Upon Arrival

1. This is my meal on the plane ride to Japan. One of the great things about being a vegetarian (among many) is that you get your meal before everyone else and they can all smell it and get heaps jealous! The plane ride was 10 hours, through the night. I didn't get much sleep as I was too anxious ... and itchy! Yucko.

2. This is the first glimpse we got of Suburban Tokyo from our bus which drove us from Narita Airport to Atsugi City which took about two hours. We were all so exhausted and trying to stay awake as there was so much to look at out the window! I found the road ways in Tokyo pretty amazing. There were lots of roads built up like bridges and you could look down and all the houses were underneath you.

3. After we arrived at our accommodation in Atsugi, we went on a mission to find food. We were absolutely starving. This is taken as we walked to the city centre for the first time. This walk became quite familiar as we did it several times a day. We noticed a change in the leaves during the time we were there as Autumn turned to winter.

4. Vending machines! The first of many... soo many. They were on literally every corner and inside buildings as well. Even in older suburban streets you would still find them. The beverages inside were always exciting! For example: grape Fanta, Mint Julip drink and Pink Grapefruit! Yum.

i don't know where to begin

but ... i shall start with saying a big merry christmas to you all ! i hope it was nice and relaxing and that you ate as much as i did.

since we last spoke i have been a busy traveler. japan was incredible and i cannot begin to explain all the things i did. blogging about each thing would be impossible (well, not literally) so i have decided to blog randomly with a picture and details about that particular event or moment as i feel like it.
since my return to aus i've been a busy little beaver with lots of trip between home in the country and newcastle.. as well as a 21st in sydney, a little holiday on the coast with some friends from uni and christmas with the family on the coast as well.
overall it's been very packed and fun filled.

today i've been reflecting on the year that's been. significant occurunces include:

-my 20th birthday
-a trip to tasmania with boyfriend's family for a wedding
-moving in with my brother
-commencing my 2nd year at uni and a new course to go with that
-a major falling out with a once best friend and consequently feeling much better for it, eventually
-scoring myself the best job in the world, and later losing it when they closed
-learning japanese for one semester
-seeing angus and julia stone <3
-changing my hair colour to brown from blonde
-giving up drinking for the winter
-overcoming my fear of public speaking
-making some gorgeous new friends from uni
-visits from afar from two of my besties
-finding out that i was going to be going to japan!
-having my car almost stolen right before my eyes
-becoming a gym junkie
-becoming a vegetarian!!
-GOING OVERSEAS
-selling my car!

so, overall, i would have to say it's been a darn eventful, yet amazing year :)

p.s the picture above was taken by myself in tokyo on an outing with my host family. i didn't get to go on that ride but it looked pretty amazing.

Sayonara!

So I haven't been the best little blogger lately and really I have no excuse as I've had a lot of spare time. Alls I have been doing is packing and getting things organised for my trip to Japan as well as seeing friends and doing fun stuff like eating out a lot.
Anyways time has flown as it tends to do and off I head to Japan tomorrow night! I am catching the train down to Sydney with a couple of the kiddies on the trip and the rest we shall meet at the airport. It's going to be fun times struggling with my massive suitcase through Central station that's for sure!
I really cannot believe it's come about so fast. It does not quite feel real at this point in time. Hopefully some time tomorrow it will set in. Hopefully not in the middle of the night though as I do hope to get a mighty good sleep tonight if possible.
I have a shiny new Canon Ixus camera to play with so there will be a trillion and one photos, promise.
If I get a chance to blog while I'm over there I will, but not sure of that as I won't be taking my laptop (too much of hassle/I lose things).
Otherwise, expect some mighty blogging upon my return on December 8th!
Bye for now lovely people, whoever you may be.
x

I do?

I don't quite know why but I thought I would talk about marriage. So many people I know have been getting married lately or about to. I guess I am reaching that age but I still feel so young! I have no intention of tying the not just yet, but when I do I'll be very excited to organise all the trimmings such as venue, reception, cupcake tower.. DRESS.

Some thoughts.

1. I took this picture in Fiji. We ate dinner here underneath the little hut. They served ice-cream for dessert in a tear-drop shaped ice sculpture.
2. I went picnic-ing with my family once and on the drive home they detoured to show us this little church in the middle of nowhere. Amazing!
3. I went to Tasmania for Ben's cousin's wedding in February. The reception was held here, in an art gallery. The picture doesn't do it much justice but it was incredible. I loved the timber beams and the lighting. The building was so old and magnificent. The paintings hung around the gallery were those of Ben's grandmother (also the bride's grandmother) which made it extra special.
4. I just fell in love. I did a quick google search for 'cupcake tower' and found this. http://www.cupcaketree.com :D Wow! Can you believe it?

I don't mean to scare anyone who thinks I am now suddenly going to go get hitched. I am just dreaming. Weddings are lovely, after all.

I bet you didn't know.

I was tagged recently, and by that I mean, not so recently, by miss Jacinta!, to tell some random facts about myself. Unfortunately I was ever so slack and didn't keep the ball rolling. By now I think most of my blog-roll have done this, so I'm not going to tag anyone but simply delight you all with some facts about myself!

1. I can talk like Donald Duck. No, really. So can my sister. We go through phases of talking to each other as Donald Duck. Sometimes, it just comes out.

2. I broke my wrist when I was about 4. I ran into a wall. Uncoordinated? Never!

3. I can roll my tongue so that it looks like a belly dancer.

By now you all wish you were as cool as me, right?

4. I hate bananas with a passion. It's more like a phobia really. I can't stand them. I don't even like touching them or being near someone if they are eating them. The smell, argh the smell! I am now going to search and see if there is a term for banana-phobia. One moment, please. Okay, so it's actually called Bananaphobia. How original! Anyways. I am officially a Bananaphobic.

5. I wear contact lenses most of the time and glasses the rest of the time. My eyesight is ridiculously poor.

6. My cousin's cousin is Phil Jamieson, the lead singer of Grinspoon.

7. My birthday is on the 12th day of Christmas, aka 'Epiphany'.

8. I've climbed Uluru and it was one of the hardest yet most amazing things I've ever done. Please don't hate me for climbing it.

9. I sleep with my mouth wide open. Can be quite embarrassing when traveling.

10. I've had 5 surgical operations.

K BYE!

Things I Love Thursday

(belated, as per usual)..



1. Handing in my last assignment for the year! Let the freedom, fun and adventure begin!
2. Smoothies.
3. Benjamas thai. What a cute name!
4. OBAMAOBAMAOBAMAOBAMA. Who's got the Obama fever? I have.
5. Laughing til my sides hurt at my friend missing my other friend's mouth when trying to feed her ice-cream last night.
6. Givenchy's 'Very Irresistible' perfume.
7. Neck ties/scarfs.
8. The heavy metal music I could hear being played in a unit near mine this morning. Normally I'd probably be pretty annoyed but it was about 10am and I could just imagine someone rocking out in their living room. Made me giggle.
9. 2 Weeks til I leave for JAPAN.
10. Facebook status updates.

x

Does it make you happy?

I have no need
For such things
But to make you happy
Does it make you happy?
Busted strings on this guitar makes me feel like I'm getting nowhere
But you make me happy

:)

Josh Pyke is my hero. He should be yours too. Listen! www.myspace.com/joshpyke

Love.

This is real love.
Today my parents are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary.
This morning my Mum busily started baking cupcakes to surprise my Dad on his lunch break.
Here is the end result.
:D Cute or what?
Happy Anniversary to the best Mum and Dad in the world! 25 years and going strong.

Cute.

I think braces are cute.
If this picture wasn't here you might have thought I was talking about the suspender type, yes? But no, the teeth type!
Evidence: my little sister Sophie :)

I heart Green Bags

Many apologies for the lack of posting lately. Busy busy times.

So I would just briefly like to confess my love for the trusty Green Bag. What a marvelous creation indeed. Not only are they environmentally friendly, they hold so much more than the average plastic bag which means no more struggling with fifty million bags after your weekly grocery shop!

If you have not yet discovered there greeny goodness, get into them :D

Shinannigans.

Above is a picture of myself holding a snow dome which contains a picture of me and my friend Mel, given to me by Mel.

I am going to blog about my weekend. The good parts anyways. Mostly all I do at the moment is stay home and do assignments. Assignments are gross. So it was nice to break it up a bit this weekend. I got a lot done but I also managed to do some fun stuff.

On Friday night the boy brought me some pizza (naughty) after he finished work (delivering pizzas) and we watched Good Will Hunting in bed, which I had not seen before. Quite a good movie indeed.

I spent most of the day on Saturday at home. Come afternoon I was really really craving a vege burger. There is a gay bar here that also has a bistro and they sell $5 meals. They have heaps on offer too. And the meals are YUUGE!. Good value. Best vege burgers ever. I love a bargain! Anyways. I was craaaving one but was not sure who to go with. In the end I messaged my cousin and she was up for it so that was fun. Food is so good especially when you've been craving it all day. They have such good service at that pub too. Though I have to wonder if people thought my cousin and I were lesbians, being a gay bar and all. That probably sounds quite naive of me.

After Ben finished work I went around to his place and he, one of his mates and I went out for coffee. That was fun, except I burnt my tongue on my Chai. I am a dill.

Today I did productive stuff, yay me, until the afternoon when Ben and I went to the beach. It was a bit too windy though. We didn't last very long and decided to go get ice cream instead. Good choice I say. Anyone notice the food theme? Yep. So we drove around for a while wondering where to go. Ben needed to get money out so we went into the mall. We were parking when Ben said (this blog gets exciting now!) 'What's going on over there?'.. so I looked and there was a fight happening right before our very eyes! There was a group of about ten people involved in this fight. There was even these young (I mean like 7 year olds) hitting people. And.. a guy with a crick bat.. hitting people.

I freaked out a little. We called the police but by that time some had already arrived. It was broad daylight and everything and heaps of people around. From what I gather, the cricket bat guy was attacking this group of what looked like backpackers, after some kind of altercation, still don't know. They had backpacks on, afterall, and just generally looked like tourists. All fairly young males. So the police stopped them all.. but then the cricket bat guy took off in the direction they had came. Then it was ON. The police (one female, one male) started chasing him.. as did the group of backpackers. One in particular overtook everyone and went charging on, he was so fit, my hero! The chase pursuid and another police car arrived and joined in. They disappeared around the corner and I assume cricket bat baddy was caught.

Meanwhile, Ben and got gelato... amazingly yummy gelato. We returned to Ben's car and there was some police officers nearby. In the end they took our names down as witnesses and such. So, all in all, another day, crime to be fought, you know how it goes.

In conclusion, cricket bat baddys asside, Newcastle is a lovely city. Sometimes I forget that when I am in my room, doing assignments.

I have a 100 question current affairs quiz tomorrow. I feel quite confident though, for some reason. Let's hope it pays off.

Things I Love Thursday

It's that time again. Golly gosh these weeks fly by!

This week I am paying homage to the wonderful Gala Darling for being the founder of Things I Love Thursday by including this cute banner!



Now, for ze list!

+Lentils! I know I know, pretty gross on their own but hey.. a vege needs their iron and there's plenty of scrummy recipes to hide the bland-ness.
+My grandparents, aka Margie and Pop. I saw them today. Margie had an operation yesterday as she had two cancerous melanomas. She's not clear just yet but she's coping so well! I love them. They are ever so cute and make me laugh a lot.
+The new Frankie. Especially the cute poster to add to my collection and the article by Benjamin Law on Japanese Onsen. Hi-larious!
+Skipping. When I went home recently I did a bit of skipping to get my daily exercise dose while I wasn't going to the gym. Today I had a slight feeling that I had a skipping rope somewhere here and alas, I found it. So I had a little skipping workout instead of the gym today. No wonder boxers are so fit!
+Anticipating the end of Uni. Two weeks to go!
+The sunshine today, after a few days of continual rain. Everything is so fresh after the rain.
+Josh Pyke's new song 'Make You Happy'. Ah, that man is amazing. The title says it all.
+ Seeing Nissan Micras driving past and getting really excited. Saw a green one today. Squee! My time will come.

Love and stuff. Xo

Lisa Mitchell.

On Friday night I was lucky enough to go and see the lovely Lisa Mitchell playing at a local pub. For those of you who haven't stumbled across her yet, Lisa appeared on Australian Idol two years ago. She made it through to the top 12 but not quite the winners spot. However, and not to bag Australian Idol, I feel this has probably lead to greater opportunities for her in the long run. Since Idol she has gone on to release two EPs: Said One to the Other and Welcome to the Afternoon. Recently she has been in the process of recording her debut album Neapolitan Dreams.
The gig was held at the the Northern Star hotel in a room out the back which was quite cosy and intimate. The band consisted of Lisa on the guitar as well as a drummer/percussionist and and a base guitarist. Her first tunes were unfamiliar so I suspect they will appear on her album when released. From the taste I got I think it's going to be quite impressive! Her stage persona was a little shy at first. She seemed somewhat overwhelmed at times but I think it contributed to the overall cute-ness and sweet personality that she has going. She went on to play some of the favourites of her two EPs including Incomplete Lullaby, Slow, Neopolitan Dreams and See You When You Get There. Afterwards I was lucky enough to get a fan-girl photo with her.

If you want to hear for yourself, visit Lisa's MySpace page at : www.myspace.com/lisamitchell

Things I Love Thursday

+H2O! Can't get enough of it at the moment.
+Vitamin C tablets, I actually really like them which is good!
+Gold nail polish. I painted them today and they look super lovely.
+Thursdays in general are really fun because it is the day I have with all my pals at Uni, laughing at Mama Dukes.
+Pink Lady apples, the best.
+Phone calls from my Dad. We never really have anything interesting to say but I always feel happier after talking to him.
+The fact that it's only about 35 days until I leave for Japan!
+Exercising! Have been sticking to my plan of going to the gym as much as possible and I feel great (if not a little sore). I also got some new running shoes which makes it merry fun.
+XTC - the watermelon/strawberry smoothie from Grind on Darby St.
+My Jesus sandals, I had them long before they were cool. Ha!
+Twirling my big flower ring around my finger - it makes for an excellent past time.
+Lisa Mitchell! I am seeing her play tomorrow night <3
+Day Light Savings! I love that when I finish my classes at 7ish it's still light. I also just love the summery evening feeling.

Am going out to dinner so must dash! So hungry, nom nom nom.

I Thought About You.

I've always found this particular quote really inspiring and heartwarming:

'This is one of the wonderful things about being alive. At any time somebody you least suspect might be thinking of you. Somebody you have never met is recalling your face, you are the star of somebody's thoughts and you will probably never know about it'.

Now, I can't quite remember where I heard it or read it. But, I liked it so much I wrote it on a yellow piece of paper and stuck it to my cork board. Come to think of it, the novel 'Strawberry Hills Forever' is ringing some bells. Don't quote me on it though. Ha, get the pun? Anyways, even if it was not from that book, you should all read it because it is wonderful. Oh, it's by Vanessa Berry. I had to read it last year for a Popular Culture subject at Uni and I loved it. Vanessa also came to one of our classes to speak to us. Anyways, I was not supposed to be confessing my love for Miss Vanessa Berry in this post. So I shall get on with it.

I am a thinker. And I often think about other people. Friends and strangers. I am a people watcher. I like to observe. So I will often find myself thinking about particular people, whether I know them personally or not. I don't mean for that to sound creepy! One of the nicest things to hear from a friend, in my opinion, is that they were thinking about you. I love getting messages from my friends who I haven't seen in a while saying 'Han! I was just thinking about you last night and I wanted to say hi'.. :) It makes me feel fuzzy on the insides.

I often stop to think, I wonder if anyone's thinking about me at this very moment? That probably sounds insanely hot-headed of me, but really, someone probably thinking about me. Somebody is probably thinking about YOU. And they are most probably thinking GOOD things about you. Please ignore the underlying sexual connotations that are emerging in this blog. That is NOT what I mean! Ha.

You could be the star of somebody's thoughts at this very moment in time. And you may not ever know about it. So, let people know when you're thinking about them. It will probably make their day.

Annie.

Introducing a very lovely friend of mine, Annie.
At just 19, she would have to be one of the most talented artists I know.
Her water colour paintings are just beautiful.
You can see more of her amazing work for yourself right here.

I hath returned.

1. sunset at my aunt and uncle's
2. me and my ancient haviannas
3. le sister and I at the lighthouse
4. le sister and the boy at a lookout
5. my lovely boy,

Back to ye ol' University tomorrow, sigh. But the thought of Japan is getting me through it!

Hiatus.

I'm currently spending the week in Port Macquarie (mid-north NSW coast) with my family so have been absent from blogdom for a number of days. My Aunt and Uncle live on the canals here so as you can probably imagine we're having a super time! My siblings and boyfriend and I are staying in a cute cabin on the lake. Today we went boating and beaching although it was a bit too windy to be as enjoyable as it could of been. Yesterday we visited some waterfalls about an hour and a half away and stopped by this cute little town for lunch. It was so fresh and green there. We did a few walks at the waterfalls which I enjoyed because I've been eating SO much this week. My family are all amazing cooks so whenever we get together we just eat amazing food the whole time. Other than that we've just been relaxing, watching heaps of movies and tomorrow I'm going to convince everyone to have a picnic at the lighthouse! I will upload some more photos when I get home but for now, here is one that my brother took of my sister, boyfriend and I. Sam is an awesome photographer, just so you all know :D

Chasing Bailey

Some people reading this will know who I am talking about when I mention the name 'Chasing Bailey' because you've grown up in Tamworth, like me. Others may have been lucky enough to have heard them recently upon the release of their debut single 'Little by Little' and album 'Long Story Short'. For those of you who are yet to stumble across them, I shall take this moment for a bit of proud promotion. I should mention that I am friends with two of the band members, Crystal and Charlene, but despite this influence I think it is safe to say that they are an extremely talented bunch who've come a long long way.

Last semester I wrote a character profile based on an interview I did with Daniel Conway, the lead guitarist. I had every intention of trying to get it published but that is yet to happen/I haven't tried yet. Apologies for the length, but I hope you'll take the time to give it a read.

---
Long Story Short
Hannah Lewis speaks with Daniel Conway.

The last two years has been a whirlwind of performing, travelling and recording for 19 year old Daniel Conway. Hannah Lewis met with him at his most relaxed, at home in Tamworth at the local pub where he works casually at any time he’s not busy with the band. Coffee in one hand, the other open for a warm hand-shake, Conway is welcoming and openly eager to share his story.

Seven years ago marked the beginning of Conway’s musical career. Little did he know that when he was asked to play guitar for a band calling themselves ‘The Baileys’, in 2001, he would now be getting ready for the release of the band’s first album. Conway is the guitarist and back up vocalist for the five piece country pop band that was born into the local music scene in Tamworth, recognised as Australia’s Country Music Capital and home to the annual Australian Country Music Festival. The band now goes by the name ‘Chasing Bailey’. It is comprised of the Bailey siblings: 20 year old Charlene (vocals and guitar), 23 year old Crystal (electric mandolin and vocals) and 21 year old Kurt (drums), along with 21 year old Lindsay Dallas (base guitar) and Conway.

They have come a long way since their first gig at the Tamworth Showground arena. Conway says that the audience who witnessed their first live performance consisted solely of the Baileys’ parents, Lindsay’s mum and band manager Joan Douglas.

“That was the very first thing we’d ever done.
“We played to no one.
“We were going upwards from then,” Conway says.

They have definitely moved upwards on a number of levels. Their sound, in particular, has undergone progressive transformations from the original country twang to a more electric pop-rock style. Chasing Bailey’s debut album, Long Story Short, hits stores around the country in July. Their first single, ‘Little By Little’, has already made waves on Australian radio stations as well as Channel Ten’s Video Hits.

The decision as to why the band decided to change their name to ‘Chasing Bailey’ has been on the minds of many fans who’ve known the band since their humble beginnings.

“We’d always thought of changing the band name from ‘The Baileys’ to something that could label the whole band, rather than just the family name, but we didn’t want to take the family name out because that’s really who we are,” Conway says, adding that even if he isn’t a Bailey by birth, he is a Bailey at heart.

Conway spent his first 12 years in Caboolture, Queensland, where he started playing guitar at age 10 after being shown the first few chords by his older brother. Before learning to play, Conway clearly remembers his first experience of live music at his granddad’s 60th birthday party. He recalls it as the moment when he realised playing guitar was definitely something he hoped to be doing in the future.

“It was just a house band playing and I was probably about seven, but I’ve got a photo of me standing up at the dance floor playing the guitar.”

It was through Chasing Bailey’s band manager, Douglas, that Conway met the other band members on a visit to Tamworth, in 2001, not long before he made the move from Queensland. All members except for Dallas attended Tamworth High School together. You could say that Conway grew up with the band.

“Since I was 12 not a day has gone by where I haven’t seen the band.
“We’ve been in each other’s pockets since then,” Conway says.

When it comes to musical influences Conway says country music has been a driving force since he was young.

“I listen to heaps.
“Guitar players like Larry Carlton and Keith Urban were a huge influence early on and I listen to singers like Rod Stewart and Jon Bon Jovi.
“People like that.”

After playing the country music scene in Tamworth for many years the band began to spread out nationally and were involved in a ‘Talent Development Program’ in Sydney in 2006. Graduating from the program opened doors to greater opportunities and eventually led to record company interest. The band was signed to EMI: one of Australia’s leading record companies, in 2006.

“I don’t think when they signed us they had actually seen us.
“That’s how much they’d heard about us.”

Signing with EMI had a major impact on how Conway viewed his career as a musician and the role the band had in his life.

“Until things started getting serious with the record companies and stuff like that I didn’t really think, ‘oh wow, this is really going to be something that we’re gonna do seriously’, because it was just an everyday thing.
“But it didn’t take long for things to start happening for the band to be recognised as something pretty cool, then I thought, ‘oh, this is something’.”

Not long after being signed, the band began working with ARIA winning record producer Paul McKercher. Paul has had notable success with the likes of Eskimo Joe, Pete Murray and Spiderbait. Conway says the band was shocked and excited after receiving the call that they would be working with such an experienced producer.

Recording the album began in 2007 and was a four week process. The title, Long Story Short, is the premise of what the album is about.

“The title says it all: Long Story Short.
“It’s just what we’ve been doing, our lives unfolding on that level.
“It’s the stories we’ve learnt and we’re telling it through our songs.”

Conway reveals that at least six of his own songs will feature on the album. When asked about his creative inspiration he is not ashamed to admit that he often writes about girls.

“There are a few songs that aren’t about girls, but mainly when something just happens to stir me, something to mix me up in a good way or a bad way, then I go and write.”

Throughout the entire interview Conway’s excitement for the band and their future together is hard to ignore. When asked about the first time he heard Chasing Bailey’s first single, ‘Little By Little’, on the radio, he says that it happened while working at the bottle-o. “

"That was hysterical” he says. Having just served a customer he returned to the storeroom to be met with the sound of his own hard work blaring on the radio.
“I started dancing around in the store room.
“It was one of the most exciting things I’ve experienced in my life, hearing our song on the radio.
“It sounds small but when it’s you, it’s ‘Oh my God’.”

Since recording the album the band has made appearances on various national radio programs as well as Channel Seven’s Sunrise. It seems that the release of the album in July might lead to further national recognition for Conway who has already had moments of acknowledgment from strangers in Tamworth.

“I actually get recognised at work a fair bit.
“Some people come in and say ‘Oh you’re in that band’ and I don’t even know them,” he says.

After the album is released in July, Conway hopes to get out and give Australian fans a taste of the band’s live music. He says that performing live is the best thing about being in a band, closely followed by spending time on the road with the band members.

“After about a week others want to come home but I just want to keep going,” he says, adding that his favourite part about performing on stage is the vibe and intensity created between the audience and the band.

If Conway weren’t busy touring, recording and performing with the band, he admits that there is one thing that may have led him in totally different path.

“Well gee I don’t think I can give that away,” he says.
“But if I wasn’t a guitar player I would have been a tennis player.
“I’m a huge tennis fan. I would have won Wimbledon, I think.
“I mean, seriously, you’ve got to aim for the top!”

Conway has an exciting future with the band, so it seems that Wimbledon won’t be on the cards any time soon. He is more than happy with his achievements so far and has high expectations for a successful career. In ten year’s time he hopes that the band will be succeeding with multiple albums while maintaining the same level of enjoyment he is experiencing today.

“I’ll always be doing this. Whether it’s playing, writing, producing, whatever.
“It’s what I want to do.”

---

You can check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/chasingbailey

Clever people.

Here are some clever people for you to check out.
Firstly, David Payne - a friend of my brother's. He is an amazing photographer. Currently, he is doing his HSC and many of the portrait shots on his page are a part of his major work. There is actually one of me! You can check him out HERE!

This is one he took of my brother:






















Next, is my lovely brother himself! This is his page. Enjoy :)

Unrestricted.

Today I passed the test to get my full license! That means no more P Plates. I have mixed feelings about this. I'm a little nostalgic about it because being a P-plater carries connotations, to me anyway, of youth, fun, carefree road trips etc. Most of all it's to do with being young so I guess by ridding of them I'm feeling somewhat older! Being a p-plater also has negative connotations of being a reckless driver, which of course, I am not. So in that sense, I'm happy to get rid of ye old plates so as not to be stereotyped (although at times the stereotype rings true) as a hooligan. It's strange to think that I won't have to sit any more tests until I am about 80 and a little batty. I think what is most exciting is that I can now teach my little sister how to drive! Oh, and I cannot stop without mentioning I got a good photo which, I feel, is very important as it will be my primary sources of identification for the next five years!

Vegetarian Week!

From the 29th of September (this Monday) to the 5th of October it's National Vegetarian Week! Also, Wednesday the 1st of October is World Vegetarian Day! Get into it, I dare you :)

http://www.vegetarianweek.com.au

Japan.

I'm getting ultra excited about my trip to Japan in November. We had a meeting yesterday so here is what I know so far -

Leaving on the 21st of November, catching a bus with the group to the airport in Sydney. As far as I know, we're pretty much on our own.. no lecturer/member of staff from Uni coming, which I find odd but good, I guess. We are seen as 'representatives of our school/the country' which is all very important, hehe. The trip is in conjunction with the Shohoku College in Atsugi which, I think, is not too far from Tokyo, but I may need to clarify that. So, the Shohoku students have been pretty much preparing for us all year which seems quite crazy. We're going to be seen as movie stars, basically. So they organise all these activities for us, which is like the 'study' part of the tour, things like - Japanese language/customs/architecture/history, tea ceremony, cooking classes, kimono wearing (!), traditional Japanese dance/song etc etc! Yay! We also visit temples at Kamakura, meet the mayor of Atsugi, visit the Sony Institute, AND take part in a Homestay which is for three nights with a family from the College or Atsugi city.. which is going to be verrrrrrrry interesting!

This is like all I think about lately! Haha :) Cannot wait!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/altus/2389072989/ <---- image.

Things I Love Thursday

+Maybelline Mineral Foundation
+MiGoreng noodles with extra soy sauce and tobasco
+Pink nail polish
+Sleep
+JAPAN!
+Getting to know my fellow Japan travelers
+The Mystery Jets
+Sunshine
+Australian Idol, because Roshani is doing so well :)
+My brother because he makes muffins, although that is not the only reason I love him, of course.
+Looking at old photographs
+My job, which is about to come to an end as of this weekend :(
+Holidays and having nothing to do but sit around!
+New friends
+Big rings
+Juice bars
+Vege+avo sushi
+Receiving mail other than bills and boring letters from Uni

Cheerio, for now. xo

Mix-tape madness.

Happy Birthday!

KEVIN :)

You sexy beast, you.

Oh, shucks!

I just received some lovely compliments.
For my trip to Japan, I had to get one personal reference and one academic reference. I asked Ben's Dad, Jeremy, if he would write me the personal one. Here is what he said:

I have known Hannah Lewis for four years in a personal context. During this time I have found her to be a highly conscientious, organised and sensible person of great integrity. She is a very hard working young lady who always gives her best to whatever task assigned and is a quick learner.

Hannah communicates excellently in both written and oral forms and I have no hesitation in recommending her for academic pursuits undertaken by the University of Newcastle. She will be an asset as an active contributor.

:) How lovely! I am so flattered.

Xo

Young Love.

If I only knew your name I'd go from door to door.
Searching on the crowded streets for the face that I once saw.
If I only knew your name I'd go from door to door.
Tell me have you seen the girl I met just once before?

Young Love by The Mystery Jets, featuring Laura Marling.

This song makes me smile on the insides. It makes me reminisce about the beginnings of my relationship and how I would feel seeing him at school every day. Of being shy around each other, getting to know each other and that genuine excitement of a new love. Don't get me wrong, I still am genuinely excited each day that I have such a wonderful person in my life. It's just funny to think how well we actually do know each other now. So much that we let any inhibitions free. Farting and all.

Some things.

Some things are hard to forget.
Some things I wish never happened.
Some things I think about too much.
Some things won't go away.

Unless..
I decide to let them go.
To forget, learn and move on.

This is easier said than done, but I am tired of thinking about it every day.
I need to remove it from my brain.

Good riddance silly thoughts!

JAPAN.

:) :) :) :)
I just found out yesterday that I am going to Japan in November!!
I applied for the trip through Uni. They were offering 15 places so I thought I'd give it a shot. I've been interested in Japan for so long!
So, yesterday I was in class and my lovely fried Tia messages me saying 'Have you checked your email in the last hour or so?'.. which I had not because I was still in class! Anyways, she told me that they sent an email out with the successful applicants and my name was there! I was sooo happy for the rest of that class, and totally anxious to get home and check the email for myself! And sure enough, it was there. I CAN'T WAIT. I don't know many details yet, except for we go from November 21st to December 7th, so 17 days. :)
Will keep you updated as I know more!
Weeeeeeeee!

Pals.

Recently, I've come to realise the importance of good friendships. I feel that surrounding yourself with people that will encourage you, lift you up, support you, make you laugh, be genuinely interested in your life and most importantly cook you dinner on a weekly basis (hehe), are the most important ones to have around. There is no room for jealousy, negativity or people that question you or what you are doing with your life unless it is severely damaging. Of course, it's important for a friend to be honest, trustworthy and reliable. The kinds of people that I call my best friends come from varying walks of life. They are dispersed around the country and some I don't get to see very often. But I do know that whenever I do see them, we will pick up where we left off. I know nothing will ever change. The ones I see all the time, are the type of people I will never tire of. We don't get bored of each other often, but if we do it's something to laugh about. They know my flaws, and yet they still love me. We aren't all similar, we have different tastes and styles, but I guess we are all ultimately similar people as that's why we were drawn to each other in the first place. My friends make the effort to call me, message me or organise something fun to do regularly, they make the time even when there is none. My family are my best friends, and my best friends are my family.

Sweet!

This should be great!

http://www.crueltyfreefestival.org.au

Sam and I are hoping to go!
Free vege food! Mmm.

:) Han xo

Things I Love Thursday

+Five dollar vege burgers
+Cake - way too much
+The fact that I *think* I've sold my car! Finally!
+Getting my scholarship payments, yeeeey moneys.
+Ben, because he is just lovely all the time :) and looks terribly funky in his new shoes.
+The sunshine! I ate breaky in the sun this morning and it was amazing.
+CREAM Nissan Micras and the fact that I am STILL obsessed with them.
+Breakfast, probably my favourite meal.
+Sleep ins.
+Funny friends.
+Dreaming of the summer holidays.
+Lemon, Lime and Bitters
+Sorbet
+Cold water when I'm really thirsty
+Frankie posters
+Putting new picture up on my walls
+Laughing at how ridiculous I looked as a child

:) Han x

Longing.

I am immensely looking forward to:
+Going to sleep tonight.
+My scholarship payment arriving.
+Saturday night.
+Getting payed on Sunday.
+Handing in assignments.
+Sunshine.
+Dinner tonight.
+Holidays.
+Cheese tasting tour.
+Going to Port Mac with my familoids.
+End of year holidays.
+Christmas.
+Finding out if I get to go to Japan.
+My 21st!

But most of all I just want sunshine and adventures.

Fan girl.

Love.

photo from: www.ellenpage.org

Things I Love Thursday (belated)

Although I am one day late, I feel I cannot overlook my first opportunity to write a Things I Love Thursday List.

+Black nail polish

+Giant rings

+Tic tacs

+Vincent's Cafe next to my work who offer an amazing range of yummy vege lunches for my eating pleasure

+My new pals at Uni - we went to dinner and trivia last night. They are hilarious!

+My best pal of all - Jessie bear.

+Dates (as in the eating kind) - yummy and healthy

+Firekites - continually amaze me every time I listen to them. What is more exciting is that they are supporting Holly Throsby when she plays in Newcastle in October. I'M SO THERE.

+Planning my 21st - so far it's going to be 'tea party' themed. At night time though, in my back yard in Tamworth (I think?.. although I might have something in Newy too).. with fairy lights, sweet tunes, alcohol served in teapots and tea cups and a delcious array of food. Plus,all of my favourite humans will be there.

+Green Nissan Micras. ARGH.. I saw a green one the other day, so cute. Now I have narrowed it down to (not so narrowly) black, white, cream or green.

+Getting good grades on Uni assignments. It's hip to be sqaure.

+CHASING BAILEY. :) Crystal and Charlene are the most lovely girls in the world. Heck, they're all lovely.

+My amazing family, they never cease to make me happy. Mum sent me home with an esky full of her cooking including nutloaf and vege lasagne. Dad is just the cutest. Sophie is the funniest human alive. And Sam Sam is my motivation.

+The Ting Tings :)

+The Body Shop.. drool. I've already decided that the next time I'm willing to spend up big I will be spending it there on - eye cream, face cream and possibly some makeup.

I could keep going but then I'll have nothing to write next week!

Ciao!

I like eating.

And this is a really good website: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2005/12/readers-favorite-recipes.html

I'm not vegan, but have recently become vegetarian and I love it. Last year, I was a big lazy slob and all I ate was pasta pretty much every night. Now, I love cooking and love having people over for dinner. So fun :)

Some things I have made recently:

Enchilada Casserole - so easy and yummy! All you need is a microwave.















Pasta with vegetables and peanut sauce - amazing!

















Those two are both on the Fat Free Vegan site.

Another great site is: http://www.vegweb.com

I've made:
Sweet Potato Fritters - SO YUMMY.
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=13167.0

And, finally, this is also fantastic: http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/7095/spring+minestrone

Mmm, food. Where would I be without you?

Pictures care of: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/

Home.

I am here to confess my love for Tamworth.

I don't care that it is a hole. Or that people wear ugg boots down Peel Street. Or that there are really lame car crews such as 'Runamuck'. Or that there is nothing to do except get drunk at the Impy which, mind you, really stinks. Or that there is heaps of emos. Or that people will stare at you if you wear something nice. Or that it gets invaded by thousands of hicks once a year.

It is home to me, and always will be.

I drove here today to see my family for two nights and as I approached that hill, the one where you get a first climpse of the town, I felt so warm and happy.

Maybe it's just my family that makes it so homely, I don't know. It just feels good to come home and I probably would never have appreciated that unless I had moved away.

And besides, my Mum made amazing blueberry pancakes for dessert :)

Spring.

Wow. Today was seriously joyous. So much that my lecturer included a question in our weekly quiz to the effect of: What is significant about today's date? Ha. First day of spring silly people!

It seriously warmed my insides. I did not even have to wear my cardigan until it was dark. Amazing.

Other great things about today included:

+My felafel wrap for lunch
+Followed by my caramel and coconut slice!
+Hanging with my Uni pals - Alissa and Loren
+A really interesting lecture on reporting mental health and suicide in the media (I know it sounds dismal but it's interesting to hear about that sort of thing from a journalistic point of view)
+Giving a totally kick-ass presentation! I finally feel as though I've truly conquered my fear of public speaking. I got compliments after wards, and now my head is slightly larger.
+Pampering myself with all my new Body Shop Products. I'm considering doing an entry solely devoted to the Body Shop because I am so obsessed.
+And finally, the fact that I am going home tomorrow for two nights to see my beautiful familoids (as Jess would say)

Spring is here! Enjoy it :)

Feast on this!

Grevillia.

So, I am not usually one to boast or exaggerate (cough!) but, seriously, I have the best job in the world.

Upon moving to Newcastle I stumbled across the cutest shop in history (I told you I don't like to exaggerate) called Grevillia Design, just a skip and a jump down the road from my house. Okay, backtracking, at first I admired from the outside because it was closed the times I ventured down there.

BUT, one day after running some errands (Centrelink and the like), I found it was open! I spent a long long time in there admiring everything: vintage furniture, kooky retro homewares (lots of burnt orange), disco high heels, clutch bags, HANDMADE womens and children's clothing made from vintage fabrics (!). There was so much to look at, I was in awe.

After spending way too much time in there, to the point where I felt the store owner was getting annoyed, I went out on a limb and decided to ask her if there were any jobs available.
And let's just say I'm damn well glad I asked. She told me that she was indeed after a casual who could do weekends, and she asked me to come back the next day with my resume.
To be honest, I think I pretty much had it in the bag when I walked in there (again, I don't like boasting).

So I started about a week later and honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better job. I am allowed to bring in any uni work that I needed to do, make mix CD's of my liking to listen to, eat copious amounts of sweet biscuits and just generally chill out. What about the whole 'working' aspect, I hear you ask? Well, most of the time it wasn't overly busy but yet I still manage to sell a suprisingly good amount and there's always tidying to do - one of the many perks of retail (I swear I'm not rolling my eyes).

And my boss - Jennifer - is so amazing. She is SO lovely, something I wasn't accustomed to from my previous jobs where I'd been brought to tears by bitchy managers and such. She is amazingly generous too, always willing to fit in with my needs with uni etc. Another example of her generosity - this week she put out this amazing c1950s olive green chair with wooden legs. It's so cute and very 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'. So I was eyeing it off and told her I was going to put it out the back in case someone snapped it up before I made up my mind. Today, I decided I would buy it and upon telling my boss, she said 'No no no! I'm going to give you that, you can have it'.. FOR FREE. So amazingly generous of her. So now it's sitting here in my room looking ever so cute. Exhibit A):


But now to the sad news. About two weeks ago, an outrageous thing happened. The store (as in the actual building) was sold. Now you might want to sit down before I continue. It was sold to KFC!!!!!!!!!!!! ARGH!! They plan to knock down the building to extend the car park/drive through (now I am actually rolling my eyes). It's an absolute outrage; so much that I am considering approaching A Current Affair with the story (no, not really). So, we basically have no choice but to close. We have a month left and the future is uncertain. My boss hopes to find something else, but that can't really be guranteed. Plus, she is wanting to (understabdibly) have some time off after we close. So that leaves me...job hunting! I can hope that in the future, if she DOES find somewhere new I would be approached to work there again, but, poor uni student as I am (and currently on the hunt for a new car) I am going to find something else in the meantime.

Now, feast your eyes upon some pictures I took at work the other day.
Enjoy :)