It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

Okay - not really - I spent most of the afternoon on the beach. Let's face it - Christmas in Australia is never going to feel like Christmas to me.

So why the title?

Well, its because I spent the evening doing some pressie wrapping. Okay - doing a lot of pressie wrapping. (The joy of living overseas from most of your family is that Christmas must be organised early - that includes wrapping.)

It was kind of fun though.

I only have two presents left to buy and two things left to organise (can't tell you at the moment - but will tell after Christmas)

I so rock this year. I may even get presents to Canada on time this year...

Quelle Disappointment...

Oooh - I am soooo bilingual...

I had a really nice weekend. I can't believe all the stuff I jammed in. Everything went really well - well except for one small disappointment..

and really - in my world it probably wasn't that small..

See - I went to my favourite brunch place - and you know what? they didn't have my hot porridge anymore. I'd been dreaming about it for days - and then NADA!!! Instead I ended up having some muesli crap.

I mean I know I'm trying to eat healthier and all - but muesli???

I wanted porridge.

Such a disappointment....

Oops I did it again...

I broke it.

My little toe.

Apparently the highwire is not an act I'm designed for.

Thank God I opted out of the flying trapeze.

Hey - and you know what you can do for a broken toe? Nothing. Nada. I am self-medicating as we speak. Nothing like a glass of pinot to make things feel better...

I used to be so good at it!!

I don't know what's happened, but I used to be good. Really good. Really, really good.

Good at packing that is.

Last weekend I went away and I did a tragic job of packing. Waaaay, waaaay too much stuff. And then to top it off, for the first time I didn't pack any running shoes - and guess what? For the first time I needed them to go for a run!!

Didn't have them.

And now tonight I'm packing again and its another tragic event. Nothing's fitting in my suitcase. I have too much stuff. I've probably packed the wrong things and left the right things behind.

I'm tragic.

I used to be the best packer. And a great last minute packer at that. One time when I moved for school I didn't start packing until 10 o'clock at night and I was fully packed by midnight. I was awesome.

I don't know what's happened.

Seems I've lost the magic....

Lied to

One of the things I can't abide is being lied to. In fact, I make no bones about it as many of my friends have found out. Being lied to once can be forgiven - but it is very clearly expressed how that is simply a no-go for me and then it better never happen again. If you can't trust your friends, then they aren't friends.

In turn I hold myself to the same standard. I don't lie. It's the way I was brought up. I will sometimes soften what I say (I can hear some of you snickering, but it is true) so as not to be too harsh or mean, but I won't lie. Alternatively, if cornered, I just simply won't say anything. (Honesty at the price of all else is my father's legacy....)

Over time I have discovered that it really is a small subset of people who don't lie as part of their everyday life (maybe it's the industry I work in....) but once I believe in someone, that's it. I'm unwavering. My friends support me the same way (see earlier post about reciprocity in friendships...)

Obviously it doesn't make me happy to be lied to, but the thing that really upsets me is when I discover my trust has been misplaced.

That happened today. I've been lied to.

Prior to today, it was kind of nice to know that despite everything, at least this person had acted with integrity.

I got it so wrong and that's so disappointing.

My night

The other night I was out with a bunch of people and I had a really good evening - but one thing is sticking with me...

You know when you're out with a group and conversations start with a small subset and people come in and out of the conversation and then it ends with a different group than when you started? Well, that happened the other night with one of the conversations I was having.

I don't even remember what I was talking about or exactly what I was saying - but the conversation ended with a different group of people - more specifically with one guy I work with. He's a nice guy - don't know him very well - but is someone that's quite smart, does a good job and is well-respected. To be honest - I didn't think he'd ever really noticed me before - and the only thing I did hear was that the only criticism I'd received during review sessions was from him. So all in all, didn't think I'd ever really hit his radar - or at least not in a positive way. Seemed a shame since he's one of a few that I do respect at work.

Anyway - seems yet again I got that a little wrong.

Back to what I was saying - this conversation ended with a final comment from this guy. I can't remember the exact words - but basically he was saying that I don't value myself enough and that ...ugghh... I'm having trouble remember exactly what he said - but it made me feel like I was special. (Please God - never let this guy ever read my blog...)

It was unsolicited.
It was charming.
It was appreciated.
It made my night.

Flowers

You know, I've never been a big fan of flowers... perhaps because an old boyfriend of mine used to give me flowers when he'd screwed up and was trying to butter me up...

But even aside from that - I don't have a green thumb and flowers always seemed a waste of money as they die, go brown and rot in a few days. I mean, chocolate seemed so much more practical (and welcome...). Not that I have a sweet tooth or anything..

I don't know what's happening, but I've kind of like the flowers I've gotten of late. They're pretty. They make my flat smell nice. They still die and I have to throw them out - but it kind of seems worth it.

Hmmm.

Mind you - that in no way means I don't like chocolate... Perhaps both? Or am I now asking too much??