{"id":7890,"date":"2013-09-25T09:03:23","date_gmt":"2013-09-25T13:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oliverands.com\/blog\/?p=7890"},"modified":"2016-03-17T04:52:32","modified_gmt":"2016-03-17T08:52:32","slug":"flat-s-finally-arrives-down-under","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2013\/09\/flat-s-finally-arrives-down-under.html","title":{"rendered":"flat s finally arrives down under"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>It was just a matter of time, wasn&#8217;t it? Frankly, I&#8217;m surprised it took this long!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>We have just received another report about Flat S&#8217;s travels, and it turns out she has now made her way to Australia where she has had a lovely visit with Melissa Ellery and her family in Geelong.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5985\" alt=\"The Flat S Tour Logo\" src=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/flat-S-tour-logo-194x275.jpg\" width=\"194\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/flat-S-tour-logo-194x275.jpg 194w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/flat-S-tour-logo-564x800.jpg 564w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/flat-S-tour-logo.jpg 1259w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 194px) 100vw, 194px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Here&#8217;s Melissa&#8217;s report on what Flat S did during her visit.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>We were all very excited the day Flat S arrived! She spent several days adjusting to her new home and visiting around our neighborhood. We live in Geelong, Australia, which is a one hour drive around the bay from Melbourne in the southern state of Victoria.<\/p>\n<p>First, Flat S came along with me to work. I work as a Registered Nurse in a Haemodialysis Service. Flat S thought it was amazing to see all the patients getting their blood cleaned, and the patients loved Flat S\u2019s beautiful Family Reunion dress and enjoyed hearing the story of Flat S traveling around the world.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/oliverands.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-7918\" alt=\"1\" src=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/1-533x800.jpg\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/1-533x800.jpg 533w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/1-183x275.jpg 183w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A few days later, Flat S accompanied Hayden and me to play therapy. Hayden is seven and has Aspergers Syndrome. This is mild form of Autism. He has a particular problem with imaginative play and social skills, so he attends therapy with an occupational therapist to learn these life skills.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>At a previous session, Hayden had been practicing writing and sending mail to friends, so when Flat S arrived, she came along and joined in the fun and got &#8220;mailed&#8221; during the session!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/oliverands.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-7919\" alt=\"2\" src=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/2-580x773.jpg\" width=\"580\" height=\"773\" srcset=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/2-580x773.jpg 580w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/2-206x275.jpg 206w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Flat S was such a hit she even visited Hayden\u2019s school, where they read Flat Stanley. She was a very popular visitor to the class and everyone wanted their photo taken with her!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/oliverands.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-7920\" alt=\"3\" src=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/3-580x580.jpg\" width=\"580\" height=\"580\" srcset=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/3-580x580.jpg 580w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/3-150x150.jpg 150w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/3-275x275.jpg 275w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/3.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The following weekend, Hayden, Millicent, and I went for an adventure. We drove up to Melbourne and then caught a train out to the Melbourne Zoo.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/oliverands.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-7921\" alt=\"4\" src=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/4-580x336.jpg\" width=\"580\" height=\"336\" srcset=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/4-580x336.jpg 580w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/4-275x159.jpg 275w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/4.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We walked over the Yarra River that runs through the heart of the city and watched the water taxis and boats going up and down the water.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/oliverands.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-7922\" alt=\"5\" src=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/5-580x386.jpg\" width=\"580\" height=\"386\" srcset=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/5-580x386.jpg 580w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/5-275x183.jpg 275w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/5.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We all spent a beautiful sunny day walking around the zoo. Hayden\u2019s favorite was the seals, while Millie loved the butterfly house. But Flat S like the tall giraffes the best.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/oliverands.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-7923\" alt=\"6\" src=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/6-580x580.jpg\" width=\"580\" height=\"580\" srcset=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/6-580x580.jpg 580w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/6-150x150.jpg 150w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/6-275x275.jpg 275w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/6.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After a very busy week here, Flat S ended her stay with us by taking a stroll along the bay. There are some lovely parks and playgrounds, and Flat S enjoyed visiting the Geelong Bollards. The Bollards are painted wooden bollards reclaimed from the old pier that are displayed along the waterfront in Geelong. There are over 100 bollards and they depict important people in the history of Geelong and the surrounding area, from lime burners and lifesavers to explorers and local indigenous people. Flat S liked the lifesavers the best.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/oliverands.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/8.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-7924\" alt=\"8\" src=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/8-533x800.jpg\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"\/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/8-533x800.jpg 533w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/8-183x275.jpg 183w, \/\/o.osimg.net\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/8.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And with that, Flats S\u2019s visit was over. She is now one her way to her next exciting stop in her travels. Bon voyage, Flat S!<\/p>\n<p><em>As always, we can&#8217;t wait to see where she goes next. Thanks Melissa.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Flat S has finally landed in Australia. And it looks like she&#8217;s been enjoying herself Down Under.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7924,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20687],"tags":[85],"class_list":["post-7890","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-flat-s"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/8.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5jZS5-23g","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":62269,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2017\/08\/flat-s-visits-the-netherlands.html","url_meta":{"origin":7890,"position":0},"title":"flat s visits the netherlands","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"August 16, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"We've heard from Flat S again as she continues her travels around the globe. She has just wrapped up a nice visit with Nelleke and family in The Netherlands. Here's a recap on what she did during her stay.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;general post&quot;","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/FlatSNetherlands.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8502,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2013\/10\/wish-you-were-here-love-flat-s.html","url_meta":{"origin":7890,"position":1},"title":"wish you were here, love, flat s","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"October 21, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Flat S continues her travels through Australia. She's dropped us a picture postcard with some highlights from her recent stop in Queensland.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;general post&quot;","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/image-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":59392,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2017\/01\/flat-s-pays-a-visit-to-sydney.html","url_meta":{"origin":7890,"position":2},"title":"flat s pays a visit to sydney","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"January 31, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"We have word from Flat S again as she continues her travels around the globe. She's just had a nice visit with Thao and family in Sydney where she witnessed a new world record being made.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;general post&quot;","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/FlatSSydney.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6997,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2013\/06\/flat-s-arrives-in-the-united-kingdom.html","url_meta":{"origin":7890,"position":3},"title":"flat s arrives in the united kingdom","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"June 25, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Word is in that Flat S has been spotted in the United Kingdom. Here's a report about what she's been up to lately.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;general post&quot;","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/HideNSeek.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":55237,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2016\/05\/flat-s-has-a-kiwi-christmas.html","url_meta":{"origin":7890,"position":4},"title":"flat s has a kiwi christmas","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"May 19, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Today we're getting another report on Flat S's continuing travels. It turns out she spent Christmas in New Zealand.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;general post&quot;","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/4-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10920,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2014\/05\/flat-s-spends-springtime-in-colorado.html","url_meta":{"origin":7890,"position":5},"title":"flat s spends springtime in colorado","author":"Todd Gibson","date":"May 5, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"We've just received another report on Flat S's journey. She's just spent some time enjoying early spring in Colorado with the Knowles family.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;general post&quot;","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/After-the-Mint-Tour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7890","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7890"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7890\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7930,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7890\/revisions\/7930"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7924"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7890"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7890"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7890"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}