25.04.13

This study term is leaving me feeling nearly defeated. I am working so hard, but have so little motivation at the moment. I feel like all I ever do is go to work and study. Due to circumstances outside my control, I have had to take on a more than full-time study load this term, and it is so full on. Sorry for the depressing post - I'm just feeling overwhelmed.

23.04.13

I just found out that Urban Outfitters ships free to Australia! Plus, returns are only $5. This is very good/very bad.

22.04.13

   

Seriously, how can it be Monday again already? The weekend always goes by way too fast. I'm not ready for another work week – and even more studying! Thankfully, only four more weeks until this study term is over!!

20.04.13

I just finished and submitted a 22-page paper for one of my units - so happy to have that off my plate! Now, for a quick breather before getting stuck in to my next assignment. I will be so happy to finish this course next year!!

19.04.13

Some of you may recall that I have a bit of an obsession with taking photos of sunsets - and that obsession is still going strong. And if you have a look at some of these photos, I reckon you could understand why! We have the best views of the sunset from the patio of our flat, and I promise you that these photos have not been retouched or enhanced. These photos have been snapped over the last couple of weeks - some absolute crackers!

14.04.13

The other day, I was driving in the car, and the road I was on was a bit bumpy. My key chain was occasionally jingling against the steering column, and each time this happened, the noise sparked a very vivid memory in my imagination - one that I think I might share with some of my siblings.

Does any remember driving with Papaw in Rackety Boom, and hearing his key chain almost constantly clinking against the metal? This probably happened so much because he was always driving on the shoulder of the road. It is a sound that I instantly recognise, and as I was driving, I imagined myself as a young child, sitting in that truck, going somewhere with Papaw - maybe to another pasture, or to the service station up the road, or maybe even to that place where he played snooker..... I can't remember the name.

Anyways, I just wanted to share that little memory - and I would love to know if any of you remember it too!

12.04.13 – v.2

I have said it before, and I will say it again - I love the birds in Australia! Seriously, birds I see here flying around on an every day basis are the kinds of birds in pet shops in the US. These are a few of the birds I have seen outside my flat this week.......

The King Parrot - one of my all time favourites. I get to see these guys flying outside my window almost every morning!

The Galah - beautiful and pink

The Gang Gang Cockatoo - they make the strangest noises.... sort of like a creaky door opening and closing!

12.04.13

Jeez, I have been on a posting roll! My goal was one per week, but look at me now! Anyways check this out........

What the view from my house looked like this morning. Foggy Canberra Town!

What the view from my house usually looks like in the mornings

11.04.13

Last night, as I was about to head downstairs to go to bed, I saw a rather large spider on the wall. My natural reaction was to scream, "Shaun!! There's a huge spider - get it!" And that is pretty much exactly what I said. So, being the caring guy that he is, he catches it in a glass before taking it outside to let it free.

I was unsettled for the rest of the evening, thinking there were more spiders lurking in every corner. This featured spider is very common here, and it is called a huntsman. The name sounds rather daunting, but they are not poisonous, although they will bite you. I don't care whether it is poisonous or not, I DO NOT LIKE SPIDERS!!

Gotcha!

Dislike

The brave spider catcher

9.04.13

Before today, only overseas viewers have known about this little gem, but I have just told a dear friend in Perth to check it out - welcome to my silly, not frequently updated, little blog, Erica! I miss you! xx

8.06.13

I meant to add this one to the picture montage, but forgot! So, we all know the tradition of the easter bunny, but do you know about the easter bilby? Here in Oz, we definitely do!

6.04.13

Okay, so this one is a little bit late, but hey, better late than never, right? Last weekend was a long one (4 days!) due to the Easter holiday - so, we met up with our friends from Sydney, Dave and Siobhan, and headed down to Malua Bay. We had booked an apartment with an AMAZING sea-side view. Seriously, waking up every morning to the sound of the surf and only a 3 minute walk to the beach...... can you get any better?!? Anyways, we had a fantastic time - lots of good food, good wine, good weather, and good laughs with friends. We spent a lot of time down by the beach, and went to the local bowl-o for an afternoon of lawn bowls. Lawn bowls is similar to 10-pin bowling, but not quite the same. You play barefoot on the grass, and the aim is to get your ball closest to the white cue ball at the other end of the lawn. Needless to say, an afternoon of bowls and beers is exceptionally fun! Here is a picture montage of the weekend, taken with my new camera. It has some awesome built in filters, like sparkles, reflection and watercolour. I still don't really know how to use the thing, but its heaps of fun!

View from living room window!!

Malua Bay

Pretty flowers

Shaun rocking the pony!

Surfer Boys

Me and Siobhan, not looking impressed!

Alfresco dining with seaside view? Yes, please!

Obviously, we are not very good!

5.04.13

Returning the sweet gesture....... and I think we still look good - even though this photo is more than 20 years later! Love you, dear cousin!