UFO In Texas!

Ok, so not a real UFO..

but pretty close to anything I know I'll ever see here...

In every town there is always at least one quirky and interesting item.  This particular attraction, is just outside of Rockwall, Texas, towards Poetry.  We used to drive past it on a weekly basis. Course, we had to stop and check it out.  Then I took my friend Laura, during a visit from Chicago to see it.  Turns out this little UFO has quite a family history....

Here's another one...

eichlernetwork.com

And just a couple more...

Wow.

Danger, Will Robinson!! 

A child of the 60's, only 96 Futuro's were ever created.  The Futuro House, by the Finnish Architect Matti Suuronen was spawned by the 'space age' craze, and is apparently the only authentic example of period architecture. 14 were created in Finland while licences were granted to 24 other countries. Apparently there is one in Canberra, Australia also.  It was designed to reflect the hope people had at the time in technology and futurism.  It was believed the advances in technology would enhance lives, solve a large proportion of problems, and conquer space. Unfortuantly, skyrocketing oil prices put the kibosh on the concept and it became inviable. 

The interesting thing about these fiberglass structures is that they were originally designed for use as a ski cabin, to be an easily constructed and portable home.

Yep, just engage your local military chinook... attach a few lines and voila! One very portable UFO - and if you happen to glance upwards at the right time..

The seats were designed to fold down for use as beds, and other modern amenities included the usual  kitchen, bathroom, but also a neato fireplace that could be doubled as a grill (and you could also get them in mauve!).  Groovy man...

There is quite a bit of information on the net, and even one to rent as a vacation home. 
Well, there you go. 
I think next time I'll stick with just finding out what the mailbox on the curb up the road is all about.

Kidding!

Catch ya later
WW

Australia Day!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oy, Oy, Oy! goes the modern battle cry.  Most other countries I suppose have or at least had in thier history, a slightly more ferocious cry, however, we're a rather laid back bunch, so yelling Aussie, Aussie, Aussie at the top of our lungs is probably as good as it gets, but at least you know who we are, right?

And in keeping with tradition, you are supposed to yell back 'Oy, Oy, Oy'. 

Thats how it works. 

As you might imagine, Australians like a little bit of a party

Its summer, colored zinc on faces, backyard barbies and cricket, swimming at the local pool, and fireworks, Awards...

Its Tuesday January 26th, Australia Day!

Well, actually, right now in Australia, it is tomorrow...  

Being approximately 15 hours ahead of the US, give or take an hour or two, depending on the state, daylight savings time etc, they are pretty much done with thier celebrations, but don't let that stop you! 

I intend to celebrate with some made from scratch Aussie meat pies, Tim Tams, a Vegemite sandwich and maybe some kind of half decent Aussie beer... dunno yet.

But Australia Day is also much more.  Over the last few years, the national holiday has to the general public, become much more patriotic than it used to be - Aussies celebrating Aussieness in the way only an Aussie can - a few snags on the barbie, and an eskie, and a stubbie or two... and unique cultural performances

The armed forces have always honored the day with a special ceremony, flag raising, fly over of an F111 and 21 gun salute.  The unmistakable roar of the  F111, is something you will hear a few miles away, after the plane is almost out of sight, but is always something spectacular to experience.

Incase you're wondering, and you would like a really good excuse to party today, you can click on my link up there for a meat pie recipe, pick up Vegemite at Cost Plus World Market (though it is a tad expensive there, worth it though in my humble opinon)
Tim Tams can be bought at Target, and if you really have to get Fosters and thats all that is available, you can get that at Walmart or Target too.  We can discuss states and thier respective beers at a later date. 

Cheers and Happy Australia Day!

Reality Show...

We have seen some amazing sites, gone through challenges, taken some neat trips to places, are battling the new economy, currently living in two different states, facing career changes and trying to work out where we are heading.

Move over Tori and Dean.

We should be a reality show. 
(I'm kidding.  I have no desire, really)

Looking back, it might have been unfathomable that a 22 year old from a small town in South Western Queensland, and a penpal from Indiana, USA who had been writing for the past 7 years would end up married.  I still have the stacks of letters we sent each other, the humorous stickers and pins, photos, and cards that we sent over the years.

Looking back I would never have known I would have the opportunity to see as much of the country as I have.  I wouldn't have known the road that continues to be a bittersweet journey, the same that many of us face in our lives.  The twists and turns, the realities of joy and heartbreak.

Leaving it all behind, as an expat from any country can be a challenge, particularly when doing it alone.  Without question, when I first came to the US, I met up with some interesting challenges, ones I really had no idea existed, or at least expected to run into.

My arrival hardly heralded a welcome in the apartment complex we lived in.  Instead, I was introduced head on to the regional thought concerning immigration and the number of misconceptions about legal immigration.  There were questions concerning my 'entry' and where I should rightfully be living (bluntly, it apparently was not the US).  But it wasn't until much later that I began to hear the full issues concerning illegal immigration,  I put two and two together.  I had dark hair and a tan.  The blue eyes and European features I guess, didn't throw anyone off. 
And yes, I do speak English, and no I do not need to learn to 'talk' it better.

Expat lesson numero uno - reduce the culture shock.  Ask in an impartial manor, and in advance about any issues, political or cultural, that you should be aware of.
Expat lesson 2, there are gits everywhere, you'll laugh it off soon enough.

In many cases, expats particularly from Australia and even those vacationing are caught by surprise at the culture shock and general differences between the US and Australia.  Both countries you might expect to be  similar, but its that, that contributes to the unexpected surprise.   Its definately an adventure, and can be at times quite humorous. 

Catch ya later
Helen

Haiti

A stream of images, and news of  those searching for lost family and friend and those injured or lost, become more heartbreaking.  Pictures of children the same age as my own with horrible injuries, and the news of a an 11 year old girl who died due to a leg injury, unable to be treated. 

Its the aid of others that always comes through and shows the human spirit at its best.   If you're interested in helping those in Haiti, but want to be sure your donation is being used in a wise and sufficiant manner, Charity Navigator is a great site - evaluates charities, lists links and supplies a great deal of helpful information.  Their current blog post  Hope for Haiti Telethon also links to several well known charities.

Helen

Hooked...

Swinging gently on sunny mornings as a 7 year old, I'd listen to the birds chirping then add my own personal symphony, music that seemed to resonate constantly in my mind.  If I wasn't adding music to one thing or another, I'd find myself humming something I'd heard or singing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' which wouldn't have been so bad had I not sung it every 5 minutes.

It wasn't until I was 10 that I first heard the phrase 'perfect pitch'  and even then I didn't really take too much notice.  I had always loved music, and at school I was drawn to learning scores and connecting them to the played note, but at the same time I thought it was a nuisance, I couldn't see the sense of reading music when I could just go ahead a play it anyway.  

I'm not sure what my parents were thinking when they bought my Christmas present that year.  It may have been the years of listening to my warbling and the hope that if I was going to hum all day that perhaps it might be something a little more sophisticated than the Eta Margerine commercial.  I opened the present that morning and something unexpected happened 

And when I say unexpected, I mean my change of perspective on classical music due to one record - Hooked on Classics.
You know, vinyl and one of those old fashioned things they called record players, wayyy back in the 80's. Yeah that.  I was particularly hooked on the second half.  About 5 minutes into the record until the end, I knew every note by heart.  Decades later, I still can, for the most part, anticipate every note and hum away... much to the horror of my girls...and oddly enough, each piece has either an associative memory, or its own visual pattern dancing around in my mind.

Not only did I take a new interest in reading notes, but I was drawn to Mozarts 4th Symphony and In The Hall of the Mountain King, a song we listened to quite a bit at school had a new life, eventually becoming one of my favourite pieces.   I was propelled into a sudden interest in playing piano, and saved for my very first keyboard, a little Casio that cost $80.  



 ...I still find myself humming away to my own personal orchestra in the car while my 13 year old looks on with a dull stare. 
It used to be shock, but we've moved on from there. 
Now she just rolls her eyes and continues listening to Tokio Hotel on her IPOD.  When she thinks I'm not looking, she smiles. 

Then I get her back by humming the entire album in Target as we stroll up the aisles, only for my efforts to end up as our own private comedy as we try to outdo each other. 

So if you see a couple of people trying to hide the clown like behavior in Target, you'll know who it is.

Catch ya later
Helen