Day 63: 4/3/13
I didn't get a call this morning. I don't know if I would have answered one anyway as it took me ages to go to sleep last night and I was wrecked at 6am.
I had to start packing when I got up. I didn't think I had an awful lot of stuff but the more I tried to fit in the bag, the more it wasn't happening! I'll be leaving a good bit behind me- lots of books that I was sent for Christmas, some make-up and toiletries I don't need, letters and things about teaching up here that I don't need anymore, some clothes, some shoes.... I don't know how I have so much stuff! I can have 35kg so I hope it isn't over that or ill have to go dumping again at the airport! I'm still not packed properly anyway, I'll have to finish it in the morning. Luckily the flight isn't until 2:20 I think. It's with Tiger Airways so I'm sure if ye want to find it ye will be able. Shane is coming back to Brisbabe tonight so I should be able to see him in the morning.
I went to Mass this evening and said a few prayers for Nana. The Cathedral had Mass advertised for 5:10 but there didn't seem to be much happening. I was glad I asked someone because the Mass was actually on in a small chapel next door. It was nice to be able to do something in relation to Nana.
When I got back I skyped home and heard all about the evening/night they had. Nana came back from the hospital around 5 in the evening and they had lots of visitors, tea and drink for the night. It sounds like lots of neighbours called which was nice. I would have liked to have been there.
I was thinking about Nana a lot today and the phrase 'One time, back in our place...' Keeps popping into my head, making me smile. We heard loads of stories about her place.... The goose and they all had legs! I remember her talking to me a lot about school aswell and walking to and from school- it always sounded like they had lots of fun. She's unbelievable faith and strong beliefs and she was always really strong and really hard working. She had a lot to do when her father died young- she basically had to keep the fam going. She was probably one of the most generous people ever and was always makin something for black babies! In school she used to make the crocheted bags from plastic bags- we all had them! She was ahead of us all with the recycling! Even though she was quite argumentative (which I have probably gotten from her) she was nearly always laughing. She loved a joke. At Christmas she loved the jokes in the crackers and when they were told commented 'its a cracker'! We got fairly caught with the Brendan Grace dvd one Christmas too thinking it would be suitable for her but was a bit raunchier than expected!! she thouht the Xbox kinect was hilarious and was roaring laughing at Daddy trying to run hurdles!! I was thinking of the man on the Carr asal aswell- what's the name of the trousers that the posh guy had? And what was the whole story about anyway, apart from the fact that he was on a Carr asal. Daddy tells me I'm very like her- I hope I can live until 89 too! We have the same taste in food anyway- she didn't like Brussels sprouts, turnips or parsnips either and she loved the sausage meat stuffing! I don't think I have as much of a sweet tooth as her though, although I remember her giving us brown bread with butter and sugar! Cliona driving Nana up and down to Kathleen's house and then her telling Cliona the next day that shed been there is still one of the funniest stories I've ever heard!
It's Clionas birthday today, which is kinda crap for her. Nana Julia's funeral was on Emma's birthday which is weird. Hopefully she'll celebrate being 21 over the next few weeks anyway, even if she can't think about it today. Happy birthday anyway Cliona!