Day 14 | PERTH MOTORPLEX– After a long day (post Photo Tour), it was decided we would go to see the burnouts. Daniel (Isaac’s awesome friend & Rhiannon’s Husband) advised me to watch a video so I could see just how different Australian burnouts were from the American ones. Since I had never seen an American burnout really, I brushed the words off without thinking much more of them (at least I’m honest!). Now, we arrived late (mainly due to getting lost), and dressed in my best professional clothes (we had to go straight there), I felt incredibly out of place. Not only was I clearly overdressed, but I stuck out like a sore thumb with my nude polka dot tights and pastel colors. I am usually pretty comfortable being the odd one out (I’m a bit of an odd duck myself), but the crowd was a black, smoking sea of people. As Rhiannon showed us to a more strategic […]
Day 14 | POINT PERON & FORE SHORE– Today I had my fist Photo Tour in Oz! Honestly it was a fantastic success! I have done one in the US (another coming up in the Spring email me to get on the mailing list for that: info@in-lace.com), but the landscape was so much more inspiring. Lynne (Isaac’s Mom), Sylvia (Lynne’s Awesome Friend), and Nat (Lynne’s Husband), made up our small little group. Isaac was of course our model for the most part (thanks sweetie)! Our day started with an introduction to Manual Mode on each camera (no camera can stump me forever- even if your wheel in the end is both a wheel & a button!), and then progressed into the two different types of light: ambient vs. strobe. We went to Safety Bay first, then out to Point Peron, and finally to the Fore Shore! I am so incredibly proud of all of you and as I get everyone’s pictures, […]
Day 13 | ROCKINGHAM FORE SHORE- After a very long week of work, Isaac and I decided to have a very affordable but luxurious dessert night out at the Rockingham Fore Shore! We called ahead and made reservations at Steel Tree. Honestly, we were on the fence about them (their reviews on Urban Spoon in the last few months are all sorts of awful), but the hostess was sweet on the phone, had a great dessert selection, and the patio ocean view that we wanted. Funny, as they were the third place I called (another story about the my surprise challenge of people understanding the “American Accent” here). I first called Betty Blue (great reviews and terrific view), but their dessert selection was really lacking. Second was Sunsets, but the hostess was rude, and informed us after I inquired about how late we could get dessert & drinks (we were hoping 8:30/9pm– most places close their kitchen before then but […]
Day 11 | MANDURAH– First holiday get together today! The Rock Club was gracious enough to invite us along to their holiday party at the local Chinese Restaurant (Happy China BBQ). Common in Australia are BYO wine at restaurants. I’ve never experienced this in the states, but I am curious to the cost savings that go to the customer. I’ve yet to buy a bottle of wine yet, but soon as I do, I’ll share some more studied thoughts. What was also particularly unique about this dining experience was the many dishes we got to sample one after the other (honey chicken, pepper steak, satee chicken, and bbq pork). As always, no tip was necessary. Day 12 | WARNBRO- Honestly, pretty much a relaxed day. Isaac has been working so much and the digital pace has been difficult to keep with internet speeds. What is supposed to be a 20 hour work week quickly stretches into 35 hours with the […]
I don’t think I really need to say any more than the Gould boys have the most interesting family dynamic I’ve ever seen! So happy to have been invited along to see them wrangle the paragliding kite. “Click” read more to see the full gallery!
Day 4 | ROCKINGHAM & GOLDEN BAY– This was one of the most freeing days, as this was the first time we were trusted enough with the family car to not drive on the wrong side of the road. We dropped Isaac’s Dad off early to the “Rock Club” (unsure of it’s proper name), and met his wonderful fellow jewelry makers. Though marginally awkward being introduced as Isaac’s fiance (anyone who spends enough time with us, know we avoid this topic like the plague), we were welcomed and even invited to their upcoming Christmas party the following Wednesday! Since Isaac’s Dad spent most of his day working, Isaac and I were freed up to take a trip to the Rocko Shopping Center, got my Australian number (thank goodness my Samsung Galaxy S3 is global & unlocked straight from the manufacturer!), and finished up walking around the Fore Shore. Took lots of pictures there of the different water sculptures, water, and […]
Day 1 | WARNBRO– Tired, hardly what you could call “clean” anymore, and achy, we were met by smiling faces and warm hearts full of jokes. We quickly left the airport, and we carted home. I unpacked quickly so my bed would be uninhibited for sleep later. I’m not sure how, but we even made it to the beach by their house! Isaac’s parents welcomed a flood of guests that night from Isaac’s brothers & their ladies, to friends & their little ones. Although we accidentally fell asleep. while stretching out and talking about how happy we were, our poor manners were thankfully dismissed by our perfect company. Day 2 | GOLDEN BAY– Waking up at 4:30 am seemed like it would lead to a very unappealing day, but it was surprisingly productive! We got a little work done before heading to Isaac’s brothers house in Golden Bay to see his nephew, marvel at his brother’s extensive gadget collection (paragliding […]
I just found out that my childhood home burned down today. In a beautiful foreign country, surrounded by the most loving people I could ever hope to meet on the other side of the world, all I can think about is what I left behind. I wonder how my family is, the emotional state of my mother, and feverishly running through my head are things I know we will never see again… I have always felt that there is nothing more permanent than physically writing something down on a bright sheet of paper. Its like time, and philosophy, and magic come flooding out across the page. I think that’s why books created to help you succeed in life recommend it so. So many things in my life have involved paper… I worry that my Mom will never get over the loss, and yet here I sit thinking about the fact I will never get to show Isaac pictures of me […]
An Innocent Introvert’s Mistake! Getting ready to leave home for any extended period of time is difficult, let alone a new country, when you have a small business, and when you decide to do said “leaving” for 2.5 months. Some of the things you won’t of course suspect as being “difficult” is just the sheer emotional roller coaster, packing (esp for a woman), and just trying to plan for every mishap actually can cause you more strife in the long run. Here is a list of the random lessons about my second nonparental flight internationally– hope it gives you some jollies. 1) SPONTANEOUS EMOTING… Even if you try to stay strong for family members before leaving (totally admirable), just realize that your body still feels stess and will subconciously recognize what your feeling even if you don’t choose to acknowledge it! Don’t be surprised if you spontaneous emote when you rationally feel fine. 2) DON’T TAKE YOUR COMFORT FOODIMAL… Don’t […]
“3D:14H:51M– Excited, Nervous, Anxious, & still have to get through Thanksgiving with my family!”