An Adult's Playground

After an early morning with street teams, Tiffy, Frances, and I sprinted out to Bondi Beach. As rainclouds crowded the sky today, I began to fret over our excursion. However, they only amplified the beauty of the sky. It was quite magnificent. I loved serving as an ornament in the pictures we took at the beach. Our goal was to capture the angry waves smashing against the rocks, but I don’t believe we have had much luck with that. We did enjoy a beachfront hike from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. It took a little bit longer than we expected so we hailed a cab back to our car in Bondi. From there, we raced to the extension of Hillsong in the city. Running 30 minutes late, we reached our destination. Of course, the service was amazing and the speaker gave encouragement and shared many deep thoughts. To top of the evening, we headed over to Darling Harbour and shared music and fireworks with fellow onlookers. Tiffany explained later that she knew of the AU Post Office celebration of 200 years and wanted to share that moment with us.
This place is truly an adult’s playground as the key phrase is “no worries.” Australia is a laid back environment allowing both natives and tourists to experience the surrounding beauty. This community reminds me very much of Hawaii. It is so enjoyable experiencing this with Tiffy and living her life for a few weeks. I am super stoked that I have a decent amount of time left to spend here.
As a side note, I feel slightly inclined to share a bit of tragic news I omitted on the previous blogs. My time here has been amazing, excluding a 10 minute blurp on our hike at the Wentworth Falls. During the short-cut section at the end of the trail, I decided to speed up the process and engage in jogging activities. These activities proved fatal as I reached a location where my foot intersected with a muddy step and a rock. I believe I sprained my ankle and have since attempted to speed up the recovery process. That is all for now.

It's a BOY!!

Australian/ English Dictionary- Brush up!

Brekky- Breakfast
Dink-Dual income no kids (Matt and Tiffy)
Boot- Trunk of the car
Bookbash- Cramming for an exam
Bonnet -Hood of the car
Rubbish - Trash
Nappy - Diaper
Fringe- Bangs
Heap- a lot
Footy- Football
Bikkies- Biscuits but actually cookies
Jelly and jam are not interchangeable. Jello is jelly.

Highlights to feed your third eye

BEAUTY!

Tiffy catching me striking a pose!

Overlooking the top of the waterfall!

Time is of essence!

There is rarely a spare moment for me to sit and reflect on my experiences here. Tiffany and I have been super busy, and have an ever growing to-see list. This week, we journeyed up to the blue mountains, visited Windsor, and detoured to Botany Bay.
On Monday, Matt, Tiffy, and I visited the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains. The mountains were magnificent. We stumbled on an amazing lookout and decided to hike a little farther hoping to experience more of the beauty. Needless to say, our glance transformed into a 4 hour tour on the National Pass. (We were serving as the tour guides!!) I tried to capture the beauty in pictures, but I failed miserably at this task. I can't even describe it- YOU just need to come see for yourself! When we got to the falls, we learned from another onlooker, that what we thought was the end of the trail was simply a halfway point, thus extending our expedition. (However, we were negligent, in that we didn’t ask which parking lot he parked at.) We quickly realized this mistake at the end of the trail. No worries though, a short-cut trail was available and pointed us in the direction of our Daihatsu Applause.
We packed for a day trip and headed out to Windsor on Tuesday. It is a quaint town with neat shops. We enjoyed a riverside, picnic lunch. That night, I experienced for the first time eva’ a drive-in theater. We stacked pillows in the trunk of the hatchback and relaxed for “The Proposal” and “Confessions of a Shopaholic” SUPER FUN!!
Yesterday was quite a day! T and I got a bit lost on our way to Hunter Valley, and ended up at the beach! We needed to relieve the stress of our inability to read a map in the native tongue of Australia, hence justifying our detour. We benefited much from the bright, warm sun and cloudless sky. On our way home we dropped in to IKEA. That is always such a delightful experience!
Today we are recovering from all of our quests and planning for the ones to come!

Strawberries don't make it past the K9 dog in customs.

On Wednesday in America, Mel and I headed for San Fran around 4.  We did some shopping, enjoyed the salsa dancers in Union Square, ate a delicious dinner on the sky-level terrace of the cheesecake factory, and boycotted Starbucks in the city.  She also dropped me off with my four bags at the airport.  

Things went super smooth, almost too smooth.  As I got to the gate, my phone started beeping- I forgot to charge it.  That became my top priority, until I realized that my ipod was basically dead. However, a kind gentleman loaned me his charger.  Things were going well again.   

I boarded the colossal plane.  There were two aisles with three seats on either side and 4 seats in the middle.  During the duration of the flight I crotched a scarf, talked with the Aussie next to me, attempted to sleep, timed people in the bathroom (The record was 15 minutes held by a man who took a book out of his carry on in the overhead compartment.), watched a variety of movies, and critiqued the conversation in the row behind me.

After 14 hours of this nonsense, I was ready to officially begin my adventure here.  I was slightly nervous about getting my store of goodies through customs.  As a rule of thumb, always follow the crowd and take an extensive inventory of the people on your flight to ensure that you are at the right baggage claim.  I completed both of these tasks.  I went through the initially customs with flying colors!  As I waited for my bags to arrive on the carousel, I spotted a cute little dog.  The "cute little dog" also spotted me.  So I stood there as peanut sniffed through my carry ons, discovering my strawberry snack and turkey sandwich.  I couldn't get my checked bags fast enough.  Peanut eyed my every time he made his rounds after that (I think he even winked at me).  When I was reaching into my bag he reappeared from nowhere, causing me to jump and look even more suspicious.  

The second stage of customs went smoothly, and I was finally free to see Matty and Tiffers.  They were waiting anxiously in the arrival area.  It is so good to be here with them!!

After they picked me up, we drove through downtown Sydney, which was bustling with the morning rush.  Honestly, I was simply fascinated with the whole driving on the opposite side of the road.  

We have done so much within these past two days:

• I went with Matty to an espresso chapel and attended a performing event Matt and his class hosted.  
• I met Tiffany's friends at work.
• T and I went grocery shopping, which is quite a unique experience here.
• T and I ate at Outback last night, since Matt was working.  
• T and I went to the market yesterday!     

As for now, I must get ready to get my chinese on!! I am going to attend the chinese church service that T and Matt are leading with worship.   

Disc Oasis

Layover Highlights

So I was fortunate enough to spend a week with Brando, Mel, and X man before I came out to Australia.  I had so much fun with them!  We took advantage of each day and created more memories. I loved watching Xander learn sign language and use it!  (He fake cries when he signs sad, and signed "all done" when his mom and dad tagged team him to give him medicine!! ....He also signed "cookie" when his mom asked what Aunt KK had fed him for breakfast.)  OOPS!  I loved watching him use his LEFT hand to eat, dunk deflated balls (with Aunt KKs help), and throw discs in disc golf.  I loved spending time with Mel and Brando at dinner.  I loved watching Mel interact with all of her friends.  ( I learn so much about people when I am around her.)  I loved tackling Brandon.  I am excited that I will get to spend another layover on the way back to my country.   

Go Solar!

Needed- Personal Jet

Mel and B need a personal jet.  This will be my project while I am out here- organizing a charity event to get this donated for them...and this is the story:

Wednesday, after a delightful morning, filled with baking, bike ride, and story time @ the library, we headed for Pleasanton.  This is a personal favorite drive of mine, since we drove the hills with the windmills. (pictures to come and if you know the correct name of this landmark you have permission to enlighten me.)  We went shopping and met up with friends from the area.  

Yesterday and today we journeyed to and fro Redding....a 3 1/2  hour ride.  We were able to spend some awesome quality time with the Pringle clan.  While Brandon and Mel went to a wedding, I caught up with Tina over breakfast at a wonderfully quaint cafe, Gold Street Cafe!    

This is not an abnormal week for these two lovebirds.  This additional asset is necessary to their lifestyle.  Stay posted for more info...

p.s. three more days until Australia.  I will let you know what Matt and Tiffy need.

flying on Delta

Well, the frazzledness continued as I struggled with my carry-ons down the tarmac, to the baggage claim.  I waited as each bag was claimed by a fellow passenger.  As the crowd began to quickly dissipate, I started to fret, thinking my bag was a goner.  I was pretty sure the fact that I left my passport in it, solidified my fate, as I was facing bad luck on this journey.  My fear became reality as everyone disappeared and I was left begging the conveyor belt to carry one...just one more bag.   (However, that mission failed.)  After an intense search, my bag was located in ATL, and was on the next flight to San Jose.  With time to kill, Mel and I indulged in Jamba and shopping.  In case you are wondering, we were not lucky enough to eat at the Nagina Cafe in San Jose.  Maybe next time.

frazzlement

• attempting to carry three carry-ons, checked bag, and steaming hot coffee to check in.
• handing the security officer a receipt instead of my boarding pass
• knocking over my carry-on bag with wheels twice just going through security check point.
• realizing i left my passport in my checked bag as I am frantically searching my purse for liquids, gels, .....
• leaving my boarding pass in my purse as I went through the x-ray machine
• asking a fellow passenger for my shoe after he "accidentally" picked it up (he was just trying to hit on Hillary Swank...short convo with him until I thought I lost my driver's liscence.)
• making eye contact with a lady who was attempting to leave the bathroom without washing her hands (she did "change" her mind after she noticed me observing her crime against society)
• as for now I am wondering who will occupy seat 9D...I do not have high hopes.

and the countdown begins....

Which is why Rhetta had to wake up super early to finish her homework

Preparation Night

Where do I begin?  I feel background is necessary, however that will come as time passes. As for the present, I am looking forward to the future.  I am feverishly anticipating boarding the plane tomorrow to officially launch my summer.  This evening has been quite eventful as I enjoyed a delicious meal with the girls at Sullivan's cafe. Of course, James joined us at the end of the meal on E.  However, Clary didn't fall for his antics again.  Luisa launched questions at him, while he admired her Native American background.  He was quite unapologetic as he painted her into his memory.  (Watch out Kyle!)  Meanwhile, Kylee wants to know where he works.  She asks him over and over again yet he acts like he can't hear her thoughts.  After he mystically reappeared in the parking lot, I decided I needed to finish my packing.  (I honestly think he wanted Kirstie's veggie wrap...or Luisa's hot bod!)  

I finally got to Simpsonville for my first lay over.  Now I must go to bed.  Strict orders from RHETTA!  More to come.....