Yes, it's an Australian Holiday, not because it's actually the Queen's birthday today, but just because the Queen has a birthday and Australia needed a holiday in June. (Their Fathers Day is in September.. go figure.) The last week I feel like I've been living in a hurricane. Literally. There has been nonstop rain, wind, and flooding everywhere. I walked through a downpour to the beach Saturday for a surf only to find they weren't even renting out boards because they were being snapped left and right out in the rips. To put things in perspective...    
That last one is the remains of the massive stone wall next door that collapsed yesterday night, crushing the 2 cars parked next to it. Lucky no one was walking by on the sidewalk at the time.. yeesh. Even more sobering is an older couple in their car being washed off a bridge last weekend. Their bodies were found yesterday. Shortly after, a family of 5 was driving on a road which collapsed down a cliffside. The only thing that's been found is their empty car. There's also a barge grounded in Newcastle right now with 700 tons of oil and fuel inside... Massive stuff going on. Between that and the life-altering droughts here in summer, there's a huge respect and fear for the power of nature. If I hear one person back home complaining about the so-called "rain" of northwest, well... they've got another thing comin'. That said, LESS THAN A MONTH till I am home!
Breeny's birthday this week, mine the next, Rhonda and Kara visiting the next, and home the next! Time's flying. Love to everyone.. *a | 
