Another Q & A...

The first Q & A that I have done was posted on my Arts blog. This Q & A has been nicely provided by a new blog friend, Vayie, in her blog. Thanks for letting me steal this, Vayie! ^_^

Latest food craving – Sara Lee Apple Pie and Peter's Extra Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream... oh, so heavenly ^_^

Latest Favorite TV Show – The OC... have not missed a single episode!

Latest Favorite Song – "Pale Shelter" by Tears For Fears and "C'mere" by Interpol

Latest Movie Watched – Star Wars Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith

Latest Celebrity Crush – Roland Orzabal from Tears for Fears... have been scouring for his old 80s photos... boy is he yummy! ^_^

Latest Karma – probably good karma... still in a great relationship with Arnie after 4 and a 1/2 years!

Latest Best Bud – Would have to be Arnie and Miguel... I still love you bestest bud David, but you're just too far away... >sniff, sniff<

Latest Regret – I have not regretted anything I did lately... probably stuff that I have done in the past, but let's not get into that.

Latest Crush – see Celebrity Crush

Latest kinky dream – not really kinky... was granted a wish by a genie and gave him a list of men that I wanted to pash. Number 1 and number 2 on my list were Robert Smith and Roland Orzabal respectively :p

Latest paycheck received – $780.00 last Friday. I get paid weekly ^_^

Latest naughty act – I can't say! It's past the PG rating :p

Latest idols – Robert Smith, always and forever, and Roland Orzabal, for his songwriting and guitar playing genius!

Latest addiction – blogging, club retro, Boost juice, gym, playing with my hair :p

Latest coital (sexual) experience - yesterday... hahaha! :p

Latest disappointment – getting a grade of credit in a group assignment :(

Latest splurge – it has been awhile... would have to be Arnie's birthday present: iPod shuffle

Latest Love of your life – Lawrence Arnold Estrada, my future husband ^_^

Latest incident that made you cry – Pope John Paul II's death... I know, I'm such a sap!

Latest hobby – blogging, cooking (having a newly renovated kitchen helps!), surfing the net for old TFF photos of Roland :p

Latest loss – Nothing lately, and I want it to stay that way!

Latest wish – To win those free passes to the Bloc Party concert at the Hi-Fi Bar, Melbourne! >cross fingers!!!<

Latest tantrum – Not so much a tantrum, more of a hormonal thing ^_^... started from Last Tuesday and ended last Friday.

Latest bliss – See question #15... hahaha!

Latest realization – That I'm still a kid at 27... the fact that I still get irrational and shitty moods is proof :(

Update on New Wave party...

Got a phone call from my friend who is hosting the New Wave party I'm attending this coming Saturday. He asked me if I could man (or woman :p) the "dj booth" and bring my renowned 80s music collection. All my mates know I have about 500 CDs comprising of 80s new wave, post punk and pop songs (originals and downloaded mp3's combined).

First thing I asked, "So, you thought of having a 'new wave' party and yet you don't have any CDs to play?"

My mate answered, "Well, I have a few albums! Bronski Beat, Culture Club, Wham, The Communards, Pet Shop Boys..."

Oh , did I mention that this friend of mine is gay???

I said, "Oooookayyyyy... that's not exactly new wave now, is it?"

He said, "I know, I know... but a friend of mine is lending us an audio mixer", somewhat sheepishly.

I grunted, "Some good that'll do if you don't have any music to play."

To which he finally replied in his not-so subtle bitchy gayness, "Oh, stop being such a fucking sour-puss and help me already!"

I couldn't help it. I laughed.

Only he could turn bitchyness into sheer comedy. I love him, my sweet, sweet happy man!

Of course, I'll help him out! I'm quite excited by the whole prospect of being in charge of the music! At least I'm sure there wouldn't be any shit music at the party! >grin<

Now, I have to start writing up a playlist. Can't wait!!!

My feel-good meter is on the uptick...

After a week long stay at the holiday resort of sooky-la-la land, I feel that I am ready to join the living and be able to function like a normal human being again. The following events have happened in the past 12 hours:

1. Work wasn't so busy so I was able to bum around and surf the net... I know, I know... I'm a bludger, so sue me!

2. Left work early to go to school. Was able to upload more TFF songs into my iPod and listened to it in the tram. I refuse to drive into the city and pay for an atrocious parking fee when I can just park my car close to the tram stop for free and pay for a tram ticket for 1/3 the price of the parking fee.

3. Took my final exams. Thought I did okay, although I really don't care if I get a high grade or not, so long as I pass. It's not like my company will refuse to pay for my tuition if I get a grade less than a DI (distinction).

4. Met up with Arnie to have dinner. I missed him all week. I have been feeling absolutely unloved for no reason at all. Must be the weather, the hormones... no idea.

5. Walked around the city and window shopped. Chanced upon a couple of friends, Miguel and his brother Javier and went to Max Brenner (Chocolate by the Baldman). First time I have ever been there, and boy was the Mexican Chilli Chocolate drink and Strawberry Waffles heavenly! Enormous consumption of chocolate never fails to make me feel slightly better.

6. Chatted for about 2 hours with the boys. Had a lot of laughs. Nothing cheers me up than a rather risque and no holds barred conversation with adult men. ^_^

7. Went to Club Retro with Arnie. We both went to the top floor where they had the darkroom, the place where they play alternative 80s music. Read: 80s music that I actually like -- New Wave and post punk. Went up to the dj and asked him to play TFF's Mad World and Joy Division's She's Lost Control. A few people freaked out, maybe because of my choice of song or the fact that I'm asian and I know the song. Well, fucktard, filos are a different breed of asian!

8. Danced the night away along excellent New Wave music. Some songs played were The World In My Eyes and Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode, Close To Me and Friday I'm In Love by The Cure, What Difference Does It Make and Bigmouth Strikes Again by The Smiths, The Last of the Famous International Playboys by Morrissey, and Cars by Gary Neuman.

9. The fact that Arnie and I were the only asians in the darkroom and that some of the Aussies were trying to copy our 80s dance moves! Think Roland Orzabal... Arnie said I've got his moves down to pat... yay!!!

10. Got home, smelled of fucking cigarette smoke. Took a shower.

11. It's now 3:00 am, I'm still fully awake, and am eating Pork and Century Egg congee...

All in all, a bloody great day!

That angsty feeling you get...

Rant Alert!!!

For the past week, the song "Pale Shelter" by Tears for Fears has been on repeat mode in my iPod. I play it on my computer at work, in my car via the fm transmitter, and at home via the Tears Roll Down DVD.

I have spoken to a good friend over MSN this morning at work and I have told him the same thing. He asked me, "What's wrong? Do you remember anything that a former loved one did to you?" In all honesty, he was the first person who was able to connect that angsty-love feeling with the song. In my case though, it wasn't so much of that feeling of love lost or unrequited love. There is a bit of that, but there was more of a feeling of, how shall I say it? Slight unhappiness brought upon my youth? I guess that's one way to put it...

"Pale Shelter" is a song that speaks of uncertainty,

How can I be sure
When your intrusion is my illusion...

unbelongingness, that unloved and misunderstood feeling that "weird" kids get.

You don't give me love...
You give me cold hands...

To me, it also conveys that feeling of being not in control of your own life.

I can't operate on this failure
When all I want to be is completely in command...

I would have to say that my childhood had been normal in a sense... if you call constant screaming and fighting of parental units normal. My father has always been an affectionate man, being the Ilonggo that he is, and mother was rather unaffectionate but caring in her own way. Come to think of it, her whole family never was the affectionate kind. They respect each other and care for each other but in true Spanish fashion, they were rather strict and traditional in their ways.

I never resented my parents in any way. I respect them both and I think they did the best for me. Separately, I can handle them. Together, I'd run for the hills screaming. I can't say that my parents loathed each other. I reckon it's a massive personality clash, the same with my mother and I. Mum and I always had our squabbles, and our arguments are quite legendary within the family. I have never backed down and can be downright bitchy. My mother is stuck in her ways and I accept that now. I have learned, after 27 years, that if I want to keep the peace I should know when to keep my mouth shut. It is unfortunate that at my age, I have become the parent. I know my mother means well, but I think she has to learn that I am no longer the 19-year old university student she left behind in Manila when she decided to migrate to Australia. I have long changed my ways. To her credit, she has accepted that fact... took her bloody 5 years to accept it though... small steps, small steps.

There are quite a number of things that I wish I did and didn't do back when I was much younger.

I wish I...

... didn't have a serious relationship at such an early age.

... didn't start smoking at such an early age (at the tender age of 13!)

... have maintained childhood friendships. I have lost contact with most of the kids I was good friends with back at the old neighbourhood in Old Manila.

... have been more of an individual and didn't feel sorry for myself when I was picked on for being one.

... have spoken out more against people who picked on me, not that I didn't, mind you. I did get to quite a number of fights because of it too.

... learned how to play the guitar at an early age. I would probably be really good at it at present if I had all the practice.

... was born earlier. I could have been a teenager or in my early 20s during the 80s and had the chance to make a play for Roland Orzabal and/or Robert Smith (hahaha, wishful thinking! :p)

... pashed more guys! (what can I say? I love kissing! :p)

... pashed more girls as well. (what's that? gasp, shock, horror? hahaha! As I said, I love kissing! :p)

... didn't get pressured into having sex when I knew that I just wasn't ready. (fucking "If you love me, you would" line... why did I have to be so fucking gullible???)

... didn't swear too much. (hehehe, this goes out of the window now, ey? >see above< :p)

... didn't beat myself up too much for being such an open-minded person who is comfortable with her sexuality. I got so much flak for this... often got called so many names because of this... and I wasn't even sleeping with anyone at the time! Honestly, why would I want to sleep with anybody in my high school? All together now... eeeeewwwwwww!!!

... did martial arts.

... didn't feel insecure for being so different from the others. Everybody is weird in their own way, right?

I am very guilty of dwelling in my past mistakes and my past heartaches. Arnie often consoles me and says, "You wouldn't be the person you are now if it weren't for all the shit you went through. It just made stronger, wiser, and a better person."

Bless my man! He always knows what to say to make me feel better. ^_^

I have to get over this angst-ridden guilt I have. I think it's about time I turn off the repeat mode, quit playing "Pale Shelter", and move on to other things.

How about "Head Over Heels"?

Ah, the joys, awkwardness, uncertainty, and pains of love, huh?

Now that, my friends, I will share with you next time.

Till then...

I wanted to be with you alone
And talk about the weather...

At the home stretch now...

I don't know if you guys are aware, but I am currently taking up a Post grad course at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. The course is Information Management. I am quite lucky to have my work pay for the course and help me to further my career in the industry.

Friday is the day of my final exams for Document Management 1. The following Friday is the deadline for my final assignment in Information Provision 1. After that... it's school holidays baby!!!

Of course, I won't get my final results till about two weeks before second semester starts. I am pretty confident that I'll be passing both subjects. I know I shouldn't be counting my chickens too early, but I just have a feeling ^_^.

School holidays is timely too since it is also right smack in the middle of the end of financial year, which means that'll be awfully, awfully busy at work! We are trying to get most of our work done so that we can grab every single cent of our revenue and add it to the FY's end result. All that I hope for now is that I get a substantial bonus after this...

I am yet to hear about the promotion that I have applied for back in February. It's still an in-house job but a completely different role and of course, higher pay. It's a Project Manager role for the whole City of Melbourne. At the moment, the position is stalled due to the company and a new customer's lengthy negotiations over the contract. Damn lawyers making it all too tedious, the gits!

I really could use the extra money. With my mortgage, car, bills, hobbies, shopping, etc... I REALLY could use the extra money!

Put on your dancing shoes...

I have just been invited to a "new wave" party by a good friend and it'll be held in a couple of weeks' time. Aside from the 80s theme, guests are also required to dress up... shock, gasp, horror!!!

I am very excited about this party. This is actually the second "new wave" party I've been invited to and already have an outfit in mind. I was thinking along the lines of Joan Jett or Siouxsie Sioux... and no, I don't have the guts to go for the whole "Burlesque Siouxsie" look! :p

Hmm... I wonder if I can talk Arnie into doing the whole "shirtless Roland Orzabal" look... hmmm.... drifts off.... >shirtless Roland... shirtless Roland... shirtless... Roland... hmmmm...<

Ahem... now... I also have to polish up my dance moves. This friend who's hosting the party is a professional dancer and is also a dance intructor at Melbourne Grammar. I'll be damned if I embarass myself in front of a roomful of dancers! It'll probably be a bit weird to be in a room full of people, men and women alike, to be dancing with their hands above their earlobes... I know that 80s dance moves are very elaborate and rather... er... idiotic looking >sheepish grin< style="font-weight: bold;">"Mad World" to play. I am definitely making a special request for that! ^_^

Will keep you guys posted on how it goes... I'm sure it'll be a blast!

For the meantime.... >shirtless Roland... shirtless Roland... shirtless Roland...<

I am officially a fangirl!!!

Yes, as the title says, I am officially a fangirl! Of what, you may ask? Well recently, I have joined the Melbourne Harry Potter Meetup Group. Yes, you heard me (or rather read :p). I have been utterly obsessed with Harry Potter that I decided to join a group where I get to meet complete strangers in some bar in Melbourne (well, Fitzroy Street to be exact... will share pictures later on!) and talk, what else, Harry Potter!


Jennie, Kathleen, Caz, and our organizer Shannon.
Don't you think the HP glasses are spiffy? :p

I am very, very excited about the release of the sixth HP book and can't wait to grab my copy on the day of its release! I have just bidded on a Gryffindor scarf in eBay and I plan to wear that on the Harry Potter book release party at the Federation Square... good excuse too since it'll be the middle of winter here by then!

The group meets every first Friday of the month. I hope there will be more of us on the next meeting. Regardless, it'll still be fun I reckon... as long as we have Harry, we'll be fine (and in the case of our organizer Shannon, as long as Snape is there, she's happy!)

More about the group on http://harrypotter.meetup.com/13/

Bi-curious, what?

Rant Alert!!!

Today, I started questioning and thinking about abandoning my tomboyish ways. I know that my friends may think that it is easier said than done, After all, in all my 27 years of existing, I have never been lady-like or girly, or whatever you call it. I have always been the tomboy of the family. I've been rather proud of it. I know that because of my boyishness, no man will try and take me for a fool and people will think that I can take care of myself. Also, because of my boyishness, I have made heaps of guy friends and rather intelligent girlfriends (none of those "valley girl" types). I think I should also mention that I also have heaps of gay friends and have absolutely no problem with homosexuality. I know that I should be happy because my boyishness is part of who I have become today.

Two weeks ago in university, while I was waiting for my class to start, I was hanging out with my friends outside the classroom. We were all sitting on the floor along the corridor. While I was leaning against the wall with my knees tucked close to my chest (in pure unlady-like fashion :p), a girl of asian descent looked at me and smiled. I smiled back, thinking nothing of it. And then... she winked at me! A real, flirtateous wink at that! I blinked. Can you imagine my surprise?

Bloody hell... I have had my share of girls trying to flirt with me back when I was doing my bachelor degree 8 years ago. But this was the first that I have encountered such a bold attempt! I have talked to Arnie about this and he just laughed the whole thing of. I asked him if I look like a lesbian to him. He did say that people may get that impression because of my boyishness. Maybe I should try to act slightly lady-like.

Well, when I wear dresses, I don't act like a tomboy. I may not be as graceful as some girls out there, but I do know how to behave. Honestly, am I supposed to act like a freakin' model in school or something? My point is, I am not trying to attract men out there and act all giggly/girly/silly just to assert the fact that I ain't gay.

Jennie has always been known as a big tomboy and I don't think I should change just because some chick flirted with me. I'll just have to straighten out any misunderstanding I guess...

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Finally got my finger out of my arse... I feel like after the excellent experience I had last night, I should be posting more regularly now. I am back with a vengeance!

Get your dirty mind out of the gutter... it wasn't that kind of an experience (although I wished it was... hahaha)... ahem... Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Every year, hundreds of comedians from all over the world gather in Melbourne and endeavour to make us Melbournites piss our pants with laughter. I was fortunate to watch one comedian whom I've wanted see for such a long time but never got the chance (read: all shows are sold out! Grrrr...). Luckily, I was able to snatch the last two tickets to his special show at the Melbourne Town Hall. Introducing (to those who don't know him)... Danny Bhoy!!!

He's a 24 year-old half Scottish, half Indian bloke who's been the comedy circuit since 1998. He had sold out shows in the Edinburgh festival, London, and three years of shows in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival made him a household name. Some even dub him "the next Billy Connolly." I guess that fits... he's a bloke, he's scottish, and well, he's crude!

Here's a sample joke:

"I was the only coloured in kid in school and I remember on my first day, there was this kid who was the school bully. He was huge with red hair, freckles, and was wearing an incredible hulk t-shirt. He started pushing me and said, 'get away from here! I hate coloured people!'"

"... and I said, 'then why are you wearing a shirt with a green man on it?'"

Hahahahaha.... I'm still in stitches!

No excuses...

I know it has been a good week since I last posted something in my blog/blogs. I thought I'd give myself a "mental health break". Between work, school, updating this blog, Arnie, Meeko, my friends, and mourning the Pope, (whose funeral was yesterday just in case people in caves don't know :p) I have barely enough time to scratch my arse!

I am trying my darnest to update this ASAP. I guess this short note is just an alert to everyone that I AM ALIVE! I am working on my latest post in my arts blog. Hopefully once I get my damn pictures uploaded into my PC, I'll post that entry by tomorrow night.

Cheers folks!

My Tribute to Pope John Paul II

At exactly 9:27 pm local time, the Pope was unresponsive. The carmalengo, after having performed the ritual of calling upon his holiness by his Christian name, Carol, 3 times and the light tapping of a silver hammer on the forehead thrice, announced the death of Pope John Paul II. Silence was asked of the people maintaining a vigil at St. Peter's Square while the eerie bells rang, and afterwards, a huge applause was heard throughout the Vatican.

People mourned the death of the great Pope and celebrated his wonderful reign as the symbolical Father of the Church. I have known no other Pope than he, him being the Pope the same time I was born. I have cried this morning when I heard of his death, feeling like I have lost a father whom I have profound respect and cared for deeply. As I'm typing this entry, I'm still shedding a few tears. I may not be the devout Catholic I was when he visited Manila back in 1995 during World Youth Day, but I have always loved the man. I admire him for his strength, his humour, his intelligence, his conviction, and most of all, for his genuine love of people... that he sincerely believed that people are good, capable of doing great things, and capable of being united under one God regardless of religion.

He was known for a lot of "firsts", "mosts" and "greats". He was:

- the most travelled Pope, believed that by using a measuring tape, it equates to him having travelled to the moon and back three times!
- the first none Italian Pope in 450 years
- the youngest Pope in 150 years
- the first Pope to have been into a synagogue... and for apologizing to the Jews for atrocities committed by Christians
- have admonished the pedophile priests tarnishing Christianity in America and all over the world
- have used the media extensively
- have met the most number of political leaders in the World
- have met with other spiritual leaders of different faiths
- have been involved in the destruction of Communism in Eastern Europe

... and so on, and so forth.

It is the end of an era. It will be difficult for the conclave to vote and elect for a new Pope, for no one can be JPII. His brand of Christianity, according to many, has been criticized and perceived as not suited for today's times. He shrugged off all criticisms and soldiered on. He was probably the only Pope that regardless of difference of opinions, people still listen to him and respect him for the man that he is.

He will be sorely missed by Christians and people from other faiths that he has made friends with. He will always have a special place in my heart, the man who has kept a brave face and a serene aura until the day he passed.

He uttered his final words last night (Australian time) and said, "I am aware you are all here for me and I thank you."

We thank you, Pope... may flocks of angels sing thee to thy rest.

I will post a follow up entry on this regarding the voting rituals of the conclave. In the meantime, I mourn...

April Fool's Day!

Rant Alert!

1st of April. All over the world heaps of people, simpletons and intellectuals alike, unite during the one day wherein tomfoolery is encouraged. I, for one, am not exempt from this. I have devised a "very cunning plan" (in the words of Black Adder's Baldrick) and instigated my well-thought out prank.

My victim: Arnie... who else? He would believe everything I say, being the lovable cutie that I am (according to him, anyway :p). I gave him a call while I was at work, while he was at work, very busy with what he was doing at the time. With a serious tone, I said:

"Baby, I haven't been honest with you."

"Why?" he asked.

"It's just that I have been throwing these past few days."

"Why? Is it something you ate?" he asked, really concerned.

"Baby, I bought a pregnancy test kit and... it's positive." I said in a very solemn tone.

"Say that again?"

"I'm pregnant, baby."

"But how? You have your period, don't you?" he asked.

"I know. Apparently it is a rarity but it happens."

Now here is the part that I didn't expect, that made me realize that my plan backfired.

I was expecting him to rant, to go insanely anxious and nervous, but instead... he was genuinely happy!

Un-fucking-believable!

He then proceeded to ask me about our plans, about how we're going to approach the situation, etc., etc...

A few minutes later, I just started laughing. He then realized that I "April fooled" him. He told me that he was really excited and was actually disappointed it was real. Apparently, if I hadn't told him then that it was a joke and left it till tonight, as soon as we hang the phone he'll be emailing and ringing our friends and his family about my so-called pregnancy!

I say it again, un-fucking-believable!

I told my classmate in my post-grad studies, Patricia, about the whole thing. She, too, was very much surprised with Arnie's reaction. She then told me to hang onto him because he was indeed one of a kind.

Well, honey, I have snagged him... and I have no intentions of letting him go!

All the leaves are brown...

... and the sky is gray... (California Dreamin' - The Mamas and The Papas)

Autumn officially started in Australia on the 1st of March... which doesn't really mean anything. Everyone who has lived in Australia would know that Melbourne has the reputation of having all four seasons in a single day... nice and sunny early in the morning, strong winds at noon, rain in the afternoon, and cold at night that you have to rug up (this is not an everyday occurence mind you).

Now that it is the 31st of March, a whole month into Autumn, at 9pm, outside temperature is 27 degrees!!! WTF???

Tomorrow and Saturday, it's going to be 30 degrees... WTF again? That's summer weather! As much as I love Melbourne, the weather here is just so damn freaky at times... greenhouse effect is obviously taking its toll.

Now I have to ponder on one important thing before I go to sleep tonight... what am I going to wear tomorrow?

Bourke Street

Bourke Street is one of the main streets located in the heart of Melbourne. It is also probably one of the most frequented streets in the city for it is laden with malls, shops, and of course, Melbourne's tram rail.



Bourke Street is also where the GPO is, now no longer a post office but a mall...



And more malls and shops!





Melbourne is definitely the fashion (and shopping!) capital of Australia...

That's why I'm eternally broke.... grrrr...

Unknown to Jennie's friends, in a struggle to keep her from bankruptcy, she works as a busker at night, usually in front of Myer, playing a single string guitar and sings "What A Feeling" heartily.

Happy Easter... Melbourne style!

I have been living here in Melbourne for 5 years. I have enjoyed my stay here and made quite a lot of friends throughout the years, met the love of my life, established myself financially and very much fulfilled career-wise. With a very busy schedule involving work, play, school, Arnie, Meeko, my mum, and friends... you may ask, when do I stop to say thanks to God?

Enter Easter. One of the most solemn holidays of the year... in the Philippines, that is. Apparently, the rest of the world don't really look at Easter as a reflective season, but rather a time for friends to catch up (nothing wrong with that!), get thrashed on alcohol (!) and consume atrocious amounts of chocolates (I kind of like this part :p).

I am not a religious person. I am, in fact, a non-practicing Catholic. But I believe that one should always strive to be a better person. Through reflection, we will be able to look at ourselves and decide if we are happy with the person we have come to be. You may or may not believe in God, but I think that one thing that makes people similar is their drive to be the best they can be. I am not just talking about money or fame or how many cars one has. It is much more than that. It's the friends that you have, your kindness, understanding, your family, the honest way that you live.

I believe that regardless the circumstances, we have at least one thing to be thankful for. Nobody is perfect. Accept that! The sooner you accept it, the better off you'll be. Strive to be the best you can be!... but don't lose track of what is important. Family, love, friends... everything else is secondary.

Just think about this: Jesus Christ suffered for our sins according to Bible lore. I respect him for his beliefs and his ideals. We all should be thankful that we don't have to suffer as much as he has... for he already did it for us.

Jennie is currently pigging out on some chocolate eggs... and a huge burger... Thank God I can meat!!!

You're The One That I Want... sigh...

I am not singing along to some Grease karaoke special or anything like that...

Two weeks ago, my lovely partner Arnie got some free tickets to the annual Melbourne Motor Show which is the same week as the Australian Grand Prix. I was very excited by this, since I have been planning to feast my eyes on something that I have been wanting to buy for myself... if only I had the funds >sigh<... This is definitely on my wish list...



The new Mini Cooper S Cabrio... 125 kw of power with a 4 cylinder 1.6 litre supercharged engine... perfect for today's atrocious petrol prices!



If I was only rich, I could have taken one of these babies home already! How frustrating!!!



One of these days... you will be mine!!!! hahahahahahahaha!!!! >maniacal laughter<

Jennie is currently under sedation... just don't show her any posters or TV commercials of the Cabrio...

To Vegan Or Not To Vegan...

I've had the opportunity (or misfortune, which ever way you want to look at it) to partake on my very first Vegan meal last Saturday (19/3). A very good friend, Gabby, invited Arnie and myself to a free meal (!) at a well-known Vegan restaurant in Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. The restaurant is called the "Vegetarian Orgasm." No, they don't sell orgasms as the board outside the restaurant says, but they sell "fine home cooked Vegan meals." So, the million dollar question: what is the difference between vegetarian and vegan? Well (doning the professor cap now) vegetarian is someone who basically does not eat meat but can consume dairy products, seafood, and (I think) meals that may only have vegetables and some animal product in it. A vegan, on the other hand, cannot consume anything dairy or any animal product. So, imagine my surprise when I saw Vegan Bloody Mary in the drinks menu. I was like, "what the hell? Isn't Bloody Mary vegan enough?" Apparently, worchestershire sauce has animal products (!) in it. Vegan Bloody Mary calls for vegan worchestershire sauce! Oh well, whatever makes them happy, I suppose...

So, after much deliberation and doubt, I decided on the Vegan Curry. Gabby ordered the Cannelloni while Arnie ordered the dairy Meditteranean Pizza. Surprisingly, vegan curry wasn't all that bad (thank God vegans can have coconut cream! Imagine curry without coconut cream... shudder!), although the vegan meat was a bit suspect. Being a meat eater, I could definitely tell the difference! Soy meat doesn't exactly fill you up like real red meat does, innit?

For a first timer, I actually liked the meal... although now, I have a huge craving for a Whopper (runs off to Hungry Jacks...)

Vegetarian Orgasm - 3 yums...