Flight to Australia

G'day!

Things are a little bit better... I'll get to that later, but for now let us step back a day and see how my flight went. I've got pictures and everything!

After packing up my life in 2x 29" suitcases and another small suitcase, the family and I hopped in the big white van and trekked on down to LAX. We lugged the suitcases in and checked in. The young gentleman that checked me in seemed to be rather new because it took him quite a long time to get everything together. What's wonderful though was that my luggage was .6 kg short of being over the weight limit. So again, God pops his head in and says "Hey Andie, it's time to go!". After saying goodbye to my 2x 29" suitcases it was time to say goodbye to the family and Bryan. Many many many tears, sobs and yet a few laughs. I love them all so very much. I just about got overtaken by some New Zealand team that was headed home. So I had to cut my goodbyes short and jump in line for security before all 50 of them got in. I got through security perfectly and made it to the terminal. I'm not quite sure when our flight left, but I have heard that we left a little late. My plane was a Boeing 777 which was huge!



About an hour into the flight we were served dinner. Choice between chicken raviolli or ham and cheese on foccacia. I chose the ham and cheese.


The entertainment on the flight was amazing. You were able to choose between a TON of blockbuster movies. I chose two movies: 'Pan's Labyrinth' (for Bryan) and 'Music & Lyrics' (for Alison). Both were good. Not anything fantastic, but good. After the movies I popped some Benadryl, put in some earplugs and closed my eyes. The rest of the flight was fairly quick. When I woke we were served a breakfast of eggs, tomato and hash browns.


About 2 hours later we landed in Auckland, New Zealand. What I saw of it was absolutely gorgeous.


After a three hour layover and a slight delay we boarded our 747 bound for Brisbane, Australia.


We were served lunch of a small chicken sandwich, ice cream and purified water. 3.5 hours later we were landing in Brisbane, Australia!!

First steps in Australia:


I got off the plane and had to go through customs. No queries regarding my computer, which was wonderful (I thought for sure there would be a fee). The only things were my wooden frames because they were wooden articles and had to be claimed and the food that I carried over (NutriGrain Bars and Hot Tamales). But everything was allowed through. Slight delay with my visa and passport, but was taken care of quite quickly. My luggage took FOREVER to come out of the plane. And by the time I had passed through my ride had apparently left!!!! Griffith was supposed to send a driver. But when I came out there was no one to be found. I ended up having to approach the Travel Coordinator of the airport to call up Griffith to send someone back out. Dennis finally made his way back and picked me up. An older gentleman that asked how Gov. Arnold was doing and how dear old George W. was doing. I smiled and noded and said that I don't keep up with politics. He proceeded to inform me how Australians drive on the left side of the road and what the Red, Yellow and Green colors of the lights mean. I let him know that we Americans have the same lighting system. He was trying to be nice, but failed. I did snap some pictures of downtown Brisbane as we flew by:


I'm staying in Nathan, a suburb of Brisbane about 15 minutes south. It's within the Toohey Forest, so there are a lot of trees surrounding the campus. Feels like camp. I haven't really been able to explore the campus. The past two days I have been hanging out in the Gold Coast with a friend of mine.... but that story will come tomorrow!

Today was better than yesterday, and yesterday was better than the day before. Slowly but surely I will figure this out and be good. God is good. He knows what He's doing. I was supposed to be here.

Thank you for your prayers. Please keep them coming.
Love you all!!!