Social retardation

Damien's at home having dinner with his family. Joel's probably at training. And the rest are probably at Bernard's having dinner.

I am sitting at home alone...

Sigh............... I am so socially awkward.

I don't know why I have always been like this. I just don't know how to relate to people and I don't know how to make friends. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always felt like I never belonged. I remember in primary school, I struggled to find a "group" of friends. People tended to group according to race and maybe this seemed like a natural thing to do since you were probably "better understood" by others of the same background. This never did me any favours.

The Indian girls would group together and while I had many good Indian friends, I felt like I could not be "part of the group" because I wasn't Indian. The Malay girls did the same but I never cliqued with them because I was English-speaking and most of them were from Malay-speaking households. I was different and they couldn't relate to me. I couldn't clique with the Chinese girls either even though the ones in my class were English-speaking, because I wasn't Chinese. Ever since, this has left me feeling like there is nothing about me for social groups to accept.

Now into adulthood, I struggle with group dynamics. Why am I so socially retarded?

Lose Yourself... in Art & Melbourne

I'm so excited!

I'm going to Melbourne in July for 4 days and have been feeling a little ho-hum about it. It's become a bit of tradition that every July I attend the International Nonprofit and Social Marketing Conference, followed by a short holiday at the location. Last year, it was in Sydney and for four days afterwards Damien and I did a nice holiday with lots of sightseeing, which was fabulous. I had an awsome time.

This year, the conference is in Melbourne and I was initially all excited about the holiday afterwards but that idea fell through in the end. At first, I thought I might spend a few days just sightseeing but in the end, gave up on that idea upon deciding I was too poor. So in the end, I'd booked my flights to allow me a whole day before the conference and a whole day after. I figured a day on each end would suffice to walk around and entertain myself fairly easily. From thinking my trip was going to be this superb holiday, it ended up to the point where I was most excited about having meals at Grossi Florentino, Nelayan, and Laksa Me. And I think that it's quite sad when it's meals and only meals that you most look forward to on a trip, rather than activities or sightseeing. Hah.

Today I find out that there are a couple of exhibitions happening in Melbourne while I'm there and it's got me very excited! The National Gallery of Victoria is having a Salvatore Dali - Liquid Desire exhibition. It's the first ever comprehensive retrospective of Dali's work in Australia, exclusive to the NGV and I can't believe I'll be there while the exhibition is on!


While I was being all giddy thinking about seeing Dali's art, I found out that the Melbourne Museum is having an exhibition about Pompeii. Pompeii!! The exhibition is called "A Day in Pompeii" and will showcase all things relevant to everyday life in the city. I'm so excited!


And there you have it. From ho-hum to giddy with excitement. I amuse myself sometimes...

Shop 'til you drop

I didn't think I would be so efficient, but I bought my boots over the weekend! I was out and about on Sunday and stopped into Nine West to have a look at their sale offerings when I found a pair of suede ankle boots:

They were fine, but while the girl was getting a size for me, I chanced upon this other pair:

I tried them both on and settled on the leather pair. It cost more than the suede, but I tend to have a preference for leather and at least I won't freak out over ruining them if it rains (I have waterproofer spray but I'll still freak out). I figured the suede pair was a bit too fashion for me and I just do not do fashion well. Lindsay gave her nod of approval for the leather pair, so that was it.

I bought a few other "big-ticket" items this weekend including a suit from Cue which was half off. I needed a suit and have always wanted one from Cue and ended up getting a pin-stripe skirt suit. Although my preference was for a three-piece suit, I decided to forgo the pants because the matching one they had was a high-waisted style, which was horrible and so fashion and of course, I can't do fashion. Lindsay made a comment about how I "probably shouldn't wear pants" which made me want to laugh because I tend to agree. I look so ugly in pants...

I also got a bag from Lululemon at their opening party on Friday, which is great. I've been carrying around what feels like a ton of stuff and my current bag is much too small, especially when I bring a lunchbox to work and some fruit. Everything sticks out and it looks so ugly. The worst is when I go for French classes because I've got to squeeze in my books and pencil case as well. The new bag is great. So spacious and so many compartments!

I managed to pop into Kookai as well during the week when they had a 1-day VIP sale and loaded up on basic tops for winter. I also scored a Morgan & Finch hot water bottle at half price, so now I don't have to wake up in the middle of the night because I'm so cold!