Vacation Plans

I'm here in Australia on a short term working visa, which means I have to leave every 3 months.  I've gone back to the US twice (in June and August) and my next 90 days is coming up in November.  I had the opportunity to go home again, but I would just be turning around in another 4 weeks to make the same trip for Christmas, then again when the project finishes in February.  So instead, I've been plotting to make a trip to an island somewhere near Australia.

My visa requires that I leave the country for 24 hours, so I could do something in as short as a weekend.  I looked into Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and New Zealand, but then I thought, 'Why not Fiji?'  It's fairly close, it's cheap and I'll have a good time.  I was a little worried that the client would have a problem with paying for me to fly on a long weekend away, but I could always request that they send me home and double the flight cost (not that I would).  I spoke with my company's travel coordinator and team lead back in the US and they were all about me getting a few days away.

I did a bit of research online and learned a lot about Fiji.  I had always thought it was just this remote little island, but it is in fact a group of 200+ islands.  The main island hosts the two largest cities of Suva and Nadi and the rest you can mostly reach by boat.  I found a cluster of islands called the Mamanucas that looked promising. There were a bunch of islands to choose from that ranged in prices and I finally settled on one called Beachcomber. From the pictures I saw, it looked like you could fit it inside my high school's track.

After I booked 4 days at the resort I posted on Facebook that I was ready for some R&R on Beachcomber Island.  My friend Dan quickly informed me that this is the party island of Fiji, so I probably won't be doing much resting.  Ah, well, I guess it's destiny.  We'll see what happens, I'm definitely looking forward to it in about 3 weeks.

Random Wednesday Post

I just got back from a run along the coast and was surfing the web.

First, check out this awesome cover song by Lizzie, a friend (Samya) posted it on Facebook.  I'm a big fan of Kid Cudi and though I've never heard of this girl before, I think I'm a fan.  She kind of reminds me of Florence and the Machine with a bit more grunge.



Second, see the map below.

No, it's not a view of the US from space.  It's a map of McDonald's restaurants across the US.  You're now sitting no further than 115 miles from the closest Big Mac. Mmmmmm.

PS - Aussies love "Mackers" more than we do based on how many people I see in there around 3 am on the weekends.

Ha

Random Things About Me

This was posted on my Facebook profile until I took it off earlier today...

And just to clarify, I had random facts in my profile before it was cool to write '25 Random Things' notes about it.

My favorite color is blue, for more than one reason.
I'll try anything twice, because the first time might have been a fluke.
I'm a dog person.
I'm an extrovert, but I'm uncomfortable and quiet around strangers.
I bruise like a peach.
Kentucky was a great place to grow up and now visit, but I don't think I could ever live there again. I've always been drawn to big cities.
I always clean my plate when eating.
If you ask me what I think, I will tell you, no sugar-coating.
I'm a self diagnosed nosocomephobiac (fear of hospitals). I'm not afraid per say, but every time I enter one I get queasy, clammy and lightheaded.
I hate small talk.
If I won the lottery, I would quit my job and become a teacher and high school soccer coach.
There are some things I have eaten entire boxes/bags of in one sitting, and could eat until my stomach ruptured: pistachios, Cap'n Crunch (with or without Crunch Berries), and Sun Chips to name a few.
I laugh at people's jokes when they're not funny, because I know what it feels like when a joke misses. Unless it was really dumb.
My favorite music makes me depressed.
I'm a person of habit and routine.
I have never fallen out of love.
I'm allergic to chocolate, but it's only mild.
I can do the belly wave.
I don't wish people a happy birthday because of a Facebook reminder unless I already knew it. I think if I changed my birthday on here, most people wouldn't know that I was messing with them.
People think I'm skinny and it's easy for me to stay that way, but if I don't work out for a month I can gain 15-20 pounds... I've done it before. That said, my waist size is the same as it was 10 years ago.
Halloween is my favorite holiday.
I'm one of the few soccer players I know that doesn't keep up with the professional game. I'd much rather be playing than watching.
I've never gotten stitches, despite all of the reckless things I've done and injuries I've had over the years.

24 Lies and 1 Truth

I'm constantly getting updates from people posting those stupid '25 Random Things' on Facebook. So here's my 24 Lies and 1 Truth list - see if you can pick out the truth. This is way more fun, so let's see if I can start a Facebook trend...

1. I've never been in a situation in which I thought I might die if I made a mis-step.
2. I've been fired from a job.
3. I changed my major in college.
4. I was never caught cheating on a test in high school or college.
5. I've never seen myself on cable TV.
6. I have been at fault in a car accident.
7. I've never been in a fist fight.
8. I believe in fate.
9. I've been to 2 UK basketball and football home games (combined) since graduating.
10. I've visited more than 5 countries outside the U.S.
11. I've never locked my keys in my car.
12. I live with no regrets.
13. I accidentally gave myself a tattoo.
14. I love to water ski.
15. UK was my first choice for college.
16. I've only had one concussion that I know of.
17. I have a secret desire to try out for American Idol.
18. My favorite movie of all-time is Fight Club.
19. I've been in love 3 times.
20. I listen to music when I go running.
21. I've never had a manicure.
22. I get stage fright.
23. I've only been arrested once.
24. I have always felt closer to male friends than females.
25. I've been a groomsman in a wedding.