Weekend at Straddie

When friday finally came, I was so excited because we took a ferry to Stradbroke Island to camp the whole weekend! Back home, I'm used to camping up north near Payson in the mountains with pine trees; not in practically a tropical paradise like Straddie!

It is so beautiful there and

yes...the water is actually that blue!

The first night we got there we went fishing on the pier. No luck with the fish, but we did happen to see a dolphin and its baby! They swam up right next to the dock and hung around all night. It was so cute!

This was the only "good" picture I got of the dolphins, and it's kinda horrible.

But you get how close they swam up to us!

On Saturday we went on a trail called Point Lookout. It had amazing views of the ocean and we even saw more dolphins! There was a part off the trail where you could hike down to a little cove and some of the boys went and jumped in. I couldn't overlook the iky moss all over and unknown creatures!

Me, Kier, Heath, Brad, and Lashea

Point Lookout

the view

It was such a great weekend. Relaxing, playing games, bbq's, and beach all day! I was starting to get used to it. Now we're back in Brisbane and routine has settled in. It's my last week of classes! HELLS YEAH! I'm SO excited to be done with this semester! And what's even more exciting is that we leave to America in 6 days! I cannot wait to see my family and friends and be in COLD WEATHER! It really doesn't feel like christmastime when you are sweating to death everyday!

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.  If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference. It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

the tilt of your smile

"Love isn't about sacrifice, and it isn't about falling short of someone's expectations. By definition, love makes you better than good enough; it redefines perfection to include your traits, instead of excluding them."

Jodi Picolt

Sunday Funday

After going to a fireside tonight, one at which Elder Uchtdorf spoke, via satellite, 

I wanted to post one of my favorite quotes by him! 

"What we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are — and who we will become."

I just love him! It seems his talks always leave me with a strong impression; they are very powerful and direct. Tonight, it was a YSA fireside so of course he inevitably related his topic to marriage and dating! Typical ;) I liked what he said about couples who still have that spark and magic in their relationship only have it because they have worked at it, everyday. 

After the fireside, we rushed to Kieth's (hem hem, Kiersten and Heath's) to catch the grand finale of Australian Idol! Ok--I never watched American Idol, except for the try outs because those are hilarious--but other than that, I couldn't be bothered. Australian Idol on the other hand, we religiously watch every Sunday night! 

I'm SO happy Stan won tonight! Me and David have been going for him the whole time, he really is an amazing singer! Hands down the best on the show! Congrats Stan! 

Tomorrow night Irene and Chad are having everyone over for dinner and I'm bringing the dessert. I was looking on Bakerlla and found some very, mouth-watering looking treats! I am torn on which one to make...

Oreo Truffles...

Or Red Velvet Cake Balls...

Lately...

This last Sunday, after yet another blissful nap, and waking up with a ginormous deal of gratitude for my recent purchase of the fan, I decided I wanted to learn something new. David suggested origami! He pretty much has perfected the art of origami. Really--he watches "How To" videos on YouTube to learn them haha... 

I learned how to make a paper elephant 

Then, forced to"practice" by Mr. Miyagi (AKA David), I made 2 more.

Aw! Aren't they cute...I'm proud. Don't let anyone ever tell you those are easy!

Rollerblading dates are such a good time! Especially when they are along side Brizzy River; so cool at night with the city lights reflecting in the water! I was a little embarassed though at my "yelping" when I'd roll down the steep parts and/or rolled over cracks! What? I hadn't been rollerblading since I was in the 6th grade!!! 

Sadly, David kissed his Mo goodbye. He couldn't quite hack it to the end of November. But to be completely honest, I'm actually really glad because his little nose beard was getting a little disgusting!

In Memory of the Mo

 

One day, I was literally melting away! The humidity here is so, incredibly hard for me to deal with! I caught a bus into Southbank where I went swimming and enjoyed a chicken Kebab right on the water!

..::sigh::.. So refreshing.

Yummm.

Ps. these just may possibly be the most delicious things ever!

Tuesdays here in Australia are special. It's called Cheap Tuesday. Or to say it like an Aussie, "Cheap Chuesday" :) Everything is less expensive, including gas! But what we are really concerned with is the pizza! Domino's here is amazing and every Tuesday we order pizza with Kier and Heath.

The Harts in their home!

Thanks for always having us over!

Mommy Dearest

I know people say this all the time, but I really mean it when I say,

I have the best mother in the whole world! 

Meet my Mom, Carolyn.

She has a flawless sense of style, impeccable taste, a great sense of humor, more guts than anyone I

know, and best of all, she has a big heart.

Happy Birthday Mom! 

   

I'm just crazy about Tiffany's

"You know what's wrong with you, Miss Whoever-You-Are? You're chicken. You're afraid to stick out your chin and say, 'Okay, life's a fact.' People DO fall in love. People do belong to each other. Because that's the only chance anybody's got for real happiness. You call yourself a free spirit, a wild thing, yet you're terrified that somebody's gonna put you in a cage. Well, baby, you're already in a cage and you built it yourself. And it's not bound on the east by Somali Land or on the west by Tulip, Texas. It's everywhere you go. Because no matter where you run, you're always going to end up running into yourself. "

Paul Baby, Breakfast at Tiffany's

Pretend that it's the weekend

Question: What is the one good thing about David having to go into the eye doctor today? 

Answer: He doesn't have to go into work! 

YAY!!! 

Which means...

I made pancakes for breakfast! 

Starting the morning off right, like with delicious pancakes and good company, makes for a great day.

Like for example, we were productive!

I am now a member of Jett's 24 hour gym!

No winter coats to hide myself behind here; it's beach season!

David officially got rid of his old car. He had to give it to the wreckers, and they harshly told him it wasn't worth anything, Ouch! At least he got to keep his license plates! :)

David also got the good news from the doctor that he is now able to work out, play sports, and swim! So we went to the gym tonight. First day back's are killer!

We made fajitas for dinner and the Harts came over.

I love that I get to spend time with Kiersten again. It's really nice living so close to her! She is literally 2 minutes away now, rather than 2,000 miles!

Okay so that is all the productive things we did. Other than that we took a lovely nap and caught up on the NBA!

I'm so proud of PHX! The Suns are dominating! I can't wait to check a game when I get back to Arizona.

GO HOME TEAM!

Etsy, you had me at hello.

It's not that far...

really.

And if I think about it in terms of time rather than miles, it's not far away at all; I'll be home in less than a month for the holidays!!!

Speaking holidays...

This morning I did a little Christmas shopping on Etsy for my niece and nephew.

It's an Alice in Wonderland jewelry box!

How adorable is this Dorthy necklace?! I just might steal it from her...

and for Ryker.

 I'm still looking tho because he may not be big enough for these ties just yet.

Then I came across this! Dave, my brother-in-law...

 looooves Transformers. Score on the Optimus Prime ornaments!

(and Dave's 29--just throwing that out there)!

I could literally spend all day on Esty! There were quite a few other things I found but I don't want to go giving away everyone's gifts!

One month down (under).

The last month I have been living in Brisbane, Australia and I think I've adopted (far too easily) their very "laid back life style."

My efforts for finding a job are less than solid. I thought I'd take the first few weeks to "adjust" and spend time with my boyfriend, David, who was recovering from eye surgery. 

But now I'm feeling more like I'm on holiday instead of living here. Which may seem ideal until you check my bank account! 

Anyway, it has been lovely here so far and a lot of fun...

Like when we take trips to the Goldcoast to hang on the beach all day 

and hike up the head land at Burleigh to have an amazing view like this one

or when David honors Mo'vember

or enjoying the city lights after bbq n' Southbank.

The most fun of all was carving pumpkins--we had ourselves a first timer here!

The results! Mine was the cyclopse. David did the one winking which was appropriate because his eye surgery left him with a permanent stink-eye ;)

and last, but not least...Halloween!