A REALLY Bad Day

Sorry in advance for the language.

All I can say is that I did not have a great welcoming home, not that I was expecting anything, I just wasn't expecting what happened.
Sunday I left Australia and headed to the States. I didn't get much any sleep on the plane because the time we flew was the time I would be awake. So we arrive at LAX at 9am, which would be Monday 2am (I basically repeated a day) and still didn't sleep. I went through immigration and customs and waited for my dear friend who drove all the way from 29 and back to pick me up and drop me off.
On the way to 29 we stopped to eat and even though I smelled like plane (YUCK!) I was starving! Not a fan of plane food. On the road again she tells me that the reason she didn't take my car was because it didn't start. But told me not to worry because her husband fixed it! So I get home and start unpacking (Im the type of freak who needs to unpack the instant they get home).
So I check my watch and see its time to pick up Brownie from the doggy sitter. I got to my car and NOTHING. It wont start. FUCK! I try a few more times and nothing. I got to use the truck. It wont start. FUCK! I have to call my friend and tell her what happened. Her and her husband and the kids come over and her husband is at it with my car and truck charging them. In between my friend drove me over to pick-up Brownie. I missed that murcielago (bat), as my dad calls her because of her perky ears, so much! I come back home and after a few hours we give up, because the charging time is 4-5 hours and I'm falling asleep everywhere in the house. Her husband tells me what I need to do in the morning to charge it and I observe what he tells me and scribble down everything so that I don't end up putting the "+" doohickey with the "-" thingy-ma-bob.

Before going to sleep I notice that I have NO internet. Great!

I finally slept and was only interrupted by the sound of DH's voice. It was really good to hear from him. I broke-down cause nothing was going right:

- I was missing

- I was jet-lagged and in need of sleep

- both vehicles were not working

- Internet was down

Finally got some rest, but I don't think it was enough. I hooked my my battery to the charger and crossed my fingers that it would work. My friend's husband came over to check on the car. It had been charging for well over 5hours and  he said we should try it because it should be charged by now. He hooked the car up to the battery and I "watched" with my eyes closed and fingers cross. I went inside and started my car....IT WORKED! I drove it around base for 20mins to make sure it worked. YAY! [insert happy dance here] Before I went to sleep I made sure it was still ok, so I took a little night drive. HEY! I needed to make sure. 

Things where finally starting to make me feel better.

I went to sleep because, again, I was falling asleep everywhere and got woken up again in the middle of the night by DH's warm voice :) After we chatted for a bit I went back to sleep...or so I thought. I was tossing and turning so much that I just said "FUCK IT!" and turned on the lights and read. I read for hours and then decided to try to sleep...and I did...till 2pm! ARGH! I know I just messed up my sleeping schedule by that. On another good note: in the midst of me trying to fall back asleep and 2pm the internet  company called and said they were on their way over. Apparently, my modem overheated and that's why it stopped working. 

I am feeling a lot better now, aside from feeling REALLY dehydrated (thank you 29 for your brutal heat). But aside from that, I am feeling relived. 

Let me just say that this was not something I wanted to come home to...AT ALL!

HUN: European Travel Tips

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Worldless Wednesday

pure un-proccessed wool

Canberra, Australia 2011

Australia - Sydney

When I think of Sydney I think of: the Olympics, the Opera House and beaches...lots and lots of beaches!

My mom and I headed for the weekend to Sydney and enjoyed and indulged in the wonderful city. The drive from Canberra isn't long, about 3 hours, but getting into Sydney was hectic. Since Canberra is a small and quiet "town", so to speak, there isn't much hustle and bustle as there is in many big cities. So, upon entering Sydney enter chaos, which I love!

The first day, afternoon, there we walked! The hotel was right by the ocean with an amazing view of the harbor and almost, just almost of the Opera! We walked the city streets and visited cute souvenir shops and also some local fashion shops.

The following day was the major tourist day. We woke up bright and early with gorgeous weather. We visited the sites. The markets. The botanical gardens and even rode in a mini-train.

And of course we visited my favorite part...the Opera:

After so much walked we headed back to the hotel to rest up and then grab some dinner. On our last day in Sydney we headed to Bondi Beach to enjoy more of the fabulous weather and to enjoy the beauty of it.

Australia - Melbourne

We headed to Melbourne for a few days to enjoy the city and to head to the opening of Zara, which I was pretty pumped about!

We arrived to Melbourne in the afternoon and headed to a friends house, where we were staying. Apparently, there housing complex was, not so long ago, a looney-bin. Now it's a high-fashioned housing complex. Pretty cool. Since we arrived at night we had barely anytime to "see" anything before the winter sun set. We walked around a main shopping street and headed to the harbor. It was FREEZING in the harbor so we snacked up in a cafe and had some warm yummy tea.

The following day we walked and walked and walked around. We ended up having lunch by the sea at this nicely decorated restaurant, "Donovans". I forgot to take pictures of the bathroom. It was so tacky-looking that you HAD to love it...UGH! I wish I had remembered to take pictures.

The last day in Melbourne we headed to Queen Victoria Market. It's an open food and clothes market filled with bright colors and delicious smells. The had all types of clothes and even Uggs, a fine Australian invention. The also had Spanish Doughnuts/donut, their version of Churros. Although, the smell wasnt that appetizing since you could smell more the grease than the actual "doughnut/donut".

After the Market we walked around a bit and headed back to our friends house to rest up before the opening of Zara.

I glammed up for the opening and completely felt very out of place. Aside from being with my parents for the opening (hahaha) I felt completely out of place. I had a nice dress on and heels, which where killing my feet. But I wasnt me. Im a t-shirt, jeans and converse girl. I like to dress comfy. But at the opening you had: models, fashionistas, celebs and what not...I couldnt help but feeling out of place. Oh well, because in the end I did purchase some nice items :)

Next stop, Sydney!

Guest Blogger @ Many Waters

Head on over to PoeKitten @ Many Waters and see what I wrote!
Also, if you haven't done so, check out her blog...it's AMAZING!!!

Australia - Canberra (part 1)

Some of you may or may not know that my parents are living right now in Australia, Canberra to be exact, for the last 3 years. Since they have moved I haven't had a chance to visit: either due to grad school or getting married or something or another. Now that DH is deployed and I'm all by my lonesome, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and head there...here...head to Australia.

The flight from LA to Brisbane wasn't bad. It was a 14 hour flight and I was able to get some sleep, but I kept getting woken up by my annoying neighbor on the flight. I sat in the row with three seats and the middle was vacant. So the guy sitting next to the window decided that it was going to be all his and made it clear when he slept that his moving was going to wake me! His feet would kick me or nudge me which was annoying - seriously, you only get so much room in coach, no need for a stranger to hoover MY area - So in return I nudged him and it woke him up OR I would turn on my light which made him move and wake up. At first I didn't mind him taking over the empty seat (I wouldve done it too!), but then when his feet tresspassed onto my itty-bitty area I was annoyed. UGH! I can't stand traveling with people like that. I can't stand traveling with inconsiderate travelers.

So our flight left a little late, which I thought no biggie, right? WRONG. The delay on the flight made me miss my connecting flight to Canberra (where my parents are living). Arriving in Brisbane I had to go through customs, then collect my suitcase (which was taking forever. it felt like there was one person handling the luggage from the flight...that slow). Then you have to go through the "agricultural" part of custom, where they have sniffing dogs and usually they look through your luggage. I told them I had a flight to catch in 20mins but told me there was nothing they could do (ANNOYING). Finally getting through with my luggage I had to take it to the Qantas desk for it to get sent to Canberra. Well, there were no signs in the aiport for that and went the wrong way. I found a Qantas help desk and they told me there is no way I'm going to catch my flight since I have to drop off my suitcase on the other side of the terminal then get on a bus to go to another building of the aiport...GREAT! The lady was really nice and booked me on the next available flight, which was leaving in 5 hours! Needless to say, I was upset and tired and annoyed because I couldn't find a payphone that worked (my cell had no service). Finally, that lady let me use her phone to call my dad. I didn't sleep at all, since there was no place comfy to sleep. But I did snack on Australia's version of Burger King, Hungry Jack's, and read.

Getting to my parents house was alleviating because that meant I could go to sleep in a few hours.

My first full day in Oz was relaxing. Went to book my parents dog (even though it also mine since I grew up with her) appointment at the groommers. FYI: things here are expensive. The US dollar and Australian dollar are about even, but its expensive here. To get the dogs hair cut (they have a standard Schnauzer) $100!!!! Crazy! I pay $45 for Brownie and mind you, its the only place in 29.
Back to the story. Had lunch with my dad and then headed to the mall with my mom where I was slobbering at the awesomely-cute pjs from Peter Alexander. Before I leave I will buy some!...that's my mission. That and another pair of Ugg slippers, the ones I have are...well, lets just say they are not a pretty sight :)

The house where my parents live is located right  next to a reserve and in this reserve there are Kangroo's (or Roo's like the locals call them.) The first few days I didn't see any and I was getting pretty upset...I mean, c'mon I have a HUGE order to bring a bunch of baby Roo's back Stateside...lol. Finally one afternoon my dad and I went driving around and saw a ton of them...and they were just 5ft away! You can actually walk right by them and they wont do a thing to you, how awesome is that?!?!?

I must say, its cold here. Much colder than I expected, but its a nice and refreshing change from 29 :)

Stay tuned for more adventures from Down Under!

Link-Up Thursday

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And The Winner Is....

The winner for the

ALICE BLISS 

BOOK GIVEAWAY

IS....

Megan @ Every Day Tew'sday

CONGRATS

Decorating with Scrabble

There's this store in Australia called Typo. It has all sorts of stationary items plus more and I've gone completely ga-ga over it! They have so many things in there that I want but I can't decide on just one. 

One of my favorite things in the store are the scrabble letters:

(image credit: Something Boutrenes)

(image credit: Rubenerd)

I want to get a couple, but I don't what words to make.

Should I:

- Write the word: LOVE (I love that word)

- Write our last name

- Write our names with a scrabble heart in the middle

OR

is it just a cute idea but it wouldn't work?

decisions, decisions, decisions :)

If I get them I have many ideas on how to use them, obviously depending on the word(s):

(image credit: Not On The High Street)

(image credit: Internal Laundry)



I have more things I like from that store, but I'll leave them for another post :)

pssst. Don't forget to enter my giveaway [click here to enter]

Alice Bliss Book Giveaway

If you've read my last post then you know that
I recently finished Laura Harrington's, "Alice Bliss"
(read more about the book here).

When asked to read the book I was given the option of
doing a giveaway...

so here it is:

WIN A COPY OF 
"ALICE BLISS"
BY
LAURA HARRINGTON

(image credit: Laura Harrington Books)

RULES:
- MUST be a follower of my blog
-MUST leave one (1) comment with your email
(if you leave more than one comment they will be counted as one!)

simple as that!

I will then choose the winner at random, who I will announce
on my blog and via his/her email.

The giveaway will end in one week from today, Tuesday June 14th at 12pm (PST).

(ps. If I end up being a little late or early with the announcement
pardon me since right now visiting my parents in Australia...time zone!)

G'LUCK

Book Review: Alice Bliss by Laura Harrington

A month or two ago I was contacted by a representative of Viking/Penguin Publishing House to do a book review on a book that is out in bookstores today: June 6th.

(image credit: Laura Harrington)

The story is of a young teenage girl, Alice Bliss, who is starting her coming of age at the eve of her father's deployment to Iraq. Alice is the eldest child of Matt, former engineer and who is in the National Guard, and Angie, insurance worker. Alice has a younger sisters, Ellie, a young "snotty" second grader.

The family resides in Upstate New York where they live on a farm, which has become the prize posession of Alice and her father. Alice and Matt's relationship is a touching father-and-daughter relationship. Her upbringing maybe somewhat tomboyish, but that's what, in Alice's mind, makes her close to her dad.

The deployment takes the family by surprise and makes Alice: the parent, caregiver, supporter and glue of the family. Alice learns about life on her own without the help of her father, who she relies on very much.

Laura Harrington captures the essence of a child blossoming into a teenager in the midst of her father's deployment. Shen also outlines the struggles the main character encounters when she's left to be the "grown-up" in a household.

I really like how this book was written from the point of view of child, not from the parent or spouse. It gives you a complete different outlook on how a deployment affects a child and yet how similiar are the reaction between the child and parent left behind.

NOTE TO SELF: Don't read this book when your spouse or parents is deployed.

STAY TUNED FOR A 

GIVEAWAY!

A Friend's Homecoming

The other day I was very honored to take homecoming pictures for a friend and her husband. I'm by no means a photographer, but I was glad I could help in any way I can.

I have to say, for a girl who's 8 months pregnant, she was EXTREMELY calm. Sheesh, I was more nervous/anxious than she was.

The cutest and funniest thing was when the both of us where looking for him. She tells me, calmly, "there he is?" and points to her husband who is standing on this type of cement block scanning the crowds for her. I ask her, "are you going to get him?" she laughs and tell me she's going to wait for him to spot her...and he did :)

It was hard going to the homecoming because DH is deployed. But at the same time, this was her moment and I was very touched to have been able to do this for her and her family.

I Almost Lost Brownie

Last night I took Brownie for a walk. As I was sitting there watching her I got distracted. Next thing I know I'm searching for Brownie and I can't find her. She's gone! I start panicking and look around an empty dog park trying to figure out which way she could've gone: up that street or down that one. Then I hear:

Stranger: "Are you looking for a little black dog?"

Me: "YES!"

Stranger: "She ran past us that way."

That instant a wave of relief overcame me. Someone had seen her and I atleast knew which way I had to go. 

As I ran out of the dog park. I see the stranger and his wife start walking towards a house. Apparently, Brownie decided to welcome herself to someone's house! The stranger and his wife got her out of the house and handed her to me. I was so overwhelmed that I don't remember thanking them. I just remembered that I was almost ready to start bawling my eyes out. 

How did she get out? There's a back locked-gate which is big enough for sneaky Brownie to go through. Since she's never done it before.

After I took her home and tried to gain "control" of myself, so to speak. I realized that I didn't thank them. Or I did but I just couldn't remember. So I got in my car drove to their house, was too lazy to walk, rang their doorbell and thanked them. 

THANK GOODNESS 

FOR NICE AND HELPFUL

NEIGHBORS!