I just got back from my first book club and it was a roaring success! I had not read the book but wanted to get a feel for what kind of discussions they have and who goes to the meetings. Every month a girl chooses a restaurant to go to and a book to read. The place we were at tonight had all $12 mains which is very good value especially when you consider the portion sizes. I had one of my favourites, pork belly! It is a big mix of girls from all different backgrounds but all mesh one way or another. There was even another fellow Yank. And she very kindly invited me to her Halloween party on Saturday!!! I am so happy! I have been very disappointed the last couple of weeks when it became more and more clear that Halloween was really not a big deal here. This was particularly hard to accept when it is on a Saturday this year! Now I just have to find a costume! Also the same girl arranges monthly drinks for American expats in the city so will be joining that group too. Oh and for those who are curious the book I have to read for November is the 1985 Booker Prize winner called The Bone People. It is apparently a New Zealand classic. I am hoping to find it at my library this weekend. Book club aside I am reading for myself My Cousin Rachel which is a Daphne Du Maurier book. I was one of the few people in 8^th or was it 9^th grade who liked her book Rebecca. I am so far enjoying My Cousin Rachel.

Tomorrow night I am going to the Little Creatures Brewery for dinner. I have really enjoyed their beer since I moved here so looking forward to dining there. I have been told they do good burgers which is great because I have been craving one badly!

Spring has finally sprung here! We have had lots of sunshine the last couple of days with lots more to come. It is meant to get to 30 (86F) on Saturday so I am going to go have lunch with a friend down in St Kilda by the water. Usually this would be a nightmare because the area would be packed with people having the same idea but it is Derby Day so supposedly it will be a little less manic! And speaking of Cupness (they love their horses here!) I learned today at work that I will have Tuesday off work for Melbourne Cup. Kind of an awkward day to have off but looking forward to getting up to no good on Monday to take advantage of the following day!

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