Emily's California Adventures

Emily survived almost two weeks with my parents. My favorite phone call was when she was alone in a room and whispered into the phone, "You know your parents are crazy, don't you?" Ha-ha! I knew that about 30+ years ago! They had a very good time. They sewed some clothes, scrap booked, ate, went to the zoo, went to the beach, explored some of the museum boats down in the bay, gave Emily some surfing lessons, had her serenaded at at a concert, did some shopping, had a tea party, went to a 4th of July party (we calculated that Emily's 4th of July lasted 39 hours!), played with the cat, visited Great Aunt Dorothy, had Grandpa and Pat over for spaghetti and carrot cake (yum! :P), they went to the Del Mar Fair, and probably lots of other stuff I can't recall or don't know about. :) I think a good time was had by all. Emily called from Canada this afternoon to say she made it across the border. My parents are probably taking prolonged naps or are in comas. :) Emily has the camera, so I'll have to add pictures later. Here on the home front, we are almost done with swimming lessons, cleaning, packing and trying not to make any new messes.

Australia Day Twelve

I just realized that I forgot to include the first travel day, so Emily's 14-day trip looks like only 12. Ooops, I can't ALWAYS be perfect. :) Today Emily saw the city’s highlights and learned more about it's amazing history during a harbor
cruise. She explored the Olympic Park Grounds with an orientation of ANZ Stadium, site of the Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies. She took a guided orientation and then a swim at the Sydney Aquatic Center. Then she enjoyed a farewell dinner at Sydney’s Darling Harbor. Sorry about the picture, I couldn't figure out how to get it right side up. :(

Australia Day Eleven

Another phone call today! :) Emily woke up at 5am so she could call home, fell back asleep and woke up to call at 6 am. So sweet of her to lose sleep just to talk to us. :) I was able to ask her about the crocodile and kangaroo meat. She said she ate both! The crocodile tasted like fried chicken. (That's what she said about frog legs last year! Oh no, it was OLD fried chicken.) The kangaroo was like beef and in little meatballs. She said she liked the crocodile better. Today she was able to witness the Australian educational system at a New South Wales school. She learned about Australia's National Gemstone, the opal, at a cutting and polishing demonstration. Tonight she dined at Sydney's Cockle Bay. Yum, maybe more crocodile? :) I say, "Eat more crocodile, so THEY don't eat my daughter!"

Australia Day Ten

We practiced playing with sparklers last night to get ready for The 4th of July. Nobody's clothes caught on fire... Today Emily flew to Sydney, the largest city in Australia. She explored the historical Rocks area and saw the "Plymouth Rock" of Australia. She was able to reenact the convict era in period costumes. Emily was really looking forward to seeing the Sydney Opera House Complex, which they were able to take a guided orientation of today. To end the day in style, they dined in a fine restaurant overlooking Kings Street Wharf. Nice.

Australia Day Nine

I got another phone call from Emily this evening. She was on a long bus ride and got bored. She really had nothing to say but had to talk to everyone. :) I guess she has figured out how to use her phone by herself. She went to Gin Gin and had lunch made by the local citizens. The school in Gin Gin has been greatly assisted by hosting delegates from People to People and built a friendship pavilion. In the afternoon and evening they explored Brisbane going to Southbank, Queen Street Mall and Town Hall Square.

Phone Call!!! Wooooo-hooooo! :)

Emily called a little after 10PM tonight! :) It was tomorrow in Australia, so I had to ask her how the future was. :) She was lounging by the pool, a pool with a waterfall and a beach! She has been amazed at all the sea life she has seen. She really likes the turtles. She also mentioned a fish that swam right up to her and wanted to be pet like a dog. I think it might have been the Mola Mola or Sunfish after a little amatuer internet research that I should not have done. The diet of the Mola Mola is jellyfish, so where there is a Mola Mola there are probably lots of jellyfish, right? Emily did not get stung. I will sleep better tonight knowing that the Mola Mola did a good job of eating all the jellyfish that might have swam near Emily. :)

Australia Day Eight

Today Emily explored Olsen's Capricorn Caves. She met with local Aboriginal people and learned how to throw a boomerang and play a didgeridoo. Tonight she had a choice of crocodile or kangaroo meat for dinner. Hmmm...I wonder if she misses my cooking yet?!?