Well, it's been some time since I've had a presence here, other than on social networking sites.
I used to have an MSN Space, back when that was all the rage, but somewhere around college I had to let it go. Now I have this blog and it's pretty cool, I must say. It took me forever to decide on a background, but now here we are!
September has passed and with it what seems to be the busiest time of year for birthdays!
I've done quite a bit of present buying with my sister's 19th, my good friend and housemate's 21st and the 21st birthday of another dear friend. All this thinking about what other people like has gotten me thinking about myself (typical ;D) but more specifically, what goes through other peoples' heads when they're trying to buy me a gift?
My sister opening a gift from me on her birthday.
I got her a set of 'fridge words' - themed words on magnetic backing which can be used to make ridiculous poetry on any magnetic surface.
I also got her an enamel clock necklace with the Eiffel Tower on the front, two fluffy pink bath sheets, a perfume and the pink scarf she is wearing in the photo.
She also scored a pair of Yoshi slippers, Super Mario for Wii, a pre-order for the upcoming Zelda game and a mix-master, among other things. A good haul for one's 19th, no?
I don't take gifts for granted, of course. I just think it's an interesting process - what you buy is determined by: whether or not you yourself like the object - because you wouldn't buy someone you like, something you think is awful - whether it would be appreciated by the recipient and especially for women/girls, whether or not it suits them.
I love this wrapping paper!
This got me thinking - I'm sure I take it for granted that people know certain things about me when honestly, it's ridiculous to expect everyone in your friendship group to be aware that you prefer silver over gold however, you will wear that muted, rustic, gypsy sort of gold, yet you never wear that tacky, insanely shiny kind of gold.
Which brings me to the point of this post: I'm taking it upon myself to prepare you, the reader, for what will surely be a meaningful long term followership. I'm also going to investigate some crucial points of information for human beings who interact with me outside of the internet. So, without further ado:
Leah for the potential follower:
- There will be lists. Many lists!
- There will also be complaining of some sort, so be wary.
- I've only been overseas once, but it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I am really quite hopelessly heartsick for Japan now. There will doubtless be comparisons of life in Australia vs. life in Japan. Australia has a lot going for it, but we're way behind in terms of toilet seat heating technology and hot beverage vending facilities. We could also use more crepe franchises and some better postcard designs!
- I love collecting Avant Cards from local cafes. This isn't essential for understanding my blog, but I might post some pictures of my collection at some point - this is also what I mean when I write that I "went to a cafe for breakfast on the weekend and took a few free postcards home."
- I love a good trashy mag - just as much as I love a good bargain lipstick, eye shadow, pair of shoes or just about any bargain, really!
- I'm a little bit addicted to Asian pop music. #SBSPopAsia, I love you!!!
- My work as a receptionist/sales assistant often leaves me in doubt that the human race has any kind of basic intelligence, so there may be retail-related-rants ahead. I wish everyone could spend one weekend of their lives working in hospitality or retail!
Leah for the potential gift-giver:
- My least favourite colours are green, brown and maroon.
- I enjoy receiving books and DVDs as gifts, especially if you've really enjoyed them yourself :) I remember when my parents went out and bought me Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce after I hinted how much I wanted it. The first book in the series, First Test, was also given to me as a birthday gift by a friend in Primary School.
- My favourite gemstone is turquoise. I also like freshwater pearls and mother-of-pearl.
- Worst birthday gifts ever? Glandular fever and chickenpox - one year after the other!
- People who know me will be aware that I use a lot of cosmetics. These are also good gifts for me. The best choices are perfume (I like fruity scents) and hand cream.
- I mostly wear earrings, rings and necklaces. I only wear bracelets occasionally and I'm not in the habit of wearing a watch, although I own a very cute Hello Kitty one from Japan.
- I don't think it's okay to regift or give something second-hand as a present.
- There's not a lot of point in buying me a CD unless a) I'm madly in musical love with the artist, or b) It's a CD of Zen music or rain forest sounds. I could use some rain forest sounds. (No ocean sounds though, please. It makes me need the toilet constantly).
- I like chocolate. Chocolate is good. I don't like aniseed. Aniseed is disgusting. Edinburgh Castle Rock is yummy. Buy me that, if you can get it.
- I love Japan-related gifts, but I don't read manga.
- Things at the top of my present list right now are a griddle pan, Thank God You're Here DVD box sets, an old fashioned silver pocket watch style necklace, a red abacus necklace, Mario Party 8, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami, more With Love by Hilary Duff perfume and a floppy hat for summer.
- I love photographic prints. (You can get these cheaply from the local market)
- I also love the cool candles, silver jewelry, fork bracelets, homemade jam and gingerbread men available from Salamanca.
- I LOVE jigsaw puzzles :)
- My new favourite store 'Syzygy' also carries a lot of things that I love!
Leah for the potential partner:
- I often wake up with one blocked nostril. It just happens!
- I will happily take my turn at being the big spoon, but nobody wants to be the big spoon ALL the time!
- I have a lot of nightmares and bizarre dreams.
- I'm mad for men with dimples and a good sense of humour :P
- Dutch ovens, baby jokes, Aboriginal jokes, anti-Asia remarks, tickling me on purpose, treating me like I don't have feelings, and use of the C Word are all strictly prohibited.
- My favourite flowers are tulips. If those aren't available, get carnations. You'll need to know this, just in case you stuff up badly.
- I love going on road trips and doing fun 'touristy' things on weekends.
- When I say I can't breathe, it's a cue for you to stop squeezing/squooshing me.
- I show that I'm listening by asking what I hope are relevant questions. If I want to know more about something, it means I'm interested in what you're saying.
- Sometimes I'll jokingly ask you for a bedtime story. Indulge me occasionally - make something up!
- I love weekend breakfast dates.
- Don't say stupid things about my mother. I don't want to think about her in that way.
- I don't like to rush into things and I'm sorry, but I can't be in a relationship where you have more issues than I do.
- If you get a massage from me, I should also get a massage from you. It doesn't have to be straight away, but you can't have ALL the massages!
- Talk to me. Not too little, not too much. I don't want to have to fire 50 questions at you just to get you to say something. I have a life outside of you that I might like to talk about.
- I may not work as many hours as you do, but my job is stressful and my degree is demanding. I cannot stand those little 'competitions' about who works the hardest or whose life is toughest. Take your pathetic little opinions elsewhere.
Leah for the housemate:
- If I can spare time every day to unload and reload the dishwasher, wipe down the vanity and shower, pick up after you people, take out the recycling, wipe down the benches and do your washing, surely you can shut the curtains and have the clean dishes put away by the time I get home. This goes double during exam time: If I can spare the time, so can you.
- Just because I 'usually' take out the garbage, it doesn't mean it's my fault if I'm away for the night and you forget to do it yourself.
- I hate having bottles scattered all over the shelf and base of the shower and/or the sink. Keep your bottles in one neat area and I'll do the same.
- If I can afford the time and money to cook for 4+ other people, surely 4+ other people can help clean up afterwards, even if it's just by putting their plate in the dishwasher. I'm too tired in the evening to cook AND clean.
- I show you respect by NOT leaving my shoes, books, pens, laundry, dirty glasses and other personal belongings laying about all over the place. You can show me respect by doing the same.
- I really, really hate to be disturbed during the two precious hours of the morning that I take to get ready for the day.
- I keep my door locked because you always forget the pause which comes between knocking and entering.
Little rabbit Hercules
Leah for those obsessed with random facts:
- I've had chickenpox twice, but never broken a bone.
- I'm left-handed, redheaded and blue-eyed - a veritable treasure trove of recessive genes!
- My favourite websites for procrastination are goodreads.com, PostSecret, Dear Photograph, Notalwaysright.com, Things Organised Neatly and most things Meme-Related.
- My favourite food is cherries.
- My favourite words in the English language are: 'opaque', 'colloquial', 'austere', 'idiolect', 'astute', 'caustic', 'facetious', 'fugacious', 'irascible', 'ludicrous', 'polyglot', 'statuesque' and 'ubiquitous'.
- I currently have 186 Facebook friends and two followers on my blog :D
- I can count to ten in four languages, tell the time in three languages and tell someone they're annoying in two languages.
- I worry that no one will ever love me as much as I love my cat/books/debit card.
- I enjoy using my iPod touch to check in at random places where I actually am not.
- My favourite animals are otters.
- Two people I really admire are activist Julian Burnside and photographer Luke O'Brien.
- I hate stupid questions, blue cheese, marzipan and girls who wear tights as pants.
- My favourite cuisines are Italian, Japanese, Chinese and the chaotic jumble we call "Modern Australian".
- I love old-style mystery novels like Agatha Christie and Enid Blyton's Famous Five.
- In my opinion, the Best Things Since Sliced Bread are: The Internet, heated toilet seats, food products with recipes on the back, concealer, The Book Depository, The Pill, gumboots, flannelette sheets, woodfired pizza and sunglasses.
That's enough on me for now! Stay tuned for my next post, "Everything I Plan to do During Summer Holidays". Can you feel it?! I know I can :D
