Meet the parents

Saturday morning I was up early cause I was so excited for the folks to arrive. I picked up some flowers for my momma and then waited at their hotel. As I saw a big van round the corner I could see dad's massive head. They're HERE!!!

Amazingly they were raring to go when they got here. We got them checked into their hotel and then ventured out into the city. We had a lovely seafood lunch on Queen Street and then I took them for a ride on the water taxi. We rode down to Riverside and then I hailed them a taxi home so they could get a little rest before dinner. I went back home and tried to finish packing and organizing all my luggage. Mom was still tired from the flight so she kept resting while dad and I met up for dinner. We walked around Riverside until we found a great steak restaurant. It was voted the best steak restaurant in Brisbane for the past 5 years so it had to be good. It was a fabulous meal and it was so good to finally catch up after not seeing each other for so long. About 9:30pm, dad's eyes were closing while we were talking so I decided I should send him back to the hotel to rest. All the walking around the city tired me out too so I went home and got some much needed rest.

Sunday I met them at the hotel for the free breakfast. I felt like a queen. They had everything you can imagine wanting for breakfast and free champagne. I wasn't quite ready to start drinking at 9am, but so cool that they offered it. We then headed out towards the campus so I could show the parents where I've been going to school the past 5 months. I took them all through the campus and they were blown away by how gorgeous my campus is. I ran down to the computer labs to print some itinerary changes for our trip and then we headed towards Southbank. I showed them our awesome lagoon and then mom and I tried out the ferris wheel. Dad is not such a fan of heights so he stayed by the water. Afterwards we headed to the Museum. It was completely free and absolutely facinating. We got to read a lot about the history of Brisbane and then they had all the Australian animals (stuffed of course). I showed my parents what Sparky (our house possum) looked like and explored the rest of the museum. After that it was time to head back to the hotel. Dad and I decided to have lunch at the hotel because the food was so good. It was a buffet and it was amazing. Oysters, Moreton Bay Bugs (like mini delicious lobsters), crab, sandwiches, meats, AND a chocolate fountain with plenty of fun things to dip in chocolate. We each had about 3 platefuls. Then they brought the check. $158 meaning each of our lunches cost $74!!! Oh snap. Dad and I looked at each other in shock and I asked if I should try to eat another plateful. It was quite an expensive lunch, but it was still delicious. A quick nap later we were ready to head towards my house for my grand going away party.

We had the cabbie drop us at the grocery store and got all the fixings for my big cookout. We each loaded up with a few bags and started the 10 minute walk to my house. About minute 5 they were already complaining and said they now understood why I was in such great shape after living here. We unloaded all the groceries and I showed them my house. Even though it wasn't sparkling clean, they were still impressed by how big it was and all of my roommates. I then grabbed Viktor and Eugen and we headed to the liquor store to get the most important ingredient for my cookout, the beer. Two cases of beer later we were ready to party.We had such a good turnout for my party!! All together we had about 15 people and we all got to catch up and eat some delicious burgers and hotdogs. My parents were a hit and my friends loved getting to meet them. Once it got past their bedtime and they headed home, the real party started. We proceeded to drink both cases of beer and then some. The American girls left after a while, but Hanne, the boys and I kept the party going. I kept telling them I needed to leave soon cause I was getting up early with my parents. When I saw the sun start rising, I knew Monday was gonna be rough. Even Sparky came down to say his goodbye. I offered him some carrots and got closer than I've ever gotten. I want to bring Sparky home with me, but he belongs in his tree. Around 5am, after building beer can towers and writing notes for each other, we decided it was probably time for bed. I didn't make it back to my parents hotel and ended up sleeping on my mattress in my room. About 8am I got a wake up call from Daddio asking where I was and if I wanted to join them on the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary trip. Crap. I grabbed my stuff and rushed out the door. I made it in plenty of time, and after about 2 bottles of water I was feeling much better.The cruise to the Sanctuary was great. They gave us the history of houses along the water and talked about each of the suburbs as we passed. We learned about all the floods Brisbane has had and all the changes that have happened to make it such a thriving city. Then we arrived at the Sanctuary. It was one of the hottest days I've experienced in Brisbane, but we were still so excited. First thing we went to do was cuddle a koala. We decided to take a family photo and mom was gonna hold it. Our first koala wasn't cooperating so they brought us a big boy. Dad and I had joked about how funny it would be if a koala pooped on my mom. Well, just as the man was handing mom the koala, it started pooping. She didn't notice but dad and I laughed hysterically. The woman said "Smile!" and dad said "How can I not, there's a koala pooping on my wife." Funniest moment so far. We then went off to see the kangaroos. The parents weren't as enthralled by my favorite animal, but I was like a kid in a candy store. We went around and pet as many as we could and even saw a joey in its momma's pouch. There were a few baby kangaroos hopping around too which was adorable. They finally dragged me away and we toured the rest of the Sanctuary. A little while later I convinced my dad to go feed the kangaroos with me and I got to go for round two. I'm gonna miss kangaroos the most . . .I slept on the boat ride back and then had to finish up some last minute things to move out of my house. Our house was a disaster zone so I helped the boys clean for a while. We said our goodbyes (again) and I headed back towards my parents hotel. Showers all around and we were ready for dinner. Hanne met us for dinner and we had some lovely seafood at Southbank. We then grabbed some ice cream at Cold Rock (knock off from Cold Stone, ha). Hanne and I shed some tears as we said our final goodbye and promised we'd get to see eachother sometime soon.

Tonight we're all packed and ready to head out in the morning. We're off to Cairns for some diving, fishing and raintree action. So sad to be leaving "home" but I'm excited for whats to come.