Take-off Time & Hellos

G'day,

So on Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 I woke up (after four hours of sleep) to finish throwing things into my suitcase and rushing off to the airport. It was a pretty dapple of a morning - grey, chilly, and somber. We stopped by West Beach before we went to the airport. It was beautiful even though it was a cloudy morning. I always think cloudy days are the best days. And the worst days to get sunburnt. The sea was grey and I think it knew we were about to depart. We got to the airport and started to check in. I was holding up the line because I was trying to fit my wine into my luggage. I had five bottles, but only packed two. I wanted to pack more, but was quite fearful of being over my baggage limit. I wasn't over so that was good. We went and got brekky at Cibo and then got ready to go. I said my good-byes to Helen and started crying again (I swear I am sick of crying) and then we were off. The plane ride to Sydney was almost 2 hours. I fell asleep before take-off. Or maybe that was a later flight. I can't remember. We landed in Sydney and found our next gate. I was about to officially leave Australia. I can't believe 3 months just flew by like that. Snap your fingers and it's over.

We boarded and I thought that this trip was definitely looking up - my seat could recline this time! Throughout the flight I learned that no - my seat will not recline because of the bastard behind me. He would push my chair back up while I was sleeping so that I would be sitting straight up when I woke up. And he kept pushing his knees into my back through my chair. I was not happy and he was lucky I was feeling generous enough to not turn around and rip him a new one right then and there. He then started complaining that Morgan's air was blowing directly on his daughter. Uh - can't your fourteen year old daughter speak for herself? And secondly, how is Morgan supposed to breathe then? I know that I get claustrophobic when I can't get any air on an airplane. Then this man asked me to sit up while I was eating dinner - this wouldn't have been a problem except for the fact that the main in front of me was reclining while eating his dinner. That leaves no space for me to eat or do anything. I had to move up because the flight attendant asked me to, but didn't ask the man in front of me to. And when I say I was reclining, I mean that I was just barely reclining. Hardly at all. But enough to make the man behind me become an ass. And to make the trek seem even longer: there was a man two rows in front of me who farted every half hour and they were raunchy.

That flight was 14 hours. The movies were better this time around: The Express (AMAZING), Frost/Nixon (decent if you can understand Nixon), Seven Pounds, and there was another one I can't remember. The dinner served was really good (especially for airplane food) and the breakfast made M, E and I all sick. They served warm yogurt and warm fruit. Now I don't know about you, but I don't eat warm fruit or yogurt. I don't like yogurt in general, but I will eat it if I have to or if it is the only thing available.

As soon as we landed in LAX and went through customs, I bought some food (clam chowder and a sourdough bread bowl - this made me excited to go to Panera Bread soon!) to make me feel a bit better. Clam chowder was the only thing that seemed relatively safe to eat since Mexican and Macca's would make my stomache feel worse. Customs was relatively easy - I got everything through. The only question the man asked was: do you have any food in your luggage? No sir. I could have packed all my wine then. Darn it! After that we bummed around the gate for a couple of hours calling and texting people before we boarded for the next flight. It was this flight that I fell asleep before take-off. Not the first one. It was a pretty low-key flight and I tried sleeping most of it. I did some sudoku and read about the Maldives and how they will be under the sea soon because of global warming. No more tropical get-away there after that happens. So don't run your car while you go to the grocery store - turn it off. And unplug your appliances when you aren't using them (toasters, cell phone chargers, coffee pot, radio, etc.) because it will save electricity. Walk everywhere that you can. Or bike. Be healthy. Compost.

Before we landed in Chicago I looked at our flight itinerary and boarding passes and saw that the times of the last flight had changed. We would be getting in later! Ugh. So much for Kathy saying nothing changed. I told the other girls about it and we thought we could try and maybe get on another flight that would get us home earlier. United only had this one to Cedar Rapids going so we just stayed on that. The gate attendee did say that it was funny that no one informed us that the flight had changed because they had informed the person who booked our tickets. This was funny to us because the lady who had booked our tickets told our supervisor that nothing had changed. However, my mom knew that it had changed and even had a printed copy of our itinerary from both times we flew.

We hung around the last gate and then finally we were on our last flight! I'm almost home at this time and really excited. I'm sad at the same time, but ready for my bed, to see family and to sleep not sitting up. The flight took only 34 minutes from Chicago to Cedar Rapids and it was great! I slept a bit of it and listened to some music the other parts. We landed and then off to the baggage claim area. Mom and Mike were there to pick me up and so it was wonderful to see them again! We got my luggage (the wine made it through and didn't break!) and were off to Sonics! I love Sonics. It was great and then we took the long way home and just chatted and stuff. I didn't actually walk into the door until maybe midnight. I got to see my cat and gave him a big hug. I sure had missed him. Then I did a bit unpacking and ended up putting it all back in the suitcases where they now sit untouched in my room. Then it was sleep time for me because morning comes early.

Cheers. Until my next adventures abroad! :)

Granite Island and wineries

Hello,

On Sunday, April 19th, 2009 - M, E and I got up and caught a train to Yvonne's town so we could spend the day with her and Richard. They were taking us to Granite Island and a few wineries along the way. They picked us up and we were off to Victor Harbor. We tootled down the road (fast tootling!) and chatted about our going-away party last night and our experiences in Australia. We stopped at the Paxton winery because our friend Matt had recommended it last night. Good wine, BEAUTIFUL location and buildings. We did the entire list of wines. I bought the dessert wine (as usual). We then stopped at a winery called Simon Hackett, but I didn't find that it quite as tasteful as Paxton or any of the others we've been to. Not all of the wine was made in that location, but I did get to do my photo op of standing in the vineyard. I've got my UGGs on. Sigh.

We hopped back in the car and continued our journey to Victor Harbor. We were there in no time and it never ceases to amaze me that places that seem far away - are actually just a short distance away in reality. We went to this place to eat, but it was full. The view was phenomenal though. And I got to see an actual game of lawn bowling! We ended up eating at this really good restuarant in Victor and it was really cold and windy outside. I got my usual - butterfish and chips. I'm sure going to miss that when I get back to the States. After this we journeyed down the road where there was a parade honoring those who served in the forces as well as on ambulances, fire rescues, etc. Beyond that was a carnival in full swing. We passed that and walked across this big bridge to Granite Island.

Granite Island was amazing. It was cloudy out and that was perfect for photography! I got to run all over the island looking for penguins, dolphins, sea lions and numerous birds. We found one penguin (thank goodness for Richard looking all over because if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have seen a penguin!) and he was the cutest thing ever! I'm glad I wore my UGGs because it was cold and I wouldn't have been happy in flip flops. I climbed many rocks and took photos and had some photo shoots myself. We made it around the entire island and I just soaked it up. I was hoping to see a whale, but it's not the right season for that yet. This area is big in whale watching and squid catching. After goofing off and running around all afternoon it was time to get back to Adelaide for our last night at Malvern. Richard and Yvonne have been nothing short of amazing while I've been here and I just want to thank them for taking the time to drag me all over South Australia and answering my endless questions.

We got to Malvern at about 6:30pm and jumped in on the conversations taking place in the cafe. Tonight they were trying out a different type of service that involved more dialogue and getting to know people and the Bible better. It was interesting and I enjoyed the parts I was there for. I wish I could have been there the entire time, but then again I wouldn't have traded any of my time with Yvonne and Richard for church. Sorry God. I got to eat (I didn't have tea so anything was good with me) and just get to know people more. Eleanor is funny and I love that she asks so many comparison questions between the US and AUS because it gets me thinking and looking at the bigger picture in all of this. Morgan left at about 8:30 because she was tired. El and I stayed until about 11 something and just chilled with Antwone, Esti and Josh. Good times. Times I won't forget any time soon. Esti dropped us off and then it was bed time because Monday morning comes early and so do more good-byes.

Paxton Winery

Me in the Simon Hackett vineyards

Granite Island sign

The long bridge we walked across and the view of the mainland

The view of Encounter Bay from Granite Island

Cheers.

The Beginnings of Good-byes

Hey there,

[April 16, 2009]

Today was the beginning of the end... I had to start saying good-bye to those I have worked with over the past 3 months. I spent my day working at the Sefton Park office doing the Foster Care Services information booklet. I was given the task yesterday and finished it today. At about 3:30ish Helen took me over to Blair Athol so that I could say good-bye to Natalie.

Natalie is the manager of the op shops. She's so much fun and just has these crazy stories to tell. I have really enjoyed getting to know her and spending my Mondays at the shop. One of my favorite days was when she just busted out in the vegemite song and then all the ladies in the shop started joining in! She also bought me some pop-tarts and cans of Dr. Pepper because I was going through Dr. Pepper withdrawal. She's great. She is leaving this Saturday to do a 900km bike ride from Geelong to Salisbury (pronounced SOLESbury). That would be almost 560 miles. She's doing it for a great cause... H.A.N.D.S. She's raising money for another country to build pre-schools and other necessary buildings. Visit http://www.hands.org.au/ to learn more and to see what they're doing. I think her team is up to 12 members now. Good 'un ya Nat! :) I sponsored Natalie on her bike ride and had one last chance to say good-bye. It was a good ending and I'm really glad that I have met her.

After saying goodbye it was back to Sefton Park where I worked a bit longer before I caught a ride home with Jeff. I was taking E, M's and my money home from work so I was not allowed to take public transportation. Haha. I enjoy the rides with Jeff though because I am never sure what the discussion of the day is going to be about. It was the weather today.

I got home and was going to run a video back to the movie store, when it started downpouring on me. My new bag (my other purse from Sassy's went belly up) got wet to the point where the colors were bleeding. So I turned around and went home. I got ready to go to Helene's house instead.

Jeremy came and picked us up and we were off to their house for tea. Tea was delicious as it always is at their home. We then journeyed out to the top of the Morialta Conservation Park. We

(I will finish this blog later, gotta run!)

Natalie and I

The city lights at night...

View from the top of Morialta Conservation Park at night

Cheers.

Daily Schedule

Hey there,

So I decided that I better give you a run-down of how my day typically looks.

6:00am (sometimes earlier): Get up, shower, eat brekky, make lunch, etc.
7:40am: Jeff picks me up for work or I catch the bus
8am - 5pm: Monday work at Blair Athol, Tues-Fri I work at Sefton Park (sometimes I work late or work some more when I get home)
5pm - 6pm: get home (by Jeff, Ian or bus)
6:30pm: watch the news! (I love the news - it's an addiction.)
7pm: El and I watch Two and A Half Men (Australia's #1 comedy)
7pm-9pm: whatever needs to be done or just veg for the day.
Bedtime - this was hard at first because I don't go to bed until 1 am when I'm back in the States. But I get tired after a long day at work.

Then the process starts all over again. :)

Here's some photos from work.

This is my desk. I LOVE having TWO screens!

Foster Carers mug

The sign outside the door - adminstration only...

Cheers.

Barossa Vintage Festival & Wineries

G'day,

So Saturday morning I woke up feeling like rubbish. I felt bad because Gabby and Tiarna had spent the night for Ellie and Tiarna's 'Movie and KFC Mash Potatoes Night'. I didn't get to say good-bye to them because I spent time in my room since I wasn't feeling well. I think my body knows it's getting time to go home and is getting anxious. I ended up getting up, showering and heading down to Helen's house to head to the Barossa Valley. The Barossa Valley is known worldwide for it's amazing vineyards.

We started off and got a tour (in the car) through North Adelaide, Elizabeth, Mawson Lakes and other suburbs. We arrived about an hour later in Lyndoch where we at a wonderful bakery. I got potato soup to-go since my stomache wasn't feeling so well. It was good and then we were off to Jacob's Creek. The wine tasting was good - I'm still not a fan of the reds so I didn't really touch those. The whites were good though. While everyone was tasting the reds I went and took some video footage and photos. We spent some time looking at the heritage of the place.

Then we were off to visit the Grant Burge Winery. This place was absolutely beautiful! I would have my wedding there, and I bet people do have their weddings there. They had this one room that the roof of it was vines with growing grapes. It was so amazing. I posted some photos of the place. There were roses everywhere too - even though I don't like roses I will say that they made the place just glow. They didn't smell that bad either. The wine there was really good! They have Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego wines there - and I tried them and they didn't taste well for me. I also learned that Dr. Fred Strickert was taken to this winery when he came to Adelaide last August. So we have something in common. I tried a Lilly Farm Frontignan and it was so good I had to get some. I will be shipping a crate of wine home. I'm not kidding!

We spent the rest of the afternoon traveling through the valley and visiting towns. In Tanunda we got to see where Helen grew up and where her father and grandpa pastored at. The church is really beautiful. It has four wooden statutes that look like stone. The statues are Jeremiah, Moses, Peter and Elijah. Their so detailed that it's incredible. I wish I could have gotten photos, but I felt like they were very sacred. I got to see the first Lutheran pastor in Australia's gravestone. We then got in the car and drove to Mengler Hill.

On the way to Mengler Hill we kept seeing all of these scarecrow people. They were in yards, cars and in fields. We kept laughing cause they were amusing and were doing unexpected things. We arrived at Mengler Hill and it was beautiful. We got to see the Barossa Valley in all its vastness and glory. The sunset was stunning too, no video or pictures can do it any justice. Below where I was standing there was a little pathway that you could walk around and look at all the artwork there. There was an eagle down there - he looked good. I took a ton of photos of the sky and surroundings. We got some people at the Hill to take a group photo of us there.

After Mengler Hill we journeyed to 'The Junction' which is a restaurant/hotel made completely out of train cars! It was SO cool! It was dark or else I'd have photos for you. Peter kept getting up to check the footy game - Carlton was playing Essedon. Carlton won which was good since that's Peter's team. The food was delicious. I got some kind of fish and chips, as well as chocolate pudding for desert. The chocolate pudding isn't what you would think it is - it's cake! It was bomb! The hot chocloate was good too. After tea we headed back to the car and to Adelaide. I wasn't feeling the greatest (I don't think that wine and chocolate mix) so I slept in the car on the ride back. We got home and I went to bed since Easter morning service comes early.

The Jacob's Creek sign

Doing some tasting...

The vineyards of Jacob's Creek (they have heaps more than just these ones!)

The view from Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre

One of the kangaroos sunning himself at Jacob's Creek animal enclosure

"Welcome to Our Place"

Grant Burge's roses and vineyards

Through the looking window...

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego wines!

Grant Burge's Grape Ceiling

Grant Burge Winery

The view from Mengler Hill

The sunset at Mengler Hill

Morgan, Ellie, Helen, Peter and I at Mengler Hill at sunset

Cheers.

HAPPY EASTER!

Happy Easter to you!

It's amazing what this day means you know? Jesus is alive again! He went to hell and paid the price for my sin and your sin. And we're free now...

I woke up today and was going to go to the 7am "under the gum tree" service at the Malvern Uniting Church, but I had a massive headache. A bit too much wine for me yesterday, so I slept a little longer and told myself I'd go to another service. I didn't (I already knew I was going to the 6pm service). I can't really bring myself to go when I know that I won't be singing the "Every Morning is Easter Morning" song. I really like that song and I only get to sing it once a year. So instead I got ready for the beach! I'd been planning to go all week. I don't ever get to spend time at the beach on Easter because Iowa doesn't have a beach! So why not spend it where I normally wouldn't?

I would typically spend Easter with the family, have a listen to the Joshua Tree album by U2 and eat some delicious food. I did have good food today, but no family. Which is a bummer, but I'll be seeing them soon. My brother is becoming Catholic this weekend so the whole family went up to the ceremony this weekend. I hope he doesn't mess up in the ceremony. :)

I got a bus into the city and then caught the tram to Glenelg beach. It was a nice ride except for when the tram had to stop suddenly and this lady's umbrella handle got jammed right into my tailbone. It hurt for a bit, but I was not going to let that stop me so I shrugged it off and went on. I arrived at the beach to find camel rides! I almost got one, but then decided that I really just wanted to get my tan on. I found a spot and camped out for a few hours. I kept putting sunscreen on and enjoyed finding some shells on the shore. The water was so warm today!

I listened to the Joshua Tree album (plus Beautiful Day since it was!), Alli Rogers and finished up with some Genesis. Solid music day for me and I was quite pleased. After a few hours I could feel myself getting burnt so I decided to pack. I watched some man perform tricks and he stated that he owns the copyright to them. Blah, blah, blah. I walked through some of the shops, but there were too many people and I hate crowds. So I caught the tram back to the city. I couldn't find my bus ticket when I got on the tram and I was freaking out. In order to ride you are suppose to put your ticket into the machine and get it "stamped." Only I couldn't find mine. And you can get kicked off the tram, bus or train if you don't get your ticket verified. The ticket man was right beside me the whole ride back and since I was freaking out inside my head, I got off at Greenhill Rd which is somewhat near where I live. I had paid almost $14 for that ticket since it's a multi-trip ticket and it only had 2 punches on it! I was so mad at myself. I ended up walking an hour home, but guess what? I found my ticket right after I got off the tram! Ugh, life is funny like that. Guess God wanted me to "be active" today. (Check out this commercial - http://www.beactive.com.au/TV%20Ads/DRS0031%20Final%20Lift%20TVC.mpg - South Australia has a "Be Active" campaign and this is one of the ads- I find it hilarious!) They also have signs on the bus that say "Get off a stop earlier." No thank you on most days for me.

So I finally arrived home after walking a ways and stopping at the Broadway Fish & Chips shop on Unley. I think I made that man's day by coming in on Easter. I went home and had some free time to watch the news and then got ready to go to church at Malvern. The service was good. The music was good. And I was just excited to be at a service were I was actually getting something out of the message for once since I've been here. I stayed for pancakes (we can eat them now that lent/Easter is over) and a cuppa. I chatted with Eleanor, Estee and Tahnee before heading back to Helen's where we were having tea and pavlova. The lasagna was amazing and the pavlova was delicious! I think I've actually had them before, but it was still good and it's an Australian thing I guess. I watched an Agatha Christie tv show afterwards with Peter (the other two girls were looking at KI photos which I'd already seen) before heading home. I love Agatha Christie's books - I've read all of them when I was young and I think I am going to re-read them over the summer. Yeah!

I hope your Easter was wonderful and filled with blessings. :)

The sign on the buses.

The water looked really green from afar, but blue up close.

The camels I was talking about.

The beach from another view

My 'Happy Easter' video!

Cheers.

Post-Easter Monday

Happy Tuesday everybody!

The Monday after Easter here in South Australia is a public holiday. That means that I had the day off, which was nice since I was sick. I woke up at 4 something in the morning because Morgan and Ellie were getting ready to head off to Kangaroo Island for their three-day tour. I know your next question will be – "Why aren’t you going Hilary?" This was my mom’s question when I told her why I was still sleeping when she called at 8:30 this morning. So here's the answers to your question:

1.) I really like what I am doing at work and want to get as much done as I can before I leave next Thursday.

2.) Also, I have a hard time spending nearly $600 on a three-day tour to Kangaroo Island. I can go to Victor Harbor and see the same thing if I really wanted. Minus the honey they make on KI, but I can buy that in a gift shop at Hahndorf if I really want it.

3.) I am at the point in my trip here that I am sick of seeing and doing new things. I am so ready to be home.

So I finally fell back asleep at about 6:30. I slept until my mother called and I chatted with her for a bit – it was Easter in the states so she called to say ‘Happy Easter’. I was trying to decide if I should bring something back from Australia to be auctioned off at Doug’s benefit, but the only thing I could think of is a painting that is hanging on my boss’ wall so I am going to ask her to see if I can get a copy somewhere. If no one else bids, I will because I like it. We discussed Doug's benefit on the phone and that's where those thoughts came from, most of you don't know Doug unless you're from Dysart.

I stayed in bed a bit longer and then got up and ate some cereal while watching the news. I love to hear the news, just not some of the extra crap that comes along with it. For example: how much those in Hollywood make, who in Hollywood is going to stay together, break up or have a baby in 2009, if Madonna will end up getting Mercy from Malawi after all, the ridiculous things that they sell on the tv shows (although I do kind of secretly want a PedEgg – I don’t need it, I just want to see if it works. Look at the commercial here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvFqrnEXxmM. I am just amazed that the balloon doesn't pop!)

I then crawled back in bed for a bit. Where I got hit by the umbrella yesterday hurts quite badly today. It didn’t at all yesterday, but she got my tailbone and it’s quite painful just to move around. It also didn’t help that I just felt like complete crud when I woke up and throughout the day. So I spent the day lounging around the house, doing laundry, and just catching up on some rest. I had to cancel on going to Sam and Christian’s barbie tonight. I’ll have to catch up with them sometime before I head back to the States.

I watched Ellen today… it was a rerun, but one I hadn’t seen. She got George Clooney on her show by baiting him with two of his favorite baseball players who have retired. It was a good show – even if it was a rerun from Martin Luther King Jr. day this year. I have decided that one of my goals in life is to be on The Ellen Show. I know you are thinking – great aspirations Hilary. (This is me being sarcastic by the way – not about my goal, but your thoughts about my goal.) Seriously though, they have so much fun on that show and you get free things. And Ellen is hilarious. I took a nap and then watched Three Dollars. That movie takes you on so many rollercoasters when you least expect it. I will not give any of the plot away, but will say that you should watch it and it comes highly recommended by me.

I made some egg salad last night, tried making a sweet potato (it wouldn't cook all the way through) and watched some of the movie Picture Perfect. It has Jennifer Aniston in it and it's pretty decent. I watched the news again. The protests in Bangkok are quite frightening. I know a few people who went there for holidays this week so I'm hoping that they are alright and will be able to get back. They were saying that the airport is being closed. On the other side of Oz, there are floods again in Queensland. Wildfires in Oklahoma and the Captain was rescued from the pirates. The world just seems so chaotic and crazy right now. I'll leave you to ponder.

Cheers.