New Years 2014/2015

I’ve never really been a huge New Year’s fan and have always preferred to stay close to home so I can walk there at the end of the night. This year was an easy one with a party out on the footpath in our street. We’re very lucky to have some great neighbours and we’re good friends with a few of the houses that live in the street, so about 5 houses in a row set up outside for the party.

 

One of the neighbours likes to DJ so he set up with his DJ tables (whatever they’re called) and got the night pumping. DJ Scotch finger as we called him, did a great job and really made the night fun.

I thought lighting a bunch on fire would look cool, but it just creates a fireball. Oops.

It’s really convenient having a party outside the house, because when I wanted to go and sit down for a bit, I just went in and sat on the couch with Ted. I didn’t want to wake up hung over so I only had a few drinks and enjoyed the night so much more!

 

What did you do for New Years?

Christmas 2014

Sorry about the blog hiatus, I took some time off because I was feeling a slump and now that the New Year has rolled around I have new mojo!

Along with the many work Christmas parties, our Christmas started with a Christmas Party at home. After a full on year with a lot happening and S working a lot of the time, we didn't get to see friend as much as we'd have liked to. A Christmas party seemed like the best way to fix that!

We have a backyard that isn't huge, but is perfect for entertaining so we strung up some Ikea fairy lights and got some Photo Booth props to make the night fun and 'Christmasy'. Delicious food, some drinks and some good company make for a fun night and we didn't get to bed until about 2am!

Christmas itself started with Polish Christmas with S's family on Christmas Eve. Not only did we have a feast of food, but there were many vodka shots involved which is also supposedly a Polish tradition. I'm not so sure if that's 100% true but I wasn't going to argue, ha! We did a Kris Kringle with S's family to make it easier and I got a kindle since I broke my last one in New Zealand. I've read almost three books since I got it and I am loving it!

Christmas Day was spent at my parents house and they put on a huge roast lunch. This is the first Christmas we've had as a family in about four years, so it was nice to have (mostly) everyone together. We got given a really nice canvas with a photo from our wedding which is a really special gift. Love it! I forgot to take the camera to Christmas Lunch, so I have no pics, oops!

How was your Christmas?

Travel tips and tricks

If you can get from your house to your travel destination with no mishaps then I applaud you. While I am not well travelled by any means, I have travelled enough to have come up with some tips and tricks that will help you avoid some mistakes I have made. 

1. Always print your documents
Be that a copy of your passport or your flight ticket, print it. There have been so many times that I have relied on my phone to bring up my flight ticket only to not be able to connect to the wifi to retrieve said email. Had I printed my documents, the stress that usually ensues would have been avoided. Even if you don't think you need to print your documents, you do.

2. Print a map of where your hotel is
Ok, I've been to Japan twice and both times, we forgot to print a map of where the hotel was and how to get there. Japan has foreign street signs and getting anywhere is tricky. As with point one, you might not always find wifi and therefore, you are left to use street maps to assist in your navigation. If you can print a map with directions, even better! If you get lost, don't panic! Remember, you've gotten lost before and found your way and this situation will be no different. Panic is what sends people the wrong way.

3. Have an electrics adaptor before you leave the house
Not all airports will have the adaptor you need for the country you are going to and trying to find one in a country that potentially doesn't speak English is stressful. Try and get one before you go and you will thank yourself. 

4. Take cards against humanity
Ok, so this one applies if you're travelling in a group of three or more. We all know the plane ride can be boring, so why not play cards? This card game will be guaranteed to make you (and other passengers) laugh and is a great time killer. On that note, make sure you also have paper to record scores and a pen which will also come in handy when you are filling in the various departure/arrival/customs cards. 

5. Book a rental card in advance
While also on this topic, make sure you pick a car that suits the terrain or landscape of where you are driving. Both times we have been to New Zealand, we've booked a rental car. The first one was a small Nissan Sunny (bad!!) and the second was a Toyota Rav 4 (good!!(. New Zealand is hilly and windy and the Nissan Sunny (we named him Richie) struggled. The first trip was a road trip and honestly, I wish we just went and upgraded the car. It was that bad and slow and struggled uphill. The second trip was based in Queenstown and we drove to the ski slopes every day. The drive up the mountains required something with power and the Rav 4 handled it with ease. Research where you will be driving and pick the right car and you're set.

I have a lot more tips which I will come back and fill in another day. 

What are your travel tips and tricks?

A late Spring wedding

Over the weekend, S and I went to the wedding of a very dear high school friend. The ceremony was at a beautiful little Catholic church in almost-country NSW. I am not religious, but I did think the ceremony was lovely and liked that it was to the point. I've been to a Catholic wedding before that went for about two hours and it was stiflingly hot in there. Not pleasant. 

The reception was down in Wollongong at the Harbourfront Restaurant. If you haven't been there, it is a restaurant on the water overlooking the boats and bay. Beautiful views from all parts of the room. 

A definite mistake was made ordering three meals for two peoples during the break between ceremony and reception because by the time the food was served at the reception, I was still full. Eyes are too big for my belly!

I had pork belly for entree, Chicken for main and sticky date pudding for dessert. I was so stuffed  by then I couldn't even fit in a bite of cake. Such a shame. 

The bride requested I didn't wear black as per my original plan, so I went out seeking colour and colour I did find. In the form of a bright green dress! It will be perfect for my 'tropicana' themed Christmas party this coming Friday too. 

A wedding is not a wedding without some dancing.

Nor is a wedding a wedding without some Photo Booth fun. 

 Congratulations, Mr and Mrs D!!

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