My year in retrospect...

It began and I really didn't have great expectations for it, probably because I had just had my heart broken.
I didn't really look forward to anything. But it turned out that I had some pretty awesome friends who I really came to know and love. Those nights staying up finishing that damned elective project - I'm really going to cherish, even though I probably didn't look it at the time.
I also discovered my love for coffee and cinnamon pinwheels, cheesecake and Modaks pizza. And clothes. Oh, countless amounts of clothes.
I had my ego battered and torn, and sank into a hole when it came to finding a job post graduation. I had to trust God on that one. Still have to.
Broke my Achilles... that probably complicated the year the most. Still does. But looking back, I am so glad that it happened... it let me see how much my family cares for me. And most importantly, I got to spend a month with someone who truly friggin loves me and now, we can maaaaybe, just maybe, start planning our future together. And that's probably the best present that 2011 has given me.

Now I know why I dislike going home: it's the whole array of activities that must proceed like clockwork. Oh, and having my meals planned out for me. That sucks too. Don't get me wrong - I like being at home. But it's just so different from the freedom that I have when I'm in my own flat.

Oh, and E's company. The lack of it sucks too. It sucks so much that I even miss him calling me ridiculous pet names.

I just heard the first cicada of summer. Funny, I thought that it was far too south (and icy) for any cicadas to live here.

Life is up in the air with this injury. I just want to start work like the rest of my classmates, lest I fall behind. Sometimes, I wonder if I should've just applied straight away instead of completing my intern year.

I've managed to move the largest pieces of my furniture to the new flat, so at least that's one weight off my chest. Just some random odds and ends to do, which of course, is complicated by the fact that I'm still using them.

- clean flat before 31st Dec (i.e. wipe down kitchen and bathroom sinks and benches)
- pack remaining things, e.g. bowls and cups, laundry lines, linen and pillows
- pack for home
- find someplace to store items until return

Also, this relocation business is just a pain because I want to internet shop and I don't know where I'm going to be in a few weeks so I can't buy things because I don't know what delivery address to use :(

Bichon crosses are the way to go. They are hands down, the most adorable looking dogs ever.

Also, strawberries and cream atop my cake? Pure win. Now to make mum's friend a cake too. If I can't eat carbs, I might as well bake for other people.

(note to self: that cake recipe that is present on my blog is possibly the best chocolate recipe ever. It was easy and the results were friggin amazing).

Oh, my goodness. I am SUCH an idiot. Who on EARTH tries to make icing with WHITE SUGAR?!

note to self: cut snowflakes from paper and join up three to four in a row and suspend from ceiling

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/33/Peanut_Butter_Frosting52823.shtml

plus peanut butter icing

Cake recipe (from http://allrecipes.com/recipe/one-bowl-chocolate-cake-iii/detail.aspx)

Ingredients

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two nine inch round pans.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla, mix for 2 minutes on medium speed of mixer. Stir in the boiling water last. Batter will be thin. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely

note to older self: the cat is going to be called Mr Bigglesworth and Pudge. And if we have a third cat, it is called Zazzles.

further note to self: if the cat is ginger, it has to be called Mr Bigglesworth in memory of Mr Bingley.

After graduation, I let my friend graffiti it. But now I highly doubt that what she's done is considered as graffiti. Impressive, non?

The back is also quite cool - she's drawn the muscles in as well.

p.s. Finally got my hands on Bic Runga's newest album. Well worth my $20.

note to myself: when I get better, must try this recipe - http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/apricot-blondies

further note to oneself: fairy lights in jars.

I just cut myself some paper snowflakes. I thought it was both whimsical and able to save me from boredom.

Although weirdly enough, when one of my flatmates came back today, it took me an hour before I felt comfortable enough to leave my room because I was so used to being alone. And now that they're back, I don't know how I managed to stay sane for so long whilst being alone. Well, I've only been completely alone for three days seeing as E. was with me most of the time last week.

I hope it's not hot on Saturday (i.e. the day of graduation). My robes are so heavy and long... I'd probably overheat. And trip.

Also, I would rage here. But I know this blog is read. And as much as I would like to lambaste this individual, I shall refrain from doing so. I don't know why the handicapped don't rage. Because it's only been two weeks and I fucking want to yell at people already. Well, the person who I seem to end up releasing all my anger on is my mother and she really doesn't deserve it. There have been some people who without them, I probably would've self combusted by now. I love them so much and I don't know how on earth I'm ever going to thank them.

And then there are others who I just want to give a kick up their uptight arses.

p.s. there is a NEVER ENDING list of people who I can't even begin to thank. I should not let the fact that ONE person decided to be a dick irritate the crap out of me.