Carla Gypsygirl's Blurty

Diving in

You know, they say that people who write their blog entries with little subheadings are really nice, charming, intelligent, and about to be hired as a designer by a really really cool magazine. Well, I wish they did, anyway.

Easter Feaster
This Easter was the first Easter in 3 years that I have had a church to go to. In previous years, I had sought refuge at my friends’ churches. This was because I had to leave some churches because of boy issues (ew!). I always felt a bit sad that I didn’t have a church of my own to go to, because I enjoy celebrating Easter with the family that church creates. So Easter this year was a very happy time for me. I have been at my current church for almost a year now. While I still feel very ‘new’, I am also beginning to feel a great sense of joy when I go to church. I feel like I have friends now. On Good Friday, my church put on a funeral service for Jesus. We had people from my church playing the roles of Peter, Caiphas, a cripple that Jesus healed and one of Jesus’ cousins. They gave eulogies. I liked being reminded that Good Friday was about Jesus dying. Sometimes, the death of Jesus isn’t enough of a reality for me. The service was also a bit amusing, too. I mean, any role playing is bound to create a few laughs. Our new assistant minister, Mark, dressed up in a sparkly, aqua shawl when he played Caiphas. When our senior minister introduced Mark, he said, “Here’s Caiphas…and I believe he has also brought his choir with him.” I didn’t know what was meant by that until the end of Mark’s speech. A group of about ten senior citizens stood in a pyramid formation in front of the stage and sang a song where the chorus went, “Crucify, crucify him!” I think the song must have been from a musical or something. Anyway, I laughed so much that afterwards, the people in front of me turned around and said good-naturedly, “You seemed to enjoy that a lot!”

Jobs, jobs, jobs
Recently, I started to freak out about money. Because I knew in advance that I was resigning from my job, I had some savings tucked away. But, you know, being unemployed for over a month can do strange things to a girl’s mind. I have felt challenged lately to bring everything to God in prayer. I want to pray about everything- I want to pray for big things, like the health of others and a job for me, but also smaller things. I pray that I won’t worry about my looks so much, and I also thank God that there are good books to read. Anyway, I started to pray for a part-time job, and whoa, did God provide for me in abundance or what? Last week, I had three interviews within two days.

First up was an interview with a department store. I was told to wear “business attire”, and I felt like a total dork wearing a white shirt collared, black skirt, pantyhose and heels. So not me. It was a group interview, and for some reason, I suspected that I would see someone I knew there. And lo and behold, who should I see in the waiting room but my buddy Lorna! While we waited to be called into the interview, Lorna told me about her trip to Germany, life at her church and a tiger-striped bike she had to abandon in Europe. The interview took 2 ½ hours- I know, AGES- and we had to introduce ourselves, come up with an action plan for selling excess stock, discuss how we would deal with Mr Smith (a problem customer) and finally, answer some written questions. During the whole interview, I had this horrible feeling that I had gone back in time. As I spent 4 years working in a rival department store back during my uni days, it kind of sucked going back to the department store world. I thought I had left it all behind. Also, I desperately wanted to escape from the interview and start making fun of it. Like, there were so many people in there, busting their guts to get work in that department store. We all looked the same- pretty much everyone wore a white collared shirt and black bottoms. It was hard not to laugh sometimes- the whole thing seemed so ridiculous and try-hard. I did laugh a few times at inappropriate moments. We had to tell everyone who our ideal dinner date would be, and I said “Andy Warhol”, because not only was he a very cool artist, he also threw some pretty wild parties. But everyone else nominated eye candy types. This one boy said “Megan Gale”, and I burst out with a big “HAR HAR!” That boy then kept looking at me strangely the whole interview. I would like to think that he thought I was attractive, but I think that the truth was that he was mad at me for making him look like a himbo.

The next day, I had two interviews. The interviews were at rival jean companies. The store had such similar names that I began to fear that I would accidentally blurt out the wrong store name during one of the interviews. Both of those interviews were much better than the department store interviews. I mean, at least I would get to wear jeans to work. And the work sounded more challenging. What was strangest, though, was how seriously both of the companies took the whole “selling” thing. I mean, whenever I go into clothing stores, most of the shop assistants look like they are doing nothing. But NO, they’re not SUPPOSED to be doing nothing- they are supposed to be selling, and then up-selling, and meeting targets, and tidying…frightening stuff! I just wanna make money so I can get by!

By Thursday night, I was one exhausted little chicken. No-one has called me back yet, but that’s okay, because the interviews weren’t that long ago. I am praying that I will get at least one job out of those three interviews.

Trinny and Susannah
Oh my gosh…over the Easter long weekend, Foxtel was running a What Not To Wear marathon. I hadn’t ever seen that show until this year, but now, I LOVE it. I mean, Trinny and Susannah are a bit mean sometimes, but sometimes, they make ladies look AMAZING. I love makeovers. I like how Trinny and Susannah emphasise the importance of cut, silhouette, colour and classic style. I was so influenced by their teaching that I went to the movies last night wearing PROPER SHOES (ie. not battered, faded Converse hi-tops).

She’s The Man
And, you are wondering, what did I see at the movies last night? She’s The Man, starring Amanda Bynes! Can I just say, I think that Amanda Bynes is a COMIC GENIUS. She is a mini Lucille Ball- she pulls goofy faces, puts on funny voices and trips over all the time. I loved her in All That. I thought she was brilliant in The Amanda Show (I mean, hello, imagine getting your own sketch comedy show when you are 12!). AND, that sitcom she is in with Jennie Garth does hit the spot sometimes. Anyway, Amanda is so cute and funny playing a boy: “Do you like CHEESE?” Plus, you all know I love a clever adaptation- She’s The Man is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelth Night. I reckon my friend Xeni looks and acts like Amanda Bynes- she is gorgeous AND funny! Definitely a must-see- my boyfriend even had a few belly laughs!

Diving in
Yippee…I feel SO clever right now, because I reconnected my scanner! Woo! All by myself! The above photo is from the church weekend away that I went on this year. I was so excited to have my scanner back that I have been scanning away quite happily. Anyway, that photo expresses how I feel right now. So many things in my life seem all foggy and mysterious. But I know that I just need to dip my toe into the swimming pool…nay, I must dive in and have fun and try things. I must be unafraid. I mean, what else is a girl to do?

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Of course, I have tons more to say, but sadly, there is never enough time in my life for blogging! Catch ya later!

Lots of love,
Carla Gypsygirl