Michelle wrote me the most painfully beautiful letter ever. It’s dated from the 18th, but she wrote it on the 19th, while I was packing. She gave it to me on the morning of the 20th, at the Armidale airport, just before I was getting on the plane.

Michelle and I sortof figured things out on the 16th, hoping that things will be better living apart in Brisbane. But everything fell apart on the 18th, and on the 19th I booked my flight to Sydney. For the 20th.

A month in Armidale coming to a close. Some very good times here, with Michelle’s family and friends. A busy Christmas, with a visit to the local, outdoor, swimming pool on Christmas Eve, 12 people opening gifts in the morning (mom, dad, 5 sisters, Tam’s husband Marc, their 3 kids, and me). An absolutely phenomenal [...]

Not much time to think and relax here, 5 sisters, 3 grand kids, friends and significant others, it’s pretty overwhelming sometimes. Tam’s birthday today, Michelle’s 5 days ago. Everyone is up early, singing happy birthday to the birthday girl, then chocolate and cookies for breakfast (as well as some good food) and presents and everything [...]

Figured out that the bus I’m waiting for doesn’t leave at 8:30 but at 9:30. The terminal is already pretty packed. Visited the office (that is now open) and I’m a student paying student fare, and have a ticket, so there is room on the bus for me! 6 and a half hours and I’ll [...]

En route to Armidale, I hope. I’m in Port Macquarie, waiting for a bus to show up. Feels like many days – last day at Gloria’s was good, she insisted on paying me for some of the roofing work ($50!) and invited me back to do “Part Wwoof and part paid work” in January, but [...]

Went into Nimbin this afternoon with Gloria, she needed to pick some stuff up. Used the internet to send some emails. Spoke to my parents last night, but did the calculations for the time difference as if I were still in Queensland when I’m actually in NSW, so it was 6:30 AM, not 7:30 AM.

Lonely. A nice night with Gloria, Scrabble (her 330 won easily, but not doubling my 198), veggie stew, conversation. Another person you can tell anything because they don’t really remember.

Playing flute makes me happy. I played for the others a few nights ago, but it is much more relieving to play for me.

I have a feeling that I won’t see them again. The girls decided to get a lift with Tomi today, instead of staying around until Tuesday. I’ve promised myself that I wouldn’t get in the van again – there were very negative vibes in it on the last ride.