The Zoo and other animals

Hi Everyone

As you can tell today I went to the zoo. The first exhibit was the mercats (pictured - the ones that are not lions or kangaroos). I like mercats because they are cute and really energetic. Most of the animals were asleep or resting but the little mercats were running around. We were in time to see them fed.

I was really wanting to see the 'Big Cats' - the lions in particular. I love lions. Of course in real life they would be terrifying. African people I know hate them. But, to me, they are just sooo beautiful and majestic.

And, of course, we had a big kangaroo exhibit. Even though I have seen heaps of kangaroo exhibits I still like them. This one was chasing people for food and rubbing up against people for pats. I patted it a bit but it was more interested in the little kids.

We had a rest at the hotel for a couple of hours and then went out for tea. Today we went to a Greek restaurant called Dion, which is apparently the name for the house of Zeus. We had pita bread and five dips for entree then I had mediterranean chicken. Oh it was so lush. A little tangy and sooo tender.

After that we went to the only comedian in the show I have seen live before - Judith Lucy. The last time I saw her (in Hobart about 15 years ago) it was all feminist jokes. Not this time! This time it was about turning 40 (two and a half years for me so I did understand). Like me Judith Lucy is single and has no kids and doesn't drive a car. I could really relate but it was perhaps a bit two close to home to be outrageously funny.

The next act was Stephen K Amos. He was just great. A black comedian originally from England he just poked fun at everyone and everything. He played the race card a little bit but also commented on just everything and anything.

In between the two acts I lost my temper completely at the bar. I even scared myself. People were pushing in and shoving me and the bar tenders closed the bar just as I was about to order. I just felt it was unjust and I could feel this rage welling up. Thank God for Stephen K Amos otherwise I might have screamed.

Please pray that I will not be overwhelmed by anything like that again.

God Bless you all

Amber

A blast from the past (and more comedy)

Hi Everyone

It is a little well known fact that I lived in Melbourne until I was 9 years old. I identify as being a Tasmanian but Melbourne also holds a special place in my heart.

Anyway today my brother, my sister and I went back to Surrey Hills where we used to live. My sister wasn't born (she is only 16) when we were there but it jogged some memories for my brother and I.

Before the school was a park with pine trees that were very tall. When my brother was about 4 or 5 he climbed nearly to the top. My mum, who is terrified of heights, had to climb up after him. It was a real life cliff hanger moment. Anyway pictured is my brother standing against one of the pine trees.

Our school, Canterbury Primary School, was up the road. My brother and I are pictured at the school. I remember the school being very traditional which bored me. I would sit and stare out the window. The teachers assumed I couldn't do the work and put me in a remedial class. Well my mother wasn't having that. She stormed up to the school and told them I was smart. I then got extension work which was more fun. It was during these extension classes that I found my true book-love The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Apart from that we had some glorious food today. We met my uncle Tim for lunch and went to an Italian restaurant called 'Calabrien' in North Carlton. I had a seafood and avocado pizza which was just delicious. At tea time we went to China town to a restaurant called 'Dahu Peking Duck Restaurant'. I had steamed dumplings, green tea, prawn crackers and a beautiful dish made of beancurd, pork and chillis. Unusual taste but I loved it.

We saw two comedians tonight, both women - Fiona O'Loughlin and Nina Conti. Fiona I had heard of before because she is from Alice Springs and I used to live there. I just loved her for some reason. She mainly talked about her husband and kids but it was just sooo funny. Two of her kids came on stage too.

Nina Conti was more sophisticated. She is a ventriloquist and puppeteer as well as a comedian. She had rather a complex theme - centred around how her puppet was the 'missing link' in the evolutionary trail. Then the puppet said well actually he wasn't real so maybe she was delusional and depressed. I know it probably sounds like a better show but there was something about Fiona.

Tomorrow we go to the zoo which I'm excited about because we don't have one in Tasmania. Also we get to see a feminist comedian I've seen before.

God Bless you all

Amber

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

Hi Everyone

As most of you know today was the day when I travelled to Melbourne. Pictured is the plane we went on. It is a very small plane and seats about thirty people. It was a bit squashed inside.

I am a bit scared of flying and prayed all the time that we would arrive safely. We had very little turbulance which was good.

We then had to get on two different buses to find our hotel. The hotel is nice - four stars - and has a TV with Austar and a pool. I forgot to bring my bathers though.

We went to a lovely Indian restaurant called Balti for dinner. I had beef korma which was just exquisite.

There were many frustrations. I am not very fit and I walk slowly. Also we kept getting lost despite having a map. Sometimes it got so bad I just wanted to go back home. I'm not used to having so many things jammed into a day.

Anyway we went to the Comedy Festival after dinner. The picture above shows me outside the theatre.

The first act was Dave Hughes. He was quite funny - lots of blokey Aussie humour with some topical stuff. He also talked quite a lot about relationships and his wife which I thought was quite sweet.

The second act, Wil Anderson, was much, much better. He commented on mainly topical stuff -our Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the global financial crisis, drugs, the Victorian bushfires, religion and gay marriage. He was, like a lot of comedians, a bit anti Christian but he was very, very funny. I laughed nearly the whole way through.

Anyway I need to sign off now so I can get up early to go to the Acquarium.

God Bless

Amber

Guest post by Jessie the Cat

Hi Everyone

My name is Jessie and, as you can see, I am a very good looking female cat. As I am desexed all you male cats can look but not touch.

On January 15 2009 Amber became my human. I chose her because she cuddled me a lot when she came to the cat centre and because she didn't mind me hissing at all the other cats so I could have her all too myself. I am a jealous cat!

For the last two months I have been training Amber in how to meet my needs. She's doing OK but I don't get enough 'outside' time. Today I managed to escape and I went under the house - Amber can't get into the 'under the house bit' because it's too small. Yay! I came out with lots of cobwebs on my beautiful face though. Then I went to the big park next door and Amber came and got me.

Food is good here though. Today Amber gave me some leftover stew. It was very yummy. I purred as I ate it. I also got my usual canned food and some dry food. I am getting used to the dry food now. At first I refused to eat it.

I also like the computer. As you can see sitting on the laptop case is one of my favourite places. I also like walking on the keyboard. Amber doesn't like me doing that though.

I have met some of Amber's friends. My favourites were Heather and Kerri but they were all OK. None of them were cruel to me.

The best thing about Amber is she's very affectionate. I get lots of cuddles and pats. I like that usually. And I get to snuggle up on the bed at night time. I sit on Amber's side and purr.

So, life is good, but would be better if I got more 'outside time'.

Thank you for reading my post. I know it's good and I'm beautiful.

Jessie

Food and a Beach

This is a picture of me on the beach I grew up on.

Most of you probably don't know that this beach was central to many of the positive experiences of my childhood. It is Somerset beach - the beach of a small town near Burnie.

As a child (until my early teens) I was involved in surf life saving. I also used to just like swimming (even in winter) and body surfing.

I also took my friends and boyfriends down to the beach for a bit of privacy. Many a deep and meaningful conversation happened on the beach.

So - of course - yesterday I revisited this beach and remembered all those happy memories.

We also went fruit and cheese tasting. We bought some beautiful cherries, boysenberries and marionberries from country road side stalls. They were delicious.

Then we went cheese tasting - I liked the sweet chilli cheese and mum kindly bought it for me. She also bought camembert which we all like.

So, overall, yesterday was fun and, most probably, very fattening.

God Bless you all

Amber