DELAYED....

My adventure has been put on pause. I eagerly boarded the plane that was too take me to Fiji. Welcomed by the Fijian music playing and all the stewardesses exclaiming BULA, I found my way to my seat, stored my luggage appropriately under the seat in front of me and sat. AND SAT and continued sitting for a little over 3 hours, the plane not once taking off the ground. Apparently there had been technical difficulties with the plane, specifics were not given. While not-so-patiently waiting in seat H28, buckled-up and ready-to-go, I made a new friend (whose name I finally learned about 4 hours later- Elliot) with whom I enjoyed an interesting Fijian snack mix that I would not recommend anyone ever try unless you enjoy the taste of sawdust in your mouth, about 4 cups of orange juice that were pure goodness, a slightly less than frozen turkey sandwich, topped off with hot tea and a peanut butter brownie that didn't even remotely taste like peanut butter, but hey it had peanuts in it so that must be close enough. I also enjoyed an in-flight, no let me rephrase, a grounded movie that was static on all accounts. So far, Air Pacific does not have my vote. Round 2 tomorrow...

-me

2011: HAPPY NEW YEAR

Each year the new year rolls around and for most that means trying our hand at, yet again, another new years resolution. These resolutions can include the ever so popular "I am going to run everyday, well at least maybe every other" or my personal favorite, " I am going to attempt to get rid of these holiday cookies and mash potatoes that have managed to take up resident on my thighs and that area so affectionately referred to as 'love handles.' " The New Year brings the hope of new possibilities and change. For me, it included moving half - way around the world to Australia away from everything I know, love, and all that is comfortable.

Packing for this adventure was a feat in and of itself, but after packing, repacking, weighing, rearranging, and repeating this vicious cycle about 3xs, I managed to minimize my life into two bags at 50 lbs each, a carry on, and one extremely large purse. HEY, a girl shouldn't go anywhere without her purse. (I must confess I nervously walked up to the check-in at PDX airport, worried that my purse may have been considered less of a purse and more of an over-sized carry on bag.) But I am happy to say, I made it through! Hugs goodbye and it finally hits - this is it, I'm on my own.

Currently I sit in the Sacramento airport, awaiting to board my next plain that will take me to LAX. I volunteered to give my seat up on my scheduled flight to take this later one, and for my good deed I was awarded a $300 voucher + the cost of my flight $152 totaling $452 I can use on any Southwest flight within the USA in the next year. In other words the Lord has not only refunded me the cost of my one-way flight down to LAX but has also funded my return flight back from LAX next December which I have yet to purchase, with a bit left over to help my mom purchase her domestic flights for her potential visit to Australia. :)

I haven't even been gone 6 hours and I have already experienced God's provision and the opportunity to encourage a young girl on my last flight. I can't wait to see what the Lord does with the next 8750 hours left in the year 2011.

Until next time....

Gday' mate.

-me