Well we made it safe and sound but very exhausted to Vancouver. We arrived to beautiful sunny 25 degree weather. Vancouver is just gorgeous and everyone is so friendly and we are so happy to be here.

Unfortunately, Air Canada did not televise the game, and so when we arrived we found out the horrible news that Australia had been knocked out of the world cup playoffs by Italy’s last second penalty kick. How sad, how disappointing! Having now seen the “penalty” I can only guess that the ref must have had money on Italy to make such a blantantly bad call. Still, my hat goes off to the socceroos: They played world class football, and have nothing to be ashamed of.

As you have to have someone to root for, I’m now throwing my support behind Ukraine: the other “underdog” at the cup.

This past weekend we went down to Canberra to spend time with Dad and the family before we fly off to Canada. And while I have to say that I love my family, I HATE CANBERRA. From the moment I arrive I always feel the same: I develop a nagging headache, and sick feeling in my stomach that just doesn’t abate. Its like the town (I refuse to call it a city) is some kind of anamoly in physics. Gravity feels too heavy, the light is blinding, and it always manages to be too hot and too cold at the same time. The air is drier than an airline cookie. Its like the whole place is dead. The buildings all have this hollow look, like skulls. Half the trees are dead due to drought. And at nighttime the place is deserted.

And we did the things you do in Canberra: bushwalking, admiring people’s new kitchens, talking about water restrictions and discussing how John Howard is a dick.

We did this time however check out the zoo - its not bad. Its small, but has quite a few animals for its size.

Anyway, as we our coach sped away from the Jolimont Centre and began the three hour journey back to the Big Smoke, my headache and nausea started to ease. I hope the next time I see my Dad’s family, it’ll be in Canada.

Well I am now without a home and without a job. Its great! However it’s hard to stop thinking about all the projects I had on the go. “It’s not my problem anymore” is easy to say but hard to implement.

Its also so strange in my apartment now that all our belongings have gone. Its no longer “our home” but a space we use to live in. It seems to cold and serile, and yet it was so cosy and homey with all our stuff in it.

As a taurus with pretty ingrained security issues, I thought I would be more scared and stressed about leaving my home. But I am feeling pretty liberated. And very excited about our upcoming adventure to Canada. I guess having a fantastic hubby by your side means you always have a home.