NAP
Monday, 13 July 2009
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Who am I?
How do I define myself? What makes me, me?
I was born almost 26 years years ago to Serbian parents, whose grandparents are from Montenegro.
I was born in the above pictured town called Knin, a Serbian strong, the capital of Republika Srpska Krajina, which happens to be in the middle of Croatia. Knin itself connects Zagred, the Croatian capital to the very important coastline.
Due to the war in the region, we moved to Brisbane, Australia. In Brisbane, I was a lot more Serbian than I could imagine. The community is based around church and the traditional things long forgotten in the mother country. We danced folk dancing in our "nosnje" (national dress as pictured below). We sang patriotic songs, and learnt the language and Cyrillic script.
Through school and uni, I had many friends. Australian as far as they can trace, Greek, Persian, Asian, Guatemalan, Argentinian... Yet I still felt Serbian. Going back to Serbia in 2005 was a defining moment. I felt at home.
Then in 2007, I moved to Melbourne and settled in St Kilda. I love this place. I'm close enough to the CBD, the eclectic vibe of the neighbourhood, the glitz of South Yarra, the riches of Toorak.. and the rent is affordable.
I am married to a wonderful, tall, green eyed man. The love of my life. I met him 5 years ago and I fell in love with him, then I didn't see him for 4.5 years. When I saw him again I didn't waste any time in making him mine! He loves me just the way I am, whether my hair is dirty or clean. Whether I'm grumpy or embracing.
But I guess all this makes me Australian, because I travel with a Kangaroo & Emu passport...
Who are you?
How do I?
style.com
For months now I've been looking for a pair of harem pants.
These are my requisites:
1) neutral colour (no black)
2) not the actual harem pants with the elastic at the ankle, but kind of like the slouchy, silky, cargo pants.
I came close today, with a pair of metallic grey ones from Forever New, but I wasn't in the mood. I think they'll take a few tries, like ankle boots did last year. Here's some inspiration.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Jolie Good
By Naomi Wolf
Who are our female film legends these days? Rare are the sultry, dangerous, and highly individualistic Hollywood goddesses who were so prevalent in the 1930s and 1940s.
Of these few exceptions, one thinks right away of Ms. Angelina Jolie. Ever since about 2004 — when she started crafting a new and revolutionary persona out of her prior story line as an eccentric ingenue, a story line that had been erratic and filled with missteps — she has resonated in a way no other modern female star has managed.
Yes, she is conventionally beautiful: Bosomy and wasp-waisted, with that curtain of hair and those crazy pillowy lips, she is an obvious male sex fantasy. But more suggestively, polls show that her appeal and magnetism play at least as powerfully in the fantasy life of females.
Women admire Angelina Jolie, but that would hardly stop the presses. Polls also show that if women — not just lesbian and bisexual women but straight women — had to choose a female lover, they would want to sleep with Angelina Jolie. In other words, women both identify with her and desire her.
There's something more than a simply physical response. Her persona hits an unprecedented level of global resonance — and makes women want to be with her and be her at the same time — because she has created a life narrative that is not just personal. Rather, it is archetypal. And the archetype is one that really, for the first time in modern culture, brings together almost every aspect of female empowerment and liberation.
Consider how patriarchal civilization has managed to keep women in hand for all these millennia. Among other methods of social control, women are almost always given a series of either-or choices. The deal is usually that they may realize one aspect of their personality but at the expense of many others. And the deal is usually that if they choose "too much," a terrible punishment one way or another awaits them.
So you can be respected as a symbol of goodness (Florence Nightingale, Mother Teresa) but not, obviously, be seen as sexual. You can have a hot sex life (Marlene Dietrich) but not at the same time be seen as a symbol of goodness. You can't get away with it. (Somehow, when an icon who was at once both a sexual being and engaged in good deeds died in a violent accident — Princess Di, of course — the story had a kind of terrible narrative inevitability.) You can take a lover — and even be a home wrecker — but not claim the hope of being seen as a good mom (Madame Bovary, Elizabeth Taylor). You can't get away with it. You can have money, fame, and a dazzling career, but you must surely be depressed, drug addicted, lonely, or self-destructive (Jacqueline Susann, Marilyn Monroe). You can't get away with it.
The magic of Jolie's self-presentation? She makes the claim, with her life and actions, that, indeed, you can get away with it. All of it. Against every Western convention, she has managed to draw together all of these kinds of female liberation and empowerment. And her gestures determinedly transgress social boundaries — boundaries of convention, race, class, and gender — giving many of us a vicarious thrill.
Remember how, for the first few years of Jolie's debut in the media spotlight, she kept hitting off-key notes? She emerged as an edgy starlet in such films as Girl, Interrupted and Hackers, then broke through into mass-market consciousness with her turn as cartoony superheroine Lara Croft. And with her success in that role, she previewed aspects of the persona that would take her to global icon: sexy and daring, confrontational and independent.
But in her personal interactions with the media, her gestures at transgression seemed girlishly eccentric. There was the slightly icky presentation of then-husband Billy Bob Thornton's blood in a vial, and then the oddly intimate kiss on the lips with her brother at an awards ceremony. ("I am so in love with my brother!") At that point, Jolie seemed to be simply an attention-seeking, slightly Goth upstart.
But there was a turning point not long after she adopted Maddox — her second marriage over, now a single mom — and began to immerse herself in her work as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Suddenly, she seemed more mature, more beautiful, and more serious. Single moms had been cast as society's pathetic cases, but with more than a quarter of U.S. households with children headed by such moms, this was long overdue for a rebranding. When Maddox appeared — this adorable, brush-cut tyke photographed by Annie Leibovitz in his early romance with his mom — Jolie revealed a new, and fairly radical, vision of single motherhood that made the relationship seem tender, glamorous, and complete, father figure or no father figure in the picture.
When the megascandal took place — Jolie's alleged seduction of a married man, Brad Pitt, on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith — it could have been the end of Jolie as a role model. But she managed the almost unheard-of task of turning the home-wrecker label into a wholesome, family-friendly triumph. There was little Maddox, who was growing up and clearly enjoying tossing footballs with his mother's new boyfriend. Jolie had managed to head off the scarlet letter by giving a boy an ideal masculine counterpoint.
About that time, Jolie's persona suddenly kicked into megadrive. Her intense work on behalf of stricken women and children worldwide solidified her status as unconventional role model, and the rapid adoption of additional children turned the Jolie-Pitt story into one of family devotion and global idealism, which certainly stood out in a raft of narratives of stars who simply shop, tan, and go into rehab.
It isn't so much her accomplished, but not always transcendent, performances. Her icon status now has to do more with our dream life as women than it does with her career choices solely as a film star.
Then there is the plane. Women are so used to being dependent on others (certainly on men) for where they go, metaphorically, and how they get there. Flying a private plane is the classic metaphor for choosing your own direction; usually, that is a guy thing to do, yet there was Jolie, with her aviator glasses on, taking flying lessons so she could blow the mind of her four-year-old son. That is the ultimate in single-mom chic: Even before she had reconstructed a nuclear (or postnuclear) family with a dad at the head of it, she was reframing single motherhood from a state of lack or insufficiency to a glamorous, unfettered lifestyle choice. Paradoxically, having done so, she makes the choice of a man to help her raise her kids seem like one option among many for a self-directed woman rather than either a completion of a woman or a capitulation.
Then she insisted on being a mother to not just one but many — actually, with a gesture of maternal extravagance, an übermom, ostentatiously mothering on a global scale (Maddox ... and Zahara! ... and ... Shiloh! And ...). The clearly well-thought-out multiethnicity of her family is a delicious in-your-face countermove against conventions about who we are to one another and what "family" is expected to look like. She seems, without breaking stride, to care for half a football team of children while the rest of us tread water with our own biological offspring.
Equally ostentatiously in her role as lover, she took for her own pleasure the male seen as the most desired of the tribe, Brad Pitt, who is always ranked at the top of indexes of male beauty and virility. As for the constraints of social convention — ahem, he was still married? You can have a variety of feelings about this, but Jolie's evident disdain of that social constraint certainly, for better or worse, put her in the same self-entitled category as those men who have traditionally taken what they wanted and let the emotional chips fall where they may.
Finally, she blurs the conventional boundary of what female stars are supposed to do — look pretty, emote, wear designer clothes — by picking up Princess Di's fallen torch and wrapping her elegant bone structure in a shalwar kameez to attend to the suffering of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and putting on jeans to help rebuild the housing of low-income U.S. citizens wiped out by Hurricane Katrina.
She insists on claiming every role on an operatic scale, making the symbolism as transgressive as possible — and saying, implicitly, "See? It can be done." And if she can get away with it, presumably there is a decent chance that, someday, so might all women get away with our own most cherished secret dares, self-gratifications, and even transgressions.
So she becomes what psychoanalysts call an "ego ideal" for women — a kind of dream figure that allows women to access, through fantasies of their own, possibilities for their own heightened empowerment and liberation.
What's next for Jolie? No way to tell, but I am certain, given the knack she has shown for tapping into this female collective unconscious, that we will watch with more than ordinary interest. Can the matriarchal tribe sustain itself? What will happen when the youthful beauty changes? Can such a sexually pluralistic woman stay satisfied in a conventional monogamous relationship — even with the most beautiful boy — for life, as Brad Pitt becomes a solidly middle-aged man? Will truly nothing break in this have-it-all-all-the-time exceptional drama?
I for one will keep watching, since Jolie's image is not just a mirror of one woman but also a looking glass for female fantasy life writ large.
Who are our female film legends these days? Rare are the sultry, dangerous, and highly individualistic Hollywood goddesses who were so prevalent in the 1930s and 1940s.
Of these few exceptions, one thinks right away of Ms. Angelina Jolie. Ever since about 2004 — when she started crafting a new and revolutionary persona out of her prior story line as an eccentric ingenue, a story line that had been erratic and filled with missteps — she has resonated in a way no other modern female star has managed.
Yes, she is conventionally beautiful: Bosomy and wasp-waisted, with that curtain of hair and those crazy pillowy lips, she is an obvious male sex fantasy. But more suggestively, polls show that her appeal and magnetism play at least as powerfully in the fantasy life of females.
Women admire Angelina Jolie, but that would hardly stop the presses. Polls also show that if women — not just lesbian and bisexual women but straight women — had to choose a female lover, they would want to sleep with Angelina Jolie. In other words, women both identify with her and desire her.
There's something more than a simply physical response. Her persona hits an unprecedented level of global resonance — and makes women want to be with her and be her at the same time — because she has created a life narrative that is not just personal. Rather, it is archetypal. And the archetype is one that really, for the first time in modern culture, brings together almost every aspect of female empowerment and liberation.
Consider how patriarchal civilization has managed to keep women in hand for all these millennia. Among other methods of social control, women are almost always given a series of either-or choices. The deal is usually that they may realize one aspect of their personality but at the expense of many others. And the deal is usually that if they choose "too much," a terrible punishment one way or another awaits them.
So you can be respected as a symbol of goodness (Florence Nightingale, Mother Teresa) but not, obviously, be seen as sexual. You can have a hot sex life (Marlene Dietrich) but not at the same time be seen as a symbol of goodness. You can't get away with it. (Somehow, when an icon who was at once both a sexual being and engaged in good deeds died in a violent accident — Princess Di, of course — the story had a kind of terrible narrative inevitability.) You can take a lover — and even be a home wrecker — but not claim the hope of being seen as a good mom (Madame Bovary, Elizabeth Taylor). You can't get away with it. You can have money, fame, and a dazzling career, but you must surely be depressed, drug addicted, lonely, or self-destructive (Jacqueline Susann, Marilyn Monroe). You can't get away with it.
The magic of Jolie's self-presentation? She makes the claim, with her life and actions, that, indeed, you can get away with it. All of it. Against every Western convention, she has managed to draw together all of these kinds of female liberation and empowerment. And her gestures determinedly transgress social boundaries — boundaries of convention, race, class, and gender — giving many of us a vicarious thrill.
Remember how, for the first few years of Jolie's debut in the media spotlight, she kept hitting off-key notes? She emerged as an edgy starlet in such films as Girl, Interrupted and Hackers, then broke through into mass-market consciousness with her turn as cartoony superheroine Lara Croft. And with her success in that role, she previewed aspects of the persona that would take her to global icon: sexy and daring, confrontational and independent.
But in her personal interactions with the media, her gestures at transgression seemed girlishly eccentric. There was the slightly icky presentation of then-husband Billy Bob Thornton's blood in a vial, and then the oddly intimate kiss on the lips with her brother at an awards ceremony. ("I am so in love with my brother!") At that point, Jolie seemed to be simply an attention-seeking, slightly Goth upstart.
But there was a turning point not long after she adopted Maddox — her second marriage over, now a single mom — and began to immerse herself in her work as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Suddenly, she seemed more mature, more beautiful, and more serious. Single moms had been cast as society's pathetic cases, but with more than a quarter of U.S. households with children headed by such moms, this was long overdue for a rebranding. When Maddox appeared — this adorable, brush-cut tyke photographed by Annie Leibovitz in his early romance with his mom — Jolie revealed a new, and fairly radical, vision of single motherhood that made the relationship seem tender, glamorous, and complete, father figure or no father figure in the picture.
When the megascandal took place — Jolie's alleged seduction of a married man, Brad Pitt, on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith — it could have been the end of Jolie as a role model. But she managed the almost unheard-of task of turning the home-wrecker label into a wholesome, family-friendly triumph. There was little Maddox, who was growing up and clearly enjoying tossing footballs with his mother's new boyfriend. Jolie had managed to head off the scarlet letter by giving a boy an ideal masculine counterpoint.
About that time, Jolie's persona suddenly kicked into megadrive. Her intense work on behalf of stricken women and children worldwide solidified her status as unconventional role model, and the rapid adoption of additional children turned the Jolie-Pitt story into one of family devotion and global idealism, which certainly stood out in a raft of narratives of stars who simply shop, tan, and go into rehab.
It isn't so much her accomplished, but not always transcendent, performances. Her icon status now has to do more with our dream life as women than it does with her career choices solely as a film star.
Then there is the plane. Women are so used to being dependent on others (certainly on men) for where they go, metaphorically, and how they get there. Flying a private plane is the classic metaphor for choosing your own direction; usually, that is a guy thing to do, yet there was Jolie, with her aviator glasses on, taking flying lessons so she could blow the mind of her four-year-old son. That is the ultimate in single-mom chic: Even before she had reconstructed a nuclear (or postnuclear) family with a dad at the head of it, she was reframing single motherhood from a state of lack or insufficiency to a glamorous, unfettered lifestyle choice. Paradoxically, having done so, she makes the choice of a man to help her raise her kids seem like one option among many for a self-directed woman rather than either a completion of a woman or a capitulation.
Then she insisted on being a mother to not just one but many — actually, with a gesture of maternal extravagance, an übermom, ostentatiously mothering on a global scale (Maddox ... and Zahara! ... and ... Shiloh! And ...). The clearly well-thought-out multiethnicity of her family is a delicious in-your-face countermove against conventions about who we are to one another and what "family" is expected to look like. She seems, without breaking stride, to care for half a football team of children while the rest of us tread water with our own biological offspring.
Equally ostentatiously in her role as lover, she took for her own pleasure the male seen as the most desired of the tribe, Brad Pitt, who is always ranked at the top of indexes of male beauty and virility. As for the constraints of social convention — ahem, he was still married? You can have a variety of feelings about this, but Jolie's evident disdain of that social constraint certainly, for better or worse, put her in the same self-entitled category as those men who have traditionally taken what they wanted and let the emotional chips fall where they may.
Finally, she blurs the conventional boundary of what female stars are supposed to do — look pretty, emote, wear designer clothes — by picking up Princess Di's fallen torch and wrapping her elegant bone structure in a shalwar kameez to attend to the suffering of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and putting on jeans to help rebuild the housing of low-income U.S. citizens wiped out by Hurricane Katrina.
She insists on claiming every role on an operatic scale, making the symbolism as transgressive as possible — and saying, implicitly, "See? It can be done." And if she can get away with it, presumably there is a decent chance that, someday, so might all women get away with our own most cherished secret dares, self-gratifications, and even transgressions.
So she becomes what psychoanalysts call an "ego ideal" for women — a kind of dream figure that allows women to access, through fantasies of their own, possibilities for their own heightened empowerment and liberation.
What's next for Jolie? No way to tell, but I am certain, given the knack she has shown for tapping into this female collective unconscious, that we will watch with more than ordinary interest. Can the matriarchal tribe sustain itself? What will happen when the youthful beauty changes? Can such a sexually pluralistic woman stay satisfied in a conventional monogamous relationship — even with the most beautiful boy — for life, as Brad Pitt becomes a solidly middle-aged man? Will truly nothing break in this have-it-all-all-the-time exceptional drama?
I for one will keep watching, since Jolie's image is not just a mirror of one woman but also a looking glass for female fantasy life writ large.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Love
Have you ever been in love? How do you know it's love? An all consuming love, that makes you crazy and willing to do anything. A love that makes you buy a plane ticket and fly to the other side of the world, even though you cannot afford it? A love that makes you give up everything as you know it, for something that you think you want instead? A love so strong, that it makes you believe that it's the only thing in the world that matters.
I found that love exactly a year ago today. I was willing to do anything for this love and I did it. I went to the other side of the world and crossed comfort zones that people could never cross. I was brave, somewhat insane and I took a chance. It's the best thing I did, the only decision I've ever made that I don't regret.
I've done many foolish things in my life, trusted too many people who hurt me and burnt me. Done too many things out of the goodness of my own heart. But I pursued this love selfishly and it's the best thing I've ever done.
From now I will trust noone and nothing, except me.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Corporates
Since all the systems are totally broken, I figure I may as well blog.
This week's topic of conversation has been the stress associated with the corporate world. Friends taking up a 2-packs-a-day smoking habit, 15 hour days, broken marriages, caffeine habits (expensive ones too).
And that all maybe the case, but I love my suits and heels and coffees and muffins. I love a nice building, work trips, bonuses and even the bitchiness. I think you gotta know how to play the game!
This week's topic of conversation has been the stress associated with the corporate world. Friends taking up a 2-packs-a-day smoking habit, 15 hour days, broken marriages, caffeine habits (expensive ones too).
And that all maybe the case, but I love my suits and heels and coffees and muffins. I love a nice building, work trips, bonuses and even the bitchiness. I think you gotta know how to play the game!
Monday, 27 April 2009
Time...
I feel like I never have any time. No time to sleep, no time to straighten my hair and apply make up in the morning, no time to choose a half decent outfit in the morning, no time to peruse style.com, no time to cook, no time to clean, no time to study, no time to exercise, no time for anything...
What is the secret?
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Last days in NYC
My darling is in the shower and I'm sitting and trying to figure out a way to not have to leave New York.
This morning we were up at about 8 and the weather was looking nice and sunny so we decided to do the last thing that was on our list of things to do - see the Statue of Liberty.
We subway-ed our way down to Wall Street and walked to the Staten Island Ferry terminal. The ferry goes every half hour and is free - better than paying $20 to hang out with tourists I say.
The ride was very cold though, took about 20 minutes and we got relatively close to the Lady. Close enough for some snaps. We turned around pronto and decided to go shopping at Bloomingdale's. Not the fanciest of the department stores here, but it did offer us an 11% discount.
Bojan hadn't been on any of my shopping expeditions yet, but he did enjoy Bloomy's and the sheer range of things it had on offer, even if it was a bit overwhelming.
I ended up with a pair of J Brand jeans that I'd wanted forever and ever but couldn't try anywhere in Australia and didn't want to buy off the net without trying on. Bojan bought some red and navy Ralph Lauren socks and a "The Who" t-shirt (he's going through a rock t-shirt phase I think). I saw my Chloe perfume lady again and she tried running after me - it sent a shiver down my spine!
The rest of the day we spent at Bleecker Street- the Village really grew on us today. It was wonderful and sunny! We had some cupcakes again, this time in the park and walked up and down. I went into some of the stores, which were nice and very well priced. I loved Intermix!
Tomorrow is our proper final day - we are definitely going skating again and we'll see about the rest!
Saturday, 21 March 2009
One week on...
Today we woke up at about 9am, as didn't really have any plans. We were loosely considering going on the Staten Island ferry which goes right past the Statue of Liberty.
When Bojan pulled the blinds up - it was snowing outside! I'd always wanted to come to New York in winter, but honestly it was terrible outside. We walked around the block and ended up with huge headaches from the cold.
We finally ended up at at our little Elmo for breakfast and had some pancakes and eggs and warmed up. Bojan had decided that apart from Lady Liberty he'd seem most of the things he'd wanted to see, so he went home to study and I opted to go to The Frick Collection as it was another indoors appropriate day weather wise and student entry is $5.
Wow!
The Frick is located on the corner of 5th Avenue and East 70th Street across the road from Central Park. The building it is housed in was built in 1913-13 by Henry Clay Frick as his residence who later bequeathed the building and his artwork with the wish that it be developed into a public gallery for the purpose of "encouraging and developing the study of the fine arts". Aside from the furniture, drawings, prints etc, he left 131 paintings with a further 37 having been acquired since his death by the Trustees with endowments from the Fricks and other gifts.
Even though photos were not allowed, Milijana would not Milijana without sneaking a couple in (don't worry I didn't use flash as I know the harm it does to artwork).
The gallery is made up of glorious dining rooms, sittings rooms and an actual gallery. It is said that Mr Frick held 2 dinner parties a week, to which he invited 27 gentlemen. The ceilings were high and gilded with beautiful gold borders. The paint on the walls was a deep green.
The main staircase is exquisite. I am so happy I managed to sneak a photo of it in, as the official portraits don't really do it any justice. The staircase itself was inspired by Dean's Staircase at St Paul's Cathedral in London.
I loved the Rembrandts and the Van Dycks, but my favourite was Jean-Augustine-Dominique Ingres' Comtesse d'Haussonville. A portrait of a married woman in her mid 20's who already had 3 children, but was a seductress and an independent woman capable of making just about every man fall in love with her - including the artist.
After the gallery, I decided to wander around the Upper East Side - which is definitely my sort of neighbourhood.
The streets are clean and wide, the buildings architecturally designed. Each one has a door man that helps you out of your limo when the shopping bags get in the way. Stores a plenty, but again, nothing in my price range!
The funniest incident was when waiting at the lights near Bloomingdale's. A perfectly put together lady with a fur coat and a Louis Vuitton handbag was walking with her 2 year old daughter. When we stopped at the lights, the little girl pointed at a subway station and said "Mummy, what's that?" to which the lady said "That's the subway world - we don't go there". LOL - very symbolic of the Upper East Side.
I hadn't yet been to Macy's or Bloomingdale's so I went into Bloomy's. Yikes. I smelt a nice perfume on my way up the stairs and when the lady stopped me to ask if I wanted to try it I said "sure". Well, she kept going on and on and on and on about some special that she would only give to me, a jewelry box, extra perfumes and creams - all for only $125! Well lady, I have no shopping budget on this trip. But the next thing I know she's pulling me towards the counter and ringing it up! With tax it's $132 and I know that I can't buy this. So she walks off to get my "extra gifts" and I make a run for it!!!!!!!
The jeans section was great though and I'm lemming a pair of dark denim J Brand skinnys... I'll see what Bojan thinks!
Right now we're off to watch the Knicks play at Maddison Square Garden!
Friday, 20 March 2009
Day 6 - MoMA, Saks and other shenanigans that Bojan didn't want to part take in..
After returning from a very expensive round of drinks at The View atop The Marriott Marquis smack bang in the middle of Times Square, we got to bed fairly late last night, so ended up sleeping in this morning, which was meant to be our museum day. Besides, Bojan was not feeling the best.
And what an appropriate museum day it was - about 0C and raining.
To continue our bad form, we got on the wrong subway, so ended up nowhere near MoMA! In the end we caught a taxi, which is never recommended in NY's stand still traffic, especially in the wet. MoMa is located just off 5th Avenue on 53rd Street. This is the view from inside!
And what is the Museum Of Modern Art? What defines modern art? According to the "Highlights" booked I picked up in the gift shop, it's not as easy or as simple to define as one would hope. MoMA was founded in 1929 and now occupies the whole block, 7 curatorial departments and over 100,000 objects! The founders believe (and still believe as most of them are still actively involved with the running of the museum) in the premise that the art of our time is as relevant and as important as the art of the past. And when I think about it, I guess it is true, even though sometimes I fail to understand the abstract and the non-conservative interpretations of art that modern artists tend to have.
There are paintings, sculptures, film, media, photos, design, print and drawing galore.
There is no doubt that MoMA has done tremendous things for modern art and it is interesting to see where it will head - how it will continue to select the pieces and build upon its legacy.
I adored the Picassos and the Van Goghs. I loved learning and seeing how the different types of printing paper make a photograph print entirely differently. I never really realised that before until I saw the prints side by side.
Another notable piece was this drawing - which are DOTS! Totally cool!I had hoped to have lunch with Bojan at the Terrace Cafe on the 5th floor, but it was far too small and the line was too long. The food here has really been terrible and the places that serve anything half decent are really difficult to get a table at. Bojan tends to get really grumpy when he's hungry, so waiting was not an option.
I really hope to be able to go to the Met, Frick and or Guggenheim on Saturday.
At this point we parted ways as Bojan needed to study and I wanted to see some things that Bojan had no interest in seeing.
I made my way to 5th Avenue, which is so depressing due to its affluency. There is nothing to buy there that's within my Gold Credit Card limit, haha! The only things within my reach are from the Americana chain stores - and Zara! Banana Republic was on sale and the skirt that I tried on on day 1 which was not available in my size, suddenly had two available! So I snapped it up. It's a gorgeous, silk, pale gold tiered, ruffled skirt. Plan to wear it to a wedding we have coming up.
I love people watching on 5th - the old ladies with their fur coats, the businessmen in Ralph Lauren talking about hedging, the Gossip Girl tweens texting and wearing perfectly put together "I don't care" outfits, the tourists in stone wash jeans and sneakers talking photos...
Of all the department stores I've visited, Saks has been my favourite because it has the full range - the couture, the runway and the contemporary. And what I loved is the fact that I was "ignored" by the sales assistants. Not so much ignored, but not hounded, they'd smile and say hi and let me browse. I ADOOOOOORED their 8th level shoe salon. It has it's own post code. The Louboutin section is wonderful. It has a bigger selection than any online retailer I've come across. Anyway, my point is to retell seeing a girl about 16 shopping with her dad, pointing at the Loubies she wanted and she got them all.
Next I made my way further along 5th to the New York Public Library. The famous location where Carrie and Big were MEANT to get married for all you SATC fans.
The building is grand, you feel like you're in Venice or something. It's so peaceful and elegant, with carved desks, high ceilings and intricate paintings and carvings on the walls and ceilings.
I then made my way down to Grand Central Station where I got a cookie, the new US Vogue with Beyonce on the cover (yawn @ them using celebrities all the time) and I was on my way home. I knew that Bojan would be worried about me at that stage because I didn't take my mobile with me.
For dinner he's dragging me back to Kafana in Alphabet City, but that's ok, because I like a good pljeskavica too!
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Today, Tomorrow.. Always
TODAY:
What is today's date?- March 4, 2009...
What was the first thing that happened?- I woke up.. went to get my mail and came to work??
Who was the first person you talked to?- My husband of course
What was the best thing that happened so far?-The new issue of Vogue being out... oh how vain I am lol
What was the best thing you've eaten?- A mint lol
Whats the worst thing you've eaten?-Considering it's not even 9am I've not eaten much at all
Who were you with?- Woke up next to my husband and am now at work!
Where did you go?-Post office then work
What did you wear?-A suit
What did you buy?-Tram ticket & Vogue
What was the best song you heard?-I've not heard a song yet
What's the funniest thing that happened?-My tennis partner being keen to win the final tonight, a bit too keen!
TOMORROW:
Whats tomorrow's date?-March 5, 2009...
Got any plans?-Same as always - working
Is there anything you HAVE to do?- Nothing is a "have to" apart from death. Which I hope won't happen tomorrow
Who are you going to be with?-The usuals
What would you like to get accomplished?-Book the other bits and pieces of the trip
Who are you defiantly going to talk to?-Customers!
Do you have to go to school/work?-Work
FUTURE:
Who do you want to marry?-I am already married to him!
When do you want to get married?-Been there done that
How do you want to get married?- NA
Where do you want to settle down at?-Anything but a massive McMansion!
Whats your dream job?-CEO of a charitable organisation
How many kids do you want?- However many God gives me
What do you want your kid's names to be?-They'll be named after the saint they were born close to
Do you want to have kids early or later on in life?- Middle ground
What kind of house do you want to live in?-As long as it isn't bigggggggg.. Not my thing at all
What kind of car do you want to drive?-A nice lil Merc
How many and what kind of pets do you want to have?- Just a doggy pls
Where do you want to go to college (If you haven't already)?- Been there and never doing that again!
What is today's date?- March 4, 2009...
What was the first thing that happened?- I woke up.. went to get my mail and came to work??
Who was the first person you talked to?- My husband of course
What was the best thing that happened so far?-The new issue of Vogue being out... oh how vain I am lol
What was the best thing you've eaten?- A mint lol
Whats the worst thing you've eaten?-Considering it's not even 9am I've not eaten much at all
Who were you with?- Woke up next to my husband and am now at work!
Where did you go?-Post office then work
What did you wear?-A suit
What did you buy?-Tram ticket & Vogue
What was the best song you heard?-I've not heard a song yet
What's the funniest thing that happened?-My tennis partner being keen to win the final tonight, a bit too keen!
TOMORROW:
Whats tomorrow's date?-March 5, 2009...
Got any plans?-Same as always - working
Is there anything you HAVE to do?- Nothing is a "have to" apart from death. Which I hope won't happen tomorrow
Who are you going to be with?-The usuals
What would you like to get accomplished?-Book the other bits and pieces of the trip
Who are you defiantly going to talk to?-Customers!
Do you have to go to school/work?-Work
FUTURE:
Who do you want to marry?-I am already married to him!
When do you want to get married?-Been there done that
How do you want to get married?- NA
Where do you want to settle down at?-Anything but a massive McMansion!
Whats your dream job?-CEO of a charitable organisation
How many kids do you want?- However many God gives me
What do you want your kid's names to be?-They'll be named after the saint they were born close to
Do you want to have kids early or later on in life?- Middle ground
What kind of house do you want to live in?-As long as it isn't bigggggggg.. Not my thing at all
What kind of car do you want to drive?-A nice lil Merc
How many and what kind of pets do you want to have?- Just a doggy pls
Where do you want to go to college (If you haven't already)?- Been there and never doing that again!
Friday, 20 February 2009
New York New York
I’ve wanted to go to NY ever since I can remember. The first time I went to the States in 1998, all I did was try and figure out how to get to the other side! And more than 10 years on, I am 3 weeks away from my departure for the Big Apple.
There is a myriad of things I cannot wait to see and do.
I want to spend hours in Central Park, I want to eat at the Boathouse overlooking the lake. I want to ice skate. I want to shop and shop and shop (but I know I won’t be able to do too much of that). I want to visit the Plaza and the Waldorf. I want to people watch. I want to leave Manhattan.
I want to stay in New York forever!
There is a myriad of things I cannot wait to see and do.
I want to spend hours in Central Park, I want to eat at the Boathouse overlooking the lake. I want to ice skate. I want to shop and shop and shop (but I know I won’t be able to do too much of that). I want to visit the Plaza and the Waldorf. I want to people watch. I want to leave Manhattan.
I want to stay in New York forever!
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Recessionista
I guess you could say that I was one of those people who didn’t pay much attention – I always bought myself whatever I liked.
Then suddenly two things happened – the impending recession and marriage, which created the need to share my limited wardrobe space with somebody who wanted an equal share. But I have room to argue – men wear shirts and pants (and sometimes shorts). We women wear pants, shorts, ¾ pants, skirts, dresses.. well you get the drift. Plus the husband wears a uniform to work! So no need for an elaborate corporate wardrobe which I have to have.
So 2009 became the year I vowed to not make any fashion or beauty purchases for the first 4 weeks or maybe the first 10 weeks, which is when I go to NY, because seriously what fun is a trip to NY without the ability to purchase fashion and beauty? Heeeeeeello Zara & Sephora.
So I’ve lasted 6 weeks and the only thing I’ve bought was a silly little silk skirt from SG ($40). It was because it was 48C and I was dyingggggg (plus the skirt will look great with opaques in NY) and a bottle of OPI Bubble Bath ($20) because I’d quit my fortnightly mani & pedi addiction so I had to do something with my nails.
Besides, being minimalist and a spendthrift seems to be de rigour in today’s times. NY fashion week starts tomorrow and the recession is fostering an improvisational atmosphere that's focused on finding ways to maintain fashion’s extravagant soul despite reduced circumstances.
And even though I won’t be buying anything from the high or low end stores, I’ll still be keeping on eye out on the recessionista trends!
Only 30 more sleeps til NY.. I can do it!
Then suddenly two things happened – the impending recession and marriage, which created the need to share my limited wardrobe space with somebody who wanted an equal share. But I have room to argue – men wear shirts and pants (and sometimes shorts). We women wear pants, shorts, ¾ pants, skirts, dresses.. well you get the drift. Plus the husband wears a uniform to work! So no need for an elaborate corporate wardrobe which I have to have.
So 2009 became the year I vowed to not make any fashion or beauty purchases for the first 4 weeks or maybe the first 10 weeks, which is when I go to NY, because seriously what fun is a trip to NY without the ability to purchase fashion and beauty? Heeeeeeello Zara & Sephora.
So I’ve lasted 6 weeks and the only thing I’ve bought was a silly little silk skirt from SG ($40). It was because it was 48C and I was dyingggggg (plus the skirt will look great with opaques in NY) and a bottle of OPI Bubble Bath ($20) because I’d quit my fortnightly mani & pedi addiction so I had to do something with my nails.
Besides, being minimalist and a spendthrift seems to be de rigour in today’s times. NY fashion week starts tomorrow and the recession is fostering an improvisational atmosphere that's focused on finding ways to maintain fashion’s extravagant soul despite reduced circumstances.
And even though I won’t be buying anything from the high or low end stores, I’ll still be keeping on eye out on the recessionista trends!
Only 30 more sleeps til NY.. I can do it!
Saturday, 3 January 2009
20 Questions
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
I did what I wanted to do – I was reckless and did what made me happy. I stopped going with the flow and married the man of my dreams.
2. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Self-discipline; motivation to exercise and financial freedom.
3. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting a promotion at work, going to Serbia on a whim, saying NO MORE to the horrid emotional situation I’d been living in for years… having the courage to do whatever was necessary for true love. Come to think of it… I was pretty darn brave!
4. What was your biggest failure?
Financial self control when it comes to shopping. Or lack thereof.
5. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Some sore feet from high heels and a couple of bouts of the flu.
6. What was the best thing you bought?
2 plane tickets to New York and a pair of sensational high waisted wide leg trousers from Scanlan & Theodore.
7. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Hmm.
8. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Terrorists. Yet again.
9. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Knowing I’d be spending the rest of my life with Bojan.. and also the moment when I was boarding the plane to go to Serbia.
10. Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? Happier. Not enough digit combinations to express just how much happier.
thinner or fatter? Fatter. Period.
richer or poorer? Richer, in every sense of the word.
11. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I always wish I’d read and write more.
12. What do you wish you’d done less of?
I wish I hadn’t been so unmotivated to change my life. I spent 4 years doing nothing. Possibly the best years.
13. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Did I ever!
14. What was the best book(s) you read?
Hurry Down Sunshine
15. What were your favourite films of this year?
James Bond.
16. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Evolving. I love dresses, I love clean, crisp lines. I love power dressing. I love amazing cut and fabric, regardless of the price.
17. What kept you sane?
Me time. The ability to sit somewhere on my own and do what I want – read the paper, read Vogue, surf the net.
18. Who was the best new person you met?
My husband. I didn’t meet him in 08, I re-met him. And I'd rather have re-met him than met anyone else in the world!
19. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Do what makes you happy. Close your eyes and imagine it’s just you, now, in 5 or 10 years time. Imagine what impact your decision will have on your life. Do not worry what anyone else will think. That will all pass and you will have to live with yourself and your decisions forever.
20. Quote a song lyric that sums you up at this given moment.
“moji su drugovi, biseri rasuti po celom svetu”
Always has and always will.
I did what I wanted to do – I was reckless and did what made me happy. I stopped going with the flow and married the man of my dreams.
2. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Self-discipline; motivation to exercise and financial freedom.
3. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting a promotion at work, going to Serbia on a whim, saying NO MORE to the horrid emotional situation I’d been living in for years… having the courage to do whatever was necessary for true love. Come to think of it… I was pretty darn brave!
4. What was your biggest failure?
Financial self control when it comes to shopping. Or lack thereof.
5. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Some sore feet from high heels and a couple of bouts of the flu.
6. What was the best thing you bought?
2 plane tickets to New York and a pair of sensational high waisted wide leg trousers from Scanlan & Theodore.
7. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Hmm.
8. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Terrorists. Yet again.
9. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Knowing I’d be spending the rest of my life with Bojan.. and also the moment when I was boarding the plane to go to Serbia.
10. Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? Happier. Not enough digit combinations to express just how much happier.
thinner or fatter? Fatter. Period.
richer or poorer? Richer, in every sense of the word.
11. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I always wish I’d read and write more.
12. What do you wish you’d done less of?
I wish I hadn’t been so unmotivated to change my life. I spent 4 years doing nothing. Possibly the best years.
13. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Did I ever!
14. What was the best book(s) you read?
Hurry Down Sunshine
15. What were your favourite films of this year?
James Bond.
16. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Evolving. I love dresses, I love clean, crisp lines. I love power dressing. I love amazing cut and fabric, regardless of the price.
17. What kept you sane?
Me time. The ability to sit somewhere on my own and do what I want – read the paper, read Vogue, surf the net.
18. Who was the best new person you met?
My husband. I didn’t meet him in 08, I re-met him. And I'd rather have re-met him than met anyone else in the world!
19. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Do what makes you happy. Close your eyes and imagine it’s just you, now, in 5 or 10 years time. Imagine what impact your decision will have on your life. Do not worry what anyone else will think. That will all pass and you will have to live with yourself and your decisions forever.
20. Quote a song lyric that sums you up at this given moment.
“moji su drugovi, biseri rasuti po celom svetu”
Always has and always will.
Monday, 24 November 2008
Frequent Flyer
Yes I am a frequent flyer indeed. I'd say I take over 20 plane rides a year.
I have many more coming up.
I am going to Canberra in about 10 days to watch my brother compete at his most major athletics comp yet.
I am going on a road trip to Tasmania with my husband for Catholic Christmas.
Then to Brisbane for the family slava in January.
Sveti Sava will be celebrated in Canberra.. for me a return after a 6 year absence.
And drum roll please....... NEW YORK CITY IN MARCH!! TAAAAADAAAAAAA. A trip I've spent a lifetime planning and researching. But first I must research Hobart..
Friday, 3 October 2008
She's back!
I'd say it's been a good 6 months since I last blogged. Blogging was therapy.
Instead of doing a 6 month life snapshot, I will back date my blog and tell you wassap!
Adios.
Instead of doing a 6 month life snapshot, I will back date my blog and tell you wassap!
Adios.
Sunday, 6 April 2008
Nigella or not?
Photos of my babies!
The finished product.
Cookies waiting to be baked.
The bread.I'm starting to be something of a domestic goddess. This week I bought not one but two Nigella Lawson cookbooks. Last night I baked not one but two things. Banana bread & strawberry shortcakes.
Here's some photos of my shortcakes - I think the only thing I have in common with Nigella at this point in time is that we're both messy cooks.
Monday, 10 March 2008
Unknown
I have not blogged in such a long time.
In that time a lot has happened. Kosovo. People keep asking me what I think. Well, I think that Kosovo was lost a long time ago. I think Milos Obilic, Car Lazar and Sveti Sava would be crying in heaven, looking down at us, ashamed that some 80 years ago we let scum move into our holiest land. We let them torture our people and burn our churches. We forgot the amount of Serbian blood that was spilt in Kosovo, for Kosovo and the saviour of our people.
I am feeling awfully guilty wasting away in bed all day today. It's a glorious, very summery day for autumn, but I am not complaining. I know that soon enough I will have my knits and gloves out. I am loving my new macbook with it's wireless internet working properly. I am banned from shopping forever though LOL.
I am now saving for my big travel plans over the next while. Thailand and Hong Kong are paid for. 14 days of summer in the middle of Melbourne winter will be a nice break. Depending on a lot of things I will be off to Chicago & NYC in December and then firmly, ako Bog da - Jerusalem and Serbia in April 2009. Forget pretty shoes, that's what I really want.
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
This George Gets it Right: Clooney to Organize Protest Against Unilateral Declaration of Kosovo Independence
Famous Hollywood actor, activist and campaigner George Clooney in a statement to the Frankfurt daily News announced he intends to organize a protest with his colleagues against the unilateral declaration of independence of Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohija.
“With my coworker and friend Sharon Stone and her childhood friends of Serbian ancestry, I'll soon organize a protest against the attempts to grant independence to Kosovo,” the popular American actor said.
Clooney, who was among the first to support the Hollywood writers' protest and also backed the boycott of the Golden Globe awards ceremony, is well known as a fierce campaigner against any kind of injustice.
“I strive to use my popularity to help the mankind, to contribute to solving the number of problems afflicting today's world,” he said.
The New UN Messenger of Peace
George Clooney is a co-founder of Not on Our Watch, a humanitarian organization that focuses global attention on the plight of Darfur's people. The organization has raised more than $9.3 million for humanitarian efforts in the region.
The 46-year-old actor has been campaigning for an end to the 4 1/2-year war in Darfur and for humanitarian aid for the millions caught up in the conflict.
According to the AP, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon designated George Clooney as a U.N. "messenger of peace" Friday, January 18, 2008. He will become the ninth U.N. peace envoy.
While many U.N. agencies have goodwill ambassadors to promote activities ranging from helping children and refugees to promoting human rights, "messengers of peace" are selected by the secretary-general to promote the broader work of the United Nations.
U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said Clooney was recognized "for focusing public attention on crucial international political and social issues."
As a messenger of peace, he will have "a special focus on United Nations peacekeeping," Montas said.
Clooney will receive his designation at U.N. headquarters Jan. 31. He will also attend a meeting of countries that contribute troops to the 17 U.N. peacekeeping missions in countries from the Mideast and Africa to Haiti, Afghanistan and East Timor.
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
New year, new me?
New year, new you, or so they say.
2007 was a long year, despite the fact that it flew by. It was also a very hard year. No I wasn't starving, nor was I in a war zone but I was pushed out of my comfort zone a lot.
A wrap up:
January is always the best. Always. Christmas, slava, Serb NYE, Nik's bday, Sv Sava etc. I love it, the weather is amazing and the family is at home.
February - I move out of home and interstate. I was homeless for a week, only to find out my new home SUCKS ASS.
March - Work sucked. A new job was mandatory.
April - Went back home for Easter, which made my homesick even worse. It got too cold for my trench coat in Melbourne :((
The next 6 months were famous for me whinging about the cold. I could have killed someone! Oh and I bought a house! Lifelong commitment that one! Once Melbourne Cup rolled around I was much better and am actually enjoying Melbourne a lot more.
I have high hopes for 2008.
Travel overseas twice!
Consolidate my finances (!!)
Get back into the gym
I'm also getting married...?
Start some sort of postgraduate study.
Eat organic.
Hmm, lets see how I go.
2007 was a long year, despite the fact that it flew by. It was also a very hard year. No I wasn't starving, nor was I in a war zone but I was pushed out of my comfort zone a lot.
A wrap up:
January is always the best. Always. Christmas, slava, Serb NYE, Nik's bday, Sv Sava etc. I love it, the weather is amazing and the family is at home.
February - I move out of home and interstate. I was homeless for a week, only to find out my new home SUCKS ASS.
March - Work sucked. A new job was mandatory.
April - Went back home for Easter, which made my homesick even worse. It got too cold for my trench coat in Melbourne :((
The next 6 months were famous for me whinging about the cold. I could have killed someone! Oh and I bought a house! Lifelong commitment that one! Once Melbourne Cup rolled around I was much better and am actually enjoying Melbourne a lot more.
I have high hopes for 2008.
Travel overseas twice!
Consolidate my finances (!!)
Get back into the gym
I'm also getting married...?
Start some sort of postgraduate study.
Eat organic.
Hmm, lets see how I go.
Monday, 26 November 2007
Tiger Airways
I was mostly impressed. Except the strict flight closure 45 minues before take off.
Hrmph!
I'm a frequent traveller, but I've never flown Jetstar so I can't compare it with that particular budget airline. The staff are still learning the ropes so their safety instructions weren't smoothly read. Fine by me. The flight was smooth, the seats were comfortable the staff were helpful enough.
My feet touched the headrest in front of me. Which could have been a problem if I'd been sitting in that seat for 12 hours, but a short domestic flight is a non issue. I was pretty impressed with the seats - very wide and comfortable.
All in all it's a thumbs up from me. It certainly was not a "never again" experience.
And it seems the competitors are feeling the pinch already.
Whatever happens it's great to see holidays becoming more affordable for all and some great destinations being rediscovered and being up for a few extra tourist dollars.
“Tiger will increase direct access to and from Melbourne for locals and visitors by over 1,000 seats per week.”
“This is great news for the regional economy, great news for the tourism industry and great news for the budget conscious traveller.”
Last night, my flight was full of sunburnt Melbournians who hadn't had a holiday in years.
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Spring Racing Carnival
This year is my first year! I am only attending Cup day however. I can't do them all for lack of funds/outfits/days off. Apparently you used to pay $9 to enter Flemington and had access to all areas. Now $50 will only get you onto the plebian grassy nole!
Increasingly, the Melbourne Cup seems more like a day for celebrities, models, sports stars and CEOs to be pampered and fawned over in the most lavish settings possible.
Each year, the attention paid to the goings-on in the exclusive marquee area grows. Who's in, who's not, which celebrity is where, who's wearing what, and which marquee is the standout — that is, which cup sponsor is overindulging the beautiful people to the most extravagant degree.
The Birdcage is like a burgeoning gated community. It's enclosed, tidy and fiercely guarded. And like all gated communities, the Birdcage allows only a certain kind of person inside. Within its walls, a comfortable uniformity prevails and it's as if poverty never existed.
Having grown outwards in recent years, the Birdcage is now growing upwards — several marquees this year are multi-storey, and one has four levels and features a curved bridge over water features. The exterior of this marquee is meant to bring to mind the Doge's Palace in Venice.
Other fanciful features this year include a grand staircase, a stone water wall, a century-old palazzo gate and cypress hedges. One marquee has a two-storey chandelier with 1000 flowers, while another has a bar made from six tonnes of sculpted ice. WHAT!!
The airline Emirates reportedly spends $2 million on its marquee. This works out to about $2800 per guest. (It's one of modern life's sad ironies that the very people who can most readily afford fine food, drink and entertainment are the ones who most often don't have to pay for it.) The politics of envy is apparently a big no-no these days, so I'm sure the commentary of envy is frowned on too. But with the Birdcage culture growing more excessive by the year, it's time to call this what it is: obscene. The marquees, in playing games of one-upmanship, are indulging in an odious kind of extravagance porn. Private companies are free, of course, to spend money however they please. But this shouldn't stop us from saying that their sucking up to the beautiful people, their cloying desire to link celebrities to their brand, to overindulge the privileged and bask in the reflected glow, is over the top and repellent.
The larger the marquee village grows at Flemington, the longer the shadow it casts over the more simple, traditional and, dare I say it, egalitarian pleasures of cup day. The more the media turns its powerful gaze to what Jennifer Hawkins is wearing, which marquee is graced with her exquisite form, and what delectable morsels are passing her beautiful lips, the more the average person feels disconnected from an event they've grown up with.
There is no perfect golden age, of course. Cup day has always showed up disparities in wealth and privilege. In the event's early decades, the aristocracy and well-to-do were in the grandstand, which, according to a journalist writing in 1876, "thronged with all the fashion and beauty, and a good deal of the intelligence of the colonies". Those of more humble means, meanwhile, gathered on the Flat, which was free to the public until 1913.
So, yes, there were clear class divisions at the cup going back to its inception in 1861. But for everyone witnessing the great race there was still some commonality of experience. The rich and famous weren't spirited off to a gated community to indulge in an opulent, hedonistic, gastronomic orgy.
The Victoria Racing Club has no doubt gained a lot in sponsorship dollars and media attention from the rise and rise of the Birdcage. But the august club should be paying more attention to all that it is in danger of losing.
I am appalled and this year's Derby Day has turned into a gridge match between Hawkins and Gale. Get over it people. (Gale looked better on the day I think!)
Kate Waterhouse was the only one dressed appropriately in black and white for the occasion.
Does anyone else think that Lindy Klim looks like Posh Beckham these days?
And where do I start with these two? Just because it's Dior doesn't make it ok, ok Mrs Packer?
Increasingly, the Melbourne Cup seems more like a day for celebrities, models, sports stars and CEOs to be pampered and fawned over in the most lavish settings possible.
Each year, the attention paid to the goings-on in the exclusive marquee area grows. Who's in, who's not, which celebrity is where, who's wearing what, and which marquee is the standout — that is, which cup sponsor is overindulging the beautiful people to the most extravagant degree.
The Birdcage is like a burgeoning gated community. It's enclosed, tidy and fiercely guarded. And like all gated communities, the Birdcage allows only a certain kind of person inside. Within its walls, a comfortable uniformity prevails and it's as if poverty never existed.
Having grown outwards in recent years, the Birdcage is now growing upwards — several marquees this year are multi-storey, and one has four levels and features a curved bridge over water features. The exterior of this marquee is meant to bring to mind the Doge's Palace in Venice.
Other fanciful features this year include a grand staircase, a stone water wall, a century-old palazzo gate and cypress hedges. One marquee has a two-storey chandelier with 1000 flowers, while another has a bar made from six tonnes of sculpted ice. WHAT!!
The airline Emirates reportedly spends $2 million on its marquee. This works out to about $2800 per guest. (It's one of modern life's sad ironies that the very people who can most readily afford fine food, drink and entertainment are the ones who most often don't have to pay for it.) The politics of envy is apparently a big no-no these days, so I'm sure the commentary of envy is frowned on too. But with the Birdcage culture growing more excessive by the year, it's time to call this what it is: obscene. The marquees, in playing games of one-upmanship, are indulging in an odious kind of extravagance porn. Private companies are free, of course, to spend money however they please. But this shouldn't stop us from saying that their sucking up to the beautiful people, their cloying desire to link celebrities to their brand, to overindulge the privileged and bask in the reflected glow, is over the top and repellent.
The larger the marquee village grows at Flemington, the longer the shadow it casts over the more simple, traditional and, dare I say it, egalitarian pleasures of cup day. The more the media turns its powerful gaze to what Jennifer Hawkins is wearing, which marquee is graced with her exquisite form, and what delectable morsels are passing her beautiful lips, the more the average person feels disconnected from an event they've grown up with.
There is no perfect golden age, of course. Cup day has always showed up disparities in wealth and privilege. In the event's early decades, the aristocracy and well-to-do were in the grandstand, which, according to a journalist writing in 1876, "thronged with all the fashion and beauty, and a good deal of the intelligence of the colonies". Those of more humble means, meanwhile, gathered on the Flat, which was free to the public until 1913.
So, yes, there were clear class divisions at the cup going back to its inception in 1861. But for everyone witnessing the great race there was still some commonality of experience. The rich and famous weren't spirited off to a gated community to indulge in an opulent, hedonistic, gastronomic orgy.
The Victoria Racing Club has no doubt gained a lot in sponsorship dollars and media attention from the rise and rise of the Birdcage. But the august club should be paying more attention to all that it is in danger of losing.
I am appalled and this year's Derby Day has turned into a gridge match between Hawkins and Gale. Get over it people. (Gale looked better on the day I think!)
Kate Waterhouse was the only one dressed appropriately in black and white for the occasion.
Does anyone else think that Lindy Klim looks like Posh Beckham these days?
And where do I start with these two? Just because it's Dior doesn't make it ok, ok Mrs Packer?
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
Death
It's been just over a week since Tose Proeski died. Who is he, why do I care?
Well that's irrelevant. The sad thing is that he was only 26 and died due to somebody else's stupidity.
We all spend our days chasing fortunes, fame and superficial status, yet life could end any day. No matter how great you are. I asked the question, why does God take great people so young, when we need them on earth to make this a better place and the answer I got was "to save them from this world before they have time to become messed up too".
We all think, no I won't get married yet, now is not the right time to have kids, no I won't give money to this, I'll just sleep in this Sunday and won't go to church. But how do you know it's not your last day and last chance to do that?
Well that's irrelevant. The sad thing is that he was only 26 and died due to somebody else's stupidity.
We all spend our days chasing fortunes, fame and superficial status, yet life could end any day. No matter how great you are. I asked the question, why does God take great people so young, when we need them on earth to make this a better place and the answer I got was "to save them from this world before they have time to become messed up too".
We all think, no I won't get married yet, now is not the right time to have kids, no I won't give money to this, I'll just sleep in this Sunday and won't go to church. But how do you know it's not your last day and last chance to do that?
Sunday, 21 October 2007
The Election
Last week the election was called. I am on team Rudd.
John Howard is old, ignorant, totally up himself (for unnecessary reasons in my humble opinion) and just way out of his depth.
Time for a change I say.
John Howard is old, ignorant, totally up himself (for unnecessary reasons in my humble opinion) and just way out of his depth.
Time for a change I say.
Monday, 15 October 2007
Ah, glorious days!
Today is a near perfect day if I may say so myself. The sun is shining, the housework is complete and I am sitting on my tiny little balcony planning my summer wardrobe. I thought the day that the coat came off would never come.
I am currently reading the November edition of UK Vogue, and two features got me thinking: "does your wardrobe match your life?"
NO! I am a corporate type, yet I only own 2 suits. I own about 3 pairs of perfect (Scanlan and Theodore of course) trousers and some knits and that's about as appropriate as it gets. I own far too many dresses that lack the occasion to be worn and too many shoes that I lovingly admire from a far. You know when you open the box in the morning, remove the issue paper and quickly close it again because you can't bring yourself to endure the pain of walking in them 600m to the tram stop. Sigh. I really need to start BUYING practical. I am really starting to have nothing to wear. But I'm a woman, I can get away with everything, right?
The second article that got me thinking was "what do you do with your time". I was actually discussing this with my boyfriend and we decided that we don't do anything productive as such.
Here is my typical day the last 6 months.
6.50am Alarm goes off.
7.15am Crawl out of bed, spend the next half hour brushing teeth, growling over bad hair, thumbing my cupboard for something half creative to wear and chucking on some make up. Attempt to make lunch.
7.47am Walk 600m to the tram stop, pick up newspaper from the letterbox.
8am Board tram, catch up on world's events from the last 24 hours by reading said paper
8.23am Arrive at work, eat breakfast and finish reading said paper
9am Meetings
9.30am Action emails.. yadda yadda yadda
1pm Eat lunch at desk, stepping outside is a no no, too many money spending temptations
5.35pm Leave work, catch tram home, read whilst riding said tram
6.15pm Arrive home
6.30 Gym for an hour or so. If not gym, cook or clean or purchase groceries.
10pm Clonk out.
Now I'm depressed. I need a new life. You know nothing I do in my days contributes to anything worth while, it does not make me grow by any means. Where do I start?
Saturday, 13 October 2007
The return
I have decided to revive my old blog and will transfer my entries from myspace as time permits. Now that I am somewhat financially viable, I am going back to shopping and looking after myself as I had always intended. First up, a fabulous new cut and colour, and then the purchase of THE shoe of the season.
Behold:
Saturday, 3 February 2007
Stop! Don't move!
That my friends, is my life. Packed into a few boxes.
I am petrified. I cannot believe that I am leaving.
The negatives:
Missing my brother. Missing him taking out his puberty on me. Missing his volleyball games, his early wake up knocks to take him to high jump training. Just missing him grow up in general.
I will also miss the sunshine, my dog, my bed, my parents, my friends and my way of life. I will miss not having to pay all the bills, all the time.
On the upside:
I will be with my beloved. We will cook, go on adventures, save for our own home, start a brand new chapter in our lives. I will become a lot stronger and will realise just how capable I am of coping with life. It will be a brand new start. Though I wish I was there to send him off on his 'first day', we will be together so he can send me off on mine. And we can't wait to crack open that Moet once all the boxes are unpacked. I also cannot wait for us to go to Adelaide and Tasmania together this year.
See how life works out, just the way you planned it? Haha, yeah right! If you had told me 12 months ago that in Feb 07 I would be doing this, I'd have stabbed you with a screw driver.
I'm vowing not to shop ever again though LOL. I have just. so. much. stuff. Really, I didn't find anything I've never worn, but geez, if I have so much stuff why does it feel like I never have anything to wear?
The move has not been easy. The decision was made so long ago, yet we never gave it much thought until pretty much now. The logistics have been a nightmare. We are sleeping on the floor for about 10 days as we can't get the keys to our place just yet. The removalists were meant to have picked up our things on Friday at 12noon. They showed up with no boxes. Came back again that afternoon when they weren't expected. Again rescheduled for 2pm, called at 11am to reschule for tonight at 630. My last Saturday night here and I have to wait for them? Not happening for us, is it? My work is also giving me hassles.
Please pray for us guys. Right now we need it. I've wanted to say no about 3 times already. I think I'm crazy to love somebody this much. Hope you agree. Ease my pain, please?
Tuesday, 25 April 2006
ARGH
I got through CBA!!
Congratulations! You have done very well throughout our recruitment process and we would like to invite you to attend an assessment centre held onsite at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
All assessment centres will be held at Level 35, 52 Martin Place, Sydney. The entrance to this building is on Phillip Street. Once inside, you will need to take the first bank of lifts to the reception on the 35th floor. The closest train station to this building is Wynyard or Martin Place.
If you are not based in Sydney you will need to make arrangements for travel and accommodation. Unfortunately the Commonwealth Bank does not cover this cost.
The Retail Banking Services assessment centre is on Monday May 8th.
Book yourself in!
Our booking system is self serve and you are able to book a time and date for testing that is suitable for you. Please make sure that you book yourself in immediately as places are available on a first served basis.
If you need to reschedule, please contact us prior to your specified assessment date. There is no guarantee that an alternative time will be available. The assessment centre period is noted above.
To make a booking please log on to www.commbank.com.au/gradconnect and enter your email address and password.
Please note that the assessment centre stage of the process will take approximately 2.5 hours
What does an Assessment Centre involve?
The assessment centre is designed to assess your skills and abilities against the key competencies required for success on the GradConnect program. To assess these competencies objectively, fairly and accurately, a series of exercises will be conducted, including a group discussion and an individual presentation.
These exercises provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate, in a practical manner, your ability to cope with situations that you may encounter working as a graduate within the Commonwealth Bank. You will not be expected to have a detailed understanding of the Bank’s culture or operating environment.
The results of the assessment centre will not be examined in isolation. They will be combined with other sources of information, such as interviews, psychometric testing, your previous work history, qualifications and other achievements, to assist the Commonwealth Bank in making an objective selection decision.
How can I prepare for the Assessment Centre?
· Have a good sleep the night before.
· Plan your travel so that you arrive in plenty of time (10 mins prior to commencement of assessment centre)
· Bring reading glasses if you need them
· Dress Requirements: Business Attire
· Review the Commonwealth Bank website www.commbank.com.au
Will I receive feedback on my results?
YES! We will contact everyone and discuss feedback verbally. This will hopefully assist you in future job applications.
Feedback will be provided by 19 May 2006. If you have not received an email or phone call by this date please contact the Commonwealth Bank graduate hotline 1800 448 880.
Thanks again for your interest in GradConnect with the Commonwealth Bank and good luck with your application.
Regards,
Graduate Recruitment Team
I guess I am excited, but also really scared as the job is in Sydney which means leaving Kon and life as I know it to live an expensive life with strangers. Who cares, it's only an interview, an adventure and a trip to Sydney.
Also got a call back from Deloitte for a final interview on Friday. And to think I was happy with just a govt job. Life is so unpredictable! That's why I love it. Going with Kon for ANZAC day service tomorrow. YAYNESS.
Congratulations! You have done very well throughout our recruitment process and we would like to invite you to attend an assessment centre held onsite at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
All assessment centres will be held at Level 35, 52 Martin Place, Sydney. The entrance to this building is on Phillip Street. Once inside, you will need to take the first bank of lifts to the reception on the 35th floor. The closest train station to this building is Wynyard or Martin Place.
If you are not based in Sydney you will need to make arrangements for travel and accommodation. Unfortunately the Commonwealth Bank does not cover this cost.
The Retail Banking Services assessment centre is on Monday May 8th.
Book yourself in!
Our booking system is self serve and you are able to book a time and date for testing that is suitable for you. Please make sure that you book yourself in immediately as places are available on a first served basis.
If you need to reschedule, please contact us prior to your specified assessment date. There is no guarantee that an alternative time will be available. The assessment centre period is noted above.
To make a booking please log on to www.commbank.com.au/gradconnect and enter your email address and password.
Please note that the assessment centre stage of the process will take approximately 2.5 hours
What does an Assessment Centre involve?
The assessment centre is designed to assess your skills and abilities against the key competencies required for success on the GradConnect program. To assess these competencies objectively, fairly and accurately, a series of exercises will be conducted, including a group discussion and an individual presentation.
These exercises provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate, in a practical manner, your ability to cope with situations that you may encounter working as a graduate within the Commonwealth Bank. You will not be expected to have a detailed understanding of the Bank’s culture or operating environment.
The results of the assessment centre will not be examined in isolation. They will be combined with other sources of information, such as interviews, psychometric testing, your previous work history, qualifications and other achievements, to assist the Commonwealth Bank in making an objective selection decision.
How can I prepare for the Assessment Centre?
· Have a good sleep the night before.
· Plan your travel so that you arrive in plenty of time (10 mins prior to commencement of assessment centre)
· Bring reading glasses if you need them
· Dress Requirements: Business Attire
· Review the Commonwealth Bank website www.commbank.com.au
Will I receive feedback on my results?
YES! We will contact everyone and discuss feedback verbally. This will hopefully assist you in future job applications.
Feedback will be provided by 19 May 2006. If you have not received an email or phone call by this date please contact the Commonwealth Bank graduate hotline 1800 448 880.
Thanks again for your interest in GradConnect with the Commonwealth Bank and good luck with your application.
Regards,
Graduate Recruitment Team
I guess I am excited, but also really scared as the job is in Sydney which means leaving Kon and life as I know it to live an expensive life with strangers. Who cares, it's only an interview, an adventure and a trip to Sydney.
Also got a call back from Deloitte for a final interview on Friday. And to think I was happy with just a govt job. Life is so unpredictable! That's why I love it. Going with Kon for ANZAC day service tomorrow. YAYNESS.
Saturday, 22 April 2006
Which bank?
Not long ago, I had my phone interview with CBA. That means that I had made it past the assessment day. I was told 300 people were being interviewed via the phone. I'm pretty sure that they have a few grad positions, but they're in Sydney :S
Her name was Abbey.. she didn't ask me too much.
+ Why I want to work fro CBA?
+ Why I like their program?
+ Why I chose my preferencial division?
+ What sort of people do I think CBA hires?
+ What I've got out of uni and why I chose the course?
+ Something else I'm sure
+ Who else I've applied to and how I was going? She was so pushy about it too! It was annoying, wanted me to name names etc.
Not cool.
It's Good Friday and I should be being good.. need to study but am also going to work tonight :S
KPMG was meant to be on today, but was rescheduled... eek. I was too lazy to prepare last night so did some last minute research today. Bleh
Her name was Abbey.. she didn't ask me too much.
+ Why I want to work fro CBA?
+ Why I like their program?
+ Why I chose my preferencial division?
+ What sort of people do I think CBA hires?
+ What I've got out of uni and why I chose the course?
+ Something else I'm sure
+ Who else I've applied to and how I was going? She was so pushy about it too! It was annoying, wanted me to name names etc.
Not cool.
It's Good Friday and I should be being good.. need to study but am also going to work tonight :S
KPMG was meant to be on today, but was rescheduled... eek. I was too lazy to prepare last night so did some last minute research today. Bleh
Thursday, 13 April 2006
More boring stuff.
Ok, so I left you on Monday night with a fried brain from PwC, things have not improved. Kon called me to save the day as he's decided that he will apply for jobs. He's so sweet and innocent. Yet so confused.
Clonked out rather early due to afore mentioned friend brain.
Tuesday was spent largely trying to study for Monetary Economics. I got distracted a lot also as per usual. Work sucked extremely. Kay called in sick which left us short staffed. Rushed home and did some research on Moore Stephens for my interview.
Woke up this morning at 5.59am, dead tired. Did some exam revision in bed lol
Headed out the door at 8.30, on the bus into the city then off to uni. The exam was ok, doable but nothing special. Not that I care, I'm stuffed!
Paid $20 for my academic transcripts, oh the torture, I have such terrible terrible results.
Ran off to city for the Moore Stephens interview. They seem a really sweet and a tight knit bunch. They asked me general questions.. why I want to work there yadda yadda.. hardest question I got was.. what is the biggest risk you have ever taken. .. eerrr??? so they pushed me through to next round already :D
CBA test followed.. just reading graphs and working out stuff from the data.. a weird english test.. a passage and then "which of these is likely to weaken the statement"... then a whole bunch of personality tests.. i am a great leader, agree or disagree.. yawn.
Highlight of the day was buying a lime green business shirt for my EY interview and a Jag leather wallet for $5.59. My life is so exciting!
Clonked out rather early due to afore mentioned friend brain.
Tuesday was spent largely trying to study for Monetary Economics. I got distracted a lot also as per usual. Work sucked extremely. Kay called in sick which left us short staffed. Rushed home and did some research on Moore Stephens for my interview.
Woke up this morning at 5.59am, dead tired. Did some exam revision in bed lol
Headed out the door at 8.30, on the bus into the city then off to uni. The exam was ok, doable but nothing special. Not that I care, I'm stuffed!
Paid $20 for my academic transcripts, oh the torture, I have such terrible terrible results.
Ran off to city for the Moore Stephens interview. They seem a really sweet and a tight knit bunch. They asked me general questions.. why I want to work there yadda yadda.. hardest question I got was.. what is the biggest risk you have ever taken. .. eerrr??? so they pushed me through to next round already :D
CBA test followed.. just reading graphs and working out stuff from the data.. a weird english test.. a passage and then "which of these is likely to weaken the statement"... then a whole bunch of personality tests.. i am a great leader, agree or disagree.. yawn.
Highlight of the day was buying a lime green business shirt for my EY interview and a Jag leather wallet for $5.59. My life is so exciting!
Tuesday, 11 April 2006
PwC conquest
I am so brain dead. I have an exam on Wednesday, yet my brain is unable to absorb any more information even if it were to save my life!
Today was the PwC conquest.. a full blown day of activities and tests to land a $37 000 graduate position with the world's number 1 accounting and business advisory firm.
As I went to the movies with Kon last night, I didn't get home, showered, to bed etc til after midnight - not a great start is it silly me! Anyway, woke up this morning at 6am, couldn't get up, so snoozed until 6.30.. eekk
I was a bit nervous so I couldn't really eat breakfast, but did force myself to have half an english muffin. I knew what to expect, but I was still nervous/excited.
I managed to get the bus on time, a great achievement, considering I am ALWAYS late to EVERYTHING!!
So here is my day
8.30am - got to the office and was shown into a room.. everyone was pretty much already there... so early and so eager.. I'm good with people thankfully so I got chatting with everyone quick smart...found out a lot of others had interviews with a lot of other firms.. but I was still the best with 4 our of 4 Big 4.. not to mention modest HAHA
9am - we were allocated groups.. i got 3 people with poor English skills and another weird smarty nerdy guy who says he has a passion for maths.. go figure... the assessors all introduced themselves to us.. all over achievers.
9:10 - ice breaker. this was pointless. instead of telling people about ourselves, we had to practice doing parachuting formations.. like straight line.. spider things or what not. and then we had to do as many in order as possible in 50 seconds. i have no idea how this helped us learn about each other, but each to their own!
9.30 - muffins and coffee for morning tea! yay
10am - first group activity. we were all given the same case study.. on which we had to do a SWOT, debt to asset ratios etc, and split it up and present to the assessors who were the board of directors. the accents etc were a barrier in my team, but i guess maybe that was good for me as i got to clarify points to the assessors and they could mark me up for my communication skills. yes pwc process is very dog eat dog. we all went over time which was typical. we all talked too much. the best advise here is to just be confident and comfortable with your answers, they will ask questions at the end based on your case study... for eg.. our company was based in china so they asked.. how would be overcome the differing accounting standards, the differing culture, how could we raise money to acquire this firm etc. they didn't care about what you said, but about how you said it. so don't stress whether your answer is right or wrong.
1130 - we then moved onto rotations. my first rotation was to be paired with a partner and we are given a task.. the task is that one of the assessors will come and "meet" with us in a board room as a potential client.. our job was to talk to the assessor as though they were a potential client
2nd rotation was a written task, we had to wrote an email to the employees encouraging them to volunteer and give back to the community. easy. i wrote about volunteering when i was in miss australia and when i spoke at events for the starlight foundation, so i just ripped off those speeches lol
3rd, a numeracy test, which was crap hard and crap not enough time to do it. apparently they take off marks for wrong answers so i didnt take any guesses.. nobody got past 15/20 questions, i had just started q 17. was so abstract, it wasn't difficult, just time consuming as each question had multiple parts to calculate to get to the answer. no biggy
4th, interview with a manager, what do i know about pwc, what is high performance culture, what problems do accounting firms face in today's world, give me an example of when you've stuffed up and how have you fixed it, yadda yadda.. i told them how at DHL i shipped someone's wedding dress to Brazil instead of London by mistake LOL
5th, just a tour of the office. us poor tax people have a shit floor.
Overall tips - be yourself, after 7 hours you won't be able to be fake, and you wouldn't want someone to hire you based on a fake you as neither you nor them will enjoy it a single bit. Tell them why you really want to work there, what you want out of a career etc. Be honest! It is their priviledge to have you, a highly desirable asset on their team, so let them sell themselves to you and win you over. Be confident, even if you don't know the answer, be creative.
If I think of more, I will add it and I will also update the other things I have been to.
Cheerio.
Today was the PwC conquest.. a full blown day of activities and tests to land a $37 000 graduate position with the world's number 1 accounting and business advisory firm.
As I went to the movies with Kon last night, I didn't get home, showered, to bed etc til after midnight - not a great start is it silly me! Anyway, woke up this morning at 6am, couldn't get up, so snoozed until 6.30.. eekk
I was a bit nervous so I couldn't really eat breakfast, but did force myself to have half an english muffin. I knew what to expect, but I was still nervous/excited.
I managed to get the bus on time, a great achievement, considering I am ALWAYS late to EVERYTHING!!
So here is my day
8.30am - got to the office and was shown into a room.. everyone was pretty much already there... so early and so eager.. I'm good with people thankfully so I got chatting with everyone quick smart...found out a lot of others had interviews with a lot of other firms.. but I was still the best with 4 our of 4 Big 4.. not to mention modest HAHA
9am - we were allocated groups.. i got 3 people with poor English skills and another weird smarty nerdy guy who says he has a passion for maths.. go figure... the assessors all introduced themselves to us.. all over achievers.
9:10 - ice breaker. this was pointless. instead of telling people about ourselves, we had to practice doing parachuting formations.. like straight line.. spider things or what not. and then we had to do as many in order as possible in 50 seconds. i have no idea how this helped us learn about each other, but each to their own!
9.30 - muffins and coffee for morning tea! yay
10am - first group activity. we were all given the same case study.. on which we had to do a SWOT, debt to asset ratios etc, and split it up and present to the assessors who were the board of directors. the accents etc were a barrier in my team, but i guess maybe that was good for me as i got to clarify points to the assessors and they could mark me up for my communication skills. yes pwc process is very dog eat dog. we all went over time which was typical. we all talked too much. the best advise here is to just be confident and comfortable with your answers, they will ask questions at the end based on your case study... for eg.. our company was based in china so they asked.. how would be overcome the differing accounting standards, the differing culture, how could we raise money to acquire this firm etc. they didn't care about what you said, but about how you said it. so don't stress whether your answer is right or wrong.
1130 - we then moved onto rotations. my first rotation was to be paired with a partner and we are given a task.. the task is that one of the assessors will come and "meet" with us in a board room as a potential client.. our job was to talk to the assessor as though they were a potential client
2nd rotation was a written task, we had to wrote an email to the employees encouraging them to volunteer and give back to the community. easy. i wrote about volunteering when i was in miss australia and when i spoke at events for the starlight foundation, so i just ripped off those speeches lol
3rd, a numeracy test, which was crap hard and crap not enough time to do it. apparently they take off marks for wrong answers so i didnt take any guesses.. nobody got past 15/20 questions, i had just started q 17. was so abstract, it wasn't difficult, just time consuming as each question had multiple parts to calculate to get to the answer. no biggy
4th, interview with a manager, what do i know about pwc, what is high performance culture, what problems do accounting firms face in today's world, give me an example of when you've stuffed up and how have you fixed it, yadda yadda.. i told them how at DHL i shipped someone's wedding dress to Brazil instead of London by mistake LOL
5th, just a tour of the office. us poor tax people have a shit floor.
Overall tips - be yourself, after 7 hours you won't be able to be fake, and you wouldn't want someone to hire you based on a fake you as neither you nor them will enjoy it a single bit. Tell them why you really want to work there, what you want out of a career etc. Be honest! It is their priviledge to have you, a highly desirable asset on their team, so let them sell themselves to you and win you over. Be confident, even if you don't know the answer, be creative.
If I think of more, I will add it and I will also update the other things I have been to.
Cheerio.
Tuesday, 14 March 2006
Happy days
Now I am usually a home body, but it seems that once uni starts I'm party central.
Had a tough week last week.. Hit Maccas on my way home on Sunday night and was cursed with food poisoning for most of the week. As a result.. missed classes. missed work = ---pay. I felt like I was half dead and then on Tuesday and wake and voila.. as if nothing had happened. Bless you Imodium.
Life is still confusing as usual. Relationships are all the same.. once they get to a certail stage, you want them to progress to the next level.. for things to keep moving and once they don't you start questioning where it is all going. Have been pondering many things a lot... Grad recruitment is in full swing.. Have been attending workshops and what not, yet to apply for anything though, still have on average about 10 days to get everything in. GOAL: hit Borders for a resume/application question book!
Now the topic of girls. How some girls are just so trashy. I wish they would leave others boyfriends alone. Jumping on a guy who is dancing on a podium does not qualify as trying to find yourself a boyfriend. Especially when he could well be someone's boyfriend! Whatever happened to being a lady, having self respect and restraint. It's one thing to introduce yourself to someone and completely another to throw yourself at them!!!
The weekend was a bit too busy.. I should really be studying, I'm far too behind for my own good and I have ongoing weekly assessment for most subjects so I'm not doing myself any favours.
Had a tough week last week.. Hit Maccas on my way home on Sunday night and was cursed with food poisoning for most of the week. As a result.. missed classes. missed work = ---pay. I felt like I was half dead and then on Tuesday and wake and voila.. as if nothing had happened. Bless you Imodium.
Life is still confusing as usual. Relationships are all the same.. once they get to a certail stage, you want them to progress to the next level.. for things to keep moving and once they don't you start questioning where it is all going. Have been pondering many things a lot... Grad recruitment is in full swing.. Have been attending workshops and what not, yet to apply for anything though, still have on average about 10 days to get everything in. GOAL: hit Borders for a resume/application question book!
Now the topic of girls. How some girls are just so trashy. I wish they would leave others boyfriends alone. Jumping on a guy who is dancing on a podium does not qualify as trying to find yourself a boyfriend. Especially when he could well be someone's boyfriend! Whatever happened to being a lady, having self respect and restraint. It's one thing to introduce yourself to someone and completely another to throw yourself at them!!!
The weekend was a bit too busy.. I should really be studying, I'm far too behind for my own good and I have ongoing weekly assessment for most subjects so I'm not doing myself any favours.
- Took Niko to vball, which they won :D
- Studied for law... VFed a bit too much in between :S
- Went to Japanese for Rod's 22nd, Oyaka, Onaya?? Something like that in the valley. Loved the food.. the sushi and sashimi in particular.. but at $35 a head, Kon was really, very, unimpressed..
- Sunday we went to church as usual.
We decided that Little Taipei was the place to head for Sunday lunch, as apparently everyone loves it there. Upon arrival we came to the conclusion that none of us had previously dined there, so we were suspect about the quality and left for Southbank armed with a Slurpi each!
We had far too many beverages.. milk teas, smoothies etc and no lunch as yet haha. Made some mushroom pasta at Alena's for dinner and stayed til after 10. Lovely w/e, ableit not very productive.
Had a good day at uni so far I must say... Have enjoyed my classes today.. The title comes from my Metrix tutor, who like to say, happy days a lot of ensure we are grasping the concepts. Strange fellow.
With that I leave you for my Metrix lecture!
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