Eat, sleep, dance, repeat!

So I've been here for just over a week now. The flight was long but not as horrific as I was expecting despite a heap of delays in Adelaide! We got off the plane and started rehearsing! And rehearsed every day, all day for pretty much the first week! The accommodation is pretty good, nothing to fancy but I have my own room and ensuite so I really can't complain!

The atmosphere at the uni is pretty cool, at any given moment there's always music from some direction, pipes and drums or spit and dribble bands rehearsing the tattoo tunes! Right now I'm listening to about 3 different bands play 3 different tunes lol!

The first performance last night was pretty cool... A full house of 8,500 people all cheering and whistling for you is a pretty cool feeling and I get to do it for 3 weeks! We have two shows tonight which will be awesome :)

Had a little bit of free time to wander around, found a nice little shopping centre and a UK sim coz not having the interweb was killing me!!! Haven't bought anything yet, I'm waiting to go up the royal mile next week and check out all the touristy shops! Get some tattoo merchandise and order my DVD!

Everything is so cheap over here, it's awesome! But the chocolate is not as good as home... Well except for galaxy and white malteasers! I had a twix and a twirl and was incredibly disappointed! However the lollies are really good but the chips are strange... Salt and vinegar is in a green packet that looks like light and tangy... It's sooo confusing! I actually have to read the packets now!

The most exciting this is we made the Edinburgh paper yesterday! There were sooo many press there on Thursday night but that's the only article we've found so far!

Well it's lunchtime over here so I'm off to go fill my hungry belly!

Don't forget to checkout the OzScot Australia Facebook page to keep up with the latest news and pictures!

Meet Addison

Hi boys and girls,

It's getting so close now!
I'm currently enjoying 5 whole glorious days off which I'm filling with shopping and get things ready for the big adventure!

As you know I had a car accident about a month ago and I'm sad to say that little Charlie got written off (RIP) :( So I had to replace her...
Enter Addison, my brand spankin new Hyundai accent!I'm very much enjoying the little things that Charlie didn't have like central locking, power windows and cup holders! But it was still very sad to see Charlie go :( she was a good little car!

Generally things are going well, I have almost got the dance engraved in my memory bank and the new house is lovely! I'm starting to get really excited now and the days aren't moving fast enough anymore... I'd like to go tomorrow please! However I still have a very large list of things I need to organise before I leave so I should probably get that done first!

Well I'm off to get ready for my shopping trip!

0 months, 3 weeks, or 20 days to go!

Cass xo

It's finally here!

Well peeps, the joyous day is here... My Ozscot Tracksuit has arrived! Along with it came my t-shirt, leotard and tights! It's getting more real everyday :)

Things are going well generally otherwise! My new socks and jacket are currently being made, I ordered my new pumps from Scotland! Getting kinda keen to get this show on the road!

In other news we're all moved in to our new house! I had a car accident and am currently waiting to hear if my poor little car is going to be written off :( kinda sad but then again a new car would be nice!

A little over the cold weather already! I really, strongly dislike winter! Work is crazy busy but that makes the days I quicker! Counting down til annual leave!

1.5 months, 6 weeks or 42 days to go!

Around the world in 80 days

Today I discovered that it is exactly 80 days until I zoom off to the otherside of the globe for the Tattoo. I have mixed emotions about that today, part of me is terrified as I'm still not 100% confident with the dance, add in to the mix the fact that what I'm learning will probably change again as the music is not yet completed! The other part of me is ridiculously excited for a few reasons being that this is going to be an amazing, life-changing experience and I also don't have to go to work for 7 whole weeks!

A bit of an update of what has been happening...
Saturday night the Port Adelaide Caledonian Society kindly used their May Ceilidh to raise some money for Jess and I to help with our travel expenses. So we dragged our unsuspecting friends along to a night of Scottish music and dancing which I'm sure in some part bored them to tears but there were also plenty of laughs...strip the willow being a highlight and learning experience for all involved! They were also lucky enough to watch the Port Adelaide dancers plus Jess and myself dance a few numbers! See a preview here!

On the preparation front - my tights and leotard have been ordered, I've been measured up for my new kilt socks, bought my tattoo shoes (although I'm thinking of getting a second pair to cope with all the rain :p) and all that is left to do is get measured for my new kilt jacket (tonight thanks to Jess's wonderful mum!) and order a new pair of pumps (which I've been saying i'll do for weeks so probably should get on it!) I also did some shopping on the weekend for a few key wardrobe items to take away...trying to limit the clothes I take so i can buy more over there!!! Today I've been attempting to calculate a daily budget for the trip to ensure I won't run out before the end of the trip!

I have also spent today watching the dance DVD over and over and over! Trying to get it all to stick in my head and I've written it all down coz it's kinda hard to dance watching the DVD with someone facing you...ending up copying them and being on the wrong foot!

In other news... got the keys to the new house and moving in soon! The rellies coming down from interstate to help with the landscaping and shopping :P

So that's pretty much how things are sitting at the moment... this year is flying by so quick, I'll have gone and be back before I know it!

2.6 months, 11.4 weeks, or 80 days to go!

DVD's and chocolate!

I recieved my practice DVD of the EMT routine in the mail last week - super exciting! There are some changes and some new steps to learn but not particularly stressed about it! Been working on it little bit by little bit! It's getting closer and closer... but i'm still waiting for my team tracksuit to arrive :( !!!

I had a good easter! Got waaaaayyyyyy too much chocolate, but it was a good chance to catchup with friends inbetween work! Caught up with the school gang on Good Friday and had a family dinner with mates down from Roxby on Saturday night. Worked Saturday, Sunday and Monday, so i'm really looking forward to that paycheck coming in...more spending money!!!!

Put three kilos on in the last month - i blame my silly toe injury for that one! So fairly disappointed in myself! Decided to enjoy my easter and eat all my chocolate so next monday it is back to the calorie counting and lot's of excercise to get into a great shape and increase my stamina for Scotland :)

Got the ceilidh coming up on the 5th of May for a bit of a fundraiser to hopefully pay for a little bit more of my airfare!

Only 105 days, 15 weeks or 3.5 months to go!

Cass xo

Quarter of a century

Hi All,
Just a little post to keep you all in the loop!

Had a slight hiccup on the training front with an injury to my fourth toe on my L) foot during a ballet class - my toe was swollen and various shades of blue for about 2 weeks with me unable to weight bear on the ball of my foot = no dance for me! The bruising has completely disappeared but it remains an odd shape and quite sore making dance somewhat difficult! I have started seeing a physio on a regular basis for my shins, i have some exercises and an icing regime and fortnightly visits to hopefully reducing the swelling in my shins and desensitise the nerves. I have recently sent off a photo for my EMT security pass...SQUEE!!!! It's all getting super real! Our practice DVD's have apparently hit the post so we should be receiving them soon :)

Had a lovely weekend in QLD to celebrate Chris's fabulous grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. Despite the horrible weather we still went out on the beast and did a spot of slightly unsuccessful fishing! Then had a lovely party on the Sunday and home on Monday :) Finally got to meet the rest of Chris's family from NZ. A great weekend was had by all.
Had a slight hiccup with the house - having to pick all new tiles wasn't a fun task! All is now back on track and should be finished before we know it!

I celebrated my 25th birthday on the weekend with a fabulous 90's themed affair! I found a fluro top and denim overalls - complete with a denim turned up hat with flowers! There were some amazing costumes...lot's of high waisted denim, fluros and plaid skirts! Even had a visit from the Spice Girls!!! The birthday cake and collection of 90's candy was a big hit! Got spoiled rotten by all my lovely friends and family! Thankyou so much...you know who you are...love you all :) I got a gorgeous passport cover from my lovely parentals as a birthday gift and some pounds from them and my aunty as well in preparation for the big trip!

That's about all i have to report for now.

4 months or 17 weeks or 119 days to go :P

Love Cass xo

Not that anyone is counting...

I can't believe it's March already! That makes it 21 days til my birthday...Yay!

I've always loved celebrating my birthday and this year will be no exception. Life is always so busy and it's hard to find time to catch-up with everyone so birthdays are the perfect excuse! Planning is well underway for a small get-together with a 90's theme. Ipod playlist is almost completed, I've almost settled on a design for the cake, now all that is left is to find a killer costume. I'm thinking overalls, some kind of top and one of those turned up, floppy denim hats with the obscene flower on the front will do nicely!

On the dancing front, things are going well. I've been working on championship steps which are proving to be a bit of a challenge but one that i am thorougly enjoying! The tattoo has proven so far to be the best thing for my dancing. I'm pushing myself a lot further than i usually would, working a lot harder to improve my technique before performance time. I've also been dieting to lose a little bit of excess weight. Calorie counting has so far proven to be effective. I've lost 5kg to date, with 2kg to lose to reach my goal and I can honestly say I haven't been overly hungry! Yes, i do look forward to dance class days where I can eat just that little bit more! I think the tattoo is having a slightly negative effect on my ballet, in that i'm waaaayyyyyyy to scared to do pointe in the fear that i'll do an ankle or worse! But it's only until July then i'll be back up!

Scrubbed the house from top to bottom today so now it has that lovely clean bleach smell! Looking forward to clean sheets and possibly my onesie when I get home from work in the morning (the onesie is dependant on the weather!). Just got to get throught these nights then I shall enjoy a glorious 4 days off. Gearing up for a good friends wedding next weekend, bought a size 8 dress for the occaision...very excited!

That's about all I have to report!

20.5 weeks or 144 days to go.
Not that anyone is counting...