Back on it....

Ok so after 3 monthes of being home I finally can get back at this.....wow has the summer ever flown by! I still cannot believe I have been home for this long. It has been quite the adjustment coming back to Canada and going back to the "normal" life. No more sitting on the beach, suntanning, and just relaxing everyday. And the change of scenery is so dramatic I can't even explain it. The hardest part has probably been how much I miss my friends over there...! But things are getting better and we head off to edmonton in only 8 more days. Tandri just found out he got accepted into "Professional Golf Management" at Grant McEwan in Edmonton so he is really excited for that. So looks like we will be living in Edmonton for a while now! Im getting excited to start school, get to know my classmates and profs and just to live in a new place. Now we can go to hockey games whenever we want! And now that we are in edmonton we can go to Yellowknife! haha. So my summer hasnt been to exciting up until last week when we headed down to Idaho to visit family. After the long two day drive we finally made it and had so much fun! We spent the first day at a waterpark/amusement park and was there all day. The second day we got to go shopping and spend wayyyyy to much money! And then the last day we got to go boating and just be around each other. Family means so much to me and I love being able to just "hang out." Though we were sad that everyone wasnt able to be there....we know for sure we are going to meet there again! Other then that I have been working out at the dauphin lake golf course basically everyday but I love it out there...plus I get to golf for free whenever I have spare time, but thats not too often! Last night we had this HUGE hail storm that wrecked like every car's windows, house windows and anything that was even left outside! So we have a lot of mess to clean up and have no vehicle for a long time. The line up to autopac was all the way through town up to the highway. So off to do some cleaning.......

7 hours and counting.....!

Right now we are sitting in Minneapolis, Minnesota waiting to come home!! Only 7 more hours and we will be in the Winnipeg Airport. Aahh thats so exciting and scary and sad all at the same time. It was so wierd leaving australia this time because we knew we were leaving for good. How do say good-bye to people you will most likely never see again? I havent figured that out yet...its hard to say and express to them how much they mean to you while your trying to say good bye, I probably wont see you again! I know there are a lot of people who I haven't expressed how much they have meant to me and you just kinda "oh i'll let them know later". So when your put on the spot to say everything you want to to these people its pretty hard. At least harder then I expected. We met so many cool people and some of them have become really good friends of ours. The girls I worked with became my "family" there and were part of every single day for the last five monthes of my life. So...... it was an emotional good bye. The last week we had so much fun with our friends and just making sure we took everything in. The picture at the top is of us at the Hard Rock Cafe where we ate the last few days! The plane rides so far have been sooooo long. Ughh it is so horrible being so close to people on a plane for 10.5 hours straight. LAX is so incredibly big it took us 3 hours to get through immigration, customs and our connecting flight line. But we made it here and now we just have a 1.5 hour flight back home. So we have a few hours until our flight leaves so we are going to go see a quick view of the Mall of America and then head off to wait in more line ups at the airport. So I made this thing to keep family and friends up to date with how Australia has been but Ive gotten to enjoy writing about all our adventures so I might have to keep writing these even though Im back in Canada. I was so surprised to hear how many people actually read this! So thanks to all you guys for your comments and emails..they really meant so much! And hopefully we will see you all this week! hehe! CANADA here we come....

Tandri and Brittni

Back in Surfers

We made it home! These long plane rides are so much worse then taking a bunch of short ones. Our plane was so cool though, it had hot pink, yellow, and purple chairs. They had movies that were still in theatres, ones that were brand new and old ones too. They also had tv sitcoms you could watch, and the best....super mario brothers. Yep, they had nintendo. We pretty much beat every level. So that made the time pass by quicker then usual. We had a 6 hour layover in Bangkok and so we were pretty worried about what we were going to do the whole time. Remember when I wrote earlier about how cheap massages were...hehe So we spent 2 hours in the spa at the airport. It was so awesome. We got massages, manicures, and pedicures. Then before we knew it we were boarding another flight. We had a good last couple of days in Phuket, basically just relaxing. We both got a good sun burn, and plenty of time in the pool. It was so hot sometimes that we couldn't even sit outside. It was their rainy season so it also did a fair bit of raining. Finished off our shopping...ahh they are just so so persistant. Its funny at the start but after 10 days it gets pretty annoying. You walk down the street and get asked every block for a massage, if you want a suit made, some dvd's or a tuk tuk. What is a tuk tuk....here is a picture of one. They are these vehicles that look like a tiny semi and you ride in the back, like a taxi but they are cheaper. We found a really really good mexican restaurant that we ended up going to quite a bit of times. We got just a little sick of eating rice, noodles, and chicken everyday so it was a good break. So it was so good to get off the plane and know we were back here. It has really become home for us. Its so wierd to think exactly one week from today we will be flying into Winnipeg. It will be so good to be back in Canada and with everyone but it will be hard saying good bye to our "family" that we have made here. This last week we are trying to get in everything that we can. There are lots of places that we want to see once more, and some tourist things that we haven't gotten to yet. We also have lots of cleaning to do and finishing up on a few things. Last night we headed up to this suberb called Cararra and watched our first AFL (Aussie Football Leage) footy game. It was so wierd, its kinda like soccer but they use a football and they either kick it to each other, or kinda punch it to each other with their fists. It was a really good close game and they get so into it, its fun to watch. So I know this week will go by so quickly. And we have so much to look forward to in the weeks after that, Becky is graduating from University, Noah turns 3, Ben turns 1, and Tandri finally turns 19! hehe. So 6 days and counting till we leave.....
Tandri and Brittni

Welcome to THAILAND!!

Well we are here!! There is so much to say about what we have been up to the past week! It is absolutley amazing here....we are staying at Patong Beach. Phuket is actually a big island and there are many many different "sections" or beaches that people ca stay at. It has been so different travelling this past week then it has been the past couple monthes in Australia. It is so different here and the culture is so different then what we are used to. Thats probably my favorite part though, I love seeing and learning about their traditions, culture, etc. The markets here are crazy! They are everywhere and the people are so friendly. They actually speak arabic here so sometimes it has been hard tryig to communicate, but everyone thinks we are australia so we walk by and everyone yells "G'day Mate!" hehe. There was a big Tsunami that hit here not long ago and Australia sent over heapes of supplies for them so they all like Australians. We have had so much fun bartering with everyone too, they try to rip you off so much here. But luckily we had a friend come here about a month ago so she was able to tell us how much we should be paying for everything. Food has been so good....and so cheap! We both ate at the mall food court which was all these little Thai food huts for $1 each and that was a noodle dish with coke. Crazy! Everything here you can barter down and get it so cheap! We have went on two different tours since we have been here for only $40 each, in Australia we would probably pay $200 each. The first one we went to "James Bond Island" which is where they filmed a Bond movie about 10 years ago,so that was cool to see it. We also got to to to a floating village where we got pictures with MONKEYS!! They are the most adorable things ever...one of them was even wearig a diaper! We had lunch at a really nice restaurant then headed back to land where we got to go Elephant Trekking. That was nuts you literally sit on the back of a huge elephant and walk through the jungle! Its a really bumpy ride though. Then we got to watch a baby elephant do some tricks in a show which was so cute. Then we also got to watch a monkey show as well. So that kept us busy for the day! The second tour we went on yesterday and toured around all the different islands. I think I wrote before about the movie "The Beach" with Leonardo Dicaprio, its about this perfect little island...well we got to go there! I don't think we have ever been in a more beautiful place in our whole lives. It is in this little like bay and has the whitest sand, palm trees, we can't even explain the beauty of it...you just have to see it. We toured around some more islands and did some snorkeling. The water was so picture perfect blue. Sometimes we would just look around and be like are we really standing here! It was almost unbelievable. Then we got to go to "Monkey Beach" where the monkeys are so used to people you can go and feed them and they are really friendly...well most of them. I was having so much fun taking pictures and feeding them and I saw this so cute baby one in the tree eating a banana so I though ohhh what a cute picture so I go near it to snap away and all of a sudden I could feel these things jumping up on my back and scratching my legs...it was pretty scary! haha. So I quicikly ran towards Tandri and they fell of and everyone was just staring at me like are you ok?! After I realized what had happened I was like woah....I just got attacked by 2 monkeys in Thailand, how many people can say that! hehe. So for our last stop we headed to this tiny little island that takes only 5 minutes to walk around the whole thing. We did some more snorkeling and sat on the beach chairs and had these so cool drinks where they actually cut a fresh pineapple or coconut open and you drink out of them. So as you can tell we have been doing so much here! We still have 4 more days here so we are going to do some more travelling around the island and getting in as much as we can! Only 13 more days and we are home!! We are getting so excited, we have to not think about it too much or else I cannot sleep! We will keep you updated about how the rest of our trip goes! Talk soon!
Tandri and Brittni

Happy Birthday to My Mom

Today is my moms birthday....but I will not say how old she is because I think she would like to keep that a secret. hehe so....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

One more month.....

Exactly 1 more month and we will be home!! Now that it is getting closer we are getting a little anxious. Tandri has officially been “retired” for about two weeks now but I have been working 7 days a week still….trying to get as much money as I can. We have made some really good friends with some people at work, and have had lots of fun going out with them. Lots of people have asked if I have gotten sick of eating Subway since I eat it everyday, so to answer that….nope! hehe It still tastes so good, and they have a different kind of chicken sub here that is really good. And I guess in New Zealand they have a pork one…weird. So I only have 6 more days of working there until I will be done for good. Its going to be weird not waking up and heading to work since I have been doing it for like everyday for the past month….I’m sure I’ll get over it real fast though. And only 7 more days until we head off to Thailand!! Everyday we hear stories from other people how beautiful it is there and how much fun we will have. I guess we can go canoeing under these caves and under waterfalls and stuff…sounds cool hey. I’m the most excited for the shopping though! We get back from Thailand on the 17th of May and then 10 days later we are on our way back to Canada. So I am sure this month is going to just fly by. We already have lots planned for the last couple of days here, making sure we see as much as we can before we leave. Today is my friend Nicki’s birthday, she turns 19. So if you see her….say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! This week we have been kinda bored at night as the biggest loser is over. The finale was so so good though!! The transformation these people have gone through is unbelievable. And guess what..?!?! I was working at Subway and Marty came in and ordered a sandwich from me!! He was one of the contestants who made it to the final 3 but ended up placing second. I was so shocked I couldn’t even say anything!! Oh but was I ever excited when he left and I realized what had just happened. hehe. The past month I have been thinking a lot about next year and where to live, go to school, etc. I had applied for the Dental Technology course in Edmonton but I had almost led myself to believe I wouldn’t get in so I thought a lot about other options. Well about a week ago at 2:00am I got a phone call from my mom saying my acceptance letter had come in!! So at the end of August I am heading off to Edmonton. I’m so excited to go, and I will be done school in only 2 years!! Then I will have my career and be working already…that’s crazy! I am now looking so forward to the next couple of years. So for the rest of this week we are just finishing up on some stuff before we go, cleaning, and working. And today we are off to Pacific Fair which is that huge mall to try to get some more souvenir shopping done….oh and a frappacino from starbucks. mmmmm.
Talk soon
Tandri and Brittni

Phuket here we come!!

The Top Things we take advantage of in Canada: 1.Tim Horton’s
2.Kraft Dinner
3.Canadian Ketchup
4.Cheese Whiz
5.Ketchup, Dill Pickle, Sour Cream & Onion Chips 6.Perogies
7.Ranch Dressing
8.Bacon
9.Egg Poachers
We are so excited to come home to come back to the "normal stuff!" Now the Top Things we have become addicted to while being here….
1.The beach!
2.The Biggest Loser
3.Vegemite
4.Gelato
5. Curry Flavoring (sooo many indian restaurants here)
6. Chili Flavoring (for some reason everyone here loves chili)
7.Lollies
8. Kangaroo and Crocodile
9. Thongs (the feet ones)
You have probably wondered what we have been up to the past while as I have not had time to write another blog. We have been busy- but just with work. We have been working almost everyday so we can save heaps of money for our next trip. I am also still working out things with the cruise company to get all of my stuff back- so that’s been annoying and a hassle. Last week we went out for supper at Kamikazee and we at kangaroo and crocodile!!! Tandri says its so good but I had a little hard time eating the cute animals....So after looking at all Brianne and Arlen's cool pictures me and Tandri decided to try at our creativity nature at the beach and this is what we came up with.....so you can all judge whos is better. hehe. But some VERY exciting news we finalized yesterday…our last trip while being here in Australia will be to……THAILAND!!!! We are both so extremely excited to go! We leave from Brisbane May 6th and spend one night in Bangkok then 9 nights in Phuket which is actually on an island. I do not know how we are going to wait a whole month to go…..we are going to get to ride on elephants, play with monkeys, and so so much more! A lot of people here travel to Thailand because it is actually really close and it is so cheap! Our travel agent said that we will pay around $4 for a big meal…WHAT?!! Massages on the beach are $10 for two hours, shoes about $10 a pair, handbags, sunglasses, clothes….it is like the shopping capital of Asia. Seems unbelievable…but it not! It is so beautiful there too; I did not think it was so tropical, if you ever have time look it up on the internet. Leonardo Dicaprio was in a movie a long time ago called "The Beach" and it was actually filmed on an island right by where we will be. It is going to be such a change from living here which is like the most expensive place in Australia. I am so excited to see their culture and experience their country, even though it has been amazing here in Australia its culture is not that different from ours. I’m most excited I think for the photo opportunities I will have! hehe. So we have the rest of the month to work and save money and just enjoy our last little while here. I know the month of may will go by so quickly. Its so exciting to think about how soon we will be home but as time goes by we have found ourselves feeling like this is almost "home." We have met some really cool people and made some really good friends, and it will be hard to leave knowing we will most likely never see them again. I am never going to forget this whole experience of being here. So we want to make our next two months fun and memorable! Now that we have a camera we can take more pictures and post them so you guys can actually see what we are doing everyday! Well I have more researching to do about Phuket….talk to you all soon!
Tandri and Brittni