Travels

Well my mom didn’t cry, at least she didn’t in front of me.  I almost did though.  And then I hit security.  I couldn’t really believe this whole adventure was happening.  But it was.  Complete with being randomly selected for a pat down.  Which was no problem till the power gels mom sent me were flagged and the lady started going through my bag.  Then I was flustered but I could see my parents waving good-bye to me.  So I waved back, until I noticed their frantic waving.  Huh.  Then I noticed that I had left my carry on bag on the table.  Ah well, guess I didn’t need that.  I collected my bag and waited.  Fortunately it was only a few minutes before I was able to board.  I waved goodbye, one last time and headed for the plane.

I was half way up the aisle when I heard my name.  What a surprise, Jaret, an old boyfriend from MSU was talking to me.  We had a brief exchange before I determined I was holding up traffic and proceeded.  Who would have thought?  He was going to a job interview in Alaska and I was headed to Australia.  A place he had served his mission, with Drew, of course. After a rather uneventful plane ride (which I hated due to motion sickness) we made nice at the gate before he headed off and I went to claim my awesome luggage.  Darin picked me up shortly after that and I tried to contain my excitement at the whole thing as we went for food.  We only drove around few times before we found a good spot.  I am becoming quite fond of that guy.  There is a whole energy around him that is intoxicating to be around.  After food, we got Gelato, he dropped me at Tami’s and then came back an hour later when he found my wallet after he got home. Oops. What a great guy.  I then proceeded to fall asleep shortly after at Tami’s and slept like a rock till the next morning.  Turns out excitement wears me out.

            Tami drove, I shut off my phone and that was it.  I was on my way I did sing 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' and ‘I'm Headed to Land Down Under’ as I boarded the airbus in Seattle.  The trainee at the check in counter didn’t speak much English but he circled something for me and acted like it was important, I still don’t know what it was.  Tami laughed at me as I seat belted my Teddy Bear into my suit case and told him we were going to be alright.  I then survived the next three days of travel and have done the best to block them out of my mind. 

Out of Seattle I sat next to a solider named Scott who was serving in Korea.  He was good company, and offered to show me around Korea except I didn’t have much of a layover. Probably for the better, something about strangers in strange countries sounds like a bad idea.  I was actually very ready to leave Korea, probably because I was so tired.  It was two in the morning (Seattle time) when I got off the plane and by the time the flight boarded it was 4:30 and I had taken a couple of Tylenol PMs (thanks Mom) so I was basically asleep before the plane even took off.  I however have time to get a few Won in Korean and learn how to say hello in Korean.  A girl who teaches English (scary) in Korea flagged me down in the bathroom when she heard me talk.  She was headed Australia to practice her English.  Anya is both hello and good-bye.  It’s all in the voice inflexions that change it.  Up is hello, down (sad) is good bye.  And that was all the talking I wanted to do and I was the plane out cold.  I slept pretty much the whole flight.  I was really lucky because there wasn’t anyone next to me and I was able to curl up and sleep on the window.  Wasn’t my best night sleep, but it worked.

When I arrived in Sydney I did indeed see the Opera House briefly from the air.  It was hot and humid when I landed.  I barely had enough time to make it through customs, get my passport stamped, collect my bags and get on the next flight to Brisbane.  Oh yes, the trick with original bags must have work because they did make it all the way to Emerald.  I was actually fairly impressed.  It seems so long ago now that I was saying, “Look Mom, this one turns all the way around.” Please note that was exceptionally helpful when I was toting them around Brisbane.

Brisbane was a totally different world.  I got off the plane with NO idea how to get to my hotel.  I tried calling and failed so I talked to a cabbie.  He said I could take the train but since I was so unfamiliar with the area, I opted for a cab to take me straight to my door.  It was exceptionally expensive and for a few minutes I seriously wondered if the guy wasn’t going to try and kidnap me.  He wasn’t from Australia but he babbled about America and Snoop Dogg.  What a terrible thing to get compared with.  I did arrive at the hotel though and all I wanted was a shower.  

....

Time for Change

It was sort of spur of the moment... but I'll the picture speak for its self.

Where in the World will Cate Go?

Well as some may know I am looking for a change in scenery. So I've taken up the idea of either
A) Teaching English in Thailand or
B) Au Pair in some foreign country
I've started a profile on Great Au Pairs and attached a couple of pictures and wrote up a profile (this is what I had to say) Would you hire me?


Hello! I am an energetic person, who loves life.  I have been working with children since I was barely more than a child myself.  I am the big sister of five children and I grew up in rural Montana in the United States. Growing up in the family I did, I learned early the value of hard work and the importance of family.  I love working kids and put my whole heart into doing so.  I want the absolute best for every kid I spend time with and make a concentrated effort to help them learn and grow in ever possible way.  I have 5 years experience working with children with special needs, specifically learning, emotional and behavioral challenges.  I also have been a pre-school teacher and have a very strong interest in education and being a teacher in the future.  I have experience with children of all ages from small infant to early teens.  I have a firm understanding of early childhood development needs and know the importance of helping raise healthy, confident, independent, and happy children. 
On a personal level, I enjoy animals of all shapes and sizes, being outside and active and being creative... especially in various art forms such as photography.  I love to read, write, and learn.  I am a highly motivated self starter with high levels of organization and energy.  People tell me that I am very patient and compassionate and those are traits I value.  I have a very strong background in outdoor recreation, especially as an education tool. 

I am looking to find the perfect family to become a part of, not simply work for. 

Thus far I've started contact with several families all over the world.  Including Germany, England, 3 in Australia and 1 in Bermuda.  It's been a really fun adventure... but I've decided to give it 2 weeks talk to all the families and then make a decision.   Mom says I'm over qualified to be a Nanny, but I'm really excited to try something new especially if it's somewhere really cool.

The Foster Care Program

I just got off the phone with my Mom she was telling me about this story  Billings Gazette
It's really horrific story, about a 3 year old little boy who was abused and then left in the car to bake to death by his foster mom.  My Mom was really upset (more than normal) as was I.  She then proceed to tell me that the whole situation has been nagging at her.
"Where are all the good foster parents," she asked.  She then announced that she had seriously thought about becoming a foster parent, a notion I strongly encouraged.  Isn't that how it should work, people who have raised good kids, shouldn't they at least try and continue and give a kid a chance, at the moment there are over 1600 kids in Montana (who knows how many more are in other states) My feelings about children are very clear. So for all those out there (mostly those who don't read my blog) who had great parents... encourage them to consider spreading the love. 

Foster Parents in Montana (but the I'm sure the thought is the same in other states)
Montana Foster Care Program

The First One: Graduation

One shouldn't need a reason to write in their blog... but I figure for me... now is as good as time as any.  I sit here a new college graduate.  I have finally recieved my BA from Brigham Young University-Idaho... and I can say I finally DID IT!! It's a good feeling... Surprisingly mixed.

There were a lot of moments today...When I met my parents and I realized they had driven a long way just to support me... when I was applauded for my accomplishments...Dad said he was proud of me...  This was a long, hard road as Rob Eaton, my speaker at connvocation said... "take a moment when you reach the top of the peak and acknowledge your success... then look around and see what is next for you to climb."  That is what this moment is... me realizing that I did a good job and I finished something.   It's important.

After I hobbled across the stage... received my diploma case, I said goodbye to my parents and went to see Becca (from Summit) she's so great and she bought me yogurt to celebrate my accomplishment.  I didn't realize that I needed this to be a big deal.  It has taken me 9 years to get a piece of paper.  But as I said before... I DID IT!! I then headed for home and as I listened to songs like "Life's a Dance", "Edge of Glory", and "Beautiful Goodbyes" I watched Rexburg fade into the distance in my rear view mirror... that was something I never thought would happen, I was very full of emotion... I still am.  I watched a storm brew over the mountains and was awed at the beauty.  I have a lot of decisions to make in my future... but for now I will appreciate this moment of success and be grateful for everyone who got me here.