My NYC adventure; Day 1.5

I am staying in NYC for the next 3 weeks. This trip is a working trip for the boyfriend, and an adventure time trip for me Much like this. I will also be sussing out jobs. 

Long Island, NYC and Brooklyn from the plane

We flew with Qantas airlines. The flight was good, the screens on the back of the chairs were awesome, soooo many good TV shows and really recent movies. Watched about 5 episodes of The Newsroom and loved it. Grand designs was on there, two and a half men, idiot abroad, big bang theory, and about 50 movies too. Only got an hour or 2 sleep on the first flight, the boyf slept the majority of the LA to NYC flight but still got a bit cranky. The leg room was minimal for me and I am pretty short. The airplane food was pretty tasty but small servings unfortunately, but they fed us lots so that became irrelevant after a while. I was hungover when the fight started so sitting down, watching movies and being fed was pretty awesome. 

On the flight from LAX to JFK was pretty cruisy too. We had to sprint through customs once we landed in LA because our flight landed 2 hours late due to a stuff up by the luggage handlers and the large amount of fog over LA. We smashed through it all though as quick as possible because of team work. I had flats on so when going through scanners (and there was a full body scanner that spun around you by the way) it was easy for me to take off and put on my shoes. James had lace up shoes so while he put them on and off I took the all the bags and stuffed all the laptops back into it. 

We took the subway to our accommodation and it is ridiculous on how much it shits on Metro in Melbourne. I find it highly amusing that everyone was telling us to go through the emergency exits to get our luggage through. I felt really bad at doing it because it sets off the alarms. But it seems that every time I take the subway, the alarms are going off because someone has used it hahaha! 

Today I checked out the Boyf's office space (right near Union Square), met his boss for lunch, adventured around to get my bearings and got a sim card for my phone. Tomorrow shall consist of shopping and venturing further from Union Square. 

Also; SQUIRREL!

Environment can affect weight loss. I'm screwed right?

I have been trying to lose the weight I put on after high school because of injuries and no longer swimming competitively. I have tried a few things but none have really helped, or have helped but only for a short period of time. But the most notable thing I have found is the environment you put yourself in can totally alter your diet and physical activity. How I act at home changed from when I was living with my parents to when I moved out and started living with my boyfriend a year and a half ago. 

Environment 1: My parentals abode

Buff on my parents balcony

My parents are health freaks. My dad is a tank who the other day ripped out the clothes line out of the ground with his bare hands (much to the amusement of Mum and I, when he looked pretty damn proud of himself and started doing muscle man poses). My Mum has struggled with weight loss since giving birth to me 22 years ago and the copious amounts of injuries since she was in a cyclist vs motorbike accident when she was 16 or so (she was the cyclist). Even though she isn't as thin as she wants to be, she could probably out cycle anyone, knock out a massive dude and has the healthiest diet out of anyone I have ever met. They go to the gym quite a few times a week and when they aren't doing that they take a walk. On the weekends it's almost impossible to get them before midday because they are probably at a cycle class or going for a massive walk. So being in that environment is motivation enough to hit up the gym when they do or go for a walk with them.

Environment 2: My apartment with my +1

The boyfriend works from home full time and is a computer genius who is studying for his Masters degree full time. He likes to drink lots on weekends and eat delicious salty foods whenever he can. I signed him up for a gym membership because I was getting worried about how much he was sleeping. We walked into the gym and had no idea what anything did, I was baffled considering growing up my after school care was in the upstairs of a gym where I did toddler boxing. Unfortunately he has now cancelled his membership (due to fainting spells and lack of motivation to go) so now I go alone which allows me to procrastinate like a boss. He can cook (quite well, his risotto is still my favourite thing to eat and is what he cooked for me on our third date) but he doesn't. I cook every night that I don't have night shifts, and I cook healthy things. But he is very convincing when I am tired and don't feel like cooking that delicious take out places of  pizza/chinese/kebabs/thai/african/subway places around our house are a dinner option. If it's not that, whack on some gnocchi or pasta. He doesn't like a lot of veggies so I am limited in what I can cook for him too. 

Mojitos on my apartment balcony with city views
(no seriously they are there I swear!)

So what can I do?

Unfortunately I can use this all as a massive excuse right? Well that's not good enough. If you are faced with challenges and bad habits, get over it. There is a way to do what is best for you and your health. Even though the boyfriend doesn't really do physical activity, he acknowledges that I need it to do it to feel better about myself. I'd love a workout partner, but either the people who are willing to do it don't live near me AT ALL or the ones who do don't have enough money/time to do it. Exercise improves my moods and less likely to use my toddler boxing lessons on my boyfriend so he tries to motivate me the best way he can. My parents aren't perfect all the time, they do have weekends where Dad will have some beers or bundy and coke while watching NRL or Cricket and Mum can't workout for weeks because her back/knees/shoulder/wrists are giving out on her. They also will go out for dinner every so often and eat delicious foods and get me to pick them up because they've both been drinking. I figure if I am as good as possible during the week, I am allowed to have a day where I drink a bit too much or eat naughty foods. Moderation and self control can help you break out of your bad habits and environmental influences. A great help I have had for this is an app called MyFitnessPal. I know a friend of mine has been using it for over a year; he has lost a bunch of weight and is machine now. He also has some epic self control whenever we go to some takeout place or a party has loads of fatty finger foods. I started using it and lost 4kg in 2 weeks. I gained around a kg back because I threw my back out last week then went out drinking for an entire weekend, but I am sure if I stick to what I am doing I will get rid of it all soon enough!

Now off to the gym with you! I have done a workout today, have you?

Unrelated hilarious photo I took at Big W.
Iseewhatyoudidthere.jpeg

15 minute fat burning workout!

Yes it is true! I have found a workout you can do in 15 minutes! So if you have a workout buddy like mine who is all "but i'm tirreedddd. Can we go nowww?" you can smash this out and feel good about what you have done!

This is a High Intensity Interval Resistance Training. So instead of just doing weight reps which increase your strength, this one includes a cardio workout which helps ward off fat gain! Be warned that if you gain weight it is most likely muscle and let's face it; we want to see ourselves physically shrinking. Common myth is that a woman does a large amount of weights she is going to look like a body builder. Unless you are training to be a body builder, you will not look like one. Because woman have a higher percentage of body fat then men naturally we end up looking FINNNEEEEEEEE if we do high weights with low reps. This is my program for you! This is being preformed as a circuit, intergrating both resistance training exercises and high intensity cardio. The mission is complete as many rounds of the circuit as you can within 15 minutes

• Rowing machine x 150m
• Kettle ball swings x 20reps
• Rowing machine x 150m
• Push ups (knees or toes) x 10 reps
• Rowing machine x 150m
• Alternating weighted lunges x20reps

When choosing a weight for the kettle ball swings and the lunges, make sure you don't go so high that you will hurt your back. Start on low weights and keep working your way up. If you can't get hold of a rowing machine, I did 50 skips or do 150m worth of running up and down stairs.

This is a kettle ball swing by the way

Image from www.thefitnessworkout.com

Now by the end of this you should be ready to puke. You need to go as hard as possible because it's only 15 minutes. I like going for a bit of a gentle walk afterwards just to settle my heart rate down.

Don't forget to eat before and after going to the gym! Obviously wait a bit before going to the gym so you don't feel sick and avoid milk based products. Stay hydrated! 

This great new magazine has been launched called Women's Fitness, I bought a copy the other day while grocery shopping and it is amazing. Suggest you go get your subscription while it's discounted! Wanted to get a subscription but I might be moving to NYC just after Easter 2013 so there is no point. It's okay, I am more than happy to spend the extra dosh!

Shepard's Pie on the fly!

I bought a pie dish and I had mince. So I got creative and made this up on the fly. HOLY BALLS IT WAS AMAZING! This is super easy to make, and don't be too strict on the portions, ingredients.... well its damn basic and get creative like I did.

Ingredients:

Meaty bit

500g of mince (whatever type you want, I used extra lean low fat pork because that's all I had in the freezer)

Can of Heinz Big Red Tomato Soup (it's the tastiest one)

Salt and Pepper

Garlic

Red wine

2 Carrots (diced)

1 White onion (diced)

Masterfoods Roast Vegetable Sprinkle (RVS) - each time I add in a few shakes. 

Masterfoods Pepper Steak Seasoning (PSS) - ditto to above

Top bit

4 potatoes (I used 3 which was barely enough, so go for 4)

Butter

low fat milk

Masterfoods Roast Vegetable Sprinkle (RVS) - each time I add in  a few shakes. 

Instructions:

Preheat oven at 180

Put onion into hot pan with garlic (I used the jar of pre minced garlic, much easier) cook until slightly browned. Add mince, RVS, PSS, salt and carrot, cook until meat is sealed (browned)

While waiting for meat or onion to brown, wash, peel and cut potatoes into quarters (smaller if it is a big sucker) and place into pot of boiling water. Add RVS to water.

After mince is sealed, add can of Heinz, splash of red wine and mix - you may have to add a bit of water if it is too thick; as it is going to simmer for a while on a low heat and you don't want it to dry out. Mix occasionally for 10mins and meanwhile....

....Once the potatoes are soft and slightly mushy, drain majority of the water and put pot back on low heat. With a masher, mash away! Add as much butter and milk as desired (you don't want it to be like a liquid, you just want it to be mushy - mushier than usual because this is going in the oven).

OPTIONAL BIT

I put some pastry down the bottom of my pie dish because I had some and I wanted to do it. My mum when she makes this she doesn't use pastry at all. So if you want it more pie like, use enough pastry to cover the bottom/sides of your pie dish. Have a little bit lipping above the dish edge to make it super pie like. I ran out of pastry so I couldn't do it, but that would be the best way to do it. Make sure that the pastry is COMPLETELY thawed before you add the meat and mash. 

If you don't want to add pastry; YOU NEVER READ THIS SECTION

Once the mash is done, add meat into the pie dish first, then cover the top with the mash. Make sure all meat is covered by the mash. Sprinkle PSS on top and you can add a bit of shredded cheese to the top. 

Place dish in oven until cooked... Yes, I know that is vague. But with my shitty oven it is very temperamental and is hipster. So I cooked it until it went from this:

To this:

(probably between 10-20mins)

And while you are waiting for it to cook, I suggest having a glass of red wine. Why? Because you damn well deserve it! (plus red wine is great with red meat). I enjoy a nice Pinot Noir

My second serve. Was so tasty I forgot to take a photo of the first!

Serve up and devour! Really great with a side of Green beans :)

What noobs should not fucking do while gaming.

As one of the female population who is an avid gamer, we have to deal with A LOT of "are you REALLY a girl?" and "Are you a 12yo boy?" and "Will you show me your tits/vagina?". The most frequent thing is that you start getting picked on because you are a girl and they don't think you should even be able to game. This is totally irrelevant when there is an epic noob on a team, because it doesn't fucking matter who the hell you are. Prepare for epic haters. So to stop your team from getting pwned while they have to carry a fucking noob there are some things anyone new to gaming should really take note of so I don't kick you for making me rage hard.

I can speak for most of the gaming population in FPS games (which are my personal favourite) that these are some serious noob issues we have.

When we say not to do something, DON'T FUCKING DO IT

When we say stick with us FUCKING DO IT

When we say attack together and we tell you the order BE READY

If it is your first time, let people on your team know. I personally am more lenient with someone who is new and wants help rather than someone who is a retard who doesn't have an excuse. This is a big thing in L4D2 because they are VERY kick happy. 

If you don't know who's instructions to follow; follow the player who is the best. If you're new don't start harping out directions to someone who is clearly better than you. Suggestions are fine but don't take control because you don't know what you are doing.

Practice offline if you can before joining the online community. Get the basic understanding of the game first.

Invest in a mic because it's way easier/quicker to communicate with your team mates.

If you decided that you want to get into gaming, WECOME! I highly recommend installing Steam. They have heaps of sales which can get you games super cheap (every now and then L4D and L4D2 go on sale for $10). It works for PC, Mac and PS3.

My personal fav online games are L4D2 (which is my best game), TF2, Borderlands, Portal 1 & 2, ARMA DayZ mod, BF3. 

If you see "Sandrix" or "|F.A.G.S| Sandrix" playing with this avatar, say hi! I am the one who sounds like a pre-pubescent  guy.  

How to deal with anxiety.. In my unprofessional opinion

As my blog title points out, I am seeking a job within my field. I apply for a few jobs every couple of weeks whenever one comes up. I am never usually perfect for the position/missing previous experience so I don't get my hopes up because that way I never get disappointed when I either don't receive a response or just get a "BAD LUCKY BUDDY" email.

But there are those few times when something comes along which makes your anxiety levels jump from "meh" to "HOLY MONKEY BALLS WHEN WILL I KNOW". I have gotten this feeling for about 3 jobs I have applied for; 2 of them, naturally, I got rejected. This time I have applied for a graduate position (which automatically increases the likelihood I will get selected) which only comes around every few years. And I know the last person to get this position who has given me a fabulous recommendation. I feel slightly confident which is making me doubt I will even be considered.

Even though applications only closed a few days ago, my anxiety has already gotten to "restless sleeping" but not to "hair falling out" ...yet. So how do you deal with this before you start forming stomach ulcers? Well this is my unprofessional opinion:

Chill the fuck out

Yeah that seems so obvious doesn't it? Well when you are stressed out about something it becomes an impossible task. Do something active to distract you! Go for a run, or a workout of some kind. Play some music and dance like a maniac around the house (I do this while cooking when the boyfriend isn't home). After you do something active or if that isn't your style; go for a massage. Light some candles and have a bath and/or read a book. Just take a breather. I always loved doing a Body Balance class while I was at university which involved Tai Chi/Pilates/Yoga. I would catch the train from uni to the gym (which was on the same line I needed to take to get home), do the class for an hour then bus it home. Take a breath. I took this photo while in my third year of university while I was at my desk studying. Clearly Buff was hinting to me that I should come lay down, listen to some music and possibly nap which brings me to my next point...

Noms and Naps

I know I can have the tendency to over/under eat when I am anxious or stressed. I will also forget how to sleep which makes me a little crazy and cranky; making things worse. I get pretty cranky if I don't get a nap; just ask the boyfriend. When I am in a foul mood he will say "Are you hungry? You're hungry? Want something to eat? A snack? No? You sleepy? Want to have a nap? You tired or hungry?". I get furious at first until I realise I am either hungry or sleepy, then once that is satisfied I will generally chill out. Don't forget as well as eating regularly, you should be eating healthy. Even though I don't get a good night sleep all the time, I sometimes need a bit of a nap just to make sure I get enough sleep in total. 

Girls just wanna have fa-uun!

This also applies to guys... Anyway.. 

Some people will go anti social and just shut down when they are anxious. Most times people will start avoiding you because you start getting snippy even though they are trying to help. When you are around friends or family, let them know why you are acting like an aggravated Bull Ray. Voice your concerns, if they are your friend they should understand. Go blow some steam and do something fun! Even though my Honours was super important and super stressful, my buddy Alice came over once a week and helped me chill out. The boyfriend lives with me and was always there to help but unfortunately he copped much more because "YOU'RE A BOY YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!". But he was there for me (when it wasn't too deadly to approach) while I cried from the amount of stress. 

These are a few of my favourite things

Do something you genuinely love doing. I love the ocean. So going for a surf, a swim, or exploring rockpools is always going to make me feel better (unfortunately I don't live near the ocean so I just go hang with my best buddies or watch some tv shows). Getting into nature seems to make a lot of people feel better. If you enjoy writing then write something. If you enjoy killing zombies in Left 4 Dead 2 then go play that game! But maybe not with bots because they are pretty stressful. What's something you always enjoy? Got an idea? GO DO IT! One of my friends loves his car and when he gets stressed out he goes for a drive. I also love having cuddles with my poodle Buff. He seriously has a sixth sense for these kind of things, and man he is a champion at the cuddles.

Now if there are any other tips you can think of which help you stress less, then feel free to leave it in the comments. Also if you think that you get anxious a bit too often and too frequently, go see a doctor. It might be possible that you have an anxiety disorder which can have some serious effects on your health.

The Olympics 2012 Coverage in AUS

If you are living or currently staying within Australia, you will know the frustration that the whole country seem to be having with Channel 9s coverage of the games. On social media sites, there has been so much anger towards the coverage within the first few days of the Olympics; only showing the swimming, the replays of swimming, rowing and equestrian. 

At least we didn't do the massive balls up that NBC did with not including the tribute to the victims of terrorism but instead cutting to Ryan Seacrest interviewing Phleps yes? Well...we did get Eddie annoying 90% of the viewers with his incredulous comments and borderline sexist/racist/idiotic comments (which by the way is present in his commentary on Foxtel). Many countries weren't shown marching into the arena but our athletes doing stupid dances and not behaving well was. I know I definitely missed Russia and Japan entering, who aren't exactly no name countries either.

On the Saturday after the opening ceremony, there were events such as gymnastics, football, archery, badminton, volleyball, table tennis, basketball, judo, cycling, fencing, handball, tennis, shooting, boxing. If you don't have Foxtel because you can't afford it, I bet you had no idea all those events occurred before the swimming heats started. Even Channel 9 has status updates such as

When I got up specifically to see these events, they were not showed. I saw swimming instead and nothing else. Oh wait, they cut to 1 goal scored by the aussies in the water polo then more swimming.

Don't get me wrong, I love swimming, it is my favourite event of the games. I even lifeguard where VIS and AIS quality swimmers train so I feel even closer to the swimmers. But even I am getting a little over re-watching the 4x100m relay every single day. The reasoning behind the epic amount of swimming coverage is probably because within Australia it is known as our best event. This year we haven't gone so well and frankly I think the amount of confidence and cocky attitude that has been forced down our throats has also been our undoing. We should be thankful to be in the top 20 countries, and coming second in the Olympics should not be scuffed! That is the general feeling Channel 9 is producing to everyone which is pissing people off further. The person who wins the award for worst commentator of the games has to be James Bradshaw, who instead of commentating on the rowing, decided to talk about AFL poaching from other sports. He talks in absolutes such as "MAGNIFICENT" and "Fantastic position" and "They are definitely coming through" while the Aussies he's talking about are in 5th place and loosing ground not gaining it. It's as if he is looking at a wall while commentating. There is another word starting with "I" that he says all the time but now I can't remember it...

Now that the Athletics has started, we are seeing more events shown. Maybe because they finally heard our cries? Who knows. Not only is the limited showing of events frustrating, the only showing 30 seconds of a gymnastic routine or just showing a slow motion replay of someone crying is driving everyone insane. We didn't even see the event but we hear about the epic tension that happened. Don't even get us started on the poor commentary for the rowing. 

I am happy to say that if you want to see extensive coverage, don't bother trying to watch it live. Watch "London Gold" because it covers more events than the live coverage shows.

If there is something you definitely don't want to miss, I highly suggest finding someone with foxtel and crashing at their place. Bring snacks and if appliciable, try this drinking game:

Chilli con carne potatoes

I love chilli con carne. It's delicious. You can use it a variety of ways in a meal. I enjoy having it in a lettuce cup, the boyfriend likes it in wraps, so I thought I would try a new way for dinner one night when I was craving potato. 

I highly suggest drinking a beer with this meal, I had some Peroni with mine and it seemed to complement the pallet.

Ingredients:

• 6 potatoes, medium size.
• 1 can of red kidney beans, rinsed, drained (I like using the mexican red kidney beans, if you use this don't drain/rinse)
• 400 g lean beef mince
• 1 can of tinned diced tomato
• 1 packet of either chilli con carne seasoning or mexican seasoning. 
• 1 tbsp of fresh chives or tuscan seasoning
•  Tub of light sour cream

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 190°C. Wash and dry the potatoes and pierce with a fork, drizzle with oil then cook for 1 hour or until tender. (Alternatively, cook until tender in the microwave if you are short on time, but in the oven is preferred).
   
   
   
   
2. Heat a non-stick frying pan. Place mince in the pan and cook until sealed or browned. Add the kidney beans and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add diced tomatoes and mexican seasoning, mix thoroughly. Simmer for 20 minutes then season with salt and black pepper.
   
   
3. Make cross-cuts in the top of the potatoes and open. Place on 4 plates, top with the chilli con carne, spoonful of sour cream and sprinkle with seasoning/chives

If you like spicy, I suggest that you also top it with some hot sauce whether that be Tabasco sauce or in our case was Peri Peri Extra Hot sauce. Gives it that little bit extra, alternatively put some extra curry/chilli powder in the corne carne while cooking. (1 serving/potato was 7 weight watcher points, but it is super filling. I think it was 7 because I put some oil with the potatoes, so alternatively to decrease the point value, don't use oil)

Animal chiropractors work. Don't roll your eyes before reading

Meet Buff.

He is a miniature poodle who is 15 years old. I have had him since my 7th birthday. He is pretty rad and anyone who knows me at all know that I love him an insane amount. Anyone who has met Buff can tell you how awesome he is. He still acts as a puppy and growls about literally everything (I am using "literally" in the correct sense; he growls when you pat him, pick him up, put him down.. anything) which is just his way of talking. He is extremely friendly, playful, well behaved and cuddly. 

Unfortunately when I moved out I couldn't take him with me because I am on the 3rd floor of an apartment block which doesn't allow pets. Also I thought at his age it would probably be best if he stayed somewhere familiar. 

About 6 months ago, Buff hurt himself by jerking his head back too quickly. He wasn't sleeping, wouldn't let anyone touch him, whining and yelping in pain. He was taken to the vet and the only thing they could do was put him on an insane amount of drugs. Don't get me wrong, vets are pretty awesome and ours is fantastic and stayed with Buff overnight to make sure he was okay. But giving him drugs was only making him numb to the real problem. His back.

Now my mum worked for chiropractors most of my life, so I have been getting adjustments since I can remember. My whole family does and it works for us, so why not for my dog? We had taken buff before and it had helped, so would it work when he was in such a bad state? We asked the vet and he said "well, at this point you might as well try anything.". Dad had started talking about cooking up a big T-Bone for Buff as his last meal..... Yeah I was going to try anything to keep my dog around. 

At this stage I had kept Buff in my apartment because it stopped him from pacing in my parents big house. I was in the typing up stage of my honours and home all the time except for when I was at work when I left him at the parentals (which is 5mins from my work). This was slightly helping but not much. I drove him to Fiona Kates in Wattle Glen, which is 25km north-east from Melbourne's CBD. Her clinic is located next door to her house, so when you go there you will see number 18 before you see the sign. When you see the sign, drive up the driveway and park. The little building is the clinic (not the big main house).  She put him up on this table thing because he is small (kinda like at the vets, but with grip) and adjusts him. It is not like at the human chiropractor where you lay down but he stands. She tests his reflexes, balance and how he is distributing his weight to compensate for any pain. It only took about 10-20mins and as expected he was pretty sore afterwards. She said for me to keep him in my apartment and would see me again in a week. After 3 weeks Buff was totally off all medication and was acting as his stupidly happy self again. We only had one set back when he was feeling super good 3 days later and decided to leap over the barrier and K.O. himself. 

So we go every few months now as maintenance for him, it always helps him out in his old age. I want to make it clear this isn't some rich person hippy treatment, this is something that works! Fiona is certified which you can see here:

http://www.avca.com.au/member_detail.php?id=145

And she almost always agrees with the vet's opinion. 

Now here are some more cute photos of the Buff

Chillipadi Mamak Kopitiam Flemington review

On Sunday night Alice and I went out to Chillipadi Mamak Kopitiam in Flemington for dinner. Because it was 8pm on a Sunday night it was pretty quiet, only about 4 other tables had people on them and it is one of the few which are open late on a Sunday in Melbourne. 

The Flemington Chillipadi is one of the largest restaurants in the area (not including the bars), possibly either smaller than or same size as Laska King. It has only 5 seater tables; if it is super busy and there are only 2 of you, it is expected that you share a table with others. 

The menu has a lot of options, making it rather hard to decide although it meant there was really something for everyone. Our starter was 3 curry puffs for $5.90, as well as my Lycheetini and Alice's Ribena and Vodka. For the main, unfortunately picked the only thing on the menu which wasn't available, so it was lucky there were plenty of options. I ended up just having a small butter chicken with coconut rice, vegetables and a papadum. Alice got the Mee Goreng. Both meals were 10.90 which was definitely worth what we got. After ordering our meals, we got everything within 5-10mins. The chicken in my meal was very tender just falling apart, there was no spice to it at all like butter chicken should be, but it definitely wasn't bland. The vegetables included cabbage and carrots which were aromatic and just gave it that little bit extra to the meal in a whole. 

The Mee Goreng that Alice got, was quite large and she could not stop eating it; it was that good. After eating approximately half of it, she was very full was sad she couldn't finish it. We were probably sitting and chatting for about 20mins and in that time Alice ate another quarter of the meal. I pinched this photo from the net because my phone battery died before I was able to take a photo of hers, I swear it was much bigger than this. 

In total the night cost us $44.70 and considering the speedy service, very tasty meals and refreshing drinks I think is DAMN GOOD. After we paid and left, I was checking the receipt and noticed that Alice was only charged $4 for her drink because it wasn't on the menu... which I think was a mistake considering how large her drink was. Happy mistake for us!

Alice's alcoholic $4 Jar drink.

For Todays lesson; Blue-ringed Octopus!

Not only am I going to teach you a few things about the infamous deadly Blue-ringed octopus, I am also going to use my special lifesaving knowledge to teach you what to do if you ever get bitten by one of these bad boys.

There are 3 species of blue-ringed octopus, and 2 of these are only found within Australia. The Blue-lined octopus (Hapalochlaena fasciata) is found mostly within Queensland and New South Wales. It is covered in blue streaks rather than rings and enjoys swimming around the ocean (up to 10-15m depth) as well as the intertidal region. The more common one is the Southern blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa) most commonly found within the tidal regions in Southern Australia (QLD, NSW and VIC) and has the infamous blue rings covering its body. The Southern blue-ringed is the one I shall be going over more intimately (because I know it better) but most of the information can be applied to the blue-lined octopus. 

What is it?

The blue-ringed octopus (which I am now shortening to BRO because I don't want to have to type it out a million times) is, like all octopuses, a cephalopod mollusc. Its diet consists of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, with the BLO (lined) species also consuming fish if it can catch one. 

BROs have a beak which it uses to distribute a neurotoxin into its prey after it has pounced on it in and captured it with its arms. This beak is strong enough to break through the exoskeleton of crustaceans. To give you an idea on how deadly this neurotoxin is, depending on it's size (most are around 12cm long) it can kill approximately 20-30 humans within minutes. 

Like all octopuses, the BRO can manipulate its shape so it can hide in small crevices within rockpools and piles rocks in front of its hiding spot as to avoid predation. If an arm is amputated, it is possible for them to regenerate it (which by the way all octopuses can do). they can propel themselves through the water using their hyponome to expel a large amount of water pushing them forward.

What's the deal with the blue rings?

The BRO doesn't always have its distinctive blue rings activated, these are only seen when the BRO is angry or feels threatened. The photo on the left is a BRO specimen from the Melbourne Museum shows what they look like in their dormant happy-go-lucky state. The right shows what it looks like with the rings.

What should I do if I see one/bitten?

First off if you see one, leave it there and DO NOT TOUCH IT! Remember the location of where you spotted it and report it to either the local surf club or council so they know there are some about. BROs are harmless unless provoked so don't kill it or try and get a closer look, just leave it alone.

It is reported that most people won't feel the bite when it initially happens and can go unnoticed at first. I can't believe I actually found a photo of the bite, and this is the only physical evidence of  the BRO biting their victim.

Within the first 10 minutes symptoms of the neurotoxin start to emerge and if this is happening, you need to call an ambulance IMMEDIATELY (112 or 000) and find someone to be with you until they arrive. If you found the bite location, apply a pressure bandage starting below the bite site upward on the affected limb to the joint (eg if a bite is on the wrist, start at the fingers and end at the elbow). This can be used to treat any venomous bite from any animal.

First symptoms include weakness and numbness around the face, nausea and vomiting. Soon they will become totally paralysed while still conscious, but their heart will stop and they will not be able to breath for themselves any more. Without help, they can be dead within 30mins of the initial bite. CPR is required to keep them alive (30 compressions to 2 breaths) and do not say anything negative about the patient while preforming CPR because they are still conscious and can hear everything you are saying. Unfortunately there isn't an antivenom for BROs, so they will need to stay in hospital for an extended period of time until all venom has been flushed from their system. 

And that's this weeks lesson on intertidal systems! Oh and fun fact, Octopussy (the character from the James Bond film, Octopussy) had a tattoo of a BRO. I have all the bond films but unfortunately I don't have that one on my laptop. So here is a photo of her in her dressing gown

Delicious low-fat Tuscan tarts!

I do enjoy cooking and experimenting with food. Whenever I go grocery shopping with the boyfriend, he grabs something which he wants to be made into a meal. One day this was pastry.

This is the delicious dish I created with said pastry. My oven however is the most temperamental oven in the world, so when I cook I don't use specific amounts of time. I literally do a visual/smell/taste test. 

Ingredients

170 g reduced-fat puff pastry, (2 x sheets)

150 g low-fat ricotta cheese

50 g reduced-fat feta cheese

2 tbs Tuscan herbs

400 g cherry tomato, grape, red and yellow

2 tbs balsamic vinegar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C or 180°C fan-forced. Line the inside of muffin trays with baking paper.
   
   
2. Cut each pastry sheet into 9 squares and wait until the pastry is soft enough to manipulate without breaking. Carefully transfer into prepared trays. Keep in refrigerator until ready to fill
   
   
3. Combine ricotta, feta, and tuscan herbs in a bowl. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Fill ricotta mixture inside each pastry cup. Top with tomatoes.
   
   
4. Bake for 20–25 mins or until pastry is golden. Served drizzled with vinegar.

This recipe works out to be 1 Weight Watchers ProPoints value

The herbs can be interchanged with anything you think this also might work with. I get my fresh herbs from Queen Victoria Markets which always smell and taste incredible. If you want to make a similar one fresh I suggest using parsley, chives and basil. A touch of sweet paprika is also nice. But get creative, I just go with the flow when I cook and so should you!

Sugarbeat Cafe review

Sorry this is coming a bit late today, I was super hungover and had to drive the boyfriend to the airport. 

We went out for brunch in Ascot Vale at Sugarbeat cafe. It's a intimate little cafe which has seating out the front and also inside. The staff were very friendly and had a really nice relaxed atmosphere.The boyfriend got the Chicken quesadilla which he enjoyed and was definitely one I was considering having, but instead got the Sugarbeat BLAT. We didn't have to wait long at all for our meals and The food was delicious, even my boyfriend ate a bit of his salad which had dressing on it; that never happens. This is a quiet little local hang out with food that is not only delicious, it is also relatively cheap! The coffee was nice but nothing too special, but I am lactose intolerant so I have to have soya milk which is super easy to burn. The menu is small but it all looks rather tasty, not to mention they serve breakfast until 3pm, and who doesn't love breakfast?

I am definitely keen to go there again for breakfast or lunch, now that I have discovered the local secret that is Sugarbeat Cafe.

http://www.sugarbeat.net.au/

Doutta Galla review while under the influence...

Doutta galla Hotel
339 Racecourse Road Flemington
www.douttagallahotel.com/

This is a place which I definitely underestimated. The food in Flemington is delicious but the pubs I don't expect to be fantastic. The pub with the name which I never know how to pronounce (I believe it is DOO-TA) is pretty damn fun! I went here tonight with one of my best friends... let's call her Sprinkles. I have been there two other times; once with my other best friend... let's call her Alice. The other with my boyfriend on a double date with Bashful and Miss Doc (not their real names). 

Well with Alice I stayed mostly outside because she smokes. We mainly drank wine but I did have a few cocktails. Even though the prices were a bit expensive in both wine and cocktail choices, they were both worth it.  We paid around $4 maybe $5 a glass of non-house wine and it wasn't bad. They have their own personal cocktails there and also have $9 mojito on Thursdays. I will be definitely coming back for that night.

Tonight with Sprinkles, we had some basic nachos to share as well as some jugs of Bulmers apple cider (which were around $19 a jug). The nachos were really delicious, the plate size was rather big, came within 15 min of us ordering and it filled us up. It should be noted we don't have small appetites so for something to fill us up says something. All of the bar staff were really friendly and enjoyed having a joke with us. The atmosphere is really chilled and it is one of those places you feel instantly comfortable in.

This is a really good place for a casual drinks, a top quality pub meal, listen/watch film clips of some great classic/vintage fun music or to watch any sporting event on (they had sports showing other than AFL! THEY HAD NRL SHOWING IT WAS AMAZING). If you are in the area and just want to enjoy the old fashion stylings of pubs in Melbourne; go to Doutta galla! They have restored it as it was in the 19th century.

Extremely easy to get to, the 57 Tram and the Craigieburn train line (Newmarket station) stop almost at the doorstep. There is also a taxi rank diagonal from the Doutta (right near the Tram stop for Newmarket plaza). 


That's my honest drunken review of the Doutta. You can't get more honest than a drunk person.
Oh and I love you guys, seriously, you guys are the greatest.

Eyelash extensions; Review of Go Bella and Glamour Queen Dolls

These are the two experiences I have had with eyelash extensions. Go Bella was the first time I have had extensions done. Glamour Queen Dolls I had done today so this review will only have the appointment experience for that one. The only reason I got them done again so soon after my last experience is because I have a function on the weekend. 

Go Bella

Williamstown, Victoria. 

www.gobella.com.au

To get the initial appointment, she accepts email only - which I didn't mind at all. It took about 1 week before I got a reply but I was in no hurry. Once I got there I thought I had the wrong address. It's at a house which is a spilt block and she did say in the email to walk down the driveway. After getting inside I was pleasantly surprised with the place, there were candles, nice smells and calming music. While I was having the appointment, the lady who did mine was  nice. She was helpful and even though I couldn't speak (because you aren't allowed to while it's happening) she chatted to me every now and then. It only took 30mins to get a full eye done and they looked amazing. But after opening my eyes, oh god the pain. I have sensitive eyes already so when I first opened my eyes I didn't know that it was going to sting! No one told me! About an hour later it stopped hurting but honestly, that's not normal; it is suppose to sting only for 5ish minutes apparently. I also had to un-stick one of my bottom lashes from a top lash. She had attached a bunch of extensions on one of my bent natural eyelashes causing it to poke me in the eye. I didn't realise any of these problems until 2 weeks later. I emailed her asking for my refills to be done in 2 weeks time, I did this because I knew from the first email I had to send her it takes a week or more for her to reply and then she books the appointment for a week or more after that. 

I never received an email back. So, on groupon you can by eyelash extensions for Go Bella and they are insanely cheap. Don't do it. She is doing it to get the initial business from you and rip you off. I was hoping she was just busy but it has been 2 months since I sent off 4 emails to her without no reply and needless to say, my extensions have all fallen out. 

Glamour Queen Dolls

Melbourne CBD, Victoria.

www.glamourqueendolls.com

I was running a few minutes late to this one so at the start she said she might not be able to do my eyebrows which I was more than fine with considering I don't mind how they look. Well she did it anyway and I am undecided if I like them or not. They are weird looking to me and feel thin but that is because I have never had it done before. I found it rather painful  on my outer brow. She used a technique called threading, and I think it was a rather painful for me because I have a giant pimple forming right above my brow line. Lucky I have a full fringe so I can hide them until they grow back. Anyway this experience with my eyelash extensions was WAY better! She made sure they were dry before I opened my eyes and when I did open them my right eye stung a fair bit so she made me close my eyes again and tried to dry it again (think about a turkey baster blowing air on your eyelashes). On the train home my right eye started to sting a little bit but it wasn't even close to how painful the first time was. Unfortuantely due to the amount of damage to my eyelashes from the the fuck up that was Go Bella (you can see in the before photo the gaps and various length of my lashes) I had to get them less dramatic and shorter than I like but they still look pretty cute. Once I can use my eyeliner again it will look awesome. Hopefully when I get my refills done I can get them a bit longer. I apologise for the blurry pictures but my eyes are super sensitive to light and I didn't want to try and take a million photos to get a better picture. I will update this in a few days time when my eyes are not red and super sensitive

UPDATE:

This is a photo I took the next day with flash. My eyes aren't sore at all and they are totally fine. No itchiness, no pulling and nothing poking me in the eye.

These eyelashes I got on size 12 because Go Bella had destroyed my eyelashes and they were short as before and brittle. They lasted around 2 months before I needed a refill (max, I'd suggest going back before then) and looked awesome again. AND when I opened my eyes the second time within 5 minutes I was totally pain free. Winner! They also send you text messages with special offers too! Currently I am giving my eyes a rest for a month or more before I go to NYC for a holiday.