Hello From Canberra!

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to pop in quickly (Im at a public library) to update you on what's going on with us.

Here's what we've been doing:

* We moved in and settled on the Navy Base a couple of weeks ago.
* We attended Army (members with dependants) Induction last Monday.
* We attended my cousin's wedding (Congratulations Lauren & Doug!) in NSW last Saturday.
* Mum, Dad & Laura came down from Sydney for a visit.
* We are starting to network, me (Megan) in particular with army spouses. Weve been to a BBQ, out for coffee, trying to connect into some groups, the neighbours had us over yesterday too. Made a few contacts with the ladies in third class (Mark will do 3rd class for 6 months, then 2nd class until the end of this year and then complete his training in 1st class next year for 6 months).
* We have been visiting a few churches, yesterday we went to church with a 1st class family we had a link with. I will try and link up with the Women's Group at this church, which will be held at this particular family's house.
* We have been working out daily in the pool on our base. Its been warm during the day and then freezing cold at night.
* We have a BEAUTIFUL dog. We adopted him last Tuesday and he has just settled in so quickly. He is the most lovely dog, beautiful nature. He is 7.5 years old, a bit of a mixture os breeds but mainly Bull Terrier and Staffy. He is quick happy to follow either of us round all day and loves to go for a walk in the morning, then sleep the rest of the day - his favourite spot to sleep is on our feet. He loves cuddles, morning walkies, swimming at the lake, playing chasey with the ball (doesnt drop the ball - and gets tired after 5 or so mins) and just being around us. His name is Brutus, but hasnt got a brutal bone in his little body.
* Mark leaves tomorrow for training for 8 weeks. There will be minimal contact, one 10min call every 5 or so days if he's lucky.
*Telstra is SO annoying!! Driving us nuts! Doesnt recognise our suburb as being an actual suburb, hence why no internet. And we wont be able to get it for a few weeks because...

* We're moving, again! I'm kind of happy, kind of annoyed about it... but they are moving us on base at Duntroon, where we were supposed to be in the first place but Defence Housing stuffed up. It will be in 2 or so weeks, so I'll have to do it all on my own. But same deal, they pack for us and move us. And Im moving into the street where all the other spouses that I know are, which is great, not so isolated. Our neighbours will be a couple we've striked up a friendship with. Its a 2-storey town house. Contact us for the new address via my mobile.

So thats us in a nut shell. Give me a call on my mobile if you want, I'd love to hear from people, I haven't heard much from little old Adelaide.

I hope to organise a phone line again and internet in a few weeks or so and I'll have to come back to the library here to check my emails in the mean time anyway.

Until next time, God bless you.

Megan & Mark
xo

So Long... Farewell...

So we are officially on the move. I must be honest, I havent really had time to think about it all properly yet and register that we are going.

The pack and uplift (army term for 'removal') went well. You should have seen the size of the packing containers our stuff was loaded on!! We will have photos to upload and show when we arrive in Canberra. Our stuff is going by rail to Canberra, should be there by now. We have been totally blessed with some wonderful things to set up our home with.

For those who gave money for our wedding this is what we have been able to purchase so far:

* An Iron (Platinum Iron - Mark needs it to be good for his uniforms)
* A Kettle
*A Wiltshire Knife Block & Set of Knives
* A New Pillow For Mark

In Canberra we plan to purchase:
* Bookcases (too hard to purchase here and ship over)
* A Small TV
* A Fridge/Freezer
* Internet Connection
* Personal Wills
* A Spare Bed (For Guests!)

And.... A DOG!!! :D Yay!! Weve decided to get a dog, something medium sized, from the pound of course (we want to save a beautiful life from there) that will be loving as well as protective while Mark's away. Some company for me and hopefully will help us to go on daily walks together in the evenings.

We leave next Tuesday and we'll arrive and collect the keys on Wednesday arvo - that's all be finalised now. As my mum pointed out the other day, 6 must be our lucky number. Our engagement party was the 6th September, wedding was the 6th of December and we move interstate on the 6th of January. Funny, hey?

We have a wedding in Sydney on the 10th Jan (my cousin) and Mum, Dad & Laura (sister) will be coming down from Sydney to visit on the 11th Jan.

Mark and I have a family information induction for army on the 12th and Mark leaves for 8 weeks (minimal to no contact) on the 20th of Jan.

We will attempt to get the internet up and running as soon as we can.

Much love to my beautiful sister and 'sisters', Laura, Angie, Lynette and Wendy, who have been a constant support, encouragement, love and have been through alot with me together.

Hello to Fiona and David, Nick and Aunty Rose and Uncle David, who we know are following along and reading our blog.

So... this is farewell for now. We'll see you on the other side. :)

Much love to you all,
Megan & Mark
xo