small *BRIGHT* stories!

Well Hello there! Blog readers, are you ready for some short, sharp stories about my weekend adventures?
No?
Well i suggest stop reading this instant.

So it begins:
-Destination: Bright.
-Days: 4
-Attendees: i lost track
-To do: camp, explore, enjoy, relax, survive.
-Amenities: None.

*Bliss.*

*Everyone was arriving at random intervals during the day, so we decided to stay in town pottering around & exploring our new home. After starting off with a delicious breakfast of pesto toast, poached eggs, shredded beetroot & feta at a quaint little cafe called 'Coral Lee' (best.name.ever.) we began exploring. There was a huge market full of unpretentious country people, it was lovely. They sold everything from fleecey clothes, jams, chutneys, sheep skins, crepes to homemade soaps. There's something nice about wandering through a country market in the sunshine... except for the part where your annoying friend is trying to beat you up, push you into other people & try to make you fall over. Thankyou Captain Annoying!*

*Our campsite: was on a massive block of land. On one side was a pine forest. On the other side, was an old abandoned building. Oh yes, we definitely explored that! According to 'legend,' it was used for some crazy cult years ago. It was really quite strange. You walk into a big hall with bright blue carpet, a stage at the front & wood panel walls. There are two hallways running along the side each with multiple rooms coming off them. These smaller rooms have carpeted walls. I'm telling you, it was WEIRD. The rooms were maybe 3m x 3m, perhaps? The place had been trashed with the obligatory spray paint everywhere, broken windows & smashed walls. Strange. Very strange. I was hoping to find hidden treasure but all we found were some dead birds.*

*We set up our camp & started a bonfire. Super chilled, snacks, chats, toasting marshmallows, song writing, guitar playing & a full moon. Ahh, then there's that awkward moment when you are relaxing on a tarp, next to the bonfire, under the stars, sipping some American Honey whiskey, you roll over onto your stomach & the friend sitting next to you informs you that 'You have white, sticky marshmallow all over your bum.' Awesome. How did i try to fix it? By rubbing dirt into it. Fail!*

*Under the moonlight, we played 'Hide & Scare' in the forest. Everyone goes into the forest & then you have to hunt each other down & try to scare one another. The only problem with this is, it's dead quiet & you can hear someone creeping up on you from miles away. Except for that one time when i was walking along thinking i was being sneaky & my darling friend gave me the fright of my life. I screamed down the forest. 'ARGHHHH!' She got me good.*

*There is also a hedge maze near Bright. Usually, i am rubbish in a maze. Not this time! I think a highlight was finding the 2nd tower & waiting.. waiting..waiting for everyone else to find it 'Hey guys, what took you so long?!' We had a mini tower dance party & then moved on.*

*Possibly the biggest surprise of my weekend away was discovering that my friend has a fear of feathers. Oh the joy i got from this & will continue to get from this!*

*On the last afternoon we decided a trip up to Mt Hotham was in store. And boy was it amazing! Climbing the mountain along winding roads, it was getting colder & colder with each bend in the road. The views were spectacular! Mountains as far as the eye can see, hidden under a sea of clouds. Then, snow. It was actually snowing! The further up the mountain we got, the more snow there was. Looking out across the mountains, it looked like white frosting had been sprinkled everywhere, it was magical. We finally reached the top & it was absolutely freezing! But despite the icy'ness, it was so beautiful having snowflakes fall softly on our faces. Amazing. Beautiful. Mesmerising. Peaceful. We grabbed some snacks & hit up the pub. Overlooking the mountains, snow softly floating down from the sky, a guy playing guitar & singing us songs, it was the epitome of bliss.* 

*The mountains took away my breath :)*

xox

You Get Under My Skin

Dear Excellent Blog Readers :)

Do you know someone, have a friend or even just an acquaintance who just gets under your skin every time you are in 

contact with them?

Whether its a text, email, online chat, phone call or face to face.

Boy or girl.

I do.

Although, i would never admit that or tell you who.

I'll just continue to let you think I'm referring to you.

And by doing this, maybe i will get the upper hand over you.. but then, if you don't realise it's you, then it's my loss. Again. But we'll both never know.. have i lost you with that ramble?! I do believe i just did a full circle.

***
They always seem to have the upper hand & be one up on you.

Always.

You feel like you have to claw your way back to some form of normality & resistance only for them to irritate you again & again, shoot you down over & over.
Tearing you to shreds.
Teasing you.
Is that the best you've got? Come on.
Give it to me.
Do your worst.
***
Yet... all you want is more of it.
You are hungry for it, ravenous.
What's a bit of banter between friends?

You get under my skin & i hate it!
Or should that be, you get under my skin & i love it..

And for some idiotic reason i cannot for the life of me not react.

You know that saying 'Every action has a reaction.'
That's me to a tee.. well, only in this instance.

Usually, i can easily turn the reaction off so you would never know.. but this is something else.

Is it because I find them a challenge & therefore want more & more to do with them because i feel like i need to prove myself to them, even though i know i don't have to prove myself to anyone?

I'm going to go with.. Yes!
What would this blog be without a shout out to good ol' Blue Eyes, Mr Frank Sinatra?

I guess it would just be another blog really.
He sang 'I've got you under my skin...'
..and I do.

And ofcourse:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1AHec7sfZ8

Peace out Tiger.

xox

L O V E~

Before you start snickering... I'll say it first...

I am definitely not an expert on this subject, that is for damn sure!
Constantly doing the wrong thing or saying the wrong thing & failing everytime = me!

(hey... atleast I'm consistent!)

Now that I've got that out of the way, you can stop laughing at me.

Today's blog isn't about my life/experiences.

It's about friends getting engaged :) being adorable & loved up.

In the last week, i have heard of 4 couples getting engaged.

FOUR COUPLES!

That's 8 people, 4 sparkly engagement rings, 4 nervous guys, 4 proposals, 4 ecstatic, amazing, beautiful women... & the guys are pretty good too!

To say that there is so much love in the air right now...

is a massive understatement.

It seems there is love in the air & the water & the food in Melbourne right now.

Everyone is getting an injection of it in their lives right now in one way or another.

Whether it's friends getting engaged & you're over the moon happy for them or if it is in fact YOU!

It's beautiful! There's an overflow of it.

I am seriously losing track of who's single, who's dating, who's engaged, who just got married & who's expecting their first kid!

It's actually ridiculous. Ridiculously good, ofcourse.

So this is a celebration for them!

To all the beautiful, gorgeous, loved up couples out there...

CONGRATULATIONS!

Huge hugs & kisses galore to you from the bottom of my heart.

Love. Love. Love. And happiness. To infinity.

xox

SYDNEY Vs 2x MELBOURNIAN WOMEN

What can 2 young, single women get up to with 5 nights in Sydney?
A lot. You would think.

Here are some short stories:

*After arriving in Sydney & turning on my phone, i noticed a friend had suggested cocktails.

I was off to a good start & i hadn't even collected my bags yet!

We went to Shady Pines Saloon~ it was cool.

Recommended is the Buffalo Trace bourbon, straight & shot, it will not disappoint. I promise. 

Follow it up with some Mexican & you've

had a brilliant night!*

~Upon leaving the Saloon, your friend informs you of a big celebratory night they recently had here & how they woke up with a mysterious permanent marker in their pocket the following morning. Random. But then a couple days later, you are reflecting on this conversation & realise that on this particular celebratory night, your friend sent you this picture:

'Get back in line' ...i can't help but wonder if this in fact was my friends handy work~

*I had very inconspicuously hidden a spare set of keys for my Smash friend, who was yet to arrive, under a sign post in the middle of the road outside our apartment. It was genius. Who would look in the shrubs for keys? Here is the link to our place, its fantastic: http://www.stayz.com.au/17128 ~this is our actual apartment. Totally gorgeous & i want to show it off to you!*

*If you check out that link, you'll notice there are windows in the bathroom.. all I've got to say is, it's a little bit awkward when you shower with the windows wide open to let out the steam & while you are conditioning your hair, you look out across the way & you spot a family sitting down to dinner. You think 'hmm, if i can see them this easily... there's probably a 100% chance they can see me & I don't want to put them off their dinner.' Windows closed.*

*We hit up a 3 day convention while we were in town which was very pleasant. On day 1, we got told we were 'Striking' & that we 'Stood out from the crowd because we looked different to everyone else.' As for the style in general, it wasn't exactly out of this world but to be honest, i would have to say people do know how to put an outfit together & look suave. Whether its a red leather tie or a pair of baby blue pants teamed with navy jacket,

it was nicely put together.*

*Then there were drinks at the Novotel. Being surrounded by the beautiful people & not knowing many there, definitely makes one feel insanely shy! Yes. That would be me I'm referring to. (As in, the shy one.. not the beautiful one) So instead of being all up in someone's grill, i chilled in the background sipping frangelico & lime while observing.*

*The Food: Mexican, Italian, Japanese. Win.

There is an amazing Japanese restaurant down the road from our place. In true Japanese style when you walk in, you are greeted with 'Irashimase!' (Welcome) & if you have ever been to Japan, you would know that when you walk into a shop, you are always greeted with that.

We found a nice Italian place called Love Supreme. And boy did we love it!

http://lovesupreme.com.au/

Get the YABASTA or ORECCHIETTE.*
~Although we didn't get it, apparently the Leone is also good~

*We ventured out into the glorious sunshine cruising around the city & Hyde Park. To our surprise, we got tan lines! We also hit up a pier right near the Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge. We soaked up the sunshine & were interrupted by an American guy asking us to take photos of himself holding up signs with mushy messages of love on them for his girlfriend! It was adorable! I wanted in on the cuteness so i jumped in a photo with him & made a love heart with my hands :) He then went on to tell us his name was Steadman & he was in a band who are playing a gig at Hisense Arena in Melbourne this weekend & he would get us free tickets.*

*Hitting up one of our favourite little spots- Gusto's at Fiveways- for breakfast/ brunch catch ups with a mate from Melbourne was lovely. It had been a long time between lattes.*

*How could i forget! The Lowenbrau. German Pub. German Beer. 2x Melbournian~European descendant women. Yes. It was as tasty as i rememebered. http://www.lowenbrau.com.au/

Sitting there minding our own business, a group of guys walked in. I took this poor quality, sneaky photo.. who needs pants? Seriously.*

*I think thats about it for now.

Thanks Sydney.

xox

SICK/TWISTED/MIND

....and that's just the inner workings of me!

So i was emailing a couple of friends earlier in the week & we were discussing how it is often beneficial to keep a diary if you're going through a hard time/good time/rad time/bad time/glad time/sad time etc.

That sort of thing.

Not so much a diary you write in daily.

'Dear diary, today i wanted to sleep in, but noooo, i have to get up for stupid boring school...'

No. *Yawn.

I was talking more of a diary you write in when you needed to get something off your chest. 

Theres' something therapeutic about writing down all your thoughts, feelings, emotions that can help you deal with it.

Whether its something good or bad that's happening in your life.

Personal experience has taught me this.

ie: loves, hates, annoyances, sorrows, secrets (whether they are yours or someone elses!) who you wish you could punch/slap/kick in the face, hilarious experiences you have with your friends, sketches of aforementioned scenarios, even keeping photos in there that no one else should ever see.

Uh Huh. 

In high school I had a diary that I'd write in when things like

that came up.  

It was so good at the time!

Yes yes yes.

You have to absolutely write down every single detail/thought/emotion, no matter how wild/dumb/stupid/hurtful/idiotic/it feels, otherwise it will linger in your brain forEVER & drive you insane!

Get it all out.

Who cares what you say- you are the only person who will

be reading it. 

For some, it's about being ok to let go of something & knowing we've done everything absolutely humanly possible & in our strength to fix it/change it/whatever it.

It's all fine & dandy to believe something but it's another thing to actually accept it for ourselves.

This can take weeks, months or even years.

Physically writing our thoughts down.. can be somewhat soothing.

It's raw & unpretentious.

Its almost like a confession of someone who is vulnerable.

It's you.

...did i get somewhat off track?!

Back to it. 

I'd write about all my crushes & dumb stuff like that.

ie: 'Today walking down the corridor at school, *insert name here* called me 'babe' WOW! I was so stoked, I didn't think

he knew i existed!'

 Blah etc etc blah.

Utterly dumb teenage trash like that.

It was actually quite embarrassing to read years later.

I definitely also wrote about deeper more important things than that. This was purely an example.

As for my high school diary... i ended up burning it in our open fire place one night.

I figured, it was safer to burn the evidence.

..except for those photos i mentioned earlier.. i kept those.

XOX

ps- It was quite exhilarating to burn that!

THE LOVE OF MY LIFE.

I have 4.

Yes, 4 loves of my life.

one, two, three, four.

Simple as that!

Does that sound just a *little* bit greedy??

I figure, what's better than having 1 love of my life? ...well, having 4 of them, ofcourse darling!

The catch is, I don't want to share them~ so i guess that would be classed as greedy hey.

(Although, I am talking about them with you on my blog.. does that count as sharing them? Giving insight into them? Into the workings of my psyche? Maybe im not so greedy afterall)

It's ok to have 4... isn't it?

Who are they?

I thought you'd never ask! :)

Let me discuss:

Every now & then, you will meet someone who will completely blow you away.

Instantly.

That first impression will often set the benchmark for your future relationship with them.

You had fun with them & they left a huge impact on you.

From then on, the friendship & relationship can

only grow stronger.

No question about it. You are enamoured by them.

You want to see them every day & spend every waking

minute with them.

They are constantly on your mind. Morning, noon & night.

You want to love them, you want to smother them in kisses, you want to protect them, you want to help them, you want to always be there for them, if you could give them the world you would.

Then they do a small, simple gesture.

They smile at you.

They might hold your hand or give you a hug.

A kiss.

Just that little display of affection can keep your heart smiling for days, weeks, even months to come.

Every time you see them, whether it's often or not, you always experience a warm buzzing feeling deep down inside your heart.

Instantly a rush of endorphins flood over you.

You could be surrounded by a crowd of people, but in that very moment, nothing else matters except them.

The world around you is insignificant.

You are caught up in the moment!

I am ofcourse, talking about my 3 nieces & my 1 nephew.

The 4 loves of my life.

The very instant i met them after they were born, i felt

all of the above & more!

Instant, unselfish love.

I would do anything for those kids.
Anything.
No questions asked.
***
Im sorry if you got the wrong impression.
But i guess thats your fault for making such a wild assumption that i was in love with 4 men!

Thats just crazy.

ps- xox

THE DEVIL aka CANCER.

On a serious note.

Who hasn't been affected by someone who has had cancer?

I doubt any of you would be able to say 'Not I' to

the above question.

And if you can 100% honestly say that, you are one of the

luckiest people alive.

It almost feels like I've been around it my whole life.

Physically I haven't experienced it but personally I have.

A few too many times.

Actually you know what, I've been surrounded by death

my entire life.

Friends. Family. Loved ones.

~As I'm sure you can all relate to~

No one can escape it & no one can hide from it.

Recently i learned that someone who is very dear to me has just found out their mum has breast cancer.

I was choking back tears when i found out.

In that very moment, nothing else in my little

insignificant life mattered.

Nothing.

Not the stresses of work.

Not wondering if that cutie with the amazing smile actually

might like me.

Not a thing.

As I write the rough draft of this blog in my notebook (yes, I actually hand write it in a notebook first & edit it. Old school styles) I am currently sitting in a random cafe thinking & reminiscing about life & the people I've loved & lost.

Whether it's been because of cancer or another unforeseeable circumstance taking someone away too young.

MP3 player plugged into my ears drowning out the

world around me...

...Andrea Bocelli 'The Prayer' comes on.

Bloody hell.

The one song that makes me cry. Always.

*instant tears*

This is too much. I have to go.

Tell those who you love that you do.

To my darling girl friend.

Hang in there my love.

Infinity hugs, kisses & love.

You are not alone.

XOX

ps- I Love You.

"GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT"

Damn straight.

I lived this when i flew home from Sydney - Melbourne.
Flying Tiger, ofcourse, because I'm cheap.

(no.. not cheap in THAT way you dirty blog reader of mine! ..even though i do wear a handcuff bracelet.. but that's another story.)

After a ride in a taxi where the driver told me 'You need a husband with a good job & a good heart.' I Arrived at the airport.

Flight cancelled. Brilliant.

Line up at Tiger for almost... 2hours i think.

Patience is definitely a virtue.

There was an older chick a few people behind me who was having a rant on her mobile about how rubbish it all was, talking loudly, abruptly, annoyingly, swearing.. you get the point.

What are you going to do love?? Make a scene and look like an absolute idiot while doing so? Mission accomplished, sweetie.

So because i couldn't change the situation & i was definitely going to be in line for a long time, i made the most of it.

Earphones in. Music on. *Possibly dancing away to the beats.. not a care in the world!

Its my turn to go to the counter. I'm ecstatic!

Finally i get to find out if A: I'm getting on a flight home tonight. B: sleeping in the airport overnight. C:booking myself a train ticket home for the following day.

*PAUSE POST*

~here's a lil extra info for you: although my first & only (thus far..) boyfriend was 2.5years younger than me, i have ALWAYS been more attracted to older guys. ALWAYS.~

*RESUME POST*

I walk up to the counter. Lovely guy. I'd say in his 30's. Sparkly, friendly eyes. Dimples. Big smile.

I'm all friendly & start chatting away to him while he gets me onto a flight home that evening to Avalon airport. I'm stoked.

He's been working from 2pm - 9pm.

No break. No food. No nothing.

Poor love.

Hands me my boarding pass & apologises for the 2hr wait.

No worries mate, its not your fault :) have a good night.

I venture through to customs. Take off all my metal including my handcuff bracelet & place it in the x-ray tray.

'Scuse me Miss, but you can't take this bracelet on the plane with you because it is a replica of a weapon. If you want to keep it, you'll have to go back to the check in

counter & check your bags in.'

This, friends, is the LAST thing you want to hear.

I got this bracelet from the Portobello Road Markets in London.

I definitely am not giving it up.

I head back to check in. Fuming.

There are 2 lines. One for Tullamarine Airport & one

for Avalon Airport.

Now that i am checked in for Avalon Airport, i go straight to the front of the very short line.

My lovely check in guy comes over & is like 'Sorry guys, we're getting everyone all in the one queue now,

you'll have to move over there.'

I say 'You JUST checked me in, like 5 minutes ago.

I need to check in my bag please.'

He remembered me.

(I've discovered it pays to be friendly to your check in guy)

I am informed that because i haven't paid for luggage,

i am now up for $70.

They don't take eftpos.

Only cash or credit card.

Oh, and if you use credit card, it's an extra $6.

Lovely.

To lighten any situation, i always try to make someone laugh/smile.

'Looks like its credit card then.. unless you'll accept $15 cash?!'

Clearly joking with the gorgeous man.

He seemed to take a liking towards me and said

'In all the confusion... i *forgot* to charge you for the baggage.' :)

*SHOCKED! I actually gasped & had the biggest smile on my dial.

'You're a good man. Thankyou. Have a great night :) '

Also, there will be a couple more posts about Sydney.

In no particular order.

ps- I love you and i love Sydney.

XOX