30 day take 2 / day 7

Check it out... 7 consecutive days of the 30 day challenge!  Go me.  Don't get use to this, though.  Ha!Ha!

Day 7: Your crush.

This is an easy one.  And at 30, we don't them crushes.  That's just silly.  More like unhealthy obsessions, but for the sake of the blog "rules"...yada yada yada... we'll call it a crush..

 

Two words.  Ga, rowl.  Yeah.  I have been a fan of Keith Urban since about 1999 or 2000 whenever he release "Where the blacktop ends" and "I wanna be your everything" were to my memory the first radio releases of Keith's.  (And clearly he was singing about and to me, right?)  I've seen him several times in concert and am always amazed.  

And of course I turn down the countless offers to go back stage and have some alone time, because I don't want to hog all of his attention...... but I know when he pointed at ME and said "I love you".  He meant it.  My friend at that certain show might say that he pointed at the entire left side of the arena.  But I know where his heart is....(lol)

Now, I could go on and post lots of hot pictures of Keith and make this a nice girlie post.  But instead, I will now move to the home wrecker... err.... current wife, Nicole.  I'd like to point out a few facts.

Possibly a bad mom.  Where's the baby seat, Nikki?

 She is really not aging well.  Starting to look like Dolly Pardon just a tad.  (oh.  wait.  That IS Dolly Pardon??)

I don't even know how to comment on this one.  This is obviously why Keithie-poo has his eyes closed. 

In life, there are EXTREMES.  Step away from the botox Nicole.  Step away.  Your next award nobody will know if you are shocked, or just had a touch up.  Just a suggestion.

 

Really?  Camel toe.  Nobody wants to be with *THAT* girl.

My message to Keith.  You call me when this goes in the pooper.

Disclaimer: I take no credit for any of the photos posted in this post.  And also, I'm not crazy psycho.  Just thought I'd have a little fun with my obsession.. I mean... crush and daily challenge post today.   Have a good one world.

No.. we are NOT on night shift schedule anymore!!

Every now and then, my body kicks into "night shift" gears.  When the sun goes down, my body becomes awake.  And the later and darker and more still the world becomes, the more awake I seem to feel.  I planned on hitting the sack about an hour ago.  In my own defense, I have also been able to catch up with a few friends, and most importantly my mama tonight (who is leaving for Florida today, so wanted to get a quick chat in before the trip).

The weekend was a good one I must say.  Got some things accomplished and marked off the "to do" list, and I'm starting to feel settled.  I've been here for a little over 3 weeks now.  I'm happy to report that nobody has killed anyone yet as we make this transition..lol.  All has been what I think is normal for both parties and I am still very very happy.  Should be submitting my license paperwork soon.. just playing a waiting game on waiting for stuff to be mailed, but that's it at this point.  I'm not a patient person, so this hurry up and wait game hasn't been my cup of tea, but I understand it's the hoops in which I must jump, so what else can I do...but hurry up and wait?

Every now and then, I wonder back onto my old blogs and have a read.  Over the years, I've posted a lot of lyrics, quotes, and news articles that I had forgotten about.  (Yes, i admitted that *I* forgot something...lmao)  Tonight (errr.. I guess technically since it's 1:24a.m. I should say "this morning).... regardless of time, I came across part of an entry from a blog I posted June 25, 2010.  I wasn't sure about the direction of my life.  I posted the following, and it had NOTHING to do with Australia, Wayne, or anything even close to my current life and the way things worked out... but I found it bizarre..and appropriate.  And once again showing that no matter how much in life we "plan"... we don't really control shit (pardon my french.  Wait.  Is "shit" french?).

"I may begin to look into a move?????? I'm nervous, excited.... I am gonna let fate take over. I just feel that I'm being called somewhere other than here. Not sure where, but I guess we don't always know what is going on with our future until it's our present or past. I just hope it involves all the things that I want in life..... a job I love, and a family of my own that I adore. Location is not important. But I want both things. As they say, a career is nice, but you can't snuggle up to it on a cold night."

30 day take 2 / day 6

Day 6: A song that makes you cry.

Green Day
"Time of your life"

Another turning point;
a fork stuck in the road.

Time grabs you by the wrist;
directs you where to go.

So make the best of this test
and don't ask why.

It's not a question
but a lesson learned in time.

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind.

Hang it on a shelf
In good health and good time.

Tattoos of memories
and dead skin on trial.

For what it's worth,
it was worth all the while.

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

(music break)

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

30 day take 2 / day 5

Day 5: A photo of something you really hate.

Awww.  Darn.  Not only a photo challenge, but a duplicate photo challenge.  It is funny that last time my answer to this challenge was a photo of a globe that had been drawn on in "Paintbrush" application showing the 11K miles difference that I so very much hated.  Yah! That's fixed!

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like photo challenges.  In fact, I love taking pictures and have a lot of photos saved.  The problem?  They are all either on my laptop (which has no internet connection yet) or on my external hard drive that is wired to plug into US plugs..not Australia plugs.  Granted, I have an adapter and a voltage converter, but I'm afraid the converter isn't working.  Why?  Because when I use it on my hair dryer the damn thing revs up to the speed of a jet engine and gets realllly hot.  And THAT is on the low setting.  So... while my hair dries quickly when I use it, it's probably also getting fried!  Hence why air dry has been the option of choice these days.  So, while I may risk some over heating to the hair, risking losing years of photo is just not an option.  Even though there are probably some photos that I would have no problems burning.  lol

So, back to the challenge...

Day 5: A photo of something you really hate.

As I've posted in my last few blogs, my body has been going NUTS on me.  Sick of it.  Between homesick and body sick, I'm getting mind sick! So what I hate right now is my body... or my immune system, or apparently lack OF immune system.

To respond to a private issue... request granted.  However, I will be monitoring my own blog.  Yes, I understand the importance of a blog so am requesting the same respect from you.  The respect you've been requesting but not honoring.  Any other issues you can contact me directly.  Thank you.

30 day take 2 / day 4

Day 4: About your family.

Immediate: Mom, dad, niece.  Loving, loyal, funny, a little crazy at times.  Sometimes stubborn, but at least I know where I get it from.

Extended: complicated.......

Hello Bloggerland.

Figured in the midst of yet another 30 day challenge, perhaps a non-30 day post would be ok every now and then?

Today I am in quite a crabby mood.  Why?  Because my body is honestly quite pissing me off.  After arriving down under, I got a cold.. probably just a travelers cold, but I still felt miserable.  Following that was a nasty sunburn which kept me tender for a while.  Next?  Yes..there is a next... a UTI.  I know all women who have ever experienced this just cringed a little.  Luckily being a nurse I had antibiotics on hand that I was smart enough to bring from the states with me.  Which brings me to today.  I apparently have thrush in my mouth from the antibiotics. I haven't been able to do more than a bite or two of food in the past three days.  Which means April is quite hungry.  I can't speak very clearly, so it's easier to just be silent than anything else.  (which I'm sure Wayne has no objection to...haha).  Just stopped by the drug store, and luckily the pharmacist agreed what had happened and gave me some medication that I need.  And I was shocked at what he gave me...because it's only available by prescription in the states... so to avoid going to a doctor is a HUGE bonus.  NOW... to just hope this resolves the last bump in the road and I can start feeling "normal".  Well, as normal as *I* ever am.

I have been trying to actually take it easy and take care of myself and let things wait.  I think I'm doing ok with it.  Although there are a million and a half other things I'd rather be doing right now and taking care of.  But I guess I'll give this whole chill thing a chance.

It's quite warm here.  Reaching about 98-100F each day.  The nights aren't getting too cool either and from what "Sue" on the news reports, it's only gonna get worse.  I really don't like "Sue".  I don't like her tone when she discusses a "warm up".  I don't trust her, I think she's sneaky.  Just as a side note, in case you were wondering. lol

I'm still doing pretty well at driving on the wrong side of the road.  Starting to feel more natural.  And since I've been here for almost 3 weeks now, I would hope that I'm on the right track as far as progress goes.  Also starting to find my away around.  Granted, I'm in a suburb of a HUGE city, so I'm taking it easy by just adjusting to learning just a couple of suburbs and areas.  Being in the southern hemisphere, your sense of direction is shot.  Learning points of interest and distinguishing landmarks (and roads..lol) are your only option.  Can't go by the "I think it's that direction".  Nope..that'll land ya...well, far from where you want to be.

Well what do you know, Dr. Oz is coming on.  A tv talk show.  A show I typically hate.  But right now it's this, Murder She Wrote, or the news in like 5 different languages.  Looks to be interesting.. he's starting the show off with a game "Erection: Fact or Fiction".  No kidding.

I'll be back later to do the 30 day update... if I remember.  I'll leave on this note for now; don't expect others to do what you yourself are not willing to do..or not do.

Tootles!

30 day take 2 / day 3

Day 3: About your friends.

Loyal.  Loving.  Faithful. Are just a few words I could toss.  
Will gladly celebrate a victory,
or lend you their shoulder in a loss.
Always a phone call or email away,
knowing that is something that works both ways.
Never judging despite your worst days,
always love you, despite your worst ways.
They know my worst secrets, and I know theirs,
We've shed a lot of happy, and a few sad tears.
I know when it's a "tequilla night" that my services have been called.
And I hope to god tomorrow I won't puke at all.
My friends are like family, and I love them oh so much
From all stages of my life, we've managed to always stay in touch.
Life has taken us all across towns, states, and miles and miles apart.
But my friends always have been, and always will be in my heart.

-Me

30 day take 2 / day 2

Day 2: The meaning behind your name.

Well, while I'd love to say there was some deep meaning or an explanation to how my folks came up with my name.  April Michele.  I have been asked my entire life if I was born in the month of April.  Nope.  My first name came about....because of.... a soap opera.  Yup.  You read that right.  There was apparently some chick who's character's name was April who was a good character, good girl, nice, sweet, etc.  And mom hoped that I would be like that.  I just hope that at some point that character didn't become possessed, kill people, die, and then come back to life.  Hey, it's a soap opera.  Wouldn't be the first time crazy shit like that went down?

As for my middle name, the folks like Michelle.  However, wanted a different spelling since the name was so popular at the time, so they dropped off an "L"  I also tell mom that she was doped up from the pain meds and probably just misspelled the name? haha.

So there ya go.  I know you can sleep easy now that you know where my name came from.  lol.  Tootles...

Another 30 day challenge? Sure.....

I just finished up my last 30 day challenge.  However, it was a photo a day challenge and typically I blogged about the reason or meaning of the photo.  I came across another 30 day challenge a few weeks ago while pidding around one night.  I liked the sound of it, because while it does have a FEW pictures, it sets you up for more actual blogs than photos with captions.  So, gonna give it a try.  And will try to do better about daily posting... but... no promises... lol.

So here's the "rules"

Day 1: 5 interesting facts about yourself.
Day 2: The meaning behind your name.
Day 3: About your friends.
Day 4: About your family.
Day 5: A photo of something you really hate.
Day 6: A song that makes you cry.
Day 7: Your crush.
Day 8: Something you hate about yourself.
Day 9: Your definition of love.
Day 10: Your best friend.
Day 11: A letter to one of your exes.
Day 12: Your favorite female group.
Day 13: Your least favorite female group.
Day 14: Something you love about yourself.
Day 15: What you would if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant.
Day 16: A photo that makes you smile.
Day 17: A photo that makes you want to cry.
Day 18: A letter to someone you miss.
Day 19: A habit you wish you didn’t have.
Day 20: A letter to your parents.
Day 21: Short goals you wish to fulfill by the end of the month.
Day 22: Your nicknames & why you have them.
Day 23: What you would find in your bag.
Day 24: A song that makes you smile.
Day 25: How you found out about blogger & why you made one.
Day 26: First 10 songs to play on shuffle on your iPod.
Day 27: Your fashion style.
Day 28: What attracts you to someone.
Day 29: Future plans/goals.
Day 30: Who are you?

Sounds like some of them might cause me difficulty, and one or two might be quite similar to the last 30 day challenge.... but, what the hell.  I'll give it a go.

Day 1: 5 interesting facts about yourself.

1.  My step dad is who I consider my "dad".  I leave off the "step" part 99.9% of the time when referencing my dad.  (see..just did it).  He came into my life when I was very young and has never treated me like anything other than a father.  No matter how old I've gotten, or what kinda mess I managed to get myself in (and I'm sure he remembers more "dad" phone calls than I do...lol) he's always been there for me.  I love him very much and am thankful that when he married mom, he opened his arms, home, and heart to her bratty little kid as well.

2.  I believe all things happen for a reason.  I think each good and bad thing you go through take you to where you are now.  In the past 6 1/2 months, my believe of this has more than tripled.  Easily.  Maybe someday I'll blog on that one... but for now, I'll stick to the 30 day challenge.

3.  I am not a spontaneous person (despite the recent travel to the other side of the world thing).  I am a planner.  Spontaneous for me is planning dinner last minute...that will occur tomorrow.... lol.  Working on that, but the planner in me still is requesting all my spontaneous events be submitted a week or so in advance so the pros and cons can be weighed and a decision can be made.  Ah.. I *am* my own worst enemy I believe.

4. I use to be able to play the piano by ear.  I even took a piano class in high school my Junior year for an easy A, and never admitted that I couldn't read a lick of music.  I thought that with my ability to play by ear, I could easily learn to read music and become a really good piano player.  Um.  Wrong.  My mind just took off with what the music should sound like, and that was it.  I just had to remember to turn the page when the instructor was grading us.  Still lucked out with the easy "A" as planned, but learned nothing about reading music.  Not too long ago at my mom's, I lifted up the piano case and thought I'd play a tune.  Wellll.. that didn't work out too well.  Sounded like a 2 yr old just banging away on the notes.  Oh well.  At least I can say at one part of my life, I had a musical ability???  Unless my Karaoke career works out that is.  haha.

5. I frequently have nightmares.  As a kid I could watch "Nightmare on Elm Street", "Halloween" etc, etc.  They didn't scare me at the time, and never caused me to have bad dreams.  However once I approached my early 20's, I started having more and more nightmares.  Sometimes they are crazy, unrealistic dreams.  Sometimes they are extremely realistic and can cause me to shake in fear for up to an hour after waking up.  I've shouted/cried out in my sleep many times (and mostly in an attempt to wake myself up).  I really don't know what the heck has caused this to occur for about 10 years now, but it could stop tomorrow and I'd be happy.  Perhaps that's something I can google one day when I need something to pass a little time online?

Until next time.......

30 day challenge / day 30

Wow.  I'm finally on day 30... 40 something days later? lol

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss......

This one is a hard one, because I miss so many people.  Actually last night I had my first breakdown/crying/homesick episode.  Totally normal and to be expected.  And I'm certain the bourbon and wine had NOTHING to do with it...lol.  We had dinner with the family, and Wayne's nephews are adorable and for some reason crazy about me.  I'm not sure why, but for some reason this made me think of my niece.  Although she's not young like the boys (and wouldn't probably appreciate hugs/kisses/tickles at the age of almost 17, compared to a almost 4 yr old and 18 month old) it just for some reason made me really miss her.  She's going through a lot at home...about to graduate high school... all the basic stress and drama of being 17 basically.  So, anyways, once we got home the waterworks began.  At around midnight or a little (I think it was) we ended up going to the beach.  It was what I needed.  There is something very soothing to me about the beach at night time.  Perhaps maybe not if you grew up with an ocean... but hey, Kentucky is about 10 hrs from the closest beach (and boonesboro beach doesn't count....lol).  And for some reason, it made me feel closer to home.  It was as if my mind thought, "everyone is right over there" as I looked out to the horizon.  Does that make any sense?  Probably not, because since when does anything I do make sense? lol.

Today was better.  Woke up to find an email from my niece who seemed to be in a good mood.  I wanted to call her, but with the time difference, I figured that she was in bed or headed there very soon.  So, ended up going over to Aideen's and playing with the twins.  Aideen is Wayne's cousin's wife from Ireland.  She has been in the long distance relationship and then moved to Australia, so being able to talk to someone who has "been there and done that" has been wonderful.  Not just now, but when Wayne and I were dealing with the miles and time apart.  Again, she had been there, done that.   Her advice has been wonderful, her company has been great, and her friendship has been fantastic.  Anyways it was nice to have a good girl chat today, and I am feeling better.  We are headed there tonight for dinner, but it was nice to have just girl to girl chat time without the men.  You know how women are.  lol.  

I knew this would be hard, and I knew that some days would be easier and better than others.  I accept that.  In our situation, we can't have his family/my family/friends and us all together at the same place at the same time.  Regardless of our location, there is still gonna be someone..ok, several people that we miss.  I cried everyday that Wayne and I were apart, basically.  I cried after I left Australia in November because I missed his family and the kids.  It's just an aspect of this relationship that there is just no way around.  The important part is that we are together and can help each other out when the missing becomes an estrogen teary mess.  As I've been told, nothing worth having comes easy.  

Also got an email regarding some paperwork from my previous job, so hopefully can get my application for my nursing license lodged soon.  I never thought I'd say this, but I'm looking forward to going to work.  I think it will help me feel productive, I'll feel like I'm able to contribute more, and it'll help me to meet new people and make some friends.  I know it will be very overwhelming at first, but that too is expected.  

And I haven't gone to the "wrong" side of the car in a week now I think it is.  Success!  Nothing makes you feel more retarded than opening up the passenger door and realizing you aren't in Kansas anymore...lol.

Ok, so back to the 30 day challenge.

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

 My niece Erin nearly 3 yrs ago on girls night out in Vegas.  We had a blast.  :)

My how she's grown... here she is a few weeks ago....

30 day challenge / day 29

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.

After the UK win over GA in... 2006(???) I stormed the field with the company of some of my tailgating buddies.  We took pictures on the bench (while security was trying to get us to get off the field, while we continued to be goofy and take pictures.)  There *may* have been alcohol involved.  Ok.  A lot.  The player you see here is Demario Ford.  He was signing autographs and had NO EARTHLY IDEA that I was on his arm, making faces at him.  There were several taken, but this was the one that seemed to stick.  I see this and smile...and usually laugh because, 1... well, I am retarded.  2.... that was such a good day and fun time...laughed the whole day and had a great time with my friends.  Very fun day of friends, tailgating, football, and a VICTORY.. a big one too.

Aww... good times..... :D

30 day challenge / day 28

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.

Go ahead.  Call me stupid.  Tornado's don't happen *that* often.  While this is true, when I was in fourth grade, my dad and I were at Lake Reba in Richmond.  However, this wasn't the nice new fancy Lake Reba.  No.  This was a dried lake bed, 2 softball fields, and a porta potty.  Classy, eh?  One afternoon as I sit in the dugout while my dad played ball with his work league... it was sunny.  Next thing you know, it was storming...bad.  Suddenly..sun.  Then...storms.  And again.... sun...  All in a matter of minutes.  It was very strange.  But the strange part to a 4th grader was looking across the field and seeing a barn suddenly become pieces of wood flying in the air.  "huh?" I'm sure was the thought in my head.  I look around and a few others have noticed this bizarre event.... and then I hear "TORNADO!! RUN!!"   Wait.  What?  And run WHERE?  Thanks to the rain, the mud was too thick for me to run/walk in.  So at this point my dad (wearing cleats..thank god) picks me up.  Everyone is scattering trying to find somewhere to go.  But there is nowhere to go.  I mean, unless you wanna risk the porta potty.... So, even though the rule is to never get in a vehicle.. that's exactly what we did...and took off in the opposite direction until we were safe.  We drove around that night (long after the storm and tornados had passed) and checked out the damage.  I was still terrified.  And as much as I love a good rain (nothing better for insomnia than the sound of a rainstorm!) and am not too terrified of thunderstorms.. if I see the words "tornado" in regards to weather, I am, for good reasons (in my opinion, at least) terrified. 

30 day challenge / day 27

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.

Love, love, love my niece.  I won't lie, the kid has had a rough life in all honesty...and is so much more normal than she has any right to be (especially with an aunt like me...lol).  However, she is smart, beautiful, and has just this spirit about her.  It's hard to believe that she is almost 18 and about to graduate high school!  Makes me feel so old!!  I miss her so much.

30 day challenge / day 26

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

My friends mean the world to me.  I am blessed with such a wonderful group of people that I am honored to call my friends.  And now, although I don't get to physically see them, we are all still there for each other.  Thankfully modern technology helps.  So for today's challenge, I found the above picture....perfect.


Update:
First off, it has been brought to my attention by a certain someone *cough*wayne*cough* that I have failed on the 30 day challenge.  In my defense, I literally skipped Feb 3, as in was on a plane, crossed international date line...loaded the plane on Wed... deboarded the plane on Friday.  Impossible to blog then.  Yeah, yeah.. that's one day..what about the rest, right?  Sigh.  Internet has been a real pain in the you know what dropping.  A couple days after getting here I came down with a flu bug for a couple days, and the last 2 days have been spent out and about with some family, so....well, just a lot of factors.  HOWEVER, I don't believe the rules on the 30 day challenge stated the posts had to be consecutive days?  Yeah... I'll go with that.

So, after long hours of travel, including a 12...yes 12 hour layover in LA, I arrived in Australia.  It's the middle of summer here.  Very warm... and gorgeous.  Spent the day yesterday with Wayne's brother and kiddo's at the beach and then the pool.  Awesome day.

And I did manage to burn the front, sides, AND back of my neck.  It takes a very special level of stupid to accomplish this.  As they say, go big or go home, right?  haha.

As far as the distance goes, I miss my family and I miss my friends, but am happy.  Not being able to have conversations without the Internet dropping has certainly not helped with me missing them, but hopefully that will be fixed soon.  It's crazy that 2 weeks ago I was griping about the weather, the distance between me and Wayne, etc...and now, I see him every morning, and every night (except when he is away with work) and it's the middle of summer. Blue skies, 90'ish temps, nice breeze.... rarely a cloud in the sky... My...My... My how things change.  I also got a laugh when I looked at my calender while eating at my favorite Asian restaurant here (so far).  This week was going to be a busy week.  Every day had something work related posted on it.  "EKG Test"  "Preceptor Class" "work" "overtime" etc,etc.  Looks like no matter how much you plan things, life has a way of taking control sometimes. 

Changes.. CRAZY changes....

So, there's been a lot going on in the past 5 days.  As I type this I am sitting in the Los Angeles airport awaiting a late night flight from LA to Australia.... and this time it's not a vacation.  I guess when 2 people are crazy and in love they do crazy things for love?  So so so happy!  :D

30 day challenge / day 25

Day 25 - A picture of your favorite day

My first sunset in Australia with my love.  Should be seeing this again in just a couple of days!!  Guess I should do a non 30 day challenge post eh?

30 day challenge / day 24

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

30 day challenge / day 23

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

One of my fav movies as well!!