Debz Domain

Cheeky monkey...

2008-12-12T14:52:00.003+13:00

Hello lovelies!
This will be a super short post, i think i mentioned a few posts back that i'd decided to take my monkey making as well as general stuff making a lot more seriously...hence why its been a tad quiet here. Good news is, its not been so quiet on my other blog, that's where i advertise my wares so to speak so it gets updated often and has recently transitioned into a mixture of my normal life as well as tales of my mad craft endeavours so if you need your dose of Deb be sure to stop by:

www.sockmonkeyhq.blogspot.com

Hugs hugs hugs,
Deb

2008-11-28T09:01:00.001+13:00

Handmade..

2008-11-12T10:38:00.002+13:00

There's just something about making stuff..something about the love and passion that goes into the creation...it's tranformed into more than the naked eye can see and enriched with emotion and enthusiasm so that when it is passed on it continues to revive and inspire everyone in its path.

It is for this reason and more that i choose to create as well as encourage buying handmade.

We live in a consumer society that shells out for mass produced junk...we are no longer satisfied with the things we buy so we buy more in the hopes that contentment will settle in sooner or later. You know what happens when you buy something handmade and one of a kind? You will most probably spend more...this is a given seeing as there is no factory with little children who earn $1 a day making 10 million of the same things...but what you do gain is a personal touch...like when a child draws you a picture, or when a friend bakes you a cake. Crafters create for the love of it...it is that simple! What else could possibly drive us to make something that didn't make us all millionaires. What better reason to invent and create?
So i urge you...this Christmas and from now on...you can't pleade ignorance anymore...support the little guy who's doing it for the love of it! In the long run we will all end up with less junk but a hell of a lot more satisfaction knowing that all that we own we chose to have.

xoxo
Deb

Monkey Madness vs Deborah Disease

2008-11-10T16:23:00.003+13:00

Some of you who know of the dreaded Deborah Disease...i have some bad news for you. Monkey Madness is a mutant strain that has NO cure, i repeat no cure...Shut your doors and seal your windows...once contracted the virus invades your every cell leaving you no chance to do anything but surrender...

Read more about it at www.sockmonkeyhq.blogspot.com

=P

Also had to post this 'cos it's awesome..

Come and get me boys....hahahaha

Boom!!

2008-10-29T16:39:00.002+13:00

Hello lovelies!
Haven't had a chance to update here yet but if you wanna read about the awesome happenings at Kraftbomb go to my monkey blog at www.sockmonkeyhq.blogspot.com.

Catch up soon!
Love ya
Deb

My 50th Post!

2008-10-16T13:53:00.011+13:00

Hahha, yeah so it might not seem like a milestone to anyone else but me, BUT alas (say in typical CHAV accent - does this face look bothered?!

So in conjuction with this auspicious occasion i have a whole ton of news...
Dori..Linny...i'm aiming to make this posts almost as good as the animated versions of my stories.=)

1. KRAFTBOMB Oct 2008
I got accepted to have a stall for my sock monkeys!!!
I'm so super stoked because it's only the 3rd Kraftbomb that's been held at the Grey Lynn Community Centre and it's the first one to be held in the big hall. Oh and of course, it's Labour weekend that weekend so there'll be heaps of people. In other words, it is the biggest and best yet so being a part of it could mean that Miss Deb and her sock monkey madness will have a really good chance of spreading to the masses!! I've been thinking about how i'm going to display them and designing little flyers for people to take away with them...i've got my website (www.sockmonkeyhq.blogspot.com) up and running which is also a PLUS so in the event that you don't hear from me here it's prolly because i'm trying to keep that website/blog updated.
Here's the Kraftbomb flyer, feel free to grab it and post it up all over the place...there will be so many other really cool designers/crafters there too so it'll be wicked, good times guaranteed!!

And of course...what post would be complete without some monkey madness..hehe here's my final draft of what i hope will be like a cool poster/calling card for me and my little ones.

2. New flat
I shifted flats almost two weeks ago. Joe helped me move and i found out that my entire life fitted into 1...yes ONE van load.
See? And yes, you are not halluscinating, that is indeed a grass covered van.

So anyway...my new place...MUAHAHA...
It's an old villa with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. I found it on Trademe and went to look at the place once by myself and then a second time with my sister. I absolutely fell in love with the people and the room!! As much as you'd TRY and insult me by calling me a hippie, i really do trust my instincts and from the moment my now flatmate Sean opened the door when i first visited i sincerely felt like i'd come home. My last place was great don't get me wrong but i outgrew the space...and plus change is always good...
These are the lovely people i live with...

My room's the biggest one in the house, complete with built-in wardrobe and drum roll please....my favourite thing...a WINDOW SEAT...i'll be making curtains and of course, cushions to go on the seat for lazy days sitting in the sun reading.
These photos aren't the best, i'm still in the process of unpacking and i'll be getting a table so i can finally set up my sewing machine properly!! Yeeyah! The walls will not be so bear for much longer too! More photos to come...

3. Scooter Riding
So some of you may have known that i got given an old Honda Eve Smile by a lovely friend who was going overseas. I christened her Sonja and we had many good time together. Unfortunately a few weeks ago she finally kicked the bucket. In memory of my lovely Sonja Eve, let us take a moment of silence. You were a good bike and i'll miss you.

On a happier note, i got so use to having my own wheels that i decided to spend some money this time and get a new scooter. Joe and i went out one weekend and test rode so many but as soon as i sat my behind down on this bad boy...i knew it was love. We've been inseparable since. Have you seen sex on wheels? Here...=)

For anyone out there who's thinking about getting a scooter, i say do it...don't rush into it, test ride as many different models and makes (even the same model but different bike if you're buying secondhand like me) because once you get on the bike that's right for you, you'll know...

So lovelies...good things come to those who wait my patient readers heheh...i hope you've enjoyed this post. The weather's getting better and better here in the big smoke also known as Auckland so lots more photos to come i promise!!

Have a terrific day and don't forget to post a comment!
xoxo
Deb

Closer...

2008-08-21T09:27:00.003+12:00

I'm one of those people that thinks that music finds its own way to you at a particular moment in your life...this song found me and managed to encapsulate what i was feeling perfectly. Have a read...and if you get the chance jump on iTunes and have a listen.

Closer by Lovers Electric

you want more space
i want less distance
you want more words
I want less noise
you speak in rythmes
i dream in wishes
we've got nowhere left to hide

you see the sun
I see the burning
you see good things in everyone

The closer my heart is
the further my head is from you
The more that I need you
the less I can see what to do

you want my hand
I want the darkness
you want the warmth
I want the cold
you walk ahead
I walk in circles
we've got nowhere left to go

you see the sun
I see the burning
you see good things in everyone

The closer my heart is
the further my head is from you
The more that I need you
the less I can see what to do
-------------------------

I'd love to know what you think...i was struggling to figure out whether the emotional attachment, the need to talk things out, the sheer hate for that sense of distance in the pit of your soul when things aren't quite right between you and someone you truly care about (also known at times as paranoia) - do these things come naturally to a girl? Are they necessary? Is it something we have to learn to cope with when dealing with others or should they be the ones to accommodate us?

xoxox
Deb

Free Hugs!

2008-08-17T11:47:00.004+12:00

Free hug anybody?

Yesterday that's exactly what we did...we held up posters offering free hugs to passer-bys in the centre of Auckland. My friend from Discovery camp, Grant has been doing 30 Fears in 30 Days since the 1st of this month and yesterday's one was to offer free hugs to strangers (you should check out all the other fun stuff he's been doing, dressing up in drag, getting his nipple pierced, chest waxed on TV!!) . When he told the rest of us Discovery camp crazies...we jumped on the bandwagon and it snowballed and went nationwide!! We were even on the 6 o'clock news last night! Yeeyah...celeb kudos...autograph anyone? Hehe just kidding...Enjoy the photos...and i hope you've hugged someone today!!

xox
Deb

An Update Attempt...

2008-07-20T17:56:00.002+12:00

So yes...i did promise...i'm sorry...instead of apologising for the rest of the first paragraph i'm going to try super duper hard to update you okay? And i AM truly sorry...
Oh and i suspect this will be quite a disjointed but severely honest post...just 'cos there's loads to tell and they are somewhat irrelevant to each other...hahah

So okay...the last time i posted i said i got into Discovery camp...it was the most amazing experience of my life. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. It's quite a difficult experience to explain but if you get the chance to do it i say feel the fear and do it anyway. Step outside your comfort zone...Heaps of photos on my Facebook so have a squiz there okay? I'd do anything to go back to that moment in time...i was surrounded by so much support..for the first time ever in my life i felt accepted for just being me.

One of my mate's going overseas and gave me his old scooter so i've gotten my learner's license now and have been riding around. Freedom is awesome...i am loving it! Must admit its a tad scary cos other vehicles aren't the most considerate. I promise i've been careful though ok?! x I'll even take you for a ride if you come visit...hehehe She's quite a little cutie..Very old school...very vintage...she's even a kickstart...i christened her Sonja Eve Smile cos she's a Honda Eve Smile. Heheh..49cc..my baby..

Next, i am doing another Craftwerk in less than a month so let the monkey madness begin. I will keep you informed as i slowly lose my mind again =) I have a whole bunch of new ideas though and i'm already freakin out so wish me luck okay? And jez...i'm so sorry i haven't gotten round to finishing your order. It will happen...maybe even in time for V-day next year eh? =P

I am nursing a broken heart...
I don't want to admit it but isn't that like the first step to getting better? I don't think love has to be complicated but it has never been simple for me...so maybe it is and i can either avoid it forever or plunge into its chaos willingly.
I sometimes wish that my instincts weren't always right. I took a chance...i wanted so badly to 'simply' take a chance instead of trying to predict the future. I thought i could revel in a moment instead of being sensible.
I didn't want to listen to what everyone was saying...i wanted to come to the decision on my own.
I know we weren't meant to be together...as soon as i pull the plug i felt all the stress release me from it's suffocating bounds...but of course, one is never immune from the horrible missing or sense of emptiness..
Can i go back to being 16...when crying so hard for 2 days pretty much fixes everything?

I promise i'm okay...so please don't worry...i just felt like letting it out though...figured if i let it spill out here it might empty out my soul a little...

If i learnt only one thing at camp it would be that i can handle anything thrown at me...in this case..i am just missing the little things...and its temporary...i'll be fine...

xxxDeb

Commit....

2008-06-19T13:57:00.003+12:00

I hereby promise that i will update my blog in the next 2 days...

Why hello there...

2008-04-18T14:27:00.003+12:00

Yes..it has been a while..have you missed me? Heheh..i've missed writing that's for sure. It seems my life makes more sense when i look at it in words. I guess trying to put emotions and experiences in words puts a spin on things too.

So here i am...this is me..

What's new you ask?

I've been accepted as a Team Leader for a youth camp called Discovery 43!! I'm off to Rathkeale College in Masterton starting next Thursday and i'll be back in Aucks on the 7th of May. I'm going down to Palmy a few days earlier and staying a few days after camp too just to chill out. Looking forward to catching up with the awesome Gareth and Toby's mum - the wonderful Jo and her lovely partner Tom. Am hoping to surprise Jo...she always goes to this particular cafe after work and i used to always meet up with her there...thought it would be nice if i rocked in when she was there as though i still lived down the street...heheh...we'll see how it goes. Am really hoping to bring some Tezas down for the Palmy crowd but i've got so much to bring with me for camp so am not sure if i can spare the weight. I did a preliminary 'pack' last weekend and it was insane..my bag was exploding eventhough i hadn't even gotten half way thru my list. More packing planned for the weekend but first...drum roll please...i'm sitting for my Driver's Theory Test tomorrow morning! Yes...finally...i know..Will be cramming all night tonight...Wish me Luck!!
Then hopefully spend some time with my sister before i go away. I have a couple things to get pre-camp..few more pairs of socks, an ipod wall charger...i have to remember to cancel my facial appointment that's next weekend too.

I normally don't take this long to write a post but i think i'm a little too mellow today. I had an allergic reaction to something last night...i was about to go off to bed and my forearms were real itchy and i noticed my cheeks were real red too. I was too tired to bother so just went to sleep but it was still there this morning. I've had 2 antihistemines already and i think it may just be subsiding. Am feeling like napping..i always think my body heals itself faster if i rest. I still don't know what triggered it...definitely something i ate or drank...i tried this magnesium supplement recommended by my chiropractor which was prolly the most obviously out of the ordinary thing i consumed...next in line was prolly one too many feijoas....or it could've even been the seriously strong Long Island Iced Tea i had at our staff outing last night. I just want it to go away so i can function well at camp...i know i won't have time to worry about myself too much so please keep ya fingers crossed that this is just a one off reaction. It's kinda funny in a way 'cos my cheeks are real red and puffy so i just look like a russian dolly hahaha... See?

Oh yeah...and my hair's long enough to tie now..like barely..hehehe just two tiny pigtails..i'm not planning on growing it out anytime soon but figured i'll get it cut when i get back from camp. Heheh...here ya go..i'm sure you don't really care about the life and times of deb's hair but...heheh too bad...

Oh and in case your curious...Everything's well in sock monkey land...their numbers are decreasing so it's high priority on my to do list to make more. I've been buying nice socks everytime i come across 'em so it shouldn't take me too long. I've also hatched a plan to make baby ones...heheh..all top secret for now so sssshhh...hehehe you know i'll post photos when they're done so don't you worry!

Well i better go..

Take care my lovelies!

Will hopefully have heaps of stuff to tell ya when i get back...

xxxxxx
Deb

Borrowed Time?

2008-03-18T10:27:00.003+13:00

Hey everybody!!

I'm so super sorry that i have left this cliff hanger since the carnival!! I've been crazy busy with work and trying to juggle my sock monkey obsession and socializing too so it's been insane!

I thought i'd just drop you all a quick line here though to say i know i've been slacking off...bad deb...hehehe and that i'm glad you're still interested despite my silence =)I will try and post a proper update real soon...

Jez...you're monkeys have been sewn...now waiting to be stuffed! =P We can sort out the details when the monkeys are ready, sound good? Thanks for being so patient with me hun...

My girls...i lallalalala love you both.....been missing you two hard recently...not that i don't normally but more than usual...

KC, my dear cuzzie...thanks for celebrating my mum's birthday...hehhe...wish i could've been there! Real happy that you like my monkeys...its a massive compliment coming from you!!

Christine! Thanks for dropping by hehehe...will definitely be setting up an online store so i can spread my monkey obsession world wide. Feel free to place an order though..i do custom ones all the time and pricing/freight can always be negotiated. ;P

Kim!! I still have the skully one...i thought i'd traded it with one of the girls at the carnival who was selling gummi bear pendants!! I know..i couldn't resist but she must have chosen a different monkey. Let me know if you do want to order one...i'm not the fastest monkey stitcher unfortunately but i try my best and promise that the monkeys will be kickass! =) I can even make one to look like Mark if you like hahahahaha....

So beautiful people, i leave you for now with a late Happy St Patrick's Day wish and hope you're having a fabulous day!

Craftwerk 2008

2008-02-20T21:09:00.007+13:00

I had an amazing time at the show...I'm sure in this case, photos will be better than me raving on about it =).

Enjoy!

I decided to stencil my own monkey silhouette on the brown paper bags that the monkeys would be packed in if someone bought 'em. Heheh..

Trial run...making sure all 24 monkeys would fit into my plastic box.

Monkey photoshoot on the morning of the sale....

One more for the album...

Here I am in the dress i decided to wear on the day..

Me and my stall!

Me and my stall mate Kristin who i met on the day!

Will tell you more soon my lovelies!

xxxxx
Deb

It's all go...

2008-02-15T23:45:00.004+13:00

12 hours before the exhibition...

I'm excited...but pretty tired too...going to have an awesome sleep tonight!! So lucky that Craftwerk starts in the afternoon...and that my sister's giving me a ride there...

Sock monkey total...24. =)

Yep...every single one of 'em...

Yawn...better catch some Zzzz's while i can...

Goodnight y'all...

Sock it to me!

2008-02-10T16:03:00.000+13:00

Hello babies!!

I've finally got a spare minute to post so i'm gonna jump straight in okay?!

So...

Since the last post...the plushy epidemic has worsen heheh!! For those of you who don't know what plushies are...basically they're soft toys but way way cooler. Here are some examples of seriously awesome plushies.
Those are only a handful of plushies...other types include really old school crafts like toys your grandma would make for ya but with a seriously cool contemporary twist. A good example of this is the sock monkey. Yes, i can see that puzzled look on your face...it is in fact literal...a monkey plushie made out of a pair of socks. (Thus far, that is all the information you need to continue reading this post hehehe)

Right, now that you have all the vital basic knowledge i will begin the story.

About a month ago, when my mum was still visiting, i came across a pattern for a sock monkey in this really cool book called Bizzare Bazaar. Yeah, it's hard to explain what possessed me to pick that book up but i'm odd like that..haha

Anyhoo...i really wanted to make a sock monkey 'cos i thought they were adorable so i enlisted the help of super seamstress mummy hehe. I wanted him to be pretty kickass so i took a while finding the perfect pair of socks. After years of searching hehehe maybe just hours, i embellish a little, it is my story after all heheh...i found the perfect pair on Trademe. This girl was selling all sorts of really cool gothic/emo gear and one of which was this gorgeous pair of red, white and black knee high socks that had a picture of a syringe down the sides. I know this is difficult to imagine so here you go...this is my baby...my first and most treasured piece...Nightshift Nurse Sock Monkey:

Hahah...yes, seriously...i made him...

So anyway, once i'd done it, i thought the girl i bought the socks from would like to see what i'd done with them so i sent her a photo. I didn't realize that she actually has an online boutique selling all sorts of gothic/emo stuff and she asked if i'd be interested in selling my plushies there!! I know...i couldn't stop jumping up and down when i got that e-mail. Had to even bug my friend Gareth in the middle of his working day to tell him hahaha!

That's not the end of the story though...hahah...yeah...BUT WAIT...there's more..

Her response to my first sock monkey sort of made me think...if i did really start my label, how would i go about it etc. Meanwhile, my sister told me about this craft show called Craftwerk that is held annually in Auckland. I was just super keen to go and have a look at first 'cos i'm a massive fan of indie stuff but a week or so after finding out about it, my sister suggested i join. Now, you can't just join up...you actually have to apply...you send them photos of your work and wait to be selected. Well guess what...I GOT ACCEPTED!! I just got the news like half an hour ago!! I'm so stoked. So now you understand why this post is sort of scattered and rambly...it's exactly how i'm feeling hahah...

So i've started sewing monkey parts like crazy...

And spent a whole day turning all 30 inside out...

Hahahah...
I've made 5 monkeys so far and have the rest of the week to do 25 more. I ran out of stuffing today so i'm just waiting for more ..that's the only reason why i'm typing right now and not sewing like a crazy person hehe.

I got some labels made too...my own label...scream!!!...it's what i've always wanted...my actual brand is called 'SOCK IT TO ME!' and below that is an email address in case people want to get a hold of me - sockmonkeyhq@gmail.com. I promise to post photos of 'em when they arrive.I've also gotten some cute brown paper bags which i'm gonna stencil 'top secret monkey business' on so it'll look super cool when people buy from me hehehe...

Anyway...I'll leave you with a few more photos of my lovelies..hehe

Let me know what you think about 'em and thanks for stopping by!!

xoxoxxo
Deb

It's insane i tell ya...

2008-02-01T15:10:00.001+13:00

Sunday Outing with Kristy

2008-01-22T15:24:00.000+13:00

Last Sunday, my lovely flatmate Kristy invited me to hang with her for the day in Takapuna beach / Devonport. We climbed up to the top of North Head and drove up to the top of Mt. Vic. It was a super windy day as you will see but it was the most amazing 360 degree view of Auckland!!

Enjoy, my lovelies!

It was the perfect day for kite-surfing...which i'm so keen on trying...

Kristy and i...

Action shot of me on rough terrain...LOL Almost at the top of North Head!

Woah...it wasn't windy at all...hahaha

Auckland Sky Tower...

And one last shot of the pretty ladies just in case you hadn't noticed them hahahah...

xoxoxox!!
Deb

Gone Fishin!

2008-01-18T19:59:00.000+13:00

I went fishing last weekend! I caught 4 snappers but had to chuck one back 'cos it was a baby...the bad boy at the end was my prized catch!

Had to share...

2008-01-17T17:27:00.001+13:00

Hehehe...'cos sharing is caring...i wanted to show you what i drew today...LOL

I know...i'm such a little kid...takes one to know one though.

Shoot me when i'm emo...

2008-01-17T10:12:00.001+13:00

Someone told me this joke the other day...

"A friend of mine wished his lawn was emo, then it would cut itself."

Lol...i know, so un-pc but oh so funny.

Sorry for the last post by the way...I've had a lot on my mind and i've had to be careful with what i write...i'm not sure what my opinion actually is so i don't want to offend anybody accidentally, ya know what i mean? Yeah..neither do i.

Since i'm in the middle of not making sense..i thought i'd mention...yesterday i found out something seriously awesome...but i can't really tell you 'cos i don't want the person involved to know...so like it's best if i keep it to myself...LOL...basically, i stumbled on top secret info...i did have to give out some top secret info to get it but i'm hoping that i covered my tracks pretty well...let's just say it made me very very happy to know...but a little nervous at the same time..AARGH, i just want to jump around and scream...hahahahaha

ANYHOO...

Life's been relatively eventful lately. Christmas was good...spent it at my sister's place with our family and her in-laws. We had games and everything so it was seriously fun. And of course, loads and loads of good food 'cos mum was around. I promise to post photos of everything, don't you worry.
Check out our handmade stockings!

Miss Icing Queen herself..

Yummy mini cupcakes!

Everyone getting ready for the big feed!

My plate...mmmmmmmmmmMmmmmmmmmmm....hehehe We had rendang, and so chapati to go with it, rice...Cantonese style seafood stir-fry, Vietnamese spring rolls...have to stop now 'cos i'm drooling already...Lol

My stash...

YEEYAH!

For New Year's I went up to Whangarei (North of Auckland) with mum and dad which was a really nice bonding experience. I tried my hardest to organize everything so i really hope they had a good time. We went on a one day cruise to the Poor Knights Islands one of those days too which was cool.

Waiting at the harbour...

The view from the boat...

My tan's finally come back because of that trip...i was starting to look pretty pale since i hadn't been back to Malaysia for almost 2 years. Normally i'd get to top up my tan when i go back during summer break. Alas, no more summer breaks for me...i miss being a student. But i guess i do really enjoy working and earning too. Speaking of work...it has been interesting alright. We've finally started selling some Teza!! Small quantities but it's still selling nonetheless. I took my first 2 re-orders yesterday which left me on a high. I've been left to man the fort a lot since we started selling so i like pottering around and being efficient. Yes...i know...i'm a geek. Lol.

What else have i been up to...met some lovely girls on the cruise so am planning to go to Aquatica 08 which will be happening next next weekend. It's like a carnival in conjuction with Auckland Anniversary weekend. So since Auckland is famous for it's harbour, boats and general ocean related activities, this carnival will have live bands by the harbour and some of the famous New Zealand sail boats open to the public for viewing. Oh and of course...a fireworks display at the end of it all...woot woot!

Better get back to work then...and love to all my loyal readers...

xoxoxoxo!
D-Meister

Sometimes..

2008-01-09T19:51:00.000+13:00

There are so many thoughts running through my head...

This is my attempt to sieve some sense out of all of it...

I'm falling...

I'm not falling...

Can someone help me? Shake me...shoot me...anything..

Feelings are so annoying.

I

am

SO

TIRED.

I'm so tired

Of holding back.

I'm so afraid

Of the consequences of indulging

In these feelings that spring from the deepest darkest corners of my soul.

It just all seems too good to be true...

Too easy...

Too perfect.

But...

On those nights...

When all i have is me

My thoughts always make their way to you...

That's where i'm happy...

That's where i'm alive...

Bleed it out...

2007-12-22T21:45:00.000+13:00

A massive sorry is in order...to all my loyal readers, i apologise for taking this long to update. Much has been happening in my life and it is often difficult to steal a spare moment to write. (the only reason i think i 'sound' a tad proper here is because Pride and Prejudice is on TV while i'm writing this...Lol i'm way too easily influenced)

Well...since my last post...

- i've gotten better at my job and am settling in well in Auckland

- my mum and dad came over and i graduated

- Toby and i broke up

Now, before you start worrying, i want you to know that i'm doing okay so don't worry too much okay?! These things happen..

Anyway, work has only gotten more and more interesting which is a definate plus. My responsibilities have increased wish i dare say is a good sign of my ability? =P We are still having some teething problems at the factory so plans to launch our drinks this summer is looking a little dim...we are trying to stay as hopeful as we can though...the problem lies with the factory equipment so there's absolutely nothing we can do. Must be a reason for the setback though...all in good time...

So yeah, mum and dad arrived like a week before my grad ceremony. The ceremony was on a Friday so we drove down to Palmy on Tuesday, spent the night in Taupo and arrived in Palmy on Wednesday. Mum and dad were awesome, i was worried they wouldn't like or let me sleep at Toby's place (it was pretty hard for them to accept we were living in the same house with separate rooms like 2 years ago so i wasn't sure how they'd react this time). They were super cool and understanding so it was a huge weight off my shoulders. I had a great time, got to hang out heaps with Toby and Krystal, mum and dad got to meet Jo and Tom (Toby's mum and partner) and they got along like a house on fire...we had dinner there one night and it was loads of fun. Ceremony itself went without a hitch...i didn't trip...Phew! I decided to wear this white wraparound dress i'd bought last summer and paired it with my animal print heels. Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure:

Sigh.....

I'm sorry...

I just tried writing about the break-up but ended up deleting it all..
It's all a bit too personal...
Toby and I have decided to remain good mates...that's what we've always been anyway and so i am finding it difficult to write about the break-up without unconsciously creating some sort of bias against him...
It's a lousy situation but these things happen...i'm glad he told me when he did.
I've talked the matter to death and bawled my eyes out...if you know me well, you'd know this is how i get better...i'm coping well i assure you...

Anyway, my darlings...i promise to write again soon....

Just in case i don't write in time though...Merry Christmas my lovelies..

Hugs...
Deb

So what's new with you?

2007-11-14T20:33:00.000+13:00

Elo elo beautiful people...
I am feeling particularly high on life tonight so i thought i'd channel my hyper-activity into words. Yep, Dori and Linny, this is the new strain of Deborah Disease hahaha...it is even more contagious than it use to be. Okay, for all of you out there who still have no idea what Deborah Disease ask Dori or Linny to explain, they diagnosed me with it. =P

Anyway, since my last post i found a place of my own. Well, technically i don't have the place all to myself but you know what i mean. I found a gorgeous flat in Orakei where a young newly married couple were needing a flatmate. They'd just bought the house and wanted a flatmate to help out with the mortgage pretty much. So anyway, i came across this place on Trademe and absolutely fell in love with it. Here are some photos:

This is the house:

This is the deck:

This is the kitchen and slider door to the deck:

And this is the view:

Pretty sweet huh?! I have the whole downstairs to myself and my own bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. Can't show you photos of my room yet though 'cos i am currently sleeping on a blow up mattress until my furniture arrives in 2 weeks.

So yeah, i have unpacked all 4 boxes now and am just waiting on my furniture before i can place everything in their designated areas. Also, i promised photos from my farewell picnic in the park so here's some to tie you over for now. Sorry but i can't be bothered resizing all of them hahaha...

We had it at the Esplanade:

and...

this is my Special K blowing bubbles:

My turn!!

My Toby attempting to eat bubbles:

Ciao for now!

It's that time again folks...

2007-10-15T21:57:00.000+13:00

Yes, i quite enjoy disappearing for extended periods of time, it makes me feel mysterious.

So, what's happened since my last post? Gosh...i don't even recognise my current reality yet...

Okay, so i was working at Massey Uni as a PA to one of the Head of Schools, well i was so busy towards the end of that contract because i was pretty much doing that job as well as being errand girl to the administrators. One in particular, who was an absolute doll to work with, as her part-timer quit. The only reason she quit was because she felt she wasn't fully concentrating on her honours so she decided to get rid of at least one major distraction before it was too late. Anyway, it got real busy once i started helping out and it made the days go by way faster which was awesome. The nice administrator lady always gave me a ride home after work too which made it all the more sweet as...

Anyway, on the last day of my work i had a 'Farewell Picnic in the Park', i can't say that a lot of people showed up but the ones that mattered were there. I could have had something like cocktails after work or something but i decided the whole shebang wouldn't have been very me, a nice picnic in the sun however with loads of space to run around and get hyper, now that sounds like Deborah Disease in its purest form. Lol. Dori and Linny would agree, i'm positive.

So, once i'd finished up at Massey, i'd been packing up most of my stuff that week as i was shifting up to Hamilton the following Tuesday. I had a lovely weekend with my favourite boy. We went to Wellington for the day on Sunday with his mum and her partner too. Monday was a good day to just chill out and tidy up a little, run a couple of errands etc. It was pretty stress free all in all, no tears at the bus stop or anything. Jo (Toby's mum) packed me a little goodie bag with a bouquet of flowers, some magazines and snackies too. She's the sweetest. She rang me last weekend to make sure my first week went alright and texted me last night while she was waiting for Toby to go round for family dinner. Moving along, i arrived in Hamilton and pretty much started the next day. My job title? The serious one - Business Development Coordinator and the one i use everyday in all my emails - OFFICE SUPERSTAR heheh...
I'm working for a new drinks company that will be launching their product pretty soon. It's all hush hush at the moment but i assure you, if you're in NZ you'll know when it hits. If you haven't already seen our grass covered vans driving around.

Jobs been interesting and challenging at the same time. I've gotten to design some pretty cool point of sale stuff and am feeling quite passionate which is always good. The business, including me, will be shifting to Auckland this weekend though (Sorry for not replying your Bebo message Mark, i'm currently in Hami not Auckland). I will be crashing at a mate's place for a bit until i find my own place. Auckland's huge so am finding it pretty complicated to choose a suburb to live in. The big question, do i want to live by the beach or an awesome shopping mall? Hahaha...Toby chose beach...i'm still not sure, i'd like to have both if possible...

Speaking of beaches, my sister, her husband and i went to Mt Maunganui last weekend. It's actually a little beach town that has loads of cool surf shops and funky cafes. My sis and i got to do shopping and chill out but i got to...drumroll please...get into a wet suit and jump into the sea - something i'd never done eventhough i've been in NZ for almost 4 years now. So anyway, here's proof of me being using my wet suit like a straight jacket. Yes, you may laugh...just not too loud okay? =P

Well my little grasshoppers, it's getting late...i have work in the morning and really should visit Slumberland before they lock the gates.

Take care of yourselves...xoxoxo Deb

All 'Mac-ed' out...

2007-08-27T14:48:00.000+12:00

You've met my iBaby yes? Hehe...i vaguely remember saying that i'd post more once it arrived but unfortunately that hasn't happened yet. Instead, because it functions so well and quickly, i end up jumping on, checking my emails and jumping off. =P Sorry...but then again, my readers haven't complained, perhaps they are no longer interested? Boo hoo hoo...

Anyway, i'm way too excited to stay blue because my 5th generation iPod video arrived today...
Toby wasn't around to take photos of me opening the lovely inconspicuous brown box this time so you'll have to bear with these:

This is my precious toy...sitting in it's new case...

And this is the gorgeous case when it's shut...

Hehe...I'm so pleased and can't wait to get home and try it out. I've gone podcast crazy ever since Special K introduced me to them so i want to sync 'em onto my iPod and watched them on the bus to work. I use to have a pink iPod mini but decided since i'm going to be doing a lot of traveling (once i move to Auckland) i mine as well get an iPod to keep me company on those long trips. I bought my Mini for $200 about a year ago and manage to sell it on Trademe for $180, not bad eh? I made it a point to sell it before i was allowed to buy this one so i wouldn't be tempted to have two of them lying around. And...in the name of saving the planet, reducing waste etc..i got the items shipped in one package instead of separately AND i got a refurbished iPod instead of a brand new one. Every little bit counts i reckon; it's easy for the little actions to become habitual too. I think i might be starting a green movement fairly soon, don't roll your eyes...i'm doing my part...it also depends on how many of you will be interested and whether or not i'll be capable of putting it together.

Anyhoo, i'm off to read about what i can and cannot do on my iPod so ciao chickas and chicos...have a great week!

xoxo!

Still swooning...

2007-08-22T14:58:00.000+12:00

Hello gorgeous'...I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. For one thing, you already know this but i'm going to tell you anyway, i normally post at work, the longer the post the less work i had to do heheh...recently, since one of the part-timers quit, i've been answering to 3 people instead of just one so my workload has increased accordingly too. It's not a bad thing though, more work means time just flies by and before i know it, it's the end of another day and i can head back to my warm nest. =) That isn't going to happen today though...Toby managed to convince me to WALK home from Massey today. Google Palmerston North Map...I live in town, so let's say the where the green arrow is, now can you see where Massey University is? Haha...YeAh..all in the name of health and well being i guess. Personally i think i'm way fitter than i was in 2004 heheh...i'm hoping to start Kickboxing soon, i stopped doing hip hop a little while ago because i stopped feeling challenged. Kickboxing should be a nice change.

For those of you who wanted to know what's life like with an Apple MacBook..hehe...i have one word for you - AMAZING. Everything is easier and so common-sensical. I have gotten so use to dragging and dropping that i've started wondering what other places in my life that could apply to heheh...but seriously, i haven't looked back once. Since it arrived, my Acer has been ignored and left to atone in a corner hahaha...i haven't transfered my files over which shows just how much use those files were to me in the first place.

Life's been good...i didn't get a chance to tell you all about the massive breakdown i had at work last week but that's just because i didn't want to harp on it. I basically got so fed-up with Evilo and lost it. She was stressing me out so bad over nothing so i told her off before bursting into tears...I know, how silly right? It did the trick though, she's been so lovely to me since then. But yeah, life's been awesome as usual.

Oooh, we went to watch Sicko last night. It's Michael Moore's latest movie about healthcare in the US. I say go watch it...especially if you give a damn about politics but even if you don't, Mike has a brilliant way of packaging information so that it's digestable for the masses. (I'm half quoting flattie Krystal a.k.a. Special K there as we were having a massive discussion before and after the movie)

I apologise that this post is a tad half-hearted; you'd probably have to wait a good 2 weeks before i'd have an inspired moment. =P So here's hoping one will come sooner..

xoxoxoxo!!

The Wait is Over

2007-08-16T14:13:00.000+12:00

My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!My Macbook is here!

Sorry but i'm still caught up in the excitement! There was so much adrenalin pumping in my system that i couldn't really sleep and ended up with only 2 hours of proper slumber before having to get up and head to work.

Nonethless...

My Macbook is here!

My Macbook is here!
My Macbook is here!

Hahah...don't roll your eyes at me...

I've never bought anything that expensive for myself before...My iBaby is actually the first proper thing i've bought since i've started working. It's such an amazing feeling and of course the best reward for all that discipline and every single early morning especially during winter!

I'm still getting use to it but just unpacking it was so awesome, here are some photos of the momentous occassion!

The package arrived in an inconspicuous brown box.

I proceed to attack the brown box with a pair of scissors.

Oooh, it feels like Christmas!

More unpacking...

Here it is! In all it's Apple glory...

Look at the awesome packaging!

Breathing exercises to keep calm, hee hee hoooo, hee hee hoooo....

MY PRECIOUS!

Swoon...i still can't get over how gorgeous it is...Yeh i know that's not important but let me finish, i have honestly never used any equipment that ran that smoothly and quickly before. Sure it's a tad different from what i'm used to but i know it's a good kinda change.

Did you know that i don't have to switch it off? Apple recommends you switch it off only if you're not going to use it for a couple of days, otherwise, just turn sleep mode on. I can whip it out, check my emails and put it back to sleep in seconds. Honestly, i don't have to pre-empt applications like i did with my piece of crap Acer. I'd have to think.. i might need another browser window, better click on it now and give it 5 minutes to load...YES, it was that bad!

But alas, no more of that...it takes my iBaby less than a minute to restart...i was installing some things last night and once it was done it asked to restart so i said ok and moved it from the table to the chair to make way for dinner. I swear, a couple of seconds later i turned back to it and thought it was just starting to restart but it was actually all done!

Fine, you might be sick of me raving on about my Macbook by now but indulge me eh...Let an extremely satisfied customer give kudos where kudos is due okay!

xoxoxox Deb

Am i working harder?

2007-08-13T15:02:00.000+12:00

Just a short one today, sweets because i've got less than an hour to go at work. If you've been following my blog all this while you would have noticed that my longest posts occur when i have the most time on my hands. Lately, i've had enough work to entertain me..Hahaha..Nah, actually that's another way of saying i've learnt to better manage my time and the dispersion of work to fill the days up or alternatively to make me look busy at all times. =) The new administrator started today and she's lovely...Even better news, I recommended Krystal (my flattie a.k.a. Special K) for a part-time version of my job. The girl who use to do it has gotten really behind in her Honours so she decided to know muck herself up any further with work and try and focus before she drowns. Poor thing, she's a smart cookie though so i'm sure she'll manage. On the up side, i'm chuffed that Krystal will be working kinda alongside me and one of the other administrators. I have to remember to tell her that she has another appointment at 10.30 am tomorrow.
Even better news...My iBaby is arriving in 3 days...Shall we all countdown the days together? YES, we shall..hahaha
I'm in a fabulous mood today despite the fact that i'm due for a massive PMS session hahah...There's only one person who matters who you should feel sorry for during those times, but he's extremely capable of handling my tantrums.
Anyway, better go, i promise to post a longer one next time but this was just so my darlings knew i was alive and kicking!

Muax!
D

No sighs just highs...

2007-08-08T12:31:00.000+12:00

Right then, since i came over to NZ and didn't have that constant unlimited outpour of humidity and sunshine that we all love to hate in Malaysia, i have noticed that my mood is often influenced by the weather; on gloomy cold days i'm miserable, on extreme Southerly (seriously those winds are the worse kind, coming straight from the South Pole i wouldn't be surprised if a penguin could survive in an air pocket and travel comfortably over for a holiday lol) windy days i'm angry and irritable (it's weird, when the wind's coming at you from every angle or blasting at you and making it particularly difficult to advance forward i take it as a personal attack, much like when an older sibling picks on you while you give them the evilest glare you can muster LOL) and on sunny days i feel alive. Haha..it just started raining outside! See? i told you its personal, it heard me complaining lol. Yesterday we started off with a warm sunny day, then had some showers, a big downpour, more sunshine, HAIL (i love hail though, it makes the coolest sound) then more showers. I can only brag about the Kiwi ability to handle all weather and all seasons in one day so many times, at this point i'm over it; i want to know that as i gauge the weather in the morning while i decide what to wear accordingly that my choice will be applicable throughout the day. I need to know these things, like say if it's going to really cold or windy i shouldn't wear contact lenses, if it's going to be wet i shouldn't wear long pants or jeans and swap my fave leopard print heels for waterproof knee high boots. Oh hey, just in case you wanted a running commentary about the weather, the rain has stopped and it's sunny again.

But here's the thing, i believe in The Secret and as much as you enjoy rolling your eyes at me when i quote the Law of Attraction (LOA) i believe in it because of me so actually it doesn't worry me if you think i'm gullible. Even if that's the case i'll be a very healthy, wealthy and abundant in every area of my life gullible person and that's something i can live with.Lol.

Now that we've gotten that part out of the way let's get back to the reason why i brought up the LOA in the first place.

At the end of the day, the weather is not in control of how you feel, someone at work who is annoying you constantly isn't in control of how you react and every single mishap that occurs in your life does not dictate how you behave and deal with it.

YOU are in control...

So many of us react instantly to things, i'm not talking about a reaction like shedding a few tears at a wedding but like punching a guy out at a pub. The guy at the pub didn't proceed to slam his head into your fist ...i'm damn sure of that. Lol, we need to get back into the driver's seat. There are so many ways to deal with conflict or misfortunes. It's hard because it takes more effort, monitoring how you feel and react is a constant thing. The Secret explains our feelings as a warning bell informing us what we are emitting to the universe which therefore equals to what's being sent back. In other words if you're feeling troubled, the universe registers that and because the LOA states that like attracts like, you attract more troubled feelings. Yes, that does really suck but take a moment to think about it, if it works with sad feelings, will it work with happy ones? Indeed it will...so the idea is to constantly give out happy (this doesn't mean you have to smile while you're having a good cry, on the contrary if you took a moment to think about all those elements in your life that are worth being thankful you won't have much to cry about anymore) and more importantly grateful thoughts because the more grateful you are, the universe will send you more things to be grateful...i know a lot of us that would definately welcome more of those...=)

I just realized something, some of you that are religious might think this universe stuff is mumbo jumbo and that all you have to do is believe in God. I want to point out then that I didn't once deny that God wasn't part of the equation. Last i checked he created all of this and i've never stopped being grateful for that too. The way i see it, he created all these tools on earth for the ones he loved the most, he wanted us to be happy, he wanted our lives to be abundant.

I recently had a discussion with someone about relationships with God. It started when he questioned whether i was blaspheming when i looked up and asked God for a parking spot since we'd been driving around for a while. He said, God's this important authority figure, do you really think it's right to ask him for something as trivial as a parking space? I thought about it for a moment then started explaining how i view my relationship with God. I think i felt the same way about God earlier on in my life, that he was all mighty and powerful, like he was this super hero and i wasn't anything special. It always made me feel so distanced from God. But one day it dawned on me why scripture always draws on how God is our father or brother etc. it's to help us understand that although he is all mighty and powerful he has chosen to have a relationship with us. So really he's like a really cool friend/sibling who wants to be included in our lives, he wants the opportunity to be there for us when times are good and bad, the chance to advise us or just listen when noone else will. When i think of it that way, i feel a warmth in my chest spread to every corner of my soul and i don't feel so far away from God anymore because He's right here with me.

I think i have trouble talking about what i believe in unless i'm really comfortable with someone, i don't like being judged for what i believe in. Even now, i'm wondering if i should just delete this post because it sounds borderline preachy and that's not me. I'm adamant that religion is not something that anyone should shove down someone else's throat. What i'm doing here is merely writing what i'm thinking and feeling. I do hope nobody is offended by anything i've said but at the same time i feel i need to stop worrying about what people think of me...The people that truly care would never label me.

This has become a very special post, it's origin is very close to my heart and i'm grateful for all the people, things and feelings that enable me to write what i need to when i need to. I see myself clearly when i write, like how a complex theory is easier to understand once you break it up into digestable chunks of information on a blank piece of paper.

I see/know what i want but more importantly what i already have.

Need a laugh?

2007-08-06T12:31:00.000+12:00

Hey guys, i was a little bummed when i came to work today because the weather was kinda glum and things weren't really going as planned. Laughter is the medicine whenever the blues hit so i was lucky enough to cure mine after watching this. It's an extremely well done piss take of BEP's My Humps by Alanis Morisette. She even goes to the extent of singing the song Alanis style. It's hillarious.
So enjoy!

Bring it on...

2007-08-04T18:01:00.000+12:00

"Hate us cos we're beautiful, well we don't like you either, we're cheerleaders, we are cheerleaders, roll call!"

Hahaha...Bring It On is on TV tonight woot woot! I remember watching it so many times when i had to choreograph dances and cheers that i actually have most of the cheers memorised. Toby was impressed hahahah...

Anyway, since Dori is ignoring me on MSN i decided i'd post a little...I paid for my MacBaby (hahaha a proper naming ceremony will be held when it arrives LOL) yesterday and today i went and got a Prezzy Card (which is like a gift voucher in the form of a credit card). I don't have a credit card, which i think works for me because i would be out of control and a slave to the mighty plastic if i did. So everytime i want to buy stuff online i opt for the bank transfer option. However that was not an option time because i was going to go nuts on Amazon. I saw some Mac accessories that i absolutely loved. Wanna see?

I'm so excited!! There's this really cool website called Shipbuktu that makes it possible to buy stuff online the USA. A lot of US e-stores don't ship outside of the US so Shipbuktu is a New Zealand company that gives you a US address then once stuff's arrived at the address they ship it to NZ for you. Of course it costs money but i did the math and even after that, the items i bought are still cheaper or unavailable in NZ so sweet as!
What else have i gotten up to today...the weather's been particularly miserable but i've been trying my hardest to stay distracted. I did some laundry, tidied our bedroom, sorted out our CD and DVD cabinet and did a bit of reading too.

Anyway, i better be off...have a great weekend y'all...

xoxoxo - D

Alright already..i'll update, i'll update! =)

2007-08-03T13:38:00.000+12:00

Right then, to stop those pesky two year olds Doris and Linzhi from complaining i'm going to post. Hahaha...

I apologise to my loyal readers (that's if i have any) for disappearing for a while. I normally blog when i'm at work but i haven't been able to do that solidly for almost a month.

Do you all recall the work permit problems i had a little while back? I had to stand down from my job while it was sent to Auckland to be processed. Anyway, when it finally got sorted, after numerous faxes from my boss at Massey (take note, this is an important part of the story)asking Immigration to speed things along so i could come back to work, there was a conditional clause on it. I am to work for Greenstone (the company i will be working for in Auckland later on this year) in Hamilton til the 3rd of Sept before going to Auckland and continuing. Now, the whole reason why my boss was rushing my application was so that i could continue working at MASSEY not GREENSTONE. In my application, i had to attach a copy of my contract with Greenstone and it stated clearly that i was only starting on the 3rd of Sept. Can you feel my exasperation? Yeah, i rang up Immigration so many times trying to talk to different people hoping one of them would give me a way out of this mess. They all said the same thing, you can't work at Massey. I was so upset and spent the day on the verge of tears but i had a chat with my boss and suggested i go in to the Immigration branch in Palmy and talk to some physically. I wasn't suppose to be at Massey anyway so i took the 'day off' and left. So i spoke to a guy when i arrived and he listened carefully to my situation. Then, he prescribed a SOLUTION...yes there actually was one but nobody bothered to tell me. All i had to do was apply for a Variation of Conditions which is a letter from Immigration saying i can work for someone else before i start working for Greenstone. Can you see the spotlight-shining-down-from-heaven-on-me type of scene at this point? LOL I wanted to freakin kiss the guy...finally someone who tried to sort out my mess instead of telling me that it existed. This piece of paper saying that i can work didn't come cheap though, $120, but as long as i can work, i can make that back in a day's wages. WOOT WOOT! So, in conclusion people, i am back to work now, full steam ahead despite this little ordeal.

Man, my arms and shoulders are so sore. Last night, we - Toby, Me and our flattie Krystal decided to have an Eyetoy battle after watching Memoirs of Geisha. There is NO corelation between the two activities...so i'm not sure how or why we started playing but it was SO MUCH FUN!! For those of you who don't know what Eyetoy is:

The camera is attached to your PS2. The games you play require you to use your body to hit, move, balance things. See, this one here requires you to slap away the enemy as they come towards you from all angles. It is extremely satisfying as you forget after a while that you look like a complete dork. In my case, i get very excited and forget that the game requires movement but not force. Do you know what i mean? In order to hit something you just have to gently slap instead of adding force. So yeah, that's my arms are sore. =)

OOOoooh, great news people, now that i have my job back i can afford something that i've desired for a while now...Introducing the most beautiful piece of technology in my universe hehe..
I had saved up for a while and placed an order and everything but the very next day i found out that i had work permit problems so i thought i'd better hold off in case i need some spare cash. So, now that i am earning again i can get it!!! Yes, i am ready and willing to become a Mac Freak...I can't wait to get rid of my Acer...Bring on the Mac Revolution..

Anyway...i just got my haircut on Tuesday. My hairdresser Cat decided that my hair was long enough to be a bob so she did a very Posh Beckham type cut, keeping the assymetrical look on the front etc. I'm too lazy at the moment to describe it so instead i'm gonna show you my girl Dori's new haircut. She looks like a foxy lady in this one...but hands off, she's mine and Linny's hahahaha...

I promise i'll post photos of me sometime but don't get your hopes up because i'm no where as pretty as that this sexy mama...hahaha...

Better get back to work eh..hehe..loads and loads of love to my girls!! xoxoxoxoxox

Big Girls Don't Cry...

2007-07-17T14:27:00.000+12:00

I cry so I must not be a big girl yet...LOL...that's alright with me actually, if possible i'd like to imprison my youth with a ball and chain so i'll always have access to it. Come to think of it, i think i'm due for a massive cry. I was on the verge of tears yesterday just because the first day back at work was pretty overwhelming but today's been good. Evilo took the day off because she's sick so i've had an extremely peaceful day. I even managed to get on top of all my work, all 2 weeks worth of it.

I think there have been a couple of times lately that were potential 'ugly' cry moments but i guess i didn't really allow myself to feel the full velocity of it. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing since i've always had a hard time controlling my feelings. Feeling and emoting is so personal and so public at the same time. Sigh...am i making any sense? I'm in such a mellow and inverted mood today it's weird...it's a nice change from the usual numerous voices creating chaos in my head...hehe

Actually managed to get some sleep last night but somehow it is never as restful as if you know you don't have to wake up early the next day. I made dinner and we just sat around eating and chatting. Managed to have a quick conference call with my parents while my sister was around as well which was great. Ooo...my sister bought me a new bottle of perfume when she was away overseas last. (We don't live in the same town so i get my gifts a little later when they come down to visit).
She got me a 30ml bottle of Calvin Klein's Eternity. I always thought it was a boy perfume but i absolutely LOVE it!! I tried it straightaway last night and am wearing it today as well. It's such a pretty smell - "A fresh, floral fragrance with the notes of mandarin, freesia, sage, narcissus, lily of the valley, marigold, white lily, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, patchouli, amber and musk" to be precise hehe.
But you know how some scents sort of change throughout the day? When you first spray it on it's quite a crisp smell but as the day draws on it turns more musky and floral? I don't mind perfumes that do that but this one doesn't which is really nice because it is the first note of the scent that i love so i'm glad that's what i keep smelling everything i move. Hahaha...what i'm actually saying is...it's a gorgeous scent so go have a sniff! I hope my readers don't think that just because i've had two posts in a row that have touched on fragrances that i'm stinky and need something to mask it...hahaha...i think i'm just like any girl..i love pretty things and i think pretty scents lift your spirits all day long. I have a selection of scents because the pleasure derived from them is very much mood dependant too.

I think this is all i can muster today people...thanks for dropping by for a read and don't forget to leave your mark..Hugs...

I'm back at work...

2007-07-16T14:10:00.000+12:00

Greetings earthlings! =) I am back at work finally. And yes, thanks to my very wonderful Sony Ericsson K800i you get to see a photo of me taken seconds before i started typing. Just so you get to see my cute top and my little office. I actually bothered to get dressed up for work today. Yes, me in a beanie and a denim skirt is me getting dressed up. You should see what everyone else wears...is there another word for really seriously casual? Hehe. So yeah, first day back. My work permit was ready on Thursday or Friday i think but i told my boss i had some personal stuff to sort out so i could have the rest of the week off to spend with Toby and just to do my own thing. I had 2 weeks off and in that duration i discovered that i spend way too much money when i don't have something else like work to distract me. =P But it's okay in a way because half the time i work so much that i don't have time to spend any. So let's see...what did i do and spend on? Well, okay, my last proper post was when Toby was in Melbourne so i'll start from there.

So, the day after Toby left for Melbourne i had to stand down from work. I decided to wake up late (late was like 8.30...sheesh) and i think spent the day out with Krystal (who is such a doll to hang out with). Yeah, i think i went out that morning to the bank and stuff and left her a note saying we should hit the shops for a bit when she wakes up. So we went to get some of her black and white photos printed, went to the agent to sort out the tenancy agreement and went to Trade Aid. I bought this gorgeous Mexican-made wrist cuff but it's at home so i'll show you what it looks like next time. Then i made an appointment for a full body exfoliation and aromatheraphy massage and we went to the supermarket to get some groceries. I decided to go on a fish diet for the time Toby was away because he's not a fish fan and Krystal and i had an absolute field day trying different types of seafood/recipes every night of the week. We even went to the extent of getting a squid and attempted to clean it and cook it. We had such a laugh because we couldn't help but get a tad grossed out by the darn thing. Did you know that squids have BEAKS? Like an actual parrot type beak...it was disgusting ahahaha! We were so engrossed (a pun ahah) in what we were doing that we didn't take any photos oops!

Anyway, my full body massage was awesome. I went to The Groom Room and it cost me $45 and went for 45 minutes. I love the decor in that place. It's not very big but the simple colours and textures make it very calming. The lady who owns the place, Sam does the massages as well. She is so lovely. There's a lot of white things like white couches, white floaty curtains, white paper lamp shades etc...so it's very pretty! Sam also kept gushing about how gorgeous my skin is which hehehe of course put a spring in my step..=P

I also managed to get some Clinique SPF40 Sunblock and a new perfume one of those days that Krystal and i were out. I bought Guess by Guess and i'm wearing it today. It's a very feminine and flirty scent, i have received many compliments so go have a sniff when you get the chance. Ooh, and i just remembered, i got my very first merino top a few days ago too...i'm still trying it out but the fact that i'm not itching to death yet is a good sign hehe!

What else did i do in the week...it's all a bit of a blur now because i'd gotten so use to having an obvious separation between work days and weekends that i the entire week just felt like a really long weekend. Krystal and i watched movies and bonded - that pretty much sums it all up...hehe...we'd go window shopping or op-shopping and just pot around the house if the weather wasn't that great. I remember something else i did, i taught Toby's mum Jo how to use PowerPoint one of those days. Actually that was our original plan but when she came to fetch me, we ended up going to Briscoes (for those of you who don't know, Briscoes is a massive chain that sales household stuff like appliances, dinnerware, bedding etc) to buy laundry hampers. I had my eye on these gorgeous grass weaved laundry hampers a while back but they were $50 each so i didn't get them but we were so lucky because when we went this time round they were having a massive clearout and i managed to get them at $12.50 each! So needless to say i bought two so Toby and i have out own ones and so i can take mine with me when i move to Auckland. After that we met up with some of Jo's friends for coffee before finally going back to her house for the lesson. She caught on really quickly and was very excited at the thought of all the wonderful slideshows she could create and use as teaching aids. She's such a darling...i really enjoy hanging out with her. Last Monday we decided to go down to Wellington for the day eventhough Toby was only getting in that night. It was dreadful weather but we went for a wee shop around and found some really gorgeous things. I'll blog about that some other time though so i can show you some of my purchases.

Now, i thought i'd blog about something that one of besties told me about. Dori was talking about La Senza Itec bras the other day which got me started on a search for the equivalent of it from Victoria Secret also known as the Ipex range. I got SOO lucky...i typed it in on Trademe( NZ equivalent of Ebay, and before you get all grossed out that i bought second hand undergarments read on) and to my delight i found a couple sold and they were all in my size. The lady selling them had just had a breast reduction but when the swelling finally went down she couldn't fit them so she had only tried two of them on before washing them and the other 3 still had tags on. We swapped email address and she offered all 5 bras to me (retailed at NZ$60 each) for $90 with postage included. Needless to say i accepted and emailed her back straightaway but you wanna know something really cool? She's actually the APPAREL BUYER for Wild Pair and Lippy for New Zealand. That would be the ultimate job!! So i asked her about it and she was so friendly and answered all of my questions. She gets to travel a lot and goes to the US heaps to look at new stock. How awesome right?! But back to the story, i am wearing one of my Victoria's Secret Ipex bras right now and the twins couldn't be happier (cheeky grin)...3 cheeers for the forerunners Dori and Joanna!

I've got an hour to go...YES!!!

My sis and her husband are in town so i get to hang out with them tonight. My bro is in Malaysia with my parents currently too so he set up their Skype and last night we had out very first conference call complete with webcams. Mum and Dad were dumbfounded i think but i'm sure they'll get use to it pretty quick. Seeing my room definately made me homesick though and my brother kept threatening to throw out my stuff. Now that i have my work permit, i can't leave the country until June 2009...SUCK! If i do, i have to reapply for my work permit. I'm aiming to have PR in he near future though so hopefully that won't affect me. That reminds me i have to do some research on that as well as driving lessons. My sis is adamant about making me learn...sigh...i like getting driven around though!! =P I'm sure it'll be a liberating experience...

VIVA LA REVOLUTION! No bra burning action for me though...not today hahaha!

I can't decide...

2007-07-13T23:10:00.000+12:00

I thought i'd post a recent photo too...so here you go...i can't decided whether i'm going to use my visual diary site as a separate blog or just a place to upload pics..sigh..why is life so complicated hehehe??

Peace out!

Hi Guys!

2007-07-13T22:16:00.000+12:00

So sorry that i haven't been on for the past two weeks. I have had to stand down from work because my work permit has expired the good news is that it's all sorted now and i'm going back to work on Monday. Meanwhile i thought i'd just drop you a quick note to tell you that since i got my new Sony Ericsson k800i i have a mobile blog where i can upload photos straight from phone to blog, so add this URL to your list of must-see's and i'll owe you a big hug for it hahaha...oh and you can have an extra cuddle if you tell me how to combine my two blogs =P

debzdomain-myrealmmyvisualdiary.blogspot.com

Love,
Deb

The Dingo Ate My Baby...

2007-07-02T11:35:00.000+12:00

Ok ok ok...so it's not the most PC thing i could say but i thought it would be appropriate seeing as this morning i dropped my Toby off at the airport so he could catch his flight to Melbourne. I couldn't resist the urge to put a photo up..hehe forgive me..=)

It was my 'bright' idea...for his 21st birthday in April me, his mum, his dad, his brother and sister pooled our funds and got him a ticket for a week in Melbourne to see his bestmate Dug as well as spending money. Yeah, you think it sounds like a cool gift but i'm sure i won't agree with you when i retire early tonight, out of sheer boredom, to my cold bed without anyone to talk to or whine at...HAHAHA...those of you who know me know that i am just being a total drama queen, it's my blog and i'll cry if i want to eh?!

He'll have a spectacular time i'm sure, Dug picked him up at the airport about 2 hours ago and i wouldn't be surprised if they're already up to no good...LOL This is the only photo i had on this computer of Dug, he is the guy in the background sitting next to a samurai sword hehe: (i never really notice their obsession with swords until now...boys being boys i guess. It's a lousy photo i know so i'll add it to the list of things i have promised to post pictures of)

Wanna know something really funny? I have been working at this job for almost 3 months now and the only time i got time off was when i was sick for a week a little while ago. Toby works in the weekends so in other words, we don't get to spend heaps of time with each other if you don't count sleeping next to one another every night. The ironic thing is, i have the rest of this week off because my work permit expires tomorrow and i have to stand down until new work permit comes through. (Smacks head)Ah well, on the bright side i can schedule full body massages and spend days on end reading magazines, doing manicures/pedicures and watching soppy movies. =)

Speaking of movies, i watched the coolest romantic comedy last night. I have to admit i am a real sceptic when it comes to romantic comedies but this one we watched in Wellington last night made me laugh out loud (literally..it isn't an easy thing to do honestly). It's called "Starter for 10" It is the cutest romantic comedy, i swear. It's so real in a sense that it's not all rosy and things don't always work and sometimes there are no happy/sad endings just alternative routes and choices ...you really get drawn in if you're into less mainstream movies like me. I think those sorts of movies are so much more charming. Don't get me wrong, i'm not bashing the 'big guys' but perhaps after doing a major in media studies i am less willing to suspend my disbelief for something so obviously mass-produced. I give it 4 stars out of 5, so go see it! =0)

Oooh, this weekend was really eventful actually. My new flattie Krystal moved in yesterday. I gave her room a good vacuuming the day before so we could shift all her stuff in as soon as she arrived. Sad thing is i didn't get to be around on her first night because Toby's flight was at 6AM Monday morning and we had to have him at the airport by 4AM. Neither Jo(Toby's mum) or i were keen on driving up and down in the middle of the night so she got the key's for her mate's apartment (oh my god, i have to tell you about the apartment) and we spent Sunday night there. I think it would was a good thing that Krystal got to have the place to herself so she could unpack and settle in. She's so lovely, i wish i was living with her for longer than just a couple of months. Everytime one of us walks pass the other person's room or makes a fleeting comment we end up having this massive yarn about all sorts of stuff. Fun!

Now, about the apartment...it was so cute. Joan (Jo's friend who lives there with her daughter) has impressive taste. There were little details all over the house that made it so cozy. That's the style that i'd have if i could decorate my own place - tastefully simple. You could tell that every single thing in that house was place exactly where it was by someone and not by sheer chance. The apartment itself was like a nice blank canvas with lots of storage space and clean lines so when combined with her choice of neutral earthy colour schemes and interesting textures it was transformed into something out of a House and Garden magazine. The place wasn't huge but it was very compact. Two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, small study, dining room, lounge and a little balcony. There's a lot of glass windows so it's a little chilly in winter but from the street, when the lights are on, it looks like a doll house. The building houses 3-4 apartments on each level. I guess it's both cool and freaky at the same time that you can see people moving around in their apartments. I did take photos so i will post when i'm home next but we were only their in the evening and early the next morning so the lighting doesn't do the place justice.

Oh i have wonderful news people...i'm having a baby...HAHAH Gotcha...NO! Better...i have finally decided on a cellphone! The Sony Ericsson K800i has all the functions i want and more without cleaning out my savings haha! I can upload photos directly to my blog with it too so it's going to be rad. I've pretty much decided on the black as the silver doesn't sit well with me but i'm not sure why =P. Feel free to let me know what you think though ;)

Is that all i have to report? I think so...at least for the time being. Want to make a couple of shout-outs since i can...

1. Linzhi Lau (Hurry up and get out of China so you can view out blogs properly, i will not be emailing you my entries because i don't believe in special treatment hahaha)
2. Dori - yeah like the fish hehe..naughty spammers need to be spanked hahah...thanks for the updates on the perfect bra, now the hard part for me is finding a stockists here, thanks a lot!#$%^&
3. Joanna - I wanted to comment on your latest post (the one about the top model shows) today but could only do it via email. Is there a mystery 'post comment' button that i can't see because i refuse to believe that the emperor was wearing new clothes?! =P

Oh and to everyone else, i haven't forgotten y'all...i hope you're well and if you're reading please comment so i can post a special shout-out for you next time! Thanks for taking time out from your day to drop by.

Giggles and lollipops...

Hurray for the Weekend!

2007-06-29T13:22:00.000+12:00

Good afternoon beautiful people!

I'm in high spirits if you hadn't already noticed..heehee! The doctors appointment went very well...there were a couple of last checks but the doctor was nice and it only took 10 minutes. That was probably the most expensive 10 minutes in my life = $98 and all he had to say was, "you're in perfect condition"! LOL..Nice to know though. When i went to pay, there was this blonde hottie working there...he wasn't in charge of cash handling and the last time i had my nurse's appointment he couldn't take my money as well. The finance lady had gone to lunch that time and just stepped away this time but he got up and asked what i needed then said "you could pay me" as he gave me a little wink...Flirty little minx..hahah Alas being in a steady relationship has its drawbacks hahahaha...

Speaking of flirty...

Your Celebrity Boob Twin:

Dita Von Teese

Who's Your Celebrity Boob Twin?

Hahaha...i really like Dita because she looks like an old-school pin-up girl.

Anyway, i managed to catch a bus into town to hand in the completed application at the Immigration office. It should be sorted in 10-15 days so i may have to take some time off. I thought i'd be fairly distraught about it but i am actually looking forward to some time off. Road trip anyone? =)

Now that i can't remember what i was going to say i'm just going to post up more of these hillarious quizes..

Your Travel Personality Is: The Sophisticate

You're well educated and cultured, and the places you travel to reflect that.
You appreciate the best art, food, architecture, and local flavor.
A true traveler, you are destined to be multi-lingual and very worldly.

What's Your Travel Personality?

You are a Career Girl!

You may not be a CEO yet, but you're well on your way to success.
You take your career seriously, and you wouldn't stop working for any guy!
An independent woman, you pay for your own car, clothes, and housing.
And men appreciate that - at least, the ones as driven as you are.

What Kind of Girl Are You?

Don't worry..i'm more into my piercings..=P

You Should Get A Butterfly Tattoo

Sweet and sassy
For you, tattoos are a thing of beauty - not toughness

What Tattoo Should You Get?

Are you serious?

You are a 1980s Diva

Bright colors, bigger than life patterns, and outrageous fashions.
Your fashion style always has a retro yet futuristic edge.

What Decade Diva Are You?

I'm supergirl..YAY!

You Are Superman

Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
And pretty cute too. No wonder you're the most popular superhero ever!

What Superhero Are You?

Okay i suspect you are getting pretty sick of this by now...fine fine fine..i'll stop..

I actually remembered what i was going to say!
Toby and i went to see Pirates 3 last night!! I know, it's taken me that long? haha..it was good...i was quite sceptical but it was good. Although i must say it was a tad long and i needed subtitles because some of the characters had really convincing accents. =P Still an awesome movie and i'd definately watch it again.
I really want a projector screen at home...Over here they show TV ads sometimes in the cinema and watching a simple advert on the big screen is mind-blowing. Toby and i both have agreed that when we get our own place someday we're going to have a massive screen and lazyboys you can kick back and watch TV in hahaha...

Speaking of TV..why don't i show you some New Zealand TV..hehe..actually NZ humour to be more specific...Dai Henwood is a VJ for C4TV and has a show call 'Insert Video Here' which is basically him going around doing silly things and talking to people randomly etc. I hope you find this funny...because if you don't, i am forced to believe that i have been infected by the locals haahaha...

Lots of love and have an awesome weekend!

A Special Treat...

2007-06-28T17:27:00.000+12:00

Two posts in one day? Woah...

This one will be short, i just wanted to post photos:
This is me with my lowlights:

And these are some photos from Toby's mum Jo's birthday:

We handed her the gift first...

Then she sat down in front of the fire to open it...

Disbelief...

Making sure it wasn't just the box...hehehe

LOL..she's a cutie isn't she?!

Good luck in your new place...

2007-06-28T12:13:00.000+12:00

It's appropriate in this case...So i'd tell you to play the youtube video by Basement Jaxx while you read today's post.

Now, Envilo has been more tactless than usual lately but guess what? She's shifting offices! So i guess the law delivered..=) just 1 minute ago though she did this thing that she does A LOT which i like to call 'bull-dozing'. A student came to see me regarding something that i actually knew a little about so i answered her questions with the knowledge that i had. Then, Envilo who was obviously eavesdropping but couldn't be bothered helping at the time decided to bombard us with another way of sorting the situation out. Now, i've been here for a total of 3 months so i admit that i'm still learning but come on, you don't have to freakin' push-in and make me look bad by asking me 3 million times in an accusing tone "you don't know how to do that?" She frustrates me so...i have learnt to deal with it but i think one of my major character flaws is that i tend to take things personally. It's like i don't normally mess things up but as soon as i do she needs to establish who's queen bee and trample me to death (yea yea bees don't trample but you know what i mean)...sounds exaggerated but i don't think i'm too far off. Technically if we reviewed the hierarchy, she isn't queen bee...actually i am because i am the Head of School's personal assistant and she is just a secretary in one of the departments. Sigh...i'm going to stop venting now...if like attracts like i sure as hell do not want to be attracting more of these thoughts. So ending on a good note, "good luck good luck, good luck in your new place" Envilo...

It's been an awesome day nonetheless. There was frost this morning!! I should've taken my camera and i actually took it with me but changed my mind at the last minute because i was too cold to bother hehe! We go past these huge rugby fields on the way to Uni and it was all white instead of green so it was so pretty. Mark was in the bus with me and was quite amused as to how excited i was about it all...then he realized that i had every reason to seeing as we only have one measely season in Malaysia. =)

Oh by the way, i declined the job at Marketing and Communications this morning. I decided that i was actually quite happy at my current job and with settling in and meeting new people and all 4 weeks would be insufficient for me to learn that much. I emailed my mum and dad about it and they agreed so yeah, i send an email declining today but the lady was so lovely she said that i'd go far in my chosen career because i have a wonderful attitude and zest for life. Isn't that the sweetest...that's how you get employees hooked really, i'd definately consider working for them someday because she said that. A little kindness goes a long way.
When i told my current boss that i decided to stay he said the sincerest 'thank you' i've ever heard and looked so relieved. So needless to say i am pretty happy with my decision.

Now that i've decided that i'm going to stay at this job (those of you who don't already know, i don't have much work at all and spend most of my day entertaining myself online) i have made it a point to do a little something everyday that is related to furthering my knowledge/exposure regarding my two passions - photography and marketing/advertising...So...today i came across this video and wanted to share (because? Sharing is caring...that's right hehe) Anyway, this clip honestly looks like a moving Vogue photoshoot. The colours are vibrant, the textures realistic. I want to be able to take photos or set photoshoots up that look like this. I admit the singing is a tad quirky but most unique things are cool right? So here..have a look:

My favorite photographer is David La Chapelle. He's been around for a while but he's still one of the best in the business. Actually my brother got me into his work and i ended up stealing his copy of La Chapelle Land..heheh Sorry! Anyway, here's a short doco about David:

Oh and if you haven't seen RIZE...i urge you to get it out and watch it. It's a true example of how as human beings we are still evolving; finding new ways to deal with what life hands us.

Peace Out..

Check this out....Samwell is gutsy!

2007-06-27T15:44:00.000+12:00

I'm not slacking off...

2007-06-27T09:27:00.000+12:00

Honestly, i've been swamped in almost all aspects of my life that i haven't been in the right head space to write. I'm feeling better today, like i actually know where i'm going so as long as there is a tentative destination i feel comfortable to stop on the way for a chat.

So as you know, the interview with Marketing and Communications went extremely well in the weekend. The only obstacle was my work permit and the lack of a recent full medical check-up. The check-up consists of a nurse appointment, blood test, chest x-ray and final doctors appointment. My nurses appointment went extremely well, the nurse was an absolute gem and we were laughing and talking while we were going the general examinations like height, weight, waist etc. I took the rest of the afternoon off to head into town to sort out the x-ray and the bloods. I can proudly say that for the first time in my life i managed to have my bloods taken without anyone there to hold my hand!! She took 3 tubes of my blood and didn't even leave a scratch, how skillful is that! The x-ray was fun too, they actually don't need you to be buck naked anymore which is a plus. The results from the x-ray were that i am normal and do not have signs of TB or old scars from it either. Good to know right?! So, all i am waiting for now is my final doctors appointment on Friday. Then i've got to get the work permit application along with all the other relevant documentation to the Immigration Office asap. My work permit expires on the 3rd of July so if i can get it in by Friday, hopefully i will be there first application they process come Monday. If it wasn't for my current boss i'd still be waiting for Immigration to even look at my application. I hate the thought that the job at Marketing and Communication starts on the 14th of July so i'd only have a week to finish up where i'm at. I have been talking to my family about it and mum and dad actually suggests i stick around where i am now and not take the position at Marketing and Communications. I've been thinking hard about it all and can honestly say that i am veering towards that conclusion/decision too.

Anyway, the weekend was good...i didn't end up going blonde as my hairdresser, Cat said that i'd need 3 bleachings to start with and we wouldn't know what color we'd end up with etc. So instead she put chunky purpley-red lowlights randomly in my hair. I know it doesn't sound that cool but it sure looks it. The came out really well and the contrast really shows off how healthy my hair is at the moment. When i went to get some colourfast shampoo and conditioner from this salon specialist shop i was talking to the guy working there who was obviously a hairdresser. He made me stand still and walked around me to see the full effect. He explained that they were randomly placed with such style and the detail. Other people look like a bird shat in their hair..HAHAH...i was so flattered!! Oh and the shampoo and conditioner i got smell so gorgeous and for those of you who are thinking it...NO, he wasn't cute, he was in his 30s and very professional. There's a line between flattery and stating the obvious hehehe...

Oh we celebrated Toby's mum's birthday on Sunday and she was absolutely blown away when she realized what we'd gotten her. I will post photos soon but she was so cute...she thought we just used the box!! We spent the rest of the night watching DVDs and hanging out. I made a yummy entree platter complete with cocktail meatballs as well as cracked with pesto dip so we tucked into that while Toby was setting the player up. I also made dessert - Apple Tarlets which turned out brilliantly considering the fact that i did not follow a recipe. I just bought puff pastry, chopped up apples and seasoned them with lots of cinnammon and brown sugar and chucked 'em all into the oven. So yeah, it was delicious with a nice splosh of vanilla ice-cream on top.

AArgh, talking about food is making my tummy growl...i haven't spent a dime on food yet today. I ate cereal for brekkie and made a chicken salad for lunch. I have money so no need to worry but i'd rather be spending it on other things...speaking of which...

I need to know what you think is the better option...My current Nokia 3650 is doing my head in so i am contemplating getting a nice new up to date phone. Go on laugh...say i told you so...i had to give it a try before i knew OKAY?! So the current choice is between a Nokia N70 or an N73.

Feast your eyes:

This is the N70 and the other one is the N73.

According to some reviews, the N73's keypad is fairly cramp but i have a friend who is currently using it and thinks it's just fine. The features of both phones i think are pretty similar but price wise the N70 is significantly cheaper. I quite like how the N73 looks though, it almost seems less chunky and more sleeker than the N70. Please please please tell me what you think!

Uh Oh, Houston we have a problem. I just stumbled in the N72 which is very very cute BUT:

Can someone make a phone that doesn't have such an obvious gender related preference? I think the pink is gorgeous on the back but i don't like how it looks in the front. And the design on the back for the black one is pretty manly. Can't someone make say a pastel green or blue cellie because i seriously doubt all girls love pink & all boys love black?

Let's consider the yet-to-be-considered...i am not a fan of flip phones..but let's look at the N75

I think i'm under the impression that flip phones are a tad flimsy and normally end up quite thick so you look like you're carry a brick around in your left jeans pocket. Lol.

Right then, my sincere apologies to those people who have mistook this blog for a gizmodo site.

I will love you and leave you...xoxo

Interview

2007-06-22T09:52:00.000+12:00

I just got back from my interview at the Uni's Marketing and Communications Department.

Background knowledge required to see how big a deal that is: Just in case you don't already know, i did a Bachelor of Communications and have a passion for Marketing so hearing that M&C were looking for a temporary administrator for a month made me extremely happy. The secretaries at the University have a group email and they often send round email when they're looking for temps etc so it was so sweet of Envilo to think about me when she saw the email for M&C asking for a temp. She printed it out and left it at my desk when i was away sick 3 weeks ago. So needless to say the first thing i did when i saw it that morning was send an email to offer my services.

Back to the story: I met up with the administrator who's going away for a month and the Director and they liked me. YAY! I had a real nice chat with them and the only thing that needs to be sorted out before i can say an official YES is my work permit. I have my first appointment (for the full med-check) on Monday at 11.30Am (the good thing is it's at the Uni's medical centre so i can just pop out of work for a bit and get it done) then the nurse will make a seconf appointment. I will have to head off and get X-rays and blood tests done too but those places are normally open after 5 so i hope to go after work. But yeah, they like me...It will be such an amazing experience to see the behind-the-scenes. This isn't the School of Marketing, this is the actual people who are in charged of Massey University's marketing, advertising and public reputation. They do all the publications, website ad campaigns...Mind-blowing. I plan to absorb all the research i find about the deparment so i'll fit in real fast. They said that because i have a communications background they just might get me to write some of their media releases...WOW!! And if there's any marketing stuff that i think i could help with i just have to put my hand up...Talk about opportunities!! ...The Law is at work...Woah

So as you can see, i'm very excited about it all..Although i do feel a tad bad about leaving my current boss personal-assistant-less...He said the other day when i talked to him about this potential gig that if they pay me better and it's a better option that i should go for it. So yeah...

Yesterday something really cool happened. I was waiting at the Uni bus stop reading when a girl came up to me and asked which bus went into town. She said she hadn't caught one of the Massey busses before so hadn't the faintest idea which one went where. So i told her, i'm going into town, you can a 15, it'll be here by 4.30PM. So she sat down and i went back to my book...then i had a thought that maybe there was a reason why she made a connection with me (the Law maybe?) so i started a conversation. The best start-up line in the world: "I love you shoes, where did you get them?" Lol, we ended up talking the whole way in the bus and she was so lovely. Her name was Tamson which i thought was very unique and she's studying to be a Maori kindy teacher. We launched into a real in depth conversation where we talked about shoes, bags, fashion, shopping, boyfriends, sports, tickets, family, Auckland...This was like a 30 min conversation. It was cool to talk to someone who actually lived in Auckland seeing as i'm headed down that path in 2-3 months. She said it's so much more 'happening', there are boutiques as well as reasonably prices places like Palmy except way way more. I'm not sure why we got on so well but even if it was to brighten up my mundane bus trip home i'm thankful, she was a gem. She told me where she works so i might drop in sometime. Oh and i did actually find out where she got her shoes, even got to ask whether they were comfortable or not and she said they were. So i'm off to buy me some after work! They were black pointy flats that have a big buckle on the front with white stitching.

Shopping spree with Toby after work. Friday late night shopping goes until 7PM!! To those of you who have lived in Malaysia i know that is nothing because we have places open 24/7 but in New Zealand, it is a big deal. Yeeyah, pay day was yesterday too so i can go shopping..woot woot!

It was so heart-warming to see more and more people dropping by here and leaving shout-outs for me. Thank you all, it makes writing a real interactive experience and continues to motivate me to write more. But hey, none of you commented about me deciding to go platinum blonde?! Are you kidding me...so come on, i value your opinion so tell me what you're really thinking. It would be such a drastic thing to do but i'm on a mission to try and experience life - SO, i've always wanted blonde hair. There are so many african-american chickas that have bleach blonde hair and they look funky-as. I think with my skin tone and the right SHADE of blonde it will look cool. Worth a try though...i'm going to make an appointment with my hairdresser now.

I now have a CONSULT at 12.30 tomorrow and a COLOUR at 1.45...I'll have a chat with Cat, she always knows. She became my hairdresser by sheer chance actually, i use to have Lauren. Cat took my appointment when i wanted to go for the chop last year. Don't worry, i will post before and after photos in a second. Lauren was busy so i asked Cat if she was up for the challenge and she was so cute and hyper like most of the people who are dear to me or make a lasting impression. Ever since then, nobody else touches my hair...The last time i was in i made an appointment to get a chunk of red put in my fringe but i had to cancel at the last minute. She thought a nice deep purpley-red would look good as a low-light and i thought so too. So tomorrow, i'll ask her what she thinks about the blonde thing and if she thinks it's a massive NO NO i might just do the low light. SO sorry for those of you who don't give a rat's ass about my hair that i have gone on about it for this entire paragraph. At the very least, think of it as seeing the inner workings of a genius' mind...some mundane thoughts do still exist. LOL

I have so many things to look forward to today...I love that...

I'm having coffee with my friend Mark at about 1PM. I met him in Creative Writing class in my first year. I wonder if i can trap him and take a photo of him so you can complete another add-image-to-character sequence.

Then shopping with Toby after work and a nice night in. Oh and of course, no 6.30AM wake-up call tomorrow either. BLISS...

TGIF...Muahahaha...

Keep Truckin...

2007-06-21T13:45:00.000+12:00

It was torture to crawl out of my warm nest this morning...Toby and i decided to watch Igby Goes Down on my laptop in bed so we didn't sleep til quite late. It's such a nuisance when you wake up and your eyes actually hurt, it's almost like they're yelling at you "Oi! We're not done, keep 'em closed!" Alas, i am responsible enough to drag 'em to the shower before blasting them with hot water to wake em up along with the rest of me..LOL It's rainy today but somehow a lot warmer than usual. I am still clad in 2 tops, a fleece hoodie, tights, pants and boots, not to mention a scarf and a beanie...Hey, I just realized the sun's out now so YEEYAH! By the way Igby Goes Down was pretty good, not a typical mainstream movie though so unless you're into that sort of stuff...you might not like it. It had Keiran Culkin in it as well as Ryan Phillipe, Sharon Stone, Claire Danes so there was quite a star studded line-up.

My new cellphone has arrived. Toby and i went on a mission to the courier place yesterday evening. We thought it was just a couple of blocks away according to the map but the map was WRONG...we had to walk a good 15 minutes and then walked all the way back while it was pissing down with rain. Ah well, a shower and daily exercise combined eh?! We were having a nice yarn all the way though..it stil amazes me how we always have so much to talk about. Back to the topic of my new cellphone - i really like it but the round keypad does my head in a little. I guess i now know what my mum felt and went through when i first thought her how to text; she'd stare real intently at the keypad and press slowly...so cute..she's a pro at it nowadays though! Thinking about it, i also taught Toby's grandma to text...i absolutely adore that old lady. She's so alert and active, i want to grow old like that!

So this morning i found out that Immigration have failed my application because i don't have a recent full medical check-up. So guess who's headed for a full medical check-up with blood tests and chest x-ray?! The last one i did was when i first came over in 2004 so i guess it is long overdue. Hey who knows, they may let me keep the x-ray film, those things look awesome when you hang them on windows!

Oooo, i'm thinking of going blonde. I was talking to Dori about it this morning. I see a lot of dark skin girls will blonde hair and they look cool..i'm afraid of looking like a prostitute but none of the ones i have in mind do...It is a real drastic thing to do though..it comes with consequences such as having to touch up at the roots all the time etc. So until i work up the courage to actually do something about it you can all comment and tell me whether you think it'll look cool or not okay?!

This chicka looks awesome...Her name's Tila Tequila and she's the myspace Queen. See? She's as tanned as i am and looks pretty darn cute with beachy blonde hair. I'm not trying to look like her...i'm just using her as an example. She's damn fit though don't you think? She does nude modelling and raunchy stuff but seriously has the figure of an angel..a very hot one..hahah! She's pretty versatile i reckon because she can go from hot mama to innocent babe in a snap! Oh yeah, she sings and raps too..She's Vietnamese but moved to the US when she was younger so she's got this cool-as American accent and giggles a lot. Have a look on her page, you get to see her dancing around, laughing and talking. Actually i'll attach another photo of her...you know, she looks an awful lot like Ayumi Hamasaki in this one:

I bet she could be the next big Suicide Girl if she wanted to...

She's got such massive eyes...i wonder if in the future cosmetic surgeons will be able to make everyone's eyes bigger if they haven't already found a way.

On to my next topic then?

You know Dori and i stumbled on to the topic of skin color this morning and the funniest thing was that she never really realized that i was brown. Like of course she knew i was brown but it wasn't something that stood out to her. I know so many people that saw that first and everything else like my sense of humour, my personality etc as second. It's awesome how you're true friends see beyond the basics. I went through most of my life in my hometown with the color of my skin as the main identifier...Now that i'm in a bigger place etc it's funny how you're identified with more specific elements like that girl who speaks with a funny accent from Malaysia..i've heard that one before LOL. Actually according to Toby that was one of the first things he noticed, my accent. Up to this day, i don't know what sort of accent i have. There use to be people back home that would try and put on an accent but mine just spills out of my mouth. Some people come up to me and ask me which part of America i'm from? Um..i've never been there in my life. I remember there was even a rumour at Prime, one of the lecturers was bragging apparently she had a student from the US in her class..and i was like hey cool, someone who's from overseas...so i was pretty darn disappointed to find out that it was actually me she was talking about. (Smacks head) =P

I hope you're having a fabulous day today and don't worry the weekend is a just around the corner! Viva La Revolution....=D

Enlightenment

2007-06-20T10:32:00.000+12:00

I had an awesome night out with Toby last night. We went to our fave Japanese restaurant "Hana Mizuki" and watch Ocean's 13 afterwards. It was so nice to finally be able to just chill out without having to worry about work or exams. Yes it is common knowledge that i'm an empathetic worrier, i worry when other people are worried =P. The movie wasn't as good as i thought it would be though. I loved Ocean's 11 and actually think that was the best out of the 3 movies they made. Saw trailers for a couple of new movies that i'm super keen on:

(1) Harry Potter - Order of the Pheonix I'm so excited about this...it comes out on July 11 here. It's going to be AWESOME!

(2) Ratatouille - It's about a rat who goes to France to pursue his dreams of becoming a chef. Adorable...and i'm a sucker for movies with cooking themes...leading me to the next movie...

(3) No Reservations - Starring Catherin Zeta-Jones and the gorgeous little girl from Little Miss Sunshine. Out on July 27...YeeYAH!

Oh and i bumped into my Jayme at the movies and as usual she was talking a mile a minute. Glad she's feeling better though and the antibiotics are working! That's me and Jayme at Toby's 21st Birthday Pre-party. She's such a darling..

Anyway, on to the next topic. I bumped into a girlfriend of mine, Athena yesterday. Much needed catch up so it was fun hitting Starbucks like we normally do and having a good 'ol yarn. We're planning on getting together for a spot of shopping in the weekend. She's doing the same degree as mine but with a different major. Poor thing's been pretty stressed with so many things happening in her life at the same time but she is one capable lady and a very dear friend! That's an old photo from her 22nd birthday party but it's nice to put faces to the characters of the stories ain't it? Her boyfriend was having coffee with us as well yesterday and when one of his friends joined us he felt the need to introduce me via a very old connection. He said, you know so and so? This is his ex girl...I laughed. But it makes me think how it's hard to rid yourself of that connecting factor sometimes. Personally i see myself as Athena's friend directly without my ex as a connection. Athena and i weren't friends when i was going out with him way-back-when. She's such a cutie (as you can see) and she's got the same birth date as my bestie Dori...what are the odds huh?!

Athena and i always have extensive D & M's when we're together so hopefully we'll have more time to talk in the weekend. She was telling me about this mysterious plan she's made (naughty girl won't reveal any details...hehe) which made me start wondering about what my life plan is at the moment...

I hope to have this job at Massey til August. Then i'm shifting to Auckland for my new job. I'm also planning to work for 2 years before taking a year off to travel. In other words, 2009 is my year for travel. I've had a look at the sort of trips i can make fairly cheaply but you have to be under 26 to get those deals so i'm heading off before then. I plan to have my own company by 2012 - and want to be living in Barcelona. So yeah...i guess i do have a plan. Where does Toby fit in all of this you ask? Absolutely anywhere that he likes...We had a chat last night and came to the conclusion that we've always had this unspoken plan...settling down one day together would be primo but now is not the time. He wants to study and travel, so do i. We actually want to visit different countries separately (he wants to do Africa while i'm keen on the USA), well we'll meet up all over the globe then. We're easy when it comes to each other...i don't want to stifle him, we're young and there are so many experience waiting for us out there and i know it's the same with him. There is no way in hell that Toby would ever stop me from pursuing my dreams. Perhaps that might be the key to a solid relationship? I'll let you know when i know...hehehe

Hugs and Kisses...

Pop, Lock and Drop It....

2007-06-19T12:47:00.000+12:00

I don't even know what that means but it's sure fun to say! It's the title and chorus of a song by Huey. You know, i was never quite exposed to Hip Hop, i think i was more of a pop person when i was younger. Since starting Hip Hop dance classes a year ago though a lot of the songs we hear on the radio have most probably already been played to death in class or at the clubs. There's even a club that plays solely Hip Hop sounds, Palmy is tiny, we have a total of like 5 clubs so if one of them decides to cater for one music category it has to have a pretty massive following. Actually before i forget i came across a really awesome online radio station a while ago and thought i'd share because caring is sharing..hehehe! It's called HotHitsAtlanta. It's always on especially when i'm at work...a lot of new music so lots to sing along too! Yeeyah..

On to other things, today has been another superb day. Been potting around my office and typing on my keyboard. I had enough time this morning to make myself lunch so i haven't spent a cent on food today because i also brought cereal (they had milk today) and an apple. I also made myself a boysenberry jam sandwich in case i get peckish on my way home from work. I had a really good sleep last night too which is always a plus. Honestly, not having to rush in the mornings makes the whole day go at a nice pace.

This morning was really misty though, the sun's out now but visibility this morning was low. It was a very crisp morning being winter and all but that's definately the first time i've seen it so misty. Looked like a scene out of those scary fantasy movies where you walk into the haunted woods. Seriously, with just the skeleton of the trees lining the streets it really did look like that!

Okay, so yesterday i went and picked up the DVD player for Toby's mum's birthday. It costs a little more than we expected but we've decided to go halves so that's all good. We scored ourselves one of these players when Toby got me my camera (my precious FujiFilm FinePix S6500fd) for Christmas. It came with a special deal where you could send off for one of three things - a DVD player, an MP3 player or a Coffee Maker. We both have our own MP3 players and neither of us drink coffee so it was the obvious choice. He was so cute when he gave me my Christmas present. We were at the Wilson Christmas last year so we were staying at his Aunt's place (it's a massive house with a pool and spa etc so that's where all the festivities were to be held as well as where the entire clan was crashing). I had an awesome time, i met all of his cousins and relatives basically and got along with all of them. Anyway, somehow Toby and i got lucky and actually had a room to sleep in (every year it's a first come first serve basis but there's a lot of backyard so camping out is always an option). Anyway, we woke up early morning and wanted to exchange gifts before having to do it with everyone. I got him a Playstation 2 Eye-toy game that he really wanted called Anti-Grav. Basically you get to be on a hoverboard in the game and the movement of the board is control by your movement. VERY COOL...so next he gave me mine (now just a quick note, my camera had decided to crap out a day before that so i was quite upset about it all). First he gave me rechargeable batteries...i said thanks, this is really cool..almost not knowing how to react if that was the ONLY present he was going to give me. Then there was a second package..it was a set of camera accessories like a camera bag, a tripod and a 1GB memory card. I said thanks, but i already have a tripod and bag so he said..yeah, but i thought you might like the extra memory. So i smiled and said thanks..thinking that was it. But there was one last package...and he had a cheeky glint in his eyes..when i opened it i couldn't believe it, i honestly thought it was just the box. I was scared to touch it worried that i might break something but it was the most amazing camera and it was mine. I was so HAPPY..it's been glued to my hand ever since then...hehehe Yesh, i should have photos to show for it but i'm still trying to figure out how to watermark my work so be patient...all in due time. =P

I scored myself a new (well fairly new) cellphone the other day. I'm a big trademe (NZ version of ebay basically) fanatic so i'm always buying stuff. I've been wanting a new cellphone and finally decided to stop waiting for the Sidekick 3, it's going to take a while to get to NZ and have all the features. At the moment, if you get an unlocked version you can only call and text. I decided to get the Nokia 3650 for those of you who are phone crazy don't freak...i don't have a problem with using a phone that isn't the latest model. It has all the features that i want so that's all that matters to me. It even has more functions for its price i reckon, it has expandable memory which not all phones nowadays have. Anyway..it should be here in the next couple of days so i'm very excited!

Well, that might be all for today...have an awesome day...and don't forget to smile...

Much Love..

Fabulous...

2007-06-18T14:20:00.000+12:00

It's been an awesome day so far. I've been busy doing work so time is just flying by - just the way i like it really! I managed to get lots of sleep in the weekend so i'm feeling energized and ready to take on the world!

Oh i have awesome news...Toby and I found us a flatmate. She's a lovely girl from Welly who's moving up for the Massey campus (bigger and better) in Palmy! I'm so happy about it because it's been a weight on my mind for a while now. Toby and I shifted into our little apartment 2 years ago. It isn't the cheapest place to live but we were willing to pay for the privacy that we'd get. I was so tired of living with people so it was a breath of fresh air. But now, since i'm moving away, it was a toss up between Toby shifting out too and getting a cheaper place or us getting a flatmate. Those of you who know me would know how much of a fussy-pot i can be so although we've had quite a few interested people come round none of them have stood out in a good way. This girl however, i had a real good vibe when i first met her, she came with her mum which i think is so sweet and reminds me of me and my mum..hehehe..and she's been overseas. I say this a lot but it's only because i think it's so obvious - people who have gone out of their comfort zone, ie going overseas or even having the urge to see outside the world that they're used to often have a different demeanor as well as a fresh and open outlook on life in general. I love that...people like that ooze confidence and they're interesting, talking to them is a two way process...Anyway, she's been lovely so far so i'm looking forward to her moving in. I think Toby is going to be in Melbourne the weekend that she's moving and settling in so hopefully we'll get to bond and create perfect harmony in the flatmate realm hahaha...

At this very moment, i am waiting for Dori Fish to hurry up and be done with her shower...and for a certain Linny Lau to hurry up and come online too. I miss my girls, i was getting all sad the other day talking to Linny about it but i've realized that i have something to be happy about. I have two of the coolest best mates in the world so...why am i complaining?! I'd rather have them across the planet than to not have them at all. I've had the pleasure of meeting some seriously awesome people in my lifetime, i am very grateful but i am only 22 so i guess i've got many more people to meet...Damnation, i was thinking of becoming a hermit remember? There goes that plan...hahahaha

Toby's having his second last exam today so my fingers are crossed while i'm typing this. He's really looking forward to his trip to Melbourne too. I was talking to one of his mum's friends at lunch today. Funnily enough, just a background so you will understand why it is funny - now Toby's been writing for the Uni student paper, his column is called Popular Opinion. It is very provocative and naughty because the boy has a keen ability to create a logical argument when it comes to the most insane topics. His first entry was about how hippies were actually worse than the Nazis. You think that's impossible? You should read his article, he's very persuasive...ANYWAY...i was actually having lunch with my boss and his wife when Toby's mum's friend joined us. She asked me how i felt about Toby's articles, i said that he was warned to never mention me...she laughed. Then of course we had to explain to my boss and his wife what we were talking about...they thought it was so very amusing and i'm sure were wondering how me, Miss Goodie-Two-Shoes would have gotten caught up with this rogue hahah. Most poeple that have read his articles love it though; he is extremely witty and very skilled with language. We were over at his mum and her partner's place last night, we always have Sunday dinners with them and we got to talking about The Secret...yes yes i have recently gotten into it all but Toby, being the Science Geek thinks it's a load of hogwash but anyway...his mum was so cute. While we were having a heated discussion i walked into the kitchen where she was to get a glass of water after saying to Toby that as long as The Secret will work for someone and change their lives, why does it matter if it is scientifically proven or not? She giggled and whispered to me..."I'm so glad Toby has a girlfriend like you, you two are a good balance for each other." Isn't that just the sweetest? She's so lovely, her birthday is this weekend and Toby and i have a monster surprise planned. We're getting her a DVD player...I know it doesn't sound like much but she's a big movie buff and only has a VCR so now she'll be able to borrow DVDs too!! That reminds me, i have to go and have a look after work. That's one thing i am truly grateful for in this part of the world, everyone takes relatively good care of borrowed goods so borrowing DVDs from the library (normally costs like $2 at the very most) makes movies widely available and accessible to everybody. Not to be mean, but i can't see libraries back home having that facility...somehow, people would either use it to make pirated copies of movies to sell or something dodgy like that. I hope that someday they can set up the facilities for everyone's benefit though.

Right then...i might stop the happy ramblings here...i'm just having the nicest day...I hope you are too...

Much love..

One more..just in case...

2007-06-15T11:38:00.000+12:00

Hahahaha...remembering the last time i said that is making me giggle uncontrollably at the moment. An extremely awesome friend of mine kissed me and i'd fancied him for ages before that so i was so very shy when it happened but then just before i got out of his car, i said "one more, just in case" and kissed him. Aargh, i'm so embarassed thinking about it now because it was such a forward thing to do but he didn't mind...if anything he was very pleasantly surprised. (you know who you are...i hope you're doing well and we should catch up soon!!)

Anyway, in this case, i meant one more post because i'm probably not going to write in the weekend....this post is going to be about things that i luurve at the moment....

Let's see...I stumbled on an extremely talented dancer (athlete) known as Sofia Boutella. She's Algerian and extremely talented. I have so much respect for a chick that can do the things that she does. She use to be a gymnast but i'm not sure what she does nowadays. She isn't very famous but she is one of the key women Nike uses for their Nike Women ads. Here are some photos of her doing what she does best! She's such an inspiration!

Next...I am crazy about Napoleon Perdis (NP) make-up...A few months ago i was walking through Farmer's and got given a free make-over at the NP counter..i actually never heard of that brand before (I now know it is Australian) but who doesn't like getting made over!! So the chick there, Sarah, was so lovely and i explained that i don't like wearing loads of make-up but i like really nice eye make-up. She did a fabulous job really and i ended up buying a lot of the products:

I have the "gold" coloured lip gloss - It's called Cairo. It smells divine and goes on very well (the applicator is an actual brush) and is absolutely glorious because it has a light plumping agent (doesn't mean you look like your lips are bee stung) which fills in the grooves on your lips giving it a fuller look. I highly recommend the stuff!

The blush patrol blush is actually a blush and bronzer in one..it's so pretty that i feel bad for using it but the effect is so much nicer than normal blush. There's more of a shimmery glow. I use it as a base blush as well as an overall shimmer. The white tube is known as an Auto Primer. The NP rule is "Not to prime, is a crime" - this is a pre-foundation primer that creates a barrier between your skin and the make-up. In other words, no breakouts. I know that a lot of people say that you only get breakouts from using oil-base make-up but personally the skin on your face could be irritated by different things (bacteria in your make-up brush for example) so having the primer there really helps. It smells really lovely and goes on smoothly without leaving your face greasy but instead it helps make-up glide on.

I didn't get any NP eye make-up though, they come in little pots and i found them quite pricey and i normally don't use much more than black eyeliner and mascara but i'm definately going to go back and get some at some point. The pigments in them are higher so even on darker skin you can actually see the colour. There is also a way of blending the eye-shadow with a liquid base from NP that instantly makes the colours pop even more and lets you use your eyeshadow like liquid eyeliner. Oh i just remembered, i also have a NP charcoal eye liner...it goes on easily, can be smudged when it's first applied but then doesn't smudge easily once it's set. Perfecto!

Hmm what else...

I got converted into a Clinique fanatic at the start of the year. I tried Dr. Lewinn's for a while and it was good at the start but then i felt my skin was just plateauing. So i decided to go and get a Clinique 1-2-3 travel pack which costs me about NZ$50.

The set contained the cleansing bar, clarifying lotion, Dramitically Different Moisturising Gel and a bonus Total Turnaround Skin Renewer. The pack said that it would lasts for about 2 weeks, i used it for a month and am still using the cleansing bar. The stuff is great...it's important to suss out what your skin type is but once you've done that, the regiment is tailored to your needs.

I would have never thought i'd be comfortable using a bar of soap to cleanse my face but i've since gotten use to it and really like the clean feeling afterwards. It also is really good value for money because it lasts for a while. Next, you take a cotton pad and use your Clarifying Lotion like you'd use a toner. The idea is that this is an exfoliation process so if it stings a little you're alright. My Clinique facialists uses a 4 on me when she does my facials but i normally use a 3 everyday. The 4 stings a lot more but it also takes away more impurities. The stinging just means it's going really deep into the pores...of course you don't want need such an abrasive exfoliation everyday. Lastly, i slather on my DDMG...now there is a HUGE difference between the gel and the lotion. For those of you who have oily skin like me, the gel is a lifesaver. It leaves your skin feeling extremely hydrated without a sticky or greasy residue. It really feels like your skin drinks the stuff up.

Now the Total Turnaround Skin Renewer isn't part of the 3 step but it is a wonder product. You apply it before sleep because this is the time when your skin heals itself. It's a light moisturiser that speeds up regeneration so seriously, you wake up the next day and your skin feels awesome. There's a mask that is part of the Total Turnaround range that is perfect for a pamper day too. The make-up remover by Clinique is a treat to use... It's made up of liquid and oil so it's important to shake it before using it as the two parts tend to separate. It removes even the toughest stuff without tugging hard at the delicate skin around the eyes...fabulous!

One more Clinique product that i swear by...the High Impact Mascara. I scored a sample of this and was very very happy with the results. See, i'm not a fan of mascara that needs to be scrapped off...this stuff creates a long lasting effect and is water resistance but not waterproof so washing it off with water is easy as pie.

Gee...i wonder what else i can rave about...OMG...Of course...how could i possibly leave that out. I am a proud owner of the holy grail of hair straighteners - GHDs. Yes yes..they are so overpriced but i swear you know money was well spent everytime you use them. They are my prized possession and i can't think of a day that's gone by that i haven't used them. You can do more than just straighten hair, it's possible to do smooth and bouncy curls too. They heat up in 10 seconds and your good to go.

Since we're on the subject of things i love...i recently decided to buy the 20th Anniversary Collection of the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Go on laugh...Toby does, he thinks i'm some sort of sponge that absorbs everything Oprah says and worships the ground she walks on. NOT TRUE! The way i see it is, women nowadays don't have a lot of role models...i personally think that what she does and the differences she tries to make in the world are inspirational. I don't necessarily believe or agree 100% with everything she says but it does make you think and reassess your life and most importantly, be grateful everyday for what you have. I think everyone should know how to do that. I watched the 6 discs when i was sick last week and Toby came in to find me curled up on the couch crying a lot but its cathartic, you cry with the women who have face adversity and made it through another day. You feel strong with them and it helps you get through another day..

Damnation...

2007-06-15T10:29:00.000+12:00

Literally...i love this country really but darn Immigration is getting on my nerves. I handed in my work permit/visa application a month before its expiry date and found out today that if they don't process it by the expiry date, even if i am currently employed, i will have to stand down from my job for the duration it takes them to renew/extend my work permit. In other words, i'm not allowed to work if my work permit isn't valid. Now that makes sense but in my case, i sorted everything out as fast as i possibly could and now the ball is in their court. There is one way out of it though, if my current employer sends a letter informing them that the company cannot function without me and request urgency with regards to my work permit application. There's some statistics on the Immigration website that i find fairly amusing...For:

Work Permit
We will decide:

75% within 20 days

95% within 45 days

99% within 60 days

I want to pull my hair out...it is so frustrating!! Oh well..my boss is going to give them a ring after his meeting so hopefully i'll be a part of the 75% that gets considered within 20 days. Fingers crossed...

I got an email from my mum the other day asking if she could throw out my yearbooks from high school. Funnily enough, that period of my life was one of the worst ones but i felt a strong sense of nostalgia. Probably because while most of my time spent there was absolute hell, the bits of it that made it into the yearbook were the good parts. Choreographing and performing dances, winning speech competitions...I was telling Toby last night that i'm not quite sure how i made it through those times. I think now that i'm so much stronger than i was but at the time i didn't know what was in store, all i knew was what was around me and that was everyone telling me that i wouldn't make it...that i wasn't good enough. They use to tell me that i was such a show-off because i knew where i was going, i wasn't going to stick around in our hometown and they all thought that was the worse thing to wish for. I did what i said i wanted...i'm exactly where i want to be. No thank to any of those shits...I'm amazed that i managed to wake up everyday then and go to school and put up with all the abuse. Somehow i knew that i was made for other things...funny how with a little divine help even the worse possible circumstances are bearable...and you don't really notice it at the time, because if you did you wouldn't be able to cope. I notice it now though...i could have sunk into depression and probably tried suicide but those thoughts never even crossed my mind.

I think i was screwed up to some extent but isn't everyone? The point is to realize the problem and not take easy way out. It's the same with parents...i love mine with my heart and soul but i want to raise my kids a little differently than i was raised. Of couse, things like values and morals will be similar but i decided recently that i'm not going to smack my kids. I've always been a strong supporter of a light tap on the wrist actually...i can't believe that i'd ever think that was the right way to deal with kids but because most Malaysian kids grew up getting a smack every once and a while i figured it didn't hurt me so no biggie right? Now, in no way am i faulting my parents...they grew up in a different era and had a totally different upbringing to mine so they did what they thought was best. So i'm going to do that too...i decided that smacking my kids is basically telling them that violence is an okay punishment. It isn't...Some people think that giving a baby a smack is the easiet way to tell them not to do something but...it is also telling them at a very young age that pain will be inflicted by the one being that is their world at the moment. That's a disturbing thought...You train pets with treats so at the very least we could try that right? Hahaha...a lot of you would have heard me say when i was younger that i didn't want kids etc...i'm SO looking forward to having kids now. I'm scared too because this isn't the best world to be bringing them into but wouldn't it be awesome to be able to care for and pass your knowledge down to another being? Don't worry..i'm not pregnant and i still have quite a few things to achieve before i'm willing to go down that road but all i'm saying is...i'm excited. Hopefully as time goes by i'll get this excited about growing old..hahaha!

Ah..Not sure i can get anymore random than that...Hahaha...TGIF

Starvation...

2007-06-14T08:24:00.000+12:00

Good morning World!

At the moment, all i can think about are the hunger pangs slowly consuming me, belly first. In my attempt to save money i brought cereal in a plastic container with the intention of using the milk from work. 2 reasons - so that my cereal wouldn't be soggy once i get to work which is almost an hour later and because i don't drink coffee or tea, therefore making me entitled to my share of the milk. Right then, this is what amazes me. How can you not have a constant supply of milk for an office/common room this big. Apparently everyone use to head up to the 6th floor or something but since the shift we have our very own common room on our floor (3rd). It is mind-blowing and extremely frustrating that an educational facility like this one is incapable of accomplishing the simplest of tasks - milk supply. How hard is it to have a standing order or something seeing as there will always be a constant need throughout the year for it. Ah well...there really isn't anything i can do about it so i'm destined to eat my Cheerios dry...how sad is that!

I successfully made my first Hearty Beef Casserole last night and from the tiny amount i was able to pack and bring for lunch today i come to the conclusion that Toby and I eat a lot...well he eats for 4-5 people really hahaha...the recipe was meant to serive 4-6 people and we ate most of it last night. It was pretty yummy though..i might have to go score me a bread roll or something from the Cafeteria later to go with my leftover beef casserole lunch.

I wonder what i should do today. I want to have a look at the Nike Yoga range of stuff as i really need a new mat. I've been going to Yoga on and off for almost a month now and i must say i am seeing the benefits. I am still too scared to do a free head stand though but according to my instructor, the only thing stopping me is my mind not my body. Toby is so flexible, he use to do it while he was growing up because his mum was in to it. Damnation, that boy is good at anything and everything he sets his mind too. It's not fair hahaha some of us have to work our butts off. Anyway, back to the subject of yoga mats...I bought mine for $15 from The Warehouse (yes i'm a cheapskate, i didn't know how long i'd be interested). So, everytime i do a pose that requires traction i realize how crappy my mat it is - i slip all over the place. I can either invest in a nice new mat or some sticky hand/feet pads also known as Yoga Grips.

What else is new? I went to see my fave lecturer the other day. He was sick and a tad grumpy but still great to catch up with. You know, when your lecturers feel comfortable enough to swear in front of you, you've transcended the mere status of student. He's so funny and extremely sarcastic. I didn't get along with him at the start because he was very straight-to-the-point and like i said, sarcastic. He started warming up to me once the sarcasm was thrown back at him though. I remember one thing he said to me a while ago when we bumped into each other on concourse..."You haven't grown?" he said, i replied "Neither have you!". He's fairly short too so it was a bloody awesome comeback.

YAY! Two more days to the weekend. I went to bed at 8PM last night, yes yes yes, I'm a Nanna...i have been so very sleep deprived though. I keep telling myself that maybe if i start sleeping earlier i'll get more. Doesn't work that way does it...i end up waking up at 4.30AM feeling pretty energized then falling asleep and waking up two hours later feeling like shit. So, i've decided this weekend, i am making no plans...i am sleeping until i can't sleep anymore. Oh, something else that i'm REAL excited about...Toby has been busy with work and exams heaps lately and his last two exams are Monday and Tuesday next week. I have actually gotten quite use to going grocery shopping or normal shopping on my own a lot because of this and due to the fact that he doesn't enjoy the experience as much as i do. One time, when we were out shoe shopping he was yawning heaps and it seemed that i had to virtually drag him around by his ears. I asked, as most girlfriends do, the token question - "Do you want to go home?" and you know what he said...YES!! I stopped what i was doing and looked straight at him and asked one more time, willing him with my eyes as to what the appropriate answer was. LOL. Anyway, back to the reason why i'm excited...Toby promised that he'll do whatever i ask once his last exam is over. So that means he has to go shopping and isn't allowed to complain...YAY!!

It's like my life has no meaning anymore when i find myself this excited about all the little things. Hahaha...I'm having dinner with one of my girlfriends tonight which i am quite excited about too. She's lovely, her name's Jayme..and we use to work together. She's the funniest and the naughtiest by far. She's punched guys at the pub before and she's really not that much bigger than me. She makes boys cry, she drinks like a fish and is oh so protective of her girls. She only turned 18 this year but man she reminds me of the good ol' days. She calls me mummy a lot because i'm always the responsible one (what can i say...it comes with age..sheesh). She and Toby get along like a house on fire because they have similar humour. For example, calling people names and telling people off. It's extremely entertaining. So yeah...i'm going on a date with my Blue Jay tonight...what should i wear??

This is getting a bit long...hopefully you made it this far...Major prize anyone? Nah...not today hehehe...

Bitten by the Blog Bug

2007-06-13T08:33:00.000+12:00

I owe a lot of people an explanation regarding my disappearance...

For a while there i got tired of having an opinion. I got tired of censoring myself...and at the same time i decided that i really wasn't that interesting. Yes, i was having a good 'ol wallow in self pity for a while there but i'm back now. I've decided to keep the friendster blog open because i can't think of a better place to exhibit my poetry but...a new blog means a new start to me. We'll think of the consequences later...I think i will keep one rule though, no real names will be mentioned if i'm having a rant. Good rule, yeah i think so.

So, what's new with me? I finished my Bachelor of Communications in 2006 and was suppose to graduate in May but mum and dad couldn't make it so it has since been shifted/postponed to the November Graduation. (I will pause on this topic for a while because i need to vent...)

The lady in the other office, we shall call her Evilo...she drives me crazy. Do you know what just happened while i was typing this? I got a phone call regarding a student who needs an extension for an assignment because she got admitted to hospital. It's straightforward seeing as i have actually been a student before. All i had to do is locate the lecturer and talk to him. All i asked her for was info of his whereabouts and she has since 'avalanched' her way into my business...rang up the lady and asked dumb questions...making me look like a bimbo that can't even take a bloody message. I'm so sick of her...i've tried my hardest to be patient but when this happens it makes my blood boil. I am NOT incompetent, i can take a message and pass it on perfectly...if nothing else, that is one task that i'm good at seeing as i've done it since i was old enough to talk. Why do women like Evilo think that it's okay to make someone else feel so small? She is so tactless...doesn't that sort of wisdom come with age? She's ancient so i guess my theory is seriously faulted. I want to shake it out of her. It's people like her that probably make me wonder why blog in a way...why have an opinion? She has one and nobody cares about what she thinks. I know for a fact i don't but she doesn't seem to get my mallet sized hint. Instead she bombards anyone who will stand still for long enough with information that is irrelevant to their existence. Earlier when i'd first started the job she thought it was her duty and purpose in life to tell the STUDENTS that the school was in total chaos and none of this disorganization was her fault. It was all because she had to shift offices twice...She had to shift down the hall for crying out loud, it's NOT rocket science. I heard her rendition so many times that i swear it was going to be a trigger for me to snap and go columbine or something. How do some people do it without realizing what they're doing? Maybe people like her have a mild case of Asperger Syndrome. How else can you explain her ignorance to other people's feelings?

I think i'm done with that for a while...i'm praying hard for strength because i'm not going to be able to make it through the day without divine intervention. I'm going to escape to the common room for 2 minutes...be right back. Wasn't gone for long enogh, Damnation.

So back to the topif of life, graduation etc. So missing the May graduation was excruciating. I came home the first day and bawled my eyes out to poor Toby. I was trying to hold back because crying on the bus is just plain freaky unless your filming a music video. I had a massive cry and felt better after. I lost hope in the existence of reliable people...actually i still think that it's a lost cause a lot of the time. It's winter, i'm allowed to loathe everything for a little while everyday. Except i don't want to live the rest of my life complaining about something that i cannot change...I'm getting there, some days are harder than the others.

I'm currently at work, if you hadn't already gathered. I am a personal assistance to one of the Head of Schools at uni. Originally he hired me for a week or 2 because they were short staffed but then his Personal Assistant resigned and they were having trouble with getting a replacement. So hey presto, i have been at this job for almost 2 1/2 months now. Money is awesome because we get holiday pay straight up. I was sick all week last week though which means the coming pay will be a relatively small one. The week before that they managed to overpay me so they had to deduct the excess off the following week. In other words, since i'm trying to save money, i am broke. There are a couple of things that i want for myself but can't bring myself to spend the money. Sad..

(1) A Sony mylo - this gorgeous gadget is for going online, texting and skyping. It isn't a cellphone which is why i can't quite bring myself to buy one. It is so very cute though right?

(2) A Sidekick 3 - which is a cellphone. It has a Qwerty keypad, the screen doesn't just shift laterally it does a swigle..hahaha..Only problem is, i need one that in unlocked. They are so cool, i want one so badly.

(3) Last but not least, i want a HP TouchSmart desktop. It is a masterpiece. I have a picture of it on my desktop so that hopefully the laws of attraction will slowly draw one to me that suits my small budget.

It just sucks that because the screen is also a touchpad, it is so much more expensive. Like seriously, for the same amount of money i could get some awesome customizable specs on a Dell computer.

Enough with the salivating though. You'd be pleased to know that the impossible is in fact achievable. I have not bought a single pair of shoes or a single piece of clothing in a month. Me the person who goes out every weekend and sees shopping as a legitimate sport...I decided since i'm moving away that i should not buy anything major until i am sure of the weather. It gets so bloomin' cold in Palmy that it's really hard to explain/imagine. Auckland will be a significant change though. It's going to be an adventure alright...At least i can hope that warmer weather will mean less chances of me feeling blue and consequently falling ill. I have been sick so many times this year it's insane. I keep getting these darn chest infections that i'm tempted to pursue the lifestyle of a hermit. My doctor said that the only way to really protect yourself is by living a life of solitude. Boo hoo, people are entertainment, i wouldn't be able to survive. =P

I wonder if this is a sufficient post..if you made it this far, you have won a major prize!

Cheers,

Deb's Alter Ego

Come To Me...

2007-01-22T18:11:00.000+13:00

---Hail the Return of Chaos & Destruction---