The first "oh no" of the trip

Hey everyone!

I'm sitting on the 8th floor of the Hilton in Adelaide. The view is magnificent. I've decided that Adelaide is now on my "favorite cities" list. Could it be that I feel like I've been taken back 150 years? The city is surrounded by park (by design) and the buildings are gorgeous. I'm sure you're say to yourself, "why is Ann in Adelaide"? Well, I'm so glad you were asking yourself that. I'll get to it in a moment. Just ponder for a few more seconds.

I'll give you a brief update about leaving Barker. My last day at Barker was teaching a lecture hall full of students and another similar scenario a little later. It was so much fun! The students were fun and hopefully enjoyed it as much as I did. The history department went to the Blue Gum for a beer and Diana joined us. As I knew it would be, it was tough saying goodbye. It was inevitable, however. I will miss Marcel, Greg, Liz, Andy and the rest of the gang. They were fabulous hosts.

We moved out of the apartment yesterday morning and moved our stuff to the Harborview Hotel. Diana was to be there for her last night and I will be, as well, in a couple of weeks. It has the most amazing views of the Sydney Harbor. Diana took the cab with me to the train station and after an interesting "meet up" with a gal from Hilo, I loaded my stuff into my closet, I mean sleeper car. It was the most efficient use of space I've ever seen. The views were awesome and for the first 2 hours I pinched myself. This was going to be one of the best experiences of my life!! Ok, I know you're still wondering why I'm in Adelaide. I'll get to it...


The food on the train was so good and I met some lovely people. After dinner, I returned to my closet, I mean car and my bed was laid out. There were about 3 inches between me and the door with the window on the other side. It was much like laying on a padded ironing board but it really was pretty comfy. I tossed and turned with the train and most everyone I talked to at breakfast agreed that it would take some getting used to. They didn't sleep either. We still had 2 nights, no worries, as they say. Shortly, after that discussion, a voice came on the intercom and informed us that a freight train had derailed in the Nullarbor. We could only go as far as Adelaide. Bummer!! I was so disappointed but as we all know, things happen. We were unloaded and given the necessary vouchers and whisked off to the hotel after a prepaid tour. They have made us reservations to fly on Quantas to Perth tomorrow (coming out of our refund) and then they have booked me a room in Perth (on my dollar). I'm sure it's the most expensive one in Perth. Again, no worries. Anyway, I just found out that I leave on the 8 am flight. Awww....how lucky am I? At least I'll have most of the day in Perth to do what I want Always look on the brght side as my father used to say.

I'm still having the time of my life. I have come to the realization that I'm a very lucky lady with the best friends on the planet. Steven, sorry it didn't work out babe but thanks for the birthday present. I'll never forget it. Tomorrow I will leave for Perth and will be there about a week. I'll send another dispatch from there. Again, thanks for your love and support. You just have no idea how much it means to me.


Big hugs from Oz,

Ann

Finally, a chance to catch up....

Sorry for the delay, this is the first time that I've been able to get to a compatible computer. It's hard to believe that tomorrow will be the last day of the exchange. As I predicted, it will be difficult to leave. I've already made so many new friends here.

Barker College is an amazing place. The teachers are terrific, the students are kind and respectful and it's just a warm place to be. I taught 4 classes yesterday, 1 today and will have 2 tomorrow after spending last week observing. I'm having a wonderful time discussing Texas, American politics, the Constitution, rights, voting, etc. Can you tell I'm in my element? They are so curious about so many aspects of American life.

Last weekend we headed into Sydney to explore. There is just so much to see. We were blessed on Saturday morning to have the lower school librarian,Sharron, as a tour guide. She showed us places that are not in the tourist books. We took the ferry from Manly Beach into Sydney and then got our bearings. We took the train home only to turn around and take it back in the next morning. We took the Sydney Explorer all around the Sydney and stopped in Chinatown for a couple of hours of shopping. It was a fabulous day.

Tuesday, we went to the Koala Preserve. We got to pet koalas and kangaroos and see all sort of other native animals. I could have stayed all day but unfortunately for us, they wanted to go home at 5. It was so much fun.

Yesterday was Diana's birthday and it was party time for her all day. The lower school had her a cake and all sorts of goodies. Last night we were invited to Dr. and Mrs. Cunningham's home for a delicious meal. We had another little party there. They presented her with a gorgous bouquet of flowers. I think it will be a birthday she'll never forget.

I leave on Saturday for my long train ride to Perth. I am looking forward to it. I expect that all of the movies that were borrowed from Sharron and Jim will be viewed. I know it will be the experience of a lifetime. Michael and Sarah have already started putting together a road trip to Margaret's River which is a phenomenal wine producing region.


There will be so much to share when I get home. I pray that this exchange will continue.
I'll probably be able to post more often once I get to Perth. Also, I hope to put up some pictures. Take care and thanks mates for all the sweet notes.

Hugs,
Ann

Life in Hornsby

Greetings friends....

Thanks for the sweet notes. You have no idea how happy they made me. I apologize for the delay in catching up but I haven't been able to access my blog. I'm sitting in an internet cafe at the Hornsby Mall. It's Thursday, so it's open late.

Ok, I'll quickly update you. The plane ride was excruciatingly long which was expected. Once I got to Hornsby, it was a chore to stay awake but I did. Diana had her first day at Barker so it was good to see one another. I reported for duty yesterday morning and it's been a whirlwind ever since. The people at Barker are truly warm and inviting and have made me feel right at home. I even have my own desk in the History Department. Cool, huh? They are actually going to make me work next week and I'm thrilled about that. I've learned so much about their culture and their interests over the last two days. Did I mention the fact that I'd already taken about 200 pictures?

Australia is a beautiful place. The weather was warm the first day and has gradually cooled off. Our sweaters are coming in handy. This weekend we are going to take the train into Sydney and do some sightseeing and shopping. Our apartment is lovely. We each have a bedroom and a bath and share an amazing wraparound balcony. It's such a nice home away from home.

I'm having so much fun and meeting so many new friends. I can already tell that it's going to be difficult to leave. Take care, don't work too hard, get some rest and be sure to check back. Again, thanks for the kind words; you guys are so special to me. I'll write again when I get a chance.

Til then...
Ann

Anticipation

The countdown begins! Four hours until I leave for the airport. Six weeks is a long time to be away from home. Packing for such weather extremes has also been interesting. The only attention Hawaii gets in the suitcase is a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, a swimsuit and slippers. Thank goodness, there's a WalMart in Hilo. All the flight, train and b&b reservations have been made. My suitcases weigh in at 49.8 pounds each and I have enough magnets, pins calendars and books to share with most of Hornsby. I keep thinking how much less weight there will be on the way back.

My next entry will be from Waitara. Diana should be there by now and hopefully, introductions with my new Barker friends will be only hours away.

Take care my friends and hopefully, I'll have lots of "goodies" to post.

Til next time,
Ann