Christmas Eve

Ho Ho Ho!

Merry Christmas everyone! To those who do not celebrate Christmas, I still wish you happiness and good times.

Christmas Eve in Oz....Well, it is warm. Thankfully, not as warm as yesterday. The big day tomorrow should be bearable as well. Here's hoping.

Christmas, unlike Halloween, seems as big here in Oz as it is in the UK. Although I think there is more panic buying in the UK at this time of year. Australians seem pretty organised overall, and the shops aren't quite as crazy.

As you all know, this is our first Christmas here down under. Looking forward to tomorrow. We are going to a pool party / BBQ. I will post pics when I get a chance.

I have a pile of presents waiting for me to open, and I just can't wait. Well, I couldn't wait. I talked Sam into letting me open one. It was a DVD. "The Secret Life Of Bees". It is a beautiful film. Very sad. Very heart-warming. Lovely.

I just received a parcel, which is apparently part of my Christmas. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight how disciplined and mature I am. I have not opened the parcel. (I may have shaken it, turned it over, smelt it, felt all around it...But I haven't opened it).

There are Christmas films on TV just now. People are all a'buzz on facebook over the festivities. It does sort of feel like Christmas, in spite of the fact I am walking around the house in shorts, with the air conditioning on.

This is a time for a lot of people to think of and spend time with friends and family. We have made some new friends here, but of course miss those that are back home. And we miss our families. But they are only ever an email or phone call away.

I heard a great joke recently, which had been being told by a 12 year old....

"What is the difference between Santa Claus and Tiger Woods?

...Santa tends to stop at three HO's..."

Pretty funny.

What else have I been up to?

Can't remember if I updated you on the Beastie War. The ants were back. They had even started coming in through the patio doors. The whole plot we are on is now dusted with ant powder poison. They seem to have made themselves absent thereafter. There are also less spider related incidents in the house. Though, they clearly are trying new strategies to win this war. They attacked me at work a couple of nights ago.

The first phase of this attack was waged by a red back female, who seemed arrogant to say the least. She met her end swiftly under a shoe.

The second phase involved a collaboration between a huntsman the size of a large rodent, and two daddy long legged spiders. As I battled with the huntsman, the other two quickly withdrew their support, but were caught in the crossfire none the less. The huntsman put up an admirable fight. But in the end, it ran. That was it's biggest mistake. It was so big, that when it squeezed under a door, it rattled the door...

I was prepared. I had fabric freshner in one hand, and a 5 ft fan in the other. I sprayed and splatted, and his life was cut short.

The third phase ended as soon as it started. A young huntsman, heady with youth and pride, tried to demonstrate his "hunter skills". It was a blood bath.

The winged beasties are having more luck. I have been bitten several times by mosquito's. Repellent sprays have little effect.

The flies also regularly embark on suicide missions. One flew into my ear yesterday. As I screamed, a man in a car, who had been driving past, slowed to tell me I had "frightened the shit" out of him. This happened at the same spot a lady had slowed to watch me fend off another fly. I may have identified a base or training camp for the winged beasties. I will have to consult with Intel...

This man was oblivious to the war that is being waged.

More updates will follow. I will also let you know how my Christmas was.

Hope your Christmas is wonderful!