Poptart

This will be the last post on this blog for awhile.

I'm struggling to find time to blog at the moment. Big work commitments, plus I'm moving house and having relationship "issues" (the usual stuff people argue over: money, work and time) and I have blog-writers block.

Give me a few weeks and I should be revived enough to post more frequently.

My boyfriend has a man-crush.

He has a big man-crush on this guy, who has a Discovery Channel TV show "Man vs Wild" (which has been accused of faking parts of the show).

I think it's cute and I tease him about him now and again. He's away at the moment, so he texted me to record the episode of "Man vs Wild" he'll miss tonight LOL.

His other man-crush is Johnny Depp, which you know is fine because I love Johnny as well.

Oh, and his third man-crush is an Aussie surfer, Luke Egan. (Who is such a cutie).

Now my girl-crushes are another blogpost for another day LOL.

I'm procrastinating, putting off packing. I just can't seem to get motivated or find a point to start at, it all seems too difficult.

So instead, I've been surfing the net looking at shoes. Looking, not buying. Bugger it. So many cool shoes. So little money.

I like the short boots that are around at the moment, these are some that caught my eye.

Oooh, shiny!

Love the buckle on those.

And these are very similar to the shoeties (boots+shoes=shoeties) I bought awhile back. Mine are black leather and grey wool.

My next big purchase is to find a pair of brown long flat boots. It's really difficult to find long (knee-length) boots that fit my wide calves! Good old kiwi chunky legs and European made boots do not mix!

I like the look of these two pairs, and they're in a local store so I might have some luck.

This pair might work, as it has elastic down the side so could stretch to fit my "muscley" calves. I swear some of these boots wouldn't even zip up my arms. Those European women must have puny chicken legs LOL.



And because it's Monday, and I need something else pretty to look at, what about this dude...




Happy Monday! (I nearly typed happy trail there LOL)

So, I'm about to sign for the two bedroom apartment that I saw on Monday. So very exciting!

Imagine polished wood floors, exposed bricks and floor to ceiling windows and a view of the city. High spec kitchen and a modern bathroom.

Got that?

Well, that is not my new place LOL.

It's pretty decent though, and it's 50 years newer than my current house (which was built in the early 1900s). Move in date is to be confirmed, probably mid-July. The boyfriend has yet to see it! We drove past tonight and he liked the outside, so that's a start. His one concern is parking, as there is no off-street parking (garage or carport) and on-street parking is not guaranteed. So, the next few weeks will be busy organising the move. Fun times.

This flat hunting business is so depressing.

There are some fantastic places that I just love, like this. But we can't afford to spend that much a week on rent. Actually we probably could, we're both earning good money, but I don't want to spend over $1000 a fortnight on rent while trying to save money for a deposit to buy our own place. If we spent that much money on rent, we'd have to go without certain things... like food LOL.

Then the rest of the flats available at the moment are really awful, dark, dingy and rundown. I know I'll have to compromise (perhaps a new kitchen isn't a "need to have" and is more of a "would be nice"?). I do know that I need a decent bathroom, I can't cope with mouldy manky shower stalls. Gag.

So I'll keep going on my quest to find the perfect flat. I hope it doesn't take too long. Of course, it would take less time if I had someone to help me, but that doesn't seem likely. Hopefully I'll have a place to live by the end of this week.

UPDATE, 9.20pm: Well, I may have a flat! The three people I put down as references on an application for an apartment were contacted today by the property management company! Woohoo. I liked this apartment (two bedroom, spacious, new bathroom, big kitchen) but didn't think we'd get very far as they had HEAPS of people at the viewing on the weekend. I haven't heard from the guy at the property management company yet, so fingers crossed! We could have a new flat by tomorrow.

Apologies for the lack of posts lately, it's been rather crazy around here with so much going on at work and home. I like being busy, I seem to get more done when I've got more to do (if that makes sense LOL).

My new project is to find a new place to live. My current flat has been sold and the new owner will take vacant possession in 6 weeks. So, I've spent the past two Saturdays trawling the to let section in the Dominion Post (and the rental property section on Trade Me) looking for a new flat/apartment. It would be easier if I had my boyfriend helping, but he's taken a total disinterest in it. Which is really frustrating. But hey, if he doesn't want any input now, then he has NO right to complain about the new place I find LOL.

I saw the new David Beckham Emporio Armani ad the other day...

Sigh, just lovely.

Speaking of lovely, I have a new All Black crush. I mean, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw will always be special to me, but Richard Kahui has knocked them down one spot. Talk about hot. Not that I watch the rugby just to perve at the men (okay, I do mostly LOL).

I finally saw the Sex and the City movie this week. I really enjoyed it. I love Samantha, she had some great scenes and quotes.

I also saw Brick Lane, which for all intents and purposes is my kind of film but I really didn't enjoy it at all (which surprised my friends that I was with as they all loved it LOL).

So this week, more house hunting (am seeing a place tomorrow) and a busy work schedule.

I don't know what's worse, this hangover or the fact that we (my boyfriend and I) spent nearly $700 this weekend. Ouch.

We had friends come from Ireland (for a holiday and to watch Ireland play the All Blacks) and we spent all weekend with them. Lots of laughs, lots of food and momentous amount of booze consumed.

I haven't been out drinking like that for months, in fact the last big night out was probably in 2007 LOL. Friday night we were all out until 4am, last night the rugby (where four small beers cost over $20! Talk about ripoff) then we hit the pubs and when sufficiently boozed up, we hit a few clubs. So much fun, dancing and singing on the dancefloor (we went to clubs that actually play music you can sing along and dance to, none of that stupid fucking dance music nonsense LOL). I know my boyfriend was pretty smashed, he doesn't normally drag me onto the dance floor like that LOL. We got home around 4am again. Nasty. I was so drunk that I didn't really get undressed to get in bed, just took shoes and jeans off and slept in my tops LOL.

I've just pulled out the receipts from my purse and checked our bank accounts and yeah, $600-odd bucks spent, really easy apparently. I know I drink a lot and I know my boyfriend can put back a few bevvies too, and when we get together with our friends from Dublin (who seriously, can drink like they're competing for an Olympic medal) we obviously have no impulse control LOL.

Though I suppose after the craptastic week I have had with my family dramas, we both probably needed some kind of boozy fun. So now we're both lying on the couch (he's on his watching a surfing DVD). The boyfriend didn't even get up until 10.30 or so, which is unheard of! Especially because it is a gorgeous sunny blue sky winter day out there and he always wants to go and do something outdoors on days like this. I can count on one finger the number of times he's slept in. I'm the lazy slothful one in the relationship LOL. He must be suffering. We're meant to be having lunch with the Irish friends soon, so I suppose I should drag my hungover self into the shower and get ready. Ugh.

I'm watching a BBC documentary on television right now - Painted Babies at 17.

It's pretty horrific, I find something quite disturbing about these child pageants. Something a bit wrong with parading around these young children covered in make up (including false eyelashes and fake teeth), tacky clothes and singing songs with lyrics that are quite adult, a bit sexual. It's bizarre, freakish and weirdly patriotic.

The first documentary followed two girls aged 5, Brooke and Asia...



This follow-up film picks up 12 years later. Brooke no longer competes, Asia is still competing (accompanied by her pushy stage nana and mum). The pageants are still disturbing, tacky rhinestone-covered and funnily enough, still have the same MC singing bad "love" songs to the shellac-haired contestants. Ugh.

What's also weird about these pageants (apart from the hair, the clothes, the make up, the excessive use of fake crystals) is that the parents of these girls are completely unaware that their children have no talent! The scene with Asia singing so out of tune had me in hysterics LOL.

Thanks for all the positive comments and emails, I really appreciate them. It has been a difficult few days, but we're all coping and getting on with life. I have to say I'm thankful for the three-day weekend!

I've spent the weekend just relaxing and chilling out (chillaxing?), reading, pottering around the house, eating and watching TV. I even got to use the remote control and watch the E! channel uninterrupted and I didn't once turn to a sports channel. Obviously because my boyfriend was away for the weekend LOL.

A lot of the E! channel coverage has been about the Sex and the City movie, unfortunately it'll be another week before I can see it here - I've been avoiding spoilers and reviews online because I don't want to know what happens.

I am a big Sex and the City fan, every week I would get together with my friends and we'd watch it. For the final episode, we went all out. We hired a private room at a bar, and hooked the large screen TV to watch the show. Just like you would if it was a sporting event or something. It was quite sad when it ended, but, you know, life goes on.

So, the movie picks up 4 years after the series ended, life for the four characters has moved on and changed. It made me think about my SATC watching friends and how we've changed in three/four years.

Friend 1 - got married, had two kids, is contemplating a third
Friend 2 - moved to Auckland, met a French-based Irishman, moved to Paris
Friend 3 - got married, had a baby, had an affair, got divorced
Friend 4 - moved to Sydney, made a lot of money, engaged to banker
Friend 5 - Gave up lucrative career to go back to university, just graduated with her Masters last week!

As for me? Nothing has changed. I'm still living in the same house, in a relationship with the same man. Oh, I've changed jobs, but everything else is just the same. Well, obviously the latest family drama has changed things, but not really. My life is pretty much the same. Damn, why can't I met a hunky bloke and get whisked to live in Paris? LOL

After the emotional 24 hours our family has had, now comes the practicality LOL. All hail the power of the mighty "to do" list! (And a few vodka on the rocks).

It's still a bit raw and there's many questions to ask, but we have to deal with the here and the now. No use dwelling on the past, it happened. How do we cope and support each other.

My BF has been great actually, been pulling together information about support agencies etc. He and my Dad have kind of spearheaded the campaign.

So, we'll be okay. I'll be okay. I'm totally looking forward to the long weekend, thanks to the Queen!

Earlier I posted a bit of rant, but have deleted that post. It was an emotional overaction and I don't think I needed to subject you to all that! I've had some pretty bad news delivered today. Serious family dramas that make me question the actions of my sister and her partner. The consequences are pretty tough and it has to be honest, rocked our family to the core. My mother especially. She's is distraught, emotionally devasted. We were kept completely in the dark, in fact my sister has yet to admit any guilt or wrong doing, despite the fact that a judge and the courts today, have found her guilty. She's defiant, defensive and indignant. Which is infuriating!

Honestly, I wonder how we're related. I guess she got that bad blood LOL.

I just feel sorry for the children, innocent kids who's lives will probably change because of this. Those poor kids.

Hang Bo street in the Old Quarter

I'm back! I spent most of my time in Vietnam with about 5 days in Singapore thrown in there too. I loved being back in SE Asia. I used to live in Japan and I’ve done quite a lot of travelling through the region, but not a lot recently. So I enjoyed going back.

Instead of boring you with what I did each day, I thought I’d break my holiday down into subjects, a more palatable way for you digest. I’ve got a few photos to share (none of me, seeing as I refuse to be in any), I used the work camera which was great (except when everyday around 3pm it would have a hissy fit and not work for 12 hours).

Oh, and this is going to be long...

The Shopping (come on, you knew I’d start with that one LOL).

Shopping in Singapore was great – everything and anything right there. I drooled over Hermes scarves and Chanel purses. Unfortunately I didn’t do a great deal of shopping in Singapore, I picked up a cute pair of shoes (round toe ballet flats with a round silver buckle – totally adorable), a black onyx ring (encourages good fortune - I thought I should buy one ring for every finger so that instead of drooling over that Chanel bag, I could buy it) and a leather tote (camel coloured, large with buckles, are you sensing a theme LOL). I could’ve bought a great deal more but thought that because I was heading to Vietnam, it’d be cheaper there. First bad decision!

The shopping in Vietnam was a touch disappointing. Sure it was cheap and I picked up some nice traditional stuff (lacquered bowls, bamboo platters) but I’m not really into traditional Vietnamese crafts. I was looking for nice handbags (only found tacky and bad imitation designer bags) and shoes (embroidered silk slippers not quite what I was after). I did buy stuff though, I don’t want you to think I was deprived LOL. I picked up a pair of funky, chunky dark brown Gucci specs for US$30 (with my prescription lenses in them), a couple of fake watches, artwork (including propaganda posters which were a gift for the BF), small works of art, tshirt and hat with Vietnamese star flag on it and coffee. Oh man, the coffee is so good there! Really good. Which leads onto the next topic.

The Food

I did not have one dud meal. I hate incredibly well and sampled food from street kitchens to gorgeous French cafes.


Street kitchen cafe that did really lovely deep fried bahn goi!










In Hanoi (where I based myself) the French influence was quite strong, and I had some of the best French pastries and bread! And it was cheap. Beer (Heineken) was $US1 a bottle, water 70c. Baby pineapples sold by women in Non la (traditional conical shaped hats) were 50c for 4 (and so delicious, even if they did give me massive mouth ulcers). Croissants $1. I spent one memorable morning at KOTO, eating coconut and palm sugar pancakes and talking to Tom (who plays Lou on Neighbours!). KOTO is a non-profit restaurant and training programme that takes disadvantaged kids off the streets. Really worthy cause and the food and service exceptional (so good in fact, I went back on my last night in Hanoi for dinner). I ate pho bo (beef noodle soup), stuffed banh bao, spring rolls. And I drank a lot of coffee. It’s sweet and smoky and slightly nutty. Served hot or cold and with condensed milk! Highly addictive.

On my last day in Hanoi I went to the Sofitel Metropole for afternoon drinks at the Bamboo Bar.


Bamboo Bar, Sofitel Metropole, Hanoi












Sipping a Gin and Tonic, under a fan beside the pool was a wonderful respite from the noise and chaos of busy Hanoi streets.

The Place

The first thing I noticed about Hanoi was the noise. Hundreds of vehicles (mostly scooters) on the roads, all beeping and tooting. Hanoi is bustling and loud. The old quarter is crowded with its narrow streets and houses.


Busy Hanoi street












Stores and people spill out onto the footpaths (in between all the scooters that are parked there – I don’t think I ever got to walk on the footpath in the old quarter LOL).

Scooters all in a row











The old quarter is crowded and fascinating, charming and faded. The French quarter on the other hand, is quiet with its tree lined avenues and boulevards and French colonial architecture. The area around Hoam Kiem lake is vibrant with several trendy shops and the ubiquitous hawker trying to sell you photocopies of books and postcards.


Bridge leading to a shrine in Hoam Kiem Lake










I managed to get out of Hanoi for several days, I did a trip to Ha Long Bay, stayed overnight on a Chinese junk (boat).

My "junk", taken from the kayak I was paddling









The bay wasn't exactly what I had pictured, there were so many tourist boats! It kind of spoiled it really. But, I was fascinated by the floating houses that the local fisherman live in.


Floating houses on Ha Long Bay











A few days later, I travelled to the Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong). The only way to get to this shrine is by river (this is after a 2 hour drive from Hanoi). Local women paddle you up the Yen River, it's idyllic! So peaceful.







Locals on the Yen River











Rowboats on the Yen River










I met a great couple from Poland on the way to the Perfume Pagoda, we got on really well (our mutual love of vodka and travelling LOL).


The People

I met some really cool people on my travels, from young, gung-ho backpackers to older stylish French tourists. Trendy Japanese university students, public servants from the Philippines and a film crew from Korea. Local people were so friendly and thankfully, understood English (Vietnamese is a difficult language to speak, one word can mean different things just by changing the tone). Vietnamese people seemed curious about me, where I was from, why I was travelling alone and if I was married.

I definitely want to go back, this time to check out the gorgeous beaches and the south.

There's lots more, but I'll bore you another time.

I've been really slack with this blog lately. I've had an insanely busy work schedule and lots of family stuff lately which has occupied most of my time.

But I couldn't let today go by without mentioning that it is David Beckham's birthday!





Lovely.

Today was also my last day of work for awhile. I'm jetting off soon for a few weeks jaunt around Southeast Asia. I can't wait! I hope to bore you all to death with the 100s of photos upon my return.

I'm sitting here watching "The Amazing Race" which is one of the few reality TV shows I watch.

Oh man, I love this show! I know it's edited a certain way and I know they actively cast the show (as opposed to the general public applying) but there is always a dysfunctional couple competing. This season it seems to be Nathan and Jenny. He comes across as a total douche and she's a screamy whiny moppet. Also, Ari and Stella are really obnoxious (oh, ha! they got eliminated first LOL)

I'm totally loving the goth couple (someone and Vixen). His eyebrows are fab darling! I always have a soft spot for the family pairings too, like the Dad/Daughter and Grandad/Grandson.

A friend and I have said that we'd be great at this show LOL. We're (relatively) fit, we're both experienced travellers and we'll give anything a go. Plus, we can actually pronounce the place names LOL. I get the giggles when the competitors can't pronounce place names properly. I know it's bitchy and petty, but seriously, have these people not done any research or read an atlas in preparation for going on this show? I know I would.

In completely unrelated news. I've just received a missive text message from my boyfriend. No greeting, no sweet talk. This is what it said (direct quote): "can u get 2doz steiny 4 thurs hve invtd boys arund 4 a fw bevs". (Translation: Can I get two dozen bottles of Steinlager Pure because he's invited his friends around for a few drinks on Thursday). Oh of course honey. I live for doing your bidding! I also don't mind that you've invited them to our place, when it's the first day of your short holiday break back home (he's back for the weekend for a quick break) and I wouldn't have minded having some time together. Oh well. It's all fun and games.

Oh, speaking of fun, listen to the my new cellphone text message tone (this is what I hear when I get a text). It's hilarious and totally obnoxious. I love it!



If you can't see the little audio player here, click here to listen.

I'm in a whiny mood. I like life is unfair and I'm not getting what I want!

All this was brought on today when I walked passed Karen Walker and saw the sweetest dress from her new Lucky collection. It was gorgeous colour, really nice shape and fabric. Then, I walked past Kate Sylvester and saw the funkiest top and jacket that very nearly made me drool.

What's frustrating is that I'm on a savings binge (in order to have some money to take on holiday to Vietnam LOL) and I can't buy anything. I've got all this money sitting in the bank and I can't spend any of it *sob*. I've seen gorgeous clothes that I love and I can't buy them *sob*.

Life sucks. I hate saving. Saving sucks.

I told you I was in a whiny mood.

I just realised it was the 1st of April, so a pinch and a punch for the first of the month!

I had a great weekend in Sydney, it was lovely seeing the boyfriend again. Even if on Sunday afternoon he decided it the perfect time to have a in-depth discussion about our relationship. I think I am one of the few people I know whose partners are the ones who initiate "relationship" conversations (and I'm the one with the commitment-phobic tendencies LOL). We worked things out, so the weekend ended on a high note.

I think this was the first trip to Sydney where I didn't buy anything! We went shopping, but the boyfriend ended up making all the purchases (two shirts, shoes and these huge headphones which look like he could communicate with NASA LOL). We ate some great Vietnamese food (I'm getting some practice in for my trip in a few weeks) and caught up with several friends. We also mooched around the lovely apartment that he's staying in.

But the best thing about the weekend away was coming home! (Even if it took me twice as long as had anticipated LOL).

At some hideously early hour tomorrow (6.40am) I will be on my way to Sydney for a very brief weekend break. Because it is an international flight, and you need to be at the airport two hours before departure, I'm having to set my alarm for 4 fucking am in order to get to the airport around 4.3-5.00am tomorrow. Euw. Not cool.

Still, I am very much looking forward to seeing my boyfriend again, having a relaxing and chilled out weekend.

Unfortunately, progress has been slow with my 56 Things List.

This week I managed to:

5. Eat a big bag of Twisties
Two bags actually. There were yum, but I still prefer Rashuns LOL.

16. Get a bikini wax
I went to this new place (am feeling a bit disloyal, as I've been going to the same beauty therapist for years to have girlieland landscaped) and I thought that was pretty good. Proficient, professional and quick.

Wow. Talk about high achiever LOL.

So the Easter break came and went rather quickly. I had a stonking headcold most of the weekend, and then I got struck with a rather virulent stomach bug. Ugh. There is nothing less lady-like than heaving like you're trying to bring up a lung. My ribs and back ache today.

I'm hoping I'll feel more chipper by Saturday, which is when I'll be heading to Sydney for a very short catch up with the boyfriend. I'm looking forward to it. I've got a hair-removal hour booked for tomorrow lunchtime. A bikini wax is very much needed, I'm rocking a very 80s bush at the moment, very retro LOL.

Other exciting news is that I'm going to Vietnam in May. A much deserved and needed holiday to a fascinating place. Everything's booked, just need to get a visa and count the weeks until I go.

Big boobs + slight push up bra x low v neck top = nice rack

The Black Harp pub x St Patrick’s Day celebrations = lots of men

Lots of men x Barmy Army + nice rack = alcoholic beverages bought for me

Alcoholic beverages bought for me x 2 x 3 x 2 + one Guinness = drunk Poptart

Drunk Poptart + beginnings of a head cold = Tired Tart

Tired Tart + busy day at work = Cranky bitch