After a trip home I am now living in Vancouver and starting up for the third time in a year… hopefully third time is the charm. New blog:
A Little Bit of This and That
Sunday, November 15, 2009
At the end...
It’s hard to capture the end of my trip and in hindsight I wish that I was more on top of my blog. Prior to leaving Australia was a busy, emotional and entertaining. I will be brief and do some highlights:
• Tournament in Ballarat, coldest place in Australia (or felt like it anyway) where I got to play with a team called Funny Duck. It was my first tournament where I treated it super casually and got to drink for the bulk of the weekend. The people were fabulous, I had a good couple of games, somehow even managed to get MVP at one point and had an excellent road trip
• Going away dinners and party. Just a good time to see everyone one last time, which seemed to turn into seeing them several times before I left. By the end of it I think people were wondering if I was ever going to leave, but then seemed surprised that I did
• My fall league Frisbee team, Pirates Hearts Ninjas won the Divison two fall league. I even managed to throw a hammer point (however it wasn’t the best hammer ever…)
• Sadly I sprained my ankle, so pre-finals I had a couple of days off my foot, some tape and an ankle brace I managed to pull it together for that final game. It made for interesting times when I returned to Canada and did some hiking
• Annie and I did a tandem bike ride around Melbourne, hilariously fun. I am sure that we almost went into the river. It was quite a challenge keeping time with each other and the seats were horrible, it was days before my butt felt okay again.
• I took some time to enjoy the coffee shops, take my final pictures and visit the art gallery. I was luck to get to go to the Selvador Dali art exhibit, it was really interesting and slightly disturbing
It’s weird at this point (about two months later)…sometimes it feels like it was yesterday that I lived in Melbourne and sometimes it feels like it was years ago. I have visited LA, Vancouver, home to Newfoundland and now live in Vancouver. It’s been a pretty crazy couple of months with a lot of transition. I’m happy to be back in Canada but Melbourne is the place that most feels like home right now.
• Tournament in Ballarat, coldest place in Australia (or felt like it anyway) where I got to play with a team called Funny Duck. It was my first tournament where I treated it super casually and got to drink for the bulk of the weekend. The people were fabulous, I had a good couple of games, somehow even managed to get MVP at one point and had an excellent road trip
• Going away dinners and party. Just a good time to see everyone one last time, which seemed to turn into seeing them several times before I left. By the end of it I think people were wondering if I was ever going to leave, but then seemed surprised that I did
• My fall league Frisbee team, Pirates Hearts Ninjas won the Divison two fall league. I even managed to throw a hammer point (however it wasn’t the best hammer ever…)
• Sadly I sprained my ankle, so pre-finals I had a couple of days off my foot, some tape and an ankle brace I managed to pull it together for that final game. It made for interesting times when I returned to Canada and did some hiking
• Annie and I did a tandem bike ride around Melbourne, hilariously fun. I am sure that we almost went into the river. It was quite a challenge keeping time with each other and the seats were horrible, it was days before my butt felt okay again.
• I took some time to enjoy the coffee shops, take my final pictures and visit the art gallery. I was luck to get to go to the Selvador Dali art exhibit, it was really interesting and slightly disturbing
It’s weird at this point (about two months later)…sometimes it feels like it was yesterday that I lived in Melbourne and sometimes it feels like it was years ago. I have visited LA, Vancouver, home to Newfoundland and now live in Vancouver. It’s been a pretty crazy couple of months with a lot of transition. I’m happy to be back in Canada but Melbourne is the place that most feels like home right now.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Snowed on in Australia
This was written shortly after my trip to Tassie, just getting around to posting it now. Oops.
A couple of weeks ago I went on a little weekend adventure to visit my friend Jenn in Tasmania to do a little hiking, drink some wine and of course play Frisbee. While it was the middle of winter I have to say that I had a really great time. There is nothing like knowing someone when you get off a flight. After almost a year of never having anyone meet me at the airport I couldn’t have been more excited to see Jenn.
Tasmania is essentially the Newfoundland of Australia, a small island off to the side of a huge country with a relatively similar population (200,000 in Hobart, 500,000 in Tassie). It truly reminded me of home instantly, as Jenn continually ran into people she knew at the airport. I have forgotten what it was like to be in a place where familiar faces are everywhere. It made me excited and slightly overwhelmed about the idea of returning home. I am used to blending in and having huge amounts of anonymity after living in such large cities.
I think the highlight of the weekend was the hiking; we did a couple of hours at Mount Field. If I had more time in Australia I would definitely go back again and do a couple of week hiking and visiting the wineries. Jenn lent me a pair of gum boots (rubber boots) and I got the privilege of a giant jump into a puddle, which made me feel like I was 5. I seriously think they are an investment I could make…if only I had more room in my luggage. That night we stayed at a quaint little cottage, drank wine and had a totally girly night, it was fabulous, another way it reminded me of home.
A couple of weeks ago I went on a little weekend adventure to visit my friend Jenn in Tasmania to do a little hiking, drink some wine and of course play Frisbee. While it was the middle of winter I have to say that I had a really great time. There is nothing like knowing someone when you get off a flight. After almost a year of never having anyone meet me at the airport I couldn’t have been more excited to see Jenn.
Tasmania is essentially the Newfoundland of Australia, a small island off to the side of a huge country with a relatively similar population (200,000 in Hobart, 500,000 in Tassie). It truly reminded me of home instantly, as Jenn continually ran into people she knew at the airport. I have forgotten what it was like to be in a place where familiar faces are everywhere. It made me excited and slightly overwhelmed about the idea of returning home. I am used to blending in and having huge amounts of anonymity after living in such large cities.
I think the highlight of the weekend was the hiking; we did a couple of hours at Mount Field. If I had more time in Australia I would definitely go back again and do a couple of week hiking and visiting the wineries. Jenn lent me a pair of gum boots (rubber boots) and I got the privilege of a giant jump into a puddle, which made me feel like I was 5. I seriously think they are an investment I could make…if only I had more room in my luggage. That night we stayed at a quaint little cottage, drank wine and had a totally girly night, it was fabulous, another way it reminded me of home.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Road Trip!!!
Tuna, Spanka, Big Red and myself went on a little road trip last weekend up the Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles (even though there aren’t actually 12). We rented a car, booked a B&B for the night in Apollo bay, packed up our Frisbees, some ridiculous cd’s and hit the road.
I must say it was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. The girls are absolutely fabulous, and while I did have to take several pain killers because of the lack of indoor voices, couldn’t have asked for a better trip. And yes, I know it is me making the no indoor voice comment, but two of the three ladies defiantly have me beat (I think it’s what happens when you play outdoor sports).
We basically drove and stopped in several of the little towns along the coast, walked on beaches when we could and even got a toss in at Apollo bay… it was slightly windy and several times I was forces to run into the ocean, it was freezing but such an ideal Australian thing to do. I am going to really miss beach…
The night activities were highly entertaining as we visited the Apollo Bay pub, where clearly the towns finest come out to party. The highlight of the experience may have been watching a guy get an atomic wedgie (typical small town pub behavior so I hear). To clarify an atomic wedgie is when someone is wedgied to the point their underpants are ripped off… and in this case returned. This was quite a departure from the calm meal/drinks we had while playing scrabble, the night was truly all over the place.
Favorite day activities are tied for me between seeing a wild koala in a tree with a baby that looked directly at us and the Twelve Apostles. Fortunately I didn’t panic when Red spotted the koala, as she yelled like she was on fire, and we pulled over in time to get a great view. The Twelve Apostles were stunning and I really could have hung around all day, but sadly we had to return to the city. It is really nice to get to see these things because slowly they Apostles are falling down, nice to know I saw them while I could. The only big downer is that my camera battery died, but fortunately I made Tuna take lots of pictures.
I have booked my ticket to leave Australia for August 27th, will spend a couple of days in LA before going to Vancouver for a trip. The ticket back to NL will be sorted soon… so crazy that my year is almost done. Lots of mixed feelings about that… but it has been the most amazing year!!
I must say it was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. The girls are absolutely fabulous, and while I did have to take several pain killers because of the lack of indoor voices, couldn’t have asked for a better trip. And yes, I know it is me making the no indoor voice comment, but two of the three ladies defiantly have me beat (I think it’s what happens when you play outdoor sports).
We basically drove and stopped in several of the little towns along the coast, walked on beaches when we could and even got a toss in at Apollo bay… it was slightly windy and several times I was forces to run into the ocean, it was freezing but such an ideal Australian thing to do. I am going to really miss beach…
The night activities were highly entertaining as we visited the Apollo Bay pub, where clearly the towns finest come out to party. The highlight of the experience may have been watching a guy get an atomic wedgie (typical small town pub behavior so I hear). To clarify an atomic wedgie is when someone is wedgied to the point their underpants are ripped off… and in this case returned. This was quite a departure from the calm meal/drinks we had while playing scrabble, the night was truly all over the place.
Favorite day activities are tied for me between seeing a wild koala in a tree with a baby that looked directly at us and the Twelve Apostles. Fortunately I didn’t panic when Red spotted the koala, as she yelled like she was on fire, and we pulled over in time to get a great view. The Twelve Apostles were stunning and I really could have hung around all day, but sadly we had to return to the city. It is really nice to get to see these things because slowly they Apostles are falling down, nice to know I saw them while I could. The only big downer is that my camera battery died, but fortunately I made Tuna take lots of pictures.
I have booked my ticket to leave Australia for August 27th, will spend a couple of days in LA before going to Vancouver for a trip. The ticket back to NL will be sorted soon… so crazy that my year is almost done. Lots of mixed feelings about that… but it has been the most amazing year!!
The wrap… the hardest haircut ever to explain
Firstly, let me state that I am horrible at this self portrait thing and feel like a total geek putting my hair in different ways and taking pictures… but anything for my fans…bahaha. I mean Mom asked me to post some pictures, my biggest fan :)
So obviously I got a haircut, these are the options I now have with my hair, I have to say it is the trendiest haircut that I have ever had, but much needed after almost a year of not getting my hair cut. There was more hair on the floor than on my head by then end of it, but I couldn’t be happier. It really does make a statement, not totally sure what statement, but I love it. I can wear it kinda punk and fun, curly like I am 7, or classic corporate. It was a bit scary when he started to cut some of my hair to a little over an inch long but it’s only hair! And just to clarify, yes I do have an undercut.
If I went with the punk do I think I would weary fairly girl makeup, like I have on in the pic… clearly enjoying my first night not going out in weeks a little too much.
So obviously I got a haircut, these are the options I now have with my hair, I have to say it is the trendiest haircut that I have ever had, but much needed after almost a year of not getting my hair cut. There was more hair on the floor than on my head by then end of it, but I couldn’t be happier. It really does make a statement, not totally sure what statement, but I love it. I can wear it kinda punk and fun, curly like I am 7, or classic corporate. It was a bit scary when he started to cut some of my hair to a little over an inch long but it’s only hair! And just to clarify, yes I do have an undercut.
If I went with the punk do I think I would weary fairly girl makeup, like I have on in the pic… clearly enjoying my first night not going out in weeks a little too much.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The adventure continues… read the last post first!
Interesting that the numbers increased when we got to the beverages portion of the day…
Activity #4: Pints!! This continued on again later as well…
Flinders street station… nothing that interesting just a must have picture.
Activity #5: It can’t be an all day event without a Frisbee getting involved… tossing around Federation Square… maybe not the most appropriate thing, but it had to be done. Marcy wearing her oven mitt, her chosen item for the day.
The MCG a little bit before sunset.
South side of the city… we didn’t make it too far because we were running out of daylight but it was a beautiful walk to the Shrine of Remembrance.
To end the night we went to the rooftop bar in the city, a very memorable day all around!
Activity #4: Pints!! This continued on again later as well…
Flinders street station… nothing that interesting just a must have picture.
Activity #5: It can’t be an all day event without a Frisbee getting involved… tossing around Federation Square… maybe not the most appropriate thing, but it had to be done. Marcy wearing her oven mitt, her chosen item for the day.
The MCG a little bit before sunset.
South side of the city… we didn’t make it too far because we were running out of daylight but it was a beautiful walk to the Shrine of Remembrance.
To end the night we went to the rooftop bar in the city, a very memorable day all around!
I like to make things complicated…
Due to my inability to do things in a simple way a “Touristy photo adventure” was undertaken last weekend. Basically, I didn’t want to take Melbourne for granted and not take pictures of all of the things that I see everyday so I organized a touristy day with a couple of the other travelers I know and invited the Honey’s along (my Frisbee team). In the end we had 10 ladies running around the city doing random events and was one of my favorite days in a long while. I am amazed that we almost made it through the entire list of tourist activities. The activity list is as follows:
The adventure started with brunch at my favorite spot the green refectory on Sydney Rd in Brunswick…mmmm the breakfast stack!!
Activity #1: Secondhand stores are huge in Melbourne so we decided to stop at a Savers and take ten minutes to purchase something for $5 or less. After the purchase was made everyone had to select a random ticket and wear whatever item they selected for the rest of the day… I won the beautiful pink backpack (later to be traded for the yellow karate belt).
Activity #2: Next we took the tram to Victoria Market where we did a $5 gift exchange, the idea way 15 minutes to find someone else a present (like secret Santa). I got a lovely bottle of $5 white wine… that I used later that week to make risotto.
A visit to the Old Melbourne Gaol was in order (that’s how they spell jail). Artistic picture stolen from Cath Matthews (more to follow).
Next we went for a walk to the Royal Exhibition Building, the only world heritage building in Australia. The first picture of Carolyn was taken by Cath.
As per Carolyn’s request we visited church where she picked up several very informative brochures regarding religion. Quote of the day was “Celibacy, second chance for non-romance.”
A visit to parliament… clearly exciting times.
A trip on the free city loop tram.
Activity #3: How long can Tuna stay silent in the State Library. Everyone selected a time for $1, winner won the money. Guesses ranged from 10 seconds to 5 minutes, with Tuna clocking in at 3 minutes 30 seconds. This picture is when she can talk again, she wasn’t so happy during the challenge.
A couple of my favorite statues in Melbourne, the three skinny men. The ladies and their boyfriends… and another stolen from Cath… trying to look like the skinny man.
The adventure started with brunch at my favorite spot the green refectory on Sydney Rd in Brunswick…mmmm the breakfast stack!!
Activity #1: Secondhand stores are huge in Melbourne so we decided to stop at a Savers and take ten minutes to purchase something for $5 or less. After the purchase was made everyone had to select a random ticket and wear whatever item they selected for the rest of the day… I won the beautiful pink backpack (later to be traded for the yellow karate belt).
Activity #2: Next we took the tram to Victoria Market where we did a $5 gift exchange, the idea way 15 minutes to find someone else a present (like secret Santa). I got a lovely bottle of $5 white wine… that I used later that week to make risotto.
A visit to the Old Melbourne Gaol was in order (that’s how they spell jail). Artistic picture stolen from Cath Matthews (more to follow).
Next we went for a walk to the Royal Exhibition Building, the only world heritage building in Australia. The first picture of Carolyn was taken by Cath.
As per Carolyn’s request we visited church where she picked up several very informative brochures regarding religion. Quote of the day was “Celibacy, second chance for non-romance.”
A visit to parliament… clearly exciting times.
A trip on the free city loop tram.
Activity #3: How long can Tuna stay silent in the State Library. Everyone selected a time for $1, winner won the money. Guesses ranged from 10 seconds to 5 minutes, with Tuna clocking in at 3 minutes 30 seconds. This picture is when she can talk again, she wasn’t so happy during the challenge.
A couple of my favorite statues in Melbourne, the three skinny men. The ladies and their boyfriends… and another stolen from Cath… trying to look like the skinny man.
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