Monday, October 12, 2009

Friday, October 9, 2009

Man Speak


Last night The Boy and I were sitting on the couch watching Beauty and the Geek. The ONLY reason we were watching it is because neither of us could be bothered to actually get up and put a DVD in. When will they invent something to do that for you? I suspect however we will tune in next week, I mean when one of the girls was teaching geography (to 9 and 10 year olds) and drew a map of Australia and left out Queensland leaving Australia with only "7 states" (her words, I know it is 6 states and 2 territories), well that makes good TV.

Anyway, during one of the commercial breaks the ad came on for a feminine hygiene product. You know the one with the girl in the tight black jeans and singlet trying to put on black boots and she asked her boyfriend to pass her a pad (which is not even in it's wrapper, I find the whole thing so unbelievable as I would never do that!). Anyway, this is how the conversation went starting with The Boy;

"I'm so sick of those tampon ads, they are so stupid."
"Um, that wasn't a tampon."
"Yes it was, they are all tampons."
"No, there are two different things."
"Oh yeah, tampons and covers."
"Covers? What is a cover?"
"I don't know, I just know one of them has wings."
"Do you know what wings are?"
"No."
"Do you want me to show you one?"
"No way, I'll be right."

Image: Flickr

My Inner Country Girl - Part One


This year I have spent a lot of time thinking about what made me happy when I was a child/teenager. Back then I only ever did things that I wanted to do, if I didn't want to do it (like ballet) then I didn't, it was onto the next thing to try. As a result of this I have re-discovered past loves (such as tapestry) which I am now reviving and falling in love with all over again. I suppose the purpose of doing this is to perhaps uncover some more direction for my life. Find the things that make me happy, because life really is too short to waste time doing what you don't like.

After school I went to uni and completed a science degree in Biology, but I am not working in that field and I never have. About half way through the degree I knew being a scientist was not right for me, but I decided to finish anyway. When I didn't enter the scientific world everyone was surprised, but I knew I was put on this earth for something else. This year I decided I wanted to work out what to do for the career section of my life, because realistically the whole career thing doesn't actually exist for me, I just work to earn an income. I need something that will work around children in the future, and something that will ignite my passion. A job where I can wake up and look forward to being at work (something I have never experienced) something with a little meaning. So, what was my favourite subject at school? Perhaps that can give me some insight.

As the end of Year 7 was approaching, everyone in our grade was given the task of choosing two electives to study for the next 3 years. I picked Textiles & Design, it was a no brainer. Back in Year 7 I wanted to be a fashion designer, I even got "busted" in religious class for designing dresses in my notebook when I should have been learning something biblical. However, I had no idea what to pick for my second. Languages were out, I hated them and failed terribly in primary school. Commerce was also ruled out, too many numbers, Food Tech - well at that stage I could only boil water, so no again. My options were running out. I discussed it with my parents. My Dad suggested Agriculture.
"What's that?"
"It's farming, you learn all about farms and working in the country. I think you would be really good at it, you like animals and you're smart, I think it would really suit you."
I wasn't convinced, I think mainly because I didn't want to get dirty, and I assumed doing "farm stuff" I would get dirty. However as time was running out and I had no better option I decided to do it. Besides, if I really didn't like it I could just blame Dad ;)

What can I say, I LOVED it! I could devote an entire year's worth of blogs to all the adventures I had in those three years. From that first class I was hooked, I wanted to learn all there was about agriculture, it felt so right, and my teacher was amazing, so inspiring and encouraging. Mrs Allen, the one teacher I actually respected, I always think of her so fondly and sometimes wonder what she is up to now. She was the best teacher I have ever had in my life. But I will save that for another post. But all the adventures; dissecting a chook, feeding the animals in the school holidays, ag camps and bush dancing, raising chicks from eggs! So much fun and so many memories that make me smile.

When it came time to pick our subjects for Years 11 & 12, Agriculture was first on the list. And for Year 12 I picked up the 3 Unit as well. I was so grateful to Dad for making that suggestion to me when I was only in Year 7, and as Year 12 was about to begin I had a plan for my number #1 subject.

To be continued....

Image: Flickr

Thursday, October 8, 2009

I Am Excited!

I have just received my first blog award! A huge thank you to Mrs P at A Study in Contradictions for the honour, and if you have not yet discovered her amazing blog then head over there today and enjoy!

The rules of the "One Lovely Blog Award" are:
Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered.
Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been choosen for this award.

I hope Mrs P doesn't mind but I am "stealing" a few from her list. Here they are, some newly discovered and some old favourites.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

There Is Only One Cure


PMS has arrived and it has brought with it; nasty cramps, snapping at The Boy, bloating and the inability to smile. Healthy Lifestyle is on hold until Monday. There is only one cure for this. Sweet, dark, chocolate. Oh yeah.... And maybe a kg of olives.... and original flavoured chips.... and sparkling grape juice and of course triple chocolate chip cookies.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

I Kinda Did Something Today....

I know I have been a little vague and distant from my blog in the last week or two. I have had something on my mind. Something I have been thinking about for many months but recently I have been forced to think more deeply about it. Today I finally did something. I QUIT!!!!

Some of you will know I don't like my job and have had some issues with it. I work for a small business and the three people in charge are family. There is The Mother, The Daughter and The Son. About two months ago I had a chat with The Son about my concerns and issues. He never got back to me but said he would take it on board blah blah blah. Since that time The Mother and The Daughter have treated me very well and I appreciate the effort they have made (as I felt I was not being treated fairly at all). The Son however just decided that he would be a even bigger A-hole. I have been sucking it up for a long time. Many people have told me to quit and have been telling me this for at least 6 months, but I was determined to stick it out.

There was an incident just over a week ago now. The Son decided to check my computer. I already knew he was doing this, and made sure there was nothing for him to find. I have no idea what he was looking for, but on Friday he decided to help himself and look while I stood a metre away from him. I thought this was a little rude, I mean, at least wait until I go home or something (like he normally does). But no, he did it in front of me. When I went to lunch later I came back to discover that he had in fact removed the internet from my computer (at least he thought he had... hehe). Earlier that week he changed my internet settings to keep my private data which I always clear. I will point out that I have never signed any documents with this company waiving my privacy rights, so he has no right to do what he has been doing. To me that was the final straw.

Last week I decided to put some "feelers" out, apply for a few jobs and see if anyone called. I had three phone calls. I was confident enough in my ability to quit. So this morning I sent off the email to The Daughter advising her of my decision. As soon as I sent it I reached into my draw to pull out my coffee cup when I realised that someone (The Son) had been through my drawer. Everything that was on the bottom was on the top and was a complete mess. I don't know what he was looking for unless he wanted to borrow my plunger. Somehow I doubt it. It reaffirmed to me that I made the right decision. I don't know if he is an idiot or wants me to know that he has been snooping, because if you are going to go through someone's draw, at least leave everything how you found it!

I know it is not me. Since day one I have not been trusted. All of us outside the family are not trusted. But I just got on with it. I always did what was asked and I did it well in very reasonable timeframes. Sure I would get a coffee and check my blog/email for about 5 minutes while I just gave myself a "mini" break, but who doesn't? I am tempted to ask what he was looking for though, maybe it was to see if I was looking for another job? Well he successfully shot himself in the foot because as a result of his actions I am now.

Yes, just to clarify, I currently do not have another job. Yes that is a risk, but it is one that I have thought about and discussed with The Boy and my parents and have decided it is the best move. I am a bit of a risk taker and I hope this pays off. But I am still here for another 4 weeks and that gives me plenty of time. I also don't want to be using up all my annual leave attending interviews. I would rather be free and go to an interview as soon as they can see me rather than trying to fit it into my current work situation. Of course my inner control freak is freaking out but sometimes you have to listen to your gut and go with it. And mine was telling me to take this risk. I have some back up plans if I do finish this job here and find myself unemployed. Hopefully it won't come to that. For now the search begins for another job and maybe tonight I will open the sparking grape juice to celebrate finally being free and taking control of my life and living it how I want to.

Image: Flickr

Thursday, October 1, 2009

A New Experience In Coupledom


Throughout my entire life, whenever I have been sick, I have had someone to look after me. For nearly all of my life, it was mum. She would tuck me into bed, bring me my meals and help me sit up to eat, basically she would run around doing whatever she could to make me comfortable. Most recently it has been The Boy, who would look after me, keep the place clean and allow me to recover. Whenever I have been sick, it has always been about me, which is probably a good thing considering I am such a bad patient.

However, this week, I have been sick with the flu, and so has The Boy. For the first time we are sick together which is providing to be a new experience. We have progressively become worse this week, with both of us taking today off from work in an attempt to recover. We have been hit hard and as I sit here now I am very sleep deprived and feel like I am in a dream, my throat is burning and my chest feels like a fireplace.

It is hard because we are both focused on trying to get better and with the little amount of energy we have left, trying to help each other. As we both feel like crap neither of us have the strength to do any cleaning or cook dinner. We have been living off the simplest meals, avoiding the expanding mess in the kitchen and living in the bedroom which is starting to look like it has recently been trashed. I'm not happy because I am not getting pampered like a Queen I am having to suck it up and deal with it myself and I don't like it.

As for The Boy, what can I say, he has a "man cold" and is acting like a great big baby, I love him, but really, he isn't going to die. I remember my mum telling me when I was a child, that when a man is sick, he expects you to drop everything and look after him as if he were on his deathbed, and that he will carry on and be all dramatic thinking the world revoles around them and they are as sick as humanly possible and in need of 24/7 attention. I never understood what she meant, until now. And of course after her rant she looked at me and said "Don't give them any sympathy, let them deal with it themselves. They need to learn." Well I failed at that, I have been a very good Future Wife coddling The Boy and attending to all his needs. Maybe next time I'll be stronger, perhaps if I had a decent night sleep and energy to actually get out of bed I would. I'll try and remember for next time.

Image: Flickr