Happy New Year

Since I last blogged I had an amazing time in Melbourne with my amazing boyfriend (Max is dictating this blog). The airport was crazy on Christmas Eve – reminding me of Love Actually (the movie) – and I arrived at literally 11.55pm.

We had Christmas with Max’s friends from Indonesia and their family. How’s this for a tenuous link – we were their sister’s husband’s nephew’s best friend from five years ago and his girlfriend. They were really nice to us, even buying us chocolate for Christmas, and we relaxed at the botanical gardens, then played table tennis and card tricks, ending up in a awesome political conversation (a must for every Christmas). It was different from my previous Christmases but nice having Christmas with Max (he’s still dictating).

Boxing Day was great, we weren’t there at 5am (unlike the rest of Melbourne) but got some great bargains. Max was very helpful (he’s still dictating this – but it’s true).

Over the next week we explored lots of cool parts of Melbourne – Brunswick: fun and bohemian; Chapel St: great opshops, Daniel and pizza; St Kilda: good reading time at the beach and a great bar where we played scrabble (that’s the closet we got to going out at night);

Federation Square: to watch cricket and street performers.

We also went to art galleries;

ate nice, cheap food (mmmm Dumplings);

drank nice coffee; hung out with GREAT people;

watched a lot of West Wing; played a lot of scrabble - and for the record I (Jess) won 4/5 games (not that I’m competitive or anything…);

explored lanes and shops and China town.

One of the other exciting things that happened is that a nectarine squidged in my bag and broke my phone. However on some great advice from Dave (great to see you!!) I washed my phone, let it completely dry, and it works again!!

This New Year’s was my first not at Getaway since 2002 (that’s seven new year’ses – this is Max’s grammar instructions, I think it’s wrong). This year I was old and boring. It was fun. We were very civilized. Our friend we met in Scotland had a dinner party – a delicious four course meal (which we ate at about 10pm) - we had lots brill conversations, and then we sang by a grand piano (Max says I sang well – unfortunately this is untrue).

Was a lovely, fun, interesting and relaxing time.

When I arrived back in Brisbane – JJ was here! Treat. We went to Dreamworld and the newly-opened White Water World. I love themeparks.

I finally explored Brisbane (a little) hitting the fake beach – man Auckland needs one of them, I wish they’d hurry up and develop the docklands already – and shopping (yes more!) in the markets. I also finally went out here – in the red light Valley district. Trust JJ to be the one to get me out!!! – Although to be fair this was my first full weekend in Brisbane. The highlight of that night was definitely the whole (gay) club going crazy to Miley Cyrus – good times. Was very sad to see JJ go.

I have been working like crazy on seven different projects, hence the lack of blog update – this one’s for you Susan :) I’m being so productive which is making it really fun. Enjoying the gym here too – although it’s so hot I go purple (not an exaggeration) when I exercise.

Have to work now, but looking forward to coming back to NZ on the 26^th, will see some of you then I hope!