Single Parenting

He is there:

And I am here:

That's our apartment building in the middle of the photo.


James is in Melbourne for a conference and will be home on Thursday. Another week of single parenting. I'm still not used to it. Neither is Abigail. She knows when he is packing and knows his routine. When he is away, she becomes SUPER CLINGY to me. Like, follows me into the toilet, screams if I put a load of washing on, whinges for things she knows she isn't allowed to have, like chocolate and biscuits and chocolate, hehe.


Luckily, she still sleeps well and eats well. But I always struggle. I watch TV in bed till I fall asleep. I triple check the door locks. I don't sleep very well. It's even harder when I'm pregnant because my hormones are out of control and I cry on a whim. I've already had a big cry today.


What can I do? My husband has to travel for work. He always has, he probably always will. Next week he is off to Singapore for a week which will be harder. I have Dr's appointments and things planned. Hopefully my Mum is coming to stay with me in the city and we will hit the shops together and the Aquarium too.


I can't complain too much. I have many friends in WA and their husband's work in mines and on oil rigs. Away for 4 weeks at a time. Home for a week, then off again. And another friend of mine, her fiance is based in Melbourne in the Army but she is here in Sydney. They make it work, but it's tough on them. She said that's the life of an army wife!


Tomorrow, I will force myself to get out of the house to do something. Perhaps the park or playground. Hmmmm

Flashback Friday.

U2 - Stay (Faraway So Close)

I have tickets to U2's 360 Live Show in 2 weeks but can no longer attend. James is off to Singapore for business on the same day so I'm giving the tickets to my sister to sell to friends.

I'm not too bummed as I'll be 27 weeks pregnant and trekking out to Homebush for the night will be hard, especially if it's hot and humid.

I'll keep my happy memories of their show from 2006 and hope that they tour Australia one more time before they retire.

In the meantime, here is today's flashback. One of my ALL TIME favourite U2 songs. This song is brilliant, and I love the acoustic version played in this video.

Happy Friday everyone.

xx

Currently - The November Edition

Current Book(s): I am about to start the Harry Potter series. Love the movies, have never read the series though. I'm a doofus.

Current Playlist: A real variety this month;

• Deadmau5 & Wolfgang Gartner - Animal Rights. Turn this up loud while driving alone = instant cool.
• Katy Perry - Firework. I'm not a fan of Katy Perry, but I love this song.
• Glee - Teenage Dream. This is better than the original!
• Calvin Harris - You Used to Hold Me
• Ou Est Le Swimming Pool - Dance The Way I Feel
• Jamiroquai - White Knuckle Ride
• Josh Pyke - The Summer. This song is amazing. It reminds me of being young and when summer was everything. Driving around with my husband, enjoying the sun and beach.
• Kanye West - Runaway. Love him or hate him, his stuff is always hip. Love this new clip too.

Current Shame - Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate. Pringles. Softdrink


Current Colour: Red and Green for Christmas

Current Drink: Water. Milk. Chocolate Milk.


Current Food: Salmon, Meatloaf, Chicken Schnitzel, English Muffins, Weetbix, Milo.


Current Favourite Show: Glee, Wife Swap, Gossip Girl, 30 Rock.

Current Wish list: Winning jackpot lotto before Christmas. Seriously.


Current Needs: A nanny to help me with all my Christmas shopping since James is off to Melbourne and Singapore in the next 2 weeks. Nanny Fine would suffice.

Current Triumphs: With my husband's help, we have redesigned our new house and demolition starts in a few days. Our new floor plan is amazing and I can't wait to see it completed in a few months. Additions include louvre window walls, a huge butler's pantry and his n her home offices. Mine is off the family room, James has his own seperate office with bathroom, which is down the path from the back of the house.


Current Bane(s) of my Existence: Not that I control it but, the rain. When will it stop? OVER it in a big way.


Current Celebrity Crush: Ryan Reynolds. Yes, he's a pretty boy, but VERY pretty!

Current Indulgence: Icecream for dessert. It's naughty I know, but so yummy. Gaytimes and Cornettos are the best!


Current #1 Blessing: Life in general. New house to move into soon, new baby on the way, James passing his 1st semester of Grad School with distinction, Abi growing up before my eyes. And 2010 nearly over. Time for a new beginning in the suburbs with my growing family.


Current Slang or Saying: 'Cripes'. I sound like an extra from Home n Away in the 1980's. I can't stop myself.


Current Outfit: Black Gap V-Neck Tee. Grey Bonds skirt.


Current Excitement: I'm 25 weeks into my pregnancy. I've been so busy preparing stuff for the house, that I've been mildly distracted from the pregnancy. I'm due mid March 2011 and cannot wait for our trio to become a quartet.

Current Mood: Excited about the pregnancy and renovations at the house. Sad that James will be away for most of the lead up to Christmas. Even sadder that we won't have much of a summer holiday while we renovate.


Current Link:
Baby Kingdom for baby items
Bebe for baby items
itunes for new music

The countdown is on!

Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas


Finally, December is here. The countdown is on till Santa drops into town.


This is one of my favourite carols ever. I actually don't like Mariah Carey AT ALL but her Christmas album is stellar. I've been nice all year, I'm sure of it. I'm writing my list today.

Story Time!

Here are Abigail's current favourite books. Like me, Abi knows them word for word.

Dr Seuss was a genius. And a nutcase at the same time. His books send you into instant tongue twisting stories and take you to strange places. Fox in Socks is one of these. I almost stutter reading this. James however, is much more fluent than me.

Abi loves this story just as much as the original. The Cat is very naughty but redeems himself in the end by helping the children clean up the mess he makes. A classic story.

This story is about machines. Abi loves the rescue helicopter, the crane and the tractor. The illustrations are great in this book too. Now when we drive down the Cahill Expressway, Abi chimes to the machines on the side of the road "they can work all day!" which is the ending sentence on every page. Very cute.

This is a really cute story indeed. The illustrations are fantastic. The story involves a stick man who loses his way from his family tree and goes on a scary adventure to the park, the beach and almost into a fireplace! Santa rescues him and drops him home on Christmas Eve. A great read.

A classic children's book. This naughty tiger comes to tea and eats and drinks everything in the house, including all the water from the tap! The family have no dinner so they go to a cafe for dinner. The next day the little girl buys some tiger food in case the Tiger comes back, but he never does. Abi likes the illustrations mostly.

Flashback

Me and James, dining in Niseko Ski Resort, Japan [February 2005]


I look so young here. Because I was. The sweet age of just 23.

James and I went to Japan for 3 weeks in February 2005 and visited Sapporo, skiied at Niseko, Rusutsu and La Pointe, ventured to Osaka and then Tokyo.

It was a trip of a lifetime, we had the best time ever. We still talk fondly of that trip, our memories are happy ones. We drank sake and beer every day, ate tempura and noodles, curries and sushi.

We skiied our hearts out in powder and froze our butts off every day.

I'd love to take Abigail to Japan to ski. The food, the scenery, but most of all, the people, are just amazing.

I love this photo so much. My life before marriage, before children...

Flashback Friday.

Roxette - Listen To Your Heart

Classic Friday tune.

My husband actually saw Roxette when they toured in the early 90's. I thought he was SO cool when he revealed this to me, in later years.

Happy Friday everyone.

xx

Flashback Friday.

Eddie Murphy / Rick James - Party All The Time

Happy Friday to everyone. Today's flashback is dedicated to my Dad because today is his 60th Birthday. A very special day indeed.

I helped my Mum organise a surprise party for him tonight, on board a luxury yacht on Sydney Harbour with his closest friends and family.

This week on the golf course, one of the invited guests let it slip to my Dad about the party tonight. Mum was devastated but got over it quickly. So Dad knows something is happening tonight, but has no idea what.

My family have organised babysitters, and bought new dresses. Ipods are charged and are full of his favourite music, canapes are being prepared as I write this and his favourite alcohol is being chilled below deck. We have a magician doing a short performance as well as a poker table set up so my Dad can play his favourite game on board too.

I made a DVD slide show of family photos which will run on the TV on board. And I bought a memory book too for all party guests to sign.

I'm heading down to this salon in a few hours to get waxed and have professional make-up applied too.

So think of me and my sister tonight, on board this yacht, dancing away on the harbour. The weather in Sydney is perfect today and hopefully will ensure a balmy night on the seas.

Thursday = sunshine, packages, italian food & laughing

James is working from home today. I love when he works from home.

The stupid tenants hadn't moved out yesterday (settlement day) and so we had to go back today and see the house empty. James took Abi along so I had the morning to clean the apartment which wasn't too bad because THE AIR CONDITIONING is finally fixed and it's nice and chilled in here.


Some lovely parcels arrived today from Peter Alexander and LarkMade. And my subscription to Real Living arrived too so I can sit on the sofa and enjoy my read this afternoon.


I suggested going out for lunch today because James is off to the USA on Sunday and Abigail and I will miss him to bits! So off we went to Fratelli Fresh's in-house cafe, Sopra in Walsh Bay. We ate zucchini flowers stuffed with goats cheese, ragu bolognese and linguine lemon+chilli. Abigail ate her pasta and breadsticks like a princess. Surrounded by ladies who lunch (and drink!) and men in suits having meetings.


Look at my loves, smiling and waiting outside for a table in the sunshine. Abigail danced her chicken dance while James and I discussed how much we will miss dining the city.

Tonight my mother-in-law is minding Abigail while James and I head to see Robin Williams at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. We are both huge fans of his movies and stand up performances so I'm sure we will come home with sore bellies from laughing so hard.

All in all, a great Thursday. The sun is out. The breeze is fresh. It feels like a normal spring day today. Finally!

Crazy

No air con for 2.5 weeks makes me crazy.

Tenants not moving out of our new house today makes me crazy.

Having to go back tomorrow and inspect the house again makes me crazy.

Sweating all day and night makes me crazy.

Only getting 3 hours sleep last night makes me crazy.

Crazy.

JT - I Think She Knows...

I am a huge JT fan and love all of his solo work. I even *like* a few N'Sync songs too, mostly because of him.

This song is definately one of my favourites, the interlude for the song 'Love Stoned'.

While I don't mind JT taking time out to persue acting, I cannot wait for him to record another album. If it's anything like FutureSex/LoveSounds, then I'll be very happy.

Girl Crush

I utterly love Winona Ryder. So does my husband. He's always had a crush on her.


I loved watching her in movies such as BeetleJuice, Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, Mermaids, Reality Bites and Girl Interrupted.

 

She was engaged to Johnny Depp for 3 years and has also dated Matt Damon and other musicians.

Although she took a 5 year hiatus from acting, she is back now and stars in 'Black Swan' with Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis to be released early next year.

All images via weheartit.com

Dream House # 7

It's been awhile since my last dream house post. I've been too busy scouting bathroom tiles and choosing paints for my new house.


This 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 2 car garage apartment is situated in Milson's Point in Sydney. Some of the features include:

• Private lift run from security parking with vast atrium upon entry
• Open plan living and dining, gourmet kitchen with Miele appliances
• Bespoke remote controlled blind system offering complete privacy
• Reflection pool provides tranquil backdrop to master bedroom
• Master ensuite with luxurious freestanding Travertine bath tub
• Three double bedrooms, separate home office and vast library
• Protected panoramic views of the bridge, harbour, Bradfield Park

No price is listed, just make an offer and it could be yours!


Although I'm completely over apartment living in Sydney, I could DEFINATELY live here. Imagine the parties you could have. Annual NYE parties to watch fireworks. Swimming laps every day at North Sydney pool. Walking your kids up to some of the best schools in the State. Life would be grand. Expensive, but grand.

Flashback

Me, dining at 'M on the Bund' in Shanghai, August 2007

I attended the Fuji Rock Festival in July 2007 and spent a few days on my own in Tokyo. I flew home, tired and weary, and after settling down to a late dinner with my husband, he mentioned he was off to Shanghai for business and asked if I wanted to join him. Squealing with delight, we booked my airplane ticket and the next day I was off to the Chinese Embassy to organise a visa. The next day, on a packed Singapore Airlines flight, we were off to Shanghai.

I had a few expat friends living and working in Shanghai at the time which meant I wouldn't be completely alone in a foreign city while James worked. I dined like a lady of leisure, spent a day at the Banyan Tree Spa at The Westin, shopped the fake markets and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Shanghai.

While I don't know if I could live in Shanghai, it was an interesting holiday. Compared to Singapore, it was much dirtier and busier and not as liveable as other asian cities.

I'm glad I went when I did because I'm not sure when I'll be back. So many other places in the world to see!



Flashback Friday.

Faithless - We Come One


Huge Faithless fan here. Have seen them live twice and they are brilliant. I love Sister Bliss and I think Maxi Jazz is one of the best front men ever!


They are touring Australia early next year. I'm VERY tempted to get tickets. This song reminds me of younger days, clubbing with friends and my first trip to Europe in 2002.


Happy Friday.


xx

Welcome Home

This made me cry. Everyone knows that feeling when you walk through the Arrivals Terminal after a long-haul flight and you feel like roadkill. Imagine being welcomed like this.

T Mobile have really outdone themselves with this production. I love it.

Just so you know, it was the last part that made me cry. When people are hugging loved ones and being greeted with kisses and cuddles. I greeted my parents like this when I lived in Singapore and my Dad met Abigail for the 1st time. We stood there hugging and crying for a few minutes, it was lovely.

New threads

I picked up these lovely things for Missy today. Seed Child has gorgeous children clothes but you have to mortgage your house to buy a whole outfit! They had a dozen or so pieces I wanted to buy but restricted myself to these:

All items purchased from here

Item purchased from here

Willow Smith vs. Sesame Street

This is hilarious.

Someone definately has alot of time on their hands. Someone has edited the original Sesame Street video of characters singing to Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair" to make the clip above. It's hilarious.

On the subject of Willow Smith, I don't know how I feel about the whole thing. Is she too young? Are 10 year olds ready for showbiz at this age? I don't think so.

Here is Willow's performance from The Ellen Degeneres show which aired yesterday. It aires today in Australia. Hmmmmm

Currently - The October Edition

Current Book (s): Just finished the Great Gatsby. Am reading The Beach now and Breakfast at Tiffany’s next.

Current Playlist: Love songs have been on rotation lately. Check out my picks;

• Starland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight
• Foreigner - I Want to Know What Love Is
• Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers - Islands in the Stream
• The Doobie Brothers - What a Fool Believes
• Nicolette Larson - Lotta Love
• Neil Sedaka - Laughter in the Rain
• The Captain & Tenille - Love Will Keep Us Together
• Dionne Warwick - Heartbreaker
  
  
  

Current Shame - Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Drinking chocolate milk... every day! Eating Skittles and Starbursts too. Sugary goodness.


Current Colour: Green


Current Drink: Water. Chocolate milk.


Current Food: This week my dinner menu includes lamb, meatloaf, spaghetti & meatballs, chicken kebabs and schnitzels. Also, my sister introduced me to ‘Cheesybite’ yesterday and it was actually nice. Shock horror!


Current Favourite Show: An Idiot Abroad. Have been watching Nat Geo Wild as well. After watching a documentary on Friday night titled ‘Monster Fish’, I am convinced jellyfish are aliens. They will outlive us all!

Current Wish list: A kitchen and 4 bathroom renovation project completed before Xmas? Yeah I know, I don’t think so...


Current Needs: More hours in the day? Also, Strata to hurry up and FIX the air con system in our whole building which has been out for a week already. Another week of no air con predicted, blergh.


Current Triumphs: Abi is going to the toilet on her potty nearly every day now. Slowly and steadily getting there.

Current Bane(s) of my Existence: Abi chewing through her dummies. I know she doesn’t even need them anymore, and I plan to go COLD TURKEY very soon in 'Operation Bye Bye Dummy'. In the meantime, I am buying new dummies every week. Gah!


Current Celebrity Crush: Jon Hamm, star of Mad Men. He is a god.

Current Indulgence: Having a lie down most afternoons when Abi has her day nap. It’s a nice, quiet time for me and I read too. I love it.


Current #1 Blessing: Family.


Current Slang or Saying: Totes Magotes (From the movie ‘I Love You Man’). James and I say this all the time. It’s still not old yet. YET!

Current Outfit: Green Gap V-Neck tee, Black Gap Jersey skirt.


Current Excitement: 7 weeks till Christmas. Getting the KEYS to our new house next week. Cannot wait to start knocking down walls and ripping up tiles. My Dad turning 60 next week, huge family celebration to follow.

Current Mood: Nervous about the renovation. Excited to move to the suburbs soon. Tired, just thinking about starting my Christmas shopping!


Current Link:

http://www.renovate.com.au/ – for renovation ideas

http://www.babycentre.com.au/ – for meeting new friends and keeping in touch with old friends

http://www.amazon.com/ – for Christmas ideas

http://www.peteralexander.com.au/ – more Christmas ideas

Flashback

Gwen Stefani Live in Singapore - 14th August 2007

I had just returned from Japan 2 days earlier on a solo trip to Osaka where I had seen Gwen Stefani perform at Summersonic Festival.

We had 2 tickets to the show but James had to fly to Shanghai on a last minute business trip and I went alone. I tried to sell 1 ticket but was unlucky at the gates. By some luck, just before the show started, a guy had one ticket but needed another, so I sold him my pair and I took his 1 seat.

Turns out his seat was in a better location than mine, only by a few rows. But it enabled me to snap this photo of Gwen as she came into the audience to sing her final song.

I was almost trampled taking this photo and although you can't see in the photo, she is SURROUNDED by huge, black bodyguards.

The concert was amazing. She has such natural talent and can hold her own doing a solo show. I never saw her perform with No Doubt, but if they tour Australia next year (2011) with their new album, then I'll be there!

This photo reminds me of early days living in Singapore. And taking risks. And having fun, alone. Which is possible afterall.