tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30243489019615050932024-03-13T06:02:33.559-05:00Underlined and BoldAbigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-46567229862071407812012-09-10T23:30:00.000-05:002012-09-10T23:30:38.487-05:00Marathon #2...the training begins!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLf0e9sFSSg/TuGEEGZFKwI/AAAAAAAAAvU/yKoqRU2cRqg/s1600/100_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLf0e9sFSSg/TuGEEGZFKwI/AAAAAAAAAvU/yKoqRU2cRqg/s640/100_0947.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Jude Memphis Marathon :: Mile 14 :: December 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My rhythm is back! Training began 5 weeks ago, but tonight was the first run where joy for the sport cast out doubt. Doubt that I wasn't good enough... strong enough... disciplined enough to finish marathon #2. </div>
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Rounding the final corner of my nine mile run tonight was bliss.</div>
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{Although, I'm quite sure I looked like a hot mess in compared to the photo above!}</div>
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<a href="http://www.runcim.org/">California International Marathon</a> (race date 12/2/12) here I come!!! </div>
<br />Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-87198418776560914722012-06-29T17:40:00.000-05:002012-06-29T17:40:04.449-05:00Moonrise Kingdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDS3ne0pV3M/T-2znvNm6kI/AAAAAAAABFI/t4897QHi6jg/s1600/Scan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDS3ne0pV3M/T-2znvNm6kI/AAAAAAAABFI/t4897QHi6jg/s400/Scan.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b> "...even smart kids stick their fingers in electrical sockets sometimes."</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">{Bruce Willis as Captain Sharp}</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>"I love you, but you don't know what you're talking about."</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">{Jared Gilman as Sam Shakusky}</span><br />
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<span style="color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">---</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i>Moonrise Kingdom:</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">a film I will watch many times into the future, & still come away w/ something new </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif;">every time</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Magical. Subtle. Romantic. Humerus. Quirky. Authentic.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Cheers to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">dysfunctional family plot line</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">infused w/</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">deadpan humor</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">suspension of disbelief</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">reasonable adolescents </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">amongst unreasonable adults</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">w/ a well matched musical score.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Cheers to</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">another Wes Anderson triumph.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">-Abby</span><br />
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<span style="color: #031627; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-44128880184032174012012-06-20T21:25:00.000-05:002012-06-21T19:44:54.729-05:00Embracing the Summer Solstice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sNJZcS0tlSg/T-Jrgz3dJEI/AAAAAAAABCw/ZsIpSJ-auBs/s1600/100_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sNJZcS0tlSg/T-Jrgz3dJEI/AAAAAAAABCw/ZsIpSJ-auBs/s640/100_0133.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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summer</div>
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invites one to stay home a little less.</div>
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days passing</div>
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on patios</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">on beaches</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"> sun-kissed shoulders</span></div>
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in parks along farmer's markets</div>
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noses delighted by</div>
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scents of fresh flowers</div>
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baked goods & tomatoes eaten like autumn apples.</div>
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<br /></div>
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summer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
invites one to delve into pages.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
novels traipsing through the mind </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
long after epilogues</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
final words</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
& concluding messages conveyed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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summer </div>
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invites one to passion.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sweaty sheets & beaded brows</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hands caressing curves</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
curling pink painted toes</div>
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in the early dawn.</div>
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<br /></div>
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summer </div>
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invites one to the road.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
leaving work & unpaid bills </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
beyond the rear view mirror</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"> laughter & leisure dancing on the air</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as tire <span style="background-color: white;">tread</span></div>
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presses against hot unfamiliar pavement.</div>
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<br /></div>
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summer invites you...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
{it's official}</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
embrace.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
---</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Love summer? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Click <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/search/label/Summer%20Solstice%20Countdown%202011">here</a> to see how <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/">Underlined and Bold</a> embraced summer in 2011.</i></div>
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</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-55518031215659393072012-06-10T02:30:00.001-05:002012-06-10T02:30:47.101-05:00Ray Bradbury<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--unxF_TjZjM/T9RMTTmI95I/AAAAAAAABCk/HGP_f8j-9jA/s1600/4999126765_a4234ee4f3_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--unxF_TjZjM/T9RMTTmI95I/AAAAAAAABCk/HGP_f8j-9jA/s640/4999126765_a4234ee4f3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Like many,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i've been thinking of this man.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this writer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this wordsmith.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
flipping through pages</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
feeling soft paper under my thumbs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
finding the text that tugged my heart</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that tossed around in my mind...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>"...when you're my age, you'll find out it's the little savors and things that count more than the big ones. A walk on a spring morning is better than an eighty-mile ride in a hopped-up car, you know why? Because it's full of flavors, full of a lot of things growing. You've time to seek and find. I know--you're after the broad effect now, and I suppose that's fit and proper. But for a young man working on a newspaper, you got to look for grapes as well as watermelons..."</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>{Grandpa in</i> Dandelion Wine<i>}</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> "I don't remember anyone winning anywhere any time. War's never a winning thing, Charlie. You just lose all the time, and the one who loses last asks for terms. All I remember is a lot of losing and sadness and nothing good but the end of it. The end of it, Charles, that was a winning all to itself, having nothing to do with guns. But I don't suppose that's the kind of victory you boys mean for me to talk on."</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>{Colonel Freeleigh in</i> Dandelion Wine<i>}</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rest In Peace</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thank you for honing your craft</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sharing your gift w/the world</div>
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<br /></div>
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W/gratitude,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Abigail<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cthulhuwho1/4999126765/lightbox/">Image via.</a></span></div>
</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-33629697530839082162012-05-21T14:10:00.000-05:002012-05-21T17:10:31.676-05:00Sunset in the City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHoE3BvwgZA/T7qSiLIFeiI/AAAAAAAABCY/0Jq_GVOLvs0/s1600/IMG_2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHoE3BvwgZA/T7qSiLIFeiI/AAAAAAAABCY/0Jq_GVOLvs0/s640/IMG_2011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Biking on the Halsted bridge between Grand & Lake.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">
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</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-57527138204464525272012-05-16T22:27:00.000-05:002012-05-16T22:27:56.699-05:00The Loveliness of the Modern World.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PWnP11Ix5TA/T7Rmzh2sXvI/AAAAAAAABCM/KWqYiYXL9Y8/s1600/retouch+Budapest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PWnP11Ix5TA/T7Rmzh2sXvI/AAAAAAAABCM/KWqYiYXL9Y8/s640/retouch+Budapest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2011/09/scrapbook-lovely-date.html">Chris</a> is in Budapest today.</div>
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He shared this photo.</div>
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His i-phone to my e-mail.</div>
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So he can be far but very close at the same time.</div>
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The loveliness of the modern world.</div>
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</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-91585155901668601222012-05-14T14:59:00.000-05:002012-05-14T14:59:09.731-05:00I'm back!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtBRg1OKt8U/T7FfCS_A5zI/AAAAAAAABCA/3jgGIfv-LYs/s1600/prom+cropped+photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtBRg1OKt8U/T7FfCS_A5zI/AAAAAAAABCA/3jgGIfv-LYs/s640/prom+cropped+photo+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris & I @ the <a href="http://www.826chi.org/">826CHI</a> Prom Fundraiser. April 2012.<br />{The theme was the internet & I was dressed as the "i-cloud"}</td></tr>
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Updates. Photos. Thoughts. Reflections.</div>
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Coming Soon!</div>
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<br /></div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-6510225901282111392012-03-22T12:22:00.001-05:002012-03-22T15:36:46.309-05:00"And this too was Greece.."<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxepmHgkd_A/T2tJl3aaRqI/AAAAAAAABBc/KGq86GUhye8/s1600/Byron+Bay+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxepmHgkd_A/T2tJl3aaRqI/AAAAAAAABBc/KGq86GUhye8/s640/Byron+Bay+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day in Byron Bay, Australia.<br />
February 2012.</td></tr>
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<i>I love connecting travel to art and poetry. Both powerful forms of expression harness how a new destination touches the mind, body, and spirit...how an unfamiliar environment invigorates the senses...how the intellect is stimulated and the heart transformed.</i></div>
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<b>Another Island</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">by <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/may-sarton">May Sarton</a></span></div>
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And this too was Greece: </div>
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Water so clear</div>
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A jellyfish looked opaque;</div>
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Silence so transparent</div>
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A voice could scratch it</div>
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Like a pane of glass;</div>
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A long crescent of white sand</div>
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Where we found</div>
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Not a broken hand of Aphrodite</div>
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Nor a silver coin,</div>
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But small pink shells,</div>
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The rockrose</div>
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White as foam</div>
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Under the dark pines--</div>
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And across the translucent sea</div>
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Another island</div>
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Floating on a dark blue line.</div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;">I would love for you to become a part of the community!</i> </div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-35088121008735576672012-03-16T12:22:00.000-05:002012-03-16T12:47:57.083-05:00The Trail to the Lighthouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HupwpbAlNQ/T2NbyZWTcVI/AAAAAAAABAI/ebNtpA9HfCg/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HupwpbAlNQ/T2NbyZWTcVI/AAAAAAAABAI/ebNtpA9HfCg/s640/IMG_1624.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{<a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2012/03/creative-block-solving-problems.html">Australia Challenge</a> Day 7}</span></div>
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Two and half hours later, I returned to my hotel room. My feet sloshed around in my sneakers as droplets of water hit the floor from my clothing. I grabbed my towel hanging in the closet and wrapped it around me for warmth. I plopped on the bed and kicked off my sneakers to rest my feet.</div>
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"How was the hike," my roommate asked in a concerned but curious voice.</div>
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Smiling I replied, "Great!"</div>
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I had just completed the popular trail to the historic <a href="http://www.visitbyronbay.com/pages/cape-byron-and-byron-bay-lighthouse/">Cape Byron Lighthouse</a>. A midday storm hit the seaside town during the descent of my hike. But the trail's scenic complexities play to the senses, easily distracting hikers from physical discomfort felt from weather fluctuations and the steep uphill climb. </div>
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Below are few pre-storm photos from my time on the trail. Enjoy!</div>
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<br />Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-6960318520291631392012-03-12T23:56:00.001-05:002012-03-13T00:16:57.184-05:00Adventures in Sea Kayaking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
{<a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2012/03/creative-block-solving-problems.html">Australia Challenge</a> Day 6}</div>
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Take a risk. Be nervous. </div>
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Try something you've never done before.</div>
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I did. And was. </div>
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And it turned out like this:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Rn8cWPjoOE/T17JsQjmcqI/AAAAAAAAA_U/S0n3GaJc01s/s1600/Kayak+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Rn8cWPjoOE/T17JsQjmcqI/AAAAAAAAA_U/S0n3GaJc01s/s640/Kayak+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My <a href="http://www.visitbyronbay.com/accom_result1/go-sea-kayak-byron-bay-pty-ltd/">Go Sea Kayak</a> Tour Group.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hV3tlfTD0Q/T17JTHXtq5I/AAAAAAAAA-0/i50qDIJZfm4/s1600/Kayak+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hV3tlfTD0Q/T17JTHXtq5I/AAAAAAAAA-0/i50qDIJZfm4/s640/Kayak+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming in on a wave! Me w/my German kayaking partner Fabian.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bskaujsMDJM/T17JWsg9R6I/AAAAAAAAA-8/o7oTlhKmtqk/s1600/Kayak+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bskaujsMDJM/T17JWsg9R6I/AAAAAAAAA-8/o7oTlhKmtqk/s640/Kayak+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt water in the eyes! I am a mid-west girl through and through. I never got use to the salt water of the ocean.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q50j8apmT_Y/T17JNGWCbRI/AAAAAAAAA-s/Evkaw1l0n-c/s1600/Kayak+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q50j8apmT_Y/T17JNGWCbRI/AAAAAAAAA-s/Evkaw1l0n-c/s640/Kayak+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabian and I were both trying stand on the boat simultaneously. <br />Needless to say, we were both in the water seconds after this photo was taken.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_epXvtjQQU/T17Jb3DqKyI/AAAAAAAAA_E/PgjYHOEZmUs/s1600/Kayak+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_epXvtjQQU/T17Jb3DqKyI/AAAAAAAAA_E/PgjYHOEZmUs/s640/Kayak+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snacking on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Tam">Tim-Tams</a>, and patting ourselves on the back for an awesome morning tour.</td></tr>
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</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-40395567438215585782012-03-11T23:44:00.000-05:002012-03-13T00:34:22.431-05:00The Truth of Our Choices.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLYcu9AQfok/T11iEjqKB7I/AAAAAAAAA-g/F9JOXTFWoQk/s1600/Atlantic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLYcu9AQfok/T11iEjqKB7I/AAAAAAAAA-g/F9JOXTFWoQk/s640/Atlantic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlantic Byron Bay<br />
@Byron Bay, Australia February 2012</td></tr>
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<b>"It is our choices, Harry, that shows us what we truly are, far more than our abilities."</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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{<a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2012/03/creative-block-solving-problems.html">Australia Challenge</a> Day 5}</div>
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Travel at its core is a person or group of people making a lot of choices.</div>
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Choosing destinations. Choosing lodging. Choosing modes of transportation.</div>
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{trains, planes, automobiles}</div>
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Choosing w/whom your travels will be spent.</div>
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Choosing urban versus rural. Choosing souvenirs. Choosing guide books.</div>
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{Lonely Planet =)}</div>
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Choosing clothes to be stuffed in your pack. Choosing shoes to comfort your feet.</div>
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{as they pick up particles of life on every road you take}</div>
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---</div>
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Analyzing the choices I made in Australia has been an interesting process. The choices I made are concrete evidence of my preferences and biases. If I want to understand who I am and <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2012/03/travel-reading-book-club.html">what makes me come alive</a>, I cannot hide from these choices.</div>
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One choice I've reflected upon was my decision to avoid "party" hostels.</div>
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During the first week of my travels I stayed in Melbourne, and crashed with friends. While traveling alone outside of Melbourne, I chose {subjective to my ideals} cozier accommodations. </div>
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One example would be my stay at <a href="http://www.atlanticbyronbay.com.au/gallery.html">Atlantic Byron Bay</a>. This hotel sells a few shared rooms for the same rate as hostels, but is adorable and quiet. No late night disruptions. And my roomies were women just a bit older than myself. One from China studying yoga in the area. One from Germany on a two week vacation mostly involving reading. I absolutely loved this arrangement.</div>
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The choice on the surface seems simple. I either wanted to party or I didn't. Right? But I am also a person who enjoys recommendations and getting the inside scoop from those who have gone before me. This led me to discover opinions mostly pointing to one essential component of visiting Byron Bay; party hostels. </div>
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I mauled over the decision for a few days. I scoured the internet reading hostel reviews. I asked more people's opinions. </div>
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"Why am I struggling so much with this decision?" I asked myself. I was struggling because I wanted to go against the dominant advice. My being wanted nothing to do with the "party" hostel. My being wanted quiet. It wanted the beach, the sun, and the ocean. It wanted a massage. It wanted a novel and pen to paper. It wanted trail running, and flora and fauna.</div>
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My being wanted a glass of wine {or two} coupled with live music at the end of each relaxing day. For the record, I am not inherently opposed to evenings of debauchery. {Just ask my friends.} But for me on that trip at that moment; it wasn't the experience I was looking for. </div>
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So I chose what I yearn to do more often. I honored my inner voice. I discovered a piece of myself. And I enjoyed every minute of it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-46812312081033863412012-03-10T00:03:00.000-06:002012-03-11T23:47:39.401-05:00I Did Not See Kangaroos in Australia...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
{<a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2012/03/creative-block-solving-problems.html">Australia Challenge</a> Day 4}</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...but I did fall in love with several animals. The photos below are from my <i><a href="http://enviro.org.au/wwoof.asp">Willing Workers On Organic Farmers</a></i> (WOOF) experience. In future posts, I will discuss WOOFing in depth. But for now, enjoy photos of some adorable furry friends.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QhI5D-dlBI/T1rhUUOTQkI/AAAAAAAAA-c/VyoSowh2ajo/s1600/IMG_1521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QhI5D-dlBI/T1rhUUOTQkI/AAAAAAAAA-c/VyoSowh2ajo/s640/IMG_1521.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barney!! My favorite animal friend of my entire Australia experience.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppJs3Us5ji4/T1rfjABs3HI/AAAAAAAAA-M/OgoU5om0eds/s1600/IMG_1569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppJs3Us5ji4/T1rfjABs3HI/AAAAAAAAA-M/OgoU5om0eds/s640/IMG_1569.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately when I think of cows, I think of factory farms. Seeing them grazing in this beautiful setting filled me with joy!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNXNqTDbWSI/T1re2hNJw2I/AAAAAAAAA98/M9-HlkF2VSk/s1600/IMG_1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNXNqTDbWSI/T1re2hNJw2I/AAAAAAAAA98/M9-HlkF2VSk/s640/IMG_1571.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> In love with this cat's memorizing deep yellow eyes.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qQmj8BA37EY/T1refaVCaVI/AAAAAAAAA90/3RmSn-PNrgM/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qQmj8BA37EY/T1refaVCaVI/AAAAAAAAA90/3RmSn-PNrgM/s640/IMG_1508.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpacas!!!<br />
{enough said}</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iE1ixqCdZbk/T1rhHKR8_fI/AAAAAAAAA-U/a-SOn1f2cbg/s1600/IMG_1497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iE1ixqCdZbk/T1rhHKR8_fI/AAAAAAAAA-U/a-SOn1f2cbg/s640/IMG_1497.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How crazy are those ram's horns?? I was delighted to have a fence between him and I.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jA_RyHjWs34/T1rfNHPTPyI/AAAAAAAAA-E/r-ur00X4Q5Y/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jA_RyHjWs34/T1rfNHPTPyI/AAAAAAAAA-E/r-ur00X4Q5Y/s640/IMG_1539.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snack time!!! This adorable pup was lucky to have a pear drop from a tree.</td></tr>
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</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-35267785022788587742012-03-07T23:52:00.002-06:002012-03-07T23:52:44.606-06:00A Media Must Have...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cjlYuqixzcM/T1g3Hfd94FI/AAAAAAAAA9o/oo1S3E_BLaA/s1600/frankie+Magazine+-+January+February+2011+(Australia)+.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cjlYuqixzcM/T1g3Hfd94FI/AAAAAAAAA9o/oo1S3E_BLaA/s400/frankie+Magazine+-+January+February+2011+(Australia)+.jpeg" width="303" /></a></div>
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{<a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2012/03/creative-block-solving-problems.html">Australia Challenge</a> Day 3}</div>
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In high school, despite my social tendencies, one could typically find me secluded in my room. Bedroom door shut, stereo on, and a stack of magazines at my side. <i>Glamour</i> and <i>Rolling Stone</i> were among my favorites. </div>
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When I went away to college my magazine stacks slowly disappeared. My academic classes urged me to think critically about the world. And I soon felt disillusioned about the way in which the media presented "information" and portrayed women.</div>
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Within the past year, magazines have made a resurgence in my life. My ottoman yields stacks of <i>The Atlantic</i>, <i>Runner's World</i>, and <i>Yoga Journal</i>.</div>
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And after my Australia travels, I've added one more magazine to the decor of my ottoman; <i>Frankie Magazine</i>. The narratives, art work, photography and cultural insights are fresh, fun, and original. If you've never had the pleasure of flipping through this publication check out the <a href="http://www.frankie.com.au/">website</a>, or try to find a local store selling this Aussie gem. </div>
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What magazines are sitting on your ottoman these days? What magazines did you read as an adolescent? I would love to read your thoughts! Please leave your lovely comments below.</div>
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</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-24776439153567556672012-03-06T23:41:00.000-06:002012-03-07T15:10:36.534-06:00Travel, Reading, & Book Club...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jv0pxFwQIvg/T1FTBcWotcI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/kL5oa1rL3Pk/s1600/4313225196_71a95c46b7_z.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jv0pxFwQIvg/T1FTBcWotcI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/kL5oa1rL3Pk/s640/4313225196_71a95c46b7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{<a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2012/03/creative-block-solving-problems.html">Australia Challenge</a> Day 2}</div>
While traveling in Australia I read the Salinger classic, <i>Franny and Zooey</i>. The words pulled playfully at the corners of my mouth and moved me to put pen to paper. I saw Australia through an altered lens because this paperback was my traveling companion.</div>
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Last week my lovely book club ladies and I met to discuss Salinger's words. I was able to share and express all that I had kept to myself while seeking adventure. The evening was joyous. The flow of discussion moved seamlessly as the group showed academic engagement with the text. We chuckled at the characterization of the mother, dissected the obsession with the ego, and disagreed with SparkNotes concerning the interpretation of the ending. We also came to believe that the stories were relevant to the contemplative words of <a href="http://www.pbs.org/thisfarbyfaith/people/howard_thurman.html">Howard Thurman</a>:<br />
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<b>"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."</b><br />
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What makes you come alive? <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I would love to hear your thoughts, so leave </span><br />
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comments below!<br />
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image <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shanan/">via</a>.</div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></i></div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-72302069389176306352012-03-05T21:34:00.000-06:002012-03-06T01:02:10.310-06:00A Creative Block & Solving Problems.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Museum, Melbourne.<br />
January 2012.</td></tr>
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{Day 1}</div>
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I am three weeks removed from my <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/search/label/Australia">Australian</a> adventure. And with the passing days, my current case of writer's block only seems to intensify. To break myself free of my struggles to contribute to the written word, I am giving myself a blogging challenge. Hooray!</div>
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The Challenge:</div>
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For 26 days {the length of my travels}, I will continuously post reflections, photos, and insights from my trip on <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/">Underlined and Bold</a>. With a little outside accountability, I hope to regain my sense of creativity with words, and rekindle my love of snapping photos. </div>
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Do you ever experience writer's block? What strategies do you use to break away from it?</div>
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I would love to hear your thoughts, so leave </div>
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comments below!</div>
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</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-36957862346582683282012-02-27T12:17:00.001-06:002012-02-27T16:53:36.161-06:00Twenty-Five.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O2UNw7akPqw/T0iCM1AO1xI/AAAAAAAAA8c/Q0CeKvee154/s1600/100_1439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O2UNw7akPqw/T0iCM1AO1xI/AAAAAAAAA8c/Q0CeKvee154/s640/100_1439.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lovely Chicago friends who came out to celebrate! Thank you ladies!</td></tr>
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I turned twenty-five while traveling in Australia. I celebrated. It was awesome.</div>
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My friends, a little over a week after my return, generously threw me another bash at one of my Chicago <a href="http://haymarketbrewing.com/">favorites</a>. It was also awesome. </div>
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And just what I needed. </div>
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Confession Time: </div>
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I feel as if I shouldn't complain, considering I've just come home from an amazing <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/search/label/Australia">trip</a>, but I'm going to do it anyway. My transition back home has been a bit rough. My sleeping patterns are completely out of whack (4 hours of sleep at night, long naps during the day or immediately after work), the figurative off button to my inner monologue is broken, and focus is fleeting. I have not pinpointed the exact causation for this difficult juncture, but it is here occupying my attention for the moment. </div>
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I know I will find my rhythm again soon. But I cannot resist feeling incredibly impatient, letting my inner critic win. Allowing pessimism and futile thoughts run rampant.</div>
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Then again, it maybe good that I am unable to find my old rhythm. What good is a trip to the other side of the world, if it doesn't shake you up a bit?</div>
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Today, I leave you with a quote I've been contemplating.</div>
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<b>"Life should be lived on the edge of life. You have to exercise rebellion: to refuse to tape yourself to rules, to refuse your own success, to refuse to repeat yourself, to see every day, every year, every idea as a true challenge- and then you are going to live your life on a tightrope."</b></div>
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-Philippe Petit in <i>Man on Wire</i></div>
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</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-33074645553592527252012-02-19T20:58:00.000-06:002012-02-20T18:29:09.648-06:00A Weekend in Sorrento<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQD1ck4vwKY/T0FY_qJsqUI/AAAAAAAAA8M/ZKYKySOUozI/s1600/bay-map.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQD1ck4vwKY/T0FY_qJsqUI/AAAAAAAAA8M/ZKYKySOUozI/s640/bay-map.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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The second weekend of my Australia travels was just for the ladies. My friend <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2012/01/live-love-australia.html">Ali</a> {who I was visiting in Melbourne} was invited to her friend Biffy's family beach house in <a href="http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/Mornington-Peninsula/Destinations/Sorrento.aspx">Sorrento</a>. Lucky me, I was able to tag along. Ninety-degree heat, swimsuits, sun tan lotion, sand castles, my first proper fish and chips experience, bunk beds, giggles, a sunset among the rocks, and an evening of reliving my childhood via a viewing of <i>Clueless</i> {RIP Brittany Murphy} defined my time in this slow paced seaside town.</div>
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Below is a little glimpse of my time there. Enjoy!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nIKJ3uEtdT8/T0FWBx44pZI/AAAAAAAAA8E/_z-AzemXAeg/s1600/IMG_1325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nIKJ3uEtdT8/T0FWBx44pZI/AAAAAAAAA8E/_z-AzemXAeg/s640/IMG_1325.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Ali, Laura, and Biffy<br />
{left to right}
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More photos and reflections from my time down under to come! So be sure to visit <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/">Underlined and Bold</a> again soon.</div>
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If you missed my travel photos from my first week in Melbourne, Australia, click <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2012/01/scrapbook-melbourne-australia.html">here</a>.</div>
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map image <a href="http://www.bedsandbreakfasts.com.au/CarmelofSorrento/location.htm">via</a>.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;">Enjoy <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;">Underlined and Bold</a>?</i><br />
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</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-85622457293930300022012-02-18T12:36:00.000-06:002012-02-18T12:39:26.971-06:00We Love you Cooper!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPgBfD_q3x0/Tz_myQpO2DI/AAAAAAAAA7I/TIvMZssUDnA/s1600/Cooper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPgBfD_q3x0/Tz_myQpO2DI/AAAAAAAAA7I/TIvMZssUDnA/s640/Cooper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today's post is dedicated to a <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2011/05/guest-blogger.html">friend's</a> wonderful family canine who was adored by many. RIP Cooper. We love you!</div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;">I would love for you to become a part of the community!</i>
</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-33115037086867437492012-02-15T21:13:00.000-06:002012-02-15T21:50:52.264-06:00Bitter Sweet<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NucsPqQSBKk/TzxJTE30lJI/AAAAAAAAA7E/xBxzlPGBf6g/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NucsPqQSBKk/TzxJTE30lJI/AAAAAAAAA7E/xBxzlPGBf6g/s640/IMG_1749.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney Harbor near the Opera House.<br />
February 2012</td></tr>
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My body feels like a semi-truck ran over it. A nagging exhaustion forces me to yawn every ten minutes. The constant fluttering of my eyelids urges me to lay down for a nap. But I avoid the temptation as it would only add to the confusion of my body clock. I know jet-lag has mercilessly taken hold of my body.</div>
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I'm back in Chicago, adjusting to the rhythms of the American city dweller. My mood, beyond my blood shot eyes, is bitter sweet. It was hard to board the plane to depart Australia. It was hard to leave a place where summer weather prevails, indulgence was a constant theme, creating memories with an <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2012/01/live-love-australia.html">old college friend</a> was without question, and intercultural exchanges were a daily occurrence. </div>
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On the flip side of the coin, coming home has its perks. It means sleeping in my own bed, real life cuddles from my <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2011/09/scrapbook-lovely-date.html">boyfriend</a> {instead of managing time zone sensitive Skype dates}, and planning meet-ups with friends I left behind in the windy city. It also means working towards new goals-- as my resolutions list for 2012 still remains lengthy.</div>
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As I adjust back to the central time zone, <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/">Underlined and Bold</a> will begin to swell with photos and reflections about <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/search/label/Australia">Australia</a>. I will also go back to posting about <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/search/label/Running">running</a>, my <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/search/label/Chicago">Chicago</a> shenanigans, and "<a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/search/label/Picks%20to%20Ponder">Picks to Ponder</a>". So if any of those topics are of interest to you, you're in luck!</div>
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But for now I lay in bed, pinching my cheeks in disbelief of my good fortune; the fortune to travel, and the fortune to have a wonderful place to call home. </div>
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Cheers!</div>
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-Abigail<br />
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<i>Enjoy <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/">Underlined and Bold</a>?</i><br />
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<i>I would love for you to become a part of the community!</i></div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-83265182754168566082012-01-29T17:02:00.000-06:002012-01-29T17:02:35.971-06:00Scrapbook: Melbourne, Australia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-WhDsTw5jU/TyU9lTEuhcI/AAAAAAAAA1s/pOhFQ9U4qSs/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-WhDsTw5jU/TyU9lTEuhcI/AAAAAAAAA1s/pOhFQ9U4qSs/s640/IMG_0334.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Kilda Beach Pier</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vaW2x4xz_I4/TyU-bo02TVI/AAAAAAAAA2M/bCSsJy9BLsE/s1600/IMG_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vaW2x4xz_I4/TyU-bo02TVI/AAAAAAAAA2M/bCSsJy9BLsE/s640/IMG_0376.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQOGE3Ds5HM/TyU-2h21vAI/AAAAAAAAA2c/hgyK2TBjbbc/s1600/IMG_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQOGE3Ds5HM/TyU-2h21vAI/AAAAAAAAA2c/hgyK2TBjbbc/s640/IMG_0408.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Kilda Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pivdp4TdfHU/TyVT83hqK1I/AAAAAAAAA44/L4sgN9FJWCw/s1600/IMG_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pivdp4TdfHU/TyVT83hqK1I/AAAAAAAAA44/L4sgN9FJWCw/s640/IMG_0586.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flinders Street Station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dzp7wmucvm0/TyU_wFG66DI/AAAAAAAAA3c/9BoxxUTbgBw/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dzp7wmucvm0/TyU_wFG66DI/AAAAAAAAA3c/9BoxxUTbgBw/s640/IMG_0499.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parliament Gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAa-FjK9_x4/TyU_Qqz3sAI/AAAAAAAAA28/tZYZYKGm9no/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAa-FjK9_x4/TyU_Qqz3sAI/AAAAAAAAA28/tZYZYKGm9no/s640/IMG_0445.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel Esplanade in the near suburb of St. Kilda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OVHLcbNi_oQ/TyVWaSZr0_I/AAAAAAAAA54/jPv99pCNttg/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OVHLcbNi_oQ/TyVWaSZr0_I/AAAAAAAAA54/jPv99pCNttg/s640/IMG_1333.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike shop @ Rose Market in the near suburb of Fitzroy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FAE5LY-BFh4/TyVVMTqVO2I/AAAAAAAAA5o/HszwdG0Zb3k/s1600/IMG_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FAE5LY-BFh4/TyVVMTqVO2I/AAAAAAAAA5o/HszwdG0Zb3k/s640/IMG_0705.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawn Bowling @ North Fitzroy Bowls (in Fitzroy)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SnseS1f9NAQ/TyVVh6IWy-I/AAAAAAAAA5w/wbHJLOMwv54/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SnseS1f9NAQ/TyVVh6IWy-I/AAAAAAAAA5w/wbHJLOMwv54/s640/IMG_0712.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawn Bowling Celebration Dance</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BeUDBP6YdcY/TyVA7Jy8mkI/AAAAAAAAA4M/Ofay3781INs/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BeUDBP6YdcY/TyVA7Jy8mkI/AAAAAAAAA4M/Ofay3781INs/s640/IMG_0557.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Business District (CBD) of Melbourne</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hD5Dqwi7yn8/TyVUwX38LqI/AAAAAAAAA5I/Gbruqqkdukw/s1600/IMG_0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hD5Dqwi7yn8/TyVUwX38LqI/AAAAAAAAA5I/Gbruqqkdukw/s640/IMG_0607.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Footbridge linking the CBD and the Southbank</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ0NOwQCpQI/TyVU2NH7utI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/nI-q1LxKnhk/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ0NOwQCpQI/TyVU2NH7utI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/nI-q1LxKnhk/s640/IMG_0609.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Footbridge linking the CBD and the Southbank.<br />{The photo is taken from the restaurant Pony Fish Island that is on an open platform underneath the bridge}</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IzdfYXnBKAQ/TyU-AAbwUpI/AAAAAAAAA10/h-bOAyMz9A0/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IzdfYXnBKAQ/TyU-AAbwUpI/AAAAAAAAA10/h-bOAyMz9A0/s640/IMG_0354.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Kilda Beach</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIcbS1h2W-U/TyU-OAJQ-wI/AAAAAAAAA18/DM69ZaPaJSo/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIcbS1h2W-U/TyU-OAJQ-wI/AAAAAAAAA18/DM69ZaPaJSo/s640/IMG_0369.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luna Park in St. Kilda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-1TYJcS1_M/TyU-pbhFb4I/AAAAAAAAA2U/yVPLAlSgJ8w/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-1TYJcS1_M/TyU-pbhFb4I/AAAAAAAAA2U/yVPLAlSgJ8w/s640/IMG_0385.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous St. Kilda cakes and desserts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsMNPCKRkxU/TyU_AbErS6I/AAAAAAAAA2k/STnl5dO2d8w/s1600/IMG_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsMNPCKRkxU/TyU_AbErS6I/AAAAAAAAA2k/STnl5dO2d8w/s640/IMG_0413.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esplanade Market in St. Kilda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9WD6BDcRik/TyU_pw-hiAI/AAAAAAAAA3U/UDiKFXRKu-I/s1600/IMG_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9WD6BDcRik/TyU_pw-hiAI/AAAAAAAAA3U/UDiKFXRKu-I/s640/IMG_0498.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parliament Gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCkXbjgBgrw/TyU_LaIIL4I/AAAAAAAAA20/l9_JCbJVSe8/s1600/IMG_0443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCkXbjgBgrw/TyU_LaIIL4I/AAAAAAAAA20/l9_JCbJVSe8/s640/IMG_0443.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esplanade Hotel in St. Kilda</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Xn-UNlPyNw/TyVXByUh9yI/AAAAAAAAA6I/_hXAPtECYGI/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Xn-UNlPyNw/TyVXByUh9yI/AAAAAAAAA6I/_hXAPtECYGI/s640/IMG_1343.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Rose Street Market in Fitzroy </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GGNBSTBmUGI/TyVZfiiy_LI/AAAAAAAAA6w/bHRTVBVNc9g/s1600/IMG_1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GGNBSTBmUGI/TyVZfiiy_LI/AAAAAAAAA6w/bHRTVBVNc9g/s640/IMG_1338.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me w/ <a href="http://gregmannjewellery.bigcartel.com/">Greg Mann</a> {a jewelry maker @ the Rose Street Market}<br />I bought my first Australia souvenir from him! {The big ring on my pointer finger} </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOTaXie3Bv0/TyVXezSeBmI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/ZZ6z0kosYbM/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOTaXie3Bv0/TyVXezSeBmI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/ZZ6z0kosYbM/s640/IMG_1348.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near suburb - Fitzroy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6YZfuXdh0E/TyVYxapJR9I/AAAAAAAAA6o/MZruuVcC2Ns/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6YZfuXdh0E/TyVYxapJR9I/AAAAAAAAA6o/MZruuVcC2Ns/s640/IMG_0468.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Federation Square - Ian Potter Centre: National Gallery of Victoria Australia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94Bb7Z81WAs/TyVA0k_0hyI/AAAAAAAAA4E/ImUwPiO9k3U/s1600/IMG_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94Bb7Z81WAs/TyVA0k_0hyI/AAAAAAAAA4E/ImUwPiO9k3U/s640/IMG_0556.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public Toliet in the CBD</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8yOss9_dy4/TyVBh1BbAUI/AAAAAAAAA4o/jDB9Spx0ACI/s1600/IMG_0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8yOss9_dy4/TyVBh1BbAUI/AAAAAAAAA4o/jDB9Spx0ACI/s640/IMG_0574.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melbourne Laneway - CBD</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Jgp6o4cU14/TyVclrJndCI/AAAAAAAAA64/ICpCHvD44Z8/s1600/IMG_1376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Jgp6o4cU14/TyVclrJndCI/AAAAAAAAA64/ICpCHvD44Z8/s640/IMG_1376.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near Suburb - Fitzroy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Federation Square</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pony Fish Island {Restaurant on the Yarra River}</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t3r8gaxweow/TyU_m1m6G3I/AAAAAAAAA3M/VOg5Gm2InLs/s1600/IMG_0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t3r8gaxweow/TyU_m1m6G3I/AAAAAAAAA3M/VOg5Gm2InLs/s640/IMG_0495.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flinders Street Train Station</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Departing Melbourne this afternoon to go <a href="http://www.wwoof.com.au/">WWOOF</a> on a alpaca farm approximately 2.5 hours outside the city. Be in touch in one week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sincerely Yours,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Abigail</span></div>
<br />Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-37273936014190421802012-01-26T16:49:00.001-06:002012-01-26T16:49:47.435-06:00Live. Love. Australia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JKRp0BykWg/TyHUvxsyQfI/AAAAAAAAA1k/uSfQJdZpTNI/s1600/IMG_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JKRp0BykWg/TyHUvxsyQfI/AAAAAAAAA1k/uSfQJdZpTNI/s640/IMG_0449.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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snapping photos. laughing. hangin' w/Ali & David. summer. new Aussie friends. belly full. birthdays. lawn bowling. conversation. sunsets. awkward suntans. road trips. Australia day. trains. <a href="http://www.heide.com.au/">Heide</a>. botanical gardens. </div>
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live. love. Australia.</div>
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off to <a href="http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/Great-Ocean-Road.aspx">the great ocean road</a> today</div>
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cheers</div>
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<br /></div>
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Abby</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-58776741361313667422012-01-23T16:22:00.000-06:002012-01-23T16:22:35.827-06:00...And the Adventure Begins<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LhknAJGUiMI/Tx3b7cl69WI/AAAAAAAAA1I/nOdnMkGTtXU/s1600/IMG_0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LhknAJGUiMI/Tx3b7cl69WI/AAAAAAAAA1I/nOdnMkGTtXU/s640/IMG_0326.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Pier - St. Kilda Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yEhlT0_nuMA/Tx3cAEwtunI/AAAAAAAAA1c/EBLTBv9ahrE/s1600/IMG_0358+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yEhlT0_nuMA/Tx3cAEwtunI/AAAAAAAAA1c/EBLTBv9ahrE/s640/IMG_0358+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My gracious host - Miss. Ali Hickerson.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu4hFix-ogw/Tx3b9rPZ4iI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/2RwDanZPgVw/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wu4hFix-ogw/Tx3b9rPZ4iI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/2RwDanZPgVw/s640/IMG_0399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We gathered with many to watch light give way to dark.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Sincerely yours from Australia,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Abigail</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-3984063635523830002012-01-18T11:55:00.000-06:002012-01-18T11:58:22.943-06:00Guest Post: Top 5 Things to Do in Australia<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zPIv81aVtM/TxcE-38P0nI/AAAAAAAAA0w/Bl4B96Nx4w8/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zPIv81aVtM/TxcE-38P0nI/AAAAAAAAA0w/Bl4B96Nx4w8/s640/IMG_1605.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinds Canyon. Australia.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>As mentioned <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-next-adventure.html">yesterday</a>, I am heading to Australia tonight! To get into the traveling spirit, I feel very privileged to feature a travel writing piece from Mackenzie of <i><a href="http://mackenziefield.blogspot.com/">Frock. Paper. Scissors.</a></i></b></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Enjoy!</b></span></div>
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Since Australia is such a vast country (6<sup>th</sup>
largest in the world), it’s often hard to pick a favorite area or place to
visit. From the Red Centre to the Blue Mountains, Australia has varying
terrain (and people!), all just as
breathtaking and friendly as the next. The following are my favorite places to
visit while in the Land Down Under.<o:p></o:p></div>
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1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> <b> </b></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>The frothy waters of the Whitsunday Islands </b></span></div>
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About half way between Byron Bay and Cairns
on the east coast, you’ll find a string of islands unlike anywhere in the
world. From the small backpackers town of Airlie Beach, you board your sailboat
from the Abel Point Marina. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Then be prepared to be in awe for the next
three days. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Our boast was named the SV Whitehaven, but
locals knew it as the SV Misbehavin. I met my “best mate” of my Aussie trip on
this boat. His name was Elliot and he was the deckhand. The 14 people on our
boat learned to sail, visited a barefoot bar, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef
(I saw Dori <i>and</i> Nemo!), sea kayaked
and saw numerous sea turtles, and ate delicious Australian fare. This is an
absolute must-see experience if going to Australia.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span><b>The Red Centre</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Although hard to get to in comparison with
other Australian must-sees, the Red Centre is the true Australia and a trip
here wouldn’t be complete without seeing the marvelous rock formations, 70
thousand-year-old cave drawings, and Aboriginal culture first-hand. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Although Uluru is the star of the show,
Kings Canyon was my favorite experience. A grueling hike to the top, especially
the first bit nicknamed “heart attack hill”, leads to a plateau overlooking
hundred of miles of red earth. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Took
a 14-day tour from Darwin in the Top End to Adelaide in South Australia through
OZexperience. The guiding company has amazing leaders, who teach you all about
the nerdy science stuff during the day, and show you a “full on, flat out”
night at pubs, etc. I met my best friends on the tour from Ireland and Denmark,
and even some local Aussies. If you want to spend a substantial amount of time <i>anywhere </i>in OZ, book with them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Link: <a href="http://www.ozexperience.com/">www.ozexperience.com</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> <b>
</b></span><b>Melbourne Laneways</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Melbourne is a city unlike any other.
Americans make comparisons to it with that of San Francisco, but I have to
disagree. Although brimming with an
exuberant art and café scene, there is really something for every season, and
everyone. One minute you can be musing over fashion at an art gallery, and the
next visiting Rod Laver tennis arena, then hit St. Kilda for a hippie beach
vibe. I instantly fell in love with this city and you will too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My favorite Melbourne (Mel-bun) feature is
its small laneways, tucked back and hidden from the busy downtown streets
perpendicular to them. Easy to miss if
you don’t know what you are looking for, walk down the cobblestone streets with
cafés spilling out into them and you’ll know you’ve found it. Be sure to check
out Flinders Street and Centre Place for the best coffee. And order a short
flat white. They’ll know. <o:p></o:p></div>
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4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span><b>Sydney’s Taronga Zoo</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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When you think Sydney, you don’t usually
think wild animals, but you should. To get to the zoo, take a ferry from
Circular Quay. Get perfect views of the Opera House on your left and a close up
shot of the bridge while taking the breezy ferry to the Northeastern suburbs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The zoo is not only packed with cuddly
koalas, kangaroos, deadly snakes, and the like, the views of the Sydney harbor
are divine. Visiting here was the best day I spent in Sydney. It’s also just a
short trip to popular Manly beach when you are done with your zoo fix. Be sure
to bring a student ID if you have one (you get $15 off zoo admission!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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5.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span><b>Byron Bay</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Known for having the best and most
“rippable” surfing waves in Australia, Byron was a small beach bum and hippie
town in the 1960s. Because of it’s four beached each facing a different
direction, no matter what the wind is doing, there’s always a beach to surf. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So, the hippies never left, and backpackers
started coming, and today it’s a hub for beach life and cold brews. The
nightlife starts around 7 pm and doesn’t stop until the sun comes up. Often
times nights end with skinny dips in the ocean. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s not too difficult to escape the party
scene though, as there are many hikes and action sports to keep you busy. We
also saw a humpback whale breaching on our trek to the famous lighthouse.</div>
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No matter where you go in Australia, you will find friendly locals and beautiful scenery. It's a place all it's own, and visitors and locals like it that way.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGvkIoSf6J0/TxcFv3u6uaI/AAAAAAAAA04/686ClC-WGP0/s1600/IMG_0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGvkIoSf6J0/TxcFv3u6uaI/AAAAAAAAA04/686ClC-WGP0/s200/IMG_0963.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><b style="font-size: x-large;">Guest Blogger Bio:</b>
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<o:p><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Mackenzie is a freelance travel writer and blogger from Portland, Oregon. She sees the world through rose trimmed glasses, loves nothing more than to take her golden retriever on walks in the snow, and has no problem with wearing white past Labor Day<span style="font-size: x-small;">. </span></span></o:p><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Learn more about Mackenzie and her personal adventures on her blog <a href="http://mackenziefield.blogspot.com/">Frock. Paper. Scissors.</a></span></div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-63176525376287995682012-01-17T12:37:00.000-06:002012-01-17T12:38:25.945-06:00My Next Adventure!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BWCWhdu0H1c/TxW6G5QiN0I/AAAAAAAAA0o/5s6nXD3cJIo/s1600/Australia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BWCWhdu0H1c/TxW6G5QiN0I/AAAAAAAAA0o/5s6nXD3cJIo/s640/Australia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's that time again. I am packing my bags and leaving <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/search/label/Chicago">my beloved city</a> behind. I'm heading west across the Pacific to see new sights and learn more about this amazing world we live in. I leave on a early evening flight on Wednesday to visit my friend <a href="http://alisonhickerson.wordpress.com/">Ali</a> in Melbourne for twenty-six days!</div>
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Don't worry... updates from down under to come. </div>
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And be sure to visit <a href="http://underlinedandbold.blogspot.com/">Underlined and Bold</a> tomorrow to get a sneak peak into what it's like to backpack around the sixth largest country (by total area) in the world. Guest blogger <a href="http://mackenziefield.blogspot.com/">Mackenzie</a> will be sharing her insights on her top five favorite experiences while visiting Australia.</div>
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Cheers!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Abigail<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/pacific/australia/">Image.</a></div>
</div>Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3024348901961505093.post-82709668466004190822012-01-11T13:43:00.000-06:002012-01-11T13:43:58.505-06:00When it's Fifty Degrees...in Chicago in January!<br />
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<br />Abigail Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09935818594396207981noreply@blogger.com12