minivan megafun

Minus -13 C!

2010-12-15T08:40:00.000+11:00

I cant believe its so cold here.

Ive seen 3 types of horizontal sized snowflakes outside the window of my office today. Go figure.

inspired.

2010-09-17T00:07:00.004+10:00

paulo coehlo.

i think youre inspiring.

sitting in cafe. with laptop = happy

2010-09-15T02:41:00.002+10:00

hi there.

i feel alot more connected here in Canada than i have in a really long time.

i am in toronto sitting in a local cafe. its pretty 'shi shi' here, but its all good.

is it because i have a new exciting job venture? is it because this city has things going for it that vancouver is half asleep (or perhaps a little stoned) to wake up to?

im amazed @ the possibilities.

I am excited.

london treats

2010-09-11T14:37:00.003+10:00

hmm... enthusiasmada...

unpacking. moving. tiring.

2010-09-11T03:51:00.001+10:00

observations from moving.

its amazing what stuff you find youve accumulated. what to throw away. what to keep.

i love books. but i only brought my big journal... travelling with books is heavy.

strange though, i am going to be working for a book publishing company. the whole concept of reading on an ipad (a kindle actually appeals to me more) is amazing. thousands of books @ my disposal on a very light and portable device.

d.r.e.a.m.

this is the future of publishing. i know it.

couldnt find my iq

2010-09-11T03:50:00.001+10:00

i decided id do a free test. i think its bogus.

Free-IQTest.net - Free IQ Tests

TORONTO

2010-09-10T02:53:00.002+10:00

So I am here... and I feel inspired to blog again after quite a long hiatus of nothing...

I am BACK people!

It may be because I have 2 new cool roomies I have just literally met and arrived here in TO and I am inspired to bring back MND from a few years back... but Canadian style!

Am very excited about my new internship/job @ S&S book publishers starting in a week 1/2!!!!

anxiety

2010-08-17T18:43:00.001+10:00

feeling antsey.

waiting to hear some news. will let you know once i find out...

funny observations

2010-08-08T13:24:00.002+10:00

the steamclock and the tourists that group together... the sounds every 1/4 hour... give me a chuckle.

sunshine.

on the flipside...

i enjoyed riding my bike in the rain today... first day of rain in vancouver for weeks! (also reminds me why I am on my way out of here!)

good food. just had steak... hmm...

the strange and interesting folk that are mostly homeless around gastown... so many look like 'tom hanks' in ... what was that movie where he's stranded on the island like robinson crusoe and makes friends with the volleyball "wilson"?

oh- and i have a slight gripe. Im not usually one to just hand money out to the many homeless around here, because most of them are junkies ( i prefer to buy food)... so when a guy approached me 'not for money' he said... but ' could you buy me some bread, jam and peanut butter for me and my girlfriend?' ... i just came back from a hotyoga class and was in a good mood. So i did. What did i do? I left my favourite drink bottle on the counter...

upon going back to the store the next day... (once i realised where I had left it) ... the guy funnily enough who i bought the food was there, but he HAD TAKEN MY DRINK BOTTLE. (thats the last time i will see that)... c'mon man, it wasnt for you to TAKE!

oh well. those are my funny observations for the day.

im out.

inspired to write

2010-08-06T16:47:00.003+10:00

so... I am in a great mood.

hot yoga will do that to you.

no rain for a month will help the process.

summertime and heading to bowen island going for a bike riding/ hiking / swimming adventure for the day is ... WOOT WOOT.

excitement.

its time for a new rhyme

2010-07-30T15:36:00.002+10:00

ok. so ive been so minivan-megaslack...

i think i just come up with random stuff to post on my blog when im in the mood.

ive come to the conclusion that one must write and bore her blog followers irrespective of whether one 'feels' like it or not.

I think the biggest loss of not posting as I have gone along this past year... is that you havent seen the changes and development of my many vancouver 'moods'.

this place has a way of drawing out the best and the worst in one's exploration of the self...
ok, that may sound obscure, even a little mis represented.. but the truth is... until you live here in Vancouver and experience it for yourself... will you know what the heck im talking about.

i guess part of my job here is to explain as best as i can, without slamming this place...

yes. it is beautiful.
yes it is green.
yes it is laid back.

but yet... the people can be vain. impolite. unfriendly and seemingly 'polite' but fake.

i could divulge further,

but since people tend to like to listen to the good bits... i will proceed to tell you just how COOL Whistler is and how i got to see the Olympic games while working up at Cypress Mountain earlier in the year... yet... that will just make you jealous.

ha. I dont know. I dont like to alienate, maybe im giving my blog too much kudos for that, but either way... this has been a journey and one in which is only just beginning.

also. Im turning 30 in november. that will be a startling revelation... haha. despite the fact I will remain looking like a university student for a while to come. i will embrace my youthful appearance and love it when im 80 years old and i wont look a day older than 60. Until that day comes, I will just embrace the fact that I am chameleon like in the way i relate to people. 21 year olds think im their age... people in their 30's can tell I am older by the way i speak and by my experiences, despite my youthful appearance... and 40 year olds just dont know what to think... and grandmas will always call us 'youngins'.

ok. ive said enough. oh, and i had a 2 for one at my local net cafe. im very happy. just consumed a grande teacup of dark hot chocolate. onto the rooibos for round #2. *ding ding!

January 2010

2010-01-22T18:42:00.001+11:00

WOW.

Realised its been a while since ive blogged...

So much has happened in the space of a few weeks!!!

Ive worked on a ski mountain... we all lost our jobs... but now we have compensation.... ive been on a road trip to Sunpeaks...

ive settled in happily to Gastown and found my way downtown in Vancouver...

and well... things are going well!! YAY!

thoughts

2009-11-30T19:03:00.001+11:00

i had something funny to post, but as usual, when it came to me coming back to writing it... i have forgotten it.

must remember to write blog ideas down when im commuting on the bus and get some ideas...

btw. i moved house today! its working out quite uncannily well... update soon xo

she's a movin house!

2009-11-26T07:57:00.003+11:00

GASTOWN baby! YEAH!

weather without you

2009-11-18T03:46:00.002+11:00

i see some partial blue sky this morning (which always gets me excited)!

the weather here in good ol' vancouver is just a green plant's ideal retreat.

its rained here non stop for at least 3-4 days (this is 'normal')

so its no wonder that lack of vitamin D has been slacking off from my immune system.

Im not sure if its the case of the 'S.A.D's... (seasonal affective disorder)

but i am definately feeling the pinch!!! (maybe its also because my tan has significantly disappeared from an expresso to a caffe latte)

cross cultural confusion

2009-11-13T11:05:00.003+11:00

im having one of my 'moments'. no, not one of those ' did you just look at me and i looked at you and we had a 'moment'.

im talking about those times when i get lost in my bevy of thoughts, and my silly brain goes wandering and thinking and spiralling.

so... i thought id at least try to break that cycle and read up on my favourite commie bloggers feed and see what everyone else is doing because i tend to find solace in hearing other's stories, their poignant 'lists' thanks leslie and other's insights.

as im sitting in a house in the burbs, i am appreciative (because thats what is good to do) to have a roof over ones head... but I am at that point that is necessary to break out and see new things and start new projects. cant wait!!

"H" "one" "N" "one" aka "Hiney"

2009-11-04T19:12:00.004+11:00

so... its winter season coming up here in north america/canada and well... the epidemic media hype (and pharmaceutical company windfall during recession)... has definately heated up.

So many of these H1N1 vaccines have come into canada... not kidding... something like 2 million flu shots are going be available and 'most' people in the 'top 6' categories of importance... namely children under 5, pregnant women, healthcare workers etc etc will get priority and shots up until Christmas.

Oh My Goodness. People have gone insane.

I know its important to be vaccinated against certain diseases and preventative measures are always wiser than reactionary measures for any problems... however... its just amazing how much fear has gripped people...

i still believe that more people die from the regular flu every year than so far has occurred with this strange strain of flu virus.

more people die from heart problems, cancer, aids and the rest, but you do not tend to see world wide proportions of cigarette banning or crackdowns on childhood obesity or ensuring correct educational resources are provided to those most vulnerable to certain ailments.

i'll get off my soapbox for now, but I guess our world has all its problems lopsided...

This might cause a few scorned respondents...

but if people really believe in Darwinism... would you think that H1N1 is just another way to weed out for survival of the fittest?

Truth be told... we're ALL going to die someday....

Mind you, I havent personally said that I believe any of the crap i just wrote, but I do seriously wonder where we put our energies sometimes in saving our world. Meanwhile... people die needlessly day after day in war-torn and impoverished nations... or even in our own backyards... but somehow, somewhere in the 'west' they'll spend billions of dollars over a strain of flu that may or may not infect you and in fact, you may or may not die from and lets face it... these shots do not actually PREVENT you from catching it!! It might just slow the virus down...

Ok. my rant here is done.

ps. i still feel sorry for the poor pigs who have now been ostracized for spreading something thats a little scary....

life in vancouver

2009-11-03T10:56:00.004+11:00

so... to get a bit deep, then downright hilarious...

I am learning so much about life here in "van city" (yes thats right! its called van city!).

craigslist for one... is such a dodgy looking but incredibly useful website!

I have decided that its time to move downtown! While life in the burbs has its plusses... hmm... (cough*)... I dont think im quite there yet, to settle down with 2.3 children and a white picket fence... or so the stereotype goes!

(more like settle into regular eating wonton noodle fests while 2.3 nieces and nephews run rampant and diapers need to be changed... is more where im at these days!)

so... to lighten the load... i thought id share some of my findings on this elusive 'craigslist' for rental properties downtown...

Spacious, simply furnished room on 2nd floor of small but securty apartment building. Two storeys only. Ground floor is restaurant with karaoke, 2nd floor are a few residential units occupied by young working professionals and university students. Friendly residents, all are English speakers. If you take this room, you will share washroom and kitchen with other two young but matured males. Shared laundry room on the same floor, share wireless internet with other residents or install your own. Available on Dec 1, 2009. Rent $495 including water, gas and hydro. Term lease required. No pet, no smoking, no drug, no any illegal activity is permitted in the premises. Close to all public transit. Walking to Gastown, Downtown and Vancouver Port. Direct bus #4 and #7 to UBC and Emily Carr University and Bus#135 to SFU, shopping within block. 24 hour notice is required to view the place. Call manager......

I just ADORE the green floor! (haha, not)

I think the bits that made me laugh the most was that 1) it is upstairs from a karaoke place 2) the other two blokes are 'young but matured' (what are they, some schizhophrenic graded cheese?) and that well... thats enough to make me laugh...

hope you enjoy my journey to find a place in downtown!! will update again soon.

caffeine

2009-10-10T17:24:00.001+11:00

im quite caffeine sensitive...

if i have a coffee at 10am. i'll still be wide awake at midnight... yes. it effects me that much.

so... to lay to rest any suspicions that hot chocolate, green teas and whatever have caffeine... i found this table on line! There IS caffeine... but not a lot of it... which kinda answers my question...

how much caffeine have you calculated you consume in a day?!

i tend to stick to herbal teas, chais, and hot chocolates... although i do worry that because its so cold here in vancouver, that i will end up like a balloon if i keep the hot choccies coming! the temptation is high in this frosty place!

blame canada

2009-09-15T03:20:00.003+10:00

i think that was a song written by or at least performed by 'ren & stimpy' back in the 90's. OR it could just be a figment of my imagination... south park maybe?

so here i am in the land of the maple leaf.

as much as the rollercoaster of fun during the first half of my 2009 year has come to a close... the adventures, travel extravaganzas and relentlessly fending off athletes foot while wearing flip flops daily in the shower are all but fading memories...

relief is an understatement... shock awe and cultural readjustments surround me... and well. reality.

crap blogger

2009-09-15T03:19:00.000+10:00

i think you know why!

responsible travelling-- giving.

2009-05-23T12:08:00.001+10:00

i thought this was kinda helpful. the trickiest one about giving money to beggers is always a tough one... i pretty much thought this stuff already... but im glad someone´s put this together!
http://www.i-to-i.com/campfire/travel-guides/116-A-guide-to-giving-on-your-travels

jungle fever

2009-05-23T06:16:00.002+10:00

hey... its been a while since ive updated my blog...

im in a little mountain town called Boquete in the far west of Panama... i went white water rafting for the first time the other day. Grade 4. Awesome!

Other adventures have included crossing the border into Costa Rica and going to the Corcovado National Park. I saw the most amazing animals and my favourite MASSIVE blue butterflies. Went on a 12km hike and saw beautiful Jurassic Park styled wilderness... took a horseback tour to a waterfall in the jungle...

I went to the Panama - one of the locks... called Miraflores...week as well. It was FASCINATING! Alot of political influence from the U.S. Plus its right near Panama City. Believe it or not, it actually reminded me of Hong Kong. It has highrises and had small freeways much like Hong Kong, except without the massive amounts of people.

Other adventures including renting a scooter and driving around Boquete. A visit to an animal shelter called "Paradise Gardens" with the COOLEST birds including rehabilitating Toucans... one which had a fetish for biting your feet... although we met some VERY strange people there... an older lady wearing leopard skin outfit (go figure) basically trying to make love 'cuchee coo' styled fetish with an anteater. hmmm.

also... there was an 'enforced' donation of $5USD to the refuge... WHA?! Thanks for that...

Anyhoo... where to next? You will find out...

panamania!!! "rocky" balboas

2009-05-06T05:47:00.001+10:00

im going to panama! yay!

swine flu

2009-05-05T06:21:00.003+10:00

its all a bit of hype. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_04a/en/index.html

missional living¿

2009-05-05T06:20:00.002+10:00

a little bit preachy, but it puts into words about just being a good person methinks. here

is heading to Panama!

2009-05-05T06:03:00.000+10:00

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!

i quit.

2009-05-02T03:12:00.001+10:00

yes thats right.

i was paid 140Quetzales short... mi el hefe (boss) said money was stolen and well... all the staff got paycuts this week.

I DONT THINK SO!

BAck to the drawing board...

ps. i think i might need to leave antigua and come back for jo and victors wedding. im getting antigua fever... need to get out of here!

a man with a gun standing on a sidewalk.

2009-04-29T00:49:00.002+10:00

its amazing how many guns ive seen.

not to alarm you at all...

but the funniest thing i saw this morning on my way back from the gym (yes, i now go to a gym in antigua... it was my first pilates class in a while and it nearly killed me)...

anyways,..

i wish i had my camera... but it was a guy with a big rifle and a few cases of OJ. Yes thats right. Orange juice.

not sure why it was so precious... but there wasnt anything else around and he was just standing there in his uniform, with his gun... with the OJ.

oh... and the latest heckle i have recently gotten aside from the typical latin american men staring as i walk down the street is "chinita Chinita!" (= chinese girl)... oh dear...

at least thats slightly better than 'sayonara'. i get that quite a bit too.

ah... the racial jokes are coming back!

whats new pussycat??

2009-04-26T02:14:00.001+10:00

i have a job.

as a bartender. at kafka. antigua. guatemala.

i am earning hot quetzales. 8Q per hour.

thankful that i seem to earn more in tips than i do per hour.

in case you couldnt be bothered doing the currency conversion. im earnining $1 USD per hour.

HOT QUETZALES!

april 17.

2009-04-17T23:54:00.002+10:00

its officially one week since good friday...

i have been in antigua and have participated in the 'fombre' making... they have these massive processions through the streets with literally hundreds if not thousands of people... reinacting the story of Christ's death.

its really interesting.

I... helped out with these flower patterns that you make with coloured saw dust and stencilling.
they're pretty amazing... the patterns that are created... taking hours and only just walked all over by the procession just hours if not minutes later.

anyways.

i am a little non descript about all my adventures. too much to take in. i wish i was more specific.

oh, my spanish lessons are good. my teacher's name is Betty.

Me Gusta mi Maestra Betty. ( I like my Teacher, Betty).

Bueno!

Semana Santa- ing :)

2009-04-14T07:01:00.002+10:00

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE! (or all of 3 followers of my blog. THANK YOU FOR READING!) i think i will move that box from the top, cos it looks a little sad....

Anyhoo, just realised im getting internet schizophrenia because i realised that i have 1) a facebook profile and status updaterer 2) a secret facebook group (hence probably why you are here) 3) a blog account which i havent used...

and well... i dont know which platform to use half the time, because all is everywhere...

anyhooo... enough whining.

SO much happens when youre on the road for an inexplicable amount of time.

In typical van style in the past month and who knows since my last blog entry i have

gone snorkelling in belize and seen lots of amazing sea life.
have travelled through another 3 or 4 different countries
been stopped by cops 6 or 7 times throughout honduras when we were crossing borders to get from guatemala to nicaragua
eating frijoles (beans) which a BUG in it... great.
been meeting some AMAZING ppl and seeing Mayan ruins in the north of guatemala (the mayan calendar is only 24secs off the space/ anatomic clock- {pls correct me!}... they are the people that basically created our modern calendar/ clock)
been eaten alive by bed bugs
seen amazing waterfalls and natural pools.
swum in the most pristine lakes
taken spanish lessons! HOLA! Como Estas? haah
realised that nicaraguan postal service is better and more reliable than guatemalan post!

ok. there are many more things... but i cant think of them now! xo

la cucaracha

2009-03-18T03:47:00.002+11:00

just survived a nite of cochroach infested rooms.
we had found a place here in placencia, belize with 3 beds for simon, shani and i... although we kinda lost shani y.day cos she has an israeli passport and no visa. hopefully she will be reunited with us tonite!
all in the fun and spirit of cheap independent travel.

we are now staying in a room with cable tv, clean rooms, air conditioning and a fridge.

life is good again! ♥ ♥ ♥

Scuba Diving, 7 bus trips + 2 boat rides in 24 hours.

2009-03-17T12:31:00.000+11:00

Ola Chicos,I am here in Placencia, Belize... a very sleepy seaside town... Have just had the most intense couple of weeks, but fun weeks of my life in Utila, Honduras, where I am now an Advanced Scuba Diver... and I had 11 dives in 5 days... yes. I am crazy.Have met some very special ppl along the way and Simon aka "See-Mon" as the locals call him... and i have had fun hanging out wiith an Israeli girl, Shani, who we have grown very fond of... and Julia from Adelaide.I could go on and on about what has happened, but essentially... its so fun here!!In the past 24 hours we have caught 7 buses, from Honduras via Guatemala through here to Belize and taken 2 boats... a little shonky as the lifejackets were attached to a trolley at the front of the "tug" boat and well... i think we would be screwed if we really did capsize. All is good however... all limbs, brains and personal belongings are intact.Love to all and hope you are well, wherever in the world you are!!

meeting locals....

2009-02-28T14:04:00.002+11:00

so im in Granada, Nicaragua. I love it.

I also love eating local food and am enjoying trying all sorts of things that are special to the area that i am visiting.

from the Ceviche in Costa Rica (CR) which is basically lemon juice salsa thing with raw fish in it... its DELICIOUS.

anyhooo... just had a local homeless kid come and eat the dregs of my pollo (chicken) meal, plus i paid him for his reed woven cricket thing he made me. i paid the equivalent of about a $1 to this kid.. to eat the rest of my fried banana (the best fried banana chips ive had!) and gave him half of my water.

the meal was delicious too... fritas de pollo mixto.... it was on a bed of fried banana chips, banana chunks fried as well as fried chicken (they like things fried here, and frankly, so do i)... then on top a kind of salad.. more like coleslaw... and a poco (little) bag of a spicey vinegar thing with more cabbagey thing in it too-- i think its like dressing or something. I liked it. It was spicey.

Ok.... my spanish is getting better because i could manage to just order food and i went and caught the local chicken bus-- not kidding, its basically an old canadian school bus, the yellow ones... from the Masaya market today.... the locals are funny, they do make a bit of a fuss about selling to you, but generally theyre not as aggressive as the chinese, so i could handle it... i guess money talks, but i did bargan down with "precio finale" final price-- pretty much between dollar here and a dollar there, but i got excited with this crocodile leather hairclips, and i almost bought a bag... which was about $40 which wasnt that much, but being cheap, didnt buy it.

it was fun though. i love local mercados!!

i am really enjoying learning spanish... loaded with my little lonely planet phrase book (thanks mum!) its helped alot. believe it or not, i know how to say "where is" = ¿dande esta? to start pretty much every sentence.

i just have to make sure i dont say that when im asking for someones name... but i did ask the little boys name who i gave my food to at the street stall... como te llamos? "Rodrigue" he would have only been about 7 or 8. cheeky bugger.

am back at the hostel now after an eventful day and meeting other locals in nice shops.
ive found a mosaic class that will only cost me about $5. or 100 Cordobas. AM VERY excited about cheap craft class!!!!!!

i think i might jig that $25 kayak over the Islets.

Pah! Craft comes first! Priorities!!

xoxo

reflections on random encounters

2009-02-26T09:10:00.000+11:00

Highlight of yesterday. A local lady in her shop turning up a spanish version and singing her heart out to ´Total Eclipse of the Heart´aka *eclipse total del corazón*... amongst the surf, sun and beautiful beach in Santa Teresa (im still in Costa Rica... but not for long!)...

Long journey on a bus tomo to Nicaragua.... Hope i arrive alive!! Pls pray for me!!!

Bad Country== Malpais

2009-02-26T08:03:00.002+11:00

Im living in tent folks! for $8bucks a nite = aprox 4500Colones.
I have a hammock and the best view in the world of the beach. Santa Teresa. CR.

Loving it.

it is absolutely amazing and the surf is beautiful.

I wanted to stay, but now that i am here at the internet cafe and I have already booked my bus ticket to Nicaragua tomorrow, I will go...

BUT! I want to come back. I have met many canadians and others that have lived here for about 5 years.

Life is simple. Live, Eat, Surf.

Ha. I should write slogans.

if all goes well =0) my bus will arrive somewhere near here:

2009-02-26T07:56:00.001+11:00

http://www.thebeardedmonkey.com

Aye Carumba!

2009-02-24T02:32:00.002+11:00

Ola Amigos :)

I am loving Costa Rica. Surfing has been great, although the surf has been way too massive...
Anyhoo...
Thought I would update my Blog as i have a pokito tiempo (little time) to kill as I am waiting for my boat from Jaco to Montezuma... then Mal Pais / Santa Teresa...

I have met some really great people while surfing and travelling, in particular the past few days have been hanging out with 2 really lovely ladies from LA and Seattle- both flight attendents-- (the job of my dreams when i was 5 years old). While heading on the local 'Tico' (Costa Rican) bus to Manuel Antonio ( a beautiful town about an hour south of Jaco) met some Argentinian guys who have been fun to hang out with. We all got lost in the National Park together and Im figuring quite quickly that although everyone in Central and South American speak Espanol, that all their accents are quite different.

Heading to a lovely other part of Costa Rica by boat where there will be good surf and waterfalls and probably more monkeys and sloths to see :)

It is so beautiful... and HOT here, and im now back on my own again so... will hopefully meet some lovely people this week...

Also-- just in case i go missing (dont worry mum)... im catching a bus to Nicaragua on Thursday in case you guys are wondering where I am... its cheapt to travel by bus, but it will be a long bus ride... Am I Loco?

Si (yes)!

xoxo

one eleven

2009-02-18T15:54:00.001+11:00

Remember ive been noticing 1:11?

ITS A SIGN! ha!

The room number my friends were staying in Hermosa was 111. My room number here at Poseidon is 1.

Ive been checking the time and yes, its at 1:11.

I like seeing consistency in this.

Is God trying to tell me something? Or is it just one of those "Qwinky dinks?!" (coincidences)

costa rica. tica

2009-02-17T14:25:00.003+11:00

first day of surfing today. FUN. im on a 9foot board! its a little massive, but hey, its good fun. jaco beach and hermosa is amazing.

i can stand up!! apparently im a natural.

not complaining- yet. (im waiting for the stiff/sore muscles....)

also had a yoga class this afternoon. aside from getting bitten by mozzies-- it was a reaaaaaly good stretch.

will see how the rest of the week goes, but its started great and looking up! YAY!

oh, and got a free papaya. good times :D

the only thing about the hotel im staying in that i dont like is that there is no hammocks.

the place i stayed with jo on the weekend had one out the front and we had a view of the beach from our room/ balcony. bliss.

too good to be true. free macbook

2009-02-10T14:25:00.000+11:00

it is....

loving live MTV

2009-02-09T22:17:00.003+11:00

'hows your news'. this is a great new show on MTV.

read a blog review here:

official website here:

MTV site here:

Since i used to work for the Dont-Dis campaign, i think this show is pretty cool :D

Let me know what you think!!

crystal cathedral

2009-02-09T09:58:00.001+11:00

just went to the crystal cathedral. interesting.

i took a picture with moses! ha!

this is where i am headed! woooooohooooooo!!!

2009-01-16T14:20:00.000+11:00

confirmed- varicella

2009-01-15T14:00:00.002+11:00

not to be confused with vermicelli.

i have chickenpox.

wooooooooopeeeeeeeeeeee

Happy 2009.

2009-01-15T10:17:00.003+11:00

First post!

So much has happened in the last few weeks leading up to and after NYE...

I worked NYE with COS. I have not worked with the general public before around Macquarie street... but after my 14 hour shift... things were lookin a little hazy... got to see the fireworks in full swing without battling the crowds down at the opera house. cant argue with that!
Jo & Victor got officially engaged! YAY!
Witnessed Kath get married to her new husband Kristan. Such a beautiful wedding! I got to pray for them as well, which was an absolute priveledge.
Saw my sister Mich and Percy storm Sydney and have a massive family wedding party for those (99.9%) who could not make it to their celebrations in Nederlands. FUN! (unofficial photographer duties were a little taxing in 40degree heat for an afternoon tea)
Spent ALOT of time at Balmoral swimming laps everyday. I havent been this tan since school finished in year 12.
Keeping busy just cleaning up-- had another shop set up at Rozelle last weekend... made some decent cash, but will likely do it once again before jan ends.
New friendships growing and Old friendships re-visited... weddings, parties... anything.
Plus JD & Claire are now engaged too after their trip to Laos!
Whats in the water?!! Love in the air?! (... puke...)
Booked my flight to LA on the 5th of February for Asha's wedding on the 7th.
Planning to spend some travel time for a few months in CENTRAL AMERICA! WAHOOO!!
Had a mole removed with local anesthetic and scalpel this week too. Looks malignant. Yes. thats what i want to hear.
Unofficially will find out today whether these itchy bites are really chicken pox. yes siree bob. i think they are.
Subsequently due to unofficialy Pox, I am missing out on the 'Holiday of Fun' up the coast... and now even more determined to make it to my Melbourne trip next week-- despite Doctor's warnings. Ahhhh.... stuff it! Im GOING!

2008-12-27T22:58:00.000+11:00

Lord, make
us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, Grant that we may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

by St. Francis of Assisi

Merry Christmas... Disney Style :)

2008-12-25T08:04:00.000+11:00

HEY!!

now that i feel that fluck is socially acceptable...

2008-12-20T08:19:00.001+11:00

FLUCK!!!

i lost my job yesterday. thanks. i dont feel too good.

fluck this is good.

2008-12-19T21:02:00.001+11:00

Fluck

An Asian woman goes in to her local NAB Branch and begins exchanging her money.

After the transaction is complete she asks the teller 'Why it change, yesterday I get two hunat dollar for my money, today I only get hunat eighty?'

The teller looked over his glasses and says very slowly....'fluctuations'.

The Asian woman narrows her eyes and says, 'fluck you Aussies too'.

dream it list it do it

2008-12-17T11:40:00.002+11:00

I took the 43 Things Personality Quiz and found out I'm a

Self-Knowing Traveling Self-Improver

0% of the 2087 people who have taken this quiz are like you.

Great. Im a freak too. 0%? Up the anti people... click above and tell me what this silly website is telling you!

1:11

2008-12-12T01:12:00.002+11:00

I keep checking the time when it happens to be 1;11. whether thats AM or PM doesnt matter.

now that im attempting to be less ethereal (thanks for that david).

i cant sleep.

insomnia.

and because im being less ethereal, i'll just blame it on the heat. thats it. its too hot. i cant sleep.

bad reporter

2008-12-10T09:34:00.002+11:00

i thought id let you guys know that i actually went to HOMEBAKE on saturday and i LOVED IT>

why?

cos Crowded House played and they ROcked.

i love neil finn.

He's just well... so talented!

I realise that i am terrible at reporting what actually happens in my life at times and looking at some of my recent posts... i go off on this random etheral (whatever the heck that means) tangent on deep stuff, when really. i just gotta bring it right back down to earth.

i'll try that.

thoughts

2008-12-08T19:04:00.002+11:00

2 more weeks til work closes.

this is the first time in years that im actually quite looking forward to the break.

i still am enjoying my job.

what i have learnt though is... you are what you think.

one must capture negative thoughts and toss them in the bin before you get on what i call a 'negative death spiral'.

its kind of comical when you think of a 'death spiral'. a little melodromatic methinks.

anyhoo.

seniors christmas concerts on tomorrow and thursday.

over 40,000 seniors will descend to the entertainment centre over the next 2 days.

HOT! haha. not.

zimmer frames, hip replacements, hunched backs galore.

our ageing population is certainly growing.

cant wait!

Thomas Merton.

2008-12-08T09:25:00.000+11:00

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I
think that I am actually following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and will never leave me to face my perils alone.”
Thomas Merton-

feeling minivanmegadeep this afternoon.

2008-11-28T15:53:00.002+11:00

perhaps its the overcast weather. makes me wonder.

'if' by rudyard kipling

2008-11-28T14:06:00.000+11:00

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

loving handmade!

2008-11-27T11:26:00.003+11:00

Great article in the NyTimes on a chick that has made a living on all things handmade. hmm.... me want to go mega crafty! :)

happy birthday to me

2008-11-26T23:21:00.001+11:00

i got mini cupcakes at work today.
gee the public servants are generous! its the nicest workplace ive been at yet. i think its cos everyone is really relaxed and they have time to enjoy the finer things in life. CAKE!

Also had a wonderful dinner at waqu tonite with the fams. GREAT JAPONAIS food! I love Sake!! :)

francophile

2008-11-25T12:51:00.001+11:00

Im a francophile. Who would like to become a francophone.

Last time i checked, it had nothing to do with Apple ;)
(boom *tish)

moving house

2008-11-23T22:31:00.001+11:00

its crazy but its true

woolly mammoth furball

2008-11-21T14:58:00.001+11:00

I heart cupcakes :)

2008-11-20T10:20:00.001+11:00

novelty.

2008-11-17T23:59:00.001+11:00

i know it may seem reeeally obvious to those that know me, however. i just love novelty.

im a curious soul.

i also wonder whether curiosity did in fact kill the cat.

i dont want to be killed by curiosity... or by a cat for that matter.

speaking of novelty and subsequently randomness on my behalf...

im planning on embarking on a new journey of parkour.

(this activity will sit nicely with my attempts at learning breakdancing during my days of undergraduate studies at usyd!)

sick at home

2008-11-14T12:03:00.001+11:00

some crazy sore throat spreading its ugly croakiness on level 10 at work.

backlash rsvp

2008-11-13T18:02:00.002+11:00

Dear Ms Minivan (changed to my online persona for security reasons!)

Sadly for a number of reasons I must decline this invitation.

Firstly I do not personally wish to cross dress. Not that it isn't a valid lifestyle choice, it just ain't me.

Secondly I think Jocks too often perpetuate misogyny, violence, ignorance and other things I abhor in American and Australian culture. I would feel even less comfortable adopting this persona then that of a cross dresser.

Thirdly I am not in the same state as the event.

And finally I have a prior engagement on that day.

Regards,

David

(Thanks David! I wouldnt have expected anything less! :D I would have to say that your response albeit serious, is absolutely hilarious and made my day! Thus justifying giving you an entire blog post. I hope thats ok too.)

petanque

2008-11-12T15:47:00.000+11:00

anyone interested?

2008-11-11T14:55:00.003+11:00

"Frocks & Jocks go bowling"

"dress in a frock or come as a jock" Barefoot Lawn Bowls :)

Saturday 29th November from 3pm
Come along!!

leave me a comment if you would like more details, so i can send you out the official invite!
xo

never gonna give you up.

2008-11-11T12:24:00.000+11:00

Im not ashamed of Rick Astley!!!!!

Dont Dis My Ability

2008-11-07T12:40:00.003+11:00

This is a campaign that Im currently involved with at work.
Its a really fantastic initiative from the NSW Govt :)

Get involved!! And look out for the 'Made you Look' broadsheet that is currently out (free) with Tracey Barrell OAM on the cover :)

http://www.internationaldayofpeoplewithadisability.com.au/

Vote Pedro #1 for Prez

2008-11-07T12:09:00.002+11:00

What a week!!

crafty blogger

2008-11-04T21:32:00.001+11:00

i stumbled across this really cute melbourne blogger on crafts :)
awesome!!
im so inspired :)

health check

2008-11-02T19:32:00.002+11:00

physical health check results.

bmi 24.23 (healthy range)

blood pressure: 122/83 (normal readings systolic 100-130 and diastolic 60-90)

resting heart rate: 52 (average person is 70-75)

diabetes test: 3.5 (normal blood glucose levels between 4-6mmol/L after a meal 4-7.7mmol/L)

cholesterol test: 4.5 (good, but better if it was 4)

Im happiest with my resting heart rate. It means im relaxed :) (olympic athlete's resting heart rates sit at about 40)

now. will just have a to do a health check on my spiritual wellbeing...

favourite song of the moment i have been learning. yay!

2008-10-31T22:48:00.000+11:00

Anyone Else But You
Ellen Page & Michael Cera
from “Juno”

Intro:  G  Cmaj7   G  Cmaj7

G
You're a part time lover and a full time friend
Cmaj7
The monkey on you're back is the latest trend
G                             Cmaj7
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Here is the church and here is the steeple
We sure are cute for two ugly people
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

We both have shiny happy fits of rage
You want more fans, I want more stage
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

You are always trying to keep it real
I'm in love with how you feel
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

I kiss you on the brain in the shadow of a train
I kiss you all starry eyed, my body's swinging from side to side
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

The pebbles forgive me, the trees forgive me
So why can't, you forgive me?
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Du du du du du du dudu
Du du du du du du dudu
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else…
But you

random thoughts. random times

2008-10-28T23:00:00.002+11:00

the mind.

oh how my mind goes in all sorts of directions.

i have been rebuked.

i got into trouble at work today for not having finished something off sooner.

woops.

im usually pretty good.

is this self sabotage? its probably because ive resented the fact that the thing i didnt do was going to directly benefit the very person who is causing the grief in the first place.

ugh.

old person. rude. unfunny. and racist. my favourite.

i really gotta move on.

finding sanctuary

2008-10-17T03:52:00.002+11:00

quite a long extract. but worth the read. some gems here...

"..Virtue is the recognition of the sacred in daily life. As we open the door of virtue in our personal and working lives, we will open the way into a sanctuary of peace for ourselves and for others. We are enabled to lead a unified life with the same values at home and at work, a life that is transparent and has nothing to hide...

Yes indeed, virtue is a narrow door, but the space beyond that door is infinite the infinite space of real sanctuary. The sanctuary that you purchase as a holiday or as a therapy comes to an end; the myth of endless consumption is just that: a myth. As we enter sanctuary through virtue rather than by buying our way in, we can choose to leave consumption outside the door. By entering through this door, we can concentrate on creating new and sacred places in the large space that lies beyond consumption. Virtue is the true door into the sanctuary of infinite space."

financial crisis hits britain!

2008-10-17T01:46:00.001+11:00

i wonder if she pays her taxes?

chicken sandwiches.

2008-10-15T01:30:00.003+11:00

this has to be one of the worst jokes of all time. thanks to my sister Shaz for this one!

Don't Eat Chicken Sandwiches no matter What.......................

A little boy and a little girl attended the same school and became friends..

Every day they would sit together to eat their lunch. They discovered that they both
Brought chicken sandwiches every day! This went on all through the fourth and fifth
Grades, until one day he noticed that her sandwich wasn't a chicken sandwich.

He said, 'Hey, how come you're not eating chicken, don't you like it anymore?'

She said 'I love it but I have to stop eating it.'

'Why?' he asked.

She pointed to her lap and said 'Cause I'm starting to grow little feathers down there!'

'Let me see' he said.

'Okay' and she pulled up her skirt.

He looked and said, 'That's right. You are! Better not eat any more chicken.'

He kept eating his chicken sandwiches until one day he brought peanut butter.
He said to the little gir l, 'I have to stop eating chicken sandwiches, I'm starting to get feathers
Down there too!'
She asked if she could look, so he pulled down his pants for her!

She said

'Oh, my God, it's too late for you! You've already got the NECK and GIBBLETS!!!

daylight saving & brainwaves

2008-10-13T20:23:00.002+11:00

love it.

... also....

currently been thinking of ways to get things for fREE.

its AMAZING what you can come up with when youre doing things on a tighter budget! Im trying very dilligently to do the following...

not upgrade my phone
making lunch everyday
not buying unncessary 'coffees'
drinking/eating reserves of tea i already have (in place of coffee runs)

not having to pay to 'exercise' ( i quit the gym about a year ago)
... going to balmoral to swim instead...

so... now...
new thought...

i'll work for a few hours a week at northsydney pool (cos i have an austswim qualification) and hopefully get free access to the facilities there!! (its normally about $5.50 a pop!!! -- which costs more than actually CROSSING the sydney harbour bridge, let alone swim up and down just under it!)

so... i made the call... and like most swim schools--- they love and need and crave the likes of me... so if anyone ever thinks they want to make a bit of extra cash that doesnt involve alcohol and splitting tips and doing something active... i recommend teaching swimming! :)
note: you do not have to be a tops swimmer to teach it... just an ability to get by swimming 150m in a couple of strokes without drowning ... :P

i (heart) balmoral

2008-10-11T18:39:00.002+11:00

i have been spending some good lovely time with my friend sarah of late.
she is canadian.

i like her lots.

she is just this really calm, cool, down to earth beautiful person.

we enjoy chilling out, art markets, tea drinking, walking, swimming together at balmoral and being in each others company so much. she reminds me of jo!! :P

i like canadians.

new look. same blog.

2008-10-10T12:42:00.001+11:00

hope you like my new look blog.

its cleaner. fresher and simply good for a change :)

observations on my way to work

2008-10-10T08:55:00.002+11:00

its funny how you view life depending on what mental state/ stage you are in.

i got up early today (hurrah) and decided to get to work early for the public service (yes, i got to work before 9--- 8:30am in fact!)

I noticed the following and i thought it was all very peculiar:

the skin of quarter chunks of watermelon on the bush path on the way to the train station this morning

as i was on the train, i noticed 'couples' on the train and one in particular was a guy with a youngish trendy chick. i noticed he wore white loafers. (if you have ever encountered the book-- never date a guy with alligator shoes-- you'll know what i mean i.e. white shoes= players= danger!)

i was listening to my new downloaded music... not new music, but new to my collection to get me happy that a) its friday and b) how i love daylight saving and the sunshine across the bridge on the way to work... Feist "Mushaboom" is a new favourite... as "The Shins" 2001 debut album has some really tops tunes on it.

i also decided to bring in my newly purchase JUMBO yellow Cup and saucer set from T2 to work today. Its to help me enjoy my tea bliss, even while im at work! (accompanied by 'Gorgeous Geisha' Green Tea :) JOY!)

I am also thankful for good friends and their exciting new phase of their lives. Margie & Jase just bought a beautiful house in Summer Hill. Wow. My friends are all grown up--- they have lots of bedrooms and beautiful furniture! Im coveting her current ability to be able to set up her own various tea sets in the buffet and other wedding gift paraphenalia (i have no idea how to spell that-- i must look it up!)

other cool stuff is that im heading out to the cat & fiddle tonite to hear some friends play in their band ' the new frontier' or something or rather... i havent heard them live before... but i enjoy live music. lots. (not so much cover bands in pubs--- although i wont scoff at covers, they can be done very very well, like that triple J collection ive heard from various artist's interpretation... was it an australian band that did a cover of kylie's 'cant get you out of my head')

anyhoo.. i am rambling.

oh. im happy too ... because i got up early, i made this .... may i say.. AWESOME smoothie.

so all is good with the world.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

balance and activities.

2008-10-07T12:24:00.002+11:00

feeling good. but not adjusting to this daylight savings!

what crazy weather we've been having in sydney eh?

... i have now failed yet again in not talking about something as lame as the weather... and bringing out the 'grannie' within.

... I will embrace!

.... so now that im feeling way better, enjoying work (hurrah!)

... i have filled my mind with thoughts of wanting to do the following this summer...

(somehow i will have to cut back as i do not think it will be physically possible to sustain this level of activity!)

- french lessons
- sculpture class
- life drawing
- stitch n bitch (knitting class)
- swimming/ exercising regularly
- church stuff/ groups/ volunteering
- join the bball group on mondays
- visit more craft markets
- start a craft market
- bake goodies for christmas
- organise life/ brain for living os next year

all the while spending some quality time with family, friends and juggling that in between a full time job and ... eating and sleeping in between!

where can i fit all of this? will have to experiment...

i love that life is an experiment. interesting book i have encountered of late...
www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/ has anyone seen this? he's got some interesting insights, although i will have to say, i think some of it sounds like a whole lotta BS.

life in the public service lane

2008-09-29T18:50:00.003+10:00

need i say more?

the public service lives up to all its full reputation.

good conditions. decent pay. 5:30pm is considered 'late' to be in the office.

i have never been paid to enjoy my work life balance so much before.

hurrah!

have you EVER had a raunchy communion??!!

2008-09-23T19:19:00.001+10:00

http://www.calendarioromano.org/03.html

this is a real calendar i saw in Venice!!

meeting people

2008-09-21T01:13:00.002+10:00

birthdays galore this weekend.

ive been to 2x 30ths
and my sister in laws 21st :)

Im feeling older and somewhat more aware of my habits of telling people i hardly know, embarassing stories about bridesmaid shenanigans... dressing up to a party in a chicken suit (jo, you maybe one of the few that remembers that one)... and wonder why sometimes im just a little bit 'out there' to complete strangers... and forget that the impression im leaving is somewhat just a bit 'tragic'.

anyhoo... no wonder they dont come back after their 'hmm, excuse me... im just needing to go to the bathroom/grab a drink/ chat to someone i havent seen in a while.... ' blah blah blah!! ha!

the art of conversation. thinking i might try refine this one.

NOOOO CRACKBOOK!

2008-09-17T18:06:00.003+10:00

i dont believe it

2008-09-17T00:16:00.000+10:00

Free-IQTest.net - IQ Test

reunion

2008-09-15T19:55:00.001+10:00

im going crazy trying to track down so many randoms for our 10 year reunion.

using FB aka facecrack/ crackbook is driving me bonkers!!!!

i hope people come.

if only i could speak spanish....

2008-09-15T19:54:00.002+10:00

i would marry this fellow....

cant sleep

2008-09-15T01:07:00.002+10:00

so im going to bore you on my blog instead.

what does one do to cure insomnia? this is not a regular occurence, but i think its probably cos i did a MAJOR sleep in today after some late nites... and i probably didnt really need to catch up with as much sleep as i did. hence now its 1am on Monday morning... i have this olympic parade thing and i have to be down by Circ. Quay at approx 8am... yawn...

meditation. i think i'll head back to pray-as-you-go. org. its a good site. with lots of good mp3 daily meditation things.

yes. i think i'll go do that.

paris on the mind... but olympic parade comes to town!

2008-09-13T00:27:00.002+10:00

just thought id mention that i'll be in the olympian's return home parade in sydney on monday 15th september!

i will be an official marshall walking nearby the gymnasts in the parade down george street :)

such is the life now that im back working for 'public' events! woohoo!! i might even get to touch a footballer... they're right behind the gymnasts (if any of them come!)... i hope they're good looking... hehehhe

strawberry-taliban.engrish.

2008-09-06T18:29:00.000+10:00

love it.

francais on the mind

2008-09-06T18:24:00.002+10:00

i really want to become fluent in another language other than english--
i have dabbled in canto... picked at mandarin...

but what id really love is to be fluent in french.

yes siree. how do i make this happen?

any dear blog readers speak french and would like to partake in a french conversation over a croissant?

:P

1st day at work

2008-09-01T18:54:00.002+10:00

its like being the new kid.

but i like working for the government!

people are generally pretty chilled. and they need me!

oh, its nice to feel needed.

seniors are a rockin!!!!

home

2008-08-29T09:35:00.001+10:00

im actually really excited to be home.

i didnt want to leave london. but one must get one's mind on the now and looking fwd...

i have 8 exciting months of interesting seniors events to organise... and well... this will get me going until i move away....

its cold here!! but as sydney always shows off its sunny blue skies, im not complaining!

not home yet

2008-08-23T10:57:00.002+10:00

hiyas.
thought id just update zee old blog...

im still in london and have enjoyed many a day strolling through hyde park, battling the summer holidayers in the coolest toyshop hamleys on oxford street, gone to topshop and gone bananas, eaten my way through parts and well... its been fun!

i am obsessed with playing e-Monopoly on simon's computer. its like playing in london in real life! these places really exist... like... Kings X station, Marylebone, Park Lane (personal favourite)... etc etc etc!

this has been a bit of a testing ground to see if id like to live here.

i know its always different when youre travelling.

but yes. i think i could definately do it.

:)

gone dutch. now english.

2008-08-14T03:07:00.002+10:00

its been an eventful few weeks!!

i have made it alive in London and have sneaked into exclusive clubs in soredich or whatchamecallit... gone 'orange dutch' for my sister michelle's wedding in holland... got eaten alive by mosquitoes in beautiful venice... hugged the porcelin bowl in berlin from catching a 'german flu'... CZECHed out Prague... and even ate my way through croissants in Paris!

so....

whats this all mean?

im falling in love with London. the last time i was here was 8 years ago... during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.... and yeah yeah yeah... it was the 'best olympics ever' and i missed it... and well well well... i''m missing my homeland china's beijing games as well!

the irony for a sport loving, event manager is that... well, when all is said and done.... the olympics, in all its full blown ridiculous advertising political spinning and 'patriotic' enhancing advancements... it reminds me of work.

pure and simple.

im so cynical. but hey. at least i dont have hives.

reading love songs.... hahah

2008-07-31T05:55:00.001+10:00

... so im on the hunt for a reading for my sister and future brother in laws wedding....

im finding all sorts of random things... i quite like this one... * although i wont be reading this one!!

A Wounded Deer Leaps Highestby Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)

A wounded deer leaps highest,I've heard the hunter tell;'Tis but the ecstasy of death,And then the brake is still.The smitten rock that gushes,The trampled steel that springs:A cheek is always redderJust where the hectic stings!Mirth is mail of anguish,In which its cautious armLest anybody spy the bloodAnd, "you're hurt" exclaim