Alright, Already! I get it. I have neglected my blog.

I gave someone the web address to my blog last week, to find out more about me. I spoke this exact sentence to another friend who replied "Really, you haven't updated it in years".

Yikes...She's right.

It's not like I have been in Cleveland this entire time. It's just that my energy has been directed else where. I have spent the better part of the last12-18 months like this...

This is what I typically look like staring at the computer screen everyday at work, home, or school.

Yes, I am still in school. Yes, this is it! Yes, I am working on my doctorate.

I finished all my doctoral coursework in May 2011. In June of 2011 I took my written and oral comprehensive exams. Since that time I have been working towards the completion of my dissertation, which I hope to have completed before October 2012. As if that's not enough, shortly after finishing, I will be leaving for Europe for 4 weeks to complete my Marshall Memorial Fellowship. So, by all accounts this will be an exciting year. And, perhaps by the time it is done, I will look more like this...

That's the goal, right! Work hard, play hard, be happy.

So, bear with me. I will post again later, giving you an update of my recent travels.

Off to the DR soon for sun, sand, and warm weather.

Love to all - K

Sights of Sydney

A brief glimpse at some of the things we have done in Sydney...

At Bondi Beach looking and getting ready to do something absolutely crazy!

I did it. She chickened out!

Walking the Circular Quay (pronounced key) at night.

These are the sights of the Harbor Bridge and the city skyline.

More of the SOH (Sydney Opera House).

Beautiful! Lots of performances. Lots of stairs!

There is so much to see and do here. I can't wait to come back!

Figaro!

I am not sure where I first learned and became curious about opera or various forms of music in general. My guess is "Pretty Woman" or the "Cosby Show". Regardless, I grew-up taking private lessons from the age of 5 until 18. Was I some musical genius, no. A more than average player of piano and flute, yes. So, in coming to Sydney one of the "have to's" was the Sydney Opera House, a world renowned arts and theatre complex that is far more than opera.

We took in a concert, the Barefoot Fiddler, a violinist from Vienna who played Haydn and Vivaldi (two of my favorite composers). She literally played barefooted and stomped the majority of the performance. Following the performance, we took a guided tour at sunset and learned the history of a building that took nearly 15 years to build. I must admit that the Opera house is stunning from all angles and even more impressive up front. There are 5 performing venues within the hall and we were able to see 3 of them (but no pictures) during the tour. We climbed nearly 200 stairs in the process of completing the tour.

Only a few days left and still so much to do. More to come. Thanks for reading. I am getting emails from a few people that say they are having problems posting. You can post anonymously and leave your name at the end of your comment. Otherwise, I will look into the problem when I return.

The waters of Sydney, Australia

I love water and everything about it -- the look, the feel, and sound of it. As a port city, so much of Sydney focuses on water. We are staying at the Marriot in Sydney Harbor and upon check-in learned that we could get upgraded to a harbor view... lovin' it! Day one, we boarded a bus and took off around the city loop of Sydney consisting of 40 of the city's most popular sights. But, my favorite part of the trip began with day two, which was all about water. We boarded the suburban loop and headed out to Bondi beach, Darjling Harbor, and the Aquarium.

It's winter here. The temperature ranges from 45-65 degrees daily, there is always a breeze, and it is always sunny. People are wearing everything from jackets, scarves, and gloves to shorts and a t-shirt. I have really been confused by this! Clearly going to the beach during this weather is a stretch, but I am sure you also know that I am not a big fan of rules. How many times will I have the opportunity to go into the Tasmanian Sea? Well, there's no time like the present. So, off I went with my winter coat, scarf, and sandals.....nearly knee deep into the water. I am still trying to warm up, but wouldn't change a thing!

Next the world famous aquarium, which included a large focus on sharks and dispelling the myths that they are dangerous to people. I think we all know that despite a few casualties, we are largely more dangerous to them. We walked for hours in the aquarium. We moved from exhibit to exhibit, down long tunnels, into feeding tanks, nurseries, and nearly a mile of underwater tunnels.

Overall, it was a long but really enjoyable day. And yes, this journey ended like the last. I had fish for dinner.

NOTE: Sorry for the delay. I have been having some trouble uploading pictures. I hope to be posting pictures again soon.

Hello Sydney!

I always wanted to come here but never knew if I would. I am sitting in my room looking out my window at the Sydney Opera house. We arrived today and did the requisite tour around the city. This has been a long trip, not easily travelled, but well worth it for nothing more than this view. If you look closely you will see the harbour lit in the lower left corner of the picture. I have arranged a tour and will be going to a concert in two days. This has been a dream of mine since childhood and stems from my love of music and training growing up. For now, off to bed. Trips to the Bondi Beaches, Barrier Reef, and Aquarium tomorrow.

I'm in love with a shearer...

If you haven't heard the T-Pain song then I don't think you'll understand. Now, I hate the T-Pain song, it's just stupid. But it has a catchy beat and the concept of being infatuated with someone because of the work that they do "could" have some merit. However, the job in question is important and in T-Pain's version....we'll just say...really, if that's all you could get excited about then you need to seriously ther might be an issue!

Anyways, I digress... back to the concept. So, the shearer...

The shearer in New Zealand is the equivalent of the cowboy in the US. This is a labor intensive job, that requires a great deal of skill and the shearing of at least 350 sheep per day. Wow, right? I can't think of anything that I do 350 times a day other than breathe. Shearing involves removing the coat of wool on a lamb. There are 3 lamb for every one person in New Zealand. There is also the hearding of sheep and other work related to the ongoing maintenance and production of the farm for which this person is responsible. All in all I would say it's fairly demanding.




This love affair came about during my visit to a local New Zealand farm. New Zealand is rich with farm land (most of it man made) and is considered a top farming and agricultural producing country. We visited the farm, saw some of the most interesting animals (which I fed and stood amongst). I was shoulder to shoulder with a lama and was almost knocked down by two sheep running across a hitch.... still not sure how I feel about that. I witnessed the "cycle of lamb and wool" from the baby lamb to the lamb chop I had for dinner later that evening. I went into a store called the Wool Barn that was full of different types of wool and yarn from the floor to the ceiling (something I felt unprepared for and needed to channel my inner Jean Frank). I also saw an award winning hearding dog that was fierce (my mom wants one for her school...).

But, back to the love affair...... hardworking, handsome, and humorous. A great combination!

A picture of my dinner later that evening in honor of the shearer. And before everyone says "aww.....not the little lamb", I would like to remind you of all the hefers, chicken, and other animals you've likely eaten in your day. As my friend Paris says, "it was mmm, mmm good".

Kiwi: A fruit, a bird, and the wonderful people of New Zealand

This is a country of warm, friendly, beautiful people. It is so interesting to travel to a place where the history of a people is so much an obvious part of the present and in such a positive way. The Maori people, indigienous to New Zealand, are of a polynesian background. Kiwi's (as New Zealanders are commonly called), are a mixed society of Maori, European immigrants, and an increasing Asian population.

On a day trip to Rotorua and Waitomo we visited Te Puia, a former Maoiri village and cultural center frequented by visitors. We began with a welcoming ceremony where a male member of our group (brother George from South Carolina -- you know everywhere I go I must find my people) was welcomed by the chief of the Maori tribe. We then watched a traditional welcoming ceremony and dance.

Rotorua is situated on a volcano and several fault lines with frquent tremors. The volcano is dormant (really...?) but the mud pools, hot rocks, and geysers serve as "presure points" relieving the build up that could potentially cause the area to be active again. The region is known for it's homepathic therapies and geothermal treatments -- mud and water. Driving to the location the aroma was present nearly 5 miles away. The strong smell of sulfur and the low steam of geysers were obvious. The pictures below show the mudpools and geysers that are used at the facilities nearby. The pictures are great but don't do it justice. We stayed, breathed, sat, and enjoyed overselves for over and hour trying to "be healed". My mother even did her pilates moves on the hot rocks in honor of Pam! I was just trying to heal my right hip which has been aching since I arrived.

It was amazing. There are very few things this unique and it is one of the memories that I will cherish most.

So...you know we bought some mud. And, some water products from the geyser. We hope that the healing will continue but more specifically just want to have a special memory of something that we are unlikely to see again. My hip hasn't hurt since....