October 2010
1 post
Living like and Adult?!?
So when I made the decision to leave my job back East, travel, and eventually go to Pastry School, I knew life would be very different than it had been for the last eight years. But- I guess I didn’t realize just how stressful and different it would be. Man this takes some getting used to.
I was just hired and finally have a job, however, I don’t know when I’ll get paid from it-...
September 2010
9 posts
Adventures All Over!
I wrote briefly about visiting Cairns, Port Douglas and the Daintree.. but I’ve done even more since then.
In the last few weeks I took my first LONG bus ride and in 11 hours made it from Cairns to Airlie Beach. Thank you Greyhound Australia. You and your big red buses are fantastic!
Upon arrival in Airlie Beach, I went straight to my sailing company’s shop to complete my booking...
Cairn Cairn Cairn You do the Cairn Cairn in...
So I have been in Cairns (pronounced Cans) in Northern Australia since Tuesday; and I love it here.
For those of you who have been to Hawaii, think Honolulu but attached to a major continent!
This northern area is known for the Daintree Rain Forest and some of the best reef views of the Great Barrier Reef. It was first explored by Eurpoeans around 1770 lead by James Cook. He first was up in Port...
Bakery/ Cafe Advice from the Middle of Nowhere
Thursday was my day off around the retreat center. I did my yoga in the morning with Ostii and go things together to make a vegan carrot cake. And in the arvo (afternoon) I was craving more than eggless bread, tofu, whole grain and veggies! Now, I like all of these foods but it’s been a week and all I wanted was a coffee with real milk and something with meat in it! (ok, I was craving...
John: Croatian/Australian Cementer, Carpenter and...
This week one of my tasks was to help John (jack of all trades) cement the wall up the hill at Ostii’s house. I don’t think I have ever worked with cement and I really just wanted to work in the garden this day. But I volunteered to help however was necessary. And as an “adult” I needed to follow through.
John is in his 60s (I think) and is a funny looking, quite rotund...
Hoofing It While WWOOFing It
Over my week here at the Continental House/Hepburn Retreat Center I have come to be known as the WWOOFer… Not a volunteer.
WWOOFing is the World Workers of Oganic Farms and they are a group of people that move from farm to farm to help people with their organic goods in return from free accommodation. Well here, there isn’t really a farm but there is a 14 room guest house, two vegan...
Cooking with Gas
Saturday night a group of yoga teachers from the Yoga Instructors Association of Australia checked in here at the Continental House. The came from all over Victoria and were incredibly nice.
While I was washing organic potatoes for dinner, Zalan (one of the managers) was setting out afternoon tea. This means it was about 3pm. Suddenly all of the lights go out and the zen-like music went off. I...
The Edge of Daylight
As we crossed the International Dateline I noticed that our plane was traveling almost perfectly with the sunrise (at least it looked that way on the tv screen I was looking at in seat 52D). From there, I watched the Sunrise over the Pacific Ocean…from the Qantas plane.. but it was a strange feeling. I felt this way last February too. Sept. 1 just didn’t exist for me.
I boarded my...
July 2010
1 post
Travel Tuesday (or Wednesday): Deodorant: Please...
I know it’s not Tuesday, but I have inspiration to write, I haven’t written in a LONG time…and I traveled today so that counts right? I think yes!
Today I had to fly to Boston for another conference. This kicks off almost two and a half weeks on the road (three conferences total). A friend of mine offered to take me to the airport so I jumped on the offer. Come on. Who...
April 2010
2 posts
Travel Tuesday: Hurry up and WAIT!
I know it’s now Friday. But this post is something I thought about during my travel this past Tuesday from Nashville to New York City and then again on Wednesday morning as I flew into Orlando for my last conference.
Why is it that people are so anxious and in a hurry when they fly? Just think about it. You get to the airport at least an hour before your flight. As you get in line you can...
Travel Tuesday: DCA-ORD-BNA = Free Flight
This week I was set to travel to Nashville, TN (BNA) to work a conference. I left work in the afternoon and went straight to the airport (DCA) only to find that my connection in Chicago, IL (ORD) was delayed. When I asked the ticketing agent for an alternative route to BNA she said there were no other options and asked my to drop my checked bag off to be screened.
Fine. I’ll take my...
March 2010
1 post
Travel Tuesday: Conference Calls and ONT-DIA-BMH
Good morning from California! Man I miss this place. I came out here for my day off between two back to back conferences. In a few short hours, I will board yet another plane and head back to the other side of our great country.
But first I need to touch base with our team on our weekly conference call. Being in a different time zone I thought I would be the prudent employee and get up early and...
February 2010
1 post
Down Under: Prologue
Last August I decided to cash in my United Frequent Flyer Miles and go somewhere. After trying to get to El Salvador to visit my friend Emily didn’t work out, I decided to ask my friend Andrew in Melbourne, Australia if I could visit him. It was an iffy desire as I hadn’t really spoken to him in two years- and I was asking to stay w/ him and his roommates. But it was worth it. As soon...
January 2010
2 posts
Marshmallow Tree?
Yesterday. January 11, 2010. About 9:00am
Me: Hey Jim, want a homemade marshmallow?
Jim: What?
Me: I had some fun this weekend and made them!
Jim: How?
Me: Well, I found a recipe and followed it!
Jim: I thought those just kinda appeared. maybe grew on trees
Me: I know! Me too! But Apparently not! Because i successfully made them. They are on my desk.
Jim: Who knew?!?
French Macarons
Yesterday I decided I needed to bake something. I was sitting here at my desk (yes, at work) and I just knew I needed to. It’s one of those feelings I get from time to time. But, I also knew I didn’t want to make cupcakes again. I love those little individual cakes of happiness but I didn’t want them watching me all day begging to be eaten. Plus I just wanted to attempt...
October 2009
8 posts
London memory
I was trying to remember why I saved this lid!
“it may not mend a broken heart but this tuna pasta is seriously comforting”
That’s it! That’s why I saved it and pinned it to my wall here at work! Small things can bring a smile to your face. Even when you least expect it!
I was in London on a quick, random trip because I needed it. I needed to get as far away as I could...
Ghosts on a Stick
I had plans for a girls night full of homemade pizza, bottles of wine, and some good old girl talk. Of course I decided I would bring dessert! This weekend I decided to branch out of my cupcake madness and make something different.
About a month ago, I purchased a cupcake pan that makes little cakes in the shape of Popsicles. It was one of those I NEED TO HAVE THIS NOW moments as I wondered...
But I don't want to buy four new tires!
Tania and I were on our way to work on this COLD, DARK, and RAINY morning here in Virginia and a Pepboyz commercial came on the radio. Since it is starting to rain more and maybe even freeze and get icy I was already thinking about the new tires the Beast (my crappy Explorer) needs for this season. I turned up the radio to hear the deals and began to get frustrated.
I don’t want to spend...
Hey, that's not my kid!
Yesterday, while working here in Dallas, TX a mother and father decided to come visit their student. As they walked in they expressed interest in checking in with their son, even if it meant pulling him out of his workshop for a few minutes. Not a problem. After all, he is their son.
Well, Tania decided to get the paperwork going and speak with the parents while I get to get the student. I looked...
Visitor in my apartment!
I started this blog to keep track of all of the moments that I find myself questioning if i’m really a grown up yet, or not. The first major one that comes to mind was a few weeks into living in my first apartment. Mary and KC (her dog) were not the only visitors that week!
Now, this is a basement apartment, and it’s fairly small, so before moving in I mentally prepared myself for...