 | G'Day | Oct 6, 2006 |
Some call me 'the crazy aussie.' Born in the small country town of Murrurundi, Australia, I moved to the United States in 1996 and am currently completing my graduate studies in Architectural Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. In 2005, I graduated with honors in Architecture from PSU and in the future I wish to pursue a career as both a licenced architect and engineer. I am interested in working for an innovative design-build firm emphasizing the principles and processes of sustainability. I am compelled by concepts of social behavior, diversity, and philosophy and look to the study of architecture as a social work rather than simply the creation of the built environment! Engineering is as a means to ground my, at times, lofty architectonic theories. I firmly believe that the successful integration of architecture and engineering design is part of the solution to a sustainable world. An at heart country kid growing up on an Australian property, I am very much a nature lover and outdoors enthusiast. One of my fondest memories is building numerous cubby houses out of my father's wood stack, or the recent flood debris, or the neighbors horse float, or some random old tree in the middle of a paddock! After moving to the States, I have become a strong sports fan, dabbling in most, excelling in rugby and thrilled by snowboarding. My recent sports endeavor is rock climbing! I'd love to travel more, possibly continuing my studies in London is of high priority, but I'd also like to get involved in humanitarian works and relief efforts in whatever location is deemed appropriate. I'd consider starting a community-based design firm in a third world country some day to help address the disregard for affordable and sustainable housing needs. |  | Pennsylvania's capital building in Harrisburg and a trip to Fallingwater, a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece. |
| | Tennis, Volleyball, Whipple Dam, Aussie burgers, couple run, couples being dorks! |
| | A recent new discovery in my photo collection, myself asleep after completing the siding of the tech core, caulking its holes, on the MorningStar Montana, Lame Deer, MT. |
 From my earliest experiences as an Australian child, my steadfastness has continually addressed buildings, people and the environment. When I was young, building was my greatest form of entertainment. Hours would pass by in the work shed as I rummaged through father’s woodpile for perfect materials. The barn too was a fantastic place; the farm’s old machinery always showed great potential as a furniture collection. By age ten, I had implemented numerous iterations of the ‘cubby’ house. One year, we modified an abandoned horse float by pulling apart the swing set and merging the two units. Each location presented a new problem, and the solution became months of creativity and endless entertainment.
And now, I'm off to find a job as a Structural Engineer / Technical Architect. Funny how things, literally, play out!  The Penn State Solar Decathlon 2007 team is on Current TV!! Directv channel 366 Dish network channel 196 Comcast channel 107 AT&T channel 189 Time Warner check listings Or you can watch on their website: http://current.com/items/88825317_solar_decathlon_07Current TV played up the competition angle more, but for those who didn't get to visit, its a great summary of the event. So, check it out. let me know what you thought of our home! Do you want one to live in? :) There will also be a HGTV/Fine Living piece, slated to air in late Spring/Summer, "It's Easy Being Green." It will focus more on solar energy. | | Big thanks to Nelsa and Autumn for hosting this party. Awesome job! Good evening all round! |
| | Compilation of works from the previous three years of graduate school, MS Architectural Engineering. Comprised of mainly some competition work and the final boards from my fifth year architecture thesis.
Personally, I love making portfolio pages. It turns out to be very therapeutic, calming for me - I believe that might be linked to freedom of moving, manipulating, adjusting space. When Lis and I were little, we used to have a toy room. It was packed with furniture, books and whatnots. We'd always rearrange everything, to create new space - a whole new world in that little room. Ha! I loved doing that! |
| | A very interesting moment Dave, Panda and I came across as we hang out in the Belvedere in Baltimore. It was like the flip books, where you can match the body and the head and the legs to whatever you wish. The small things that amuse me.......
Sometime i wish I could swap heads with someone....anyone simply to erase my stupidity or my humiliations or my horrid thoughts or my hurtful words. |
 This is a cracker! Recently was sent via email by my lovely boyfriend who claims i'm loosing my Aussie side! Right! ;)
1| Do you understand the meaning, but are unable to explain the origin of, the term 'died in the arse'?
2| What is a "bloody little beauty"?
3| Are these terms related: chuck a sickie; chuck a spaz; chuck a U-ey?
4| Explain the following passage: 'In the arvo last Chrissy the relos rocked up for a barbie, some bevvies and a few snags. After a bit of a Bex and a lie down we opened the pressies, scoffed all the chockies, bickies and lollies. Then we drained a few tinnies and Mum did her block after Dad and Steve had a barney and a bit of biffo.'
5| Macca, Chooka and Wanger are driving to Surfers in their Torana. If they are travelling at 100 km/h while listening to Barnsey, Farnsey and Acca Dacca, how many slabs will each person on average consume between flashing a brown eye and having a slash?
6| Complete the following sentences:
[a] 'If the van's rockin' don't bother ?
[b] You're going home in the back of a ?
[c] Fair crack of the ?
7| I've had a gutful and I can't be fagged. Discuss
8| Have you ever been on the giving or receiving end of a wedgie?
9| Do you have a friend or relative who has a car in their front yard 'up on blocks'? Is his name Bruce and does he have a wife called Cheryl?
10| Does your family regularly eat a dish involving mincemeat, cabbage, curry powder and a packet of chicken noodle soup called either chow mein, chop suey or kai see ming?
11| What are the ingredients in a rissole?
12| Demonstrate the correct procedure for eating a Tim Tam.
13| Do you have an Aunty Irene who smokes 30 cigarettes a day and sounds like a bloke?
14| In any two-hour period have you ever eaten three-bean salad, a chop and two serves of pav washed down with someone else's beer that has been flogged from a bath full of ice?
15| When you go to a bring- your-own-meat barbie can you eat other people's meat or are you only allowed to eat your own?
16| What purple root vegetable beginning with the letter 'b' is required by law to be included in a hamburger with the lot?
17| Do you own or have you ever owned a lawn mower, a pair of thongs, an Esky or Ugg boots?
18| Is it possible to 'prang a car' while doing 'circle work'?
19| Who would you like to crack on to?
20| Who is the most Australian: Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson, John 'True Blue' Williamson, Kylie Minogue or Warnie?
21| Is there someone you are only mates with because they own a trailer or have a pool?
22| What does "sinkin piss at a mates joint and getten para" mean?
 I know you're all wondering, where is your thesis Miss Sally J. Gimbert. We expect more from you.
Well, you see, I became involved with this wonderful project. I helped start something that's taken me beyond myself and I intend to finish the deal - no matter the challenge, the added time, the devastations of design, the upheavals and the letdowns, the spits and the spats, the self implosions and explosions. No matter it all, there is always more good than bad.
Team is the word!
While my responsibilities gives me no choice to stop, either way, I cannot stop. My passion for this project is much more than just a house. The Penn State Solar Decathon team is building a home. I'm growing and learning so much. I am following a good path, one with great support and grand intentions.
Check out the image. The past two days have been a blur. So many people, such great dedication. I can't wait to see the finished product.  | Guestbook | |
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hi girl...just so u know i miss ya. |
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