my insides are warm and melty. Just like Chocolate Lava Cake

* Obnoxiously big, see it from space, GIANT, GIGANTIC, MONSTEROUSLY BIG smile.*

my apartment is a disaster. the kitchen table is covered in empty alcohol vessels. its an international party of course. The confederate burbon is doing the cha cha with the Taquilla, The Vodka is taking advantage of the cold privacy in the freezer with one Jack Daniels and the bottle of Gin sits empty beside the tonic (just as full) as if to say "at least we went down together"

Happy New Years indeed.

i have had an amazing christmas. and am spending the past few and the nest few days with my amazing boyfriend. Im happy, Im in love, i've got a whole lot of good vibes heading out there world, I hope your ready

Must keep this one short again my appologies but I will add to it. I can see a very cute man sleeping in a very funny position that I must go hug. im sure you understand. . . . * daydreaming. . . *

what I can say for certain is that skydiving. is. mind.blowing.

Ode to Le Mac-ers

Mac-ers or (mack-as) as pronounced by aussies means McDonalds.

Now whhhhhhyyyy ho whhhyyy would I write about micccky-dee's?

well let me tell you.

I GOT A NEW LAPTOP! Huzzah! and by new i mean used and by Got I mean bid on line and freakin won! pretty pumped,

refurbished 13' macbook for 400 bones. deal.

Sooooo I am in Mackers and have purchased my 2.60$ coffee and am abusing the crap out of their FREE WIFI .

score!

it would take up waaaaaaay too much of our pre paid internet at the house to download Skype and the likes so although its slower here. . .its well free. and ill take that. win.

SO now i can skype for free if i plan my time right!!!!

Whoop Whoop Canoodle!!!

Happy Merry Ho-Ho !

xo

Orion's Belt was Braided

I was out side looking not at my pieds but up at the stars. . . *******
it was really beautiful . . . i had a good laugh too, one of the good laughs where you only realize as your giggling into the night and that you are infact alone and your neighbors must think you are an absolute looney toon.

I noticed in the night sky the constellation Oberon. what made me laugh was that the moon light bouncing off the ocean was reflecting in the clouds so you could see them at night and the way they were hanging was looking asif he consellation was wearing a giant tie-dye t shirt and i just got a kick out of it. simple as that :)

Well im really missing my family and friends right now i can tell you that for sure. I think im going to cram all my baking in pretty last minute because im always at work ha ha ha so mama fair warning - im gonna rrrryyy not o . . . buuuutt you might wanna prepair for a few " Hi mumma do you have a second?" phone calls. I know you'll be busy too so ill do my best.

hmmmm in other news i've recently found out that im going to have a godson! i'm prey excited bout him, one of my longest and dearest friends is having a baby boy with her boyfriend and i think its really great. I know that i wouldn't be ready for something like that in my life right now but i definitely love the idea of having a baby around all the time that i can spoil and love and then as he grows get him cranked on sugar and send him home with a drum set and be the coooool aunty kitty. cant wait to hold that little man in my arms. . . a little mini lindsay but a wee lad. cute.cute.cute.cute. very happy about it.

weeeelllllllllll I think is time for me to take a shower and hop into bed. . .
OH - P.S - tonight i mentioned to the chef that I really wanted to try the garlic prawns on the menu and I left to bring some out and on my way back she waves me in AND MAKE ME A FREAKKIN PLAtE OF IT TO EAT! ohhhhhhhh OH it was so good. i cant even. . . .it was just so. . . oh yeahhhh.
she said " People who work, need to eat." she has a cool accent, definately someone i find so interesting. I think she grew up in Isreal to Russian parents. yeah try sounding that accent out.


okay but for real. time for some zee's

tomorrow mornings ill be 4 days from john's visit. my cheeks hurt from smiling when I talk to that boy. I could go on for days with stories of him but those, those my friends are mine alone to keep.














I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me.
I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.

Arg. once again room mate debates has put me out of sorts. I will not let this ruin my morning off but for flip sakes its deffinately tied my panties in the proverbial knot. Simply because you snore like a monster and sleep like a rock does not mean that I will go without sleep again. no no sir. if you think thats going to happen. you are sadly mistaken.
ANYHOO - Im going on line today to see what the world wide web has to offer me in terms of roomates and other living arrangements, our lease is up on the 7th and i need to get my fanny outta here and into another sort of living arrangement. im not too fussy, affordable and hopefully somewhere close to shopping centers so i can get me a yob (* thats 'job' i just sometimes pronounce the 'y' sound)
in the mean time, I might watch Jurrassic park. epic movie.

Christmas is just around the corner and i'd be lying if I said I was happy about it. I think this year i'm just gonna skip it all together and have a massive one next year. the room-mates and I are doing a christmas morning and im please to say that I am gathering a small pack of other gypsy travellers and we are going to have our OWN christmas dinner on the beach. (* if your in town by chance, we'll be on Coogee Beach dec 25th, at 6pm) everyone is bringing blankets and food to share. and Orphans pot luck christmas. it will be magic.
but lord liftin i miss my family.
alot.
all the time.
I cried on the phone the other day talking to my daddy. christmas isn't the same. . . its where your heart is and mine certainly isn't here.



I think i've decided what im going to do while im still here in aus. well that is if i get a new place to live ha ha ha but i think i'd like to stay and work and save and then my last month fly up the coast and then boogie on down the east coast back to sydney and fly on home.
oui?

Even a Small STAR shines in the darkness.

Good day this morning - I spent the better part of the day decorating Mellon Head in full christmas attire. I will point out that since I am cut from the same cloth as my mumsie, it would be ill form if I didn't first cover myself in all the decore I could find. so mum yes - I had tinsle everywhere. I climbed a latter and made garland wreaths for our freakin painted on watermelons on our sign outside. My manager told me she was really really glad to hear that I was thinking f staying in Coogee longer and that made me happy. alot of smiles and laughs today.

Tonight was one of my best nights so far. yes yes and oui bien sur!
I worked at the legion tonight which i like doing because its an excuse to dress up a little, make some soooolid coin and on some lucky nights (* like tonight) feel a little magic.
First tonight I met an older couple named Betty and John. jeeeez what lovely people. John insisted that I was German, which I clearly am not but we joked about it after, they asked about Canada and we spoke and joked for some time. they gave me great advice about traveling and I noticed that they were sitting at table 13.
* F to the Y all the way to the I - I was born on a friday the 13th, its been my lucky number for ever as well as my dads, that number pops up EVERYWHERE in my life and I love it. *

I informed them of my 13 love and that my boyfriends birthday also fell on the 13th and that John was his name too. We laughed about that for a little while and they did all those cute old people things like hold onto my arms when they were talking and sayin little jokes to me ect. ect.
what nice nice people.

And you know whats really nice about working in a fancy restaurant?
eating.
anything you can get your grubby little paws on. For instance - tonight I scarfed a red onion and feta pot pie like it ws going out of style. then I unhinged my jaw like a snake and had a tomatoe stuffed with mustard, avocado and shrimp. slap me now.
THEN.

oh then.
oohhhhhhh theennnnnn. . .
I was serving upstiars at the legion (*which i didnt even know HAD an upstairs) and the party ws for something to do with the catholic school board of sydney somthing something im not sure.
Anyhoo - they had the hall done up nicely with santa hats on chairs and antlers and other little party favours. so the food goes on and what not and im doing my little serving thing
when all of a sudden.
. . .
the party get bumpin'
seriously, music started and they all started dancing. one man was holding a hat with a whole punch of cut out stars, the size of you palm about. different colours on them with little words on them.
My star was blue.
LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT THIS STAR WOULD LEAD ME TO WHAT HAPPENED NEXT.

I was a little startled and surprised when they asked me to stay and dance. . .
. ..
well commmon.
its not like i could say nooo . . .
maybe just one. . .
just ooooonnnnne daaaannce. . . right?
right?
then the blue stars were called up.

moment of truth.

dance off.
seriously. im not jokin, not even a little.
dance off.
Theme - 50's Rock.

Oh sweet susan I kicked ass.

After twisting and cross stepping everywhere I was honoured with the "best dancer - rock'n'roll" honour.
The placed a crown of silver stars and twine on my head and I can only imagine I looked like a sweaty rock-n-roll type jesus.
They asked me to stay and dance so I said I would.
A man with a mic comes up to me and says " I need you to ask Fleix to dance"
so I scooped up the fake roses on the floor from the tango routine and gather them in a bouquet.
" theirs a special man out there - Felix, may I have this dance?" I asked bashfully into the mic.
and there from the crowd came my prince, the man who would sweep my off my feet, that I would dance the night away with. . .

The most awkward little asian fellow came up.
the only thing he was repeating in his thick accent - which I learned was Chinese - was " I dont know how" and "thank you" followed by alot of smiling.
He stood there not knowin what to do. both hands at about chest level looking like chicken wings. I held onto his hand and put the other one behind my back (*To alot of whoopin and cheerin for our dear felix) and the awkward dance began. I laughed and giggled and he stepped on my toes and said ' thank you' until the song was over. people cheered and I held up his hand in like a victorious boxer and Felix returned to the throng a champion. well done Felix my friend. I will never see you again but I certainly wont forget you.

I danced with ladies and gents most of the night and they fed me wine and were so so wonderful.
As I was leaving I was saying some good-bye's when everyone went silent.

" Well folks Im all done for the night and its time for me to head home but before I go I want to say Thank You all. really. For someone who is this far away from home for the first time and during this season especially when Im not with my family, I want to you to know that this was so much fun and that it really put me in the spirit. so thank you thank you thank you, you don't know what you've done for me by showing me such kindness."

. . . and then they started to clap.

I left and walked home with the biggest grin on my face. Some boy on the beach waved at me and gave me a grin. yup.still got it.


Never feel down, the world is beautiful. In every person there is good, there is light. There is a tiny dancer in all of us. Good people exist and they are all around us. everywhere you look.
Believe in yourself. Believe in the world. Smile at nothing. Smile at everything. Hug someone at LEAST once a day. smile when you walk. see who smiles back. love love love and never stop.

That day when a seagull poo'd on me.

Welll thats about it really. ha ha ha no but yesterday at the beach I was spending some quality time on the beach with Jill and some lovely lady friends from work and the four of us where lying on towels all side by side ( I was the third one in) and over head flawks some seagulls
splat
SPLAT
goes the poo.


pause.

ugh hey guys (*we are all face down thank jebus) . . . i think a bird just poo'd on me.


* Laughter unbounded
then the kleenex hunt began (*thanks Jill xo)

and that was my yesterday. and one of my lovely lady friends from work Beki is now gone up north home for christmas, I hope i see her again on my way back down but if I haven't I hope that she knows that she has made a HUGE impact on the time i've spend here in coogee. Beki was my first melonhead friend, the first person to show me around, the first one that i hung out with outside of work as friends. she has such a beautiful caring spirit and i've been so lucky to spend the time that I did with her. I think this is one of those life long friends thing <3

commmmon December. just a little quicker, a few more weeks. . . and a few days but whos counting right?

EXCITING NEWS FROM THE FRONT!

. . . I. . . me. . . Je. . . .have the whole apartment to myself for the night. . . !!!
I am very very excited. I love my room mates to death I do every single one of them but im so excited to have some alone time and just have some quiet time. I feel like everything in my life is so loud and tonight if i feel like being loud i will! and if i feel like being very quiet I WILL!! aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . . .^_^

Excuse me - where is the Legion club?

Weeeellll tonight was the first night for me at a new job, well a second job really, im still at mellon too but now Im also a server at the Coogee Legion Club. its pretty intense and im pretty tired so ill keep it short.

Just like any job on a first day I felt awkward and was constantly running things over in my head - peoples names, what plates get what sauces, all that jazz.
The whole place was buzzing at an 8th grade pace,
Everyone spoke to me like I was in the 5th
I was comprehending at a 4th
and slingin plates like a 3rd.
Alas, but things have to improve, I cant get any worse right?

also its pretty much money right away which is sweet, I worked 3 hours and walked out with like 80 bucks. big win, AND my manager asked me tonight when i can work and I said any nights and shes asked me to come back next Friday, Saturday and hopefully Sunday!

I tried to hide the "1st grade - someones parents brought in Tim Bits for your birthday - " size smile and waited until I was in the safe and darkness of the beach before giving myself the " oh hell yea!" followed by whoops and laughed and a little dancing. . . the kind I imagine gypsies doing . . . mixed with my mums " un huh go sister " fail proof moves. . . Im blessed. (mums dancing is legendary around friends and family).

Being in another kitchen definitely makes me look a the industry in general and man it really shows me what I do and Don't want in the kitchen. Im eager to meet and get to know the people i work with, especially in the kitchen. Tonight comprised of four people - The head chef - a lady that seemed angry or frustrated or just annoyed all the time. with an accent i cant figure out. - appetizer lady - older, like . . . golden years older. nice but I still have noooo idea what shes saying sometimes. - The salad, desserts and all the other fun jazz - a guy with a scorpion tattooed on his hand. - and the dishwasher who is super super nice with English as a second language. . . I wonder where he's from . . .

I got called Doll, I joked around with some people, shared some stories. . .
things are well.

On the way home tonight, I stopped and talked to a snail. it was small and crawling it way across he path at believe it or no - a snails pace. I stopped and bent down and said hi. I touched he little antenna and he shrunk into his shell, then when he noticed i wasn' there, he stuck them out super far as if he was looking to feel where I was. I've chosen to take that as a sign of affection.

Now im going to crawl my way into bed and curl up in a swirl of blankets. wake up lookin for another day.

Love is on your side
Coogee, NSW




these are the Mellon Heads I work with on our staff party!! party bus and after. . .um. . .quenching much thirst. . .

Oh! Decemeber! .. . . oh heeeey I didn't see you there!

And yet here you are!
you sly little fox you, you trixie little minx!
did you loose weight? you look trimmer than last year
oh December you little tease!

needless to say i'm excited its decemeber.
this is an exciting month!!!
I get to figure out what i'm going to do after this lease is up, go fruit picking, travel up north and hopefully learn to scuba dive!? who knows?! this world is my oyster! and im not sure if i like oysters but hot damn i'm likin them now!!

December also means that this month I finally get to see John again! we're going wine tasting and hiking in the blue mountains and SKYDIVING! awwwwwwwwwww yeeeeeeeeeahhhh!!!!! 14,000 ft. can you believe it?! hardy har har im so excited!

well its raining here today and its my day off so im still in bed thinking about the bucket list i've recently started.
Man Life is a trip xo

Sometimes I just smile when I walk

Today was good for a few reasons:

I was serving this lady in the morning and after I told her the total of her order she says
Sure thing sweetheart - and do i detect a Canadian accent?
You sure do
Oh I just love your country its so beautiful, I love to go holiday-ing there!
Oh thank you! Its really a beautiful country, im very proud, I love it very much
You know how I knew you were Canadian? Apart from your accent?
How?
You're just so polite. Canadian people in general are so polite.
oh jeeez! well thank you very much!!
your welcome sweetheart enjoy Australia!


Shortly thereafter I was talking to my manager (*Who is the boss's girlfriend. . . one of those people that you try to impress or at least I do anyways) and she said to me

When are you finished here?
ummmm 5?
no like finished finished
oh well im not sure yet but i've said the 27th because thats when John is coming and im not doing anything while he's here
oh yeah yeah but after that
. . . im not suuuuuure yet. . . my plans are up in the air-ish. . . If I were to say leave for a month and then come back and show up with empty pockets looking for a job . . . could I come back here? how do you guys feel about that kind of stuff?
Yeah of course, we're always Happy to have good staff back who know what they're doing
. . . *blink Blink* *__*
Mini ...(*thats her nickname) miiiiiiinnnnnnnniiiiiiii . . . .does this mean. ... YOUR SAYING THAT I KNOW WHAT IM DOING?! (*cue big giant smile and stars in my eyes)
maybe
YEAAAAAHHH!!!! I KNOW WHAT IM DOING, IM DOING THINGS RIGHT, YOU LIKE ME!!!!
YOU TOTALLY LIKE ME WOOOOHOOOOOOo!!!
*staring at the coffee machine* okay fine maybe a little
*victorious arms in air*

Its getting to be nicer at work. after being there almost two months, im pretty much a "senior" staff member which is kind of funny but its cool, i've training a few people and can make thing everything on the menu without looking which means that i'm on smoothies most of the time which has its own sort of lame hierarchy (sp?) in the way that if who ever is doing the smoothies asks for something, someone else pretty much right away gets it for you like if the ice needs filling or the ice cream needs to be switched or you need someone to fill up the puree bottles. . . its kind of nice. Still brutal pay but I put in my 9 hrs a day almost and I come home tired but i like my days off and im hoping tomorrow to go to the zoo and see the baby elephant <3 class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Divine. I love mangoes.

Gloomy wet sunday doesn't mean its a bad day.


p.s - the rock formation in the ocean just off the coast that I can see when I walk ever day is called "the wedding cake" island. oh flipping cute is that

Granny aint happy.

Look stupid neighbours upstairs -> It is almost two oclock in the Effing morning. Since my room mate and I are sleeping in different rooms due to snore city, I find myself happily camped out in the family room.
Now i've had my parties and pisssed off my fair share of neighbours so i'm not gonna be "that guy" who calls the cops or bark up into the dark night some hateful and resentful demands but dude. I dont care "how 80's " this song is or how "so shoulder pads" it might be.
Look Bowie Rocked the 80's get over it.
and I love me some Bowie - one of my favorite pre-show backstage warm up and dance songs is without a question " young Americans" but seriously. seriously.

SHUT UP!!
angry.
RAWRRRRR!
rage.
I promised myself I would never be "that neighbour"
-anger at realising that last statement IS me at the moment



I've long since had my cup of tea, my glass of milk and my too many cookies okay? Nanna over here is gonna feel like death in the morning and look it too ( maybe once warmed over)
im gonna have to haul my little muffins outta bed. . . or off of mattress on floor. . . and work 9 hours okay? so while your prayin to the porcelain god tomorrow morning -no wait - today. Just know that you should thank your lucky stars bub and bib (* i figure thats what ill call the girl voice) that one certain little lady down here is working because i would LOVE to get up extra early and BLAST with all power given to me the LONGEST list of show tunes I can find.
Little Shop of Horrors? yeah I got that
Les Mes? Bring it.
Rent - dont even tempt me.

FEEL MY MUSICAL WRATH! FEeEEEEeeeeLLLLlllll it you inconsiderate poops!




*silence on the western front*



*blink. Blink.*

more silence.
oh sweet mama could it be??



SILENCE STILL! OOOOUIIII!!!

im gonna hop back on to matress and hit the hay while I can!

GRANDMAS EVERYWHERE REJOICE! I have beaten the young whipper-snappers at their own game!!!!

Kitty 1 weiners 0


oh no.
dear god please.
no.
Oasis.
*eye twitch*
wonderwall.
*cringe*
one of many drunken people anthems.
*shudder*
my criptonite.
0_o
and off tune.
end it.
right now.
Im not even drinking and i wanna vomit.



I am ever resiliant. they couldn't make it through. perfect.
your lucky neighbours. I didnt call the police. . . i also couldnt find their number.


consider this a warning. a totally unknown to you, none verbal lashing of epic porportions.
I bid you adieu
good day and good morning . . . jerks ( not you, i like you very much. thats to the upstairs hooligans)

p.s - i've been called alot worse from neighbours. but they were very mean. Im not like that, ill just not be verry happy with you and never know your face and wont ever do anythinga bout it so really calling you a jerk on my bloggity blog is getting off easy. your welcome.




*sigh* I didn't mean it. I know my mother would say to a grumbling slouched over me right now " common kasoleen you're better than that"
soooo your not jerks. but I dont like you very much right now. there.

no im not dead yet.

RAWR!!!

thats it blog. i've had it. enough with this peanut paying job (* i think if i was ACTUALLY paid in peanuts that i would in fact be MAKING money.)

Today I am going out and getting a new job. I can Feeeeeeel it in my bones!

not too much new other than that, been working every day, womp womp
but I did treat myself to a few cute new little articles of clothing and feel very very good about them can you say very high waisted shorts? win.
okay more to come soon i promise
xoxoxo

Thats why they call it a good friday

Today was wonderful. One of those days where things just gooo your way.
tanfastic. no. not quite tan. . . more like desert rose. . . or blushing school girl. . . or a salmon mousse cake. . . you get the point. Im pink, okay pinky red.
and my back is a little toy-te
BUT today was a fantastic surf day!! the waves were decently small and I STOOD UP FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!
WOHOOOO!!!! WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP! ah I was so stoked, I rode the whole way in with my arms in the air somewhere between victoriously air pumping, raising the roof and trying to keep balance. Needless to say I looked like a total pro. :D ah ha ha ha ha!!!
after that we came home, did a little grocery run and now im sitting in good company with burgers a cookin, old cheddar a meltin, guac in the bowl and chips in the buns.

(** Please PLEASE put chips in all your foods. food with extra texture is heaven. pure bliss. I promise you try adding crunch to your food. like this- Burger= french fries or chips. Fajita = tortilla chips and so on and so on. it will change your life. and before you get all huffy puffy about how bad that is for you. . . well your porbably going to eat a few chips or fries in process of food making so lets just cut ou the middle man and roll it into one! one love. )


*Food Break*


as we walked home from groceries today, my back felt a little tender. .. .you see im not a very accurate sunscreen applicator. . . the places on my back and body that have gotten a mild splatter are covered in well exactly that. but a sun burn. I have marks of where individual fingers were its kind of funny. anyways, as my back was feeling a little sore, we found a shopping cart! just abandoned in the road!! so we loaded the bags back on and away we went home!

Now im ready for bed, quick glass of milk and of fine twist my arm a cookie or two.
sweet dreams bloggy blog
I only wish you the best

Four score and One month ago . . .

Weeeellllllllll yesterday was the one month mark of being in Australia.
Twas spent surfing at Bondi Beach which was by far the hardest day I've had out. not that I've had many but oh man this one was tough, the waves weren't breaking cleanly and they were Sa-mokin' me in every direction. Molly and I were smacked around and I've got a nasty bruise on the underneath of my right arm, little cuts here and there and my right hip looks like a banana past its prime. Barely made it out past the break, only a few times but that was better than not at all. I did manage to ride on my knees again a few times and that was pretty boss. :)

The weather here has been pretty crumby with grey skies and rain all.the.time.
In fact, today as I finished work, I popped into an internet cafe for a little skype date . . . a fantastic 2 hr skype date. . . and just as I was getting ready to leave, a jar of thunder beans rolled off the big table in the sky and crashed open. The water wall that held the thunder beans shattered and fell all over our beach town. . . I decided to try my luck and pop into the corner store.
I figured I could try my luck and see if i couldn't find an umbrella or at least a blow up raft to paddle home in.
Didn't exactly find what I was looking for but I DID find a rain poncho!
a one size fits all, three snap clear poncho!
Wearing this bad boy made me look like the most flamboyant wizard in the world.
A wizard who when choosing a robe decided that size was much more important than style.
but none the less, it got me home much dryer than i would have been without it. therefore i am thankful and letting it dry right now in the bathroom for tomorrow morning.
its still thundering and lightening - ing. . . ? outside.
i'll slip off to bed soon, im awfully tired and after all,
tomorrow is another day.

Oodilla-lee Oodilla-lee golly what a day!

today I awoke with a spring in my step, today was my day off and I was going surfing.
until we checked the swell. .. not pretty.
ill be honest I was pretty dummed out. . .
however! luckily our new friend Shadoe from Manitoba had a wicked idea to go see the Sydney opera house and the botanical gardens, take about an adventure!!! fantastic day today!


For two drama nerds like us. . . this is basically heaven.








The gardens - this is a cockatoo my friends, it loooooves to eat bread. and if it thinks you have any, they will fly at you and land on you. where ever they want. they are prrrretty cute as you can see.

Bean a Month.

well its been a month to the day that I kissed my parents goodbye. cried a little bit today. Love you guys and miss you so much .

Love is all around my friends, I feel it in my Bones. xo



This is a magnificent little lady and she'll melt your heart :


http://www.youtube.com/user/itsmeagansmith




kaytea mai

A daily bowl of Guacamole aint bad.

Arg. Im sorry for not writting or a while. please blog dont take it personally. The truth is i've had alot of feelings to write about and every time I think to blog its because im grumpy or frustrated and im not going to take that out on you my friend, its not your fault. that being said, I am infact very frustrated. frustrated and tired.
I wont go into details because I dont need to really but their is tension on this side of the globe, the southern hemisphere to be more specific and in a little town called Coogee in NSW Australia to be precise.
My room mate snores. not like the gentle whistle of you father after a beer in a comfy chair "watching" the news on CBC. no NO.
(*For the Record. that reference is in fact in relation to my daddy-o and his snoozing habbits. I swear if you even dare as to so touch the remote, he wakes with a " huh? HUmmM? No no Katie. . .Im . . . im watching that. . . " what a guy <3 *)
BUT NO - this snoring dear blog is more like the hungry growl of a grizzly bear. . . maybe the mating call of a moose? . . . needless to say that though no fault of his own, I have been suffering from many a sleepness nights.
My room mate and I have been arguing about how to go about solving this problem and we've come to a standstill. and not an amicable one ill admit.
soooo for the past week or so i've been sleeping in bed until about 2 or 3 am before accepting defeat and grumpily and half dragging myself out of the room to sleep on the two person love seat or better yet, the kitchen floor/living room.
The love seat is tricky. if you sleep with your head on the arm rest you wake up with such a stiff body that you might as well walk around with your arms straight out drooling and slurring "braaaains" because well lets be honest. you look like a zombie. . . BUT if you DONT sleep with your head on the head rest then you get to curl yourself into positions that even body contortionists would say " how the hell . . .wheres that leg? . . . thats impossible she cant even. . . well ill be damned. . . " I tried it. couldn't bend down all day.
SO. instead of being angry and tired. i've decided to be diplomatic and fair.
Tonight, I am taking the mattress off the bed.
pulling it into my boudoir (* that means my bedroom or in this case the kitchen)
and am sleeping their. if he has a problem with it then by all means, sleep on the mattress. in the kitchen.
I'll sleep on the box spring in the bed room. no problem-o cause frankly, anything is better than the past few nights.

End of Rant.


ITS NOVEMBER! can you believe it bloggy blog?!
soon will mark the ne month of my adventure begining!! this also means one month until I get a visit from a certain someone. . . ^_^ and a month closer to christmas. *tinge of homesickness* but I am resolved to keep in good spirits. I am working loads and although its not very much money I am being a total tight wad and a stingy you know what. BUT this is a blessng in disguise as im saving money and cooking more and tring new recipies. on a totally unrelated topic - my favorite sushi restaurant has made me a preferred customer. . . twise.
look we all have our vises. mine happens to be for that freakin delicious restaurant UGH! they have a convayer belt of food running past you at all times, all these tasty plates one after the other. . . you want it? just take it... its yours. mmmmmmmm . . .sushi. . . NO . . . KEEP > . . . BLogGiNg!
I have two days off this week and the weather is looking prime fr surfing. HOORAY!!!! im soo excited to get back out on the water. . . one of the roomies and I watched JAWS on tv the other day . . . dont ask why.
Im not afraid of sharks tho . . . is that because I am brave. . .or maybe because Im not smart enough to be scarred of them. . . ah well ill okay with which ever one it is :)

Yesterday was the Melbourne Cup. a Horse race of giant hat porportion. Being home after work and broke as all get out, One of the roomies and I dressed up to the nines, poured a glass of Goone wine (* thats what the locals call the cheap wine that you get in boxes) placed our bets on two horses each and set off hootin and hollerin at the tv. I picked Harris Tweed and Once Were Wild. I did not win.
good run though!




I saw a lady in line the other day give 2$ to another lady, a stranger to her who was short the two bones. I watched the interaction and smiled all day. Its nice to know that even though you cross paths with people everyday who make you frustrated, that their are good people in the world. Love is all around, its everywhere you look.
Do me a favour, Find someone and tell them you love them. Right meow.
It's gonna feel awesome I promise.

Bonjour Mr Tim Tam!

Next time you go to the grocery store.
NAY before you continue to read this blog entry please PLEASE go out and purchase a package of cookies, I promise its within your best interest.
They are called Tim Tam's
I recommend Dark chocolate as I am a sucker for dark chocolate.

This part is important - their is very specific etiquette to eating this little morsels of heaven. The last thing you'd ant to do is offend someone who is. . . well lets say a Tim Tam pro (* On a slightly grosser side note you'd be apauled at how fast I can wolf half a pack of these puppies back. wowza! )
And so what if you dont come across tim tam experts often, this can be a cool party trick and you'll be the envy of all your friends.
I've taken some pictures to help demonstrate. . .lets see if ic an make them work now. . .
be nice, it was my day off and yes I enjoyed rolling around in pyjamas all day except when i went to the beach and burnt my legs in a very awkward way where half of each is burnt with a straight line from where i was sitting . . . the classic " oh this ? ha ha ha it doesn't hurt and yes i know it looks funny and no im not from around here and no that isn't my skin peeling off im just shedding, we do that in canada ha ha ha! im ging home to cry now and rub aloe on the scarlet pigment that is my body hee hee hee"
oh being burnt.
OK here it goes:











Ah the Tim Tam (in the back round you will notice a green key chain from the sushi restaurant that made me a preferred customer. so good. and surf wax, also so good )

pretty girl, pretty cookie

Step 1 - bite off just the corner of the timmy tammy

see?

Step 2 - repeat to OPPOSITE side. that is very important.






MORE TO COME! xo

an Ode to our kitchen sink.

we are not friends.
Now kitchen sink I realize that in fact we are little more than strangers but lets be serious for a minute here.
you're something of a jerk and I don't appreciate it. not one bit.
Today I attacked the pile of dishes anxiously sitting and waiting on your steel side surface. The pile, eager to be plopped into the hot soapy bath water ( which for dishes I figure is very spa like, giant hot bath, a cleaning, brush massage, hot water rinse off and a relaxing air dry in a rack. a RACK for heavens sake! that's like a bed for them!)
I digress.
As I go about preparing the day spa for our dishes, I patiently wait while the water turns to hot water. . . BUT as per usual, and what seems to be the case with almost every faucet in Australia that I've come across (* and ESPECIALLY in our apartment) the water always taps out (see what i did there. . . TAPS . . .a ha! I'll stop.) at luke warm. tops.

Now sink, I understand. sometimes it really must be a challenge to work up the energy to heat water. I also understand that it is not necessarily your fault for the lack of hot water and that this might be simply a shooting of the proverbial messenger but sink, do you have ANY idea how frustrating it is to wash dishes in water that isn't even hot enough to cook a hot dog in?! and not only that but dishes take FOREVER to dry when you rinse them with cool water! ( I would too if I took cold showers . . . oh wait.)

but thats nothing compaired to your pressure.
Now I'm all for fun and jokes and yes the first four times you gushed water so hard that it soaked my shirt and got me in the face were a little less than hilarious but in the opposite direction, the sucking force of the water leaving our sink in enough to rip the skin right off your hands. I think my hands have less freckles on them now then when I started. I am convinced in fact that the sheer brute force of our sink's draining system is what most people refer to as the EAC (East Australian Currant) its really the only explanation . . .

So Sink here it is. I just don't think that its going to work between us. its not you, its me.
no
wait
it is you.
But I think you're a really special person . . . and I promise to still come around but lets just focus on being professional and cordial, I promise not to curse and loath you if you just do what you can to make this a fast, and hot experience for both of us.

Sincerely,

Katie May

the happiest honey in the comb

This week - very good week.

Two days ago we hit up Maroubra beach to surf. it was an absolutely beautiful day filled with sun and sand and waves. Now i'm not going to try and make it seem like i'm some sort of surf prodigy. I am not. I certainly am not.
But I did get up on my knees a few times! which was an accomplishment on its own.
Maybe it was the chocolate milkshake before hand (*which in retrospect was not a good idea) but or dear Jillian wasn't as lucky with the waves. . . but even with a few hits to the noggin (*Thats what I call your head, your tete, melon etc ) she did tremendously well and we are both very excited to go out again.
THAT BEING SAID!!!

*****EXCITING NEWS BREAK

I bought a surfboard.
YES YES YES AND WIN TO THE MAX.
It is beautiful.
Its Light blue, 7 ft
I got it for a STEAL
AND haggled the price down 50 bucks.
Board, leash, wax and a carry bag - 250$.
Boo ya.


We went out for a steak dinner. . .a 5$ steak dinner. yeah in a land where a pumpkin is 25 $ A FLIPPIN PUMPKIN (* I was more than outraged) you can get a steak dinner for 5 bones.

and now I begin the rest of the evening in the fort constructed out of the two mattresses from our room into the middle of our living room. Yes we made a fort and I am more than aware that I am officially cooler now than i was when I was ten. We are far more resourceful and creative than when we were then. its called 'Bonnie Dun' and its from a really funny move called the castle, totally Australian and totally heart warming.

All in all. a good day and Love all around.
<3



Okay Ocean, you and I are gonna be good friends. . .I can tell. ^__^

Regrets.

Something happened yesterday.
Something i've never experienced before. Don't freak out mum and dad i'm alright, really it's not that bad. . .

Yesterday I tried the HOTTEST chili paste in my mouth. I mean it. . . all in the name of respect, honor and street cred
( which innit of itself (*did i spell that right?... can i put brackets in brackets . . . ) is the most valuable thing you can attach to your name really . . . accept maybe Dr.)
*** Those of you who dont know what "street Cred" is - let me illuminate you. Street cred or Street Credibility is like an instant cool, like once you say you've done it - whatever it is, you're instantly legit (legitimate - think legitimately coool) with me?

here's how it went down:

Im working with the owner of the place and two girls who are more senior than me. I = newbie and as such eager to make a good name for myself at work. soooo here it goes:

Owner: Hey Kate, you like chilies?
Me: No, not really.
Owner: Wanna take the chili challenge?
Me: . . .
G1: dont. do. it.
G2: do it.
G1: dont do it. I'd never do it. its stupid.
G2: I did it and ill be honest it was the worst thing i've ever tasted.
Me: what do i get if i do it skeptical
Owner: respect.
Me: yeah ill do it.

And he hands me this spoon. just a small unassuming plastic spoon, no different than one you'd find at any coffee shop (or sconewitch) with a a shallow little bowl on the end. a spoon whose sole purpose was to be used as a paddle in a coffee for 3 seconds. . . just a tiny plastic spoon.

not today.
not this spoon.
OH NO, this little spoon held a drop on it. no bigger than the size of any standard opening to a mustard twist-top top. the liquid was a dark red, dark dark red and slightly brown.

Relief at the size of the drop was instantly replaced with fear as; with all things in life, the smaller means the deadlier the serum.
I tentatively raised the spoon to my mouth -
- Dont! dont let it touch your lips. trust me.
Tongue out. one lick, two licks to get it all.
pause
heat
HoT
TiNgLe
FIRE
F I R E
F.I.R.E!
PANIC
PAIN
at this point my face has turned the colour of gazpacho and tears are starting to roll down my cheeks
DizZy
hands in the ice bucket and into my mouth
stomping on floor
DizZy
Chugging of Milk
more ice
more milk
DizZy
Heavy breathing followed by my three companions Milk, Ice and of course - DizZy.
Sitting in the cold fridge at work with a 700 ML glass of whole milk and a handful of ice.
. . .
I eventually start seeing straight again and I weakly stand up to go to the bathroom and blow my nose . . . and maybe check my pants 0_o

I walked back into work and everyone sympathetically 'oooh'ed and 'oooooouu'ed.
it took about half an hour to calm down and every time i burped, a small fire goblin blew fire up my lungs and ribs and filled my belly again.
the rest of the afternoon i was plagued with a wierdo pain under the bottom few of the ribs on my left side. . . on the way home ( about 10 minutes) i had to stop and sit down and then kept walking. Then stop. Book it into a public bathroom to unleash the fire goblin in my belly into the toilet via my mouth. oh and the milk. I know im sorry that is really gross but that's what happened.
I went home and continued having the most intense and crazy pains in my upper stomach / lower ribs i've ever had, Luckily that man of mine is so smart and expertly insisted that I drink a lot of water. a lot. after an hour or so of the spasms, they stopped. nothing since.

now in retrospect I laugh but holy sweet mama that hurt.

It burned.
I puked.
Street cred acquired.
I Can Laugh now.
worth it.

Lets go surfin now everybodys learnin how come on a safari with meeee

YEAH! today is supposed to be 24 out so the gang is headed to the beach, we all have the day off so its lookin like a surfin safari hopefully! Nothing much to report so far. turns out that the job i was very excited for pays me basically peanuts and way less than the minimum wage so the job hunt continues. ill keep it for the moment as little money is better than none comming in but i am hopeful and possitive that I will find a well or better paying job. soon. after surfing.
Its funny to see how expensive things are here, example - pack of smokes (* I don't smoke but one of the boys does) are approx 17-20$ a pack. *barf* HOWEVER - pack of four lamb burgers - 5$. not too bad eh?
I was minorly yelled at at work a few times but it was NOT my fault - when australians say "kate" it sounds like "Kay-ay-t" witch also sounds like "mate" or "kay" so while im standing there someones going "kayt kayt KAYT" and obviously im not thinking they are yelling at me until. .. oh grumble they absolutely are.
*Delicious side note - at the smoothing juice place, you can make whatever you want to eat and drink basically and I made a fruit crush that was ice, blueberries, passion Fruit and watermelon. . . . welcome to heaven. a heaven with anti-oxidents in it. bliss.
Im starting to feel poetic about the ocean, its nice to have something to feel poetic about again. OH - they ahve these things on the beach called Blue Bottles. they are a small jelly fish type thing but with trianglular ish shaped butts that are full with a clear . . . something I assume is liquid and you not supposed to touch them. i've been meaning to ask someone but i think ill just look it up now. Donald got a piece stuck betweeen his toes and said that they went numb. .. must look into it.
Will post pictures soooooooon

Now that i'm farther away taht i've ever been, im sending all my love and even more and harder and further and with more conviction than ever.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE

Must jet, I hear the waves callin

I Fell Asleep In an Endless Black See and Woke Up With That Big Ol Sun a Chasin Me.

HELLO FROM COOGEE!!!!
Hooray im here!
everything is going really well and i'm safe and sound!
The apartement is really cute and its half a block from the ocean.. . . hellooo heaven.
In the early morning I can hear the waves crashing on the beach, its pure bliss.
The apartement is called Sunny Side how nice is that

Stoked to announce that after 2 hours in the country that I have a job! wahoo!! Its a place called Mellonhead and its natural juices and the likes. lots of fruit and vegitables and they seem like really nice laid back people. they warned me that they get busy. . . .like buuuusssssyyyy and I assured them that that was nothing im not used to ( after fridays in the summer at sconewitch. . . ) sooo!
tomorrow at 10am (* right now where I am its 12:10 lunch time on thursday) is my first shift. mucho excited!
Jill and Donald have herd back from places too - Job City!

Man coffee is complicated here. someone got frustrated with me when I said " oh just regular coffee is fine" lets put it this way - A double double = short white with sugar.
REGARDLESS - I am happily sipping a tasty tasty coffee with the first job of the house in a tank top in october. I can walk to work everyday on the Beach and I think about the people I love in my life everyday.
La vie Est Belle.

Oh baby flap those wings

This is the song thats on my mind right now if you care to giver a listen on Youtube,

the group is Passion Pit and the song is Little Secrets

It really makes me excited and it will be what I'm listening to while I stride threw the airport looking like a proud little blonde sherpa. ^__^

Weeeelllllll this is it folks!

So long Ottawa and Hellllooooo Australia . . . well in a day or two. . . yes two. womp womp.

BUT! - I think i'm ready for the plane, I've packed my life into MPG and she is looking great, i've got my canadian flags sewn on to everything, I have a killer carry on bag ready including brain puzzles (*Thanks Mike and Helen >

Theirs only two last untied strings - the overwhelming knot in my throat of leaving my family, friends and love here and going far (*or in some cases farthER) away.

the second is not picking up sour dinos at bulk barn. . . rookie mistake.

Lucky for me that love travels and is in the hearts of everyone I leave. I know ill be back and then just think of the love in that room . . . love overload! LOVERLOAD!

I like the sounds of that

Happy Birthday Momma, your last birdie is flyin the coop!

Tootle -Ooo everyone! take care of yourselves and those around you! Be good, Be safe!

And now, I throw myself to the Wind. . .

I wouldn't be who I am without you

And most of the time I don't know who 'you' are.

I feel very lucky in my life to ( threw some twist of fate) have met some truly wonderful people and in some cases; not meet them at all.

Last Friday I was waiting at 5 am in the Ottawa airport for a flight to Detroit and from there a connecting flight to LA for the weekend.

As I slowly snaked through the security line, took off my boots, got felt up briskly but briefly and continued down the escalator to every Canadian travelers next destination - Tim Hortons, My only thoughts were

Ahhhhh CAmmmooNNN this line up is BS!

BUT - the call for a large green tea with nothing it was stronger than I was. So I waited.

I anxiously looked at the clock, and back at the line. then back at the clock until FINALLY it was my turn. Katie May's time to shine.

approx. T minus 1 minute to tea and bliss and a sleepy flight.

" Attention all passengers - Paging Passenger . . . "

. . . dear god no. . . it couldn't possibly be . . .

"Kathleen . . . "

OHHHHH * selection of various curse words* !!?@$!#

And with this (and without ordering ) I booked it in my Vintage red leather pointy toed boots

( Before you start - I know. they don't exactly scream "sensible traveller" but Common, they are vintage! red leather! cowgirl-esque! with a little heel to them! I had to. I stand by my decision. and they are Fabulous.)

I get close to the gate I need to be at and doing the classic - Im in heels, small, fast steps around a corner run

Think of an E-brake turn in a car but the car is me. (I'd be a Yaris in case your wondering. probably red . . .anyways)

The young guy at the gate says

Yeah your flight is boarded and just waiting for you to take off.

*Blink Blink* . . . oh god. . . oh no . . . ohhh friiiggg. . .

Get running, through those doors.

So i book it. I get into a long hall way and ^Cue dramatic black out^ I have three doors in front of me. and Nobody around.

All three take me in different directions meaning that a slip up would result in A) missing the flight or B) making a plane full of strangers hate me more than they might right now.

I looked out the window and funny enough the WHOLE ground crew are standing their staring at me motioning for me to come down.

So again I start the high heel E-braking around corners ramp decent into the bitter morning air to climb up the stairs and slip into my seat and the plane CLEARLY last and mumbling " sorry " s and quiet awkward smiles and little laughs between blushing and bumbling.

Flustered, I sit down and put my seat belt on not wanting to look at anyone. . .

*Ugh . . . I'm THAT guy*

you all know the one. That one person in a situation where you look at them and think

"pppfffttt the nerve" or " Really buddy? common. have some sense I cant believe you . . . "

or other less polite thoughts. . . .

About 30 seconds after, the same young guy who paged me on the intercom pops his head into the plane and spots me, comes over and puts a coffee in my hands.

" The ladies behind you in line at Tim Hortons saw you running and they bought you this - Have a good flight"

and left.

Totally dumbfounded I sat in my seat bewildered and in awe of what just happened. Silent tears started running down my cheeks and I clutched the coffee like the treasure it was.

Thank you Ladies. whoever you are and wherever you are. I will never never forget you.

I think it's always funny the people you meet and the places you go.

The flight from Detroit to LA was delayed by a good couple hours and in then I met a lovely gentlemen Named Bob who was destined to Hawaii to celebrate his 40th anniversary with his wife. Its so refreshing in a world like ours to hear that true love still lives. Congrats to you my friend Bob I hope it was just as beautiful as the years with your wife have been and many many more.

I couldn't have asked for a better seat mate on the way to LA than Paul. For four or five hours this wonderful man became my instant friend and I can safely say that that flight was in my top 5 favorite flights of all time. the whole time was filled with stimulating conversation, discussion, the best snack the plane had to offer ( ugh thank you again Paul, your such a gem) and stories. my god the best stories about everything and nothing, some important and some (*mostly mine) senseless rambling. Thank you for the advice and the insight, it is very much appreciated. I truly hope that at some time in my life that our paths cross again.

People like Paul, and Bob and those ladies certainly don't come along everyday and Im so so lucky to have met them. Thank you world.

As I still here slurping my tea, I get ready for bed knowing and thankful that I'm a lucky lucky girl.

Next time your going threw a drive threw - kindly ask the person working what the car behind you had. if it doesn't put you out too much, pay for them.

It the nicest thing you can do and i've been trying to consciously do it for years. its just some spare change for us and you've totally made someone else's day. you never have to see them or talk to them you just drive away know you've done your good deed for the day.

Spread the love. it isn't hard and trust me. It means the world to the receiver.

Victory

Taken by richard hope of hope photography just this morning. 14 days and counting . . .

Hellloooo Sconewitch

Oh blerk.

I'm starting to see things at work with a longer expiry date than I have.
Holy sweet mother this is really happening.
I have three weekends left on this continent. One - party weekend. Two - Weekend in LA. Three - weekend with the family. Ohhhhh booyyyy. . . .
Im starting to realise now how little to absolutely no money I have. . . too many things that I definately didn't take into account and am now starting to reeeeaaalllly freak out about.
Being in my early twenties I've started the whole " If i just ignore it maybe it will go away. . . * squeeze eyes shut and plug my ears* "
not so.
sooooo if anyone out there feels like making me a millionaire I wont say no. there. just putting it out there.

On the plus side! I have started to pack! my 80 lt bag now contains every bathing suit I own, my flip flops and some summer dresses. heeeellllooooooo professionalism.
Oh mercy the next few weeks are going to be mayhem.
just need to focus and keep it all together. . . that should be easy. . . like nailing Jello to a tree. . .

RESOLVE - This week I WILL be productive if it kills me.

Every Birdies Gotta Fly

Well we're getting closer, everyday, every week . . .

I was at work today and I asked Meghanwitch " If I was a bird, what kind of bird would I be?"

She thought about it for a little while, smiled and said " Mmmm. . . you my dear, would be a Goldfinch." And went back to sorting lettuce. Beautiful people those witches are. I'm trying to remember the address of where I can send them things from my adventures in my head just incase I cant find my book or something.

I just re-read that and I sound like a nut job. Oh father you must be so proud of your little girls writing n'est pas? What I truly meant was - should I loose my address book I'd like to be able to still send them things. there.

I took Mon Petit Grenouille (MPG) out for the first test run with great success! I took it ( I haven't decided if its a boy or girl yet) to work with me and then after work carried it to the grocery store with Alexwitch and Filled the whole 80 ltrs! it was crazy! packed to the tits! ( does that make it a girl? . .. Is it bad to say "tits" on a blog?? . . . flip sorry mum)

But im takin full like whole case of Ginger Ale in it too! I took a picture and ill try to post it, another blog first.

But speaking of FTTT ( full to the . . . well you know) Sona called me last night and we talked about packing and all that jazz and in true older sister style she said

Katie, you DO know how to pack right?

Um. . .well yeah. . .sort of. . .

Oh kate *laughs* Okay, put everything you want to take with you. Put it on your bed. Now cut it in half.

Unhuh . . .

Now Cut that in half.

yikes.

Yeah. Now put that in your bag. Three days later, take it all out again . . .

no. . .

and put it on your bed. . .

NooOOooOOOooOO.

and Cut THAT in half.

o_O thats a little drastic isn't it. . . (* thats my wide eyes and mild stroke or cardiac arrest face)

Trust me. When I was backpacking in China I was pissed about having a bag on my back and a small one in front of me too. Its a lot easier to get things while your down there than try and get ride of things once your there.

Touche sister, your wise.

Thinking of things that i'm not sure if i want to bring like a black and silver pin stripe apron for serving just incase kind of thing. . . or a black dress serving shirt. . . things that could be useful but if not used serve absolutely no purpose. . . hmmm lets try this picture thing.