Once JD and I left the Gold Coast, the trip to Brisbane became a series of go-go-go decisions and frequently consulting the map on my iPhone. I should probably just come out and say I am NOT the world's best co-pilot. In fact, reading a map is akin to reading braille for me, so let's not go there. JD was relegated to driving on this trip because our rental car was stick-shift, so in addition to driving on the opposite side of the road, JD had to use his left hand to navigate our egg-like car. We didn't even exit the parking structure before I was already making statements like MY LIFE JUST FLASHED BEFORE MY EYES or SWEET BABY JESUS I DON'T WANNA DIE TODAY.

I made it my mission to assist JD by reminding him to drive on the left side of the road and whenever he made a left turn, I'd say left, left! as a way to get him to move immediately to the left. This might had been helpful if I actually paid attention to where we drove, but I simply shrieked left, left! whenever we turned. At all. This happened with such frequency that most afternoons we sounded like a tragic Vaudeville troupe…

Left, left!
But I just turned right!
Right!
So, right, left. Right?!
Right!
Make a right?
No, you're right.
What's on my right?!?

One afternoon, while driving through the city, I was so stressed with the directions I simply gave up. I laid in the passenger with my eyes closed, humming The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow. Oh, and please don't get me started recounting the time JD had to parallel park…in traffic…on a hill. SWEET BABY JESUS I DON'T WANNA DIE TODAY.

This is a very typical Aussie breakfast. Yes, those are baked beans. For breakfast.

And my obsession with orange juice lives on…

If JD ever releases his Kazoo greatest hits cd, I think this should be his cover image.

Every night while on the Gold Coast, I dragged JD to Max Brenner Chocolatier for dessert. Seriously, it just never got old to me. Thank goodness this cafe isn't in the States!

We headed to Brisbane and explored for a bit…

…I also got some pointers for my presentation for the following day…

Many, many, many thanks to the 300 photographers who showed up for Australian Institute of Professional Photography's Hair of the Dog Conference in Brisbane. I met some of the most amazing people and I'm honored to call them peers…and friends. As I stood on the stage, I got choked up for a second. For so long as a child, I dreamed of going to Australia and in a split second, I realized the gravity of the moment. I was living my dream and I couldn't have been more thankful for such an perfect group of people to spend the day with.

We spent more time in Brisbane and did what we do best: Eat. I googled the best eateries and cafes and discovered The Little Larder…and it was heavenly. The watermelon, mint, pineapple juice drink? Divine.

Thank you, Australia, for allowing me to dream. Out loud.