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March 27, 2013

the engagement


So it's official - we're engaged (*high fives all around)
 
There are moments in life you wait for, wonder about and dream of. They mark milestones, new beginnings and if you're lucky the actual moment itself is far better than anything you'd ever imagined.  It's hard to believe that after close to 8 years together, a proposal could take me by surprise, the kind of surprise that brought tears or if we're being honest here, sobs - pure, joy-filled, embarrassing, uncontrolled sobs of happiness that moved me beyond belief.  

During what was supposed to be his birthday weekend, while we were watching a beautiful sunset over the ocean in one of our favourite places, the boy finally popped the question. It was the real deal. He got down on one knee and began to say some beautiful words before I had that 'holy shit is this really happening' moment. I looked at him, I said YES!, I saw the ring - all before the tears began. Then it became a blur. One tearful, love filled moment I'll remember for the rest of my life. 

March 24, 2013

port douglas, north queensland


There are a handful of places within Australia that epitomise perfection - that so perfectly embody tropical paradise, that you have to pinch yourself just to believe you're actually there- Port Douglas is one those places.

We first went to North Queensland years ago with our friends Cia and Nick. Together, the four of us marveled at the lush landscape, went to the Great Barrier Reef, cooked up seafood BBQ's, explored Cape Tribulation and all around had an incredible and memorable trip - so much so that when we were looking for an escape for Jimmy's birthday, Port Douglas seemed like a logical choice. It was the perfect paradise location within close reach and a mere 3hr flight from Sydney. The trip was booked.

I'm happy to say that this trip didn't disappoint, in fact it became one of those weekends - the kind you remember for the rest of your life, the kind that you wish never had to end, that you end up talking about and reliving over and over for years to come. Yup, it was pretty amazing. One of the most memorable, moving and magical weekends of my life but more on that later...

For the first time in ages, we managed to actually sit still and relax. On the way from Cairns we stopped by Mossman Gorge, took a dip in the swimming hole and a short rain forest hike before checking into the QT Port Douglas where I was a permanent fixture by the pool for the next 2 days. We soaked up the sun, enjoyed birthday drinks at the swim up cocktail bar, sunset views from our balcony, lazy afternoon naps and balmy nights just the two of us. I can't remember a more relaxing or refreshing weekend that made me fall in love with my best friend all over again. Time had stopped for a short moment and I can honestly say it felt as if it was just the two of us, not a care in the world and both bursting with happiness - I never wanted to leave. Port Douglas certainly holds a special place in my heart and I can't wait to visit again.

March 14, 2013

endless summer

We're off to North Queensland this weekend for a much anticipated birthday getaway for the boy/any excuse for a holiday and truth be told, I can't wait. 

As the end of summer nears I've found myself soaking up every last drop of sunshine and taking advantage of daylight savings before it ends in just a few weeks. This summer, like most of 2013 thus far, has slipped by too quickly and far too many things have gone unnoticed and undone. I'm trying to re shift priorities, put plans back in place and be more present in the moment. I have so much to be grateful for and this week I'm particularly thankful for...
  • Stripes. I just can't get enough of them. 
  • Living close enough to the beach to enjoy an after work swim. bliss
  • Surprises. Thanks to The Woodsfolk for gifting me this awesome Motex. Love it.
  • Hiking in the Royal National Park
  • Trips home to Boston to see my niece take her first steps. Two weeks & counting.
  • Making progress, slow yet steady, towards a long awaited goal
  • New episodes of Girls
  • Packing only carry-on luggage and heading to the airport - best feeling ever.

March 5, 2013

good will hunting

I felt a profound sense of loss for my Boston accent this past weekend while watching Good Will Hunting. I so clearly remember watching that movie repeatedly when it first came out, obsessed with the Elliot Smith soundtrack and the over the top, at times obnoxious, Boston accent put on by Matt Damon & Ben Affleck. Those were my boys.

These days my accent is a lost cause, a hybrid of sounds and phrases that aren't grounded in any one location. My Boston accent softened years ago after living in LA - perhaps at times, dangerously close to the Valley. By the time I moved to Australia my pronunciation of the word 'coffee' was confused with that of a New Yorker and going on six years later, there are times when even I don't recognise the sound of my own voice.

When traveling in Ireland years ago, I ran into a girl from high school. She had been living in Dublin for the past few years and had developed such a thick Irish brogue that I could not understand a single word she said. It's this memory that fills my head every time I visit home and step off that plane - what if no one can understand me? What if i try to order a French Vanilla ice coffee at Dunkin Donuts and they turn me away? I'm in language limbo, neither here nor there. It's an identity crisis I need to face head on - I'm going home in just a few weeks and I'm determined to incorporate Boston's favourite word - wicked - into as many conversations as possible between now and then. So that's the plan, to watch The Departed, The Town and Mystic River over and over until the phrase 'wicked awesome' is once again back in my daily vocabulary. Wish me luck, it's gonna be wicked hard...

p.s - wishing my little sister, the happiest of birthdays, can't wait to see you soon. x

March 3, 2013

recharge


This weekend was all about the recharge. My mind needed it, my body needed it. So I read and rested, put my feet up and enjoyed an Oscar movie marathon, explored the Eastern suburbs, had breakfast in a French cafe and planned a trip to Paris this fall. I guess all I needed was a little down time to feel like myself again.
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