Queenslander:
1. Person who resides or originates from Queensland, Australia.
2. Type of timber house, popular between 1840 and WWII, designed to maximise airflow and minimise extremes of heat.
First thing that happened after we collected our bags at Brisbane airport: got stuck in an elevator for thirty minutes. Nice one Brisbane. Again, I’ve delayed blogging about this latest seismic shift for the Wright family. Reasons include: a worrying illness, a frantic househunt, my card reader not working (and my fear that photo-less posts aren’t sufficiently interesting) and I must admit, homesickness for Germany. This last one is possibly the main reason, the real reason. I’ve been unwilling to open this blog and think about where we have been and where we are now. Why am I “homesick” now that I am “home”? Perversity of nature I suppose. My nature, specifically.
Meanwhile, I’ve been thinking about where to take this blog now that my time overseas has ended. Instead of an ancient, foreign city to see through my eyes or lens, there is only suburban Brisbane. I’ve heard it said numerous times of late that Brisbane is Australia’s new hot city. And true enough, there is plenty to discover here, and I have plenty to say about the experience of moving back. But my posts will have to be less visual, if only because a new computer is not high on the list, and also because each photo takes me a very long time to resize and upload whilst my children occupy me for a very long time each day. If anyone can solve the slow photo issues for me, I’m all ears.
What I’d like to say is thank you, dear readers, for walking with me these last two years, when I was very far away (or close by for those in Germany). For now, I’ll keep writing when I’m able, or when it helps me, or when I have a thought to share. I’ll do my best to be interesting, and I’ll post photos when I can. Perhaps, rather than avoiding these painful feelings that accompany thoughts of Germany, I’ll make use of them here, somehow.
MavisandFrank 
Hi Ali
Welcome home!!! Looking forward to catching up very soon. LUV to you all xxx Lizzie and Graeme
Please do, Ali. That would be a very valuable exercise for you, and for us, who worry about returning to the “home of our past”. I felt an echo visiting Australia for a wedding. The country had moved on, and I was a disorientated foriegner in my own country… you will never be the same again, but that is no bad thing.
Oh Ali, so wonderful to hear fom you again…I have missed you!
PLEASE keep blogging, your heartfelt comments are always interesting and the photos when they come, will be a bonus.
What you are feeling is normal. Give yourself time to adjust and enjoy this time that you have in Brisbane. It will help you to sort out, where you might like to settle, next.
Love to Mum!
Love and hugs…Gerri..xx
PS: Forgive me for asking, but do you prefer Ali or Ally?
Ally – with an honours degree in communications you simply HAVE to keep writing! We all love reading your posts and seeing the world through the lens of your camera. It will also be a great way to relax and keep your mind active.
Lots of love.
Dad
Yes Ally, keep writing! We miss you here and it’d be nice to hear what you guys are up to. Have you found a house now? And a church? How are the two little ones?
Love Magdalene
Hi Ally,
Have missed you (though thrilled to cross paths in real life in the meantime). No surprises in the settling pangs you’re experiencing.As things settle into the humdrum you’ll find that bit of distancing perspective to see around you. Suspect the camera eye will work well for your visual sensitivity, too. Maybe you could describe the camera perspective pending miraculous technological leap. Anyway, I always think back to the lifelong connections we made through the early playgroup, preschool activities etc….and you’re just coming into that.A world in itself.
Take care….and keep writing.
Love, Jill
Please keep writing, Ally! I love reading your posts, looking at your beautiful photos and hearing about what Tony, Rose and Theo are up to! xox
Emma