That's A Wrap, Australia!

     Well, it's been one hell of a ride, and for the most part, I'd say it was worth it. I've learned a lot here, one of the most important being: I am very privileged and proud to be an American. Second, those random people you never expected to meet in your life that you boarded with in college? News flash, they are NOT the worst roommates in the world. Trust me, there is always another human being out there that knows how to prick your nerves worse than the person who already is. Hint: You share at LEAST a quarter of your DNA with them...give up?

This isn't even an Australian sunset, why'd I put it here? Because it's GORGEOUS!! Bali is HEAVEN!

     One of the happiest moments of all was when I started my internship at Expense Check! I found purpose for being in Australia. I'm eternally grateful for the experiences I had and what I learned working with them. The BEST times I had are with my Australian family that I learned to love and know. Seriously, they all saved my sanity swooping me under their wing as their sister.

Night Queen Vic Markets were the BEST!

     I must not forget that being able to go to the Melbourne temple was a very sweet experience. It was very nice to find home with the Spirit in this strange land.

This photo needs no caption, only one word. Home.

     There have been highs and lows, and some curves (think of Australia as the little sister that doesn't want to grow up) but all in all, Australia was a good choice.

The best dinner I've had yet! Pasta Bombay at Lazy's Moes. Seriously, the largest serving of pasta I've ever seen in my life! The catch? They don't do take-away boxes! What??

Australia, may you always look up to your big sister, America. We'll be rooting for you.

This was the coolest thing I saw going on down by North Melbourne Central station. Avengers unite!

Oh, and as a parting gift, Henry gave me his cold.

And that's the way it is, folks.

Jess

From Meh to Paradise and Back Again

Don't get me wrong, it's been quite the ride being here in Australia, and I've had a BLAST with these internships. I ain't going to lie though, Bali tops the cake! Who knew going to a third-world country could be so incredible!!

Before I left I told the CEO of Expense Check that I'd be gone for a week, and that I'd be happy to keep in touch for whenever needed. To which he responded, "Ppppsssht! No, you go ahead and enjoy Bali!" Rather generous reply, I thought. It wasn't until I got out of the airport that I understood exactly why!

While waiting in the front of the terminal, a good 15 meters from the front doors and I could already feel the humidity hitting me! So, I knew it was warm, definitely, but I wasn't not prepared for the SIGHT of this place! Green EVERYWHERE! I was in heaven! After our two hour drive to the villa we'd be staying in I began to be emotional at the beauty of the place! It was nearly a palace, and thanks to the awesome connections my mom has made through Zumba, we were offered to stay there for FREE!! No way...YES WAY!!

All meals were home-cooked, or hostess ate with us every morning and evening, and she was absolutely delightful! All the rooms had a balcony with an amazing view of the surrounding jungle, and a freshwater pool just outside? Yes, please!

"Semi-free" range monkey park (really they were everywhere) was so fun! I saw the most adorable baby monkeys clinging to the mothers, and so many more playing with each other! I walked out without a scratch. Wow, no injuries to report for that adventure...do I sense a change in the wind? Hmmmm...that's new.

That? Oh that's just a our very own freshwater pool.
No Big Deal.

Believe it or not, I had fun bargaining at the markets. Some of those people are so silly desperate to make a sale that if you're about to walk out of it they'll give you your first bargain! Or "Special price. Just for you," as they put it. It especially became easier when I got my own stash of cash, which only happened after I'd realized I tried at three different ATMs (three, people) to get cash using my credit card!! I felt like a little fool, but I had my moolah nonetheless.

Beaches so hot the water is actually WARM. It's no joke. No more of this, "It's not as cold as it usually is," deal. It's seriously warm! There were smaller pool at Kuta beach that were frying crabs for fun! Black sand beaches...can't beat that. ;)

Can you hear that? CRASH!!!

The only thing cooler than that was riding, feeding, and petting elephants! That's right. I rode on top of the largest land mammal in the world. Incredible!

Wood carvers, Batik, natural hot springs, Hindi temples and Barong & Legong dances...and the food was delicious! I told my mom, "You might have to leave me here."

Gorgeous temple inside Cafe Lotus!

Alas, I had to return. Still, the week was incredible. I must return, my second home must be Bali!

She decided to smile for the shot! :)

I just...can't...too much Adorableness!!

But guess what? Less than three weeks 'til I come home! I'm SO TOTALLY ready to come home, but still nervous at the same time, because I'm coming back to a new apartment and...no...job. What? How am I going to pay rent? I don't know... As soon as I figure out where to get a new job, I'll start eating again. How's that sound? Great plan, right.

Over and out y'all. See you soon.

Jess

Don't you just feel like jumping in???

No words. I have no words!

Labels Don't Matter and We're All Made of the Same Stuff

     Labels don't matter. Did you read that right? I'll say it again. Labels don't matter and stereotypes are overrated. So, guess what that means? Your worth is NOT defined by what the world labels you! Because at the end of the day, we're all people with emotional and physical needs and we're all made out of the same stuff. Okay?

     Remember how I said we're all made out of the same stuff? Guess what else? We're all sons and daughters of God who loves us and knows us all INDIVIDUALLY! He understands the challenges you face in this life, and because of this you are NEVER alone even when you think you are. You are NEVER alone.

     I don't normally do this, because of the touchiness of it, but I recently saw some talk about something Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in his best wisdom and guidance by the Spirit to answer a question submitted by a member belonging to the faith. Because of the delicateness of the subject matter Elder Bednar took his time in responding to the question.
     Some of the comments left complained that Elder Bednar was saying that homosexuality is not a real thing that affects some people.

This is by no means what he was saying or implying.

     He says straight from the beginning, "We are not defined by sexual attraction. We are not defined by sexual behavior. We are sons and daughters of God."

     This means ALL of us. I don't mean a faved few, or only those that went to an Ivy League university. I mean ALL of us! Regardless of any label of race, religion or orientation. ALL of us are sons and daughters of God and He loves us ALL infinitely without end, and that love is unchanging.

     Elder Bednar was simply driving home the FACT that regardless of whatever anyone or anything is this world may call you, you are a beloved son or daughter of Heavenly Father and He loves you because you are His child.

     Pres. Dieter F. Uchdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said:

"He is not waiting to love you until you have overcome your weaknesses and bad habits. He loves you today with a full understanding of your struggles. He is aware that you reach up to Him in heartfelt and hopeful prayer. He knows of the times you have held onto the fading light and believed—even in the midst of growing darkness. He knows of your sufferings. He knows of your remorse for the times you have fallen short or failed. And still He loves you.”

     Heavenly Father's love for His children is infinite and unchanging no matter who you are, or who someone else thinks you are. Your value is immeasurable and eternal.

     You are the child of the most powerful and omnipotent Being in the Universe and He loves you! Remember that!

     I know this to be true as I know that the leaders of this Church are called of God and inspired by divine guidance to lead His children today.

Jess

The Answer to Creativity is by Going Backwards

     The world is getting more and more digital...and flatter. Flat phones, flat screen TVs, we're plugged in ALL THE TIME. With so much time being spent zoned out and constantly being stimulated with something there is hardly a need to do any of the thinking for ourselves. But if we don't think for ourselves, how will we get anywhere?

     I mean, this is just me thinking out loud here, but without having to do any of the thinking for one's own, where is the need for creativity? If there is no room for creativity, where are the keys for innovation going? Out the back door. We forgot about them yesterday in the sandbox.
     Even things that were originally designed to stimulate thought have gone digital. Guess what? You're not really as clear-minded as you thought, because you're plugged in just by using the computerized app of Stickies instead of spending the two bucks on a block of those peel and stick adhesive papers...what did we used to call those things? Oh yeah, Post-it Notes?

     Don't know what I'm talking about? You are stuck in trap of your own making, my friend.

     It sounds messed up (because it is), but if we are to keep this civilization alive and moving forward, really what needs to happen is we need to unwind and go backwards.
Pinterest is great and all, but is it really as satisfying as having that cork board on your wall congested with all your favorite magazine clippings of styles you want to try, inspirational quotes and people, and places you want to go, and dreams you want to achieve? No. Why? BECAUSE THAT STUFF ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARD ISN'T TANGIBLE! You can't reach through your screen and feel the crinkle of the pages you snipped or the sharp edge on that postcard. Besides, how inspirational can all that stuff be when you have to plug-in, charge, turn-on, and tap open your board just to look at it?

     No thanks. I'd rather pop my eyes open every morning and have my inspirational board be right there on the wall, speckled with rays of sunshine.

Trust me, old-fashioned is the way to go.

     If you think I'm weird, need I remind you that my two favorite fashion icons of all time are both dead?

Jess

White Nights at the Moomba Festival and Dead Feet

Coolest thing ever. Not just saying that, either.

     

     You know that when you've beaten a chest cold in a week and a half, but the rest of your family is still taking a month (and some) to get over it, that you've got drive. Seriously, what's life unless you live it like you are the strongest person in the world? I don't have time for a cold. I keep moving, doing everything else. My family kind of stinks at being sick. Each cough and sniffle voices another, "Ugh, my life is over."

     Really? You can't eat an entire bowl of chocolate OR kick a cold in the face? Sorry, am I being unrealistic? I keep forgetting I have a high tolerance for pain and low tolerance for wimps...Oops, I did it again, didn't I?

      On a happier productive note, Melbourne's White Night Moomba Festival last week was AWESOME!! I want to apologize to all Periscope users for my poor choice of broadcasting. Instead of streaming the totally cool, WOW-mazing light show in the State Library, I streamed some footage of a street concert...sorry. I did, however, film the light show. I've redeemed myself.

Just a giant gold monkey hanging
on the edge of a building. No big deal.

     Waves crashing on building, music and changing ceilings, snake-fish...things swimming in pools, and yummy gourmet mac n' cheese it was grand.
      After standing in an immovable line for over an hour, the mass of peasants and myself were herded through the bath house. Not to be mistaken for a luxurious spa resort, it's what they term their recreation centers, with 'MENS' AND 'LADIES' plastered in bold, serif letters on the from of the building. So, we might as well have thought we were standing in the world's longest line in wait for the toilets...
     Turns out, there was in fact something interesting to see inside. In the longest lap pool was projected a 3D animation of a snake swimming through golden eggs. The security guards were more than excited to get repeating that everyone needed to keep moving.

     I finally decided I was too hungry to wait any longer, lest I be on the edge of hangry (heaven forbid.) The party agreed that we'd stop by the food trucks. From the lot I selected a hut for gourmet mac n' cheese. Yes, such a thing exists. The tastiest mac n' cheese with pulled pork and bbq sauce EVER! Nearly considered going back for seconds then someone brought up ice cream. I had a mixed pray in my mind. Half of me wishing we'd find some as soon as possible, the other half quite certain I'd really overdone my sugar intake for the day and was sure I didn't need anymore.

     Our last attraction for the night was the State Library. This line was long, but at least it was living and breathing. In other words, MOVING! The performance of such a display cannot be described in words, only captured in the film and mesmerized by the mind.

     Walking around the city for the hours on end really takes the feeling out of your feet and legs, but nonetheless, we were determined to make it home. My comrades wanted to stop a McDonald's, but with there being 500,000+ people in the city and all transportation therein shutdown every was PACKED!
     When we finally found our way back at the train station we found that they were directing the flow of traffic into two lanes all the way down to the subway. The congestion of people was so great that the train was traveling at least 20 miles slower than normal. Unless you were related to or The Flash himself you had no hope of reserving a seat for yourself, so the entire hour of travel was spent standing on my numb and flubberish-feeling legs.

My pillow was never so more welcoming at 1:30 in the morning.

Jess

Confessions of a Guinea Pig...I'm Done Being the Guinea Pig

      I've accepted the fact that I'm genetically, and as a consequence, forever short and petite. I've accepted the fact that I'm naturally blond, and I continue to daily fight the societal stereotype that says the ultimate determinant of my intelligence is my hair color. However, I do not understand how either of these unchangeable facts doom me to a life (or eternity) or being the guinea pig to every new and/or worst situation that sweeps by wherever I happen to be. Am I just that unlucky?

     I decided to enroll in the online section of a class last semester and the first words out of the teacher's mouth at orientation are, "So, this is the first time we've ever done an online section of this class." Great...I got out of there with my dignity and a B+.

     After making the decision to take a semester off, quit my job and go to Australia, in preparation for my arrival the third-youngest decides to clear out, bunk with the second-oldest and grant me the...um...pleasure of rooming with the second-youngest...Thanks. I see why you ran out of there so quickly. 

     I never thought I'd miss having college roommates, but I think I'm beginning to see why I was able to score a private room for next semester. I'm going to need some time to recoup to regain the mental stability and stamina I'll need to share a room with any human being from ANYWHERE on the face of this planet!

     Is there some unwritten rule that the eldest always gets the shortest (no pun intended...ha) straw of the pick? And why does it bother me that they have no motivation to get up their butt up and ready to get to school on time? Is it because I've been trying to fall asleep to the glow of their ipod? Their snoring?? Probably a combination...but, hear me Universe when I say, "I'm done being the guinea pig! Pick on someone else to make a joke of."

     I feel like my head is swimming with so much stuff I can't figure out how to unwind! Oh Utah, how I miss you! Your mountains tops, your hot summers (that are actually hot), and all the familiar faces therein (I miss you all SO much!) I'll be home soon.

Jess

The Next Best Thing Behind Central Perk...

     Twas my great privilege this past week to discover just how satisfying a cup of hot chocolate can be. That's right, a cup of hot chocolate was found filling and satisfying. May sound weird, but not when I discovered that the cup of hot chocolate was as viscous as molten lava. They served it with a spoon, but it was hardly for the purpose of stirring. Where on Earth did I find this hot chocolate? I will tell you now, no, it was not at the base of Mount St. Helen's.

     Chocolateria San Churro is so tasty and cozy that if I lived any closer I might find myself going there daily. My mom and my twin scooped through the unfathomable thickness of the sustenance in front of them that not only did they doubt that they could finish theirs they immediately began to question whether or not I would be able to do the same.

Biscuit Crunch El Grande. It was grand indeed.

If you look closely, you'll see mine
(the orange one to the right)
is the only one that's empty.

     Out if the goodness of my own heart I let my mother have a taste of mine - a gorgeous concoction with crumbled chocolate biscoff cookies on top. The deliciousness of it combined with her lack of faith in the consuming capabilities of my stomach must have been so much so that she kept inviting herself to my bowl of heaven. She couldn't understand that I didn't need any help, it's chocolate for crying out loud! Take your spoon out of my chocolate heaven! Good grief...!

     You will all be happy to know that I was the ONLY one that finished my chocolate. All the way down to scraping the sides of my bowl, because it was so delightful. I could have eaten more, but my two companions asked for take-away containers for the rest of theirs...wimps.

You thought I was kidding about the chocoholic thing? Haha. Not at all. Not at all.

Cheers,

Jess