RIPs Spider

Fact:

Spiders are not my friends....never have been, never will.

Last night while watching a movie on my laptop in the dark I felt my 'hair' annoying my neck so I flicked it and noticed something fly off onto my bed.

In the light of my laptop I discovered to my horror that it was a spider. 

While tracking it with my laptop and attempting to squash it....I LOST SIGHT OF IT!

Not cool.

After running for the light and quietly screaming about the spider...that was in my HAIR!!!...I tried to carefully find it.

After not finding it I tried to convince myself it had run off and I could get back in bed to sleep.

I was WRONG!

As I went to turn the light off I saw Mr Spider crawling off my laptop.

Well he wasn't sleeping in my bed for the night.

So I waited till he crawled away from my laptop and with a shoe in each hand I summoned the largest amount of courage I could, counted to 3 and hit it right on.

And just to make sure it wasn't faking death I squished it some more, picked it up with a tissue and took it out into the kitchen bin.

Sorry if you love spiders, but unless they stay away from me and my bedroom they die.

Rest in Pieces Mr Spider! 

Thanks for causing me to have bad dreams about spiders all night! 

NOT... 

House Sitting

So for the last month I've been house sitting.

There are a lot of pros to house sitting.

- A whole house to yourself

- A bathroom to yourself

- You can stay up as late or go to bed as early as you want (provisional on work of course)

- You limit your own bills, because you're not there to use it

- You get a working tv (well I did)

- You get a cleaner every couple of weeks (well I did)

I kinda got used to the little lifestyle I had there...it was a nice little break.

Almost like a mini holiday....but not quite. 

Now I am back in my own little room, having to share a small bathroom and back to reality.

The plus side of being back to my own life is not having a cat stalk me all the time.

I have all of my stuff when I need or want it in the one location.

I have space to put things away, instead of in bags on the bedroom floor. 

Have you ever house sat for anyone?

Did you have a good or bad experience? Goodness knows you can have some bad ones!

Funniest tip to date...

Until tonight I thought I had received my weirdest/funniest tip from my brother,

which included 75c and a small tin of flavoured tuna.

Well...

Sorry bro, but you have definitely been beaten!

Tonight I received the following from a customer, who may or may not have been: 

a) drunk

b) stoned

c) both

Included was a burnt "Basement Jack's" CD, 80c, a fake moustache, some pickled ginger, wasabi, a scratchie with $2 winning on it and a lego cowboy! All in a Homer Simpson ziplock bag. 

I mean I've had some good monetary tips in my time, but this definitely tops the best tip to date!

I'm just surprised I didn't lose it laughing at him...though I nearly did!

Being a pizza delivery chick has definitely done wonders for my acting skills.

You Never Know

Found a sweet little story on facebook this week and it was such a great example

of how we need to stop and be patient sometimes because you never know 

who may need you to do just that for them.

"A NYC Taxi driver wrote:

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive
through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life..

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one." 

It's funny how our actions can affect others and we don't even realise it.

I wonder how many times the things we do have a positive affect on others lives.

You never know how much what you do affects or influences others.

Just think about it...

Driving Miss Janelle

Or should I say she was driving me??

Took Janelle to a couple of car parks tonight to have a little drive in the car.

This was only her second time, so she did pretty well considering.

Nelly looked pretty scared from the beginning...but she got better as the time went on.

My little space pod has only had L plates one other time...and that was when my little bro came down and wanted to drive.

He's actually down visiting again briefly. He's here to see the cricket.

Tonight taught me that my parents had a lot of guts letting me behind their cars when I first started driving...because it is definitely a nerve racking experience.

We'll have you driving well soon Nelly...very soon :D

2 weeks

It's been 2 weeks since I returned from Japan...

this is rather a depressing thought :'(

I loved my time in Japan!! 

So today I present to you just some of the many things that I learnt while in Japan...in no particular order!

1. Being stared at for an average of 1.5 hours a day on a train and countless times while walking around helps you to get over your insecurities and just roll with the whole situation.

2. Learning a language while in the country that speaks that language is the BEST way to do it! I can not even explain how much you pick up just being there!

3. Be more adventurous with food. Sure there are times when this comes back to bite you but in most cases I got to try some amazing food. 

4. Be more adventurous in general! I found that I was a bit more confident in Japan and was more willing to try out new things. It's good to be outside your comfort zone. Occasionally :D

5. You get out what you put in. I realised how much effort I should have been putting in earlier! Especially with studying the language and really getting the basics cemented in my head. Would have helped me out a lot more in situations. It also helped me to get motivated to study harder this year.

6. Making mistakes is ok. I made plenty while in Japan. I also just learnt to laugh it off and when you don't know how to say something...just try...or look it up in the dictionary and go from there.

7. Everything can have a little musical tune attached to it... I swear SO MANY things had little tunes in Japan. The street crossings, the vending machines, the school clock, the real estate agent down the street...so many things! I had a love/hate relationship with this. I loved it...but then sometimes it starts to get on your nerves...such is life.

8. Hand gestures and body language can be your best friend! There were times when my hands were doing the talking in trying to describe what I wanted etc. Judging people's body language is also very useful...particularly when selecting people to stop and ask questions. 

9. Some times acting like a tourist when you are one can be a lot of fun! Plus you can get away with doing weird things and not caring what people think.

10. Life is meant to be lived. I really realised that the things that I want to do while I am young and don't have children need to be done now. I am quite free at this point in my life and I really want to take advantage of it. I changed some of my goals and had a lot of time to really think about the things that I want to do. 

These are only a few of the things that I learnt from my 5 weeks in Japan. It has been a real eye opener to me and has changed me for the good. 

As the year is coming to an end I have been evaluating my life...as most people do this time of year...and have made some plans and have some ideas flying around. 

Over the next year you will be hearing about them. 

Not long now till 2012...bring it on!

The Bidet Experience

So...I did it.

I tried the bidet. You know that water that shoots you in the bum...

Not as weird as I thought it would be. But not something I think I will be doing a lot. 

I got the courage to try it at my host families..and then it didn't work. 

So today I just thought I would go for it somewhere else.

You press a button...and then it comes out from the back of the seat...making weird noises while it does it!

Apparently I could have adjusted the temperature of the water but I didn't know how. Thank goodness it wasn't freezing cold!

I thought it was going to stop on its own but it didn't...so I had to stop it.

Thank goodness I know the Kanji for stop! That's all I'm saying...

Again...weird.

I have been way more adventurous on this trip then any other. 

When in Rome right?! Or Japan! 

So be honest. Have you ever tried a bidet?

Dear...

Dear Assignments,

You are out of my life for this semester! and I can't really say I'm sad about that

Dear Exams,

We will soon meet and I hope to conquere you as well

Dear Japan,

I am really excited about you but you are coming up way too fast!!

Dear iPod,

I am enjoying your new updates, especially being able to 'text' other iPhones and iPods when I'm connected to the internet. You are saving me a lot of money!

Dear Hart of Dixie,

You are definitely one of my favourite shows at the moment. Keep getting better!

Dear sleep,

I'm sorry I haven't seen you the last couple days very much. After both jobs tonight I look forward to catching up. For at least 8 hours...hopefully more! 

Dear People Ordering Pizza,

Please be nice tonight and if you can, I'd love a tip :D

Dear Dreams,

What's up with the weird ones lately?? It just freaks me out when I wake up and am trying to make sense of it all...nice ones would be greatly appreciated.

Dear Neighbours car,

where'd you go?? You haven't moved in the 8 or so months that we have been at this apartment and today you gave me the shock of my life when you weren't there!

Dear Brain,

Please retain all needed information for exams and then Japan...I will love you forever!!

Sincerely, Lisa xoxo

Wanna join the crazy girls house??

And why wouldn't you??

Lisa+Jess+an apartment = the best of times :D

- we have a little mac family of Eve, BabyMac, iTouch and iPhone

- we used a whole bag of party poppers all over the lounge room in a war

- pyjama parties and camp outs are a staple

- we bake way too many chocolate chip cookies!

- we go on late night drives to random places...often a stop at maccas for something

- Late night trips to Kmart as always fun...especially when we are getting really tired!

- we go to the casino...only to get free hot chocolate :P

- We also make amazing Nutella hot chocolate...inspired by Pinterest

- Board games may as well be our middle name

- Breakfast food is our favourite...no matter what time of day it is

- Our purposefully bad karaoke sessions...to random songs of course! :D 

- Burger Got Soul is out favourite for a good burger and fries... and yummy dip

- We can always find an excuse to drink Fronti out of fancy glasses :D i.e Toasting the season!

- we fake scream at each other

- We turn the light off in the bathroom while the other is in there because it's on the outside wall

- We also eat a lot of Crust pizza...delicious!!

....... oh and so much more!! 

Bet you wish you lived with us too right now?! :D 

Dear...

Dear Twitter,

You were really cranky tonight and did NOT want to be helpful.

Dear Bad Memories,

Nick off! I do not need you coming back, thank you very much!

Dear Kat,

You are home on Saturday and I can't wait to see you!!

Dear Japan,

I am both excited and freaking out to be seeing you in November...please let it be a good 5 weeks.

Dear Pinterest,

I am new to you, but Jess has an addiction to you. I feel I may get addicted to...this is going to have to be a restricted relationship.

Dear Utty,

We are not friends today...and I see a rocky week ahead. Not cool sister! 

Dear Followers,

Thanks for being genuine! 

Let me know a little more about yourself in the comments! :D

Sincerely, Lisa 

Dear...

Dear people that comment,

You make my day every time! :D I love reading what you have to say and try to answer questions or comment often. Knowing you took the time to write something is really appreciated.

Dear glow in the dark world map beanbag,

I am so glad that MJ gave you to me...you are so comfy!

Also good for chilling in and performing air guitar :D

Dear awkward moments,

You are seriously SOOOO awkward at the time, but make for funny retelling and laughter later! :D

Dear itunes,

Sometimes you do an awesome shuffle and manage to find the perfect songs for my mood...not matter what it is. Sometimes you suck. Let's keep the good shuffle sessions up :D

Dear :D symbol,

You are official my trademark :D see, there you are again!

Dear current project,

Please work out! You are a christmas present and I really don't want to have to come up with something else

Dear lounge room,

You are awesome for random dancing sessions! I envision many more over the coming months :D

Dear instagram,

You are awesome. Enough said :D

Follow along: lisatrav

Let me know yours to follow along too!

Eventful Day!

Firstly it was Nelly's birthday today!! YAY! Happy 21st Nelly :D 

To celebrate, I took her on a little 'British' themed adventure.

We:

- Went on the Double Decker Bus tour around Hobart

which included:

~ British flags to waved around...made by yours truly

~ Random British facts

~ An umbrella...just in case it rained duh!
Secretly pretending we we really in England :D

- Ate British Candy

- Had scones with our lunch (mine the English Breakfast :D)

That girl is in LOVE with Britain! Loved her face when she found out what we were doing :D

Then tonight from 3-10pm I was working...2 different jobs.

First the kids, then Pizza Delivery.

Got $10.50 in tips! :D Helping out again. I think the store manager wants to hire me...

Also got my car stuck on a retaining wall on the last delivery...LONG story :P

Then Jess and I started a new tradition tonight of 'toasting' each season...literally :D

We are bringing out the Fronti for the first day of each season!

Hello Spring!! 

oh yeah...and I named my Mac... Eve :D Because she has a bitten apple on the front...get it :D

I know you love know random I am! 

Ahhh to be a kid again...

Tonight I got to hang out with some of the Primary kids for achievement night. It's not actually my calling but Jess needed some help so off we went. 

First we got to decorate cupcakes for Darby's birthday...how fun is that?!

Then the kids played Twister.... while I laughed at their funny positions...great leader I know! 

I even tried on some midgets teeth...super attractive right?! :D

Ahhh to be a kid again...they are so much fun and care free....well MOST of the time anyway :P

I'm being released from my actual primary calling soon as I got a new calling. So I will be sad when I can't do this anymore... :'( 

The Holocaust

Such a terrible time in the world's history.

Today while driving home, listening to the radio I heard an account of a man that survived the holocaust.

It was so sad to listen to this man's sad life. He lost all of his family members, most of which he saw get killed.

How someone can live through all of these events and then spend his life telling people about it is beyond me. He is a very brave and strong man.

Recently I read the book, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne.

Although written from a child's perspective, you pick up on little meanings through it that hint to more. I loved the movie! and the book wasn't a let down either!

I'm glad that this little boy was innocent enough to not let the actions of his father affect his opinion of someone else.

If only we could have all been like that. It is sad that Hitler is remembered more than the people that he killed. Millions and millions of people that needlessly died.

So sad.

I am so blessed to live in the country and time that I do.

Dear...

Dear Followers,

You are amazing! Seriously!!

I am so grateful that you take the time to read my very random thoughts :D

Welcome to those that have started following recently!

Dear Boy,

I really like you...but it's hard to tell you or try to make it more obvious that I do. I am very self conscious and find it hard to put myself out there...

I think you might like me too but it's kinda hard to tell.

If you could be more obvious or make a move that would be fantastic!

Dear Darcey,

You are the cutest little niece. I can't believe how many times you told me that you miss me.

It melted my heart and made me miss you sooo much more.

Dear Eric,

Could you just slow down the growing already! I can't see you very often because I live 3.5 hours away and you just seem to be getting bigger really quickly. Aunty Lisa wants to see at least some of your firsts :D

Dear Family,

You are my world. I love you so much I can't even tell you enough. You have supported and loved me through many circumstances. I wish I could see you more.

Just know that I think of you often.

Dear Life,

Thanks for being a better lately. I appreciate the boost (knock wood).

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for everything. I wouldn't have or be anything without you.

Dear Body,

Sorry that I don't treat you as well as I should. I am really glad you haven't given up on me yet. I am trying to improve and take better care of you

Soooo tired....

Man am I tired today!

But the awesome week and then jam-packed weekend I had were well worth it!!

My weekend included:

Thursday:

- Dinner with the missionaries

- Institute

- KFC eat and chat after Institute

- Rescuing MJ

- Playing on the new Playground at Cornelian Bay until late

Friday:

- Crust Pizza

- Youth roadshow practice

- Bakehouse trip...including a Bubble O Bill :D

- more playing on the playground

- late night 'girl chat'

Saturday:

- Waking up early, meeting at the chapel

- Drive to My Field

-Climb to the top in technically sailing gear...as snow gear :P

- Play in the snow

- Slide back down on inner tube and Finnish sled thing

- BBQ lunch and toasted marshmallows...soooo good :D

- Drive back to Chapel, via Brighton

- Drop Isaiah home...(nap while Kat is driving..oops sorry Kat)

- Go to a discussion with the missionaries

- Home, shower (again) from day out

- Movies, Peachee and chatting until late (again!)

Sunday:

- Wake up early

- Pick up investigator on the way to church

- Church for 3 hours...2 hours of which were trying to organise feral kids

- Down to Kat's for lunch and feeding of animals and little road trip with Camilla

- Choir

- Cook and eat dinner

- Make brownies...sadly minus the Jersey Caramels

- An adorable call from my niece who kept tell me she missed me! (Aunty Lisa misses you too Darcey!!)

- Laughter and chatting until late...not AS late as other nights

Monday:

- Wake up early

- Spend time updating on everything I missed on the internet over the weekend

- Get ready for Uni

- Write this post...and the Gratitude Sunday post I missed (oops :P)

Sorry only one picture in this post! I was having too much fun!

The Good and The Bad

(via)

Today has been a bit of both.

I woke up this morning to try and get my results for my Winter School...no go!

Results Withheld.

THE WORST two words you can read on your results...besides Failed.

It either means the results aren't submitted by my school yet or...I have to sit a deferred exam. I feel it will be the first though and have e-mailed the lecturer to find out.

The good news is that I (well technically my parents) paid the deposit for my trip to Japan in Nov/Dec!! SOOOO excited!

Other good things include:

Semester fees are also taken care of

I got the book I requested from the library for one of my courses

I spent a couple hours with Nelly

I paid some money off what I owe my parents

I'm also flying out to Sydney tonight to meet up with my Mum and Sister to go to the

Time Out for Women program that is being run tomorrow.

Excited! :D

It's been a pretty good day....despite not knowing about my results yet.

Here's hoping they update it soon!!

I won't be here tomorrow....Sunday will be the regular post...and Monday there will be a little surprise for people here, so come back and check it out!

Family Boat Outing

WARNING: This post has an excessive amount of pictures...I take no responsibility for the cuteness of my family!

Saturday afternoon was family time. It was the first time we all went out on Dad's boat.

I tried fishing for the first time...Eric did the biggest yawns ever!

He also pulls funny faces...and Darcey is wearing her "life duck"

You've got to love Dad's faces :D

And a beautiful sunset to finish it all off...I love visiting my family!

You make me smile.....

1. This dog chastity belt...entertainment for the group of YSA donating blood!

2. My SIL's dog's puppies :D

3. These awesome old toys!

4. Yummy snack!!

5. My friend Leah's sign :P

What's made you smile lately??

Dear...

Dear Kat,

Today you are 24 and I am so glad that I have you as a friend! You are the best :D Let's be friends for eternity :D

Dear Darcey...

You are too cute for almost getting away with asking for a lolly for Uncle Ryan and scheming to keep it for yourself...until Pop got onto your plan. You are a smart cookie!

Dear Family...

You are everything I need and I love you more than you can know. Your support for me is never ending and even though we may fight I know we can work through it.

Dear Neighbours...

Sorry if we were a little loud last night but your fighting is always loud and I'm pretty sure you're pregnant because I hear you barfing a lot...if not...you should do something about your tummy upsets

Dear Sunshine...

Thank you so much for coming out the last couple of days and helping me to dry my clothes when I don't have a dryer and just making things brighter :D I think I love you!

Dear Autumn...

Your leaves are so beautiful! I love all the different colours. You are my favourite season...but shhhh... don't tell the others.

Dear Pregnant in Heels...

You have got to be the funniest show I have ever seen. If I ever turn out to be like the women on there shoot me! Seriously! High maintenance is not the way to go. Rosie Pope is wonderful! She does such a great job! I do not envy her job at all...except for getting to work with all the cute babies :D