Archive for 2007
December 29 2007: This Time Last Year
Filed under Asian-ness & Travel with 3 Comments
It’s strange to think that this time last year, and the year before, and the year before that, I was in China, immersing myself in the country and culture of my forebears. I love China and everything about it - even the disgusting public toilets and old men expectorating at your feet.
To be stuck in Australia at the end of the year for the first time in four years is somewhat alarming, almost as though I’ve shed my mantle as “worldly seasoned traveller” to become yet another “home-based worker drone”. I feel…unexceptional.
To be honest though, the most difficult part is finding myself back in the beginnings of an Australian summer - I haven’t experienced 35/40+ degrees (celsius) heat in years (hard to, when you spend your summers in China’s icy winters), so the gradual warming of the days is somewhat hard to handle.
Oh to be overseas again, having weeks of unbridled fun, unsullied by thoughts of obligations and responsibilities…
December 28 2007: A Christmas Mystery
Filed under Media & Men with 15 Comments
Unexpected Christmas gift!
Yesterday in the mail, I received a double pass to see P.S. I Love You. In itself, receiving a movie pass wouldn’t be strange as I often purchase movie passes on eBay at reduced prices. The strange thing is…I haven’t been bidding on passes to this particular movie, and hadn’t, in fact, actually bought a pass.
So the question is - who sent me this pass? It’s all a bit mysterious, and considering it didn’t come with a cryptic note of:
My dearest Amanda,
You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. Meet me at X cinema at DATE AND TIME.
Your secret admirer
…I’m really at a loss. Theories?
December 26 2007: Obligatory “What I Did For Xmas” post
Filed under Family & Friends & Money with 5 Comments
This year over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day, I:
- Worked Christmas Eve Day from 10am till 5pm
- Ate a lot (Chinese-style family buffet dinner)
- Drank a lot
- Played four-on-four soccer for three hours at the local park
- Played a lot of Singstar and Guitar Hero
- Woke up at 5am to get to the Boxing Day sales early
- Shopped for thirteen hours straight and bought myself:
- A strapless sundress - $30AUD from $140AUD.
- A pair of dressy shorts - $25AUD from $90AUD
- A black silk top - $10AUD from $80AUD
- A necklace - $4AUD from $15AUD
- Pirated copies of Singstar 90s, Singstar R’n'B, Singstar Rock Ballads ($10AUD each)
I was actually very much in control of my spending this Boxing Day. There were many items that I liked, that unfortunately, were priced at something more like $80AUD-$100AUD. While I was tempted to buy them (hey a girl has to treat herself every now and again?), I refrained from the impulse, knowing that by the end of January, these sale items will be selling for about $20AUD on the “Take 75% off the marked price of this merchandise” sale racks.
You’ll note that I haven’t listed the presents I received. My family has never been much for giving presents, believing that the spirit of Christmas lies not in the giving and receiving of material items, but rather in the freedom of having a few days off from work, and the enjoyment one gets from spending time with family and friends.
This is especially true in my case - what could you buy for someone like me? I buy all my own clothes as I’m very picky, I download all my music, I get DVDs cheaper on eBay than you would in stores, I earn all my own money for everything I use. The only things I want that I don’t have, or couldn’t buy for myself at this present time, don’t have monetary value (sleep, time with friends), or they’re too pricey to be given as a present (overseas travel).
Honestly, I’m a bitch to buy for. I already received the best possible present - fifty Christmas messages on my phone from loved ones.