I've been staring at a toilet for 4 hours!

Today turned out to be fairly uneventful. I began with toast (three pieces as I needed to finish the loaf...I think they were stale) some seriously frozen yogurt and fruit. Finishing the morning in my room in my pj's doing work and listening to music I got pekish around miday and after some thanksgiving leftovers headed to the uni centre for yogurt, a chat with the guy from Alakazam and a long sit in Cha drinking an extra large taro milk tea ("and because its lesley we...upsize it"...I love them in there).

After gulping down sweet butter toast (a phat chunk of bread loaded with this honey butter and toasted under a grill) I drew them christmas decorations for their customers to colour in, finished my drama reading, collected my print job from Fed Ex and wondered home. At home I spent the afternoon on the computer doing more work as well as some drawing for Art (bellow) that little baby took me a few hours, straight to a dinner of more leftovers, jelly and other things I found lying around the fridge.

More work later and a private screening of Raise your Voice (man its quite around here) I danced around to daft hands (I hope you watched it) then it was blog time, shower time and bed time...

Hopefully I'll have more interesting stuff for you tomorrow : )

Is that still a requirement?

aggghhh...that my friends is the sound of being blissfully full, as well as snuggling into a really warm bed (Sanda lent me one of her blankets so now I'm all toasty and ready to write) I began the day with breaki at around 8, saying goodbye to Sanda and wishing her a happy Thanksgiving as she made her way to her dads (she'll go to her mums tomorrow). I had a light breaki in order to prepare myself for dinner, so after toast and a decent serving of golden spoon, I went for a jog into the uni centre for a hot chai tea at Deadrichs cafe. Then once back, showered and chocolates under arm I waited at the bus stop for Sarah to pick me up. We drove to Tustin in her pick up truck, discussing the days plans, which house we'd be visiting as well as who I'd meet when I got there.

Once we arrived at her grandmothers I was immediately welcomed into the family as I met those that were there, was lightly educated on the tree through photos from last thanksgiving and got ready to play softball. We walked to the park with Molly and once there practiced throwing (Sarah gave me some hints) and batting (Sarah's dad showed me how to bat like the pros) then it was play ball, I spent most of the time on second and managed to get someone out "I hope you were all watching that, cos thats gonna be the only time I do that"

After playing for about an hour or so Sarah and I rode home in the model car with her grandpa (the car was made in 1924) and while she continued on home to help her mum I spent the afternoon with her half uncles, brothers and friends jamming, juggling and discussing uni and music. At around 4 we held hands for a prayer and started dinner I loaded my plate with turkey, celery/ cranberry jelly, sweet potatoes, candied sweet potato (had brown sugar, butter and pecans) gravy, olives and more. I went back for thirds, as well as sneaking more turkey while helping to clean the kitchen (someone had to clean the plate). As the amount of women grew I was squeezed out of washing duty and went to help John (Sarah's brother) with his film, my job was to pull the glass of the table with the fishing line tied to it.

I spent the rest of the night mingling, talking about cameras with Dan, Animation with her dad and grandpa, music with Molly, film with John, music with Wyatt, uni with his girlfriend Susanna and various other convos going on in the house I also spent a little time educating them on Australian customs "you don't sound Ozzi, are you sure your from Australia"..."I think so" I found an ally in a family friend from england, as we tried to explain the difference between jelly, jell-o and jam . After dessert and a song or two on the piano we wound up the conversations and slowly trickled out. Hugging everyone goodbye and promising to come back before I leave ("It was a good idea to bring her") Sarah drove me home discussing her book for most of the way (sounds really interesting) then saying goodbye and juggling my many containers of left overs I walked into the house for a midnight snack...couldn't resist, then a blog entry and now bed.
Happy thanksgiving!

PS, One of the guys said he was behind an Englishman at customs when he came to Australia and after checking his passport and papers the officer asked him whether he had a criminal record, the man replied "Is that still a requirement?"

Daft Hands

Aggghhh, what a great start to my mini holiday, it began blissfully late, well 8:20, which is pretty late for me. Rising for a breakfast of toast and mango, I prepared my things and made my way to the cage to drop of the camera, then deciding to hang around I settled down in one of the editing bays to work on my movie.

I was there for about an hour or so, watching my laptop (that I'm now using as a hard drive cos my other one doesn't work...stupid people at easy back up systems...easy my #$*@($&@#) Ok I'm good, when it had almost completely drained I decided it was time to call it a day so closing up, I said goodbye to the girl in charge and left for University Centre.

Yoghurt was naturally first on the list, as well as a poke in Trader Joes. Then while I waited for a subtle lunch time to roll around I hung around in Fed-Ex chatting to the workers (I now most of them now) and printing out the photos I took of the live nude teams, I figured they'd be easier to draw if they were flat next to me. Once I'd printing all the photos I'd need I walked next door to Cha to get comfy in my favourite spot and whilst drawing away the hours enjoyed a tender beef stew with sides of corn and salad as well as strawberry cooler with pearls. Feeling full, I said goodbye to Amy and left to check out the movie theatre to see whether Southland Tales was playing (it is, but in a cinema too far away).

I decided to go home after a spot of shopping, and spent the entire afternoon drawing...agghhh bliss, after about 5 hours or so I started to get a little sore, so stretching and getting changed headed to the gym for a bit of a work out, then it was of to Alberstons to buy a present for Sarah (for tomorrow) as well as some more general groceries. walking home my arms piled high with Jelly, Hagen Daz frozen yogurt, and other yummy treats I prepared dinner when I arrived and before heading back to the room promised to knock on Jans door at 11 for our screening of Hercules!

The hours flew by with more drawing and dancing (check clip...you wont be able to help yourself) then showered and teeth brushed I snuggled into the couch at 11 to watch Hercules. After the movie and a fair bit of singing I wished Jan and Reiko a happy Thanksgiving and headed back to my room to enter my blog entry and watch the daft hands clip one more time : )

Tomorrow should be interesting, Sarah's picking me up at 11:30, she said we're gonna play softball before the meal...sounds fun! until then : )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cYWfq--Nw&feature=related
(please watch this video, its hysterical!!...and addictive)

"You can't stop the avalanche!"

Today began early, preparing for drama at 6, I gulped down some cereal and decided to hit the gym early as I had already studied for the test and wanted some time after class to do other things. Class was all right, the test on Eleemosynary turned out to be much easier than I thought it would, and we spent the rest of our time doing warm ups (I was finally able to do a backbend! – to which I announced at the time, causing a few to topple over in laughter) and improv exercises.

After doing some weights and stretching I went home for a massive slab of olive bread with butter and vegemite, then after hitting the showers, got dressed, packed away my laptop and headed to golden spoon. After enjoying vanilla malt and strawberry yoghurt I spent some time in Alakazam chatting to Will and his fiancé about the future of the movie industry and how much we love our laptops then trying a Chai tea at Cha (bit too spicy) I did some drawing for art and upon finishing my drink stopped by Zot and go for some snacks then settled in class to discuss my group project with Elizabeth.

We finally settled on an idea, and after dividing the work evenly spent the rest of the class in the spirit of thanksgiving talking about food. I got to leave early, and decided to grab another chai from Cyber A café as well as pick up a digital camera from the cage for later. Again my chai was too spicy so throwing it away I spent the rest of my break chatting to Kathy and her friend discussing who founded Australia and why our accent is so hard to mimic.

In video we watched a movie about a man that spent 13 summers with Grizzly Bears and was finally eaten on his last trip, along with his girlfriend…it was pretty sad and seriously graphic, the guy was a little weird though ok he was insane, but you still have to feel sorry for him (The movie is Grizzly man, if you want to check it out – supposedly on of the special features is the recording of him being eaten alive…Hanan was pretty stoked about it).

During class I stepped out for a little bit to take photos of the live nudes troop I got some really great ones, but when the camera died, I gave up and after dropping the camera back arrived in time for the end of the movie. As I helped arrange chairs with Ulysses after class, we discussed the fate of those conservationists that tend to appear invincible but in their plight to prove animals are harmless, die and end up ruining all the work they did.

After class I grabbed a chicken salad and yoghurt from Greens to go then took my place at he front of the line waiting to watch Hairspray. Soon after I was joined by Elodie and Nami, the movie was sooo great, making us dance all the way to the bus stop. On the way home I regaled them with stories from our trip to France, then made my way to the room for homework and bed, I’m now on Holidays yay!

Let the festivities (and giant feasts) begin!

(Check out my photo album for new photos - poke around the old albums for new additions as well)

A real thanksgiving : p

Today began first at seven, then again at 8, rising with a heavy head for the remainder of my zinabun and a few prunes. Looking at the time and realising I had to drop of the camera before 10, I quickly collected my things and after checking my emails caught the bus to the cage, making sure to reserve the camera again, this time WITH the fire wire cable.

After spending an hour with Chris discussing the last two weeks and other tid bits that have been on my mind (definitely some pent up exam stress circling round) I left for the university centre for my usual, yoghurt, Traders, Alakazam (where I bought a really stylish pin and chatted to Will about the weirdos he’s met at comic conventions and comic swaps – people actually tried to open his toys, even though they weren’t buying them!) then after a chicken/eggplant sandwich…crusty toasted baguette and warm tender eggplant with juicy chicken…a stop over at Fed Ex to pick up my printing job I spent another ½ hour at Cha sipping on Taro tea and drawing.

Saying goodbye to Amy and replenishing my supply of dried Mango I went to EAP to continue my drawing as well as catch up with my friends there, then grabbing the camera (again!) I headed into Visual Media to watch Blood simple. The movie was all right…a little violent…but I left with high spirits as Sarah invited me to Thanksgiving with her family “I told my mum you were an international student and she said to inviter you along”. So I’ll be having a REAL thanksgiving this holiday! With Turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, candied yams and much more : )

Walking out into darkness I made my way to the buses then just missing one, decided to walk home stoping by the AV office to find out who won the logo competition…”oh good Lesley I’m glad you stoped by…you won!” yes folks sometimes you really do have to be “in it to win it” I’m so excited I get $150 to spend at the book store so I can get that jumper I’ve been thinking about buying ☺

Walking home happy as Larry I almost didn’t notice the pledges dressed as girls out on the lawn about to partake in something rush related. It was black bean soup for dinner as I retold the events of the weekend and my bizarre experience in American Girl. Then washing my bowl and saying goodbye I headed to my room to do some more drawing before it was back down stairs for Heroes at 9! Great Episode…only two to go ☹

Now its time for some more work before bed,
Until tomorrow

Oh to everyone that reads my blog, I’d love to say thank you by doing something for you, please send a photo of you that you like, You’ll find out why soon ☺

(I'll put the photos up of my drawings tomorrow)

You could fit the whole doll in here (refers to the locker)

The alarm woke us up at 7, and after calling groggily to Al to stay in bed for just 2 more minutes we slowly got up, got dressed and headed out into the cold foggy morning, deciding on breakfast at Century City for something different. After a short walk and a tour around the super super market, we decided on a specialty bread café were we shared a bread basket (5 different types of bread – walnut, fruit and nut, rye, cheese and olive) with different spreads, a fruit salad and for Al a freshly squeezed OJ.

After showing her the rest of the mall (unfortunately everything was still closed) we waited for ½ and hour for a bus to take us up Santa Monica Blvd to Hollywood. Once on and feeling confident we sped down the street, watching the city wake up and taking random happy snaps of our experience. We got of at Fairfax (assuring the bus driver we knew where we were going) and I lead the way down to 3rd street for a hot drink at the Farmers Market (Al had already had hers from the super market).

We toured the stalls finding a Pinkberry, and after grabbing yoghurt headed to the main pavilion to see them set up for the tree lighting ceremony later that night (huge deal as there would be heaps of performers - even the Chaeta Girls) meanwhile I grabbed a Chai tea from Farmers café.
The drink was delicious, feeling it warm me whole body as we continued around the stalls, taking more photos along the way, we soon came across American Girl and unable to withstand curiosity went in.

Thinking at first it was just a well-accessorised doll line, we realised quickly it was much more creepy. They had everything, a hairdresser (with seats and hairdressers cutting washing and doing up the dolls hair for the girls) a museum with all the periods the dolls were set in (each period had a doll, like “Molly” for example who came with books, dvds and accessories specifically from her time period) a theatre, a hospital (legit, if they can’t fix them on site they “send them to their major Hospital in Wisconsin”) and much much more!

Walking out a little shell-shocked we caught the bus up to Hollywood and got of at the beginning of the walk of Fame. Strolling up the star walk we came to the Chinese Man theatre were we engaged happily with all those dressed up, said thanks but no thanks to the guys selling their hip hop albums and toured the shopping centre for what to do next. We decided on seeing a movie, so grabbing another Chai from this cool “beverage joint” we looked through the shops and settled in the Main Chinese theatre at 1:30 to watch Fred Clause.

It was a great movie, even if the lady behind us fell asleep and started snoring really loudly (I poked her a few times to try and wake her up…extremely funny) and the theatre was beautiful (even put Cremorne theatre to shame). Once over, it was bathroom break then back into the mall for lunch, passing Willy Wonka who upon being asked were his Candy was (some obnoxious idiot) replied perfectly “in the candy store” (We didn’t stop laughing for about 20 minutes)

Lunch/dinner was at Shabu Shabu, the same place I went to when I first arrived 2 months ago. After waiting outside enjoying the free concert on ground floor, we got comfortable and ordered a platter each consisting of an edamame bowl, rice, meat platter (beef, chicken and prawns) and a vegi platter (assorted veggies, noodles and tofu). Rolling out feeling full but satisfied we parted on the steps of the subway and I made me way home drawing on the train to Union station and taking a nap on Amtrak.

Sanda came to pick me up from the station after I couldn’t find another form of transport…no buses, and a couple I found going back to UCI wouldn’t offer me a lift…we stopped by Golden Spoon on the way and I shouted her a serve, then finding Traders closed (we wanted to do some shopping) we headed back to see the end of the thanksgiving feast and karaoke, then came upstairs for bed.
Night.

Photos will be added from today shortly

Just one of those days...

Today the world woke up and said, “you know what, Lesley’s had it easy, I’m going to make everything go wrong for her today” and they did. It started early, as I missed out on a Zinabbon last weekend I thought I’d grab one before the rush, well I was waaaaay before the rush, waiting and hour for her to show up (in the meantime I had an OJ and chai tea) bummed out the Cha wasn’t open I walked home running late to meet Andy and freaking out that my card didn’t work (I didn’t have any money for the train).

When I arrived I woke up Sam (after 10 minutes of banging on his door) to ask for the money he owed me so I could buy my ticket, then grabbing Andy from his room, we raced to the station with only 15 minutes till it arrived. Getting lost once we finally made it with 2 mins to spare, however as I got onto the platform it pulled in. Pelting up 50 stairs I screamed out to the conductor to hold the train, looking at me as I sprinted down the other side of the bridge I arrived panting to watch her look at me, get on the train and close the doors! I couldn’t believe it, I was standing right there, unable to get on!

Seriously upset I made my way back over the bridge to the ticket office were I was informed I’d have to wait two hours for the next train as it was a weekend, having no choice I sighed and handed over my money, then spent the next hour trying to get in contact with Alex to let her know I’d be late. I managed to leave a note with the hotel, then drew as I waited for the train to show.

It was late (offcourse) so I finally arrived at Union station at 11. Asking for advice I was told to catch the purple line and go through a few bus transfers to get to the Marriott. Four buses later and a $10 cab ride that had a guy convincing me America was the ONLY place to live (not the right day buddy), I arrived at the Marriott were I was told Alex hadn’t arrived and I wouldn’t be able to check in without a credit card.

I waited, and after talking to dad and finding out Alex wouldn’t be there till 4, handed in my bag and went for a walk around Century City, to have salad a pretzel and pink berry frozen yoghurt for lunch then spending the rest of the afternoon in the lobby watching Titanic and a Walk to Remember.

As it began to grow dark outside and the lounge filled with people I checked the time and was shocked to discover it was almost 8pm, worried about Alex but unable to reach her, I walked across the road for some dinner and was relieved to find she had checked in when I arrived back. Falling into each others arms we each vented about our horrible days, and after a rundown on her New York activities on the porch outside we spent some time in the lounge as Al ate her hamburger then sank into the beds in the room, catching up further and deciding on the next days plans.

I enjoyed me shoeless shower, then fell asleep giggling and watching Spanglish, sinking deep within the mattress and goose down pillows, setting my alarm for 7.