tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86661471807814434542024-03-08T00:55:48.830+11:00Not your Average JoJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-81675504751222348172010-05-10T00:28:00.002+10:002010-05-11T23:13:56.160+10:00Aleita's birth storyIt was my first mother’s day as a new mom. YAY! My baby Aleita officially turned 1 month old yesterday so I decided to write down and share her birth story least I forget.<br />
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My labour started on Saturday the 10th of April, the day before my baby’s estimated due date. I remember being so convinced that day that the weekend would not pass before my baby’s arrival even though I had not experienced even one Braxton hicks contraction during my entire pregnancy.<br />
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I was a mash-up of emotions that day, swivelling from nervousness to excitement. As it was my first pregnancy I really had no idea what to expect labour wise apart from reading tonnes of birth stories and lots of pregnancy books for some preparation. My partner and I had also attended two birth classes in which we were inundated by pregnancy and labour information.<br />
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I woke up at 6.30 a.m. that morning feeling heavily pregnant. I immediately proceeded to the kitchen to make a lot of mandazis (a traditional donut like pastry) for breakfast as I could not sleep any longer. Looking back now I can only assign this to a bizarre manifestation of the nesting instinct as I am not an early riser! Later that day I texted my good friend Nancy (who was also my doula) to inform her that I was thoroughly convinced that bub would arrive before the weekend was over. She said that she would cancel her night shift at work and come over to my place later that afternoon to keep me company and see how things went. I really hoped, that for her sake at least, bub would make an appearance sooner rather than later otherwise it would have been wasted effort.<br />
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I washed my hair that afternoon and had my mum braid it so that I wouldn’t have it bother me during labour and the first few weeks after the birth. It was while she was braiding me that I started experiencing mild period like pain. The time was 5pm.My initials thoughts were that this could go on for days or weeks because the pain was not as intense as I thought it would be. It was quite bearable. My contractions were very consistent at 10 minutes apart and lasting for 45 seconds. This was the case up until 1.30 am when I finally decided to go into my bed and get some sleep as the waiting for ‘something major to happen’ was taking a toll on me.<br />
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At exactly 4.36 am, my waters broke with a loud pop and gushing of waters. I woke up with a start and informed my partner of the happenings and I have never seen him shoot up so fast from bed.I think I was calmer than he was at that moment. It was so funny that I tried my best to stifle a laugh because I didn’t want to precipitate things further at that stage.<br />
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We got to the hospital at 5.45am and by 6am I had already been checked into my birthing suite. My birthing team consisted of my partner, my doula, my mother and a new midwife was assigned to me during the hospital shift changes as I was under shared care.<br />
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By 8.30 am my contractions were still consistently at 10 minutes apart/ 45 seconds long so the midwife suggested that I they might have to inject me with oxytocin in order to progress things further. I objected to this as I felt it was better to leave my body to its own steady rhythm.<br />
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By 10.30 am my cervix had dilated to almost 4 cm naturally and I was happy with my decision not to induce labour. It was after the doctor had given me the internal check that my contractions became painfully acute. I was already managing my pain with gas/air and the TENS machine and had to increase the doses at this point.<br />
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At 1.30 pm I was entering the transition stage, which to me was the hardest yard. It took all my will power to resist the urge to push even when my body was screaming for me to push because the baby’s pressure was unbearable. The contractions felt so severe at this point that in the end I felt the gas and TENS machine were not helping in easing my pain at all, although it did help a bit to bite onto the gas pipe as I rode each contraction. My doula and midwife agreed to inject me with pethidine at this stage as it was in my birth plan. In retrospect the TENS machine did help take the edge off by sending tingling sensations up my back and in so doing it distracted me from the intense pain and pressure down below.<br />
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It took an intense 45 minutes for me to push my baby out. This stage was not painful but was highly uncomfortable akin to the urge to push a brick out of your rear end! My efforts were not strong enough as my baby’s head kept retracting back after the each contraction. Finally at breaking point, I remember calling out to Jesus to give me the strength I needed to push my baby out once and for all.With the next contraction I really gave it my all as my doula voiced encouragement.Aleita was expelled out fast and hard onto my chest within a fraction of a second at exactly 2.46 pm. All I managed to say was, “ Oh my baby! Isn’t she big!” Almost immediately all the pain was forgotten.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-32483752313184821752010-03-26T15:32:00.004+11:002010-05-11T16:55:05.619+10:0037 weeks...and loving my baby bump.<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRfx3QMNQ8FFdIXsz9ljdnA6h_mzCWnrlOm8Zdia5pq8LtxRcsvRWilJmk95z5oshp1JmyRxqkYMGsqHZxqbsOWT_aerAgN4VMNy9hIeAUFrGoZ7DKJp91gpfu9hpAZ0A1ZM3rRQxDrJa/s1600/2010-03-26+preggo+lady.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggrFyih1T1sgnJ0vp4Hv5MDnfeHAs_csJxhmt9iGZR34R6t-j-S8qG1DzCtNT94LT-5XUARwhtkL_q6yxwqrZX5oTu9H4ZrnpW6Q8rKw4qH9rDqRgYe75nUFL1BCSyiAyIkEzg8mGfq4J/s1600/2010-03-26+preggo+lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggrFyih1T1sgnJ0vp4Hv5MDnfeHAs_csJxhmt9iGZR34R6t-j-S8qG1DzCtNT94LT-5XUARwhtkL_q6yxwqrZX5oTu9H4ZrnpW6Q8rKw4qH9rDqRgYe75nUFL1BCSyiAyIkEzg8mGfq4J/s640/2010-03-26+preggo+lady.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: auto;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"> {Please do not download images without explicit permission from me.}</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e1771e; font-family: 'segoe script', 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"You do what you do, and that eventually breaks through the inaccurate label and the attempt to label."<br />
-D.Banhart.(musician)</span><a and="" attempt="" breaks="" d="" do="" eventually="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8666147180781443454" inaccurate="" just="" label="" that="" the="" through="" to="" what="" you=""></a><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-61632245321101895042010-02-08T18:04:00.008+11:002010-02-08T18:29:49.922+11:00Back to Basics- Baby Wearing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In recent times, baby wearing has become an increasingly popular trend with sensible yet fashion conscious moms (and dads!) There have been many proponents to this growing movement whereby many new parents are shunning other baby carrying methods such as prams and capsules in preference for the humble looking baby sling, although some slings may come in not-so-humble prices as I recently found out while surfing the net for one.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In Kenya and many African countries, baby wearing is steeped in tradition.Women being the dominant care givers in these societies have always been given to wearing their babies on their backs as they carry out their daily household chores such as cooking,washing the laundry (using their two God given hands for scrubbing the clothes), grinding flour or even when they are out in the fields picking tea, and etc.For these women, baby wearing has essentially been perceived as a way of killing two birds with one stone, so to speak, as they can soothe their babies to sleep as they accomplish the work at hand.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Many African women have normally improvised their baby slings by using whatever suitable cloth that is around them, be it a large towel, <i>khanga</i> or <i>leso</i> and even bedding sheets so long as it is size-able enough to tie into two tight knots at the front while baby is snuggly secured on their backs.Truly the makings of a simple ,adjustable <s>not to mention affordable</s> baby sling! Of course the material has to be strong enough to hold the baby in...as it is all about functionality for these women.For them, fashion sense (<s>Scenario: Exotic African woman poses mid-stance in tea plantation thinking, "How good does my baby look on my back in that sling?</s>") comes a distant second when it comes to baby wearing! Click here to read an amusing short story titled <i><a href="http://www.africanmag.com/FORUM-208-design004-Carrying-My-Baby-African-Style">"Carrying my baby African Style"</a> for further insight into the African tradition of baby wearing.</i></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkwEnV1gXBQxWhbq3-1b8N-had0XkiyxPfHIZasc1Wge3GtODo8XsZ1iBUFwHaNKMjjeQWACTET4Ha_PPycb8U04931XleJIGBzMWmgnUhDoy-CSGkeRm6BPHrdzl5Vy3jJ7Mp_6PM5kp/s1600-h/BabyPre.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkwEnV1gXBQxWhbq3-1b8N-had0XkiyxPfHIZasc1Wge3GtODo8XsZ1iBUFwHaNKMjjeQWACTET4Ha_PPycb8U04931XleJIGBzMWmgnUhDoy-CSGkeRm6BPHrdzl5Vy3jJ7Mp_6PM5kp/s400/BabyPre.JPG" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://africaatoz.org/2008%2520pix/BabyPre.JPG&imgrefurl=http://africaatoz.org/photos.htm&usg=__WpqAtAFhu9lbRfs0O_aYgk99HVA=&h=478&w=300&sz=75&hl=en&start=2&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=uuW9dvALBlnwwM:&tbnh=129&tbnw=81&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dafrican%2Bwoman%2Bcarrying%2Bbaby%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1C1CHNG_en-GBAU">africaA-Z</a></div><i><br />
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As I mentioned before, I noticed that in first world countries like Australia, where I now live with my husband, the case is reversed whereby baby wearing is seen first and foremost as a fashion statement.There are a myriad of baby slings now on offer in the market and they come in all types of fabric, colours, shapes, sizes and prices.The organic-made ones seem to be especially dearest both sentimentally and monetarily speaking.<br />
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For me, looking for a baby sling online was a crush and burn experience.Whenever I found what I thought was the ideal sling, it turned out to be too expensive for what it was (especially once you add in the shipping costs) ,or not in available my size, as was the case was on eBay ,or just not appealing enough.Finally, I decided to make my own handmade baby sling!<br />
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Having bought my first sewing machine a few weeks ago, I watched a quick <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW9m_8w_btc&feature=player_embedded">tutorial </a>on YouTube on how to make a pouch sling.Turns out that I needed needle and thread (dah!) so I made a quick trip to the shops early the next morning (a humongous exertion in 30 degree whether) and within an hour of coming back home I had made my own baby sling. The satisfaction factor made it all worth the effort.Here is an E for the <i>Elephant Lady! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(I am now <i>31weeks</i> pregnant. My hubbie has dubbed me <i>The Whale. </i>He<i> </i>rolls me around the house and about grocery shopping when he should really prop me up on the damn trolley! Before I digress, what is it with the pregnant lady <i>duck walk</i>?)</span></i><br />
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Here are some pictures I took immediately after I had made my reversible <i>pouch</i> sling.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAu-jIBLAWiQUinB61Fj6WLx4HxA1_nmisN5JLnUuO90YLeCHKTHPOJ2ZTS1JjxvAnyBK-MndDOr44MLG1-DXDKujG80Ez-Ns8STspLVQT2RjhcVdNqieqoTXpuj52j1zmoSHyBXbKEp5/s1600-h/series.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAu-jIBLAWiQUinB61Fj6WLx4HxA1_nmisN5JLnUuO90YLeCHKTHPOJ2ZTS1JjxvAnyBK-MndDOr44MLG1-DXDKujG80Ez-Ns8STspLVQT2RjhcVdNqieqoTXpuj52j1zmoSHyBXbKEp5/s640/series.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I was so excited and bubbling with energy that day.It's made from rich organic cotton cloth that my mother brought from Kenya, which I hadn't found very useful until now...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqakYmLs8klkRQI9lqGizBvpRZQDuwCCI2A2E1-SKSso8OPnYr1P8I2WNEOCUrLZpXF2j7CQwTn4BQTzZZQbO2H-4nEIdLrJN-WlHmnWVOUcpqC3uwIoOb1_jz4hITFRWO6OSjHgSx2wPi/s1600-h/fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqakYmLs8klkRQI9lqGizBvpRZQDuwCCI2A2E1-SKSso8OPnYr1P8I2WNEOCUrLZpXF2j7CQwTn4BQTzZZQbO2H-4nEIdLrJN-WlHmnWVOUcpqC3uwIoOb1_jz4hITFRWO6OSjHgSx2wPi/s640/fabric.jpg" width="497" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Kikoi cloth from Kenya </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>is 100% organic cotton.</i></div><br />
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I am now planning on making another baby sling out of semi-stretchable fabric for the hubbie as mine might be too small for him. I am sure Lita will love snuggling next to her papa in her baby sling.<br />
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<i>Gotta go now</i> and rub my tummy as Lita is fighting for some attention. Also, by sheer coincidence I found a <i>similar</i> post to this one on <i><a href="http://www.progressivepioneer.com/progressive-pioneer/2010/01/make-your-own-baby-sling.html">Progressive Pioneer</a> .</i>She documents the process she went through when making her own baby sling. I do love her<i> <a href="http://www.progressivepioneer.com/progressive-pioneer/2010/01/make-your-own-baby-sling.html">life philosophy</a>. Such a kindred spirit!</i><br />
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</span></span>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-12399191121746277412010-02-07T01:40:00.004+11:002010-02-07T01:51:51.382+11:00Blogger in Draft - What a gem!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSiTAqGgjKCMbJSHqaEIFFOhBh7-elL7CthIxzixpiINdW4C9q-LUqMXv16C_e9JUxIcetKDSkbfMYDOfW7jgYx863V0ZnzcNAODjXUo1zTcH-C1LhspyIG9joFYhPjNsgkAxdB1R3eGG/s1600-h/QShot_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSiTAqGgjKCMbJSHqaEIFFOhBh7-elL7CthIxzixpiINdW4C9q-LUqMXv16C_e9JUxIcetKDSkbfMYDOfW7jgYx863V0ZnzcNAODjXUo1zTcH-C1LhspyIG9joFYhPjNsgkAxdB1R3eGG/s400/QShot_0006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'segoe script', 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'segoe script', 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">This week I have been making a few discoveries about Blogger </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">gadgets</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> and I must say that finding <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://bloggerindraft.blogspot.com/2007/06/what-is-blogger-in-draft.html">Blogger in Draft</a></span></i> today ,<s>where the hell have you been hiding?</s>, was the best find. I'm loving all the new features in it compared to <i>Blogger (beta?), </i>which I have being using for quite sometime now but was never fully satisfied with<i>.</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Blogger in Draft</i> has an improved posting interface which enhances the user experience.Plus it's pretty easy to switch to and fro the two interfaces, whichever you fancy. I assure you that checking it out will be worth your while as it is bound to exhilarate your blogging experience as it did mine! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Now if the people at Microsoft windows can do something about their blog feature so that people like me can effectively publish to blogger via MS windows, that would be <s>not the solution to world peace</s> a great help!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'segoe script', 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;">"You do what you do, and that eventually breaks through the inaccurate label and the attempt to label."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'segoe script', 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> -D.Banhart.(musician)</span><a and="" attempt="" banhart.="" breaks="" do,="" do="" eventually="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8666147180781443454" inaccurate="" just="" label."-d="" label="" that="" the="" through="" to="" what="" you=""></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-33432468283611589522010-02-05T21:21:00.001+11:002010-02-06T14:35:57.946+11:00House Renovation 101- Some Befores & Afters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Just a collage showing some of the house renovations we have completed so far.We still have a lot to do but we are getting there...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJ9TE0DTwCutTUS9pVK6oT2uxoq_llM_4-QmvuCGAtREm-V7yTXWZy-7LZ0OTXnlIhW4hJ6sfnn6VgJkEtsRWXlsvJkunXJTKvH6zS5gIztH20jSAZkiyrFkMac0sEGua6AQBzk46d47t/s1600-h/Nov_Dec_+Renovation_arrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJ9TE0DTwCutTUS9pVK6oT2uxoq_llM_4-QmvuCGAtREm-V7yTXWZy-7LZ0OTXnlIhW4hJ6sfnn6VgJkEtsRWXlsvJkunXJTKvH6zS5gIztH20jSAZkiyrFkMac0sEGua6AQBzk46d47t/s640/Nov_Dec_+Renovation_arrows.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"You do what you do, and that eventually breaks through the inaccurate label and the attempt to label."<br />
-D.Banhart.(musician)</span><a and="" attempt="" breaks="" d="" do="" eventually="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8666147180781443454" inaccurate="" just="" label="" that="" the="" through="" to="" what="" you=""></a><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-69761735903820702932010-02-04T22:45:00.005+11:002010-02-05T15:35:21.427+11:00My Pregnancy at 30 weeksSo far I must say that this pregnancy has treated me kindly.Lately I feel like I am on such a natural high and I must say I love what these pregnancy hormones are doing to me.I definitely have that pregnancy glow( and I thought it was just something people said to make you feel better when you actually really looked like a blown up futon.)<br />
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As my due date (April 11) nears, I am growing more confident that my baby Lita is getting stronger and more viable for this tough world we live in. She has been very active over the last two weeks, giving me hard kicks as she is running out of room in my womb. My bump now feels as solid as a rock! It is just amazing how much I have popped out in the last few days, although I must say my bump is relatively small compared to many pregnant women's.<br />
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I got pretty positive feedback from my last hospital visit.I had been anxiously anticipating the outcome of my gestational diabetes test.The midwife informed me that my test reading came at 4.9.That was a huge relief as I was dreading the thought of having to inject myself with insulin shots as I really hate needles.Nevertheless I have to keep up with my diet and in some ways improve on eating my greens as I am very low on iron.I am now taking vitamin D supplements as well as iron supplements daily as well as my multi-vitamins.<br />
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Finally, I got my first sewing machine three weeks ago and with it come a surge of intense creativity.Or is this what they term as the <a href="http://www.pregnancy-info.net/nesting.html">nesting instinct</a>? For a beginner, I am pretty impressed with what I have accomplished on my machine so far. I have already made a baby sling for Lita after watching <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW9m_8w_btc&feature=player_embedded">this</a> simple to follow tutorial on how to make a pouch sling for baby.<br />
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I have also finished hemming my new curtains and I am already thinking of ways to alter my old jeans so that I can fit my growing belly into them.Sometimes I get carried away day dreaming of ways to breath new life into my old tired clothes or going to the op shop and getting items to redesign (recycle). I have grand ideas at the moment! Maybe I can start my own fashion clothing line of recycled clothing. But at the moment my sewing machine is keeping me very busy in these last stages of pregnancy and the days do seem to be zooming by.<br />
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Hubby and I have also been renovating our house in readiness for bub.To tell the truth Hubby has been doing most of the work!He's been so supportive and nurturing.I count myself very lucky to have such a caring partner. The baby nursery is far from ready but we have been busy purchasing the baby essentials over the last few weeks and getting seconds from close friends. We still have to paint the nursery walls and set everything in place although I don't think Lita will be using her room at least until she is 3 months old.<br />
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Today my hubby decided to drive to Sydney for the weekend to visit his folks and at the same time pick up a surf ski that he bought off ebay.I can't bear to be apart from him.To say the least,I am missing my baby boo:-( Anyway I gotta call it a night.I will try and post pics of our ongoing house renovations soon!<br />
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* Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabrinaeras/">Sabrina Eras</a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-41716853963129042792010-02-03T18:36:00.000+11:002010-02-04T22:55:50.060+11:00Popping out!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbHbMICtGoxGgwZ3dhPh9gNJHC0DB97JExEFpMG-0muA2e615NWkYNmkPpvzGkIf9FzX3BPFHrnl1E4TStJheOyhxOHr8vwMSE83nbC_h3yz-XTwcxOeQ6FfUEcAj0eIXQdfRIi_3Akja/s1600-h/29wks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbHbMICtGoxGgwZ3dhPh9gNJHC0DB97JExEFpMG-0muA2e615NWkYNmkPpvzGkIf9FzX3BPFHrnl1E4TStJheOyhxOHr8vwMSE83nbC_h3yz-XTwcxOeQ6FfUEcAj0eIXQdfRIi_3Akja/s640/29wks.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdYvrZxID4HZvcthUK35OVFpIPkKTOjFKFxBv8BJcImpIZyFgPJJBw90JXu52EseCyF-sfSgDy9FB6Ui3aAFosBRFD1s45JLRJvRMhGmhIAf6jZJAsmvlXnjw3FI_iuzEoJoaZBLdepp_/s1600-h/30+weeks1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdYvrZxID4HZvcthUK35OVFpIPkKTOjFKFxBv8BJcImpIZyFgPJJBw90JXu52EseCyF-sfSgDy9FB6Ui3aAFosBRFD1s45JLRJvRMhGmhIAf6jZJAsmvlXnjw3FI_iuzEoJoaZBLdepp_/s640/30+weeks1.jpg" width="418" /></a></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-3653676627678879322010-01-16T19:15:00.004+11:002010-02-03T18:22:41.153+11:00My pregnancy so far...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjGbqA1Q6tv8JM545ZESlSC1KTbm-N5gXxOn92KysD1xeeIOMBp-UKtBIV09vDHxFIOx7XKJsq_gguTre4hJ111NOk2LSPajoWfiID0CbGhdJKk0aUsEatd2fmkbAHR3KZzCKzQUAJmeD/s1600-h/3rd+Trimester.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjGbqA1Q6tv8JM545ZESlSC1KTbm-N5gXxOn92KysD1xeeIOMBp-UKtBIV09vDHxFIOx7XKJsq_gguTre4hJ111NOk2LSPajoWfiID0CbGhdJKk0aUsEatd2fmkbAHR3KZzCKzQUAJmeD/s640/3rd+Trimester.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-55765485370544074022010-01-15T10:41:00.003+11:002010-01-18T18:05:48.445+11:00Literally speaking...Being pregnant has given me a whole new outlook on the phrase, <span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"a pregnant pause."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I feel like <u><span style="color: orange;">one long pregnant pause!</span></u></span><br />
</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-11506201516147051442010-01-14T11:44:00.002+11:002010-01-18T18:05:48.446+11:00Songs For Bub - 27weeks<ol style="direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3902in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;"><div lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Here is a compilation list of songs I made for Ally.I will be adding to this list and very open to more suggestions. I am now <i>27weeks + 3days</i> pregnant.
</div><div lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"></div><ol style="direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3902in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;"><div lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"></div>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="1"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">I'm Yours-<i>Jason Mraz</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="2"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">If I Aint Got You- <i>Alicia Keys</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="3"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Is This Love- <i>Bob Marley</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="4"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Can't Take My Eyes Off You- <i>Cake version</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="5"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Capri- <i>Colby Caliat</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="6"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Yellow- <i>Coldplay</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="7"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Sleep Like A Child- <i>Joss Stone</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="8"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Bubbly- <i>Colby Caliat</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="9"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Upside Down- <i>Jack Johnson</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="10"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Better Together- <i>Jack Johnson</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="11"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">My Own Two Hands- <i>Jack Johnson & Ben Harper</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="12"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Lullaby- <i>Dixie Chicks</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="13"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Quelqu'un m'a dit - <i>Carla Bruni</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="14"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Paper Aeroplane- <i>Angus &Julia Stone</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="15"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">I'm Every Woman- <i>Chaka Khan version</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="16"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">So Beautiful- <i>Darren Hayes</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="17"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Leaving On A Jet Plane- <i>Chantal Kreviazuk</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="18"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Flaws and All- <i>Beyonce Knowles</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="19"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Halo-<i> Beyonce Knowles</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="20"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Ave Maria- <i>Beyonce Knowles version</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="21"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">It aint what you do it 's the way you do it-<i>Funny Boy Three & Bananarama</i></span></li>
<li lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;" value="22">Come Away With Me- <i>Norah Jones</i></li>
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</ol>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-77195739822381962812010-01-03T15:21:00.003+11:002010-01-15T10:27:59.620+11:00Full List - 25 Best Blogs 2009 - TIME<a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1879276,00.html">Full List - 25 Best Blogs 2009 - TIME</a><br />
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</div><div><a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1879276,00.html"></a>Here is a list of the best blogs of 2009 according to TIME Magazine.<br />
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</div><div>As 2010 approached, I promised myself that I would not make any of those ridiculous resolution lists that never amount to nothing other than disappointment. Twelve months down the lane I tend to realize that it was all wishful thinking and then I have to start all over again!Urrghh!<br />
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</div><div>This year I am gonna live a step at a time and make <i>fun</i> lists and at the end of it, God's will, I will write down a list of things that I have achieved, so that I can look back at the past year and smile!<br />
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</div><div>Happy 2010!<br />
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</div><div>Godspeed!<br />
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</div></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-84533467578479484272010-01-03T14:38:00.001+11:002010-01-18T18:05:48.447+11:0020 weeks ultrasound (3D)Here is the 3D scan of bub at 20 weeks.Its taken a while for me to upload this as I am currently 25weeks pregnant.Baby Ally looks like she is praying.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucTWDXhrX3NlIJ92iN_FRZ1Z-FOyTQCoZ6ZX8rj_gFvFs0GAU_uEJaNgsMkr_6xFrCiBh3PfUlaFIRUUUVpitLKDabZk__Il98NyR8tfD6JbCMuJcaRCkECMXSaKySoy27-rbfj_WpcJa/s1600-h/Aleita_20wks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucTWDXhrX3NlIJ92iN_FRZ1Z-FOyTQCoZ6ZX8rj_gFvFs0GAU_uEJaNgsMkr_6xFrCiBh3PfUlaFIRUUUVpitLKDabZk__Il98NyR8tfD6JbCMuJcaRCkECMXSaKySoy27-rbfj_WpcJa/s640/Aleita_20wks.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-46807264671044270452009-12-23T13:54:00.001+11:002010-01-18T18:05:48.449+11:00Q’s & A’s : Grit and Glory<a href="http://www.gritandglory.com/2009/12/15/qs-as/">Q’s & A’s : Grit and Glory</a><br />
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</div><div>I love Q&A's like this one from Grit and Glory, a blog I am following, and since I just added the Blog This! Extension (available through Google Chrome) to my page, I decided to share her post.<br />
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</div><div>Here are my answers to the questions she posed:<br />
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</div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Breakfast for dinner, dinner for breakfast, or neither? <i>Definitely breakfast for dinner </i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">What’s the best movie you’ve seen recently? <i>Watched Dan In Real Life last week and found it both funny and touching.</i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Favorite Christmas tradition? <i>Just being with family.</i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">What song best describes you today? <i>Hmm...</i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Least favorite sound? <i>I don't like sudden loud noises but mostly certainly detest rat noises, scratching etc on walls and floor especially at night!</i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">What author or speaker has impacted your life the most? <i>Eh...Oprah?</i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Describe your ideal vacation.<i>I have always wanted to visit Vietnam.</i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">What’s the oddest thing in view right now, wherever you are? <i>My hubbie painting the walls...as I happily sit and blog!</i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Biggest hope for 2010? T<i>hat my baby Ally will come out just right and look like a minnie me!(I'm 24weeks pregnant , only 12-14weeks to go!)</i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">What’s one blog I should read that I might not already be reading? <i>Yet to find out...quite open to suggestions.</i></li>
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</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-7859227845033743292009-12-22T18:49:00.002+11:002009-12-23T17:55:56.978+11:00Happy Holidays Everyone!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFjGkQyCxx0n0vC0R-zx46Ma1pqS0WZU38GO4nLEv_wC-GIzIx4jf7YiJY3yn0CCw3mlA_yT3y1ScgE15l2xPrQavomqV4VMULEodO5lD4pGV44-HhewY7nO06eJRLEpGeAUsTfWo_D4O/s1600-h/xmas+tree+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFjGkQyCxx0n0vC0R-zx46Ma1pqS0WZU38GO4nLEv_wC-GIzIx4jf7YiJY3yn0CCw3mlA_yT3y1ScgE15l2xPrQavomqV4VMULEodO5lD4pGV44-HhewY7nO06eJRLEpGeAUsTfWo_D4O/s400/xmas+tree+copy.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-42929228182219692009-12-18T20:27:00.000+11:002010-01-18T18:05:48.450+11:00Just Right...This disco ball effect occurs on summer afternoons (in our spare room, soon to be baby nursery) for only a couple of minutes when the sun's rays hit the ball at just the right angle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVhUWdo6MfQEtYhL8ZWt-2bXYVorZ6Am0EhlpRKFnMQmUKlG83rgiHApXQLGZJ_xDQEvrePCpZJRO-UZlmNsE2X4EqmXX25RY9_jx8ZS-jmKlu5odUBSveadll5wOt9Ttv31AIDW8AhXc/s1600-h/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVhUWdo6MfQEtYhL8ZWt-2bXYVorZ6Am0EhlpRKFnMQmUKlG83rgiHApXQLGZJ_xDQEvrePCpZJRO-UZlmNsE2X4EqmXX25RY9_jx8ZS-jmKlu5odUBSveadll5wOt9Ttv31AIDW8AhXc/s640/028.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bmlJXfcshgxSUkgSnCeZTOsdEKuiJm-OXuiQX793ZAUAzFVjCQGQ6cXtYLRjBlqFZ4lkX81QWXhelVlohaTCmyunmeRQucNu3vJBprW9J4xcN0k7qZ6EC_C5-GQbvyvw_cfvxA_EAK4i/s1600-h/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bmlJXfcshgxSUkgSnCeZTOsdEKuiJm-OXuiQX793ZAUAzFVjCQGQ6cXtYLRjBlqFZ4lkX81QWXhelVlohaTCmyunmeRQucNu3vJBprW9J4xcN0k7qZ6EC_C5-GQbvyvw_cfvxA_EAK4i/s320/031.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusMOCo7TaCVAzP601wkF_x1193b_8f1e2VzmbbEvTOxG5DuQDOxt90pJ43ATz_eW5NbWm3dFiIX-M5rI4L2TSZkO2-cpnFzuE2e1z-I_a1uz7UG47EN9fcDOIrUyDid8N-ne44zbFX1SL/s1600-h/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusMOCo7TaCVAzP601wkF_x1193b_8f1e2VzmbbEvTOxG5DuQDOxt90pJ43ATz_eW5NbWm3dFiIX-M5rI4L2TSZkO2-cpnFzuE2e1z-I_a1uz7UG47EN9fcDOIrUyDid8N-ne44zbFX1SL/s400/034.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Truly magical, isn't it!</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-22907984147700270262009-10-15T18:08:00.006+11:002009-12-23T17:56:25.681+11:00Simply Red<meta content="OneNote.File" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft OneNote 12" name="Generator"></meta> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpgs6qlzJZHn_kQThGrhwn2RaHCjX0Fhn6Gby6HaBGVsRa1f_b_Tr-yTgVLpVKKdIVVmI7WMr_pqllFlwmkROLwtilSZiNMzb87qugeJ9eMUL58PwV1XphghfJzkH_GfhyphenhyphenF91UUg6STTV/s1600-h/simple+red+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpgs6qlzJZHn_kQThGrhwn2RaHCjX0Fhn6Gby6HaBGVsRa1f_b_Tr-yTgVLpVKKdIVVmI7WMr_pqllFlwmkROLwtilSZiNMzb87qugeJ9eMUL58PwV1XphghfJzkH_GfhyphenhyphenF91UUg6STTV/s400/simple+red+008.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">This post has been lurking in my head for a few days now but I just couldn't bring myself to type a complete sentence as I have been mentally and physically exhausted lately. (Bub must be undergoing a super mega huge growth-spurt.)<br />
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Firstly, I just want to write about my 2 dollar shoes that have kept me going for close to a year now. I got them from a Brotherhood of St Laurence Op Shop. It wasn't love at first sight but my hubby had come along with me that day and he convinced me that the shoes totally suited me. So I got them because I figured that 2 dollars was a very pocket friendly price and that if I didn't like them after 2 weeks I could always take them back . Well, thing is, after a few wears I was totally hooked to these shoes.<br />
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No other pair of shoe I've ever worn has fitted me perfectly (Please note: I have an extremely big toe and I always find it tricky getting the perfect fit of shoe as I lie between a size 6 and a 7), and none ever suited my everyday needs like my simply red flat- heeled shoes . <br />
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</div><div lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Unfortunately, all things come to an end. After months and days of walking, running and dancing in my shoes the soles are giving in to the wear and tear. I thought about getting the soles replaced but that would be far more expensive than I purchased them for. I don't think it will be worth the effort. I can only liken the whole experience to this: Once you lose your virginity, there is no taking it back…<br />
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</div><div lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: left;">So here is an ode to my simply red shoes. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIommyfdSGkJsThnZ_rWokh3wWvsCEdumUXkUYpULkFPVZ5VHUnylg0CAScGz89mBRTZ5u0z_NgNdzRnJlRM0t-ixTRNxNXg_ifN5mtqV61Nkv3GiPYcYTer68KxvShLm17-JGxnMdr_o/s1600-h/simple+red+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIommyfdSGkJsThnZ_rWokh3wWvsCEdumUXkUYpULkFPVZ5VHUnylg0CAScGz89mBRTZ5u0z_NgNdzRnJlRM0t-ixTRNxNXg_ifN5mtqV61Nkv3GiPYcYTer68KxvShLm17-JGxnMdr_o/s400/simple+red+011.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><div lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe Script"; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: left;">You have been with me through thick and thin.<br />
</div><div lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe Script"; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: left;">I will always have a place in my heart (and blog) for you. <br />
Thanks for the memories and the comfort!<br />
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</div><div lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">I forgot what else I wanted to write about.(Please excuse my scantiness…It's called having a baby brain.) <br />
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</div><div lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Song in my head: Whitney Houston - My Own Strength<br />
</div><div lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">( I love that Whitney is back. Kudos!)<br />
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Mood: Tired and sick of the weather(but thankful for the rain!-Our rainwater tank is finally brimful.)<br />
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Pregnancy so far: 14 weeks and 2days.<br />
</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-69180275415511538222009-10-15T14:31:00.001+11:002010-01-18T18:05:48.451+11:00This is how I feel...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43muEFEhK9uLgtfB8ODsX9RcWYQSILxl-cV5A3asiFyYaccPPjxGOsQ39YhiBKKL2NM2hxGkOa-RHhBdoCeiWRc3MRkFyedu5SVHDZojsU1QZcJL10CGCYB0Jnu8JUFpYhwCWvmeEFP1m/s1600-h/HIRSUTE.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43muEFEhK9uLgtfB8ODsX9RcWYQSILxl-cV5A3asiFyYaccPPjxGOsQ39YhiBKKL2NM2hxGkOa-RHhBdoCeiWRc3MRkFyedu5SVHDZojsU1QZcJL10CGCYB0Jnu8JUFpYhwCWvmeEFP1m/s400/HIRSUTE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392664614229199218" /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-68890134236967701992009-10-08T19:56:00.007+11:002010-01-18T18:05:48.452+11:0012 week ultrasound<p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I am 13 weeks and 2 days pregnant. Today, I had my 12 week ultrasound and a blood test to check for DS (Down Syndrome) albeit a week later than it is recommended. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My relationship with my GP is pretty much non-existent. This is the first time </span></span></p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I ever needed to see a GP here in Australia to assess my health on a frequent basis.</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My family doctor, whom I have a good rapport with, is back in Kenya. Anyway, it's been really difficult for me to build a good doctor- patient relationship</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">with the GP I am currently seeing for a number of reasons;</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "> </p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1, He is a male doctor- it would be much easier to interact with a female doctor.</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"> </p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">2, I have only seen him two times before , mainly for referrals for blood tests and ultrasounds- nothing major.</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"> </p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">3, He is a nice guy,</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">but I have a feeling from my experiences with him that only an iota of pregnant women grace his door.</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p> <p lang="en-US" face="Calibri" size="11.0pt" style="margin:0in;"> </p> <p lang="en-US" face="Calibri" size="11.0pt" style="margin:0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Therefore, due to the reasons above, whenever I visit him, he never recommends the ideal tests that I need to do. I never get any extra information from him apart from the stuff</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I am reading from pregnancy books like Kaz Cooke's </span></span><span style="font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Up The Duff</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> (Which I must say</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">has been immensely</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">helpful so far.)</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" face="Calibri" size="11.0pt" style="margin:0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></p> <p lang="en-US" face="Calibri" size="11.0pt" style="margin:0in;"> </p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So anyway, today</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I went with my hubby to see the ultrasound technician for my late 12 week scan. She asked me if I had also done the recommended blood test (at 10 weeks) for the DS check, to which I replied , ' No! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">'</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 11pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 11pt; "> </p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">She informed me that it was absolutely urgent that I</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">get a referral letter from my GP for the blood test( as soon as yesterday), as the blood test and scan assessments go hand in hand in checking for DS and giving a 90% assessment. So immediately after she completed the scan( all things were in place and very normal according to her) we headed to my GP's office(a minute away)</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">to get the referral letter for pathology</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">but we encountered one little hurdle: My GP's Receptionist.</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"> </p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The Bitch is from hell and cold as ice. I have never met an inflexible, narrow-minded, thick-skinned individual like her. Despite the fact that there was hardly anyone waiting to see the doctor at the time, she absolutely refused to let us see the doctor for just a minute of his time to scribble down a quick referral. We tried to explain the urgency of the matter and also pointed out the fact that it was in fact the GP's over site not to recommend the blood test together with the ultrasound. Anyway, it soon became apparent that there was no way in hell that we were going to get past the bitch. She even showed us the appointment book just to emphasis how totally busy the doctor was. So in the end, I caved in for an appointment slotted very early (9.45am!) the next morning.I was in no mood to get upset. I was still giddy from seeing my baby scans minutes before and this bitch wasn't gonna take that happy feeling away from me.</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></p> <p lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It was already lunch time when we parted ways with hubby because he still had loads of office work to do. He decided he would try a last attempt at getting through to the</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">doctor</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">when he got back to the office and would let me know the result.</span></span></p><p face="Calibri" size="11.0pt" lang="en-US" style="margin:0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; " lang="en-US"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; " lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I took a tram to Qv and roamed the food court there, not particularly interested in eating anything specific but I was hungry. So I ended up at Breadtop and picked a sausage roll, a bacon croissant and some green iced tea. I went halfway through the bacon croissant then decided I didn't like it. So I finished the sausage roll and was sipping</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">on some green tea when hubby called me on my cell to inform me that he had managed to get hold of my GP and that my referral letter was ready for pick up. All I had to do was get from his receptionist. Some how that didn't faze me a bit coz I decided that she treated everyone the same(like trash) and I wasn't any different.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; " lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; " lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Anyway, I finished my tucker, headed back to my GP's , picked up the letter and got my blood drawn at St. Vincent's Pathology. All in a span of 15 minutes. Viola! Very easy, despite 'someone' wanting to make things very difficult.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; " lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; " lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">So,in the end I can only look forward to get transferred soon to an Obstetric</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">at the public hospital. Yesterday, I sent my other referral letter to the pregnancy booking clinic at the Royal Women's - this was also a late booking due to my GP's apparent clueless-ness. Hey, I thought I was the one with the baby brain? Jeez, c'mon! Hello???!!! I am</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">a first time mother-to be. I shouldn't be having half the answers to everything.(But thank God for those baby books I have been reading, otherwise I'd be swarmped CLUELESS.)</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; " lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; " lang="en-US"> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; " lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I can't wait to get to see the specialists. At least they will know how to do their job without any prompting. Anywaaaaaaayyyyyy! I'm outta here, but before I go here are some baby pics from the scan I had today.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; " lang="en-US"> </p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncLVqWZV_Tov8fWq_uysWjo5EFR1qz1kM2ONhvM_UhQqhDoeH1w2K5i0kCilVD08DNwnJ3t2l_Gl00ZGfXYrerMXNcc2Zoa-nwPhnXLX7Dup1jOEeonYNKwZ4YBE0OVP2lUnEB6Smy9l0/s1600-h/us1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncLVqWZV_Tov8fWq_uysWjo5EFR1qz1kM2ONhvM_UhQqhDoeH1w2K5i0kCilVD08DNwnJ3t2l_Gl00ZGfXYrerMXNcc2Zoa-nwPhnXLX7Dup1jOEeonYNKwZ4YBE0OVP2lUnEB6Smy9l0/s400/us1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390151633033228994" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">3D image of baby showing where it lies in my womb.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ0yQGmNkFGom1xMSpz_gFsrNIrNMcaWUKCNIZBvuQoD3WZkaLXx3ez73l0Owkf6EsHRzDS9FAbsc9hrd0NvOk9jBU8YNnPjOwEWgcCI6UVyuNlCchkWFB-U0Sd9Ig-WkfwSj0BHhSxRe/s1600-h/us4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 327px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ0yQGmNkFGom1xMSpz_gFsrNIrNMcaWUKCNIZBvuQoD3WZkaLXx3ez73l0Owkf6EsHRzDS9FAbsc9hrd0NvOk9jBU8YNnPjOwEWgcCI6UVyuNlCchkWFB-U0Sd9Ig-WkfwSj0BHhSxRe/s400/us4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390151157911920274" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Hand!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk-8oGpIofoU26IS67S9HW-DsR4QdDZ3-qdRIzwli1Yd1spcf78kfIfqV0tX96J7gSWfhwQh_Q7Lnw8-GpyTKljaCgDvgI91IAZ5YJXRVYuwyxuRjjf0HTUIa3ZMqFEKEceqz5l3a2gOG/s1600-h/us3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk-8oGpIofoU26IS67S9HW-DsR4QdDZ3-qdRIzwli1Yd1spcf78kfIfqV0tX96J7gSWfhwQh_Q7Lnw8-GpyTKljaCgDvgI91IAZ5YJXRVYuwyxuRjjf0HTUIa3ZMqFEKEceqz5l3a2gOG/s400/us3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390151051268753314" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB02or6NU-kmuQMybnZSRi7pcjfZUkXXE2da61ZRVCgoT_lBeHPsUzFJaKaMoOMAjBxAtLIms9gi8cI074-pKa81kXgMWsmucdjk3RU2A_MhUvNfaWft-tRVJqgifbJTjUHtkS1hOsIBo4/s1600-h/us2+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB02or6NU-kmuQMybnZSRi7pcjfZUkXXE2da61ZRVCgoT_lBeHPsUzFJaKaMoOMAjBxAtLIms9gi8cI074-pKa81kXgMWsmucdjk3RU2A_MhUvNfaWft-tRVJqgifbJTjUHtkS1hOsIBo4/s400/us2+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390150867997208786" /></a></div></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-39978959427260723962009-10-04T18:31:00.011+11:002010-01-18T18:05:48.453+11:00Finally a post...in starts and stops...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Its been ages since I last blogged here such that I cant exactly say I am picking off where I left .</span><br />
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</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I don't even think that will be possible for me to continue in the same continuum or even in the same frame of mind because a lot has happened in between posts. This year has been a very eventful one for me. </span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I got hitched in May to my partner of two years. Yay!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2BXtwpuwRMQghUnskpndujz0nEFa7Ajz7IYZSPRpD1R0vcuVLI9Dmd-p2KByZNtvJ0gZP_iEAkt6SjP2JLeeHJMlRxtTcQ8CZzQ89GR-r44fOyrTsS4t0ogLS1ovB_MgVxy6Ddqhcz2c/s1600-h/Jo&kel096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2BXtwpuwRMQghUnskpndujz0nEFa7Ajz7IYZSPRpD1R0vcuVLI9Dmd-p2KByZNtvJ0gZP_iEAkt6SjP2JLeeHJMlRxtTcQ8CZzQ89GR-r44fOyrTsS4t0ogLS1ovB_MgVxy6Ddqhcz2c/s400/Jo&kel096.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And now am proud to say that I am 3 months expectant with my first child!Big yay!</span><br />
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</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the first time I am putting the big news out there for the rest of the world, and I've told a few friends and my immediate family only last week. I have come to the end of my first trimester and can only hope that things get easier from now on (in terms of controlling raging hormones and maintaining a semblance of sanity!)</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> While I can positively say I have not experienced any nasty morning sickness , I have had a few days when the nausea just decides to kick in and stay.Being pregnant is no camping holiday but I must appreciate the fact that my body seems to be handling it pretty well.I am coping by drinking lots of ginger and sucking on eucalyptus lollies.This baby is gonna come out smelling like either or both! </span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Apart from that I am in great anticipation of the next few months.Pregnancy is already a huge learning curve for me and I expect that motherhood will also teach me a thing or two ! I have to book for my second (12 week)ultrasound tomorrow, which I think I have left a little too late to do.I went solo for my first ultrasound during week 9 but this time I plan on having hubby present.The lady technician who did the scan last time said that everything looked normal.The baby measured 2.56cm from head to rump and looked like a small grey blob on the monitor.I couldn't exactly relate to the image on the monitor, never the less it was the first time that it actually hit home that I had something growing (and moving) inside of me!The baby's heart-beat was was normal too … </span><br />
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</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here is an image of the baby at 9 weeks.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb477li1b29qdPa5Tr9g-juEGfvqkSvJIgl4lnKuqGSyMS1iYKSkRZ4SPWg2lljWg_Tny_EkKpYWVFlaTjXJpw_N2gfVdVR6K15cazGAzYQmj1grutHS_orR34OJN3WlXha3Mq-itQt6S/s1600-h/ultrasound+9wks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389305801145227010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb477li1b29qdPa5Tr9g-juEGfvqkSvJIgl4lnKuqGSyMS1iYKSkRZ4SPWg2lljWg_Tny_EkKpYWVFlaTjXJpw_N2gfVdVR6K15cazGAzYQmj1grutHS_orR34OJN3WlXha3Mq-itQt6S/s400/ultrasound+9wks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 270px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span> </span></span></span><br />
<div><div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am also looking forward to the coming weekend as I am planning a BBQ at our place, so that I have a chance to share the news with the rest of my friends.I know a few of my friends have seen this coming for a while now so it won't be a major surprise for them.It's just important for me to make an official baby announcement , so that no one is surprised 6 months from now when they see me in the streets pramming a baby who may or may not look like me!<br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh God, I hope she looks like me…(I desperately want a baby girl!) I even have the prefect name in store for her although I have to give the husband credit for wanting this particular name for our baby.Left to me,I would have probably selected a boring name for her.My best friend almost puked when I once suggested Lavinia for a baby name. I don’t know why,but I thought it was a good choice at the time :( </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyway, if this baby happens to be a boy, oh boy! He shall be raised like a girl!He will be raised in a similar manner to that of a last-born Samoan boy in a family of 5 boys!He will be raised with female etiquette and sensitivity!On the other hand,knowing myself, he may very well end up being a spoiled mama's boy.Hmm! In the meantime, we will cross those bridges when we come to them.<br />
<br />
I REALLY WANT A GIRL!<br />
<br />
Hubby and I did everything to maximize our chances of having a girl.If I get a baby girl, I will be sure to blog with unequivocal conviction and in scientifically proven manner of tone about "How to successfully conceive a baby girl." </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For now, I can only hope that everything we did to get a girl won't be in vain.</span><br />
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</div></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb477li1b29qdPa5Tr9g-juEGfvqkSvJIgl4lnKuqGSyMS1iYKSkRZ4SPWg2lljWg_Tny_EkKpYWVFlaTjXJpw_N2gfVdVR6K15cazGAzYQmj1grutHS_orR34OJN3WlXha3Mq-itQt6S/s1600-h/ultrasound+9wks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br />
</a></span></span></span></span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb477li1b29qdPa5Tr9g-juEGfvqkSvJIgl4lnKuqGSyMS1iYKSkRZ4SPWg2lljWg_Tny_EkKpYWVFlaTjXJpw_N2gfVdVR6K15cazGAzYQmj1grutHS_orR34OJN3WlXha3Mq-itQt6S/s1600-h/ultrasound+9wks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></span><br />
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</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-38765373032247330952009-01-22T11:54:00.011+11:002009-01-24T13:12:00.338+11:00An Ode to the Earth Son: Obama<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Cjo%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> 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href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiDBuYRUyzHMsOnbU9MRP7N7P1wP-DVwmZlkYvSLvGveeLC9Q8Gf2O3iweHqpDL5LqnSpCJMuO9i59jigtCJAYFA3TVcMGO_6tKbOQisUNmMW4lS1LFvCkSTcVe5peNXUeV4m1djyaVwo/s1600-h/obama-earth+son.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiDBuYRUyzHMsOnbU9MRP7N7P1wP-DVwmZlkYvSLvGveeLC9Q8Gf2O3iweHqpDL5LqnSpCJMuO9i59jigtCJAYFA3TVcMGO_6tKbOQisUNmMW4lS1LFvCkSTcVe5peNXUeV4m1djyaVwo/s400/obama-earth+son.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293915531750297794" border="0" /></a>
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">WITH THE WORLD ON HIS SHOULDERS,
<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">CAN THIS MAN SAVE THE PLANET EARTH?
<br />
<br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Lately, I have been musing over fact that one individual can have such an enormous effect on the lives of so many. Whether the effect be good or bad is subject to another post of its own merit but in that same note, I have wanted to do post on Obama for so long and today after seeing this image of him from this <a href="http://backalleytabernacle.com/">website</a>, I got inspired to write something small. 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mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >I didn’t want to regurgitate the sentiments of other people. After percolating for a while about my own feelings towards Obama, I can sum him up to be : The Earth Son.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >For me, he represents a new dawn and makes me elated to be in a generation where anyone can soar to great heights in spite of their background.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >I am amazed at how President Obama, a man with black roots has become a symbol of hope not only for many Americans but for many people in the world. His rise to power is steep but I’m sure for a person of colour, he had to work twice or even thrice as hard as his white counterparts to get to where he is. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >Of course, behind every successful man is a woman, and Michelle Obama has truly been “his rock”.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >When I look at Obama, I see a Leader but I also see a Servant. Sometimes, I can’t help but be overcome with emotion whenever they air him on TV. I don’t think no one person in the world has ever had so much goodwill behind him like President Obama has and I do pray that his time in that revered seat will truly make a difference the world-over.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/inaugural-address/"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >Click here for President Barrack Obama's Inaugural Speech.</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >
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<br /><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:16;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-78444685734555023592009-01-19T19:09:00.002+11:002009-01-21T21:29:07.088+11:00Hello 2009!<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> 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@font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:595.3pt 841.9pt; margin:1.0in 109.3pt 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style><span style="font-size:85%;">I am finally back and ready as I will ever be to resume my blogging escapades.</span> <p class="MsoNormal">I was actually perplexed when I saw that I had made only one blog entry in the past year. 2008 was pretty heavy and I seem to be hit by a mild form of amnesia because I cannot for the life of me remember half the events that happened last year, and thanks to my not blogging about it: yester year shall forever be a mystery to me!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My last chance at retrieving some memory of 2008 lies in my PC’s <span style=""> </span>CPU, which, at the moment, lies at the heart of a very humongous <span style=""> </span>pile of boxes in my new spare room.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I moved house over the weekend. Strike that, the actual moving started last Thursday and went on through Sunday. It was like a never ending story but with lots of perseverance, a lot of hauling, pushing and shoving, my partner and I completed the nightmarish task of moving.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Goodbye neurotic neighbours, hello new humble abode!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our new house is actually an old house. It has been part-way renovated and you can tell by just looking at it that it was much loved and taken care of by the previous owners. I am actually excited by the fact<span style=""> </span>that adjacent to it on the west side is<span style=""> </span>a kids park and huge gum trees that provide shade to that side of our house. Additional features that endear me to the new place is its high ceilings (3m high) and a brick feature wall which I shall avoid touching right now coz its crumbling! All it needs is a sealant and velour! It will be good as new!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Its been 35 degrees today, but because our house is well orientated to the north and is moderately thermally insulated, it was pretty comfortable inside today, which is a reprieve for me because I was doing some heavy work today and could do without the extra sweat.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The rest of the week is gonna be pretty much extreme weather with a top of 40 degrees on some days. I shall safely hibernate under my new roof.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">On the flip side, not everything is that rosy about my new place. Well we do have a beautiful rose garden but that’s beside the point. While placing one of my desks, we found out that the floor is not level and my desk was precariously slanting towards the corner. I guess there had to be a catch...seems that one or two stumps have slumped due to settling of the house. O...o...we overlooked that minor detail...but for now I shall enjoy my new space with its little surprises as I remain aware that there are myriads of people out there who are not so lucky to have a roof above their head.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Below is just some of the things that are left to unpack.The spare room is not so spare right now.I don't even wanna look at it right now.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Zk9aCR_WsA7MJqA_ZskG7qCbiBI-4X2UKT-XZzqf_hGttGwHgTmBpVzmWT2fYvNjyS7K9WUtfZ1bTxIiOGmIzkxhCOMEPcTgTMDCrHP1UVK-F1WYlH0IuNII5qQ9a4ICd-36f6MKNuaC/s1600-h/unpacking+018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Zk9aCR_WsA7MJqA_ZskG7qCbiBI-4X2UKT-XZzqf_hGttGwHgTmBpVzmWT2fYvNjyS7K9WUtfZ1bTxIiOGmIzkxhCOMEPcTgTMDCrHP1UVK-F1WYlH0IuNII5qQ9a4ICd-36f6MKNuaC/s400/unpacking+018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293688960374649890" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_njg0yl9BkSHgNpWI6Je7R1iIYFBAuvp1IQi_QKyTjb0ht9yuhDQ8W3mSrFynmLG4C3jH25ZZiMqdqgqkxBmVCdCsn_wrI3k_IjtLWIMpOubejkIrtBs2QmD7KlBmDkwAp1kA3E9dK-ro/s1600-h/unpacking+012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_njg0yl9BkSHgNpWI6Je7R1iIYFBAuvp1IQi_QKyTjb0ht9yuhDQ8W3mSrFynmLG4C3jH25ZZiMqdqgqkxBmVCdCsn_wrI3k_IjtLWIMpOubejkIrtBs2QmD7KlBmDkwAp1kA3E9dK-ro/s400/unpacking+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293689901174301346" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0imuAnEKR5C1nkmIu3TzdevtsBprt6TH2TlE8iOif1J2VHkbY7i8frCDewEwu1_NzYUU7FIJmERoP3Rp_5juSLCsDpUCV5evHlwMusuqextAGNazGFzuvlwxwMuWvT03yQvWCXvjOq4A/s1600-h/unpacking+013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0imuAnEKR5C1nkmIu3TzdevtsBprt6TH2TlE8iOif1J2VHkbY7i8frCDewEwu1_NzYUU7FIJmERoP3Rp_5juSLCsDpUCV5evHlwMusuqextAGNazGFzuvlwxwMuWvT03yQvWCXvjOq4A/s400/unpacking+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293690304881297954" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV51F9KotSZIO7qBkZCaqYrRj4rcPX-VkEQYaEVVIe5XvxiihbQFf1796Xf9e9d6d8sKv7ppMERLrMGw1K4Yx31TrJNMHwUli7JYO8fxzYjA5xpeFIWxaMG2HptX8vqvVL0NOmUMaGzT2V/s1600-h/unpacking+016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV51F9KotSZIO7qBkZCaqYrRj4rcPX-VkEQYaEVVIe5XvxiihbQFf1796Xf9e9d6d8sKv7ppMERLrMGw1K4Yx31TrJNMHwUli7JYO8fxzYjA5xpeFIWxaMG2HptX8vqvVL0NOmUMaGzT2V/s400/unpacking+016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293691448121461954" border="0" /></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-69666620729587602872008-05-07T10:54:00.016+10:002008-09-13T20:29:23.994+10:00The Kidnapped Music TourFrom the<b>, <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The Adventures of Late Bloomer.<br /></span></b><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255);font-size:78%;" ><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">It was<span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)"> </span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">4 Minutes</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"> to the start of The St. Kilda Beach Front Music Tour featuring a plethora of musicians from both sides of the hemisphere. </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Madonna and Justin Timberlake</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"> were to kick off the event with their current number one hit and were also to co-Emcee the event but they were nowhere to be seen! <?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>Speculation was doing rounds within the crowd already gathered there, regarding the whereabouts of the two music icons, when perturbing images came up simultaneously on the casting screens all over the venue showing the pale, gagged faces of the dynamic duo.They were wriggling on a dirt floor. Gob-smacked terror tattooed on their faces. A masked felon, with a gun, held a placard with these words on it: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span><b><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><br />MADONNA AND JUSTIN KIDNAPPED. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">RANSOM WANTED: 50 MILLION EUROS <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">BY MIDNITE 2MRW OR ELSE… <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">DETAILS TO BE POSTED L8R. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>A few screams of protest were belted out and pandemonium </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">quickly </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">built up when ardent fans began to realize the implications of the kidnapping.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">“Damn it! No show?” Some obviously self-centered fan moaned, “ I just bought last-minute tickets on ebay for an arm and leg! Nigga this suxxxs!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,0,153)">Marge’s and JT’s publicists and managers were the ones hardest hit by the implications of the kidnapping. This was their ultimate nightmare, two times over. What a bloody catastrophe!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">The </span><span style="color:red;">Police </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">(Not </span><span style="color:red;">Sting and his band</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">), I mean, the real boys and girls in blue were called to investigate the serious flaws that enabled the kidnapping. In less than an hour, news of the kidnapping had blown over and made international.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">I was sucking hard at my <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Lollipop</span> while reliving the events of the last few hours when my good mate </span><span style="color:red;">Mika</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">, who was visiting from Britain, burst into my living room with a </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Big Girl</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"> in tow. It was clear that Mika was in the dark about the kidnapping when I saw his jaw drop as he digested the news bulletin that was airing on the tube. I quickly filled him in on the happenings. He looked whitewashed and perplexed as my words sank in. I reassured him using his own mantra: to </span><span style="color:red;">Relax and Take it Easy</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"> as I was certain that there would be a </span><span style="color:red;">Happy Ending</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"> to all of this.We decided to call it a night but I hardly had a wink of sleep.Tossing and turning I started to compiled a list of likely suspects in my head.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">Well, for one, the <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Androids</span> (whate’va happened to them?), had always wanted to <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Do It With Madonna</span>. It made huge sense that they had a palpable motive to kidnap her and shower her with some groupie love, but what would they want with JT? Maybe for him it was a case of being at the right place at the wrong time. Was JT a victim of circumstance?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">My next suspect was <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">MJ</span>, as he was a self-confessed <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Smooth Criminal</span>. The question was: Would he risk such a public stunt just to regain some of the fame that he had once enjoyed?<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">Knowing what a weirdo he has turned out to be…he would probably not need to wear a mask to hide his face(sic). He would have wanted and in fact he would have savored the public recognition. So, it was highly unlikely that he was the culprit but I would still keep him on the list just because JT had stolen some of his dance moves!Well there you go now! MJ had two pure unadulterated(sic) motives. One: He had a personal vendetta against the dude that stole his moves and, two: He loathed the madonna that stole his spotlight!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">Then there was <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Kylie</span>…She was my number three suspect, not mainly because of motive but because of opportunity. I mean here we were in Australia, where the kidnapping had taken place and it is a fact that Kylie is Australian born and bred so she had the connections and geographic knowledge of the place. She could have used those two resources to organise a kidnapping. In addition, everyone knows she has been arch-rivals with Madonna for yonks. Maybe her sister Danni was in on it too as a part time gig? I was starting to sound delirious…but, “Kylie...,” Now speaking loudly to myself, “... <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,0,153)">I just</span> Can’t Get You Out of My Head</span>!” But I still had <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">2 hearts</span> about my suspicions of her.I mean she had just battled cancer and succeed, so needless to say, I had a soft-spot for her…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">Suddenly I couldn’t think! I live next door to the kids from <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Operator Please</span> who were always creating a racket any time of day and now, 3 a.m in the ef***g morning, there was heavy pounding coming from their apartment. It sounded like someone there was playing ping pong (again!!!) Now we know what inspired their “<span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Just A Song About Ping Pong</span>”. A lot has to be said about popular music these days but the long and short of it is : anything goes…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">So I nearly asphyxiatemyself using my pillow as I fought a losing battle to sleep.I simply had no peace of mind to afford me some 40 winks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="color:#333399;"> xox</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><br /></p></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">The next day, a myriad of musicians who were involved in the now dubbed, “Kidnapped Music Tour: Save Marge and JT ”, had gathered at the Transit Hotel in<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>Federation Square in order to give morale support to Marge and JT and to condemn the "act of terrorism". Others were just there to be seen...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)">By the time I arrived at the venue there was tight security all around and I was let in only<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>because the bouncers recognized my pal Mika who indicated that I was with him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)"> 50 Cent</span>, <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Jay-z</span> and <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">P. Diddy</span> were the designated spokesmen for the music industry in the matter, not only because they had the <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Bad Boy</span> image going for them, but also because they were apt business men and they had been appropriated the responsibility to raise the ransom money that would enable the release of Marge and JT. For once in their life they were going to put some of their bodacious lyrics and lame acting skills into practice. The laid back <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Fi’ddy</span> was currently facing a vicious media who were coming for him left, right and center with <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">21 questions</span>. P.Diddy, who was notorious for his one liners bailed 50 cent out by<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>drawling out, “Ya’ll know, <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Mo Money, Mo Problems</span>! No comment.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--> Soon, a closed meeting was called for by Madonna’s and JT’s managers and publicists. It was only open for celebrity musicians and their entourage. Mika managed to sneak me in without much drama.Discussions were abuzz with speculation and to make matters more edgy, no word had been heard from the kidnapper(s) yet after the previous day's video of the kidnapping. I overheard <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Mariah Carey</span> saying to a bunch of other musicians clustered around her that what we really needed was a <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Hero</span>. <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Chad Kroger </span>seemed to concur with her as he was nodding his head but <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">Tina (Turner</span>), who by the way was still in great form, retracted, “ C’mon ya'll, <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">We don’t need another hero</span>!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><br />(Watch this space as the saga unravels and also for a revised version of this post as it is currently being updated.)</span><br /></span></p><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255);font-size:78%;" >Disclaimer: All scenarios and characters are depicted in a fictional manner for the purposes of fantasy entertainment.Various assumptions have been made and should be overlooked for the pure enjoyment of this article.</span><br /><b><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><br /></span></b><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,153)"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-11437108028748200292007-11-20T10:43:00.013+11:002009-01-12T12:32:35.914+11:00Back To The Future Rock Show : 3010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylIieWmdx7s7M665BOnisORD9cJb5TWBtL3GZHVDjHxG56RPHK6SPJA4Ke3XbqF1OlL6Lfw-w4UQTyjv5hyphenhyphenNyD1OJ6uS8O4F5QAPqf0E1C6HU-9SyOm92h-SbsS7HyhROCDZ5X_p7VT87/s1600-h/cutout.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylIieWmdx7s7M665BOnisORD9cJb5TWBtL3GZHVDjHxG56RPHK6SPJA4Ke3XbqF1OlL6Lfw-w4UQTyjv5hyphenhyphenNyD1OJ6uS8O4F5QAPqf0E1C6HU-9SyOm92h-SbsS7HyhROCDZ5X_p7VT87/s400/cutout.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197245211861260002" border="0" /></a><br />Correspondence by: The Late Bloomer<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> of, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://tunyiku.blogspot.com/2007/01/late-bloomers-travel-chronicles-part-ii.html">The Late Bloomer Chronicles</a></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Madd-about-MusicTv (MamTv), is doing it again, hosting yet another intergalactic gig.This time round at the newest, 256<sup>th</sup> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Playboy Mansion </span>( just coz it had spare rooms!). The event dubbed “Back to the Future Rock Show: 3010”, is a 72hr- non-stop electrifying, stunt-riddled, mind-blowing event that not only features most of the international rock stars of our time but also showcases quite a number of silicone-enhanced boobs, butts, lips etcetera. Some up-and-coming rock artists such as The Wannabees, The Doormats, The Freak-Show Fanatics, the Machinist Parade, Ricky “Hickie” Blue Band Boys and the Time-Travel-Enthusiasts who have been touring with the ageless actor-turned-singer, Dr. Who, will performed their acts and are only too happy to brush shoulders with big names such as Guns and Roses, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">U2</span>, Pink Floyd, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Foo Fighters , Inxs, Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Marilyn Manson.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Highlights of the Event<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>Friday/ 1<sup>st</sup> Day of Gig<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>Being one of the media correspondents, I am ecstatic to be cruising around with the <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">U2</span> mob as Bono has always been one of my favorite people and indeed it is bound to be a <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Beautiful Day!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bono (aint he the coolest dude ever!) and his crew are still fixated on saving the earth and have just finished yet another Save The Earth Tour, despite the discovery of two more life sustaining planets, Planet Mother Superior and Planet Virgin Springs on which all the world’s population except China has shifted to in the last millennium.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bono was just drilling in some universal facts into my already saturated head, when a monster <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Electrical Storm </span>surged our way and blew off his sunnies! <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Slash</span>, who had rejoined the group <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Guns and Roses</span> in 2050, was the culprit behind the commotion. He said he got carried away while fine-tuning his guitar for one of their opening acts and it does not help that his guitar looks and performs more like a vacuum cleaner these days. Recovering from the commotion, I fixed my weave as Bono retrieved his sunglasses and we joined the <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Red Hot Chilli Peppers</span> on <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Higher Ground.</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">It was then that <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">James Blunt</span> stepped in, dressed like it was <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">1973</span>, but that didn’t seem to deter the hot babe who was draped around his arm, with a t-shirt written Simone on her voluminous bust. In a recent interview by the Rolling Stone Magazine, Blunt had confessed that he had always fancied himself as the fifth member of the <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Beatles</span>…What a <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Day Tripper</span>! </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Moving on, lots of bands are still arriving at the mansion and I made a good excuse to go out and puff some fresh air, as <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Bono of</span> U2</span> is becoming such a pain with his earth talk, I had to scatter! Knowing that he has <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Vertigo </span>(the fear of heights),<span style=""> </span>I took to the roof-top!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>As I strolled through the mansion on my way there, I saw <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Marylin Manson</span> at a corner singing about <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The Beautiful People</span>, who he clearly was not! But you gotta hand it to him, he is a genius of some sort, having managed to successively curve an untouchable alter ego that is a far cry from the geek that he is!<span style=""> </span>I am silently wondering who the hell did his make-up?!, when the madness that is Manson, suddenly bursts into a mess of tears and mascara. Looks like the dude is still hurting from his <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Tainted Love</span>, even though <a href="http://digilander.libero.it/mc_maki/Dita_Von_Teese_021.jpg">Deta Von Teese</a> had ditched him several centuries back…Who would have thought he had heart?</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />The re-incarnation of Madonna (What else is new?)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span>On the rooftop I find <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Madonna</span>, who is still looking very virginal and this time round she has somehow convinced some of her die-hard fans that she is the physical reincarnation of some Indian goddess. In the meantime she has generated a huge following, a handful of who are on the rooftop with her, chanting some obscure gibberish that is inertly part of her performance these days. Oddly enough some of her followers are known to literally hold <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Confessions on the Dance Floor</span>! Sadly, her groupies still believe that she is still <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Like A Virgin</span> down there, since she only adopts her kids from time immemorial! Fact is, the <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Androids</span> still want to <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Do It With Madonna!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> </span><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Nutters</span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--> After getting some fresh air, I realize that I have a shiny nose(blame it on the DNA). So I have to powder my nose in the ladies... God bless the inventor of talcum powder! Although it is not the opportune time or place for an interview, I try my luck with <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">p!nk</span> who I find there. Just as I tap her shoulder for an introduction, she turns and barks at me, “ <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Leave Me Alone</span>, don’t you see that am having <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Conversations with my 13 year old self</span>?” I am left utterly flabbergasted as she continues talking to the mirror...</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>Just as I leave the ladies, while thinking that things couldn’t get weirder, I find <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kate Heidke-Miller</span> on stage shrieking about some French <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Psycho-killer</span>. Leaves you wondering why some rock stars are not in the loony bin…but stranger things have been known to happen. Just blame it on <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Californication </span>as the <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Red Hot Chilli Peppers</span> would say, “<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">If you want these kind of dreams…its Californication!</span>”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>Speaking of eccentric characters, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Bjork</span> is in the house! But this time she tells me that she is only there to study <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Human Behaviour</span> and not shriek* (sic) sing…uh huh…Right! As you were Bjork...</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>I catch up with the ever gorgeous, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kylie Minogue</span> who is in readiness to perform after the psycho-shrieker, Kate heidke-Miller, and manage to get some gossip about her love life. It is all over the grapevine that she has yet again left her long-term boo, Olivier (this time for good or so she says), but her <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Body Language</span> is clearly saying something else …Well I guess, <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Better the Devil You Know</span>, Kylie…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>Next, I catch up with the artist formerly known as <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Prince</span>, who is seated aloof at a corner,<span style=""> </span>amusing himself. I can’t put a finger on whether he is a boy or a girl today, because his <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Sexuality</span> has always been a mystery to me…but my questions are put to rest when he approaches me after he noticed that I was staring and says, “ <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">You are the most beautiful girl in the world</span>!”<span style=""> </span>Apparently, as I was later told, that was his oldest pick up line…but after a few minutes of establishing that I aint his <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Future Baby Mama</span>, he tells me that he intends to move to New New York(not a typo) since he reckons, ‘<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">All the critics love you in New York</span>!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>Its already midnight now, and the place feels like <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Canned Heat</span>. I overhear <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Jamiroquai</span> telling his <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Cosmic Girl</span> that the air-conditioning has broken down since someone had rewired the cables for their electric guitar…(Oh dear! Slash of Guns n' Roses must be really proud of himself!)<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, as the convertible roof is being opened to let in some fresh air, I get a lucky interview with <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Jamiroquai</span>. He is currently a <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Space Cowboy</span> and has his own reality show titled the same that is touring the galaxy. He tells me that when he met his Cosmic Girl, it was love at first sight but later confesses that, “<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">She laser beamed me with her cosmic eyes</span>!” </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Well, seems I need to get myself a cosmic boy…sounds kinky!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--> As Friday night gives in to Saturday morning I am totally spent and smashed after having 10 shots of <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Hot Tequilla Brown</span> with <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Jamiroquai</span> and his girl.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I<span style=""> </span>stumble blindly to bed...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Disclaimer: All scenarios and characters are depicted in a fictional manner for the purposes of fantasy entertainment.Various assumptions have been made and should be overlooked for the pure enjoyment of this article.</span> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-8058513369020086212007-07-09T17:01:00.000+10:002008-02-07T13:21:43.619+11:00Gone Are The Days...Phew!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_sYzriM1-S9A/RpHeEsiicYI/AAAAAAAAAXA/bdc1A__OQXY/s1600-h/lat1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_sYzriM1-S9A/RpHeEsiicYI/AAAAAAAAAXA/bdc1A__OQXY/s400/lat1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085089626534867330" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Pic 1. Structure of the standard high school latrine.(This one looks even more structurally secure than the ones in my old high school!)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_sYzriM1-S9A/RpHek8iicZI/AAAAAAAAAXI/HvJH432xni4/s1600-h/lat2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_sYzriM1-S9A/RpHek8iicZI/AAAAAAAAAXI/HvJH432xni4/s400/lat2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085090180585648530" border="0" /></a> Pic. 2 Inside a standard high school pit latrine.<br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Like some (or most) of you, I hated my high school experience. From the snobby prefects (branded cops) to the shady pit latrines that we used for toilets in between class breaks since the dorms where under lock and key: so that students could not sneak back into the dorms for a mid-day siesta, after a lunch time meal that consisted of half-done ugali (made from maize flour) and a piece of cabbage that floated in a plate of luke warm water ( the stew in this case!) that left you feeling heavy-eyed and blotted.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It is the pit latrines that traumatized me the most and without them in the picture I might have actually tried to have a good high school experience! I occasionally still have nightmares* of those lats. (latrines) 5 years down the lane.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I usually find myself squatting butt-nekkid in one of those latrines and the next thing I know the flimsy excuse of a floor gives in and I find myself falling into an abyss of darkness. It is when I wake up in a sweat that I realise I was only having a bad dream.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The problem with our high school latrines is that they were not bottomless pits. In fact you could easily see the contents of peoples lunches without straining too much into the hole: This was of course with the help of the stream of light that you got into the latrine by leaving the door slightly ajar so that you would “aim into the hole” or rather “not miss”! But then again you were faced with another moral dilemma; While trying to aim into the hole, you were left with no choice but to look into it and see all sorts of colours congealing with each other and of course the acrid smell of the wee always hit you stack in the face: sometimes it rose up like vapour fumes from the hole right into the fabric of your school uniform: hence most of us would strip our sweaters before we entered the pits! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The size of the standard pit: 1m x 1m (and sometimes smaller…you wonder what was with the mincing of space because most pits were always surrounded by large stretches of land<span style=""> </span>with knee-high savannah grass and no other buildings were built nearby ( mostly because of the pungent smell that emanated from the latrines.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The standard high school latrine was mostly always a slab of concrete with a rectangular or square hole in the middle (big enough to swallow your leg in!) with corrugated iron walls and roof with a wooden door made of rough sawn timber planks joined roughly together with unconcealed nails.You were lucky to find a latrine door that had a knob, more less one that could close! As for the corrugated metal, it was mostly rustic, corroded mainly by the fumes that emanated from the pit. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">In the standard high school latrine: no tissue was provided. You had to carry your own or suffer the consequences!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It was even worse in the wet season because then the pits would fill up with rain water and spew out most of their contents onto the surrounding ground. Only then did the school administration think of the latrines as hazardous! After a few months, when the rain had relented and the “contents” settled back into place the school admin. would then declare the pits safe to use, without much repair work done!<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">In short, our high school latrines were an accident waiting to happen.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As I said before: the latrine space was tight. The only movement you could make freely was when you squatted down to align hole with hole and when you stood up after you finished your business. The rest of the locomotion required specialized skills as you navigated your way into and out of the latrine. Some students made it look so easy: the ducking in and out<span style=""> </span>of the latrine,I mean…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">And then talk about the mess some people left the latrine in after using them. Eish!I remember we used to say, “ Watch out for that loo , someone has decorated it!” Manze those toilets were hell on earth!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">But on the other hand I have come up with a conspiracy theory about the whole Latrine System business in my former high school. It was there to instill some sense of discipline in us.</span></p> <ol style="margin-top: 0cm;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-US">No student had the time to waste in a man-hole type of environment; hence there was very little or no graffiti penciled or marked onto the walls and door.But then again it did limit our creativity inside the toilet! The other thing is no one could dare smoke a fag in the latrines because it was a matter of using them out of necessity- a duck in, duck out affair or rather a less-than-one-minute affair- so woe unto you if you were constipated!</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span lang="EN-US"><span style=""> </span>The art of Self-control was also instilled by default. I remember many are the times that I held my bladder-about-to-bust until the time when the dorm toilets were actually available for use rather than use the pits from hell!</span></li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Personally I think convicts in western countries get better social amenities then we did in high school!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Then, there was a kind of chaste system in high school were everyone was ranked according to the role or duty they did. On top of the list were the prefects(or cops), then rest of the student community was classed according to the<span style=""> </span>school duties they did: there were the library workers, the dining hall workers, the chapel workers, the dormitory workers and lastly there were the latrine workers. You were made to feel like the lowest of the lowest if you were a latrine worker and mostly this role was given as a sort of punishment. In other cases cops assigned the prettiest girls, or the more wealthy girls such menial jobs just to bring them down. Woe to you if you were not “well connected” with the cops.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So that’s it! Something about my high school experience. It would be interesting to hear what other funny experiences people had in high school. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style=""> </span></span></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666147180781443454.post-68711639972761969222007-07-08T23:08:00.001+10:002008-05-06T21:28:52.659+10:00The Ettamogah Pub<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The Ettamogah </span>is literally a pub straight out of a comic book! This pub was a direct blueprint from the pages of<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> Ken Maynard's</span> cartoon series that was featured in Australian and New Zealand Post Magazines. It was built in 1989 and remains one of Southern Australia's Icons. It is the most photographed pub in the world.<br /><br />Here are some photos I took of the Ettamogah Pub this weekend on my trip back from Sydney.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTPxbPsyVxvIFYFCjjOXa6IgMjolW5TpBQSfNzfhDacoZzxEomgCW4cbhs2ILQvVxgQ7SBkkHz6cRDAinnGZ9B1rv8fghdPrpFVkZVdzOjhv03i_6FmZZ4lM-at3YF1ox7SyeulRREkrb/s1600-h/Bowral+Pic+037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTPxbPsyVxvIFYFCjjOXa6IgMjolW5TpBQSfNzfhDacoZzxEomgCW4cbhs2ILQvVxgQ7SBkkHz6cRDAinnGZ9B1rv8fghdPrpFVkZVdzOjhv03i_6FmZZ4lM-at3YF1ox7SyeulRREkrb/s400/Bowral+Pic+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084965592174326098" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Pic.1 Front Elevation<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE11pfqsJTcjXkZeZGXm2gxiBAEKHdTx_Nr4tn4tjOiH2aMWV2gY4E_bobyoL59asVnsMfIOCw7A7NLtGPLUANvedr979X7mL7jdA0UURuonrYQ9olHrymfK4JAyYDoJiWNXySTmF8yKR/s1600-h/Bowral+Pic+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE11pfqsJTcjXkZeZGXm2gxiBAEKHdTx_Nr4tn4tjOiH2aMWV2gY4E_bobyoL59asVnsMfIOCw7A7NLtGPLUANvedr979X7mL7jdA0UURuonrYQ9olHrymfK4JAyYDoJiWNXySTmF8yKR/s400/Bowral+Pic+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084966678801052002" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Pic. 2 Cartoon Image from which the quirky building form was adopted.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1Gigl-lo36pfjI58uIqyu5sIXuhBJHTY570tPJj0GH-2KM9NDNPJefy77NdJLfROHhKp6BvmQHcAd-8Ct39-Kxek8xrZsifom2gV0PS3eNBT_SeTVXGG9A7T_izP9sydOPcHloNQzLxW/s1600-h/Bowral+Pic+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1Gigl-lo36pfjI58uIqyu5sIXuhBJHTY570tPJj0GH-2KM9NDNPJefy77NdJLfROHhKp6BvmQHcAd-8Ct39-Kxek8xrZsifom2gV0PS3eNBT_SeTVXGG9A7T_izP9sydOPcHloNQzLxW/s400/Bowral+Pic+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084967301571309938" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Pic 3. The Ettamogah Pub behind me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Inside ,the Ettamogah Pub is filled with more cartoon strips by Ken Maynard, and mostly written in Australian Vernacular( read Bush Language). Most of the inside walls are graffiti-ed by lots of stick on paper snippets scribbled on by tourists who wanted to "leave their mark" at the Ettamogah. Others just stick their business cards on a huge column in the foyer.<br />The building itself is quite large and not a quirky small crawl-in.<br />This was one of my highlights on my weekend trip to Sydney!<br /></div></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856601795795151464noreply@blogger.com1