I hate Jet Lag

I know, hate is such a strong word and I don't like using it, but I just hate jet lag. Often I get asked how I over come jet lag. The fact is I don't! There are many different theories of how to minimize the affect of jet lag, and I believe it depends on the individual. Personally I haven't after all those years of being an International Kat found a cure - and trust me I tried it all. I can be as tired as a dog(?) and fall a sleep, only to wake up again three, four hours later - usually around 2 or 3 am. It takes about three nights until I get a good night sleep.
Well, I already feel much better now that I have vended my hate and the sun has come up. There you go and who knows, I might have a great night sleep tonight - fingers x.

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Day ?? - I lost count

Well it's time to say goodbye to Amsterdam. We had a great time and
were extremely lucky with weather. It rained for two days, which we
spend in the halls of the IBC conference anyways, the rest of the time
it was sunny.
The visit was most productive and we are coming home with lots of
fresh ideas and innovations - and lots of shopping too (watch this
space!)
We are both now on a train to Frankfurt. Mr.T will continue the train
ride to Zuerich, while I will get off and hopefully get a seat on the
next flight to OZ - all flights are full :(
Fairwell, Goodbye, Aufwiedersehen Amsterdam. See you next year.

The Winner is.... Malcolm Turnbull

Finally, the Liberal Party has found a true candidate to lead the Opposition.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a Rudd supporter, but I also believe that a
strong opposition will keep the bastards honest.
I mean look at NSW State Goverment - it's a joke, a really bad soap and there is no real opposition!
Therefore I say
Congratulations to Malcolm Turnbull and 'Keep the Bastards honest!'

Day 6 and loving Amsterdam

We arrived yesterday in Amsterdam after a relaxing train ride through
the beautiful country side of Germany and Holland.
The suprise was great when we opened the door to our favourite hotel
room 68 - where we stayed on our privious visits - it was completely
renovated. Not only that, but we loved the renovations too. Besides
a new color scheme, soft furnituring and brand new bathroom it also
features a flat screen TV, Wifi, downlights, a spectacular chandelier,
more cupboard space and air con - Gr8!!
None the less, we ventured out straight away to hire a couple of bikes
for the week, drink a few beers, sample some of the delicious food and cake and soak up the atmosphere.
It's gr8 to be back. Not only is AMS a beautiful city, its the people
and their way of live that make this city such a special place.
LeOpard very happy!

Day 4 - Mr.T and Mutti bonding

Mr.T and Mutti are looking through old pictures of when The Kat was a Kitten. Mutti is more than happy to share any anecdotes she remembers and Mr.T is a keen listener - there is a lot of 'Ah' and 'Oh' and laughter of course. I hope Mutti won't get out the album from the '80!!

Day 1 - Mr.T meets Papa

We finally made it. It tooks us 32 hours door to door from OZ to ze Vaterland - where is Scotty when you need him ??
Unfortunately we had to endure being in Coach all the way through and as you can imagine the Kat was not happy!! Fortunately enough the Cabin Crew felt for the Kat and Mr.T and spoiled us rotten - 'Would you care for some Champagne with that sleeping pill?'
All 30 odd hours were forgotten once we went through customs in FRA and saw Papas happy and excited face. It didn't take long for Mr.T and Papa to have a joke at the Kats expense - I know, I`m such an easy target. Meanwhile I`m writing this post, both of them are doing Yoga. What the...??
Needless to say once we got to Papas place we got fed with, yes you guess it right, Cake - did I mention it was 7.30am? Followed by a proper German breakfast - with different kind of bread rolls, meats, cheese and Leberkäse. And that was only the beginning of our Gourmet Tour of Deutschland.


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Going on a European Holiday!

The day has finally come. Mr.T and I are going on holidays - if you can call visiting the folks in Germany and going to a trade fair in Amsterdam a holiday.

My idea of a holiday is not having to see an aircraft from the inside let alone flying in it for 20 odd hours, hanging around airports and staying in hotels - sounds to much like work to me. I have tried contacting my friend Scotty to beam us over - how fabulous would that be, but to no avail.

So reluctantly I went to get the tickets today, 18 hours before we are about to leave. I still haven't packed, but even worse neither has Mr.T!! Mr.T is to busy at the moment with putting little stickers on things - don't ask!

We are heading tomorrow to Frankfurt via Singapore and Adelaide - Ade.. what? EXCACTLY! But with lots of luck we will be doing it in Business Class - Champagne here we come. We have a 5 hour transit in Singapore, which we will probably spend in The Qantas Club, thanks to Mr.T's life time membership - how handy :)

Once we arrive in ze Fatherland, folks and friends will treat us like Kings!
"Finally we are meeting ze boyfriend."
You can be guaranteed that we'll be fed until we explode. Fois Gras anyone?

After Mr.T has endured everything that comes with the Kat, we'll head to Amsterdam, by train, along the Rhine River - noice.

Room 68 of the Ambassade Hotel Amsterdam is were we reside - its a gorgeous Hotel and it will be our third time in that room ...

After a week in Amsterdam it's time for me to come back home. Mr.T's travels will continue to Geneva, London, New York and finally San Francisco - all in First Class of course thanks to an endless amount of freakenflyer points.

Meanwhile I'll be flying for work to San Fran as well to meet up with Mr.T - just in time for Folsom Street Fair :)

I know, life sucks!

Like I said, my idea of a holiday is not.....

Stay posted!



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DutchieKiwiAussie's Australian Story

Check out Daniel Meadows youtube profile and here is his Story.







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Greeting from Germany

Here are some images of my recent 3 day visit to Germany




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Hide and Seek: Who the hell is Cassy????

The First Lady of Contortion!

Also known as Cassy K.

Do not try this at home....

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Fear! What are you afraid off???

I don't know what is happening lately, but I have been encountering quite a few people who are so fearful - specially when they see me and the camera and I'm not sure what they are afraid of. Even amongst some 888DAGgers fear has crept in.

So lets talk about it!!!!! What are we afraid of?

[ed-I'm afraid of Helga!]





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Email von Papa - Aussie vs Kraut

HEy Markus,

Vielen Dank für Deine Mail. Bis Dienstag 12°° Uhr.Wetter durchwachsen.

Deutschland hat Australien in Gold überholt,wir haben heute die 15. geholt.

Alles andere mündlich.

Es grüßt Dien Vater.

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The Winner is.... Sally McLellan

Sally McLellan won Silver today in the hurdels. What a great chick.
She's a 888DAGger in the making.

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The Winner is.... K9

Please put your hands up for K9 who won the Blacktown - Batemans Bay Variety Bash with his groovy Austin.

Well done K9, your blog makes some interesting reading - lots of drama, lots of fun- I love it!!!

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Email from LA

The other day I saw a very interesting clip on Feelion's Blog about a sustainable home in LA. It reminded me of my friends Mark and Mike, who started growing their own veggies and fruit at their home in the middle of LA. That is their garden in the pic. Apparently they have lots of tomatoes to share. Lucky guys!

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Greetings from Manila

I just got back today from Manila this morning. I had 25 hours there and enjoyed it. My first impression was mixed and I think I have to go back again to get a better understanding of the place - there is only that much you can expierence in such a short time.
You see everything in Manila, from people washing themselves in the street gutter to a Imelda look alike, being chauffeured around in a big 'n fat Bentley.
The people are very friendly, always having a smile on their faces. The local food was delicious - I did indulged myself with some crispy pig knuckles - mmmh Kat liked verly much. And the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, where I stayed, is also known for it's excellent Buffet. Food, Food, Food - I love it.
I had a great time with my colleague Pen who is from Manila and showed me around the place. She me took for a fantastic massage - no, not the one you are thinking off. In our cab rides from one place to another Pen entertained me with some fantastic stories about life, love and the universe - you rock girlfriend.

Btw the picture above is of a Jeepney. There are hundreds of them in Manila and they all look different.

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Meditation

FEELION: Meditation

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Shopping it in The Hood - Bondi Road

The other day I had a conversation with my friend Megan about shopping. Call me a mall-rat, but I usually do all my shopping at Westfield Bondi Junction, which is only 10 minutes walk from my place.
Megan however does her shopping in 'The Hood' on Bondi Road, which is 5 minutes walk from my place, and she tries to avoid WBJ at all cost. Megan prefers the local feel of Bondi Road and likes the idea that she is supporting local businesses.
Inspired by this thought I decided to give it a try and I have been shopping in The Hood for the last couple of weeks and I have to admit that 'I like it', preferring the village-feel to the mall-feel.
The local butcher next to the Post Office has a great range of organic meats, poultry and eggs as well as superb sausages (verly important).
Next door is the Russian Deli with a vast range of European delicacies, and the sales assistants Russian accent only adds to the charm of the place.
Then there is Kemeny's with a great selection of wine and groceries.
Accross the road is a fantastic Fruit and Veg shop and further down the road you will find a brilliant fish shop called The One That Got Away. And I don't want to forget to mention the beautiful flower shop next to the chicken place.....
To sum it all up, I'm hooked - I love the feel of it, the slower pace, the fact that you bump into people you know and of course the personal service you receive.

Digital Art Gallery

DJMissUniv3rs3 Rocks!!

***888***

A Call von Papa

Papa hat angerufen und wollte meine Anschrift wissen. Meine Weihnachts- und Geburtstagskarte, die er mir geschickt hat und die ich nie erhalten habe, sind 8 Monate und 8 Tage nach Weihnachten wieder bei Papa angekommen - Return to Sender!

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