What do I DO?

Day 6, Monday: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?

Another tough one!  I think we all are almost "trained" to answer this question with our occupation, so it's hard to re-frame your way of thinking about what it is that you do.  I'm going to cheat for just a second though and tell you what my standard answer would be- I teach.  I suppose I'm lucky in the fact that my occupation and what I do in the confines of my job really does describe at least somewhat accurately who I am and what I do in my life.  But, I will try and expand my thinking here...

I rise...

{before the sun}

{to the sound of the kookaburras outside my window}

{to drive my hubby to work at this god awful hour}

I sweat...

{begrudgingly, but I try}

I support...

{students with special needs}

{my husband in this career opportunity}

{my friends and family from afar}

I read...

{blogs, emails, magazines, and the occasional book}

I talk...

{across time zones and international date lines}

I cook...

{healthy dinners while dreaming of baking sweet treats}

I enjoy...

{evenings with my husband}

{laughing together}

{our quiet simple life}

{the occasional glass of wine}

I miss...

{being near family and friends}

{2 day weekends}

{simple American conveniences}

I feel...

{fortunate}

{happy}

{loved}

{sometimes lonely}

I dream...

{for not enough hours}

{of our next travel adventure}

 

Catch up with my "Blog Every Day in May" here:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5 (Oops! :-/ I did blog on day 5, just not following the prompt...)

Jen and Tim's Aussie Adventure - Part I

Just a couple of weeks ago, David and I had our first visitors to Australia!  My good friend from college, Jen, and her boyfriend Tim made the transcontinental trek to see us and our new country.  Jen and I lived together for two years in college and were roommates in Spain during our time studying abroad.  So we have lots of experience traveling together, and I was so excited to have her here and travel together again!

After nearly 8 months here, it was so much fun to finally have people from home to show around and share part of this Australia experience with!  Also, I had forgotten how nice it is to be on the same time zone as someone!  It meant so much to us that Jen and Tim wanted to and were able to travel all this way to see us.  We had such a great time together!  Here is a look at some of what we did. 

Jen and Tim arrived in Gladstone on a Monday.  I was a bit of a ruthless tour guide that day as I tried to keep them pretty busy (and avoid sleeping) in order to help adjust to the time difference and reduce jet lag in the next couple days.  Sorry, guys!  They got the grand "tour de Gladstone" where they saw the lovely city itself, "downtown," a failed attempt at finding Radar Hill lookout point, Spinaker Park and the Marina, and Canoe Point where they got their first look of the ocean. 

The next day (Tuesday), we hopped in the car for a little day trip to the Rockhampton area where we visited the Capricorn Caves.  David and I had visited these caves in December, but I really enjoyed going back. 

Shortly after leaving the caves, we had our first kangaroo sighting on the side of the road.  I had been hoping to find some "wild" kangaroos to show them.  It's fun to see kangaroos in zoos, but it's even more exciting to see them just out in nature. 

Kangaroo sighting!!  Left: a troop of kangaroos - Right: A momma kangaroo and her joey

Before heading home, we stopped for a quick visit at the free Rockhampton Zoo.  It definitely wasn't the most impressive zoo, but hey, you can't beat free!  And we got to check some more Australian animals off of our list. 

Left: yes, that kangaroo is scratching his butt - Right: first koala sighting!

The next day (Wednesday), we went on a Great Barrier Reef cruise and snorkeling trip, but I'm going to give that its own post in the next couple days, so check back for that.

On Thursday, we spent a few hours at the beach nearby, Tannum Sands, but unfortunately I forgot to take any photos- oops!   Later that evening Jen, Tim, and I caught a flight to Brisbane for the next few days.  I'm so glad I was able to tag along with them on this next leg of their trip.  The main event of our time in Brisbane was my triumphant return (and their first visit) to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.  Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is definitely one of my favorite places I've visited in Australia so far, and I was so excited to take Jen and Tim there.  I think I could go here a million times and never tire of it.  I've become a bit of a koala fanatic, and this place is seriously koala heaven. 

Middle: It doesn't get much cuter than koala kisses

A baby koala (joey)

3rd photo: If you look closely, you can see the joey's feet poking out of the pouch!
4th photo: I loved how this kangaroo was cuddled up with his head resting on his paws

Petting a kangaroo will never get old - (Duck photo bomb)

Tasmanian Devil (aka tazzy devil)

Enjoying drinks and the sunset along the Brisbane River in Southbank Parklands

I was sad to part ways with them in Brisbane.  I would have loved to tag along to Melbourne and Brisbane with them too, but I also wanted them to be able to have some Aussie adventures on their own.  Plus, work was calling my name.  It was a great week though, and a very successful hosting of our first visitors! 

One day... {Favorite Quote}

Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it.

"One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education."

I guess this isn't really a quote, per se.  What it is, however, is the Teach For America mission.  I believe this statement is a very powerful one, and I do hope that in my lifetime I will see its realization.  As I mentioned before, I was a TFA corps member in Los Angeles.  I taught for two years in one of the nation's most under-performing school districts and in one of that district's most low-performing schools.  During this time, I saw first hand- day in and day out, what a huge problem the achievement gap is in our country.  I saw how unequal educational access, resources, and opportunities are for students simply based on where they are born... basically their zip code determines what type of education they will receive.  Unfortunately, the students who need the most attention, resources, and support almost always get the least and the worst.  I'm going to try really hard to stay off of my soapbox here, and just say that I really do believe in this mission/quote and in the importance of working toward its realization.  Even though my two year commitment with TFA has long expired, I continue to teach in low-income areas because I believe in this mission, I want to teach where I am needed most, and I want to be a part of a positive change. 

Catch up with my "Blog Every Day in May" here:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

Things That Make Me Uncomfortable

Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable

Conflict- Conflict has always made me super uncomfortable.  It doesn't make a difference if I am involved in the conflict or not- I always get super uncomfortable.  It must be the middle child in me :-)  I'm a people-pleaser and a peace maker.  When people around me are having some sort of conflict, my instinct is to either escape/avoid the situation all together (that whole flight instinct) or to do something to try and make the conflict stop and the people happy or at least peaceful again.  I know it's totally not healthy to be uncomfortable with conflict and confrontation, but I just can't seem to lose this habit.  I have gotten a little better over the years, especially in work and professional situations, but it is still something I need to work on... or just continue to avoid :-)

Close Talkers- you know who I mean.  That person who doesn't get that concept of personal space- especially during conversation.  It gives me the creeps just thinking about it. 

Oversharing- Over the phone, in person, social media, or in public places- I get really uncomfortable when people overshare personal information.  It's a little like the concept of personal space I guess... an oversharer makes me feel like they're somehow invading my personal space.  But above all else, often times when people overshare, it makes me feel embarassed for that person.  And I hate having to feel embarassed for someone else. 

Speaking Spanish- I took Spanish classes all through elementary and high school and then went on to major in Spanish in college.  I even studied abroad in Spain and lived with a Spanish speaking family.  I think it's pretty safe to say that I was pretty darn close to being fluent. However, I feel like I have "lost" so much of my Spanish, and now I hate that I feel super uncomfortable and unconfident speaking Spanish.  I get flustered and embarassed now.  I can bust it out when I need it (speaking to students or students' parents, translating a note to send home to parents, eavesdropping on unsuspecting people in public :-), etc.), but it's more effort than it used to be.  I think my frustration is mostly just that I realize how rusty I am now compared to where I once was.  I notice that my listening and reading skills are still pretty strong- it's just the speaking part where I now get super uncomfortable.  I would be so disappointed if I really did "lose" my Spanish, so I really do need to make an effort to practice more often.  Too bad those opportunities are few and far between in Australia...

Catch up with my "Blog Every Day in May" here:
Day 1
Day 2

Something I (am not embarassed to) Know A Lot About

Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)

This was a challenging prompt for me! Like a lot of people, I tend to be overly critical of myself, and so I had a hard time identifying something about which I felt confident "tooting my own horn." So, I opted I'd go the non-serious route...

I know a lot about reality television. Probably too much as far as most people (my husband being one of them) are concerned, but I am unashamed. You name it, I probably watch it at least somewhat religiously and can recite random facts about the show/contestants. I love it all. I realize it is most likely rotting my brain, but I'm willing to take my chances :-)

What I'm Currently Watching and Know A Lot About:

Dancing With the Stars (watching an episode as I type this)

For some reason, this show makes me tear up at nearly every episode. I don't know what it is. I think it has something to do with the fact that I danced for nearly 15 years, and watching this makes me miss dancing. At the school where I taught in Houston, there were a group of teachers who watched religiously and would recap/analyze/wager in the teachers' lounge the days following the show. At the end of the last season before I moved away, I had several teachers over for a finale watch party. It was a blast!

The Voice (this is the VOOOOIIIIIICE!)

Again with the crying on this one. Can't explain it. And plus, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton?! What more could you ask for?! Oh wait, how about Usher- that's what more you could ask for! :-)

Ready For Love

I got really invested in this new show from the first episode. It's like a much smarter "Bachelor." They actually use professional matchmakers to screen and coach the girls on dating and relationships. However, I just learned that it's being cancelled and the rest of the season will only be shown online. Sad!

More Trash Shows I've Been Known to Obsess Over:

*this list may or may not be exhaustive....

The Biggest Loser

Another cry-inducer for me. It has proven impossible for me to get through an episode of this show without shedding at least a few tears. And I'm a sucker for a good Jillian Michael's reaming.

The Bachelor / The Bachelorette

I think I have watched nearly every season of this show. Half of the fun of watching this one though is poking fun at some of the ridiculous situations and contestants. This past season, my sister and I tried to coordinate our cross-hemisphere viewings of the Bachelor and got a kick out of exchanging texts with our insightful/mocking commentary.

American Idol

This is probably one of the shows I'm least invested in. I only started watching in the past 2-3 seasons. I LOVED when J. Lo and Steven Tyler were judges, so I'm missing them this year. Although Nicki Minaj and her shenanigans are pretty entertaining.

Teen Mom

Oh how I miss having MTV. In my previous, MTV-having life, if a Teen Mom weekend marathon was on, I would drop everything and hardly move from the couch. And if there was a Dr. Drew Follow-Up Episode? Even better!

Just About Any TLC Series - (Including but not limited to... Say Yes To The Dress, My Strange Addiction, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, Sister Wives, A Million Kids & Counting)

The more off the wall, the better. It's the whole rubber-necking phenomenon- most of these shows are just so ridiculous and strange that you just can't help but stop and stare with your mouth open. Also, these shows make me feel so very normal. Sometimes I need that. :-)

The Kardashians (and any of the spin-offs)

This is a bit of a sensitive topic for me right now. This is one of the few shows that I haven't figured out a way to watch in Australia. Of course, this WOULD happen during Kimye’s pregnancy. The horror!

Giuliana and Bill

I actually didn't get into this show until I moved here. I found Season 1 on Hulu and watched the whole thing in record time.  She's a little annoying, but they're so cute together. AND, David even kind of likes this one- he thinks Bill is pretty cool.

My husband is a pretty good sport about my affinity for reality TV, bless his heart. Amazingly though, we have discovered a new Reality TV in Australia show that we both enjoy. It's called "Customs."I'm pretty sure it's actually a UK show, but Australia steals most things from the UK so that would make sense :-) It's basically just about customs officers at airports and all the crazy things they encounter.

Surprisingly, I have never watched any of the Real Housewives series. Shocking, I know! Honestly, I'm pretty sure I would love them, and I think I'm just avoiding them because I am well aware of my addictive reality TV show personality, and I know that if I started, I wouldn't be able to stop. I'm sure it won't be long though…

 

250 Words {Story Of My Life}

As a relatively new blogger still, I'm still exploring and learning the ropes of blogging.  I started my blog mostly to keep my family and friends updated with our life and travels abroad while we live in Australia for the next few years- and I've really enjoyed doing that.  However, I know that my life won't always be full of fun adventures and travels (well, most likely not anyway), but I do still hope that I can continue blogging even after our Australian adventure comes to an end.  I've always enjoyed writing, and I'm kind of re-discovering that "hobby" through this blog.  So, with that said, I'm hoping to "flex my writing muscle" a bit more, and not only write about fun adventures and travels, but also just write about ordinary, everyday life and thoughts that come up.  To help with this effort, I'm going to push myself to participate with Jenni at Story of My Life who is challenging bloggers to blog everyday for the month of May using pre-determined daily prompts.  So without further ado, here is today's post!

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less

I was born in Phoenix, Arizona on March 15, 1984. I'm a textbook middle child, and I love having one sister and one brother.

In first grade, I started my first of what would end up being twelve years of wearing school uniforms and sixteen years of Catholic education. I attended an all-girls high school, where I was mostly an introverted, rule-following, homebody teenager. At eighteen I moved away from home to attend Gonzaga University.  Here I had the best college experience I could imagine and made life long memories and friends. I studied abroad in (and fell in love with) Granada, Spain during my Junior year and got my first taste of traveling and living abroad.

Post-college, I taught for two years in South Central Los Angeles with Teach for America. During this time I learned more about myself, my beliefs, my passion for teaching, and what I was capable of, than at any other time in my life- I also earned my Masters in Special Education.  During this time, I also met my then roommate's brother and fell in love. We dated long distance for too long and before I knew it, he swept me from the beautiful California beaches to Houston, Texas.

My babies in Los Angeles (left) - My babies in Houston (right)

2010 was a big year for us- we got engaged, got married, and bought our first home.

My family on our wedding day.

Less than two years later, my husband's job moved us to Australia, and here we are- working (some) and traveling (a lot). Life is good! 

Day one- check!  252 words, but close enough- right?

Expat to Expat Q & A

Since starting this blog, I've become a bit of an "expat blog junkie."  Many of the blogs I follow are those of fellow expats across the world.  I love reading about other parts of the world, travel adventures, and mostly feeling a sort of camaraderie with people who understand the "expat life."  One of my new favorite expat bloggers, Belinda at Found Love, Now What is co-hosting an Expat to Expat Q&A session, where expats from around the world are invited to answer the same set of questions.  Here's the link to the original link-up post.  The April questions and my responses are below.  Enjoy! 

A bit of my expat background: I now live in Queensland, Australia, but I am originally from Phoenix, Arizona.  I've also lived in Spokane, WA.; Granada, Spain; Los Angeles, CA; and Houston, TX.  I've been in Australia since August 2012. 

1. What was your favorite season back home and is it the same now; why or why not?
In Phoenix and Houston, my favorite season was Spring. Even though Spring in these two places can sometimes be all too short with summer often coming much too soon, I still loved this time.  I love the 70-90 temperature range, blooming flowers, sitting outside, and while teaching I loved taking my kiddos outside during this time. 

2. Is there a place you would want to move to based solely on the weather?
My ideal temperature range is 70-90 degrees. For the two years I lived in California, I got to experience this perfect weather nearly year round.  So, I guess I would move (back) to California, simply for the weather. 

3. What is an article of clothing that you had to buy for your new home due to the weather? i.e. galoshes, winter coat, etc
Having lived in my fair share or warm weather climates (Phoenix, Los Angeles, Houston), my wardrobe didn't really need many additions.  However, I DID have to buy a sun hat.  Australians are really big on sun protection, and just about everyone wears sun hats.  At the schools, teachers are required to wear hats outside, and the students follow the rule of "no hat, no play." 

My trusty Australian sun hat- a new wardrobe staple.

4. Have you found the weather stereotypes of your new home to be true?
Absolutely. Australia, especially Queensland, is probably just how you imagine it- hot and sunny just about everyday.  I've been here 8 months now, and I've been wearing the same clothes the whole time- never once having to cover my arms.  Since summer weather in Houston started in May and I moved at the end of August, this has essentially been what I've dubbed, "The Year of the Never-ending Summer." However, when the weather DOES change here (rain, etc.), the changes can be quite extreme. 

5. Is there somewhere you would never live based solely on the weather?
I do NOT do well with cold weather. Being born and raised in Phoenix truly made me a desert rat. I'd rather be hot than cold any day!  So, with that said, I could never live somewhere with harsh and extreme winters- especially where those winters were mostly gray. The four years I spent in Spokane, WA for college were amazing, but I really struggled with the weather. 

Don't let the smile fool you- I am a HUGE cold weather wimp!

6. What are you looking forward to most this spring?
Well, since Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, we are currently in Fall (strange, I know).  Although, the seasons seem to be more of just a technicality.  Like I mentioned earlier, I've seen very little weather change in the 8 months I've been here. 

7. Where you live, what is your go to outfit for spring?
Again, I've been able to pretty much wear the same types of clothes the entire 8 months I've been here- which consists mostly of what one would consider summer and spring clothes.  If I had to pick a favorite, it would definitely be a sun dress and sandals. 

8. What is one thing or event that you miss that happens back home at this time of the year?
In Houston, the start of Spring (well early March) marks the start of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  This is basically a 2 week long holiday in Houston.  I was never a huge rodeo/western person, but I LOVE the rodeo. This year was the first time in 5 years I wasn't able to go.  I love the food, the BBQ Cookoff, the great concerts, the rides, and of course, the ridiculous and hilarious tradition of mutton bustin'.

Houston Rodeo 2012 - BBQ Cookoff

9. If your hubs could bring home a bouquet of any type of flower, what you pick?
I love gerber daisies and tulips!

10. What does your perfect Saturday look like?
I LOVE to sleep late, and luckily haven't lost that "talent" yet.  So I'd sleep in with no alarms set, enjoy my favorite meal of the day at a fun brunch restaurant, do something outside (go for a walk, swim, etc.), go shopping, and then enjoy a night of dinner and drinks out with the hubby.

Bonus: Are there any special holidays in your new country in the month of May?
None in May, but April 25 was Anzac Day here. I'm never one to argue with a holiday that provides a day off-even if it did happen to fall on a Thursday this year.