Driving

Post 3:

Well my first week in Australia was awesome! I love Australia... I love the weather here, I love the beautiful blossoms on the trees, I love the different vegetation here, I love the accent, and I love my family.

I got to do quite a few things this week which I will try to remember so I can give a brief recap of my week.

Becky took me to the city and we walked around for a bit before she left Ethan and I to wander around Southbank for awhile. There is the neatest little water park area near the river in Brisbane. It is a public beach basically built in the city. The kids loved being there. It is very clean and a bunch of people were there. There is also a pretty neat path through the area with shops and lots of trees and plants around. Sometimes I feel like I am in the jungle. Or at least feel like I am definatly not in the States. After Ethan and I had explored the area for awhile we found our way to the ferry and got on board to head home. It took about an hour to ferry home and walk back to the house. We had a great time.

On Tuesday or Wednesday Becky let me drive. I was kind of nervous because the roads are narrower here and there are quite a few little differences like driving on the left side of the road. At one point Becky said I should turn left and I thought I was turning left, but I had turned right. My brain was having difficulty trying to reverse everything so I flipped right and left and was quite confused on that. It was kind of funny. All in all we arrived back home safely so I guess that is the most important thing although Becky was white knuckled the whole time... sorry Beck.

On Wednesday I got to go to the Brisbane temple with some ladies in Becky's ward. I was a little nervous at the end of my session as my ride had left. I was trying to figure out in my head how I was going to get back. I knew I could call Becky, but thought I would try the bus system. I was grateful though that Becky had sent her friend Inga to get me. I was pretty relieved.

I've had such a good time with Ethan (14), Aaron(2), and Wyatt (11mo) since they are home during the day. We just hang out. Aaron hangs out with me a lot. I like to sit down at the pool and he will come down there with me and throw things in the pool.

Ethan and I rode our bikes out to Nudgee Beach on Thursday I think. It was a nice bike ride. Not too many hills once we got away from Becky's neighborhood. We rode for about an hour before we got to the ocean. The tide was high so there really wasn't a beach at all. Ethan and I had fun on the playground:) Took some pictures of some cool trees and the ocean and headed for home.

Yesterday was a great day. All of us, except Ethan who was taking a test for school, went to the beach. I think it was King's beach that we went to. Either way it was very fun. I haven't swam in the ocean more than a couple of times in my life. I recruited Ashlee to teach me how to Boogie Board. She was very good and taught me how to do it. I am happy to say that my second attempt was a success. I'll take beginners luck any day. Kyle was also a very good boogie boarder and was out in the water the whole time we were at the beach. I was also impressed with Becky's skills. I can see where her kids get it from. She did great and had a fabulous time. We had so much fun and the weather was perfect and the sand was so soft and perfect for laying around. I was sad to leave but very tired from being in the sun for the afternoon.

We hurried home from the beach and got over to the church for some Booter Treat (Trunker Treat). We decorated the Boot and the kids looked so cute in their costumes. Aaron won a prize for his white ninja costume. We picked up some fish and chips for dinner which was very good and then I headed for bed. It was a full and fun day.

I had a great week. I'm excited for this week now that I'm starting to figure out where I am here I'll be able to explore a few more things. Fun times always at the Brouwer house!!!

Debbie

Brisbane

Post 2:

Well I took off for the Boise airport on Thursday around noon and flew to LA at 3ish. After a 2 hour flight I arrived in LA and sat at the airport for 7 hours before my 11:30 flight to Brisbane. I knew that I had a long night ahead of me as the flight was 14 hours long and I would arrive in Brisbane at 6:20 local time which is about 2 or 3 in the afternoon in the States. I settled in with my nice blanket and pillow. A middle seat but that was alright because I would soon be watching a movie or reading my book. As luck would have it though my tv seemed to be the only one not working on an extremely full flight. That was ok I would just turn on my light and read my book... sadly that did not work either. So I tried sleep for awhile... well after fourteen hours and my body aching and tired I got to the airport on the other side of the world. I am grateful that everyone speaks English although at times it feels like I have no idea what anyone is talking about.
I walked out of customs and feeling a little nervous because if I did not spot Becky I would have no idea what to do because I did not have a phone nor her address. Luckily I could not have missed her as she along with her fun kids had made me posters and were waiting for me! It was sooo fun to see them there. It was 6:30 in the morning on a Saturday and yet they had all gotten up to welcome me to Brisbane! We drove to her home and there are the most gorgeous blossoms on the trees right now. I will post pictures when I take some, but they are a gorgeous purple color and they are everywhere.
We all went over to Kyle's baseball game where I ended up pitching to all of the kids. One of Kyle's teammates told me I had an American accent and I said he had an Australian one:)
I was very happy to play ball. Kyle hit one very hard up the middle at me. I was not fast enough to move out of the way so it hit me on the foot. He is a very good baseball player.
There are a lot of people in Brisbane. We went to the market around 11 and I felt clausterphobic with people all over. Maybe just that things are more compact rather than large walkways in the states. It was fun and I had an incredibly good mango and some rocky road chocolate.
Jet lag is real! By the time we were done at the market I was close to collapse. I don't really remember what else we did on Saturday really. I was happy to fall asleep.
I got to hang out with some young adults from my church last night and that was fun. I did not understand some of the things they would say and after pauses in conversation realized that they had asked me a question. I think most of the questions were yes or no questions which I answered, but now I have no idea what I told them about myself! Haha. I'm sure it won't take long to figure it out.
Today I think I may try driving on the wrong side of the road. And I can't wait to go swimming in the pool that Ethan is cleaning right now. The Ashlee, Kyle, and Ammon are all at school and Aaron is busy running around trying to entertain me. He is very funny.
Ok I can't keep Aaron waiting any longer to play.

Chow-
Debbie

Initial Post

Post 1:

My sister Becky moved with her family to Australia a year and half ago. I had a job at the time that kept me busy enough that I didn't think I would be able to head down and visit. When I resigned from my job this last summer I thought I'd find a coaching position and continue my work. As I searched and interviewed Becky came to my brothers wedding and initially invited me to come spend time "down under." I brushed it aside thinking I wouldn't want to do something unpractical and that I wouldn't be able to because I would certainly have a job by then. A month later Becky called me and once again invited me to come and spend some time in Australia. Once again I was grateful for the offer, but truly it was last on my list because I just couldn't see myself not working. She did make me promise however, that I would pray about it.

August came and still no job. As I sat in the temple pondering my life a bit all I could think about was how awesome it would be to go to Australia. My rational mind continued to fight the idea, but I felt truly peaceful and happy about the idea of going to Australia. I did pray and I knew it was right because all I wanted to do was call my sister (and actually... hug people... I always know I've got the Holy Ghost with me when I just want to hug someone).

So began the preparations to my great adventure which leads me to today 9 days away from my day long journey to end in Brisbane Australia where I will live with Becky, Robert, Ethan, Ashlee, Kyle, Ammon, Aaron and Wyatt.

I can't wait to leave and am looking forward to a chance to see life on the other side of the world and experience things I may never be able to again. Thanks in advance Becky for inviting me to come! T-minus 218 hrs to take off...give or take a few.

Debbie