Power of the spoken- or written- word...

Sometimes someone says something. Or writes something. Or sings something. Something that you needed to hear. Something that speaks straight to your heart. This happened to me the other day. Someone said something to me that I needed to hear. "Sometimes what is the right thing for each of you, in the long run, is the best for both of you." Did I mention that my friend was so wise. This is the last week of Joshua being in Whistler. At least for the next five months. It is real. It is hard. But it what each of us need to do. Joshua needs to go. And I need to stay. And this is whats best for the both of us for now.

I will miss him

I haven't written in a while. They main reason being is because the biggest thing I wanted to share was not really mine to share. That and the fact that if I am completely honest with myself I was worried with what people would think. I am living it and I don't completely understand.

Joshua is heading home. He flies out from Vancouver homeward bound on May the 1st. I just signed another 6 month lease. In Whistler. For now this is my home.

I love him. With all my heart. And he loves me. But our dreams for the moment are different. No one ever tells you this. That you can meet the man of your dreams and that your happily ever after may not always link up. Stupid fairy tales not giving us all the information.

So here is the low down. We are not breaking up. Yes we are doing the long distance thing. Yes we know how hard it will be. And no we don't want to hear your story about how long distance didn't work for you.. or your friend... or your friends friend. We don't want to lose each other and ironically we have never been closer but sometimes, as the saying goes, you have to do what you have to do.

Where will you be?

I get emotional. Essentially I am emotional. And this includes all emotions. I have never been a "Hold it in" kind of girl and honestly as I accepted who I am as I grew up my emotions only become more prominent. But I get away from myself so back to the point.

Today is my day off. I only get one this week so I am determined to enjoy it. Firstly I slept in. Then I awoke put on two loads of washing and made myself my cup of tea and lunch (I told you I slept in.) Then I watched the latest episode of Glee. I, much to Joshuas distaste, love this show. Perhaps it is my love for musicals or music in general that does it but I love it. I love the way that a song has the ability to truly touch our heart when too often our words can only fail us. This episode was a doozy. A character attempted suicide due to bullying that he was receiving online. A horrible reality for so many. Even when I was in high school a student that I knew from another school (I come from a very samll town) committed sucide. How horrible to be so sad that you feel that there is no way out or past the situation or circumstance that you are currently in. I have never experienced true depression myself but a few of my loved ones have. Things are just different/ harder for them. And I would be truly devastated if I lost them.

The question was asked during the episode "What do you look forward to? What do you see in your life in ten years time?" So how about it? What will your life look like? Where will you be? Who will you be?

3 in the Morning

Last night I woke up at 3 in the morning. I then laid awake for over an hour worrying. An hour. No new information was received. I just went over and over and over the same information. Nothing was achieved. Nothing was gained. I just worried. People say you don't know what you have until it is gone. Perhaps you don't know what you have until you have a chance of losing it.

So They Say...

They say that Happiness is fleeting. They also say that Happiness is a state of mind. A choice. Which makes me wonder. When our Happiness is so affected by our loved ones and people in our lives who's choice is it. I can't help feeling in this moment that sometimes the choice to be happy isn't our own. A loved one can make a choice that is for their own happiness but this choice can strip us of our own Happiness. We can only choose to be happy for their Happiness and hope and pray that that Happiness will soon wear away out our own heartache.

Note: I realise this is vague and odd. More information to follow.

Hating me 101: First of all you don't know me. Second of all... You don't know me.

Learning is constant. Will I think it totally should be. Which should always be growing. And learning. Right now I am learning to deal with people. Well to be more specific learning to deal with people who do not like me. For one reason or another really are not a fan of little old me. This normally doesn't bother me. At all. Which I am normally just fine with. I am understanding. I get it. Some people we just click with. Others we simply don't. That doesn't make me a bad person or them a bad person it simply makes us different people. Which again is normally fine. But sometimes those people that you don't like... well you can't escape. Get away from. stuck in your life whether you like it or not. You know how it is. So here is part one. Things you should know before you decide you hate. And perhaps it will give you a reason not to hate me. Maybe even a glimpse of how I am. And why I am how I am.

When I was younger I was a people pleaser. To the point where I didn't know who I was. There was the real me then the washed down and diluted version of me. A me that I didn't even like let alone recognize. One day or perhaps one week I decided to change this I decided to let me be me. For my yes to mean yes and for my no's to mean it. In making this decision I grew in a way that I didnt expect. I started being on my side. I started believing in myself and my rights as an individual. In becoming more unapologetic I become more understanding. People didn't have to agree with me for my opinions to be my own. They didn't even have to agree with me. I was totally okay with that. Unlike the younger version of myself that was convinced that I was right and everyone else should totally agree with me. So while you hate me.. you should appreciate the fact that my face is my face. The only face I have. Definitely not two faces here.

I am... Australian

I currently live about a fifteen minute from work. Which I walk to and from five days a week. This is a nice time. I often contemplate how I am feeling, my thoughts and the general goings on of my life. Today I contemplated Australia Day. And what makes me Australian. More than how I love a good barbie along with the best of them or how being at the beach with my family and friends makes me feel as if I am home. While I am sure there are certainly more things I only live fifteen minutes walk and so this is what I came up with. The first being the obvious.

I was born in Australia. In a small town in Western Australia. To my Australian mother and father. It was a country little town which in many ways was just like many other small country towns in Australia. A pub and a town hall and not a lot else. But it was home. And then our little family moved away when I was ten to small beach town. A small town that loves the coast and the lifestyle that goes with that. A town where a day at the beach is the best possible use of a day off. A beautiful little town where my family and friends still live. A small Australian beach town that I still call home. My home. Even when I am on the other side of the world.

My love of the under dog. I have always been a fan. A very big fan. I love that someone who no one expects anything of can come from behind and have a win. Someone that nobody thinks can, can win and does win. A nobody can win and I love that. I love the Underdog and am not ashamed to say that I am a huge huge fan. And speaking of fans I am also a big fan of the Come Back Kid. Someone who can come back from adversity through hard ship and have a win. Someone who will not be defined by their past or their current situations or hardships. Long live the Come Back Kid.

I have religious beliefs. I believe in God. But you know what I am allowed. And in Australia you are allowed to not believe in God and also allowed to believe in a different God then I do. I don't have to worry about people bursting the door down because I do believe. I am not going to get thrown in jail. Life is good and I am free to have religious beliefs. And not just those beliefs I am allowed to have political beliefs. Life is good because if I dislike what my government is doing I can voice that opinion. Out loud. In public. And if I wanted to change things I can. I can vote. Or I could run for government. If I am not happy with the way things are then I have the opportunity to change things. I am free.

Since travelling I haven't heard the Australian national anthem that often. Which is perfectly natural I guess. I heard it the other day for the first time in a long time and I am not ashamed to say it brought tears to my eyes. I miss Australia. It is an amazing country. And I am blessed to be Australian. I am blessed to be free.



Much love to you,

Forever free and a lover of the underdog,

Karen xoxoxo

Living a Happy Life

I had an awesome day today.
Awesome.
It was a great day.
Come to think about it yesterday was a great day as well.
Actually amazing.
Then most days last week were great days as well.
Life is good.
Things are good.
I am happy.

Along way from home...

Source: frida-frida-frida.blogspot.com via Sabrina on Pinterest

Happy and Healthy

Sometimes I just don't have much to say. I have officially started a routine. And because that routine consists of not a lot of money (read: hardly any, almost none) I have not being doing anything that I believe to be very reportable. So I am sorry I haven't updated in a while/ a long while but here it is. And because it is my day off and I am lazy it is in point form. Better than nothing

* I work most days at least for a couple of hours. I love it. How could I not. Clothes. A lot of Clothes. It is a nice creative outlet.

* Have joined a gym and am determined to go regularly spurred on by both the vision of me in latest photos and also by a commitment to a very dear friend of mine. Because we both agree misery loves company.

* Yesterday I picked up my snow pass and got my Canadian drivers license. Super exciting day. Now if only the snow we get it's act on.

* Living in a house with 4 others including Joshua. It is really nice. I feel lucky that we can get along so well and have the same view on things.

* On Saturday I am going to a Ball. Joshua surprised me with tickets will be nice to get all prettied up.

* Mountain opens in two weeks.

* Joshua has been cooking up a storm and I must confess I love coming home and not having to worry about what to have for dinner.

* Very rainy last few days but snow is on the horizon for the next few days so fingers crossed.

Happy and Healthy. Hope you are as well.

Love

Karen and Joshua xo

Point and Shoot: Coming down the Mountain

Our Dream Came True

Being unemployed gives me an abundant amount of time to think. I think. I worry. I contemplate. And more often that I like to admit I worry some more.

Now I am not normally one to share my opinions or my two sense worth because in all honesty that was never what this blog was meant to be about. Rather a portal to keep close to those we love that are so far away. However sometimes realisations do deserve to be shared because if you were closer I know that I would be telling you this in person.

Something that I realised yesterday is that it is not enough for your dream to come true. You have to constantly live that dream. Here Josh and I are living our dream. We have moved over here and I feel like I have a constant stream of worries or thoughts towards those that I am missing. And I need to stop.

This is my dream. Our dream. And it came true. So I need to get over the worry and be here right now. Don't get me wrong when I see my bank balance heomerrging constantly I do worry that I am still yet to get a job. And it is so easy to compare to what would be if I was back home. But I am still here. Here in my dream.

For me this means to be bold and not afraid of what might be. To not wallow on the fact that I miss my family and friends. To not worry about the fact no jobs have called me back. But to be here in this moment because this is what I dreamed of.

I guess this advice isn't specific to living overseas either. If your dream come true is finding your prince and getting married. You would still have to commit to that dream. Because marriage isn't easy. Same with being a parent. Or getting the job of your dreams.

Life isn't always easy. But it is great.

More than great. It is a dream come true.

Wordless Wednesdays: Autumn or Fall?

First Wordless Wednesday from us for a while:) Had to get the hang of the time difference and kept going to post them too late. But here we are with a Wordless Wednesday (even if it is Tuesday here:P)

Playing along here:)

Love Karen and Josh xo

The Very First Thanksgiving (Weekend)

So I realise that technically this isn't the Very First Thanksgiving but it is OUR VERY FIRST. Thanksgiving isn't until tomorrow but being a long weekend in Whistler was very exciting. Lots of people come up from the city to spend time in the great outdoors and Whistler really put it on for them. It has been lovely. Today I even wore SHORTS!!

Whistler also puts on insane specials this weekend. Called the Turkey Sales all the outlets in town want to get rid of last season stock to make way for all the latest styles for Winter 2012. Good for us:) We now have everything we need to go play in the snow, except the snow. I want to buy some more gear but that can wait until I get a job. (Nothing yet but fingers still crossed.) I even got thermals. So fun.

Tomorrow someone else is going to move into our little shared house. And then in two weeks time two more people are moving in downstairs. We met them today and I was definitely relieved to find they were cool people and seemed to be on the same page. And they were Aussies which is always nice. So the owners of our place are still looking for four more people to move in upstairs with us but that should be early next month some time.

That's all will report back (with photos of Thanksgiving day.) Hope you are VERY well and I am definitely thankful for you.

With Thanks,

Karen and Josh xo

P.S. Was great to speak to family members yesterday. What on earth did people do without the internet:P

Home Sweet Canada

Well we are in. We are no longer homeless but I must confess I am still living out of a suitcase. Simply been putting of the inevitable task of unpacking an organising. Joshua is being quite good though he has unpacked and has not even mentioned the fact that my clothes have taken over the room. (On a side note I am officially sick of wearing the same thing over and over again and when we do eventually get home I am never complaining about having nothing to wear EVER again... well at least not for six months.) After a week of searching we found a house.

In Whistler rent is very high and most people live in a share house. We ended up finding a place pretty much across the road from the village. About a ten minute walk (fifteen if I am being lazy) to most places. This was pretty important to both me and Joshua as I wanted to feel safe walking home after a late night at work (when I get work... update later.) The house we found is this cute little (actually it is not so little) wood house. It looks how I imagined Canadian houses should look like. It is adorable. We were the first ones to move in and are now waiting on out room mates to get here. The first should be arriving within the week. I know three other girls are moving in but other than that I have no further information. I have never lived in a share house before so fingers crossed everyone is friendly and we all get along well. Because with only one bathroom between at least six people things could get interesting if we don't. So we have been cleaning up a storm making the place nice and neat. Mothers be proud:)

Joshua is gearing up to go back to Laos in less than a week. I am a bit nervous about being here without him but he absolutely loved it there and how often do you get the opportunity to go somewhere you love with some of your best friends. So he flies out in a week but will be back for Halloween. I am super excited for Halloween. This weekend is a long weekend here and part of the activities for it include a pumpkin carving activity for THE KIDS. I was not even kidding that I wanted to join in when Josh offered to take me.

I have applied for a few jobs but nothing yet. I am trying not to get down hearted or worry too much. It is still technically between seasons here as the Winter doesn't start until November the 24th and the Summer season finishes on the 10th of October. So there are not a lot of jobs going at the moment. Still I am hoping persistence is the key and am just applying for every job I think that I can do and hopefully I find something soon. Joshua hasn't started applying for jobs as of yet. He is going to wait until he gets back from Laos.

Tomorrow there is a huge sale in town. The locals call it the Annual Turkey Sale (this weekend being thanksgiving... turkey... get it?) and essentially it is when all businesses in town slash the prices of all their last winter stock so they can make room for the new season stock. I am hoping to find all my gear at good prices. Because I CAN NOT WAIT to get up that mountain on a snowboard (or is that down?) I even look forward to lessons with toddlers who are already better than me.

More soon. We miss you all so so much and think of you often. And are very thankful for the internet so it doesn't feel like we are SO far away from our loved ones.

Love you all,

Karen and Joshua xo

Welcome to Whistler: Update Number One

This is the first time we have posted anything in a long time. And it is very hard to think of where to begin to even attempt to get you caught up on everything that has happened in the last six weeks. So I am taking this in segments. With the hope that by breaking it into parts it will make the catching up a little less daunting. So here we go...

We are currently in Whistler. If you have ever been you will totally understand my affection for the place and if you haven't been there put it on your to do list. Scratch that put it on the top of your to do list. It is a small community at the bottom of the mountain and it insanely beautiful. The centre of the town is called the Village and it has beautiful cobblestones and driving is strictly not allowed. It is even illegal to ride a bike or skateboard (not even kidding you can get a $2000 fine for doing either in the village.) The houses are like those out of story tales. You know the beautiful cabin-esque buildings.

We just finished our Contiki tour which amongst other things did a tour of the Canadian Rockies. Including two nights in Whistler. Now in general I think love at first sight should be reserved for fairy tales and movies but our affection for Whistler began immediately. I don't think there is one particular thing about the town that drew us in but rather the overall. Everyone seems to know everyone and yet this is still an opportunity to regularly meet new people.

I have applied for jobs (which I haven't heard back from as of yet) and we are looking for places to live. We are actually going to have a look at a place later on this evening so fingers crossed that this place is suitable and we like it.

So that's it for update one. We miss you all so much and think of you often.

Lots of Love,

Karen and Josh xo

P.S. Yesterday while we were having lunch there was a bear (a real life black bear.) It was across the road until someone startled it and it ran towards us and up into the area where we were sitting!! Totally crazy:) Welcome to Whistler Karen and Josh:) :)

Point and Shoot: Vegas

Playing along here

Love Karen and Joshua xo

... Just Hanging in Vegas

This is just a quick post to let you all know that Joshua and I are alive and well. I will do a proper update later but wanted to quickly post before Joshua and I go out to dinner. We have spent the last few nights in Vegas and it is truly insane and HOT! Even when you get off the plane you are met with this insane dry heat that just wants to melt your eyeballs. In the shade it is not too bad just stay out of the sun.

The first night we arrived I was wrecked. After the emotional aspect of saying goodbye to my loved ones and then the insane amount of flying time it takes to get here all I wanted to do was crash. Not to mention I had lost my ankles to flying and were now met with these beautiful replacement cankles that made me want to cut my skin to relieve the pressure.

After a quick nap we got dressed up and headed out to dinner. Now I don't want to carry on about the food too much but just lets say there is NO NEED TO ORDER STARTERS!!! Serving sizes are huge but it is so yum. Then we headed over to Planet Hollywood where we watched Peep Show staring Holly Madison. For those who don't know Peep Show is a Burlesque show which essentially is a musical with dancing and nudity. Now I know that is not everyone's thing but I loved it was AHMAZING. Not to mention the insane front row seats that Joshua got me for my birthday (Loved them so much!) After we met Holly Madison. She was nice but note to self don't get your photo taken next to a 5 foot nothing teeny tiny girl because it will not be forgiving.

Speaking of which I am coming to terms with the fact that I am a giant. I always knew I was tall but when you are surrounded by people the same height you forget. I am at least a foot tall than the average girl so when I do see tall ones I am tempted to go stand next to them:)

Anyway after that I went home and crashed while Joshua went out. He saw Steve Aoki and he blew him away. He crowd surfed and everything!!

The next morning we went to the MGM Wet Republic Pool Party. Joshua had organised a day bed and there is honestly no other way to do it... Our waitress made sure our drinks were always full and that we had everything we needed. Joshua actually managed to drink a whole bottle (as in one litre) of Captain Morgans which was quite the achievement. After we went back home the lack of sleep FINALLY caught up with Joshua and he crashed. I got dressed up to go out for dinner. But once I was walking around I couldn't figure out what I wanted so I did a little bit of shopping... in heels!! I am very impressed with my effort considering I am so tall I normally only wear heels when going out and since working at the pub I haven't worn heels much at all. So I was very impressed that I could shop in heels. I didn't really buy much just a few bits and pieces.

This morning we were both very keen to chill out so we hit Hooters up for lunch. It was fun and I would definately recommend the wings. Then some more shopping this afternoon while we visited the sugar factory, Caesars Palace amongst others.

So far things have been great. It is exciting to be somewhere so different even if we are both pretty tired. We miss all our family.

Love to you all

Karen and Joshua xoxo

Oh How Wise You Are Bob Marley

Love you Joshua,

Karen xoxo

Who Are You?

Joshua is still away at work (for his last swing for a while) so here are my answers and I will add his and repost them when he gets home:)

On a side note it is only 8 days till we fly out!!

1. What time did you get up this morning? K: 5.45 am
2. How do you like your steak? K: Medium Rare
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema: K: I can not remember but I am sure it was wtih Joshua
4. What is your favourite TV show? K: One Tree Hill
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? K: At the moment... CANADA:) But I am not to worried about the location as long as I am with people I love and who love me.
6. What did you have for breakfast? K: A coffee and raisin toast
7. What is your favorite food? K: STEAK
8. Foods you dislike? K: Apricot Chicken
9. Favorite place to eat? K: At restaurants. I love getting dressed up and going out to dinner. Even better because I don't have to cook.
10. Favorite dressing? K: Does Gravy count as a dressing? If not probably Mayo
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? K: A Ford Falcon Ute... which I have just sold:( :( :(
12. What are your favorite clothes? K: Bathers
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? K: Paris
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? K: 1/2 Empty
16. Favorite time of day? K: Lunchtime
17. Where were you born? K: In a little town called Narrogin in West Australia
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? K: Water Polo
19. What is your favorite fragrance? K: Other than favourite perfumes... I love the smell of bleach, the ocean and roast cooking... although not in thats particular order.
20. What is your favorite face cream? K: Haha Sunscreen
21. Favorite fruit/vegetable? K: Fruit would be oranges. Vegetable its a toss up between sweet potato and corn.
22. People watcher? K: Yes
23. Are you a morning or night person? K: Probably a night person but thats because I am used to working at night.
24. Do you have any pets? K: No. But I claim my sisters dogs Indah and Ronan Dex as mine as well.
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? K: Its not new but exciting wise it is only a few days until we fly out to the old US of A.
26. What did you want to be when you were little? K: Happy
27. What is your favorite memory? K: Do I have to pick just one? First time I wakeboarded would have to be up there.
28. Are you a cat or dog person? K: A dog person... cats are too stuck up
29. Are you married? K: No
30. Always wear your seat belt? K: Yes the parents taught me well
31. Been in a car accident? K: No thank goodness
32. Any pet peeves? K: Light switchs that turn off/on at more than one spot
33. Favorite pizza toppings? K: Meat of any discription.
34. Favorite flower? K: Roses
35. Favorite ice cream? K: Banana
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? K: Hungry Jacks
37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? K: I didn't got it first time:)
38. From whom did you get your last email? K: Facebook lol
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? K: In the travel agents. Where to next, Jess? :)
40. Do anything spontaneous lately? K: Me and the Sister went to Kalbarri on SUnday for the day. Just because we could. It was lovely.
41. Like your job? K: Well I am unemployed but I do enjoy being a bartender.
42. Broccoli? K: If I have to. I am rather indifferent
43. What was your favorite vacation? K: I loved Bangkok
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? K: Joshua and his Family
45. What are you listening to right now? K: The radio
46. What is your favorite color? K: Green
47. How many tattoos do you have? K: Two
48. coffee drinker? K: OHHHHH YEAHHHHH:)

Love Karen (and Josh from afar) xoxox