December Changes

OK it has certainly been a while since my last post, damn near a month, and my how things have changed. I have graduated, started my new job, and am trying to find somewhere to live here in Canberra. I guess one can say its been life changing. This is the 4th week mark, and I think it's really started to hit me that I have left QLD and won't be coming back (except on holidays) and I'm really starting to miss people. I wouldn't say I'm homesick, but I definitely miss the immediacy of being able to contact people.

To my friends at KFC, I still think of you, and feel bad when I hear things like Allison's got a third degree burn on her hand, all I have to deal with hear is my eyes getting sore form staring at a computer all day. That and adjusting to the 9-5 and the constant work. I don't have the same time that I did when I was a student and I really miss that.

To Chantelle and Lucy, your words really touched me, I read them more then a few times, and almost cried (which you just know I never do). So far I'm still in accommodation, and have yet to move into somewhere permanent and honestly, not looking forward to it. Haven't really been cooking, the most extreme so far has been an (gasp) omelette. Although I made Chocolate Balls for my staff Christmas party which was cool, everybody liked them. I really do like the people in my new job, they're just great, I can't say that enough. And everyone seems to have that corporate dress thing down pat, me I'm still working on it.

And I'm coming back to the Gold Coast on Sat 22nd and I'll be there until Sat 29th. So people feel free to give me a shout out. And by the way, I thank people for their comments I really do appreciate the fact the people do occasionally read this. And the more comments that are left the more I will update, also thinking of going in a different direction in this blog, but I need to buy a digital camera, and maybe a new computer. Not telling you anymore, I'm getting good at the secrets thing.

Well I'll finish here, as I do have to leave the office and make my way home occasionally. And the picture is of the front entrance to where I work.

Laters.

Byron Bay

Some of you may know that I went to Byron Bay at the beginning of this week. While there I ate the most amazing food, bought some really cool things, and went diving. I stayed at Planula B&B (http://www.planula.com.au/) and I'd recommend it to anyone (it's the above picture). Breakfast was provided and it was so COOL, especially the muffins. I stayed with 2 friends from Uni, Kym & Emma, it was kinda nice how we all got along and there was no real pressure to do EVERYTHING together that you get in some really clingy friendships that just make you uncomfortable.

And yes, I really did go Scuba Diving 12m undersea and everything. And I gotta tell you that at first I panicked, it was just s cold and dark at first that I couldn't imagine going all the way down. But I pulled it together and dived and it was pretty cool. It was just so weird. There were fish, starfish, a shark (the picture is the shark we saw, it was sleeping at the time), jellyfish, coral, stingrays and much more it was intense. I quickly found that I liked to move around a lot I think it kept my mind off the fact that my mask was a little filled up with water and also the cold. But when a 6ft long stingray glides in front of you, you do kinda have to go Whoa! Hold Up. I was so glad I did it, I have never felt like such an alien before, it's not that your unwelcome, it's just that you are so out of place and the fish are just sought of indifferent to you, that you just know that you're not in your environment even though you're still on the same planet. Everyone should go diving if only to understand the perspective of where we are in relation to the environment.

That's all for now, when I get some pictures I promise to put them up.

Katina Note.

The Killers

Hello Readers,

November 9th was a Friday night, and on that Friday night, I took a train from the Gold Coast and then went all the way to Boondall, a station that I'd never been to before. I got off and then with a crowd of people in tow, made my way to the Entertainment Centre for a an experience of a lifetime. Once there I waited in line and security would not let me through as apparently my bag was too big (which was bullshit btw as I had used that same bag when I went to Snow Patrol a month ago) so I then had to check it which sucked because I had to leave the line I was already in, go to another line for the coatroom, fill in a form and then line back up to get inside. Yay.

But then the experience happened, the stadium started filling and a cloth went in front of the stage. Then a projection began which was black and white and all so cool, once the cloth had dropped the lights started and the sparkles fell in waves of colour blue and gold predominantly. It was a special moment. Then he sang. My God I now understand the groupie mentality. And when he spoke he had this lovely Southern accent, and the boys were in suits throughout the concert. And I could not say a word, unlike the rest of the crowd and I cannot sing along, I cannot jump up and down, I do not participate in the Mexican wave. Instead I sit very quietly and let it all wash over me, and then during encore I cry silently because such magic must end and I do not want it to.

Thank you Killers, you were indeed amazing.

Katina Note.

Busy Being Idle

It's times like these that I wish I had an Itouch (Ipod with touch screen), I'm sitting here at Uni not doing what I'm supposed to be doing and just being one of those really pathetic people how can't focus worth a damn. I could say that this is like High School all over again but then when it came to crunch time I was able to focus and get things done. Now as I'm about to finish Uni, I just no longer care at all, so I'm here about to pull an all-nighter and I still can't be bothered t do anything that's remotely like study. I think this lethargy come from the fact that I already have a job after Uni already lined up, so really there is no need for me to impress anyone. It's a bit sad though because I was really hoping to Graduate with Distinction and I know I could have if I'd even bothered to look at the textbooks and gone to the lectures, it really would have been easy.

And moving to the Gold Coast the way I did (on the weekend) really hasn't helped. I'm at Uni all day trying to do stuff and I get home and there's always stuff to do and so much interaction. I just want to scream sometimes "HELLO I'M AN INTROVERT" I need some alone time and I need an environment that's calm and lets me recharge but with 4 boys all under 18 really not getting some ME time. And I haven't had a chance to sort through my stuff which is all I really want to do, I keep meaning to do it when I get home but on Tuesday there was a power outage and you just can't unpack by candle light, on Wednesday I had my Brothers sports dinner, which I actually didn't need to go to, and earlier that afternoon I went trick or treating with my younger cousins, so couldn't of done it then. So really I'm sharing a room with all three of my brothers because I haven't had a chance to do anything with my stuff.

But I am looking forward to going to Byron Bay with a couple of Uni friends, I was going to go with like my Gold Coast friends but they were like busy, I think I've bitched about trying to organise stuff together in the past and how it just does not happen. We've already paid the deposit and we're going to stay for a week and do some diving and other really random activities, we're staying at Planula Resort. It's like our way to celebrate the end of Uni, maybe I should use that as incentive.

And I'm starting to get a bit freaked out over my sleeping patterns, I can tell that they're really unhealthy but it's just so hard to get regular when you're sharing. As I've gotten older I've started to realise just how important sleep and routine really are, I guess that's one of the things about moving to Canberra I'm looking forward to is establishing a pattern that works for me and to be around people who have the same motivations, I can't help but think that I'll be a real grown up once I'm there. No study just work with a paycheck at the end of the fortnight, what can I say I like security.

I've also been buying stuff off the Internet, my first was 10 cards from http://www.redbubble.com/ which I was so happy with, I'll have to get a few more. Then I brought some fabric for when I eventually learn to sew, it would be cool to join a craft circle in Canberra, a good way to make some friends. And then some shirts from http://www.threadless.com/ which I can't wait to get, if only to work out what size is best so that I can buy MORE, they're so cool. And finally 20 clear shoe boxes from http://www.innovations.com.au/ (codename ZOYA) which will be sweet because I'm just starting to understand the female's passion for shoes.

OK I've done my show and tell, so I better go and like finish essays or like sleep or something.

Katina Note.

P.S That's a pic of me in full Korean traditional dress.

Today

I'm trying to upload a video for you all, it may take me a while but I'll try to get it up here.

BTW I really wish I had a job that was like just looking at Internet sites all day long and being paid lots for it. That would be so cool.

And I went to a Craft Fair in Brisbane, I have never felt so very alone or ignorant or young. I think I was the youngest person there outside of a stroller, and the only one who wasn't already in a craft club. But I brought a book, so that I can learn how to sew stuff and be really cool, like all the pensioners there. Yeah, I'm totally an old lade in disguise. And Lucy, you would have been drooling over the scrapbooking supplies that were there, in fact I'm pretty glad I went by myself so that I could move around at my own pace. it was pretty frickin crowded as well, and I didn't get the free sample bag that I wanted, only the first 1500 people got those, and apparently I wasn't one of those. It will be interesting to go to the women's convention in November.

Katina Note.

Customer Service

Today at work it was mentioned to me that customers DO NOT KNOW THEIR MANNERS, as I work in hospitality/service industry I thought that it may be helpful to add something to help these people who have lost their way (which really shouldn't be anyone reading this, because we've all been there).

1)Know what you want before you order.
2)Give appropriate money.
3) If there is something wrong with the meal, don't be a bitch/bastard about it, you will only further annoy people (both workers & other customers).
4) Don't piss off the check out person, because we remember the bad for far longer then the good, and sometimes we do retaliate. Maybe one day I'll even tell you all a few stories about what I've done : -P

This may seem like common sense but it is something that is severely lacking when people are out and about (I have enough sense to not blame this on generation). Anyway, I rock at my job (really I am like the BEST) but even I have started to develop this headache whenever I have to go at the front and serve people. I think it's because I have to pleasant 100% and act like I'm actually happy, which is weird because I mostly am but it is kinda tiring being in "Hostess" mode for longer then 4 hours, thank God I'm not an Air Hostess.

We've all had bad experiences, and unfortunately I've been working at KFC for over 4 years, so I've probably had more then my fair share when it comes to dealing with people.

Katina Note.

Favourite Websites

OK, so I thought that I'd do something fun and give a list of some of the websites I like and maybe talk about the cool things I see, now the sites I'm about to mention I look at, at least weekly, normally twice a week, so if they can retain my interest, I think they can do the same to yours.

Web Comics

http://www.reallifecomics.com/
http://www.megatokyo.com/
http://www.applegeeks.com/

Cool Hunting Sites

http://www.coolhunting.com/
http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/
http://www.charlesandmarie.com/
http://www.joshspear.com/
http://www.yankodesign.com/

Random Sites

http://www.postsecret.com/
http://www.treehugger.com/

And I wanted to tell everybody that they should both A) Donate Blood and B) Get themselves onto the Bone Marrow Transplant List as they donate blood. I've done both, and it's not all that hard, and you get a free feed whenever you donate blood (I'm so tempted to go back weekly but you can't cause you're blood needs to replenish, that's how good the food is).

By the way, I really want a Mac Book Pro : -(

Katina Note

Facebook

OK, after a very long thought process that lasted for far longer then 24 hours, I have taken the plunge and joined Facebook (cue duh-duh-Duh music). Now I would like to relate a terrifying experience that occur ed last night while walking home from Uni.

It was a dark (around 6pm) and stormy (lightning, no rain) night as I left to go home and forage for food (I made a stir fry). As I walked lightning started to get seriously crazy and would actually light up the entire street that I was walking in. It was freaking scary. I started to remember all those stories about people that have been struck by lightning, and of course started to freak myself out. I even got so nervous that I was tempted to knock on someone's door so that I could wait out the storm (I know sad). But I persevered and kept walking but I was thinking maybe I should take my bra off as it has an underwire and could attract lighting. And then a bolt hit directly next to me in a park and the rain started to come down, my response was to kick the thongs off and gallop along home. Made it safely, although I may have hurt my foot on a bindi, and only looked like a drowned rat upon my entering of the door.

Moral of story - Don't make fun of our ancestors who were afraid of storms, they really are quite scary when your all alone in the dark.

Katina Note.

Trying to Do Pictures

By the way this is me, in South Korea, Seoul. I finally figured out how to add pictures ;-)

Hope it works.

Katina Note.

New News

OK, everybody, I have opened up the comment box to everyone, because you are all so lazy and can't be bothered registering or logging in (I'm kidding, you guys rock, especially Tricia (Mum), plus you guys have like asked me to (you can't say that I don't deliver). I only ask that you leave your name, none of the anon stuff & Emma if you do it I'll now it's you, because you just told me that you would publish as anon (no you're an idiot).

This has been a Katina Note :-)

Hi Mum!

Well, I think so far, it's going well, 3 weeks, 3 posts. Go MEeeee!

Anyway, I am so glad school holidays are over, finally work will go down to normal, instead of freaking crazy constant. At least I have a bit of extra money now. Does anyone else find it weird how work interrupts your life? I mean next week I really wanted to wonder around Brisbane and do some exploring maybe catch a Citycat, but now I can't because I have to go to work. I really don't think that I can be one of those people whose life is their work and vice versa.

I don't know if that's just immaturity or my streak of independence, but I have a life and things that I want to do. I want to travel, maybe study more, create companies and become cooler than Angelina Jolie, and I just don't think I could do that if I was working all the time. But knowing me, I'll probably change my tune, once the money starts coming in.

Now I'm changing the subject to the Internet social communities known as Myspace and Facebook. For the record I don't have one. And recently on one of my favourite web-comics (http://www.reallifecomics.com/), the artist was asking people to join his Facebook community, and I now kind of want to, but at the same time I hear horror stories of people who become these My/Face junkie and spend hours everyday, updating and editing (Tash). Or worse they're like Chantelle who never updates and only has one so she can spy on other people from High School (I'm kidding, really, her's is totally cool, probably I haven't actually seen it :P. Or they get to be the victims of Identity theft, like Lucy's Dad.

This blog is like my only thing and even then I maybe look at it weekly (or like twice a week tops) and that's to reply to the comments from my Mum. And judging by how many people come to this one, I doubt that it would be really different if I had like a My/Face.

But then there is this part of me that's like, "Hello, you're moving soon, do it now. So people can keep in contact with you, because you just know that they're not going to call you." So people let me know your experiences and what you use (My/Face), you don't have to comment, instead there other ways to contact me, such as my email, phone or to my face. (And NO this is not a cry for attention).

Oh and random thing, while I was at Pure Indulgence for my appointment, I was in the room with a therapist that I'd never had before and they started chatting to me and she asks me "How long till I move to Canberra?" I have a momentary panic, that I A) Do know her or B) She's a stalker, that's right people I don't overreact at all. So I just ask how she knew that and she said it was in my file. And I was like OMG, what else does my file so like, "really nice, but talks too much, or her hair is like really thick, so be careful". Anyway I just had pictures in my head of the team at PD being like spies and getting briefed and what not about their next client. I can see how it would be nice to have a file but I felt weird knowing that someone out there knows stuff that only my friends or family know (which is all the people that should be reading this blog are).

OK, Emma's getting hungry so I have to go feed her, and no she's not my new pet, she's a real life human friend of mine.

Laters.

Katina.

The Critical 2nd Blog

Hey Everyone (Special Hello to Mum),

OK, so you've seen the beginning of something that I will attempt to keep up and maybe even add pictures to (no naked ones though, of anyone). So I have lately attended a few concerts and I thought that I will do something a little different and give a sorta review.

Cat Empire - Thursday 6th of September

Well, I'd been to a Cat Empire concert before last year, so I kind of knew what was going to happen. As a result I went a little later to miss the huge queue at the door and miss a little bit of the back up band "Symbiosis", though what I saw of them made me buy their album. I also brought my own water and also some carrot and celery sticks, as well as more money, which I bought a hat with.

Now, I made my way to the front off centre place to watch them, the people around me seemed alright, although going into the alcohol a bit too fast, for my taste, I guess some people just need to be drunk in order to enjoy/dance at a concert. So the band come out and my first though is, "OMG Felix (the singer) has cut his hair" and then they started playing and I stopped thinking and just enjoyed the moment. Only thing though was that there were 2 way tall guys who just stood right in front of me, then a guy with dreads who I recognised from last year started to get closer, so I tried to move away from him, as he gets a bit crazy as he dances, nothing wrong with that, it's just painful to be nearby.

The band maybe did, 1 new song, with an old song, never two in a row of each. What I heard made me want to buy their new album "So Many Nights". I really loved how the guys in the back (the trumpet and trombone player) really seem to have fun and keep moving and dancing, even when they are not playing, it reminds me of those old 70's disco bands, who'd have these set dance steps. They really know how to read a crowd and keep them nice and not have too many issues. At the end they came out and did an encore with "The Car Song" (I think, it's been a while).

To end the night, I ran into the first people I've ever seen from High School in Brisbane (Rishi, Danny and Matt M), it was so weird, as I'd just been bitching earlier to Lucy that I never see anyone from the ol' days in Brisbane, I don't even see the ones I keep in contact with, we try but it's kinda hard, because the older you get the more stuff you have to deal with. It's like I live in another country sometimes, but I've made some really great friends up here from Uni and work.

Well I'll write about Snow Patrol later, as this one has gotten kind of long.

This has been a Katina Note.

Why This Is Called "The Katina Show"

Hi there,

So I've been flirting with the idea of starting a blog, and now it is done. Well I've started it instead of doing my assignments which is what I really should be doing, but I'll get around to them later. Really, promise :-)

So I've called it "The Katina Show" because of an incident that occurred in South Korea. I was there on a study trip for University this year in June-July and mentioned that I couldn't wait to do Karaoke, and mentioned some of the songs that I'd like to sing. Next thing I know one of the Korean students I was with said that it would be like "The Katina Show". From that moment on I was occasionally referred to as being the star of the "Katina Show", and when we finally did do some Karaoke I only did 2 song numbers, but may have danced to the other 10-20 songs that were sung.

Overall it was an awesome night, and because I was just so entertaining (in a good way) 2 Korean students ended paying for my share of the room and in return I bought them either beer or ice-cream. But then we all ended up getting naked at a Korean spa, but I'll leave that story for another post.

This was the first Katina note for the "Katina Show".