Sydney Sun

I've moved (sort of)

2007-02-10T18:46:00.000+11:00

I know it's been just way too long since I've posted and I probably have very little readership! well if anyone stumbles accross this entry in your RSS feeds or just stops by and is interested..My bf and I have started a blog to chart our new Vegan lifestyle...sounds kinda hippie and weird but really, we're not hippies and we're not weirds. We just decided to give up animal products..it has been suprisingly easier than I thought.
I"ll keep this blog open- lots happening for me at the moment so I"m sure I'll come back here and post.

wishing i was there..

2006-12-22T21:59:00.000+11:00

It's funny that when i'm on holiday something always happens that's funny or strange or interesting and just plain annoying, and it's such a big drama. But then you get back and you realise, it was nothing and I was so lucky to be there and I wish I was back there again! This time around, I got really sick, to the point that i lost my voice and couldnt' get out of bed, which hasn't happened in years, very annoying.. and also our lovely friends that we stayed with had some stuff going on.. I felt like we were in the way but the lovely hosts they were, they were worried about us over their bigger pressing issues. That's what i call friends I think.. anyway, one day sick of being stuck in bed/couch on my holiday, while it was hot and sunny outside as it's always the case in Queensland, I decided we should get out to North Stradbroke Island, a little island off the coast of Brisbane (otherwise known as Bris-vegas, don't know why!). I really had to dope up on panadol, neurofern and anything else i could get my hands on, i didn't talk because I couldn't! but I'm glad I went. It's a lovely sub tropical island, which reminded me of Vanuatu. Blue green water and lots of bush all around..gorgeous.. Back in Sydney now, where it's hot one day and rainy the next (did we catch the Melbourne weather bug?! hehe) I'm really wishing I was back in Queensland. But that's a whole other post.
note to self: next time you decide to make a bit diet change and become vegetarian, think if you know any existing people like that...as I am so tired of getting questions, quizzes from friends/family/collegues on what the hell is wrong with us and why we're doing it! that is fun though I love a good argument. oh and also, try to avoid major lifestyle/diet changes close to xmas and best friends wedding.
I might need another holiday in the Sunshine Coast or Bris-vegas sooner than I thought!!!
Merry xmas all ...:)

It's that time of year again...

2006-12-12T08:29:00.000+11:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted here...I didn't know it at the time but I guess I needed some time to gather my thoughts and make all the changes that I've made into my life at the moment. Vision is always 20-20 on hindisight? :)
However if someone had told me that in the next few months I would become a vegan (gosh i still hate the word, why can't they come up with something that sounds a bit better!) and change my career ..I would have told them they were nuts.
Let me explain, I come from an Argentinian family. Argentina exports the biggest meat in the world. Living in Australia, the national food is a BBQ and meat pies...so what got me thinking? well my boyfriend read fast food nation and that was enough to change his mind... we saw the film...but I wasn't really convinced, I'm pretty stubborn... I wanted to do my own research and who the hell was he to tell me that meat was disgusting? anyway so I did my own research and the results were staggering. While meat in Australia is not produced the in the same scale as the US but it almost is ... whereas I had lived my whole life indulging in things thinking 'you only live once enjoy it' , I didn't realise I was putting so much garbage in my body!! how is that enjoying life? the other thing I had a problem with was killing animals. I looove animals and I would never hurt a fly, so how come I was turning a blind eye to cows getting slaughtered, and chickens getting fed antibiotics so they grow up in 45 days and get killed and pigs chained to cages? I dont' know..it just doesn't make sense. I figure if I love my cat and my friend's dogs, then I might as well own up to it. I'd never eat shredded cat or dog in my spaghetti bolognese so why was it ok to eat a cow? hmmmmmmmm. something to think about.
Well i'm not here to turn you vegetarian! but I will post some of the horrible things I found in a quick google search and if I can , some of the medical articles I found in journals at uni. what amazes me the most is that most people (including myself) don't realise that the meat industry is just that - an industry. Even though heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes are the highest they've ever been in Australia and killing everyone around us, we still turn a blind eye to it. I don't get it..
Meanwhile...it's xmas again - ahh don't get me started! hehe.. bushfire season... all around the country has come early... i can smell smoke in the house even though the fires are hours away..
Also had a small holiday in Brisbane... really beautiful and gorgeous weather!! will post some pictures soon.

Vintage knitting needles

2006-09-11T18:32:00.000+10:00

For some pretty pictures, follow me here..
On other news the rain continues to piss me off and cause havoc! it's not even raining where it's supposed to, like the rest of Australia! it's already the double expected rainfall for Sept and it keeps coming..driving is a nightmare and today i felt like i was being swalled by water- the crazy rain above and the flooded roads..i almost parked my car and walked, except my umbrella wouldn't have made it!
Anyway, it can only get better, come on spring!
Today is also a very important day... let's take a moment to remember all the people in 9/11, I am liking her blog entry on this.

Of rain, Steve Irwin, and Peter Brock.

2006-09-09T21:27:00.000+10:00

The weather has taken an insane turn for the disastrous torrential rain this week- so much that on Wednesday it was a- the most rain in a 24hr period in one hundred years b- the most rain ever recorded in Septermber, ever. On Monday, Steve Irwin got stung by a stingray and passed away, since then it has rained non stop. Yesterday afternoon, another Aussie legend, Peter Brock, got killed in a car accident. This is crazy. Two big Aussie legends in one week..maybe that's why the weather is so nuts? Who knows.
I never really watched the Croc Hunter, and I admit I never heard of him until some Americans asked me about him. He wasn't really as big here as he was overseas. Most of the time I was embarrassed that people would typecast his personality with that of the typical Aussie, but that was not his fault. He was a good man and did a lot for animals, and raised a lot of awareness for Australians. Recently he'd been in some Toyota ads and quarintine ads and he always put a smile on my face. He had contagious enthusiasm. It makes me even sadder he left behind such a young family, two little kids.
Peter Brock was another legend. In car racing, he was the King here in Oz. It's just too sad..
As I type the rain has been persisting all day, making it a really great day to stay in and watch lots of DVD's..my fave lately has been an old tv series called Chef! notably the best comedy I have ever seen ( I HATE Little Britain, whoever said that stuff was funny?) and it helps to lifts the spirits. There's a lot of sadness in the air, very unexplained. No one has any motivation to do much.. very strange... well, we can hope that it can only get better. Maybe when the rain stops!

Springtime!

2006-09-02T09:39:00.000+10:00

Just a short post since i'm supposed to be packing away for the weekend..
but it's the second day of spring yeay! and it's going to be 27C today! it's already like 23 and its almost 10am. The past few days have been warm..and very sunny as always.
Going down the south coast today, to celebrate father's day with my bf's parents , who live on the coast, you can see the beach from their kitchen...ohh.. i can't wait.. maybe we'll get to go tomorrow?
Happy Springtime! (if you're in the southern hemisphere!)

Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge: Done!

2006-08-28T18:18:00.000+10:00

If you're wondering why someone would climb about 150 metres from the harbour, for the sheer hell of it , then you're not alone. I've often wondered myself, whenever I happen to be in Circular Quay admiring the harbour, Opera house and all the tourists. I look up to see these little people, like lemmings, walking on top of the bridge and i think- they're crazy! It's become a wildly popular 'Sydney' experience, more so for tourists, but today my work took us all on it to celbrate something or other..
SO, I climbed the mighty bridge , I put aside my newly developed fear of heights, a brave face and in hindsight I should have had some food because standing up there on an empty stomach made me feel a bit woozy. I was really hesistant at first, not only because of my fear of heights but only because I had like a week to think about it! they sprung it on us as a surprise. I can't say it's much of a team building excercise but its a hell of a lot of fun, especially when you're not paying for it.
It was raining on my way there, and having only been to the harbour bridge a few times (shame shame I know but hey!) I had no idea how to get there. Funnily enough I bumped into one of the German guys from my work who, being here for only six months, of course, knew the way and could guide me! Never have I felt more like a tourist in my own city!
The preparation is great, and I felt very safe the whole time. It was windy as all hell, but it didn't rain thank god! the sun came out a bit which was nice, and most of the time up there - you spend like two and a half hours on top! THAT"s right!! - it was really peaceful. I sort of got a bit scared but i just sat down and looked at the water..it was gorgeous. I am so lucky to live in a beautiful city like Sydney even though, like most Sydney-siders I spend most of my time in the inner city and suburbs- but still, cant' complain.
One thing that was deceiving was the amount of steps- it felt like five thousand, but it's actually less than two. I was the second last in the group and my legs were killing me, I guess going to the gym yesterday and doing lots of leg-weights in prep wasn't a good idea. thankfully one of the girls I work with did the same thing so we were the last two idiots going down at snails' pace while everyone else admired the view.
I'd say the scariest bit was coming down..the vertical stairs on the beams..wow!! the fact that two trains went past on the harbour at full speed next to the stairs.. I was like ' BREATHE, one, two one two' it was great to talk myself through it. At the end of the day there's no one else there but you to get you through it, and that's an amazing experience.
I got a bit dizzy on the way back but I think it was due to my lack of food and it was already after 2pm. I was so nervous in the morning that I didn't eat. Pretty stupid on hindsight.
So if you get to Sydney, (and have $200 to spare!) I highly recommend it!!! Now I need to sleep for a day or so to recover- I thought I was fit but this climb took it out of me!!
ps.that's not me in the pic, I'll try to scan my pics and post them later, but you can see great photos on the bridge website http://www.bridgeclimb.com.au/

Are you crazy? I mean, congratulations...

2006-08-22T17:44:00.000+10:00

Everyone who knows me will know that I am an overly straightforward gal, and that I value genuine opinions and honesty. Also being an Aussie, I always love good banter. It's just what we do here.
However, I wonder sometimes where you draw the line? do you become honest with your family very close friends even when they appear happy, and you know that deep inside, what they are doing is just plain stupid?.
So, this brings me to an announcement- my boyfriends brother got engaged over the weekend. I was really happy for him because he's happy and he's a wonderful guy- but I have so many reservations on marriages nowadays. But then I think, it's not really marriage that bothers me , or the fact that people take it too lightly or the fact that divorce rate is up to 45% in Australia..it's just the fact that sometimes it is just too blatanly obvious that one of the people in there is in a relationship for the wrong reasons. I expressed my views to my friends, family, they all patiently put up with me. But i didn't say anything to the happy couple, i mean we're not really close, he's not my brother and she is not my sister.what can I say? "have you seen the latest marrige statistics?" Don't think that would go down well.
But still, it bothers me because I will have to see these people a lot and pretend to be all happy and supportive and really I think its the craziest thing they've ever done. What's the rush? especially when you've been dating for such a short time. Then I think, don't be selfish, these are just your opinions but it doesn't make them right. Well most people agree with me, but also most people will sit back and put on a happy face.
Is this apathy? do we just sit back and let our friends/family make mistakes for the sake of their happiness? do we just follow them along with whatever they do, because you know, it should all be unconditional support?. Or do you get up and say 'have you thought this through?' I don't think it's a good idea?' and hope they don't punch you out in the process.
I just dont' know. I hope that when I do something stupid, people around me tell me if they dont' agree with it, I'd hate for everyone else to be seeing something i just can't see.
It's a hard one.
One thing is for sure, that I am sick of being surrounded by people getting married at the drop of a hat, and i made a promise that if anyone else gets engaged in the next few months I am leaving the country!

You'd think it was snowing..

2006-08-15T17:56:00.000+10:00

You'd think it was snowing, check out the hail we got this afternoon. It was a gorgeous day, sunny clear and pretty warm, i'd say about 20C. then in the late afternoon it got very dark and cloudy, i heard lots of rain..i look out of my window at work and i saw what I thought was snow on top of a car? what the..? well my sis rang and told me it was hailing where she was (closer to the city where this photo was taken) i quickly left work worried it would get me on my way home! but as i drove , the rain started clearing and i figured it had cleared up. then i get an mms from my bf where he works (east of sydney city, the super posh part with all my favourite shops, meanwhile i work in suburbia full of exchange rude uni students and annoying parents with prams) and this is what i see:

is that snow? no it can't be! it doesn't snow here, but its big ass hail! ouch.

well this is what i send back:

No hail for us!!and by us i mean i'm about 20km away.. i'm really lucky though because i have to drive home on some pretty fast roads, doing 80km's an hour and living near an industrial area there's always heaps of bigg ass trucks trying to bully you out of the road.. i hate it i hate it. When i was at uni i used to work in the city,
I hated the crowds and the craziness of the city. i remember thinking 'i wish i could get a job in the outer suburbs so i can drive everyday' this was mostly due to the fact that the public transport system in Sydney is like a third world country. so the trains are always late and cancelled, etc. it's pretty crap. it has been fixed recently. whereas driving was fun for the first 6 months, the road rage and craziness of it really gets to me now and i'd do anything to go back to the city amidst all the craziness. at least i can put my iPod on, read a book and tune out. Be careful what you wish for!
On other news, here is my knitting:
Ah but where is the knitting you say.. sorry Gracey I haven't done much because I stuffed it up on Sunday nite so tonite i'm taking it to my mum's place to get fixed, en route to dinner at a friends house. I can't wait to see my friends as it's been a while, I just hope it doesn't hail.
I wanted to continue last nite but my mum begged me not to because if i had stuffed it and i kept going without fixing it then it would be harder to fix.
In any case, aren't the needles cute?? i can't wait to buy a pretty bag to put it in.
Well this is a bit of a picture post and i hope blogger can handle it..also its very on the hour as the hail just stopped..there you go, Sydney news as it happens..not sure if the weather counts as news but at least its nice to see pictures!

Knitty gritty

2006-08-11T17:31:00.000+10:00

The last few weeks have been a bit tricky, but I'm back on board. I've decided to take up knitting- it looks like it would be a lot of fun and I actually used to know how to knit when I was younger but I've forgotten how! too much info overload from all the stuff I've learnt at uni..
In any case, I love yarn and colours... so I can't wait to do something relaxing yet productive. I'm going to hopefully learn this weekend, since last weekend we were held up with some family stuff. But I"m a firm believer that family comes first, adopted family, boyfriends' family- anyone that's out there that you are close to , to me they're family. Anyway, back to my point.. I bought some knitting needles and I'm super excited, and it's not just because they're pink. It was even more excited when I went over to Gracey's blog and she had posted how she's getting into crafts and needles! great minds think alike !!! hehe !! this is great because now I can have someone to share this with and get advice from..as none of my friends here knit (although I'm going to try to conver them! but everyone is just too busy nowadays..hmm)
Anyway, do you knit? do you want to knit? want to join our knitting blog? we are in the process of hosting one and we'll be happy to have people on board. So email me or Gracey or leave a comment.
For all of you who think that you are too busy to knit..yes you probably are! but imagine that instead of just sitting down and watching TV you could watch Tv and knit, sit on the bus, train or subway and knit... and it is very relaxing and rewarding to accomplish something.. even if its a cute little scarf or socks, that you can also give to someone you love. I know I can't wait to make stuff for my family and my kitty! heh. It's also really cheap, needles and yarn are very affordable. We'll also be looking as doing a yarn swap, needle and pattern swap in the future so you can get goodies from o'seas!
So, think about it, life is too short not to be productive! All welcome, the more the merrier.

While the cat's away..

2006-07-30T11:14:00.000+10:00

What do you do when your boyfriend gets flown on a private jet to the best ski lodge around, on an all expenses paid trip to the snow by his work? well first you curse yourself for working in the company you do, because despite being one of the biggest in the world, I'm lucky to have fresh milk in the morning, let alone them paying for anything at all. Then after you get over your bitterness and pining for the snow and skiing you love so much...you plan your weekend, preferably with lots of fun girlfriends.
Friday nite go out with beautiful bride to be and other bridesmaid(OMG 5 months to the wedding! i'm so excited for her) and then have an all girls nite eating lots of stuff that will make you sick the next day. Saturday day: go out shopping with gals for wedding shoes, admire and hold lots of Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choo's and ponder whether you really need to pay rent this month or whether that can contribute to a pair of beautiful, timeless silver Manolo's. Decide against it because it will also lead to singledom and homlessness if I spend that much on shoes! Bride to be tries on gorgeous French shoes drastically reduced from small fortune for wedding but we decide heel is too high especially since it's a beach wedding..hmm move on to boring bridal shoe store.
Find lots of crazy pushy brides (why are they so crazy?) my sweet bride to be gets kind of scared in these moments so i take the lead, push past the mob and grab sleepy sales assitant. Repeat same thing to her five times until we get the shoes bride wants in the right size and colour. Bride tries them on..beautiful... but I suggest we keep looking around..and we go to cheaper shoe store that's located in building visited on previous wedding dress hunt. Bride looks at me in disbelief after experience from hell we had last time, but I persevere and remind her that the more she saves on shoes the more she can at any one time buy a pair of Jimmy Choo's. Bride agrees.
We go to building from hell full of bridal stuff (ok so building is pretty and historic but full of crazy brides makes it scary!) and find out thankfully , most crazy brides are at the dress shops and shoe shops are empty. Relieved to find that shoes in this shop are half the price of the previous one..find a pair of dream shoes in gorgeous summer style with diamontes, simple beautiful elegant..bride to be v.happy and mission accomplished.
Sat nite: spent time at old house with sister and gorgeous, royal cat. Watch DVD's, speak to super excited boyfriend about skiing and all the fun he's having... watch more DVD's.
Get up this morning, have breakfast, enjoy the beautiful sun, go shopping a little , come back to empty apt, clean up , plan to go to gym, read mags and enjoy the gorgeous day. Happy and relaxing..remind yourself how much you love this potent sun (even in the middle of winter) and be happy you're in sunny Sydney.
Read snow report, see that it snowed overnight...pine, perish for the snow again again since it's been almost three years you've been (no!) and plan your next trip to Thredbo.

U2 !?

2006-07-19T21:09:00.000+10:00

ohh I can't beleive I forgot..or did I already post about this?
Anyway, U2 was meant to come to Australia in April..you probably remember my post about lining up for their tickets at 4am. Anyway, in March they cancelled it, or well postponed it..of course Bono still came here for a holiday! (i saw you around the harbour Bono!!) and now it seems they're going to announce new tour dates this week.
I'm very excited, I was so mad, and dissappointed they cancelled out in April, but I gather they had good reasons.. so I cant' wait until November- that's when hopefully they'll be back.. I have tickets to both of their concerts!

Ways to get back up again

2006-07-19T20:55:00.000+10:00

What better way to cheer a girl back up again than by buying her a beautiful rose...here is the one my bf bought me on saturday, as I got sick again (cold/flu's going around?) on Thursday nite, and stubbornly went to work on Friday, which wasn't a good idea..anyway, we had a nice day, then on Saturday nite he took me to see Superman Returns- nice movie, a bit of action overkill..but it was hilarious to see Sydney as 'Metropolis' when it started i blurted out 'ohh i used to work in York st' and 'there's the big water fountain' and you can even see the Harbour Bridge without the big arches at the top..but the bit where you see the railing that then moves into a shot of all these freeways, yep that's downtown Sydney.
Anyway.. as luck would have it, he got sick on Sunday..which means that we have spent the last three days at home, sort of looking after each other, but me looking after him above all because when he gets a cold it hits him very hard. Fever, shakes, sleepless nites.. I keep thinking I have a weak immune system, after all I can't remember a year when I got sick this much..but his is worse. Today I went to work, but came back around lunch time as I was not feeling well. It's very frustrating..I hate being sick..especially because I can't really be sick as I have to look after him and also I have so much I want to do! I need to apply for new jobs, get back into the gym now that broomball's over.. and just do general things around the house. I'm not good at relaxing, I always feel guilty like I should be doing something else...I think this comes from my uni days, because whenever I'd be watching a DVD, I knew I should be studying or doing an assignment..even after almost two years of finishing uni, I can't shake that feeling..in fact I find since moving out of home, I keep twice as busy and I'm a bit of a neat freak around the house.
Anyway, I woke up this morning and saw this:
Rainbows mean good luck right?
here's hoping!
The weather has been cold and awful and rainy (but not humid! yeay) so seeing this rainbow in the depths of winter, just has to cheer me up and turn this sickness stuff around.

We won!

2006-07-10T17:25:00.000+10:00

No, I'm not referring to the World Cup and Italy's undeserved (sorry Italian relatives'!) win over France, but primarily our broomball final! yeay. Exactly a week ago we took out the B grade premiership. Very exciting... it was a tough game, I hadn't played in three weeks due to my back and my virus , and even though I didn't feel up to playing, I had a real thirst for it. I missed it and no matter how sick I was (although I wasn't sick, just a bit sore still but nothing some tablets didn't cure) I wasn't going to miss it. Play now, recover later..why the hell not! I'd rather be sick and tired at work than miss the grand final..so we played, with a few minutes to go, our star player, OK one of our star players, scored a goal and it was 1-0. Yeay us!. It was tough, and fast, and my back was killing me by the end of it, but it was soooo great and worth it. I'll post a pic soon.
I have been running off my feet all of last week, no time to lounge around at home, not even after work. It all came to a stop on Sunday- and this week, no more broomball so social commitments so far, I'll be happy to stay home and rest as much as we can.
The world cup is over and I'm glad- I got up at 3am this morning to watch it.. crazy. I thought it would finish in two hours and i could still get some sleep , but the extra time and penalties..made it a never ending match- so when it finished i had to drive to work... Poor Frogs, they deserved it. i was rooting for you guys!! Allez les bleus. Well I have one quater french blood in me, so I can say that.. sorry Cannavaro, as hot as you are, your team did not deserve it!
However we went to watch the game at my mum's place, where I used to live..which is in the same suburb as Little Italy...ahh the atmosphere would have been great, but I wasn't going for Italy so we stayed home (well my old home) to watch it on the projector and in a heated room...
so i've been up for 15.5 hours and counting.
I will try to post again after I get some sleep!!

Soccer, fever and ribs.

2006-06-28T08:06:00.000+10:00

Australia's out of the world cup- the nation's devasted..the ref was dodgy, the Italians took a dive at the last minute and got a penalty..who wouldn't have predicted that? so i'm going to pretend i have no Italian blood in me, or maybe it's better I do so I say how I really feel about them: dirty little bastards!! Ok that's not entirely true, I have been watching Italian league for ages ( I love Juventus) but then again--what about all the game fixing? In any case, Italians can play soccer, but they also love to cheat. It's really sad. Back to Aust., I'm really sad but above all I'm so happy and proud we made it this far..we played so well, made a name for ourselves and let the world know that we're here. We can play soccer! not just god awful cricket.
On other fronts, I have had a virus since Friday nite and I have been in bed with a fever, I only just feel better today. And my ribs have a 'small fracture', and my back is killing me. This is very annoying..I never really get viruses, let alone fever, and for it to come at the same time as my back is just a royal pain. I also can't take many days off work as I have a lot to do, and we dont' get many sick days (Only five). In any case, I hope I'm on the road to recovery. I hate feeling powerless and so out of energy.

Foto Friday?

2006-06-23T17:26:00.000+10:00

Keeping up with Gracey's tradition and since I was so awful and I forgot that she tagged me, I'm just going to post a cool photo- well I think it is: the stairs in my apt.. I always think that light looks kind of hazy and I love the way it streams down through the railing.
It's a bit blurry and crooked but I think that adds to its effect.

Aussie Aussie Aussie!

2006-06-23T16:49:00.000+10:00

We made it!!! After a gut wrenching match with a joke of a ref
(Its worth clicking on the link just to see the hilarious photo!) we did it and drew with Croatia. The nation is celebrating, and I think everybody (including me ! hehe) was late to work and had a very unproductive day. Can you blame us? when's the last time Australia made it to the second round of the world cup!!!
Anyway I've decided this weekend I must get sleep and look after myself..I didn't write about an injury I had at broomball about a week and a half ago, i collided with a girl (she so pushed me over , but the ref 'didn't see it' uh-huh) ..my stick went flying five metres and I fell on my side and twisted my back. I was very annoyed a. because not to say that i'm super at broomball which i'm not- but one thing i'm good at is maintaining balance on ice, despite my high uncoordination in everyday life, I'm very coordinated and i hardly ever fall over on ice- must be from all the ice skating i did when i was young. I just love being on it!. b. the girl that pushed me over is like twice my size so there's no way that i could have caused her any damage (not that I'd want to :) but if i got hurt and it was an accident then shoudlnt' she be hurt too? hmm.
The pain is killing me, I can't take a deep breath or laugh withought it hurting, sleeping is very hard and no matter how much Neurofern i take it doesn't numb it! I'm going tomorrow to the doc's as i need some very strong pain killers and maybe an xray as a friend of mine seems to think it could be a cracked rib! yikes!
To all my non soccer obsessed readers, I apologise for the world cup taking over. it's a huuuuge deal in Australia, not only because no one ever pays any attention to soccer here , hence the fact that the neglected socceroo's have made it this far is truly amazing. Here we are more likely to invest in swimming, cricket and tennis *yawn* and the national sport of choice is rugby! even worse. Sometimes I think I should be living in Europe where they appreciate real sport! *ducks*
The funniest thing I heard was an English friend of ours, who when he came over told me he totally hated cricket (yeay! glad some of the English agree! it does painfully suck i don't care how skillful it is, it is god awful to watch) he said ' the only worse thing than watching cricket is listening to it on the radio' -as my bf and his brother were listening to some cricket game on the radio. Classic.
I just hope all this world cup hype turns into some investment for soccer in Australia, we have great players and it should be recognised!

Damn timezones!!

2006-06-22T17:22:00.000+10:00

This world cup is killing me softly... getting up at 5am to watch matches, finishing matches after 2am...getting up again at 5am tomorrow to watch Australia Vs. Croatia! that's going to be a 'ripper' of a game !
Last nite, or rather this morning at 5am, Argentina played The Netherlands.. it was meant to be such a high action game, and it was actually a bit of a dissappointing draw. But both teams played well, especially Holland I must say..they really stopped the Arg. in their tracks.
In hope that I won't have to go trhough this again in four years, i looked up where the next world cup is going to be held..apparently in South Africa! come on! i guess since we're in the arse end of the world, and we're just very new at soccer, there's no hope of having the world cup in Sydney?
Last time it was in Korea-Japan and that was great, I remember meeting up with my friends to watch games during and after dinner. And whereas I don't mind meeting up on a Friday nite to go and watch a game at a pub somewhere, who wants to get out of bed on a cold winter morning (it has been soo cold about 10C every day! and rainy) and cheer at soccer.? I do apparently, but thankfully we've been watching them at home... of course, home also means at my mum's house because there's a big screen projector thingy there so, it looks better than on our tv's here. But today i can't, i'm soo tired, its getting towards the end of the week and it looks like I might just have to settle for watching Australia vs. Croatia on the 60cm tv!

Go Australia!

2006-06-16T10:09:00.000+10:00

I find it hilarious the link for the Socceroo's is 'football Australia' when in Australia football is rugby and soccer is what is played in the world cup! hence the term Socceroo's! but of course, nothing makes sense here! Anyway I am so damn excited Australia won against Japan and they played so damn well. IT was fun to watch it, except it was a little too close to home for some people *cough cough* who kept getting very upset when the match was still 1-0, and I had to remind them that Australia was still playing well! and I'm not even going for Australia in the world cup (shame on me!) but I'm going for Argentina, now that Batistuta is out of the way we may have a chance. Got up early to watch their game on the weekend and it was great! I even have an Argentinian jersey..ohh might wear it today. It was funny after talking to a girl friend on Tuesday, she said her boyfriend had done the exact same thing and then said 'don't you think that just takes the enjoyment out of the game when they get so worked up?' I agree- but then again i come from an Italian- Argentinian family where watching soccer/football was a religious event and to be taken very seriously. There'd be yelling, screaming, shaking your head , getting up and walking off..really, it wasn't just the Australian coach that had to restrained during the match - I bet lots of people had to be restrained here when Japan didn't called for a few things. In any case, I'm very proud of Australia and I support them 100%- my heart just lies with Argentina when it comes to soccer, because I remember when I was very very young watching the games with my grandfather-who was a professional football player and had played in and for Argentina in the 50's. I'm just glad my boyfriend is so into soccer- I feel the tradition is alive in him, despite having a totally different background- it feels like I"m at home around him.
Of course that means , and I"m glad he knows this, that every time England plays , I just love to hate them- just don't tell his mum. If there's another England- Argentina game at this world cup, someone is going to have to restrain me!!!

Annoyances

2006-05-26T12:21:00.000+10:00

I'm home today as my boyfriend is sick, and i just couldn't leave him alone. I hate seeing him like this, and i have no idea how he got so sick- I think it has been an exhausting couple of months, but also he spent most of Tuesday nite-which was the coldest day of the year- walking in the rain.
I'm tired from being up most of the nite but I got a couple of hours sleep this morning so that has helped.. I'm very annoyed at a new Australian law that has come about.
Since drug dealers have been using cold and flu tablets to make amphetamines (ie. speed) , you are no longer able to get cold and flu tablets at the supermarket. Not only that, but the ones i have been using for years as I know they dont' make me (or him) drowsy, are barely stocked by chemists anymore. Why? because, whoever has a cold/flue and would like these tablets, needs to pass a nice Q &A session with the chemist. Are you freaking kidding me? I drove to the shops near here and there was no chemist, no tablets at the supermarket then had to drive to the nearest chemist- only to be met by a nice little questionnaire. I really had to hold back from saying 'do i look like a freaking drug dealer?' I've had very little sleep, a hellish week and i can't beleive the government is enforcing this. At the end of the day it's not going to make much difference... thankfully i'm not sick but i can't imagine if my bf had dragged himself to the chemist in his state, only to be met by a Q and A session with the chemist before he can take some cold and flu tablets.
Things in Australia just seem to be getting worse lately. There's lots of shootings, abductions, violence and the latest trend- footballers punching women.
I need a holiday!

Glad it's not me

2006-05-09T17:29:00.000+10:00

I've been surrounded by all things weddings lately- A-who's a good friend of my bf's- got married and one of my dearest friends is getting married and i'm her bridesmaid.
After the craziness of the above mentioned friend A's wedding last week, i can only say that i'm glad I'm a bridesmaid for now..not that what happened had anything to do with how sweet and wonderful he is, but due to the fact his bride, now wife- is a crazy bridezilla that really really upset a lot of people she shouldn't have. I've been contemplating whether to blog about the details, but , i'll leave it as : I think she's honestly mentally disturbed because what she did, caused a great deal of embarrassment not only to him, but his family. She also upset people I care about, and that I cannot forgive her for. Unless she makes an honest apology, I don't really want to see her again- This probably sounds harsh- but I'm a pretty easygoing 'forgive and forget' sort of person, but not with this girl. I think she missed the point: marriage means adulthood = if you can't act like an adult (and she's 25! so she should have some clue) then dont' get married. Period. And for the love of God, sometimes being different on your wedding just looks bad, there's a reason wedding dresses are the way they are..if you want to look like a medieval goddess then tell the rest of the party, otherwise you look out of place at your own wedding! ok , enough said. end rant.
My dear friend that's getting married this year, she's everything the hideous bridezilla is not- kind, sweet , generous and extremely mature. And she's a year younger, which shows that maturity has nothing to do with age. I love helping her plan for her wedding because she's very practical about it..and there's a lot to do, but she's not stressing or being crazy. I love planning and helping other people do things, so I really am excited to be part of her big adventure.
On saturday we went wedding dress shopping- I thought this would be fun, after all, have you seen how expensive wedding dresses are nowadays? I thought sale assistants would be polite and you would only get people that are serious about wedding dresses, right..
No, i was really mistaken. Whereas a handful of places were helpful, we were mostly met by snooty sales assistants looking down at us for not having made an appointment. An appointment? are you supposed to look around every shop you might like a wedding dress in and get all their numbers, estimate how long this will take you and book yourself out on a saturday! I'm sorry that might be OK for people that have PA"s , but for us poor civilians with an everyday life, there's just no time to do such things!
One place that fit us was great and very helpful- and the friendliness leads to happiness which leads to possible purchase- so , snobby annoying sales people need to learn , this attitude doens't work with everybody..
One place was hell- this is where the word Bridezilla might come from- a wedding dress shop full of dressses on sale and women going crazy, pushing screaming, you name it. Now i've been to sales before and i've seen the madness , but nothing compared to this. Brides to be can sometimes be horrible horrible people. One girl was so rude to me, just because i walked in front of her accidently, that i"m still thinking about how a person can be that way. Crazy.
This leads to one conclusion> when the time comes for me to get married, I'm getting my dress made. I'm not setting foot in a bridal shop!!

Anzac Day.

2006-04-25T16:31:00.000+10:00

Today is Anzac Day, which remembers the Aus and NZ troops that landed in Gallipoli during the first world war... It's a public holiday with many memorial services held for the soldiers. It's actually nice to go and see them, however usually they are held at dawn, and I've been terrible the past few years and haven't gotten up early to do it. Today was no exception, after a whirlwind weekend spent at a friends' house, then driving down the coast to a Bridal fair -not for me!! for my friend as I am her bridesmaid- then back home sunday nite, it was real necessity to catch up on sleep..so I slept until almost 11am! crazy.
The new place is going well, much more settled in now..we bought some new furniture which is nice..a gorgeous leather couch which i call the 'butter' couch as it melts to your body shape like butter....been using the pool in the complex which is great too..but Autumn has finally set in and now the temperature is falling in the low 20's and below (today its 16C! OUCH) so I guess we have to kiss summer goodbye and get ready for the cold..
I actually went away on holidays, a week after we moved, so that was great as it forced us to relax. The photo of the sunrise above is from our NYE , when we went to the beach and got up to see the sunrise with a bottle of champagne! Glad our friends made us do it, well worth it and I got some kick ass photos I have to post. I have one of them on my desktop, I thought it was funny, that while looking at the sunrise, my gorgeous friend L (the one who's getting married) and I were talking about things to do this year ..I thought I had it all figured it out, but I never thought I'd move out of home, I mean it was in the cards but, not something I was set on doing or that I was calculating. It just goes to show that sometimes the best turns in life are unplanned!

Back..

2006-04-10T20:50:00.000+10:00

We went on holidays last week to Callala Beach in the south coast which was really beautiful...
I'll post some photos when i can find the cable to hook up my camera to the computer..it's in a box somewhere..surely..
The funny thing is that, we were away from here for a week, so it feels strange to come back home here..although I did miss the apartment, because I kept thinking of everything we still had to do!
Had a great time relaxing away, doing nothing but walking on the beach and watching DVD's at home, so it kind of forces you to relax..no computers...nothing... it was great. The weather was still warm, which is great considering we're in the middle of autumn, and we could still swim! It's gotten colder in the last few days though..
I still feel like it's all in turmoil, as only last nite I managed to unpack my clothes and I think this is the first night here that I've managed to relax and not do anything house related..yeay. We also got the net hooked up (on dial up for the moment!) as we got a phone line today..can't wait for ADSL2 though :) I still miss my cat, and my family..it's strange to be away from them. I keep waiting for them to come out of a room, or think i'll be going home any minute now..but then i turn around and all my furniture and things are here. It feels like home, but it just doesn't quite feel like home yet if you know what I mean. I love it here though, it's nice and spacious and really comfy.

Made it!

2006-03-29T21:46:00.000+11:00

So, we moved. I'm here at the new place, blogging from my bf's comp because mine sits here beside me, still in pieces. poor baby.
I am so tired, words can't describe the inconvenience and mess that the move was, it was like, everything went wrong. The truck booking, one of the guys that was meant to help us, loading stuff on to the new apt, as the lift that we could use was a hundred miles away. But we got through it. Thanks to some wonderful friends. The new apt is so beautiful i really look forward to coming home, I love being here with him, it's so peaceful and a lot of fun.
... I just forgot what a hassle moving can be. I"m still unpacking, my clothes are in a suitcase, i dont know where half my stuff is..and everything just seems to take longer, like we're in a blackhole or something. Today after work we spent four hours cleaning up and tidying up his old place, and got home absolutely exhausted So no unpacking tonite, which really annoys me as I hate tripping over cardboard boxes everytime i turn a corner..or digging through all my clothes to find a pair of pants. which i still can't find, or my jeans.
But its good to be here, i dont regret it for a minute. I love 'our' place, i can't wait to make it my new home.
i just miss my cat, my sis and my mum still , not necessarilyin that order! And i miss the convenience of being in a home that's totally set up. ohh the luxury of knowing where everything is..i hope to get there again soon.

When it rains, it pours.

2006-03-22T11:15:00.000+11:00

I'm not having a good day.. I'm home because, someone broke into my car this morning and stole my wallet, damaging my passenger side door in the process. I've never left my wallet in my car before, nor have i had it broken into here at home before. Last nite, on my way home, i stopped for petrol. When i got back in the car i gave my wallet to my sister who was sitting next to me, to put in my hand bag. I also got her a chocolate, because she was sad\upset about my moving out. So we get home, by the time I unload all my bags, groceries and move around the 50 odd cardboard boxes i had piled in my little hatchback, i didn't even think twice to check if my wallet was safely back in my handbag. This morning, I realised my wallet wasn't in my handbag and i figured it must still be in the car. As my mum got in my car (i usually give her a lift to the station), she mentioned my passenger door was open..for some reason she didn't notice that the lock was mangled and the panel slightly beaten. Goes to show what state of mind we're all in, in the morning! I looked in the car for my wallet to no avail, i rushed back inside and looked in my room- nothing. I woke my sister and she checked her bag- nothing. She realised she has left it in the car. No problem, i went back to my car and when i opened the driver side door i saw the lock sticking out and the dents around it. I started crying and ran back inside because then i realised that someone had broken into it. Before i had been so preocupied with the stupid cardboard boxes inside i didn't realise that my car was messier than usual and the rearview mirror was vertical. I guess when you've been rushing around like I have the past few days, with stuff everywhere, not to mention cramping all the boxes in, I didn't think to have a second look at the mesiness.
So : damage: its going to cost me $500 to fix the car. Not only have they mangled the lock but they've damaged the panel and dented it. That ain't cheap. Bastards!!!!!!! Also , i've never lost or had my wallet stolen before. I had to cancel all my cards, i had just taken $200 out last nite and I lost that too. I know it could have been worse. It was also my brand new Oroton wallet that my sis gave me for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. This is just a real shitty time for this to happen because i'm moving this weekend and i can't afford all this hassle, financially and emotionally. I am thankful no one is hurt and i know that is the main thing. But i am overly fed up with things happeneing to my car. Last year an accident, year before another accident, year before that someone broke into my previous car and completely trashed it. At least , with this car, they only took the wallet and wrecked the door. I'm upset and i feel violated, I'm angry someone has my wallet and could use my liscence and credit cards to fake my ID. I know it's a stupid thing to think about, but I know it can happen. I'm so upset, i feel drained emotionally. I couldn't stop crying this morning I was really out of it. I know it's not a big deal, but why did it have to happen now? Moving is hard enough, let alone dealing with all this crap.
Well nothing to do but try to better the situation and get my mind off things. Time for some Charmed and Friends DVD's. Get the ball rolling and get my car fixed, but i can't do it till after the weekend as i'm moving.

Moving forward

2006-03-19T21:38:00.000+11:00

Well my bf and I found a gorgeous new place and are moving..next saturday. I am stressing! it is hell to pack up and move your life, leave home as you've known it for 26 years and do it all in a week. Meriton (the apt builders and real estate) bastards only give you two weeks from when you put the app. in but it took them one week to get back to us because the landlord wanted to charge more rent. in any case, we got it at the price we wanted. So many things are running through my head its just impossible to catch them and slow down. Also with a busy social schedule and broomball yet again tomorrow nite- I played last Thursday- i feel like i'm running on empty. I know I have to slow down but I don't know how. I have a lot of packing to do , although I've started already, and at the same time I'm so nervous and scared. What if it doesn't work out? well i know it's life and you have to take a chance and move forward. I'm pretty certain that I am doing the right thing and that it's going to be fun, and I can't wait to have my own home..On one hand it does feel like a small step because so many of our friends are getting married this year, so I am not freaking out about that, and it reminds me that thankfully, I am taking it slow. I am also, so sad to leave my sister, my mum and my cat behind...and move to unknown suburb..but it will also be a great new experience and it will be fun.. I have to be positive and try not to freak out. I know i'm old enough and responsible enough, but it's just so easy to be at home and deep inside be a kid isn't it? Well here goes..I feel like I'm about to jump into a pool! But I always love the water.

The Aussie ad that caused a riot!

2006-03-15T21:00:00.000+11:00

If you haven't already heard the big stink up about the new Australia.com ad that's been launched, then you must be living on the other side of the world. oh wait. you probably are. Since us Aussies, living in the Arse end of the globe, are a different kind of breed.
This new hilarious ad has caused a riot, why? because it ends with a girl saying 'so where the bloody hell are you?' it's actually funny and kind of corny, but worth checking out.

Firstly, it caused controversy here because, really it was promoting Australia as fowel mouthed beings, who like, swear and stuff eveveryday.Not us! really. Girls in bikini's dont' say bloody, we're such a civilised prim and proper nation. Yeah right! It is in a sense promoting the 'ocker' nature in Australia (the fact we're so casual and easygoing and speak using words like 'bloody', 'g'day' etc). I am torn about this...whereas I think the ad is funny, and it has gotten a lot of support here , I dont' really want people to think we're like crocodile Dundee or that freaky Steve Irwin guy. But at the same time, we're able to 'take the piss' (make fun of) of ourselves, and it is a BIG thing here to joke around all day, and give people a hard time albeit endearingly. So what's wrong with that? Why not promote our nation like it is? we dont' all say 'bloody' everyday (although 'bloody hell' is Extremely used in frustrating situations by moi!) but we ARE casual, we ARE easygoing, so really...get over it mate!
The poms are having a whinge about it...and they banned it! so what's new. In any case, is it inappropriate? maybe if you don't want your three year old kid watching it and saying 'bloody' but if he doens't pick it up from a tourism ad, he will sure as all hell pick up from school. is it effective? you bet. it's taken off in Britain-despite the backlash, China, US, the Brits DO love it but their upper crust stuffy broadcasting authorities don't.
Is it really portraying Australia in a good light? yes. check out the scenery. I've been to most of those places, it looks exactly like that. It is a beautiful, unspoilt and unique culture rich country. And I wouldn't trade that for anything! So where the bloody hell are you? it'd be good to get some more tourists around here :)

I'm a dreamer..

2006-03-10T09:09:00.000+11:00

Just like Gracey!

You Are a Dreaming Soul

Your vivid emotions and imagination takes you away from this world
So much so that you tend to live in your head most of the time
You have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all...
But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult

You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you.
Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses.
Underneath it all, you have a ton of passion that you hide from others.
Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life.

Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

On single friends, new places and lots of runnin' around town..

2006-03-08T23:13:00.000+11:00

Oh crap I think Miriam tagged me, the little rascal :)
I haven't done a questionnaire on my blog before since I'm quite new to the blogging world so here goes , chica!!

Four Jobs you have had in your life ?

Cust. service at video store, jewellery sales assistant, contact centre consultant and technical writer (current).

Four Movies you could watch over and over ?

Amelie, Nueve Reinas (nine queens), Snatch, Dirty Dancing.

Four places you have lived ?

Only 2: Buenos Aires and Sydney

Four TV Shows you love to watch ?

Desperate Housewives, Friends, Charmed , Newlyweds (yes yes i know they split up, I'm tragic.)

Four places you have been on vacation ?
Switzerland, Italy, France, Vanuatu

Four websites you visit daily ?

smh.com.au
Gracey's, Miriam's , Katia's, Gabi's blog.

Four of your favorite foods ?

Anything spanish, Italian, French and japanese. I just couldn't narrow it down to dishes! oh and Cheese! any Dutch cheese i can get my hands on.

Four places you would rather be right now ?
On holidays in Europe or a remote tropical island

Four Bloggers you are tagging ?

Gracey, Mike, Katia, Gabi.

ehehehe. Well that was fun.
So now to why I started writing this post in the first place. Last weekend my bf and I went to visit a friend of mine that lives in a very cool, new part of Sydney. you know the type, new developments, on the water, Wisteria Lane kind of suburbs, as he calls it. Since Sydney does not have any old charming apartments like the ones you'd find in Europe, we have to settle for the new kind every few years. My friend is a lovely lovely guy, just bought his own place, works like crazy but is also sporty and really sweet. And he's single. I'm finding I have a lot of male single friends, and I am really wanting to set them all up! but all my girl friends have boyfriends, so any takers? :) Of course my bf warns me against such matchmaking activities because they have gone so wrong in the past... but i can't help it, i want everyone to be happy and in love. Life is too short not to be.
Anyway we were visiting this new funk-ay suburb to check out the area, as we may move there :) together in the next few months....its very exciting and i am really really really looking forward to it. It's huge because I am still living at home and I love it, but I guess we all have to be old and responsible and be on our own. I will miss my cat so dearly though. Just kidding, of course, i'll miss my mum and sis the most. This is a crazy activity though, looking for new furniture figuring out where to live, MY GOD. Being a grown up is just exhausting. it's enough at the moment to work everyday, go to broomball/gym, do grocery shopping, clean up around the house...add it to having your own place, and I'll probably need to clone myself to cope. But , I'm sure , I know it's going to be wonderful.

Wishing I was there

2006-03-06T21:29:00.000+11:00

Still sick with this stomach bug, and I"m home tonight trying to get some rest and not think about 'I should be at broomball I should be at broomball' the Oscars are on and i"m not watching them, because I don't want to spend the whole nite in front of the TV!
I feel awful, like i'm letting the team down, I know it means the other two girls have to run harder tonite, especially one of them who's one of my very best friends, and just in case you haven't tried it at home folks, running on ice ain't easy :) But i'd be useless as I'm so tired and full of strange tummy pains, so I must recover..
Had a great chat with my mum today over coffee (peppermint tea since I don't drink much coffee) and told her about some new decisions and changes i've made in my life, she was very supportive. I'm stoked, I always need her support, because she's so strong and she's a great rolemodel. As much as we drive each other crazy :) I'll do some more thinking then jot it on here when I feel ready.
I'm definitely going to miss my favourite bookstore around here which is of course, founded by Dutchies... I just love the Dutch.. :) I know its warm and wonderful (albeit horrendously humid) here at the moment but I do wish I were in Holland crossing the canals on the streets and eating some cheese...hmm Europe! well i'll have to dream until I can get there. I"m sure it's a lot easier to be sick when it's not 90% humidity.

Better days!

2006-03-02T13:34:00.000+11:00

I'm home sick, big stomach problems, but I won't go into it. Had a very bad sleepless nite and i thin in total i must have slept for about 4 hours or so, my kitten dutifully staying next to me once my bf went to work. I hate being sick, whereas it's really nice to be home watching DVD's , feeling so out of it and with little energy makes me feel like i'm wasting time. But I have to clean my room! do some washing! when my bf rang up to check on how i was feeling the first thing he said was ' DON"T Do any cleaning' he knows me too well.. :) I'll have to quiet down those cleaning demons. He got me the Charmed series on DVD for my bday which I LOVE so i'm going to watch some more of those today..
The other side of my mind is battling with everything I have to do at work. I recently volunteered to do stuff, because I thought it would be great experience, but it has turned out to be a lot more than i bargained for. A lot of work, that's putting me behind on all that i have to do..I keep telling my boss, he keeps saying to just keep going, and then keeps asking me if i've finished. Are you kidding me? did i not just tell you this was weeks worht of work? well i can't get mad as he is lovely and probably the best person I've worked with. I also feel guilty staying home today but i can't work feeling like this
hope it goes away soon..i need my energy back.

One week older..and counting.

2006-02-26T23:47:00.000+11:00

I am so tired and should really be sleeping. There's a great big thunderstorm going on, and my cat just won't stop staring at the window..he's fascinated.
I have to go to sleep because I am starting broomball up again tomorrow nite, and I am so excited..but I've been feeling so different since last sunday..i guess, turning 26 can change you?? I still feel so young, I mean, I am definitely different to what I was when I was 22-24 but I still have the same energy and if anything, as time goes by I feel more like a kid. I dont know if that makes sense..I don't expect things to change, I hate getting older in that respect now, because I don't want things to be more serious. I definitely felt a sudden change when i went from 23-24-25 but now, I was expecting things to stand still for a while. Suddenly though things do change, and I guess the last week I've been battling and trying to figure out why I feel so differently. I am still not sure... but one thing that I am finding which seems to have changed in me, is tolerance. I am a pretty patient and tolerant person- I think because I'm very outspoken, so I don't have that quiet inside turmoil a lot of impatient people have as they dont' express themselves- I'm full of expression! But, lately I find taht I am getting less and less tolerant of people. Especially if , they can't make an effort. If they treat you badly, if friends act a way they shouldn't..then I'm just not going to stand for it.. I've always been such an optimist, and one to always make the effort with people, forgive and forget , no matter what. I don't want to change, but I've seen some things lately in people very close to me that I haven't seen before. So i'm over it, I'm just going to stick with the people that make an effort, that want to do things... I"m not sure if this is change or just a realisation. Clarity. For now.

My grandmother(s) would be proud..

2006-02-15T21:34:00.000+11:00

I posted a recipe in my blog. Granted not much of a recipe it's basically just a sauce..but it's a start.
Not that she'd know what a blog is..But I remember when I was young and in Argentina, my grandma (Mum's Mum) said that since my mother was so hopeless at cooking, that I should pay close attention, and learn to be a good cook.
I used to watch her for hours, making milanesas (schnitzel), albondigas (meatballs), empanadas (meat pastries- very argentinian and spanish), gnochi, pizza, tallarines (spaghetti).
Well, only if those things had stuck- but I guess the memory of a ten year old is a bit hazy.
Although I do remember sticking my fingers in the bread crumbs when she was making schnitzels and it felt so soft and powdery.
Sadly I can't really eat any of those things at the moment, but when I can again, I'll endeavour to ask my mum for recipes, or ring my grandma overseas.
My other grandma- another great cook, used to tell me that because my Dad is such a great cook, I should learn as well, and he learnt from her. But because she had such fascinating stories, from her French father, her days as an actress, and other great tales of her good old days, I dont' remember any recipes she taught me.
I do remember a sort of french bread pudding, but again, hazy..

How not to celebrate Valentine's Day?

2006-02-15T09:13:00.000+11:00

A few days before Valentine's my boyfriend and I had a conversation about what or what to get each other. I insisted we didn't celebrate it because, really, it's so commercial and it's not a big deal, when you're with someone, you shouldn't just dictate one day to be special..right? my bday is also on sunday so, don't worry about it, you're taking me out to dinner twice this weekend, that's enough spending! Right. Sorted.

Yesterday , i just couldn't help myself and I got him a card and a heart shaped cookie- it was too cute, pink and it looked delicious. Well since I can't eat it, i got it for him..he was happy of course but then, not happy that we had agreed not to celebrate it and then i went out and got him something...But its so small, I protested. Never mind, he said, you told me not to get you anything even though I wanted to and now, I didn't get you anything and You got me something!!

Well, maybe its because when women say 'no don't buy anything' you really should buy something just in case ! Just kidding. I guess, I just saw the card and thought of him, it was a small gesture.

In the end, he helped me cook dinner, and we had a great dinner with these really cute red candles i bought in Dusk a few days ago, I know I know, I can't stick to my guns when it comes to shopping, any occasion, I can't stop! i have to buy something. But hey , at least it's not food, i'm duly sticking to my healthy diet.

Speaking of, here is the recipe for prawns I made last nite, it was delicious and extremely quick. Prawns here are about $17 a kilo for medium cooked prawns, but you can use any kind of prawns..

Peri Peri Prawns (i thought the name was cute, because my cat's name is Perikles)

Ingredients - for two people ( i acan only eat about 100g of Prawns, but prawns lose half their weight when you take the shell off- so calculate 200g for one person)

500g prawns with or without the shell.

Peri-Peri Sauce

1-2 Tablespoon of crushed garlick (depends on how much you like garlick)
Juice of half a lemon
Grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons of water
2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon of mild chilli
Cooking spray
Salt and Pepper to taste.

Instructions :

* Defrost prawns if they are frozen, peel if desired.
* Mix the peri-peri sauce ingredients together in a bowl.
* Spray a wok liberally with cooking spray.
* Fry the prawns on high heat for about one minute until they start to stick to the pan.
* Add half the peri-peri sauce, stir-fry for a few more minutes and then add the rest of the sauce (they should not be cooked for longer than 5 minutes).
* Turn heat off, pile onto a plate and enjoy with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and vegetables of your choice.

A great alternative- usually I have prawns in either Paella, or with seafood cocktail in a sald, so this was a welcome change!!

Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day.

That time of the year again..

2006-02-13T22:11:00.000+11:00

I'm quite sleepy considering it's only 10pm but I'm trying to persevere...I've gotten the second season of Desperate Housewives and I am truly addicted and watching it every minute I can....I can say it's better than the first!
We had such a busy weekend..friends wedding on Saturday... housewarming on Saturday nite, Friends over on Sunday..it was great.. I am so happy to be surrounded by such great people.
I can't beleive tomorrow it's Valentine's Day..I'm not really into it, in the way that - every day should be special to be with someone, but it's good to celebrate a special day.. Then in five days, it's my bday.. YIKES> maybe because now I am on the other side of my twenties..and I'm kind of dreading it, does that mean I have to be serious about life?? hope not!
I'm having a little get together with friends at my fave belgian beer cafe in The Rocks, even though I don't drink beer, I"m there for the food. Speaking of, it will be the only night I get to indulge..I"m on my Super Strict diet, well 'health kick' as I call it- I hate the word diet, never works, like a resolution..maybe it comes with writing all day but words are important!
Of course you'd never guess that from this incoherent post.
In any case, I'm over the shock stage, it's hard to cut out all the foods I love the most but , it's working. I am much more used to it now, and it's really making a huge difference. I'm happy to plod along slowly, there's no miracle in it, no tricks- just eating healthy and being balanced. I have learned a lot about food- and cooking has been my saving grace, it's the only way to make a bland meal tasty, by actually making it a meal...I've had various disasters, that my bf and my sis have only too happily eaten- but i'm happy that this is not only helping me reach my goal but also, in the process..i hope to be a better cook. Perhaps that's a good resolution.

Australia day special: Aussie boys on EBAY

2006-01-27T11:22:00.000+11:00

Just when you thought you had seen it all on ebay, along comes something else to make you realise that in fact- stupidity doesn't discriminate- to quote my favourite American bumper sticker! I thought personally it was hilarious, and it makes for a good read- have a look at the questions and answers.
I got this as an email on Wednesday arvo- then I went home and as I walked through the door and said hi to my boyfriend he repliess :
'Check this out, these idiots put themselves on ebay'
'how did you know? did you get my email?'
' No - its on the front page of the paper'
That was it- from then on everyone was talking about it- it was funny to hear that most guys think these guys are 'dickheads- especially for putting their photos on there' but most women think it's hilarious.
Of course it is- it is hilarious, but it is currently going for over $1000, so , not bad.
I'm Just a bit embarrassed that they're from Sydney- inner sydney at that..where I am..but I dont know them! or know of them! just through the email. It's just- well the rest of Australia thinks that Sydneysiders are a bunch of stuck up idiots so this might, actually seal the deal. Well , let's not generalise though- hopefully they'll remember we're not all like this! hehe.
Australia day was yesterday- it was cloudy and muggy and rainy so no sunny beach BBQ as is the norm- but a great day to stay in and watch my new Back to the Future DVD's. And who doesn't love a day off to do that?

Victoria alight, and Melbourne Australian Open

2006-01-23T20:19:00.000+11:00

The bushfires in Victoria are still going strong, there have been a lot of casualties and its pretty heartbreaking. It is also burning up a lot of beautiful land, especially around the Grampians- a really beautfiul park, that is usually full of tourists, was surrounded today. It's scary and crazy and reminds me of the big bushfires we had here a couple of years ago, when people all around us had to evacuate their house. Over here, it's just like second nature. Especially in the outer suburbs in Sydney. I was recently speaking to one of my friends Dad's and he was saying that they've put together this big photo frame with over a hundred snipets of photos to create this massive family collage- in case there's a big bushfire and they have no time to grab all the photo albums. It's sad isn't it? but you just have to think that way. I remember not being able to go to school when I was younger because of parks being on fire, and the wind sweeping burnt leaves from miles away to our front door. The worst is the eerie look of the sun- especially when its bright orange- or when the smoke is so bad you can't really go outside- even in the CBD, the very heart of the city. I remember having to skip work last year because the smoke was so bad, even though the fires were ages away. Then going to work one day and watching a park near by in flames- scary. Very scary.
I am lucky i live pretty much in the centre of the city and there's no big national parks near us. But I have a lot of friends in Melb- so I am really thinking of them and hoping a big storm comes to put the fires out.
I meant to write about the Australian Open, but I'll leave it for later, and am going to check on more bushfire updates.

Disbelief

2006-01-18T18:45:00.000+11:00

I jumped on the scales and watched the numbers flash back at me, and suddenly stop, on a figure incredibly unknown to me. I watched with disbelief and stood there for a few seconds, wondering, how did this happen?

The lady looks at me and says. 'Don't worry it happens, but at least , you're doing something about it'. Right.

Well I hope so, because , there's nothing more depressing to me at the moment. It's beyond looks, or what to wear- because I can't wear anything I own anymore, or not liking myself in photos anymore, its more of feeling like I just don't know what to do with myself, because I feel so unenthusiastic about things. This is very unlike me- I'm usually such a bubbly person and a very positive one, but lately I've just felt so down. Well I realised that I can't complain , my life is great and I am a very lucky person. If I feel this bad, then it's only up to me to make a change, and to move forward with that. Until I know myself again, I just won't stop at trying.

Really in Australia, it's sunny in summer. Really.

2006-01-18T18:33:00.000+11:00

The past few weeks have been so depressing. It's been grey and rainy non stop, drizzling when its not raining, as it's as humid as hell, 99% humidity almost every day. I can't beleive its January, I feel like I'm in the middle of June or July in the never ending winter grey periods.

It's so unmotivating and completely depressing- and I'm really not used to it. There's been lots of floods and thunderstorms- well on the bright side no bushfires.

I always look forward to summer being a time to catch up, stay up late, little sleep, because the days and nites have so much to offer, you dont' want to waste them.

I hope it gets better next month- well at least for my birthday :)
I'll stop my weather whinge, its just if its going to be rainy and miserable then it might as well be cold- because when its this humid and this wet its impossible to dress accordingly. Who wants to wear thongs and singlets and skirts in the rain? but anything else will have you drenched in sweat. Honestly, even just sitting down is impossible without sweating. If its going to be this humid, then at least, give me some sun!
What must all those European tourists think of Sydney right now...flown half way accross the world to experience this dreadful weather.
> End weather whinge.

Nothing says Congratulations! like a new baking tray

2006-01-09T20:41:00.000+11:00

The bad thing about working accross the road from a big shopping centre, is that it can make you think you can do anything on your lunchbreak, and the good thing about working accross the road from a shopping centre is, that you CAN do anything on your lunchbreak.
Take shopping for a soon to be wedding, that we do not want to go to- beause, despite being great friends with the groom (well my boyfriend is/was?) we were not invited to the engagement or the reception- just the ceremony. what? if any of my friends did that , they'd be black listed, after all nothing says, you're important to me like : turn up to the church for refreshments just like any Joe Blow off the street could, to congratulate us.. while we invite other non important people we just met to the reception! ouch.
While most of our friends are telling us not to go, and that what the groom is doing is just bad etiquette, we are still going and still getting them a present, because even if the groom has not bothered to see us in 9 months or come to our bdays, we still feel bad. How stupid are we!? Anyway.
One thing irks me: we didn't get invited to the reception, but they still sent their gift registry card saying with the 'invitation', here! here! go get us a present! even if you're not worthy of our reception. Now from what I hear, that is just bad wedding etiquette! ( I did not know how much of this wedding reception/invite etiquette was going around until I mentioned this to a couple of people, and they told their friends and so on- It's a big world of wedding etiquette!)
Butl did I have some fun with that today..
While my friends suggested a wooden spoon, or a toilet brush, or a ladle to me the groom and future bride realise that it's just not on to do this to your friends, (it's been done before in similar situation!) and after going up and down the homewares section in Myer fifty times, running late in getting back to work and facing the lunctime rush of shoppers...we settled on some lovely baking trays and mixing bowls. To my delight, the store is having its stocktake sale and we got everything at 40% off. yeay! sweet karma.
I don't understand how you'd put baking trays you can get a the super market on a wedding registry..but I guess it was for all the suckers like us, who have been not invited to the reception, yet still asked to get them a present. They probably predicted that's what they'd do - because out of the 11 pages of the gift registry- 3 of those were made up of baking trays, mixing bowls and baking utensils.
I wish them lots of happy baking!

Floating skincare

2006-01-05T16:31:00.000+11:00

I feel like I'm floating at the moment, I got back a few hours ago from my massage and facial at Jurlique, and it was heavenly!! i've never had a facial before, and I've had a few massages- although i'm a bit funny about them, but I think the ultra natural floral scented products helped me relax like nothing else! I am a skin care products addict- I always use Clinique stuff but I've been wanting to try something different that was a bit more natural... now that my gorgeous boyfriend got me this voucher for xmas and some friends of mine have tried them before I thought I'd give them a go. I'm always worried about products with natural oils in case they irritate my skin (i've had bad experiences from the bodyshop) but these are great so far...well today :) the girl put so many lotions, cleansers and mists on me , and even used a hot washcloth on my face, which i always thought would be suicide for my ultra dry skin- but i've ended up glowing. Not only that she managed to get rid of all the dry flakes that has been caused from my sunburn! yeay!! it was so embarassing...anyway the sucker that i am I bought the products (just a sample pack!) but i've been reassured by friends and family that they do work.
I had a read on their website and i saw that they use all organic stuff from their flower farm in Adelaide, and that its based on alchemy and homeopathy too-- I like that. Finally something natural...and it was founded by Germans in Australia! so it's all made here. Even better.
I recommend it to everyone out there to go and get a massage and facial. I had never done it before and I really regret that. But its never too late to look after yourself and treat your body- after all the stress we put it through everyday, it's the least we can do. So much more rewarding than a new pair of shoes or a handbag!!
Now I just have to get enough energy and focus enough so I can drive!

Happy 2006!

2006-01-04T16:42:00.000+11:00

We're back from Huskisson, it was lovely! spent a lot of time on the beach and got incredibly burnt on the last day that was very very cloudy. When will i ever learn that i need sunscreen, even if its raining?
The weather was great, albeit incredibly hot on new year's day...a record 41C down there and it sydney it was recorded the hottest day ever at 45C! Crazy. luckily the southerly cool change came in the afternoon. We got up at 4.30am on New Year's day to watch the sunrise on the beach accross the road..it was gorgeous, despite my grumpy mood in the morning..I am not a morning person and I can't remember the last time I saw the sunrise- but I hope to watch anotherone soon it was worth it! we walked out to the rocks and the view was incredible- the picture on the left is one of them, I'll upload the rest onto flickr tomorrow.
It was very relaxed down there...the atmosphere is so different to the city and it was a welcome change. we had dinner at the pub down there and then went back to the flat for drinks and cocktails overlooking the beach and watching all the locals..it was great fun!
The beach was also beautiful, found one with no waves (yeay!) and went swimming on the superhot day, that day i didn't get sunburnt but the next day I did, extremely annoying as now I can hardly smile or raise my eyebrows as it hurts! funny, yes but painful.
Really enjoying my days as I"m on holidays, today was great being at home doing nothing and now I"m off to watch The Family Stone. I saw Just like Heaven last nite and loved it. highly recommended, very funny too..
cheers to all, here's to a great year ahead...love, peace and happiness.

To do..NYE checklist.

2005-12-29T22:34:00.000+11:00

Since I've been out and about the last few days- mostly shopping-- I have a lot to do between tonight and tomorrow morning, before we go away for 4 nights for new years to the South Coast- we got a unit accross the road from the beach in Jervis Bay! yeay!! I can't wait.
Between now and then I must:
-finish washing/ironing
-pack bags
-plan NYE menu
-ring friends' Mum, as my friend has gone to Cuba and Mexico and can't get in touch with her!
-clean house or it will be too much to do after the holiday.
Thing is, the past few days, I have been in the city shopping as the huge end of year sales are on , and oh god I am just addicted to shopping. It is exhausting though, and I am beginning to think that shopping is a great workout, but not for my bank balance. Takes it out of me, and even now at almost 11pm am still deciding what to pack.
Really looking forward to spending time away with gorgeous friends, hope we have a happy, safe and cheerful new year..I have so much to be thankful for this year and I am really looking forward to spending it in great company- pity my family won't be there but I'm looking forward to spending a few days at home when we get back!
I hate making resolutions but I'm going to try and stick to them (some) :
- save money! (cut back on shopping!)
-eat less junkfood and bad foods
-excercise more, play more broomball.
-Learn more on tech writing, after all it is my profession of choice at the moment :)
Have a wonderful NYE ahead.... and if you want to visit Sydney while I'm away :
www.sydneynewyearseve.com.au the fireworks are spectacular!!! I hear they're putting a heart on the bridge this year for the fireworks.

Bushfires, fire bans, muggy heat and other post xmas stories.

2005-12-29T21:12:00.000+11:00

Merry xmas! Feliz Navidad! Despite living here all my life, my family still celebrates xmas on xmas Eve and we get to open the pressies at midnight. This time my boyfriend came around and I think he loved opening his pressies the night before everyone else! hehe
It is really really hot and muggy (humid) at this time of the year, and it is usually bushfire season..on my last day of work ( a week ago now! crazy) i was driving home and there was this beautiful yellow hue in the air and this distant very yellow and orange sunset...and it was rather hazy..i could smell some smoke , and i just knew there were bushfires around. Luckily not close to us- I'm not near a bushy area but my work is and if there was a bushfire and the roads had been closed, it would have been awful. Now, it's well after xmas and the firebans and fires continue, but there haven't been too many which is good. The weather is still hot, muggy and very sunny. I do love that - I don't need much sleep or rest in summer and the weather always makes me happy. I also get to spend lots of time at the beach which is great.
I had a wonderful xmas, got very very spoiled, a Jurlique massage and facial voucher, a book on Bono, a Spencer and Rutherford handbag!! ( my mother knows me well!) and a gorgeous chest of drawers from my fave french country furniture store that I love, amongst other things. I really can't complain!
Only if we had won that Broomball final :( we lost and it was quite sad..but we played well and I played my guts out, I can't wait for next season. All the seating around during holidays is making me antsy. Not that I miss being at work!

Candles and shopping

2005-12-16T22:01:00.000+11:00

I'm so nervous about tomorrow nite, that I've been feeling kind of queasy all day. It's a shame I really can't practice much on ice but I've been hitting my ball a bit with the stick, if that counts for anything? I have such a great team, they work so hard I hope I can be of some use tomorrow nite. go team!
Anyway, today i did a little xmas shopping, mostly because tomorrow and on Sunday i'll be seeing some friends and we have to give them our xmas presents. I don't know how I do it, but I always manage to buy something for myself when I go shopping for other people. that sounds really selfish, but when I go shopping for something I want i can never find anything, yet when I'm not looking, I find lots of stuff. Isn't that always the way.
I've been addicted to Dusk candles this year, mostly because they're in the shopping centre I go to accross from work and their shop is like being in a fairy land.
You walk in and its all dark, with colourful candles lit all around and flowers ..the sparkles and the delicious candle scents mesmerise you and really want to make you buy a whole shop! I am not sure if there's any of them overseas- but i highly recommend them.
The other day I went to check out the new Penrith westfields (far from Sydney but that's where Broomball is) and the shopping centre was fabulous. I went into Lush and bought a tonne of stuff. I love their buttercreams and shampoos.. I'll see if I can start using them instead of normal ones. I was reading their newsletter and catalogue and it says that all shampoos and conditioners off the shelf have a lot of preservatives and detergent, or they wouldnt' keep. I never thought of that. Even though I buy expensive Salon shampoo and conditioner, I guess its full of preservatives. and even my super cool Austrian hairdresser (who I always thought was gay but turns out he has a big family and kids!) says not to bother with expensive hair products that you're just paying for marketing.. I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow morning..so I'll ask him what he thinks of Lush!
wish us luck everybody :)

U2 tickets and THE Grand Final!

2005-12-13T22:26:00.000+11:00

I am so beyond tired but I am so excited I just had to post my supah news.
I got U2 tickets! Yeay! after lining up since 5am on Monday morning, and even though the tickets went on sale at 9 am and I did not get mine till 11.30, I was stoked!!!! U2 here we come. I have tickets to both shows, so I am tempted to go to boths if some of my friends don't want to go! I don't care how super expensive they are (A reserve at $200 each- is this just in Australia or is U2 expensive everywhere?) but I am going in March and I can't wait.
Now for the best bit- Our broomball team made it to the grand final! YEAY! the irony was that I had to play last nite after my short sleep the nite before and after lining up for an ungodly amount of time and then being half awake at work. To make things worse, the game was so late I did not get home until after midnight. But while I was playing, I was so pumped and so awake I did not think that was possible. Next time I'm feeling half asleep I'll get to the nearest ice rink and run a few laps!
It was so great though, we played so well. I even managed to be of some use and blocked a couple of idiotic guys that kept pushing me- which they are not allowed to do! ha! take that you bullies ! i might be half your size but I did learn a lot from playing all girl hockey at school. So, I've had a great few days, I'm so happy and thankful for everything. I can't wait till Saturday, my friends and family are coming to watch- I"m scared but excited. They all think I'm crazy for playing this obscure sport but I love it. I hope I can get better at it! and be half as good as my boyfriend is at it- although he doens't play anymore and thought his broomball days were over until he introduced me to it :)
Now time to catch up on sleep. Good nite!
PS. That's not us in the photo that's a random broomball photo I found, but I thought I'd post it in case people haven't any idea on what the hell broomball is!

U2 down under

2005-12-07T21:31:00.000+11:00

It's so hot at the moment, 33C as I type this, 9.30pm. Today it was 45C in some suburbs, probably close to where I work since I"m not in the CBD. Thank God for Air conditioning, even if it makes you feel even hotter when you get outside.
Well summer's begun and I can't really complain, after all its the only season I looove and I can stand the heat pretty well. It also means my bday is not too far away and for the first time ever, I'm just not looking forward to it! why is that? is getting older just sadder? even though I'm still so young?
U2 are playing in Australia in March next year. YEAY! we hardly get many bands come out here because we're so far away..secluded on our own continent, and its been 8 years since U2 have played here. So, I tried like crazy to get tickets on Monday morning, on the net. But Ticketek
is such a nightmare of a website..the bastards...I finally got through after clicking 'reload' a million times, selected my tickets, put my credit card details through, and just as it was 'processing payment' the bastards page hung on me and the page died and the session timed out! i've been trying to call them to find out if the payment went though (nothing's come out of my account), but they're still engaged. Why? how? there's nothing going on sale! maybe there's more frustrated people like me ringing them and telling them off :)
Oh well they've announced a second show, and I am going to get up early, or even possibly line up overnight to get tickets. I'm not missing out this time!!
Nor am I going to be stupid enough to pay $4000 for tickets.

Long nights

2005-12-04T21:00:00.000+11:00

Now that daylight has changed, and the evenings get longer, it's great to be outside. But for the first time ever, it's really annoying me.The thing is , that you could be outside , enjoying the sun, waiting for the sunset, then all of a sudden you check the time and it's 8pm! what the? where did time go? what about all i have to do tonite at home, have dinner, etc. It's like the day has slipped away and taken the evening with it. The sun is setting at around 8.30-9pm and whereas that's lovely, I am really missing time! i loved leaving work while it's still light, but I also liked leaving when it's dark and then knowing what time it was depending on how dark the night was.
Anyway, I've had a lovely weekend..busy catching up with friends, showing our photos and talking about our trip. The funny thing is , we went to visit three different places, and all our friends basically made the same thing.. a barbeque! it cracks me up, because it's just so Aussie. Even though there's no such thing as Australian food, or a particular dish that can be really Australian (unless you count meat pies or Vegemite on toast!) at least Australians have claimed barbequeing everything, as our own. Fits in nicely with the long summer days/nights, so I can't complain really.

First day of summer?

2005-12-01T09:04:00.000+11:00

That's a beautiful waterfall 'Mele Cascades' from Vanuatu...I miss it!!
I am so tired... getting back in to normal life has been hectic, and not a nice adjustment!. Last week I spent time not doing much at all, shopping here and there and getting my photos in order. But somehow I was really busy and didn't have much time to sit down on the computer and update on things, also email some family overseas that I've been wanting to do for ages. Back at work this week has been even harder- maybe because of the weather. It hasn't stopped raining basically since I got back- it's been cloudy and cold and thundery basically every day. It's so dark, just like winter. Where did spring go? Today is the first day of summer so let's hope that it turns the weather a bit, as I am running out of winter clothes to wear and I just bought some funky summer stuff that I really want to start wearing!!!

It's almost Christmas and , well I am probably one of those few people in the world that hate Christmas- I like being around family and all, but since all of my family is overseas except for my parents, and xmas was always another excuse for my parents to argue whose turn it would to spend it with, then I didn't particularly enjoy it. Even now after so many years of being used to this, it's still a drama because they'd argue it through my sister and I. If I'd say, 'we're spending xmas eve with Dad' then my mum would get annoyed and say it was her turn or soemthing or something..and I can't really remember a xmas when we were all happy about it. Also, I just feel its all one big commercial thing, there's no spirit of anything except xmas shopping and crazy people. I could not care less about it , and I almost always get my xmas presents on xmas eve! Crazy I know :) But it's all the same to me, and I never really have the energy to face the xmas crowds, so I'll just do it all in one go.I enjoy getting the weird looks from people who religiously do their xmas shopping a month early or something stupid like that.

Well this year it will be a little different, since we won't see my Dad, and I'll hopefully spend some of it with my boyfriend's family as well. That's a huge thing for me as I'm so family oriented, but it will be fun to be around them as they're so happy and fun to be around. Also being far away feels really nice, to get away from it all for a little while.

Oops..this post seems a bit gloomy and sad. Well I'll post again soon with more cheery news or exciting tales..it must be the weather and lack of sleep !! One exciting thing I'm looking forward to is more broomball- we won this week and the finals are too weeks away! yeay! and some further exciting news but I'll post that later.

Pride and Predjudice

2005-11-22T19:03:00.000+11:00

Iririki resort...ohh wishing I was there.
What's that got to do with P and P? nothing, but I am still in love with Vanuatu and I'll probably post as many photos as I can here to share it with everyone.
Today my sis and I went to see Pride and Prejudice
the new one...and I hate to say it, not as good as the original 95 BBC version but still wonderful none the less. I think Keira Kneightly was amazing, strong and a true Lizzie. She really showed her talent..but the Mr Darcy could have done better..he's no Colin Firth! highly recommended though, especially if you're an avid fan of the book. Although they change a few things, it's still wonderful and has that raw English feel about it. Draws you in, and is a bit more dramatic than the original.
I went to see it with my sister..and I loved that! we're both huuge fans and have watched the original only 50 times, and read the book just as many. We'd giggle through the funny bits , and close our eyes when we knew an embarrassing scene would come up, and then whisper about all the bits that are not similar to the book. It felt like being teenagers again. Had lunch afterwards and went shopping and still talked about the movie and all the things we'd change. It was great, I forgot how much I miss that..and now that it's been 7 years since I left school! crazy.
It's getting warmer here which is nice..hopefully it will be hot enough tomorrow to go the beach..need to get out of this week as much as possible before heading back to *gasp* work!

Tales of the South Pacific

2005-11-21T10:04:00.000+11:00

We're back! Got back on Saturday nite and it was such an amazing experience! Absolutely loved Vanuatu and it really really sux to be home. I realised how crazy, grumpy, rude , etc everyone in Sydney is...ok I still dearly love my city but a week away in the friendly swaying South Pacific is just what the doctor ordered- for anybody.
I don't know where to start, so I'll try and post as much as I can about what we did there. The photo on the left is from Erakor Island which was a tiny island with a great resort.
We stayed at Iririki and it is exactly as it appears on its website, luxurious, beautiful, surrounded by green-blue coral waters.
What I loved the most about the place was the culture, and the people. The are beautiful, in every way. Everything runs On Island Time
and everyone is so relaxed- I was annoyed (true Sydney sider I am! this trip was great for self reflection!) at how late everyone was at first but then, we quickly got into the swing of things and started running late ourselves..of course we got a bashing from some friendly fellow Aussies on one of our tours. I was so embarrassed that people like that were representing Australia (and even more so at other whispers I heard 'they're from Sydney, that'd be right') that I was hoping to hide under a rock.
But the locals are amazing. They are so happy and friendly despite living in such a poor country and having so little. With unemployment being 70% and most people living off the land, it is a real eye opener and makes you realise how lucky we all are. Their happiness and zest for life was infectious, and I am going to try to do everything in my willpower to hold on to it, because it's the kind of experience that stays with you for a lifetime.
I can't wait to take my kids there one day (when I have some!) and show them that this is the kind of philosophy we all need, be happy with what you have and make the most of life because we are just so lucky to be part of it. No matter where you are and what you have, it all comes down to basics, which is your attitude and outtake on things.
I'll let the pictures do the talking and see how much I can load up in Flick tonite. Tankyou tumas, as the Ni-Vanuatu say, for reading my post :)

Holidays ahead..

2005-11-09T22:31:00.000+11:00

I am so excited to be going away in exactly three days to a (hopefully) sunny Vanuatu! I do hope and pray to the weather gods that we get this super hot and sunny weather next week, God knows that we need the rest.
It was a hectic weekend, and a very busy last week,with moving and packing and cleaning , that i could not see my holiday. At work this week I also have a lot to do but i'm getting there. I have broomball tomorrow nite which I'm looking forward to as I'll miss out on the game next week.
I am just more than anything, waiting to see what the people are like in Vanuatu. I went to New Caledonia to study french a few years back and i loved the South Polynesian and french culture. The southpacific appears to be one of those unspoilt places... and i read a lot about how friendly the locals are and how relaxed the culture is over there.. I can't wait. I think we really need it!
I have one issue- I would like to take a book but I don't know what to read. I'm a big reader but this year, I feel I've been so busy and with driving to work which is an exhausting routine- i dont get to read like i used to on the train to uni and my old job. Usually I read classics, but I would like an easy to read holiday type book. I love mysteries, and great stories...I'm currently readint "Don't sweat the small stuff" but I'd like to take some fiction with me. Any suggestions? All those holidayers from Europe that just finished summer, any good books you read?
If all else fails I'll have to resort to my guilty reading pleasure, Mafalda comics.

35 Degrees and counting...

2005-11-09T22:14:00.000+11:00

It's been quite hot these past few days... I do like summer and the heat but I see it take its toll on everyone around me. And i can't say that I enjoy walking out of the freezing cold office and being hit by a wave of hot air and blinding sun, but I"m not complaining either. I'm not a fan of air con at all actually, it usually makes my throat sore and i find it only cools me down for a while before I begin to freeze, I'd rather stick to a fan or the light breeze from outside (at night). Althought as I type this there is no breeze and it is a balmy 29 degrees outside. I think i get this from my mum because we dont' have aircon at home, and although my room is really stifling in summer, and other areas of the house are too, she won't budge. At my boyfriend's house he does have it, and it can get so freezing, but he hates summer and is forever hot. What can i say, opposites attract?

There Can be times when in extreme circumstances I'll use the aircon in my car. Like today, driving in peak hour traffic, in 35 C sun, is that an emergency? it is when you need to breathe! so i'd turn it on , then in the hilly arse paradise that are Sydney roads, my 1.5L engine does not cope with aircon and uphill drives so I'd have to turn it off. Then back on, then off again when it got too cold. I must have done this 20 times on the way home.. I later found out that if I put my car in 2nd gear I can go uphill somewhat better. I had no idea, I drive an auto Ok!! I never change gears, I just cheer my engine on when I go uphill and hope for the best while everyone else zooms past me.
Thank you, to my faithful Korean engineered Ford Festiva.
No wonder they don't make them anymore.

Melbourne Cup Day

2005-11-01T14:12:00.000+11:00

The 'race that stops a nation', is on today. Melbournians get a day off in lieu of this race!! not fair.

It's a big horserace and lots of betting, fun parties, wild outfilts, and hats. Really a lot of fun

I live in Sydney, New South Wales, so unlike all those lucky bludgy Victorians (Victorians feel free to hate me but I am just bitter!) we have work today and no public holiday for us! however things do stop at 2.45pm because I think the race is on at 3 or so...ohh very exciting.

It is humid, and very rainy today so not really a great day to be at the races but hey anything is fun, when you're at the races!!!

I've put some sweeps in but I never really win, I'm not really one to bet but today it's basically mandatory and you can't cross the road with someone offering to put sweeps in for you.

It's big!.

Even Google Australia has swapped the little Halloween logo on its homepage to one of a horse race!

On other news there was a small earthquake in Sydney last nite..scary! well it was tiny and in the Blue Mountains, which are about 60-70km's from the city centre, but people that live in the city still felt it. I didn't feel a thing, as it was at 5.00am and i was somewhat sound asleep. My kitten was very restless last nite, maybe he knew about it.

Well, wish me luck for the race..I'm just looking forward to the champagne and strawberries , after the exhausting game we had last nite (lost yet again!)

Shiny new Toy

2005-10-26T09:11:00.000+10:00

I was all 'suited up' ie. wearing all the padding gear, helmet, etc about to jump on to the ice to play broomball when I turn around and my boyfriend hands me this new super shiny super light super broomball stick! I've been wanting one for a while, but couldn't afford it..I was like 'oohhh did you find one for me to use tonite? who did you get it off?' "Nooo" he says "I bought it for you!" oh my god! I was completely in shock and soo excited at the same time, a super pro stick, all for me? I can't beleive he did that, I had no idea, he was very sneaky about it all... I was so excited and I am still in shock that he did this, because it's rather expensive, we're about to go on an expensive holiday and well, I am really just a beginner but hey, they say my skills should develop better with it! i hope!!
I just love it though, wish I could take it everywhere...but that would make me look a bit nuts..
Here's to hoping the stick will bring our team many successes!!!

It went HOFF!

2005-10-24T11:02:00.000+10:00

Yesterday I had a great day...it was very hot and sunny and as usual, I spent it out in the sun getting myself and my boyfriend nearly dehydrated doing a lot of walking around..we went to the FOXTEL 10 year birthday bash at a racecourse , and it was great fun... The highligh of the day? we saw the HOFF! (aka. David Hasselhoff). I grew up watching Knight Rider and Baywatch! (Yes I'll admit it!!) so it was a total highlight for me. Also remember that I live in Australia so we're starved for celebrity sightings here, I wish I lived in California, Calabasas to be exact, I'm just very jealous of my cousins anyway let's not get started! :) I do love Sydney and I wouldn't trade it for the world (maybe a castle in Spain..)..

Back to the point, had a great day, and I've uploaded the photos on to my flickr account so you can see them. I'll put some more up soon. My friends and I got a free manicure so it was a lot of fun..I am exhausted though, luckily today is a lot cooler..but i must get my energy back for broomball tonite!

On another note, the ARIA's were on last nite, the Australian Radio Industry Awards and that is a great recognition of Australian music! will post more on that soon, because I looove Australian music and artists..

Will post more soon when I feel more awake and less exhausted!!!!

Friends first.

2005-10-22T11:48:00.000+10:00

This week, due to some trials and tribulations going on with some friends and their partners around me has really made me think about friendship in relationships.
To me, friendship is something I treasure, and I always put my friends before myself..this probably is not always good because sometimes people don't return the favour, but that is just the way I am, it would probably be better to be more selfish at times, God knows I've been taken advantage of a couple of times. But that's only made me a bit more weary, and it hasnt' changed my friendship principles.
How many of us are great friends with our partners? I started thinking that of the people around me and I realised that not many were...I think this is what leads to a break down in a realtionship sooner or later...and then you lose respect for one another. Not only that, but I think it becomes quite evident to everyone else. How often do you go out with friends and their respective boyfriend/girlfriend and see them being rude, interrupting or putting your friend down in public, and in front of their friends? very little things you notice sometimes, can make or break a friendship. That's not what friends do to each other, I think sometimes it's forgotten how important friendship is in relationships. I see those that are in happier relationships have more respect for one another and treat each other better..When I think about it, the past year or so I've worked really hard at becoming better friends with my boyfriend..we were already good friends to begin with, went to uni together for three years and even though we didnt' get together until he finished, we hung out a lot and really talked got to know each other more and more before we got together. And even after that, I feel so much closer when I think about stuff we do together that helps us to hang out and talk and at the end of the day be great friends and then, become a great couple. My most treasured and favourite memories of us are laughing at some stupid thing we do, having a great day out talking and laughing and generally just spending time together having fun. I do think romance is very important,but that comes naturally when you really love someone.. I think the ones that turn it on too early are just looking for an easy way out to be with someone, it's easy to be someone's girlfriend, or wife in this day in age, it all seems to happen really fast. But friendship, that takes time and effort. It's always worth it though , after all (to put it in a very Aussie manner) you'd never screw over your friends.

Good food.

2005-10-22T11:38:00.000+10:00

I have been quite busy lately and it's stopped me from blogging which is really annoying, because I've been out and about doing some great stuff, that I'd love to share with everyone. Last weekend, my boyfriend and I went to a great new restaurant nearby called Oliveto
which had a great ambience and delicious food. A bit of the expensive side, but the servings were quite big, which you usually don't get when you pay that much for food...I thought this may compromise the quality of it,but it didnt' and to me, it was as great as other super expensive restaurants in Sydney. It's on the water, in this reserve too, with dim lighting but it's full and busy, so a real treat. The food is modern-Italian and Australian, really delicious. I had the best Osso Bucco I've had in a while, which is one of my favourite dishes.
The night before we'd gone out with friends to a funky renovated hotel-pub
which also offered some great food (much cheaper!) and drinks, with a lovely view of the harbour and the city. Woolwhich is a snobby tiny suburb right on the water, with massive waterfront houses and lots of old trees shielding them and the road, it's really nice and has some ancient feel to it.
Sunday we went to a fair which was a lot of fun, except it was very windy..but there was a stall that sold some delicious chilly and satay sauces... I also got some great honey from a farm near Dubbo. I love markets/fairs for that reason, you get to taste and buy stuff that you don't usually buy in supermarkets or shops around here.
A great weekend, let's hope this one is just as good- the weather is certainly better... sunny and warm (25C) but it has been raining a lot so it can all turn around any minute now..

Time warp

2005-10-12T22:04:00.001+10:00

Sometimes I feel like I live in a blackhole- Time can go insanely slow during the day at work, and incredibly fast out of the office. I sit here and am still amazed that it's almost mid October, where did the year go? why haven't I done anything of the things I wanted to do? I am losing time and I don't know how, trying to excercise and eat well and do things I enjoy then I am not having any time for myself. It's not like I have a house to manage, or a child, or anything really to do only look after myself, yet how does everyday life become such a hassle. I see people unhappy, they talk, blog and express feelings of despair. Then I find the rare individual that despite having a family, and an incredibly busy life is happy confident and seems to have it all together. A few people from my reading list come to mind ;) Although I'm sure if you mentioned it to them they'd say you're crazy and that no one has any time for anything.
Today I had a doctor's appointment in Balmain
which is absolutely one of my favourite suburbs, old and stylish, yet modern and vibrant. About ten mins from where I live and I've seen some famous Aussie icons there shopping and living it up. Anyway, as I had gotten there early and thought I should walk around ..I came accross this shop with a small entrance called 'the garden stop' I walked in and it was a huge paved undercover garden filed with flowers, plants, pots and fountains. It was insanely quiet except for the birds up above and the low running of the water. I walked around feeling transported and in awe of such a beautiful place right there in such a busy suburb. I stared at this plant for ages because it reminded me of something I had seen before ..the stubby shrub with matt green leaves..I turned to look at some violets and then realised it was time to go. It was an time stopping moment. The quiet, the green, the smell of flowers in the cool musty air (it had been cold and rainy all day). When I got back to my car on my way home I realised where I had seen that plant before. In my grandmother's garden in Argentina. Suddenly I want to go back and look at it again, is it really what I saw almost 20 years ago? the memory of it is when I was really really young, but I am certain it is.
Sometimes, being stuck in a time warp is not so bad, when it reminds you of happier days.

Short weekend

2005-10-09T20:46:00.000+10:00

After the long weekend last week, this weekend has really flown by. I had a pretty quiet but fun one, especially as I am hooked on to yet another tv show. God bless American television!! yes yes I know it can sometimes be the root of all evil but come on, I don't see Australia or any other country coming up with Desperate Housewives or Sex and The City, no, didn't think so, ALL AUSTRALIAN TV SHOWS SUCK. yes, they do, I have no idea how Home and Away or Neighbours even make it to Europe, here, if you watch any of those soapies you're considered pretty sad, really, because, well they really do suck. Back to the point.
Had a poker nite last nite, well my boyfriend did, but it was good to catch up with the girlfriends that came along, and read Marie Claire in the process. One of the guys brought the entire first season of LOST on DVD! YEAY! It just finished airing on TV here but I never got around to watching it, I think I watched one and loved it, so today we spent the whole day watching LOST episodes. I've seen around 7 and can't wait for the rest. I hear the second season just started in the US, same with DH, it's sometimes worth moving over there for :) we get things here pretty late sometimes..the second season of LOST won't get here till next year, same as DH, but it gives me chance to catch up I guess..
I looved LOST> kind of freaked me out because , um I'm about to go on holidays to a tropcial island, near Fiji, but hey.knock on wood. I love how it's so different from other shows, it's not a trashy show, and how it gets into the characters so deeply. I'm trying to convince my mum to watch it as she's a psychologist, but um, she's not into American tv shows as much as me, to say the least :)
So, not an adventurous weekend, but adventorous in spirit, I can't wait to watch the rest of LOST. If I'm not blogging again soon, then you'll know why...
Does anyone else think that Matthew Fox and the guy that plays Boon are gorgeous? and so are the women, really, so unfair!

The big coathanger

2005-10-05T19:00:00.000+10:00

Sydney Harbour Bridge. Otherwise known as the coathangers to Australians. Do you see the resemblance?
I'm long overdue for an update! Sorry things are hectic, well I always say that don't I? poor excuse.
No I didn't mis-spell harbour, just in case everyone was wondering..
I had a fab weekend, did some touristy like stuff on Monday as it was Labour day and yeah baby, no work. It was around 32C and I had the bright idea of catching a ferry and walking around Sydney harbour. Well I'm not the only stupid idiot that thought of this on a 30C day, at least. But did I pay for it. My obliging boyfriend agreed, after all he lives right accross the road from the ferry wharf and probably caught it like once? So why not, let's be tourists. On we went, with about 50 other tourists on the ferry to Sydney Harbour. It actually went the backway from the suburbs which was nice so I got to see a lot of the old suburbs and docks and places, being littered by new waterfront developments, taking over our very little history. Who am I kidding I'd live in one of those places in a heartbeat but hey, it's still not nice to see them tear down old buildings.
Walking around the Botanical Gardens was beautiful, except we got so dehydrated and I almost passed out. I was still really bubbly and just so happy it was summer and insisted we walk through the gardens to look at some of the native plants, herbs and flowers. Something most men care nothing about, my bf included.
33C day, dry heat, plants, families, prams, the water next to us but no kiosk, ice cream cart or cafe in sight to buy water..do you see where I'm going with this? Im surprised my boyfriend didn't feed me to the seagulls over my bright idea. I would have been whinging all the way if the roles had been reversed. Oh well, what's not another day without an adventure.
I'm just so happy the weather is getting warmer..let's hope it stays nice, but with no fires.
I heard about the fires in LA and I can really relate to that..here the bushfires get crazy and there's a lot of bush in suburbia and Sydney city, a lot of parks burnt and because of our big brown land it can happen at any time. Let's hope this summer brings us all some summer rain with those rays...
Ohh, I added a Flickr account, isn't it funky? I love Katia's so I thought I'd get one done. Will add more photos as I get time..enjoy!

Australian, mate.

2005-09-28T10:48:00.000+10:00

A lot of people from around the world, Americans and English mostly, say they love Australian accents. However, it's been my experience and same with some friends, that a lot of the time people can't tell where we are from or they can't understand what we're trying to say. This mostly happens in the US, well not to me yet as I haven't been there but two friends that have just returned from there had this experience. One of them, while in Vegas, said that a lot of people didn't know if she was English or Irish and when she said she was Australian they said she didn't sound anything like Steve Irwin (thankfully!) Another, in NY, said that he had so much trouble, especially in McDonalds that he'd just end up pointing and saying ' a number two meal thanks' . I find this hilarious. Aren't we all speaking the same language? When I've spoken to relatives on the phone that live in Florida they laugh at my accent and think its great and pass the phone around to hear the Aussie accent, I've never had trouble with people not understanding me, but I wonder if in America this will happen. My friend said that in NY he'd try to use the word 'mate' in the hope of people realising where he was from.Not that we use it that much here. Well I don't, but most guys do. When I was in Europe a lot of people said I sounded English without the snobby type accent (sorry Brits I love it so don't be offended!). I'm trying to step outside my Aussie accent bubble to see what we'd sound like to a foreign person.. It's like British english but a lot smoother and no intonation, we do shorten words a lot and some time skip over parts of words altogether, but at the end of the day I think we do OK. I think we personally speak a lot clearer than other English speaking countries -like the cockney Brit accent, of the southern American accent, (that I looove. I wish we'd say 'Y'all' and 'Ma'am') I love those accents though and I will speak to anyone with a british or American accent for as long as possible just to hear them speak. I just hope they can undersand me in return.Right-o mate?

Always the way..

2005-09-25T17:39:00.000+10:00

Weekend: well I had a hectic but wonderful weekend. The time spent in the south coast was fabulous, even for two days, and the puppy was adorable, I couldn't help but post a photo of her here, isn't she divine? She was soo playful, and so cute, I could have taken her home! Don't think our kitty would have liked that though.
Birthday celebrations were great, my sis loved her handbag and a good time was had by all..I am still in shock she's getting older. I still see her as my baby sister I used to pick up from school and walk home every day.
Today's been a hectic morning, why is it that bad things happen at the worst possible time? I slept so badly because I ate so much at dinner! so this morning I was exhausted and grumpy as most are on Monday mornings, not my mum of coruse, she' s such a morning person, and I really am not. As I was walking to my car to drive to work i stepped on dog doo, did not notice, got it all over my car and only noticed when I was about to drive off and I went to change gears. It has also been raining heavily all night, and it still is so, needless to say it was a mess. I was tired, sick and now I felt even more like gagging! Then driving to work someone cut in front of me before i turned, I went to go around them, cut a corner drove over the kerb and my car gave a loud thud, so it was not pretty.
Well, italians say it's good luck , but I am waiting for it, right now it's the worst of all gloomy mondays! where is spring?

Dressing..

2005-09-23T08:41:00.000+10:00

More on my shopping expedition..this is the dress I'm getting! I say getting because I am waiting a few weeks as to not impulse buy, I don't need it right now anyway because it's not hot enough for it.. That's not me in the photo by the way :) This is from the website of the shop I am getting the dress from... ohh I just can't wait for summery days when I don't have to wear a coat and scarf and winter shoes, I am soo sick of those dark colours, it's been a long winter. On other shopping news, one of my best friends that's in Asia on a work/holiday trip bought me a pair of gold thongs! yeay... can't wait. ok better stop all the shop talk or this is going to turn into a shopping blog!! and i am really not one of those people that shop like crazy, I didn't even buy anything this winter..so I guess that's why I'm going a bit nuts for summer.
On other non shopping news..It's friday baby! can't wait for the weekend, to give my sis her present and celebrate her bday, as well as I can't wait to visit the puppy and my boyfriends parents, ok not necessarily in that order. :) will take some pics and post them here on monday !
have a good weekend all...

Sunny days..

2005-09-22T09:46:00.000+10:00

Despite that it's only just the end of spring it's only getting a little warmer now...it's been like 17-20C every day and highly windy so I can't wait until it gets a warmer (that 40C weather is heaven for me, I know I'm weird, but I was born on a hot day in the middle of summer if that explains it), today it's meant to be 27C so I'm hanging out for it..
I thought I'd put up a pretty photo of the Sydney harbour to inspire spring!

I'm also looking around at the new season's clothes and shoes, I love all the bright colours and the comeback of white dresses and gold shoes! it's all very island-exotic style and I love it! It will go really well with the humid, hot weather we have over here, I can't wait.

I am so tired lately. I have no idea what it is, wether it's the month or the change in weather, I don't know..I have been taking all my iron tablets and vitamins despite all the havoc they wreak on my stomach, but I still feel exhausted. Here's to hoping it all goes away very soon!!
My boyfriends parents got a new puppy, so we're going there Firiday nite and coming back sunday..they live on the south coast so I'm really excited, because it's beautiful down there -- I still hold that the best beaches in Australia are the ones on the south coast, less tourist and they're just as white and sandy as North Queensland, but without the deadly jellyfish-- and it will be like a small mini break. If that makes sense!

Sunday is my gorgeous sister's birthday! she's 22. That freaks me out! I feel like I am 22, let alone the fact that my little sister all grown up. Not supposed to happen. I hope she likes her present, won't mention it here in case she's reading this..

It's thursday baby! come on weekend...

Another victory!

2005-09-20T09:07:00.000+10:00

My team won last nite in broomball, I should say our team, I am part of it. Hooray for us! We're still at the top of the comp and undefeated. As always, I feel like I didn't play hard enough and get annoyed at all the passes I miss or if I can't get the ball off people fast enough. It's a tricky sport to play, slippery, yet fast and, by God, extremely tiring! But the adrenalin rush is overwhelming, I love it, it's like skiing. My team mates tell me I am getting better, this is a huge compliment, as they're all great players and most of them have been playing for 5 years plus and I've only played 5 games! I wish I could play more than once a week, I'm sure it would do wonders for my figure as well as nothing makes me as happy as playing broomball lately, well no other sport that is! We have a two week break and I"m really going to miss it, here's to training hard so I can run faster, I have a treadmill at home for the love of God, I need to get my self into gear :)
I am starting to plan what beautiful summery things I can take on my holiday, it feels so far away but I like planning , it reminds me when I was at uni planning all that I would do after exams, and planning my study timetable (that I never stuck to) in different colours, it was lovely!

I saw these gorgeous pair of shoes yesterday, but the price tag is a bit steep....I might look around see if I can find a cheaper, similar pair..
I also want to get one of those floaty summer white dresses, but, this new season comes with a massive price tag, aren't summer clothes meant to be cheaper?

Bag it right

2005-09-18T21:58:00.000+10:00

I have an obsession with handbags lately. I don't know why, it's not like I ever change my handbag! I've gotten so lazy with the amount of stuff I have in my trusty, black leather Jag handbag, that I hardly every swap it around. I have about two shelves full of old and some new handbags I don't use, but seeing as spring just started here and the gorgeous bright colours are in, taking over dull browns and black from winter, I can't wait to get me some of that! hehe. I especially saw a gorgeous bag in Vogue, from Oroton, in pink. I am obsessed with pink, I can't deny it..not lolly, loud tacky pink, but delicate feminine pink..I love it..Anyway I saw this bag today as I dragged my dutiful boyfriend around in search for a bday present for my sis..The bag was $600AUD, so not the wisest of all purchases, and I refrained..in any case, I think for that amount I could probably buy two or three of my favourite handbags in the word...
They come from an Australian designer called spencer and rutherford
who are just amazing...if you love feminine, pretty, quirky bags...something that looks like you picked it up at an exclusive Parisian boutique but for a fraction of the price, then go forth and shop!!
Here's a photo of one of their handbags I own that I LOVE, I have to share this..

Aussie fashion, and accessories at its' best..
Now don't get me started on Sass and Bide, because then I will never be able to save for anything if I keep spending money on clothes ..but my sass and bide jeans are my favourite item of clothing!
Go forth and shop for me..

Cruel joke..

2005-09-14T21:55:00.000+10:00

I've been working quite hard at my job lately, I would like to change my job description from technical writer to 'tech writer with extras' because I somehow seem to be responsible for testing, or things not going right, etc. I dont' mind I mean, I love my job, the people I work with, my boss is really nice and a smart arse so he's always joking around and making us laugh..but when the going gets tough and its around release time, you'll know about it.
It's all the ups and downs of full time working life, I guess I'm trying to adjust. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and think 'only if I were still at uni and I was too tired to go to my lecture I could sleep in..but now I can't'. It is an effort to get up early, get ready, make yourself look hafl presentable and be awake enough to drive the 25kms to my job, in peak hour traffic. But I'm very thankful and lucky in what I have..it just feels like, out of nowhere I'm a grown up in a grown up world? No, that can't be right!
I'm still surprised to be working in an R and D enviroment, in electronics, for a huge electronics company, I mean who would have thought? I guess that's the beauty of life, you'll never know where it will take you. But I do wonder if sometimes I am just not doing enough or I don't know enough, but I guess this kind of anxiety is present with everybody..I get asked questions sometimes that I feel I should know or should be working on, and this new job has taught me so much, so quickly that it is sometimes hard to keep up.
I get asked why things don't work or if I know how to fix it, or if I remember, way back when 6 months ago when i first wrote the first draft whether this and this happened...sometimes I want to scream...I think it's a cruel joke that fate has on me in making me work with all these engineers...I did a comp sci./humanties degree (six plus years of uni!!!!!! yikes) and whereas I do think that my qualifications suit me well for my job, ie. I can write well and I understand technical stuff, Engineering is one of the hardest degrees you can do, there's a reason why I didn't do it, and I still find it hard to understand.
Not to mention that engineers speak another language and live on a differend dimension. I should know, my Dad is an engineer and I grew up with him pulling things apart, most of my friends are engineers and we had classes together.
I heaved a sigh of releif when I left uni thinking, that's it no more engineers! yeay!
Was I wrong!
I"m deciphering them on a daily basis, trying to put their jargon into english and write instructions for their super complex products that get updated on a weekly basis, I can barely keep up!
Oh well, what's life if not waking up one day and realising where you are, feeling like it came out of nowhere? It's one learning experience after the other!
And fate will play its jokes on you..that, is the one thing you can count on.

Bundle of nerves..

2005-09-12T09:37:00.000+10:00

It's amazing how much impact money has on our lives.. i know that seems kind of obvious but if you think about it the best things we have and can get don't (or shouldn't!) invovle any money. Hugs from loved ones, spending time with friends, sitting in the sunshine and admiring the beauty all around you... Yet, at the moment whilst there are so many things hanging around me money-wise that it's making me soo nervous. I have to take a step back and think, well it's not the most important thing in life, and despite all the hassles I am so lucky to have around me everything that I have.

The holiday is booked and should be off to Vanuatu in November! yeah baby! i can't wait... Last holiday I had was on a houseboat and despite the fun and adventures I really want something more luxurious and less stressful next time, so a five star island resort should do it!!( I must say most of the mishaps on the boat were my fault) But I have never been to a luxurious resort before, so I am really really excited and I really hope it works out well, God knows my boyfriend and I need the time to relax after a few stressful months.

To add to my stress this morning, Broomball is on tonite!! YIKES!! I am so not mentally prepared for it! i just rang my boyfriend in a panic and he laughed and goes 'babe, next time you ring me to tell me that something really really bad has happened please make sure it's something serious, don't scare me like that!'

SO can I help it that my Italian and French backgrounds give me a flair for the overdramatic?

Well, I want to write this here today because I have exactly two months to prep myself for the holiday..my resolutions are to a: lose weight (winter kilos and all extras!!) so i can somehow fit into a nice pair of swimmers and b. save money! Yes it sounds like those New Years resolutions that you never keep but I have already made conscious steps to eat healthier and better everyday, something tells me that saving is going to be my biggest hurdle.

See how we go, fingers crossed!!

After the storm..

2005-09-04T21:07:00.000+10:00

I am thankfully feeling a lot more clear headed than I was when I wrote my last post..which I think really helped to clear my mind..I've had a productive weekend of getting things done around the house and car and a poker night at my boyfriends house..ok the boys played poker while us girls watch a Will and Grace marathon on Arena, on Foxtel :) But it was good to chill out..It has been raining all weekend and it is so much colder than last week..back to winter weather? who knows..but I do know it's meant to be spring so hurry up and get here!
Today is also father's day here in Oz...I haven't spoken to my Dad in a long time, but I do wish him a happy father's day, in absence of many things ...
I hate Sunday nites in a way because it' s just prepping yourself for another week at work..or uni or whatever you may dread ahead...but I've started playing Broomball on Monday nites so I'm quite excited...it's a lot of excercise, I am in a fabulous team and a lot of fun. I can't remember the last time I played sport since I was in high school and was quite serious about hockey. Broomball is quite a novice concept here in Oz but my boyfriend introduced me to it, I played once and loved it so now I'm kind of hooked. I'm not usually good at sport so I'm going to take full advantage of the fact that I haven't been sliding on my butt from one end of the ice rink to the other just yet and that I've managed to play OK...here's to hoping it gets better and I can be of more use to my team!! At the end of the day it's a lot of fun and a LOT of excercise, not hard to play either so I suggest if it's around your area..give it a go!!!

So really just make up your mind...

2005-08-31T21:57:00.000+10:00

I wonder what it is in ourselves that has the power to make us so confused...I am very good at that, it always takes me ages to make a decision and sometimes my head is so meddled with a problem that I can't sort it out for weeks. I just sort of shelf it, let all the emotions about it out , and then hope that in a weeks or so's time the answer will come to me. Usually at the worst possible time, but then I feel an impulse to act on it, whatever it may be right that second.
All these wonderings are in tune with something that's going on at the moment with a friend of mine...Sometimes our emotions get the better of us and either we say things we don't mean, or dont' mean to say that way, due to the situation we're put in, and then remorse sets in. I know though, that if you dont' say what you think, or what you should, you spend so much more time thinking ' I should have said this, or I have a great comeback NOW'. ..Only if good comebacks would be whispered out of the walls in the streets like they say on Amelie...(my fave movie)
Back to the point, whatever it is, I wish I'd just settle on something , get my head cleared, because at the moment I feel as if everything is on hold...I don't know how good that is.. well at least, here's to hoping it's helping the wheels in my head turn!

Spring is in the air..

2005-08-28T18:28:00.000+10:00

Just when I was about to buy another load of jumpers, tops and winter type clothes, the faint smell of spring is in the air. Jasmine trees are very common here in Sydney and you can smell that delicious flowery scent in the crips morning and night air... It is also just taking that little bit extra to get darker...around 6pm now instead of 5, and extreme winter coats and scarfs are no longer needed...The sun still shines furiously, and it's doing its best to warm up the bare trees winter has left behind...I really love the sun here, every time I go on holidays the first thing I miss is that strong, warm, overpowering feeling the sun has here in Oz. I remember when we went to Paris and it was freezing cold but still sunny, I'd run to get in the sun but it would make no difference..an odd concept, I guess Australia is just more tropical that way...
Well, now there's only three days left of winter theoretically and I really can't wait to start going to the beach on weekends as the weather warms up..and also hopefully take some time off work to go on holidays! Still trying to decide between Vanuatu and New Caledonia...

Welcome to the world babies!

2005-08-26T11:39:00.000+10:00

One of my friends that I used to work with had two gorgeous baby girls, Amber and Summer (aren't they gorgeous names??!!), and today I will go and visit them at the hospital..I can't wait..They are so cute and my friends deservers a freaking trophy for giving birth to twins!! she's only 26 yrs old!! Gorgeous girl, and same with her hubby, he's great, the babies could not have asked for nicer, funkier parents!! I can't wait to see these girls grow up.

I'm not much of a baby person, or kid person for that matter *gasp* Don't hate me! i know most girls my age love babies....This does not mean that I'm a mean or horrible person for not liking them does it? I'm just not maternal...I'm still kind to them obviously, they are cute, but I do cringe at the site of a screaming baby or toddler at the shopping centre or worse, cinema. Whilst I know that parents and children must get out and mingle with everyday society, I dont' see the need to bring a tiny baby or a three year old to an MA 15+ movie...also there's special sessions for women and children (called 'mums with bubs') for obvious reasons! So i am not alone in this...however it does seem to affect me quite a lot (with my boyfriend calmly stating 'calm down nothing you can do about the screaming child') and I get equally annoyed when I see the mothers smacking their kids out in public, which in turn produces a massive ear ripping wail from the child. I keep thinking if you were able to control your kid to begin with, you wouldn't have to smack him like that and produce such a show in public. I know I know, I haven't raised any children so I don't know what I'm on about, but I see my mother making the same comments and she raised us so that she could take us out to restaurants and they like when we were little and we woudln't scream, interrupt, or make a mess as most kids do... Is it just me or are kids getting rudder, louder and more unbearable? So I dont know, my best friend Sunshine, agrees, that kids pick up their parents energy..if the parents are forever screaming at them and going nuts then the kids are going to be nuts as well.... I'll put the theory to the test one day and get back to you. but to me it almost always equals out good calm parents = good calm children.

What's your opinion?

Chinese gardens..

2005-08-13T13:13:00.000+10:00

Here are the photos as promised, there's even one of me! hehe ..far away though so you can appreciate the architecture...ok i'm posting this before blogger crashes again, it already crashed three times on me!

Going , going GONE!

2005-08-13T12:38:00.000+10:00

I've just come back from an auction accross the road..I didn't go there on purpose I wsa walking back from the dentist and I heard them going on so I thought' I'd have a nosey (Aussie for stickybeak) and check it out. Never been to one before but one thing I did know is to stay perfectly still!!! Didn't want to accidently bid and then have to sell my soul to pay for a house! hehe. It's a gorgeous day outside, at a cool 14C but very sunny and clear skies...the snow has brought us one of the coolest days of the year in the past week and it's very windy..Still no excuse to drive when I can walk...It was so exciting after my horrible ordeal at the dentist (who said getting your teeth cleaned wasn't painful??) to walk back and see this auction in action. Funny that yesterday I read an article about how Sydney is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in due to high property prices, the average small house here is around $500 000 AU. I thought they were kidding! But this auction, a tiny two bedroom house with an attic, sold for $575 000. I do live in a very nice suburb close to the city which is one of the oldest in Sydney ( I still live at home though no way I could afford living here on my own!) so this is a bit of an exclusive little area of course it's not near the water or in the East, over there you'd probably pay twice as much..
I'm flabbergasted! To see that tiny house sell for so much, and these two couples fighting it out...the auctioneer was going off 'we're going to sell today ladies and gentlemen no doubt about it, 575 thou, do i have any other offers? sir, you don't want to miss out by 2 thousand' soo tempting! I think I'd better not go to an auction any time soon, I'd bid out of excitement!

No more shots!

2005-08-10T21:11:00.000+10:00

I'm not talking about alcohol. I can't remember the last time I had a glass of wine or a cowboy shot! But today i got one of the less fun shots, a tetanus one...Last nite at my boyfriends flat, there were cardboard boxes laying around..and i stepped on one of them then hopped in pain ..there was a nail underneath that pierced the cardboard and my foot. Turns out it was rusty, so I went to the docs and got a very unpleasant shot which has made my arm swell..! but i haven't updated here it two weeks and i swore that i would tonite, so I am sure you're all eager to hear my news :) Things have been hectic and a bit drama-filled around here , hence my absence. But it should hopefully all settle down soon..
It's still mighty cold and very windy. Only at night though, the days have been nicer and there's a small hint of spring in the air...just one more month! I can't wait! it's also snowing in Melbourne and Canberra which is a bit rare-- the chilly winds have hit Sydney though.
As far as I know, it's never snowed here but if it does, you'll be the first to know!
I went to the Chinese gardens in Darling Harbour in the city yesterday and they were fab...will post some pics tomorrow..
I love Asian gardens, decor, fashion you name it. It's all so different from the everyday world, and in Australia we're lucky enough to be close to Asia so we have a very prominent Asian culture. Amongst my fave movies are The House of Flying Daggers and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon..and yesterday I felt like I was in a Bamboo Forrest! Awesome!
I wonder how many of these there are in other non-Asian countries?

How to...stupify society in one hit!

2005-07-27T20:46:00.000+10:00

I know most of you will probably be annoyed at this but I really really hate Big Brother and Australian Idol. Big Brother- I dont' think I have enough space to write about the show, but who cares? a bunch of stupid people you don't know doing stupid things to see who can last the longer? who came up with such an idiotic idea? What gets me is the amount of people that Love this and the fact its all over the radio and everyone talks, writes, thrives on it. Here the fifth (?) season of BB is just ending..in time for Australian Idol 3 to start again! Out of the two I'd say idol is the least evil but still...they also love to ridicule people on it and I can't imagine how much people must hurt at some of those auditions, the judges are so harsh! I do enjoy sometimes watching the final episde, well just the singing bit to see what they're like but I can't sit there for months on end every week to see what's happening.
No sir.
I read that BB was banned in France because it encouraged voyeurism? I dont know about that, people will always be voyeuristic. But it sure as all heck is an insult to our intellectual levels... are we really that stupid that we enjoy watching people we dont' know do nothing ? for the sake of it? I just don't get it!
Yes i'll watch Newlyweds and you could say I dont' know Jess and Nick but I know OF them. at least they're famous, they have careers and it follows their lives. I admit its not good but it's not as bad as BB ...To this day I've never watched an episode of BB, and despite the growth in popularity of the show, I think people are losing interest here. Out of all my friends and workmates I think I know only a handful that watch it...I still stand there and tell them I hate it... anyway.. what brings me to it is that I watched Supersize me the other day- fab movie I highly recommend it. One of the points Morgan brings up is that as society is getting fatter , it's also getting dummer (in America)...I know that's happening here too... They've had to make some high school tests harder because they weren't up to international standards. I know in Australia heart disease is one of the major causes of death and that 1 in every 5 people are overweight and obese... So who's fault is it?
Well...I don't know if we can really point the finger at McDonalds, we're all individualy responsible for our own health..But I still wonder why a cheeseburger costs $3 and a salad will cost me $10 at lunchtime.
Shouldn't it be the other way around if we're trying to encourage people to be healthy?

Hello Kitty!

2005-07-23T14:02:00.000+10:00

I have the world's most beautiful cat, but I'm biast, I can't beleive I haven't posted a picture of my darling Kitty , Perikles...who will be 1 yr old on the 10th of August..
Without further ado..
Meet Perikles! a completely spoilt, but absolutely gorgeous russian blue kitty... who sleeps, chases balls and climbs just about everywhere possible. Also he's my personal alarm clock..
All this attention is making him tired so he'll be going back to sleep now...

He really is the exact ice-grey colour that you see on the photos, it's more of a silvery grey..He's got beautiful green eyes and he's as sharp as anything. Also , he's an indoor cat... as they're not bred to be outside, but he prances around the house like he owns the place and in effect he does!

Birthdays and Beer..

2005-07-20T22:30:00.000+10:00

This wouldn't be an Aussie blog if I didn't write about beer...but
I dont drink beer, least of all Australian beer! (yes sorry guys but its shocking!) Last nite I did have some Belgian and Dutch beer though..but before I go on:
Today is a good friend of mine's birthday, Michel..in sunny ole Amsterdam..
I hope you have a fab day and this next year brings you all the happiness and love you deserve!
I've met so many Dutch people, both when I've been overseas and in Australia..they're by far one of the funniest and friendliest people I've come accross...and one of my dearest friends is married to a Dutchman here in Oz.
Shame on me for not making it to Holland yet but I promise to be in the land of cheese, clogs and canals next time I make it to Europe...
Last nite we went to a Belgian beer Café in The Rocks that's super hot at the moment, everyone goes there and it was completely packed on a Tuesday nite..lucky Mr R had booked it ages in advance and I really had a fab nite... I drank some fruity Belgian beer, and an award winning Dutch one.. It was great, also had some delicious mussles...Worth a visit next time you're around the area..For dessert? Belgian waffles covered in Belgian chocolate and vanilla ice cream! yummy..again, Belgian and European chocolates outdo all others... I can't even eat Cadbury anymore!
Am i really an Aussie? shame on me!Well I do love Vegemite and meat pies, that's the important thing.

Moon on earth..

2005-07-20T21:55:00.000+10:00

For all you geeks out there like me who just can't get enough of Google Earth I just saw Google Moon, apparently marking the anniversary of the first Appollo mission..totally cool! Does anyone else think it's totally unreal to have these tools at the click of our fingers? who would have thought that in 2005 you could access for FREE satellite images of the Earth... it's crazy.
I've found Sydney on Google Earth and I can even see my street...it's not very high resolution or as detailed as the US sites but still incredible.. I think it's also good for checking out places overseas and loved ones around the world, who knows they may have just been walking down the street when the satellite snapped them up!

So really it's not just me!

2005-07-19T08:42:00.000+10:00

Meant to write this last nite, but internet was unavailable....It was 0C (degrees celcius) last nite! yes I'm not kidding! the funny thing was on the radio, on the way home from work there was a sort of alert warning for Sydney residents. "We have just been adviced by the weather bureau that it will be 0C tonite in Sydney and -3C on the Western suburbs and the Blue Mountains. I'd beleive that because it's very cold over there..but in the city? no way Jose. Despite the heater in my room and various layers I was still freezing downstairs... We're just not as prepared in Australia as Europe is (bless those pipe heaters!!!). I remember in Paris and in Switzerland how everywhere you went to it was so warm...I don't even know what those heaters that are attached to walls in apartments are called?..we dont' have them here! We are honestly not prepared for that sort of weather. Ok I promise this is my last boring post on the weather..i just wanted to show the situation...
Although really I'm not surprised..when you think about it, Sydney is meant to be one of the most unpredictable weather places in the world..Dont' I know it!

Magic's in the air!

2005-07-17T12:01:00.000+10:00

I'm so excited that the new Harry Potter book has come out, but a busy weekend has stopped me from reading it! Also to save a bit of money as I'm ultra broke this month due to registering my car (it really is an expensive excersise here in Oz I'll go into detail next time) my sis and I are going to go halves on the book..so she's got it already and has been reading it...I'm hoping to start reading it tonite. But I might not get a chance as Im taking her to see Bewitched with Nicole Kidman...I cant' wait! since boyfriend didn't want to see it, I guess it is a girly movie, I've had to wait a while and thankfully Maz will see it with me! SO all around us magic is in the air I suppose..Also to celebrate the weather gods have heard my complaints and we've had a supah sunny weekend...17C yesterday and all sun and blue skies.... really nice..let's hope it lasts a bit as the air is very cold and crisp, we need all the warmth we can get!

2005-07-15T09:18:00.000+10:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Weather Gods have condemned us!

2005-07-14T11:34:00.000+10:00

Brrrrrrrr... pass the vodka flask. it is so so insanely cold. The thermometer in my room read 12C this morning.. I thought surely its' just this super cold house i live in (high ceilings, victorian style) But when I was driving to work the outside thermometers on buildings read 13C. Are you mocking us weather gods? sydney siders can't handle this much cold! Look around you! you'd think we're in the South Pole! I've never seen more scarves and coats and gloves..maybe in Switzerland when it was snowing. Well over here we can't handle it so stop it! i know its the middle of witner but this is just ludicrous!! At least i get to wear my pink coat to work ...

End weather whinge, i really do have more super exciting things to talk about! like the Harry Potter book is coming out in TWO DAYS baby! I'm excited. Although I have such a busy weekend I might not get time to read it. Another one of my friends is leaving Super non Sunny Sydney for work..but he's going to Brisbane..so not too far... Despite its boringness and lack of style I know Brisbane is a very warm place.

Now stop talking silly and pass me the hip flask!

Solidarity

2005-07-08T08:48:00.000+10:00

That's the only word that comes to mind when I think about what happened in London, we need to help. Being the motherland to Australia there are over 300 000 Australians living there. I have yet to confirm one of my best friends that works in the middle of London is ok but I am staying positive. I can only hope Australia is doing the right thing in helping out and thinking logically about it all.

2005-06-16T12:19:00.000+10:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Lost and Found..

2005-06-10T10:00:00.000+10:00

Sorry for the lack of posts life is hectic here in dear old Sydney.

The weather's been a lot warmer and not so cold (remember cold is anything below 20C) and it's been sunny. Yeay!

On monday it's a public holiday, the Queen's bday. The Queen of England , who I am told does not celebrate her bday on this day nor do English people have a public holiday on Monday either. but who cares! what's important is that we get a day off....

Haven't made any plans yet, but I will do my best to spruce up the blog and make it a little prettier..it just looks so sad and dusty with this blogger template!

One of my dearest and bestest friends has lef to go and live in Vietnam...I miss her a lot as she's one of those cool chics you can tell anything to and has a super relaxed attitude to life, we have a lot in common , although she's a lot braver than I am and I hope we can catch up soon.

I watched an episode of Lost last nite which was interesting to see how much of Sydney there is on it, what's funnier is that the only way they identify a character being in Sydney is by showing the opera house.... hmm..fair enough I guess but there is so much more to see. Interesting nevertheless, as there's an Aussie girl on the show and many characters who's life had come to Sydney before hand...

I always worry that no one really cares about Australia too much and its more of a holiday destination for German tourists than anything else and it's not taken seriously but it's good to have found Sydney on a super famous Tv show such as Lost.

Now only if they brought Desperate Housewives here and Jesse Metcalfe woud come over..hmm then my life would be complete!

Are you living your plan B?

2005-06-03T14:33:00.000+10:00

I heard this on the radio today and it made me think...how many people are doing what they're doing because Plan A didn't work out..or is that just life?

I thought about me...I always wanted to finish uni and live overseas for a while..but I also wanted to finish uni full stop, after so many years there it seemed never ending. When the opportunity came to work for a huge multi national company and start a new career so quickly I took it...also the fact that I'm with my boyfriend makes me want to stay here, and my family my friends of course...I'd love to venture overseas but doing it alone is kind of daunting. Maybe it was a lot easier to dream when there wasn't anything holding me back....but now , when you think about it, it's a lot harder to do this! maybe if i didn't have so much holding me back here in Sydney I would have ventured out..I certainly didnt' expect to be getting the first job I went to before my final exams finished, and certainly never thought I'd be working as a Tech writer.

A what? well more on that another time. It's a great job, i have a really good boss who teaches me a lot and I've learnt more than I thought possible in the few months that I've been there.

So I am not sure if it's plan B or the plan I always wanted, but I thought that running away overseas was also a good way of escaping from achieving everything I thought I could achieve...

The reality is, I'm happy with the way things are at the moment and what I have achieved, I didn't think I would have but I worked hard to get here. So let's call this, I'm living my draft copy, plan A and B were the ones I was going to live, if the original didn't pan out. But so far it has....let's see where it takes me.

If not I'll turn to Plan A and maybe B, I know there's lots to experience out there.

Save Sydney!

2005-05-31T10:33:00.000+10:00

No, today I'm not writing about reality TV! But the real thing.

Yesterday on the Sydney Morning Herald there was an article on how much Sydney is falling apart, because of the polution, population growth as opposed to development, poor transport system, etc. It's in crisis..I had no idea..I knew that our transport system had deteriotaed substantially, now it's basically impossible to catch a train on time, but I had no idea it was this bad.

If you're interested it's worth a read and can be found here, it's not too long..and highly recommended if you want to know a bit more about this place.

It really makes me sad, this is just a gorgeous city, and to think the government has been neglecting it this badly, is truly depressing.

Water restrictions are crazy too, it's impossible to wash your car, water your garden, etc and other things people take for granted. Also despite the fact we keep saving water , more restrictions will be enforced in July...i really wonder what's next...i heard the water board was going to charge people more for water, because of all the restrictions and people using less water, they weren't making enough profit! really! thanks water board, that will just make everyone hose down the concrete and their cars..Sydneysiders are too proud and don't take well to bullying...from what i can see.

We can only hope it gets better. I try to do as much as I can for the environment, I hope everyone does the same.

Save Sydney! and this time I'm not talking about a restaurant..

My reality TV P2.

2005-05-30T09:01:00.000+10:00

I meant to add this the other day, but in the hastiness of all that is happening I haven't had time.

My only other reality TV show that I watch , finished last nite. It's called My restaurant rules, and it's a show, where

people from every city in Aust get given money to start their own restaurant and then get nominated to leave, whoever gets the most votest stays..etc until there's a winner.

The Sydney team opened this super trendy restaurant Pink Salt..and they made it through to the final..but last nite they lost! I was so shocked, to see Adelaide win, especially over their controversial menu that not many people liked...Pink Salt was fab had a great menu with a super famous french chef and always got top reviews..

The team from Adelaide are parents with two kids..the Sydney team are two 23 yr olds Uni grads ( i think I've seen Evan before at my uni!) so I'm wondering if for some reason people are not thinking that two young adults deserved the win as much as the parents from small Adelaide. I dont know, i guess it depends on who watches the show. Sydney were tipped to win though..and everyone is shocked they didn't . I heard on the radio this morning that it was probably because Sydneysiders are too cool to vote, whereas nothing is happening in Adelaide so the whole town gets behind them. It is probably true! I have to admit that Sydneysiders are the least liked people in Australia, although we are the most popular city ..or we think we are! ;) so maybe because we think we're so fab and so above everyone and everything we often lose sight of reality and forget to get our butts down and do what it takes to win or get ahead. It's happened before, so hopefully this was a bit of a wake up call to Sydney supporters!

I do loved Bella and Evan, they were totally gorgeous throughout the whole process and Bella had some fab marketing ideas..better luck next time I guess!

New Lifestyle..

2005-05-29T09:54:00.000+10:00

I went to a nutrionist the other day as I've had severe digestion problems and ... surprise surprise I'm on a detox diet, well eating plan, i hate the word diet! Thing is, doctors have always thought I was gluten intolerant but then I had other symptons so they're not sure what it could be...the nutrionist suggested something smart. Let's try not eating gluten, yeast or dairy for four to six weeks and then we'll re introduce everything and see what makes you sick again! ok! i'd love to get rid of the overly sick feeling i get after every meal, or the bloating which makes me feel pregnant (not that' i've ever been pregnant!) anyway, I'm looking forward to making a positive change towards my eating habits and cleansing my system out.
I had no idea how expensive this was going to be though!! there's heaps of gluten free and yeast free and dairy replacement products out there...at a cost..so after spending over $100 at the supermarket yesterday I'm set for the week and have stocked up my cupboards...
Here's to a healthy new lifestyle..
Chocolate, cheese, bread, I shall miss thee..

My reality TV

2005-05-24T08:46:00.000+10:00

I vowed I'd never watch reality TV, but as it progressed, my first downfall was Newlyweds... despite laughing at my sister for watching it, I sat down once and loved the fact that I could get to see inside a celebrities home (i want that house! and her wardrobe!!), day to day life and how they deal with relationship problems (well the ones they're willing to show you!). More than anything, I loved Jessica's honesty, she's ditzy and she's not afraid to show it to the world, it's take it for what she is or leave it. Who would have thought being yourself could make you famous? well it's definitely worked and I think it's given a positive message out there...be yourself. I'm one to make obvious comments at time, without realising it, as I often speak before I think or just question stuff that I don't really think about. As it provides my friends endless entertainment, and I cop endless ribbing (ie. they laugh at me!!) from everyone in my family as well, I always laugh it off and they also become classic comments, so i've learnt to live with my ditziness at the best of times! Thing is, I work with a lot of engineers and have a lot of serious stuff I do day to day which is quite hard so it keeps me real to laugh and question every day things I don't understand. This seems to be a positive in an awesome book I got given for my graduation...."Don't sweat the small stuff" which states that 'pretend everyone is enlightened but you' this allows you to open your eyes and heart to the world and let people show you the way they see things, and life becomes a constant learning experience, instead of trying to prove that we're right all the time.
Interesting, so moral of the story kids, be yourself, and love it, because if you don't, nobody else will!

My thoughts to Vivi

2005-05-17T09:14:00.000+10:00

I just want to make a note that all my thoughts are with the gorgeous Vivi today, may all the strengh in the world be with you and your family through this difficult time...

Naked in the rain..

2005-05-17T09:01:00.000+10:00

It's raining ! i mean, pouring , pelting, bucketing, and any other form of Aussie slang you want to use for this god awful weather that wakes me up in the middle of the nite as the rain pounds on the roof...it's nice until it wakes you up!
One of my fave radio shows this morning, the Kyle and Jackie O
had a stint where one of their new employees was dared to stand in the rain, naked, in the middle of peak hour traffic , in Bondi Junction and Syd Enfield drive, this is one of the busiest intersections in Sydney..the girl did it! apparently she was really gorgeous, blonde swedish looking type...but still! crazy, girl, it's raining and it's damn cold. I wouldn't do that for a million bucks...
She had to go and stand there in a bath robe and ugh boots and drop her robe when Kyle instructed her too, as well as smoke a cigarette naked. In the end she didn't smoke but just stood there naked!! I bet all the men in peak hour traffic loved it!
Luckily I dont' work near Bondi Junction so I avoided this mayhem..but it was hilarious...goes to show what radio station will do for ratings, or what a new person will do for fame? also, i wonder if it's illegal to walk around naked...i thought it was..but apparently not!!
we'll see if it surfaces up in the papers tomorrow...i'll keep you all posted, especially if there are any men out there that read this..
there are photos of the girl on the website, but she's not naked! they at least, held back there..

And that, maties, is how crazy Sydney siders are, yes I bet all you Melbournians are shaking your head in disbeleif! hehehe :)

Times like these..

2005-05-12T16:36:00.000+10:00

I love that line it reminds me of Jack Johnson's song 'on and on' ..
Sorry for the lack of posts, I know everyone's been eagerly awaiting what life is like overhere and why the hell haven't i changed my blog?
well Blogger is driving me bananas and am thinking of moving to Xanga or something similar, or anyone got any other suggestions I'll gladly take them, because it just seems too hard to change my blogger template with HTML style, it reminds me of uni days I'd rather forget.

So life has been very hectic, I had a car accident a few weeks bad..but thank God I am ok, I was just driving along and this man coming the opposite direction from me , turned right without looking and smashed right into my driver side door, ie ME! (for those of you who are puzzled by this in Australia we drive on the left hand side of the road, like James Bond! hehe.) My car skidded to the kerb, (like 5 metres) and stopped there. I was really hysterical as I was so not expecting this, I wasn't turning nor stopping , nor was it my turn to stop , or look or change lanes. Anyway I jsut started crying I think from shock, I remember thinking "why did someone hit me?" it was really weird that for a moment it all felt very personal! how strange is it, how our minds react when we're in shock! anyway the man told me to get out of my car and to sit down, I rang my boyfriend to pick me up and then sorted things out ...it took two weeks for my poor little Festiva to get repaired but now she's back on track (got her back on Monday) HATE driving now! and the fact I have to drive to work it doesn't help.

Oh well I'm sure I'll get over it soon, it's just a matter of time. I know I'm VERY lucky because my car copped all the damage and I didn't , and it could have been so much worse...

On the upside, I went on holidays last week on a houseboat on the Hawkesbury rive...it was fabulous! -will try and post some pics when I'm home...Which reminds me I have to do some apartment hunting this weekend....crazy.

Weather's been cold and a bit cloudy...i guess winter is near!! ahhh Thankfully last week on the houseboat we had fab weather...

Ohh the week before I had my graduation! very exciting, as a present I got a PINK iPod mini! YEAY, pink is my fave colour, get very teased with my friends because I always wear pink some way or another :)

I'm back..

2005-04-15T16:13:00.000+10:00

After almost a month (!) of not posting, I've rejoined (hopefully) the online world! thanks Katie and Gracey for your comments! :)
I've got the pictures ready to re-vamp the template and make this more Sydney like.
Speaking of Sydney, its become so grey and sad the past few days but we did have some fab weekends when R and I went to a few great parks and waterfront places..I'll post some photos up soon..
I'm looking for an apartment so the search is on, it's just amazing how expensive it is to live here. I heard on the news yesterday than it's cheaper to buy property in New York and Paris and Florida and numerous other places than it is in Sydney. That's outrageous!! This is a gorgeous place and all but location wise, come on, it takes about a day's plane travel to get from here to the other side of the world..in fact from Sydney it will take you 7 hours by plane just to leave Australia! it's a massive place. From New York to Paris I'm thinking it only takes 9 hours (correct me if i'm wrong) so that would be a fabulous place to live.
Ok here endeth my property and Sydney debate, hopefully one day I'll be able to afford a waterfront apartment (I wish!) but dreams are free..
I'm now going to get busy ftp-ing the pics I want to use as a background.
Hope everyone has a fab weekend!!

2005-03-23T23:15:00.000+11:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Photos

2005-03-23T22:45:00.000+11:00

I managed to put some photos of bowls using Hello, quite exciting and easy to use. Sorry I haven't changed the blog lay out.. it pains me when i look at it, it looks more like a bland sydney sun set than the sun and it's too pastel for my choice but I am exhausted tonite and spent most of it watching DVD's after work! Long Easter weekend ahead! yeay!! Happy Easter everybody.. will study the in and outs of blog layout-ing then and try to come up with something original.
Good nite I am soo tired work is very tiring..

2005-03-23T22:41:00.000+11:00

Good bowl!

2005-03-23T22:35:00.000+11:00

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