So there you have it, my first proper musical/theatre show of 2011 was Mary Poppins. I guess March isn't too bad. I've got Rock of Ages coming up soon, and the final show of Hairspray on May 1st. Not sure what else is coming to town this year, but I'm sure something good will pop up!
I really liked Mary Poppins, Verity Hunt-Ballad was really good, she's got a great voice and personality - which is always important. Marina Prior was very entertaining as Mrs Banks. She was really funny - which I didn't know she could be, having only ever seen her at Carols by Candlelight and the Rob Guest Endowment show. But the more she did the worse I felt for my mum cause she wasn't there the night they went. We didn't have the regular Mr Banks though, and they didn't either. I thought the kids were good. We had Kade and Scout. But the girl reminded us of Paige from Brothers & Sisters -which was weird. But they were good performers, not too over the top or annoying -except when they were meant to be.
I thought the guy that played Burt was really good. His singing wasn't fantastic, but he had acting chops, personality and was a great dancer.
The show was good, it was good that it was different from the movie, because that would be hard to do on stage. I had a few issues with things such as The Queen being there...when at the time its set -there was a king....but anyways. I thought it was really cool when they did Step in Time and Burt went over the top of the stage and up/down the sides. But the coolest thing was Mary flying out over the audience and up to the roof. that was SOOOO awesome! -She didn't fly over us, but I think that was better, cause we could see it better.
I ended up buying a mug with Supercalifragilistic written on it. It's HUGE! - it will have timeshare with the Friends coffee bowl. I didn't buy the program because Mum and Nikki had one and I don't see the need for multiples....I'll probably steal it for myself eventually anyways.
So our seats were pretty awesome. We were in row G, off to the left of the aisle, I've never sat that close at Her Majesty's Theatre before. The view was awesome, 'cept I had a really tall guy in front of me, so I had to keep moving my head. But 2 people next to us never turned up, so I moved over at intermission and then had a perfect view.
Our biggest complaint was that there was a family next to us, with 2 kids, including 1 very little girl who wouldn't SHUT UP. She talked through the whole thing, and the mother kept getting things out for her. It was ridiculous! I'm all for kids being able to go to the theatre - although I think there should be some kind of age requirement....someone brought a baby....who turned out to be quiet as a mouse! Go figure?! But people should know if their kids can handle being quiet. Its disrespectful to the actors, not the mention the high paying patrons around them. I mean it does cost over $100 bucks, so don't let your kids ruin it for people who pay good money to be there. Yes its a whole family sort of show, but its not a little kids show, its for bigger kids who can be quiet. Generally kids would act the same at the theatre as at movies, so if your kids talk or move around at the movies at lot - don't take them to live theatre!
Okay rant over....hopefully I will be able to train my kids to appreciate the theatre etiquette....or I'll leave them at home. -Haha!
Traffic was nuts getting in, and was nuts getting out too. Roads were blocked and so I had to go a different way to how I usually go, so that wasn't fun. I gave up on free parking after driving around for half an hour. I ended up going to the parking garage next to Her Majesty's Theatre. It cost 10bucks, but it was worth it in the end. Plus I did my first hook turn...I've never done one before - I don't like to drive in the city.
I got home just before Midnight, and talked to mum about it, I was way too awake so I turned on the computer, and somehow managed to end up watching half an ep of Private Practice....I only was looking up 1 scene...oh well. I got to bed at 2am...but am now totally exhausted!
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Carlie
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Sweet Little Memories
So last night I couldn't sleep, I lay there for hours - before getting up and going through my old memory box of stuff, that I keep under my bed. -This was around 3am by the way! I know I should have just stayed in bed and tried to sleep, but I was wide awake. -I'm not letting myself listen to my iPod this week, because I've been having hearing issues and I'm trying to see if they subside on their own before seeing a doc. So I couldn't listen to my Grey's Anatomy playlist that seems to have magical sleeping powers.
Anyways...
so in this box of stuff, which I have been adding to since primary school, has all kinds of things - birthday cards, a old sticker book, programs from my dance concerts and high school chorals competitions, letters from old friends, and every single movie ticket stub since 2000 or something (with one exception, I lost the stub to Darkness Falls).
I started reading some of the letters I'd gotten from people at camp. Its funny how times have changed. Now we'd just use Facebook, or email or twitter. I guess we could have used email back then too (for the letters from the early 2000's), but we didn't. Its nice to have them there to go back to. The silly things we commented on, and stuff like that.
Sure plenty of the stuff in that box is just stuff, and I probably don't need to keep the cards, but I've kept them this long already, it would seem wrong to get rid of anything. Its all stuff that isn't really of any great value - but all sentimental stuff, like a mock up of my buddy book from grade 6, or my certificates for my dance exams. It's nice to see the things I used to value, or the way I used to think. It shows how far I've come throughout the years.
Stay tuned for a related post.
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Carlie
Anyways...
so in this box of stuff, which I have been adding to since primary school, has all kinds of things - birthday cards, a old sticker book, programs from my dance concerts and high school chorals competitions, letters from old friends, and every single movie ticket stub since 2000 or something (with one exception, I lost the stub to Darkness Falls).
I started reading some of the letters I'd gotten from people at camp. Its funny how times have changed. Now we'd just use Facebook, or email or twitter. I guess we could have used email back then too (for the letters from the early 2000's), but we didn't. Its nice to have them there to go back to. The silly things we commented on, and stuff like that.
I have also kept the tickets for any concert, show, play, event that I've been to in the last 10 years at least too. I've got the ticket to every single musical I have ever been to, From Annie in 2001, to Hairspray last December, with the exception of Beauty and The Beast, which I was pretty young and quite possibly never even saw my ticket. For some strange reason, there is a 5 year dark period between 2002 and 2007 where I didn't see a single show. Sad. I think that was that period where there wasn't really any shows I was keen on. There was a lot of stuff that I had absolutely NO interest in seeing.
Its fun to go back and see where I sat, what theatre it was, how much it cost etc. I mean Annie only cost $77.50 for row HH in the stalls of The Regent! Compare that to my ticket for Wicked at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney from last year which cost $134.90!
Hopefully I will have many more to add to the collection in the future!
Sure plenty of the stuff in that box is just stuff, and I probably don't need to keep the cards, but I've kept them this long already, it would seem wrong to get rid of anything. Its all stuff that isn't really of any great value - but all sentimental stuff, like a mock up of my buddy book from grade 6, or my certificates for my dance exams. It's nice to see the things I used to value, or the way I used to think. It shows how far I've come throughout the years.
Stay tuned for a related post.
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Carlie
Monday, March 07, 2011
Progress or Something Like It?
I've been getting out a little, but I've been staying home mostly....I really want a job, but its scary and hard, so its gonna be a process. But I'm working on it. I've been looking at the job sites, and at other sites looking for jobs. I haven't found anything I HAD to apply for yet. Not that I'm expecting the perfect job to pop out at me, heck I don't even know what the 'perfect job' is anyways! But I need to have a sense that I can do the job, without it stressing me out too much, or getting called up for an interview for a job that I really have no business applying for.
In other news, my Mum and Uncles are clearing out my Grandparent's house. Not completely, but going through stuff and Mum keeps bringing boxes back. Some of it is cool, old letters, documents, knick knacks etc. Other stuff is junk, its amazing how much stuff my Grandma got over the years.
I had a super busy weekend, I am now rather exhausted and may have an early night tonight. Saturday night I went to Ness' and we went to dinner at the Frankston RSL with Vicky, Darren and Sue. The food was pretty good, and we got cake. Afterwards, we went bowling at AMF. It was fun, I mean I totally suck, but I hit some pins and had a laugh -which is what really counts!
I stayed at Ness', slept on the couch - slept like a baby! lol. We went and saw Conviction which was directed by Tony Goldwyn of Promises, Promises, and stared Hilary Swank. It was really really good! Plus Village had these vouchers for 7 dollar tickets - such a bargain!
In the evening we went for dinner at her parents house. I do love a good BBQ. It was nice of them to have me.
We finished off the 2nd half of Mary Poppins which we started earlier that day, and then finished off the last 2 eps of Angels in America. Such a good show, but really really weird.
Got home really late, just after 3am. So I'm really exhausted today. Its one of those days were I feel like a big lump, moving is a lot of effort. hah.
No big plans for this week. Seeing Mary Poppins the Musical on Saturday night which should be awesome! It feels like forever since I've been to the theatre. In fact I haven't been this year at all yet!
Hopefully I'll get my act together this week. Its time to get working!
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Carlie
In other news, my Mum and Uncles are clearing out my Grandparent's house. Not completely, but going through stuff and Mum keeps bringing boxes back. Some of it is cool, old letters, documents, knick knacks etc. Other stuff is junk, its amazing how much stuff my Grandma got over the years.
I had a super busy weekend, I am now rather exhausted and may have an early night tonight. Saturday night I went to Ness' and we went to dinner at the Frankston RSL with Vicky, Darren and Sue. The food was pretty good, and we got cake. Afterwards, we went bowling at AMF. It was fun, I mean I totally suck, but I hit some pins and had a laugh -which is what really counts!
I stayed at Ness', slept on the couch - slept like a baby! lol. We went and saw Conviction which was directed by Tony Goldwyn of Promises, Promises, and stared Hilary Swank. It was really really good! Plus Village had these vouchers for 7 dollar tickets - such a bargain!
In the evening we went for dinner at her parents house. I do love a good BBQ. It was nice of them to have me.
We finished off the 2nd half of Mary Poppins which we started earlier that day, and then finished off the last 2 eps of Angels in America. Such a good show, but really really weird.
Got home really late, just after 3am. So I'm really exhausted today. Its one of those days were I feel like a big lump, moving is a lot of effort. hah.
No big plans for this week. Seeing Mary Poppins the Musical on Saturday night which should be awesome! It feels like forever since I've been to the theatre. In fact I haven't been this year at all yet!
Hopefully I'll get my act together this week. Its time to get working!
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Carlie
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Everything Remains The Same
Still got no job...or life....well that's not completely true...
I was rather busy last week, shopping and movies on Wednesday, Dinner on Thursday, out on Saturday....
Wednesday's shopping was done at Southland with Ness...I bought nothing, everything sucks...or is too expensive. I spent the arvo driving around like an idiot trying to get back to Ness' after being detoured from Cranbourne Rd by a broken down taxi in the left turn lane. But I got there eventually.
Thursday night I went to Knox with Jacinta. It was a long way to go for dinner, but it was nice to go somewhere different. They have tons more restaurants there, I wish Chadstone had a similar set up. We got dinner at this little restaurant and sat outside which was nice. We looked around the shops a bit and then stopped for McDonalds sundaes on the way home.
Friday night I had a nice quiet day/night and caught up on all the tv I hadn't watched during the week. I made a nice dent in it.
Saturday night I went to Ness' for the usual activities. We ended up finishing Sports Night - although I was a bit of a zombie by the end of the evening.
Monday I slept in way later than intended as my alarm didn't go off. I think that messed me up when I tried to sleep last night. I couldn't get to sleep till around 3am....So I was exhausted when I woke up early at 8am (early for me, going on my recent wake up time of 9ish). But I had to get up early so I could have coffee and breakfast before my hair dresser appointment at 10am.
It was fun having my hair done. Its been a while. I got to read some mags, and listen to some music. -There was one song I heard while my hair was being washed that I really liked...but I have no idea who sung it or how it goes...oh well.
Its so nice to have my hair blonded again. Plus she made it all curly and stuff. I met mum after, and we looked in some shops in Camberwell, and got drinks at Koko Black. I bought a singlet from Just Jeans and then we headed down to visit Grandma.
We saw the footage of the Christchurch earthquake which had a bad affect on me for some reason, cause I got really dizzy and had to lay on the bed. But I felt okay after a little bit. I may have just been dehydrated.
Still haven't really done much on the job hunt front....I will have to start looking. I'm just a little scared...my life is gonna change and I'm not sure how I'll deal with that on a permanent basis...even with 'real' money.
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Carlie
I was rather busy last week, shopping and movies on Wednesday, Dinner on Thursday, out on Saturday....
Wednesday's shopping was done at Southland with Ness...I bought nothing, everything sucks...or is too expensive. I spent the arvo driving around like an idiot trying to get back to Ness' after being detoured from Cranbourne Rd by a broken down taxi in the left turn lane. But I got there eventually.
Thursday night I went to Knox with Jacinta. It was a long way to go for dinner, but it was nice to go somewhere different. They have tons more restaurants there, I wish Chadstone had a similar set up. We got dinner at this little restaurant and sat outside which was nice. We looked around the shops a bit and then stopped for McDonalds sundaes on the way home.
Friday night I had a nice quiet day/night and caught up on all the tv I hadn't watched during the week. I made a nice dent in it.
Saturday night I went to Ness' for the usual activities. We ended up finishing Sports Night - although I was a bit of a zombie by the end of the evening.
Monday I slept in way later than intended as my alarm didn't go off. I think that messed me up when I tried to sleep last night. I couldn't get to sleep till around 3am....So I was exhausted when I woke up early at 8am (early for me, going on my recent wake up time of 9ish). But I had to get up early so I could have coffee and breakfast before my hair dresser appointment at 10am.
It was fun having my hair done. Its been a while. I got to read some mags, and listen to some music. -There was one song I heard while my hair was being washed that I really liked...but I have no idea who sung it or how it goes...oh well.
Its so nice to have my hair blonded again. Plus she made it all curly and stuff. I met mum after, and we looked in some shops in Camberwell, and got drinks at Koko Black. I bought a singlet from Just Jeans and then we headed down to visit Grandma.
We saw the footage of the Christchurch earthquake which had a bad affect on me for some reason, cause I got really dizzy and had to lay on the bed. But I felt okay after a little bit. I may have just been dehydrated.
Still haven't really done much on the job hunt front....I will have to start looking. I'm just a little scared...my life is gonna change and I'm not sure how I'll deal with that on a permanent basis...even with 'real' money.
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Carlie
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Keep On Keeping On.
So not a whole lot has changed since last week....
The weekend was hard on me. Saturday I was ditched by my mother...after discussing going out somewhere. She later walked out the door with my sis to go somewhere else, asked me at the last minute if I wanted to go...knowing I wouldn't have time to get ready...
She does stuff like that all the time...goes places with my sis, without inviting me or my sis saying I can't come....but Saturday felt different. We had discussed plans and she ignored it and chose to do what my sis wanted. It really hurt my feelings. I was miserable all day.
Sunday she took me out, we went to Forrest Hill shopping centre to go to Big W so she could buy me my xmas present. -Which I had been asking for for a while.
I hadn't been there since I saw Titanic at the movies in year 7...which was a long long time ago now. It has changed a lot. Its huge! We had coffee at the Coffee Club and it was fun.
I don't mean to act bratty about spending time with my mum, but I've felt that ever since I got back from the US, its been all her and Nikki...she says Nikki's friends are busy and she needs the attention...well I've got my own things going on and I hate being excluded! Especially because my sis is still being a complete cow sometimes...saying I can't be around or be involved in whatever they are doing...with absolutely no discouragement from my mum.
Hopefully she'll get over it soon...I'm not asking to be Nikki's best friend or anything...but being civil and a little social isn't too much to ask for!
In other news...Monday I went down to Grandpa and Grandma's house with mum to look through their files for stuff my mum needed. It was fun, we got lunch and ate it there. It was cool going through old stuff...finding old documents...they don't make things like they used to. Nowadays everything is regular paper and computer typed...its not fancy or special.
We visited Grandma before heading home...I don't know how well she is doing now that she's alone...I think she's lonely. She's not at her best, and hopefully people keep taking her out places and doing stuff with her. She needs it.
Today I went shopping with Jacinta, and we talked about a lot of stuff. I didn't end up buying anything, but it was still nice to get out. She's in a similar boat to me, she's looking for a real job...but she also has Kmart to fund her activities until then. -I need it more. But the whole thing is pretty nerve wracking!
So we'll see how things play out...I have to bite the job hunting bullet....
I mean...I am starting to go a little crazy being home everyday...
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Carlie
The weekend was hard on me. Saturday I was ditched by my mother...after discussing going out somewhere. She later walked out the door with my sis to go somewhere else, asked me at the last minute if I wanted to go...knowing I wouldn't have time to get ready...
She does stuff like that all the time...goes places with my sis, without inviting me or my sis saying I can't come....but Saturday felt different. We had discussed plans and she ignored it and chose to do what my sis wanted. It really hurt my feelings. I was miserable all day.
Sunday she took me out, we went to Forrest Hill shopping centre to go to Big W so she could buy me my xmas present. -Which I had been asking for for a while.
I hadn't been there since I saw Titanic at the movies in year 7...which was a long long time ago now. It has changed a lot. Its huge! We had coffee at the Coffee Club and it was fun.
I don't mean to act bratty about spending time with my mum, but I've felt that ever since I got back from the US, its been all her and Nikki...she says Nikki's friends are busy and she needs the attention...well I've got my own things going on and I hate being excluded! Especially because my sis is still being a complete cow sometimes...saying I can't be around or be involved in whatever they are doing...with absolutely no discouragement from my mum.
Hopefully she'll get over it soon...I'm not asking to be Nikki's best friend or anything...but being civil and a little social isn't too much to ask for!
In other news...Monday I went down to Grandpa and Grandma's house with mum to look through their files for stuff my mum needed. It was fun, we got lunch and ate it there. It was cool going through old stuff...finding old documents...they don't make things like they used to. Nowadays everything is regular paper and computer typed...its not fancy or special.
We visited Grandma before heading home...I don't know how well she is doing now that she's alone...I think she's lonely. She's not at her best, and hopefully people keep taking her out places and doing stuff with her. She needs it.
Today I went shopping with Jacinta, and we talked about a lot of stuff. I didn't end up buying anything, but it was still nice to get out. She's in a similar boat to me, she's looking for a real job...but she also has Kmart to fund her activities until then. -I need it more. But the whole thing is pretty nerve wracking!
So we'll see how things play out...I have to bite the job hunting bullet....
I mean...I am starting to go a little crazy being home everyday...
-------------
Carlie
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Wasting Time
Okay, I guess now is the point where I need to stop putting it off, and really get hard into the job search. I've got to see what's out there, and make the decision which direction I want to take. I have all the time to dedicate to the right job. -And by RIGHT job, I don't mean the dream job, but one that I can learn, grow in, and be happy doing on a daily basis.
While I really enjoyed working for the AEC, I think the fact that I knew I wasn't going to be doing it for longer than those couple of months, meant I didn't get too sick of it. -Plus I was always doing something different and learning new skills.
Additionally, I really liked working with the group of people there everyday. I felt needed and appreciated, so that made me happy.
Ideally I'd love to find a job new media related, but I am open to other things. So we'll see what happens. Hopefully I should get a little more interest this time around, seeing as how I've got office experiance now.
In other news, I have been pretty quiet. While I am not completely broke, I am holding onto all the money I earned from my last job with the VEC in December, for paying my monthly bills and other needs. I am still paying off the trip...but once I get regular work I should be able to take care of that pretty quick.
I worked last week on Australia Day with the girls from the AEC on a citizenship ceremony. It was cool to see that in action, and the work was stuff I used to do there -so that was easy to get back into.
I've been busy on my weekends, hanging out with Ness, doing our thing. The other week, we went bowling with Kay, Nick and Brett, and had dinner at Stacks. That was fun. I mean I suck at bowling, but its fun to play.
I won't run out of dvds to watch for a while, I've still got 1 season of Damages, 2 of ER, and 1 of Grey's to watch, so I'm set for a while. - Plus Private Practice when that gets cheap on Amazon again.
I've also started reading again. -My old summer hobby. I'm reading To Kill A Mockingbird again...for the zillionth time. I used to read it every summer, but I'm pretty sure I skipped last year. I love that book! I wish my sis didn't hate it so much! - I wish she'd get over her anger/hating everything issues. She's driving me up the wall. -I wouldn't care so much, if we were not watching so many dvds or playing wii games together.
I don't think my summer diet is going as well this year. It hasn't been as hot, so my appetite is more normal. I am starting to cut back again, but its hard sometimes. I'm trying out some stretching moves, which I can feel helping. I must try to cut back on the chocolate and the lemonade...
That's all I've got for now....
---------------
Carlie
While I really enjoyed working for the AEC, I think the fact that I knew I wasn't going to be doing it for longer than those couple of months, meant I didn't get too sick of it. -Plus I was always doing something different and learning new skills.
Additionally, I really liked working with the group of people there everyday. I felt needed and appreciated, so that made me happy.
Ideally I'd love to find a job new media related, but I am open to other things. So we'll see what happens. Hopefully I should get a little more interest this time around, seeing as how I've got office experiance now.
In other news, I have been pretty quiet. While I am not completely broke, I am holding onto all the money I earned from my last job with the VEC in December, for paying my monthly bills and other needs. I am still paying off the trip...but once I get regular work I should be able to take care of that pretty quick.
I worked last week on Australia Day with the girls from the AEC on a citizenship ceremony. It was cool to see that in action, and the work was stuff I used to do there -so that was easy to get back into.
I've been busy on my weekends, hanging out with Ness, doing our thing. The other week, we went bowling with Kay, Nick and Brett, and had dinner at Stacks. That was fun. I mean I suck at bowling, but its fun to play.
I won't run out of dvds to watch for a while, I've still got 1 season of Damages, 2 of ER, and 1 of Grey's to watch, so I'm set for a while. - Plus Private Practice when that gets cheap on Amazon again.
I've also started reading again. -My old summer hobby. I'm reading To Kill A Mockingbird again...for the zillionth time. I used to read it every summer, but I'm pretty sure I skipped last year. I love that book! I wish my sis didn't hate it so much! - I wish she'd get over her anger/hating everything issues. She's driving me up the wall. -I wouldn't care so much, if we were not watching so many dvds or playing wii games together.
I don't think my summer diet is going as well this year. It hasn't been as hot, so my appetite is more normal. I am starting to cut back again, but its hard sometimes. I'm trying out some stretching moves, which I can feel helping. I must try to cut back on the chocolate and the lemonade...
That's all I've got for now....
---------------
Carlie
To the Best Grandpa in the World
-I wrote this on the 16th of January, and finally am posting it. I wasn't sure if I wanted to or not, but I'm finally putting out out there.
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So its been a busy week for me, and a hard and not easy week.
Last weekend my Grandpa's health went downhill and we all went in on Friday to see him. Early Sunday morning we got the call that he was gone.
Now don't feel too bad for me, I dealed with it very well in my opinion. I was sad, but never distraught or bawling my eyes out. For one thing, I knew it was coming. He was 91 (almost 92) and there was warning, we got a chance to say goodbye, and I'd been expecting something could happen for the last couple of years.
Nobody lives forever, and while I am sad that he's not hear anymore, I got the best out of him while he was here and thats what really matters. I've got great memories, I spent just about as much time as I could with him, and in the end am glad that he didn't go while I was away last year...which could have been a possibility.
I could not have asked for a better grandpa than Ray Marten. We were close in our own way. I always knew he cared, and he was always happy to see me and anyone else who showed up.
My first memory ever is being picked up from my Grandparent's house by my dad the day after my brother was born. When we were little, my brother and I spent a lot of time at my Grandparents. They looked after us alot, including overnight stays. One thing that always makes me think of my Grandpa is that line from the A.A Milne poem. "A little bit of butter for the royal slice of bread." He used to say it anytime we had breakfast or lunch.
When I was really little I would follow him around the garden, and we would talk to the little frog statue, pick lemons and watch the birds. He taught me how to play draughts (or checkers), he taught me to play solitaire (but I prefered to play it with him), and he also taught me to play rummycrib....but I forgot how to play that long long ago.
When I went to high school, he would always ask about what I was learning in French, and we would attempt some sentances in French. He tried to help me with my maths back in the day - but I was hopeless case. I could tell he was proud when I went to Uni, and was interested in what subjects I was studying. I was excited to show him my diploma.
He always encouraged my interest in travel and was interested to hear about my trip last year, he gave me money towards it. He was always giving me money, which I appreciated, but he would insist upon giving it to me, even if he gave me some the week before. He was alway generous with money or time. When I was helping him out and visiting with Grandma while my mum was away in 2009, he came home from grocery shopping with pink cupcakes to have with our tea just for me. He was that kind of guy. He always made me feel special.
Until last week I still had 4 Grandparents, so I felt SO lucky to have all 4 for 25 years. My Grandpa was almost 92, he could still walk on his own (until the last few months didn't even need a cane), he still had his hair, and his mind. So you can't ask for more than that!
The funeral was hard, I had no idea what to expect. But it was good to see everyone turn up. He was beloved by so many people - and not just family. I've got no complaints. I'll miss him, but I'm not really sad for him or myself. I just feel lucky to have known him for so long, when so many of my friends didn't have grandparents at all.
Love you Grandpa.
------------
Carlie
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So its been a busy week for me, and a hard and not easy week.
Last weekend my Grandpa's health went downhill and we all went in on Friday to see him. Early Sunday morning we got the call that he was gone.
Now don't feel too bad for me, I dealed with it very well in my opinion. I was sad, but never distraught or bawling my eyes out. For one thing, I knew it was coming. He was 91 (almost 92) and there was warning, we got a chance to say goodbye, and I'd been expecting something could happen for the last couple of years.
Nobody lives forever, and while I am sad that he's not hear anymore, I got the best out of him while he was here and thats what really matters. I've got great memories, I spent just about as much time as I could with him, and in the end am glad that he didn't go while I was away last year...which could have been a possibility.
I could not have asked for a better grandpa than Ray Marten. We were close in our own way. I always knew he cared, and he was always happy to see me and anyone else who showed up.
My first memory ever is being picked up from my Grandparent's house by my dad the day after my brother was born. When we were little, my brother and I spent a lot of time at my Grandparents. They looked after us alot, including overnight stays. One thing that always makes me think of my Grandpa is that line from the A.A Milne poem. "A little bit of butter for the royal slice of bread." He used to say it anytime we had breakfast or lunch.
When I was really little I would follow him around the garden, and we would talk to the little frog statue, pick lemons and watch the birds. He taught me how to play draughts (or checkers), he taught me to play solitaire (but I prefered to play it with him), and he also taught me to play rummycrib....but I forgot how to play that long long ago.
When I went to high school, he would always ask about what I was learning in French, and we would attempt some sentances in French. He tried to help me with my maths back in the day - but I was hopeless case. I could tell he was proud when I went to Uni, and was interested in what subjects I was studying. I was excited to show him my diploma.
He always encouraged my interest in travel and was interested to hear about my trip last year, he gave me money towards it. He was always giving me money, which I appreciated, but he would insist upon giving it to me, even if he gave me some the week before. He was alway generous with money or time. When I was helping him out and visiting with Grandma while my mum was away in 2009, he came home from grocery shopping with pink cupcakes to have with our tea just for me. He was that kind of guy. He always made me feel special.
Until last week I still had 4 Grandparents, so I felt SO lucky to have all 4 for 25 years. My Grandpa was almost 92, he could still walk on his own (until the last few months didn't even need a cane), he still had his hair, and his mind. So you can't ask for more than that!
The funeral was hard, I had no idea what to expect. But it was good to see everyone turn up. He was beloved by so many people - and not just family. I've got no complaints. I'll miss him, but I'm not really sad for him or myself. I just feel lucky to have known him for so long, when so many of my friends didn't have grandparents at all.
Love you Grandpa.
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Carlie
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