Start of the Journey and the Blog

Hello Family and Friends,

Well, I am starting a journey in many ways. First, in the world of technology, I am starting a blog with the intent to document my trip to Australia and New Zealand and let all of you know about the sites and my experiences from the land down under. Matt and Joe got me a netbook for Christmas so I hope I will be able to plug into some free internet down under to continue the blog.

Second, it is my first big trip without Joe; yet, it is because of Joe that I am taking this trip. It was his dream to visit the land from down under. I'm not so crazy about being on a plane for that long, but I do want to be Joe's eyes and ears to see and hear all the sight and sounds he dreamed about. He wanted to travel the world, but only to those places where English is the native language! So much for his diversity!!!

Right now I am visiting my folks in Florida and will be attending the wedding of my cousin Pam Gaino to Will Gammon in Jacksonville, Florida. So with a little bit of extra time, I am trying to test out my blog before I take off for Auckland, New Zealand, on February 28.

I consider myself lucky that I am able to take this trip, that I have a netbook to blog to all of you, that I have a former colleague, Elaine Leickly, from Lakewood High who will be my traveling companion, that I have family and friends who love and support me and lucky that for 28 years I was Joe's wife.

With that said, I hope you are all staying warm and praying for a big thaw! I also hope this blog works out, and I am able to tell you all about my travels as I experience them.

Love, Gloria aka Strongsville Gal