tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032101208942983972024-02-24T20:11:41.715+11:00.:Thanks for the smile: 366 days of smiles in 2012:.Thanks for the smile is my 365 project where I will post something for every day of 2012 to document at least 1 thing that brought a smile to my face that day.Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.comBlogger283125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-40259523236085908742012-12-31T23:56:00.000+11:002013-01-07T22:28:12.711+11:00Day 366 - HopeSo 365 days have somehow whizzed by since I wrote my <a href="http://thanksforthesmile.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/day-1-hope.html">very first blog entry</a> for Day 1, here we are at New Year's Eve again. What a year 2012 has been! I mean, come on, I <i>finally</i> achieved my lifelong dream of <a href="http://thanksforthesmile.blogspot.com/2012/09/day-259-day-i-met-hanson.html">meeting my childhood heroes Hanson</a> (<a href="http://thanksforthesmile.blogspot.com/2012/09/day-262-day-i-met-hanson-again.html">twice</a>, even!!) for chrissake... any year that THAT takes place is pretty hard to top!<br />
<div>
<br />
When I was writing up my first blog post on the 1st of January, in the back of my mind I was already getting ahead of myself and was trying to imagine what this day would feel like - how it would be like to be writing my 366th post on the last day of the year. (Ok <i>technically</i> this is not my 366th post because as I'm typing this it's the 2nd of January 2013 and I have 83 unpublished backdated posts to complete!! But my rule is that a post will be done for every day of the year about what made me smile on that particular day, but it may not necessarily be done on the actual day itself (ha nice save Sammie).)<br />
<br />
At that time, what this little project would look like by the end of 2012 was a massive unknown for me. Honestly, I was kinda nervous about it. I wasn't sure whether I'd have enough determination or motivation to keep writing everyday, and for all I knew then my blog could have ended up containing just 5 sad posts. Heck, I'm pretty sure <a href="http://notrandomjon.blogspot.com.au/">Jon</a> put money on me giving up after a month while Brett was kinder and said I'd probably sustain it for 3 months. They probably knew that I loooove proving people wrong (bless them), and knew that I would take their cynicism on as a challenge.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
And even though as I type I've only written and published 77% of 366 posts, I reckon that's a mighty fine achievement! (The remaining 23% will appear in drips and drabs...) I have a pretty short attention span, I can get bored from eating a big piece of steak....... so I'm actually quite <strike>surprised</strike> pleased at myself to have come this far!<br />
<br />
Ok now, I knew from the start that this question would pop up eventually towards the end - soooooooo, after all that, have you learned anything?!<br />
<br />
Well, what I've come to realise from documenting my smiles for the past 77% days of the year is that no matter how low you're feeling, no matter how bad your day has been, there is always something you can smile about because there is always, always, <i>always</i> something to be thankful for (<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/people-who-are-having-a-worse-day-than-you">and if all else fails, just remember that these guys are having a way worse day than you</a>).<br />
<br />
I've also come to appreciate that there is so much beauty in everyday banality and triviality once you make an effort to see; that there are a lot of inane, spontaneous little moments that happen almost every day that can bring a smile to your face even if only for just a second; that the joy you get from helping others is irreproducible and often lingers deeper than you know; and that gratitude is often the root of daily pleasures, as once you're truly grateful most things start to appear repainted in a different light. I now believe that it's these little happy moments that connect and add up to form the basis of a satisfying, fulfilling and happy life.<br />
<br />
And blogging on a daily basis is freakin' HARD.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
So anyway cutting through all that excessive rambling that reads a bit like my drunken texts... today's smile comes from the same place I started the year with - hope. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But first, I'd like to share this video of how the world searched Google in 2012, as it showcases the highs and lows of the year around the globe. </div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xY_MUB8adEQ" width="640"></iframe><br />
<div>
Parts of it made me smile, parts of it made my heart ache, and other parts made me feel a little bit sad. Human beings never cease to amaze me with both the wonderful and destructive things we're capable of doing. Year after year, we've seen how humans can be so brilliant yet so damning, so kind yet so sickening. </div>
<br />
But there is always hope. Hope that tomorrow will be a better day; hope that humanity will prevail; hope that kindness always wins.<br />
<br />
And that's what I'll carry with me tonight into the new year as we say goodbye to the year that was 2012 and usher in 2013 with champagne and the MOST AMAZING TASTING <a href="http://www.479popcorn.com/P-BT6L.html">black truffle and white cheddar popcorn</a> (hi reader, if you're in the States, stop whatever you're doing and go grab a bag of this right now. RIGHT NOW!!!).<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8336874611/" title="Champagne time by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Champagne time" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8336874611_e0f2ae83be.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8336876763/" title="The most AMAZING black truffle & white chedder popcorn by 479 Popcorn by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="The most AMAZING black truffle & white chedder popcorn by 479 Popcorn" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8221/8336876763_1509f4014e.jpg" width="333" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8337920192/" title="Watching explosions in the sky by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Watching explosions in the sky" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8498/8337920192_78e75d0278.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8337908576/" title="Fireworks bokeh by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Fireworks bokeh" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8074/8337908576_bc7a8bc51a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8336856263/" title="2013 fireworks by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 fireworks" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8211/8336856263_57d1aa94ff.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
I'd like to say a massive <b><u>thank you</u></b> to my readers and followers, who consist mostly of friends and family. Thank you for your support throughout the year and for guilt-tripping me whenever I get slack and fall behind on my posts, and thank you for believing in and sharing my journey. Thank you to those of you who take the time to comment on posts - it's so nice to hear other people's thoughts on silly things that make me smile!<br />
<br />
I'm also especially grateful for:
<br />
<ul>
<li>The friends and family I have in my life; </li>
<li>My brother <b>Pe Yang</b> and my friends (namely <b>Soon Yang</b>, <a href="http://notrandomjon.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Jon</a>,<b> Michelle </b>and<b> Wang Wei)</b> who always send me cute things that make me go aww, and funny stuff that make me fall off my chair laughing; </li>
<li>My patient and ever supportive <b>Grizzly Ninja Brett</b> who obliges begrudgingly when he gets roped into doing silly things like <a href="http://thanksforthesmile.blogspot.com/2012/04/day-100-my-100th-post.html">mid-air high fives</a> with me and keeps me in line with his <i>"Didn't you say you were going to work on your blog? I've been hitting refresh all day and I don't see any new posts..."</i> guilt-trips;</li>
<li>My fat and furry <b>Snowflake</b> (who's often appropriately mistakenly referred to as "<a href="http://thanksforthesmile.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/day-70-brunch-alpaca-hello-kitty-face.html">Snowball</a>") who is my daily source of laughter and happiness.</li>
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvFxVLxJAqYZ3nOmLuTZgo8YsbNXK5zZgAx2WfMqYajwjf0jH-uIe6CBo16FKDdOSPFZRKhd_YleBRHy9ZkqR4gJUHErPPXh2dSTR-15afGEZm-lGmKC3yKKHzr-fxZg73HkcicpmQig/s400/311212.JPG" width="400" />
<br />
I know there will come a day when everything I own stops getting covered in white fur, when I can finally get a new sofa because she won't be there to destroy it, when I'll come home to just an empty house without her there to greet me by the door like clockwork... but I hope that day is in the far far distant future because I can't imagine existing in a world where she doesn't (and Snowflake if you're reading this, get off my computer).</ul>
<br />
2012 will be remembered as the year I smiled a lot.<br />
<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
<img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTQSO7TBp6dqAB-rJNG4WqSoSSLgsuLIRkkOWsNvV_tcYOJfUwFyAJ1uLXyAGYJsScpE9bL22Oy23rOAfH5-bIrjeySm_ku9lOpzsVZdDqiqOu3bCVJfPz2Z-_zbX4jE1qKHcTOnG0Rk/s400/NYE2013Fireworks.gif" width="500" />
<br />
<br />
<i>Ps. Post-2012, I'll continue posting about things that made me smile, but on an ad-hoc basis instead of daily. Might take me a while to get to that as I need to catch up on the 23%, but until then... keep smiling!</i>Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-35520717016593395302012-12-13T22:16:00.001+11:002013-01-04T20:54:03.510+11:00Day 348 - Hanson memesToday I discovered Hanson memes. Yep, HANSON MEMES. And I pissed myself laughing for the longest time!<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yZGSUsZwtpZynUUjscvhuNfPJ-r5qdQ0eB425oIxwO3RoH0VNyzm9wVDugMh5-DcioOlFUHL4C-MfZsljGKcrwKI10Klilw25r_54-M3mhh7_iU0Qxy6OsRNWkHx95O58L7XfjPvwLc/s400/74219_561865893829382_859300317_n.jpg" width="322" /><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoS6JV5O32rmq80hy5XMkDMBDRlPxlAW-4a2FN62mvCTiPTrW5pjsQA-jzIC4jmp5BCmRyLGACNmAU0K215Hi-kikRz36JKCpYu5G9ljnCsSs2c-A-AamdXNMcyI51DKQ_hEJz1sUdFXM/s640/156959_557095900973048_1065931084_n.jpg" width="424" /><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITtJKZkZoh7PsNRlYDnekngUjFVB3T3-KoU6CVNPl6NJIr0OCiwcCJRCtEU-lapNHbhpPeKdZXWIKshHaBzACyZIycWsc23iTPxMSKUE17e5ryD5pfleC_O7rK5hoNUgTshB6jQCYhlM/s400/484195_563221920360446_1978206177_n.jpg" width="306" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYAZAjKzdRjkKtPQOuRWM7hN8h754JT4vbnJZMmA_yDL5_eKq7H0ZwcXyTOiF6-AqZmYrNmI4vULfeFz4Ecfe2c3RLAcwfIcxI3K1iv6o-wEtD6AJheS2n3JAR9ZRGqs20hZurcUolsg/s400/259990_549471678402137_328695870_n.jpg" width="351" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIbc6ooS3qwEBp3lad-PR6MUt2IyHQ0q0EtUX8fJ75Y92yiBGjupxDigkQ-fVaxPbygwkuY1VpKMVXLiO3wBtQTPMU2ig6R2j376HBwea6aEcxbO9JUVnD63CB9hKFAEZ4BM0LT9K_Is/s400/306071_561912747158030_260209381_n.jpg" width="270" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ljj2QlGBd6_fb_P6iVJwTZ9MJzrFTgm-Tj0EflNlNbvARNbsrpA4HEa3sawa_EC1CX4xoHgcEJy1K0j_y6Y9NO7k5sfP78N4BlSyJ6PGSGrTJ6Dt1dXar68c2U-W3yZ9C21q-pWoRBY/s400/430955_564095393606432_1016981175_n.jpg" width="337" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfELTbVr4tw-7NFXYm97vtpH5eV30WXBJDv6PEgqVeSkviWcPxgy6pTJL-ZHrLZjeDNaU9tgamXWki3fA98XB38jcJQv6KlYfmLkNi0LQYwJsgsur9BuDF8m6JNH6MWEv84CBag_EwBxU/s400/556841_561942317155073_1662478751_n.jpg" width="400" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjZL7UoNH_gRVYYZg_pI_480P5bPIg8roNGI9_Y1HKfylhaqJtVL2JhCDf0qcvjJmbpuKpFu2R2NmGAW36JxytEubKGZUefQadxOV-02BZLIzUnKiTP9979-RBGImjlNm3ZJhL2Hr5LA/s640/32430_561330473882924_1089572392_n.jpg" width="425" /><br />
<img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ggNlgklT7qRFiVtrbynjAoWvXX-lfZlJSatxcsMt-hAYHJMFwhiUrvnlHGtrWkt7zWO0RSoKWqav3kEjo4Tv_m4QJILVMdizFZs8O3Uhj0MHpYduCMv4rvYkaiPeDBnUN0bEDBLzeMw/s400/429494_561320427217262_1664512587_n.jpg" width="400" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bMYLePiXRqhrmGilm8cCc3qlGsHzI2QM24Al8w9n_u3UC945XJM1BTDPXPHiEEHiZRnTyZpapol8Dmh3mqiAuVMn904IDl9i2Y8ZJy9X6fsbyfVPGHIOOWG1T3xLaEfyyFMiS4S-gag/s400/521666_549064311776207_1133233332_n.jpg" width="400" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjE4CToRCFTHR2GeH9HVWa5a9s0YmnzwGEWGiUXOSzrdJkdq349eg0UwErwxaU0kSvqHZ7iKT82eosO5qKFtPOr79rMtdQhPIoi8HX7XF6MrHwygPISra6i6pKoA46duaJIKB_vCy8yEs/s400/546937_552101998139105_1336757728_n.jpg" width="400" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FRy-9H68x3t32k38dfsEpzuc9QrfP_0dRjSYS-sfNpXj4S5UWOLM-B9TOP8ksMvG2qIJ9Ko8xMWoUN8Ri-quLTeARy0LG23W3FRNXyTRGRqAbBsINe7scSoc6qM12rECk7S_cKwG4fg/s400/530650_548913108457994_154369405_n.jpg" width="400" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxpCzjC8Nyw_BRIaYy2XE4kgOYqNOnHlyj3dGpYb0wiWAhS3KNq-OGLido2pqZgjt-jddbEZaXMIKax5oIFXTDk1Lt0bi7mnuDkq9dDQY-cZqPk_UmihfhyphenhyphenMawILR_E4v17rneNolwUM/s400/557621_549058131776825_133252809_n.jpg" width="318" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTXWFlcE0FBnXSmCJpkN4TxLnDaS9i_lQzElhEr01jkGtMzXRzHMu1Z1KN9CI3jvV4ItvpKLvPzh1v109mAQNeJFWkPIyI-cGgnpfwsnc-wbgMfoM1_W7q4LUm0K5fz9trlLcU66QtQk/s400/59433_547901421892496_454028768_n.jpg" width="297" /><br />
<img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iMmhlVNJhS1rxwsAxIXe7Qb26AzZNddnPU-gwGMOxRGwvQG_URBs2VmuJE3a1RyWmtXywwd9eCc1rCFIx1l-EPLLZkd5opZOZiD-Y0pEgLgUhCQt0yrDI9gOD_ZjF6UfwxZf1eDkbcM/s400/559751_561287860553852_1248952015_n.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGK8rlEeH1G7uV2OimL2N9yk2sp-CnN97t9hLpnBM1IbXhLngIx39PVeSCw8sJ7CbQmveI9sDMIAajjpYlXh7wCiQ1SzPEy2ahL6Y8aDGxBXQu8TnVZMitPg6NoETTPmx-c-7So5dPkg/s400/231112_549074515108520_1274550799_n.jpg" width="334" /><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDgmq7QM0KhyphenhyphenMgiOIoyPslpCKWWNOEHm4yBc2jDvLpXksiyl4CxDEh9-M41p7mXtJ0Q90taz-voTSVE6nnuFQTPJ2W6uIgBXOGbE4MUIDJ1a-Tl2mhrXZZmL4e7FW2G9wt-HNEYnRBDQ/s400/598605_556424227706882_426866996_n.jpg" width="290" />Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-4024409883592343652012-12-12T22:16:00.000+11:002013-01-04T20:53:27.421+11:00Day 347 - 12 things to smile about on 12/12/12Seeing that today is 12/12/12 which is kinda special, I decided that I should do something a little different for today's post to commemorate this date. Today I'm documenting not just one thing that made me smile, but <b>twelve</b>!<br />
<br />
So here we go, 12 things that made me smile on the 12th day of the 12th month in 2012:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Spotting this face that looked like it was as thirsty for coffee as I was.</li>
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6AgMro8B8EJnxSLTX7g207wYPQ9NGkna3IV25Jz8MfVvkVI_0iGIovcTo7tZfgHpQsivj-ZrxzjWCpFhQ13rwZyrykIN1dP8n78BrcM3qNPoSWxp_MYp2Dyy05s8qza-pmmRquod3Pw/s400/121212-1.JPG" width="297" />
<li>Colleagues who say things like "<i>You should let your puppies roam free!</i>" in the most fuddy duddy manner.</li>
<li>Female colleagues who say "<i>But anything more than a handful is a waste</i>".</li>
<li>And other female colleagues who respond with "<i>No, anything more than a mouthful is a waste!</i>", sending a bunch of women hysterical. </li>
<li>Taking a different route home and getting sidetracked by these stunning jacaranda trees. I stood and stared at their magnificence for a while, they're so breathtaking and vivid. Jacaranda trees always make me think of Dad. </li>
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80aA-aJijAoKUG087Hv7KJSjvgxMiB5LOwIWx6hh1aORZf_5KE3VdEvawKSgNYflstl26dSgAHCo4QyWtJspdl_ABEothGsqnXUYeF2XZjk9VD_0SphSNtlm0q4diF8WyJfc1bdE52-A/s400/121212-2.JPG" width="298" />
<img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkI0n6kQ8xcGlCNXzrLIuXJdzAQkYXn2XJi7J13zoUMDQAFwf6DNScmG2Upe4iGxsd_a76tGfI8o6VhA0oeuF2SCmOhgsB2h86JpshUZwaVgyRC1W-H6JvIOik532iDs75IDIywWl0sk/s400/121212-3.JPG" width="400" />
<li>Finally getting home after walking around in sweltering 32 degrees heat, then getting in front of the fan and blasting it IS THE BEST.</li>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8268721535/" title="Windy by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Windy" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8067/8268721535_b1b8e6c3d6.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8268720577/" title="The windswept look by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="The windswept look" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8268720577_45ede692f8.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<li>Putting on my favourite Hanson tshirt! Wheeeee!</li>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8269820654/" title="My favourite Hanson tshirt by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="My favourite Hanson tshirt" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8491/8269820654_a0e7b9619d.jpg" width="334" /></a>
<li>Receiving this exquisite <a href="http://www.lavion.com.au/">L'avion</a> scarf in the mail. One of my absolute favourite illustrators <a href="http://birdyandme.com/">Kelly Smith</a> has teamed up with L'avion <a href="http://thanksforthesmile.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/day-48-its-still-my-birthday.html">once again</a> to create another beautiful scarf featuring deer, fawns and one of Kelly's signature girls under a cherry blossom tree. Me love!</li>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8269786576/" title="Kelly Smith illustrated L'avion fawn and cherry blossom scarf by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Kelly Smith illustrated L'avion fawn and cherry blossom scarf" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8202/8269786576_bc36e86630.jpg" width="334" /></a>
<li>This is I think (as far as I can remember anyway) the first time I've started wrapping Joanne's Christmas presents before Christmas...! We usually spend soo long trying to find presents for each other that we only start wrapping (and exchanging presents) well into the new year. Like how <a href="http://thanksforthesmile.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/day-4-joy-of-wrapping.html">I only started wrapping last year's Christmas presents on the 4th of January this year</a>, and we <a href="http://thanksforthesmile.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/day-40-its-christmas-all-over-again.html">only got around to swapping presents on the 9th of February</a> (hey turns out this blog is really handy for looking up dates!).</li>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8268719065/" title="All set to wrap by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="All set to wrap" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8268719065_01b51df991.jpg" width="334" /></a>
<li>....I <i>was</i> trying to wrap presents anyway, until Snowflake interrupted and wanted to stick her nose into everything. </li>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8268718191/" title="Snowflake helps out with Christmas wrapping by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Snowflake helps out with Christmas wrapping" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8268718191_2902f26efe.jpg" width="334" /></a>
<br />Like really, everything...<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8268765783/" title="Snowflake helps out with Christmas wrapping by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Snowflake helps out with Christmas wrapping" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8268765783_839a43f51d.jpg" width="334" /></a>
<br />
Which can be kinda annoying when I'm trying to get wrapping done, but it also turned out to be quite amusing...<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8268753559/" title="Snowflake helps out with Christmas wrapping by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Snowflake helps out with Christmas wrapping" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8268753559_d00ccf69ab.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
Oh well!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8269782776/" title="Snowflake helps out with Christmas wrapping by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Snowflake helps out with Christmas wrapping" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/8269782776_99b8d073eb.jpg" width="334" /></a>
<li>This gorgeous red glitter tape. Love!</li>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8268715071/" title="Red glitter tape by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Red glitter tape" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8268715071_3502674a46.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<li>I discovered a week ago that the <a href="http://www.mercatogelato.com.au/">Mercato Gelato</a> stalls at the <a href="http://www.qvm.com.au/snm/snm_home.aspx">Suzuki Night Market at the Queen Victoria Market</a> sell whatever's left in each flavour of gelato for $10 per tub at 10pm!! Today being such a warm day meant there was a sea of people swarming around the stall when I got there at 9:50pm. When 10pm came around everyone was clambering for tubs like they were fighting over the last tin of tuna before the apocalypse. I managed to nab this 60% full tub of creme caramel gelato, and heard a woman cry out "<i>Bitch!</i>" when I did. No creme caramel gelato for you! </li>
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBGZF3kDbyyHrr3hDtYVARtPKOEHTN3RDZf8luhXQEfdHnrx7FX0OlVVxuE37xSEE6T_Q6LVYETAqxzP9G46NacWNa20Cq0puGilTycVXJ0EAdI68__wZDmnsmVIxCWmJyCRGZuK3HKE/s400/121212-4.JPG" width="297" />
</ol>
Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-54581660560327696022012-12-04T22:36:00.001+11:002012-12-04T22:41:42.878+11:00Day 339 - Cat laser bowlingWhat a shame I don't have wooden floorboards to try this on Snowflake!
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aFztjgfDWDA" width="480"></iframe>Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-11972972422260913272012-12-03T20:58:00.001+11:002012-12-04T23:41:27.598+11:00Day 338 - Coming home to a running cat and pretty flowers and girlsAfter a looooooooooooooooooooooooooong day at work, it's so nice to come home to:<br />
<ol>
<li>A cat that's running towards the door to greet me, with her flabby belly swinging from side to side as she runs.</li>
<br />
<li>Pretty flowers. There's something very therapeutic about flowers, they can turn a bad day right around. The roses are starting to open up.</li>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8243435971/" title="abracadabra roses by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="abracadabra roses" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8202/8243435971_83669b794a.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br /><br />
<li>Pretty girls. These gorgeous girls came in the mail today. Yep, I got MORE girls to adorn the house! </li>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8243437063/" title="Kelly Smith's Christmas girls by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Kelly Smith's Christmas girls" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8345/8243437063_0960492a73.jpg" width="500" /></a>
</ol>
Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-90225770782390271392012-12-01T21:55:00.000+11:002012-12-03T22:07:57.357+11:00Day 336 - It's December!HOLY MACARONI I can't believe it's December already?! You know how everyone says the older you get, the faster time seems to fly by? It absolutely rings true for me. As you get older, you also start noticing that everyone around you says the same thing and can spend up to hours discussing and marvelling at how fast the year has whizzed by.<br />
<br />
Today being the 1st of December means a few things:<br />
<ol>
<li>It's officially the first day summer.</li>
<li>I can play Hanson's awesome Christmas album '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowed_In">Snowed In</a>' on high rotation without judgement!!!!!! I'M LISTENING TO IT NOW AS I TYPE OMG I LOVE THIS ALBUM SO DAMN MUCH OMG</li>
<li>There's just one month left of this project to go..!! Well technically, anyway, because at this point in time as I type this there are still *gulp* 64 posts from July - November to catch up on.. gah! I <i><u>will</u></i> write those posts in due time (even if I don't finish doing that this year....), I promise!</li>
</ol>
I woke up this morning to these 'stars' in my room. So pretty. They get me every time. I've thought about getting rid of these curtains and installing blinds many times, but every time I see the stars shining they just take my breath away.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8237091393/" title="Daytime stars by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Daytime stars" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8069/8237091393_47b1cd7df6.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
Then I got some fresh flowers for the week,<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8238120944/" title="Fresh flowers for the week by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Fresh flowers for the week" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8210/8238120944_dccb788d52.jpg" width="333" /></a>
<br />
and took some time to smell the roses with Snowflake (fun fact of the day - those red and yellow striped roses are called abracadabra roses!).<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8237060879/" title="Take time to smell the roses by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Take time to smell the roses" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8202/8237060879_b66822397c.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
Chrysanthemums always remind me of my home in Penang. Dad almost always buys chrysanthemums for home every week from the market. They also make me think of the chrysanthemum tea we drink at yum cha. They're such simple flowers, but each bud carries with it a lot of sweet-smelling joy and nostalgia.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8238080516/" title="Chrysanthemums by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Chrysanthemums" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8238080516_81c9522921.jpg" width="333" /></a>
<br />
I almost forgot - the 1st of December also means one more thing... CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8238045670/" title="Christmas lights by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas lights" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8238045670_2251c01034.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8236916221/" title="Christmas lights by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas lights" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8236916221_421a610c6c.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8238010038/" title="Christmas lights by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas lights" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8238010038_b848aef5fd.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8236887765/" title="Christmas lights by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas lights" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8236887765_b3b6088876.jpg" width="500" /></a>Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-17799544165914184962012-11-30T21:54:00.000+11:002012-12-03T22:07:52.714+11:00Day 335 - "Human, your death will be slow and painful" and REALLY surviving Bikram yoga<ol>
<li>HAHAHA hilarious, thanks for the early morning laugh Soon Yang!</li>
<img border="0" src="http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/5955814_460s_v1.jpg" />
<br />
<br />
<li>I can't believe I'm thinking this, although I'm probably jinxing myself for acknowledging this, but I went for my 3rd Bikram yoga class tonight and it felt.... 'easier'?!?
<br /><br />
Third time around I'm starting to embrace the heat of the room and actually find comfort in it (SHOCK HORROR), and embrace the fact that torrential rain of sweat is just constantly going to flow down my face for the next hour and a half and there's nothing I can do about it. Somewhere, somehow, amongst the intense stretching, sweating and breathing, something happened. My state of mind became clear, still and centered. I had somehow broken through the mental barrier of Bikram yoga. It was such an incredible feeling after class - it felt like I was crossing the finish line at a marathon! I felt fantastic! Light headache again afterwards (I've narrowed it down to heat exhaustion or detoxification), but no more throwing up this time. Huzzah!<br />
<br />
But now that I've said this, I'll probably struggle and pass out during my next class.... eeps. </li>
</ol>
Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-20215607543351320412012-11-29T22:35:00.001+11:002012-12-04T23:51:22.805+11:00Day 334 - The best typo, guilty pug, light writing proposal and Snowflake's weird sleeping positionsOn this hot day of 38 degrees I...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
...could not stop laughing at this hilarious typo.</div>
<img border="0" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A80wccxCMAAxD2u.jpg:large" />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
...found this picture of the guiltiest looking pug and wondered what it's done. That face!!</div>
<div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYELMKMzvAIU1HtQXwMDU7RTw_JwXPiX1WyFq5gjpociBuaqXXoNb6rqIH3Kt7jvz8JlRhy9XA2ZfbKzdsguPDnaWAX4f1DLi6wv6tSpDnu9l3tb1VfpVSmf5Ifyxm7GfaRECgaqqFXI/s1600/guiltypug.JPG" />
</div>
<div>
<br />
...came across this pretty nifty <a href="http://vimeo.com/8444316">light writing proposal</a> which was shot over 3 nights using long exposure, which the final image made up of approximately 800 individual 10 second exposures. I absolutely love proposals that have incorporated a lot of thought and effort as it's always amazing to see how love can motivate and inspire someone.</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/8444316?color=ffffff" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<br />
<div>
...watched Snowflake sleep on her back and air her belly in various weird positions (why does she always touch her paws together?! So weird...)<br />
<img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqtgTOXwewibmEoEQ86EVz7qDGE2hxhW0ZlmacVvtPUTNYwzufP6e68e7O6kQvKoKsAnqDR_PlliNDHTeluRD0JnxtXjSDSbyHwV3K61mSTJo5ZsyYWoHSFs1H9UA7btRPfIyfl5QqI8/s400/291112-1.JPG" width="400" />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUAhhQvkD5uTmxN3NOtJXgKdw6Nj3IYjHrZvRCyjd7NR3NBFIobTOUCxvW460nUaC7q7Gf7LJg4v2UjY9YPaprG1FK_3yBwW_0LfbceTNDaEZqGsqkP7vAMJn45-I7iPjkef48RwjWGg/s400/291112-4.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="298" />
<img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFAoz0Ev0HUPoacMitR0MhmVsoawIxCO3annMGDUkP0c7XPJTRYMGviWPAkni4Y9-RA07ZtGwl2kJEyi05TCiC6VIM_85a0rD3GzZjPvbx-6RZ0OhoKlMK_BVMU9yDUwofdffgE5OAwQ/s400/291112-2.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOM5IEozEXss7EelTwFV6qAmMpCLPAIOwpxfNy1j_e38RKtiDWmcJNqxd5KBJEcSCF7ABOS1YKyxeA28MR6Mxm_Nc_7gIizboU1RgoUQra0PuQa1bImpI94A_yZzT2wQDiwCpQXqF8sc/s400/291112-5.JPG" width="400" />
<br />
until she caught me staring. So I stopped for a little while, until she fell asleep again.<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIQp8az7K9Z_D8d_CQjGPBzpkYADS-X2W3JBrepVJnUPHtZaZr7VrLib3_YdkdlmAywZVNYGuCJqlvRhmM4q-6A7TlmIu5t_4hguzBX9Oe9W3BY_Oe_-q9xmpLkTz_r3D0S0mthqZCss/s400/291112-6.JPG" width="298" />Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-81548368319095805022012-11-28T21:44:00.000+11:002012-12-03T22:07:47.718+11:00Day 333 - Nice guy on the tram and surviving my 2nd Bikram yoga class<ol>
<li>My Dad once said to me a while ago with all the kindness in his heart, "<i>You always seem to attract all the weirdos.</i>"</li>
<ol><br /></ol>
In no way am I saying he's wrong, because he's absolutely right. For some bizarre reason unknown to me, weird strangers REALLY like approaching me on the street and talking to me. I must seem like a friendly approachable weirdo?!? There have been what seems like hundreds of requests for directions, a few "<i>What are you doing tonight? Do you want to come to this party?</i>" types, "<i>What is that you're holding? Do you want to get a coffee with me? Where are you going? I'm just going to follow you around ha ha just joking</i>", and even "<i>I think I've seen you before, where do you work? Do you have e-mail?</i>". I've had so many encounters with random weirdos that it now seems completely normal for a stranger to speak to me.<br />
<br />
I was at the tram stop today when a man who was carrying several bags of groceries - from what I could see it was lots of beer and some bread and fruit - asked me if I knew which way the tram was going. He then followed up with some questions around purchasing tram tickets. I asked if he had coins to purchase the ticket on the tram, he said he did, but he wasn't sure which ticket to get. I offered to help him buy his ticket for him and he flashed me a warm smile. He looked like he was in his late 30s, the bottom half of his face was covered in stubble, his light green eyes glowed and he had a slight slouch. I wondered whether he was going to drink all that beer himself. <br /><br />
We boarded the tram together and I bought him his ticket. I looked around and groaned - the tram was full of rowdy school kids. Then, a boy about 10 years old looked up at me and asked if I would like to take his seat. I was too stunned to respond so I just smiled back with <i>no thanks.</i> A young boy with manners, who would've thought! The boy then proceeded to ask the groceries-carrying man if he would like to sit! I almost passed out from shock!<br />
<br />I then had a chat with groceries-carrying man.. he seemed totally normal so far. He explained that he was from Sydney so he had no idea how to go about Melbourne's public transport as he usually caught taxis, and that he was in town for a conference. When the tram approached his hotel, I told him this was his stop to get off.<br /><br />
He thanked me profusely and said, "<i>You are very nice. You are very, very nice</i>", then blew me a kiss before getting off the tram...!?!?!?<br />
<br />
I burst out laughing. As the tram moved along, I saw him crossing the street. He waved goodbye madly at me.<br /><br />
For the rest of the tram ride, I pondered about how social interaction, relationships and connections between people, even between two random strangers, so strongly contributed to one's happiness.<br />
<br />
<li>Dave decided to give Bikram yoga a go, so I went along for my second class. I gotta say, it was better this time around. I knew what to expect, I tied my hair differently, and I made sure I was properly hydrated. Sweated like a stressed horse from start to finish, it felt gruelling but I could see the light at the end of the hot and sweaty tunnel. </li>
<br />
I did develop a slight headache after class, but I didn't throw up this time!! Fist pump! Success! I survived you Bikram!</ol>
Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-7300152334506205722012-11-27T00:25:00.000+11:002012-12-03T22:07:35.587+11:00Day 332 - Finally finding Milocrorze on DVDAlmost exactly a year ago during the 2011 <a href="http://www.japanesefilmfestival.net/" target="_blank">Japanese Film Festival</a>, I had the pleasure of watching what I believe is quite possibly the most insane, mind-boggling and ridiculously hilarious Japanese movie EVER (and we all know how insane, mind-boggling and ridiculously hilarious the Japanese can be). It was a movie called <a href="http://asianwiki.com/MILOCRORZE_-_A_Love_Story" target="_blank">Milocrorze: A Love Story</a>.<br />
<br />
I mean, how could I not see it after reading this in the brochure?:<br />
<span style="background-color: #f0ff99; color: #333333; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-left;">The sell-out opener to the New York Asian Film Festival this year, Milocrorze is pure spectacle - a sexy, genre-defying romp through the psychological landscape of three misfit male subjects in dogged pursuit of love. Unequivocably one of a kind, </span><em style="background-color: #f0ff99; color: #333333; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-left;">Milocrorze</em><span style="background-color: #f0ff99; color: #333333; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-left;"> has left viewers over the world agog – as evidenced by some of the reviews out there (google it!). Don’t expect soggy vanilla romance with this one: Milocrorze has mojo by the bucketload. Bring it on.</span><br />
<br />
And after reading the movie's synopsis (via <a href="http://twitchfilm.com/2011/08/milocrorze-a-love-story-trailer.html" target="_blank">Twitchfilm</a>)?!:<br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3e4849; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">When platinum redhead Ovreneli Vreneligare was just a little boy, he fell in love in the park. Sharing a juice box with the stunningly gorgeous Milocrorze, he took her home to his cat, Verandola Gorgonzola, and made her his girlfriend, until fickle beauty abandoned him, and he covered the hole in his heart with a pot lid he found lying on the ground. This is only the beginning of his story but it's not the end of his heartbreak. MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY is a candy-flavored anthology of hopeless l'amour, and it has many victims.</em><br />
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3e4849; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cut to: Besson Kumagai, the worst and most famous youth counselor in the world, with a ridiculous moptop 'do and a propensity towards doing the "Thriller" dance. His pro-tips include tweaking a lady's nipples on the first date. "I give great advice to wimpy assholes," he snarls, spitting out chauvinistic tirades about "the enemy" (read: women) and filtering all potential interaction through a paranoid male gaze as he and his girltoys prance through vivid macho fantasies. Then it's on to lovelorn swordsman Tamon, trapped in a dystopic samurai hellscape, searching for his lost soulmate in a futuristic geisha house. Milocrorze herself is in neither of these stories, yet she is in all of them. She is the joke, she is the loss, she is the sadness and anger at the heart of the world.</em></div>
<br />
And, especially, after watching this trailer?!?!:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZfjZB84LlSo" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
I would have been a fool not to! Needless to say, I loved it. Absolutely LOVED IT. I raved about the movie (as well as the melodramatic but enchanting epic samurai swordfight in slow motion) to anyone who would listen, but Milocrorze turned out to be one of those movies that was ridiculously hard to explain... my friends either thought I was high, or looked at me in disbelief then asked if I had it on DVD. And that was that too - I really wanted to rewatch it, yet I simply could not find it anywhere. I searched high and low (on Google) for it but was always faced with disappointment.<br />
<br />
Until now.<br />
<br />
It's taken a year, but I've finally found it. <a href="http://www.samuraidvd.com/servlet/the-143/MILOCRORZE/Detail">Samuraidvd.com</a>, you with your samurai DVDs and free shipping and crazy quick shipment have made me a happy girl!Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-33099498621253489702012-11-26T00:24:00.000+11:002012-12-31T00:44:14.422+11:00Day 331 - Old photosHAHAHAHA oh my gosh there's nothing quite like laughing over old photos!<br />
<br />
2002 was when I had my first webcam... and wow did I go overboard with camwhoring then. It was also when I went through my coloured hair phase!<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7dTp_MFB27t_0WcD6KhkaMOkIRG3LTpjWBGkzJIbcCZaTolh7-_cX1Zbto7-RQxY5a8MMfjzyOeHbzcKZooeiyOtojy8qvHyDKilZXirCKqkhK8pzk3MyL7oh7Xpcu-BH-p9AjxZ9c8/s1600/webbig.jpg" />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZjJOxP00xKnhGg281q3owy7pKiyF4xzQoZvrrZozyR9xjFLy7l2uPH0jg4AN0XQ3KcxnVG831OXWF4YEaS-xLR2UIocomLYSfOY6zbvPS_GUwG884oF92K7fvPnf2X5_2zRIq1CjUvc/s1600/webbig10.jpg" />
<br />
(Looking back now, whoaaaa the place was messy.. look at the amount of crap in the living room behind me)<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzM_mwwcYDe3xQUf_a19IbXVzaZVNc3u5s77OMfloxtVNOpxR97pog5J4pDnVuZzr5RhXBtqUoi7VeMF5iO7yBV5BALKHD0LoUtyfvI4XAE6Zq-7DQTx0yxFwKMgN1NeEgdYMmgldwhhQ/s1600/webbig18.jpg" />
<br />
These ones here were taken with Wei Wei during her very first visit to Melbourne in August 2003! Her <u>first</u> visit!<br />
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN65Wj7SvRTxCnSMPOG0-v2raDuvxpYJrtMBnT2F4JBrnc3SFK7RTgHArQbKI6mYACi1Ozqp7pt-UaDj7kMqN-UP7gXFIiexVoovO9O4Okp987eo5UA7PhzOUUCwPu-aBdnxtjL-wS22s/s400/DSC01839.JPG" width="400" />
<br />
(2003 was also a time before I discovered concealer and deemed myself too cool to need makeup.. eeps pimples)<br />
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5I1MGajnlag_rSagVlYdioKSCeqxg2YBYFajsAKPV4HRHzA0a_eTExc1-nNXjw9ikwgO2YgLS38o0EmgJ7Le6cwGqUHiNja_7MYWSUtFAtDQmAxM_W3gKZrKk5Zaba76QsVMKqiXRE3U/s400/DSC01848.JPG" width="400" /><br />
In 2003 I also had my first paintball experience.<br />
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKxJtZ5TsTKENBWmrkndkVPgK2AohSLadD9sqeTcYoWQQCegtrLltxm-GT5P-T4_ledvvGKhTi_E7JCGrpq_JZ7flNveSf_lZ6l4WANGuYOw1HOnjxmHZXgF9a1v59sq_cpzMFiriqeQ/s400/Dsc00507.jpg" width="400" />
<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0147800/">10 Things I Hate About You</a> screwed up my perception of paintball. I was totally expecting it to be like this awesome scene (with Semisonic playing in the background too) and was soooo shattered when we were given camouflage coveralls and guns with puny bullets that hurt like a mother when you got hit by one. I didn't want guns, I just wanted to throw big balls of paint at people:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3AIKVRNtJSM" width="480"></iframe>
Hahaha and there's this photo of me with Socks, who's looking like the happiest cat in the world!<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxMREgYHSjbqjdvuDf36dCOLYTRnEZAsC97mOUfV8Pjc9uNurvnnem9MBvClyDGgHu7emwuB0wqH099GyTTPTat0aJWGK11-0DQeD51gZx6MXTRwjmSDPYkRwPP5EjHXpzozrmDjNGko/s400/Img_0055+(3).jpg" width="300" />
<br />
And Socks' mom, Fissi. Aww who's a cute kitty.<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhft_P7AVuPPmEkutVEGfKIfbysuhyjejFy1NggvG0hJ3CcykCnaw43xYDQWIFHv9aNu9pgVzkgRlCfbxfyFQyQDvMmzX0ALVxZBDFsfdbkk6U43O-LAenUhk40PQddtrBMD17pP1IlP0M/s400/Img_0059+(2).jpg" width="300" />
<br />
Ha I remember this.. that frozen strawberry yoghurt slice was one of the first desserts I've ever made. I think the recipe only had 3 steps - 1. Mix yoghurt, strawberries and honey together, 2. Pour into a container and freeze for a few hours, 3. Cut into slices and serve with mint as garnish. Yeah I made sure I picked a hard dessert as my first one.<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixO7YMuk6E-_2x9ckhuLpDgR6h0I4BLGzf6OBYYl-WoaB4vZguNDudyTgMFqapuokCP0ji6IQ1Wt-BHSMwdYFJwivVD1n0c4-5c7qxGhFUNXEgosReicc1u1kSOW5spIdge2hNy2QPoAs/s400/dessert.jpg" width="257" />
<br />
Look I'm cooking bacon!! This was probably one of my first attempts at 'real' cooking...... that look on my face is a combination of pride and being petrified that I would either burn the house down or give everyone food poisoning. Or it could've just been my typical "I don't know what the hell I'm doing, I'm just pushing some meat around with this thing" cooking face. But if I <i>really</i> think about it, it's probably my "ALL THIS BACON IS MINE" face.<br />
<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokcT8tuTfGh7fAKsWpbLxi37eDzADNQlYKEqFjCm_fpUoz5SMrKFD6ez7N1qp7BIZOpq9ITiDTrBkRYrdGgon2TK1tpnavEcHx8rWcXoFgkWbyrG1CGj6N4iqs5RK98LIL-wbbyifeZs/s400/cooking.jpg" width="400" />
<br />
Ahh good old photos, they're always there when you feel like laughing at yourself!Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-59319864658422647962012-11-25T22:39:00.000+11:002012-12-31T20:14:05.321+11:00Day 330 - No face painting and stuff at the French Festival, food marvels and Snowflake's weird sleeping positionToday I...<br />
<br />
...overheard a mother saying to her crying daughter outside the <a href="http://paristoprovence.com.au/">Paris to Provence French Festival</a>, <i>"I'm sorry there's no face painting and stuff like that, but this is a French festival. There's only cheese here."</i><br />
<br />
...had a moment while wandering around in <a href="http://www.thomasdux.com.au/">Thomas Dux</a>, and started marvelling at how far we, as human beings, have come, because I was staring at products such as truffled salami,<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8329512678/" title="Assorted salami by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Assorted salami" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8329512678_50f9636ece.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
and crab stock made from sustainable Australian blue swimmer crabs. Think about that for a minute - you can buy sustainable crab stock because someone decided to make it and package it and sell it, and you can buy truffled salami that's made in Australia because someone thought it would be a good idea to add bits of truffle to salami... ISN'T THAT INCREDIBLE?!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8329510256/" title="Crab stock by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Crab stock" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/8329510256_91814eaab5.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
...wanted to scream WHAT ARE YOU DOING SNOWFLAKE???? to Snowflake as I watched her get into a strange position in the corner of the sofa. She really is a strange cat!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8329507738/" title="Snowflake's weird corner hogging sleeping position by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Snowflake's weird corner hogging sleeping position" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8329507738_6e4bc70ea9.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8329504762/" title="Snowflake's weird corner hogging sleeping position by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Snowflake's weird corner hogging sleeping position" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8329504762_bb640b155f.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8329501880/" title="Snowflake's weird corner hogging sleeping position by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Snowflake's weird corner hogging sleeping position" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8492/8329501880_7c3ca50766.jpg" width="500" /></a>Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-80987771984376906602012-11-24T22:34:00.000+11:002012-12-03T22:07:27.657+11:00Day 329 - Dumb Ways to DieThis is THE CUTEST video I have seen in a long time! I love how they've managed to make a morbid subject so damn cute!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IJNR2EpS0jw" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
Props for this awesome safety video, <a href="http://metrotrains.com.au/">Metro</a>. Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-2709415922890811752012-11-23T22:34:00.000+11:002012-11-29T23:39:01.762+11:00Day 328 - Surviving my 1st bikram yoga class (kinda)Rob and Peter somehow managed to convince me to join them for a bikram yoga class after work. Bikram yoga has always been categorised under '<i>what the?</i>', '<i>are you crazy?</i>', and '<i>out of the question, I'll pass out and die</i>' in my head, but I had always been curious to find out how the classes were actually like, and reading testimonies of "<i>First you feel like you're dying, then after the class you feel reborn</i>" helped push me into today's 6pm class.<br />
<br />
And can I just say - yes, the room is fucking hot and humid. It's a fucking 40°C sauna. There is no joke about it, IT IS FREAKIN HOT.<br />
<br />
After a few minutes in the room, I thought to myself, <i>ok this isn't too bad I can handle this, it feels like I'm back in Malaysia and I'm walking under the hot sun</i>. The instructor comes in and starts barking orders, military drill style. I looked around in confusion - everyone seemed to know what to do - so I just followed one of the other girls. 10 minutes on, I can feel beads of sweat sliding off my body. <i>You're doing ok</i>, I told myself. About another 10 minutes later, I start seeing white spots before my eyes and I'm feeling light headed. <i>Uh oh.</i><br />
<br />
So I kneeled down on my mat and sat out a few poses. When I looked up, everyone around me was contorted into human pretzels with their knees and arms wrapped together like rope. I'm thinking <i>WHAT THE</i>. Meanwhile the instructor keeps barking instructions. <i>"Kick higher! Kick higher! Higher! Higher! Higher! Now hold! Hold it there! Hold! Absolutely hold! Now relax!"</i><br />
<br />
The next hour and 10 minutes was brutal and challenging, both mentally and physically. I was conscious of the heat, my body felt like it was burning, and I was sweating bucketloads from every inch of my skin. I didn't know my eyelids could sweat!<br />
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/k1zE-p3Y2HAECwN4gsA7lZl26J9VMWeK1td6Xc3WXnnFuJhv-TezPCmLpS_0cUWbOH_B07MFPM-6a8_f2vzvHEMnaIgqjGx66tr5XEfs2EjAxobFGCk" width="481" />
<br />
<i>Via: <a href="http://www.theironyou.com/2011/03/awesomeness-of-bikram-yoga.html">The Iron You: The Awesomeness of Bikram Yoga</a></i><br />
<br />
The end of the class finally came. Ah savasana (corpse pose), my all time favourite pose. As I relaxed on the floor amongst a sea of sweaty bods, I ran through the session in my head - I had managed to stay in the room the whole time and was able to do a large majority of the 26 poses. I was elated - it was Bikram 0 Sammie 1, I had survived!<br />
<br />
So did I feel born again after the class?<br />
<br />
Sadly, no. I felt like I had just run a marathon in 40 degrees heat in Vietnam. It felt like the biggest workout, I looked like I had gone swimming in my workout gear. Even after a shower I was still sweating.<br />
<br />
I also had a massive headache. I knew I had tied my hair up too tightly (which always gives me a headache), I was probably dehydrated, and my body just doesn't handle heat very well. The headache soon escalated into a migraine. I couldn't even stomach dinner - when Sammie doesn't want to eat, something is very very wrong - and on the way home I threw up.<br />
<br />
Bikram 1 Sammie 0. Bikram, you win big time. But at least I've now had a taste of Bikram yoga, and it tastes like sweat, Gatorade and water.Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-25183842500123987822012-11-22T22:36:00.001+11:002012-11-22T23:03:29.276+11:00Day 327 - The US Troops vs Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders do Call Me Maybe Bec sent me this <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504784_162-57552629-10391705/u.s-troops-take-on-miami-dolphins-cheerleaders-in-a-cover-battle-of-call-me-maybe/" target="_blank">link</a> to a hilarious video she described as "something for all". Muscles! Boobs! Abs! More boobs! More six packs! Hair flinging! I don't know where to look!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H96-TwrwY7M" width="620"></iframe>
The US Troops seem to <i>really</i> love parody videos don't they?!
Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-37881090502610236612012-11-21T22:17:00.001+11:002012-11-21T23:33:41.452+11:00Day 326 - Cookie face, even more ice cream, I passed!<ol>
<li>Sir there's a face in my cookie?</li>
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHDiPmKCCCLLs-PVM4NU4EtFQmj2Iz9MJWbuwPn4r-D6o7OwfMKlHBJfjKZltze5IfF1njPhrLAj8TxCFG8k5POk7UVkWLUF2Ne9nfFhz6UIYxZu7YiNYg30MBZKX8VPxrHod3i74sXY/s400/211112.JPG" width="298" />
<br />
<li>Had 3 more ice creams today like a real Asian.</li>
<br />
<li>38/40, 95%.. I passed!!</li>
</ol>
Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-43833745719300034432012-11-20T22:17:00.000+11:002012-11-21T23:07:03.370+11:00Day 325 - Snowflake stretching on me, more ice cream and a face<ol>
<li>I was woken up by this at 7am. What the heck Snowflake!?</li>
<img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfpNyeHzEM-15N0oQ8mgM-oFAamFZ_y7WBGYiBuL0j9ftSpyhlwcNloaAulXlOaPoHkmCH0hslJncJeMm2fvYqPsfAQvA1M0NI0oarbMwRxjwcJO3gx1ozxL_eknWb3y09XfkEP8rs9A/s400/201112-1.JPG" width="400" />
<br />
Bit hard to see from this dark photo, but I think she was walking over me to get to the other side of the bed when she got lazy/tired and decided to lie down for a rest and a stretch!
<br />
<br />
<li>Ice cream #1.</li>
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOZKjrkouf_WO-gpEDRJN6CTMQgeLH6Nv7URuWWVRyXmHpT2v9PINm1Xzqs4HTSuxPuPXqxsKIIj4tabJSZmvCEteeq1wQrJyqbySGQLfgORxrx9Zomn6KTsx7j3Kz3drpuPKWRPRZ-w/s400/201112-2.JPG" width="297" />
<br />
<br />
<li>Ice cream #2.</li>
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnoSHhh8FHC-dnt92CNkwRRo5LhaVjbSlbZcbiypNOFAA01nk3MlgJGWaXxgFPoA2itttctbA4BKfcSPkJLJo947DxC_fK42gx0LyHHQ9iHWvPIlk4JmF_rI0-VXWVEcei12_8ca8UVI/s400/201112-3.JPG" width="298" />
<br />
<br />
<li>Aaaaaand ice cream #3! Loving it!!!</li>
<img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZupUpSpQ52d3Yl3VxN2r0vt6ZmOZRYPAGfWUypjJwsOZxasgFppHBZ_hUbZgNMKZnnOzalgwu08QAcbNl0FSs-1scA6iH10YCFCzyx3yqBUkW6a3HMfCRUMleh5K5qW5Fc8JTWzAR00/s400/201112-4.JPG" width="400" />
<br />
<br />
<li>I wouldn't be very happy if I had moistened tissues coming out of my mouth all the time either.</li>
<img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj9d_OX7Hmb_2N2HuPIAe7VoEQ5D_g4PCGFWqt7osAtpN7rAjdguBR6i6BoPQPqNFp8mAO_Y3zrqU39K7AMbwM-AxX9Tj0cPJ1-qjOK5HE0x9D129vRJc78qpHiHmlFvwoBs64jyDOR0/s400/201112-5.JPG" width="400" />
</ol>
Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-75954189614218591172012-11-19T19:47:00.001+11:002012-11-21T22:50:56.674+11:00Day 324 - Unlimited ice creamToday's the first day of my 3 day training course. Not only does the training centre provide free coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks, biscuits and lunch every day, there's also free ice cream that you can help yourself to.<br />
<br />
FREE ICE CREAM THAT YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF TO AND HAVE AS MUCH AS YOU WANT OMG. My head almost exploded!<br />
<img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIGtSMfRGpGAwcYVc8dsmjN_0crUw_xWoO-JTla-dX5uboaSgIzrHq2Js-7sYkyxNOB5P8_wwIdJlGEY4dBtKK1WK5L6xHr2DhPni0bkUHR2TtyK3eaOHVvoMCMzn-JCnn5DqFZSM_ro/s400/191112.JPG" width="400" />
<br />
Our trainer said the current record for most ice creams consumed over a 3 day course is 27. <b>27</b>!! 27 ice creams in 3 days!!!! That's 9 a day!!!<br />
<br />
I was conservative and had 3 today.Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-14695860151088651212012-11-17T23:11:00.001+11:002012-11-22T23:57:06.058+11:00Day 322 - Waking up to Snowflake, cauliflower trees and Middle FishHere are a few things that made me smile today:
<br />
<ol>
<li>Waking up to this.<br />
<img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXjnp-LrXMAs3MiojdOIWqipYhZM0irE27R95SRtWTZN9xb5pGgrmHCprnzAMQsGc8xKUMdSrjVCKSvt0I9_JJYn0oECINpap_m66a1pQRVp3nBiH0XQk0VfCoVu4lgAFW-O8xjiRn8E/s400/171112.JPG" width="400" />
<br />
I want to document and record this so that I can remember in the future when I look back and reread this post. This is the sight I've been waking up to most mornings - Snowflake's eyes half open half shut, her oversized flabby belly flopped either alongside me or on my face or right next to my face. I'd open my eyes and see her lying facing me like in the photo above, her eyes fluttering as she drifted in and out of sleep. And she'd be purring loudly like a machine. It makes me smile something big every time.<br /><br />
But it also makes me worry.<br /><br />
You see, Snowflake has never been an affectionate cat until recent years. She was the most ferocious and feisty cat that wanted to eat my hands for dinner up until about 2 or 3 years ago when her age seemed to suddenly kick in and she practically mellowed overnight. I've always thought <i>oh yay she's finally mellowing, she's finally being a nice cat</i>. But over the last few months she's been RIDICULOUSLY nice and overly affectionate, always wanting to crawl onto my lap, <a href="http://thanksforthesmile.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/day-291-sheep-alpaca-nice-email-cute-stuff-daiso-frankie-50th-issue-being-catnapped-on.html" target="_blank">sleep on my chest</a>, <a href="http://thanksforthesmile.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/day-140-snowflake-my-neckwarmer.html" target="_blank">sleep on my neck</a>, and then even <a href="http://thanksforthesmile.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/day-184-snowflake-sleeping-on-my-face.html" target="_blank">on my face</a>. </li>
<br />Her (positive) personality change got me thinking... is she dying..?? She's 9 year old but has never gotten sick. Does she realise she's dying so she's being super nice to me?! I've even started wondering about what I had to do if she died.. who would I call? Who would take her away? Do I bury her? Where do I bury her? Who do you call for these things?!<br />
<br />I know this all sounds a bit morbid, but I want to remember this. I want to remember waking up next to her almost every morning; I want to remember seeing her sitting by the door waiting for me as I walk through the door in the evening; I want to remember her purring in my arms as I hit the snooze button and give her a good morning hug; I want to remember her always insisting on sitting on my lap while I get ready for work, but is so smart that she gets off my lap immediately when I do a special signal; I want to remember her always being there for me.<br />
<br />
<li>Marvelling at trees that look like giant cauliflowers with Dad.</li>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8208587598/" title="Cauliflower trees by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Cauliflower trees" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8208587598_75f51e1a47.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1633972/restaurant/Melbourne/North-Melbourne/Middle-Fish-Carlton" target="_blank">Middle Fish</a>'s Thai milk tea comes in this cute aluminium bowl, and they do really delicious curries.</li>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8208586110/" title="Thai ice milk tea by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Thai ice milk tea" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8208586110_1eaa64bf00.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8208584542/" title="Fish curry noodles by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Fish curry noodles" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8208584542_aedaa0f817.jpg" width="500" /></a>
</ol>
Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-85587714634992957102012-11-16T23:11:00.000+11:002012-11-21T23:48:01.666+11:00Day 321 - Bubbles at work We had some bubbles at work for Michelle who was going up for a prestigious service recognition award tonight.
<br />
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2YFXklsftsU1xD7Rtr5nP3H0HPw-b6m0BMjll8dI2pDGuYijtYSAUB-dwe07iAvUwpWMn5fFu5VPY0ZJo55B7IaBZopk9-5dYr1tiYLGU8weAn2e-mNHMxEhwWvw9nzFIqPY2lZl1rQ/s320/161112.JPG" width="239" /><br />
I could get used to this...
Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-20712383601829279402012-11-13T00:39:00.000+11:002012-11-17T23:42:50.071+11:00Day 318 - Keep calm and look at Hanson crotchesStumbled upon this really random photo on one of my favourite Hanson tumblr sites, <a href="http://oursideofparadise.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Our Side of Paradise</a>. The comment had me laughing so hard that I fell off my chair and rolled on the floor, holding my sides! Hanson fans are a hilarious bunch.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxlBRdch2KJ1p112OYXDdKbiHspzN6BK5PmueYVjh70dGZydr5ZOqZjSpuFoMwbLgsi1sLQqYtcUd8YUwxm_u40UrMCrZ_kZq2Z9Pgzh3jc8g1e2B8HWhjyQ3uPK7nQSQwsyk5QaWSuI/s640/131112.png" width="640" /><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Source: <a href="http://oursideofparadise.tumblr.com/post/35517428585/babyburningred-oursideofparadise-keep-calm" target="_blank">Our Side of Paradise</a></i>Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-4863385410475361592012-11-07T22:51:00.001+11:002012-11-08T02:04:45.335+11:00Day 312 - Photos from Melbourne Cup Day, 28 Things That Are Worse Than Talking About Politics on Facebook, Obama wins and cat yodellingIt's a funny photo kind of day:
<br />
<ol>
<li>These photos from yesterday's Melbourne Cup Day had me smiling. God we're a classy bunch aren't we? No judgement here - but I always find most candid photos of drunk people having fun to be so joyful, because what you usually see is raw and stripped down joy. That is, until you see photos of them throwing up.</li>
<img border="0" height="291" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/11/06/article-2228671-15E02D79000005DC-812_634x463.jpg" width="400" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="267" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/11/06/article-2228671-15E030A9000005DC-910_634x424.jpg" width="400" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="280" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/11/06/article-2228671-15E02B56000005DC-908_634x445.jpg" width="400" />
<br /><i>
Source: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2228671/Melbourne-Cup-2012-Aussies-big-day-races.html" target="_blank">Daily Mail</a></i><br />
<br />
<li><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/things-that-are-worse-than-people-on-facebook-talk?sub=1853740_677386" target="_blank">28 Things That Are Worse Than Talking About Politics On Facebook</a>. Freakin' HILARIOUS. I laughed so hard that my lungs hurt! </li>
<br />
My favourites are:<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYROa-FeivU_rTNGCNqITKVIldKwOJ2GNJQFgpVxCv6ujiFz8kWbz-eDZp1ApBv8mXo8m9rq_84uY66Hqg3NDZAdxX10YgGI-umG58Eo1ZMvcygP47gnFy6guOz4x5RqytkBbtlv3_sbY/s400/justinbieberfanart.png" width="325" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwggbX_IPAPc1XtqZzs0rt1nH9T9GnHZhXLWm0Cf7513Zfi85joPfiB7d3AUkfGrGIHYlQDhNpdbeYJ_nJsFe65K_0z0DlBSM5FIPrhyphenhyphenYMxJjXkds3O_RxG53SkHXxdzUFXe48S0IN4w/s400/nicholascagelego.png" width="400" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLZqX6Dp-nwDYqRcR8UfEGEbUEmrsgdjovfFb0OWZK21AQ1qD8mL_b8A_BFp43whsuOXK54bWAk3jc7fDfs-hto7gSDh_wn-6LliBiczttYGnNj2v6ttfkWB4BHlZRwAR3su7NLrvZ4I/s400/fantastic.png" width="400" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqzhiKCADNLm_G_qnopjEY7N4lk4wgQxE5lENwBPLPjmhNFVJylB0EPh56-WB_z34ij23ex_F9jWvqP9rFIo5DWLLGZA68v3zYDahMDW2XhcXA0LdARtA_2FqaIOG99Mtttw-1WgOKj4/s400/unfortunatename.png" width="290" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6LnyGx2NQa-veqK_KONVWVeLQjpt-Iym8V9Ut_vIDJrgEP80xDjlGTyBcwFE7S_9n8PTIiBmuY1j6kiazQUxCxSmMm2kOiKB5PajBMpSVGBG-_cv6vDZrXa7KhfEte5yDLCFpGwaklw/s400/unfortunatename2.png" width="290" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpF8fGUv6-TD5QYyuiI7BMkO2MtfsAX79H-9KTb4h-6UFcmPAgJIPSuQ9013BMxp5ZW4OB7Y6MpuWtbamv7E8dYqE49n8Nn2r14132-iwW90BHeG_GKDsf4d1aCYYnnHAk26_2xXMbRI/s400/selfiewithgrandma.png" width="400" />
<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwvPRZkFl0WD_8oegEbj7IN3yDgAOP9nd2itRtZp94STrPrRO0xmYZk0k3SK9NCuNCSyvkwKmm1fL9BDOEZYbkxDTdHFYPB40tXVKCP2VOXwmZlsR3YbOgd35MGkXSD8VQigvGSh47bM/s400/eatcookiewitheye.png" width="237" />
<br /><i>
Source: <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/things-that-are-worse-than-people-on-facebook-talk" target="_blank">Buzzfeed</a></i><br />
<br />
<li>And speaking of politics... memes such as this one scattered through <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/blogs/the-pulse/obama-versus-romney-wrap-november-7-2012-20121107-28wrw.html" target="_blank">The Age's live update of the US Election</a> had me in fits of laughter. I think today's just one of those days that I'm even more easily amused than usual (if that's even possible)?! </li>
<img border="0" height="223" src="http://images.nationaltimes.com.au/2012/11/07/3776473/pulseWINNING-20121107155458439759.jpg" width="400" />
<i>
<br />
Source: <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/blogs/the-pulse/obama-versus-romney-wrap-november-7-2012-20121107-28wrw.html" target="_blank">The Age</a></i>
<br /><br />
<li>And Obama's speech. What a brilliant speech he delivered. How can you not vote for a man who says, "<i>I wouldn't be the man today without the woman who agreed to marry me 20 years ago. Let me say this publicly - Michelle, I have never loved you more. I have never been prouder to watch the rest of America fall in love with you too as our nation's first lady.</i>"</li>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="343" scrolling="no" src="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/video/videoEmbed.html?uuid=2366e94a-2854-11e2-b4e0-346287b7e56c" width="610"></iframe>
<br />
Well done, Americans.
<br />
<br />
<li>Last but not least, an instructional video on cat yodeling shared by Soon Yang. I love the WTFISHAPPENING expression on the cat's face at 0:38 haha!</li>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cxLG2wtE7TM" width="560"></iframe>
</ol>
Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-31167804108345908002012-11-06T22:30:00.000+11:002012-11-18T01:38:33.282+11:00Day 311 - Vietnam in lomoI picked up the roll of film I dropped off yesterday, and discovered that Vietnam looks great in lomo! The lo-fi aesthetics and the noise captures the grittiness of Hanoi so well. I'm taken back to...<br />
<div>
<br />
Street corners with framed pictures of their beloved Uncle Ho,</div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8192268247/" title="Uncle Ho by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Uncle Ho" height="338" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8192268247_d11dd08803.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
The lovely Hoan Kiem Lake that was always crowded no matter what time of the day,
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8193358796/" title="Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi" height="338" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8060/8193358796_cddde6ea0c.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
One of the many Vietnamese women who had a very strong head (and catlike balance),
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8192268593/" title="Strong head by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Strong head" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8207/8192268593_a772516360.jpg" width="338" /></a>
<br />
Walking in the middle of Hanoi roads amongst all of this craziness (love it!!),
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8192272543/" title="Hanoi bikes by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Hanoi bikes" height="338" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8192272543_09b65222ce.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8192272879/" title="Hanoi bikes by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Hanoi bikes" height="338" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8339/8192272879_96b8cbca3a.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
This narrow little street that our hotel was on,
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8193356922/" title="Hanoi streets by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Hanoi streets" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8065/8193356922_fe53ac21d4.jpg" width="338" /></a>
<br />
Kicking back at the infamous bia hoi corner on little plastic chairs with glasses of 20 cent fresh beer that was insanely refreshing and so easy to drink in 40 degrees heat,
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8193359832/" title="Bia hoi Hanoi by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Bia hoi Hanoi" height="338" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8477/8193359832_6c1fb8b2ae.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
Watching life pass us by,
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8193360104/" title="Bia hoi corner Hanoi by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Bia hoi corner Hanoi" height="338" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8347/8193360104_df6df32032.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8192273741/" title="Bia hoi corner Hanoi by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Bia hoi corner Hanoi" height="338" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/8192273741_3e388573a5.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8192274051/" title="Hanoi art by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Hanoi art" height="338" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/8192274051_1446a99203.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
Eating the tastiest fried <i>pho</i> and <i>pho guon</i> on child-size plastic stools in a dingy room filled with locals on their lunch break,
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8192270643/" title="Lunchtime in Hanoi by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Lunchtime in Hanoi" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8192270643_f03e8db2fe.jpg" width="338" /></a>
<br />
Waking up to this in Halong Bay (and making a rookie mistake of getting my finger in the photo d'oh),
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8192271011/" title="Ha Long Bay by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Ha Long Bay" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8192271011_54bf6ecee2.jpg" width="338" /></a>
<br />
There were some other goodies in the roll too, like this Singaporean cat,<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8193362166/" title="Singaporean cat by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Singaporean cat" height="338" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/8193362166_d41aee8e0b.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
These Asian biscuits that were a familiar sight while growing up,
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8192275159/" title="Goodies by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Goodies" height="338" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8485/8192275159_742a72fe6c.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
And being very excited to be lining up for Laduree macarons.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8192271657/" title="Laduree Sydney by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Laduree Sydney" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8057/8192271657_17e88db9bf.jpg" width="338" /></a>
<br />
But I think the best photo in the roll is this one hands down!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8193356148/" title="Cock in Hanoi by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Cock in Hanoi" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8193356148_b7cdf3ee7a.jpg" width="338" /></a>Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-24126515022118323282012-11-05T22:30:00.000+11:002012-11-25T23:21:42.401+11:00Day 310 - Danny Katz on straying catsI don't know how else to say this, so I'm just going to be brutally honest. I absolutely love <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/by/danny-katz" target="_blank">Danny Katz</a> and have been completely smitten by his brilliant wit and humour for years. He's a columnist for <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/" target="_blank">The Age</a> and the <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/" target="_blank">Sydney Morning Herald</a>, but what I especially love is him as the Modern Guru in the weekly Good Weekend magazine where he "solves your ethics and etiquette dilemmas". Heck he's a big part of the reason I subscribe to The Age in the first place.<br />
<img border="0" src="http://images-2.domain.com.au/2010/09/10/1917805/danny-katz.jpg" />
<br />
His responses to everyday dilemmas are nothing short of genius and always have me guffawing so violently that Snowflake gives me weird looks.<br />
<br />
I had a big smile when I came across the following while sorting through old newspapers.. Danny talks cats!<br />
<br />
"My cat has been spending long periods at the neighbours' house, lured by roast lamb and warmth. Now she's staying for sleepovers. Help!"<br />
M.B., BALLARAT, VIC<br />
<br />
Danny's response:<br />
"Statistics tell us that up to 40 per cent of spouses are victims of infidelity, and I'm sorry to break it to you so bluntly, but your cat is seeing someone else. All the signs are there: she's eating at the neighbours' house more often, not even touching the delicious meal you spent hours lovingly preparing - Friskies Tuna, Liver and Cheese, dumped in an old ice-cream tub you used to use for paint. She's staying out all night and sneaking home the next morning, and if you start yelling, "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, YOU DIRTY LITTLE MINX?", she just turns her back on you, giving you that cruel "talk to the sphincter cos the ears ain't lissnin'" stance. I bet she's even started bringing you little gifts: a selection of creamy soft-centred dead mice lined up at the back door. Don't fall for them: they're guilt mice.<br />
<br />
You need to do something fast or you'll lose her forever, so try reinvigorating the relationship. Start preparing her roast lamb dinners yourself, plated up in a quality ceramic Hello Kitty bowl. Spend more quality time together in the evenings, cosying up on the couch with the heater on, watching her favourite TV shows: Bondi Vet or any footy match with the Geelong Cats. And become a more caring, attentive partner, patting her more, deworming her less, and playing that fun game where you run around the house dragging a piece of ribbon for her to chase, and sometimes she even gets off the couch to chase it."Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503210120894298397.post-27391821050667496782012-10-30T22:03:00.001+11:002012-10-30T22:38:52.537+11:00Day 304 - 'Just because' flowersI always laugh when the mailroom guys call me to say <i>"Sammie, there's a very urgent delivery here for you in the mailroom. Can you come and collect it as soon as you can"</i>, because that's their way of saying "<i>You got flowers"</i>.<br />
<div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8138099242/" title="'Just because' flowers by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="'Just because' flowers" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8138099242_198fdba528.jpg" width="333" /></a>
<br />
From time to time Brett likes to send me 'just because' flowers that are accompanied with a note that usually reads along the lines of "I hope these bring a smile to your face". Thanks babe - you made today's post a super easy one!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyteng/8138066483/" title="Untitled by hyteng, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8053/8138066483_2c6b123a7b.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
Sammiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15176122677897452804noreply@blogger.com3