Today I am off to New Zealand for 18 days. I only get a backpack weighing 22lbs (I think I packed 20lbs so I should be good) and a small purse. I will not be bringing my computer or iPad and I can not use my phone to update facebook because it is international roaming charges. I am going to try and write my blog by hand in my notebook and then type it all up when I get back but well have to see how that goes. I will be starting in Auckland going all the way down to Queenstown and up to Christchurch. If you want to see a map of all the places I am going you can check out http://www.kiwiexperience.com/sheep-dog-backpacker-pass.aspx (I am doing the Sheep Dog Pass)
All the places I will be spending the night are : Auckland, Hot Water Beach, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, River Valley, Wellington, Kaiteriteri, Westport, Lake Mahinapua, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown, Christchurch
Can not wait for this adventure to begin. The first few days I will be traveling alone then Natasha will meet up with me then she leaves a few days before I do so I will be traveling alone again at the end of the trip. Can't wait to experience the life living hostel to hostel and meeting so many new people.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Someone is officially Legal!! (April 11)
My brother Braxton is finally 18!!! Wow another legal child in the Luke family. It is so weird and a little scary how quickly we are all growing up. I am sad I am missing Braxton's birthday but I know he will be surrounded by love, family, and friends on his big day.
Obviously I am going to continue the family tradition of what I love about my brother Braxton. What I love about Braxton is how passionate he is about life, he has such a positive outlook and attitude that makes for a great example not only for his little brother to follow but also for his two older sisters to follow. Once he sets his mind to something, there is not turning back he is very persistent and loves to master things (his new obsession is the guitar), he loves sharing his gifts and talents with others. His love of family and passion for his faith is inspiring. I love you so much. I love how much closer we have grown over the years. I can't wait to see what is to come for you in the future, only but great amazing things. Happy 18th birthday!! Now you can legally vote and play the lottery and get arrested, its great haha. Love you lots <3
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
First Day of Work (April 10)
Today was my first day of part time work at Metcash. It is a perfect place for me to work. They have me doing office work and I basically filed papers for 7 hours. I know they alphabet real well now (not that I didn't know it before but ya sorting papers and then filing for 7 hrs your really get close with the alphabet). It was really cool because I got to know a lot of the names of cities around Australia as well as where they have a lot of their stores. Metcash is a leading marketing and distribution company, operating in the grocery, liquor, and hardware wholesale industries. Richard, the national property manager and Shane, the national asset managers are awesome. They are super friendly and are very willing and open to helping me out. I only work 2 days then leave for 18 days for New Zealand and they are totally fine with that. I just need to email them when I am back in town (a phrase they all don't understand, when I said I was going out of town both of them said 'out of town?' with a puzzled face, I guess you are supposed to say you are going 'away'). The guys that work there are super friendly and welcoming. I also am very lucky to have gotten a job there as well because they are restructuring their company and had to recently let go 500 people. I'm not asking questions but just taking what they will give me. I couldn't have gotten this job with out Maxine Bendall so a big thanks goes out to her.
Day of Catching Up (April 9)
Today I spent most of the day booking hostels and buses for New Zealand as well as skyping family and my best friend Nicole Schneider. I have not talked with her since I first got here so it was so nice to see her face and be able to catch up. I wish some more of my friends from home were out here because we all would have a blast together but that is just wishful thinking.
Getting ready to leave for New Zealand in a few days so I have a lot to do between now and then.
Getting ready to leave for New Zealand in a few days so I have a lot to do between now and then.
Easter Brunch (April 8)
Can't believe it is already Easter and I have been here for over two months now. Crazy how quickly the time flies by. Once I get back from my New Zealand trip I have a little less than 3 months left here in Australia.
I went to mass this morning at St. Anthony's. It was a very interesting mass to say the least. The music was very cheesy and did not sound that great but it was nice to have some music at mass, but now I understand why they don't really have it at all the masses (I am way too spoiled at my church at home). I wanted to record it so you guys could have a hear but I thought that might be rude. Another different part was that the priest did not give a homily he said that 'the Easter bunny said to tell us 2 things that he was there and that there is no Homily' I found this to be a little strange but guess they were just trying to stay on schedule. The last thing I noticed was that the kids do not wear Easter dresses or get all dresses up everyone seemed to be in pretty much normal clothes (it is not like this back at home). Other than those things it was a lovely mass and a wonderful way to start my day!
I quickly went home to get started on all my baking. On the way home I picked a variety of flowers to make some nice decor around the house. I decided to host a potluck brunch at our apartment for all the people who were still left in the Parklands. I baked two spinach and egg quiches along with deviled eggs. Surprisingly they turned out to be very delicious (I had never made either one of them so I was really nervous and not sure how it would turn out). Minna made a finish desert called Pasha. It is very different its kinda like a sweet whipped cream but it also it kind of like ice cream, not really sure how to describe it but it is very delicious and rich. Suzy made a homemade meat lasagna that was very good. There ended up being 12 people in total. It was perfect! Everyone brought a dish to share and we had more than enough food and deserts.
Everyone was stuffed and ready for a nap by the time we all finished. There were some people who ended up staying so we watch "The Ugly Truth" which I totally fell asleep. After the movie it was still so early I cleaned up the house and as I was cleaning a huge thunder and lightening storm began. I think this was one of the loudest ones we have had since we have been here. (not normal Easter weather). At one point, one of the lightening cracks was so loud a few of us screamed because it seemed like it was out of no where.
I cleaned the entire place then we watched "The Vow" because there was nothing better to do not only because everyone is gone on trips but the weather just made it a perfect movie night.
Overall it was a perfect Easter. So glad I hosted the brunch and had an Easter with our little Parkland Family, made it not feel so lonely and sad as I thought it would be!
I went to mass this morning at St. Anthony's. It was a very interesting mass to say the least. The music was very cheesy and did not sound that great but it was nice to have some music at mass, but now I understand why they don't really have it at all the masses (I am way too spoiled at my church at home). I wanted to record it so you guys could have a hear but I thought that might be rude. Another different part was that the priest did not give a homily he said that 'the Easter bunny said to tell us 2 things that he was there and that there is no Homily' I found this to be a little strange but guess they were just trying to stay on schedule. The last thing I noticed was that the kids do not wear Easter dresses or get all dresses up everyone seemed to be in pretty much normal clothes (it is not like this back at home). Other than those things it was a lovely mass and a wonderful way to start my day!
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| The decorations for Easter |
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| Flowers I picked |
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| And the food kept coming |
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| 2 dishes I made (the second quiche wasn't so crispy) |
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| Some of the Deserts (the white thing is Minna's Pasha) |
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| Waiting for the food |
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| Kathrine, Dean, Rose, Michael, Me, Rachel, Jane |
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| Minna, Lindsay, Suzy, Anaelle, Kathrine (again), and Stephanie |
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| Roomies |
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| 1st course done! Now waiting to make room for deserts |
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| Kathrine and Suzy trying to 'dance' off their meal so they could eat desert |
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| Chocolate Eggs! |
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| Rose, Me and Rachel |
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| New house pet we discovered (its a Huntsmen) |
Everyone was stuffed and ready for a nap by the time we all finished. There were some people who ended up staying so we watch "The Ugly Truth" which I totally fell asleep. After the movie it was still so early I cleaned up the house and as I was cleaning a huge thunder and lightening storm began. I think this was one of the loudest ones we have had since we have been here. (not normal Easter weather). At one point, one of the lightening cracks was so loud a few of us screamed because it seemed like it was out of no where.
The Lightening Storm (this was a quiet part of the storm)
I cleaned the entire place then we watched "The Vow" because there was nothing better to do not only because everyone is gone on trips but the weather just made it a perfect movie night.
Overall it was a perfect Easter. So glad I hosted the brunch and had an Easter with our little Parkland Family, made it not feel so lonely and sad as I thought it would be!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Harbour Bridge Walk (April 7)
I wanted to get out of the house today and explore the city a bit. I have been wanting to walk the Harbour Bridge since I got here and today was perfect weather to do so. I dragged Rachel, Rose, and Dean out of bed and we headed into the city.
The walk across the bridge was amazing. I can not wait to do it again the views were gorgeous and just being able to walk next to the bridge and see it up close was spectacular I don't think I will ever get sick of that bridge or the view from it. There were a handful of weddings that we could see going on down below which was really beautiful to see. (their wedding pictures will be amazing with the view and weather all of them had).
We made it across the bridge where we met Natasha and her mom and went to lunch at Pankcakes on the Rocks. The food was to die for everything we ordered was delicious. Rachel and I split and Mexicana Crepe and a Chocolate Pancake with strawberries and chocolate ice cream on top.
After a lovely lunch we attempted to do a tour of the Opera House but you could not do a self guided tour and it was a little out of our budget to pay for a tour. So we nixed that and decided to do a tour through the Botanical Gardens. They had these trains running that took you on a 30min tour around the garden and they had a great student rate of $5 so we were all over that. I loved it because not only did we get to see all over the gardens but our tour guide was telling us great facts and interesting things about the garden and its history
After the tour we promised Dean we would find a bar and grab a drink and some appetizers.
On our way to the bar I finally purchased so much needed sunglasses (I left mine at the Ivy) as well as a new sweatshirt that says Bondi Australia. We ended up at the bar we normally go to near Circular Quay and got the Daiquiri Special for Easter.
The walk across the bridge was amazing. I can not wait to do it again the views were gorgeous and just being able to walk next to the bridge and see it up close was spectacular I don't think I will ever get sick of that bridge or the view from it. There were a handful of weddings that we could see going on down below which was really beautiful to see. (their wedding pictures will be amazing with the view and weather all of them had).
We made it across the bridge where we met Natasha and her mom and went to lunch at Pankcakes on the Rocks. The food was to die for everything we ordered was delicious. Rachel and I split and Mexicana Crepe and a Chocolate Pancake with strawberries and chocolate ice cream on top.
After a lovely lunch we attempted to do a tour of the Opera House but you could not do a self guided tour and it was a little out of our budget to pay for a tour. So we nixed that and decided to do a tour through the Botanical Gardens. They had these trains running that took you on a 30min tour around the garden and they had a great student rate of $5 so we were all over that. I loved it because not only did we get to see all over the gardens but our tour guide was telling us great facts and interesting things about the garden and its history
After the tour we promised Dean we would find a bar and grab a drink and some appetizers.
On our way to the bar I finally purchased so much needed sunglasses (I left mine at the Ivy) as well as a new sweatshirt that says Bondi Australia. We ended up at the bar we normally go to near Circular Quay and got the Daiquiri Special for Easter.
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| approaching the bridge |
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| view from the beginning of the bridge |
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| People getting ready to do 'the climb' to the center of the bridge |
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| A little about the Harbour Bridge and its history |
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| The Market going on near Circular Quay |
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| Train we took around Botanical Gardens |
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| Fountain in Botanical |
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| Tree in Botanical Gardens that fell over |
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| Fountain near Circular Quay |
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Good Friday (April 6)
Today I was finishing and posted my first essay. After that I wanted to reward myself with going to the pool but it was closed so Rachel Rose and I were all trying to figure out something to do but EVERYTHING was closed because it was good friday.
This led us on an adventure with the boys the McDonalds (the far one) because it was a 24hr Mackers (what the aussies call it).
It was not a very eventful day but it was fun just to hang out with everyone and get to know Waterloo Road.
Waterloo Road is where my new job is, the way to the 24hr Mackers, the street leading to Macquarie Park and the street that is part of the big intersection of Herring Rd (the road we live on) where the Train Station is and the entrance to Macquarie Uni is located.
This led us on an adventure with the boys the McDonalds (the far one) because it was a 24hr Mackers (what the aussies call it).
It was not a very eventful day but it was fun just to hang out with everyone and get to know Waterloo Road.
Waterloo Road is where my new job is, the way to the 24hr Mackers, the street leading to Macquarie Park and the street that is part of the big intersection of Herring Rd (the road we live on) where the Train Station is and the entrance to Macquarie Uni is located.
Things Are Happening!! (April 5)
I finally caved in and bought a new camera!!! So happy to have a camera back in my life especially right before my trip to New Zealand.
I also just got a part time job, thanks to my friend Maxine, that I am so excited about because it works perfectly with my school and travel schedule and it pays a decent amount of money which I can very well use at this point in time. I will just be doing office work like filing things away sorting through boxes, etc, basically busy work but I don't care at this point money is money. I want to travel and enjoy my time here while it lasts and not let money be an obstacle stopping me from doing what I want to do.
I also have started up my Juice Plus business here in Sydney and am so excited to get things up and running with that. I can't wait to share my knowledge of health and wellness with the people in Sydney and the places I travel bringing better health and nutrition into people's lives. I have gotten the word out to a few people and am slowing starting to get it going, just a little hard when I'm about to go away for 18 days, but I hope to be in full swing when I get back from my trip!
I also just got a part time job, thanks to my friend Maxine, that I am so excited about because it works perfectly with my school and travel schedule and it pays a decent amount of money which I can very well use at this point in time. I will just be doing office work like filing things away sorting through boxes, etc, basically busy work but I don't care at this point money is money. I want to travel and enjoy my time here while it lasts and not let money be an obstacle stopping me from doing what I want to do.
I also have started up my Juice Plus business here in Sydney and am so excited to get things up and running with that. I can't wait to share my knowledge of health and wellness with the people in Sydney and the places I travel bringing better health and nutrition into people's lives. I have gotten the word out to a few people and am slowing starting to get it going, just a little hard when I'm about to go away for 18 days, but I hope to be in full swing when I get back from my trip!
Geri Comes for a Visit (April 4)
Natasha's mom, Geri flew in yesterday and is here for 2 weeks to visit Natasha and travel with her. Due to having no family style restaurants out here Geri went out and bought a ton of delicious food and we had a BBQ at Natasha's place before we headed out for the Super Hero Ranch Night.
There was fruit salad, kabobs, chips and dip, corn on the cob, and goon of course! The meal was delicious and it was so nice to have a familiar mommy figure around after not seeing family for quite some time.
After a wonderful BBQ and sitting around chatting and telling Geri stories we all got ready for Super Hero night at the Ranch. It had been a while since I have been to the Ranch but a great night to return, its always more fun when there is a theme! Geri was staying at the Ranch so she joined us for a little bit and bought a group of us a round of shots! It was so fun to have her inside with us and see what it was like, not much time passed till she headed up to her room.
There was fruit salad, kabobs, chips and dip, corn on the cob, and goon of course! The meal was delicious and it was so nice to have a familiar mommy figure around after not seeing family for quite some time.
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| Geri, Natasha, Tyler, Lewis, Stian |
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| Tim in charge of the grilling |
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| All the amazing food (the homemade chip dip was a hit) |
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| Super Women |
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| Michael |
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| Geri, Me, Ashley |
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| Natasha, Geri, Me |
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| Geri in the Ranch |
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| Ashley and Me |
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| Sara, Julie, Jill, Ashley, Me (love the guys in the background) |
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| Joakim and Me |
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| The Creepy/Scary Joker |
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