A Bedtime Story

Somewhere in the library of Hannah is a small red notebook. If you've arrived at the Nicholas Sparks section, you've gone too far. This book lies somewhere between Pride and Prejudice and Harold and the Purple Crayon. Found it yet? Good! Our story starts here.

It was just like any other typical weekend for Hannah—planless. She was much too tired to go to sleep, and much too bored staying awake! She needed something to do. So she flipped to page 3 and found a recipe for "Boyfriend Brownies". She called them that only because she thinks these would be the quick, easiest, and tastiest to make if she happened to have her [imaginary] beau over. 

People (myself included) often resort to gooey brownie mixes. So don't be alarmed when this homemade batter looks thicker than usual. I promise it will be delicious in the oven.

Hannah melted in the sounds of her favorite music, and dreamed of wearing that perfect dress she'd found to a ball. Soon enough, the beeping timer brought her back to reality, and since there's no sense in waiting for brownies to cool (does anyone actually do that?) she served them up with Tahitian vanilla gelato. Nothing fixes a craving like the way hot chocolate and cold vanilla in your mouth does.

And there we have it. Hannah once again slays boredom, and saves her weekend. Pheewww, that was a close one. The End.

An Elephant Never Forgets!

Even worse than my fear of spiders, I'm afraid of forgetting. So afraid, that I religiously write in my journal. (A lot of the time, more than once a day.) I'm even halfway through my 18th journal ...starting when I was 11. I fear growing old and not being able to remember my past or those who I love or see on a regular basis. So, if an elephant never forgets, why should I?! With only a day left in Australia, here are things I hope my forgetter never forgets!

The beaches were superb. The heat was lovely. The biplane ride was fantastic. The new constellations were intriguing. The night time swim (with possible sharks) was exhilarating. The chocolate was amazing. Animals? Fascinating.  The seashells, rocks, temple, waterfall, mountain, parks, water, city, and sunsets, were beautiful. The family ...sensational! Loving through and through. 

Tonight is the night I've been longing for since I got here; pizza night at (step-uncle) Bobs! Last time I was here he got a brand new pizza oven and flipped dough high in the air for me! I loved it so much that I've reminded Bob of it probably 20 times. He flipped the dough 10 feet up (sound effects inlcuded), and before you know it we had A LOT of pizzas and a house full of hungry people. After we were stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, everyone was socializing, and I found Bob and Philip on the deck outside. They were playing on their guitars! I pulled up a chair, curling my knees to my chest, and listened to their collaboration of music! Philip taught Bob 4 chords and then Philip sang along and by the end we had people from across the street catcalling and clapping! Then Bob played a slower song that was quite lovely. I watched the city lights of Adelaide twinkle in the distance, and the cool night breeze blowing past. Before we called it quits, a hearty song of "I'm a Believer" broke out, and everyone was goofing off! Philip sang out as much as I think he could, and Bob and I took the back up singing. By the end, all 30 of our frozen toes went inside. 

My favorite thing about this trip is probably Chris' brothers. 

Rick says I'm the only one in the world allowed to call him Fred. He calls me his girl (which sounds a bit more like "gell" with his accent) and dahling! Always count on a hug and kiss from Fred!

Bob always winks at me when I laugh at his jokes or when he think's he's about to prove some one wrong. And when he smiles, you can't help but smile too because he has the happiest smile wrinkles and dimples ever! He calls me Canna, and I like it. 

Though not my blood uncles, I feel like they are really my family and like they all love me. ...Which makes leaving hard to process. (Or as Australians say, prOcess.) But here's what I've come to decide this trip:

Though it's difficult having family tucked far away in their own corners of the world, I find comfort that no matter where I travel, my family will be there. And there will always be a place with them I can call home.