a lucky penny.

August 10, 2011


For my Birthday a few weeks ago, my parents took me out to lunch to one of my favorite restaurants, and on the floor I found a lucky penny.
And you know what they say about lucky pennies don't you?
"Find a penny pick it up,
All day long you'll have good luck."

I figured that since I found it on my birthday, it probably meant all year long I'd have good luck... which so far, has been proven true:
(in other words, this is just a long-winded summary of my New Zealand getaway)

-First time I've ever been in a five story mall, conveniently located just two blocks away from our hotel in Australia. Dreams come true in buildings like that.

-Took a ride on one of the steepest railways in the world (in a rain forest located in Katoomba, Australia). Seriously, we all felt like Indiana Jones for sixty seconds.

-As was mentioned before, I tried vegemite: I was one of the firsts out in a game of mafia and consequently had to take a bite (luckily I avoided a whole spoonful) and it honestly tastes like pure salt. But looks like Nutella. And they put it on toast? I'll stick with Tim Tams.

-I was also almost kidnapped one night. When they say your life flashes before your eyes, I can similarly relate - except it was more like my unlived life: there goes my wedding, my future daughter Summer, my career on Fox News, my retirement at Turtle Bay... etc.
As a group of guys surrounded and approached the car (that I happened to be sitting alone in/in a parking garage/at 11 at night) I tried to listen to my iPod and look unaware of my unknown approaching fate: Most likely being stuffed in the back of a trunk, probably a Taken-like-movie-scene, minus the fact my dad isn't Liam Neeson. I would probably die.
But long story short: I lived.

-Did you know that out here they call the hood of the car the bonnet and the trunk of the car the boot? Did you also know that I was particularly smitten with a certain boy because of this? (okay, in all honesty it wasn't only because of this) But all I'll say is: 12 hour marathon date/doesn't like Megan Fox/insists on offering his jacket/picks me a flower/and he opens my car door every single time? Proof that life actually beats Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen movies... by a long shot.

-I was able to visit both Sydney, Australia and Hamilton, New Zealand LDS temples. So special.

-Harry Potter on Worlds Largest Imax in Darling Harbor + Ferris Wheel looking out over the Sydney Harbor + stroll through Hyde Park on a sunny afternoon? No words my friends, no words.

-Gold leaf brownies (twice) amazing margherita pizza (everywhere we went!) And I only gained 30 pounds.

-And finally, (and most especially) out of the millions of stories I could write about, what the real highlight has been is the people who I've been able to meet and the friends I've been able to make. It goes to show that relationships always mean more than anything else in the world, and that there will always be good people and kindred spirits who will cross your path, no matter where life takes you.

There really is so much I love about New Zealand (and Australia!) now, it's not even funny. I have a feeling that this time as I board my flight back to the States, a part of me will feel like I'm leaving home, rather than returning to it.
And I think my penny was pretty dang lucky.

9 comments:

Jess Cole said...

Oh i love hearing about you trip! Im glad that you liked both Australia and New Zealand! Hyde park is awesome, sitting in it on a warm summers day reading is the best.
Come back to Australia soon!

Mary said...

Cool post - sounds like an amazing trip!

Brooke Cushman said...

Oh my goodness! I wish I were there!

Mandy said...

I loved this Kels! It sounds amazing... I want to hear more about this kidnapping thing! Sounds terrifying.

Jan said...

Your summer sounds like a dream come true....I need to find myself a lucky penny. Love reading your blog. You are such a gifted writer. My son went on a mission to Ireland and after he got home, our family went back to vacation. Your right....as wonderful and beautiful as Ireland was, the people were the most amazing thing of all.

kylee said...

i can't think of anything to say other than this vaca sounds like a dream or a movie scene. sounds simply amazing. minus being nearly kidnapped of course.

Anonymous said...

love this.
so sad i couldn't experience it all with you.
but so, so, SO (emphasis on so)
happy you are home.
love you.

Jacob said...

you and your mom are gorgeous. and i knew once id see a pic of her, you would look like her! i love lucky pennies. and happy freakin bday

Brittany said...

Your birthday looks like it was pretty close to perfect. Happy 22nd (right?)! I feel lucky to know you!

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