Well we finally spent our Bunnings Gift Vouchers that we got from our Engagement Party back in March...a BBQ!! :)  It's not the one we originally were going to get as they no longer supply that one :(  Which is a bit of a bummer b/c it was really nice and good quality, but this one's a good first barbie ;)  It's a Jumbuck 4 burner, very excited to try it out!  I've never barbied before!!  Exciting, a whole new way of cooking, should be fun experimenting!! :)  Got any good recipes or tips let me know ;) 

And I finally got myself a bike!!! :D :D  It's been about 3ish years since I've been on one!  But finally decided it's time to get this butt back in shape, I'm not a runner and I can never get motivated to go to the gym, so biking, walking and trying out SUP this summer it is :)  Came home after buying it today and went straight out for a test drive.  6km, short, but it's a start I think :)  Felt good and was nice to be able to ride with Dan, you all know he loves riding his bike! :)  Definitely be doing more of it together!

Ok, that's it for today, just thought I'd give you a quick update before I head back to work tomorrow and get caught up in the rat race.  Make sure to READ MY PREVIOUS POST, that I posted yesterday, just below :)  Chow for now xx

Portfolio For School

Thought I'd show you all what I'll be presenting at my interview for school next month (Oct).  Obviously looks better in person but it gives you an idea :)

Above: One self portrait I took in Mexico underwater and two of Grant I took in Canada, had a mini photo shoot with him, was fun :)

Above: Butchart Gardens in Canada

Above: Took these on my last trip in England

Above: Tonka & Junior <3 p="p">

Above: A couple more from England

Above: From my last trip in Canada

Above: Dad that's you on the left ;) Other ones from the sunset in Cali while I watched Dad & Shelly surf x 

Above: was the first newsletter I made for IKEA Food Department. 

Above is the second newsletter I made and below is the third.  You can see (or at least I can) the improvement from the first one to the most recent.  Really enjoying doing this part of my job :) 

October is coming up quickly and I hope they call me sooner rather than later to book in this interview, looking forward to doing it and finding out if I'm in the course or not.  Then we can start concreting some wedding plans in and of course I have more of an idea what's going to happen in my life in the year to come :)

I'm off to a Naturopathist the end of this coming week.  I'm so sick of taking drugs for my allergies and random sicknesses.  So I'm going to pursue a more natural route with the hopes it helps/works and/or curse me in the long term.  I've talked to a few people at work who take vitamins for it and say each year it gets better and heard if you stay off the antihistamines, etc for 3+ years your body will cure itself, will build up it's on immune system to it.  So wish me luck, I hope this all works, I'm willing to put in the few years of suffering if it cures me or at least reduces it for longer term.

Also off to get my eyes checked on the same day, wanting to get some new glasses.  The ones I have are heavier (metal) and small so I see the rims plus I can only see close up with them not far away, so I don't really wear them out of the house (I should really be wearing them at work!).  So I'll get an up to date prescription and then buy me some new, bigger/lighter glasses that I can wear possibly all day every day.  I'll send you a pic ;)

Been a pretty busy week at work, it's school holidays!!  AHHH pull my hair out!  But oh my goodness some super cute babies!!  I am looking forward to school holidays being over though, even though it's good for business, none of us really enjoy it, get more grumpy customers and lots of screaming, dirty kids (feel for the parents).  It's a bit of a nightmare, but we will make it through :)

Get my Aussie driver's license soon :)  I had to get my history from Canada first so had to get onto ICBC which took a little while.  But I've got that now so just need to book myself in and it should be a straight swap, no tests, just a small fee and that's it, gotta like it!! :)

It's our weekend off together today/tomorrow, I wanted to go and look at some push bikes, maybe buy one (time to get my but out and get some cardio back!), but it's windy nasty rainy out, not really push bike riding/testing weather.  I'm hoping tomorrow will be better if not then on our next weekend off together, but looking forward to going out for rides especially with nicer weather coming! :)  I think I'll start with riding around the block first without dying and then head out for some longer rides.  Sad I know but true :P

Well, it's time to snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie.  Well maybe after the Grand Final's done, everyone will be home watching that today!  AFL for those of you who don't know, it's a big day for Aussie's and their AFL (so the majority of the country!), I still don't get it, hence why I'm on my blog and doing other things ;) xx

Some Pics :)

This should make you smile :)  What a big softy, but he's my (and Dan's;) softy :D x 

Dan's got the map & camera, I've got the Aussie phrase book & binoculars, we should be set to see the sights :D

We went to a Quarter of a Century 'Fancy Dress' party.  hehe, was good fun.  Girlfriend Tahnee turned 25, we met her in Canada funny enough, about 5 years ago, we worked up Mount Washington with her and lived with her for a year as well.  She's Aussie and lives just down the road from us now with her family.  What a small world!!

Birthday girl and me :) x 

hehehehehehe, these costumes made me laugh/smile from the moment I came up with the dorky/silly idea!  And Dan played the role oh so well :)  Good fun.

Spring is in the air.

We finally got our car! :)  SO nice to drive, except I'm a little nervous that I'm going to fall asleep while driving it.  It's just a bit too easy!!  Between the auto, climate control, auto lights, auto wipers & super comfy seats...ZZZZzzzzzzzz.  haha.  But she runs like a gem, got some umph to her, the diesel chugs along but she's quieter than our last two cars which is nice.  So all in all so far it's been a good buy :)  And the extra room will be handy to have even if people call it our 'family wagon'.  I think Dan's in a bit of denial buying a 'practical' car, hehe.

Life's slowed down a bit at the moment, thank goodness, some breathing room.  I've been slowly putting together a bit of a portfolio for this interview for school next month.  I've put in some photos I've taken over the past few years and some newsletters that I've been making for work.  Hopefully it's enough with my limited knowledge/resources.  Looking forward to having the interview and then finding out if I got in or not (hopefully sooner rather than later!).

Work's slowed down now a bit too, ahhhhh.  I got really sick last week, sinus infection/hay fever/asthma...yuk!  So I was out for pretty much a week, was not fun!  Today's the first day where I've felt myself again which is nice.  The work load at work as lightened (especially with Con no longer my boss and dumping all his work onto me), so I've managed to get out on the floor more, interact with co-workers/customers more and just have the business chug a long at a nice pace, been really nice!!  My new boss Peter seems to be settling in ok, slowly.  He has a different approach to things, not so rough around the edges which is kind of nice.  Still getting used to the dynamic change and he's still learning his role and how the restaurant operates, so we'll see how things progress over the next couple of months.

Life at home has been pretty quiet as well.  We did a big clean of the house the other day, inside, outside and the garage, re-arranged, organized & cleaned which I always enjoy the feeling afterwards.  Feels like things are under control a bit more again, organized.

Dan and I haven't been up to much, a few movies out, movies in, dinners out, walks with Junior, like I said, it's been pretty mellow lately.

I've been sussing out bridesmaid dresses lately, time to start seriously planning this wedding, under a year away now and if you all know me, I like to be organized and have everything done and ready before hand, or as much as possible.  So bridesmaid dresses will be the next thing to tackle, along with invites, my wedding band and getting my dress altered.  That should keep me occupied for the next few months :)

Well that's it.  Missing my family and friends everyday.  Everyday I wish that we were closer in km's, but there's nothing I can do about that so keeping in touch is my best option :)  Love you xxx

Little Update

What a windy day!  What a windy month!  This isn't windy Wellington but it sure feels like it!!

We have yet to pick up our new car :(  Just waiting on a part to come in so they can fix it.  The 'pollution' light keeps coming up on the dash and they said they'd fix the problem before handing it over.  So it looks like another few days wait, hopefully Monday or Tuesday they said.  I hope so!!  I want to get our new toy so I can have some fun with it! :D  hehe.

Went to the Chisholm Institute info night last night (the school I've been looking at) and I'm really glad I went!  I was stressing out about getting a portfolio together seems I don't really have the resources to do some of things they were asking for, but when I spoke with one of the teachers he said don't stress about it too much, just give them what I've got, some photography, the newsletters I've been making for work, that kind of stuff, but because I'm a 'mature' age student (haha) they hold that higher then the portfolio, as long as I can prove I've got an artistic eye that's ok, they can see that I'm committing to going back to school rather then just straight out of highschool 'because I have to' kind of attitude, know what I mean?!  Also found out the course starts late Feb, so 6 months still until I would start, can't believe it's that far away!  But I suppose it'll go by quickly and it gives us some time to sort a few things out before hand.  So it all sounds promising and now being a permanent resident definitely helps reduce the cost of studying here, yippeee! :D  Got to have a look around the facilities and at some of the stuff the students create, looks like fun!!  So I have to wait until next month now, they'll contact me and I'll have an interview with them that month and present my portfolio then as well, then I have to wait another month or so until I know if I've gotten in or not, then it's to sort out the finances.  So it'll be another waiting game, I'm over these waiting games, but I suppose 'it's all about the journey' right?!

We'll probably be moving shortly after I start school (if it all works out) as well as the lease is up mid-March, so it'll be a busy year between planning a wedding, starting school, working & moving, but super excited/exciting!!!!

That's the news for now.  Feeling a bit sorry for myself at the moment, sick :(  On top of my horrible chronic hayfever I've got a head cold :(  Hopefully it won't last too long.  It was beautiful sunny 20C all last week, it was SO nice!  But windy and cooler this week :(  Good ol' Melbourne weather!  Ok, well best try and get a few things done today, just at a slower pace.  Love to you all, lots of exciting new adventures coming up! :)  And I'm SO excited for the wedding next year, I think with each day goes by the more excited I get, I be jumping out my skin to get over there by the time it comes around!! :D xx

Phase 1 Completed

A few photos of Junior I forgot to add when he had his dew-claw out, he's all better now, thank goodness but was a bit of a sook when he had it done, I suppose I would be a bit too.

His club foot, whacked me in the head with it once too lol.  Poor thing.  And I couldn't help but laugh when he first got it put on (I know, I'm a horrible person!) but it just looked so funny and the way he was hoping around.

He sat there looking ridiculous for a good minute!  Didn't know what to do with himself, wondering what the hell we'd just done to him.  lol, again, couldn't help but laugh when he got it put on (I know I'm just wicked!).  Well it didn't last long anyway b/c he was running round the house not too long after we put it on trying to shake it off and running into everything (including our legs), so we had to take it off.

This is his another of his favorite spots (especially when we're eating dinner), yes it looks like he's in the naughty corner but there's actually a heat vent there which he'll sit overtop of.  Too funny!! lol.

Oh my goodness what a week!!!

So I'll start off with what's been going on at work, we've just had a new K-launch (catalogue launch) which has been a massive undertaking!  It's completely changed our menu in the restaurant and prices which means a hole lot of work ordering the new stock in, training coworkers how to prep/cook it, making sure co-workers understand the new menu board layout, new prices, what the new dishes look like, about our new specials and when they are on, a lot to take in for everyone!  On top of that we had a Crayfish Party the other night (a Swedish tradition) which was another big undertaking getting that all prepared, luckily it was only one night, it was fun, something different to do, but I think we're all kind of glad it's over.  We also had our Food Audit last week, did really good if you're wondering, top in the country, ever, good on us! :)  And of course I've had endless sickies to try and fill in their shifts for, annuals and movements in our management team.  What a crazy month!!  I'll be glad when it all smooths out for a bit again (hopefully soon!)!

Ashleigh on the register, hehe, love the hat and bib!

about 350 people in total (it was a private function, ticket holders only, so we had to turn away anyone without a ticket)

Phase 1 of slashing our bills is done: we bought a new car!!! :D  It's a 2007 Puegeot 307 turbo diesel.  We pick it up in a couple of days on Wednesday.  So excited!!  We went car shopping this past weekend on Saturday, luckily we found one just before everyone shut for the day.  It ticks all the boxes for us and then some.  It's white, very economical, supposed to get 700km-800km out of it just driving around town and even more when on the highway, that's 250km-350im MORE then what I'm getting out of our current car the VW.  It's auto everything, great speakers, auto headlights when it gets darker out, auto wipers (detects rain), central locking, the list goes on, we're just super excited to play with our new toy!  hehe.  And I'm super happy that we found something so economical, with a bit more space and newer!!  Oh, it's classified as a wagon but I think it looks more like an enlarged hatch (not your typical wagon look) so I call it our 'watch' or 'hagon' hehe.  As you can tell I'm a bit excited.  This also means we're one car less, which means Dan will be cycling or motor-biking it everywhere and if he needs the car or if it's really nasty out then we have to juggle it around some how, I'm sure we'll manage for the amount of money we're saving! :)

Car sales man let both Dan and I write 'SOLD' on the windows, good fun, nice added touch for the customer :)

Got sent this photo the other night when I was working late.  Dan in bed with Junior, Junior using Dan as a pillow, thought it was pretty darn cute!

It's was a gorgeous weekend out!  First day of spring this past Saturday the 1st, sunny both days up to 20C and we ate it all up!  Aussie Father's Day on Sunday so we decided to head up to the in-laws in Warburton Saturday eve, spent the night and chilled out with them on the Sunday.  Had a nice lunch with the family and we pretty much sat in the garden all day, got some color finally! :D  It was so nice just to relax, enjoy the sunshine, Dan cut up some wood (that's his job when he visits:), I got a lesson on baking vanilla slices (snot blocks as Dan calls them), a very nice weekend all in all!  Looking forward to more of the nice weather!

Dan all geared up the other week to go get some fuel.  hehe.  Yes, it wasn't that nice out but fuel price was low so he thought he'd do a fuel run, came back and said he nearly kept on going.  Thankful he didn't b/c we had the day off together and had some plans.  He absolutely loves his Harley and riding it, say's 'you can't help but smile while you're riding it' and I agree!

For those of you wondering where the wedding is going to be held, here's a map of Koh Samui and where it says 'Faraway Wedding Villa' is where our wedding venue is.  I've had some questions around accommodation recently, Dan and I are able to do a group booking (all stay at the same place) which means that the more people we book in the better deal we get on the price of the rooms.  So with that, if you know you're coming or if your 98% sure you're coming: let me/Dan know so we can start looking into booking those rooms.  Probably can't do it until the end of this year/beginning of next but we need to a rough idea of how many rooms we need to book, so inbox me if you're interested within the next couple of weeks pretty please! :)  We'll be staying there for the first week or so and then head somewhere else after the wedding for the honeymoon, not sure where as of yet.

Just thought I'd give you an idea where Warburton is, the red star on the map above.  It's about 1.5hr drive from hours, in the hills, beautiful, quiet, secluded, green, away from the hussle and bussle and drive isn't too bad either.

Alright, time to go to work.  Love to you all and let me know asap if you're interested in the group booking.  Chow for now.

Some Great News :)

Talking to Mum on Skype today, talking about my permanent resident, wondering how much longer it's going to take, one month-two years?  Wondering if it's going to effect my chances of getting into school (b/c I'm a 'temporary' resident not permanent)??  Well, checked the mail after our Skype and guess what was sitting in there?!  My Australian Permanent Resident grant, yippeeee!! :D  Did a happy dance around the house that's for sure!  What great news!!  And it's come at such a perfect time for me, just the pick-me-up I needed!!  So happy that it's come through!  What a process and waiting game that all was!!  Nearly 3 years it's taken, but wait no more!! :D :D :D :D

So with that, it should (hopefully) make applying for school that much easier.  And what's this school business I'm talking about you're wondering?  Well, I've decided that I want to go back to school and study Diploma of Graphic Design.  It's a full time course for 1.5 years.  I sent in my application last week, had some issues due to my visa status being temporary at the time, but now that shouldn't be a problem.  There's an information night next week which I'll be going to, see the classes, meet the teachers, ask questions and I'll be able to let them know that I now have permanent resident status now, yippee! :)  And why have I decided this as I was just talking about staying in my job in my last blog?  Well, I've decided that yes I'm grateful for the opportunity that I've been given to broaden my leadership skills and learn more about the 'business' side of a business, it's been pretty tough especially with the more I learn and the longer I'm in the position.  It's been pretty darn stressful!!!  There's more to it but I don't want to get into the details.  I just want to have fun and works really become work, the work-life balance is not very balanced and I can't say that I'm happy doing it.  So I'm taking a leap of faith and hope for the best.  There is the chance that I don't get excepted, I will just have to figure out my next option, deal with that when/if it comes to it.

(P.S. let's keep that school info off of facebook for now, I haven't told anyone at work yet, don't want to shoot myself in the foot until I know what's going on.  Muchly appreciated!:)

Dan and I are off to look at some cars next weekend.  Wanting to trade in both of ours for one newer one, not new, at least get in the 2000's now, moving up in the world ;)  hehe.  We would like to get something that's fuel efficient but at the same time we'd like an SUV, more room for camping, dog(s).  So we'll see what we find, keep ya'll posted :)

Went out this past Friday with Rel to look at some bridesmaid dresses.  Happy to report that we found one that is high on the list, will have to try it on and show Dan, get his approval.  Wouldn't mind looking a couple more, but if not that's fine, I really like this one.  That's the wedding update, it's slow and steady planning.

I've stopped myself from looking at new places to live as it's silly because we can't move until our lease is up in March, so start looking again Jan/Feb time, hopefully find something!!  Not much else going on at the moment, all that's keeping me pretty busy plus all the everyday life/domestic stuff.  Day by day at the moment, one step/thing at a time, otherwise I stress myself out, get a bit overwhelmed.  That's it from me today, enjoy the last of your summer for those of you coming out of it, we're just heading in and man I can't wait! :) xx

Daily life.

Well I can't say that I've been keeping up with emails and my blog very well these past few months.  Don't really have any excuse really.

Dan and I took our new toy for a nice joy ride a few weekends ago.  We went down the Mornington Peninsula, it was a gorgeous sunny day out, a bit chilly still, but so nice to feel the breeze, smell the fresh outdoors and enjoy the ocean views!  If you look at the map, we live in a suburb called Chelsea (not on map) which is between Frankston and Mordialloc, so we drove from home right past Mornington to Mount Eliza (not on map), back round up to Mordialloc and back home.  What a nice day that was!  And I love being the passenger b/c I get to switch off completely and just chill out (the sissy bar helps so I don't fall off the back when I'm not paying attention;)  We were invited on a massive bike trip to the States next year by some of the bikers at the store we bought the Harley from.  Unfortunately b/c of the wedding we cannot go, but it would of been fun, a month in the States, flights, accommodation, bike hire, food all included, maybe next time.  There's a few big rides coming up we might go on and of course with the warmer weather coming around there'll be lots of group rides if we want to join.  Fun!!!

Did a week long course last week 'Discovering the IKEA Concept'.  Man was it full on!!  9+ hour days, taking in lots of info, but it was good fun!  Lots of activities, group games, had to do a group presentation everyday.  Learnt a lot!  Interesting to see where it all comes from, why & how we do things ie: one of our values is 'cost consciousness' and learning how we apply this to all business aspects to keep low price for our customers.  Of course learnt about: IKEA product range, IKEA supply chain & customers, IKEA cultures & values and lots of other things.  Very interesting but man was I exhausted by the end of the week!!

We've also had a change in management in our team.  So our Kitchen Production Manager Brian took a Sales Manager position leaving his position open, my manager Con decided he would go for it and got it which means now we have to fill his position.  So, I had a long hard thought and some conversations with Dan on whether or not I'd apply for it, I think I've finally decided no for a few different reasons.  I'd like to have the opportunity to learn and grow under some else, still want to gain more knowledge, confidence in the leadership role, so I don't feel like I'm quite ready for it without putting added stress/pressure on myself. I'm excited to see who I will be working closely with in a couple of weeks, hopefully they're better in some areas that my manager isn't and just as good in others.  We will see.  Nothing ever stays the same though, always changing, keep up if you can!!!

Dan's doing well in his role although not gaining much support from his manager which isn't great.  Sounds like his manager is a bit lazy, wouldn't be surprised if Dan takes his role in the near future or surpasses him.  But he's enjoying it, challenging him which is great!

Junior in his favorite spot, over the heat vent!  Turned it on the other day, he went straight over and lied right ont top of it, no wonder the house wasn't warming up!!  hehe, very cute.  A daily occurrence now, at least until we don't need to turn the neat on any more.  Still tossing around the idea of rescuing another dog, a friend/play mate/companion for Junior.  Although it would be nice to have a bit of a bigger yard for him to run around in, so we're tossing around the idea of moving somewhere with a bit more space and hopefully cheaper when our lease is up next year in March.  We'll see what happens.  Would be nice knowing he's not on his own all day and would be nice to have a bit more space and pay less.

My dress is in the mail!!!! :D  My wedding dress that is ;)  Cannot wait to get it!  Cannot wait for the wedding!  And to start planning it more!  In the new year, head down bum up work work work (as is right now) and get everything planned.  Exciting!!  I can't believe it's nearly only a year away.  It was more than a year and a half away when we booked it!  Crazy how time flies.

Well, must get caught up on those emails now.  Hope everyone is well, always thinking of you all.  Miss my family and friends everyday, wish I could have it all, the life I have now but surrounded with all of my family and friends!!  Sigh, I suppose that's why technology is great!!  Love ya xxx