I'm in Love!

I already knew I was in love.  But this festive season has solidified my adoration for this.

I love New Zealand!

It's just so beautiful here, I keep running into it wherever I go...

Glorious skies, beautiful rivers, lush trees, green paddocks, fluffy clouds... Sigh.

I'm so glad I live here!!  You should all come see it someday! :)

These pictures doesn't do it justice, but really, it's beautiful.

Change of Heart?

2011.  

University.

Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Majors: Social Anthropology & Religious Studies.

Minor: French.

Duration: 3 Years.

Career All That Will Lead To:  NOT A CLUE.  Hopefully something overseas?

HELP I'm possibly having a change of heart?!?!

So if you know me, you know I love photography.  As a hobby.  Nothing more.  Or so I thought.

Now all of a sudden, my dad says my photos are good and I should look up some photography competitions to enter.  There are two problems with that.

1. I am no way near good enough to compete with people whose full time profession it is to capture the daily goings on of this world, and who know what they're doing when it comes to technical jargon and things like editing on Photoshop (I tried to use that once, I gave up) and light and stuff.

2. I do not have a decent camera.  Yes, it's a Nikon Coolpix L20, 10megapixels... but that's about all the specifications I can roll off my tongue (to be honest I don't even really know what megapixels are, all I know is the more you have, the better the photo).  Other than that, I just point, shoot, and hope for the best.  

So, what does this have to do with my university studies in 2011?

Well.  That is the problem.

Social Anthropology sounds good on paper.  But there is no guarantee I will enjoy it.

I love taking photos.  But I know nothing on the topic, except you need a camera, and you point and shoot.

What do I do?!  I'm already enrolled for University in 2011, student loan is applied for and everything, so I can't pull out now, not that I would, I do want to study Cultural Anth and Religious Studies, but I'm just thinking about other options...

But if that doesn't work out, maybe I can take a course in photography and see how that pans out?  Maybe I should look up some of the adult classes you can take at the local high school, I think they do a photography course.

Either way, if I'm serious about my photography, I need to do something!!  I can't flounder in ignorance of the topic that is supposedly my hobby...

Dreams Are Free

Last night, I had too much caffeine, and didn't fall asleep until 2 hours after I went to bed.  I slept fitfully, but when I did, I had the most amazing dream.  

I dreamed that I was back in Paris (I went there in 2009 as part of a 46 day Contiki tour of Europe, so my dream was pretty accurate - see below!) and actually had time to walk around and soak up the culture.  And luckily for me, dreams are free.

This is me at Notre Dame Cathedral. :)

But, right now, I'm pretty poor, and for the next 3+ years it's not looking any brighter.  I'm going to be studying, so that means no money for anything except essentials.

So what is my point in this blog post?  Well, that dream, combined with a conversation with my mum yesterday, got me to thinking.  What would I do if I won the lottery.  I mean, of course, it's never going to happen, I never win anything, but I like to plan how I would spend the money given the chance.  Because, as I said, dreams are free.

So here's what I would like to do, if I did in fact win.

I'd pay off my parents mortgage, and then give them some more money so they can build their dream house, with land for my mum to have a horse.

I'd buy myself a house (not too big, a modest size).

I'd buy a car - VW Beetle, yellow convertible of course.

I'd pay for my study, no loan!  Woohoo!

I'd put some into savings, and live off the interest it earns.

I'd also travel a lot. :)  PARIS.  Say no more.

I'd help out some family and friends.

I'd give a lot to charities.

There's so much more I could do, but it would depend on how much I won haha :D

Anyway, thats just dreaming.  But if you won the lottery, what would you do?! :)  It's just fun to think about.

I'm A Nerd & Proud of It!

What comes to mind when I say "nerd" or "geek"?  Bad fashion sense?  Glasses?  Acne?  Obsessions with role playing computer games perhaps (no offense to my friends who enjoy this pastime)?  Or someone being put up a few years in school because they were too smart for their own age group?  Someone who lacks social skills, has few friends, reads too much, is very quiet, spends lunch breaks in a library, works at a university... help me out here... I'm leaning towards stereotypes and characters off The Big Bang Theory (which, by the way, ROCKS).

Well anyway, there are many types of nerd out there, and I'm not talking the sweet crunchy kind, because whilst those are delightfully tangy and tasty, they are not relevant to this subject.  What I'm really talking about is the latest trend, that it's becoming fashionable to be considered nerdy.  

And while that isn't what I'm going for, I find my self releasing my inner nerd, and reverting back to the people-pleasing-note-taking-dictionary-reading geek of my youth (I know I'm still young, but I'm talking even younger!).  

I got very excited when I received a book in the post today, which I ordered online (of course, how else do you do it?!  Ha.)  It is "Anthropology for Dummies".  Now that may sound brilliantly boring to the average Joe Blogs (pardon the pun), it is so cool for me!!

Yes, that is my duvet cover, and no, I couldn't decide what colour nail polish I wanted. :)

  

In case you didn't know, next year, I'm starting my first year of university.  I'm going to be doing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in (you guessed it!) Cultural Anthropology & Religious Studies, minoring in French.  So I figured I should do a bit of background reading on the subject, so I know what I'm getting myself in for when I start class next year.

Everything is coming together in terms of university for me now.  I have a rough timetable.  I'm essentially fully enrolled now, and have almost finished applying for a loan to pay for it all.  I know when I will be able to fit in work, I've looked at transport costs, and I've even got some stationery ready to go.

I'm READY.  And waiting.  So thinking I would use this time wisely, I bought this book.  I can't wait to begin reading, to see if it really is my cup of tea.  If not, uni is flexi, I can just change classes. :)

I'm kind of enjoying being nerdy again.

Organised Freak

I think I might be that freak who is organised for Christmas well in advance... I mean, it's not even December yet but I've got all but one present, my Christmas cards are sitting on my desk already waiting to be written, the Christmas tree is down from the attic, plans are already made for Christmas day itself... I'm ready!

This may be because I hate leaving things til the last minute, I can't stand going shopping when every other man and his dog is shopping, and I like to enjoy the build up to the festive season without having to battle for a parking space to spend exorbitant amounts of money on presents for people who won't remember what I even gave them in a few years time anyway.

So I'm having none of this panicky crap in my life.  Organisation is where it's at!!  Come join me on the other side, where there is light at the end of the tunnel, where you can look forward to festivities rather than dread the Christmas shopping. :)

PS if you need a shopping maniac, please, take me.  I'm good at weeding out the crap. :D

Mirror

Since I've started walking home from work, killing 5 birds with one stone so to speak, people have (of course) found out.  They see me in my lycra-type pants, baggy shirt, iPod ear buds hanging out my shirt and water bottle in hand, leaving the building into the (often) brilliant sunshine.

However.  I'm disappointed to find that the first thing they ask me, instead of something like "Do you enjoy your walking?" or "How far do you walk?", is more like something along the lines of "Have you lost weight?".

Now I know we live in a society where body image is everything.  But why do people assume that the only reason I've taken up walking is to lose weight?  I feel like I'm seeing myself in a mirror, but instead of reflecting the person I see myself to be, I see the person others perceive me to be.  Apparently that person is only as deep as the flesh on her body.  And that disappoints me.

Is it inconceivable that I may have other reasons for wanting to walk?  For me, it's about fitness, filling in time until my mum finishes work, fresh air, my good music, and fitness.  But above all, it's my stubbornness.  I'm too bloody stubborn to let my faulty legs dictate my life.  I will walk.  And I will fight them.  If I lose weight in the process, it's a bonus.

I guess I'm just disappointed that all people see me as is a girl who needs to lose weight in their eyes.

As a side note, today in New Zealand we have suffered a tragedy the likes of which has not been seen in at least 30 years.  On Friday there was an explosion at a mine on our South Islands West Coast.  It trapped 29 miners, and for the last 6 days, our whole population has held out hope that they survived and were waiting for us to rescue them.  Today there was a 2nd explosion, stronger than the first by far, and it burst through our remaining hope in finding these brave men alive.  There is no way anyone could have survived the 2nd explosion.  My heart goes out to the West Coast community who have been hit hard, losing 29 of their members, and NZ as a whole is grieving.

RIP Pike River Miners, 29 men who didn't deserve to have their lives snatched from them like this.

Baaaa

I may be from the country with the most sheep per capita in the world, but this in no way means I'm like a sheep.  Right now, you probably think I'm a bit mental, but I have a point.

Since when did it become cool to say awful things about someone, just because other people do?  And to relate this to current pop culture, I'm talking about people like Miley Cyrus, Nickelback and Justin Beiber.  (And no, they aren't the ones making those comments!)  I'm talking about TV shows like Glee.  I'm talking about things that people pretend to hate, to make themselves look cooler.

It has become fashionable to dislike them.  And that's just it.  The celebs, they are people.  They have feelings.  Don't hate for the sake of hating, to seem cool to other people.

It's okay to like something that others don't.  I mean heck, where would we be if we ALL liked the same things?!  It's what we like, what we immerse ourselves in, what we surround ourselves with, that make us who we are, and we certainly aren't all the same.

It's okay to say "FU. I'm going to like this band/TV show/movie/*insert anything else that gets hated on here* anyway, I don't care what you say"

So I'm just saying, I'm not a sheep.  In spite of people "hating", I am proud to say I like Miley Cyrus and her music, Nickelback is awesome, and no, I personally don't like Justin Bieber, but to each their own ae?

Oh.  And I LOVE Glee.

Starting Fresh

The other day, something clicked inside of me.  And I'm not talking about the joint popping noises that come as you get older (honestly, I'm not that old yet... it only happens once a day so far...!), nor am I talking about having a blond moment and that click when you realise it.  I'm talking about a new start.

This year has gone so fast (like I swear it was yesterday I was attending a work Christmas party...now I've been gone from that company for 6 months!) and so much has happened and changed.  And if that wasn't enough, I now have a new plan.

Now if you know me, then you know my plans.  I have all these stellar ideas (and yes, I'm vaguely biased) all the time. To the point where I have a notepad next to me on my desk at work in case I'm struck with brilliance.  Usually I write it down with the other 5 things I've thought of that day (I promise I do actually do work as well, but it can be a bit monotonous and my mind wanders!) and then when I get home I add it to my growing list of things to do/achieve/aim for/be/aspire to.

However. Nine times out of ten, nothing ever comes of these supposed strokes of brilliance/madness/whatever-you-want-to-call-it.  But the other day (I'm getting to the point, I promise) I came up with a plan, which I have put into action!

While my mum now finishes at 4pm instead of 2pm at work (we work at the same office, just different departments, so I get a ride with her in the am/pm) I am not contracted for those extra hours.  SO.  My plan was, and still is, that in the extra two hours (sometimes less if I do work a bit longer), I'm going to walk home.  To put this into perspective, my house is 20km (12.4 miles) away from my work.

And guess what...I DID IT!!!  For once in my life I came through with my idea.

I think I'm addicted to the walking.  In the sun.  Insteaed of hitting two birds with one stone, as the saying goes, I'm more like hitting 5.

1. I get to exercise/get fitter/hopefully lose weight (no reason not to exercise, no excuses, only myself to blame sort of thing).  I have nothing better to do while I wait for mum to finish work...so why the heck not.
2. I have the most kick-butt music playlist on my iPod to walk in time to.
3. Fresh New Zealand air.  Nothing quite like it.
4. I'm competitive with myself, so I like to try and get further every day in the same or less time.
5. The weather is unbe-freaking-lieveable.  I'm getting a tan while I do all of the above.

So why not. :D

I'll keep you posted on how it goes...  My stickable-ity is very fickle... I get bored easily. :P

Mamma Mia

Just a bit of fun, because I can, and sometimes, believe it or not, these can be funny!! :)

1. Put your iPod or other music player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!


IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Dangerous to Know (Hilary Duff)  Ask at your own risk?

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Brilliant Dance (Dashboard Confessional) I wish

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?  
Radio (The Corrs) Preferably not actually physically inside of them.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Suck My Kiss (Red Hot Chilli Peppers)  uhm wtf? I sincerely hope not.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Don't Be Stupid, You Know I Love You (Shania Twain)  Naawwww

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Light In Your Eye (Sheryl Crow)

WHAT IS 2+2?
Lovefool (The Cardigans)  is it weird that I read that in a Mr T voice...?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
My Angel (Kellie Pickler)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Be Strong (Delta Goodrem)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Skinnydippin' (Vengaboys) ok I swear to God I only did that once, and it was only topless...wtf?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Not Me, Not I (Delta Goodrem) Well that's reassuring... :/  ie anything except myself?

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
You Won't Find This (Carrie Underwood)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Boots & Boys (Ke$ha) okay that actually made me lol.  So unlikely.

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
My Vietnam (Pink)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Have You Met Miss Jones? (Robbie Williams)  I admit I would be a bit peeved they got my name wrong.

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Cheekah Bow Bow (That Computer Song)    (Vengaboys) I'm vaguely ashamed that their music has appeared twice now.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Cold as You (Taylor Swift)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?  
Little Wing (The Corrs)

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Take On Me (A-Ha)  It's true, I really do hate confrontation.

HOW WILL YOU DIE?  
That's Where You Take Me (Britney Spears)  Sounds like I'm going to be kidnapped or something like on the Lovely Bones.  Eep.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Mercy (Glee Cast)

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
When I Think About Cheating (Gretchen Wilson) no, okay, it lies, the answer to this question made me laugh!  holy moly.

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? 
Mobile (Avril Lavigne)

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?  
Ready To Love Again (Lady Antebellum)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Ma Philosophie (Amel Bent)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Starts With Goodbye (Carrie Underwood)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Nothin' New Under The Moon (LeAnn Rimes)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
You're Beautiful (James Blunt)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Mamma Mia (ABBA)






Okay so basically, what I gather from that, is that its a whole lot of rubbish with a few funny coincidences, and it would have been better to use my favourite playlist rather than my entire music library (at least then I would know all the songs haha!)  Anyways I hope you enjoyed a few of them, and repost at your own peril... Pfft. :)

It's Days Like Today

I automatically buy two tickets to events, I don't want to go alone.  I want to go see the Fireworks tonight, but I have nobody to go with.  I know that being alone shouldn't stop me, but I don't fancy my chances alone in some places.

It makes me realise just how few friends I have.  Whether that is my fault or not, is yet to be decided.  I read a book when I was a teenager, about how to make friends.  Yes, my parents were (and most likely still are) concerned at my lack of friends.  It was an awful book.  Nothing remotely positive, and basically all it said was that it was all my fault, I'm useless, and I need to change myself completely for people to like me, because who I am, when I'm being myself, obviously isn't good enough, hence the lack of friends and the need to read said book.

As you can probably tell, I didn't give it a second thought, I threw that book in the trash, the only time I have ever done so - normally books are almost sacred to me but this one was in its rightful place in the bin. 

But now, I'm still without many friends, and while for the most part it doesn't bother me, as I am rather solitary as it is, I still wish I had a few more.  Maybe it's because the friends I do have are so amazing I don't need lots of friends I'm not that close to.  Who knows, but I'm kind of hoping to make a few more friends  when I start university.

PS my current friends are incredible, even if lots of them are thousands of miles away in gorgeous places like America, Germany and (not-so-far-away) Australia. :)  Maybe it seems I lack friends because none are in the same continent!!! Hahaha :D

Looking Forward

I have found that dwelling on boring lame things in my life right now never did anyone any good.  So now, I'm trying to look to the future, and all the amazing things I want to do, and goals I want to reach.  And I feel like writing a list on here, so that in 15 years time when I've finally settled down (or however long it takes!) I will be able to look back and tick things off the list.

So here is my "To Do List" for the next few years...

- Get good grades at university so that I can... (see next point!)

- Spend 6 months - 1 year attending the University of Montana as a university exchange program!

- Graduate University with a Degree (3 years total) 

{Bachelor of Art, Majors: Cultural Anthropology, Religious Studies.  Minors: French.}

- Go to England and apply to be a Contiki Site Rep and cross my fingers that having learned French will mean I get posted to Paris!!

- If that fails, I will try and be an au pair in France (6 months - 1 year)

- Come home to New Zealand and get a spiffing job that pays well, save hard, pay off any debt, and buy a house.  :)  Winning Lotto would help, but it's unlikely.

I LOVE Wellington, so I can imagine living here mainly.  But overseas would be cool too.  If I found a job over there related to my degree, paying well, nothing would stop me.  :)  I also love America, so would love to slot that in somewhere in my life too. :) 

So much living to do!  I can't wait.  Just have to get through university first!!  And if you're wondering about mentions of love interests, if it happens, it happens, and everything happens for a reason.  So I'm pretty cool about it right now.  You can't really plan these things.  

So come on life... bring. it. on!

Wondering

Why does my To Do List only ever seem to get longer, yet I always feel like I'm insanely busy??  I work a 6 hour day, 5 days a week, I get home at 2pm, yet I'm always doing something!

Yesterday was a communication shutdown fundraiser for Autism, and so instead of being online, I found myself baking a cake and a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and also cooking dinner.  I went to bed at 9.30pm and don't remember my dad getting home at 10.15pm.  Maybe the key to better sleep is to be so busy I fall into bed and am asleep before my head hits the pillow.

Time for round 2...

Really, Very Much Excited Right Now.

So, in approx 2.5 hours, I'm going to be at the concert of one on my favourite people on this planet - BROOKE FRASER.  Like seriously.  I'm buzzing right now.  AND the coolest thing is, she's a Kiwi, and she comes from literally just down the road from my house.  I love New Zealand music.

Anyway, I'm very excited, hoping I get to meet her again.. check out her music... very cool.  www.brookefraser.com  I love her style too.  :)

And in a few more days, I'm going to be at ANOTHER (yes I bought lots of concert tickets for some reason...oh right - I love NZ music... did I say that already?!) concert by a lovely lady called Gin Wigmore.  She couldn't really be more opposite to Brooke Fraser in terms of music, sound and style, but I love her too!  www.ginwigmore.com

I had today off work sick because I woke up feeling awful, really bad timing :(  But I'm going anyway, I can't not go!  Fingers crossed I don't have to leave early or anything...

Toodles!!

It's The Little Things

That annoy you the most.  No?

There are some things I just cannot stand.  Call me pedantic, but honestly, it just gets right on my nerves and p*sses me off.  Pet peeves huh.

The sound of an electric toothbrush.  Seriously, just stay in the bathroom when you are freaking brushing your teeth, so the rest of us don't have to suffer than inane high pitched vibrating from your toothbrush.

The sound of a nail file.  It's awful.  Do it when you're alone, not in the lounge while we are trying to watch TV.

When someone leaves dishes on top of the dishwasher, instead of bending down a few meagre inches to actually put it in the dishwasher.  How lazy can you be?

If someone uses the ketchup/jam/margarine and leaves sauce down the side of the bottle/crumbs in the jar.  Keep it clean people!

Bits of toothpaste on the mirror.  What the?  How do you even do that.

Someone with whom you share a couch/bench/anything who jiggles their feet incessantly... what do you actually achieve by doing this?  Nothing.  So stop already!

Those are just a few of mine.  I assure you, there are many more.  I'd be useless at co-habiting with a roommate/flatmate haha!

Comment and tell me your worst pet peeves!

I'm dying here...

...seriously.  I'm super excited, can't wait, about to bubble over with anticipation for Speak Now by Taylor Swift.  Whyyyyyyyyyyyy does it have to come out here so much later than America?!?!  SO lame.

BUT I have preordered the DELUXE edition.  I'm going all out here guys.

 

I first heard Taylor back before she was world-wide popular, when nobody really knew her name.  My friend saw her on TV (daytime!) one day and told me I should check her out, cos I'd probably like her music...  That was before Fearless even had a name, let alone was released.  I loved her music from the get-go.  And now she's super famous.  How cool is that?!

A wee while ago, there was an online auction for a signed Taylor Swift CD, which I won!  It cost me $205 but the money went to charity, so it was a good cause.  I don't know what I'm going to do with it now, but I reckon its probably the closest I'll ever get to meeting her!  Haha.

Anyway, that's all for tonight.  Hope y'all had a good weekend.

OMG LOL ROFL LMAO

So here's some things that made me smile.  (Thanks to http://icanhascheezburger.com)

Hope it made you giggle too.  We all need a bit of fun sometimes!

Running on Empty.

I find it ironic that, when trying to think of a topic for a blog, and floundering in the nothingness that is inside my head right now, I realise I could in fact blog about that very lack of ideas.

Let's start with this week.  It has been an interesting, stressful, and...eye-opening week.  I stopped using Facebook on Tuesday, for a myriad of reasons, and have found it to be invigorating.  I now have time with which to partake of things constructive, such as sorting through my old school books a deciding what to keep and what to throw away.  I find myself no longer rushing home to see whats happened on Facebook in my absence, looking forward to the next new witty update from one of my 500-and-something friends.

I will mention, however, that I do miss the ability to contact my amazing international friends at will, for free.  Thus, my return to Facebook is imminent, but I might just stay off for a while longer.

As for the lack of ideas, well, I guess I'm having a lull in creativity.  Not that writing a blog of randomness takes much creativity, its just there hasn't been much to inspire a topic for my blog.  *sigh*

Overall it's been a bit of a depressing week to be honest.  And I'm just so tired.  I don't have the energy to fight anyone anymore.  I have more important things to focus on right now.  Lately, it seems like I'm losing people in my life left right and centre, and the only common denominator between them I can see, is me.  So I guess time out from most things internet is helping me try to work out why.  I'm pretty sure I'm not a bad person, but I've heard different as of late.

Guess it's time for some good old fashioned soul searching?  That will have to wait until I have time to think.

Spring Has Sprung!

Lets get this straight from the outset.  I have never been a girl who really cares much about fashion.  If it looks okay, doesn't expose parts of my body that people don't need to see, and its comfortable, I will buy it.  

Maybe its a Spring thing, maybe its wanting a fresh start.  But whatever it is has got me trawling the internet trying to get inspiration for a new look, a fresh wardrobe.  I had the post about a handbag of my mums that I found, who knows, maybe that sparked it.  I'm thinking vintage, 30s/40s/50s style.  I've always loved that.

So for once, I truly am acting like a young woman who cares about fashion.  Like I actually want to strip search the house to find where my mum hid my credit card and then go on a SPREE!!!

However, in New Zealand, the store selection isn't that great.  

You could go budget, at the Warehouse - now don't get me wrong, their standard of product has increased since I was a wee dot, but still, if someone asks you where you got a certain item of clothing they admire, the last thing you want to have to say is that you bought it at the Warehouse.  

You could go mainstream, at Glassons, and buy things that every other girl has.  I swear, right through high school, all the girls had those polar fleece hoodie things with the velcro across your neck.  I, of course, chose not to buy one, but still, every other girl had one.  They say New Zealand is famous for sheep... :/    

You could go mail order, with Ezibuy, but there is no guarantee that it will fit, or even if it does, that it will look nice.  

You could go green and go to the local SaveMart which is a recycled clothing place, but lets be honest, who really wants to wear (possibly) dead peoples clothes.  That always puts me off a bit.  Yes, granted, it makes me sound snobby, but its one of those things I can't bring myself to do.

What I really want to do, is jump on the next plane to USA and go shopping there.  Like holy moly they have the most amazing clothes, and I'm kicking myself that when I was there last year I didn't buy more clothes.  Seriously.  How dumb was I?!  However, I did get 4 designer dresses for US$16 which was amazing bargain hunting on my part, and also that it was one of the squillions of outlet stores in LA.  Plus my lovely friend in Utah took my Forever21 virginity, and I spent a fair chunk on a gorgeous top there.

But ahhhhhhh.  Why didn't I buy more nail polish too?  OPI is so cheap there.

So that's settled.  When I'm at the University of Montana (not if but when!) I will be shopping up a storm.  What a shame I have to get a B average in my first year here, and wait until middle of 2011 to do so.

In the mean time, my credit card better stay well hidden.

Memory Lane

The best place to take trips.  I used to post "bulletins" all the time on my MySpace back in the days when it was cool NOT to be on Facebook, and it was lumped in the "too hard" basket.  Here's one for old times sake, and because it's fun to do this again... oh dear survey, it's been too long.

Do you like your name?

It annoys me because people never spell it right.

Could you ever date someone who was two years older?

I have, so yes.

When was the last time you were mad?

Today, but then I got put in a draw for a radio competition so I was happy again (talk about roller coaster!)

What are you listening to?

Holy MOLY perfect question right there - I'm listening to BROOKE FRASERs new album FLAGS.  Go buy it.  I love it.  This is my sixth listen!!

Is there a specific reason you're not dating the last person you texted?

Yes, its a girl.

Are you angry with someone right now?

I'm trying not to be, it's bad for your health.

What do you have to do tomorrow?

I have work, and then, whatever I want. :)

Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?

I like to sleep alone, other people annoy me, especially if they snore or make night noises.

The last time you felt honestly broken?

Broke = Right now.  Broken... well that's a hard one.  Ask me later.

This time last year, can you remember who you liked?

Yes, and this time last year I was in USA with said person, and we had so much fun.

What made you mad today?

Just being ditched again for a planned event.  But I'll get over it.  (2 times!?  In as many weeks.)

Have you stayed up past 3 AM in the past week ?

No.  I try not to.

Did 2009 go by too fast or too slow for you? 

Slow until August, then from August to October, waaaay too fast.  Being overseas does that to time.

What are you going to be doing Saturday night?

Having dinner with some friends at a local Indian restaurant.  Yum.  Nothing better than a curry with friends.

What were you doing last night at midnight and why?

Sleeping.  Because that's what you do at midnight.

Have you eaten a live fish?

Negatory.

Today, did you see someone who makes you smile?

I spoke to someone who makes me smile, I think that counts.

Can you honestly say you're okay right now?

 Sure, why not.

Is your room clean?

Yes.  I cleaned it on the weekend.

Do you check your texts straight away when you receive them?

Usually.  Unless I'm busy at work.

Can you fit your hand around your wrist?

Yes.

Do you like winter?

I prefer it, because in winter you can always put more layers on, but in summer, there are only so many layers you can take off.

Have you ever slept on a couch with someone?

Yes for on a couch, no for with someone.

Are you proud of who you are?

At the moment, yes, because I finally have direction.

When was the last time that you were genuinely happy?

This morning, when I got my offer of study from the university.

It's 4 in the morning, your phone rings, what do you do?

Stay asleep, because I have my phone on silent at night.

Do you pay with cash, credit/debit, or checks most often?

I'm trying to stick to a budget, and cash helps me do so.

Do you miss the way things used to be?

Yes I miss being innocent and carefree.  But I like the challenges to come too.

Do you currently have any bruises?

Most likely.  I'm always walking into one thing or another.

Are you a patient person?

Depends on what I am being patient about.  If I have a choice, I can be impatient.  Otherwise, I'm pretty patient.

When is the last time you were hugged?

I believe it was this afternoon.

Do you just want to yell in someone's face right now?

No, I'm good.

How was your summer?

Last summer was cold.  I was also in Europe for part of their summer, which was INCREDIBLE.  This coming summer, I hope it will be nice.  I have a road trip planned.

Would you rather be able to fly or breathe underwater?

Flying would be fun.  Pretty views, I'm not afraid of heights, and ability for international travel without paying airfares which are ree-donk-ulous.

Whats better, amazing eyes or amazing smile?

I choose option c.  Personality tops them all.

Has 2010 been good for you so far?

2010 has been average, with quite a few really good moments.  Feels like I'm waiting for something to happen though.

If you could go back and change something in the past 5 months, would you?

If I changed anything, I may not be the person I am right now, and off the top of my head, no immediate regrets spring to mind, except for the fact that if I could take back any hurt I have caused, I would be pleased.

Do you like to cuddle?

Not really.

Do any lights stay on while you sleep?

No, if I do, they annoy me so much that I get up and cover them with blue-tack.

What first pops in your head when you think of last summer?

Not a lot.  Being a bit ill.

Are you scared about the future?

Yes.  I have no idea where my study will lead, but it will be interesting to find out.

Do you feel like your life is flying by?

Since I left high school yes.  I also don't feel my age.  I don't feel like I could possibly have been alive that long.

Out of all your school years, which was the best?

All the odd numbered years really (except Yr 7 & 11)

Are you hard to make conversation with?

Sometimes.  If I'm not feeling particularly talkative.

Do you want any tattoos?

I have one.

What color was the last pill you took?

White.

Whats something you're looking forward to this weekend?

Sleep.

Who sung the song you last listened to?

Brooke Fraser!

Do you know anybody with the same middle name as you?

Yes.  I know someone whose last two names are the same.  Only our first names are different.

Kill the spider or let it out?

If it's little, then it's cute, so let it out.  If it's big and mean looking, I get my dad to kill/let it out.

Is there something wrong right now?

Yes, I just realised my candle went out and I didn't relight it.

Have you ever been a vegetarian?

Yes.

Do you find it hard making friends with people?

For the most part, yes.

Do you like the sun or the clouds better?

Sun

Are you good at hiding your feelings when you're upset?

Yes.

If you got jumped right now, what would they take from you?

Jumped?  Does that mean mugged?  Well, they'd have the contents of my room I suppose.  If you just mean what is on me right now, all they'd get is my lip balm!

How many pillows are on your bed?

4

Is there someone of the opposite sex that means a lot to you?

Yes.

And thus concludes my trip down memory lane.  Feel free to poach this survey and take your own trip.  I now remember why I stopped posting these bulletins... who really wants to read weird details of your life!!

If you did read,I applaud you.

Temptation.

Temptation is...wanting to post another blog like the last, ranting and raving about crap that people don't really care about.  But then I realised I already sound a bit like a brat.  So here's a balance. :)

While this may not be deep and meaningful, it is real and I fight these most days!! (hehe)

Temptation is all those songs I feel like I would die without if I didn't buy them off iTunes right now (yes, there is no illegal downloading in this house - my dad is paranoid, plus, I'd be the sort to feel excruciatingly guilty), whilst my iPod (all 30GB of it!) is almost full to bursting.

Temptation is that glass of wine after dinner I don't really need but have anyway because I've discovered it helps me sleep better.

Temptation is the book sale - or should I say, any book sale in the near vicinity - where you can get 5 paperbacks for $20.

I guess it is programmed into us as children that if it is a bargain, you should get it, you wouldn't want to miss out.  This has been my downfall.  So while my reasonable side of my brain says "you won't die without it", my impulsive side says "go for it, you might not see another one like it!". 

Thus I am now feeling a bit dumb, because my savings for university are abysmal, to say the least.  And now I'm even more nervous.

sigh its a vicious cycle.  I think I should give my credit card to my mum. :)

Liars ALWAYS get caught.

\

Vintage

Good like a wine, yes?  Well, out of my mothers closet today, I pulled a very cool, vintage (although I'm sure it was originally fashionable back when she bought it) handbag.  My handbag is falling apart from being battered day in day out, so I've retired it from everyday use.  In its place, is this fantasmic piece of leather. 

So, the question I'm pondering, is when does something go out of fashion, and at what point does it become "vintage" thereby rendering it cool to use it again?  As for this bag, well, it looks like it's been bought old, its in really good condition.  Mum says she bought it in around 1992, when I was about 2. 

For your final verdict, I present, the photo of the bag.  Yay or nay to this particular vintage?

If this was any time before 1990...

...it would be a highly secretive, tell-all-gossip, deepest-darkest-fears-and-feelings, who-my-current-crush-is, good old fashioned journal.  Gone are the days of the faded blue lined paper in a book hidden so well that only a mother knows where to find it.  No longer will hours be spent poring over decorating the outside of a precious diary with magazine cut-outs, glitter-glue, and fancy lettering, as well as the compulsory "Keep Out" and "Private" smack-bam on the front.

No, this right here is the twenty-first century.  These days, journals can be read by nearly anyone with a PC, and some mothers I know would struggle to even get their heads around the concept of a blog, let alone know how to find their child's blog on the vast world wide web.

Instead of teenage angst, there is anything from hot-topics of modern ethical debate, to make-up and fashion.  Granted, there are still countless blogs overflowing with teenage angst, but for most, this is the diary you don't want private, where you want it to be found and read, not hidden under a mattress or at the back of a closet.

In place of hours spent covering the last barrier to your innermost thoughts with the hottest heart-throb of this year, time is spent on HTML, and designing the functionality and visual appeal of the blog to the people who may follow you or just simply stumble across your blog.  After all, it remains your innermost thoughts and opinions, essentially, you present yourself to the world, how you want them to see you.

So, for my first blog entry, after all that waffle I just wanted to say, this is my contribution to the millions of other voices out there trying to be heard.  Whilst I may not be the most regular of bloggers, I can guarantee what I write here will be what I REALLY think.  Enjoy.  Or not.  It's really up to you!