Homecoming (these are for Courtney)

Stefanie with Adelynn

Classic "Dad" pose

Daddy holding Adelynn while Mama looks on

A very thrilled Mama who is finally happy to be at home with her little girl!

Adelynn is here! Some pictures...

Me holding a sleeping baby Adelynn while Mama Stefanie looks on



Dennis holding baby Adelynn while Shivani is looking to drink up some water!



Mama holding baby Adelynn

1st Baby of the year (from our friends)

OOOhhhh our friends Stefanie and Randy are having their baby! Mama is in labor right now, please send happy labor (and epidural vibes)!!! It's so exciting! I can't wait to meet their little girl! I bet they can't either!!!

3:00pm (Alice time) : Mama's had the epidural,and is feeling better, their 2 puppies are staying at our house, and Lil S is excited to have 3 puppies to play with right now.


Will update when Baby Dickens arrives!

EDIT : Baby Adelynn Faith has arrived at 8:50pm Alice Springs time today! Happy Birthday little one! Congrats to Stefanie and Randy! New Mama and Daddy!

Happy New Year 2009 edition!

Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year... we're watching Strawberry Shortcake with the kid, and then after she goes to bed...we will play Mario Galaxy (so much fun!!!)... since they don't show the ball drop here... so it's going to be pretty low-key since I can't drink this New Years! (Should've drank up last year!!!)

Maybe I'll celebrate tomorrow (when USA does)!

Happy 2009!

Here it is!!!!

Ok so the big news is that we're expecting baby #2, estimated due date is July 23, 2009!

We're pretty excited, and looking forward to the day!

Lil S is excited to become a big sister and help with her (she adamantly says it's a girl!)

So that's the big news!

Merry Christmas from Down Under, best wishes for the New Year!

Guess?

Ok so I'm going to post something big on Christmas... well at least big for me (and no not my weight! ha)... Post a comment if you can guess... hehe... but if you already know then don't post a comment, just wish me a happy new year or something...

Happy Holidaze!

Love,
All of us down under! (It's going to be 104 Fahrenheit on Christmas Day here!!!)

A Room at the Heartbreak Hotel

1. Put your music on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing the note as well as the person you got the note from. (Whoever wants to do it, though I'd like to see Stella and E's, as well as Booyah and RMR's)....

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
London Calling (The Clash)

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
One of US (Abba)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
So Tell me Why (Poison)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Frozen (Madonna)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Life Goes on (Poison)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Panama (Van Halen)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
No More Lies (Alice DeeJay)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Pinhead (The Ramones)

WHAT IS 2+2?
Hairspray (James Marsdsen - the Movie Soundtrack)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Close My Eyes (Matisyahu)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Got my Mind Set on You (George Harrison)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
I'm going to Love You (Barry White)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Most Beautiful Girl (Prince)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Vietnow (Rage Against the Machine)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
White, Proud, and Stupid (Propagandhi)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Inside Out (Eve 6)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Signs (Tesla)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Read My Mind (The Killers)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Rudie Can't Fail (The Clash)

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Love is Blindness (U2)

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Miami (U2)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
You got another thing comin' (Judas Priest)

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Breakfast at Tiffany's (Deep Blue Something)

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Satisfaction (Rolling Stones)

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Lovestoned (Justin Timberlake)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Brand New Man (Brooks and Dunn)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Heaven (Live)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
When Smokey Sings (ABC)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
One of These Days (Pink Floyd)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
A Room at the Heartbreak Hotel (U2)

It's not very cerebral Stella

This is my response to this article in Slate...

I don't know what to think really. It's (terrorism) stupid.
Stupid people who think that it's okay to kill people they know nothing about except that they don't want them around. They don't care except to disrupt lives. Bombay's financial market was shut down for the day and maybe day after. Was that their goal? I think they (terrorists) don't have anything to live for, so they decide that going to a city and giving out their vision of justice is okay.

I'm pissed. I've been to Bombay as a kid. It was still called Bombay then. My impressions from back then was that it was super crowded, and I remember that we really didn't leave from the place we staying to roam around. It was never safe in my mind.

I agree that in India, this kind of attack isn't new. Just the fact that they are now OPENLY saying they are targeting Westerners.

There are many Indians in India that are Westerners if you think about it.

Bombay is a multicultural haven, and India has been for many centuries. Jews, Christians, Hindus, and Muslims have lived in India forever... I'm sure back then they fought as well.

In the end, once people realize there is no point killing in the name of a GOD or GODs... there is nothing to gain, just sorrow.

This has happened for centuries, we're just aghast now because we're supposed to be more enlightened than our medieval counterparts.

Sick, so sick!

I just saw the news... and I can't believe the violence. Can't we just stop fighting? What good comes out of killing? Why can't the bloodshed stop? I feel so sick.

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for : (these are in no particular order)

1 My husband
2 My daughter
3 Family - Parents, sis/bro-in-law, the rest you know who you are ;)
4 Friends - you know who you are (my bloggie friends too!)
5 an exciting year, traveling, seeing the world
6 an an even more blessed 2009
7 having a most wonderful and very blessed life.

What are you thankful for?

I'm not an alcoholic, but I like stories

Not that I drink a lot, but I really like crazy stories, and sometimes the truth is pretty interesting...Enjoy!

This was too thought-provoking to pass up!

From the Huffington Post blog, this article was really excellent. I love the idea of compromise in life as well as in politics. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all just get along and make the world a better place?

Enjoy!

8 things tag

8 things!
My sister tagged me!

The 8 Things Tag

8 TV shows I love to watch

well here I don't watch TV at all (and if i do it's either Discovery Channel or History), most of the time I read... so 8 books really for me.. and 5 of them will be the Harry Potter Series since I am the only one on earth who hasn't read the books or seen the movies. And the rest are in my wish list (see link on sidebar)


8 Favorite Restaurants (Didi, I hate that you have to rub it IN MY FACE that you live in HEAVEN there... so I guess local places here in Alice is all I will list...

1. The Glen Helen Gorge Resort Restaurant
(about 1.5 hours from us, but TOTALLY worth the drive)
2. Hanuman - and Indian and Thai fusion restaurant located I think at the Crowne Plaza
3. La Casalinga - good pizza
4. Jade Ebony Cafe - in Alice Plaza, and they have good sandwiches
5. Dennis's house restaurant (open 4 days a week when he's home) - the best food ever!
even good Tex-Mex!!!
6. Flavors of India - but lately their Naan has been over buttered (and didi it's
called Clay Pit, not Pot)
7. Yummy Noodle Box - a really good noodle place
8. My friends' houses - cause they are gourmet cooks unlike me!

8 Things that Happened Today
1. Internet was down (somewhere in Coober Pedy fiberoptic cables were cut shutting
down Internet from there up to Tennant Creek).. cue depression
2. Internet came back up... cue rejoicing!
3. Made breakfast
4. made lunch
5. about to make dinner
6. talked with Dennis about getting a few groceries since he's got his truck today.
7. Thinking about folding all my laundry, and then not doing it!
8. Procrastinating about EVERYTHING!!

8 Things I Look Forward To
1. Thanksgiving- spending time with family!
2. Christmas- love this whole time of year.
3. Shopping for Christmas and decorating!
4. 2009 and hearing prayers answered!
5. Traveling
6. Spending time with the hubby
7. Seeing my family- wish they lived closer.
8. Hanging out with friends and family!

8 Things on my Wish List
1. A sibling for Lil S one day
2. For us to move closer to family one day!
3. world peace
4. getting rid of poverty
5. getting rid of cancer and AIDS
6. i don't know what else...
7.
8.

8 People I Tag

8. any one else that wants to do this!

Remembrance Day

Thank you to all the veterans. Past, present, and future...

It's called Remembrance Day here rather than Veterans' Day as it is in the USA...and I thought that it was a good name. To remember why we have what we have and live in such a wonderful country (countries)...

I usually HATE cooking! But this... well it was fun!

Ok so at the urging of my friend who told me this was an easy recipe. I tried it.. here are my results.. ALL pictures are what I took of the process and the final result. It was pretty tasty, and it was really easy!

Baked Ziti

For variety, add one half cup chopped fresh basil, or eight ounces Italian sausage meat, cooked and crumbled, to the ricotta layer. ( Or Vegetables, eggplant or zucchini cook well with this)

Prep: 40 minutes (Cooking ziti plus throwing together all ingredients into baking dish)
Bake: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
Marinara Sauce (approximately 3.5 cups)
16 oz. ziti (approx 450g)
15 oz. part skim ricotta cheese (approx. 425g)
1/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. salt (If you like it saltier, double this to 1/2 tsp.)
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded (approx. 225g)

*If you want to go all out, shred your own cheese, but if not, the bag kind tastes just as good and is fast ;)

Aussies : A good substitute for marinara here in Oz is the Latina Fresh Tomato & garlic sauce (in the refrigerator section)

1. Cook the pasta as label directs, drain.
2. Preheat oven to 350F or 175C. In large bowl, combine pasta and marinara sauce, stirring to coat. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, and salt (and meat/or veggies). Spoon half of pasta into 13''x9'' baking dish. Spread evenly with ricotta mixture,





and top with remaining pasta.



3. Cover ziti with foil and bake 20 minutes.

Remove foil and sprinkle with mozzarella.





Bake until cheese has melted, about 10 minutes longer. Makes 8 main-dish servings.




Thanks, Jen, for the recipe!!!

Comic Relief

I thought this was a cute video, but then again I could never even beat Mario 1. There are many fun ones on this site, and like the title of the website... well it's called College Humor.

Enjoy :)

Beauty

I think this is a beautiful idea and I think Lil S and I and Dennis will have to do this. I want to think up something great so we can pick it out whenever we go and visit.

I think the more people that do this, the better. It's so we never forget!

Thanks nkleyva from Xanga for the link to the site!

Yes!

Thank goodness it's over!

I thought McCain's concession speech was excellent, and he was really admirable and gracious. He is a good man (I never thought otherwise), and I think he is really sweet in wishing the President-elect well.

I am SO glad that the new president is Barack Obama! I understand that the weight of the world will be on his shoulders on Jan 20th, and beyond, and I truly hope that he will deliver.

We shall see!

Vote

If you are able and ready to vote, please go do it.

:)


VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

Sounds too good to be true!

My friend, Adrienne, told me about this: If we ever have another cat, I am TOTALLY going to try this!!!

Indian "Thriller"

I couldn't resist, hope this makes you smile!

Happy Halloween, y'all

Lil S as Snow White

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!

AWWWWWWWW!

This is going to send me into a depression. I love him!!!! (So did D!!)

I loved this... Obama has a great sense of humor!

At an event Wednesday in Raleigh, North Carolina, Obama said McCain has spent the last few days calling him "every name in the book."

"I don't know what's next. By the end of the week, he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten. I shared my peanut butter and jelly sandwich," Obama said.

from Cnn.com

Why can't I write like her???

She just voiced it MUCH better than I ever could! (read the Oct 28th entry!)

And after Nov 4th, I will quit putting up so many politically motivated posts... but I can't just sit here and not say what I think about what an important election this year is..... GOOOOOO AND VOTE!!!! PLEASE! It will make a difference, and you're doing the country a lot of good by going and voting. You will feel better and maybe get that motivation (from voting) for making changes in your life!


Go Vote!!!

Sad and dishonorable

Why is it that SOME people try to get away with everything during an election season, and try to hide the other less desirable traits?

I applaud the decision to be with your kids if you are a working mom and trying to get them to your job to see what you do is a good move, but to USE state money, it's just atrocious, and dishonorable, and also just plain bad politics. I hope she gets kicked out of Alaska as governor, and has to pay back the 21,000 + dollars that she's ummmm borrowed (yeah,right) from the state!

A Purple State?

Very good, if Utah is saying this, maybe more states will go blue this year!

Seen on Blurbomat's site, but told to him via southerngirl.

Reasons for not voting for McCain, and it's not ONLY because of Palin

This is a reason to not vote for McCain as is this.

Especially women. Especially if you only vote on abortion issues. Read these two excerpts and think about what it means to you.

Seen on Dooce... thanks for posting these!

Go here, educate yourself. Some thoughts.

Again, Stella Tex to my rescue, but go here,

Read it all, please, especially if you are just not sure what to think, and want more information.

Then think about it all.

Then on Nov 4 or during early voting, PLEASE GO AND VOTE, make a difference, make a change. Voting is a privilege and not something to be taken for granted or discarded like trash. Please please go vote.

Thanks.

Oh save us all!

For ones suffering visions of Palin as President... I give you this.


Click around and see what's going on...


Enjoy, you can thank me later!

(Thanks Stella, for the link) It was hilarious!

Just for Steve! and all you SAD OU fans!!!!

READ IT AND WEEP! SO happy here!

Hook'em HORNS!!!!!

What do you think?

The class war Before Palin

I find some truth in it...

Thanks David Brooks (his op-ed piece)

Just go and it's about 2 min 16 seconds...

Click this link if you want to smile! SO good! Thanks Stella!

A few reasons why Sarah Palin should've NEVER been the VP choice

This is a link from my friend Stella's site. It is not eye-opening, but completely something to think about before voting.

Let's say you are in the middle and not sure which way to vote... well not even counting the highly volatile topics... think about books... would you CENSOR books in this day and age at a public library? If it was up to your town to vote, would you vote for that?

Would you be excited to get $150, if you shot and killed a wolf and brought the leg to her office? Seriously what was she thinking?

"Drill, baby, Drill"? I can't even start with this one, but this GOP VP candidate doesn't even care that after her life is over that her kids will end up with a crappy world, but RIGHT now she wants to drill and make her SUV or whatever she drives go a few more miles.

Don't vote for a candidate or anyone who would endorse this insanity. Thank goodness she's not from Texas, we've had enough of those.

This is the first time I have had a blog during election season. I think it's an exciting time, and I really hope that this election, UNLIKE THE 2004 election, something changes and for the better!

Revolutionary Road

Must read the book in enough time before the movie is released in December

CANNOT WAIT..but I don't think it will be ANYTHING like Titanic...

Miscellaneous catch up post but also a Happy Birthday shoutout!

(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.don't steal the pics on my site please)

We're still around...had power knocked out again 2 days ago, but only for a few hours..and yes we had another storm.. It's been cloudy and WONDERFUL (that means in the 70s here)... so needless to say we have been outside and playing while it's good. Soon it will be so HOT.

SO been keeping busy taking pictures and trying to settle into a routine.. we all had coughs/colds for the last week and a half... Also I will be doing NanoWrimo (www.nanowrimo.org) during the month of November. Hopefully will reach 50K! It will be fun. I have posted a counter to keep me somewhat accountable! Keep checking and give me good ideas! hehe

ALSO A Happy belated birthday to our nephew/cousin Andy in NY! We are sending something.. might take a few days! We miss ya! Hope your birthday was wonderful!

Chaos

There has been much chaos in the last week. We landed safely in the middle of a Category 1 Cyclone (that's the rumor anyway) and then came home to find that a tree had fallen onto the top of the carport ripping out the power line. We then had no power for 3 days.

It was crazy. We are all well (other than allergies). Photos from all vacations (especially Hawai'i) are up on flickr. If you need to have me add you to see the family/friend pics just email me.

A view from our place in Hawaii

Treasured Moments!

My friend Sru took this picture when we met up earlier in August. We had a great time.

My child is captured so beautifully! Thanks!

Flashback

Very fun and addicting site! Please post a message with the link to your picture if you decide to do this, this is even better if you get a pic of your significant other and do THEIR picture! I will post Lil S's pics and D's pictures later on...

Also as a note for any new reader, I am not THIS old! but it's amazing how much I COULD actually look like this!

Sigh...

Bittersweet! Won't see family for a year, but we are so excited to travel. In about 1 month will be back down under. I am looking forward to less traffic and a more traveling in and around Oz, but will miss everyone back here, HOME.

Happy 3rd Birthday my sweet pumpkin face!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Olympics watching!

8-8-08!

Is time getting faster, or is it just me?

7 years ago yesterday D and I were engaged, we had a great engagement party, and were about 3.5 months away from graduating from UT Austin. I can't believe it's been that long. Time is flying.. I know that's so cliche to say.

This weekend is Lil S's 3rd birthday, and we're doing a small get together. She is excited but worried that everyone will eat her cake and she won't get any. She is also up late going over a checklist and making sure that I have hats.

I can't believe how much we looked forward to coming to the States for the summer and pretty soon we will be back down under in Australia. It seems like this last year and a half (almost) has really been moving quick. I guess when you have things always coming up (moving, travelling, school, birthday, anniversaries, etc) that it all just seems quick.

New look and vacation soon!

Wanted a new look, hope you like it!

8 more days of school! I can't wait! I am so ready.

Lil S is getting ready to turn 3 (has it really been that long!!!)

Hawaii in 1 month! I can't wait!

Happy Anniversary Honey!

7/27/02

7/28/02

5-16-2008 (Sydney, Australia)

Happy 6th Anniversary! Love you!

What to do

I read cnn.com and I just want to cry. I hope the future is brighter than the present. I wonder what kind of world that we are making and leaving behind.

I hate the news, very very rarely any good and uplifting news.

I think it's easy to try to live in a bubble and ignore everything, but it's even harder to crawl out and see the suffering everywhere else. It almost feels useless to care because the world is just going to hell. I don't want it to, but what exactly can I actually change? Someone tell me and I'd do it. I can't end any wars, I can't make people understand. I can't get heads of state to do a damn thing.

Bill Clinton recently said the country is becoming more and more polarized. I find that to be so true. Despite what people say and do, you can see it in most every issue.

I am not an apathetic person. I try to do my own little bit. But it's never enough.

Turning off the lights at night, and conserving water won't end wars or genocide, or injustice, it will just stave off the eventuality that we need other options. It will happen. My generation is going to have to make the change toward new fuel options and actually do something about it, instead of just making talk. We don't live in an endless surplus and bounty. We can't guarantee that everyone in the world wants to share with us. We can't go hand in hat to the countries that sit on oil and hope they stay our friends. It's silly to even think that anymore. The signs where there in the mid and late seventies, and then were banished.. and now we're all boo-hooing about the cost of gas.

I really honestly wish that the world could get along. I honestly do wish that whenever I sleep. I wonder how it would be done. That's never very clear, but one day I hope that through education (the crux of having some degree of peace) is that my children and grandchildren will see that the world is not a scary place like it seems to be right now.

Feeling a tad patriotic

So I've had another birthday, and getting up there in age.. but it's still the new young. Or so I'm told. Most of us in my immediate family have summer birthdays.. ok well the cutest ones! ;)

Lots to be thankful for. Doing well in classes. Kiddo is such a joy.

Good times! What are you grateful for? I love how good life can be when it's good. And I still remember to be grateful. Here's a sweet pic of Lil S, and hope everyone has a good and safe 4th of July.

Also make sure you get registered to vote. This year it's especially important to vote (as it is in every election), but make sure to get your vote out there and get it counted! I've voted every year since I have been eligible and make sure to read up on all the issues and candidates you can. The information (and mis-information is out there). Read up, you have til November.

Happy 4th of July America.

Photos are my friends

Our friend took this picture of Lil S and I swimming at their pool a couple weeks back. I love how this camera (Nikon D60) makes the pictures look so amazing!!! We are going to invest into one of these cameras soon, and I can't wait to get better acquainted with photography. I really enjoy it. :)

First Carousel Ride

She had a blast, so did I!

Leftover wildflowers and a juice break

leftover wildflowers at a nearby park


Lil S having a juice break with Appupa after watering the plants

Arrived

Arrived in Texas on the 21st after 22 hours in airports and planes. Lil S slept a lot on the planes and I did not. She recovered from jet lag in 1 day. I did not.

Oh well. We're loving being here in Texas but we do miss Daddy, but we do see him every day on the cam. Lil S really only wants to see the kitty and the doggie.

Lil S is in heaven getting her every movement praised by Ammuma and Appupa and getting spoiled rotten! She tells me to go away and for Ammuma and Appupa to help her, but I secretly love it that she loves them so much. Even if it is to boss them around!

Ok, better try to shake off this jet lag! Will post more before summer school starts!

P.S. I AM SO HAPPY THAT DAVID COOK WON American IDOL! YEAH!!!! even though I was flying, I didn't care I missed the finale, but glad that an actually talented person won! So I will watch next year.

Good times!

Dennis, Lil S and, Me

We made it to Sydney safe and sound. Tomorrow's a shopping day, and we found a really good local joint to eat one night! Pictures to follow on Flickr, if I know you just email me and I'll add you to my Flickr account.

We really miss being in a big city, so it's pretty nice. It sooooo noisy and everywhere we go (walking) Lil S covers up her ears.. but the plus side is that she likes publc transportation. Loves planes, trains, and buses!

Heard around our house today

(Lil S at Glen Helen in the Northern Territory of Australia)

D : It [scale] says that the kid weighs 26 pounds [~13kg] .

Me : Last time when we went to the vet I thought she weighed more.

D : Next time we go to vet we'll have to weigh her again.

{we look at each other giggling, and then I run over here to post}

Emo Guy

I just finished watching the time delayed American Idol over here, and I really hope Emo Guy wins.

Oh you don't know who I'm talking about? David Cook! Me LOVES his music!

I thought of the girls Syesha Mercado was good too, the others either fell flat or were just like the other pop crap out there. David Archuleta was good, but he was forgettable like Clay Aiken...

Not that I am simon cowell or anything, but I just have to say that for a person (like me) that hates most every reality tv show, for me to tune in and give a crap is pretty rare.

I love David Cook's singing style, he is versatile, and he's from the same town as the 2 most wonderful people I know outside of my immediate family (Aunt Helen and Uncle John).

*** GO ST. LOUIS***

Hopefully he will win, and I may have faith to watch American Idol next year.

5 things you may not know about me

I've been tagged by Susan, aka Stella, author of The Vegan Tree House.
1. I have to tell you 5 things about myself that you may not know.

2. I have to tag 5 other bloggers. Let's get those bloggers out of the way first:

Stephanie at My Crafty Life
Preethi at Island Hiccups
RMR at My Way
E-lo at Squirrel Stories
and
Booyah, aka Alida, at Pantsless in Seattle

Fives things you may not know about me:

1. Until I was about 12, I wanted to be an lawyer to the point I was obsessed. At 15 or so that changed to want to be a forensic pathologist (also an obsession), after entering college, and getting a degree in elementary education, I eventually learned that I would be best suited to the field of nursing, where I am still attempting to get a degree.

2. I really have a burning desire to be creative. I want to be an artist, a writer, a poet, a knitter/crocheter, but every time I have tried I just think it ("it" being my attempts at said activities) sucks. So maybe one day I will have something come out that’s brilliant, but with my luck it will be posthumous (like all the greats).

3. When I was little, I watched 1950 and 60s television programs almost exclusively (well minus the Jetsons and Flintstones), and my favorites were I Love Lucy, My Three Sons, The Donna Reed Show, and The Monkees. (Stella, this is sick that we had almost the same tv-watching schedule as kids, but I bet you also watched Dallas!)

4. I have sometimes thought I was of Portuguese descent since India was invaded/converted way back when near the area my family is from, in Kerala. Probably not, but I probably will never know since the records I know of are just back to the time of my great great grandfather and all were, as far as I know, 100% Indian.

5. Probably my favorite thing to do in the world is read and watch movies (almost anything and everything). I think that a great book and a great movie (which is pretty rare) was Gone with the Wind.

Bluebell Lorena

(pic of Bluebell when she was at the RSPCA)

Introducing Bluebell Lorena.... she was adopted from our local RSPCA. We are now a complete pet family! The dog has not been formally intrduced except through the door. We anticipate a few days of hissing and spitting and then they should hopefully get along.

Lil S is in love with her, and still calls her "kitty".. but is slowly getting used to her new name.. if you click on her name you will see the inspiration for it... Lorena was picked by D, not me, but it sounded good with Bluebell. Now Lil S says "adowable" (adorable) every time the kitten meows or just is sitting there.

So Scarlett Tex has a lil 11 week old kitten sister name Bluebell Lorena.

Getting cooler

It's already been a few weeks since work has been over, and it's been pretty nice. We are getting some fun house projects completed, and the lil one is also having lots of fun with both of us home when D has his days off.

We go to the park and run around every evening. The weather has turned crisp in the evening, and we even get to wear a light jacket. It's seriously exciting to have to do that after celebrating Christmas with 105 plus degrees Fahrenheit weather.

Just staying busy and running aroud the house and reading tons of books. That's the one indulgence during naptime and night time... I really should sleep, but reading is so awesome! :)

Hopefully with this wonderful weather the hubs will grill out this 4 day break :)

Hap-Sad

Tomorrow will be the last day at work (where I get paid in dollars, not sticky lollipops)

I am hap-sad.

Quite happy that I am able to have the days off when D is off, and also looking forward to traveling. Also not having to get up pre-dawn and get dressed up.

I am sad because I really enjoyed my co-workers and they lovely tradition of "morning teas and afternoon teas". It made me feel throughly Australian and maybe a bit English ;)

I also loved talking to all the vendors and all the other offices all over Australia. Even though I have only travelled a little bit, I got to hear about the other cities and I felt really excited to help out when possible. It was pretty fun and exciting.

I'll still see a lot of my co-workers around town, and even made a couple good friends. I am excited about going home (to Texas- that will always be home even though I don't currently live there) and seeing my family and my friends. I hope we get to see everyone we miss so much!!! I can't wait!

And since I love posting insanely cute pictures of my offspring everywhere here I thought I would, enjoy! If you click on the picture it should take you to her OWN blog.

No Vani-ty here!

So cute I couldn't resist.

Lil S: "I gorgeous, Mama!"

Mama: "Are you gorgeous now?"

Lil S: "No, I am Vani." (Vani is her self prescribed nickname).

I love how the mind of a 2.5 year old works!

Just Because

They love me!

This is what I got to look at all day at work! It was so unexpected and very sweet!

Thanks Lil S and D!

Texas my Texas

I received a comment on my Christmas post that said to update... yes AGAIN it's been a while. I agree. Since Christmas we celebrated New Year's. Then we decided to go on vacation. We had already planned the time off and then decided that we didn't want to drive for 2 days, so we decided to fly to Cairns/Port Douglas, and we did. In this vacation we got to see the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest in that area. It is amazing. I wish we lived there, but then as D keeps telling me, if we lived there it would cease to be a vacation, and I would again want to escape and go somewhere else.


I admit I do have the wanderlust, but I think if we ever move back to Texas (preferably Austin) I never want to MOVE again. I will travel, but never again move. I know part of it was the nostalgia of those wonderful college days, but i love the way I feel alive in Austin. It's just a place on earth that I feel myself. It's hard to describe. I miss it everyday. My friend who lives there has captured how I feel. She understood and she moved back too. I hope that we can get back there as well and I know D feels the same way I do.


Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for the travels we have done and the exciting places we get to visit and live in, but when I was 4 or so and my parents moved from PA to TX. I was hooked. I thought we were moving to another country (and in it's own way it almost is)... I never wanted to leave. But leaving really gave me a great understanding and appreciation for the state.


And to people who just dont' get it please don't assume that JUST because I am from Texas that I fall into all the sterotypes etc. I don't.

As God as my witness we will live in Texas again. I don't know when or how, but it will happen!

Merry Christmas!

Long awaited (procrastinated) update

Hello dear blog,
It's been a long while since i have updated, and i am so sorry. I didn't have much to say.. well i did, but not to have said here in such a public forum. Life is good. Weather is hot as hell, but that's to be expected. We are quickly approaching our first Christmas so incredibly far from home, and YES we are homesick. But it's not so horrible as we keep in touch, talk to home often, and know that there will be one day when we move home.
Lil S is doing wonderful. She is really enjoying being able to play outside all year long. We didn't get that back in Colorado. (We do miss the cooler weather this time of year though. It's disconcerting to put up your Christmas tree when it's 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside)
Work, Lil S, and D keep me busy and running around here. Around end of (American) spring, (Australian fall) Lil S and I will head back to the states for the (American) summer. I am excited. D will join us at the end of summer and we will go and see relatives, and then on the way back to Australia do some island hopping. Definitely looking forward to that.
Again if I don't update as often, it's because there isn't much to update. Things may change and I may update more. But til then go and check flickr. I can add you if I know you. Just email me and let me know who you are and I will send an invite so you can see all the family pictures.

A little turkey, well human, but cute anyway!

Go over to Kelly's blog and tell her congrats, she just had her daughter November 15 (US time).

Kelly is a newspaper writer/editor, and I have been reading her blog for the last year, and she puts it all into the most eloquent and witty words. She is a great read :)

Enjoy!

Best Hubby EVER Award

D and Lil S came by my office today and dropped off this beautiful arrangement for me. D deserves the best hubby of the decade award. Lil S wanted to pose with the "present Mama flower" which is what she said when she came to the office.

All my co-workers thought it was so beautiful too!

Happy 10 years!

Somewhat recent picture (sorry for the redeye!)


about 10 years ago

D,

It's been the best 10 years of my life so far. September 23, 1997 is a day I will never forget! You are the reason! Hope for many many more!
Love,
S

BEST MOVIE (in a VERRRRY LONG TIME)

SAW THIS TONITE! IT's one of the BEST Pixar has made!!!!!

Yes you have to suspend disbelief, and it's very inspiring in that you feel that ANYONE can be ANYTHING!

VERY MOVING!

LOVED IT! GOOOOOO TO THE MOVIESSS!!! DON'T MISS IT!!!

IT WAS A GUT BUSTING GREAT MOVIE!!! FIND A SITTER WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO!

I want to watch it again... good thing it will be out on DVD on Nov 6TH!

Macbook Pro - Fun with Photobooth

View at your own risk!!

We had a great time making faces.. and in most of the other pics I ended up looking like a female Jay Leno... weird... Dennis had a better scarier picture... so I let him have the glory! LOL Enjoy!

Next installment of pics will be Lil S looking weird! HAHA



Me looking like a Shark about to bite D





D Aka CYCLOPS




D looking like an Alien

Ch Ch Ch Changes

Since everyone has been changing up their blogs look, i decided to as well... the only drawback though, is that it ate up all my comments.. and i don't know yet how to fix that, and i did some housecleaning on the links, some were no longer updating, and so I don't go as frequently if at all, so I took them off. I love Blue, and as it's my favorite color I think I will stick with it a while. The green was great when where I lived was green and lush, but here.. well I want to think about a place that is near the water... and here is NOT...

Enjoy the new layout!

Congrats on the new addition Indigogirl!

Drop by and say congrats to one of the bloggers I read every day, Linda, aka Indigo Girl is awesome, and I hope to be like her one day (whenever I go and finish nursing school) but also she's a cool mom and just recently (today) had her newest addition!

Fanatics!

I am a diehard Texas fan, but what happened to this guy should NEVER happen. Scary!

But then again I am also not stupid enough to go into Sooner Country (other than Steve's house) with my UT gear on!

Hook'em Horns!

6 years....

Not a day to dwell. Remember, but not dwell.

So in other news, the job is going well. I enjoy it and enjoy the new co-workers. Lil S did well and helped Dad around the house, and the had a good dad/daughter day.

I missed her a little bit. I wonder what she will learn about this day 6 years ago.

Not too much else going on right now. Gotta go and get some crayons to have a coloring contest with Lil S.

Working Woman

Got a job! Excited! It's going to be nice since we don't have to get day care. I can work around D's schedule. Very exciting now since I can be around non-2 years old at least part time :)

Can't wait for my first day of work!!!

Total Lunacy

So tomorrow we are going to go out and see the Total Lunar Eclipse! It's going to be almost 90% visible (D said)

So gotta charge up the camera and be ready to take some pictures. I don't think the whole world can see it, but I know we are in a pretty good location to; will post the pics into flickr if they are at all good.

EDIT: the pictures were pretty blurry, and there were much better ones taken by many other ppl, but we did get to see it and it was pretty awesome!

We had a cookout and drank wine and watched it, which is a pretty neat way to view an eclipse.

Yes, you can buy me love!

SO sad, I can't watch the current season here, but must order it online as soon as it all comes out!

Awwww Patrick Dempsey *sigh*

Props to D for finding this online on youtube!

Traveling around the internet

It's so funny, now that i moved all the way here to the land down under, I thought I was the jet-setter in the family. It's so weird, but it ended up being my parents instead.

In the last 2 weeks they have been to Tampa, Philly, and next week they will be in California. And my mom is excited about Cali, she's never been and hopes to see a celeb or too, I hope they have their camera charged up!

I wish that it was only a couple hours to jump into a plane and see family or friends, but I am so glad we live in a time where the internet puts us right with family. It's so good to see everyone everyday if we wanted too!

Sometimes D and I chat online after lil S goes to sleep so we don't wake her up accidentally. SO funny to chat online in the same house! Haha

Lil S loves the computer and so far she webcams and plays Sesame Street games.

What would I do if i didn't have the internet out here, let's hope I never find out.

Happy 2nd Birthday Lil S

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Stamp It

"And hey, you know you've officially made it in Hollywood when you find yourself the object of a philatelist's affection."

Click here to check out the story.
Every country is different!

Straight Hair

This is the new hair, I got it straightened and i LOVE it... it's so easy to take care of now!

And E-lo if you look close you can see it, but it's pretty small. I am glad I got it done, and does your dad really believe you? hehe

Friends in other continents

I am back in school (well on Monday) but mostly the classes are online. I have one I will have to go to, and I am excited. I will be a nurse in less than 2 years. It's really exciting.

Lil S is having some tough times transitioning to bed time, but it's also a minor problem as she has moved all the way around the world. In all she is adjusting well, but is quite clingy to mommy. ;) I am sure we all were as 2 year olds.

D is enjoying work, and excited about exploring the outback. It's a great adventure and we learn new things about Australia every day. It's beautiful out here in the winter (think Phoenix in America in January). Not a cloud in the sky and virtually no rain. I know that most of our family in Texas wish for that now... NO rain! heh

The Dog is loving being with us, she is very well mannered, doesn't beg too much, and goes to sleep in her dog bed. She is also housetrained which is very nice, since our previous pets weren't as well trained. (we still miss them though)

We wish we were with family right now, missing everyone a lot, but making lots of new friends. Plus all the kids love playing with each other!

Out of the mouth of Babes

So this evening while watching some Little Einsteins after dinner she asks me, "What's that Mama?"

I say to her, " That's a trumpet."

She looks at me and says,"A strumpet?"

After that every time we see/hear a trumpet play in the episode, she gleefully yells "STRUMPET!"

Tonite we met some really nice people. I think around new place and new people I get nervous and say anything and everything that pops into my head. D really notices that. I think it's more that I want to make a good impression, and I hate long silent pauses.

So I hope that as people get to know me that they will forgive me that quirk. But it's me. Oh well.

We are adjusting well and supposed to be getting our things we shipped via ship in the next couple weeks, so I guess I should hang up those clothes that have been sitting on the bed in the spare bedroom! hehe... procrastination is such a bad thing,but I am sure I'll get that done this week. That's the goal anyways!

We have made a few friends in the neighborhood and a couple of them have kids close to Lil S's age, which is nice, cause when we get together, for the most part the kids play well together. Sometimes they bicker over toys, etc.

Some days it's easy, but other days the terrible 2s rear their ugly head. These are the days I wished we lived close to Grandma and Gramps and Aunt and Uncles. It's hard being away from them. And Lil S really misses them, but she doesn't know how to say it. But we do love this modern age we live in, and she does like to see them online and see their pictures. So it's not too bad.

I have updated a ton of pics on flickr from our various trips/moving. If you have a flickr acct and want to see ours, email me and I will add you into my friends/family group. And it's free if you want to join :) it's so much easier than sending huge attachments etc!

Ok... gotta go and sleep!

Home

He thinks that there are better pictures than this, but when I see this picture I know where home is. If you want to use this picture for whatever reason, at least put that Dennis K took it. Thanks

Good times

EDIT : We named the dog SCARLETT TEX (one friend is obsessed with scarlett o'hara and my sis suggested tex)

It suits her well!

***************

Ok I better update! It's been almost a month. I can't believe soon it will have been a month since we left Texas and well the US.

I just turned 28 yesterday. We went out to a nice dinner sans baby, and then out to the local casino where we won about $150. It was great, we left without spending our winnings!

We miss home, but here it's a lot like home, so while we miss family and friends we have been adapting pretty well. We have friends here and are enjoying taking LiL S out to play everyday in the fantastic weather. Since it's winter here there is no HEAT yet, that will come Jan-March here.

We have a new addition to the household of the canine variety. It's a girl and she is 4 years old. She is a Terrier Mix.

We still haven't named her yet, so if anyone has a suggestion please let us know. The above picture was taken while she was trying to sleep. We want to give her either an Australian name or a Texan name or a combo...

En Route

we went to india and came back... Lil S and I are pretty much recovered and now next week we move... so we'll have to get used to sleeping at weird times yet again.

D and I are in Austin on a last trip minus Lil S. She is getting spoiled rotten with RMR and the grandparents. It's so good for her. She LOVED India and didn't want to leave. She still asks for Anina and Max and just misses life there.

Will update again when I get settled.. hopefully with pictures... I gotta upload a ton...

In India

We arrived safely, and are doing well. I was a little under the weather yesterday, but today feel MUCH Better.

Going to do some shopping!

Tomorrow we go to Kerala. I am excited. It's been 19 years, way too long and I should have come sooner!

Delhi is so amazing. Very very hot, but just full of history and culture. It's so different from anywhere in the US. I am excited to see more of the city today.

The second night we were here we went to the Red Fort to see the light show. It covered the history behind the red fort. I was in awe. Shah Jahan (the ruler who built the Taj Mahal) built the red fort and you can definitely see the similarities.

Baby S is doing well, staying inside most of the day as we aren't used to the heat, but she LOVES Indian food, so she is just happy to dip all her food with curries.

Still a little jet lagged, but once we get to Kerala I am sure we will adjust.

Will try to update again from Kerala.

just been watching the news out of Virginia, oh it makes me so sad. I can't even imagine the pain the families are all going through. I just woke up this morning thinking it was a nice day and we took the lil one to the park. I kept hearing about Virgina, but wasn't sure about exactly what was happening. I think we take so much for granted.

I don't have much more to say. It makes no sense.

Big Trip

Oh I am doing a heck of a lot better, and I can't wait til Sunday. After a month I will see D... It will be nice to spend the week together.. and then we're off to the Motherland... That will be a TRIP. I know that India's changed in 20 years... but when you read about it or hear it secondhand it's not the same as seeing it... I am excited. I just can't wait to get the plane part done... I really am not fond of the plane flight and with a 20 month old... Argh... hehe

Got all the packing done, and now just waiting. Texas has cooled off a bit so still wearing some of my Colorado clothes... getting the last use out of them.. hah..

I don't know if I will have a chance to update from India or not, we'll see til then stay tuned...

Zyrtec dreams

ahhh.. Texas is so nice.. without the benefit of allergies... it's so much easier to breathe too..

I got on some nice Zyrtec and it really knocks you out.... but oh heck it makes you feel better after you get over being so groggy. I felt like I was swimming all day.

It's so humid here, compared to Colorado. Oh I am sure once we move again we will miss this humidity... NOT.. hehe

Dog got a new home, and we hear she is loving it. She is with the in-laws. I am glad that we get to know how she's doing even though she doesn't live with us now.

Not too much going on...Oh yeah the house is under contract (thank god). It went within a week of being on the market. So we are happy. I can't wait til we don't have to pay mortgage. Very exciting. I used to remember the days that we were wanting a house... the next house we ever buy better be the last. I don't like MOVING at all....

Ok.. off to Zyrtec land.. i mean sleep!

This is what my brain looks like this week. I can't wait til about 2 weeks from now, and this week is but a memory... selling a house is SO MUCH MORE WORK than buying a house... never again!
Then onto Texas. I can't wait... though I have to admit, leaving your home, a place where you brought your baby home to is quite an emotional thing. It's hard, but I know we are going to have an adventure, and now I am looking forward to it.