#781 Saturday 4 January

I often have to remind myself that this blog is a story about Kaylia .... not about us, me or our family .... These extras are only included to add dimension to the story of Kaylia and her journey through life.  The blog began as a plea for help as Naomi and I struggled to deal with the A-monster .... from there the blog has developed into a record of the development of a wonderful person.  Kaylia has a huge potential as an adult ... our role has been to help her overcome a huge disability so that she can grow into her potential.  At this stage I feel safe in saying that we're on track with that goal.

.... and just in case I'm getting too serious .....

#780 Friday 3 January

At 9:30am all is quiet on the eastern front.  I'm at the office .... waving the flag while the carpets are cleaned .... the sort of task that must be done while the office is closed.

While in Bali I was pondering the paradox that while average income is around one tenth ( or less) of the average Oz income, the shops still stock the same sorts of consumer items (TVs, videos etc) and these are at very similar prices to those in Oz ..... so how are the people in Bali able to purchase them?  They must be buying the stuff or the shops would not stock it.

The theory I have come up with comes from the different cultural practices of land ownership.  In Australia, every person expects to have to buy their own land and house to live in.... and the cost of renting is higher than the cost of purchase.  We probably devote around 50% of our income to our home in some form or other.  Then add to that the cost of food .... we end up with a small portion of our income available for consumer purchases.  Yet in Bali, land is held by families over generations ... the average Balinese does not have to buy their home .... they usually have a dwelling in the communal family property.  .... and food is very cheap.  Thus very little of their income is taken by living.  A high portion of their income is available.

#779 Thursday 2 January

Another day of happy Kaylia.  We now think that some the stress that she has been exhibiting has been from school .... some other kids in her class stim on just the sort of behaviours which upset Kaylia.  Now that she's home .... away from those stress factors .... she's even happier!

#778 Wednesday 1 January 2014

Best wishes to you for the new year!  

Kaylia has had a day that she probably hopes will continue for the rest of the year..... hose ..... bath ..... shower .... car

Her oral comprehension is amazing now ... she just understands what we say in the normal way.  All this is so gratifying for us.

#777 Tuesday 31 December

New Years Eve ..... nothing like in Bali .... maybe next year.

Evening

The day's been quiet .... Chris has been quite sick .... Kaylia is improving but seems to be having pain spells.   It's not a nice virus.

Well ... See you next year!

#776 Monday 30 December

We're back .... and Kaylia has been brilliant the whole trip.... it's just amazing.  She has been so un-anxious and chilled..... Wow!

On our 'debriefing' we learned of the chikungunya virus .... from the description it certainly sounds like Kaylia could have it .... and Chris too.  The joint pain would explain Kaylia's anxiety like behaviour the last few days ... that's her reaction to pain.  Fortunately our treatment of the symptoms was spot on for the virus.

#775 Sunday 29 December

We began the day with a trip to a plant nursery to buy plants for the garden.

Then it was more maintenance .... Replacing cushion covers, umbrella..... there is so much work involved with running a rental villa in Bali.  It would be impossible without our trips ... one person scoffed at the idea that our trips were a business expense .... that view is downright ignorance !  The Bali trips are absolutely essential to the villa business.

3pm ..... I finally found one!  

We came to Bali without luggage scales to weigh our cases .... I couldn't find them at home but I had bought them at Hardys before so I thought that I'd just buy a new one. ..... not so!  I searched all over and none of the shops had them.  I'd just about given up and this morning I thought of a different place to look .... Nusa Dua.  This would mean a trip on the new toll road too!

..... and I found luggage scales at the last place! 

A 747 on finals with the new terminal in the background .....

Looking north to the mountains .... you can see the toll road stretching into the distance behind the motorbike riders.

A bloggable moment .... Kaylia swims like a fish ... eyes open and all.  So when she puts on swimming goggles her eyes don't feel right to be dry .... so she fills the goggles with water and opens her eyes inside the flooded goggles!

We're all packed ready for the flight in the morning .... up at 6am for a 9am flight.