Well its a nice day Brisbane today, as opposed to the last week where its been pretty rainy and overcast. Of course, on a nice day like this I find out that I have a 4000 word case study to write by next Monday - yes, that's seven days away - which is worth SIXTY PERCENT of my mark for this subject. My god. I won't be going outside for a little while I think.
So why am I blogging? Well it isn't as bad as it looks. I'm not REALLY procrastinating, because this is part of my plan. I haven't written anything in a while, so I have kind of lost the "roll", if you will. You know when you are on a roll when you are writing - you feel the words flowing, you feel inspired, and you don't go "Oooooh GROAN... can't someone else do this for me?" I'd like to avoid that as much as possible. So in a sense I'm flexing my writing muscles. See? Its not so bad.
Anyway - I'm off to figure out what theory I'm going to use, research it, and understand it enough to make it look like I know what I'm talking about to other people :-P FUN!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Whatcha doooooiin?
So living in Brisbane is nice. The weather is mostly quite lovely, the city is nice and city-like. I have good company at home, and most of the people at work are nice. I have boss issues, but that's ok cos I'm job hunting ...
The thing is that I really quite miss the ability to just go and visit people. I'm also scared that when I go back, things won't be the same - new friends might have turned into aquaintances etc. I guess that's the compromise I've made.
The funny thing is, I think I'd one day like to move to Wales. How much more impossible will it be to spontaneously visit my friends, or sister, or parents? I think I may be crazy. I think the thought of moving away, and the thought of my friends and family are just kept in crazy seperate parts of my mind, and I refuse to accept that by moving away, I'll lose the ability to see everyone I want: why can't I have my cake, and eat it too? Mmm... cake.
Speaking of cake - did you know its very hard to lose weight when the only person you are really accountable to is your boyfriend who would eat everything in Woolworths every day if he had the chance? True story.
Anyways. There isn't much more to update on. I've got nothing to rant about - nothing I want on the internet anyway, so I think that's it for now.
In summary:
Much love,
Manda
The thing is that I really quite miss the ability to just go and visit people. I'm also scared that when I go back, things won't be the same - new friends might have turned into aquaintances etc. I guess that's the compromise I've made.
The funny thing is, I think I'd one day like to move to Wales. How much more impossible will it be to spontaneously visit my friends, or sister, or parents? I think I may be crazy. I think the thought of moving away, and the thought of my friends and family are just kept in crazy seperate parts of my mind, and I refuse to accept that by moving away, I'll lose the ability to see everyone I want: why can't I have my cake, and eat it too? Mmm... cake.
Speaking of cake - did you know its very hard to lose weight when the only person you are really accountable to is your boyfriend who would eat everything in Woolworths every day if he had the chance? True story.
Anyways. There isn't much more to update on. I've got nothing to rant about - nothing I want on the internet anyway, so I think that's it for now.
In summary:
- Miss my friends and family
- Want to move to Wales
- Want to eat cake
- Have skinny boyfriend
Much love,
Manda
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
In the Brisbane
So I've moved to Brisbane with the Nannal. We live in an awesome apartment in the city centre, pretty close to Queen Street mall, and closer to Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley (the Valley, as its apparently known).
I've even got a job in the reception downstairs... That's right - my commute to work has turned from 2 1/2 hours when I was working at Haigh's, to 2 minutes (and that's only if the lifts are being slow)! Mental...
The city is lovely - right on a river, lots of nice buildings, and friendly people (although they are terrible at walking in a straight line!). I don't want to compare it to Adelaide, because they are so different in my mind. I love Adelaide so much - I can picture the streets, the skyline, and the little lanes so well - so I won't compare the two because it might make me sad. Not that Brisbane isn't great, but its like comparing a new friend to your mother - its just not the same! Not bad, but not the same!
The funniest thing about my life at the moment is that I never ever planned this. From all my lists and dreams over the years, I never once thought that I'd move to Brisbane because my boyfriend got a job up here. Especially getting a job in maintenance... not exactly the line of work that you associate with moving up in the world! But its certainly worked out that way. And he's got prospects, he enjoys his work (although never as much as his free time), and he has a shiny new car to dote on.
I suppose its just funny that no matter how much you plan and worry and all that, things will have a way of just happening. I like to picture an all knowing me sitting above me looking down and just laughing, shaking her head knowingly as I plan and plot my future. She knows what's going to happen, but hey, why spoil the fun of list making and dreaming?
Not that I don't believe that if I set my mind to something I can't make it happen, just that sometimes the unexpected is just as good as anything I plan, and that I have to admit that I DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING!
But ssh. I'd like to keep the impression that I do, in fact, know everything. Lol... That's a whole other issue.
Anyway I'm going to go clean my very uncluttered and clean house - YAY! (New places that you brought 10% of your belongings to are very easy to clean by the way, just so you know).
xx
I've even got a job in the reception downstairs... That's right - my commute to work has turned from 2 1/2 hours when I was working at Haigh's, to 2 minutes (and that's only if the lifts are being slow)! Mental...
The city is lovely - right on a river, lots of nice buildings, and friendly people (although they are terrible at walking in a straight line!). I don't want to compare it to Adelaide, because they are so different in my mind. I love Adelaide so much - I can picture the streets, the skyline, and the little lanes so well - so I won't compare the two because it might make me sad. Not that Brisbane isn't great, but its like comparing a new friend to your mother - its just not the same! Not bad, but not the same!
The funniest thing about my life at the moment is that I never ever planned this. From all my lists and dreams over the years, I never once thought that I'd move to Brisbane because my boyfriend got a job up here. Especially getting a job in maintenance... not exactly the line of work that you associate with moving up in the world! But its certainly worked out that way. And he's got prospects, he enjoys his work (although never as much as his free time), and he has a shiny new car to dote on.
I suppose its just funny that no matter how much you plan and worry and all that, things will have a way of just happening. I like to picture an all knowing me sitting above me looking down and just laughing, shaking her head knowingly as I plan and plot my future. She knows what's going to happen, but hey, why spoil the fun of list making and dreaming?
Not that I don't believe that if I set my mind to something I can't make it happen, just that sometimes the unexpected is just as good as anything I plan, and that I have to admit that I DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING!
But ssh. I'd like to keep the impression that I do, in fact, know everything. Lol... That's a whole other issue.
Anyway I'm going to go clean my very uncluttered and clean house - YAY! (New places that you brought 10% of your belongings to are very easy to clean by the way, just so you know).
xx
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Working and Studying
The other day I had a little bit of an argument with Nannal. From his perspective it was probably nothing - just him teasing me. But for me it was a bit of a sting. See, he complained about the amount of money that he's been putting in the bills account relative to how much I contribute. Since he earns about 90% of our combined income I thought that was fair, but he said that I should be doing more around here... I wanted to slap, but I didn't.
Here are my go-to excuses.
1) I am studying at the moment. Granted, this argument is not very persuasive if I've just finished a solid day procrastinating ... but I think its a valid reason.
2) He spent a whole year mooching off me. He wasn't earning any money, he wasn't studying, and he didn't do that much cleaning. Ok, he did the dishes most of the time. But still. All he really did was play world of warcraft.
3) I DO a lot around here. The only time anything is ever cleaned is if I do it. The only time the random scattered booze bottles are ever cleared away (despite the fact that they are never mine) is when I do it. The only time the bathroom is cleaned (granted, that's not that often... bathrooms are smelly) is when I do it. The only time the clothes are picked up and sorted is when I do it. I could go on... So I DO a lot. He does very little - so nyeh.
4) Nyeh.
Ok the last one is probably not a very effective argument, but still.
I think I'm justified. Besides, it isn't like I haven't tried to get a better job. I have been applying for all manner of work since I finished my first degree. I've tried in all three levels of government. I've tried for big companies. I've tried for work interstate. I've tried in other retail positions. I've tried and tried and am sick of being knocked back. I'm the most qualified chocolate seller you can find.
But right now I think I'm pretty happy to be working in a chocolate shop a few times a week (although this coming week I only have ONE shift! Gah), while studying criminology - an area of study that is probably more likely to get me work than plain old anthropology (although I still love you Anthro!)
Le sigh. If only I could get paid for study (not by centrelink) and for doing genealogy. If only I could just paint stuff and have it sold for $300 a pop. If only I could go to sleep, and let my fingers write a brilliant piece of prose and then get published and rich. Sadly, I think I am going to have to work a bit harder for these things.
Now I might go off and analyse my life in terms of the criminal opportunities available to me and the social controls that prevent me from taking these opportunities... Or, I could study...
Here are my go-to excuses.
1) I am studying at the moment. Granted, this argument is not very persuasive if I've just finished a solid day procrastinating ... but I think its a valid reason.
2) He spent a whole year mooching off me. He wasn't earning any money, he wasn't studying, and he didn't do that much cleaning. Ok, he did the dishes most of the time. But still. All he really did was play world of warcraft.
3) I DO a lot around here. The only time anything is ever cleaned is if I do it. The only time the random scattered booze bottles are ever cleared away (despite the fact that they are never mine) is when I do it. The only time the bathroom is cleaned (granted, that's not that often... bathrooms are smelly) is when I do it. The only time the clothes are picked up and sorted is when I do it. I could go on... So I DO a lot. He does very little - so nyeh.
4) Nyeh.
Ok the last one is probably not a very effective argument, but still.
I think I'm justified. Besides, it isn't like I haven't tried to get a better job. I have been applying for all manner of work since I finished my first degree. I've tried in all three levels of government. I've tried for big companies. I've tried for work interstate. I've tried in other retail positions. I've tried and tried and am sick of being knocked back. I'm the most qualified chocolate seller you can find.
But right now I think I'm pretty happy to be working in a chocolate shop a few times a week (although this coming week I only have ONE shift! Gah), while studying criminology - an area of study that is probably more likely to get me work than plain old anthropology (although I still love you Anthro!)
Le sigh. If only I could get paid for study (not by centrelink) and for doing genealogy. If only I could just paint stuff and have it sold for $300 a pop. If only I could go to sleep, and let my fingers write a brilliant piece of prose and then get published and rich. Sadly, I think I am going to have to work a bit harder for these things.
Now I might go off and analyse my life in terms of the criminal opportunities available to me and the social controls that prevent me from taking these opportunities... Or, I could study...
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Who'da thunk?
Who would have thought that my last post would be post number 60? This is definately the longest I've stuck to a single blog. I think that deserves a virtual round of applause - *applause*
It is almost the end of April, so I thought I'd break the cycle of only blogging once a month by blogging today - which, if your maths is as good as mine (read: you can add 1 and 1), makes TWO whole posts so far in this single month. Wow. I'm on fire.
Do I have anything to talk about of substance? Well not really. Except that I just saw Zombieland and thought it was really, really awesome. I absolutely loved the way they developed the characters, the darkness turned funny (which works sometimes in films but mostly not), the hilarious bit with Bill Murray and the ending. The end was a touch predictable, but I didn't care. Mostly because I did care about the characters and think the world that was created for them is so awesome that I wanted it to keep going.
Now, who would have thought that I would love a zombie movie other than Sean of the Dead?
In other news I have been thinking a lot about crime and criminogenic needs and all that stuff. I have to do an essay soon about a local crime problem. Given that I live in the Barossa I was thinking of doing something to do with alcohol abuse... But I thought it might be easier to go with illicit drug abuse among young people. We are supposed to look at the issue from two different theoretical perspectives, and I'm finding it difficult to choose between them! I'm fairly sure I'll choose conflict criminology because it is basically made for issues to do with drug use and criminality. But the second one is harder. This would be where, if I had blog readers, I would ask the masses to vote on a few options... But, seeing as I only have me, and I can't be arsed going through all the possible perspectives for the sake of a blog that no one reads, I won't. :P
Which brings me to another, if somewhat related point. Why do I bother to write this blog at all (even if it is only very rarely) if no one ever reads it? How can I have 61 posts, with no comments, and no views, and still have any motivation to write it? Well. I guess that's the difference between this blog and others I've started. This blog isn't about views. This blog is about me. When I feel like writing, I don't want to write on a word document, because that is too much like being productive. I want to write on a colourful space about the things I like. I don't want to have to be paranoid about upholding my reputation in regards to correct spelling and grammar. I don't want to worry about spelling wierd wrong.
WEIRD WEIRD WIERD WIERD who cares?! Its a stupid word anyway. I resort to saying 'odd' nowadays. Damn English.
Aaaanyway. That is enough procrastination for one day. Oddly enough (hehe- odd), writing this has put me in the mood to be productive. And so I shall.
Farewell!
It is almost the end of April, so I thought I'd break the cycle of only blogging once a month by blogging today - which, if your maths is as good as mine (read: you can add 1 and 1), makes TWO whole posts so far in this single month. Wow. I'm on fire.
Do I have anything to talk about of substance? Well not really. Except that I just saw Zombieland and thought it was really, really awesome. I absolutely loved the way they developed the characters, the darkness turned funny (which works sometimes in films but mostly not), the hilarious bit with Bill Murray and the ending. The end was a touch predictable, but I didn't care. Mostly because I did care about the characters and think the world that was created for them is so awesome that I wanted it to keep going.
Now, who would have thought that I would love a zombie movie other than Sean of the Dead?
In other news I have been thinking a lot about crime and criminogenic needs and all that stuff. I have to do an essay soon about a local crime problem. Given that I live in the Barossa I was thinking of doing something to do with alcohol abuse... But I thought it might be easier to go with illicit drug abuse among young people. We are supposed to look at the issue from two different theoretical perspectives, and I'm finding it difficult to choose between them! I'm fairly sure I'll choose conflict criminology because it is basically made for issues to do with drug use and criminality. But the second one is harder. This would be where, if I had blog readers, I would ask the masses to vote on a few options... But, seeing as I only have me, and I can't be arsed going through all the possible perspectives for the sake of a blog that no one reads, I won't. :P
Which brings me to another, if somewhat related point. Why do I bother to write this blog at all (even if it is only very rarely) if no one ever reads it? How can I have 61 posts, with no comments, and no views, and still have any motivation to write it? Well. I guess that's the difference between this blog and others I've started. This blog isn't about views. This blog is about me. When I feel like writing, I don't want to write on a word document, because that is too much like being productive. I want to write on a colourful space about the things I like. I don't want to have to be paranoid about upholding my reputation in regards to correct spelling and grammar. I don't want to worry about spelling wierd wrong.
WEIRD WEIRD WIERD WIERD who cares?! Its a stupid word anyway. I resort to saying 'odd' nowadays. Damn English.
Aaaanyway. That is enough procrastination for one day. Oddly enough (hehe- odd), writing this has put me in the mood to be productive. And so I shall.
Farewell!
Monday, April 26, 2010
BEDA for me is BEMI2010
For those who don't know, my title means "Blog-Every-Day-in-April for me is Blog-Every-Month-In-2010", as I seem to log on once a month for the most part.
I just thought I would check in. I know I actually thought of something to write in my blog about 2 days ago, but alas I didn't write it down and now I can't remember what I thought was so blog worthy.
So here is a life update:
Those life possibilities I was talking about last month: Well, they haven't eventuated ... yet. I'm still hopeful, but Nannal isn't. Regardless, a change is coming because whether what we thought was initially going to happen comes about or not, Nannal is looking to change. You can only work in a place where you are constantly treading water and banging your head against the wall/tightass-shortsighted-management for so long before you move on.
Uni: My graduate certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice is going relatively well. I haven't been the best at keeping up with weekly contributions on the discussion board, but I've definately been doing the readings and enjoying them for the most part. I think the main reason I forget to log on and commit my thoughts to ... well, not paper, but forum ... is because I do the readings, write some notes and have a 'tutorial' sort of discussion in my head. Then I guess I subconsciously tick that box without actually using those thoughts for a discussion with other people online. Woops. Silly brain.
I did hand in my first piece of work for the degree the other day though. It was an odd feeling because I had to submit it twice: a virtual copy, and a paper copy. The online submission was pretty easy - you just fill in a form and then upload the file and away you go. The paper one was weirder. Because it was too late for me to post it up to the campus, I had to do a Remote Area Print (or RAP ... hehe). That means that I had to add money to my printing account, and basically do the same thing as the online submission (upload document with a form) and then trust that the people who do all the work on the other end will print it out and get it to the course marker.
It is very odd trusting all this stuff to the internet. Its like the first time you transfer funds electronically - you feel like you've just sent all this money into cyber space and you aren't sure it will actually get to where it is supposed to go until you check with them that it has.
Weight: I can't remember if I actually mentioned this on the blog or not, but I joined weight watchers with some people at work, and it is going relatively well. I have lost about 9.5 kilos in total, which is just over 10% of my starting weight (yes for those of you with a gift of maths I weighed 94.4 when I started - shutup! :P). I'm actually very proud of my progress and optimistic that I can continue on and get down to my goal weight. I have lost almost 15cm around my hips, which sounds massive, and makes me feel pretty good. I also keep glancing myself in the mirror when I get changed and getting a little jump of pride in my stomach.
Now is as good a time as any to commit some goals to 'paper' in regards to my weight I suppose. My goal weight is 65kg, which is smackbang in the middle of my healthy weight range according to my BMI. I know its achievable because I weighed about that when I was in my final year of highschool and my body hasn't really changed since then (apart from the food related expansion). But losing that much weight is a bit daunting... So my first goal was 5% - which I reached a little while ago. My second was 10% before the end of the first program (which was the 5 May - so I'm ahead of schedule!). My third one was only a little step up to 10kg lost. Now I'm going to make my next goal 15kg lost - which would put me under 80kg... which would be AMAZING. I haven't been under 80kg since like... 2006. After that obviously I'll go for 20kg, then 25kg, then 1 kg increments until 65kg and I'll be ridiculously good-looking. Lol. Just kidding- I'll be lighter, but just as sexy :P.
I guess then the next real challenge will be to keep it off. And that is certainly a challenge. But if I can manage to change my lifestyle to fit the weight watchers program - which, essentially, is just watching portions, watching content, and getting moving - then I should be ok. I know I will never be one of those people who just doesn't have to worry about it, but that's ok. At least I'll feel in control and have a good handle on my body - what it needs, how it reacts, and what it feels like to be healthy. Which will be nice.
Ok. That's enough for one morning. I have only just had my coffee - I've not even showered! I think its time to get moving...
XO
P.S. I saw Kick Ass last night - it was very enjoyable. I liked the humour mixed with the usual super-hero themes of doing what is right, and the unusual aspect of an ordinary (as in no special powers) little girl totally owning people with her ninja-like fighting skills. Yes, she says 'cunts' - but that's ok. I'm sure that actors parents made her realise what it meant, why you shouldn't say it usually and all that... It worked. She was bad ass. Loved it.
I just thought I would check in. I know I actually thought of something to write in my blog about 2 days ago, but alas I didn't write it down and now I can't remember what I thought was so blog worthy.
So here is a life update:
Those life possibilities I was talking about last month: Well, they haven't eventuated ... yet. I'm still hopeful, but Nannal isn't. Regardless, a change is coming because whether what we thought was initially going to happen comes about or not, Nannal is looking to change. You can only work in a place where you are constantly treading water and banging your head against the wall/tightass-shortsighted-management for so long before you move on.
Uni: My graduate certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice is going relatively well. I haven't been the best at keeping up with weekly contributions on the discussion board, but I've definately been doing the readings and enjoying them for the most part. I think the main reason I forget to log on and commit my thoughts to ... well, not paper, but forum ... is because I do the readings, write some notes and have a 'tutorial' sort of discussion in my head. Then I guess I subconsciously tick that box without actually using those thoughts for a discussion with other people online. Woops. Silly brain.
I did hand in my first piece of work for the degree the other day though. It was an odd feeling because I had to submit it twice: a virtual copy, and a paper copy. The online submission was pretty easy - you just fill in a form and then upload the file and away you go. The paper one was weirder. Because it was too late for me to post it up to the campus, I had to do a Remote Area Print (or RAP ... hehe). That means that I had to add money to my printing account, and basically do the same thing as the online submission (upload document with a form) and then trust that the people who do all the work on the other end will print it out and get it to the course marker.
It is very odd trusting all this stuff to the internet. Its like the first time you transfer funds electronically - you feel like you've just sent all this money into cyber space and you aren't sure it will actually get to where it is supposed to go until you check with them that it has.
Weight: I can't remember if I actually mentioned this on the blog or not, but I joined weight watchers with some people at work, and it is going relatively well. I have lost about 9.5 kilos in total, which is just over 10% of my starting weight (yes for those of you with a gift of maths I weighed 94.4 when I started - shutup! :P). I'm actually very proud of my progress and optimistic that I can continue on and get down to my goal weight. I have lost almost 15cm around my hips, which sounds massive, and makes me feel pretty good. I also keep glancing myself in the mirror when I get changed and getting a little jump of pride in my stomach.
Now is as good a time as any to commit some goals to 'paper' in regards to my weight I suppose. My goal weight is 65kg, which is smackbang in the middle of my healthy weight range according to my BMI. I know its achievable because I weighed about that when I was in my final year of highschool and my body hasn't really changed since then (apart from the food related expansion). But losing that much weight is a bit daunting... So my first goal was 5% - which I reached a little while ago. My second was 10% before the end of the first program (which was the 5 May - so I'm ahead of schedule!). My third one was only a little step up to 10kg lost. Now I'm going to make my next goal 15kg lost - which would put me under 80kg... which would be AMAZING. I haven't been under 80kg since like... 2006. After that obviously I'll go for 20kg, then 25kg, then 1 kg increments until 65kg and I'll be ridiculously good-looking. Lol. Just kidding- I'll be lighter, but just as sexy :P.
I guess then the next real challenge will be to keep it off. And that is certainly a challenge. But if I can manage to change my lifestyle to fit the weight watchers program - which, essentially, is just watching portions, watching content, and getting moving - then I should be ok. I know I will never be one of those people who just doesn't have to worry about it, but that's ok. At least I'll feel in control and have a good handle on my body - what it needs, how it reacts, and what it feels like to be healthy. Which will be nice.
Ok. That's enough for one morning. I have only just had my coffee - I've not even showered! I think its time to get moving...
XO
P.S. I saw Kick Ass last night - it was very enjoyable. I liked the humour mixed with the usual super-hero themes of doing what is right, and the unusual aspect of an ordinary (as in no special powers) little girl totally owning people with her ninja-like fighting skills. Yes, she says 'cunts' - but that's ok. I'm sure that actors parents made her realise what it meant, why you shouldn't say it usually and all that... It worked. She was bad ass. Loved it.
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