JESSTRALIA

It is such a treat to have the bright, beautiful, inspirational blogger, crafter and vegan as a friend and guest poster. Alana is a generous and creative soul that calls Paddington, Australia home. I had the pleasure of getting to know her in my travels and found what it looks like when someone is truly and genuinely themselves and dedicated to authenticity. Alana is a walking, talking, cooking, studying, and crafting animal rights and eco friendly ethical soul. I dare you not to fall in love with her Ever get lost on the page you were reading? Alana has your solution and it is simply lovely. ------------ -------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- -------------- ----------------- Our lovely friend Heidi gifted us The Crafty Minx by Kelly Doust just recently. What a fantastic book! (Thanks Heidz).  It came at the perfect time as I've been looking for some simple projects to perfect my (non-existent) sewing skills. Wi

I love to eat. I do it at least five times a day because I am what they call a “snacker”. I have eaten a regular American diet most of my life, which means I have excluded no food from my diet (meat, plants, sugar, cooked, raw, etc). I love the taste, texture, cultural experiences and the warmth and comfort food provides. If you know me than you know 60% of my diet consists of raw plants anyways. On my recent visit to China I have found myself re-working what my food intake and aftermath experience means to me and have come to the conclusion that food is not just good; it is fuel and my main living source and something that I love to share. I have been experiencing changes all year, included but not limited to the country I live in, the job I have, the friends I surround myself with and the places I travel (inevitable the food I eat). I have grown exponentially this year constantly challenging myself to live a different place, take different jobs, make di

After living in Austin for 9 years, working hard, going to college, obtaining my Masters in Social Work, volunteering, working three jobs at once and having a decent social life I needed a change. I felt like there was something more and I wasn’t finding it in Austin.   I met this guy in Italy during my Euro adventure after graduation in 2007. This handsome, kind, funny, talkative, smart, sweet and sensual man and I kept in touch with for five years. He happened to be Australian. After conversing for some time we were both single in 2010- I met him in Sydney and then he came to Austin. Sometimes you reach a certain point in your life that you just have to take that jump. The first leap I ever took was with my brother when we jumped out of an airplane at 17,000 feet on his 25 th birthday. The second leap that I took was by myself to Australia. I ran through the motions. I figured out the visa, I submitted my qualifications, I had my license notarized, I

A word of advice to future China travelers 1.      Avoid, if you can, transferring flights in non-english speaking airports between the hours of 8pm and 7am. There is no one around to help and the people that are around do not want to help and cannot help because they don’t know what you are asking.    2.   When traveling internationally, pack extra undergarments, necessary toiletries and enough clothes for 36 hours. 3.      Do not expect anyone to be helpful. You must make them want to help you for fear of the consequences if they do not. This may seem contradictory to westernized people, however in a land where yelling, pushing, talking over one another and frustration are apart of daily life, you must MAKE people want to help you. 4.      Prepare yourself months in advance to stop looking in the direction people point. Chinese people will point when you ask them a question and you will be tempted to look. Don’t. The direction they are pointing simply leads

Have you ever been or at the very least heard of a yoga rave? Me either, well at not until recently.   Lululemon sponsored The Future Sound of Yoga to facilitate a two hour long yoga rave dance party class that was the most exhilarating experience of my life! Around 150 people tightly packed into a dark room with wood paneled floors, glow sticks around their wrists, glow in the dark face paint, a rainbow of colors of lululemon fast wicking yoga clothes, open minds and hearts and positive attitudes gathered to let their bodies guide them to the music while flowing and dancing. There was a DJ that played slow beats to our Vinyasa flows and an energy in the room that could have lit up an entire country. Dancing has never felt so good, looked so free and been so uplifting. There was small offered direction and nobody trying to look sexy or choreographed. There were people stomping, wiggling, hippy flowing, booty shaking and jumping with no inhibitions and no alcohol or

Is a term I heard from my friend, Craig, at a rubgy (aka footy) game a couple of weeks ago. There was a player struggling to plunge his body forward towards his goal line. I inquired what this loud sportsmanship request meant because I couldn’t work it out. To much of Craig’s surprise, I had no idea what this phrase meant and I was unsure about the context just as I am unsure how many rugby players can be on the field at once. So, he simply explained that “Pin Your Ears Back” when and when not screamed by a proud but disappointed fan simply means “Just go for it.” I laughed and thought to myself “that is my next blog entry.” Gold Coast. Love little Alex in the corner. Rafting down the Barron River. Hunter Valley Winery Tour   The reason this statement resonated with me so much is because it is true. We MUST go for it. We must throw the fear to the side and dive, cannonball or pencil jump into the cold deep end. We must thrust ourselves forward, meet strangers, take

Passion, Inspiration and heart make me want. Intention, compassion and love fuel my actions. Dreams, goals and hopes drive my perseverance. Words, images and movements show my mood. Creation, physical manipulation and nature ground me. Friends, family and community fill me with appreciation. Laughter, communication and support is what I need. Genuineness, generosity and unconditional love is what I have to offer. Someone, somewhere, doing something is who I will find.  Harrietville, Victoria.  Marchish

Breakfast is considered to be the most important meal of the day. It is the meal that kickstarts your metabolism, wakes your body up and gives you the initial fuel you need for your brain to start activating critical thinking skills. There are those that cannot turn down a thick stack of pancakes, a dense and icing filled cinnamon roll or a maple soaked waffle.   I am more of a savory food lover and have a preference for an egg omelet with a ton of veggies and spice with a buttered English muffin. However, every now and again I can handle a sultry sweet and tantalizing breakfast and most recently I was introduced to an ice cream toped citrus and sweet French toast breakfast and I haven’t stopped raving about it since. In Australia they not only have options for French toast other than butter, powdered sugar and syrup, but in fact, it is not uncommon to have ice cream with breakfast, especially French toast. I went to a friend’s house for a “light” breakfast the other

Yup, again.  I have fully enjoyed your country while I have been here for just over 5 months. The beautiful weather, breath taking scenery and landscapes, amazing and inspiring people, delicious seafood, curious but delicious meat pies, cappuccinos on every corner and rugby games are just a few things I have delighted in while here. I don’t feel finished exploring and loving your country quite yet though.   I understand that there is only one way for me to stay in Australia and that is through sponsorship through an employer. I feel safe blaming America’s ill fostered international relationship with Australia for the lack of other feasable options that allow me to contribute to the workforce.  Here is the thing, I am leaving for Texas in October for my best friend’s very special wedding and I need to know if I am going to find sponsorship before I book my flight mid August. So, here is my very specific request to the universe and God: Can