Lucky Seven

My lovely Laura has linked me as part of the Stylish Blog awards flying around so I need to share 7 relatively unknown facts about myself. As I think almost everyone who reads this knows me personally some of these may not be surprises.
{edit} her post has disappeared so you are just going to have to believe me. I didn't nominate myself I swear!!

If you don't know me personally, say hi in the comments! {Hi Rain & Sage!}

1. I danced for 11 years from Grade 1 to Grade 12. Mostly classical ballet; I also did contemporary, jazz and pilates. I have danced on and off as an adult and I love it so much. Concerts and ballet classes with great friends are some of my favourite memories. I'm certainly not the best dancer in the world but doing barre work is one of my favourite forms of exercise.

Teaching Frenchie barre work

2. I come from a family of travelers. My parents, all grandparents and all aunts and uncles have all lived in other countries at some point in their lives. My Dad was born in Holland and my Mum was born in Papua New Guinea. My Grandparents are Dutch, English and Australian. I grew up with stories of different stages of their lives lived in Holland, PNG, Italy, Switzerland along with travels to lots of other places. I remember being 8 and waiting and waiting until I was old enough to get a job so I could start saving to move to Europe. Travel has been a constant inspiration my entire life and something that was always encouraged by my whole family.

The motel in PNG where mum grew up

All the workers in the hotel, including one of the resident dachshunds

My nana christening a ship with a bottle of champagne with a local watching (probably wondering what is going on)

My Pop

Working on the seahorse shaped pool

3. I grew up in Dalby. A country town 3 hours west of Brisbane. While it's not tiny it is definitely a country town. I'm glad I grew up there, we lived 15 km's out of town and I had an awesome childhood playing in dams and being part of the 'Colkerri Bike Riders Gang' when I was 6 but by the time I was 17 I was ready I move away. My Dad still loves in the house I grew up in.

The garden at Colkerri

Coming into town

4. I really, really want one of these.

5. I've recently starting doing Bikram Yoga. It's hard. Really hard. But also really awesome; and I will be so proud when I finally manage to do this. In the meantime I just sweat. A lot.

6. My boyfriend is an awesome writer. He doesn't make a big deal out of it but he's good. Read his stuff.

7. I'm currently learning Dutch. It's a lot of fun and I'm hoping I will actually manage to get a job!
Ik ben opgewonden om narr Nederland!

So now I need to nominate some other bloggers to tell us all 7 things about themselves.

I nominate:
Possum and deer (Mum, not me again)
A Year with Oscar
Edward and Lilly
Under the stairs studio

Happy Monday night!

Feeling Grateful

So as I'm sure most people around the world are aware Brisbane has been through a pretty rough week.

We spent several days waiting for the river to rise, breathing a sigh of relief when it didn't reach it's predicted heights and shocked at the damage that still occurred. Tom and I are so glad it didn't reach our house, we spent Wednesday bringing everything upstairs from the garage and preparing for the power to go out. My two girlfriends had to evacuate (one to my place) and spent a few stressful nights waiting to see if their houses would go under. Thank God neither did.

Clean up is well and truly under way and people are heading to Bris from all over the place to pitch in. Some of the stories that are coming out are heartbreaking while many others make me feel so grateful that I am part of this community.

I have been feeling a bit useless and wanting to help but not knowing where to start, particularly without a car. This woman is co-ordinating baked relief to all the hard workers who are currently cleaning our city. I have started baking and will continue to do so tomorrow. Along with a friend we will bake our hearts out then deliver wherever the food is needed. If you are cleaning tomorrow please let me know and we will drop by with some sustenance.
I am thinking of everyone who has been affected by this disaster, this will be an event we remember for a long time.