A life full of happiness, laughter & happily ever after...

Fresh Space

2009-06-01T21:33:00.005+10:00

Time to leave the past behind.

To keep following my tracks,
hop on over to my new space
http://lisetteduhigg.com.au

Lomo Love

2009-05-20T00:09:00.004+10:00

Finally got my lomo l♥ve website up and running.
Check it out:
http://lomolove.com.au

I'll be updating this with what I've got in stock
and whatever lomo l♥ve thoughts come to mind.

...
spread the ♥

Lila my Leica

2009-05-13T17:35:00.006+10:00

I have found the camera of my dreams.

There was a period of time when I was constantly debating

and drooling over which camera I wanted to get.

First choice was an SLR of some sort with the Canon vs Nikon battle

making decision-making very difficult.

When it came to SLRs, the Leica brand never even crossed my mind.

Purely because of the hefty price tag all their SLRs were bundled with.

Having been lucky enough to bag myself a Leica Digilux 2 (Leica's SLR with manual controls)

over a year ago, the next step up would have been the Digilux 3 which

was going to set me back a few $'000... yep, keep dreaming right?

My Digilux 2 - Love the manual controls

I've always been a believer in soulmates.

And yes, even that belief translates into cameras.
I fell in love with the inimitable beauty of the Leica and it just felt like getting

another brand would have been settling for what was second best in my eyes.

Which brings me to the new addition to my growing horde of cameras...

Lila the Leica!

She came into my life over a month ago but I adore her to death already.

Beaten Black & Blue

2009-05-13T12:51:00.003+10:00

Over the past two weeks, I have been worrying over whether being kicked

and punched incessantly by a 26 week old Baby in my belly was normal.

My midwife assured me that it was.

She then went on to say that some babies have a much more calmer

demeanour than others, while other babies are just extremely active.

So while all this information was running through my head,

the only daunting conclusion I came to was that I was going to be blessed

with a handful little minx (or 'maniac' as Tim fondly refers to her).

I do wonder if my significantly reduced coffee and alcohol intake

have had anything to do with this.

My friend Sathya did mention a story about her two pregnant cousins

- one had a fairly relaxed view on what to cut out while the other

had gone to the extreme and became the poster girl for clean living.

As it turned out, poster girl had produced an angelic bundle of joy

(complete with violins & harps playing in the background)

while chilled-out momma had a bouncing bubba

full of energy and a killer attitude to match.

I mentioned my concerns to hubby/dad-to-be,

his nonchalant reply was something along the lines of,

"well at least we'll have one very charismatic & spirited baby".

Never mind the fact that she'll probably drive us both insane.

For Art's Sake

2009-05-06T08:22:00.007+10:00

Last night I managed to get off work (relatively) early.

Tim had tickets to see the winners of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes for 2009.

Corporate junkets are the best - free food, wine

and after hours access to the Art Gallery of NSW.

I managed to see the awesome artworks through squinty, tear-filled eyes.

The Archibald Prize 2009
awarded to the best portrait from life of one 'distinguished in Art, Letters, Science or Politics'

The Wynne Prize 2009
awarded to the best landscape painting of Australian scenery in oils or watercolours
or for the best example of figure sculpture, by an Australian artist

The Sir John Sulman Prize 2009
awarded to the best landscape painting of Australian scenery in oils or watercoloursor for the best example of figure sculpture, by an Australian artist

All images from The Archibald Prize website

x.x.x

2009-05-03T17:25:00.002+10:00

Life isn't so bad after all.

I have stumbled on my stash of Hershey's Kisses.

x.x.x

Sunday Blues

2009-05-03T17:07:00.002+10:00

Guess which loser has to work on a gorgeous autumn Sunday afternoon?

Me.

This could be a self-pitying post so if you just don't want to read about it, stop right now.

I don't usually indulge in such a luxury (although Timmy might say otherwise),

but I'm going to today.

This is completely justified because I:

1. have a miserable cold with no medication for relief

2. have a thumping headache which is showing me no mercy

3. am all alone at work madly blowing my nose through a pile of aloe vera infused tissues

4. can feel a backache creeping up on me

Tell me life is good.

sniffle

2009-04-29T08:44:00.003+10:00

We're living in Boogerville at the moment.

Winter is definitely making its presence felt.

Tim has the flu and I'm doing my best to fight it.

Apparently being pregnant means you have to suffer through a flu

without any medication to help you along the way.

Sounds like being pregnant robs you of all the creature comforts in life.

No alcohol, no coffee - both of which are great winter warmers.

And now, no drugs to stop my dripping nose.

As if the pregnant population need to suffer any more than we already do.

What have we done to deserve this?

This one's for Emmy Sarah

2009-04-22T23:48:00.003+10:00

Miss you lots
.x.o.x.

Baby Bump

.x.o.x.

.x.o.x.

.x.o.x.

...

click-click-click

2009-04-21T22:55:00.004+10:00

Shots from Lila the Leica

...

from Ala's Karaoke Birthday Bash

..

..

...

Good Friday at Mt Schoenstatt, Mulgoa

I want one of these little chapels in my garden.
Ooops
Forgot I don't have a garden to put it in.

Don't miss it.

2009-04-21T14:10:00.001+10:00

The World Through A Plastic Lens V3

opens on Thursday April 23rd 2009 from 6pm-8pm at Blender Gallery,

16 Elizabeth Street, Paddington.

The exhibition will run until May 19th 2009.

Blender Gallery hours: Tuesday–Saturday: 10am - 6pm

2009-04-20T10:50:00.001+10:00

The little one, aka Butternut, is kicking like crazy. She must think it's amusing to torment mummy when she's just about ready to fall asleep at night and first thing early in the morning.
If she's already being a handful in the belly, I can't imagine what havoc she'll wreak once she's out in the world. The little bugger knows I'm writing about her. She's giving me some pretty fierce kicks right now!

x.x.x

2009-04-06T23:12:00.001+10:00

To gorgeous Erica,
I will love you forever.
You've made me the happiest pregnant lady in the world.
The Kisses are slowly (slight exaggeration) being demolished and I am savouring every bit of it.
If I become as big as a house at the end of all this, I will most likely be blaming you for letting me devour all that chocolate!
Consider this as my apology in advance for when that moment comes.
In the meantime, I will happily go back to eating my dwindling stash of kisses.

2009-04-03T09:03:00.001+11:00

Thank heavens for the internet.
Following on from my earlier rant about the lack of maternity wear,
I have (re)discovered the goldmine that is online shopping.
Thank you topshop, american apparel and asos.
You have pulled me out of the darkness and have given me a new lease in life, along with
... a new pair of jeans that actually fit my bulging bump,
... a set of tops/t-shirts that cater to my expanding melons,
... a new bag to go with my new preggy wardrobe,
And last but not least, a few (or more!) pairs of shoes...
Because apparently it's all about flat footwear when you spend your days
waddling around until you're ready to pop like a balloon. Now I know pregnancy books advise not to buy too many shoes because your feet swell up to unimaginable proportions but hey, I'm willing to take a punt that piece of advice falls under the "it doesn't happen to everyone" category.

Did I mention I love being pregnant?!!

Too many sites, so little time

2009-04-02T20:18:00.002+11:00

I have ended up spreading myself too thinly across too many sites:
Multiply, Facebook, Blogspot, Lomohomes and who knows what else I signed up to along the way.
End result? - None of them is updated on a regular basis.
Solution? Site Shut Down.
To start off, I'm shutting down my other blog site (wife-101/jellybellybaby) and consolidating it on one blog - this one!
Luckily, I haven't written too many entries on the jellybelly site.
For the sake of sentimentality, here's my only post:

---

Saturday - 3 January 2009

Finally made a doctor's appointment at the medical centre.
Saw Robot Doctor Jo - yes, she was completely detached throughout the whole process.
Symptoms: nausea and little/no appetite for the past 3 weeks.
Robot Dr Jo: "... when was your last period?"
Sette: "uhmm... over a month ago?" (says she who really has no clue!)
Robot Dr Jo wanted me do a pregnancy test.
You don't argue with Robot Dr Jo, so off to the loo I went.
What a challenge it is trying to urinate into a tiny cup, without peeing on your trembling hand.
Success!!!
A clean and spill-free delivery back to Robot Dr Jo for the results. (drum roll please)
Result: ++++ - positive! 2 lines came up.
Robot Dr Jo promptly shuffled me next door to produce 4 vials of blood for further testing.

Happy New Year to me! And Tim of course.
At this point Tim was trying to squeeze out a reaction that was appropriately sympathetic to my shell-shocked expression.
So I'm pregnant. No wonder I've been such a moody cow... more so than usual anyway.

Next appointment, Friday 9th January.

2009-03-31T14:23:00.001+11:00

2009-03-22T10:55:00.001+11:00

Shopping while pregnant can be very frustrating. The selection for maternity wear is limited, outdated, overpriced and quite simply put, absolutely hideous! At a time in a woman's life (did I just refer to myself as a woman?!!) when she's supposed to be blooming gorgeous (am yet to experience this), "fashion", and I use this term loosely when it comes to maternity wear, is far from her biggest ally. I guess the upside to this is that ladies don't waste their money on clothes they can only wear for 6-9 months. And the other upside? The motivation to shed all those baby kilos piled on from months of scoffing down cupcakes (more please!), chocolates (yummm!) and whatever else causes the blood sugar level to skyrocket.
Yes, I am having a royal whinge.... but isn't that my god-given right as a pregnant woman anyway?
Have I mentioned I love being pregnant? In the midst of that rant, I'm sure I meant to.

2009-03-18T13:51:00.002+11:00

Timmy and I will be celebrating our 2 year anniversary on Sunday.
Two years of marriage... geez, time sure does fly!

Timmy - my Timmybum, my hubog, my smellyhairybellybum,
the one true love of my life.
His kisses still make me feel giddy,
his cuddles still make me warm and fuzzy,
and his jokes... well, let's just say that the 2 years of marriage
has seen me perfect the "that's not funny" look.

Finding your one true love is never a guarantee but for those lucky enough to have met theirs, it's a lifetime of happiness, laughter and happily ever after.

Jelly Belly Baby

2009-03-12T00:01:00.003+11:00

Have now updated my wife-101 blog with first entry I jotted down when I found out the big news. Once I have organised my random notes and interpreted my unintelligible scribbles, I can update the blog with the thoughts during the earlier weeks of my pregnancy.
Now on to those notes... they're hiding somewhere in the bottomless pit that is my handbag.

Chomp, chomp, chomp...

2009-03-05T12:37:00.004+11:00

The choccy cravings monster has taken over.
I have been scoffing down mouthfuls of chocolate and mountains of choc-chip cookies... non-stop.
A compulsive urge just takes over me and if it were an alien taking over the world,
it would say say something like "resistance is futile".
I worry that the little one (which we have temporarily nicknamed "Butternut" - story for another time)
will already be nursing a chocolate addiction even before he/she pops out of the cushy womb.
But there's no denying where that craving came from - Timmy's been craving for chocolate all his life!

Bump

2009-02-23T13:55:00.000+11:00

I'm officially 16 weeks today.
16 weeks pregnant that is!
So I have temporarily closed my wife-101 blog site and will be updating that with my pregnancy adventures.
I can't promise that it will be pretty - in fact, I'm sure there will be some fairly disgusting stories along the way.
But people have assured me that these are all part of the experience of pregnancy and motherhood.
So buckle up and get ready for what could be one hell of a ride!

Six hours for a man, seven for a woman, eight for a fool

2009-01-13T07:20:00.004+11:00

- English Proverb -

I slept 5 hours last night.... what does that make me?
Neither man, woman nor fool. Am I even human - I won't feel like it later, I'm sure.
I kicked off 2009 being a nana.
That is, Tim and I welcomed the new year with a picnic... in our lounge room!
So does that mean for the rest of 2009, I'll be relegated to nana-like tendencies?
Like early dinners [tick], early bedtime [tick], knitting [tick], naps during the day [tick on weekends].
All I know is that I'm going to be struggling this afternoon at work.
Maybe I should book a hair appointment for 2pm...

Hallo 2009, what have we here?

2009-01-03T15:27:00.011+11:00

Having spent the last few months of 2008 slaving away at the new office, I welcomed the (mini) Christmas break like an overexcited teenager welcoming their first pash/kiss. And just like an overexcited teenager would have felt, it just wasn't long enough and I want more, more, more!
Another thing to note, seems like my short hiatus from blogging/writing has left me slightly ill at ease with putting my thoughts to paper, or html in this case. I did find that the more I wrote, typed or scribbled, the more easily my thoughts flowed. But then that's not for everyone else to worry about. I'm making an effort to get back into the swing of things for 2009!

As for saying sayonara to 2008, well what can I say... It was a time for change both personally and globally - a change in job industries, a change in life outlook, a change in the economic climate (from which no one was spared) and a significant shift in the political arena with the election of President Obama and Prime Minister Rudd. In 2008, I learned a little bit more about myself, about what I am capable of achieving, about what I cherish most in life, about the little things that bring me pleasure and the negativity that drives me down, and one of the most important lessons - that change, though never a pleasant prospect, is always an opportunity to experience what it means to live. I am getting a tad melodramatic... indulge me as I have been cooped up at home all day (another story).

So what am I looking forward to in 2009?
1. To no longer be a slave to self-doubt.
Countless of times during 2008, I have been a victim to this sly sucker. From doubting my performance at work to doubting my ability to produce quality pieces for uni assessments - as often demonstrated by my very loud, slightly inappropriate reaction upon reading my results. Yes, I do need to make a greater effort of detaching myself from such an unhealthy state of mind. 2009, we're going to be all about having a can-do attitude.

2. To apply myself wholeheartedly in every task I undertake, however trivial or menial it may be.
Nothing to serious here, just things like doing the ironing - so Tim can stop hassling me, walking the dogs - so they stop going crazy, and opening my mail - so I don't miss important dates!

3. To have a healthier approach to life.
I don't smoke, so that one thing off the list.
I do drink... so that intoxicating indulgence will need to go in 2009.
And just maybe, after I've achieved the no alcohol resolution, I can start working on the hardest one of all - getting my wobbly butt to the gym and start getting fit for once in my life.
[self doubt creeping in on that last note.... refer back to point 1!!!]
I will save some for 2010 and kick the caffeine habit then.

4. To be grateful for the good things in life.
In the eternal quest of achieving our lifelong dreams, we always forget to be thankful for what we already have. Of this I am as guilty as the next person. In 2009, I will take the time appreciate what life has given me - hubby, family, friends, puppies and yummy coffee (before 2010 comes around).

Happy 2009 everyone!

Finders Keepers ... Losers Weepers

2008-12-01T23:29:00.003+11:00

An event not to be missed for all you market trawlers.
Always a case of too many goodies, not enough pennies.
Where else?
Carriageworks, of course!
Dec 5 - 6.
See you there.

2008-11-09T00:17:00.004+11:00

I handed my final uni assessment yesterday - which meant I didn't get much sleep the night before. Now that uni's all over until March next year, I've only got work keeping me busy and I'm hoping life will slow down and go back to normal, so we shall see if it works out that way.
Watch this space! :)

2008-10-23T00:31:00.002+11:00

Crazy, hectic, manic.

First day at new job.
Last day of uni.

Middle of winter? It certainly feels like it.

Arghhhhh!!!

2008-10-16T08:16:00.004+11:00

Eyes open at 6.45am
Jump out of bed by 6.50am
Run out the door by 7.20am

As always, when I roll out of bed before 7am, it's with good intentions and great plans for the day... and today was no exception. I was going really well until halfway through walking the 25m distance to my bus stop, I casually glanced behind me to check if the bus was on it's way.

And there it was - right behind me!
So I started running (running i tell you!) and as the bus slowed to a stop and picked up 2 passengers, the miserable bus driver pulls away as I am madly sprinting the remaining 2 metres to the door!!!

I
H.A.T.E
Sydney bus drivers.

Those unfeeling, evil misery bags should be made to lick the filthy bus seats as punishment!

Timmy's Baby

2008-10-10T18:21:00.001+11:00

The new addition to our family. We are yet to name him... Or her!

2008-10-10T12:09:00.005+11:00

Have finally manage to resurface from the chaos in my life and can now fill in the blanks.
Being an adult is not easy and over the past few months, I feel like I've had an overdose of being a grown-up.
At the best of times, I cringe at the thought of having to make life-changing grown-up decisions
so having such things plague my mind for too long short circuits my brain and emotions.
I'm glad it's all over.
PHEW!!!

Now that all the drama is out of the way, on to the more enjoyable things in life...
In a couple of weeks, I'll be jumping out of the rollercoaster ride that is investment banking
and skipping over to the musical merry-go-round ride (I'm hoping) that is publishing.
I'm terrible at saying good-bye -- having to do it gets me all emotional but thankfully,
I managed to hand in my resignation at Big Brown without turning into a blubbering mess.
Yes, the new role is still financial accounting but the upside to it all is that I get to do it
on something slightly more exciting that stocks on an exchange... magazines!
Now to someone that hoards copious amounts of magazines, this is my idea of heaven.
The new workplace is 2 blocks away from home and the benefits are endless.

• I can ride my Tilly the Tulip (pic posted below) to work
... yes, I will be picking her up very soon!
• I will no longer be constantly subjected to the temptations of city shopping
...sayonara MAC, Mecca and Witchery!
• I will finally be a fit and healthy human being
... gym and pedalling to work here I come!
• I will no longer be subjected to the perils of the foul-smelling Sydney buses
... see-ya to the scents so foul that they are more appropriate as terrorist torture tactics!

But the best thing about the new job is (free?) access to this:

And that is why I'm going to need to pimp up my bike with a nice sturdy basket...
magazines ARE heavy to carry!

Sette
-xox-

Where the bloody hell are ya?

2008-09-29T15:05:00.007+10:00

Back from an unplanned blogging hiatus.

Lots of stories to tell so will update soon enough.
In the mean time, here's a peek at my latest obsession.

2008-09-03T23:32:00.005+10:00

Unbeknownst to many I had to quickly jump on a plane to Cebu.
And by quickly, I mean
"It's Saturday! Next flight is on Monday...
Yup - flights booked for Monday!"
quickly.

The quick trip to Cebu was all because of that fateful phone call.
Excerpt from phone call between mum & auntie:
"...mama has lost her sight..."
Excerpt from phone call between mum & I:
"I've got bad news, Lola's lost her sight.
[long pause]
I gotta go!!!"
Mum hangs up the phone...
beep... beep... beep...
I think to myself, "What the hell just happened?"
Yup, I got that phone call from my mum and 3 days later,
I was on a Qantas flight to Cebu.

Who am I kidding, my Lola (Filipino for grandma) was nearly 80 years old
and never had a medical complaint since she gave birth to her 8th child!
But when these things happen, you don't think.
Tidal waves of emotion just overwhelm you
and you cope the best way that you know how.

In my case, it was to lock myself in the room, hide under the covers... and cry.
I cried because I didn't know what to think.
I cried because I didn't know what to say.
I cried because I didn't know what to feel.
I cried because it was the only way I knew how.
How to act, how to cope, how to react.

No doubt, Timmy was left with the unenviable task of having to comfort me,
and yet faced with the impossible task of not knowing how.
How does one convincingly say "things will be ok",
when you're not a 100% certain they will be.
How does one convincingly say "it can't be as bad as it sounds",
when it very well could be.

In the end, seeing my Lola was the only thing that mattered.
I finally saw her - the cold, sterile surroundings of her hospital room fading in the warmth of her smile.
Arms outstretched, ready to envelope me in a welcoming embrace.
And though I'm back home, in a place that seems a million miles away,
I am comforted by the knowledge that despite the distance,
she is safe, treasured, loved and adored.

2008-08-31T23:35:00.007+10:00

I recently got back from a quick trip to the Philippines - Cebu specifically, where our family hails from.
Unplanned trips are often the worst ones as they usually happen after the bad news is delivered.
I managed gather my thoughts and write a few entries while I was away...

Day 1: Monday, 11 August 2008

The laptop clock says it's 2.34pm Sydney time.
I'm looking out the window and I'm greeted by cottonballs of cloud
and dots of green puzzle-like pieces in a sea of blue.

Adele's raspy voice whispers above the roar of the engine...

"you should know that you're just a temporary fix...
just a filler in the space that's temporarily free.."

Well Adele's certainly feeling the negative vibe, albeit on a different level to mine.

QF19 taxied off the Kingsford Smith runway almost an hour behind schedule.
Not quite the behaviour one would expect from the flying kangaroo,
but these days they've been on the news for the wrong reason.
It's been more than once that the flying Skippy's hit the headlines,
and at least twice that some form of "malfunction" has required an emergency stopover in Manila.
I'm not entirely sure if I should be comforted by the fact that my final stop IS Manila
but maybe I ought to be.

Yes, I am back on the same turbulent flight path I was on just over two months ago.
This time around, travelling isn't such a welcome thought
and it's making the flight all the more exhausting.
I want to sleep but I can't - even after a few glasses of "bottled exclusively for Qantas" wine.

Maybe I need something stronger to knock me out... brandy perhaps?
Brandy, brandy, brandy.... Brandy Alexander!
I haven't clicked on that song for such a long time
and now is probably the perfect time to listen to it.

It reminds me of Timmy, who I've had to leave behind... again.
It's strange that since we got married, I've gone overseas without him more than I have with him in tow.
Doctor Phil would not be impressed.
At least this time around, I'm travelling with my mumwith a final destination not intended for relaxation and partying
- I'm saving that one for when I'm with Tim.

Cebu is still 7 hours away and I desperately need to get some sleep
if I'm to be remotely human by the time I get there.
I didn't really do myself any favours by going to bed at 2 in the morning either.

---

Sunday arvo at the Footy

2008-08-24T14:56:00.001+10:00

First weekend back and already at the Footy. Bunnies v Raiders! Em & Amil, wish you guys were here to keep me company. There's this crazy Bunnies supporter sitting next to me who just won't shut up!

Q & A

2008-08-04T21:29:00.004+10:00

Q: How do you know when you've been clocking up too many hours in the office?

A #1: When you type your work password every time you get prompted to enter one

A #2: When you press "0" before dialing the number on your home phone/mobile

A #3: When you tell your husband who's trying to check where & when you're meeting for lunch
that you'll "liaise closer to the time"

***

And so as another milestone in the financial calendar rolls in, I have once again been sucked up in a vacuum of craziness... for the 6th year in a row. How sad. Workings hours that are beyond normal have ruled the past few weeks of my life. With no uni classes to distract me, I was wallowing in the dreariness of it all, with the end nowhere near in sight. When I finally surfaced, almost a month later, my body just caved in.
So instead of being able to enjoy my life returning to its normal pace, I have been at home - sleeping for most of the day and popping pills when awake to ensure my body maintained that doped-up state. Not exactly my idea of bliss.
If you're finding this post a bit bizarre, blame the drugs I had for dinner.

August is finally here.
The last month of winter and the month before spring - happy days ahead!
I'm off to a good start so far. Managed to step out of the house, into the freezing cold and pop over to the Entertainment Quarter to watch Cirque du Soleil - Dralion. It was magical even to a doped up spectator like me.
The trampoline act made me wish I was up on stage happily bouncing away, boogers and all.

Hoping for more happy days...

Cino

2008-08-03T18:12:00.002+10:00

I now have access to mobile blogging which allows me to take photos on my phone and send it directly to my blog.
Oh the possibilities!

Guinea "pic" number 1... Cino standing near our fridge waiting for food to fall on the floor.

July Babies

2008-07-10T23:15:00.007+10:00

I have a love-hate relationship with the month of July.
I hate it because it's the middle of winter and has some of the coldest days on record.
I love it because it's my birthday and that means presents for me! :)
This year I've been a lucky chickie - I got tickets to the My Fair Lady musical in October.
I absolutely love My Fair Lady and Audrey Hepburn is just beautiful in the movie.
Counting down the days...

***

Living in a unit has a major downside - your mailbox is never big enough to fit anything
and whenever you're expecting a delivery,
you're always worried that someone else will take it before you get to it.
Yesterday I got a parcel which didn't quite fit in our tiny mailbox.

Here's what was hidden inside...Thanks to my lovely London ladies (and Amil!) who managed to get a birthday pressie to me despite being halfway across the world.

Missing you all so have decided to name each pot plant to represent you! Yes, I will be holding conversations with them in your absence.
Shame I can't take them shopping (Anna) or catch up over breakfast (Sha & Em)!

***

This must be year of the 30th birthday parties.
Last week Tim and I attended two 30th birthday celebrations.
Of course none of the celebrants actually act their age!
The proof is in the pic...

The birthday "boy" proudly wearing in his WWE belt

Happy couple

The ladies

Group shot - SMILE!

Happy Birthday to all the July babies!

Child of the 80s

2008-06-30T14:21:00.003+10:00

Yes, that's me.
The crimped hair styles, off-the-shoulder tops, big boofy bangs, lycra tights and pastel legwarmers.
It was an era where I was guilty of sporting a nasty perm (courtesy of my grandma's hairdresser)
accentuated by a velvet scrunchie.
Back then, brogues were in vogue long before Laura Hollins became fashion trendsetter Agyness Deyn.
With so much of the 80s making a comeback in the Noughties,
it's only fitting that even the music is experiencing a revival.

Bring on The Bangles!
This all-female band from the 80s are touring Australia this year and will be rocking it up at the Enmore in October.
I really, really, really want to go!
I'll be wanting to "Walk Like an Egyptian"...
stressing over it being another "Manic Monday"...
and burning over my "Eternal Flame".

Calling all other Children of the 80s - come out and play!

***

Sha, Anna and Emily... maybe you lot can fly back for this? :)

Ho-hum...

2008-06-24T23:10:00.005+10:00

I've been neglecting my babies.
I haven't taken them out to play in so long and they just haven't been getting the attention they deserve. These days they just hang out in their special corner of the house looking forlorn. But this weekend I'm definitely taking them out for an adventure. It's time to pay a visit to my favourite gallery - Mays Lane and get them happily snapping away. :)
I have stopped trying to keep track of my camera collection as they seem to have taken a life of their own and could possibly be breeding! Common sense tells me that I should really get rid of some of them but I just can't get myself to do it. *sigh*

I'm rambling.

Despite not having written much lately, I do have a lot to write about.
The Angus & Julia Stone concert that Cat and I went to was just divine, heavenly and totally out of this world.
To say that they are great musicians is an understatement - they are gifted beyond belief and ooze oodles of talent.
Life is so unfair!
How can some people be so musically blessed while others (e.g. Lisette) are just tone deaf?
*sigh*
Their album is on repeat on my iPod... Feist has gone to the back of the line for now.

P.S.
I am embracing the geek in me... Karen Walker Gee Gee sunnies come to me!

9 to 5

2008-06-10T13:20:00.001+10:00

I love 9 to 5.
It's the only thing about Monday mornings that I actually look forward to.
For a free weekly magazine that's handed out to all commuters passing through the city, it does a decent job of keeping everyone slighty amused and entertained. And no, it doesn't have that same trashy feel that Mx does - another free publication keeping commuters sane during the jam-packed train ride home. It has the same columns that you'd expect to see in a regular magazine - food, fashion, events and the not to be forgotten "Horoscope for the Week".

So here's my horoscope for the week:
This is one of those weeks when you might feel like staying in bed.

And that's it!
With the weather cranking up the wind & chill factor, it doesn't take a genius to work out that everyone would prefer to be in bed this week. I wonder if they're paying their astrologer to churn out such rubbish...
and if they are, where do I apply?

2008-06-09T22:46:00.007+10:00

How strange is it that with my uni working really ramping up, I've started to cut back on my blogging. Could it be that because uni requires me to churn out features, news articles, etc. I'm no longer as motivated to blog? I'm hoping not. I've got one more assignment to hand it and after that, I'm just about done for semester 1! And as cliched as it sounds, it seems like only yesterday that I was enrolling in uni to start a media course - something completely foreign to what I do on a daily basis. It was daunting, overwhelming and caused numerous moments of self-doubt. Fastforward to the present and those feelings are replaced with enjoyment and amazement - yup, it amazes me that I actually am enjoying studying again! :)

I will be glad to have a break from uni for a few weeks though. I'm hoping to squeeze in a few things before uni starts...
... finally be able to pick-up on my weekly Thurs night (window) shopping sprees
- Half yearly Sales here I come!
... spend some quality time with Timmy
- no more rushing from work to uni to home!
... dinner catchups with friends
- no more "Oh I can't make it, I've got uni" excuses!

Bring on uni holidays.

***

I'm excited!

Got tickets to the Julia & Angus Stone concert at Enmore Theatre on 17 June. :)

2008-05-26T01:23:00.002+10:00

Guess who has tickets to State of Origin III ???
*big smile*

Lucky me! I'm torn between wanting NSW taking it out in 2 straight wins or QLD making a comeback for one hellova contest at ANZ Stadium. Can't wait!!! It's mine & Timmy's first Origin game ever...

***

I have been plagued with mood swings lately.
Poor Tim.

Hope Street Markets

2008-05-17T12:56:00.004+10:00

bringing hope to the streets

This is on this weekend...

***
I like the idea behind this particular market. It's not like your regular weekly markets (Glebe, Paddington, Rozelle...) as it exists for a reason apart from just pure capitalism - it promotes emerging and independent local talent.
The fact that it's held quarterly makes it worth your while.

The concept of "bringing home to the streets" is so idealistic. After coming back from a developing country, I always see Sydney in a different light. No pollution, no traffic chaos/standstill, no unnecessary noise, no beggars roaming the streets, no street hawkers selling their wares... no life? Maybe not quite, but life is certainly expressed differently. You rarely see a beggar on the streets of Sydney, with the exception of the regular 'homeless' guys that dot the CBD. Walking the streets of Sydney is a very impersonal experience. Everyone is so focused doing their own thing that sometimes even the slightest accidental brush can earn you a deathly stare. But the one thing I do love about it is that when I'm amongst it all, my troubles seem to dwindle away into nothingness. And right now, that's where I need to be.

Bronchitis

2008-05-14T21:57:00.023+10:00

[because that's what I'm suffering from right now]

PHHEEWWWW!!!

Feels like I've lived a month in a just a couple of weeks!
Got back from Manila on Monday night after a whirlwind 8 day stay with crazy Erica.
From the moment my plane landed, it was non-stop from Manila to Boracay.
Met some lovely people, drank too much wine, bought too many bags
and managed to get a tattoo for 500 pesos at a club!
I'll let the photos speak for themselves...

Day 1: First official night out at Happy Mondays with the lovely ladies

Gina - Erica Sandwich

AND...the makings of my $12 tattoo in the club:

Mike putting on the design...

And here we go...

He was a very good tattooist... no pain!

The finished product!Who the hell is Timothy???? ;)

Day 2: Drinks at Cav
A nice, grown-up night out sipping on wine and chomping on cheese to welcome Erica's birthday!

With the birthday girl!Crazy@$$ Gina!!!

Day 3: Erica's Super Duper Awesomely Rad Eighties Birthday Party
Fun, fun, fun!!!
Children of the 80s were out in full force that night at Tabu.
The pics are just hilarious!

Birthday girl vamping it upErica celebrating her Super Duper Awesomely Rad Eighties B-day PartyLadies in the 80sGorgeous MargeauxTimothy what are you doing over there???And this is what happens after too many glasses of wine

Day 3: Hangover Day
Yup, major hangover.
But it was time to head off to sunny Boracay so no excuses!
We boarded a SEA air plane which was stuck on the runway for 20 minutes ...
because of traffic on the runway! Can you believe it?
Even the runways in Manila are congested!

Boracay was great! Shame I was sick but lucky Erica (aka Supermum) had it all covered. She had me all drugged up in no time so I could at least enjoy the delights of Boracay...
cheap alcohol...
wine & cheese night...
2am choriburgers...
3am Andoks chicken...
4am bedtime...
7am wake up time for a
10am flight back to Manila!!!

Sunday was my last day in Manila and we ended it with a quiet dinner with Erica, Gina, Cutie Dada & Nino. By that time, my cough was getting worse so it was definitely time to head home.

And today, I found out that I have bronchitis!!! :)

Diarrhoea

2008-04-30T22:21:00.002+10:00

Timmy's right - it HAS been nearly a month since I last blogged.
He says that he doesn't know what's been happening with me anymore.
Funny bubby...

Have been swamped the past few weeks try to accomplish so many little things that need doing. Work has been hectic, uni has been surprisingly crazy and our diaries always seem to have an event for practically every spare moment we thought we had.
So where have I been the past few weeks?
Let's see...
At least once a week I watch the Rabbitohs game, willing them to win yet somehow they manage to never quite make it. It's both heartbreaking and character building supporting a team on a losing streak. And to top it off, I can't even have my perving moments as Craig Wing is still warming the bench. Enough about the Rabbitohs!
Managed to attend a few catch-ups out in the West Siiiiide (!) the past few weeks... one was for Ala's birthday at Glenwood and more recently, my 10 year high school reunion at the hip-n-happenin Albion's at Parramatta conveniently located right across from my old school. Well wasn't that fun! The best bit was catching up with the lovelies who I hadn't seen for a few months. Was most irritating when the bouncers decided they were going on a power trip and would hassle Timmy for wearing his beloved Jordans - just don't go there buddy!
Oh and did I mention that uni's taking up a lot more time that I expected? Almost every Sunday for the past month I have had to sacrifice my Sunday afternoons catching up with my "Making Magazines" group. At least the girls are lovely and it's a surprising relaxed atmosphere. We have made Berkelouw Cafe (cafe/bookshop) at Norton St, Leichardt the home base of our magazine and despite all the hard work we've had to put in, everyone seems to be genuinely enjoying it!
Oh and for a while there I was getting depressed that I hadn't taken too many lomographs or even the standard photographs lately. Luckily I remembered to bring my camera to work so I could go snap happy at the gallery exhibiting the work of an artist I've interviewed for the magazine feature. I shall post them soon.
And finally, I am off to sunny Philippines this Sunday!!!
Hip-hip-HOORAY!
Poor Timmy will just have to do without his Maniac for a little bit. I'm sure he won't even miss me much! *sniff*

***
My latest obsession are postcards, especially the free ones that you get from restaurants or cafes. Love em, love em, love em. I have even taken a wire rack from work so I can put them neatly on my kitchen bench. Don't ask me why how this obsession started, it just did.
So in my quest to find out where I can get MORE free postcards, I stumbled on this site:
Postsecret
Worth a peek!
I do remember seeing one of the Postsecret books on the shelves at Berkelouw...

Last-minute-Lisette

2008-04-07T23:55:00.003+10:00

Old habits die hard.
Everything was always a last minute effort back in glory days of undergrad uni.
Somehow, that's managed to seep back into uni the 2nd time around.
Poo!!!
I have a news pitch due tomorrow - 100 words and 5 names to be interviewed.
Panic attacks!!!
I attended the Sydney City council meeting tonight...
B.O.R.I.N.G.
Wasted an hour and a half hoping to get a news story out of it.
No luck - all they talked about the entire time that I was there was the "off-leash parks".
Sh*thouse!

Happiness is...

2008-04-06T09:40:00.013+10:00

a new pair of Shakuhachi ankle boots! Or make that 2 pairs please!!!

I have been lusting after these Shakuhachi ankle boots for yonkers now and I finally got them!
If you're wondering how I can be so obsessed with shoes ask Anna-Banana!
This is how desperate I was to get these boots:

Step 1. Go straight to the source
Ring, Ring, Ring...
Lisette: Hi, just wondering who the stockists are for the Shakuhachi ankle boots?
Shakuhachi Lady: There are only two in NSW - one in Darlinghurst and another in Ballina
Lisette: Thanks very much!
Puts down the phone
***
Lisette: Tim... how far is Ballina???

Step 2. Contact stockists and make it clear just how desperate you are
Ring, Ring, Ring...
Lisette: Hello, would you happen to have the Shakuhachi boots in stock?
Capital L: Not as yet, but we're expecting to receive it soon.
(Lisette is gutted)
Would you like me to put your name down for when they come in?
Lisette: Yes please!!!!

Step 3. Try to wait patiently for THAT phone call
"TRY" being the keyword...

Step 4. Once you get THAT call, fly like the wind!
B&B Office, Friday, 5.05pm - One missed call from Capital L
Ring, Ring, Ring...
Lisette: Hi, I just had a missed call from this number about 2 seconds ago...
Capital L: Is your name Lisette?
Lisette: Yes... (heart beating faster and faster)
Capital L: Just wanted to let you know that boots are in - I'm just unpacking them.
We open at 11am tomorrow if you wish to pop by then.
Lisette: What time do you close today? (desperado....)
Capital L: 6pm.
Lisette: Ok see you in a bit!!!!
***
Lisette: Tim, can you leave work now please! I need to pick up my boots... I'm getting both pairs today!!!
Capital L: HOW are you going to carry 2 pairs of boots on a MOTORBIKE?!!!

OK so maybe I didn't exactly "fly like the wind" to get there but that's what I would've tried to do if I were able to.
Tim & I made it just in time to get my boots before Capital L closed.
We even had time to chat to the lovely store owner Lou.
Tim rode home with a deliriously happy pillion passenger with bags of boots hanging off her arms.

YIYLoveYmyYShakuhachiYbootsY

Crash-Hot-NOT

2008-04-03T16:58:00.001+11:00

Not feeling 100% today. Being at work is the last place that I want to be right now.
Need to be in bed, preferably snuggled under the doona.
My fault for feeling crap today as I stayed up late last night watching a Japanese horror flick on SBS.
It followed the same format as "The Ring" but this one was titled "One Missed Call".
The story centres around a missed call you get from on your mobile phone.
The kicker is that the missed call is from your own number.
So you call your voicemail and listen to a message recorded sometime in the future
and you hear yourself on the other line at the exact moment just before you are killed in some gruesome way!
Yup, it's pee-your-panties scary!!!
Lucky for me, I had Cino the Snoring Puppydog to keep me company!

I desperately need another cup of coffee...

March Madness

2008-04-02T22:05:00.017+11:00

PHEW!!!
March was certainly one manic month ~ well the second half of it anyway.

YxYxY
First up, Tim and I celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary on 22 March 2008! Luckily it also happened to be the Easter Long Weekend so we managed to sneak away from Sydney for a relaxing getaway in the Hunter Valley. We stayed at Peppers courtesy of a few lovelies who gave it to us as an "engagement" present. The weather wasn't on on her best behaviour (yup, am positive it's a she) but we managed to book ourselves for a wine tour and ended up spending the afternoon with a lovely bunch of winos hitting one winery after another. Sunday was our last day at the Hunter and we made the most of it by indulging ourselves in a 2 hour session a the day spa on Peppers. Hmmmm... absolute bliss.
Can't wait to do that again!!!

Did remember to bring my camera(s) and took a few "lomographs" with my LCA:

We are here!

Timmy checking out the vineyards

Shrunken grapes on the vine - not so pretty after all

Little Missy in some vineyard

***

Over the weekend the Carriageworks Platform 1 Hip Hop Festival was on. Tim and I turned up to fulfill our volunteering duties and did a lot of work and had loads of fun in the process! Everyone in attendance clearly had a great time and marvelled at each others amazing talents.
Some of the shots I managed to sneak while "working"...

Empty space before the craziness started

Artists on their knees getting into Chalk Art!

Ladies and their piece of art

Table of sketchers

More pics to come as soon as I finish my other roll!

...

2008-04-02T01:32:00.004+11:00

Hello world... are you there?

Peppers @ Hunter Valley - 22 March 2008

Feels like ages since I last posted an entry... will try to do so tomorrow.

Platform 1 Hip Hop Festival

2008-03-25T16:55:00.007+11:00

If you're not up to much this weekend, check out the Hip Hop Festival at Carriageworks!

Tim and I will be volunteering at the Chalk Art section so pop over for a chat and save us from all the Graffiti artist wannabes... actually, they're only little kiddies but still.

Poo-ey!!!

2008-03-20T12:51:00.003+11:00

So it's the last day before the Easter long weekend and I'm just dying to get out of the office!
Boo-hoo for me... I've still gotta go to uni!

Officially missing you...

2008-03-18T19:54:00.008+11:00

This is going to be a girly post - consider yourself warned.
And it's most likely driven by rampaging hormones seeing that it's that "special" time of the month.
So no apologies - I just need to let this out.

Ever since some of my girlies have left for not-so-sunny London Town, my life just hasn't been the same.
There are so many things about those crazies that I miss...

I miss the countless email conversations that used to ping-pong through cyberspace during work hours.
I miss the lunch meet-ups when we were all working within walking distance of each other.
I miss the dinner dates where without fail, inappropriate dinner conversations would always pop up.
I miss the early brekkie attempts instigated by Emily - which Sha and I would always struggle to wake up for.
I miss the shopping sessions - after which I would dread the thought of going home knowing I'd have to explain myself to Tim (courtesy of Anna-Banana).
I miss the cafe catch-ups peppered with accounting related conversations that only we find hilarious
(sorry Tim, Amil & Stuart!)

I never thought that I'd miss them this much but I do!

2008-03-12T21:01:00.002+11:00

Once again I am absolutely knackered.
Since Monday I've been powering through work and it feels like it should be Friday already. Surely with the amount of work I've already done I'm entitled to have the next few days off right?!! When someone tells you that it's all going to be OK, don't believe them. Sh!t is most likely going to hit the fan... with you directly under it. Yes, random (got to stop using that word) comment but completely true.

On a brighter note (cos there always is!), I have once again resumed bike lessons with the Hubby. Yes, he talks too much and yes, I talk back too much. That is basically the dynamics of our student-teacher relationship. I do think that the safer option would be to be taught by a detached party (ie. no husbands) who won't freak out every minute about what I am/am not doing. But given that I don't even have my learner's permit, I can't really complain. And besides, I am definitely improving!

Next week is our 1 year wedding anniversary and we'll be celebrating in the Hunter Valley courtesy of our dear friends. And it's the Easter long weekend which is even better!

P.S. Tim is excited about the Rabbitohs smashing the Roosters on Friday night.

P.P.S. Tim, please don't wear your matching Rabbitohs trackies with our Rabbitohs socks and Rabbitohs inspired shoes!

2008-03-08T19:01:00.005+11:00

Went to Mays Lane this afternoon to check out the latest pieces on the walls and got a bit snap-happy. I must say that I'm grateful that I am able to admire an ever changing variety of artwork without being subjected to admission fees each time I go!

***

My exciting moment... we finally picked up my motorbike!
Well Tim did the riding and I did the driving seeing that I don't have a licence yet. And for the record, I have booked my pre-learner course for the end of March, so hopefully I'll have my Ls not long after! It looks really tiny when Tim's riding it but it's just perfect for me.

Photographic evidence of my brand spanking new bike before any accidents, mishaps, etc (fingers crossed!)...

2008-03-05T21:17:00.002+11:00

I am sick as a dog this week and it's only 3 days into the working week!
In between sniffles and sneezes, how I've managed to work late is an achievement in itself.
Yay for me and "whoopsies" for all the boo-boos I've done so far.
I have been typing "fiance" instead of "finance" and "fairy value" instead of "fair value".
I'm sure there'll be more to come as it's only Wednesday after all.

On the upside, I started uni this week and it's just GREAT!!!
I'm loving being a student again and meeting new people is always a welcome experience.
Had my first class last night - "News Writing" and of the 8 people that were there,
3 of us came from a finance background with the rest from varying career paths as well.
I thought it was lovely that we were all escaping from 'practicality' and pursuing our passions.
My next class is tomorrow night so we'll see how that one goes!

Another exciting thing is that (fingers crossed) I'll be getting a motorbike this weekend!
HOORAY!!!
I just have to remember to book myself for a pre-learner's course.
Yes, I'm not licensed to ride a motorbike yet but I'll get there!

buy me a bike

2008-02-29T00:12:00.004+11:00

This week I had a taste of what it feels like to be a student again... this time Timmy was playing teacher. Now that I'm going to be a uni student again I've had to consider the logistics of working in the city and then hightailing to the other end of town for my night classes. Public buses aren't really my preferred mode of transport as I don't fancy spending up to an hour in city traffic to get to a place that will normally take less than 10 minutes. And so the idea of riding a bike to uni came up!

If you know me well enough then you'll soon realise that it's not the pedal pushing kind of bike (cos that would mean exercise!) but rather the rip-roaring-down-the-highway kind of bike. And to do that I'd have to get my motorbike licence! So I'll be signing up for my pre-learner course soon but in the meantime I'll be getting private lessons from Timmy... well we did that on the weekend and let's just say that it wasn't always smooth sailing. Learning from someone is hard. It's even harder when that someone also happens to be your husband. And it's near impossible when you hate the feeling of being bossed around - which I clearly do! So for the sake of marriage preservation, I'll just have to cut out the back chat, force a smile and learn to ride!

Uni Student (take 2)

2008-02-22T14:42:00.000+11:00

So excited!!! Got my letter of offer yesterday from Sydney Uni.
And so as of March 2008, I will officially be a student again. The only difference is that this time round, I'm doing what I have always wanted to do. Granted it's probably not the best move for my career at the moment but the satisfaction will be there. I would hate to be 80, zipping around in my moped and be thinking to myself "why didn't I give it a go?"...

In a way, I feel like I should be satisfied with the career and qualifications I already have. It has put me in good stead and has given me great career opportunities. But in spite of all that, there is still a desire deep down to explore other avenues and to have no regrets later in life. Hence the application for a spot in a postgrad course in media. The fact that I had no Bachelor's degree in Arts/Communication and zilch industry experience didn't put me off... just more determined and desperate (ha!). I figured that if life had not meant for me to go down that path, I wouldn't have gotten the offer in the first place!

So, I'm off to another adventure in life and here's to many more to come!

Wait a minute Mr. Postman...

2008-02-18T23:39:00.004+11:00

If you go to the corner of Doody and Ralph Street, Alexandria - where the Australia Post distrubution centre is located, this is what you'll find stuck on the fences:

Big Days

2008-02-18T23:10:00.006+11:00

It's not very often that I have "BIG" days.
Today was one of them... momentous actually.

18 February 2008.
Today is the day that Hubog (Bisaya speak) joins the workforce again.
Yup, definitely a big day for both of us.
It's similar to that feeling you get when it's your very "first" day.
First day of school, first day at work, first day catching the bus on your own... FIRST day.
These "firsts" are always a daunting and yet oh-so-exhilarating experience.
It's that moment when you feel like making a thousand and one trips to the bathroom just because it's the most comforting thing you can think of at the time. And yes, a great idea until the point when you actually get there and wonder what the hell you're doing running to the loo every five minutes.

Anyway, back to Timmy's story.
Sharing the experience of his 'first day' to work was a bit surreal... even though all I really did was catch the bus into town with him. But I'm sure I got that same anxious feeling that mothers get when they first say good-bye to their kids on their first day of school. I was almost scared to let him go and I do recall mentioning to him more than once that he could just change his mind if he's not up for it... or if he finds himself in a situation that he's not entirely happy with. Throughout the day I kept thinking about how he was going and worrying that if I didn't hear from him anytime soon, I would have to go to his building to make sure he was doing ok.
Luckily I was able to meet him at lunch for a debrief on how his morning went.

Got through the day without any trouble and caught up with some friends for a celebratory pub grub dinner. Actually, it was $14 ribs at Oscar's, Pyrmont. YUMMM....

P.S. Lana ordered a cocktail something similar to a Cosmopolitan... a Cosmopolitan perhaps Lans?!!!
:)

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-15T00:15:00.003+11:00

Wow, Valentine's Day is finally over.

This year will be a memorable one...
spent the evening being felt up by an Asian lady with a pair of Nike runners (Tim & I were getting a massage)
and more importantly,
SOMEONE lost their wedding ring!!!

Winter Wishlist

2008-02-12T20:29:00.000+11:00

Because the weather's got me all confused, I'm starting to think winter's just around the corner!
And so I've started compiling my winter wishlist:

Willow thigh high boots (and longer legs!)

Penelope Oxford Pumps for work
and
Grey leather gloves from Country Road

YYYYY

When's payday again?

Happy Pills

2008-02-12T10:11:00.000+11:00

Why can't the pharmaceutical companies make contraceptive pills that affect women in a positive way?!!
I can really do without the mood swings that will put a pendulum to shame,
the added weight cushioning my "birthing hips" and
the weird and wonderful food cravings that I get every so often.
And don't get me started on the long-term effects... blood clots, high blood pressure, yadda-yadda-yadda.
I mean, who would've thought that these tiny lolly-look-alike pills could wreak such havoc on my system
as if some 1st year apprentice electrician was constantly short circuiting my wiring?

Of course this week's been no exception.
Sunday night TV viewing got the waterworks started with the first episode of Brothers & Sisters for the season.
Why did Justin have to go Iraq to fight that stoopid war and then get caught in a sniper attack???
And then last night's feature about the special relationships that twins have got me started again.
Yes, IT IS hard to lose someone but apparently it's doubly hard when that person also happens your twin!
Crying during TV shows has now become my favourite past time... courtesy of these pills I'm popping.

What I would really love is a pill that is 99% (they never make anything 100%) effective at what they're intended for
PLUS the following side effects :
+ happy temperament
+ little or no appetite for greasy food, with the exception of kebabs/Macca's at 1 in the morning on a drunken night out
+ forgiving in the problem areas and figure enhancing where sorely needed (bust area for me please!)

But then again, I won't have a scapegoat for those days when I'm being "extra" difficult and (b/)witchy!
So maybe I'll just stick with what I've got for now.

smile

2008-02-09T13:52:00.000+11:00

I finally got a photo with Craig Wing!!!

WOO-HOO!!!

Only problem is that it's not on my camera... out of all the cameras I own, stoopid Sette took the camera with the dead battery.

DOH!!!

So I'm patiently waiting for the Rabbitohs dude to post up the photos...

2008-02-07T13:45:00.000+11:00

Poo, poo, poo, POO!!!

The rain has kicked off again and to top it off, the temperature in the office has reached sub-zero levels. Damn air conditioners ~ can't make up their minds!!! Yup, I'm going a bit loopy today, hence my nonsensical post. Feeling very antsy for no apparent reason and counting down 'til hometime...

Geez.... another 4 hours to go before I'm outta here!!!

Arghhhh!!!!

Lomo on...

2008-02-03T16:40:00.000+11:00

I finally got the some of the film developed from my LCA and the sampler.
The LCA was cross-processed and the sampler just had normal negative film in it...
both feeding my LYMO addiction!

Shots from the sampler:

Stuffing my face at a Sha & Amil's party...

Cino letting it all hang out

Tim after watching Le Grand Cirque @ Opera House

Celebrating Australia Day with yummy Australia Day Donut
and Carrot Cupcake! (sugar overload...)

My LCA shots : slide film + x-processing and wide angle lens in there somewhere!

Busker at Circular Quay

Preacher at the Quay...

Pretty the super long dog... (LCA with Wide Angle lens)
Oopsies.. it's actually Cino the Puggle behind her!

Only our way to do our groceries, we stopped by Mays Lane to check out the latest pieces. This artist was putting the finishing touches to his work in memory of fellow artist Holly and a friend who drowned in the Maroubra storm drains in January.

inked

2008-02-03T02:01:00.000+11:00

And so my friend Erica finally got the tattoo she'd been raving on for ages...

and it's just G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!
It looks quite big but ultra feminine ~ Y it!

(Erica, if you're reading this - sorry, I've "borrowed" your pic!)

For the tattooed folks, you all know that getting one is best described by that Pringles line...
"once you pop, you can't stop!"
Have been wanting my next piece and I want it on my back.
All I know is that it has to be something that has a lacy feel to it - and I want a BIG one this time! Well big enough so that my existing teeny-tiny one is incorporated in the new one.
I got bored one day when I was home alone and got stuck into trying to draw something to see what it would look like on my back. Timmy did some photoshop work to put my drawing on my back and this is how it turned out:
Ok so I wasn't that original as I "took inspiration" (ha!) from my wedding hairpiece.
And yes, I know that Christina Aguilera has one on her back for her perfume ad... poo!!!

2008-02-01T09:38:00.000+11:00

It's miserable outside... and so I'm feeling miserable!
Unfortunately there are days when the weather dictates my mood and today just happens to be one of those days. I just want to stay in bed under the doona... maybe with a cup of Earl Grey next to me.

[slightly] obsessed.

2008-01-31T00:02:00.000+11:00

Picked up my parcel from DHL last night... one of the good things about living close to the airport - forget the missed deliveries from the lazy couriers!
So I got my camera case for the Diana and the purchase I had been so excited about... the LC-A+ wide angle lens!!!It's my new toy and I can't wait to test it out.
Yes, I am just a tad obsessed with getting the gadgets to go with my cameras.

...

2008-01-30T23:17:00.000+11:00

Is there such a thing as eating too much anchovies?
If there is, then I think I just did it.
So now my stomach hurts...

Happy Long Weekend

2008-01-27T19:11:00.000+11:00

I have been waiting forever for this long weekend to come... and finally it's here!

Friday night was spent with the workmates unwinding from a crazy work schedule for the past few weeks. Malaya at King Street Wharf was the destination and as always, the restaurant did not fail to satisfy our hunger... and then some. My only warning is that their dishes aren't for tastebuds with low chilli tolerance levels - the dishes are hot, hot, hot!!! And I don't mean the temperature.

Yesterday was Australia Day, which turned out to be a very food-focused affair. Lunch was with the family to celebrate Mike's birthday - not so Australian as we had Yum Cha at Carlingford. Although we did spend the afternoon with the Burns Family (Tim's family friends) sipping on champagne and enjoying Australian yummies - pavlova and lamingtons served with the Aussie flag stuck on top!

In the evening we hightailed to Beverly Hills for Sha and Amil's farewell party where "overcatering" was the theme of the night. Canapes, mains, desserts and drinks were all in excess and by the end of the night, it still looked like we barely touched any of it. Timmy and I are both very sad about losing our neighbours for 2 years while they're off to conquer London Town. Hopefully they'll be back sooner than expected so Tim can have his Mr Playdate back and I can once again enjoy catch-ups over brekkie/coffee with Sha aka Crappy Pants.

YYY

Today is a BIG day for Tim and I.
It's exactly one year after he proposed!!!
True LYve brings such great happiness.

Tim left a sweet note for me on the fridge (hmmm... that must be the first place I go to when I get out of bed!) and after much lazing around, we decided to enjoy the sun and headed out to Circular Quay. We had lunch at a cafe by the water followed by yummylicious Baskin & Robbins Cookie Dough ice cream!

One of the best things about Sydney is that you're never without a gallery when you're wanting one. The MCA (Musuem of Contemporary Art) is right on the water and that's where we were off to for the rest of the afternoon. One of the artists on show was a lady by the name of Shahzia Sikander, a Pakistani artist now based in the US. Her work focuses on Indo-Persian miniaturist paintings and are just amazing. You really do need to walk right up to the artwork, look closely til you're nearly cross-eyed and focus on the detail in order to really appreciate her work.

To cap off the day, Tim bought "1 year anniversary since we got engaged" presents for both of us from the MCA store. Happiness!!!

Tim's pressies for himself... Street Sketchbook and BanksyAnd a present for me... the "Don't Think*Just Shoot" Lomography book!!!

May he rest in peace...

2008-01-24T20:32:00.001+11:00

Heath Ledger

14 April 1979 - 22 January 2008

[PHOTO COURTESY OF SMH.COM.AU]

***

"Someone" (Tim!!!) keeps saying how creepy this photo is. After reading the barrage of (at times speculative) news articles about his sudden death from an overdose of sleeping pills, one of the things that really stuck me was this snippet from the SMH website:

LESS than three months ago, Heath Ledger described his sleepless nights and mental exhaustion as he wrestled with his role as the "psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic" Joker in the new Batman film.

The photo above was Heath in character as the Joker. Over the past few months, there have been talk of Heath's stellar portrayal of the character and of how he outshone the other characters in the film. It makes you wonder just how involved he must have been and the effect it ultimately had on him.

Birthday Baby

2008-01-22T23:23:00.000+11:00

It's my brother's birthday today.
He turned 22 ... what a baby!!!
Happy Birthday Mike!

xox Ate

2008-01-22T23:14:00.000+11:00

I cannot wait any longer for the Australia Day long weekend.
Feels like I've been working non-stop for months when in reality, it's only a been three weeks... *sigh*
I am in desperate need of a holiday and funnily enough those few days in the Gold Coast over the Christmas Holidays were supposed to leave me refreshed and revived. Sadly that wasn't the case as I spent most of it suffering from a stomach bug which gave me the craziest stomach cramps ever... or as someone described it, almost as bad as labour pains.
Labour pains??? Scary thought!!!

I need to book a holiday I think...

Shattered.

2008-01-14T23:56:00.000+11:00

That's exactly how I feel tonight... thanks to a weekend stint at the office and longer than long working hours.

[Warning: Photoblog ahead]

Surprisingly I still managed to squeeze in some downtime with Erica before she left for Manila.
Dinner at Codfather followed by drinks at Melt at the Cross.
Mojitos, jaegers and Mio Margaritas for everyone!

Sober shots of Erica and Vince... before the drinking started

Margarita-Mio.Erica.Erwin.me.Pete

Erica Sandwich

Vince - supposedly the designated driver

Who's the drunken one in this shot???

***

On Sunday, after doing my hours at the office (again!), Tim and I made a dash to Bicentennial Park for an engagement (?) picnic. Ananda the little photographer got a hold of my camera and these were a few (!) of the shots I found on my camera when I got home...

Her little Havaianas...

A shot from afar of her mum and I

Photo of Tim (after kicking some nuts!)

Ananda: Up close and personal

Ananda looking all innocent with HER Vince before her cam-snapping rampage!

On a high...

2008-01-11T08:43:00.000+11:00

I have been exceeding my quota of 1 large coffee a day.

Hectic work hours and crazy (totally!) deadlines are making me return to my caffeine addiction. And my favourite barista has gone MIA... possibly still making the most of the his Xmas/NY holidays.

If only I were doing the same...

Happy Sydney Festival 2008!!!

2008-01-09T00:01:00.000+11:00

One of the joys of living in this town is that we often get spoiled when it comes to entertainment - never lacking for things to do, places to go and people/shows/exhibits to see! The Sydney Festival 2008 kicked off with a (slightly wet) bang and because everyone loves a free party, throngs of people were out in force despite the "will it rain/won't it rain" weather.

And so off we went to celebrate with Michelle, Rachael, Scuba and his look-a-like brother Richard with Timmy as chaperone. Met up with Jerry & Co in the midst of it all but shame-shame Erica couldn't come out as she wasn't feeling too crash hot... maybe next time Lovely!

Rain, rain, go away...

Scuba, his look-a-like brother Richard, Rachel and Mish

Scuba in his VB Hat and Mish strike a pose!

Squashed in amongst the crowd... and hairy armpits!!!

Finally got a smile out of Timmy... sort of!

New Year 2008...

2008-01-02T23:04:00.000+11:00

2008 has finally rolled in and so far, so good... considering it's only been day 2 into the year. Who knows what 2008 will bring. Loads of surprises hopefully! Looking back, 2007 has been one roller coaster ride of a year full of momentous occasions, big celebrations, sad "see U laters" and happy "welcome backs". So my 2007 in summary:

Jan'07 - Got engaged (who would've thought!)

I was happily "living in sin" with Timmy and the puppies but he obviously had other ideas

Engaged!

Feb'07 - Planned the "secret wedding"
We originally thought getting hitched would be an easy task and had our hearts set on tying the knot in February... so that gave us less than a month to plan!!! Eventually realised that we were kidding ourselves and settled for a date in March instead... all very hush hush with only immediate family aware of the plan.
Our invites went out to relos and friends for a cocktail style "engagement party" on 22 March 2007... Mar'07 - Here comes the Bride...
And so the BIG day (22 March) finally came around. We got married in front of our immediate family in a lovely church. As it's every bride's prerogative, I was late... an hour late! The amazing thing is that it was no fault of mine - it was my mum's as she took the longest getting her hair done.
At our "engagement party" on 24 March we unveiled our BiG secret... we were already married! And just for the record, NO - we didn't get married because I had a bun in the oven... there IS no bun in the oven! We're saving that for 2009...

Apr'07 - 1st month of marital bliss... lifetime member of the "You Just Know" Club
Marriage is great! For someone happy to not experience it at all, I have done a 180 and am happily promoting this status. Key ingredient: your "perfect-for-you" mate!

May'07 - Honeymoon in the Phils + Meet the Relos
So we had a delayed honeymoon and only managed to jet off in May to the Philippines and Singapore. The trip to the Phils was for the sole purpose of meeting the relatives - I introduced my hubby to the family in Cebu while Timmy introduced the wifey to the family in Manila. Lovely Bohol was one of our pit stops during the trip!
Jun'07 - New Job!
Big step with cutting ties with a job that nurtured me from a "freshie" out of Uni to a qualified accountant... and that's about as exciting as it gets! With the job, I'm loving the challenges, the different perspective and the relaxed work atmosphere & attire!!!

Jul'07 - Birthday Surprise
This would have to be my favourite birthday. I got to see Gwen Stefani in concert!!!
No further explanations required.

Aug - Oct'07 ...
Can't say there were too many grand moments during these months - the quiet period of the year actually. The only events that I can remember are:

City to Surf in September - because I promised myself that it was my last year of attempting the city to Bondi stroll until I can actually run at least half the distance
APEC - just because it was a waste of taxpayers' dollars and Bush is a waste of space
Waiting for someone to bring sexy back in October!

Nov'07 - Bringing Sexy Back Down Under
JT is God.

Dec'07 - Happy Days & Happy Christmas
December is great for a number of reasons but more importantly, it's summertime!
And who can ever say no to Christmas dinners/parties/drinks and presents, presents, presents!!! Santa's been good to me this year - my bountiful booty included 2 tix to Nouvelle Vague concert (I need someone who's into bossa nova to come with me!), a gorgeous cross pendant, a 'delicious' cookbook... and how could I forget the Wii!!!
A last minute pressie was a Janome from my mummy! So looks like I'll be putting the pedal to the metal in 2008 on my crazy new sewing machine...

And this is how we welcomed in the New Year - in between stuffing our faces with food...

2007-12-22T21:44:00.000+11:00

You know it's the silly season when people are randomly walking the streets dressed up as Disco Stu, Santa's Sexy Helper, Tarzan & Jane or stumbling around looking worse for wear... at 5 in the afternoon! It's a Christmas tradition for almost all employers to treat their staff to an annual Christmas extravaganza with most offering copious amounts of free booze, limited amounts of food and a free hangover the following day.

Since joining the workforce fresh out of uni, I have been a hapless (?.. or not!) victim of these work Christmas parties. Each one I can recount like veterans with their war stories... and battle scars to punctuate each adventure with.

One year was a cocktail party at IMAX. Being the forward thinker that I am (drunken mess & dresses just don't mix), I decided to go with the glam top, cocktail trousers and sky-high heels. A very classy affair indeed... that is until I was on the dance floor along with a few others guzzling a bottle of red. Wine glasses? What in the world are those?!!!
Retro was where we finished off the night. Anyone who has been to Retro will know that on the spectrum of
"Class <---> Trash", it's more the the "trash" side of things. The damage? bruises lasting a month, ruined shoes and very seedy morning after feeling.

Another year was an afternoon cruise around the picturesque Sydney Harbour. It was a very civilised and enjoyable celebration up until the part where the DJ started spinning some retro beats and all the crazies came out of the woodwork. The downside to a cruise is that there's no way out... unless you're willing to risk a leisurely swim in the chilly waters of Sydney Harbour towards dry land. So this leaves people who are having a less than fun time no other option but to drown themselves with the free amber liquids. In keeping with the "class to trash" tradition of previous years, the party ended up at Shelbourne Hotel to dance the night away.

This year, with a new employer and a new set of mates to party with, I was less certain if I would be making enjoying the work Christmas Party with the same gusto that I did with my old work especially with the theme of the party kept secret. Thursday night was party night and it was fabulous!

Wharf 8 (a huge warehouse along King St Wharf) was the venue.
And the theme? ... well, it was literally a theme park!!!
An inner child's dream with fairy floss, dodgem cars, a mechanical bull, scary clowns (which funnily enough looked like blowup dolls) and numerous other stalls with games to keep the kiddies busy. For the "grown-ups", a free bar, a live band for entertainment and a dance floor (similar to those for the dancing games in the gaming arcades) for the more energetic.

I normally come away from these events with hundreds of photos of the night but I was far too busy enjoying myself to even think about cam-snapping away. And yes, at the end of the night I was more sober than my usual and actually managed to get through the next day without having to run to the bathroom for a chucking session!

Can't wait til next year!

Puggle...

2007-12-16T23:38:00.000+11:00

Cino is our pug x beagle puppy... puggle for short. I'll admit that she's not the most well-behaved dog when I'm around but she's usually pretty good when it's just herself and Tim hanging out. Obviously I'm the weakest link in our family and she can sense a sucker a mile away.

I managed to take these snaps of her attacking Tim's socks while he was having a rest on the floor (don't ask why!)

Cino decides that Tim's smelly socks are way too offensive to keep onAnd so she takes matters into her own ~~hands~~ paws and tugs at it...

A gentle tug just won't do so a bit more Oopmhhhh!
Hurrah!!! One smelly sock disaster averted...
But wait, there's more! Pretty, Cino's sidekick looks on and Cino battles on.
Life is never easy for a puggle saving the world from smelly socks!

Wii weekend

2007-12-16T22:43:00.000+11:00

It's now 10.44pm on a Sunday and I'm absolutely buggered... but, Happy days with Christmas just around the corner!

I got my Christmas present from Bluesheep earlier than normal. 1am on a Friday morning to be exact!
Timmy (aka Bluesheep) was too excited to wait until Christmas Eve to give me his presents and I guess it didn't help that I had guessed what it was.
So I'm now a proud owner of the addictive Wii. As a result of my early Christmas pressies fix, I am now suffering from a sore right arm and a bruise on my left wrist... courtesy of (more than a few) hours of playing on the Wii.
[Note to self: don't wear 3 big wooden bangles when you're playing boxing on the Wii]

A weekend full of restaurant dinners is making me feel blobby. Saturday night was a farewell dinner for Anna-banana as she'll be off to London at the end of December. *sob* Thai Pothong at Newtown played host to Anna's very hungry friends with dinner served well after 9pm. But despite the wait, the staff were very attentive and extra polite and the food wasn't too bad either.

Genevieve and Anna-Banana

Sha-sha and Emmy Sarah

Lans and Sette

Emily scores... but Stuart won't have a bar of it!

...

2007-12-13T13:24:00.000+11:00

My Santa's been good to me... I got tickets to the concert!!!

Now chilling out to the sounds of Nouvelle Vague ...

I can't wait!!!

2007-12-13T08:25:00.000+11:00

Somebody please buy me tickets to this!

I will forever be indebted to you...

I Y Nouvelle Vague!

P.S. Perhaps the tax Santa would like to get this for me?

In the South Side...

2007-12-09T23:36:00.000+11:00

After having lived in the Alexandria area for over 4 years, I am still discovering its little secrets. Every once in a while, I stumble upon something exciting in our locality that really makes me appreciate the suburb that Tim and I call home.

On Saturday morning Timmy took me to a nearby business park. The destination was supposed to be a surprise but after having convinced him that it was better for him to tell me than for it to be an anti-climax, he blurted it out.... a bead/jewellery supplies warehouse! And it really was a surprise as it was tucked away in this little street nestled between a bike shop and a promotions agency. Who would've thought! Browsing through their products was a bit too much for me and I managed to come away empty handed and famished. Luckily Newtown with all its yummy restaurants/cafes is only a stone's throw away.

What was left of our afternoon was spent at what looked liked a dilapidated 2-storey warehouse down the road from ours.
Inside was an interior decorator/antique collector/vintage lover's dream!!!
Imagine a place where all retro/vintage furniture, crockery, collectables and whatever else you can think of go when their owner departs from this world (a.k.a. deceased estates). I couldn't stop oohhhing and ahhhing at every second item in that warehouse and now have a mental list of what I want to go back for. Yup, Alexandria is definitely a great place for me!!!

And today.... well today was something else.
In an inconspicuous little alleyway in the streets of Newtown/Marrickville is a street artist's playground and a photographer's dream! We first noticed this little lane whilst waiting for the lights on the way to our weekly grocery run. It stood out because it's the back entrance to a not-so-discreet brothel off the Princess Highway.

I'll let the pics below speak for itself.

May Lane, Marrickville

Ben Cousins... HaHaHa07 <:-:-------------------------:-:> Babushka Dolls

Pink Skull eating Babushka Dolls ::-------------:: Girl with Pink Lips - Green Necklace

My Favourite Street Artist... no idea who he/she is! But loving the work anyway

Flowers on a pole ::---------:> Petals up Close :: - - - - - - - - - - - :: Pole Monster

Roller Door Art

Gorilla on Roller Door

Sad Lady 1 ::--------------+-------------:: Sad Lady 2

Anime Chick

Puppy-Doggie

Sexxxy Lady
::

::
And the funniest thing...

There are remote controls, such as the one below

scattered everywhere around this laneway.

Slow-shutter-shots

2007-12-09T23:09:00.000+11:00

I told Tim that I needed a tripod so that I could take proper slow-shutter shots. Then one day I come home to a surprise present from him and (in true Tim-style!) I find myself the lucky owner of not one but six tripods!!!

Not quite sure what I'm going to do with them so if anyone's willing to make an offer, please feel free to drop me a line.

I needed the tripod for taking slow-shutter pics such as these... taken in our kitchen with the lights off,
with the use of a teeny-tiny torch,
camera mounted on the tripod on varying shutter speeds from 8 to 30 seconds.

I managed to convince Tim to participate...
however, as this photo illustrates, he wasn't too keen on joining in all the fanfare.
This was his half-hearted attempt at making a frame around his "not-happy-Jan" face!

Ho-hummm.... I want this...

2007-12-07T09:47:00.000+11:00

My new "I wish" toy....

Dear Santa,

I think I have been very good this year...

can I please, please, pretty please with cherry on top have one of these???

Love,

Lisette Duhigg

Kevin in '07

2007-12-04T09:01:00.000+11:00

Australia's new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has ratified the Kyoto Protocol.

It was Mr Rudd's first act after being sworn in.

Three cheers for Kevin!!!

Brandy Alexander

2007-12-03T13:42:00.000+11:00

To my GwaPoo... this song reminds me of you.

Brandy Alexander
by Feist

Though I'd like to be the girl for him
And cross the sea and land for him,
In milky skin my tongue is sand until
the iridescent band begins to play,

He's my Brandy Alexander
Always gets me into trouble
But that's another matter
Brandy Alexander
He's my Brandy Alexander
Always gets me into trouble
But that's another matter
Brandy Alexander

Though I know what I love most of him,
I'm walking on needles and pins
My addiction to the worst of him
The low moon helps me sing,

I'm his Brandy Alexander
Always get him into trouble
I hide that I am flattered
Brandy Alexander

I'm his Brandy Alexander
Always get him into trouble
I hide that I am flattered
Brandy Alexander

It goes down easy (easy)
Brandy Alexander
****
Brandy Alexander is a sweet, brandy-based cocktail that became popular during the early 20th century. It was supposedly created at the wedding between Princess Mary and Lord Lascelles in London in 1922. The Brandy Alexander is based on an earlier, gin-based cocktail called simply an "Alexander". It is sometimes confused with a drink called a "Panama," which is made with light crème de cacao, instead of the dark crème de cacao used for the Brandy Alexander.

Weekend in Excess (Warning: Photo Blog Ahead)

2007-12-02T22:17:00.000+11:00

We are now back from a very (very, very) lazy weekend up in Lake Macquarie. Lazy because all we did from the moment we got there was eat, drink, cook, drink, eat, drink. The only "strenuous" activity we did was boxing... on the Wii console! The weather was nice enough but it was still too cold to jump into any of the pools. The 4 bedroom house we stayed at was just absolutely gorgeous, the only downside being the electric stove top. I'm a big fan of gas and as Lana said, once you go gas, you never go back!

Our home away from home

Essential liquids for the weekend

The ladies unwinding for the weekend ahead

Lana making her potent vodka jelly shots... Ta-DAH!!!
Anna - Victim #1 of Lana's vodka jelly shotsStuart starting his Great Wall of CoopersIndulging our creativity...Boys doing what they do best ~ which is not much at all!Meat on the barbie!!! Yummy-OH!
The girls loved this little statue!
Tim in YFirst beer after 3 weeks of no alcohol!!!

R&R Weekend ~ here we come!

2007-11-29T23:04:00.001+11:00

The weekend is finally here!

For me anyway. Tomorrow we're off to Lake Maquarie where we will be spending 3 days doing bugger all. My kind of holiday! Taking a few of my cameras, especially my Diana which I'm keen to test out. Wondering what kind of photos this little ol' lady will pull out. It's loaded with B&W film at the moment and has a few random test shots that I took when I first fixed it up.

2007-11-27T10:37:00.000+11:00

Sydney's going through a wet-weather patch again.
I don't mind the rain, as long as I'm snug and dry indoors. ☺
Fingers crossed for the long-weekend though... we're going to need all the sunshine we can get!

Every time it rains I always remember a feel-good experience I had about a year ago...
I was on my way to work one morning and it was the middle of winter. All you Sydneysiders would know that it just wouldn't be winter without days of pouring rain. Of course I forgot to bring my umbrella ~ it was probably left at work, at home or on the bus. And so I had to brave the pouring rain from my bus stop to the office, getting thoroughly soaked in the process. Just to add to my already "glorious" morning, I managed to get stuck at a set of lights waiting for the green man to tell me it was safe to cross!!!

So where is the feel-good experience in all this you ask???

As I was waiting, a young lady kindly offered me shelter under her big brollie while we were both standing there desperate for the green man to flash us the signal to cross. And so despite having had a horrendous start to my morning, I got to work smiling!
I now try to offer the same gesture of kindness to those poor drenched souls who I stand next to on those dreary, rainy days just like today.

Zzzzzz...

2007-11-26T14:02:00.000+11:00

I'm at work suffering Mondayitis.

So sleepy....

On the flip side, 4 more sleeps 'til we go away to Lake Macquarie for a long weekend of some well-earned R&R!

Cupcake Love

2007-11-25T23:24:00.000+11:00

Today I spent hours in the kitchen cooking and baking Martha Stewart style, minus the criminal record. Had to practise my cupcake baking skills as I have promised Tim a Rabbitohs-inspired cupcake for his birthday.

Here's my favourite recipe for the cupcake mix:

Y 1.5 cup self-raising flour
Y 1/2 stick of unsalted butter
Y 1 cup caster sugar
Y 3 large eggs
Y 1/2 cup lite/low-fat milk
Y 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 150 degree.
2. Line muffin tins with cupcake papers.
3. In large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy.
4. Add sugar in thirds and beat for 2-3 minutes each time.
5. Add eggs one at a time, beating well.
6. Add flour in three parts, alternate between milk and vanilla.7. Spoon batter into cupcake liners.
4 Approximately 2.5 tablespoons for the large cupcake liner, or
4 2.5 teaspoons for the small cupcake liners

8. Bake in oven until golden brown... approximately 20 minutes at 160 degrees.I did an experiment and baked the larger cupcakes for 25 minutes at 170 degrees.Then I baked the smaller cupcakes for 20 minutes at 150 degrees. You decide!

Once the cupcakes have cooled down, time to start on the icing mixture:

Y 1/2 stick of unsalted butter
Y 1 cup icing sugar
Y 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Y food colouring

1. Cream butter with an electric mixer until smooth.
2. Gradually mix in icing sugar until soft and fluffy.

3. Add food colouring if desired.

For the final stage, just a few tips:

go easy on the food colouring - you don't want neon icing on your cupcakes!
if someone (i.e. a male!) decides that they want to "help" in the decorating, think twice if you're a perfectionist! ... Refer Exhibit A below:
Make the most of the cake decorations available at the supermarkets - they're cheap and cheerful and will make a world difference to your little cupcakes! Refer Exhibit B below... the green cupcakes are male-inspired...

And the best part is, I also managed to practise my photography skills using only the manual controls on my camera. Here's hoping I'll eventually get the hang of it!

Saturday Night Fever

2007-11-25T23:11:00.000+11:00

Saturday night was gYrgeous Marissa's 21st Birthday and the theme was "Saturday Night Fever". We got to dress up! We didn't take many photos but luckily, managed to sneak one in with the hard-to-catch Birthday Girl looking fabulous as always!!!

Photo Blog of my weekend

2007-11-20T23:29:00.000+11:00

Weekend kicked off in the Castle Hill area with Tim & I and 2/5 of the parents attending the Diwali/Deepawali Festival, otherwise known as the "Festival of Lights". The lighting of the lamps recognises that it is through light that the beauty of the world is revealed or experienced.

Image of Goddess Lakshmi with her four arms symbolising the four ends of human life:

righteousness, desires, wealth & liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

I found this excerpt about the meaning of the festival:

To Hindus, darkness represents ignorance, and light is a metaphor for knowledge. Therefore, lighting a lamp symbolizes the destruction, through knowledge, of all negative forces- wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression and suffering, etc...

For us non-Hindus, it was a feast for the senses! We were surrounded by vibrant colours, witnessed dizzying Bollywood-style dance routines, nearly deafened by escalating noise levels due to the incessant chatter around and managed to taste just about every dish on offer.

Saturday we attended a Greek wedding (well the Groom was Armenian but the Bride was Greek!) which was another cultural experience to remember. Despite near-boiling temperatures (slight exaggeration but it really was a very hot afternoon), it was a great day for a wedding... so much so that this Greek church played host to 4 weddings in one afternoon! Luckily for everyone, the Church was air-conditioned and was a welcome feeling from the burning sun. I couldn't stop staring at the walls and ceilings of the Church and was equally fascinated by the ceremony despite being officiated in Greek.

I noticed that it was different to other marriage ceremonies I had witnessed in more ways than one:

there was no exchange of rings, but the bride & groom did get to wear these tiara-like bands on their heads connected with a ribbon...
there were no wedding vows (the bride & groom didn't actually say a word throughout the whole thing!) but the bride & groom got to walk around in a circle a few times...
the bride, groom, best man and maid of honour kissed the golden book (literally a gold covered Bible!) a few times during the ceremony...
and more importantly, the often most awaited part of "you may now kiss the bride" is not part of the ceremony!

Oh and another exciting thing... I got to wear this gorgeous dress to the wedding which I bought from Erica! So in Y

By the River Piedra I sat down and wept

2007-11-20T22:51:00.001+11:00

This is the one book that I struggle to get through.

Boredom is not the reason....
Far from it actually.
Rather, reading this book brings about heart-wrenching tugs and overwhelming moments where I experience the urgent need to stop.
Breathe.
Read.
It's a constant pattern that I need to go through if I am to finish reading this book. So far, I have attempted to read it 3 times, each attempt with a bit more success than the last.

For those that have read this, I wonder if it has stirred the same emotions and thoughts that it has with me.

The following line on the page leapt out at me:

For the first time since I had abandoned the path of faith, I felt a strong desire to pray.

I recently wrote about having the sudden urge to go back to church on Sundays and when I read that line, I felt like it was written for me.
Yes, a very self-centred thought but this book has definitely struck a chord in me. I'm anxious to know what else these pages hold and what emotions they will awaken.

Just a little bit...

2007-11-18T23:10:00.000+11:00

Jam-packed weekend... unwinding with a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Slept too much...
Ate too much...
Talked too much...

Managed to take a reasonable amount of pics to be uploaded tomorrow.

2007-11-14T23:24:00.000+11:00

It feels like aaaaaages since I last took photos!
Strange considering that I attend weekly photography classes and walk away with what feels like copious amounts of homework. Now if I actually had the time to do my homework, I would be so swamped with photos that I would probably get sick of setting the f-stops, focusing and checking exposures. But alas, in true Sette style, once again I must play catch-up this weekend and go snap-snap-happy so I can have something for show-and-tell next week.

Also, we have our class excursion this Sunday in the city to put into practice all that theory we overloaded our brains with. Here's hoping all goes well...

Our class numbers are dwindling by the week. Someone (Timothy!!!) joked that it's just like Big Brother - one person (a couple in this instance) gets voted out each week. The sad part is that the class size has been practically halved since our first class. But the benefit is that we now have a cozy classroom with just the right mix of personalities who get along really well with each other!

Oh and if all goes well, I shall post some pics next week!

2007-11-13T13:03:00.000+11:00

Every once in a while I get these moments where I just feel down in the dumps. Yesterday was one of those days. I could not pinpoint what the cause of my "sadness" was but all I knew was that I was. It definitely wasn't caused by skewed hormone levels... it's not even that time of the month! All in all, I'm just glad that the moment has passed. I'm now feeling like my usual self this morning!

*****

On another note, my "Positivity Challenge" for October was quite an enlightening experience. Granted I failed on the "daily blog updates" task but I managed to come up with positive points on a daily basis. Consciously making an effort to think of something positive despite having had a terrible day gives you a very refreshing perspective on life. It makes you appreciate the simple pleasures that would otherwise go unnoticed. After a while, you start to unconsciously look towards the positive in people, situations and experiences.
So not a bad thing to do for someone labelled as a pessimist!

2007-11-11T21:47:00.000+11:00

I had a very low-key weekend of doing not much at all. Friday night was stay-at-home night, Saturday was the same and tonight is third in a row.
On the flip side, I had a kiddie-filled weekend!
Yesterday I played host to a friend's young ones - one was 8 years old and the other 5. It made me realise how kiddie-unfriendly our place was. I couldn't even find old newspaper to line the table with for their painting activities. Luckily we managed by tearing up the IKEA catalogue and sticky-taping them together (note to self: get another IKEA catalogue and get butcher paper for the next visit). I guess it didn't help that the kids were scared of the puppies... the poor puppies had to stay outside the whole time they were over.
And today we attended a cutie's 3rd birthday party. We arrived in time for the grown-ups session of the party around 2 in the arvo. The birthday girl was entertaining her guests in her tutu and pink fairy wings and was still powering on when we left despite getting up at 5 in the morning! I honestly don't know where kids get their energy from... if only we could bottle it up and sell it, coffee prices would hit rock bottom!

*****

Today the strangest feeling overwhelmed me... I had the strongest urge to go to church.

Since leaving home, I stopped going to church every Sunday. I think the only reason why I went was because my parents did and it was something that the whole family did together - it was part of our family Sunday routine. And so ever since I started living on my own, I started to have my own Sunday routine which mainly involves sleeping in or brunch with friends. In a way I was glad not to have to go to church, which to me was starting to feel like an obligation.

After a few years of not having the obligatory church attendance I think I am now starting to miss it.
It's only now that I realise what that hour at church meant.
It was that hour when I acknowledged that there IS a higher being,
that hour when I was a part of a community that shared a common belief,
that hour when I felt that I was allowed to be myself,
when no one would judge me, when I was accepted for who I am, faults and all.

During some low points in my life, going to church became my refuge. It was during that hour that I would ask "why me?" and yet feel comforted by the thought that "this too shall pass". For the times that people had hurt me or incited my anger, I needed that hour to help ease the pain or allow my anger to subside. More often that not, I looked forward to that hour when I could give thanks for the many blessings in my life, and that despite the obstacles that have come my way and the experiences that have brought their fair share of pain, I am still blessed with the life that I have.

I am wondering why today, of all days, such a feeling overwhelmed me.

Attention all Glamour Gals...

2007-11-06T11:04:00.000+11:00

For all you girlie-girls out there...
Here's a chance to learn all about getting all glammed up!
Lessons by professional make-up artist Erica Paredes.

Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y~Y

Hey guys!

I will be in Sydney from Dec 21-Jan 15, I plan to give make-up lessons similar to the ones I give here in Manila. If you know anybody you might be interested, please ask them to round up a minimum of 5 people, as I give lessons in groups and not individually.

Schedule is really up to them as I will be on holiday anyway and my time will be flexible. I'll talk about everything from skin types and care to demonstrating day and evening looks, q&a's and i will be giving out handouts. I'll also talk about makeup care and expiration dates! Classes last about 4 hours.

I require they bring their make-up kits (or whatever makeup they have) since that's what they'll be using on themselves, and also for me to check what should be kept and what should be replaced.

Lessons can take place at my house for a fee of $70 per person and $85 per person if Im required to come to you.

Please pass this on to anybody who may be interested! Thanks!!! I am attaching my set cards as well in case they'd like to see my work. They can also be viewed at iheartmakeup.multiply.com

Erica

A life full of happiness, laughter & happily ever after...

Fresh Space

Lomo Love

Lila my Leica

Beaten Black & Blue

For Art's Sake

x.x.x

Sunday Blues

*sniffle*

This one's for Emmy Sarah

click-click-click

Don't miss it.

x.x.x

Too many sites, so little time

Jelly Belly Baby

Chomp, chomp, chomp...

Bump

Six hours for a man, seven for a woman, eight for a fool

Hallo 2009, what have we here?

Finders Keepers ... Losers Weepers

Arghhhhh!!!

Timmy's Baby

Where the bloody hell are ya?

Sunday arvo at the Footy

Q & A

Cino

July Babies

Child of the 80s

Ho-hum...

9 to 5

Hope Street Markets

Bronchitis

Diarrhoea

Last-minute-Lisette

Happiness is...

Crash-Hot-NOT

March Madness

...

Platform 1 Hip Hop Festival

Poo-ey!!!

Officially missing you...

buy me a bike

Uni Student (take 2)

Wait a minute Mr. Postman...

Big Days

Happy Valentine's Day

Winter Wishlist

Happy Pills

*smile*

Lomo on...

inked

[slightly] obsessed.

...

Happy Long Weekend

May he rest in peace...

Birthday Baby

Shattered.

On a high...

Happy Sydney Festival 2008!!!

New Year 2008...

Puggle...

Wii weekend

...

I can't wait!!!

In the South Side...

Slow-shutter-shots

Ho-hummm.... I want this...

Kevin in '07

Brandy Alexander

Weekend in Excess (Warning: Photo Blog Ahead)

R&R Weekend ~ here we come!

Zzzzzz...

Cupcake Love

Saturday Night Fever

Photo Blog of my weekend

By the River Piedra I sat down and wept

Just a little bit...

Attention all Glamour Gals...

sniffle

smile