Hot Melbourne

What do you do when the weather turns red hot?

Put on the barbeque and have a nice cold cider/beer.

And how did you spend the Australia Day break?

Mine was at the Australian Open 2011 watching the men's quarterfinals (Novak Djokovic def Tomas Berdych in 3 sets) courtesy of a good friend who had 4 corporate tickets.

Aren't I a lucky girl?

Playing tourist VIC - Docklands

One of the advantages of my work is being able to see or go to places that sometimes you just don't get too much of a chance for.

Now ... I know that Docklands is in the CBD but how often do you get to get these views while you are at work? Too bad that it was for a few days but it was still a refreshing change.

My perfect Sunday

A good Sunday does not have to be filled with activities and drama.
A good Sunday could simply be berry picking followed by brunch and Sunday papers.

*ah bliss*

Forgot to take my camera so pics taken with my camera phone.

Mirebella's Book Club - Jan

One of the things I told myself I'll do this year is start reading a bit more (which reminds me, I've yet to do a new yr resolution post). Setting aside some time with a good book and a latte and a happy bunny I am.

I even joined the library, saving me spending $16 - $30 a pop and reducing clutter space at home too - a win win situation overall.

I've finished reading 2 books and am on my 3rd. Not bad I think.

I've read -
1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Laarson (everyone has read this one I think)
2. Robert Ludlum ~The Bourne Legacy - Eric Van Lustbader

Currently reading

3. The Captive Queen - Alison Weir

Usually we have a type of genre of books of choice, I pretty much read anything :)

Weekend is nearly here!

It is a FRIDAY! Yippee yipee ai ay!

Little things...

What do you do when your flight home is delayed and you have time to burn?

At the Qantas lounge while waiting for my flight which was delayed by 6 hrs.

Taking a breather with a coffee smoothie at the Cafe Vulcan.

Playing tourist VIC - Graffiti

Art or menace - ??

I have always liked and admired graffiti around Melbourne -not all mind you, just the ones with the artistic flair and if I have my camera with me, it is snap snap snap away much to the amusement and sometimes exasperation of BF.

Yes, I know that the Melbourne City Council think that graffiti is a nuisance and an eyesore but it does add character to an otherwise "blah wall". Each to their own I guess.

These ones were taken around Fitzroy after a nice catchup with some mates who were visiting from Sydney.

Talking fish...

AAAGGGHH *scary growl*

Hmmm....

Auckland - Land of Sails *First Impressions..*

At the lounge waiting for my flight back home. My flight was delayed to Sunday 1am departure and I am not in the mood for duty-free shopping nor any shopping full stop so have parked myself in and figured blogging for a bit would be a no brainer .

Anyways - just a short jot for now anyways.

All pics taken on between 730 - 930pm.
Yes - it was THAT quiet...

What do you do when on a worktrip?

The problem about work trips is that you are so busy meeting deadlines and time lines that by time you get back to the hotel, all you want to do is is order room service and relax.

Have not done any walking around the CBD even though I am smack in the middle of it (the Auckland skytower is a mere few mins away). Will have to drag my sorry ass out today and do a bit of snapping of pics I reckon.

Work Trip - Auckland, NZ

I am now in Auckland, NZ - work trip, not pleasure. Will be here for a week and even managed to get a later flight back on Sat so at least it gives me a day of sight seeing before heading back home.

Still unsure whether I want to do a bridge bungy jump.....

Playing tourist VIC - Berry picking.

One of the things that I have decided to do this yr (which reminds me, I still haven't blogged about my resolutions!) is to start enjoying the lil things in life - and hopefully with less pain to the hip pocket as well! This of course includes doing things around Victoria. Don't get me wrong - "travel without the passport is not travel" is still my motto but doing this around does keep things interesting.

BF has been going on and on about berry picking for yonks and seeing that it was in season and the weather was kind to us yday (a nice 19' as opposed to the massive 35' on Sat!), we took a drive up to the Dandenong Ranges for a bout of berry picking! Yes, very domesticated but sometimes it is all about the lil things.

There are actually a few farms up the Silvan area that caters for "U-pick" but after a bit of research, we opted to go to Blue Hills Berries and Cherries as it had blackberries in season. Some of the other places had raspberries, blueberries and strawberries but if BF wants blackberries, blackberries it is!

The road trip itself took us around 1 hr from where we lived - not a biggee really even if our trusty Garmin ran out of juice 15 mins away from our destination and stuck someplace near Ringwood. Never fear, that's when the trusty 3G capable phone and Google maps came in handy *phew*.

To cut the whole story short, berry picking is great fun! Have of the appeal is being able to pick and eat immediately and nothing beats a self-picked fruit. Am even considering going again in a few weeks...

Road trip drive to Silvan

Yummy blackberries!

Yes, I picked those.. don't they look good?

Hunting for the best strawberries..

Our final haul - all 2.5kg's of strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and some boysenberries...

2010 Recap

2010 was really rather uneventful after the flurry of events that was 2009. Most of my trips were generally for work and even that, I didnt blog about half the trips as I wasnt really into blogging. Oh well, I am striving to change things this yr and start really recording things.

In summary

• 1 trip to Malaysia and Bali for a wedding and a quick getaway.
• 1 trip to Vanuatu spanning 2010/2011 to usher the new yr (which didn't quite happen).
• Multiple work trips
• Lots of ppl having babies (but not me - and not on the plans yet either)
• 2 job interviews within the organisation, 1 rejection - 1 offer, 1 acceptance.
• Friendships lost, friendships built, friendships retained.
• 1 year of marriage, 1 year of marital bliss (albeit some arguments).

I am truly blessed.

Sun, sea and surf...

New Years eve was spent being sick after getting drunk by noon after 1/2 bottle of limoncello and 3 straight shooters of absinthe.

Is this a sign of how 2011 will be?

Happy New Year 2011

Albeit a tad belated but have just got back from an island holiday.

New Year resolution post and recap to come but for now, here's to happiness, joy and lasting friendships. x