Another meme... from Bug and Pop

I'm not usually a meme person, so I'm not sure what has gotten into me of late. Perhaps it's that full moon that has been out and about lately. I saw this meme over at Mikes and at Cindy's blog. I thought it was cool too and would join in!

1. Were you named after anyone? Yes, Beth from Little Women (which I always find amusing, given my small stature). I have never read the book though.

2. Do you still have your tonsils? No, I got them out 2.5 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. All through my undergrad years I was perpetually sick with colds and chronic tonsilitis, always always tired. Since I've had them out my health and energy have increased by a gazillion percent. I have only had 4 colds since then!

3. Would you bungee jump? Erm, no. Two feet on the ground for me, please.

4. What is your favorite cereal? Porridge. Creamy porridge with fruit, like apricots. But in summer I'm a weetbix with a sprinkling of muesli type girl.

5. Do you untie your shoes when you take them of? No, I'm lazy. I don't untie them when I put them on either, unless I absolutely have to.

6. What is your favorite ice cream? If I have to go a traditional ice cream, then butterscotch. But my favourite is berry sorbet (not strictly an ice cream)

7. What is the first thing you notice about people? Their posture

8. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? How I always have to be go-go-go. I think I inherited that from my dad. The art of just chilling out is something I have never aquired.

9. What's the last thing you ate? Teddy bear biscuit and a cup of coffee

10. What are you listening to right now? The air conditioner in my office

11. Last movie you watched? Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

12. What did you dream about last night? My two pet rats

13. What book are you reading? Well open in front of me is a book called "The Neurology of Eye Movements"... unfortunately not exactly light reading for a Sunday morning...

14. Summer or winter? Winter. Definitely winter. And how awesome is this wintery Melbourne weather in the middle of summer?!

15. Do you have any special talents? Not really. I'm a jack of all trades and a master of none!

Supermeme

I spotted this Australian-inspired little meme over at She Has the Logic of a Puggle by Leah and thought I'd join in. Bold means I've done it.

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited The Great Barrier Reef.
5. Stood under the stars in the outback, the real outback – think Uluru.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to the Gold Coast’s theme parks – anyone, you take your pick.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sung a solo.
11. Bungee jumped, jumped out of plane, been paragliding or hang-gliding, hot air ballooning – you get the idea, you’ve been hundreds of metres about earth in a seemingly flimsy contraption.
12. Visited Melbourne.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Had a child. Raised a child. Worked with children. [I was a children's party host, and now I work with children]
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Been to the Snowy Mountains.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Visited the Brett Whitely studio in Surry Hills, Sydney.
20. Slept on an overnight train or bus.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Been backpacking.
23. Taken a mental health day.
24. Been buried in sand with just your head and toes sticking out.
25. Held a possum, kangaroo or koala – or any other native Australian animal.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Been in a fun run.
28. Been on the Blue Mountain cableway.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. [Who hasn't watched a sunrise or sunset?]
31. Played, or watched, summer cricket.
32. Sailed, kayaked or canoed our beautiful waterways.
33. Seen the Daintree.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Visited an Aboriginal settlement or mission.
36. Learned a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Toured the Sydney Opera House.
39. Tried rock climbing (indoor or outdoor), abseiling or just simple bushwalking.
40. Visit Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art.
41. Been to the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
42. Sunbaked at Bondi.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Broome.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone fishing.
49. Seen Tasmania’s old growth forests.
50. Been to the top of Q1, on the Gold Coast.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Driven the Great Ocean Road.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class [in both senses of the word!]
59. Visited Norfolk Island.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Guide biscuits.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma. [I'm a difficult bleed, and a fainter... but I can take blood from you!]
65. Gone jet boating.
66. Visited Port Arthur.
67. Bounced a cheque.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Australian War Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Federation Square.
74. Been on the Murray River.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Travelled, or climbed, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Three Sisters at Echo Point, Katoomba.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited St Mary’s Cathedral, in Sydney.
82. Bought a brand new car. [I don't think matchbox cars count...]
83. Been to Hermannsburg.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited Parliament House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous. [I met the members of Deep Purple]
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Saved a pet.
95. Been to the site of the Eureka Stockade.
96. Swum in The Whitsundays.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a mobile phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

Just a minute in... November

I spotted Jess' Just a Minute post and it reminded me to do mine! I missed last month's but I hope you will forgive me. This month has been a bit up and down: mostly up with a few downs, but I'm going forwards rather than backwards.

Discovering... about 2 hours ago that someone had tried to break into my car, presumably for a joy ride. I think this is one of the few times I can say that it's fortunate that my car's engine and turbo are dead, and the transmission is on its way out. I don't understand some people in this world.

Reading... The Silver Chair in the Chronicles of Narnia. Yep, still reading it. I like to pretend it’s because I’m savouring each book, but really it’s because am only capable of reading one or two pages of a book before falling asleep at night. PhD reading never ends, but that’s completely fine with me. My “new and exciting journal articles to read” pile is a bit monstrous now, but on the plus side, I’m finding don’t need to pause every sentence to check what the words mean.

Reflecting... on my decision to finally leave my dojo after 15 years and forge my own path in karate. It's nothing to do with karate politics or anything like that, just realising that my ideas have grown into something different to that of my instructor. One of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, and it was even harder telling my sensei I had to go. Honestly, leaving a dojo is worse than breaking up with a boyfriend. But I’m learning that sometimes it’s important to follow what heart tells you.

Learning... that my grandma has myeloma, which is a type of bone marrow cancer that affects plasma cells. I don’t see my grandparents all that often, but I’ve been making sure to get to the hospital and check that the doctors are treating my grandma well. It’s chronic and can be managed over the long term, but still, not the sort of news you want to hear.

Sewing... loads of things for Christmas (aprons, pot holders, wheat bags, other bags of all sorts) as well as some clothes for Gib. I’m feeling really inspired to sew right now, which is handy given how much I’m planning to get through before Christmas.

Enjoying... the sunshine, but also how it’s not revoltingly hot at the same time. Great weather for sitting on the veranda eating lunch or having a cup of tea, gardening and going for nice, long walks.

Eating... all of the delicious stone fruit that is just coming into season! There is nothing I love more than nectarines. Oh, and peaches, and cherries and apricots... mmm... and mangoes...

Photo by atomicshark

Thanks Jen, over at August Street for hosting Just a minute... what have you been up to this month?

6 random things...

I was tagged by Katie for the 6 random things about me meme. This meme has been doing the rounds a bit, and nearly all of you now have posted 6 random things about yourselves, so I wont tag any of you. Unless you want to join in, of course. It's actually been quite a challenge for me to come up with 6 random things about myself, but here goes...


1. I am really short. As in, less-than-5'-tall type short. Even my mother is taller than me (by an inch). I don't have any medical reasons for being so short: no weird illnesses or obvious defects, back injuries or surgery, no smoking as a teenager to stunt my growth. I'm just short. And Gib is really tall. In fact, there is exactly 35cm difference between us. I'm sure we look completely ridiculous together.

2. I think insects are really cool. I hate touching them or letting them crawl on me, but I love to watch them doing their thing. Beetles are by far my favourite. I love their gorgeous wings, the amazing adaptations to all sorts of terrain, from water, dessert to alpine regions. I love the way they bumble around (Aphex Twin obviously loves this too, he wrote a song that captures it very well - weird hey?). There are so many little critters all around us that we are just so oblivious to all the time.

3. My bedroom is quite messy, but I'm totally anal about keeping my kitchen clean. The bedroom is messy from the clothes I just leave on the floor when I crash into bed, and then from rummaging around in my wardrobe when I'm half asleep in the morning. But the kitchen is a different matter. Knives must be cleaned immediately and returned to their block. Benches clean and cleared. Cupboards organised. If I want to cook dinner or bake, then I just want to cook dinner - not clean for 15 minutes before starting.

4. I love bitter or tart food and drinks. Coffee, broccoli, gin and tonic, beer, Brussels sprouts, cranberry, blood oranges, dark chocolate (think 80% cocoa), limes, rhubarb... mmm yum.

G is for Gin and Tonic. Swell Dame.

5. I have two pet rats. Before you all freak out, I'll let you know that they are very clean, don't smell and are naturally toilet trained. They are very affectionate and smart and they have big personalities. I've had guinea pigs and rabbits in the past, but I much prefer rats as they are far more switched on. I honestly can't think of a better pet for my situation right now: being in my mid-20's with constantly changing living situations (rats are very portable), wanting to take off for the weekend (they can look after themselves for a night or two), and not having the space for, say, a dog, rats make terrific pets. My two girls are very snuggly and playful. They are impossible to take photos of.

Kit and Pip: Impossible to keep still for a photo.

6. My natural hair colour is a revolting mousey blonde/brown that goes a kind of greyish colour if it isn't washed every day. I haven't seen my natural hair colour in about 8 years. I don't understand why L'Oreal stocks a dye in my hair colour, and worse, who buys it?

I <3 your blog!

Jen over at August Street tagged me for this meme, and I'm a bit late (a whole month late!)... better late than never, hey? I have to choose my 7 favourite blogs and also pass it on... but I've decided not to pass this one on. I love all of the blogs I read... I feel bad because there are so many blogs I love and how could I possibly choose only seven??

Here are seven of my most favourite blogs. Everyone knows so many of the crafty blogs around (everyone seems to know everyone) so I've decided to add some other ones that I love to read as well:

• Isis the Scientist: "On becoming a domestic and laboratory goddess". Dr Isis presents a witty view on the juggling act between science, motherhood and domestic chores. Her choice images crack me up every time. Some great recipes there too!
  
• A print a day: This one was recently linked to me by Gina and I have fallen in love instantly. The gorgeous drawings of plants and fungi, and most fascinating to me was the carnivorous plant calendar and other gorgeous repeats that she posted!
• Adventures in Ethics and Science: This blog is terrific. I love reading the conversations Janet retells from her boys and husband and her little tidbits on her garden and the discussions on ethics in science. Such a pleasant and refreshing mix.
• Culinary Concoctions: So many delicious looking photos and recipes. I think my waistline expands just looking at some of this stuff. Lots of inspiration to be found here.
• Sui Zo's Hobby of the Month: Sui is an old friend of mine. He's done many things in his lifetime... been a linesman, computer tech, manager of a laser tag complex... and now he's doing a fine arts degree majoring in glass at ANU. He enjoys playing with furnaces.
• Bugs and fishes: I am constantly amazed at the cute hand sewing and little felt projects. The poppies and robins are totally adorable. Some tutorials to check out there too!
• Just tutes: many cool, funky, simple sewing tutes. I always pick up a few ideas and tips whenever I drop by.

Tree of Happiness Award

The fantabulous Jen from August Street has bestowed upon me the Tree of Happiness Award! Here is a list of 6 things that make me happy right now:

• I have just received one of the most beautiful emails ever, it even brought tears to my eyes. One of those messages that lets you know that you're on the right path even though you can't quite see where you're headed.
  
• Watching my two little furry rats bound all over the place in excitement over some pieces of freshly cut apple.
  
• Thinking of the sponge Gib and I will bake this afternoon for his mum's birthday. It will have a lemon curd filling, which I have never made before. I love being able to share food with other people and have a whole lot of fun making it at the same time.
  
• Looking out the window to a mass of eucalypts, hearing the currawongs and Eastern spinebills singing and the sunshine pouring through my window.
• Dancing in my PJs: going out dancing is fun, but who can beat the awesome music that you get to choose and the comfort of pyjama pants.
  
• Gib: There's nothing more fun hanging out with your best buddy, is there? You can't even begin to measure the happiness that real, solid friendship brings. It outlasts everything else.

So I'm going to pass the Tree of Happiness onto: Katie, Hoppo Bumpo, Gina, Leah, Jodie and Alex, who all have terrific blogs (quick - go check 'em out!) and who have all left kind words for me recently.

I hereby bestow the 'Tree of Happiness' award upon you and hope you will accept by listing six things that you are happy about right now... and passing the honour on to six other bloggers!

Music meme

I was tagged by Fibo for this music meme and it sure sounded like fun. I'm noticing that my current songs of choice are scattered over the past few decades (1979 - 2008), but they all have a similar sounds or themes. I wonder what that means...

Instructions, should you wish to participate:
"List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now, shaping your summer/winter. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they're listening to." I wont pass the tag on, mostly because I'm not sure who to tag! But if you'd like to join in, feel free and let me know!

Queen: Don't stop me now
Múm: Green Grass Of Tunnel
Massive Attack: What your soul sings
Tori Amos: Strange little girl
Cornelius: Smoke
Daft Punk: Digital Love
Lamb: Sweet

Fun flickr meme

I don't usually get on board with these, but this looked like fun. I spotted it on Katie's blog, who found it on Going Sew Crazy.

Instructions as follows:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.


1. What is your first name? It's funny, I used to have pink hair (but that was many years ago now)
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite colour?
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Ok, so she's a chick. But through my teenage years I always wanted to be Lola. She's like my real life superhero. I ended up dying my hair from pink to red after seeing this movie! Lola is hot, fit, assertive and quick thinking! Yeah!
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life? There are many things in my life that I love, but it's karate, or rather "budo", that drives everything else in my life. And this karate figurine looks - kind of - like Gib! Haha, two birds with one stone!
11. One word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name.