Dave highly recommended that I watched “An anthropological introduction to YouTube” which I did. To be honest with you, I did not want to sit the 50 min lecture. I thought it would be boring and dry. However, I was surprised how well it was put together. Mike Wesch actually made me smirk and laugh (I actually think the Numa Numa guy is cute!) and reflect. The video focuses on social media, it’s affects, impacts, meaning. It delves as to why millions exist online and one of the main reasons put forward was ‘to connect’.

I have a friend who took some convincing to join FaceBook. Like many others, she reasoned that she did not want random bodies prying on her personal life. Sorry girlfriend, but staying anonymous in this day and age is something you will struggle to uphold. Just eat at your favourite restaurant or give to charity or run a marathon and your bound to be searchable on google (thanks to people like me who blog about such things).

Some of you may know that I have transplanted myself at the Student Village in Melbourne where loneliness prevail. So far for me, I do not feel lonely as I am very much part of the community that is mentioned in Mikes vid. I FaceBook, I twitter, I blog (amongst other online things) to connect. Connect with you my friends. Connect with you my future friends and connect with myself. That way, I cannot and do not feel alone.

The new Mr. & Mrs.

There’s something about Valentine’s Day that makes people all gooey and mushy. For me, it was the big day of my friend, Silay. We’ve known each other since high school, back in the days when we sported eyebrow-raising fashion and hair styles.

Definitely gone are those days! When I first spotted Silay walking up the rain drenched path towards the church (she chose to be practical and forego the fancy-shmancy limo. Plus they just practically lived just around the corner from the venue), my mouth dropped. She was divine in her knee length shift dress (so chic) complete with feathered fascinator!

It’s hard to believe that we’ve entered the next phase of our lives - eternal partnership. I’d add babies, nesting but…whoah, first thing’s first. The “M” is BIG for us!

Is that you?

I managed to post last night a MakeUp look we had previously done, called “Cool Evening” look” on Face Book.

A friend of mine, the ever lovely Shinta, from Canberra pondered, “Is this you??”

My response: “Appearances can be very deceiving!!! Let’s just say I have a knack with makeup…………….and Photoshop!
Oh, and know your pic angle! My left profile is much better than my right…and it’s more flattering when the camera is angled above (shooting downwards) ;-)”

Just a little tip

Hi Babe,
I relented and bought the home wax kit from school!! Wee!! I rushed home to try it out on my good house mate, Caitlan. Brave but poor girl. She says never again…but then again, it was her VERY FIRST time to get 1/2 legs waxed. I’ll try her again in a week or so (she doesn’t know it yet).

Well, bought also extra stuff in prep for Sunday’s free massage session. I’ve posted notices today asking for volunteers for 20 min back massage. So far, 2 have signed up (I have 8 spaces left). I bought methylated spirits for sanitising as well as a plastic cover for my massage table (since meth straight on vinyl will eventually make it harden and crack!!)

I am learning a lot and having sooo much fun in the process! The makeup teacher said that she loved watching me work and that when it came time to critique my model, she said it was really hard to pick on anything as it’s that good (oh shucks). She did however pointed a little mistake (me failing to join the eyeliner) but quickly added that she had to nit pick so I can churn out perfection by the end. I responded , “Please do critique away!!! I am aiming to be perfect”. Ha! ha! As you very well know- make up is my thing (that’s what got me interested in skin in the first place).

Ooooh, I really can’t wait to wax you. I thought I better warn you- you’re getting your legs (full), back, chest, arms, underarms and eyebrows waxed!!! You’re tough! I’m sure you can handle the full body de-fluffing

It’s day 5 of going without junk food (plus exercising) and everything is going really well. I still do have my belly but I don’t think it’s a monster any more. Just a wee cute pot belly Please do send me the next phase of the work out.

P.S. I was listening to Mike Roussel’s pod cast and in it Alwyn mentioned how a) diet + no exercise = results; b) no diet + exercise = results; c) diet + exercise does not equal results x 2??
Well, I may be inconsistent with exercise but I’m hoping that my new diet will get me through.

XXX

I am sitting here with freshly painted orange nails trying hard to not think about you. I haven’t heard a peep from you since Sunday?? I’ll just focus on my nails as I type…hmm… “ohh, very pretty”…

Well, that didn’t last long. Again, you’re on my mind. Well, I hope you do reach out soon as I’m going batty not trying to think about you

I was just checking through my FaceBook updates when I came across engagement pics of my friend Aoi. She used to be a student of mine back in the days when I was an English Instructor in Shin Koshigaya, Japan.

I was marvelling at what fantastic shots they were! Kudos to her photographer friend, Petara Panabaker! If I was engaged, I’d get Petara to also take mine!…Sigh, when ever that may be.

Mixed with joy was a tinge of sadness (jealousy perhaps) I felt in seeing the couple’s happy, smiling faces. It reminded me of something that was out of my control. Believe me, I’ve brought it up enough times with my dear BF. My last fighting words were, “Why does the guy get to decide [when to pop the question]?”

I don’t know. I seem to go through cycles when it comes to the whole “getting engaged/married” thing. Back in high school, I use to be one who’d shout at passing bridal cars, “Don’t do it!!!”

In my twenties, I had actually found someone who made me change my mind…and shock/horror- made me look forward to it…want it.

Presently, I have reduced myself to the nagging girlfriend. I cringe at the countless memories of me pathetically having asked, “So..when are you going to pop the question?” or “When are you proposing?” or “When are we getting married?”.. UGH!!!

(Tears) I’m not sure what’s more sad. The fact that it hasn’t happend yet… or the fact that I’m back to not knowing if it’s for me.

Well (wiping tears away), I think I’ve felt sorry for myself long enough. Stuff that. Que sera sera. Quick, I need a joke. Would someone just make me laugh!

My warm day look

Hi D,
I was hoping you’d be online so I could tell you all about my non-eventful weekend. Just as well that you weren’t there. As I mentioned. I had a blah weekend.

I’m really disappointed with myself as I had so many pressing things that I was hoping to accomplish - start and complete Makeup and Epilation assignments, revamp CV, write cover and statement letters, send off application, write BeautyGrail posts (I’m about 10 posts back-logged!!)… oh and buy palm cards and a sink plug.

Saturday - I was a total sloth and glut. I slept most of the day (the sloth part) justifying it by telling myself, “It will help my body regenerate”. I would have stayed indoors all day too, except I was convinced I was close to getting cabin fever…and I had the munchies (the glut part).

I know, I know…I promised to quit (junk food). As usual I lied to myself that “It’s the very last time!!!”. I picture you rolling your eyes right about now.

My drug of choice were a block of Kit Kat mint chocolate and hazelnut gelato. I regret not going for REAL ice cream!!!

Today, I managed to get more done…but not before procrastinating by cleaning, doing the laundry and putting my face on before walking to High Point to buy the stuff. The look I was going for was the “Warm Day” look (I promise to explain this more on Beauty Grail). It’s basically using the warm colour, orange, for eyes, cheeks and lips. I thought it was appropriate as it was quite coolish. Well, it certainly made me feel warmer and added a pep to my step.

Well, bed time now. I plan to wake up early tomorrow (at 6am) to do my turkish get ups first thing.

Sweet dreams!

My newly purchased massage table. Finally!

Hi Baby,
I just got my brand new spanking massage table today!! Okay, so it’s not new… but it’s ALMOST brand new.

A classmate of mine yesterday announced that an old Myotherapy classmate of hers (who chose to go into Real Estate upon finishing her massage course?!) was selling her barely used table for $100!

It’s height adjustable and the vinyl cover is totally intact (which were the main conditions I required). I’ve been trawling EBay for the past few weeks and most of the tables (not in good nick as this one) were going for around the same price so I was quick to snap it up!!! Boy am I glad I did because it is perfect!!!!! I AM SOOOOOOOOO very pleased and happy with the purchase!!!

My flatmate, Caitlin, was so nice to drive me to pick it up from Brunswick (hate to think how it would have been logging the monster on public transport). In return I gave her $10 (for her time and petrol) and a free back massage. Boy do I need practice! But over all, I’m confident my massage skills will come back.

Excellente!!! All’s good!

Mwah!

#2 Challenge note reminder

I found this note pasted on my door upon returning for the day. Drats, it’s day 2 of college challenge.

To recap, Round 1 involved tossing an egg in the air (whilst in the air, clap your hands then catch the egg. Repeat 20 times). Then, running around the volleyball net to do 20 x sit ups then getting up and running back around to do 20 x star jumps.

I know I’m out of shape but there were bigger girls there who were (supposedly) leading in front of me?? I really think some cheated but I managed to just sneak through (without cheating and completing all tasks).

Round 2 involved eating 2 hot dogs and downing a can of drink (I had fizzy juice). I tried going without lunch as I knew there was the possibility of an eating challenge but hunger got the better of me and I had some eggs with spinach around 3pm. The challenge was set for 6pm!!

I knew I still had a big appetite but I found it hard swallowing them hot dogs!! I think the best technique is to eat the hot dog separately then saturate the bun with the drink before swallowing it (to make it go down easier and quicker). I have a fellow Japanese lady (tiny as!!) doing it with me and man…she must be related to Kobayashi as even with her tiny frame, she was downing the hot dogs very quickly! I was up to my 2nd hotdog when she finished, coming in top 5!!

I manage to AGAIN scrape through in eight position (out of 10).

At one point, my drink and hot dog went down my throat the wrong way so I almost gagged everything out. I really thought I was going to be THE person that would chuck everything up! I did manage to painfully get it under control. Surprisingly, nobody vomited (though some looked close to doing so).

Thankfully, the sick feeling I got afterwards quickly passed. However, don’t think I’ll be having hot dogs any time soon.

Fast forward to present- I am back at uni living the student life. The “College” student life here at VU Student Village Maribyrnong Melbourne. I’m 3 weeks into my dermal therapies course but O week is just starting at the village.

Today, I joined some of my fellow College mates for BBQ. Here I met- Scotty from the US; James the bubbly Fijian; Adam my fellow Canberran and friendly roomie Kate.

Another thing I ended up signing up for today is the yearly O-week MXRC Challenge. This is where first year villagers get to participate in fun challenges…what challenges? These are be revealed in the coming days.

I faced my very first elimination challenge where about the first 20 girls got to get through after doing 20 x egg toss (up in the air without breaking), 20 x sit ups and 20 x star jumps. I swear that some must have cheated!!! I consider myself fit yet found myself trailing at the bottom half?! I just scraped in and await the next mystery challenge 6pm tomorrow. Eek!

Other conditions are- we are to wear our team yellow T-Shirts in public for the next week. We are to carry an egg (unbroken or boiled) everyday between the hours 5am and 5 pm!!

Such is college life! Dave would be proud.