It seems that every where I look, there’s babies. I understand that the human race is a perpetually reproducing species (duh), but goddamn it seems they’re just everywhere.
I don’t know if a lot of these parents realise how precious their children are, though. A lot of couples have a lot of trouble getting pregnant, and their life dream is to have a child. On the other side of things, there’s people who really don’t want kids, but are the ones who have them.
Our friends are of the first group – they have been trying for a long time now, I think 3-4 years – to have a baby. I don’t know the ins-and-outs of what procedures they’ve had or anything like that, because you don’t like to ask, but I know it’s been a rough road for them.
Last night we got a phone call; my friend’s hubby spoke to Michael (they’re pretty good mates now), and then Michael handed the phone to me saying my friend wanted to speak. She said, “We came over Sunday but you weren’t home, and we were going to come over tonight but you said you were going for a drive so I didn’t know what time you were going to be home, but we have some news that we want to share before I tell everyone at work tomorrow – we’re having a baby!”
I was OVER THE MOON, to say the least. These two people are just the most loving people – they would do absolutely anything for their friends and family, and I can’t think of two people in my everyday life who deserve it more. I went out today and bought her a card and a giftcard for a baby shop (she’s only 15 weeks along, but I figured they’ll obviously need to buy stuff for the baby before it’s born!). We are just so excited for them.
It did make me think though – I’ve been on the contraceptive pill for about 5-6 years now. I think it would be devastating to me to try to avoid getting pregnant for so long, and then when it comes down to us actually trying, I won’t be able to fall pregnant. It’s a real issue that has just come up recently for me, and been accentuated by my friend announcing her pregnancy after so many years, but I guess I should be hopeful – after all, it’s a reality for them now.
I think I’ll just stick with the cats for a while.
I went for 2-hour drive with my Dad tonight, and it was good. I think I’m a lot better from when I first started again in January, and definitely better than when I was learning at 16 years old.
When I moved to Melbourne in 2005, I quit driving because of the ease of access to public transport – it didn’t make sense to have a car and learn to drive in the city. But here where we live now, it’s kind of a necessity to get around and have some freedom. There are buses and cabs, but they cost a fair bit and buses are pretty irregular.
I do panic myself sometimes when I think about going for my provisional licence – it seems a really tough test – but then I think about all the people I know who’ve passed it, and there’s no reason I shouldn’t be able to do the same. That said, my driving might be good but I really need to work on parking and reversing, particularly parallel parking. I have a weird issue with cornering too, but I think that’s slowly being ironed out.
About two months ago, I upgraded my phone from the iPhone 3G to the 3GS. Now, I wouldn’t turn down the 3GS, but lately I’ve noticed some issues with my billing from my telephone company – which will remain nameless (but you can guess if you know Australia’s telephone companies – it’s the one with the monopoly).
So anyway, I kind of have to be under service to this company because it’s the only one that has decent mobile phone coverage in my state. Which bothers me, because I can’t really turn around and say, “Help me or I’ll change companies”.
I got an automated text message from the company saying I’d gone over my data usage limit on my phone, which I thought was odd but accepted it. Then, when I got another message saying I’d used 134% of my data usage, I started to question it. Why? Because when I changed to the 3GS, it also changed my plan to a $49 Cap Plan, which includes $400 worth of calls & texts, but also 200MB of data (up from the 150MB I was on before). I checked it online, and sure enough, my ‘included’ data was only marked at 154MB.
I tried calling said-company on the phone at work today, but there was a long queue so I left it until tonight when we got home from dinner. I got through pretty much straight away, and explained my problem. The girl on the other end essentially told me to call back when I get my next bill (due to issue in the next day or two) and they could help me then, because they cannot see how much data I’ve used – apparently I’m the only one who can see it.
This, to me, seemed really suspicious – surely the company themselves can see how much data I’ve used?! And besides, I was only asking them to ensure that the included data on my plan was 200MB and not the 150MB I had previously – not to see how much exactly I’ve used. I surrendered, and said I’ll call back when I get the next bill.
My other issue is that with my previous plan, I had a ‘perk’ where I could call a number, which would divert to Michael’s phone, and I could speak to him any time of the day with the first three minutes being free. This was handy for us, because when I call him, it’s normally a short conversation – “Do we need milk?” – and then I have most of my discussions with him when we’re together. Now, it’s been billing me for calls under three minutes.
I don’t know what to do – I guess I’ll just have to wait for this next bill then try again. We’ve had so many problems with them before, but again because they have this monopoly, they’ve got us by the throats. I’ve never been with another phone company – giving them at least 10 years business through prepaid mobiles, mobile contracts, home telephone connections and internet connections. It’d be a shame to have to change, but I’ve just about had enough.
A song I’ve loved since I first heard it in 1997. Although I was only 9 years old when this song came out, it resonated with me, and still does on so many levels. It’s just a beautiful song and I have to share it.
Don’t stray
Don’t ever go away
I should be much too smart for this
You know it gets the better
Of me sometimes
When you and I collide
I fall into an ocean of you
Pull me out in time
Don’t let me drown
Let me down
I say it’s all because of you
And here I go
Losing my control
I’m practising your name
So I can say it to your face it doesn’t seem right
To look you in the eye
And let all the things you mean to me
Come tumbling out my mouth indeed it’s time
Tell you why
I say its infinitely true
Say you’ll stay
Don’t come and go
Like you do
Sway my way
Yeah I need to know
All about you
And there’s no cure
And no way to be sure
Why everything’s turned inside out
Instilling so much doubt
It makes me so tired
I feel so uninspired
My head is battling with my heart
My logic has been torn apart
And now
It all turns sour
Come sweeten
My every afternoon
Say you’ll stay
Don’t come and go
Like you do
Sway my way
Yeah I need to know
All about you
Say you’ll stay
Don’t come and go
Like you do
Sway my way
Yeah I need to know
All about you
It’s all because of you
It’s all because of you
Whilst I have done paid blogging in the past, I find it’s not productive enough to make any amount of money unless you’re constantly doing it, which can in turn piss off your readers. So I’ve made the decision to go ad-free. If I mention products or services at all, they’ll be my genuine opinions on things I actually utilise, and I will not be paid for them.
