Gen Y Elle

Never read film reviews

2010-06-08T09:32:00.002+10:00

In between my study madness I had to (yes I had to!) see SATC2 in Gold Class with the girls on the weekend. It was a necessity - regardless of how bad the reviews were!

To start with, here is a list of people who I think probably won't like the film:

Men
Gay men
Intellectuals
Old people
Anyone who doesn't like Beyonce or Liza Minnelli

I was talking to a gay friend yesterday who gave the film 1/10 and I started to think about why. His reasons included that the film was too long, Samantha was a parody of herself, it was racially insensitive and that the only good part was Liza Minnelli.

Without being offensive, I think this movie doesn't appeal to gay men in the same way the tv show used to. The films have had to move on from single life for all four gals as their audience moves on to another stage in their lives as well. The movie had so much more to offer by way of its message (as opposed to the first movie which had huge emotional climaxes).

This film doesn't nearly climax as much as the first one, but it does give us some insight into the characters, their experiences with the changes in their lives and how they're coping with babies, marriage, careers, men and the like (almost like real people - minus a few of the designer items, fabulous luxury holidays and huge custom built walk in wardrobes).

Without ruining the story for those that haven't seen it yet, here are some of the things I took away from the movie:

Marriage and relationships are hard work
Kids are hard work
Jobs and bosses are hard work
It's ok to be insecure sometimes and admitting that you find life hard isn't the worst thing in the world
Friends are there to help you get through life with a smile (or a cocktail!)
Life is what you make it, no matter whether the world agrees with your choices as to how you live it

I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciated the underlying sentiments in the film which made the crassness and sillyness of the film a little more worthwhile. As for racial stereotyping criticisms, people naturally look to the differences between culture when they go to another country. I don't think it is insensitive for them to make a joke about it and not take themselves too seriously - it's a hollywood film for goodness sake! It wasn't a documentary!

If you expect a light, fun, girly movie that might include a cocktail or two with your girls then that is exactly how it will play out.

Grab your girls and check it out - you'll get a laugh if nothing else. I'm so ready for the backlash from those of you who didn't like it. Bring it.

Elle

Another twist (but not my ankle this time)

2010-06-04T14:30:00.000+10:00

The power of positive thought is said to have unheralded benefits. Last week when I felt that my week would only get worse, it did, because I thought it would and I let it.

Today is another day and the positive attitude I have maintained for the last week has paid off and last week seems like a distant memory. Order has been restored and I am able to function again without the bitterness I carried earlier last week.

The music was pumping on my ipod this morning on the way to uni. I am wearing my new gumboots and it is pouring rain today in Sydney (AND yes I have managed to fit my sprained ankle into a boot!) AND it is the last day of semester!! I have stepped in every possible puddle I could find today - much to my childish delight. Speaking of childish delight - how cute is this pic below? I saw two little girls in their raincoats walking to school this morning and it was so sweet!

Despite the huge uphill battle ahead of me in terms of preparation for exams, I'm banking on the power of positive thought to keep the confidence and momentum going so that come exam time, I'm feeling as good as I do today.

Happy weekend - I've got plenty of study to do (starting tonight).

Elle

BTW - I do not believe in that book/video "The Secret" or anything of that kind, I'm just suggesting you have control around how you react to situations to improve it them (which is entirely to your advantage). I'm not suggesting I changed my thinking to bring me a nice new car or anything but that would be fun too ;)

Oh and here is an iphone pic of my boots.

Competition

2010-05-29T14:28:00.000+10:00

Some people would classify me in the Type A personality category; I'm a perfectionist, competitive, impatient, and a highly strung kind of person. I definitely don't love the category, but I do fit well into the box. If you ask my fiancée about how emotional I am he will say I am quick to react angrily and that I apply my standards to everyone else in a me-centred universe (which clearly makes it hard for people around me who don't live up to my high expectations!). A side note - i've also heard this type of behaviour leads to heart attacks - go figure!

Being a perfectionist and competitive can lead to great success. Many of the great leaders, thinkers and sports people in history have had these personality traits. My undoing is in the competition. It's where I am at my most vulnerable and insecure and I crave winning more than I should.

On Tuesday night, I was playing netball (yes I have taken up a team sport). I can see you frowning thinking, oh god help your team mates and the people on the other side (Mum - I know you are smiling at that). The mature part of me has learned not to be too competitive. I embraced the game and am happy to just have fun and get the exercise at the same time every week. But we have lost the game every week. Every game. LOST.

As we began to improve each week, the competitiveness came out in me. I updated my twitter and facebook status with our improvements, how close we had come to a win and to be honest I had a feeling we could win last week.

The courts were a little wet. It has been raining in Sydney for pretty much 2 weeks now. It was the end of the second half and the game was close. I was playing goal keeper (defensive position for those of you who aren't into sport). With not long in the game to go, I lunged forward for an intercept and in what felt like slow motion (that I couldn't do anything about) my right ankle rolled 180 degrees and I fell with a huge thud on the ashpalt. I already knew it wasn't good. The pain shot through my foot like fire. I took in deep breaths, sucking the air down and all I could think about was the fact that we had come so close to winning the game and I had just ruined our chances! I ribbed my bib off and handed it to the girls and told them to go on playing while I lay beside the court with a frozen water bottle on my ankle feeling sorry for myself.

The whistle blew not long after my injury and the girls came over. Much to my surprise... WE HAD WON and instantly the pain disappeared!! Well.... not really... but for a moment there I swear it did! It was all worth it! I think I was more excited than everyone else.

After less than half a week on crutches, it wasn't worth it. I've got to stop with the competitive behaviour... it never seems to do me any good. Damn you A type personality.

I know I know... it's not the personality type - it's just me. I'll work it out eventually... maybe.

ps. I've ordered some gumboots for those of you who were interested. Stay tuned for pics when they arrive.

Elle

Maternal instincts

2010-05-20T14:27:00.000+10:00

Lots of people have them. I would generally include myself in that group of people who have them. Maternal instincts however do not equate to wanting or needing babies and that is where my story begins.

Maternal instincts can be found at an early age. A good indicator of them is when you see a child with a doll. They clothe it, bathe it, feed it, dress it and generally take care of it.

I hated dolls as a kid.

I wouldn't be caught dead with one. The few porcelain ones I had were certainly not chosen by me. My sister had all the Barbies. I preferred Big Bird and teddies of all kinds. I didn't dress them up either! Psychologists however insist that the doll instinct is not the precursor to parental/maternal instinct in a human being. I would say that it unequivocally is an indicator of maternal instinct at its most basic level.

Another example of maternal instinct can be seen where an older child gets a younger sibling and they take care of them. This is where I believe my maternal instincts came from. I would help by getting the talc, finding the nappies, making the sibling breakfast as they got older and I eventually babysat said sibling while Mum was in the shower, or on the phone, without even realising it. The third sibling came along in my life, and I practically took over. Then... the babysitting never ended.

Instincts in the animal kingdom at their most basic level, are usually a fixed and rigid thing, but we, as human beings, are a more advanced kind (at least I hope we are) and our intelligence gives us the ability to override those instincts or refine them in a way that is suitable to our needs, our community and our lifestyle. In other words, we have the ability to shape those instincts to suit our situation.

Here's my gripe... if you haven't worked it out already... maternal instincts do not necessitate a pathway to having babies.

For some people, they believe this is absolutely the case. Maternal instincts = I must be a mother = it was that which I was pre-ordained to do = no other choice.

We are an intelligent species. Feminism has come a long way, but perhaps not far enough. I don't use that word lightly, I would hardly consider myself a feminist. However I do thank feminism for the progress that has been made thus far. Why is it however, that there is a belief among our species (men and women alike), that women who have maternal instincts will therefore produce babies. The equation is flawed. The equation should look like this:

X has maternal instincts = the choice to have babies or not is a considered, intelligent and educated decision, not a pre-determined one outside of their consciousness.

Similarly...

X has no maternal instincts = the choice to have babies or not is a considered, intelligent and educated decision, not a pre-determined one outside of their consciousness.

I am not an expert on the subject of human behaviour of maternal anything, but it rocked me recently when someone asked, are you really not going to have babies? When I said that would be my preferred future direction (i.e. not having kids), they looked at me like I was some kind of alien lifeform.

It's simple people. I'm an educated, open minded, intelligent woman who doesn't feel the need to have babies to be satisfied with my life. It's a choice.

**This post in no way suggests that I won't have babies, ever. I am simply pointing out that human beings are more capable than we give ourselves credit for, and instead of falling prey to our animal kingdom instincts, we are truly able to choose a life for ourselves that is fulfilling in many ways other than procreation**

Elle

Winter in Sydney

2010-05-18T20:19:00.000+10:00

Have you ever noticed how quickly the puddles form and the rivers in the gutter flow when it rains in Sydney even for a short time? It is truly amazing.

Today I honestly could not work out what to do about the shoe situation. I like shoes - to look at... but not to wear. Me and shoes have a history.

As a child I would run around barefoot the entire winter with my mother yelling at me to put some socks on. Years later she would tell me not to go outside in my socks and to put some shoes on. But now I've got plenty of shoes and socks and I'm happy to wear them but none of them are truly suitable for a Sydney winter.

You know the kind of winter I'm talking about - it rains... non-stop for days at a time. It's not cold but it's wet.

Today I procrastinated even turning up to uni because I couldn't work out what shoes I could wear which would prevent my feet from getting wet!! Pathetic I know - but this is a serious problem!!

Despite how truly unfashionable gumboots are, I think it is time that I got some. I jumped online (in class of course) and browsed the web for some slightly decent looking gumboots. I'm thinking about getting these - they're kind of funky and I could wear my skinny jeans with them. What do you think?

Elle

We doth protest too much, methinks

2010-05-07T19:39:00.002+10:00

I'm sure you know... I'm a busy person. We're all busy people. Most of us have plenty of people in our lives; colleagues, family, friends, people we say hello to when buying coffee, people we talk to on facebook or on the phone etc. We're surrounded by people, via technology, in person or otherwise.

What interests me is the theory that despite the fact we've got more people around us who we can talk to, what our generation (Gen Y) is beginning to really lack, in our busy lives, is that person to person meaningful quality time that we crave so much from our childhood with those we love and hold close to our hearts.

Some of my favourite weekends are hours spent in living rooms or kitchens of girlfriends houses (or my own) or a long night out just chatting, drinking and eating with nowhere to go and no urgency or purpose to the catch up - it's just because. It's therapeutic for the soul. That's also what I enjoy most about going home and seeing my family. My favourite times with them are spent one on one with no purpose other than to just enjoy quality time, but it's always so infrequent.

It is that which is familiar to our generation and many generations before us. We have seen a huge communication shift in such a short period of time (which might I add we have been early adopters of). While we sprout off about the convenience of blackberrys, iphones, email, skype, facebook, blogs, google and twitter, the reality is we seek that person to person time, to really connect, to unwind, to be in our natural state - perhaps as was properly intended for us, from the dawn of time. Will the following generations (like my neice or nephew to be - yes I am going to be an aunty) whose impending births are announced on facebook, seek, need, want and miss the human connection element or are we predisposed to it?

Here's what I think:

Person to person contact is necessary - it's a human thing
Quality person to person contact is absolutely vital
There are some special people in your life who you REALLY need preson to person quality time with
Without it we feel alone in the world
I feel half of myself without it

Does this just apply only to me? to women? do you feel lonely without that quality person to person contact? How does it affect you, if it affects you at all?

My experience of late is that when I am in the study bubble, I can't make plans, spend long chunks of time or do anything other than sit myself at the desk and try to focus. It's only been a month of that and I am exhausted, drained and lonely. I've seen plenty of people, had lots of chats, been more in contact with people than ever before - note my $280 phone bill last month! yikes! but it is incredible how disconnected you feel when you are in every sense - connected.

I think Gen Y will always yearn for some person to person quality time - no matter how much we harass our parents to adopt internet banking, email and skype. We doth protest too much, methinks. What we really want is the connection and no amount of email, facebook, skype or otherwise is going to replace it.

Hope you are spending quality time with loved ones, particularly this weekend, on Mother's Day.

Elle

Achieve, be fabulous and want more

2010-05-06T10:28:00.001+10:00

It's a typical Gen Y thing to do. Be a high achiever and keep on wanting and achieving more. But more often than not, that notion is criticised. What annoys me about that criticism is that they (generally our parents) are the ones who criticise it - they want us to work hard but not too hard, and have a family but don't let it rule our lives, to buy a house, but not one too big. For so long they were the ones sprouting off about wanting more, the bigger house, the better car, the European holiday, the investment property. Why is it that they are the first to criticise or question our motives when we want more for ourselves and want it now?
After reading Nicole's blog a while back I realised I'm one of those people who likes to live on the edge. I want more. Striving for more ads that bit extra pressure which leads me to achieve my goals or fall short of them and want a bit more after that. I realised this on several occasions - when I got my university marks for last semester and they weren't what I was expecting. Not only did I want more marks but I expected them too.

The difficulty for me is my want versus my expectation. I know they sound the same but they're really not. In this particular case I wanted better uni marks but I had also expected them perhaps without seriously hard work. I would have thought hard work would pay off in those results but it turns out that maybe I needed to work harder or smarter - or both. But how much harder or smarter?!

This semester I've spent many weekends writing assessments and saying no to social occasions just trying to keep on top of my readings (which I’ve slowly managed in the last 3 weeks to get behind in, because of the assessments I have due).

Right now I want for them to be over. I don't expect they'll magically disappear - I have one more weekend to get it all done before 4 mad weeks of catching up on readings and beginning to prepare for end of session exams but I really do want for my assessments to be fabulous and for them to be done (*waves the magic wand*) - if only that were true.

In the midst of all this I’ve perused the domain magazine looking at places I’d love to live in, looked at holidays I’d love to go on, found a dress I’d love to buy for our wedding and looked at recipes I’d love to cook if only I had the time. I’m a ball of want right now with no expectations because I’m stuck in a bubble of uni madness with no money and no life – I’m working harder and smarter in the hope that my want for those top marks and my expecting those marks might end up converging and producing a fabulous result.

Is there something you want and expect and are willing to sacrifice to get?

Elle
p.s. Wishing all the Mum’s out there a Happy Mother’s Day for Sunday.

The end of an era

2010-04-30T10:33:00.000+10:00

It has been confirmed and I am SO excited. As at 1 July 2010 I will no longer be an Executive Assistant. I will enter the exciting (or not so exciting) world of research, photocopying, basic contract review, longer hours and more importantly, the land of the unknown. I will be known as a Paralegal.

I have been working in administration for the last 10 years - initially as a receptionist, then an administration assistant, then a personal assistant, and for the last 5 years an executive assistant. I have come to the precipice of my career in administration and I'm proud to have reached such great heights.

As always, I want for more and so I went searching for a greater challenge.

I am 1.5 years into my graduate law degree and it seems timely that I progress into a role where I can begin to use my knowledge and skills and if in the process I get some practical experience - even better!

When asked the question - am I scared? Absolutely. I'm the "go to" girl in the office. I have all the answers. I am at the top of the assistant food chain and I'm about to be swallowed up by more paperwork than I've ever known, I know nothing and I don't even know where to begin to find the answers. I'll be the annoying person in the office asking all the questions and taking up heaps of time in the learning process - but it has to be done.

When considering if this is the biggest leap in my career I would say it goes pretty close. The reality is I'm ending one career and starting a whole new one (albeit in the same office as part of the same team which is such a blessing). I will be moving out of my very beautiful pod into one that's pokier and has less natural light. I will however be moving into a team of uber smart junior lawyers who are really kind to me so that's a bonus.

So that's my happy news :) Do you have any happy news to share?

I've written quite a few blogs lately but haven't published them - my uni work has been all consuming and i'm devoting all my writing skills to academic work so please excuse the lack of blogs and the poor quality of those I am publishing.

I do have two new blogs I'm reading which I'd love you to check out. My bestie in the UK has started her blog which I helped to inspire The List and another friend who is a superwoman with 3 critters is writing at Dragon Within.

Happy reading and to those of you NOT studying, happy weekend.

Elle

NOT emphasis added

2010-04-07T08:20:00.002+10:00

This is not an original idea of mine - most of them aren't. Most of my inspiration comes from others. The ones that are inspired by me I usually forget.

In the meantime... here's a few things I am not:

I am not a halfway or kinda girl. If I'm in, I'm in the whole way. Whether it's love, a task, a job, a project, a friendship. I don't do things by halves. I'm not myself if not giving 100%.

I am not a good storyteller. I wish I was. My imagination is fairly limited. I'd like to say this is a product of being an adult too long but I think it's really just a 'me' thing.

I am not a MasterChef - aka the tv show. You think you're not a bad cook until you see those shows. There is no way I could make half the dishes they do (particularly under time constraints) - cooking should not be pressured... it takes time!

I am not a prude. There is a time and place for all types of appropriateness and if you heard/saw me with my girlfriends you would know that there are no boundaries for discussion among close girlfriends.

I am definitely not a Labor voter and don't think I ever will be. I believe in free market economics and conservative values (again this does not make me a prude). I do however respect the choices of others and love open debate and discussion about the issues.

I am not a vegetable person - this makes for a very difficult no-carb diet I tell you. I don't hate them... I just wouldn't choose them. I do love salad though so most of my meals are salads right now.

I am not a quiet or inward person (I can see you all giggling and nodding your heads - stop it!!). Everyone who knows me knows that if I'm thinking it, i'll say it, if it's bothering me i'll try to fix it and the only way to do that in my world is to be outward focussed and LOUD. I'm working on the listening part and processing my thoughts before spewing them out ;)

There are plenty of other things I am not but what are you not? I'm not off to work today - instead i'm going to Court for observations.

Happy Hump Day

Elle

This idea was brought to you by Skrinkering Hearts

Wedding vs Marriage

2010-03-24T11:51:00.000+11:00

A special person in my life is getting married in 3 days time - Saturday 27 March 2010. They are having a weekend away for the wedding and it'll be so nice to get out of the city. The construction noise around our place lately is driving me crazy - as are the repetitive weekends full of having my head in the books.
What struck me is how nervous I feel; nervous for her, nervous for him, nervous for me. It's an excited nervousness, but nervousness nevertheless. While we (and by we, I mean me) go on about how marriage holds little significance in this new world (i.e. none of your legal rights change, many people don't change their names and aren't having children and you can get divorced as quickly as you get married), the significance of a wedding however is something altogether different.

Weddings are a huge event, regardless of how we trivialise them. They are a huge effort to organise and they still hold a position of great significance in our lives. You bring together all the people you care about (and who hopefully care about you) and you declare your love for one another in a ceremony exchanging words that are heartfelt, genuine and honest for all to see and hear.

I am mindful of my thoughts on marriage, as something which has little or no significance, but there is something incredibly momentous about speaking to each other about how you feel and committing to each other in front of a whole bunch of people.

The first step in the process is the proposal - which is generally ever so private. The man, generally speaking, gets a practice run for the wedding when he asks a woman to marry him but it takes a lot of courage for many, who aren't so public with their affection (me included), to get up and say how they feel.

Similarly when it comes to speeches, friends and family stand and make speeches about the couple and this is no easy task. When writing down some thoughts to assist one of the other bridesmaids with her speech for the wedding, I wrote, re-wrote and trashed a number of drafts. What doesn’t make sense is that I’m a talker (talk, talk, talk – it’s all I do) but when it comes to getting up in front of people and saying something really meaningful, you’ve got a whole other ball game goin’ on.

Between you and I (and the bride to be who I am sure knows this already) I completely and utterly chickened out on giving a speech because if I’m feeling nervous now without having to give a speech, or without having to say any sort of vows like the bride and groom will on Saturday, can you imagine how insanely nervous I would be on Saturday if I did – out of the question - NUTS.

So, in September next year (when I get married) let’s just say if I’m not sitting down with a brown paper bag inhaling and exhaling, feeling like I’m going to burst with nervousness/anxiety, I’d be very surprised. So… to the bride for this weekend – if you’re not nervous - kudos to you… but if you are - I’ll be there with the paper bag ready and waiting. I’ve worked out that weddings are a big deal. It’s no wonder you and I weren’t so keen on the whole thing in the first place ;)

Elle

Lesson learned yet?

2010-03-16T21:39:00.001+11:00

I read tonnes of blogs. Everyday I add a few to my Google Reader and many of them include ways to de-clutter, de-stress, stay healthy, keep motivated etc. In all honesty I don't need motivation. I have so much going on that motivates me to get up and do it day in, day out. What I do seem to do is get sick a lot.

Most of you are probably thinking well of course, you work, study, gym, eat healthy and go out too. But for me that is par for the course. My body on the other hand is suggesting it can't be par for the course. This week is only about 6-7 weeks since I got sick last time and to be honest it's so annoying because each time it happens i'm on the verge of a weight loss breakthrough (reaching a target weight loss point) or starting to feel good about how I look (partly due to the euqal amounts of gym routine, healthy eating and subsequent weight loss).

When I get sick I go back to eating quite a bit and get out of my gym routine. I also sleep more and do all the right things - like find some balance (minus the exercise and super healthy diet). I seem to get better instantly but the trouble is I want to work, study, gym, eat healthy and feel good about myself without falling off track every second month.

Is there anything other than taking some ridiculous amount of vitamins that will help me get sick less often? Open to any and all suggestions.

Elle (the one who won't learn her lesson if it doesn't suit!)

What would 16 year old you say about your life now?

2010-03-03T14:19:00.002+11:00

It's funny how some kids dream about life as a grown up and wonder about where they'll be in 20 years. Chantelle at Fat Mum Slim wrote a letter to her younger self. I wonder what 16 year old me would have to say about my life now?

While I'm sure my parents will tell me that as a teenager I dreamed of something that I couldn't do till I was an adult or being someone once I was an adult, I don't remember really wanting for anything particularly grown up other than convertible cars and amazing island holidays. Those were the things I understood which were the great parts of becoming an adult.

I still agree with teenage me - convertible cars and island holidays are great parts of becoming an adult and although I don't own a convertible car I've been in one (which totally counts by the way) and I have had a fair few island holidays.

What 16 year old me would say about my grown up life would go something like this:

My eating habits: "You eat that green stinky seaweed stuff? and Oysters? RAW? GROSS!!"
My gym habits: "You should play more team sport or dancing instead of the treadmill - you loved that"
My girlfriends: "I'm so glad you kept some of your friends from high school - we are best friends forever"
My engagement: "ARE YOU SERIOUS? We are never getting married! What were you thinking?!"
And finally where I live: "You moved out of the Shire?" "NO WAY!!!".

My responses in the same order:

You will acquire a taste for expensive food and fine wine - trust me - it's incredible. Say yes to everything you are asked to try (except maybe illegal substances).
Alone time on the treadmill or doing yoga is incredibly therapeutic in this stressful world. Team sports require a lot of commitment and time which you have while you're 16 and not so much at 27. But I have just signed up for a basketball team.
You are right - we are best friends forever and hopefully for a long time still to come. They will provide you with a lot of comfort and sanity in the coming years so look after them and return the favour whenever you can.
You are in love with an amazing man who proposed in the most romantic way you haven't even dreamed of yet and you are planning a fairytale wedding like you never imagined - but it's going to be spectacular I just know it.
Work and study has been a huge part of your life the whole of your 20's. You need to be in the city for convenience, you are working towards owning the apartment you live in but the bonus is that you are living in one of Sydney's best suburbs with fantastic bars and restaurants.

What would 16 year old you say about your life now?

Elle

Dear Sir/Madam... Elle has been absent from her blog because...

2010-03-02T11:19:00.000+11:00

she has been having too much fun. For her absence we apologise, but never for the fun.

This summer I went to the Hunter Valley for a spa retreat, got engaged at Palm Beach, my best friend visited from London and while she was here, four of us girls took a glorious break on the north coast of NSW. I also celebrated my birthday and lapped up the last of the summer sunshine at the beach.

What I worked out this summer however was that when school is out, my blog is too. I think my blog inspiration comes so much easier during semester.... or my procrastination does - think what you will.

So semester is back today and two of my classes are not starting until next week (i.e. i'm easing into it). Today is like any other new school day - getting your student ID, buying tonnes of textbooks you can barely afford (let alone carry) and hoping to god you find someone in your class who is smart, but not too smart that you feel intimidated, so you can be study buddies or even friends.

My motivation is lacking a little today but I have managed to make a start on some readings. I also chatted to an English and Canadian guy in the grocer this morning who were very interested in the fact that it is compulsory to vote in Australia (don't ask how we got into such a serious discussion at the register). They were perplexed about how that constitutes democracy... but as I reminded them... the little thing called a donkey vote gives every Australian the ability to do as they please - they just have to turn up! The two of them chuckled at the idea of a 'donkey vote'.

I would go into a more ideological debate about this issue but I have a textbook to read, notes to write, a lunch to prepare and a class to get to later today. I leave you with some glorious photos from my summer and hope you all had a great one too.

Elle

Big picture or teeny picture?

2010-01-20T14:52:00.000+11:00

Only this time last year I was struggling with what at the time seemed like the decision of a lifetime. I had been accepted into Grad Law School but was really undecided as to whether I would take it on or just chill out, relax and enjoy a quieter (less study-filled = less stressful) life. Typically, I chose to take on the harder option (no chilling out) and embarked on another University degree.

This year the struggle isn't whether or not to take it on, it's how much to take on. Matt's blog has a great article about taking baby steps when setting goals and it dawned on me that this is a problem we all have; the bigger picture and the endpoint seems so far away that we struggle with the baby steps and instead want to take giant leaps ahead of where we are.

It seems that most of us freak out in January about our goals, plans and what we really want. Thank god I am not the only one. While I am not one for New Year's Resolutions, I do make mini-goals almost daily but often they're more of a checklist of "To Do's" as opposed to goals that work towards my bigger picture (i.e. finishing my law degree, becoming a lawyer, owning a house etc).

My problem is swinging from one extreme to the other:

January: freaking out about the bigger picture; the time it will take to finish my degree etc, lack of money etc.

April: back to the teeny picture; OMG too much reading, too many assignments, can't cope, can't see past this day, week, weekend, mellllllltttdowwwwwn.

July: big picture again... damnit still 4.5 years to go - argh!

November: *exhale* another year down... forget uni for 3 months (or try to)

January: big picture AGAIN... damnit still 3.5 years of being poor... fobbing off social events, working half a week, studying half a week, how many more subjects can I jam into this year to cut the length of the degree?

It's really a vicious cycle. So am I big picture or teeny picture at the moment? I'm a bit of both. Uni - big picture - hoping to speed up the process - doing 3 subjects and working 3 days a week. Diet/exercise - little picture... lost 3kg of my 5kg goal for this month then keep it off. Personal - lots of fun things planned for my birthday in February as well as a girls weekend away. So I don't think I'm doing too badly.

Are you big picture or teeny picture right now? What will you be tomorrow, next week or next month?

Elle

Missing in action

2010-01-06T09:36:00.000+11:00

Apologies to those of you who may have been wondering where I've been and what I've been up to given my blog absence. The answer? A whole lot of work (pre-Christmas) and a whole lot of relaxation (Post-Christmas) which doesn't involve so much computer time.

I have been reading (almost two books a week) purely for enjoyment. I have also just finished watching the entire first season of Gossip Girl (thanks go to my sister who let me borrow the DVDs). Gossip Girl is so much more than I was expecting in the bitchy, kniving, backstabbing kind of way but I love it all the more exactly for those reasons! The evil grin that appears on my face is so obvious every time one of my least-liked characters gets what's coming to them - it's ridiculously satisfying (and a bit scary for my boyfriend who then asks what exactly is the strange look on my face for?!).

In the book category this summer I must make mention of Ben Elton's new book "The Meltdown" which is just so truly fabulous and provocative you MUST MUST MUST read it.

I've let the soggy Sydney weather force me to take time out (so it was a blessing in disguise really) but I also managed a trip out of town to a glorious spa retreat up North for New Year. The reason I do not name that lovely Spa will become clear very soon.

After my NYE dinner booking got cancelled by one of my favourite restaurants up North (nearby my spa) I decided it would be just as nice (and much cheaper) to buy a bottle of french champagne and pick up some seafood from the Fish Markets on the way and have a lovely quiet night out on the balcony of our room.

So we checked in on NYE and I had a massage mid-afternoon. We began our eating festival straight after the massage on the balcony (just the two of us - with food for 4) and I loved every minute of it. It was a blissful evening of peace and quiet - I couldn't have asked for anything better and was happily asleep in bed before pumpkin time (aka midnight) feeling relaxed and full of good food and wine - even better.

We ventured out for some wine tasting the next morning with our special esky in the boot of the car so we could dispose of the remains of the previous evening's seafood extravaganza into one of those huge rubbish bins at a winery somewhere. But suprisingly we didn't find one and somehow... hours later... i.e. that evening when getting into bed we realised that we had left our lovely stinky fish remains in the boot of our hire car (oops) and tomorrow we would have to drive the entire way back to Sydney with the windows down and the air conditioning on full but we were so full from dinner that night and slightly drunk that neither of us could be bothered doing anything about it at the time. BOY WAS THAT A MISTAKE!

The next morning we took our bags to the car and I cannot begin to explain how POTENT the smell was. At first when I opened the front door of the car I thought it was fine and then WHAM it hit me... not only I had I drank a bit too much the night before but it was pre-10am and I just got hit with the stench of 2 day old warm seafood - beautiful.

There was no way we could keep it in the car. There was however one lonely empty recycling bin just waiting to welcome our stinky seafood garbage into it. I knew it was wrong... oh so very very wrong. I'm one of those people who washes bottles before putting them in the recycling, and pulls out the plastic inside of cardboard boxes (because you must separate the different material!!!) but I was DESPERATE. So desperate in fact that I chucked the ENTIRE esky into the bin. I couldn't bear to open it.

I ran back to the car and we drove off... leaving the spa and its bin with our NYE leftovers never to be welcomed back again.

Happy New Year to all and look forward to hearing some of your NY stories.

Elle

Point + Shoot

2009-12-07T08:29:00.001+11:00

Chantelle at Fat Mum Slim has decided we should all present our photos as part of a point + shoot challenge from the weekend. I think it's a great idea and although my photo isn't the greatest quality (iphone) it was an absolutely stunning sunset.

Manly Wharf - Saturday 5 December 2009 - 8.15pm - waiting for the ferry to take me back to the city after a glorious afternoon with an old best friend from school (and many alcoholic beverages)

Lacking inspiration

2009-12-02T19:39:00.002+11:00

I haven't felt like writing lately (I apologise) so I'll leave you with my thoughts on what is HOT and what is NOT inspired by Aussie Waffler at Waffling Along. She got this game from Claire at Loobylu which is another great blog I've been reading lately. I especially just like the picture/logo on her main page.

What's HOT:
The smell of mangoes in the fruit shop in November. You know Christmas is just around the corner.

What's NOT:
Leaving home without your umbrella or coat on the day that it just decides to pour down and be windy.

What's HOT:
Making plans to spend time with a loved one during the holiday season.

What's NOT:
Paying surcharges to a hotel to spend time with a loved one during the holiday season.

What's HOT:
Finding a dress that is perfect for more than just 1 occasion.

What's NOT:
Trying to explain to a friend that you don't want to be friends anymore.

What's HOT:
Knowing you passed your exams.

What's NOT:
Being too hard on yourself.

What's HOT:
Musicals - like Wicked ;)

What's NOT:
Mosquitos.

What's HOT:
Gingerbread.

What's NOT:
Hangovers.

Elle

Mindset - encourage the change

2009-11-24T13:09:00.000+11:00

I had set myself a rather large goal of reading 2 books per week in the summer while on uni break in a post I wrote a few weeks back.

This week I have finally finished reading (listening to) the book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol Dweck.

This book was particularly helpful through the study period for me. I am what Dweck would call, primarily, a fixed mindset type of person. Someone who would prefer success to look effortless and whose confidence is vulnerable to great shift/change. I'm someone who takes all possible steps to avoid failure.

I'm sure there are a few of you who can relate.

Where the book really engaged me was that Dweck believes abilities are things which can be cultivated through hard work - not just some magical talent that you were born with and have forever. For me, I've always envied people I believed were born with great academic or sporting abilities (or what I perceived were inherent abilities). I never for once believed that they worked harder than I did and that's why they were more successful at something than I was, or that perhaps their goals were more focussed and maybe they stopped making excuses (which is what I would do when I didn't achieve something - and kinda still do!).

I had convinced myself of the myth about ability and intelligence and by making excuses I was protecting my confidence and ego.

What my take away from this book will be is that I need to turn my focus to learning and improving. This way I don't always need that confidence and ego boost. I can enjoy my learning without knowing I'll be the best at it first time around. My effort will be a positive constructive force rather than a chore - or I'm going to try and make it less of a chore and through my sustained effort and mental strength I will be able to develop the skills I need for greatness in whatever area of life I choose to channel that effort.

What I find difficult about Dweck's book is that it would take a significant change in mindset at all levels; parenting, teaching, managing staff etc to really institute a change to from a fixed mindset where you praise ability and talent to a growth mindset where you praise hard work and effort. How many times did your parents tell you you had a gift or were talented at something? Most people seem to think if you're naturally brilliant that this is somehow better than you achieving something through hard work - strange societal paradigm right?

That change of mindset will be tough and I don't suspect it will happen in greater society, but for those who have changed from the fixed to the growth mindset, those who have worked hard and learnt alot, would probably say that it was all worth it and would encourage the change. I'm going to encourage the change.

Questions I'm asking myself everyday and maybe you should too - what are my opportunities for learning and growth today? Where can I stop making excuses and work a little harder to achieve what I want?

Elle

ps. sorry I haven't written lately - just recovering from the post-study madness!

Weekend in review (part 2)

2009-11-18T08:13:00.000+11:00

Before my lovely dinner at Manta in Woolloomooloo on Saturday night, I had a 3pm appointment with Matthew, my new hairdresser at Redz Colourbox/Orla Quinlan in Surry Hills.

Everyone knows it is hard to find a good hairdresser in the city and I've been through 4 salons in around 4 years. They are either too pretentious or the hairdresser leaves, or in the most recent case I had been going to a certain salon on Park Street for around 18 months or so and turned up to my early morning appointment (a few short hours before flying to Europe) only to be told on the spot that my stylist was not in and I would have to reschedule. RESCHEDULE? I was getting on a plane in a few hours. So I did my usual "Get me another stylist or else" tirade and eventually they sat me down with a glass of water and told me that the senior stylist would be with me in just a moment.

He was fine and all, but he wasn't my stylist. Not to mention I had to pay more. I thought that his blowdry left much to be desired and that despite all his goings on about how he was the best blowdry technician they had in the salon I thought it was pretty terrible.

Why couldn't someone have called me when they found out that my stylist was sick? That way I could have sourced another salon elsewhere in the meantime or just not bothered and gone to the gym instead!

So between my Europe trip and now my hair has grown to the bottom of my back. It was dead, lifeless and really straight. I was really getting sick of it and with summer approaching decided to do something different and find someone new.

I have walked past this new salon every Saturday for the last 6 weeks or so when I go to drop off the dry cleaning and it looks so lovely and bright and NEW. I love the word NEW don't you? New clothes + new hair = new you. Anyway, I was tempted but nervous. I rang them a few weeks ago and made a booking for a cut and blowdry and figured what did I have to lose? My hair would grow back if I didn't like it.

It turns out that Matthew and Orla who own/manage/run the entire salon on their own are from Ireland. They have the most beautiful accents and couldn't be anymore welcoming. The glass of Rose was a nice touch too.

The salon itself had a wonderful breeze flowing through on a rather warm day. Matthew treats his job like it's his hobby, with great passion and joy with every cut. I knew I would be content with my hair in his hands and as it turns out, I was more than content.

My hair now has layers, life and is shiny, healthy and dare I say it again, new! I can't wait to go see Matthew again soon to see what he can do with the colour.

Just another wonderful part of my first study-free weekend for the summer.

Elle

A weekend in review (part 1)

2009-11-16T21:22:00.000+11:00

On Saturday I booked an impromptu dinner at Manta Restaurant in Woolloomooloo (Sydney). I called around 5pm hoping for an early dinner booking to enjoy the beautiful spring sunshine which would last until about 7.30-8pm-ish. Luckily the kind gentleman on the phone agreed fit me in at 6.15 but politely requested we vacate the table by 8.30pm for the next booking. Completely fine by me - the sunshine is gone by then anyways.

Here is a glimpse of the wharf upon our arrival:

We were seated at a gorgeous table just inside and I of course got the comfy side with the pillows (boyfriend obliging as always).

I started with a glass of Veuve - why not indulge a little - my exams were over and I clearly deserved it! The waitress was lovely (with that right amount of interest and information and definately no pretentiousness) and she ever so kindly tempted us with the provolone filled zucchini flowers which were delicate and tasty and we also had a mixed plate of oysters for entree.

Entrees at restaurants these days are just amazing. They always make sure, because the portions are so small, that they use the finest quality ingredients and most of the time I would much prefer two entrees rather than an entree and main just for the sheer delicateness and freshness of flavours you tend to get in an entree.

I chose a French bottle of white to go with our meal, the 2006 Laroche Petite Chablis, which is my latest favourite (so over Sav blanc). It's super smooth but still a little dry and suits the palate perfectly with oysters and fish (just between you and me a French Chablis also goes fabulously with some French creamy Brie but I wouldn't know anything about that).

After entree I had the snapper with kipfler potatoes and aioli and my other half had the Beef sirloin with a beautiful bearnaise sauce. What is it with restaurants serving these amazing steaks? We were at Rockpool Bar & Grill recently and their steaks are also out of this world and despite the price tag I completely believe they are worth every cent.

But wait, there truly is more. I overheard the waitress taking an order at the other table and she mentioned the chips with truffle oil and parmesan. You heard me right, truffle oil cooked chips. They were out of this world incredible. I wish I had a photo of them for you because they looked a bit wierd but they tasted oh so beautiful. Like gourmet pieces of heaven with every bite. I wonder how many calories those chips had. I clearly wasn't concerned at the time which is why I also ordered dessert.

I went with something out of the usual (normally i'm a creme brulee or a lemon tart kinda girl) but I decided I'd go with the lemon meringue pie special. It was a little too sweet. My partner had the apple tart tartin and it also left a bit to be desired. Clearly Manta's position in the restaurant business is chips and truffle oil - maybe they should open up a store and just sell them - they were only $15!!!

All in all it was an absolutely stunning meal. A beautiful fine dining experience in one of Sydney's most stunning waterfront locations. I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Check out Manta Restaurant at: http://www.mantarestaurant.com.au/

Elle

Pizza... my salvation

2009-11-16T08:32:00.000+11:00

I cannot believe I am writing this post. This time last week I was wondering how I would get through another intense series of night time study sessions before another petrifying exam. Yesterday I woke up early (for a Sunday) but it wasn't to get into the books (at least not the law books). Yesterday I got to spend time with my family.

Last week was a make or break point for me, if I could survive through the tears and the stress and if my other half could survive with being yelled at or talked to constantly at the end of a study day, then we both could make it. Which means my dream of becoming a lawyer may actually be possible, which although it sounds obvious, was never something I believed I could do even if I wanted it really badly.

Thursday night I hit the town with the girls. I had a new dress (not a Ted Baker one - but one that still looked great and was a third of the price). I had finished an exam that was over 3 hours and despite a thunderstorm looming, a cramped and spasming hand, I bolt out the door (into a taxi that possibly could have killed me on the way to drinks). It was me against the world and I was winning. I was even singing along to the music in the taxi! NO I was not drunk at this point!!

The night was a huge success, a celebration for a friend who just got engaged and a huge relief for me that there will be no study for the summer. But what made it more successful for me was that I was a better version of myself, I had realised that you really need to savour these moments with your friends - which is why I was all for 4 cocktails in the first hour plus a few shots here and there. You need to get out there and tear it up because a week before I was sitting in this same chair, stressing, studying and wishing oh so much that I could be out there doing anything but studying. It's all relative right?

My cheeks were so sore from smiling and laughing, either at the fact that there was some sort of hideous 80s music playing or that we had to take 4 photos to get one half decent one of us. So after a few too many bottles of champagne (thanks to Stu at Cargo for those) and a few too many cocktails, we eventually headed home.

The taxi driver asked me where I was headed. Home? Nope. Certainaly not. I was en route to the local pizza/kebab shop because god knows I was going to be at work in a few short hours and a slice would help with the hangover.

I picked up my $3.50 slice of pizza and walked down the street to my place smiling, realising that it's always the small things that make you happy, but that sometimes it takes great dedication, stress and anxiety for you to appreciate those small things.

Oh pizza slice... you were my salvation on Friday morning (and just quietly so was the bacon and egg toasted turkish for breakfast).

A note to my brother: yes I know I'm not supposed to be eating pizza but come on... it was early in the morning and I really needed it. I went to the gym on Friday in my lunchbreak!!

Happy Monday everyone. Hope you are waking up to a beautiful morning wherever you are in the world.

Elle

Let me paint you a picture... a glorious Ted Baker London picture

2009-11-08T19:54:00.000+11:00

Upon entering David Jones in my 1 hour lunch break on Friday I knew I could find a dress that would be just perfect for a number of special occasions I have coming up. I was also prepared for the fact (that after wearing a dress I already own that was a little tight this week) that I could be just outside my usual size (which generally fits me no matter what brand). Surely it wasn't going to be that bad though right? WRONG.

Let me show you a picture of a dress that was fairly similar - it was the same style as this only in shades of deep green and blues.

Apart from the fact that the dress was way (and I mean WAY) out of my budget for a party dress I thought that if it fit and if it looked perfect I'd be able to justify it somehow; which means also justifying to my other half why I won't be making extra loan repayments this month... eeek. Nonetheless, I pushed on.

This dress was the last of 5. The first one... too much of a bow going on around the neckline and was more like a potato sack (no shape - not good for me). Second one made me look like I was attending Royal Ascott looking like Pretty Woman all polka dots - perhaps not. The third was definately a designer dress made for pregnant women (and no i'm not bagging pregnant women but I'm not one so I don't want a dress that makes me look like one!). The fourth - I don't remember but I don't think I was even able to zip it up - now there's the sign saying turn back - run out of the change room now, it can only get worse. I ignored the signs. It got worse. MUCH worse.

I left this one till last. The Pièce de résistance. I knew it wasn't allowed. But it looked oh so pretty and oh so perfect for me - I could tell even before I slipped it off the hanger. This was it - the dress I was going to wear to all the christmas parties. I was even matching shoes in my head that were in my wardrobe and figuring out what to do if none of them matched. The dress had beautiful boning that cinched in the waist to avoid that pregnant look, it was all quality, everything you expect from a beautiful maxi dress.

In essence, this dress is strapless so I'll need to be wearing a strapless bra which probably has a a bit of support for that extra lift if you know what I mean. So I thought leaving the bra on would be a good idea but that does create a bit of thickness. Stepping into the dress and shimmying it up over the hips was a little tight. The change room was hot - clearly it was just a bit sticky. It was a size 2 after all and so maybe it'll just be a bit small, I can always get the next size. I began zipping it up the side. Breathing in. Twisting around. Removing bra. Just two more inches and it will be zipped up. OH COME ON. SERIOUSLY?! 2 measly little inches. THIS IS THE DRESS DAMNIT. I NEED THIS DRESS. I have a whole weekend of study ahead of me and I really just need this dress. It will make it all better. What don't you understand about the fact that I've been working and studying for nearly 3 weeks straight now and I just really deserve this dress - please karma... please.

BRIGHT IDEA: "Excuse me". "Do you have this dress in a size 3?". "Sure". Kind changing room attendant disappears to look for the next size in the dress. I wait in anticipation. Still waiting. Oh come on I'm standing here in a dress a size too small just hurry up with the bigger size damnit. While you're at it get rid of these other hideous dresses - I certainly don't want them! Not that I can't afford them or anything. "Here you go". "Thanks".

I happily dart back into my change room still canvassing my credit card options; how i'll pay it back and which month's budget this dress will have to come out of. How will I afford my next lot of personal training sessions and there are a lot of engagement/christmas/birthday parties coming up. Hmmmmm. In the meantime I've zipped myself up.... ..... ..... almost. WHAT?! ALMOST?! It's like an inch and a half to the top, maybe two inches. I'm really hot and sweaty by this point. Don't you hate change rooms like that? It's not conducive to impulse buying in lunch breaks.

Yep you got it - it still won't do up. Since when have I never fit into a size 3? and girls it's all relative - if you've never fit into a 3 don't go hating on me - I hate my body just as much as the next girl - trust me. Ted Baker WHAT THE F*** ARE YOU DOING MAKING SIZES THAT ARE LIKE HALF AN INCH DIFFERENT?! Continue trying to zip up the dress. Contemplate friend who is a fashion designer somehow making this dress bigger - can you make dresses bigger? No idea. Getting furious. Just zip up already - please!

Hmmm... let me check the sizes. Surely there can't be that small a difference between the two. Oh. That's right ladies and gentlemen you guessed it, the dress I had just tried on - was already a 3. I had just asked the assistant, ever so confidently, to get me the next size up only to realise that was clearly the biggest size they had, and I had already tried it on. Standing in the change room. Two size 3 dresses - exactly the same. EPIC FAIL.

GenYElle... last seen purchasing red velvet cupcake to drown her sorrows. Has been seen texting her personal trainer begging for a serious program to lose the extra tyre around her waist, back, hips and thighs and hitting the gym that night to do something about the excess weight she is carrying. Ted Baker 1 Me 0.

Thank you - to my family

2009-11-06T08:39:00.000+11:00

Most of us take it for granted when we have a fantastic family. I know I took it for granted for a long time before mine began to fall apart (granted I was a teenager and what teenager do you know that appreciates what they have?!). The falling apart of the family I had known for so long was the catalyst; the thing that made me truly appreciate what I had. Why does it take a tragedy or a loss to realise that we are already so blessed and lucky to have those people in our lives?

It takes a long time to adjust to a differing picture of what your family is like when it abruptly changes. Sometimes that change isn't entirely a bad thing despite everything you are brought up to believe (family involves a mum and a dad and 2.5 kids - or in my case 3). That change can widen your horizons. It allows you to be more open and understanding of the impact others can have on your life, of accepting a family that is more diverse, and ultimately one you can choose for yourself. I don't prescribe to the notion that says "you can't choose your family". I think you really can and I have chosen mine - or perhaps we have chosen each other, even in the most unlikely of circumstances.

Image courtesy of Etsy.com

I have spent the last ten years realising that the closest of my friends are more like family to me than some of my blood relations. That they (my friends) have shown me true and unfettered support when I needed it most and have remembered the things that are most important to me. A very good friend posted on her blog a while back about how family is used as a term to describe a 'connection'. That connection is something I have with a few special people in my life who are not blood relations. Both her and I share this blended view of family and one of my favourite posts about family can be seen here on her blog, The Highwire.

I, like her little boy, gravitate to those who love me the most. Those who text me before an exam, and who message me or leave me a voicemail after (even when they're not in the same time zone), those who have confidence in my ability when I least have it in myself and those, who no matter what hour of the day, I know I can count on for support. This blog post is for them. They are part of my family, and to you, you know who you are, I say thank you. You mean the world to me.

Quick Hit No.5

2009-11-03T09:28:00.001+11:00

What I love about blogs

You wake up in the morning and there's something more interesting today than yesterday, something more creative, more inspiring and more happy (generally).

I've stopped reading the news in the morning as my internet fix before work. Now I just trawl my google reader and catch up on all my favourite blogs. If I get to work a bit earlier I also have more time to comment - which after all is half the fun of blogs - the interactiveness of it all.

Recently one of my favourite bloggers took a break and boy was I lonely without it - it was like my little piece of happiness in the morning had disappeared and I was so happy when she returned. Check out Chantelle's blog Fat Mum Slim to see what I mean. Creative, fun, beautiful and my little piece of joy in the morning.

Obviously news is important but I think I much prefer real people, real questions and real happiness than journalists exaggerating stories for shock and awe factor as well as the devastation and disaster which we see on the news. Blogging still has that human factor you see in the news, but in a nicer way.

What is it that you love about blogs?

Lots and lots more reading - am I insane?

2009-10-30T10:55:00.002+11:00

They say successful people read at least two books a week.

2 BOOKS?! WHO READS BOOKS THESE DAYS??!! Everyone I know is reading blogs, online news, forums etc.

The most successful and intelligent of us (I do not include myself in this 'us') read 2 books a week. I wonder if this is an average over a year? I know there are periods where I won't pick up a brochure, let alone a book. Surely they can't be reading two books a week, every week.

The challenge I am setting myself over the spring/summer (November after exams through February) is to read an average of 2 books per week and I will share with you some of the things I have been reading - keeping myself accountable.

I am currently reading 'Mindset: the new psychology of success' by Carol Dweck. The problem I have when I am studying (and with law school generally) is that I don't think I am smart enough - that I haven't got the inherent ability like others or the gift of brilliant memory retention or just talent generally. What this books is about for me is changing my mindset from wishing I had gifted brilliance, to being happy about challenging myself and learning new things and realising that those things are hard but they can be fun too. It is helping me remain focussed through my study period and I'm not suprised to learn so far in the book that i'm part 'fixed mindset' and part 'growth mindset'. I'll elaborate on this in another post when I'm a little further into the book. But essentially I think I can change my mindset and I'm glad about that.

A request from me to you: please feel free to share/suggest books or audiobooks you would recommend I read over the summer or even books you haven't read but are dying to know what they're like and I'll give you a run-down and review.

I can't wait!

Elle

Why study is bad for me

2009-10-27T22:09:00.003+11:00

Need I say more.

2 exams. One next week and one the following. Then I get my life back.

I'm looking forward to hanging out with friends (without any time limits) and getting my hair cut... it's ridiculously long and I need something fresh. It will be 6 weeks until Christmas when it's over and I will be making the most of every moment.

In the meantime - back to it.

Elle

Crime and Punishment

2009-10-23T01:29:00.005+11:00

Good MORNING everyone

I can say morning because it's now past 1am on a weeknight and i'm not asleep. For those of you who are insomniacs, I see now why you are so wierd! This is not normal people!!!

Let's talk about normal. Normal is getting home at a reasonable hour on a weeknight so your respective other half isn't woken up, of if they're still awake (aka me) that they can finally get to sleep at a reasonable hour once you are home. This is of particular importance if you have say jobs that require your attention the next day, law school and study the entire weekend (or should i say the next 3 weekends straight). Note. a job to go to the next day would suffice here, a baby, or actually anything remotely respectable would be enough (exceptions include: being a dole bludger).

Considerate is taking one for the team when getting home from a night out on a weeknight at say 10.30pm and doing your other half's washing while they're sound asleep so that they may have clothes for work the next day (even though you're exhausted and would much prefer soaking your tired body (instead of dirty laundry) in a HOT bath).

Following from normal and considerate, there's reasonable. Reasonable is where my special new theoretical legal training comes in (aka my first year law degree). There's what's called a 'reasonableness test' in the law in Australia. It's a fantastically ambiguous notion that ultimately leaves a wide ambit of possibilities for the judge. Let's just park that notion on the side for a moment. Let's see if we can apply the 'reasonableness test' here and maybe you can be the judge.

Scenario:

Me skipping yoga after work today (my 1 hour of bliss every week) to cook dinner, clean, do washing and study (ie. for the benefit of our household). My other half went to work, played tennis and then went out drinking (which let's not forget I encouraged earlier in the night - but I add... this was when I did not suspect it would turn out to be a mid-week massive booze session).

Other half - intoxicated sending text messages with incorrect spelling at 11.30pm informing me that he might be a little later than the previous discussion of midnight we had 4 hours earlier.

My text message response includes the notion of fairness.

I receive a gushing drunken 'but I love you' *hiccup* phone call immediately after.

I reiterate that I do but clearly you are too drunk and at this point I can hear my voice getting louder and louder as the music on the other end of the phone gets louder and louder.

I remind him that it's pre-exam time, he is about to go away soon and perhaps sleep deprivation for me really isn't a good idea right now so could he maybe think about coming home soon.

He continues to be annoyingly drunk. I hang up. Consider smacking my forehead for thinking it was a good idea to encourage weeknight drinking sessions.

He rings back.

He stupidly puts me onto this evening's co-conspirator. I refuse to talk. Hang up.

I turn off the phone.

I've had enough.

I am reasonable. To a point. That point expires when I don't get sleep or there are incredibly important things at stake for me which lack of sleep makes incredibly difficult to do. I also don't appreciate making sacrifices for others when they don't feel like returning the favour. Blind love doesn't cut it.

We're a team.

Have some respect.

Be reasonable.

Tomorrow (or today)... or the days following that, I guarantee that you will pay.

Judge Elle (decider of all things reasonable)

ps. enjoy the sound of the hair dryer in about 5 hours time hunney.

Churros and Australian Gourmet Traveller

2009-10-22T10:03:00.000+11:00

My sister recently came back from America and now shares my love for churros; those hot beautiful crunchy yet soft cinnamon donuts that I discovered on my trip a few years back.

There's something fascinating about cooking for us Gen Y kids. While we have a million choices of places to buy from it seems much more satisfying (and often therapeutic) to make it ourselves... no matter how hard it is to do and how time consuming it might be!

For anyone who is keen on the recipe - i have included it below from this month's Gourmet Traveller. I am hoping for a subscription to this magazine for Christmas from Santa. Fingers crossed.

Churros
Serves 6
Cooking Time Prep time 15 mins, cook 15 mins (plus resting)

325 gm plain flour
60 ml (¼ cup) olive oil
For deep-frying: vegetable oil
For dusting: caster sugar

Sift flour and a pinch of salt into a heatproof bowl.
Combine oil and 450ml water in a saucepan and bring to the boil over medium-high heat. Pour over flour and beat quickly with a wooden spoon to combine.
Transfer mixture to an electric mixer fitted with a paddle and beat until a very smooth dough forms (2-3 minutes).
Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a 2cm star nozzle and push down to remove any air bubbles in bag. Refrigerate to rest and chill (30 minutes).
Heat oil in a deep-fryer or deep-sided frying pan to 180C. Pipe long lengths of mixture (about 15-20cm) into hot oil, creating a swirl, and cut with scissors. Be careful as oil is hot and may spit.
Fry churros in batches, turning occasionally with a spider, until golden (3-5 minutes), then remove with a spider and drain on absorbent paper. Toss in a bowl with caster sugar, shaking off excess, and serve immediately.

Once you have made the churros it's time to make the chocolate dipping sauce:

200 ml each heavy (45% milk fat) and pouring cream
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 cinnamon quill
150 gm dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), finely chopped
60 ml Pedro Ximénez (a sweet dark sherry - i'll be leaving this out)
1 tsp finely grated orange rind

Bring cream, vanilla and cinnamon just to the boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add chocolate, Pedro Ximénez and orange rind and stir over low heat until smooth (2-4 minutes). Serve hot with warm churros.

This recipe is from the October 2009 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller.

Inspired

2009-10-20T11:04:00.000+11:00

I was reviewing all my blogs this morning when I came across Leigh-Ann's probing question and it really gave me cause to think what I would do.

Some would say, save the world from poverty - well aren't you all just Mother Theresa's?! Me, I'd like a life filled with adrenalin and fun - fighter pilot, race car driver or something along those lines.

image courtesy of: http://weheartit.com/entry/868535

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

ps. Pop over to Freckled Nest and check out some of Leigh-Ann's other pages I love like this one ♥

When tacky just doesn't say it all

2009-10-19T15:45:00.000+11:00

People make too many decisions based on how 'it' looks or will look to others. We use certain objects as social guide marks; the car, the house, the wedding, the baby clothes and the holiday house. They indicate our status, wealth, social standing and our taste.

There is however, a fine line between classy and tacky. A stunning engagement ring is classy. Using a photo of it as your profile pic on Facebook or Twitter is tacky. Having a baby is a wonderful thing, posting status updates about contractions, less so. But let's take this one step further...

As an observer of all things generational, I make some general comments about where it is most noticeable for Gen Y. It is the engagement, the hens night, the wedding, the baby shower and then the baby. These are rites of passage for all of us that are supposed to be spectacular moments in our lives and shared with those we love and who love us. They are generally classy, stylish and beautiful. How is it they have turned into such sordid affairs of blow by blow details of bodily functions, penis straws and the like? Has Gen Y completely lost its ability to be classy?

Here is what I am talking about:

Maybe I am being a prude. Let me know what you think. To penis cake or not to penis cake? perhaps that is the question.

Elle

Quick hit no.4

2009-10-15T15:26:00.001+11:00

If you don't ask... you don't get

This is a saying I'm sure you are all quite familiar with. I am constantly reminded of it when haggling with a JB Hi Fi teenager when purchasing a digital camera or buying white goods from The Good Guys.

Today when attempting to make a holiday booking (for someone other than myself) I asked if they could further discount the trip, for no good reason, just could they. Guess what? They did. It was a HUGE saving. I'm stoked.

This has made my day - it's the small things that count right?

Moral of the story - there is no harm in asking. The worst they can say is no.

Elle

Say 'NO' to Polygamy in Australia

2009-10-13T22:38:00.000+11:00

My blog today is written in response to an article posted on Sydney Morning Herald online written by Keysar Trad dated October 2, 2009. For those of you who are not familiar with his work, Keysar Trad is a pin-up for young Muslims in Australia and holds a fundamental position as President of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia. Trad has also been known for his appearances during race conflict interpreting and being the spokesperson for Sheik Taj El-Din Hilaly.

Justice McLellan describes Trad in a recent judgment as dangerous, disgraceful and disingenuous (among other things) and I could not agree more with McLellan J’s assessment of his character.

While I do not want to give more press to his writings, it is important to address the issues Trad raises in an Australian context and the Australian context really is the essential part of this debate. Australia was founded and established as a Christian society. Our values, our communities, our parliament and our laws are all based on a foundation of Christian beliefs. When our Constitution was created it was seen fit (and appropriate) to include the “blessing of Almighty God” and subsequently the Constitution was prayed over by Christian, Alfred Deakin, who later became Prime Minister. This is the foundation of our laws, our lives and our country.

I want to make clear that I do not agree with the blurring of lines between the Church and State, however the reality is that the common law in Australia is based on a Christian view of life (which includes Monogamy and marriage between a man and a woman). I am not religious but share the views by means of personal preference and similarly, I respect the laws of this country which were established on the basis of Christian beliefs. Mr Trad however does not. Mr Trad considers that the laws of this country should encompass an alternative marriage option such as polygamy. While you may raise your eyebrows and say, “so what’s the big deal about alternative marriage options?” I urge you to think about the long term effects of further degradation of the sanctity of marriage in western societies.

Further, I would encourage you to consider the seriousness of what Mr Trad is proposing, which is outrageously sexist and hardly liberating for women. Mr Trad compares the sharing of a husband to be similar to that of sponsoring orphans. I don’t know about you ladies, but I’m not sure the girl down the street wearing the short skirt with the sexy long legs who is 10 years your junior deserves 30 minutes of your husband’s time (which is 30 minutes you have less of him) or that you could compare this to giving 30 dollars to a needy orphan. It is not even remotely analogous. It is distasteful and offensive to all women to expect that we should share our husbands with another wife or multiple wives.

Subsequently, I refute the proposition that marriage in western societies is a failed social experiment and I think you will find that all jokes aside, most people also do not support the notion that men, can or should have multiple girlfriends. People are fallible and many marriages end in divorce, particularly in Australia, but it does not make the institution of marriage fallible. It is just like saying that because people tell lies the institution of telling the truth has completely failed.

So let’s not dispel the concept of traditional marriage in this country for one which disrespects women, is not lawful or commensurate with the foundations of this country, but rather reinvigorate our values and remind people of what Australia really stands for.

Elle

One of those people

2009-10-11T20:58:00.001+11:00

I have been working on a political piece for you which I feel quite strongly about but am finding it difficult to pin down. I will post it soon – I promise. In the meantime I want to share with you something that has been on my mind for a little while now.

As some of you may know, in between university semesters (June/July) this year, I went on my first trip to Europe. I spent quality time with my best friend, a few days in Paris and then jetted off for a cruise around the Dalmatian coast and then spent some romantic time with my man in Italy. It was a 1 month whirlwind of a trip and it was everything I had hoped it would be – minus the post-holiday jitteriness.

Prior to the holiday there had been a few comments from people who insisted that it would change me, that I’d have “post holiday blues”. Much to my surprise I came back and jumped straight back into a routine – no jetlag. I was already 1 week behind in class and so forced myself into the rat race that is my life the moment I stepped off the plane back in Sydney. My other half however didn’t do so well. His sleep patterns were out and the thought of working was just too much. He whinged quite a bit those first few weeks after we got home. Surprisingly, he has now adjusted rather well and I am left wondering whether my post-holiday blues are just setting in.

I did think about this on and off before I left and thought it’s just a holiday, it’s no big deal and I’ve got things to do when I get back so I will be fine, plus I’m just not one of those people. But two months post holiday and every day I wonder if I’m on the right path, if what I’m doing is really what I want and EVERY day it changes which is REALLY annoying. No I mean REALLY REALLY annoying. I need to maintain my focus, it’s only a few weeks till end of semester law exams and right now I should be studying, not blogging about how I’m not even sure if I want to be studying and this is where I begin to focus my blog… thanks Penelope Trunk.

This post-holiday jitteriness is very stereotypical of a Generation Y kid. Being a “Gen Y” kid, I have been given every opportunity in the world, the world is my oyster, blah blah blah. My parents sacrificed a lot so my siblings and I could have the best of everything from computers to tutors to music, dancing and a whole lot more. They took out loans for school fees just so I could get a better education which would hopefully lead me to becoming a “true professional”. So right now I’m busy doing that. I’m getting my second University degree and working full-time. I have a reasonably respectable life… albeit a very busy one.

Here’s my problem. There are too many opportunities. If you’re a baby boomer reading this please don’t get started on how ungrateful we are as a generation. I’m COMPLETELY grateful, which is why I’m doing what I’m doing. HOWEVER, as a Gen Y kid I’ve also been taught to question life, to expect more, to want more and thank you very much now I have too many questions, too many opportunities and not enough answers or focus/direction. I’m now a post-holiday jittery stereotypical ungrateful Gen Y kid.

Only if you know me… that’s the complete opposite of who I am.

Elle

Twenty Questions

2009-10-08T12:56:00.000+11:00

1. Show us the inside of something cute

Inside of a puppy paw

2. What's the last homecooking you had?

Spaghetti bolognese

3. What do you miss? (alive)

Being naive

Image: pulsatinglibretto.blogspot.com/2009/09/naive.html

4. What makes you laugh often?

Friend's babies

5. What's your favorite word?

Beautiful

6. What are you trying to quit?

Thinking too much

7. What's your favorite commercial right now?

I love and hate this ad all at the same time.

8. Whose style do you dig?

Reese: so simple and classy

9. Link to a great blog you've discovered lately...

http://nicoleisbetter.com/

10. What's the last craft you made?

I don't really do craft - does wrapping gifts or putting bows on things count?

11. A photo of the last happy mail you got

A bunch of cards I ordered from modernemotive via Etsy. I got a card for Dad for Father's day, some thank you cards and a card for my boy for our anniversy (pictured above).

12. Something you've got lately?

Dirty Dancing on DVD

13. What are you looking forward to?

A friend's wedding

14. Post a recent snapshot you have taken.

Out the bus window on the way home from school

15. Recent Favorite Movie?

16. Something you're working on right now?

Finding a common theme/purpose/topic/focus for my blog. See Penelope Trunk's criticism of what i'm doing now - which is blogging without any purpose or defined focus.

17. If a movie were made about you, who would play you?

Kate Walsh and Hillary Swank but it's more just because I like these women as opposed to who would represent me.

18. What gives you goosebumps?

Most of my goosebumps are from the cold wind. But my other goosebumps are for wonderful things that are special to me - like announcements of friends getting married, having babies, winning promotions etc.

19. Share a new indulgence.

Having my house cleaned once a fortnight

20. What's the meaning of your life?

It is constantly changing and will never remain the same.

Thanks to Frecklednest for this fun 20 questions - check out: http://frecklednest.blogspot.com/2009/09/20q.html

It's the small things

2009-10-06T19:43:00.001+11:00

I recently celebrated 10 years of being with my partner... and before you ask... no we're not married. In that time we've shared a lot of things, seen a lot of things, been to a lot of places and most of all worked really hard. Sometimes we don't get the chance to work hard at our relationship as we're so busy working on every other aspect of our lives, but it's moments like your anniversaries that give you cause to reflect on what an amazing journey you have been on and to remind each other of the small things.

While most of our favourite memories of being together include a fair few of our holidays, these are also the times where we've been able to spend the most quality time with one another - so that makes sense. But others are achievements that you feel you may not have completed without the other - jobs, promotions, graduations and generally surviving the tougher times in life. I struggled terribly to write words in the card that would justify such thanks, but my partner on the other hand who is so frequently short on words when it comes to anniversaries and birthdays made up for it. It's those few words, in a card after 10 years that made the anniversary something special... the dinner, drinks, movies and chocolates weren't bad either.

What are the small things which you reflect on in your relationships?

Annoying teenage ferals

2009-09-29T20:46:00.002+10:00

While standing in my happy Tuesday night bus queue coming home from class, I stumbled upon a charming group of young men (let’s name them the group of annoying teenage ferals) – you can see where I’m going with this already I’m sure.

Let me give you a picture of the ringleader: emo looking hair (only not nearly as trendy or cool as the regular emos), facial piercings, baggy tracksuit pants, and an attitude like you’ve never heard before – actually you probably have. This picture would be being too kind – but you get the idea.

Anyway the scenario tonight goes like this.

Me = standing in the queue – probably about 2 bus loads of people long. At the point where I’m patiently standing, the queue thins out to 2 or so people wide standing next to each other (as opposed to about 5 wide). The feral ringleader approaches the point ahead of me where the line begins to thin. Then he calls to his legion of miniature ego flattering followers to join him in jumping the queue. Never mind that there’s only about another bus load of people in the queue behind me. They stand quietly pretending not to notice.

Ordinarily I’d begin to mouth off. Something along the lines of “How about you go to the end of the line like everyone else?!”. Not today. Today not only did I hear the voice of my boyfriend reminding me to keep my mouth shut or one day I’ll get myself into trouble but today I also got the feeling I may have been ringleader feral’s next victim of a knuckle dusting punch. That’s right. He began to boast about how his knuckles were f—ked up because he beat up some c—t.

Yes. That’s the C word. A word I can’t bear to hear. He continued.

“It’s gonna cost like 10 grand to fix bro”. “I’d have to sell my car”. “It’s just cosmetic… it’s not like a girl will look at my knuckle and be like woah bro that’s an ugly knuckle. Chicks go out with ugly guys all the time bro”. “Did I tell yas my girlfriend has been cheating on me for 3 months ay?”

At this point I’m thinking wow karma really does work. He doesn’t let up.

“I’m so angry hey. If I see her I’ll totally headbutt her. If anyone messes with me I’ll f—ken punch em hey. Let’s go to the front of the line – no one will say s—t to me. Can’t concentrate in class or nothing. She’s such a s—t”.

At this point I’m willing the line to move faster and hoping that I don’t have to listen to this loser the entire way home on the bus. Thankfully they skip the queue a little further up and I am rid of them.

Now you may be thinking, Elle you’re just getting old. But seriously, who let’s this type of kid into University? He sounds like he’s got a brain the size of a pea – and shouldn’t his intelligent looking little minions know better? They look like super geeks who wouldn’t know cool if it smacked their four eyes in the face. Surely their mothers taught them better than to support this goose in his quest for constant assurance and approval of his peers.
Before getting on the bus I overhear the ferals further up the line talking about possible full time positions as graduates at Westpac and NAB and all I can think is please please please let the corporate world eat him up, spit him out and bring him back down to size. Now that would be karma.

Over and out – home safe without lecturing the ferals or being beaten up (much to the boyfriend’s delight).

Elle

Quick hit no.3

2009-09-29T08:45:00.005+10:00

Food

What a difference a week makes hey?

Last week I was eating spaghetti and meatballs... beautiful... salty... meaty... red wine tasting meatballs with the carbohydrate I know and love... pasta mmmm

This morning it's untoasted muesli... fresh mango... kiwi fruit... banana and strawberries... + some yoghurt

How are your food habits this week? Did I mention I went to yoga at 6.15 this morning ;)

Quick Hit No.2

2009-09-26T08:37:00.004+10:00

Stop the honking (beeping)

I was reminded around 1am this morning of the need to address the serious beeping problem (mainly by taxis) in this city. If you've ever stayed the night at my place or stayed at a hotel in the city you'll notice a myriad of noises but one of my top 5 hates is the taxi beeping his horn (and not just during the day).

Maybe we could introduce something similar to this in the Sydney CBD - what do you think?

Or maybe I should start a petition like this one? http://www.stopthehonking.com/

Ugly bus drivers and cute ducklings

2009-09-22T21:38:00.009+10:00

As I have mentioned in a previous post, two days a week I head to Law School. Getting there involves a bus which goes from the city to the University via Anzac Parade. The buses are supposed to come every 20 minutes and as I walked up towards the stop today, I saw the bus leave (I had just literally missed the bus by 20 seconds). Had I been wearing pants instead of my tightly fitted Cue skirt, maybe I would have run and made it. Imagine me running in a tight skirt (laptop in hand... handbag over the shoulder and tiny little puncy running steps that look more like ballet before I'd trip over the footpath and faceplant breaking my laptop and spewing the contents of my handbag all over George Street). I knew I'd have to wait another 20 minutes but it was better than the alternative - sigh.

I walked downstairs under Town Hall. I figured that given today was a whopping 30 degrees with humidity probably around 90% I deserved an icy cold Boost Juice. I love a good Boost Juice - particularly one with mango or passionfruit. So I went with the skinny smoothie called "Mini-Me Mango" with mango and passionfruit and lots of ice - purrrrrfect.

I walked back up to the bus stop and waited... and waited... and waited... and almost 30 minutes later the bus finally turned up. One every 20 minutes - not today clearly! I could have stayed in the office and got more work done!!! As I stepped onto the bus, the bus driver refused me entry.

REFUSED ME ENTRY?!! (I can hear you questioning too). I have never been refused entry to anything! am I missing a shoe? does my hair look bad today? do I not have a ticket?

"You cannot take that on here". He's talking about my Boost Juice.

At this point i'm willing to negotiate...

"But I just bought it".

"You cannot get on the bus with it". "Leave it there" as he looks sternly to the gutter.

"That's littering - I can't break the law". "There are no bins anywhere".

"You cannot get on the bus". "No".

The lovely Asian girl standing next to me offers to shove it in her bag (mine is full with plenty of items which include a bottle of water and a textbook). He begins to yell at her.

"NO".

I try one more time.

"I cannot leave it here. There are no bins. It will have to come with me and I'll put it in the rubbish when I get off".

But it fails.

"Leave it there - you cannot get on".

I was FURIOUS. I just bought this glorious low calorie $5.20 icy Boost Juice (of which i'd had about 1/4 of) and I had to leave it behind. I run towards Gloria Jeans and leave it on one of the tables (I'm mortified of course). The fact of the matter is I have to get on this bus or i'll be late for school. I HATE being late.

Bus driver - 1 Me - 0. Did I mention FURIOUS?!

Well it gets better. It's one of those new beautifully airconditioned buses - relief. Oh that's on the days it happens to be working... today NOT SO MUCH! There is one roof vent which is barely open on a 30 degree day with a bus full of people. So not only is the bus late, I get refused entry and toss my Boost Juice and now there's no air conditionining and damnit where is that icy Boost Juice when you need it?!

Sydney Buses - 1 Me - 0.

So I post on Facebook. No one seems to care but it makes me feel better. What don't people understand about this ridiculous rule that you cannot take drinks and food on a bus?! I'm a busy woman - I have to eat and drink in between work and school. More particularly I need to hydrate in the sweltering heat. In London you are encouraged to take water with you on the tube (another UK/AUS comparison - sorry) but doesn't that make sense? And what by the way, is the difference between the water in my bag i'm going to drink and the Boost Juice that was in my hand?

NOTHING.

ABSOLUTELY FREAKING NOTHING.

While I stare at my Mount Franklin water bottle I remind myself that it's fine and I can get another Boost Juice tomorrow (like you would to a small child who has just had her toy stolen). But it was this hot day, this Boost Juice and this stupid bus. I don't want one tomorrow!!!

I get to class and proceed to tell anyone who will listen and they all sympathise and encourage. I get into things and temporarily forget about the craziness of my journey.

Home time comes and I dread the next bus journey home, the long queues and the fact that at any moment the predicted thunderstorm is going to come and if earlier in the day is any indication, it's going to pour the moment I leave class.

We get an early mark of 15 minutes - booyah! I walk quickly (in my tightly fitting skirt) to the bus stop knowing the queue will be small. No queue. Brilliant. I board the bus.

"Hello how was your day?"

Cue my look of shock and awe.

"It was good thank you and how was yours"

"Great".

Yes that was the bus driver asking me about my day. WHAT THE?!

This bus also has no air-conditioning but all the windows are open and a breeze has begun. The storm is on its way. We get a good way down Anzac Parade and the bus begins to slow and because there aren’t too many people on the bus I can see through the front window that there is a mother duck and 5 ducklings in the middle of the road freaked out and going every which way to get out of the traffic.

The driver slowly follows them trying to prevent other drivers hitting them and then after a minute or so the bus suddenly stops. The driver jumps out of his seat and runs onto the road where the ducklings were trying to get up the gutter. They were just too small. He picks them all up and puts them over in the grass and directs them into the bushes away from the traffic. Awwwwwww.

And that made all the difference today. I thanked the bus driver when I got off and remarked about what a great job he did saving those baby ducks.

As I walked from the bus stop to home it began to rain but not enough to get soaked – thank god for the small things hey (and thank you to the bus driver who restored my faith in humanity - or maybe just Sydney bus drivers).

Elle

The Short Red Skirt

2009-09-20T17:40:00.008+10:00

I was heading downstairs from my office to grab some breakfast the other morning when my gaze was averted to a woman wearing the shortest skirt I have seen in any office in a long time (although to be fair, I work with lawyers, and to say they dress conservatively is an understatement).

Anyway… I digress. As I was walking along with a colleague and I couldn’t help but stare at these very long legs wearing the short skirt, which was red and in my head I’m sure it was that Ferrari red - but I could be wrong. It wasn’t just me that noticed it, my colleague also began to comment about how short the skirt was. Then… I freaked.

Could it be? Oh no.

It can’t be.

I’m pretty sure it is.

As I began to say … “that’s Vivian” my colleague was also doing the same thing “are you sure?” “no”... “oh”.

Sure enough it was. My lovely friend Vivian was wearing possibly the shortest skirt I have ever seen. This may be coincidental given the fact that she’s in the best shape of her life but does that make it office appropriate? I don’t think so.

If you Google “short red skirt” the pictures you come up with are nothing short of inappropriate and let’s face it – this skirt was short. It would have got a whole lot more appropriate head-turning in the Cross on a Saturday night (and let’s face it – even then I’d be judging!).

But what if I give you some more context? My friend Vivian is 36 and it turns out the skirt she was wearing was a skirt from when she was 19. How many 36 year olds do you know that can fit into a skirt from their late teenage years? None that I know of – other than Vivian. Impressive!!

So here you have it… my judgmental “wow that skirt is way too short for the office” has morphed into a “you know what… she looked smashing and good on her for being in such great shape to still be able to wear it”. It doesn’t mean it should be worn in the office and you’ll never see me wearing a short red skirt in the office (or anywhere… EVER… no matter what shape I’m in) but I grant kudos to a woman who is so empowered to wear a short red skirt (and look great in it).

Elle

quick hit (attempt) no.1

2009-09-18T12:17:00.006+10:00

KEEP TO THE LEFT

I live and work in the city of Sydney and everyday I walk to work. While it is less busy in the early mornings, in the evenings I often avoid main thoroughfares and highly populated streets to avoid this scenario - imagine this:

I'm walking fast... it's the end of the day and I just want to get home... I step towards the left to avoid a collision with an oncoming pedestrian... the person coming towards me also steps towards the left... I step towards the right to avoid them and they step to the right instinctively too. I do an "argh" sound and step back to the left and usually mutter something under my breath like "keep to the left" or just "left" followed by "jeez" and what do you know I'm in a filthy mood by the time I get home.

It got me wondering today whether Sydney is doing something wrong in not letting people know that we're a "keep to the left kinda city". I recently visited my best friend in London and I made a real effort to follow their "keep to the right on escalators" rule. While I didn't get it every time, by the time I left London I had it down - my other half was still working on it. But in London, there are signs everywhere, it's hard not to know that London is a "keep to the right kinda city" but don't get me started about why that's so wrong.

There are signs on the roads in Australia (see above) but what about signs on escalators and high traffic footpaths or even tourism magazines and brochures. Should this be added to the list of things one might need to know when visiting Sydney?

I beg you all, if you are in Sydney and walking on the footpath, driving a car, standing on an escalator, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep to the left so that the rest of us can pass you by while you daydream and we can get home without the need to rant.

Elle

ps. This quick hit was supposed to be two paragraphs at best. Turns out it's not such a quick hit after all. I have renamed it quick hit (attempt) to show this.

Appreciating

2009-09-16T07:01:00.002+10:00

A list of verbs (quite like a quiz) appeared last week on a blog I like to read – see Chantelle’s blog at: http://fatmumslim.blogspot.com/2009/09/much-ado-about-something.html

I love a list or a good quiz whether online or by email and I love seeing other people’s responses – particularly to the one on Chantelle’s blog. The quiz on her page is much more open than your typical 'what is you favourite colour' type of quiz. However, the 'doing words' as we called them as kids, are the things that keep me going everyday – wanting, wishing, hoping, thinking, thinking, thinking… (you can see a pattern here right?!).

What are your 'doing words'? Do you have any to add to the list that you are particularly fond of?

When I sent around the quiz to my friends on email I added appreciating. Appreciating is one of my favourites. I like to reflect often on the thing I’m most grateful for – my family, friends, career, house (apartment), my country and my life generally.

While I know a lot of my blog may eventually be filled with rants or whinges, I do think it is always nice and equally important to love, enjoy and appreciate.

Elle

ps. keep an eye out over the coming weeks for my quick hits – sharp, short and to the point. A must read.

A day in the life of...

2009-09-13T20:33:00.003+10:00

I thought as a good way for you to get to know me and for me to get to know you, I’d give you a snapshot of daily life for me. Feel free to share your day in the life of in comments below.

6.45am – wake up. Shower, dress, teeth, makeup (if time), pack gym clothes and fruit or yoghurt from the fridge.

7.30am – last check before walking out the door; keys, wallet, phone. CHECK. Plug in ear phones and apply lipgloss in the brief journey downstairs in the elevator. Launch email on the iphone and read while walking to work. Update and/or check facebook… still walking.

Commence spring 09 playlist (if I haven’t already) which consists of Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga and Kate Miller Heidke (amongst others). Usually at this point I’m walking through the park and noticing the leaves on the trees changing again (I’m not sure if I do this everyday but it seems like they change so much from day to day and I’m continually amazed – I have recently taken a snap – see below). The next thing I notice is the truly pungent smell of urine that a homeless person has kindly left on a tree near the path this morning – thanks for that. I am reminded that I am not in Kansas anymore.

I walk a fast-paced walk and avoid all fast food vendors and cafes. The city is a myriad of temptation for those who love convenience food and impulse buys (aka ME!).

7.55-8.00am – arrive at work… sweaty. As I walk up the escalators towards the lift, I yank the security pass out of its usual spot in my handbag – swipe and GO.

8am – the day officially begins with a call from the boss. It seems another issue has become urgent overnight and today will be another one of those days. Meh. I’m not fussed. Everyday is one of those days.

12.05pm – leave the office for the gym – today is power yoga with a new teacher I haven’t had before. Feeling slightly anxious. My inflexibility causes me great difficulty and having a scary teacher telling me how I should be doing something, as opposed to how to make it easier, is daunting to say the least. She’s lovely of course and corrects my downward dog (even lets me bend my knees in lots of poses which makes me much more comfy – I like her – I’ll go again).

1pm – 45 second shower, change back into work clothes, tussle hair and dart back to the office still red-faced by 1.15pm. Make my ham and salad sandwich upon returning to the office and return voicemails and emails while trying not to hoover my sandwich. Commence filing project today – only 600 emails to print, staple, hole punch, sort and file. ARGH.

6pm – have forgotten my umbrella and it’s pouring outside. I meet a friend in the foyer of my office and wait until the rain eases up. Walk down the street to dinner for a good girly catch-up however I’m so hungry at this point I scoff dinner in 60 minutes and jump in a cab to the pub near home for a few quiet ones with friends. 2 drinks then bed.

9.30pm – walk home from the local. Check email and facebook when I get home and update status where necessary.

10.30pm – tv and bed.

Repeat.

2 days per week I leave my office around lunchtime to go to law school. You’ll be hearing a lot about law school I fear, for it is my latest and greatest idea. I spend 4 hours in class, 2 times per week. Let’s not mention the 30 minute queue I stand in on a freezing cold night after class with 40o other university students while waiting for the express bus to return us to the city – and forget getting a seat (you’ve just got to get lucky).

What is your typical day like?

Elle

Ideas

2009-09-10T21:39:00.000+10:00

It all starts with an idea. In my case it’s never just one idea, but countless ideas and all at once.

I'm what you call a multi-tasker. Every part of my life revolves around my ability to multi-task. To be a good multi-tasker you need to be switched on… even in your sleep. This is I’m sure, why I dream, because it’s a never-ending task of taking stock and working out what else needs to be typed, filed, read, re-read, considered, replied to, booked, washed, cleaned, cooked or purchased – and that’s the short list. So I thought why not add another element in my already challenging multi-tasked life and start a blog.

I consulted, considered, toyed with the thought and as per usual canvassed the idea with friends and colleagues. It was a resounding yes. I think people were looking forward to me posting opinionated rants about politics (an interest of mine) or a rant generally, because I do a fair bit of that in person. I’m an extroverted multi-tasker (maybe the extroverted part is a requirement of the multi-tasking – I’m not sure) but it means not only do I think a lot but I talk… A LOT MORE!

So why am I so short on words tonight? I guess here every word counts – or it seems to… but I’m hoping to keep it conversational. I want to hear from you and to respond to your comments, just the way I would in conversation, whether that be a rant or a shared experience, a new favourite blog or to share another one of my crazy ‘never to be followed through’ ideas. I hope you enjoy what follows as much as I hope to enjoy writing it.

Gen Y Elle

Never read film reviews

Another twist (but not my ankle this time)

Competition

Maternal instincts

Winter in Sydney

We doth protest too much, methinks

Achieve, be fabulous and want more

The end of an era

NOT *emphasis added*

Wedding vs Marriage

Lesson learned yet?

What would 16 year old you say about your life now?

Dear Sir/Madam... Elle has been absent from her blog because...

Big picture or teeny picture?

Missing in action

Point + Shoot

Lacking inspiration

Mindset - encourage the change

Weekend in review (part 2)

A weekend in review (part 1)

Pizza... my salvation

Let me paint you a picture... a glorious Ted Baker London picture

Thank you - to my family

Quick Hit No.5

Lots and lots more reading - am I insane?

Why study is bad for me

Crime and Punishment

Churros and Australian Gourmet Traveller

Inspired

When tacky just doesn't say it all

Quick hit no.4

Say 'NO' to Polygamy in Australia

One of those people

Twenty Questions

It's the small things

Annoying teenage ferals

Quick hit no.3

Quick Hit No.2

Ugly bus drivers and cute ducklings

The Short Red Skirt

quick hit (attempt) no.1

Appreciating

A day in the life of...

Ideas

NOT emphasis added