Holiday Begins!

Well its Christmas eve, work is over, hugs and cuddles all round and after a wonderful get together with friends last night (and far too much champers), I feel really happy.

Its a time of year when you can't help but realise how far from home you are and how far from friends and family.

Tomorrow Chris and I embark on a week long adventure with a camper van, map and torch around Tasmania. We are traveling all over before arriving at Marion Bay to sport my new wig and dance under the stars at Falls Festival. I can't wait...

I thought it quite fitting to put the video that my friends sent me saying goodbye when I left the UK. I watched it moments ago and I was filled with nostalgia. There's no denying I miss them a lot. If only they'd smell some decent coffee (namely from Single Origin cafe) and get their sexy backsides to the warmer climates of Oz.

Anyway, I'll be away for a while. Happy Christmas to everyone, I hope its a wonderful day and you appreciate having your loved ones near (as annoying as they might be at times).

Ho ho ho...

nb. All images/video content has been sourced from student days, thus I am in no way responsible for my actions. Obviously.

The Mountain Goats

Friday night I saw this band called The Mountain Goats, I've listened to quite a bit of their music in the past and was a bit curious as to what they would be like live.

I was pleasantly surprised - these guys absolutely rocked it and they also had a huge following here in Sydney. Clearly this was a show dominated by fans, and the energy of the room really demonstrated this, with most (though, sadly, not all), hanging intently on every word.

I can't work out what makes them so good - the lead singer is a little gawky and whiny, the lyrics are somewhat narrative and songs - very wordy, but yet it has to be that little bit of quirky cult lyrical genius which makes them win the crowd over. The lead singer was an absolute diamond when it came to making everyone laugh and truly entertaining us through his jet lag and random rants. I remember at one point he said: “Australia responded to this song more than anywhere else, so feel free to sing along, I’m not gonna stand in your way... well because obviously I can't, I'm on the stage and you're down there and I have a job to do."

Anyway, overall a good show and Manning Bar (the student union bar) even caters for small people - so I got a view!!! Spoilt!

Birthday Spaghetti

I made spaghetti on my birthday. I know its not the coolest of feats but I have to admit there was an overwhelming sense of accomplishment in doing so and its another thing I can tick off my list. It also tasted delicious.

We used the Jamie Oliver recipe and all that was required was

• 600g of Tipo ‘00’ flour (a really fine flour made specifically for pasta).
• 6 large free-range organic eggs.
  

I think the best things in life are often the simplest.

Its my birthday.

I love having a birthday in Summer, bearing in mind this is all very novel to me. Gone are the days where we'd all huddle ourselves in to a warm pub watching out for ice on the footpath as we stumbled home. Oh yes. Now, I have sunshine, daylight, beaches and BBQ's. I thought I was over getting excited about birthdays - prospect of aging has starting to sink in - but this is quite a treat and I have reverted to a child getting really enthusiastic about my birthday.

Tomorrow, there'll be a BBQ at a lovely little beach in Sydney called Red Leaf with proverbially pommy pimms and lemonade and am looking forward to the prospect of just chilling out in the sun OUTDOORS!

On Sunday, my real birthday, I'm going to Palm Beach to stay at my friends beautiful holiday home. I do feel spoilt. I can't deny that I will be missing my gorgeous friends in the UK, if only they could be here too...