Oh, I have been a glum little chicken lately.

Luckily I have been kept busy with work stuff and little errands that pass the time. I'm really looking forward to this weekend, keeping cosy indoors and doing a little wedding planning with Jason. Alright, well, it'll probably just be me doing that, because it makes me happy, but that's the loose plan at least! Lately the weekends feel like they've been few and far between.

But rather than continuing with the Whingy McWhinge routine, check out these babies! I'm kind of in love with them as a) they're cute, b) the heel is low enough that I can actually walk a few steps in them without keeling over and c) um, did I mention they're cute!? I may or may not be contemplating going back to the store and buying them in every colour because seriously... love.

And that's all it takes to make me suddenly feel just the teensiest bit better about things.

I've come to a sad conclusion lately; when it comes to shoes? I cannot wear heels.

I love them, definitely. They look so gorgeous, and I'm envious of people who can wear them all day long and be comfortable. For work, it's always flats for me. I've tried the heel thing once or twice, but after just standing on the train to begin my commute? I was totally done.

I should add that I am a former shoe-addict. I used to have an entire closet load of pretty shoes, but bit the bullet and sold/gave loads of them away. And whilst wearing heels back home, things were fairly simple. I'd wear them to the car, drive to the restaurant/occassion, hobble around there, and then drive all the way back home. Here in London, it's public transport all the way - and let me tell you, heels are not practical where I live.

I brought one pair of strappy sandal heels across the water with me, because they're my old faithfuls - I wear them to weddings, to dinners, events like that. I've bought a few pairs whilst being over here quite cheaply, but the fact of the matter is, I can't wear them. I walk like a giant, they hurt my feet and I just want to take them off and go barefoot.

I've seen people walk like ducks in heels, and I've seen others walk perfectly. My walk is kind of a cross between a shuffle, wobble and teeter. Add the pained expressions on my face, and I don't look like any of the girls in the shoe catelogues, that's for sure.

I think it's time I invest in some nice summery flats; so I'm requesting some suggestions. I'd love a few pairs that are comfortable enough to maybe wear to work, but also nice enough to wear out to dinners. Ideas?

When I am asked what I notice first about the opposite sex, I have a couple of staple answers: I look at their eyes, to see if they are friendly. I look at their smile, to see what makes them laugh. I look at their butt, because . . . well, why not? But I've come to realise that I almost always leave a certain something off my reply list, even though it's a pretty darned important one.

I'm talking about their shoes.

I think that I'm fairly fussy when it comes to shoes. I used to work in a shoe store when I was at university and once upon a time I owned a fairly large collection of shoes. I happen to know there are some really ugly shoes out there, and so I can't help my eyes wandering to people's feet from time to time.

The first time I met Jason, I wasn't sure what to expect. For those who don't know, we were introduced randomly online, and despite chatting for months I had never seen a photo of him. Why not? I don't know. Maybe because I wasn't actively looking to find a partner on the internet, so I never thought to ask what he looked like. Besides, I developed a good old fashioned crush on him through his words, and not based on his looks. How many people can say that about their significant others? How we met is a story for another day, though. Let me backtrack to my first impressions.

As you may have expected, one of the first things I looked at were his shoes. Because honestly, most guys don't think much of their shoes - not as much as we ladies do anyway, I would hinge a bet. Luckily, Jason passed the test. He was wearing a pair of brown Colorado boat shoes, ones I recognised from my retail days. They're nice shoes that look very stylish under jeans or pants, all men should own a pair just like it. [Jumps off soapbox.] Jason finds my shoe fascination very amusing, but seriously; if he had been wearing a pair of scruffy, ugly shoes on our first date? I don't know what I would have done. Ack.

So, let me put the age old question on to you: What thing/things do you notice first when you're randomly meeting a person of opposing gender to yourself. What is it that makes you check those things out first? I don't have many male readers, but I'm very interested to see what you have to say!

Thanks to those of you who sent the lovely wishes and comments about my 2006 post. You made me smile. And as for those concerned? I have created a private blog, an offset to this one. To access it, you will need a username and a password. I'm the only person handing out those right now, so if you are wanting to read it or are plain nosey (I like you!) please email me.

If you're someone I know and love, I may decide not to give you access right now. Please don't be offended, it's just that I'm not really comfortable sharing this stuff right now. It's nothing to be worried about, just some things I needed to get off my chest. Honestly. Don't worry. I'll probably share it some day anyway.

Now that that's done, and there are thousands of people flocking to their emails to read "le private blog", I'll just continue babbling and try to distract you.

To be honest, I couldn't remember any real resolutions I made last year. Apart from the whole "Will turn into a Barbie and become skinny and gorgeous and have men flocking around me" resolution, which most girls have. This year, I want to try again - really try. In no particular order, here we go.

• Absolutely STICK with the being healthy thing. I'm already the proud owner of a gym membership, so that hard part is done. If doing it on my own doesn't work, I'm considering joining Weight Watchers. Although mum has done the points programme before, so we know how it all works. It's just being fussier. I need to be fussier. I will be fussier. And New Zealand will start me off. I'll be much too busy jumping off cliffs and sailing (!) to be worrying about food.

• Stop picking my skin. I do it sometimes and don't even realise I'm doing it - and have icky arms. Must cut that out. Barbie doesn't have spotty arms, that's for sure.

• Moisturise more. I have a habit of being lazy, and that is silly. I have fifteen thousand different tubs of moisturiser sitting in my cupboard, that I don't use as much as I should. I'm sure in a month or so, my crusty elbows will thank me for it.

• Travel at LEAST once in 2007. New Zealand doesn't count, because it was technically organised this year, but I need to go somewhere next year. If I don't get back to Europe this year to work, I must at least travel somewhere local. My 13 year old cousin Sam invited me to Dreamworld in June/July, so we can be ride whores. That sounds like a plan to me.

• Do more things. I can't be specific yet because I don't even know what I'm talking about, but I want to experience more. If an opportunity arises, I want to take it. That doesn't mean turning myself into somebody that I'm not - just means I should take more chances. We'll see what happens in that regard.

I think that's about it. I figure if I have a list of more than one thing, I'll at least succeed in ONE thing out of them, right? I mean, positive thinking. I WILL SUCCEED AT THEM ALL.

My problem is not getting disheartened. I always lose motivation in sticking to things because they don't happen as fast as I want them too. It's interesting though - I got through NaBloPoMo and this Shoe Posting blog posting perfectly fine, without even the slightest hiccup, so surely sticking to my resolutions this year won't be too tricky? Ha! We'll see.

Here's to lots of blogging parties in '07'. I'll be spending my New Years Eve hours before ya'll (hee) - I'm trying to convince Jason, Mum and Dad to spend the night playing board games whilst drunk. I'll let you know how that goes.


31 days. 31 pairs of shoes. Absolutely crazy. Hey Lara, we made it! Too bad I'm going overseas next month, I could have done a 31 days of (insert something here).

Happy




New




Year!

Inside my brain is a stack of things I want to write about on here and get off my chest, but don't feel comfortable having just anyone read, which is frustrating. It's frustrating because I created this blog so that I could just write and not worry about the consequences; but I suppose I've been spooked by  so many stories about blogs lately, that it's made me paranoid.

Perhaps if I figure out how to make password protected posts, I'll type it up and share it with people that I know will offer their feedback.

The day's last one-way ticket train pulls in,
We smile for the casual closure
capturing.
Here comes the downpour,
There goes my fare thee well.
There's
really no way to reach me,
There's
really no way to reach me,
There's
really no way to reach me,
?Cause I'm already gone.
There's only so many
words that we could say,
Spoken upon long-distance melody.
This is my hello,
This
is my goodness.
There's really no way to reach me,
There's
really no way to reach me,
There's
really no way to reach me,
Am I already gone?

For now? I'm going to ignore all of that, and type up this wonderful end of year meme. Way to change the subject, eh?

1. What did you do in 2006 that you?d never done before?
I went out into the real world, started working (really working) for the first time and survived. Sadly, I cannot think of anything else that I did that was "new", which is sort of sad. Oh, wait. I got my car loan and brand spanking new baby.


2. Did you keep your new year?s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I can't remember if I made any serious resolutions, aside from the whole "must get healthy" thing. I believe I made a start in that, joining up for my gym membership, but I have a long way to go.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Belinda had Max in January, Rebecca had Katelyn in September and Dee had Sofia in October (and I still haven't seen her yet!) My cousin Cathy is pregnant again, as well.


4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, they did not.

5. What countries did you visit?
Le sigh. I did not visit any countries this year except my own.


6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Committment. But that's a story for another day. I'd also like to move out of home, and have something to call my own.


7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I have absolutely nothing of significance to write about.


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my kidlets through the year, Getting through NaBloPoMo, Finishing Anna Karenina (!) and also getting through my Teacher's Accreditation in one year.


9. What was your biggest failure?
I haven't experienced some things that I wanted to experience right now. And I continue to compare myself to other people, when I really shouldn't.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Fifteen thousand colds from my first year of teaching, but I'm pretty sure that was the only thing. Oh, except that mother of all sunburns. That was an injury and a half.


11. What was the best thing you bought?
My computer, tickets to New Zealand, bunnies. I love the bunnies. I will always love the bunnies.


12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My brother. As annoying as he is and as much as we argue, I think he's turning into a really cool guy.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Sometimes, my own.


14. Where did most of your money go?
Paying off the car loan, organising my Contiki and flights to New Zealand.


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing the Fray in concert, meeting Julie.


16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Over My Head - The Fray


17. Compared to this time last year, are you:??????????????????????????????????( a?)? ?h?a?p?p?i?e?r? ?o?r? ?s?a?d?d?e?r??? ?( b?)? ?t?h?i?n?n?e?r? ?o?r? ?f?a?t?t?e?r??? ?( c?)? ?r?i?c?h?e?r? ?o?r? ?p?o?o?r?e?r???<?/?s?t?r?o?n?g?>?<?b?r? ?/?>?a?)? ?S?a?d?d?e?r??? ?I? ?h?a?v?e?n?'?t? ?a?c?h?i?e?v?e?d? ?v?e?r?y? ?m?u?c?h?.? ?b?)? ?F?a?t?t?e?r??? ?S?t?i?l?l? ?w?o?r?k?i?n?g? ?o?n? ?t?h?a?t?.? ?c?)? ?P?o?o?r?e?r??? ?B?u?t? ?I? ?d?o? ?o?w?n? ?a? ?c?a?r? ?n?o?w?,? ?a?s? ?w?e?l?l? ?a?s? ?b?e?i?n?g? ?a?b?l?e? ?t?o? ?g?o? ?o?n? ?h?o?l?i?d?a?y?s?.? ?(?A?n?d? ?a? ?c?r?a?p?l?o?a?d? ?o?f? ?D?V?D?s?.)

18. What do you wish you?d done more of?
Things with Jason. Yes we are both working, but spending so much time apart can't be a good thing.


19. What do you wish you?d done less of?
Complaining. And whinging. Heck, opening my mouth in general!

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I "spent" it the same as always, quiet and with family.


21. Did you fall in love in 2006?
I stayed in love.


22. How many one-night stands?
Only 12 this year.


23. What was your favorite TV program?
I fell in love with Gilmore Girls all over again, but all time favourite? Grey's Anatomy.


24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn?t hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word..


25. What was the best book you read?
This is hard, because I've read so many and I've forgotten what books I actually read this year. I'll go with My Sister's Keeper, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, and The Guardian.


26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Fray. I know, I know, I'll get over it eventually.

27. What did you want and get?
I wanted an Ipod, I got one. I wanted to go overseas again, I got that.

28. What did you want and not get?
Cough. Lots of things. Like a puppy. And a kitty. And, other things.


29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Hrm. I didn't see too many movies, actually. Maybe.. erm.. No, I really have no idea.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 22 this year, and I did nothing of significance other than go out for dinner.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
One long word that starts with 'c'.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
I wouldn't even call it fashion? I had two wardrobes this year: My teacher wardrobe and my casual wardrobe. That's it. Colorados, jeans, 3/4 pants. That's about it.

33. What kept you sane?
This blog. Seriously, I kid you not.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
No-one really. No-one at all.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Any politics stir me. I don't follow politics, and I don't agree with half the things this country supports.

36. Who did you miss?
I missed Jen, and spending time with Kirby.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
Stef at work has been really good to me, and all my blog stalker-ees. I'm lucky to have met such gorgeous people, that are always around.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
Expectations are bad. Do away with them. I think this year has disappointed me, looking back.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Have a Dishwalla medley, if you will. Take your pick.

She waits for some-one.
Tonight she'll give herself away,
She'll break apart all by her, by herself,
It's so easy how we come undone.

I wish I could be every little thing you wanted,
All the time.
I wish I could be every little thing you wanted,
All the time - or sometimes.

And will you find out who you are, too late to change?

With December coming to a close, there aren't many shoe posts left.


I'll give a virtual cookie to whomever guesses which brand these babies are?

Alrighty, onwards I go in my quest to enlighten you about the wonders of my forthcoming New Zealand trip. Of course, if you are too lazy to scroll down to read Part 1, here's a handy dandy link. Sometimes I'm so thoughtful.

I left off at Day 8 - where we were just arriving at Wellington.

Day 9: Wellington
Highlights include getting a whole day to do whatever we please. There is apparently a huge amount of cultural stuff here, with even more Lord of the Rings film locations. We might do a Hop on, Hop off bus tour, like the one we did in London. Ahh. Brings back memories.

Day 10: Wellington to Taupo
Highlights are a a visit to volcanoes, which I have always been a science nerd about. We get to go through beautiful scenery and national parks, and our resort that night is next to New Zealand's largest lake. Beautiful! Optionals include a cool adventure "ropes" confidence course, or a fishing cruise.

Day 11: Taupo to Rotorua
Highlights include learning about Maori history and culture, swimming in the naturally heated hot springs and having a Maori Hangi and cultural concert! We're also going to do the Zorb (ever see that huge plastic ball that you get inside and then get rolled down a hill? Oh yeah!) and possibly a rainforest walk, so I can snap me a picture of a kiwi!

Day 12: Rotorua to Waitomo
Highlights include some more cultural tours and going black water rafting! This is the one with the glow worms, you're underground in the caves system, rafting, hiking and being amazed. I can't wait for this one, it's one of my favourite optionals.

Day 13: Waitomo to Bay of Islands
Highlights include.. Hello? Bay of Islands? Tropical beautiful beaches! Woo! We drive through Auckland and head further north to get to the bay, lots of scenery and national parks to visit.

Day 14: Bay of Islands
Another day all to ourselves, with plenty of optional extras to keep us busy. If I remember correctly, Jason and I spend a whole day on a Catamaran, sailing. It goes island hopping, there are opportunities to snorkel and swim (never snorkelled before, yikes!) and is a barbeque lunch on board. I think this sounds like a nice way to relax and spend our last day.

Day 15: Bay of Islands to Auckland
Basically, this tour doesn't cover Auckland - it just drops us off there and says "See ya later, now about our tip.." That's on the 22nd. Jason and I booked that night and the next as well, to stay in Auckland and potter around doing our own thing. Probably some more tours, but I'm not sure. Apparently Auckland is very much like Sydney anyway, so should find out. We leave Auckland in the early evening of the 24th, and get back to Australia on the same day.

Just to brag to Desiree (you know I love you!) the plane tickets I hold in my hot little hand tells me this:

Sydney to Christchurch = 2 hours, 55 minute flight.
Auckland to Sydney = 3 hours, 25 minute flight.

Not too shabby! This will be the shortest plane flight I've ever been on; all of my trips have been gigantic, to Los Angeles or to London (oh, that one was a killer.)

So there we have it. Le Contiki is coming up. It's strange, since I've been the excited one about going on this tour since Day 1, Jason hasn't really been all that hyped about it. I thought he was, basically, an idiot, because HOLIDAY! Woo! But yeah, he still isn't excited. And I think his lack of hyperness is starting to effect me, because I don't feel quite as excited as I was at the beginning. Bah humbug.

Don't get me wrong, I'm going to be bouncing off the walls when the trip is under a week away. But for now? I don't know what got into me. Hrm. It might have been seeing that butt-ugly police mug shot of me staring out from my new passport. Yep. That could've done it.


Did you know that Colorado made thongs? I know! Thongs! And I'm completely refusing to call them flip flops because it sounds way too American. Take a look at the picture. Does it LOOK like I'm wearing your kind of thongs on my feet? No? Alrighty then. Just another pair of the world's most cushy thongs.

Dudes. Colorado should totally be paying me (in shoes, of course) for all the endorsements I'm giving their company. Cough. Just sayin'.

I've been meaning to do this post for a while now and I think if I leave it any longer, it will already BE the New Year.  For all of you guys who did my nifty little quiz (shame on you pikers!!) you might know that I fly out to New Zealand on the 7th of January.

Which is not actually that far away.

Which is sort of scary.

These are the plans. We fly out of Sydney and into Christchurch airport on the 7th of January, giving us the afternoon to wander around and find our hotel for the night. There is the usual "night before" Contiki information session that night, which we may or may not go to - depends on what else there is to see and do. Being a semi-paranoid freak that I am, I'm pretty sure we'll be attending. Yep.

The next day, our Contiki begins. We start on the South Island (obviously, if you know where Christchurch is) and the tour goes a little something like this.

**This is a super condensed version that doesn't mention everything but DOES mention the possible optional death-defying things Jason and I plan to do while we're in each city. Oh crap.**

**Oh yeah. This will only be the first half because I am lazy and can't be bothered to type it all up in one day.**

Day 1: Christchurch to Lake Ohau
Highlights are a glacial lake, Mt Cook and a dinner at the lodge on Lake Ohau.

Day 2: Lake Ohau to Milford Sound
Highlights are more scenery and an overnight cruise around Milford Sound. (I don't get to room with Jason here, boo!)

Day 3: Milford Sound to Queenstown
Highlights are the BUNGY JUMPING bits, which is an optional I'm going to do - provided that the bungy rope can hold my weight that is. I'm fairly sure I'm going to do it; and then watch lots of other people do it. Hee.

Day 4 and Day 5: Queenstown
Highlights are that this is the real adventure section of the tour. There are so many optionals that it is impossible to fit them all into two days OR be able to afford them all, they're not cheap. We went through the optionals list and narrowed it down to White Water Rafting & a Shotover Jet Boat ride, Bungy Jumping, Horse Riding (Yeah, I chose that one) and a Lord of the Rings trail hike. Who knows what we'll end up doing though, it all depends on the tour, the weather, what's available.. suffice it to say there is a crapload of stuff to see and do.

Day 6: Queenstown to Fox Glacier
Highlights are more scenery and an optional extra that we're keen to do; a four hour glacier hike across Fox Glacier! Wow! It's supposed to be absolutely stunning.

Day 7: Fox Glacier to Christchurch
Highlights are being back at the beginning and actually being able to sightsee this time around. We get to go through the Alps on this part of the tour, which should be just amazing.

Day 8: Christchurch to Wellington
Highlights are driving along the cost, and catching a ferry from the South Island to the North Island. Optionals are a Quad Bike ride (very expensive) or a Nature 4WDing experience. We're leaning towards the Nature one, cheaper and a longer tour. Should be great!

The second half of the tour comes tomorrow - so stay tuned!

Now for some more Colorados, and possibly the most awkward picture of my feet that I have taken in all of December.


Once again, my shoddy photography doesn't show the nice low heel. These are my other pair of "teaching" shoes, since they're comfy but still look sort of dressy with a skirt.

Sometimes I take myself WAY too literally.

I have nothing to write about today besides the fact that I love watching Home Alone now as I did when I was a ten year old. Classic cheesy Christmas cheer. Could I have any more "c" words in that sentence? I thinketh noteth.

Anyway, I ventured downstairs to take a peek inside the afore mentioned fridge, because I absolutely have NOT run out of things to talk about. Mmhmm. Besides, I figure most people are busy enjoying their vacations and aren't really reading their usual blogs; so perhaps this one can sneak under the crap posts radar just this once.

Let's do a general walk-through of this picture, since my brain is too far gone into "holiday mode" to try and paint in some text numbers into the image. Hee.

This is the shelf which is good for kind of .. shoving .. things. Here you'll find an assortment of goodies and Christmas leftovers. The dips are a must, as are the salad dressings and Philly cheese. Here there is also some packaged ham and chicken, left over bbq chicken and prawns (bleh), corn, pineapple, custard, sour cream and a biscuit tin with something other than biscuits in it. (Seriously, I have no idea what's in that tin and I'm a trifle scared to look.) Also, please don't forget to observe the spray chocolate mousse (you can see the lid at the back/middle of the picture. Apparently this is very, very yummy, but I've been good and haven't touched it yet.

The door of the fridge; a ridiculous invention since it never EVER fits in the amount of beverages that we go through. Thank goodness for dad's mini fridges.

This door changes every couple of days. Milk is ALWAYS there, light for mum and me, whole for dad and Ajay. Those two 80's looking drink containers down the bottom are holding a punch we made over Christmas that was bloody yum. I think that's more custard down the bottom there. Apparently, you can never have enough custard. Some left-over lemonade in the Lido bottle; nearly finished due to the punch and also me mixing it with Midori. Where is the Midori now? Who drank all the Midori? I'm sure I'll get to the bottom of it (or perhaps I already did, hee) one day. And lastly, my favourite drink - Any plain ol' juice. I'm actually surprised there is no Diet Coke in here; mum drinks that like crazy.

We have so much crap on that middle shelf that is is actually bending. BENDING! Scary stuff.

Aha! Now I see the Diet Coke. As well as more Lemonde, some Cola and some water bottles. Unlike my Gilmore Girl friends, we actually keep vegetables in our fridge - usually stashed on these shelves, but squished wherever we could find room over Christmas. There are heaps of cheese varieties left over as well, and I'm sorry to say that I have renewed my love affair with one Mr Cam Embere over the holiday season. Whatever will Jason say? Leftovers on that shelf include turkey, pork, chicken, pineapple, grapes and cherries, and salads. I have absolutely no idea right now what is in the bottom container to the left - something kind of red and orange to the naked eye. Perhaps that will require an extra trip downstairs. Hrm. Let's see.

*gigglesnort*

Okay, on further inspection I have uncovered that it is actually something not meant for human consumption - it's the dog food, pre cut up into bite sized pieces for my fussy chihuahuas. I hope no-one mistakes that for real food, although in the same breath, that'd be kind of funny.

So there you have it. And you haven't even SEEN the pictures of the shed fridge and two Waeco portable fridges that we have chock full of other bits that don't fit into the main fridge. I'm surviving on a diet of ham, salad, cheese and crackers until New Years. Or maybe even until January 7th, when I leave for New Zealand. A post to come about that tomorrow, methinks.
These are yet another pair of Colorados. I've had about three pairs of these over the years - they are my "school shoes". They look best with a tartan print skirt (aka my high school days) but also look nice under jeans and pants now. These babies came with me to Europe and trekked up a mountain in Scotland (no-one told me it was going to be a three hour hike in the snow!) and I don't think I'll ever get rid of them.

Kind of daggy? Yes. Kind of comfy? Oh heck yes.

Call me crazy, but I swear Christmas flies by faster every year.

I was spoiled; some really dainty earrings from Jason, new white gold studs from my parents, DVDs, book vouchers, stationary - what more could a girl ask for? (Apart from a new phone, but that's a whole different story altogether.) Here's hoping Santa was good to you!

I'm going to spend the rest of today (and possibly tomorrow) watching DVDs and eating leftovers, meaning that unless I happen to discover something really amazing in the fridge, my blogging ideas are well and truly on hiatus.

Perhaps I'll have more positive experiences to write after I con my family into playing Cranium with me? (Don't even get me started on the big Cranium sulk-fest of Christmas Eve 06. There were casualties, and quite a few tears.)

Because it has been unseasonably mild the last couple of days, here is another dodgy shot of some more pretty boots. These ones are only mid-calf, but have really cute studs going up the top. I can also walk in them which is a nice bonus, for a change. (You realise now I mentioned how beautiful the weather is, we'll get hit by a huge heatwave. Great work, Aly.)

I stomp on Christmas drama with my boots. Stomp, stomp.

My teddy and new pair of earrings (x2!) would like to wish ALL of you guys a really beautiful Christmas.

Pictures of my Ho-Hat will come shortly. I know you can't wait!

Lots and lots of love,

Your already-celebrating-Christmas-friend-in-Australia,

Aly

Just some perfect Christmas party shoes.

Brave things I've done today;

Ventured out to three separate shopping centres.
Grocery shopped at Christmas time.
Survived getting home in the heaviest rain I've seen all year.
Parked in squishy spaces and had no accidents.
Reversed up my driveway.

Go me! I am quite proud of myself, hee. Oh, I also snapped a shot of my hair, except as was predicted I have been unable to get it all flippy and choppy like the hairdresser did the day she cut it. Evil, evil woman. Anyway. This is not for the faint hearted.

So... you can't really see the haircut well, my hair looks brown, and I probably should stay away from the Clinique lipstick that I sent away for, but there we go. Hair.

Since we are having (one of) our big dinner tonight, I won't spend long here today. Instead, I'll wish you all a Merry Christmas since Australia-lan is miles (or should I say kilometres?) ahead of my international stalking buddies.

Be safe, have fun and have some jelly shots. I know I will be.

Baby, it's cold outside. Time for some Mary Janes. LA LA LA.

Since I'm in a bit of denial that it is Christmas Eve tomorrow (!), it seemed appropriate that I talked about something Christmassy in today's blog. Most of our traditions stay the same here; even the little things. And I must say, I kind of like it that way.

Christmas Eve is spent here. Jason joins us after he is back from church, and my nanna is always here too. It's the best night, not only because mum cooks (hee) but because she cooks YUMMY Christmas stuff. We always have a hot dinner (despite the temperatures outside being super hot - we're not big ham people on Christmas night) and my favourite part of it is this yummy roast pork with peach stuffing, it's just killer!

We even use the same place cards - they're ones made on cardboard that me and my brother made when we were kids. When Jase came into the picture, I even made him his own special one, so he'd match us, hee. Sadly though, this tradition is stopping this year, since mum bought some new place card holders. Le Sigh. The 7 year old in me is crying right now.

After dinner, we have dessert and the bon-bon pulling stuff as per usual. Then my brother and I get to open our joint present. Usually it's a game of some sort, which we then all play together. The best game prize I remember is Cranium. I really, really kick arse in that game. If we get that new spiffy helmet version of Cranium (aka Sarah's game!) I'll be super excited.

Jason heads off home, we sleep, Santa comes. Hee. Christmas morning we all head off downstairs, pass the presents around so we've all got our little bundles in front of us - then we take turns opening one at a time around the circle. Good times!

Soon enough, I head off to Jason's place to have Christmas lunch with his family. After much more yummy food, we hang around and play pool and chat for the afternoon.

Christmas dinner is always spent with two of my aunties and uncles and their families. It swaps houses each year; we either stay here and have visitors, or travel to the city or up the north coast to their places. This year is our turn to host, meaning that after lunch, Jase and I are popping back here to spend some MORE time eating and hanging out with my relatives. Good times. Good times. I love Christmas.

Have you ever bought a pair of shoes that were too big for you, but you just couldn't resist? Um. I have. These babies are the next size up and I kind of slide down in them when I walk, but I love how simple they are. Pretty shoes. Good for Christmas, perhaps?

Allow me to take you on a trip down memory lane. Flash back to about five years ago, if you would. The setting? A university classroom; hot, humid and filled with strangers. It was a hot day and I was feeling particularly terrified; this was my first ever psychology tutorial.

The lectures were not so scary. They were so huge and full with the lights dimmed down that it was easy enough to fade into the crowd; especially when you were a moderately shy chook that didn't know a single person in the room. The tutorials though, were another matter altogether. They actually involved (gasp!) talking. And more talking. And talking in groups. With people. All talking.

I was lost that day in a sea of buildings and classes, but I eventually made it to the right room. Psychology 1A. There was not a single seat left in the room, meaning I had to walk in, stutter something about getting lost, and walk out again to find a seat. It also meant I had to walk BACK in with chair in hand, and find a hole to dig myself into space to park myself.

I ended up in a row next to a beautiful girl with the most gorgeous curly hair I've ever seen. She seemed nice enough and we ended up having a chat; from then on, I would always be on the lookout for her in lectures. She never did tell me to bugger off, and we became friends. We talked about what we wanted to do at the end of our courses - she wanted to do primary school teaching and so did I. We took similar classes, bitched about the uni and tried to get into the same tutorials.

Her name was Elissa.

I was her friend when she first met her boyfriend(now husband); I was her friend when there were the cute phone calls, nights out and the rest of it. I was her friend when the panic set in, when he was almost asked to leave the country (he's Tanzanian-born). I was her friend when the two of them got married, in a beautifully simple and elegant garden a couple of years ago.

Likewise, she was my friend through my first year of university - when I was single for the first time in years after a difficult break-up. She was my friend when I first met Jason; she was right there with me the very first time I inititated our first movie date, in the middle of a boring as batshit philosophy tutorial. She was my friend through countless insecure spots and boring classes.

We're sort of like chalk and cheese. She's married, I'm not. She's moved out, I haven't. She's skinny, I'm er, not. She's vegetarian, I love my meat. But also? We are pretty similar, as well. We are both cynical, we both love animals, we have the same sense of humour, we're addicted to movies and Grey's Anatomy, and we are both quiet people by nature. Oh, and we're both completely slack about getting together and organising things. Hee.

Halfway through our Psychology degree, Elissa had a change of heart and decided to leave that degree. I was heartbroken, since she was such a big part of my life at university. She had always had a job in caring for people, home care, nursing care, it was just a part of who she was. After taking part of the year off, she enrolled for a Nursing degree not long after.

For a long time, I rarely saw her. We don't live close (about an hour apart) and we were both so busy in our hectic university schedules. We would squeeze each other in when we could, double dates with Jase and Cuz, chats on the phone. It would never matter how much time apart we would spend, or how long it would be between phone calls, when we saw each other things were always the same.

After a bloody long time, I finally caught up with my lovely Elissa today. And as always, it was as though we had never missed each other - chatting away for hours, vegging out eating Thai food (tofu for her, chicken & cashews for me), watching (and picking to pieces) a couple of DVDs. We both bought each other our favourite chocolates for Christmas, which was sort of amusing.

No matter how slack we are, or what life throws at us, she's always going to be one of those people who will always be around. And vice versa for me, of course. Have you got a person that you know like that? I think it's fantastic. I would take one or two REAL friends, over a whole room full of people who don't really know me anyday. Perhaps that's why I'm usually quite a loner?

I did it!

I am officially NOT a first year teacher anymore. Starting at the end of January 2007, I will be a second year teacher. Small fry, no sir. I signed my yearly contract today, so it's done! I made it! I'm alive! Apart from a mammoth headache, that is. But alive! And still whinging!

The morning started by cleaning out the classroom. Sounds pretty simple, yes? But by cleaning out, I mean dragging every single piece of furniture out of the room and stored into a tiny little painting area outside - shared between two classrooms. Gah! Heavy lifting at 9am is not the correct way to start the day, with or without coffee.

I was rewarded for my efforts by being knocked out with a shocking headache, so I popped on "Finding Nemo" for the kidlets and tried to sink into the chair and not move much for an hour or so. Of course, that was the time the Year 6 kidlets decided to come around wanting autographs and what-not for their yearbooks! I have to say, even though I don't teach the older classes, I take most of them for sport and it's sad to see a lot of really gorgeous kids moving on to high school.

(Randomness here, but I swear if I hear one more song from High School Musical, I'm going to gouge my eyeballs out with a coat hanger. Jeepers.)

I was spoiled again with more pressies. Observe and discuss.

That is a big giant box of Lindt chocolates on the bottom, if you can't see. Hmm. I wonder if I gave that kid an A?

I also got a lovely surprise in the mail yesterday from my Julie-kins! Thankyou chook, you made my day!

As for dedicating who is who in the picture? I am the big fluffy rabbit who is on the outside and kind of towering over everybody, Julie is the teeny little cute squirrely thing (it's the shortness, dear!), Jen is the squishy kitty (duh - kittens, nuff said) and Kirby is the puppy (duh - puppies, nuff said).

(Cough.) I was totally not checking out Neopets in the background there. No way. I think you're seeing things.

I'm dedicating today's shoes to Imelda. "I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes, I had one thousand and sixty." Hey - at least she's honest. And as for me being honest? I'm getting to the dregs of my shoes here, folks. That would place me lower than Imelda's housekeepers, or something.

I wore very workplace safe shoes for moving furniture. I am so smart. I am so smart. S-M-R-T!


You will not see a picture of me from the head-up (unless there is a paper bag involved, that is) for the next couple of months because that ponytail picture? Is the best one I got. You do NOT want to see the front right now. Gag.

I went into the hairdresser today with high hopes and a few simple words. "Just a tiny trim off the length - I'm trying to grow it, oh and just trim my fringe too, please."

I thought that meant "Just a tiny trim off the length - I'm trying to grow it, oh and just trim my fringe too, please."

Apparently what it actually meant was "Hack at my hair in large chunks, giving me Rachel-style bangs around my face and chopping at least 2 inches of length off the back and 5 inches around my face. And then beat me with a stick."

My hair is the one part of me that I generally like. I am getting much better at NOT tying it back everyday and actually enjoying having it long again. I like to hide behind it, should the need arise. And I like being able to do different things with it, since it was all nice and long. Geez. Getting a fringe cut in was the biggest decision I've made to it in years.

And now? I have short hair. No, it's not up to my ears or anything and it's not cut like a muppet, but it's SHORT. Shorter than it was. Styled. I now have layers going all around my face that I DO. NOT. WANT. (or have time to style because I? Am lazy. And liked it that way.)

I may possibly have cried when I left the salon and really looked at it. I may be sitting here now wondering how many months (or years?) it will take these short front layers to grow back into my normal hair length. And as for the "growing it out" part? Well, I'm back at around 2004, right now. And pretty unhappy.

My short and ugly and did I mention short hair would like to strangle a certain hairdresser right about now. Wahhhh.

So yes, I'm back to my whinging and cynical self apparently - but
surely having my pretty hair slaughtered means I can get away with that?

Let's all just look at some shoes and take deep breaths.

Have you ever wondered some days what sort of impression you're giving about yourself to other people? Not just the average "Oh, her ass looks huge in those jeans today" or "Hmm, didn't she wear that skirt yesterday?" but real, deep thoughts.

Several times today, people offered me some positive things they noticed about me. They were very different; someone commented on my smiling face in the classroom, someone commented about how I've opened up a bit more at school across the year, someone commented that I was the kind of person that they would like to be friends with if they had a choice. Some nice, high on the smush-factor comments that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I also had a parent tell me this afternoon, that I was the kind of teacher she wanted her son to have again. I asked why and what she meant; she told me that he always came home with kind things to say and that even when the days hadn't been smooth at all, he was always ready to begin the next day with a clean slate. Plus, she said, I'm the first teacher he's ever wanted to buy a Christmas gift for, so could I PLEASE come to school on Thursday so he could give it to me? (Cough - heck yes, I'll be there!) It's one of those moments that make teaching pretty amazing.

I know I'm not sunshine and roses all of the time. In fact, I tend to be more the opposite; I wouldn't say negative all the time, but I can be one giant cynic when I want to be. But hearing some of these random snippets of honesty all about ME? Have really made me think this evening. And I think it's time for me to stop letting stupid things get me down. I like people thinking nice things about me. I like not being known as that scowling girl.

Damnit. I just want to be everybody's friend. So sue me.

(And in case you were wondering, my ass looks huge in any outfit. That's all you need to know.)

And now the shoes, of course.

El Casual's today just because I can. Guess what brand they are?

The kidlets must have been lurking my blog yesterday when I was getting all nostalgic about the year that has past; I recieved a nice little bounty of goodies this morning when I arrived at school.

Ferrero Rochers! In the shape of a bell! Ring a ding ding!

I was also brave today and presented awards for the school presentation day - a whole batch of Newcombeball awards as well as my class ones. I'm such a loon; I don't actually mind public speaking and once I'm up there I am fine at it, but geez, you'd think I would learn to stop panicking so much beforehand. Where do the stupid nerves come from?

I think they like me. These will be gorgeous when the liiles (my favourite flower too!) open up. Aww.

We had a Christmas barbeque last night with friends.

What do you get when you mix good food, good conversation and good alcohol with a seemingly innocent back step?

A sprained ankle, of course. (No, it's not mine!) And Mum would like the toe suckers out there to stay away from her, please. No offense or anything.

It's one week to Christmas! (insert happy little jig here.) It's not really feeling Christmassy to me right now. Don't ask me why, since I have possessed reindeer and snowmen staring at me from every direction, I'm just not feeling it yet.

Tomorrow is the staff luncheon at work, Wednesday night is a Year 6 Farewell Dinner and then Thursday? THURSDAY IS IT FOR SCHOOL. (insert even happier little jig here.)

And some dancing is always a perfect introduction for the shoe post of the day, isn't it?

So I wouldn't exactly call these dancing shoes, but they are one of my new pairs of Colorados. I took this shot badly, you can't actually see the pretty woven heels. They're perfect teacher shoes and so, so soft.

There are four more days of school left for the year.

FOUR DAYS.

It seems like only a short while back that I was enjoying my last summer holidays; finished with uni, finding out about a six month teaching position that was available while Belinda was off on maternity leave. I remember spending that summer break in panic mode because what on Earth had I agreed to do? Yes, I have a teaching degree now that says my name on it, but I don't know how to teach! What the hell am I doing?

I remember going in on the staff development day having fears that nobody would know who I was or why I was there. I remember asking my poor supervisor fifty thousand questions about anything and everything. I remember not sleeping very well. Not at all.

Then I met the kids - a bunch of super cute little Year 1's. They were very gorgeous, but it all got changed around the next week when the school numbers jumped up and down. I ended up losing half of my class and gaining a batch of Year 2's, who were lovely. My class? 1/2S. Hee. (I still love that I was able to have the class lettered for me, that made it real!)

It hasn't been an easy year, but it has been an interesting one. Not only did I manage to TEACH the kids things (go figure), but I also had fun doing it. I've seen tantrums, bloody noses, vomit, pee on the classroom floor, dummy spits and lots of tears. But, I've also seen laughter and silliness and all the things that kids find fun in.

I've learnt a lot.  About teaching, about kids and about me.

Apparently I still have the humour of a kid - misspelt spelling words (particularly can't, hee) still make me laugh.

I can officially keep a straight face when a kid is spinning around in a tantrum on the floor in front of me (doing a move I've now deemed the Helicopter) with shoes flinging off in all directions.

I have perfected "the look". If you have to ask what "the look" is, it's not worth explaining. In fact, I'll just give you "the look" right now.

Seeing kids fall over makes me giggle. I'm an evil, evil teacher.

And who would have thought I would have the patience for this job, anyway?

So, this will be the end of my first year as a teacher. How crazy is that? We all came out relatively unscathed. At least, so far. There are four more days to test that theory.

I'm dedicating today's post to Belinda and Max. They're the reason I managed to scoop up this position, and how I managed to be offered a job for next year as well! (That's a story for another time.)

This is one baby with a cute face and impeccable shoe taste.

BABY DUNLOP VOLLEYS! I am in love. The boy has taste! (As does his Momma.) My next mission, should I choose to accept it, is to find him some Baby Chuck Taylors...

Yes, I know I am a grouchy bitch who takes things way too seriously, but stupidity really does irritate me. From companies, and from.. well.. mothers.

Mum orders furniture for my brother. She and I happen to be the only ones home. Cheap store sends one courier to lift said furniture out of delivery truck. That person requires help to get the furniture inside the house. As in, lifting help. I get nominated to help. I'm not a delicate flower, no. But I'm also not a guy who lifts furniture over his head for exercise every morning, am I?

Is it MY problem that your cheap little furniture delivery company can't afford to send two couriers out to help lift furniture?

Is it MY problem that you can't lift the furniture by yourself?

Do I LOOK like I'm getting paid to lift heavy furniture?

So yes, I get pissed off when I am offered to help lift the damn furniture. And yes, I get pissed off when I cut my hand lifting the damn furniture. And yes, I get pissed off when a certain ungrateful woman acts like an idiot about it, simply because I ask for the company details to email them and tell them I am not impressed with the whole scenario.

In summary? Keep stupid people away from me today please.

Or they may find themselves being stomped on RATHER HEAVILY by me and my boots. Whores.

So before you freak out and think you've gone to the wrong blog, bear with me for a moment.

I've had some unusual hits revolving around shoes in the last couple of weeks. Funnily enough, I've also had hits about socks, feet and toes as well. Today's one though? Fabulous. (Ahem, see title if you have no clue what I'm talking about.)

You may think this strange coming from someone who is taking photos of her feet for a whole month, but I actually have a weird paranoia about feet. In fact, I generally can't stand other people's feet. I think feet are kind of gross, really. I mean - GERMS! And cracked heels, and icky toenails and just, blech in general. So when I spied this hit lurking in amongst my other stats, I visibly shuddered.

I'm not one to disappoint my readers though, so without further ado I present to you a red toenail-ed picture of me wearing impossibly uncomfortable shoes. To the anonymous toe sucker lurkers out there, consider this a gift from me to you.

Did I mention these shoes were uncomfortable? Because MAN. They are uncomfortable. Don't even ask me why I bought them.

Oh wait! I know! Because they're SHOES. And I love shoes!