I'm happy to report that I survived driving in Australia....and more importantly, they survived me!!
There were only a few minor incidents. Actually since I've been back and dearest darling David picked me up at the airport, I been wanting to remind him that he's on the wrong side of the road. DOH! And now most of Fredericksburg is aware that if my windshield wipers are on without it raining, then OBVIOUSLY I'm turning as I've forgotten which side of the wheel is my blinker indicator!! The funniest (although not at the time) incident was as I was driving in Tuggeranong one night and because I was watching for 'roos that might be crossing the road, I didn't realise that the four lane divided road (2 lanes each way), had merged to two lane (1 each way) non-divided road. For those of you who are not Australian or have not driven in Australia, the lines dividing the lanes of on-coming traffic is not yellow, as it is in America, but white and at this particular stage was not a solid white line, but dashed white lines. For you Australians who aren't aware, in America this means that traffic is travelling the same direction. So suffice to say, I was a bit startled at the car coming out of the roundabout and on to (what I thought was) my side of the road. Panic! Don't panic, don't panic, don't panic. left side, yes indeed, I am and should be on the left side. What is this person doing?!?!?!?!??! Ahhhhh. I inch as close to the left side of the road that I could, hoping that they would stay in the right hand lane--which I was still thinking is on my side of the 4 lane road. They pass without incident and as I'm heading into the roundabout am noticing that ooops...the road was no longer divided and the other driver wasn't a lunatic, drunk, or oblivious, but were exactly where they needed to be. oops. note to self: whilst looking for kangaroos be sure to also pay attention to road signs.
:) shez
27 April 2006
26 April 2006
Gone Walkabout!
Okay, I dropped off the planet (really, just the internet) for awhile! Geez, do you even remember a time before cell phones and internet??? Dial-up is probably archaic for some of you!! ahem, I digress...although for the record, I find it scary when April is agreeing with Matthew. Okay, really it's scary when ANYONE agrees with Matthew! (*evil grin)
So the last week FLEW by and was filled with wedding stuff, finalizing last minute details, the hens party, THE WEDDING, recovering from the wedding, and then packing/shoving everything into bags and coming back home. whew!
just for the record: I LOVE MY BED!! oh and THANKS DAVID for coming to pick me up at the airport and THANKS GRETCHEN for dinner :)
I eased my way into work again--working a whole hour today. Don't want to overdo it, you know? But I've stocked my fridge and am trying desperately to fight sleeping durning the middle of the day, although I think nap time is coming up soon!!!!!!! I turned in 8 rolls of film to be developed, so HOPEFULLY I can download a few that correspond with the next few posts recounting my last 10 days Down Under (including interesting facts regarding kilts...and men who wear them!)
must go snooze!! :) shez
So the last week FLEW by and was filled with wedding stuff, finalizing last minute details, the hens party, THE WEDDING, recovering from the wedding, and then packing/shoving everything into bags and coming back home. whew!
just for the record: I LOVE MY BED!! oh and THANKS DAVID for coming to pick me up at the airport and THANKS GRETCHEN for dinner :)
I eased my way into work again--working a whole hour today. Don't want to overdo it, you know? But I've stocked my fridge and am trying desperately to fight sleeping durning the middle of the day, although I think nap time is coming up soon!!!!!!! I turned in 8 rolls of film to be developed, so HOPEFULLY I can download a few that correspond with the next few posts recounting my last 10 days Down Under (including interesting facts regarding kilts...and men who wear them!)
must go snooze!! :) shez
10 April 2006
Last Week in Canberra....
Well, I only have a few more days left in Canberra before I head back to Sydney! My time, while fairly booked up, does allow for a bit of r&r time for me--as after all, I am on holidays! Not that having late lunches and meeting for afternoon tea is "rough," but I'm also trying to take in a few sights not seen or at least not seen in awhile! For example--thank you Rod & Norma--I'm catching up on a bit of Aussie Rules Football, which is nice that I can watch it in the middle of the day rather than having to stay up really late at night to catch the occassional game at home.
The first wave of postcards have been sent out and I am hoping that at least some of them will arrive before I do!!
Alright, must dash--halftime's nearly over in the Freemantle v. Carlton game! I LOVE FOOTY!!
:) shez
The first wave of postcards have been sent out and I am hoping that at least some of them will arrive before I do!!
Alright, must dash--halftime's nearly over in the Freemantle v. Carlton game! I LOVE FOOTY!!
:) shez
09 April 2006
Working Holiday!
Okay, just so you don't think I'm being lazy on my holiday...
I spent most of Friday morning helping Geoff change the tires on his new car [apparently the tires on his old car where better--they didn't look all that much different, but whatever]. Oh and for those of you who don't know, Geoff is Nerida's oldest son [with Graham--aka--Crackers being the youngest]. Just wanted to clarify that he isn't some dodgy bloke I picked up in a pub the other night.
After that I tagged along while he got the new car registered and got new license plates and fun things like that! We ended the morning having lunch with Nerida and went back to the house, where I promptly CRASHED hard on the couch and it finally hit me--JETLAG!
Nothing like a nap to make you groggy and what helps that? Why, beer of course! When down to the pub with Geoff and a few friends while waiting on Nerida (who was having a massage and then picking me up for a girls night in!). Mmmmm...Aussie beer! I am sad to report that this was the first Aussie beer that I've had since I got here...however, it means that I've been a good girl, as I've been driving pretty much the entire time until Friday!
see, there ARE drawbacks to having a hire car!
Ned picked me up several hours later, we went home for a light dinner and more drinks....well, okay one--as I proceeded to fall asleep on the couch and at about 9:30 she woke me up and sent me off to bed!
JETLAG! (boo-hiss!) and sadly I thought since I had made it two full days without feeling groggy, I wasn't going to have a problem....doh!
:) shez
I spent most of Friday morning helping Geoff change the tires on his new car [apparently the tires on his old car where better--they didn't look all that much different, but whatever]. Oh and for those of you who don't know, Geoff is Nerida's oldest son [with Graham--aka--Crackers being the youngest]. Just wanted to clarify that he isn't some dodgy bloke I picked up in a pub the other night.
After that I tagged along while he got the new car registered and got new license plates and fun things like that! We ended the morning having lunch with Nerida and went back to the house, where I promptly CRASHED hard on the couch and it finally hit me--JETLAG!
Nothing like a nap to make you groggy and what helps that? Why, beer of course! When down to the pub with Geoff and a few friends while waiting on Nerida (who was having a massage and then picking me up for a girls night in!). Mmmmm...Aussie beer! I am sad to report that this was the first Aussie beer that I've had since I got here...however, it means that I've been a good girl, as I've been driving pretty much the entire time until Friday!
see, there ARE drawbacks to having a hire car!
Ned picked me up several hours later, we went home for a light dinner and more drinks....well, okay one--as I proceeded to fall asleep on the couch and at about 9:30 she woke me up and sent me off to bed!
JETLAG! (boo-hiss!) and sadly I thought since I had made it two full days without feeling groggy, I wasn't going to have a problem....doh!
:) shez
05 April 2006
The Friendly Skies!
Hello and greetings from Australia!!
It's so surreal being back and in a way doesn't even feel like I've left [like when I left the airport in Sydney and without much thought or consulting a map navigated my way to Canberra!]
The trip down is worth about 23 bloggers, but being short on time, I will try to get it all into one:
Dad took me to Austin (thanks Daddy!). After getting checked in and waiting in an eternal line to go through security, the lovely lady at the checkpoint (checking id's and tickets)--exasperated that my id was a passport and I didn't want to dig out my driver's license--told me that I could only have 2 carry-on items. Well, I had three--my purse, a bag of books & toiletries, and a bag of wine. I explained that "Actually, ma'am, I'm flying internationally and am allow 3 carry-on items" Where upon I was informed that actually she had been working there a long time and NEVER had any flights EVER allowed three carry-on items and so I could either consolidate or check one of my bags. Fine. So I dropped my bags at her feet and proceeded to pull everything out of my book bag--shoving things in both my puse and my wine bag, then placing my purse into the book bag and shoving the rest of my items around the purse so that in the end--rather than having THREE SMALL, LIGHT, NEATLY packed bags, I had TWO HEAVY, OVERSTUFFED AND OVERFLOWING bags. Upon standing up, I showed her my "two" bags and she wished me a nice flight. The kicker is that I get to the sercurity check point and get behind a lady who had a wheeled bag, on top of which was another smaller bag and a purse. Somebody freaking shoot me. Of course, I promptly pulled out my purse and rearranged my THREE SMALL, LIGHT, NOT-QUITE-SO-NEATLY packed bags for travel.
The flight to LA was uneventful, barring an 35 minute delay. Get to LA--land in Terminal 4, gate 47 [this is important information for later!]. Follow the signs to the International Terminal, which if you're in LAX and have to leave the terminal you're in, you have to go outside and upon entering the new terminal ( I think there are 5 total) you have check back through security (great--just what I want to do again!). Am about to leave Terminal 4 and I see a couple of Qantas counters, but since American & Qantas are part of the OneWorld Alliance, didn't think much about it--until I walk all the way to the International Terminal and am nocticing my flight to Sydney is not listed. It leaves in about 2 hours, so SURELY it's gotta be listed. Because SURELY if it was cancelled or changed, they would have informed me. So I walk over to the Qantas counter and ask about my flight. "Oh" she says "That flight leaves out of Terminal 4!" smile. try not to cry. "Just go to Terminal 4 and use the business class line to get a new boarding pass" Okay, business class line--not as long as Economy, so not so bad (I'm hoping). Go up to Business class line and am issued a new boarding pass--and am informed that the gate has changed. Okay, since I thought the gate was in the International Terminal to me OBVIOUSLY the gate had changed. Walked up the checkpoint person [with my THREE SMALL NOT-SO-NEATLY PACKED bags], whereupon, she....wishes me a nice flight and a good evening! Get through security actually FASTER than in Austin (there's something wrong with that, but I wasn't complaining), look down at my "new" gate--it's number 48B. oh. funny I know EXACTLY where that gate is!! After a bit of a wait (and a burger & beer at the terminal)the plane is boarded and we head off over the wild blue Pacific!
We're supposed to land at 6am. But thanks to strong head winds the ENTIRE flight, we actually land at 7am. Immigration didn't take long at all to get through. I was excited. It should have been a clue that Customs wasn't going to be as fast! I have 6 bottles of Texas wine to give out as gifts, did I know I was over the limit? Yes. Did I declare this? Yes. (I DECLARE I HAVE A LOT OF WINE!) ahem, sorry. So I was sent to see the lady behind the counter (and trust me you don't want to have to see the lady behind the counter--it means that you have to pay....) Luckily, after explaining that the bottles were gifts, she okay'd my wine without having to pay taxes on it, but explained that next time, keep it to 3 bottles. Yes, ma'am.
Finally (it's now like 8am Sydney time--no clue what time in USA it is!), I manage to get out and find the car rental place....only to be told that the car is not ready. But thanking me for my patience, they have decided to give me the next size larger car--if I wouldn't mind waiting a few more minutes. Not minding the bigger car and the chance to stretch my legs, I walked around the terminal for a few minutes. Less than 10 minutes later, I was in the car (it's red!!!!!!!!!) and headed to Canberra (and manged to stay on the correct--aka left--hand side of the road!)
Well, I guess that's about it for now! I'm meeting Nerida for coffee and Cathy for lunch and not quite sure what the arvo brings--but it'll be great and relaxing for sure!!
g'day! :) shez
It's so surreal being back and in a way doesn't even feel like I've left [like when I left the airport in Sydney and without much thought or consulting a map navigated my way to Canberra!]
The trip down is worth about 23 bloggers, but being short on time, I will try to get it all into one:
Dad took me to Austin (thanks Daddy!). After getting checked in and waiting in an eternal line to go through security, the lovely lady at the checkpoint (checking id's and tickets)--exasperated that my id was a passport and I didn't want to dig out my driver's license--told me that I could only have 2 carry-on items. Well, I had three--my purse, a bag of books & toiletries, and a bag of wine. I explained that "Actually, ma'am, I'm flying internationally and am allow 3 carry-on items" Where upon I was informed that actually she had been working there a long time and NEVER had any flights EVER allowed three carry-on items and so I could either consolidate or check one of my bags. Fine. So I dropped my bags at her feet and proceeded to pull everything out of my book bag--shoving things in both my puse and my wine bag, then placing my purse into the book bag and shoving the rest of my items around the purse so that in the end--rather than having THREE SMALL, LIGHT, NEATLY packed bags, I had TWO HEAVY, OVERSTUFFED AND OVERFLOWING bags. Upon standing up, I showed her my "two" bags and she wished me a nice flight. The kicker is that I get to the sercurity check point and get behind a lady who had a wheeled bag, on top of which was another smaller bag and a purse. Somebody freaking shoot me. Of course, I promptly pulled out my purse and rearranged my THREE SMALL, LIGHT, NOT-QUITE-SO-NEATLY packed bags for travel.
The flight to LA was uneventful, barring an 35 minute delay. Get to LA--land in Terminal 4, gate 47 [this is important information for later!]. Follow the signs to the International Terminal, which if you're in LAX and have to leave the terminal you're in, you have to go outside and upon entering the new terminal ( I think there are 5 total) you have check back through security (great--just what I want to do again!). Am about to leave Terminal 4 and I see a couple of Qantas counters, but since American & Qantas are part of the OneWorld Alliance, didn't think much about it--until I walk all the way to the International Terminal and am nocticing my flight to Sydney is not listed. It leaves in about 2 hours, so SURELY it's gotta be listed. Because SURELY if it was cancelled or changed, they would have informed me. So I walk over to the Qantas counter and ask about my flight. "Oh" she says "That flight leaves out of Terminal 4!" smile. try not to cry. "Just go to Terminal 4 and use the business class line to get a new boarding pass" Okay, business class line--not as long as Economy, so not so bad (I'm hoping). Go up to Business class line and am issued a new boarding pass--and am informed that the gate has changed. Okay, since I thought the gate was in the International Terminal to me OBVIOUSLY the gate had changed. Walked up the checkpoint person [with my THREE SMALL NOT-SO-NEATLY PACKED bags], whereupon, she....wishes me a nice flight and a good evening! Get through security actually FASTER than in Austin (there's something wrong with that, but I wasn't complaining), look down at my "new" gate--it's number 48B. oh. funny I know EXACTLY where that gate is!! After a bit of a wait (and a burger & beer at the terminal)the plane is boarded and we head off over the wild blue Pacific!
We're supposed to land at 6am. But thanks to strong head winds the ENTIRE flight, we actually land at 7am. Immigration didn't take long at all to get through. I was excited. It should have been a clue that Customs wasn't going to be as fast! I have 6 bottles of Texas wine to give out as gifts, did I know I was over the limit? Yes. Did I declare this? Yes. (I DECLARE I HAVE A LOT OF WINE!) ahem, sorry. So I was sent to see the lady behind the counter (and trust me you don't want to have to see the lady behind the counter--it means that you have to pay....) Luckily, after explaining that the bottles were gifts, she okay'd my wine without having to pay taxes on it, but explained that next time, keep it to 3 bottles. Yes, ma'am.
Finally (it's now like 8am Sydney time--no clue what time in USA it is!), I manage to get out and find the car rental place....only to be told that the car is not ready. But thanking me for my patience, they have decided to give me the next size larger car--if I wouldn't mind waiting a few more minutes. Not minding the bigger car and the chance to stretch my legs, I walked around the terminal for a few minutes. Less than 10 minutes later, I was in the car (it's red!!!!!!!!!) and headed to Canberra (and manged to stay on the correct--aka left--hand side of the road!)
Well, I guess that's about it for now! I'm meeting Nerida for coffee and Cathy for lunch and not quite sure what the arvo brings--but it'll be great and relaxing for sure!!
g'day! :) shez
02 April 2006
T-minus 24 Hours
Well, it's nearly that time! I still have a lot to do, but it's easier getting up earlier [and staying up later] knowing I only have about 24 hours left. Actually, it's more like 27 hours until Dad & I depart for Austin....tomato, to-mah-to.
The most important stuff is done (i.e. I know where my tickets and passport are!)--the rest, as they say, is details!
I really don't have a lot to report right now. I'm a bit groggy from "springing forward" this morning (don't forget to set your clocks!) FYI, as of right now, Sprint hasn't sprung forward, so don't trust the time on your cell phone! Which (on a postitive note), allowed me an extra hour of sleep, but made me late for breakfast with Mom. Fortunately, breakfast was at home this morning, so being a bit late wasn't that big of a deal.
bye for now! post you on wednesday from Australia!!
:) shez
The most important stuff is done (i.e. I know where my tickets and passport are!)--the rest, as they say, is details!
I really don't have a lot to report right now. I'm a bit groggy from "springing forward" this morning (don't forget to set your clocks!) FYI, as of right now, Sprint hasn't sprung forward, so don't trust the time on your cell phone! Which (on a postitive note), allowed me an extra hour of sleep, but made me late for breakfast with Mom. Fortunately, breakfast was at home this morning, so being a bit late wasn't that big of a deal.
bye for now! post you on wednesday from Australia!!
:) shez
30 March 2006
Insane Last Minutes...
So today begins my last hurrah--working both jobs until Monday morning...at which time, I finish last minute packing, go to Rotary, say my farewells, head to Austin, and (hopefully) sleep all the waaaaaaaaay to Sydney!!
yippee!
Thank you Daddy! He's taking me to the airport and who will no doubt be cursing me on the way home, as he'll drop me off at 4pm and then hit afternoon rush hour traffic, which will put him back in Frederickburg around 10ish (for those of you who aren't aware, it's--without traffic--about 1.5 hour drive from Fredericksburg to the airport in Austin). Okay, well maybe he'll get back a little before then (at least I hope so otherwise I'll have to find someone else to take me the next time I decide to depart!)
I am--for sheer orneriness--rearranging all of the wines at the wine shop. he he he. can't resist! Actually, it started out as cleaning--um, yeah-yeah, that's it!--and then I decided to move a few things here, a few things there and then next thing you know Anna (new girl) and I have spent all day rearranging/dusting/and cleaning. Now the store sparkles, which should please Tom greatly....at least until he starts searching for a particular wine. Tomorrow I shall spend the entire day pricing and labelling, so as to still have my job when I return from the land of Aus.
Well, must depart as it's time to close up shop and head to Cuvee!
Bye for now!
:) shez
yippee!
Thank you Daddy! He's taking me to the airport and who will no doubt be cursing me on the way home, as he'll drop me off at 4pm and then hit afternoon rush hour traffic, which will put him back in Frederickburg around 10ish (for those of you who aren't aware, it's--without traffic--about 1.5 hour drive from Fredericksburg to the airport in Austin). Okay, well maybe he'll get back a little before then (at least I hope so otherwise I'll have to find someone else to take me the next time I decide to depart!)
I am--for sheer orneriness--rearranging all of the wines at the wine shop. he he he. can't resist! Actually, it started out as cleaning--um, yeah-yeah, that's it!--and then I decided to move a few things here, a few things there and then next thing you know Anna (new girl) and I have spent all day rearranging/dusting/and cleaning. Now the store sparkles, which should please Tom greatly....at least until he starts searching for a particular wine. Tomorrow I shall spend the entire day pricing and labelling, so as to still have my job when I return from the land of Aus.
Well, must depart as it's time to close up shop and head to Cuvee!
Bye for now!
:) shez
28 March 2006
Holy Rush Service Batman!
WOW! The tech just called--my glasses are in!! Not bad for ordering them yesterday morning. Now that's what I call a rush job!! :)
And the Thunder Rolls...
It is storming here today. Not raining, not drizzling, but big fat rain drops and loud rumbling thunder-storming today. Which of course means a very slow day in tourism here in Fredericksburg. In fact, the only people to have come in (aside from the mailman), seem to have radar that I am on the phone and attempting to converse with someone. So, if I call you today and have no major news to report, it's just a feeble ploy to help drum up business.
Preparations for the trip are coming along. I went ahead and spent a bit of my trip money on a new pair of glasses, as I've pretty much stopped wearing contacts because my eyes have been so dry lately. And having mislocated one pair, I felt that I needed another pair so as not to just have one pair of glasses while traveling. They're really cool and the lab tech has ASSURED me that they will be in before I leave. They're pretty plain rectangular, brown tortoise shell--no bells, no whistles, but they're comfortable and they look great (at least I think so!). Julie has also given me a pair of her glasses (since she's had lasik and is no longer in need of glasses), so I just need to replace the lenses--thanks Jewels!
In other news, building on Mom's house will start probably next week and she's hoping to be in by June (at least that's the plan, anyway!). She's picked out cabinets, furniture, and countertops--all with a mexican mission theme. I really like it and all of the pieces will help the new house feel cozy and comforting!
That's about all to report right now. I think I may go sit out front and enjoy the storms!
Ciao for now!
:) shez
Preparations for the trip are coming along. I went ahead and spent a bit of my trip money on a new pair of glasses, as I've pretty much stopped wearing contacts because my eyes have been so dry lately. And having mislocated one pair, I felt that I needed another pair so as not to just have one pair of glasses while traveling. They're really cool and the lab tech has ASSURED me that they will be in before I leave. They're pretty plain rectangular, brown tortoise shell--no bells, no whistles, but they're comfortable and they look great (at least I think so!). Julie has also given me a pair of her glasses (since she's had lasik and is no longer in need of glasses), so I just need to replace the lenses--thanks Jewels!
In other news, building on Mom's house will start probably next week and she's hoping to be in by June (at least that's the plan, anyway!). She's picked out cabinets, furniture, and countertops--all with a mexican mission theme. I really like it and all of the pieces will help the new house feel cozy and comforting!
That's about all to report right now. I think I may go sit out front and enjoy the storms!
Ciao for now!
:) shez
27 March 2006
Tick Tock, Tick Tock
Only one week to go!!
Oh, for those of you COMPLETELY confused as to what's happening in a week--I'm headed back down under!! I fly out of Austin at 6pm Monday, April 03rd and land in Sydney at 6am Wednesday, April 05th....where my schedule will be chock-full of things to do and people to see, especially my dearest darling Penny, whose wedding on the 22nd is what brings me back to Australia.
I'm so excited, excited, excited!! In fact, I'm nearly ready to go (Christi--you'd be soooo proud, I'm almost done packing!). Tickets & travel visas are purchased and the countdown is on! I will attempt to post everyday with updates (of course, skipping next Tuesday, as thanks to a 16-hour flight and crossing the international date line, Tuesday will be lost forever!).
A HUGE thanks to Tom & Carol and everyone at Cuvee, who will be covering for me when I'm gone--but not to fear, I will be bringing back goodies--like TimTams, vino, and cerveza--yum! to ease the pain and suffering! If you'd like a postcard, be sure to email me with your address! I'm sure you'll get it weeks after I return, but still....
Alright, must go--the clock marches on--tick tock, tick tock!
bye for now!
:) shez
Oh, for those of you COMPLETELY confused as to what's happening in a week--I'm headed back down under!! I fly out of Austin at 6pm Monday, April 03rd and land in Sydney at 6am Wednesday, April 05th....where my schedule will be chock-full of things to do and people to see, especially my dearest darling Penny, whose wedding on the 22nd is what brings me back to Australia.
I'm so excited, excited, excited!! In fact, I'm nearly ready to go (Christi--you'd be soooo proud, I'm almost done packing!). Tickets & travel visas are purchased and the countdown is on! I will attempt to post everyday with updates (of course, skipping next Tuesday, as thanks to a 16-hour flight and crossing the international date line, Tuesday will be lost forever!).
A HUGE thanks to Tom & Carol and everyone at Cuvee, who will be covering for me when I'm gone--but not to fear, I will be bringing back goodies--like TimTams, vino, and cerveza--yum! to ease the pain and suffering! If you'd like a postcard, be sure to email me with your address! I'm sure you'll get it weeks after I return, but still....
Alright, must go--the clock marches on--tick tock, tick tock!
bye for now!
:) shez
28 February 2006
My What Lovely Beads You Have!
Ahhh...Fat Tuesday--Gotta Love It! Interestingly enough, even though Fredericksburg is a very German community, today we all adopt a very French Cajun lifestyle and party all the way until Ash Wednesday.
I decided to look up some info on the internet regarding Mardi Gras and share some of the things I discovered. Mardi Gras season is from January 06th until 47 days before Easter Sunday...or the day before Ash Wednesday. Those silly Cajuns (God love 'em!) actually created a season and a reason for drinking from the 12th Day of Christmas (also called Epiphany and is the day that the Magi supposedly showed up to present gifts to Baby Jesus) until the start of Lent, which I'm guessing after all of that partying it's not hard to give up alcohol and dry out a bit. Perhaps a touch of genius and a lesson that could be used for everyone wanting to participate in Lent--just overindulge for a couple of months and it'll make giving up whatever you're giving up a lot easier.
While it is thought to have come to New Orleans via French Explorers in the 1699's, the official colors (purple, green, & gold) weren't picked until 1872. Chosen by Rex, the King of Carnival, they stand for justice, faith & power respectively. I don't know about you, but they are ALL things I'm thinking about while celebrating Mardi Gras! Speaking of, I gotta go and actually read the Fredericksburg Standard Post to find out what our little German town is doing to celebrate!!
Bottoms Up!
shez :)
I decided to look up some info on the internet regarding Mardi Gras and share some of the things I discovered. Mardi Gras season is from January 06th until 47 days before Easter Sunday...or the day before Ash Wednesday. Those silly Cajuns (God love 'em!) actually created a season and a reason for drinking from the 12th Day of Christmas (also called Epiphany and is the day that the Magi supposedly showed up to present gifts to Baby Jesus) until the start of Lent, which I'm guessing after all of that partying it's not hard to give up alcohol and dry out a bit. Perhaps a touch of genius and a lesson that could be used for everyone wanting to participate in Lent--just overindulge for a couple of months and it'll make giving up whatever you're giving up a lot easier.
While it is thought to have come to New Orleans via French Explorers in the 1699's, the official colors (purple, green, & gold) weren't picked until 1872. Chosen by Rex, the King of Carnival, they stand for justice, faith & power respectively. I don't know about you, but they are ALL things I'm thinking about while celebrating Mardi Gras! Speaking of, I gotta go and actually read the Fredericksburg Standard Post to find out what our little German town is doing to celebrate!!
Bottoms Up!
shez :)
19 February 2006
Happy New Year!
Okay, so it's mid-February and I'm just now getting around to wishing everyone a Happy New Year! A lot has been happening. The Winter Olympics have started and I'm eagerly watching every moment that I can. Unfortunately, I just found out about the Knitting Olympics...so I won't be able to participate (I could have finished April's VERY belated birthday present!). But not to fret, April, it will be finished soon (I hope!) If you want to learn/read more, check out Rebecca's blog at ewedevil.com
Other news: Christi has moved to Rome, Georgia!!! I helped her move. In fact, I am currently in Rome, typing this on Tracy's computer. It's very picturesque here....and even though I'm only in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains, I am in awe! We departed Fredericksburg at some ungodly hour (4:30am), drove about 14 hours--which put us in Birmingham, Alabama--which is where we stopped for the night. We found a hotel, ordered in pizza, and were excited to be out of the car, as were Chloe and Ginger, who spent the entire trip sitting on top of each other, fighting for space in a very cramped back seat! The next day we only had about 2.5 hour drive into Rome. We unloaded the car, unpacked a bit, and went to check out Tracy's store (Belk--you can check it out at belk.com), had REALLY strong margaritas and average mexican food for dinner and called it an early night. Note to everyone: unless you like extremely sweet drinks, may I not recommend diet coke and passionfruit rum (which was bought by mistake and wasn't realized until we were already home, in our pj's, and the drinks were made!)
The next day...we headed north to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Another note to everyone: Chattanooga is a city that you want to visit when it is warm outside. Or at least not snowing, which was beautiful, but most of the attractions--like Lookout Mountain (which allows you to see 7 states)--require a significant amount of time outdoors! It was sleeting when we got there (and windy to boot!), so we had lunch at a microbrewery, which was good. Christi, Tracy, and I shared a beer sampler--which had small tastes of each of the 7 beers they offered. There were some we loved, some we liked, and a couple we hated. Ultimately, Christi and Tracy went with a stout and I chose the black cherry porter.
INTERRUPTION: what is going on with the ice dancing? I'm watching it while typing this and so far 3 couples have fallen!?!?!?!? crazy stuff!
Today was a lounging/relaxing day--we didn't even get out of the house until well after noon. After we had lunch (at Hooters--hey great wings and cheap beer durning the Daytona 500!) Speaking of, apparently Nascar is huge here, so I watched the entire race. Although, Christi and I had to call Chelle to find out who to cheer for (#48, Jimmy Johnson is her favorite), so we cheered for him--and YAY! he won his first Daytona! I'd like to think that we were good luck for him!! or not.
Tomorrow is an unpacking day--as Christi sent most of her stuff via FedEx and Tracy piled them all into a room to await our arrival! And then Tuesday it's back to Texas and work, work, work! Which, by the way, I will be taking over the wine shop again until I head back to school.
More on that later...for now, it's back to ice dancing (make that 4 couples who fell!). perhaps someone needs to check out this ice!
GO USA!! and AUS!! and NED!!
:) shez
Other news: Christi has moved to Rome, Georgia!!! I helped her move. In fact, I am currently in Rome, typing this on Tracy's computer. It's very picturesque here....and even though I'm only in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains, I am in awe! We departed Fredericksburg at some ungodly hour (4:30am), drove about 14 hours--which put us in Birmingham, Alabama--which is where we stopped for the night. We found a hotel, ordered in pizza, and were excited to be out of the car, as were Chloe and Ginger, who spent the entire trip sitting on top of each other, fighting for space in a very cramped back seat! The next day we only had about 2.5 hour drive into Rome. We unloaded the car, unpacked a bit, and went to check out Tracy's store (Belk--you can check it out at belk.com), had REALLY strong margaritas and average mexican food for dinner and called it an early night. Note to everyone: unless you like extremely sweet drinks, may I not recommend diet coke and passionfruit rum (which was bought by mistake and wasn't realized until we were already home, in our pj's, and the drinks were made!)
The next day...we headed north to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Another note to everyone: Chattanooga is a city that you want to visit when it is warm outside. Or at least not snowing, which was beautiful, but most of the attractions--like Lookout Mountain (which allows you to see 7 states)--require a significant amount of time outdoors! It was sleeting when we got there (and windy to boot!), so we had lunch at a microbrewery, which was good. Christi, Tracy, and I shared a beer sampler--which had small tastes of each of the 7 beers they offered. There were some we loved, some we liked, and a couple we hated. Ultimately, Christi and Tracy went with a stout and I chose the black cherry porter.
INTERRUPTION: what is going on with the ice dancing? I'm watching it while typing this and so far 3 couples have fallen!?!?!?!? crazy stuff!
Today was a lounging/relaxing day--we didn't even get out of the house until well after noon. After we had lunch (at Hooters--hey great wings and cheap beer durning the Daytona 500!) Speaking of, apparently Nascar is huge here, so I watched the entire race. Although, Christi and I had to call Chelle to find out who to cheer for (#48, Jimmy Johnson is her favorite), so we cheered for him--and YAY! he won his first Daytona! I'd like to think that we were good luck for him!! or not.
Tomorrow is an unpacking day--as Christi sent most of her stuff via FedEx and Tracy piled them all into a room to await our arrival! And then Tuesday it's back to Texas and work, work, work! Which, by the way, I will be taking over the wine shop again until I head back to school.
More on that later...for now, it's back to ice dancing (make that 4 couples who fell!). perhaps someone needs to check out this ice!
GO USA!! and AUS!! and NED!!
:) shez
13 December 2005
Happy Holidays are Here!
I love the holidays!! The decorations, giving gifts, smiling faces, lots of amaretto in my eggnog....it's a wonderful thing!
Today is one of those days where I'm at home baking cookies, drinking eggnog, and if I look outside it's a bit overcast, so I can pretend that it's cold and about to snow any minute. But knowing that if I left something in my car, I can go get it in jeans, t-shirt, and flipflops. Ahhh, you gotta love Texas in the winter!! Last week: colder than Anchorage, AK...this week sweaters and jackets optional!
I have OFFICIALLY lost my mind (although Becca's so proud) I have taken up knitting. I'm not exactly sure why or even how or what, but there I was in Target and they had knitting kits on sale for $12 (curse Target and their sales!). The next thing I know, I'm buying and attempting to knit. And it wasn't just a passing phase, I then proceeded to pop into our local knit/crochet shop and purchased some more yarn, a book on knitting, some BIG ASS needles, and decided I should try crocheting as well. Someone stop me, I'm crazy!!!!
I should go....the cookie timer is beeping at me and I still have lots of presents to wrap!!
Have a Happy Holiday season!!
shez :)
Today is one of those days where I'm at home baking cookies, drinking eggnog, and if I look outside it's a bit overcast, so I can pretend that it's cold and about to snow any minute. But knowing that if I left something in my car, I can go get it in jeans, t-shirt, and flipflops. Ahhh, you gotta love Texas in the winter!! Last week: colder than Anchorage, AK...this week sweaters and jackets optional!
I have OFFICIALLY lost my mind (although Becca's so proud) I have taken up knitting. I'm not exactly sure why or even how or what, but there I was in Target and they had knitting kits on sale for $12 (curse Target and their sales!). The next thing I know, I'm buying and attempting to knit. And it wasn't just a passing phase, I then proceeded to pop into our local knit/crochet shop and purchased some more yarn, a book on knitting, some BIG ASS needles, and decided I should try crocheting as well. Someone stop me, I'm crazy!!!!
I should go....the cookie timer is beeping at me and I still have lots of presents to wrap!!
Have a Happy Holiday season!!
shez :)
27 October 2005
Happy Birthday to Me!!
Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me!! I had a great birthday!! I was to meet Christi & David for shopping in San Marcos. However, when I arrived at Christi's house, I was also greeted by Teresa & Maly for a birthday breakfast--complete with mimosas (well, okay--just OJ for Mal!) After that, Christi, David, and I headed off to the outlet malls in San Marcos and spent the day shopping, shopping, shopping!!! I got some great stuff and even a couple of Christmas gifts! Boy, am I on the ball!! After a long day of shopping, we were met by Gretchen who drove in from Austin after work and went to a taco hut for a great dinner--it was a dive, so of course the food was yummy!! Thanks guys for a great day!!
:) shez
:) shez
25 September 2005
Happy Birthday Christi
Since I had to work at Cuvee the night of Christi's bithday, we both took off the during the day. When asked what she wanted to do, she replied that I had to decide because it was her birthday. fine. I told her she had to be ready by 8am....of course having a back up, knowing that she wouldn't be ready until 9am. we had breakfast at our fave brekkie spot (Rathskellar) and then headed to Llano. We stopped at Coopers and got BBQ to go (she's still wondering where we're going). And we head off east of Llano...in search of Fall Creek Vineyards (where I had a booking for a tasting and lunch). Of course, it would have been better had I not gotten lost. And when I had to turn around, it kind of freaked Christi out a bit, but she figured out where we were going and laughed that I got lost.
We arrive at FC and did a bit of tasting and then headed out to the patio area where we shared a bottle of wine and ate our BBQ....yum! yum! It was so beautiful and so peaceful. After leaving, we took the back roads to Marble Falls and went to see a movie (Flight Plan), arriving back in Fredericksburg in enough time for her to get ready to go out to dinner with Tracy.
I hope she had a great day, as I know I did!
:) shez
We arrive at FC and did a bit of tasting and then headed out to the patio area where we shared a bottle of wine and ate our BBQ....yum! yum! It was so beautiful and so peaceful. After leaving, we took the back roads to Marble Falls and went to see a movie (Flight Plan), arriving back in Fredericksburg in enough time for her to get ready to go out to dinner with Tracy.
I hope she had a great day, as I know I did!
:) shez
Surprise!
I have to gloat for about 5 seconds! The 23rd was Christi's birthday and so I decided to throw her a reverse surprise party (reverse in that instead of her coming into a room filled with people, she'd answer the door to a party on the porch). Thankfully, Teresa, Tracy, & David volunteered to help (although they might argue that I volunteered them....regardless, thanks to them everything went off smoother than even planned--all thanks to the birthday girl!)
Because I work at a restaurant, getting off on Friday was not an option, so we decided it would be on Thursday. I told her I had to work, Tracy told her he had to work, and Teresa invited her over for a late dinner/cake celebration (thus insuring she wouldn't go to the movies or decide to go to Kerrville). The plan was that I would "surprise" her by coming by after she got off of work and keep her busy until everyone had assembled at David's house (who lives in the same apt complex). I had a bottle of champagne and only 90 minutes to kill, so my part was going to be easy! Teresa would then call (making sure Christi was at home) and then everyone at David's house would walk over, knock on the door, and yell SURPRISE!! great plan, right? well, except for one little detail: the birthday girl!
My day was very busy. Teresa and I went shopping for food and decorations. I had lunch with my cousin Wendy and her beau Michael (who were fleeing Houston from Hurrican Rita). We stopped at the store and had to bite our tongues when Christi was asking about me working that night. After leaving W&M, I headed to Teresa's to make the cake (tres leches--turned out fabulous, but was a pain in the arse!) and get dinner together (hobo tacos). At 5:30, I showered, changed, grabbed the champagne, and headed to Christi's house. SHE'S NOT THERE! okay, so she worked a bit late. I call her, ask where she is (Wal-Mart getting pictures of her & Tracy's cruise developed), and let her know that I dropped off a present on my way to work (hoping that would lure her home sooner). nope. So I hang out waiting, waiting, waiting. I call again to see if she got the present (feigning excitement over a GREAT gift), she's still at Wal-Mart and thinking that I'm at work. Now it's 6:40 (everyone's meeting at David's between 6:45 and 7:00), I call Tracy to let him know that Christi's still at Wal-Mart and advised him to take the back roads, as I could just imagine Christi seeing Tracy drive down Main St (which would foil the plan, as he's supposed to be at work...in Kerrville). Change of plans--I decide that if everyone gets to David's before Christi gets home, we'll have a normal surprise party. At 7:00 I call David, everyone's there but for Sheila & Josh, so I have them come over (with Tracy calling Christi to make sure she's still at Wal-Mart). I call Sheila & Josh and tell them to come straight to Christi's house and once everyone is there, Teresa calls Christi and tells her that she and the girls are coming to her house for cake. So tick-tock, tick-tock....then the car pulls in. She gets out and she's on the phone, not paying attention, she unlocks the door, is looking down, looks up and we all yell SURPRISE!
It scares the crap out of her--she drops her purse, throws her phone in the air (thus disconnecting the call), and runs out of the apartment! After we retrieve her, the party was a hit (and obviously she was surprised!). A great time was had by all (at least a great time was had by me). And we ended the evening with the bottle of champagne.
I love it when things come together!
:)shez
Because I work at a restaurant, getting off on Friday was not an option, so we decided it would be on Thursday. I told her I had to work, Tracy told her he had to work, and Teresa invited her over for a late dinner/cake celebration (thus insuring she wouldn't go to the movies or decide to go to Kerrville). The plan was that I would "surprise" her by coming by after she got off of work and keep her busy until everyone had assembled at David's house (who lives in the same apt complex). I had a bottle of champagne and only 90 minutes to kill, so my part was going to be easy! Teresa would then call (making sure Christi was at home) and then everyone at David's house would walk over, knock on the door, and yell SURPRISE!! great plan, right? well, except for one little detail: the birthday girl!
My day was very busy. Teresa and I went shopping for food and decorations. I had lunch with my cousin Wendy and her beau Michael (who were fleeing Houston from Hurrican Rita). We stopped at the store and had to bite our tongues when Christi was asking about me working that night. After leaving W&M, I headed to Teresa's to make the cake (tres leches--turned out fabulous, but was a pain in the arse!) and get dinner together (hobo tacos). At 5:30, I showered, changed, grabbed the champagne, and headed to Christi's house. SHE'S NOT THERE! okay, so she worked a bit late. I call her, ask where she is (Wal-Mart getting pictures of her & Tracy's cruise developed), and let her know that I dropped off a present on my way to work (hoping that would lure her home sooner). nope. So I hang out waiting, waiting, waiting. I call again to see if she got the present (feigning excitement over a GREAT gift), she's still at Wal-Mart and thinking that I'm at work. Now it's 6:40 (everyone's meeting at David's between 6:45 and 7:00), I call Tracy to let him know that Christi's still at Wal-Mart and advised him to take the back roads, as I could just imagine Christi seeing Tracy drive down Main St (which would foil the plan, as he's supposed to be at work...in Kerrville). Change of plans--I decide that if everyone gets to David's before Christi gets home, we'll have a normal surprise party. At 7:00 I call David, everyone's there but for Sheila & Josh, so I have them come over (with Tracy calling Christi to make sure she's still at Wal-Mart). I call Sheila & Josh and tell them to come straight to Christi's house and once everyone is there, Teresa calls Christi and tells her that she and the girls are coming to her house for cake. So tick-tock, tick-tock....then the car pulls in. She gets out and she's on the phone, not paying attention, she unlocks the door, is looking down, looks up and we all yell SURPRISE!
It scares the crap out of her--she drops her purse, throws her phone in the air (thus disconnecting the call), and runs out of the apartment! After we retrieve her, the party was a hit (and obviously she was surprised!). A great time was had by all (at least a great time was had by me). And we ended the evening with the bottle of champagne.
I love it when things come together!
:)shez
08 August 2005
Happy Birthday Bubba!
Ta-da! I think I finally figured out how to add photos!
See you can teach an old dog new tricks!!
This is my bubba (aka Robert or Henry, depending on who you are) and his wife Lauren. I'm putting this pic in because today is his birthday!
Happy Birthday, Little Brother!
:) shez
ps--a prize to whomever is the first to respond with the name he calls me! :)
04 August 2005
New Additions....
So I'm back in Fredericksburg, working, working, working--well, i have a lot of saving up to do! Thanks in part to
a) being pyschotic enough to want to go to med school and
b) Penny's getting hitched next April, so I'm going back Down Under (YAY! I'm so excited) and I'd like to stay for at least a month (maybe a bit longer, if I can talk Christi, Tom, & Len into extending my leave and of course, funds permitting--bigger if than getting more time off work!!)
But the really exciting news is the addition of three very important people into my life:
Ewan James
Nik Kramaric
Jessica Brooke
Of course none live close by, so while I haven't seen any of them YET, I'm sure all are gorgeous!
A quick shout out to April, my main supplier of postcards of England, Ireland, & Scotland! Hope you're having a fabulous time!!!
I think that's all I have to report right now!
Cheers!
shez :)
a) being pyschotic enough to want to go to med school and
b) Penny's getting hitched next April, so I'm going back Down Under (YAY! I'm so excited) and I'd like to stay for at least a month (maybe a bit longer, if I can talk Christi, Tom, & Len into extending my leave and of course, funds permitting--bigger if than getting more time off work!!)
But the really exciting news is the addition of three very important people into my life:
Ewan James
Nik Kramaric
Jessica Brooke
Of course none live close by, so while I haven't seen any of them YET, I'm sure all are gorgeous!
A quick shout out to April, my main supplier of postcards of England, Ireland, & Scotland! Hope you're having a fabulous time!!!
I think that's all I have to report right now!
Cheers!
shez :)
19 July 2005
Land of 10,000 Lakes
On my final full day of my trip, I truly learned why Minnesota is referred to as the Land of 10,000 Lakes! I don't think we ever drove (and we drove a lot that day!) more than 15 minutes without seeing a lake! We awoke early on a mission and our first stop was to see Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox in his "birthplace", Bainerd. Ignoring warnings by April's mother that the statue of the famous Minnesotans had moved (because, well, we DID look it up on the internet the night before!), we arrived to find that they didn't quite move, but the property had been purchased by a bowling alley and were now shamelessly using Paul & Babe to advertise the alley. Gone was Paul's axe and in it's place a bowling ball. Babe at first glance looked rabid, but upon closer inspection, found him to be holding bowling pins in his mouth. Dejected and wanting proof of this austrocity, we snapped a few pics and aimlessly drove around hoping to find a more accurate Paul & Babe (as I don't ever remember reading "Paul Bunyon & Babe the Blue Ox Go Bowling"). Alas, we found nothing, so we headed southeast for our next stop: Mille Lacs Lake.
Probably one of the biggest lakes in MN (at least the 2nd biggest lake that I saw), Mille Lacs is the spring/summer/autumn home of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (or as we call them Chippewa). We visited the Indian Museum and Trading Post and learned how wild rice is gathered--in canoes guided by the men, while women used knockers (drumstick looking tools) to tap the mature rice into the canoe. After a few purchases at the Trading Post, we headed northeast for the final destination of the day: Duluth and Lake Superior.
It took awhile to drive around Mille Lacs, but soon we were headed for Duluth. As we headed down into Duluth, we immediately noticed two things: the great view of the harbor and the sudden drop in temperature (about 15 degrees!). We wandered up and down the shores of Lake Superior (holy fishing boat batman! it's huge!) for awhile and headed to Red Lobster for lunch (well...it came highly recommended by 4 different Duluthians!) and had a HUGE feast that included some good ol' Minnesotan beer. We checked out a few more places and then drove across a really cool drawbridge and into....Minnesota. Urgh! I just knew Wisconsin was across the lake somewhere! Drove back across the bridge, down a few streets, over another bridge and....welcome to Wisconsin! It was great! It was fabulous! It took like three minutes and then we turned around and came back....sigh....(of course April found it highly amusing!) Anyway, we finished looking around Duluth via car and then headed back to St. Paul to meet Jena for ice cream. I had birthday cake with raspberries and when I tipped them, the ice cream men started singing and looked sad when I asked them to stop....so I asked them to resume--right about the time April slipped out the door, as eveyone was now staring (ahhh....leave it to me to cause a scene!).
Alas, my trip was over (boo-hoo) and April dropped me off at the airport at some ungodly hour the next morning. It was a fabulous trip and visiting Minnesota comes highly recommended :)
cheers! :) shez
Probably one of the biggest lakes in MN (at least the 2nd biggest lake that I saw), Mille Lacs is the spring/summer/autumn home of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (or as we call them Chippewa). We visited the Indian Museum and Trading Post and learned how wild rice is gathered--in canoes guided by the men, while women used knockers (drumstick looking tools) to tap the mature rice into the canoe. After a few purchases at the Trading Post, we headed northeast for the final destination of the day: Duluth and Lake Superior.
It took awhile to drive around Mille Lacs, but soon we were headed for Duluth. As we headed down into Duluth, we immediately noticed two things: the great view of the harbor and the sudden drop in temperature (about 15 degrees!). We wandered up and down the shores of Lake Superior (holy fishing boat batman! it's huge!) for awhile and headed to Red Lobster for lunch (well...it came highly recommended by 4 different Duluthians!) and had a HUGE feast that included some good ol' Minnesotan beer. We checked out a few more places and then drove across a really cool drawbridge and into....Minnesota. Urgh! I just knew Wisconsin was across the lake somewhere! Drove back across the bridge, down a few streets, over another bridge and....welcome to Wisconsin! It was great! It was fabulous! It took like three minutes and then we turned around and came back....sigh....(of course April found it highly amusing!) Anyway, we finished looking around Duluth via car and then headed back to St. Paul to meet Jena for ice cream. I had birthday cake with raspberries and when I tipped them, the ice cream men started singing and looked sad when I asked them to stop....so I asked them to resume--right about the time April slipped out the door, as eveyone was now staring (ahhh....leave it to me to cause a scene!).
Alas, my trip was over (boo-hoo) and April dropped me off at the airport at some ungodly hour the next morning. It was a fabulous trip and visiting Minnesota comes highly recommended :)
cheers! :) shez
20 June 2005
You Bet'cha
Okay, so where was I? Oh yes, St. Paul. Charles Schultz is from MN and all over St. Paul are Snoopys, Charlie Browns, Linuses, and Lucys! Whenever I figure out how to post pictures, I post one of Lucy & I outside an Old Fashioned Candy Shoppe. We ended our day in St. Paul by eating at Mickey's, which is a dining streetcar! It was so cool--there were about 25 seats, max, and you had to pay more for sitting in a booth. I figured what the heck, I'm on vacation and April grabbed a booth, some good grub, and finished with a root beer float! I was in heaven (although I'm sure the scales reflected otherwise!)
The next day, we headed to Minneapolis, had a look around the University of Minnesota--which is separated by the Mississippi River--and I discovered the joys (not!) of having class on East Bank and then having 10 minutes to book it to the next class, which was on the West Bank. We did a bit a shopping and then went downtown to have a browse around. We stopped in at the Hard Rock for a few token souveniers and ate some Minnesotan-Mex, which I have to admit is the closest to TexMex that I've been able to find. It could have, of course, been the fact that I was enamored with our waiter, who carded me....nah!!!!!! *grin*
After lunch, we headed back into St. Paul to take a boat ride down the Mighty Mississip. It was very Huck Finn, well, okay, not so much, but it was a historic guided tour (which means that every 15 minutes or so, a Mark Twain-esque announcer described some event that happened on whatever part of the river were we were floating). That evening we picked up Maddie (April's niece) and went to see The Hobbit, which was showing at the Children's Theatre. The play was good and the set design was amazing!
The next morning, we departed rather early for my Mini-Minnesota tour. It all started with a quest to find Paul Bunyon & Babe the Blue Ox and ended up at Lake Superior and crossing over into Wis-cahn-son. But unfortunately, I must dash, so I will have to save it for the next blurp!
have a great day!
:) shez
The next day, we headed to Minneapolis, had a look around the University of Minnesota--which is separated by the Mississippi River--and I discovered the joys (not!) of having class on East Bank and then having 10 minutes to book it to the next class, which was on the West Bank. We did a bit a shopping and then went downtown to have a browse around. We stopped in at the Hard Rock for a few token souveniers and ate some Minnesotan-Mex, which I have to admit is the closest to TexMex that I've been able to find. It could have, of course, been the fact that I was enamored with our waiter, who carded me....nah!!!!!! *grin*
After lunch, we headed back into St. Paul to take a boat ride down the Mighty Mississip. It was very Huck Finn, well, okay, not so much, but it was a historic guided tour (which means that every 15 minutes or so, a Mark Twain-esque announcer described some event that happened on whatever part of the river were we were floating). That evening we picked up Maddie (April's niece) and went to see The Hobbit, which was showing at the Children's Theatre. The play was good and the set design was amazing!
The next morning, we departed rather early for my Mini-Minnesota tour. It all started with a quest to find Paul Bunyon & Babe the Blue Ox and ended up at Lake Superior and crossing over into Wis-cahn-son. But unfortunately, I must dash, so I will have to save it for the next blurp!
have a great day!
:) shez
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