Last Week of Holidays

Uni is rapidly approaching and I may in fact be wasting the last days of freedom I have.
January is almost over, and I am almost done with replies. Good thing I am caught up as it is nearly A Month of Letters time. Just discovered this, and am amazed there are so many people out there looking for penpals.

1. Sign up here: Month of Letters
2. I am level 41 on Skyrim, so that is something. Not necessarily something useful. Oh well.
3. Fantastic movie. Made me want to cry. And eat southern food as well!
4. Missed it in the cinema. Ended up watching it twice at home. So good.
5. Uni text I have started reading & 'The Mandarins' by Simone De Beauvoir
6. Catching up on mail with the help of my fav cup of tea.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Continuing on my resolution to do more creative things, here is an update of the last few days. Nothing like making ice mocha at home with nespresso machine to help with cleaning and sorting.
Not sure what coffee it was, I just go by colour. Kept ice cold most of the day with help from the super awesome Starbucks mug.

On top of this major resolution I made a few extra ones while watching fireworks with husband.

2. Read more and not just uni books *

3. Write more *

4. Healthier lifestyle *

and finally 5. More time with my babies & husband *

* Currently re-reading Of Mice and Men. When a single unit at Uni comprised of 7 different books, there was very little interest in reading anything else. This time last year I finished the complete Hunger Games series in less than 3 days. Have downloaded a few reading apps on phone & of course found more books at the op shops to read (pictures to follow).

*When a writer isn't writing, she should be reading. I have been reading and writing less since I started my writing degree. If it wasn't for uni, I wasn't interested. Letter writing has helped get my hands used to writing, something I worry will be a lost skill for my children. My father & husband have beautiful writing, and I have nice writing if I focus, otherwise it is chicken scrawl of doom. Alarm goes off at 8pm each night to write, but usually I am doing something with or for the kids. Making a rule now to stop and go write at least one line. A lovely woman I am following on Instagram recently purchased a line a day journal. I bought one last year, but never followed through. Am starting this year with a new book (pictures to follow).

* Being trapped either in an office, or racing between classes means I don't eat that well. I often skip breakfast, and lunch, but always make a proper dinner. So I am slowly making changes to my diet. No point in saying no junk food. Seriously I last 3 days before I am going crazy for a coke and cheeseburger. So just little steps. Little steps away from Krispy Kreme.

* Working on planning my days out better so I can have more time with those who are important to me.  

So that is just about it. Hope everyone had a Happy New Year

Belated Christmas Post

2012 family holiday was to Sydney. Big trips away are planned for every 5 years, so it was only a short stay this time. Nice to escape the 30+ degree heat for a few days. Spent our time chasing after 3 kids and forgot to take more photos :(

Chinese Garden of Friendship with the kids. Mr J spent his time chasing the koi. Both Miss I and Miss S were just happy playing in the garden.

 Husband driving us home. Not sure I will even get used to say that. He did all the driving while I play Plants Vs Zombies on the Ipad. I am such a good wife.

Could barely get a shot of the kids. They thankfully didn't wake at the crack of dawn. Wanted to dive in straight away. Family tradition is to get Dad to hand out each one and they can open their own. Too many years of each child wanting to "help" the other one. 

New Starbucks mug of coffee to help get through all the Christmas cooking. 

 

Night before shot of the baked French Toast. New family tradition. I had been doing a 3 cheese strata with bacon for years, but it was just too much before Christmas lunch. Found the recipe on Instagram.

Baked breakfast. So delicious. Kids ate two servings with maple syrup.

Random smiling pear.

Coca cola baked Ham bubbling away. 

 

Christmas graveyard. Seriously I love prawns but if I never have to shell one again, I will be very happy.