My first soy latte.

Not so bad! Too bad they always spell my name wrong!

I think I can, I think I can!

2010 for me is all about being the best me I can be, inside and out. So, needless to say, feeling sick and run down all the time has been really discouraging! Thanks to my lovely blog readers who left suggestions on how to build up my immune system. They were all great and I'm going to try them all! On a really positive note, my cold felt much better today, my spirits were back up and my chiropractor who I see weekly said that she felt more 'life force' in my body today than she has ever felt before. I've been seeing her for about 5 months, so that's encouraging! Yes, I said 'life force'. She's not your standard chiro. She basically teaches you breathing techniques that keep your body connected and your energy moving freely. She pokes you in certain places while you're on the table, but in a really gentle way. No snapping or cracking with this lady! Sounds a bit nutty, but it seems to be helping and that's the main thing! I'm off to have a cuppa, Aussie slang for a cup of tea. Herbal in this case. Probably peppermint:)

Photo found here.

This is what I should have done...

With yet another cold, complete with sinus pain and headache, I dragged myself out of bed only to have one of the busiest, most stressful days I've had in quite some time. The kids definitely left their listening ears at home today, regardless of how many times they assured me they hadn't and they were working. Does clicking your ears as if to show that your listening ears are on count if it's done while climbing all over each other and laughing and giggling when you're meant to be "sitting properly, criss cross applesauce" ? I'm pretty sure it doesn't. I seem to be catching one daycare illness after another and frankly, I'm really sick of being sick. There's just no chance for my immune system to build back up before another kid sneezes in my face while I'm tying their shoe or picks their nose and then grabs my hand to go play. Ick! I'm taking extra vitamins, eating well and getting lots of rest. What more can a girl do to keep from catching every little germ? Seriously, any thoughts?

picture found here

Fight for the right to party!

Steve and I both left work early today to go get our fingerprints done. We're eligible to apply for permanent residency again as of April, so we're starting the process early to be able to send it off as soon as we can! We're determined to be permanent residents!
While downtown, we got caught up in a protest. Heaps of people spoke out in support of live music venues being threatened by new liquor licensing laws. I don't know a whole lot about it, to be honest, but I always find it really inspiring when you see people taking a stand for what they believe in and being passionate about what they care for. Plus, they seemed to do it in a really peaceful way, with lots of music, drumming and smiles.

Jazz it up!

On Valentine's Day weekend, Steve and I went to Bennetts Lane Jazz Club for our first ever jazz show. The atmosphere was cozy and intimate.
We went because Holly Weinert, one of the girls I work with was opening the show. She's a fabulous singer, so we're always up for seeing her gigs! She was awesome (as always!) and Carl Riseley (the jazz guy) was fabulous! He had lots of charm and lots of talent! We really enjoyed it. It was a really nice thing to do on Valentine's Day weekend:)

St. Kilda Fest

Melbourne has some pretty great festivals. We decided to check out the festival in St. Kilda a couple weekends ago. We met up with Bruce (one of the guys that Steve works with) and his fiance, Claire. Claire and I have emailed for awhile now but haven't had much luck with finding the chance to meet. It was great to finally meet her! She's a grade 1 teacher and really lovely. We share a love of laminating things, singing children's songs after hours and having a clean house. Needless to say, we had lots to chat about!

The festival was really big. I wasn't it expecting it to have as much as it did...it just kept going and going, with the main street being closed off to traffic. Lots of bands playing on various stages, vendors, food and people! How relaxed does Steve look in this pic? I love it!

We watched Megan Washington play. I really liked her. Cool music and she was fantastic on the piano!

What's a festival down under without a croc and a snake?

It was a pretty hot day, so it was nice to have the festival by the water for cooling off. I really, really love having the beach right in the city! Steve, Jesse and I often hop in the car and go to the beach for a quick swim and then head home. Very refreshing!

Productive weekend!

Busy weekend! Busy in the productive kind of way. I feel like I got lots accomplished, including... cleaning the house from top to bottom, lots of laundry, painting a few things I've been wanting to re-do, a swim at the beach with Steve and Jes, grocery shopping for the whole week, shopping for a BBQ, a trip to Ikea, a little crafting, watching 2 movies with my hubby, 2 yummy bbq dinners and I still managed to get lots of rest. I even got caught up on my emails! A huge accomplishment for me. I love weekends like this! I think this could quite possibly be the best kind of weekend! What you'd do this weekend?

Change of Plans

Early in the new year I signed up for the Busselton Half Ironman that would be held in May. Due to some unforeseen circumstances I was facing the prospect of having to cancel the race, losing out on the cost of plane tickets and some of my registration fee.
So whats a guy to do?

Sign up for the Full IronMan that is held at the same location in December, of course.
An Iron Man is a triathlon race that consists of a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and ending with a 42km run....
I hope to complete the race in under 13 hours.... If I actually finish the race.

Come race day, all that separates the start line from the finish chute is 226km of water and concrete.

Steve (not sure this is possible) Dickinson

5 Things...Just for Fun!

5 Things I Am Looking Forward To:

- going out tonight to the jazz bar to watch one of the girls I work with sing...she's fabulous!
- Valentine's Day!
- Steve's Mom and Aunt's visit next month!
- Autumn! I've decided I much prefer Melbourne when it's cooler...I'm over summer!
- Joining yoga again

5 Things I Did Yesterday:

- made Valentine's Day crowns and cards with the children in my class
- threw a Valentine's Day party for the kiddies and gave them way too much sugar...cookies, cupcakes and red cordial (red for Valentine's Day, of course!)
- wore my new red dress to work in honor of the festive day:)
- met Steve downtown for dinner and a glass of wine
- did a bit of shopping for Stevo, with no success...he's quite fussy that boy!

5 Things I Wish I Could do:

- knit
- sing well!
- fly my whole family to Australia for visits!
- live right on the beach!
- clean my house by just wiggling my nose:)

5 Places I’d Like to Travel To:

- Africa!!!!
- Uluru, Australia
- Europe
- New Zealand
- Cambodia

5 Cute things I've found online lately:

- I haven't really found any specific cute things online lately, as I haven't had a lot of chance to look! I have recently found lots of new blogs that I love though! Here's 5 of my newest favorites...

http://www.dana-made-it.com/

http://madebyrae.blogspot.com/

http://blog.polkadotrobot.com/

http://redvelvetgirls.typepad.com/emma/

http://www.lunevintage.blogspot.com/

And just one more...

http://daintysquid.blogspot.com/

Okay, so it's your turn! :)

Not quite how I planned...

So I took Friday off work for the camping trip and today (Monday) off work to get a few things done. This was my 'To Do' list for today:

` Update my style file for the style file course I'm taking
` Finish the inspiration boards for my style file course
` Clean bathroom
` Do laundry
` Catch up on emails
` Mail Valentine's Day cards to Canada (already way late!)
` Walk Jes
` Go to bank and open my own account
` Get groceries

This is what I actually got done:

` Forced myself out of bed at 2:50 pm
` Took a shower and changed into new pajamas
` Managed to keep some Rice Bubbles and a piece of toast in my tummy, but not without a lot of effort
` Snuggled back into bed and did this post

Yep, you guessed it, I caught Steve's flu and I really wish that the third thing down on my original 'To Do' list would have been something I did yesterday before I got sick. Is there anything worse than a smelly toilet when you're already sick? Ick.

Good Luck Guys!

Our friends, Nick and Mariana, who we met when we lived in Brisbane, are leaving Australia to go back to the States. They are wonderful people and it's been a pleasure meeting them and becoming friends. I don't like goodbyes because I like to think that our paths will cross again, so let's just say, "See ya soon guys!" and "Good luck!". We wish you all the very best! xo

Australian Open 2010

A couple of weekends ago, Steve and I went to watch some tennis with Dan, Amy and their lovely friend, Meaghan. Not only did we have a great time catching up with Dan and Amy, but we both really enjoyed watching the tennis.

Amy and my yummy drink:)

Aussies take their tennis quite seriously. It was intense at times and really interesting to watch!

Australian fans.

We saw Lleyton Hewitt play Marcos Baghdatis. Hewitt won because Baghdatis forfeited due to an injury.

We also saw a female match between Wozniacki and Peer. A good match.
Man, you have to be seriously fit to be a tennis player! Some of their serves reach 200 km an hour! Imagine returning that?!

We were really glad to get to experience a bit of the Australian Open. Thanks to Dan and Amy for inviting us to join them! It kind of inspired me to think about playing some tennis again. I think it would be great exercise!

Grampians National Park

Like previously posted, our camping trip at the Grampians National Park was cut short due to Steve getting sick, but the time that we did spend there was really impressive and quite fun, up until the vomiting every hour started! The scenery was truly breathtaking and definitely worth the 4 hour drive from Melbourne. We'll be going back soon to finish the trip and get in some of the many amazing sounding hikes.

I snapped these pics on the drive up the very steep road leading the campground where we stayed (Smith's Mill).

Steve liked the windy, steep drive on the way there. Not sure he liked the windy road as much on the way home, with a barf bag in his lap!

Steve and I haven't camped just the two of us since Canada and we were both really disappointed when we didn't get to stay. What are the chances that Mr. Never Gets Sick, gets sick on this weekend?! Geesh.

There wasn't a fire ban and they had real fire pits...yeah! We asked about firewood and they told us to just collect it from the bush. That always seems so strange to us, since you're not supposed to do that in Canada.

We saw several wallabies and roos. I was hoping to see a wombat, but we weren't there long enough. Perhaps, next time...

Campfire dinner. Bliss.

Dinner was great, although Steve doesn't think he'll be eating sausage again anytime soon!

Cockatoos. They make the best worst sound ever!

Bush fires burned the area a few years ago, leaving the trees black and some of the signs damaged.

A Friday evening stroll looking for wood.

"Line Up Four" or "Connect 4" as we North Americans say. I kicked Steve's butt!

By far, one of my all time favorite things...sitting by the fire, chatting and roasting marshmallows. I brought some back from Canada, so it was perfect!

I hope to return again soon for camping - part 2. Steve is feeling much better tonight but has had a really rough weekend. I'm hoping I don't get it. Fingers crossed!

Hearts

I seem to be extra excited for Valentine's Day this year. I'm really looking forward to making some V'day crafts with the kiddies this coming week and I'm planning a little party in honor of the day on Friday in my classroom.
I made some heart decorations for the windows in our living room. I tried to find the place where I originally found the idea for these hearts but couldn't seem to locate it. My apologies if this happened to be your work and I didn't give you credit! It was a brilliant idea!:)

They are made using magazine pages and thread and look especially pretty during the day when the sun shines through them. Unfortunately, my camera doesn't photograph that well! I've also just finished painting my toes pink for the week to come. Lots of fun! What fun stuff are you doing for Valentine's Day? Any special plans with your special Love?:)

You might be wondering how it is that I'm blogging when I'm not meant to be back from camping until tomorrow night. Well, our camping trip didn't exactly go as planned, with Steve getting a reeeeeally bad stomach flu. We got to the campsite around 5 pm last night and Steve started getting sick around 1 am. We left 7:30 this morning for the 4 hour drive home. Poor Steve. It was a rough ride! I did manage to get a few pictures of our short stay, so I'l post those tomorrow. It was a really beautiful place. We will definitely need to go back and try the whole camping thing again!

Just a heads up to let you know that we are heading off on a camping trip today and will be back on sunday. I have lots of catching up to do then! Xo