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!

Parcell World Tour Continues with...Penguins.

     Adventure resumes, rather continues, on the #ParcellWorldTour as we headed to Cowes, Philip Island for the weekend. As in this occasion we had ALL seven children in tow it became necessary to rent a second vehicle for the trip. This being the case, Henry was very captured by the idea of having a new car to drive, so of course, where did he need to have his carseat moved to? That's right. So, I slipped my bag out of the "trunk" (if you could even call it that) of the new rental and moved it back into the van. A selfish endeavor of mine on this travel became that if I could get a couple of hours without Henry's whining, I was going to take it.

A cozy koala asleep at the Conservation.
Couldn't bat an eye for anyone.

     It was weird not having the bulky carseat bulging out on all sides of the backseat. Definitely more space, and much less suspense in the air that at any fragile moment the silence might be broken by the screeching frustrations of the toddler in all ears of the passengers in the air-tight space all around. The two-hour drive went quickly because of this when I looked up to see that we had come to the famous chocolate factory on Philip Island. The most appealing thing on the outside of the sign were the words that read "free sample" which was all Karly seemed to care about, and I can't help but agree! Who doesn't love free chocolate??

     The free sample nor the tour of the factory happened as it cost more money than anyone in the right mind should pay for such a thing, and we only utilized the factory for it's convenience of public toilets. We waved goodbye to the factory and sneered at the sad excuse of a "chocolate-themed" laser tag out back. Picture cardboard cut-outs painted and drawn on to look like chocolate bars...yeah. That was their chocolate-themed laser tag? Umm...no. Try again.

     The house rental was very pretty on the inside, though I would find out the hard way that the beds were not as comfy as they appeared. As I lay awake trying in vain to fall asleep later that first night, all I could think about was how much lack of support there was for my back where I needed it and how much it felt like I was stretched out across a springboard topped with a piece of sheet rock. Needless to say, I couldn't fall asleep. My only release was when I gave up on the bed, grabbed the extra blanket from the closet, and went out to the living room to make the straight, round-back loveseat as comfortable as possible. By this time it was about 5:45AM and I still hadn't even slipped into sleep stage: two.

     The only activity planned for the evening was to go see the "Little Penguin Parade". This little island in Australia is home to the world's littlest penguin that stands on about 12 inches tall (so cute!!). After tickets were paid for we walked all the way to the beach. I saw signs for such things as "General Admission" and "Penguin Premium". It turns on that everyone is shuffled down to the amphitheatre-like benches on the shore, and all we are to do is sit there are wait for the penguins to swim home after dark. What in the world a premium viewing is? I have no idea.
I suddenly became very appalled to the fact that these people had monetized something that occurs so naturally. We just paid you $25 a pop to watch some penguins swim up to a beach? It all seemed rather unethical to me, and I felt like a little bit of an idiot for falling victim to their scheme.

Beautiful sunset on the beach!

     We weren't supposed to take pictures, but naturally some dum-dums think they're clever enough to get away with it. Nope...one Einstein wannabe got caught TWICE! I really had trouble not laughing and rolling my eyes at him. Hmmm...yeah, I just wonder what that LED box in your palm could be, it couldn't possibly be a CAMERA, would it?? The rangers aren't that stupid, Watso. Nice try.
The penguins swam up, it was cute, then we all remembered we were cold.

     Our final day was LONG, to say the least. We drove up to Philip Island's Grand Prix track to have the privilege of watching my dad and Leo ride some go-karts. None of the rest of us could actually drive with them, because there is a "special" license needed to do so. The big girls hung out in the car for a good hour or so before the duo even started orientation. They got there eventually (Leo totally beat Dad, by the way).

Is here even trying to pass Leo?

     It was lunch-time, but there were no plans to scavenge for an appropriate lunch meal. No time to waste, Melbourne City was waiting with its giant dominoes stretched across the metropolitan. Our nook to watch a portion of the white concrete blocks tumble was cool and busy with the hundreds of other on-lookers.
Most of the children, meaning everyone except Henry, were hell-bent on getting some real food. Snack food is no substitute in place of a meal.

After doing her best to hold it together, my poor little sister's blood sugar had been tortured enough, and she just about ripped a box of pizza out of my brother's hands all for herself. I couldn't remember the last time, myself, that I had been so famished for the want of food that I wasn't just grumpy, but upon beholding the sight of sustenance I burst into tears. My dear sister, was so desperate. We were all on the grumpier side of the scale by this time in the day, we all needed a real meal.

The life-size dominos.
Not so big-as-houses as originally thought.

I was so grateful to be back at the house, and to have myself showered and clean.

Laundry time!

Jess