Whipper Snippers and First World Problems

Australian term of the day…

“Whipper Snippers” – What they call weed whackers. Seriously, how much cooler is that?! Never again will I call it a weed whacker. "Oh don't mind me, I'm just heading out to whipper snip the edge of the path." 

            I was officially initiation as a “Townsvillian” this week! For Bible study group this past Monday, we decided that instead of meeting in the church lounge room like we normally do, we would mix it up a bit and take the trek up to Castle Hill to gaze up at the stars and enjoy the night time scenery of Townsville. At the top of said hill lies a bunker built during World War II times that has since been abandoned and fenced off so you can’t go inside. You can, however, climb on top and it is often a tradition, apparently, to make your way to the edge and lay on your back, hanging your head over the ledge and filling your vision with a view of Townsville from an upside-down perspective. It is quite spectacular really and it’s fun to just sit there and take in the lovely view!

 

Townsville from atop the bunker on Castle Hill

            Wednesday I got to hang out with the other Julia again and catch up after our couple weeks of hiatus while I was on all my field trips and swamped with uni work.  Since it was evening and neither of us had really tried out many of the restaurants around town, we decided to give one of them a whirl. We ended up settling on a pasta restaurant down the road called Fasta Pasta. It was kind of different in that it was set up with tables and waiters like a "nice restaurant" but when you wanted to order you walked up to the counter with your menu and ordered and paid right there as you would in a fast food restaurant. Different, but cool and it's apparently the norm here in Australia.

            Both of us were feeling the hunger of the moment when our food got there and in the typical “if it’s in front of me I’ll eat it all” manner, we both consumed the majority of our respective meals.  By the end, we were both feeling the fullness and decided to combat it with a walk around the entirety of Riverway.  Can you say first world problems?? We had some great conversations even though the both of us just wanted to lay down and go into a food coma for part of the walk.  I will say that Riverway is really lovely at night and the stars really jump out!  That is one of the things I miss about home; the stars.  I live out in the country where I’m from and the stars are always a sight to die for!

            On Saturday I got to go into complete girly mode and do my housemate, Michelle’s, hair for a wedding she was attending. Throughout the week I had been experimenting with different hairstyles and when the moment of truth came, I decided to step out on a ledge and attempt a hairstyle I had never done before.  And boy did it pay off!

Much of the credit goes the Michelle's patience and the loveliness of her hair I must say!

            Also, the past week has been getting cold! I know, you wouldn't think that of Australia and I feel incredibly weak for thinking thus… I am originally from Alaska after all and feeling that 17ºC (about 62ºF) is chilly is just… not even right. My only defense is that I have now been acclimated to the warm and fuzzy temperatures of Australia and I have no clothes to dress for the cold, but still… I’m just going to go wallow in my shame now with my fuzzy blanket, 2 layers of socks, and a cup of hot tea.

Thanks Dot, you understand me ;)