Gold Coast (or as Ella calls it the "Train Beach")

We took the train and then the train and then the bus to Surfers Paradise last weekend (seven hours in total travel door to door). Could have flown to Singapore in the same time period - that will come later. We selected a fabulous day - clear, sunny, warm but not too hot and we had lost of fun. Discovered that Ella enjoys the water and actually trying to extricate her from the place was a challenge. 

Michelle relived old times as she ponder the last time she was there traveling around Auz before grad school.

Todd just enjoyed the fact that Michelle and Ella were with him in Australia.

Ella with her Japanese fans in the background - she is now all over facebook.

On the train to the beach

563 BC

Gautama Buddha, Date of birth

8th day of the 4th month in the Chinese lunar calendar

So maybe we could do some maths to determine just how old Gautama is (2012 + 563 = 2575). Wow! I did not see that information being offered at the celebration but we had lots of fun nonetheless.  The South Bank of the Brisbane River is wonderful for walking and exploring. There were some fireworks and then the cleansing of the Buddha - in all a pretty positive and productive evening.  

Friends

I have met many wonderful people in Brisbane since arriving. A couple of then - names withheld due to privacy issues - offered a welcome gift for Michell end Ella. The iconic food stuffs of Australia. The experience would not be complete without sampling ~ or so I am lead to believe. So far the Weet-Bix have been consumed - mmmmm good (a bit dry). Will keep you posted on the stimulation of my palate.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Ella and Michelle got to visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia, (actually in Fig Tree Pocket). It was pretty cool,  lots of sleeping koala's as well as kangaroos, wombats, dingos, crocodiles, all in beautiful, natural settings.

"No One's Interested in Something You Didn't Do"

April has arrived - Autumn here - the nights are cooler and the days are clear and bright (top of 27 or so ~ humidity is gone and term progresses). Michelle and Ella come in four weeks and hopefully this will help me to post bits here that are more exciting. Have been having fun looking for furniture ~ drove all over the North side of the river last weekend to get  a couch and two chairs. Have also been enjoying breakfasts in the West End of the Bay with Karen and Peter. Photos of a house near where I live - one I want to live in - and a beautiful old theater in the West End.

Kombinationskraftwagen

Managed to find a split-window bus, splittie, split, microbus, micro, transporter, bulli, samba, transporters - you know a Volkswagen bus built from 1949 to 1967. Even before Todd was born. This one was in the West End of Brisi and the owner had turned it into a coffee food outlet that he drove around town in. I think he did a great job as it is in wonderful shape and being used and loved. Nice.Maybe if I work hard publish lots and the students like my classes I too can get promoted get a van and open a coffee shop. However, I do not like coffee so maybe it will be a research or maths or statistics consultation van.

Birthdays

I recognize that I am too old to celebrate my birthday but not old enough to celebrate my birthday. I did not do much. However, since 1981 when this guy from Southern California came to my school with 501 redtabs and awesome (it was the 80's) Vans I have always wanted  a pair of those shoes. Happy Birthday. I am now looking for rebtab 501's.