Sailing in the Harbor

Before Christmas the media team went on a holiday outting, we sailed around the Harbor. And when I say we sailed I mean we actually had to crew the boat...did all the "tacing"....it took us a while to figure out where to sit and how to duck jump and roll when someone suddenly yells TACING!!

Jodie and me below - getting ready to set sail.

Captaining the boat is harder than it looks!

The Crew

Wild Oats is one of the best sailing teams - the boat was huge and they didnt bat an eye with running us over...it was move or be moved.

Opera House and Sydney Bridge, what a lovely backdrop

The boys went for a dip, a bit cold for me yet...

Pics of the Opera House never get old

Below is the Prime Minsters House - the white house of Australia. And a large cruise boat barely made it under the bridge...it was fun to sail so close to the vessel.

We sailed under the Bridge..very cool.

Kristen, Jodie, Kai and I stopped in for some sake tasting the night before vacation....we all hit a company happy hour, this was a nice night...i was done working and heading home...oh how I wish I would rewind time :)

More pics from the trip home...

Fados in Seattle!! Glad some people were around for a few drinks.

I was so excited for a good Mac and Jack....along with other local beers. So good to order beer and know what to expect :)

Matthew, Rose, me, Sung and Cathy

Visiting family at Grandmas...Kylee and I did some cheering leading, isnt she cute in the Seahawks cheerleader uniform! We also played with playdoo - that old school head that grows hair (brought me back) but she wasnt happy w/ me as I kept shaving the hair before she was done cutting :)

Brody is such a doll!

Mom washing Chewy - RIP...she passed away a day after I returned. She was over 20 year olds, blind, no teeth...we've had her since I was in the 4th grade so it is hard for us but she lived a good long life!

Fresca - Cooners daughter




Below is a cat that just showed up at the door - we feed him and I named him Belvadere.... my brother and mel adopted him after I left :)

Buckie and I played some Frisbee

Merry Christmas <)):o})

After I got in on Friday afternoon Seattle time, visited with my brother at his house and crashed at my parents for a nice looong sleep, catching up from my sleepless travel.

My bro and Mel came over Saturday and we decorated for Xmas.



Gave my parents the Kangaroos Xmas decorations...

Cooners!!

Went for our traditional drive through Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park. One of the first scene was a Hummingbird with a sign reading "In the honor of the greatest wife, mother, grandmothers, and friend..." This is something my family and I have made symbolic of my Nannie who we lost a few years ago...it was a nice sign from her :)

"Christmas Morning" - since my brother has to work xmas night we celebrate Christmas on Sunday.

Below is my mom getting her big gift - Dyson Vacuum cleaner...she loves vacuuming so it was a perfect gift...one for xmas, mothers day, and bday since I will not be there this next year.

Xmas morning - it snowed!! A few flakes...

Marnie and Brodie!! I got to meet Brodie - he is so precious!

Grams and I on the left. It was very hard not to have grandpa with us, no one really talk about it but we felt the loss

Kylee below opening gifts - so big now!

Dinner and dessert was so yummy - good to have home cook meals!

We all couldnt get enough of Brodie - Amber put him in the cutest full suit and tie...

Mom and me!! miss you already :)

Aunt Shanda and Dad

Did a White Elephant Gift exchange and played some games...

Group cousin photo

Happy New Years - Cheers to 2008

News Years was low key at Josh and Fawna's - with my brother and his wife Melissa. Played games, danced, and did waaay too many beer bongs!

I love my bro!! I am so proud of him - he became a Pierce County Sheriff while I was away... its scary that he is a cop but he is happy and loves it!

Morning News Headline: Girls Drowns in Beer from beer bonging on New Years

Lets just say by the 5, 6 and 7th one I had it down!

Party favors!! Trampoline jumping at 1am - nothing like a "good...hard laugh" tee hee.

Back in Oz

I flew back on Friday Jan 4 - loooong flight (24 hours each way from take off to landing). It was a bumpy trip back. I had a wonderful trip home. It was very exciting but nerve racking to make that trip again by myself...but I was stoked to be away from work!! not to think about online advertising for a few days was so nice and a much needed break from banners.

It was an adventurous flight - the couple next to me thought they were in a hotel room or something...annoying. I had a 5 hour layover in LA in which I met a nice guy from Seattle - got some drinks in before the next leg :) I did not sleep much so pretty much in a daze but in total vacation mode. I slept the whole flight to Seattle....ran off the plane to see my folks! So happy to see them!!

Hard to adjust to the time - didnt sleep too well during the trip, but did plenty of relaxing, hanging with family..so good to be home. It felt like I never left. My cat (Cooners) did not want anything to do with me, I thought she would see me and run to me in sheer joy...she looked at me, hissed and ran....it took several days for her to get over her anger, it was so hard to leave her again!!

It was nice to drive Ollie!! I thought I would get confused with which side of the rode to drive on but not yet....so Ollie got sick and broke down on my only trip to Seattle. Yep - good times. I went back into the office so weird but good at the same time. I def dont miss going there everyday....so quiet and just been there done that... Got to see some co workers, friends, hit Fados for Drinks...I do wish I could have spent more time with everyone!! It just goes so fast! Well everyone will just have to come visit down under...hint hint Rose, Andrea, Kim, Cathy, Matthew, Jackie, Emily, etc etc...

I did TONS of shopping, played some heated BINGO with mom...love it! My Best Friend was able to Fly in from Texas - I miss you Jackie!! We decided after this chapter of my life we must figure out a way to live in the same state...

It was good to get the sense of familiarity and see everything again. However, it was almost too soon I think....it was hard to leave again and coming back was hard....roller coaster of emotions, adjusting and getting back to the stress of work. Its all good now as I am planning on so many fun things soon; jazz festival this weekend, zoo on Friday, snorkeling on Sunday, etc.

Well to end the trip I have to tell the latest luggage saga... got home late Friday and crashed. When unpacking on Saturday I noticed a notification in my Luggage being searched randomly before going on the plane....not surprised I always get the random checks....but later in the day I went to find my Coach Purse which I packed in the suitcase (Empty) because I got a new one...dumb me to think my suitcase is safe and the contents will come back to me as I packed them. Nope - gone. I have been dealing with logging complaints and the formally request for investigations. It is just BS to have to go through this - I feel violated with no freaking rights... URGH. any who - hopefully after their 6 month "investigation" I will be reimbursed...i just want that bag...URGH.

Posting pics from my trip next :)