:P Just like that, christmas is over...now only the new year to go. All that anticipation, waiting is gone in a day.

Christmas day was slightly different than it has been in previously, in that it was really cold! We were stuck inside for most of the day watching the rain fall onto the window. But it actually worked out well actually, as I got to spend some time at home with my family. Playing uno with my care bear cards! I've also been a good girl this year, well kind of - I got some of things that were on my christmas "wish list". These included a gym ball (which I'm sitting on right now!) an iPod holder and a best of Bryan Adams CD (yes there was a lot of singing that day!) We didn't stay at home for the whole day - we went to my uncle and auntie's place for dinner where we spent the night eating, playing buzz on the playstation, playing mahjong, and more eating. I now know why the gym is closed during christmas - so you feel more guilty and inclined to go once it opens up again.

One of the funny things I've found about christmas this year is getting christmas greetings from people you haven't spoken to for years (especially since I don't like them very much :P) - one even came from someone that I didn't realise he had my email address. That was kind of spooky, well not really - it just shows that a lot of people don't update/clean up their mobile/email contact list *lol* Plus the fact I get more SMS's than I would in a couple of months at any other time in the year! *lol*

Woke up late today, but we decided do try the ultimate challenge - boxing day shopping at Knox. Why knox? Don't know, I guess we wanted to try something different, go to a place that we don't normally go to. Boxing day shopping is a risky business, as there are a lot of people and it is one of those things that will test the patience of the most easy going of people.

Challenge number 1: finding a parking spot. This is one of the most dangerous things encounted during boxing day shopping, especially if you're at a surburbian shopping centre. Stalking an individual as they leave is often the most effective strategy, except when they are only going to their car to drop off some stuff...we almost become the victim of parking rage as we and another car arrived to a car parking spot at the same time (though I think we may have gotten there a little bit earlier). After a lot of glaring on both sides, it resorted to one of the people from the other car being a human barricade and stopping us from taking the spot. All I have to say is, I believe in karma.

Challenge number 2: deciding where to go. When you go shopping in a group of people, it is expected that everyone will want to go to different places. We solved that problem by arranging to meet at a particular point at a particular time. That was good, as I could go and get the things I wanted without my brothers or mum around. Plus the fact I had written a list of what I wanted, which made it much easier. In and out of the stores that I needed to go to. Boxing day is not the day to do window shopping as the fitting rooms are full, and there are no shop assistants around at all if you need any help! It also didn't help that I had only been to knox a couple of times, so I wasn't really that familiar with the layout, but I figured it out after a while.

Challenge number 3: its tiring! shopping at any other time of the year can be tiring, but it is amplified when shopping is done on boxing day. I was so tired when I got back (though it doesn't quite compare with a gym work out though - its a different kind of tired).

Despite those things, its worth shopping on boxing day, I think. You can get things cheaper than they would normally be. And although it can be brutal and downright nasty, its a lot of fun. It does help I like shopping to start with. Only other bad thing was that the popcorn store at knox has closed down, which meant no popcorn :( I wonder if you can get them anywhere else...

Twas the day before christmas and all through the house...not a creature was stirring...except me at the computer happily tapping away *lol*

I think I have been infected with a major dose of christmas spirit this year. Christmas is always one of my favourite times of the year, everywhere decorated with christmas trees and decorations, singing christmas carols, christmas lights, spending time with friends and family, a break away from the lab...the list goes on. Everyone also seems to be in a much better mood around christmas as well.

Christmas parties and shopping done, its now only a few more hours until christmas day! Its been a kind of a hectic week, well it didn't seem like it at the time, but by Friday I was really tired and could barely sit down for a while without feeling sleepy. It started with my little brother's awards night on Monday, my mum's birthday on Tuesday, Biochemistry christmas party on Wednesday, dinner with Chris on Thursday, Mariam's birthday dinner on Friday. Then there was the final Dr What show *sob* yesterday. We did a kind of "best of Dr What" where we summarised what was covered in the 10 previous shows. Its been a lot of fun being a part of Dr What - hopefully it will continue next year. *fingers crossed*

Think I'll go back to counting down till christmas day...

Here's a thought...

With the recent heat wave, I have noticed a kind of fashion trend...well, I've seen it on two guys, but in completely different situations. I've noticed that some guys, when they're wearing a short sleeved shirt, they leave the second button from the top of the shirt undone which exposes more of the person's chest. I know its not because of a missing button, as the button is clearly on the shirt.

So the question is:
a) it is cooler to leave that second button undone?
b) it is the guy's version of a girl wearing a low cut top?
c) its fashionable?
d) they forgot to do up that button when they got up that morning?

Very puzzling.

Its been a while since I've posted....yes I know I'm being very slack. Blogs work better if you post regularly - you can kind of track your life better. But I think its a case where I was leaping from one thing to another and then before you know it, its December!

Where to start...I guess I'll refer to a previous post where I wrote down my "to do list". I can know cross off one item on my list...to go to a university ball! On the 23rd of November, I went to the Melbourne University Food Science Ball! I had no idea what to expect, which I think was a good thing, so I had no preconceptions before I went. The fun started even before I got there, as I had to get ready while I was in the lab. It was panic the night before as I had to remember to bring my dress, make up shoes etc to the lab. Then later on, I was going back and forth from the office to the bathroom as I forgot certain things (like my hair brush). It really makes you appreciate it when you get ready to go out at home, as everything is in my room. Luckily at that time, it was about 6pm and the people in my lab had all gone home already!

It was funny when I got there, as I found that the where the ball was (along south wharf road in Southbank) was about 2 doors down from the place where my year 12 formal was held! It wasn't a big ball (bout 80 people) so it had a nice cozy atmosphere. I actually didn't know a lot of people - most of them where students that were part of my practical class this semester. It was ok though, as Winnie, the other demonstrator for that class was also there.

The night followed the following formula...eat-dance-eat-dance-eat-dance. The food was ok, though I reckoned that they should've had a chocolate containing desert. Dancing was fun though - I think its because I didn't really know a lot of these people, so I could dance without feeling self conscious. They played a bit too much modern pop - I wanted more 80's/retro type music. Maybe it reflects the fact I'm getting old *lol*. After the ball was over, I headed home. There was an after party at Crown, but I was tired, plus the fact I had to go to the lab the next day. The other annoying thing about the night was the fact that the flash on my camera wasn't working so most of my photos didn't work :( But it was a fun night, and I would go to another ball. So now I can cross that off the list!

The other thing that happened was that I was on the radio for the Dr What show on SYN FM on the 25th November. We had the general topic of teenage health issues. On the day, we had everything that could go wrong - lack of preparation with our script, technical difficulties (which meant we announced songs incorrectly and didn't air sponsorship messages) and nerves (from me). I had a giggling fit and made up words (as the work unwellness doesn't exist) But we did it! I was so hyperactive when it was over :) I've got another show on this Saturday (16th December) - we'll be talking about headaches.

The other thing has happened is that I went on a personal development camp called RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) on the 2nd to the 8th of December, which will be a topic of a future post, as I'm still "recovering" from it (we give ourselves a two week period after it to reflect on the experience) . Lets just say that it was an amazing experience, which forced me to think about things that I had never thought about in my entire life.

Right now though, I'm sitting in the lounge room in front of our christmas tree, which reminds me that there is less than two weeks till christmas! I love this time of the year - you can feel the spirit of christmas in the air. It just cheers me up :) Everyone is in such a festive mood, and looking forward to the holildays. It also means that it will be harder to get work done- I guess I'm being optimistic that I'll get some lab work done before christmas! *fingers crossed*