Having Happy Holidays

Hi Everyone,
For those who are following this blog, I'm really sorry it's been so long since I last posted! Life got crazy busy in the last few weeks at St Andrews Hall Melbourne. Now it seems like long ago not the 2.5 weeks that it is. I vaguely remember a Grease themed farewell night when we sang Hopelessly devoted to you (amongst other songs) a Grad ceremony and many tears as we farewelled each other. We became very close after 5 months of sharing in each others lives.

Our Grease loving crew says farewell to staff!

We then took a few days out heading up to Qld. and stopped at Seal Rocks NSW. Shane and I both got sick with the flu, and spent a few days in bed! We were at a caravan park in the middle of nowhere with a surf break literally on the doorstep as we headed outside. The weather was quite chilly and windy so needless to say Shane was a bit devastated with all that, while his surf board mostly sat on the roof of the car!

The view from our cabin door

The day we left Oli told us in the morning he felt sick in the tummy. By mid morning he was vomiting, had diarrohea, and was miserable. We had a 2 day drive in front of us up to Chinchilla and Shane's parents farm. Our gorgeous boy never complained and lay miserable in the back. Once we got to the farm it continued and so a day later we were in hospital! It was salmonella poisoning, and it took 4 days for him to keep food in his body where it's meant to be! So let this be a warning to you - watch the chicken you eat carefully in case any is raw, and never keep it for long in the fridge!

Vegimite on toast, Soooo good after only strained soup and jelly for 3 days!!!

Lately we have been having afternoon teas with family and friends in Toowoomba, Brissy, and Caloundra sharing our future plans and raising support. We have been really gratiified at people's interest and generosity to us.
Now as I write this I am sitting in a massive mansion at Mooloolaba, Alexandra Head. It has 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 kitchens and a pool! We are here with Shanes parents, 2 sisters and their families. I have no idea who would build a house like this to live in - but if you're in the mood with a few spare dollars around you can buy it for 1.4 million! Our room with ensuite, and 3 kids sleeping in the walk-in robe (and there is still room to spare in it) is bigger than our whole apartment was in Melbourne! We are loving staying here in the luxury and relaxing with each other - because we don't have to clean it when we leave!!! Otherwise I couldn't enjoy our time cos I'd be thinking it would take me a week to clean it, its so big!

This bathroom is sooooo big!!

We've been surfing each morning (and this time we are well and Shane's a happy camper!) watching movies (saw Slum Dog millionaire last night, and found it quite traumatic!!!) eating food, playing games, op-shopping (naomi found quite a few bargains!) and swimming in the pool! Holidays are so good!!

Fun on the beach with cousins!

Well that's things up to speed for now! In 2 days we fly to Sydney for a CMS camp, back for Chrismas at the farm then start heading home to Adelaide. If we can begin driving without a kid vomiting and having diarrohea, it will be an improvement!
Until next time, and HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL IF I DON'T GET BACK
Rubies
xxxx

The final hurdle

Dear everybody,
WE'RE IN!
On Thursday we had our final missionary interviews with the federal committee of CMS and we got the big thumbs up! We are now officially CMS missionaries!! It does mean we start getting paid in 2 weeks (the day after graduation)  but it also means we have to start raising money asap!! If anyone feels thus inclined to begin financially supporting a family heading to Ethiopia, then let us know!!
We have been working towards this for some time, but it still seems a bit surreal. We also had talks with our personnel person, and it looks like we will leave for Addis at the end of May to then do a language course for 8 weeks. Our course has now changed, because we are spending time looking at budgets, deputation, writing newletters, CMS protocols etc. We have 2 weeks left in Melbourne and it is all getting down to the wire!!
GOODBYES
Because we're leaving soon we are trying to fit in special things before it's too late, plus say our goobyes to people we've met here. A couple of weeks ago we went down the peninsula and saw Mum and Dad who were caravaning. We had a fantastic day at a maze and garden which was specky. They also had a tube slide and the kids loved it. It involved walking up a steep slope dragging rubber tyres then sliding down a track in the tyre. Needless to say the kids slept well that night.

Whoooaaaa!

We also spent Melbourne Cup having lunch and saying farewell to our Ethiopian friends. They gave us a bbq feast, and traditional coffee ceremony to say goodbye. Because there were 6 of them they spoke lots of Amharic to each other, but didn't really translate anything. Knowing only the colours red, green, blue and yellow in Amharic, needless to say we understood nothing of the conversation, so it was a good experience of feeling isolated and uncomfortable due to language.

Pick which ones are Ethiopian!!

Later that week we drove to Ballarat and saw old (not in age - just to clarify Rachelle!!) friends from Kadina (Jason and Rachelle Kirk). Their Bailey and lucy were great mates when toddlers, and it was such a great chance to catch up on the last few years! Their living area was bigger than our whole flat here in Melbourne. I forgot what family homes are like!

Do you get the impression we were all looking into the sun for this photo!

Then last weekend we spent the day at St Kilda with our friends here (and fellow misso's - they all got the green light too!). It was fun relaxing together, seeing the sights, and catching the tram there. The cake shops were awesome, I've never seen windows so full of bakery goods! We saw Luna Park, which looked really dodgy and old, and walked the boardwalk. We started reminiscing about our 5 months here, and it all felt a bit sad that its coming to an end!

Reiminiscing together about "old" times!!

Blog again soon!!
Love to you all
Rubies

4 Wheel Driving Away!

Hi everyone,
It's been awhile since I last blogged, so there's quite a bit to catch up on! Firstly, Shane and I had the privilege of doing a 4WD course because once we hit Addis we will need to drive one if we ever go outside the city! So we had a 3 hour night class talking about central diffs, low and high range and cross axle difflocks (are you impressed with  my lingo yet???) We then spent a whole Saturday out practicing at a national park. Shane and I each had a car and we drove up hill, and down dale, through muddy bog holes, reversed down slopes I wouldn't even walk down, and had a great time! I was nervous a few times, and it wasn't until I got home around 6 I realised I had been tense all day and every muscle in my body was aching! I spent the next day in bed relaxing after concentrating all day I was worn out but it was worth it!

It looks unimpressive but this was a HUGE mud hole I drove through!

 Unfortunately when we got home and tried to show the pictures of the mud we drove through there was a slight problem. Couldn't find the camera!! 3 weeks later it is officially lost -gone- never to be seen again! We originally bought a bright red one so we wouldn't lose it....oops!
The boys the next weekend both had basketball grand finals to play in. Oli's team lost by 3 with the last 2pts on the siren. It was close and exciting, or should I say frustrating!! Oli did get MVP trophy after the game, which made him feel happier. Toms game was a whitewash and not in his teams favour! The opposition had only 4 on the court -even more depressing!They were all Aboriginals and so impressive!! A runner up trophy eased the pain for the boys, and a junk food break up afterwards made them forget it all!

Go Saints U10 and U12's

Last weekend we went with our fellow MITs to St Kilda for the day. Caught the compulsory tram there, saw Luna Park (which looks really dodgy) walked the boardwalk and ate icecream. It was great to see the beach (I've missed it after nearly 4 months) but West Beach is so much better. In fact any beach in SA is better and prettier! Not that I'm biased!

A picnic at St Kilda, with fellow misso friends

Finally, we've both been busy writing a final assignment to help us next year. Mine is about the difficulties living amongst poverty. 26% of Ethiopians live on less than $1 while 68% on less than $2. Their staple foods have risen by 80% this last year, and not including the famine in the south - they estimate 15 million Ethiopians are starving. Depressing statistics hey!
So now we only have 3 weeks left here. Next Thursday we have our final interviews with the federal staff, and if that gets the green light we are good to go!! We've heard there is an 8 wk language course beginning June 4 that we would love to do. It means leaving at the end of May which is very exciting. So stay tuned for more details!
Love Naomi and the gang

Happy Holidays!

Hi there everyone,
It's been awhile between posts but life has been hectic here with school holdiays! I know holidays are meant to be relaxing and a time to recharge your batteries, but with 4 children around they seem to be busier than term time. Not that I'm complaining...it has been lovely to be out of routine, have some sleep ins, and good times with the family!!
In the first week we still stayed here at SAH and had reading week. We tried to spend as much time as possible studying. I'm researching how to cope with living amongst poverty, and how this can impact any ministry people may have! Its a bit depressing reading about it all, but I think it will be really helpful, and hopefully reduce some of the shocks, living in Ethiopia and 3rd world conditions may bring.
Despite trying to read, we managed to still spend some time with Shane's parents who were visiting,go to the museum, find some playgrounds and do a few jigsaw puzzles, (which we typically discovered were missing pieces ).

In the second week we headed down to Phillip Island which we absolutely loved. We were reminded how much we will miss the beach, and spent everyday near the water.

We found a creek running into the ocean and built a bridge over it, and had boat races down it, then we spent hours searching rock pools for crabs, and of course Shane had a surf everyday, as his old body would allow. Nothing like a crash course in fitness!! I went for a 30 min 'jog/walk' one day that became over an hour when I got lost in the scrub bordering the ocean. I kept finding myself on cliff edges not being able to get down the beach, so I headed inland, and found myself in a paddock with a black bull!!! Didn't know I could speed walk til then!
We also managed to see the penguin parade which was outstanding!!!. Victor Harbor council should so get on board and help the few volunteers that try to keep Granite Island penguins going because little penguins are super cute, interesting and made us all laugh with their waddling!

We also went to a koala sanctuary which had the added interest of rangers climbing a gum tree 15m high to remove a koala from the enclosure.Apparantly the girl kb was becoming sexually active and her Dad was in the same enclosure. Try explaining that concept to your 4 and 6 year old!!! Finally we visited a farm and saw sheep shorn, the kids milked a cow, went on a horse wagon ride, watched sheep dog in action, and then tried cracking a whip - only Mum and Dad got to do the last one, and while Mum didn't make the crack, at least she didn't end up with the whip round her head and ears like Dad did!@!!!

The boys slept in a tent at the shack for a night, toasted marshmallows on a fire, and we played lots of card games. All in all it was a fantastic week and we felt refreshed to start the final 7 weeks here. Info about our final learning projects and courses will come in the next few weeks.

Enough from us for now.
Blessings to you all
Naomi, Shane and co.

Half Way Point

Well here we are at the half way mark of our time here in Melbourne. The time has gone so quickly, i am amazed. The weather is beginning to get much warmer, and the daffodils at the Uni down the road are out in bloom. So are the spectacular magnolia trees, and princes park is a picture of blossom. This place is really quite lovely and there are often times when I feel like I'm in a movie - living near the parks in New York or something similar. People are out and about running, walking, cycling, sitting on benches for lunch, and wearing clothes way too summery for the weather but obviously make them feel better after the grey bleak Melbourne winter!!
Yesterday the girls here and I went out for lunch for a half way treat then saw the movie The Help. It was excellent and I highly recommend it for anyone to see. Just beware, from a mothers perspective I definitely needed a few tissues. There is something to be said for equal rights and respecting others. The actors were fantastic, and I was completely engrossed for the 2 hours it ran. Inspiring, moving, unexpected - you can see I enjoyed it hey!!
Today I spent lunch and the afternoon with my Ethiopian friend at her house. She gave me a lovely home cooked meal of injera and spicy wat (the chilli made my nose run - why does that happen??) plus fresh salad and afterwards orange bread (cooked in banana leaf) and a coffee ceremony. She gave me great advice about honouring Ethiopians, for example don't stand up or  leave a table until everyone has completely finished the meal and been allowed to sit for awhile, offer guests in your home more food and more coffee at least 3 times, and make conversation with the host - otherwise they will think you are a 'dumb animal' (her words)!! It is really polite to drink at least 2 cups of coffee, and the 3rd if you can manage, after that you are free to go, but should return the favour to them soon after! With a full teaspoon of sugar in the espresso sized coffee I actually really enjoy it...................and so will my dentist if I keep going like this! She did warn me that if the coffee is too strong it makes your heart boom, boom, so that's something to avoid!!
She then answered lots of my interview questions for me, because I have to write an assignment on what I've learnt about the Ethiopian culture and also Orthodox church. Without wanting to give away her secrets or betray her trust, I did learn something really surprising. They never pray together aloud with others. They pray through chanting at church but besides this all prayer is done privately, alone in quietness. Parents don't pray aloud to their kids, friends etc don't pray with one another. You can ask someone to pray for you and they will go home and do it. They won't tell you what they prayed, you just trust they'll do it. They say all prayer is private. She also explained the Mary thing to me in an excellent way I could understand. To them, Mary is the receptionist you see when you walk into a company. Jesus is the manager you see next up the chain, and God is the boss who owns the whole company. That's why you can pray through Mary to get to Jesus! Definitely shed new light on it for me!! So overall it was a great afternoon, but I was exhausted afterwards because I had to concentrate so hard to understand her, and we used lots of charades movements. Imagine doing it all day in the country - trying to understand and be understood!! I'll be a wreck!

Happy Ethiopian New Year

For those of you who don't know it, Ethiopia works on a different calender year than most of the world! It's called a Julian Calender and the first day of the year is Sept 12th. They also have 13 months in a year, that all vary in days. So there goes the 30 days has September, April, June and Nov ditty!! Their days also begin at sunset (I think) so the time on their watches will also be different. But I'm sure there will be more on that when we move there!
What I wanted to share with you was the Ethiopian festival we went to for New Year. Our friends invited us to Footscray Mall where the community had set up a big stage and sound system. They began at 10am in the morning and sang, danced and acted their way through to 4pm. They had practiced for months and old and young alike, and mostly Orthodox church groups all got up and sang in Amharic, and danced traditional dances, and also had a few dramas about needing Jesus in your life. It really reinforced to us the way religion and culture go together for them. It was natural that for a cultural festival it all involved christian involvement.
Our friends little girl Hannah who is 4 had all her hair braided into little plaits with beads.It took her Mum so long to do, they missed her dance on stage because they were late!! The crowd was a sea of white (their national colour to dress in) and we were definitely the minority again being white faced!!We had my (naomi's) Mum and Dad with us so it was lovely to share with them, such an Ethiopian occasion. I think they felt quite daunted at first being part of that crowd, but they managed wonderfully!
On Tuesday we also had Tom's 11th birthday. Time flies when you're having fun!! He had a party here with all our fellow MITs and it was great fun. Adults and children alike joined in with games like eat the doughnuts off the string, chocolate game, pass the parcel and musical chairs. The kids were suitably
impressed when Grandma won the last one!! Our cook here made Tom an icecream cake with Mint choc chip icecream, choc mudcake, vanilla icecream,and all of this was coated in a dark choc and cream combo with M&Ms on top. AWESOME but half a slice was ample!!
Well thats our highlights from this week!!

Happy New Year in Footscray Mall

Pass the parcel with friends

Stay tuned
Rubies
xxxxxx

Farewell orthodox church, and a cross cultural fun night

Last weekend was our last visit to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Our last service where we couldn't understand a word being said, stood for over 2 hours and wore white headscarves. It was a classic service - the lilly flower arrangement caught alight up the front, I was placed up the front wedged between about 7 devout old mamas, none of whom sat for one minute, a small boy gagged on communion bread and his parents pushed it down his throat  (exactly the way we used to administer a tablet to our cat) and then when we left,  Lucy's shoe had gone missing in the huge collection of shoes outside (i would guess there were about 350 shoes). Someone had accidently kicked it inside and it took about 15 mins of searching to find!! But after all of this, I met two beautiful new girls.They came here 4 yrs ago as refugees alone and with no family, but they have such a resilient attitude, and don't complain. It was a privilege to chat with them, and we have planned to meet again this week for coffee which I'm really looking forward to. We may have been uncomfortable in the new surroundings, but the people at church were warm, welcoming and gracious. We are now looking forward to seeing some more of them outside of church, and learning more from them, about what we may be heading in to. If they are anything to go by, we will have a wonderful time with the people in Addis.
Later in the week we held a cross cultural fun night where we (the MIT's here at St Andrews) all invited new friends we've made from another culture. Seven of our Ethiopian friends came and saw where we live and we fed them Middle Eastern food and played a game involving sayings and what they actually mean. For some reason the single girls we invited thought the saying "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" was hilarious (once we explained its meaning). I think they had pictures in their head of cutting up men!! We also told stories of times we were happy, embarrased, sad etc and some of them were very funny. The Chinese student who went and especially bought a bottle opener for his new bottle of Aussie wine, only to discover they have screw top lids here was quite amusing. Then my friend shared a time she was frightened..... which she said was all the time. She lives in a council unit (they have huge high rises of them here like something off the Bill on TV) and her neighbours fight, take drugs and keep her awake all night. She has had blood on her doorstep in the morning, and she won't go home alone in the dark. It was so sad to hear her speak - I had tears in my eyes. Our safety is something we take for granted, and having a big strong husband in my life is such a blessing.My trials in life seem so minimal when I talk to her.

Fun with our new friends at the cross cultural fun night

A weekend of culture

Last weekend we had a wonderful time and learnt sooooo much I wanted to share some of it with you!! It was a time of new experiences.
Friday night we drove to our new Ethiopian friends house for tea. It was quite a way out of Melbourne but when we arrived we checked the address thinking we were at the wrong house. It was a brand new 2 storey town house. There was our 1st expectation blown out the water!! Mame and her hubby Brahanu have been here since 94. She had cooked all day for us and couldn't have been more hospitable if they'd tried. They had every type of alcohol to offer when we arrived (2nd surprising thing) but Mame wouldn't drink any because she was fasting for 2 weeks to impress Mother Mary (yes the virign mother) so she can pray on behalf of Mame to Jesus. This will mean her prayers have a greater chance of being answered. We ate injera (Ethiopian pancake) with wat (stews). She had made 5 different sorts - lentils, cabbage based, chick-pea, and an egg and chicken one that was made especially for us, because the fasting means no meat, egg, dairy, alcohol, and no eating before 3pm each day.The food was really spicy, and poor Oli's eyes were watering at one stage!
For desert we had baklava which is quite Ethiopian (surprise 3) and a home-made bread with orange rind. We finished off with a coffee ceremony which was fantastic. No Nescafe - real Eth coffee beans roasted on the spot, crushed etc and fantastic. It was small and a little like Turkish coffee and with a teaspoon of sugar in it was sweet and yummy. It smelled great but as for sleeping that night.......forget it. We got to talk lots and found out so much, but it's too much to put here. The one thing I will say is mid-sentence and while 'chatting' they let it drop that both of them had been in prison in Ethiopia (one for 3, the other 5 years) and were allowed into Australia as political refugees. (Big surprise)
On Saturday we had a lovely family day watching the boys play basketball and then playing at a fantastic park we found (with flying fox) that was right near the old pentridge prison! There is a new housing dev right in the middle of the old prison, but the thick stone walls and guard towers and still there. We even saw some old razor wire along one wall! It looks quite strange, and an atmosphere 'inside' I'm not sure I'd like to live in!
Saturday night I then went to an Islam Iftar meal with an Islamic group called Benevolance. Iftar is the name given to breaking the Ramadan fast after sunset and the food was fantastic. I tried a lebanese salad made of chick peas, fried pita bread, and yogurt and garlic, that I would recommend to anyone! The people were extremely warm and hospitable to non-muslims, but it felt strange to know I was on the receiving end of an effort to reach out to the unreached!! I felt sad to see the big number of young women especially in their early 20s that have been drawn to the religion. They are modern, made-up, with silk head scarves, and obviously attractive to outsiders. They had a speaker for us, that advocated the relationship we can have with Allah and how to be a better person by fasting in Ramadam. It was slick, appealing (eg - warm, welcoming,great food) but also disturbing. I sat next to a wonderful Indian woman who was 90 lived in Sth Africa, and Australia. She travels fairly constantly, and has been a muslim her whole life. She was in an arranged marriage from age 16 and her husband died 12 years ago, and she still had tears in her eyes when speaking about him. It was so cute. She made no effort to evengelise me which was quite nice, but was simply friendly and kind.I am praying she will find the truth....and fairly soon as she grows older each day!
Our final day of the weekend Sunday was spent at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (week 3 - 1 to go!). This week there were so many people there Shane and the boys couldn't get inside. They were quite happy to escape the bells and smells, and spent the time chatting with men outside. Shane learnt more about politics than reading all our books, and they bought him coffee, hot chips adn fried lentil parcels.I on the other hand did fit in the church foyer part but there was no spare wall space this week so I stood unsupported for the 2 hours. there wasn't any space to sit down. Lucy was on the floor at my feet and did some drawing with little Eth girls which was very cute. She seemed unfazed by it all - after only 3 wks she is an old hand!!
Because we saw the sun in the arvo we walked to the playground near Visy park and felt very trendy. Yuppies were out everwhere, plus joggers, cyclists, walkers in the nearly spring air. I felt like I was in a movie - when you see families out at the city park, with bare trees all around us. Very inner city living!
Well that was our interesting weekend. I hope it was interesting to you too....I guess if not you would have stopped reading by now!! We are loving learning new things, but best of all is meeting new, fascinating people, all with their own stories.God has made us all so different, and in his image. Amazing!!

With my new friends Mame and Sisey

Some of the women outside the church

We found a new playground near the basketball stadium. Lots of fun!!!!!

culture shock!!

I remember speaking with many of you before we came across to Melbourne and saying we thought the course would put us out of our comfort zone as much as possible. Well so far our course facilitators have been extremely kind to us, and our entry into new things has been gradual and easy. Not so the last week!!
We have had to visit a non-English speaking church for the past 2 weeks and we have 2 to go. We decided to visit an Ethiopian Orthodox church last week and if we were to rank uncomfortable, and cultural shock it was a 10!! This week we returned again and although the shock wasn't as great certainly it was physically uncomfortable......let me explain.

Week 1 we had friends hint I may need a skirt and shawl - just in case I needed my head covered. So we turn up and I have a medium length black skirt and black top on, with a grey shawl. I immediately watch women walking in and realise big mistake!! Everyone is black skinned and wearing white,with long skirts and white veils over their head! I'm white skinned in black with a scarf on my head which I have no idea how to tie. Shane also is in a black jacket, while all the men are covered in long white shawls. If our skin colour alone didn't make us stick out like sore thumbs our clothes certainly do.
When we enter the tiny church (it used to be used as a Uniting church) we take our shoes off like everyone...oops my socks have a hole in them! when we get inside we walk into the foyer and there are women and children everywhere. They hustle Shane and Tom and Oli into the church to the far side ...oops Men should enter from the back door and are on the left. An old mama motions Lucy, max and I into the church too..there is a small gap near the back (right hand side only for women and kids) and for us the service begins. We learn later the service began at 7am (thankfully the priest told Shane on the phone to come at 9am) and will go to 12.30 usually but today they finish early at 11.45 because they have white visitors (Oh, that would be us......how nice of them!) 
There is lots going on to watch if one can see through the smoke and incence.Everyone is standing, and only sit to pray if they cant kneel and prostrate on the floor. there is continuous chanting on a microphone although the space is so small and the priest voice so loud a mike is really not needed. We don't understand a word, and within 10 minutes Max is quite upset. I want to go home, its too noisy, it smells. etc etc. I sit down against protocol to comfort him and distract him with a book. Meanwhile I notice all the Ethiopian kids have no toys to play with but are sitting or lying quietly on the floor! It must have worked though because soon Max is unconsciously humming to the chants and swaying to and fro! Soon a bible comes around wrapped in lace and white material and we all kiss it and let it touch our head. Its carried to us by an alterboy in beautiful gold trimmings and another carrying a blue and gold umbrella to be held over the bible. To cut a long story short the chanting prayers, and smoke go on, sometimes before us, sometimes behind a curtain at the alter. 1.5 hours later they begin communion but its mainly kids that take it, from a spoon like medicine and it must taste this way, because they all screw their faces up when it enters their mouth! Then they get a small silver cup of holy water to wash it down and its all held in their mouths by dutiful mums who somehow hold the toddler, keep white veils on their head, and then hold their mouths shut so the holiness stays in!!We later found out few adults take communion because they have to fast first, and stay that way for the day, almost in solitude keeping the holiness of commn and water within.
After this we discovered later all the kids go out and have food and a break, because they have fasted all morning, but because we're in the church we don't know this (mums and kids were in the foyer) so we sit or stand for another 45 mins. During this time there is some congregational singing in Amharic and all to the beat of a huge drum. This bit is very cool. There are some notices - I think about us??!! then holy water is given to all of us in silver cups and this we can have without fasting. Finally after 2.5 hours its over.
During the service there were 3 mamas behind me, very serious looking but on their way out they pat me on the shoulder and smile beautifully. I haven't followed all their actions and I look out of place but I feel their warmth and acceptance and it means alot. When we leave the church I look for our shoes to put on and there are 2 ladies that talk to me. They are lovely. They share openly, answer some of my questions, introduce us to their kids, and make us feel very welcome. Meanwhile inside the priest and 3 men are all talking to Shane. They are also friendly, welcoming and interested in our plans. So although we felt uncomfortable and out of place, it was worth it to meet these lovely people and feel their warmth and acceptance.
We went again today and there isn't time now to give lots of detail, but I'm surprised that it was so much more comfortable. It was only our second visit, and already we felt much more 'in place'. We wore white, and I had a white scarf!! The boys went in the right door, the little ones came with me through the front. Today there was a visiting Bishop and LOTS of people, so I had to join the throngs in the foyer. It was literally standing room only, so it was quite a long time on the legs! Lucy and Max were able to sit on the floor, and they watched all the kids playing hand games quietly or hanging on their Mums (or I think it was their Mums - they all seem to help each other, as a big family.) There are about 120 women and children in the tiny foyer and many sneak me a smile as we catch eye contact with each other. The little children are gorgeous. Even Lucy whispers, Mum these kids are really cute!! Today we go out after communion because we're in the know, and the kids are happy about this after 2 hours of standing/sitting, understanding nothing!
Outside 2 ladies wipe a wet seat for me with their tissues, and invite me to sit down. We get talking and they are fantastic. Before long we have exchanged numbers, addresses and Mame (the older lady) wants us to visit sometime for injera andwat and coffee. Sisi her good friend who has 3 small children a little younger than ours, lives right near Mame and wants us to come for a play when we visit. Both are from Addis, and promise they will let us know all we need to know.
So in exchange for a little culture shock, we have made new friends, worshipped in a different way, but felt the warmth of others who have accepted us despite our differences. It was definitely worth it!!!

Everyone else was black and dressed in white. Do you think we stood out????Tom liked the big umbrella!!

Oliver was very brave sitting in between two strangers(their big smiles helped), but also very intrigued by all that was going on

Out and About in Melbourne

Hi everyone, I can't believe we have now been living here for 3 weeks! Time flies when your'e having fun. Unfortunately the flu lurgy continues to plague me (Naomi) and is hanging around like a bad smell but the Codral has meant I have managed to get out and about with the family a little. I thought I'd tell you a bit about it, and include our observations about Melbourne while I'm at it!

Firstly the school run each morning. We are able to ride bikes to school which is fresh and invigorating in the mornings.....5 degrees yesterday! We follow the bike track under 2 bridges one of which houses a homeless guy that Tom especially finds difficult. We get free bread from Brumbys Monday night here at SAH (St Andrews house, which we also call  The Institute for cross cultural learning for safety reasons for our muslim friends) so Tom had the great idea to give this man a bag of bread each week to help him. Anyway, we then ride across the park where Carlton footy club has their practice ground, and across Lygon st known for cafes, and then to school. Along the way we constantly reinforce they stay on the left of the path because heaps of Melbournites cycle to work, and they go hammer and tongs and you don't want to get in their way - you'll be run over! Then there are lots of joggers too all out early exercising. I am dying to join the throngs exercising if only i can get over this bug.But this bike path at 8.30 am feels like Rundle Street!!
Another outing we took was to the Vic Markets which is 3 tram stops down the road. Thankfully it was nearly closing so not terribly busy, but the kids still weren't very impressed with the crowds and smells. They thought the fish section was disgusting but got some free oranges in the market and you could throw the peel under the mans stall so they thought that was fun. Then we saw live ducklings, chooks and pigeons for sale. It took a firm word for them not to buy the cute fluffy ducks! The markets were also a good reminder just how multicultural Melbourne is. We could barely hear English!! The trams to get there though are fantastic. Unlike Adelaide public transport which is few and far between the trams come every 5 to 10 minutes. The cars have to wait for the trams too, so you can just step off one and the cars will let you cross the road, unless its a SA driver called Shane who forgot to give way to tram disembarkers and almost took out 3 uni students and an old man!!! Ooops.
The boys another night went with Shane to Etiard stadium to see the crows play but considering they went dismally and had a world record lowest score ever, it may not be kind to mention it!! In fact Oliver at half time asked Shane 'do we have to stay longer?' The massive size of the stands and crowd really hit the kids. They thought it was great. Again the whole tram thing there and back was easy!
The final outing I thought I'd tell you about was part of our cultural course. We had to go to specific parts of the city - mine was little Vietnam - and have lunch, eating something we've never had before. So the girls and guys split up and while we hit Vietnam, they went to Turkey!! We saw Asain shops and noticed everyone sold toilet paper and tissues right by the front door!!! They all had gold good luck cats on counters, and sometimes little alters with offerings to the good luck gods. For lunch we only had one disaster - a prawn and beef rubbery gelatine mix wrapped in banana leaf and deep fried. After 2 chews the gag reflex set in, and there was no way it was going down! Shane on the other hand had total success in the food dept. Yummy dip with beetroot,quail ocre and chicken tavuk. He wasn't real impressed with his drink of yogurt, milk and SALT, but after our bad entree I opted with the girls for Diet Coke - found everywhere in the world and very multicultural!
Pick any nationality or type of food here and you'll find it somewhere! Choose any religion, and  you'll find a meeting place for them. Choose any language, and you'll find somewhere to learn or speak it! Thats my main observation of Melbourne so far....MULTICULTURAL. That and BUSY. There is always traffic on the roads, people on trams, shops that are open (the medical clinic I went to was open 8am to 12am 7 days a week with a chemist attatched). No wonder people say Adelaide is a sleepy little country town!!

A FUN footy outing???C'mon Crows

Chips for lunch - very multicultural

I quite miss that little town and the people attached to it. I'm glad in 5 months we return to Adelaide for awhile. However until then I'll keep you updated with happenings here! Until next time.

A Day of Firsts

Well today my baby went off to kindy for the first time. After almost 11 years of having a young one by my side each and every day (sometimes 2 young ones and for a short time 3 young ones!!) it felt really surreal to drop Maxie off and walk out the gate alone. When we woke him up this morning he cried and told us he didn't want to go to Kindy. My mothers heart cried on the inside too, and part of me didn't want him to go either, but another side of me knew it was time. He needs to socialize more, have interesting things to do, and Shane and I need to do our learning and prep for Ethiopia without him, so it was perfect timing really!
So instead of going out with the 'girls' for coffee, or going home to read a book, or heading to a gym class (all things I may have imagined doing on this momentous day) I raced back to St Andrews Hall with Isabella (her son Tim goes with Max to kindy.......having a friend to go with made all the difference for Max! Thankyou God for that provision) and we began our first day of 'mission training'. Lots of information, head is spinning, feeling quite inadequate considering I realised yesterday I've never even spoken or had personal contact with a Muslim. Had dark moments when awake in the night an wondered what are we thinking of doing?
The other 3 kids all headed off for the 1st day of school where they haven't known anyone. Our last school move had their beloved cousins and it was exciting to go, but this was just plain scary. As I watched their faces get ready for school, and I saw them ride off, I wanted to cry for them, and save them the anxiety. Perhaps having 2 bad nights of sleep also made this worse, but it was the most nerve racking morning and I felt each one of their feelings.......so I got it x3 as bad. Who would be a Mum???
However the first day is over and thankyou God I got 3 smiling kids back and great reports about school!! Tom's teacher is the 'coolest' in the school, and called Mike. He had PE first up, and they don't have to sit at desks.....so Tom chose to work and sit on a lounge all day!!! School aint what it used to be! Oli's got 3 teachers, the best is Tommo, there are no desks, he sat or lay on the floor all day, and they only have one workbook for everything (I guess there's less to lose!!!) Lucy had a relief teacher which made it a bit harder, but she did have a boy in her class who wore a Michael Jackson wig all day!!!
So there you have our first day of routine for Melbourne living. We all survived it, in fact the kids enjoyed it, so I can at last sleep well tonight knowing the unknown!!

We made it to Melbourne

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Rubies first ever blog, as we journey to the other side of the world! This will be our own family diary that we would like to share with you, as we experience new things and keep you up to date with all things Rubie in nature!

So firstly we wanted to let you know we arrived in Melbourne! We packed up our lovely house in West Beach, with many thanks going to family and friends who helped us out particularly in that last chaotic week. If any of you know how to make those last few days easier then let us know. No matter how organised we think we are, the last few days are always crazy. Then we headed down to Victor and spent 2 days sleeping it off while my lovely parents took care of us! I would call it a moving hangover!! Suddenly realised I had to say goodbyes at this stage which was a bit sad. I think I was so busy packing that part of it slipped my mind. Never being good at these they were quick, but I felt quite daunted at thinking what it will be like in a years time when we say goodbye for 3 years. Saying see you in 6 months was bad enough. Again, any hints at how to say goodbye with the least amount of pain would be gladly accepted!!
So Monday morning we left with our trailer at 7.15am from Victor and then arrived in Parkville Melbourne at 6pm that night. Surprisingly the time went quickly and all went smoothly except arriving in peak hour traffic was slightly hairy! We had downloaded google instructions to get here and they were really helpful. I recommend to anyone travelling, and behind the times like us without owning a GPS!
I had broken down activities in the car to half hour time slots, so the kids didn't get bored, and also to cut down on the computer game playing which tends to make them all stir crazy!! We played eye spy, guess that song, spot the..., did drawings, read jokes, and of course ate plenty of food!It was a good day actually, and we stopped occasionally to stretch our legs. We had a running race at Aararat wild life park, where Dad nearly did his hammie, trying to catch Tom. Our bodies aren't what they used to be!
So at last we arrived at St Andrews House our new home for the next 5 months. Someone had suggested our appartment would be like a shoe box, but thankfully its a shoe box for Shanes size 12 EE width shoes! We have 3 bedrooms, sep toilet and shower, and all in one kitchen dining, lounge. It's warm, cosy and cute. I personally think large homes are over-rated. This way I have less cleaning, less place for clutter, and I've discovered many benefits of close living. Our table is so small you don't have to say pass the sauce, everyone can reach everything, if we need more cutlery, the person at the top of the table swings back on their chair and can reach anything in the kitchen, and deliveries of clean clothes to the kids rooms just takes a well aimed throw from the lounge room!
After arriving Monday night I spent all day Tuesday unpacking, decorating and making a home, and was done late afternoon. I figure one days work was worth it for 5 months living here. I'm so glad I bought the kids quilt covers and a few things from each of their rooms eg Maxs ladybird money box, Lucys bunting, Toms posters, and a few of Oli's fav photos, because they have all made this place their home. In fact Lucy has already told me she loves it here, and wants to stay for a long time!! While unpacking though we also had to clear out clutter left here by the last set of missos, or perhaps the ones before them, or the ones before them?? Obviously past tenants didn't want to throw anything out, but after down sizing like I have the past 18 months that was no problem for me! We found one black rubber car mat, a new gold outdoor tap, (I didn't chuck this but passed it on to caretaker) copious plastic containers - NONE with matching lids, and a childs pink little broom, with most of the bristles missing!! All handy things one needs when moving to Melbourne!!
So now we're in Melbourne, and have had a week to explore, rest and settle in. Unfortunately not all has gone to plan. I'm actually writing this in bed, where I (Naomi) have been for the past 2 days! Lucy, Max, Oli and I have all had a virus, although it seems I've fallen hardest (I wonder why that is??) We've drunk our way through a whole bottle of Panadol and Neurofen, as the virus is fever, body aches, tummy ache, cough. Only Dad and Tom have been left standing, but we're thankful it was now, and not next week as school starts monday.
Chow for now (as my sister Sonya always says!!)
love Rubies