Catching Up Again...

Sonya - hard at work

With 3 kids doing electronic school and Hannah discovering she could read a book online that she's been waiting to check out from the library, it's been hard to get some time on the computer.  In addition to this we've had several busy days in a row.

Jim (originally from Oklahoma), Arian (their daughter) and Cody (a friend from school)

Saturday, we were invited over for a tradition Aussie BBQ by Sonya, a gal that Matt is working with here at the University of New England.  Sonya grew up in Brisbane, then moved to the States for 15 years, living in Missouri and Phoenix.  She's now back in New South Wales teaching at the university.  She could write the book on being a wonderful hostess.  She welcomed us into her home where we immediately saw the influence of Arizona.  She has a pretty extensive collection of Hopi kachina dolls amongst many other souveniers from her stay in the Southwest.  After introductions she served us appetizers: tiny meat pies (a huge thing here although they come in all sizes), spring rolls (very similar to egg rolls only tiny), money bags (very similar to egg rolls only shaped like a money bag) and Twisties (very similar to Cheetos).  We were full before the meal even started but the best was yet to come.  She barbecued hamburgers with grilled onions and mushrooms as well as many different kinds of sausages.  She had also made 4 different kinds of salads.  It was amazing how much work she had gone to.  Finally when we thought we could eat no more she brought out desert.  A very traditional desert here is pavlova (named after a Russian ballerina).  It is soooooo good.  It has a crust of some sort (still haven't been able to figure that out) then a sugar/meringue layer followed by fruit - we've eaten it twice now and both times it had strawberries, kiwi, and passion fruit juice.  It is sooo good.  It's quite light so I ask the first time if there's any chance this was low in calories and unfortunately it isn't.  Darn!! 

Galah

Sonya has this amazing tree in her backyard called a gum tree that attracts birds like crazy.  She said she's had upwards of 40 Galahs (pronounced - ga - lah) in it at one time (yes, they are pink and grey).  This bird is so funny because despite it's size (similar to a large parrot) it picks the farthest out limb on a tree to land on.  More often than not the limb will bend or break under it's weight and it has to fly off again.  It's almost comical to watch once this was pointed out.  Sonya told us that some people use galah in place of fool when describing someone.  Kind of funny.  

Armidale Branch - September 2012

Sunday, of course we went to church.  I'm continually amazed at how strong the members are here especially given the difficulties of running a tiny branch.  The only other family with kids our ages, the Boadens from Queensland, were telling us that they had only been in the area 9 months.  If you take them away and our family it only leaves about 11 adults and about 5 kids that come consistently each week.  The branch continues to function just as if it were a full-functioning branch with lots of people.  In their case it's a few people wearing many hats. 

Sunday afternoon we went for a drive and finally got to see a roo (people don't say kangaroo here, they're referred to as roos.).  I've decided these animals are the strangest thing on the planet (that we've seen so far - I know the platypus might take it's place when we see them later).  We were about 3 feet away from this fellow.  I was amazed at what their hands look like up close as well as their massive feet.  It was interesting to watch them move (when they aren't hopping).  For short distances they put their hands down, lift up their entire back side and move it forward.  It's spring here so we saw lots of roos with joeys in their pouches (I'm still working on getting a picture of these).  That whole concept is strange.  Here's some information we had to finally look up on kangaroos to understand how the whole pouch thing worked: 

Kangaroo young (joeys) are born after only 31 days of gestation, and are only the size of a Lima bean. The joey climbs up the mother and into the mother's pouch, and remains sheltered there for up to 9 months. They feed on the teats in the pouch, and as they get older, they will exit the pouch and explore, returning for safety and food.
When the joey first enters the pouch, it by instinct puts its mouth on a teat which then enlarges to hold it in place and feed it.  Female kangaroos can often be in a state of almost permanent pregnancy, with an embryo "suspended" until the mother's body is ready to release it - whether that be when another joey is sufficiently weaned, or feeding conditions have improved. 

Aren't you glad you're not a kangaroo?  I can't imagine being continually pregnant!  

Communion Table, St. Peter's Cathedral

St. Peter's Cathedral, Armidale, NSW

Monday we went on a Heritage Tour of Armidale.  We were the only ones under 60 so it kind of dragged but it was really interesting.  We got to see some places we wouldn't have been able to see had we not been on a tour.  One of the highlights was St. Peter's Cathedral (Anglican Church of Australia).  The stained glass inside was breathtaking.  

Booloominbah House

Another was the Booloominbah House, which was built in the late 1800's and now serves as the Administration Building for the university.  It has a spectacular view of the city.  This is the house you see on all the brochures of Armidale.  

Railroad Station - still used today

A final stop was the railroad station.  This station is used still today.  They have a historical museum there.  One of the interesting items was this carrot spreader.  Apparently, back in the day the area was being overrun with rabbits so the railroad devised this carrot spreader.  The workers would fill the large funnel with carrots and then pour poison on them.  They'd go up and down the tracks spreading the carrots.  It eventually got the population under control where it could be managed. (How sad for the bunnies though).

Carrot Spreader

Michael, James, Nikki, Andrew, Nicholas, Julia

Monday night we went to dinner over at the Boaden's home in Uralla (about 19k south of Armidale).  The father, James is one of 3 police officers in town.  He's got some interesting stories to tell.  Nicholas and Julia are the only other youth in the branch.  Unfortunately, they are leaving this week because it's school holiday here.  They won't be back for the next 3 Sundays.  Nikki was telling us whenever they have a school holiday they take their family to Brisbane (6 hours north) where they have family.  This gives their kids an opportunity to attend a "real" ward where they have other youth their ages and can get a feel for how YM/YW works in larger areas (makes me feel a little guilty for taking the church for granted in our area).  A wonderful evening with a delightful family. We could have visited all night.