Oh hey there! I'm still alive

I am still kicking!

Just in case you were wondering...which of course you were no doubt. 

I've kinda missed my little space here on the ol' internet.

It's been an interesting couple of months full of highs and lows.

I have literally become a space cadet. If something isn't written down that I need to do or go to...it probably won't get done/or attended. 

I missed church one week because I had in my mind we were still in the afternoon...4 months into the year. I am still paying for that one amongst people that already knew before now.

The masters is going fairly well. I still suck at doing assignments earlier enough so it's not a rush or a day or so late. Of course it doesn't help when your teacher changes the assignment a week before it's due and you only find out a couple of days before it's due. 

I also went and visited my brother and sister-in-law in QLD for a quick 5 day trip and loved it!

I wish they still lived closer...along with all my friends who have moved up there!

It was fun while it lasted, but alas reality reared its ugly head and I was forced to return to work and study yet again. If only money didn't rule our functioning ability. 

The boat is going fairly well. It's starting to get quite cold on board and reminds me of my previous freezing apartment at times. A heater is on my list of things to acquire. Until then my jumpers have become my best friends again!

Speaking of boat life, I really need to write more about the hilarious things that have happened since I've been here. All I'll say is there's nothing like sharing facilities with a bunch of strangers...

It sure is a life changing experience. 

Well this girl has work in the morning and is dying to get warm in bed. 

I really do need to write on here more often...it will happen...I'm even going to write it down so I don't forget!!

Gratitude Sunday

Where has the time gone?

It feels like forever since I wrote anything on here...and my posts tell me it's been a couple months since I wrote last. 

I've had the occasional blog post written in my head, but never got on the actually blog to write it.

I could have started this year off with a recap of my 2012, or what my goals for the year are, 

but I never got around to writing those either.

Some how I find it perfect that today is when I wrote again.

There is never enough gratitude to be expressed.

and with that being said, here's some things I am grateful for at the moment:

- Changes

- My calling with the Primary kids at church

- My time with the girls I babysat, which came to an end this past Thursday

- The home I have

- My family

- Work

- Clean water

- Downsizing

- Getting to start my teaching course soon

- Almost being 22

- Feeling like I am moving in the right direction

- Fun texts to and from my brother and sister in law

- Free feeds and the company that comes with it! (It's always appreciated)

- Music for every mood

- My lil bro getting his mission call (England London South Mission!)

- Good walks and chats

- New friends

- Holidays

and so much more...

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

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.

Assignments

If you're a student, you will feel my pain.

I have so many assignments at the moment! But I am slowly getting through them :D

Some have been quite interesting, while others have been down right horrible.

Especially referencing...that is the real killer!

I am just putting the finishing touches on a written aspect of a group project I am doing for one of my classes. I must say I do like putting things together into a package.

I also had to actually present today in another class...something I seriously hate!

But all went well and the lecturer seemed pleased.

So glad it's over though.

So while I'm studying here in Australia, what are you doing?

Are you studying as well? About to wrap up the semester and planning for summer?

Are you working hard to earn a living?

Staying home with kids?

What do you do?

I want to know more about my readers, so let me know what you do and where you do it?

Gratitude Sunday

This week I am grateful for:

- Tender mercies

- Having a crappy day turn into a good one

- Getting to catch up with the SALS gals

- Enjoying the Harry Potter series for the first time

- A nice and uplifting Relief Society dinner

- Lunch with my mum, sister and niece

- Sleep

- New things to think about

- Being able to enjoy my own company

- Getting sick to remind me to look after myself

- Fasting and Prayer

- New things to consider

SALS Gals Reunite

Tonight I met up with the girls from University that form our group called SALS gals.

(School of Asian Languages and Studies)

Most of us met in first year and have had each other in at least one class throughout our degree.

Tonight we went out for Japanese food...YUM! 

Of course the only picture I got was of my gyoza! -_-  PHOTOGRAPHY FAIL! 

From tonight we've got 1 engaged girl working for her parents, 1 doing honours, 2 doing a masters of teaching, 3 working/doing whatever they want, 1 honorary sister in her 2nd year of Pharmacy and me finishing off my last semester. 

There were 2 or 3 not present.

We are definitely a mixed bunch, all headed in different directions, but it was fun to come together tonight and catch up and enjoy a good meal.

We have plans to meet up again some time soon and potentially trying some new food next time!

So glad I have formed some great friendships from my time at University. 

Gratitude Sunday

This week I am grateful for:

- Waking up from a bad dream and realising it was actually just a dream

- Cooking a meal and being able to enjoy it

- Using up bananas by making them into muffins

- Unexpected random adventures

- An awesome lesson at church today...just what I needed reminding on

- Work to help pay for everything

- Seeing old friends 

- Chatting with my family

- Seeing The Hunger Games!! LOVED IT!! :D

- Getting good grades after hard work

- Having a funny as phone conversation with my sister

- Brinner with the girls

- Getting and eating stroopwaffles from The Netherlands! SOOO good!

- Babysitting an adorable little girl

- Getting a good group for my class work in a class with no friends

- Feeling better

- Focusing on the positive and trying to let things go when needed

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!

Gratitude Sunday

This week I'm grateful for:

- A lovely Sunday afternoon with Maz :D

- Completing a full fast...I never manage to do that!

- Life

- Starting the Harry Potter series and actually getting into it this time

- Fun nail polish colours

- Getting a voicemail from my nephew...from my dad's phone! he he

- Breakfast foods...they are my favourite

- Cool things to take pictures of

- Cute little kids to babysit...they make me clucky dang it!

- Food...always good

- Calls from my parents! Love it :D

- Fresh fruit...looks and taste's good

- Getting all assignments in on time so far!

- Working towards marking off more things on my 101 in 1001

- Getting tickets to see The Hunger Games on Thursday!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Gratitude Sunday

This week I am grateful for:

- My mama! Happy Birthday! 

- Resolving issues

- My life...and the choice to live it how I will

- Productivity...I am loving getting things done

- Getting my first assignment in on time...good start to the semester

- Helpful teachers

- Seeing friends I haven't seen in a while

- Making a new Japanese friend...she is really cute! and from where the same provence I stayed in Japan! 

- Family

- Bright nail polishes

- Random extra work!

- Giving plasma...and finding out I have good platelet levels and can donate that in the future :D

- Native animal visits

- The cutest dogs I get to see while delivering pizza

- The most gorgeous moon last night! I wish I could have taken a good enough picture! 

- Making THE PERFECT PANCAKE...not necessarily taste, but golden and perfectly round!

- A good chat with friends

- Seeing baby bumps grow...how amazing is that though??

University

So I am into the second week of what will hopefully be my last semester of my bachelor!!

Oh boy is this motivation to get things done and really head out on a bang.

I knew that I needed to change some bad habits this semester so:

 - Most days I have spent studying between breaks

- The only 2 classes I have missed were because of work & sickness & I have so far caught up on content

- No assignments have been late (there's one due tomorrow which WILL be in :D)

- I am enjoy it...most of the time...

Last Friday I had a 3 hour exam for part of the assessment from the time I was in Japan.

While I don't think I did fantastic...my brain was NOT pulling out what I needed that day!...I think I did enough to pass. And that is all I am looking for.

I have said in the past that I want to do better, and I want to live up to it so much more now.

Positivity! 

I can do this!! Right?? :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!

Studying

The only problem with coming to a country for a study program...is that you HAVE to study!

I have had to do a lot of work over the last little while and I am starting to feel it.

I am so grateful to be learning but some parts of Japanese really don't come easily to me and take a lot of work.

Tomorrow I have to do my second speech (as a part of a pair), but am just as nervous!

I hate giving speeches in English, let alone a foreign language.

This course is pushing me beyond my comfort zone and it is good.

I do enjoy it. It just is a lot of work. 

Here's hoping I survive tomorrow...and the next lot of tests...then the tests when I get home.

It's good for me though :D

Gratitude Sunday Series Guest Blogger: Catherine Newman

Hey Everyone,

Welcome to another Gratitude Sunday. This week I am happy to have Catherine over on my blog.

She is a gorgeous girl and I love her blog. She manages to find the most amazing quotes and is usually just what I need at the time.

But I'll let her introduce herself, here's Catherine.

-----------------------------------------------------

First off, I want to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to do a guest post for Lisa! I think she started popping up on my blog back in January and she has honestly made my day with her posts on her blog or her comments on my posts. It has always been so nice for me to know that there is this darling someone Down Under who cares about what I write and what I’m doing in life. She truly has so much charity and she is so genuine. Thank you SO much for the opportunity to blog here today, Lisa!

Things I am grateful for...

My family. I have been blessed with an incredible family who loves me. We love to go on drives, cook, watch movies and sports, and laugh until we cry. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without my family. They are my ultimate support and I am so glad we can be together forever.

Photographer from here

My friends.  I have been blessed with great friends who care about me and support me through the trials I face. We also have a great time and most of the time, we just hysterically laugh about everything and nothing.

My job and my major. I am grateful for the opportunities I have to work and go to school. I am so very blessed to have a job that will work around my school schedule. I love my school and my major—Speech Pathology. Every day I go to school, I get so excited about what I’m learning and I thoroughly enjoy my classes. Nerdy? Probably. But I honestly am so grateful I found something that fits me so perfectly. I can’t wait for the day that I can work and bless people with the things I’ve learned to hopefully give them the opportunity to express themselves and speak more clearly.

My faith. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Being a member of this church grounds me and I know with a surety that Jesus Christ is our Savior and made it possible for us to repent and return to Him someday. I know that God lives and loves each of us. I know that The Book of Mormon is true. I know that we have living prophets here on Earth today that are inspired and I know that Joseph Smith restored this true church to the Earth today. I am thankful for this testimony I have and the strength I have gained from my faith. {To find out more, go here}

And all of the little things in life like my car and the miracle of when you finally find a place to park on campus, my zebra Snuggie, watching episodes of “Psych”, Fall and everything about this glorious season, anything from Bath and Body Works, iTunes, emails and texts from friends, high heels, rain, Temples, ballpoint pens, my dog, mountains, basketball, Mexican food, Rocky Road ice cream, toothbrushes, Just Dance Wii games, Hugo Boss Orange Perfume, Audrey Hepburn anything, green arrows at stoplights, good deals on anything, and the list could go on and on...and on.... 

It is so important to me to find things each day to be grateful for and I know that having a grateful attitude turns what you have into enough! 

Thank you!

---------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Catherine for sharing what you are grateful for with the rest of us.

This week I am grateful for:

- Changes...Japan has been good for me

- Chances

- Friends

- Mistakes in Japanese...that I am starting to recognise and fix

- Progress

- Small blessings all over the place

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

Gratitude Sunday

This week I am grateful for:

- Getting to go 'shopping' as part of study time

- Everything Christmas related starting to come out! 

- Curry rice...three times this week alone

- Snowman shaped donuts :D

- Arcade games and photo booth fun

- Free hugs from strangers

- Finding Milo!

- Funny English tags

- New food...the good and bad

- Getting to ride a ferris wheel! :D 

- Managing to find church and getting there on time 

- Cute kids

- This wonderful opportunity to be in Japan

- Having a lesson on just what I needed.

And so much more!! I really have so many things to be grateful for and need to take more time to be grateful for it.

Gratitude Sunday Series Vlog Style

So far in Japan...

Hey Everyone,

Just a quick hello as I don't have my computer with me and am on the school's one.

So far in Japan I have:

- Almost been hit by someone on their bike...fun times :D

- Attempted to speak Japanese, though very broken for an entire day

- Walked for 2 hours around Fukuoka

- Been the only one in the group to bring my host families address with me

- Slept like a dead person

- Dreamt about trying to translate a whole bunch on sentences...and woke up very tired!

- Had a shower, Japanese style :D

Well that's it for now as we're about to have a welcome party.