It's the most "random-ful" time...of the year?

So what happens when Brian leaves town for the weekend on a deep sea fishing trip with his mates and all my plans for the weekend fall through due to the rain? You get the most random topics for blog thoughts....all squeezed into one post. You keen, mate? Here we go:

So I stupidly went to the mall this morning to run some last minute errands and while I was there for the 20 minutes or whatever, its safe to say I wanted to gouge my eyes out. Keep in mind the Aussies are OBSESSED with Christmas (more than the Yanks). They aren't a religious country, they are just in love with shopping for it, buying the food/"Christmas Hampers" and throwing the parties. (Brian and I and my family have never done gifts for the holidays and really don't get too caught up in the shopping/gift stress, so we have the tendency to go into hiding during the retail chaos of this time of year) I could barely maneuver my way around to get to the Post, Big W (like Wal Mart) and library but I did so happen to see a kiosk of lollies, but not just any lollies...American candy! They had Hershey's products, pop tarts, twizzlers, and to Brian's delight- Dr. Pepper! I tried to snap a photo but got yelled at by the employee so I bought some Dr Pepper for B (they charged $2.50 a can!!!!!) and some peanut butter M & M's and was on my way. *Note to Krysta: behind the American candy they had the section of British lollies! a.k.a. REAL cadbury!

Some of you may have known that about a year ago I decided it would be fun to get an ukulele, to have something musical and portable to sing along to....and it just sounds happy, right? I used to casually strum at it for fun, learning the occasional Beatles tune or playing it just to relieve stress. I now know that I have to get my butt in gear and really practice, because I have just been booked to play and sing with the "B.U.M.S." (Brisbane Ukulele Musician Society) at a gig for Australia Day at a Lawn Bowls Club!!! (Told you this was random) I wouldn't say I'm "good" at playing, but I figure the Hawaiian part of me should kick in and I will be able to learn some fun songs, and above all, make new friends through this. If you want to see a pro uke player, check out this video of Jake Shimabukuro, Hawaii's golden boy for the uke and one of my fave musicians!

Next up on the random topics is our little engine that could, our trusty Corolla. As you can see some of you sent in stickers that display on our car!!! It's fun to drive it around and watch people behind us reading these funny stickers and wondering what it all means. Rumor has it that Brian is in the market to buy himself a car soon, so this dodgy gem of an automobile will be all mine! I'm requesting that you all send us more stickers! I will gladly plaster this car up with whatever stickers you send. (Hey, in the very least its free international advertising right?)

Ok, now I said that Brian and I don't get terribly festive or exhilarated by Christmas...but Mrs. Festive herself (Krysta) has come to the rescue with a care package of -what else? Christmas decorations! :) Thanks to her we've made a makeshift "mantle" on our windowsill with our stockings, ornaments and decorations...along with cards and even a gift that Lisa sent me to be opened on Christmas! Thanks you guys! It has added a bit of holiday cheer to our boring looking house.

Speaking of festive, I had to throw in this ridiculously cute Christmas photo for good measure. This is our little mate back in AZ, Ashten! His mom and dad (Renee & B) are some of our best friends, and if they were all living here, the Aussies would say "what a cheeky little bub!" :)

Lastly, I leave you with the latest and greatest update...we have decided to postpone going to New Zealand in order to lodge our visa paperwork. Instead, we are going ahead with our plans to visit AZ the first week of February, and will be (though pushing the deadline) lodging our paperwork from the States. We're looking into going on holiday in NZ while Dsquared (the Kiwis) are there in March, plus we barely had the money to come home, much less take an impromptu trip to NZ. Looks like bungee jumping for B will have to wait...

Hopefully our next blog post will feature photos of fish that Brian is perhaps catching at this very moment! Until next time, cheers!