Spectacular starts
Inevitably lend themselves
To feeble lacklustre transitions.
This new year there was
Throwing out the old (or new but ill-fated),
Reorganising boxes, and burying a few along the way.
The fairy lights have remained in their boxes,
But there was no lack of splendour in sunny St Thomas Walk.
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14 months ago I sat with a friend and wondered what happiness would amount to in the year ahead.
We did it again 6 months later.
And each time we looked back there was so much we'd not accounted for.
Sometimes happiness sprouts out of the algae-covered corners we never thought to look.
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I have books to read, letters to write, playlists to create, wishes to turn into real plans, herbs to plant, recipes to try, hearts to keep warm, memories to archive.
Better get started then.
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But before I do!
Here's something I've not stopped laughing at for 36 hours.
U900 - the cutest, most musical rabbit-bear ukelele team, made entirely out of yarn. Compliments of Boing Boing. Check them out at MySpace
Each year at Christmas,
As I sit at my computer (or journal; before technology made the charm of handwritten entries plain silly) reflecting on the milestones of the year,
I find myself inevitably grasped by gratitude.
For all the wonders that have peppered my life, however big; or tiny.
To friends - for reminding me, in these past madly mind-tempering months, that it'll be alright.
To family - for knowing, instinctively, when to offer the couch, homecooked meals, tears, hope, and most of all - acceptance.
To M - for the magic that has taught me to laugh, dance, and love again.
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For all the goodness and slip-ups that have come my way this year,
I want to fill the next with hope.
Of being better -
A better daughter, sister, aunt, partner, friend, yoga-goer, healthy-eater, non-smoker, music-lover, photo-taker, piano-player.
To life, and loving it.
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Merry Christmas my sweet ones.
Fact: I've spent 32 out of the last 42 days away.
I find myself seated at the writing desk in my hotel room, frazzled from flipping through the room service menu, sick in the stomach from the thought of another 14 hours in a dark studio.
The amazing breakfast spread at The Metropolitan has lost its splendour, and now that my hairband fad is over I find little left to keep me excited.
It's not so much being away that bothers me;
I've now become quite good at speed packing and knowing how much groceries to pick up in between trips (the trick is buy nothing unless on impulse, to be consumed immediately). And oh, thank goodness for online banking.
But it's the effort of trying to reconnect that I find tough.
Fact: Of late I've struggled with self restraint.
From the black Dries Van Noten cocktail dress I don't need, and grey patent pumps that pinch my toes, to the extra serves of coconut ice-cream, not to mention the cigarettes.
This needs to end. Pronto.
Fact: Christmas is 4 weeks away.
I'm missing a finalised guestlist, menu, and venue for my dinner party. I haven't written up my shopping list. Nor have I figured out what to bring to the boyfriend's family for Christmas lunch (first meeting, no pressure really!).
Fact: I'm craving for normality.
The weekend routine of yoga/ family lunches/ coffee with girlfriends/ hours by the pool/ grocery shopping/ watching dvds/ lazy home-cooked dinner has never seemed so appealing. Soon, I keep hearing myself say. Soon.
Ethav: Sleep from Domestic Infelicity on Vimeo.
Looking back at my 2008 list, I did pretty well!
Here's 2009's:
ONE
Tsovet watch
TWO
Alexander Wang 'Rocco duffel bag in grey leather'
THREE
New sunglasses
Linda Farrow
FOUR
500 days of summer on DVD + soundtrack
FIVE
A herb garden, complete with basil (thai & sweet), rosemary, thyme, dill, parsley (flat leaf), bird's eye chilli, and sage
SIX
An i-phone, without having to switch mobile operators
SEVEN
Coachella 2010 plans
EIGHT
6 giant cushions that go with the stuff in my living room
NINE
This beautiful arm chair
TEN
An eating holiday in Tokyo, or a big fun beach-do in Borocay
ELEVEN
A new digital camera, with Roberu accessories
TWELVE
A year's supply of James Perse v-neck tees.
They say
That growing up on a healthy appetite of rom-coms
Could leave you with a disgruntled, unfulfilling love life.
I recently walked out from seeing 500 Days of Summer declaring it was the best rom-com of the decade.
And still, I find my gait bouncier;
Heart fuller, toastier.
*
It's the stuff you don't see
That becomes the centripetal force of attraction.
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Melbourne was,
A whole gamut.
Of wholesome, happy chords.
Thank you, all of you
Who made it so.
They deserve a special mention: Miss Chew, Cos, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Ned, Tyrill @ Ridgefield Country House/ Red Hill, James, Supper Inn, and yes, you too obviously
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I wouldn't change a thing
*
Quite suddenly,
Miraculously,
Happy music permeates the air
Between breaths and flyaways, as the sun falls onto the dashboard, even miles away.
As if spring has finally arrived - unannounced,unexpected.
Full of hope,
Budding.