OMG! It is already our last day!

I need more time! I keep whining to Tanya who keeps telling me...I know...I know! Well, after my fabulous day of sessions on Wednesday, Thursday we went to the zoo. I love the zoo. I am going to be 32 years old this week...yet I still manage to buy a stuffed animal of a cute fuzy baby penguin. I couldn't resist. I say it is for Ayla...but I mean really...she is 12...who am I trying to fool. The zoo was great...I want a wombat...they are my new favorite animal in the whole world! They also had a baby elephant, baby wild pigs and 4 baby tigers too...very cute.



Afterwards we headed back downtown to go the ABBA exhibit. On the train, Tanya realizes that she doesn't actually have enough change to get a ticket. So we decide to chance it. We hadn't seen any tram police yet...well...yes...you guessed it...just before our stop two police officers get on and start checking everyone...Tanya is like...we need to get off! Well...she smoothly lies her way through that she can't find her ticket, it's our stop, but if necessary she'll pay again...no, no it's all right, go on ahead. Phew! I was waiting to be tackled at any moment.



Of to the ABBA exhibit. In one word - AMAZING! We did every activity. The quizzes, the singing-a-long, the dance video...everything! Very fun! We'll post our video soon!



That evening we went to the Banquet of the ICOPA conference. It was perfect! Everyone was on the dance floor. And the dance floor wasn't big enough, so everyone was just dancing everywhere! We all had a blast with good food and wine. They kicked us out at 1:00 A.M. and off we headed to plop into our beds.



The next morning I was up bright and early for our last conference. The plenary was about where we are now with vaccines and it was very interesting. I think we have a ways to go, but we are definitely headed in the right direction. After a quick tea we all headed off to the last session on the conference. I chose a Giardia session. It was my favorite parasite in my intro class, so I thought I'd see where research is going now in regards to this parasite. Very cool stuff and then off to the final ceremony.

I must say, that I was a little disappointed that I did not win one of the poster prises. But...no worries, ICOPA XIII is going to be in Mexico and I will simply work that much harder to be in the top posters or orals for that meeting. The conference is over! I think we were all a little sad because we were all just getting to know each other, but happy because it was an intensive crazy week.

That afternoon Tanya and I headed off to the Queen Victoria Markets, which after an interesting tour bus ride (said sarcastically - lots of stories there...according to the driver you must be in rehab if you haven't been to the market yet), the market however was already closing. Weirdly, Melbourne seems to have very strange opening hours. You can't find a coffee shop or restaurant open after three! We finally found a McCafe (yes I know...we are in Australia and we go to McD's! But really! It was the only thing open!). We then walk over to a restaurant...thankfully Copper's Inn was serving normal food! Yay! And after a nice big steak we head over to Croft's Institute and then a tea at Krispy Kreme's where we are told, "Donut People are Happy people!" and finally to bed before our last day...today...for our tour to Philip's Island.

I can't wait to tell everyone about today...we got to pet kangaroos!!! And we saw the smallest penguins in the world come in from sea and join their mates after a long day out! The best ending to a fabulous adventure!