Vincentia is a seaside town on the shores of Jervis Bay, 200 kilometres South of Sydney.Arriving at our B & B, we decided to take an afternoon stroll and found ourselves taking in the natural beauty of the White sands Walk along Blenheim Beach and Jervis Bay National Park. It was a glorious winter day and a great way to relax.
I love Mexican food. It started back in the 1980’s when I began going out to restaurants, Mexican quickly became my favourite as it was so different to our usual food — full of colour, slow-cooked with unusual ingredients. We had many family celebration in our local Mexican restaurant Taco Bill’s including my hen’s night and I was very disappointed when it closed. Today, although you can buy many Mexican ingredients in the local supermarkets nothing beats a good Mexican restaurant experience.
Last year my husband and I spent a week in Port Macquarie arriving on my birthday. My husband was excited because they had not one, but two Mexican restaurants for us to try. He booked us into both — one on my birthday and the other when the kids joined us later in the week. The first was very disappointing and their service didn’t exist. The second restaurant, Poco Loco was amazing. We had a great night together for my birthday, sharing a meal and creating many memories. I was so pleased with the presentation of my food that I actually took a photo of it, something I rarely do but lucky for this week’s photo challenge.
Just looking at it is making me hungry for Mexican.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/dinnertime/
If we were having coffee I would tell you about how proud I was on Wednesday evening when I was presented with my new Toastmaster badge that places the letter ACB/CL after my name. Although I was pleased to have completed the manuals, the feelings that developed when I actually saw them in print did surprise. They brought home to me the importance of presenting awards as soon as possible after completion. The fact that when I first finished my CC award several years ago, it took me over 12 months to get it recognised by anyone probably also played a part in my feelings.
If we were having coffee I would tell you about my run in with my exercise coach after which he disrespectfully dismissed me and told me I could finish up 4 weeks earlier than my original date. Given the circumstances this was probably the only option as there was no comprise possible.
If we were having coffee I would tell you how I enjoyed swimming, running in the water and relaxing in the members only spa this afternoon for the first time in 8 years. I would also tell you that I am looking forward to the greater options in my new exercise program including aqua aerobics, my long time favourite.
If we were having coffee I would tell you how I am catching up on many long time overdue jobs at work, which is inspiring to think about new systems to make many tasks easier.
If we were having coffee I would tell you what a great meal we had last night with one of my Toastmaster clubs social event at Thai Garden House. The food was fresh, light and flavoursome which is why in 2013, it was awarded Sydney Metro’s best Thai restaurant.
If we were having coffee I would tell you that I am excited to be back on track with my Blogging from A – Z challenge this week. It has taken a lot of work over the weekend especially as I am also keeping up with my regular features but so worth it. From my experience, the more I write the better and quicker I get at it.
If we were having coffee I would ask you what you have been up to this last week, let me know in the comments.
Until December 2016, the street and building of Port Macquarie, New South Wales are peppered with large-scale koala sculptures made of fibroglass and hand painted and decorated to a theme. The artists consist of celebrities, professionals as well as local community groups. Each koala has a plaque at its base that has the sculpture’s name and artist’s details. There are 50 of them in total and they were built to help support the work of Port Macquarie’s Koala Hospital — the first of its kind in the world. I fell in love with them and photographed all I saw, about 37 I think. I hope you enjoy some of my favourites. They were so cute.
Idioms are phrases that have special meaning often very different from their literal meaning. The Australian language is full of them and some can be so common place that we forget that non Australians struggle to understand their meaning. So to help explain my idioms I thought I would dedicate ‘I’ to them and many be help my international readers understand some of our confusing slang.
Phrase: Away with the pixies
Meaning: Dreaming
Example: He’s away with the pixies. ( He’s dreaming.)
Phrase: Bob’s your uncle
Meaning: If you do whatever is said before everything will be alright.
Example: Just three more chops with the axe and Bob’s your uncle.
(My fun response to this idiom has always been — no Bob’s my dad actually.)
Phrase: Don’t get your knickers in a twist.
Meaning: Don’t get upset.
Example: He’s 5 minutes late Mum, don’t get your knickers in a twist.
Phrase: Woop Woop
Meaning: Middle of nowhere, far away from any where of interest
Example: I’m going to Woop Woop tomorrow.
Phrase: Flat chat
Meaning: Go very fast
Example: I had so much to do, I had to work flat chat to get out of work on time tonight.
Phrase: Play silly buggers
Meaning: Messing around, wasting time
Example: They are up stairs playing silly buggers instead of doing their assignment.
Phrase: Pull your head in.
Meaning: Shut up, I don’t want to talk to you.
Example: Jane, pull your head in, you’re becoming a bore.
Phrase: Buckley’s Chance
Meaning. No chance
Example: You’ve got two chance of that happening , your’s and Buckley’s.
Phrase: Mad as a cut snake.
Meaning: Very angry.
Example: Don’t go near dad tonight , he’s as mad as a cut snake.
Phrase: Kangaroo loose in the top paddock.
Meaning: Not too smart
Example: I’ve been watching him for a while and I think he has a kangaroo loose in the top paddock.
Phrase: Bring a plate.
Meaning: Please bring a plate with food on it to share to a party or barbeque.
Example: Mary invited us to her house on Friday night and asked if we could bring a plate.
Phrase: As useful as an ash tray on a motorbike or as useful as tits on a bull.
Meaning: Not a very helpful person or thing.
Example: Janelle was as useful as an ashtray on a motor bike this afternoon when I asked her to help in the kitchen.
I came across these amazing driftwood sculptures while driving through the countryside in North Island New Zealand. The artist appeared to work from his home which was surrounded by these beautiful creations. I remember feeling creative just looking at them.
What better way to start the April 2016 A – Z challenge than with some fun facts about my amazing country, Australia.
Some of the many and varied amazing landscapes of New Zealand’s North Island.
Tell a broad story using a series of short, focused scenes.
This was our day at Fanta Wild Adventure Park, Zhenzhou, China. We came to watch our daughter in the diving show and enjoyed immersing ourselves in another culture, creating many amazing memories  as we were stopped by many of the locals wanting to take a photo with us and practice their English as we toured the park.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/discover-challenges/snapshots/
What household chore do you absolutely hate doing?
I hate doing all house hold chores which is why I pay a cleaner. They enjoy it, are definitely better at it and the stress is removed. I love to come home the day the cleaners have been and just sit quietly and smell the clean silence. It rejuvenates me to think about the blogging and editing I can do at the weekend.
What was the last URL that you bookmarked?
I don’t know what this question means so I guess I don’t do it. I am really only an amateur when it comes to this technology.
Close your eyes. Listen to your body. What part of your body is seeking attention? What is it telling you?
When I closed my eyes I did so at my computer desk and put my head in my hands. At this time my body began to tingle and my head began to slightly ache. I think it was telling me thanks for stopping and are you going to feed me soon as my blood sugar levels are dropping after a long day computing and working. Message correct. I felt better after food.
Would you rather have a two-bedroom apartment in a big city of your choosing or a mansion in the country side in the state or country where you currently live?
If I could afford to not work I would rather be in country New South Wales. If I had to work I would rather be in apartment in the city close to work. I of course would be happy to give working in Canada, London or USA a go if I met the qualifications.
Bonus question: Â What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Last week I was grateful for the support I received during a tough week. This week I am looking forward to putting all the little illustrations back into my book before I review it with my collaborator. Editing is such a long process.
Share Your World – 2016 Week 8