Grand Final here we come!

I don't think I'll ever tire of watching these two moments from Friday nights game - Luke Balls game saving goal and Dale Thomas and his mighty tackle.

Today I'm going to pick up my Grand Final tickets after a mini-heart attack yesterday we've managed to secure our tickets. I'm not sure where we are sitting but just the knowledge that we will be there watching the match is causing spontaneous smiles to creep onto my face.

Oh I love this time of the year!!!!!

*EEEP*

 - Brooke

Side by Side

Friday night my beloved Collingwood Magpies played in and won the preliminary final against the Hawthorn Football Club. It was the most intense game of football that I have ever seen. We won by 3 points with a last minute goal kicked in the final minutes and a massive tackle securing our win. 

This means we'll be playing in the Grand Final on Saturday afternoon and I found out today that I will be attending and have secured a ticket (thank goodness). I'm so excited and nervous and am going a bit crazy anytime I think about it. 

This was my sister Crystal, our friend Lauren and myself not long after the win. We've been to pretty much every game this year (apart from the games that were interstate) and have watched these boys play amazing football throughout the year. 

I've been a lifelong supporter of this team and it's nice to experience  this crazy fun time first hand. I mean we won the Grand Final last year but this year it's different because we'll actually BE there. I'm so excited for this week to come and whatever happens on Saturday I hope we walk away with massive smiles on our faces.

*squee* 

- Brooke

P.S Happy 200th post - I can barely believe that I've stuck with this little blog for so long. I'm kind of happy that this post is about something that I love to pieces. It just seems right.

Coach Taylor FTW

Was I the only one beaming from ear to ear when they read online (being at work it was my Emmy update) that Kyle Chandler WON Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Friday Night Lights? I don't think I was...

Thank you trusty YouTube for my ability to look this up and find the super cute and sweet acceptance speech. I think it was WAY cute that Minka Kelly got to present dear Coach Taylor with his well deserved award. 

I have been obsessed with this show for a VERY long time. I've watched the characters grow and learn and have cheered and cried through their wins and losses. I don't really know much about American Football but anything I do know I learnt it from Friday Night Lights and Coach Taylor (who could motivate with a perfectly timed speech, or just a look).  It's nice to see after all these years it's finally getting the recognition it deserves.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS FOREVER!!!

 - Brooke 

Cambodia Pt 1 (starting near the end)

I'll post about the easier less emotional part of the trip - which also happens to be what we did on the second last day (third day) in Siem Reap. 

We woke up early-ish (after drinking until 3am the morning before) to pile into our big pink bus to head out to visit Angkor Wat and one other temple (the "Angelina Jolie temple - aka where they filmed Tomb Raider) in the Angkor Wat Archeological Park. 

The temples were built between the 9th to 15th century near Siem Reap in Cambodia. These temples remained hidden and forgotten in the jungle until around 150 years ago it was rediscovered by a frenchman. It was placed on the World Heritage list in 1992.

It's a sight to behold. The sheer size of these temples is breathtaking. I don't think words will do it much more justice so I'll just post a bunch of photos.

See what I meant?!?!? I have a ton more photos from these temples. There was something peaceful and magical about walking around structures that were created so long ago. Plus they were so beautiful - because of all the stone every other colour looked magnified. I even made the comment "the moss looks photoshopped"

We spent a few hours wandering around these temples and I can see how people spend entire days exploring. Unfortunately our time was limited so we only saw two of the temples, but it was a nice taste.

 - Brooke

Where I've been

I've been M.I.A. online for the past couple of weeks. There has been a reason for it - I've been dealing with some things at work which has taken up a lot of my time and left me feeling mentally exhausted and unable to blog. I've also been to Cambodia last week for a conference with work (there wasn't much conferencing happening but that's what we'll call it). 

A part of the conference was spent in Battambang in northwestern Cambodia. The reason for this unusual stop in Cambodia was to spend some time at an orphanage and donate a whole bunch of clothes and toys to some very special kids.

I'll post pictures and stories in another blog but I thought I'd share the inspiring story of Tara Winkler and the creation of CCT (Cambodian Children's Trust):

For more information on the Cambodian Children's Trust and to find ways that you can help, please visit http://www.cambodianchildrenstrust.org

It was a truly inspiring journey to Battambang meeting all the kids who smile despite the hardships they have faced. 

x x x

 - Brooke