don't let go

week 3 of autumn has been just a bit stressful with visas and the like. but once i've cleared my medical tomorrow, everything will be in place and i won't have to worry about leaving. it's been hot the past couple of days and i want the cold to return. leaves continue to change colour. and we've discovered a great little vietnamese restaurant in newtown, thanks to christine my flatmate. good, cheap food. yum. i had some rice vermicelli with beef last night before going to the arts and crafts store to get a foam board, glue and an eraser for jon. he and i went to the beach yesterday evening and it was beautiful. the water was cold and the surfers were out, as were many dogs. we sat on the sand and talked till it got colder and then we left for dinner at the vietnamese place. how nice is it to just sit and talk, feet buried in the sand, the smell of saltwater masking the odour of fear that sits heavily on my heart. it was good for my soul. i baked some chocolate and banana bread with big chunks of dark chocolate. best loaf i've ever made i reckon. have been having it for tea the past couple of days. making cups of soy lattes at home. bemoaning the last of the longish days. tomorrow, i continue searching for my wedding dress. i saw one online that i really loved and i'm hoping to try it on in the store tomorrow. it's got lace, ribbon and a train. just so feminine and pretty. apart from that, life has been pretty quiet. thinking about spring flowers and new york in midsummer.

week two of autumn

it's most certainly autumn now. the morning air is chilly. the nights colder still. because my mind hasn't yet registered that summer is no more, i open the doors leading to the balcony expecting it to be a scorching hot day when i see the blue skies. but i am quickly reminded that it's time to fold up the short skirts and sundresses and hang up the coats and scarves. daylight saving time ends in 11 days and i feel sad. goodbye long days. back to cramming everything into a schedule that ends at 4pm so that i can come home before dark and make lentil soup. but wait. winter is not yet. i want to enjoy autumn. beautiful crimson leaves, colourful scarves, mugs of hot chocolate, gilmore girls season six on dvd, take-away coffee on the way to uni, only one season between now and the wedding, more reason for cuddles, holding little charlie, banana bread in the oven. all such warm thoughts.

week one of autumn

it's the first week of autumn and so far we've had two stinking hot and humid days, two rainy ones and the rest, cloudy. i am liking the rainy ones best as i've never been one to bear the heat well. last night, it rained just as i had left the house to go for a swim. the pool was indoors and heated so it wasn't too much of an issue. i hadn't been in a 50m pool in a long while so it was good to get back to proper swimming again. i was feeling terrible before heading to the pool but by the time i swam my fifth lap, i was looking decidedly chirpier. it must have been the water and working out. we stopped by the sauna before heading to the change rooms, where i proceeded to get changed without the privacy of a closed door. i must say that i'm getting used to having my bits out for all the other girls to see. i am definitely becoming more comfortable with my body although it is far from perfect. but anyway. today, it started off cloudy. i walked jon to work. he looked hot in his striking blue shirt and beige pants. so hot that i noticed a guy checking him out. huh. by the time i walked back however, the sky looked to be clearing up and as i sat down to have breakfast, the weather looked and felt perfect. the slightly chilly breeze, the sunshine and the quiet went well with my toast and tea. i also did the laundry. i couldn't resist spending some moments looking out of the window in my room and smelling the fresh, crisp air. that made me very happy. have just been on the phone to immigration regarding my visa. hope to get it all sorted in the coming week so i can spend the rest of autumn and then winter in australia. and then spring and summer and the rest of my life. i went to try on some wedding gowns over the weekend. it was an experience. all the other brides-to-be were trying on fancy schmancy dresses and here i was putting on the simplest one i could find...an ivory v-neck with a short train. it looked nice but it wasn't perfect so the search continues. and there you have it- week one of autumn.