being a branch

welcoming beer back into my life

First drink in a month! And where more perfect then at the campus rail jam finals with the homies in VIP with free beer.. Mmmmm.

we did some work..

But stoked on life. Smug to the max. Birthday celebration today. Get it.

early birthday present!

What did I get for my birthday?

THE WORLD.
If any of you know anything about me, I'm kinda obsessed with planet earth. #1 goal in life.. become an RN, travel with that and make my mark with those less fortunate with my health like skills. On that note, I've wanted a globe since forever, I can stare at one for hours. This globe idea goes along with my vision of my future library with a massive globe in the middle, mmmm knowledge. Nerd? Yes. Every time I see them in stores, they are some ridiculous price. I mentioned to Ben I found one in one of my favorite vintage shops (the kind we had in our elementary school class rooms).

welllll I got my beloved globe with a big red bow on it, thoughtful Benjamin bought me my desired gift. Thanks boyfriend!! YAY!! Birthday this year shall be grand. Celebrating with a theme of a "original birthday". Straight up party hats, pinta, balloons, cake, water balloon fight, pin the tail on the donkey, legit 7 year old birthday party. Who would have thought a birthday after 21 would be exciting? That's my style..

1000

1000 views! Thanks!!

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who finds my blog to be something interesting! I hope you have found some inspiration or a giggle at least. I did start this blog to document my love and must for travel and now its turned into my monthly pondering which some of you have obviously found of some interest! Stay tuned..

on that note..
I want to express some things that I am inspired by. I'm inspired by vegetarians, car-less, organic filled kitchens, 10% of profit to charity kind of individuals. People with devotion. People that do something that is difficult but its worth it because they truly believe in what they are doing. Even things I don't necessarily relate to such as waiting until marraige or veganism, I respect the crap ot of those people. This is something I REALLY wish I was better at. I've done the same to some extent, boycotting exxon/mobil gas (which is a horrible company) but I have realized I've done this when the other option is just as easy. Although a mobil gas station is right here, I can drive down the street to a shell station and all is right in the world.
I rescently gave up alcohol for a month and that was HARD, but in the end the challenge was met and totally worth the accomplishment. I want to step it up, and sorting out how I can do so. In a prfect world I would buy strictly organic, drive a fuel efficent car, have an energy effiencent home, buy only sweat shop free clothing, donate 10% of my sallary to my faovirte charity and sooo much more. But what it comes down to it money. It's exspensive to live that lifestyle and as a college student, money is the last thing I have.
I think its the absolute duty to someone who CAN afford these things, to do so. It's not an excuse to say I can't afford to do these things, but it is to say I can't do anything. It's incredibly out of my charater to do things I do not support and yet I continue to do so. Being that it is the begining of the 23rd year of my life, I WILL make it an absolute goal to be more devoted to what I believe in.

like mother like daughter

I've been suffering a mystery illness for a good month. Ughhh. I'm not a big fan of doctors because most of them treat the symptoms and not the cause, not to mention I'm one of the millions of American's without health care. With a combination of my general science/health knowledge and my hippie mother I try to overcome what most people go to the doctor for.

Being in bed all day today I was not ashamed at 22 years old that I needed my mommy, and I sought the mother bird. Mom picked me up, bought me some my favorite Thai soup, made me some of her special tea, fed me her hippie remedies, put on the reggae music and I'm feeling a bit better.



I sit here on Friday night, catching up on homework, since the past two days I was bed ridden, happy I'm feeling better and laughing at my current observation. Although, like every mother and daughter, my mom and I butt heads. But I can't deny the similarities of mommma trips and I, those main traits being our strong independence and love for solo time. She set her plans back a few hours to tend to me, which was to go to a concert with her boyfriend. He canceled and she doesn't bat an eye, and is out the door to go see Midnite. I love that.. and laugh because I would do that same.

Every guy I have dated, it is an absolute must that they understand my love for me time and my solo missions. Kinda funny my last blog was about me loving a solo Sunday night. It warms my heart to see some of the traits that make me who I am, in the person from where they came from.

xx freebird

rainy spring night

Being a true Oregonian, I love the rain.

A week of sun finished off with a warm spring night of rain, amazing. Peppermint tea, Frank Sinatra, clean (not to mention adorable) apartment, homework/ studying done, spending time with yours truly, awwww yeahhuhhhh. Simple.. and on that note. Simple blog.

:)

putting it in perspective

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

This video is extremely powerful. I love that artists are taking an initiative to bring humanitarian or politic issues to the table using pop culture and the media to do so. The video says to me that genocide IS STILL occurring all over the over, we are just blessed not to deal with it on the front foot. We don't have to worry about sleeping at night or getting coffee at the local cafe. M.I.A. does an amazing job using red-heads to show what it would be like and a comparison that hits home.

-educate yourself-

lets change it up a bit

so this is how it went..
I've always been an all around active person especially with running. One of my goals is to run a marathon and now that I have a bit more structure in my life, training a bit harder and racking up the mileage has been easier to fit in my schedule, confused why I'm not burning off the "travel calories" as fast as I thought, my boyfriend brought up a good point..

Alcohol has a TON of calories, especially in my drink of choice, which happens to be darker beers. It's not like I get drunk all the time, but I do frequent happy hour, go out once or twice a weekend and do love a beer during studying to bite the edge. I'm happy with my weight for the most part, but then I actually put thought into giving up alcohol, I was shocked that I really didn't think I could do it. There's Ahmanis birthday this weekend with the beer Olympics, Cinco De Mayo, happy hour Wednesday with David, happy hour Sundays with Neil, going out on the weekends, Canada in two weeks, lifty beers at the mountain, after midterms beers.. shitttt. Alcohol really is in my everyday life. Oh about next month? "But Claire, there will ALWAYS be something" -Ben, hmm you're right. Next month is end of school partys, friend graduation partys, beginning of summer, sun river with the crew, Alli's visit, Rylee and Caitlin's birthday's WOW. so..



It's funny to think that I could EASILY not get drunk for a month, but giving up my mirror pond at happy hour or a glass of red with the girls, is a challenge. On that note I have officially hit my mid-twenties in alcohol maturity, HAH! It's good to know I'm past my earlier college days of getting wasted every night and using fake ID's to go out to the oh so "cool bars". I know I can have fun without alcohol, could do with out the extra calories, more cash in my pocket and I love a little challenge. So I'm not drinking for 30 days (until my birthday May 30th), which ironically is going to be themed like a child's birthday party.. haha. Bring it!

wearing art

What is LOOKBOOK.nu?

LOOKBOOK.nu is an international social experiment in style. It was inspired by street fashion blogs like the Sartorialist as well as "What are you wearing today?" forum threads across the internet. LOOKBOOK.nu is an invite only community

Ms. Rena Murray "invited" me to lookbook and apparently I'm cool because this is an "invite only" site. But anyway, I don't post "looks" too often, but when I feel like I seceded at a descent outfit, this where I show them off.

So besides the "I'm kinda rad" factor of this whole thing, this site is even more rad and makes me use a lot of ".." because I feel awkward talking about myself in this kinda way. But it's honestly a bit more then that, fashion is definitely an art, expresses personality and character. Although fashion is put in the materialistic category, in our society clothes are necessary. So why not have fun with it, dressing to your personality doesnt have to be a materialistic, status conscious, surface objective. It can be accomplished on a budget, like myself and a key factor in what you are projecting to the world. Thrift stores, mom's closet, buffalo exchange and friends clothes exchanges are my favorite ways of updating my closet. I would post the hilarious video of the end of the summer clothes exchange with Rena and Alli, but RENA decides to delete video's and photo albums which sucks because shes the keeper of facebook memories, but anyway that clothes exchange was the best idea ever. I just get bored of my clothes and living with two other girls that were basically that same size as me and same taste in clothes trading was AWESOME. So check lookbook out!!


http://lookbook.nu/user/114163-Claire-T

blog power

http://elysecanfield.com/states_html/roadtrip.html

So Elyse is a rad girl, she takes great photos and happen to go on a road trip a few years back around the western part of the states. Not only is this video/photo blog awesome, I had the honor of a shout out for my hospitality in Vegas, May 30th 2008 I turned 21 and had this lovely group crash on my floor. Quite the artistic one at that.. check em out..

elysecanifield.com
ethanvella.com
samkuhn.com

word of the day: relish

rel·ish
–noun
1.liking or enjoyment of the taste of something.
2. pleasurable appreciation of anything; liking: He has no relish for obscene jokes.
3.Cookery.
a.something savory or appetizing added to a meal, as pickles or olives.
b.a sweet pickle made of various vegetables, usually chopped or minced.
c.an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre.
4.a pleasing or appetizing flavor.
5.a pleasing or enjoyable quality.
6.a taste or flavor.
7.a smack, trace, or touch of something.
–verb (used with object)
8.to take pleasure in; like; enjoy: I don't relish the long drive home.
9.to make pleasing to the taste.
10.to like the taste of.
–verb (used without object)
11.to have taste or flavor.
12.to be agreeable.
Use relish in a Sentence

—Antonyms
1, 2. distaste, disfavor.

this word is me, freebird, the simple things. I'm relishing in my gifted life, relishing in the life lessons I am being presented, oh and I happen to actually like relish, for that matter anything pickled is BOMB. pickles, pepperchinis, olives, and relish (which is pickled cucumber).
relishing..

DONE with round one of midterms. Relishing in my caffeine overdose, letting my brain come back down to reality and let the creative juices flow, and not the structual/ functional parts. Relishing in the feeling of working hard and finally, relaxation.


My boyfriend is rad. Plain and simple. I'm so not mush, and him of all people know that. I'm not one to say those lovey words. But none the less, I'm.. Stoked. Wow, ANYWAYS..
He can draw.. I can't.. so he draws me stuff..

nickname are cool, he calls me "Trips".
He happens to be Australian, when we go out, girls hit on him all the time and he leads them on. I think it's hilarious, because he's the most humble person I know. Yay. I relish in the fact that my boyfriend is way better then yours.

my little plants. Grow plants grow! Although its not cucmbers to make relish that I'm growing. I'm still growing something and growing something is so under-rated, its exciting to noticed something change and grow, a bit of symbolism here?


Wilahs gift: I nannied for three lovely girls while in Australia, the youngest gave me a "birthday" present before I left and said I had to wait until my birthday, well I opened it a bit early, and I LOVE IT. the innocence and beauty of a child moves me beyond words. I relish my drawing :)




life is neato

Blue Like Jazz: The Movie

'Blue Like Jazz' The Movie - The Scanner - Patrol Magazine

Posted using ShareThis

One of my favorite books of all time. I'm so pumped. But hopefully "the book was better then the movie" won't happen once again.

"The book was better the the movie" PRIME example:
-The time travelers wife
Such an amazing book, but the movie did a horrible job or showing Claire and Henrys extensive story, not to mention how much they didn't go into detail about this "disorder" and his daughter. Frickkkkk I was disappointed with that movie.

But anyways. SOOOO amped about this movie. Donald Miller is hysterical and I'm sure he'll make the producers keep his humor in the movie, not to mention his theory on God. Did I mention he is from Portland?? I'm freaking out. Can't wait.

My humble abode

After almost a year of living out of a back pack, sleeping with 16 people in a room occupying a top bunk in a hostel or sharing living quarters with 7 people at one time (5 of them being guys who neglected the kitchen), I was so ready to have my own space again. No room mates even, just my own place. I manage to score a RAD old studio downtown on the park blocks and its freakin adorable. Other then the fact I hear hear the Jesus guy rant about all of us going to hell and no dishwasher, its perfect. After a few Ikea runs my place is tip top.

I love the rounded entry ways.


Where I lay my head, complete with boyfriends flag.


Running quite a bit lately, but nothing like some encouragement from Ben MacKinnon and our eXtreme fitness days. Having fun while working out? We know the secrets.


My travel photography, the blank one is my Thailand photo and is currently being printed.


bathroom





my view, I'm a fan


My kitchen :)

pop culture

I have never been one of those people that are afraid to talk in front of people. So I tend to be one of those people in class that answers the discussion points professors make. I don’t necessarily do it because I’m really excited about that topic, more so because I feel bad that the professor gets crickets when he asks the class something he finds important. In every class there are those 3-5 people that generally talk a lot in class, and I am always one of those.
Well in this particular class I find myself actually talking because it’s interesting, who would have thought. I’m taking a University Studies class that actually doesn’t suck, called popular culture. Today we covered the youtube, facebook and how appropriate blogging worlds. Facebook particularly is truly our alter ego, we post photos that we want the world to see, status updates about how exciting our lives are and offering a little box were people can confirm whenever we are projecting. It’s a social networking, a new level of friendship and communication because talking in person nowadays is just to awkward right? haha.
This pop culture of social networking via the internet has some unbelievably good things coming from it. for starters.. the hug campaign. The hug campaign started with a man named Juan Mann, he had returned home after traveling and there was no one to greet him in the air port. While everyone else from his plane was showered with love he wrote "Free hugs" on a piece of cardboard and the rest is history. As most of you know he posted this on youtube and become famous overnight. I came in contact with one of these great people in Pikes Places in Seattle and one of my favorite photos of all times thanks to Micah Parson..


Something that really bothers me on the other hand is how popular culture doesn’t always coincide with what is being represented. My two PET PEEVES..
1. the word “gay”.
When someone says “that’s gay” they are intending that thing is stupid, dumb, lame etc, intending that gay people are anyone of those words. I often call people out on it when they use that word in that context. “Really, you think raised trucks are gay?” hmmm I don’t see anything homosexual about that, then people start to think a bit on what they are actually saying. Not only do I support gay rights in every sense, but there are a lot of people I care about in my life that happen to be gay. So please, think before popular culture overtakes your vocabulary
2. The representation of the peace sign
I know two people in this world (proud shout out to Allison Suvanto and Zach Stutzman) that wear peace sign paraphernalia and truly fit the meaning (as much as humans can). I once witnessed a girl with a peace sign necklace on, order a latte at starbucks, only to scream at the batista that her latte clearly had milk in it as opposed to soy. Is this a sign of peace?

On conclusion, I ask to think a bit before you take up a trend.

Michael freakkinn Franti

On Tuesday night I went to my 5th Michael Franti and Spearhead concert with tickets graciously provided by my mom. I've been in love with him and his music for a long time, he's a reggae/ rock mix and his lyrics are beautiful. He's an incredible entertainer and by far my favorite to see live. The concert started out amazing as usual and for his last song he asked all the kids to come up on stage, my mom and I rushed to the front only for to security to stop us, but I yelled, "I'm a kid, thats my MOM!" and pointed to the lady next to me. We were let on stage and next thing I knew I was dancing next to Michael Franti himself singing "I got love for you". It was amazing, the hott guitarist kept walking by and squeezing my shoulder, my "you're a free card" look wasn't acknowledged. Damn.
After Michael finished singing I told him how great his music was and blah blah blah using very big Alli Suvanto arms to show how great he was (she talks very ascetically with her arms) and he totally gave me a hug, NOT initiated by me. His sweat leaving behind my whole right side of my body as I said more and more compliments and then said "you know who got my stoked on your music? my mom" He said I know I recognize her, you have a rad mom, and gave me his guitar pick. AHHHHHHH! My karma is insane as of lately!! By the way that was my moms 15th MF concert. Insane.

loving love lovingly

I don't know about you, but I often check the date and think back to what I was doing a year ago. I love doing that because it shows me how much my life changes from year to year, it's exciting, sometimes sad but mostly humbling. A year ago I was living downtown near PGE park with my room mate Lyndsey. I had dropped out of school and was only working about 15 hours a week. I think around this time I had bought myself a present being the iphone, I was most likely snowboarding and drinking some type of alcohol. I was organizing my upcoming adventure with my two best friends for that summer and then my next for that fall being Australia. I was pissed off at the world for not going my way so I was making it go my way. Now I'm back from my rant around Oregon, California, Australia and Fiji and ready to calm down just a tad. But with some new obtained life knowledge.
Unpacking my boxes was an experience. I hadn't seen my photos, art, books etc in almost a year and they told me stories about the Claire that had last seen them. My life continues to drastically change from year to year and I love it. I love being in a constant state of chaos, I think that's one of the many reasons I'll make a damn good nurse.
Cliche sayings, we tell each other are cliche because they are true. "Time will heal" and "it can only go up from here", I just wish it was easier to believe those quotes during that time. I'm feeling those quotes at the moment and it feels damn good. It feels good for things to be actually going my way. And you know what, to some extent we CAN choose life to go our way. And ironically (or maybe not) the class I'm in right now, my professor just agreed with me, and now is lecturing about "mood conditioning". Things like this keep happening to me and its kinda freaking me out.
I'm a science major, a realist and believe what I study. But through science it explains a lot of beauty in life.

My main man Mr.Issac Newton said:
"Energy can't be created nor destroyed" which is the first law of physics and my first proof to myself in not only God, but the power of karma and positive energy. Before you move your cursor to the "x" button because I said the "G" word, hear me out. God in Claire's definition is much different from your average Christians opinion. God to me is every God to every religion and not every God at the same time. God is loving all people and experience the world. God is loving your ex-boyfriends new girlfriend and wishing them the best. God is forgiving your mom for putting you second as a teen. God is spending spring break in Haiti rebuilding homes. God is love. When we make the choice to put love first, truly truly a new world opens. I believe this karma I have had in the past 10 months has been because of this new attitude I managed to acquire. Being positive does wonders. When something bad happened, I gave myself 30 minutes to cry and feel bad for myself and then I forced myself to believe there is purpose in this negative happening. whether it be a lesson to myself, another person or another reason I can't comprehend.

God to my doesn't isn't religious. Actually I think religion is crap. It's man-made therefore flawed. God should be unique to every person, because every person is unique. My mom is a big inspiration to me. life is hard sometimes and for her, it got pretty hard about 2 years ago. My step dad was my mom's significant other for 10 years and also employer, as an ophthalmologist she worked in his office. Last winter he had left her for another woman, so at 55 years old she found herself jobless and house-less. It makes me look at my worries and realize there are much greater dramas in life, being selfish creatures, its hard to solidify that fully unless it hits home. At 55 years old my mom is happy and doing things for herself. She has let go, moved on and dating someone new. I could not imagine being 55 and suddenly finding myself alone. But she found the strength to let go, love and accept. She a different person in such a good way and our relationship is on a whole new level. This is major proof to me that bad things that happen in life have reason, we just have to find it.

and once again another cliche quote, because its true. "Love is everything"

Drive a manual: a check off the bucket list

Its official.. I CAN DRIVE A MANUAL.

Working as a nanny in Australia I was forced to drive a manual to take the girls to school. I had driven a manual a hand full of times before coming to Australia and I knew the general idea, but definitely didn't feel comfortable on the road! After driving on the wrong side of the car, on the wrong side of the road and shifting on the wrong side, I felt pretty comfortable driving my grandpas manual truck yesterday. My mom isn't exactly the best driver anyway, but I decided to give the passengers a break from her stop and go's. I'm stoked because this is yet another thing I can check off my bucket list.

Fiji: reminding the world to live simply

Booking my flight back to the states, almost all the layovers where in Fiji. So Ben and I said screw it and decided to pay a few extra 100 to stay in Fiji for 6 days. After talking to other backpackers who had made their way through Fiji they recommended not booking anything until we got there. Other then the first night, I listened to my fellow travels. The hostel we were staying at was what is considered a backpackers resort, so its really nice. We booked a standard private room which would be very basic double, but the reception messed up on reservations and was forced to give us the ocean view suite! I was stoked. The Canadian guy I had met in the shuttle came up to me and said there was another guy from Portland here, stoked I finally met someone from my rad city. Ben and I talked to an English guy that had been in fiji for a month, he recommended going to mana island so we booked it.
Arriving to Mana we were greeted by guitars and people of all colors singing us a welcome, I loved it. our room was very minimal but we didn’t care. The power was only on from 5pm-8am and breakfast lunch and dinner served a certain times as well, food is included when staying at Mana because there are no restaurants and supplies are limited. The first few days Ben and I ventured around the island which takes about a hour to walk all the way around. Tom Hanks Castway Island was viewable on the other side of the island, Wilson and Tom say hi.
Later that afternoon we went fishing with the locals. Moses is a big Fijian men with the most hilarious laugh, we picked up Eleanor on the way who is a cute lady that lives in huge holiday house. The family that owns it only comes a few times a year and she looks after it when they aren’t there, nice deal! We fished for about 3 hours, Ben caught a nice size tuna and myself catching only a small rainbow colored fish, at least it was pretty. We were rained on about half way through, but that didn’t stop the islanders. Our success with the amount of fish was minimal, the Fiji experience maximum.
Later that night was the crab races, Ben’s crab ended up winning and as a prize got a free snorkeling trip the next day. we drank a stupid amount of wine and hung out with the other backpackers, Mana definitely has a more personal feel then most hostels, obviously because we are on small island.
The next night was “Fijian Night”, the staff did some amazing tradition dances, followed by the Kava ceremony. Kava is a plant that they grind up and make a drink out of it, the effect of the Kava is unexplainable. We moved all the tables together and everyone got to know one another, it had been one of the English guy’s birthday and he was sharing his chocolate cake with everyone. Good thing because Ben and I were having a serious chocolate craving and almost considered buying a block a chocolate for $16. The taste of Kava is not enjoyable, but not hard to get down. I decided I wanted to chat with the Fijians, so we moved to next to the kava bowl. Juno, Marie, Tony, were extremely friendly, we ended up drinking kava till 3am. Juno played the guitar, we all talked about life and I taught the Fijians how to play “bullshit”. Ben and I were the last to bed, it was an amazing night.

I got to know Juno pretty well and found him fascinating. He is a very confident 24 year old who’s profession to just simply live life. He has had every job under the sun, but prefers a low paying activities director job on small Mana Island, one of those people that I found myself listening a lot more then talking. When Ben went to the bathroom, he told me “I’ve met a lot of people, from all over the world, he’s a good one Claire” I smiled and agreed.
me: “you need to shave.. whats the evolutionary advantage to facial hair?”
ben: “to shield us from the elements, while I go and hunt wolly mammoths to being back big steaks for you to cook. And youre at home gathering berries and watching after 5 kids”
me: “you really think that would be me?”
ben: “actually no, you would be the witch of the town, talking about equal rights nonsense and being burnt to the stake.”
me: “hahaha yea that sounds about right”

The next morning we ventured to “survivor beach” were the show was filmed. A hurricane a few years ago destroyed most of the buildings, but the ceremonial building and circle was still there. The beach was extremely small and the buildings for the “staff” lined almost the whole beach. The walk was only 10 minutes from the village, so I’m sure the “survivors” could have ordered some fries at Ratu Kinis if they really wanted to. Not overly surprised that TV falsifies a majority of what we see, it was still cool to see where it all went down. Also to see the “authentic” stone chairs and building where made from styrofoam.
I was sad to leave Mana. The staff was amazing and the nights were insane, none the less I was stoked to leave knowing I got the island experience and not the tourist resort. Anddd guys, Fiji is CHEAP. Go there not Hawaii. Bula!!

5 months 29 days later from my first night in australia..

The last night in Australia couldn’t have been any better. Ben and I had met up in Tanilba Bay near Newcastle on Saturday then made our way to Sydney on Sunday for our flight the next day. We went to grab some dinner and found that there were a lot of gays wandering the streets, not out of place for Sydney but stoked to find that Mardi Gras was still in full swing. It was a beautiful night in the harbor city, Ben hadn’t been before, so his American girlfriend showed him around haha. After I played tour guide around the opera house, we decided to follow the sound of techno, knowing rainbow flags and half naked bodies would soon appear. Sure enough on the other side of the botanical gardens on the harbor was the “recovery dance party”, the parade had been the night before and what other way to get rid of a hang over then drinking more and dancing. Tickets were $140 and not exactly in the budget of Ben and Claire, instead we watched the glitter coated bodies drunkenly dance on their yachts, truly loving life. We walked around to the other side to get the view from the hill and sat and people watched, also taken in the pure positive vibe. Ben and I played “who can find a girl first” and “who’s not gay”, while doing so an Asian man with broken English asked what was going on, and we replied with the name of the party assuming he knew that Sydney is well know for the Mardi Gras. Confused by the name “recovery dance party” he suggested a new name of “friendship party”. Ben laughed and in his aussie voice said, “no mate, it’s the Mardi Gras”. The little Asian men squealed with embarrassment and ran up the hill sheltering his family from the scary gays. I found it quite hilarious, what is it about Asian tourists that make them so damn funny? They take photos in front of EVERYTHING and if a peace sign is not accompanied in the photo, a stern face is.
I decided to have my last aussie beer at the rocks, which is a well known area near the harbor where the workers for the harbor bridge lived during construction. It’s a rad place with an old time feel, laid back bars with live bands, my kind of style. I had a James Squire amber and drank it happily, but paying close attention to the bitter after taste if you know what I mean.
*side note.. ummm best day ever. My lap top is an old dog and that battery doesnt communicate to the charger so it always has to be plugged in. after literally a year it just started working. I’m beyond stoked right now. Wowowowowwww. I’ve had some seriousy good karma come around in the past month, Thanks world!

Australia: the summary

Exactly 5 days until I leave Australia. I will have been here 6 months by the time I board that plane. Its currently the weekend at the Urquhart house in Werris Creek, the sun is shining, the mag pies coo and the geckos stare at me through the screen on the window. All these foreign to my home in the beautiful North West United States, but has somehow become natural. I believe I will have a bit of reserve culture shock when I finally immerse myself back into my own culture, certain words and what side of the road to drive on for starters.

I came to Australia for a few reasons, I bought my ticket on impulse and when I realized what I did a few months later I started organizing my trip which changed about 16 times. I finally set the date to September 3rd and had a plan for when I got there and when I was going to leave. Well that plan changed about 31 times and here I am, its middle of summer in February, my skin is a color that I didn’t know existed, an 8 year old is asking me what a “tortilla” is and I’m watching the Olympics in Australia. You can’t plan anything when you travel, and that’s just the first thing I learned..

I’m learning every day as a 22 year old in a foreign country with no college degree. To be honest I thought I had it all figured out. My summers were devoted to Northeast Maryland where I played capture the flag, sang the moose song and spending countless nights under the stars with people who got it. They understood why we were all there, spending our summers with 7-16 year olds rather then drinking beers at home. I was finishing my pre-reqs at PSU, snowboarding all the time in between class and saving up enough money to travel. Life doesn’t really care what your plan is, and there's nothing you can do to prepare otherwise.

I’m ok at 22 years old that I have realize that I don’t have it all figured out and what I wanted in life a year ago, may not really be what I want now. Damn I feel so naïve.

I thought that coming to Australia would do a lot of things that didn’t happen. I thought that magically ex-boyfriends would disappear from your mind completely, I thought my dad would learn to use the computer so we could keep in touch, and I thought I would obtain this power, a shield type that would protect me from the horrors of the world. Traveling over an ocean doesn’t cure uncertainties or lose ends unfortunately, but none the less my experiences have been amazing and the lessons from those unexpectedly priceless. So what did I get out of dropping out of school, my life and leaving my country for 6 months? A lot..

-I’m ok with loving someone that’s wrong for me
-I don’t like going to clubs as much as I thought: I hate yelling to talk, lack of clothes and cover charges. If I want to dance I’ll go to a bar with music
-I love traveling by myself: being on my own agenda is great. Somedays I was in the mood to find a corner of the beach and camp out with a book, not speaking a word all day. When I was feeling social, meeting friends was easy. Everyone else at the hostel is a backpacker too, and meeting new people is what we do.
-Americans proportions are outrageous: coffee sizes are much smaller, I’ve noticed my addiction has been cut in half because of this
-Chocolate milk can be considered a meal when youre on a budget
-I actually enjoy wine: Thanks to working at a Spanish restaurant that required me to “know” the wines.
-“mate” is my new favorite word of male affection
-It’s ok to be cautious with who you surround yourself with. For me I truly invest in my close friends and hurt when they hurt, I’ve learned that surrounding myself with people who have the same ideals isn’t being judgmental, its healthy.
-I stopped “fixing” people
-I rediscovered my love for reading: I’ve read 10 books while I was here
-Karma exists
-Being positive does wonders
-Rediscovering your childhood is a bizarre experience
-Everyone’s “happy” is different: whether that’s a boat driver for scuba divers or a hippie in Nimbin
-Living simply is humbling: I was forced to throw out a lot of my stuff once I started backpacking. I realized looking the best can be really draining, and actually not caring gave a new sense of freedom.
-There are children in this world that have never experienced the smore
-Someone I admire, admires me.
-There isn’t a single person in the world that doesn’t care what other people think.


I’m coming back to Portland after 10 months of absence. I’m starting over with a new look on things and excited for it. I don’t have it figured out and I’m also ok with that. I do know that I will be a nurse someday and snowboarding is one of the only things that clears my mind. That I have great friends in Portland and more around the world. And of all things that I listed above the most substantial lesson I learned what that everyones happy is different. My happy is most definitely different from others, but that doesn’t make right, or them. A lot of people get suck in their own beliefs and/ or what society tells us is the “right way” to think or live. I admit that I have been somewhat of a victim to that, its hard not to. You learn a lot when you travel and being inspired is up to the inspiree.