With Love, Mich: October 2011

A few thoughts; a review on Absynthe; a new dress!

Posted by Michelle | Friday, 28 October 2011

A few thoughts....

I'm writing this post today from Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. I flew up yesterday morning to be with Shaine as Francesca's funeral was held yesterday in Perth, and I wanted to keep Shaine company. And to be honest - I didn't want to be in Sydney alone.

It's strange how death can affect the living. Despite not having known Francesca well, her death has rattled me. It has had me thinking about the people who mean the world to me - about how much I miss them and how much they mean to me. I don't ever want to lose anyone close to me, but I know eventually it is inevitable.

I really need to keep in touch with the ones I love better, particularly those in Perth. But I don't. I think I'm so worried that keeping in touch with everyone will make me miss them even more than I already do, and I'll end up throwing in the towel career-wise and move back home - which is not an option for me. I did the exact thing in 2009, when I moved back to Perth after living in Melbourne for 18 months. I missed everyone terribly, and I felt extremely isolated and sad. I suppose the difference back then was that I really didn't like Melbourne, and my job at the time was going nowhere anyway. This time around, I love Sydney, and I love my job. But I have no-one here! My loved ones are all either on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth. Not in Sydney.

Arrgghhh!!! No more deep thinking Michelle! It's time I moved onto something a more positive!!

A review on Absynthe
Anyway - yesterday evening Shaine and I decided to dine at Absynthe restaurant, which is below the Q1 building in Surfers Paradise. We've walked past it a number of times, and have always wondered about the food there, but the thing that always turned us off was that it always looked quite empty. Because of it's apparent lack of diners, we didn't make a booking. Boy, was that a mistake.

When we walked towards Absynthe, we saw that once again there were a number of vacant tables. So we'd be fine to get seated right away, right? WRONG. When we told the hostess that we didn't have a booking, she just about gave us the third degree, and made it apparent that we were lucky to be getting a table because someone who had made a reservation was late. Alllllrighty then. I guess all of the vacant tables were purely there for decorative purposes then?

When we were finally seated, we decided to take advantage of the degustation menu with six courses as they were offering a 50% discount for the month. Considering it ending up only costing us $105 per head with wines it was a pretty good deal! But I must say that overall, while the menu was good, I probably wouldn't be paying full price for it - or be dining there again.

The service kept falling with every course that was served. There was no explanation of each course, aside from the basic menu description. The wines were served in the incorrect order, with the incorrect courses. And there was an extensive delay between each course serve. It was absolutely disgusting. To make matters worse, a couple who came in while we were on our fourth course ended up getting through the first three courses of the degustation menu before someone even bothered to collect our payment. And the tables that were vacant at the beginning of the evening? They remained vacant. Absolutely disgusting service.

A new dress!
Oh geez - I was supposed to be more positive, wasn't I? Oops! Well I forgot to mention earlier that I bought a new dress for dinner last night - it's a beautiful backless cobalt blue dress by Blockout. New dresses always make me happy! Hahaha, god I can be such a girl sometimes :)

So what do you think of the new dress? I'll post a picture of the front soon :)

Lots of love,
Mich xox

Life

Posted by Michelle | Sunday, 23 October 2011

http://www.justquotes.org/images/short-life-quotes-3.jpg

Life is truly a funny thing. A wonderful gift of course, but fraught with the unknown. Every day we wake, we face a number of possibilities - some known and planned, but for the most part, the possibilities before us remain veiled and unknown.

Because of all these unknown possibilities, life can be likened to a roller coaster ride. We get on board with, at best, a vague idea of what to expect. However it is not until the ride takes off that we truly experience it for all it's worth. With every high, there is an equal low; for every sharp twist and turn, there is a narrow straight; for all the fear and screams, there is also laughter and a feeling of giddy exhilaration.

The beauty and tragedy of life is that despite having a vague idea of what is in store for us, none of us truly know exactly when we will face that sharp turn, or have everything thrown upside down, or when it will end. We can't ever really know what is ahead of us, and so we cannot ever really prepare for it.

Because of our inability to prepare for life's challenges, most of us charge forth into every day oblivious to what is around us. We rush off to work or school and we focus on the little every day things that don't really mean anything. We worry about getting paid, and being able to pay the bills, and whether or not 'so and so' said this about us, and so forth. While I am not discounting these concerns - they are all valid, and I face these very same concerns every day - the fact of the matter is that we shouldn't let these concerns dictate the direction our lives take. It should never become the main focus.

Too often we forget to treasure those around us. We forget about the ones we love, or we neglect them. We forget to take in the beauty that surrounds us from our friends, our family, and from the very nature around us.

I was reminded of this today.

It is with great sadness that I write that Shaines good friend Francesca died tragically on Wednesday. She was only 32.

The news has come as a real shock to me, and I am quite upset. And I feel absolutely selfish to be feeling this way because I didn't know her as well as I'd liked to, and what I'm feeling simply cannot compare to the extreme pain her family and her friends, including Shaine, are going through right now.

I had only met Francesca a few times, and because she lived back in Perth I never had the opportunity to get to know her better. But from the moment I met her, I really liked her. She was a happy, fun, and friendly girl with a beautiful smile. She was a good, close friend to Shaine, and to many others. I can't believe that she is gone.

My thoughts and my prayers are with her family and friends.

Francesca - ciao Bella. I like to think that one day we will all meet again, and we'll finally get to know each other properly. Sleep peacefully.

With love, Mich xox

Leather me up!

Posted by Michelle | Sunday, 16 October 2011

Look what I received in the post yesterday!

I purchased this lovely skirt off eBay a few weeks ago - I know I shouldn't be shopping, but I've been looking for a leather skirt for ages, and this skirt was exactly what I was looking for at a price that didn't break the bank.

I've become really interested in adding leather pieces to my wardrobe lately, particularly since I saw a photo of Rachel Bilson wearing a pair of leather shorts along with a beautiful flowing floral top.She looked absolutely stunning! And so the obsession with leather began, and two months ago I purchased a pair of brand new genuine leather shorts for only $20!

The next thing on my list is to purchase a pair of leather pants, but that may have to wait until Autumn next year - after all, it is Spring now and leather pants would be too hot to wear! Having said that, aside from todays lovely weather, Spring seems to have disappeared in Sydney. We've had a run of overcast, rainy and just plain gloomy weather.... hopefully today's beautiful day marks the end of the bad run of weather!

What are your thoughts on leather?

xx Mich :)

Happy Days!

Posted by Michelle | Sunday, 9 October 2011

October is PUMPING! We're just over a week into the month, and I've just about made my monthly target - YAY!! That is, of course, if everything gets approved and delivered this month. But so far, so good - October is definitely looking awesome, and I'm looking forward to absolutely SMASHING my target!! :)

Sadly, I have no news on my iPhone yet - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the cab company might have found it by tomorrow. All I can do is keep positive - if worst comes to worst I'll make a claim on my Insurance. - thank goodness I have that in place!

Moving on - as I mentioned in my last post, Shaine and I had our one year anniversary on Wednesday. I flew up to the Goldy again, and we celebrated by having dinner at Vie Restaurant at the Palazzo Versace. It was lovely - the food, the ambiance, the staff. The only problem was that Shaine and I had started drinking earlier in the afternoon with some friends, so by the time we made it to the restaurant we were well and truly TANKED. Oops. I guess it should come to no surprise then that I would leave my iPhone behind in the cab. The lesson has been well and truly learned!

In other news, we're planning to take a trip to Europe next year. Shaine and I have been talking about it for awhile, but I know that if I put our plans up here then I will put myself under pressure to ensure our travel plans become a reality! We have decided to do the Contiki Mediterranean Trail + 7 day Greek Island Cruise around July next year. The tour will last 18 days, during which we will explore Rome, Sorrento, Corfu, Athens, Istanbul, Mykonos and Santorini - just to name a few. I'm so excited!

Santorini!
(Picture taken from http://www.greektravel.com/greekislands/santorini/)

Lots of Love,
Mich :)

Oops.

Posted by Michelle | Thursday, 6 October 2011

I lost my iPhone last night :*(

Silly me left it in the cab last night when I was paying the driver. I'm normally so careful, but I think I went a bit overboard with the alcohol last night, after celebrating my one year Anniversary with Shaine. Oops!

I'm not a religious person, but I'm praying that someone honest has found it and will hand it in. Although the phone is only a material item, it's very important to me. Your prayers would be appreciated!

Thanks :)

With love,
Mich xox

Love makes my world go round

Posted by Michelle | Monday, 3 October 2011

Work is a bit slow today, so I've been spending a bit of time blog stalking, which has prompted me to write another post on my own blog focusing on why my blog is named so. Apologies in advance, as I'm in a thoughtful, daydreaming mood and I anticipate that I'm going to be rambling a bit!

Finding a blog title was quiet difficult for me, especially since this is the first Blog I have ever started and I had no idea what direction it would go. Having only made a few posts so far, I still don't know where it's going to go! Which is why I thought that I should make the title a little bit more personal to me, as no matter which direction this blog heads, the one common factor that would always remain would be me.

I titled this blog "With Love, Mich" as one of the most important things in my life is Love. Too many people, including myself, have wasted precious time and energy into people, jobs, and various activities that we dislike or despise, all the while forgetting what it means to have happiness and love in our lives. When I started this blog, I knew that I wanted to make it a positive and happy experience, not only for myself but for whoever reads this too.

When I left Perth, I was an emotional wreck - I had left a soul sucking relationship with an abusive narcissist, who had reduced me to a faint shadow of the person I was. I had lost a lot of confidence, not only in myself, but in others as well. - and the most scary thing was that I never thought I would find love again. I felt betrayed, hollow, and lost. Little did I know that going through that dreadful relationship was probably the one of the most important things to happen in my life, because it ultimately it led me here in Sydney, and it led me to Shaine.

Shaine is the most loving and supportive man I have ever met. He never puts me down, and he always supports me. We never (yes, never!) argue. Instead, we discuss everything and we hear each other out. We also give each other the required kick up the backside when required! Above all, we understand and respect each other.

Before I get too mushy, I guess what I'm trying to say is that Shaine reminded me that Love does exist. Since being with him, I am the happiest that I have ever been in my life. I've remembered that not everyone is out to discredit me, or put me down, and that good, pure, GENUINE people still exist! Despite the fact that we are currently separated by state lines, I've been able to see the beauty in things once more, and compared to where I was 15 months ago, I now feel like ME again.

My friends, too, have reminded me that Love exists. Although I may not see them all or keep in contact as well as I should, I know that they will always have my back, and I theirs. It doesn't matter how much time has passed, I know that when we see each other again we will pick up right where we left off. My friends are my family, and I love them dearly.

Having said that, I know I'm not perfect, and I do have the occasional whinge. We all have a little whinge sometimes- it's normal, quite natural, and to be honest, it's to be expected at times - life is never perfect, after all! However, while we many have the occasional whinge, I don't think the majority of us mean too much by it. I am thankful everyday for the friends in my life who understand it when we need a little vent, and understand when we need support, and understand when we are just having a little bit of fun!

And so it came to be that I named this blog 'With Love, Mich' - to remind myself everyday of the love I have in my life, and to remember that things are never as bad as it may seem. I'm not a perfect being, but with everything I do, it comes from a place of Love.

To all my friends out there - I miss you and I love you all. Without your love and support, I wouldn't be where I am now.

To many more years of love and friendship!

With love,
Mich :) xoxo

Lusting

Posted by Michelle | Sunday, 2 October 2011

What's happened to Spring, Sydney?? It's cold, grey, and pouring down with rain... I may as well be back in Melbourne! Oh well - I guess I should be glad I'm at work and can't go to Parklife today, this weather is terrible!

*Sigh* I just wanted to get that off my chest :)

Moving on, I thought I'd share a few things that I've been lusting after - as you may have noticed, I spend a lot (ALL) of my time at work in front of my computer, and have perhaps a little bit too much time on my hand to surf the Internet. These are some of the lovely things that I have found in the last week!