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September 20, 2011

Sydney Harbor Bridge

It took 9 years, $6.25 million, and the lives of 16 men to make the creation of one of the most iconic Australia landmarks, the Sydney Harbor Bridge. The bridge was built during the Great Depression and the men who built the bridge were the highest paid workers in Australia, due to the dangerous conditions they faced each day they came to work. 16 men gave their lives to the bridge and hundreds more chanced it day in and day out. After the bridge was completed and celebrated the same men who risked their lives building the iconic bridge were sent back to the unemployment line. Out of all the facts that I have heard or read about the bridge, this is the one that sticks in my brain. So when Dave and I walked across the bridge I thought about all those men working hard for years to build the bridge I was now walking across.

There are different ways for one to experience the Sydney Harbor Bridge. You can view it from a distance taking in the whole bridge at once, you can do the Sydney Bridge Climb and walk up to to observation point, take an elevator up to a lookout point, or walk across the bridge beside the whizzing traffic. Dave and I decided to do the latter because I have already done the Bridge Climb and Dave is afraid of heights...plus it saved us some money (which I then spent on souvenirs)!

Walking across the bridge wasn't as exciting as Dave and I both that it would have been. The fence with barbed wire top keeps you locked into your path daring you even think about climbing over. However, when walking across it seems just like any other bridge, but then you look at the Harbor and remember nope, This is not just any other bridge. The views of the Harbor and city are the best part of walking across the bridge, they are breathe taking views that you can't capture on film.

Shadow of bridge in the Harbor

NSW Flag at Observation Point on top of the bridge

I did love seeing the structure of the bridge up close, how intricintaly they flow from one spot to another. The sun hitting some areas brightening them up while other areas are left in the darkness of the shadows. After crossing the bridge, we turned right around and walked back again, seeing things that we didn't see before.

I believe my favorite time to see the Sydney Harbor Bridge is at dusk when the lights start to come on truly illuminating the bridge and the Harbor.

September 19, 2011

This last week has been really lazy and relaxing with no schedules to really keep. We took our weekly trip into Sydney, spent time at the beach, and read many many pages.

Here are my favorite photos from this past week:

This is Our Spot in Our Park...I like having places that we now call Ours!

I got new shoes, they make me feel very strong and rockerish

Sign in Sydney that reminded us of our friends Diana and Blake

Planted by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1954

I love the mix of old with the modern

Beautiful stained glass on bits of the sidewalk outside buildings

Dave tying my shoe...I'm a lucky girl!

Up, Up, and Away!

Sunny weather brings more frequent beach visits

Sunday afternoon shopping at the local 2nd hand bookstore

September 17, 2011

HANSON - let the screaming begin

Friday I mentioned how these cuties have grown into handsome devils! Along with many other girls I have loved them since MMMBOP, growing up Zac Hanson could do no wrong in my eyes. Now as an adult, well in age at least, I still madly love HANSON. While growing up (and losing their long hair) , their music style has also grown with them. Their album Shout It Out is great, filled with sing a long songs where you can dance in your car and have fun.

This is one of my favorite songs off the Shout It Out album. So give it a listen and don't resist the urge to dance around the room and shake your hips!

P.S. If you ever have a chance to see these guys live...DO IT! Not only will you be surprised my the vast amount of people there, how darn good looking the guys are, but also by how much fun you will have at a HANSON concert!

What is "Cool"?

Has there ever been a time in your life when your mind keeps thinking about one certain thing, and then BAM it feels like the whole world knows exactly what you are thinking and you find meaning in the most random places?

This is exactly what happened: One night I talked to Dave about how I say the word "cool" way too much and I don't even know what the definition is or why I feel a need to be "cool". The next day I pick up an issue of Frankie (issue 40: March/April 2011) in the library and inside is the article, What Is "Cool"? in which four writers gave their opinions on this crazy word we all try to be.

This is what I learned from the article (which I recommend reading):

Marieke Hardy (writer) : Cool is not giving a SHIT. It's all about the attitude, doing what you want and not really caring how others view it. I find this to be extremely difficult, I for some reason care what everyone thinks and if they think I am trying to hard...which I may be because I don't have the confidence to pull things off. I at times have to remind myself that I don't know anyone here and what would be the big deal if someone didn't like what I was doing or wearing.

Justin Heazlewood (writer): Cool has for so long been exploited as a social currency, forcing youth to play off against each other, that it's wise to take it with a grain of organic sea salt. He also states, that it is a superficial class divide, based on popularity rather than material wealth. Oh, Justin! How I love that you stated this little bit of truth that I definitely needed to hear!

Caro Cooper (writer): Cool is entirely indefinable, relative, and transient. What is cool to one person is not always going to be to another person, plus what is cool now won't be cool again until rediscovered by our grandchildren. In the end, when all is said and done most people are still cool to someone. This makes me say, HELLO!?!? Really, why do I want to be "cool" so bad...in the end it doesn't matter, plus I hopefully will always be cool to my nieces and nephews. I should be more focused on how the people who love me see me than how strangers view me.

All in all, "cool" is defined by really however you want to define it. I need to stop looking outwards for a definition and search inwards more. I need to gain confidence in myself, not care what strangers think, and try to be a role model for others. I can be cool because I'm goofy, I like music, I dance silly dances, and I am unashamed (at times) for who I am. Personally I think those are better reasons for being "cool" than wearing the right clothes, going to the right clubs, or knowing the newest indie bands.

"Cool is such an abstract noun, asking for a definition is like asking Mary Poppins to explain what it feels like to be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

- Caro Cooper

September 16, 2011

5 Things Friday

Before we get started, guess what!!!!! This is my 100th post...holy cow..can you believe I have posted 100 things?!?! This is milestone, hopefully one of the many first milestones for this little blog and me!

This is a new weekly post where I will be sharing 5 new things about me every Friday. I think this is a great way to help you get to know me as well as a lesson for me on learning to open up to others. I hope you like the idea and will join me every Friday (or everyday!).

1. I believe that all 3 Hanson brothers have grown up to be good looking studs...and I'm never afraid to hide my HANSON pride! I'm sad that I will be missing their concert this year....hopefully Betsy or Marks find another Hanson buddy!

2. I met my husband at the same bar my sister met hers, which is across the street from the bar my parents met at.

3. For many years I wore a size 9 & 1/2 shoe and then *POUF* my feet were a size 9!

4. I own an acoustic guitar (for 8 years now) but have no idea how to play it. It's still one of my prized possessions and I probably would save it in a fire.

5. While swinging in my yard as a little girl I would make up songs and sing them at the top of my lungs to the skies. I believed I was going to be a BIG star someday!

September 14, 2011

For The Love of Trees

If you have been reading for a bit, you may know that I am in love with trees. They are strong, beautiful, unique, and represent a lot of things I hope to represent in my daily life. I obsessively am taking pictures of trees, finding each tree and branch to be individually awe inspiring.

Well, this weekend Dave and I took part in our first civic engagement here in Newcastle. We attended the GIG to Save the FIGS at the local civic Park. City council is trying to tear down the fig streets on Lamben Street (which is behind the park and in front of the art gallery and library) for "traffic" reasons (there may be different reasons, but this seems to be the main one). Have you seen a fig tree? These are BEAUTIFUL, magnificent trees that tower over everything below them providing a sheltering canopy.

Source

To tear down trees that have been here for more years that we have been alive because of traffic reasons is sooo sad. Lamben Street is not that large of a street (maybe due to the trees) but that is okay because nature is more important than getting somewhere quicker. Plus I'm one for even not having a street, I think making the section of road into a pedestrian path would be great! Could you say no to these great figs??