January 18 - Australia: Cairns

I woke up at 9:15 expecting to find Jon slaving over banana-and-chocolate-chip-muffins in the kitchen.  Instead, I found a note from Jon that read "Had to go get eggs from the store. Back in 15 minutes.  NO BREKKIE until I get back!".  But I was hungry, so I snuck some leftover quesadilla before he got back.  Of course, he smelled it so I was busted.  But the muffins weren't going to be ready for a while so I was off the hook - temporarily. 

Myrtle in Australia!

Monica rolled out of bed at 10:00 and came downstairs.  For the next two hours, the three of us sat around and reminisced, told silly stories, and laughed while Jon fixed us some very yummy muffins. 

Monica was dubbed "Myrtle" our third year of college, when we decided she was always the slowest to get ready whenever we wanted to go out.  Any chance we had, we called her "Myrtle the Turtle" and after a while "Myrtle" just stuck.  So here we are, ten years later, Myrtle and Jon and me - sitting in Australia, in our house, catching up on everyone we know.  Who would have thought?

At 12:00, Myrtle and I walked to the waterfront so she could see The Esplanade.  It was only a quick walk, because her flight to Sydney left at 1:55 and we needed to get her to the airport.  So we were there long enough to snap a picture and walk back.

Monica and Me on The Esplanade

Late Plate

Back home, Myrt hopped in the shower and got ready for her flight.  Jon made up a "late plate" of muffins for her to take with her on the flight.  (A "late plate" is a term used in college in fraternity and sorority houses.  When one of the members was going to be late for a meal, the cook would make up a "late plate" for them to eat after-hours.)  Myrt got a good laugh out of her "late plate", which is something she hasn't had in almost 10 years.

I drove her to the airport and we got there just after 1:00.  No worries because Cairns is such a little airport.  We gave each other hugs and I told her I'd see her in a few weeks when she and Martin come spend a few days here.

A really short visit, but it was so good to see her!

Search for a Bathing Suit

Jon is insisting I get a new bathing suit.  The two that I brought with me are both years and years old and are definitely showing it.  So I went to The Pier because one of the shops is having a sale.  True, the suits were really affordable, but they were obviously marketed toward the Japanese tourists.  Almost the entire store was stocked in size eight.  Yep.  I now remember why women HATE shopping for bathing suits.  Size eight.  Whatever.  It didn't take very long to realize that the shop didn't have much for me, so I went to the grocery store to pick up some stuff for dinner.

Then I went home and curled up to read.  Next thing I knew, it was 5:15 and I'd fallen asleep for a good two hours.  Jon and I made up some Chicken Enchilada Casserole and finished off the guacamole.  

The Simpsons

My husband has become a "Simpsons" addict.  Granted, it's the only thing worth watching on the local TV channels here, but he's obsessed with it!  He tunes into the 6:00-6:30 time frame every evening, and laughs hysterically through the entire show.  Jon claims that I should appreciate it - that it's a running social commentary on today's society and current pop culture.  He also insists that each episode contains intellectual jokes that not everyone can get.  For example, yesterday's Simpsons had a reference to "La Boheme", and Jon maintains that not just anyone could get the joke unless they knew something about opera.  Therefore, the Simpsons is actually an educating and eye-opening experience.

In all honesty, I find it pretty funny too.  But I can't admit that to Jon!

Coming to America

There was a good movie on tonight - Eddie Murphy's "Coming to America".  Hardly the greatest movie ever made, but it definitely has some funny points.  One of the main highlights of the flick is Eddie Murphy's cheeseball character "Randy Watson from the 'What's Going Down' episode of 'That's My Momma'" and his band "Sexual Chocolate".  Definitely a laughable moment!

But - of course - we turned it off and turned in early.  Jon has to work tomorrow and I'm going diving on ReefQuest again.  So it's an early night for us.