The Red Tree

As a necessary measure of moving away, it has meant leaving my precious collection of books all boxed up away and sitting in a cupboard back in Perth, my sister's cupboard to be more exact, and part of this collection of gems includes some Shaun Tan books.

Shaun Tan is an illustrator and author from Western Australia, most of his pictures seem to have a surrealistic style to them, which is what makes them so pretty to look at. One of my favourites by him is The Red Tree which follows a sad little girl throughout her day as she goes through her thoughts of loneliness and despair, but still holding on to the hope that things could change. It truly is a lovely little fable that will make you feel that little bit happier when you have a bad case of the blues. Now for a closer look...

"Sometimes the day begins with nothing to look forward to, and things go from bad to worse..."

"But suddenly there it is right in front of you bright and vivid quietly waiting, just as you imagined it would be"

Bowled Over

Being our last day in Perth, we decided that bowling seemed like a good way to spend the afternoon, so off to Rosemount Bowls I headed with my sisters to indulge in a few games before our good-bye family picnic that evening.

After a terribly bad start for myself, I ended up winning the first game and taking second place for the next one- Not bad for one that bowls so little.

Coffee & Pumpkin Burgers

Sunday was spent going to Leederville with my dear sisters Emmily & Jessica and my gorgeous niece Kaylah for Coffee and Pumpkin Burgers- Mmmm Pumpkin Burgers. I've also come into possession of a Diana Camera, which means a new hobby for the New Year! Hoozah!

Auld Lang Syne

And so ends another year! I hope everyone rung in the New Year with some wonderfully wicked celebrations! For myself the evening was spent starting the night at a small gathering at the Sheraton Hotel and then heading out to one of my old Perth haunts- Amplifier Bar.

It's had been close to two years since I had last been to Amplifier, or Amps as it is affectionately dubbed, and the return was bittersweet- same setting, same music, different people. Within moments of walking in I witnessed a girl screaming at the top of her lungs at what I can only assume was an ex-boyfriend and then towards the end of a night when I was dancing with my friends, I was asked if I was a lesbian by an neanderthal who couldn't seem to comprehend why else I would not want to dance with him.

But not to bitch, I did after all still have an awesome night and met some lovely people along the way. I am sure going to miss these summer nights once I return to Toronto in a few days. Happy New Year Folks!

A Day With The Penguins

This last Tuesday was my nephew Hudson's Birthday Celebrations. Taking advantage of the slightly cooler weather, the familia decided to head out to Penguin Island in Rockingham for a Picnic in the sunshine.