I used to be able to leave this part blank.

Hot Wind

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 02:31:00 -1000

Humidity, I know, but this. This is dry heat and it’s just something else.

Humidity might feel like a wall to some people, but this feels like a really hot embrace that just doesn’t want to let go.

At 9:00pm the sun had set and my phone still read 101F.

The quickest way back to the house is through a residential area. Houses are both wonderfully cozy and borderline hoarder status. Others look abandoned.

Then you feel it. The wind. It doesn’t cool you down. Instead it brings with it the stagnant atmosphere of a record breaking temperature day.

Suddenly I’m overcome with a familiar smell. It’s beautiful. I realize it’s Jasmine.

Jasmine scented embrace.

11:30PM 8 January 2013 Granville, NSW

Merry Christmas Tree Cake

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 22:56:08 -1000

What do you get with a novelty shaped cake pan, boxed cake mix, pre-made frosting, food coloring, and sprinkles?

A mediocre Christmas tree cake!

At least it tasted yum :)

Merry Christmas!

Mele Kalikimaka

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 00:51:00 -1000

I cannot think of anything better than being home for Christmas.

Take 1

Take 2

I tried.

Mele Kalikimaka!

WHEN I CAN'T GET EXPENSES DONE IN TIME

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 12:18:04 -1000

hollywoodassistants:

I’m on a plane this evening and instead of finishing up the last stages of packing- I am stressing out over whether or not I’m going to get my damn expenses in on time.

ROAR.

9:17AM 17 December 2012 Granville, NSW

Summer

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:35:16 -1000

In Australia, the seasons start on the 1st of the month.

So summer is here and I think to make up for not really being around last year, it’s decided to start off extra warm.

I’m melting.

It’s only December and I’m melting.

6:34PM 1 December 2012 Granville, NSW

Working Late

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:54:00 -1000

Thanks to the sun setting later, it isn’t until after I leave work that I realize just how late I’ve stayed.

So cheers, springtime. Thanks for being so misleading.

8:52PM AEDT 21 November 2012

Mon Shu Girl

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 00:43:00 -1000

She and I met today. In a world where beauty products and fashion join forces, it was pretty much destined that I’d stumble upon her.

On the quest for some satisfying retail therapy, I entered the ground floor of David Jones and made my way to the Shu Uemura counter with a cleansing oil in mind. Not really thinking that she’d be here early.

Just my luck, a beauty week event placed the majority of the collection on sale early.

Plus: Free case for purchasing 3 items from the collection. Can you guess what I picked up?

Minus: They wouldn’t let me purchase the Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura premium false eye lashes. I was told they wouldn’t be on sale until November 1st. A minor set back but a bit… “But they’re right there in front of me!” I behaved. No tantrum.

Retail therapy - Check

9:42PM AEDT 25 October 2012

Happy 2 Years, Australia.

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 01:18:09 -1000

Dear, Australia,

Who would have thought we’d last this long?

I certainly had my doubts.

While year 3 is still uncertain, I just wanted you to know that so far, it’s been an interesting but pretty cool ride.

Sincerely,

Me, who was really only supposed to be here for 8 weeks.

8:38 a.m. AEDT 17 October 2012

Hello, October.

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 02:24:00 -1000

There’s something about the 1st of the month that makes me feel it’s not too late to turn things around.

Hooray.

10:23 p.m. 1 October 2012 Granville, NSW, Australia

Mali in the City

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 02:59:00 -1000

I had such a nice time in Melbourne this weekend. The weather was as nice as it could be for a winter’s day in August and the city wonderful as usual. Now that I’m back in Sydney, all I can think about is my next trip down there. Thankfully, it’s very very soon.

Oh, and there were elephants all over the city.

50 to be exact.

Fibreglass models of elephant calf Mali have been placed throughout the city to celebrate Melbourne Zoo’s 150th birthday. Mali in the City! The event’s Art Patron, three time Archibald Prize finalist made painted this one:

Bromley One - Fed Square

Bromley Onewas probably the 5th elephant I came across during my scavenger hunt. The style of painting gives the children playing a very nostalgic look.

Unfortunately, I was unable to track down all 50 elephants during this past weekend’s visit. Thankfully, the elephants will be around until September 21st and since I’ll be back soon, I’m determined to capture the rest on the scavenger hunt iPhone app available for this exhibit.

The Mali’s I did find…

Ranee - Treasury Building, Lotus - Gordon Reserve, Jimbo - Fed Square

Wooly Mali - Fed Square, Mali’s Winter Wonderland - Melbourne Central, Spot - Treasury Gardens

When I came across Spotwhile strolling in the gardens, a man in his 20s raced towards the elephant. Huge smile on his face; clearly thrilled and ready to take a picture and add to his count of elephants. In fact, many of the people I saw frequently throughout the city as chanced upon each other with each elephant we found, were men on their own. Perhaps it’s wrong to be pleasantly surprised by this or wondering if it’s because they prefer to experience these things on their own and maybe they didn’t have anyone else to enjoy them with, but it does prove that an exhibit like this can appeal to everyone. Not just small children and women who believe all animals are cuddly.

Mali’s Crimson Song - Fitzroy Gardens, Stripes - Lincoln Square, Botani - Argyle Square

Mali Dreams - Argyle Square

On the way to brunch, this colorful piece of work caught my eye. There was a small child sitting on its back, pretending to ride it for a picture. That’s one of the great things about Mali in the City. It’s a great opportunity for families to bring their kids out into the city and learn to appreciate it along with gaining an affection for elephants and wildlife in general.

Mali Turns the City Pink and Night & Day - St. Paul’s Cathedral

Baroque Baby - Bourke St Mall, Endangered Asia - Melbourne Town Hall, City in Mali - City Square

Rusty Mali - Chinatown

I fell in love with this piece the second I saw it. I love the idea of recycling materials and giving them a second life. In this instance, the materials have been used to create such a beautiful animal, allowing metal and rust to feel warm and sweet.

Harmony - Melbourne Mariott Hotel, Enceladus - Melbourne Central, Neo Composite - Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

Mali, Protector of All Animals - Melbourne Town Hall

Holy bling this caught my eye while I was on a tram going past Town Hall. I love how Mali’s eye is such a large proportion of the face. Mali is watching us, friends. We better behave.

Can’t wait to find the next 29.

10:58pm 27 August 2012 Granville, NSW, Australia

Lucky Of My Life

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 05:34:47 -1000

One of the best parts of this trip is seeing my Lucky Lollipop Linebacker.

11:34pm 6 August 2012 Quezon City, Philippines

Manila Ocean Park

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 04:08:00 -1000

It’s Day 11 of this trip and I spent it with my cousins at Manila Ocean Park.

What is missing from the below collage of photos is the Sea Lion Show getting cancelled while all of us sat like idiots in rain and wind so hard, my umbrella flipped.

Good times.

10:05pm 5 August 2012 Quezon City, Philippines

I always feel like things are hazy before I travel. Soon...

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 04:44:54 -1000

I always feel like things are hazy before I travel.

Soon I’ll be back in the awesome that is the Philippines and this feeling of discombobulation will be a thing of the past.

10:49am 27 July 2012 Sydney International Airport

To move on and work your way up.

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 04:02:40 -1000

Today we had a proper goodbye for a former intern at the office.

She has successfully landed herself a great role at a great agency where the opportunity to move her way up and achieve her career goals is 100% possible.

Here’s to succeeding and achieving. Here’s to hard work and never giving up.

Cheers

11:59pm 25 July 2012 Granville, NSW, Australia

Melbourne Weekend

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 01:11:00 -1000

Back in Sydney after a great weekend in a surprisingly not cold Melbourne.

Throw in a little bit of shopping, and that was my weekend.

I had more than the usual amount of motion sickness on all of the flights, buses, and trains I took this weekend. How does everyone out there deal with feeling like your head is about to fall off while wanting to throw up everything you’ve eaten the past month?

I miss you already, Melbourne.

9:09 pm 23 July 2012 Granville, NSW, Australia

Happy Friday!

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:56:44 -1000

In not so surprising news, I’m spending my Friday evening at the airport waiting for my flight to Melbourne to board.

I hope that there is not a repeat of last trip’s one hour delay. Do you hear me, Virgin Australia? Please make your incoming plane arrive on time.

8:54 pm 20 July 2012 Sydney Domestic Airport

Last Flight Out

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 02:14:00 -1000

When you book yourself on the last flight out to your favorite city in the country on your preferred airline only to be told your plane will get here 10 minutes after departure time… You kick yourself for not spending $20 more to leave earlier.

Get me out of this airport.

9:13 p.m. 29 June 2012 Sydney Domestic Airport

Venus and the Sun. Amazing. The universe is pretty...

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:36:00 -1000

Venus and the Sun.

Amazing.

The universe is pretty spectacular.

(via How could I NOT post this Venus transit picture? | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine)

Am I doing this right?

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 23:41:57 -1000

While there probably is no right or wrong here, I think there might be a best method for using OPI Shatter nail polishes.

OPI Navy Shatter over NARS Versailles

Pardon the dry skin. It’s winter here and my body hates me for leaving humidity.

This is my second attempt and while it looks a lot better than the first, any tips are appreciated.

7:40pm 2 June 2012 Granville, NSW, Australia

Winter

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:17:00 -1000

You arrived today, the 1st of June. We did not get much of a summer and fall was quite wet. But you’re here, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

While the rest of the world gets into their bikinis, the southern hemisphere begins to layer.

I wasn’t ready for you this year and thanks to a brand new heater purchased yesterday not working, I’m not ready for you this year. Still, you aren’t going to own me this year.

Please be kind.

10:16pm 1 June 2012 Granville, NSW, Australia