ETA: I put them on Picasa

Australia 2007

Australia was a lot of fun. The wedding was fun: my first bridesmaid experience, my first Greek wedding and my first stay at a Westin. Yes, more than a week later I’m still bouncing about the Westin. It was such an amazing experience. And I don’t stay at hotels. That stay made me wish I did.

This trip was also completely different from my previous two trips in that there was no sightseeing. The sole purpose was to go to the wedding and visit friends. Lawrence and I did a bit of night viewing in Brisbane but I wouldn’t really class that as sightseeing. Trip had a different feel, it was a proper vacation. More once I’ve caught up. I have 10 packages of books to open!

Yep, my hair has gotten just a *little* long! The stylist actually used a curling iron on all of it. What patience! It looked nice, but I still can’t wait to cut it. 

Hair all done, but still in normal clothes. $15 fleeces from Myer. Yay!

 In full bridesmaid glory.

Ended up getting a new camera since it was on sale, which I really love so far. It fits in my pocket or pocketbook which is the best thing.

T

create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands

I also came to realise just how odd that sounds. New countries since June. Adding New Zealand is a bit of a technicality but no worse than Singapore or The Netherlands.

Although this has been a very different kind of visit than previous trips, it’s been a lot of fun. A lot of wedding stuff and some general catching up. Between the 30 hours travel time from New York to Melbourne as well as the paper being done, I’ve read! Completed so far: The Bullfighter Checks Her Make Up, The Economic Naturalist and The Kill Artist with another few in progress. Renders the list of books I’ve read relatively complete but still pathetic compared to years past.

Picked up a couple of brochures but I realize I won’t have the time. Not the end of the world. On a random note, I’ve had lamb x3 in the last week: baa!

It’s been a wonderful trip. Not missing the camera. I’d only be taking pictures of things I already have hundreds of photos of. o:)

RIP Scooter

Arrived Friday AM via Auckland and my jetlag prevention tactic (stay awake  all day from NYC – LA and then sleep LA – Melbourne) worked fairly well. Slept most of the way to Auckland and dozed Auckland – Melbourne. Meant that I was awake from ~3AM Melbourne time but I stayed awake the whole day, crashing at about 10pm. Busy day yesterday and was falling asleep by the end of the show but lasted fairly well. Think I definitely did OK, we’ll see about the return.

Have had a ton of fun. Some shopping, some good food, a fun Hen’s night at Hunchbax and of course the world’s most amazing hot chocolate. Just know it’s all going to go far too fast.  So glad I made the trip though.

Got to LAX on time/a few minutes early. Suitcase (yes, I’m pretending to be a grownup this trip, mainly on account of the dress) was one of the first off. Went to check in only to find that Qantas counters didn’t open until 5pm so I sat in the upstairs lounge for internet and working on my paper. At 5 went down to check in and go through security – quite easy given the new regs and by a shade past 6 I was at the gate. Still very few people here so I have a port to charge my phone and ‘net access. Simple pleasures. Having a snack and preparing to _sleep_ for the bulk of the flight. Found out at check in that we have to de-plane in Auckland while they refuel/clean the plane. Still befuddled why this flight has to stop. Oh well, will add to New Zealand to the list of countries whose airports I haven’t left, it’s in good company with Singapore and The Netherlands.

passengers ‘transisting’ at airports within the UK… worst recorded typo and it’s playing over, and over…