natalie_kate85

:)

2008-11-25T08:00:28Z

Need people's creative advice

2008-11-02T12:21:46Z

This is a totally non life directional or relationships related post. Yay me!

Anyway, most of you know that Ryan's and my much loved and much missed Oma passed away on the 19th of October and we had the funeral on the 31st of October. It's been a really sad and really hard couple of weeks, mind you, the worst of it is not over but I think we're doing ok.

Ryan and I had to do a speech for Oma's funeral, mine was about the things that I would miss.

My mother once told me that when loved ones pass away it’s not their death that we mourn but what we lose when they pass that makes us miss them.

It’s now that I realise that there are so many things that I already miss about Oma that I took for granted when she was alive.

For instance the way she held my hand and told me it was cold, but assured me that it was because I had a warm heart

The way she would always compare other’s youthful appearance to her aged looks. How she was always worried about how her hair looked, but it always looked great.

The expression on her face when she was contently observing people’s behaviour

When I would be having a conversation in front off her and she would pretend that she couldn’t hear, because if she indicated that she could hear, we might have stopped talking, and she would no longer be able to observe.

The way she would constantly remind me about the fact that when I was younger my ambition was to be a retail assistant in a clothing store. But I knew she would have been proud of me no matter what.

The way we had to speak up when we were talking to her.

The way that she always knew just when you got home so that she could call you the second you walked in the door. Knowing that whenever the phone rang, there was a pretty good chance that it was her.

Her voice on our answering machine, at least 5 messages a day.

The way she rang our doorbell, repetitively and constantly so that we knew she was there

Her constant, unrelenting and ever failing attempts to set me up with boys, even her male nurse when she was situated at the Wakefield Hospital. Her misconception that I never actually picked up on this, despite her less than subtle approach.
Her advice on what to look for in a man and my promise to her that when I have a new boyfriend she would be the first to know

Her most commonly used dutch words (the only ones that I could understand, some of which I can’t repeat here)

The way she asked in dutch “can I get a kiss from you” when you don’t kiss her on the cheek when you arrive or before you leave.

The way she said my name, Nut

The way she would talk in dutch to my mother when she didn’t want me to understand what she was saying and she would clarify this by stating “you don’t know what I’m saying do you nat.”

The way her accent distorted so many English words, television was televisy, modern was moderen and tiramisu was tiramusi.

The way she said goodbye when I left the house

The routine of leaving her unit in Marden, making sure I waved to her when I left

Blowing her a kiss, and having a kiss blown back to me in return.

Her love of game shows, inspector rex and some reality TV shows.

For some reason the following things will always remind me of her:
• steamed cabbage,
• green cordial,
• cross stitched pillows,
• Dorris Day
• And Fruity Lexia

She hated fruit, but loved pavlova, at Christmas there was always a section of the pavlova made up especially for her.

She set the table immaculately with a place mat, plate, knife and fork

I’ll miss playing rummikub with her

Finishing crossword puzzles with her

Her uncanny skills at freecell and solitaire

Her often unexpected and surprising wit

The way she laughed

The smell of her apartment.

The way she drove her car…….slowly.

Going through photos, old or new, with her, her excitement when meeting her grandchildren’s friends.

Her pancakes and croquettes.

The way she winked at me when she caught my gaze

Her smile

How happy she was when her loved ones took her out for dinner or coffee

Her pride of how good looking her family was and how well they all dressed. Her less than outspoken pride of her Children and Grandchildren……over all. Reflected in the way her face lit up every time her children or grandchildren were in the room and the way she showed them off to her neighbours and friends

Oma wished that she could see everything and go everywhere but was restricted by her health. I now take comfort in the fact that she can smile down on us, from wherever she may be, and unrestrictedly witness the lives of the loved ones that she was so proud of. We always have and always will love her, unconditionally, and she will always be with us in our hearts and in our thoughts.

Anyway, I really don't want to throw out the speech and I really don't want to lose it in the dusty ether that is my harddrive because it's really going to help me preserve Oma's memory, so I was trying to think if there was a creative way that I could present it. The only thought I had was that I could get all of my favorite photos from my Oma and put them in a book then on each page of the book put a line from our speeches. Then add a bit of prettiness to it.

So does anyone have any other creative suggestions? Anyone, anyone?

LiveJournal Status

2008-05-26T11:15:28Z

natalie_kate85 is in need of some getaway travel and someone to travel with.

Long weekend approaching and was considering dropping in to Sydney for the Opera House Carmina Burana but thinking that's not so likely now.

First LiveJournal rant, or possibly second.

2008-04-21T12:19:33Z

I have a couple of intolerances that have come to my attention today.

.....Ok, I have more than a couple in general but I have been able to put my finger on these ones.

I can not tolerate people who are condescending.....not to say that I haven't been condescending to others, but it is usually in jest, probably towards my brother, and usually well deserved.

People who are too overly giving and do not let you return the favor. I know this sounds crazy but it's very hard to explain over LiveJournal. I am an independent person and do not like people constantly doing things for me and not letting me do things for them in return. Particularly when it makes me feel good about myself to do things for other people. I like people who are of a giving nature. But there is giving and then just acting like you are a charity case and unable to take care of yourself. BTW, I realise the irony of the independence thing given that I'm 22 and still living with my parents. Having said that, I don't like people who are selfish and constantly take without giving, only thinking of themselves and their personal perception of their own importance.

People who are particularly unprofessional in a professional environment and "gang up" on a person to make them feel like they are at fault, and say that I am accountable for someone else's actions.

People who use CAPS LOCK TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES in emails. (I'm sorry, my finger slipped).

I may be referring to WORK.

The fact that there are some drama queens in this wold who I want to say the following to;

Take a look around you, there are more important things to worry about, maybe consider what other people are going through and realize that you are not the center of the universe, no one is.

People who don't take on advice when they ask for it, particularly when they say "oh, that sounds like it makes sense".

People who are intolerant of other people's races.

....and the Dutch.

Ok, so my statement of two intolerances that I have identified today has turned into a lot more.

I'm not saying that I am perfect. I'm sure there is plenty about me that drives other people crazy, and you can't make everyone happy or please everyone so why should everyone please me? But my need to vent has overwhelmed me and it is all coming out here on LiveJournal.

I don't know if it is work that has brought it out of me or not. I actually enjoy my job most of the time. But there are particular people that I deal with who don't have a spec of humanity in them, or they are just conflicted between being a real human being and being an intolerable jerk. I have to clarify that I am not talking about my colleagues, my colleagues are beautiful people and have been very supportive. I think it is just unfortunate and a component of the industry in which I work.

Mind you though. I can't blame all of this rant on work.

And....thinking happy thoughts and rainbows....

Myspace post #9

2007-08-05T09:38:39Z

12 Jul 2007

Philosophical Penguin Man
Current mood: silly

Ok, so I figured it was time for me to write a new blog since I haven't done one in a while. I've been glancing over my blog entries telling myself that something new needs to be done but I suppose I haven't felt inspired. But I'm currently babysitting my brother's girlfriend's computer and I may have issues giving it back to her when the time comes to let go.

So what's new in my life you ask, or you don't, whatever, I'm going to tell you anyway, nobody made you read my blog.

I'm currently sick, recovering from a cold, can't complain too much though because it could be much worse.

I think since my last blog I've joined a choir and have started doing dance classes with a friend, I'm going to see how I go, if I get better, I may keep it up. It's swing, so it's a lot of fun, and a lot of energy. So I'm actually doing some things that I've wanted to do for a while.

Looking back at my last blogs I realise they may have sounded a bit whingy, and I now have Maroon 5 in my head, I have to admit the song is growing on me. Which is unusual because I barely ever hear it since I listen to triple J.

I've adopted a new philosophy, it's called the Friendships Philosophy, if you want to know what it means you'll have to take it up with Mr Penguin on my page, listen to him, he is a wise man. Trust me, listen to him and let me know what you think.

Anyway, that's pretty much all I'm keen to write about tonight but watch this space.

MySpace post #8

2007-08-05T09:38:03Z

09 Apr 2007

Maroon 5
Current mood: disappointed
Category: Music

Ok, I just have to say this. I know that Maroon 5 were poppy trying to be rock in their first album. But I was willing to sacrifice my poor excuse for not being a teeny bopper to be one of their fans, despite the fact that they were not that great in concert. But their new song is bordering on backstreet boys with instruments. I'm not so sure I can be a fan anymore. I'm hoping this is just some poor choice to put the worst song on their new album out as a single and then hit us with the good stuff. But until then I'm only a fan of their first album.

Yes....I am quick to judge.

Myspace post #7

2007-08-05T09:37:19Z

03 Apr 2007

Work, sleep and my to do list.
Current mood: sleepy

I will never ever ever get used to waking up at 6:00. Today I was at work at 8:45 and finished at 5:15, I need to get out of student mode.

I've been thinkng about all the things I said I would do when I got a job. Like learn another language, take up dance lessons, paint the hallway, learn self defence, take singing lessons, write a novel....that one might be long term. I haven't done any of it yet, I know I've only been working for about 6 weeks, but I can't wait to get in to it. I thought I'd have so much free time because I wouldn't have to come home and do assignments, but now I just come home and collapse. I think I need to control my sleeping habits.

So I haven't seen many people lately. I miss my friends!!! Evidently, another thing about working full time, is that all you ever talk about is work but get used to it cause I find it interesting.

Well, it's officially half an hour past my bedtime (currently 10:35) so I must head off. I just thought I'd write a short blog to give words to my thoughts.

Be safe....

Nat

MySpace post #6

2007-08-05T09:34:23Z

01 Mar 2007

Work, sleep and exercise
Current mood: busy

I've discovered that on the odd occasion I have to wake up at 5:30 to be able to get to a meeting on time. But true, it is only the odd occasion. Usually I wake up at about 6:30. By my standards I should be in bed in about half an hour. 10:00 o'clock is really early for me to go to bed. Especially because I like watching TV, and programs like medium don't finish till 10:30, and then I have to have a shower and get ready for bed. So I'm always late to go to sleep and too early to rise. I should stop complaining, I'm lucky I don't live in Elizabeth ...

So work is going great anyway. Apart from the fact that I still haven't picked everything up yet. There really isn't anything...other than that that I don't like about it yet. The people are really nice and there really isn't a hierarchy. You wouldn't be able to call my superiors my superiors, apparently they don't like that. But it all seems pretty genuine, and no one's trying to cover up the aspects of the job that they don't like. It's definitely a step up from retail and hospitality. And I could get used to this desk job thing. Especially considering the fact that we don't have to spend all day in the office if we don't want. We can go and visit clients instead. And the fact that it's a job where you're pretty self managing, you don't have orders barked at you all the time, you're responsible for yourself...and I'm really enjoying that.

The purpose of the job is pretty good as well. It's about helping people, which is really what I wanted to do. Although, some people see it as you just getting in to their business, which I can also understand, sometimes it's not enough about the client.

There really isn't anything else going on in my life other than my job. I suppose that's the price you pay for making money. This is one of those jobs that might end up consuming me, I'm still currently working on not letting the job take over my thoughts when I get home, but there isn't much to distract me at the moment. It's good not being at home all the time, but then I miss just having time to myself. I'll get used to it eventually.

Oh, there is one bad thing...I'm definitely not getting enough exercise any more. I'm working on it though......

MySpace post #5

2007-08-05T09:32:01Z

03 Feb 2007

Salt & Vinegar
Current mood: indifferent

Ok, so it's now 1:45 am on February the 3rd and at about 6:00pm on the 2nd of February I was at the supermarket buying my Mum four bottles of vinegar and two containers of salt. Now, to the outsider this might seem weird...and...to the insider it is weird. See, I have a cat....pictured after a big night on the booze on my page....and she seems to have developed and incredibly annoying problem with flees...she had this problem when we first got her...and the only way to get rid of all the flees that consequently breed in the carpet was to flee bomb the house. Now this isn't convenient at all these days as when you do this you have to leave the house for a long period of time and even when you get back the house stinks. (For those who don't know what a flee bomb is...it's basically like a big can of fly spray where you sit it in the middle of a room and press a button and it just sprays continuously until the can is empty and the room is full of chemicals) Considering the weather and the size of our house...we didn't really want to go through this. It got to a point where Mum was just going crazy because she was getting flee bitten to the point where she had little red spots all over her legs, it wasn't really affecting me though. So at about ten to six she runs in to my room, asks me if I'm busy...which I evidently was not because I was watching youtube...and states that she desperately needs me to go to the shop to get some vinegar. Making odd requests is not unusual for my mother...so I obliged after she explained that she had read on the net that flees have some sort of dislike for vinegar and salt...so if you poor salt and vinegar all over the carpets then the flees will die, or at least migrate somewhere else. Anyway....so off to the store I went to buy some salt and vinegar.

About 5 minutes after I entered the store on a search for anything that would act as flee repellent I received a call from one of my good friends reminding me that I was supposed to be going out that night. So after I had asked the store person where vinegar was kept I approached the checkout somewhat hesitant because of the fact that the checkout guy directed an unusual glance at the ridiculous amounts of vinegar on the conveyor belt. He asked "do you want this all in one bag?" to which I stated "better make it two" (I know...envirobags...whatever) he said "last thing we want is vinegar spilling out all over the floor". What I think he really wanted to say was "who the hell buys so much vinegar?"....

There was no point to this story. Just that I bought about four litres of vinegar today or yesterday and that I don't really want to be around when my mum washes the carpets with it. Thankfully...I have found a job...it's the one that I had a job interview for the other day...I start on Monday so I won't be at home going crazy any more. But the problem with this job things is that I'm not freaking out....I did a little bit last night...it's funny because it actually occurred to me that I will be working in an office and I've never done that before. I'll have my own cubicle and everything, my own mobile phone and my own clients. I think reality will really hit on Sunday when I realise the things that I forgot to do in order to be prepared for Monday. Also it was all kind of sudden because they told me that they would get back to me in a week and instead got back to me in two days…after I told them that I had another interview in two weeks so I wouldn't be able to give them a definite answer. So when they called me they told me that they needed my answer over the long weekend and they got back to me so soon because I was on the short list. So I went from being interviewed to having a job within a week.

Anyway...I realised that my mind is deteriorating from not doing anything. My creativity is going down hill as well. And I've started using a diary to write down all of my plans for the week…which I now realise might actually be why my brain isn't working to my fullest, because once I write things down I forget about them. This is why I mentioned my friend calling me and telling me that I forgot to go out....which is kind of weird for me, especially considering it's my last weekend of holidays...I also realised that I forgot to go to my friends 21st because the invitation was sent by email and I don't take much notice of emails. But it was still my friends 21st...I'm a horrible friend. Anyway, I'm going to her wedding tomorrow. Hopefully I'm still invited.

So after all this I've come to the conclusion that I can't wait to start work. Hopefully my brain will start working again and I'll still be able to hand write. Working 9 to 5 when you've been going to sleep at 3am and getting up at 11 is going to be rough though. But it's time I broke out of my uni student ways …ya know… since my student card expires at the end of February......hrm…

MySpace post #4

2007-08-05T08:49:00Z

24 Jan 2007

Happy Long Weekend
Current mood: relaxed

I had a job interview yesterday. I almost had an accident on the way over there too. Which would have been ironic since the job was for rehabilitation for people who have been injured and are trying to return to work. The accident wouldn't have been my fault, just had to clear that up since I'm such a fantastic driver . Wouldn't want people getting the wrong impression, but if it had happened it would have been ugly. There was an ambulance approaching the intersection but no one saw it coming because it didn't have its siren on. It was kind of like it came out of nowhere, of course I was a little distracted because i was thinking about the interview. So maybe I just didn't see it. Anyway all of a sudden the car in front of me stopped to let it pass, he would have been safer speeding up. But I had to stop suddenly and sort of edge forward a little so that the car behind me didn't hit me. That's life, and I'm still alive so I've got nothing to complain about.

The interview went pretty well. They asked me what I would expect my salary to be...which is a funny question. I've never been asked that before.

So it has been a pretty eventful week, I've got two more interviews in the next couple of weeks and I'll be hearing back from this week's interview in a week. Maybe I should try to put the word "week" into that sentence a few more times.

On the recreational side I went to the beach today for the first time in a while. Was my besties idea, and typically I didn't put enough sunscreen on so now I'm paying for it.....I think I'm going to stick to the "between 11 and 3 stay under a tree rule". But it was definitely worth the distraction...thanks Abbs...

I suppose now would be an appropriate time to say happy Australia Day....don't forget your flags....

Have an awesome long weekend.....

MySpace post #3

2007-08-05T08:48:21Z

16 Jan 2007

MySpace, Memory, Diamonds and Jobs
Current mood: calm

Ok, So I thought I'd write a real blog since no one really wants to read a survey about me....they are purely for my own entertainment.

I think that I may have gone slightly overboard with updating my space. It now looks like a big advertising page but I had fun doing it. You see I spent all day yesterday avoiding looking for a job. Mainly because I was too tired. But right now I'm unemployed because I just graduated from uni. And I have this incredible ability to be able to find something to distract me when I shouldn't be distracted and not be able to find something to distract me when I should. But I think most people possess that ability. I wish I had impeccable concentration, and an awesome memory. I was having a conversation with my friend the other day and she said that she hopes her memory doesn't deteriorate as she gets older, because right now it's pretty good. And I said "I hope my memory doesn't deteriorate as I get older because right now it's terrible." I think it's genetic, because this morning my dad forgot to bring his backpack to work, which is funny because he rides his bike and on a 40 degree day, you'd think you'd realise something was missing.

So I've been getting the hang of this myspace thing I think. I've been here for a while but I've never really personalised it that much. Apart from the odd change of the layout. I still can't find a layout that I'm interested in. But I've sort of been using MySpace as a procrastination tool more than anything.

I saw Blood Diamond today. It was amazing because Leonardo Dicaprio actually didn't irritate the crap out of me. But the movie was good. Pretty freakin' violent but I suppose it got the message across. During the movie I started thinking about the song "Diamonds are a girls best friend". I don't know why I thought of that, might be ironic, but it really wasn't appropriate. I'm definitely going to ask a few questions the next time I buy diamonds, or...if I ever buy them.

My friend asked me what it felt like to not be a student. I really couldn't think of anything to say. It's kind of boring.... even if I am actively looking for jobs. I'm getting sick of being home all the time. Plus, I don't have uni to look forward to going back to after "holidays" and everyone is talking about enrolling. The only thing I have to look forward to is paying full price for everything. Stay in school!!

On the plus side, hopefully I can get a job and move out. I think I'm getting too old to be living at home.

MySpace post #2

2007-08-05T08:47:27Z

02 Oct 2006

Finish the Sentences (i'm bored)
Current mood: bored

I can't be bothered going to bed because I have uni tomorrow morning, myspace seems like a good time waster.

Finish the sentences:

1. My ex is: a good guy.

2. I am listening to: the television.

3. Maybe I should: go to bed.

4. I love: shoes....

5. My best friends: mean a lot to me.

6. I don't understand: pointless arguments.

7. I lost: my motivation half way through this year.

8. I'm tired of: anthropology homework.

9. The meaning of my screen name is: my name shortened.

10. Love is: something I haven't experienced yet.

11. Somewhere, someone is: living their dream.

12. I will always be: a loyal friend.

13. Forever seems: far away.

14. My cell phone is: resilient.

15. When I woke up in the morning: no one was home.

16. I get annoyed when: people try to make money off of other people's misfortunes.

17. Kisses are the best: when they mean something.

18. Today I: didn't do enough homework.

19. Tonight I will: hopefully be sleeping.

20. Tomorrow I will: go to uni and do my anthropology presentation.

21. I really want: to get all of my homework done.

22. People say I am: awesome.

MySpace post #1

2007-08-05T08:41:30Z

04 Aug 2006

First Blog
Current mood: bored

I stole this from Dan's bulletin. Thanks Dan :). I was bored so I thought I'd put a blog on my page. I don't really know why I decided to do a blog since my myspace is kind of empty but...whatever.

I guess it's not really a blog either, I'm not really a blogging type person since I don't really like telling people what I'm thinking...unless I'm pissed off.

Anyway, if somebody reads this and enjoys it then yay, I might actually start writing some real blogs later when procrastination sets in during study time :). Anyway, stuff about me.

1. Story behind your myspace name: Nat's short for Natalie. The quote is stupid, it's something that my Bro and I came up with when we were just talking crap one day and trying to confuse people. I don't really know what it means. Something along the lines of, there was a chicken named Herbert and he crossed the road but he didn't make it to the other side so now he's a half-visible ghost. It was funnier at the time. . .we weren't drunk. Hrmm, that will be my longest answer I swear.

2. What month were you born in?
December

3. Where do you live?
Adelaide SA

4. Wallet:
Red

5.Dream car:
Something classic and impractical

6.Toothbrush:
Hrm

7.Jewelry worn daily:
Don't wear any daily

8.Pillow Case:
Maroon

9.Eyes:
Greeny Blue

10. Hair:
Blonde

11.Love:
The placebo affect <-- don't know why I thought of that first. How sad am I? It's interesting though.

12. Cologne/Perfume:
Lovely, SJP <-- got it from friends

13. CD in stereo:
End of Fashion

14. Piercings:
Two, one in each ear.

W H A T A R E Y O U . . .

15. Wearing:
Trackies and a long sleeved black T...Sexy I know.

16. Wishing:
To work out what I'm going to do next year.

17. Wanting:
To be warm <-- Heater fixed that.

18. Last thing you ate:
Fish me thinks, dinner.

19. Something you are afraid of:
Not doing anything of the things I want to do before I die and ending up in a job that sucks with a crappy boss <-- being a glass is half empty kind of person, I'm thinking the second one is inevitable.

20. Do you like candles?
Most of the time, they are practical, we have a lot of blackouts here.

21. Do you like the taste of blood?
Not particularly.

22. Do you believe in love?:
Yes

23. Do you believe in soul mates?:
Agree with Dan on this one. There is more than one soul mate. I could go more in to it but then I'd look like an idiot. I have lots of theories never tested.

24. Do you sleep naked?:
Nope

25. Do you like seafood?:
Not really

26. Do you remember your dreams?:
Most of the time, something usually happens during the day that reminds me of them.

27. Do you consider yourself a study freak?:
I have the right balance of work and play :).

28. Do you consider yourself a health nut?:
Nope

29. Do you like tattoos?:
Not really, in fact not at all.

30. Do you believe in miracles?:
I'm yet to have witnessed one. Not so much.

31. Do you burn easily in the sun?:
I'm pale and blonde, so yeah.

32. Do you speak another language other than English?
I want to.

33. What's something you wish you could understand better?:
Females :) <-- Yeah, they confuse me too, I confuse myself sometimes.

34. Are you shy around a crush?
Pretty much always.

35. Do you have a crush on someone right now?
Not so much

37. If so, who?
N/A

38. How old are you?:
20 and about 8 months.

40. Who do you miss?
Anybody I haven't seen in a while.

That's it from me, hope it provided someone with some entertainment, well, I guess it entertained me so I'm happy now. Going to bed now.

Generic introduction

2007-08-04T15:58:02Z

So I'm officially on live journal. This will be my first post and I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing. Currently I only have one friend though (only having signed up yesterday) so it's not that much of an issue.

My intention is to place all of my entries from myspace on to live journal to get started. So there will be a rather large collection of old blogs on here in time. Once I work out how to do it.

So here we go with my first entry. Thanks to Alice for being my first friend :)