Gratitude Sunday

Hmmmm so it's been a few weeks! Time certainly does fly.

This week I am grateful for:

- My new calling at church working with the Primary kids

- Seeing my family this weekend

- Celebrating my little bro turning 18

- Daily photo challenge

- Extra work

- Getting to go to Sydney this coming weekend!

- Celebrating Lewie and Katrina's love...via a reception :D

- 'Date' night with Cat

- Good food

- Daylight savings...despite the 1hr less sleep I got

What are you grateful for this week?

Guest Posts

While I wasn't writing much on here during July, I did stop by a couple of other blogs to throw my two cents into the mix.

Over at Along Abbey Road you can read about the night my sister, brother and niece stayed over and Darcey got a little gassy.

While over at Teatime Thoughts I shared a little about giving new foods a go while away on holiday

and included a bunch of photos of different food I ate in Japan. 

Go and have a little squiz if you feel so inclined :D 

Heston Blumenthal

If you know this name, then I don't need to say any more.

However for those of you that do not yet understand the brilliance that is Heston...you really need to get out there and check some of his stuff out.

Janelle was the first person to introduce me to him. I was rather curious and so we watched the eggs episode. I sat transfixed the entire time. It was amazing...my favourite was the bacon and egg ice-cream.

I have been meaning to watch more of his show for ages and always seem to forget!
But after seeing that he was going to be on Masterchef Australia I got excited and even more curious.

I was very surprised at some of the things that came out from his invention test episode.
In case you didn't see it, contestants had to pair one of six ingredients with chocolate. They didn't know they would be pairing it with chocolate when they decided though.

So tonight, while having Leah and Janelle over for dinner we decided to watch a little Heston.
I think we ended up watching 3 feasts. My favourite was the chocolate 60s themed one.
But I also loved the dessert graveyard from the goth horror themed feast.

I love that it was his curiosity of how things work that really got him  involved in food.

Do you watch Heston? If so, what's your favourite food he's created? If not, go watch a few videos and let me know what your reactions are!

One thing is for sure...Heston is a genius! Though I'm not sure I would ever be game enough to try some of his feast foods.

Oh and it totally helps that he has a British accent :D

Gratitude Sunday

This week I'm grateful for:

- Being able to spend quality time with people who care about me

- Seeing my family

- Having a warmish bed on these cold nights

- Getting good advice from people

- Seeing other's perspective

- Pinterest ideas

- Sunshine

- Moments that make things better

- Choc mud biscuits...they're just amazing!

- Sweet treats from my visiting teachers

Gratitude Sunday

Sooooo it's been a couple of weeks since I've done one of these...my bad!

Apparently I have been having too much fun the last couple of Sunday's with my family 

and their in-laws.

This week I am grateful for:

- Good music

- Family...especially the visit from my little bro this week

- Having another exam over

- A new tv show to watch...The Mentalist!

- Lunch with friends...at the awesome Burger Got Soul

- The beginning movie session of the Harry Potter marathon Janelle and I will be having over the next little while

- Fun afternoons with the girls I babysit

- Days at home on my own

- My clothes finally drying! All this rain doesn't help!

- My favourite lollies on special

- 24 hour Kmart...it's like home :P It has most things I need...no matter what time of day!

- The internet...for basically everything.

- Good food

- Making decisions and being happier for it :D

Salamanca

After having my first exam at 9am on Saturday, I decided some fun was in order.

So I asked Janelle to come with me to Salamanca markets.

I hadn't been to Salamanca for ages and it's always good to go every once in a while.

My favourite find was my GingerDEAD man

Isn't he cute?! 

It was nice to just relax after my exam before I had to go to work.

Foreign Food

Today I tried a Double Decker bar..imported from the United Kingdom.

Not that great...was ok though.

I also got to have some of my favourite Stroop Waffles...straight from The Netherlands.

One thing I wish we could get here is Gushers...man I have a big sweet tooth!

I love that I can get these things from the supermarket and taste just a few things of what different parts of the world have to offer.

It seriously makes me want to get out there and travel again. 

I loved trying different things in Japan.

The travel bug is biting! and I am going to reassess my budget and see how much I can save to get out there again. 

Have you tried any 'foreign' food lately? What's your favourite type?

Gratitude Sunday

This week I am grateful for:

- Chats with my Mum

- Autumn leaves and the beautiful changes

- Nerf gun attacks

- Scavenger hunts around Hobart

- Dinner with the girls coming up to YSA over the next year

- Playing cards with the brother and my SIL's family

- A bed and blanket to keep me warm on these horrible cold nights! 

- Tender mercies

- Music

- Seeing friends I haven't seen in a while 

- Spending an afternoon with a friend and her camera :D 

- Words of wisdom from others

- A new start each day to try and improve

- Goals to work towards

- Funny shows to keep me entertained

- An ok amount of tips to help pay for my stupid, extremely expensive parking fine! :'(

- A life to live

Banana Muffins, Burns and Books

So yesterday I baked some banana muffins for a friend who is helping me out, as well as to take to FHE. By some I obviously mean 30. 

During which I burnt myself ...which if it scars will look wicked! 

And lately I have been reading so many books, you would think I literally live off them. I love them...and they are helping me achieve a little goal...so YAY for reading! 

My current read is Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson.

Oh and I have started reading the Harry Potter series...3 books in and quite enjoying them. 

Gratitude Sunday

This week I am grateful for:

- Time with family

- My saviour's resurrection

- Easter chocolate...it just tastes so much better! :D

- Yummy roast dinner

- A fun easter egg hunt

- Safety

- Perspective

- Not feeling alone

- The internet working again so I can post

- The most random of conversations

- Smiles

- Visiting my families ward and catching up with a bunch of people

- Attempting fishing again

- Changing seasons

- Celebrating birthdays

- Getting assignments in

- Thoughts and realisations

- Learning...about a variety of things

Brinner, Bubbly and Besties

For starters, I decided that I should indeed go to my class today, despite getting up late and not really wanting to go.

Then during that class I made friends with 2 girls who seemed really nice from the beginning.

Both of which are now in my group for the group project the unit requires!

A bonus I would have missed out on, had I not gone to class.

Then after class I picked up my first assignment and found out I got a Distinction...borderline High Distinction. Which had me so happy because I wasn't really sure how I had done.

Then I returned home and was reminded by a friend's status that my results from the two units I did in Japan were available. (She got 2 well earned High Distinctions!) Upon checking my own results I got the shock of my life when I saw that I got my first High Distinction for a unit!!

I actually got up and danced! :D

I have received HD's on particular assignments, but never the whole unit.

The best thing was that tonight I was going out to dinner with some girl friends anyway, so I kinda got to celebrate with Brinner! If you don't know this term...you should!

Jess and I celebrated a little earlier with some non-alcoholic sparkling cider

Today really was a good day!

Brothers say the funniest things!

Today I had lunch with my older brother and he came out with the most random thing.

He sure was excited for dessert!

"Heaps of people don't know that we're brother and sister. I just hope people don't think we're on a date"

Uh....random! 

We don't exactly look alike so a lot of people don't know that we're related and it is really funny when we say "love ya" and get the funniest looks because he's married.

If people thought we were on a date I would be weirded out, because we definitely don't act like it!

Especially considering one of the waiters tried to be flirty and make a joke...which was just really awkward! Seriously seriously awkward!

Oh bro, these are good times. 

Get in my belly!!

Today was a food kind of day!

Tonight I had some amazing Indian food with Janelle!

Which should not be eaten in a car at the beach...because it is extremely hot and Janelle will spill little bits of sauce all over herself! Ha ha

Butter Chicken is the best! Especially with garlic/cheese naan and papadums :D

These pictures don't even give it justice! It was SOOOOO good!

Something that I see during Summer while driving to and from Hobart....Hay Bale Cherries.

These wouldn't taste nice but the real ones from Tasmania are AMAZING! 

The best one's all get exported and we only get the 'seconds' but they are still amazing! 

Then my friend Jacinta and I had the funniest conversation:

After discussing our desire for ice-cream and realising that it is later than we thought and Cold Rock (Cold Stone for all you Americans) was closed.

Me: We could always go down to the Shell (A petrol/gas station that is open 24 hours).

Jacinta: Does it look like I did?

Me: Wait what?? What did you think I said?

Jacinta: Did you just get out of the shower?

Me: HA HA HA HA HA No I said *repeat what I said*

Jacinta: Oh HA HA HA HA HA. Wait! Where are we going?

Definitely think it's ice-cream time now!! :D 

Gratitude Sunday

This week I am grateful for:

- Making the time to study my scriptures every day

- Realising how I react to certain situations and what I should do next time

- Being able to fast

- The beautiful weather and enjoying it in the Huon

- Getting to see my little bro, who came down for the cricket

- Moments to capture

- Lots of work...because it shall fund my holiday, not because it means I miss out on spending time with friends :'(

- Sleep...I haven't been getting a lot lately so I treasure what I do :D

- An awesome fireside tonight after the fast breaker...thought provoking

- Potential

- An EPIC Jenga match with my bros & Jess

- The Hunger Games Series...for hours of enjoyment! and the cause of most of my lack of sleep

New Year's Eve Carnival!

From 3pm-1am today/tomorrow...minus the 3 hours of work I have to go and do...I will be having a CARNIVAL of a time :D

Kat has organised a YSA New Year's Eve Carnival! 

We are currently setting up...and getting sunburnt! I am going to be so red tomorrow! 

But the fun I have will all be worth it! :D 

More on this even next week...after all the festivities!! 

Have a safe New Year!

Bring on 2012!!

Drained

Sorry people but I don't have much to say today as I am officially pooped!

But can't sleep...joy!

I had to do a speech today in Japanese and I went well for most of it, then I made a mistake and got all flustered. I also went red...curse you body for that reaction to nerves!

I had to go last...and by the time it got to me I had heard so much of other people's speeches that mine was a little all of the place in my head.

But I still managed to get an ok mark :D I'm happy with it.

And now to post a picture of my snowman donut...as requested by Cami

Tully's

Since being in Japan I have become addicted to...

Tully's Coffee House.

Well the iced and hot chocolate :D

See how happy it makes me :D

Caylee too :D

Sooo good!

There's even a guy who works there that recognises us...we're going to be friends by the end of this trip.

If you ever come to Japan, you HAVE to try Tully's. You definitely won't regret it!

Gratitude Sunday Series

This week I am grateful for:

- Speaking to my family and introducing them to my Japanese one

- Having the courage to go to the Onsen

- Trying new food, despite it making me almost vomit

- Technology!

- Karaoke...it is just so fun!

- Cheap food...saves me a lot

- Funny partial english signs

- Visiting so many new things in Japan

- Finding a bit of Christmas...and an orchestra playing for the public (AMAZING)

- Cute kids that try to talk to me....and I try to understand

- Awesome Japanese people! They are so nice!

- Life

- Faith

- Trials

Oh and so much more...just no enough time to write it all!

What did I eat for lunch today???

Just kidding! I knew what I was eating!

And it was DELICIOUS!! 

280 Yen Ramen...Don't mind if I do! 

Works out to about AUS$3.50 and worth every cent.

You get to sit at a cool Ramen bar and they give you the food and then you can add spices and things to it and then you eat and get out. 

It's cheap, quick and was very funny :D The 10 students that went, took up half the place.

I love Japan!

Did I mention that yet???? :D