Yippie ka ya!

So I figured that since Ive been here a few months now and had not yet ventured to the cinema, I was way over due.  Today's selection?  Why, an afternoon with John McClain of course!  So I jumped in Oscar and off to the mall I went.  The movie chain here is called Hoyts and is located next to the food court of the mall.  Unfortunately I miscalcualted my time and showed up kind of early.  Normally I would roam the mall, however the mall here closes at 4 pm on Sunday so no aimless wandering for me today.  I purchased my ticket and after I recovered from the heart attack, got comfortable while I waited for the show to seat.  Mind you, I went to a matinee show which is normally cheaper. In Australia, that means $9.50 (or as of today's conversion rate..$9.89). 

Once I finally got into the theater, I found my assigned seat.  Yes, they assign seats here.  It was bedlam.  Rather than allow individuals to choose their seat of free will, they have placed row letters and seat numbers and it is printed on your ticket.  There were several people who found their assigned seats occupied.  If they let you pick your seat, there would be no bickering over seats.  So I found my seat (at the TOP of the stadium seats) and waited for the show to begin!  Instead of the pre-show trivia or commercials, they show...nothing.  Just played K.C. and the Sunshine Band on a loop until the show started.  Then, the obligatory 15 minutes of trailers and BOOM! The movie got started with a bang.  If you havent seen it, you should.   I think most of the movie's budget was spent on vehicles to tear up.  Seriously.  But it was awesome and I loved it.  :D

Tha roof! Tha roof! Tha roof is on FIRE!!!

That title will make sense later...

After a rather lack luster fireworks show for the 100th birthday, they made up for it with Skyfire.  It is a festival sponsored by one of the radio stations here.  I did not go down for the bands because they are Disney-esque and it didnt appeal to me at all, but I did go for the fire works.  If you know me, you know how I feel about fire works, if you dont know me, then I LOVE FIREWORKS!!!!!!!  These were pretty cool.

These were some of the best shots I took, my poor little camera couldnt keep up.  :<

This is Telstra tower, on the way to my spot 

Telstra tower and the flags at the lake

A boat on the lake

This one is my favorite!  FINALE!!!

So they redeemed themselves on  this one.  I was very pleased.  This was on Saturday night, but TODAY (which is Tuesday for me) we had a fire!  The alarms went off and the little Marine said "THIS IS NOT A DRILL!"  We evacuated and watched the fire trucks pull up.  When they finally gave the all clear, I didnt see any damage, nor did I smell any smoke but I suspect its some joker who overcooked their lunch or popcorn.   No diplomats were harmed in today's events. :D

Happy 100th Canberra!!!

On March 11, 1913 Canberra was named as the capital of Australia.  This year marks the 100th anniversary of that decision and they decided to hold a big festival in honor of their birthday.  Since the lake plays such an important role in the city, they had stations all along the shore for presentations and events.  I only stayed on the South shore (you will see why later).

The festival opened with the word "Welcome" and there were booths set up for people to be welcomed by all the different cultures that make up Australia.

Its hard to tell, but it says "Welcome".  The wind blew these balloons all around!

As I walked around, I noticed that there were words everywhere.  If you look closely, you can just see the words "Our Home" in front of the Australian War Memorial

Further down, there were words in front of other buildings.  This one in front of the National Library of Australia was made from copy paper boxes.

There were roving performers entertaining everyone along the lake side.  The unique part about them is that while many people were on the shore, they were in boats!

This lady was singing opera.

There was a ferry that would take people back and forth from one side of the lake to the other.  I didnt do that.  Why?  Because this is the line..

As you can see, the line extends much further back than my camera would allow.  And then it twisted and turned...I decided to enjoy the festival from this side of the lake.

Im not sure if I just hit it at a wrong time or what but there was not much to do until about 3 pm.  Thats when I participated in a Welcome to Country ceremony.  It was pretty cool!

One of the Ngunnawal tribe elders (the Aboriginal tribe indigenous to the Canberra area) named "Aunty" Agnes Shea gave a speech, welcoming us to the 100th celebration and to the land.  It was very special.  The word on this site is a Ngunnawal word that she used in her speech but Im not sure what it means.  I know she used it in the context of "You are now welcome to leave your footprints on our land".  It was neat.

Aunty Agnes Shea welcoming us to the traditional lands.

Then, the coolest part was a performance by the Wiradjuri Echoes dance group.  The Wiradjuri tribe is native to the New South Wales area of Australia and not far from Canberra.  They performed a traditional "Smoking Ceremony" which I did not understand, but it kind of reminded me of the incense they use in church.  It was not unpleasant.

I was able to film the dances they performed, accompanied by a deadly didgeridoo player, but I discovered  that my camera does not record sound.  DOH!  There was not a great deal to do, but I can say I went.  I saw this cheeky fellow down by the banks while I sat in the shade for a bit of a rest.  He seemed to enjoy the day as much as I did.

Canberra turned 100 years old today and I can say I was here for that.  It was something to do on my free day off.  :D  I can hear some fireworks from my apartment, but there were not many and sort of disappointing for an event of this nature.  The Texas Rangers shoot off more fireworks for a home run.  They did bring it around for the finale, and Franklin and I watched it from our balcony.  Jackie slept through it.  Amazing how you dont notice big explosion noises when you grow up in Oak Cliff....Regardless, its a once in a lifetime event and I was here for it.

Happy 100th Birthday Canberra! 

FIIIIIIIIIIISH!!!!

Bonjour mes amis! Ce'st Moi Jacqueline!  My mom is watching something called Footy on our TV but it doesn't look like the usual football she watches.  They dont have helmets on and all the guys are wearing little shorts...its wierd but she seems to like it!  Its the Roosters versus the Rabbitohs but none of them look like roosters or rabbits to me.  Since she isnt paying me any attention and Im BORED, I thought I would say hi to all our friends at home and let you know what I think of Australia.

First of all, I thought for SURE we would get rid of Franklin.  He was winging (thats Australian for complaining!) since we moved out of our house in Dallas and the whole time we were at Grandma and Grandpas.  It was so annoying.  Then, they put us in the car and took us to the airport where we got on a plane for a LONG time.  On the plane, off the plane, to a cage, to the box, on a plane, off the plane.  It was exhausting!  We took a little vacation in Sydney but for some reason Mama didnt come.  Frank wouldnt eat because he was so scared that we lost her somewhere, but I knew we would see her.  Before I knew it, we were back on a plane and in a place Mom calls "Canberra".  I dont know what that means, but I do know they have tuna here so I like it.

This place is different from our house in Dallas.  There are stairs here and sometimes Frank and I start chasing each other and forget that the stairs are there and DOWN WE GO!  Most of the time, I just stay on the top level because thats where my food is.  I know Mom took pictures of me enjoying my new place so I will put them in

I wasnt too sure about this place my first day.  I didnt want to get too close to anything.

But later I decided I better check this place out and see whats up.

No stone, or table, left un-explored.

My very favorite part of this place is our patio.  Mama wont let us go outside because we are not on ground level and she is afraid we will try to jump down but she lets us look out.  Sometimes, when its nice outside she will open the door and put the screen up and its like we are outside.  Fresh air and wierd bird noises and its heaven!

I love looking out the patio!!!

Even that little wierdo Frank likes looking out, but I get the best seat since Im oldest.

I guess Frank is settling in too.  When we first got here,all he did was hide under Mom's bed.  Freak.  I had too much to check out to sit still but he was like a little kitty statue under there for days.  He has started roaming the house like a NORMAL kitty now but for some reason he has decided he like sitting in the night stands.  Whatever.

See? He drags it around in his mouth all over the place.

We have started playing more though.  Mom got some action shots of us playing with the few toys she brought with her on her first shipment.

He loves that stupid fishing pole.  Mom decided to indulge him and play but he drags it all over the house.

Its a stand off!

But I think the very best part is all the soft, comfy places we have to sleep.  We wouldnt have to sleep all over but Mom didnt pack our beds in the first shipment so they are still in route.  Its a travesty, but we have made due.

He wore himself out dragging that dumb fishing pole all over.

Mama hates these chairs but Frank thinks its comfy, I like to SCRATCH them.

For such a small little brat, he takes up so much room!

Its ridiculous the pampering she gives this punk.

  I suppose I have some pretty sweet spots too.  I have reclaimed MY spot on the couch.  Its not the same couch we have in Texas, but if I dance on it enough I can fluff it to my specifications.

I dont know why she cant just take a nap like Im trying to do....

THIS is the way I should be treated.

The only reason Im sleeping here is because thats where my blanket is...

So all in all, it was rough to start but we are getting adjusted.  We have not had any house guests yet but we can sometimes hear the neighbors leaving their apartments when the door slams.  Its no big deal but Frank jumps a mile when it happens.

Mom decided to make her own pizza.  Someone has to supervise her , I don't know how she got by before we got here.

Looks settled in right?

He is so cute when he isn't annoying me.

So, Au revoir mes chers! I kinda dig it here.  I havent seen any other animals except the birds and they make funny noises. As long as my mom is here, I am super.  Grandma is coming for a visit soon....let the treats be free flowing!!