So lately I’ve been raving on and on about my last trip to NYC. I was there for not even 24 hours but it was totally amazing (to the least).

Yes, I had to take days off work to go there and work extra hours to make it up. Yes, the flight was horrendously expensive for an overnight flight. Yes, my credit card number got stolen in the process of purchasing the ticket. Yes, I had to deal with horrible customer service. Yes, I spent 10 hours straight travelling to get there…… But it was so worth it.

Nothing makes you want something more than not having it for long enough.

The aerial view I got on my flight was incredible. It was still perfectly bright at 6:00pm and I got to see everything. I saw Brooklyn. Downtown Manhattan. Midtown. Uptown. The Rockefeller Centre. Empire State. The U.N. building. Tudor City. Central Park. Statue of Liberty. Staten Island. The Staten Island Ferry. Tonnes of taxis caught in gridlock.

I don’t even know when my love for NYC began. If I had to guess it’d be from the tv show Friends which was my ultimate all time favourite for years and years. Then maybe everything else didn’t just add to that love, but compounded on it.

Thank you to all the people who said that I’ve inspired them in my pursuit of my dreams to achieve their own. I hope we all continue on with even MORE determination and thus have every success and happiness in our lives. If I could only say one thing to all of you then that would be that we must stop predicting our futures and start creating them! If you want something for yourself, then set it in your heart to achieve it and actually do it! But most importantly – don’t ever give in to defeat. Ever!

Everything depends on what is in our hearts. If we decide to ourselves that something is impossible, then, consistent with our minds in thinking so, even something that is possible for us will become impossible. On the other hand, if we have the confidence that we can definitely do something, then we are already one step closer to achieving it in reality. – Daisaku Ikeda

Oh sweet New York. Soon I will have you.

Lately, I think I’m losing focus of what I came to Canada to do. And that was to ultimately move to America, or more specifically New York City. I figured it was best to write down exactly what I wanted (or as close as I could get to it) to remind myself and make sure not to lose sight of it. I must keep reminding myself that I must not give up and go back home to Melbourne, (or in other words, boredomsville) where I felt like I was going to die of utter monotony.

So this is it, what my dreams and hopes to have in my lifetime (yes, I’ll still be estatic if I was 75 and only just achieved these things):

• Apartment in Manhattan (or more specifically in Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, SoHo, TriBeCa, Gramercy, Tudor City)
• An interesting and financially secure job in Manhattan
• Own a Toy Labrapoodle (my apartment then has to allow pets and be big enough for him/her to run around
• Wed in some pretty park in New York (yes, I know I said I didn’t want to get married but I realised lately that I probably do. Well, a little bit to the least)

Hmm, that’s it for now. And if I never get to achieve these things then at least I will be satisfied enough with myself that I did try. As I live by the rule that failure is only when you give up on your dreams, not that you couldn’t achieve them.

TO THE AMERICAN DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pulled this from Whitty.

How old will you be by the time you get married?

Put an X in every box that applies to you.

Add up all the ‘x’s and title subject with the sum as “My marriage age is__”

[ ] You know how to make a pot of coffee
[X] You keep track of dates using a calendar
[X] You own more than one credit card
[ ] You know how to change the oil in a car
[X] You do your own laundry
[X] You vote every election
[X] You can cook for yourself
[ ] You think politics are exciting
[X] You balance your own checkbook
[ ] Your parents have better things to say than your friends

Total: 6

[X] You show up for school/college/work every day early.
[X] You always carry a pen in your pocket/purse
[ ] You’ve never gotten a detention
[X] You have never smoked a cigarette
[ ] You have never gotten completely trashed
[ ] You have forgotten your own birthday at least once
[X] You like to take walks by yourself
[X] You’ve watched talk shows.
[X] You know what ‘credibility’ means without looking it up
[ ] You drink coffee [caffeine] at least once a week.

Total: 6 + 6 = 12

[X] You know how to do the dishes.
[X] You can count to 10 in another language.
[X] When you say you’re going to do something you do it.
[X] My parents trust me
[ ] You can mow the lawn
[X] You can make adults laugh without being stupid
[ ] You remember to water the plants
[X] You study when you have to
[X] You pay attention at school/college
[X] You remember to feed your pets

Total: 12 + 8= 20

[X] You can spell ‘experience’ without looking it up.
[X] You work out on a regular basis.
[X] You clean up your own mess
[ ] The people at Starbucks know you by name
[ ] Your favorite kind of food is take out
[X] You have gained weight since middle/high school
[ ] The first thing you do when you wake up is get caffeine
[X] You can go to the store without getting something you don’t need
[ ] You understand political jokes the first time they are said
[X] You can type quickly

Total: 20 + 6 = 26

[X] You have realized that the weather forecast changes every hour
[ ] Your only friends are from your place of employment
[ ] You have been to a Tupperware party
[ ] You have realized that no one will take you seriously unless you are over the age of 25 and have a job
[X] You have more bills than you can pay
[ ] Most of all your friends are older than you are
[X] You can say no to staying out all night
[X] You use the internet every day
[X] Your wardrobe hasn’t changed in a while
[X] You can read a book and actually finish it

Total: 25 + 6 = 31

I’m getting married at 31. I think that’s a good age actually.

Upon missing home, I thought what a better way but to celebrate my birthday with fellow Aussies. My birthday always falls on ANZAC Day every year (April 25) and the YACA (Australian Canadian Association) celebrates this event every year.

This year it was held at Scallywags and had the following events:

• ANZAC Biscuit Tasting
• Two-Up Game Play
• Australian Trivia
• Australian T-Shirt Competition
• Australian Goods Raffle (Cherry Ripe, Wagon Wheel, Twisties, etc.)

It’s funny because after going to this event, I realise how incredibly un-Australian I am. While I love ANZAC Biscuits, I don’t know what they’re made of. While I love to play games, I’ve never played two-up in my life. I couldn’t answer a single question in the Australian Trivia game, I don’t own a single Australian clothing item and I had no real particular appeal to buy a raffle ticket for those Australian goods……..

Nonetheless, it was fun :) I finally got to speak to someone about bogans and footy.

Thanks to Shirley, Ed, James (Tiu) and Matt for accompaning me. :)

Here are some pics below, but there are more on my Flickr.

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Taken

Before I went out on my birthday.

Details

Foundation: Everyday Minerals Foundation in Buttered Tan (Original Glo)
Cheeks: NARS Multiple in Portofino, MAC MSF in Light Flush
Highlights: NARS Blush in Albatross
Bronzer: NARS Blush in Laguna
Eyes: Clinique Cream Shaper in Black  Diamond, Dior Waterproof Mascara, MAC Eyeshadow in Gleam
Lips: Nude