Everyday I'm tumblin'

Announcement #1: We have Tumblr now [ladies, same log in deets]. It's lovely. Have a gawk. We share short snippets of the things we like. Or don't like. Or even better, what we LOVE!

TUMBLR

Announcement #2: It is St. Nikolaus day here in Austria! So all the kids get little stockings as a prequel to the more popular and commercial 24th of December. St. Nick on this side of the world looks a .... ummm... well, a little different...

But he still has the hair and the general jollyness... right? It still hasn't snowed here! Come on, weather! Get it together!

Announcement #3:

R.I.P. Sarah's ipod which came to a rather horrific death this week and deleted all 11,000 of my songs in the process. Which I hadn't backed up on my computer. Or anywhere else for that matter. Yeah, yeah. I know what you are calling me! Stupid? Yes, very. 

Announcement #4: The song selection is mellow out this time round.

Featuring Freelance Whales, a previous love of mine, Kings of Convenience and an Ozzie group called Youth Group. Mighty stuff.

S

Free Crappy Portraits

A while back, I read something about this GENIUS idea of a website called "Free Crappy Portraits". It does what is says on the tin. As a group of talented talentless artists, they ask you for requests, including a picture and a description. Based on these alone, one of the girls will put crayon, pen or paint to paper and draw your own free crappy portrait!  It's a great concept that came out of boredom and the desire to have a little fun and get to know people. You can read all about it right here.

I sent in an email a few months ago and I just found the finished piece in our email inbox. It's pretty amazing. In a crappy yet magnificent way.  It's crapificent. Although, it's not really that crappy. It's a damn sight better than what I could have done. I think I might have it framed. Or tattoo'd on my arm. 

Have a look and try and guess who is who!

Our artist goes by the name of Christie and she is a primary school teacher, no less. My favourite bits are how 

a/ There is cheesecake, which is what we were eating the night we decided to set this all up back in January, 

b/ Dee's webpage is HILARIOUSLY accurate,

c/ They got Ciara's polka dot shorts right

d/ We're all a little ginger and

e/ The computers are floating.

You can get one too on their website, as a thoughtful birthday present or Christmas gift [or at least, as part of one. You'd be chancing it if that's all you gave!]

S

"Before I Die" by Ms. Candy Chang

I was feeling a bit run down this week with a lot of presentations to prepare and do as it's my birthday next week and I want to be stress free for that weekend. Vienna is a little drab during the days when the Christmas lights aren't twinkling and everyone is on their way to one place or the other and you've the weight of responsibility on your shoulders. So I was really happy when I found this rather inspiring community art project by a Ms. Candy Chang [greeeeeeeeeat name]. 

It's called "Before I Die" and was born out of wanting to make dark, wasted industrial spaces in cities positive focal points for communities. All she did was put up a series of blackboards on an old, derelict building with the words "Before I Die, I Want To ___________________________" and provided some chalk for people to go wild. She tells the story herself better at her website but the pictures that go through the history of the "Before I Die" project are lovely. The responses range from the sentimental to the whimsical but they are all geniune responses from passerbys. 

My favourite responses was "Before I die I want to be someone's cavalry" and "Before I die I want to hug a sloth". I've been trying to think what I would write and it's something that requires a good sit down. I'd love to set one up in Cork or Limerick maybe. This project has spread all over the world and it's a nice little reminder to yourself to remember that time is not linear, it's ongoing and once a day has passed, it's gone. Considering I spent all of yesterday in my room, watching online tv, I'm determined to do something a bit more meaningful tomorrow! 

Just wanted to share the love and to share my favourite song of the week, "Origins" by husband/wife music making duo Tennis.

S

Bryan Ferry for H&M

What a man.
[Even with an eyepatch]

For H&M's 2011 Christmas Holiday Campaign, Bryan Ferry and his son Tara lent some time.
Ms. Lykke Li and her sister Zara also give the cameras a turn.

Nice.

Opera, Forever 21 and freaky French men.

Ah lads, sorry for the wait. I've been all over the gaff. So what has happened since that last post. Well:

1/ I went to that Fenech Soler gig in a club that was underneath a motorway which was interesting to say the least. We met the band afterwards and while they seemed nice, there's always a little bit of a poncy air about musicians, isn't there? Great dancing was done though. Also discovered how nice a white wine spritzer is.

2/ Myself and some of the other Irish girls here went to go to the Opera. There I was wearing tights, boots and dungarees [which looked like mid-length shorts] and Anna in her trackie bottoms. Happy out. Until an usher came over and told us we had to leave as we weren't in the proper attire. We took the 10 minute U-Bahn back to my house to get changed and by the time we came back, the feckin' show had sold out. Just perfect. Remember kids: Opera means serious business here.

3/ I was waiting in an Underground station, outside a bakery for my friend when a weeeeellll-into-his-thirties French man approached me. What followed was the single most awkward conversation I've ever had. He asked me for my "mobile number, facebook, address, room number" [Weird] and told me that "I'd like to get to know you. I like you. I like you verrrryy much" [Even weirder]. I have the two most common names in Ireland so "Bonne Chance"! Sorry Megan, the French have yet to impress.

4/Work is hard. Money is good. Working to get money = Mixed feelings.

5/I still haven't travelled outside the city. Hopefully soon though!

6/ Austria celebrated their national holiday this week and of course, I was working! However, I hit a party with some friends and we adorned the complusory red and white face paint. I might have gotten carried away decorating other people.

Their traditional lederhosen and dringels are ridiculously expensive there though. At least 200 beans for something decent!

7/ Christmas tree decoration, anyone?

8/ I've discovered I'm really crap at sowing. Sewing? Sowing? Anyway, I've a mega Halloween costume planned but all will be revealed once I try it out. It involves a wig though and chopsticks. Also had sushi for the first time and despite some warnings, I didn't choke or feel sick or get my tie caught in the conveyor belt. Success!

9/ Backstreets are cool. Leave the Lonely Planet at home.

10/ I walked in on two work colleagues mauling the face off each other today. In work. In the lunch room. Which is the only place I could have lunch. And the worst thing? They. did. not. stop. 

11/It had to be done considering the Mufasa nickname I've picked up. It was a close call between the "Beauty and the Beast" one and the "Lion King" but Simba and co. won out in the end. Cheers Forever 21.

12/ I'm 21 years old in one month. Arghghw02-2i!! What to do?

Right, I've to go and sleep before I hit the working world again tomorrow so here's another music dose.

 Really want to hear from the rest of ye. WRITE GODDAMN THEE!

S

When you've had a crap day...

Which involved lots of this;

And even more of this;

And lots of time wasted on this;

There's often only one solution. Looking at pictures of animals doing funny things.

Ah. Much better.

Moving Images say it all.

#1: To Ciara

#2: To Megan

[[Bon Voyage]]

#3: To Dee

In the past week, Ciara has turned 21 [woohoo!], Megan has left us for France [only this morning in fact] for the year and Dee is somewhere in the countryside with no car. I've returned from Electric Picnic [more on that later] and am enjoying my last two weeks at home. I'm next to leave for Vienna and Dee will leave two weeks after that. Ciara is staying put around Ireland for her final year of college [that's snuck up pretty fast!] so we're all heading off again. 

I unfortunately missed Megan's nom dinner and the opportunity to say goodbye to herself and other friends, which I'm kicking myself over. But sure, in order to cheer myself up and ye, take a look below. I'm lol-ing, as it were. God bless Tumblr and Stumbleupon. Warning: There's a lot of dancing.

Jaysus. I think I need to go do some actual work. It's evident I'm too easily amused. Here's a quick song to add some quality to this post.

 S'laters.

S

I'm Sorry, SO SORRY

Hi everyone.

I'm really sorry about not writing. I feel awful about it. I hope we can still be friends.

I'm just popping in to let everyone know that THEY'RE RERELEASING THE LION KING IN CINEMAS IN 3D!!!

OK, bye.

Megan

xx

Potatoes

Hurrah! Ciara is alive as is Megan. Dee is somewhere between Ireland and Argentina at the minute whereas I am still here in lovely England, working 16 hour days and not having any time to have a life.

Big quick update as we are expecting 190 children to leave today and 100 to arrive.

1/ Harry Potter in 3D last night. I have been right about Neville Longbottom all these years and only now do people listen. A dignified tear was shed. Unlike my friend who had her hanky out. Regardless, R.I.P my childhood.

2/ Haven't been paid yet so that means I maaaayyy have started a tab in the local pub where they call me "Sarah The Hat" as I have a tendency of forgetting my hats there after a few drinks.

3/Pork Scratchings. Ew.Ew.Ew.Yum.

4/Just Dance 2 on the Wii. Craic galooooorrreeee. We had the option of using the gym but that's the least appealling thing in the world after running around all day.

5/ Cheltenham. Quite posh.

6/ Stowford Press. Oo-arrrrrrr.

7/ English summers are quite wet but we're getting a few rays at the moment so it's a sharp contrast from cold Argentina.

8/ My students. I love them. They've been a great class and we've had some cracking lessons. We've done our futuristic cities, listened to a bit of John Lennon and learnt about the Clash. Superheroes and comics tomorrow!

9/ Being Irish in a sea of English will always provoke "banter". Thus the nickname "potato" has been born.

10/ There ain't no meat like Argentinian meat but then again it has been nice to eat regular meals of normal sizes with the addition of the magical properties of vegetables. Never shall I take the idea of a carrot for granted again. Also TWO desserts a day!

I only have about 3 weeks left here and there's plenty of banter with the 30-strong staff but I'm looking forward to putting on the brakes once I get home though that is not going to happen. I've Vienna modules to choose and Final Year Project worries on my mind as well as my Argentina Co-Op report to write.

BUT my brother and I were both accepted as volunteers for ELECTRIC PICNIC 2011!!!

One of Ireland's best festivals, with my recently-turned-18-year-old-brother, for 4 days, together, having the time and getting to see amazing bands for free. My highlights so far are Arcade Fire, Chemical Brothers, Sharon Shannon, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Foster the People, British India, Rubberbandits, Pulp, Beirut, Lykke Li, Midlake, Warpaint, O Emperor, Gemma Hayes and Best Coast.

And that's my life at the moment in a nutshell. I want to hear more about Huntington and Cork, bitte bitte bitte!

S

Padam, Padam

I'm having a crappy week. Read about it here;

I'm in bed. I'm sick. I'm stuffing my face with dominos. I'm on Lookbook.

Whenever I'm feeling blue I go on lookbook and then I splurge some serious cash money on clothes. I spend a significant amount of my money on clothes anyway, but more so when I have symmetrical pimples the size of Mount Kilimanjaro on both my cheeks. SIGH

Here are the top 3 things I spend my money on:

1. Clothes

2. Alcohol

3. Food

Note that both clothes and alcohol rank higher than food, an actual necessity. I am going to die in France. :(

Anyway, the people on Lookbook have clothes TO DIE FOR.

So today on my break at work I decided to do some ULTIMATE SHOPPING. (ultimate shopping is something I just invented today. it's basically going shopping on your half hour lunch break, bombing it around the place and buying stuff really quickly.) My first ultimate shopping experience made me feel good and when I returned to work I no longer felt like my soul was being destroyed and my every hope and dream violated.

NICE ONE!

Here’s something I bought. It's from Zara. On sale 9.99

It's extremely green, I know. But I don't own anything green. I'm forever wearing black and gray. Besides, it will be really easy for people to find me if I wander off in a crowded area?



They're ladybugs!!! I think.

 So yes, I think I'll make ultimate shopping a more frequent thing from now on.

Hope that everyone had a splendid Bastille Day the other day. Hopefully this time next year the process of becoming a French girl will be complete and I will be celebrating with you all like a mad thing.

Pour célébrer la Fete Nationale:

OBVIOUSLY, I know that Brel is from Belgium, but this is one of my favourite French songs.

and finally, Enrique...IN FRANCE.

WOW.

DEE, I cannot wait to see you.
CIARA, hope the beach is claaaasss...pictures? Are you alive?
SARAH, hope you're going to see Harry Potter in Leicester Square. It's THE place to see Harry Potter.

xx