~The Portrait of a Lady ~Henry James~ (I swear it’s eerie the way I relate to this book.  )

My head is spinning a little today.  In fact it’s been spinning for a few days. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to be exact.  What is UP may actually be down and what is down may actually be sdrawkcab and inside out.  It’s not really one particular thing – though there is one particular thing that seems to be extra swimming around the mad whirlpool of thoughts swirling in my mind – but it’s a multitude of things.  All sorts of things.  Things I really don’t want overflowing in my head!

If you were my mom – here are the signs that would tip you off to things being a bit “off.”

1. I didn’t blog for 2 straight days. And the blogs I DID post this week weren’t the “original posts” for the day.  I couldn’t bring myself to publish those thoughts.
2. I was an hour late to class.  I’m never late to class.
3. I have an ever-growing list of people that I haven’t gotten back to…
4. I washed all of my bedding but didn’t actually put it on my bed – I’m so dumb!  Instead I slept in a mess of sheets.  (This will be changed today however – I’m on a cleaning frenzy – another sign btw.)
5. I started not one but TWO “detox” programs this week.  And the one I started today is so gross but I’m doing it anyway.
6. Last but certainly not least – I am baking today.  Oh yes.  Baking.  And btw – that deserves it’s own post – so I’ll do that tomorrow.  Let’s just say I’m a flippin’ genius.  And now I can officially cross off #1 on Daisy’s New Life Plan. I don’t have to say goodbye to my Presidential dreams after all.
7. Oh just remembered one more.  I only got a 27 out of 30 on this mini-Mensa quiz.  Those who know me will be surprised that I didn’t get a 29.  I knew I wouldn’t get a 30 – but as soon as I hit “submit” I realized my error.  And if I had actually double checked my answers like I would normally do!  Oh well … it was just a mini-test and I didn’t use a calculator or cheat so apparently 27 is still pretty good.

Oh and btw  4 is the number of days I’ve had to go without Skype this week because my wireless connection currently blows.  grr.

Why New Zealand seems a better fit for me:

• They have Hip Hop
• They have AMAZING hip hop.
• Their music can’t be found or purchased anywhere but within the country – did I mention they have amazing hip hop?
• They have DELICIOUS gluten-free bread.
• Their gluten-free bread is so yummy it can be eaten PLAIN.
• They have GOOD microwaved popcorn.
• The men around here are smoking hot.  – Seriously – they really are.
• The fashion rocks.
• The city is about the size of Salt Lake – perfect.
• And last but NOT LEAST – they sell t-shirts that I like.  You’ll see pics of those soon.

Here are some pics from Tourist Day One!

Oh and they’re home to a Giant Colossal Squid …

I couldn’t resist the latest stream today since it had to do with Dance Dance.  Mrs. Know doesn’t spread anything that is false – she only scoops the hard facts.  Kids, divorces, real estate, schooling, arrest record, religious orientation etc.  These things still shouldn’t be spread around like piping hot honey on a piping hot scone but I’m grateful she leaves it at the facts.  (Though I wonder what she says about me!  I’ve heard some of it.  Oh Daisy?  Daze is my GIRL!  (she calls me Daze.) She’s awesome but just so you know she doesn’t really go to church.  Sure I’ll introduce you but just so you know she’s dated so and so and so and so and so and so…  blah blah blah – ah well – it is what it is.)

So the scoop about Dance Dance?  Nothing too critical except for one big problem!!!  HE HAS KIDS!!!  I thought those were his BROTHERS in his facebook pictures – not his kids!  He apparently has like an 11 year old and a 9 year old.  11 and 9?  I’m only 26!!!

So of course Matty Matt got an immediate text:  “What do I do?”   Matty Matt said, “Cancel.”

I IM-ed MIUB and said “What do I do?”  MIUB replied back with, “How hot is he?”  and then said, “Cancel.”  Oh MIUB – you are so predictable.

Hmm ….

Scott Pete said to give him a chance.

So what did I do?  I went on the date.  And I’m glad I did.

He was a perfect gentleman the entire night.  He’s smart, ambitious, sporty, cute, genuine, fashionable and scored major points when the appetizer came out and he double checked the ingredients to make sure I could eat it (I’m gluten intolerant.)  Yeah it made me remember that time MIUB knew I was gluten intolerant and picked a PASTA house as my last dinner with him before I moved.  Hmm …

Ah – but that’s what I loved most about MIUB – self-absorption is SO underrated! 

Anyway – we were supposed to watch a movie afterwards but instead sat around talking for a few hours.  This morning I had a text bright and early saying he had a nice time last night and he thought getting to know me a bit was way better than watching a movie.  And I’m sure you won’t be surprised that an invitation to try the watch a movie thing again was extended.  And I accepted.  How could I resist?

Oh and did I mention he also sent me a text saying, “Hey I know a lot of great boutiques around here so if you need to do some shopping before you leave I’d love to join you.”  Wait – what?  With the exception of MIUB and Matty Matt there aren’t a whole lot of men up to the challenge of shopping with Daisy … hmm … he does know how to work it doesn’t he?

I think I’m seeing him again Sunday. 

It kind of went away when I moved to the land down under (which coincidentally was the same time I gave up gluten) and I announced myself as cured!  YAY!  I was officially free from my sleeping disorder (diagnosis made by the magic powers of Daisy’s mind.)

Then about 6 weeks ago the insomnia started again.  I wonder if it could have anything to do with the bajillion things going on in my mind.

And then of course there’s this problem of HIM.  Yes – HIM.  My mind always drifts to HIM during the long hours at night when I want to sleep but can’t shut my mind down.  OF COURSE I think about HIM when I have insomnia – he has it too.  AND he’s never far from my mind. WHY??!!!???

Somewhere along the line he became an unconscious habit – one that I’m just barely recognizing.  I had it under control when I was in Sydney.  I very decidedly told myself that I was not allowed to think about him AT ALL and I was at least 80% successful.  You see, he kind of almost broke my heart. And he WOULD have broken it but I kept that pretty under control too.  I’d say I was at least 80% successful. 

Ok so about 3 weeks before I came home though, I FINALLY admitted to my BFF to the extreme, Crysta, and my mom that I still had feelings for him.  AGH!!!  I’m so dumb!!!   And then of course now I’ve come back to memory lane.  And everyone asks about him because of course they ALL knew about him before I left. I was completely at least 80%  infatuated with him and at one point he was at least 80% infatuated with me in return.  Oh and did I mention he just happened to live in Australia?  WOW!  Imagine that!  (Full story coming soon.)

So everyone asks and that pushes him to the forefront of my mind – and ERR!!!

I guess today was just a little bit extra sucky because I went and saw all of my old coworkers who were there with me from the beginning of the infatuation.  And of course they asked – they ALL asked about him – and even though I told them I was moving to Australia for SCHOOL and not a boy they all secretly hoped it would work out and conveniently forgot that he lost interest BEFORE I EVEN ARRIVED!!!!  I reminded them of this tiny detail and they were like, “Oh yeah that’s right.  So he didn’t regain interest when he saw you again?”

NOPE!  AND THANK YOU FOR RUBBING IT IN!!!

Oh I can do nothing but laugh.  My silly heart.  It’s all good though, my thoughts of him now are nothing but wishes that he’s doing well and is happy.  Ok that’s a lie – sometimes they’re a bit more complicated than that – sometimes they’re memories – or silly wishes.  But for the most part, I don’t ever dwell.  I just wonder what he’s up to and hope he has a smile on his face. 

And so it begins…  doesn’t take long to fall back into old habits does it?  I moved to AUS and became a very infrequent and proper texter.  I even gave up Facebook.  But NOW – watch out – I’m texting like crazy and have turned back into a Facebook maniac.  Ooh hold on – my phone just went off…

HAHAHA!  American boys are so much better at having text.  [blush]  I just love a little naughty text action. 

I also love getting texts that make me laugh out loud at the most inappropriate times.  LOL!   It’s all about spicing life up,  Texting is so great!  And I also love how quickly people respond to texts.  Here in SLC if I send a text I’m getting a response back pronto.  In AUS I’m lucky if I hear back from them the next day.

I really miss Australia right now (the gluten free food in America is garbage) but I have to say that Americans and their mad text skillz beat Aussies ANY DAY!!   And for those of you who are fed up with the text crazy life – try going without it for 4 months and you may just change your mind …

Hmm … I think I may have text with as many people as I can before I go home JUST because it’s so awesome. 

I float over the .6 miles or 1 km to the juice stand.  I’ve walked this route so many times that my body is on cruise control, my mind is free to roam.  I take my iPod and listen to a relaxing mix of Joshua Radin, Ingrid Michealson, Ray LaMontagne, and others which now includes my new favorite, “Little Waltz” by Basia Bulat.

“You and I, we make a grand salute.  Stare at each other, like lost little birds across the room.  And I remember the way you looked.  I learned how to dance, but I’d never shown it to you …” – Basia Bulat – Little Waltz

The song floods me with nonspecific nostalgia, I listen to it on repeat.

“A watermelon crush with lemon please.  Yes with lemon please.”  I always ask for lemon.  It’s not supposed to have lemon but I ask for it anyway.  I like it tart.  The watermelon is for my kidneys.  Well – it’s supposed to be good for my kidneys.  I like to keep my kidneys happy.  It was they who helped me to discover 5 months ago that I’m gluten intolerant.

I detour on the way back and walk along the beach.  It’s a lovely 82F and there is a subtle ocean breeze that takes that tiny little edge off the heat.

I wonder if the women who were inspirations for the famous grafitti strip along Bondi Beach know their images are enshrined there.  “Chloe who wears a flower in her hair,” it says.  One of my dogs is named Chloe.  I tried to put a flower in her fur one time but she barked in protest.

My thoughts wander to my girls.  I smile.  I can’t help it.  I keep my feelings and thoughts hidden most of the time, but when I succomb to daydreams and memories I can’t help but to wear my thoughts and emotions for the world to see.  I have to be careful, I have found myself chuckling out loud.

Like the time I caught little Duchess pulling fat and bumbly Chloe (who was upside down and on her back) around by a tug rope.  Chloe was growling but was too lazy to do anything about it.  So she just let her sister drag her around – upside down – fat speckled belly exposed to the world.  I always laugh out loud when I remember that.

I like this alone time – this time for myself – this time to myself.

(I was told by my Aussie friends that my pancakes are American style AND delicious.  imagine that.)

2 c. buttermilk (or 2 c. milk + 1 T. lemon juice)
2 c. regular flour (or Orgran’s All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour)
2 T. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg
3 T. melted unsalted butter
1 c. blueberries

NOTE:  Gluten-Free flours are NOT made alike.  I’ve only tested this recipe with Orgran’s.

So this is ANOTHER recipe where you really need to follow the instructions for it to work.  I’m guessing that you, like me, rarely have buttermilk on hand – so go ahead and put the lemon juice in your milk and let it sit out for 5 minutes to make your own version of buttermilk.

Next mix the flour, sugar, b. powder, b. soda, and salt in a bowl.  Whisk it up and leave it with a nice well in the center.

Add the egg and melted (but slightly cooled) butter to the milk.  Whisk it up.

Pour the milk mix into the flour mix well.  Whisk it GENTLY.  The batter SHOULD be lumpy and you do NOT want to over mix it or it will be gross.  So for real – only whisk it until JUST MIXED.  Then drop it by 1/4 c. onto a preheated and pre-oiled or pre-buttered skillet.  Drop blueberries onto each pancake.  Cook for 1 1/2 – 2 min.  Flip and cook for additional 1-1 1/2 min.

Serve with maple syrup.  ENJOY!

Today I attempted Lemon Squares.  I used Orgran’s Gluten Free All Purpose Flour and they turned out GREAT!

YAY!!  And that leads me to what I’m grateful for today – Orgran’s Gluten Free Flour. I’m so grateful they sell that in Australia because it works like a champ.  You seriously can’t even tell it’s not normal flour.

Lemon Squares

Crust
1 c. flour (or Orgran’s gluten free stuff)
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. powdered sugar

Lemony goodness
2 eggs
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder (gluten-free)
2 1/2 T. lemon juice (freshly squeezed if possible)
Dash of salt

Mix up the crust (it’s easiest to use your hands) and pat it into an 8×8 pan.  Cook at 350F for 20 min or until the edges are lightly golden and WHILE IT’S BAKING!!! … mix up the lemony goodness (you can use a fork or a whisk) and let it sit out while the crust is baking in the oven.  Sounds crazy – I know – but it makes a difference.  When you take the crust out of the oven, quickly give the lemony goodness another whisk or fork through and then pour it over the hot crust.  Bake for an additional 20 min or until the center is just set.

Enjoy!

Yesterday I went to the Zoo (# 89 Visit Taronga Zoo) and will post pics later but I’d have to say that yesterday I was grateful for gluten-free pasta.  Mmm – it’s so yummy and tastes JUST like normal pasta. 

Today I’m grateful for the ocean and the rain – it’s so relaxing!!!

Here are some Aussie Words
Hen’s Party – Bachelorette Party
Capsicum – peppers (bell, red, chili etc.)
Rock Melon - cantaloupe
Boot – Trunk of car
Holiday - vacation
Long Weekend - 3 day weekend

Oh and I keep forgetting to put up Episode 5 – definitely need to do that when I get back.  I’ve had quite a few developments over the past little bit – so yeah … coming soon!!!

YAY – hip, hip, hooray!!

Ok but the GOOD news is I crossed off #26 of my 101 goals today – “Prioritize list of 101 (with time frames.)”

And that’s when I realized 101 goals is a LOT!!! So in the spirit of being proactive and because I kinda like HATE Australia right now I’ve decided to start #23 – “Gratitude journal/blog for 30 days” except I’m going to add a twist – I have to blog about things I’m grateful for IN Australia.  [gulp]

Can it be done?  I guess we’ll see …

So Gratitude Journal Day #1 – I’ve only been in Australia for 2 months and I already have friends who care about me.  For example:

Dr. Sarcastic who, upon hearing the tears in my voice when he called this morning, didn’t pry when I told him I didn’t want to talk about it and instead took control of the conversation and made me talk about other things in my life until I was laughing.

Then there is Australian Scott who, knowing I was in a rotten mood, picked me up so we could be rotten together.  Then he told me HE wanted to go to the garden store so we could look at plants and ya know … possibly – if it suited my rotten mood – find one so I could start #54 on my 101 list “Plant and grow a vegetable or fruit.” So even though I was absolutely determined to not buy a plant because in my rottenness I thought it’d be better to wait and grow one at home …  I am now the proud owner of a new jalapeño plant.

And My Flattie who, after having heard from Dr. Sarcastic that I was having a really bad day, invited me over to make enchiladas. I’m not sure I’m particularly pleased that Dr. Sarcastic orchestrated this bit – however – it was thoughtful of both of them.

Oh and last but not least – Davide – who taught me two new games so I can now cross off #65 – Learn to play 2 new games.  He taught me the game Boa (an African game he picked up while he was there this summer) and Briscola (an Italian game his father taught him.)