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Because last December I stayed in Australia, and my Australian family celebrated Christmas, so I automatically also follow all the Christmas busy time to. The Christmas feel actually already felt since November. All the commercial at televisions already put their Christmas discounts. Of course I could saw lots of toys commercials, not to mention a special package for Christmas holiday.

In Australia, we didn't celebrate Christmas with snow, because winter in Australia is at the middle of the year. So, how we celebrate Christmas in Australia? WITH SUMMER!!! Yes, Christmas time in Australia mean summer time. So, don't be shock if you saw an Australian commercial at Christmas full of beach and beach and beach.

Also read: First Time Playing Snow at Lake Mountain, Australia

Not like in my country, Indonesia, which have lots of red calendar dates (means lots of holidays). In Australia they don't have as much as Indonesia. But for Christmas, they have two red calendar dates, 25 and 26 of December. Christmas celebration at 25 of December, and Boxing Day at 26 of December, which in Indonesia they don't have a special day for boxing day.

My boyfriend and his ex-wife, after their divorce, had their old tradition, that all of their children will having feast in both house at the same day. So if they have Christmas lunch at their mother's house, they will have Christmas dinner at their father's, vice versa.

For this Christmas, they change the tradition. Since the children still full after Christmas lunch, they made two days family feast, at Christmas day and Boxing day, and they make all feasts are for lunch. Because the kids always eat lots of meal when they have their lunch feast, so sometimes they feel still full when they also have to attend the dinner feast.

Since this Christmas they had their lunch at their mother's house, so we just prepared our lunch feast at boxing day. Next Christmas, it will be our turn to have lunch feast at Christmas. 

My boyfriend still have his own tradition for giving a Christmas present to all of his children and grandchild (even thought all of his children already an adult). He used to bought more than one present for each of them. But since we already busy (and he still had me not working) because my visa applications, even thought he tried to bought a present, but not as much as before. But I am a little sad and guilty because of me his children didn't have a Christmas present.

Luckily his daughter understand it, and all she wants just his father fixing her bikes. Which she already requested since two years ago. So, two weeks before Christmas, after working, my boyfriend spend one until two hours at the garage to fixed his daughter's bike.

But, he still able to bought presents for his grandchild. Since both of his grandchild still a young kids. His granddaughter is three years old and his grandson is 6 months old. So, we took our time to search the presents at shopping malls.

His granddaughter once been asked what she want for Christmas, and she said she wants a butterfly. Alright, how could you find something "butterfly" for a three years old kids????? For this only, we had to came into two different big shopping malls. 

He had a bad mood because we can't get the trolley

Not to mention for boxing day's lunch feast, we had to buy three different meats. He always had his signature dish at Christmas, which is Lechon pork, a Philipino's recipe, don't ask me how he get it. Then he planned to make roasted chicken and also slow cooker lamb.

And, at Christmas, since we didn't had anyone to come, so we plan to go to beach. Then, we also need some drinks, snacks, and things to bring at the beach.

Took us a good an hour before we can find a trolley for ouselves

We started our shopping two days before Christmas day. Which if you did that, you will find lots of people have the same thought, SHOPPING FOR DISCOUNT. Yes, at the last minute time like this, most of the stores start to throw lots of discounts. It is really cheap, but it also have lots of people. In the time like this, the shopping mall which packed of people.

Because it's summer here, means beach time, LOL. Especially, in this Christmas holiday, we are planning to go to the beach, because the kids will come at boxing day. Perfect weather, and all the things we need to supply our beach holiday and also for feast at boxing day already set.

Since lots of people will think the same way like us, going to the beach (especially those whom not celebrate Christmas), we decided to find calmer and far from tourist beach. Even we decided to drove to Mornington, I was a little bit worried because when we passed Mornington Park, I could see lots of tourist fill that park. I worried that the beach will be packed like Bondi in NSW.

Luckily, our beach is really quite, and not having lots of tourist in it. The beach is at Mt. Martha, beside not much tourist, the beach also have the bathing box like Brighton Beach.

Also read: Hello Straya: Brighton Beach

Beach at Mt. Martha, only four groups visitors, and I like it

We brought our tent, for keeping all of our things, and also icebox (or eski in Strayan language) that fill with lots of cold drink, and also lots and lots of snacks. Because, once you out from the water, you will be really hungry.

Tips: After having your meal, take 10 until 15 minutes rest before you come back to the water.

After coming back from the beach, we have no time for resting, we should start to prepare all the meals for lunch at Boxing day. We started to clean all the meats. My boyfriend started to put all the spices at the pork, and also put the lamb at the slow cooker (we left it a night for cook). We also have to wake up early at boxing day for preparing the other meal and cleaning the house, plus decorate the table.

Looks like it's simple, no it's not T_T. Plus, at the boxing day, we woke up at 9am, while the feast scheduled at 12.30pm. Not really in hurry too, but since we have to do lots of things, and I didn't know what to do with all those meal, I give all those meal things to my boyfriend.

Our Christmas Lunch at Boxing day

Since my boyfriend taking care the meal at the kitchen, I decorated the table, and also help him at the kitchen, doing something that I understand, like frying the meal that have to fried, etc. Since this is my first time being busy for celebration, so I a little bit confuse and lost.

The kids gathered around 1pm, then we started our lunch. It was delicious lunch. All those meats are perfect. Juicy and tender, LOL.

After lunch, it's time for unboxing the present. Since only the little granddaughter that came, so yes, after two different big shopping malls, finally we reveal the "butterfly" things that we bought for her. It's two fairy wings, LOL.

Our lovely granddaughter with her butterfly wing

She keep saying those wings are for Halloween, not for Christmas, but we keep told her that it is a butterfly wings, and she can wear it anytime. Actually we don't want her to reject the present anyway, it hard to find something butterfly-ie.

Second present was the fishing toy. Since I am too concern about age restriction, I always re-check again that the toys is fit for her age or not. Luckily at Aussie, it is easy to find out that the toy is the right toy for her age or not. Like this fishing toy, we bought it because it said it fit for 3 years+ age.

Actually, I knew that she really like playing pretending, pretending to be a mother or pretending to be a teacher. Maybe because she stay with her grandmother (my boyfriend ex-wife), and spent lots of time at her kinder. But I really can't find the exact toy for her and her imagination. Dolls? Don't mention me, she already have lots of dolls.

At first I want to buy her a toy stroller, but my boyfriend said he want to give her something that making her not move a lot inside the house. Because our house is not too big, and easily to get messy when the kids come. At the end we bought that fishing toy. You can guess it, not until 10 minutes she already bored, because she finds it's so difficult to catch the fish with the fishing rod, she prefer do it with her hand. LOL.

Don't tell me about Christmas present, I even never get a birthday present back in my country, Indonesia. No, it's not about the Indonesian culture, but nobody around me celebrate it. The first present I had is one birthday present from all my high school's friend at my farewell party before move to Australia. LOL.

So, I was so overwhelming when I also get the Christmas present. My boyfriend gave me a box of Lindt chocolate, and a paint-your-own-mug thing. LOL. Still, I am happy to have that.

Beside him, his daughter also gave me a set of Harry Potter's Marauder Map's Puzzle and 9 3/4 Hogwart Express plate. She know me well, LOL. Love the present so much.  

I have a Christmas present too from our daughter :)

I am really happy, not because get the present only, but I feel that I already accepted into his family, sharing the holiday together. I also have a great relations with his ex-wife too. She is really nice and bubbly person, so lovely, and we put her as our witness for my visa application too. 

Since this was my first time celebrating something with family, I really, really overwhelming. Because I never celebrate something with my Indonesian family, and we never celebrate something special, so this was my first experience celebrating something, and I really really love it.

maybe you know, maybe you don't that my boyfriend have a daughter. His daughter have lots of activities, one of her activities is she is the Relay for Life member. Relay for life is annual event that held by Cancer Council all around the world. Starter at 1985 in America, some of the doctor want to raise awareness about cancer.

First Event 

In Australia, Relay for Life started at 1999, and donate around $75,000 for Cancer Council. Since then, every year in all Australian states, they held this event. All the fund that has been donated will be used for Cancer Council, a non profit organization for cancer, to do experiment and also learning about cancer early detection, how to reduce the risk get cancer, and also support and handling for cancer patients.

Who Can Participate

Not only the crew family can join this event. They who have concern about cancer are welcome to this event. It could be those who become the cancer survivor, they who lost their beloved because of cancer, or they who care and concern about this cancer disease. What kind of cancer? Any. From breast cancer until skin cancer. All of them. Talking about skin cancer, don't you know two from three Australian detected have a skin cancer?

There is no age restriction, my boyfriend's grandson, who is only five months has did his first relay in this year relay. The senior citizen who still have passion and want to support also able to join this event.

Of course my boyfriend's daughter also invited the entire of her family to joint this event. This event is simple, all you going to do just walk around the marathon area. Started from 4pm and ended at 12pm the next day. They also have entertainment, from the crew and also from the people who joint the event. All they did just brought a tent that fit all the family members who follow the event, and also supply for one day. Because you will be at this place for one day full.

Beside my boyfriend and I, my boyfriend's ex-wife's family also take a part of this event. They already became the member  of this event every year. Not just like my boyfriend and i who just came at almost midnight and have three laps walking, his ex-wife family already there since it started.

What Else You Can Find in This Event

You could find lots of snack booths here, and also you can find the arts or anything that the member of this event sells. At the edge of the marathon track, you can find lots of tents circle around, and found some booth that they made for selling their things. Some games also can be find in this event. So it's not just only walking, the crew and also the member it self prepared them self for lots of game to kill their boredom. Beside, they also have live music, and also price for them who have the most walk that day.
They also have a good photo booth spot. For someone who like to take a picture, this place is gem LOL.

Because we came almost midnight, some people already warm themselves inside their tent. Some still walked around. Some also trying to still awake by having chat too. Or making a fun game for them selves. And also enjoying the live music that ended up at 11pm.
You could spot some banners at the other edge of the track. All the banners are stated with all the words with awareness and prevention about cancer. You will get educated too in this event.

How to Join

To join this event, all you going to do just register at their website. After you enter the website, you can choose to joint as a member of the event or member of the view, then tell them you shirt size, and how much you want to donate, minimum only $25. When you finish, just pay the donation and confirm, then you can join the event at the place where you registered.

Not Only at Australia

Global Relay For Life Logo

This event is held everywhere around the world. The global relay for life have been held by 29 nations, such as Belgium, Jamaica, UK, South Africa, Ireland, Denmark, India, Turkey, Singapore, Philipine, and of course America.

Relay For Life Australia Logo

All the states at Australia become the member of this event. Starting from the Northern Territory until Victoria. All you going to do just come into their website, then choose which state you in, and choose the Relay schedule that fit for you and your place. The schedule for one year already stated at their website.

It already 26 places around Victoria being scheduled for 2018 event. Cranbourne Narre itself have their schedule at November, and it always around November. So sometimes you still can feel the cold, or half cold, or sometimes it's warm, because it already end of the spring and enter summer.

Too bad, from 29 nations, my country, Indonesia is not one of them.


For me, this is my second time came to this event. First time was my last day at Australia, because I will return to Indonesia the next day. It was last year. Event I still not participated for a full time, but from what I found, I can see lots of people care and trying to raise the awareness about cancer. Them who care about healthiness, them who survive the cancer, them who lost their beloved and want to give their support to another, all of them are strong people who care to each other.

Do you think my country, Indonesia have a chance to do this global movement too? Knowing Singapore and Philippines are also part of this movement.

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Good day all,

Remember the post about me having a present for my boyfriend birthday? If you forget, you can click THIS LINK.
Since he have Wookie as his nick name, which is taken from the Chewbacca from Star wars, so it's like a tradition that all the people around him giving a wookie present for him.

Even my first plan was came back to Melbourne at his birthday month, but because of something, I finally flew a month after his birthday. That is a good thing, because it means I have one more month to finish my project.

Where I stay is a little bit difficult to find anything about Chewbacca. Again, I have to depend on the internet to find what I want. The good thing giving the present a little late is that you know what kind a presents he already have. Like this year he got wookie beanie, wookie wine glass, and wookie bottle opener. Sometimes it also stressed you up, because you will need something elese. At the end, I decided to give him Chewbacca Funko-Pop. This kin of toys is a big hit in Indonesia, actually I also want to have some, but still don't know what character I want to have. Again, I am looking for this present at mataharimall.com.

My project actually making my own birthday card. Since I want to give it to him for his birthday, so I am looking for the design all around the internet, until I found one instagram account called@surelysimpleblog. This account giving you lots of example about making very simple design but beautiful.

These are some of the design that I've tried:

First attempt, small wrath

bigger one

Difficult shape one

Sometimes I stuck because I don't know what else I have to do. Because at the same month I arrive there, we also celebrate our anniversary, so I thought I should have one more card for our anniversary. And of course I depend on internet to find the idea. Well... At first this is my first attempt:

And I tried hard to made it:

And at the end, I failed...
Finally I made cards with my own idea.
For the paper, I choosed corrugated sheet paper, because it looks cool, and thick. So I can use it as the basic of my card. I also can fold or cut it.
I also use two kind of origami paper, one with no motif, the other one with the motif.
Beside that, I also add a dry flower.

First attempt of making a DIY card

Inside the card



The first card was not satisfied me, look so bad, so I tried to made the second one.

VOILAAAAA!!!!!

Here you go, the card for my boyfriend's birthday & our anniversary

Courtesy his facebook page

Good day all,

When i was at Melbourne, my boyfriend introduce me to lots of his family, and also the Australian way of life. But they also asked me about Indonesia of course. Having myself at the new family circle for the first time

At baby Mia's birthday, my boyfriend's ex mother in law suddenly came to me and asked me to join her group. And the questions started. Oh yes, they knew I am an Indonesian, and where I stay in Indonesia. I'm guessing my boyfriend tells them all. They asked me about my journey,a nd I've told them about my 24 hours journey. and I said,"... and I have 5 hours transit in Surabaya for my next flight to Bali." I saw them confused. "Where is Surabaya? Do you know it?" Said one of them. "Oh I don't know it either." And ended up I have to explain about Indonesia to them.

"Oh, I see, Indonesia have lots of islands then? And Surabaya in Java Island."

"Isn't it Jakarta in Java Island?"

"Does Bali and Balikpapan at the same island?"

"So Balikpapan, Surabaya, and Bali are in the different islands."

Even I tried my best explained to them about Indonesia, I think it is too short to explain all. At the end, I just let them wandering about Indonesia.

Some people also asked a ridiculous questions. Just like my boyfriend's son's ex girlfriend:

This pretty girl is not finished there, then she asked another question, which I think it's so ridiculous.

Beside saying Maccas instead Mc. Donalds, they also have their own language for Burger King. In Australia, you will never find Burger King here, instead of Burger King, you will fing Hungry Jack. Same logo, same color, different name.

We all know Australian saying "G'day mate". Beside that, they also have their own calling name for other Caucasians, like POMS for British, Yank for American, and other. My favorite is woop woop, which means they going somewhere far, even them self can't explain the place. And don't be wrong when Australian says "thong" it doesn't mean some kind of bikini, but it is their words of American flip flop.

The example of Australian Slang

A must try food? Why don't you try pie. Same shape like fruit pie that we know, but it's smaller, and it consist of meat. You choose the meat, chicke, beef, or pork. 

Australian Chicken Pie

You also have to try vegemite. Even its origin is come from England, but nowadays vegemite is Australian national food. If you try it the first time best not try it in a huge amount, because it's bitter and strong flavour.

Vegemite Jam

Bundaberg is Australian ginger beer with no alcohol at all. You should try this. 

Ginger Beer

My favorite ice cream... GOLDEN GAYTIME! It looks like magnum, but not full of chocolate. This vanilla icecream wrapped with cocholate and nuts, really soft when you bite it. You can have it anytime.

My Favorite Ice Cream, Golden Gaytime, by Streets

Kangaroo and Wallaby is two different animals. Even physically they look a like, but Wallaby is smaller than kangaroo. Kangaroo bigger and consist with muscle and muscle. Don't ever get close with wild kangaroo, they are wild (LOL).

In Melbourne there is four season, like any other Countries at Europe. Just, their four seasons is different. We can't find snow at Christmas Eve, because Melbourne just have their summer at November. 

Christmas at Straya

I really amazed with Australian way of life. No car parked in every corner of the street, how they called it traffic jam, how they supermarket work, about the playground, picnic place, the cleanest, how I really enjoy walking at the city.

Maybe some of you asking how you drive in Australia? For Indonesia, it's not different, their driving at the left.

And,
bonus, this is (un)official Australia Anthem for you... I really like this song... LOL