LOL

Most of the time, I don't have the same sense of humour as everybody else.

I find things funny that no one else does; and things that people find hilarious I don't get (like Napoleon Dynamite, and numerous YouTube clips that have swept the world in a craze- Charlie the unicorn, anyone?).

So, that's why it's strange for me as a writer when people say how funny they find certain parts, lines, characters, etc. because I've never thought of myself as a funny person. Sometimes a line or moment will pop into my head and make me laugh, so it goes it, but I never think other people will laugh too.

I think it's also me as a literature/history buff that helps with this. If there's a joke about a book or historical person/event that I know of, I feel happy that I get the joke.

My brother still doesn't why I gasped and said "that's so mean!" the first time I saw the "Bag of Weed" song on Family Guy and they made the reference to Helen Keller.

So, for the last few days, I've been shoving this TMZ video in everyone's faces, because I find it hilarious. I like TMZ- they have funny voice overs. What I find so funny about this (besides the irony) is the voice over, and the reactions of everyone in the office.

People may disagree. My brother just stared at me blankly and said "that's not funny."

Grandad

My grandfather died over the weekend. He'd been sick for a long time, but I still wasn't prepared for the news he was actually gone.

And by a fluke, I was home with my family this weekend.

I have so many memories of my Grandad, and I'm glad that the good outweigh the ones where he was sick.

I remember how much my siblings and I always loved going to stay with Grandma and Grandad in the school holidays, because it meant every morning, Grandad would make us chocolate millkshakes- and they were really, really good milkshakes.

Every time they came over to our house, Grandad would announce their arrival with a whistle. We heard it and immediately knew who it was- which meant when their visit was a surprise, it was awesome.

Then there's the hugs. My grandfather was a good hugger. And he'd always talk to you as he hugged you. I can't speak for my siblings and cousins, but for me it was always that he loved me, I was beautiful and I was his favourite second-eldest granddaughter (conveniently :P)

My parents have never been big on terms of endearment. There's home movies from when I was little where Dad calls me "possum" or "darling" but for as long as I can remember, they mostly call us (besides our names), "mate" or "boofhead" which did become a term of affection in our house.

Grandma and Grandad however, always call us "darling" or "sweetheart". The last time I ever spoke to my grandfather, his last words to me were "OK, darling".

Grandad was always so proud of his family, and especially his grandchildren. Every time I visited Grandad in hospital, all the staff knew I was his granddaughter who was going to be a teacher.

And the last time I actually saw him, he was in hospital (again) and as he didn't have the strength to hug me, just squeezed my hand my whole visit. And when I left, knowing I'd never see him again, he told me he loved me, he was proud of me, and I was going to be the best teacher in New South Wales.

The memory that sums Grandad up to me most though, it that even though he was sick and probably shouldn't have been travelling, he made the 4 hour trip to come to my 21st birthday party last year.
He was determined to be there, and said he wouldn't miss it for anything

And that meant the world to me.

I love you Grandad, and I'll miss you.

Promoted to Glory 25.2.2012

Home Alone

I am in introverted person. Always have been.

It's not that I don't like socialising, hanging out with family and friends; but it completely exhausts me.
I'm happy with my own company, and a book or movie.

I think it also has something to do with the fact that I was bullied so much at school, and hence spent a lot of time on my own. Because I didn't want anyone at school (i.e. teachers) to know what was going on- lest I be seen as a tattle tale (because we all know how well that goes down in schools); I put on the happy face of the bright and cheerful girl.

And I found if you convince others that you're fine, sometimes you can convince yourself that you're fine too.

And then it became a habit I can't break.

I'm better with some people than others at dropping it- some close friends, and my church family (and my twitter family). But it also comes from a long-stemmed belief that whatever I'm feeling, whatever I'm going through, is unimportant in the grand scheme of things- whether that be what is going on in my friend's lives or the general world.

What does it matter if I'm feeling left out, or that I don't fit anywhere; when a friend is having family issues, or there's a earthquake in Asia or something like that?

I have bad days like everyone else... when I'm having PMS or haven't slept well for a few nights, or am worried about something and I fall in to another habit of bottling everything up (again, who cares if I'm worried about whether I'll ever fall in love and get married; or if I'm doing the right thing by being a teacher in the grand scheme of things?). Eventually, the bottle explodes.

But living by myself (in a town of 312 people with no one my age, 4 hours away from home and not being able to drive- but that's another story) is a different story. It's not just that I get lonely... yes, at home I was usually always in my room but if I wanted to, there was always someone to talk to. Sometimes it's nice to hear a human voice and get a hug (I like hugs).

You know in Home Alone, how Kevin wakes up and is all ecstatic that "I made my family disappear!" and then misses them desperately? Well, call me Kevin (actually, please don't).
And I know I can't expect my family and friends to spend every weekend with me, but...

Sorry, in case you hadn't picked it up, today is a bad day. They don't usually occur during the week, because I have enough school prep and things to distract me.

But it's 6 weeks and 2 days until the end of Term 1. And it's not just that I'm ecstatic  for holidays to come because I get to go to Singapore with Kelly and see Wicked (again. I miss it); but I get to go home! Only for a few days, but still!

But right now, 6 weeks and 2 days feels like an eternity. And I don't want it to seem that I'm not enjoying the experience, because I am.
I'm loving teaching, everyone is lovely and I'm learning heaps.

Plus, it's lovely being able to write fanfiction, or have twitter conversations in any room and not have to worry about having to explain what I'm doing; or not having to worry that I don't really like whatever is planned for dinner.

But I do like people. And I miss home.

10 Random Things about me

1. I'm obsessed with Wicked (the musical) and Harry Potter.
2. The toe next to my little toe is longer than my left foot than my right foot.
3. I was right handed until I started school and my teacher thought I "looked more comfortable" writing with my left hand, so she switched me. 
4. I still cut and do some things right handed.
5. I get cold really easily.
6. I gave up counting how many times I've read the Harry Potter books in Yr 7 when the tally for Goblet of Fire got over 100.
7. I have a diary but often forget to actually write in it- mostly because I hide it (as is kind of the point with diaries). 
8. I have about 5 key rings on one ring... and 2 keys. 
9. Until I was 18, I was never anyone's best friend.
10. I'm a hoarder. I once found a box that contained school assignments from as far back as Year 3, and a Yr 11 Economics exam.

Elphaba's haircut in OUT OF THE BLUE

This is kind of what I was thinking for Elphaba's haircut.

Big shock, I know! But I really think Elphaba could pull it off.

Elphaba's dress in OUT OF THE BLUE

Except it's green, not nude :)

5th annual Wicked awards

OMO.

I am literally shaking right now.

When I first heard that I was being nominated for several awards in the Fifth Annual Wicked Awards I was amazed.
To know that people loved my stories that much was an amazing and surreal concept to me.

Then when I was shortlisted and I saw who I was up against, I was even more amazed. I was up against so many of my favourite stories and authors I never imagined I'd actually win.
But being nominated was absolutely amazing.

And when I got an email today and checked the winners, I actually gasped out loud and my hands are still shaking as I type this.

Here's the complete list at the end of voting:
1st:
Best Author
Best Romance Author
Best Angst (Get it Right)
Best AU (One night with the King)

2nd:
Best Fiyeraba (One night with the King)
Best Overall Fic (May I not lose you)

3rd:
Best Fiyeraba (Taking Chances)
Best Fiyeraba (Far Longer than Forever)
Best Overall Fic (Taking Chances)

I just... am speechless. But thank you so, so much to everyone who voted for me!
It means so much.

The wonders of a Harry Potter Education

Being a child of the Harry Potter generation means I've been exposed to two new worlds- the magical wizarding world, and the world of England.

I've always loved England, the history and the culture of it. It was the theme for my 21st birthday! 

And being Australian, the culture gap isn't as big compared to say America and England. But still new words have entered my vocabulary.

Over the weekend as my parents were visiting me, we were playing Scrabble (there was nothing on TV), and I placed down the word "git."

The first thing my mum said was "what's a git?" (She hasn't read the books).

So, I had to explain what a git was. 

I love my parents.

A rose by any other name...

One of my favourite movies of all time is Disney's Beauty and the Beast. I don't know what it is... maybe it's because I relate to Belle, with her love of books and the fact that everyone in the town thinks she's odd.


Or it could be the moral of the story, not to judge a person by their appearance (and it also helps to be kind to strangers on the off chance they're an enchantress in disguise).
The music is beautiful, and the love story between the Beast and Belle is so beautiful (the rooftop scene? When the Beast just had to let her go to her father, knowing his chance to break the spell was over if he did... sigh).


But one of my pet peeves, is that the Beast does not have a name. He's always just "Beast". And then once, whilst reading on IMDB, I read that Disney did in fact give the beast a name. The CD-ROM tie-in game The D Show, revealed that the Beast's name is.... Adam.


Now, as a writer, a reader and someone who for a long time hated my own name, I've always loved names. Of course I use them in my writing, and take pride and put so much thought into the names I give my characters (naming my children is going to be so hard). 


And that's one reason I was annoyed at the Beast's lack of name. But having him named Adam annoys me even more.


Apparently, Adam is Yiddish for "man", and if you know your bible stories, of course there's Adam and Eve, the first man and woman. So, I kinda get Disney's reasoning. Except for one minor thing:


The movie is set in France. Everyone has a French name, from the most major character (Belle, of course) to the minor townspeople. "Adam", as I just said- is Yiddish. Which is not French!


Of course, this doesn't stop me from watching and loving the movie. 


But thought I'd share my rant about this with you all. My friends are used to it, LOL. I have a great rant on the stupidity and plot holes in Snow White too, but I'll save that for another day, shall I?