To end a crappy week......

So stressful this week with exams and marking. I totally deserved new boots from Sportsgirl. Will be awesome to wear in winter. Best of all they are leather and super comfortable.

The art of small talk.

I suck at small talk. And for the people who know me it may come as a surprise (or not) since I am quite loud and extroverted. But when I talk to strangers in any situation, I am always awkward and fidgety. I stammer, avoid eye contact and I try to find a way to cut the conversation short to escape from continuing a rather mundane and pointless chat about any random topic.

My husband on the other hand, is fantastic at it. His body language is open, he is friendly and funny and charming. Blah. Eric always laughs when he watches me talk to shop assistants and other strangers. I have been trying; actively trying to improve my skills in small talk and I have made some improvement:

Went to the coffee place for a late night run and had a really nice conversation with 2 barristas. It was pleasant and there was laughter. It wasn't the usual forced and awkward conversation I usually have which always lacks genuineness. It was short, sweet and amusing. I wish Eric saw me then.

I am such a loser hahahahah !

The day.....

I've had a horrid day. I don't get many of these but they can be emotionally draining and it keeps me up. I wish I weren't so emotional. I wish I were one of those people who could let certain things slide off me rather than bruise me. I hate being fragile. I hate confrontation. I hate being miserable.

 

A coffee would be great right now (preferably Gloria Jeans. Starbucks coffee is totally disgusting).

I hate days like this...... It is 11:55pm.... another 5  minutes and I need to get over it and sleep.

My book purchases are a reflection of my history "nerdness".....

..I don't care. I'm a history teacher. Did my postgrad in Education with a History major.  While getting my Public Relations degree I did a minor in Arts, History, Politics and Philosophy. I did both Ancient and Modern History in High School. I've always been interested in the past. I've always been a history nerd. So it's no surprise that somehow I "fell into" this job haha.

I stumbled upon a little bookshop with fantastic books at really reasonable prices.

I love big hardcover books.  The pages are thick and are always full of pictures. I got a book called, "Australia's Yesterdays".

 I hate when my students groan at how boring Australian History is. I just tell them to get over it. If you live in Australia, you've got to know its history. Everybody around the world knows their country's history.

Federation. This should be celebrated as the 'real" Australia day (Unfortunately it occurred on New Years day in 1901 so we'd lose a public holiday). The reason why the students find it boring is that Australia achieved federation with diplomacy rather than a war (like the USA). Not many students know that the first Prime Minister was Sir Edmund Barton. They all know the first US President was George Washington. Weird huh? Like I said, the USA had the War of Independence which led to their federation. War is more exciting than debating. I think my students should be proud of the fact that their country was born without bloodshed.

One of Australia's greatest sporting heroes: A horse named Phar Lap. By the way, would you call him a New Zealander or an Australian?

I had to add this. The 1920s was a period of prosperity until the crash of 1929 which caused the Great Depression. I love the dresses these women are wearing. Have a look at the details on their shoes (look at their heels) and look at the hat on the women on the left. The dresses are stunning.

I find it amazing that Australia, being such a wealthy country was very much like a third world country throughout the 30s. Many of the working class were begging for food and money and would walk from town to town looking for work. Shanty towns were set up around the major cities. When I see images from the Great Depression in Australia, I think of the Philippines.

 

Another hardcover book. I love crime and punishment. The chapters here have the most well known criminals and crimes in history. I love the fact that it has a lot of contemporary news articles and photographs.

Al Capone or "Scarface". one of the most famous gangland overlords in history. He was involved in the St Valentine's day massacre in which he eliminated his rivals. He was also involved in illegal activities such as prostitution and bootlegging (in the prohibition era). Interestingly, he made huge charity donations with the money he made illegally. Funnily enough, he was arrested for tax evasion rather than the more serious crimes he committed.

Charles Manson and "Family": The Sharon Tate murder. Look at how mad his eyes are. He is one scary, insane murderer.

Ted Bundy: Arguably the most infamous serial killer.

 

"All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend": Bonnie and Clyde.

These are fantastic books. They are great resources for school and a damned good read with great pictures and information.

I love weddings......

......... I still remember mine almost 3 years ago and it was definitely the best day of my life. I absolutely love being married. I recommend it to anyone who finds the perfect person.

So I had an incredibly exhausting weekend. We had the wedding ceremony and reception on the Saturday and then we had a big party for the whole family on the Sunday.

 

I hated my hair. It wasn't what I asked for I wanted looser curls and a bigger "boof" (or whatever it's called...I wanted more height on the head). I found my hairstyle so boring.  It cost me so much as well. I was at the hairdresser for almost 3 hours and even though I was the first to be prepped I was the last to get my hair done. Bloody hell I was so pissed off. I didn't want to spend too much time there because we had to drive to the city for the ceremony and reception. I still had to do my own makeup. 

 

After the 3 hour hairdresser session we had an hour to spare for makeup up. My sister and my lovely cousin dropped by my parent's house to do our makeup together. It was girly and it was a lot of fun.  

The ceremony was simple and beautiful. 

While my dress wasn't a Versace (It was TEMT haha), and my shoes weren't Jimmy Choo (They were from NOVO) and my hand bag wasn't Louis Vuitton (it was from some online shop); I think I scrubbed up well enough = ).

We had some time to kill (about 3 and a half hours) before the reception, so we decided to walk around the city. It was so difficult in heels so I'm so glad I brought my havies with me. My cousin and my mother had to buy some cheap flip flops from a souvenir shop. 

 In our pretty clothes we had a snack at McDonald's. I didn't eat. I don't think I've eaten a burger there for over 6 years already. So my cousin and I decided to be cam whores.

 The men scrubbed up well too.

We were on top of the Sydney Opera house steps and I wanted to eat something so I hiked my butt back down to a vendor and bought myself a Magnum (my favourite). Being the overexcited idiot that I am; I was happily licking the ice cream while walking back to the steps, I dropped chocolate on my dress. Hence; the stain. Idiot.....

The reception was incredibly posh. My students have their formal here quite a lot.

I cannot believe we have been married for almost 3 years already. Time flies when you're having fun.

My parents have been married for almost 29 years and they are perfect for each other.

I love cupcakes. Not only are they pretty but they are delicious. I ate four. I am such a fatty.

The canapes were delicious. The picture above was duck in pastry and the one below (I forgot what it was called) but basically whipped parmesan with caviar on top. Yum.

What I loved was that we got to choose from the menu instead of your typical alternate drop. Eric got the scallops for an entree. I chose the pork belly with escargot ravioli. It was sooooo good.

While the entrees were awesome; the mains were ORGASMIC. My sister got the fish (forgot what fish) with risotto. I got the most beautiful lamb I have ever tasted.

Dessert: My mother got the black forest cake. I forgot what my dad's cake was. But I got myself the guava panacotta. It was soooo beautiful.

The bride had the best Bonbonierre. Her friend hand painted these jewellery boxes.

The night ended with cupcakes galore! I ate all four flavours. I also loved the fact that we could order REAL coffee..not the crap in the jug. I got a skim cappuccino.

All in all it was a great day. I love dressing up and eating great food. I have about 3 more weddings to attend this year and I cannot wait. I love weddings.