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?

Blimey! I forgot my Thursday Thirteen post for last week, I suppose it was the last day of school and all so that is understandable. Congratulations to my momma, who is featured on the front page this week!

Thirteen Things about *Aly's Bedroom* 1. When I was younger, I went through a flowery phase. That was closely followed by a cow print phase. (yes, everything was cow print!) When we moved into our new home, I decided I wanted something a bit more simple. My room is decked out in blue and yellow. 2. Since I started working, there is absolutely not enough space in my room for all my teaching gear and books. My room isn't exactly small, either. 3. There is not a single thing hanging on the wall in here. I have pictureframes that have been waiting to go up for years, but still haven't gone up. Can you say procrastination? 4. I have so many books on my bookshelf that the shelf itself is starting to bend in the middle. 5. Alright. I'll admit it. I still have some stuffed toys in here that I can't bear to throw away. Yes, I'm 22. 6. Jason's photograph can be found at least 7 times inside this one room. 7. I'm in love with my quilt cover and never ever want to replace it with anything. It's beautiful! It's stripey, and blue, yellow, green and brown. Hard to describe it's loveliness. 8. My room faces the west; it gets super hot in the afternoons. When I close my yellow curtains, my room changes colour. 9. If I look out my bedroom window, I get an almost perfect view of the Blue Mountains when the day is clear. It's the reason I chose this room when we moved in to this house; even though I later found out that my brother's room is actually bigger. 10. I feel most comfortable in this bedroom than in any other room in the house. 11. No matter how many times I clean this room, it still looks messy. I think this has something to do with #2. 12. Since getting my television set in this room a couple of years ago, I have watched countless hours of DVDs in here. So many hours in fact, I don't even want to try and figure out the total. 13. You should probably stay out of my cupboard. Yep. That's all.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday.  Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

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 bored kind of mood this afternoon on the eve of Christmas Eve (hee), it's your turn to cheer me up. Lurker, Reader or Professional Stalker; whatever your profession, take the damn quiz. There may even be cookies at the end.

(And feel free to comment me after. You know, to say hi.) (Besides, I want to know which questions you got wrong, because for some reason I don't think I can view that.)

Create your own friendquiz here

So.. how'd you do?