Sometimes...

Sometimes, I don't feel like writing blog posts.

Sometimes, pictures are worth a thousand words.

Sometimes, they're worth even more.

Sometimes, like maybe once in a blue moon, these things go hand in hand.

This is one of those times.

Enjoy a day in pictures at Watsons Bay!

Yours,
Kimmy

Undies and Costco

So, you know that feeling when you’re at Costco and you happen to be out of chonies and laundry detergent?  No?  Well, let me help you out.  You’re obviously in desperate need of laundry detergent but you don’t want to buy the one from Costco because it’s sold in a bucket with an unwritten guarantee to last you, and your cat, nine lifetimes.  So, you do the next best thing and head to the undies section and buy yourself a pack of undies instead.

Only kidding.

But actually though.  Y’know what I’m talking about?  It’s also kind of like wanting one bowl of rice.  You don’t want to buy the giant bag from the Asian grocery store because it would simply provide 999 bowls too many.  It’s a first world problem and I’m a horrible person, but I’m grateful for what I have, and in desperate situations like these, I’m even more grateful for beautiful things like that section in Whole Foods.  You know, the one with the clear plastic tubs filled with rice, beans, and all sorts of goods—the section where if you want one bowl of rice, you can grab a plastic bag, a metal scoop, and scoop yourself one and none too many bowls of rice?  What a great section.  Now, imagine that section, but bigger.  Better yet, imagine a whole store like that.

I know.  I peed my pants out of excitement too.

That’s what The Source Bulk Foods is.  It’s like that one beautiful section in Whole Foods, expanded, and plopped in Balmain, Australia.  The goodies that fill the clear plastic tubs range from almonds to honey macadamia nuts; black sesame seeds to red quinoa; chocolate covered honeycomb to yogurt covered apricots; varieties of mueslis to even more varieties of mueslis…need I say more?!  They also have giant barrels filled with honey, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, local Australian olive oil…and wait, I saved the best for last.  You can grind your own nut butters here too.  You think I’m joking…Almond butter, peanut butter, macadamia nut butter; however the type of nut butter depends on the day.  Today, for instance, was almond butter day.  I have to go back on Thurday.  That’s macadamia nut butter day.  If you want to go back with me, the address is 262 Darling St, Balmain, NSW, Australia 2041.

See you there,

Kimmy

A Day In Pictures

Toodles,

Kimmy

Current Events

And by that, I’m not talking about the news you read about in the papers…For those that know me, you probably know that current events aren’t exactly my forte.  It’s rather embarrassing to admit, but hey, acceptance is the first step right? So until I reach step 12 and become all savvy and buddy-buddy with CNN and BBC, the extent of my knowledge of current events are sadly those going on in my bubble, because clearly, the world revolves around me.  I’m sorry that I have become the epitome of what is wrong with our generation, but here are a few current favorites and happenings in the world of Kimmy.

Music Favorites:

Song: Wake Me Up- Avicii. 

I’m actually obsessed with this song, and it’s becoming a real problem.  It’s my go-to get-ready-in-the-morning jam and I could literally listen to it on repeat for hours on end.  Yes, I am one of those types of people.  Don’t judge me.

Album: Nothing Was The Same- Drake

This one is more of a current listening!  I haven’t listened to the album enough to profess my love for it just yet, but a few of my favorites include From Time and Hold On, We’re Coming Home.

Books: Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

I actually just started this, so there’s not much, or anything really to say about it just yet!

Food Favorites:

Food: I don’t even know where to begin in this category.  Being a huge and shameless eater, I literally want to list everything my fridge is stocked with, because obviously none of it would be there unless I was an absolute die-hard fan.  But, unlike my relationship with food, I have a bit more self-control and I will pick one food favourite, and it’s going to have to be Brussels sprouts.  

I swear I am not a grandma, and I also swear that these little green things are delicious!  I think I may have missed the memo detailing the extent at which everyone is supposed to hate Brussels sprouts, but so be it.  More for me.  But in actuality, these little things are so versatile and even delicious roasted, drizzled with olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with a bit of salt and pepper.  I had to pause to wipe the saliva that dripped onto my keyboard.  Only kidding.

Seasoning/Sauce/Dressing: Huy Fong Chili Garlic Sauce

This jar of chilli sauce is probably in every Vietnamese household in the world.  I seriously think it’s that much of a staple.  It’s funny though, because I actually never really had it when I was home.  Aside from the occasional tablespoon I’d mix into my hoisin dipping sauce for spring rolls, this beautiful sauce never really held a special place in my heart.  This all changed a few days ago.  I was really craving something with a kick and was so overwhelmed by all the options on the grocery shelves, that I naturally went for something relatively familiar.  I then went home and threw some of the chilli into a vegetable stir-fry, ate it, and proceeded to make some room in my heart for Huy Fong Chili Garlic Sauce to move in.  It adds the perfect oomph to any oomph-less dish and will spice up your dish and inevitably, your life.

Make-Up Favorite: Mac Mineralized Skin Finish

Sometimes, I tend to overlook things that are...lacking better words for it...just there.  So basic and essential to my daily routine, the Mac Mineralized Skin Finish doesn't have the same pizzaz and sparkle as a blusher or lip color.  Nevertheless, it's reliable and I can always count on it being there for me when nothing else seems to going right.  Kind of like friends, it makes me a better person.  That may have been a slight exaggeration.  How's this?  It makes my face a better face.  Regardless, many times, basic and essential items such as the MSF don't get the love and appreciation they deserve, but it's important not to take these little friends for granted.  Instead, turn to your makeup bag and give these everyday basics a little gratitude and an appreciation kiss while you're at it.  Here's to you Mac Mineralized Skin Finish!  Merci Beaucoup!

Fashion Favorite:

This one was a no brainer.  I honestly cannot believe this has been missing from my life for a good twenty years, but no worries.  I've made up for lost time by stocking up.  It's actually becoming a problem, and I should really stop, but what am I talking about?  The Cotton On India Drapey Pants of course!  Duh...

In actuality though, these pants are the epitome of multi purpose done right.  I reach for these bottoms way too often for way too many occasions.  They are extremely versatile and I can't even count the number of times I have worn them to bed, and then to class; to lounge around in, and then to the club (with a pair of black wedges of course!).  They kind of remind me of a fluffy dog. Comfortable, cute, and dude, how could you not love them?  

And I'll leave it at that!  I hope I've fulfilled your thirst for current events, and until next time, you stay classy San Diego.

Cheers,

Kimmy 

Because Tim McGraw Told Me To

I honestly cannot believe that it’s been nearly two months.

The thought gets me every time, and rightfully so, because it is crazy when you think about it!  Literally two months ago, I had no idea what Australia would even look like.  As dumb as that sounds, I mean it in all seriousness.  Were there going to be kangaroos and their kanga babies running rampant?  Were spiders the size of my face going to be out and about?  It’s no understatement when I say that I knew no one and little to nothing about life here down under, but look at me now.  Look at me now.  I’m not making paper, but I can guarantee that I’m doing the next best thing.  I’m experiencing life in Aussieland, and loving every second of it. 

Still…it’s still crazy.  And I can’t forget that.  I can’t get too used to things here, nor can I stop making the most of every moment.  My time here is temporary and I cannot even begin to imagine how quickly the next two months are going to fly by. 

I literally had to stop writing to think about that.  Leaving Aussieland is a very horrible and very scary thought.  Thankfully, I still have two whole glorious months to live, experience, and seize the day.  And I’m making a promise to keep carpe diem-ing until I have to pack my sad little suitcase and drag my sad little tush onto a sad little plane home.

Naturally, carpe-diem-ing entails going skydiving—which I did last week by the way!  That’s wussup!  Check ✓

Ok, so let’s talk skydiving.  Skydiving has been something that I’ve wanted to do since maybe…two weeks ago.  Ahaha!  In all honesty, it’s never been something on my bucket list only because I didn’t think it belonged there.  My bucket list is reserved for things like hiking the Appalachian or the John Muir trails.  My bucket list is reserved for things that I really hope to accomplish in the span of my lifetime.  Skydiving, on the other hand, was something that I could just throw on my calendar!  Only kidding, I actually don't keep a calendar... I actually wanted to just wake up one day and decide to go skydiving...Spontaneity at its finest!  But it actually required calling ahead of time to book an appointment, so planning was pretty inevitable.

Needless to say, I was stoked.  We (a friend and I) were jumping with a company called Skydiving the Beach, and the jump spot was actually in Wollongong, a good two-hour journey from the University.  We’d booked the ten o’clock slot, but because I’m extremely paranoid about missing buses, trains, and planes, we left the university at 7:30 for good measure, and got on the train at 8:30!  Yay!

After an easy breezy hour and a half on the train, we got off at North Wollongong station, and were picked up and driven to the skydiving offices.  There, we were geared up in the latest spring fashions: an oversized yellow and blue fleece quarter-zip, and a pair of matching parachute pants!  Don't worry, we didn't leave out the accessories.  We jazzed up our outfits with nice harnesses and belts that unzipped and doubled as emergency life vests!

Then, we pretty much waited for at least an hour until we were picked up and driven to the nearby airport, where we boarded a sketchy looking baby plane and descended for probably about 15 minutes until we reached an elevation of 14,500 feet.  Then, my instructor opened the door, and we pretty much jumped.  

Actually, it was more like we fell out, because one second we were in the plane and my instructor was messing around with the other instructor, and the next second, we weren’t in the plane, and my instructor wasn’t messing around with the other instructor…

We basically tumbled, then tumbled some more, and after about forty five seconds that passed much too quickly, the parachute was ejected and we pretty much floated to the ground from there.  Let me just say, it was way too much fun for a Thursday morning!!

Ok, but let’s talk about the things I wasn’t expecting.

1)  It was so squishy and cramped in that plane!!  It was honestly a baby plane and they squeezed in 6 jumpers along with their instructors!  So, with 12 people packed like sardines, there was actually no room on the plane for personal bubbles...Those were actually tossed out the plane before take off.

2) IT WAS COLD.  The weather and temperature did not even cross my mind when I left my room in shorts and a white v-neck that morning.  I looked out the window, saw the sun, and that was that.  Shorts it was!  When I imagined myself skydiving, I literally pictured myself in my shorts and short sleeved t-shirt, falling from the sky.  I didn't put two and two together.  I was genuinely surprised when they handed us the fleece outerwear...But a few experiences older, a few experiences wiser and you can take my word for it...If you're 14,500 feet up in the sky, you can take my word for it.  It'll be cold

3)   At the risk of possibly sounding even dumber, I didn’t realize how quickly we would be falling…The air was literally rushing up so quickly, or maybe it’s the other way around….I was falling so quickly that it was like the air was forming a blockade around my nostrils.  It was an actual struggle to breathe!  But the rate at which we were free falling was unbelievable!  I don't know what I had envisioned though...I obviously didn't expect to be falling in slow motion, but I also didn't imagine to be falling that quickly...You know how they say that a penny dropped from the top of the Empire State Building could kill someone?  Believe it.

4)  THAT VIEW THOUGH…you guys can’t even blame me for being a bad blogger and not having my camera, because for once, it’s actually not my fault for not having pictures, but boy, do I wish I had pictures.  It was stunning.  The jump spot for Skydive the Beach at Wollongong not only overlooks the coastline and the beaches, but you also get an amazing view of the mountains and the suburbs that surround the beach.  Just picture it.  Now picture it ten times better.  Ok, the actual thing was even better than that.  

I’m telling you guys.  If you have the chance, or get the chance to sky dive, please do it!  Take skydiving off your bucket-list, or your list of things to do once you hit your midlife crisis, because it honestly belongs on your to-do–list.  If you ask me, it belongs on your iCal for next week.  Just saying is all…but for now, I’ll post some obligatory look-I-went-skydiving photos, just because I’m pretty sure it’s on the list of things-you-must-do-after-you-go-skydiving.  Alrighty then, I'll talk to you soon!  Which, in blog time, is pretty much in a year from now...only slightly kidding... BUT, I'm trying to better about that!  Pat on the back for Kimmy, ahaha!

Happy carpe diem-ing!!

Kimmy