December 26

Well, it's been an interesting Boxing Day.  Having never celebrated boxing day before, I found it to be just about the same as our Day after Christmas.  Worked out, and then I headed out to go shopping!  I broke my sandals the day before, so I was on the hunt!  Unfortunately I just couldn't get in the shopping spirit.  The mall was packed, but I did find some shirts, fancy shampoo, and new undies.  Home for a nap, and then I spent a few hours working.  Yeah for having a Sunday free!! 

December 25

Well, I actually did go to work, but only for about 3 hours!  Then Wichien, Togto, and I headed over to the homeless SLB Christmas party.  Had a really great time.  Played some cricket and bocci ball, and had a really big spread of food to choose from.  Granted it was over 100 degrees, but it was a good time.  Then Nick and I headed over to the Shannon's, friends of Nick's from Texas.  Kevin, Cynthia, and Collin, their son that I went to the Muse concert with, had a really awesome Christmas.  It's so wonderful is it to meet people that seem just like your family, when you're so far from home.  I'll be sending them a thank you card!  Came home and listened to Christmas music.  A good day by far.  :)

December 24

Merry Christmas Eve!  Today was the loadout for the tools I've been helping Osama and Ally get ready all week.  Wow, thank heavens that is done!  I started studying pretty hard, but I still have a long way to go.  I came home early, around 3 PM.  Ha.  :)  Work out, the I made a nice dinner.  Fish, pasta, steamed veggies, and a few cookies for desert.  Togto, my boss, came over for a wine and some cheese and crackers, before I convinced him to go to church.  Mass at the Catholic Cathedral was nice, if crowded.  Home for an early night.  It's not quite Christmas at home, but it was a nice day. 

December 23

Everybody is pretty pumped for Christmas, I admit it, I'm a little distracted!  I went grocery shopping, and got a royal talking to from the bosses at work. I haven't been working hard enough according to them.  :(  Guess who'll be working over Christmas?  Me!  Sigh...

December 21

Well, it got hot today.  Really, really hot, and I got really, really busy!  It sure was nice to be on the move all day, but I'm astounded at how difficult it can be to get a load together.  Home late, then a nice long workout.  I had a quick dinner, and I should be working right now, but I can't find the motivation.  I guess tomorrow is going to be a late one!

December 20

Long day in the office, 12 hours.  It was my first rainy day in Perth.  I wish I could have spent it in bed with a book though.  Perth’s having a drought these days, so a nice solid day of soft rain was exactly what they needed.  Home late, and I’m exhausted.  Laura moved out, Sarah is off-shore, so it’s just me in the apartment.  Kind of lonely actually.  Good excuse to go to bed early!

December 19

Wow, awesome, awesome day!  Woke up early with good intentions, but instead I skyped with Mom and Dad for an hour or so.  I walked over to the The Ashes cricket game, about 4 blocks from my house, and tried to scalp some tickets.  I didn’t have much luck, but Nick got us some 2 of the best seats in the house, $75 each.  We got seats under the canopy, instead of the hot sun, and sat next to a really nice Australian couple.  Aussie’s got 5 wickets in about 50 minutes.  Great game though, very suspenseful.  Then everybody in the stadium stayed around for another hour to hear all the players talk, to sing strange English songs, I wasn’t following along, and to drink all the beer they could.  (Side note: not once while we were discussing going to the game did Nick tell me that it might only last an hour.  That Australia only had to make 5 wickets (outs), and then the game would be over.  Sigh.)  It was a really great experience though.  Since The Ashes only comes to Australia one every 4 years, I’m thrilled I got to go.  I bought a snazzy hat.  Nick and I went and had brunch afterwards, and then I went to buy some household items.  I should have gone shopping, since the sales have been terrific, but I just wasn’t feeling it.  I read, made a little snack, and got ready for the concert!  Nick, Colin (Nick’s friend from back home who lives in Perth), and co-worker Matt went to the Muse concert.  I ended up having to run to the train station, but I survived.  Took the train out there, I love public transport!