In Case You Were Wondering

I've been here almost 5 months now and have yet to post anything about the very strange national bird of New Zealand. THE KIWI!!! Here's what they look like.


The Kiwis are interesting for several reasons. First of all, they have survived being a flightless bird until recently because New Zealand is a country without snakes or any other ground predators that would eat the Kiwi. Also, Kiwis are the only birds with their nostrils at the end of their very long beak. Lastly Kiwi eggs are about half their size. Could you imagine giving birth to a 60 lbs. child. That's out of control.


One should also note when visiting New Zealand and having just eaten a kiwi fruit should never say, "Yum that was the best kiwi I've ever eaten!" Locals very well might think you just ate their national bird. Be sure you say kiwi FRUIT.

Let's Back Track

Hey Gang, even though it's about a month and a half too late, I finally have pics from my trip to Sydney. Let's get to it.

This first pic is of me in front of the quintessential Sydney icon. The Sydney Opera House whose design was inspired by that of seashells and boat sails.


It's incredible during the day, but even more so at night.


I have to had that the Opera House also has really cool bathrooms. The sink actually drain out the back!


Complete with this very informative sign.


Diana was my fellow partner in crime. This is her in disguise wearing a wig from a stand at one of the markets.


Diana at the Glebe Market.


This was a really incredible market. I found this one artist, named Richard Ellard, who transferred all of his works to t-shirts, postcards, and pins. Of course I bought a shirt or two, but here are some of his great pieces. More of his stuff can be found at www.chmo.com.au




I just really loved the name of this restaurant.


Diana and I thought this tree looked like tendons. She's pinching my tendon!



Here we are on stilts!!!


Um, yeah


Alex, This is all for you




For all you fun-loving Catholics out there!


Fun at Wagamama Sydney!!!










Diana and I took a little trip to the coast up north stopping at Manly Beach and then continuing on to to see the cliffs.

The Ferry Ride looking back at Downtown Sydney.


Manly Beach


These are just some randoms taken from the Cliffs and other areas north of Sydney.




Oh! Watch out for that spider!!!!

Tracking Numbers!

Hey Everybody, the words of the day are TRACKING NUMBERS!!!! I don't know if any of you are thinking about sending me a package, but if you are, get a freakin' tracking number. I have three packages just bumbling about the Pacific Rim with no way of me ever knowing if they're stuck in customs or lost by the admiral NZ Post. Why? because I have no tracking numbers. Sorry, I'm ranting but one of those packages is my hard drive and without it I can't further my blogging career.

Just look at how distraught I am!


With that I say adieu.

And He's Back....For A Bit

Ok I know all of you have been waiting my return to the blogging game. The truth is that my computer has ran out of memory and I can't upload any pictures. I've been waiting for an external hard drive to come in the mail but the Pacific and probably customs are keeping it from getting to me anytime soon. For the time being, I've outsmarted the computer and had pictures developed onto cd so I don't even have to bother with putting them on my computer's hard drive.

These pics are from Kristina's gig at a local bar and restaurant called The Dux de Lux. Kristina has actually been singing and busking for the past five years. So it was great to see her get up there and do what comes natural. It was a great night. If anyone knows how to post audio on blogger I can put one of her songs up for everyone to have a little listen.

Presenting Kristina Dzelmanis!!


Diana and Me Enjoying The Tunes


Bones and Amber


Bones and Amber Rocking Out


Janelle (or Jemella as we prefer to call her) and Me


The Whole Gang


Godfrey (My Program Director) Brett, Dawn, Ollie, and an Unexpected Angel


Me with the Artist Herself!!



Hopefully, I'll have another blog very soon. Have a Great Day Everyone!!!

My Niece is here!!!

I can't believe it! All 7lbs 13oz 20 3/4inches of Jolie Gwen Bowers are here! She properly came into this world at 9:05 am. She is absolutely precious. I talked to Mom and Sami at about 3:30 in the morning here and I got to hear Jolie say a little hello! It was one of the best wake up calls I've ever had! I can't wait to see her face to face.


Now I want to see pictures of Jennifer right after!

It's Baby Time!!!

I just heard that my sister, Jennifer, has gone into labor!! WOO HOO!!! You can do it Fer-Fer!!! PUSH!!!!! I'm so sad that I'm not there. I guess it's becoming the trend that my sisters give birth while I'm abroad. Sami had Kenzie while I was studying in Rome back in 2002. I love all of you so much! Congratulations Mommy Jennifer and Daddy Jarrett!

Daylight Savings Time: Could There Be a More Confusing Thing?

Hey Everybody, This past weekend the southern hemisphere decided to observe daylight savings. I don't really understand it but sure why not. Well I was at first confused. Do we spring forward or fall back? I know that in the spring we go forward but technically it's fall here and I wasn't sure whether the kiwis followed the rest of the world or did indeed fall back in the fall. Well here's your answer. They do fall back. As a result, the 18 hours difference has turned to 17. Meaning that now you have to subtract 6 hours from your day to get the time of day here. Great fun right? Just wait until you observe daylight sayings. Then you'll have to subtract 7. The fun is only beginning!

P.S. Sorry I haven't posted many blogs lately. I blame it on my computer's lack of memory. Don't fret though. I've bought an external hard drive and it's on its way. Soon the blogs will be free flowing again! WOO HOO!!!

Gymnastics Love All the Way From Abilene

Could my gym family be better? I think not!


Thank you Nina, Katie, Lisa, Susie, Elaine, Shelley, and Jamie! You're the best and I miss ya more than Gyrating Jim needs to shake it!

Good luck at State on March 25th!!! Texas, Texas Yee Haw!!!

What a Momentous Day!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM and CHRIS!!!

Two great things happened on this day! First of all, way back in 1947 a lovely baby girl was born and given the name Linda Fay Elms. Let's all give her a hip hip hooray on her 59th birthday!!!


I think I definitely get my moves from my mother. Look at her in this modern dance class. So very cool.

Also born on this day was Chris Hadlock. We're still not quite sure what's wrong with him but we love him anyway for all of his amusing posts to my blog. Happy 22nd Birthday Chris!!!



I know it's not your birthday in the States but it most definitely is in New Zealand and I celebrating it with all my heart.