Since I know that the real reason y'all read this beautiful thing here called my blog, I promise that I will post pictures. :) My dear sweet mama is pretty good at getting pictures out of me... Before those pretty sweet pictures, that I know you are dying to see, I thought maybe just maybe I might share with you the wonderful thing that is my traveling adventures. Just face it. You know that you love hearing all about it. :) Well, here goes.
Once upon a time, a smallish town girl picked up her life and moved across the globe to a wonderful place called Brisbane. On the way to the blissful island of Australia, she had quite the long journey. We are talking 30ish hours. First she had to say goodbye to all of her loved ones, and after lots of hugs and some tears let's be real, lots on her part, she made her way to Houston, TX. While in Houston, she had quite the wait, so she found her gate, and some food. Then she sat, and waited. It is becoming difficult to write in 3rd person (at least I think that's what this is)... While sitting and waiting I saw an older man pass by, and I instantly thought that he was a missionary, but I wasn't sure. So, I just sat. Then I saw his wife a little bit later, and we talked. They were headed to the Australia Sydney Mission. I love seeing missionaries. It warms my heart and brings back so many memories. It's the best. While waiting, I also got the sweetest email from my brother... Oh my heart! Man, how I am going to miss that little man. I realized what time it was, and they were boarding my plane, so I went ahead and headed to the gate.
When I got to my seat, I was sandwiched between two guys. Steve (my neighbor) and I talked off and on throughout the flight. Mostly though, everyone slept (We left Houston at 11pm) and I watched The Lord of the Rings 1 and 2. In order to avoid really bad jet lag, I tried to stay up as long as I could (on my 15 hour flight). It was about a 14 or so hour flight, and when we left it was only 2ish in the afternoon Brisbane time. Well, I think I made it until 6 or 7pm Brisbane time, and then I tried to sleep rather unsuccessfully, and ate at really weird times whenever they brought out food. Traveling really confuses my body. Eventually we landed in Auckland, New Zealand.
In Auckland I went through security, and it was a breeze, so much easier than security in America. I found my gate and a spot to sit, and was grateful that I remembered to pack a converter in my carry on, because #notamerica , and used the free wifi until I ran out. Eventually I decided to go and do my hair/brush my teeth/ look like a presentable human again, and then waited at the gate for FOREVER. :) I may be being a little bit melodramatic... There were SO many accents. Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore. I'm pretty sure that I stuck out like a sore thumb. Definitely not in Alabama anymore. After a little while, our gate opened, and before we knew it we were headed to Brisbane. On the plane I sat by a really sweet couple that told me a little bit about Australia. And then, here we were! Once we landed, I went through customs, got my bags, and then I got stopped to be a part of a training exercise. They had drug dogs sniff through my stuff, and then the training people's stuff while we stood there and waited. After helping out with the training, I was free to go. I'm free at last. I walked out, and was greeted by a friend, and then we found J and C. :) They are so sweet!
Since then, everything has been great. And way too much has happened. Who knew so much could happen in just a few days? I feel like I have been all over, and done so much. It's only 7pm and I am already exhausted. Maybe one of these days I will sit down and write all about the adventure that is driving in Australia. :)
Until then, enjoy these much awaited pictures.
