Le Calendar

In testament to our diabolical experiences with the opposite sex (noting that this is largely her idea - but one that I liked so have tacked my affiliation on to) my housemate(friend) and I are hereby accepting nominations for a calendar. Not just any calendar. Oh no.

This calendar is a special one - for all those special lads out there who make our lives that bit teeth-grittingly worse, frustratingly head-banging on wall, eyes upwardly, irritating.

Said Calendar possesses a name which many would find a little offensive - it uses alliteration, and that's all I am saying. For the purposes of this blog it shall be known as the "Man of the Year Calendar". One of those words is substituted for a rude one. One that I never say.

In an unanticipated flurry, the months are filling up faster than they can pass us by. Mr January was crowned way back in the first week of that month and Mr February almost dead-heated such was his competition. Mr March was already saddled with his title in February, with a runner-up snap, snap, snapping at his calendar-worthy little heels.

We could ruin their lives by publishing their names, so we won't. But I shall outline their noteworthy contributions to being COMPLETE AND UTTER UNFATHOMABLE GITS that so earned them their nom.

• For services to saying nasty, nasty things in the throes of a break-up we have Mr January.

• For excelling in thinking that being a B-grade celebrity is license to be an unprecendented ass - there is Mr Feburary.

• And the honourable mention for February - for wanting to slap a label on things, and inexcusable confusion about crystal clear issues is Circa85 (that's his nickname that he doesn't even know about so we can use that one).

• For excellence in jumping to conclusions, pursuing & then wigging out and changing his mind (oh, and being old) is the indomitable Mr March.

• Closely followed by the snap, snap, snap of Mr "I Just Didn't Get The Feeling but I-shall-continue-to-send-you-indecipherable-mixed-messages" as his oh-so-worthy runner-up.

Been jilted, smited, irked, disrespected, badgered, chevied, tormented or vexed?

Submit your nomination for Man of the Year! The competition is depressingly hot......

In one way or another - still here...

adelle mum and dad
Originally uploaded by adelvice.

This is a photo of mum, dad and I at my recent housewarming - just to show you that I am in fact, still alive.

Update on last month or so ..... hmmm - went to Melbourne for horrible college of law exams, work has been mental, had a couple of dates, housewarming party, becky's bling bling party. U know how it is.

Have been planning a contemplative, academic post for a while just haven't gotten around to it....!

Anyway here I am, still here, just....

Busride Patriotism

Well, something very strange happened as I caught the bus home to my new house tonight.

Adelaideians will know that the Tour Down Under is about to start here - and tonight there was a warm-up event which amongst other things, blocked off the entire East-End and meant it took ages for me to get home. So anyway, there we were cruising along the road adjoining the Eastern part of the track, and suddenly the bus driver randomly pulled over. I turned off my I-Pod to try and work out why, and lo and behold the National Anthem was playing somewhere over near the track. At first I could barely believe that these two events were connected, but, as soon as the Anthem finished he turned on the engine and kept on chugging along.

I know that we should be deferential and respectful when the anthem plays and stuff, but seriously, does anyone else think that is excessive?

Well anyway, its been a while since I updated you on stuff.

I have moved to my new house. And 4 days after I moved in, Erina headed over to LA - and I leave for Melbourne for a fortnight the day she gets back. So we won' t see each other for almost an entire month! C-razy.

The new place is good, but having been the oldest of four children, I must say I am thoroughly unaccustomed to arriving home to an empty house. All of these new experiences like cooking every night, washing clothes, cleaning etc etc - of course I have done these things before - but my very survival has not been contingent on me doing them! Hehehe, I sound like a spoiled brat. I'm not I have just been fortunate to have a mum who mothered me longer than many do......

Watering the garden is a chore that causes me massive guilt. People outside of Oz may not be aware that here in Australia we are currently in the midst of a massive drought with water restrictions to boot. No sprinklers are allowed, except on your allocated day on the weekend - and you are only allowed to water on weekdays with a hose before 8am or after 8pm. I water on Erina's behalf for maybe 5 minutes and live in constant fear of someone peeping over the fence to put me on a guilt trip. :-( And the ironic thing is that I have had disputes with my own father about his garden-watering habits...!

In un-water related news - I just watched Alicia Molik's Australian Open match and I have to say I am a massive fan. She seems like a cool chick. Much respect 'Licia! In fact, I am even thinking of maybe taken some tennis lessons........

New Year Bulletin

a minute into new year
Originally uploaded by adelvice.

Well loyal readers, I am back for 2007. Had a fantastic week in Bali - having a lot of fun and not doing much at all (although you may be able to read between the lines in that I am now somewhat in need of a detox!). Was great seeing Alana again - and will look forward very much to hanging out with her in Adelaide!

I have uploaded a bunch of relatively self-explanatory pics onto my Flickr page, which I hope you will enjoy......!

Just moved into my lovely new place today with Erina - its in Norwood and so close to work. Very exciting, although a bit sad to finally "leave" home, as they say. Have almost unpacked everything, but am back to work tomorrow so am just chillin right now. I have got so much College of Law to catch up on it is sickening. I will have the house to myself for a fortnight though to catch up before I head over to Melbourne for exams. Crikey.

Right, well here goes my third year of this thing. It promises to be one where I yet again pull up my roots and float around like a hydroponic lettuce. Hopefully you will keep reading, even if I do get all green and leafy. He he.

Okies, Happy New Year kids!

A Good Year

Well this may well be a little premature - but given that I will probably not have time next week when I am in Bali/Gili's to be writing on my blog- I have decided to publish my reflections on the year in advance of Xmas and going away.

Shit, its been a good year. One with ups and downs yes, but overall I feel like I have taken some big steps forward and its cool to think that I have done some of the stuff that I have done.

For a start, living in Indonesia was amazing. To have become at least reasonably proficient in another language is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time, and this year I managed it. And re-testing my skills next week is going to be fun!

The test of living in a country with a completely different culture taught me a lot about myself. And waking up after three hours sleep to a magnitude 6.4 earthquake definitely gave me a lot to think about, and I must say, it was an absolute privilege to work with my peers in that disaster zone. It is honestly true that extreme situations bring out the best and the worst of people, and I saw both.

Travelling around Indonesia was magnificent. Making Indonesian friends who were generous with their time and their friendship was also magnificent. Unexpectedly, I also made some great friends from around the world - I am thinking of Kenta from Japan, Kara from Turkey, Cal from Ireland and Sofie from Germany. They are people who I think I will maintain friendships with for a long time.

The wonderful family that I lived with in Yogya and their generosity with and tolerance of the mad Australian woman who sang at the top of her voice and came home at 5am.

Climbing mountains, visiting the biggest Buddhist monument in the world, singing in a band at a bar in Yogya, cheerleading at an inter-law firm soccer tournament in Jakarta, drift snorkelling in Gili Trawangan - all amazing experiences. I have to say that the time I spend at Borobudur on the day of the Waisak festival was remarkably spiritual, and beautiful. Possibly the most outstanding highlight of that 6 month period.

There has then of course been, the coming home. After freaking out about being unemployed, and what it would be like, and whether I would settle, I have to say Adelaide has pleasantly surprised me. I have once more fallen in love with Adelaide. It is going to be hard to leave next time, knowing that it may be a while before I live here again.

Rediscovering the single life (that I never really had before anyway) has been interesting. Starting my working life in a Minister's office has also been interesting. I am very lucky that I love my job, but perhaps it is easier to feel that way about work when you know you are leaving...... Nonetheless, I have tried to make the most of the opportunity I have been given there, and I hope to continue to enjoy work until such time as I move to the UK.

That was another epiphany this year - working in that law firm in Jakarta really taught me that I would not be suited to that kind of work, and gave me a nudge in the direction of further study. While my plans this year were foiled after my ill-fated tilt at a Fulbright, I still am very keen to do a Masters in International Affairs and continue to pursue my passion for international politics. How that will happen is something that I can hopefully reflect on this time next year.

But back to Adelaide. Discoveries and re-discoveries of the year have included Rocket Bar, Augie March, The Pre-Sets, Murakami Books, Morning Jogs, I-Pod (best purchase of 06 without question!!), The Monthly Magazine, Ann Mitchell, Ash Blonde, Special Patrol, Monday Night Drinks, Jill Scott, Ky Chow, Erina(!), Continental Toast, Double Macchiato's, Cinema Nova, online news and Itunes, MySpace.

My gorgeous group of friends have of course made the year tops- Alana (in Indo), Claudia, Kate and Becky, my brothers Sandy and Jonathon, and of course the baby of the family Gabs. And who could forget the weekend in Sydney with that mad woman Peta? I haven't seen much of her because of random circumstances (mainly - that we have both been variously overseas) but Shani has been a great support and I am glad to see her loving life. And who could forget Uncle Brad? He is outrageous & preposterous but with him life is never dull......

Habits I wished i could have broken - nail-biting, second guess SMS, never being able to stop at one chocolate, lack of discipline with money, day-dreaming, saying "dude", snapping at people, being slave to my hormones.

And with that I bid you adieu. Assuming that is in fact how that word is spelled.

To friends overseas Merry Xmas and Happy New Year - to friends in Australia the same. I hope that 2007 is as good to you as 2006 was to me. I'm not any richer, or any thinner, but I am happy, and a bit fitter, and my direction is a little more set.

And people, please forgive my self-indulgence - I am actually just putting my thanks out there into the Universe - because 2006 could have gone two ways for me.

And fortunately it was indeed, a good year.

My iPod Top 25

I thought some of you might be interested in this...........

1) I Go Hard, I Go Home The Presets
2) Landed Ben Folds
3) If You Stay Special Patrol
4)Greatest Hit Annie
5) One Crowded Hour Augie March
6) You Never Give Me Your Money The Beatles
7)Andy Said Special Patrol
8)Humble Man Special Patrol
9) Paint Your Name Special Patrol
10) Golden Slumbers The Beatles
11) Funky For You Common
12) Just Mark Ronson feat. Alex Greenwald
13) Are You The One The Presets
14)My Sweet Jewel Special Patrol
15) She Came In Through The Bathroom Window The Beatles
16)Carry That Weight The Beatles
17)Eleanor Rigby/Julia The Beatles
18)Drive My Car/The Word/What You're Doing The Beatles
19)Jazzalude II - Defining Purpose Guru
20) In Your Head Special Patrol
21) Victoria's Secrets Augie March
22) Thin Captain Crackers Augie March
23) Peach, Plum, Pear Joanna Newsom
24) Down, Down, Down The Presets
25) My Friend Gorgeous George Special Patrol


Wow, there is a lot of Special Patrol in there.

Recent developments - I didn't get the Fulbright Scholarship after making it to the last stage. Kind of annoying. But I have decided instead that I will be moving to London in August next year. It is not yet a steadfast plan, but, one that has grown legs faster than I imagined. The 2 "Signs from London" were helpful in helping me to make the decision not to apply for Uni in the States at all. One was a call from Frilly, the other was a nice London lad I met on the weekend. A somewhat intoxicated member of the Barmy Army.

The 2 week date challenge continues. Can't believe I am even mentioning it on here. But it makes life interesting!

The Golden Mile?

It is nothing short of remarkable to me that in two days time I will have been home from Indonesia for 4 months. That time has flown.

Just like the bird from the Beatles song.

Has anyone been listening to the remastered Beatles album by the way? "Love". I think it's great, but I do feel a little cheated that George and Giles didn't take the concept a little bit further..... so much good material to pump into the mix. Ah well.

Last night was a pretty run-o-th-mill-but nonetheless a good one- however, the meal we consumed prior to dancing was delicious. Taj Tandoor on Rundle Street. Definitely some of the best Indian food I have had in Adelaide. Or anywhere probably. Except for in Manchester perhaps - what is the name of that street again??? The Golden Mile or something??? Hmmm I can't remember. In fact I can barely remember eating there at all - I do believe it was about 2 in the morning that I sat down to a full meal there. Somewhat bizarre.

Senile, senile.

Nothing is really annoying me this week as much as it was last week. So I can't really stoke up the irritated-o-meter. I was slightly irritated tonight that I didn't get to watch a full episode of Project Runway tonight which is my fave tv show of the moment (possibly with the exception of Sex & The City Re-Runs) but that isn't quite on the same level as concern over natural justice and fair trials etc etc.

Bon Voyage brother of mine - whatever you do get your bum over to Europe or risk being beaten up by me when you get home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow is my first overnight work trip. I have to drive myself in a borrowed car to the final destination which is a little daunting. I'm not exactly a veteran of country driving....... shall try to remember to take photo's.

Okies.

Well cuz oh wondrous possessor of knowledge about HTML....!- if you could tell me how to line everything up so neatly as you do on your blog, that would be lurvely.

And that concludes another uninspired post from me.

A Lesson in Unfocusedness

I have been attempting to come up with a theme for this post for several days, and haven’t been able to really come up with anything groundbreaking.

I was going to give you a list of all the things I have procrastinated from doing this week (college of law assignment, writing my admission essays for Uni in the USA, sweeping dust from the corners of my room ……)

I was going to give you a list of all the random cool things that I happened to do during the week (afternoon tea with Liberian Women’s Association, seeing a play at State Theatre, attending an Architecture exhibition on a whim and dancing with architects until the wee hours)

I was going to tell you all the things that annoyed me (the number of phone-calls it takes to connect a woman in crisis with the appropriate services, come here/go away boys with girlfriends, misogynist tour guides)

I was going to list some of the music that I love right now (The Presets, Special Patrol, the Mark Ronson cover of the Radiohead song “Just”)

But it’s all a little bit contrived!

One thing that is really annoying me at the moment is the thing going on with that sacked Minister in NSW. Regardless of what that guy is alleged to have done, everyone is entitled to be innocent until proven guilty, and to be afforded natural justice. And if you don’t agree, put yourself in that guys shoes and pretend you’re innocent, and then think about how much s*** you would now have to push uphill to demonstrate that fact. (And if anyone sees this as a tacit endorsement of sexual crimes, just try – that’s clearly not what I am saying).

It doesn’t matter what the crime is, or who the alleged criminal is, David Hicks, Milton Orkopolous, democratic societies were based on the right to a fair trial, and anyone who believes in those principles should be alarmed by the level of pre-judgement going on in this instance. People that have no idea what I am talking about should look here.

Rant rant rant.

I bought another Murakami book during the week (Hard-Boiled Wonderland….) it is yet to engross me, but I am definitely interested.

I am planning on going to see Ben Watt (one half of Everything But The Girl) in a couple of weeks, but he is on a couple of nights after Talvin Singh who I also want to see, and it might come down to a coin-toss.

Monday night drinks tomorrow. Another week of Parliament. Another weekend of dancing til my feet are covered in blisters. 5 weeks till Bali. College of Law assignments. Parliamentary Briefs. Community Cabinet. Wondering what my friends O/S are doing. 5 weeks till Bali again. 7 weeks till College of Law exams.

I really should stop writing in lists – it makes me sound sarcastic and bored, when right now I couldn’t be less so.

I have been tinkering with the blog format and will continue to do so until it is a little more spruced up. I am frustratingly limited by a lack of knowledge about HTML. Advice/mentoring welcomed…….and

Until a more coherent theme comes along.

Sampe nanti.

(Eeek - I almost forgot to say a big hello to my Granny - who debuted in the comments on the "habit" post - well done Gran!!!! and you were right! xxx)

We Weren't Just Bleeding Hearts.....

Exactly!
Originally uploaded by adelvice.

....we were right!

is my blog still looking weird?

apparently there have been gremlins eating my 1's and 0's and making my blog look weird - i am trying to resolve them.

The Frightening Force of Habit

I freaked out a bit yesterday afternoon. I am going to try and explain why but you might not get it. I will try anyway.

I was dropping my sister off at a sleepover yesterday afternoon, and as I was turning out onto the mainroad (a road I have driven on a thousand times) I almost turned the wrong way as though I was going to drive back to my old house.

By old house, I mean the one that my family moved out of while I was in Indonesia, and, the house that I haven't been able to bring myself to drive past since I have been back in Adelaide. In that split second where I was about to make the wrong turn, I had a rapid series of thoughts which basically was along the lines of "imagine if I drove past there and parked in the driveway" how easy it would be to slip back into the routine of that old house. To go back to the different way my life was when I lived there.

That series of thoughts brought on a realisation that for some reason made me feel sick - like, human beings are so inclined to just slip back into any old habit, revert back to any old way things used to be, because it is easy to do.

My memories of that house are so vivid, like, which windows and doors the drafts blow through, which door handles are dodgy, where the light switches are for particular rooms, strategic positions for ignoring my parents etc etc.

And then moving to a new house you have to find everything out again. And it seems really annoying to have to do that, when the house before it seemed pretty much fine, and you have to focus on the reasons that you moved, as opposed to the things u liked about the house at the time.

What a random rant. Moral of the story being, I almost turned into my old street to see the house I haven't been able to look at since I got back. And the fact that I knew it would be so easy to do totally freaked me out.

If you don't get it, I understand. The force of habit has just been on my mind so much that I had to write about it, even if this doesn't make sense.

End of Ramadan

minal aidzin wal faidzin

forgiving is the synonym of loving

that was a message i got from a friend in jakarta last night - i am pretty sure it is the salutation people use at the end of Ramadan. i am not sure that "synonym" is the best translation but i think the meaning is clear.

it is a nice sentiment.

does anyone have a better translation? i am speaking obviously to my ACICIS brethen and Indonesian and Muslim friends.....

btw - i am on my lunch break right now - hence why i am blogging in office hours.

Sparkling Vino

Keith - purely for you -

last night was a Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz

it was good

packed punch - i got a bit of plum and vanilla - if i knew anything i would say american oak. great colour.

and for the rest of you -

i have been writing on this thing for a year now. and for those of you in adelaide there will be an unofficial get together in commemoration of my unmemorable rants. twas decided last night.

i am procrastinating, should be studying.

naughty i am.

and to those of you who just finished the fast - selamat idul fitri.

Silly Faces Party Dresses

silly faces party dresses
Originally uploaded by adelvice.

This was after the party ended - downstairs at Cruze bar. And that is NOT my half sipped Vancouver Island cocktail there. Ooooohhh nooo.

All Good Children Go To Heaven

Well it has taken me ages to write about the Sydney reunion. I had a good time, but the weekend was marred by some bitter tastes, and I didn't want to focus on them so I have waited.

It was wonderful to catch up with my 2005 Mitsui friends - Peta and I shared a room in the second night and she enjoyed laughing at my neuroticism in getting ready for the function! I had a good catch up with nearly everyone, a couple of people brought partners which was cool, and I think we all found it a little poignant in a way because it means that almost a year has passed since we took the fateful trip around Japan.

On the first night I shared a room with Danielle who went on the trip the year before me, and we had a good day on the Friday. A spot of shopping, a surf beach and a harbour beach, and some noodles in Hyde Park for Good Food Month all washed down with some lovely white wine at Martin Place Bar (not the classiest establishment of all time might I add, but the best we could do in the absence of a Sydney native to guide us).

On Friday we went to Darling Harbour and checked out the Japanese Matsuri that was on down there - see my photo stream for some cool pics, and Vimeo for a cute video of Japanese dancing girls. (Sorry I don't know the technical term). We had some lunch in the Queen Victoria Bulding and I picked up a nice pair of shoes! ;-) Then we returned to the hotel to prepare for the rather early-starting reunion.

Being an idiot, I didn't pack a hairdryer and having just had my hair lightened about 20 shades (!) was rather frustrated by the fluff effect that the pathetic hotel dryer had on my hair. Thank god for Peta who tamed the mane, crafting it into something moderately acceptable for a cocktail function. Skin moisturised, eyes lined, dresses puffed and lips coloured we cabbed it down to Circular Quay to the Green Room at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

It was interesting to see the variety of people that Mitsui has afforded the MEF privilege to over the years. I didn't actually talk to anyone pre-2000 unfortunately -but there seemed to be an interesting mix of lawyers, diplomats, business people and academics there. The presentations from the past 4 decades were especially cool.

One guy who went on the tour in the 90's basically told the story of how Mitsui changed his life - he was processing refugees (read "illegal immigrants") on Christmas Island, strangely (or possibly not) decided that he wasn't exactly living a fulfilling existence and decided to quit and pursue his artistic dream. He is now an artist who paints stunning paintings of Geisha and other Japanese icons.

Kinda cool.

Anyway, long story short - Geoff Gallop was there - former Premier of WA and now Head of the School of Government at Sydney Uni - and I happened to mention to him that I used to know his son. He gave me the home number in Perth and told me to call him! Still undecided upon whether that is utterly weird.

After the function something very strange happened. Yogya friends may remember Robert, the bullshit artist masqerading as saviour of the universe with a heart broken by a Finnish girl but never fear he is going to solve homelessness and poverty in Indonesia and has an IT business that has made him very rich, but would never ever buy you a drink. Turns out that pathological liar is a cab driver who happened to pass my group on Macquarie Place with a vacant cab, but baulked when he saw me, saw his fictional universe crash down and made some excuse about having to go to Manly.

People are disappointing. Bitter tastes. I was pretty cut that two (I thought) close friends from Yogya who both live in Sydney didn't make the effort to catch up while I was there. One didn't even return calls or SMSs at all. That's nice.

I think I just expect too much from people.... like reciprocation of friendship. I must be crazy.

Aaarrgh that was the bitter note I promised myself I wouldn't end on.

In other news, I am working over the weekend because of bloody Budget Estimates, I have my exam next Saturday and I have to do well cos I am down to the last cut for one of my scholarships. So thats a happy ending for this post right there.

Monday Night Drinks

All ye complainants about my dearth of artistic output on this thing, well, I should punch you all in the mouths for not commenting and thus not helping to propagate the cycle of positive feedback that keeps me motivated to produce.

Nonetheless.

It has been suggested to me by a pal that you might be interested in what has become a somewhat regular occurence in my life. In fact, to be precise, it has occurred every week since I started working, barring the public holiday.

Monday night drinks.

With fellow travellers Miss Maude and Uncle Brad, we stake out our little spot at a watering hole quite close to our respective places of work and engage in a few hours of errr, watering. In fact Miss Maude and I had tactily and over a period of weeks begun to work our way through the white wine menu (Tim Adams Pinot Gris mmmmmm - eyes glaze over) but Uncle Brad says no, we must drink Shiraz. This often results in tense words, gulped down with a tasty mouthful of tapas. Compromises often include Shiraz Viognier blends and Pinot Noir's. Don't get me wrong, I love a red, but I like to feel that my fellow drinkers are at ease.

I sound like a total prat talking about wine like this. But having lived 6 months in Indonesia without it, you can just indulge me awhile.

A special feature of Monday night drinks is "special guests". As the consistent attendees, Claudia and I have seen an interesting range of friends attend on at least 3 occasions now. Officer Cox, Mr P, Masters and the evergreen Philbo.

Last weeks special guest was Philbo - who was just home after four months at Summer Camp in the States. She had many a travel tale to tell, and clearly was rejuvenated and vibrant after delighting in the pleasures of "handles" of vodka. 1.5 litres in one o those thing if u don't mind!

Politics is a frequent feature of Monday Night Drinks discussion. Uncle Brad scoffed at me this week for declaring that Climate Change is an issue that could with the election for the ALP. But I told him to mark my words, he said he would write them down on a serviette. Let's just watch that one eh?

So I expect you will all be lining up for a guernsey to MND's now won't you. Yeah uhuh.

In other news, I have a sparklingnewcrown on my tooth. A little bigger and buckier than I had hoped, but at least it isn't grey.

And on that note, time to give my haemoglobin a kick with some red meat for dinner. Going to Sydders on the weekend for a totally radical weekend on the ermm wheatgrass so need to rejuvenate my cells before I go!!!!

Pirates and Wenches

Pirates and Wenches
Originally uploaded by adelvice.

Maybe if I put more photos like this on my blog u will all comment.

Whats new?

Went to a party with the above theme on Saturday. Made the horrifyingly poor choice of drinking red vodka cruisers and paid dearly yesterday morning - sugar overload. Eurgh.

Last week bankrupted myself by buying a new laptop and Ipod on the same day. But I am so technologied up right now it ain't funny.

I currently have a false front tooth- preparations for replacement of "greytooth" commenced on Friday. So have a dodgy, wonky, badly colour matched front tooth. It is really attractive. No really, it is.

I have an interview on Friday for a scholarship and am learning in the other spare 5 minutes i have every day for my exam. Don't really have any peculiar vocab to share with you. It numbs ur brain after a while.

Life keeps chugging along. Going to Sydney for the Mitsui reunion in a couple of weeks, and I really cannot wait for that. It will be so cool to catch up with all my fellow travellers! Yay.

Might upload some more photo's in a minute from my birthday - but none of them are even remotely as interesting as Becky, Myself and Kate dressed as pirates and wenches. He he he.

I'm Old

Well it was my birthday yesterday. Am thoroughly unimpressed to have shifted demographic into the mid-twenties range. Eurgh.

Yesterday was actually a pretty interesting day. My boss was hosting a National meeting of her fellow Ministers and there were some international guests from the Pacific invited.

I was entrusted with the responsibilty of collecting the Tongan Attorney General and her aide from the airport. Because of crappy planning by the Federal Government, I had to do som fast-talking and fast-rearranging to accomodate the poor visitors who unbeknownst to them were supposed to be joining a formal dinner after around 12 hours on aeroplanes.

Anyways, long story short, this woman is the first woman to be appointed to the Tongan Cabinet, and I told her how I was a (pretend) lawyer, and she said to me "We need young women like you in Tonga. You should come and work for me if you get the chance". I was like, "Yes Minister! Very well Minister, whatever you say Minister."

That is not one word of a lie - I have a job waiting in Tonga, should I lose interest in the current one! Hilarious! I told the Chief of Staff and the boss that they have to be nice to me all the time now, otherwise I might pack up and hit the Pacific.

Meanwhile, I sat at the same lunch table as the guest from the Solomon Islands. There are no women in the SI Parliament, but she is the highest polling woman ever in their most recent elections. She was really interesting to talk to. I have to pinch myself sometimes and be thankful that at least I am able to pursue the opportunities available to me, cos in places like SI and Tonga, they are stuck back where Western women were 70 years ago.

Well that's that then. Am busy learning vocab vocab vocab for the GRE that I have to take in around a month. It's the exam you have to take to get into grad school in America. I also have to revise all the irritating maths stuff that fell out of my head years ago....

Vocab examples:

Apocryphal - of dubious authenticity, fictitious

Germane - applicable, pertinent, relevant

Stentorian - extremely loud and powerful

Jejune - vapid, uninteresting, childish, immature



Welcome to my hell. :)

Obsessions

I am obsessed with The Shins. Where have they been my whole life?!

Bol-bol-bollywood

Well, am finished work for the day - but not for the week, because tomorrow the Bollywood film that is in production in Adelaide right now, needs to use my office balcony for camera work!!! So we need to do shifts "minding the office" and I am on the 10.30 to 1.30 shift. If it wasn't for a Bollywood film I would have been totally annoyed about working on the weekend, but it is so i'm not. And since it will likely overlap with the footy, I will be watching that here too, cos I ain't missin a minute! ;-)

More tomorrow - including pictures hopefully!