Home Sweet Boat

Say hello to my new home!

I've been living here for a couple of weeks now and slowly unpacking and getting used to the place...

although it seems like I moved into a retirement home.

The best things about living on a boat is that I've been forced to downsize. 

It's amazing how little value some things can have once you don't have the space for it

anymore.

I also don't have to clean the bathroom...because it's up at the marina.

It has some serious cool features like a blue light deck, music through the cabin and outside.

My bed is huge, and most things are built in.

The not so fun part is that it heats up really quickly inside on a hot day. 

The bathroom is so far away when you really need it.

The oven, cook top and fridge are tiny.

Waiting for the shower when you need it quickly. 

All in all it's been pretty good so far, I just want a regular internet connection is all! :D

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...

It's been a while...

I didn't realise it at the time, but apparently I needed a break from blogging.

It's funny how things work out like that.

- First there was my final round of exams for my bachelor degree

- Then there was the agonising weeks of waiting for results

- Then the joy of finding out I will be graduating this month...though doing a walk through ceremony in December 

- I've spent a bunch of time with friends who I haven't had the time to catch up with

- I got my dad's old iphone and have been loving it

- I finished watch all of the Harry Potter movies again with Nelly

- I went to a friends wedding

- Another friend had her baby and I sewed a little pack of baby supplies 

- We had one of the worst customers at work

- I hosted a Trivia Night

- My friend Elle dropped off an amazingly delicious caramel apple

- I baked a huge batch of choc-chip cookies

- I went bowling with my brothers and SIL for an afternoon

- Went to Salamanca for a food filled morning

- Dominated in two different games of Monopoly

- Said goodbye to one housemate and hello to another one

So now that you're all caught up, it's time to move forward and have a little fun around here.

Goals - A New Project

Goals work perfectly for me.

If I have something to work towards I often work so much harder towards it.

So...

each week I am going to make a simple goal for myself.

It may be something I have to do everyday,

it may be something to be done during that week...

it will all depend on how I'm feeling and what I want to try and accomplish.

This week my goal is to simply drink 1.5L of water each day

Do you like to work with goals?

What works best for you?

Any tips for me?

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

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

Gratitude Sunday & a 300th

Hello 300th post!

What better way to celebrate then with Gratitude Sunday!

This week I am grateful for:

- Being able to give a talk (I get so nervous but love learning while preparing it)

- Time spent with friends

- Much needed sleep

- Getting things crossed off my list...makes me WAY more productive

- Going through all my things for a massive clean out

- Starting to change things in my room

- Christening Lady Libs 

- Finally getting Kimi all lit up

- Progress

- Being a bit more organised in my callings

- Learning to let things go

- People that take the time to read what I have to say

- The blogging 'community'...it's not as crazy as it may seem 

-Life

Meet Liberty and Kimi

Over the last little while I have been going through everything that I own and either throwing it, donating it or organising it into it's new place. 

Two new things in my room are Liberty and Kimi.

Today was a day of firsts for them...

Liberty, My MnM dispenser was filled for the first time today. 

You may have read that she helped marked off one of my goals for my 101.

 Now I have these little snacks on hand, I think I might actually do more study.

Kimi, is the lamp I got for my birthday. The globe from the previous light I owned was too big to fit, so tonight while food shopping I got some smaller ones and viola!

All lit up!

Did I mention that I love them both yet?

Once my room is fully transformed I will have to share. There are still some changes I need to make.

But before I go, do you use instagram?

Follow along with me @lisatrav.

New Year's Eve...the movie

Saw it tonight and absolutely loved it!

I liked it much better than Valentine's Day.

Take a quick look at the trailer if you haven't seen it

One of the best lines from the movie is:

"What is one thing you would do if you knew you would not fail? Now go out and do it"

This movie reminded me that many things are possible. Not just in the movies, but in our everyday lives.
If we really want something, we have to go out and work hard for it.

It prompted me to keep going with the goals that I have and to find the motivation that will keep me going. I don't want to start strong to only fall short later.

It also added being in New York for New Year's Eve to my bucket list.
A-Mazing!

2012

So we've welcomed in the New Year and it's time to introduce you to my theme for the year.

Make/Change

Make a Change

Over the last year I've seen people choose a word and try to make their year all about it.

I couldn't choose just one so I chose MAKE and CHANGE.

Not only these two words separately but also combined to MAKE A CHANGE.

I have a lot of goals and throughout the year I will be updating and involving most things I do with my theme.

Some of the things you'll be seeing are:

- Changing some bad habits

-Making more things (food, sewing items etc)

- Change 4 Change jars

- Making the most of opportunities

- and so much more!

So are you ready for 2012??!!

Because I definitely am...

Here.We.Go!

Gratitude Sunday Series: A year in Review

As it's the 1st day of 2012 and Gratitude Sunday I thought I would take the opportunity to review the year. A year I am truly grateful for. 

In January

I turned 20 and left my teens behind me

and had issues with my laptop

In February

My laptop was stolen :'( , thankfully replaced by a new one...a mac none the less and 

had some fun babysitting. 

In March

I got involved in Post Crossing, had an interesting and somewhat confronting experience at Uni, started Gratitude Sunday, made the decision to leave Uni for a semester and was in my first guest post.

I guess March was a big month!

In April

I was missing my family a lot, had my 100th post, welcomed my nephew into the world

and started my Wreck This Journal.

In May

I had a lot of time on my hands, had photo booth fun with my niece, celebrated MJ's 21st and contemplated going to Japan for University.

In June

I went fishing and drove a boat for the first time on our family boat trip, completed an intensive winter unit on Family History and made a random vlog.

In July

Discovered some funny as videos (here and here), went back to Uni full time, watched the last HP movie and hosted my first giveaway. 

In August

I got my first blog award, participated in my first census and had some more photo booth fun. 

In September

Celebrated Janelle's birthday with a British themed day, heard a beautiful love story, started my Who I Am series and let you in on the secret that is living in my apartment with my housemate!

In October

Watched the Grand final for the AFL, had even more photo booth fun with the girls, was randomly surprised by Jess and Jacinta and started watching a new tv series: Revenge.

In November

We had a little Aussie icon visitor and went to Japan for 5 weeks.

In December

I ran into a friend serving his mission, started a week of Christmas, had a Christmas day photo booth session (can you tell how much fun it is...for everyone!!), saw MJ off onto her mission and brought in the New Year with a Carnival. 

It's definitely been an interesting year but I am grateful for all the good and bad experiences it has brought. We always need to learn. 

I am glad to have a New Year to start afresh. 

Tomorrow I will be introducing my theme for the year. I have a lot of plans and goals!

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

Happy New Year!!!

3...2...1...

Pic

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!!

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!

A Sister Missionary

One of my very good friends Makere left today to serve a mission for my church.

She'll be gone for 18 months and is serving in New Zealand.

It is weird because it doesn't really feel like she's gone...

I'm sure it'll hit soon! At least I'll have someone to write to...snail mail style :D 

I can't wait to see how she changes :D Love you girlie!! 

Who I Am Wednesday

Welcome to my new series!

It's not going to be weekly like the Gratitude Sunday Series, but when it does happen it will be on a Wednesday. 

So the gist of the series is all about Who I am. The many roles I have and essentially what makes me Who I am. We are so many things, to so many people.

There will potentially be an opportunity later to get to know who some of you are.

I also will be posting occasionally the I'm a Mormon messages.

Today's Who I Am is:

I am a Student

Pic

FYI: No I don't talk to my lecturers/tutors like this...promise!

I have been a student since I was 5 years old...ahhh the good and bad things that come along with it :D

Currently being a student is very stressful.

However, even though I am finding it hard to be motivated, I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to be able to study and learn.

At University I study Japanese and Asian Studies in a Bachelor of Arts and hope to be a high school teacher one day by completing a Masters of Teaching.

I have also studied Politics, French and Family History while at Uni.

I should *fingers crossed* graduate in the middle of next year :D

Are you a student? Tell me about it. What do you study?

Gratitude Sunday

This week I am grateful for: 

- Getting the garden done and dusted! :D

- Spending time with Cinta and Nelly...on our random epic adventures

- Having a new calling...YSA rep

- That I have been able to serve in Primary...gonna miss them!

- The cute cupcakes my SIL made...they were delicious!

- Having a clean room...finally! :D

- Skype calls with Kat

- Water...seriously so grateful to have clean running water!!

- Reminders that Heavenly Father knows best and knows me personally

- Blessings! 

- Seeing my Mum and Sister briefly on Friday

- New ideas

- Motivation to do some things

- Life! 

What are you grateful for this week??

If you want the opportunity to guest post on the series click on the button below and e-mail me.

Even if you don't have a blog, e-mail me...I'm sure we can work something out :D

Tuesday night...it all ended

(via)

Or did it??

Tuesday I went to see the last Harry Potter film...and I really liked it :D

But...

While most people are mourning the ending of the film series...which kinda ends it all. For me however, I've never read the books.

Now don't freak out!

I know! I know! I'm deprived, I'm insane, I'm...*insert appropriate adjective here*

So I guess for me..I'm only really half way through.

I really need to read the books now so I can fill in all the gaps and help me to appreciate the story more.

My friend Nelly is always telling me to read them...but I couldn't get into the first one. Probably didn't give it the chance it deserved.

So...do you still hate me??

I'm gonna give it a go...and I think I'll even tell you about the journey as I go :D

Gratitude Sunday

This is really turning into my favourite post of the week :D

I love recapping all the blessings I have and it just makes me happy thinking bout it all.

Even if I've had a crappy week I think just think of the positives :D

This week I am grateful for:

- Funny women in Relief Society and church in general

- My SIL leaving her facebook signed in so I could have fun

- Having the first cuddles with my nephew out of my siblings :P

- Promptings

- Trying to explain to my niece that her new chair was hers but her old one was now Eric's...such a funny moment!

- Making up a random dance with the girls I look after

- Playing dress up with the girls I look after to said dance :D

- Time spent with Kat finding random little shops

- Being able to bake...it is my latest addiction

- not getting sick from babysitting sick little kids

- Cute puppies to look at

- Playing favourite classic boardgames with friends

- Being able to sing in the Expressions of Easter Fireside at church

- Choir practices being done...even though I'm glad it was all worth it

- random facebook moments

- Finding out friends are engaged! :D Seems to be the season

- Finding out people are pregnant! :D Even more exciting

- Family...as always

- Creating new habits and sticking to them

- Realisations

- Learning new things

- Mothers...they are all funny :D

- My brother lending me his car

Wreck This Journal

I ordered this book after I saw Busy Bee Lauren doing it. An awesome idea, no?

This baby FINALLY arrived in the mail today :D

So...I got started!

I can't wait to really get into doing the different pages!