tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12572418658208454262024-02-19T20:02:48.774+11:00The Awkward Corner23, young and freeEllen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.comBlogger212125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-43624907384397871972015-03-27T15:42:00.000+11:002015-03-28T00:03:48.523+11:00Review: MICF Avenue Q PreviewTonight is opening night for Trifle Theatre Company's debut show, Avenue Q, and there could not be more hype going around town! The show sold out every single night during it's tech run, so those of you who have tickets, you're in for a sweet treat. I was lucky enough to see the first preview on Wednesday night, and as an Avenue Q virgin, I could not be happier with my introduction to the show.<br />
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Set on fictional Avenue Q in New York, recent college graduate, Princeton is searching for his purpose in life, but first he needs a job and a place to live. The show features hysterical numbers including "The Internet is for Porn", "It Sucks To Be Me" and "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist", and blends a cast of actors and puppets in a unique way I'd never experienced before. It requires a little bit of suspension of your imagination, but it allows the character to be felt through both the puppet and the actor guiding it. </div>
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Trifle Theatre Company, established by Sarah Goulding and Andrew McDougall, have created a gorgeous show with an incredibly talented and well revered team. All of the actors are incredibly diverse and talented, often playing two roles and two voices at the same time, and there is so much team work and coordination in transition of puppets and characters. </div>
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Director Stephen Wheat and his team have designed a highly energetic, and full scale production, in a small and intimate setting in Chapel Off Chapel's Loft. This helps to draw the audience further into the avenue and into the unique experience that is Avenue Q. The set design is simple and highly functional, allowing for multiple spaces around the avenue to be set up with ease. </div>
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Michael Ralph's simple but snappy and highly energetic choreography is a delight to watch, using all of the small space to it's advantage, and musical director David Wisken has ensured that the music and the vocals are bright and strong and fun. </div>
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The comedic timing of every actor in the show is on point, with particular reference to Andrew McDougall, Jordan Pollard, Leah Lim and Zuleika Khan, but everyone involved in this show is stellar. All are well revered and well awarded (and deserving!) members of the theatre community, with the most impressive <a href="http://www.trifletheatrecompany.com/#!castandcreativeteam/cvd0" target="_blank">list of cast</a> stage credits I've ever seen. </div>
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As I saw a preview run of the show, naturally there was a whole ONE missed light cue and there may have been some nerves in the vocals, but the over all show is slick, well put together and thought out, and plain hysterical. I can't comment as much as I normally would, as a preview show is always allowed a little room to move, but I wouldn't have changed a thing about it! This is a show I could not recommend more, it is a laugh a minute, funny, rude night at the theatre: the show is NOT appropriate for children, but is an unbearably funny show reminiscent of (but not at all related to) all of our Sesame Street days. </div>
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The show is now playing at Chapel Off Chapel in the Loft until the 11th of April, but if you haven't already scooped up tickets, sadly you are out of luck. The show is well and truly sold out, but keep an eye on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/trifletheatrecompany?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> and join their mailing list <a href="http://www.trifletheatrecompany.com/" target="_blank">on their website</a> to find out whether there will be a return season- I know I'll be returning time and time again if I get the chance!</div>
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Melbourne, make way for yet another brilliant and talented theatre company. </div>
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Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-48264892918837948842014-03-30T23:53:00.001+11:002014-03-30T23:53:55.692+11:00A year laterHey Z,<br />
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I guess I'm just trying to write down my thoughts here, because there are so many things I wish I could still tell you, ask you, annoy you with. And writing down makes it no better or worse, but today was a hard day. Writing it down makes these thoughts concrete.<br />
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Here's some things you've missed.<br />
I'm sorry, but I still haven't read the Woman in Black, or finished Return of the King. It's on my reading list for this month, except the month is over and I've been so busy at work.<br />
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I stopped writing for a while, because I lost motivation. I didn't have time. It didn't feel like a priority, but it is again. I miss your editorial advice. I've been getting better and learning more about my own writing style and others, but I miss having a writing buddy.<br />
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You're missing some fantastic television! Sherlock season three was brilliant, and Game of Thrones gets better with the last season and every new preview. Elementary still sucks.<br />
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George RR Martin released another chapter from Winds of Winter too. I hope somehow you're able to read these, because I'm certainly getting excited about it and I know you would have enjoyed these previews. The discussions we would have had about whether they fit in with our theories...<br />
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I miss our very few lunch hang outs. I miss our conversations via email. Old school, but always filled with spirited conversation, debate, passion and culture.<br />
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I think we'd still be friends today. I think we would have been friends for a long time.<br />
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I had plans to do things today, that would make today mean something. That would make it hurt a little less. But that isn't how real life works. I planned to go and sit in the courtyard at RMIT we used to sit in. I planned to have the writing project we dreamed of ready to launch.<br />
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So here's my promise that tomorrow I will go and sit in the courtyard and think back to our discussions of Sherlock v Elementary, Tolkien's magic and what we would write next, held over bad, loud Asian pop music.<br />
Soon, I will try and start the writing project we wanted. Review the things I read. Share the things I write. But I don't know that I can, not without you. I won't stop writing things though, you taught me that.<br />
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I wish I'd known you better. I wish I knew the words to write. I wish you were still here and the last year of pain wasn't.<br />
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I hope as always, that wherever you are there is a library, and there are stories for you to read, and stories for you to continue to tell.<br />
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Just know there are people here missing you still.<br />
Your friend, as always.<br />
E x.Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-81501365285504201562014-03-07T16:07:00.000+11:002014-03-23T21:07:37.970+11:00My first trip to hospital.<div dir="ltr">
Hello there dumplings.</div>
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I've been rather quiet I know, but I started full time work and then what do you know, three jobs at once and I give myself tonsillitis. You know, usual me.</div>
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And then, a short 8 days after my health insurance lapsed, and I just hadn't had time to call and renew.... I was put into hospital.</div>
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Hospitals are a weird place for me. For someone who has spent a fair bit of time wandering around hospitals as a child, I've never been put in one. My earliest memories of anything to do with hospitals have been visiting sick relatives, flashes of an ear hospital when my brother was small, my home away from home in the Alfred. Skipping up and down wards in my polar fleece, nice nurses with chuppa chups, the terrible food in the hospital cafeteria... but it's never been me in the bed. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks mum, for this wonderful shot of me, post operation. Of me, dirty hair, a bag of my own vomit, and a ham sandwich. Wow. </td></tr>
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To take my hospital virginity, I was shipping off from the doctors to a quaint, quiet little private hospital in Brighton. Big beautiful old building, nice people, private room, admitted almost immediately. I am probably the youngest person there. The bed is small, but it suffices, the television is awful and the lights are blinding to my splitting dehydration headache. And for a place where I'm supposed to be to rest, things certainly go beep, boop, cough, splutter and clunk a bit too often. </div>
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<i>Here are some things I learnt while in hospital. </i><br />
- I have really tiny veins. So in case anyone ever thought hey, maybe drugs, my veins are so small they had to put my arm in a bucket of hot water to find one.<br />
- I've not now nor ever been afraid of needles. They're just pointy.<br />
-I'm not afraid of needles, even when a man is about to stab you in the throat with a 15 inch needle. That hurt. A lot.<br />
- My mum will take pictures of me doing pretty much anything. Including me, a sandwich, and a puke bag.<br />
-Hospital jelly is not good.</div>
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-Private hospitals serve stupidly fancy meals to sick people. I'm talking lamb shanks. </div>
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I was pretty lucky, everyone was super nice to me while I was there, for my whole big long two day stint, and there was even some eye candy to oggle, in the form of cute nurse food delivery guy. What a cutie. I called him regularly to bringmore jelly or custard. A jelly-call. </div>
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And here comes the tiny little moment we won't tell my parents about, where I admit they are right. I'm only getting better now because I have health insurance, I'd still be waiting for a bed in the public health system. Good thing we called the health insurance company from the doctors office to back date my insurance... Oops. </div>
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Very much on the mend and back at home in bed for the next week, minimum. You all know me, I'm going stir crazy already. I've got a lot of movies to watch, a lot of sleep to catch up on and a lot of weight to put back on. I'm not making a lot of sense, and already falling asleep again, forgive me. </div>
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On a diet of sleep, jelly, porridge, meds and little else. <br />
E xx. </div>
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<i>The Book Thief</i> is a masterpiece of a book, and the first book I read this year: and just like Death who ruins the ending of the book at least 30 pages before the end, I'm going to tell you up front that the new release visual masterpiece movie of the same name only gets a 4/5 from me.<br />
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<i>The Book Thief </i>tells the story of Liesel and her journey from Communist mother to new foster parents, and her conflicts against the Nazi party, Hitler's ideologies and the suffering that followed as they harbour a Jew in their basement through WWII. A story of growing up and true self, Liesel is taught to read and right by her foster father Hans Hubermann in the basement at night to chase away her nightmares. This girl develops into an incredible character: She gets into fights, steals food and books, defends the downtrodden and publicly makes statements against Hitler and to defend the Jews. </div>
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This is not quite the story the film told: and here comes some spoilers for both the book and film, as we compare the strengths between the two. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe I'll just annoy him by reading a book over and over until he wakes up and tells me to shut up....</td></tr>
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Visually the piece is stunning; shot in Berlin, the fictional town of Molching outside of Munich is stunningly created. Beautiful landscapes, snow settings, the film is a visual delight. </div>
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The film is no longer centred on the narration by Death like the book was, and has lost much Death's cynicism and bizarrely structured timeline that exposes spoilers all over the shop. It is also missing much of the character development the book centred around, such as Liesel learning to read and write in the basement, growing up to deliver the washing around Molching, the thievery and stealing gang, and the struggles she and Rudy went through at their forced education at the Nazi's youth programs. They were bullied. What happen to Tommy Mueller? What happened to the book Max made for Liesel, the Word Shaker? These were huge developments through the book that were greatly lacking in the film. The marching of the Jews through Molching. The fact that Rosa and Hans had two elder children. The fact that Hans was openly against the Nazis, hadn't joined the Nazi party and was immediately taken away to war because he tried to give a Jew some bread and assistance as they were paraded through the town like animals. That Liesel did the same thing when she finally found Max in the parade years later. Elements of these were still there, but with the main details changed, it lost a lot of it's raw power in standing up to the man and the simplicity of humanity. Much of the book questions humanity and what it is to simply be human, and a friend. </div>
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Here's another spoiler, and it annoyed me: Basically everyone dies. Now Death tells you that very early in the book, and reveals it in a way that you are built up to it and by the time it happens at the very crux of the ending, you are as shell shocked as bomb ridden Himmel Street. The movie is missing much of Liesel's unending despair of survival. She dances one last time with her father, holds her family and friends, throws her book to the ground with an unending cry as she holds the reason she survived in her hands, and casts it off as less valuable than the people who were in her life: All missing from the film. </div>
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Now Geoffrey Rush talked through this a little bit in the question time after the film. He, having read the book after the screenplay, did mention things that changed, like Rudy had died earlier in the book, and he forever went without the kiss he so desired. Rudy was found dead in his bed, . In the film, Rudy died in Liesel's arms. And while she is real sad about it, she was absolutely destroyed that she survived the bombing in her shallow little basement, writing her life story as the Word Shaker as Max had inspired her to do, representing the incredible journey of literacy she had taken. </div>
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What Rush had to say on the changes of the book and screenplay were this: They could have followed down the rabbit hole and played the book to screen exactly. They could have created the every colour Death saw as he carried these souls away, with the twisted plot line and Death being the central protagonist showing us snapshots and developments through Liesel's life, with all the technicolour and CGI in the world. Would it have made as good a film? Maybe. As powerful, and heart wrenching a film? Maybe not.</div>
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He's a smart man, and I guess I would have to agree: They followed the book's central inspiration and created a beautiful film inspired by that, but a little bit easier to digest. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all good, just shove a book still on fire down your coat. </td></tr>
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Without this development as the Word Shaker, the film lost much of the unbreakable power the book held over me. I finished the entire book in six hours, I was so enthralled. </div>
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This is not to say however, that the film did not awe, inspire and make one feel hollow: it just didn't make me feel so empty, hollow and dead inside like reading the end of the book did, an all consuming despair and inspiration for this girl, a hollowness and disbelief that the Holocaust ever happened, an unbreakable power to consume words as Liesel did. </div>
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The film is a little easier to devour: a bit less of Nazis killing everyone and beating the crap out of anyone in the way, a bit less of the jarring, confusing presence of Death and his non-chronological timeline, and a lot less details to show it plain and simple: Friendship. Humanity. Literature. Family. </div>
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The choice to not shoot the film in German was an interesting one, as the language of the film is peppered with German words and accents. The film does open in German, however the original text was written in English. Perhaps the most brilliant part which was lost in translation, is Rosa Hubermann calling of Hans Hubermann Saukerl, or calling Liesel Saumensch: These aren't pet names, nor their last name as my mum though. Saukerl means asshole. Saumensch is a word to humiliate a female, loosely translating to "you filthy pig". While these become endearments of affection and nicknames almost, the severity and boisterous-ness of Rosa is lost in the film. However, this doesn't detract from the film at all: for once I could sit through a film without being annoyed by German soldiers with American accents, thanks Hollywood... </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not a happy story. It is heartbreaking. </td></tr>
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A quick note on the casting: Brilliant. It could not have been done better, and I can imagine no others playing these roles. Geoffrey Rush is the perfect balance of calm, accepting and teaching, while standing up for what he believes in. He bears consequences, opens his soul to this film and shows us all of the heart. The role of Hans was written for him. Sophie Nelisse turned 13 on the set, and could not be more amazing. So youthful, so fresh and so inspired, the girl is all focus and captures everything of Liesel from the book: Her despair, her loneliness, her love, her friendship. Let's not lie, we all know Emma Watson is amazeballs. She just is. The cast is incredible. </div>
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The whole thing has been simplified, and much of the book's rich complexity and colour has been sucked out of it. But what is left is still a visually stunning, heart stopping piece about friendship and the lengths we go to respect it, in one of the greatest war conflicts the world has ever seen. A simple, youthful perspective and desire for understanding of the world around us, why people do what they do and when to pick your fights.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm torn between my incredible love of Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nelisse, and my emotional reactions to the original text, and this beautifully created film; from me it gets 4/5 stars, as it is a brilliant interpretation of the book, however the book may still edge out as my favourite. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The film is out in Australia on Thursday 9th of January, and I wouldn't miss it if I were you. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">E x. </span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">more from the Q&A session with Geoffrey Rush about the film soon. </span></i></div>
<br />Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-87150556910727012722014-01-05T03:42:00.000+11:002014-01-14T01:00:20.369+11:002013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhUYENk5VFaB0WXEKKI0xDUMZ0Nok7rgJXShIlMHyVxyB1uO1n63icSfCSsyTWIwwR55FAP8pKrm1WRTp_yRTjIyM4ArvkdSnHpytJO0e9PugRglZ18cfr9fg_Q9lAeUyDefSEtl2wxZo/s1600/tumblr_mzauuuiMz41qzw563o3_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhUYENk5VFaB0WXEKKI0xDUMZ0Nok7rgJXShIlMHyVxyB1uO1n63icSfCSsyTWIwwR55FAP8pKrm1WRTp_yRTjIyM4ArvkdSnHpytJO0e9PugRglZ18cfr9fg_Q9lAeUyDefSEtl2wxZo/s320/tumblr_mzauuuiMz41qzw563o3_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are barely words to describe the year I've had. A wonderful, adventurous, heartbreaking, hard, incredible, insane, out of this world year.<br />
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I have difficulty explaining the year I've just had: 2013 was difficult. 2013 was incredible. 2013 was basically hot and sweaty and the year of eternal summer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooz8GUUEvKbV6whBnP4MkSHc_PBHbojfMfJldpyGhdWEYdgCvydqdQ_idVh11HKoezF0vzJmfZ3sjzXNxJ6rxOPaIWf19EcHigA52FtQy4osvAyb_GSYRkVawKVnfHE7_Bz8q5hasM1I9/s1600/553071_10151215174629912_191056311_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooz8GUUEvKbV6whBnP4MkSHc_PBHbojfMfJldpyGhdWEYdgCvydqdQ_idVh11HKoezF0vzJmfZ3sjzXNxJ6rxOPaIWf19EcHigA52FtQy4osvAyb_GSYRkVawKVnfHE7_Bz8q5hasM1I9/s200/553071_10151215174629912_191056311_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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I started 2013 quietly, with a few amazing lady friends, drinking tequila and wearing silly hats and nearly falling in the Yarra River. We marvelled at fireworks and had a quiet, wonderful evening. And I ended this insane year sort of quietly, with amazing life long friends, and some cheeky new ones, drinking and laughing, playing basketball and surrounding a bonfire.<br />
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So with the year over, here are some of the incredible times had over 365 days of wonder.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhet5mK3e9y7Ccw_Yop8z105St429EQ_sDyISb9iTCTDcbpVTnCXzPFRF6RfMudn2WyDjcWI21GUh_G_cJvl1wArjt0OQi8cr3potbr6G6zZGYmvSN-We6lZ17KzPX9Xg0dj97-beHtSeeO/s1600/376061_10151343599161557_366408483_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhet5mK3e9y7Ccw_Yop8z105St429EQ_sDyISb9iTCTDcbpVTnCXzPFRF6RfMudn2WyDjcWI21GUh_G_cJvl1wArjt0OQi8cr3potbr6G6zZGYmvSN-We6lZ17KzPX9Xg0dj97-beHtSeeO/s200/376061_10151343599161557_366408483_n.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
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<i>Time spent travelling: 7 months.</i><br />
It begun with a quick skip off to Sydney for an early birthday present, and grew to be time in Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore and recovering from it all in Brisbane. I spent more time away than I did in my home town this year, and it's been incredible. I keep saying incredible, because I barely believe I was fortunate enough to have this amazing adventure with all of these amazing people. I've written thousands of words about these adventures, published or not, and nothing gets past the incredible highlights of facing height fears and climbing the Harbour Bridge in Sydney, being completely awestruck at Angkor Watt, life spent zooming around Ho Chi Minh City and sweating it out chasing food, dancing and just being in Singapore. Time well spent with family in Brisbane, and coming home to the city I love and was born in to worship at it's alter of coffee and culture. I have spent a year in the most incredible places and I am thankful for every minute of it. From muggings and sicknesses to parties and working and uni and friends, thank you all.<br />
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I fell in love, I fell out of love, I fell in love... I fell in love with countries and places and people and lifestyles and boys and everything. I left my heart with so many people and so many places this year and I have no regrets about any of it. If I left pieces of my heart all around the world and with all sorts of people, I like to think I'll be coming back there and to them some day.<br />
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I lost some people this year. I lost a truly incredible, real, honest friend of mine. That still burns. That is still inexplicable. I'm sorry. And I miss you every day Z.<br />
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I very nearly lost my ever stubborn, ever resilient Grandad. Thanks for fighting, for never changing, for still being the man who fed me icecream cones on the back porch and taught me about friendship and the words to Frere Jacques. I'm glad we get to keep you for a while longer, I'm not done absorbing your wisdom yet.<br />
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I made some incredible friends. I'm lucky enough to have friends in so many countries now, so many amazing places and times we shared. I cannot wait to see you all in the future, to visit you all, to make more incredible memories. Thanks for sharing your lives with me, and for putting up with me. I'm glad we're all so weird and wonderful together.<br />
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I had a birthday. I'm now 21 I suppose, though having not truly celebrated it and from the day being somewhat of a disaster, it's been decided it hasn't happened yet.<br />
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Went through some really hard stuff. I don't talk about it much, but I survived. We always do. Lost some good friends. But made some new ones; and life goes on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEqBZ0iuSBBoqeyyBZtL4UVgDtBIYWHdumsBnNV6J3qVC0TgxGcZeVkYafSd34c5Mc5gKWlUoTM4jaeOERuCg71e7oGQz4581xtsF_Wmsrx_7kg8_QGInN7ymgQaYnKEfnvb4ZAtLUjGR/s1600/IMG_7122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEqBZ0iuSBBoqeyyBZtL4UVgDtBIYWHdumsBnNV6J3qVC0TgxGcZeVkYafSd34c5Mc5gKWlUoTM4jaeOERuCg71e7oGQz4581xtsF_Wmsrx_7kg8_QGInN7ymgQaYnKEfnvb4ZAtLUjGR/s200/IMG_7122.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Distinction degrees are ever so tastyface.</td></tr>
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I finished uni. No more studying, no more books and lectures and skipping classes and tutes and readings. For now at least, and hopefully for good. Such a big part of my life came to a close, from a course I never dreamed I had the scores to get into, to graduating with Distinctions, I am so proud of myself and everyone who made this same journey. Thanks to everyone who got us here.<br />
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This post is pretty much the same every year: I've probably written the same thing year in year out. But each year, I remember to be thankful for the year I've had, the people I'm grateful for and the memories that don't fade.<br />
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And so 2014 shall be an equally interesting year: <i>scary, but full of promise.</i><br />
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This will be the year I set out to find an adult job, yet still never grow up, of sleeping tablets and caffeine, of too many books to read and too many things to see and just enjoying the year that I couldn't plan. The year of potential further study, of cover letters and new friends and probably more travel and basically anything, in the year I had to accept came with no instructions, and no plan.<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy new year everyone, and happily, but with full of unforgettable memories, goodbye 2013.<br />
<br />
<i>Avec amour et espoir, E x. </i>Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-42578305926772252013-12-14T13:38:00.000+11:002013-12-22T14:21:04.339+11:00The Desolation of Expectations<i>Get ready Australians, this magical review comes to you before you get to see part two of the Hobbit. </i><br />
<i>Warning, some moderate spoilers. But I expect all you well educated folk to have read the book! </i><br />
<br />
I never saw the first Hobbit movie in the cinemas, and I'm really really glad I didn't waste my money on that excessively long pile of tripe. I really did not enjoy the first Hobbit movie, and as someone who has read the book and read it many times since I was 8, I knew I would not enjoy it.<br />
<br />
Which is why I was hesitant in lining up for the IMAX 3D screening of the Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug on the day it came out in Singapore, a full two weeks before it hits the screens in Melbourne.<br />
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And it was stupendous.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stupendous views are stupendous panoramic.</td></tr>
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The movie opens back up where it left off, Hobbit and Dwarves and Wizard running off fleeing orcs and goblins and all manner of nasty things, while trudging onwards to the Lonely Mountain. Except they are being chased, and thus the movie actually has pace and a driving plot line. Not like the previous installation, "111 pages of Bilbo Baggins whinging, in moving image form".<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WHO INVITED YOU LEGOLAS? It certainly wasn't Bard. </td></tr>
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Peter Jackson invited Legolas to this party, he was like 'Hey Legolas, wanna come help me prove that elves really are immortal and really old and be in this movie, that comes before the other movies you were in?" And Legolas was like 'Sure Peter Jackson, even though it doesn't appear in the book and doesn't make too much sense, or add anything to the film really, I'd love to come back. But it's been 10 years and I got a bit old and fat so...".<br />
<br />
I'm sure that actual conversation happened. Despite Orlando Bloom's expanded waistline and additional frown lines, him being in the movie does make for many an epic arrow battle scene, and allows for the typical Hollywood romance plot line of Elf loves Elf who loves Dwarf who loves Elf love triangle to be written in. Which made for more epic arrow battles, because everyone knows how to show your love in Middle Earth is by being a real man, and shooting the crap out of some orcs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrel o' monkeys just became a whole new dwarf game. </td></tr>
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The film captures some of the more interesting escapades of the middle of the Hobbit story: from the great escape from the elves of the Mirkwood, to the invasion of Lake Town and the reveal of Bard's true identity, to a battle scene straight out of a video game of Legolas bouncing like Donkey Kong on the heads of dwarves and chopping orcs like he was collecting coins on Crash Bandicoot. This sequence was epic, but it had us, and our Singaporean movie going counterparts pissing ourselves laughing, at the comical nature and sheer out-of-placeness of the video game power play. It definitely breaks up the film a bit, which is fully of surprising chuckles and edge of your seat action.<br /><br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stealth and wealth. </td></tr>
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Prepare thy loins for this film: it is a full three hours long by the time you watch previews and ads: so the super mega jumbo post mix drink you've got will be gone before the movie is 10 minutes underway, and you will need to pee like a pregnant lady somewhere between the attack of the giant spiders at Mirkwood and the fish smuggling dwarf entrance to Lake Town with the ever handsome Bard. Arm yourself with popcorn and chocolate covered nuts, it's a marathon of a film in 48fpp that will give you slight headache. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Seeing the film in IMAX certainly added a whole new level of epic to the filM; continuing with the trend away from gaudy objects hurtling themselves towards your face mid-film, the 3D is well done and heightens the depth and detail on the film. It adds a layer of richness of colour, landscape and draws you into the world of Middle Earth completely. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the better to see you, precious. </td></tr>
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The CGI in this film is impeccable. Benedict Cumberbatch's own facial features pop out in Smaug's face. Which is gigantic, monstrous and terrifying to behold. In every movement and glisten of his scales is hours of computer generated imagery and action, and the result is simply indescribable. The CGI also backs up much of the fighting scenes, making them seem all the more epic but at times, wholly unreal. <br /><div>
<br />That doesn't even matter though, with the amount of work going into the epic colouration of scenery, the orcs, Smaug, all of the fighting scenes and the speed at which the elves run and move, barrels falling down a mountain side and some seriously epic river scenes... this film has gone above and beyond and is just far too beautiful to look at for it's own good. Prepare those tired eyes for an epic eyeball delight of 48fpp, in rich deep forest colours and golds of treasures on screen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're off to see the Dragon...</td></tr>
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The movie only loses points for Legolas being there. Seriously. Why. And for some of the action scenes feeling wholly unreal and almost made fun of through the CGI, it made the film epic, however it felt a little cheap. It also still loses points for being a three hour epic in a three movie series which really didn't need to be so long or drawn out, although I'm no longer complaining. And please, stop trying to write in chunks of the Silmarillion because you've realised that three films is one film too many, you're just confusing everyone. While the overall product is getting better with age and time and with each film, it's a touch too money grabbing.<br />
After an absolute disappointment and shambles of a first instalment with the Hobbit, The Desolation of Smaug smashes expectations right out of the park. We were set up to expect improvements and it came tenfold, with this 20-something Tolkien devotee not blinking for the entire three hour film. However, my seat mates will tell you I did keep jumping out of my seat: it's a very jumpy film. Hold onto your hats and prepare the snacks!<br />
<br />
4.5 out of 5 Hobbit holes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bitches please, we've got the key. </td></tr>
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A real review is in store after it is released in Australia, and I see it for a second time on Boxing Day. Because yes, it will be time to tear to shreds the inaccuracies between the original text and the film, and to </div>
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Happy holidays, hobbits!</div>
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E x.<br /><br /></div>
Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-36219366978416221742013-12-03T01:18:00.001+11:002013-12-03T01:18:03.357+11:00Home coming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Well that's it Singapore.<br />
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Gird your loins and mark your calendars Australia, I finally booked a ticket home, and this adventure, for now, will end on the 15th of December when I touch back down in Melbourne.<br />
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However, I've come to really call Singapore home, and have a lot of places and people here that I really love, and am really going to miss when I head back to Australia.<br />
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But after six and a half humid, sweaty months, I'm in need of a hair cut, my bookshelf, and Mumma B's home cooked magic. Here are the things I've been missing about home in Melbourne.<br />
<br />
Hand me a strong soy latte or a soy long mac and I'm a happy happy lass. Hand me one from Melbourne and I will probably purr like a cat. So one thing I'm really looking forward to is heading back to the Melbourne coffee culture, with its tiny little cafes and it's distinct lack of Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Coffee Club. Give me Cafe Stax and Brunettis and a hole in the wall cafe tucked down Little Collins St! I miss Cafe le Triskel and the afternoons spent there, restaurants down the arcades and fabulous brunch places.<br />
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These are some special special people. Oh you beautiful people, you know who you are, you are the reason I'm following my post cards and air mail love back to you in Melbourne.<br />
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I miss the State Library Lawn. I miss Southbank. I miss sitting down by the Yarra, I miss the hustle and bustle, the sound of trams, the brightening of streets with buskers and street art and culture.<br />
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I can't promise how long I'll be staying in Melbourne, but you'll get to keep me for a while. There are too many places left to fall in love with all over again. </div>
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Welcoming party at the airport, I'm expecting balloons. And or banners. Everyone else gets banners, can I have banners? I'll see you all bright and early, Sunday 15th of December.<br />
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See you soon Melbourne,<br />
E x.<br />
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<br />Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-19821357191696452872013-12-01T15:09:00.000+11:002013-12-11T15:09:50.668+11:00Things Singapore gets points forIt's been a breezy exciting two months so far living in Singapore, and with one to go before returning to the beautiful homeland of Melbourne, it's time to see how my current home stacks up with my place of birth.<br />
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Singapore is a bit like Melbourne and Australia: No real claim to distinguishable culture of its own, but has built its culture around being multi-cultural, and being a welcoming, diverse place for all.<br />
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But Singapore is a little bit like what Melbourne would home to become in five to fifteen years: technologically ahead of the game, efficient, clean,full of people from all around the world and generally a pretty great place to live; can be depressing, can be unsafe, but overall somewhere I'm fairly comfortable calling home.<br />
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However, Singapore is ahead of the game and here are some things Singapore is kicking Melbourne's butt in.<br />
<i>1. Public Transport</i><br />
It really isn't hard to have a better public transport system them Melbourne; probably majority of the world does.<br />
The public transport here is regular, clean and air conditioned. They run on time, and even on public holidays and weekends they still run more regularly than trains do in Melbourne on peak times. In Singapore you should be upset if you have to wait more than 3-5 minutes for a train most of the time; the closest running trains in Melbourne are around every 10 minutes in peak times.<br />
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Phones work underground on the train.That's right, none of the hilarious giggles that are watching people lose phone reception when entering the City Loop in Melbourne, phones stayed glued to smart phone screens everywhere in the large parts of the underground MRT network.<br />
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Plus, being on a train, I have witnessed over four people in a row try to give up their seats for a man with a toddler strapped to him, including a frail, elderly woman and a hunched over old man; one of the few instances of true manners I have seen; most of the time everyone is very concerned with people who need seats to be in seats on public transport, no questions asked. Probably the result of an alarmingly successful advertising campaign by the LTA and MRT, but it's working!<br />
<u>Points: One uncountable giggitybillion. </u><br />
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<i>2. Power saving modes. </i><br />
The escalator slows down and goes into power saving mode until it's being used. This is efficiency. And its not just a few, it's just about every escalator I've seen in Singapore. This is just a tiny step towards ideas of green energy and efficiency, and they're the baby steps that start to reduce emissions and<br />
<u>Points: 50 earth points.</u><br />
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<i>3. Diverse friendly people</i><br />
Melbourne has this too, but Melbourne is also full of rude taxi drivers and streets of people too busy to even look at you. People are lovely here. I bought a dress off a girl, and after that she helped me to get a skirt and a hand bag repaired nearby. I have had some really lovely conversations with taxi drivers, immediately welcoming me to Singapore. I've had some really nice bus drivers too. People make time and make an effort here, and while it's not everyone, it's enough that I've noticed, and really appreciated it.<br />
<u>Points: 20 Happy fuzzy Karma points.</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melbourne, steps behind with the Southern Star .. or Melbourne Star... Or Melting Star. </td></tr>
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<i>4. Singapore has a functional wheel</i><br />
You know that monstrosity that keeps melting but they just keep building in Melbourne out by Docklands? Well Singapore have one. Singapore waited a few weeks after Melbourne's announcement to build a site seeing wheel, then announced they were building theirs bigger. Then they finished it faster, and it works.It's hot in Singapore, so they thought about the part where the wheel was going to melt, and avoided that nicely. Good one Melbourne. Also, there's actually stuff to see in Singapore...<br />
That is some efficiency and typical Singaporean one-uppery right there.<br />
<u>Points: 20 one-up and efficiency points</u><br />
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<i>Things that Singapore confuse me about, or lose points for. </i><br />
Singapore loses some serious points for being 70% malls and shopping centres: Where are the unique, independent shops and boutiques? I'll tell you, they're squished up together and hanging out in the alarmingly cool meccas of Tihong Bahru and Haji Street, a hop step and a jump away from the MRT, hidden away to preserve their wonder.<br />
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Melbourne is still kicking your butt in cafes: Singapore is full of wonderful little cafes that are just a little hard to find but always rewarding when you do. Melbourne is OVERFLOWING with them. Singapore, you lose serious points for never having soy milk available for my coffee too!<br />
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You're all a little bit too glued to your phones. Just because they work underground, doesn't mean there aren't things to see.<br />
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You're all super keen to tell me about how you've been to Sydney. Guess what, Sydney kind of sucks. You'd all really like to visit Melbourne though you think.<br />
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You're all really surprised when I use my manners. Singaporeans are just too damn efficient to waste words on pleasantries. They also cut important pronouns and conjunctions and other important grammar points out of sentences and just fill the space with la. Many conversations occur using only verbs and names. This is Singlish, and while it's been a lot of fun to learn, it's all been a headache. However, this is not a negative point, because its one of the few truly Singaporean things about this place.<br />
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Singapore loses points perhaps for being a bit too ahead of the game: Singapore as it is now has only been around for 48 years or so, and in those short years it has surpassed all KPIs set as a country. This is a little depressing; If Singapore only had up to go, and up it went, does this mean Singapore can climb any higher, or does what come up must come down again in this city?<br />
There are a few theories here: Singapore is just making up for it's great fall to the Japanese in WWII. Singapore will take over the world and in 50 years, the whole world will be the Republic of Singapore.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirybqV4k8EogGoU1b7WmpayCV9KyDfkHVnJ-FGqWhNg954njmfwCPDsPqBNhDISqqig2ovmyOTjGEHElpJwRXAVxaLLpLFPV7tMC8DKyLMJweGmByVfT45wzMD0lUMydf6cBGk0HN8yscI/s1600/singapore+v+melbourne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirybqV4k8EogGoU1b7WmpayCV9KyDfkHVnJ-FGqWhNg954njmfwCPDsPqBNhDISqqig2ovmyOTjGEHElpJwRXAVxaLLpLFPV7tMC8DKyLMJweGmByVfT45wzMD0lUMydf6cBGk0HN8yscI/s400/singapore+v+melbourne.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />The final scoreboard is in, and it's not quantifiable.The argument comes down to two major points: Melbourne's huge city culture of coffee, street art and culture, and Singapore's beyond efficient public transport system. I adore my coffee and I really like being able to get to places quickly, efficiently and in icy air conditioned comfort. In an ideal world, I could efficiently go places to get my coffee and street culture, but until then, I'm happy to call both Singapore and Melbourne home, for their similarities, striking differences and quirks.<br />
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See you soon Melbourne, you wonderful city you. I'm coming home to reclaim you.<br />
E x.Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-71661182760359212452013-11-01T17:57:00.000+11:002013-12-03T01:54:26.636+11:00Gossip by the water coolerWe're at the end of another very quiet week of being the events coordinator, and thank god it's Friday!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR7gkn1Vmi1BoSj6Io7GaH7YULcEMUyuXcPy8RvKWd7d6lBcjRWZSeJmpCGLcDfgwy7-nTpEJcVc0x1OwLd33_8-iPFiXTfxOxIBLwd9046Wr_8sKtQTjAfRLwAJsE4RzL2QFe9juq5ge/s1600/2013-11-05+14.54.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR7gkn1Vmi1BoSj6Io7GaH7YULcEMUyuXcPy8RvKWd7d6lBcjRWZSeJmpCGLcDfgwy7-nTpEJcVc0x1OwLd33_8-iPFiXTfxOxIBLwd9046Wr_8sKtQTjAfRLwAJsE4RzL2QFe9juq5ge/s200/2013-11-05+14.54.05.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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Being a slightly quiet week, we've done a fair bit of chatting, so here's some of the hot topics of discussion from the last month at the LIM office on the work Skype...</div>
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Because we couldn't possibly turn around and talk to each other, we all sit a metre from each other.</div>
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<u><i>What we discussed on the work Skype that had nothing to do with work. </i></u></div>
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- Observations like David Attenborough of Hairol and Andrew flirting. </div>
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- Whether Hairol and Andrew are going to be a thing.</div>
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- Andrew's bird shirt.</div>
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-Skittles</div>
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-Muffins</div>
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-Burgers</div>
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-My epic hangover post L&EA</div>
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- My stolen wallet</div>
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- Going trampolining</div>
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- Secret plans to find out the secret Christmas party plans</div>
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- Human Centipede</div>
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- Halloween</div>
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- Lunch Dates</div>
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- Chicken Rice</div>
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- Chicken Rice again</div>
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-Where to get Chicken Rice.</div>
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-Whether Chicken Rice is really that delicious</div>
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- Weekend plans</div>
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- Types of tea</div>
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- Movie marathons</div>
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- Thai food </div>
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- Where to get the best ramen</div>
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- Going to get some beers</div>
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- Drinking beers in the office</div>
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- The degree of slutty dress I need to wear as the award show trophy colour</div>
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- Coloured suits</div>
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- Mullets</div>
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- How to get weed in Vietnam</div>
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-How to get weed in Cambodia</div>
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- Vietnam</div>
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- Cambodia</div>
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- Japanese tests</div>
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- Being excited about trampolining</div>
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- What to eat for lunch</div>
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Happy Friday from LIM!<br />
E x.Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-20954745595046843372013-10-29T01:28:00.000+11:002013-11-05T02:41:32.635+11:00The Success StoriesEverything is coming up roses for my friends.<br />
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I am so inspired, and filled with such joy, hope and pride when I hear how well some friends are doing: lead roles and fabulous new jobs, great marks and amazing perserverance.<br />
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Working hard. Perserverence, communicating, confidence, reassurance, keeping the right people around, motivation, desire. It's all it is.<br />
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Congratulations everyone for sticking with it, I'm so proud of you. I'm proud of all of my friends, graduating their degrees and submitting their final assignments, getting amazing new jobs, lead musical roles, amazing theatre reviews, finishing incredible shows, new additions to the family, quitting terrible jobs, everything. I am lucky to know you all and to bask a little bit in your glow, in your good fortune.<br />
<br />
We'll all make it in the end, and the journey is half the fun, but it's the end of an incredible year and there are very few things I'd change. I'm hearing fantastic stories about friends doing so very well. We're graduating, and things are good.<br />
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I'm chasing the dream: The dream that I still don't know what it is, or where i'll find it, but I'm liking it. I'm living some sort of dream now, and there will be more.<br />
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Congratulations you beautiful people. I adore you.<br />
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Until I can congratulate you all in person, I'm sending you all my love and joy from Singapore. Keep the good news coming my way.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Or the bad news, if you need to. I'm always here. </span><br />
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All my love, E x.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZUNyVdZwCIpKYpDBVlS4cn4Vxhf-PrYMFJ0zsu0VOPYBKcbkLQQllmTG-nJ3ZRB-jlSi1Gw7-XD1Ll0n4lpZSiwiEwby27je7BjdGXuB-vAXlaWO-ApmToB82eaBbP7CJDJAwFgpwdhu/s1600/264516178083363964_I1ikPS1N_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZUNyVdZwCIpKYpDBVlS4cn4Vxhf-PrYMFJ0zsu0VOPYBKcbkLQQllmTG-nJ3ZRB-jlSi1Gw7-XD1Ll0n4lpZSiwiEwby27je7BjdGXuB-vAXlaWO-ApmToB82eaBbP7CJDJAwFgpwdhu/s320/264516178083363964_I1ikPS1N_c.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-85171673465398000472013-10-26T00:46:00.000+11:002013-12-03T01:54:48.314+11:00How to be the intern<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbguiGjLX_aoOaefoA4DJbmKzYEeg3ynuapTBScHqI4J6eioPGHUswZSJLnXL-Gl75vzkXrT1_mJ-S4xZ-WjfGDLFLnbQ8YilifQcSrjM0MeXVC6uYdW-mVrniDF2PmjBNcEgz5Pi9-8c/s1600/2013-10-18+18.24.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbguiGjLX_aoOaefoA4DJbmKzYEeg3ynuapTBScHqI4J6eioPGHUswZSJLnXL-Gl75vzkXrT1_mJ-S4xZ-WjfGDLFLnbQ8YilifQcSrjM0MeXVC6uYdW-mVrniDF2PmjBNcEgz5Pi9-8c/s320/2013-10-18+18.24.43.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This first few weeks of my internship here in Singapore are over, and my least favourite task so far has been the report writing. Specifically, my bosses have been having me make guides for other people on how to be me and do my job in the future.<br />
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So here's my unofficial guide on how to be intern number 2...<br />
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<i>- Be early.</i><br />
Just always be early to the office. So no one else gets there until 9.30, and you get there at 9. It's fine, you've got four email accounts to check. Just be grateful you don't work in the business hub and start at 8am like the rest of Singapore.<br />
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<i>-Be a photoshop pro.</i><br />
Photoshop for at least 4 days on end. Be fabulous at it. You're owning photoshopping logos, but own it.<br />
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<i>-Make huge mistakes that you fix proofreading and thus feel like a boss.</i><br />
Proof reading is for winners. When you almost accidentally send out the wrong winners of the awards for tomorrow night, and then you don't because you're a good proofreader, you will feel fabulous and forget you missed a whole category...<br />
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<i>-Set office trends: wear flamboyant orange skirts with birds on them and too much bright blue eyeliner.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf-671SUX-jwPQx_zzmGWR5cOKWc7N8x2sxx71ODVUrJNvBRV1cX33EtJaLpUxRPGR_1Efy1aoWNgx-I1bhIDDL7ItddrNxXht75oarqEKT8bKgtGkvKTXK8u3FdtRPRDec75HTCV1Dk/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.00.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf-671SUX-jwPQx_zzmGWR5cOKWc7N8x2sxx71ODVUrJNvBRV1cX33EtJaLpUxRPGR_1Efy1aoWNgx-I1bhIDDL7ItddrNxXht75oarqEKT8bKgtGkvKTXK8u3FdtRPRDec75HTCV1Dk/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.00.25+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlUZUlVYNB3efUSmTy4f6rU0mJSS3nU16wTpOzV7i1faDeby4jb8XZ2cvKwY_EsZxfaUMofbqZGw2Kmn-I3Jf74Wt4Ibj5KKYoM3DIedTKK0fhmPsQ5A4CuXyEud17nvOWBR14bYP3-0/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.05.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlUZUlVYNB3efUSmTy4f6rU0mJSS3nU16wTpOzV7i1faDeby4jb8XZ2cvKwY_EsZxfaUMofbqZGw2Kmn-I3Jf74Wt4Ibj5KKYoM3DIedTKK0fhmPsQ5A4CuXyEud17nvOWBR14bYP3-0/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.05.28+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>- Get caught on phone by editor.</i><br />
Panic.Feel unproductive because no one gave you work but also, feel like a child every time someone walks behind you or catches you in the vicinity of snap chat. Become a brilliant sneaky snapchatter.<br />
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<i>- Snapchat everything</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKVoQjvnXmxZ66RHyQv278923XcYtVLT8X2EbPZrsl46ze3TZsd25iN5d0YcOIWW1RRR1p95CjZdSKojQXxze65bEOGI8REnAbeshK4jDFVD7OAivu8klV0OeXgH1PHTws4BRVtymoDjQ/s1600/Snapchat+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKVoQjvnXmxZ66RHyQv278923XcYtVLT8X2EbPZrsl46ze3TZsd25iN5d0YcOIWW1RRR1p95CjZdSKojQXxze65bEOGI8REnAbeshK4jDFVD7OAivu8klV0OeXgH1PHTws4BRVtymoDjQ/s400/Snapchat+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>-Be like Cinderella and buy dress very last minute for black tie work gala.</i><br />
And then swan into the gala looking like a princess!<br />
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<i>-Play awkward footsies with work colleague sitting opposite you. Daily.</i><br />
Sorry Dinesh, but I keep kicking him under the table. We both have really long legs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvQTjdl85kt386AV6S1VFQQE3nrgX9lbWTBEAdOEf7r4F5F7gpjzqiTviQ3SlmNPq1QDv_1pJJ5N9_JW5J6WvR4jLKcgCurG94GYQPyCGkUMGDNpp-54oFRw9bBEA900yoS8Ds1E1Cww/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.06.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvQTjdl85kt386AV6S1VFQQE3nrgX9lbWTBEAdOEf7r4F5F7gpjzqiTviQ3SlmNPq1QDv_1pJJ5N9_JW5J6WvR4jLKcgCurG94GYQPyCGkUMGDNpp-54oFRw9bBEA900yoS8Ds1E1Cww/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.06.01+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>- Have cute stationary and mugs.</i><br />
Got to Daiso. Pay 2 dollars. Pimp out your desk with adorable post it notes, colourful pens and highlights and a cute desk caddy.<br />
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<i>-Always say yes.</i><br />
It doesn't matter how menial the task is, jump onto all of the work. Delve into it, learn from it. Prove that you can do it and be efficient at it.<br />
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<i>- Learn everyone's names really fast.</i><br />
Make a map of the office, and write everyone's name on it.<br />
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<i>-Make badass youtube playlists to listen to at work.</i><br />
Feel bad about getting caught on YouTube. Daily. But dance in chair, daily.<br />
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<i>- Break computer, at least twice daily.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNBi6ajjXOCFM4PR5Lk61kbIqUOnC632ObyzwujkMPoIdknkMWZzeJ1XUI2pcVfz0nB44RKqJq1c8gpu6X6aWoviRFLFSF5t78xclYnGSCzJyRUkJ5QefyE82Lx-aFUGsd7URSpJ2gkk/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.05.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNBi6ajjXOCFM4PR5Lk61kbIqUOnC632ObyzwujkMPoIdknkMWZzeJ1XUI2pcVfz0nB44RKqJq1c8gpu6X6aWoviRFLFSF5t78xclYnGSCzJyRUkJ5QefyE82Lx-aFUGsd7URSpJ2gkk/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.05.04+PM.png" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvj3x2-SI-Go-ZgaVa73R1Ut0I9evvfrXsSBMB27XuuT6hdFBfWK9CSibG2ZTqQ7Y44q6JT6DgU9vbPHdMe0oCdyYrmdP0rVGXUj7QeWDGUkNGVYJFdX1luUzT8qZI-LtAlv3KOeIpk8/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.05.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvj3x2-SI-Go-ZgaVa73R1Ut0I9evvfrXsSBMB27XuuT6hdFBfWK9CSibG2ZTqQ7Y44q6JT6DgU9vbPHdMe0oCdyYrmdP0rVGXUj7QeWDGUkNGVYJFdX1luUzT8qZI-LtAlv3KOeIpk8/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.05.08+PM.png" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywdMvxFvnQl7CV6RMZmtyXKIDKYR2qj95anb4luv2cNYlUudzgHbq_GddNC9fXavUnzNZAeLY-AY9mC4BX2oFDFpUGUhwuGzGoyUSbJt-LpJGaGs-BSmwkRgB7vZzZkSravY_eBFrfVc/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.07.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywdMvxFvnQl7CV6RMZmtyXKIDKYR2qj95anb4luv2cNYlUudzgHbq_GddNC9fXavUnzNZAeLY-AY9mC4BX2oFDFpUGUhwuGzGoyUSbJt-LpJGaGs-BSmwkRgB7vZzZkSravY_eBFrfVc/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.07.25+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>- Have at least 1 fashion faux pas in the first week.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDxfx-C1q07YcaOswp9iQhlYvPxw7kX0A2Cty9b7HaxacYq3hbJRc4a-JDsmhYN9fB-xRPULs7bjDIiQkSgKay1g51Ly1h5GtaS4a-UXJbkzISOFxws1dLP67ba7-neYh61mB5_18BzQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.04.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="45" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDxfx-C1q07YcaOswp9iQhlYvPxw7kX0A2Cty9b7HaxacYq3hbJRc4a-JDsmhYN9fB-xRPULs7bjDIiQkSgKay1g51Ly1h5GtaS4a-UXJbkzISOFxws1dLP67ba7-neYh61mB5_18BzQ/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.04.12+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This one was funny. I was trapped in my skirt. One of my bosses offered to go get me her gym shorts, that I could wear with my businessy blouse. This would have been acceptable by our office dress standards. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeyTeJxDCPbspYaXvOU7qZe7bW6WZxrFBm-1uunARJcgYEsR8xtv5aSQW8mgSokz2fC4ol_75u22jQjGJCFriwklleN83g-M-JEbpiwdcYkyp6lsrJw5H6seZz11HgT78twiPospkB2M/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.04.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeyTeJxDCPbspYaXvOU7qZe7bW6WZxrFBm-1uunARJcgYEsR8xtv5aSQW8mgSokz2fC4ol_75u22jQjGJCFriwklleN83g-M-JEbpiwdcYkyp6lsrJw5H6seZz11HgT78twiPospkB2M/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.04.17+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>- Don't conform to the office trend of wearing your jacket backwards on your front, like a blanket. It's really cold in the office but it's not that office.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggZXEjATGDLzCd6OIqT7Gsdq1FXl6vDPswHzPW_m6GLAKm4YKrAKc12t052eBWBjk-jW6fgi4aUM_QX1XFUpBurZOYIo2cBEadzBH-VKmvJL67R8X-YeadbOtJaDWIh-EY8HqmEfzmjI/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.10.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggZXEjATGDLzCd6OIqT7Gsdq1FXl6vDPswHzPW_m6GLAKm4YKrAKc12t052eBWBjk-jW6fgi4aUM_QX1XFUpBurZOYIo2cBEadzBH-VKmvJL67R8X-YeadbOtJaDWIh-EY8HqmEfzmjI/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.10.08+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's really damn cold, but you all look kind of stupid wandering around the office with your jackets on your fronts. This is a silly thing. Enjoy the silly warmth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>- Don't get as drunk as your workmates do; they're at least five years older than you and their livers can do it.</i><br />
You paid for this one, hardcore, with too much vodka, and the next part about the hangover.<br />
<br />
<i>- Have at least one sick day because you're simply too hungover to function.</i><br />
Oops. This one is a long, separate and very blurry story. Especially when you went to work, spent a long time half conscious on the bathroom floor and staggering around the office, and going home an hour later, dead.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hNea1eAAEEBr6f2Yg3EohI-tDnHrBou0XAPwwM1zeu5qhB6SGNW2rPV-Lslt-Q-7jh23_49Cur-0T5WuzJ6iyIaOuCAYYm3Q1V_wY6XGDxZHL9qXFyvt-IIGyZOe8sqwZ7quW6NxdME/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.09.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hNea1eAAEEBr6f2Yg3EohI-tDnHrBou0XAPwwM1zeu5qhB6SGNW2rPV-Lslt-Q-7jh23_49Cur-0T5WuzJ6iyIaOuCAYYm3Q1V_wY6XGDxZHL9qXFyvt-IIGyZOe8sqwZ7quW6NxdME/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.09.26+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>- Win trivia always.</i><br />
Be brilliant at it, win the first and second round, demonstrating your supreme intelligence about food, movies, but definitely not geography or capital cities.<br />
<br />
<i>- Have a defining factor of some sorts so people remember you.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCU6-kq8M3jGF2Y-dsa0I00iouF_kH79wEBlphLKcdre70OHVeWwYfwIXXGfA6YF6QqXz6-y5yuAKwWaMe_cxmzfwDUiYJ0LAVI3M7qCU5so-cmXCYtvKjyMLLXv0q7UOJc8XokxC5zrE/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.00.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCU6-kq8M3jGF2Y-dsa0I00iouF_kH79wEBlphLKcdre70OHVeWwYfwIXXGfA6YF6QqXz6-y5yuAKwWaMe_cxmzfwDUiYJ0LAVI3M7qCU5so-cmXCYtvKjyMLLXv0q7UOJc8XokxC5zrE/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.00.52+PM.png" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4n22GqmVbPVAHC5WA8Jm7uYbu5-2DXc4JYZ3EcobabzeBR9Nx4UywzEux2Hv9_Ux3KYwp1V0oC46PYIQ1ii_hNZQkJ6T7CdXeD66smvg2isaPsl95XMjsBhhaTXgSGaj8SlCI7Psoic/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.00.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4n22GqmVbPVAHC5WA8Jm7uYbu5-2DXc4JYZ3EcobabzeBR9Nx4UywzEux2Hv9_Ux3KYwp1V0oC46PYIQ1ii_hNZQkJ6T7CdXeD66smvg2isaPsl95XMjsBhhaTXgSGaj8SlCI7Psoic/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.00.40+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hilarious typos? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsUuj0etq-iPpUJL8vvBD5yEHEwsTz_YF1mKPMCueDQtvyvKHTFi2d4zYSK-bpsSRRY8Q6ivX_4WcxAZGIVh4vgOr1pcepu_7Wn_AGKoxx7V4JgqtSPpKopKPtLxqZLOgTUTrBIZ8o08/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.00.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsUuj0etq-iPpUJL8vvBD5yEHEwsTz_YF1mKPMCueDQtvyvKHTFi2d4zYSK-bpsSRRY8Q6ivX_4WcxAZGIVh4vgOr1pcepu_7Wn_AGKoxx7V4JgqtSPpKopKPtLxqZLOgTUTrBIZ8o08/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.00.19+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I don't recommend being remembered as the drunk intern. Or the intern is always sick. Orange bird skirt intern is acceptable. Being the smart intern winning at trivia is a good thing. Being the intern super keen to do work is a good thing. </div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>- Don't explode from tasks that seem beneath you.</i><br />
Well. The role is coordinator, and that means coordinating and moving things. So copy, paste, download, upload. It's pretty simple. Coordinating means putting everything in it's correct place for other people to be able to use.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh_LCXQPt-gTNGQrCHD6zyS6G5sU-kX6U9zGneboFFRqu1psPfsFkR8XGhQaSotfqEgevrMKj9Bjb6Zi_jQKendgTIFFvEfOiHxAsdYEAkScfZ9yFqjyC4UL9JElVOTmGr38IPSvpASQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.05.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="53" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh_LCXQPt-gTNGQrCHD6zyS6G5sU-kX6U9zGneboFFRqu1psPfsFkR8XGhQaSotfqEgevrMKj9Bjb6Zi_jQKendgTIFFvEfOiHxAsdYEAkScfZ9yFqjyC4UL9JElVOTmGr38IPSvpASQ/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.05.18+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wDLxFG7-6qgI-RIK1nLJZUBXra5WV0Y8Wu3rWDW83aUxyHiinqB2X2J3e2LfzWweVTst4NZSSOOfPoKwz6wLjPcJJuqlcr46cEgx_J2Fr6-6OePNnqBXTW9n8cZcc1te7kwMKlajmlI/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.05.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wDLxFG7-6qgI-RIK1nLJZUBXra5WV0Y8Wu3rWDW83aUxyHiinqB2X2J3e2LfzWweVTst4NZSSOOfPoKwz6wLjPcJJuqlcr46cEgx_J2Fr6-6OePNnqBXTW9n8cZcc1te7kwMKlajmlI/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.05.24+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was some solid sitting on my butt and coordinating time. If my computer didn't crash. Which it did. Thanks Herbert. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>- Try to be productive and make everything an opportunity.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEz0NXVR9NrUWxyU8k5y8L3Vo8oP9tqRT2C9czVkfpxqo_o2OAHqeJcZQBAV7IwP15_w4MK5t-ghRiOnt_qUFpYGdZJNoZzpxLq5vncZHnTLRf0Wh7fjQo_pJ8DgR6FGqE8yAXTw2Pp0/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.11.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEz0NXVR9NrUWxyU8k5y8L3Vo8oP9tqRT2C9czVkfpxqo_o2OAHqeJcZQBAV7IwP15_w4MK5t-ghRiOnt_qUFpYGdZJNoZzpxLq5vncZHnTLRf0Wh7fjQo_pJ8DgR6FGqE8yAXTw2Pp0/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.11.50+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnER_ANpKIqhTJpJVqGDtPnJrfwhjnLdrhDE9BARgz0Q67_zsNQWEBi0SD0bu0724T9_cfwUlcN_1i8XqfCiWw-nM4RaNeKBfnDE-sNaXfNcB15wsjX4T55C1aZuUGFgcZ_UQyngwJViU/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.11.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnER_ANpKIqhTJpJVqGDtPnJrfwhjnLdrhDE9BARgz0Q67_zsNQWEBi0SD0bu0724T9_cfwUlcN_1i8XqfCiWw-nM4RaNeKBfnDE-sNaXfNcB15wsjX4T55C1aZuUGFgcZ_UQyngwJViU/s320/Screen+shot+2013-10-28+at+10.11.58+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The least you can do is bond with your workmates. Talk about the things they like, talk about who they are and what they do, talk about food. Food is okay too. At least look busy but getting to know the people in the office around you will let them trust you and give you more work. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Just a few hilarious happenings from my first few weeks, as I write the guide that teaches muppets and monkeys how to copy things from the internet, send files to people, and use the photoshop machine.<br />
<br />
Congratulations, You've just graduated from school of the events coordinator.<br />
Thank goodness it's Friday!<br />
E x.<br />
<br />
<br />Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-87223373475781315122013-10-18T03:38:00.000+11:002013-11-06T20:11:33.906+11:00The Open Plan Office<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb0-e_cDwlN5Fm9hwVBqnm083DpQn6IELHOCL-2odYP42YALyeNsfynhAP7T6elxvooPbqRJOAmWtOv9AEgTgvP6mHn8X2WMXT3HVwn8j9dlx4QtPeU64U5N4DIhyjZRvOHkzoXR7SCBv/s1600/Office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb0-e_cDwlN5Fm9hwVBqnm083DpQn6IELHOCL-2odYP42YALyeNsfynhAP7T6elxvooPbqRJOAmWtOv9AEgTgvP6mHn8X2WMXT3HVwn8j9dlx4QtPeU64U5N4DIhyjZRvOHkzoXR7SCBv/s320/Office.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Nothing is private in the open plan office. Nothing is sacred. Everyone can hear everything you say, if you're not careful... and everyone's phone ringing is really loud.<br />
<br />
Don't even think of taking a personal phone call at your desk, because we will all in the immediate vicinity, hear every word.<br />
<br />
It's an honesty thing. It's a community thing.<br />
And it just means that when someone's client calls back, and their phone starts beeping over and over again and the phone dials back... we all get to listen to it, together.<br />
<br />
An open floor plan is not a bad thing. It keeps iddling down, we think. It certainly saves on lighting and air conditioning, but increases the germ spread. Everyone can see how many times you leave your desk to smoke, and everyone can observe your bathroom schedule.<br />
<br />
My desk faces the door to the kitchen and the coffee area, so I get to watch people. Some take an alarming amount of smoke breaks. Some spend more time on the roof terrace than at their desk.<br />
<br />
It also means that everyone can see me watching the Mighty Boosh at my desk on my lunch break, and I make no efforts to hide my chuckles. It's the same when work colleagues send me 9GAG links and Auto tune the news Singapore edition videos through the office Skype...<br />
<br />
Open office plans are said to lead to dissatisfaction in the work place, due to noise and lack of privacy, and your office environment is said to be a major part of your office satisfaction. Overhearing conversations that don't concern you is rude... and distracting, but the potential for social interaction is exciting, uncontrolled... and distracting.<br />
<br />
For me, it means I get to awkward look at my computer while awkwardly thinking the guy across from me is staring at me, while he thinks I'm staring at him. And then I do actually stare at him over my computer screen, because I'm distracted.<br />
<br />
The headaches get pretty bad in here.<br />
<br />
While this open office floor plan may have boosted some of my productivity, I'm writing this at work. Oops. It also means everyone can see my sneaky laps of the office, as I attempt not to sit down too long.<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank god it's Friday! This events executive is ready for a weekend of sleep.<br />
<br />
E x.Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-23291908045989761012013-10-11T22:18:00.000+11:002013-11-06T19:46:28.330+11:00Life of the intern.<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm ready, arrive early to the office on my first day.<br />
<br />
My second first day, I already tried to go into work a week before, and they said no.<br />
<br />
It's my first day, and I'm trying to make a good impression in business pants and a blazer. But my blouse has a mind of it's own, and keeps popping open right over my boobs. Awkward. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I quickly learn at my desk, where my back and computer screen face my supervisors, is that if I look like I'm typing something important, I’ll still
look like I’m working.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not that I’m not working, it’s just that I've been set
four tasks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One I have completed fully, and the other three require some
waiting. I’m currently watching my computer download files, as well as compress
other ones. Soon I will watch it upload some files.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My computer also sucks super balls. My computer and I aren't very friends. I’m trying to treat it with respect at least, in that I've not kicked it, and I'm waiting patiently for it to process, but he hates me, and he insists on shutting down randomly at least twice a day.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
I may not have been here long, but I've named my computer Herbert and learned the lay of the office. I've got most people's names down, and understand that if I need something, I'm to Skype someone, instead of turning around and leaning over a metre to speak to my people. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photo shop is my life now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've spent many a charming morning and afternoon re color coding every single logo
I've ever seen, re-sizing them all and uploading them to WordPress. It might not be photocopying and making coffees, but it's the media equivalent of scut work that no one else wants to do. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The answer when you are an intern is yes I can do that. Even
though its 3pm and you've spent the last 48 hours exporting and compressing.
You can do that all over again, of course.<br />
<br />
In my days at this desk, where I've never had a desk job in my life, I've sent myself a little blind and restless.<br />
<br />
TGIF Adulthood, I'm hungover and I'm out of here.<br />
76.5 hours of work down, only 391 hours to go.<br />
E x. </div>
Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-84348057043693165612013-10-08T03:32:00.000+11:002013-10-19T05:51:34.774+11:00A week in snapchats <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was a wild and busy first week of work, so here's the abridged version: my week in some selective snapchats. If you're on my snap list, you know I get bored and send WAAAAAAY more than this many. But this is my week explained. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sorry they're all sideways, but Blogger hates me and doesn't want to rotate. Either that, or you'll need to join me in the adventures of magical Snapchat wonder. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_03nKiWTeTmw2EXAGlb414Bj-hrgnPdgwrt6w3v4R7-8X53DLqEYyBLs1XunBvVHlz7tHc1_htZEpqMXOINjDmb_0HtWMZmoTK1Ifuq-MwzKySlFC_nupjvj3v-jvdYaK5bYEdSvAkoQ/s1600/Photo+on+2013-09-25+at+07.28+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_03nKiWTeTmw2EXAGlb414Bj-hrgnPdgwrt6w3v4R7-8X53DLqEYyBLs1XunBvVHlz7tHc1_htZEpqMXOINjDmb_0HtWMZmoTK1Ifuq-MwzKySlFC_nupjvj3v-jvdYaK5bYEdSvAkoQ/s200/Photo+on+2013-09-25+at+07.28+%232.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally going to work a week late!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YQG7WhiAdrKXu8bkfDzlDRi5ExH87Hp9xDaGxt8MmX9u7h7fpqi65Lq0nQgLBT0pmkssANOrxa59k5HO_24ezOcs40y7bfSb1_OMdR6kP8PHX_wnjJwHdihyphenhyphenClR_XM4K3jkizG9lUOg/s1600/2013-10-01+08.46.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YQG7WhiAdrKXu8bkfDzlDRi5ExH87Hp9xDaGxt8MmX9u7h7fpqi65Lq0nQgLBT0pmkssANOrxa59k5HO_24ezOcs40y7bfSb1_OMdR6kP8PHX_wnjJwHdihyphenhyphenClR_XM4K3jkizG9lUOg/s200/2013-10-01+08.46.36.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my building!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lvrj2RV-refK38Vm5KdYAGTY1VDoQz9oMlEWjuiP_xCt990ApM3cC29nYXgSMOSlcWOnpmpaDqjEZt5DfBKEYFN4wayJCn6LQG4yky_6srK6NRBsRUwc7lQO18AXG5SYoQ7bWFnX8wI/s1600/2013-10-02+13.14.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lvrj2RV-refK38Vm5KdYAGTY1VDoQz9oMlEWjuiP_xCt990ApM3cC29nYXgSMOSlcWOnpmpaDqjEZt5DfBKEYFN4wayJCn6LQG4yky_6srK6NRBsRUwc7lQO18AXG5SYoQ7bWFnX8wI/s200/2013-10-02+13.14.04.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Murtabak: new fave food.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL3GbqrWR5uq6ltjAbuNjaR09OGpieOW82zVZvSkeUGThkzMF_Q3jI7YYvhetggEtTFI6LQAOQ-t4fwj9YbcIWmM5HJKHYD9QQLxTpilxfoLi-1wt_cBJ-oGNbO2T3sP7XlmBqhpIMXI/s1600/2013-10-02+15.27.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL3GbqrWR5uq6ltjAbuNjaR09OGpieOW82zVZvSkeUGThkzMF_Q3jI7YYvhetggEtTFI6LQAOQ-t4fwj9YbcIWmM5HJKHYD9QQLxTpilxfoLi-1wt_cBJ-oGNbO2T3sP7XlmBqhpIMXI/s200/2013-10-02+15.27.22.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bored at my desk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf26_t3vVQh4sezNFu675PcipbysQiiTWJ1E-2jgBdK9XN8TtalfWVkubqvoh8wTzLqSj4A1cCz5c67uhMZx9X4W5EGjvBeqkriCZAO8CV9E9wYaitPxX6s8wpbCf_yLe4ZrZfHl3YjBA/s1600/2013-10-02+19.10.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf26_t3vVQh4sezNFu675PcipbysQiiTWJ1E-2jgBdK9XN8TtalfWVkubqvoh8wTzLqSj4A1cCz5c67uhMZx9X4W5EGjvBeqkriCZAO8CV9E9wYaitPxX6s8wpbCf_yLe4ZrZfHl3YjBA/s200/2013-10-02+19.10.32.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knock off oclock!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMrtNptJz2LXpbjFSbGPyDx1HYPsR54Tmx9NSxGopt4czPR-mqhnriEh_AJ-yD6YEpH4Hp8iUHka-LBXTtZ56jDUw6F5vhc-l65LQEv5BA_PRsxaD1jlCFOAEdnbDEjVP9NqHayMfxLw/s1600/2013-10-02+20.45.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMrtNptJz2LXpbjFSbGPyDx1HYPsR54Tmx9NSxGopt4czPR-mqhnriEh_AJ-yD6YEpH4Hp8iUHka-LBXTtZ56jDUw6F5vhc-l65LQEv5BA_PRsxaD1jlCFOAEdnbDEjVP9NqHayMfxLw/s200/2013-10-02+20.45.20.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ADULT SHOPPING: Soy milk, blueberries, bananas, baked beans and tea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimInz89FOldI07z17-G5kQLrMqd35y3P8jZlT2BzSMOYyR0e8ucG047wDRrviaHgcEhsDoRHn08TYIlPx_aWrNxVvuK615aBWrBvp7LRjVEp9EcbsHKIIS7zWK12SlU2tGwdVulZeyjRY/s1600/2013-10-03+11.21.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimInz89FOldI07z17-G5kQLrMqd35y3P8jZlT2BzSMOYyR0e8ucG047wDRrviaHgcEhsDoRHn08TYIlPx_aWrNxVvuK615aBWrBvp7LRjVEp9EcbsHKIIS7zWK12SlU2tGwdVulZeyjRY/s200/2013-10-03+11.21.34.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Write enough stuff on my coffee cup Starbucks?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pkQi6ocVloBdRLD8w3fFUBrVPGlB0uIdLtVuDsyMQZDZZ1MG5n94woq1iVo7KCXjzCkPBhwiu8bdeORKmXDdb5jbt9dmDWPA8t3DinpEE7JetCn920Jowzx5_gytAp0grtDUCNXP9WY/s1600/2013-10-03+13.33.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pkQi6ocVloBdRLD8w3fFUBrVPGlB0uIdLtVuDsyMQZDZZ1MG5n94woq1iVo7KCXjzCkPBhwiu8bdeORKmXDdb5jbt9dmDWPA8t3DinpEE7JetCn920Jowzx5_gytAp0grtDUCNXP9WY/s200/2013-10-03+13.33.52.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fainted at work: Had to eat gummie bears for lunch. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay2ibKbDJSyKCMCQECIVZmY1Xbd6PEQZ6TMy9DSOGZxONhTmzj0GS-iVtA8Xwa-lpoPX1ztzmpkwjR0bBd8VgFoMGlG4mWW9lEAYRqEBWxNdUPuhxKpAulgfI_HuuLPWUv6rrEsHyyZA/s1600/2013-10-03+19.55.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay2ibKbDJSyKCMCQECIVZmY1Xbd6PEQZ6TMy9DSOGZxONhTmzj0GS-iVtA8Xwa-lpoPX1ztzmpkwjR0bBd8VgFoMGlG4mWW9lEAYRqEBWxNdUPuhxKpAulgfI_HuuLPWUv6rrEsHyyZA/s200/2013-10-03+19.55.40.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious dinner. Like a freaking boss.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJI-0FFqm3DkGvOXYXrO7k1fdFqqUmgsPsdiqpq2yro6SRqHR5FG0IKsiJ8g9x0oMKDH0Id7O1aR107B7Q9N6Kr9WbaXON9FAQWtEBW4IhwY-2CygDjzlP0js37pqpEHVlYfyfQqifmYk/s1600/2013-10-03+22.49.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJI-0FFqm3DkGvOXYXrO7k1fdFqqUmgsPsdiqpq2yro6SRqHR5FG0IKsiJ8g9x0oMKDH0Id7O1aR107B7Q9N6Kr9WbaXON9FAQWtEBW4IhwY-2CygDjzlP0js37pqpEHVlYfyfQqifmYk/s200/2013-10-03+22.49.16.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I live on this couch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Prr-PCGgv9CbW5GlXhLgvukpu3pPEeFV97F_ZZnvhB7O5zMXDH83fBRg9b-c2PCcwFYm0T0dWNurZsMXNQn7b-vyqcPcJGFllVYOAL7t3jUJM7hlU4fqOoz7WBhtEuQ9YLWNQ59ZanQ/s1600/2013-10-04+08.34.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Prr-PCGgv9CbW5GlXhLgvukpu3pPEeFV97F_ZZnvhB7O5zMXDH83fBRg9b-c2PCcwFYm0T0dWNurZsMXNQn7b-vyqcPcJGFllVYOAL7t3jUJM7hlU4fqOoz7WBhtEuQ9YLWNQ59ZanQ/s200/2013-10-04+08.34.34.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted: the future Kellie on Harbour Front bound MRT. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu_M0QX8ukJY-pIbCtEO75muPoZH1rIZXT13Xc3hehmzcaCxhfbeJMTVQc-Gu2tqnq1ej6VWq5iHWMmlMKobgjxtlmBJ7AsGV17myIC45ClnTASuzPlzRRRT0s_LBR3c0v0Z3v3UTwH0/s1600/2013-10-04+09.08.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu_M0QX8ukJY-pIbCtEO75muPoZH1rIZXT13Xc3hehmzcaCxhfbeJMTVQc-Gu2tqnq1ej6VWq5iHWMmlMKobgjxtlmBJ7AsGV17myIC45ClnTASuzPlzRRRT0s_LBR3c0v0Z3v3UTwH0/s200/2013-10-04+09.08.48.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambrish is not observing casual Friday: wearing a suit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7NB1QBrMHLGAJ56nxC41puzt0DzyI-QM3oNOYlxOTQKOE5FoSVBrr_93kTlU_jbY52ceDfg_HCTvolz20NjuPgLWY6MKCwStXwHT5EQNgPfFZ4uBpdZ5BPKe_XkQJL9tZka8CnzETsk/s1600/2013-10-04+09.11.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7NB1QBrMHLGAJ56nxC41puzt0DzyI-QM3oNOYlxOTQKOE5FoSVBrr_93kTlU_jbY52ceDfg_HCTvolz20NjuPgLWY6MKCwStXwHT5EQNgPfFZ4uBpdZ5BPKe_XkQJL9tZka8CnzETsk/s200/2013-10-04+09.11.06.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casual fridays: Floral fridays! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fFPZCRWnc7IjJlKfSJGIOIV_qqaswySfmlFZYmTqJvKWgpHzE2YYdL4l6MkLozrzB3XLWbBzbaJxqKHDMM-_xsHLLbb_NWId_57n3V_DXRkJSLGKTHxSCPrq4TqqWAGTrRnUBM5IE3s/s1600/2013-10-04+13.10.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fFPZCRWnc7IjJlKfSJGIOIV_qqaswySfmlFZYmTqJvKWgpHzE2YYdL4l6MkLozrzB3XLWbBzbaJxqKHDMM-_xsHLLbb_NWId_57n3V_DXRkJSLGKTHxSCPrq4TqqWAGTrRnUBM5IE3s/s200/2013-10-04+13.10.40.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fat boy burger fridays. Delicious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_cJTsskdpRjFZpvkuBTnf_q_acbq85v8ks1FydOGucQsn496__k-g3jPT6gxWibfoF5RTaMi8WhHYvWYF52flbRakOWYSE6_oJYkFKA3P5TGfgCmJCmaXzvA7wyQtqAsBcaQA_AsH64/s1600/2013-10-04+16.56.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_cJTsskdpRjFZpvkuBTnf_q_acbq85v8ks1FydOGucQsn496__k-g3jPT6gxWibfoF5RTaMi8WhHYvWYF52flbRakOWYSE6_oJYkFKA3P5TGfgCmJCmaXzvA7wyQtqAsBcaQA_AsH64/s200/2013-10-04+16.56.28.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Was bored for an hour.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQb-MAKPaVdFwne5JRHXgs12-fT1NLzHL1YGR4aOpe-3jYoh6L70drnTu9ltBVMEFMapG1Nv5mVekxCcDrdyuRuo1AtUwuLsEfdNZ6bM7W4VEALQGCYqbagWOArGi1Mpgg1ve5yj3_67o/s1600/2013-10-04+17.40.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQb-MAKPaVdFwne5JRHXgs12-fT1NLzHL1YGR4aOpe-3jYoh6L70drnTu9ltBVMEFMapG1Nv5mVekxCcDrdyuRuo1AtUwuLsEfdNZ6bM7W4VEALQGCYqbagWOArGi1Mpgg1ve5yj3_67o/s200/2013-10-04+17.40.20.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Was bored for ages. Everyone else in a meeting. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxyl31q2PPF0cQo1f50l8nf_5Ty-knc3ZJ_7XntmJC1N3UcNBuqpEIu0RTf8cuw4oLREpXJM5yL2B-Yi2vlTehhR9TgBHTYOwBAK45Wpf2XdQ0ESMxKtcSCwOsoGwmLPZajHJvd7bN2g/s1600/2013-10-04+18.15.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxyl31q2PPF0cQo1f50l8nf_5Ty-knc3ZJ_7XntmJC1N3UcNBuqpEIu0RTf8cuw4oLREpXJM5yL2B-Yi2vlTehhR9TgBHTYOwBAK45Wpf2XdQ0ESMxKtcSCwOsoGwmLPZajHJvd7bN2g/s200/2013-10-04+18.15.28.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where we work!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLrO3xDUJjegAmI_nirXab6wt7fn-yRoLuv5JHBMh40qz14uGptjC-WSakPTFpj1MTSQvVMpglXEu_RqY9xEA4bAQtmzA1HVMRQxEqm24ZvM8aIdIYGJmI04uk6QTDRZtd3zw0tS-veA/s1600/2013-10-04+20.50.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLrO3xDUJjegAmI_nirXab6wt7fn-yRoLuv5JHBMh40qz14uGptjC-WSakPTFpj1MTSQvVMpglXEu_RqY9xEA4bAQtmzA1HVMRQxEqm24ZvM8aIdIYGJmI04uk6QTDRZtd3zw0tS-veA/s200/2013-10-04+20.50.04.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday night G+Ts baby. The end of the first working week! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpun2oKPiln-iqc0IFXyn1trqxLMPimTeVpewD3UXKPRCXZ9mdcuG-ofJbJrbszshroY2rhDv-y2xAAYVUQ3_qgKQqOAtTpeAXk1QQPLFDQ4XUIDiqHMzlb7utdh8lf8Rs3yZiaYRcbc/s1600/2013-10-04+22.55.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpun2oKPiln-iqc0IFXyn1trqxLMPimTeVpewD3UXKPRCXZ9mdcuG-ofJbJrbszshroY2rhDv-y2xAAYVUQ3_qgKQqOAtTpeAXk1QQPLFDQ4XUIDiqHMzlb7utdh8lf8Rs3yZiaYRcbc/s200/2013-10-04+22.55.54.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuf said. Hot beard guy. We stared at him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuLssbXKjKiE4-IRBTLDNaegWlgvNHLuUkL9sYnvPuNcR0SLpvq6AtDmnkop2Rjg3UZ1QLe-eef2U3iK-UC6nPZE9FK9IhEzmdOIhMDWF63GN9g3FC4XmlMJQJXTJ2N5-POd-Y0xeg8E/s1600/2013-10-05+13.45.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuLssbXKjKiE4-IRBTLDNaegWlgvNHLuUkL9sYnvPuNcR0SLpvq6AtDmnkop2Rjg3UZ1QLe-eef2U3iK-UC6nPZE9FK9IhEzmdOIhMDWF63GN9g3FC4XmlMJQJXTJ2N5-POd-Y0xeg8E/s200/2013-10-05+13.45.13.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sneaky between the buildings view. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqCqcEMdrXF3yFN6WT8Y6wgy178KmlTYUmJzhN2VQ3GbmBWHKDgHzJetPaQnVl4-2qXTLKewoONEXHd3xe7aQtOa0QaCEUZuavwEyi1fpQlhgdDtG16jvwpiOJQ8BkMMjvucARTfDx9U/s1600/2013-10-06+00.41.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqCqcEMdrXF3yFN6WT8Y6wgy178KmlTYUmJzhN2VQ3GbmBWHKDgHzJetPaQnVl4-2qXTLKewoONEXHd3xe7aQtOa0QaCEUZuavwEyi1fpQlhgdDtG16jvwpiOJQ8BkMMjvucARTfDx9U/s200/2013-10-06+00.41.22.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday night billion hair braids. Bored. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNI4Z1ClLDrXHmYjmUu8rf2odWFztY0-BjWIu0MzU5Zig7rIf94Y-q8GnxVqnls2cw_wCZ9wk8Q-5U7Ct0aE0DVSOyM86WRH_7cMNqt4WMVWYzrNabuHzw_RB-mpijtq3ojTiAVAov3H0/s1600/2013-10-06+00.43.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNI4Z1ClLDrXHmYjmUu8rf2odWFztY0-BjWIu0MzU5Zig7rIf94Y-q8GnxVqnls2cw_wCZ9wk8Q-5U7Ct0aE0DVSOyM86WRH_7cMNqt4WMVWYzrNabuHzw_RB-mpijtq3ojTiAVAov3H0/s200/2013-10-06+00.43.43.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This my house. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyc9Ejyn0Dp5BLmm1sxRpTszkDZTGkOFMgNpAHXhATYsj976X4Df-eM1DbAk5F7mr1DhDCKlF72VciDaRoeBiVlgxJPtbJewqE15smguEJktFscO8Rc7F7ho2gdG6pTTUECjfvEI3CnkE/s1600/2013-10-06+00.57.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyc9Ejyn0Dp5BLmm1sxRpTszkDZTGkOFMgNpAHXhATYsj976X4Df-eM1DbAk5F7mr1DhDCKlF72VciDaRoeBiVlgxJPtbJewqE15smguEJktFscO8Rc7F7ho2gdG6pTTUECjfvEI3CnkE/s200/2013-10-06+00.57.37.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_P46tZdK8PqfpBzfGmIzupjNnS4aRSuqb-C_Ti5WONsAyIt-deUM3JRypX2bEEuQE4WTo9d6Cxq2XTyt-JMyZvzSlE0X5jJ8Xc8lrcF3PLaL8x9lvOYsg3XI09vUEXhwzktm5gga6cw/s1600/2013-10-06+01.02.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_P46tZdK8PqfpBzfGmIzupjNnS4aRSuqb-C_Ti5WONsAyIt-deUM3JRypX2bEEuQE4WTo9d6Cxq2XTyt-JMyZvzSlE0X5jJ8Xc8lrcF3PLaL8x9lvOYsg3XI09vUEXhwzktm5gga6cw/s200/2013-10-06+01.02.46.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kellie Ripper.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoIoZrcu4Jh4qYrGuqBAcpAeDjHf1XfoC3w23wg5nOqDRoL2Imgqb4UX6mj8K6ePdhkerbr1Z5nfPccmiJpDuqQWkplqMeHPN9EsbimA3Sf0O0ZaUjxPw_bWP16J7mM_UGNpdr5v4VFE/s1600/2013-10-06+01.27.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoIoZrcu4Jh4qYrGuqBAcpAeDjHf1XfoC3w23wg5nOqDRoL2Imgqb4UX6mj8K6ePdhkerbr1Z5nfPccmiJpDuqQWkplqMeHPN9EsbimA3Sf0O0ZaUjxPw_bWP16J7mM_UGNpdr5v4VFE/s200/2013-10-06+01.27.49.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is true. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-DWU2O3EovjegNjhGWS4v6Gno4nLm_q3fXUxiWLm_0FO72QJRjRRI4hybDfcfQQPs60mzCY6tomcxniw1xLnfd0PCgsgxTjAyChjEcqIVOsXLhRE24KwaUK4Kol-Oba4-gPmu8HhSpw/s1600/2013-10-06+01.37.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-DWU2O3EovjegNjhGWS4v6Gno4nLm_q3fXUxiWLm_0FO72QJRjRRI4hybDfcfQQPs60mzCY6tomcxniw1xLnfd0PCgsgxTjAyChjEcqIVOsXLhRE24KwaUK4Kol-Oba4-gPmu8HhSpw/s200/2013-10-06+01.37.39.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SATURDAY NIGHT SNAPCHATS. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCDrzE2vxwrG-cYgmykRvdPGRso8L4paUcj0_PK2gfe4-DZ5EbZT7tEQ9QBkMbYdxJ_dCdW2Hiyl3vh9VAANfIoF6LV_AgzbKOmwbTnQHq6luHdgwV6X_RfEYCkKxWVaaDxSW1tILmig/s1600/2013-10-06+13.15.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCDrzE2vxwrG-cYgmykRvdPGRso8L4paUcj0_PK2gfe4-DZ5EbZT7tEQ9QBkMbYdxJ_dCdW2Hiyl3vh9VAANfIoF6LV_AgzbKOmwbTnQHq6luHdgwV6X_RfEYCkKxWVaaDxSW1tILmig/s200/2013-10-06+13.15.04.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melbourne coffee. Amazing. I am home. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFI2WBYP40htsEsf2PCmrm1BayvMdor3F83Yjx-ngIEOLqZSWZGhUHEN6GcgLv1k2MQZ3HgvQ9Z6Tu22b029_liuGQO7R20zqUZ9fxkAALdXhvtDWGTxJjTHoYQ1Y20LxvCzHoYz_ahjw/s1600/2013-10-06+19.00.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFI2WBYP40htsEsf2PCmrm1BayvMdor3F83Yjx-ngIEOLqZSWZGhUHEN6GcgLv1k2MQZ3HgvQ9Z6Tu22b029_liuGQO7R20zqUZ9fxkAALdXhvtDWGTxJjTHoYQ1Y20LxvCzHoYz_ahjw/s200/2013-10-06+19.00.04.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From where you'd rather be: The pool where I live. Heaven. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_S_w76ng2eOX5HyiTmNVCkVn_I_bU7QFMVjyh9xNaPb4d3ybb1a_4LKnujQhiTXiLfaozn2C46UfyKlhupMsMrmJ642sg50fZVqy5vjsuyv71GkplhlXZCOSWtt7svHIRN0eX_UP19E/s1600/2013-10-06+19.01.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_S_w76ng2eOX5HyiTmNVCkVn_I_bU7QFMVjyh9xNaPb4d3ybb1a_4LKnujQhiTXiLfaozn2C46UfyKlhupMsMrmJ642sg50fZVqy5vjsuyv71GkplhlXZCOSWtt7svHIRN0eX_UP19E/s200/2013-10-06+19.01.14.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool. Bikini. Jelly?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4cX4jMURb9ZWa1VxgRjT6kcxzj3PEOTf4Kfz8AsTqT3-KN_kHBnE0RWvsJOlyzkj1_AuT7UyTnPZ7BymeBsLf41HcDXr7Vp8nauv1MfyYnmhf9lIR2bJz88evc8bWXvAcrMBxYEY4F8/s1600/2013-10-06+19.56.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4cX4jMURb9ZWa1VxgRjT6kcxzj3PEOTf4Kfz8AsTqT3-KN_kHBnE0RWvsJOlyzkj1_AuT7UyTnPZ7BymeBsLf41HcDXr7Vp8nauv1MfyYnmhf9lIR2bJz88evc8bWXvAcrMBxYEY4F8/s200/2013-10-06+19.56.08.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More eggs for tea. Perfection. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjum9rYcWdEFKRaMU8DhJjqWrHgn70lF3_iARGULn3gt-CfIRnrfX7ZEbbHea7O7efNHKuRiq4BqRTQxM6S1wbsydJaPfBH3fm8hy9qegeTR5SKTz1J-wECyvXmVNq4aoqmYwCvUa0f20M/s1600/2013-10-06+21.30.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjum9rYcWdEFKRaMU8DhJjqWrHgn70lF3_iARGULn3gt-CfIRnrfX7ZEbbHea7O7efNHKuRiq4BqRTQxM6S1wbsydJaPfBH3fm8hy9qegeTR5SKTz1J-wECyvXmVNq4aoqmYwCvUa0f20M/s200/2013-10-06+21.30.19.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast for dinner and dessert: perfect oats with banana and blueberry and peanutbutter. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbPBm1_kTYHvC_KiWEo_188ta3lmu-cdJG5P7MN967cMKs9nYTnZeeE-XM5sAM-JEGxE3xvvU95ZNJ067zeCDRPUqRxf179paAq5lMweuNNCq_lASo4riHttSdv_M2BsJbP333AVOdHQ/s1600/2013-10-07+18.35.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbPBm1_kTYHvC_KiWEo_188ta3lmu-cdJG5P7MN967cMKs9nYTnZeeE-XM5sAM-JEGxE3xvvU95ZNJ067zeCDRPUqRxf179paAq5lMweuNNCq_lASo4riHttSdv_M2BsJbP333AVOdHQ/s200/2013-10-07+18.35.20.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monday celebrations: RESULTS ARE OUT. I DID IT. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnom_1ZcrbkwlsgjN-aAYgGxhm6Uc-WvsbYkkrvYmqbuAOiQJ3g97u-2V6skQ5ymeyFFZj5nUuOVD_YFiI933v5FIRriExfVfT9XC0_rxLk67WGQvNR6Pb0yQhwNKOJGhKl-rLNG6c40/s1600/2013-10-07+21.51.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnom_1ZcrbkwlsgjN-aAYgGxhm6Uc-WvsbYkkrvYmqbuAOiQJ3g97u-2V6skQ5ymeyFFZj5nUuOVD_YFiI933v5FIRriExfVfT9XC0_rxLk67WGQvNR6Pb0yQhwNKOJGhKl-rLNG6c40/s200/2013-10-07+21.51.26.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine and dark chocolate. Celebrations.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And at the end of a busy week, it's time for wine and tv and to pass out. Work tomorrow, and it's going to be a busy week again! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">E x. </span></td></tr>
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<br />Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-75350641605011405432013-09-30T23:18:00.000+10:002013-10-19T05:13:32.568+11:00Return to Civilisation <i>A change of pace, a change of place!</i><br />
<br />
I've been a little quiet here for a while, but there's been a lot going on here at the runaway South Eastern Adventures headquarters, a lot of work. a lot of processing and a lot of packing; But I have made the big move and said goodbye for now to Saigon and Vietnam, and hitched on over to Singapore! And it's a return to the big shiny western city, from the jungle that was Saigon. I miss it already.<br />
My first humid week in Singapore is over, and I've just hit a full four months away from Australia, time both flies and drags when you're sweating away here. I'm writing this for you all, finally sort of settled in our new apartment in Singapore, without three tiny single beds next to each other. It's quite nice, but we've discovered it's semi bug infested and has little to no cupboard or storage space: Awkward for me and my six bags!<br />
<br />
So in the mean time, While I settle in and start work, here's my first week in Singapore; Adventures, frustrations, sweat and alcohol. And my face in front of things.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91oL6vDAJiQJZWMDWlaD8OMmsLw_kVM1geZqZvtIiNdzOaxf9PsWb45zk46xoOtQWty8Y43MIq8P8Gb_xSqYFoX1UTh6PYBBVPxA-bw7Q90rEmkXnCFhyphenhyphenjNBQo3EaMi_P7M869Bzaf30/s1600/1239682_10151748511148096_1642407066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91oL6vDAJiQJZWMDWlaD8OMmsLw_kVM1geZqZvtIiNdzOaxf9PsWb45zk46xoOtQWty8Y43MIq8P8Gb_xSqYFoX1UTh6PYBBVPxA-bw7Q90rEmkXnCFhyphenhyphenjNBQo3EaMi_P7M869Bzaf30/s200/1239682_10151748511148096_1642407066_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>For example, this is my face at Universal Studios. Mmm face.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>Sunday; From Saigon to Singapore.</i><br />
I haven't actually slept yet. Because my brilliant plans of being home and being in bed at about midnight, having packed the last of my stuff, turned into a late night adventure with all my gay male friends, wearing a pair of pants as a scarf, and as usual, all nights ending at Broma. Except, I left my housemates pants behind, and then had to go back for them at 4am, finish packing at 5am and have a spot of sleep from 5.30am until 6am. Yikes.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlaTKXJg7kYX9Xk5-Xf2iBMaEfYQP3Bn5u0BbimVJ2P5zfcgsgQxvmnYo9VfgHR0JfWdqogAsWVzUwpdAOxZ4lundFPHhx7pNlHZu59qzt5PumGBF3pHyPw-uH3RV3kR9Frc5_5HNV-Y/s1600/2013-09-22+05.48.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlaTKXJg7kYX9Xk5-Xf2iBMaEfYQP3Bn5u0BbimVJ2P5zfcgsgQxvmnYo9VfgHR0JfWdqogAsWVzUwpdAOxZ4lundFPHhx7pNlHZu59qzt5PumGBF3pHyPw-uH3RV3kR9Frc5_5HNV-Y/s200/2013-09-22+05.48.14.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Fat fat bags.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My bags are 9.6 kilos overweight, and so that costs me $150USD. Thank you Jetstar. I have three wonderful girls who see me off at the airport, but two are late and I nearly don't make it through security in time, let alone customs. I race to buy ham and cheese croissant. I make it to my gate before boarding. I'm sick as a dog in customs, hungover or still drunk or so very confused and anxious.<br />
I land, after a tiny little nap on the plane. I make it to the apartment block, having no idea what the girl I'm supposed to meet looks like, let alone my new american housemate. I wait 40 minutes. Waiting 40 minutes in the sun-ish, and the warm weather, while eating a danish is actually very beneficial for the still drunk hangover party. We all meet! We all greet! We go eat food! We spend the afternoon wandering around the areas we will be living, finding the shops and supermarkets, and walking to where we're moving to next week. I pass out cold for a nap.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-ZRw8Jku_CPDISp7xBoar6QIC6LGrMP5vlub_Si3CJZjNgbupAA8YMWi1FrbFloilX6KRwCXYQeKMHR2KIE0p5pJWONTX-Bqztwi0TmGnRZ8PyRE_R9OE_p40_L0BhNcAT92mSaF4Uo/s1600/PhotoGrid_1380733376236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-ZRw8Jku_CPDISp7xBoar6QIC6LGrMP5vlub_Si3CJZjNgbupAA8YMWi1FrbFloilX6KRwCXYQeKMHR2KIE0p5pJWONTX-Bqztwi0TmGnRZ8PyRE_R9OE_p40_L0BhNcAT92mSaF4Uo/s200/PhotoGrid_1380733376236.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Waiting to find new apartment, only to find spoon fest. </span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I wake up, having overslept my alarm and running just a touch late to head to the theatre, which I don't know where it is, for a brilliant production that I haven't picked up my ticket to yet. So I slap on a hot dress, lather the blue eyeliner on and race out the door. I dash to the MRT, race out the train doors, up some steps and find myself at a station not near the theatre, so I hunt out people to help me. I'm too excited, and overwhelmed by the exciting sounds of the Singaporian F1 final night racing past me on the street. This city is beautiful and exciting.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fkeebdzVwGXhQHC_3SwwTXlbT9DWI5zOI98xETM1_t_aWT5fczNCV4Zs2UN0xtOnxj4eM3PmkGKtdLUsWmxkMuzPoFyH7YbngFyDYqlDUm_tH6JJsZ63qHQBCOzWE7qfS63r6S8Z9_I/s1600/2013-09-22+19.40.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fkeebdzVwGXhQHC_3SwwTXlbT9DWI5zOI98xETM1_t_aWT5fczNCV4Zs2UN0xtOnxj4eM3PmkGKtdLUsWmxkMuzPoFyH7YbngFyDYqlDUm_tH6JJsZ63qHQBCOzWE7qfS63r6S8Z9_I/s200/2013-09-22+19.40.08.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Zoom zoom zoom.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I get in a taxi for 5 minutes, I turn out to be around the corner from the theatre... ish. The theatre turns out to be on the third floor of the National Library Building, which is so so very cool but I have little time to appreciate, as after the MRT, walking, running, a taxi and running again, I've made it to the theatre with a whole 5 and a half minutes before the curtain goes up.<br />
<br />
And what a show. I cried.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMxnTer5suLHc-oNMRD5zRfMMgRR7Q_8lmwdBFQyjk4znnhD2lhE9mikreD_iY5sMzb_p6gNN60yLmVmfOe_M1QPDmgQCz5Z7Am8A2aABsrsVjkJ5w1Ik7cbydpHn8cQG8ia_xBPHIi0/s1600/PhotoGrid_1380733300722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMxnTer5suLHc-oNMRD5zRfMMgRR7Q_8lmwdBFQyjk4znnhD2lhE9mikreD_iY5sMzb_p6gNN60yLmVmfOe_M1QPDmgQCz5Z7Am8A2aABsrsVjkJ5w1Ik7cbydpHn8cQG8ia_xBPHIi0/s200/PhotoGrid_1380733300722.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>This production. These people. I die. </i></span></div>
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<br />
<i>Monday</i><br />
Monday is a chilled day, with a spot of sleep in. We head to an information session in the city, post some breakfast laksa and coffee. The info session is pretty long winded, and once again, things I could read of powerpoint slides. We get new phone numbers, and go hunting for a new swaggy phone for the Captain of Swag, our new american house mate Spencer. Exploring what has got to be the equivalent of Indian Costco out at Farrer Park, we discover delights like the rocket shaped phone, and every conceivable item you could ever want to buy in an Indian supermarket.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94rfAsjl6l0TNY-qMWmUE_sAQuyGi0MeKTtpiQtPo36KF1iFP55ygQcyLA5PhH8hyphenhyphen1dzk_eATivfSDuLXPyJ5GDeKDQsK8pCiRr99e6uk9BXgyhNyQdnpSrly95gfikAmn-THOfygqWk/s1600/PhotoGrid_1380733434307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94rfAsjl6l0TNY-qMWmUE_sAQuyGi0MeKTtpiQtPo36KF1iFP55ygQcyLA5PhH8hyphenhyphen1dzk_eATivfSDuLXPyJ5GDeKDQsK8pCiRr99e6uk9BXgyhNyQdnpSrly95gfikAmn-THOfygqWk/s200/PhotoGrid_1380733434307.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Captain Swag and the antenna phone. Just because the phone is $19 and has an antenna and a<br /> swaggy torch light, does not mean the typing language is in English. Should have bought a rocket phone. </i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
Beers. Considerable beers. </div>
<div>
And a lovely night river cruise! Singapore, you're very pretty. </div>
<div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW3t9k630YC9sGpSD691O-HdqipCnrtbfHZBckmG0UhUrIvgo1RPHYr3An4huANzWGteMfgtMIYSdV7u28EJSm6iEdvNEEiCnScydOpTRbONe-32oWWcRlCo4JlmYRekgatTMIP8ItZo/s1600/2013-09-23+21.21.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW3t9k630YC9sGpSD691O-HdqipCnrtbfHZBckmG0UhUrIvgo1RPHYr3An4huANzWGteMfgtMIYSdV7u28EJSm6iEdvNEEiCnScydOpTRbONe-32oWWcRlCo4JlmYRekgatTMIP8ItZo/s200/2013-09-23+21.21.45.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hSbgiUDXAApYDjUaFqvLFDoXxbc3pxWxo2Iitg5A5Owv4WY4qcXZBeKcHvL5Qnu_94LSYbvaoBbBeBsjmeWait20H4hN9cHv3Fj0_n0Nn4Jzn6oykAxUj-QhZGs-Y5SkaWetYS25Nek/s1600/2013-09-23+21.22.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hSbgiUDXAApYDjUaFqvLFDoXxbc3pxWxo2Iitg5A5Owv4WY4qcXZBeKcHvL5Qnu_94LSYbvaoBbBeBsjmeWait20H4hN9cHv3Fj0_n0Nn4Jzn6oykAxUj-QhZGs-Y5SkaWetYS25Nek/s200/2013-09-23+21.22.46.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Tuesday</i><br />
Tuesday saw us getting up pretty damn early in order to go visit our new place of work, Lighthouse Independent Media out at Pasir Panjang. The office is cool, a warehouse style open floor plan loft of an office, desks everywhere and a sneaky little rooftop balcony. There are sneaky hotties in the office. It's cool.<br />
And off we go again to prepare for work, a huge hunt for work shoes and exploring Bugis street, market style stores full of fantastical things: sunglasses and souvenirs, belts and bags, hats and headbands.<br />
Judith joined us for a delicious night of food in the local hawkers centre; think open air style food court, heaps of food and nothing over about $SG10, which is handy for us poor poor ex-uni students! Spent the night hanging out at home, attempting to stay awake til 2am when Kellie arrived.<br />
Movies and game of thrones and beers.<br />
Kellie arrives at 2am, and I'm conscious enough to scream "Who the fuck are you". Gotta get my beauty rest before work tomorrow!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtjJzw85jryYLQZ687UY4XMYhB4FGzeA4a2Ql7fWObVEgqpVFxx-6kuWRFrz5ZOEbYwAbMfgMKWzjrSQuhRYsbkC6HjJs5TXaf2EF3G-_zN0Y0ZIwAF61WiYW9S58rMwMXoIhtOts0rI/s1600/1377279_10201107663468635_75366002_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtjJzw85jryYLQZ687UY4XMYhB4FGzeA4a2Ql7fWObVEgqpVFxx-6kuWRFrz5ZOEbYwAbMfgMKWzjrSQuhRYsbkC6HjJs5TXaf2EF3G-_zN0Y0ZIwAF61WiYW9S58rMwMXoIhtOts0rI/s200/1377279_10201107663468635_75366002_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hawkers centre food times. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i><br /></i><i>Wednesday</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGl96NZf9QAi0s80x7PGvh43kvv3-Q6oO7hjP7bfN5rzlzn82kTv3ucJEvVsomPixzUFL8xhy6O59dIUg09CDC4ZFVX1Y-L2ldMpzDT5y3Ve5KrhlL9L2fNx6CeNJCaTvM0qYfeqrRyfU/s1600/Photo+on+2013-09-25+at+07.28+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGl96NZf9QAi0s80x7PGvh43kvv3-Q6oO7hjP7bfN5rzlzn82kTv3ucJEvVsomPixzUFL8xhy6O59dIUg09CDC4ZFVX1Y-L2ldMpzDT5y3Ve5KrhlL9L2fNx6CeNJCaTvM0qYfeqrRyfU/s200/Photo+on+2013-09-25+at+07.28+%25232.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Got up for work. Put on adult eyeliner. Did adult pony tail instead of fun pony tail. Put on adult work clothes. Got ready to go buy breakfast on way to work.<br />
Got text message saying no, you do not start work today, don't bother coming in.<br />
<br />
Went back to bed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssPjxJ39woeV-dMC2MaGuC3hH1x4Gnh8UzF4IW4FvCI9eoXst3NBNw9hy0uqkjN48uM80-c_uGkdSwGaGzDAj0ybPVimvyCkN-lOAj9EA9gr4o57iN8YgwKLjKjXgVnbuP1H2qAVXzV8/s1600/2013-09-25+07.50.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssPjxJ39woeV-dMC2MaGuC3hH1x4Gnh8UzF4IW4FvCI9eoXst3NBNw9hy0uqkjN48uM80-c_uGkdSwGaGzDAj0ybPVimvyCkN-lOAj9EA9gr4o57iN8YgwKLjKjXgVnbuP1H2qAVXzV8/s200/2013-09-25+07.50.52.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdS4ZUETN6vJ3okTOYnYMAAr5GzYepQ5Hk4-GuL68rYEMuHbgQETOB2jIHBEK0Yz-erw2RubYve12pmwqVkuJ7Fj_Z8ZCoH5FwSr_chwlWFjjVOOEWBneUJUaHTJx4bDGR-dxSqsfPb5Q/s1600/PhotoGrid_1381065491417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdS4ZUETN6vJ3okTOYnYMAAr5GzYepQ5Hk4-GuL68rYEMuHbgQETOB2jIHBEK0Yz-erw2RubYve12pmwqVkuJ7Fj_Z8ZCoH5FwSr_chwlWFjjVOOEWBneUJUaHTJx4bDGR-dxSqsfPb5Q/s200/PhotoGrid_1381065491417.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now I live with these bitches. </td></tr>
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<br />
<i>Thursday</i><br />
I still have a day off work. No contact from the office, so. WE'RE OFF TO HAVE FUN AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS AND BE REALLY BIG KIDS.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74KE6IatKmiGVc9wIJhpOJkNwHmlvOa8eejSpRc7o8GtjrFG_7Vp7nwRWIvASooqFnmzb8wPCgRs5_o2zAU40-NN3L1HaafH9oxfB_bvHRMER3amJsTjPDuDiT_yBTuewijqF7JRT8hs/s1600/IMG_5872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74KE6IatKmiGVc9wIJhpOJkNwHmlvOa8eejSpRc7o8GtjrFG_7Vp7nwRWIvASooqFnmzb8wPCgRs5_o2zAU40-NN3L1HaafH9oxfB_bvHRMER3amJsTjPDuDiT_yBTuewijqF7JRT8hs/s200/IMG_5872.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb6xKZpsVEM0Xlc-C10e12CTmnDLcKgJnMBj02qkFrqP12WNZtuacGrd2jBbc4K6AdrSpQykYlsYn0wc9zPp98XD21CAMHC_YIO-QopBsYj1AIivrdcy-wgz_0IDXPmC-Qm7luTys1AY/s1600/24664_10151748510188096_852199345_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb6xKZpsVEM0Xlc-C10e12CTmnDLcKgJnMBj02qkFrqP12WNZtuacGrd2jBbc4K6AdrSpQykYlsYn0wc9zPp98XD21CAMHC_YIO-QopBsYj1AIivrdcy-wgz_0IDXPmC-Qm7luTys1AY/s200/24664_10151748510188096_852199345_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look we're here!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHygzQuwo1iM_syUIQHiozGa3bLrfREOhDXCBgKfW2ao7YFFsx0oOjbPrkihW-lGZxIkhZ7C5jL4ptzcYq7UKB4VOfyw9xcTvC7qCW41yPlqD0yoXNUHIHLSOBUzkYyLKlHQW0I_LunE/s1600/1150359_10151748509928096_1610905352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHygzQuwo1iM_syUIQHiozGa3bLrfREOhDXCBgKfW2ao7YFFsx0oOjbPrkihW-lGZxIkhZ7C5jL4ptzcYq7UKB4VOfyw9xcTvC7qCW41yPlqD0yoXNUHIHLSOBUzkYyLKlHQW0I_LunE/s200/1150359_10151748509928096_1610905352_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adulthood? Never. LETS GO ON A RIDE.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOiMJygbKj4yHVgFR1Upy0YdylO-sLrBANTfYXWkvmslIzTQc1DSAEX76UpEVrR2SVLU-R7Xl7kPDnBmJ79LTr_NRNcTbvk8nJ_8RO_PGU3PVLY_uDQAIWk_efSkJZm1HtjyFleJ61Ck/s1600/1374245_10151748510673096_1374676871_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOiMJygbKj4yHVgFR1Upy0YdylO-sLrBANTfYXWkvmslIzTQc1DSAEX76UpEVrR2SVLU-R7Xl7kPDnBmJ79LTr_NRNcTbvk8nJ_8RO_PGU3PVLY_uDQAIWk_efSkJZm1HtjyFleJ61Ck/s200/1374245_10151748510673096_1374676871_n.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">21 and adulthood tomorrow. Went on my first rollercoaster today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91oL6vDAJiQJZWMDWlaD8OMmsLw_kVM1geZqZvtIiNdzOaxf9PsWb45zk46xoOtQWty8Y43MIq8P8Gb_xSqYFoX1UTh6PYBBVPxA-bw7Q90rEmkXnCFhyphenhyphenjNBQo3EaMi_P7M869Bzaf30/s1600/1239682_10151748511148096_1642407066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91oL6vDAJiQJZWMDWlaD8OMmsLw_kVM1geZqZvtIiNdzOaxf9PsWb45zk46xoOtQWty8Y43MIq8P8Gb_xSqYFoX1UTh6PYBBVPxA-bw7Q90rEmkXnCFhyphenhyphenjNBQo3EaMi_P7M869Bzaf30/s200/1239682_10151748511148096_1642407066_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello this is my face in front on things. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CdQ_BhVJzRAwu7mEKdmhhw3Uc8cktuGhmli11BgPGs7Foh5rkykob_z0s805hkT8g1TzHnV3RP05t0zrQ5_EFR1aWNBpdrNX6nH1z5xBIQjFR0O6dx4v08PcUkS1E9gAXmDXmExEbCE/s1600/1378230_10151748511418096_628839926_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CdQ_BhVJzRAwu7mEKdmhhw3Uc8cktuGhmli11BgPGs7Foh5rkykob_z0s805hkT8g1TzHnV3RP05t0zrQ5_EFR1aWNBpdrNX6nH1z5xBIQjFR0O6dx4v08PcUkS1E9gAXmDXmExEbCE/s200/1378230_10151748511418096_628839926_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'M A DINOSAUR. </td></tr>
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Exhausted after a huge day of my first rollercoasters ever, and adventures like Brendan Fraser on the Mummy Revenge ride, and no one getting sick on any rides... except for nearly dying on the Transformers teacups, we trundle back home for naps and to eat beans and eggs for dinner. Food of champions.<br />
Roused from our comas by the promise of MIDNIGHT BEERS because hey, I only hit midnight at 21 twice (once at Australian time while eating beans, and once at Singapore time NOW DRINKING A BEER), we race off down the road to buy beers before the midnight "No more alcohol sales".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QSTZDsLpm5_BTm8fZweRe0MrJe6vVvmRJDBiVTWxs4KmiB6okF35jviCIaPn69d3nQPXhEIlend7eJewGbYDWTzEQh1f4C2FkGdWOSqLA1wUQGcwb3VyeUq_6Q9K-xRxH3ccYBNuIxo/s1600/2013-09-26+23.47.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QSTZDsLpm5_BTm8fZweRe0MrJe6vVvmRJDBiVTWxs4KmiB6okF35jviCIaPn69d3nQPXhEIlend7eJewGbYDWTzEQh1f4C2FkGdWOSqLA1wUQGcwb3VyeUq_6Q9K-xRxH3ccYBNuIxo/s200/2013-09-26+23.47.44.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Midnight beer run</td></tr>
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<br />
Beers acquired, and my birthday has begun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs1nY1X2vA5ly_nVIf9RRLv7qvJ3bk7SsVy3AxSF5jwzo97uh4cXsxY7bncGSrowxRaeUC9hyYSpFizUANuWfD96Qd9-ZkyFV0qnWE3ToFfvVyWblNJJh5pE9nmc5fn_8f8R7PGzZTVc/s1600/Snapchat-5118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs1nY1X2vA5ly_nVIf9RRLv7qvJ3bk7SsVy3AxSF5jwzo97uh4cXsxY7bncGSrowxRaeUC9hyYSpFizUANuWfD96Qd9-ZkyFV0qnWE3ToFfvVyWblNJJh5pE9nmc5fn_8f8R7PGzZTVc/s200/Snapchat-5118.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MY BIRTHDAY HAS STARTED!</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<i>Friday</i><br />
IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!<br />
It was quiet.<br />
Had an amazing birthday brunch for one at Jimmy Monkey, Australian coffee and a whole avocado.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGb65Pg6RSrYFhvaR2mTiOoBZo3CDIasNw8dwGzCfLuxIuulL4f5ej8XQd-KiZyOXl0mdZSn4bTjO3L4nx5dv4VoGnTpb4q0C0Lp3DGunV6D0VRndB9TCkcva2Pjjd9g95oxYziG9tB4/s1600/PhotoGrid_1382102434585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGb65Pg6RSrYFhvaR2mTiOoBZo3CDIasNw8dwGzCfLuxIuulL4f5ej8XQd-KiZyOXl0mdZSn4bTjO3L4nx5dv4VoGnTpb4q0C0Lp3DGunV6D0VRndB9TCkcva2Pjjd9g95oxYziG9tB4/s200/PhotoGrid_1382102434585.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing brunch... for one. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlTfCaSBV-mrYXGhvdx7cKYOKIEc1Gw6mi-kXQnR6SJnZlrd_y3YPJVS3TaQQymlM4fzbn4wfY80fDL_-wlWs3BQnexGJdnrYY-yRhzKolvNxXffLcIrIIKzOc7qbmMAjiyMT5qSlUoM/s1600/20130927_110331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlTfCaSBV-mrYXGhvdx7cKYOKIEc1Gw6mi-kXQnR6SJnZlrd_y3YPJVS3TaQQymlM4fzbn4wfY80fDL_-wlWs3BQnexGJdnrYY-yRhzKolvNxXffLcIrIIKzOc7qbmMAjiyMT5qSlUoM/s200/20130927_110331.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four months of mystery present. Mum, you're the best. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eAwtY_a3kHX11dQXDTdUuKDGegkUx6QEx36PuZKx5i3CqwlE-9roKpQUUJ-sjN8Evh73q0VR79fXztaM-6o0MkPuqmH_uoBL6qDRjgs9gsG3aAQ5NOdnGjan8WYYMFbWYPnoYaoMJXQ/s1600/IMG_5907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eAwtY_a3kHX11dQXDTdUuKDGegkUx6QEx36PuZKx5i3CqwlE-9roKpQUUJ-sjN8Evh73q0VR79fXztaM-6o0MkPuqmH_uoBL6qDRjgs9gsG3aAQ5NOdnGjan8WYYMFbWYPnoYaoMJXQ/s200/IMG_5907.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mystery present from mum is revealed, HAND BAG! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I didn't really get to talk to everyone back home, in that the family told me to call them and no one was home. Heartbreaking. When I did get a hold of everyone, I got to speak to Mum and Dad and Nana, and was sung happy birthday from two states.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoWV6ErXueCocf8GCzmdqBfae09cnsZZpxWWk_j1P1V5R4teRffLFmkbcPZGuOTNw1-9EPyRVDob5N-xWU1b6LHZ9hdJJ1Wc-jSlRialiWuFMam0JzinQeCCgjcaqhbIe_nZz4KWp1-8/s1600/PhotoGrid_1380733597451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoWV6ErXueCocf8GCzmdqBfae09cnsZZpxWWk_j1P1V5R4teRffLFmkbcPZGuOTNw1-9EPyRVDob5N-xWU1b6LHZ9hdJJ1Wc-jSlRialiWuFMam0JzinQeCCgjcaqhbIe_nZz4KWp1-8/s200/PhotoGrid_1380733597451.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love you all so much. And everyone else too! But you guys special.<br />
So much love, you crazy kids made my day. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKPpX6I6pBX7SAP54un6MZvlZPesXdsqFPQPrDg79DlTuKdFfYxv-SUDRphCKzv5-ToO9sC7NaRrx17MsLF9YQkL3zZV6yxo98-5IkE1lMztCVSFNc5FGNioVCvX5mOvmnpLOQKZZOM8/s1600/Snapchat-1012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKPpX6I6pBX7SAP54un6MZvlZPesXdsqFPQPrDg79DlTuKdFfYxv-SUDRphCKzv5-ToO9sC7NaRrx17MsLF9YQkL3zZV6yxo98-5IkE1lMztCVSFNc5FGNioVCvX5mOvmnpLOQKZZOM8/s200/Snapchat-1012.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All dressed up and no where to go. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Headed out late and later than planned to Timbre at the Arts house, an amazing venue playing live music and right on the river front.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiiRwjVyoLpmyelogL4TzoqoGIKVsSdDM5agEmPh-GPz13h5iAIieadhO5_jhoJn0EBTzwukHJSkybeEzFYQBTv3WL3RjCwMV2JYfy8r_Gm8KiPRQrGLGmqUVyVkcoQfkp2sT3KPFw6M/s1600/20130927_210348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiiRwjVyoLpmyelogL4TzoqoGIKVsSdDM5agEmPh-GPz13h5iAIieadhO5_jhoJn0EBTzwukHJSkybeEzFYQBTv3WL3RjCwMV2JYfy8r_Gm8KiPRQrGLGmqUVyVkcoQfkp2sT3KPFw6M/s200/20130927_210348.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy celebrations! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DhB7SVREsvYIMNLWQ0NcrPGGSVy8ZJ7x-zJ5QCZ-UzfKaL9eXMCqFJfF7h8fAkivPwmocJA8OH95BsSY2kT-Qj2b8RPFpwl6Fx5M14ufjuzD7in03tLzFaGvnK40LU6ElocOQ1Cc4Dg/s1600/tumblr_inline_mtzxi5JxNV1s2y2mx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DhB7SVREsvYIMNLWQ0NcrPGGSVy8ZJ7x-zJ5QCZ-UzfKaL9eXMCqFJfF7h8fAkivPwmocJA8OH95BsSY2kT-Qj2b8RPFpwl6Fx5M14ufjuzD7in03tLzFaGvnK40LU6ElocOQ1Cc4Dg/s200/tumblr_inline_mtzxi5JxNV1s2y2mx.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3-f49P9oquQS75RRSP9nnTcFl7nMOsd6pgWPG0eklXuqvyFdoLWVkMDUmqob2gcaQKptDc4ZXWIXmJSbFk-g4r0BDPH0PiF1gGqIj_c8LJr0gnhvmMb9JvMVLGwUiE5MXSmQMU5quvc/s1600/tumblr_inline_mtzxj9ApoV1s2y2mx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3-f49P9oquQS75RRSP9nnTcFl7nMOsd6pgWPG0eklXuqvyFdoLWVkMDUmqob2gcaQKptDc4ZXWIXmJSbFk-g4r0BDPH0PiF1gGqIj_c8LJr0gnhvmMb9JvMVLGwUiE5MXSmQMU5quvc/s320/tumblr_inline_mtzxj9ApoV1s2y2mx.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgER3QgcKZ3xMpWxhjOOMeoU8PTMikfuVd3Hr0lU9yrj9YOjdy_lyc6dpN-nzMTqp8O1Z3TWYXBz8H-WiQiqxdsePouiUtyBv_mV494-WBSme-eYZVAE4uKGaCfEDx46tepACqdrzDkSSA/s1600/tumblr_inline_mtzxk4fi9N1s2y2mx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgER3QgcKZ3xMpWxhjOOMeoU8PTMikfuVd3Hr0lU9yrj9YOjdy_lyc6dpN-nzMTqp8O1Z3TWYXBz8H-WiQiqxdsePouiUtyBv_mV494-WBSme-eYZVAE4uKGaCfEDx46tepACqdrzDkSSA/s200/tumblr_inline_mtzxk4fi9N1s2y2mx.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJElBybfmoPesJreQZCg_72sbch19QZVHXEJuYQQurupyi7DNJ8V3WkqYGIBd2PZe1J1hD6YOTSo0cgSeh9JuLND0idroiHqc0TtxdYGlz0tlLq1iS_hLVpP_baosReujOG6J9wmCwiVc/s1600/20130927_232514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJElBybfmoPesJreQZCg_72sbch19QZVHXEJuYQQurupyi7DNJ8V3WkqYGIBd2PZe1J1hD6YOTSo0cgSeh9JuLND0idroiHqc0TtxdYGlz0tlLq1iS_hLVpP_baosReujOG6J9wmCwiVc/s200/20130927_232514.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cupcakes and beers in the park</td></tr>
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Thin crust pizzas and champagne, cocktails and acoustic music, beers in the park, new hand bag snapped, cupcakes and singing and racing for the last train. It might have been a quiet day but I had a lovely little night!<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Saturday</i><br />
Tired, I woke up as a 21 year old legit. And off we set on a shambles of a city tour where our bus never turned up! Spent a long day walking around town, wandering through past the MerLion and around Marina Bay Sands, past the Durian and the Esplanade theatres.<br />
We spent lots of time out sweating in the heat and stretching our legs, before heading over to the Singapore flyer for an amazing view.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIZvTG1eQ4NPXuwv90MFlVpX8NKiheushtP5VqZpP8Pd4NmdFw1NW3UDawozW-TseE5SlvT7420GQemdvfKEGlWAnagfuDIYrTB2eOxQqg1vPJiL8VX0K32MC89976HvRFMRIvcWR-gY/s1600/20130928_164048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIZvTG1eQ4NPXuwv90MFlVpX8NKiheushtP5VqZpP8Pd4NmdFw1NW3UDawozW-TseE5SlvT7420GQemdvfKEGlWAnagfuDIYrTB2eOxQqg1vPJiL8VX0K32MC89976HvRFMRIvcWR-gY/s200/20130928_164048.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapore my new home, You're very pretty. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nUBugyAh_oQ0LgSFG6nbAcd1vSmEw6RoMcqJvxgW_iky8WMPMok62I51fQRjCzMXRltClO9wqFPqm2L2tEGvghCyNpPndFvGT5QxLs2yyTWvvtevgxjhmD9fDC0nk4yykMekQcD_g84/s1600/20130928_161523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nUBugyAh_oQ0LgSFG6nbAcd1vSmEw6RoMcqJvxgW_iky8WMPMok62I51fQRjCzMXRltClO9wqFPqm2L2tEGvghCyNpPndFvGT5QxLs2yyTWvvtevgxjhmD9fDC0nk4yykMekQcD_g84/s200/20130928_161523.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapore Slings on the Singapore flyer, living the high life!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD7vUAG7DmvIYU8b_duZOllPJhOSi6lU-N6Iy5L0HSo8cl1XOY2hz2gzb36GIKUSOTN1ZWuRRH6FGYU6KGyTnFt7OG71xt3pA5gB1qXivngPDLlIRcXy0YcZyJ6bgXdHLNzF_ydepVJ4/s1600/20130928_191349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD7vUAG7DmvIYU8b_duZOllPJhOSi6lU-N6Iy5L0HSo8cl1XOY2hz2gzb36GIKUSOTN1ZWuRRH6FGYU6KGyTnFt7OG71xt3pA5gB1qXivngPDLlIRcXy0YcZyJ6bgXdHLNzF_ydepVJ4/s200/20130928_191349.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A piano that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">survived <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.<br /></span></span></td></tr>
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On our way to getting some big tasty bowls of ramen for dinner, we caught a performance on a piano that survived the tsunami and nuclear disaster last year in Japan.<br />
Tired and tuckered out, full of Japanese food and sunburnt sweaty, we skip off on our multiple trains home from our city tour that never happened.<br />
<br />
<i>Sunday</i><br />
Sunday was a rest day; we sleep in.Wandered off for another charming brunch at my new favourite place, Jimmy Monkey, for it's Melbourne coffee, perfect eggs and liberal lashings of Hollandaise sauce.Charmingly named breakfast plates such as "The Hemmingway", and the fact that the decor include ripped out warehouse furnishings and a toilet with a bow on it have made this instantly one of my favourite places in Singapore.<br />
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We pack up all our stuff to move off to our new apartment, attempting to close the suitcase that has just become too fat to handle, and find all the things I've managed to lose in our apartment, already.<br />
We wander to Chinatown for dumplings. All the dumplings contain meat. Sorry Kellie.<br />
Somehow, in the Middle of china town, we stumble upon the oldest, and definitely coolest Hindu temple in town: The Sri Mariamman Temple, simply amazing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">China town is pretty. </td></tr>
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<br />
<i>Monday</i><br />
Monday was another do not much day; having still not started work, priorities were finishing packing, sleep ins and resting. A brief spot of shopping at irresistible H+M, before heading home for a rest and to Skype my bestest brobro.<br />
<br />
And then we move again, this time to a nicer, but also smaller and somewhat cupboardless apartment overlooking the noisy AYE highway.With a pretty view of the city and fake flowers in our rooms, our new apartment is basically an IKEA show room and we start work tomorrow!<br />
<br />
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With all my love from Singapore,</div>
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E xx. </div>
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Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-78851886421612255902013-08-27T18:16:00.000+10:002013-08-28T18:26:32.622+10:00Cheese Comas <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Being lactose intolerant was supposed to be easy in Vietnam, because according to the doctors and travel specialists, you probably shouldn't eat the dairy here anyway because of some of the pasturing processes.<br />
<br />
And yet I find myself in the midst of a two day cheese coma, unbearable by any other measures and rendering me stuck like a whale on the couch, with no hope of moving any time soon.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah, and the toilet is blocked. Ta housemate.<br />
<br />
As someone who loves coffee and cake, I make do in Melbourne with my milky avoidances. I don't eat half the food at work, only drink soy milk, and cake is pretty much the only exception to the rule of no dairy. It's flawed but it works well enough, good days and bad,<br />
<br />
Here, I don't drink milk because they can make coffee with sweetened condensed milk, which isn't milk at all, it's liquid sugar. And who doesn't want that magical.<br />
<br />
However, our favourite cafe here slathered the eggs magically with mozzarella, and my stomach rebelled.My Saturday afternoon was greatly improved with a big plate of eggs and a book. I enjoyed it immensely, but the stomach cramps and bloating set in within the hour. You know how to fix that? When life gives you bloating, drink beer and watch yourself not get beer bloat, because you already have itchy cheese bloat. Glass half full... with milky beer... right? #disgusting<br />
<br />
It was the Mexican food that did it. It knocked me out for two days after, I ate nearly nothing and cried the whole time. Imagine a delicious quesadilla filled with grilled beef and magic, and you think yeah sure can probably handle that. But then you have the racist Mexican restaurant's delicious cheesy nachos. You enjoy. They mucked up your order though, of beans and cheese and instead give you and your vegetarian friend meaty meaty goodness. When they deliver the replacement beany magic, they give you two boxes of cheese, and one big box of beans to add to said cheese. This box of cheese should have been your warning sign. AN ENTIRE TAKEAWAY BOX OF GOLDEN PARTY.<br />
<br />
Half a box down, tears. We give up. We each have half a box left, and stomach cramps. Because the two whitest, most lactose intolerant kids in Saigon ordered cheese for dinner. We give up, and curl up on the couch with tv to sooth us. Sherlock. The Mighty Boosh. Doctor Who. And yet that pain does not end.<br />
<br />
We ban Mexican food from every being ordered by us in this house.<br />
We ban the racist Mexican restaurant from our minds and our hopeful hearts and crying tummies.<br />
<br />
The cheese pains lasted for two days. No food would appease my grumpy tummy. I only ate bread. Then I ate bananas. I only had liquids. Nothing would stop the endless grumble of my tummy. What it was saying was "You're a stupid face, with a stupid mouth, you haven't been able to drink milk since you were 13 and you thought this was a good idea?".<br />
<br />
Sorry lactose, but we're proper breaking up this time. It's not you, it's just I can't handle you right now.<i> I lie, it actually is you. </i>Maybe one day I'll be ready. But for now, I've had just about enough of you to last a lifetime. Or til the end of this trip. At the very least, this week. Maybe.<br />
<br />
But maybe just this last packet of m+ms.<br />
Having a funeral for my love of chocolatey good things, for now.<br />
E x.<br />
<br />
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<br />Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-55735156190862223282013-08-26T04:45:00.000+10:002013-08-28T18:44:33.343+10:00The Vietnamese Toilet Debacle <b>"Sorry, we don't use plungers on Sundays".</b><br />
<br />
Sunday afternoon in Saigon. A spot of homework and productivity has struck the apartment. Everyone is crowded over their laptops, achieving things, all good.<br />
<br />
Study break time! Time for oreos. And to pee.<br />
<br />
<i>"Oh, um yeah, I think the toilet is blocked?"</i><br />
<br />
Excuse me housemate, thinking back, did you not come out of the bathroom say... an hour ago. Should you have not raised this issue about an hour ago?<br />
<br />
<i>"Oh but I didn't block it, I was peeing and I looked down and went <span style="font-size: large;">Oh!</span>"</i><br />
<br />
Still, shouldn't you have said Hey, housemate who has to share with me hogging the bathroom doing my makeup all the time, Le toilet is le fucked.<br />
<br />
I really really need to pee at this stage.<br />
<br />
<i>"Oh okay, well can you run downstairs and tell Chi so she can send someone up, blockerer of the toilet?"</i><br />
<i>"Uh, I have homework, I can't". </i><br />
<br />
Yup, so much assignment that you can't walk downstairs for two minutes and tell our building manager that the stink has risen. It becomes my afternoon mission, but first, to run downstairs to the cafe under our building to pee.<br />
<br />
No building manager in sight. I'm telling her son, or grandson, We're still not entirely sure how this family works, that the toilet is blocked. From the word toilet, he understands immediately. He tells the two random men sitting in hammocks, and they have a good old laugh, hhaha the white girl from level five's toilet is blocked, chuckle chuckle. Helpful. He calls someone. He calls again. He puts me on the phone to someone. They hang up immediately. Our communication ends there, as he can't quite work out how to tell me there is no one here to help, and he doesn't know when someone will be able to help.<br />
<br />
A few hours later we try again. A man comes up. He looks at it. He says<i> "It's Sunday, I can't call anyone to help". </i><br />
<br />
Has no one thought to just give us the plunger?<br />
<br />
Monday: Toilet is still blocked. I've run a bunch of detergent and draino through it, and left it over night, to no avail. They tell us we have to tell the landlord. I tell the landlord. She asks me about my passport. I tell her the toilet is blocked.<br />
<br />
<i>"Did you guys put too much paper in it?"</i><br />
<br />
Uh.... no more than usual I guess.<br />
How about just sending the plumber? This 20 questions about the state of the blocked toilet was fun, but there aren't many more ways for me to describe 'the toilet is blocked'. We don't hear back from her at all. More draino is purchased.<br />
<br />
The two white girls are on the case! No plunger to be found, but after a bottle of bleach down there, there is a great all mighty gulping sound 50 minutes later.<br />
<br />
It has taken far too long to get this sorted. Absolutely no help for our landlord, our building managers (well they don't speak English, so I can't blame them too much). From stories from previous tenants we knew, all they did was go downstairs, and five minutes later someone came with a plunger. I texted my landlord saying "Hey, So we fixed the toilet by ourselves, thanks for nothing." She sent back "That's great, tks".<br />
It only took two twenty something girls with no tools, two bottles of bleach based Draino and a bit of detergent, and over 24 hours sans bathroom, but the throne is functioning once more.<br />
<br />
I guess we could have used our other housemates bathroom... Oops.<br />
<br />
After a shit load of Draino, to wash down the shit load of well, shit and TP. #blockage.<br />
Not the most glamorous of adventures.<br />
<br />
E x.<br />
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<br />Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-80137022644771000662013-08-25T01:30:00.000+10:002013-09-04T01:47:57.659+10:00The Ho Chi Minh Bucket ListIt occurs to me that as my time in Ho Chi Minh City is coming to a close, I have a bunch of things I still want to do here. Some are hard, some are easy. Some are random. So with the inspirations of one of my best friends, I give you my Ho Chi Minh City bucket list: just under four weeks to go and a wild list of things to achieve.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For this crude photoshopping, I just might get arrested here. </td></tr>
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<br />
-Go to the War Musuem- I went six years ago when I was last here, but it's been a while.<br />
- Go to the Contemporary art museum <i>completed 31st august </i><br />
- Zoo, its parks and museum! <i>completed 29th August </i><br />
- Wine and cheese at L'Usine<br />
- Temple day: I have seen some of the most beautiful temples here, three of them from the bus. I want to go look for them, appreciate how beautifully decorated they all are.<br />
- Church day: Oddly enough, the same kind of thing. The churches here are really different, one is bright barbie pink, and there's something about faith around the world that is just more exotic, more exciting, more real than in Australia.<br />
- Visit the inside of Notre Dame de Saigon<br />
- Alley way tour, each one is new and fascinating. I just want to wander up and down.<br />
- All nighter- I still haven't stayed out and partied all night here. Probably because eventually I get bored and tired, or sober.<br />
- Yersin street army surplus market- I want a cool army uniform. They have such jazzy colours and hats here.<br />
- Cholon market- just so very different to the tourist markets! <i>completed 31st august </i><br />
- Graffiti the THE onto the wall. I love that piece of graffiti on the wall on Pham Ngu Lao. Love it to bits, it's just like 'regarde le ciel' graffiti in Paris, and I adore those too. It's like my own little piece of my past adventures cropping back up in a new way.<br />
- Lush on ladies night. Free drinks. YES.<br />
-Score a goal in a game of fooseball against the Vietnamese. We got annihilated today, I was hoping to say win a game, but that's just never ever going to happy. We all know how bad I am at games.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Hard Things that would be awesome (And are close to Ho Chi Minh, but aren't in Ho Chi Minh)</i><br />
-Cao Dai temple. This is the jazziest temple in existence. So jazzy. But its a few hours from here, and that makes me sad.<br />
-Vung Tao day trip- Particularly a mountain climb, to see the giant Jesus statue. Yup.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm pretty damn tempted to cover my wall in post it notes with these on them, and I'm only allowed to take them down when I've achieved it! But this would only serve to further procrastinate from assignments I don't want to do. So instead this list is going to remind me of all the cool things I have left to see here, before adult life begins in Singapore.<br />
<br />
I'll update this list as I do it, and I'll add photos along the way.<br />
<br />
So let the last few weeks here be full of adventures!<br />
E x.<br />
<br />Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-83184335059890214202013-08-24T21:21:00.000+10:002013-08-25T19:35:48.394+10:00Writers know Other Writers.Our eyes met. Our eyes keep meeting as we think, finishing sentences, 2 tables apart. We keep looking up, searching for words or descriptions.<br />
<br />
Our eyes met as we mouth the words to ourselves, an invisible train of thought searching for the perfect word that rolls around the mouth nicely.<br />
<br />
We're both armed with the delicious foods and drinks of L'Usine, settled in on a quite Saturday afternoon of reading and writing. Set up at long benches surrounded by stools, we sit alone, together, on the quest to fill pages with words.<br />
<br />
Maybe it's because we're both attractive people that our eyes search each other out, me with my notebook and him with his Macbook. Maybe it's my wild hair that I keep putting up in a ponytail and taking it out again, like I do when I think, or the way he's drinking his coffee, but we understand.<br />
<br />
It's the bond, the search for phrasing, the way he almost sat down at my bench, but chose his own space two tables away, and the way the computer consumed his attention as soon as he sat down. And who knows, maybe somewhere an article has appeared, about the girl reading Shantaram and with the upside down notebook at L'Usine, drinking OJ and writing without looking at the paper, and we'll all know what he thinks of the brunette sitting across the way writing this article.<br />
<br />
And maybe it's the bond, because everyone hates the writer in the cafe who takes up the whole table with their possessions, and their self assured smirk as they own the room, stare at people, presume their belonging and status in the cafe.<br />
<br />
Regardless, there is a wordless connection there, based on words still to be strung together. See you same time next week to write alone, together, new writer friend.<br />
<br />
Mouthing out the words until they sound right. Here no one judges because they're doing the same.<br />
E x.<br />
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Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-21788718946879366162013-08-23T02:35:00.000+10:002013-08-24T17:23:21.646+10:00Hungover in HCMC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I wake up. 8am. Everything is blurry. Everything is spinny. My stomach is confused, and still full of nothing but beer. If I try to move, my body protests and my stomach riles. Back to sleep.<br />
<br />
I wake up. 11.30am. Improvement. Need to pee. Have needed to pee since I passed out cold at 3.30am this morning. Still confused tipsy stumble down hall way to bathroom. Pjs are on backwards. Makeup all over my face. Hair in a high pony tail style birdsnest. Friend still asleep on the couch. Oops, she has a mid term exam in 2.5 hours.<br />
<br />
I wake up. 12.20pm. Nausea rising and fading. Eating any time soon is unlikely.<br />
<br />
Time to watch television and not move.<br />
<br />
3.30pm. Better eat something, I'm pretty hungry. And nauseous.<br />
<br />
4.10pm. Oh a shower feels so much better. Clean hair is delightful. My apartment smells so good like fresh pasta, except my housemates didn't make me any. Hot damn.<br />
<br />
4.40pm. More tv, and this pizza roll thing you bought. AND OJ. OJ FIXES EVERYTHING. MMM OJ.<br />
<br />
6pm. Getting hungry again. Pretty much haven't eaten anything all day, no surprise really. Stomach is too confused. What about Indian food? OOOH INDIAN FOOD. No. Pasta. No. Salad, your beer binge was horribly bad for you. No, ANY FOOD SOMEONE BRINGS TO ME.<br />
<br />
7pm. Wish I had of gone to the gym today.<br />
<br />
8pm. Magical rescue of housemate from the petrol station. He forgot his wallet, so I raced over there on a motorbike and saved the day. Feeling human again, my hair is clean but still still smells of cigarettes and the fresh flower crown a random Indian guy bought for us, my stomach is soon to be full of pasta and garlic bread biscuits, and my mind is enjoying Doctor Who.<br />
<br />
<br />
Hungover in Ho Chi Minh City hasn't been so different to being hungover at home: except my water isn't cold and I can't confusingly drink it straight out of my bathroom tap in the wee hours of the morning. My bathroom doesn't have delightfully freezing tiles that are so very comfortable and soothing to lay on. My room hasn't been drunkenly preorganised to have a pathway to the bathroom and a plastic bin by the bed.... just in case you know. And there were no Saladas or Premiums, plain saltines to eat in the middle of the night before bed. Three before bed, and some water, no hangover. Ever.<br />
<br />
I haven't had a hangover in a while, I'm not lying. I'm a terrible person when I'm hungover, so I seem to not get drunk enough to be hungover so much any more. But look, 8 beers and two shots and very little dinner at a gig and then on the street while tired and dehydrated is just too good to resist here. The last time I was even vaguely like this, even a little bit, maybe, was after my own going away party before arriving in Vietnam: A pretty good excuse I would think.<br />
<br />
It doesn't matter that it's Wednesday night, and then Thursday morning, the backpackers district is always thriving until the early hours of the morning with oddball travellers and beer that costs less than soft drink. The night was well worth it: A night at Cargo Bar in District 4 rocking out with White Noise, The Standards, and the ever epic Japandroids! Well worth it. The night starts with a sandwich for dinner after a hectic karate session, some staring at the massive moon and rooftop beers at the View. We race to Cargo for live music, finally. We go to Bui Vien, big backpackers street, to drink beers on the road. We're joined by randoms. They buy beer. They buy tequilla. They buy more beer. Should have probably had a drunken snack.<br />
<br />
We make a magical escape assisted by a friend from strange pervy back packers and drunkenly skip on down the road.<br />
<br />
Water. Bed. Hangover.<br />
<br />
Cycle of an expats life, living in a city that offers 30-60 cent beers.<br />
<br />
Hungover recovery complete with another weird night's sleep,<br />
E x.Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-9883338621784896472013-08-22T02:24:00.000+10:002015-03-23T23:05:43.896+11:00Thank you Saigon<br />
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<em style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CSbDycMo91ZHXjubHoOGCsTrYzZ7jlNbsX4uUqTTvDaaGCvawWmn5QfZ9zyfnSZmHpXvkPEcQobjVeOdkzDVCa_labpuYROm7dfNWVWh4B4ZZZiw2wPSB7bdPr2FZyjHAT_v2ryxaEc/s1600/Thank-you-sign-childrens-letters-CC-vistamommy-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CSbDycMo91ZHXjubHoOGCsTrYzZ7jlNbsX4uUqTTvDaaGCvawWmn5QfZ9zyfnSZmHpXvkPEcQobjVeOdkzDVCa_labpuYROm7dfNWVWh4B4ZZZiw2wPSB7bdPr2FZyjHAT_v2ryxaEc/s1600/Thank-you-sign-childrens-letters-CC-vistamommy-300x225.jpg" /></a></em></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<em style="font-style: italic;">I </em><em style="font-style: italic;">never really say goodbye. Because Au revoir means until I see you again, and I intend to see you again. So it's not goodbye, this is just see you later. </em></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
This week, I found out I would be leaving Saigon a bit earlier than expected. Sure, it's only a few days, but after 81 days this stinky, sweaty country has gotten under my skin hardcore. With a month left here, I have a lot of things to thank Saigon for.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thank you Saigon, for things being cheap. For my rent per month being less than it would be per week in Melbourne. For cheap food, cheap transport and an incredibly rich lifestyle, despite everything here costing me less than $100 a week to live here.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thank you for your street food. No where else in the world will I be able to eat a delicious meal of bot chien for one whole dollar, drink a fresh coconut on the street for 75cents and be able to wander around and be impressed, and utterly disgusted by food. Surrounded by food, embracing food, everywhere there is food. It's a food city, and I love it so much.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thank you for the sweet and spicy, intense Saigon flavours. Hanoi got nothing on you.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thank you for being the true city that never sleeps, for it never truly being dark here, for constant life and sounds and vibrancy. It's never quiet here. When it's quiet, it's never still. When it's still, the air is still humming with life and excitement.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thank you Vietnam, for weekends in Da Lat. There are no words for Da Lat, other than being incredible, and for setting everything back on track. Somewhere to escape to when the going gets tough in Saigon, and it's just too hot and busy.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thanks for nights that end at Broma, beers on the street in Bui Vien. For motorbikes and your hectic lifestyle. For traffic always being interesting. (don't tell my parents, but I'm getting a motorbike if I ever come home).</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thanks Saigon, for making me a demi celebrity everywhere I go, with my milky white skin attracting a lot of attention. I have been approached and had photos taken with me, I have had photos taken at a distance, I have been pointed at, whispered about and made moderately infamous on my street and at uni. It's been interesting.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thank you for your coffee, for fun jazzy western music from the 90s playing in my local supermarket, for my favourite cafe L'usine,</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<em style="font-style: italic;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">And then, I have a lot of things not to thank Saigon for.</strong></em></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thanks for being a place where I have been spat on. Literally. More than once.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thanks for bag snatchers. I really appreciate that, and how after I was mugged outside my own apartment building I didn't sleep for two days. For a friend of mine getting both bag snatched and robbed in her house.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thanks for smelling pretty awful, all the time. There are places around here that smell worse than a boys urinal, because here the street is the urinal and it's fair game. Thanks for showing me that, I appreciate seeing people producing waste on the street.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thanks for the weird mail restrictions: I basically can't post anything home, no worries.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thanks for making me still a novelty, everywhere I go. To be stared at, glared at. I've been flipped off, I've been yelled at. I've stopped sports games in the park so people can stare at me. For people who say hello on the street, or yell at me more because I'm blindingly white. It's getting old.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
But thank you for being exactly how you are. Sweaty, disgusting and full of life. Thank you for making me appreciate where I live, how I live, everything I have and everywhere I've seen and been. It's a gift. This city is a gift, a messy, outrageous, ever changing gift.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Thank you Saigon, for being somewhere I can call home now.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
E x.</div>
Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-30603908910521114172013-08-16T20:12:00.000+10:002013-09-06T01:26:52.076+10:00The first step.They say the first step is admitting you have a problem.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Well, my name is Ellen Marie Hyperbole BurgerRings (check my passport, it's true), and I have a problem. It's not an alcohol or drugs problem, no internet addiction (well I have that, but it's not a problem), and its not insomnia woes.<br />
<br />
I somehow found myself quite depressed in Saigon.<br />
<br />
I'm not talking a few days of moody blues, This is an unending cloud of confusion, a sense of hopelessness, pointlessness and heaviness that has been raining on me for over a month now. While I feel like the storm might finally be coming to an end, I thought it was about time to tell people about it.<br />
<br />
Don't ask me what I'm sad about, or why I'm sad. I don't know. This is beyond a simple homesicknesses, it's been overwhelmingly confusing, full of questions I can't answer and endless doubt. I don't know where it started or began. I'm not scared. I don't feel lonely or alone.<br />
<br />
Because what I feel is nothing at all.<br />
<br />
I'm restless and confused, I can't sit still and concentration is beyond an all time low. I feel jittery, almost anxious, but about nothing. It's not because I miss my friends and my family and everything I left behind in Melbourne: I do, I miss Melbourne. I love the city of rain and coffee and wandering the streets holding hands that I was born in, but maybe it was because I realised that what I left behind in Melbourne were a few amazing people, a few amazing friends, a few something somethings, plenty of unanswered questions and a disappointing amount of hurt, disappointment and a need to move on finally, to move to another hemisphere.<br />
<br />
Maybe it's because I can never truly outrun all demons. Time doesn't heal all wounds, some you carry for life.<br />
<br />
But maybe, maybe it's just irrational. Chemical. A brain thing. Not enough sleep and a foreign city and foreign substances and thousands of miles from home, my brain finally gave up for the first time in years. It let down the carefully constructed barriers, all the medical and psychological knowledge I carry about these things, and let them sneak in.<br />
<br />
I have a problem. And I don't know who to talk to about it. There's no one here I really feel comfortable saying "Hey, I actually can barely concentrate on anything but how I feel nothing but emptiness, and I kind of want to cry, all the time, for four weeks straight".<br />
<br />
I'm going to publish this, and there's going to be an alarming amount of sudden sympathy and concern, and that I can talk to any of you if I want. I know, I know I can. I know who's genuine and fake, and I know who I trust. But don't kid yourselves, you didn't know because I didn't want you to know.<br />
<br />
You'll have just thought I'm my usual prickly bitchy self with a four week case of PMS, but inside I feel like I'm drowning. In what, I don't know.<br />
<br />
Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Because I was actually able to admit the problem, see it, and when I'm ready to deal with it, I'll deal with it.<br />
<br />
Just keep swimming, swimming swimming.<br />
<br />
E x.<br />
<br />Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-26800235794836826382013-08-14T04:43:00.000+10:002013-08-14T04:44:55.043+10:00Why I take so long to blogThis all began as a long term thought rant, a place for my memories and moods to run wild. I therefore thought that to edit my work was to kill it. To edit my words was to change their power and to edit my own thoughts.<br />
<br />
A great friend of mine told me that editing had power. Editing had wisdom. Editing made us better writers.<br />
<br />
Well old friend, I'd like to think I've attempted to edit my work, refine and hone the master piece, just like you would inspire me to think a bit longer, work a little harder and to edit his work and edit mine.<br />
<br />
I come up with ideas on mass, never when I'm near my computer and scribbled in the back of my notebook. Ideas get forgotten and then found again later. Brilliant ideas for series come to me in the middle of assignments, procrasta-blogging because a huge problem and word vomit takes a written form.<br />
<br />
Well old friend, hesitation, editing and brainstorming have started to show me your ways, and I hope that one day I write something that makes you proud, as I was as proud of your writing. You were a perfectionist, and I wish I could be as meticulous as you were. One day.<br />
<br />
I've actually written you all over six posts about what's going on lately, problems I've had, Vietnamese quirks and 10 weeks worth of food posts. But they sit, unedited, unperfected and with need for them to be ready.<br />
<br />
Somewhere in the change between writing this for myself, and writing this for other people to read, editing became a process, a mandatory.<br />
<br />
Somewhere in the excess of ideas, there was a loss of inspiration.<br />
<br />
And it took just a few adventures and a few people to want to know what's happening to bring it back. There aren't enough thanks for someone bringing back your motivation, for people becoming your inspiration.<br />
<br />
Being back on bed rest, you can expect those 10 weeks worth of food posts, and many Vietnamese adventures are coming.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for ramblings.<br />
<br />
E x.Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-75441236077165033802013-08-12T19:30:00.000+10:002013-08-15T03:26:49.778+10:0012 hours to Folio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOSvlDjFil5mcFkKDotscXlA2ben22OlfjbadaXgESPCrDVHzxmhnKoDskrQhfTgSWkjwy0LfwJ2tMbxkEDcuQCji8SoB_NrbEQe5Boog_PvwQmB_v7TeLKL217Az0I7EZNtOU1gIdMU/s1600/what-no-all-nighters-you-shall-not-pass.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOSvlDjFil5mcFkKDotscXlA2ben22OlfjbadaXgESPCrDVHzxmhnKoDskrQhfTgSWkjwy0LfwJ2tMbxkEDcuQCji8SoB_NrbEQe5Boog_PvwQmB_v7TeLKL217Az0I7EZNtOU1gIdMU/s320/what-no-all-nighters-you-shall-not-pass.jpg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's a dance I dance well, the all nighter last minute assignment.<br />
<br />
12 hours before the due date is a great time to properly start putting together your end of semester advertising folio right?<br />
<br />
A3 sized, black paper, five advertising campaigns from first draft to final. In 12 hours.<br />
Except my paper is red. And while I've done the first draft of 4 campaigns,<br />
<br />
I've gotten infinitely better at last minute efforts Vietnam, considering group members have taken it on themselves to muck me around at every turn.<br />
<br />
So here we go, the 12 hour journey in which I attempt to finish my folio, as chronicled by my late night insanity.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
9pm. Special outdoors time for "fresh air". Confusing conversations. Balcony hang out writing essay.<br />
<br />
9:40pm. Drop pasta on original Ad copy. Curses.<br />
<br />
9.58pm. Hungry not hungry. More pasta, MORE.<br />
<br />
10:59pm. Realisation that greylead smudges are my worst enemy.<br />
<br />
11.05pm. Puts on AC/DC and becomes productive bad ass.<br />
<br />
11.21pm I LOST THE END OF THE STICKY TAPE. I DIE<br />
<br />
11.29pm I STILL CAN'T FIND THE END OF THE STICKY TAPE SO I'M CRYING, WHERE HAS MY SANITY GONE.<br />
<br />
11.40pm cup of tea number 10. Have drunk my weight in tea today, can this cough and flu just bugger off?<br />
<br />
11.41pm. Makes tea in giant plastic despicable me 2 minion cup. Feels better.<br />
<br />
12.01am. Realises what a solid, positive feeling making purchase Barbie coloured pencils were. I feel better about all nighter.<br />
<br />
120.10am. Realised it's probably not as much work as I thought. But maybe I should have started it earlier. Because maybe its more and less work than I thought.<br />
<br />
12.11am. Updated blog log, got distracted.<br />
<br />
12.20am. Should have bought more m+ms. I need more m+ms.<br />
<br />
12.23am. Green m+ms are the best. Although didn't I read something about green m+ms being an aphrodisac? Not that thats an issue or a factor here.<br />
<br />
12.24am. Who was telling me about that study about blue m+ms being the strongest of them all? Kellie. That was a cool study. Can't believe someone thought of that. Such a great idea for getting free m+ms.<br />
<br />
12.25am. I'm blue if i was green i would die, da booo diii daaa boo dieeee.<br />
<br />
12.26am. EVERYBOODDDYYY, MOVEEE YOUR FEEET AND FEEL UNIITTEEDDD, WOOOAAHHH. Remember that song? Thanks iTunes!<br />
<br />
12.27am. MUST GO BACK TO HOMEWORK OMG FOLIO.<br />
<br />
1.10am. Better boil some more water and heat that tea back up.<br />
<br />
1.13am. Ooops, I hope the kettle doesn't wake the housemates up. Oh well.<br />
<br />
1.15am. Oooooh what about some Lime Water? Yes, make lime water.<br />
<br />
1.17am Oh hello Mr Gecko! Must tell housemates not to use microwave in the morning, Mr Gecko has crawled up in that grill. That would smell weird.<br />
<br />
1.42am. Should have bought more Oreos.<br />
<br />
1.44am REMEMBERED THERE ARE MORE OREOS IN THE CUPBOARD.<br />
<br />
1.47am. I hope Mel C enjoys the pasta sauce and Oreo crumbs in my folio.<br />
<br />
2am. Better go visit Andrew. He's out of sticky tape, and I need coloured paper.<br />
<br />
2.25am. FOLIO, WHY ARE YOU RED.<br />
<br />
2.30am SNACKS SNACKS MORE SNACKS. I wish I had of made popcorn. I must have jalepeno popcorn. I must. But I'd cook the gecko, and wake up the whole house. Damn. Popcorn for breakfast will be a good choice.<br />
<br />
2.32am I think I might have a distinct portfolio advantage over Andrew. Because all my work is spread out over a giant queensized bed, and his is only a single ish.<br />
<br />
2.33am. That's a lie actually, because Andrew cares about his work and I don't give a fuck.<br />
<br />
2.34am. I think I'm going to sleep all tomorrow. NO. I'M GOING FOR A RUN.<br />
<br />
2.35am. I wonder whether running at night in Ho Chi Minh would be safe. Well, there'd finally be no cars and motorbikes. You would get bag snatched, but no one runs with a bag so. Hmmm.<br />
<br />
3.30am. Friend messages me. THIS IS THE GREATEST BUT GO TO SLEEP.<br />
<br />
3.45am another friend messages. YOU KIDS ARE CRAZY I LOVE IT.<br />
<br />
4.00am. What's that, finished another one nearly? 2.75 campaigns out of 5, boooooo.<br />
<br />
4.23am. Balcony time. More "fresh air" time. Cheese ritz time. The weather is a balmy 20 degrees, no humidity, no wind, possibly a lot of bugs that just fed off my blood. A most charming evening.<br />
<br />
4.45am. ESSAY FINISHED AND SUBMITTED TO TURN IT IN. Now to finish the folio. I die.<br />
<br />
5.20am. The sun is rising, it is beautiful. I am so ever hopeful and warm and comfortable watching the sky change colours so early. It is blissful. It is hopeful. It is romantic and entirely mine, as the city barely stirs and I am alone.<br />
<br />
5.30am. Somehow, I'm not even that tired yet.<br />
<br />
6am. 3 Campaigns down, getting there finally.<br />
<br />
7am. Four campaigns down. Panic about last campaign. No idea. Shower time.<br />
<br />
7.25am. Better brew some coffee, this isn't going to end well.<br />
<br />
8.10am, Still panic about final campaign. Came up with passable cruddy idea that will work. Had to carry folio on back of motorbike in plastic shopping bag. Convinced I forget something at home.<br />
<br />
8.30am. Final parts printed. Imagine if someone had of bag snatched my folio off the back of the bike. I would have died. I want breakfast but no time for that, I must do final annotations and stick the last few things down.<br />
<br />
9am. Submitted. On time. In class. No problems. Except, class time, for three hours and I haven't had any coffee, no food and the last thing I consumed was cheese ritz hours ago.<br />
<br />
9.25am. Unconscious in class. Solidly unconscious.<br />
<br />
9.30am. Woke up.<br />
<br />
10am. Unconscious again.<br />
<br />
Time to go home and sleep it all off.<br />
<br />
Woke up at 4pm, groggy, tired and confused. Sick as all hell, tired as hell, but 7/8 assignments down and time for sleep.<br />
<br />
Goodbye folio, and good riddance, you are the fifth last assignment I will ever do for University at RMIT.<br />
<br />
E x.<br />
<br />Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257241865820845426.post-28144304365551675152013-08-09T00:40:00.000+10:002013-08-17T01:52:42.622+10:00The girl who couldn't<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Meet the girl who can't get high.<br />
<br />
Don't take me as some sort of idiot: I'm 20 years old, and this is obviously not the first time I've smoked weed on my balcony with my housemates, let alone in my life. I've gone through most teen stages: Binge drinking in high school, discovering cigarettes through french exchanges and bad boyfriends, and come to my university education: getting baked.<br />
<br />
Except I can't.<br />
<br />
It's 10pm Wednesday. Hump day. Only 2 out of the 7 assignments due this week finished. Stressed. Pressure's on from one group member, but we have to relax, so we shake him lose under the pretence of going to a friends for late dinner, and escape to our balcony to get lose.<br />
<br />
We each have a joint rolled, one fat and two stronger. The fat one first, passed between the three of us. Tensions ease. Conversation relaxes, and then goes wild. I feel calm, in the same way I feel the tension flood from my body when I have a cigarette.<br />
<br />
But nothing else.<br />
<br />
<i>I was going to write an essay, but then I tried to get high. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
We're two joints down, and my house mates are beyond off their tits. Blood shot, confused eyes, consuming entire packets of rice crackers at alarming speeds, confused senses of time and bad balance. Floating, chilled, and ravenously hungry, they're high as kites and having an amazing time in their garbled conversation. Me, I am sitting. I am watching. I am laughing. But I am not laughing because everything is funny and I feel free and uninhibited and like my heart is flying out of my body, like the bats that keep swooping us (that's an actual quote, and yes the bats were real). I am laughing because their behaviour is hilarious.<br />
<br />
They somehow notice I'm not high. I smoke the last joint by myself.<br />
Still nothing.<br />
<br />
Surely by now, some THC should have made its way from my lungs to my heart, and slid on up to my brain. Surely, psychoactive chemicals should be activating my brain receptors, and short term changing the physical and chemical balance in my brain. But instead my brain is just warm, basking in a nicotine glow and not giving a rats about the entire ziplocked bag of green stuff we've pumped into my lungs.<br />
<br />
Everything is still funny, and we're out of rice crackers, and I just want a glass of water and to go to bed. They've decided that our first album as an apartment band will be called "Bridge over Smoken Cricket", due to my outrageous act of blowing smoke on a leggy friend that hopped onto our balcony, and they're arguing about who feels heavier, and whether they're too heavy to go buy Oreos.<br />
<br />
Not sure how, not sure why, but I can't get high. And I have Oreos in the cupboard, but I'm not telling them that.<br />
<br />
Immune to the finer things in life: milk, strawberries, and now pot. This goes on the list of things I can't do, like somersaults and being on time to anything, ever.<br />
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E x.Ellen Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323661253499669751noreply@blogger.com0