Stopping on the way home from work for an hour-long massage was the best idea I've had all week...

Thank. Fuck.

And a whole 92 minutes prior to deadline. That's rare.

Thank god we got an extra day on the exam because of the public holiday. I've finished Part A, but Part B is KILLING ME.

No matter how much I try and plan, it's really not until the last minute that the ideas come to me.

Stupid deadlines and exams. Now I'm going to be up super late for the next few nights...

There's a good reason I order online from USA Foods rather than go into their store like I did today...

Can't. Restrain. Myself.

Eggo waffles, giant tubs of Nestea, blue cheese dressing... none of those were required purchases but somehow they've ended up in my kitchen.

The two litre bottle of hazelnut creamer was an essential, however.

Australia Day.

Otherwise known as the day where (for the last 3 years) I can be found head down, arse up trying to write exam papers because somehow it coincides with the end of the trimester and why did I decide to take up tertiary education again at my age?

Honestly thought that taking my car to be serviced at the Toyota dealership near work would be bloody expensive because they offer a free shuttle to/from work, have snacks and coffee and give your car a wash and vacuum as part of the service.

I was wrong. 

Was a bargain. In fact, I had enough money left over from what I'd budgeted to buy myself a bottle of this to kick off the long weekend of study ahead.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH MY SHOULDER???

Can't. Bloody. Move.

Stupid Body Pump.

Stupid competitive nature that makes me use heavier weights than I'm clearly capable of lifting.

Could definitely use one of these this week. So. Much. To. Do.

Evening study plans totally sidetracked by tasks. Ugh.

Still, I went to Bodypump at lunch and I have a cool new chalkboard planner decal on my kitchen wall, so I'll just give it a go again tomorrow night...

Not the greatest turnout for the Women's March in Melbourne, but I put that down to poor advertising. We were small, but vocal and I dressed appropriately, natch:

The ribbon stretching across the bridge was a great idea though - even better getting people to write their own messages on it:

So I managed to do some of the things on my endless to-do list today, but it's still exhaustingly long...

The list of study things to do this weekend is long and daunting. Also my ear hurts and the new doctor I saw today was not a very nice person. What is it with GPs and terrible interpersonal skills?

Me, today:

My third day straight of group exercise class. WTF is wrong with me?!?! I am going to be DEAD tomorrow.

Wow. Body Combat is HARD. I don't think I'm quite coordinated enough for all that kicking and punching. I nearly knocked myself out. Plus, now I'm knackered.

That pilates class was INTENSE. I've never used hand weights in pilates before. Hope I can lift my arms tomorrow.

Discovered a new favourite massage place this morning. My poor, aching muscles were so happy.

After a ridiculously long day with LB, buying her everything she could possibly think of that she 'needed', the only sensible thing for Sissy and I to do is drink some delicious Sloe Gin and watch Stranger Things.

My sissy is visiting - HURRAH!

I've no freaking idea how, but LB has made it through twelve months of shock treatments, broken arms, hip replacements, stoma surgery, lympodema and blood infections to make it to her 79th birthday.

How????

The woman is a goddamned cat with nine lives and stubborn to boot.

Yes I'm going to bed at 9pm. I did a Body Pump class this afternoon and now this is me:

Did we really just have 10 days off work??? Doesn't feel like it. I feel ready for another break.

So. Craig McLachlan, huh?

COLOUR ME SURPRISED

Sometimes, you just need to take a nap, regardless of how long your to-do list is.

A lovely day at the NGV with some old friends. Definitely need to go back again and see more of Triennial - especially the Candice Brietz installation. That one warrants a good hour or so of my undivided attention.

This week has draaaaaagggggggged. So glad it's Friday. So glad I've got my house back to myself.

NOT glad it's going to be 42C tomorrow. Ugh.

The cats go home tomorrow. HURRAH! Not a cat person, never gonna be a cat person, DOGS RULE THE WORLD.

These cats have got me sussed when it comes to bedtime now. It's like trying to get toddlers to go to bed. Takes FOREVER. Ugh.

Turns out that wireless headphones are the way to go at work when you need to concentrate and not be disturbed by your colleagues. Nothing says "STOP BOTHERING ME" like two great lumps on either side of your head.

January 1 is allowed to be a bit of a write-off day, isn't it? I've finished binge-watching two TV shows this break and I'm over halfway through one book, so that's not too bad.

Haven't done a scrap of studying though. Mega fail.

Oh and I've decided that I am most definitely never, ever getting cats. They are the most annoying creatures on the planet and TERRIBLE at cuddling.