The Don

We quite regularly catch up with one of my oldest and closest friends (who really feels more like my other brother), which generally revolves around food and movies. He is the kind of person who just knows really random things, and is always keeping us up to date with whatever movies or tv shows are good, plus he pretty much knows every good restaurant in town- especially if they serve duck. We like to stick to themes when we are together, so we'll watch all vampire movies, or all zombie movies or all end of the world movies, all in one go and if we're eating indian it has to be all indian. Its really fun. He is an absolutely amazing cook, and ive been asking for a while if he can give me some tips, so he came over a few months ago to help me make something Japanese because he is going to be going on exchange there next year. He made it seem so simple, but with my skills every time ive tried to reproduce it (which is actually quite a few) it really has not been the same.

Being vegetarians in our house he modified it to suit, but we made what he called a 'Tofu Don' which was sushi rice, topped with an egg omelet, seaweed (yummmm!!) and bok choy, with our own made teryaki sauce. It was amazing!! I had been asking him to come over and help me make sushi, but he said that because it was dinner time he thought this would be more suitable, and us having that brother-sister like relationship i shrugged him off, disbelieving that anything could be better than sushi.... i was wrong! We then made this soup thing; i cant remember what its called, and it was one of the most delicious meals we've had in a long time. I was so proud, and we had so much fun in our tiny little kitchen. He definitely keeps me in line because i take short cuts, and also im italian so pretty much every meal begins with a bita of olive-a oil, and he had to try to reprogramme that out of me because "this is not how you cook asian food." Next time hopefully will be indian!

Oh what a night!

For my birthday, Daisy-lady bought me tickets to my most favourite other ginger; Clare Bowditch! And let me tell you, this amazing, beautiful and exceptionally talented women never lets me down! Its the fourth time ive seen Clare live, and i think that while her albums are fabulous, she is most definitely better live, and she always makes the time and effort to not only say hello and sign things for her fans, but to literally engage in individual conversations with everyone- plus she is so genuine and warm and honestly seems like she is really enjoying everyone's company.

After a scary moment when out in the freezing cold Daisylady thought she had left the tickets on the kitchen table at home, because we had been gas bagging so much that we hadn't remembered to pick them up, which she had; but for once, its lucky that in situations like this everything is computerised and all we needed was id! We watched the supporting act which were a local act who werent too bad, and intently watched the crowd pour in. I really love people watching, and in big crowds often wish that i could be invisible just so i can watch people intently without looking creepy, but nonetheless i really enjoy just sitting and looking around. I was quite looking forward to seeing Clare's new line up perform together, firstly because i love the Feeding Set so much that i didnt know if i could love her with anyone else, and also because her sound has changed so much since my favourite albums Autumn Bone, and particularly What Was Left. But of course she is not one to disappoint, and i was pleasantly surprised by how much i loved her three backup singers (Aluka), particularly their very synchronised dance moves, and really harmonious voices, plus they still played some of her old stuff so that kept me happy. What makes Clare so unique is her ability to really engage a crowd. In between songs she is always cracking a joke, often poking fun at herself, but she also appears to really really love what she does, and to really have fun which means her band also look like they're having a ball, which really rubs off on us in the crowd. She is so comfortable with herself that you just feel so comfortable there with her, like you have known her forever, its excellent!

Ive always loved how Clare's music is able to really create a mood, but especially it has this really unique ability to tell a beautiful story. Her new album is quite different though, its alot more peppy and upbeat, but what i love about it so much is that she has been able to capture all of the things i believe about current consumer-led society, and in particular its effects on young girls. The CD, appropriately named Modern Day Addiction is all about societies obsession with being thin, beautiful and donning the latest gear (whatever that may be). She admits to finding gossip mags ridiculously addictive despite hating everything about them- in exactly the same way i do, and beautifully depicts the pain that so many (particularly women) get so bogged down in the unreachable expectations, that are affecting those younger and young. Clare is the perfect role model and Im so glad she has used her music to spread these great messages. We need more like her! She is Gorgeous, smart, talented, genuine, super friendly, an amazing mum, able to speak her mind (including to the Priminister) and still have a good belly laugh (plus she is a major homebirth advocate!). More girls need to be looking up to Clare rather than Lindsay Lohan, Kim Kardashian or any of those ridiculous celebrities polluting our media!

One of my favourite moments was when she sang a gorgeous love song to her husband (and drummer/producer) Marty Brown, and stated that she had never sung to him on stage in the 13 years theyd been playing together. She then went on to tell the crowd about how when she first started she used to think that she would know when she had 'made it' when she got to play at the Adelaide Gov, so she felt so proud to be playing that show, so it made the crowd feel even more special to be there. There is just something about musicians that you love, and if they can make you feel special they totally have you in the palm of their hand, and there is nothing you can do about it. Its just like that with Clare, because she always knows how to make you feel good, but luckily she is not the type to exploit.

After the show Daisy-Lady and i went off and sat down for a while to wait for the huge line to meet Clare died down a bit. We bumped into a quite fun (and fairly drunk) guy who wanted to chat. We all gushed about how much we loved Clare, and how amazing the show was, and he told us about how girls shouldnt be worried about image and should be more like Clare- really comfortable and confident in herself. It was great fun, he even wanted to get down on his knees and propose to her- even though her husband was right there.

After waiting, poor Clare, who had only had around 3 hours sleep was still as bubbly and friendly as ever came over and thanked us for waiting so long, and for coming to the show... Clare Bowditch was thanking us!? we took a photo for the Guy we were talking to because he didnt have a camera, and then started chatting with Clare. I cant tell you how amazingly awesome she is to chat to. She just sends off such a great warm and fuzzy vibe! Daisy Lady told Clare that she had been part of the inspiration for me starting Midwifery and she stopped signing my cd and her whole face lit up. She was so excited and told me to keep going, that it was amazing what i was doing because i can make such a difference. I was telling her how hard it was and how much it was weighing heavy on my soul so im looking for other options, and she just looked at me and said "I really do understand." She was saying how horrified she is about the state of birth today and then started telling me her birth story of her twins and how she had been unable to have them at home, and how disappointed she was in the doctors, particularly with the birth of the second twin. If this wasnt the highlight of my life, i dont know what is! Talking birth with Clare Bowditch! Whoa! She was amazing, and was very interested in some of the court cases coming up around homebirth, which i thought was fantastic.


in between this quite heavy discussion, on my cd she was able to write:

"Katherine, keep it up? Youre a wonder. Clare Bowditch xoxoxoxo"

Poor Daisy Lady didnt get much of a word in, but its thanks to her that we got to have such an awesome night together!

After a chat we finally got around to taking some pictures and my favourite moment was when i said, "Clare, do you mind if i give you a kiss on the cheek for the photo" and she looked at me and said "you know, you are the first person to actually ask and not just do all night, thanks! you absolutely can" We all look a bit tired, but it was a really precious moment.

Wedding of the year

After two years of preparation and waiting, the wedding of the year has been and gone, and i have now officially been in a wedding!  It was a stunning day, and everything went to plan, but best of all my cousin and her now husband had a great day!



The moment she had been waiting for for two years!

I have never had to smile for so long, wear so much make up and hairspray or been so exhausted in my whole life! I stayed with the bride and other bridesmaids the night before so we could wake up early and have breakfast and get all our hair and make up done together so we didnt get a lot of sleep to start with. It was pretty strange having my hair combed, pulled, twirled and sprayed (my hair hasnt been the same since) and then the makeup artist had to thin-lizzy me stating that the product should be my new friend because i was soooo white, especially in comparison to the other girls. I had refused to get a tan because apart from being against my values, i felt that id look silly with red hair, a red dress and orange skin, and i was glad i didnt, but i definitely felt the pressure because the other girls were so beautifully bronzed!

Spot the no-tan!

Our dresses were gorgeous, and the bride (and groom) looked stunning. The bride's friend who made our dresses did such a great job! and I was so thankfull that not only did it fit well, but it was a style that suited me- although i did pop the hook and eye clasp at the back when i sneezed oops. Much credit is given to the Bride for being able to stand not only the weight of her dress, but doing it in heels! I couldnt go past an hour without need to take my shoes off, and she went all day, although she couldnt move particularly far or without assistance, but she did an excellent job being the perfect bride.She also did such a great job in making everything work well and look great together. The red and white theme looked excellent, with the roses, the centre-pieces and just all of the attention to detail and time and effort that had been put in to make the day look so amazing.





 It was a fun day, and after the hours of photos were over we could really let our hair down and dance the night away. Although my high heels didnt last more than the church service before my feet needed to be freed. I was quite grateful that i had this opportunity which, apart from being there for my cousin, i really got to see weddings from a perspective that i probably never would have. I am quite surprised (although i probably shouldnt be) by how much businesses exploit weddings, and in particular, the insecurities brides, but it was interesting to see this first hand, because knowledge is power and i certainly wont be giving into any of that manipulation or intimidation, and im proud to say that my cousin was fairly cluey in getting a good deal. I was also pretty surprised on the day to see how much of the day is dedicated to photos! Unfortunately the particular photographer wasnt really interested in taking 'in the moment' shots, and preferred staged pics, but they got some great shots, especially when we went down to one of the city pubs and they got photos taken on the median strip in the middle of the road. I guess i hadnt really realised that a third of the day is dedicated to photos, (although our family is pretty big and it takes a while to get us together). It was pretty fun driving around in the old stylish cars, and again, i hadnt realised how much people turn and stare (even though im normally one of those who likes to see the dresses), people even wave and call out, and you certainly get that celebrity feeling, like youre in a movie- its quite odd, not bad odd, but just like your in someone else's life for a day all in the name of a wedding,

This whole experience was a bit of a whirlwind and despite feeling fairly inadequate for the role it turned out to be invaluable learning, and in putting my sociology hat on i can see the world's expectations of weddings and marriage alot more clearly- whether i agree with them or not. Wedding cost alot of money, there is no doubting that, its expected that they be stylish and perfect in every way, but at the end of the day i have been reassured in my long held belief that at $100 or $100,000 its not the 12 hour day, or the dress or the tans that count, its still the love between two people and the celebrating of this love with others that matters. With the two years of waiting over, and now the wedding past (but not forgotten) i am left with a warm and fuzzy feeling that despite always being quite the marriage cynic, maybe i have come out with a better outlook on weddings because ive been placed in environments way out of my comfort and had to question myself and my beliefs on a number of occasions because i was so different from those around me, which i wasnt really used to. I was comforted in knowing (no matter how many times i debated in my head) that you dont have to follow the trends or the expectations that come with the title of 'wedding;' and I even came to realise that maybe one day (hopefully not too far away) i might actually want to celebrate the love i share with a certain special person (much to the elation of my parents I'm sure)

 Embarrassing moment of the day: ThePartner had to pull me aside and remind me of how short my dress was because every time i went to pick up my cousins extremely heavy train in the church during my MOH duties, i was flashing everyone my bright green knickers, and didnt think the priest or my nonna would be too happy if they saw that! I was trying so hard to keep my legs together, but clearly this girl is not made for heels OR short dresses! Hopefully they edit that out of the video.

ThePartner reminding me to keep my knickers to myself



Highlight of the night: I caught the bouquet! haha, yep thats right, after positioning myself front centre, and focusing totally on the prize (I still dont know who was standing next to me) as the flowers started to go toward my right, i never left them out of my sight and then they were mine! alas, im a little nervous to watch the video. i didnt actually realise how much i even wanted to catch it until i was in the moment. Its certainly going to be a good laugh- and ThePartner still hasn't heard the end of it from my family =)





getting my craft on

I love being crafty, and i particularly love to Sew! I often make my own clothes, and love making things for other people- at least when i get some time. So when my first birth/homebirth baby I assisted was born, I decided he needed a very special Birth-day present, and not one that could be bought, so i went searching for ideas. At first i convinced myself that i could never make a quilt, partly because i make up everything on the spot, but mostly because im so trial and error and not patient enough to make shapes fit in together well enough to look good- but i decided to give it a go anyway, and i was really really proud and happy with how it came out. Now i just have to remember what i did so i can make some more for the next special babies coming along!

 



Birthday Bliss

Well, im officially a year older (well, actually year and one month because i havent been able to blog in so long) but i had a great birthday this year, and really enjoyed my four days of celebrations! To me birthdays are all about spending time with the people you love, eating copious amounts of cake and party food, and reflecting how much ive grown and learned over the past year. Alot has happened during my upgrade from 23 to 24, but ive certainly picked up alot of lessons, and and generally got to know myself a bit better.

I decided this year that i wanted to have a picnic, and with my cousin's big wedding so close, and the amount of family shindigs ive had to attend i wanted my birthday to be really low key and casual but also reflecting my need to get back to nature and back to the simple joys in life that ive been intensely craving over the past few months- and i wanted to make a time in which all of my friends that ive abandoned due to my crazy work/study schedule could come and we could just hang out. So i chose my most favourite place, quite hidden from the world, but green and full of life... although i had forgotten that there were no public toilets there so everyone had to forgo the Chai tea and hold on haha, but it was beautiful nonetheless, and i had friends come in and out all day, and we even had a surprise guest- a mum and baby koala join the party.

Being the good Italian girl that i am I was worried that we wouldn't have enough food so I spent the previous two days cooking- we ended up with more food than we knew what to do with, but at least no one went hungry. There was tree climbing, chatting, debating, eating, drinking and even weaving going on, and I had a ball.

I had asked no one bring presents, just themselves and a plate to share if they could as i wanted it to be more about connecting with the most treasured people in my life. I hate that in our society special event always mean forking out ridiculous amounts of money, often beyond what the giver can afford just to be appropriate, and often with no thought or real meaning behind it. I really despise gift registrys and hate that so many people expect money! I could never say to a friend, particularly one that doesnt have a lot of money that for my special occasion (and with all the family events lately, im not really just talking about birthdays) that ive already got everything i need so i dont want any present please, i want money!-How is that special? how about nothing? or a donation toward a cause? or just to say anything within your budget would be appreciated? something homemade perhaps? its the (societal) expectation that bugs me. 

My most favourite gift in life is a hand made card with a beautiful message, or a gift in which the giver has clearly put a lot of thought into it, and feels that its just right for the receiver- something that wouldn't have cost the earth, but was carefully chosen and put together with love. I try to do this with every gift i give- i love gift giving, particularly when its not expected, and i always think its so important to show someone how special they are by giving something with that has soul to it- that may not even be for any 'occasion' per say, but just because, not through any monetary or materialistic way. So i was very very lucky and not only did i get the pleasure of these great people's time, but they surprised me with cards with beautiful messages of my friends expressing the importance of our friendship, small ornaments in which my givers had felt there was a message just for me, some amazing things that had been hidden away since our trip to Byron, tickets to see my most favourite other Ginger (Clare) live, and homemade cakes, and even homemade jam which i have loved on my pancakes almost daily! So im so grateful that I was able to be reminded to how much im loved in such a special way.

It was a very fun weekend, with dinner out on the friday, the picnic on the saturday (my actual birthday), time just with ThePartner just to chill on the sunday, dinner out with my Daisy-Lady on the sun night and family over on the monday.

On the Sunday ThePartner and I were going to go for our annual buffet breakfast, but decided instead to save a bit of money and just have a really chilled out day, spending some much needed time just to two of us. It was one of the best days i think ive had all year. We went down south to the beach, and walked around on the rocks overlooking the water. If there were any place where i could totally switch off and enter a meditative state, this would be the place. I was really able to switch off, and reflect on all that is going on, and what it is im moving toward. Just the smells of the clean sea air are enough to make you feel quite delirious. It was excellent! Although, ThePartner was not at all enthused with my choice of shoes (birks of course) which were inhibiting a fast enough walk over the rocks, so he insisted i wear his Volleys, which actually worked out quite well for me as i raced him to the top. We ended up falling asleep in the car overlooking the ocean, and its probably the most peace ive felt in a long time- and we definitely really needed to have that together without any other external demands or expectations on us. With we could do that every weekend!

Baa baa red sheep

I did something that i never ever do.... i conformed to the masses!  not only did I sign my life away (the next 24 months) to a phone company, but i got an iphone!! *gasp*

yep, I still cant believe it. On one had im so excited and sneak in any excuse to pull it out and fiddle (particularly because i have no idea how to use it yet), but on the other i feel a bit guilty that ive brushed off my past rantings and views of never wanting to ever contribute to mass international greed and consumerism by funding these multinational corporations, preferring to protest these short lived fads by holding on to older technology and refusing to upgrade, and stay on prepaid so to never have to sign any contract whereby a company can basically own you..... but i did!

Part of the reason i feel a bit guilty is because of a really great conversation i had with a 10 year old:

A few months ago on EarthHour night i was babysitting my favourite little 10 year old in which i discussed with him the importance of earth hour and how we should turn off all the lights in the house- including the tv in which in beloved football was playing and because its important to be conscious of our impacts on the earth. While we compromised to leave the football on, and turned off everything else he ended up being distracted by our quite deep conversation about the need to do our own little bit for the earth. During this conversation he took one look at my phone and was totally horrified, asking why i didnt have an iphone because they are the coolest, and the only phone one should own because they have cool games... and of course the notoriety particularly in the eyes of a year 5. I explained to him that this all has to do with earth hour too, because we have to be conscious about what we buy, and where they go once we get bored of them... what will happen when the earth's resources run out? where does plastic go if it never biodegrades? do you know who makes iphones, and that they are often children in poor countries? did he know what slave labour was? This little man is one bright spark and was able to engage in this conversation with such passion and intrigue- i was very proud of him.

Alas, he did end up telling his mum that i had told him that we were ruining the world and we were all going to die because of it, but he said it with a twinkle in his eye and i had warned his parents of the conversation we had had, and being very cool and open minded parents they were greatful of the discussion (and proud that he was so intrigued) - and despite the jokes and pretending he didnt care, when i asked what the final football score was, he had been so engrossed in conversation that he hadnt even looked!

So.... with this in mind, i feel a little bit not myself with my new toy, but i must admit that its really fun and has come in very handy. Im pretty clumsy and fairly nervous when it comes to expensive things so i made sure that i bought the most heavy duty case and cover- despite the sales guy at JB HIFI reminding me several times that it was for a tradesman and was i sure its what i wanted. Ive added my usual dangley keys and bells to it to make it my own, and downloaded apps like Hipstamatic which i love, so now i have a camera everywhere i go, and ThePartner doesnt have to rush off and pay for a computer when we're out to bid on ebay. Its worked out handy, and i can save money on phone bills hopefully!. While im still not totally comfortable with having signed a contract, at least by the time its finished my phone will be totally outdated and ill have to start all over again!

Updates

I apologise for the lengthy delay in blog posts, there have been two weddings, one birthday, three assignments, and an intense lack of sleep contributing to a fairly crazy lifestyle and a total lack of time besides from uni and work. But hopefully things are looking up from now on!

So here are some updates of whats been happening!

Henna

Hasnt my Daisy-Lady friend's hair turned out amazingly! We have tried two different Henna's on her hair so far, but are thinking that the first was not only stunning, but stayed that way for longer:

Before

Royal Show

The Royal Adelaide show was excellent as ever. I mean, not alot changes, you could not go for ten years and still know your way around, but i still get excited every year! People complain about the cost, but we didnt spend more than $40 between us! (Although i wont count the Thai Pants that i bought and am going to live in over summer). We got cheap tickets from ThePartner's work, we bought the Yellow Brick road bag (for $9) which supplied us with our snacks for the day, we brought our own lunch, and only bought an icecram and a trip on the Ferris Wheel (which, mind you is totally ridiculous at $8 each!). We were going to buy dinner, but didnt feel hungry so finished the day watching the fire works with a really delicious bag of popcorn and a disgusting and stale jam donut- suffice to say that the donuts was binned and the popcorn was devoured.

I still get freaked on the ferris wheel!

Hens Night

I have never been in a wedding before, and have never been to a hens night, so this one certainly opened my eyes! My cousin and the other bridesmaids wanted to go all out, and because its not really my scene and i had no clue i offered to run the kitchen tea, and let the others organise the Hen's night. Admittedly i was a little nervous, and often asked my cousin if she'd be offended if i didnt go because the whole concept of hen's nights as your 'last' night as a single woman, including the obligatory stripper and sex games was on the total other end of everything i would normally be a part of- at least until i became a Maid of honour in which it was not only my duty to participate, but also something i needed to be a part of for my cousin out of love and respect. So off i went not knowing what the night would hold beyond penis straws and naken men!


It ended up being quite a good night, and i know my cousin was pretty overwhelmed and exhausted (not to mention a little tipsy) by the end which was the aim. We played a few games organised by the Topless waiter- sex bingo in which you a required to make a sex noise for every one of your numbers that is called, pin the macho on the man (the winner got an interchangable vibrator pack, which made for quite a few laught), and most awkwardly, sex pass the parcel in which every layer that is unwraped there is a quite personal and intimate question about your sex life! Some guests were even asked to demonstrate their fav sex position on the waiter- thank goodness that wasnt me! I didnt really know anyone there but after a few cocktails I made some new friends and ended up having a fun time in an environment totally out of my comfort zone.

The stipper was pretty full on, and while he was a bit cranky to begin with (he was requested to be dressed as a fireman and turned up as a policeman so was asked to change, as well as being quite late), it was fun to watch (as i put all of my views aside) and i was so so gratful i only had to watch and didnt have to participate!







Pin the macho on the man



Sex Bingo













Stripper: A fireman as requested

 

Topless waiter