Dotted Line

Hi, friends! It's all been a bit quiet around here for the past wee while, largely due to the fact I've been job hunting. I never try and conceal this blog from people obviously, and even included it in some of my applications when I thought it would be beneficial to me - I feel like it's a pretty accurate representation of myself as a person. But of course, I wanted to be a bit careful about what I was writing, particularly in terms of interviews I was attending and that sort of thing.

Anyway, the search is over! I interviewed for a job I realllly wanted on Thursday afternoon, and was called back with an offer within an hour. So thrilled and excited to get started next week. As with my previous job, it's not something I'll write about in any great detail on here - not because I think I'd ever write something that would get me in trouble but, as with my Twitter account, I don't want there to be any confusion - this is 100% my personal space.

Temping for the past week has been pretty enjoyable - really reenforced my enjoyment of reception work, which is a part of my new permanent role. Also, not having to get up at 5am (at the latest) anymore means I've totally checked another goal off my list, in wearing a decent outfit and applying make up every day for a whole work week.


Almost managed a full week of concealing the toilet in photos, too.


Some time this week I will get around to answering the non-art questions in a vlog, so if there's any last minute things you want to know, leave a comment.

I posted a photo of Wallace on Instagram the other day (no, really?) and Malaika provided the perfect caption (see right). He's the most ridiculous cat.

Nothing else to report, really. On Friday night I had dinner with Charlie, my parents, my younger sister and her boyfriend at Wholly Bagels. Hadn't had their pizza before, and it was pretty much amazing.

Other than that it's been a quiet weekend of washing and sleeping and catching up on X Factor USA (Willie Jones, Jennel Garcia and Nick Perelli; love). And I am so very excited for the Homeland and Dexter series' premieres tonight.

What are y'all looking forward to this week?

Family Time

There can't be many better ways to eat than outside in the sun with your family. My parents and sister came down this afternoon and we ate an amazing lunch at my aunt's house. We had beautiful smoked fish, salads, and some game meat that, well, I wasn't game enough to try.

This evening I had dinner with my parents at Gasworks in Miramar, so I am seriously stuffed right now! It's been a great day.

I've made a start on packing for the move... packing books is the worst! Why do I have so many again? But we have a good stock of boxes now and the moving company is all booked in so hopefully things will run quite smoothly. Only a week and a bit to go!

I went to my first te reo Maori class on Wednesday evening. I was feeling pretty tired after work but I'm so glad I scraped together the energy to go along because it was really fun! We did a few awkward 'ice breaker' games to start off with, and then went in to basic pronunciation and greeting stuff. Most of it came back to me from primary and intermediate classes but it's definitely good to get a refresher considering that was over ten years ago now (I can't believe it either). It's so nice to be in an environment where everyone's a beginner, and even though I internally groaned at having to speak in front of around 20 strangers, I was far more confident than I am in group work situations where I know everyone. No, I can't work out what goes on in my anxious mind either.

So since I cleverly listed my goal as 'start te reo Maori classes', I guess that means I can officially cross one goal off my list!

A List of Goals

I was recently inspired by Holly's "The List" to put together a list of goals I'd like to achieve in the relatively-near future. Most I think can be completed in 2012, but I won't put a time limit on it. For now there's 25 goals, but I'll strike them off as I complete them, and probably add more in the future. I've also added a wee 'goals' button on the sidebar

Get a bra fitting

Useless, right? I've never had one. I only recently learned that it's not as embarrassing as I'd imagined, so it's just laziness that's stopped me getting one.

Get a tattoo of my own artwork

Fairly self-explanatory. I have a couple of, erm, "topics" I also want to get, but would probably get a tattoo artist to design them. This is a more specific goal... no, I don't know what artwork at this stage.

Buy a cake tin and bake a cake

I've only ever helped my Mum and sister to bake cakes. I'm an alright cook, but have never stretched beyond cookies and scones in the baking department.

Study the Road Code and sit my learner license

In my defense, when I turned 15 my parents weren't very keen on me learning to drive as they didn't think I was ready. A year or so later I had a boyfriend with a car, so I didn't bother. Then I moved to Wellington and could use the public transport system, so I still didn't bother. I still don't feel like it's something I need to have, but I don't want to be learning at 30.

Learn how to use Photoshop

Charlie and our flatmate Matt were urging me to learn Photoshop the day I wrote this list, so I added this goal in. It is pretty sad that I make my blog layouts in MS Paint. And Charlie has it on his PC so I have no excuse.

Run every day for a week

I haven't been so far while on holiday because it's been nice to be super lazy. The most I've managed was four days in a row, so this should be easily achievable.

Get my first professional manicure

Never had one. I have pretty good, strong nails, and I'm really lazy about cutting them so they often grow into claws. I don't think ongoing manicures would really work due to frequent painting et cetera, but I definitely should at least try once. Next big event, I guess.

Meet Nadine Chalmers-Ross

I do feel silly writing this one, because she's a New Zealand TV presenter. When I got a tour of TVNZ last year with my friend Dylan, I saw her in the make up room but didn't get to meet her. I watch AMP Business every day for work, and she would be my career idol if I wasn't such a deer-in-headlights when it comes to TV.

Do my own Humira shot

I did my very first one in the nurse's office two years ago, and haven't managed to do one since- Charlie does them for me once every two weeks. Humira's administered with an EpiPen, so it's not like it's difficult, I'm just a major wuss when it comes to pushing that button.

Buy a DSLR

Obviously "save a buttload of money" is tied into this goal.

Learn to make espresso

I think I've worked in five cafes and restaurants now, and I never learned to make coffee. I know the steps from observing old colleagues, but have never actually done it myself.

Watch The Wire and When a City Falls

Eeeeveryone who has seen The Wire highly recommends it, Charlie included. We have all five seasons, I just need to get into it. And When a City Falls is a documentary about the Christchurch earthquakes, but I might wait for the DVD. I'm sure there'll be tears.

Read Nancy Wake's biography, Charles Lindbergh's biography, 1984, and The Hour I First Believed

I buy way more books than I read.

Visit and stay with my sisters; Carolyn in Waikato and Emily in Manawatu

Haven't even been to Carolyn's house since she moved so far north, and have visited Emily but not stayed with her. Bad sister award.

Start te reo Maori classes

I've actually signed up for night classes at WHS starting next month, so this one will be ticked off the list fairly soon.

Apply make up every work day for a week

6am work starts mean even if I manage to put a nice outfit together, I cannot be bothered applying make up. Which is fine in the early morning because all my colleagues look as shattered as each other. But I often feel like a bit of a bum walking home in the early afternoon.

See Kate Miller-Heidke live

Doesn't matter where, though it would be great if she came to New Zealand.

Sell my artwork online

I have sold a couple of pieces in the past, but I'd like to set up a store of prints, probably on Etsy or Felt.

Have my first solo exhibition

I doubt I'll get serious about this until around March- a bit too much happening until then. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time so I'll start planning and setting specific targets in a couple of months.

Completely quit smoking

I lasted a week, and then my free e-cigarette's cartridge ran out of steam (ha). I lasted a few days just having an occasional puff from Charlie's smoke, but have smoked more in the past two days. I know. At least I know it was reasonably easy to resist using the e-cigarette, so I'll buy more next month and try again.

Have dinner at Arbitrageur with Charlie

Have been there a couple of times now with my old work colleagues and Charlie's family. Fabulous decor, delicious food, pretentious staff. I want a fine-dining date for my birthday.

Draw in my sketchbook every day for a month

May make this a February project.

Play Pictionary with Charlie, Dylan, and Emily again

Miss this a lot.

Paint a wedding portrait for Vikkie and Brendan

Rather high on my to-do list now.

Return to Australia

You knew this one was going to creep in, right?