Monday, February 3, 2014
Thursday, January 16, 2014
With Love From Mexico.
Okay, it is currently 11.20am, I've worked up a sweat approximately four times, and our air-conditioner is on its highest setting. Oh, heat waves.
I've been feeling really sorry for my rabbit, Gizmo, but the thing is, he doesn't like being indoors. He gets all antsy and freaked out, and he lasts about ten minutes before he wants to be let back out. So, since it's already close to 40℃, I've resorted to pouring buckets of cold water on him. Initially he wasn't a fan, but I think he's starting to enjoy it. The result is incredibly cute. I shall post a picture, if he will ever hold still.
So I told you I'd come back and fill you in on the other more exciting things that were keeping me from blogging. I'll start with the most exciting- meeting my penpal of three years.
Okay, so in early 2010, I decided- for some reason- that I might like to find myself a penpal. Now mind you, I already had a penpal- my cousin in Sri-Lanka- but at some point, one of us stopped writing and I guess I just forgot about him (I really hope he's not reading this*). Anyway, I made myself a profile on interpals.net and waited. Occassionally I would search for people myself, but a lot of the time, people either didn't reply to my messages, or when they did, they were just incredibly douchey/rude/lame/hard to understand. In October, I stumbled across the profile of 'Klesker'. He was Mexican, and one year older than me. We had similar interests, and he did seem awfully friendly. So I messaged him. He messaged back. We talked. We added each other on Facebook. We talked a little more. We added each other on Skype. We talked a bit there too. We sent letters and presents, we made each other CD's and keepsakes. By 2012, I confidently called this Mexican boy whom I'd never really met, my best friend.
Regardless of time differences, and the fact that the two of us were leading completely different lives in completely different hemispheres of the globe, we managed to make the friendship work. I'd text him in class, and we'd Skype just before I went to bed and he left for school. He'd send me pictures from his travels, and I'd send him pictures of.. well- Melbourne. Despite the enormous distance, he was often closer to me than some of my friends just around the corner.
So that's the back story- I met this kid online and we became the best of friends. How lovely, right?
But get this.
In December, he spent a day and a half travelling- spent Christmas all by himself on a plane over the sea- to come and surprise me, here in Melbourne, in my house, on Christmas Day. Just let that sink in for one second. It still hasn't sunk in for me.
So apparently his plane landed at about 9.30pm, and he was at my doorstep by about 11.30pm. Now, with it being Christmas Day and all, I was mighty exhausted and in bed and asleep by about 10pm. An hour and a half later, I was awoken to my sister- and my Mexican penpal- standing in my bedroom.
I can't even put into words the bizarre mix of emotions I had going once I realised he was really there. The guy who usually existed on my laptop screen was now sitting next to me, on my bed, in my room, perfectly three-dimensional and real.
He told me he was only staying for a week, before heading off to Sydney, then New Zealand, then China and then finally back to Mexico; in between pinching myself to make sure I really wasn't dreaming, I had to think of ways to fit the very best of Melbourne into six very short days. Pictures are coming.
Spending a week with my Mexican penpal was such an incredible experience. Aside from it being the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me- ever- I realised, in retrospect, that it was an experience that helped shape me, too. So, amigo, if you're reading this, I hope you enjoyed Australia and I hope you enjoyed finally meeting me.
Time to go stand outside and spray myself down with the garden hose.
I'll be back tonight.
X.
*- I still love you, cus!
I've been feeling really sorry for my rabbit, Gizmo, but the thing is, he doesn't like being indoors. He gets all antsy and freaked out, and he lasts about ten minutes before he wants to be let back out. So, since it's already close to 40℃, I've resorted to pouring buckets of cold water on him. Initially he wasn't a fan, but I think he's starting to enjoy it. The result is incredibly cute. I shall post a picture, if he will ever hold still.
So I told you I'd come back and fill you in on the other more exciting things that were keeping me from blogging. I'll start with the most exciting- meeting my penpal of three years.
Okay, so in early 2010, I decided- for some reason- that I might like to find myself a penpal. Now mind you, I already had a penpal- my cousin in Sri-Lanka- but at some point, one of us stopped writing and I guess I just forgot about him (I really hope he's not reading this*). Anyway, I made myself a profile on interpals.net and waited. Occassionally I would search for people myself, but a lot of the time, people either didn't reply to my messages, or when they did, they were just incredibly douchey/rude/lame/hard to understand. In October, I stumbled across the profile of 'Klesker'. He was Mexican, and one year older than me. We had similar interests, and he did seem awfully friendly. So I messaged him. He messaged back. We talked. We added each other on Facebook. We talked a little more. We added each other on Skype. We talked a bit there too. We sent letters and presents, we made each other CD's and keepsakes. By 2012, I confidently called this Mexican boy whom I'd never really met, my best friend.
Regardless of time differences, and the fact that the two of us were leading completely different lives in completely different hemispheres of the globe, we managed to make the friendship work. I'd text him in class, and we'd Skype just before I went to bed and he left for school. He'd send me pictures from his travels, and I'd send him pictures of.. well- Melbourne. Despite the enormous distance, he was often closer to me than some of my friends just around the corner.
So that's the back story- I met this kid online and we became the best of friends. How lovely, right?
But get this.
In December, he spent a day and a half travelling- spent Christmas all by himself on a plane over the sea- to come and surprise me, here in Melbourne, in my house, on Christmas Day. Just let that sink in for one second. It still hasn't sunk in for me.
So apparently his plane landed at about 9.30pm, and he was at my doorstep by about 11.30pm. Now, with it being Christmas Day and all, I was mighty exhausted and in bed and asleep by about 10pm. An hour and a half later, I was awoken to my sister- and my Mexican penpal- standing in my bedroom.
I can't even put into words the bizarre mix of emotions I had going once I realised he was really there. The guy who usually existed on my laptop screen was now sitting next to me, on my bed, in my room, perfectly three-dimensional and real.
He told me he was only staying for a week, before heading off to Sydney, then New Zealand, then China and then finally back to Mexico; in between pinching myself to make sure I really wasn't dreaming, I had to think of ways to fit the very best of Melbourne into six very short days. Pictures are coming.
Spending a week with my Mexican penpal was such an incredible experience. Aside from it being the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me- ever- I realised, in retrospect, that it was an experience that helped shape me, too. So, amigo, if you're reading this, I hope you enjoyed Australia and I hope you enjoyed finally meeting me.
Time to go stand outside and spray myself down with the garden hose.
I'll be back tonight.
X.
*- I still love you, cus!
2014.
Good morning bloggers!
I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and wonderful new year! I know I did.
And now my first post for the year is only sixteen days late!
...sorry.
I've been meaning to share all my latest with you, but I've been so so busy. You see the thing is, at the end of 2013, which- might I add- was absolutely wonderful to me, I decided 2014 would be even better. Not only would it be a good year, it would be the year that things start happening. A year of change, new beginnings, fresh starts, goals achieved and life coming together. It would be the year that things get done.
And oh, how that excites me. The hope I have for this year is on an unprecedented level, for me at least.
So, what better way to kick off my 2014- my year of getting things done- than to get some things done on a smaller scale first: my bedroom.
Around the middle of 2013, it dawned on me that my room was much less a bedroom than a storage warehouse for all the nonsense I had some how coaxed myself into hoarding. Upon doing some investigating and finding that I had a cupboard full of books from year 10, an impossible ball of headphones, cords and chargers in my bedside table, and a wardrobe that avalanched on me every time I opened the door, I decided that disaster was imminent and change was necessary.
But, as I said, this was the middle of 2013 and year 12 has no mercy and leaves you no time. So, for the next six months I lived in filth and I'm rather ashamed to say, it only got worse.
So bad, in fact, that after my last exam, I did not want to party or go on holiday or celebrate. No no. I just wanted to clean my room.
And oh, how I did just that.
Anyway, I did a lot of cleaning and a bit of re-shuffling with my furniture. I got some new additions, like bedlinen and desk organisers, and I got rid of a lot of stuff. Like, emphasis on 'a lot'.
And by 'a lot' I mean the following:
- 4 laundry baskets full of old school books and papers
- half a garbage bag of shoes
- 1 garbage bag full of school uniforms
- 2 garbage bags full of clothes
- enough dust to stuff two single bed doona covers.
And I promise you, I'm not exaggerating.
But finally, I'm finished. Everything is clean, everything is tidy, and everything is organised. Now all that's left is re-vamping my bedrooms decor, and I can't wait.
So anyway, that explains most of the reason for me being silent for a while. Other reasons include:
- my best friend and pen pal from Mexico flying halfway across the world to surprise me at my home on Christmas Day
- meeting and becoming friends with some German back packers
- getting a summer job
- getting back to fitness
- being too hot to leave the icy cold wonderland of my shower during this heat wave
These (and more) I will fill you in on later today. Apparently it's going to be 44 degrees (celsius, for any readers from around the world) so let's be honest, I won't be doing anything else.
Breakfast time now.
See you soon.
X.
And now my first post for the year is only sixteen days late!
...sorry.
I've been meaning to share all my latest with you, but I've been so so busy. You see the thing is, at the end of 2013, which- might I add- was absolutely wonderful to me, I decided 2014 would be even better. Not only would it be a good year, it would be the year that things start happening. A year of change, new beginnings, fresh starts, goals achieved and life coming together. It would be the year that things get done.
And oh, how that excites me. The hope I have for this year is on an unprecedented level, for me at least.
So, what better way to kick off my 2014- my year of getting things done- than to get some things done on a smaller scale first: my bedroom.
Around the middle of 2013, it dawned on me that my room was much less a bedroom than a storage warehouse for all the nonsense I had some how coaxed myself into hoarding. Upon doing some investigating and finding that I had a cupboard full of books from year 10, an impossible ball of headphones, cords and chargers in my bedside table, and a wardrobe that avalanched on me every time I opened the door, I decided that disaster was imminent and change was necessary.
But, as I said, this was the middle of 2013 and year 12 has no mercy and leaves you no time. So, for the next six months I lived in filth and I'm rather ashamed to say, it only got worse.
So bad, in fact, that after my last exam, I did not want to party or go on holiday or celebrate. No no. I just wanted to clean my room.
And oh, how I did just that.
Anyway, I did a lot of cleaning and a bit of re-shuffling with my furniture. I got some new additions, like bedlinen and desk organisers, and I got rid of a lot of stuff. Like, emphasis on 'a lot'.
And by 'a lot' I mean the following:
- 4 laundry baskets full of old school books and papers
- half a garbage bag of shoes
- 1 garbage bag full of school uniforms
- 2 garbage bags full of clothes
- enough dust to stuff two single bed doona covers.
And I promise you, I'm not exaggerating.
But finally, I'm finished. Everything is clean, everything is tidy, and everything is organised. Now all that's left is re-vamping my bedrooms decor, and I can't wait.
So anyway, that explains most of the reason for me being silent for a while. Other reasons include:
- my best friend and pen pal from Mexico flying halfway across the world to surprise me at my home on Christmas Day
- meeting and becoming friends with some German back packers
- getting a summer job
- getting back to fitness
- being too hot to leave the icy cold wonderland of my shower during this heat wave
These (and more) I will fill you in on later today. Apparently it's going to be 44 degrees (celsius, for any readers from around the world) so let's be honest, I won't be doing anything else.
Breakfast time now.
See you soon.
X.
Monday, December 16, 2013
101 Things That Are More Important Than Your Grades.
Any year 12 student in Victoria would have dreaded this morning. I know I did. This morning was the morning that our final results were released, the little digits we all feared so much. At 7am we either awoke to a text from the VCAA, or logged on to our VTAC accounts to check for ourselves, but either way, we all had to brace ourselves and confront those mean little numbers that carried the importance of the whole world on them.
But they don't really.
I realise that today is probably a sad day for some people; people who worked really damn hard throughout the year, who studied and studied and studied, who made sacrifices, who set goals and tried their absolute best- and maybe didn't quite get there. In fact, that was me. I gave it my all and yet was still a little less than pleased with my score. But only a little. I'm still able to get into my course and do what I've wanted to do all year, and for the moment, that's all that matters.
But some people mightn't have been so lucky. Maybe some people missed out by a lot, or even a few marks. And now they probably feel miserable.
And that's why I'm writing you lovelies a post. This is for everyone who might have cried this morning, everyone who checked their results then rolled over in bed and wished they could disappear, everyone who feels disappointed, everyone who feels worthless, everyone who feels let down and ashamed.
It really is just a number. It's just a number to get you to the next phase of your life, and hey- if it wasn't the right number, then there sure as hell are other ways to get where you want to be. And while you figure out how you might go about getting there, here are 101 things that are far more important than your final score. They always have been, and they always will be. Don't let a little number dictate the rest of your life. It's all yours. Seize it, and run with it.
But they don't really.
I realise that today is probably a sad day for some people; people who worked really damn hard throughout the year, who studied and studied and studied, who made sacrifices, who set goals and tried their absolute best- and maybe didn't quite get there. In fact, that was me. I gave it my all and yet was still a little less than pleased with my score. But only a little. I'm still able to get into my course and do what I've wanted to do all year, and for the moment, that's all that matters.
But some people mightn't have been so lucky. Maybe some people missed out by a lot, or even a few marks. And now they probably feel miserable.
And that's why I'm writing you lovelies a post. This is for everyone who might have cried this morning, everyone who checked their results then rolled over in bed and wished they could disappear, everyone who feels disappointed, everyone who feels worthless, everyone who feels let down and ashamed.
It really is just a number. It's just a number to get you to the next phase of your life, and hey- if it wasn't the right number, then there sure as hell are other ways to get where you want to be. And while you figure out how you might go about getting there, here are 101 things that are far more important than your final score. They always have been, and they always will be. Don't let a little number dictate the rest of your life. It's all yours. Seize it, and run with it.
- Waking up to a new day
- Having a roof over your head
- Hot baths
- Having food to eat and clean water to drink
- Having a family to love and support you
- Having friends to share your life with
- Scented candles
- Being well and in good health
- Being able to receive an education
- Being able to complete that education, and graduate
- Good music
- Being able to love and be loved
- Having the world as your oyster, and the freedom to travel it
- Being blessed with endless opportunities and possibilities
- Making memories
- Being able to enjoy the summer
- Being able to meet new people, make new friends and form new relationships
- Being able to work and earn money
- Finding inspiration
- Having the freedom and independence to set goals
- Being able to give back to the world
- Finding your passion
- Really soft pillows
- Finding cool stuff on sale
- Getting handwritten letters
- Laughing until you cry/snort/pee (I usually do all three)
- Giving and receiving hugs
- Realising who you want to be
- Falling in love
- Making the most of each of your days
- Cuddling your pets (if you don't have one, you're welcome to cuddle my rabbit Gizmo)
- Having options and choices
- Getting up in time to watch the sunrise
- Being able to set yourself challenges
- Being able to inspire people
- Being thankful
- Sleeping in fresh bed linen
- Chocolate
- Feeding your soul
- Holding hands
- Being someones role model
- Finding what makes you happy
- Allowing yourself to dance
- Freshly painted toenails
- Helping people
- Pistachio flavoured gelato
- Having the right to vote, and speak your mind
- Having a plan B
- Knowing that Christmas is only nine days away
- Being able to spend Christmas (and other important occasions) with loved ones
- Making people smile
- Being able to change someones life
- Donating to charity
- Finding your gift
- Finding someone who makes you happy
- The promise of a new year
- Having a mind of your own, and the ability to create your own views and values
- Finding something that adds meaning to your life
- Having integrity
- Making a difference
- Finding hope
- Giving hope
- Being able to add value to someones life
- Banana bread (my mum just made some and it is deeeeeeevine)
- Being a good friend
- Watching The Simpsons
- Opening your mind
- Finishing a good book
- Finding sunglasses that actually suit your face
- Receiving help from a stranger
- Giving compliments
- Receiving compliments
- Cosy and warm beds
- Exploring the world
- Making progress
- Finding motivation
- Baking choc chip cookies
- Accidentally doing a killer job on your hair/make up/outfit
- Connecting with people
- Morning jogs
- Being able to let go of your past
- Keeping promises
- Finding faith
- Saving a life
- Humility
- The smell of tinsel
- The beach
- Lying in the sun
- Finding positivity
- Road trips
- Watching fireworks
- Collecting sea shells
- Baking cupcakes (and eating them too)
- Helping someone find their passion
- Growth
- Overcoming your fears
- Seeing the bigger picture
- Making people laugh
- Second chances
- Choosing to be happy
- Being alive
If you can tick off at least five of those, I guarantee you're gonna be okay- regardless of your score.
Much love,
X
Friday, December 13, 2013
Sydney.
From top to bottom: 1. Some of the beautiful foliage and apartment buildings in the street parallel to ours. 2. The lovely little town houses across from our apartment building. 3. Quirky street art while out exploring. 4. Some of the beautiful flowers in Hyde Park. 5. Fro-yo with cookie dough chunks and a Lindt ball (aka, heaven in a cup). 6. Emerging Designer Market at the shopping centre we visited. 7. The incredible view from our apartment balcony. 8. Cocktails! 9. Happy Hour at the Kings Cross Hotel. 10. The Coca Cola billboard that caught my eye on the way to our apartment from the airport. 11. Spicy Thai rice on our first night. 12. The beautiful palm trees lining Sydney Harbour. 13. The Harbour Bridge. 14. And of course, the Opera House. 15. Food, wine and cocktails at the Opera Bar. 16. The picturesque Opera House. 17. A shot from our ferry. 18. Some of the boats in the harbour. 19. Adriano Zumbo's cookbooks. 20. Zumbo! 21. Darling Harbour by night. 22. Chocolate, pistachio and almond gelato. Still the best I've tasted. 23. Salted caramel gelato on our last day... still second best.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
The Post With No Name.
*creaky floorboards*
*cough*
"Hello?"
~
Dear God, where do I even begin?
First of all, sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry for being the world's shittiest blogger for..oh, about eight months now. In case you hadn't heard, I was being eaten alive by my final year of schooling and the workload and pressure was absolutely horrendous. If it makes you feel any better, I sacrificed plenty more than just blogging. My job was another thing I gave up, and unfortunately, even after completing all my exams and what nots, I'm still depressingly broke and currently job-hunting. At least I could pick up blogging again..
What's pathetic is, I feel like after all this time passed, I feel as though I should at least have something exciting to tell you all. Sadly, I actually just spent a lot of my time studying and/or crying. Hashtag 'year 12'.
However, here's what you may have missed:
*cough*
"Hello?"
~
Dear God, where do I even begin?
First of all, sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry for being the world's shittiest blogger for..oh, about eight months now. In case you hadn't heard, I was being eaten alive by my final year of schooling and the workload and pressure was absolutely horrendous. If it makes you feel any better, I sacrificed plenty more than just blogging. My job was another thing I gave up, and unfortunately, even after completing all my exams and what nots, I'm still depressingly broke and currently job-hunting. At least I could pick up blogging again..
What's pathetic is, I feel like after all this time passed, I feel as though I should at least have something exciting to tell you all. Sadly, I actually just spent a lot of my time studying and/or crying. Hashtag 'year 12'.
However, here's what you may have missed:
- I turned eighteen. I think I may have touched on that in an earlier post, but I'm really starting to feel all grown-up-like; for example, the other day I ordered a Cosmo at a restuarant and didn't get asked for ID, and on Thursday night I bought a bottle of Moscato from the liquor store and didn't get asked then either. *
- I celebrated one year with my boyfriend. Not surprisingly, we spent it doing what we do best: eating.
- I also went to Sydney him the following month. It was an absolutely wonderful weekend, and miraculously, we are still together (somewhat happily). Pictures will be up soon.
- I got an A+ on a film a wrote and directed for school. It's no masterpiece, but I'll post you lovelies the link anyway. And masterpiece or not, an A+ is fine by me.
- I had my first exam panic attack. During the exam. Yeah, let's not even go there.
- I made some friends.
- I lost some friends.
- I got back into fitness, finally. My Christmas wishlist consists of a punching bag, boxing gloves and a whole lot of Nike gear.
- And last but certainly not least, I graduated. Photo's will be up soon.
So now that I have endless time on my hands, I have time to not only address every one of those dot points in a proper post, BUT, I also have time to re-vamp Jack's House. This is all very exciting, and grossly overdue.
In closing, I solemly swear/pinky promise/cross my heart and hope to die that I will never abandon you Jack's House or any of you darlings ever again. Unless of course, it is in the event of horrific and unforseen circumstances that ruin my life and keep me from blogging...such as my final year of secondary school..
I'll be back soon.
Lots of love,
xxxxxx
*= I'm not an alcoholic, I swear.
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