Back to Syndey We Go

G'day all. We are at the airport heading back to Sydney for the weekend. I have to say this is about the quickest security ever. They had more questions about Fred & Ginger themselves vs. whether or not I was carrying anything. :)

Hanging out in Kingscliff has been such a great time and met fun people. Walking on the beach has been a bit interesting.

If you ever need a really hard workout, grab prosthetics and start walking.

It feels like your in quicksand but you soon get your strategy. It has made me focus on everything around me as my surroundings have changed so much.

The overall experience with my challenges hasn't been bad at all. The only situation I can say was tough was trying to give a "peace" sign in a photo. I just had to smile and think it in my head.

One interesting bit though, is that most of the disabled bathrooms have been more difficult to access than the non-disabled. The locks are much easier in the non. Strange, huh?

While I'm comparing things, what about the coffee? It's a whole different concept with different terminology here. I have yet to find creamer besides milk! And what about just a "drip", is that a long black or a short/long white? It's been fun. Nick and I are going broke just on coffee, ha!

Well, more comparisons later. Just realized we are starting to board. Have a great day!

Love,
Jen

The Aussie Life

I can't believe it's been a week already. Did you know people here drive on the wrong side of the road, surf a lot and take boats to work? :)

We have traveled from Sydney to Kingscliff, to Nimbin and back to Kingscliff and we are on the road tomorrow as well.

Let me start by saying that Sydney is amazing!

My first amazing bit was when I ordered a hamburger and it came with an egg on top (amongst other foreign objects). Apparently this is pretty standard in the Aussie world and I have to say it was really good. I soon started seeing amazing everywhere.

Our first night we had a beautiful dinner on the barbie with Nick's family. The weather has been about 25 celcius. We have been to the aquarium (wow), Hyde park, Palm Beach, Bondi Beach, Icebergs and all of Nick's old stomping grounds.

That has been good fun. Getting in the beach was such a great feeling. A bit scary at first but, once the water touched me I thought "no worries, I can do this".

One of our highlights was seeing Jack Johnson, Matt Costa & G-Love & Special Sauce in Centennial Park. It was one of the best concerts I have been to. I have seen Jack before but not like this. Words cannot accurately describe how amazing it was!

We are now by the Gold Coast at Marie's—my wonderful mother-in-law. We have been enjoying our time with her and explored some new territory today.

If you are ever in Australia, you must check out a little place called Nimbin—hippies, hippies and more hippies! We saw things that kept a smile on our face all day. :) Not to mention the drive is gorgeous. It's the most awesome bit of rain forest.

We are going to Byron Bay this week which I am really excited about. They have great markets and local shopping. Not to mention this is the new hot spot and about an hour from Marie. Who knows who we may see.

We are flying back to Sydney on Friday for more family stuff then back to Dallas on Monday. Australia is such a place to fall in love with and forget who you are for a while. I have had more meat pies, lemon tarts and beers than I have my whole life—ha!

I have so much more to share I just wanted to say hey from Oz. I will write again in a few days. I hope your week is going well!

Love,
Jen

Runaway Mascara, Another Speaking Event, Daisy the Labradoodle & Bon Voyage

This week has really gone by fast! Let me just say that I started the week off by meeting a friend for lunch with half of my make-up done.

Why you ask? Well, I was doing great until my mascara slips out of my hand, rolls under a piece of furniture, and rolls far, far away. Then everything else seemed to fall. I had about 10 minutes to be at lunch so I made an executive decision to go anyway and suck it up. :) I had one side done and the other, well, not.

It wasn't pretty but my stomach thanked me with lunch! I also had the opportunity to speak to a wonderful group at a law firm this week. It was very rewarding and it prompted great questions as well. It's funny how speaking can lift your own spirits while trying to help others.

I met a wonderful little girl named Daisy today. She is 1 year old and is also known as a "Labradoodle". Yeah! This is not a definite, but she may make the service dog program that I am involved in. If that is the case, I may have a new addition to our family. She is so adorable. I will keep you posted as this will take several months.

Happy birthday to Marie, my awesome mother-in-law. My parents and Marie are all turning 60 this year! Blow out some candles and have a glass of wine or a beer—it's someone's birthday somewhere! We will celebrate soon when we fly our way to Sydney, Australia this coming Monday!

I am so excited and can't wait to explore. We were planning to go last year before I got sick and never made it, so this is a well deserved trip. Hopefully I can find a job as a beach bum surfing! Just kidding—I'll be back, maybe. :)

I am really happy to finally be meeting the rest of Nick's family whom we have talked for so long. My parents and grandmother are headed to the big "D" for the weekend so that will be a fun bon voyage! We always have a great time and enjoy delicious food when they are in town—especially with dad and his free-loader fork, ha!

Have a great weekend everyone and I will be talking, blogging and thinking about you all while we are down under!

Love,
Jen

Prosthetics for Allison—The Sea Turtle

Not to worry if a turtle looses a flipper! There was a sea turtle—named Allison—who was found on South Padre Island missing 3 flippers.

What is the solution? Prosthetic flippers—how awesome! Rather than swimming in circles (talk about getting sea sick), Allison will now have a "direction". These are apparently made from the silicon that is used from human facial prosthetics.

According to the Dallas Morning News, she will be the "first sea turtle to get a prosthetic but not the first animal. At least two dolphins have been fitted."

I would love to be a marine biologist (in another life) and am fascinated with the world that lives below us. Now that scientists are working on something like this, it makes me feel like the possibilities are endless!

As slow as turtles are, perhaps they can speed Allison up with these flippers and make her life just as rich and fulfilling as with regular flippers! I wonder if the turtle and dolphins with prosthetics will be an inspiration for a new exhibit at Sea World? :)

Love,
Jen

Limbs for Life Masquerade Limb Ball

Ever been to a Mardi Gras & Masquerade ball? Well, Nick and I went Saturday night for a fundraiser and had such a fun time. It's interesting meeting people for the first time with masks on—they all seem suspect from the get go. :)

The night was to benefit Limbs for Life and everyone seemed to benefit in more ways than one! This organization benefits those who can't afford prosthetic care and people in impoverished nations.

This night really opened my eyes to those who are behind the scenes supporting people in a situation like me. When I was in rehabilitation, I talked to a board member—Craig Gavras. I had several people talk to me when I was in the hospital and hey seemed to be in a different place than I was, both mentally & spiritually.

Then, I was introduced to Craig. He lost a leg and had the best attitude and a very active lifestyle. This guy took a cycling trip, with others, from Oklahoma City to Austin—oh, did I mention this was after his accident? When he talked to me I remember feeling that "yes" feeling and remembering that I needed to surround myself with others like him.

So, talking with Craig gave me one perspective but the organization sounded as if they really did great things. Then, we go to this annual party and I realized about 400 people who thought the same thing that I did.

Everyone was in great costumes and were ready to bid on some really cool items. Needless to say we went home empty handed but had a great table to sit at.

One observation I had was actually about me. They showed a great short film on what a person goes through after loosing a limb. This is the one piece of this experience that is really mine and really personal. This was harder for me to watch than I thought it would be.

I don't see myself as challenged until I see a film such as this which brings out all the emotional stuff that I work through on a daily basis. It made it much more real but gave me the venue to be vulnerable around some people that could really relate (very few amputees were there). It was a nice evening among great company. Support is something that is truly priceless.

Another observation is the fact that there really are good people in this world—you just have to make the choices to surround yourself with these type of people. I have to admit, God has helped to surround me with some of the most supporting and genuine people and for that I can only feel blessed. But, for those times that life seems to be a bit off, seek the opportunities that can build that support, don't just accept.

Not to be cliché, but don't take things at face value. Don't just follow the crowd. Don't accept life as it is. If we did that we would never get anywhere. If no one said that we needed a solution for prosthetic care, we wouldn't have Limbs for Life or all the other organizations.

Treat yourself like your worth a million bucks and your heart will lead you in the right direction!

Love,

Jen