Well, I'm home. And what a trip it has been. The past month, has been a flurry of activity, and a month that I will not soon forget. Thanks to the people of this community, I was able to sample a part of america... a part of a culture, quite different from my own. Not only that, but I was also able to meet some of the people that I have chatted to, posted with, and that I vastly admire. The "Wow" factor of this trip was amazing. And some of the things, that americans find so common place, is very different, for someone in Australia. For example, americans don't have utes... they drive trucks. No Station wagons, or should I say, very few. And, though this may sound very surprising, the water level in the toilets, is so high, compared to the ones in Australia.. To flick the light switches on, you guys go up.. our light switches, to be turned on, go down. The exit signs have red lettering in America, green in Australia. Americans drive on the right side of the road, not the left, like Australians. And we don't have drivers as mad as texans *grin*. And from sampling the candy, I worked out that americans like peanuts.. as every second candy bar, was based around a peanut taste. The meets were brilliant, and the people that I met, wonderful, and so talented... A lot of travelling, and a lot of times in a car, or a plane.. I wish I could have stayed longer. Maybe next time. Oh, and I worked out how to microwave peeps... you can blame Adrienne for that one.
I've learnt a lot from attending the meets.. and even more, just hanging around with people I admire... It is something that has changed my life... forever.. I will always have the wanderlust now.. that's not to say I didn't already have it. Be assured of one thing.. I will be back, one day... Even if it takes me forever to save, I will find a way to get back. Thankyou everyone:
To those who contributed money To those who contributed a bed To those who came to the meets To those who shared their knowledge To those who watched, and supported this And to everyone... a part of this or not, who watched, as the events unfolded. A special thanks to Monte, and Pat, and Jon, without whom, this would not have been possible. And to Steve, and Barb, without whom this site would not have been, which means, I would never have mede it over. There are so many people to thank, I can not put them all here. But thankyou, for making this, truely, a trip of a lifetime.
By the way, I was informed when I arrived back at Monte's place, after the meet in Georgia, that I was banned from the local diner.. Apparently, the vegemite was not appreciated. However, the tim tams, and cherry ripes, all seemed to be a hit, with everyone... none of them made it to the diner though. Ah well.. next time I'm over, huh?
That's all for now, I guess.. will be updating things later (eg, signiture file, site, etc.) And catching up with uni.. after that, I'll be back in business! See you all then.. or catch you in chat.
From the Kookaburra... almost home.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
So glad you made it back home safely, Katie. Hope we can meet you in the near future! My son is very inspired with what you are doing with your life.
Posted by jimmy chatham (Member # 525) on :
katie it was great to meet you at the spring fling. the timtams and cherry ripes were good. the vegemite wasn't bad either. but what are peeps?
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Katie, Although I'm glad you're home safely, I'm delighted that you had this great experience! Remember the story about the blind people that each touched a different part of the elephant and tried to describe the animal based on touching the ear or the trunk or the tail. That's the kind of experience you would have had in America. The west is so different from the east, and the north from the south, and the midwest is yet another culture. Even the water level in the toilets differs. Perhaps you have some new expressions to blast your countrymen with. Perhaps some new dreams. Definatly some new friends. May the blessings continue to abound for you.
Posted by AdrienneMorgan (Member # 1046) on :
Awwww, Katiebird...(I'm wiping away a couple of tears)..we had such a great time seeing YOU have such a great time!
I would have probably skipped Fred's if it wasn't for you being there, and missed another great meet.
Like Rick says, America is a very diversed and facinating place...I used to want to travel the world (still do) and have been to a few countries, but I'm finding America to be so facinating I'm enjoying getting to know her first.
Next time I hope you can see the west...and the east...and the north....oh, shoot, just come and stay a few months!!
And be sure, I'll make good my promise and come see you...sounds like backwards world!
A:) Did ya get enough Peeps to take home? Need more?
Jimmy, that would be marshmellow peeps...
[ March 30, 2002, 11:34 AM: Message edited by: AdrienneMorgan ]
Posted by Kookaburra (Member # 254) on :
yup.. that's a peep alright.. a microwaved peep, at that. before it shrinks down again.
Posted by Ken Morse (Member # 1799) on :
Another reason I love this community. Great people, doing great things.
Posted by Kookaburra (Member # 254) on :
What's that... mircrowaving peeps??
Posted by Jackson Smart (Member # 187) on :
Hey Katie....Glad you are home safe. I watched from the sidelines on your most incredible journey. I know you had wonderful time...and staying with regular folks gave you a better look into the minds and hearts of the working person in America.
The experiences you have had are priceless...so I encourage you to go out and experience the rest of the planet...there are "AMAZING" things to see and do!!
Always enjoy your life...you chose it.
Jackson
Posted by Delzell (Member # 1965) on :
Kat,
Glad you made it home safely. It was nice of your Dad to post the photos of your homecoming.
By going on an adventure you took us along too. I too would probably not of gone to Fred's meet if you had not been there. But the weather cooperated and the trip to get there was great. I do not like trips that far in winter but I do want to go to Fred's again. He has a neat shop and the meet was great. Thanks for getting me to my first meet Katie.
I just nuked a purple peep in your honor : )
Good luck at Uni! You have a night owl to keep you company too.
Debbie
Posted by Robert Beverly (Member # 1907) on :
Ha
I see "us Texans" made an impression on ya!..just remember...around here when there is no horse to break, we take it out on our trucks!!!!!!!
Glad to see ya made it back home safely. I don't think them aussie's could have had a more genuine ambassador as you!
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Katie..................
Next trip, plan on some time in Los Angeles....I will show you some of the sights & attractions!
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Last night (for reasons unknown) they had a spot on the nightly news where they squeezed Peeps in a hydrolic press, & pinched them in a 6000 lbs/ sq. in. mechanical peep-pincher. They could not permanently alter their shape, they would return to original peep proportions. Amazing! Then they filmed some kids running over peeps repeatedly with a skateboard, then holding up the intact specimin before devouring it.
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