We have Moved...

Into a cute little place just up the road from Nik's. I must admit though I really miss living with Nik but as Al says....'she's just up the road!'.

Anyhoo our new email address is alastair.lisa@bigpond.com

Hope to hear from you all soon.

Lise

Some Fun Pictures

Here are some photos from the night/early morning which made me want to curl up and die the next day. All incriminating evidence has been destroyed!

Lise

What a Slacko!

Hi All

Just thought I'd drop in and let you know I'm still alive. I've been very slack with my blog but I've been super busy and there have been a few major developments!! All is going well with work but....I'm moving...yep that's right these last four months have just flown by and as of Monday I move to MAPU which is the medical assessment section of Emergency....scary. I have really enjoyed my ward and have met some great chicks but sadly it's time to move on. Excited but nervous.

Secondly Al and I are moving into a little house. We thought we've been here six months we better actually look for somewhere to live....so it's a cute little place and I will expect loads of visitors. I will be sad to move out because Nik and I have had such a great time living together but she is coming to stay with us for three weeks in August because Az will be away and realistically she is only 5 mins up the road!

We've both had birthday's and on the weekend we headed down to the Goldie to have a night out and do some fun stuff. Fun stuff.....we got home at 5am and I thought I was dying....still do in fact but slowly recovering. I will post some photos (after they have been approved for family viewing...kidding) soon.

Anyhoo I'll be off now and check in again later with some pickies.

Love Love.

Lise

I'm........graduated!

Finally.....after three long long years and two different uni's Wednesday was the finale. Although it was not a very exciting ceremony it was my ceremony (along with 300 others!). Al & I had a great time in Orange but now I feel like I need another holiday to recover from it....we spent all out time catching up with people and eating and drinking our way through Orange. It was fantastic to see Al's parents and my beautiful Mum & Dad came for a few days which was great.

What was not great was the travelling. It really hits home how far we are away up here and in all honesty I was really sad leaving to come back to QLD. I'm sure though I'll appreciate 20 degree winters up here! Anyway people I've added some photos of my lovely graduation gown (OMG how ugly!) and some family pics.

Until next time.

Love Love.

Lise

This time next week...

Al and I will probably be ready to kill each other....but we'll cope because we'll be on our way back to Orange for a visit - if we survive the ten hour drive! My grad is coming up (shit time to have it I know....Uni feels like forever ago!) and we're heading home for it, Mum & Dad will meet us in Orange, it should be a great week. I am super excited and can't wait to see everyone, far from being a relaxing week at home, I think Al & I will both be flat out trying to see everyone & catching up on the last 5 months worth of goss....I really can't believe that these last few months have flown by so quickly. It is creepy how fast this year is going.

Work was absolutely crazy this week, half the ward was honestly tripping out...there must have been something in the water because everyone was just crazy this week. I was glad to have today off, in all honesty I was mentally drained and probably would have cried if I had to go into work today.

So due to my unbelievably week full of weirdo's the couch calls.

Happy Happy Monday people.

Lise

Seriously Amazing

Friday night was great at the footy, was very happy to see the Aussies get up. There were so many NZer's there, probably more than Aussies.....which was slightly weird. .

The ten of us sat behind the goal posts and had a great time....until we got home...look what greated me on the driveway ....they are so disgusting. For those of you who know I absolutely despise frogs so it makes it even worse living here in CANE TOAD country...they are disgusting.

Last night....amazing....Beyonce....amazing. She is one wicked performer and Nik, Sum and I had an unbelievable night. She performed for over two hours straight without stopping and she is better live than on any CD! We had a few z list celebrity sightings....Ricki Lee (the bird out of the Young Divas) & Dan off Neighbours (I think he was on idol too). Great seats and great atmosphere and I would honestly say if you get the chance to go see her, definitely do it!

Wishing everyone a speedy week!

Lise

The Countdown

What a jam packed weekend we've got organised! After three spectacular days off (I was very excited....can you tell!) i've got a mountain of things on in the next three days. Firstly Vic is coming through tomorrow so we've organised lunch at this great pub just up the road, then Friday arvo/night the Anzac test is on at Suncorp. So the ten of us (really the Cobar Connection up here) are off to the test. It won't be a big night for either Al or I because we're both working on Saturday....groan. Am day shift Sunday, but then Nik, Summer & I are off to ..... Beyonce!!! We've been waiting for her concert to come around for ages, should be great fun.

Went into the big smoke yesterday....and really I am glad that I don't have to go in everyday. Great shopping (really bad for the bank balance!) but OMG so busy. Anyway am off to do some odd jobs...mainly for Alastair!

Love Love.

Lise

What about the Chocolate!

Hey there

Well I hope everyone has recovered from the Easter Bunny's visit! Here in the Spinks/Davey/Travis household you honestly would have thought the EB delivered every sort of egg known to man. For a bunch of people who don't eat a lot of chocolate we certainly had a lot delivered!

Even though I worked all weekend we managed to steal a few hours down on the river in the boat. It was great to see Mum & Dad and it was a shame they could only spend a few days up here. I will get to see them again in May when I'm home for my graduation so another thing to look forward to.

Speaking of things to look forward to since the end of netball...yes we lost :( our end of season trip (or really day adventure!) is being spent at the races here in Brissieland! A lawn party....ah brings back memories from my Sydney Easter racing days. Should be great....look out Brissie I say!!

Lise

Not my brightest idea!

The footy...Suncorp Stadium - it's amazing! Even though we had only paid for cheap tickets, we sat behind the tryline & everything seemed to happen down our end!! I was so happy the Broncos lost....even though the loss resulted in Al drowning his sorrows until he was spastic! Went to a few pubs and surprise surprise Al and Heath ended up on the dance floor (with each other...by themselves) doing their chain saw, lawn mower and sprinkler dance moves...not pretty. But we survived....or at least the boys did. After stumbling in after 3 and because I am an insomniac I was awake at 7....going to work that afternoon was not my brightest move. Anyway I soldiered on and live to tell the tale - or rather my patients live...that's always a bonus!

Today and tomorrow off....I plan some relaxing couch time and some Easter shopping before Mum & Dad arrive on Friday. I am so excited to see them. Even though I'm working we'll be able to have a good catch up and eat loads of food and drink and be merry (Easter not Christmas :)

Speedy Wednesday & Thursday to you all!

Lise

Bliss

Ahhh two days off mid-week what will I do with myself! After working night duty last week, having Sunday off and then back to work, two days off suits me down to the ground! But almost a disaster this afternoon Judy (my NUM) says to me 'Ahh Lise your holidays might be shot' .... 'oh' I reply (even though they wanted us to take holidays in our first rotation) 'but it's for my grad' I plead (secretely it's not the worst thing in the world if I miss it but I'm absolutely busting to get to Orange and see everyone!!). And so we go back and forward....but it must be my charm because I got my week off!! So home in May & can't wait!!

Heading to the footy on Friday night with Al & his brother which should be great fun. Even though I'm working Saturday afternoon, hopefully I'll be able to have a few drinks while the Broncos are getting flogged!

Have a good week everyone.

Ciao.

Lise

Happy birthday to you....

Happy birthday for today to Kerry, Al's Mum. Hopefully you had a nice day and you were spoilt, we wished we were there with you to share it! Also wishing the gorgeous Leck a very happy birthday for tomorrow!! Am very sad that I won't be able to attend your dinner :( but i'll expect loads of photos (as per the norm!).

First night of night shift last night so am feeling a bit incoherent at the moment. Had a good sleep, as much as you can anyway in 35 degree heat and 100% humidity! Only two to go so looking forward to my first full weekend off (will try not to sleep through much of it!).

Over & Out.

Lise

So cute.....but what a morning!

Hey People

So we go to Ticketek for state of origin tickets at 8am this morning thinking we're early for game 1....ahhh no....game 1 sold out in fifteen minutes!!! So after much deliberation we decided on game 3 (also up here). We were a bit dubious cause what if it's a dead rubber and it's crap!!! Anyway we've got them now so we'll just have to wait and see, who knows it could be the massive decider and be awesome, we'll see. The chick at Ticketek gave us (Sum, Bek and I) attitude so we pretty much walked out mid-conversation and braved the internet to get them. God if you hate your job that much....don't do it just quit....she was a tool!


Onto much cuter people, check out my new cousin Jake born on his Dad's birthday in January. This is at his christening in Ivanhoe where my Dad is his very proud Godfather. What a cutie.

Right, night duty tonight so apologies in advance for any vague comments or phone conversations you may encounter!

Love love

Lise

Not long now...

Blog mad today but just wanted to say it's not long now until Manda (on the right of this gorgeous pic) & Kurt venture O/S! You guys will have an absolute ball & Al and I will miss you!! We will expect plenty of postcards and loads of emails!?

Ahhhhh I'd love to be going O/S....for now the bustling metropolis of downtown Ipswich will have to do. Once again the couch is calling. Love Love.

Lise

Oh No

Just a quick shout out to Jayde...hope you're ok mate after the rugby. Doesn't look great in the photo but hope everything's cool.

Get well soon!

Lise

Down on the Wibba

Here are a few piccies from a few weeks ago when Nik, Az and I ventured out on the Brisbane River (which is absolutely beautiful....for a river) for some fishing. For those of you who don't know I absolutely love fishing but I hate touching fish or eating them. So after I eventually hook something (lets just say I'm no Rex Hunt) I let out a few squeals and 'Ewww get it off!' before someone comes to my rescue and releases my catch. One day I will learn how to do it I'm sure. Poor Al was at work so he couldn't come with us but we had an absolute ball....before the rain anyway!

Currently am feeling a little guilty, I've got three days off before I start Night Shift. What to do!! Aside from the fact that everyone else is at work I am making quality use of the Foxtel and the couch! I might venture down to the new shopping centre that's opened up near our place to have a squizz but really I just want to vegetate!

Anyhoo Will & Grace are calling....and oh check out my sexy uniform...ha!

Lise

PS. Congrats to my old touch team on winning the GF....I miss you guys!

A beautiful bride

Congrats go to Daneeca and Guy for getting married on Saturday the 10th. Detailed accounts from my source (the gorgeous Ms Babos) tell me that it was a beautiful ceremony and reception and that Neak looked stunning. I was really sad I couldn't get there due to work, but I can't wait to catch up with everyone to see all the photos!

Headed down to the Beach after work the other day because up here in sunny QLD we are experiencing a freakin' heatwave only to get to the Goldie and be pounded by rough surf and shark sightings. Needless to say we were only there for about an hour before I cracked it and had had enough. I love that we're only 45 mins from the beach but in all honesty I would love to live right on the beach on the Sunshine Coast. Oh well maybe one day!

Have a great week everyone.

Over & Out

Lise.

Our 1st Win

Just a quick congratulations to my netball team....the Steelpro Chicks or 'Blue Steel' as we like to call ourselves....we had our first win last night. It was a hard fought victory with blood shed and victory beers consumed afterwards. We killed 'em....let's hope our winning ways continue.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

Over & Out.

Lise

Dropping In..or Dropping Off

OMG what a week! I feel like I could sleep for the next 48 hours. My first block of shifts on the ward have been flat out, full on but great. No one has died (trust me that's always a bonus!) and I felt like I'm on top of things....until today and it all came tumbling down around me....or really not just me but the whole ward. Arrests, bleeds, assults, prison guards and cops....I was literally walking around all day with my jaw on the ground...so much so Anita (another Grad) said to me 'Holy crap what about your shift today!' All I could do was manage a smile and think to myself I can't wait to get home and have a relaxing beer in the spa!

Ok so get home, Alastair's leg looks like it's about to explode. After a waiting for over an hour in the waiting room of a Dr's surgery this pretentious receptionist finally allocates us a Dr and we get what we came for....kick ass antibiotics and pain relief...not what I expected to come home to after my day. Poor Alastair though is not a happy camper after a touch footy injury gone bad.

So...I'm day 4 of 5 with only tomorrow to go and then I've got three days off ya-ay! I'm off to a girl who I play netball with housewarming party and then who knows what they city lights hold for the remainder of my night! Wishing everyone a rip snorter of a weekend. Be safe, have fun.

Mwah.

Lise

What a Week

First day nerves kicked in all over again after my ward orientation. It is a full on ward of 40 beds which is 98% full 98% of the time so I'm in for a wild ride I'd say. Everyone seems nice so hopefully they don't eat me alive! So much to learn...so little time!

Onto a more important subject Nik, Az, Al and I went to the Sunny Coast last night to watch Joel (our cousin) play footy. It was so cool seeing him in his Melbourne Storm jersy and playing first grade...sadly our camera died just after the game ended and we couldn't take any photos of him with us....that however did not stop this group of blokes sitting behind us who at the end of the game ran over and asked for his autograph and a photo! Joels reply...'I'm not famous mate' but they didn't care and he had about a hundred photos, very funny.

Onto babies...congrats go out to Amy who had a little boy, Charlie and to Berna who also had a little boy last night, Oliver. Very excited for them both!!

Ok guys we're off to the tavern for a counter lunch I've been craving a chicken snitzel for lunch ever since I left Orange. Good luck to my Dad in cricket today :)

Over and Out.

Lise

New Kid on the Block

Hey There

Well today was the day....D Day....or as I prefer to call it....my dose of reality. Back into working life with a bang at the hospital today. So much to learn and trying to convert my NSW brain into this QLD system will take some time.

Am pleased to report that I've been allocated the surgical/ortho ward which is a relief as I don't really do sick people but love theatre cases so am happy with that allocation. After 14 weeks I will move to a different area.

So after a big day of paperwork and introductions I'm off to Netball.

Hope everyone had a fabbo weekend.

Over & Out.

Lise

Its a girl....a boy, a B'day & Valentine's Day

Over the past few days there have been three babies born! So Congrats to Nikki's friend Kate who had a little boy Baeden, Congrats to Kristy Cordina (nee Davis) who had a little girl 7lb 2oz Amelia Rose and finally to Kel Sweeney (nee Tighe) who had a bouncing 6lb 5oz baby boy last night Nicholas Reginald. It's all happening! Now we're just waiting on Bern and Amy. So congrats to all the new Mum's and Dad's out there....slightly clucky can you tell! Calm down Mum, not for a while yet though.

Nik, Aaron and I went to the movies yesterday to see Employee of the Month, save your $$ and wait till it comes on pay, I wasn't a fan at all but the shopping afterwards was right up my alley! We're off to the big smoke today firstly for Summer's birthday so we can have lunch with her (Happy Birthday Sum!) and secondly so Nik can possibly score herself a great job in Sum's building which would be great for her.

Ok people have a great day, Cross your fingers for Nik,play safe and have a happy Valentines Day.

Over and Out.

Lise.

Ahhhh Friday

A post today to wish everyone a happy friday! Hope everyone has a fantastic and safe weekend. Only one sleep to go until my fabulous sister arrives. I've been dying for her to get here so we can fill in my last week before I start work with shopping, coffee, movies and the beach....I am currently craving female company....In the words of the wise Alexis...boys just don't understand the importance of shopping & delicious coffee.

More important than coffee....No babies yet. For those of you who don't know five yep thats right FIVE of my friends are due to have babies in the next ten days...you know who you are and if you're reading this....I can't wait to hear from you guys when your little bubba is here...for four of them this will be their first baby...how exciting!

Well the air con & the couch are calling me, it's only 80% humiditiy here today (can you believe it...gross!)

Be good. Over & Out.

Lise

A couple of things...

Well I finally got around to posting some photos of my Australia Day shenanigans, what a drama! Photos L-R: Alastair trying to fan himself - Packy with his winning trophy for Red Rocket Destination Anywhere - Wade & Az - Al & Lise - Katie, Lise & Sum. What a day. My computer obviously doesn't enjoy posting photos onto my blog but it is going to have to quickly get over that. Also I have to send a few shout outs, firstly to Lex and Bugs...happy birthday chicks! God it feels like only the other day we were at Bugs 21st! Secondly to Daneeca, hope you had a fantastic hen's day, I was sad I couldn't be there but Leck was able to send me some fabulous photos of your day...not long to go now princess! Thanks heaps Leck for keeping me up to date with all the photos, phone calls, emails and SMS's of life back home, I would be lost without you!

Finally congrats and hi to Mum she started her new job yesterday after a lifetime at her last one! I'm sure she blitzed it and the kids would have loved her.

Over & out. Mwa Mwa

Lise

Relax & Enjoy

Hi All

Relax and Enjoy....I'm over it! I am getting bored not working and this bloke that I called about casual work until I start full-time has NOT called me back....I used to work in recruitment & that is like shooting yourself in the foot! Anyhoo Al starts work on Monday (thank God, our bank account is feeling it!) and he's looking forward to it. It's still another 2 weeks till I start....I honestly don't know how anyone could stand to be unemployed....how freakin' boring. To fill my time I've been a domestic goddess cleaning everything in site, unpacking and cooking (my Mum will freak out when she hears that!)...have I gone mad!

I cannot wait until I start my new job, Sum tells me to enjoy my time off, I'm trying but I think I'm just too highly strung to be not working and when you're not working it limits the fun stuff you can do.....So we're off to the beach again today which it is a gorgeous beach at Burleigh to work on my tan (ha ha) and pick up some stuff before Al starts his new job. Relax and Enjoy....it's hard work let me tell ya!

Over & Out.

Lise

PS. Orange touch girls I'm mad for updates....how have we been going, what else is goss!

What a Day/Night!

So we arrived at the Storey Bridge Hotel mid-morning to a crazy crowd complete with 500 cockroaches! We sang the national anthem about 20 times and the bagpipes went all day parading the cockroaches around the racing ring....in 30 degree heat with 95% humidity yep that's right party people 95%...wow! After several attempts at purchasing a winning roach (the Cobar Cocky; Rudy Zarzof; Red Rocket Destination Anywhere) we had a winner, or at least Packy did anyway! The winning beer flowed, the victory dance was performed and we celebrated Red Rocket's win leading us to finishing up our Australia Day 2007 well into the wee hours and some very sore heads the next day.

The S/B cockroach races have been voted in the top 100 things to do of all time, so if your ever in sunny QLD for Australia Day make sure you check it out!

Over & Out. Photos to follow.

Lise

Happy Australia Day

Well the buzz of the minute in sunny QLD....freakin' cockroach races! Apparently it's massive up here, we'll see how that goes after a bellyfull of beer and one screaming New South Welshmen who hates the filthy things! Point of the story, we're all off to the Storey Bridge Hotel for Australia Day madness and cockroach racing. Summer tells me we can buy a roach there for $5, but Alastair was adament he was catching his own and he was going to win millions. Unlikely I say.

So, wishing everyone a happy & safe public holiday.

Photos to follow....post cockroach races!

Lise

A Blogging Virgin

Hi There

Well I've started, my very own blog. After months of blogging with my family, now it's time for me to have my very own for you all to read about my new adventures, make comments...or tell me to suck it up and get on with it. Arriving in Brisbane after a flood of tears last week has made me realise that everyone should have one of these so we can all keep in touch and let others know what's happening in our world.

Whilst my blog very simple, new additions will be added each day.....or more likely.....every month, including photos etc etc.

So put up your feet and join me on my new adventure.....

Over & Out.

Lise