fuchsia fragments

The days are literally getting shorter and I feel like I am pushing and pulling and trying to squeeze every last second of the day and juggle things to make it all fit.

Like today, I probably spent 2 hours at my desk tops. Meetings back to back. People pulling me sideways. I had 20 minutes for dinner and it was cake baking time after coming home late. And now I want to wash my hair, shower, catch up on GoT, blog, check emails and attend to the huge pile of paperwork on my desk. But I also want to be in bed by 10:30. Impossible. 

I was supposed to get a reprieve until June. That is the structure of a deal support role ... not to be on call and doing everything, every day of every month. And my weekends, let's not mention those.

Birthday, baby shower, dinner, catch up, bake, repeat. And repeat again. And throw in baking lessons, a wedding, les mis, vivid... yup. No time. Take it off sleep. Or take it off sleep?!

I love my new boss. She is totes awesome. Story for another time. Ahhhh... eyes and ears everywhere. Remember that.

Have you ever done it? I've now done it twice (both in a work environment) and I think both times, the results were fairly consistent. Very high C followed by high S. Actually, more like out of this water high C.

Anyways, as a high C, one of my behavioral patterns is to avoid confrontation. In many respects, I completely agree. In others, not so much.

For example...

When I believe one is entitled to their own opinion and therefore posts a review online reflecting this. And then being questioned by the owners about how genuine my post is because I was a guest at the wedding and not the Bride/Groom. Wow, how insulting. Basically, out of the 200 odd guests that were present that night, only TWO people were CUSTOMERS. Way to shoot yourself in the foot. (great line that was, I will be adding that to my review!).

So I personally believed that the service received that night was not on par with other restaurants that I'd been to as part of a wedding reception. And so I voiced this. Apparently, it ruffled some feathers (GOOD!) and the restaurant have contacted the Bride/Groom to say that are "concerned" with the post one of their guests (i.e. me) left online. Well... this is an open forum. And I am entitled to my opinion. And also, every single thing that I mentioned happened, was said to me or people in my vicinity or was blatantly observed.

I'm basically being silenced which really pisses me off. Actually, it's the fact that they QUESTIONED the authenticity of my post and THEN asked the Bride/Groom to contact me to REMOVE my comment that irks me. What? Did I hit too many sore spots? I was too on the money? It caused an embarrassment to the restaurant? That is the WHOLE POINT of reviews on forums such as urbanspoon!

This. is. not. over.

It was bound to catch up with me sometime. I wasn't to get away so easily.

So the weekend with all its excitement and glory has worn me down. It was a little too cool and probably a whole ton of not enough sleep. Wedding, cake, cake, delivery, dinner, late night, discussing rusty chef, catching up...

Hello Monday... feeling sick. Although it really didn't onset until late in the afternoon when I was sneezing a lot (I am not a sneezer) and nose was starting to run, throat was ticklish... :( And we went out for dinner again.

So I've been like forcing myself to drink litres of this chinese herbal tea. It's meant to work wonders, I think if I wasn't drinking it, I'd be a lot worse. I want to be well enough to go to work tomorrow. Gosh, it's like bloody drama-ville. I feel like we're in high school.

How did the team get is so wrong?

Ah... what a blessing to have little rays of sunshine, ambient temperatures and an awesome caterer (i.e. me!). Oh and each other, friends and family, etc etc. ;)

Here's a lovely shot of my sis, my cheekiest nephew and myself at the ceremony.


The hills is a long drive from St George. Add a car accident and weekend traffic and it's pretty horrendous. In both directions. Nonetheless, we were prepared and left with enough time to get there early enough to help set up the stuff I'd helped make - macarons, biscotti, cookies, cake pops and cupcakes.

All I am going to say is that their helpers weren't as helpful as required. So my sister and I stepped in like the amazing cousins that we are.

Did not expect the food to go so quickly. I made double what they asked. And I'm so bummed that I completely forgot to take a photo. Oh wells. There may be another wedding, another time, another couple (of course). A lot of people lingered so the food didn't. There was hot catering too, that went like hot cakes.

Have to say, there were so teary moments and some rather funny ones.

Reception for us was like... yep, okay, we'll babysit the kids! HAHAHA Carmen's bouquet throwing was such an anti-climax. We had full prepared (as a joke to liven things up) to jump on the other girls AFL-style and full make a hilarious scene... only for her to throw the bouquet... into the lights above and fall at the feet of the girl who most desperately and I mean desperately wanted the bouquet. Too funny! Maybe we should have tackled her? Carmen wanted to re-do it and said girl was like 'No! It's mine!'. I guess she wants to get married... like really really soon???

Otherwise, it was a lovely night as you'd expect.

Oh and cake you ask?

AMAZEBALLS. . .

The old-fashioned, left-handed, softly spoken kind. I'm not artist / decorator so it was a rather un-scintillating conversation. I mean, yeah, I like it when buildings are restored and look beautiful but I'd rather it structurally sound first. Especially if you're going to take a good chunk of my hard earned cash.

On another note, my new boss is back and we're right back into it. I need to think of my development goals and plan. At least I got my mentor down packed. Someone to raise me up. Ah... can't wait. I'm got the best seat in the house for the massive face palm that I hope will happen but at the same time I'm going to get as much experience and knowledge I can starting from now until the end of the year. I want that promotion - sooner rather than later.

But at the same time, I see so many fish floating around, not knowing what to do with themselves. Honestly, grow a backbone and get pro-active. It is so true when they say that your future and development is in your own hands. Sure, connections would help immensely. But they don't grow on a tree. Respect is earnt. Connections are built on networking. You can't just "leverage" off mine. I'm happy to share but it won't be as helpful as going out there, promoting yourself and taking charge. Not sure how many times I've said it - it's getting old fast (at least I think so); especially when said people then whinge to me that they can't find a new job, or didn't get that promotion or payrise etc etc. Or when I give you a piece of advice and you don't heed it. umm... take it from someone who has literally been there, done that.

Went for my morning run this AM with the two rascals. And first thing they do? Chuck a dump down at the park. I was cleaning up after them and a council worker was tending to the grass. Said good morning, so lovely to see someone so friendly around - made my morning. The people on the train however... different story. So selfish. Don't move up or down and just crowd the access points. It's a team effort guys to get the trains efficient and run on time. You standing and not moving does not help!

Tried out my first vegan cake on the weekend. Fed it to the piggys at work - they liked it! Yes! So I am going with this recipe. Happy days. Vegan ingredients (e.g. chocolate) - unhappy wallet...

There's a reason why Chau is a pro. She told me that my tiers were slightly slanted and needed patching. He he.. thanks my friend! She's just around the corner from my cousins place and super jealous of her own studio workspace at the back of the house. I want!

Then my sister and I went for a drive to Liverpool to take a look at one of the new developments there. Yeah...... no. Not even for investment. Totally over hyped and over priced. It's not even that far from the station and shopping centre. I'm sorry, but I don't consider views of the Georges River much of a selling point.

Have had such a productive morning (I love it when I get up early cause usually I am lounging in bed!) and now winding down watching Struggle Street (what's the hype about? I see it as a pretty accurate description), a ginger beer and playing with my ghd.

Going to Bishop Sessa tonight... it is the first event of many in the next 3 weeks. Wooo...

Um.... whoever told me that the cinemas at my local were refurbished, I don't know what your definition of refurbished is but I definitely say it's still junk. I rate it 0/5 for comfort, value and ambience. Seats were so worn, felt funny and seriously my butt was hurting after the movie. Not again in another 5 years - oh by which time I will no longer be living in the area. We're going back to Burwood / Bondi / George St next time. Even Bevo would have done better.

But it was an impromptu night with my sister watching Pitch Perfect 2. Hilarious although I reckon the first one was better. I think we were laughing through the whole movie. Hehehe. Some of the jokes were like wtf?! They're allowed to say that?! The singing and mash ups were pretty cool though! Glad we got to see it last night, way too much going on to be able to fit a movie in in the next few weeks.

On another note, back to the ambience and comfort of Westfield and the shops within. Shocking. I mean I know the refit is going on but seriously could be better managed. Maybe I'm just now use to walking around the city (I literally haven't been to Westfield excl Coles in months and months). Maybe cause I've seen how posh Miranda is. Even the blenders at the boost store were old. So much so that I had a slushie and not a smoothie. Urgh that was pretty bad. Pretty much a waste of money. That could have been $7 towards my saving goal!!!

Very tough savings plan in place. It leaves me with about $1,500 per month for mortgage repayments & everyday living expenses & any funding that my be required by my business. It is going to be a huge win for me if I can achieve this. I sure hope so and I also hope that I will have a tenant in there for the rest of the year. This will make it very achievable. If not, then I will pretty much have to give myself $50 a week for food, travel and leisure to try and make it. In other words, not going to happen. Goodbye two coffees a day, it was nice knowing you. And the guys and girls at the coffee shop!

In other news, I found out that my new credit card offers a FREE bottle of wine at many Sydney establishments that I would frequent if I paid by card. That is definitely going to be put on the list!

My work husband says I whinge too much (to him anyway). I agree. I need to be the better person. And also not let her under my skin. He's there to listen and to mentor me but it doesn't help if I can't be mature about it. Pick my battles.

I got my hair cut today. I asked for 2 inches off and 2 inches layered - same as last time about 6 months ago. I probably got 4 inches off and a hugely Asian layered look. Not sure I'm thrilled. Especially with the wedding in two weeks. Maybe I can curl it or something...

It was birthday week at work. Everyday this past week, it was someone's birthday and even more special that they were all my friends! Lots to celebrate and an amazing cake from yours truly.

Paramount CP... we won't be back. Average brunch and disappointingly, very ordinary coffee. And paid parking...?

S4 Phone battery died today while I was out - and without heavy use. Goes to show it can't last 7 hours without a charge. Looking more like back to iPhone I go... because I am sure it is a software/OS issue rather than battery.

I'm amazed at the number of people still in town even with the torrential rain. Had a beer at the Slip Inn for our dear mads' birthday. Another year, another beer! Driving around the city is not fun - especially in wet weather and with lots of road closures due to construction work. Half an hour from Wynyard end of Pitt St to Martin Place end of Pitt St. Could have walked it twice over.

Tomorrow, after wakie wakie is bakie bakie day. So excited as it is pro-bono and stuff I want to do!