Imaginary World

There is a void in my life now where Harry Potter used to be.

Stop reading now if you don't want to know anything about the book.

There is one bit (out of many) that stood out to me. It was happening when Harry thought he died and his dead school principal explained everything that happened.

"Tell me one last thing," said Harry. "Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"

There were so many more memorable moments, I think I might go and read it all again. I predicted that Harry was a Horcrux and that of course he wouldn't die (the whole theme of good vs evil wouldn't have any point otherwise) but the story about Snape really got me by surprise. It really tied everything about him throughout all the books.

I only wish that in the epilogue, we would've been told the professions of Harry, Ron and Hermione. It made me laugh to read that Harry has four kids.

Magic

I have traded my Saturday night and Sunday with David for Harry Potter.

It was my goal to complete the book this weekend before I'm exposed to people spoilng it for me. Unfortunately, I've realised that this challenge was a bit unrealistic as I'm not even half way through. To be honest I've started a little later than planned and did manage to go shopping in the morning.

I got a trendy dress which will look great with my boots. I was a bit indecisive about buying it as it will make me stand out at work. (The majority of my workmates are at least 40 years old and choose conservative comfort over fashion).

I've decided I'm only young once and will regret if I don't take advantage of my youth to be able to wear odd-looking dresses that are in fashion.

Oh, almost forgot. On Friday, David and I put a deposit for our new home!!! We both couldn't quite believe it. I felt weird giving most of my savings away. We celebrated by going to see Harry Potter. I found the movie a bit odd as it reminded me of some arty film with horror aspects, like the eerie music and lighting. Not quite as scary as I imagined when I was reading the book.

My brother bought himself a laptop. We are now chatting to each other on the internet, even though he's in the next room. Weird, the future of technology.

Ok, time to go back and read some more of my magical Harry Potter book.

Facebook Fairytale

Facebook and MySpace were made for satisfying my stalkery tendencies.

First thing I did when I joined (pressured by April) was look up everyone I knew throughout my life. My personality already has an insatiable curiosity to know about everyone's private lives but to be able to do so from the comfort of my own home and the privacy of my anonymity, it's just too good to be true!

I have been a member for quite a bit now and have found out all the not so exciting details of people I know and used to know. The novelty has worn off.

Until a few days ago when I looked up the page of a girl from my high school and was intrigued by her life. She was always a bit of a bohemian type, had the type of non-standard beauty I always dreamed of (i.e gorgeous thick curly hair and a smile that said, "I know something you don't"). Pretty much a fictional character type.

I knew her parents were divorced and she had a mixed family. Turns out now she's married and lives overseas. She met the guy when she went back to her home country and now they live in his home country. Apparently they've travelled together for quite a while and now have settled down.

She posted pictures of them. Maybe it was the photos that got my interest (like glimpses into the lives of two beautiful people). Maybe it was her honest and deep style of writing, maybe it was her humour, maybe it was the cute notes her husband left on her site but to me they were like a fictional story played out in real life.

I was disappointed to also find out that they take drugs. I told April and she said, "Honestly Sky, that doesn't even surprise me". I don't know why I'm always taken aback when I find out someone who seems intelligent and 'normal' does something as stupid as that.

Not Well

My stomach really hurts. I don't know why and the doctor doesn't either. All my blood tests came back fine so I've been sent to a specialist.

Unfortunately, the specialist can only see me at the end of August. Panadol (and such) doesn't help. I don't know how I'll cope for a month. It's driving me crazy.

I really hope it's not anything serious. I have my wedding coming up! I can't be sick! But hey, knowing my history, I always manage to pick up some unlikely disease.

I haven't seen David since the weekend. He doesn't have a car. I'm too sick to drive there. It's very frustrating.

To top it all, I had a headache all day today.

Job Opportunity

As you know, I love my current job. You probably also know that even though I've been working at this job for over a year, it is not a permanent position. My contract has been extended many times and just before every one of those times I got very anxious and worried about it.

Since I've been working in the goverment for over a year, I am now allowed to apply for other internal government positions (and most of them are internal). So a few weeks ago, I decided to browse the job site and was very surprised to see an ad for the exact same position I'm doing now at another location.

Of course I applied. I didn't expect anything as sometimes the advertised positions are not really 'real', i.e. there might already be someone for the position but they just have to pretend to be fair by going through all the correct processes.

Today I got a call inviting me to the interview. I was so happy but nervous. Not nervous about the interview but nervous that I might not be working where I am now. What are the chances that the environment at the other place will be as wonderful as it is here?

I have to keep reminding myself that I need a permanent position, especially with a forthcoming mortgage and the possibility of having to take maternity leave in the next few years.

Who knows what possibilities there are at my current job. I could have my contract extended for many more months. The position could also be open and I could get to do it permanently. The big problem is that I have no guarantees now and this chance for a permanent position in my field and with the same salary and conditions is unlikely to come too often.

I might not even get it.

I Can Post Again!

Yay, I can post again! I have no idea why I can't post from Internet Explorer anymore. I thought it'd get fixed but since it hasn't, I had to download Firefox. Even Netscape couldn't cope.

And there were so many things I wanted to write about in the last few days!

However, I can't right now as I have rush to the broker who will hopefully explain why it's ok to sign our loan offer which has an incorrect first payment date ("the computer inputs any date" - ?!) and why it's ok that David's name is not on the account. For some reason, it was too difficult to explain over the phone.

But more about my problems with finance and legal professionals later.

Dreaming of a Life a Little Bit Extraordinary

As I'm growing older, my creativity has slowly disappeared into some deep dark hole and I'm worried I will never get it back.

Maybe it's because my life has gotten busy and exciting, leaving no need for my brain to come up with anything imaginative.

I used to write so much before. Stories just filled my head. Now it's an empty sponge which just absorbs reality.

If you've read my blog from the beginning, you might remember how I used to write scripts with April. It could be due to my lack of writing companion that I can't get out of this frustrating writer's block.

I've been really wanting to enter an annual play-writing competition which is open to anyone. It's not even a film competition where you need equipment. All that's required here is a computer and your brain.

I have come up with general ideas but can't move on to the actual details. Like, the plot. Yeah, a bit of a problem, I know. Being the critic that I am, my other obstacle is that I put down any idea that I come up with, not letting it flourish into something that could possibly be great. I have no faith in my ideas. But realistically, that's because they are just not that good.

Why do I even care about entering this competition? I can't think of a better reason but for the simple fact that I want to do something a little out of the ordinary. A little bit extraordinary.

Sadly I have realised that I'm just your average dreamer who can't finish any challenging project but can only imagine what life would be like if I had.

Home Start and the Black Wedding

After some negotiation and innocent bluffing on my part, our offer for the apartment has been accepted!

If everything is fine with the contract and building inspection and the seller doesn't change his mind, we will have a place to call our own.

I can't quite believe it! I really didn't expect to find a unit we liked so quickly! It's been a bit surreal running around trying to organise loan approvals, solicitors, inspections etc.

We're not even sure if we'll move in before the wedding.

We'll need to do a few minor things first, like paint the walls, change the carpet, put in new blinds and replace the stove and oven. Once we buy the furniture, it'll be ready for us to move in.

Never thought I'd get excited about going to look for wall paint and blinds but I guess it's different when it's for your own home.

Just hope everything works out with this place!

Also managed to meet with the marriage celebrant this Saturday. He was quite funny and I'm sure the ceremony will be a success.

He told us of some crazy ceremonies he's been involved in, like where there were two black cats walking in front of the couple, or when the parents had to hold a broom and everybody was dressed in black. He also did one where he had to say things like, "By the power of the sun and the power of the moon, I pronounce this couple as husband and wife". David and I couldn't believe it and even considered having two black cats walk in front of us, as well as giving our parents a broom each. We also imagined breaking into chorus and singing the whole thing like in a musical. Now that would be something no one would forget!

Landing in the Clouds

You might remember me writing about how David couldn’t meet me at the airport when I returned from POB because he had an exam that day.

Well, when I stepped off the plane and managed to get out of quarantine expection, I felt myself being emersed in a huge hug. I turned around to see my favourite person on the entire planet, grinning from ear to ear (or that could’ve been just me).

If there was one thing I didn’t expect, didn’t even let myself hope, was David meeting me at the airport on the day of his exam.

“Baby, I just wanted to come and say hello. And now I have to run!” And off he went as quickly as he came.

Talk about leaving me breathless.

Fingers crossed he doesn’t fail.

Date with My Future Husband

Last night I saw the type of film I've been craving to see for years.

I Do - how to get married and stay single.

It's a French romantic comedy. It was everything the genre is supposed to be. And with a French flavour.

Light, sweet, witty, funny, authentic and happy. I left the cinema with a huge smile on my face. David enjoyed it just as much.

It was the first night in ages we went out 'properly'. It was just so good. Reminded me of the first days we went out. Freezing out in the cold but staying up all night anyway. Before we started going to each other's houses. The first couple of months. The memories...

Last night, we saw the movie, walked a lot, had some tea and light dessert. Then caught the train back to my house. I guess you could call it 'a date'. Only much better.

It was freezing when we got to my house. Wished I could fall asleep in my personal heater's arms but didn't want to risk my parents walking in on such a sight.

Looked for apartments in the morning and found one!!! I didn't really expect to since we still have some time till the wedding. I'm going to check it out one more time tomorrow and then make an offer. The only thing is that we still haven't got a loan pre-approval. We were going to go to the bank next weekend. Will go to a broker tomorrow so he can speed up the process.

Our only issue now is that since David started a new job and my job is a contract, we might not even get the loan. Anyway, hopefully it'll be ok.

The other thing is that we want to offer a little less than what they're asking for but since the unit is pretty much worth the price, I hope there won't be anybody ready to pay the full price. Then we'll miss out and that would be a pity 'cause it's pretty much everything we've been looking for. The biggest bonus is that it's minutes from the train station. David and I can both imagine living there.

Hope everything turns out for the best.