The One With The 25th Anniversary of the events that took place in 1988

I lied before, my favourite love story isn't "The Notebook", it isn't any type of fiction for that matter... My favourite love story is a real story, it's my parents' own special little fairytale... Which seems to involve three key ingredients: long hair, a toweling shorts and a green AR50 Kawasaki...

 I realised it was my favourite story last night during their 25th anniversary dinner (I planned it to be a surprise 4-course home-cooked family meal... it more or less went according to plan!). Just before dessert, my mom made a little speech and it was in those few words I saw how one decision can set you on the journey of a lifetime. It's not only my favourite story because I was born out of their union, but because it makes me believe in "true love" (Yes, I scoffed and snorted as I wrote this too).

 

I've never met two more opposite people in the world, mom loves football and rugby and Dan Carter, dad loves any sport that doesn't involve balls! But their fire and ice complements each other like the perfect yin & yang.

I know these days I'm in the minority to  still have both my parents alive and inlove, and I'm so appreciative of that everyday! They've not only taught me to be the best human being I can be, but they've taught me to love unconditionally!

Some things I've learnt by observing my parents:

1) Communication is key
2) Never assume
3) Laugh often
4) No problem is too big to overcome
5) It's truly the little things in life that mean the most

Some other fun facts about 1988:

1) Adele & Rihanna were born
2) Enzo Ferrari died
3) Crack (cocaine) appears in the USA along with the invention of prozac
4) Ayrton Senna wins his first (of 3) F1 Championships
5) An eathquake in Armenia kills 60 000 - the Kardashians had already escaped to America
6) Steffi Graf becomes only the 3rd woman in history to win the Grand Slam (Aus, French, & US Open & Wimbledon)
7) The first Die Hard hits cinemas
8) Stephen Hawking's book "A Brief History Of Time" hits bookshelves

All in all '88 seemed like a very cool year, after all "Le Boyfriend" was born too (and got his welcome to the family speech last night)... And I really like where this story is going :)

What 1988 sounded like:

Feel Good Friday Vibes

Why it's ok to be a Female Driver but NOT a "Woman Driver" (according to my dad)

My father started teaching me to drive since the age of 12... 10 years later according to him I still have alot to learn. One thing he did manage to ingrain in me was "Don't Drive Like A Woman". Before the feminists throw their panties allow me to explain: All "woman drivers" are essentially female, but not all females are "woman drivers".

Confused? Here's the further breakdown:

A female driver gets in the car and drives.

A woman driver spends 30mins looking for her keys in her handbag, finds it in her hand, shifts 4 pairs of stilettos out of her way to locate her pedals, second guesses her outfit, changes 3 lanes then indicates her intention to do said manoeuvrings, stops in the middle of an intersection when she has a green arrow and has my father a definitive shade of puce and the exasperated expression "Woman Driver!" comes out with enough venom as if he had just spat out 1000 expletives.

Under no circumstances are you allowed to be a "Woman Driver" in my father's presence. Also, your brake pedal is not meant to be used as often as your lungs, an on-ramp / off-ramp is not a stop-street and 80 in a 120-zone is illegal.

Bearing all this in mind, I really am sorry I made my dad race with the girls, when we went go-karting for my brother's 17th birthday last Friday night at Century Karting in Canal Walk.

But the boys' race already had all the testosterone filled petrol-heads it could take and besides I needed someone to compete with my 28sec lap time. My (female) cousins who range from 12-14 and have never set foot behind the wheel of anything, were initially terrified but "soon" got the hang of the brake vs accelerator vs don't ride into the tyre walls!

It really is fun for the whole family. Besides the awesome adrenaline rush, the experience really makes you want to put your foot down on the straits and do some sliding turns into the corners. Also, the effects can transcend into your daily driving, therefore, it's highly recommended to bring a designated driver for the trip home a.k.a mom.

The girls showing off their modelling skills

The starting grid

Ready to race!

Dad handing out pre-race orders

Birthday Boy Meets Wall By Accident

Team Photo

To My Brother On His 17th Birthday

Not only are you everything in the description and a constant reminder of my own aging, but you've become one of my best friends.

You're finally turning into the mature man I wanted you to be when instead you annoyed me so much that I stuck gum in your hair. Granted you were 2 and didn't know any better.

I remember how excited I was when you were born after months of apparently nagging for a brother, something I still contest doing. I remember my excitement subsequently fading upon seeing your piles of dirty nappies and fountains of tears, and of course when you took all the attention away from me...

I remember the time you nearly burnt the house down with an accidental "blue fire" mishap.

I remember the secret "don't tell mommy" pacts and the "let's rather ask daddy" plans...

But most of all I remember that you've provided me with some of my favourite memories, including your hangover at the age of 8, and you're the best brother anyone could ever ask for! Happy Birthday Ryan :)

May you live a happy, prosperous life and enjoy every moment of it! Know that even though I never say it or not as often as mommy wants me to, I love you :)

10 Signs Your Quarter-Life Crisis Is Looming and Why You're Excited About It!

When you reach your almost-middle-20's like I'm kinda-almost-about-to, you experience certain situations that make you feel extremely old, like post-37 old. Some of these everyday things may not mean anything to other people, but sometimes they make you think "Whoa. Curse Word. I'm getting old!" Here are some of my recent "Old Moments"...

1) When filling in forms with date of birth drop-down boxes you find yourself scrolling down for what feels like an eternity. (Why are people born in 2011 given the option to fill in these forms???)

2) Going out consecutive nights in a week is not only daunting but almost downright impossible! (Dinner on a Monday and a comedy show on a Tuesday?! Easy tiger! You're such a party animal)

3) Your would be one-minute hangover has now entered its 36th hour and all the Gingerbeer and fried eggs in the world isn't helping!

4) You now find yourself thrusting your driver's license at confused cashiers and bouncers at clubs (and even restaurant entrances).

5) You've just been sent the reminder to renew said driver's license.

6) You're not married yet so you can't sit at the adult table, but you have nothing to talk to the kids about because they have no idea who The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are.

7) 1996 feels like 10 years ago because 2003 feels like yesterday!

8) You get excited when big department stores have a sale on linen (your towel and duvet collection is coming along nicely).

9) When people cancel plans you rejoice in the fact that you don't need to leave home or your slippers.

10) All your favourite sports stars are younger than you and infinitely more successful than you'll ever be, but that's ok, cos you have comfy pants...