Friday 31 March 2017
Karma Baby
I am a firm believer in karma. Be your best self, treat other people as you would like to be treated, it's pretty obvious stuff right? Today I managed to burn myself twice in one day so I'm wondering what sign the universe is trying to send me. Pay more attention? Don't eat so many toasted sandwiches? (burn no. 1 was from the heated tower rail, burn no. 2 was from the toasted sandwich maker). Here's hoping that whatever I did, I have now paid for it.
Wednesday 1 March 2017
2016 - The year in review
Most people do their review of the previous year in January. I am not most people*.
Author of the year - I tried to pick a book of the year but it was too hard so I'm going with author of the year instead. Jonas Jonasson for books that are enjoyable, at times slightly ridiculous but always entertaining.
Food of the year - Bacon. Nuff said.
Shoes of the year - Croc wedges. Never having been a fan of the original crocs, I was slow to try their wider range. Then one day I came across these babies and never looked back. Comfortable enough to wear every day, smart enough to not look too casual. I must investigate other options before this pair dies of over use.
Which brings me nicely to...
Nail varnish of the year - Got to be Trophy Wife by Essie both for the colour and the way it makes me smirk when I look at it and think about the name. Strictly for toes only though. The search for the perfect neutral colour for my fingers continues. Any suggestions?
Make up of the year - Anything that comes in crayon form. Who has time to be faffing around with brushes and blending? Very sad to hear that my favourite eye crayon from Natio is no more. Will need to hunt down an alternate sharpish. Maybe I will splash out on a Clinique chubby stick. Marian Keyes swears by them.
Colour of the year - Surprisingly not red. I wore a lot of green in 2016. Obviously ahead of the curve as apparently it's the colour of the year for 2017.
Necklace of the year - A three way tie between a silver Killarney Crystal pendant my friends got me for my 40th, a black sphere of volcanic rock I got in Iceland and a red bubble gum necklace from Cobalt Heights.
Saying of the year - FFS, usually shortened to f***s sake and muttered under my breath. Unless I happen to be in the presence of small people when it is replaced with the sanitised "for goodness sake" which is more age appropriate but infinitely less satisfying.
Takeaway of the year - Steamed dumplings with soy sauce, followed swiftly by chips smothered in melted cheese and gravy. My mouth is watering just thinking about them. Rotorua Night Market is the place to be on a Thursday evening.
So concludes the random review of the year that was 2016.
*Ok so I did start this in January and then forgot about it but I am a committed member of the better late than never school of thought so here it is at the start of March regardless.
Author of the year - I tried to pick a book of the year but it was too hard so I'm going with author of the year instead. Jonas Jonasson for books that are enjoyable, at times slightly ridiculous but always entertaining.
Food of the year - Bacon. Nuff said.
Shoes of the year - Croc wedges. Never having been a fan of the original crocs, I was slow to try their wider range. Then one day I came across these babies and never looked back. Comfortable enough to wear every day, smart enough to not look too casual. I must investigate other options before this pair dies of over use.
Which brings me nicely to...
Nail varnish of the year - Got to be Trophy Wife by Essie both for the colour and the way it makes me smirk when I look at it and think about the name. Strictly for toes only though. The search for the perfect neutral colour for my fingers continues. Any suggestions?
Make up of the year - Anything that comes in crayon form. Who has time to be faffing around with brushes and blending? Very sad to hear that my favourite eye crayon from Natio is no more. Will need to hunt down an alternate sharpish. Maybe I will splash out on a Clinique chubby stick. Marian Keyes swears by them.
Colour of the year - Surprisingly not red. I wore a lot of green in 2016. Obviously ahead of the curve as apparently it's the colour of the year for 2017.
Necklace of the year - A three way tie between a silver Killarney Crystal pendant my friends got me for my 40th, a black sphere of volcanic rock I got in Iceland and a red bubble gum necklace from Cobalt Heights.
Takeaway of the year - Steamed dumplings with soy sauce, followed swiftly by chips smothered in melted cheese and gravy. My mouth is watering just thinking about them. Rotorua Night Market is the place to be on a Thursday evening.
So concludes the random review of the year that was 2016.
*Ok so I did start this in January and then forgot about it but I am a committed member of the better late than never school of thought so here it is at the start of March regardless.
January & February Book Review
Even when life gets in the way (in a good way), the books keep coming. Here are the books I read in Jan & Feb. Thankfully I had www.goodreads.com to help me remember.
All the light we cannot see - Anthony Doerr
An enjoyable read. The story flowed well with the different stories running alongside each other without jarring. Didn't delve too deeply into the ideology which was good as I preferred the focus on the individual characters.
Rushing Woman's Syndrome - Dr Libby Weaver
I read this book in stages. Some bits I flew through, others were more of a slog. Despite biology being one of my favourite subjects in school, I found the science parts quite dry so I tended to skim them if I was tired. It was an interesting read but in hindsight, I should have had a notebook by my side to jot down things I wanted to remember. Probably one that you would need to keep to refer back to as there is so much information, its impossible to remember it all.
All the light we cannot see - Anthony Doerr
An enjoyable read. The story flowed well with the different stories running alongside each other without jarring. Didn't delve too deeply into the ideology which was good as I preferred the focus on the individual characters.
Rushing Woman's Syndrome - Dr Libby Weaver
I read this book in stages. Some bits I flew through, others were more of a slog. Despite biology being one of my favourite subjects in school, I found the science parts quite dry so I tended to skim them if I was tired. It was an interesting read but in hindsight, I should have had a notebook by my side to jot down things I wanted to remember. Probably one that you would need to keep to refer back to as there is so much information, its impossible to remember it all.
Dear Mr. M - Herman Koch
This was very much a case of disappointing second book (not necessarily the author's second book but the second of his books that I have read). I really enjoyed The Dinner, total page turner, so I was expecting great things but unfortunately this did not deliver. It was very slow moving and the suspense he was trying to build up never really materialised. I struggled to finish it and when I did, I felt like I had wasted my time. Don't waste yours reading this.
This was very much a case of disappointing second book (not necessarily the author's second book but the second of his books that I have read). I really enjoyed The Dinner, total page turner, so I was expecting great things but unfortunately this did not deliver. It was very slow moving and the suspense he was trying to build up never really materialised. I struggled to finish it and when I did, I felt like I had wasted my time. Don't waste yours reading this.
Hitman Anders and the meaning of it all - Jonas Jonasson
I really like his books. They are an easy read with a nice pace and enough of a story to counter the at times farcical humour. Only problem is that now I've read all his books. Here's hoping a new one is in the pipeline.
I really like his books. They are an easy read with a nice pace and enough of a story to counter the at times farcical humour. Only problem is that now I've read all his books. Here's hoping a new one is in the pipeline.
The Street - Bernadine Bishop
This was ticking along nicely, not what you would describe as a page turner but not bad enough to discard either. Then it was as if the author realised she had a deadline to meet so she just flung an ending together and that was it. I turned the last page and went "what?". One to avoid unless you like random cobbled together bits stuck in at the last minute.
The Lubetkin Legacy - Marina Lewycka
Another author I am a big fan of. I started with "A short history of tractors in Ukrainian" which I thoroughly enjoyed and have also read a couple of her other books. Her books and those of Jonas Jonasson are similar in style so I suppose it stands to reason that I would like them both.
The Lubetkin Legacy - Marina Lewycka
Another author I am a big fan of. I started with "A short history of tractors in Ukrainian" which I thoroughly enjoyed and have also read a couple of her other books. Her books and those of Jonas Jonasson are similar in style so I suppose it stands to reason that I would like them both.
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