The Dreamworld Big 8 Challenge

We spent 4 weeks in Australia this past summer and it seemed that the time just flew by. There were many activities that we did that we haven't had had a chance to share with you yet and this was one of them. We spent five days at the Gold Coast which is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations. The Gold Coast is home to four of Australia's best theme parks and we spent a couple of days at Dreamworld and Whitewater World.

Dreamworld has the best collection of roller coasters in Australia and they have the "Big 8" which is their most popular thrill rides. I thought it would be great to attempt to ride all 8. Read on to see how I did.

                                                                                     Buzz Saw:

I rode this one with my sister as Amanda is not good with heights. This ride takes you up at a 90 degree angle then through a corkscrew and back to the bottom. You fly through the station and part of the way up of the 90 degree hill. You then do the track in reverse before being returned to the station to complete the ride. I really enjoyed this ride as it had plenty of speed and was unlike any coaster I had ridden before and give it 2 thumbs up!
Link to Youtube video of Buzzsaw

The Claw:

 Shellie was my riding partner for this ride. I almost didn't get to ride this as I barely fit in the seat due to my height. I had to crouch down a bit into my seat for the harness to come down enough. The ride is on a large arm that swings back and forth. The riders are rotated around as the arm swings. Even though my shoulders hurt from the small harness I enjoyed the ride and give it 2 Thumbs up! 
 Link to youtube video of The Claw

Pandamodium

After a few rides that only Shellie and I were willing to brave we chose one on the list that we could all enjoy. Pandamodium had 2 options, one that went at half speed and the other at full tilt. The half speed option was pretty tame but the full speed was pretty intense and made me feel pretty ill afterwards. After this ride my Big 8 Challenge was in severe jeopardy. My score for this ride was 1 Thumb up!
Link to youtube video of Pandamodium

Cyclone

Source

 Next on the list was another roller coaster called "Cyclone". It is a pretty standard coaster and has a few loops and twists. I was hoping it was going to be a smoother ride than the ride it replaced 12 years ago but sadly it was even rougher than the "Thunderbolt" was when it was 20 some years old. I felt I needed to consult a chiropractor when I got off the ride. It was by far the roughest coaster I had ever ridden. My score for this ride is 2 thumbs down!
Link to youtube video of Cyclone 
 
 Wipeout

 I still wasn't feeling 100% so I waited on the sidelines while Shellie and Amanda rode Wipeout. I had ridden almost 20 years ago so I was ok missing this one. The ride flips and twists you simulating getting wiped out by a wave. I could tell that Amanda was not enjoying the ride and her quote was "the ride could end fast enough" Both Shellie and Amanda gave it a score of 2 Thumbs down!  Link to Youtube Video of Wipeout!

                                                                                 Tower of Terror II

I had ridden the Tower of Terror about 15 years ago and loved it. Recently they changed the ride so you faced backwards instead of forward. The ride is pretty simple in that is shoots you down the track at 100mph/160kph and up the side of a 400ft/130m tower and then back to the station. Having ridden it both ways, I prefer the new way of the ride facing backwards and give the ride a score of 2 Thumbs up! Link to youtube video of Tower of Terror II

                                                                                The Giant Drop

The Giant Drop is one of the tallest free fall rides in the world. At approx 400ft/130m it towers over the rest of the park. The worst part of the ride is the slow climb to the top and waiting for it to drop. I much prefer this ride to other drop towers as you get a much longer free fall experience. I gave this ride a score of 2 Thumbs up!  Link to youtube video of The Giant Drop

                                                                               Mick Doohan's Motocoaster

The final ride in the Big 8 Challenge was Mick Doohan's Motocoaster. Instead of sitting in a harness you sit like you are on a racing motorcycle. You are quite secure in your seat as there is a harness that keeps you locked into your "motorcycle" The ride was something different and worth riding once but the seats were not made for someone who is tall so I felt cramped. I give this ride 1 Thumb Up!

Link to Youtube video of Mick Doohans Motocoaster 

I had a great time with the Big 8 Challenge. Having motion sickness issues near the beginning didn't make things any better but after a few bottle of water and taking it easy I was able to ride all but one of the rides. Some of my favourite rides are here and I would like to return some day to ride them again. Now it's your turn to share. What is your favourite theme park ride?

His and Her Never, Ever, Ever (Week 47)

Tuesday!! What's good about Tuesday? It's not Monday. It's also time to play --


**For those who are new to our blog - WELCOME - purple is Amanda, red is Sean, blue is for both of us. We hope it helps make it less confusing for our readers to know who is talking and sharing. :) **

Amanda will never, ever, ever...
-stop watching HGTV. I love Income Property, Love It or List It, House Hunters Renovation, etc.

This one is my favorites on HGTV!  Source

-stop watching Food Network. I love, love, love The Pioneer Woman and would make everything she makes on her show. I have learned a lot from watching Ina Garten and Giada deLaurentis also. Bobby Flay and Alton Brown are two more of my favorite personalities on the network. I equally love Chopped, Cutthroat Kitchen, Restaurant: Impossible, Restaurant Express, The Great Food Truck Race, and Sweet Genius.

She's my favorite!    Source

-stop loving all manner of competition TV shows. Whether it's Survivor, The Amazing Race, Project Runway, Top Chef, The Biggest Loser, Hell's Kitchen...I love the anxiety of who is going home and the drama of how things will play out during the episode. They are my vacation from life!

I love Top Chef!!!    Source

Sean will never, ever, ever...
-watch regular TV when NetFlix has the title. I enjoy not having to watch commercials so for me it's worth the $8 a month.

Source

-watch the Real Housewives of "insert location here". Watching people scream at each other is not my idea of entertainment.

Source

Amanda's Note: He knows about these shows because I watch RHONJ and OC. He calls them "The Real Housewives of Screaming Town". I think they are hilarious!
 
-understand the fascination with Duck Dynasty. I watched an episode and quickly discovered it was not the TV show for me.

Source

 

Are you playing Never, Ever, Ever too today? Comment below or on Facebook and join in the fun. Of course, if you have a blog, head over to Stephanie's page and link up. 

Happy Tuesday,

  

His and Her Weekend Shenanigans (12/2/13)

We both love long weekends - who doesn't right?!? It's time to share our extra long --

If you are new to our blog, WELCOME!! To make our posts easier to navigate, purple means Amanda is sharing, red means Sean is sharing, and blue is for both of us. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Thursday!
We spent the day with my parents at their house. We got over there early so we could watch the Macy's Parade and then the AKC Dog show - traditions that we have had for years. We ate lunch while we were watching the dog show. Then Dad switched over to football and I started knitting. Dinner was amazing, as usual, because my mom is such a great cook. We had turkey, twice-baked potatoes, deviled eggs, corn pudding, dressing, gravy, and rolls. There were only four of us but Mom always makes enough to feed a small army. I made the desserts and they were pretty good. I might try something different for Christmas. 

I am loving BitStrips!!! :)

Black Friday!
I am not a fan of crowds so I stayed away from the stores as much as possible on Black Friday. I relaxed for most of the morning then headed out to the local course for a quick round of disc golf. My in laws called and they needed me to help set up the TV they had bought during the sales. I headed over there, got the TV set up then came home. As I was getting ready to come home Amanda asked me to stop at Michaels and get some yarn. I was hoping that at 5pm the hard core bargain hunters were at home passed out and I was right. The lines were pretty short so my Black Friday shopping experience wasn't too bad --  8 minutes and $7 later my Black Friday experience was done!

Source

Small Business Saturday!
We had many people to check off our shopping list so when I found the Virginia Beach Christmas Market, I knew I wanted to go. I put it on my calendar weeks ago and I was so excited. We walked around and saw each booth and found A LOT of things we wanted. Many people were checked off our shopping list with unique, one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts -- which, in my opinion, are the best kind. I cannot wait for my friends and family to open their gifts. 
I knit a little more Saturday night because there are a few things I want to have done by Christmas. I am not sure I can get it all done but I am hopeful!


Lazy Sunday, last day of break before heading back to the grind!
The day started off at the Platelet donation center. I donate about twice a month as it's one way I can help others in the community. If you have never donated blood or platelets but wanted to I encourage you to go to a blood drive near you. After the platelet donation I went and got Amanda a Christmas decoration she has been wanting, then headed home. The rest of the day was spent doing household chores including the weekly grocery shopping trip.

How was your weekend? We hope you enjoyed your long weekend and that you were able to spend time with your family and friends.

Happy Monday,

    

Her December Currently

I love the start of a new month because it means linking up with so many amazing teachers in the blog-o-sphere to share what we are Currently doing. This month is particularly awesome because we only have 15 days of school and then two weeks off for Christmas and New Years. I am so ready for a long break!!

Listening: I love HGTV and my favorite show is Love It or List It. If you haven't watched it, you should!!

Loving: A few years ago we got so busy that we did not decorate for Christmas until very late. It was a few days before the holiday and we didn't even have our tree up. I cried because I hated that we hadn't found time to decorate. Since then, we have made a point to decorate for Christmas on the Friday after Thanksgiving. We did that this year and the house is ready. I love it!! We bought a few new things, mixed it with some items I have had since I was a child, and it is perfect. Check back on Thursday for a tour.

Thinking: I have at least one meeting at school every day this week except Friday. Ugh! Too many meetings!! Any other teachers finding this to be true this year at their school?

Wanting: There are so many papers waiting to be graded at school. I left them there deliberately so I could take this weekend to relax and rejuvenate. However, in the back of my mind, I know they are waiting. As always, I wish there were more hours in the day and less allergies that make cleaning such a pain (as in headache from dust!). I know there must be a fairy out there somewhere that can grade papers and clean. I will find her one day!!

Needing: I am starting my fourth week of being sick. Three head colds back-to-back with almost no break in between. I am over it and just need to be well again!

Favorite Tradition: There are so many, which is part of why I love this time of year. On Christmas Eve, I always boot up Norad Santa and watch as Santa makes his travels across the world. I announce where he is and who he is visiting every few minutes. It is so much fun to watch. Check it out here!

That is what I am Currently doing. Join in the fun by linking up or commenting below or on Facebook with what you are Currently doing. 

Happy December,

His and Her Sunday Social

**For those who are new to our blog - WELCOME - purple is Amanda, red is Sean, blue is for both of us. We hope it helps make it less confusing for our readers to know who is talking and sharing. :) **

It's time to link up with Ashley and friends for the Sunday Social!

1. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
This is a tough one since I have so many favourites. If I had to pick just one it would have to be the Sea Salt Caramel Truffle.

Source

Anything chocolate works for me. If I am craving ice cream, I usually get a Chocolate Extreme Blizzard from Dairy Queen.

Source

2. What is your favorite smell?
It would be a close battle between a coffee shop and a candy/fudge store where the items are made on site.

Source

I have a lot of favorite smells: fresh popping popcorn, baked items with cinnamon, and vanilla.

Source

3. What is your favorite TV commercial? (Past or present)

This is an Australian ad that ran sometime in the 1990's. Even now I think its the best commercial ever. 

I know the holiday season has started when this commercial airs...

I also love the Budweiser commercials with the Clydesdales...

 

4. What is your favorite day of the week?
Saturday! Its our "free" day and the day where we either go out and have fun or stay in and relax. 

Source

I feel the same way. Saturdays are our day together to run errands or do something fun or both. Whether we are running around or hanging out at home, I love Saturdays!

5. What is your favorite way to waste time?
Watching TV shows and movies on Netflix or Youtube. Playing games on the computer or a console would be a close second.

Source

Watching TV is a big time waster for me. If I am trying to hide from papers that need to be graded, TV shows are the easiest way to do it.

Source

 

 
 6. What is your favorite article of clothing?
For the winter months my favourite article of clothing would be my Under Armour Base Layers. They are thermals that hug the skin and keep you nice and toasty even when its bitterly cold outside. They allow me to still be active outside in the winter where I couldn't before. They are expensive (approx $90-120 per set) but worth every penny.

Source

I am addicted to scarves. I have 6-8 of them and I wear them all the time in the winter months. They make me happy! 

Source

Happy Sunday,