fuchsia fragments

My new neighbours are pretty noisy. They're always sitting outside on their terrance with largish groups. Directly below my bedroom window. And can smell their cigarettes =/

I didn't have / haven't defined any goals for this year. But if there was one, it would be to get a permanent role. . . what I didn't see coming so soon was an offer for one. And I'm not so sure how I feel about it. Spoke to my CFO (he was the one who put me forward) today and another girl in the other team. And they think it's a great move, great opportunity.. I think logically, i'm saying yes but not so sure why my heart is saying maybe...

Most people have 6 career changes in their lifetime. And this would be number 3 for me. Not sure how that would look against my resume.

Why the maybe? Its moving away from pure accounting/finance (could potentially be not so bad?). I think its a lot of admin. It's a parallel move, not a promotion. It's moving to a different LoB. New manager (who apparently is awesome). There are opportunities to specialist in new areas. It is great exposure to the business. It also means longer hours at month/quarter/year end. It's a perm role...

I don't feel like I've walked into a brick wall but I most certainly feel a little stunned. And I guess flattered that my CFO put me forward (but he also put me forward for my current roll...?). Decisions decisions.

Another prosperous and fulfilling year ahead.. bring on 2014 and watch this space!

The holiday period is not only a time to spend with fams and friends. And eat and drink too much but its also reflection / quiet time (in the morning before the festivities). Where there's no shopping and no good show on TV. It has given me a chance to recharge and do absolutely nothing and love every minute of it. By nothing, i mean have one eye on google and one eye on re-watching stuff on my computer. Waking up at 11 and sleeping at 3 in the morning.

It kind of makes you dream a little, think of what-ifs and why things maybe didn't go all to plan. Not in a bad way but makes you wonder. Had fun writing things in my calendar for 2014 already. Loving that January weekends are already full. But hey, at least I know when i'll be free to bake and when I won't.

This year, I think I need to re-connect with a few people. Perhaps in the next few weeks, make some predictions...

But i finally watched the first part of the hobbit in full today. #achievementaccomplished.

Almost there, almost there... but what is it this year that I am looking/waiting/wishing for?

I'm am unsure myself...

It did feel like a holiday weekend just past despite having work this morning (and tomorrow!).

Caught up with Amanda and Janice for some pancakes, and then came home to prepare for a BBQ FEAST with the extended family. I can't ever recall being so buggered from a family event but kids have limitless amounts of energy that it's kind of scary.

Hilarious to see them falling on their bums cause they can't pull the christmas crackers on their own and the smiles of their faces when they opened their christmas presents... even if baby justin opened his 5th Thomas for the year. HAHAHA!

Loved roasting marshmallows over a real coal fire. And even took part for a bit in the good old fashion (albeit very slow) HK-style BBQ. Was fun. But i like the Aussie one more - especially when I don't have to cook it. But chicken wings and fish balls don't taste the same unless you do it yourself and slather on that honey just prior to eating. nomnomnom.

Got some much needed RnR on sunday by dragging ms Li with me to the beach. After having a late lunch (and a little pricey) ... 'fisherman's basket'. Have to admit, it was quite crispy and tasty. But needed salad.

Stayed at La Perouse for a couple of hours. I think I got a tan. Still deciding...

Then went home. Ate leftovers for dinner and literally went to sleep straight after. I have no idea what happened. But i was like... Okay. It's hot, the air con is on, I will just lie down for a bit. And zzz... fell asleep and got up the next day. Wholla!

Another 2013 weekend gone by...

Amazingly, doesn't quite feel like we're running on fumes but its been another hectic yet so fulfilling week, capped off with one awesome Christmas party with boardgames, laughter, more laughter, screaming, good and not-so-good sports and fun times.

First off this week, time to deliver (or start delivering) our Christmas goodies. By post to special friends interstate and in the west (Greystanes). And also squeezing in so local and not-so-local (North Sydney) catch ups. So thankful to have been able to do so. Each and every one of you have made me a better person in your own unique way. <3 p="">
Went grocery shopping at Westfield on Thursday night. HUGE mistake. I hate crowds. And it was crowded. And there was nothing left. So it wasn't much fun. Managed to get out of there ini about 90 minutes. Any longer and I think I would have cried.

Friday was another big day. Guess I spoke too soon when I was laughing at someone else's expense for being hungover only to have one big Friday night myself (free of any baking worries for a few hours at least) and having a bottle of wine and a vodka. Woo... gowings is nice though. And Uccello would have been if there wasn't some MASSIVE (and I mean MASSIVE) pool party raging on outside.

Made it through though and got to Saturday morning. Had to force myself to get up at 6. To make the cake and do all the prepping for our Christmas Lunch.

Awesome day. It was so epic and fun and well, so touched that everyone came. *tear*

But seriously, thank you to Mandy, you helped big time today in the kitchen. And also the Joyce, who as usual did things her way. Thanks to my sister who 'lives here' and thanks Donna and Cherry... for taking 2 hours to make a snowman, fake snow, the table decorations, serviettes, tinsel and being your usual selves. Thanks to our carving men, Harry & Darryl. This could not have happened without you all. And thanks to EVERYONE for eating, taking away, eating, drinking and being merry. YAY!!!

We had a pretty epic battle in the evening with FOUR boardgames. It was tiring. Laughed too much. Argued too much. Got way too competitive. And HAHAHA beat Adam in "his" game of Scattergories in the first round. Yeah... that felt gooooooooood.

Pancakes after and then home, sleep, and another day. Another assignment!

#LOVINGmylife.

Leads to sleep deprivation but its the only time of the year that you have to soldier on. So many lives and people to make happy. And it's the silly season, the one period where you can bake till your heart's content and them some.

Today was more christmas baking and very fortunate to have had the help of one D. Li. Even if her piping does needs work ;)

But awesome teamwork - pumped out all my fondant sugar cookies in a couple of hours which saves me heaps of time. Oh and also made her white chocolate cheesecake with lemon mousse and scorched meringue. it smelt so good. I'm also such a good friend because i baked her a baby sized to take home. that's more than love. <3 p="">
Built my city of gingerbread houses. 11 buildings in total. Mega awesome, so proud. And would love to see the look on their faces when they demolish it!

Another day in the kitchen tomorrow. it's made me realise something though; I feel a little detached from the real world and in my own world. so when i crawl back to my room and to my gadgets, i feel like facebook helps me reconnect. its like the social column of the SMH. oh no... am i becoming dependant??

Been baking since 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon. Yep, that's like 24 hours or baking, no kidding. And i'm tired! Please to say that we are on-track, if not ahead - I would even dare to say I'm up in the Christmas baking timetable. The wedding cake has been dirty iced. The gift boxes to be posted overseas have been made. . . just a matter of putting together the rest.

I am so excited for the coming weekend already because its GINGERBREAD HOUSE TIME!!! I have only ever made one gingerbread house a year... it goes on display in our living room and it is then disposed of after Christmas. I'm evidently feeling ambitious this year as I want to assemble houses as Christmas gifts. Last year I did gingerbread trees. I want to do houses and mini drum 3D cookies this year. Wish me luck. And that the gingerbread fairy is watching over me...

We had brunch at Kepos St Kitchen yesterday. And I think we overstayed our welcome..... not to mention they seemed a bit reluctant to accept my entertainment book card. But the food was pretty good (soft baked eggs, need to do at home...), coffee amazing (thanks to the grounds) and well, can't get much better company (cherry did something to her braces though :()...than that! ;)

Time for some shut eye.