3 Months on - Soccer, Aussie Rules and Rugby League

Keeping up with the sporting life, April was a sweaty month.

At the gigantic MCG, we saw our local Aussie rules team, Richmond Tiger, being badly beaten by local rivals, Carlton Blue, but the experience was fantastic, surrounded by 86,970 people for Rob's birthday. At least we now understand the rules and scoring. Unfortunately, they've only just won their first match of the season, we're considering moving to Collingwood.

Having slightly forgotten our 6 months anniversary (oups!), we enjoyed a quiet afternoon at the Melbourne International Flowers and Garden Show where colourful creations from all over Australia were exposed. Getting up at 6.30am on Sunday accompanying Rob to the annual fun run, I watched the short race while he was running the 14km one. Over 30,000 people participating to the event, I was mostly amazed by the parents running while pushing their double buggy, with the kids in it, and some of the younger runners from athletics clubs. A 12 yrs old or so girl, almost sprinting, was in the top 20, showing off a six-packs to make us all jealous. Yes, a 12 yrs old girl with a six-packs! I won't be surprised to see her at the next Olympics. And on that note, we've registered to do another run at the end of June - yes, you're reading correctly: WE. I will be running too! But only the very easy 5km one. Melbourne Run.

The following weekend, while Suzie was around for a couple days, Rob got his first beach volley lesson on South Melbourne beach. I can already tell that he's a natural digger.

Last weekend we went to the Olympic Park to watch our first rugby league game, between the Melbourne Storms and Auckland Warriors. Wearing a plastic bag as rain coat, seating between few Maoris, we shouted and clapped at the purple Storm man, circling the arena with fireworks for each try successfully converted.

Other activities this month, include a visit to the zoo and few new bars. It's getting a bit cool here, I wore a jumper for the first time yesterday.

Looking forward to see Emily and Tom in a couple of weeks - we've got few places to show off for.

Au revoir - Good-bye André Parisy

André Parisy
1923 - 2009

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André was known as the kindest, fairest and most intelligent man of his time by everyone, but for me he was also the greatest grand-dad a little girl could wish for. I shall cherish forever the many happy childhood memories I have; all those precious moments and times spent together, playing petanque, hunting snails after the rain, rowing on the lake of Vincennes, and degusting his collection of rare wines.

While becoming an adult, André became more than a father to me, he was my mentor and a strong supporter. He came to all my plays, took care of me after my many sport injuries, he was always here for me when feeling sad and ready to drive from France to England when I was in need of my family. When I was 20, he told me that I will be talented for management - I laughed - so little I knew then, so right he was. Andre always knew what was good for me but never stopped supporting my decisions and actions.

Happily married for 60 years and a strong family figure to all, I only wish I will be able to be as a good person as he was.

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André était connu comme l’homme le plus gentil, juste et intelligent de son époque par tous, mais pour moi il était aussi le meilleur grand-père qu’une petite-fille puisse espérer. Je chérirai pour toujours mes innombrables souvenirs d’enfance; touts les moments précieux et le temps passé ensemble à jouer aux boules, ramasser des escargots après la pluie, ramer en petit bateaux sur le lac de Vincennes, et déguster sa collection de grands vins.

En grandissant, André est devenu plus qu’un père pour moi, il était mon mentor et mon supporter. Il assistait à toutes mes pièces, prenait soin de moi après mes blessures sportives, il était toujours là pour moi quand j’étais triste et était prêt à conduire de france à l’angleterre pour mon besion de famille. Quand j’avais 20 ans, il m’a dit un jour que je serai douée pour le management - j’ai ris - si peu je savais alors, il avait comme toujours raison. André a toujours su ce qui était bon pour moi mais n’a jamais arrêté de soutenir mes actions et décisions.

Marié pendant 60 ans et un pillier pour toute sa famille, je souhaite seulement pouvoir être une aussi bonne personne qu’il l’était.