They picked meme!

The sexilicious Suspira tagged me...

List five songs that you are currently digging - it doesn’t matter what genre they are from, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying right now. Post these instructions and the five songs (with artist) in your blog. Then tag five people to see what they’re listening to.

1. Drunk on Her Taste - Elixir. This absolutely enchanting band is comprised of Katie Noonan from George, her brother, and a couple of modern jazz cats. I like their sound more than that of George... it's the kind of music you can enjoy a coffee and a magazine with on a lazy Sunday. And I love trying to wrap my voice around some of Katie's more realistic notes!

2. Summertime - Ella Fitzgerald. Literally makes me feel like I'm lying beside a river hidden by tall sun bleached grass blowing in the warm summer breeze, with not a care in the world.

3. Whip It - Devo. Ridiculous, I know, but it's fun to sing in the car on the way to work.

4. It's Love - Jill Scott. It perfectly captures the wild abandon of being head over heels in love... I think an Australian car company used it for a campaign a few years ago. That's the only way I can explain that I was very familiar with this song the first time I played it. Jill is credited as having written it, so I don't believe it's a cover...

5. Caged Bird - Alicia Keys. Another great one for testing the vocal chords, features some sweet spots right in the middle. I must say that Alicia has spoiled me for other artists, hers was, hands down, the best concert I have ever been to. Wonderful soul, who had me dancing, singing, and not wanting the night to end.

I'm also wanting to get into some Stevie Wonder - I might start with a 'best of', because I know his albums are going to feature some really 80's B sides that I just won't enjoy!

I'm going to decline the tagging option, because this one's done the rounds, and all my favourites have aleady divulged their musical secrets... except DJ I think. Have you checked out the Deej's other blogs - hee - funny, cryptic stuff!

Meme, myself and I

I was thinking, how do the lovely people in the land of blog get a proper idea of who I am? And Deej offered an answer - it's meme time!

Three screen names that you have had: Maiko, Ume San, Sakura
Three things you like about your self: proportionally narrow waist, multi-dimensional personality, big blue eyes
Three things you don't like about your self: of course the weight thing, I get paranoid very easily, I am very impatient
Three parts of your heritage: England, Ireland, Scotland (...Wales, inside, outside puppy dog tails!)
Three things that scare you: The inevitable loss of loved ones, clowns, crazy people at train stations
Three of your everyday essentials: mascara, kisses with my sweetie, breakfast
Three things you are wearing right now: Brown leather kitten heeled mules, black v-neck 3/4 sleeve jumper, calf length a-line chunky woven skirt in autumnal tones.
Three of your favorite songs: He Loves Me - Jill Scott, At Last - Etta James, Complicated Melody - India Arie
Three new things you want to try in the next 12 months: a small business course, going for my P plates, getting to bed on time
Three things I want in a relationship: Acceptance, affection, admiration
Two truths and a lie: I've never kissed a woman, I wish I'd taken the opportunity to kiss a woman, I live on the moon
Three things you can't do without: Stu, family, paid employment
Three places you want to go on vacation: Japan (especially Kyoto), the US (LA and New York, mostly), Europe (all the luxurious nations!)
Three things you just can't do: Public nudity, cartwheels, fly
Three kids names: Eve, Eliza, Michael
Three things you want to do before you die: See Billy Connolly live, meet a geisha(preferably from Gion), start my own cake decorating business
Three Celeb crushes: I adored Jonathan Brandis when I was an impressionable teen (he hung himself recently), Taye Diggs is delish, oh, and I loved Jason Smith, from the South East Melbourne Magic
Three people you want to know these things about: I jumped on this wagon so late, everyone else has already done it!

My fizzle had fun

Quelle surprise - I really enjoyed my weekend!
Okay, this was probably very much dependant on the weather - it was gorgeous, so already I was in a great mood.

I met lots of new girly friends at the party on friday night (BTW, nothing untoward, just dinner!), lots of gossipy fun to be had. I would actually love to meet up with these people again, so we'll have to have another gathering! I'm generally pretty shy and retiring, but these sassy girls were full of compliments about my engagement ring, accessories, general lifestyle, so I completely shed my shell and had a great time (and completely embarrassed myself by not knowing how to direct people to my house afterwards!).

Lunch with other friends turned into a shopping trip, and once again, I had a blast. We went to this funky-cute restaurant that overlooks the bay, and serves all-day breakfasts! Bowl of muesli, coming up! Bought lots of nonsense, and chatted incessantly.
These friends, however, had not yet seen the lovenest, and were full of compliments (more compliments - my head could have exploded!). Of course, I am happy with my place in the world, and the direction in which I am headed, but having the girl who was repetitively awarded dux of our high school say, 'I think you're the most successful people in our year level!', really put things into perspective for me. We all have our dramas and insecurities, but to quote Missuh - life is good!

Time with family was good - sausages were majorly spicy!

Just when I thought I was all socialised out, we spent Sunday with Stu's Best Man , and his delightful lady. Played Burnout on Xbox - and I won! Must be my destructive streak! Delightful lady is also a Mary Kay rep, and after a demo a few weeks ago, I ordered the items I was impressed with (surprisingly many!). I received them yesterday, and I'm thrilled to say that the 3-in-1 cleanser has left my complexion glowing, and my pores have all virtually disappeared, after one application! I thought this may have just been a coincidence after the demo, but the proof is in the pudding, and I am one happy customer.

I don't think I have socialised that much since high school, but oh, it felt good to discuss and laugh - must do it more often!

The truth hurts

Okay - I am totally back on the bandwagon.

Over the last few weeks I've been honing a diet/exercise plan to take me to my destination. I've taken measurements, Stu has taken some of those awful photographs, and I've jumped on the scales.

I need to lose 36.1 kgs. Ouch!

I will achieve this by -
Consuming no more than 22 points per day.
Exercising at least once daily (this may range from a brisk walk to a serious run)
Incorporating some strength training

Other things that will help are-
Drinking approximately 2 litres of water a day (fills the stomach, and helps you to function properly)
Getting enough sleep.
A rewards system (Stu has agreed to give me a massage for each 5kgs lost - he would normally give them anyway, but I should work for it!)

I am not giving myself a deadline, per se, however I need to lose 10.1 before our engagement party, which is in November. I've mentioned this on the other blog, but now I'm kicking it into second gear.

Now, I'm not going to Weight Watchers, but I used to work at a local meeting, which has empowered me to be able to use the knowledge forever more.
I very much subscribe to the points theory. It's a simpler way of counting calories, with the important benefit of including saturated fats in calculations, so that your choices are generally going to be more nutritious. I am the first to admit that it might not work for everyone, but it certainly works for me. Congratulations, however, if you've experienced success on another program!

'So if it works, why do you need to lose weight now?' I'm sure you ask. Well, as I divulged earlier, I'm an emotional eater. Various outside sources last year gave me plenty to be emotional about, and I really neglected myself.
I've moved on now, plus have had some delightfully happy things happen (see the other blog!), so I'm ready to take care of myself.

And so I shall...

Lost in Translation

Oh, guys, I really love that Alanis Morrisette song generator.

Here is its interpretation of my feelings about camouflage clothing on civilians. I've chopped out some nonsense, the other nonsense is below.

"Will to Live"

I feel miserable, Teens make me ill
I feel miserable , Friends tear at my foundations
I feel miserable, Pants are dragging me down to the depths of misery
I want to die*

Is it because of Camouflage that I feel this way?
With the blue rays of misery pounding on my brain?
Or am I lost in a tale of Sylvia Plath, adrift far from home
I don't think so, I don't think so.

I feel miserable, Tops rot the flesh from my bones
I feel miserable, Sheep defeat my purpose
I feel miserable, Uglies are doing their best to impale my soul
I want to die*

(note recurring themes - yes, I like the colour blue, and love the work of Sylvia Plath, poor soul)

*No, I don't.

But really, has anyone noticed the gaggles of teenage girly geese wandering around in matching clothes?
For a while it was those bum scrunchies, designed to hide the overhang of poorly fitting jeans.
Now, camouflage is back.
Groups of friends are all gussied up like a collectible set of Supre models ready for combat.

Well, they might just qualify for Bronny's new idea to let tweens into the armed forces...

My fizzle will be completely shamizzled

Fast paced weekend lined up -

Girlfriend's party tonight. The invitations stipulated 'girls only' - what's that all about (strippers, lingerie, avon?)? But then, invitation came in form of SMS, two days ago. Eh, gotta be flexible! I will need to wrangle some time this evening to buy a card and a gift - the most agonising process for me!

Must go to Medicare tomorrow morning - I can never be anywhere before noon on a weekend which is coincidentally when they close. However, don't most people have full-time jobs?! Gone are the days when the woman sent the kids off to work, ran errands in the city, and arrived home in time to roast a farm animal for the master of the house. This government is so out of touch...

Then off to lunch with two of my greatest longtime friends in Mornington.

Then dinner with my family. My sister will be making 'devilled sausages', as her fiancee has what we will call a 'traditional' palate. Comfort food is good for the soul, bad for the hips!

But we have Sunday off. Phew! We'll try and fit in a driving lesson (yes, I'm still learning to drive... let's just say I got 'sidetracked'!), and perhaps a leisurely stroll along the beach, which is literally 200 metres away from the lovenest, lucky us! Oh and I must find some time to devour Who magazine - my trashy weekend indulgence.

Also planning to concoct a huge batch of 'point free soup'. I guess it's like the soup they make you consume in vast quantities when you subject yourself to the 'kick start diet'. However, in the interests of not dying of malnutrition, it will simply take the form of lunches during the week, making it easier to stick to 22 points per day of fruits, cereals, dairy and protein... oh yeah, I'm yet to go on about Weight Watchers here. Well - you've been warned!

Good times!

Pro Hart and Con the Fruiterer duke it out

It's time for a good old game of 'Pros and Cons'.
Otherwise known as 'Stating the Bleeding Obvious'.

Healthy Diet and Exercise

Pros -
General slimness
Toned muscles
Fitness
Shiny hair
Clear skin
Strong bones
Confidence
Fun shopping trips
Fun at the beach
Fun everywhere!
Tasty, healthful meals
Less spending on trashy food
Good sleep patterns
Longer life expectancy

Cons -
ummm... can anyone help me out here?

So, why does a mentally capable young woman always fall into bad patterns, when the benefits are clear as day?
Yes, yes, I know it is human instinct to want to store fat and hibernate in a cave under a bear skin, but seriously, evolution made me pale and much less hairy, what use do I have for a raging appetite? Sharpen up, evolution!

Yay me!

Whooo! I edited code, all by myself!

There were no links on this template (not even samples), and now, there are all my favourite blogs, ready for your perusal!

Stu will be so proud. (Actually, I imagine he'll be nonplussed, he does it everyday. You probably do it everyday too!)

I even had to resize the Links heading and get the right gif to make sure it looked right. I'm great!

You live, you learn

Ok, so once again, DJ has shown himself to be a fantastic finder of funny!

I created the ditty below, here, with the help of Alanis Morrisette's killer songwriting team.

"Why"

Bitches, nerds, bosses
Why God, Why?
Nerds, fancy cars, FabCorp
Why God, Why?

What have I done to deserve this blue horror?
Surrounded on all sides with the Hell of FabCorp
Like a Sylvia Plath character, I'm wordy and alone
Why God, Why?

Toilets*, bitches, customers
Why God, Why?
FabCorp, customers, bosses
Why God, Why?

What have I done to deserve this blue disaster that is my life?
Surrounded on all sides with the Hell of FabCorp
Like a Sylvia Plath character, I'm wordy and alone
Why God, Why?

What have I done to deserve this blue misery?
Surrounded on all sides with the Hell of FabCorp
Like a Sylvia Plath character, I'm wordy and alone
Why God, Why?

Why God, Why?
Why God, Why?
Why God, Why?
Why God, Why?

(btw - this song reflects a past life - I'm happy now, really!)

*I don't know why these were a standout feature at FabCorp, but now they are immortalised in song!

La Premiere

Well, what does one say to properly introduce themselves to the world of blog?

I'm actually hovering around in blog land elsewhere, sharing posts with the Love of my Life (otherwise known as Stu), on a fairly specific topic. But life is so fast and full, I'd like another outlet for other daily subjects.

I think the main thing you'll end up reading about here, as the title may suggest, would be my curves. I have curves in abundance, and I'd like most of them to go away. However, I am intelligent enough to know that won't happen by itself. I have a love/hate relationship with food and exercise, which is very much affected by emotions - and boy, do I have a lot of those! Hopefully having a place where I am accountable for my progress will help me to make some rational decisions when faced with the choice of what to eat.

As many voluptuous girls may attest, size plays a part in everything you do, and every decision you make, even if on a subconscious level. Therefore I will likely post about all the other goings on in my quaint little existence as well.

Happy reading!