Shannon McDuff’s Blog

Again late….. but I was a bit tired to write last night.

We checked out of our motel and went to bakery for breakfast (unhealthy pie fror breakfast). Then caught a taxi to pick up our hire car.

Cute little Daihatsu – red and its a manual!

Then we drove to Rotarua – but not before stopping off to the sea the glow worms at the caves.

The glow worms included a little tour around the cave, and then you went on a boat ride where you saw all the glow worms. (pretty awesome!)

Then… arrived at Rotarua (STINKY!).. but you get used to it the longer you are smelling it.

In our room at Rydges we have our own spa – so had a relaxing spa, hit the bar that was on the same floor as the room….

Then walked over to burger king for tea … did a bit of shopping so that we wouldn’t have to get take away all the time… (got back to the hotel to find that we only have one cup and one spoon in the whole room, to eat off)

Then went to bed around 9:00pm

Woke up this morning around 10:30am and had breakfast/lunch at the bakery around the corner.

Was a pretty relaxing day – Walked down to the Harbour and took a look a the water. Went and looked at a information place for what we can do the rest of the days that we are here and to find out where we can pick up the car tomorrow. (heading off to Rotarua tomorrow) Went to westfield shopping centre….. then went to the Maritime Museum, which is a museum about boats. Was a tad hard to read everything with Ben just racing through everything! After that we were going to go into minus 5 but they wouldn’t accept our australian drivers licence as I.D, and we didn’t have our passports with us.. so just went back up to the room because I couldn’t be bothered to go all the way back down again.

For dinner, we walked to the Skycity tower and went up that to have dinner on the observation deck. Was a buffet! After dinner, headed back to the hotel for a few drinks then bed!

I am a bit late in writing this – but it doesn’t matter.

28th of April – my birthday – I set of on the plane to New Zealand.

Flew from the Gold Coast – Auckland. 

The plane was delayed 25mins.. which was a tad annoying, but I survived. Arrived in New Zealand 12:15am NZ time, but before getting off – We were all reminded about the swine flue and if you have any of the symptons to let the staff know.

Went through customs fine and got a taxi to our hotel which took about half an hour to get to. Cost was $70.. which sucked but we were both pretty tired by this time so we didn’t care that much.

Checked in, and was in bed by 1:30am

and … that was day one – and yes, I had a good birthday = )….. 20 years old now – i feel old! haha

I just feel like keeping tabs on how many times I have been pulled over by police since starting to drive:

Number One: After being in a car crash (partners car) and heading home (in my own car) I was pulled over for a random breathalyzer and was told to take my tow ball off because they couldn’t read my number plate clearly. PASS

Number Two:Driving to give blood at the blood donation centre, they drove up beside me while I was in the traffic lights line and told me to pull over. After going through the green light, I pulled over, only to have them harass me about “being on my phone”. I told them that I wasn’t, and to go ahead and check my phone, which they did I hadn’t done anything for about 4 hours. He then persisted to ask me “well, why did you have your hand up to your ear”.. which I continuously told him “I wasn’t on my phone!, and didn’t have my hand up to my ear!”…. after realising his decided to stop harassing me, the other officer gave me a breathalyzer. (that guy was a real arse! and I didn’t NOTHING wrong which annoyed me even more) PASS

Number Three: Driving home from work at 11:30pm on a Wednesday night, I was pulled over for a random breathalyzer. They were also pulling other cars over as it was a Wednesday night, and Wednesday is club nights at uni.

Number Four: Driving to work LAST NIGHT. I went passed the cops who were sitting at a red light, I accelerated quickly to 60 as I was worried I was going to be late for work. As soon as the cops got their green light they race down towards me and I was just about to pull into work and they put their lights on. I told the officer that I was just about to go to work, and he asked for my licence and it was alllllllll good. PASS

I’ve only been driving for..2 years and 8 months… = )

Growing up i’ve ALWAYS had one dog and one cat… but, since moving out and going to Univeristy in Toowoomba.. its just impossible to have animals.

I can’t WAITE to get a pet… but the only quesiton on my mind is when is a good time to get a young puppy or kitten so that they won’t feal alone when I’m not in the house??

I’ve already picked out the cat and dog that I want:

A Ragdoll Kitten!

A Border Collie Puppy!

And so the 3-4 months of working has come to an end as me and thousands of other people head back to uni.

While uni is a bludge! I’m still not to happy about having to go back to Toowoomba….. for 10 months

After having a friend buy a $2000 camera it was a tad hard to choose a cheap little camera for myself. With my high aspects .. i headed off to the good guys. I didn’t really think the camera was all that good at frist because i’m so used to using the $2000 one (which has great result picture wise)

but! I am quite happy now with my choice!! Its a great little camera!!

So many different things I can do with it!!! I’m so amazed!

The one thing I HATE most, is people who ignore you when you are talking to them. ESPICALLY when they are on there IPHONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An example is taken from just yesterday where someone started talking to me while playing with there Iphone and I replied …… but I might have well of been talking to a brick wall!

What has technology done to the meaning of CONVERSATION. No longer can we talk to someone with out them pulling out there phone! Especially those stupid iphones! They are the worst!

I know of someone who pulls it out at any time…. be it:

1. At dinner with some friends

2. visiting family

3.sitting, having a family discussion or

4. just having a conversation

Honestly, don’t start a converstaion unless you WANT to talk!

If you haven’t heard, there has been alot of Shark Attacks recently. Not usualy a big worry to people…  however this time, everyone has gone crazy. I personaly think its soooo stupid! I read an article in the Hervey Bay Chronical yesterday that was stating that sharks have “taste for human blood” and “we are now on the top of their food chain”.

Blah Blah Blah, as if anything has changed when it comes to sharks! So what if there has been an extra attack or to… of course Don’t get my wrong… I still feel sorry for those people who get attacked and would HATE to be in that situation myself.. BUT!… I just think people are way OVER REACTING.

I heard on the radio one morning… I think it must of been Vic Hislop.. or maybe someone else going on about if you get bitten by a shark there isn’t much you can do about it. Apparently even if you had a giant hammer with you it wouldn’t affect them.

Firstly, thats not good to say that all you can do it DIE.. when you get attacked by a shark when there is a big fear of sharks going around, and secondly…. why say that anyway. I swear who ever that was, was stupid… or just wants attention…. or…. just hates sharks and want everyone to go out and kill them so there will be none left..

Anyway its stupid! Nothing had changed from the other shark attacks!

heres a repot/video on one of the shark attacks:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/shark-attacks-snorkeller/2009/01/12/1231608582652.html