The neverending list

Cravings are weird when you cant just run to store and pick it up...the current list.
Gardettos
Hersheys syrup
Double stuffed Oreos
Lucky charms
Candy corn
Cracker jacks
Fruit roll ups
Ranch dip
Cheddar and sour cream chips
Banana peppers
Velveeta cheese
Larosas wing sauce
Sturkey spice
Sturkey dressing
Gold bond powder
Cream of wheat
Easy cheese
Honeycomb
Chocolate jello cook and serve
Chex mix
Caramel topping
Bisquick
Aunt jemima syrup
... It's the curse of wanting what you can't have.

Best thing about Australia? Great exotic fruit. Good produce. There just isn't the same variety as there is in the states. Weird the things you miss. What are your favorite foods that you eat all the time?



chrissi alice

Better late than never

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! love you all and will miss you this holiday season. ;)


chrissi alice

Brizzy

I dont know if you guys even had heard of this band. you can watch video and see downtown brisbane and all the coolness that surrounds me. the video is ALL THE DREAMERS by POWDERFINGER.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhKAhyP8qKI

I doubt you can read it. It's called HAIR ARTZ. a MOBILE HAIR SALON. seriously!!! I tried to get pic. But obviously unsuccessful but it's sorta proof it exists if you take my word for it ;)!!


chrissi alice

How cute

I love my baby. Nat loves that she is on the bushes.


chrissi alice

Aussie word of the day

Todays word: JUMPER

ANSWER to yesterdays phrase: flat out means "busy" sometimes it ends with other funniness like "flat out like a dog on lino" picture a dog trying to run on linolieum..dog on lino. Or "flat out like a drinking lizard". Now imagine a drunk lizard. Most people just say "flat out"

chrissi alice

Aussie phrase of day

It really isn't any fun If you guys, other than Carol..thanks btw, don't try to guess!

Todays phrase:
Flat out

Answer to arvo: used as a shortened word for "afternoon". It's too much effort to say afternoon!! Cause Aussies lingo is basically cutting word in half and adding a "y" or "o" at end.


chrissi alice

Aussie Word of the day

Arvo.
Do u know what it means? Take a gander...

Answer to "chuckin' a sickie" is what Americans coin as "playing hookey" callin in sick even though u r not.


chrissi alice

Guess that Aussie phrase

Chuckin' a Sickie

chrissi alice

Eventful week

Carol was saying that I don't post enough pictures so here goes. Aunt Faith (Mother in law's sister) came into Brisbane this week. It was actually perfect timing because I was on semester break so I could entertain her. It was such a treat to have her here. She reminds me A LOT of Hope, so it was like having Hope here. It was also nice to have family here. She arrived on Tuesday but I had to stay home Wednesday to wait for routine inspection of property. Thursday I went to pick her up at her hotel and we went shopping at outlet malls by the airport. After some detours (gps and construction don't mix!) we FINALLY got to the DFO (Direct Factory Outlets). It was the first time I have really gone shopping and found anything i liked. Faith (being just like Hope) wouldn't let me pay for anything, although I was prepared to buy. I feel in love with this dress but it unfortunately didnt have my size. I am debating going to buy smaller size and figure out a way to fix into it. =) Its awesome dress.
So all day Thursday we were shopping, but never got much farther than DFO. We then went to pick up Nat and work and went back to our house and then out to dinner at Nandos!! We love Nandos--(www.nandos.com.au). When we dropped her off at the hotel, she gave us a care package...chocolate is not good to send cause it melts, but when you come on plane, its perfectly fine!! I got Cracker Jacks (was craving caramel popcorn); milkduds; reese cups; peanut m&ms; candy corn (yummy!! and FUNNY when you give to dogs hahhaha); some sloppy joe mix and other seasoning; Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix (cause ranch here tastes like mayonnaise); and TUPPERWARE!! I am so excited to have Tupperware (or rather Rubbermaid) that closes...awesomeness.
Friday Faith and I got together for lunch and went to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (www.koala.net). It was the first time I have seen Koalas upclose and actually got to hold one...for like 2 minutes, enough time for them to take a picture. They are like babies. They grab on to you like your the momma and are really soft, but dont smell so good. They are so LAZY!! They were all either sleeping or eating...but they all had a different look to them, mainly reminded me of bunch of old men.






We also got up close and personal with a few other animals.






That was an eventful day! We also drove around a bit to where Faith used to live so she could reminisce. Again, went to pick Nat up at work and went out to dinner at Lone Star, yum. I wanted to go to a nice place that we had found, but we don't get out much so it was Lone Star. We came back home and skyped with Hope, Faith, Nat and me. It was nice to see mom. I wish she could have been here!!

Saturday Nat slept in a bit (i try but I don't get past 6:30am)--he wasn't feeling well so I figured he needed to sleep it off. I think he has allergies or something, or the remnants of the dust storm last week. Faith treated us to the Story Bridge Climb. (www.storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au) We met up for lunch at SouthBank -- basically a Brisbane beach in the city with markets, street performers and food court. It was pretty muggy though. We caught the ferry (water bus) to the climb. I took a couple pics of the city so you get an idea of what it looks like. The river is like a snake so it winds around. It really is a pretty city. Hard to believe that there are 14 million people in Brisbane alone, when Faith lived here 15 years ago, there was only 14 million in entire COUNTRY of Australia. Its rumoured that 10,000 migrate to Bribane A WEEK...growing pains coming soon?? Sorta sad, give it a couple years and it will be more like New York than Cincinnati (future blog, I am making a list of similarities between Cincinnati and Brisbane). Nat and I agreed that we really felt like TOURISTS this weekend.

THIS IS THE STORY BRIDGE THAT WE CLIMBED:










And finally, here is a pic of my "aussie-wanna-be" husband. These hats are surprizingly popular and I must admit, it is pretty cool. But I am convinced that i am much cuter in it than he is.


I think that is it for now. i am going to try to take some pictures at school this week so you can see where I go everyday. Basically I am trying to prove Carol wrong and flooding you with images! =)

Love you all!!
c.ALIce

Dust to dust

It's like a thunderstorm without the rain and in place of rain is dust. Cover your mouth and eyes cause it sucks to have dust there. It's my first ever, kinda cool.
It's like a thick fog where you can't see much of anything but it's not fog. It's dust.

chrissi alice

its not funny!!!

As many of you know our girls are now here in Australia. They have adjusted well and are pretty much unchanged but think maybe they switched personalities. Etta has lost a little of her edge and isn't as playful and Sadie I think took all Etta's playfulness and is super hyper, a little unusual. Well last night the girls took on their alternate personalities and Etta was hiding behind me scared of Nat trying to play with them and get them to run around. Sadie was attacking Etta trying to get her to play along. Nat and I were scratching our heads saying " What is wrong with them? They arent the same dogs"
Later in the evening I was getting ready for bed. Many may know that I have grown accustomed to wearing earplugs at night because Nat snores and all of a sudden I became a light sleeper. I stocked up on these earplugs, knowing I would be here for at least two years. At Walmart they have 50 pair tubs...now why would I need so many when I only have 2 ears? Well little miss Sadie REALLY likes them. I am not sure what it is about them, but she likes to eat them..so i brought enough for those random times when Sadie finds one. I put them in the drawer next to my bed. You may also know that Sadie LOVES to get under the bed. If she is playing or in trouble or just wants to get away from Etta, she hides under the bed. So last night we were playing and she goes under the bed. I lay on the floor trying to convince her to come out and play...then I see it...the tub of earplugs.
Sadie the sneaky little bugger had opened the drawer, taken out the tub and ATE THEM (well most of them) there were about 10 left...so she ate 90 of them...she will be pooping purple (or rather brown) earplugs for a year!!! Its NOT funny!!! LOL
There were under things under the bed as well. Its like her secret hiding place for things she got into, and here I thought she was just timid and liked to hide under the bed...

=)
Chrissi

Birds suck

Was peacefully sitting outside and this bird perches on the chair next to me. Too close for comfort because I hear these particular birds will attack people. They are not very attractive either. Looks sorta like a creepy homeless man. Anyway, I shook the chair to scare it away. It then flew to chair farther away and started staring me down. Ya know like one of those death stare till u look away stares. I looked away first..looking like a freak staring down a bird. Then the bird flew ONTO MY TABLE!! inches away from my lunch. The audacity!!! I stood up and walked away. The bird won.



chrissi alice

another video for your enjoyment

Here they are!!

we were a little anxious prior to picking up the girls. We couldnt pick them up till at least 3pm and Nat picked me up from uni around 1pm. 20 minutes to get to airport, 1hr40min to "waste."
It was the LONGEST 2 hours of our lives!!
I figured I would ask Nat how excited he was, i tried to download video but it doesnt really do him justice, he was literally dancing and pacing all day. I could not get that smile off his face!!!
So instead I decided to upload this video which is PERFECT. We got to the place to pick them up at like 2:45pm and we could see them when they opened doors to backroom. THAT was tortured...so close but SO far away. Must have been the busiest time of the day because there were tons of people there dropping stuff off. FINALLY we got to front of line! The guy went to get the girls and brought them around to front. This is the first greeting after 5+ months away!!
ENJOY!!



The girls are SO tired now! They cut their collars in half at the airport (??) so we had to run to pet store and buy new ones. Got home and of course all that excitement, bit of play in yard, then went on walk to dogpark (maybe it will grow on Etta -- she is NOT a fan of dogs in her personal space, NOT A FAN AT ALL!! She was hiding behind Nat just to get away from them (cute though), then they got baths, and a little more play. They were watching us eat dinner, and being perfect, but could hardly keep their eyes open!! Now they are both konked out and adorable!! Feels so much more like home with them here. I almost forgot how much Etta loves me! One thing though, Sadie is SO SKINNY!! She is half the size she was when we left her 5 months ago. I think she may have been bigger as a PUPPY!! Etta has lost a little weight as well, but nothing like Sadie (i just say she is big boned!) Good news...they are still the most adorable girls ever...the drama hasnt seemed to phase them, but they are EXHAUSTED, but still playing and singing and loving us!! It is SO nice to have them HOME.

Home sweet home

Long time coming but the girls are finally here safe an sound!!!


chrissi alice

Down to the hours

On way to airport to pick up girls. Whoo Hoo!!


chrissi alice

Almost

The girls are almost here. We will pick them up from the airport on Monday afternoon. We went out today and got food, bowls, toys and treats. There was this adorable puppy at puppy store that was hard to resist bringing home. Can't wait for girls to get here cause hopefully the puppy-wanting phase will go away!!

chrissi alice

Countdown

FOUR MORE DAYS!!!



chrissi alice

Countdown

FIVE DAYS TILL GIRLS GET HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


chrissi alice

Bioscience midterm

Missed more than I thought I did so little disappointed but better than most...82.5. 33 out of 40.


chrissi alice

EIGHT DAYS!!!!

EIGHT DAYS TILL OUR GIRLS ARE HERE!!! It has been awesome to have all the pics posted that shows them running and playing and smiling, but it wont be the same until they are HERE!!
http://www.dogwalks.com.au/cpg/index.php?cat=6 shows all the dogs in Sydney. If you go on that page to "top rated" and "most viewed" you will see our girls ranking pretty high. I wish that they dominated the "top rated" page instead of that other dog (Lilly). She only has like 28 votes, but Sadie and Etta only have 6 votes (page two), but over 60 views....imagine the dominance factor if I could vote more than once!! Etta and Sadie have their own folder which is where you can vote. Most of them have at least 2 votes (guess where THOSE came from)...of course my girls are 5-STAR RATED!!!
all well. i am just excited for them to FINALLY get here. They arent here yet so keep your fingers crossed!
School is going well. I only really have 5 weeks of class left (not including semester break and study week). It is going by really fast. I am starting up in week 8 and only have 13 weeks total (other than Clinical Practice which can go into December), but lectures/tutorials. I have learned SO much but still feel like I am lacking in SO much. all well, it should come with time and practice. I just want to be the best, and the only thing holding me back is lack of knowledge!!
well i should get back to finishing my assignments. I have a LONG list of things to do this weekend just to stay afloat and I still want to do some more catch-up work.

has it really been that long?

yeah yeah its been a while. this is really the first time in a couple weeks that i have had time to myself to sit and write. school has been really fun. I have soem great new girlfriends in most all of my classes and they are my study partners. Nina and Fiona are awesome! I talk to Nina most everyday and hang out with her at school. The last couple weeks have been pretty stressful. All of our tests and assignments ended up landing in the same week. I guess you would consider it midterms. I feel confident in my attempts for Bioscience but not so much for Pharmacology. Weird since i prefer pharmacology over bioscience. i think i spent so much time studying for bioscience that my brain was dead when i was supposed to study for pharmacology. all well its all done now and now i feel like i dont have anything to do. although i know there are so many things to do because i have slacked on my other classes that dont have very many assignments.
enough about school. nah...more about school! I am in week seven. I really dont have any more projects until week 13. I really like my Clinical Practice 2 class. I am taking Clinical Practice 1 & 2 at the same time so 1 is making beds and feeding, etc. CP2 is removing staples/stitches and giving injections. way more fun!! I have practice sessions at school until Sept 22 then i get to go into hospitals/aged care. I start my first CP1 rotation on Oct 19-31. then i have CP2 rotation sometime in November.
Weather here in Brisbane has been sporatic. we had a couple days last week that were unbearablly hot, then the last couple days are chilly.
I feel left out that I missed out on Sarah and Travis' wedding. Lindsey posted some pics on her facebook and they were BEAUTIFUL!! I cant believe my little sarah is all grown up and married. what in the world are her parents going to do with an empty house?
I feel like I havent been talking to anyone lately but Nina and Fiona, but I see them everyday. School takes up alot of time. I am planning on getting a job after i get through this semester because then i will have some qualifications.
My girls are in Australia!! I guess i have said that already! They will be here in less than 2 weeks! its crazy that this year has gone by so quickly. I cant believe its september already!!
Its sad that i really dont have much to report. i get up, go to school, come home and read/study. that is basically all i do. i havent even had time to go to movie with Nat. I think we are going to this weekend. Friday I am going out with Nina and Fiona to celebrate getting through midterms. it will be nice to have a night out.
love you all!!
chrissi

27 days and counting...SO CLOSE!!

http://www.dogwalks.com.au/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=182

album of our girls while in quarantine.

Found: Dog Park

Today Nat and I went on a long walk and found a dog park!! It is really close to our house and there were lots of doggies there. Maybe if we go often enough Etta wont be such a bitch. =)
I am SO excited!! They will be leaving Cheryl's August 10 and will arrive in Sydney on August 14. They will be in the same COUNTRY and then we will only have 30 days to go. Time has really been flying.

I would write more, but I am in the middle of trying to mark some things off my list. Love you all!

Chrissi

The list...

ok i have a little bit of time to avoid doing any school work (although after todays lecture I should really go to library to figure out what the hell she was talking about) all well, i digress.

as far as the list.
1. shopping: i need a new pair of jeans. all my jeans are stretched out and are falling off me. There is a trend here for skinny jeans (the ones that taper at the ankle) and I tried them on but just could not wrap my head around purchasing them. I remember in high school looking at people that graduated 10 years before me and they all dressed like they were still in high school fashion...now i think i fall into that category. I am not fashionable at all...i lived through the eighties already, i dont want to again. something i would have worn as a 10 year old is "trendy" now...i just cant do it. but i still need a new pair of jeans.
2. girls: meeting some cool girls. wanting to find a small group but finding it difficult because the church they all go to is on north end of Brisbane and I am situated on south end. I am sure there are groups and churches closer to me, but I also really like the girls I have met (just dont want to get up at 7am on sunday to get to their church an hour away). I already have enough early mornings. I hung out with new friend Felicity a couple weeks ago. I hope to hang out with her again soon, but its hard to find the time that we both are available. She is super cool though. I am excited for Danielle and Hans to come back in a couple weeks. It will be cool to hang out with them again. Felicity and her husband invited us to AFL (australian football league?) but we already had plans.
3. school: school has been keeping me pretty busy. I have all these classes with "assumed knowledge" -- like i should have taken such and such a class because this class builds on that, yet i didnt have such and such a class. kind of hard to follow gastrointestinal tract if you dont know what it is...so bascially i have a lot of catch up work. hopefully i will get all caught up this semester to that next semester i will be on top of things. I am not the only student struggling though, pretty much all the graduate entry students feel really overwhelmed not only with all the new material, but all the material we need to know to understand it. At least I am not alone! I have to wake up at 5:30AM at least 3 days a week...makes for a TIRED girl at around 8pm. poor Nat doesnt even get his lunch made anymore.
I have made some friends with classmates. Of course I have not hung out with them outside of school but its only week two. They are very diverse and I am ending up hanging out with all the old ladies. the age range is very diverse, from fresh out of high school to grandmas. makes for interesting conversation. I pretty much have all my classes with the same people so we tend to sit together and i think eventually we will be the group that the lecturers will yell at to keep quiet! =)
5. sand volleyball: Nat started playing volleyball on Tuesday nights. The first couple nights was pretty entertaining but lately I have been "babysitting" one of the other players kids. They are pretty cool kids, but I am over worrying about them falling from climbing everything,getting kicked and spit on (especially by the boy)--i could deal with the girl, she is civil. With school, I dont think I am going to go anymore to watch, just sorta a hassle to get there.
6. I really do miss all of you! not as much as when before school started, but still i do. i hate missing out on your lives and being able to be there. possibly a little resentment setting in...trying to fight it.

other news:

We went to see a movie on Saturday. I read and studied all day and Nat got to pick the movie--wouldnt you know he would pick a SUBTITLED movie...ugh. It was beautiful movie (Red Cliff) but sorta slow moving and hard to follow the characters. They all looked the same so I couldnt tell who was bad guy and who was good guy.

Should be receiving shipment in Mid-August! YEAH MORE CLOTHES...i am sick of wearing same outfits. May be getting a discount because it is running about 2 months late. I just really want my bed...my neck and back are suffering.

Girls will be here in Australia in Mid-August...then 30 days quarantine. time is flying and we miss them TERRIBLY. Cheryl has been taking great care of them and getting them to all their vet visits. less than 2 months!! YEAH!!

I think that is all I can sacrifice for an update. I have ALOT of reading to do and I am starving! need to eat to read!

Love you all
Chrissi

Things to write about...

1. shopping for clothes
2. girls
3. school
4. girlfriends
5. sand volleyball
6. how much i miss all of you!

Getting Better...

So tonight I made chocolate chip cookies from scratch. They arent bad but would be SO much better with real chocolate chips. At least this time they are gooey and not hard as rocks! Flour lesson learned! I also made Chicken Divan and it was awesome!! The cheese is a little different, but overall it tastes the same...so I guess I will be ok here.
I went to to Tupperware party on Saturday afternoon, after I talked to mom, Cheryl Carol Hope and Steve on Skype. It was pretty good. Always awkward meeting people for the first time. After the party I stuck around a little longer and had some good conversation with Sarah, Felicity and Wendy. I think that was more fun than the party. I ended up getting home later than I intended, but I also put myself out there. Monday night there is a group of girls (from same general group) to that going to see a movie. Felicity is a God-send, as well as Hans and Danielle. I wish Danielle was here to play with us. I am hoping that there is a woman's bible study/small group that I can get involved in. So far so good...met two girls...and they are both awesome!
I have been having this issue with DirecTV. We left DirecTV connected so Cheryl and Carol could use it. They pay the monthly but its in our name. Well they decided they didnt want it anymore so we needed to cancel it. They wanted to charge me $280 cancellation fee. It was RIDICULOUS. I wouldnt recommend them to anyone. It took me like 3 phone calls, and 5 emails (apparently they took me seriously when I asked for the address to report them to BBB). They cancelled my service on Friday night (even though I had not asked them to) and I got an email this morning saying that they wouldnt charge the early cancellation fee. I explained to them that I moved out of the country and they STILL refused to waive it. It finally got sent to a "specialist" that "apparently" waived it. We will see with our final bill! The emails were pretty heated. I could not fathom a company refusing to waive a cancellation fee, especially since they couldnt provide service. They just kept telling me that we signed a contract. In one email they said "we must assume that they (being me) have considered all other options and circumstances that might transpire while they are still under commitment." Thats right, because when I signed up I looked into my magic crystal ball and said "oh yes, we will be here in 2 years..." RETARDED!! Anyway, in the end I "apparently" got the fee waived...so YEAH!
Nat has been pretty hermit-ish the last couple weekends. We tend to stay home and veg out. Not all that bad, but there is so much to see and do. He does work all week so it is sorta his only time to unwind, so I understand.
Also I would like to introduce you to FLUKE. He was rescued from a pound on Friday. He was to be euthanized so we saved his life. He is absolutely adorable and very gentle and calm. He has made himself right at home. I am not sure what kind of dog he is, but definately some kelpie (AU Sheep dog). We are supposed to have him up to 6 weeks or until someone adopts him but I am very allergic to him. I have to call the lady tomorrow and tell her she will have to take him back. I have been drugged up on anti-histamines and asthma meds (and using inhaler 4+ times a day, which is unusual) plus my nose is a mess. He has a lot of dander and I cant bear it! I hate to give him back, but I cant breathe and I kind of need that. Hopefully she can find someone else that can take him.


well i think that is it for now! The girls will be leaving USA in 6 weeks! HOPEFULLY we will get out crate in 2 weeks and I start school in 2 weeks (OH DEAR!!)
Love you all!! Keep on writing!

c.ALIce

There is a distinct difference between family and friends, but the line gets blurred when your friends are like family....missin you.

hi

hi all...just wanted to say hi. missing you all very much. loving the updates on the blogs...even had a stunning entry from Cheryl!! I see some amazing things happening in your lives and love hearing about it...so KEEP IT UP!

MJ

Nat and I were watching some tribute show about michael Jackson it was a reminder of how much he actually did in life. It's sad that when I think of him that none of that comes to mind. What does that say about me?


chrissi alice

Adventerous....

So yesterday I decided that I was going to finally get on a bus and figure out a route. I have been procrastinating pretty much since I got here. Yesterday I procrastinated a little more and ended up not going anywhere. I did however get a lot accomplished yesterday with finishing up some work and applying for some positions.
So today I went on my adventure. My main encouragement was Starbucks but also Chocolate Boulevard (a specialty store with real American treats). I walked to the nearest bus stop (about 20 minute walk) and got onto a bus. Brisbane has like 500 brand new buses, but I got on one of the only dinosaurs left on the road. It wasn't that bad until one guy got on the bus and sat in front of me...I have noticed a trend here in Australia of people not investing in deodorant...or soap...or personal hygiene or perfume/cologne or something! Luckily we were close to the end of the route. The bus stop was in the mall, which was very convenient and not as confusing as I thought it would be. i was also lucky that I didn't have to transfer to another bus; it was pretty much a straight shot to the mall.
This particular mall is downtown and the only place (or VERY few) that has a Starbucks. I was craving my usual grande caramel white chocolate mocha and to my DISMAY it wasn't listed on the menu (nor were half of the drinks you would normally see). So I opted for the backup of Caramel Macchiato. I figure its the same concept and just add white chocolate. Nope...I like sugar and not much on the taste of coffee...this drink was coffee. Still had that Starbucks "flavor" but did nothing to quench my craving. I sugared it up nonetheless and drank it up.
Chocolate Boulevard was pretty cool. It is basically this very small candy boutique with candies from all over the world. It had wall of jelly belly's (which i refused to pay $50/kg) and authentic American candy...Hershey bars, Hershey syrup, milk duds, willy wonka and sodas like cherry Pepsi, mountain dew and Dr pepper. I ended up walking out without buying anything because I figure that is what good friends are for---care packages!! Its weird going to movies WITHOUT Milk Duds, that is like staple movie food, and the cinema popcorn is lacking in flavor, butter and salt. I would happy with a rental, milk duds and some buttery microwave popcorn. I haven't found anything like Hershey syrup....does anything quite compare?
The store made me miss "home" and struggle with being away from it. I thought Illinois was miserable without blue ice cream, now I have Australia without GOOD ice cream. I swear everything tastes funny. You would think that I would be swearing it all off, but no, i force it down. I guess I am really proving to myself the measures I will go to in order to stay fat! Even Coke has a diet-like aftertaste. Will I ever learn?
I did however find some pretty tasty "pickles"--or rather dill cucumbers...terminology! I also found some whip cream that is pretty similar to Redi-whip. I am still trying my hand at creative recipes. I am starting to run out of ideas.
We have paper thin walls. Next door we have toddler, baby and non-stop barking dog. Its one of those things you don't notice until someone points it out and then it aggravates the crap out of you. I am tempted to look for new house or strangle the dog. I hope that it doesn't teach Etta and Sadie bad habits when they get here. I really miss my girls...93 more days till they are home with us. 60 days till they leave US. Etta is getting fat...she needs to lose weight...like mother like daughter. i think its just anxiety because she misses me so much!! I think I'll use that excuse too!
School starts in 34 days ( I got this thing for countdowns). I am excited. I think everything is in order to start smoothly and on time. I am still waiting for financial aid to go through, and crossing my fingers...without it I am not sure what we will do.
Well I cant think of anything else to write about. My brain just went numb.

Love you all!
Chrissi

Babies everywhere...

seriously 6 girls i know are pregnant....plus like 3 that have had kids in the last month...is that some kind of record? I hate hormones...

as the world turns...

It feels like I have been in Australia for years. I am still finding my bearings as far as whats near or far and what I like and dont like. Its hard to believe its barely been a month. just at three weeks or so. In the time I have been here, we have found a house, bought a car, met some new friends and are finally getting in to some kind of routine. I am sure there will be much more adjusting to come, but for now, we are settled more than I would have expected.
Last week I made it a point to apply for jobs--from graphic design to grocery clerk. Nothing yet, but I am learning that aussies take their sweet ol' time doing anything. There is definately no rush. I think getting a job will be good for me to get out of the house. I have become quite domesticated. Each morning we wake up around 7am. I cook Nat breakfast, fix his lunch and send him off to work. You would think I would go back to bed, but I dont. The remainder of the day consists of cleaning, dishes, laundry and the dreaded ironing. I barely watch tv -- unless the 24 hour music channel counts (its what MTV is SUPPOSED to be!!) Somehow I fill my day with stuff to do. I retouch pictures, make lots of lists...i would do a devotion or two, but I think my bible is on a boat!
speaking of our stuff. We are hoping to get it within the next 3-4 weeks. It will be SO SO SO SO awesome to sleep in my bed. I slept on the couch last week because I wanted to NOT wake up with a neck cramp and a back ache! I LOVE MY BED!! I am hoping that it did not get destroyed! If it does, I guess Nats check next month will be going towards a bed! Its a little adjustment getting paid once a month. We had so many expenses right up front that we are living the next couple weeks without doing much of anything. We eat in every night...which is cheaper, and experimental. I made some buttered spaghetti last week that Nat LOVED. I am a pretty good (and sometimes creative) cook. I am pretty basic though. Spaghetti, chicken, potato soup (food of the poor!) and more spaghetti! I am looking for some recipes. I forgot to bring all my recipe books back with Cheryl. One day I am sure I will get them back.
Last week I went up to QUT to make sure everything was in order to start school. I had waited on giving back my offer letter because I wanted to have our new address and phone numbers. Apparently in order to officially be accepted indefinately and move on to the next steps of enrollments (ie classes, id, etc) I need to pay my first semester up front. Cause I have $10,000 just laying around. I talked to financial aid and they said not to worry about it, but I talk to other people and they say I must have all first semester cash in hand. I have applied to financial aid, but I guess it wont go through until i get enrolled...vicious backwards cycle! I am hoping I find someone to talk to that knows what they are talking about -- and SOON before I miss out on technicalities. I have been doubting my purpose in going into nursing, but I was encouraged from my last blog. I guess I just feel hormonal. I started taking birth control for the first time in my life. I have put it off and tried to weasel my way out it -- but I guess for now its the best thing. I feel a little left out in the baby department. I have been in this mood lately that I just want to get it over with (great attitude right?). Not really in a negative sense, but more of a yearning...I am not sure Nat will ever be ready. He chocks it up as "what will be will be" and really shows no interest in it. I think when I feel pains of loneliness, the yearning gets louder. I am alone alot, but I wouldn't say I am lonely though-- so I am blaming the birth control. Funny, birth control making you want to have kids! I must be crazy.
We have met some great people. We met Hans and Danielle through an online forum and had dinner with them. It was so much fun. We had so much in common and I am sure we will hang out again. There schedule for the next 3 months is filled with trips and arrangements but hopefully when they get back we can reconnect. I also had lunch with Natalie (friend of Robbie Ballmeyer). She is super sweet and I think she can really broaden our horizons as far as things to do. There is alot to do here, but it takes money one way or another--if just in gas money. Nat and I did drive down to Gold Coast on Saturday. It was a beautiful drive. They were having a blues concert near the beach. The ocean of course was beautiful but REALLY cold and windy. I am sure its not usually like that, but we were on the beach for about 5 minutes. Gold Coast I guess is sorta like Miami (although I wouldnt know)-- there are lots of really nice houses inside bays with their boats parked at their front doors (which was all water). I thought of how Ken and Vanessa would LOVE it there. The water was blue and sparkling. i am sure we will spend more time there when it warms up a bit. There is still so much more to discover inside Brisbane. The city life is very active. i am anxious to go to southport and ride the ferris wheel. I am hoping that we dont get into so much a routine with not spending money that we dont find all the adventures that dont take any money. We will get there I am sure.
I would tell you of all our adventures when we start really having some. I am not sure that writing about moving the desk and going grocery shopping is very entertaining. I am very happy to have internet though. I had so much catching up to do with the business. its like 9pm on sunday and I am pretty tired already. I have some errands to run this week..going to get Hep B shot, filling out some applications and paperwork with QUT. I need to talk to someone that can tell me what to do next. i will be taking a First Aid Certification class in mid-June. granted I have the money to pay for it! The next couple months will be better, just the first month hit us hard with having to put down deposit and first months rent and buy appliances and basic essentials (like food and laundry detergent).
Nat and I have been going on walks around the subdivision. We went one day in the rain and we were SOAKED when we got home, but it was awesome...and we went one day in the dark (cause it gets dark when Nat gets home). I have ventured out once. I was trying to figure out how long it would take me to walk to bus stop...20 minutes. Not too bad...all subdivision. Nat claims there is a much quicker route, but it involves paths rather than roads and I like to stick to roads until I walk it with him 3 or 4 times. I dont have gps for walking!
well i guess i am off here for now. Ill post most of this on the other blog...Nat really should blog more...he is quite the slacker.
love you all. hope all is well with you.
Chrissi

doubt

i think i know why people that find jobs keep them until they die. i think i would still be working at encore if 1. it wasnt closed (although I am sure I would have just moved to North Carolina) 2. didnt move to CA, meet Nat, get married, move to AU. You know what I mean. When i look to find a job I become so self-conscious. I dont find myself as talented as others..or as qualified. I wonder if nursing is right for me. I consider just not going to school and get some random job at movie theatre or something just to add to income. Its not a career though.
I have been working in graphic design for 3 years, well on and off. I dont mind it, but there are SO many other talented people out there. I dont feel like I know the programs well enough, that I dont know all the rules involved. I guess I am good at it. They didnt seem to mind me at PJS. I consider nursing and then I clam out at the thought of certain aspects. Do i really think that bodily fluids are SO bad? I worked with restroom crew at PKI, can it get worse than that?
I have been keeping myself busy though. I clean house everyday. I have become QUITE domesticated. I wake up and cook Nat breakfast, make his lunch then clean, iron and laundry during the day, then when he gets home I make him dinner and pacify him for the rest of the night. I know he enjoys it. I dont mind it, but I feel this particular pressure to provide more "financially" -- I would like to have some kind of confidence in something that would make me feel worthy.
I guess with nursing I am thinking that I dont really have to "prove" myself. There is such a demand for nurses that it wont be a rat race to find employment. Seems like all the wrong reasons to do it -- but at this point in my life, I want to have some sort of stability in finding work. Its obvious that I need something that is easily obtained. With all the moving, I am sure it has effected my resume. I have not really kept a job for a long period of time, but you cant blame me. I am trying to settle, but life keeps moving.
I guess I could really use my time wisely. I mean it I am going to sit here all day, I might as well learn something. I have a list of things I need to do. I still need to commit some time to Temple Wedding pictures. Is it ok to mediocre at so much but not be spectacular at anything. maybe that is my problem.
I am talking in circles. I need to get off here and get something accomplished. Ill write later.

keep your pants on....seriously

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/5577152/alfie-baby-father-revelaed

Couple Fun Tidbits

oh yeah! spider camped out outside our new house. raid anyone?


Look familiar? doesnt it remind you of Walmart? imagine walmart in a mall...and a kroger and IGA with all the other mini boutiques and food courts...


Hill I hike to the mall. Its about a 2km walk (1.3 miles??) this is first hill, ther other ones are minimal in comparison

some fun.
I went walking the other day up my monsterous hill to get to the mall. I have finally got it down to about 20 minutes. First day I think it took me nearly 45. Oh I exaggerate, but the hike is getting easier.
I decided to stop for lunch. The more I eat here, the more I dont want to. You think you are getting one thing, but you end up with something totally different. case and point. I ordered a BLT. Granted I am not a hug fan of pork, but I can handle a BLT every once in a while. Plus for some reason it sounded good. Apparently they butter the bread when making any sandwich, even if it comes with mayo. i imagine crisp warm bacon, on top of cool leaf lettuce and tomato with hint of mayo. I basically get a fatty slab of thin sliced ham, warm and soggy on buttered bread with LOADS of mayo. i think they need it to keep the shredded lettuce on the sandwich. I must say though, my favorite place to eat so far is SUBWAY. How can you really go wrong with normal meat on normal bread?
I know eventually I will have to drive here. But I am allowed to wait till we get a reasonably sized car. Ute over here is a car/truck. it feels like a semi--or f350 on AU roads. Nat insisted I drive. It was in the comfort of the subdivision..he was sweating bullets the whole way...hahaha! Insist me to drive now PUNK!
things i want
milk duds with popcorn at movies...i substituted rolos...close enough i guess
coke that doesnt taste like diet even when it is "fully loaded"
wings..smothered in wing sauce...when you say wings...smother them!
chips...natural cheetos...figures NOW i would have a craving
fat burgers...ya know the ones that hang over the bun!! sandwich, cheeseburger..size of burger..cheesy!
my dogs...seriously 4 more months!! Nat is starting to PET ME!! (I cant say I mind in some cases lol...hahah..couldnt resist)
home cooked meal--i am SO sick of eating out.
friends--cause 8+ hours a day alone sucks!

miss you -- love you all!

Pics of house

Update and pics at http://natandchrissi.blogspot.com and also on facebook. They took way too long to post, so go there if you care. (and comment!!)

TGIF

Hello all! I guess I have a lot of catching up to do!
last weekend we shopped around for cars and got rough idea on furniture. Ill try to recount this week, although the days are running into each other. We went to IKEA and got some essentials that we have but on a boat somewhere on the Pacific. SO we go some dishes, pots and pans, measuring cups, oven mitts...it really is amazing what you need in JUST the kitchen. Imagine the list..cleaning supplies, bathroom, bedroom, closet, kitchen, etc etc! Some stuff we have coming, but I think we learned from this experience what is necessary asap. Regardless we got some essentials cheap to hold us over till Mid-July.

Monday
We were supposed to meet up with owners for dinner. But they had to cancel, which was a total bummer but I totally understood. So all in all, we received from them 5 pc sectional couch, 7-seater dining room table, 2 bar stools, some yard equipment and desk. What started out as table and chairs, ended up being alot of what we needed furniture wise. They got the tile, carpet and couch cleaned for us. I dont think I did anything too interesting this day. I watched a really cheesy horror flick and looked for jobs online plus called around to all the car dealerships. nat and i went out sunday to lots to get some options, out of about 10 we saw on sunday in lot, 6 were sold by 2pm on Monday---UGH UGH UGH. I did finally find one that i like that we put deposit down to see on saturday. What is really cool is that they will actually bring the car to you! at least we have something secured until we can make it there (EVERYTHING closes at 5-5:30 so it makes it sorta IMPOSSIBLE) In lieu of dinner plans, nat and i got hungry jacks (i am SO sick of eating out!!!)

Tuesday
Tonight we had dinner plans with people from Hastings Deering. The girl Nat is replacing is 6 weeks from busting and it was her farewell party. We went to Cactus Jacks, a "mexican" restaurant. It was no Margaritas or El Rancho Grande. I am wondering if those places actually exist!! It was decent food nonetheless. I walked up to the mall today just to walk around. It is quite the hike up a hill. I took pictures that I am going to post. We got to Cactus Jacks around 7 and didnt leave till nearly 10:30...Aussies can TALK!! It was great! There was rarely a dull moment in the conversation and although I didnt work with them, I felt somewhat included.

Wednesday
I was supposed to go to QUT and have the beginning of my Hep B shots for school and I was also going to get my student id and take care of anything else I needed to do. I cancelled. I only had about $50 left and it would easily be over $100 day with the fee for shot as well as taxi. I opted to wait to figure out bus system when I get to house, since I will be coming and going from there. Apparently its very confusing. I have lunch plans with Natalie on Monday so hopefully she can help me out. In lieu of QUT I watched Biggest Loser with my sisters...how awesome right? We got on skype video call and they set the camera right in front of the tv. It was nice to "hang out" with them. Much better that visiting QUT!!
For dinner Nat and I ordered pizza hut. I was sorely disappointed. Nothing here tastes the same. I am about to crawl into a hole of not eating cause its not worth it. That is the main reason why I am SO excited to have kitchen so I can start cooking what I know I will like (and it wont cost me a fortune!) There are definately things I miss. Wings...with good sauce. Ranch dressing that doesnt taste like honey mustard horseradish. hamburgers with MEAT. familiar cheese. crack dip. even the coke tastes funny. Maybe it is all mental, but it matters to my brain. I got strawberry sundae from McD---smelt like old mans stinky underarm. (funny side story, as i sat down to eat my sundae, a little girl was playing hide and seek with kids in next room over (playroom) and then they started sticking their tongues out at her. No kidding, that girl leaned back and haulked a loogie on the window...like 3 times. After that i vowed not to eat stinky strawberry sundaes in the presence of spitting children.)

Thursday
Yesterday I went out on my own and went shopping. I had to run errands and go to bank, look for mattress and appliances. I have been extremely frugal. I compare all the prices from one store to the next and try to haggle. Last night (stores open late on Thursdays so Nat could go shopping with me) we finally got all the necessity appliances. I think we got a really good deal compared to the competition, plus the sales guy was super nice and lenient! Check that off the list. We are desperate for a mattress. They are so hard to shop for. It has been way overdue finding a mattress. We would otherwise be sleeping on the couch/floor. I got an email from owners of house...consider for a moment how unbelievablely cool this is.

Hi Chrissy and Nat,

We finally got everything packed up and have arrived safely in Hervey Bay, but I just wanted to let you know that you wont have to worry too much about buying kitchen stuff as we have left you a few things to get you started.


* Crockery & cutlery
* glassware
* Pots and 1 pan
* Plastic containers
* A roasting dish and roasting trays
* Iron and Ironing board
* mop & bucket
* Various washing buckets
* cooking utensils
* Foils and glad wraps
* toilet brushes & toilet bins
* TOilet paper basket
* hand held vaccum and extension cord
* 2 x heavy duty extension cords in the garage


I tried to keep everything at least matched. If you dont need many of the items, you can just toss them in the trash. Anything we have left behind is for your use and not part of your lease contract.

We have also left you a bottle of Northern Territory Brew. (as we are not drinking anymore)
Im not sure what this one tastes like, it was an unwanted gift.

ANything else you need, just let us know.

Thanks again,

Lisa and Dean

Seriously!!! So now we get to go back to IKEA and return most everything we bought. Honestly I will need to see most of it to know what exactly it is. How cool though! So much of the stuff we need and some stuff we didn't even think about. highlight of my day! Last night I put my resume into a couple places. Photography jobs are more prevalent here so hopefully that will work out to give me something to do until i start school in July. Overall Thursday was very successful.

Friday (so far)
Today Nat and I get to go sign for our new house! I am SO excited to get out of this hotel room. It hasnt been bad, but I just know what the house looks like and I want to be there! WE sign for house, go get AU licenses, pick up credit cards from bank, finish mattress shopping and possibly go car shopping. Finding a car is priority this weekend since Monday will be the final day Nat will have car provided by company. We have car secured to look and appointment tomorrow morning that I think will work. It really is a daunting task to find a decent car for a reasonable price. They dont have quite the selection or competition as in the states. 1999 cars are going for over $10,000. I think we may go see Angels and Demons tonight, but that highly depends on if we find a car, because if we do, we will be taking me driving on side roads before I bring that bad boy home! So I am off to get dressed and go check out some furniture stores to compare mattress prices more diligently. I need to write them all down and try to remember if I thought they were comfy. Nat will be coming home early at noon so that we can run all these errands.

Tomorrow we have more car shopping and hopefully mattress finding. Our appliances will be delivered and hopefully we will have mattress by Monday so we can move out of this hotel into HOME!!

I am really trying to be good. Life has been sorta hectic but I dont think its going to get any better.
love you all
Mrs. P

Note to self

BLOG SOON!!!!
1. date with sisters.
2. food.
3. adventures.
4. awesome owners.
5. QUT.
6. Control Issues.

beautiful and boorrringgg

so the house hunt is over and i can't car shop on my own. Nat goes to work at like 7.30am and gets home about 5.30pm. i am usually up before him in the morning and cant get back to sleep...yeah I know...totally out of character,but I imagine its like getting up at noon in the states =). Today I called around to car dealerships to see if the cars we looked at yesterday in the lots were still available. out of say 10 cars we considered, 6 were already sold. The car turnover is mind-blowing. Fortunately they have a deposit deal where you put down deposit of like $50 to hold the car so they wont sell it before you actually get a chance to see it. One cool aspect though is that they will actually bring the car you are interested in to your doorstep. Bad part about car shopping is that the dealerships close PRECISELY at 5pm. They do not mess around with closing time. Actually almost everything closes at 5pm...the mall, some grocery stores, department stores. There are few things to do after 6pm (and its dark by then too).
nat and i ran quickly to the grocery store at 6.55pm, it closed at 7pm. When we left, they practically had all the lights turned out and were prepared to lock the doors. Closing time is no funny business here. So nightlife is far and few between. I am not sure exactly what an aussie does when they get home from work and cant go shopping.
Its interesting to live in an environment that for the most part is very non-materialistic. There is just not a focus on it at all. They are also VERY enviromentally conscious. They just lifted the ban of using water to wash car or water yard, or anything else "wasteful" -- they have recycle pick up like US but I am sure here that they recycle bin is bigger than normal trash lol...
So Nat and I were really looking forward to dinner tonight, but unfortunately they cancelled on us. I can understand though, they are leaving on Wednesday and still have a lot to do, but I guess there were alot of setbacks today. Tomorrow we are going for mexican...i am sure it will not be anything like in US. I highly doubt they have crack dip, or even mexicans for that matter...would be QUITE the hike for them.
I have made lunch plans with Natalie, a friend of Robbie Ballmeyer. We finally communicated today and made plans. I am SO excited to meet her. She seems like she will be SO much fun to hang out with. What Aussie wouldnt be fun?!?!? They are so incredibly laid back and friendly. I am going to have to learn to be nice!!! I think she will be a great asset when it comes to decorating the new house. IKEA here we come!
So, I thought that selling everything was so liberating, but didnt realize all the esssentials we had to have. Our stuff wont get here till early July and it has everything for our kitchen..plates, cups, silverware, utencils. we have NOTHING. we went to IKEA and got some essentials. I am thinking on the way home we will have twice as much as we came with...i guess you can never get rid of all the STUFF.
It really is beautiful here. Every sunset is amazing and the sky seems like its so close. The moom seems bigger, the stars brighter...oh funny, imagine a sky WITHOUT orion! I really am on the other side of the world!
so its time for all you slackers to start blogging again...a thank you to the lovely abbi for starting up again. Love you much....

Life in a day.

Today Nat and I decided to get up early and go car shopping. Nat currently has a loaner car from Hastings Deering but we really need to invest in our own car. We are having some issues at the moment. 1. There are not really any cars under $13-15,000. 2. We dont have that kind of money on hand. 3. They arent super keen on giving loans out to people like us. So we are sorta in a perdicament. I am sure we can figure something out, but it is becoming quite the hassle. I was hoping not to spend that kind of money on a car we will have for only 2 years, but its sort of a necessity.
After a couple hours daydreaming about what we couldnt afford we had an appointment to meet with the owners of the house again today. They are moving to Cairns and are packing up. It is unusual to have contact with the owners. Most transactions would go through the agent/property manager. We had a great chat with them the first time we met them and this time was no different. Again we were there for over 2 hours. They are attempting to get rid of some of their furniture, ie dining table, end tables, couch...and we were obliged to take it off their hands! =) We ended up with table with 6 chairs, 2 bar stools, 5 lazyboys (sorta like detachable sectional), tv stand, and one large and one small trendy coffee tables. We are negotiating for the fridge so we wont have to buy one of those (they dont come standard in AU). Overall it was a good deal. We went furniture shopping after we left and were relieved to have taken care of some big purchases without even having much of a hassle. I think they were relieved to get rid of them.
While chatting, we were discussing different locations that we should go and visit. Lisa (the wife) started making us a list. We arranged to have dinner on Monday night, where she promises a more defined list of local and New Zealand must-go-to spots. They really are a great couple and I hope we find more couple like them that arent moving far far away. They are very close to our age and are very trendy. He has worked as a graphic designer and currently makes these amazing cravings out of wood. Their house and all its decor (including furniture) fit right into my tastes and I can totally see how I will decorate. We sign our lease next Friday and then we can move in right away. We are trying to figure out our options of sleeping arrangements until our boat brings over our belongings.
So dinner plans on Monday with Lisa and Dean. Dinner plans on Tuesday with people from Nat's work. Campus visit to QUT on Wednesday. Thursday, no plans but I am sure shopping is involved. Friday sign for new house. Last night we had dinner at John's house (Nat's boss). We will still have hotel until following wednesday, so that will give us time to make arrangements for whatever we might need. We have more of a social life here than in the states!
I have a connection here through a friend that spent some time here in Brisbane a couple years ago. I am hoping to get together with her and be great friends! She has offered to be my tour guide. I am hoping also that she will be a great asset in finding a church home. She graduated from Cincinnati Bible Seminary and I am pretty sure her dad is in ministry here in Brisbane at a Baptist church, but I am SURE that it is structured WAY different than what I grew up with.
I feel like I may be leaving out some details, but I cant remember what I have emailed to my sisters and what I have wrote here. All well, I cant give ALL the details. I am outta here now, Nat and I are on our way to dinner and movie (Star Trek---what am I thinking?!?!?!).
Love you all....
Mrs. P

funny thought
I was trying to set up my voicemail on my phone and redid it like 10 times because i didnt want to sound like an aussie...=) its suttle, but its coming on! It doesnt help to hear the instructions with aussie accent then try to talk without sounding like one...at least for me.
"good day. sorry i missed you ringing. i'll try bout ringing you when i have a chance. no worries." LOL

Future abode

chrissi alice

Future abode


chrissi alice

OMG

Yeah so I think I am in love with iphone...seriously blogging on my phone

-- Post From My iPhone

I'm home

in a sense...if home is where your heart is and my heart belongs to Nat, then yeppers I am home. I am not sure how much I will be writing here, and mainly it will be regurgitated from other blog (http://natandchrissi.blogspot.com) so bookmark the other one if you want to have all the details.
Some things to consider.
1. If this is winter, I am hestitant of summer weather and DEFINATELY need to invest in shorts and skirts and throw away all my sweatshirts/security blankets.
2. Nat is miserable without me...coke and beer is all he has -- sounds like a bad Springer Episode.
3. If you want to stop drinking coke, move to AU. $3 for 20oz. Also, stop eating...$9 for sandwiches is sorta ridiculous. Also, dont smoke, you;ll go broke at nearly $10/pack. I imagine there arent many Aussies that eat out often, and if they do, they are millionaires.
4. There is a bird outside our villa that sounds like a chainsaw cutting up a small child.
5. No Koala sightings yet...crickey!
6. It is a new feeling when you get stared at while you talk...I wonder if aussies think US accents are as cool as we think aussie accents are. if they do, i wont conform and stay strong with US accent, just to be loved!
7. I have grocery shopping plans with Nat's boss's wife, Cheryl. At least I won't have to WALK!!
8. TV...hmm, honestly I dont think I will be watching much. They dont have grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Biggest Loser, NCIS...or anything else I watch.
9. MUSIC...no hiphop, top 40...from what I have heard, its all sorta electronic emo....all well, at least I have Etta James on my IPOD.
10. I am off house hunting...wish us luck and PRAY!!

Later
Chrissi

Beeeee....Uoooo....ti...Fuuulllllllllllllll

My Girls

Our Adventure

Nat has done some great documenting of his first couple days in Brisbane. Go to http://natandchrissi.blogspot.com and check it out.

I would write a long blog about what is going on in my life, but 75% of it I cant share right this second...but you will know soon enough. I am sure most of you know already, but until there are more details, I am not at liberty to share.

Also, if you didnt know, I got accepted into Queensland University of Technology to study nursing. It is a 2-yr bachelors program and classes start on July 20th!

Countdown

14 DAYS!!!

new blogging...

so i know that i rarely write on here anymore. but i will be writing on http://natandchrissi.blogspot.com more about the adventures we have in AU. so fill free to bookmark or follow there as well...

i am excited about April 24 Girls Nite out!

countdown

21 days!

Countdown

31 days!

the countdown

32 days.

Is it over yet?

I have not sat down and wrote a blog in a while and I felt like I was due. i am not really sure where to begin though. I have all these lists going through my head of things to do...mail taxes, fill out QUT application, go to bed...then the list for tomorrow...oh dear! When will it be over?
I chuckle because I have been without a job for nearly 3 months and still I fill up my day with so much stuff. Granted I am not sure how we would have handled this move if I would have had to work 40 hours a week. I have been quite the suzy homemaker...its not too shabby, but people SERIOUSLY need to learn to pick up after themselves.
A couple weeks ago, in an effort to help Cheryl, I decided to repaint the kitchen. We were trying to think of ways to make it look larger without a total remodel. There were these boxes above the cabinets that stuck out, served no purpose and I thought without them would make the kitchen appear taller ang bigger...plus give more space to store stuff. After tearing them all down, we realized why they were there in the first place. Apparently the previous owners...pre mom and dad (12 years ago) had a leak in the kitchen. Instead of fixing the leak, they put a metal pot in the attic to catch the water and built a casing above the cabinets. So by the time we took off the casing, the damage was done...and thus a GAPPING hole in the kitchen ceiling.

So I had been frantically trying to find someone to come fix the hole. I finally found someone and he is coming on Tuesday Morning to fix the hole, and some other stuff...this week. Then I have to paint the kitchen BEFORE the countertop guy comes to install the new countertop. SO the simple, painless repaint turned into an almost entire kitchen remodel. Little stressful.
Thursday morning we had the movers come and take away our stuff. Granted all we could really fit was the king sized bed and a couple boxes...minimalists now whether we like it or not!! All last week we also had a plumber come in and redo almost all cheryls plumbing plus some new fixtures and vanity (in exchange for 46" TV). I thought that was a good deal. Friday morning (which felt like Saturday ALL DAY) we finally sold our car to an adorable little couple from Morrow. Friday night we prepared the garage and work room for Moving Sale. Saturday we had moving sale from 8AM-3PM, but really 2PM (when people FINALLY STOPPED coming..it was a good day!). Then i went to accountant to pick up taxes...Is today Monday??? My back is killing me. I am so tired but my super comfy bed is gone and there is nothing that quite compares to it.
Becky let us borrow her car...THANK YOU JESUS, because otherwise I would have driven Nat to Peoria today, and driven back tomorrow so that Cheryl could have her car to get to work. Did I mention that also on top of all these things, I had a HardDrive (only backup to all my pictures, and i mean ALL) totally crash and die, and there is no way I am spending $1500-$4000 to get data recovered, cause I am not sure I have any emotions left to really care =). Dont worry, I have some DVD backups, but I have slacked alot lately...ooops.
So the outlook for the next three weeks
Kitchen will be finished...new walls, new countertops, new beautifulness
Nat will have his last day at Accenture and on plane to Australia
I will know for sure and maybe all this will finally sink in.
Next six weeks
Nat will be gone
I will shoot wedding
I will be on a plane to Australia...
I am sure there is way more than that happening...need to somehow fit in trip to Peoria and Kentucky and see some friends and finish packing stuff to store and get taxes back...OK, so maybe when I get to Australia it will settle down...HAHAAH ya know after I find a place to live, a car to drive, the bus system, a job, possibly school...hahahahahah...2009 is KICKING MY ASS!!

So I am leaving on May 4. April 10 we are having a going away shindig at Hofbrauhaus in Newport...good Friday i know, but there really werent any other dates feasible. We need to schedule a slumber party...so the countdown to my departure has begun....35 days and counting...




I am shocked how seamless everything is falling together.

itchy feet

Or so you would think. I never really did imagine that my life would end up like this, although in my head I always dreamed about it. I have a wonderful husband, that does more than just sit and look pretty and love me...he truly does stretch me to places and to do things that I dreamed about, but could never do on my own. I guess I did find my soulmate. I think that is the definition right?
I think I am going to stop trying to figure myself out. I think that I have a solid idea, then I get thrown all these curve balls. I thought I didnt want to do photography full time, but I have potential for up to 5 weddings this year alone. But most of those probably will fall through (and to no fault of my brides, my fault for not being here). I really have to weigh my options at this point to be here or go and when and how. More on that later.
I thought 2008 was going to be the whirlwind year. In January I thought to myself, this year is going to be crazy, and in ways it was. I went to Egypt, fulfilled a year at PJS, dabbled more into photography and moved to Ohio...one of which definately wasnt planned. 2009 is proving already to beat the shit outta 2008 and its not even March. I have already been to Phoenix, dabbled and had more opps for photography gigs, still "jobless", starting STNA school, applied for Nursing school is US (and abroad), had pretty amazing (in my book) surgery, and now on the verge of possibly moving again...did i mention its NOT EVEN MARCH!!! It really is mind-boggling how my life just unravels. I get this ideal in my head of what life is going to look like, get settled in it a little bit, then BAM! it unravels...not even in a bad way though...good thing that although I am not always thrilled with change, I am not afraid of it to the point that I sit idle. (although I am sure without Nat holding my hand, I would be sitting pretty right here forever!!).
SO the news will come. At some point it will be open knowledge and I will be able to share so much more about what is going on (although some of you I am sure have pieced it together)---but it is still not definate, set in stone, contracted so we need to play it safe and protect what is ours now before we spill the beans and it doesnt work out. i cant imagine how it would NOT work. The waiting is torture. I guess I consider myself a patient person, though some would disagree, I think overall I can hold my own. I am holding out...and it sucks.
When we moved to Cincinnati, we talked about the possiblities on August 18, by Sept 15 we were packing up our house and driving out of town. Everything just fell into place in no time...not alot of waiting or stalls...job ok'd it, found awesome renters, it was amazing. I wonder if all that brought us to this, even without us knowing it. We are in a fabulous position to take this oppurtunity. 6 months ago, this would have been impossible. that is crazy to me.
I guess some people are like that, they can just get up and go, while others are more stable. Stable is not bad...those people are awesome...gives us wild seeds a place to settle for a while. I wish I could give them wings to fly, but maybe they just arent meant to. It takes practice to be risky, and as many times as you do it, it is still the most UNNERVING thing ever. I want to settle down one day. I want to live in the same area for more than a year. I am getting weary of moving and change, but I have had my fill over the last couple years. I just want to catch my breath. I sorta know something about myself though...as much as i think i want to stand and catch my breath, once i took a deep breath and had a chance to look around a bit, i would want to go again. Maybe I am a little harsh on people...but I think its because I want everyone to be like me; with no cares or responsibilities...but even as i get older, I see more and more of that slipping away. Life is meaningless without something to work towards or having purpose. Some peoples purposes are simple to be where they are needed, and others have "itchy feet" and just need to get out and go.
So take this encouragement. Dont try to be anything you are not, but at the same time, dont let anyone keep you (including yourself!) from being who you want to be. You alone are in control of your own happiness and destiny. In the most basic of terms.."fend for yourself"
Thats it
c.ALIce

Life and its Twists

So i havent blogged in a while. I am sure there is much i should share on her, but being i am such a private person, i decide not to. There has been much change in 2009 and possibility of much more. I am not thrilled with the waiting game, but i am trying to stay supportive. I start my STNA course in March. It is a 3 week course that will get me a certification to hopefully get me a job. Nursing pre-reqs start in april at cinci state...so i will most likely definately be here till June (if the decision is yes to go).
I am still trying to take it easy. I am sore when i overdo it, but I am anxious to get back to normal life.
I have been a non-smoker for more than 40 days and the desire to go buy a pack of smokes has been almost unbearable the last couple days. I thought those were supposed to go away!! I have not failed though, so i guess we can see if I have actually accomplished one of my lifelong goals. Only like 1000 more on the list.
I need to study for GRE, but at this point I am procrastinating because I dont know what tomorrow holds..but I should really take advantage of this oppurtunity to be able to study without other distractions.
Body...Soul...Mind...thats what I am working on...
I am thinking about getting back into church. I really should...i have spurts and i need a refresher course in Godliness. I am thinking the vineyard, but have become to lazy to drive that far...maybe monroe vineyard..maybe ill try that tomorrow. Its more about community right?
all well...just thought i would give a mini update.
bye

Its only been a week?!??!?!

I feel like I have wasted away months of my life sitting and doing nothing...and its only been a week. I havent left the house in a week! AN ENTIRE WEEK!! Pathetic! Tomorrow I have a Dr. Appt so that will get me up and at 'em. But nothing else too interesting. I need to dedicate some time to study for GRE and getting my classes set up and ready to go. I have a long list of things to do and I feel like the time is speeding by and I am getting nothing accomplished, but its only been A WEEK!!! it is the weirdest thing really. I just want life to go back to normal a bit.
So I need to figure out when to take a little visit up to Peoria to visit with the in laws. I am a bad relative I think. I am thinking sometime in February or late March. My STNA classes will be 2.5 weeks in March, so maybe before that or shortly after...depending on when the rest of my classes start...I have to figure out who to give my references to...who would like to be my professional reference? anyone?

Test of Will...

The more I am here at the PPA conference, the more I realize that this is not what I want to do as a career. It is like dreaming to be a rockstar. I would be an excellent rockstar, I have all the great qualities, the talent and the equipment, but I would find more delight in singing what I want to.

The Photographers here are very talented. They are smart and personable...they take great pics and more importantly, they have great retouching abilities. I suppose I am one of those people that runs from things. I fear the failure, but I think more than most, I see the reality of it. When I met Nat, I worked through my fears and once I decided on it, I gave it my all. It was something that I wanted, something I knew would make me happy and I wasn't going to settle for anyone else, despite the issues that we have...its worth it. I don't necessary run from challenges, they just have to be the "right" challenges" I don't want to compromise myself for anything.

When I first decided to go to art school I envied all the people that were trained from elementary school to be artists. People that spent all their spare time and effort perfecting their art. They were fantastic at it too. Their images were miraculous and breath-taking. I font want to take pictures because I am forced to, I want to create images that I want to. I loved art school, but it had less to do with photography and more to do with opening my eyes to see the world in a new light. My most favorite project was the self-portrait one...that is what the angel wings on chairs came from...and then the sculpture classes...I enjoyed it so much because it was art...no matter how much you loved it or hated it..it was a true expression of me. I do not have images floating through my head of toddlers in Tu-Tu's...I desire something WAY deeper than that. I want my soul to be exposed...in my own way, and in a way that is complicated and unexplainable. The thing I loved most about art school was that sense of self-expression...of letting out all that I have bottled in. I have art projects in my head...

I admit that I am talented. I can see things most people cant. I can translate images...but to me it has gotten to many rules in it. I have become my own worse critic. I think one day I will wake up and think that i will love it all over again, but then I am at a point in my life where I cant decide if I ever loved it to begin with or if I adopted that idea to be "that person" others thought I should be, rather than who I truly wanted to be.

I go through phases in life. I am definitely in a self-exploration phase. rethinking why i do what i do, why i shied away from things i shied away from. I want my life, my profession to mean something. I don't want to go through the motions.

Even the CONSIDERATION of nursing school scares the shit out of me. taking the GRE and all that studying and hard work. Up to this point in life, I have never really stretched myself. I majored in Photography...seriously, how hard could a fine art degree be? It was cake. It was a safe bet... there was no putting myself out there, no challenge...i chose it because I knew I could do it.

I am discovering all these aspects of myself that i think I may have inherently knew but suppressed because it wasn't what others wanted. As much as i like the freedom to do what I want...freedom does not work well for me. I need structure. I get NOTHING accomplished if it was up to me to do it. I learn better in a class. I have tried to teach myself several different languages and I barely know English. I do just enough to get by, just enough to say i know something special. I know just enough of a lot of things to "get by". I have never accomplished anything that was hard or challenging. I have been "trying" to lose weight since I was in high school. I have failed miserably for 15 years...why? because it is hard...its a challenge and no matter how bad I want it...I keep myself from accomplishing it because I like the safety of not having to deal with it.

There is a change...I am oddly motivated to take the GRE. I am determined to do everything I can to score high and get into nursing school. I have always been fascinated with the human body, but for some reason i didn't take many biology courses. I remember doing a project in college based on the human structure and its intricate and amazing design. It offers stability, it offers structure, it offers significance. Working with souls, being in an every changing community and being in a position to serve. I have always reminisced the best times of my life were times and jobs that "served" people. Although being a servant is a menial job, putting yourself under someone, in a very real way it is the opposite. Being able to provide for someones needs and wants is like being a CEO of P&G. It is a profession of a self-sense of respect...knowing that you became something to someone that most people would never do. Maybe I have a twisted sense...but it makes sense to me. It is a position of power...like allowing someone to go before you in line, it is not because you think they are better and more deserving, but because YOU regard them as significant and by grace you allow them to shine above you. Not because they are all worthy, not because they did anything to deserve, but because you DECIDED it to be. It is the power of God working in someone to serve in that role. It is not natural or self-glorifying to anyone but to the heart of the servant.

I have spent the better part of this week trying to figure out a schedule to get into nursing school, do all the pre-reqs (and pre-reqs to pre-reqs) and contemplating the profound thought of taking a large test that determines my worth. I read a book...Nat almost fainted. it was a good book (the shack) but just the completion of something. I have not read a book cover to cover in almost 10 years (2000)--and NEVER NEVER NEVER in one sitting!

So here is a list of truths I think I have discovered in my life. They may not be etched in stone, but its a start of asking really hard questions and answering them based on ME and my beliefs, my convictions and what I know about me.

1. I am not inclined to artistic ventures, I have a nature for it, but I do not love going to art museums or sitting around drawing or painting. Art for me is for me, and the thought of it suits me just as well as actually doing it.
2. I have no desire to sell myself for profit. If I was actually good at selling Arbonne or MaryKay or Pampered Chef or etc..i think I would do wonders in my life. But right now I don't feel my worth is marketable or have too much of a heart to serve to be able to charge someone for a service!
3. I require stability, consistency and do NOT like change or the unknown.
4. I love to serve. I am the happiest when I am.
5. People enrich my life and give me purpose, not what they offer me, but what I OFFER THEM.
6. My hearts passion is to light up others lives...i delight in making people feel better.
7. My heart yearns for joy and peace...not because life is easy, but because it is meaningful. That joy and peace can only come from above.
8. I do not seek adventure. I play it safe. I do not like the thought of skydiving, riding on a motorcycle, jet-skiing or anything remotely dangerous that gives me the sense of not being in control.
9. I have a very strong will, but I am more strong willed to fail than succeed (that i dont like about myself). I have what it takes to succeed and the ability to change.
10. I strive to be around people, they ignite my senses. I feel numb and worthless when I am alone or by myself for too long. I am a waste of time...people are the drive, motivation and purpose.
11. I am strong.
12. I am more intelligent than I give myself credit.
13. I lose vision when i focus on others (envying them or comparing myself to their success)
14. Love motivates me and gives me strength.
15. I no longer refuse to fail at my goals.
16. I love to learn about things i am passionate about...i desire to dissect and learn every knick and kranny I can.
17. I am compulsive about order and details.
18. I am young enough to change the course of my life. Where I have been has brought me to where i am that leads me to where I need to be.
19. I regret nothing, everything, whether accomplished fully or not has a specific purpose.
20. I am pure, sincere, loyal and compassionate.
21. I am beautiful inside and out, as i am today.
22. I am a secretive person, I do not share alot of things I struggle with because of my fear of failure, or because I innately desire the "shock factor".

That is my list so far. Feel free to add your own intuition, even if it is something you know but cant see.
I think that is all for today. Quite and extensive nugget of my heart...carry it with pride! =)

love you all and am thrilled that you have kept up with the blogging.