With the Boses in NYC

While in NYC on our trip we were luck enough to catch up Andy Bose, his wife Kristen, and their new son Ajay. They are all doing well and living happily in Chelsea.  

With the Kastelle's at their church

Here we are at the church where Rod and Arlene are members - we are here with their pastor Rev. Angela. Rod made many of the wooden items in the church, including these crosses in the background. 

More of Rod's woodworking

Rod also made this communion rail. It is neat because the holes are precisely cut to fit the glasses that hold the communion wine. 

Deception Pass, near Seattle

One afternoon while in Seattle Ken and Monique took me up to see Whidbey Island, which is north of Seattle. We stopped at Deception Pass, which was lovely. 

Mount Rainier

Although you usually associate Seattle with mountains and pine forests (this is Mount Rainier)... 

Mexican Dinner

For our dinner one night we decided to go south of the border at this great Mexican restaurant near Monique and Ken's home. 

Margaritas for Two

Monique and I stuck with the tried and true margarita - yum! 

Lunch at Pike Place Markets

When we were in Seattle we went to the famous Pike Place Markets on the harbor. There we ate at a great South American restaurant, where Tim had "Inca Cola." (He said it tasted weird...) 

Friends seen in Seattle #1

Trying to post the last of the photos from our trip to the States this week. Here we are with our friend Dave outside Tim's parents' house. 

Friends seen in Seattle #2

Here we are with our friends Ken and Monique, also in the Kastelle's front yard. From certain angles you really feel like you're in the middle of a forest when you're at their house... 

Gold Coast Markets

While on the Gold Coast we went to the markets, as we usually do. You can pick up great arts and crafts at a very reasonable price... 

A Weekend Away

On the weekend we went down to the Gold Coast to stay at the Sun City Outrigger Resort. It was a really nice hotel (even though the swipe cards to get in and out of the rooms worked only intermittently). It was in a great location in Surfer's Paradise. 

Ekka Day in Brisbane!

Today was a public holiday in Brisbane because of the Royal Queensland Show - commonly called "the Ekka" (from "Exhibition"). The Exhibition grew from the formation of the National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland in 1875. The Show is a regular event in towns and cities across Australia. Similar shows, called "Field Days" in New Zealand, were fun to go to because of all the interesting farm animals and things on display. Here in Brisbane their are also races on during the Ekka, and women take the opportunity to dress in fancy hats.  

Newton as Foot-Warmer

This evening Newton has been trying to be helpful while I have the flu by acting as a foot-warmer.... 

JERKY

Well, today my worst nightmare happened. Being really ill with flu, but still needing to come in and lecture today, I downloaded the wrong lecture to my Palm Pilot, walked all the way acrross campus to the lecture theater, discovered my mistake, and had to RUN back to the department to download the right lecture onto said Palm, then RUN all the way back (was only an hour lecture). JERKY JERKY JERKY  

Recent trip a diner extravaganza!

One thing that was great about going to the States was how many diners we got to eat in. Here my Mom and I are in her "local" having consumed amazing French toast and maple syrup - yum! 

Never eat food bigger than your head...

Here I am in NYC eating pastrami as big as my head at the Stage Door Deli opposite Madison Square Garden. 

The traditional "truckers breakfast"

Here is my breakfast at the Waffle House diner in Charlotte - a three egg omelette, toast, cheesy hashbrowns, grits with cheese and sausages - a modest start to the day... 

International House of Pancakes

Here I am at the IHOP (International House of Pancakes) and am loving their new special - eggs, sausages, and, instead of pancakes on the side, FUNNEL CAKE with BLUEBERRY SAUCE (more yum....) 

Getting Michael started early

All I can say, Michael, is you can never have too much IHOP... 

More photos from our recent trip to the States

Am home sick today, and decided to trawl through more photos from our recent trip to the States. Here we see the usual suspects of (L-R): Kenny, Nancy and Robert. 

A home-cooked meal was very welcome!

Aunt Betty made us a great warm feast when we finally got to Newark. The cookies from the bakery were especially nice! We spent some time discussing Australian Slang, like saying "hundreds and thousands" where we in the US say "jimmies" or "sprinkles." Wish I had some of those cookies now! 

Frankie the Supermodel!

Uncle Frankie modeled the new scarf I knitted for my Mom's 70th birthday - I don't think he gets up for less than $10,000 a day.... 

Retreat at St. Lucia Golf Club

This Friday was at an all-day retreat at work for the Clinical Program staff. Luckily it was at the St. Lucia Golf Club, always a nice place to spend a day (even such a LONG day...).... 

A "birdy" course...

The course itself is very pretty - Tim plays on it a lot. There are lots of birds on the course - the cockatoos like to perch on the flags...