Happy New Year

I wasn't going to do a New Years post, but I miss writing in this blog. I know I've been posting, but I wrote all those last week before we left.

I have so much to say, but I will TRY not to make this super long.

1. We're having fun on our road trip. We visited my in-laws in Gainesville Florida. It's so nice for us to see beautiful parts of America. Fort Worth Texas is lacking in that attribute. Even my parents (who LOVE Texas) admit to this. We've also spent nights in Bossier, LA, New Orleans, Destin, FL, Mobile Alabama, and now we're in Lafayette, LA. Tomorrow we head for home.

2. I actually have A New Years Resolution this year. I usually skip all that. My resolution is an extremely typical one. It messed me up a bit in the past. But this time, I plan to go about it in a healthy and reasonable way. I shall try to avoid any extremes.

3. Until a few minutes ago, I did not see what all the fuss was regarding The Office. But I just watched a bit of an episode with Tim. I laughed so hard. Australia was mentioned in one of many hilarious lines.

4. On our road trip, we went to a tourist place called Silver Springs. I wasn't very impressed. I thought it was overpriced, and I didn't like that they were so strict about bringing in your own snacks. But they did have a saltwater crocodile and two Emus. I was excited to see some Australian animals, although I'd prefer to see them in Australia. I was about to write that I'd prefer to see them WILD in Australia. But for the crocodile....that's not exactly true.

5. I saw on the news that scientists have put tracking devices on some Great White Sharks. If one of them gets too close to beaches in Perth, the lifeguards are going to get a text message. I thought that was so funny.

6. There was a used bookstore in Mobile. I tried to find some treasures, but had no luck. They did have two Australian books, but I already have them (The Fatal Shore and Toad Rage) Crap!. Now that I think of it.....I read Toad Away, not Toad Rage. I should have bought the toad book. Oh well.

7. I actually had The Fatal Shore with me on this trip. I tried rereading it. Despite my obsession with Australia, I end up getting bored by that book. I daydreamed through most of the book again...except for the part that interested me the first time I read it. I LOVE the part about Alexander Maconochie. I've decided he's my hero...or one of them. Anyway, I've decided to see the book more as a reference...something to consult when I want information. For me, it's probably better as a look-in-the-index type book, rather than one to read straight through.

8. In the car, I got into one of my fairly frequent corny mushy moods. I thought about how this blog and Australia obsession has brought so many wonderful people into my life. The funny thing is, not all of them are Australian. It's sometimes just a matter of one person leading you to another person. I met a new American friend via an Australian blogger. And through another Australian blogger, I was introduced to an American blogger. Then through his blog, I "met" this fantastic woman from India.

9. We talked about one of you at lunch. It's not uncommon. For some of you who comment fairly often...you're household names in our family. I talk about you guys as if you're old family friends. Maybe it's because deep in my heart, that's what you are....or at least what I'd wish you to be.

I hope to meet even more awesome people in 2010. And I hope my current relationships with people will continue to grow and deepen.

10. For those of you who had a bad 2009, I hope 2010 is much better for you. For those who had a good 2009, I hope 2010 is just as good...maybe even better. I wish good health, happiness, safety, understanding, peace, wisdom, miracles, love, and laughter on all of you.



What would our world be like if we
knew for sure there 
was life after death, and 
we could easily talk to our 
dearly-departed on the Internet?

The Dead are Online a novel by Dina Roberts 

8 comments:

  1. I LOVE Steve Carell! I love his humor.

    Happy New Year to you, too!

    And I don't know if you referred to me in the twenty people you mentioned, but we talk about you at lunch, too (occasionally)...
    Actually, until I finally started using your name, C was often confused about who I was talking about. I'd say "the Australia chick" and he'd think I was referring to someone else. Finally I am down to just using names, and he knows who everyone is.
    It was weird there, for a while. There was "acupuncture chick" "australia chick" and then a few other people in Australia and a few other bloggers as well.

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  2. The Office is one of my all time fav tv shows!!

    Happy New Year, Dina. I am grateful to call you friend.

    xoxo

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  3. HappyOrganist: I need to start watching The Office more. I did like Carell in that one movie....the one where he falls in love with his brother's new girlfriend. I forgot the name.

    I TOTALLY referred to you in the post. You're the American I met through an Australian.

    I think I mostly refer to people by name. Jack's better at knowing who I'm talking about. Sometimes with Tim I have to explain/clarify. You'd probably be the "Mormon" or "the one from Utah". And for a short while, you were something like "That woman who said mean things, but now I kind of like her". ; )

    I think before our last trip to Australia, I didn't really talk much to Tim about Internet people. I think it was one of the divisions between us. I had all these Internet relationships, and he didn't know much about them. Then when we actually met some Internet people in Australia, I think it became...maybe more real? So I'm more likely to mention people to Tim...and I think usually I mention people by name.

    Also, he used to never read my blog, and now he does. So he's actually "seen" some of the people.

    Jamie: Happy New Years too!!! I am SO grateful to have you as my friend. I love you so much.

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  4. I like that movie, too. 'specially the making-out scene (were there a couple of those in there?) Yeah - that was a good movie. He is so cute. I just love him.
    You should check out "Community" (that's the show C is really excited about right now. It's pretty cute. Maybe it's an acquired taste.. I used to tease Cody a lot about him watching it.) Anyway.. pretty cute.

    So are you up all night tonight? We are totally trying to go to bed early (the thing is all these people make a racket come 12am...) ;)

    I remember last year I woke up, of course, at midnight b/c of all the noise.

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  5. Again more similarities ;) I too am unable to tackle the Fatal SDhore, what can it be? I've been blessed with a host of new friends, people I feel such a close connection with, courtesy of blogging!
    Dear Dina wishing YOU and Yours all the exact same ::: good health, happiness, safety, understanding, peace, wisdom, miracles, love, and laughter on all of you for now and forever.
    Huge Hugs,
    C. xo

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  6. HappyOrganist: What is Community about? I haven't heard of it. We're up past midnight almost every night. That's one of the things of homeschooling. You don't really have to stick to a traditional sleeping schedule. Jack's usually up past midnight and sleeps in until 10 or 11. Although this morning he was up at 8. I'm not big on the midnight countdown. I don't know. It's too...something. It makes me feel a bit embarrassed and uncomfortable.

    This time I was on the toilet when it happened. Jack called through the door that it was 2010. Tim was in another room watching a movie.

    So were you able to sleep through it?

    Cherie: Oh good! I'm glad to know that even some Australians find the book hard to get through. It makes me feel better. Thank you for the New Years wishes. I am grateful to know you : )

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  7. Amy,

    Hi!! It's nice to see you again. Happy New Years to you too : )

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