I will see them again, but just not this year.