In Reply to: Yes Brodie was in the paper posted by Michelle_GoldCoast on Friday, 29. December 2006 at 19:35 Bali Time:
We got out the old school photos last night. We have one son Dane who was in your daughter's class in Grade 3. If you have that photo of Ms Meech's class he is in the back row second from the right. He thought he may have also been in Grade 4 with her but we don't have that year's photo as he said we were in Bali when it was taken. How is that for a good memory. He also remembers your daughter saying that you often go to Bali. His teachers always got Bali pressies at Xmas time. My husband Garth also worked as a teacher aide at Caningeraba with 'special needs' children many moons ago.
We usually go to Bali in our winter for the surf and normally not in school holidays as I can get industry specials and more often than not they can't be be taken in school holidays. We got cheap Jetstar flights for next year - looks like Varsity will be getting another 'sorry my son won't be at school note'.
He is a keen surfer/bodyboarder and filmer and is flying to Sydney on Monday with 4 of his mates and they are heading down to Gerringong on the South Coast for a surfing safari. He is then planning to fly to the Cook Islands for another surfing trip when he comes back. This will be the first time he has been on holidays without us. Oh dear - I suppose we have to let go of those strings some time. I normally fill out all his customs and immigration forms so this will be a first. I'll make sure he at least packs a pen. Told him to lock his bags and please don't lose your passport.
We were intensely questioned at Denpasar Airport this year over his camera equipment. Had a white cross on a bag (first time ever) didn't panic cause I had locked and tied all our bags, surfboard and bodyboard bags (first time ever). They wanted to search a bag that had only clothes and a tripod in it. First question - you have alcohol? - no don't drink. Then he wanted to see the video camera which was in carry on luggage with the water housing. 101 questions -Is it film or photo? Must have asked this at least 4 times. What difference that made I have no idea. How much it cost? I plucked a figure out of the air and said $900 - he came back with American or Australian dollars? Felt like I was on a quiz show. Geez mate we are a family coming here on holidays and are going to film our trip both on land and in the water. How many people take cameras to Bali? Then he counted us 1, 2 , 3 OK you can go. Wow what was that all about! Did we look like a group of professional photographers coming in on business - I think not. Maybe he was disappointed that I did not have alcohol in my bag - who knows.
Well now our babies are all grown up and next year we will have the dreaded schoolies. It only seems like yesterday that they were starting their first day at big school. Gosh I hope he doesn't want to go in to Surfers Paradise. Hawaii is looking good.
Yes life is precious and I count my blessings EVERY day. May you and your family have a happy and HEALTHY 2007.
Best Wishes Lorraine