The Great 2009 Birthday

Whoa. Holy Birthday.

Where to begin?

First thing first. My camera, yes the third one in two months, is in the shop getting repaired. Remember I spent almost nothing for the camera -- did you think it would work?! So. I apologize about the quality of photos -- I went out and splurged on a disposable camera to capture the memories of my b-day in Oz.

Anyway. One of my co-workers, Gab, asked me to go to dinner with her on Thursday to celebrate the big 2-6. I just literally realized that that's the dates of my b-day too. Awww.

Anyway. I was game for doing anything, plus she's good company so I said YES. Then. One of the cooks, JR, found out about it and decided to tell me that she was planning a surprise party. Gee. Thanks.

Two things.

I'm a girl. I love surprises. LOVE surprises.

The other, I never get surprised. I over-analyze everything and never can get surprised. Thanks for ruining it.

After I found this out, I just pretended like I thought it was just the two of us, no big deal. I didn't know who'd be there anyway -- I just knew that it'd be more then just us.

The big day FINALLY came. And by big day, I mean Thursday night.

Gab and I met up for a drink at CBH, actually two drinks -- one, some guy bought for us because he was too drunk to put his phone back together. Then we talked about ex-boyfriend's and our lives now...without douche bags. Then we were off to a Tapas restaurant called El Bulli.

We hopped a cab and got to the restaurant. Of course, I was wearing some big shoes and fell flat on my face as we walked towards the restaurant. Classy, eh?

But here's the kicker. We walk up to the host and he says, "Oh. Your party's already in there." And Gab gives him this dirty, evil eye that says, "NO. IT'S A TABLE FOR TWO." Awww. Valiant effort on her part. I really appreciate her making it be such a surprise. Of course....it wasn't so much.

But that's the thing. It actually did turn out to be a surprise because of the people that were there. There was Pedro and Lisa, who I had thought would be there, but wasn't sure. JR, of course, was there. And then these two got me good. Nicola, the Scottish girl I work with, who had been telling me all day and week even that her b/f had a gig in Kings Cross and she couldn't go. Well -- she was there. And even Ross showed up.

I freaked. I know my face got super red and I was so happy to be...actually...surprised!!! It was awesome.

We had a fantastic meal, drank too much wine and they even brought out a cake with sparklers as candles. From now on, I'm always doing sparklers as candles. It's just so much cooler.

Afterwards, most of us hopped a cab to Kings Cross to go to a club called Candy's. It was AWESOME. And I don't remember much about the club, just know I danced my ass off. Literally. And my dress too. I exposed my breasts to a lot of Aussie's. Whoops.

The bad thing about all of this was I had to be up at 4am. I think we got home about 2:30 or 3am. And I was WASTED. It was pretty nasty, but I didn't have a hangover -- thank God!

Oh. You're wondering why I needed to be up so early? Welllllll....Ross was taking me on that Hot Air Balloon ride he won back at the OpenAir Cinema. WOO! And. It was just as spectacular as it seems. What an incredible experience. We didn't fly over anything cool, but we watched the sunrise and were flying above Sydney. P.I.M.P.

Afterwards, we had a delightful breakfast at a hotel in Penrith. It was right next to Olympia Park, where the Olympics were held, oh so long ago. Then we just relaxed the rest of the day.

Ross took me out to this amazing dinner at a place called Mezzaluna. It was in Kings Cross, which is a bit dodgy, but turned out to be phenomenal. You walked into the restaurant thinking it's very quaint, but as you descend down the stairs you are staring right into Sydney's Skyline. It was incredible. Not only did I see an amazing sunrise on my birthday, but I saw a spectacular sunset on my birthday as well.

We sat there for four hours just taking in the view and enjoying each other's company. Then we were off to a place called the Piano Bar, which was okay. We didn't do much but sit and talk and do a lot of people watching. There were some annoying drunk girls that kept dancing around us, but I think Ross enjoyed himself there more than me.

The next day, Saturday, I went into the City to buy a suitcase because I've bought too much already. Going to put that bad boy into storage when I leave for Melbourne on Friday (that's, um, 5 days). Met up with Ross and we decided to get some Lebanese Takeaway and have dinner with his flatmates.

That proved to be fairly disastrous. His housemate, Erin, who's a very nice, well-rounded woman, proceeded to get a bit tipsy and started to tell me how much Melbourne sucked and I should stay in Sydney -- since it's the best city IN THE WORLD to live. Of course, I took everything she said with a grain of salt and tried to enjoy the Pinot Noir. Proved to be rather difficult. And the Lebanese...I'm good. Don't need to try that again.

Anyway. My roommate was desperately wanting to go out to a Salsa club and we found one online located in The Rocks. Ross and I hopped a bus (after a petty fight) and were on our way to meet up. It was a lot of fun there. Within the first 2 minutes, a guy asked me to dance. Of course I said yes and made fun of myself for not being a better dancer. He was very nice and showed me all the moves.

We stayed there for a bit too long -- the music started to bore me and, since I can't dance salsa, I was feel a bit out of place. Melanie, my roomie, hopped a bus back to Coogee and Ross & I went to discover a club that'd still be open.

We found Jacksons on George which had a club on the first level (actually the 2nd floor, but they have levels backwards here). It. was. AWESOME. I danced my ass off AGAIN. I couldn't stop moving. It was so nice to feel the beat in my body. There was one point where the bass was so loud and heavy I could literally feel in all throughout my body. It was exactly what I needed.

Didn't get home til 4am and of course spent the entire day in bed. Then it was off to work at 3pm where I didn't get off til 11:30pm. Melanie had gone out to CBH with some co-workers and was on her way back home when I called her to see if she wanted to go swimming. Random. I know.

She convinced me to go to Bondi to meet up with some of the Irish guys in the house. Of course, I hesitated, since I'm not a huge fan, but decided I could use another night out! Why not?! I'm in Sydney, damnit!

We ended up at the Cock and Bull to find out it was closing in 5 minutes. JERKS. So we all hopped a cab to the City and went to Scruffy Murphy's. This is the place the Irish guys went to last time and I left early, homesick because it sucked that bad.

Guys. It all depends on who you're with, let me tell you, cuz I had another amazing night dancing my ass off. What great exercise! James, a Irish floater, danced with me and it was awesome. I'm telling you, American girls are the nasty dancers and guys/girls all over the world just aren't exposed to that. It. was. fun.

Stayed out too late again, but wooo! Had a damn good time, ladies and gents!

Now it's off to work again. I'll probably be getting off a little bit earlier tonight, but I had to work at 6:45am. I got a text message from the guy who taught me salsa dancing on Saturday -- he wants to get salsa dancing tonight in Darling Harbour. If my roommate's in...I'm in. I can sleep when I'm dead!

Thank you to all who wished me happy birthday -- it really was! I love each of you and can't wait to see you guys soon!

Muah! Muah!

Update Fundate - Part 3

Saturday. January 18, 2009.

Oh. What a rough morning this was for me.
Happened to wake up with the sun. 6am style. And thank goodness for that. Why?

I had plans to go Kayaking at 8:30am. Who thought that was a good idea? Apparently. Me. Go ahead, slap me around a few times. I know, I know. But, hey, so what!? I need to get my ass out of bed anyway, which has proven to be difficult when you aren't obligated to be anywhere.

So. Let me tell you a little bit about this journey. I had to take two buses, no big deal, right? I hopped on one to the City. Walked my happy butt over to Wynyard Station -- close to Town Hall, sort of. And then take the 175 bus to the Spit Bridge. Done and done.

Nope. Hardly from the truth. Welllllll, you could say I was...running just a little late. Just a tad. Turns out the 175 only comes at one time on Saturday and I missed it. And guess who forgot her phone at home? Yup. Me. *facepalm*

I go inside asking where's the nearest payphone, of course the guy behind the counter doesn't speak English so I say to myself...Self, you are at a train station, see if there's a train to Spit Bridge! Sometimes, I amaze myself.

So I walk down into the train station and go to a woman behind the ticket counter. I say, "Hi! I need to go to Spit Bridge please."

She kind of looks at me funny and says, "There aren't any trains to Spit Bridge, you got to use a bus."

I said, "Well there aren't anymore buses...and the map said I could take a train."

"HONEY, where are you trying to go?"

"Spit Bridge."

"There aren't any trains that go there, use a bus."

"You've been a great help, thanks."

I walked away, shaking my head. It was bad enough I was:
A. Still drunk
B. Lost.
C. Running Late.

Did she really need to call me honey?

ANYWAY. I decide to just hop a bus and see what happens. I get on the 178 and ask the bus driver if he goes to Spit Junction. He says, "OF COURSE."

I'm riding down the road and he tells me this is my stop. Of course I say, well I really need to go to Spit Rd and Parriwi Rd. He tells me he'll let me know when to get off.

So. I finally get to Parriwi Rd and get really excited that I'm actually going to be right on time. Plus, I'm crossing my fingers that others will be late and the instructional period will go a little bit longer.

Nope. Wrong. I'm not even close to the damn kayaking place. I ended walking all the way down Parriwi Rd (the view was spectacular, so I couldn't complain) only to find out what?

What you ask?

THE KAYAKING EXTRAVAGANZA HAD BEEN CANCELLED. due to high winds.

She told me I could hire a kayak out, but the instructor had a hard time even coming back to test the winds. And I would want to risk my life by myself because....

This was a good thing because I didn't waste my money and I was really late as it is.

This was a bad thing BECAUSE I GOT UP AT 6AM TO GET THERE.

I digress.

The girl behind the desk told me that I could do the Manly Beach walk and I figured I'm here, why the hell not.

Should've been me on the Harbour :-(

The Spit Bridge from...the Spit Bridge

Me ON the Spit Bridge.

Love the way this pic turned out.

Some crazy people rowing. I want to be the girl steering.

Boats in the Harbour.

Manly Beach Walk.

Hiding.

Hey, Welcome to Manly!

The Spit Bridge from on top of the hill.

Overlooking the Harbour.

Through the trees.

Here's Me...Again.

But as I was walking around and taking pictures, I started to get bored. Walking and scenery is only so much fun.

Then, I notice on the bus stop that it goes to Dee Why. Keith, one of the Spin instructors at Bailey's Powerhouse Gym in Jax told me about Dee Why and how amazing it is. So I say, "LET'S GO!"

I hop the bus and go all the way to the end of the bus stop. Only to walk around a highway, stop at a gas station to ask where the beach is -- the guy looks at me very confused and points to the bathroom -- and decide it's just not worth the effort anymore, so I decide to go home.

Who went home later to find out the beach was literally 200 metres from where I was. Awesome. Another time, for sure.

Anyway. When I get off the bus I find some magnificent.

I found a piano.Just chillin in the city. One of the things I love about Sydney is that it's always got something going on. ALWAYS. They constantly have things around that remind you about recycling or music or art or anything, really. It's awesome.

So. Let's recap. Here I am, just hopped off the bus and see a freakin' piano just chillin on the side of the sidewalk. Immediately, I go over and tickle the ivories for a minute. I start to walk away and decide to take a picture. As I do, I see a few guys playing on it, just laughing and they walk away. Everyone that walks by ends up touching it.
It was fascinating. So after everyone's had their turn, I go over and play heart and soul then chopsticks. It was fantastic. Just fun to be playing the piano again. It's been so long and I reeeeeally miss it. A lot. When I finished up my songs and as I walked away, I teared up a little bit. I was just overjoyed with the fact that I got to play the piano. I was so, unbelievably happy. It was quite an experience.

Then, I get a call from Sam telling me they're going to go into the City, get some food in Chinatown, go Karaoke and then see Nikki's bf, Greg, DJ at Scubar. I raised my head and said, "Yes Please."

We got to Chinatown -- a place I hadn't been to yet -- and had some really good Chinese actually.

Dom's, who's from Italy, is showing off his freshly shaven chest (and back).

Tearing into some duck :-(

Why is the head still on? Why? Only thing I can say, at least you know it's not cat.

After our feast, we found a place called The Phoenix. It's right in the heart of Chinatown and Darling Harbour. You get two mics and your own room. It was SO much fun. I hadn't laughed so hard in my life. I was loving it. Although, karaoke always reminds me of what a bad singer I am. We can't all be good at everything. Gosh.

Dom singing along and Sam looking...scary.

Here's Tom singing! His looks remind me of Josh Waller back home. At first I was kind of attracted to him because he's just so funny, but then I was like -- whoa! It's Josh Waller! My husband! I just couldn't do it. Here's a reminder of what Josh looks like.

Mr. Josh Waller. This is a typical picture of us.

I made Nikki take this pic. Dax, who's in South Korea, says all the shy girls take pictures with their faces covered. We were in Chinatown -- I know that's not Korea, but Asian at least -- so I figured...why not.

Iain and Dom singing out their hearts!



Beat it! And Whoa. Ouch. But, listen to that cackle. I really thought something was funny.

Whoa. Did I really need to be THAT into this song? Sad.

The group, singing, American Pie.

After THREE HOURS of Karaoking (and I enjoyed every minute?!), we walked over to Scubar and saw Greg finish up his set. It was a really fun night. I like those people. More my speed than the Irish guys I live with.

Sam & I at Scubar.

Sunday. January 18, 2009.

I was supposed to work at 6pm, but they ended up calling me telling me not to come in -- they weren't busy at all. Melanie had been wanting to go out to dinner for the past week, so I thought I'd jump at the opportunity to get out with the roommate.

She picked a Brazilian BBQ place called Churrasco.

Looking...rough.

The grill. The Amazing Grill.

It. was. Phenomenal. Within 10 minutes, we had tried every meat. And we ate to our heart's content. Very exciting stuff. I think it's the best meal I've had here in Australia.

Melanie looking, oh so happy.

Of course, every guy in the place was in love with Melanie and wanted her so bad. I wish I was exaggerating, but she just gets guys like it's going out of style. Good for her.

Okay. Updates are done.

BTW. I have two appointments for photo rejuvenation on Wednesday. I couldn't decide which place was better, so I made two appointments. I hope this works!