Our Last Group Trip

Before I start talking about my weekend trip to Brisbane I would like to talk about two very important family members that will forever live in the hearts of many.

Livingston and Pasha have been the family dogs, brothers, and babies ever since I can remember. I grew up with them and it didn't take long before I fell in love! They have traveled all over the United States and Canada...they have been on every family vacation with us. They have been the highlight of every walk in the park, trip to the bank, and ice cream outing. They have been cuddled with, babied, and pampered since the day they came into our lives and we wouldn't have changed any of it for the world.

Livingston was the oldest of the two and he came into our lives on Mothers Day, May 1997 at just a year old! My very first memories of him were dressing him up in all of my baby dolls clothing. He was adorable and so tolerant! Livingston was a gorgeous dog that got a lot of attention out in public. He ran the house as the Alpha dog and let everyone know it! He looked out for Pasha but had some trouble adjusting to him in the beginning-I even wrote a book about it in second grade! He loved trips to the bank and ice cream runs that both ended in a treat with lots of attention...he was never shy! Livingston was also the runner of the family. He loved to run in the yard with us and go for walks in the park. Also...He was a licker...Licker Livvy! Everything and anything had tongue marks from Licker Livvy. He never failed to put a smile on my face and keep me company when I needed it the most. He passed away on September 21, 2009-just over a year ago. Today I am at peace with his death. I know that he lived a great doggy life full of love. He was very well taken care of and always spoiled. ~To Live in the hearts we leave behind, Is not to die. Livingston will never die because he will forever live in our hearts. I love you Livingston!

The boys as babies...Pasha on the top stair and Livingston on the lower stair

He loved to be snuggled on the bed in the front room looking out over the front yard...with his blanky of course

I Love You Livingston!!! You were a great doggy and will forever be in my heart <3

Pasha was the baby of the family. He came into our lives three days after Livvy's birthday on October 29, 1998 and was born on September 13, 1998. At this point I was in second grade. My first memory of him was the night he was brought home. I gave him a little pig beanie baby so he could cuddle with something his own size...we called him Buddy. As he got older his personality started to show through. He loved to be cuddled with and held like a real baby and when he was feeling really good he would suck on Buddy's head. He played dress up with me but complained about it a lot more than Livingston...Pasha never liked to wear clothes. He was a little more timid and shy around strangers but back at home he was ornery. He loved any kind of human food he could get his little paws on and always sat by the kitchen table and wined for us to share with him. He was my baby, he slept with me, and was always excited to see me when I came home from school. I found out about his death this weekend while in Brisbane...Friday April 8, 2011 was the exact date. He was a very sick puppy and couldn't hold on before I made it home. As hard as it is to lose him and not be able to be there...I know that he is in good hands. He now gets to run around, pain free, with Livingston in heaven.~Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but Love leaves a memory no one can steal. The memories of Pasha will forever live in my heart.

Pasha as a baby..sucking on Buddy's head-his favorite pass time :)

My real life Baby!

My favorite pass time is sleeping with my Pasha...I loved how he sucked on my blankets just like it was a big buddy!

My two favorite babies! Forever in the hearts of many

These dogs were a huge part of my life and my family. They will always be remembered in a positive light. I Love and Miss You both!!!

Over the weekend we went on our final group trip to Brisbane!

On Friday we loaded the coach at 7am and headed off for Brisbane. After a 3 hour bus ride we made it to the John Deer factory for a presentation. This was mainly for the marketing class but the rest of us got to sit in on it as well. It was a very long presentation but turned out to be quite educational and interesting.

After that we took a small tour of the city...all on our coach...and then checked into our hotel. The hotel was...well...a closet. There were three to a room and this time we didn't room with our cabin mates. The air conditioning only turned on when you put and kept your key in the wall and bathroom wasn't even big enough to turn around in! But despite the rooms being small the hotel staff was very nice and accommodating to our group of 30+

Just enough room to turn around in here...try having three girls in one room...it was crowded!

yes...you could basically sit on the toilet and take a shower...its that small

In the evening we were taken to Scream world! It wasn't a huge amusement park but it gave us something to do for the night and ended in an amazing lights show along with some dancing.

Dreamworld during the day...Scream world at night

Lights Show

Waiting in line for the rides :)

We ended the night dancing as a group!

On Saturday we woke up early again and headed off to the Australian Zoo...this was the highlight of my weekend. The zoo is also known as the Steve Irwin Zoo. We got to see and do a lot here but because there is so much to say about it I'm just going to show some pictures.



Steve Irwin Zoo

Irwin Family foot and hand prints

You are never to old to ride the tea cup rides at the zoo :)

Sooo Cute!

Kisses from the Tigers!

Feeding an Elephant!!!

Ganesh is everywhere here

After the zoo the group went out to the clubs to experience the night life of Brisbane. I on the other hand got the luxury of meeting up with some distant relatives! My Papa's cousins, Rex and Jean. It was great to have a home cooked dinner. I had a great visit and appreciate their hospitality.

~Thank You Rex and Jean for having me to your home!

On Sunday we headed off to the Brisbane markets and then to the Gold Coast. The entire day was spent shopping! I was exhausted by the end of the day and slept all the way back home...to Lennox Head that is.


Walkway to the markets

Brisbane Market

Brisbane is a beautiful city! After the market we walked back to the bus on the canal :)

Pool in the city!

Gold Coast!

Gold Coast beach

It is now only two weeks until we leave Australia for good...three more weeks until we are back in the States. As excited as I am to see all of my friends and family back home...I will miss this place a ton! It truly has been a dream come true for me!

Another day Volunteering with the Kiddies!

Today I went back to Bangalow Primary School to volunteer for the day! We had the same schedule as the previous visit so not much was different. I still enjoyed my day and this time took some pictures!!

Bangalow Primary School Volunteering!

Administration Office

Ground Art Work

Kindie Room



In kindie we helped the kids with their reading skills




Hall in the Kindergarten and Stage 1 building



Most halls are outside

Fun Cow!

One of the outdoor meeting areas



Garden Center



Stage 3 class room

School work hung up in the class

They know a lot about the rest of the world...its part of their curriculum to learn about world news

Library

Stage 3 kids at the library

Today they learned about Anzac Day

Library

Tutoring the stage 1 kids

The only problem I had with the kids all day was at the end of the day when I was tutoring a little boy (5 or 6 years old) in reading. He came out of the class room in a pretty foul mood and didn't want to talk about it. I explained that we just had a few games to play and then he could go back to class. After a few minutes of working on some new words the boy got extremely upset and started saying he couldn't do it and didn't want to do it anymore. Then he started to cry with his head down. I moved to be on the same side of the table as him and proceeded to calm him down and reassuring him he was doing great. When he calmed down a little we started back in the game and I rewarded him with lots of high fives! He started to cheer up when I reversed the game and made him be the teacher and I pretended to be the student. I guessed most of the words wrong (apparently he was to smart for me!) and he enjoyed correcting me. He finished the lesson in a great mood and even gave me a hug before running off to class :) Its moments like this that make me want to work with children in the future!!!





The group chilling in the teachers lounge!

After Volunteering we stopped by the Macadamia Castle to get some ice cream :) and then back to Lennox to do some hw and relax.



Nash Bash - Volunteering At A Rugby Tournament!!!

Volunteering while in Australia has been a very rewarding and a great learning experience. On Saturday the Nash Bash came to Lennox Head and a small group of us went there to help out. This was a 35 and older rugby tournament that consisted of  7 rounds with two games going on at once. The games were for fun and most of the time they didn't keep score. It was also a charity event that raised money for a family with a recent loss and the men simply were there to have a good time.

Rugby is quit intense!!

When we first arrived at the event we got right to work...selling raffle tickets to win a tray of prawns! The event was small so after a few times around the crowd selling tickets, everyone got to know us pretty well!



First time selling raffle tickets to win prawns!!!





Second time selling raffles!




Getting ready to draw the winning ticket!!!


Our next working experience at the event was to take port out to the players. At each half time two of us would take a tray of port to the players. It was sort of like being the water girls...only it was alcohol instead of water! The Aussies know how to drink and have a good time that's for sure!

Filling up cups with port for the players

Handing out the port!

The Guys were so friendly :)

Throughout the entire day we were given free food and drinks. It was pretty nice to have free champagne, wine, beer, soda, water, and some sausage off the barbie! Couldn't have asked for a better concession stand.

Free Drinks!

More free food :)

We got to know everyone so well and the tournament was pretty laid back. So laid back that I got to do a play on the field with one of the teams!!! After this I talked with one of the players and made a deal that if I went to the pub at 8:30 I would get a jersey...of course a group of us went to the pub and got some free jerseys! I also got to do the kick off  in the final game! It was extremely exciting and the team I kicked off for...won! Not that they kept count of who won and who lost...but I still found it exciting! :)

Shoey...this is the player who gave me his jersey :)

Playing Rugby with the big guys!!!

My Jersey and the team Ball :)

Heading to the pub

Rugby Guys

The band

The Guy who wanted a BSU shirt...it was a little small but he though it was soooo exciting lol

Shoey after he gave me his jersey!



Bartender took us home



In the end the day was a success and gave us another view of the true Australians! I cant get enough of the culture here...it is so happy, welcoming, laid back, and fun!