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 |  Little scraps of my life... my blog. |
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| I discovered Yahoo Answers recently. It's a brilliant idea. I love it. Yesterday, I asked a question I knew was going to rub people up the wrong way. It was kind of the point.  The question itself was "What do they teach in US schools?" but I was more asking "Why are Americans so ignorant?" but I didn't want to be so rude, and besides, the question has been asked before. So anyway, this is what I said:"From what I can tell and who I've spoken to, majority of Americans know very little world geography and history! Do you not teach it in schools? I am so sick and tired of having to explain to my American friends that, yes, Australia has Christmas in summer. Why is this so hard to comprehend? It's called the southern and northern hemispheres - Australia is in summer in December! I don't understand how so many Americans can not know this fact. It's such basic geography it scares me. What else bothers me is that I personally know SO MUCH about America! I know who your first president was, current president, native history, etc. But Americans don't seem to know the first thing about countries other than their own." It's bothered me for a long time that I know so much about America but so many of them don't seem to know the simple geographical fact of the opposite seasons for the two hemispheres. I personally think it's a copout that people have answered that Australia is simply not important to them and if a country doesn't have any impact on their own nation, then why bother learning about it? That is so arrogant that they can't even see it themselves. The answers I received were to be expected. Some are open-minded, some are just so caught up in themselves and their wonderful freaking country. I've got news for them - America is quickly declining from any sort of world power it had. The whole world is now being shown the naked truth of the travesty that is your health system. I cannot believe it when I hear how many people are being forced onto the streets as a result of the falling economy and the huge mismanagement of housing loans. Isn't this America? The country built on freedom and bravery? Why are they not being looked after? Anyway, a few of the answers: We are very much aware of the northern and southern hemispheres young lady. Australia has Christmas in summer?? I don't truly care though. Maybe that is the one reason people don't know it. It may not be a lack of education, but a lack of interest for your culture. Maybe if we are so uneducated you should put some more emphasis on other cultures in your life. We don't need your validation. Regards. That makes me want to kick and scream! Like I said in my reply, his first two lines cancel out each other. How can you say you're aware of the hemispheres but not know Australia has Christmas in summer? In am not trying to be mean, but America is the Super Power. You know A lot about America because it is the thing that is important to you and to many other global people. There are so many countries. American students study America first and foremost. You're not trying to be mean?  Unfortunately schools here in America aren't the problem, the problem is the spoiled and lazy Americans who don't give a rats ass about education because they are either spoiled and get what they want or they are lazy and could care less. Sounds like he and that other guy above should take it out in a debate! Well, you know so much about America becaue you'd have to put a lot of effort to not know a lot about America. Let's be honest, America is all over the media and is a super power that can't really be ignored. In our schools, we seem to mostly focus on the U.S. (obviously) and Europe. Everywhere else doesn't really seem to come up. In all honesty, and I'm not trying to say Australia isn't worth learning about because I love it, but we don't learn squat about it. We focus on the countries that have had the most impact on our nation, which I'm sure is the same for yours. I mean, did you learn a significant amount about countries that don't have a huge effect on your country and it's history? I actually like this answer. Though I disagree somewhat with the last part. Australian schools don't necessarily focus on our own nation, we focus on teaching our children a broad world history. We have a subject called Australian History, but then, we have a separate subject for just history. That is world history - from memory, it includes the two world wars, the Vietnam/Korean/Boer wars, civilisations from throughout the world, the Great Depression, etc. And geography is a separate subject again, where world geography is covered. I am equally tired of explaining to my foreign friends that, no, there are no cattle herds in the main thoroughfares of Texas. No, Chuck Norris is not the Texas Ranger icon, either. No, the weather in Texas is not the same as the weather in New York. Still, taking the time to explain such things is a part of being a world traveler. Ya gotta take the bad with the good... For what it's worth, I am very tired of this particular question, too, whatever the specialized superiority of the inquirer. Answering it here is very much the exception to the rule. If you asked me this in a South American coffee shop, I would simply walk away from you and let you judge me by your prejudice. I honestly do not believe my truths are going to alter your prejudice. Parts of this answer are a fair call, I think. Though we're talking about countries here, not states. I don't expect my American friends to know Perth is the capital of Western Australia for goodness sakes. And for what it's worth, I'm quite aware of the differences in weather between Texas and New York. Prejudice? Possibly. But I think I asked my question with some knowledge. After all, I'm getting my information from Americans themselves. Just goes to show how ignorant Americans are, it's even affecting their education, which is why it's such a major topic in politics. I grew up in the states, and when it became evident that they weren't going to teach me jack shit about the world, I started living my life by this one simple belief: "I will never let school get in the way of my education." Basically they cover American history from 2nd to 6th grade, then go over the entire thing again from 8th to 11th grade. And in between then, we spend a few months just learning where China is on the map, after which most of the kids still fail to point out. He sounds a bit bitter. But I think he was the most honest of them all!I think the conclusion I came to is that the US don't teach anything they don't think is relevant to the US. I personally think, in my humble opinion, that they should follow Australia's lead and teach both American History and World History as separate subjects. I think Australia has a lot to teach America in general. But I bet if I said that on Yahoo Answers, I'd be called names and argued with. But it's okay they say America has a lot to teach Australia. Because America is a super power, you see... *rolls eyes* If they actually showed world news on regular news, they would realise that China is actually the super power of the world and is gearing up to take over us all. No. Seriously. If you want to read it, it's linked here: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ap2y6WZU71CqBMJCi_.bxy7sy6IX;_ylv=3... |
| I'm having trouble sleeping. Seriously, even if someone spooned me and sang me soothing lullabies... I'd still be awake at 2am. My thoughts are racing around my head like they're chasing after each other. I then I get stressed because I think I'm going to forget all these important things and I think to myself I should put the light on for a moment and write them down, but I don't because then it will take me even longer to fall asleep. It's like: I really must remember to take my iPod plug with me overseas, maybe I'll go into the secondhand bookstore tomorrow and try to find a book to take with me on the plane instead of hassling over eBay, while I'm there I should go over to the camera store and look for a better case for my camera, yes I really should have written a new camera case on my list, I wonder if I should go and look in the music store to see if they stock Anne of Green Gables the Continuing Story, I'm so annoyed my old VCR didn't want to work just as I wanted to watch that, I'm so glad we don't use VHS tapes anymore, I wonder if Jonathan Crombie who played Gilbert Blythe is gay... I mean he's over 40, unmarried and does lots of theatre, the stereotypes makes you wonder... You know, Gilbert Blythe really is the perfect man. And on it goes. I tire myself out! How do I get from simply reminding myself to take a plug to daydreaming about Gilbert Blythe? Anyway. If you missed it when I hinted before - I'm going overseas!! I'm doing a trip of Europe for a month. I'm so excited and so freaked out all at the same time. I'm leaving next month so it's quite soon hence the trouble sleeping and thinking thoughts a million miles a minute. There's so much to do and remember, it's driving me insane. It will be heaps of fun though. The first thing to deal with will be the long-haul flight. Bloody hell, you'd think they would make faster planes. It's going to take me almost 24 hours to get to London.  *dies* |
| Hey, at least Z.˚rz missed me. I feel loved. I haven't really done much today. Just lazed about. I know I'm not supposed to and I should continue on "like a normal working day" (I may or may not have typed into Google how to deal with job loss) but when you have the opportunity to sleep in 'til 11am, and your family is feeling too sorry for you to actually say anything about it, then why the hell not? They also said you need "time to grieve your loss" so I'm taking a week to do some official mourning.  Now, I've discovered I have a few options. Option number one is to take the unemployment benefits and spend my time looking for a new job. That would probably be the most obvious option. But I have a second option. Go overseas on a trip for a month. I thought about it and now is probably the perfect time. I've paid off all my debts so I have absolutely nothing hanging over my head, no debts and no responsibilities. The only problem with going away is that I'd spend a big chunk of my savings and have to look forward to the stress of getting a job when I return home. Or I could just deal with that stress now. And who knows, I could be looking for a job for the next 6 months, I don't know how it will pan out. Maybe I should just go while I have the chance? And not to mention I was actually looking through travel brochures last week wondering if I'd be able to get four weeks off to go. Hmmm - providence? |
| So, I lost my job. I was made redundant due to the falling economy and they just can't afford to keep me on anymore. Though in a way, I could see it coming... but I was in total shock. Still am a bit. Mostly because I thought I would be put to part-time first and then made redundant. But I just came in as per normal this morning, didn't even get the chance to sit down, and my boss says 'hey, got some bad news, we have to make you redundant.' Oh, effective immediately. It feels weird walking in to work and then walking out 5-10 minutes later without a job. So anyway, I was too close to tears to want to go home (why do I always do that? Start wanting to cry at times like these? I surprise myself. I'm not really a crier) so I thought I'd go for a drive instead, realised I didn't have enough petrol to do so... went and got petrol... then drove around for awhile. Basically just avoided my house in big loops. Pulled over a couple times to text a friend, had a cry, waited til my face was presentable enough and I wasn't going to cry at the drop of a hat, and then went home. Then that afternoon I went back to work with a box of chocolates for my boss to say thankyou for giving me the opportunity when I had no experience. I'd like to take credit for that idea, but it was my dad's. I kind of felt like I left all pissed off, which I guess I did, but I didn't want to leave things like that. Besides I needed to ask for a reference letter, and a good letter would be preferable! I think my boss was a bit taken back/confused/surprised by the chocolates and thankyou, but I hope it had the effect I wanted. I just wanted to leave on a good note and show my appreciation. That said, I didn't actually get a 'thanks for all your hard work' in return...but you know... *shrug* I think he felt really bad about it all. I could tell he didn't really know what to say and how to word it. He's not very good at that sort of thing. And it sucks for him having to admit your business is starting to fail so bad you have to let someone go. There's a chance I still might be able to do one-off jobs for them from home and get paid a job by job rate, which he mentioned... twice actually. But for some reason something's telling me it's unlikely. He says the business is "in the red" and has been for a month. So yeah, I don't know. Guess I'll just be looking for another job! It's beyond me right now how I'll get one considering it took over 6 months to get that one and it was completely by chance. I also have to swallow my pride and apply for unemployment benefits. I can't even hide it from them because I need them to fill out some form so I can apply. It sucks, but mum is right, it's better than no income at all. And I get paid to look for a job. It's embarrassing, but it's not all bad. Suck it up. That's my new motto. |
| Wow, 65 days since my last entry! That's quite an achievement in itself. I am alive though. Very well and kicking on. I just work these days and working on a computer daily doesn't really make me want to come home and do more. Though, as I've received no "I haven't seen you around for ages - are you dead?" emails, I assume most people who care know I come on to do the Week of Cheer and leave again. Occasionally, I spend more than 10 minutes here but after about then my eyes start to squint and I feel the need to blink furiously. So my nights generally contain the computer for a little while (to do the stuff I can't get away with at work) and then either read or watch TV or go out. I'm making my way through my deliciously guilty pleasure The OC seasons. It's very mindless viewing and I never use any more than two brain cells at a time.  Actually, that's all I have leftover after work so it works out quite well...I'll be going away for the Easter break, which I'm so happy about! I'm dying for a scenery change. It was a toss up between sitting at home and literally doing nothing at all - or going away and risking being tired afterwards but seeing some new things and get snap happy. The latter won.  I finally bought a digital SLR camera! I haven't figured out how to use it properly just yet, but it's fun and I'm thinking of taking a short course photography class to learn some more. It will probably be one night a week for about two months. So I can go after work, and I can even claim it as a work tax deduction because it relates to graphic design. Yippee!  So I hope everyone is well and I'll endeavor to blog more! |
| Wow, so I finally quit my casual job completely. After 8 long years! Actually, it doesn't really feel like 8 years. I don't remember most of it, haha. I mean, you just turn up to work and do it so methodically that the years just slip by. But it was a little sentimental walking out the door for the very last time. It's that 'end of an era' feeling I get when I know a chapter is closing. When I finished school, finished uni, finished my short course... you get into such routines and then it's only once it's all over that you realise how much of your life was built around that one thing. Working my casual job has been so integrated into my life that it will be weird not to be there anymore. Though, that said, I haven't really worked there much in the last 6 months or so. I'm already quite used to the idea. And I'm not really sad about it or anything.... most of the goodbyes at work included a congratulations! "Get out while you can, you're one of the lucky ones!" It's a little scary investing so much into my new job though. Well, I've been there 6 months now so you can barely call it new anymore. But I'm trusting them to keep my job secure (as much as Richard tries to put it back on me and say that I make my own job... it's always going to be up to them whether I stay there!) I do feel comfortable there now, and I'm happy I stuck it out through the difficulties in the beginning. I think a lot of the issues have worked themselves out in one way or another. Some things have calmed down, some are still there but you learn to get over it. Richard certainly does less yelling now, and still hasn't yelled at me... I think (hope) I made it pretty clear that I'm not having any of that behaviour. I told him I would walk out and I don't think he knew whether to believe me or not. I was dead serious though, and he hasn't provoked me too much yet so maybe I got my feelings across. We're almost bordering on friends...lol. Nah, you can't really be friends with your boss, just a mutual understanding maybe? Touch wood!  We get along well enough though and that's great. I don't think I could work in an environment where things are tense. He's very, very good at being both a boss and a workmate. Sometimes he treats more like a little sister than an employee though... I wonder if that's weird? I'm really not sure. I think that's just his personality. He's a little more friendly and affectionate than I am, so my natural reaction is to take a mindful step back. I've always been like that, my literal and mental comfort zones are set quite wide out. It doesn't mean I'm not open, it just means I choose carefully!I've realised lately that I seem to have developed an assertive personality. I think it's always been there really, I'm just building more confidence to show it. I don't like to be messed with and I'm never going to just sit back and take it. I think this also developed out of my relationship with C too. I've always been told I'm a bit of an enigma and I think it's because there's always a conflict between my head and my actions. Like, I know who I am inside my head. I'm self-assured and I know myself pretty well. I follow my gut most of the time and I'm mentally and emotionally fairly strong. However, my outward body disagrees and I confuse people. I'm small, blonde, and I look timid. I seem to come across painfully shy and unsure of myself, and I don't seek out people to talk to... I let them come to me. I'm always being told by people I've got to know that they never imagined I'd be as talkative and confident as they know me now because I "just don't seem like that." I don't know if this is a bad thing or not, or whether I should try and change it. I'm quite friendly really but I have this habit of coming off aloof. I don't mean to, but I guess I just am a little shy sometimes. I'm torn between wanting to change myself and keeping my 'true colours'. And which is my true colours then?? Both, I suppose. I can be both outgoing and introverted! Maybe I'll just try to be more friendly to people I don't know.... it is coming easier to me lately having people walk into the shop a lot. If you smile a lot and laugh at their crappy jokes, things go in your favour. Speaking of people walking into the shop - what is it with old, creepy men coming in all the time? I mean for goodness sakes! Because I suppose it's a tradie industry, a lot of grotty men come in and want stuff done. If Richard is about, I usually just get him and hand it over. Men are happy to talk to other men. Sometimes it's like they can't possibly talk to a woman in a factory about men's work! Pffft. I'm glad Richard is about sometimes when these guys come in... some of them seem a little suss. They're probably not, but you can't help but be wary. Only because I know I can't defend myself for buggery - yay for Richard's big-arsed muscles and supposedly protective persona, he can punch someone for me. He tried to teach me self-defence once (don't know if I mentioned this before...) I sucked at it because I get all intimidated and retreat straight back into my box. I really should let him teach me some basics sometime though. So if someone horrible does come in and he's not around, I might be able to slow things down. Anyway, I've rambled enough. lol. My thoughts are all over the place! As per usual. |
| Friggin' hell. It's hot. *sweats* Sorry to state the obvious for anyone living in southern Australia right now, sorry that it's so cold for everyone else. Seriously though, they're calling this 'day one' of the heatwave and I'm already exhausted. Today it hit 42 celcius (107 F) and tomorrow it'll be 43 (109 F) and the day after that and apparently til next week! I personally think it won't last that long... but I also didn't think it'd hit 40 today.  And tonight it's still at 35 degrees and it's almost 10pm. I'm (almost) willingly starting at 6am tomorrow so I can leave early. Regardless of a air cooler blowing on you, it still sucks being at work because you can still feel the heat and it makes you feel all heady. So yay for getting up at 5am. I don't particularly mind the heat though. I mean, I don't enjoy sweating and being smelly but for the most part I can keep myself cool, and I prefer it to being cold. Or maybe it's just because this past winter was particularly cold? I'm pretty happy in shorts and a tshirt! |
| I saw this on the news the other day... it's just so adorable. It's about an elephant and a little dog who hang out. Go on. Watch it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBtFTF2ii7U |
| Reading a recent entry Lauriemariepea 's blog made me realise how much I've been away from here and how many people I've lost touch with. People I still consider friends and people I very much enjoyed talking to. I know it's how life works sometimes, but it's always made me sad how people can just drift in and out of your life. Some people are meant to be there forever, some people will just be there forever in your memories. So anyway, enough mushy stuff. To the following members... I miss you!GG very happy - One of my closest friends here, but I haven't seen or heard from her in forever. I know she moved and things got really busy for her... Mel is a lovely person, inside and out. Very artistic, kind, patient and the best school teacher ever.pencilsoverpens - I miss Christine!!!! My dear friend grew up, got married and had a baby. Christine is always a true friend, very loyal and generous and honest. One of the best people you'll ever meet!Ta - I'm not sure what happened to Ta, but she stopped visiting the site for awhile and then I never heard from her after that. I'm pretty sure I emailed her a couple times to see how she was going, but alas, no word. She was a fantastic person, very true and kind. A lovely friend to talk to.Black Willow - I know she's still around but we just lost contact after she had to go away. Dana has always intrigued me. Though we didn't talk all that often, I do remember the conversations we did have and for some reason, she's left a little footprint on my heart.Equilibrium - Christine's sister who just kind of disappeared. Life just took her elsewhere I guess, and that's cool. It happens. Amazing girl though with the most exquisite style of poetry. She will always remain one of my favourite poets. Trish aka bymydesigns - I don't know what happened to Trish. I noticed one day her account had been cancelled and I haven't been able to find out why. Trish was such a good friend, very kind and generous and thoughtful of everyone. And then there are those people who I still do see around, but just have been too busy to keep in proper contact with. To Scarlett  , me_kaitlin, Lauriemariepea , dragonfly~guess who's back? , pauluk, Wren , Humming Bird , undocked22, In Your Dirtiest Pants , Z.˚rz , DDWearsmeout - I miss you lots and I'm sorry for not being around. Forgive me?  If I missed you out... sorry. I'm tired and forgetful? |
| Wow, I'm just so tired. My feet are aching beyond belief. I worked all day today. *sniffs* I want my Saturdays back. And I've done something to my toe. I think I pinched a nerve or pulled a muscle or did something crazy to it because it really hurts. Walking around all day in a department store doesn't exactly help either... So, woe is me. Feel sorry for me. Christmas is coming!!!! SANTA, SANTA! Santa's bringing me days off this year. I get a whole 16 days! I'm pretty excited. I might even sing a song. Since I'm switching topics fast today - you wouldn't believe it. C has a girlfriend. But no, not the girlfriend I've mentioned in previous blogs. He's such a royal prick. The way he tells me things and behaves. God, it's annoying. He messaged me online the other night and said hi, so we chatted for a bit (ie. about a minute) and then he just disappeared. Vanished. I'm like... great, very polite. I was going to just let it be because really, do I care? No, I don't. But the curious side of me just won't let things go (damn Curiosity). So I texted him and asked what happened. He replies, ever so tactfully, 'sorry about that, I had to go see my girlfriend.' Oh that's nice, I say - who is she? Nobody I know, he says. Me: just bloody tell me. He tells me and it's not this other girl. It's some girl from work who is above him so they're not publicizing it. Someone tell me why I get so worked up about this. And the crappiest part is that she NOTHING like me. I saw her Facebook photo and she's a freakin' GOTH! The only thing we have in common is that she wears glasses. But hers are thick, black rimmed. She's got dark hair and piercings and probably tattoos in places I don't want to know about. It's so far from me it's not funny. Don't you think he could at least have the decency to find someone like me? It'd make me feel better. It's like he hates me so much, he had to go and find someone completely opposite in every way! I take that personally! But you know what? Oh well. It bothers me, but it certainly doesn't take over my thoughts. I'm happier now than when I was with him, and come to think of it, I probably should have dumped him much sooner. So now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and watch some tacky Christmas carol singing on TV and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. |
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