Charlie Down Under

I want to do it too....The Google Game.

2010-11-25T19:59:00.000-08:00

Rules: Search Google Images to match your answers. Only use the images from the first 2 pages of your search.

Age:

Fun places I've been:
Somewhere I want to go:

One of my favorite places: (Texas)

Favorite Object:

Favorite Food:

Favorite Animal:

Favorite Color:

Birthplace:

Current Residence:

Past Love:

Best Friend: (I have lots of friends)

Name: (IDK)

Nickname: (Charlie) NO IDEA

First Job:

What are you doing right now:

Running.

2010-11-14T23:32:00.000-08:00

So, I found this on one of my running websites the other day. I thought I would share. It's cool because it's what I do.

You know you're a runner if.....

1. You are frequently called "crazy".

2. You actually *like* to sweat.

3. You get jealous of any runners you pass while driving, wishing that you were running too.

4. Throughout your race you are constantly calculating your expected finish time.

5. You spend all week planning your weekend long run.

6. Your day isn't complete until you've put your run in.

7. You consider getting a PR almost as great as winning the race.

8. Your non-running friends consider every race you run a "marathon".

9. Whether a 5K or a marathon runner, you understand "the runner's high".

10. You feel an instant kinship to any other runner you pass by on the street.

11. Your Ipod has a "running" playlist.

12. You have ever felt warm, sweaty, and cold all at the same time.

13. The atkins diet seems preposterous to you...who wants to give up carbs??

14. A 5K is "only 3.1 miles".

15. You know precisely the distance between every intersection in your neighborhood.

16. You call all other sports cross-training.

17. You have no idea why you keep signing up for races until they are over.

18. You schedule your meals around your runs.

19. 5 miles is a 'nice and easy' distance for you.

20. No matter how busy you are, you always make time for your runs.

Good ole number 23!

2010-10-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

So, I said that I would post on this more, but I have failed! However, I have a post now! :) Yesterday was my birthday and so I felt like being selfish and creating a blog just about me. Writing facts seems to be a common thing amoung blogs, so here are 23 things you may or may not know about me:

1. I LOVE big, tiny, and old books. I don't care what they are about I just love the way they look.
2. I can't stand the sun in my eyes.
3. I don't like rugs that aren't centered in the middle of the floor. Or a picture that is not centered.
4. I have a bed phobia. I can't sleep in other peoples beds unless they are family, or I never knew who slept there before. (like hotels and guest bedrooms).
5. I love to run, and I am now obessed with running shoes. One day I will own 50 pairs.
6. I drink powerade/gatorade at least once a day. I love it!
7. I can't stand the phrases "get over it" OR "we'll cross that bridge when we get there".
8. I drag Sam everywhere, and can't live unless her schedule is in accordance with mine. :)
9. I love gum and popping my gum.
10. I'd rather wear a T-shirt, jeans, and hoodie more than anything else.
11. I can't own TV on DVDs because I can't own only one part of a series. AND I never have money so I can never buy all the seasons. I have yet to buy HSM because I want to buy the box set.
12. I can't sleep with the closet door open or my feet outside the covers.
13. I love journaling. I have completed 8 journals since I was 10.
14. I am currently obessed with peanut butter. Let's just say I'm like a Kunz when it comes to cereal.
15. I'm in love with Taylor Launter.
16. Post-its are one of the best inventions. I always make notes and reminders on them and hang them up all over my desk.
17. I loathe spagettii, but I LOVE corn beef hash.
18. I use to pick peoples noses once upon a time (if you really want to know, ask).
19. I make really weird noises that no one has ever heard before (just ask my roommates).
20. I have to go to the bathroom before I go to bed, even if I don't have to go.
21. I check my phone several times a day even though I know nothing will be there.
22. I can entertain myself with just about anything, including a stick.
23. I make lists, about everything, including this one. :)
Bonus: I think I'm really funny! :)

2010-08-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Granary,

You have always been good to me. Well, when comparing you to past apartments such as Moon and Glenwood, but right now our relationship is hanging by a thread. You did not e-mail me to warn me that some strange guy would be knocking on my door, my bedroom door mind you, at 9:30 on a Saturday morning to clean my carpets. I had to jump out of bed, and clean everything off my floor. You are lucky I just cleaned my room the day before. Then I had to sit in the kitchen whilst you cleaned my carpets and insulted its dirtiness. Well, if you told me before hand I could have vaccumed. (although it still wouldn't have been clean considering our vaccum from the 1800s, but that's for another day.) Now, I have to walk around with wet carpets and if you stand in one place too long, your feet get soaked. So, thank you Granary. You are now in debt to me.

Your almost not friend,
Charlie
P.S. You can always take money off my next rent payment.
P.S.2 I woke up this morning and my feet STILL get wet.

13.1

2010-07-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

October 6, 2009 I set a goal to run a marathon. I am half way there! Exactly a week ago, I ran a 1/2 marathon in southern Utah in a place called Bryce Canyons. I think I am still in shock that I made it this far. I was planning on being able to run a marathon this fall, but I don't think that is going to happen. In February, I hurt my knee and I had to do rehab and stay off of it for a couple months. I finally started running again end of April, early May. That's when I discovered the Bryce Canyons Marathon and signed up!!! I had six weeks to train for it, and on July 17, 2010 at 6:00 in the morning. I ran. It was thrilling. I was nervous and excited, but I LOVED it. Some of it was downhill, some at an inclince, and some were just flat. I started out really good at a good pace, and then just stuck with that. I stopped to walk twice for about a minute, and then just kept going. I really felt it at mile 11, but then I was so close that I just kept pushing. I finished 5 minutes faster than I wanted too, it wasn't olympic material, but it was certainly a victory for me. I was almost in tears by the end with joy, not pain. Although I was hurting:). The recovery was a pain, and I was super sore, but it was way worth it. It felt good to have a goal and to follow through with it. I'm running another one the end of October, and hopefully a full one next year. I'll do it even if it kills me! See pictures Here.

I know.

2010-07-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

I know....Okay....I know. I am going to start blogging on this again.......

Tomorrow!:)

New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-15T15:00:00.000-08:00

I have finally come up with my New Year's Resolutions, and I feel like that if I post them where others can see it, then I will be more motivated to accomplish them.

2010 New Year's Resolutions:

Read 15 Books
Run a Marathon
Donate my Hair
Embrace the Gospel more fully
Make a difference in someone's life
Travel somewhere new
Discover/develop a talent
attend the temple at least twice a month.
Serve others....ALWAYS!

I feel as if these are reasonable and realistic. We shall see what happens.

Project 365

2010-01-09T12:56:00.000-08:00

So, I have this new blog because Rannie and I decided to do a project called Project 365 where you take a picture each day of the year. Here is the link. You should check it out, its pretty fun!!

charlieproject365.blogspot.com

2010

2009-12-30T17:10:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged in so long. I have just been so busy. The year is over and I can't believe it!!! However, I am VERY happy to say goodbye to 2009. This was an okay year. It had its ups and downs. My year consisted of:

-I actually made 5 of my new years resolutions. (we'll see how it goes this year).
-I went to Australia and New Zealand! (Hello!!) I learned more about athletic training, met new friends and learned more about myself.
-I trained for the BYU baseball team which was a blast.
-I met new people and made new friends.
-I moved into an apartment and ward that I actually love.
- I started training for a marathon that I am going to run this year.
- I managed to not gain weight.
-I learned that with the Lord all things are possible. I know that I have to rely on Him, and that when I do things always turn out for the better. I know that I can be truly happy with Him. I know that these are all things that I knew before but never truly lived them as I should. I know that I can not control other people or change them, but I can change who I am to be better and love them to help make them better.
- I know that with God all things are possible.

"He never said it would be easy, just worth it."

I am excited for a new year. I hope that I experience more and grow more. I have high hopes and several goals. We shall see what happens......

Like Rannie asks..."Are you going to say two thousand and ten or twenty ten?"

ONE WEEK!!!

2009-12-09T22:13:00.001-08:00

I have exactly one week til I fly home for Christmas and I am so excited because.....

1. I get to eat Mexican food.
2 I get to see my family. All together. esp since Adison is leaving.
3. I get to see our house finished. well almost.
4. It's christmas, so that means a warm home and presents and love and cheer and HAPPINESS.
5. Warm weather.
6. Playing baseball.
7. Seeing old friends.

8. Going to see WOO!!!! Martina, Terri, and Cindi.
9. Running outside again.!!!!
10. A break from school.
11. SLEEP!!!!!!
12. Games GALORE....American idol, rockband, guitar hero competitions, settlers.
13. Break from work and training!!!
14. Home cooked meals.

I can't wait. I am so excited, and I'm just counting down the days!!! 7!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-29T22:45:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and got to eat ALL the food they wanted without gaining a pound. :0!!!

I didn't have a chance to do this before Thanksgiving, so I wanted to say now everything that I am thankful for this year......

I am thankful for my family. They have always been there for me. I'm thankful that they are all righteous and worthy. I am also thankful for their friendship and laughter. I'm thankful for my parents and the example that they are to me. I'm thankful for the way they raised me and the guidance that they continue to give me now. I know they work very hard, and I am thankful for them and their love not only for me, but for one another. I'm thankful for Rannie. She is an awesome big sister, who has always looked out us. I'm also thankful for her husband Chris who always makes me laugh and cares. I will truly miss them when they leave. I'm thankful for Sammie. I know that I can go to her for anything and trust her with my life. I'm thankful for Adison and his example to me, and his desire to serve a mission. I'm thankful for Jennifer, Shannin, and Rob who always put a smile on my face, and I love seeing them often. I'm also thankful for Timmmy and love talking to him.

I'm thankful for my roommates. Jannette and Ashley who are kind hearted and caring.

I'm thankful for the gospel. I don't know what I would do without it. It is my whole life. I'm thankful for the power of the atonement and the HUGE blessing that it is in my life. I'm thankful for scriptures that help me gain knowledge and inspiration. I'm thankful for prayer. I'm thankful for the knowledge of knowing who I am and where I am going, and my purpose here on earth. I'm thankful for the Holy Ghost as a constant companion in my life, for temples, priesthoood, sacrament, baptism, living prophets and apostles, church leaders, and repentance.

I'm thankful for friends. Including my good friends back home! (no matter the age ;). Friends who really care about me, and I know they will be there for me ALWAYS.

I'm thankful for a BYU education and the opportunity I have to go to this great school.

I'm thankful for my health.

I'm thankful for food esp. mexican food (tex mex), and donuts.

I'm thankful for clothes, shoes, coats, bed, indoor plumbing, electricty, computers, movies, books, MP3, phone.

I'm thankful for my talents, virtue, intergrity, and a desire to learn and grow everyday.

I'm thankful to you for reading my blog and making me feel special.

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving break.
Now, unfortunately, it's back to life........

Yes, there are rules!

2009-11-22T15:23:00.000-08:00

Table Time. Are there rules? Well yes, 10. If I write them down somewhere, then they become official.

1. There are only TWO things, TWO!!! *cough* Jennifer *cough* that you can bring to the table.
- Yourself.
- Your food.
There are NO electronics among these cell phones and lap tops.

2. You HAVE to bring something edible. If you can't consume it, don't bring it and don't sit down. :).

3. If you are not at the table enjoying table time, don't join in the conversation that is going on at the table. If you are in your room, then you can't bud into table time. Gets your foods and come on over. It defeats the purpose of "table" time.

4. There is no arguing at the table. It is a contention free zone.

5. There is no insulting the people sitting at the table. It only causes contention. Anyone else? Fair game.

6. If there is something already on the table that was there after table time started, you can play with it, eat it, and do as you please with it. i.e. a stick.

7. There is NO kicking people out of table time. If they are following the rules, they are allowed to stay, even if you don't like them.

8. It does not take a certain number of people to do table time. It can be 4, it can be 2. It can even be one. Yes, I have my own table time.

9. Try to control your behavior......................ummm.....yeah.

10. You HAVE to have fun.

Now that these are in writing its official!!!!! Rules you ask? Always.

Table Time

2009-11-09T10:38:00.000-08:00

Table Time- spending time around the table.

Occasionally we have table time in our apartment, and I love it. I don't know why, but I love when people sit around a table, eat, talk, and laugh. When this happens in our apartment everyone brings whatever they can find to eat (you have to be eating something) even if it's just water, that counts, to the table and we talk. You can bring whatever you want to the table as long as its happy and fun, or you can eventually make it happy and fun. Whenever someone has a funny story, or needs to be cheered up because they are having a bad day, we all announce TABLE TIME!!! Grab your food! It always works!!! Its the best medicine. Our table time normally happens around 1:00 in morning when everything is funny, but isn't that the best? Oh, how I love table time. You should try it, it's fun!!!

Table time is a cherished time!!! lol.

I'm old enough for my Nucleus Pulposus to start to degenerate

2009-11-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

Techinally....anyone 20 and older is old enough for their Nucleus Pulposus to degenerate, and I am two years after that so that means I'm REALLY old.....

22 feels the same as 21, but it is a year closer to 30 and I don't think I ever want to get there. My birthday was fantastic thanks to friends and family. Jennifer and I actually captured the whole day...

Jannette's beautiful chalk decorating!

First, Jennifer and Jannette filled my whole room with balloons. It was so inviting and awesome!

Then we had a healthy breakfast...donuts!!! There's no excuse not to eat donuts on your bday!
As we ate donuts and watched movies, we made turtle pecan cheesecake with an oreo crust. This is me crushing the oreos. I was getting annoyed because it was taking so long, so I started crunching with the remote. It worked really well. :)
This is our left over oreo filling after scraping it all out. It looked disgusting!!!
Stirring caramel which is a very boring job....btw!
Putting the cheesecake in the oven to bake. It was HUGE!!!
Utah also surprised me with snow. It was kinda exciting only because I was inside baking and watching it instead of freezing and walking to school in it!!! It was pretty.
Then everyone finally got home and we all went to Tucanos!! It was delicious!!! Although they did NOT give me my free meal. I would hate them and never eat there again, but how could you hate Tucanos?!!
Jannette and I were both celebrating our free (not mine) bdays there.
The whole crew!!
After Tucanos we were ALL so STUFFED, so we laid around and fooled around, and waited to eat MORE!!!And we did eat more!!! Delicious TRES LECHE!!!! YUMMM!!! and Turtle Pecan cheesecake.

And don't forget the Margarittas!!!! (Virgin of course) :)!!!
Eating cake!!!

Then after filming our Glee belting and dancing around the living room we went to Nightmare on 13th. It was scary and fun!!!

Overall it was a really good bday. Hailey got me a Jamba Juice gift card and athletic tape. Chris and Rannie got me a photo album. My mom got me money, who can say no to that. And everyone else gave me a GREAT day with balloons and cake!!! Thanks guys!!!

P.S. Nucleus Pulposus is the inside portion of your vertebral discs.

She said it best!

2009-10-26T23:45:00.001-07:00

Thank you Sam. It made my day. Now, I know I will have a great bday!!!
http://greeneggsandham-symantha.blogspot.com/

Bagels

2009-10-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

Bagels are now my new favorite running food. So, I am two weeks into my marathon training and I think it is going really well so far. The more I do it, the more committed I come to doing it. Tonight I ate a bagel before I ran because I remember the last time I did I had a pretty good run. Well, tonight was awesome. I felt like I could run forever and it would hurt or bother me. I love that feeling!!!!

BYU lost tonight which is not fun! And what was even more miserable was working the game and FREEZING!!!!

That's all I have to say.

CornFairy

2009-10-13T18:12:00.000-07:00

So the story begins.....
Ever since last Sunday, we have been receiving mystery corn gifts at our door from a person we like to call the corn fairy. First we received Candy corn, which we thought was just from a friend. So, thinking nothing of it, we went about our day. Then we got popcorn....then caramel corn....corn nuts.....cornbread.....corn pops.....and today a candle in the shape of corn. This is all very exciting, but its driving us crazy that we don't know who it is!!!! We have spied out the window a couple times, but have received no results. They always come at the right time. This person is good! We have had a few suspicions and have interrogated a lot of people, but have not yet found them. We have left notes asking them questions, and we have narrowed it down to in our ward and that the gifts are for everyone!! So you would think that this would have to end sometimes because there are only so many things with corn in it, but YOU are wrong. We have made a list and there are A LOT of things dealing with corn. This could go on for at least another month.
BUT today.......
Jannette spied out our window and we saw who it was. It was a girl, but none of us have ever recognized her before. We still don't know who it is. BUT we will get to the bottom of it!!! I wonder what question we will be asking tonight.???? hmmmmmmm..........

Rubix Cube.

2009-10-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

I have finished the rubix cube!!!!

Yes...I have been working on it for a week or two and I finally got it finished. I am so excited. I have always wanted to do it, and now I can be under that list of people who CAN!!!! Now I just have to get faster, so I can do it under a certain time.
I will count this under a great achievement in my life. :)

Finally

2009-10-10T22:32:00.000-07:00

I finally got a new phone the other day. It is so nice to have something different. Although it is not my favorite, it operates. And guess how much it was? FREE! I was so excited. The only thing I don't like about it is that it has no keypad, only a key board, and I HATE texting with it. But it does slide and I love that. It is also a pretty color blue. :).

I also finally got to go on a motorcycle ride this morning. It has been a long time coming. Its been a long while since I have been on a bike. It was WAY fun. I hope that my future husband owns a bike. :).

Finally...my parents came out this weekend and it was so nice to see them. A little taste of home. We went to Tucanos today and it was SOO good. The only bad thing is feeling really stuffed afterwards. But it is worth it. They leave Monday, so we will be partying it up tomorrow. Well as much as Sunday allows. I am making my delicious pizza for them, and Rannie and I are making home made brownies. YUMMMMM!!!!

Divine.......Revelation

2009-10-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

No I did not have a divine revelation, but......

I did have DIVINE veggie pizza. So I found the recipe that I wanted and I made it on Sunday and it was SOOO good. I would like to say it was healthy, but I don't think it was. It had the best soft crust (Pillsbury) and then the sauce mix was cream cheese based, and Rannie and I have decided that cream cheese is always good esp. cooked. And then I topped it with my favorite veggies like tomatoes, olives, celery, carrots, bell peppers, and some cheese. It was really really really good. And it has lasted me a couple meals which is always a plus. I will be making this more often. It is great for party treats. :).

AND

I had a REVELATION from myself to myself:). I decided that I really wanted to run a marathon. I think I have always wanted to, and I thought it would be awesome, but never thought that I could do it, but I AM. I am going to start training to do one. My ACI is going to help me come up with a training program and I am going to run in the St. George Marathon next October, well I have been looking into marathons, and I'm not sure that's the definite one yet. I will have to keep you updated. However, I am really excited and hope that I can do it.

There I go with wanting to do everything again!!! ;) But it should be fun!!!.....I hope!!!

Everything!

2009-10-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

So I have so much to blog about I just don't know where to start.

First! Adison got his mission call to Cordoba Argentina and I am so happy for him. He is going to be such a great missionary. All my baseball players were very happy for him too. A couple of them served down there, so they were giving advice. AND....I totally called South America. And yes you can call a whole continent, there aren't rules. :). He reports January 27 and I'm glad we get one more Christmas with him. Congrats Adison!!

Second! This weekend is General Conference and I love it! I always get answers to my questions and feel the spirit. I got to go to the second session today and it was so great. I was so close to the Prophet. Their spirit is so strong, and we still have four hours left tomorrow.

Third! I got to go to sweet tomatoes today and it was soooooo good. I love that place.

Fourth! I get in these moods where I like to do all these things, but I have no time. I really want to start cooking and learning new recipes because I think I will enjoy it. So, tonight we are going grocery shopping and I am going to try to pick up food to actually cook with. I'll let you know how it goes. I really want to cook this pizza thing that is really good, but I'm not sure what its called. I hope I can find it. I also really want to start playing the piano again so I can actually become good at it so I'm going to try to start practicing every Sunday, I hope I stick with it. I just lose the patience for it sometimes. I also want to draw more, so I can get better. I love drawing, but I also sometimes lose patience with it. I get frustrated and then stop. I just need to devote time to it each month or something. I also want to start doing service more because I like to help others out, and I always discover something about myself when I do. So I came up with this great idea to make beanies and then donate them to a homeless shelter or something. I thought it was a good idea. I will let you know how all these goals work out. We shall see. OH....I also get in these moods where I scrapbook a lot and now is that time. I have been working on my Australia scrapbook and its coming along pretty well, I think. I just need to find a good album to put it in. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........................

Fifth! Last, but not least my room is clean. I wish I kept it clean more often because its great when it is. I don't know why I have such a hard time.

Now I'm off to work on EVERYTHING!!!! Wish me luck!

Just for the memory.

2009-09-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

You know when things happen that were not suppose to, or something got all screwed up that was suppose to be perfect, or you do something not because its fun, but just cause? I think we do somethings just for the memory, or somethings happen that you should NOT be okay with, but you are because it makes a good memory later. I did a lot of things in Australia that were just for me to either say that I did it, or remember that I did it. One of these moments happened today.

I did horrible on my test today, so I wasn't in the mood to cook dinner. I asked Sam if we should go get something to eat. She said sure. So as we were thinking and pondering on a place to go Jannette mentioned Golden Corral, and Sam and I both immediately thought of Chuck-a-rama. We both jump with joy out the door (maybe a little too much). Now, I have had several previous memories at this restaurant, such as someone getting hit in the head with the bathroom stall door, mixing different flavors of drinks and someone thinking rootbeer and milk would be a good mix. I don't know why I thought tonight would be any different.
Sam, unexpectedly, had to go into work at 8 and we did not leave the house until 7. We had to be out of the place by 7:45. We got there at 7:20. Now, Chuck-a-rama is not a cheap place, so yous gots to get your monies worth.

I HAVE NEVER EATEN SO MUCH FOOD SO FAST IN MY LIFE!!!

We were eating so fast. Sam was shooving food in her mouth just because she thought she hadn't eaten enough. I was eating dessert with my salad. Who does that? Now, I would have been upset because I spent so much money on endless food that I didn't really get to enjoy, but Sam said that we would never forget it, and it would always be a good memory. Which is true. It was so funny and so fast. It is also very hard to eat while you are laughing. I then had to leave with some food in my hand, while stuffing my face. Sam then pointed out a sign that said "No food taken outside". We had to make a run for it. Sam was only a minute late for work. Mission accomplished.

I love memories like these! :)
Next time something seems pointless, boring, or messed up. Think about the memory it will leave. It makes it worth doing.

Jannette its your turn to blog now!:)

PROVO!

2009-09-17T18:38:00.000-07:00

So there are lots of things that I hate about Provo. Namely, Parking. People forget how to park when they come to Provo. The pressure of dating. Pedestrians. Cars don't always see you. Apartment shopping. And many more that I have listed in my journal. However, today I want to speak about the things I LOVE about Provo. And the one thing I love the most is the energy we have after BYU Football wins a game. A couple weeks ago we won the OU game. Provo went crazy. There was honking for at least 3 hours after the game, people just ran around in the streets. It was insane, crazy, and so much fun. There was also a pep rally at two in the morning at the Provo airport welcoming home the football team. There were just crowds of people going crazy everywhere. Here is a link to a video showing the craziness, and I have to say that I took part in that crowd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDbyEnZghaQ&feature=related

Now, there is a football game this Saturday. It is the FIRST home game of the season. Tickets are SOLD OUT. I have a feeling that if we win. It will be crazy! again. Surprisingly...I CAN'T WAIT. I will be working the football game, so I'll be in the middle of the action.

Brownies and Koolaid

2009-09-07T02:11:00.000-07:00

My two new obsessions.
Brownies and Koolaid.
Not together.
I have always loved brownies, but I can't stop thinking about them, and I bought four boxes the other day. I think I'm going to start making them once a week. I made them last week and they were divine! Also, I always have a pitcher of Koolaid in the fridge. I love trying new flavors and mixing them together. I have several glasses a day, although I probably shouldn't since it is filled with sugar, but I can't help it. It is just too good! Plus they aren't BIG glasses.
I recently mixed Strawberry and Berry Blue...
Not too bad. :)

Travel across no man's land to the Granary

2009-09-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

WOW! I haven't written in a long time. Lots has happened. So first was our long long long...did I say long trip across no man's land to Utah. Seriously, there is nothing all the way, but I do know how to get to Utah now from Texas esp. since its like 4 roads. It was fun too. This time however, I drove a lot of the way. It was only me, Sam, Adison, and Weston. We had two cars, Weston's Tulula (I don't know how to spell it) and Georgia (the jeep). The first night we drove all the way to Alberquerque New Mexico. I don't know how to spell that. First it was Sam and I in the jeep. We were just jammin to music and eating. Then I drove with Weston and we played a thrilling game of 20 questions. We stopped at a hotel room in New Mexico. We ate at Texas Roadhouse and it was good. At the hotel, the funniest thing happened (if I can explain it), there were these white curtains that were covering the window, but you could see right through them, and I did not approve of that. So, we were trying to close the draperies that were hanging on the sides, but they were false, so they didn't close all the way. Sam and I looked forever to try and close them and we couldn't figure out how, so we got Adison in our room to engineer something for us. When he was all done, he realized that one of the false draperies was thicker than the other. It turns out there was a thicker white curtain under the drapery that closed all the way and you couldn't see through it. It was SOO FUNNY. This whole process was about 45 mins. We felt like idiots, and to think I worked with window treatments. We stopped for construction like 4 times on the second day, so that slowed us down a bit, and Georgia was having trouble travelling up hills, but don't let her fool you. Once she starts going, she won't stop.
This was the map we used. As you can see it is torn, and of course the torn one was Texas, which is half the trip. Sam also ripped Utah on the trip. Don't get her started on it though. :) lol. It's mighty funny.
These are the DELICIOUS wraps that my lovely mother made for me. Thanks MOM! From the look on my face it looks like they are not good, but don't be fooled, they are DELICIOUS. I know your jealous Terri, but I promise we will have some at Christmas. :). I didn't have a knife, so I had to eat it like a hot dog.

This is Weston behind Georgia. Georgia won, but don't tell him that. This is Adison drinking a water bottle and we are actually NOT driving. We are stuck in traffic, but he wanted a picture of him looking like he was "drinking and driving" He's funny.This is Weston and Sam in Tulula while we were waiting to move when we hit construction. We finally reached our destination at 6:30ish on Thursday and had some Brick Oven....YUM...YUM.

Georgia and Sam :) survived another trip to Utah.

We finally got to move in on the 25th. I LOVE our new Apartment. It is so big and an upgrade from last year. I can't even think about Moon now without wanting to throw up. I have my own room, we have a washer and a dryer, and there are two bathrooms. We all argue about who has the best room. Sam says she does because it has a window seat, and yes I am a little jealous of it, but my room is in the back where no one can see. You can see in Sam's room from the front door. We all have our little perks. Mine has a full length mirror. That's a perk:)

This is the living room. It is so big. We have so much room, and of course my TiVo. a.k.a. Bronx :)

The Kitchen and living room kinda go together and its really spacey too. I love it.

This is the hallway that goes back to all the rooms from the living room and Kitchen. We have so much hallway space its insane.

This is my room. My desk area and my Australia corner. This is my bed and window.

And this is my closet.

This is down the hallway to our bathroom. The other bathroom is behind me, and the door on the right is my closet. We each have one in the hallway. I use it as my pantry.

I have the best roommates Jannette and Ashley, and of course Sam. I'm excited for a fun filled semester with them. ;)

Moving in and starting school has been way fun, but I think it will get busier, and be more stressing, but let's hope for the best. I start training next week. I am excited to work with the baseball team.

The reason I'll miss him....

2009-08-13T18:02:00.000-07:00

So...On Saturday I had to get up early to finish my lovely Australia paper, and Adison comes down and asks me what I'm doing, and that he wants me to do something with him. VERY DEMANDING. I said okay what would you like to do, and then he says that he feels like doing one of two things: hit golf balls (not my fav. thing in the world). Build something. So I said okay lets build something. He asks me what I thought we should build and I said a gun. He's like yeah...like a potato gun...yeah....now your thinking. And I was like sure. I had to continue working on my Australia paper, but Adison still came in every 10 minutes with something in his hand, showing me how this would be cool for this part of the gun. I just nod my head and say yes. (i can't build anything). Then he explained how it wouldn't work because he didn't have such and such other parts to put it all together. And then as I am finishing up my paper Adison comes in with his "potato" gun.....or as we like to call it.....a Pea Shooter. ...(lets just say we didn't have all the right parts)

Adison showed everyone and their mom his shooter. He still cherishes it to this day. Its like a little boy with a new toy. It is a bit anitclimatic, but I have to admit I was actually pretty impressed with his engineering skills. I don't think I could have ever made anything like that. We had a lot of fun with it. And this is the reason I will miss Adison a lot when he leaves on his mission. I mean who will make pea shooters on a boring Saturday with me. :)

Bestie

2009-08-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

P. S. I miss my bestie.

Red Box!

2009-08-03T19:54:00.001-07:00

I just have to say that I love Red box. It is one of the greatest inventions ever! I think Me, Sam and Adison have watched just about every movie in it since I have been home. However, none of them are really that great! I want a good movie gosh dangit!

HOME

2009-07-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

Wow. I am finally home, it is so good to be home. But sleeping is all messed up. I can go to sleep at night for like 3 hours so its more like a nap and then I wake up at 3 and eat (because it's dinner time in NZ) and then I can't go to sleep until 7:30 and sleep all day. Its horrible and because I have the flu its messed up even more. I'm still trying to figure out how to fix it. Okay, so the last night there the farewell dinner was amazing. we ate in the sky tower, the dessert was way better than the food because it was mostly seafood and I'm not a huge fan. Then part of the group went back to the hotel and just talked about the trip and laughed til about 12:30 then we packed and went to bed. I had been coughing all that day and my head started to hurt so I took medicine and went to bed. The next day we went to a lecture and watched netball before heading to the airport. Net ball is so weird. Its like basketball, but you can't dribble and there is absolutely NO contact. It kinda drove me crazy. They would shoot and the defense would just watch them. Then we went to the airport, and got on our 12 hour flight back home. It was the longest plane ride of my life. I couldn't sleep the whole time because I was coughing too much. Let me tell ya, being sick on an airplane is no fun. My ears were clogged and it was just bad. Then I had to get on another flight to Houston from LA. It was just horrible. The longest day of my life...literally. because I relived saturday. Finally got home and slept and that's basically what I have been doing. I feel better now, but still sick. And I am over it. Its only Monday, but it feels like Tuesday.

I Learned so much going to Australia. I know who I am and where I am going. I think a lot of people don't and that's why they do what they do. I also can't let other peoples actions define who I am, or destroy the vision of the person I want to be. I know the Lord is always there for me and because I obey Him not only am I blessed physically, but I have His spirit with me always. Feeling His spirit and knowing how to act on it, is the greatest feeling that no one can take from me. I know that one of our purposes here on earth is to love others no matter what type of person they are. I know that we were also sent here to find a companion and get married eternally and bring children into the world to raise them up righteously. When I do what's right it is easier for me to see my weaknesses and fix them, and to realize that the wickedness of the world could never bring me complete happiness. I Realize how much I Love my family. They truly are my best friends. I don't know what I would do without them. My parents are always there for me encouraging me to be better and to do my best. Randi, who is so caring and so loving it just flows out of her. She always makes us laugh and is a true peacemaker. Chris, who can always makes me laugh and I know I can go to him for anything and he will listen. Sammie, who I don't know what I would do without her. She is always there listening even when she doesn't want to and who makes me smile just thinking about her. She is the perfect college room mate and I know she will never faulter, but will ALWAYS be there. Adison, who knows how to cheer up anyone, I will miss him when he leaves on his mission, but he will be a great missionary. He is so spiritual and is a great example to me. I know that I already knew all of this, but I think I was just missing it, and now it is just more profound. I will never forget going to Australia. It was an awesome experience and adventure. However, my adventures are not over! I have so much more coming!!!!

Last Post in NZ

2009-07-23T22:28:00.000-07:00

Okay so this will be my last post. Mom, my plane leaves tomorrow at 2:30 and I get in at 7:35 in the morning in LA I will call you when I land, but except to hear from me then. Okay, so yesterday we went to an Island called Waieki or something and it was SOOO pretty like breath takingly beautiful. Like people who live there do not have to ever go on vacation. I loved it. We spent some time there and then we came back and did a little shopping. Allison got some sheep skin. It is soo soft. We would all lay on it anytime we saw it. Then last night we went to this theatre show it was weird, but also really cool. It is a lot different here than in America. Esp. the interaptive dance. It was hard not to keep from laughing. Then we ate at this Little Italy resturant that was SOOO good. It was the best thing I have had since I have been here. Then I went to bed, but today we got to sleep in for the first time since I have been here. HOWEVER. I did not because at 3 in the morning the fire alarm went off in our hotel. I was like what the heck, my first reaction was it will go off. Then I realized that it was serious. So we evacuted the whole hotel. We had to go down 10 floors of stairs first. It was nothing though. Just some drunk idiot who set it off. I was so mad. And a lot of our people were drunk and had no idea what was going on....OH DEAR. Then at 6 in the morning ADISON calls me. Twice. and leaves messages of him working in the background. Adison did you know that you accidentally called me twice this morning? UGH! it was funny. Then we got 4 phone calls in our room this morning from 8:30 to 9:30 so I just got up. No sleep for me. lol. Tae and I laughed about it this morning. Then today we went to The Luge. Its like go carting, but not. More like sledding on concrete. It was so much fun. We all raced down the hills. Then we went to this ice bar. Its a bar totally made of ice. Its really cool. (no pun intended). LOL. and tonight we are going to the sky tower to look out over Auckland and eat our farwell dinner. It should be fun. Tomorrow we have a lecture in the morning and then we are going to watch netball which I am really excited for. It is a spin off of basketball. Then we fly home. It will be a long day. because I live it twice. But I can't wait to see all of you. Mom I will call you as soon as I land. sorry I have so many grammar problems (sam and Chris), but I only had 15 min. and was typing fast. Love you all!!! See you soon!!!!

Short

2009-07-22T00:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks guys. I was very proud for trying something new! I am so T. I. red. (as Adison would say). All I want to do is sleep. Although tomorrow we don't start til 9:30 so that is good news. Today we went to another sports center and had some lectures. It was really interesting. The set up of sports is just so different here it really amazes me sometimes, but I am ALL lectured OUT. Then we went to a museum and saw the Haku performed by real Mauri people. It was way cool. I got some on video. Then we went shopping around. I found a nice jacket. I love it! Tonight we have off. We might go swimming in the pool in our hotel. We are all excited that home is coming. I love it here, but I am ready for home. There wasn't much going on today. I think Friday will be the last day I blog and then I fly home on Saturday. Sorry tonight is so short. Miss you all!

New Zealand

2009-07-21T02:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we visited the outback, which was exciting to see, but we were on a bus for 7 hours yesterday, which was not fun. It took us 2.5 hours to get there and we just looked around and then we had a lecture and ate lunch, which wasn't that good. Afterwards I had a Golden Gaytime ice cream bar. They are sooo good. I would bring them home if I could. The name is really weird too, we made fun of it. We also made fun of the fact that we were in a bus all day. Then we drove to this waterhole which was beautiful, but it took 3.5 hours to get there. OMG it was so long. Then we came home and ate. We went to this seafood place and I had Kangaroo which taste exactly like steak, but maybe a little more tender. Then I had Crocodile which taste exactly like chicken, but a little more chewy. Then I had baramundi which is a type of fish. I don't think it taste any better than fish, but I don't really like fish. Then we went to bed because we had to pack and get up at 3:30 the next morning to catch our 5:30 flight to NEW ZEALAND. We left at 4 this morning, so we were going on 5 hours of sleep. We spent the whole day traveling. We got to Brisbane at 9:00 and on the way there I got checked for bombs. At Brisbane I didn't have my boarding pass because the machines broke down so we had to fix that and I had to pee so bad. Then They dumped my makeup bag all out when going through security. What a day. Then we drove on the bus for an hour. It was just a long day, but we are here and it is soo pretty. Its kinda cold, but also nice. We are going to more sports places tomorrow, it should be fun!!! Miss you all!! Oh and tonight we went to Wendy's because they have one here and they have NO CHOCOLATE frosties only vanilla. what the heck?

Busy!

2009-07-19T05:22:00.000-07:00

Wow! I have been so busy the past two days. Yesterday was our adventure sports day! It was fun. First I went ATV in the outback. It was really pretty and really fun! We went kinda slow at first because we had this Japanese lady and a mom in our group, but half way through we were like we want to go faster, so he let us go ahead. It was way fun. On the way up there we had to go up the mountains and our bus driver was an ATV bike rider because she was going so fast up the mountain and its all these turns. Its crazy! It was a ride in and of itself. I want a four wheeler now! Then we came back and we were suppose to go cable skiing, but I didn't go because it was too much, but Tae and Allison and Phil went. Adison would love that place. They said it was lots of fun. I walked around and did some souvenir shopping which I think I am offically done with! YAY!!! Then we played cards last night. Fast nertz, I taught them how to play it since no one at home will play with me!!! So the hoodie I bought was white, and I told Tae that I should NOT have bought it because I would get something on it! and sure enough tonight I got tomato sauce on it. Out of all things that's what I get on it! UGH. I tried using a tide pen, but it didn't really work. Today we woke up early and went to the Great Barrier Reef. It was so cool, we snorkelled and went scuba diving. It was so pretty. Scuba diving is really fun. My ears only hurt a little bit. We got lots of pictures with our underwater camera. I saw Nemo! and a sting ray, some people saw sharks, but I didnt. There were these chinese people that were on the boat but they just slept all day. they didn't do anything. I can't believe they payed all the money to sleep. On the way back it was really rocky and I felt really sick. It was hard. I have a lot of salt water in me and I can still taste it in my mouth. I hate it! Tomorrow is another long day!!! But exciting. We are going to the outback!

Cairns

2009-07-17T04:19:00.000-07:00

Sorry I missed a day. We changed hotels last night and there was one computer and it was 2 dollars for 10 mins. so I was like no way! And we had to get up at four this morning so I just went to bed. Oh and the day before yesterday we watched the sun rise and it was SOOO pretty. I took lots of pictures. I loved it! Yesterday we went to the Koala Pine Sanctuary. We got to take pictures and cuddle with a Koala. However, I would NOT call it cuddling because we couldn't really touch it, it could only just sit in our hands, but it was so cute and mine really liked me. We also fed kanagroos they are cute, but the ones we fed were kinda ugly and they were so use to people feeding them, they were just kinda like feed me!!! as they layed there. LAZY! We saw some tasmaian devils and dingeos. And craig, (our australian tour guide) said a dingeo ate my baby. it was so funny. True Australian accent. We took a cruise to get there, it was really long and a little boring, but really pretty and interesting. It was just a little long. Then we took a tour of downtown Brisbane which is SOOO pretty. i got lots of pictures of that too. We ate at this place called Amici's which is Italian the food was good, but we all ordered milk shakes and they tasted like milk, there was no ice cream in those. it was horrible. Australia is NOT known for their food. Then this morning we left on a plane REALLY early and flew to Carins. Then we went to the Rain Forest Station where we took an aqua duck through the rain forest it was really pretty and cool. Then we learned how to throw a spear and boomarang. and learned how to play a digeridoo. they are really hard to play and really cool. Then we took the longest sky rail over the rain forest. It was really cool and pretty. That was a really long day. Then we toured downtown Carins. The weather is really nice here. its perfect. Tomorrow we are going ATV biking and then water skiing. But on a wire for our adventure sports. I'm really excited. This is one of the days I have been looking forward too. I am so tired though and probably going to go to bed early again. I can't believe that we already hit the half way mark. I do miss America though. :) I miss you all!!!

Free Day!

2009-07-15T01:12:00.000-07:00

Today was our free day, well first we went to a couple lectures for basketball which was good. Then we went to the beach for a couple hours. It was really nice. We passed around the footie. Yesterday, when we went surfing I had to put on a wet suit which was so hard, but it kept me really warm. When we got back from the beach we ate and then went shopping. It was a nice relaxing day. We leave in the morning to go to a hotel closer to the airport because we have to wake up at 4 the next day to catch a plane to Cairns. I found a hoodie today!!! It's not my dream one, but I really liked it, it was pretty cheap too. Tonight there is a game here called The State of Origin. It is one of the biggest games here in Australia like the super bowl is in USA. We are all going to watch it, it should be fun. I don't really have much else to say. I'm loving it here, and we are half way through the trip. It has acutally gone by really slow though. It feels like we have been here for weeks! But I love it! Miss you all!

Surfing

2009-07-14T05:17:00.000-07:00

I have to type fast tonight because I only have ten mintues left. ;). SO today was a good day. We first went to a bowling club and learned about how they do it and the history of it and stuff. It was cool. And its not like bowling back home its different. I'll have to explain it later. A bunch of old people play, its fun, but a slow game. Then we went to the beach and we had surfing lessons for about 1 1/2 hours. It was sooo fun. Hard, but fun. I have lots of pictures. I got up 3 or 4 times. The salt water KILLS. It was burning my eyes and I felt like I had swallowed a whole gallon of it. Our instructor was really hott. We all got photos of him. Then we came back and showered and went to the Outback Spectacular show and dinner. It was really cool. They had horses and camels and sheep, and did a whole story about the history of australia and did some tricks and stuff. It was cool. The food was really good too, but the dessert was so weird and gross. It was like a huge marshmallow with whip cream and some nasty nasty....I don't even know what it was, but it was gross. Now we are going to bed early because I didn't get up this morning to watch the sun rise, so I am tomorrow. I woke up sick this morning, which was not fun, I took some dayquil and lots of other medicine so I am feeling a lot better now. Its sad that our trip is already half way over, but I'm having lots of fun. I hope everything is going well back home, and in Oklahoma. I'm going to try and call you tomorrow mom to see how things are going. I miss you all lots!!! I don't have any time now! Laters!!!

No Worries!!

2009-07-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

There are some pictures for you. I have so many it was hard to choose which ones. The ones of the city are down town Sydney which is really pretty. It was kind of cloudy that day. And I know one is crooked, but I didn't want to fix it. The one where me, Tae, and Allison are running with our hands up we are running onto the feild of the Olympic stadium. I am standing on one of the little poles outside the arena. Allison and I are on one of the cliffs of the blue mountains with the blue mountains in the background. The food is my Kebab that was really good, and they are SOO popular here. More so in Sydney. The guy I'm standing with is the hot Aussie that plays professional rugby here, his name is Ben. Me and Tae are standing by the Sydney Harbor bridge and Opera house. A group of us are on the field after the Footie game, and in the stands at the footie game. I found that shirt at the mall and Miley was playing in the background. Sam I almost bought it for you. :). NOT REALLY. The one of the beach is Bondi beach in Sydney, its really small, but really pretty. I am standing in front of it in the other one.
That's it for the pictures. I hope you enjoy. It took a while to upload.

So, yesterday since I got cut short. We went to the blue mountains and it was so pretty. We rode a skyway and a cable car and a railway. They were all really high and steep, but it was fun. We also saw these mountains called the Three sisters and there is this whole story behind it and its really pretty and I was all excited to see it, but when we got there it just like these three rocks, nothing too exciting. It was funny. We saw some Kanagroos in the wild when we got there. I have tons of pictures of it, we got really close to it too. We will see more at the zoo. That's all we really did yesterday, but it took all day to tour them. It was BEAUTIFUL. I turned in early for the night because I was so tired and we had to pack. This morning we got on a plane to Surfer's Paradise. The weather is SOOO nice here. I love it. The beach is pretty too. We did a few lectures when we got here today and then we walked around the beach. The water is cold though. I think a group of us are going out tonight, but I'm not sure. Some of us want to get up early and run on the beach. So this whole time I have been looking for my dream hoodie and I have yet to find it. I have tried on so many and I don't like them. I want to LOVE IT. It is me and Tae's mission. I am destined to find it!!! More luck tomorrow. Tomorrow we are taking surfing lessons, I'm really excited and nervous. And then tomorrow night we are going to the Outback Spectacular show!!! I'm way excited for that. I'll tell you how it goes!!! Miss ya!!!

Pictures....for real!!!

2009-07-13T03:41:00.000-07:00

Pictures!

2009-07-12T02:40:00.001-07:00

Okay. So I am trying to upload pictures, but it is taking forever so It may not happen. We are leaving tomorrow for Surfer's paradise, so hopefully the computers will be better there. I can't talk long today because I just got a message to phone home and I am freaking out. I will write a lot tomorrow and see if I can post some pictures. I love and miss you all lots!!!

FOOTIE!!

2009-07-11T04:26:00.000-07:00

So today we went to the market place and I got tons of stuff. It was fun. Its like this big flea market place, but I would say a slight upgrade. Then we went and ate meat pies for lunch. They are very popular here, but I don't really like them at all. I think they taste like frozen food. There are some candy bars here that are like snickers, well its actually a type of snickers, but I think it is so much better. I have had like 4 already. I'm going to bring some home so you guys can try them. Also, I brought my camera cord and everything, but the place that we decided to go to get on the internet tonight, because there are like 50 around our hotel, doesn't have USB connection. I was a little irritated. :). After we went shopping we went to the Aussie's Rules Football or as they call it Footie. It is my new favorite sport. It is nothing like football I think, but it is so fun to watch. I love it. I wish we had it. I bought myself a footie, and I will teach you all how to play. :). After the game is over they blow this horn and everyone can rush the field. It is crazy. Everyone and their mom goes out and kicks their footies and runs around like hooligans. Tomorrow we are going to tour the Blue Mountains. We might see some wild Kangeroos. On Monday we fly to Surfer's Paradise and I am very excited for that. I'm ready to get out of the city. The guys in Australia all smell really good. Whenever you pass them, you can smell them and its so good. We all try to smell them. :)

RANCH!!

2009-07-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

Sorry I didn't write yesterday, I was so tired when we got back that I went straight to bed. Yesterday was a VERY long day. We went to the Olympic Stadium which was really cool and big and we saw THE ENTIRE THING because we toured it before we saw the rugby game. We got there at 4 and the game wasn't til 7:30 and then it got pushed back til 8. OMG, it was the longest tour of my life. The tour guide was so funny. He had huge buck teeth, I know its mean, but it was funny and he talked THE ENTIRE TIME. He stopped us like every 50 feet to tell us something. He even told us about the rubbish (trash) and how much they get and all that stuff. It was crazy. But me and Allison and Tae were just making fun of him the whole time. We had a bunch of lectures before that at some sports institutes. It was interesting, but it was kind of redundant of the day before. We have a free weekend though. I'm excited. At lunch we went to Subway and I got a chicken bacon ranch and they had ranch. YEEEEAAAHHHHH! Craig said that was the first time he had ever seen ranch in Australia. It was like a taste of home. Also, whenever you order water here. There is NO ice and it comes in the smallest cups, and they do not refill them, so its a good thing they don't tip here. When I get home I am having a JAR full of ICE COLD water, but I will give them props on there water. It is WAY good. Today we have a free morning and a group of us are heading to Paddy's which is a souvenior shop, so if you want something comment on my blog. LOL!!! ...but no really. Then we are going to a footie game, or Australin Rules football. It is way different than in the U.S. and I'm excited to see it. Yesterday the rugby game was Rugby League which is different than rugby union that we play in the U.S. it isn't as fun to watch, but it was good. The game is so fast though. It was like an hour long. The tour was longer than the actual game. I missed half of it to eat and get souveniours. Well I'm out of time, I will post tonight and I'm probably going to post pictures because we have free time. Miss ya lots!!!!

Academic Side...BLAH!!

2009-07-09T06:07:00.000-07:00

Okay so I forgot my camera again, but I promise to post pictures by Sunday. Today was mostly an Academic day. We went to Camberra which is like 3 1/2 hours from Sydney. It was way fun. I learned SOOOO much about how Australia sports work. It is really different from the USA and soo interesting. It also made me miss basketball. We also toured another professional sports rugby team. That was cool. On the way back home from Camberra we were suppose to stop for dinner, but there are some weird rules here that the bus drivers can only be out for so long, so we were not able to stop. We were all SOO hungry. We ate at like 12 for lunch and it was 6:30 and we still had another 3 1/2 hour drive. We were NOT happy. This morning we stopped at Mackers (aka Mcdonald's). The Mcdonalds here are sooo nice, nicer than half the resturants around here. It is a huge resturant too, and the food comes so fast. They were like preparing it as I was speaking my order. It was crazy. Our old bus driver left and we have this new one that no one likes because he is not funny and he didn't feed us on the way home. We saw some Kangaroos today in the field as we were driving, I can't wait to see them at the zoo. Tomorrow we are going to see a rugby game and I'm actually really excited. Learning about it has made me want to train for it. Plus there are sooo many injuries :)!!!! I will talk to you guys tomorrow!! GOOD NIGHT!!! Or Good Morning!!

One day is NOT enough

2009-07-08T01:58:00.000-07:00

Whoa Chris! One day is NOT enough!!! And sleep is VERY important. There are some pictures on facebook. Sam can you tell mom about those. I would post some now, but we have to go like down the street to find Internet and we have to pay for it and they do not have a place where I can put my card reader and I forgot my cord at the hotel. Maybe I'll do it later tonight or probably tomorrow. But the one's on facebook are good!!! Today we went to two sports arenas I guess you could call them. We learned about rugby and football and they both are played so differently here. Its weird. We all still are lost on the rules, but we are slowly figuring them out. In football they have a round field, no time outs, and they kick the ball and do bounce passes when passing it to each other. Its cool. We are going to one of the games on Saturday and we are seeing a Rugby game on Friday. We also went to Bondi Beach today which is SOOO pretty, and the water is actually warmer than the air its weird. And it is FREEZING. Its like 60 degrees, and tomorrow we are going like 3 hours out of the city and its suppose to be like 50s or something. I didn't bring very heavy clothes. LOL. We saw some of the famous players here today when we went to the sports places. One of them is VERY hott and I got a picture with him and his autograph. I will def. post that picture. And NO martina I did not pay him to take a picture with me. ;)!!! We got a lot of free stuff today at the sports places! I also had a really good Kebab. They are soo popular here and really good and really big. I took a picture. I went to sleep at like 8 last night and then got up at 4:30 and was wide awake, but I made myself sleep longer. It was hard. Its so weird that you guys sleep while I'm awake and vice versa. Okay I'm going to go now because my time is running short. But I will leave you with some Australian lingo:
Christmas Tree: Chrisse
Relatives: Rels
Presents: Pressies
Decorations: Decos
They shorten everything here, and they make new names for everything, but they are not clever. I will try to post pictures tomorrow. Miss you all!!!

I Made it!

2009-07-07T02:02:00.000-07:00

I made it. It took forever to get here, but it happened!!! The plane ride wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but it was still 14 hours on a flight. When we got here it was Tuesday. It's still weird to me that Monday never exisited. We are all SOOOO tired. We just got done eating dinner and I think we are all going to bed. It has been a long, but VERY GOOD day. We toured like all of downtown sydney and the harbor. We have the coolest bus driver. He is so funny and he teaches us all the lingo here in Aussie. Its like a whole different language. I'm getting to know the people in my group pretty well. We all seemed to get along pretty good....so far. :). Sydney is HUGE and there are people everywhere. The streets are so busy all the time and so small. We also went to the Sydney Aquarium, it was really cool seeing new animals. They are interesting, but the battery in my camera died so I only got half of them. We all got pictures with the Sydney bridge and the Opera house which is one of the most popular sites here in Australia. Our hotel rooms are SOO small. We all started laughing at them when we saw them. There are 3 people to a TINY room and there are three beds just shoved in there. You have to use your key card for everything. To use the elevator or LIFT and to turn on the lights. It took us 20 minutes to figure out how to do that. It was so funny. We were trying to switch it every which way and it just wasn't working. Sam they also call restrooms toilets here. I saw that and it made me think of you. Sorry if none of this makes since I am soo tired. Its like six in the morning there. And I have decided that there is NO WAY I could live in Australia because ranch does NOT exisit here! WHAT THE CRAP!!! No ranch. I know, I about had a heart attack. I will try to post pictures in a couple days. I already have lots, but I am just WAY too tired to do it now. Sorry its not very detailed. Love and miss you all lots!!!!

Departure

2009-07-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

I am leaving TOMORROW!!! I am SoOoOooOOOoooOo Excited! My flight leaves tomorrow evening for LA and then not til 11:50pm for Australia. I won't get to Australia until 7:30 on Tuesday morning. I skip a WHOLE day. Weird. Australia is also 13 hours ahead of Texas and then when I go to New Zealand, it is 15 hours ahead. I am almost all the way done packing. I still don't feel like I am leaving yet though. The plane ride is 14.5 hours long. I am so not looking forward to that, and I am a little nervous about it. Hopefully you guys will hear from me on Tuesday. Check my blog and you can hear all about my Adventures DOWN UNDER. LOL. I will take lots of pictures and try to post them. I hope everyone has a happy fourth!!!! I will post in a couple of days. HOOROO!!! ( in Australia that means good-bye)
Here are some other interesting slang words: I haven't even left and I'm already speaking the lingo!!! :)
-Lippy, Lipstick
-Barbie, Bar-b-que
-No drama, no worries
-Oz, Australia
-Dill, Idiot
-Polly, Politician
-Pommy, Englishman
There are a lot more! Almost everything has ie or y added to the end.
AUSTRALIA HERE I COME!!! :)

Thanks America, Sam and Mauren for the going away party! It was fun! Even the part where I almost caught on fire ;)!!!! LOL!!!

Australian Prep

2009-07-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

I am slowly getting my packing done. It's a process. This is my Australian Itinerary. I can't wait!

2 Days

2009-07-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

I am leaving for Australia in 2 days!!! I am way excited and I am starting this blog so ALL my friends and family can look and see my adventures while I am in AUSTRALIA for the next 3 weeks!!! I will be getting ready for the next 2 days and I haven't even started packing yet. :)