Lady Gaga

No matter whether she is a hermaphrodite or not, Lady Gaga is amazing. Love or loathe her, she is a very creative artist in the music scene. Of course Madonna, Elton John, David Bowie, Cher, Britney and others before her, have entertained people with their dazzling shows and costume changes, Lady Gaga just goes a step further... . Well would you be wearing a Red PVC dress when meeting the Queen of England???

She burst into the music scene round end of 2008 with "Just Dance." At first I wasn't interested thinking "oh great another pop star!" But listening to it over and over started liking her music.

She then toured around Australia with the Pussycat Dolls concert and she was great and her costume OMG I wanted to wear that bubble attire!

She's just amazing!

Accommodation searching..eenie meanie minie mo...

Right! I've got my flights book...now...where to stay?

Searching for a place to stay for overseas (or domestic) holiday is frustrating at times. Where ever you go to a place you make sure its: -

A) close to the main city and its sites
B) close to transport
C) you get a good view (sometimes)
D) the accommodation is good for relaxation and rest after a long days tour of the place.
E) Fits your budget
F) No bed bugs!
Of course its not alway the perfect (or chosen) accommodation, as long as it's a place to rest your head.

Of course there are plenty of places you can go to such as hotel, motels, backpacking, hostels, house, apartments, couch surfing (?), renting or staying with friends and family.

Staying with friends or family, is an added bonus. One you don't need to pay for your stay (probably a little for your share of the food they cook you) or helping around the place. You get to chat about "What's new with you?" or "My gosh you've grown from this short to this tall!" You get to annoy your cousins (well as long as they are under 18yrs). Sometimes its a con, because you have to work around their schedule at times and then later at the end of your holiday with them (depending how long you stay with them) you'll get sick of them..until you say you will miss them a lot! But hey, don't get me wrong, you do enjoy staying with family, especially when you haven't seen them for a long time.

Backpacker/hostels are of course cheap and good experience in ways, as you get to mingle with every one from around the world, who has the same idea as you - Travel! You get word-of-mouth of certain backpackers, searching the internet or heading to the place to have a look, for approval.
A few know I'm a bit of princess, but when back-packing in New Zealand....it wasn't too bad. Apart from some drunken people coming through the hallway to their room was 'inconsiderate,' I can't speak, because I probably did do that too! Ha! I'm bad as them. Like I said, I prefer to stay in luxury.

Right now I am have a dilemma where to stay in Paris. AirBnB, which I have heard from a few friends is an alternative to hotels, where its 'vacation rentals' of people's apartment during your stay. I haven't used it yet, but can be cheaper I guess than hotels. Just sign up and start searching for places to stay, however need to contact the host in regards to what date you wish to stay. Sometimes they say 'yes' and other times its already occupied...*sigh*...keep searching.
Then I'm also a member of HotelClub, hotels at discounted prices. Hrm, perhaps I'll mix it up..for my first stay, a hotel and then on the way back airbnb?

Decisions, decisions indeed. I will eventually find one.

V x

Get off your Ass and work it!

To those people who know me, I like to dance. I love dancing. I cannot stay still and if you try to catch me and tell me to 'be still,' I just can't. Three years ago, when I started Mad Dance House, I was addicted to dancing.

All I thought of was dancing. During work - dancing, during mealtimes - dancing, being with friends - dancing. Dancing was my life. Being active, especially doing something I enjoy led me to do other activities, such as an "All Girls Boot Camp" with the lovely (and engaged) Jools Purchase, other dances like flamenco and yoga - Bikram yoga, adrenaline was kicking in. BUT....for the past year I have gradually ceased these activities (or not doing them frequently) as I should, hence I have been inactive for days/months/year(s).

Asides from the usual walking from patient to patients, nurse's station/reception as such, I feel I have become a lazy ass being on Facebook almost 24/7. If not, eating a lot, watching a lot of DVDs, to the point I swear I could be a walkin' & talkin' movie quotes (Go ask my brother Ray)... .

I know I can do 'at home' exercises i.e. housecleaning, just kicking the football round the backyard with Ray (which I still need to!), a stroll round Redcliffe's Sutton's Beach or a brisk walk but I'm LAZY! I have no dog to take walking with...although I have cats...hmm lets not go there.

Then there's work. I really should use a pedometre while walking, so I would know how many steps (and if I had a super hi-tech pedometre counting the kilojoules/calories I've lost while working 8 - 10hr shifts) I have been doing. Pushing, assisting in the handling of patient's transfers etc, guess can be classified as an 'activity,' but really its work and you don't normally count work as 'exercise?'

Why I stopped?

There are several factors. Factors being: -

WORK: being busy at work can be exhausting. Being a nurse means 'shift work' so I tend to work crazy hours and its either no spaces in the class or its closing time. ARGH! Work shouldn't really impend on the activities I do, but heck I use "work" as an excuse. "To bloody busy to do something," which is probably 99% of everyone's excuses.

MONEY: too little (can't do it), too much (do as much but is it worth all the money for a certain amount of time?), 'opportunity costs' and of course wanting to spend my money on 'all-you-can-eat-buffet,' equating to a dance class! What to choose, what to choose????

MOTIVATION: procrastination of heading to class and all other classic excuses "don't have time," " I can't be bothered..." I need the motivation to get up and do something sometimes. Yes I need someone to kick me on my rear-side and do something. It's good doing dance classes, because you have dance buddies who are doing it, so you go and do classes with them and chat in between.

PROCRASTINATING: In relation to motivation...and just being lazy. Period.

Yes its easier to say things than doing it. But actually doing it will be a good sense of acheivement and keeping your body in shape. Yes I'm a tad lanky, slim, but I swear I feel fat inside, being inactive for a certain period. Summer is around the corner. Need to get out of hibernation and get my ass into gear!

V x

Nothingness...so good.

Nothingness; the definition according to the "freedictionary.com":-
1. the condition or quality of being nothing; nonexistence
2. empty space; a void.
3. lack of consequence; insignificance and
4. something inconsequential or insignificant.

Well my blog today is about nothing...well actually SOMEthing about NOthing. Nothing in regards to not having a plan of 'what to do today, throughout the day.' I guess I am just prodding along there on a beautiful Monday. I would like to say I am doing nothing...nothing? Deeper thinking..?Nothing to do today, I have no plans on my day off, just feeling free and not tied to anything for the time being.

I'm in a state of nothingness...wait I think its more of 'laziness' than nothingness.
Gah!

It is good once in a while to do nothing on your day off.

Nothing that is of any significant.

Vx

Itchy Feet...need to travel...Again

At the moment I am watching "Hitch," settings in NYC (New York City) and it is reminding me how much I miss and love NYC! In general I love travelling. Of course I've travelled when I was young, however after 2001, I haven't stop travelling whether it is domestically or internationally. There are many places I have yet to conquer...."hot places...." "....cold places..." (Rolando accent). I will eventually get to as many continents as I can.

Yes my feet are really itchy to go travellin' round the place. First head to Europe then South America (fingers cross that I can go and watch the FIFA World Cup in 2014!)

With friends, family or solo....heck I'm not sure if I will even own my own place because travelling around *LOL.*...then again need a place to fit in all the souviners I bring along....

Until then (with my very itchy feet)

Adios

Vx

FIFA World Cup - a Month of Sleepless nights.

I have blood shot, lost concentration at work (borderline actually), panda eyes and sleepless nights for at least 2 weeks. If there wasn't any time difference then I wouldn't be having these symptoms and marking the sofa with my body shape. This year is the 2010 FIFA World Cup, held in South Africa. Thirty-two (32) countries competing to see which team will be the best for the world cup (and probably a good door stopper!).

I am not going to lie to you, I don't always follow soccer; nor do I have a favourite team. Don't get me wrong, I like watching the game (not just always the obvious when women like footballers (!)) I like watching a good match. However when that 4 years of the FIFA World Cup comes around; I go all gaga and wooo hooo! If the Socceroos are in the cup. I support Australia...and a few other teams may I add. When one of the teams I cheer for is eliminated I go for the next team....don't we all?

"The sport that stops the nation...." Whoops that's Melbourne Cup. Guess the FIFA World Cup stops a nation when your team country is playing a match. Generally die-hard fans go to the local sports bar/club and watch the games while drinking a tasty cold beer; or just gathering with friends and family watching it in their 50inch plasma screen at home. If there is no time difference then the fans are probably ordering take-away food instead of cooking because they are glued to the screen. Well since Australia watches the football in midnight well er its probably just a cuppa coffee and snacks that are left in the pantry and left-over meals. *Ho hum.*

People who aren't a huge fan of football (soccer for the non-european countries and the point a few dislike calling it soccer), trust me you will turn to be a temporary die-hard fan for a month! *Fingers point at Vivian* Regardless how much knowledge you know about football; you instantly become God in understanding the game (bullshitting or not) you just feel as if you do. Tehehehe.

The games so far have been good. Only a few drove me insane and the referees!!! What's the deal with them. Some have given poor judgements in some games i.e the recent goal England 'supposedly' scored against Germany recently and giving straight red card to Australia's Harry Kewell when they where playing against Ghana week ago. Wasn't happy Jan!

Another insane thing are the vuvuzelas. At the beginning to the end it just drives me insane. GRRRR, but if you're into watching the game (on tv) guess it just doesn't bother you with selective hearing - the referees, players, Les Murray and the other commentators. At least theres not much to go till the cup is over in a couple of weeks.

Sam, Santo and Ed Cup Fever has been following the World Cup since it started, the middle and of course the end. It's such a crack up. If you don't know what it is, its just a 30min show where they discuss about the previous games, take a mickey out of certain players, matches, have 'interviews' with a few of the world's greatest former soccer players and coaches. Hilarious. That's what TV's suppose to be!

Now girls, don't get too excited... yes being shallow for a bit sometimes girls just like to watch the match because of the soccer players. Yes i.e Ronaldo, Messi, Villa, er the whole Spanish and Argentian team, South Americans, USA, Germany..err whatever tickles your fancy. A month of perve-fest. No hard feelings there guys......I'm sure when there's women playing sports you perve as well. HA!
Right now it's close to crunch time as each group are playing towards the quarter/semi and then the finals. I wonder who will be going to the finals? I will go for Spain, Germany, Japan, Brazil, Netherlands and Argentina. GO teams GO!

It'd be a tad depressing for me when the cup is over. OH well...another 4 years in Brazil next. I just hope Australia gets in the next world cup. Guess I just wait for the next world cup - the Rugby Union World Cup in New Zealand....at least the time difference is only 3hours :).

V x

AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy Jump

Orginally Remy and I were only to do the Nevis Arc Swing, nevertheless, we both decided to to the Bungy Jumping. (Don't know what possessed us to do it!). It's not Queenstown unless you get to do bungy (or equivalent). It's not for the faint hearted, and even the last time I went to Queenstown with Lani and Neil, there was no way to do it. 1. It was winter wonderland in Queenstown = FREEZING 2. Were on a schedule to just snowboard and 3. Didn't in a million years think of doing it.

Now that million years have come....I have decided in my crazy mind to "DO IT!" Nike style. So Friday 7th of May we went to the Bungy Shop to book for our jump on Saturday 8th of May. Lucky we didn't pay full price as it was 20% off if you've done a jump/swing with A.J.Hackett...once paid...no turning back. Yikes!

The eve of the jump, Remy and I were at the Altitude Bar @ the Base Queenstown Backpackers and I get a missed call from my brother Ray. I call back......
{viv} "Hey Ray, What's up?"
{ray}"Are you in hospital?"
{viv}"What? Errr..I'm in a club" (doof doof noise in the background)
{ray} " Oh, cause there was a news in Yahoo about an Australian falling from bungy"
{viv} "Huh? Nope. (Ray reads the article to me).
{viv} "No because I'm in Queenstown, not in Christchurch"
{ray} "Oh that's good, because we were worried."
{viv} "Remy and I are all good; we are bungy jumping tomorrow"
{ray}"Okay....(and can't remember what else we talked but then say bye).

*Sigh*
The night before, we went on a Pub Crawl. The Pub Crawl was good, however after the 5th pub we lost the group so Remy and I ended up at the World Bar for a while before heading back to our room to sleep..ready for the next day ahead.

8th of May we will never forget. Read on the site about the accident that happened to an Australian lady and who was in the Christchurch Hospital recovering from her bungy fall. There are risk taking these activities, however I was rather annoyed by the news..honestly (and quietly) it made me nervous because it could happen to anyone who does it. About 130pm was our jump; again the bus with other 'jumpers' to the Nevis Bungy place.

Drove past the Kawana Bridge Bungy, which is the very first commerical bungy jump - 43m and then 15mins was our destination. Firstly checked in and weighed again with the harness and then followed one of the staff member to the platform; gawking at the place where people were jumping off; a cable wired platform..the only way to get there was a cable transporter thingy....4 of us got onto the cable transport thingy, Remy, 2 Swedish girls and me. Got to the platform and I was extremely nervous and shaky. My hands were tremoring while I hear scream after scream of the people jumping off and then seeing them through the glass view on the floor.

A very long way to the bottom..how about 143m??? Remy and I made our own bet to see, who out of us to was to jump first. Paper, scissors and Rock game out of 3. I lost so I was planning on jumping first. Unfortunately they went by weight so I had to be the last..and him the first again.
Lots of picture taking *click click*. I stand at the viewing area, cheering on Remy (Cheering?). The staff member asked Remy "Are you ready?" Remy: "Non"...counting down 3,2,1..JUMP..nope. The he jumped. I just heard a faint "arghhhhhhhhhh!"....after 2 jumps from other people, I was the lucky last. Can't describe how I felt sitting on the dentist-seque chair having my legs bounded together. Guess pissed off, excited and nervousness.

Shuffling like a Geisha to that 'plank' I look down thinking "I cannot believe I'm doing this!" My stomach had butterflies....oh my gosh, oh my gosh...! Waved and posed for photos then the guy counted down...3,2,1..JUMP...then all over. Whoosh! Such a breathtaking view of the lake and mountains...8.5seconds its over. Between those second yes I screamed my head of, I think I may have shut my eyes for a split second.

Wow! What a jump. Sense of accomplishment that I can tick it off my list to 'things to do when travelling'

Afterwards back onto the Cable Transporter back to the base, brought the dvd and photo and then headed back to Queenstown centre back to our place and saying to each other "OMG; can't believe what we just did!"

Would I do it again? Yes...scare myself all over again.

Until then...

Adios

Vxx