Where to start?

It's been a while since I blogged. A lot has happened. I went to America, I fell absolutely in love with New York City and had nowhere near enough time there. I enjoyed LA and I had a fabulous trip in general, but NYC was just head over heels love. I loved Broadway, and saw The Lion King which was brilliant. I loved 5th Avenue, I loved FAO Schwartz, I loved Central Park, I loved Times Square despite all the crushing people. There was so much more I wanted to do but didn't get time for, I'm so glad I decided to do that jaunt! Even the flight was interesting, flying over Colorado mountains and the Grand Canyon. It was really a good trip, and I came home planning to return, someday...

I was pretty homesick and missed the kids dreadfully, I got such a lovely welcome home from them though. So much love and cuddles. Beautiful.

The day after I got home, still jetlagged and out of it, we found my 15 year old and very first fur baby dead on the back deck. He was cold, and starting to stiffen, he'd been there a while. He was drooly and his bladder had emptied as well, so he was covered in ick, but I scooped his still body up and cried and held him anyway. He had been around since I was 18, since 1996, he was my baby. So many memories. He had such a personality. He would go nuts for eggs and - get this - low fat muffins. I don't know why but he LOVED those things and would stand on your head to get them! I was so grateful he had waited for me to get home before going. Seems silly, but a comforting thought anyway. I am sure that Hendrix will look after him. Losing two fur babies in one year has been really hard. Both were really special, and part of the family, they were pre kids, pre marriage... all my adult life. It has been tough. I miss them dreadfully. :(

I came home considering intermitting my uni studies as well. I'm not enjoying it, I feel at a point in life of readjustment. Like the world is my oyster and there for the taking... but how to do so? How do i want to? I want to travel more. I want to write... And I feel a strong need to just BE. To stop planning, stop controlling everything in my life and just roll with whatever comes my way. It's hard for a control freak to do that.

I have a writing idea simmering and I am excited about that, just waiting for it to develop itself into more than a vague rumination. it will come in time. I look forward to it. I want to use my spook...

Travel Snap Tuesday

Indulge me this week, if you will. My TST post is in advance. This Saturday, I am flying up, up, and away and over to the USA. I am verrrry excited! In fact, I am almost packed already, and it's Tuesday.



I'm looking forward to LA for shopping, relaxing, and celebrity fun (stars, tussauds etc).



The LA leg of the trip is likely to be a little more relaxed and cruisy as I adjust to the dreaded jetlag. And just as I get it together, I fly to New York, and face another time challenge. Gah!



New York is packed full of things I want to see. I intend to be on the go almost endlessly. I have Broadway tickets! And there is so much I want to see here. I am squeesploding!



So, I will be away for a little after today, I am going to miss my kids desperately, but I know they'll enjoy the change of pace and novelty of having their Dad as PC for a bit. I'll be back to bore you senseless with anecdotes before I know it.




Travel Snap Tuesday comes from Little Miss Moi's blog. Head over!

Travel Snap Tuesday

I'm talking about Seattle today. Seattle was a blip on my US trip, I was there for only a matter of hours really, probably less than 24. Enough to see the famous space needle (from a distance!) and spend some hours at Stevens hospital (a story for another day!)

But, there was something I experienced in Seattle that made it a massive stand out on my trip to the Pacific North-West. Two words: Beth's Cafe. This place was everything I ever guessed Seattle to be: Super, Uber, Cooool. You walk in and you really just think.. hmm.. greasy spoon diner. But take it in. The walls are covered in artwork that patrons have drawn. There are stick figures, detailed portraits, words of thought. It'd take you hours to peruse them all. It's like wallpaper.

What else is Beths known for? HUGE portions. Beth's was even on Man Vs Food for it's 12 egg omelette.

Yes, you read that right, TWELVE EGG OMELETTE. Can you even imagine?! Even the 6 egg is massive, and comes served atop a mountain of Beths hash browns. The coffee refills are frequent, and the staff are friendly. It makes for the coolest atmosphere. You've not experienced hip, until you've experienced Beths.

Join in on Travel Snap Tuesday at Little Miss Moi's blog.

Travel Snap Tuesday

Have you ever come across the perfect restaurant on your travels? I have. This was my dessert at the Antica Trattoria on Russian Hill in San Francisco. It was a cherry chocolate cake, cherry sauce... It was amazing. I had it with a wee glass of real deal moscato. Whilst I was eating it, the sun set over the San Francisco horizon in brilliant colors. I was eating by candlelight with a beautiful friend. It was one of those "need to freeze time right here, right now" moments that you drink in and absorb as much as you possibly can.

I went googling the place so that I could share it's exact address with you all, and I am devastated to read it has closed. What a shame :( The service was so wonderful, it's a definite loss. I'm glad I was able to go there when I did. The dinner of a thousand memories.


Travel Snap Tuesday comes to you from Little Miss Moi.

Travel Snap Tuesday

Here's something I notice about America - they LOVE their bacon. Seriously. Like, it's not just "oh, it's Sunday, let's do bacon and eggs for brekky" kind of love. It's more "zOMG is there anything we CAN'T put bacon in?!" love. For example, though I didn't come across any myself, I am told there is very definitely, a bacon flavoured vodka. Whilst you may initially screw your face up at the very idea, if you think about it, a bloody mary made with bacon vodka would be pretty tasty, amirite??

The other thing they've done, is put bacon in chocolate. Oh. Yes. They. Did.



I was tickled to get this as a gift, and brave enough to give it a try. It really just tasted slightly salty as well as chocolatey, and we all know salt and chocolate are a tried and true match, so it's not as big a leap as first thought. Ironically, American bacon itself, I did not try. I'm not sure why this is, but I'll be certain to rectify that with my visit next month.

The Travel Snap Tuesday concept comes to you from Little Miss Moi :)

Updated US trip Itinerary

14 Arrive. check in, relax. food shop?

15 Mann's Chinese Theatre, hands and sidewalk stars/hollywood sign on the way to Pasadena for gold class movie

16 WB Studio tour/Madame Tussauds /disney drive by? UCLA? evening - baseball Dodgers V Brewers

17 San Diego day trip, Get to meet Matthew from childsplayx2! Maybe Santa Monica pier or Venice Beach at sunset.

18 Brunch with Kathy before we head off to Vegas. LA-LV (via Red Rock canyon? bellagio fountains, strip (assume dinner with Kellee, Kristen, and Abbie) Hoping to fit in the CSI experience.

19 LV-LA-NY, travel day

20 WTC site and museum, Statue of Liberty... evening broadway - The Lion King/Times Square (toys r us!)

21 FAO Schwartz, Central Park, The Met museum ... evening comedy cellar

22 RockerfellerTotR/ MoMA / Greenwich/ SoHo - general shopping and exploring

23 Empire State Building. NY-LA-Home

Travel Snap Tuesday

I saw this idea at Miss Posy's It's all Greek To Me blog, the idea is Little Miss Moi's and I love love love it!!!

I am a day late, but hey, call me a rebel. Travel is going to be my future. you know when you can just feel something is true? I can feel that I am going to see a lot of the world. Since I was a child, I wanted to see the world. I remember thinking, wow, this is just one tiny corner of the world here, I want to see it all!!!

I'm a novice, though. I've only travelled overseas once last year, to the USA. I saw San Francisco, a bit of Seattle, and Portland Oregon. In 6 weeks (SQUEE!) I am headed back there to see LA and New York. I am also desperate to see Italy, and most of the rest of Europe. When I am a more confident traveller, I'd also like to see some of the more remote, slightly more risky places. I just feel like I can't see enough. The perspective it brings! The world is a pretty cool place!

Anyway, my point is, this is an awesome idea, thank you Little Miss Moi!

It was hard to choose just one photo for this week, but I decided since I intend to do this weekly, I best not use them all up too fast anyway. This photo is of the San Francisco city hall. I took it right after the worlds longest parade for St. Patricks Day in 2010. There were celebrations going on all over the place, it was a great vibe. I love this building. You can read all the architectural details here. It looks just as grand inside as it does outside.

US trip, part 2.

I am currently planning my second trip to the states. One year ago (almost exactly) I went to San Francisco (and, very briefly, Seattle and Portland). It was a fabulous trip, and I am looking forward to going back over. I never thought the USA would be top of my international places to see list, but nevertheless. It's certainly a good start to travel rather than it being foreign speaking as well.

So, refining my plans I have come up with the below rough itinerary.


May 14 leave here. I get there May 14 thanks to time changes.
14-18 May = LA
18-19 May = Las Vegas
19-23 May = New York
23rd I fly home via LA. Flight leaves late. I get home on the 25th May.

These are my plans:
LA
universal studios (maybe)
chinese mann theatre/ celebrity hands in concrete
celebrity stars walk
hollywood sign
venice beach
Beverly hills? (maybe)
baseball game - already have tickets to a Dodgers V Milwaukee game.

Vegas
The strip
Bellagio Fountains
Red Rock Canyon

New York
Central park (maybe a carriage ride)
Broadway show (Thinking 'The Lion King' at this stage)
Ground zero
Empire state building/Top Of The Rock views
Times square
Statue of Liberty.



What am I missing? Anything else I must see that I haven't got on the list yet? I have little to no interest in Disneyland, does that make me a wee bit odd?! I suspect to fit things in, I may need to skip sleep altogether for 2 weeks. :/

I found me some happy

And I am not letting it go!

Simple pleasures, sometimes, can be the finest. Don't you think? This afternoon, the kids were out with their Dad, I had music on - loudly - and I was writing some fiction. Inspired. I felt so happy, in fact, the happy hasn't gone. It lingers. I am feeling the happiest I have felt in a while.

I am planning another trip to the States, to use up the ticket I didn't use in November. I found a great sale fare right around the time J will have enough leave to take again to be home with the kids, and he has agreed to do so for me again. I was initially thinking New York City, but, it is so much more expensive than anywhere else. That might be my 'next time' trip. Now, I am planning for a trip to Los Angeles, with a road trip on the side to Las Vegas. I am not really interested in Disneyland, but there is so much else there I would like to see. So, that has given me much happy too.

I also spent some time today, working on the promised Ebook. I want to go through each piece, and give them yet another editing, and suddenly, I have a wee bit of stage fright about sharing them. When they are ready, I will put a short synopsis and review for each piece on the ebook page. It's fun to have some sturdy writing goals again, and to be working furiously with them.

Religion and Homosexuality

It has been a long time since I blogged, personally. I have been blogging semi-regularly over at kellysmith.com.au in a professional capacity, but what better way to return to personal blogging than with a wowzer of a controversial topic?! How very me.

This link is the one in a string I have read on twitter this week, relating to suicides of young people, due to bullying, and often as a result of homosexuality. Two stood out to me this morning, and have really affected me - enough to prompt me to blog, anyway. Aside from the previous link, this blog entry at Scary Mommy, written by a guest blogger (@TexanMama) really upset me.

I don't understand it. How can someone be so upset that their kids teacher is gay? I wouldn't have a clue if F's teacher is gay, straight or all of the above. And you know what, if she was, and it DID affect the discussions and focus of the teaching, then great! I am all for his mind being opened to all kinds of walks of life. The more he understands we are all different - and that's okay - the better.

How can love be wrong? Ever? How??? Isn't love the entire point? Isn't that what we are here for? How can that ever be wrong??? And if your God is telling you it is, surely there is some problem there? I am not religious. AT ALL. Organized religions do nothing but upset me. I am spiritual. I believe... in something. Maybe. Organized religions seem to be nothing but trouble and hatred and judging.

Our children, teenagers all over the world, are KILLING THEMSELVES. They are dying. Because they are not accepted. Because they cannot bear to be alive in a world that tells them they are evil, wrong, and unworthy, simply because of who they are. How tragic is that?? Why does it bother you, what other people do and who they love? Why does it bother you that a childs role model is openly gay? They NEED these role models. They need to see that love is always okay. F asked me once about a friend at school that had 2 mums, and I explained that families are all kinds of different. 2 mums, 2 dads, one of each, only one, grandparents... That some people marry boys, some marry girls, and every match up is okay. So long as people are happy and in love!

I feel heavy hearted that people advocate and spout this sort of stuff. Someone asked how would I feel if F were to become a conservative christian, in the same way we ask those people how they'd feel if their children were gay. How would I feel? I would love him. I would respect his choices. And I would appreciate all that is wondrous, beautiful, and loving about him, the same way that I do now. Why is that such a hard concept for anyone to grasp?

I wish I could inspire a revolution of change. I wish I could end the homophobia and bigotry, and it desperately upsets me that I am just one person. All I can do is ensure that I raise the 2 children I have with open minds, and loving hearts. Regardless of creed, sexuality, or anything else. It's the best I can do.

Travels

45 days and I leave for the U.S. - rather excited now, starting to buy bits and pieces and get myself organised. I am a master of lists! No doubt this trip will push me in all kinds of new ways, and I am really looking forward to seeing who I am when I come out the other side of it. I suspect I will be quite changed.

I was looking for tips for the flight the other day, came across this blog article that made me chuckle. Extra bonus? Vomit bag anecdotes. LOL! I have stocked up on books (I have The Alchemy of Loss, The Time of My Life and Notes Left Behind as well as a chicklit novel), and will ensure I have writing materials with me. Mostly, I am hoping to sleep.

Given it is the first major trip I have done, I am more than welcoming travel tips and packing essentials, let me know yours.

BFL wk 13 picks

Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland
New Orleans vs. Atlanta
Green Bay vs. Chicago
Denver vs. Indianapolis
Buffalo vs. Kansas City
Cincinnati vs. Minnesota
Carolina vs. New England
New York Jets vs. Tampa Bay
Miami vs. Jacksonville
Detroit vs. Baltimore
Seattle vs. Houston
St. Louis vs. Tennessee
Washington vs. Oakland
San Diego vs. Dallas
Philadelphia vs. New York Giants

Monday Night
Arizona vs. San Francisco

Tie breaker: 49


Last time I played I got 13, my best ever by about 12. ha! No, but by at least 6 or more! Kudos to the secret weapon!!

This weeks BFL picks

Miami vs. Carolina
Washington vs. Dallas
Cleveland vs. Detroit
San Francisco vs. Green Bay
Pittsburgh vs. Kansas City
Seattle vs. Minnesota
Atlanta vs. New York Giants
New Orleans vs. Tampa Bay
Buffalo vs. Jacksonville
Indianapolis vs. Baltimore
Arizona vs. St. Louis
San Diego vs. Denver
Cincinnati vs. Oakland
New York Jets vs. New England
Philadelphia vs. Chicago

Monday Night Game
Tennessee vs. Houston

Combined MNF Score = 35

BFL picks week 10

Chicago vs. San Francisco
Denver vs. Washington
Atlanta vs. Carolina New Orleans vs. St. Louis
Tampa Bay vs. Miami
Detroit vs. Minnesota
Jacksonville vs. New York Jets
Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh
Buffalo vs. Tennessee Kansas City vs. Oakland
Dallas vs. Green Bay
Philadelphia vs. San Diego
Arizona vs. Seattle
New England vs. Indianapolis

Monday Night
Baltimore vs. Cleveland

Tie Breaker: 35

BFL picks w9

Houston @ Indianapolis

Washington @ Atlanta

Arizona @ Chicago

Baltimore @ Cincinnati

Miami @ New England

Green Bay @ Tampa Bay

Kansas City @ Jacksonville

Detroit @ Seattle

Carolina @ New Orleans

San Diego @ NY Giants

Tennessee @ San Francisco

Dallas @ Philadelphia

Monday Night

Pittsburgh @ Denver

Combined MNF Score = 48

We don't do Halloween!!! #savethejackalanta

Or so I thought.

I have long been one of those who drones on and on about how annoying it is that Halloween is always celebrated by a handful of Australians. It is simply another commercialised thing that has no meaning to us, that some have adopted, mostly because of media and marketing. It annoys me. I also used to go on about how Americanised we are becoming in general.

So each Halloween I grumble this same grumble, though if children DO come knocking, I give them a treat. I have had ONE trick or treater each year. ONE. No one that I know celebrates it, and a poll done on a site I use recently showed that 93% of 95 respondents do not celebrate Halloween at all. Reasons? We are not America (apparently we blame you guys for this one wholly and solely) and we are too nervous about sending our kids in search of lollies (candy! LOL) from strangers (!!)

Personally, I think if you feel like that, rather than ban the whole idea, why not use it as a teaching opportunity for the kids about that stuff, its a great chance to explore the whole thing!

ANYHOO. Irrelevant. What happened was that Finn came home this week beyond excitement because Saturday was Halloween! We can go trick or treating and I can do a jacklanta (Jack-O-Lantern)! he exclaimed.

Umm... Dude, we don't DO Halloween. Well, let me say, my kid doesn't take no for an answer easily. He made his own decorations (a witch with braces!) and would not let it drop. So, I caved.

Only, it was not that easy. Let me say again for the cheap seats - Halloween is just not a thing in Australia. So where the hell was I going to find Halloweeny stuff?! I manages to scrape up a costume and a couple of decorations, but I could not find a bloody jackalanta anywhere. These things are totally endangered in this country - #savethejackalantas.

So, plan B - we will papier mache one, i decided. No balloons in the house. Of course. And we are pushing it for dry time as it is! So... we find one we got from school the other day (I am the half deflated helium KILLER again, bonus!) and mache "Joe the balloon" we did. Was good fun too!



Halloween day, J found some more decorations and went a little (A LOT) overboard, but Finn loved it. That night though, right around Trick Or Treat time, it started to rain. And NO ONE was coming by. Finn dressed up, sat in the garage, and waited with his treats, eager to hand them out generously. Telling me how many each visitor could have, and eager as they come. I started to fret.

All hail the joy of the SMS - A friend from school said her daughter was as keen as Finn and if we wanted to come around they had a jackalanta. FOR RLZ. Score!!! Thank god, because we had no treaters at our door at all all night, but once at their place, a few came by and Finn was able to dish out the treats - in his element. Katarina's Dad also went next door and gave them chocolates so that the kids could then go over and have their own trick or treat experience as well. Of course, then he saw the real deal jackalanta - oh my goodness he was so excited. Meanwhile those lovely, generous American twitterfolk were as keen for him to experience Halloween as he was, so excited was multiplied as the pics of jackalantas and dressed up kiddies came a steaming on the twitpics. Finn was in heaven!


Mission accomplished. One successful Halloween in Australia. I just hope he doesn't come home next week and ask what we are doing for Thanksgiving!!!

Week 7 BFL picks

Right. I have had it - unleashing my secret weapon this week. You're all going down!!! FO SHO. Picks are blue and bold!

Houston vs Buffalo
Cleveland vs Chicago
Seattle vs Dallas
St. Louis vs Detroit
San Francisco vs Indianapolis
Miami vs New York Jets
New York Giants vs Philadelphia
Denver vs Baltimore
Jacksonville vs Tennessee
Oakland vs San Diego
Carolina vs Arizona
Minnesota vs Green Bay

Monday Night
Atlanta vs New Orleans
Tie Breaker = 52

You never stop being a parent

You know when you are 15, and you want to go out to a great party, but your parents kill your buzz and either don't let you, or set so many rules it's almost not worth it...

I'm 32 next month, and I seem to still be suffering that whole feeling of not meeting the expectations of my parents. Not making the decisions that they want me to. Letting them down by making choices they think are wrong for me.

At some point, they should realise that I know me better than they know me now. Right? I think that is not looking likely.

So, they're not happy with my US trip. I guess I knew it would be the case, but it hurts and it makes me angry. Why would you not support your childrens dreams and excitement? Why would you feel it necessary to say you think it is the wrong thing to do? Why can you not maybe think something, but not have to verbalise it?

The reasoning was not even sound, it made no sense, it contradicted itself, and it seemed hollow. So why does it bother me? There is no way it will change my mind, I am determined, and so long as J and I are happy with it, then how is it anyone elses business???

You know what, when Mum was going through treatment and wanted to avoid certain tests and even at one stage, her final chemo dose, I supported her. I disagreed, and was worried and upset about her decision, but I supported her because I felt she knew best and would do it anyway so I might as well be there for her. I am really disappointed she can't afford me the same respect.

It's taken the gloss and buzz off something that should have been exciting and wonderful and happy. That is really unfair. I am angry and upset. They have 4 months to get used to the idea and to be supportive. I will not let them ruin this for me, I will live my own life. I am an individual as well as a wife and mother and I have every right to pursue my own dreams. I can't see how it can be anything but good for me. It is not even 2 weeks away from home for goodness sake. This is crazy!!!

Right. Rant over. Where was I? Pass the San Fran guidebook please!

BFL wk 6 picks

Minnesota @ Pittsburgh

San Francisco @ Houston

San Diego @ Kansas City

Green Bay @ Cleveland

Indianapolis @ St. Louis

New England @ Tampa Bay

Buffalo @ Carolina

NY Jets @ Oakland

Atlanta @ Dallas

Chicago @ Cincinnati

New Orleans @ Miami

Arizona @ NY Giants


Monday Night

Philadelphia @ Washington 

Combined MNF Score = 52

Rewards!

So, I am actually nervous to even write this. But, one of the presents I got for grad from J : Um. A trip to the U.S.A. More specifically, California.

Alone.

Pretty sure I am insane.

I always wanted to travel, and imagine the inspiration for writing, the growth! But, that aside, it is something I have always wanted to do. To see the world, for as long as I can remember. Everyone is aware of my Italy obsession, I guess this is a good first trip to launch my dream of seeing it all. Friends to guide me, a familiar language and culture.

Terrified of leaving my babies for 2 weeks, but it feels important. It feels right. The rest of this year is hectic, my birthday, J's and RJ's birthdays, Green Day concert with F-bear, and Christmas... so I decided to leave it until the new year, and when Finn is back at school. So... the start of March it is.

Eeee!!!!