All things Celine...

I am SO sick of being sick! It's been a week now- I'm not throwing up anymore, but I'm still really really tired and have some kind of a cold or flu.
I can't go to work, I can't go out, I have no energy to do things around the house, and I shouldn't play with my pets or be near my family in case they catch whatever I have...so all I've had to entertain me is...Celine stuff.
I'm reading "My Story, My Dream" (best book ever!!!!) for like, the 5th time, listening to CDs, watching every Celine TV special I can find, and translating French stuff until my brain hurts.
I went crazy a couple of weeks ago and did some online shopping- I just clicked on everything I wanted, and ordered it. 2 boxes of Celine stuff came this week, and I still have one more on its way. That occupied me for a while, but I can't even smell the perfumed lotion I ordered because my nose is blocked, and I have no idea what to do with my "versatile water bottle" (LOL). I put the T-Shirt on one of my teddies (I love teddies, and I always wanted a Celine teddy!) and gave it a hug, as you can see in the picture. Simple things amuse me. That made me happy.
Well, hopefully I'm back to work tomorrow.
Take care everyone xoxo

Reading...

I've been sick the past few days, with...I don't know what? It started out as a cough, then I got dizzy and tired, and cramps- so I assumed it was just a cold combined with PMS...until I threw up 5 times yesterday. NOT fun. Right now I just have a headache and I'm really tired. But, over the past few days it gave me a chance to finish all the books on my reading list! So, I need suggestions people, what are your favourite books? What should I read next??

Here are some (honest) thoughts/opinions on the ones I've read so far in 2008-
Chicken Soup For The American Idol Soul- Ok, so I don't watch the show anymore (for reasons obvious to anyone who knows me) but I started the book so I wanted to finish. There are some good stories in there, I particularly liked Jordin's!

Suite Francaise, by Irene Nemirovsky- It has never in my life taken me so long to finish a book! It's really interesting, the circumstances under which the book was written, and I can even tell that it's a good book...just not one for me! If you have an interest in history and fiction, seriously, read it! I, however, practically failed history in school and struggled to understand the background (world war 2) behind the stories, so it was just really confusing for me. Also confusing was the fact that there were so many main characters- it made it kind of hard to follow, and difficult to get emotionally involved in any of the characters...

The Choice, by Nicholas Sparks- I like pretty much all his books. This one was not my favourite, but it was still good! I won't ruin the ending, but I will say I think Travis made the right choice :)

The Unbearable Lightness Of Being, by Milan Kundera- I read this one with the idea of being open minded. It was interesting, but what on Earth is the point of this book? To portray life as if it has no meaning? To state that it's not necessary to have any values, just have lots of casual sex, and talk about explicit things? This one is definitely not for kids... There was one part I did like though: "True human goodness, in all its purity and freedom, can come to the fore only when its recipient has no power. Mankind's true moral test, its fundamental test, consists in its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals." I think that bit is true!

The Problem Of Pain, C.S. Lewis- I've heard so much about his books, and this one is supposed to answer the question we all want answered: Why do good people suffer? Why does it seem God does nothing about it? It offered some answers, which is great. But I'll be honest; I found it very hard to read. Maybe it's the language of the time it was written, maybe he was just a very smart man who knew a lot of big words, but I had to read every page twice, and really think about it, before it even made sense.

The Bondage Breaker, Neil T Anderson- I'm not sure what to say about this one. It's wonderful that faith in Jesus can help us through our problems. But blaming all our illnesses, weaknesses, and problems on Satan is not something I had ever considered before. I never even thought about how Satan even affects our lives. It's not something that's really discussed at length in schools or even in most churches I've been to. I believe he's responsible for some of it, but it bothered me to think that God sees our struggles as us being "sinful." There was one part that really affected me though- a chapter about forgiveness. I actually ended up bawling reading that- there are some people in my past that I thought I had forgiven for what they did, but for some reason I still felt a lot of pain whenever I thought of them. It seems forgiveness doesn't mean you're going to forget what they did, or ever think that what they did was ok. But it means letting go, not holding negative feelings against them anymore, and moving on. Being free from the hate and anger, because it's only continuing to hurt you.

Stories Of Strength- A whole lot of inspiring short stories, about survival, faith, love etc. It was put together by Jenna Glatzer who wrote Celine's book, For Keeps.

The Bridges Of Madison County, by Robert James Waller- I liked this one! Ok, I don't think it's alright to cheat on your husband. But to give up your true love to stand by your responsibilities to your family and husband, that would be painful...it was a good story anyway :)

Introducing Belle Jasmine Marie...

I don't know what it is. Something in me I was born with. I go into a pet store, and I look into the little face of an animal, and fall in love. It's like my heart expands or something and it will break into a million pieces and I will cry if I can't take it home and love it forever! The logical part of my mind is saying 'no more, stop, you already have 5 and no time, you don't need any more responsibility right now...' But it never seems to win! I was meant to go to a job interview and buy groceries, and I ended up also getting a wife for Valentine. (Well, we think and hope it's a girl...?!) She's so tiny and cute! She loves singing along ot my Celine CDs. She's very shy but gentle. I have to train her because she hasn't even figured out how to step on to my finger very well yet. And she's already made me crazy, because she wouldn't eat! I was on the phone to the vet (who was so unhelpful, btw!) and the pet store all morning, then ran around the shops all afternoon trying to find some kind of food she would eat (and also ended up buying cheese, chocolate, twizzlers, potato wedges, chocolate and donuts...yeah I shouldn't shop when I have PMS!) But eventually I got her to eat some millet and a bit of a honey seed stick. I'm still worried, but I don't know what more to do for her...hopefully she'll be ok!
Well it's almost midnight and I'm tired...catch up later.
Love, Jacqui.

Customers: a pain in my butt!

Yes, I know, without them we don't have a job. But they are so NOT always right!!!!
If this blog had a picture, it would probably be of me with steam coming out my ears or something! I had the most ridiculous day at work...the following are actual conversations I had with customers:


Customer: This thickshake tastes like strawberry. I ordered a vanilla one.
Me: Um, sir, that is a vanilla thickshake.
Customer: No, it's strawberry.
Me: I promise you, it's vanilla. Look in the cup, it's white- it's not pink!
Customer: I'm serious, it's strawberry!
At this point I called over my boss, who agreed that it was definitely a vanilla thickshake. Still, I had to make him a new one because of our "customer is always right" policy. I made the exact same product and gave it to him. And he said:
"Now it tastes like vanilla."
So he left. And my boss told me the same guy has done this several times before. Seriously now, what is up with that??


Another one...
Customer: I would like a shake and a hot dog and another shake and an ice-cream.
Me: Ok, so just to confirm, that's two shakes, a hot dog and an ice-cream.
Customer: No, a shake, a hotdog, another shake, and an ice-cream.
Me: Yes, two shakes, a hotdog and an ice-cream.
Customer: No, a shake and a hotdog and another shake and an ice-cream.
Me: Ohh....nevermind I'm just going to make it (before my head explodes.)


And a very weird one:
Customer: Hi...we're doing a treasure hunt. Do you know anything about blue caps or someone named Debbie?
Me: No....
Customer: Are you sure?
Me: Oh I'm sure.
Customer: Do you have any leg or back pain?
Me: No...
Customer: Ok. Have a blessed day. I want you to know that God loves you.
Me: Umm.....alright then.


Seriously, what is with people today?


Once, I actually had a woman complain to me that the Hot English Mustard was too hot. Um, you asked for Hot English Mustard...I gave you Hot English Mustard....what would you like me to do about it now?


Now I don't really mind people's stupidity...I have my share of "blonde moments" too. But something that really bugs me- rude customers!!!

Ok, I do not decide which products our store sells, I don't decide what they should taste like, and I definitely do not make the prices. If the ATM machine isn't working, I know NOTHING about that. Talk to the bank that owns it, not me! When you're a customer, please try to remember that the person serving you most likely does not make these kind of decisions- the people in charge of that are hiding behind desks hundreds of miles away, with no awareness of the fact that you are yelling at me about it!

Customers on their mobile phones- yes I know we live in a technology filled world, and I know you're busy. But it's really rude and annoying when you talk on your mobile phone while I am trying to take your order! Why should I have to feel bad for interrupting your phone call, when I need to ask you what sauce you want on your food, or what flavour shake?

Anyway, I'll leave you with a link to a website I was reading last week....plenty more funny stupidity!

http://www.rinkworks.com/said/

Love, Jacqui.

Happy Birthday, Cassie!

I met Cass when we were 11 and 12 years old, just starting high school. We were in the same peer support group, and always caught the bus together since she lived just a few streets away. When we graduated, she moved to the other side of Sydney, but we still see each other from time to time. Actually, I'm still in touch with most of my high school friends- it's just hard between everyones conflicting work and study schedules to find time to get together! So anyway, last night was Cassie's 21st...she's the last one from our group to turn 21....awwww! Anyway, Cass, if you ever read this, I hope you had a great night!

After the party, I went into the city with Thea, Lauren and Tim. Somehow, we ended up in a gay bar. I'd never even been to a straight bar, so to say it was a bit of a shock would be an understatement!!! I blame Tim. He drank a whole bottle of wine though, and is probably suffering the effects now, while I have no pain since I did not drink hehehe. Sooo...yeah. I'm not gay. I think gay people should have rights though. If they fall in love and want to get married, have kids and live in the suburbs, that's great! But I don't quite get why they had to do some of the stuff they were doing last night...i.e, touching each other in places you never really want to see anybody touch somebody else, in public! And how on Earth do you tell if they're guys or girls? Ahh confusing. Oh well, it was an experience.

I got to bed around 3am, so getting up for Church this morning was not a happy feeling!

Well, catch up soon!

Love, Jacqui.

Ahhhh....Peter.

He's the black one, by the way. Ruby is the fluffy white thing behind him :)

So my little bunnykins is six months old, which means....time to be neutered. I love bunnies, and I felt bad about putting him through it, but I didn't want the problem of having to find homes for 10 babies! So he had the surgery on Thursday, and all went well, thank God. Unfortunately, this means he has all kinds of hormones running through him for the next 6 or 7 weeks. Also unfortunately, despite his urges to...do what comes natural...he doesn't seem to know how, which resulted in him jumping on Ruby's head this morning! Luckily, she's not holding it against him. They're staying in my room so I can keep an eye on him until he heals, which is fine, except for their tendency to attempt to dig to China through my floor at 3am. It's not so quiet.

Well I have to go and do stuff now, but I'll post again soon :)

Love, Jacqui.

Starting a blog...

Hi! So this is, what, my third attempt at a blog? I tried the LiveJournal thing and got bored. Tried MySpace blogs, but nobody I know really uses them. Now I'm trying this, and so far I'm still completely confused by it! But I guess I'll start with an introduction :)

My name is Jacqui. Short for Jacqueline, but nobody calls me that unless I'm in trouble.

I'm 21, but really resent being told to "grow up." I want to keep my inner child alive forever, which means fairybread, red cordial, teddy bears and Disney movies!

I live in Sydney, Australia. I like it here, but I really want to travel. It frustrates me a lot that I've never been out of the country!

I finished high school, did a Diploma in Event Management at TAFE, and decided I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life! So at the moment, I work in an ice-cream store, which I like, but it gets boring. I just know that someday I want a career where I'll look forward to going to work every day, rather than dreading it, and hopefully I'll be able to make a difference in someone's life.

Things that matter to me-

I love my family. I live with my Parents, Brother (Matt, 18) and Grandfather (Opa.)

My friends- online and offline! :)

My pets- I have two bunnies, Ruby April and Peter Cottontail, and two birds, Valentine and Mistletoe (aka "Missy.") They're my "babies." I also have a random fish, Percy, but he always hides from me. I've been a vegetarian for 8 years and I think cruelty to animals is one of the worst things a human can do.

God- I was raised Catholic, and being a Christian is an important part of my life. I don't always agree with Gods ideas for my life, but I try to be good.

Writing- I've been writing ever since I could. I never go anywhere without a pen and paper. It's my way of expressing myself and releasing everything.

Music- Because life needs a soundtrack! I wish I could play piano like Delta Goodrem (who I love, and have been lucky enough to meet and see in concert several times!) but the best I can do at the moment is a little bit of keyboard!

Celine- I've been a Celine Dion fan for about 6 years, but I've grown up listening to her music. I finally saw her in concert in April (twice!) and it was the most amazing experience. She's just a beautiful person and I love her! :) She also makes me want to speak French, so I'm learning!

Natalie Grant- Her music has really influenced my life and made me think about a lot of things. She's amazingly talented and a very inspirational person! She kind of inspired me to start this blog because she was talking about a blog roll... I don't know what that means yet, but I shall figure it out!

Random things I love- the colour pink, chocolate, the beach, pizza, being creative, and romantic books and movies! I also like being honest...I will talk about anything, much to the horror of some people :P

Things I don't like so much...

When I turn the Tv on, and every channel has nothing but sports! I'm seriously the most un-athletic, un-coordinated person on Earth. If you throw a ball to me, I will run away from it.

Politics- They cause wars, tear apart families (cause my Grandpa to kick my Dad out of home when he was 19...), and make my head hurt.

Squash- The vegetable. Yep. I hate it. Also don't like Chinese food. Sorry.

Being judged- My beliefs have always been more important to me than being "cool." I don't drink, I don't have sex, and I don't ever want to go bungee jumping or get a tattoo! :) But nor do I judge those who live differently! For example, I think single parents are very brave, and all the gay people I know are wonderful people!

Well now I'm tired and I think I've rambled enough! :)

Love, Jacqui.