Lots of Family

Its April 1st today and have got a quiet moment to update my blog. Nope, still not in Saudi, have got 4DAYS TO GO!!!!
Really have to think about packing soon! Have been spending lots of time with my family.
Saturday 24th March
Had wonderful day with Sue and Gords, yummy BBQ together! They are both like our Aunty and Uncle, very special people!


Photo of sue and Gords


Sunday 25th March
COUSINS ARRIVE!
Beaudine and Kelsey flew over while their Mum and dad (Aunty Cush and Uncle Ron)and Grandad drove all the way down from North QLD! It has been so neat to have more family all together!! I will miss it!

The next few days were spent hanging out with my little cousins. We went bowling, rode Sam(my horse), watched DVD's and went ice-skating! Was heaps of fun.


Katie with the cousies bowling.

me ready to bowl.

Beaudine, Kelsey and Me getting ready to skate!


Having so much fun--ALL ICE PRINCESSES!

On Friday 30th March
Caught up with my best friend Ali who is now in WA. We had a lovely dinner at my fav restaurant Maldinis. Had a few drinks and a dance at customs, quarry and irish then ended up at syrup. Awesome night! I didn't realise how much i missed her until i had to leave in the morning :-( Got to catch up with her groovy parents in the morning, and sue and gords picked me up and we prepared my family bbq feast for the arvo. (All the photos of Ali and I out are on her camera- i will post one later).

The FAMILY
The BBQ was really cosy and comfortable, so great to catch up with one another and hang out. Lots of food!!


Aunty Lorraine and I.


Ty (aka: Ta-EE) and Katie bird.


Aunty Cush finishing the nibblies off.


Grandad and Uncle Damo


The cousies (Regan, Beaudine and Kelsey)


Mum and Sue.



Cool photo of dad.


Sam and I



My baby Molly.



Our family dog Honey

BACK IN TASSIE

Monday 12th March

Mum and Murray picked me up from the airport and we had lunch at Blueskies with Sue and Gords and Katie. Sue had some very exciting news. The lunch together was great, lots of catch ups, laughs and smiles! Muzza stayed with mum and dad so I spent the next few days hanging out with my old friend from Vic! He helped build my stables for my horse Sam and helps mum and dad out heaps---super gardener! Muzza has so much energy and always makes me laugh, he is a super mate!

Muzza and I.

Caught up with a few friends again and had our work dinner on St Patricks Day
Saturday 17th March
Yummy yummy Da Angelos! So good to see my groovy work mates, so nice to catch up on all the goss! It was exciting to hear that Gail had a special upcoming event to share with us! And it was extra special to have my gorgeous lil sister and her man Ty join us!

Photos of top friends from work:


Andrea and Lyndal


Fiona, Leanne and Gail


Me, Deb and Merrie


Deb (Sharmo) and Jackie


My gorgeous sis Katie

Was a really great evening all together--will miss them all so much!

ARRIVE IN BRISVAGAS!

Omigod! Where do I begin? Was a super quick, busy, but fantastic trip to Qeensland. Got to spend quality time with my gorgeous and fabulotastic twin sis Lisa, and my super groovy brother in-law Mike, and not to forget my sparkling cutie pie precious princess niece Chanel!

Sunday 4th March
Arrived around early arvo. Hung out at home then went to Garden city to get groceries. Bumped into my cousin Megan and Aunty Sharon there too. Came home, had a wine and kicked back for a bit, then decided i'd cook Lisa some middle eastern food (very humble meal as Saad would say). Made lamb kebabs, the potato salad, green salad and had the pita bread and the cuccumber and carrot yoghurt dips (Lisa loves them and Chanel loves pita bread!). Was a nice evening. Mike even ventured out to try a kebab! That was impressive coz he was having his all time favourite on the barby---sausages! Sky ( Lisa's friend) joined us too.

Monday 5th March
Uncle Grant popped over to catch up, we had a good chat! Then Lisa, Chanel and I went shopping at the Hyperdome, came home and coloured my hair brown.....huge change! Lisa took me out to Milton (nice place in brisbane) to make me feel better. Had dinner at lovely Italian place La Dolce Vita. Good to have special time together.




Lisa and I in Milton


Tuesday 6th March
We got up early and caught the bus into the city for a girls day out. Nana Marie babysat baby Chanel. We stopped off at the hospital to visit one of Lisa's friends who had just had a baby. Was very exciting stuff, but no i'm not at all clucky!

We caught the bus to Southbank and had a lovely long lunch at my favourite little street there-Little Stanley Street. Funky place and nice food and wine.


Lisa enjoying our food and wine.


Us at southbank with the city across the river.

We then wandered around southbank and caught the ferry across to the city. Very cheery twins on a mission! Once Lisa figured out the right ferry to cross ( after interviewing various tourists and pretending she as from melbourne!) we were set!



me on the ferry.

We toured around the city looking at shops and ended up at Riverside, a rather funky yet elegant place with lots of inviting bars along the river. We went to one and had a very expensive wine with super posh service and a crowd consistig of rich country men in suits and an overdone plastic blonde tart. Was amusing.

We caught the bus home and later that evening Lori and Jay visited with some elating news--they finally are engaged-very romantic story!

Wednesday 7th March
Rest day really. Went to swimming lessons with Chanel, was lots of fun, she is a great swimmer.


Chanel underwater.


Chanel and I blowing bubbles

So much fun!

After swimming we cam home and chilled out, watched the Little Mermaid Movie with Chanel and sung the songs and I drew a huge 'Ariel' mermaid and the fish 'Flounder' with chalk-she loved it and so did I!


That aftenoon we were invited to Ted and Jeans house. Ted has made a bar and made us all drinks. Was really nice.

Ted and I serving at his bar!

Later that night Lisa, Sky and I went to a massage and spa resort to treat ourselves. Was absolutely beautiful. After our massages we were offered the spa with sparkling and cheeses. Was so nice and relaxing, something I'd do again-thank you Lisa:-)


I can't remember what we did Thursday, but Friday 9th March was MIKE'S BIRTHDAY!!! Was a nice B'day party lunch with family. Lisa and I decorated his cake in Led Zepplin style and a little drum kit on top.

Went out for dinner that night for Mike, nice to be all together!

Saturday 10th March
Went to the park with Chanel


Later that night it was a girls night out with Lori, Lisa, Sky and I!!
Partied at the local to begin with "The Glen" then went to "Jade Buddah" in the city and ended up later at "The Beat" in the Valley. Didn't go much on the valley scene so went home. Lots of fun and lots of Smirnoff Blacks!!!

Lori, Lisa and I


Lisa, Lori and Sky


CHEERS!

Sunday 11th March
Spent the day resting (aka recovering-for me that is!). That evening we went to Don and Marie's for a yummy BBQ and B'day cake for both Mike and his brother Steve. Was really nice. Got up the next day and had to fly out:-( so sad, I miss them all so much already!!! My holiday was amazing, so fun! I love you guys!!

QUICK VISIT TO MELBS

Thursday 1st March
Flew in to Melbs to be there to give my beautiful friend Susan (Boozie babes) a huge hug and let her know that i'm always there for her during a tough time. We did lots of talking and remained positive. I am so glad i could see her and give her lots of hugs!


This is Susan with the biggest lip smacker i've ever seen!!!


We all enjoyed Susan and Reyan's traditional Sri Lankin curry and even ate it with our fingers--like they do over in Sri Lanka--was lots of fun:-)

Saturday 3rd March
Susan went to a Hen's day/night and i caught the train to Melbs to meet up with Adriel. We had a yummy lunch at an Italian restaurant in south bank (near crown casino). Walked around the city browsing, checked out the art gallery in Federation square, soaked up the informative tour on aboriginal art and dreamtime, then enjoyed a coffee together before he drove me to Kath's place (my friend from Tassie).


Adriel and I over the Yarra.


Kath, Mr Darcy and I all hung out, relaxed at home then sat at the waterfront in Williamstown and watched the sunset over Melb city while we ate our fish'n'chips. Was such a peaceful relaxing evening together. Molly would have loved to be there with Mr D--they loved their walks together. Kath kindly dropped me at the airport formy next catch up destination!

DINING & DRINKING WITH JULES

Since I finished at work....
Sat 24th Feb evening
Caught up with Jemma (my old primary school best friend i bumped into in Hobart after 15yrs!) We spent the afternoon relaxing on the salamanca lawns then had dinner and a few drinks at different venues along Salamanca and the waterfront (my favourite place in Hobart)


Jemma and I on the Salamanca lawns chilling out in the sun with a few of her mates.



Jemma and I later on at Irish Murphys


Sunday 25th Feb
I met up with my long time friend Renee (from kindergarden in NSW!!) who had surprised me turning up at my door step holidaying in tas. We met for brunch in North Hobart and met a couple of her friends Sam & Amy. Katie and Ty joined us and we all had a great time hanging out together in the sun.


In North Hobart all together.



Having lots of laughs over ice cream!! Think the joke was on me!



Renee, Katie and I in the sun. Ty was throwing nuts from the trees at us(as boys do, while Sam and Amy were catchng up.
It was a great day. I miss Renee! She always makes me laugh. Renee is counting down as well before she heads overseas again--for a holiday, not to work. She has the travel bug big time! Hopefully i get to see a few countries while i'm over that side of the world!


I spent the Monday organising stuff, bills, housework etc, then on Tuesday 27th Feb i had to get my lovely nails off :-((they still look good now-natural, but am still trying not to bite them!). I then met Lyndal, my new friend in Hobart-travelling Australia, started work with us a few weeks ago. We get along well and both enjoy long extended lunches over a bottle of wine!


Lyndal enjoying a glass of red with lunch at T42 on the waterfront.


Later on after a game of pool at the Tele, we had a guiness or big beer at Knoppys.
It was a great time together. Ended up having yummy Da Angelos pizza for dinner at her unit and discussed lots of in-depth issues of the world. Hopefully Lyndal will still be in Tas when i return :-)

Wednesday 28tyh Feb I spent doing more organisng and packing for my trip to Melbs and Brisbane. Spent the afternoon having arabic coffee with Saad. Saad is a lovely friend of mine and has been a super valuable resource to me when learning about culture and teaching me a little bit of Arabic. We can talk for ages (in English that is!)! Have also spent time cooking traditional recipes from the middle east---yummy yummy. Family have all enjoyed the dinners we prepared together.


Saad and I having lunch together.

Still in Tassie

Hello everyone!
I finally have my flight details and am leaving for Riyadh on the 5th April, stopping in Hong Kong overnight and arrive in Riyadh at 10pm and up early the next morning to begin the 2 week orientation! So excited and quietly nervous at the same time.

WHATS BEEN HAPPENING?
Well...I have been enjoying my holidays. I finished work on Saturday 24th Feb (Amelias Wedding!!) and have been spending a lot of time organising and preparing for my trip. The time has been going so quickly! In between chasing things up for my trip i have been enjoying lots of relaxing social occasions with my friends and family.