Friday, September 23, 2011

Something you don't want to happen when you've got a hotel room to yourself

So I'm staying in a hotel room by myself for the next 2 weeks, and this is my 3rd night alone. I have been really enjoying my space and was planning on having a bath tonight after tea. Aah, relaxing in the tub with no interruptions, how lovely!

Now all that has changed. I returned to my room after 2 hours away and things were different in my room. Like I walked into the bathroom and the shower curtain was pulled across. I did what all women from horror movies do that you know she shouldn't do - I walked over and looked behind the curtain. What the f was I thinking??? There could have been any sort of crazy person in there ready to stab me! Nobody there luckily. My heart started beating overtime.
Next, I turned around and the toilet seat was up. Now I definitely did not do that! Started freaking! A dude has been in here!
Walked back into the bedroom, eyes darting here and there, trying to remember, did I close the curtains? Is there someone hiding behind them?  Then a sound - the kettle was boiling. Fuck. (and I never swear!)
I grabbed my room key and ran to my parents room down the hall. They came racing over with me and Dad called the manager up to the room. 
We looked around some more and noticed a pair of slippers on the floor next to my bed. And a bath mat which wasn't there before. And a newspaper on top of things I had been using before I left. And a few other things had been moved around. 
The manager A fifteen year old Chinese girl who could speak very little English came to the room, and I explained what had happened. She said 'yes, housekeeping' What? Housekeeping at 7pm? They had already tidied my room this morning, why were they coming in again?
She went through the list of things they do when they come to deliver the breakfast coupons, and sure enough, it was all those things. 
Jesus christ people! Give a girl a heart attack why don't ya?

I'm still a little jumpy and keep thinking I'm hearing noises and seeing shadows, so I think I'll sleep with the tv on! Mum is a bit worried too, she told me to go and sleep in with them, but that might be a bit awkward with only 1 bed!

So, this just may be my last post. If you hear about an Aussie gal being stabbed in her Chinese hotel room, you can say 'Oh hey, That must have been Rachel!"
Nice knowing you peeps!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Wordless Wednesday


Old man in pj's, originally uploaded by Rach Jax.

Linking up with Faith hope & a whole lotta love
{sorry can't do an active link from flickr in China!}

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

You will be mine...


Antique furniture, originally uploaded by Rach Jax.

I fell in love with many a piece of furniture today, but the turquoise really grabbed me. It looks even better in real life, and I can't wait to get these beauties home and into my bedroom.

Take 2

The BundFinding treasureFinding treasureOld man in pj'sOld man in pj'sChinese kitchen
Back streets of ShanghaiChinese kitchenDinner?Chinese kitchenBack streetSpiky batons
Finding treasureShanghaiFinding treasureShanghaiPlaying cardsShoe shine
Finding treasureFinding TreasureFinding TreasureFinding TreasureFinding TreasureFinding Treasure

China 2, a set on Flickr.

Let's try again shall we?
If you can be bothered, pop over to my flickr to have a look at my pics of Shanghai so far. It has so far been a scavenger's dream - today I spent over 4 hours finding some beautiful furniture and other bits and pieces for the shop. The stools we found are over 200 years old! It is just amazing here.

{I have just realized that I can't even comment on a lot of my favorite blogs from here! Some work and some don't. Sorry guys, you'll just have to feel some good vibes coming from me to you all! Haha!}

Monday, September 19, 2011

Day one


{apologies if you can't see these photos, the proxy I need to use to access blogger from China is a bit funny and sometimes things work properly, other times they don't. I can't even change the photo size - it's infuriating! But I believe if you click on the photo to open in another window you can see it there}

What a day! This crazy beautiful country has provided us with a day of laughter and wonderful memories, and some really awesome treasure finds. We found ourselves being led into people's homes as well as warehouses in which we were driven 30 minutes away. Putting our trust in complete strangers who barely spoke English, all to find the most quirky and interesting items for our shop.





The warehouse is like the Taj Mahal of junk shops, with suitcases, stools and anything you can possibly think of piled high up to the ceiling. We are heading back tomorrow for the whole day to buy a truck load of treasure!




 

 

We ended the day with dinner at a posh western restaurant overlooking the Bund. It's amazing at night with all the lights and beautiful views.






I absolutely love this country with all it's lovely happy people. And everywhere you look is the perfect photo opportunity!

Hope all is well back home with you guys!



Friday, September 16, 2011

And away we go!

Today's the day I've been whinging about for a while now - the day I fly to China.
I leave tonight and havn't packed my bags yet, so I'll keep it short and sweet.

Goodbye or zài jiàn! to all my lovely readers, hopefully I will find a way to make contact via my blog while I'm over there!




Tuesday, September 13, 2011

A big list of good and fun things

I know I said I wouldn't be writing another post for a while, but I decided I couldn't leave things as they were. What sort of a bloody sad sack am I? Well no more, no more I say! Enough is enough, I can't be feeling sorry for myself forever! It's time for the bright side.

Things are actually pretty great in life at the moment. Here's a list to prove it!

1. I'm going to freaking China!
Yes, I'll be a zillion trillion miles away from my kidlets, but I won't have to put up with hearing them arguing over the most ridiculous things ("Jesse! Give me back my pen!" "But you weren't even using it!" "But it's mine! I didn't say you could use it!" "Oh who cares Ryleah?" "I care! Aaarrrh!"), I won't have to be getting them up for school every morning and tell them every 5 seconds to get ready, I'll only have myself to think about! I'll have my own hotel room! I only have to pack my bags!



2. I have a new book
Bossypants by Tina Fey. The funniest woman in the world, I love her.


3. I won something...again!
Last month I won these ace shoes from Twins for Peace, via a giveaway at The Beetle Shack. Itt came as quite a shock as I never win anything ever! So imagine my excitement when I won this totally awesome print from Urban Road! *Squeal!*


It should arrive any day now! I just have to find the perfect place for it...

4. New hair!

Of course. I just can't help myself.

Please excuse my giant hands
5. Health kick

Yesterday I started the Michelle bridges 12 week whole body transformation. I've had enough of my fat arse, fat belly and just fat in general. I want to feel confident in my own skin. I don't want to be some super skinny bikini wearing chick. But I would be happy to not have 5 stomachs when I sit down.

Me in 12 weeks

6. Picklebug

Things have been going really well with my little pendants and brooches. I have a market coming up which is keeping me very busy, and I have stock in 4 shops, and one more opening soon.


7. The salon

I have to mention my first business - my hair salon. As I have mentioned before, I have the greatest staff in the world. They are wonderful, funny and kind people. They are my friends.
For those of you wondering (or not!), I found the perfect staff member for our team to replace a couple of girls who are leaving. She fits in really well, it's just like she's always been there. What a weight off my shoulders!

And the salon? I think it's pretty ace! We recently moved out to a renovated stables, and it has so much character, everyone loves it. It has such a relaxed feel, perfect for getting your hair done!





8. Modern Vintage

The reason for moving the salon, and for my trips to China.
Modern Vintage is really getting a name for itself here in Ballarat now, which is great! I have heard from numerous people about the conversations happening at work places about us, all good! A friend recently said she had to show off and say that she knew me, like I was a celebrity! Hilarious, Ballarat really has a small town vibe going on!

It's hard to believe we've been open for 3 1/2 months already. It doesn't feel like that long ago that we were doing this. The year is flying!
Now have a look at this! Our new ad started airing on Sunday during Underbelly. My 15 seconds of fame.
(I'm the one at the end very animatedly 'serving' a customer!)



9. Blogs

Blogs are ace. They can cheer you up when you're feeling down, open you're eyes to new things happening in the world, make you realize you are a normal human being, get you into a heated debate, or just give you a good giggle. I like the giggle ones.
Here's a few of my favorites, in no particular order:


Phew! That took a bit of effort!
Some of these blogs are by people I know in person, others are by people I have never met but feel like I know!
My brother has just started a blog of his own, after a year or so of thinking about doing it, but not knowing what to call it. So here it is: Thoughts From The Antipodes. Warning: My brother is the intellectual of the family. Reading this blog may result in feelings of stupidity and inadequacy. 

10. My new handbag

It's so soft and lovely to feel, and it was only 15 bucks! Bargain!


11. New talents

I have thought for a while now that I'd like to learn to play the harmonica. Beth from BabyMac has just confirmed for me that yes, I should do it. It's so random, but how cool would it be to be able to whip one out of your pocket and kick harmonica arse? My Pop used to play and I think I really need to carry on that tradition, what do you think?
Plus, one of my hairdresser chicks is learning the banjo, and we think we need to get really good so that we can entertain our clients. Yes?

I'm certain to think of a million other awesome things to write about now, but that's all I can think of right now. And you're probably bored anyway.

So you see, life is pretty sweet. There is more to come, like vegetable gardens and hatching ducklings, you know, the normal spring stuff. Thanks for reading as I dragged myself out of my misery and stopped feeling sorry for myself.



P.s.This is the longest blog post I've ever written, it's taken me a good 3 hours to write, in between serving customers and eating lunch!
P.p.s Does anyone else find that they think in blog after writing a post? I do it all the time, drives me nuts! It's like a little narrator in my head!

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