To read or not to read

If one ever needed a reason to complete assignments as given by professors in the legal education realm, sitting-in on my Crim law class would enlighten you to such a necessary requirement.  Two individuals made answering Socratic-type questions equivalent to having all your teeth pulled one at a time without any anesthesia.  Please people…take the time and read so that there is no reason for the rest of your class to deem you an imbecile of TITANIC proportions!!!!  AND – if you are relatively sure that you will be called on…do additional prep work and once again you might be saved.  Shesh!

Australia – Brisbane and home

By now most of you will know that Tara and I have made it safely home from Oz.  Brisbane was fantastic, although we spent our only day there trying to figure out the public transport system and then successfully were transported to the Koala Sanctuary where we cuddled koalas and kangaroos!  We flew out of Brisbane at 11:30 on Sunday the 15th and arrived in L.A. at 7:30 am on Sunday the 15th!  After a hilarious and frustrating run to catch our plane to Phoenix we arrived safely in Jackson at 5:30 last night.  I am posting some pictures now but have so many more to show if you are interested.  Thank you all for your prayers and comments on the postings…we loved them!  This weekend I am heading to my best friend’s wedding in Missouri and am sure to have great pictures and stories from that as well.

Sweet pic taken at the Koala Sanctuary

Australia – (day 4-6) Ayers Rock

Alright, alright, so I know that you all think we have been captured by Aboriginal peoples, but I assure you that we are doing great!  Its just that I refused to pay the $2 per 10 min for Internet in the middle of the outback.  We know you are all dying to hear about our adventures but we decided that you should all wait to hear it first hand when we get back (to save time and money )  I will tell you that it was hot, the rocks were big, we discussed the social habits of Michael Jackson with mates from Australia, we ate kangaroo, and now are preparing for a fun-filled few days in Cairns where the weather is warm.  Here we come Great Barrier Reef and the Karunda Rainforest!  Love to you all.  If I can post cheaply in the future, I will.  Next city is Brisbane.

Christina and Tara

Australia (Day Two – Sydney)

Hello all.  Today started with some bumps and twists and a headache, but all went well in the end.  Tara and I decided to go to the vineyards today in Hunter Valley and were outside at 10:30 awaiting our ride.  Around 10:45 Tara called to see if our driver had left yet and found out that the driver had thought we were staying in a different hostel in a town much closer to the valley.  The trip into the valley from Sydney is around 2 1/2 hours!  So we had to regroup.  We decided to go to the Blue Mountains instead, since we could quickly arrange transportation. 

We left at 12:30 p.m. on a train bound for Katoomba for a grand total of 11.00 AUD.  We arrived 2 1/2 hours later and navigated our way to the visitor information hut around 2:30.  After looking at several different hikes we chose a 2 hour one that included SEVERAL stairs down into the rain forest and back up!  The hike was wonderful and the vistas – INCREDIBLE!  (Pictures do not do justice)  Through the mist and rain we saw a few waterfalls and really unique trees and foliage.  Around 5:00 the sun began to set and we were deep in the forest.  Ok, use your imaginations here…deep in the rain forest…setting sun…a little more than 1/2 way done with the hike.  Yeppers folks, we hiked the remaining time with flashlights and moderate rain!  Oh the stories to tell.  We did arrive safely back at the starting point around 6:00. 

We walked back into Katoomba and ate a relaxing meal at quaint cafe near the train station.  After spending an hour or two sipping tea, hot chocolate, and a glass of red wine (we really needed to defrost..did I mention that it was about 48 to 50 degrees when we got there??) we caught the 8:24 train back into Sydney.  What a wonderful day.

Trying to make plans on the public transportation system for our journey to Hunter Valley tomorrow (or today, since it is 12:30 a.m. right now) proved to be quiet difficult and so we decided to rent a car and drive the 2 1/2 hours into the valley.  People…WE NEED PRAYER!  Neither of us has driven a European styled car (wrong side of car, wrong side of road) but we are going to attempt it!  We will pick up the car at 7:30 tomorrow morning and start our adventure!  We are renting a navigation system with the car to help lessen the confusion.  Pictures still proving to be a problem to post, but they will come!  Love to you all and I will post tomorrow!