Australian Anniversary

This week marks the anniversary of my arrival to live in Australia.  Seven years.  In some ways, it seems just like yesterday that I embarked on this new adventure.  In other ways, it seems that I've been here a looooong time.  I thought I'd take us on a pictorial journey of some of my many highlights in Australia....warning: "heaps" of pictures coming atcha!...all were taken by me and my iphone (or my phone was given to someone else to take) with the exception of a couple of paid touristy shots that I've designated with a *.......
What have I been doing the last seven years?

I've seen some spectacular views:

I've stared at blue water and contemplated my life:

I've attended the Vivid Light Festival:

I've made friends with some wildlife:

And ran scared from others:

I've explored caves:

I've hung out with these handsome boys under blue, cloudless skies:

I've watched the World Cup on massive screens at Darling Harbour:

I've watched the Sydney fireworks for NYE from my bedroom window three years consecutively (this is no longer the view from my bedroom):

I've had picnics in the grass:

I've gone to music festivals with friends:

I've seen this view from an airplane window:

I've got in a tank with one of my bestest Texas friends...and some aquatic life*:

I've worn a "stinger suit" in the Whitsundays (not knowing if that was to protect me from stingrays or jelly fish stings):

I've slid down the Stockton Sand Dunes:

I've hugged a giant koala:

I've celebrated the 4th of July with other Sydney Americans:

I've displayed the Stars & Stripes on September 11th:

I've attended an Australian (rules) Football game:

I've met up with other graduates of Texas A&M University:

I've celebrated Australia Day:

I've put my toes in the sand of several Australian beaches:

I've hiked to lighthouses:

I've seen fog over the Blue Mountains:

I've stood in the Pacific Ocean with my mom and stepmom:

I've stopped and admired unique architecture with beautiful scenery:

I've been a bridesmaid:

I've climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge*:

I've wandered through the most beautiful cemetery I've ever seen:

I've been stopped by tourists from Beijing asking to take their photo with me:

I've sipped cocktails under Palm trees and blue skies:

I've watched giraffes at sunset in Taronga Zoo:

I've experienced shock and horror by inflated Sydney prices:

I've been to Luna Park:

I've learned that winter can look like this:

I've met Jay, the koala, with my mama*:

I've been to the Great Barrier Reef:

I've eaten dinner with my dad and stepmom while overlooking the Sydney Opera House:

I've been on a Dolphin Cruise in Nelson Bay:

I've enjoyed ferry rides and water taxis:

I've seen kangaroo in the bush:

I've met Australian rock royalty, Kirk Pengilly of INXS:

I've become a public train commuter:

I've read a book while soaking my feet in Sydney Harbour:

I've been on a harbour boat cruise for a friend's birthday celebration:

I've danced the night(s) away with a great group of girlfriends:

 I've been to a rugby match:

I've adopted three kitties:

I've become a mama to two mutts:

I've become a stepparent:

I've found the man that challenges me, loves me, completes me...and I married him:

All of this and so much more. I've lived an enriching life since December 2008. I've learned, laughed, and loved. 

 

All the while, I've missed my family & friends, Tex-Mex, college football, and more.  I feel extremely fortunate to know I have loved ones and a place to call "home" in more than one place in this great big beautiful world. 

Humpdayin' Around

Another humpday link-up, and I'm not prepared.  Again.  I'm sensing a pattern.  I confess:  I'm rushing through this one.  Again.  #whatevs

My laptop has driven me bonkers today because it couldn't find a network.  I have no idea what that means.  It is supposed to magically connect to the internet whenever I want without any problems.  #firstworldproblems

How's a girl to read the Show Us Your Books links when the internet isn't working?  I confess: I almost threw it on the ground to smash it into a bajillion pieces.  #angrymuch

Yes.  I can read blogs from my phone, but I can't comment easily and jump over to goodreads and add books.  I confess: I have a routine.  #andilikeit

Karen has blog awards, and I submitted nominees when she first asked.  I even thought to myself "Well, silly, you should've nominated yourself for something." Today, I see that Karen's first round of voting is open and what?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I'm nominated for something?  Me?  I confess:  I'm shocked. 

I think that means someone likes me.  Or likes what I do here.  I confess: Even if it is just one person who bothered to nominate me for Best Kept Secret, I'm still really honored. 

And, I saw so many blogger buddies names on the list of nominees. I confess: It made me all kinds of happy. #letsallwin

Go vote for Karen's Blog Awards 2015.  She says she didn't have as many people submit nominees #probablyhowigotnominated ... So, go check out the nominees, support your favorites, find new blogs, and spread the word.  #spreadbloggerlove #bloggerloveisawesome

If you got that somewhat obscure, loosely modified (into a word that doesn't exist) Bobby Brown reference in the title, you are awesome. #yesmygifisfromeverylittlestep

Wednesday link-ups with Laura & Lauren,  Alanna & Sarah, and  Nadine & Kathy:

I show you my books, you show me yours vol.11

What?  We get to link-up and talk about books today with our illustrious leaders Jana & Steph?  Awesome!  I had a really, really great month of reading (except the first book).  Let's do this.

1.  The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith - After reading the first book in this series (The Cuckoo's Calling), I really liked Strike (the lead character), and I tolerated Robin (his assistant). By the end of this book, I just don't care. I don't care about the characters or "whodunnit". Nothing about this book worked for me, and truly, I hate talking so negatively because I love books.  I fell asleep while reading this book more times than I can count.  I kept wanting to quit it, but I persevered.  I should've quit it.  1/5

2.  Night by Elie Wiesel - Apparently, this book is required reading for some school curriculums.  It should be.  To read the words from a Holocaust survivor, a survivor of labor and extermination camps, there isn't anything that I can adequately "review".  It's 115 pages.  Read it.  The atrocities that man can inflict on other members of the human race is something that we are still witnessing today.  We must learn from history. 

3.  Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin - I first heard about this book from this link-up...yet again, another solid recommendation from you bloggy-reader-linker-uppers!  I'm pretty sure it was Dani and Kristen, and I don't remember either mentioning it was based in Texas (because why would they? Neither have a connection to Texas that I know of.)...but for me, this was a pleasant surprise.  The book gives a different and interesting perspective to dealing with trauma and capital punishment.  4/5

4.  My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga - Heavy subject matter but written in a somewhat simplistic way that it doesn't feel too heavy or burdensome.  The author is able to describe two types of severe depression - one brought on by trauma, and one that seemingly is hereditary (but amped by trauma) in a painful, yet sweet and heartfelt way.  4.5/5

5.  Private Vegas by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro - I've probably read 100 James Patterson books.  I'm not even kidding.  I don't read every one of them, but I read a lot.  This is the 9th in the Private series.  If you haven't read them yet, you're probably not going to, so you can skip this.  If you do like JP, his characters, and his formulas...this will not disappoint.  4/5 

6.  Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - Sometimes, you read something and think about social advances and how far we have come in society. Other times, you read a story that was written in 1999, and you are ashamed, the fact that inexcusable acts amongst teenagers are still so prevalent, and a story like this still rings so painfully true. 4.5/5

7.  The Last Summer of Us by Maggie Harcourt - Simplistic writing but effective at times; Three close friends share a coming of age road trip, learning life lessons, and we learn of each of their own turmoils. 3.5/5

8.  Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg - Devastating.  Gut-wrenching.  Beautiful.  One of those books that tells various stories through the eyes of various characters that are all connected in some way.  4.5/5

Do you like book challenges?  Join mine!  C'mon.  Everybody's doing it.  Find out all about it here: Book Challenge by Erin 4.0.

Now, I've shown you mine............you show me yours!

Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.50

I shared this already on instagram, but it's ranking up there in my favorite pictures of all-time. 

Sometimes, at work, I play with big diamonds...like this 2.81 carat beauty. 

Dolly sitting funny. That is all.

The trees in Centennial Park are amazing.

Pulled Pork on a pretzel roll bun and German beer ... Mmm mmm good. 

Rise Against, Saturday night, Hordern Pavilion, Sydney;  I got goosebumps when we first got there. I couldn't help but think of the concert goers at the Bataclan in Paris not too many Saturdays ago. 

Sydney Town Hall lit up for Christmas!

I hope your first week of December has been fantastic!  Tell me about it. 

Ten Random Confessions

I confess:  I had nothing prepared for today's link-up, so I'm just winging it. #notaboyscout #notprepared

I confess:  My guy (he's a jeweller) finished a ring today.  While I was creating the evaluation document, I wore the ring and pretended it was mine.  (It was over 3 carats total!) #agirlcandream

On Sunday, since friends and family were going all out for *me* for a Thanksgiving celebration, I decided to throw on a dress.  When my stepson saw me, he said I looked "fancy".  I confess:  I got it on clearance from Big W (Australian version of Walmart) for $7.  #youtoocanlookfancyforsevendollars

I confess:  After Sunday's Thanksgiving in Oz celebration, there were still dirty dishes left to do on Monday.  I had the day off work on Monday.  I didn't do the dishes.  #domesticgoddessiamnot

I confess:  I've eaten homemade mac&cheese for dinner for three straight nights because my guy made the biggest serve of mac&cheese ever cooked!  #iheartcheese #cheese4eva 

I confess:  I re-activated my snapchat after saying I wouldn't.  #followme (my username is texerin)

That's my best look

I confess:  I only follow two bloggers on snapchat right now because I don't know anyone's user names. #didntpayattentionifyoutoldmethembefore #whatsyourusername 

I confess:  The two bloggers I follow (kristenlees122 and ashleylillis) have fun posts of their fur babies, and I talk to Dart, Millie, Penny, and Chelsea through my phone when I see their cute faces.  #ilikefurbabies #gimmeallthefurbabies

I confess:  I still may be too old for snapchat because half the time I don't know what I'm doing.  #borninthe70s #techchallenged

I confess:  The fact that there are already SIX people (not including me) that have posted their preliminary list to Book Challenge by Erin only ONE day after the categories were announced has made me absolutely giddy with booknerdiness.  #booknerdsunite #dancingajig

Join us!

What's up with you this Wednesday?

Wednesday link-ups with Laura & Lauren,  Alanna & Sarah, and  Nadine & Kathy:

Book Challenge by Erin 4.0

 

I host a book challenge on facebook.  If you've read this blog for any amount of time at all, you know I love books.  I read.  I like to talk about books.  I'm a sucker for book challenges.  I started my own challenge a year ago hosting it through this facebook group page.  My thought was this: if I host it through facebook, that's another venue to talk about books with my fellow readers.  I am already in a few challenges that link back to blogs, but not facebook.  I'm pretty happy and proud of the group I've got happening on facebook.  It's so fun to see a collection of readers that are my high school friends, friends of friends, friends around the globe, blogger friends, all coming together for a mutual love of books.  If you're a reader, please join us.  Even just join the group to follow along with the fun.  Or jump in and rock the challenge!  AND, if you are not a fan of facebook, but want to play along, please do. 

Here's the information about the next challenge (and there's a tab at the top of this blog that stays there all the time with this info too):

Book Challenge by Erin 4.0

General Rules

• First and foremost, have fun. Don't stress. No one is being judged, graded, or penalized. Even if you finish only one book the entire challenge, if you enjoy it and it's an accomplishment for you, then that's awesome.
• The challenge will run from January 1, 2016 to April 30, 2016. No books that are started before 12 a.m. on January 1 or finished after 11:59 p.m. on April 30 will count.  (We live in different time zones – follow this according to your own time zone.)
• Each book must be at least 200 pages long.   Audio books are fine too.
• A book can only be used for one category, and each category can only be completed once. If you want to switch the category of a book, or change the book you originally chose, no worries. 
• You can read your books in any order you choose.
• Rereads can be used only once.  If a book you love fits into a category, go ahead and visit it again.  Read it in its entirety.  But, only do this once for the challenge.
• There will be a photo album for each category with links to books chosen.  Please comment on the photo for each of your books when you finish reading them.  (ask for help if you need it)  A comment can include a review, a rating, a recommendation…other readers want to hear what you thought of your choice. 
• There will be 10 book categories with a possibility of earning 200 points.   That’s 10 books in four months.  For some of you, this will be a BIG challenge; for others it will be easy peasy.  It’s all for fun, remember!
• Book categories will be posted December 1st to give you time to gather books in preparation. 
• After the categories are posted, please post a preliminary list to the facebook group page with books of your choice according to their categories on the facebook group page by December 15^th (if possible).  If you need help with a particular category or want a book suggestion, we as a community of reading enthusiasts can help each other.  (Late entries will still be accepted)
• Participants can join the challenge at any time.
• The first three people who finish the challenge will be invited to contribute a category for the next challenge. The top winner will get a small prize from me!  Plus, everyone who completes the challenge will gets all sorts of recognition and support!
• Lastly, have fun.  Don't stress. No one is being judged, graded, or penalized. Even if you finish only one book the entire challenge, if you enjoy it and it's an accomplishment for you, then that's awesome.  Wait, I’ve read that somewhere before…Good luck!

Categories announced today................

Book Challenge by Erin 4.0

Categories

·         5 points:  Read a book, any book that is at least 200 pages long. 

·         10 points:  Read a book that begins with the letter “D”.  (Yes, I put 25 letters in jar – I left out X – and drew randomly)

·         10 points:  Read a book with a four word title. 

·         15 points:  Read a book with one of the following words in the title: “mother(s)”, “father(s)”, “son(s)”, “daughter(s)”, or “child(ren)”. 

·         20 points:  Amazon ranks their “most popular authors”, and they update this list hourly.  Based on when you make your book list, look at the top 100 authors, and pick a book to read from one of those authors, but here’s the catch – it needs to be an author new to you…one of the most popular authors, yet you’ve never read them before.  http://www.amazon.com/author-rank

·         20 points:  Read a book set in any country in Asia.  (In previous challenges, we’ve been to Europe, Latin America, and a country you’ve never visited.  Stick around, we’ll tour the world!)

·         25 points:  Read a book with a “Season” in the title.  (I start the challenge in Summer and end in Autumn; many of you start in Winter and end in Spring…so the title of your book should have Summer, Autumn/Fall, Winter, or Spring in the title.)

·         30 points:  Read a book that will make you laugh from the list attached. (submitted by Bernadette, previous winner) http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinchack/books-guaranteed-to-make-you-laugh-out-loud

·         30 points:  Read a book that is a friend or family member’s favorite book (or the favorite book of another participant from this challenge).  (submitted by Peggy, previous winner)

·         35 points:  Read a book published the year you were born. (submitted by Meredith, previous winner)

If you are stuck on any of these categories, ask for help or recommendations!  GOOD LUCK!

  

Wait....there's more...my choices because, you know, I lead by example or I had a head start because I compiled the list:

5pts - Read a book, any book that is at least 200 pages long. - The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
10pts - Read a book that begins with the letter "D". - Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol
10pts - Read a book with a four word title. - The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens
15pts - Read a book with one of the following words in the title: "Mother(s), Father(s), Son(s), Daughter(s), Child(ren). - Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
20pts - Read a book by amazon's top 100 authors from an author that you've never read before - The Silent Girls by Eric Rickstad (never even heard of him, but he's #47 as I type this)
20pts - Read a book set in Asia. - The Pearl that Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi
25pts - Read a book with a season in the title ("Summer", "Spring", "Winter", "Autumn", I'll even allow "Fall") - The Winter of Frankie Machine by Don Winslow
30pts - Read a book that will make you laugh from the attached list: - Kill Your Friends by John Niven
30pts - Read a book that is a friend or family member's favorite (or favorite book from another participant of this challenge)  - Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall (my college roommate and favorite friend, Katy, lists this as one of her faves)
35pts - Read a book published the year you were born. - Child of God by Cormac McCarthy

My entire list via goodreads

Alright.  That was a long one.  You're dismissed.  But, first, go sign up for the challenge! 

Fall Film Challenge 2015 Finale

Remember this post when I told you that I was participating in the fall film challenge?  I have participated in this challenge both years it has been held.  I didn't expect to finish it.  I just don't watch that many movies.  Some other participants watched an insane amount of movies.  I'm most impressed!  So, how did I do?

My selections:

 one. any set in new york city.  – Taxi Driver - (watched September 14th) - Apart from a few brilliant scenes, it was slow, very slow. Sorry.

 

two. any incorporating hot air balloons in the story. – Casanova (2005) - (watched September 20th) - I wondered how this movie had such a great cast, but I didn't even know it had been released.  Because it's terrible, that's how.  It was really not a good movie.

three. any that features a child as the main character. – Empire of the Sun changed to Jurassic World (watched October 24th when the stepson chose this) -  I expected far-fetched, but this was just ridiculous.  Don't include me in the Jurassic World fan club. 

four. any disney film. – Big Hero 6 - (watched September 12th) - Thoroughly enjoyable; maybe the most entertaining animated movie that I've seen in a while.

five. any set in egypt OR have an egyptian character OR star an egyptian actor/actress. – American Sniper - (watched October 17th) - the main bad guy sniper is Egyptian born - I was surprised and impressed by Bradley Cooper's performance.  He got the small town Texas accent.  Props to the speech coach.  He also portrayed the soldier that couldn't reconnect to "real life" pretty well.

 

six. a close friend or family member's favorite film. – Dedication - (watched October 13th) - Quirky and cute. Mandy Moore's character reminded me of Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club (her hair, make-up, coat, posture). I wonder if that was intentional.

 

seven. any with the word great in the title. – The Great Raid - (watched November 30th) - "The raid on Cabanatuan remains the most successful rescue mission in U.S. military history." - a story about U.S. men in a Japanese P.O.W. camp based in the Philippines during WWII.  The end credits rolling real footage was particularly moving.

eight. any starring harrison ford. – Paranoia - (watched November 9th) - Maybe I missed something, but I was bored through most of this. If it weren't for the challenge, I would've changed the channel.

 

nine. any that features an idiot as the main character. – Talladega Nights - This Is Where I Leave You - (watched November 30th) - I enjoyed the book quite a bit. I found the movie mildly entertaining. The Penny storyline annoyed me in the movie, and I think that took things down a notch. I quite enjoyed the "idiot" brother in both book and movie.

ten. any mentioned in levis strauss' list: denim in the oscars: a look at jeans in cinema. – No Country for Old Men - (watched October 21st) - I'd read the book and knew what to expect; intense, dark, great performances, and I enjoyed it...but probably not for everyone.

 

eleven. a film about a knight. – Kingdom of Heaven - changed to Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (even though I loathe Ben Stiller in movies); (watched October 3rd) Since Lancelot is the bad guy of the movie, I think it can count as a movie about a knight. It was awful. But my stepson laughed and giggled throughout, and that's why we watched it.

twelve. a love story. – 500 Days of Summer - (watched November 2nd) - Cute with a little bit of quirkiness and a little bit of sadness.  Matthew Gray Gubler was a pleasant surprise!  The Hall & Oates scene was the best, and I'm pretty sure I'd dig the soundtrack.

 

thirteen. a movie about something miraculous. – The Martian - (watched November 17th) - I talk about it in this post.

fourteen. a film starring an actor/actress with the same first name as yours. – We Need to Talk about Kevin - (watched September 7th) - I'd read the book; the book was better. Knowing the thoughts in these messed up characters' heads adds a lot more dimension to the story.

 

fifteen. a film about the Olympics - Foxcatcher- (watched October 18th) - Looking back, this one may have been the most disappointing of the challenge.  I expected so much more and was bored most of it.  The personalities weren't nearly as intriguing or dynamic as I expected.
 

sixteen. a film on time magazine's list: the top ten newspaper movies. – State of Play

seventeen. a movie with a question in the title. – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

eighteen. any film with a score of ninety percent or greater on rotten tomatoes. – The Sapphires - (watched October 21st) - Adorable, fun, filled with great music, poignant at times. Loved it and highly recommend.  Stories of dreams, racism, war, Aboriginals, family bonds, love, loss, community, and more. Really. Watch this movie.  Oh, and there's Chris O'Dowd.

 

nineteen. a film about a superhero. – X-Men: Days of Future Past - (watched September 4th) - I have a confession to make. I've seen none of the previous X-men, so I was a little confused at times. But, it was a good one. James McAvoy is dreamy.

 

twenty. any film with subtitles. – The Girl Who Played with Fire

twenty-one. any incorporating unicorns in the story. – Stardust

twenty-two. a film about a personal victory. – The Judge- (watched November 17th) - Fantastic cast and acting performances...did I expect anything less from RDJ or Robert Duvall.  No, I didn't..but the supporting cast was fabulous too.  And, the final credits start with a version of Coldplay's The Scientist performed by Willie Nelson, and I'm biased, I know, but I have a thing for Willie Nelson's unconventional voice.

 

twenty-three. a film with black or white in the title. – Snow White and the Huntsman

twenty-four. any set in a country you would most like to visit. - Unbroken- (watched October 26th) - Based on a true story and a book that I have not read...and another movie set in a Japanese P.O.W. camp.  Inspirational. Some people have a strength and a spirit that goes beyond superhuman.  

twenty-five. a film set in a zoo. – The Wild

Overall, I watched 19 movies (for the challenge).  That's good for me.  Others watched all 25 PLUS 25 more in a bonus round.  I am not ashamed by my nineteen films.  Over half of them, I enjoyed and would recommend.

 Have you seen any of these?  Thoughts?