There is a eucalyptus tree outside of our bedroom window. It's a tall tree; it rises higher than our five story apartment building. The trunk is slender and smooth. Only near its top do the branches point out in all directions sprouting thin green leaves at its tips. Generally speaking it is a very aesthetically pleasing piece of nature. The sort of thing struggling poets seek inspiration. This tree may be responsible for inspiring the next great ballad of our time, but it is also home to a flock of birds. Being generous, I would estimate the flock to include approximately one hundred birds.
I'm not sure whether there is such a thing as "bird-chirping weather", but, if there is, it is not my favourite weather. This flock of birds living outside of our bedroom window wakes with the rising sun. It all begins with a single squawk. That single squawk alerts the others that a new day has begun. As each bird awakes it honourably plays its part and lets out a squawk of its own. In mere moments the alarm is in full effect - one hundred birds flying in circles squawking to their hearts content at the break of dawn. Steph and I have agreed it is probably the most irritating noise we have ever heard. Our displeasure for the sound is also no doubt related to the fact that it occurs at daybreak - even on weekends. However, it is not a pleasant chorus of chirping. When these birds squawk it sounds like a cross between a velosiraptor shriek and a domestic cat heaving up a hair ball. All this being said, it is a very effective alarm clock and we are never late for work.
Just recently, Steph and I were awoken in the middle of the night because of a heavy rain. It felt as if it were raining inside of the apartment. And then we realized it was! The rain was unable to flow through the drainage systems properly and was forced back through the building's duct work. The ventilation ducts in our bathroom are located directly over the toilet. We had been awaken by the sound of rain dropping in our toilet bowl. Of all the places to spring a leak this was one of the more convenient places. As Steph and I stood by the bathroom door watching the rain fall into our toilet, I reassured her that the toilet had everything under control and that we should try and get back to sleep. There was a moment of silence before she shyly exclaimed, "But I have to pee." I found this quite humorous and turned to her grinning. Realizing the only solution to this predicament she began to smile too. "Well, you better grab the umbrella," I replied laughing. The last memory I have before falling asleep is Steph popping the umbrella open as she entered the bathroom mumbling something about searching for new apartment listings.
It's been a couple months since we've last shared our Australian experiences with you in the form of a slide show. It light of this, we've gathered photos taken during the months of May and June and put together a slide show for your enjoyment. Some of the photos are from adventures or travels that we've not yet had the chance to share with you in the traditional blog format. But we will - just be patient.
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