To Do 2008

It is always at this time of year I like to assess what I have achieved through out the year. See if I have made my way through any of the things I had hoped to do. Because if not, there is time to hurry and get some of those things done, before writing out a new list for the new year. How disappointing it is when you have to copy many things that you had down to finish the year past.

Things I hope to do/finish this year...

# Sit and pass piano exam
# Finish curtains for my room
# Read the books I am halfway through
# Complete a 50,000 word novel
# Get my Christmas shopping done early
# Paint and hang bookshelf above my desk
# Finish and record my song
# Research suppliers, sort business plan
# turn 20... (If all else fails, at least there is very little chance of me not completing that one!!)

Tuesday Already...

I had planned to tell you about my first weekend with no job... (Didn't plan on time moving so fast on me though.)

Saturday was spent reading through a good book, eating icy-poles, getting some much needed piano practise in, and just enjoying the sun!

Sunday turned out to be a tad more productive. At 8am I received a call from work, "can you put a few hours in over lunch someone has called in sick". I was a little surprised by this as I had only just left last week.

The morning was filled with more piano practise, my teacher does not think I could do enough at this point as my exam is in 8 weeks.

Lunch service turned out to be a bit of a fizza, so I was only there for two hours.

I took the dogs for a walk after finishing my shortest shift ever. How excited they get as they watch you grab the leads off the hook through the glass slide door. Upon opening that door you must brace your legs as the two of them race their way under you, trying to beat each other to the front door before you might change your mind about the walk altogether.

Later in the afternoon, we had agreed upon a workplace horse ride. So armed with a video camera, I enjoyed being walked around on the back of a horse. (Walking only because the horse refused to go any faster for me.)

It was a wonderful couple of days, I can't believe what I've been missing out on!!

In other news, I am very excited to announce that I will be taking part in the NaNoWriMo challenge this year!! I have no idea as to plot/storyline as of yet. Though I will post my ideas up here when I've got a bit more direction.
All I can say now is bring on November!!!

I'm A Lucky Girl!!!

I have just arrived home from a bit of a farewell afternoon tea with my old work colleagues. The boss man had been away for my last shift, so it was postponed until today.
I realised that I will miss working there. It has been a very long three years, and I have learnt many things, and grown up during my time there.
I have had the pleasure of working with some nice people that I can now call friends.
For a parting gesture they gave me The Silver Spoon, signed by all. (I wanted to jump up and down over the perfect choice of gift, I had wished to one day buy that book!!!)
My boss was telling me the story behind this particular book, how in Italy this book has been given to many a bride, and Silver Spoon is the English translation of that traditional book.(Il cucchiaio d'argento)

"It sometimes seems that Italians learn to cook before they learn to talk and their skills are handed down from one generation to the next. The perfection of Italian cookery has been achieved through centuries of testing in family kitchens, with millions of dishes served to the most discerning of critics. The Silver Spoon is the result of a labour of love, with only the very best recipes from Italian families and cooks within its covers." ~SS

Haircut

I had almost counted my hair as a lost cause. It had become very dry and brittle on the ends, nothing more than a fizz I would try to pin up out of sight. I was quite disappointed as I had hopes of growing it long for a while, but what point would there be in long, limp, drab hair. So I headed for the hairdresser today with almost acceptance that most of it would be left behind on the floor.
All I can say is I love my hairdresser! Matt, you have made me a very happy girl. I left with a lot of my hair still attached to my head, all fizz smoothed, and even a hint of bounce!
I know what your thinking, and yes... We will talk again tomorrow when it is my turn to get it right.

A Week's Worth of Update..

I have finished up at my old job. Monday was my last day. It is both exciting and scary leaving to start something of my own. The realisation of how much needs to be learnt, researched, and done has hit me much like a bus at full speed. I had been telling myself that I would be able to get so much more done when I didn't have to worry about having a second job, though now I can see how everything has just piled up out of control on me. I have a mountain to face over the next couple of months, and I just pray it wont collapse on top of me!

I was very excited as I completed my first welding job. I had to weld little tapped 'nuts' in RHS legs for benches that will have adjustable feet.



(In the words of my brother... Ain't it a sexy weld?!!!)


I remember as a kid I would get really worried that there would be somethings that I would just never be able to do; things like be able to swallow a tablet, (I had great difficulty at this task well up to the age of 12), I even had visions of being old and having to have liquid panadol. Another thing was being able to drive a car, not that I found it hard to learn when I was old enough, I just never was able to picture me driving. And my last thing was being able to weld!! I only realised the other day that I have passed those things I was so afraid of not being able to do.
I am trying to keep that in my mind as many things at the moment seem unreachable, and very overwhelming.

We have had drives into town, where you are allowed to act a little crazy!!




I will finish this very week's worth of update with my creation of the day...

Dinner!!!


(Steak and Kidney)

Sunday

What a beautiful day I woke up to find.The sun is back after a very long, cold, gray winter. The wind is warm coming through my open window. The sounds of country are all that can be heard; the wind passing by, small birds singing to each other while dashing in and out of the tree that is the main part of my view, in the distance I can hear our chickens clucking from the end of the garden in their green house.(I wonder how many eggs we will find) The house creaks above my head, cockatoos in the willows that line the creak behind our garden cause my little man to make some noise, (I wish I didn't have to keep him in a cage), then there is the water pump screaming its little heart out every five minutes or so to make sure the house always has some kind of pressure.
What a perfect Sunday morning.

Did I Dream It?

Did I walk straight past you in my hurry to no where?
Did I miss your hand extended, finger-tips reaching with their might to take hold upon my arm as I blundered on in my self inflicted bondage to the rat-race i called my life?
Did you call for me above the hustle and bustle of the streets around, and I told you to shush for I was waiting on God for a sign?
Did I turn, and flash a smile upon your sad face, promising you a moment of my time, just not now?
Did I stand impatiently looking into your eyes while you tried to explain life's importance to me, and I allowed myself to be distracted by the going's on of life around me?
Did I see a tear run down your cheek as I turned back to wave, on my way to the 'all important' plan I had made for myself?
Was it you who's footsteps I would hear behind me; your face I would see out my window at night?
Was it hard to stop pursuing me, when I had taken no notice of you in years?
Will you answer this door I stand before, this door which fronts your home?
Did you ever think you'd find me here, hidden behind the door you just opened?
Ashamed at the lack of charity I offered - Ashamed now to ask it of you...
A moment of your time to listen to my feeble apology.

Look What Just Arrived!

Why is the mail lady always late when your expecting something??

Ok, before I show what is inside, I am going to confess to you that I am a nerd. To be totally honest I am proud to be a nerd!!



Owning an oxford dictionary has been a dream. I hope one day to get the full version, but I was over the moon to find these two books at a price you couldn't just walk past!



I LOVE ebay!!!

August Rush

I watched this movie the other night, it is a very good film. Since then I have fallen in love with John Legend. It was first by hearing his song Someday in the movie. And I have to admit that I must have listened to that song 50 times in the past two days. How could you not like it??




Someday by John Legend

As days go by
and fade to nights
I still question
why you left
I wonder how
it didn’t work out
but now you’re gone
and memories all I have for now
but no it’s not over
we’ll get older we’ll get over
we’ll live to see the day that I hope for
come back to me
I still believe that
we’ll get it right again
we’ll come back to life again
we won’t say another goodbye again
you’ll live forever with me
someday, someday
we’ll be together
someday, someday
we’ll be together
I heard someday
might be today
mysteries of destinies they
are somehow
and are someway
for all we know
they come tomorrow
for today
my eyes are open
my arms are raised for your embrace
my hands are here to mend what is broken
to feel again to walk on the face
I believe there is more to life
oh I love you much more than life
and still
I believe I can change your mind
revive what is dying inside
and someday, someday
we’ll be together
someday, someday
we’ll be together
someday, someday
we’ll be together
we’ll be together
we’ll be together
someday

To Be Or Not To Be?

I wrote this poem after falling in love with Shakespeare. I didn't write it to copy his in anyway, I guess you could call it a response poem...

"To Be Or Not To Be: The Question"

To be you ask, or not? To be, or to understand?
This is the question you beseech of me;
As though this answered would bring a resting to your soul...

To sleep; - as though to drift to death.
This death of which flesh is heir to,
causing not delay when heart-ache is within its grasp.

To sleep, perchance to dream;
To dream of time before the calamity
Of the oppressor's wrong.

Who is he that holds such power over life,
to cause the weary to grunt and sweat,
with the dread of something after death.

The there after a land of which no traveller has returned,
by his own will or power...
Only that of God alone.

~Sarah~Mechelle~

Love of My Life

I think it is time I introduced someone to you. He is the love of my life, and I know that I am his favourite person as well. It is really sweet, when ever he hears me arrive home he gets so excited and he loves to blow me kisses. I could never doubt his love for me!!

Of course I am talking about my bird... Who did you think I was going on about??!!!

Although I hate the thought of keeping birds in cages when God gave them wings to fly, I make an exception for my dear little man. God gave him wings, but he has no feathers... As a young chap he got beak and feather dicease. He somehow glided into our lives, back then he had feathers though through his landing he fractured his foot. The vet informed us of his dicease, and continued to say that birds with such never lived past a year of age. My little man is just about to turn three!!!

My brother and sister insist on calling him a "freak," and many people have not believed me when I have told them that he is a cockatoo. But if you close one eye and squint with the other, and do your best to picture him 'dressed,' you might be able to see the resemblance.

Everyone, meet Bucko!

(It is at this time I will warn that the following picture could be found disturbing by some viewers.)



This is Bucko at his happiest, gorged, talking, with weet-bix (his favourite) all over his face!

Swimming Hole

Now that spring has arrived there are certain jobs that need to be caught up on. One rather daunting, messy thing that I will have to be getting done is our pool...
At the moment it looks more like a frog infested pond, full of pine needles and leaves, and a whole winters worth of algi growth.
Since we want to be able to swim as soon as the sun is warm enough, I only have about a month to turn this pond-scum into a sparkling-blue swimming hole. Wish me luck!

Here Comes The Sun!!

Spring has finally arrived. This year, for the first time, I have not been happier to see the end of winter. Now I normally love the cold days, having the fire burning, eating soups and many different kinds of baked goodies, wearing thick jumpers and scarfs... But this past winter has just been so gray. I mean that in quite a literal way; the sun has been gone for the last three months! All has been cold, gray and miserable.
Don't get me wrong, there have been some nice things happen this winter... (I now insert exhibition 'A' and 'A1')





In case you cannot note, that is snow!! Which might not be a big thing to many people; but we do not live in the mountains where snow comes every year, in the 15 years I have lived here, it has only snowed four times!

Even with that you have seen, nothing has excited me like the view from my window, which shows promise of more brighter days to come. (Exhibition 'B', I draw your attention to the blossoms on the tree...)



I feel a strong argue, compelling me to sing the Beatles "Here Comes the sun" at the top of my lungs!

"Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right"

Would Anyone Ever Believe My Stories?

I am sorry that I always neglect this blog, it really does deserve more from me. More than these entries with the last months worth of thoughts and happenings, bundled together in a short essay of 'my recent history'.

You would never believe who I got to meet. Again, minding my own business, busy at work. I do not want to cheapen what might be one of my only big bits of new by just chucking the information at you so I must tell you the story...

There was I, tucked behind the coffee machine, having been there for the better part of the morning. We were readying ourselves for what we knew would be a big lunch service. Finally there was a break in the orders that had been collecting on the spike, keeping me there. I decided that I would have a quick wonder around, make sure that all the empty tables were clear and reset.

People continued to arrive, standing at the door as they asked if we had any unbooked tables that they could fill for the next three quarters of an hour for a "quick lunch". It was in this time that HE arrived. One of those hundreds of people telling us that they could be out so much quicker then if we gave the table to someone else. I new that face, but surely it must be someone who looked so very much like him. I whispered to Jo, and she confirmed my recognition, but also assured me that it could not be true. I continued making coffees... But I had to share with Janine how closely the appearance was. I skipped into the kitchen.

"Neen, there is a man out there who looks so much like Eric Bana."

The kitchen staff all look at me as if I have finally confirmed my craziness. At this point Jo walks in, and our previous discussion is resumed. Me saying it must be him, Jo still believing it couldn't be.

"Neen you have to go and see, tell us if it is Eric or not"

A minute passes, though not long enough for Neen to be back with the news, she approached the glass door leading into the kitchen with the great big smile on her face.

"I don't need to see his face, I just heard him and that is DEFINITELY Eric Bana!!!"

I think that is all the story you really need to be told. I was quite excited to get to meet one of favourite actors. Maybe working in a small country town brings its own exciting moments!

Awards...

Recently, through work, I got to go to an awards night. This was the first time I had been so I didn't really know what to expect. And just between you and I... I didn't really know how the awards were judged.
Upon arrival it was clear to see that some people took this very seriously, a man caught us on our way through the door, his video camera in hand, asking us questions about the evening. None of which I could really answer, because I simply didn't know. So I stood there like a dumb mute, luckily saved by Janine our head chef.
Every man had on his tux, and there were lovely dresses, (and shoes!!) worn by there female companions.
We had what I think was the best table of the evening, right at the front, just near the dance floor.
The food they served was nothing short of wonderful. And I rather enjoyed being the person sitting at the table, instead of standing ready to answer any beckoning catching of the eye from the people in the seats.
The icing on the cake was the announcement of our cafe winning in its division. Getting to have that extra plate placed in the center of the table telling us that we had done a good job.
It really made me believe that we had done what was ours to do, have a good service that people went away being happy for...



Taken on the night: Me, Janine, and Sarah

My Brush With Fame...

How many celebrities does anyone ever really get to meet?
And I don't mean when you have purposely gone to a show, or put your self in a place as to 'bump' into these people.

Today at work a celeb came walking through the doors...
None other than Brian Brown.

They Call It Fever

Oh Girls, gather round! I have found that perfect RED nail polish!!
I'm sure that a lot of girls the world over will understand what I mean...
You might find a nice cherry or a rich orange perhaps even a dark pink that the cosmetic companies will try and sell to you as red. But we all know better.
At long last I have found RED!!! Now all that's left is for me to paint the town.

Big News!

How fast things change, and before you know it you find yourself doing grown up things, wondering where all the time went.

I have very big and exciting news!

Emma, my sister, and I are going into business together! We are opening a coffee shop which will be attached to a steel/metal gallery.
Although I have the big news I do not have that much to say about it. We still have to talk about a lot of issues, though at least the decision is made.
Many of the things we have to do over the next couple of month are all new to me; there will be some learning on our feet, and late nights finding, organizing and finalising. With all that said, I have never been this excited!

One week frame

This past week I have spent scraping, picking,sanding and paint removering one window frame. Today I cracked, and I was caught threatening the 50 year old paint that refused to come off easily, with a brush full of very toxic paint remover, -which if you happened to get a whiff of would burn all the way to your lungs. I continued through the last few hours waiting for the asylum van to take me away.
We are doing up a house down the road from our own home for my Grandparents to move out here closer to us. Somehow my sister and I got the job of sanding back all the window and door frames, which has proved to be a bigger job than we had first thought it to be.

The rest of the house is coming together, yesterday the tiler finished the bathroom off. The kitchen was picked up this morning, and the plasterer and electrician are due in next week.

I am very excited because tomorrow there is a man coming to tune my piano. I know that this shouldn't be all that exciting; your meant to get a piano tuned every year or so... Key phrase being 'meant to.' I have not kept up my pianos maintenance requirements as I should have. Though in my defence I do my best to keep it dust free, and that can be quite a task with a black piano in the country.

Last night we had a bit of a girls night, my Mother and Sister and I went to see Mama Mia! It was... GREAT! Ok, yes very corny, and everything you'd expect a musical to be, but it was a lovely feel good movie. It was also quite nice to be sitting in the cinema and all around people were singing, and moving around in their seats giving the illusion of 'jiving' along.

One Rainy Day

It has been raining for most of the day; not that the rain has spoiled my day in the least. As I sit next to the fire in the living room, with my puppy sleeping next to me on the couch, the rain all but completes the picture.

The house is so quiet these days. Normally this wouldn't bother me so much, because I would not be spending my day alone within these walls. We have been so busy working, and then spending time working on the house my grandparents will be moving into. That home has been more of a bed and breakfast.

It is amazing how many other noises are heard when there is no human addition. The fire creaks,I can here the cars on the highway in a hurry as the pass on by, the tumble drier dinks every other second with what must be a zipper or a steel button, my bird's foot vibrates on the pole he stands one footed upon for a nap, the wind and rain rattles the tin roof above my head, yet of all the other noises, the dog snoring at my feet gives me the most comfort.


I am not normally a big milk drinker,(coffee is my main drink of survival), though we got this vanilla-malt milkshake syrup and it is just wonderful stuff. I believe I could become quite the milky bar kid with such a delightful lure.

Over the last few weeks I have been doing a glass blowing class. It has been very exciting seeing what can be done, and then getting to try, make, and claim that finished item. It was just an introductory lesson, though by the end of the four weeks we each went home with a wonky glass tumbler, and coloured bauble. And I'm sure that everyone else with whom I did the course was as happy to see their far from perfect items as I was to see mine.




In the glass class we made these glass drops and I have decided that I will proudly display mine hanging from a ribbon on the review mirror of Mozart, my hard earned, blue car. (Yes, it is true, colour is my main point of judgement upon a car!! You have a car that cost you thousands and thousands of dollars, oh its mission-brown??? too bad, Smiles) There is one exception with the judgement of a car, I LOVE jeep wranglers. They are great in any colour!!!

I am hoping that this very spotty blog might help me get past the writers block I have had lately. It is nice to be here again!