The Dash Poem
by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Moreton Island
This past weekend we took a weekend trip and went camping at Moreton Island. It's where the oil spills happened and it was the first time the beach was opened up to tourists again. We were all worried the oil spills would have majorly affected our trip so we weren't sure what to expect, but fortunately it didnt completely affect it. We couldn't go to Blue Lagoon because that area was still being cleaned up, but other than that, most of our trip went according to plan.
We left school around 6am on Saturday, drove into Brisbane, and took the ferry to the island. Once we got there, we settled at the camp, and drove around different places on the island. We started our day at one of the beaches, where we swam and hung out for a few hours. We went up to the Five Hills Lookout as well as the Cape Moreton Lighthouse (the 2nd oldest lighthouse in Australia!). The island was so pretty and I love being able to see all the different sights. From the lighthouse we could see an area affected by the oil spills. Its so unfortunate that it happened, and although alot of it is cleaned up, there is still alot to be done to get Moreton back to where it was at.
We spent the rest of the day at the beach and at night we enjoyed a campfire. They don't eat s'mores here, but being an American campfire necessity, we decided to improvise and make our own. Although they weren't the same as the real thing, we let our new Australian and Japanese friends try them and they loved them!
On Sunday, we got up early and after breakfast we headed out to The Desert where we went sandboarding. Sandboarding is kind of like sledding, but you're laying on a thin flat board and you go down a steep sand hill. It was really cool! After lunch, we made our way to the beach where we spent the afternoon going kayaking and snorkelling. After that, we made our way back to the camp to get our stuff together and went back to the beach to wait for the ferry. It was a fun weekend and I'm glad the oil spills didn't really affect it. I wish I could help clean up the oil spills, it just makes me so sad. Especially when we got there and they were helping to save a turtle. Poor turtle.
This upcoming weekend we are headed to Byron Bay for a girls out weekend. I'm not exactly sure what we have planned, but it should be a good time! It'll be my first weekend trip that isn't on a real tour. Which I guess at Byron you probably wouldn't need a tour. I'm still trying to plan a trip to Melbourne! I really want to go next month. It will probably be the last of my trips, which is really sad and crazy to think about. I wish I didn't have to leave Australia...
We left school around 6am on Saturday, drove into Brisbane, and took the ferry to the island. Once we got there, we settled at the camp, and drove around different places on the island. We started our day at one of the beaches, where we swam and hung out for a few hours. We went up to the Five Hills Lookout as well as the Cape Moreton Lighthouse (the 2nd oldest lighthouse in Australia!). The island was so pretty and I love being able to see all the different sights. From the lighthouse we could see an area affected by the oil spills. Its so unfortunate that it happened, and although alot of it is cleaned up, there is still alot to be done to get Moreton back to where it was at.
We spent the rest of the day at the beach and at night we enjoyed a campfire. They don't eat s'mores here, but being an American campfire necessity, we decided to improvise and make our own. Although they weren't the same as the real thing, we let our new Australian and Japanese friends try them and they loved them!
On Sunday, we got up early and after breakfast we headed out to The Desert where we went sandboarding. Sandboarding is kind of like sledding, but you're laying on a thin flat board and you go down a steep sand hill. It was really cool! After lunch, we made our way to the beach where we spent the afternoon going kayaking and snorkelling. After that, we made our way back to the camp to get our stuff together and went back to the beach to wait for the ferry. It was a fun weekend and I'm glad the oil spills didn't really affect it. I wish I could help clean up the oil spills, it just makes me so sad. Especially when we got there and they were helping to save a turtle. Poor turtle.
This upcoming weekend we are headed to Byron Bay for a girls out weekend. I'm not exactly sure what we have planned, but it should be a good time! It'll be my first weekend trip that isn't on a real tour. Which I guess at Byron you probably wouldn't need a tour. I'm still trying to plan a trip to Melbourne! I really want to go next month. It will probably be the last of my trips, which is really sad and crazy to think about. I wish I didn't have to leave Australia...
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Whitsunday Islands
Last weekend I went to the Whitsunday Islands and they were absolutely gorgeous! Australia is such a beautiful country as it is, but this really was one of the most gorgeous places I've seen all trip. We flew up Friday night but our flight had been delayed and we had been traveling all day so we decided to take it easy, relax, and go to bed early.
Saturday morning we got up early to check in. We got on the boat around noon. There were 14 passengers and 4 crew, which is actually 4 less passengers than the boat can hold. This was great since I couldn't imagine if there were more people on out boat. For the reasons of amount of space, and also because of the people that were on it. Between the 14, there was our group of 7, 2 young couples, two friends, and some guy who was a photographer, taking pictures for a website or brochure or something I don't know about. Basically, it was a fun group and we all got along really well, plus our crew was beyond awesome.
We set out and enjoyed the boat for the afternoon. We had the option to go scuba diving. I had never been before, although I had the option in Cairns. I decided that I wanted to give it a try! I really enjoyed it! At first, it was really weird getting used to the breathing and being underwater but it was cool. I ended up going scuba diving twice more during the trip! I figured I probably wouldn't get any other opportunities to go scuba diving in Australia so I should take advantage. I'm glad I did! I got to hold a mushroom coral and sea cucumber which were cool. The visibility in the water wasn't as good as it could have been because of the effects of the cyclone.
On the 2nd dive I got to do a backwards roll entry and on the 3rd I did a giant stride entry. We went scuba diving at Hook Island, Luncheon Bay, and Monterey Bay. We also did lots of snorkeling too!
We stopped and got to snorkel out to a bunch of the small islands. We also watched the sunset and the stars from the boat which was so fun.
On Sunday we went to Whitehaven Beach, which has the whitest, finest sand. There was nobody else on the beach so it was great to be able to enjoy it as just us. It was SO gorgeous! We spent a few hours soaking up the sun and taking lots of pictures before heading back on the boat for snacks and the sunset. Did I mention there was a hot tub on the boat?
Monday allowed us time for one more snorkel before we had to leave the boat. We had the rest of the day to spend in the area to explore and relax before we had to catch our evening flight. After eating, I laid out in the sun for a little while, and then Rachel and decided to go jetskiing! I had never been before and it was a really cool experience. The area was so pretty, with the boats, beaches, and houses. I let Rachel drive and after a while I decided to try it. I would definitely go again!
It was a great weekend, with gorgeous sights, scuba diving, snorkeling, jetskiing, beaches, sunsets, stars, and much more!
Saturday morning we got up early to check in. We got on the boat around noon. There were 14 passengers and 4 crew, which is actually 4 less passengers than the boat can hold. This was great since I couldn't imagine if there were more people on out boat. For the reasons of amount of space, and also because of the people that were on it. Between the 14, there was our group of 7, 2 young couples, two friends, and some guy who was a photographer, taking pictures for a website or brochure or something I don't know about. Basically, it was a fun group and we all got along really well, plus our crew was beyond awesome.
We set out and enjoyed the boat for the afternoon. We had the option to go scuba diving. I had never been before, although I had the option in Cairns. I decided that I wanted to give it a try! I really enjoyed it! At first, it was really weird getting used to the breathing and being underwater but it was cool. I ended up going scuba diving twice more during the trip! I figured I probably wouldn't get any other opportunities to go scuba diving in Australia so I should take advantage. I'm glad I did! I got to hold a mushroom coral and sea cucumber which were cool. The visibility in the water wasn't as good as it could have been because of the effects of the cyclone.
On the 2nd dive I got to do a backwards roll entry and on the 3rd I did a giant stride entry. We went scuba diving at Hook Island, Luncheon Bay, and Monterey Bay. We also did lots of snorkeling too!
We stopped and got to snorkel out to a bunch of the small islands. We also watched the sunset and the stars from the boat which was so fun.
On Sunday we went to Whitehaven Beach, which has the whitest, finest sand. There was nobody else on the beach so it was great to be able to enjoy it as just us. It was SO gorgeous! We spent a few hours soaking up the sun and taking lots of pictures before heading back on the boat for snacks and the sunset. Did I mention there was a hot tub on the boat?
Monday allowed us time for one more snorkel before we had to leave the boat. We had the rest of the day to spend in the area to explore and relax before we had to catch our evening flight. After eating, I laid out in the sun for a little while, and then Rachel and decided to go jetskiing! I had never been before and it was a really cool experience. The area was so pretty, with the boats, beaches, and houses. I let Rachel drive and after a while I decided to try it. I would definitely go again!
It was a great weekend, with gorgeous sights, scuba diving, snorkeling, jetskiing, beaches, sunsets, stars, and much more!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Sydney
I went to Sydney this past weekend! Sydney is one of the places I was most looking forward to coming to in Australia and I absolutely loved it! It's a great city and although I wish I could spend more time there, we saw and did a lot considering the amount of time we were there.
We took a bus there so it was about a 12 hour car ride, which was kind of annoying, but kept busy and slept and it wasn't too bad overall. We left Thursday night and got to Sydney Friday morning. We spent Friday morning and afternoon exploring the city. We saw the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, botanical gardens, went to the market and explored the city some more on our own. It's a beautiful city!
Friday night we went on a booze cruise around Sydney Harbour. It was my friend Kayla's 21st birthday so we all got to celebrate together! It was really fun and the city looked so pretty at night.
On Saturday, we had the option of either exploring the city more on our own or going to the Blue Mountains. I wish we had another day so I could have done both! However, since we had just spent the previous day exploring the city, I chose to go to the Blue Mountains. It was another gorgeous sight in Australia. We saw The Three Sisters, which have spiritual significance to the Aboriginal people. We took a walk down some steep steps and got to the first of the Three Sisters. We didn't have enough time, and the group was too large, to actually do more exploring, but I'm glad I got to see some nature and not just the city.
We went back to the city and got ready for Mardi Gras! It was basically a big gay/lesbian celebration with a parade and outrageous floats. The city was packed and everyone was just enjoying themselves. It was crazy! Everyone was enjoying themselves and some people really went all out with their costumes, some of them were quite entertaining.
Sunday we headed to Bondi Beach, which is one of the most famous beaches in the world, as well as home of the Australian TV shows Bondi Rescue and Bondi Vet. We took a coastal walk and spent the day at Bondi. Unfortunately, it rained all day, so we didn't spend too long on the actual beach. We went to all of the shops, the market, and had dinner, which passed the time. I wish the sun had been out, but we made the most of it and enjoyed it to its fullest. Sunday night we headed back to school and after another long road trip, we arrived. I am still recovering! It could take all week to catch up on the lack of sleep I got. It is raining right now but I'm hoping the sunshine comes out this weekend when I'm headed to the Whitsundays!
We took a bus there so it was about a 12 hour car ride, which was kind of annoying, but kept busy and slept and it wasn't too bad overall. We left Thursday night and got to Sydney Friday morning. We spent Friday morning and afternoon exploring the city. We saw the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, botanical gardens, went to the market and explored the city some more on our own. It's a beautiful city!
Friday night we went on a booze cruise around Sydney Harbour. It was my friend Kayla's 21st birthday so we all got to celebrate together! It was really fun and the city looked so pretty at night.
On Saturday, we had the option of either exploring the city more on our own or going to the Blue Mountains. I wish we had another day so I could have done both! However, since we had just spent the previous day exploring the city, I chose to go to the Blue Mountains. It was another gorgeous sight in Australia. We saw The Three Sisters, which have spiritual significance to the Aboriginal people. We took a walk down some steep steps and got to the first of the Three Sisters. We didn't have enough time, and the group was too large, to actually do more exploring, but I'm glad I got to see some nature and not just the city.
We went back to the city and got ready for Mardi Gras! It was basically a big gay/lesbian celebration with a parade and outrageous floats. The city was packed and everyone was just enjoying themselves. It was crazy! Everyone was enjoying themselves and some people really went all out with their costumes, some of them were quite entertaining.
Sunday we headed to Bondi Beach, which is one of the most famous beaches in the world, as well as home of the Australian TV shows Bondi Rescue and Bondi Vet. We took a coastal walk and spent the day at Bondi. Unfortunately, it rained all day, so we didn't spend too long on the actual beach. We went to all of the shops, the market, and had dinner, which passed the time. I wish the sun had been out, but we made the most of it and enjoyed it to its fullest. Sunday night we headed back to school and after another long road trip, we arrived. I am still recovering! It could take all week to catch up on the lack of sleep I got. It is raining right now but I'm hoping the sunshine comes out this weekend when I'm headed to the Whitsundays!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Brisbane
Maxine and Mom are in Australia!
They got here Friday and came to my school, I showed them around the school and they loved it, I'm pretty sure it didn't take too long for them to fall in love with Australia. Especially considering there is a snowstorm back home, I think they will appreciate being in the sunshine!
Friday afternoon after I took them around school, we headed to Surfer's Paradise. It was a little windy for a beach day so we went to the beach for a little while and spent some time shopping. Then we headed to Brisbane.
The hotel was really nice!!! It was also great to sleep somewhere that wasn't a dorm room or a hostel. We began planning our weekend before we went to bed.
Saturday we went to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where I took them to see koalas and kangaroos, among other animals. I really do love koalas, no doubt that they are my new favorite animal. We spent a few hours there then went back into the city. My mom found out about a bridge climb and Maxine wanted to do it. It is called the Story Bridge Climb, and it is one of only 3 bridge climbs in the world. It was pretty cool being able to see the city from 22 stories high and learn some of the history. By the time we were done, we were exhausted with aching feet and ready for dinner. We went back to the hotel to get changed and then headed to the Pier to explore our dining options. It was such a gorgeous area for dinner by the river! We ended up at a restaurant called Siana, which was really delicious Asian food!
On Sunday, I had considered going to the Australia Zoo, which I've heard great things about, but it was alot of extra traveling, plus we had just seen some animals, and we wanted to have some more time to explore Brisbane, and have a leisurely day. We spent the day going on the Wheel of Brisbane (a big ferris wheel), walking around Brisbane Cultural Centre (we went to the museum and Modern Art Gallery), walked around South Bank (looked around the Market and found a spot for lunch), then ended the afternoon at the Botanical Garden.
Oh! And apparently Ben Lee had a show in Brisbane on Saturday night. He stayed at the same hotel as us and we met him Sunday morning when he had breakfast the same time as us! That was a pretty cool incident. Ben Lee is an Australian indie pop singer songwriter, he sings that song "Catch My Disease", and he's got a bunch of other fun songs. He was nice and told me he liked my shirt :)
Anyways, this weekend is the big trip to Sydney/Mardi Gras! I'm really excited to finally get to Sydney!!! I am going to buy my wig tomorrow for Mardi Gras, nobody has bought light pink yet so I'm thinkng that will be my color!
They got here Friday and came to my school, I showed them around the school and they loved it, I'm pretty sure it didn't take too long for them to fall in love with Australia. Especially considering there is a snowstorm back home, I think they will appreciate being in the sunshine!
Friday afternoon after I took them around school, we headed to Surfer's Paradise. It was a little windy for a beach day so we went to the beach for a little while and spent some time shopping. Then we headed to Brisbane.
The hotel was really nice!!! It was also great to sleep somewhere that wasn't a dorm room or a hostel. We began planning our weekend before we went to bed.
Saturday we went to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where I took them to see koalas and kangaroos, among other animals. I really do love koalas, no doubt that they are my new favorite animal. We spent a few hours there then went back into the city. My mom found out about a bridge climb and Maxine wanted to do it. It is called the Story Bridge Climb, and it is one of only 3 bridge climbs in the world. It was pretty cool being able to see the city from 22 stories high and learn some of the history. By the time we were done, we were exhausted with aching feet and ready for dinner. We went back to the hotel to get changed and then headed to the Pier to explore our dining options. It was such a gorgeous area for dinner by the river! We ended up at a restaurant called Siana, which was really delicious Asian food!
On Sunday, I had considered going to the Australia Zoo, which I've heard great things about, but it was alot of extra traveling, plus we had just seen some animals, and we wanted to have some more time to explore Brisbane, and have a leisurely day. We spent the day going on the Wheel of Brisbane (a big ferris wheel), walking around Brisbane Cultural Centre (we went to the museum and Modern Art Gallery), walked around South Bank (looked around the Market and found a spot for lunch), then ended the afternoon at the Botanical Garden.
Oh! And apparently Ben Lee had a show in Brisbane on Saturday night. He stayed at the same hotel as us and we met him Sunday morning when he had breakfast the same time as us! That was a pretty cool incident. Ben Lee is an Australian indie pop singer songwriter, he sings that song "Catch My Disease", and he's got a bunch of other fun songs. He was nice and told me he liked my shirt :)
Anyways, this weekend is the big trip to Sydney/Mardi Gras! I'm really excited to finally get to Sydney!!! I am going to buy my wig tomorrow for Mardi Gras, nobody has bought light pink yet so I'm thinkng that will be my color!
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