"This weather may have broken our hearts...."*

A certain conversation has repeated itself in our house this week.
The Man arrives home from work.

Him: What have you been up to today?
Me: Not much.

And it's true. I have done nothing much this week except sit on the couch and watch the rolling coverage of the floods that have swept across Queensland. Unable to move as images of unfathomable destruction fill the screen. Incomprehensible images of heroism. Heartbreak.

Image via

I've always been intrigued by the question "What would you grab in an emergency??"
Y'know- it's the kinda question you'd find in the glossy magazine inserted into the weekend newspaper. You'd probably find it in an article that runs along the lines of "5 minutes with person of Dubious Celebrity Status."
However, this week that question stopped being a hypothetical for many.

I think I've always been intrigued by this question because it asks me to confront and question how I would react in such an extreme circumstance.

In one newspaper this week, they presented portraits of flood-affected people and asked them what they had grabbed as the waters approached. One man had just grabbed his wallet. One woman had grabbed everything she could possibly fit in the car. One young man simply answered, "Each other."

Concurrently this week, I have also been wading through hundreds of photos from our wedding. Debating with myself, "Should I put these in albums?" "Should I get some printed and put in frames?" And as I debate, I look at the pictures and brilliant memories of awesome happiness, fun and frivolity come sweeping over me.

For me, the events of this week have driven one thing home.
Life is about doing things, not having things.
It's all about creating memories and storing them safely in your mind.

And so I found my answer to that question.
In the face of an emergency, as long as I was safe in the knowledge that my loved ones were safe, I wouldn't have to 'grab' anything. Material things don't matter. Memories do.

* The title for this post was borrowed from a speech made by QLD's Premier, Anna Bligh. Sometimes you want your politicians to stand up and be Leaders. Respect, Anna. You're a true leader.

Dig deep and donate to the relief efforts.

The popping of the question.

Once upon a time, a boy who loved to travel met a girl with similarly itchy feet.

After 18 months together they decided to plan their first overseas trip together. Destination? Japan.

So many places to visit, not enough time! Girl Traveller was a bit perplexed when Boy Traveller became obsessed with staying at Mount Fuji. With some military-style planning, they managed to squeeze an overnight stay at Fuji-San as their second last destination.

Before arriving at Fuji, they snowboarded, ogled Snow Monkeys, giggled at sumo westlers and ate their way across the Japanese landscape. All the while, Boy Traveller carried a super-special ring box in his backpack. (Girl Traveller often fossicked through said backpack searching for change/pens/passports but somehow never stumbled across this little package of awesomeness in 3 weeks of travel.)

Nearing the end of their trip, the travelling duo wearily stumbled into the township closest to Fuji. Girl Traveller had noticed that Boy Traveller had been very lovey-dovey on this particular day, but dismissed his behaviour as him just being his usual goofy self.

After checking into their hotel and feasting on another fantastic Japanese meal, Boy Traveller suggested a "walk" around the lake.

Being in an isolated part of town in the tourist low season, there was no-one around and with very few street lights around the area was pitch black. You could only hear the sounds of the lake lapping the shore.

Boy Traveller suggested sitting on the shore of the lake. Girl Traveller, who doesn't usually act like a princess, announced that it felt like a scene in a horror movie, and under no circumstances would be heading to a dark, unlit lake shore. Quick-thinking Boy Traveller found a more suitable spot. And sitting in the crisp mountain air listening to the night sounds, Boy Traveller popped the question. Girl Traveller said yes, amidst tears and guilt for being such a lake-shore-hating princess.

And they lived happily ever after. (And are in the middle of planning their wedding for 10/10/10. With a few Japanese influences! And are super excited about planning a honeymoon..... Destination? South America.....)