Western Australia

Is actually a state in the country of Australia, and Perth is its capital city. I spent the day with my friend Bobby, exploring the town's environs. Perth is beautiful. It's situated at the confluence of two rivers, and it reminded me achingly of home... Not Jacksonville necessarily, but home, nonetheless. The air was clean and a gorgeous 68 to 75 degrees, and the sights were beautiful. I took lots (or, as the Aussies say, "heaps") of pictures, which I will post eventually, along with ones from Bahrain, Dubai, and Al Asad.

Including the one of me up an Australian tree.

You knew it was going to happen eventually.

I can't wait to come home. I am excited about my dad watching me work. I am excited about bringing my parents to Vespers, a thought that occurred to me as I was walking along a wooded trail in Perth's King's Park. I am excited about seeing Becca and Michael before they depart for a location somewhere near the Great Lakes. And I am excited about the endless possibilities that await me--whichever road I end up on.

And I am excited about change. We knew it was going to happen eventually.

Next stop Sydney!