Still no Koalas

I keep walking thru the forest around the University (Uni) on the weekends looking for Koalas but the closest I have gotten thus far is this signage. Maybe next week. Or I could just go to the Koala Sanctuary and see some there but am determined to find some in the 'wilds' of Upper Mt Gravatt.



I will keep you posted as to my progress.

Pool

Todd's pool

Ella's pool (soon to be)

I should possibly post to this a little more and even offer - wait for it - a few images of Brisbane. However, I currently spend most of the day in my office and these images represent my only current respite. The pool is great as is the gym; despite the current 'BIG WET' (that is what it is called ~ really). We got over 200mm of rain the other day. Yikes. I was kind of hoping that I had left the rain behind. I hear it gets sunny.

Phascolarctos cinereus

These things are so cool looking

Their range seems pretty similar to settlement patterns

So I was surfing on wikipedia "As with most native Australian animals, the koala cannot legally be kept as a pet in Australia or anywhere else. The only people who are permitted to keep koalas are wildlife carers and, occasionally, research scientists." I wonder if social science counts for research?

First Day in Brisbane

Hi. Managed to get here will only a few hitches - not bad for 8 thousand km - and now sit in my cosy little apt on the Griffith Campus (i.e., see pictures below). I have two rooms so there is a place for people to crash and a flat screen TV to watch Auzi Rules Football.

Meal before flight to Auz

We all went out for dinner tonight before my flight to Brisbane. Ella got to choose the location (Red Robin) and what she was to have for her meal (milkshake). She experienced a dynamic sugar rush and kept us all entertained. The drop off at the airport was seamless - we watched the luggage go down the chute for a while then she went off with Mommy to rent a DVD before bed (my guess would be Toy Story, A Bugs Life or Finding Nemo ~ yay for Pixar).

Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas. Michelle, Ella and I were in White Rock for Christmas - most hospitably entertained by Michelle's parents and sister. Ella really began to understand that there was something to this winter celebration and now has a new kitchen to work her culinary magic in. It took me four hours to assemble the thing and hope it comes apart in less time prior to being shipped to Brisbane.

Christmas at Saanich Municipal Hall

Michelle, Ella and I went to the annual Xmas celebration at Saanich Municipal Hall. Santa, face painting, arts and crafts, ice fishing, horse carriage ride, and hotdogs - it was great and we did the whole thing. I think Christmas next year will be a little different; maybe surfing with Santa, Kangaroos and warmth?