400 days and counting...

Yup, that's right. There are only 400 days to go, until I'm off to Vietnam!

Early last month, (I know that was ages ago!) Rachel had a choir rehearsal, so we took the opportunity to go do some very expensive 'Vietnam shopping.' All the outdoor shops are down the one street, so that made it easy. The only shop that was open when we got there was Patty Palin, so in we went...and came out an hour and a half later with lots and lots of gear, and quite a bit less money! ;)

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The pack will be heaps bigger when there's stuff in there though.... Uh oh!

Yesterday we had a bit of a debriefing, because we are going to have a big meeting on Tuesday to start planning our itinerary. Our teachers told us the places they think you be the best places. So now the outline is looking a bit like this:

- fly into Hanoi- acclimatise and maybe do a cooking class
- overnight train to Sapa, where we will do our main trek
- Hanoi - Halong Bay, for some R & R, for 2 days-ish
- overnight train from Hanoi to Hue
- bus on the Mountain Pass (it looks pretty scary!) to Hoi An, where we will do our Project.
- and lastly to Ho Chi Minh City, which is 18 hours by train! Where we will hopefully go to the Cu Chi tunnels, and the floating markets.

I am super excited!

Groovy Glasses??

Hi, I seem to be very busy lately. I have things due for school, tests and assignments. (which I spent half of Saturday on). I also had my first shift at Macca's on Saturday. I was so nervous I thought I was going to be sick, but my trainer was really nice and I spent my shift cleaning tables, sweeping and "trash mashing" and putting the trash in the dumpster. - Yes, I know trash and dumpster is American but apparently that is what it is called. I was completely exhausted when I got home, but I had a good time.

On Sunday we went to visit my grandparents who live about 2 and a bit hours away, in Waikerie. The weather was amazing so Rachel I broke out the sunnies.....

Super groovy, don't you think??

The only problem with this warm weather is hay fever! Grrr. Both Dad and I get really bad hay fever. I take medicine for it but unfortunately it hasn' t worked for the past couple of days. So I've been drugged up with a heap of stuff, and off to school with a heap of tissues!

Today we had a party in French to say "Bon Voyage" to one of our fellow classmates who is off to France for 5 months on and exchange! Lucky duck! To celebrate we each took some food in and Rachel being fabulous, made eclairs for me to take in. They loved them, unfortunately there are none left to take photos of.

Guess What????

A couple of Thursdays I had an interview at McDonald's. I didn't think I'd get the job, but surprise, I'll soon be serving out fries and cheeseburgers! :)
I'm so happy, it will be a great experience and I'll now have some money in the bank. At the moment I'm about a 5th of the way to $5,900, so I'm getting there! I also have to choose my subjects for next year which is a bit difficult, but I think I have decided. Hopefully I won't bomb out of maths. Fingers crossed!

Remember to Explore.......

the etsy shop!!

Guess what Mum and I've been busy..busy...busy this weekend.

I've been busy drawing and making cards, and making brooches and necklaces. Mum's been busy photographing and setting up the etsy shop.

There are different coloured cards, and each one is different because I'm hand-drawing them. The photos aren't fabulous because it was dark and cold outside!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RemembertoExplore

All the proceeds go to my fundraising for World Challenge! Yipee!

I'm on Mum's computer so I don't have my signature so,

Bye......

Secret Squirreling

Grandad's 75th

Last Saturday, after a lot of planning we had my Grandad's 75th birthday. I think the whole family was surprised when he said that he wanted us to throw a party for him.  So there we where, at Grandad's local bowling club at 3:00 to cook and set up.

There was a bit of running around, arranging tables, setting up the tables and putting up streamers.

It was a bit rushed but in the end it looked really good and nice and colourful!

All of the family came, mostly from interstate, who are from my mum's side of the family. As well as some of Grandad's friends. I got to chat to some of them (I don't know them very well the last time I saw them I was probably 10), but I spent most of the time in the kitchen.

I have great friends, Bianca, Enola and Nadine (and Rachel) who helped out washing up the dishes, and waitressing. (The caterer we had booked basically got sacked!) And it also helped us to raise money for World Challenge.

Grandad had a bowls cake, and yes that is supposed to represent Grandad, but by the time we got him on the cake he was looking a bit too relaxed.

 Happy Birthday Grandad, I hope you had a great time.

Cooking

Last week, Rachel and I decided to do some cooking. We rang up one of my friends Bianca and asked her if she wanted to help. We decided to make some macaroons, well Rachel and Bianca did, I decided it was best if I didn't because I had a cold.

 The photo's are not the best, it was pretty late in the afternoon when we finished, so the light wasn't that good. They were really tasty, and even better the next day, but they didn't last very long.

Books : Unearthly

I used to hate the idea of Paranormal books, but all the teenage books seem to be paranormal, so I decided that if I wanted to read anything I was going to have to give it a go, and I'm glad I did!

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(FYI. The cover for Unearthly and Hallowed are different in Australia, I think that they look better, but I thought I should use these ones!)

"Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?"

I really enjoyed Unearthly. I found it suspenseful, and had often left you hanging, not being able to wait to turn the page and find out what was next. I'm finding this hard because I've read the following book and I know what happens (Oh...it's a series) and I can't believe what happens.I better stop because I'm not very good with secrets and I'll probably spill and tell you what happens (in both books)

Bye....

Work Experience

Hi, I've been really busy this week. I have had Work Experiene at one of the local kindergartens. The kids are great and are all really nice, some are a bit crazy though. All the staff were really nice and welcoming as well.

When I was organising my work experience I got a bit worried because I kept getting regected from the place, but it all work out great in the end.

I've had a week of cleaning, doin up shoelaces, drawing, reading and building things with blocks. I had a great time and I thank the staff and kids (and their parents) for letting me come! :)

Books : Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

I really liked Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson. I thought that the characters were good and so was the plot. Basically the book is about Amy getting over the death of her father, and convincing herself that it wasn't really her fault. Her and a family friend's son set out relucantly on a road trip. Roger (the family friend's son) has to go visit his father in Philidelphia, and is Amy's 'chaffeur' service. They have a set route (Amy's mum is very organised) and all the hotels booked. Only Amy and Roger don't plan to follow the route, and they stay at many differnt places, to help them start moving on with their lives.

 

"Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn't seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she's coming to terms with her father's death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself." Source

Enjoy!

 

Yipee!

It was my last day at school yesterday, for three weeks. I have Work Experience next week, at the kindergarten around the corner from me. I have all more good lessons next semester, well I hope so! I have a whole Monday with one of my friends, so that's good!

I just got home from sewing. I managed to stick the wrong side of the interfacing on! Yay! (I'm a bit silly). It is so cold here my fingers don't even work! Gotta go and warm up! :)

Books : Kelley Armstrong

I think the best thing about reading is reading something you thought you'd hate and loving it. I've done this multiple times. I swore that never in my life would I read Harry Potter, and that I'd rather die than read Twilight. But guess what I read them both, the whole series, and loved them (for the most part, I still hate Bella, she's too whiny! ;))

I also said that I wouldn't read the Hunger Games because it sounded too gruesome, but little did I know I would have to read it for English. We borrowed the book one Monday, and I had finished it by Tuesday. I loved it!! One of my favourite books.

Today I decided to do a review on books by Kelley Armstrong, I was just going to do one book, but I've read one series of hers, and I'm reading another and loving it.

I'm just warning you though it is supernatural (all of them) but they are really well written.

I first read The Gathering last year. It is the first book of a series, so far there are only two that have been written.

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"Maya lives in a small medical-research town on Vancouver Island. How small? You can’t find it on the map. It has less than two-hundred people, and her school has only sixty-eight students–for every grade from kindergarten to twelve.

Now, strange things are happening in this claustrophobic town, and Maya’s determined to get to the bottom of them. First, the captain of the swim team drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. A year later, mountain lions start appearing around Maya’s home, and they won’t go away. Her best friend, Daniel, starts experiencing “bad vibes” about certain people and things. It does’t help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret…and he’s interested in one special part of Maya’s anatomy: Her paw-print birthmark." Source

I have to say, I really enjoyed reading The Gathering and the following book in the series The Calling. The books has several mysterious deaths, a creepy scientific company, supernatural-ness, best friends, enemies and even a little bit of romance.

The only thing is I would recommend reading The Darkest Powers series first, it makes more sense in the long run. (That is The Summoning, The Awakening and The Reckoning) - and I definitely recommend those books as well!

Books

Since I got a Kobo eReader for my birthday last year I haven't stopped reading. It's great you just load it up with heaps of books and off you go. I thought because I read so much maybe I should put it to good use, so I'm going to do book reviews on some of the best books I've read. The only problem is I read way to fast, so I might have to jog my memory so I remember what the book is about.

Sewing

Hi, I go sewing on every second Saturday. So far I've made 2 skirts, 1 top and I have another top and jacket that is a work in progress. At the moment I am making a red jacket.

Everything seems to take me longer that everyone else. That's probably because I haven't done much sewing, and the sewing machine and I occasionally get along.

Fighting with Photoshop

During this term, as part of photography my class has had to do a huge assignment on making a postcard. This meant that we had to research, do 3 million about 10 tutorials, and take quite a few excursions down to Glenelg.

As a part of this we had to make a postcard promoting Glenelg. I have spent a couple of weeks battling with my computer. Threatening to throw it out the window about every 5 seconds. I don't get along with technology very well. ;) Anyway this is what I ended up with:

There not very good but I enjoyed making them, even if I did want to throw it out the window!

Ideas????

If anyone out there has any ideas for things to sell at a local market, that is held every second Sunday I would be very grateful. I have some ideas...... cupcakes, biscuits, necklaces, bunting, tissue covers etc. but I would love some more. Thank you!

Xin chao!

Hello everybody. Unfortunately I had to go to school today, and to make matters worse we had a science test :( I was busy being excited on the weekend. Mum and I went to our local shopping centre, and I took my resume to every single shop........well almost. Fingers crossed someone wants me to work for them, cause I don't think $5,900 is going to magically appear. ;)

While we were at the shopping centre, Mum had me try on a backpack. But not just any backpack is was one of those really big trekking backpacks. Like this:

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It's not that big, for most people, but I am not the biggest person in the world. As part of the World Challenge Program we have to go on a trek, so there I will be in the wilderness of Vietnam, carrying this big, heavy backpack. 

I'm still really exited though, a couple of my friends are going too, so it shall be a big, fun adventure. 

Yesterday I was having a look at a stack at travel books on Vietnam. I'm not so sure about some of the food though. Eating snake and dog doesn't really appeal. 

I can't believe that it still a year and a half away, but I'm glad because it gives me more time to raise the money!!

Ciào

Hello, I thought maybe I could show you some of the things I like to make. 

 I go a little bit crazy when I'm creating, I stick lots of bits together and usually end up sticking my fingers together. I must say I'm a bit like Mum in that way, we don't get along with glue very well.

 I do get inspiration from somewhere most of the time. The paintings with all the paper, and paint and all sorts of things comes from Christy Tomlinson. I love what she does, but I like it a smidge bit brighter. I love bright colours.

The only problem with making so many things is the mess I make. I usually work on my floor. I put a big mat down and spread everything out. I have paint, paint brushes, paper, paper and more paper everywhere. I even manage to get a whole heap of paint on my jeans, but thankfully it washed off.

I Should Probably Introduce Myself Some More!

Okay, so I thought I should say more about myself, hence the heading. I live in Adelaide, with my parents and my younger sister Rachel.

 I love to do art and craft, and I read way to much. At the moment I am trying to get a job, I'm going out tomorrow to drop off my resume everywhere. Why do I need a job? Other than to get the money of course. Well it seems I have caught the travelling bug after travelling to South Korea, by myself earlier this year. I'm going to Vietnam as a part of the World Challenge Program in November and December of 2013. And I'm extremely excited.

Korea was the best experience of my life, and I know that Vietnam is going to be even better, hard but absolutely amazing!

Apart from my family, we also have a rabbit (Buddy), three chickens (Mango, Lime and Salsa) and one completely and utterly crazing Green-Cheeked Conure (Piar).

Int

I could bore you to tears with all the stories of Piar, but the truth is, he is a beautiful, crazy, incredibly annoying, and a bit loopy, but we all love him. Even if he bits sometimes!

I also do make some of my own clothes, very slowly mind you. And I love going to Zumba classes with my friends, making a complete fool of myself but having a lot of fun.

I just want to say that you need to make the most of every opportunity, even if it seems impossible, make it possible!

Howdy!

It is so cold here right now. I'm sitting in the lounge room in front of the fire, eating Lust on some really bread. Hang on, I know what your thinking: What is Vanessa eating!? Well it's the name of Chipotlé Pepper Chutney that we bought is morning. This morning, after waking up at a ridiculous hour in the morning for a weekend, Mum, Dad, Rachel and I headed off in the car to Willunga Farmers Market.

They have delicious food. Ranging from bread, to the Chipotlé Pepper Chutney, to Leek and Gorgonzola Pies, to honey and cupcakes. Yum! Unfortunately I didn't get any photos, but everyone should go there, it's just as good as I remember from a couple of years ago. And the Leek and Gorgonzola Pies are just as good as ever!

I spent the rest of the day curled up on the couch, stuffing myself with Dried Apple Chips, half watching a movie half reading books on Vietnam! Hmmmm...you might wonder, what's she doing that for???

Bonjour!

Hi, This is my second attempt at a blog, the last one failed miserably, but that was a couple of years ago. I am determined this time! I guess I decided it was time to try it out.....again. I guess I wanted to tell everybody some of the amazing things I've done, and give other people the opportunity to do so!