Muffy Toe

Hi Everyone! I'm sitting in a little pizza/coffee/internet cafe in Cairns right outside my hostel. I wish I could writ hours and hours to each of you because I have so much to say but unfortunantly only 30 minutes online. I'll finally get to my apartment in Sydney tomorrow evening so you can expect more regular updates in the coming week. Thanks to Mom for keeping everyone updated. Reading y'alls comments made me smile and laugh outloud. I lvoe you all.

The flight over wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. I was able to sleep and it went by so quickly. The people here are soooo friendly, sarcastic, funny, and laid back. Everything is very green.

Some quick highlights taken from my journal:

-Serious, old-looking man in Houston airport wearing yellow SpongeBob cap and old man in Dallas airport train wearing purple velven top hat.
-after each meal on the plane the flight attendants walk down the aisles saying "cup 'o tea?" (Amy, it was straight out of My Fair Lady!) You put your little mug on this little paddle, they pour it and then you lift it back off. The flight attendant seemed plesently surprised that a young American wanted some hot tea.
-Customs lady says, "Ohhhhh, you're a Texas girl!"
-Everything is on the left, not just driving. I have to remember to walk down the sidewalk and the staircases on the left also.
-Two hour boat ride to the reef was fun. Scuba diving was awesome, just the experience of it. The guys were so nice and hilarious. I was scared and had to force myself to do it but I am so glad that I did. Everyone should try it at least once.
-Millions of non-poisonous jelly-fish around the boat. They were clear with 4 little purple cirlcles on their backs- very beautiful actually.
-Aussies love opposites and sarcasm and one of my leaders said that she doesn't know a single redhead here who hasn't been nicknamed "Blue-y." Something to look forward to I guess...
-Food here is good, but I didn't know they ate so much curry. I thought it was only India, but curry is a huge Aussie food.
-Today I threw a boomerang. I was going to throw a spear too but ran out of time. (We visited an Aboriganee cultural center.
-Also, I fed and cuddled with kangaroos and held a little koala bear! The zoos here are gorgeous- so green and lush! And they are more like adult petting zoos.
-I didn't know it was going to be so hot here. It is extremely hot and we are constantly sweaty.
-Tomorrow I get to Sydney and I am so excited! Pray about who my roommates will be- there are so many kids here just to party. I've met one girl, Erika, who I love and we have a lot in common. We will at least be in the same complex so that's good.

That's it for now. I will be more detailed in my emails and phone calls with each of you once I get a little more settled. I'm off now to go and relax by the city "Lagoon". There is no beach here by the dock so the city built a public pool/fountain/park/picnic spot - very cute. I will post pictures as soon as possible.

I can't finish my first post without saying thanks to Mom and Daddy for letting me have this experience and for seeing that it will be good for me, not just fun. And to Dad Ford for his work ethic and for valuing his children's and grandchildren's education. If there is one person I know who has had an easy and blessed life and does not deserve this beautiful adventure, it is me. May God give me the grace to use this time for His glory.

Love to you all,
Mich