I figured before the new year starts I better get an update in! I am currently in very, very sunny Adelaide (40 degrees/103F) til tomorrow afternoon. I have been here since the 23rd and had a lovely time. I just returned late last night from paradise. My three days in Kangaroo Island were phenomenal. I will be doing an update about there when I get back to Melbourne. For now I will fill you in on my first ever summer birthday and Christmas!

As most of you know my birthday is on the 21st so it made sense to have my celebrations on the Sunday so people could make it. As you all know I was determined to be outside and thought it appropriate to have a picnic in the Royal Botanical Gardens. It was also a potluck which can always be risky because you don't know what kind of effort people are going to make. Well I am thrilled to report that the whole day was a roaring success!!! I had about 25 or so people turn up throughout the day which I think is pretty good going considering I moved here five months ago. As for the food it was glorious and plentiful! People really outdid themselves! Some highlights included homemade banana bread, spinach balls and a personal favourite unbelievable artichoke dip. All my friends mixed well and it was interesting to see all the people I have met since moving out here. The weather was also never too hot or too cold. The last few guests and I stayed lounging in the park till around 6ish. In the evening my Gold Coast guest Miss Alana and I went and had a few drinks at one of the rooftop bars I like in the CBD. On my actual birthday I woke up to phone calls from the parents which was not as good as being woken up in the morning with cake and presents but it was a good alternative regardless. I also had a chance to open Amanda Panda's amazing birthday care package that she spoiled with me. Later that morning Alana treated me to breakfast at a cafe near my house that I really like. We then headed in to do some sight seeing and shopping. We ended the afternoon with birthday cake and a delicious Jameson cocktail at another rooftop bar in the city. She went to catch her flight and I stayed on befriending nice people in the bar. Finally around 8 or so I headed home to make food and start to pack for my trip. It was truly a perfect birthday.

And so I got to Adelaide where I have been catching up with my friends Adam and Justin from NL. It has been great to see them again. Adelaide is an interesting city of feeling very small but also very spread out. It does not have all the old architecture that Melbourne boasts but still some interesting buildings. My favourite place has been the Central Market which is a hum of activity and interesting food. On the 24th we went to Justin's relatives place for a Polish Christmas Eve dinner. Sadly no carp was kept in the bathtub! We did though have lots of yummy lobster and other non meat food. Santa came by too which was awesome! On the 25th we were at Adam's parents place. I got lots of nice chocolate, knickknacks from their trip in Antarctica. We had lots of nice cold meats and prawns. I was determined to have a dip in the ocean on Christmas and Justin made it happen! The water was a perfect temperature! All and all a lovely Christmas but very hard to be away from the family. There is talk of us celebrating all together next year in NYC which could be something!

Tonight is the most overrated night of the year! Thankfully we have nice plans that suit me fine. We are going to a family run Chinese restaurant in an area called Glenelg which is kind of a Brighton/St Kilda area of Adelaide. We will then hang around the area having drinks before catching the fireworks on the beach. It is one thing to be hours ahead of you all but to be a year ahead of you all is very strange!

Starting January 7th I continue to be a very, very lucky girl. It is the start of many visitors next year. My dear friend Phoebe who I know from high school and her new fiance (!!) are flying in for three days. I have not seen her since her 21st birthday so very much looking forward to catching up. That same day the Fabulous Fabris sisters will be flying in too for five days! Stephanie is one of my best friends from Uni and we always have a good time. The last time hung out was when she flew out with me to Scotland for Hogmanay. I also of course will be applying for work.

Here is a great 2010! I hope to see you all at some point!

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