Lots of New Stuff

Hey guys!!! What's been happening in blog-land? Soo sorry for the lack of updates. Life, as usual, has been really busy. Between work, PT sessions and uni, and a few weekend where I've been driving or flying all over the country, I feel like I'm running myself all over the place.

Firstly, how was everyone's Easter? I hope you all had a great long weekend, and even if you don't celebrate Easter, I hope you enjoyed the time off with friends and family. My Easter was a bit hectic. Easter Thursday was hectic with car troubles (will expand on this later), and working both lunch and evening shifts, uni work etc. Then on Good Friday I was woken up early to my mum telling me that we were going to my grandmother's for the night. Dad was heading to Stockton on the train early Saturday morning, so mum and I headed to Gran's on Friday for the day/night. It was nice to spend the day/night with her. I made her a Rocky Road (but I forgot the Malteasers!!!). She hasn't been well, and she hasn't been eating a lot, so I was hoping that this might help her eat a little more. She has currently eaten most of it, so I'm counting that as a win.

Then on Saturday we got up early and sat around in the sun eating breakfast and chatting. Before we knew it, it was heading to lunchtime and mum and I had to be on the road. We headed back home, threw some clothes into a bag (and my study stuff for me), and then headed to Stockton. We had a cabin at the caravan park, and it was right at the path to the beach.We stayed until Monday. I do love it there. Mum and I walked along the beach on Sunday afternoon. There was so much shit on the beach, washed up from the recent storms. I don't have any pictures from the weekend, unfortunately though.

The weekend before that (the 23rd) I headed to Melbourne to catch up with some of the people from Contiki, many of whom I haven't seen since we got back. It was so nice to catch up with Charlotte and Jane. I shared a room with Charlotte for the tour, and I really miss her (she's from England). The weekend was kind of a bust, due to a disagreement with one of the girls when I didn't find anything I like in the stores we went shopping in on the Saturday, that kinda continued on til now but that's ok. I had a mostly good time. And it was nice to catch up with Penny (my bus buddy). We hadn't met before the tour, but we sat together practically the whole time we were on the trip, and became great mates. It just sucks that she's in Melbourne. But that means that I have an excuse to go down regularly. I actually have a few friends in Melbourne now.

The Wednesday before I flew to Melbourne, Charlotte and Jane came up to my area to see the dolphins and do a winery tour. I met them for breakfast on one of the days. It was really great to catch up and chat without everyone vying for the attention for everyone else (which happens when there's a group of 10 or more of us).

Jane and Charlotte

The red velvet cupcake, chocolate frog and chocolate spoon I bought after breakfast in a cafe on the Saturday. They were so yummy and I loved the spoon.

Drinks before our flight

My HRM is now back and working!!! I actually had to take it to the shoe repair/watch repairman and have him put a new one in because I couldn't get the back off it to replace the battery. I know the guy who runs it (I used to work for him) so he only charged me $5 for it. The battery probably cost more than that, but who am I to argue with him. Now I just need to get my butt moving again. I've been really lazy for the last 2 weeks. But the gym at the uni id open over Res School, so I'll try to get there while I'm in Armidale.

This weekend I had one of my best uni girlfriends come to visit on Saturday and I loved it. Nat and I are so different in the way we dress, and some the the ways we think (politics in particular) but she's one of my best and closest friends. We've been friends since our second year of uni (almost 8 years ago) and she's been there through a lot of things. It's always nice to catch up with her. She only lives 2 hours away, but we never get to see each other. She works Mon-Fri, and I work weekends. It makes it hard to catch up but we do when we can. There are so many people I really need to catch up with. I want to make this year the year I meet up with people who mean a lot to me.

Res school starts next week, the 17th of April actually. I'm kinda looking forward to it... meeting people doing my courses and degree, meeting my lecturers and actually being able to ask questions about anything that I don't understand, being able to discuss things with people who actually understand it. I really like my uni. I like everything about it. The open space, the amazing gym and fitness area, the amazing lecturers, and the people who are there. I met a lot of amazing people while I lived on campus for my first degree, and I'm sure I'll meet many more amazing people who are doing my degree/classes online. It'll also be nice to have almost 2 weeks where I can just focus on uni, and study. No work, no PT sessions. Just uni, study and understanding anything I don't at the moment. I have actually just received an email from my math lecturer asking if those of us doing res school would like some tutorials. I think she read my mind (and a few other's of us) because I was actually going to email her and ask if I could get some help. I'm really struggling with math at the moment, so I'm so grateful that Bea is offering these tutorials, especially as math doesn't have a res school component, only bio and chemistry.

I bought a new car last week!!! I was going to buy one later, like June/July in the end of financial year sales, but my old car made the decision to bring the date forward. On the 28th of March (I remember vividly because it was a Thursday) I was on my way to a PT session at 5am. I got halfway there when my car started losing power, and revved really high. I kinda managed to pull over (half off the road half in the lane) and put my hazard light on before it started smoking. So I grabbed my bag and practically jumped from the car. So, I'm standing on the side of the highway, in the dark (thank god for a fog free, full moon night), waiting for my dad to come and get me (and the NRMA to come look at my car), and not a single person stopped to see if I was ok!!!! I was a little pissed, but whatever.

So it turns out that it blew a hole in my water pipe. And it fried the engine. And the engine would cost to much to replace than the car was worth :(

Sitting on the side of the road with my car waiting for a tow

So I left my car sitting on the side of the road (it was towed a little further up the road to a place where it was actually OFF the road). I called a few car places to see what they had for test drives and prices, and decided I wanted to look at a Honda City, or a Holden (Chevy for my Nth Americans) Cruise. I went via the Holden place in town on my way to strip my car, and spotted a green Cruise and instantly fell in love with it. After a test drive later in the afternoon, I was pretty sure that I wanted it, but I really wanted to test drive the City too. On Monday (after a weekend spent at the beach in Stockton, and a day looking at cars I'd rather forget), I drove the City and really, really liked it.

In the end I decided on...........

THE CRUISE!!!!!

Isn't it pretty!!!

 I love it. It's a 2011 model, only about 16-17 months old, and so much nicer than my old car (my old one was a '98 model; nearly 15 years old, so there's a lot of improvements). It is going to have to be cleaned every week because the colour shows up every bit of dirt, but I love it. And I love that the floor mats are stuck to the floor so they don't end up scrunched up under my feet. I had that so often with other car mats (I went through 3-4 sets) that I ended up driving without them. So that's a nice bonus.

And it has cup holders!!!! I know that doesn't seem like a major thing, but my other car didn't have any and it's not until you don't have them that you realise how much you need them.

So, now I'm in even more debt, but that's ok. I needed it, and was planning on buying a new one anyway :D

M and I went to the movies yesterday!!! We saw The Croods!!!

I loved it. It was such a fun movie, great for kids and adults. I love Belt, it has some of the best parts of the whole movie.

Dun Dun Duuuuuun!!!

Haha. I love it. There's so many great characters, and the interactions between them. I was worried it would be one of those movies where all the funny stuff is in the trailer, but it's not. it really is a great movie. I love, love, love it!

But them I'm a big kid at heart, which I'm sure doesn't surprise you. The woman who served us at the counter actually knew which movie we were going to see. We didn't have to ask. I'm not sure if it's because she knew what was on, or if we've been so often she just knows what we're going to see now before we do? Could be either honestly.

After the movie, we went shopping. I know, you're all surprised. Actually I have a gift card for Jeans West I needed to start spending, (I got it for Christmas), and M wanted to see what Just Jeans had in stock, so off we went to the shopping centre.

I got a pair of khaki skinny jeans (I'm in love) and a green and black stripped rugby shirt. It's so light, but it will need to be hand washed (didn't think of that when I bought it). I've been looking at coloured denim for a while but didn't want to jump in the deep end and buy bright blue, green, purple, red or something like that. I saw these and just went... 'I have to have these!'. So I bought them.

Pretty bad pic, but you get the idea

My dad finally got his jukebox yesterday. He saw it in a catalogue just after Christmas, and he's been bugging everyone about it ever since. He was convinced it wasn't coming, but yesterday it was delivered. You'd think he was a big kid with the best, newest toy the way he was acting with it. Pushing every button, making the lights change colour, turning the volume all the way up. It was actually nice to see because there really aren't a lot of things he asks for.

I booked in to try to do my scuba dive course again. It's the 1st and 2nd of May, a few days before the color run. I'm hesitant to try it again. I hope that I can actually do it this time. Hopefully, being the middle of the week, there won't be a lot of others, so they can spend time with me if I freak out again. Fingers crossed that I don't, and I can do this. *positive thinking

I need to get back to the study, and clean my room. It kinda looks like a bomb went off. oops. Math due yesterday, but I'll hand it in today. It'll be fine. I'm just struggling a little bit.

Cya soon blog-land. Hope you're week is off to an amazing start!!!

D!

I Left You Again, Didn't I..?

I really didn't mean, too, it just happened. You know, life just has a way of getting in the way lately. 

I can't believe it's been nearly 3 weeks!!! *eek, but in my defense, I have been really busy. Between work and study, the internet really has become a little less important.

So.. I can hear you asking all the way from here... just what have you been doing?

Well, mainly working and studying. I've been working at the pub (as you all know) and that's been my nights gone. I don't start til 6, but it's enough to throw my whole afternoon/evening out of whack :( I haven't even been working a huge amount of hours each night, but I am definitely a night/afternoon owl, so I actually just get into my study rhythm, or something (cleaning, cooking etc), and I have to pack up (which is such a pain in the ass when you have as many books/notebooks/textbooks/pens/pencils/highlighters etc as I do), shower, eat and go to work. Then when I get home, the last thing I want to do is study. I just want to go to bed by then.

Officially uni started last Monday, but, as you know I've been studying for a few weeks now. I'm glad I have been because Math is kicking my ass. Chemistry, I understand. Biology, I really haven't looked too much at. Math??? It's the subject I really wish I didn't have to do, but it's also compulsory. Ugh! But I'll get through it. Slowly. Somehow. I may not have any hair left by the end of it, but damn it, I will pass this course!!! haha

Via cbspeerblog.wordpress.com

That picture, the one up there, that's what my dining room table looks a little like. Only, mine has 3 high school textbooks (2 math, 1 chemistry), 1 Chemistry textbook, 3 lecture notepads, 6 or more mini note pads, a dozen highlighters, more pens (blue, black, red and coloured) than you can count, post it notes, mini post it notes for page references, and probably a few other things I've forgotten about. Now imagine moving all of that everytime dinner comes around. It's exhausting. And my parents don't seem to understand why I need the entire table, but I do. I just do!

Speaking of moving, my sister and her boyfriend moved into their rental property last weekend (not yesterday). So, I spent a lot of time the week before helping H move stuff into the house, unpack it, clean it, put it away. Or what we could of it anyway. Her bf and his mates bought all the big stuff (bed, fridge, bookcases, lounges etc) on the truck on Saturday. I don't have any pictures of Saturday (it was raining so I felt no need to go and actually move them in that day. There were more than enough of them), but I do have a few of the week prior to that when we moved lots of little stuff in. (Some aren't so great. They were all taken on my iPhone)

My sister. That's the kitchen behind her

Empty kitchen. The kitchen looks over the back deck and the backyard

Not so empty kitchen. Most of the stuff they were given by friends/family for birthdays/Christmas. They have more coffee cups and cutlery than they know what to do with

The front door, living/dining room. There is another deck out the front. My sister's best friend Jess, with her boy Aston. He's a very happy kid  

Bathroom

More Kitchen

The front of the house.

Master bedroom wardrobe

My sister's car

My car

The clock I gave them as a housewarming present. It' says Paris underneath the 12

The view from the front door

It was actually pretty fun moving her into the house. But it really hit home to me, just how ready I am to move out. And not into a place with other people so much, but a place of my own. Sigh. I'll get there. I just need to get through uni first.

I have also picked up some personal training 5 days a week. It makes for very early mornings (4.15am) because I'm driving 30+ minutes each way, but it's good. I'm getting paid, and I'm using my training. And I enjoy it. Maybe not the 4am alarm, but the teaching, and the training part.

I kinda went on a DVD shopping spree on the weekend too. There were sales on at Sanity. There were 'buy one get one free' deals on Disney so I got:

and

Then there was a '4 for $50' deal so I also got:

and

I thought I did pretty well considering. I am really bad when I go into bookstores/DVD stores. I find so many things I like, and I just want to buy them all.

I also managed to make it to the Organic store. Ahhh! So much to buy, so little money. I could have wandered around for a while, but were were on a schedule, so I only bought myself 2 things:

The jar is raw, organic cacao powder, and the bag is a raw, organic mix of cacao powder and maca powder. I just wanted the maca but they were out of stock, so I bought what I could. I'm going to put them into my smoothies. I just have to be a bit more organised. I'll probably start next week. But maybe later this week. We'll see how we go.

But, I must go to bed. I have to be up in 5 hours.

Hope you are all well in the blogosphere

Danni xo

Run, Gym Session, New Gear!!!

Hey guys. How's your week been. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone, whether you're in a relationship or not. If you are, I hope you get very very spoiled by the one you love. If you're not... I hope you spoil yourself. Have an at home spa day, or mani/pedi, treat yourself to lunch or dinner, then some decadent dessert. Whatever it is, enjoy it. Today is about love, not just being in a relationship, and you need to love you.

Ok, pump up is over :D

So, Monday morning I got up and went for a run, like I said I would. It was great. A little over 3km in 30 mins. Not my best time, but not bad for someone who hasn't run for over 3 months, and hasn't run that particular route in 9. I felt so good after, and I got stuck into my study. I didn't make it to the gym that afternoon, but I did go after work with some work mates. I didn't do too much, I mainly showed the girls what to do, and how to use the machines. It felt nice to act as a personal trainer again and use my qualifications and skills.

However, I haven't been on a run or to the gym since. I know... WHAT!!!

Well...

Tuesday I went shopping with a friend. I needed to see the Apple store about my iPhone playing up (they said just uninstall everything and re-install it. If that doesn't work, well, your contract is up in July, so just upgrade then. But I don't want to upgrade. I like my phone. I've had it almost 2 years, and I see no point in upgrading it when it works perfectly fine (most of the time). That and I don't want to have to transfer everything onto another phone.

Anyway... M has signed up with me for the color run in Newcastle on May 5. I'm very excited about it, and I really want to run/jog the whole thing as I've said before. Hence the training plan... that hasn't been executed this week. But, that's beside the point. She said from the outset that she needed new runners, and some new gym gear (sports bra, pants and shirts). So... into Lorna Jane we wandered....

There should have been flashing neon lights going off in my brain with the whole 'warning, warning', thing going on. Because I can very, very, very rarely enter a Lorna Jane store and leave without buying anything. (If you haven't checked out Lorna Jane, you really really must. It's amazing active wear. I love it.) And Tuesday was no exception. I left with:

• 2 sports bras (one in blue, one in black)
• 2 inspiration singlets and
• a blue headband

My stash... isn't it gorgeous

So, $170 and a free cooler bag later, I left the store. M bought 4 singlets, 2 pairs of flashdance pants (one 3/4 and one full length. I have 2 pairs of these and they are so comfortable), 2 sports bras, and a headband.

Side note... we have both put on a little weight recently... is it bad that I breathed a sigh of relief when she had to get L's in the shirts, and XL's in the pants, and I had M's? I don't want to be a bad friend, but I was glad that my weight gain was about 6-7kg, rather than what she has put on...

Anyway... that was a successful trip.

But...

We also went into Typo. For those of you who haven't seen/heard/visited, it's basically a stationary store plus. It has so many other things like pillows, lanterns, etc as well as notebooks, stamps, pens/pencils/ erasers/markers/blackboards etc. Really cool. I don't usually go into these places because I love stationary, and I would buy lots of everything if I could. Sooo... I avoid temptation by not going in.

However, on Monday I used the last of my notebooks or study (and uni hasn't even started yet. In fact I got the syllabus and lecture notes in the mail today for math, still waiting for chemistry and biology). So I wandered in there too. 

And walked out with 2 A4 notebooks, and 3 A5... All for only $20. Score!!!

Do you sense a theme?

But, the shopping is kinda what has prevented me from working out the last few days. I have stupid ankles/knees that ache at the most random times for no reason (according to the dr's, specialists and physio's that I have been to). But, on Tuesday night I had to strap my right ankle before I went to work. It was so tight that when I got home I had to take the strapping off because my toes were starting to go numb. So, yesterday and today have been no go's on the exercise front because my ankle has been so sore, even just to walk on. And I really don't feel like pushing it. I know from experience that if I don't let it rest and settle, it will affect my knees as well. And it's not fun. Anyone who has experienced joint pain know what I'm talking about. 

I'm hoping that I will be able to get back out there tomorrow. 

How do you guys deal with injury?

Back into the study... boo! I hate calculus

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping

Ok, so I spent more money. And I know I shouldn't have, but everything had sales. I did restrain myself though. I didn't buy more clothes. Just 2 pairs of shoes. And a handbag. But I needed them all. I did, I promise.

How pretty is this? I love the colour. It's more bright green than the blue in person, but still... I love it. It's big enough that I can put everything in it. My umbrella (I bought it last week when it was raining and I went house looking. It's an essential that never leaves my bag now), a water bottle, wallet, sunglasses case, notebook and pen, my Kindle. Almost anything else I can think of. It's great. AND... it come with an extra strap to make it a cross body bag too. I love versatile items. And I think the colour just makes it pop. I've been wearing a lot of plain colours lately; black, blues, white etc. This just give my look that bit of colour it was missing. I'm in love haha

Don't you just love these? I've never really been into the whole ballet flat thing. Every pair I've tried on only came about halfway up my toes, and looked terrible. I just never got the feel for them.

These on the other hand? They're comfy, and have a solid sole so I don't feel like I'm walking on the ground instead of in a pair of shoes. I really needed a pair of flats that weren't sneakers, thongs (flip flops) or my boots, as much as I love, and live in, all 3. These fit the bill perfectly. Now to get a new outfit to wear them with. Oh I know I can wear them with anything, and I will, but a new outfit never goes astray either.

How gorgeous are these? Out of all the heels I've owned, I've never owned a pair of red pumps. Never. I mean, I have a pair of red strappy heels that I love, but these... I'm in love. Again.

I needed a size 10 though. I have big feet. Well, kinda. Usually I run somewhere between an 8 and a 9, depending on the shoe and designer, and height of the heel. I have wide balls of my feet which makes getting into sky high heels difficult. So, along with the shoes, I had to buy insoles and heel grips so that I don't walk out of them. They're maybe 1 cm too long, but that is all fixed with the insoles and heel grips. Yay. Although I guess being 5'8 comes with the side effect of having big feet. 

I will definitely need a new outfit to wear these with. I mean, I have black pants and skirts and dresses to wear with these for a pop of colour, but I think I might need something else too.

But, no buying any new outfits until I have a job. My money is slowly but surely running out. Damn this whole needing to eat to stay alive thing. Everything would be so much simpler if I didn't have to eat. 

But, eating at home will be cheaper than eating at the hostel. I've been living on pasta's and rice and the like. Too much carby goodness. When I move into the house I'm going to go back to not having carbs after lunch (like bread, rice, pasta and potatoes). I did this while I was getting my PT qualifications and I felt so much better. I lost weight too, but I didn't have a scale so I don't know how much. Just feeling better was a positive in and of itself.

I talked to my mum today. On Skype. It's hilarious. My mum is so not technical at all. I mean, seriously. She messages me when she can't get something to work on her phone, her laptop, the internet. ANYTHING!!! It's something I hope never changes because it's something uniquely her. She is a bank manager, a mum of 2, my life coach, best friend, go to person for advice on anything, but she can't work technology. Give her a new phone and she has trouble working it out.

Today, she had trouble with Skype. So, we're chatting on Facebook, and she's asking me questions, while she's downloading Skype. Then it won't work. So she's asking me what she did wrong. Um... I don't know, I wasn't there while you did it. Well, I was, but on the other side of the world. Haha. So she uninstalled it, re installed it, and away we were.

We chatted for over half an hour. She was in her PJ's with the morning program on tv, having breakfast, and I was in the dinning hall, munching on an afternoon snack. It was great to catch up, even if she did leave me watching tv while she went to the bathroom. Literally, she picked up the laptop, and turned it until I could see the TV. I couldn't understand it though haha.

She actually stood up to my grandmother for me on Wednesday (her Thursday). She was on her way to Sydney for an awards ceremony thingy that she was nominated for (she didn't win, but still), and she was on the phone to my grandmother. Now I love Gran, I really do, but she just rubs me the wrong way sometimes. She's never let me live it down that I didn't finish my Law degree. She always make little comments about it, even though I finished my Arts degree with a psychology major. 

My cousin was doing a course for his job (he works in the underground coal mines), and he failed the course. He has an easy way out though, he can pay $100 or so and just re-sit the exam. So, mum used the opportunity to ask her about me and my law degree. Turns out Gran thought that I could just re-sit the exam, and I had just quit. She didn't realise that I actually had to redo the whole unit and pay $1000 to do it. And that, without that unit, I couldn't finish my degree. Now I attempted that unit twice in the same year (it's offered both semesters), and failed it both times. Because I failed the assignment that stipulated 'pass this or fail the course'. Now, I passed overall. I kicked ass in my practical where we had to stand up in court and argue a case in front of 3 professors including our lecturer. But, I failed, (by 1 and 2 marks each time) the assignment. So I failed overall. And there's only so many times in a row I can fail like that before my pride kicks in and says enough. 

Apparently she didn't know that. And, like mum says, I didn't advertise it. It's not something that sits well with me. Yes, I've failed before, but I've always been able to just dust myself off, and smash it the next time. But not this course. But, like I told mum, she never asked either. She just assumed. She does that a lot. And ok, she'll be 72 in October, but she could still ask occasionally, instead of just thinking the worst. 

So, I love my mum for doing that. And she bought it up, not Gran. 

My sister and dad before I left for Canada

My sister is bringing her boyfriend home next weekend to meet mum and dad. She got into school the next town over from home to do her prac teaching (she's studying history and English), and he wants to be able to come visit her while she's home, (prac goes for a few weeks), which I think is nice. So, he's coming with Holly next week to meet the parents. 

He seems to be good to her, which is better than the boyfriend from last year. He was an asshole, to put it mildly. He treats her well, gives her flowers, calls her when she's not there. All the sappy stuff it should be. Too bad I'm missing out on interrogating him though. Could have been fun. 

I'll have to take some photos of Vancouver. I've been here 2 weeks and haven't taken a single photo, other than of stuff I've bought. Will have to rectify that this weekend/week. If I'm not doing anything (eg still don't have a job), I will have no excuse. And it's not like my camera doesn't live in my bag anyway.

Gotta run

D xo

Job Hunting Sucks

Well it does. I've sent out dozens of resumes and cover letters over the last 2 weeks and nothing. Nada. Zip.  And I know 2 weeks isn't a long time to be job hunting. And I know people who have worked over here and it took them a month to find work but I WANT A JOB NOW!!!!

Ok, now that I've got that out I feel better. 

A little.

I just want to be paid. I hate dipping into my savings all the time just to buy stuff. And I want to be able to afford to go to a gym, or kickboxing, or dance, or yoga, or all 4, but I don't think I'll be able to do that, even once I get a job. My rent is $150 a week, so to be able to pay that, and eat, and still have some money, I'll need to work about 40 hours a week.

So... 

Good food it is. 

I went looking on Robson St yesterday. Not for anything in particular, just to get out of the Hostel, and into the sunshine. (Yes, the sun was out, it was magnificent.)I found lots of shoes I'd love to buy (I'm loving all the colour that's out at the moment), but (and you'll be very proud of me), I didn't buy a single pair. Even with so many pretty things on sale.

So, I was in a good mood. The sun was out, the shops had sales, I was happy looking. All was good.

Then I went into American Eagle. I love this place. I don't know why, I really don't. I found it when I lived in South Lake Tahoe (I shopped in San Francisco). And they had a sale on as well. (I think just about every store does atm). So I wanted a pair of shorts. Not short shorts, just shorts. Plain, denim shorts. And maybe a few shirts. A pair of 3/4 jeans. The usual. So I found a few things I liked. And then I headed into the dressing room.

BAD IDEA!!!!!

I knew I have put on weight since I got here. I haven't been eating that well and I haven't really exercised. I mean, I've been doing some walking around, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator, but I haven't done some serious exercise since before I left home.

So, I pulled on a one shoulder shirt. I like it. I bought it. Now I'll wear it when I lose a couple of kgs. I don't need to lose a lot, it fits as is, but it will look a lot better when I lose a little bit. 

Then I pulled on the shorts. In a size 12. AND THEY DIDN'T FIT!!! Could barely pull them up past my thighs. I think they were laughing at me as I contemplated the zip and button. There was no way I was going to get those shorts done up, and if I did I better not move. Not even breathe. So I took them off and 'threw' (as in hung them back on the hanger, and then slammed the hanger on the hook). 

I was annoyed with myself by this point, so I grudgingly tried on the 3/4 jeans. They're boyfriend, so they're supposed to be baggy. The 12's fit. In fact they were a little loose. So I tried on the 10's. They fit too. Cue a little bit of smiling. Until I looked at myself in the mirror. The pants only emphasized (to me) how much weight I have to lose. Baggy jeans look good on thin girls. On me... not so much.

But I bought them. And I'm wearing them as I type this. They are comfortable, which is what I need right now. But, they did highlight that I've let my eating get out of hand again. And that I need to exercise more. So I guess that's a good thing? Right?

So, as I sit here, typing this, and looking at more job vacancies, and sending resumes (I can multi task) I am eating baby (organic) carrots (from this fruit and veggie market on Davie St that I love), and some strawberries. My bottle of water is sitting beside my laptop. (I may use the laptop cord to strangle the guys who are yelling and laughing at the top of their voices like they're in a noisy pub, not a quiet dinning room). 

And, I've been making lists too. Goals lists if you will. Goals for the month of July. Goals for the next 6 months. Plans for if I stay, and plans for if I don't. I am nothing of not organised. 

I just hope that once I move into my house on Sunday things will settle down. I can buy food without the worry of eating it (someone took my cheese, and the leftovers of mine and Min's pizza from Monday), and I can start to exercise. I'm already planning running/walking routes and I've been looking at gyms, yoga studios, kickboxing classes, and dance studios to see what's around, and how much it'll cost. 

Good thing I don't like to party. Hopefully I'll get a job soon and meet people. I'm kinda lonely here at the moment. I miss everyone. 

Going to have an early dinner in a minute. Need a break from looking at the screen. 

xo

Shopping, shopping, shopping...

Ok, so no formal workout in today... just like I said there probably wouldn't be.

BUT... I did do alot of walking, and trying clothes and shoes etc on so I think I got a decent cardio workout in. I really should invest in a pedometer to see how many steps I take everyday. It would make me feel less guilty when I don't get a formal workout in. Does anyone else get like that? Guilty when they don't do something on their 'to do' list? I do. Maybe it's just me.

I, stupidly, skipped breakfast this morning because I was running late. I had to pick M up at 8.30am, and I was at the pertol station at that time filling up my car. Petrol's getting so expensive. I'm glad I don't do alot of travelling long distances. I wish that it wasn't so cold or dark when I leave work at the moment because I'd walk to work instead of driving. Maybe as it gets warmer. Except the odd days when I have to open or close. It's creepy when I have to open or close the gym. It's quiet, and dark, and super creepy. I keep expecting someone to be hiding in the shadows between the buildings or hiding in the toilets when I lock up. Especially when we park out the back and there's only one spotlight off the building.

Anyway... back on topic. So I missed breakfast and I ended up pulling into McDonalds and getting a bacon and egg mcmuffin (which I felt a little bad about) and a hot chocolate (because I don't really like or drink coffee). M wanted a hot chocolate too so I probably wouldn't have stopped if I was on my own.

When we finally made it to our shopping destination (a little under 2 hours later. Sometimes I hate living in small towns) the first place we hit was The Body Shop. I love this place. Everything is so luxurious and good for the world. So much free trade, and it's so good for you too. It's a little expensive, but I've come to the conclusion that sometimes you're better to pay a little more for some things. I bought a day lipstick... something I've been wanting to buy for a while. I needed a colour I could wear during the day that wouldn't look overdone. I don't work in an office or the like, so I needed something that wouldn't look out of place, something that was natural but just a little more colour. I found my colour. And it's such a nice lipstick to put on too. It just feels nice, not sticky or heavy or anything like that.

After that we hit an underwear shop. And I spent a small fortune. I needed it, and I bought lots of pretty stuff. Who cares that I'm the only one going to see it (except for my neighbours when I hang it on the line. The joys of being single), I deserve something pretty, so I decided that I was going to buy something pretty. I bought lots of pretty. And I tried on so many types and brands and styles. It's amazing how your sizing can change depending on the style and materials. I will have to do alot of throwing out of stuff from my underwear drawers later. But it was worth it. I tend to keep stuff until it's falling apart of the like before I buy new stuff. I'm going to have to get over that and just buy new stuff and throw the old stuff out.

I got a start on the throwing stuff out over the weekend actually. I went through my drawers and closet and now have a garbage bag of clothes and shoes I no longer wear to go to charity. It makes me feel better that they're going to charity, and there's a little more room in my closet.

After my hour+ I spent underwear shopping (and spending enough to make M laught at me because when I couldn't decide between 2 I bought both) we headed to the food caught for lunch. I am in love with Sangas and Spuds. It's sooooo good. I had a Ranch Salad. Not quite as healthy as it sounds but still alot healthier than alot of stuff in food courts, and healthier than M's McDonalds. Basically a ranch salad is lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cheese, croutons, shredded bacon, onion, chicken (either grilled or crumbed) with ranch dressing. This time it had a little more dressing than I usually like but it was still sooooo delicious. I wish I knew exactly which Ranch dressing they use though because I've never tasted one like this one. There's just something different about it.

After lunch, and a nice long girly discussion (you have to have those) we headed to the shoe store. Unfortunately it wasn't for heels or the like, but for a new pair of runners. And an actual pair of runners rather than cross trainers. They're so cool... I will post pics later. Possibly tomorrow.

After a look through JB for movies and music (and neither of us bought anything) and a me buying a dress that I got for half price because of all the discounts I had lying in the bottom of my handba,g it was time to go home.

It was so nice on the way home with the sun streaming in through the front windshield. I wanted to be like a cat and curl up in the sun somewhere and nap for a while. It would have been such a nice thing to do. I remember the cat I had as a kid (we had to put her down when I was 19. We'd had her for 15 years) would curl up on the window sill in the sun. I want to be able to do that. Curl up in a sunny spot not fit on the window sill.

It was so nice to have a day off and not have to stress about work or what I need to do or what I wil be doing tomorrow. Things like that. It's nice to have a day of fun and relaxation. I will have to do this more often, although with a lower price tag. ALOT lower haha.

All in all food wasn't that bad today. Dinner was simple: chicken schnitzel and oven fries. I should have had something green in there, I haven't really had alot today, but I just wasn't feeling it. Cleaning and work tomorrow so I'm going to go and have a nice, hot shower, and curl up in bed with a good book.

Night