On my mind... coming home tonight!!!

After lunch today I'll head off to Coffs Harbour, to fly to Sydney and then back to Brisbane. 

I'm looking forward to going home and chilling out for the rest of the weekend, although it will be a fairly busy one.  Tomorrow the "girls" and I are going on the Valley Rattler.  We all have a connection through a company that I used to work for, even though I never actually worked with two of the ladies directly. 

The Valley Rattler is a vintage Steam Train that runs from Gympie through the gorgeous Mary Valley, stopping at several of the towns like Amamoor, Imbil, Dagun etc.  We're taking two small boys with us, so that will make it even more fun I think they're going to have such a good time!!!

Another piece of news is that we will be hosting another YFU Exchange Student this year!  His name is Henrik, and he is 16 years old, and comes from Norway.  I'm really looking forward to it - we had a lovely year with Kerati from Thailand, and so I am really looking forward to learning all about a Scandanavian culture...  I also feel the need to give something back to someone I don't know, for nothing in return, and this wonderful program allows me that opportunity.  I have a Japanese sister and an American sister who were YFU Exchange Students back in the mid 1980's - they truly became part of our family, and I am so pleased to have a Japanese Mama and Papa, and an American Mom and Dad as part of my family.  I don't see them all that often, but when I do, it's like no time at all has gone by since I last saw them. 

Next week is the week that the chaos starts.  The timber floating floors will be ripped up and relaid on Monday and Tuesday, and the following week the carpets will be done.  It's kind of like moving house, because even though the guys move the furniture around, we have to have emptied all of the cupboards for them to move them!!!  Argh!  This weekend (well, Sunday actually - the rest of the weekend is gone!!!) may see much action in the decluttering department!!!

I had fun this morning shutting my suitcase.  I went to the staff shop and bought stuff - Milo, Asian curry pastes, and Cappucino's in the Cafe Menu range.  Oh, and some Nesquik.  I figured that since I'm here, I should buy it here.  However, a 1.9 kilogram tin of Milo takes up a LOT of space!!!  Good thing my cabin bag expands by 30% and I can sit on it when I need to!!!

Heading out for lunch shortly and then I will head to the airport.  Spend the afternoon with the company of Qantas and come home tonight!!!  I hope that whatever you're doing, you have a good one.