Destination: USA

Rocking in Rotorua

Fri, 5 Dec 2014 | By aamato20 | Views [605]

My time in Rotorua is brief, but I'm trying to make the most of it. The city is about middle of the north island and a little right of center. It's known for its adventure activities and geothermal spas. If you've ever been around a city like this, ... Read more >

I didn't cause an accident driving!

Fri, 5 Dec 2014 | By aamato20 | Views [595]

Today was harder than I thought it would be. I officially said goodbye to my Contiki group and am on my own for the rest of my trip. It's amazing the bonds and friendships you can make in a few short days. I already made plans to meet up with Kristin ... Read more >

Airport Travel Can be Painful

Fri, 5 Dec 2014 | By cedarkehoe | Views [339]

So - first my flight out of SF gets cancelled.  Rescheduled out of Sacramento is an improve.  All is good.  Then flight out of Sacramento is two hours late.  OK I still make my Fiji flight.  One very long flight - 11 hours in ... Read more >

Photos: Cedar Photos

Fri, 5 Dec 2014 | By cedarkehoe | Photo Gallery

Midland College employee's family involved in traumatizing accident during the holidays

Thu, 4 Dec 2014 | By wyatt_76 | Views [1009]

       Photo courtesy of Finley family  Go  Fund  Me account       By Wyatt Anderson MCP Staff Reporter   Just one day after Thanksgiving, Midland College ... Read more >

Photos: Photos

Thu, 4 Dec 2014 | By jeje | Photo Gallery

Day One - Flight Cancellation

Thu, 4 Dec 2014 | By cedarkehoe | Views [414]

Already my first flight was cancelled.  However; I spent 40 minutes on the phone (on hold) and finally got a talking American Airlines person and I got a new flight out of Sacramento – so it’s an improvement – I do not need to ... Read more >

Tags: flights get cancelled - a good thing

Pie-here!?

Tue, 2 Dec 2014 | By aamato20 | Views [623]

I've officially begun my Contiki tour group and we are quite the crowd. My roommate, Jasmine, is from Orange County, CA and a forensic accountant for Deloitte, so immediately we bonded over it. We went downstairs to meet the rest of the group, which ... Read more >

Derrick Rose eat your heart out

Tue, 2 Dec 2014 | By aamato20 | Views [659]

People in New Zealand LOVE the Chicago Bulls. I am not joking, every time a Kiwi hears I'm from Chicago, their immediate response is ARE YOU A BULLS FAN?! Then we chat about Derrick Rose's robotic knees. It's pretty funny that of all things Chicago, ... Read more >

Retirement

Mon, 1 Dec 2014 | By cedarkehoe | Views [304]

Honored; I have been.  This last month of work as been the best month of my life.  I was honored by retirement parties, lunches, speaks, gatherings and friends all taking time to thank me for my contributions as an employee.  We ... Read more >

Tags: retirement

Photos: Brisbane

Sun, 30 Nov 2014 | By leslieb | Photo Gallery

We're not in Kansas anymore

Sun, 30 Nov 2014 | By leslieb | Views [410]

As you can see from the pictures, I have arrived. the Quantas flight was awesome, and the majority of the flght attendants are male, cast in the ruggedrole of Crockodile Dundee, which ain't all bad.  I was greeted on board with a glass of bubbly, ... Read more >

Airport Adventures

Sun, 30 Nov 2014 | By aamato20 | Views [743] | Comments [1]

I'm in my third airport in 24 hours and will shortly begin my journey to number four. I've been on vacation a little over a day now and all I've seen are airports; although the Sydney airport is quite nice and has free wifi, score! It hasn't been the ... Read more >

Tags: auckland, australia, new zealand, sydney

Nightmare

Sat, 29 Nov 2014 | By leslieb | Views [362] | Comments [3]

Note to self - never, ever connect in LA!  Our otherwise pleasant flight got us in early to LAX, and our gat was not ready.   Due to sure fog, which  required several planes to divert to LA, we sat on the runway a good 30 minutes, but ... Read more >

Up in the air!

Sat, 29 Nov 2014 | By leslieb | Views [391]

Okay, so this is a little crazy.  Somehow, I got upgraded to first class, and am presently munching on warm mixed nuts and sipping (yes, another drink) a vodka and tonic mixed perfectly by Michale, our first class attendant.  Dinner of grilled ... Read more >