$3.85

I've been studying my NZ money. This is what $3.85 looks like in New Zealand. Technically, though, it's only worth $3.80, because apparently they've done away with the "nickel" and don't use anything smaller than a "dime."

I have no idea what any of these coins are called, but the 20 cent piece with the tiki on it is my favorite.

35 lbs!

That's what my bathroom scale says my suitcase weighs. Which means I have room for more Mt. Dew! Yay me!

I'm completely overwhelmed with things to do before I go. Which means I have no time to blog. Must make a To Do list.

48 hours from now I'll be in the air over the Pacific Ocean!!!!

I'm packed!

Ok, mostly packed. I have absolutely no idea if I have enough clothes. Shoes are my problem spot. But I must have sandals for the beach, right? Right. Taking those, wearing my tennis shoes, no more room for shoes in my luggage. Sandals with the casual dresses, no matter what Mother Nature does to me! I'm going to be boot-less for 2 weeks.

I don't know if I've mentioned it or not, but Quantas has given me a 44lb weight limit of checked luggage. Which is the same limit that I have on Air NZ to trapse around the country. I'm taking a large duffle bag on wheels (from Country in the Rockies) to check in, and a tote bag and the biggest purse I could get away with as carry ons. I'm planning on wearing a sweatshirt AND a jacket on the plane - of course, if I get to the airport and I'm over the weight limit, I may wind up adding a few more layers. I'm going to look completely ridiculous running around LAX, but I need warm clothes - it's fall there! How on earth to people go there in the winter?

Still have to pick up my thyroid medicine at the pharmacy and then all I have left to pack is my makeup. I thought the folks at church tomorrow would prefer it if I waited another day to pack that.

Word from Oz!

My parents are safe and sound in Sydney. I'm going crazy in Nashville.

I have a conference with Delaynie's teacher tomorrow morning to go over what will be going on while I'm gone. My friends at Country Weekly are supplying me with reading material for the trip, and I'm lining up my cleaning lady to work extra hours while I'm gone. I've got Delaynie's costume for her play (this weekend) all ready to go, and I even got my license plates (which expire while I'm gone) renewed.

6 days, 14 hours, 43 mintues and 41 seconds until liftoff.

On their way!

My parents are on their way to Australia! I leave a week from today. 7 days, 4 hours, 59 minutes and 18 seconds from right NOW to be precise.

Things are shaping up nicely. I have accomodations in Auckland thanks Debbie, who kindly answered a zillion questions about her hometown and made sure I didn't wind up in a hotel next to a strip club. All of our flights around the country are booked, AND I'm half packed.

The only things on my list for the next 7 days are to schedule 20 more days of music logs and get them mixed, edit 2 shows, lay out a project to keep my intern occupied while I'm gone, organize our home calendar, and oh yeah... I'm having a garage sale Saturday.

No worries. Right? Did I mention my husband has jury duty next week? Or that my daughter has a school project due Monday (which is done) and another due the Friday I get back (which isn't)? No worries.

Travel Advice from Keith Urban

I work in country radio. I live in Nashville. Therefore, I have access to a lot of country music stars as part of my daily work.

Yesterday morning I was part of a "Round Robin" with Keith Urban. A dozen reporters in the room around a table, asking questions. We each got to ask him three questions. He talked quite a bit throughout the hour about not only his upcoming World Tour, but also how he'll be "traversing" back and forth to Australia every two weeks while his wife is shooting a movie there.

So... on my last question, I told him I was headed for New Zealand, and asked if with all of his world travel he had any words of wisdom for dealing with jet lag. He gave me three tips:

- Drink lots of water
- Get plenty of sleep
- Never take a nap after 5pm in whatever country you're in

He also said he plans to own Quantas airlines by November with all of his frequent flyer miles.

The Countdown Has Begun!

I found this cool thing to put on my desktop, where I can countdown to any given event, and set the clock for any time zone of my choosing.

It is currently 2:30pm in Auckland, which means I am 14 days, 15 hours, 30 minutes and 7 seconds away from my flight out of Nashville taking off.

Umm... question #68 for Carey or anyone else who knows the answer....

Is NZ all the same time zone?