1. Watched Sam play cricket in 42 degree heat. And scoring. I have now firmly cemented my position as "Mrs Cricket" - my pseudo-name as birthed by the cricket team. I am seen as committed as the players, who risked their very lives and hydration stocks to stand in a field while the sun burned down on them with vengeance.
2. Dinner with super-fun and new house owner friends, Simon & B. Our romantic pizza picnic at Cremorne Point came to a sudden halt (it never began, you see) as a 6.30pm storm/random bad weather crossed Sydney. Instead we stayed indoors, added chocolate and ice blocks to the mix, and played Buzz trivia. I won. You already knew that though didn't you?
3. Sunday morning, 10am. Eyes open. Tummy rumbles. Walk to Crows Nest for brekkie at Wrapido. Half impressed with eggs & bacon. Grab paper and Bakers Delight treats. Walk home to read paper and lie around house in underwear, because I'm sick of the minimum heat/humidity index being very high (I can't give you exact figures here, as I suspect it is actually cooler outside than inside our house, but this is not my point)
4. Sunday evening, Sam's uni friends come for dinner. Tennis watching, cooking, wine and leftover chocolates and ice blocks. I retire to bed early, as an entire day of relaxing has made me very sleepy.
5. Australia Day. Met friends and favourite daughter of friends (Lulu - 18 months old and gorgeous) at Bronte. Walked to Bondi Beach, ate a super yummy lunch of salad, sushi and fresh juice as selected by Sam, and then the boys went swimming. Walked back, just before the rain hit. Am very sunburned - skin cells in trauma - and I know it was my own fault, but my chest and arms are very very red hot. Poor me.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
no go
Sam and I just found out we can't get the first home owners grant unless we buy before we get married.
Sam's first home counts against any purchase I make in my name, because of the year he bought it in.
Not happy Jan.
Sam's first home counts against any purchase I make in my name, because of the year he bought it in.
Not happy Jan.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
all fixed
One of my clever bridesmaids suggested we change the incorrectly coloured dress for the next size up in the right colour, and we'll do alterations, which are required for my dress and the other dress too...so, I now have two dresses with me - both the same colour! Yay. Anyone know a great dressmaker?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
the wall
The photos on my desk partition walls at work are enjoyable.
I have the following photos:
1. A person row-boating on the Tamar River, Launceston. I took this shot when Sam and I were in Tasmania. It reminds me to go outdoors often, and to fulfill my Adventure Girl calling.
2. Sam, standing on a moss covered rock amongst autumn leaves and trees, looking up at a tree loosing its leaves. Again, this shot is from our trip to Tasmania.
3. A closeup of me staring into the camera at a four-day work event, looking over-exposed but therefore with beautiful skin, and dark hair. Reminds me that sometimes I do work hard!
4. Me looking lovingly at Sam, who is talking, with a light/sunset behind us, at Mum's 50th.
5. Alyson, Bek and myself at a recent wedding. This time I have blonde straight hair, and I'm in my favourite red dress, which 'daddy' bought me.
Other things on my wall at work include a list of office phone numbers, an event calendar (all twelve months paperclipped and hanging onto the wall via a pin) and the 4 Ds: Do it now, Decide when, Delegate it and Dump it.
You should choose one of these 4 Ds when you receive an email - so that your inbox is clear and does not turn into your 'to-do' box or action list. Your inbox is not an effective way of priortising work.
The only other things on my wall are pins waiting to pin something to the wall.
I have the following photos:
1. A person row-boating on the Tamar River, Launceston. I took this shot when Sam and I were in Tasmania. It reminds me to go outdoors often, and to fulfill my Adventure Girl calling.
2. Sam, standing on a moss covered rock amongst autumn leaves and trees, looking up at a tree loosing its leaves. Again, this shot is from our trip to Tasmania.
3. A closeup of me staring into the camera at a four-day work event, looking over-exposed but therefore with beautiful skin, and dark hair. Reminds me that sometimes I do work hard!
4. Me looking lovingly at Sam, who is talking, with a light/sunset behind us, at Mum's 50th.
5. Alyson, Bek and myself at a recent wedding. This time I have blonde straight hair, and I'm in my favourite red dress, which 'daddy' bought me.
Other things on my wall at work include a list of office phone numbers, an event calendar (all twelve months paperclipped and hanging onto the wall via a pin) and the 4 Ds: Do it now, Decide when, Delegate it and Dump it.
You should choose one of these 4 Ds when you receive an email - so that your inbox is clear and does not turn into your 'to-do' box or action list. Your inbox is not an effective way of priortising work.
The only other things on my wall are pins waiting to pin something to the wall.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
event guru
Work is very busy. I have gone from being slightly worried about my role this year, with a new team member taking over some of my duties, effectively making my life easier but possibly my job redundant, to being ridiculously busy.
Of course, I knew it wouldn't be made redundant, but was worried all the same about my usefulness and the idea that I am irreplaceable. In my head.
Anyway, as we enter our 65th anniversary year here at work, we thought we should do a 65th event - a relay - around NSW & the ACT. In addition to the normal events workload. Safe to say I will be busy this year.
I think I'm averaging 5-6 events a month, with some months having larger than normal events (ie two-day Baptist conventions)
I'm putting together a super spreadsheet, detailing every event date/venue/detail and who will be attending from my team - I'm delegating a little bit needless to say, I'm not too keen on visiting Parkes this year if I don't have too. We'll see.
Luckily, my own personal events (ie wedding, honeymoon, general socialising) will be a piece of cake.
Meanwhile, poor Sammy hates his job and therefore can't progress in the land of workers compensation because his motivation is very low and the job doesn't suit him at all. He is very sad and doesn't come home happy. This has prompted me to arrange a career counselling session (with someone qualified, rather than me) and to see if we can sort out this problem.
Sam wants to work outdoors, preferably doing outdoor recreation or team building recreation type things - but not on a casual basis, really needs to be full time. There isn't much available. And even then, he's not convinced he wants this. He knows he wants to work outside at the very least.
Jess - if you're reading, I know you like to make job/rental suggestions - feel free to seek out Seek.
Ciao ciao
Of course, I knew it wouldn't be made redundant, but was worried all the same about my usefulness and the idea that I am irreplaceable. In my head.
Anyway, as we enter our 65th anniversary year here at work, we thought we should do a 65th event - a relay - around NSW & the ACT. In addition to the normal events workload. Safe to say I will be busy this year.
I think I'm averaging 5-6 events a month, with some months having larger than normal events (ie two-day Baptist conventions)
I'm putting together a super spreadsheet, detailing every event date/venue/detail and who will be attending from my team - I'm delegating a little bit needless to say, I'm not too keen on visiting Parkes this year if I don't have too. We'll see.
Luckily, my own personal events (ie wedding, honeymoon, general socialising) will be a piece of cake.
Meanwhile, poor Sammy hates his job and therefore can't progress in the land of workers compensation because his motivation is very low and the job doesn't suit him at all. He is very sad and doesn't come home happy. This has prompted me to arrange a career counselling session (with someone qualified, rather than me) and to see if we can sort out this problem.
Sam wants to work outdoors, preferably doing outdoor recreation or team building recreation type things - but not on a casual basis, really needs to be full time. There isn't much available. And even then, he's not convinced he wants this. He knows he wants to work outside at the very least.
Jess - if you're reading, I know you like to make job/rental suggestions - feel free to seek out Seek.
Ciao ciao
Friday, January 9, 2009
planning
It seems pointless to keep logging onto my blog and chastising myself for never blogging, so instead, I'll get straight into it for 2009.
So, some plans for 2009 (it's how you best make God laugh right, tell Him your plans?)
More exercise for exercise's sake
Become friends with Tony Ferguson again (three months before wedding)
Get married
Enjoy 12 twelve days on Hayman Island and in Port Douglas with new husband!
Lots of Super 14 rugby matches
Loosen grip on cleaning just a touch more, but no too much, as it is my enjoyable right to have a tidy house
Become more tolerant of idiocy
Read more books - both non and fiction.
Laugh more
Maybe cry more, though I'm going to think further about how this works
Make some sort of positive movements in my career
Bake more (while eating less?!)
I've enjoyed 2009 so far.
It's involved a lot of sun & beach, including a new found gem, Chinaman's Beach, just around the corner from the Spit and Mosman. Secluded and not too busy (at least on a Monday!)
We spent 6 hours watching Aus vs South Africa at the cricket in Sydney this week. The epitome of summer as far as I am concerned. Sadly, even the SA captain batting with a broken hand and inflamed elbow, in a last ditch attempt to win the match, was inspiring, but not enough to win. I would like to say I will work on become more 'Australian' this year, but I officially refuse to do this until I have lived in Australia for longer than I have lived in NZ. 6 years to go.
What else? I've also enjoyed reading a fantastic book which I just finished (good progress made as per above plans), written by an Australian who moved to Italy, a small town on the heel of the boot, for his love. While the book isn't filled with romance, the love Chris (or in Italian, Crris) finds for a country is wonderful to watch unfold. His capacity to love and hate a country, which even the Italians love to hate themselves, is great. The difference between Italy and Australia is huge. Chris talks about how himself, and other Italian authors, believe most people 'visit' Italy in summer, on vacation, and in truth see a sparkly version of the country, not the 'real' version - where government means corruption, where no one obeys the laws of the country (ie driving, tax etc) but they will obey superstitious laws (ie Italians do not marry on Tuesdays or Fridays), where its not what you know or what forms you've filled out but who you know, where siesta means even the airport officials and local police are 'unavailable'.
Interestingly, Chris realises that Italy has an undefinable 'mystic' about it, which means when you leave, you truly miss something though you're not sure what, even though you spend most of your time cursing it, with the local Italians. This means that Chris no longer feels at home in Australia where his friends and family have a different way of life, or at home entirely in Italy, where he is not a local by heart.
I spent my last three days of holidays practising some of the Italian way, including dinner as late as I could handle it (8pm) and cooking with as much fresh ingredients as I could ... and enjoying an attitude of summer holidaying that Chris enjoyed. It was a fun take on life!
So, there is my book report. It's called Head over Heel if you're interested, by Chris Harrison (pronounced arrison, because the 'H' in the Italian alphabet is not pronounced, or missing in some cases apparently)
And, for those of you keenly interested in all wedding details (Bethany!), we have a cake plan! Sam's sister Emma is going to make us a two tiered cake, fruit cake on the bottom, and hopefully if it works, a special flavour Emma makes: craisins, cherries, almonds and white chocolate chips for the top tier in a vanilla style cake. Funky white textured icing and fresh flowers.
So, some plans for 2009 (it's how you best make God laugh right, tell Him your plans?)
More exercise for exercise's sake
Become friends with Tony Ferguson again (three months before wedding)
Get married
Enjoy 12 twelve days on Hayman Island and in Port Douglas with new husband!
Lots of Super 14 rugby matches
Loosen grip on cleaning just a touch more, but no too much, as it is my enjoyable right to have a tidy house
Become more tolerant of idiocy
Read more books - both non and fiction.
Laugh more
Maybe cry more, though I'm going to think further about how this works
Make some sort of positive movements in my career
Bake more (while eating less?!)
I've enjoyed 2009 so far.
It's involved a lot of sun & beach, including a new found gem, Chinaman's Beach, just around the corner from the Spit and Mosman. Secluded and not too busy (at least on a Monday!)
We spent 6 hours watching Aus vs South Africa at the cricket in Sydney this week. The epitome of summer as far as I am concerned. Sadly, even the SA captain batting with a broken hand and inflamed elbow, in a last ditch attempt to win the match, was inspiring, but not enough to win. I would like to say I will work on become more 'Australian' this year, but I officially refuse to do this until I have lived in Australia for longer than I have lived in NZ. 6 years to go.
What else? I've also enjoyed reading a fantastic book which I just finished (good progress made as per above plans), written by an Australian who moved to Italy, a small town on the heel of the boot, for his love. While the book isn't filled with romance, the love Chris (or in Italian, Crris) finds for a country is wonderful to watch unfold. His capacity to love and hate a country, which even the Italians love to hate themselves, is great. The difference between Italy and Australia is huge. Chris talks about how himself, and other Italian authors, believe most people 'visit' Italy in summer, on vacation, and in truth see a sparkly version of the country, not the 'real' version - where government means corruption, where no one obeys the laws of the country (ie driving, tax etc) but they will obey superstitious laws (ie Italians do not marry on Tuesdays or Fridays), where its not what you know or what forms you've filled out but who you know, where siesta means even the airport officials and local police are 'unavailable'.
Interestingly, Chris realises that Italy has an undefinable 'mystic' about it, which means when you leave, you truly miss something though you're not sure what, even though you spend most of your time cursing it, with the local Italians. This means that Chris no longer feels at home in Australia where his friends and family have a different way of life, or at home entirely in Italy, where he is not a local by heart.
I spent my last three days of holidays practising some of the Italian way, including dinner as late as I could handle it (8pm) and cooking with as much fresh ingredients as I could ... and enjoying an attitude of summer holidaying that Chris enjoyed. It was a fun take on life!
So, there is my book report. It's called Head over Heel if you're interested, by Chris Harrison (pronounced arrison, because the 'H' in the Italian alphabet is not pronounced, or missing in some cases apparently)
And, for those of you keenly interested in all wedding details (Bethany!), we have a cake plan! Sam's sister Emma is going to make us a two tiered cake, fruit cake on the bottom, and hopefully if it works, a special flavour Emma makes: craisins, cherries, almonds and white chocolate chips for the top tier in a vanilla style cake. Funky white textured icing and fresh flowers.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
rules for a happy new year
Just a few rules for 2009 - more exercise and guilt-free eating.
Saving. This would help as our bank account drags its feet toward a wedding and honeymoon.
Watching Greys Anatomy and The Ex-List (if it returns to TV) to season end.
Early on in the day during 31 Dec, people on the beach were saying happy new year to each other. A well established rule is that you can say these words from midnight...not before. Spread the word peeps, and let's prevent premature 'hnys' for 2010!
Finally, decide for once and for all if I want a tattoo.
Saving. This would help as our bank account drags its feet toward a wedding and honeymoon.
Watching Greys Anatomy and The Ex-List (if it returns to TV) to season end.
Early on in the day during 31 Dec, people on the beach were saying happy new year to each other. A well established rule is that you can say these words from midnight...not before. Spread the word peeps, and let's prevent premature 'hnys' for 2010!
Finally, decide for once and for all if I want a tattoo.
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