New Years Eve – Audpodge and Blither Blather

This is Not a Resolutions Post

Published on January 5, 2019January 5, 2019 by audrey1 Comment

Naaaaah – as I’ve said before, making a list of resolutions – even if they’re disguised as “goals” “intentions” “declarations” “wishes” “list of things that PLEASE GOD AUDREY JUST DON’T DO THIS ANYMORE” — is just simply the easiest way for me to make a list of Things I’ll Just Keep Happily Doing In Spite of Literally Everything In My Soul Begging Me to Not Do. Continue reading “This is Not a Resolutions Post” →

Hello, Goodbye: 2018

Published on December 31, 2018December 31, 2018 by audrey

What a freakin’ year!

Compared to last year, shit felt pretty quiet. But really – it’s been a year of tremendous growth, awesome achievements, and fantastic travel. Ain’t too shabby! Continue reading “Hello, Goodbye: 2018” →

Hello, goodbye: 2017

Published on December 31, 2017December 31, 2017 by audrey3 Comments

And here we are, at the end of 2017.

I could focus on the bad shit — Trump, loss, depression, not becoming obscenely rich — but I’ll focus on the positive. 2017 was a year for: Continue reading “Hello, goodbye: 2017” →

2016 – in review

Published on December 31, 2016February 17, 2017 by audrey2 Comments

Well.

What a year. I’m still kinda shocked that it’s over, because it feels like it’s January and we’re still getting ready to move. But for a year that gave me heaps of challenges, shocks (Trump?!) and periods of ridiculous struggle, there were so many good things that happened, and I’m thankful for the place this year has brought me to: more assertive, more honest, and *fingers crossed* more focused on what I need. To recap, 2016 highlights – Continue reading “2016 – in review” →

2015 in Photos

Published on December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 by audrey1 Comment

Ringing in 2015 with champagne and a 6″ Huntsman spider crawling above us.

New Years Eve Huntsman – ACKKKKK

My first Aussie summer nearly killed me. I will never take a/c for granted ever again.

We cooked so much at home and tried heaps of new recipes – some failed, like this buffalo chicken meatball sub.

Australia Day

Good Life Choices

So. Much. Visa. Paperwork.

But looking back at all our letters and treasures was fun.

Beach land! Slowly but surely, I am getting more comfortable with open water filled with danger.

I had a few really bad days, and a lot of great days.

I fell in love with the 27mm lens, and blood-orange roses.

Celebrated my first Valentines Day on the same continent with my one and only

I could eat this every day for the rest of my life

I went back to single colour hair. Eight months later, I miss all my blonde.

We may have gone over board on pizza, but most of them were well deserved

giant bugs tried to kill me

our friends had exhibitions, our friends are the coolest

New cookbooks that re-lit my baking fires

the weather started to cool down in March – and every cell in my body rose in celebration

my first Royal Easter Show was fantastic

Cyclones nearly drowned us and we didn’t see the sun for almost 2 weeks

My favourite had a birthday

Joel and I celebrated 2 years together

Lots of Meal Planning – months later, we’re getting the hang of it

I got to see Joel selling his work

We watched X-Files every day for like 2 weeks straight. Devotion.

Lots of good Skypes with my friends and family, and I want to plan more for this year

I finished a project! And then took it apart and started again (3x) Knitted Snood.

$33 of pork

Perpetually sick for the entire month of June

Steve Powers in Bondai

Celebrated 4th of July with American style bacon!

Falling in love with Paint by Numbers

I turned 13!

I survived my first bush walk

Read so many good books

Joel was a busy busy guy! And he took a part time job to focus more on photography and studio work. So proud of him.

So much baking

Seriously, Paint by Numbers is the best calming, meditative act

Celebrated 1 Year in Sydney!

It took 3 months, but I re-vamped and re-named my blog. So happy with the results!

Barbeques!

My first week at my new job was amazeballs

Hang times with friends

more beeeeach

Halloween!

Lots of couch upgrades

More Good Life Choices

Planned my first Thanksgiving meal

Twigg-mas Tree!

Christmas felt like Christmas this year, and it was fantastic

Developed a puzzle addiction

2015 Christmas break has been the best 2 weeks ever

STAR WARS!

Full moon on Christmas Eve

Favourite

Happy New Year, everyone!

So looking forward to 2016.

xox

Audrey

2014: Hello, Goodbye!

Published on December 31, 2014December 31, 2014 by audrey2 Comments

Wow, man. This year has been huge.

Last year on New Year’s Eve, I was sitting on the couch in my condo, laid up with a kidney infection and just dreaming of what 2014 would be like. When Joel visited me in November that year, we decided we wanted to live together. And with that decision, 2014 was poised to be GINORMOUS with planning and prepping. But I had no idea how ginormous it would wind up.

Over the course of 2014, I:

paid off my credit cards for the LAST time (i.e. I cancelled all but one and cut up the card for the remaining account so I can’t use it, ever, except for the most extreme emergency.)
had an ultrasound that uncovered mystery spots on my liver and kidneys. The spots were non-malignant, but it scared the shit out of me. So I cut back on drinking by about 80%, and the spots shrank. Huzzah!
gained 10 lbs because I replaced alcohol with pizza and cookies
concluded therapy, which felt like graduating from Emotional Competency College
got to hug each and every one of my best friends (hard to do when all your friends are scattered across the United States)
discovered I actually want to have children
turned 30 (ugh, what?)
celebrated the birth of my newest nephew
moved to Australia
read 5 books (accomplishment!)

And here are some of the pictorial highlights:

I moved out of my condo and back into my parent's house. It was a sweet little place and I still miss it. — I moved out of my condo and back into my parent’s house. It was a sweet little place and I still miss it.

I got to play in so much snow. My dog, Lucy, and her sister Ellie, were almost buried in it.

I got to work from home lots, because Virginia cancels everything for snow.

After I moved back in and stopped going out as much, I got to spend my Friday nights with my niece and nephew. It was the best.

I celebrated my 1 year anniversary of Fixing Myself.

I got to enjoy lots of sibling time, which is hard since we're all so busy. Also, my dad has the best photo bombs. — I got to enjoy lots of sibling time, which is hard since we’re all so busy. Also, my dad has the best photo bombs.

I spent my summer bonding with my mom's old sewing machine as I made baby quilts for my expecting sister and best friend. — I spent my summer bonding with my mom’s old sewing machine as I made baby quilts for my sister and my best friend, who were due within a week of each other.

I cuddled with my brand new nephew, Henry, for about 800 hours.

I took a field trip with my best friend Cara to our childhood home, Ft. Meade, MD. It had been about 11 years since either of us had been. — I took a field trip with my best friend Cara to our childhood home, Ft. Meade, Maryland. It had been about 11 years since either of us had been.

I got the sweetest typewriter in the world. It's still in the States, though. Oh, how I long for thee. — I got the sweetest typewriter in the world. It’s still in the States, though. Oh, how I long for thee.

I helped throw a Mad Scientist event. So good.

I took an awesome road trip to Savannah, GA with my mom and her girlfriends. We stopped at South of the Border because of course we did.

I had an incredible time at my birthday/good bye extravaganza. It lit me on fire. Such a good weekend.

I celebrated a year of wonderful with Joel.

I got in as much time with Bill Purray before I had to leave him.

I took my dad for his first pedicure on my birthday.

I spent a fantastic 10 days with friends in Los Angeles before I left for Sydney.

I got to hang out with the newest edition to my Best Friend Family, Leah's daughter Elodie, who was born 2 days after my nephew. — I got to hang out with the newest edition to my Best Friend Family, Leah’s daughter Elodie, who was born 2 days after my nephew.

I bid a sad, but loving adieu to the United States on September 1st.

I was gifted Tobias Rexington, aka Fuji XM-1, and my camera life is forever changed.

I was, at long last, reunited with my luff.

I got to live the dream with a near $900 trip to Ikea. — I got to live the dream as Joel and I feathered our nest with a near $900 trip to Ikea.

I got to spend so many balcony happy hours with this handsome man. — I got to spend so many balcony happy hours with this gorgeous Australian.

I realized I've been drinking shitty coffee all my life when I got to Sydney. The Copper eMill is where coffee lives. — I realized I’ve been drinking shitty coffee all my life when I got to Sydney. The Copper Mill is where coffee lives.

I've seen so many beautiful sunsets. — I’ve seen so many beautiful sunsets.

I got to taste a little bit of home. — I got to taste a little bit of America.

I've mingled with the wildlife. And by mingled, I mean, ran away shrieking. — I’ve mingled with the wildlife. And by mingled, I mean, ran away shrieking.

I learned you can't always go home again. — I learned you can’t always go home again.

I have died a million sweaty deaths. I'll never take a/c for granted again. — I died a million sweaty deaths. I’ll never take a/c for granted again.

I've seen some kick ass storms. — I’ve seen some kick ass storms.

I wasn't kidding about the beautiful sunsets. — I wasn’t kidding about the beautiful sunsets.

I learned that not all bacon is created equal.

I am now part of a registered De Facto Couple. :) — I am now part of a registered couple. 🙂

I saw gorgeous beaches, basically in our back yard.

I've cooked more than I ever have in my entire life, and it's fucking awesome. — I’ve cooked more than I ever have in my entire life, and it’s fucking awesome.

I bought my blog domain--a first for me--and I discovered that beans on toast is white trash brilliance. — I bought my blog domain–a first for me–and I discovered that beans on toast is white trash brilliance.

I conquered my fear of bridge heights! (Maybe)

I celebrated my first Christmas with Joel.

I began to conquer my fear of the ocean, thanks to Joel.

And I fell in love harder than I ever thought possible.

For all the worry and anxiety I had over this year, and even though parts of it were so incredibly hard, I look back and I’m so surprised at how well it went, and how supportive and encouraging everyone was. I’ve been pushed and challenged this year, and I feel like I’m coming out on top, learning and finally starting to apply all those lessons learned. And I’ve felt more loved and alive than I have in a long time. I miss everyone back in the States more than I thought I would, but I finally feel like I’m coming into my own as a person. It’s a good feeling.

Long story short: what a transforming, awesome, kick ass year. I have a feeling that 2015 will be just as exciting–and maybe a little scary (see: applying for my Partner visa and taking control of my terrible eating habits {I just wiped melted chocolate off my laptop}). But I can’t wait to see how it turns out.

Cheers, everyone, and have a Happy New Year!