Anna KASEY!! I finally figured out how to post (the 'post' button was hidden, so I scrolled my mouse around until a little 'finger' icon appeared and clicked -- am I technically savvy or what, lol). Your pictures are so awesome, it looks, and sounds, like you're having a great time. You were so brave to SCUBA when you were unsure about stuff (I would've whimped out, haha), but it must have been such a great experience. I remember seeing people going off to SCUBA when I could only snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, but it was still cool, don't get me wrong. I hope classes and actual work are going well. Have you seen any cockatoos? Those are the only birds I remember seeing a lot of when I was there -- and pigeons with little pigeon-mohawks (funny stuff). Anyway, I just wanted to officially post on your 'travel journal' site to let you know I'm thinking of you. Willie turned 18 on Wednesday. EIGHTEEN!! Craziness. Work is boring, tedious, blah blah blah. I'm awaiting snail-mail information about getting into the University of Missouri-St. Louis part time next fall (the online application says all my official transcripts and what-not are there) -- a little nervous, what can I say. Anyway, that's the update, hope you're having a great time, great experience, etc., Take care of yourself, Anna

Aunt Jackie Hey Cookie!!! How's things? Your pictures are gorgeous!!! Although one of the roo pix is pretty disgusting! LOL!! What the hell is that?? Anyway, your adventures sound soooooo very cool - Tara's right - next time you'll need a video camera!! If you can imagine, it's snowing again! You're really not missing wonderful weather here. Your mother thinks I'm a "mary" because I hate this freaken' snow and cold - enough already! hahahaha! Malorie was happy because Stonybrook cancelled classes. Jessie wasn't so lucky! I'm sure she's praying for tomorrow! LOL! Well, gotta run - dinnertime - yay! I hope you feel better soon. Let me know how those holistic cures work out for you - I'm crossing my fingers they do! Miss you & Love you - Aunt Jackie xoxoxoxo

Tara Ferngully! YES!!! Great Observation KC! I am so jealous- I want to tug a war with a possum- sounds like he won though. Your descriptions are great and I love reading your entries. JR wants you to bring him something autographed by the Yawy- you know how he feels about BigFoot and his cousins!!! He was freaking out the other day about the new discoveries in Malaysia that suggests Bigfoot might exist. Looking forward to the next entry- have fun and be careful!

JR I hear those great whites like to be petted on the nose!!! Really though, all kidding aside- be sure to catch one stuff it and bring it home for me! Taste like chicken!!! Hope you're having a good time. I have a lot of friends down there and have been meaning to get down there myself (for safari!)

Tara We need to send you down there with a video camera next time so you can show us all those wonders and take us along with you visually (yes mom, I said next time). You can certainly spare me the descriptions of those huge spiders- Im pretty sure you have me sold on Italy- Australia now, NOT SO MUCH! I got your post card from Byron- beautiful. I look forward to reading more stories about the native tales and landmarks that inspired them. Be careful, I love you, I miss you.

Tara I figured out how to post a message! My PC didnt display the "post" button before- that s why i didnt know! Kasey, your descriptions are amazing I am soooo glad you are seeing and doing all of that- how will you ever top this trip?!? JR and I taped the figure skating for you last night and I will have you know that they showed a few skaters, an hour of other sports, and then went back to the skaters. Believe it or not, JR rewinded the tape to edit out the other stupid sports and make sure the tape didnt run out before the skating did. Sasha Cohen kicked a$$!

Aunt Jackie xoxoxo Good morning, Kasey! (it's 10:40 AM on Saturday here) I'm looking out my sliders in the back and I don't see anymore snow! YAY!!! Of course, I'm now thinking of the view out the back of your place and I'm beginning to sniffle! :( LOL!!! The diving sounded fabulous - your uncle is sooooo jealous!!! We can only imagine how crystal clear the water is and how beautiful the fish and vegetation are! Can't wait to see picutures next time! And, of course, we're hoping your next guide is a bit more experienced! LOL! I took Mom out for her birthday yesterday to the Grand Lux Restaurant in Roosevelt Field - soooooo yummy!!! AND a menu for you, too!!! In fact, we both had meat-free meals! Go figure! The "vegan" portion of the menu is limited a bit, but compared to a lot of other places, pretty darn good! I thought of you the minute I saw it! And I smiled! We have a tentative date for when you get home! Miss you, Cookie, and really hope you're having as much fun as the postcards and notes indicate!!! I sent you an email and was just informed today that it's going to be delayed - how the hell do you delay an email???!!! Crazy internet! Well, I must start cleaning up the castle! LOL! We're having Malorie's birthday cake tonight - finally! Can't believe February is almost over! OY! Be well, stay safe! Love you, Aunt J xoxo

Mom Wow, diving sounded great.... sounds like a crowded place down in the ocean.... how's the digital, we haven't seen any pictures. Got your post card.. how cool..... how is school.....any tests or exams yet.... keep studying.. I miss and love you.... stay safe.

Sara Hey girl, I know you're going to have an awesome time there. If you guys go to Cairns I recommend the bar/ resturant Rattle 'N' Hum. I had an awesome time there. Anyways hope you have fun.

Kasey Garrett one first place! In trumpet? Nice job.

Mom Hi baby....we are expecting a big snow fall on Sat. which for you is already today...... so hurry home so you can shovel.. I know you will miss that...... Garrett competed last week and won a medal 1st place. I may have told you that already.. not sure..... I love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

mom Well I can tell studying on the beach is an issue, alot of type o's in your journal.. and for me to find them wow....anyway... sounds like you enjoying you club. thats why your friends from last trip spent alot of money drinking be carefulllllll you are on a fixed income..... hows the digital working have not yet seen a picture.... keep us up to date. remember I love and miss you.. so you have to come home.....

Your Fav Aunt, Jackie ;) Gooday to our Goddaughter Down Under!!!! Hey KC!!! So glad you hear you've landed safely and are already enjoying the ocean!!! Totally cracked up when I read about you almost landing on an Aussie - was he cute at least? LOL!!! Really glad Mom sent me your web page - you had the wrong address for me, so I hadn't seen it yet. It's great!! I look forward to vicariously traveling down under with you!!! Can't wait to see the pictures you'll post - they're going to be gorgeous, I'm sure! So, how's vegetarian food in Oz? Hopefully delicious! And how's the new digs? You guys just moved in, no? Will you be able to post pix of the place, too? I hope so - that will be cool! How many of you are in one residence? Man, you must be sooooo excited to be there!!! I hope all your classes are great - at least half as great as this experience for you!!! Alright, Cookie, I gotta go - I'll look for your up to date info each day!!! Be well, be good!!! Love you, Aunt Jackie xoxoxoxo