Milestones

This past week has been one of milestones.

My birthday sunrise, before work.

Thursday was my birthday, the big 3 0.

How an earth did that happen?

I am sure my mother is having the same thoughts at having a 30yr old daughter.

I think I've been a bit worried about reaching this age milestone but now I've leapt over that fence, it really is just another number.

Actually, it was a pretty non eventful day with just work, where I did get a little spoilt and get cake (which was needed after a morning of 12 toddler cyclones in the room), and antenatal class. It was over in the blink of an eye. 

I am hoping for a great year ahead and for another awesome 30 to follow filled with fun, family, growth, joy, new experiences and much more.

Saturday saw me reach 30 weeks.

Yet again, how an earth did that happen?

This whole pregnancy is speeding by.

30weeks

This week I also managed to be awake for the sunrise a few mornings AND to get out for photos at the lookout on Lake Morris/ Copperlode Dam road on Friday morning.

How exciting, the sun was actually out! 

Obviously, as per usual, I don't have a life beyond work (51 hours + travel this week) so the small things turn into big things. When I actually realise how many hours I've done between both jobs, I guess my tiredness is justified.

It was nice to get out and enjoy the quiet of the morning.

I better enjoy this while I can.

Speaking of which, 30 weeks means the paperwork for my parental leave from my night fill job has been handed in. End date in sight!

Thursday night we headed off to our second antenatal class, Mr Sparky under duress. I might have had a bit of a bit of freak out about not being ready for all this during and after class but a good nights sleep and this sunrise helped to put that behind me.

Sometimes I way overthink things. Well if you listen to Mr Sparky, it is more like all the time.

But hey, how could a view like this not sooth worries.

A bonus was that because of the recent rain the little waterfall on this road was flowing, not a lot but still pretty to see.

Friday was a day off for me, not that I did much other than washing and paperwork and of cause my little sunrise drive. I did have to go to work that night though. What a way at wreck a day off.

I just pretend my birthday was extended for a day so that I got to spend it more how I wanted to rather than at work like I did.

29 weeks + 6 days - me and my chins and my lens in my back pocket.

What do you like to do on your days off or days alone?

Any milestones coming up for you?

Golden City

Friday morning, the morning of my last day of vacation care, I decided to enjoy the sunrise.

I thought I'd head up the hill ... close to home and a view I don't make use of enough, well not at that time of day.

I should have left home earlier but I ummed and ahhed for a bit because I had to go to work.

 I have been looking after the school aged kids during their school holidays in the daycare center I work. It has certainly been a full on two weeks and one which I'm not sure I would have come out entirely sane without the lovely bus driver/ partner in child minding crime I had for most days. She was my bit of adult company. It was fun though and we were here, there and everywhere for the two weeks.

Crazy me was also doing my night work. I survived though.

And now even crazier me has agreed to a split shift tomorrow. The first starts at 5am for four or five hours and the next at 8pm for four hours. It is going to be a long day. At least I will have time for a nap.

So my morning lookout on Friday was on the Lake Morris Road or Copperlode Dam Road.

The golden light of the sunrise light the city up. 

It also turned that waterfall near there into a golden falls. If only it was gold ... the things we could do with that.

It was surprisingly quiet up there. Usually I am up there in the evening and there are many people riding and walking up the hill along with the lazy sunset watchers like me who drive up.

Winter is looking good. 

I was in shorts and a t-shirt and didn't even feel anything close to chilly.

Definitely the tropics.

Actually, winter has been very ... not winter like at all, even for here.

After my sunrise viewing I was ready to take on the day.

I am hoping to get out and about a little more this coming week.

I've decided I should put a house right in this spot so I can enjoy the view all the time. What do you think? I'm sure no one will mind if I take over the lookout and road.

I hope you've been having a great weekend and ...

have a great week!

Glowing

The city was glowing last night.

We headed up to the Copperlode Dam lookout last night and the city had turned on some magic with sparkling and glowing lights. You could even spot people's Christmas lights from afar, adding extra lights and colour.

Way in the distance, along the coast, we could spot the top of the casino and a cruise ship in port.

It was so nice up there with a cool breeze but you could see the humidity reflecting the lights. 

It was a pretty popular idea to head up to the lookout last night. Not only was Mr Sparky there, who I managed to drag up the hill again, but so were many families who came up for the view.

To see the view of the fireworks that heralded the end of the city Carols by Candlelight. 

Mind you fireworks that were meant to be on at 8:30pm didn't start until after 9pm. Gotta love things running on 'Cairns time'.

It is things like this that get my Christmas excitement going. That little fuzz of Christmas excitement that starts small and fills your body with joy and happiness.

It was a great view, although a long way from the fireworks.

It was unforgettable too, not for the fireworks but because of that family beside us whose child had the need to empty the contents of their stomach and then had the very strong need to describe the contents while waiting for the fire works. Gotta love kids. It turns out they had been into the choc chip biccies.

I hope that little story didn't turn you off your food.

Other than that it was a perfect way to spend the evening.

I am still swinging up and down in my feelings about another Christmas away from family but this, this kind of thing helps a little with the cheer part of the season.

Do you love fireworks?

What brings you Christmas cheer?

Neither of us are even slightly organised Christmas wise and have yet to decide what to do. I guess we better decide on that soon. 

Don't you just love the repeated question 'what do you want for Christmas?' It is like a broken record.

We haven't really made any Christmas traditions together yet but that will come with time.

What are some traditions you have?

 Oh, my pet photo stint has lead to assisting with Santa photos close to where I live in the lead up to Christmas. I am excitied to have something else to do. I think I'm just printing photos but that is still fun.

I hope you are finding joy and cheer this silly season ... and a little bit of glow and sparkle.

Cairns from the lookout at night and during the day.

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