Around Brisbane Town

Bliss!  Exams are over.  Considering the minimalist approach I took towards studying this year, and the fact I tore the ligaments in my ankle and pretty much missed the last month of uni, I am feeling quite optimistic about my results.  Now, for the holidays!

A couple of weeks ago, I was at work, decorating Christmas baubles (my glamorous new profession) and minding my own business.  Then, on my 15 minute break, I somehow managed to wander downstairs and spontaneously buy a Nikon D3000 DSLR camera.  What?!  Thanks to mum and dad for going halvsies as my Christmas present. :)

Anyway, because of dastardly exams, I haven't had a proper chance to press all the buttons and figure out how the darn thing actually works.  However, I've been doing some fiddling in the last few days and this is what I got.  The first two pictures are around Paddington, the next is at the Valley Laneway Markets and the last two are just houses on my street.  I am aware of my amateurness, so just say nice things and smile. :)

Now, time for my latest favourite market discovery.  I had a look at the Valley Laneway Markets yesterday and got chatting to a lovely lady named Nikky who was peddling her wares - fabulous photographs from around the world.  By some twist of fate, she has travelled to all the places I would LOVE to go - Japan, Paris, London, Ireland, Spain.  I know nothing whatsoever about photography, but I adored all the prints she had for sale - it was lovely to see the same  places you see pictures of everywhere  (Eiffel Tower anyone?) captured from a unique perspective.  I bought a super cute print of an icecream shop display in Tokoyo, Japan.  Have a looksie at this and more amazing pictures on her website.

That is allllllllll for today.  Sorry for the lack of posts recently, I'll try and be more interesting in coming weeks!

Brisbane Market Diary November 2010

You now have zero excuses to leave your Christmas shopping until the last minute.

6 November - BrisStyle Indie Eco Market - St Augustine's Church, Racehorse Road, Ascot (9AM-2PM)

6 & 7 November - Finders Keepers Markets - The Old Museum (best venue ever), Bowen Hills (10AM-5PM)

7 November - Suitcase Rummage - King George Square (12-5PM)

19 November - BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market - King George Square (from 5PM)

20 November - Handmade Expo - Ipswich Surf Club, Bundamba (8AM-2PM)

26 November - The Little Market - Avid Reader, West End (5.30-8.00PM)

26 & 27 November - Karuna Christmas Market - 27 Cartwright St, Windsor (3-7PM Friday, 9AM-1PM Saturday)

There are a few other regular markets on, but let's not go carazyyy here.

Getting Cheered Up

It is, unfortunately, exam season.  Every moment not spent at one of my various jobs, scrimping and saving for our holiday, is spent studying, or more to the point, feeling guilty about not studying.  Spring suits Brisbane ever so well, but the beautiful purple Jacardas blooming everywhere only serve as a cruel reminder of my impending doom.   Therefore, I have been seeking ways in which to cheer myself up.  These are my findings, rated in terms of success.


Retail therapy.  Especially in the form of markets, as they often take ages to get to and meander through, thus also serving as an excellent procrastination tool.  I found a super cute crocheted soap holder thingy at the Little Market on Wednesday, and also popped over to the West End Markets on Saturday.  A $1 cheese stick certainly improved my mood, as did some cute Christmas cards, holding my boyfriend's hand and a number of secret Christmas gift related purchases.
Financial burden: High for the exxy Christmas cards (I got carried away supporting local artists) but low for the culinary delights!
Cheer up factor: High.


Appreciate the little things. For example, in the spirit of Cheer Up Solution #1, I bought some cheapie shirts today, and they have the neatest tags!
Financial burden: Low.  You can appreciate little free things.
Cheer up factor: Medium.

Go see a film.  Simple, yet brilliant, right?  It's dark and cool, and there is ice cream and sometimes even cuddles.  I recommend The Social Network, which we saw on Saturday.  Not just for it's clever and original slogan...
Financial burden: Low if you are a UQ student at the Indooroopilly movies. :)
Cheer up factor: High!

Read my blog.  ...It cheers me up!  I mean, me reading it.  And you reading it.  That's nice also.
Financial burden: None whatsoever!  I won't even try to sell you anything by filling your screen with mindless advertising.
Cheer up factor: Medium.  I'm being modest of course.

Sherbet cone with a Flake from Wendy's.  These are my current vice, because they are delicious and can be eaten in a 15-minute break from work.  I ask for mine in a cup, so I can enjoy the sherbet-y goodness for the entirety of my ice cream eating experience, rather than eating all the sherbet at the start then having to finish a boring ice cream in a boring cone.  Because that's not cheerful!  Also, they're not terribly life-ruining-ly bad for you (like evil McFlurrys).
Financial burden: Low.  $3.60 to be precise. :)
Cheer up factor: Medium.  Which is pretty good for a 15 minute break!

Just do the flippin' study.  I'm sorry. But it does need to be done at some point. In all its mind-numbing-what-does-this-even-have-to-do-with-psychology-I-just-want-to-help-people glory.
Financial burden: None, except for the snacks.  French onion dip and Sakatas is my preference.
Cheer up factor: Negative in short term, medium-high in the long term.

Best of luck!  Keep calm and carry on, just like Pooh would do.