I've moved

Should have been more on the ball with this one... but I've moved.

Not literally (well actually I have but that's beside the point) but to a new URL. You can now find me at www.rachaelscrazyworld.com

Made my morning

Freaking cutest thing you've seen right?!

But wait.. there's more... HERE

5 days to go!

What a weekend.

Went out for dinner Friday.. Next thing you know it's 1am and we've had a few Tikki cocktails! Benny came back home to annoy David and they played until Ben fell asleep outside my door on the floor - yep there was the sofa or the mattress but he chose the floor. Boys are weird.

Sat I spent packing and being domesticated cleaning and making pies. Plus a haircut. My good friend and hairdresser Kylie cried when I left. Hate making people cry.

I was going to head to the Lions game but ended up staying home as it was raining as I needed a nap. Next thing I know Lisa had arrived, then Tay & Shan. Got home at 4.30am.

Last night out in Brisbane

Did I mention I had to move Sunday? Yeah so after 4 hours sleep I was up again getting ready. Everyone arrived at 12 and it was time to get cracking! Huge thanks to Pete for pretty much doing it all for me.

4pm it was all done and we were back at Kim's. she was already down a bottle of red wine so we joined her.

Sophie and Kim had arranged an awesome dinner party. Roast for the main but my fave was the entree - roasted garlic with caramelised onions on toasted olive sourdough. Nom. With 6 boys visiting there were lots of bodies to feed!

I snuck off to bed at 9.30 but people kept coming in to wake me up, come 12.30am I was still awake and the girls retired to bed.

Have to cull more clothes this week, I thought I had it all done but I have SO much stuff. Ggrrr

5 days to go...

Lisa stole my phone

Tay & Shan stole my phone

Team Tango!

When Benny called me and asked if I would do tango with him I actually had no idea what I was getting myself into. After I had to grab my laptop and google it and it wasn't what I expected but I was still up for the challenge!

We had an amazing time with Angelique & Chris learning to dance. They are fantastic teachers and the smaller sized groups meant we had lots of one on one time to figure out the steps we (usually Ben) couldn't get out head around.

I was actually pretty sad on the last day after our performance, as not only would I no longer get to invade Benny's personal space with good reason but it meant that my fave time of the week was over and we had to say goodbye to the rest of the group.

Shame there wasn't another class starting immediately after mine as I would have loved to continue!

If you're in Brisbane and want to learn to dance (not just tango) give Angelique & Chris a call on 0479 170 818 at Evoke Dance and Theater company, or you can view their website here. I promise it will be fun!!

Here are some pics of Benny & I on our last day...

QT Gold Coast

Spent a lazy Easter Friday at QT Hotel Gold Coast with Alescha.

What a fantastic hotel. It feels almost like a boutique hotel, with all of it's little quirks but it is a decent size, with two restaurants and a bar.

Cute idea - lemonade in the foyer. Refreshing and super cute in different sized jars with paper twisted yellow & white straws. Just help yourself while you wait to check in or lounge in the retro foyer.

I have to say - the beds are AMAZING. Divine even. We checked in and went straight for a nap. You lie on them and it's like they suck you into them. I could have happily just slept the weekend away! We even came home early from the bar as we were so looking forward to hopping into them!

Rooms are huge, funky, unique furnishings and you can purchase anything in there. Great idea by them. Even the bathrobes and lamp are for purchase!

Lucky for me, working at Rydges, I received staff discount and REALLY reasonable rates. HUGE thanks to Natalie who helped us out with an upgrade and complimentary bubbly & macaroons too!

We dined at Yamagen for Teppenyaki, Stingray lounge for drinks and a snack and then at Bazaar for buffet breakfast.

Definitely worth a look to eat, play and stay!

An Easter weekend

Well it wasn't very Eastery really. I didn't even get any eggs! I did buy hot crosses buns for Brekky though.

Anyway I've been slack as writing this and thought I should really eat on it as it is the weekend again already. Thank God for short weeks! Yeww!!

My Godsister* Alescha came to stay with me - we had a full on time!

Thursday dinner at Sakè, which was amazing. Devoured a bottle of Ume cherry plum wine with our meal which was really different. Took us forever to finish it actually and when Benny joined us and tried to order another bottle we were both arguing with him that we couldn't do another!
After that we headed to Limes hotel - was an awesome night. Lots of cocktails and laughing.

Friday saw Ben jump in my bed at 8am with music blaring. Not impressed sunshine. He got us up and out for brekky at Tuppy's then head to the Goldy for our stay at QT Hotel - such a funky place! We ate at all the restaurants there - Yamagen for Teppenyaki dinner, Stingray lounge for cocktails and pizza and Bazaar for buffet breakfast.

Lauren joined us for drinks and due to the annoying rules in place for drinking on Easter Friday we retired back to our rooms at the hotel to lie in the amazing beds an some quiet drinks. Maybe not so quiet for Lauren who awoke at midday with a massive hangover. At the same time we were on our way back to Brisbane. Stopped at the mall for Alescha to have a looksie and go shopping + I bought a new suitcase for my impending trips (YAY.)

When we got home I had a quick nap (a sign of a great weekend is a nap each day) and got ready to go out. Ben, Ru & Lisa joined us but Ben dropped us in town and headed home instead of coming out to play. Pretty sure we killed him the first night.

Town was dead, no one in the Valley really we wondered from place to place before making the longer walk to Alfred & Constance, where of course there was a line. Drinks ensued and we danced away on the Tiki bar. Great venue. Alescha wanted to check out Brizzy Clubs so we ended back at the Met which had by now filled up. Fast forward 3 hours and the girls were well and truly tipsy, while I was ready for bed & Lisa had headed home at midnight.

Maccas was full as per usual but you must understand that it is imperative to a hangover and feeling better in the morning!

Sunday we relaxed and missed our Sunday sesh, I was exhausted and Alescha was hung. Movies and me cleaning out my wardrobe were about as far as we got! Ben came over and I did a platter for dinner with a huge bowl of guacamole mmmm.

Alescha flew out Monday arvo :(
We headed to the city and Valley for a look and my fave place to eat at the moment - Harajuku Gyoza for lunch before spending some time at DFO and time to say goodbye.

*definition of a God sister - my parents are her God parents.

Gangsta Twitter

Lost my sh!t at work today over this...

If you have twitter check it out- it changes everything you have ever tweeted to 'Gangsta speak.'

Check out the article HERE

Example of my own tweets...

TOP 25 THINGS YOU WOULD LOVE TO SAY AT WORK

 My friend Benny tagged me in a post on Facebook that contained this. So funny I just had to share!

01. I can see your point, but I still think you're full of shit.

02. I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter.

03. I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.

04. I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it is hard to pronounce.

05. I am really easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me.

06. Ah. I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again.

07. I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid.

08. You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.

09. Does everyone visualize duct tape over your mouth so early into the conversation.

10. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about your being competent.

11. Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.

12. Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.

13. What am I? ...Flypaper for freaks?

14. And your cry baby, whiny butt opinion would be?

15. Do I LOOK like a people person?

16. I started out with nothing and still have most of it left.

17. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.

18. If I throw a stick, will you leave?

19. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.

20. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.

21. Interesting perfume. Must you marinate in it?

22. God loves you, but everyone else thinks you're an asshole.

23. How about never? Is never good for you?

24. The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.

25. CHAOS, PANIC, & DISORDER - my work here is done.

Soundwave - hangover madness

I managed to get well and truly written off the night before Soundwave. It wasn't my intention nor did I foresee it happening.
I was at a leaving party and was drinking delicious cocktails. Next thing you know I'm leaving Bacchus, heading to Friday's and partying on until 2am.

Cue terrible headache and vomiting twice. Once at night and again in the morning. If ever I spew in the morning you know it's bad.

Ru was picking me up at 11. I just wanted to sleep and cuddle myself but I had to get up and ready.

I made it to Ru's and went on a recovery mission to the Deli, read about it HERE.

After that I got home, ate, had a nap and started to feel better. In which case Ru began to encourage me to start drinking. Much to her disgust I couldn't handle it.

We got to Soundwave just in time for Billy Talent, Carl really wanted to see them and we had a 'festival timetable' for the first time in the history or our festival going.

Although it had rained all week, the sun came out to play and I began feeling better and happy to wander around. Ru was still unhappy that I wasn't drinking yet.

The bands I thought I would really enjoy I didn't find as good. Too high expectations? Perhaps.

Stone Sour didn't play any of their old music and I found I didn't know their new stuff. A Perfect Circle were pretty good, but again played a lot of material I didn't know. A pleasure just to see and hear Maynard though.

I did really enjoy Cypress Hill, Blink182, Linkin Park & Offspring though. Linkin park were awesome actually, really had the crowd rocking. Found I knew more of their music than anyone else's.
We caught the end of Metallica - old rock Gods still admired by the thousands.

I managed to put away 3 vodkas, I just couldn't handle it. So I guess the moral of the story is: Don't drink the night before a festival!'

To apply or not to apply?

These things are always bound to happen.

Have I mentioned before I have huge FOMO? Fear of missing out? I hate missing out.

So when this massive opportunity popped up at the most inconvenient time I felt rather distressed.

Best Job in the world is open for applications again. I cannot think of anything better than spending 6 months playing around all of QLD/ Whitsundays blogging & doing social media. It wouldn't even be a job! I already blog & while social media is my job, it's also a passion and I love it. Add to that the incredibly beautiful Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef and some of the best animals in the world AND I'd get paid to snorkel. My fave thing. It's ridiculous.

So my initial but was because I didn't have time to read the T&Cs properly & for some reason thought it was a 3 mins video, not a 30second video. AND my major fear was that I had this vague recollection you had to use social media to get people behind you and vote for you to win. I am mortified of having a video of myself in the public to be scrutinized. I used to get embarrassed with my Mum watching me play netball as a kid, I felt so self conscious even though I was pretty good but put me in front of people I don't know and I'm fine. Same with public speaking - couldn't care less if I don't know anyone but put me in front of my peers and I get nervous.

Anyway, turns out you don't have to do it so I have decided I will apply! Yewwww!!!

But then. Yes there's a but then. But then, if for some crazy, fantastic reason I succeeded in making it through to the interview stage I would be in transit to Canada. To live. I would literally be lying on a beach in Hawaii drinking a cocktail when I would get the news. This is without factoring in that 35,000 people applied for this position last time and although I would LOVE to win I am forever realistic and it is unlikely. BUT I WANT IT!!!

So I'd have to cancel my Canadian plans and turn around, drop everything, just for the interviews. A rather expensive risk but they do say the higher the risk, they higher the potential for higher rewards. And that would be the best reward ever.

Now to script a video....

Great Barrier Reef

The Deli that saved me

This picture doesn't do the panini justice! It was only half of it, and it was amazing.

The morning before Soundwave I was hugely hungover. HUGELY. I felt horrible. Terrible.

In an effort to make myself feel better, Ruhee & I went down the road from her place to the Spring Hill Deli & Produce.

I walked in and they didn't have what I was after on the menu - I just wanted some kind of fresh sandwich. The lovely lady with bright blue hair noticed my hesitancy and asked what I was after. She went out the back and came back to let me know they could make a ham, cheese and tomato panini for me.

While I was waiting she asked if I was okay - I ust have looked pretty crap. After explaining I was hungover and felt like death warmed up she very sweetly offered me some water and a chair. The woman was a godsend.

While waiting for my panini, I found an avocado in their produce section - you can't image my excitement, it was just what I wanted to add to my lunch.

She put the avo through for me and passed me a huge paper wrapped parcel.

Upon arriving back at Ruhee's and opening my parcel - I found the biggest, most delicious looking panini ever!! There was a mass of shaved ham and layers of cheese with some tomato's in crisp and soft delicious bread. I put in my avo and was happy as can be!

I felt so much better - thank you so much to that lovely lady for feeding me what I needed to make it to my festival!

Relaxation is key to a happy life

A moist Future

Wet doesn't even describe it.

Future Music Festival Brisbane 2013. Imagine heavy rain, with thousands of inebriated people running around having mud fights and you get a half idea of what was going on.

There was a river flowing up to the stage, almost over my gumboots - we obviously had to jump in! The ponchos weren't doing much anyway.

Gemma flew over from Perth to come to the festival with me as it is the last time we will see each other for ages, with me moving to Canada and her travelling around Europe soon. We lasted two hours. Maybe 3?

We were saturated and cold, once we watched PSY perform Gangham Style we decided we had got our $130 tickets worth and headed home much to the disgust of Ruhee & Carl! We had both already seen Prodigy and many of the other acts so were happy to go home and then head to a warm pub in clean, dry clothes.

Wet at home after FMF

Pre-festival

A shit load of lists

A shit load of lists is what I have been inspired to do since I read '100 Things' by Sebastion Terry.

It's a fantastic book.

I read 100 things because my beautiful cousin CJ suggested it to me and she was really motivated after reading it. She even did City to Surf in Sydney with the author. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about so I sent one to a good friend of mine as a gift and then bought it for myself. It then sat on my shelf for a few months as I was preoccupied with a hundred other things - nothing new really!

The book is written by Seb, who after the death of a close friend sat down and asked himself 'if I was to die today, what would I change?' He sat down and started writing a list. The book is actually one of the items on his list and documents his adventures following his heart.

I haven't written my 100 list and I don't intend to. I write enough lists as it is! But it is truely motivating and inspirational. He is also pretty cute haha shame he has a girlfriend...

Places I've been..

I want to travel to as many countries as my age... still a few to go yet! If I didn't keep returning to countries I would have made it ages ago!

1. New Zealand

2. Fiji

3. Australia

4. Rarotonga

5. Thailand

6. Hong Kong

7. Korea

8. UK

9. France

10. Monaco

11. Austria

12. Germany

13. Liechtenstein

14. Switzerland

15. Netherlands

16. Belgium

17. Greece

18. Vietnam

19. Bali

20. America

21. Japan

22. Bahamas

23. Turkey

24. Italy

So currently I am 2 down. Canada will be ticked off this year and unfortunately Hawaii and Japan don't count. Seems I need to find one more to trip to before December 9th!

Hawaii in a heartbeat?

Well... Okay!

That just happened.

My lovely Mum just sent me an email from Air NZ titled 'Hawaii in a heartbeat.' Next thing you know, I've booked tickets to Hawaii!! Yehhaaa!!!

Sometimes things are just meant to be. Today I was talking about whether I should go with about three different people so when Mum said she had sent me the email and it was for the perfect dates I really had no option but to book!

Aloha!

New additions to my pin board...