Posts Tagged ‘Birthday’

Despite my Sixteen Candles (plus eight) moment, where my family forgot my birthday, I had a great birthday on Saturday.

My other half took me out to brunch (after first dragging my arse to gym), followed by a trip to the museum, a nap, and then dinner with good friends.

Happy 24th Birthday to Me! It’s going to be a wonderful year.

It’s one thing for your friends to forget your birthday … but it’s another when your own mother forgets!

After finally drifting off at some ungodly hour Saturday night/Sunday morning (as sleep and I aren’t getting along of late), the alarm went off at 5am for our road trip out to Newcastle!

It wouldn’t run with the theme if the navigator didn’t have us driving around in circles, and true to form, we drove around Chatswood for a good half an hour before deciding to defy the instructions to turn left, and continued straight instead! It wasn’t long before we were well and truly on our way!

I wish I’d thought to have my camera out, because there were some truly amazing photo opportunities along the way! I will definitely have to remember for next time! The drive out was pleasant, and after a stop in at the McCafe for coffee, we were all feeling more awake!

First stop was at my Aunt’s house to catch up with her and the family! … I can’t believe how much Tully and Zac have grown in just six short months! They’re really shooting up now, and the things that they come out with! Zac is really speaking now, and Tully’s vocab blew me away! What kind of four year old comes out with words like “enchantress”?! *giggle* It was so good to see them all again, and Belinda even made blueberry muffins! I haven’t had a muffin in forever – it was so good!

Unfortunately it was a bit of a drizzly day, so we couldn’t spend the morning at the beach, but they did give us a bit of a tour of one of the beaches, and showed us the kids bathing pool. After getting stuck under an awning when the rain really started to come down, it was time to go again…. The drove in front of us for a little way, so that we knew we were on the right road, and after a few hugs it was time to say goodbye! I look forward to moving down to Sydney so that I can see them more regularly, that’s for sure.

We drove out to The Bay to catch up with Gina, Craig, Georji, and their newest addition – Griffin! It was really good to see them again, and to meet little Griff! In usual Georji style, she went shy for a little while, before fairly coming out of her shell, and showing me a lot of her artwork. I can’t believe she’s only three! She’s grown so much since I last saw her, and she’s more talkative than ever! And what does she want to be when she grows up? A Queen!

After lunch and a good catch up with everyone, they showed us around a little, before we went down to the RSL to sit and chat some more. Some RSL! It looked like something the Hyatt would own! It’s undergoing some renovations at the moment, and it’s probably one of the most upmarket RSL’s that I have ever seen. I was fairly blown away!

Before I knew it, it was getting late, and we had to leave to drive Kate back into Sydney to catch her plane back to Melbourne. Words really can’t explain how great it was to see everyone again. I miss them all so much. And every time I visit, I can’t get over how much the kids have all grown. I can’t wait to live closer!

The drive back to Sydney wasn’t as stressful as I was worried it might have been, but it was certainly busier than the drive out. My back was really starting to hurt, but after a stop in at the Caltex on the way back for some dinner, I was ready to go. We managed to get Kate to the airport on time, and returned the hire car without a hitch! A quick taxi ride back to Star City, and I was more than ready for bed…

xoxo

After much primping and preening, and being taken in all sorts of directions by our navigator (you’d think we’d learn!), Kate, Robyn, Tanya and I arrived at the Acer Arena. We were there for Hilary Duff.

While munching down on cheeseburgers and hotdogs, we agreed that one girl in particular really needed to add some material to her dress. You could almost see what she had for breakfast *shrug* Minutes later, we heard girls running and screaming, and that was our cue to take our seats…. The girl we’d called a “skank alert” on? It was Ricki-Lee! From Australian Idol! Oops!

I’ve never much been into Ricki-Lee, but she was pretty good live! She was charismatic, and her voice was much stronger than on any CD. She really wowed the crowd! If I were her, I would have wanted to strangle my costume manager though – while having a short dress really isn’t so bad (and it was a very nice dress), it probably wasn’t the best choice for somebody as busty as Ricki-Lee! There were several occasions where she almost “spilled” over *shock* The poor woman was trying to discreetly hitch up her dress, which must have been hard to do with 50,000 or so eyes (well 100,000 when you consider we’ve got two, ha!) on her!

Hilary Duff was AMAZING. A million times better than what I was expecting. I get the feeling that she’s really trying to move away from the preconceived image that many have of her. She and her dancers were scantily clad, the dance moves were rather risqué, and while she played some old favourites, there was a strong dance feel to her new album. The light show was phenomenal, and the crowd was so… intense. Who would have thought a bunch of six year olds could make that much noise?! Even Hilary Duff seemed blown away by the intensity of it all. There were a few noticeable grimaces as she held her ear-piece when the crowd lost all control, and she seemed absolutely speechless! It was nice to hear her thank Australia for all our support with both her movies and her music though… and gosh is she a pretty young thing! Despite all the headlines of her being “too thin” and “anorexic”, she looked perfect. She was healthy, toned, and absolutely beaming. Almost makes you wonder how much truth (and how much photoshopping) there is in those tabloids (ha! – isn’t that just an oxymoron…)!

Friday night, and Nick and I were packed and ready to fly to Sydney. Those who know me, wouldn’t believe it, but I managed to pack everything I needed into one small, carry-on suitcase *falls over* I know!! This is the person who came home from the United States with three extra-large, overweight suitcases! So after checking in online, it meant that Nick and I didn’t have to wait in any long lines, and could proceed straight through security, and upstairs to our gate! Fabulous, darling!

The flight down was uneventful, and the staff didn’t even disturb us to find out if we wanted to eat (which we didn’t) – got to love QANTAS! The landing was smooth, and with only our carry-on luggage, we didn’t need to wait downstairs with everyone else, and could instead head straight over to Hertz… That’s right – Hertz! I was braving the Sydney roads. Something I thought I’d never do after my first driving experience in Sydney!

Once the navigator, that we’d also hired, started working, the drive through Sydney was fine. It was a bit of a rush, actually! We found our way to the hotel that Kate had stayed at in Pyrmont, picked her up, and drove on over to Star City to check-in and leave our luggage.

Our room wasn’t quite ready, but that was okay – Kate and I had to walk down to Circular Quay to catch a bus into Paddington to catch up with Kristen! Gosh it was good to see her… She has this amazing pregnant body – and she’s absolutely glowing. Aside from her preggy belly (which is just gorgeous), she’s as straight up and down as I’ve always known her! Even if she doesn’t see it (*hugs*) I can only hope I look as good as her when I eventually have a bun in my over!

Breakfast at Café Escobar was lovely, but the company of Kate and Krissy was even better… I only wish that Annik had been there! Next time! After breakfast we strolled around the Paddington Markets, where I picked up a couple of things for G & C’s new baby, Griff, and then Kris dropped both Kate and I back in the City… Thanks, Princess!!

Some more shopping in Myer and DJ’s, for presents for G & C’s eldest, Georji, as well as my cousins Tully & Zac, and then Kate and I headed back to Star City to pick up the car…. Where was Nick during all this gallivanting around, you ask? He had arranged to meet up with his friend Mick, and had left us girls to enjoy some “girl time”!

Kate and successfully found our way from the Casino to Bondi Beach, despite the navigator telling us to go in a completely different direction (!!) After a browse and some lunch, we were back in the car to head back to Star City for a spa! … It took us a little longer than we had planned though, with the navigator constantly turning us to do U-turns, effectively leading us round and round in circles!

If anyone has ever seen the episode of the Simple Life, where Paris and Nicole are driving around and around, trying to get over to an exit that they can see but can’t get to – this was us in Bondi on Saturday. It was rather hilarious actually. After we eventually defied the instructions of the clearly dysfunctional navigator, we managed to find our own way back to the hotel!

The spa was fabulous! As was the afternoon nap that we had afterwards, in preparation for our concert that night…
xoxo

Thursday the 31st marked the beginning of my “birthday weekend”. I was officially 23. I officially felt like an adult.

I’d thought I’d feel like an adult when I turned 21, but I didn’t… When I turned 22 I felt like I was still “riding” on being 21… but turning 23 marked the beginning of “adulthood” for me. Crazy, huh?

I suppose it probably helps a great deal that I now have a full time job, I’ve completed one major of my dual degree (and will soon be finished the second), and now I’m planning a wedding!

It seems that with every birthday, the people that surround me spoil me more and more. This year was no exception.

Nick had arranged for flowers to be delivered to my work, and they were absolutely beautiful. My work unit took me out for lunch, and showered me with more flowers, champagne, gifts and cake, and a card signed by the entire branch. You could have knocked me over with a feather!

Not only had Nick arranged for flowers to be delivered to my work, but he’d also made dinner reservations at a restaurant in town, despite my protests. I’d wanted to celebrate my birthday in peace, however the surprise party that I threw for his 30th back in December, appeared to negate any say that I may have had in the matter! I was simply told the night before that I’d better invite a couple of friends, because we were going out for dinner on my birthday!

After a bit of a teary on the way into dinner, for reasons I’m not sure of, I felt a lot better. The cocktail I had on arrival calmed my nerves a little also! And I’m glad Nick did make me go out for dinner… The food was mouth-watering, the drinks were flowing, and the company was fabulous! I was spoiled with yet more gifts, and went to bed with a rather big smile pasted on my face that night….

xoxo