I Fell Asleep In an Endless Black See and Woke Up With That Big Ol Sun a Chasin Me.

HELLO FROM COOGEE!!!!
Hooray im here!
everything is going really well and i'm safe and sound!
The apartement is really cute and its half a block from the ocean.. . . hellooo heaven.
In the early morning I can hear the waves crashing on the beach, its pure bliss.
The apartement is called Sunny Side how nice is that

Stoked to announce that after 2 hours in the country that I have a job! wahoo!! Its a place called Mellonhead and its natural juices and the likes. lots of fruit and vegitables and they seem like really nice laid back people. they warned me that they get busy. . . .like buuuusssssyyyy and I assured them that that was nothing im not used to ( after fridays in the summer at sconewitch. . . ) sooo!
tomorrow at 10am (* right now where I am its 12:10 lunch time on thursday) is my first shift. mucho excited!
Jill and Donald have herd back from places too - Job City!

Man coffee is complicated here. someone got frustrated with me when I said " oh just regular coffee is fine" lets put it this way - A double double = short white with sugar.
REGARDLESS - I am happily sipping a tasty tasty coffee with the first job of the house in a tank top in october. I can walk to work everyday on the Beach and I think about the people I love in my life everyday.
La vie Est Belle.

Oh baby flap those wings

This is the song thats on my mind right now if you care to giver a listen on Youtube,

the group is Passion Pit and the song is Little Secrets

It really makes me excited and it will be what I'm listening to while I stride threw the airport looking like a proud little blonde sherpa. ^__^

Weeeelllllll this is it folks!

So long Ottawa and Hellllooooo Australia . . . well in a day or two. . . yes two. womp womp.

BUT! - I think i'm ready for the plane, I've packed my life into MPG and she is looking great, i've got my canadian flags sewn on to everything, I have a killer carry on bag ready including brain puzzles (*Thanks Mike and Helen >

Theirs only two last untied strings - the overwhelming knot in my throat of leaving my family, friends and love here and going far (*or in some cases farthER) away.

the second is not picking up sour dinos at bulk barn. . . rookie mistake.

Lucky for me that love travels and is in the hearts of everyone I leave. I know ill be back and then just think of the love in that room . . . love overload! LOVERLOAD!

I like the sounds of that

Happy Birthday Momma, your last birdie is flyin the coop!

Tootle -Ooo everyone! take care of yourselves and those around you! Be good, Be safe!

And now, I throw myself to the Wind. . .

I wouldn't be who I am without you

And most of the time I don't know who 'you' are.

I feel very lucky in my life to ( threw some twist of fate) have met some truly wonderful people and in some cases; not meet them at all.

Last Friday I was waiting at 5 am in the Ottawa airport for a flight to Detroit and from there a connecting flight to LA for the weekend.

As I slowly snaked through the security line, took off my boots, got felt up briskly but briefly and continued down the escalator to every Canadian travelers next destination - Tim Hortons, My only thoughts were

Ahhhhh CAmmmooNNN this line up is BS!

BUT - the call for a large green tea with nothing it was stronger than I was. So I waited.

I anxiously looked at the clock, and back at the line. then back at the clock until FINALLY it was my turn. Katie May's time to shine.

approx. T minus 1 minute to tea and bliss and a sleepy flight.

" Attention all passengers - Paging Passenger . . . "

. . . dear god no. . . it couldn't possibly be . . .

"Kathleen . . . "

OHHHHH * selection of various curse words* !!?@$!#

And with this (and without ordering ) I booked it in my Vintage red leather pointy toed boots

( Before you start - I know. they don't exactly scream "sensible traveller" but Common, they are vintage! red leather! cowgirl-esque! with a little heel to them! I had to. I stand by my decision. and they are Fabulous.)

I get close to the gate I need to be at and doing the classic - Im in heels, small, fast steps around a corner run

Think of an E-brake turn in a car but the car is me. (I'd be a Yaris in case your wondering. probably red . . .anyways)

The young guy at the gate says

Yeah your flight is boarded and just waiting for you to take off.

*Blink Blink* . . . oh god. . . oh no . . . ohhh friiiggg. . .

Get running, through those doors.

So i book it. I get into a long hall way and ^Cue dramatic black out^ I have three doors in front of me. and Nobody around.

All three take me in different directions meaning that a slip up would result in A) missing the flight or B) making a plane full of strangers hate me more than they might right now.

I looked out the window and funny enough the WHOLE ground crew are standing their staring at me motioning for me to come down.

So again I start the high heel E-braking around corners ramp decent into the bitter morning air to climb up the stairs and slip into my seat and the plane CLEARLY last and mumbling " sorry " s and quiet awkward smiles and little laughs between blushing and bumbling.

Flustered, I sit down and put my seat belt on not wanting to look at anyone. . .

*Ugh . . . I'm THAT guy*

you all know the one. That one person in a situation where you look at them and think

"pppfffttt the nerve" or " Really buddy? common. have some sense I cant believe you . . . "

or other less polite thoughts. . . .

About 30 seconds after, the same young guy who paged me on the intercom pops his head into the plane and spots me, comes over and puts a coffee in my hands.

" The ladies behind you in line at Tim Hortons saw you running and they bought you this - Have a good flight"

and left.

Totally dumbfounded I sat in my seat bewildered and in awe of what just happened. Silent tears started running down my cheeks and I clutched the coffee like the treasure it was.

Thank you Ladies. whoever you are and wherever you are. I will never never forget you.

I think it's always funny the people you meet and the places you go.

The flight from Detroit to LA was delayed by a good couple hours and in then I met a lovely gentlemen Named Bob who was destined to Hawaii to celebrate his 40th anniversary with his wife. Its so refreshing in a world like ours to hear that true love still lives. Congrats to you my friend Bob I hope it was just as beautiful as the years with your wife have been and many many more.

I couldn't have asked for a better seat mate on the way to LA than Paul. For four or five hours this wonderful man became my instant friend and I can safely say that that flight was in my top 5 favorite flights of all time. the whole time was filled with stimulating conversation, discussion, the best snack the plane had to offer ( ugh thank you again Paul, your such a gem) and stories. my god the best stories about everything and nothing, some important and some (*mostly mine) senseless rambling. Thank you for the advice and the insight, it is very much appreciated. I truly hope that at some time in my life that our paths cross again.

People like Paul, and Bob and those ladies certainly don't come along everyday and Im so so lucky to have met them. Thank you world.

As I still here slurping my tea, I get ready for bed knowing and thankful that I'm a lucky lucky girl.

Next time your going threw a drive threw - kindly ask the person working what the car behind you had. if it doesn't put you out too much, pay for them.

It the nicest thing you can do and i've been trying to consciously do it for years. its just some spare change for us and you've totally made someone else's day. you never have to see them or talk to them you just drive away know you've done your good deed for the day.

Spread the love. it isn't hard and trust me. It means the world to the receiver.

Victory

Taken by richard hope of hope photography just this morning. 14 days and counting . . .

Hellloooo Sconewitch

Oh blerk.

I'm starting to see things at work with a longer expiry date than I have.
Holy sweet mother this is really happening.
I have three weekends left on this continent. One - party weekend. Two - Weekend in LA. Three - weekend with the family. Ohhhhh booyyyy. . . .
Im starting to realise now how little to absolutely no money I have. . . too many things that I definately didn't take into account and am now starting to reeeeaaalllly freak out about.
Being in my early twenties I've started the whole " If i just ignore it maybe it will go away. . . * squeeze eyes shut and plug my ears* "
not so.
sooooo if anyone out there feels like making me a millionaire I wont say no. there. just putting it out there.

On the plus side! I have started to pack! my 80 lt bag now contains every bathing suit I own, my flip flops and some summer dresses. heeeellllooooooo professionalism.
Oh mercy the next few weeks are going to be mayhem.
just need to focus and keep it all together. . . that should be easy. . . like nailing Jello to a tree. . .

RESOLVE - This week I WILL be productive if it kills me.

Every Birdies Gotta Fly

Well we're getting closer, everyday, every week . . .

I was at work today and I asked Meghanwitch " If I was a bird, what kind of bird would I be?"

She thought about it for a little while, smiled and said " Mmmm. . . you my dear, would be a Goldfinch." And went back to sorting lettuce. Beautiful people those witches are. I'm trying to remember the address of where I can send them things from my adventures in my head just incase I cant find my book or something.

I just re-read that and I sound like a nut job. Oh father you must be so proud of your little girls writing n'est pas? What I truly meant was - should I loose my address book I'd like to be able to still send them things. there.

I took Mon Petit Grenouille (MPG) out for the first test run with great success! I took it ( I haven't decided if its a boy or girl yet) to work with me and then after work carried it to the grocery store with Alexwitch and Filled the whole 80 ltrs! it was crazy! packed to the tits! ( does that make it a girl? . .. Is it bad to say "tits" on a blog?? . . . flip sorry mum)

But im takin full like whole case of Ginger Ale in it too! I took a picture and ill try to post it, another blog first.

But speaking of FTTT ( full to the . . . well you know) Sona called me last night and we talked about packing and all that jazz and in true older sister style she said

Katie, you DO know how to pack right?

Um. . .well yeah. . .sort of. . .

Oh kate *laughs* Okay, put everything you want to take with you. Put it on your bed. Now cut it in half.

Unhuh . . .

Now Cut that in half.

yikes.

Yeah. Now put that in your bag. Three days later, take it all out again . . .

no. . .

and put it on your bed. . .

NooOOooOOOooOO.

and Cut THAT in half.

o_O thats a little drastic isn't it. . . (* thats my wide eyes and mild stroke or cardiac arrest face)

Trust me. When I was backpacking in China I was pissed about having a bag on my back and a small one in front of me too. Its a lot easier to get things while your down there than try and get ride of things once your there.

Touche sister, your wise.

Thinking of things that i'm not sure if i want to bring like a black and silver pin stripe apron for serving just incase kind of thing. . . or a black dress serving shirt. . . things that could be useful but if not used serve absolutely no purpose. . . hmmm lets try this picture thing.

Mon Petit Grenouille! (HOkai Lets try this Hagain)

Okay - Bread in the Oven? Check. Inspiration? Check. *5 minute pause* Determination? check.

Wow, okay lesson about blogging number 1 - Don't wait so long between writing! - rookie mistake

As soon as something cool happens write it down right away or else all the amazing things that happen

will all build up and you'll think

" Jeez Louise, you know I really should have blogged about all these cool things".

"Voila! " said my dad in best french accent " Mon Petit Grenouille!"

We were standing in the MEC backpack section and I was trying on the most crucial part of a backpackers journey-

A Backpackers backpack.

The nice lady working helped me pick out a few bags and and I tried a couple on before narrowing it to two. She filled them

both with weighted bags and I walked around the store to get the full experience of a loaded bag. . . well as close as i've come so far anyways.

I knew as soon as I put her on. . . with the weights. The Gregory Deva 85. 80 liters of room, great metal frame inside and enough pulls and strings

to make my dad say "huh . . . well would you look at that. . . "

Im really happy with this bag and for the first time Im beginning to

understand what a turtle must feel like having their entire homes on their backs!

So in honor of my dear papa; I have decidedly called my bag " Mon Petit Grenouille "

And yes, I have already sewn a Canadian flag on her. Number two coming soon ^_^

Im really lucky to meet alot of cool people at work. These past few weeks i've met some people who i'd like to thanks.

You know who you are.

Thank you for inspiring me. Your confidence in me ( A Morning Coffee Girl or in some cases basically a stranger ) has really renewed my faith

that their are nice people in our world.

I think its so lucky when people meet and share a brief moment that makes you feel genuinely happy and glad to have made such

a connection with someone you don't know.

I really look forward to sharing this blog with you too!!! maybe ill be making coffee down under? . . . Scooonnes . . .

UGH I'm going to miss my witches. I can't think about that right now cause . . . well because. . . I don't know but I refuse to

think about that sad thought right now.

BUT I have decided to comb threw some of my favorite cook books and write down some choice recipes to be taking vish me.

Ill write them in my Red book and be sure to take staples like bread and soups and mums chocolate cake. . .

staples people staples.

Very looking forward to this new adventure. So soon and so far! work work work. everyday. BUT its worth it!

OH ho ho!!!! there IS a light at the end of this tunnel! and I, sirs and madams Can see it! almost! ... okay in October. . .

BUT STILL!

That is correct.

Second most crucial part to a backpackers journey -

Rights of Passage

Work and travel Visa? Check

Passport? Check

Ticket? Check. October 2010 Australia. woah. ( ) *_______ * ( ) <- Thats me making a puffy face cause im

Nervous and excited and don't believe it. see it? i'm puffing my cheeks out? kinda?

Ohkay. I think thats all I have to say right now. . .

K