Arrival, MR and Christmas in Bunbury

Mom and Dad were here in Perth for the last three weeks. I am so, so happy that they came to Aussie Land. I already miss them.

The day they arrived there was a lot of catching up to do. When we got to our place Mom had a lot of surprises for us. Lots of Clodhoppers for Dave, and some delicious vodka...I got some clothes, shoes, a great mug for my tea and Twizzlers and Tostitos nacho cheese galore! That day Mom and Dad crashed early and we headed to Jack's housewarming party. It was a beautiful night, balmy, which is a wonderful rarity for nights in Perth. Dave and I hadn't seen our friends in a while, and it was awesome to catch up with everyone.

We all spent the next few days hanging out, going for walks around Mount Lawley and Hyde Park, going out for dinner. After a couple of days we packed up the car and headed for Bunbury. Would our parents like each other? Get along? I hadn't particularly thought about it until we were in Bunbury, climbing the stairs in the Tower (Mom was too scared to go up, hee hee). It was late afternoon when we pulled into the driveway, and we all got such a warm welcome! I could tell that everything was going to be fine. Maureen prepared such a delicious spread of food for dinner, and we all had a great time.

The next day, Mom, Dad, Dave and I got back into the car an went to Margaret River, where we were staying for one night before coming back to Bunbury for Christmas. We visited wineries and beaches, went to the Lake cave, which was beautiful, and stayed in an adorable cottage, where we enjoyed our Margaret River wine and food. One winery we went to, Eagle Vale, had some of the best wine I had ever had, and was run by this funny French guy who really knew his stuff, he was pretty fun to talk to. The surroundings at the cottage were spectacular, a bush setting where you could see amazing birds, kangaroos and adorable bunnies! It would have been great to spend more time, but it was great to get a taste of Margaret River.

The next evening we were back in Bunbury and it was Christmas Eve. We had another delicious meal, and the table looked so lovely. We also now had some Margaret River wine to share! We also played board games!

The next day, Christmas day, was unlike any Christmas I had experienced. We got up, had some breakfast (I manned the BBQ much to the distress of Allen, hahaaa) and then got in the car because we were going to be singing Christmas Carols at a Christmas lunch put on for the underprivileged and homeless. It was good fun! When we got back to the house it was almost time to give each other presents. We made delicious Cosmopolitans and sat around the tree. I think everyone got really spoiled! Dave's parents gave Mom and Dad a package full of Aussie goodies, and for Mom, Dad and I, a boat trip to see dolphins! Mom and Dad got Maureen and Allen Canadian goodies. Dave and I spoiled each other, and we both got Mom and Dad a bunch of stuff, including a wine tour in the Swan Valley. The worst thing that happened was in my excitement I fell down the stairs into the living room and gave myself a pretty nasty bruise. Having had only one Cosmo, I didn't even deserve it! Oh well. We went to the beach and for a swim in the afternoon, it was lovely. The Christmas trip to Bunbury was a real success.

The day after Boxing Day Mom, Dad and I went on our boat trup. It was so much fun! We had perfect sunny weather and saw heaps of dolphins. That night we all got Joe's pizza with Joe's chilli dogs and watched movies. Driving back to Perth the next day, we remembered the last few days happily.

Mom and Dad are here!

Mom and dad have arrived in Perth! Yay!

School's Out For the Summer!

Well I survived. Survived what? My first year of teaching! I do admit, I'm a little proud of myself. There were some hard times, but some great times too. I'm going to miss a lot of the kids who I won't be teaching next year.

So since I love lists, I'm going to list some of my favourite memories from this year in teaching. As I think of them I will add more. So, in no particular order, of course:

1. Getting thrown into going on year 8 camp in the second week of work, getting to know the year 8s in another place, other than La Salle College.

2. "Anne Hathaway was Shakespeare's wife? But...How...is she still alive?"

3. STOMP costumes and day of fun.

4. All the funny stories from the kids and their lives.

5. Listening to music with the year 10s in the last week.

6. When certain students would thank you for a good lesson/term/unit.

7. Seeing the things you say appear in essays, assignments, etc.

8. Feeling like you've earned that weekend!

9. Kids opening up to you about what's going on with them.

10. Being told I was in serious consideration for the LAC assitent job.

11. Having honest talks about drugs and dangers with the year 10s, and that they were comfortable enough to talk to me.

12. When Dave and Katie decorated my room and desk with Canadian things on Canada Day.

13. Taking pictures with the kids on the last day.

Things That Suck

When I made a web page back when I was a teen, I made a list on it of "Things that Suck" and also a list of "Good things" (I think there were 69 of each. Wow, I was funny). I am going to make new lists! I bet some things will be the same.

To view the (slightly embarrassing) original "(More than) 69 Things that Suck" page, click here:

http://members.tripod.com/~Angie_V/sucks.html

All right! So here goes!

In no particular order...

Things that Suck

1. Being allergic to cold

2. Marking assignments

3. Paying bills

4. Being uncertain about the future

5. Bugs

6. Being shy

7. Our neighbor upstairs and his "Friends" marathons in the middle of the night

8. Not being a kid anymore - all the responsibility!

9. Missing people

10. When peoples' true colours come out, and it's disappointing

11. Buying shoes in Perth

12. Guilt

13. Realizing that you don't know someone anymore

14. Not having a bunny

15. The majority of techno/house music

16. Being tired

17. Not having enough time

18. Poor grammar

19. Hangovers

20. Waking up early

21. Stress

22. Making decisions

23. Waiting

24. Feeling like I wasted the period in my life when I had the most time to be creative

25. Having trouble expressing my feelings

26. Unresolved situations

27. The dentist

28. Eggs. Yuck.

29. Not knowing when I'll be seeing some people next.

30. Being on duty

31. Rent inspections

32. Having too many drinks

33. Feeling overwhelmed

34. When your partner is sick or sad and you feel helpless

35. Choosing a band name

36. Cutting onions

37. Sunburns

38. Rat tails

39. Workplace politics

Well, that's it for now! More to be added very soon.

Great Things

I have just posted "Things that Suck". Now I'll post some things that are great. To view my original list of things I thought were great as a teen, click here:

(More Than) 69 Wonderful Things

So here goes. In No Particular Order...

Things that are Great

1. Dave

2. Family

3. Friends

4. Rabbits

5. Bret Easton Ellis

6. Sunny days

7. Great memories

8. Being in love

9. Music

10. Books

11. Playing soccer again

12. Being in a band

13. Seeing a real emu

14. New friends turning into good friends

15. chocolate

16. Girls' nights

17. Ballet

18. Dinner and stories

19. Being with Mom and Dad when all of us are adults

20. Rock Melon

21. Christian Bale

22. Deep sleep

23. Holidays

24. Liking your job

25. Deals on ebay

26. Old school Final Fantasy games

27. Christmas

28. Anne of Green Gables

29. Cooking

30. Scribble being scared of the kettle

31. Seeing people you've missed

32. When it's like you've never left, you get along so well

33. Bunny zings

34. Great talks

35. A night in with the person you love

36. Colours in summer

37. Paul Rudd

38. Autumn in Canada

39. Being happy

40. A good party

41. Halloween

42. Getting emails and letters

43. Rooibus tea with honey

44. Calvin & Hobbes

45. Inspiration

46. Movies

47. Giving things to people

48. Seeing new places

49. Massages

50. Mix CDs

51. Getting my hair brushed

52. Laughing at ANTM

53. The feeling after a workout

54. Anticipation

55. The library

56. Making lists

57. Trying new things

58. Overcoming fears

59. Learning

60. Laughing

Well, that's it for now! I promise to add more soon.

NOFX/Bad Religion

Yesterday marked the end of term 3, and it was also the night NOFX/Bad Religion played Metro City, Perth. I bought the tickets in May, so I've been excited for this quite a long time! I don't really have any friends here who are super interested in going to a punk rock show, so I paid for both tickets and gave Dave the great news that he was going with me. Haha. Dave and I went out to Utopia for dinner and a bit of wine before the show, and got there in good time. We waited in line to get in, and people seemed pumped for the show. Some people didn't have tickets, and there was one guy holding a sign that said he would pay $120 for a ticket.

We got some pretty good spots in the venue. There were two support bands - Perth's Grim Fandango, who were a great local punk band, and Pour Habit, an American punk band with a powerful sound and a very charismatic front man who won over even the most impatient NOFX/Bad Religion fans.

NOFX were up after this, and Fat Mike told the crowd that he wrote down the songs they played when they were last in Perth so they wouldn't play the same ones. Fat Mike was in a much better mood than the last time NOFX played Perth, and he was injured with a nasty spider bite. He apologized for this, promising a better show than last time. They started with "Murder the Government", which went into a much appreciated "Linoleum". Playing before Bad Religion allowed NOFX to play some of their classic sons and some more obscure b-sides (there was even a song I didn't know!!!). I was excited to hear a few songs off "White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean". They played only a couple from their new album, "Coaster", which was fine, and rocked out with "Seeing Double at the Triple Rock". I wish they would have played "The Decline" again, but they played it last time! All in all, great set!

Bad Religion closed the show, and I have to admit that I was perhaps even more excited to see them than I was to see NOFX. I had been doing a mega crash course in Bad Religion's discography in the car on the way to work the last two months (listening to Bad Religion every day!) and I really got to love the band. The sure didn't disappoint! Greg Graffin, who has been the band's vocalist 29 years, hit his notes amazingly (Dave noted that he looks like "a high school S&E teacher", which is certainly true, but his appearance is deceiving!) , and the entire band really gave a superb performance. They played some of my favourite tracks such as "Social Suicide", "New Dark Ages", "Them and Us", "Sorrow" and of course, their hit "Los Angeles is Burning". Dave knew a few of the songs, which was great. Members of NOFX hung out on the stage and watched Bad Religion. When Jay Bentley's voice was starting to tire, Fat Mike, looking quite inebriated, stormed the stage to "help" sing, and danced around. Bad Religion played for over an hour, and even did an encore, which they don't usually do, but relented because of Fat Mike's enthusiastic insistence that they all put on a "big fucking event".

Amazing night, one of the best shows I've seen!

For a review, pics and setlist, you can visit http://www.musicvice.com/reviews/nofx_bad_religion_metro_city_perth_september_2009.html

September 24

September 24 - a great day with lots of news, and one I have been looking forward to for a long time! Firstly, it was the last day of term 3, which means a two week holiday! Dave got some excellent news as well. His final prac is coming up, and his placement turned out to be at a really tough school in a low social economic area (lots of kids from dysfunctional families, and a lot of racial tension), with a reputably severe, old school mentor teacher. To get there would be 1-2 bus rides plus about a km of walking to get there every day. Getting there and back would probably be around three hours of travelling every day. Dave was excited for the challenge of a tough school, but a bit apprehensive about some parts of the equation. But then, something amazing happened - his friend Luke, who had a placement at Mount Lawley Sr. High (a school that's about a 20 minute walk away, just across from the uni), dropped out of his placement because he wants to teach in Tasmania! Dave gets to do his final prac at Mount Lawley Sr. High. I have a feeling it's going to be great for him.

The Days of Our Lives

It's Saturday! Having a little snack of rock melon and yogurt, The Flinstones is on TV, it's raining outside and cozy in the house.

In store for tonight: possibly a board games night, or dinner and a movie with Dave. Last weekend was a bit of a weird one - Dave got picked up to MC the Nation Campus Bands competition Friday and Saturday night. We were on the Flying High roster to deejay Saturday night, and I did that one by myself - it was actually a lot of fun, and I think I played a really good set! It was fun hanging out with Cutter and the gang, and Dave showed up to say hi when he was finished his MC job. We've had some quiet weekends lately - It's winter, we've been having some cozy movie nights, a board game night with Lou, Kok, JP and Kerry...One bigger party that was on was Ash, Kat and Kok's triple birthday party. It was great to see everyone, and Liz is back from the UK!

As Perth warms up, things start to get busier! The last day of school is September 24, and NOFX/Bad Religion are playing that night! Over that long weekend starting Friday, a bunch of our friends have a house booked in Yallingup. We're going to have lunch at a winery, and a murder mystery night among other things. The next weekend Dave and I are deejaying and I'm going to celebrate my birthday. I figure that I can't make it go away, so might as well have a party and see friends! The next week is Spring in the Valley on Sunday and the Kill Devil Hills are launching their new CD. Of course, all of that time during the two weeks there's no work! Yaaayyy! I think I'm going to get myself a bit more organized during the holiday - work on my piano parts for the band, get some sleep, do some writing.

When the holiday ends, the final term begins. I only have my year 11s for half the term, which is pretty cool. After the end of the 4th term, it's summer holidays. Mom and Dad are going to try to get up here for a visit. I really hope they can make it, I always miss them so much.

It's amazing how time seems to pass and roll around. It feels like this term has just started in some ways, and it's over in 2 weeks! I have a feeling it will go by very quickly, since there is a lot to do.

It's winter here in Perth. It's really been a mild one, considering. But I still can't wait for the sun to come and stay. It's great to have a car. When it starts to get hot, we can actually get to the beach! Yay!

I guess you could say that I've been going through a bit of a rough patch both physically and emotionally lately. Nothing serious. I think I was (am?) just really overtired and possibly even anemic, and when I'm tired I get emotional. I have been beating myself up a bit, going through a phase where I don't think I can do anything right; I've been picking on myself about work, whether it's at school or at home, how I am in my relationships, my appearance, even my driving. On top of that, there are some things back in Canada that have been eating away at me, and have been for quite a long time. The littlest things have made me upset. Here's an example:

Someone is rostered on every morning to read a prayer in the staff room. I usually make sure I read the notices, but last Friday I was off sick and I forgot. Well, on Tuesday morning, Mel at work asked me if I was going to do the prayer now. Of course, I hadn't known it was my turn. It's no big deal - there are prayer books all around and I could just choose something, but to my horror, I started to cry. You know when you trip, and you know you're going to hit the ground and hurt yourself, but there is nothing you can do about it? A million thoughts go through your head in a matter of a few seconds. That's how I felt that morning when I felt the tears coming. Things were okay at work - I simply traded days with someone and excused myself, and explained that I hadn't been feeling well lately. The thing is, when something bothers me, I usually internalize it, bottle it up because I don't want to burden anyone else with it, and I tell myself that I should be independent and strong enough to just deal with it myself. I don't air out my laundry at work. It's not professional. However, too much of this internalizing leads to unpredictable breakdowns like the one that happened on Tuesday. The only thing I can do is be aware of it, and try to prevent this by being more open and honest, even if it means admitting weakness or fault.

On the upside, I think this slump is ending. I have felt really good in the last couple of days, and I'm excited to put all the energy I can into the last couple of weeks in the term. My year 10s had some fun reading "The Crucible", and even acting some of it out! We're going to be doing some activities, finishing off the watching of the film version and writing an essay. That play brings back so many good memories, I've had so much fun teaching it.

Cry Cry Cry

I had a good cry last night. I mean one of those big, torrential, cathartic ones, where you are sobbing and pouring and you end up swollen, blocked and sore. I don't think I had a specific reason; there were a few things built up, people to think about, but I just think I needed it. I felt so good afterwards, like I had let everything out. It also made me thankful and so happy about everything I have; that I am so fortunate in terms of my life, what I'm doing, and my relationships. In that sense it caused me to feel traces of guilt for breaking down when I am so lucky and happy generally. I don't know how to explain it, you just need a good cry now and then. And it's good if you have someone to talk to.

A Selections of Pictures From Our Trip

I decided to put these up as a new blog post. Enjoy!

At the treetop walk - the photos are sort of in reverse order.

One of our last stops before going back to Perth.

At the Gap and the Natural Bridge.

Dave and I in Albany. Some nice German tourists took the picture for us!

Dave in front of our Motel in Albany.

Drivin'.

Part of Baudin Heights.

On the beach in Bunbury.

Margaret River and Beyond

Bunbury was fun. And more excitement was coming up! Monday, early afternoon, Dave and I packed up and headed for Margaret River. We were staying at a place called Baudin Heights. It was beautiful. It had a high view, overlooking the ocean either from inside through big bay windows, or from the deck. It had a lovely bedroom, an amazing kitchen with loads of workspace, a dining room with a table that seated 10, a lounge room with plush couches and a big flatscreen TV and an ensuite with a jacuzzi. Score! We stayed 3 nights, and didn't want to leave! During our time in Margaret River we drove round, saw some beautiful beaches, visited wineries, a berry farm, had picnics, watched movies and even played Celebrity Heads. Dave made a delicious roast on our second night.

Thursday was the day to go to Albany. The drive took a lot longer than we thought, but we had fun. We saw some real emus in the wild!!!! Amazing. We stopped off at some beaches, made friends with a friendly, funny looking little dog and stopped off at a distillery that had all sorts of great stuff - we got a bottle of chocolate vodka. We visited the Gloucester Tree, It's about 60 metres from the ground and you can climb it, by going to the steel ladder that goes around the tree to the top. Dave did it. I chickened out after climbing the first 10 pegs or so. It was so terrifying, I was actually worried about Dave up there!

We stayed at the Frederickson Motel in Albany. Our motel room was great. Nice, comfy bed, big TV, simple stuff, but really nice. I think the bed was actually more comfortable there than at Baudin Heights. Our first night we went out to an Italian place and had a really nice meal and then went back to the motel. The next day we went for a walk up to this incredible view. At first to our disappointment it was rainy and foggy, but it cleared up and there were so many fantastic rainbows in the sky. We went for a walk down a trail in the woods, and into town. Albany is a small place, and everyone is friendly. we had a look around town, and while we were in Albany we saw some exceptional things - there was the gap, the natural bridge and although it may not sound so exciting, a wind farm. You really had to be there to experience the eerie, almost foreboding sound that came out of the wind farm. The second night there we went to Rustlers steak house and had the best steak I think I've ever had - then, off to the pub/brewery for some drinks and music. When the pub closed, we went to the after hours club and then fell into bed. On the Saturday we took a drive to the Valley of the Giants, where there is a walk in the treetops, about 40 metres up. It's fantastic.

Holiday! Celebrate!

As of Friday, Dave and I are officially on holiday! Not to sound whiny, but this time around I really need it. Between reports being due, the kids being over it and being sick, I'm glad the term is finished.

Friday was a really fun day at school. La Salle College has an annual day for something they call STOMP. All the kids dress up according to the theme of the day, and perform acts in a sort of variety show for the last half of the day. This year the theme was "movies". I went as Elle Driver from "Kill Bill", which was pretty fun. The kids really put a lot of effort into their costumes, it was great. A couple of the kids in my year 10 class thanked me for a "great semester" as well, which made me really happy!

Friday night Dave's parents came to Perth, they're on holiday too, and left for Melbourne on Saturday afternoon. We went to one of our favourite local restaurants, Koinonia, and then went to see a movie at the Astor, which was an RTR event. The movie was about air drumming, it was really different!

Saturday morning was exciting for me, because I went to get a haircut at Museo, a place I'd never been before. Because of a traumatic experience with a hairdresser as a young teen in which my hair ended up looking like a lampshade complete with awful curly bangs, I am always wary of having my hair cut. The girl who did my hair was called Narelle, and she was fantastic! She was friendly, listened to what I had in mind, gave me hair tips, and took my lifestyle into consideration in terms of the cut she gave me. I love the haircut! it's just below my shoulders, layered, with a sideswept fringe that's shorter than what I usua;lly get, and just what I had in mind!

When I got back, Dave and I got ready to go to Bunbury, which is where we are now. Last night we had a lovely dinner at a Thai restaurant, and then went out for drinks at the pub, where a band was playing. The band was a duet, they played covers, and they were really enjoyable to watch. Dave and I were having so much fun that we had a drink or two too many...! I think I dodged a pretty bad hangover today. Dave and I started the day off by watching "Elizabeth". It was a beautiful sunny day, rare for July. We went for a walk into town and on the beach, it was beautiful! Tonight we had Joe's pizza and watched "Gran Torino", which was surprisingly really good, and "He's Just Not That Into You", which was surprisingly bad.

Tomorrow we're off to Margaret River for a few days, then Albany. Can't wait!

Home Is Where the Heart Is...

I spend a lot of time thinking about Montreal. About everyone who is there now, about people who might be visiting and when. About the small possibility of living there again someday. Mostly, about when I can go next.  Now, most of wanting to go is because I miss people and want to see them. However, there is another component to my constant preoccupation, and that is guilt. My cousin just announced that he got married. He was my best friend as a teenager, and into my twenties. I never even heard from him about being engaged. I heard about his new marriage on Facebook, and it kind of crushed me. 

It's undeniable that I'm far away, and I have a persistent feeling that I'm missing things. And I can't help it. I made a decision to live here at a time in my life where I think that was right, a time where I should have made a change, experienced some new things. This is all very logical. Emotions, irrational or not, don't respond to logic very well unfortunately. The result? Wanting to be in two places at once, which is impossible. Feeling that I'm not doing a good enough job for people on either side of the world, which is frustrating and exhausting. I know, at least I hope, that the people I love on the other side of the world don't hold my decisions against me, and that all of this is coming from me. I think about all the turmoil that goes on in my head and my heart and it makes me feel helpless. And then, there's the other part of me, and that's the part of me that's...Not angry, maybe indignant. That besides my parents, who have done so much to support me and see me in Montreal, nobody has put any plans in motion to come visit me. I know in a lot of cases, that's probably not fair. But like I said, rationality and emotion are often at odds with one another in my life.

It's taken almost three years, and I have always liked it here, but now I finally feel like I have a real life here, and I'm happy. I've got a 'real' job, one that I can't just run out on anytime, teaching high school. Instead of making myself as scarce as possible socially, I am organizing nights out and get-togethers. I played social soccer. I think I've joined a band!  I think a part of me resisted a lot of that, almost as if I was being unfaithful to my other friends, to my family, if I got too involved here. And once I settled here, it was like there would be no way to turn back. I guess I know now that it's not necessarily so cut and dry. Dave and I are a team. We could move back to Canada. We could stay here. But we have to be together and sure about what we do. I don't have any regrets, although I wish it was easier, that I didn't always see time flying by, and see life as a constant decision. I'm not so sure about what triggered this train of thought here. Maybe it's always an underlying current in my thoughts.

Two Weeks To Go!

Last week. It just dragged and dragged. Even though I wasn't even at work on Monday because I was sick, it was still a long, long week. Reports are due, and I need to write heaps of comments. Almost done! The kids are getting really restless - they are over it. The year 10s have had their big exams, then went off to a week of work experience. They were really unmotivated when they came back to school.  The year 11s had two weeks of exams where they had no classes. They are also annoyed with being back at school, and they are already apathetic as it is! Year 8s have been fine. Hopefully the atmosphere will be better next week. If I hear "Can we just do nothing today, Miss?" one more time...grrrrrrr!

Dave's done week 1 of his second prac, and he's doing really well. He had a surprise when he arrived Monday morning - his mentor teacher's father had passed away, and under the sad circumstances, she was going to be away for the week. Dave took all the classes, and really took control of the situation instead of doing what I think many people would do, which is panicking, calling the uni/prac coordinators saying they can't deal with it and/or demanding a change, or just getting a relief teacher in and sitting around all week. I was so proud of Dave.

Dave and I were considering going to Vietnam for the holidays, but have decided to stay in WA instead, and have a relaxing holiday down south. We're going to do Vietnam when we've planned it better, and hopefully travel from Hanoi down to Bangkok in Thailand for a few weeks. I'm looking forward to our holiday - we'll be celebrating our 4-year anniversary, which is fantastic.

Weekend was good! Friday night Dave and I went for dinner at Richard and Ash's place.  They're really great, it was cool to be able to spend some time with them.  Ash made a delicious lasagna, garlic bread and salad. We had some wine and I made white chocolate and honeycomb mousse for dessert. On Saturday Dave and I hung out, watched a DVD, Dave did some work on his music, I played some piano and did some cleaning; our bathroom was out of control! We went out for a delectable Japanese dinner at Yuzu right across the street and then we got ready and went to the upstairs bit at the Flying Scotsman - we had a 2-hour DJ set, wooohoooo! I think we played a really good set - lots of rock and roll, people dancing, no moments where the songs you've chosen just doesn't work. Dave and I take turns, we go song for song, it's really a great time. I look forward to the next time we're there, it's in a couple of weeks. Hopefully we can get some of our friends down for that one.

Oh, I'm not ready for a new week. But it's going to happen whether I like it or not!

I forgot about this!

This is such a bizarre video. And Ivan Rebroff is the soundtrack! Check it out.

http://rathergood.com/vid

Book Review: "Chasing Harry Winston" by Lauren Weisberger

Now I suspected as much, but I still had to double check to find out that Harry Winston was an American jeweler, and the Harry Winston empire is known for diamonds. Uh Oh.  I got this book from the library. I quite enjoyed "The Devil Wears Prada" and wondered what the author was writing now. I wish I hadn't.

Quick plot synopsis: three women, each around 29. They are friends. Leigh is an overachieving and not overly successful editor at a publishing house who is dissatisfied with her romantic relationship, so she screws the author of the book she's editing. Adrianna is Brazilian American.  She doesn't work, lives in her parents' apartment in Manhatten and literally screams and throws tantrums when they want to stay in their own apartment when they come to visit.  Emmy has recently been broken up with after a 5 year relationship. The guy, Duncan, leaves her to be with a 22-year old virgin cheerleader (??) and Emmy is surprised and upset even though they guy cheated on her throughout their relationship.  Her solution? To take a job traveling and have sex with as many men as she can.

Now, I appreciate all kinds of literature, and this includes what we call 'chick lit'. I loved Bridget Jones, The Shopaholic series, and many more. I even like teen chick lit, like Gossip Girl and the Au Pairs. It's all good, silly fun, and can even be clever when done right.

Unfortunately, this is not the case in terms of "Chasing Harry Winston".  Technically, the book didn't work.  It jumped all over the place and ended abruptly.  It seemed as though Weisberger was trying to write like Candace Bushnell, with less than desirable results. Even though it was a short read, I found myself finding it hard to get through it; The three main characters are superficial in terms of character development and still unlikeable. They are always talking about how 'old' they are and bitching about not having a rock on their finger. Leigh has a boyfriend who seems like one of the only decent characters in the story, yet she cringes at the thought of being with him any longer. He proposes to her, and instead of telling him she doesn't want to marry him, she acts like a bitch for months, and then cheats on him. Lovely. Adrianna doesn't contribute to the story. We just hear about how hot she is and how she could get any man even though she is 'almost thirty'. The author has made her an ethnic character, and she is stereotyped to the point of ridiculousness. It drove me nuts. She said "querida" in almost every sentence she uttered. You know, because that's the way all Brazilians have to speak.  

I found the book more than a little insulting as a woman.  It's unsettling that Weisberger has fed the false notion that a woman is virtually useless once she turns thirty if she hasn't landed a man and a rock. Emmy's character is absolutely obsessed with getting married and having a baby.  In one cringe-worthy scene, a waiter asks if she would like anything else, and Emmy replies "A husband? A baby? Some sort of life? Any of THOSE on the menu?" What decade are we in here?  A woman's sexual liberation is great as well, but when Emmy decides to sleep with people to get over her boyfriend, all she does is refer to herself as a slut, calling her new way of being the 'Tour de Whore" (ew). Through Adrianna Weisberger has created a stereotype of a woman who sleeps with men to validate her attractiveness and doesn't support herself financially.  Thank you, Ms. Weisberger, for giving us another nice big step back.  If a man had written this book, people would have been outraged!

I guess I don't have to say that I don't recommend this book.

Prank Calls

I don't know what it is, but for some reason, prank calls REALLY do it for me. I know, I know. I'm 28 years old. I'm a teacher. I'm an adult and therefore supposedly mature. But a good prank call is just amazing.  As a little kid, Liz and I would prank call random numbers. We would wait for the person to answer and usually do something like yell "Penis!" before hanging up and dissolving into hysterical laughter.  Our best one was probably "It's raining dicks!" Very imaginative, I know. I remember when I was a teenager, Jill and I would spend ages prank calling the guys we had crushes on. We'd ask them if they wanted to go bra shopping, or just say random things. We'd try to figure out if there was any way they were interested in us (nope). Sahira and I would prank call ex-boyfriends (hers, I didn't really have any). She was great, and could keep them on for ages. he would have to hang up first most of the time!  Don't worry though, I have not made or witnessed a prank call in a long time. I don't really know why I'm writing about this. It's just a little something about me that's a little strange.  Seriously, if you're stressed or a bit down, go to youtube and watch a few. The soundboard ones are pretty great. I'm listening to one right now...

Weekend Fun

So another week at school has flown by.  Next week is going to be an easy one.  All my 10s and 11s are out of school for exams and work experience, leaving me with 1-2 classes a day. I will get reliefs, but I don't have to plan for those. It's great to have an easy week in store, especially since the wonderful car I was driving is gone! Noooooooooo!

The week flew by, and then so did the weekend. Friday night Dave had work.  Dave's mom came from Bunbury because Dave's dad came back from China Saturday night. While Dave was at work, we got delicious Goreng and rented 'Marley & Me'. It's a movie that I would never have picked to watch, but I ended up enjoying it, and getting teary at the end. It reminded me of Sparkle, and what a big part of my family's life she was. She was just a lovely little dog. I have so many fond memories of her.

Saturday got up and went to the library. Hung out during the day, watched "Revolutionary Road", a movie with some great filming and an interesting mood, but I wasn't a fan of Leonardo Dicaprio's acting. That evening Dave and I were deejaying at Flying High for a birthday party.  Lots of people were there, and dancing. When we were done we hung out there and had a couple of drinks.  Good night. We hadn't eaten any supper that evening, I had four drinks total and ended up pretty loaded! What a lightweight, it's embarrassing! I was determined to call Logan, but couldn't work the phone. Yikes. Dave, the best boyfriend in the world put me to bed. Woke up this morning ravenous, and was happy to eat a big lunch at the Scotto! It was good to see Dave's dad back safe and sound (even if he had to take the car away). Watched "Extras" and some prank call videos with Dave. SO not ready for the work week, but I guess it's coming no matter how much I try to resist it!

How Much You Change

I got this idea from Suzanne. These are email survey questions, first answered by me in 2003.  I'm answering them again, in 2009...

My old questions are in red, the new ones in blue.

1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?

Somewhere where it doesn't get cold, like Australia.

Well, looks like I got the Australia part right, because I live there now, although I have yet to build a house. And it does get relatively cold here, especially considering that the houses aren't heated.  Where would I build a house now? Either here in Perth or Montreal.

2.. WHAT'S THE LAST CD THAT YOU BOUGHT?

Damn...I've been a bad girl lately with my downloading. It was probably either Eminem's last album, or NOFX: Ribbed. My old ghetto casette of that album broke.

I didn't buy Eminem's new album this time around. I think the last CD I bought was Patsy Cline.

3. WHERE'S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO BE?

Clyde's. hahahahahahaaaaaa. Jus' kidding, suckas. For real? In bed. Now stop thinking dirty, I am talking about sleeping!!! haha. Other than that, I don't think it's really where you are, it's who you're with.

I still really like being in bed, especially when it's cold outside and you're snuggled under the covers. my favourite place to be? At home. And I still think it's not where you are, it's who you're with.

4. WHERE'S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE PLACE TO BE?

In a bad state of mind.

I agree with this.

5. WHAT TIME DO YOU AWAKEN IN THE MORNING?

I don't really wake up in the morning. haha. I usually wake up after noon. 

Wow, the life of a bar employee...Now on weekdays I wake up at 6:30. 

6. WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY?

Dishonesty, not getting what I want or have worked/waited for (I know, I'm a brat), Ignorance with no desire to improve, waiting for the bus, myself in general sometimes, people in general sometimes, work sometimes, assumptions, etc...etc...

Not getting what I want no matter how hard I try and plan. Waiting for things. Being freezing. When the kids don't do the right thing. Wasting of time. Some past situations I still fume about.

7. IF YOU COULD PLAY ANY INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I'd play the piano well.

I would still play the piano well. I would love to learn the violin and the guitar.

8. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Teleportation!

I would still choose teleportation, because I miss so many people, and it takes so long to get to them.

9. HOTTEST CELEBRITY?
Guys, you know my answer. The real Slim Shady of course!

Now I'm thinking more along the lines of Christian Bale and Paul Rudd.

10. THE FARTHEST YOU'VE TRAVELLED AWAY FROM HOME?

Dominican Republic!

I would say here, in Perth. But well, it is my home now. The questions gets tricky.

11. PRIVATE SCHOOL OR PUBLIC?

I never went to private school. I would say public, who cares about high school! 

"Who cares about high school"? Well, obviously the joke's on me at this point, because now I'm a high school teacher. And I care about high school.

12. ALTERNATIVE OR COUNTRY?: 

Alternative. Country is pretty much the only type of music that I really can't seem to get into.

I still like my 'alternative' music, but a couple of years ago I started getting into country music and I really like it now.

13. WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST? 

Well, there's Sahira, and Christina and I can go on some hilarious tangents.

Dave can really make me laugh. There's Moe, Caroline, Gaby's a riot! I have not spoken to Sahira or Christina in years. Christina and I were going to get together last year but it didn't pan out. With Sahira, let's just say I don't want to go through that again.

14. WORST HABIT: 

Drinking, swearing and smoking.

Procrastination. I don't smoke anymore, and I wouldn't say my drinking is a "habit", since I don't drink very often.

15. WHO DO YOU WANT TO SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WITH?: 

Obviously my family and good friends...Romantically, that has not been established!!

I would very happily spend the rest of my life with Dave. He makes me happy.

16. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? 

Well, I worked until a bit after midnight at Clydes, then I had a couple of Jack & Cokes, a beer or 2, then I went to my friend Eric's house and we watched some of "Platoon". After that, it's none of yo' business!! hehee. 

Wow, that's a person I haven't heard of for a long time. Last night I came home from work, made dinner. Dave and I watched a movie together, I did some marking and went to sleep. Now, I'm not that settled every night, but weeknights I definitely am. Tonight Dave and I are deejaying at the bar for a birthday party, should be great.

17. DO YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND?: 

Nope.

Yes, it's been almost 4 years.

18. WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF? 

So much! Not getting a good job, losing people, the future in general, relationships…and bugs, there’s always bugs.

I'm scared of losing people. Of drifting apart from friends and family and not seeing them enough. Still afraid of bugs.

19. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GET MARRIED?: 

hahaha, me getting married, that’s funny.

It's less funny now I think. I would probably want to at my parents' place in Canada, where it could be beautiful, but lots of fun. I'm not into anything overly fancy, but I would like a good time to be had by everybody. Since I live here now, I would like to have some sort of celebration here as well.

20. IF YOU COULD CHANGE SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF?

I would stand up for myself more and me more self-assured.

I would still be more self-assured if I could. I constantly work on my shyness as well. I would be more decisive. I would stop procrastinating.

21. FAVOURITE BOYS' NAMES: 

um, Cameron, Gray, Kristof, Edward, Drew

I like James, Darcy and Thomas.

22. FAVOURITE GIRLS' NAMES: 

Nicole, Cameron, Anne, Nora, Nathalia

Elizabeth, Abigail, Anne, Jane, Laura.

23. EVER BEEN IN LOVE?: 

don’t think so

I am in love.

24. FAVOURITE ANIMAL: 

Bunnies!!!

Still Bunnies.

25. BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD: 

I don’t know what the “best feeling in the world” is yet I don’t think. But I mean, based on personal experience, I would say being with friends, walking outside on a summer evening, listening to beautiful music, being with someone you like, sleeping, etc……….

Being with the person you love. Seeing people you care about after a long time. Doing something you're proud of. Watching someone you love being happy. beautiful music, sunshine, rest, being free of angst.

26. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD: 

I don’t think I know the “worst feeling in the world” either. But again, I would say when you can’t get out of depression and it confuses you, when you lose someone, when you regret something…and when you are too drunk. Hehe.

Still don't know the 'worst feeling in the world;, thank goodness. I think it would be losing people you love, having your heart broken, feeling completely lost and unhappy with your life.

27. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?: 

Hee hee, um, let’s just say his initials are E.B.

Haven't seen E.B. in...probably over 5 years. The last person I've kissed for the past 4 years has been D.O. :)

28. WHO DO YOU WANT TO MEET?: 

Eminem!!!! And Madonna.

Bret Easton Ellis.

29. WHO DO YOU MISS?: 

Renske, Sparkle, Cat, Jill, Cam

Same people as above, with my family and all my friends in Montreal and scattered all over Canada and the USA.

30. WHO HOLDS YOUR HEART:

Nobody. Ewwwww, imagine if someone actually held your heart? How would they get it?

Was I witty, or what? 

31. WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO MARRY? 

I can’t picture myself getting married.

I love Dave and can picture myself marrying him. I'm lucky enough to be with him.

32. GOT IN A FIST FIGHT?: 

I got in a fight in the 8th grade with this guy who was harassing my friend. I wanna fight, yeah

What was with me in 2003? I hate fighting, it's silly. And not ladylike.

33. MADE PRANK PHONE CALLS: 

I don’t know why, but prank phone calls really do it for me. I can’t make them myself cause I laugh hysterically, but I love watching others do it!!!!

I think prank phone calls are hysterical, and I have so many fond memories of Jill and I prank calling "Simba" or "Votarist"!

34. WHAT DO YOU CARRY IN YOUR BAG? 

My wallet (with cards, money, etc.), my cigarettes (Avanti or DuMaurier light), matches, my cell phone, L'oreal line Intensifique eyeliner, clean & clear oil blotting sheets, lip gloss (Lip Smackers Dr. Pepper and Lancome juicy tubes), a pen, a hair elastic, little mp3 player, a tampon, Dentyne Ice gum, a mini perfume sample thingy (right now Amarige by Givenchy). Give or take a few items.

My wallet, my phone, face powder, lip gloss, a pen, a hair elastic, ipod. I don't carry or smoke cigarettes anymore, there's a big difference.

35. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THAT YOUR PARENTS ARE MOST PROUD OF? 

I don’t know…the school thing, quitting my job. Haha, I know that sounds weird.

Going out on my own to a new place, becoming a teacher, sorting myself out in most areas and making good choices for myself.

36. WHAT ONE THING WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR LIFE? 

One thing? Man, I really don’t know! I would like to be comfortable and happy sometime.

I feel like I am happy now. I would like to write a book.