Principals, planes and plantings

Having resisted posting for almost a year, Melissa is our guest writer this month!

Almost another month has passed since our last blog. The temperature in Dubai has risen, as has the humidity and we have flown off for cooler shores. As the saying goes, "be careful what you wish for" as the Melbourne evenings are decidedly cooler than those we have been used to in Dubai.

The theatre scene in Dubai is small, but very enthusiastic, and the summer sees overseas professionals (usually from the West End in London) joining forces with local talent to put on some wonderful shows. This summer saw Fame! and HairSpray come to Dubai. Sarah auditioned and was fortunate enough to land an ensemble role in the musical HairSpray. She also had a minor speaking part as the Principal of the High School (in the stage show, it is the Principal that sends Tracy to detention for her hair being too high). Sarah had a wonderful time, worked hard and performed well. Two weeks of intensive rehearsals (10 -4 EVERY day and sometimes additional rehearsals from 5 - 9) were followed by two matinee and five evening performances over five days. The cast (which included four professionals from the West End) were given standing ovations at every performance! Two days later we were on the plane to Melbourne (seeing various other members of the cast at the airport on departure day.)

It is wonderful to be back in Melbourne, the winter is cool but enjoyable. it is nice to have cold water come out of the cold tap. Catching up with family and friends can never be over-rated and listening to all of the Australian accents on the tv was a bit weird for the first few days.

Having sold the apartment in the city, we are now in our "holiday house" in Mont Albert. Much to Alexander's delight, the has a decent back yard. (While we do have a small yard in Dubai, it is too hot to go out at this time of year and it certainly doesn't have any dirt/mud in it.)

Alexander has been enjoying himself planting some trees and becoming part of the great Australian tradition that involves boys/men and lemon trees! Somewhat obviously, all of us are now proud owners of new gumboots.

Melissa passed her Semester 1 uni subjects well and is now getting her head around what is required for semester 2. Sem 2 starts this week and is more than half over before we go back to Dubai. Time management is of the essence!

Tony is able to be in Melbourne for a short time, but then has to go to the US for a couple of weeks. Fortunately he will be coming back to Melbourne before flying home to Dubai.