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I definitely want to go back and visit Australia again one day. So many places we didn't go, and going for a class was definitely a different experience. A random instagram video popped up today of Melbourne's LEGO art exhibition, "Art of the Brick". I love LEGOs! It is an expensive hobby though.

Awwe, Darling Harbour. I love the name, btw. So cute. And then what are the chances that Supernova was happening that day. I'm glad my professor gave me permission to go.

shinebrighterxx

You did well with your 'work' trip perfect timing

There really is a lot to see & explore hopefully one day you do get to come back

Lego is expensive As a hobby would be hard as you have to buy all the different sets & you pay for the word 'lego' in the price. A store here sells exactly the same things but under names like "mini blocks" & "construction blocks" for a lot less money. I may have bought the general "construction blocks" for work to replace our lego supply the children know no difference as they look exactly the same. I can't imagine how people manage to do it as a hobby, it must break the bank. But I guess all my craft supplies costs add up too so may work out the same

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The scenery beats flat, boring Texas for sure. Texas is a great place to live though! We don’t get a lot of tourists (other than the capital, Austin lol), but we have a lot of people living here in the cities and suburbs. It’s quiet and clean. I was really disappointed when I was in Paris and saw trash on basically every street. Bags of trash and overflowing garbage bins. Of course when we went, there was a protest going on. Definitely not what I imagined though when I think Paris. Been to a lot of places all over the world and have had pretty positive experiences!

I have a lot of LEGO sets but I’ve gotten all the sets I wanted within an acceptable price range. Some sets were around 100 dollars. Bigger sets get up to hundreds, and I can’t justify spending that much. Now living on my own, I am saving my money mainly on food and groceries. And bills. All the adulting.

HemsyFanatic811

Yep-adulting is Hard!!! Very Hard! It's rare these days to have any money left over after bills and food.

shinebrighterxx

Texas is boring & flat? Shame. I'm surprised it doesn't attract tourists much but I also can't say I know something that is a draw card either. But could just be me not being familiar enough with the US.
That's surprising about Paris. It is somewhere up there which is meant to be amazing but that doesn't sound appealing.

That's it - hard to live & pay for hobbies . Very rare to have the money left over after bills & food & other necessities . Adulting isn't fun.

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We don't have mountains here or great beaches, so not much to see or do. We have Galveston, but it's humid and dirty. Corpus Christi is alright, but it's way down at the south tip of Texas. There are way better beaches in the US, like Florida or California. When you think vacation in the US, Texas is definitely not up high on anyone's list. We don't even have great weather. But I really don't mind because most of my family and friends are here, so it's cozy. We don't want it buzzing with tourists either. We have enough people moving over here from other places. And it's driving up the cost of our homes. And with it, everything else like food and gas. Everyone heard it's cheaper to live here, but not now. Well, still cheaper than many places in the US like California. Cali is one of the most expensive places to live.

I wish Paris looked like the show, Emily in Paris. We did not see the same level of beauty. Perhaps also because there were many days where it rained off and on so was gloomy. And people are not so nice in Paris. But I think it's been tough on a lot of people in recent years. I just try to be pretty optimistic, though also know I am not struggling financially because of my wonderful parents who help with some bills (dad makes more than my sister and I combined so he wants to help us a little). Dad helps with the phone bill and car insurance because they're bundled in a family plan to reduce cost. I am paying for everything else. And this recently started because I moved in with my boyfriend to my townhouse so I am paying mortgage. My boyfriend pays rent to me (reduced from what I could have someone else pay to rent my house) and we split utilities.

shinebrighterxx

Yeah, that makes sense why it wouldn't be high on the list . It'd be nice to not have tourists. You're lucky there. Sounds like Texas is having the same issue as coastal towns here. With covid & Sydney going into lockdowns & the rising cost of living so many people are moving out of Sydney & either up or down the coast. So that means where I am the price of things is rising. Shame as I'd love to be able to buy a house one day. Don't see that being possible any time soon. Still cheaper than Sydney though, which is something. Not surprised California would be expensive

Rain would impact how places look But still doesn't seem like the Paris that everyone expects

That's fortunate your dad is in that position for you both. Handy to have someone to split some bills & help pay for things. Both with your father & boyfriend. The cost of living is just so high. So many people have no choice but to live in situations they wouldn't otherwise or necessarily choose.

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Sorry Pam for just coming in and taking over the thread. I came here because I wanted a place to post my banner where Chelle would see it. I was the last poster on the Carrie off topic thread and I wanted to post it on another board, so I naturally chose this one since I actually know of Kelly. I ended up sticking around and chatting. We've been talking on both, but on different topics.

Awwe, hope you're able to buy a house some day! I was able to get this townhouse for pretty cheap in 2016, before all the COVID stuff happened. I could not afford a townhouse in today's market. My sister got a much smaller townhouse for a bit more than what I paid a few years ago. Our parents helped both of us with the down payment and we are responsible for the mortgage.

Yeah, I've learned my lesson to not have super high expectations. Disappointment can be bigger. It was also a lot prettier to see the Eiffel Tower farther away. Nothing exciting about it when you're standing right beside it. They were doing some work on it so some was covered up. It just was overall, not a great time to go I think. But honestly, I've loved every other place I've been to around the world! I am rather easy to please.

shinebrighterxx

Not surprised hers was more. Shame though. Housing prices really seem to have been going up quite a bit I feel lately Nice your parents were able to help you both

Yeah that doesn't surprise me about the Eiffel Tower. Especially if they're doing work to it But I feel like it is something to look at more from a distance than up close

I have only been to two countries, can't complain about either. Just the method of going & exploring. I got to go to Japan on a school trip so if I went again I'd like to plan what I'm actually doing & where I go/for how long. Then New Zealand I saw via a cruise & you only see so much there & I don't like boats .

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Yeah, up close I was like what is this rusted metal junk? Sorry, France. My dad and sister went to take some pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night, which was a lot prettier with the lights. Pictures don’t do it justice. I can’t say I love traveling. Sometimes I feel like things are better on Google Images and I can enjoy the scenery online. It most likely won’t be as pretty in person. I think people use photoshop and other photo editors to make it better. Though actually going gives me a chance to say I’ve been there!

I am going to Japan in December with the boyfriend! He loves Japan. He’s Caucasian and he says there is such a big difference in how kind people are there compared to here. It isn’t much different in China, IMO. Actually it is better here, I feel. We always wait for pedestrians, we aren’t shoving each other to squeeze in anywhere, and I am not being rushed in a store to make a selection.

I loved New Zealand! We got to swim with dolphins there when we went! The people there were so nice to us.

HemsyFanatic811

The more the merrier! Welcome!!! New Zealand sounds awesome! So funny about France-sometimes, pics and reading about it is better!

My cousin Russell moved him and his family to Leander, Texas-he says across a bridge there's Austin-and they are all very happy there.

I have never left this country. When I do travel anywhere, it's to the beach! I the ocean! Also Dollywood - been there a lot!

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I've heard of that city. I live in a suburb close to Dallas, so north Texas. That's wonderful! I love living here too. We just don't have a lot of beautiful scenery, unless you're into seeing the country.

I love the ocean too! It's peaceful watching the waves and seeing boats sailing on the water.

shinebrighterxx

Google Images is good at times I don't like the actual traveling component, but sometimes things are better seen in person

I'd say Japan has nicer people & atmosphere than Australia . We have the pushy/rush side of things which I don't think Japan has or don't remember it having. Enjoy your trip with your boyfriend . I haven't heard much about China or if it similar to Japan or not.

New Zealand is pretty & does have some friendly people

The US has a lot to offer, you could probably do a LOT of vacations & traveling just within that one country. No need to leave the country . Ocean is good

I like water/ocean when it is combined with sunsets or sunrises. But there is some sort of magic about water & light I'm strange

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US is indeed a big country and there are a lot of places to explore.

I think China is worse than Australia in those aspects so sounds like Japan will be different!

You’re not strange. I get it. It’s pretty when there’s a sunrise or sunset and the reflection on the water.

I also love the mountain and lake nearby scenery. It is beautiful when the mountain shows up as a reflection on the lake!

HemsyFanatic811

Not strange Chelle. We agree with ya! Water and light make beautiful scenery and great pictures! I the water!