Week 35: Time's Running Out

Hello, my forgotten friends. I would apologise for passing the task of blog writing off onto Karl if I didn't know you enjoyed his blogs more than mine:) Haha. You have me back again. Since I've last written, Karl and I have traveled through three states (equivalent to 18 US states) and spent thousands of dollars (equivalent to thousands of US dollars). We've had a fantastic time! I've decided that I really will miss Australia, even though I really miss home. Six weeks from today, we'll be on US soil.

So, in between our travels, I've been working my butt off to get my thesis done. Karl would argue that that's not possible b/c I didn't have a butt to start with, but I beg to differ. Tomorrow (or probably Friday) I will be submitting what I think will be my final draft to my supervisor. Hopefully, he'll return next week with only very, few minor changes, and I'll get three copies printed off and bound and turn the bad boy in. As much as I like Disney World, 16,000 words, six pages of bibliography, and one appendix later, I don't care to talk about it or its fans any more. PhD in media studies is not my next move. If you were wondering what our next move will be, you'll know when we know! While we're on the topic of the future, I'd like to warn everyone about a New Year's Eve/Homecoming party that Laura Page, Ali G, Ashley, and others are throwing for us. We're super excited, and everyone's invited! I hear there will even be a keg. Calm down, Dad. :)

So, in between traveling and writing, I've been working on that St. Jude fundraiser. I can't remember if I told you guys about it, but we scholars are hosting a benefit-dinner on November 7 (the night Erin and Marshall arrive) to raise $10,000 for a generator. We're holding a raffle, singing, and doing skits. It should be fabulous fun, and hopefully profitable. I will be performing for the first time in over 2 years, so it will be memorable if nothing else. I went to a joint meeting of Rotary clubs this evening to promote the event. Everything went well, and the question and answer session started. In my talk I had mentioned that I like to sing, so one Rotarian asked me to sing "My Old Kentucky Home" (state song). I hesitated for a moment, but started to sing after he began it. I was okay until the end: "I will sing once more for my old Ky home; my old Ky home far away." Well, I started crying and couldn't sing the last line. Homesick, anyone? Not me:) Is anybody surprised though? I usually cry during that song and the national anthem, so of course I'm going to cry when I'm on foreign soil. I was quite mortified nonetheless. Well, for my "efforts" a couple of Rotarians gave me money during the rest of the Q &A, a total of $80. After the evening was over, a Rotarian approached me and said that he would donate what money we didn't raise of the $10,000 up to $1000. Moral of the story: all a girl has to do is cry, and men will get nervous and give her money.

Well, I can't believe that our Australian adventure is ending. There will only be two more blogs after this one b/c was Erin and Marshall get here, we won't be wasting time in front of a computer screen. Perth and New Zealand are once in a lifetime opportunities. Once Karl and I get home, I'm sure we'll keep the blog thing going at least until we get settled and remember how to act American again. No worries, mate!

WORDS OF THE WEEK

On the way home today, I stopped at the milk bar to pick up some chook. When I got there, I realised that they don't sell chook, so I grabbed a slab of stubbies instead.

American English Translation:
On the way home today, I stopped at the convenience store to pick up some chicken. When I got there, I realizes that they don't sell chicken, so I grabbed a case of beer instead:)