Saturday, February 28, 2009

G'Day Mates!

We'll we are in the middle if a fun, but not so restful weekend here in Australia. Having time and internet access to blog is still a challenge. Yesterday we went up to the Blue Mountains, which look blue because the eucalyptus trees give off a blue haze. We went up the mountain and then took a cable car down into the rain forest. Who knew they had rainforest??? Everyone lives on the coasts of Australia, and its very moist and GREEN. After travelling back to the Sydney area, we went to a Rugby game, AND celebrated Robb's Birthday. The rugby game was awesome, but we learned afterward that cabbies dont want to deal with wheelies...it took a while to find someone willing to bring us back.

So, as we've previously mentioned...the language here is a bit different...but fun! Everyone does use "G'Day"and "mate". "No worries" is very common also. They are always heckling each other which is funny to see. The shuttle drivers taught us the meaning of "wanker", which can be sort of a term of endearment or an insult, depending on who you're directing it at. Men are bloaks. I have a new name...My name is Jennie now... Alot of words are shortened and -ie added to the end. A cold beer is a "coldie", etc. "right-o" is used like we use OK or alright. Those are some of the more common ones. There are tons more, which I will write about later.

G'Day Mates!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Long Days!

It has been a slam packed few days here down under in Oz!
Monday through Wednesday we have logged back to back presentations at Rotary clubs. Most of these clubs are well rooted, 75-100 years old, in the surrounding communities of Sydney and are hosted by golf or “bowling” clubs. Australian bowling is on well manicured lawns and you must wear flat, club certified shoes. To bad our wheels are round! We have well received, though a bit challenged with the language barrier. We thought we would have it easy in an English speaking country and what we have found is they speak Australian, we speak American and we only understand each other half the time! Great thing Mike has become the official note taker of Australian – American translations.
We also had two days of vocational visits were partnerships have been made for some future wheelchair sports opportunities. Robb Martin had a very interesting experience with the New South Wales Supreme Court were he sat in the courtroom during a murder trial then had tea with the presiding judge during a recess! Photos coming soon! Darol

Monday, February 23, 2009

Two presentations and 1 vocational day under our belts...

G'Day Mates!

Well, we've had "spot of trouble" getting internet access here in our hotel without losing an arm or a leg in the process... but one of our hosts was kind enough to lend us her laptop with the internet card. Otherwise we would be hoofin' it to the mall half a mile away in the heat & humidity:)

Well, we've done two presentations so far. Yesterday was at a lunch club. It was a very informal and fun meeting. We had met most of the members on Sunday at Bill's house, and they were all so warm and welcoming! Last night's meeting was a bit more formal. That presentation also went well!

Today was our first vocational day. I met some amazing people at a program called NETS - which is a mobile intensive care unit for babies and kids. I also met a bunch of awesome nurses who work in the community.

The health care system is very different here. They have a public system, which everyone has access to at no cost. Other than the condition of the buildings, the system seems to work well for most people. If you want to have an elective procedure, private seems to be the way to go, unless you're not in any hurry. You could wait a year and a half for an elective surgery. Well, I hope that's as interesting to some of you as it is to me!

Well, gotta run. We're getting ready for our 3rd club meeting and presentation.

Jen

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Lunch at Bill's

Hello All!

We made it safely to the beautiful city of Sydney! The 14 hr flight went over very well and quickly. I, personally, caught up on some movies I have wanted to see and am adjusting to the time change very easily. When we arrived we were greeted by our Australian hosts, who took us to our hotel, fed us lunch, and then dinner later that evening where we all enjoyed the catch of the day.

Right now we are at Bill's home, enjoying our new friend's company, food, a bit of tennis, and internet access to catch up with family and friends! Thank you Bill!

Tomorrow we will give our AZ presentation for the first time at our first Australian Rotary meeting. I was a little bit nervous about this but everyone is so warm and personable that I already feel very comfortable and it should go off without a hitch! Tuesday, I will enjoy my first vocational visit with Bob, taking tours of colleges, high schools, and primary schools. I am really looking forward to comparing Australia's educational system with our own in Arizona.

There seems to be an interesting stick-horse race going on outside that I am missing out on... So thank you all for watching and I will catch up with you later...

Kerry

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Vacation... NOT

As the trip approaches, I have heard the word vacation used... Well, this will be fun, but vacation is not part of our vocabulary! We will be VERY busy giving presentations to Rotary clubs, going on our vocational visits, and addressing the preceptions of disability with the community in Australia. Of course, there will be a lot of fun activities...like sailing, SCUBA diving, visiting the world famous Syndey Opera house, visiting the Olympic venues, and spending time with our host families!

We're on our way tomorrow! Keep us on your "Favorites" list, because it will be exciting! Please post comments to help us feel a link to our world back home, if you would!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Time to pack

1 day and some change before Darol, Jenn, Mike, Kerry and I jump on a plane to the down under country. Its time to finalize all of the items we need to take with us. It has been hard to put several weeks worth of travel in just a couple back packs. This is going to be a trip of a lifetime and it all starts Thursday!

Monday, February 16, 2009

ONE OF A KIND

What a short and busy week this one has been.
Four days from now we will be on our way to Australia to share our personal and professional experiences as a very unique and diverse team representing Arizona and Rotary district 5490.
We are excited and honored to have such an opportunity!  The next 4 weeks in the New South Wales state of Australia  will be full of well planned (and surely some spontaneous ) vocational, cultural, recreational and Rotary exchanges that we will keep you posted on.  Please join our team with your questions and comments as we embark on this first of it's kind adventure!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

1 Week and Counting...

Darol, Jenn, Mike, Robb, and I are packing our suitcases and practicing our accents! We leave 1 week from today to proudly represent the Rotary Club and embark on an adventure. The next 3 weeks we are in Australia we will be presenting ourselves and Arizona at several Rotary meetings, visiting each of our vocational counterparts, and enjoying a bit of sight-seeing. Our days are so full it will be comforting to have a home away from home to catch up on some Z's. We are blessed for the offering our host families are extending, sharing their homes and hospitality. If it were not for the Rotary Club International, its gracious members and supporters, we would not have this time of our lives to make new friends and have some fun along the way!

As Rotary's first wheelchair GSE team, we are setting the path for future team members and proudly representing the disabled population. Our goal is to help others realize that despite our challenges we know how to push forward and overcome to achieve our dreams and conquer all obstacles. The Arizona GSE team consists of full-time working professionals, who enjoy life and live to make the most of it! This team is ready and willing to share our personal and professional lives, so follow along!

Kerry ;-)