Canberra

Last week, I went to Canberra, Australia on business, for our annual AUS/NZ Convention. IT WAS AN AMAZING TIME IN SOOOOOOOO MANY WAYS!!! Here are a few highlights....

I left here Sunday night, and after an hour delay, we finally left LAX. I have to say that I am TOTALLY OVER Qantas Airlines! Everyone always gushes about them--and even if we did have a mini-convenience store in the back of the plane, there are TOO MANY DELAYS! Of my 3 trips to Australia, I have been majorly delayed EVERY time! This time we were delayed on the way AND the way home!!!

So now I will step of my soap box and introduce my beautiful room....I love the rooms over there--they always have so much character--swanky and modern all in one.

Would you believe I didn't even turn that flat screen on all week?

Emma got in about the same time from Auckland--and we met up w/Teresa Dabrowski--a demo that I met last year. She took us all over town and showed us a fab time. We went to the War Memorial....

The poppys are a tradition on ANZAC day--which was just before. They put them near the name of a loved one.

We saw the old and new Parliament houses (afterall, Canberra is the capital city)....I love the official seal or whatever they call it--with the Emu (I think) and the Kangaroo...

Then we went up Telstra tower for an awesome overlook of the entire surrounding area....L to R: Emma, Teresa, me.

Then we found a big ole pack of Roos--here's me and Cindy. There is a fence between us but they are "wild" and just roam wherever. We saw tons of joeys and my favorite--watching them run. :)

Wednesday morning we had a couple hours before starting to set up so we grabbed a delish breakfast @ Dobinsons which was already our favorite place at this point. I mean just look at that toast! ;)

Once set-up began, we didn't really have a lot of time for play....we did however catch some dinner w/a bunch of demos on Thursday night. Here's Yvonne, Ngaire & Keesh....

...and then the other side of the table: Cherita, me, Teresa....

...we went to this awesome place that had a funky name that I already forgot. In fact everywhere I ate was completely delicious!!! The area we were in had tons of shops and restaurants--it was perfect!!!

And it was so much fun this year catching up w/friends--and still meeting lots of new friends too! Each time I go I love the countries and the demos even more!!

For me, one of the best highlights of the trip was meeting this gorgeous girl:

After working with Amanda for 3 years, meeting was looooooong overdue!! Amanda--I love ya girl! Thanks for being one of my 9 followers! :) When my blog is as popular as Paris Hilton's--oops I meant Perez Hilton's, I will still remember that you were one of the first--maybe I'll even let you be a guest blogger. :) haha

Next post I'll move on to the actual event....had to have a way to break it up and quite frankly I am just too tired now to continue. :)

P.S. If you are an Aussie or Kiwi and have pics posted on your blog--leave a comment with your blog addy so I can see your pics and read your stories too! Thanks!