Dancing Diva!

Well, that was a busy couple of weeks!! There were extra practices pretty much every night for different routines, but it was sure all worth it. I had so so so much fun last night at the Last Waltz. Thanks to all my adoring fans that came out for the festivities!

Dancing Diva!
My beautiful dancing family.

Swing routine, can you pick out which one is me?

Two Step routine... my partner Dan and I.

My fans, Julie and Marcey... thanks for coming out!

Now that dance is over until September, what will I do with all my time??

Hey Party People!

21 days until my accoutning final... not that I'm counting or anything. But this would be my last accounting class of my degree and that makes me VERY happy.

April 14th is almost upon us! And our routines are practicing extra hard. So if you are in the Regina area on the 14th of this month, let me know and I'll hook you up with the info you'll need to watch me dance! I know you're all thrilled.

And. THURSDAY!! is curling day!!! It is going to be a gong show! (I hope no one from work is reading this because I told them all I'm pro). I really have no idea how to curl. Not even a small clue. I know, I should be ashamed. What kind or born and bread Saskatchewanite am I?! Anyways, I'm, sure we'll win! But if not, we will by far have the best outfits!!! Yay us!

Whew!

And what a day that one was! So I get up and leave for work where I'm busy all day, I drive to uni straight from work (stopping for my non-winning roll up the rim at Timmy's of course), I cram for my ch. 13 & 14 accounting exam, go write the exam, listen to the lecture for ch. 9, drive quickly and very safely to the Austrian club getting there with milli seconds to spare before we perform our swing routine for the Wednesday night class, and then home to try and get some laundry done before tomorrow. Yes, why did God design days with so little time?? I'd love to have time to relax and read a book in a bubble bath or something like that... but I'm way too tired and need to sleep so I can live a jammed packed day all over again tomorrow. What is the point? But then again, what is the point of reading in a bubble bath? I guess it really is meaningless and the meaning comes from your passions and not your actions. Too tired to be philosophical... I'm making my own head hurt. Anyways, I thought I'd write about my day as I'm still trying to catch my breath... and checking the class lists for uni spring sessions. The class I need filled up the day before I could register and now I'm checking every second I can get a chance to see if there's magically one seat open for me yet!

(ps. I wouldn't mind your prayers for this small matter) Thanks!

Yes Sam, you're right. a trip to Calgary would have made the weekend unbearably great!

The Annes

The Anne's were reunited this weekend, and what a glorious weekend it was!!

But, I am officially sick of shopping. Who would have ever thought I would say such a thing!?!? I'm as shocked as you are. Ok, you guessed it. We did a lot of shopping. We also did a lot of visiting.

We drove to Camrose to visit Wanda, the greatest D-group leader I have ever had. A small reunion of past CLBI-ers (including Chelsea who told me I was “hoity toity”… what does that mean!?!) met for coffee at our favorite Merchants. We saw a bunch of familiar faces at church on Sunday morning and ate at the NEW Tim Hortins. I'm SO NOT a fan. There is no longer a Timmy’s close to CLBI! How can that be possible?! It is not easy to dumpster dive any more, that's for sure. And how do you get your roll up the rim?? Drive to the opposite side of town!? I think not! how horrible! Who decided to move Timmy's so far away!? I'm so not impressed. Someone should be glad I'm not at CLBI anymore; because if I was, I would be writing a stern letter to the person who decided to move Timmy's so far away.

Anne and I went to The Project on Sunday evening. This is a church service that caters to C&C aged peeps. It was pretty fabulous. I enjoyed it for sure.

And Monday I tortured Anne at her work for a bit, and then went to the West Ed. I walked around that place for 4 hours and didn't find a single thing I wanted to buy! Anne thinks it's a new record of some sort. I should probably get a medal. OR! a $100 gift card for MEXX so I could go back and buy that sweater. Yes, one sweater for $100. Yikes! Don't get me wrong. I did buy enough this weekend to fill an entire suitcase. Yes, yes I did pack an empty duffle bag in my carry on so I could check a bag on the way home! hehe!

And then straight to Faith the watch the second half of the CLBI choir tour. Which was PHENOMINAL! I should have taken a Kleenex. And I saw a bunch of familiar faces there too.

What a superb weekend! Could there be one better?? I think not. And on that note, I'm going to bed! Night-o

Edmonton

Greetings readers!

So this week at work was quite nice because I had some diversity. I am now being trained to help out the other co-op student because the next three weeks are supposed to be stupid crazy for her (today being budget day and all so now departments know how many summer students they can hire). So that's been fun. Yesterday was Kyla and I's Timmy's date. Neither of us won on the roll up the rim. Again. And today was "appreciate the PSC workers" day. We celebrated by eating lunch at the Centre of the Arts (or whatever they are calling it these days). So I ate too much. and I will not tell you how many desserts I helped myself to...

But more to the point of my exciting blog entry. I'm leaving on a jet plane. I'm flying to Edmonton tomorrow! Why? To see my kindred spirit, Anne. No, not myself. The other Anne (the better one). I get in Friday night. Then Saturday we will visit the good ole Camrose. Sunday and Monday I guess are shopping days! Hello IKEA and MEC! Oh how this prairie girl has missed you! I'm very excited to see Anne again and her family.

Well, other than seeing a leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day, there's not much else exciting to report (since curling isn't exciting enough to blog about, I don't know what is anymore...)

Curling

Well I can't even curl my hair let alone on ice with a broom!

So our work social club is having this curling night thing. It’s supposed to be non- competitive... but there are some people who are very serious about their curling. There is even a trophy to be won. It's almost half as tall as me. These people are serious. But to entice novice people like me to show up and make them look even better, they tell us it's "non-competitive". So today at work I organized a little team. There is four of us girls. None of us have a clue what curling is about. I mean, yes, I’ve seen it on TV and I realize that you have to get a rock, or two, into the circle things at the other end and after you throw your rock you have your other people sweeping and lots of yelling to “hurry hard”. So the plan is to go to V Village and hopefully find some old school matching curling outfits. I think that would be awesome. I would also like to wear a hat with a pom-pom on top. I’m not sure why… I just like to be silly I guess.

So I am going to see if I can find an old curling poster in my closet and take it to work to put on my wall and intimidate people who walk by. This is going to be a huge event. I’m going to put on a good game face (and hopefully I don’t wipe out on the ice TOO many times!!)

Well, that’s all for today!

(Two days in a row! How’s that for ya Ryan??)

Must be that time again!

Well, I seem to be very not good with the whole blogging thing. And I'm sorry, I can't think of a time when I helped someone with growing boobs. I may need a little more to go by than that. I have a super duper bad memory...

Ok, so since January I've been with the prov. govt. and very much loving it. I love the people I work with! I have lots of fun, we actually all take breaks together, there's a social club (with curling and bowling events coming up!), I "steal" my bosses flowers and they sit on my desk (which is in the hall), I've been invited to do yoga at lunch time with a lady at work, and take coffee breaks with the ladies who like to ogle the guy in the cafe down the alley. So much fun to work there!

On top of the success of my project at work and getting along great with my supervisor, I have been dancing like a maniac this semester. I will be performing two group routines for the Regina Ballroom Dancing Club on April 14th. It's coming up quick! I'm in a swing routine with a very opposite partner. I think I'm a foot taller than him... Short, buff, black man dancing with a tall, skinny, white girl... but we do the swing routine together and he's a great dancer. We're getting all the steps and most of the technique so far. I'm excited to perform this one because it's so much fun!! And Lucey, our instructor, cracks me up so much! She's so positive and confident. She makes me want to be a professional ballroom dancer!

The other routine I'm in is the two-step. Now, the two-step is my least favorite dance. So you may be wondering why I'm doing this routine then. Well, it's because I love dancing and I love learning. And I'm having so much fun. My partner for this dance is the most expressive guy I have ever met. I seriously laugh through entire practices regularly! We're doing LOTS of turns and crazy cool stuff for this routine so I'm actually liking the two-step for a change. Some turns are pretty hard and I'm still getting used to them. But, I'm sure by the time the performance rolls around I'll be good enough at the spins to actually smile while dancing instead of sporting the look of utter concentration!

Another thing that has been occupying some of my time this year is our church's Jr. Choir. I've been helping out with that on Sunday mornings. We have had one performance in church so far and there's another one to come on Psalm Sunday. our debut performance I choreographed the second verse of the song. Yes! I'm living my dream to be a back up singer vicariously thought the jr. choir. The kids looked so cute doing the actions at the front of the church!!! And one girl in particular stole the show. Oh... "love like an ocean..." going to make me laugh every time.

This year I was also elected by my congregation to serve on church council for a three year term as an Elder. Not because I'm old, but because I am excited to be in a leadership role involving our churches spiritual health. I'm very excited to see what God has planned with our congregation in the next three years and what my role is to be. Already I have been learning to be faithful in prayer. I'm going to need to be very connected with God if I'm going to be in such a position of leadership in the church. It's my prayer to be attentive to where God is working in the church so I can move there and work where He is already working.

Well, that about sums it up for tonight. And I'm off to bed. I will write again soon if I remember something I forgot to mention tonight.

Love me.

Surprise!

Well, yes.. the final went well and I got a good mark in the class and my average went up, so that's all good. But this isn't the "surprise". I'm talking about the phone call I got on Thursday right after lunch which turned my humble Thursday into the most stressful day of life. Ever. Well, did I mention that I went to a job interview a few weeks ago now? The Sask Public Service Commission called me and said they had a job and thought of me so they wanted to interview me. So I went, thinking "I'm signed up for classes, but you can never have enough interview practice". I thought the interview went horribly. It was a small room and VERY hot and I felt sick of hearing myself talk so much. But the Thursday phone call was the job offer. Now I don't know how to say no... most of you should know that, so I didn't say no... and that was interpreted as "yes I accept the position" So I was told when my start date and time was. Yikes! I was stressed through the roof! What was I to do? I was expected to start working for this place and I really didn't want to be! So after a very stressful day and evening, I came to the conclusion that the reason I didn't want to job was because it would POSSIBLY put me behind a semester of school and I wouldn't get a spring break, or a very long Christmas one for that matter... and it's a pay cut for me too... But this opportunity is good because I will gain experience in HR (what I tell people I'm majoring in), in a role that I don't have experience with yet, and at the PSC which is fabulous on an HR type resume... So I figured that yes, I would like this job because I feel the benefits outweigh the negatives. So I will be starting work with a new place starting Jan 3. They wanted me to start 8am on Jan 2. I arrive back on the bus from St. Louis on Jan 2 at 6am... so I asked to start a day later.

I must also mention that I performed a routine at this years Silver Bells Ball. It went well, and the ball was an absolute blast. I danced with a few new fella's and some were even cute! After the very delightful ball a few of us went to a bar that has salsa nights on Saturdays. Dang! Can I dance now! Mike Milette showed me a thing or two on the floor. Yes, I was sweating like a horse and felt very unattractive and everyone else probably thought the same thing... but I had an absolute blast! Until some creepy guy started dancing with me and none of my friends came so my rescue... again with the "no" saying problem!!! But other than that, it was awesome! I'll probably be a professional ballroom dancer when I grow up....

I survived!

Whew, talk about stress and a half! Study the multiple choice questions on-line all night. Then I get up early to catch a flight to S'toon. Get there, no time for coffee :( Start the full day of meetings. Can barely keep my eyes open (literally) for some training computer thinger that will be implemented in January, clearly after I'm gone... Then it's lunch time and we go to John's. It is very much like a Diplomat/Gulfs combination. Very nice. We did a little "gift card" exchange. I must say I got the best one because Marion added a tree ornament shaped as a gingerbread man with hers (the one I got) and it's for HBC. I'm thinking... home outfitters. Then I leave a meeting early to get a cab to the "hanger" we're taking off from. Get there, tell them my name, get myself a coffee and granola bar (I love West Wind). Then the plane is 15 min late!! I was stressing about it all day and then it actually happened! Dang! So then we finally get on and I'm thinking, maybe we can just go super super fast, and we'll still get there on time. NOPE! We definitely sat on the runway in line for another 15 min! Sure was 30 min later than I planned on being! So I'm stressed, drive to school, crazy long line for a tuna sandwich, run upstairs, trip (no I didn't really, but that would have been funny), try to check the computer to see which room my final is in, computer doesn't work, try another one, kick a chair on my way there making aloud noise which caused students to look at me, write on my hand the room number with the new highlighter I got today, back to the sandwich line, no line, get food, go over notes again, the tuna brain food didn't help. Wrote the final and was so kicking myself for having the flu the last day of class!! Should have brought a puke bucket with me and gone to class anyways. Would have maybe been better prepared for the format of the final. Should know my mark on Friday. Have no idea how I did. And that was my day. whew.

Tomorrow it's over to Julie's to decorate her tree! And drink cappuccino's!! Yay!

Procrastination

What a perfect time to blog again, when I'm procrastinating. I have a final tomorrow. I thought I would wait until my work term got better so I would have something nice to write... but I guess that was taking too long since I only have 9 working days left until the semester is over and I still haven't written.
So the work term has been ... uh... challenging. Maybe not the working environment of choice, but I have had a few interesting experiences. One notable one being the week I spent at Agribition. I was in the International Business Centre all week. This means it was mostly full of international business men. I was the youngest female there by 20 years. I'll let your imagination do the rest... I have had one old guy from N. Ireland try to contact me a few times now. Of all the people I exchanged business cards with... why him?? Why not a young, hot business man who isn't creepy mc creep creep?
So now that work term is dying down, I'm gearing up for Christmas!! I have a few "creative" ideas for Christmas presents this year... I'll let you know how they turn out.
I sang O Come, O Come, Emmanuel at my church's Advent Music festival last night. A few people had positive comments, so I may even consider doing a solo again. Practice makes perfect right??
The Regina Ballroom Dancing Club Ball is on Saturday. I'm really looking forward to that. I'm a part of the women's meringue routine. Should be a good time!
And after all the excitement of Christmas is over, I'm jetting out of here on a bus. midnight of Christmas Day. I'm heading for St. Louis for Urbana. I've never been before, but I've heard only good things about it. It's a student mission convention. I've found out that Ben from CLBI will be going too!! So that makes me not so scared... hopefully he and I can connect down there, that would be sweet!
And with that, I guess I should maybe go study. Wish me luck! I have to fly to S'toon for work tomorrow morning and back at 4pm, arriving in Regina (hopefully) at 4:45pm. My final starts at the opposite side of town at 7pm. Talk about stress!! Man I hope the plane isn't delayed.

Bridesmaid Extrodinaire

Well, work today was great! I was busy! And a client actually called me for some information! So exciting. I'm starting to get the routine of my job. This is great! YAY! And I may also be in a good mood because it was pay day today! he he. and yes, I did take the opportunity during my lunch break to spend my pay cheque (not all of it). :)

Julie's wedding last weekend was great. Picture before the ceremony, which I thought was weird, but they look great because we're not sick of smiling at that point. The ceremony was beautiful and I ALMOST cried but not quite. Then the reception. I was a co-MC. It went awesome!!! People even laughed at my lame jokes! and afterwards lots of people came to tell me I did a good job. I'm sure they also went to find Jason and tell him that he did a good job too. But yeah, it was great fun. And here are a few pictures from last Saturday for your viewing pleasure!

Us girlies!

The Wedding Party

Julie and Jon

My personal favorite. Feel free to view this one larger!

One down

I have now finished one week of my work term. I show up to work and nothing was ready for me. I spent the entire morning phoning between Saskatoon and Ottawa to find someone who could tell my password and passcode to sign onto the computer. That was frustrating and a half. And when I finally got all that, I discovered I had no hard drive in my computer. But my supervisor knew that... she just didn't tell me. so I used the lap top all week (until this afternoon when my hard drive finally came!!!). I had to try and do work "remotely" over the internet. So that sucked because I didn't have "authorized access". But yesterday I went to a conference with my super. It was great to get an overveiw of all the different departments in the West here and see a broader picture of where I fit in. And free lunch, drinks, and snacks all day is great too! Next week there a converence in Saskatoon from Wednesday until Friday. My super assumed I could go... but I told her I was in a wedding that Saturday. So I will be driving up with her on Wedneday (yes, my mom's b-day) and flying home on a private air line. I will be staying at the Sheratin hotel while in Saskatoon (one night). So that's all really exciting for me.

I am taking one night class this semester. I'm taking Consumer Behaviour. Should be a good class. We will have a group project this semester and I already have been asked to be someone's partner. She seems like a really great lady! I'm actually excited about a group/partner project because my partner seems so great.

I'm planning a lingerie shower for Julie. The plans are coming along great and the RSVP's are coming in slowly. The only problem will be my arrival time from the Saskatoon conference. Julie's shower will be the very same night. I do not have to go into work the next day because everyone will still be at the conference... but it will be a challange to coordinate myself getting home and getting all the food and game props to Julie's house and get her house set up (how will I get in without her knowing? I just reminded myself I need more coordination here...) Yeah, so it may be a gong show. But we'll see. I got my dress back from the seamstress last weekend. It fits really well now! Yay for getting it taken in.

Well, that's all for now!

Love, Anne

well wow

Well, wow, I must say I am exhausted. I have had quite the evenful summer since I've been back in Canada. I had the poison ivy for two weeks at camp. All I have left now are some scars on my legs. I finished up camp this week with a really great life guard, Danielle, who I clicked really well with. I have a week before I start my new job!! I was bombarded with interviews as soon as I was on Canadian soil. I applied for a few jobs and there was one I actually wanted, a marketing position for International Trade Canada. Anyways, I was offered a few jobs right on the spot which was stressful becuase they weren't the one that I wanted. So when the co-op office called me Tuesday two weeks ago to tell me I have "formal offers" and I had to either accept them or decline them in 24 hrs and neither of those were from the ITC job either... I didnt know what to do! I had prayed for God's will and I was so confused because I didn't know if God was saying "be patient, I will provide" or if He was telling me He had a different job in mind for my fall. So I asked if the office had heard back from ITC at all (maybe offering some one else the job, which would make my decision easier!) But they hadn't. So I said I would accept the job with United Way if they didn't hear back from ITC in the 24hrs. and wouldn't you know it... ITC called withint those 24 hrs and wanted to offer the job to me. So I will be working in down town Regina this fall for ITC in a marketing position. YAY!!! I'm so happy!

And in this week, I have many errands to accomplish before Julie's wedding, before I start a job, before I register for a night class this semester... oh man, so much to do! But I'm sure things will be fine if I can't get everything done. oh yes, exciting things are happening. showers galore for Julie, decisions I have to make about my future,and finding time to see eye doctors and family doctors before I get too busy.

Ole came to visit me today. what a great highlight. What a crazy guy. It was very nice to see him again. Oh Bible school.... I wish I could re-live that year over and over again. wow.

Tee Hee!

Thanks Kortney!

Now that I'm feeling loved, I guess I should write more. I got home from Oz with an entire TV crew waiting for me at the airport... ok... so they weren't waiting for me. But dado got them to point their cameras at me so I would think I was on TV. They were really there for the red paper clip guy who's plane was scheduled to come in right after ours. Had a day to sleep and "recover" and then started a St. Johns first aid course. After that was done I had 3 job interviews for my co-op job in September. That afternoon I flew with my family to visit relative in Ontario!! And I had SUCH a good time as I always do when I get to see my cousins, auntie, uncle, and grandparents. Got back to Regina and my luggage sure didn't make it. So I had to re-think my outfit to wear at Larry Girl's wedding as I was her guest book person (which is not a very hard job). Larissa's wedding was Sunday and then it was off to camp on Monday. I am now back from my first week of camp for the summer. three more to go! I was at conestoga... which means it's the teen campers and we sleep in covered wagons and such. It was a really really amazing week and I'm SO tired today. and yes. I did get poison ivy again. and yes, i am still allergic to it. the entirety of my shins and calves are covered with tiny bumps excpt for the few spots that are big white hard blister type things. NOT COOL! and my knee is still bothering me... so wide games were quite the challange. anyways, this week I'll be lifeguarding at the main pool, so I should be far away from any more poison ivy. this week will be a junior week too, so that means I will not be needed to teach swimming lessons. so it will be fun to have a little less responsibility than I did this week (with lifeguarding and cabin leading). Yes! So I'm back at home and almost all settled in. And yes, I'm still really good at keeping busy.

Hey Kortney, how are wedding plans??

OK, I'm going for real now. But I'm just so excited to see you all soon! :D OK, supper time. But I'm excited!!! I don't know if I'll be able to sleep. And maybe that's a good thing. then I will sleep on the plane. Ok, I'm excited. Pray for my safe trip will ya? Thanks!

Love excited me!

Saskatchewan Bound

Greetings all.

Well Friday night I had a "Farewell Dinner" at Robyn's house. Anna and Leigh, Shane and Noni, Robyn and her friend Dianna, and another guy who I had apperently met once before in passing (I didn't remember but apparenlty he did). Food was great (I helped by stirring). Dessert was better. Between courses Robyn gave me a bag full of small presents each one with a story. That was real great that I was able to make memories with her. Then after dinner we sat and watched footy and talked in the living room. The last time I will ever sit in my recliner ... Then Shane and Noni loaded me into their car (with my HEAVY HEAVY bags). and Shane, Noni, army boy and I waited for my 30 min late train at the Albury station. The last time I'll ever catch a train there... no more weekend trips to Melbourne.

Then I took a night train to Sydney. I sat beside a goth guy who I don't think had showered for two weeks. He smelled like I did when I got back from my camping in the outback. But he was sweet. Put his black jacket over my when I was trying to get some shut eye... too bad it smelled. lol. Then I got into sydney and took a taxi to the other side of the block (yes my bags are that heavy) and stored my luggage for the day. Then I went to meet Marcey at her hostel and we went to get the bus to Hillsong church. We went to the auditorium out of the city central and it was AMAZING! Imagine church like that every day! Wow. And even thought the church was so huge (lots of people), everyone talked to you like you were long lost friends! so friendly. I thought it would be real hard to have a sence of community with so many people... but I guess that's not the case! We sang all songs that neither of us knew... but they're all on the newest hillsongs cd (which we didn't buy but thought about buying). My bags are way too heavy to add anything more to them.

Then Marcey wanted to do some souvenier shopping at Paddy's market so we went there and she hopped while I was tired and bleary eyed. I did buy a scarf myself... so she wasn't the only shopper... but she was on a mission and she was the only serious shopper. Then she called her blind date and he came to meet us. Still Marcey had not told me what she wanted to do for accomodation that night. She did want to have this blind date so she could get a free dinner out of the deal... but I wasn't really that interested in being a tag along on her date... and she had a hard time deciding where she wanted to stay for the night... so I called my mate from school, Kim. And he came and picked me up and took me back to his place for supper. I slept very good until Marcey called this morning and woke me up. said she was going into town to shop, siad she stayed over at Dan's and that I could stay there too and he'd drive us to the airport tomorrow and I could meet her for soup at 12:30 if I wanted. So I said I'd stay here for the next night (Kim and his wife had made plans to take me to the Blue Mtns and cook a fancy dinner for my last night in Australia). So Marcey and I will not be spending out last night in Aussie land together. But we will be spending a 15 hr flight beside eachother so it's ok.

So today I was driven to the Blue Mtns for the second time. And today was NOT foggy!!!!! Victory!! And the veiws were sensational!! It was so great! I saw all three of the three sisters. Then Kim and I went to some cascades and I got some pretty quality photos there too. And then on the way home Kim drove me over the oldest bridge on Australia's mainland (there is an older one in Tassie). I got a photo of that too. I can show you tomorrow in person!!

So it's dinner time soon, one more sleep, and then plane time. Tomorrow night I will be sleeping in my own bed in my own neighbourhood. The first thing I will doo when I arrive at my home (after hugging mom and dad at the airport) will be to find my "killer cat" and hug the life out of her on my living room floor. Then eat DQ. Then my mom's cookies and dad's pancakes. Ah yes, it will be good to be home.

I will see you all very very soon. It has been great sharing these adventures with you guys. See you soon!

love, Anne

Just Quick

The desert trip was OUTSTANDING!!! I had more than a blast. SO SO SO good! I am in Albury tonight for a farwell dinner. Then I will catch the train at 11pm with two VERY heavy bags. Then I will be in Sydney... hoping to check out Hillsong church. Then Tuesday morning it will be airport time for another LONG trip across the world arriving Tuesday night strangley enough... I will update you later about the dessert trip because... well... you know me, somethings only happen to me. So have a great day all and try not to miss me too much! I will be home soon!!!

LOVE ME!!! :)

Trek to the Center.

Yes, 4:20 am comes early in Australia too. Being busy with school and me being a fabulous procrastinator left only a 4:20 am bus as my mode of transportation to Alice Springs to meet up with Marcey. Another catch... I have a day to kill in Melbourne and a day to kill in Adalaide and 3 nights of "sleeping" on the dreaded bus. I told you about my new Jewish friend. And my day morning in adelaide, the city of churches, was spent trying to find a church to attend! With no such luck, I wandered and did the sight seeing thing. Free chocolate samples at the chocolate factory, walked through the botanic gardens, and cruised up and down the river on Popeye II. Back to the bus station nice and early. Waiting and watching for my bus through the giant glass windows. I see a greyhound finally pull up, but it's going to Darwin, not Alice... so I sit and wait more. I watch all the people get on and then the bus drives away... now it's past 6 and I go to the Premier Bus counter to ask them if they know where my Alice bus is. then told me it just left! apparently Alice springs is on the way to Darwin! AH! The same type of panic hit as when I was lost in California b/c I got on the wrong bus. I tell you, me and busses do not get along. But through my tears, the Premier guys decided to help me and they gave me a supper reduced rate on their bus to get me to Fort Augusta to catch up with my bus before it left it's supper break there at 11pm. Whew, so I boarded the bus and finally calmed down. Only to me. Only to me. Once on my proper bus at Fort Augusta, my seet was occupied by a sleeping woman... so the only other place to sit (that wasn't being slept on) was beside this abo guy. well, the entire bus was full of abos. it was actually very intimidating. But, my new abo friend Theo, let me sit with him. He's an opal minner in Coober Peedy. Neat. We hit 2 kangaroos on the highway. serves them right for punching my eye!

I arrived in Alice later than Marcey and she even let me have a shower before we rushed to the flying doctors. The best part of the Flying Doctors was the coffee and cheesecake was ate in the cafe at the end. lol. Oh yes, and one tip, when posing with the dummies in the stretcher for a picture... do not attempt to hold their hand with a concerned look on your face... their arm will fall off.

So we're up early an on our way with a tour bus heading to Kings Canyon. as the sun started to rise we stopped for camel rides. It's a pretty bumpy ride. but I was wedged between two humps... so I didn't fall off. We walked around Kings Canyon and wathced the sun set over a dried up salk lake. We ate camel for supper (how ironic) and slept under the stars in swags. another early morning to watch the sun rise over the red sand dunes. Wlked around the base or Uluru (Ayers Rock) and then walked through the Olgas. yes, my knee was not happy. we watched the sun set opposite of Uluru so we could see the "colour changes" on the rock. It was pretty neat. and it's at this time that ayers Rock looks briliantly red. We ate kangaroo for supper. Slept in swags under the stars and I fell asleep after seeing 7 shooting stars.

Last day of our tour we watched the sun rise beside Ayers Rock. Our "coach captin" (not bus driver) took us on a mini tour around Uluru and told us some of the spiritual stories along the way. pretty nifty. We stopped at Jim's Place on the way back to Alice and Marcey played the piano there. And a dingo jumped onto the keys as she was playing and started howling! lol. I took pictures when I wasn't laughing... so we don't ahve a lot of pictures because it was too funny! And then the tour was over and we were happy to shower. I met Mulga, the tour owner guy and he let me try on his fuzzy pink hat. I actually saw him again today in Adalaide! Small world.

Now it's back to albury (via night bus that I will not miss) and them camping again on Monday! After that it's back to Sydney for my final weekend in the Souther Hemisphere. Then I will see you all Tuesday at the airport!!

love me!

Sydney Adventure

Ok, now for the belated sydney adventure. Three assignments due on Friday... I worked like a crazy mad man and finished by Thursday around 5pm. Then a rush pack job and Anna dropped me off at campus to hand everything in on our way out. We drove north on the Hume highway until we reached her mother's houe for the evening. we spent the night there. Stunning. WOW! Her mother rents the house from a guy in Sydney. It is on a farm (but someone else rents and farms the land). The house is OLD and has the high ceilings and beautiful furnature, fireplaces in all the main rooms, wall paper, you get the picture. Basically my dream home. so after the tour I was served homemade punpkin soup! Picture dad's carrot soup (the same thickness and creaminess) but with pumpkin and not carrot and rice. VERY good, but also a bit spicy so I had to have a piece of homemade bread to ease the fire on my tounge. YUM! Slept in one of the many rooms and was surprisingly warm (winter here and no central heating).

Up for an early start to the Blue Mtns. We got there and drove down into the veiwing area. Where did the fog come from? Yikes! So we payed for our parking and walked thorugh the visitors centre and looked at what the veiw was supposed to look like. Then we attempted to see some thing, anything, off the veiwing area. nope. nadda. Just white. all white! It was actually kinda creepy becuase you had your eyes wide open and still all you could see was white. crazy. so we walked down the slippery and wet path to the base of the first of the Three Sisters. Anna didn't want to walk down the steep stiars... and truthfully, my knee wasn't feeling up to the task either. so I saw a vage outline and back to the car we went. We finished the drive into Sydney and stopped at the largest mall in the Southern Hemisphere on our way into central Sydney. Here I bought a pair of shoes. they have heels. oh my word. checked into a hotel (Anna's more of a five star girl... not a hostel type girl). and walked (in my new shoes) to Darling Harbour for supper! What a good veiw. And the food was only ok. But after supper we walked to the other side of the harbour for cheesecake and coffees. That was the good part!

Saturday, up early again for some Pitt St. shopping and Paddy's market. We walked over to "The Rocks" to see the rocks, lol, and to look thorugh some markets. walked back tothe hotel though sydney Harbour and stopped for coffees. We drove across the harbour bridge to meet Anna's sister for drinks at the Oaks before supper. Then we went to the trendy side of Kings Cross and ate an exquisite meal at The Victorian Room. Just walking down the street all you could see was a big bouncer tye guy standing infront of the door. Anna's sister just walked right up to him (not something I would do), and he opened the door for us. Up the staricase and into the most magnificent dinning area I have ever seen. Mohogany wood, forest green lamps, big chandeleirs, burgandy apolstery... wow. I could barley read the menue I was too enthrawled with the decor.

Sunday morning Anna and I went to Bondi beach to try to find some great market her sister was telling us about. I guess the weather was too bad, because we never did find it. So we went to the Elizabeth bay house and then Anna dropped me off at the government house. apparently she didn't want to see it too?? But here is where Trevor calls. And he wants to hang out but he and his mates are going to the pub for a very blokey night watching soccer... not a place where Anne fits in. so he wants to meet me now at the National Art Gallery across from the opera house. So I met up with Trevor and we went for coffee in the sweetest place in The Rocks. Then Trevor took me to the 36th floor of the Shangru-La hotel. There is a lounge up there and a seriously breath-taking veiw of the sydney harbour and beyond. We got up there just in time to see the sun set. WOW! the colours in the sky and the reflections in the water. So amazing. Then Trevor (our lawyer friend) says I can order anything on the menu and it will be his treat (as if the coffee wasn't already)... then he noticed the $3000 bottle of wine. He said I couldn't order that. Then he saw the $999 bottle of wine... also I wasn't allowed to order that... so anything with 3 numbers I wasn't allowed to order. lol. too funny. what a character. Still time before he meets his mates, so we drove across the harbour bridge and to a Thai place for supper. at the risk of sounding repetative, it was beautiful. great meal. great company. what a good Sydney night. He dropped me off when we were finished at the place Anna, her sister, and their dad were meeting for supper. Trev went to meet up with his mates and the rest of us went to the pub across the street.

Now Monday, brekkie with Anna's dad. He's a racecar driver. and he too all of us ladies out for a Greek brekkie. I had french toast, so I'm nt sure what was greek about that... Anna and I hit the Sydney aquarium up before our long drive home. So yeah, it's like sea world, finding nemo, and crocodile hunter all rolled into one. Very cool.

And that was my most fabulous weekend in Sydney!

Hello people

Well, I guess time flies when you're studying... I didn't tell you all about my weekend in Sydney with Anna. I will fill you in when I have more time. But for now I'll tell you about my last two days. So I was in Melbourne yesterday after finishing the semester in Albury. I got a bus at 4am! yikes. Anyways, I spent the day shopping and sight seeing in Melbourne only to catch a 9pm bus here to Adelaide. Anyways, I was in Melbourne scoping out the parks and government buildings. And On my way I looked up and saw I was standing right infront of the Hard Rock Cafe Melbourne! So I took a picture for you dad ;) Then I went into the parliament gardens and saw this cool fountain thing. Then I watched some guy walk into it. But I still wanted a picture... So I took one. The guy ws standing in the middle (where only his shoes got wet) and he was SINGING his lungs out!! WOW! he was loud. I thought maybe he was "singing in the rain". So walking down the street later that day I saw the singing guy. So I asked him what he was singing. Anyways, turns out he's from Montreal and we toured around some churches and parks together. It was pretty cool. HIs name is Daniel and he's a Jewish guy. He had some very interesting perspectives on life and was quite inspiring. So that was really fun. And I'm out of time but I would like to close in saying that I saw a dog today with three tennis balls all in his mouth at once! who does that?! And then I watched his owner throw the balls for him and I watched him pick up all three balls, one at a time, without dropping any! Now that's talent! I'm catching the bus here in an hour and then I will see Marcey in Alice Springs tomorrow arvo. And then I guess we're going to see the flying doctors. Just guess who's idea that was. lol. TTYL!

Love me