Hi,<P>I thought Capt. Cook had the Larry, Moe and Curley, oh well, never was very good at history. That first thanksgiving dinner doesnt sound too good. !! The mind boggles.<P>Now, as to our holidays, straight from the Womens Diary 2000, they are<P>Jan 3 New Years Day (we like public holidays on Mondays over here!!)<P>Jan 26 Australia Day (except Victoria - don't ask!!)<P>Easter - as per everywhere<P>Apr 25 Anzac Day - to celebrate the battle fought in WW1 at Gallipoli, in Turkey I think. Anzac stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corp. Apparently we lost a lot of soldiers, but every year some old diggers try and make the trip to Gallipoli for a dawn service. Its very moving - brings tears to my eyes every time. I think I have my facts right there, if theres any other Australians (we dont call ourselves AUSSIES !!!) on this site, I'm sure they'll let me know.<P>Jun 12 Queens Birthday - yep, Queen Elizabeth 11. We've just had to vote in a referendum here in Australia to see if the public wanted to become a republic, or stay within the Empire. We voted to stay as we are, but I think that was only because we, the people, couldn't choose the president.!! The politicians got to do that. Go figure !!<P>And then Christmas Day, and Boxing Day are usually gazetted holidays over here.<P>Have a wonderful day, (I'll die in the <BR>ar@#$ if I have too many facts wrong.)<P>Jo

HEEEEEEY Bonnet,<P>Ya know it's funny that I never stopped to think that Thanksgiving was just "our" Holiday. I thought it was a Hallmark card day and everybody celebrated it. Dopey Me!<P>I've only been out of the states once and that was for a transport from Canada back down to Pennsy. We stayed overnight, bacause it was a 13 hour ride, on a Sunday and they apparently pull the sidewalks in at 8:00. Everything was closed. So much for exploring another country.<P>Hey, have a great day. Gotta go get pretty and play ambulance with the kid. Boxing Day?<P>------------------<BR>Wishing us all the Best.<P>Medic<P><BR>

can relate to pulling the sidewalks in - Brisbane is a bit like that.<BR>I'm used to the supermarkets being open 24 hrs in Melbourne and Sydney, but yep - you guessed it. Here in Brisbane they close at 5.30 pm except thurs when it's late night shopping. Big night out for Brisbanites. I'm always down at the garage buying bread and milk because the damn supermarket is closed. At lease the mechanic there is cute, and always gives me a smile. Makes my day.<BR> Yep, it's a big big big city all right.<BR>Boxing Day is what we call the day after Christmas Day. Maybe this year I'LL TAKE it literally and box my husbands ears. !!<P>I know I'm bagging Brisbane - it's not really that bad. The slow pace just takes a little getting used to.<P>Take care of you, do you do ambulance sounds too ????<P>hugs,<P>Jo

Hey Jo!<BR>Since I'm in Canada I share at least some of my holidays with you. Thanksgiving is in October here.<BR>My H's brother and family just moved back from NZ. Is it true that Aussies aren't really big on the New Zealanders? (I'm not really fond of that brother so I would be on your side ).<BR>I like the idea of creating your own kind of "boxing day".<P>BTW I'd love it if you called me wassi

Hi wassi,<P>so the rumour goes !! They come over here, and then promptly go on benefits. Bloody kiwi's !!<P>I have met one or two nice people from New Zealand, but that accent. It's like fingernails on the blackboard !!!<P>I think it's more a joke now - nobody from here emigrates to New Zealand, but they all come here.<P>I would like to see the place, apparently it's very beautiful. I've just sold some shares to get thru Christmas, maybe I'll take Bridgit (4yo) on a holiday to NZ instead!!! Isn't that real good thinking.<BR>But the thought of a holiday - just me and my eldest daughter. She seems to miss out time with me exclusively because of the baby. What a treat it would be for her, and for me. hmmm.... have to think about that one.<P>My H and I always wanted to visit Canada. We wanted to do the train ride from one side to the other. BIL and his girlfriend (whom I love dearly and have supported me when the rest of his family dont) have been to Canada, and adored it.<BR>Maybe I'll get there yet.<P>you have a great day<P>Jo

Heeeeey Bonnet,<P>Sorry I do not do ambulance sounds, BUT, I built a "Lightbar headboard" for my bed. Its got a couple shelves for the clock, pager, phone and stuff like that. AND a red Twinsonic working lightbar with once again working siren! No fooling, honest to God. True story!<P>It's really cool. I turn it on and go outside and it shines on the neighor house. The know I'm a nutball too.<P>I had the brain storm years ago and Val hated it and made me disassemble it and get a normal one. She wasn't out of the house a few days when my son helped me dust it off and put it back together.<P>Hope you all had a good day.<P>------------------<BR>Wishing us all the Best.<P>Medic<P><BR>

Hey Jo !! ( I have a SIL that shares your name)<BR>I have not posted to you before but this has prompted me to. You don't seem to have many holidays in Austrialia, here in South Africa we have quiet a few since the new government took over I will list them just for interest sake so that you all can get a feel for South Africa:<BR>New Years day 1 Jan<BR>Human Rights Day 21 March<BR>Easter as per the rest of the world<BR>Family Day 5 April<BR>Freedom Day 27 April<BR>Workers Day 1 May<BR>Youth Day 16 June<BR>National Womens Day 9 August<BR>Heritage Day 24 September<BR>Day of Reconciliation 16 December<BR>Christmas Day 25 December<BR>Day of Goodwill (boxing day) 26 December<BR>In the case of a public holiday falling on a sunday we automatically get the monday off work e.g. 26th December, we also have the 27th of December off work due to the fact that 26th will fall on a sunday.<BR>Hope this gives you all a little insight into South African culture.<P>Jenny<P>------------------<BR>Where have all the cowboys gone ?<BR>Paula Cole<P><BR>