This month had been really hectic due to some unexpected incidence. I think we need a real family holiday, just the three of us. Somewhere in a beautiful villa by the beach like in any St. Martin villa rentals. There would be no shopping, no visiting anyone, just ourselves. It would be a nice change.

Maybe we really have to plan such a getaway once our girl is older. I think it would be awesome. The only other time we had a holiday where we (hubby and myself only) did not shop and did not make any visiting but just enjoyed ourselves was when we went to Gold Coast.

We were walking back towards our carpark at the mall yesterday and I noticed a car that just drove in to the parking spot clearly marked as disabled parking. I looked back and was disappointed that out came three young non disabled men from the car. They were even laughing and joking amongst themselves about taking up the disabled spot.

I have no words to describe how disrespectful that action was.   There were ample parking spots at the time.  I know they are not the only ones who do that but I hope I won’t see many such incidences again.

Imagine a holiday in a house like this, with such view to die for. I would be over the moon to experience such a wonderful place by the sea. Fortunately such dreams are real for those who could afford to do so. The photo is one of the many breathtaking Outer Banks rentals that you could book for your next holiday trip.

And for those of us who could not afford a holiday by the beach for a real surf on the wave, perhaps surfing the net for seaside photos coupled with some imagination might be fulfilling enough.

A bus ticket in exchange for a movie ticket? Sounds too good to be true? Well it’s happening. I received a flyer in the mailbox with these words printed on the front:

“CATCH the bus and the movies are on us
- swap your bus ticket for a free movie ticket”

As part of the ongoing Green City effort by the local council, they are encouraging people to take public transport and leave their cars at home. It is very nice of Rouse Hill Town Centre to promote helping the environment by giving away a free movie ticket to its Reading Cinemas Rouse Hill Town Centre in exchange for your bus ticket. However, I am unsure if only particular bus numbers are allowed. Please check out the details yourself at RHTC’s website by clicking onto this link.

This offer is valid from July 1 - October 31, 2008 OR the first 2,000 visitors.

I was so into baby bedding while I was pregnant with my little girl. As a first time mother, I was really excited and wanted everything to be perfect and more so when we knew we were expecting a girl.

I would go oooh and aaaah over anything sweet, cute and pink. It was very difficult to stop myself from spending unnecessarily but I am glad we were then a bit tight financially (paying mortgage and renting at the same time) so that helped put a stop to my desires.

The Dark Knight, sequel to Batman Begins screens at Hoyts today, 17 July in Australia. I never fancied any Batman movies (although I have watched most if not all of them) until Batman Begins came along. I like Christian Bale as Batman.

I wish I could watch Dark Knight at the movies too. It saddens me to think that the extremely talented Aussie actor, Heath Ledger is unable to attend the premiere of his best performance ever. I know he will win an Oscar.

Credit: Image Copyright © hoyts.ninemsn.com.au

Awhile ago I watched this documentary about how this man decorated his entire home with secondhand stuff he got from the flea markets as well as discount furniture. You wouldn’t have guessed if you had seen his home. It was beautiful.
The man in the documentary owned a huge house too.

After watching that show, I thought we could do the same too ie buy seconds. Unfortunately I found that by adding just a little bit more say like $50-$100 we could buy a brand new furniture and plus it is more convenient and time saving to visit furniture retailers than to go to flea markets or bid on eBay which usually requires you to arrange your own transport. We ended up buying everything new instead, believe it or not, it seemed more economical for us that way.

The WYD08 crowd is so huge as I saw on TV. The CBD area must be so happening. Hope all shops and eateries are having brisk business too. DH said it is awesome to hear many different accents from all over the world as he walked along the streets.

Imagine people from all corners of the world gathered in the one place ie Sydney.

I recently watched a British reality show called Ladette to Lady. It is about how ordinary young ladies are transformed to a Lady. They go through a series of training from cooking, baking, how to walk, dance, socialize, etc including horse riding complete with equestrian clothing. At the end of each training, they are reviewed by a panel of judges. Each week the one who performed the least satisfactory of her training, exits from the show.

At first I watched it to pass time while resting in bed. Then the final few episodes interest me as I wanted to know who will win. This show might be a bit boring to those who prefer controversies like BB. I don’t think I will watch the next season of Ladette to Lady unless there is nothing else to watch at the time

As usual, I was racing against time while browsing through the kids clothing section at BigW this afternoon. I didn’t intend to buy anything but the further reduced prices were too tempting.

So I saw a 3 pc pink flanelette PJ which reads “Princess with attitude” for AU$7 and it comes with a small pouch. Unfortunately only size 4 and above is available. I bought size 4 as I am confident she will have no problem fitting into it when she turns 3 next year. Upon reaching home, I cut out the tags to put them in the wash but aiyoyo … blur me, the top is a size 6! The pants and t-shirt were correct at size 4. Not going to bother taking it back for exchange. Since it is a PJ, it is okay to be bigger in size. What a blur buy.

Anyway, I am learning to buy for the year ahead during times like these when they clear out the current season’s stock because come each season, the clothings are usually expensive with no discount. 

Dieting yet again? I must have mentioned the word “diet” for the umpteenth time. My diet always starts “tomorrow” even if you ask me tomorrow or day after. I eat when I am happy, sad, stressed … any occassion is eating time for me.  There are so many weight loss fads and list of best diet pills in the market which really makes you wonder, do they work? I remember the soup diet fad (not just water but with lots of vegies like tomato, etc in it) which was publicized on TV several years ago. Some of our friends tried it without success.

I understand that for certain people, it could be very difficult to achieve weight loss through exercising and a change of lifestyle. In some cases, a kickstart is needed. It is best to consult a doctor or a dietician to see how one can get things started and ultimately no matter how much we try to deny it, success really depends on a change of lifestyle - lots of physical activities and healthy eating.  Well I guess I should stop being a NATO (No Action Talk Only) and practice it myself.  Tomorrow perhaps?

My DH has an awfully sweet tooth or rather, “teeth”!! He often eats sugary or chocolate based snacks after dinner. If he doesn’t get his fix, he’d feel a bit uneasy *LOL* He’d usually buy a chocolate hedgehog (well I don’t know why it’s called a hedgehog, looks nothing like it except for brown colour) from Coles as a snack to last him several days. One day there wasn’t any sweet snack at home and he desperately whipped this up …

using …

• Bananas meant for our little girl
• Bottle of chocolate topping

Most retailers have ended their stocktake sale or ending them soon. Good for our pockets. There will be no more urge to check out the sale at almost every store. Back to fattening up the little piggy bank if that is even possible.

I see that some retailers are already taking layby’s for Christmas. They are eager to get your business aren’t they? On a sadder note, some banks have increased their mortgage rates AGAIN! When is it going to end?

The World Youth Day will be held in Sydney from 15 July to 20 July. It is an event organised by the Catholic Church and expected to attract over 125,000 visitors from all over the world. Read all about it here

To us, it simply means avoiding going to or passing by the CBD as there will be road closures.

Most people we know back in New Zealand often travel overseas for work experience right after uni. They call it the “OE” – overseas experience. The popular choice is usually the UK – maybe it is because of easy access to working holiday visa? I am unsure.

However, I am certain that some people would prefer to gain working holiday experience in the US instead. Take for example perhaps in San Francisco? These days with job placements companies like San Francisco jobs, it might help you land a job much quicker than browsing through the newspapers. You can even browse their website to give you an idea of what to expect before you make the big move.