Yes I am back in College

I am changing the time so it reflects the date and time in Australia.

I feel I like a college student again. Being on a campus has been very entertaining. Talk about memories from the past. The University of Wollongong is really very beautiful.

Facts I have learned.
*For those of you interested...There are NO happy hours here to speak of.
*No tipping is allowed. People get very offended if you offer to tip.
*They drive on the WRONG side of the street. If I don't make it back it is because I have been run over. It is hard getting used to looking in the opposite direction first.
*They have scandals in their politics also. So we don't have think we are alone in that.
*Asians speaking with an Australian accent. It just doesn't seem right.

I'll list more another time.

Tonight Brian and I are going to the art museum in town for an art opening and fund raiser. Sue if you are checking the Blog you will be interested. It is called Bloomin Art. Sound familiar. It is the same as the Hospice fund raiser. Florists create designs to match the art pieces they are paired with. I will take pictures if it is allowed.

Tomorrow we are taking the bus back to Sydney so we can fly to Melbourne. We are spending 3 days there and will rent a car so we can drive back. We will spend the night on the way back in Eden. It is a very popular vacation spot.

I wish we had time to go to Coober Pedy. It is one of the largest opal mining towns and most people live underground. It is just to far. But I am going to see some of the opals that have been mined from that area while we are in Melbourne. If I can find any in the right price range I will purchase. But most have been very expensive.

I am going to say bye for now.

Everyone take care!

Day 2 in Wollongong

Today I have spent a good bit of time trying to learn as much as possible about the damage caused by Katrina. The phone lines have been busy all day so I have not been able to reach my family. But I know they are all safe at my house.

I am going to post some of the pictures Brian and I have taken. Most will be from our adventures in Sydney, Coogee, and the zoo we visited on our trip to Blue Mountain. I will try to put them in order.



This first picture is of the bats we saw in the Royal Botanic Garden. Pretty scary.

Yep, the Sydney Opera House. It really is quite a site. Brian and I are going to the opera on my last night. Very exciting!!!

Brian enjoying a local brew outside the opera house. The view is quite spectacular!!

Taken on our walk from Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach. This walk took about 2 hours and it was worth every step. I think I could live here!!!
Can you tell which is Brian and which is the Koala!!

If you look very closely you can see the baby wallaby inside the pouch.

See ya later mates!! I'll write more tomorrow!

Woolongong...

Well look what happens when I leave the states. My family has evacuated the New Orleans area and is living at my house. I think they may have jumped the fence to get in or maybe Alan, the mate that does my yard was there to let them in so they didn't have to jump.

Everyone Stay safe!!! And know that I am thinking of all of you.

Brian and I managed to see most of Sydney... on foot We walked through the Royal Botanic Gardens. What beautiful vegetation and the birds and bats were a site to see. As soon as I can post pictures I will but right now I am in the library at the University so I have no way of downloading pictures. The Sydney Opera house is more beautiful than in the pictures I have seen. We will be going to the opera on the last night I am in town.
Transportation has been by bus or taxi but mostly by foot. I don't think I will have a problem with my weight while here. Everyone walks and jogs. No TV for these folks. We walked about 6 miles one day just going from Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach. I saw my first Rugby game. It reminds me of soccer and American football all rolled up into one sport.

Our walk along the beach was an adventure. Surfers everywhere, and this is supposed to be the end of winter. The temperature has been great!!!

I will write more later but right now I have to go meet Brian for lunch.

Packed and ready

Well it is 8:45 and I am actually packed and ready to go. Called the airline and they said the flight will leave on time, let's keep our fingers crossed.I am going to miss the great group of "girls" I work with...you guys are the best. Hold the fort down while I am gone.I haven't had time this morning to get nervouse I might be over that. I can't wait to get to Australia. Can you believe it!!Brian will meet me at the hotel at about 1:00PM on Friday. That should be about 9:00pm here on Thursday. Can we all say Jet Lag!!!!My ride should be here soon. Humm who could that be?Next time you hear from me I will be on Aussie time.Take care!!!!

The night before I leave

GDay My "good friends",
This is my first attempt at blogging so I hope I get it right. I need to make Phyllis proud!
I am mostly packed accept for make-up. but really who needs make-up. I guess that is another whole topic for a blog.
I hope to write daily but it all depends on if I can get to a computer. Brian seems to think I can use computer in the lab. I do plan on visiting a few schools while in Wollongong. That will be interesting.
Brian will get the second weekend off so we are going to Melbourne. this weekend we will be in
Sydney so I may not be able to write but if at all possible I will.
So long for now!