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!

Hear hear

John Howard is not known for his open-armed approach to "foreigners" (unless they have the initials GWB!), but today's comments about Muslims in Australia "needing to learn the language, and treat women as equals" are about the most unstrategic I can remember in recent times. Talk about dropping a bomb.

I think this article from Crikey sums it up very well.

4. Muslims aren't the only migrants in Australia who resist integration
Former Federal Liberal candidate Irfan Yusuf writes:

There's a tiny minority of migrants resisting integration. They don't accept Australian values, don't treat women as equals and won't learn English.

I know elderly Indian Sikhs who've lived here for decades but can't speak English. I know Lebanese Catholics who'd disown their daughters for marrying outside their ancestral village. They're a tiny minority. But they do exist.

So why does Mr Howard only mention that segment of this multi-faith church? Why focus on such people from the Islamic population? Let's apply his tests of integration.

This weekend, Muslim women from across Australia gather in Canberra for a Federally-funded national women's conference launched by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Pru Goward.

Goward should brief Howard on how oppressed delegates are forced to work in demeaning fields like academia, legal practice, primary and secondary education, journalism, publishing, social work, film production and police.

Delegates will discuss unAustralian topics like film production, law enforcement, publishing and women in business. Conference proceedings will be in that foreign language called English.

Such women are the rule, not the exception, in Muslim communities across the Western world. Muslims in North America have just elected an all-American woman to lead their peak body.

Howard's term "Islamic community" is as meaningless as speaking about a "Christian community". What kind of Christians? Christadelphians? Low-church Anglicans? Roman Catholics?

Migrants have many layers of identity. Religion is only one of them. Usually the most important identity layer is the one where they feel most vulnerable. My parents arrived in Canberra in 1965. My mum's first friend here was a Hindi-speaking Jewish woman. Language was the primary source of my mother's identity. It was also the area where she felt most vulnerable.

What possible gains in national security or integration are achieved by singling out one group from the multi-faith broad church of insufficiently integrated Australians? Why identify this group according to one aspect of their identity? And why make ethno-religious heritage a vulnerable point?

Millions of our tax dollars are spent on national security. John Howard frequently says that Islamist terrorists fight us because of our way of life. But when he singles out Muslims for adverse comment, he's manufacturing a larger pool of marginalised Muslims. This only benefits extremists in the long run.

Daffodil

Daffodil
Originally uploaded by adelvice.

Well the weather is indeed warming up (although some days it still does NOT feel like it!). We even have real daffodils coming out of the ground.

My job is cool. I have been doing a lot of going out to "engagements" with my boss - where it is nice to see the interection between the stuff from the office and it's impact on various groups in the community. I have to work pretty long hours (though not as long as in the firm in JKT) but I don't mind.

The other exciting thing is that I get paid next week. Paid, real money! Weeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

This week I spent every night finishing my scholarship applications (and they have to be done today). But on Thursday night I got to go and see Gomez play at the Governor Hindmarsh.

I must admit that I had big expectations, having watched Gomez play about 5 years ago, and remembering the gig as my favourite of all-time. They didn't disappoint. Apparently they had spent a long time travelling to get here the day before they played in Adelaide, and one guy was sick, so they were a bit grumpy. But they pumped up a bit when they saw how keen the crowd was. :-) I did realise at the show though, that I have missed about two quite recent albums (as well as the one's I knew I didn't have) cos a load of the songs were unfamiliar. I went and bought 2 from the back catalogue the next day, but still have a couple to go...... Anyway, conclusion - they were amazing, and the Gov was even a pretty good venue.

Oh and the Vasko Era were the support, and I have never seen a band be so cruel to their instruments on stage ever. Ha! But they were pretty cool, if a somewhat odd choice for a Gomez support slot.

Hmmmm. Anyways, happy birthday to Lauren. I sent her an SMS calling her old, but the flaw in my logic is that I too will be 24 in about three weeks time, so of course she had the perfect comeback.

And as for my "reading my way through missed classics" - I have a Jane Austen book waiting to read, as well as two Thomas Hardy books that Dad pulled out of a box, from his old days at Manchester Uni. But I haven't had time to start them yet. Will do will do.

Scout's Music Revue

I start my job tomorrow, Ministerial Liaison for something-something, writing speeches something-something, blah-blah. Can't wait for some income dum-dum.

And continuing in my "reading books I shoulda read ages ago" phase - I am reading To Kill a Mockingbird. Perhaps this might explain why ah cayan't stop tawkin lahk ah gowt a suthun acceyant.

I want to talk about music for a minute. Up until several weeks ago, if people had asked what was my favourite album of the year, I would have answered Madonna-Confessions on a Dancefloor (which I think, ironically, was released last year). Nonetheless, in spite of your audible booing and hissing about that previous statement, I have stumbled upon some great muzaks the past few weeks.

For a start, in Bali I bought a pirate copy of Ben Harper-Both Sides of the Gun after hearing it played in Bintang in Yogya, and my-wordy, that is a toe-tapping revelation of a hoe-down soundtrack. What am I talking about? Hmmm, well anyway, its a good album. Much lighter than other offerings yet still mighty serious. Radicool.

Then the other day, in celebration of the end of my period of unemployment, I bought a couple of CD's, one being Thom Yorke's Eraser and the second being Goldfrapp-Supernature.

Well, on first listen, Eraser was a thoroughly unlistenable hotch-potch of blips and beeps, but having been a long-long-time fan of Radiohead I have listened again, and goddarnit, if there wasn't the odd melody in there that I didn't hear to begin with. Who wudda thunk it? It is growing on me, like some kind of blippy-bleepy disease. :-)

The Goldfrapp CD is also good. "Hell-80's" as kids on tha street mite say. But well worth 8.95 from the JB's bargain bin. Infact, possible even worth 28.95. Aduh.

I had also heard some stuff about the most recent Fiona Apple record, Extradordinary Machine, but they didn't have it in the shop, so I didn't get it. Then happened to mention this sequence of events to my brother when I got home, who said, "I bought that stupid CD months ago. I hate it. You can have it." To which I replied "Are you sure?", and he said something along the lines of "Well put it this way, I can keep it in my CD stand and never listen to it again, or you can have it in your CD stand and possibly turn it into something less than a waste of my money." And, it is pretty cool. Very eccentric, and dare I say, unlike past works, and I am still warming up to it, but after several listens yesterday, I can say, I. like. it.

Ok, prattle prattle. What have been your favourite albums this year?? And what are some other books I can add to my "Books I Shoulda Read Ages Ago" list? I already have Wuthering Heights (thanx to Sam).

Occurrences

Ok, this week I have

a) Finished Great Gatsby (and added it to my all-time favourite books list)

b) Finally watched Garden State (cool movie)

c) Got a job (more on that one later)

d) Conceded that my front tooth is turning a strange colour and that I need to get it fixed (if only I hadn't chipped in that handball game in Year 6....damned gutter)

e) Made an appointment to get my hair done

f) Unpacked another box of stuff

g) Bought new shoes and mascara and various skin products aimed at resolving my war on open pores

h) Went to the movies to watch Beyond The Sea with Kevin Spacey about the life of Bobby Darin (I hadn't heard of him either, it's ok!). Good film, but the little kid was annoying and irrelevant if you ask me.

i) Thought about the Middle East and how depressing that whole situation is (feeling increasingly angry at Israel's behaviour)

j) Watched Indonesian news and seen that there is some kind of natural disaster in Surabaya (what is lumpor panas?)

k) Found 30 CD's in my little sister's cupboard (realised I wasn't losing my mind, and that some of my best CD's were actually missing until I found them again)

l) Found a bunch of my clothes in my little sister's cupboard (see note above)

m) Acclimatised a little bit more.


So life is well and truly back to normal.

Oh and a question- if y'all were gonna learn a new language what would it be?? And why?

Not quite a Gili Islands Picture

My Sibblleings!!!!
Originally uploaded by adelvice.

In response to complaints from some of my siblings that I never posted a pic of them on my blog (which was btw incorrect) and also because my blog looks boring without photo's and also because there is not much interesting stuff at this point in time for me to show you......here is a photo of me and my crazy younger sibbles. Jonathon, Gabrielle and D-andy, oops I mean, Sandy.

Reacclimatisationising

Adelaide is still cold- and no matter how much the people around me try to tell me that 20 degrees celcius is warm, i won't accept it. It is not warm when the mercury spends all day shivering it's way up the stem of the themometer only to reach 20 for a microsecond and turn around again. And all of you people currently living in cooler climes- shut your mouths - let me have my whinge just for a few more days...

No, no, no. My blood is tropicalised. And it ain't detropicalising without a fight.

So the past week I have been sitting at the computer, hittin the keys, typing up cover letters and CV's and sending them off. And now I wait.

And my scholarships are due soon enough, so i shall let u know, kasitahu, about that.

I have seen my adorable little new family members, Anderson and Madison. Both super-cute and cuddly. And though they are both my cousins, I hope they call me Aunty - cos the chances of one of my siblings spawning offspring anytime soon is slim methinks.

I watched one of my Indo VCD's tonight - to check whether i still understand the language after 10 days (I did)- I watched "Janji Joni"- and it is actually a cool little Indo indie flick. I really enjoyed it, and it is pretty funny. Unlike virtually every other Indonesian film I have seen. And, it wasn't sponsored by a tobacco company, so there were no pointed and random shots of someone lighting up a ciggy, totally unrelated to the plot. I also recognised a lot of the Jakarta city scenes they used - at one stage I am pretty sure he drives past Plaza Semanggi - where I would often go when I was pulang kantor - going home from the office!

I didn't quite get the same exhilarating feeling about seeing a mall I recognised, as when they are scaling the walls of the Vatican in MI:3 and I could lean to my neighbour and say "I've been there" but it was still cool to see it.

And before I go some additions to the Crappy/Good Things About Being Home list:

Happy
1) Seeing my friends - ( & calling them on the phone and not having to worry if my phone credit will run out.)
2) Red Wine
3) My champion Grandparents - who are still super-happy after circling the globe in their mini-world-tour.
4) My Tax Return!!!!! (Woohoo!)
5) Broadband internet

Crappy
1) After not using moisturiser for the entire time in Indo, applying 2-3 times a day to avoid having skin like paper.
2) Losing my hard-earned tan.
3) Not bein able to walk 10m down the road at lunchtime, pay 50c for my lunch, and walk home.
4) Missin my friends in Indo, and the relaxed vibe of Yogya, and of course, Bar Bintang.
5) I do not know how to make Telur Dadar like Ibu Kos, and as for adding jagung - ha- gak mungkin! (If anyone has that recipe - please tell me)

But all in all, being home is better than I expected. And I will be back in Indo many times in the future I suppose.

Oh and my family are the newest in a long line of sambal addicts - i made some on the weekend and my psycho brother is having it on toast. Aduh. Gila banget!

Rite, time to read more of "The Great Gatsby" - I am still trying to work out if I can include it in my favourite books list......

Novelties that Don't Wear Off (and those that do....)

Happy things about being home

1) Seeing my family & friends
2) Seeing my cousin's gorgeous new little baby, and my new cousin!
3) Being able to go the fridge and cut a piece of CHEESE as I wish, and eat it, with my left hand, as I wish!
4) Being able to drive my car
5) Being reunited with my CD's

Crappy things about being home

1) It is bloody freezing
2) Adelaide does not change, at all.
3) I have no money and no job
4) Did I mention it is bloody freezing?
5) Um, the last time I spoke Indonesian was when I stepped on the plane in Bali. Fab.


Anyway's luckily I have managed thus far to avoid the post-travel blues, as I have so many damned things to do, I ain't got no time to feel sorry for myself.

To all my regular commentors, thankyou.

To all my anonymous commentors- if you knew me, you would know how much i want to know who you are :-).

And to all my non-commenting readers, thanks for nuthin punks! Ha ha. Only kidding.
The guardian angel who sits on my shoulder has been telling me all who you are anyway. So don't think I don't know......

No seriously. I derive a lot of pleasure from writing this blog, and sharing all the crazy stuff I do with you, even if my grammar is bad, my expression colloquial, and my point often unclear.

Not sure how prolific I will be in the next few months - perhaps I need to take a show of hands from my O/S readers to see just how interested they are in my hum drum Adelaide life. Sampe nanti.