liveˈliv:v; to have a life rich in experience

a life abroad in australia & adventures along the way
10/09/2013

Mom’s Visit to Brisbane

Like I said in the previous post: (*4 weeks in the states) my mom and I arrived Sunday evening where poor Ryan had to wait for our arrival due to delays.

My mom and I were terribly jet lagged the next day waking up at 4 am and starting our day at 6am, where the three of us went to Moray Cafe for brekky.  We then walked to the Sydney Ferry Stop so that my mom could see the CityCat, Story Bridge and the City in the distance.  Ryan went to work, and my mom and I started our first day together.

Our first stop was Merthyr Centre so that we could drop off Ryan’s drycleaning, and went to Coles and looked around the stores nearby.

I took my mom to Inala, so that she can see the Vietnamese community and stores out that way.   We bought our groceries there and had lunch at Tan Thanh.  My mom gave away her foreign-ness when ordering in pounds instead of kilos when buying meat at the butchery.

After Inala, we returned home, and my mom prepared food for the week, and we relaxed and had dinner when Ryan got back from work.   My mom got to see us play dodgeball, which we won 16-10.  She seemed to enjoyed it.

Today was picture day.  We went to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and took photos with Koalas and Kangaroos.  Afterwards we spend some time at the Botanical Gardens near Mt Coot tha, and also checked out the lookout spot and had lunch there.  We shared Barramundi and Chips.

It was a good day, and now we are relaxing, then off to the dry cleaners to pick up Ry’s shirts…then wait for Ry to come home and have dinner.  Photos to follow…Mom in Inala IMG_0329 IMG_0339 IMG_0349 IMG_0354 IMG_0371 IMG_0409 IMG_0420 IMG_0431 IMG_0439 IMG_0451 IMG_0452 IMG_0454 IMG_0455 IMG_0458 IMG_0459

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09/09/2013

Jenny and Ryan’s Wedding, 10 Aug 2013

My cousin and nephew

My cousin and nephew

from the same womb at different times

from the same womb at different times

baby swing DSC_1474 DSC_1471 DSC_1472 DSC_1470 DSC_1479 DSC_1485 DSC_1488 DSC_1489 DSC_1498 DSC_1496 DSC_1495 DSC_1492 DSC_1499 DSC_1500 DSC_1504 DSC_1507 DSC_1514 DSC_1512 DSC_1511 DSC_1510 DSC_1515 DSC_1518 DSC_1530 DSC_1533 DSC_1543 DSC_1541 DSC_1540 DSC_1538 CSC_1815 DSC_1551 DSC_1552 DSC_1553 DSC_1565 DSC_1555 DSC_1554 DSC_1567 DSC_1568 DSC_1579 DSC_1583 DSC_1590 DSC_1588 DSC_1587 DSC_1585 CSC_1816 DSC_1594 DSC_1596 DSC_1606 DSC_1657 DSC_1647 DSC_1622 DSC_1616 DSC_1682 DSC_1690 DSC_1700 DSC_1716 DSC_1740 DSC_1736 DSC_1734 DSC_1717 DSC_1741 DSC_1755 DSC_1758 DSC_1779 DSC_1812 DSC_1805 DSC_1788 DSC_1787Currently, I am sitting in the living room, as my mom is in the kitchen preparing dinner.  How lucky am I?! Never in a million years would I have thought my mom would visit me here in Brisbane, and see how I’ve been living, so it’s pretty cool.  I still can’t believe she is here.  We arrived on Sunday evening after a 10.5 hr delay with our flights. Thought I’d take this time to reflect on my trip home, since I did not have any down time to blog.  I found myself describe the whole trip as a whirlwind of activities.  I did not get to see or spend time with all the people I wanted to see, it was difficult to match up times, and be accommodating towards friends with a tight schedule, and also when I did not have a car everyday. I left Brisbane and arrived at LAX on Friday 8/8, and was greeted by my friend Krystal.  It was so sweet for her to pick me up, and we got to catch up on the way down to Westminster.  We had lunch at Brodard’s and had a delicious meal- and I had my nem nuong fix. That day I hung out with Lilly and my nephew, Minh.  We drove to Val’s house to pick her and Chloe up to go to South Coast Plaza.  Afterwards, Lilly dropped me off to pick up the car from Thay’s house so that I have one to drive for the next few days. Friday, I hung out with my mom and we went shopping in Costa Mesa, and then I went home to get ready for my cousin’s wedding/reception.  It was so great getting to see most of my rellies at the same time. Saturday was Minh’s 2nd birthday party celebration -and the theme was Mickey Mouse.   Mom and I spent the morning running around getting stuff to prepare for the party.   There was a good turn out and the weather, of course was great.   10 July 2014: I started this post…but never completed.  I can’t remember that far back.  But I will post this anyway.

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10/04/2013

Self Care is…walking around South Bank taking photos

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Gallery | 04/03/2013

Cat Power

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24/01/2013

Shadow Shifts

Right now it is 2:21am and I’m on my shadow shift with my two lovely colleagues. It is my first overnight shift with this new job.

My first shadow shift was yesterday when I worked from 2:30-11:30pm. It wasn’t so scary as I had felt starting out. The kids were cool- we took them out to the golf range, returned and prepared dinner. The kids were competing over workouts-who could do the most push ups, pull ups, crunches etc.

Then they had their showers and relaxed with some tv- they also talked to me about what it was like for them to be addicted to their substance use. 10:30 is bed time so they eventually made their way.

There were a few incidents, but all in all- it wasn’t too bad.

Two kids have left the program and we are now left with two. Hopefully they will be able to complete the program-we are on day 3 out of the 11. They are pretty sweet kids.

We do bed checks every three hours and document them. 2:30 now. I have 6.5 more hours.

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09/01/2013

Celebrating Ryan’s Birthday

Ryan’s birthday celebration included both his dad and his brother this year, which was pretty fantastic.   We all went to the Norman Hotel to celebrate.

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28/12/2012

Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium

Ryan’s sister won some tickets to see the Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium, and we got to all go together while their brother and his son were in town.

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17/12/2012

Class of 2012 Graduation



DSC_0016 2Bell Family Siblings DSC_0053Two years passed by quickly.  Ryan and I came out to do what we set off to do.  He graduated with a Master’s of Environmental Resource Management, and me, Master’s of Social Work.  Now let’s get some real life hands on experience!

Ryan's Graduation 2012

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Video | 12/12/2012

12-12-12 Gotye at Riverstage

Ryan got me tickets to see Gotye for my birthday this year.  We took the CityCat from Sydney Street to QUT Gardens Point and walked to Riverstage around 5:30pm when doors open.  We then made our way to the front (whenever possible, I love to be in the front).  It was an incredible show, and Gotye performed brilliantly.

Gotye started off the show with Making Mirrors, followed by The Only Way.  My favorite was State of the Art, and of course, I Feel Better.  It was all quite quirky and entertaining.  He had his whole band  up there.  It was awesome.

I took many photos and video footage, to share, but being there live, front row was sensational.  Once it was over, I managed to get the set list from one of the stage men who was nice enough to get me it.

The Setlist:

  • Making Mirrors
  • The Only Way
  • What Do You Want
  • Easy Way Out
  • Smoke
  • Thanks for Your Time
  • State of the Art
  • Don’t Worry
  • Dig Your Own Hole
  • Eyes Wide Open
  • Night Drive
  • Giving Me a Chance
  • Bronte
  • Somebody That I Used to Know
  • Save Me
  • Hearts a Mess

Encore

  • Backseat Driver
  • I Feel Better
  • Learnalilgivinanlovin

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27/11/2012

Potluck at our Place

Kate was returning to UK after spending some time back in QLD for her brother’s wedding, and catching up with family and friends.  What better excuse to have a potluck and invite friends over for dinner.  Ryan was amazing and made lamb roast and cupcakes for me (since I had to work).  Everyone made scrumptious dishes, and I learned how to make a dish or two. 

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