Final vocational visits

Yesterday I had my last three vocational visits, taking in the Museum of Life and Science, Centre for Documentary Studies and Nasher Museum of Art.

At the Museum of Life and Science I met with Troy and Elizabeth, who showed me around and told me about their unique model and how it works. As one child labelled it, it's a Zooseum, a healthy blend of natural history museum, hands on science centre and zoo. Impossible not to have fun here!

The lovely ladies (April, Courtney, Bonnie and Alexa) at the Centre for Documentary Studies took me out for lunch and told me about their centre, which teaches and presents documentary work (photos, film, audio, text).

My final stop was the Nasher, Duke University's art museum. As well as being very jealous of their 3-year-old building, I was impressed with the scope and scale of exhibitions they are producing.

It was a productive day, and a great way to round off my official vocational visits. Over the past month I have been fortunate to meet plenty of NC's museum elite and they have all been very generous with their time and information. The learning and sharing has been really beneficial for me.

Prince does Princess for a day

Ooooohhh, the Prince was a teeny, weeny bit excited when he stepped into the sassy 'Party Girls on the Go' pink limousine. Inside, hot pink vinyl greeted him, as did Hannah Montana on the totally awesome, like, yeah stereo system. Then all the 6-8 yr olds squealed, pushing their way in so his like, totally cool play time in the limo was over.

Rotary Conference at Wilmington

We just returned from the three day conference in the gorgeous beachside town of Wilmington, North Carolina. Firstly, a huge thank you to conference organisers and District 7710 for putting us up in individual hotel rooms. Although we are a close-knit group, it really was just what the doctor ordered, to spend some time in solitude and luxury.

First day saw us settle in and then wander around the streets of Wilmington. Looked into the price of postage for those of us who had been supporting the American economy through shopping, and were unpleasantly surprised. There must be a plan B.

Below is a shot from our hotel room. Nice, I know.




This thoughtful basket greeted us with a note from District 7710 saying, 'Welcome to Wilmington'


At the opening of the conference, a flag ceremony was held to recognise the international spirit of Rotary. Here is the Aussie flag bearer, Scott, after he whacked the flag on the door on the way through.


The team standing by to do their presentation


Up on stage during our presentation. I know it is rude to talk amongst ourselves during this time, but Corey was super-excited and just had to share


Walking along the water to dinner on Friday night. The team in casual clothes, is in fine spirits.

We had a scrumptious seafood dinner, with great conversation and generous friends. Thank you to the 'check fairy' - you know who you are.

After dinner we visited a few places. Here is the accommodating DJ at one, who played all of our requests, including Down Under, Hilltop Hoods (??), Prince and Kylie (OK, so we weren't altogether there at times).

Our presentation went very well, and the crowd (although some had heard it before) still laughed in all the right places.

The SOUGHT-AFTER auctioneer, Scott Endersby, put on a ripper show, auctioning off items that we had brought over and others. A total of $1,870 was raised at auction on the night, which I think was largely due to Scott playing off the UNC, NC State, Duke rivalry.

Congratulations to the Winsteads for taking home the original Aboriginal artwork, with a knockout bid.

I think the auction reached great heights when Corey strutted his stuff and shook his booty whilst displaying some of the artwork.

Thanks to all who supported our endeavours to raise funds for the Rotary Foundation (Polio Plus). Our auctions and artwork we commissioned and paid for ourselves, raised $1,660 for Polio Plus which equates to preventing 16,600 children across the world from contracting Polio. These funds are being submitted to the Rotary Foundation from our host district 7710. We thank you for taking part and are glad we could give a little back.

Sunday saw us head to the US Battleship North Carolina, for a self-guided tour. Lucky for arrows, as it is so humungous that we would've been lost without them. Lovely Karen bought us souvenir hats to mark the occasion; thank you.

Once again, thank you to District 7710 for a professionally-run conference, for looking after us so well and the fellowship, laughter and entertainment!

Kel.

Dancing Queen - shaggin' with 16 different men in one night!

Last night we had a sensational time at the Governor's dinner at the annual district Rotary conference in Wilmington. Wilmington is a town on the south coast of North Carolina and it ROCKS! We had a ball. More about the conference in another blog (I am taking a leaf out of Pearson's book and doing multiple, short(ish) blogs).

At the conclusion of formalities, the DJ brought the house down with his first song choice, 'Down Under' but then mysteriously swapped it for Rolf Harris's 'Home Among the Gum Trees'. Scott and I took to the dance floor in front of EVERYONE to display our (my) very bad dance moves. I seem to recall that they were much, much better the night before at the bar 'Hell's Kitchen' but then that may have had something to do with the beer consumption rates come to think of it.

But the belle of the ball was Princess Margaret. We had photographers standing by to snap EVERY single one of Margaret's shag partners. She was shaggin' her heart out (to those in Australia, shagging is a dance, not an act of passion). To be fair, most approached her to shag as she was looking especially gorgeous in her flowing ball gown last night.

Here's no. 1 which of course had to be DG Don (hold onto your hats, there are many more beaus to come) ...


Margaret, note to self; maintain eye contact at all times


She did not forget her team mates (Tim, it is wonderful what a camera can do - you actually look coordinated and rythmic)


Big bad Scotty places a protective arm around Margaret as they prepare to dance


Here's no. 4, Neil, and Margaret looks ecstatic in this double-overhead combined hand manoeuvre


Ned, no. 5, did an awesome twist


Princess Margaret got carried away with Peace Fellow, Marios, from Cypress


Of course Lacey was not about to be left out of the danceathon


There was even some girly action when Margaret and I tore up the dance floor


Jimbo is looking rather pleased with his catch here!


The ever smooth Italian past Peace Fellow, speaks the language of love to Margaret, through movement


Dr Tom was not to be left out and he has some moves left in him, that's for sure!


Corey went cheek to cheek with his 'Cap'n oh Cap'n'


Bill from Durham met us before we were actually hosted in his region (I am not so sure this was a smart thing but he reassured us that they would still take us)


The distinguished Bart, swept Margaret off her feet with his height, dance moves and red tie


Art and Margaret share some boogie night style dancin' which was lovely to see


The DJ, after some misinterpretation of my instructions, finally abandoned his first choice of partner to dance with Margaret to be her 16th dance partner of the night.

But wait, there's more. Tonight we went for a gorgeous cruise on Holt Lake with our hosts, Gary and Linda. This followed a delightful dinner of barbequed Mahi Mahi fish sprinkled with roasted almonds, accompanied by baby red potatoes, home-made coleslaw and garlic bread (Linda is a whizz in the kitchen).

Bet you can't guess; Margaret conned her 17th dance partner into some moves aboard his pontoon boat. Surpised? I'm not! Although, I did take a few tips from that leader of ours, as you can see in the photo following ...





Some more photos to rub it into all of you guys out there who weren't cruising on a lake on Sunday evening.










OK, so it wasn't all that short(ish) but I tried. Having so many photos blew it out. Give a girl a break!

Kel.

Cape Fear River

One of the two major rivers in our area in North Carolina; the Cape Fear. The other one is the Neuse but I don't have a photo of this. It looks similar, trust me.

Kel.

Margaret teaching

Whilst visiting the fine campus of Campbell University Margaret could not help herself but start a lecture informing the team about the great advances in information technology... all we heard was '.......................................' - except Scott who somehow realised he could stare at a floor tile and be more interested.

Of course this is not the case and the photo was taken in all good fun.

Kelly caught napping on the museum lawns