Gratitude Sunday

It's been a couple weeks since I did one of these...so here goes.

Over the last month I have been grateful for:

- Having my little bro come and visit...a couple of times

- Building relationships with friends

- Having sunshine to break up the dreary winter weather

- New shoes...and the deals I got buying them

- Going old school and playing different boardgames with people

- Free weekly rentals from the video store

- SLEEP! Apparently we are best friends now

- Getting to watch bits of the olympics....some seriously amazing athletes out there!

- Reading stories of people doing the right thing and standing up for 

- A random late night chat with Dad while he has been in the United States

- Any extra work I can get

- Good hair days...they seriously just make it all better

- Chocolate

- Fresh water...seriously loving it at the moment

- My new phone

- Skype...THE BEST THING EVER!

- Mexican food...apparently I'm obsessed with it at the moment

- Getting in the Aussie spirit

- Tips that help me save just that little bit extra towards Europe

and finally

- New and exciting things in general

What are you grateful for at the moment?

Lazy Days

So I had my last exam on Friday and I've been enjoying the days since...without any guilt!

Sure I've been to work a couple of days...but only for a couple of hours each.

I was able to go home for almost a week and it was nice to chill out with them and have a few good chats with my siblings. It's funny how our relationships have changed over the years.

I've also loved the extra sleep...I get seriously stressed during exam time and don't sleep properly at all. It was nice to be normal again....somewhat anyway :D

Now that I've had a few lazy days, I am going to start working on a list of things I have been putting off or have wanted to do for ages but study got in the way of.

I have till the 11th of July to find out my results and so I am going to start getting on with it.

Starting with a few little presents for my pregnant friend.

I think I'm going to enjoy the holidays! :D

Except when not long after I wake up I hear a strange male voice in my apartment and walk out in my pj's to find a young electrician fixing my thermostat....that was slightly awkward :P

Other than that...bring it on!

Who I Am Wednesday - A little info

Bridget over at Tales of Me and the Husband had a few questions for her readers on Monday,
so I thought I would answer them here so you can see my answers.

Here goes:

Where you from?! Where do you live now?
- I'm from Mackay, QLD originally, but I live in Hobart, TAS now-

Male/Female? Age?
- Female, 21 -

How'd you discover my blog? Long-time reader? New?
- I can't remember exactly how I came across Bridget's blog...but it was her & Steve's love story that really caught my attention. I've stayed around ever since -

What do you do? for work? for fun?
- I'm hopefully just about to graduate. I'm currently a babysitter and pizza delivery driver. I want to be a teacher and I have the most fun when travelling the world -

Are you religious? Atheist? Something in between?
- I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints...or Mormon. -

What's your favourite song? Band? Book?
- I don't really have a favourite one of any of these. My favourites depend on the mood I'm in. The song Landslide by the Dixie Chicks is a personal favourite...and I am currently reading the Harry Potter series and enjoying it more than I thought I would. -

What's your favourite vacation spot?
- I've been lucky enough to travel a fair bit with my family, and a little on my own. I'd probably say my favourite trip has been Japan. Just because it was so different and a good chance to use my language skills. -

What would you like to see more of on the blog? 
- I think blogs should be whatever the blogger wants it to be. But if you've got suggestions, feel free to let me know. It's always good to write on different things. -

Are any of you famous?
- I am not. Though I'm glad I'm not, because who wants people stalking you all the time...no thanks!
However if you're famous, sweet deal! -
----

Now it's your turn to answer them for me. You can either do it in the comments, send me an e-mail, or do a post of your own. If you do, leave me a comment with a link so I can check out what you said.
I want to get to know you readers more too! :D

An interesting little day...

It's been a full on busy day!

- Slept in today...oops. Really need to stop doing that! 

- Once I got up we had some primary kids over as Jess is the Achievement day leader.

We:

- watched The Muppets: A Christmas Carol

- Had a candycane hunt

- Had fish and chips for lunch and chilled at the park

- After the kids left Jess and I attacked the weeds that have over taken our garden

- I got sunburnt :'(

- Was really tired from spending so much time in the sun and accidentally fell asleep

- Woke up 15mins before I needed to be at work...Lucky it's just down the road!

- Worked from 6-11pm

- Went to the supermarket for a quick shop before Sunday

- Now I'm watching The Holiday and getting ready to sleep

Jam packed and full on! It feels good to be busy again...besides study!

A little secret...

I'll let you in on a few little secrets...

- Japan has changed me, in a good way. (More on this at a later date)

- I have a burning desire to go to Europe and travel the world.

Let's talk about the second one for a moment.

I have been very lucky to have been to 6 countries around the world in my 20 years. I am extremely blessed to have parents who wanted me to see the world. When I was younger, we had a chart on the fridge that would mark the amount of money we had saved towards our family dream of going to Disneyland one day. 

We finally did that in 2002 and it was an amazing experience to have together. It is from this moment on that the bite from the travel bug hit. 

I love experiencing new cultures. Trying new food...even if I nearly do vomit. Communicating with others who have lived a completely different life. 

There is just something about travelling. So now that I have the goal of going to Europe in the next 18months, I have a lot of work to do.

I have already started saving and have the beginnings of a plan. 

I hope everything works out. 

Let me know where you've been in the world! I love hearing people's travel stories.

The Student Life

pic

This is my life at the moment...

My only advice for future students...

JUST DO YOUR ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME!!

AND START EARLY!!

PROCRASTINATION IS EVIL AND SO NOT WORTH IT!!

Trust me, it'll save a lot of stress and will be so worth it!

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 

Why hello there...

Just a few tid bits of randomness from me today:

- I have a whacked sleeping pattern and find myself tired and more awake at varying times throughout the day and night. Weird...

- I like stripey socks...especially the current pair I am wearing :D

- I laughed out loud to a random thought today and then spent WAY too much time trying to explain why it was funny and the trail of thoughts that lead to it.

- Group presentations aren't my favourite thing. Even if I am working with awesome girls, I'm not a fan. Especially the public speaking part. 

This concludes my randomness for today, please stop by on basically a daily basis for more random sessions :D 

Procrastination

Yep I am definitely WAY too good at it... so much so that I am stressing out about a lot of things.
It's my own fault!! 

I really need to learn not to procrastinate soon! 

This is too much like me....Man I'm a bad student right now!!

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!

Cleaning...

I do a lot of it when I am stressed or worried about something...

or frustrated at a situation or person.

Today I did a LOT of cleaning...

So what has got me cleaning you may ask??

Well I am stress/frustrated with a situation and I don't know how to proceed...or if I should.

Stupid guys! They complicate everything!!

My brain was all over the place...a roller coaster of emotions.

Today was not a particularly good day, nor particularly bad.

I really hate this kind of day!!

My room is getting attacked tomorrow! Won't know what's hit it!

And I am enjoying a bit of Sarah Lee ice-cream that my sister left when she stayed.

Boo-yeah!

If anyone has advice on guys I am totally open to it!

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

The Impending Return

So it's not all that long until I return to Uni and I am kinda scared. Taking time off was a big but quick decision so going back is going to be weird.

Sometimes I just want to be back at Uni finishing off my course and other times I want to run away from it all and crawl in a hole.

Has anyone else felt like this?

Or am I alone in this???

I'm gonna focus on the positive and go in guns blazing and blitz this thing!

Life is so hard sometimes...too many decisions!

William and Kate

I know the hype of the Royal Wedding as died down and all...didn't feel the need to blog about it as I didn't manage to catch most of it.

But today I watched the movie William and Kate...mind you I didn't even know it existed until today...and I really felt for them.

William has lived in the public eye all of his life and has had his life planned for him.

Kate on the other hand was able to choose what she wanted to do. Until she feel in love with William of course.

I can't even imagine having my life displayed for the world to judge. Their relationship was scrutinised, Kate and her family were criticised and all because they fell in love.

I'm not even going to pretend like I have any idea what it would be like, but I seriously feel sorry that they are treated as they are.

Sure the royals have made mistakes and I don't know if it's really necessary to have them running the commonwealth and all....but they don't deserve to be watched all the time.

I heard recently such an awesome saying:

"We judge ourselves by our intensions but we judge others by their actions"

I thought it was brilliant! I am trying to judge people less and see where they might have been coming from. I know that my words and actions have been perceived in a way I totally didn't mean before and it really sucks.

I really hope William and Kate get to be some what of a normal newly married couple before they are thrown into the deep end that is being a royal.

Time

It's a funny thing...

I seem to have a lot of it these days...sometimes that's good, sometimes it's bad.

I have more time to think...again good and bad.

I have found many random things to occupy my time.

I have found that I can still have a productive day but not doing the "typical" things that people deem to be worthy of a productive day.

Time marks moments in our lives.

We can waste it.

We can you it wisely.

We can't make it go faster or slower.

Time is what it is...

Sometimes I wish we didn't mark time so much...but I also think that would make life very chaotic and disorganised.

What do you think about time?

I'm pretty sure my thoughts on it change all the time...

A little Easter Weekend Retreat

So if you are one of my regulars that takes the time to read the crazy little things I say then you will have noticed I have been missing for almost a week now.

Well that's because...

Thurs 21st - I had some awesome homemade sorbet after Institute and a good old fashion chat with a group of friends. Awesome fun and very insightful.

Fri 22nd - I had a girls night at Kat's house. It is truly amazing there. We watched a movie, used some homemade face masks :D Always fun. Chatted. Squished into one bed...Hello middle girl! and just enjoyed time together. We even played the Game of Life...didn't have the best life that time around...thankful that wasn't reality!

Sat 23rd - Had breakfast with Kat and Jess...homemade waffles :D DELIGHT! Then headed out for the annual YSA camp. Had a flour bomb capture the flag game and dance that night.

Sun 24th - Easter Sunday. Well I had an amazing day. There was church in the morning, followed by an amazing lunch! Thank you Sean and Lisa!! Followed by my favourite fun part of Easter, the egg hunt! Agggghhhh I just love it! Got some good eggs too :D Then we had workshops in the afternoon...after which I was able to duck out and have dinner with 2 of my bros, their wives, my niece and nephew and my brothers in-laws. Then it was back to camp for the Testimony meeting, camp fire style. It's hard to explain spiritual things to people, they have to feel it for themselves to know. So trust me when I say it was amazing.

Mon 25th - bright and early start for Anzac Day dawn services. I like that I have been able to go to these more and more over the years. I really appreciate living in a free country and there are so many people that have fought to provide that for me. Then we cleaned up Mount Nelson Primary School's yard. I got to use the wheelbarrow :D I love it. Then I got to spend the rest of the day with my family. Which is always fun!

Tues 26th - I got my baby car fixed...she is running much better now. Such a blessing!! I also had the opportunity to walk from dropping her off and to pick her up. I think I need to walk more places. I was also able to go to the movies to see Thor...loved it :D

Today - well I think I should do a separate post for that.

So there's my recapped week.

But you may have noticed I didn't do Gratitude Sunday last week...that's because I didn't have internet while at camp...so this week I am going to recap all of the blessings from the two weeks...that's gonna be another big post.

Hope you made it through this :D

Cupcakes!

Cupcakes... need I say more??

I had my first Red Velvet Cupcake yesterday...though I'm pretty sure it was a fake one :'( FAIL

It was pretty good though.

Then I saw this...

(Source)

Popcorn Cupcakes! Don't they just look like the best thing ever?!?!

I think I need to go bake now...

Smile

I refuse to let things bother me...it is NOT worth it

So instead...I will just

(Source)

SMILE!!

No matter what it takes :D

100th Post!!!!

Happy 100th post to me!!

With such a big number, my blog deserved at least something a little special...

but I like to be different so...

Here are 100 things that I hope for:

1. An Eternal Companion (i.e husband...but forever)

2. Children...not everyone can have them and I will feel super blessed if I can one day

3. My parents to be around for my children...I have only 1 living grandparent and the others have been gone for a long time.

4. The quick arrival of my niece or nephew...causing some troubles for my S.I.L

5. Wars to stop...I know it's cliche but I really hope we can stop fighting each other one day

6. To go to Japan

7. To visit the world

8. To feel comfortable in my own skin

9. To feel confident in speaking Japanese one day

10. To find more work to pay for things

11. To finish my Bachelor of Arts

12. A lot more nieces and nephews

13. My little brother to go on a mission

14. To learn how to sew better

15. To finally finish my knitted blanket

16. To learn to crochet

17. Pay my parents back the money I owe them

18. To get more followers :P

19. All of my siblings to find an Eternal Companion

20. Human rights to be enacted and upheld everywhere

21. Friends to stick around for a long time

22. Many more blog posts

23. Continued freedom...I feel so lucky to be free

24. My house to clean itself...I can hope, never gonna happen though :P

25. Families to be united

26. Better organisational skills

27. People to have the food they need

28. Japan to recover from the earthquake and Tsunami

29. To complete my 101 in 1001

30. To make a difference in someone's life

31. To remain close to my family as we get older

32. My children to be close with their cousins

33. To be a good mother

34. The strength to overcome the difficult times

35. A good last name to change mine to one day...I don't want to be stuck with something bad

36. To learn sign language

37. Be financially independent one day

38. To take more photos

39. To dream more

40. Remain fun all of my life

41. Always show people that I love them

42. Never get too old to prank someone

43. Be more confident around others

44. Stress less

45. More opportunities to dance in the rain

46. A life lived to the fullest

47. Motivation on my off days

48. Good dreams that last longer

49. Beautiful days to appreciate

50. Awkward moments to make me appreciate the comfortable ones

51. Rain to keep everything growing

52. Not care what people think of me so much

53. Not get annoyed as quickly

54. Try new things all the time

55. Stop and enjoy the good times

56. Always keep my testimony

57. Go on more treasure hunts

58. Get over my fear of spiders...so I don't freak when they're in the house

59. Own my own house

60. Believe in the goodness of people

61. Not judge others

62. Be my best self

63. Never stop loving movies

64. To go to Conference in person

65. Meet up with International friends again, at least once

66. To see the good in people before the bad

67. Be more patient

68. To never stop learning or growing

69. Someone that loves me for all of my faults

70. The opportunity to give out Operation Christmas Child boxes

71. Serve others in whatever way I can

72. Be proposed to in a unique way

73. Never lose a child...I admire those that can make it through it

74. To be a dork forever...it's just more fun

75. Never regret anything

76. Never hold on to the past

77. Meet a famous person

78. Never take things for granted

79. Keep singing in the shower

80. Not be caught dancing around the house

81. Never stop getting excited when I get snail mail

82. Be less afraid to introduce myself to new people

83. An easter egg hunt this year

84. To be more selfless

85. Always smile

86. Be a good friend

87. Always realise when I have done something wrong and fix it

88. To always feel things...no matter if they are good or bad

89. A song to always sing

90. Never let someone stop me from being who I am

91. To always strive to be fair

92. To see less faults in myself

93. Live to see my children grow up

94. Never forget the people that have changed my life

95. Live up to my heritage

96. Always have someone to hug

97. People to be charitable

98. An excuse to dress up

99. To break stereotypes

100. Most of all...I hope you made it through this list :D

Gratitude Sunday

This week I am thankful for:

- Mexican themed fast breakers for YSA

- Having time to stop and think about things

- The little bits of extra work I have been able to get

- Memories

- The beautiful sunshine coming through the clouds as Ness and I were singing Alleluia on our way to choir practice

- Random Bazinga posts on facebook that just make me smile

- My dad calling to make sure I was still alive and doing ok

- My brother and sister-in-law hosting and encouraging regular Family Home Evening

- Testimony meeting

- The nursery children being nice today

- My beautiful friend Kat coming home from her mission :D :D :D

- Institute...and all the lessons I learn

- Friends who still love me even when I snap at them when I'm in a bad mood

- A desire to be better

- Being able to keep busy for a day...I work much better when I just keep going

- Love...all the different kinds

- My Quickflix gift voucher...which I am using a LOT!

- An extra hour sleep because of Daylight Savings going back to normal

This adorable picture:

(source)