OMG!

Sculpture by the Sea, one last time around. And those were some of my favourites.

Ugh.

Handed in a thesis chapter last week to my supervisors for their feedback, which means I'm at the start of my usual cycle that goes along with the writing of each chapter. It's so predictable. It starts with a huge sense of relief and euphoria (at having finished a chapter) followed by panic, guilt and self-loathing (because time is slipping away and I need to get to work on a new chapter) and finally acceptance and getting on with it (with the work involved in researching a new chapter, re-analyzing the data for this chapter etc).

So last week while I was still happy with the fact that I had finished a chapter and still feeling like I had all the time in the world, here's what I did:

• Watched Boy and loved it. It's the story of growing up in rural New Zealand. It was both sweet and heartbreaking, and left me with a New Zealand accent ringing in my ears for a few days afterwards.
  
• Read the Peter Carey novel Bliss. Since I've gotten here, a few of my Aussie friends have urged me to pick up a Peter Carey book. I don't know why I waited so long, as Bliss will no doubt end up as one of my favourite novels.Well developed, relatable characters and a quirky story with hints of bittersweet reality. I think there might be a movie adapted from the book, so I plan to seek it out and pick it up this weekend,
• Watched some of the ARIAs (Aussie music awards) and now I can't get that Angus and Julia Stone song out of my head. I may have to buy the CD soon.
  

Angus and Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane...Enjoy!

Wagging

It's Melbourne Cup day!!! This is huge here. In Victoria (the state that Melbourne is in), Melbourne Cup day is a public holiday. And here in Sydney, people will be chucking a sickie, or in my case, wagging so that they can enjoy the Melbourne Cup.

As per the list, I set up an online betting account and bet $10 on Profound Beauty. The bet is based on name alone but as they say - any horse can win the Melbourne Cup because some of the best horses in the world compete in this race. Wish me luck!