Tuesday, 21 June 2011

Snaaazzzy Tasi!!!

What a beast!

As you may or may not know, i spent the 14/5/11-8/6/11 in lovely Launceston! I'm pretty sure you are travelling the roads of the USA at the moment Nomi, but I want to try and summarise my tasi life as best as I can for you (some may need to be told in person!)

The novelty of the boat trip from Melbourne to Tasi quickly diminished as we realised Bass Strait is NOT a friendly length of ocean. 12 hours of boat hell in recliner seats was full of no sleep and the Norah Jones CD on repeat (it was somewhat distracting and relaxing?)
On the bright side, we were super excited as in the morning we would be first car off the boat!! Because we were parked right at the front, with no cars in front of us on level G6..(like the song!!) YAY! .....actually i lie, it was super duper awkward when we weren't on G6, we were on level G5, and our number plate was called over the load speaker because we were holding all the cars up on our level! woops! Good start to a long drive to Hadspen! We were last out of quarantine, i suppose thats karma and i was so embarrassed when I didn't know how to open the bonnet of the car!
Anyway, we were so rebellious and went out for breakfast on a Sunday! Ahhh crazy mormons! (we were starving!) haha and it was Anvers fudge factory! how could we not stop there for breakfast!

Our first Sunday everyone was super welcoming and lovely, and... Nomi i think you might love to know that not only was it my first day in Launceston Ward, but it was also a certain Prebble's first Sunday back in Tasi after his mission. hahahaha. Well we can talk about this wonderful awkwardness later!

Britt Kannar and I experienced the freezing-ness of Tasi and travelled everywhere with massive coats and scarves and tipped buckets of water on our car in the morning due to the ice. AWESOME.
For placement we were in the LGH and I was in Community Health, which meant I got to go into peoples homes and help them continue to love comfortably in their own environments.
I loved it and oh i met some interesting people. I won't name names, but I will share with you a few of my favourites
- A very little old lady whose house was full of flies and smelt like pee, told me she went to the toilet in and icecream container because it is just much more convenient...and she told me and my supervisor alll about her so called "vageeena" hahaha....she showed us her pelvic floor exercises (which involved pelvic thrusting on the couch, and told us that rocking back and forth on her feet had made her grow 4 inches!!!! ...She also puts oil in her ears to make her hear better! She was so odd, but so cute!! you couldnt not love her haha
- Another man told us all about his tragic life of previous wives that 1) had been a "slut" 2) was a drunk 3) turned out to be a lesbian :/
- I met a young someone who had had a sex change...very interesting

I won't go into much more of my placement experience, only that it was such a good experience and learnt so much!! I loved it :)

Tasi is such a beautiful place and I had so much fun living with Britty, Gillian and Jade. Although i think Britt and I gave Jadey many headaches :/

We went to wine glass bay, which is amaaazing! and we drove to hobart and went to a cute market and bought the most delicious fudge ever (it tasted like strawberry milk!!), we also went to port arthur! It was a super long drive and we got lost and arrived at a place called Opposum Bay!? RANDOM! haha
infact we got lost many many times, due to tasi's stupid one way roads!!

We also experienced the super excitement of 24hour Kmart!! COOL!! haha

Every morning was super freezing and our cars were covered in a layer of ice :( tasi is way colder than melbourne, despite what those tasmanians say..
speaking of cold...We went swimming in an icy cold river! dont ask why? haha An experience i will never forget! It burnt it was so cold haha

I realise this blog post is super random, but there is just too much to say to condense, so this is the best i can do!
I also have a super exciting blog post coming up to tell you about! haha you will love it ;)

I miss you and love you and i was so excited about talking to you on the phone the other day, even though i couldnt hear a thing! :)

Just being a mermaid. This shell is very small......

This is on the way to wineglass bay, i dont know if you can see all of the dead crabs on the left...but they were everywhere!!! thousands!! and then there was a penguin....and then...a seal!! WEIRD

Our cabins on the ship!

Pre Spirit of Tasi excitement :/

A real ghost at Port Arthur!!!


Tuesday, 31 May 2011

where to begin...crawfish boil

Oh my word! Where to begin! There is so much I want to tell y'all! I don't even know where to begin! Sorry this blog post is so late coming, but just you wait there are going to be plenty now! I'm going to do a regular small post often to catch everyone up on the fun times of life in the most glorious New York City!


Over the weekend Rich and I went to a crawfish boil. It was at our best friends place (James and Ginger). They are both from the deep south in Louisiana, where having a crawfish boil is a tradition - they're all very proud and patriotic about it!


They are kind of like yabbies! Remember fishing for yabbies in the Glenmaggie ponds? They actually got them sent live from Louisiana. They cover them in hot spices, that is one thing everyone is crazy about over here: hot sauces!


They were actually really delicious! Very salty! It was a perfect day too, the weather is getting warmer, it is so nice - such a huge contrast to the snow we had, crazy that it seems not very long ago. It was 30 degrees today!


(mum...i need new jeans)


I am going to leave it at that. I will tell you about something different tomorrow. Sorry it's short, it feels strange focusing in on one thing when it has been so long since I have told you about everyday things....so much to tell, but until next time,


I miss you all like crazy! I love you all so much and think about you everyday!


p.s, Jordy, that's your birthday card I will send you in the mail...one day...


pp.s, Steph or Jordy I need you to send me a list of books to get for my trip to the West Coast


ppp.s, Jess thank you so very much for that amazing birthday post you did for me and thank you for this blog, I love it so much!


Nomes in Brooklyn, New York




Friday, 13 May 2011

I dreamt the world wore snuggys!!...also (HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHY!)

and the world would be a better place.....

I'm sure you know of the exciting phenomenon of "Snuggys".
Well let me tell you, the wizard look they create, and warm 'snug' feeling they give, i can say without a doubt...is amazing! haha
I walked into Target yesterday....and what did i see...yes...packets of Snuggy's staring back at me!
To my excitement there are birthdays galore in May, and collecting 3, ran straight to the registers to make my day! :)
Okay now this is just an amazing coincidence i would like to state "We're talking on Skype, while I'm writing this" OH MY GOODNESS! ...and Mum is oh so excited about making your friends a Sunday Roast haha...oh and you too
Anyway...back to the blog!
It was Stephy's birthday yesterday, and shes made it to a ripe 23! We had the family over for dinner (minus a little Nomi...*sadface*!!)...we had Mum's famous lasagna and way too much cake :/ Goodbye Jessy's gym work again!  It was a fun night full of dinner time chat and laughter and the traditional de Valle birthday singing...it was amazing haha....and might i add there was also discussion before dinner, about which around is the snuggy best worn...OBVIOUSLY the right way round (sleeves at front)...silly mumma haha
I wanted to get a photo of both Stephy and I, in our brand new snuggy's...but that will have to wait for another time because she went home :(
For now, here is the famous, most beautiful, soft and warm snuggy! I'm going to buy a wand to match it, and you can call me Snape, or even Gandalf the green...or Merlin!! Take your pick of wizard!?
...ahem, I'd also like to introduce your most attractive sister HAHA ..ME! :/
It also has a train, which I'll show in another post!

Perfect for keeping your head warm too!!


So the weather for May has been freeeeezing...and pretty sure you wouldnt know what freezing is, considering you live in a far off land haha...i mean, 4 degrees is SO cold!!! haha 
(just kidding...I've seen your snow) 
Now if i had a wish to make me completely happy, i would wish to buy our whole family, snuggy's...to keep us stylish, warm and wizardy...but i don't think my Uni/"College" (pffft) wage, could afford it :(
One day...one day.
Happy Birthday Stephy!! We love you!
We can conclude the world would definitely be a better place if everyone owned a snuggy!
I love you Nomi, keep safe! 
xxxxxx




Sunday, 8 May 2011

It's time I posted a recipe!

You can say that again! "It's time i posted a recipe!" Yes, finally Nomi!

Ok, this curry is really basic and delicious (and a bit different), and you can have it with pasta OR rice! exciting?? YES

Curry Pasta (or Rice) and vegies

Ingredients:
* 2 cups of any vegies
e.g. Cauliflower, carrots, pumpkin, potatoes, broccoli, zucchini...whatever!!  :)
* pasta or rice
* cilantro
* canned beans if you want?

Curry Sauce:
* olive oil
* onion -chopped 1/4 cup
* Garlic -crushed 4 cloves
* 2 TBS flour (any)
* 2 tsp curry powder
* 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper powder
* vegetable broth/chicken stock - 2 cups
* 1TBS cornstarch
* 1/4 cup water
* salt and pepper

1) Cook Veges and pasta or rice (in mircowave? boil them? whatever is easiest)
2) Add 2tsp oil to saucepan; saute onion and garlic
3) Stir in flour, curry powder and cayenne powder
4) Add stock and heat until boiling
5) In a separate cup combine cornstarch and water, and stir to dissolve. Add to boiling broth and bring to boil and stir until thick
6) Stir sauce in cooked veges - you can add canned beans if you want? or chickpeas? its very versatile
7) Add sauce and veges to your pasta or rice :) and top with your cilantro!

So it can look daunting at start, but...its very easy!!! :)


We missed you at Mothers Day today and our family just wasn't complete at Mothers day church, we almost took up a whole pew!
"Mumma looked lovely in her new dressing gown :P"
what a babe! 

Love you!!!

Monday, 2 May 2011

HAAAAPPPILY BIRTHDAY DOLL FACE! (that's you Nomi)

May 3rd - Naomi Louise de Valle
My dearest sister, how i love you.
I wish i could share this special day with you.
I wish i could be there to see you smile and laugh.
I wish i could eat cake with you and watch you blow out your candles.
You are beautiful. I miss you. We all miss you.
I spent hours collecting and scanning photos, to remind you of how much you are loved.
In this blog i post memories and treasures of our 'special' family haha
I felt like crying a little as i looked through our memories and the wonderful family we have. 
How lucky we are to have each other!! :)
It's YO bday!!!!! (i always thought i should have been black...just like i always thought i'd get a letter inviting me to hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry...)

You are so snuggly!!!

Oh my! Look how little you are! (thats dad im talking about) i dont know what to say about that blue munchkin haha



What a beautiful photo :)
DUUUDE!!!! 
watch out men, the ladies are on the prowl!


CLASSIC


Check our your booty Nomi (CUTE)



"Once there was a snowman"

OMNOMNOMNOM! (wallpaper and radio!!)

pffft who says fairies aren't real!


AHAHAHAHAH :D
I am going to remake this costume for you

Oh how i miss family home evenings with my sisters
I can't believe non of us got a supermodel career?? How did this happen!? We dominate the "star shots"

Baby stephy

you LOVE that swing Nomi! 


She's a babe!! If she were a president, she'd be Baberiham Lincoln 

HAHAHA



Nice Wig BAHA

I bet you thought you were a real spunk. Who's the lady man now!

I love this photo! Our faces are so funny!

Nice bod ;)

I am obviously loving life right now. I love my sisters :) 

Follow the yellow brick road!

Happy Birthday Nomi! I love you :)