Sweet Sweet Sponsorship

We'll I am no pro athlete, but I am officially sponsored to be partial Aussie Aussie! Thanks to my amazing company, USM Events | IRONMAN Asia Pacific, for sponsoring me to live and work in Australia.  As of today I am on a Work Sponsored Visa for the next few years, and am so grateful for everyones support and help to get me to this point. 

Hobbs Nobbin' has come a long way from tent life in Port Douglas, and I must say its quite mind blowing! Who would have thought that I would be living in a slice of paradise with a beautiful man working a sweet gig? So - CHEERS to making unknown dreams come true!

Timo and I shared a champagne toast

The Land of OZ is Odd

Imagine you are an alien visiting a strange, yet parallel land.  Among your findings you discover while the language is technically the same each word is shotended, has an unneccesarry additional “O” added to the end, or is said in such a dumfounding dialect all you can do in conversations is stare with your mouth open counting the number of flies your mouth has caught.  You also discover not only do these humans from a land down under drive on the other side of the motor speed ways, but they also SIT on the other side of the car while doing so. When it comes to cooking your favorite pie or baking your granma’s country fair winning cookies, your delectable goods come out of the oven more resembling a meteroid that crashed into the Earth 300 years ago.  This is the world I now live in.

Common Conversational Points Down Unda

• Would you like to have a coffee this avo?

My interpretation: This strange human asked me to just eat avocados and drink coffee, gross. 

Actual interpretation: Would you like to join me for a latte or some other milk heavy coffee drink in the afternoon?

• How you going? 

My interpretation: Pause, because I think they are asking me how I am transporting myself from one place to another. After a sufficient amount of awkward time, I eventually ask "pardon?". 

Actual interpretation: How are you doing today? 

• That is SO bogan of them. 

My interpretation: I have no idea what you are talking about you crazy person, but of course I laugh in an agreeable manner while smiling and nodding. 

Actual interpretation: Holy shit, look at that red-neck and their poor choice of outfit. 

*This is a word I now use in my daily conversations, it quicker and easier to say than red-neck.*

• Would you like some lollies? 

My interpretation: I would love to enjoy a sucker, aka lolly pop.  I will take any flavor other than grape please. 

Actual interpretation: Would you like to enjoy a gummy worm style of confectionary candy? 

*I am now addicted to this country's mass supply of "lollies", and I am currently working through a 12 step program.

Starburst brand is my fav, but Naturals is pretty high on the list. 

• Lets go grab some brekkie?

My interpretation: Sweet baby Jesus, it is way to early to start fighting with strangers.  Why are we trying to break anyone anyways? 

Actual interpretation: Would you care to join me at a dining establishment to consume our first meal of the day, aka breakfast? 

Driving Down Unda

Have you driven in a car with me in the last 2 years?  If so, you know my depth perception is a bit off...I seriously need to get this checked out.  Combine my lack of depth perception, with driving on the opposite side of the road while controlling the vehicle from the right side of the car, and the Aussie roadways have a serious issue on their hands.   

Terrifying for all parties involved. 

I am happy to report, thanks to my German driver instructors, that I now can properly drive on the Australian roadways.  However, parallel parking is still completely out of the question, and I do slightly resemble a grandmother while driving.  

Food for thought: Each UK country drives on the left side of the road while sitting in the right front seat, excluding Canada.

Unidentifiable Baked Objects

I love to cook. I especially enjoy baking.  I am comfortable and confident in saying, I can cook satisfying meals and yummy baked goods...in America.  Australia, along with the entire world, uses the  metric system. So, when I am cooking my savory quiche, impressive but easy home-made-dirty rice, renowned peach pie and anything else out of my recipe book I am converting not only measurements but temperatures.  Just to up the anti in the cooking game, the ovens here are typically convection ovens (aka, fan based).  This means that after converting the temperature from Fahrenheit  to Celsius, I then need to adjust the temp down 20º-25º, maybe...just depends on the type of dish and how the oven is feeling that day.  Basically, every time I enter into the kitchen, I enter into battle.  Let the record show, I am winning against the oven: 4 - 2.    

 My first two attempts were dramatic failures: 

1. My beautiful quiche came out as a flying saucer that crashed into earth after becoming half disintegrated in the ozone layer.   
2. My standard, 'let me impress you with my cooking skills dirty rice', came out as what can only be described as "crunchy brown stuff".

"Crunchy brown stuff", brings my to my next topic concerning my cooking escapades.  There are a lack of grocery items in these Down Unda grocery stores.  Here is a list of common items that cannot be found, even after harassing the store clerks:

• 

  Homemade Pumpkin Puree

  Canned pumpkin; I now make my own puree. 
• Canned french onion soup
• Canned beef consume; The entire Campbells soup isle seems to be missing
• Frozen, rolled pie doe
• 9" frozen pie shells; Supermarkets only have 6" pie shells - you name me one pie recipe that ask for a 6" pie.
• Crescent rolls 
• A normal variety of cheese, at an affordable price
• Corn starch; After much discussion with the grocery store staff this item is deemed corn flour.  The staff now avoids me at all cost. 
• 1 - 5 minute rice; 25 minute rice is the only raw rice sold here
• Black beans, pinto beans, rotel; Any proper Mexican ingredients cannot be found.  

Please, don't let all of the Hobbs Nobbin' whining, deter you from seeing the wonderful land of OZ and all of it's beauty.  While I have a few things to get used to Down Unda, this is the land I am happily calling home for the next few years. 

Typical Thursday avo.  

Bali Part 2: Behind the Scenes

This is a story about a little romance, a little adventure and how I came to live with The German while traipsing through Bali.

You know the type: acts really tough, plays a little hard to get, shies away from real commitment and loves her alone time.  That type, is me.  This type choice has saved me from a few wrecking balls, lost me some great catches and now brought me to The German.  The German was great and pushing through my tough act attitude, and even better at making me want to share my time.  The only hitch was, I already had my eyes set on Bali.  My independent decision to jet, left us with only a few weeks to share our time until I shipped out from the Gold Coast on my solo adventure to Bali.  As our weeks came to an end, The German and I agreed our time couldn’t end.  So, as I boarded the plane to Bali, we logically decided to move into together when I returned in a month.  

The new homestead - Gold Coast

Upon arrival to Seminyak, Bali I quickly realized my month of solo Hobbs Nobbin’ adventuring was not going to go quite as planned.  My mediation became impossible to concentrate on due to the giddy school girl inside of me screaming, “How totally rad is it that this super guy is waiting for you to come back to OZ!?  Let’s stop this boring meditation and draw hearts.”  Giddy school girls do not have the best vocabulary due to their bubbling excitement, so please refrain from judging my inner conversationalist.  When I returned to my adult inner-conversationalist form, I realized my adventure is not meant to be as a solo traveler, but as a partner exploring this fantastical relationship awaiting me in Australia.  After this revelation, a mere six days into Bali, I moved my flight up to hurry home to My German.  Now, for all you independents out there, I still gave myself a full three weeks of playing time in Bali.  For all you hopeless romantics out there, I thought about booking it for an earlier date, but had to keep true to my independent standards. I decided to keep the flight change a surprise for the German, and get back on track to my solo yoga adventure through Bali.  

Now that I was back on track, my soul searching questions consisted of the standard: Who am I?; What are my life goals?; What is truly my favorite color?; Do I really want to be a vegetarian?; How much will it really cost to bring Marley to Australia?  I tried to keep it to the important topics.  What I actually found during my meditation was how much this whimsical romantic decision will impact my year abroad and my life for that matter.  This Hobbs Nobbin’ Down Unda adventure I have set on will now change to Hobbs Nobbin’ with The German Down Unda, and along with that being a really long title, it just doesn’t have as nice of a ring to it. You can deduce that I immediately went into a panic mode, and my mediation with yoga became impossible all over again.  

Hindu god: Ganesh at Yoga Barn

By this point I was in Ubud, Bali and really getting into my yoga practice at Yoga Barn.  I had achieved the enigmatic head stand, the occasional side-ways crow and feeling strength within my previously achieved poses that I didn’t think possible.  But in this panic state, I became frustrated at my practice and then frustrated at myself for bringing my issues into my practice.  God I am  exasperating.  Before you start questioning why I am spinning into a frenzy about having an amazing guy awaiting me with open arms in Australia, this panic did not come from my German love.  The panic mode stemmed from, “What the hell do I have to bring to the table”?  At this point I had almost gone through my travel funds.  I  did not have jobs contacts on the Gold Coast, they were in Melbourne.  The one attempt I have taken to drive on the other side of the road was a disaster.  My recipe book was not one of the 45 kilos I had packed, and really how the hell am I going to pay rent? This was uncharted territory for me, so I took 10 deep breaths and started to map out ideas and turned my emotional tailspin into logical reasoning. This is the stage I posted Stepping Out on Hobbs Nobbin’.  I give a large credit to the environment majestical Ubud, Bali created for my mind to grow, learn and love.   To continue giving credit where it is due, The German was fantastic about bringing me back down to earth during our email conversations.  I accepted that I was no longer alone making a life for myself.  The German and I were going to make this life together, as opposed to my traditional way of thinking that I needed to frame my picture perfect life.  

Now that my spirit was full of life, love and the pursuit of happiness, my yoga practice fell into a beautiful arena.  A common method in yoga is to concentrate on one emotion or mantra during class.  Throughout my remaining time in Ubud, I began dedicating my practice to The German, and really just to happiness and love in general. Those of you who appreciate the art of yoga can relate to this, and those of you that are lost should just continue sipping on a cocktail.  It’s time to change locations anyways.  

Colorful Buddhas perched along an art gallery wall in Ubud 

My yoga high rolled with me right into my last stop, the small island of Nusa Lembongan.  This was my final 10 day stretch before I headed home to surprise The German, and I felt  my soul was due for a  little party time.  I arrived in Lemongan with  open arms ready to welcome in new friends and fellow travelers.   Leaving the boat behind, I skipped and whistled to the beat of “Here Comes the Sun..doo doo doo dah” in the direction of my Secret Garden bungalow.  The only thing my open arms found were the stench of seaweed farming, an outdoor cold shower and disheartening desolate “roads”.  Trying my damnedest, I perked up and got my mind right for the afternoon yoga class.  As it turns out everything, including yoga, on this minute island was closed for business on Sunday’s.  (Who knew, this tradition existed outside of the deep south?)  I settled for a few Bintangs, and went to bed hoping to catch a better day with my open arms tomorrow.  Praise Hindu God, the island’s pulse returned, and my arms welcomed in lovely friends, amazing adventures and  tranquil naps in my hammock for the remainder of my island time.  Nusa Lembongan was the perfect ending to my solo Bali trip, and really forced my mind to disconnect with the future and live in the now. Each day still involved yoga time, but it also involved an adventurous exploration and a fun dinner with friends. 

View from the boat as I rowed up to Nusa Lembongan 

However, while I was living life in a tropical paradise, My German was undergoing knee reconstruction surgery to repair his torn ACL.  Which one of us looks a little selfish in this scenario?   I’ll give you a hint...she’s the one lying in a hammock.  While everything with his surgery went beautifully, I could not help but feel like a selfish dirty hippy.  This was just another reminder of the changes I needed to make to transfer away from “Hobbs’ Nobbin’: The Solo Adventurer”.  The German did not seem to mind that I was not there to witness his first week of recovery, but I interpreted my feeling of wanting to be there as a confirmation that starting a Down Unda adventure with him was the right decision.   

My garden bungalow is a step up from the moldy tent, huh? 

So after 3 weeks of yoga, Bali exploration and a great tan it was time to head home and surprise The German.  I left Bali, ready to see and experience the next chapter of my life, but I was also incredibly nervous.  I had been away from The German for 3 weeks, which is the equivalent amount of time we had spent together before I left.  Even though I had decided to dive head first into this relationship, I began to wonder if he had changed his mind?  Granted, he had not given me any reason to suspect this, but thats the thing about relationships...there’s no guarantee that they will work out.  After 12 hours of traveling, a sleepless night on the plane and costume change in the Gold Coast Airport bathroom, it was time to go to my new home and surprise The German.  Nausea, the shakes and nervous fidgeting were just a few of my symptoms as I stepped off the bus, and walked into our condo complex. The moment I stepped off of the elevator and into My German’s arms, all those symptoms melted away into pure bliss.  Thanks to my 3 co-conspirators the surprise was a huge success, and The German could not have been more surprised and excited to have me back a week early.  

Our story is still a new one, but its a happy story and the kind of story my tough act, alone time loving self always wanted.  Who knows, what the future holds or where we will go.  I do know that right now The German and I are having an amazing time living life, and that there are no solo adventures planned right now for this Hobbs Nobber.  

"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way!"
-Oh the Places You'll Go! 

Bali Part 1: Sarong, Tolong

Welcome to a two part series on Hobbs Nobbin’ adventures through Bali, Indonesia.  This three week journey consisted of three stops with a focus of yoga at each location, BUT there is so much more to discuss than the status of my downward dog.  If you are interested in my downward dog capabilities, please tune into the second part of the two part series.  Part one, lays out my travel highlights and suggestions if you find yourself journeying to smiling Bali, Indonesia.   

Stop One: Seminyak, Bali

Imagine Rodeo Drive, meets Australian hipster, meets Hindu temple.  Now you are walking the streets of Seminyak, which is located just north of Kuta and Legion in the southern tip of the island, Bali.  This area is also very conveniently located to the Denpasar airport...which is why this is stop one on this Hobbs Nobbin' Balinese adventure. From my opening sentence, you hopefully detect Seminyak’s convergence into the Western culture and the conveniences that come along with that.  This transformation into a Western culture hub has been largely influenced by the demand created by the Australian’s choosing this location as a top vacation destination.  

While Seminyak was not the Bali I had dreamt of, it was the perfect starting point to get my Balinese dancing legs underneath me.  I might have taken the Western luxuries a bit too far by spoiling myself with scrumptious dining experiences, but you don’t travel the world and neglect yourself a few treats! (At least, that is not my style.) So, if you find yourself strolling through Seminyak, do as an Australian Hipster would do, and treat yourself to a few good dinners as well as the local scene:

• Must Eat (splurge): Potato Head.  There are two sides to this restaurant/beach club, Asian Fusion and Western.  Asian Fusion all the way! 
• Must Eat (budget): Baku Dapa Warung.  Cheap Indonesian goodness.  Hint: most warungs are sure to have something you like, and are guaranteed to be very cheap.  
• Caffeine Fix: The Coffee House.  Because sometimes you just need a proper soy latte.  They are also rumored to have the best red velvet cake in Indo?   
• Must See: Ulu Watu Temple.  Breathtaking Hindu Temple lining the dramatic cliffs along the Indian Ocean on the Bukit Peninsula. A proper sarong is needed to enter any Hindu temple, and while most places will provide them it is easiest to just come with your own. While you are there check out Ulu’s mesmerizing surf break...and the hour long single file line to get down to the surf.

I passed on waiting in line to go to the beach...  

• Downward Dog: Prana Yoga.  Small class atmosphere set in a geourgeous spa/temple atmosphere. 

Just a few other tips of the Seminyak travel trade: The beach is sub-par due to the pollution, but it will do for a good sun bathing or easy surf session. Traffic is CRAZY. To get around, the easiest thing to do would be hiring a driver, but if you are comfortable weaving in and out of traffic rent a scooter.  Last, but not least, Seminyak/Kuta/Legion would best be experienced when in a party mood, not as a solo traveler on a yoga journey.  

Stop Two: Ubud, Bali

Rice Patties and roosters and yoga, oh my! I now have a special love affair with Ubud, and its beautiful, creative spirit.  I spent 11 lovely days here, each at the legendary Yoga Barn.  Even if you are not an aspiring yogi master, this is a very special place to come and play with yoga.  Remember to check out Part Two for more yoga inspiration!

Go ahead, and erase the image that Elizabeth Gilbert and Julia Roberts created in Eat, Pray, Love...especially the fantasy of cruising around rice fields with a straw hat.  Elizabeth Gilbert found love in Ubud over six years ago, and the publicity from that publication/movie combined with the lapse of time from the 2002 Indonesian bombings,  has left Ubud in a tourism boom.  Turn that frown upside down though! A nice long stroll through stacked rice fields is on the menu, including sitting down to a secluded organic lunch amidst the rice fields at Sari Organik.  Feel better now?  

Ubud is best experienced, at least for the Hobbs Nobbin’ adventurer, on foot, with a giant water bottle and an open mind. By just walking around, you can find beautiful hand crafted gems, secret gardens with inspiring statues, a group of local young artist wanting to discuss the night’s happenings, the best freshly made juice this side of the equator and creepy evolved monkeys. So, get out of bed (the roosters will not permit sleeping anyhow) and put on your walking shoes!

• Where to Stay: Wena Homestay.  The top room to be precise. An amazing palace, with hot water and free wifi around $20 a night. This is the place that turned my frown upside down, when I was sad to not find a quiet city among rice fields.   
• Must Eat: Saya Warung.  Honestly my favorite restaurant in Bali.  Located on Goutama in front of Wena Homestay is the tiniest little joint run by a one man show, and has the best and most fresh ingredients a gal could ask for.  My ordering preference was to ask the one man show what dishes he has ingredients for, and patiently await a masterpiece. Of course I enjoyed a Bintang or two while waiting.  

Such a charming little joint

• *Caffeine Fix: Bar Luna or Casa Luna. This was where most of my days began.  They have a fantastic breakfast menu and of course, my beloved soy latte.  Bar Luna is located on Goutama and Casa Luna is located on the West side of Ubud’s main street, Jl Raya Ubud.  
• *Best Educational Experience: Casa Luna Cooking School. Next to my yoga practice, this was my favorite activity in Bali.  The class teaches you not only the Balinese style of cooking, but their cultural traditions and a bit of history.  Note: try not to loose the detailed cook book, like me ;)

Ingredients for Banana Leaf Steamed Fish, Fish Curry and Balinese 'hot sauce'

• Must Do: Elephant Sanctuary.  Why in the world would you not want to ride an elephant?  Granted I was surrounded by honeymooners and families (a solo traveler's worst nightmare), but Lady Irum was completely worth it. 

Lady Irum, what a pretty gal.

• Downward Dog: Yoga Barn.  This place is a total game changer.  Get ready to fall in love with yoga and/or to take your practice further than you imagined. Carlos is always nice to watch instruct as well...

Can I get a Namaste? 

• Must Walk Down: Bisma Street, same street as the cooking school at the west end of town. Be sure to check out the Adi’s Art Gallery, just a few doors down from the cooking school. 
• Monkey Business: Sacred Monkey Forrest.  An enchanted forrest with a bit of an Indiana Jones vibe.  Beware of these creepy monkeys though, they are way too accustomed to sharing their space with humans, and in my opinion just a bit too evolved.  I swear they were staring at me and plotting my murder, and the different scenarios in which to accomplish their goal. 

*Casa Luna, Bar Luna, Casa Luna Cooking School, Honeymoon Guesthouses and a few other Ubud gems are all owned by Australian chef, Janet de Neefe.  She started forming her empire in the 70’s, and has formed a lovely collection of establishments that are all worth checking out.  I plan to take mi madre back to Ubud, and will stay at the Honeymoon Guesthouse for part of it...as well as Wena Homestay of course!

Stop 3: Nusa Lembongan

Never judge a book by it’s cover. Did your mom drill that into your head as well?  Well I had a lapse of judgement, and accidentally judged this charming island wrong on my first day.  I blame the lingering, pungent seaweed farming aroma for clouding my judgement. After my 10 days here, I completely reshaped my impression into the happy Hindu hippy island of the South East Asia Pacific. 

Get past the seaweed farming, which is interesting, and enjoy the chill vibe.  It took me a day to unwind from the bustling streets of Ubud, but after an exploring long run  and a nap in my hammock, Nusa Lembongan and I got along fantastically.  Another welcomed change, was a few great friend finds.  Prior to Nusa Lembongan, I had concentrated on self reflection but was starting to get a bit anxious for some Hobbs Nobbin' social time.  My heart was happy to find a great group of friends to share my time and experiences with.  I highly recommend stepping out of busy Bali, and checking out this peaceful oasis.    

• Where to Stay: Secret Garden, one of those places that people come to, and somehow never leave.  The result is a great community of travelers who are really into diving and yoga, so both activities are available on the premises.  There are a few nicer places I would not have minded staying at, but the vibe is pretty magical here. Oh, and the pool and hammock combo was what I like to call heaven. 
• Must Eat (splurge): The Beach Club at Sandy Bay.  This is THE spot to watch sunset on the island, and you are literally dining on the sand! My friend and I treated ourselves on my last night in Lembongan. 

Justine and I enjoying our primetime sunset spot

• Party Time: Blue Corner Bar.  Friday nights are the big night.  This is the only time I really hit the town, but even that seems like a large statement for the little island vibe. 
• Caffeine Fix: The Deck, way overpriced, but you know how I need my soy latte fix.
• Downward Dog: Yoga Shack.  This circular open air studio is completely made of bamboo! *Same property as Secret Garden.

Justine, Alfred and I basking in our yoga high

• Must Do: Sun bathe at each of the lovely quaint beaches. Lembongan is a sleepy island, so give in and take a nap on the beach :). 
• Must Explore: Nusa Penida.  This is the largest of the three Nusa islands positioned off of Bali.  Be sure to check out the cave temple, Pura Goa Giri Putra.  There is an extensive stair climb to the entrance of the cave, come prepared with a minimum of 30,000 rupiah donation and get ready to squeeze into this underworld Hindu Temple.  I was also fortunate enough to stumble upon, Atuh Beach.  What a gold mine of a find, but like most gold mines...I can’t exactly tell you how to get there.  There is a major hike/rock climb to get down to it, and the rock formation off the coast can apparently be climbed at low tide.  

Agus, my local friend, and I struck gold when we found this beach.

Bali is a destination I had my heart set on for a few years, and I am so happy I was allowed the opportunity to explore it's charm.  Originally I had planned to spend a month traipsing through Indonesia.  The trip quickly turned into a 3 week, when I realized I needed/wanted to get back to the Gold Coast and start my next Hobbs Nobbin' adventure with my German. Tune into the next post for a deeper insight into my Balinese exploration, and a few more words about me and this German man...    

Stepping Out!

Selamat Siang Followers!

I write to you from a lovely cafe on Gootama St in Ubud, Bali...no matter where I am in the world I still require a proper daily caffeine. (I would love to share a lovely photo with you but after trying to upload the photo 1,000 times I am forced to give up. Please forgive me as I can be technologically cursed).

I promise to give a full recount of my Balinese adventures, but today is about the motivation to step out into the world and stay out! As westeners we have a hard time just relaxing, and enjoying the small things in life. Not the finer things, but the small things - like a smile from a friendly stranger in a new city when you're horribly lost. While I'd like to think I am getting better at separating myself from my previous desires like getting that next promotion or pay raise, I still catch myself defining my worth by a job title or lack thereof.

My time thus far in Bali and even Australia, has re-opened my eyes to the bigger picture of life. The big picture that I personally imagine: we are all here to serve a higher purpose, and experience as many blessings as the world can offer.  The past few days though, I have to admitt, have been a struggle. After this month of yoga, adventure and meditation I will return to Australia to begin the work portion of my Australian Work Holiday Visa. Because of certain limitations with my visa, I will not be working a traditional job that would be a conversation opener at say a Southern wedding rehearsal dinner.  It will instead be something in the hospitality field, or if I am lucky, on a contract basis. This is a very different career choice than I am accustomed to, so I have to remind myself of one of the lessons the world is teaching me: we are more than our jobs. Shocking concept I know, but you and I are more than marketers, bankers, entrepreneurers and even event managers!

As a fun little reminder of this lesson I recieved this article link from a good friend of mine today: 9 Reasons to Quit Your Job and Travel the World.   I am not encouraging a mass exodus from the corporate world, but I would like to encourage all my lovely friends to look up from your desk every now and then and step out into the world.

(For those of you reading this, be sure to click "follow". Thanks for the support!)