15 December 2008
While I've been in hospital, there've been a few good changes. 1. We got a car! That will make a dramatic difference in a variety of ways. (We found that we weren't eating anything "heavy" - like watermelon - when we had to hand carry everything.) 2. Bob has been called to serve on the stake high council. (The car will also be helpful for getting him to meetings.) And, 3. I am getting stronger every day and have been told I'll be able to go home Christmas Eve. Hooray!
MY SCOOTER PHASE HAS COME TO AN ABRUPT HALT
14 November 2008
With only one hour left to complete my motor scooter certification, I skidded off the road and into a guard rail. Time and care will heal all the wounds - and I'm getting excellent care at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. I just need to be patient during the process.
(postscript - June 2009) When I first posted this, I didn't feel inclined to include details. However, I now want to record that I broke seven bones (1 vertebra [the T10]; 3 ribs [7, 8 & 9]; my left hip socket; a pelvic bone; and my right femur) and I had a large laceration at the joint of my right hip and thigh.
Only the femur had any displacement so all of fractures healed well on their own except that one - which broke at the very bottom, just behind my knee. Of course, as long as I was confined to bed or in a wheelchair, it wasn't a problem. Once I started walking, though, the piece of my femur that was broken dug into my meniscus and was excessively painful. (more on that with the May 12 post)
The laceration on my right hip was quite large and required several trips back to "theatre" (which is what the Aussies call the surgical area) before they finally did a skin graft to close it up. One small artery in that area was severed in the accident and I lost a fair amount of blood at the accident site. I also lost some muscle in that area.
I'm grateful for all the tender mercies of the Lord in my healing process and happy to have made the progress I have since the accident.
OUR NEW GRANDDAUGHTER LUCY
Friday, 7 November 2008Lucy Ellen Chabo was born at home at 3:15 am - weighing in at 7 lbs 14 oz and 20" in length - and surprising her parents by not waiting until they could make the trip to the hospital. Travis performed his mid-wife role with his usual aplomb and Laura was a true pioneer. All went well and the EMS got there shortly after Lucy's arrival to take Mom and baby to the hospital. A friend from Church drove out to their place to stay with Sophia and Holly (who slept through the whole thing.)
We are blessed to now have one grandson and six granddaughters. (The Lord needs strong women in the days ahead.)
LOCAL PHRASES
I suppose anywhere you go there are phrases and idioms to learn, but I'm finding some of the ones here especially interesting. For instance, after greeting someone, they'll ask "How're ya going?" (not "How're ya doin'? or How's it going?). And, a woman doesn't "get" pregnant - she falls pregnant (i.e. She decided to fall pregnant. -or- She fell pregnant.) Also, if someone invites you to supper, don't expect a meal. Supper here means dessert. An announcement was made that we'd have a pot luck supper after a Church meeting the other day - and it was all cookies (actually - here, cookies are called biscuits) And, yesterday I went swimming with a friend and when I changed into my suit, she said, "I like your costume." They call it a "swimming costume" here.
Below is an interesting recipe from the "supper" the other night:
Mars Bar Slice
4 Mars Bars
4 oz. butter (at least this measurement isn't in grams, like usual)
4 cups rice bubbles (a.k.a. Crispy Rice Cereal)
Choco bits to melt for the top
Melt Mars bars and butter together. Combine with rice bubbles. Press into slice tin. Drizzle melted chocolate over top. Refrigerate, slice and serve.
Below is an interesting recipe from the "supper" the other night:
Mars Bar Slice
4 Mars Bars
4 oz. butter (at least this measurement isn't in grams, like usual)
4 cups rice bubbles (a.k.a. Crispy Rice Cereal)
Choco bits to melt for the top
Melt Mars bars and butter together. Combine with rice bubbles. Press into slice tin. Drizzle melted chocolate over top. Refrigerate, slice and serve.
BETTY THE BIKER
Friday 10 October 2008
Took the train north to Michelton and had my first six hours of motorcycle training. (Two in the classroom, four on the pavement) I have to admit there were times when I found myself thinking, "What in the world am I doing?!!" - but on the whole it was fun and I'm looking forward to my next class on the 24th. At the end of class I was exhausted, but exhilerated at the same time.
Took the train north to Michelton and had my first six hours of motorcycle training. (Two in the classroom, four on the pavement) I have to admit there were times when I found myself thinking, "What in the world am I doing?!!" - but on the whole it was fun and I'm looking forward to my next class on the 24th. At the end of class I was exhausted, but exhilerated at the same time.
DOWNRIVER ADVENTURE
Wednesday, 8 October 2008Today I rode on the riverboat, Miribel, down the Brisbane River to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. At the sanctuary I held a koala, got up close and personal with kangaroos, emus, Australian brush turkeys and more. I also got to see lorikeets, kookaburras, a dingo, lots of "flying foxes" (bats) and many other indigenous aussie animals. Fun!
Then, on the way back to Brisbane, I got to take the helm of the Miribel for part of the trip! Bonus!! I never thought I'd get to man the wheel of a riverboat. Loved it!
WEEKEND HAPPENINGS
Sunday, 5 October 2008The jacauranda trees are all in bloom.
We both have callings at Church, now. I'm the Relief Society Enrichment Leader and Bob is going to be working with the 10 and 11 year-old boys, helping them meet their "Faith in God" requirements. Should be fun for both of us!
Yesterday (Sat.) I went to a Yoga-in-the-Park activity from 7 - 8 a.m. and the woman who taught the class invited me to go to the gym with her tomorrow to see whether I'd be interested in one of their classes or not. I'm wanting to take either yoga or pilates classes - and try to get myself back into better shape. I'm looking forward to getting more fit.
VOLUNTEERING
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
At Church Sunday, they announced the opportunity to help at a local charity that provides services to young people (ages 12 - 24) who have cancer. They are preparing for their big fundraising drive - selling colorful bandanas, pens and such. Since our apartment is empty and I have no other commitments right now, I took the bus to the Brisbane headquarters for CanTeen in Fortitude Valley and spent a couple of hours helping box up orders. Met some very nice people there and told them I'd be back later in the week.
The biggest scooter dealer in Brisbane just happens to be located a few blocks from CanTeen, so I stopped by to check out the Vespas and other scooters. Because of my height, I've found there are few bikes I'm very comfortable on. The one that seems to fit me well is a Sym Mio - but I'm still considering. I did learn of a good training class I enrolled in and am looking forward to taking that on Oct 10.
At Church Sunday, they announced the opportunity to help at a local charity that provides services to young people (ages 12 - 24) who have cancer. They are preparing for their big fundraising drive - selling colorful bandanas, pens and such. Since our apartment is empty and I have no other commitments right now, I took the bus to the Brisbane headquarters for CanTeen in Fortitude Valley and spent a couple of hours helping box up orders. Met some very nice people there and told them I'd be back later in the week.
The biggest scooter dealer in Brisbane just happens to be located a few blocks from CanTeen, so I stopped by to check out the Vespas and other scooters. Because of my height, I've found there are few bikes I'm very comfortable on. The one that seems to fit me well is a Sym Mio - but I'm still considering. I did learn of a good training class I enrolled in and am looking forward to taking that on Oct 10.
INITIAL SETTLING IN
Photo of the entrance to the Thornton Street Ferry stop - just down the hill from us.Friday, 26 September 2008
Today I got the official Australian visa sticker in my passport and also got my Queensland driver's license. Am getting more familiar with Brisbane's central business district as well as the suburb of New Farm to learn about local shopping, etc.
CHANGING HEMISPHERES
23 September 2008
It's Bob's birthday and I arrived in Brisbane about 6:30 a.m. One of my bags didn't arrive with me, so it took a while to leave the airport. (Customs was pretty quick, though.) The huge time difference took it's toll, though, and I slept a lot the first couple of days in country.
Our apartment, on the 20th floor of the Goodwin Apartments in Kangaroo Point, is small but nice and in a good location. We're only about a mile from Church and the temple. And, Bob walks down the hill each day to catch a five-minute ferry ride across the Brisbane River to go to work.
We have an air mattress to sleep on plus a table and folding chairs that we'll move out on the balcony once our things arrive. The ship carrying our belongings is scheduled to land in port here on Oct. 7. We hope they won't keep our things in quarantine too long, but have been told it could be up to a month. I know I shouldn't complain, but it's difficult to be comfortable with such minimal creature comforts. I'm managing to prepare meals with one small pot and one skillet - and we have two plates, two cups, two bowls, etc. . . It's a bit like camping out - on the 20th floor.
It's Bob's birthday and I arrived in Brisbane about 6:30 a.m. One of my bags didn't arrive with me, so it took a while to leave the airport. (Customs was pretty quick, though.) The huge time difference took it's toll, though, and I slept a lot the first couple of days in country.
Our apartment, on the 20th floor of the Goodwin Apartments in Kangaroo Point, is small but nice and in a good location. We're only about a mile from Church and the temple. And, Bob walks down the hill each day to catch a five-minute ferry ride across the Brisbane River to go to work.
We have an air mattress to sleep on plus a table and folding chairs that we'll move out on the balcony once our things arrive. The ship carrying our belongings is scheduled to land in port here on Oct. 7. We hope they won't keep our things in quarantine too long, but have been told it could be up to a month. I know I shouldn't complain, but it's difficult to be comfortable with such minimal creature comforts. I'm managing to prepare meals with one small pot and one skillet - and we have two plates, two cups, two bowls, etc. . . It's a bit like camping out - on the 20th floor.
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