I read a book!

THE GREAT GATSBY
(and my opinion of it!)

I started this book several months ago and got ten pages in before life got in the way. It sat sad and lonely on my bedside table until I packed it in my bag last Thursday night.

Now it may be the fact that this is the first book I’ve been able to read in a concentrated session since parenting became a part of my life but… I REALLY ENJOYED IT. Like, REALLY. It’s obviously a classic for a reason and although not all classics are created equal I am happy to pop it on my ‘top shelf’.

Short, sharp and wonderfully written.

Having just struggled through an Intro to Creative Writing unit this semester I could definitely appreciate the skill shown by Fitzgerald in bringing such imagery to life through his words. One of my favourite sentences, nothing pertinent to the story at all, was this ‘A dead man passed us in a hearse heaped with blooms…’

I would have just said ‘We passed a hearse.’ How dreadfully boring of me.

All the main characters were likable in their own sort of way and plenty believable too. Nick’s (the narrator) insights into what he thought of his contemporaries and the scenarios that unfolded was probably what drew me in the most. I liked his turn of phrase and his not overly biased descriptions; a rather more interesting character than Gatsby himself.

So anyway, I now have some anticipation for the movie. I can just imagine the 1920’s being played out in all that Baz Luhrmann glory.

The Bali Adventure begins...

So here were are – day 2 in Bali. Only 37 more to go! We touched down Saturday night and were whisked away from the airport by our driver. After a one and a half hour drive through the usual crazy traffic, we arrived at our villa and were greeted by Trisha and Wiko, our lovely hosts. It was as expected since we had spent many an evening pouring over the photos back home. We have two bedrooms, a living area, small kitchen and bathroom. Ivy is a tiny speck in her massive king size four-poster bed.

Trisha and Wiko are next door and next to them are two small (but utterly gorgeous) one beddie ‘jonglos’. One of which says Trisha, is occupied at the moment by the Indian travel writer for National Geographic.

Our first two days have been lazy and uneventful. Our driver, Gusti, is happy to take us anywhere and we have one of Trisha’s old phones to text him when needed. Yesterday’s outing was brunch followed by a visit to the Monkey Forest. It’s one of Ubud’s main attractions and I have been there before on my first visit to Bali many moons ago. It’s nothing spectacular but is ok for a wander through on a lazy Sunday morning. Little miss was suitably impressed, mostly with the baby monkeys, who I do admit were pretty cute! We stayed a good distance from them as suggested by almost everyone you meet since they can get aggressive at times, particularly if you have food on your person.

After we’d had enough monkey business (yep, I said it!) we wandered up the street looking at the shops. It’s a noticeable difference here to Kuta with no hawkers constantly in your face. A much more pleasant shopping experience, I even bought myself a new hat.

Today we spent the morning lounging by the pool (where we have free wi-fi) and trying to convince Ivy that the ants weren’t going to kill her. She has had several screaming episodes already in regards to the ants… There’s an awful lot of them here and you can’t leave any remnant of food or packaging lying around or it will be covered in a swarm of black within minutes.

This afternoon we treated ourselves to a little pampering, as most do round here. I needed a leg wax so we went off to Milano beauty salon. When we arrived I asked if they could do something for Ivy and Ben. They promptly sat them both down next to each other and set Ben up for a foot massage. Ivy sat next to him on a little seat and had her nails done. I was taken out back for my wax but was finished before either of them. I came back to watch the tail end of the nail extravaganza. I could see she was bursting with excitement but, being Ivy, had to hide all emotion from the therapist!

The weather is a mild 30 degrees, humid but perfect. Our villa overlooks rice paddies and is surrounded by tropical garden including two avocado trees. We have the fruit of one ripening on top of our fridge right now.

Tomorrow another lazy day is planned and Wednesday we'll take a day trip to Waterbom Park in Kuta.

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Procrastination station!

Been SUPER busy with Uni work these last few months so little bloggy blog has been neglected more so than usual. BUT, in the spirit of all Uni students across the nation I am procrastinating today...

So I made one of those quote poster thingo's all the cool kids seem to be doing at the moment. I thought my choice of quote was topical enough. Don't you think?

I made necklaces!

I'm not usually what you would call a 'beader' or 'jewellery maker'. I like makings things though so I just went with it when my brain decided to buy some beads and cord on Thursday and give it a crack.


I had this vague idea in my head of what I was after and I knew I'd need to learn how to do those adjustable slip knot thingos since I wasn't keen on using clasps and scary tools etc. You Tube, as always, showed me the way and I must say it was significantly easier than I imagined. Check it out here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NN9loNl9PA (she's got such a lovely accent!)

The slip knot!

So, the pics speak for themselves I think? After what's been a fairly eventful week it was such a relaxing afternoon sitting by the window. Heater on, cup of tea, my new scented candle burning...


You like?

Foggy morning...

Woke up to some thick old fog this morning in the nations capital. A quick pit stop past the lake on the way to work was well worth it. Got some gorgeous shots! Have to let you in on a little secret though.... I can't take all the credit. The new Loftus lens I got for my Hipstamatic app last weekend is seriously AWESOME. My goodness it takes a cracker shot - love it, love it, love it.

Sweet Feet Skills

Have been perusing You Tube for Donna Summer clips but got way laid checking these dudes out. And I do officially declare all three men TOTES awesome at dancing. Do you agree?


Number 1 : Fred Astaire. Bless his cotton socks!






Number 2 : John Travolta. Check that double knee move thing at 1:40. You clever man John!







Number 3 : Michael Jackson. That crazy, mysterious man. Walk that moon, baby!

Photo A Day April - Week 2

So week 2 came and went in my little photographic journey. But as you will notice, I am playing catch up. Week 1 is here if you missed it. And week 3 is still to come. In the meantime let me attempt to delight you with my week 2 exhibition. I missed Day 12 (Stairs) but am hoping you'll forgive me yeah?

Day 7 : Shadow : an oldie but with a bit of Instagram 'remastering'

Day 8 : Inside Your Wallet : Apologies to your eyes but
this is the pic I've had in my wallet for the last 5 years

Day 9 : Younger You : Me in the pink, circa 1980

Day 10 : Cold : This one was almost prophetic from Fat Mum Slim.
A cold snap overnight and out came the cardi's and fires again. This is at my work... Toasty!

Day 11 : Where You Ate Breakfast

Day 13 : Something You Found : totes awesome cutlery at Vinnies!

Macadamia Delicious!

So, I made macadamia spread yesterday. Sounds fancy doesn't it? Oh, well it IS! 


But, lucky for me, and maybe you too, NOT fancy to make.


Do you have a food processor? Do you have 400g of raw macadamia nuts? Do you have 5 tablespoons of water and 10 min of time?


If you answered yes to all of these questions then YOU are fully equipped to get some macadamia spread of your very own.


I just whizzed the nuts by themselves for a while then added a bit of water to help it along. Ended up being 5tbps of water in the end. You might want more or less. Mine looked like this.

And then we spread it on rice crackers and it looked like this. YUMNESS!

Cheap Shoes... but they're so PRETTY!

Right, so I like to think I'm a bit of a 'semi-greenie' and try to do what I can to keep my impact on the earth low. I try to grow my own vegies when I can (not overly successfully but I WILL get better!) I buy all those 'green' label cleaning products or use bi-carb and vinegar where possible. I like shopping at 2nd hand stores, markets and op-shops. I get a fruit and veg box delivered that supports local growers and cuts down on transportation costs.


I am also acutely aware that there are a boundless number of things that I am NOT doing. Like making my own bread, recycling grey water or making my own shampoo from eggs... Sometimes it's all just too HARD and my laziness wins over my conscience more often than not.


But probs my biggest failing as a 'semi-greenie' is that I'm a sucker for CHEAP CRAP. You know that stuff - mass produced in China or India from non-renewable resources, made by underpaid workers and shipped thousands of miles to my local Westfield?


See those super pretty shoes up there? ^^ I bought them yesterday from a certain run of the mill department store at my local mall because, firstly, they winked at me and secondly, they were only $24. I am wearing them today and I like them a lot. It's likely next time I go to said mall I will see at least 4 other suburban mums wearing them too. Until then I will continue thinking I am funky and unique.


But aside from feeling funky and unique I am also getting my usual post-purchase depression that I'm letting the old green team down.


I go through the pros in my head to try and appease my 'disappointed' conscience. "Now Roxanne, you know having pretty things increases your happiness and confidence" (as shallow as that sounds, I have to admit it's true) and "Your family is on a fairly limited budget so you should jump at bargains when you see them." 


I have failed to convince myself yet again. They're pretty weak arguments huh? But I'll keep wearing the shoes. Dammit I'll wear them! I'll wear them until the soles fall off and they no longer resemble the orange prettiness they once were. THAT will be my contribution to the environment. Sorry China, I am set for new shoes right now, you may as well pack up shop and go home.


But I do solemnly swear to do better next time. In fact, I will go right now and google that recipe for egg shampoo.


Are you a full-greenie? Any tips for an aspiring greenie? A LAZY, aspiring greenie? Is there an alternative to eggs for shampoo? (I'm really not that keen on my hair smelling like omelette.) And do you know of anyone selling a 2nd hand pair of ladies size 9 red patent leather Doc Martens? They are next on the list of shoes I need want.