6 months!

Today, February 24, marks six months since we arrived in Australia.  The time has really flown past and it is hard to believe that it has already been half a year.  In our time here we have seen floods, torrential rainstorms and cyclones in Australia, plus two devastating earthquakes in New Zealand, volcanoes in Japan and the Philippines and multiple tropical storms that have hit all over this area.  We think of it as the Old Testament coming to life!
We feel like we have adjusted really well to our new home.  We know which way to look when we cross the street, we don't need to peer closely at each coin or bill before we pay for something, we know shortcuts and how the city transit works.  We still call the dollar coins "Loonies" and "Toonies", but even Australians admit that it's pretty catchy.  We have not yet adjusted to the high heat and humidity but, having spent more than 40 years each in a cold and dry climate, we think that a longer adjustment period is forgiveable.

There are so many highlights from our time here.  The River Fire display was amazing, the life and lifestyle that involves the Brisbane River is fantastic.  We have loved our day trips out to the coast, especially going to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, and exploring the city.  We were amazed by how quickly the city got together to help people and businesses get back on their feet after the flood.  The community spirit in Brisbane is something every city should envy.  We are enjoying our jobs and the people that we work with, who have really made us, and all of the other Canadians who have inundated Brisbane as part of the "Canadian Invasion", feel welcome.  We have no regrets about coming here and look forward to the next 6 months and however many years that we end up staying here. 
Who knows, we might even grow to enjoy the spiders...not bloody likely!

Will NEVER embrace!