Welcoming in 2008!

The first crayfish I could keep! Yummo!

Steven with a big Groper he caught while out working.

Eating an Aussie Meat Pie after a night on the town!

With our little herring we caught off the jetty. They were great for breakfast!

Ahhhhh. Christmas on the beach!
Hello Everyone!

Well, it's been exactly a month since I updated and I am terribly sorry it's taken this long to tell you what's been going on in this neck of the woods. Outside the sun is shining and the wind is blowing very strongly from the south. The bloody "Southerly" is what they call it! No use going down to the beach when it's like this because you'll for sure get a mouth full of salt water when least expecting it!

In the past month I have:
~Had my first experience with an Australian Jelly Fish...my foot got the brunt of it's stingers! ugh!
~Gone to the Doctor for too many mosquito bites...
~Been to a little reef to go snorkeling...I was scared shitless but, once I got in, it's just magical! I almost meditated to the sound of my breath going in and out, in and out while huge angel fish swam around me.
~Went kayaking on the ocean at 8am. If that doesn't wake you up, nothing will!
~Had a family of blow fish follow me while swimming.
~Cooked breakfast at work for a party of 12 people. I was on my own, not a big deal but, I was impressed with my quick line cook abilities!
~Been to Perth for the beautiful wedding of our dear friends Bayne and Libby
~Took the Greyhound to Perth to visit our friends Boondy and Erin.
~Rocked out the New Year in true Aussie style (drunk and cheery!)
~Ran over our first Kangaroo. Steven was driving and he really didn't mean to hit it. There were two. The first one hopped across just fine but, the second big guy didn't quite make it across. He basically ambushed the car and we just couldn't slow down. This was quite hard for me to deal with but, it's the way of life around here. In the States we have squirrels and rabbits and racoons... here well, it's big old kangaroos. Just so you know it's a regular thing. About a million a year get hit. ANYWAY, when you come visit make sure you are wide awake when driving or you'll never see them. Well, you should really be wide awake when driving anyway!
~Had four births here at the Caravan Park (four birds)Pop has a big bird cage out the front and there are four new babies that finally came out of the nest!
~Steven killed a black wasp the size of your hand. Ok a bit of a tall tale..but, you get the idea.
~I've seen an ant the size of your thumb. It would hurt a lot if it got ahold of your toe!
~Been fishing off the jetty and caught a skippy, herring and another little tiny fish with a HUGE mouth... it's called a gobble something?
~Caught my first crayfish that was the right size... So, in the pot he went and then in my tummy he went!
~scortched my bum in the sun... ouch!
~Gave our friend Glen a mowhawk! While intoxicated...it's awesome! Tiffany, Marilee, Gabriel, Dasi...look out! I'll be after your jobs!
~Had a champion spew at the closest petrol station on the day of the Perth Cup while 10nicely dressed women waited outside... I felt like I looked like Britney Spears when I walked out, (sunnies on, watering eyes, puffy face) ugh!
~Visited some friends of ours in Perth. They are renting the cutest little shack up in the hills. It's just beautiful up there. The kangaroos come into the backyard every afternoon.
~Bought the perfect little black dress FOR FREE!!! Had a gift certificate and it was on sale... can't beat that!
~Watched the sun set on the beach (our back yard) with a beer in hand, Mum and Pop and Mack at my side! Seriously you can hear it hit the water! =)

Anyway, that's about it thus far. Looking forward to each day to see what happens. There are so many things that effect me. Little things, to the plants I re-potted which are coming to life again on the veranda. To the big things, like spotting an emu in the distance, standing amidst a herd of sheep. This land is just amazing and if you open your eyes, REALLY open your eyes, it's amazing what it will do for your soul.

For those of you that have tried to reach me via my cell... well, it's not working here. I would for sure get back to you if I knew that you called. There is just no reception here for our T-Mobile fancy phones. It's a funny thing really. We spend all this money for a fancy technologically advanced "things" and when you're living, really living, those things don't matter. It's actually been very nice not to worry about my texting fingers getting tired! Now it's my writing fingers that get tired!

My music, well I've got heaps of ideas floating around in my head that will soon explode to paper. I feel that I can't force it... it will just come out when it's ready. I have many influences all around me but, when the time is right...it will all happen. I can't wait for that day! I yearn for that day to come!

All the best wishes for a wonderful 2008! Remember to open your eyes and see, REALLY see the small things. Let them effect you. Let them bring tears to your eyes for their simplicity is just beautiful. Wander around your streets or backyards and just look, breathe it in, smile at it and it will smile back at you.

With sincere happiness,
Sara

some pics for you...

This is a picture I took of a father and his son fishing off of the Jurien Bay Jetty. I played around with the picture, so it's a bit artsy...

The little farmer's market at Jurien Bay

Mack! Steven's brother's dog who stays with Mum and Dad. He's such a baby!

The Leeman Jetty at night. The water is soooo clear!

Kylie, her daughter Paige, Paige's friend Morgan and Me. Jurien Bay Jetty.

Even Dorothy has to work in OZ!

The bins where the loads of frozen food are kept

Only a portion of the food I have to drop in the fryer!

"The Bench" that's where it all happens folks! That's where I make a mean steak burger or the most amazing fish and chips!!!

After the goodies have been swimming in their hot bath, this is where they go. Ready to be eatin up by you... come on in! I'm waiting for you behind the bench!
Hiya Everyone!

I trust you are all doing well during this Holiday Season. It's coming down to the wire now! I know you are all scrambling to get things done and presents bought. It's a weird feeling being here for Christmas. It's very different. "How, Sara?" well, we are focusing on the fact that most of Steven's family will be together. It's been 4 years since Steve has been with his family on the holiday's and they are just ecstatic! We aren't worried about what presents to get or what to do... The mere presence of all of us will be enough. I am cooking a turkey and Mum is figuring out what else we are going to have. It's going to be hot outside, so I'm sure the beer fridge will be full to the brim! No egg nog here folks... It's all about the light brown liquid we drink, dreading to "break the seal" later!

Work is going smoothly. Everyone is very helpful over at Crazzel's! Rosemary and Trevor (the owner's) are becoming staples in my everyday lifestyle here. Even if I'm not working I like to go down and chat, have a ciggie and then I'm off again... to the great unknown!

Went down to Jurien Bay the other day. It's about a half hour drive. They were having a small farmer's market. Not quite as elaborate as the one's back in LA but, I got some grapefruit marmalade, pickled califlower and my favourites...lemingtons! They are a sponge cake which has been dipped in a light chocolate sauce which soaks up into the cake. Then they are rolled in coconut... HOLY CRAP! You HAVE to have one!

Yesterday I took of back to Jurien on my own... yes! I was driving a stick, on the other side of the road, by myself! I think it's actually easier on this side of the car. You have to experience it to understand what I mean. The stick and the clutch are being used by the same side... it just seems to work better with me! ANYWAY, went back to do some grocery shopping. Had to buy a few things.. yeah right it's never a few things with me. I came back with about 20bags filled with baking supplies. I will be invading Mum's kitchen tomorrow to bake up some tea rings. They are a Christmas tradition my mom has been doing for years now. They are cinnamon rolls in the shape of a wreath. My mom bakes and bakes for days and then wraps them up and gives them away. So, now I've been doing the same thing for a couple of years... Now Leeman, Australia will know our little tradition. I don't think they'll be too upset about it!

TODAY!!! well, today Pop and I went out on his boat and dropped some cray pots in the ocean! YEAH!! My first time on a fishing boat on the ocean! I don't know how Jesus and crew did it but, they must have had some magic up their sleeves! It was beautiful and calm when we went out at 7:30am but, when we headed back about a half out later, the wind had picked up and it was really choppy. Of course I loved every minute of it. Pop and I on the ocean. Ahh! Then we headed up to Dongora which is about an hour north up the coast. Mum and Pop just bought a house up there and are planning on moving in the next 12 months. I don't know how they can wait that long. When we pulled into the drive, I fell in love! It's an amazing house with two paddacks on either side where they will have some sheep. Big tall trees and a verranda which goes all the way around the house. It's just beautiful and close to the city.

Anyway, had a big day today... actually my intentions are to have big days everyday. It was brilliant to hang out with Ian (Pop/my father-in-law) It's like I've been a part of this family for years! I so adore them to the stars and beyond!

Tomorrow we will go get the cray pots and see if we caught any! If we did, there will for sure be crayfish on the menu for evening tea! YUMMY!!! I'll be baking all day, and get to some postcards that have been sitting on the table for days now. ugh!

All the best to you during this rush around, crunch time of year! Remember it's about the presence of people you love, not the presents from people you love.

With open arms!
Sara

"We're not in Kansas anymore Toto! Welcome to the Land Of OZ!"

this is Emu Downs Wind Farm outside Leeman, WA

Ebony and Me. She works with me at Crazzle's Cove

Ben and Me. I'm his biggest fan! =)
Journal entry from November 27, 2007 THE JOURNEY BEGINS...

"I have "Free Fallin'" playing in my ear and I am FREE! Free from Los Angeles, free from the pangs of everyday reality, free from my old life! Free to experience my new life. The life of the unknown. "How does it feel to be a complete unknown? Like a rolling stone." - Bob Dylan

"A blank page to fill, lots of blank pages to fill! Soak it in like a sponge Sara. Let your heart lead the way. Be the best person you can. Be a light that leads other's and don't forget to wipe your ass after you take a shit." (metaphor for life)

Well, this will be the second time I've typed this since I erased EVERYTHING I JUST FRIGGIN' TYPED UUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! The first version was a rippa' but, this one will be a little more tame. Sorry about that. I've been on this computer now for about 6hours trying to figure out how to get my pictures off of my camera and on to it's desktop... then transfer them over to Kodak Gallery and so and so forth... Finally I get it all ready to upload onto here... and I fudge it up. Oh well! Just another day in paradise!

Speaking of paradise, you want to see it? Come here to Leeman, Australia! Sit back, relax and enjoy the life of a sea side town. Steven and I are staying with his parents here at the Leeman Caravan Park. If you are travelling the country with a caravan, this is the place to stop and rest! It's amazing. Just about a 2 min. walk from the ocean and big ol' trees everywhere. Just down the road you'll find the bowling club. Not 10pin bowling... this is lawn bowls I'm talking about here. It's a huge thing here in OZ. Competitions all year round. Mum and Pop Cliff are both on leagues. Pop is the president of Leeman's club. So, if you want a roll, just let me know I could probably get ya in!

Go just a bit further down the road and you'll find Crazzle's Cove. That's my place of work! There you'll find me in the kitchen cooking up some fine steak burgers with the lot and the most amazing cray roll you can find on the West Coast! Straight off the boat these crayfish come! It's great being behind it all this time around. I'm still helping the people out but, dining is a bit of a different experience here. You go up to the front and order your food, pay for it, and then sit down and wait for it. Usually there aren't any servers but, if you go into the cities you'll find some restaurants that are sit down service. DON'T TIP! There is no tipping here either! That's just the way it is... so friends of mine who are servers back in the US don't get pissed when an Aussie doesn't tip you. They just don't know. Oh and the deep fryer!!! Holy shit does that thing get a work out. Just about everything is fried here. I have no idea how everyone stays soooooo fit! You grease lovers should really get on a plane right now and head over here for a treat! Your taste buds will go crazy!

Steven has been working sooo hard on a boat. No rest for the weary. He gets no weekends off... Up at 4.30am and home by 5pm. When you folks at home in the US go buy your Australian Lobster Tail, well you just might be buying one caught by Steven~!

I apologize for not getting anything up sooner. It's been crazy getting used to the time change and work and all but, I promise, promise, promise I will update you more regularly!

I'm off to the Jurien Market tomorrow, so I should have some pics for you from that as well! Please respond as often as you'd like and pass the blog page onto your friends. Anyone you think who might be interested in following us around the world!

I have been filming a lot for future webisodes as well. I will keep you posted on that too~! It will be a little while but, when it's ready, it'll be good fun to watch!

I miss you all and trust you are all getting ready for the Holiday Season! All the best to you and many hugs and love to you all!

With open arms, Sara

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello All!

Just wanted to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving! I trust you are all well and have filled up on enough of the gobble gobble bird for a while now. My dad got home tonight and had room to fit a ham sandwich in his belly. UGH! It's tradition though. Dad will get into the leftover ham and put a slab of butter on his bread and pile the ham up high! Mom, on the other hand will dig into the leftover pie! They are made for each other!

I am so grateful to have each one of YOU in my life! What an incredible life it has been thus far! So many memories and so many more experiences to come! May you live each day to it's fullest. Dance like no one is watching and see everything with eyes wide open!

All the best to you and your families. Cuddle up and stay warm it's even cold here in Los Angeles!

With open arms,
Sara



My Dad and Me

My Mom and Me

Thanksgiving table

Taylor and Me

Taylor, Dasi and Me

what have I been up to?!

Well, everyone I have been a busy, busy girl for the last month. Steven is away in Australia working his little heart out on a boat catching crayfish, while I am busy...

finishing my last day of work
having a going away party at The Abbey
going to a bachelorette party
having another going away party
hosting my parents and numerous other family members
getting ready for my bro's wedding
finish packing
and cry... do a lot of crying

I have a week left till I leave the land of the Stars! I will keep you updated better I promise!

The pictures are from my going away parties! When more come in I will get them up as soon as possible!

All the best to you and I want to hear from you all!

With open arms,
Sara

Bon Voyage Steven!

I love you honey with all my heart. I will see you in 28 days!

Always,
Your wife