Unwanted Guest

Most everyone knows about the massive insects that are found all over Australia... I've learned to cope with them as most won't hurt you and at most they are just creepy. I'm not sure if it is the season or what, but lately there has been an increase in the number of insects which have made it into the house, and even worse - into my room.

Now I'm not stupid and don't leave food out in my room so am lost as to why they would wander to the complete opposite end of the house from the kitchen... but they do. I've adapted by having a can of roach spray handy in my room at all times.

However I had a new and very unwelcome guest last night when I got home from work. To set the stage a bit let me tell you about the spiders here... there are little ones which can kill you with a bite, then there are ones the size of softballs which eat birds who fall into their webs. So we have the whole menu of spiders. There is one in particular which, while isn't particularly harmful to humans, is massive and can be found pretty much everywhere - this would be the Huntsman.

After working for 5.5 hours at the restaurant I came home to find that one of these nasties had somehow managed to get in between the sliding and stationary panes of my window. How it managed this I have no clue. But I did the smart thing in dealing with this - called one of my the Aussie guys from school who lives near me to come get it. Lucky for me he was home. Lucky for the spider he didn't want to kill it and instead took it outside.

Just to give you an idea of the size of these things here are a couple pictures... I'm hoping it doesn't find its way into my room again any time soon.

Yes I know I'm lame

Yes I know I've been a complete slacker the last month and haven't posted anything... but I'm enjoying my last few months of having nothing to do. :) I took my last written final last week and not just have papers and a couple of presentations to make then am DONE!!!

I'll try to be a bit better at updating as there should hopefully be a couple of new things coming up... more specifically a change of address (not that anyone but Jenni and my parents have sent me anything), hopefully a job (still keeping the fingers crossed and applying like a mad woman), and taking advantage of the beach and the free highlights I'm gaining.

Just for those who might have had a bit of wishful thinking going on... no I don't have a date for Valentine's day. This officially makes this a very long streak of nothing much going on in my life and my last 'romantic' v-day was with Kirby in Paris so that gives you an idea of how my Valentines have been. lol but at least I can laugh about it!!

Next Generation of Dawg Fans

Ok... one more procrastination :)

Those who aren't here in Australia for me to flaunt my awesome desktop background I thought I would share it with you here. For Christmas my adorable nieces were given their first set of Husky gear and here is the results of their photo shoot. :)

Back to Reality

This week marks the start of my last session of school - which I find both scary and exciting. The new class of both exchange students and full-timers have started so there are about 90 new people wandering around the school. As a result there have been a flurry of social things to go to, drinks to have, etc. Now this is on top of trying to figure out what class I want to take, finalising the scope for a project I'm working on, and finishing my online course. So this week has been a blur and I think that trend will continue.

I'm back to spending most of my day at school, partly because of school work and the very effective air conditioning the school has. :) But the hope is that once I finalise my schedule and begin to get a resemblance of a routine I can begin to try to find a job... that's the mission critical thing for this session. Luckily the first round of student loan checks have arrived so while I'm still having to work 3-4 nights a week they will help make it so I'm not living completely hand to mouth.

All in all it's been a great start to the year and I'm keeping the fingers crossed that all the hard work will pay off. OK... now I need to stop procastinating on some work, but wanted to at least post a little update.

It's not Christmas without...

So there are some definite things which I consider are necessities to Christmas. I will also note that these are in no particular order... except the fact that I'm quite hungry right now which may have an influence.... ;)

#1 My Mom's Cinnamon Bread


Now, those who have had this bread will know why this is a necessity. While it may seem like just bread, but once toasted and liberal amounts of butter are applied the cinnamon and sugar sections take on this amazing gooey consistency. Our family has made an art of eating this bread so that you can most effectively savor this effect. You first eat the top crust as this is the most crunch (and also has a tendency to break on when taken out of the toaster). Once the crust is finished, you eat your way around the edge of the bread, pulling it away from the inner circle and swirl. The swirl is left for last as this is where all the goodness lies, and if eaten first there is a tendency to not see a point in the rest of the bread. :)

All in all, it's amazing and I never feel like it is Christmas or the holiday season without it.

#2 COOKIES!!


Every family has their standard cookies. Us McClelland's don't discriminate and while we have our standards, are known to also branch out. This year we experimented with a new recipe for sugar cookies which used lemon rind and introduced a new spin on a classic. I was able to spend a day with Kirsten baking cookies at her parents house, and then decorating the cookies. I must admit that these cookies were probably some of my best frosting art I've ever created. Kirste - the bar has been set for next year.

#3 Family and Friends

This is an obvious, especially given I live literally on the other side of the world. I hadn't seen my family and friends for at least a year and most more than that. Let alone the fact that I hadn't been in Seattle for a year and a half... So I was so happy to be able to spend some quality time with all my friends and family. For those who I wasn't able to catch up with - there is always next year.

An Amazing New Years Eve and Day!!

In past new year's celebrations there is usually a feeling of anticlimax and disappointment at the end of the night. Which probably has to do with the major hangover I typically have too. But this year I can truly say it was an amazing new year's even and day. My night started with a BBQ with some friends and the drinking began at around 3 PM. Later we were going to the Botanical gardens to watch the fireworks. We managed to get there for the preview which was at 9 and were able to find a group of people to sit with and enjoy the view.

The area we were in was directly facing the Opera House and the bridge so it was an amazing place to be. Here is a picture so you have an idea of our view.


The midnight fireworks were amazing, and while I tried to take some video they are in 20 second bits and don't have the music... so I found a YouTube version for those who'd like to see it. The fantastic part was not only did they have fireworks going from the bridge and barges in , the harbor, but they were also going off of the buildings dowtown. All in all, it was an amazing show.

Links to the show:
Part 1: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=v7UbL4nfeJE&feature=related
Part 2: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=WLfv2aqigz0&feature=channel

To top off a great night, we actually managed to get a cab within 5 minutes so didn't have to fight with all the other people to get home - which would have completely ruined the night. Those of you who have fought for cabs in Sydney know what I mean... it sucks.

The next morning I was up at 8 and headed to a beach for a nice relaxing day of sun worshiping. :) My Irish friends met up with me later and we made a day of it - with probably 5 hours at the beach I'm surprised I didn't turn into a lobster, but managed to get a bit of tan and only burn a couple spots on my back where I obviously couldn't reach w/ the sunscreen.

When we'd had enough of the beach we went to the local pub for a drink before showering up for a nice Italian dinner.

All in all it was fantastic. Good friends, good show, and good times all around.

Home and Safe

After my easy flight from Seattle to LA, a 7 hour layover in LAX, 10 hour flight to Nadi, another 4 hour layover and 6 hour flight... I'm home in Australia.

It's a humid 80 degrees with full sun shine here. I've managed to shower and unpack and am currently plotting a trip to the grocery store as I am in dire need for some things.

I wanted to make sure everyone how much fun I had back home and I already miss everyone more than you could know!! I will post more information about my trip and everything shortly. :)

love & miss you!!