Panthagaria

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:15:29 GMT

Anyone know where to buy kimono fabric in Japan? A friend is in Japan this week and would like any hot shopping tips you people can offer her :)

Here's looking at you Leanne!

I hope you are all well- long time no livejournal...

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:13:58 GMT

Anyone know of good places to stay in Japan (Tokyo and outside of Tokyo)? A friend is going there tomorrow and hasn't yet sorted out any accommodation....

Interesting article of the day....

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:46:06 GMT

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/challenge-to-legal-boys-club/2008/07/08/1215282835421.html

The most interesting article I've read in a long time :)

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:28:08 GMT

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/women-have-to-swap-genders-to-survive/2008/06/26/1214472673664.html

And if you think that culture is so alien to us, perhaps think again....

"I may not be a lion, but I am a lion's cub, and I have a lion's heart" -Elizabeth I

"I have the heart of a man, not a woman, and I am not afraid of anything."- Elizabeth I

"I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too." -Elizabeth I

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:45:16 GMT

Time for me to admit that as of today, I am admitted! :)

"Get a Haircut, Get a Suit..."

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:02:00 GMT

So the semester that I thought would never end is in its death throws (I hope).

Time to get a haircut methinks. Anyone able to recomend a good cutter??? My last one moved to Scotland earlier this year, which is a little far to go for a good, stylish haircut!

What my life has been missing!

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:41:39 GMT

http://www.qwantz.com/

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 10:00:00 GMT

Anyone know if there is anything good on this weekend? I feel the need to dance to decent music! :)

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:19:28 GMT

Ok, so the computer issue is resolved... Its down to a black 160GB macbook or a white 120 GB macbook with a 40GB upgrade.

I like the white one better but it will take a while to arrive here (and I need a working computer now)- the only place that has one in stock is Next Bite and I am told that they are sharks to deal with...

A penny (or comment) for your thoughts?

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:04:33 GMT

One degree down, one practicing certificate to go....

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 23:45:38 GMT

Hi all,

I"M BACCCCKKKKKKK!!!!! Flew in yesterday (and boy are my arms tired...)

So... whose up for some drinks?

Impressions....

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:54:15 GMT

What else can I say?

I've had a fantastic time here, whether its sitting in a pub explaining to a table full of dutchmen what the term "going dutch" means, weekend travel, eating fantastic cheeses, wine and chocolate, and generally feeling that I am literally "living at the top of the world". Perhaps one of the best things has been to live here for some time, to feel that every day is a luxury of living in a different place adn experiencing life in a far richer way than a tourist could. For once there has not been the urgent rush to see everything at once, I have been comfortable in the knowledge that I can come back to places and people, that I have my own "nest" or base here on the other side of the world. Finally to top it all off, I have found out that I topped two of my subjects here and got a good mark in the third one, so the weekends spent studying instead of travelling appear to have paid off.

As for the study, I have had an incredible time with that also. I've developed a great interest in International Law and have been inspired by the fact that that area of law is not only taught in detail here but that there is a great deal of faith in it. One example of this is in the way that international agreements are looked at. Instead of saying that a non-binding agreement is useless (as is often taught in Australia) the viewpoint taught here is that while the agreement may be non-binding, it helps to form an international norm or guideline that in turn can help to form the basis for new international law. Many things seem possible here, the Hague is only an hour away by train, my classmates are putting in for internships at a variety of international institutions and courts, I have been taught by great teachers and attended guest lectures by experts who would rarely visit Australia. There is a greater acceptance of international co-operation (eg the formation of the European Union) and far more comparative law taught. One is encouraged to look beyond national boarders. Its been fairly mind blowing. My geekdom continues, I fear that I will never be cool at parties now....

Well there is too much to type here. My appologies for such a rushed badly written (and I daresay badly spelt) few entries, but it seemed nuts to move out of here without typing even one entry for the blog. Thank you to everyone who sent me some comments or e-mails or advice in the last while. I look forward to seeing you all again soon :)

Bicycle! (Or My Impressions of Holland)

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:35:52 GMT

The first few weeks I had the best of intentions in posting to a blog but had no internet access, so the project gathered dust. By the time the internet was up and running, I was off and running around Italy and Spain, and it has been a tale of procrastination ever since ;) Because the caretaker is comming back soon to kick me out of my room here, and becuase its impossible trying to make up for 5 months of updates, I won't try to put everything down here (you will have to buy me a drink in Sydney if you want the full tale). However, here are a few impressions of my time here in The Netherlands.

At times its been a little like living in the "Spanish apartment" not only are there many Spanish (40 of the 200 exchagne students here are Spanish speaking), but I have shared a flat here with 17 other people from around the world. There is never any trouble in everyone sharing one kitchen though, we have quickly learnt that the English and Australians eat around 7, the Morocaan, and Chech around 8ish and the Spanish and Portuguse never before 10pm, with myself grabbing bite to eat when I remember ;) We have all lived a little in each other's pockets here, your flatmates are your friends and class mates also. There is always something going on, and a different party on each floor of the student accomidation here on a Thursday night. I will miss hearing two of my flatmates scream conversations through the walls at each other, or hunting for our flat's crockery in the flat downstairs.

At other times I've felt a little as like I'm in a gang, for nights out in the town or elsewhere a troup of sometimes 30 of us will head off on bikes. I have since discovered that it is easier to cycle rather than walk after a big night and one can drink a beer and cylce at the same time. My first bike experience here went along the lines of asking a flatmate for a lift to a party on the back of his bike. Ivan replied he would happily give me a lift, despite having had a bit to drink, a lot to smoke, and was on a broken bike. Its when you realise that you are more sober than the person giving you a lift that you realise its time to get a bike of your own.

The Update Only 5 Months Late!- "Part One"- A Cold Desolate Rock...

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:25:56 GMT

Well its comming to the end of my exchange here, so I suppose that it is high time for an update of sorts. So much for my idea of keeping a reguarly updated blog! Two very good friends of mine recently left a combined comment here, so I am inspired to overcome the horror of a blank computer screen and type a shockingly badly written entry at long last ;)

Well, lets not start from the very beginning as I think that that is a much better place to start. So I will leave tales and photos from my farewell party in Sydney to another time. I left as you know in early August, and headed up to Scotland before starting my exchange in Holland. A few things that stood out for me, one included finding my way from Heathrow airport onto the right tube to Kings Cross station, full of excitement at having just landed in a country on the other side of the world, and looking down on the steat next to me to find a copy of the "Australian Times" (published in London) looking back at me.

I met my friend Adam at Kings Cross station and headed up to Edinburgh for the Fringe festival. We found a hostel, dumped our things then went out. Adam was a wee bit disgruntled when I demanded sleep and an early night (home by 3am) as by that stage I had travelled for 36 hours then gone out and was a wee bit tired ;) To my surpirise Edinburgh was very warm (one might almost say a tad hot!), leading to many incredulas comments at how warm it was on this "cold desolate rock" at the top of the world, and that people really wore T shirts in Scotaland, then the realisation that perhaps one shouldn't make these comments in a loud voice at the main train station. Adam and I venue hopped at the festival, and came to the realisation that accomidation in youth hostels was more expensive than Moet and other good French champaine, so as we had a tent, there was clearly only one thing to be done.

After scoring Adam a few gigs at the festival, dancing to gypsy music, wandering the streets of Edinburgh, etc.etc. Adam headed home to work and I toured Scotland heading to the highlands, Orkney Islands, Isle of Sky etc :) I then rushed from Edinburgh to London to catch an early morning flight to Holland the next day. I decided that as the flight was so early, I should sleep at the airport, so I finally found the right terminal at last and asked the guards there if they minded if I slept in the baggage lines. They said it was fine, but warned that I should "tie everything to me." Aware of theft and not sure if it was a joke or not I thought it was a good idea, so I tied my bootlaces to my luggage and my belt and slept on my luggage I awoke in a tangle of bootlaces, but with everything still with me, then discovered that I couldn't untie one of the bootlaces. So myself, large suitcase, smaller bag and backpack tied to my belt headed over to the British Airways counter to ask for a pair of scissors. Due to the security there were no scissors, but a very obliging emlpoyee spent some time armed with a biro pen attempting to untie me.

My adventures at Heathrow took a further surreal turn when I found myself chatting to a woman who works in banking in the Hague about my interest in international law while eating breakfast with her in the first class lounge. I have never felt less like a sophisticated law student than at that point seated in a nice airport lounge sipping coffee and discussing international law while wearing all the spare clothes from my case, jeans with a huge rip in them, with the only sleep I had gained in a few days being at Heathrow a few hours beforehand and with unkempt hair desprately need of a brush!

I arrived in Amsterdam and was met by a someone I had met while travelling around in Scotland. Chris and his sister Anna (both Dutch) were great in their advice, and its thanks to Chris that I had no trouble in moving into Tilburg. Chris helped me get to Tilburg, told me where to buy cheap meals, assured me that my lease was standard for Holland, and dragged my case up several flights of stairs to my room here.

Merry Christmas!!!

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 19:16:41 GMT

I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!!! I you have/had a great Christmas day and holiday and I hope that 2007 is everything you want it to be, and that you achieve all that you set out to achieve.

I am staying with a friend and her family in Germany for Christmas (I am being fed far too much good food which is fantastic!) I will be in Berlin for New Years, and I am thinking of heading back by the end of January (I will keep you all posted on that front!)

Thinking of you all,

-C.

"That'll do pig, that'll do...."

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:00:33 GMT

Woo hoo! I have just found out that my paper on victim's role in international criminal law and the ICC topped my masters class here! The final grade was pretty insane :) What's more is that the 13, 000 word beastie formed my whole grade for that subject :) Yay!

Ok, enough of the developing of a big head and back to the other paper and exam study......

"Hi ho Hi ho, its off to work I go...."

"You take the red pill and you stay in wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes"

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 19:31:23 GMT

I've got to the point where I am very tempted to stay here for another 6 months. International law and the refreshing attitude towards it here is mindblowing and inspiring, and I want to see where the exchange experience and law experience leads me.....

I promise one day to update more than a few lines at a time ;)

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 22:45:41 GMT

... So what shall I do for my birthday in 5 days?

Crazy suggestions are very welcome! ;)

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 17:52:09 GMT

Hi everyone, greetings from Tilburg, The Netherlands :)

Just a short note to say that I hope you are all well, and dancing like crazy rabbits. I will update with my adventures soon, but what have all you been up to?

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 00:22:32 GMT

Hi all,

I don't have much time for an update, but a quick question- when is the best time for people to attend a houseparty? I want to have a huge houseparty at my place before I head off to Holland- and I was thinking of Saturday the 15th or the 21st....

Also I was wondering if there would be any music makers or mixers (especially on my friends list *hint* *hint*) that would be free/ able to be bribed with biscuits or grog etc. to play at the party???

(Insert winning smile here...)

Copied from an e-mail from a good friend- please sign the petition!

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 03:10:12 GMT

This week, Parliament is scheduled to decide whether to throw out our existing refugee laws to suit Indonesia or whether to stand firm for children and human rights.

In a rare moment in Australian politics, representatives from every major party stood together last Wednesday to receive the following petition, signed by 32,000 Australians:

"Dear Senators,
We believe in the rights of all children. We call on you to reject the proposed new changes to Australia’s refugee laws, and to ensure no child who comes to Australia seeking asylum is put into detention."

In the last six days, the number of signatures has almost doubled (60,820 by today, which happens to be World Refugee Day!).

Can you help the petition to reach 75,000 signatures before the end of this week?

www.getup.org.au/campaign/NoChildInDetention

The stakes are high. Remarkably, a Government-controlled Senate Inquiry has recommended this law be rejected entirely, or at least seriously amended. Politicians from all the major parties - including 10 Coalition backbenchers - now have serious concerns.

But in order for these dissenting politicians to stay strong, they urgently need a groundswell display of public support.

At this crucial moment, please spread the word to friends, family and colleagues that our actions right now will make a difference.
(Feel free to copy and paste this email text)

Me and the Soapbox...

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 06:11:05 GMT

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1660975.htm

Hrmm...but given that the Australian courts have decided that there is such a thing as rape in marraige, surely this would apply to the above case as well? (Despite the different definition of "marriage")

Film/ Good Drama and Nine Inch Nails

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 10:16:13 GMT

...These are a few of my favourite things :)

Below is an excerpt form a review on the movie Candy. The second paragraph is my favourite quote of the day. It brilliantly sums up an idea/theory that I am interested in and enjoy an exploration of in the arts. A favourite author Patrick White explores it in his novels, and Trent Reznor has become famous writing music with the same themes.

"I wanted to slap them at that point and shout at the top of my voice: heroin is not cool, you idiots! I wanted to warn them of the chasm they were skirting and bash their youthful arrogance and berate the filmmakers for buying into the mythology. But I also knew the scene was true, and more honest about the attractions of heroin than most films.

Drug movies are like war movies: plumbing the depths of depravity is almost always, in some way, an act of glamorisation. It's implicit in the assumption that degradation is dramatic and romantic, especially if self-inflicted. That idea is old, but mysterious. Maybe it has to do with an assertion of free will - I am free, I can destroy myself, I am my own god."

The full review is here: http://www.smh.com.au/news/film-reviews/candy/2006/05/24/1148150321197.html

It is a great review and has made me very keen to read the book and see the film. Man, I miss English lit at times!

The photo you post when you have just bought a camera

Tue, 16 May 2006 14:13:44 GMT

Tue, 02 May 2006 12:40:30 GMT

create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands

Hopefully I'll have more to add to this after the next trip :)