Unique, Creative, Blogged

Letter 8. - My Favourite Online friend.

2011-03-05T01:29:00.000-08:00

I guess this goes to my very cool friend Hamish.. not only does he work for Apple, which is a huge plus. His blogs and general stories are very interesting .. I dont really know what else to write about for this one.. most people I like to have a 'real' friendship with.. rather than something virtual.

- M

Things I hate

2011-02-19T01:56:00.000-08:00

Inspired by the recent frustrating episodes with numerous drivers who are incompetent in driving around a round about properly and Ralph mag's 100 Bastard things, I decided to compile my list of things I hate them most. very negative of me, But hey it can't all be sunshine and lollipops.

People who have idea on the correct procedure for driving around roundabouts. Yes. You need indicators ppl.

Call Centres/Customer centers, where the person if of another nationality and even though they are attempting english their accent is so thick, you have no idea what they are going on about.

IT call centre personnel that are dumber than you are.

Excessive commercials, I get the need for marketing and costs, however LONG ad breaks are frustrating and especially when there is the same ad three times in the same break. Starts feeling like Groundhog day on speed.

Needles. I dont think this one needs much explanation

Hospitals. This ties in with the above mentioned item. Hospitals have a affixation with puncturing your skin with as many needles as they can produce a lame ass reason for. As well as this evilness, the lurking feeling of death and sickness is frightening.

Public toilets. Avoid these at all costs. unless of course there is no other option. Once you relise how 'unclean or unhygienic' a lot of general public is, then consider your touching the same surfaces they touch, the seat, the button, the door...*shudders* in these cases, LOTS of TP, and sanitizer are essentials.

Clowns.... There is nothing cool or funny about strange people with freaky, eyes, feet, and makeup.

Oversized newspaper, in the age of sleek and convenient, These are none of these, The only people that enjoy these gigantic sheets of paper are the bums using them for blankets.

Pokies/Gambling. The odd's are these are beyond a joke, and the chase of the magically prize causes devestating addictions.

Sand. It gets everywhere, and sticks and rubs. and just is plain evil.

Buskers and Street Advertisers that get in your face. ahem.. Personal space anyone ?

Fleas/Headlice - They are so small but SUCH A STUBBORN PEST.

Ticks - Similar to the above. The devestation something so tiny can cause a beloved animal is awful.

Teeth - People complain about cars, boats, kids being money gobblers.. Why not include teeth in that category.. when u really think about it they cost A LOT of money. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, floss, check-up's restorative work, braces/plates e.t.c, whitening.

Dog poo/ Bubblegum - The sticky stuff that are left laying around and then conveniently collect on your shoe and then u have the stomach turning job of removing said substance.

Jellyfish e.t.c. - Apart from well dead, cleaned and battered and deep fried, there is nothing cool about these. they are all kinds of creepy. I mean where is they're face.

Bugs/Insects/Spiders.. - All kinds of Freaky.

Clappers on a dancefloor. - Dickheads that just bob up and down there and clap like they are the coolest shit around .... click click.. BOOM

Girls with overhang - You know the ones that squeeze into clothes a size or two too small, and there is a roll of skin hanging over the band. Definatly not a good looking belt.

Birds - What is there to like about these creatures. I dare you to contest this one.

Mud - All kinds of dirty and disgusting.

To be continued...

X-Fiance

2011-01-26T01:50:00.000-08:00

My XF as I will call him for this purpose, was initially who I thought was my man of my dreams, you know when u grow up and u have all these stringent rules of who would make the perfect guy. Well in the first weeks of dating he ticked all of these for me, and I fell head over heels. Stupid me believed it enough to leave the man I was currently engaged to and start afresh with mr my perfect.

But as the saying goes, If something this too good to be true it probably is, and i guess this is a prefect way to sum up me and my XF. after moving into our own place and getting engaged again. ( Yes, yes i know. but remember i was smitten.. this was mr perfect.. I wanted to keep him for good) He changed completely, he was 200% clean freak, and anything i did or, tried to do was never good enough in his eyes. For so long I overlooked it, thinking this is THE ONE.

But after months and months of that constant failure in someone eyes, u start just sinking.. being consumed into a darkness, which fitted nicely with being out of work.It got to the point where he hadn't been able to tell me he loved me for months, luckily I'd got a position in a government organisation and I realised this was my break.

I got attention quite frequently from guys at work and I realised Hey.. I am pretty, I am Smart and sexy and I can be so much better than what he is letting me be. So I made my plans and after a rather messy breakup, I felt like a huge cloud had lifted. We hated each other for quite few months, both angry at the hurt, my hurt over the way he had treated me and how he'd changed my life and his hurt over losing control.

Now we talk and are friends and civilised. But its changed what I want in a partner dramatically. I will never rush into a relationship before opening my eyes and seeing the reality of who a person really is.

Stranger..

2010-08-13T04:29:00.000-07:00

Day 6 .. A Stranger. (ok so i know im not doing these every day... )

I cant really think of just one to write this about.. I meet so many from day to day, working direct with the public.. most are the same sheep, rushing to catch their train that they didn't allow enough time to arrive at the station, get their ticket, find out where to get their train.. People rushing here, rushing there. Then there are the people who just rock up and expect a service to be waiting for the. yes we are there for the public, But sorry guys we do have a system. maybe you should do a little research for you just turn up.

there are the usual disgusting pig's of the general public that leave their mess everywhere, leave rubbish, tampon wrappers strewn on the floor. The kids that eat their candy and make sure every little peice of wrapping ends up on the seat of the floor. Being a hygeinest and a perfectionist sometimes this is living torture.

Then there are the rare and beautiful people, who are courteous to the other passengers, who wait in line, who ask nicely, who thank you for your time, people who make the effort to walk three steps to the bin to dispose of their rubbish. they notice and they listen. These people are true gems. The others.. i guess taint my view of humanity... not that i had a perfect one of them to start with.

Day 5 - My Dreams

2010-07-20T03:14:00.000-07:00

So my Dreams, this topic has kinda thrown me.. Am i writing to my dreams? About my dreams? or what my dreams of life and expectations are?

I think i'll just put this.

My Dream?

To be successful at being in love and loved, at raising gorgeous children, at having a career that im good at, AND i love. I think with this, along with being able to follow my passions of tech, photography and travel, I would be very happy.

Day 4 - My Closet Relative... My child.

2010-07-19T05:29:00.000-07:00

Dear my Baby Girl Chloe,

Already you are 6 years old, and it amazes me the things you learn, and discover so quickly and easily everyday. From words, to facts about the world and how things work. You are so eager to know everything. Your intelligence amazes me everyday, there is always something new, that u already understand. You have such a loving and caring nature within you and i love it when that shines though.

You have a steadfast and strong attitude, that im sure you've attained partially through ur genes of your father and through the kids at school. Sometimes it is a struggle teaching you the wrong and right places to use this attitude, I hope that you will understand that sometimes I have to be a little bit mean, to show you the right way about things, like respecting your grandparents even if they stir you a little bit.

I always try to give you everything, and a lot of people say your too spoiled, But your my responsibility, and i want you to be happy and have things, that even i wanted as a child.

My biggest regret, has been your homelife, so far, that we currently live with nan and grandad, and you've never really had a stable father figure in your life. Your real father doesnt show you or give you the amount of attention and so on, that any father should. I hope that you will learn this and see the real side of things as you mature a little more. And the couple of men that i have loved and thought were the one, loved you too, but in the end it wasn't enough. I guess its a life lesson that i hope i can pass on to you, Don't let yourself fall or invest too much into a man, until you are certain 200% that he's there forever, that you've seen his real colors.

I hope you learn to also realise that you are very beautiful, Your hair is gorgeous, so many people stop to compliment you or I about it. You have the cutest complexion and darlz, freckles aren't a bad thing hun. They just make you more adorable!

You are growing up so fast and always telling me what a big girl you are now. But you will always be my baby girl. I love you so much, and I want you to know that no matter what, I'll always love you and be there for you, unconditionally .

Love you forever,
Your mummy xx

Day 3 - My Parents

2010-07-15T05:04:00.001-07:00

(( ok so this one is a little late, Ive been waiting for a chance to use the computer, because its much swifter to type with ))

Dear Mum and Daddy,

Firstly I'd like to say Thank You for all the things you did for me, to help me out, to raise me with respects and values, and to teach me things whether they were right or wrong, its all part of what made me the person I am today.

Secondly I'll start with Dad, Thank you for being the strong role-model you always were u taught me lots of things to do with getting things done, money and more of the complicated and real world things that mum doesn't understand. I'm sorry I guess I didn't grow up as the Perfect child, with my suicidal tendencies, and my not so perfect grades in senior high school, as well as having a baby when i was quite young and the many failed relationships. However I hope I made you proud of me in the my other accomplishments, through my intelligence and wealth of talents with writing and computers, that I wasn't a ridiculously rebellious teenagers, and didn't get into smoking, drugs or gangs. I hope that my achievements and dedication with the Girls Rally made you all proud of me, as well as the way I raised my Beautiful Daughter Chloe, and the dedication and love i showed to her, and the Darren, Mike and then James who i thought were the 'one'. I guess the fact of my numerous engagements must be a little disappointing or confusing, but i would rather look at it as, I want to love, be loved and get married, I just want to make sure its definatly the right man.
Also dad I want to thank you for always being there, sticking out all the tough situations our family has been through. Your strength of character always amazes me. The way you put up with Mum's attitude is amazing, the way she talks to you is wrong sometimes, but you just keep on going. I know too now that ur silent approach that i never used to understood, was just you being the peace keeper, mum never backs down or lets off, so just letting it go ends up being best. Daddy, I love you.

So now onto mum. Mum u did some good things, in teaching me some skills with household sorta stuff that has helped here and there, but i think u failed at making me feel loved and cared for. The things you have said over the last ten years, have cut so deep and I wont and can't ever forgive you. They're things i know i would never say to my own child. There were so many times that, I just wanted my mum to care and love me no matter what. But you were always the criticizer, slamming me for everything i couldn't do, everything i failed at, everything that was wrong with me.
You never understood my illness's, and that too hurt. I needed you at times, to understand to make sure I'd be ok.
I know that all of this is maybe because of the way you were raised and the old values and behavioral traits that were past on from your parents. It was a shame that you couldnt see and accept that life today isn't what it was when you grew up. Some things you did, dressed, acted, aren't accepted these days.
Talking of your parents, The day your mum died you become a different person, not just an orphan, but the greed of money changed you. I hated the fighting that between you and your sister tore the family apart. I hated that we no longer had big family occasions. I hated to you everything became about money and you just sat there on your pile of money and wanted more. I guess you taught me a huge life lesson that has definatly affected my value's in life. It has shown me the power of money and how it changes a person. Sometimes for the good, but in a lot of cases it consumes them, their personality is mutated into something else. I wanted you to see for so long that money isnt going to be there for you and keep you warm and be your friend. Ur family, and love matters more than anything.

One thing I am happy about is, that you have finally accepted my name. Thank You.

Lastly, Id like to wrap it up by saying, thank you for helping me and being there are times. :) I appreciate it.

Love your daughter,
Amanda.

Day 2- My crush

2010-07-08T07:46:00.001-07:00

Dear Dream man

I have yet to really feel the touch of ur skin, ur hair or breathe . I have yet to walk next to you . Or know something as simple as your name yet u fascinate me .

Your reappearing presence in my dreams , leave such a impression , that I am left in wandering thoughts through the waking hours.

Who r u really ??

And how am I constantly dreaming of someone so unknown yet feels like for a lack of better words my twin soul .

Maybe I want the answers or maybe It's better left unknown . Maybe u are just that .
A fantasy .

Day 1 (30 day challenge)

2010-06-21T04:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Kate,
Thank you for being my bestie for the past 6ish years. Although in past years we don't get to see each other as often, but ur always someone I look forward to catching up with . We have had soo many fun adventures out and about, from getting so drunk we have both been taken to hospital on seperate occasions to trips up the coast to visit 'friends' of mine . I hope you'll always b a bestie for years to come.
I always think it's funny when u fret about ur face or weight . It's silly really ur a pretty girl , sometimes I feel so albino against ur tanned/olive skin .

Anyways i'm not sure what else to write about , ur my bestie and if u need anything Eva , I'll b there for ya !

Luv, mandee :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone <3 ikat xo

30 Letters in 30 Days Challenge.

2010-06-20T10:01:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys,

Found this challenge on one of the website i regularly visit and decided to give it a go :) so as of tomo i will be starting the 30 days.. :

The 30 Day Letter Challenge

Day 1 — Your Best Friend

Day 2 — Your Crush

Day 3 — Your parents

Day 4 — Your sibling (or closest relative)

Day 5 — Your dreams

Day 6 — A stranger

Day 7 — Your Ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/love/crush

Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend

Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet

Day 10 — Someone you don’t talk to as much as you’d like to

Day 11 — A Deceased person you wish you could talk to

Day 12 — The person you hate most/caused you a lot of pain

Day 13 — Someone you wish could forgive you

Day 14 — Someone you’ve drifted away from

Day 15 — The person you miss the most

Day 16 — Someone that’s not in your state/country

Day 17 — Someone from your childhood

Day 18 — The person that you wish you could be

Day 19 — Someone that pesters your mind—good or bad

Day 20 — The one that broke your heart the hardest

Day 21 — Someone you judged by their first impression

Day 22 — Someone you want to give a second chance to

Day 23 — The last person you kissed

Day 24 — The person that gave you your favorite memory

Day 25 — The person you know that is going through the worst of times

Day 26 — The last person you made a pinky promise to

Day 27 — The friendliest person you knew for only one day

Day 28 — Someone that changed your life

Day 29 — The person that you want tell everything to, but too afraid to

Day 30 — Your reflection in the mirror

Wishlist 2010

2010-06-17T05:54:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to get this writing down now for awhile.. was hoping there was some little funky site that i could do it up and share it .. but no luck. So Im FINALLY going to post it on here.

* 21.5" Imac w/ magic mouse

* Graphic tablet either a Bamboo one or Medion .

* Suzuki Jimny or Vitara for fun weekends!

* Land .. not sure what size yet.. got to do some research on this!

* Have my home built to my design

MODIFICATIONS FOR MY SWIFT

* Rear Sports Spoiler for my Swift

* Custom Fuel Cap because the current one is just terrible!

* Sexy Mag Wheels

* Some Kinda Decal... Maybe Lightning.. somethign to make her look unique.

Ok at the moment that is all my brain in spitting out, but im sure i'll be back to edit this at times :)

Rainmeter rains on my parade. I mean Desktop.

2010-04-05T03:22:00.000-07:00

So in my constant pursuit to customize everything i have.. I cant help it.. somethings ..generic is well.. boring..
anyways I have recently discovered Rainmeter. And well. WOW. It lets u make your desktop completely different.. your desktop actually becomes more resourceful and useful the way it should be.
Rainmeter is a small software application you can download here, and while being extremely light on resources.. not like u MR pretty Vista.. is extremely usable and, completely customizable.

" Rainmeter is a Windows customization application. Empower your desktop with an expandable library of useful tools - handy notes and application launchers, weather and feeds from the web, system status and more. Then, rearrange and modify them to suit your personal style. With Rainmeter, your desktop is finally yours. "

Which initally using it, is daunting and i guess a little tricky.. its user face isn't layed out with a easy settings page that sets it all up, its all bout moving, and selecting the right parameters, and entering them into the text. For those who want it simple however, there is plenty of themes/skins for rain meter out there on sites like:

http://customize.org/rainmeter

http://www.skinbase.org/Skins/Rainmeter/412

http://browse.deviantart.com/customization/skins/sysmonitor/rainmeter/

So far I'm starting out using Omnimo UI 1.01

Here is my desktop atm :

Catch up. MUST DO #1, #7, #20

2010-01-29T03:32:00.000-08:00

So I've been slack.. But to make up for it I have done more of my must do's. But I havent forgotten about my personal love for tech, internet and goodies. So dont worry there is more of that to come soon. So Lets tick of some of these Must Do's.

#1 - Australia Zoo.

Firstly I have to say how Impressed I was with the Zoo. It had been quite a while since i had last been when i was much younger, but the whole Zoo has so much more now, and so spread out with room still to grow.
Since this is the beloved home of the departed Croc Hunter Steve Irwin and his Family, as one can expect the main focus and key element of the park is reptiles and in particular Croc's. The Croceseum is a great stadium/ pavilion for shows and performances and the idea of Steve's to be able to present animals naturally in front of a large live audience has really worked fantastically here. The collection of Australian animals is quite complete from roo's, koalas, Wombats, emu's and more, its also the inclusion of rarer animals such as the Elephants, Red Panda's and Tigers that really captivate you. It isn't a zoo where you go and see the animals, trapped and bored, or perhaps forced to do silly tricks and entertainment. But the zoo, presents oftenly their audience with information and demonstrations about the reality of the creatures, their nature, and their environment.

It is clearly obvious that a lot of time, money and resources are put into researching and researching the animals, their environments, behaviors mannerisms and all other aspects before they become a new addition to the zoo. I felt happy after leaving Australia Zoo that there was people out there that are passionate about caring, and preserving our beautiful creatures.

I fully recommend a visit to the zoo, it might be a bit costly $55 Adults, $33 Kids.. Its worth it.. The Zoo is always developing and uses its money towards the animals and supporting causes and the local business's.

Things I reccommend making sure you dont miss?
# A show in the Croceseum.
# A Show or presentation by the Irwins, afterwall they are the superstars behind the project and it just makes your day a little bit more special.
# Seeing the Elephants and Elephant presentation.
# Try to fit in as many animal feedings/ talks/ shows as possible. They tell u so much and you get a real insight.

#7 - Pumicestone Passage, Bribie Island.

Since i live relatively close to this area, I frequently cross the passage and spend a day over on the island. It is truly a beautiful place, Its a mix of great recreational facilities, as well as being urbanized that you could easily enjoy a stay of one, two or more days or even weeks. Along with the great weather that is common in QLD, it is absolutely great to spend a day at the waterside.. Weather its playing in the sand with the littlies, Swimming, Boating in the Passage or just exploring the island. It is fast becoming a well developed, and fantastic recreational destination.

Pumicestone Passage, part of Moreton Bay Marine Park is home to a multitude of sea creatures, fish, jellies, dolphins, dugongs and sea turtles.

There is also great fishing to be had in the passage, fish commonly sought - Flathead, bream, mackerel, tailor and snapper. You will not be able to miss the sight of crab pot beacons floating among the passage, as keen fishermen seek out the delicious mud crabs and blue swimmers, that are also found among the waters.

Top Spots:
# Sylvan Beach
# White Patch
# Esplanade along Bongaree.

#20 Moreton Island

although my trip to this island could be much more longer and through, I still had an awesome time, visiting Tangalooma on a Day trip. We took an Extended Day Cruise Package, that included our return transfers to the island and dolphin feeding, for $90 each (adult). I think the biggest two things i noticed throughout the day was firstly the beautiful sereneness of the water, the beach and the nature. The Sweeping Palms the lined the foreshore, the Light Blue to Aqua Water, so inviting as it attracted swarms of Swimmers, Boating Enthusiasts, Para-sailers and more to frolic in the beautiful blue.
The Second, nothing is normally priced over there. restricted access of it being an island, and the tourism push means, lunch meals were $20 each. A Can of Coke $3. Any tours you wanted to do were at least $35 each.

We decided to go on the desert Safari tour, being the cheapest at $35 a head, which went for an hour an a half. I was subtly disappointed by the fact the "Safari" ended up just being a Bumpy Bus ride out to the large Sand Desert Dunes and then an hour spend in the heat and burning on sand, sliding down on toboggans which was an awesome experience, and one i would of done more than the once, had it not been so physically exhausting to scale the dune, in the 40 degree heat and burning hot sand.

Ofcourse a must see is the collection of Shipwrecks not far from the Tangalooma Resort. We hired a tinny for $25/hour and drove out amongst them, I was eager to snorkel and explore the wrecks, but my little one was not at all keen.

All in all i definitely enjoyed the day, and would fully recommend the trip to anyone. I would also recommend that you plan to spend, and fully experience what the island and resort and waters have to offer. Get out there and do it! We only get one life to live once.

#27 Must DO - Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

2009-09-28T07:07:00.000-07:00

Last week, I took a trip out to the city of Toowoomba, during its Spring Carnival of Flowers. The Carnival of Flowers runs annually, during September. This year running from Friday 18th September to Sunday 27th September. This year being its Diamond anniversary, that’s right commemorating 60 years of gorgeous flowers gracing the grounds of the city. The Carnival comes alive over the 10 days through numerous events from mayoral Breakfast, Longest Lunch, Concerts, Twilight Garden Tours, Parkland Entertainment, to perhaps the most well-known a swinging bright and beautiful floral parade through Toowoomba's CBD.

Through the hard work of gardeners and residents of the area, and council garden crews, the floral gardens, throughout the city, were in top shape for a beautiful Carnival of Flowers. The Weather of course gave a helping hand, with beautiful conditions, to celebrate the diamond anniversary. Upon driving into the town, over the range you are immediately filled with the gorgeous scent of flowers in full bloom. I spent the day visiting Queens Park, one of the prime focus point of the festival, with beautiful manicured gardens, with tiered displays of colour, shape and contrast. Secondly i visited Picnic point, a popular tourist spot for the town, once again, full of gorgeous colour, and relaxing gentle music. Really quite romantic actually.

Also I visited another popular public garden in the area, The Japanese gardens, a real unique and beautiful garden display.

Please check out my photos here

Check out The Garden Reserve Champion here, via Toowoomba's The Chronicle

Check out the Toowoomba City Grand Champion Garden Here, via Toowoomba's The Chronicle.

Toowoomba's Floral Parada (Pic: Via Toowoomba Chronicle )

Queenslands Q150.. My refined 50 must do's!

2009-09-28T04:16:00.000-07:00

Firstly and most importantly, i am excitedly awaiting the arrival of my new camera, Olympus mju 9000! I can't wait til she arrives, which will be any day now, and i'll be sure to let u know.

Anyways, as you would be well aware, this year Queensland, the sunshine or smart state is celebratings its 150th Birthday. Racq ran a search for what is Queenslands must doo attractions, and from the final list of 150 Must do's.. I've slimmed it down to my Top 50 Must do's. Some of them, i've already seen a long time ago, and would love to do again, because i dont have any photographs and so on. So my little project is to slowly work through my list of 50.. and do them, experience, photograph and then blog about it.

So here they are.. Mandee's #50 Queensland Must Do's! (Not in any order or ranking)
#1 Australia Zoo, Beerwah
#2 Brisbane River Cruise
#3 Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
#4 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
#5 Dreamworld and the BIG 6 Thrill Rides.
#6 Underwater world
#7 Punicestone Passage Bribie Island
#8 Eumundi Markets
#9 Movieworld
#10 EKKA
#11 Wet n Wild, White water world.
#12 Seaworld
#13 Brissie CityCat
#14 RiverFire
#15 Story Bridge Climb
#16 Southbank
#17 Bunya Mtns
#18 Fraser Isalnd
#19 Stradbroke Island
#20 Moreton Island
#21 Springbrook Nat. Park
#22 Q1
#23 Hot Air Ballooning
#24 Buderin Ginger Factory
#25 Mt Cootha
#26 Ruver Cruise the Noosa Everglades
#27 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
#28 Magnetic Island
#29 Fishing at Lake Awoonga
#30 Agnes waters and 1770.
#31 Port Douglas
#32 Daintree Rainforest and Bloomfield Falls.
#33 Paronella Park
#34 Dive @ The Great Barrier Reef
#35 Kuranda, Scenic railway and Skyrail.
#36 Carnavan Gorge
#37 Bundaberg Rum
#38 Australian Stockmans Hall of Fame
#39 Spirit of the Outback out to Longreach and Winton.
#40 Turtles at Mon Repos
#41 See a game at Suncorp Stadium
#42 Whitsundays
#43 tully River White water rafting.
#44 Whitehaven Beach
#45 Lamington National Park
#46 Sirromet Winery
#47 Capricorn Caves
#48 Whale Watching at Hervey Bay
#49 Widebay AUS Bundy Thunder
#50 Dine @ Breakfast Ck Hotel.

Dust Storm September 23rd 2009.

2009-09-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

Hi guys,
So I'm sure any of you aussie's would know about the eerie and phenomenal dust storm that us east coasters experienced yesterday the 23rd. It was so amazing, id never seen or really even heard of a dust storm prior to this happening.
It occurred due to a low front coming across from South Australia, ripping up kilos of red top soil from the arid areas of Australia and dragging them across picking up more and coating the towns, cities and everything in a layer of red/orange dust. The Front is said to have travelled at 65km/hr as it hit the east coast.

So after browsing hundreds of photos of the dust storm affecting areas, i decided to post some of my favourites, as well as my own, of the dust storm from my parents place near the base of the Glasshouse Mountains QLD.
These photos are truly amazing.

As the dust approaches.(Left). Dust Storm here at our place (Above Top ) Dust Storm Surrounds us (Above Bottem)

(Left) Brisbane CBD (Above Top ) Riverside Brisbane CBD Photo: Annie Ferris, (Above Bottem) Brisbane Jetbase. Photo: Adagold Aviation

(Left) Bondi Beach Photo: Jonas Leibschner, (Right) Sydney Harbour. Photo: Charlie Brewer.

(left) Cremone Pt Sydney,(Above Top Kirrabilli, Photo: John Granger (Above Bottem) Martin Place Sydney Photo: Helen Matherson.

(Above Left) Webcam Footage of Southbank, Brisbane. (Above Right) Clearview St, Toowoomba.. ironic really.

If i have left your name off a photo please let me know. :)

Health Tips and Surggestions

2009-09-16T01:18:00.000-07:00

Most of these I found through Women’s Health magazine and similar sites, so credit to them.. However I've compiled the key points here for you all as well as some additional Information.

Part One: General Tips

Power naps are Great, but for no more than 30 Mins.
Protect your ears, wear earplugs at concerts, around lawn mowers and similar equipment and at fireworks.
Dont waste your money on just tinted sunglasses. They provided nowhere near the amount of UV and Glare protection that Polaroids do. Find a good pair of a polaroids and they'll treat your eyes well.
Eat Yogurt.. Why? It Reduces Breast Cancer, Boosts immunity, and protects against yeast infections.
Drink OJ. 100 % Juice varieties. It helps reduce the risk of strokes by 20%.
Drink Green tea It is the most potent anti cancer compounds.. EVER.
Have more sex. If not just for fun, but also because it leads to fewer colds, and reduced PMS for us girls.
Eat a spoon of peanut butter 20 mins before eating meals. It makes you feel fuller for longer and able to absorb Vitamins A, D, E and K.
Eat foods high in Iron. It helps reduce fatigue and boosts immunity.
Eat Salmon, this smart fish boost brain power, prevents depression and coronary artery Disease.
Try to reduce eating foods with less than 3gms of fibre or more than 10gms of sugar per serving.
Don’t eat foods that contain sugar, sucrose and fructose in the first 3 ingredients. ( That’s right the order of ingredients on the back or sides of packages is actually in order the first items being the ones with larger contents )
Last of all Floss your Teeth !

Part Two - Taking care of your Skin.

#1 Avoid expensive cleanses, My Fav! : Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Bar.. its only $3.

#2 Use a UV Lip Protectant whenever you’re out. My Fav: Sunsense Lip balm SPF 30+ or check out these

#3 Use a anti-ager containing retinoid. My Fav: L'Oreal Dermo-Expertise RevitaLift Day Cream is one of the cheaper products out there.

#4 use a shaver with moisture strips, and don’t shave 2 to 3 days before a pedicure.

#5 cooked Tomatoes reduce UV Sun Damage.

#6 Have a skin check once a year to get those spots and moles checked. Keep an eye out in particular for ones that have uneven colouring. They should be a smooth brown to be safe. Don’t know where to go for a skin check. Try Solarderm ( Bulk Billing Available).

Camera Desicions.

2009-09-06T23:43:00.000-07:00

So, didn't get a chance this weekend to start on my blog assignment, but never mind always another weekend. But my poor little baby dog got sick and had to go to hospital, for tick treatment. I can't believe those tiny little gross bugs can kill animals and pets. Talk about unfair. I can't see the good of many bugs truthfully. They are disgusting and annoying. ok enough about that.

I need a new camera. my current little one ( pink Samsung 6PM 3x Optical Zoom) is just no good. I want more zoom, so i can get great images but still something slimline and sassy ,but with as many of the top features possible.

After some research i have arrived at my top 5 ( in no particular order) :

1. FujiFilm Finepix F70EXR 10MP with 10x optical zoom. Check it out more here

2. Olympus MJU 9000 12MP with 10x optical zoom. Check it out here.

3. Ricoh R10 10MP with 7.1 optical zoom. More about this one here.

4. Nikon Coolpix S630 with 12MP with 7 x optical zoom. Here it is here

5. Canon SX200IS with 12.1MP and 12x optical zoom. All bout it here.

But I'm hopeless with decisions so i need some input. Comment and let me know. Maybe you even have a suggestions.

New - Own Blog Assignment !

2009-09-03T20:44:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, so recently i had a mandee moment, and thought of an awesome little assignment to give myself and my blog. It goes along the lines of:

Randomly pick 10 Garage sales. ( You know out of the weekend shopper in the Classifieds..They're listed everywhere really)

Step 2, buy one item from each garage sale.

Once all ten items are purchased, pick any that arent a real tresure, or something you dont really want to keep and ebay them.

After sales see if any you made a profit from and what treasures you have now.

So im hoping to do that this weekend, and i'll be sharing my results shortly with you all :)

joined the iphone alliance

2009-08-23T23:51:00.001-07:00

So my Lg Viewty has been full of problems as of late and it just got to the point where it was beyond a joke. Sad? no.. finally i could get an iphone that id been oogling over for weeks....ok maybe months. So hello free upgrade thanks to my buddies at vodafone! :) & home i went with my brand new love, my 16GB iphone 3GS. Only had just come into the store that morning, so i snapped it up, no waiting for me. hahah worldwide shortage.. pfft! not for the mandee. Ok ok. so I'm a little stoked about it

So as with everything i love to personalise it. Make it me. So i got a gorgeous case for it, so its precious smooth and shinyness. Check it out here.
Next step was setting it up how i want it and hitting the app store, getting some wallpapers and putting on my own music.

So here's some things ive learnt already about my iphone.

1. They are awesome, so intelligent and do more than you expect. Ooozes intelligence.
2. The Free apps are such a tease, give u a little bit and then kick you out unless you want to fork out for premium . Saying that though there are some great ones out there. Check out my favs:

3. The iphone is all about syncing with itunes, for everything from music to groove to, ring tones, photos and more. Of course Apple being Apple loves to restrict who's content you use, not allowing you to make mp3's into ring tones unless they are purchased from the itunes store. But of course, technology being ever changing and humans being persistent there is a way around this.
Got some songs you love.. want them on your iphone as a ringtone. Here's how:

Open your favourite mp3 intunes, right click and select 'Create AAC version'

Next open up your itunes music folder usually in your My music folder, and select the file and rename the extension to ".m4r".

Windows will ask if you really want to do this, select yes and it now in the ringtone format recognised by apple.

Drag the file back into itunes and tada! it should appear in the ringtones tab. Sync your iphone and ta da there is your new hot ringtone!!

4. Want to put some custom wallpapers on there? www.zedge.net has got some awesome free ones. Make sure that when your syncing your iphone, select the folder you have your custom wallpapers in, and they'll be sent to your iphone.

Top 5 Apps of the moment.

Remote. control your itunes from ur iphone like a remote.

google mobile quick way to search for what you want on the go.

ebuddy Chat to your msn buddies while out and about.

BrainChallenge Great brain test you can take daily and find out what percentage of your brain you use.

Idork lite Free, addictive game app. try it! just do it!

anyone got some great iphone resources? let me know!

A+ Websites...Social Media and Networking.

2009-07-26T22:34:00.000-07:00

I always spend a lot of time trawling around the Internet, trying to find sites, that deliver the best content, easy to find and a site that you know you want to come back to. So just thought I'd share some of my top bookmarks. Some of them are Australian sites, some are global. This is my first installment....

SOCIAL NETWORKING.

1. Twitter

I'm sure nearly all have you have heard of twitter, its been plastered all over the news, radio and linked with a lot of sites. Twitter is an easy way to network and keep updated or share tips or links or even thoughts with fellow twitterer's. You can search and "follow" people that interest you, so that you receive their Twitter updates or "Tweets" as they are referred to. Vice Versa, other people can search and choose to follow you, and read what you post. Now before you think that this is just another additive time consuming site such as Facebook and Myspace and so on. While it sure is addictive, it isn't full of intensive profile information like these sites, but is simply a 140Character Status updates. Saying what your doing or what you thinking or what your loving now.
I love using twitter to network with other people in the design and VA business, and i find its an awesome source of information, tips and other resources.

2. Facebook.

Not sure if this really needs an explanation, but facebook allows you to search and connect with old school friends, work colleagues and all different kinds of people you know. Compared to Myspace where you could essentially add just anyone Facebook is more restrictive, only making a friend connection once the person you have requested confirms this. This also gives you more control over your profile and who can see it. Facebook is got a ton of great apps, well more than a ton, some junky and some just plain addictive. It's also a great photo sharing website, allowing you to tag other people in your photo's and a message is sent to them, advising them of this and allows them to view the picture. Facebook also is becoming an essential social networking tool for business's, with Fan Page's and Advertising pages able to be built to promote your company or your website.

3. Digg

This is probably my bookmarking site of choice. Primarily because its familiarity is more widespread throughout the Internet, and built on the common principal that you either love it (Digg it) or you don't. it allows you to see how many other people are 'diggin' the page you have chosen, and also view top dug pages, from various categories.

4. Blogger

After playing around with various blog websites, including wordpress, xanga, iblog, live journal and so on. I've come to love blogger. I'm a fan of the choice of free webpages and utilities, versus website that request you to pay for essentially the same service. I mean why not get something for free. Anyways, Blogger is highly customisable, which i LOVE. Making something unique and customised just the way I like it, really does it for me. There is all the usual facilities you can find in wordpress. I'm just really new to all this Blog world, so i don't know too much about it. But I'm looking to sinking my teeth in! :)

5. Flixster

I love my movies, who doesn't? There is nothing like sitting down with a drink and some munchies and watching a great film. But what about when you want to know a little bit more about a film, or see what other people recommend. OR recommend a film you just watched so that more people can see what a great film it was. Welcome Flixster. Flixster enables you to rate films, write reviews and share them with your friends and the community. it has fun quiz's and games to make it all that more enjoyable. Or even just use it to search for what other people are saying about a film you think you might want to see.

6. Blip.FM

Love music, why not be your own DJ, and cast the songs your spinning and loving to those on your networks. Blip.FM is integrable with Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed, Livejournal and a heap more as well as the function to be fully customisable by you and your friends. Tell everyone what your listening too!

7. Yahoo!7 Answers

This site is a essential bookmark, Ive used it a ton of times, when you just want a handy tip from someone, or just need that extra help and don't know who to ask. Why not ask everyone.
Here you can read questions and if you can help out post your answer. Or got something to ask, Post a question and check back a bit later, and see what tips and advice others have given you. I love this site, and fully recommend it.

8. DailyBooth

This one is defiantly for those amongst us that is less camera shy. Instead of posting a status message, or a blog or so on. Post a picture of you everyday. Its kinda a way of recording and compiling your life, in the story of pictures. see the way your looks change, record and remember those emotions, this site interested me and easily made it into my bookmarked list.

9. Mashable

For all of us that are social media and network savvy, we love to keep updated on whats happening with the networks, whats new and hot and what isn't. Mashable is all of this and more, providing you with social media news, resources, lists and tips. Its defiantly full of lots of interesting information and links.

10. Witty Profiles

Not sure if this really fits in with Social Media and networking, but i have loved this site for a long time. it's very teenager based, but is full of quotes from light and humorous to deep and in depth. I love coming to this site and just indulging myself in reading the quotes and feeling the feelings behind them.

Have you got some that you love and I've missed? tell me about them :) I love to explore sites.

In the Begining.

2009-06-04T01:10:00.000-07:00

Hi,
Just wanted to say thanks for coming and reading my blog. Makes me feel special. I hope you follow me or Bookmark me and come back and read my blogs. I will blog about everything from sites i love, issues i feel passionately about, my design learnings, great images and more! So a bit about me?

I live in Sunny Queensland on the northside of Brisvegas, I love living in Brisbane and QLD , if i couldnt live here i'd definatly choose Melbourne. I love the culture down there! But im definatly always an Aussie Girl.

I adore animals of all kinds apart from:
- Insects and Spiders. ewww so creepy.
- Birds. I hate them. there is nothing to like about birds, - Smelly-Lice-Noisy-Swooping-Birdpoo-
- Reptiles have their moments, i have an appreciation of snakes and crocodiles and so on, But as long as they keep away from me all is good. :D

I started my own Company "iClick Consulting" operating as a Virtual assistant. I provide administration and secretarial support to Business's. I look after a wide range of tasks ranging from word processing, document creation, data entry to research and technology support. Check us out at http://www.iclickconsulting.com.au/

Top 5 interests? Technology (i.e. Computers, Gadgets, Phones, Social Media.. all that)
Animals, Design, NRL, Shopping, Travel. ok so that was 6. lol

Aspirations? True love and a gorgeous family, and to be living a life i love to wake up to every morning.