Feeling of Success!

Yesterday I had my first ever published article in a newspaper! =) ....  I think I'll frame it!

It's such a great feeling when you see your name with and article that you've written! It helps build your confidence and it's just really exciting!

Here's the online version! I'll try to post the picture of it later!

http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/state/agribusiness-and-general/general/become-a-young-rising-champion/2203861.aspx

2nd Day Driving to work - Tuesday June 21st

Do not worry I am not writing about every single day that I drive. I just had a new experience driving today that I felt I should share.

Today I left at 7:30am since yesterday I was more than 30minutes early leaving at 7am. I got onto the Harbor Bridge fine today and onto the M7 perfectly… I just missed my exit from the M7 and ended up 20 minutes further on the M5 for a 40 minute detour.

There was a lot more traffic this morning and I must have been too busy passing the large trucks that were taking over the road and missed my exit onto Richmond Rd.

I was 20minutes late, so if I would have taken the correct exit I would have been on time. I’ll get it right eventually…

First Time Driving to Work - Monday June 20th

The night before I Google mapped the directions to and from work and wrote them down on an easy to read yet small paper (so I wouldn’t be fiddling around while driving). Thanks to the wonderful Google maps ‘street view’ I was able to see what the different intersections and ramps looked like (which actually really helped!).

GOING TO WORK

I left 30 minutes earlier than I normally would, just in case. I was doing fine getting out of Forest Lodge and I found my way to the Sydney Harbor Bridge. It was pretty easy with the BIG signs and BIG arrows, they're kind of hard to miss. I remember Hailey telling me to stay to the right at all times on my way to the bridge, but I found myself in the left hand lane and was trying to squeeze my way into the right lane but was starting to get a little overwhelmed with all of the cars zooming by.  I finally saw that I missed the turn on to the Harbor Bridge so I kept going and followed a sign to Darling Harbor. I know where Darling Harbor is so I kept going firguring that I could find my way to the bridge from there. Instead of turning towards Darling Harbor I took a chance and followed my guy to the opposite way. I then saw a sign for Glebe, so I knew I could always just start over in Glebe. BUT THEN I saw a nice BIG sign for the bridge and continued on to that. Finally I was back on track making only that one 3-5 minute detour... SUCCESS!

The drive to Richmond is pretty straight foraward. Thanks to Google Maps and Hailey (who previously took the drive with me on Saturday) I knew which signs to look for. Once I got into Richmond I knew my way around and was feeling much better. I stopped at Macca's (McDonalds) to treat myself with a hot chocolate Yummm.

Now to get home...

GOING HOME

The way home was nice and easy, it was the driving at night part that was difficult this time. It was a little more difficult because seeing car lights from the right hand side were throwing me off a bit.

Big Trucks

Even in the US I don’t like driving next to big Semi Trailers or long trucks. On my way home  I was trying to pass one but the cars infront of me weren’t going any faster so I was stuck next to a big semi L I was not happy. Though I was able to keep myself calm and laugh at myself because I was literally talking to myself say “You’re okay, you’re fine… no worries… breath”

STOP!

Don’t you love it when people slam on their breaks in front of you on a busy highway?! I surely don’t! When this happened I could just picture my car slamming into the car in front of me… good thing my breaks work and I avoided this vision.

Accidents Cause Traffic.

It took me 30minutes longer to get home because there was an accident on the ANZAC Bridge. It was stop and go traffic for one lane trying to go off to the right. It didn't help that we had to wait for a stop light…. Welcome to city traffic.

The Apple Bar - Saturday June 18

Today I had time to skype with my wonderful family back in the States. I got to talk with my cousins, aunt and uncle who I rarely see and a few more friends who are enjoying the warm summer in Champaign (I'm a little jealous). It’s great how being away can bring you closer to people.

Hailey and I drove to pick up Terry’s new car =) It’s so ‘Purdy’! I followed her to Richmond so I could see how I will get to work. Then we parked my car at the office and took Terry’s new car to The Apple Bar.

The Apple Bar (which is in the Blue Mountains) is a really cute casual restaurant and bar about 20minutes away from Richmond. They are known for their wood-fire cooked pizza’s. Being an American who loves pizza, and have been craving a good extra cheesy pizza, so I was excited to eat here. The pizza was very cheesy and had a great wood-fire taste to it. We also got garlic bread and salad which we ended up getting to-go boxes for. The menu showed a few apple beers and mixed drinks which I would be excited to go back and try when I didn’t have to drive.

It gets two thumbs up from me. Good place to go if you are ever in the area :)

Coonamble Rodeo and Campdraft - June 12th

This was my first Rodeo and I feel lucky to experience it in Australia. I went to the 2011 Landmark Coonamble Rodeo and Campdraft on one of the three day weekend event. It was so much fun and a great experience. I love the country atmosphere; I love it in the U.S and in Australia. Everyone is just more laid back, having fun and willing to help you out.


I went with Holly, who is the same age as me and started the day before I did, so it was also fun to spend time with her.


I felt very lame walking around, everyone else was riding their horses around… I need to get me a horse… or a pony :D


Americans

• They had the US and Canadian Flag up with the Australian flag :D
• We were talking with a few people and one of them told us we had to talk to this guy that just got back from America. I misheard him and thought he said he’s American. Once I heard him speak I realized what he said, though it was still exciting.
• It took a few people a while to pick up my accent! :P Wonder if I’m starting to sound like an aussie :D

Music

• Country music is the same. I heard a lot of songs that I knew… It's always fun when find similarities to back home.
• Yes the have played 'Party In the USA' here (not at the rodeo.. just in general. To answer a question from one of my friends)

Rodeo Events

• Bull Riding was awesome to watch except when the guys would fall or got hurt.
• I was taking videos of the events, when I rewatched some of the bull riders I reacted with “oooo ouch” like I did when I was there. Some of it was hard to watch.
• There were 8 year olds riding bull (smaller bulls, but still!) Those are some brave kids and parents!
• One guy fell and the bull stepped on his face… there was a lot of blood but he was okay and was later walking around with a bandage over his face with just one eye, his nose and mouth showing.
• Womens barrel racing! This was hard to video tape because I would find myself moving my head to watch rather than the camera! I really enjoyed this one, they were ridding really fast!
• Team roping. It was fun to watch because they make it look so easy. It’s hard enough to ride and control a horse but to use the rope too! That takes skills.
• Campdraft. This is the traditional and one of the oldests events. It is not as exciting and entertaining as the other events but you can tell it still takes a lot of skills and I found it enjoyable to watch.

I have to say again that this was such a great experience! Everyone was helpful and we got some great pictures and videos! I want to go again, for the whole weekend! :)

Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange near Corcoar - Friday June 10th

This sale was much different than the first two. The bulls were grouped in pens, rather than being sold individually they were sold in groups (some pens had two groups in one). This sale more loud than smelly. There were over a thousand steers in the shed. This was a very fast pace sale. The auctioneers had a headset on and one guy would hold a speaker so you could actually hear him talking. The buyers and spectators would walk around to the next pen rather than a show ring like the other two.

This was another day trip but was shorter for us because we didn’t stay the entire time, or else we would have been there past dark and we had a long drive back. I just went around and took video of the steers and some of the auction. Then we interviewed one of the sponsors to get his opinion of the sale.

I had my boots this time ($20 from Target… yes they have Target in Australia). So my feet were nice and protected from the mud and poo.

Driving In Australia

So many stories and so little time to write!

My stories from the last 4 weeks may not be in order but I will do my best to fill you all in on my amazing time down under.

This was a while ago but I still wanted to share my first experience driving in Australia! Hailey drove us to Picton where their house is. From there she let me drive to the tennis courts/gardens which is a good 3 minute drive.

Turing on the Car.

Getting into the car was really different. The steering wheal is on the right hand side of the car where the passenger usually sits in the US. Using my left hand to put the car into reverse felt very strange, thank goodness the brakes and gas peddle are the same!

Driving.

Backing out was fine, I took my time. Then driving forward wasn’t bad until other cars started coming on the other side of the road. The cars travelling in the opposite direction come up on my right hand side, where in the US I’m used to seeing them on my left. I had a hard time staying close to the center line because I was afraid of hitting the oncoming cars. This was scaring Hailey when we went under the bridge and I was getting really close to hitting the wall on her side.

Turning.

I was trying really hard to remember that I use my right had to turn on the indicators (turn signals) but of course I put the windshield wipers on instead. I think everyone has done that.

Parking.

The first time parking was easy because all I had to do was pull straight in but it was still a little difficult judging the space between my car and the car to my left. The second time parking was in a Coles carpark (Coles is like a Walgreens or a mini Walmart). There were two open spots and I was trying to go into the furthest one but ended up parking perfectly into the closest one right next to it. Oops

Driving At Night.

From Picton we drove to Wollongong where we were staying that night. Driving at night on my first day was a little scary but a very good experience. The scary part was the bright lights coming over the hill on my right. I would just blink really hard when one came over a hill until one time I actually moved the wheel a bit. Like driving anywhere it’s harder to drive at night especially when you don’t know where you’re going and you’re not used to the roads.

Driving in the City.

Just when I thought I was getting used to driving here we got into the city. I was still concentrating really hard to stay in my lane and not go off to the left. In the city you have cars all around you switching lanes, speeding up, slowing down and who know what else. Let’s just say the first time driving in the city on my second day of driving was another great experience but was like throwing someone in the deep end to teach them how to swim. At least I didn’t drown!

Parallel Parking.
This wasn't too bad. I hit the curb a little which I expected I would do. It was just a different feeling parking on the left side of the road... and on a steep hill. We just don't have hills in Illinois.

BIG THANKS to Hailey for being so calm and taking me driving! =)

Macaroni and Cheese

Oh how I miss my Krafts Macaroni and Cheese! I've got the blues.... (get it?).

You’re not the same here. The only Mac and Cheese available is the “Snack Pack” which is NOT a good representation of American Mac and Cheese. In fact I was very disappointed. Mom and Dad… send me a couple boxes of Mac and Cheese Please :D