Summer Holidays and 2010

Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2010 brings you lots of happyand fun-filled memories.

My summer break was totally awesome!!! The lead up to Christmas was part of the fun. We had Secret Santa with Charlotte and Co.  We went to Clare’s for the school gang’s Xmas catch up where we swam for most of the day. I was in heaven. Swimming and being with mates, and a good glass of wine. Couldn’t ask for more really.

Christmas Day started off with breakfast at my brother’s new house. I only grazed, but most importantly I got to start the day off with a swim. (Also went for a run and did some crunches etc before we even arrived – my idea!!) Then headed back to my parents house for a nice lunch and Xmas dinner in the evening. Such a relaxing day, lots of swimming for me, pool and then spa at my Mum’s. My icecream cake was spectacular. From the Coles free recipe book.
Boxing Day was great, different for me. Normally hang out with my family and friends, but this year went to the zoo with Rod’s family. Really enjoyed hanging out with the McDonalds, as don’t get to see them much. Was nice to get to know Ali and Jeremy who live in Germany. Rod and I enjoyed a picnic of Xmas leftovers before heading to the Windsor for a Boxing Day drink – never done that before, didn’t know pubs were open on Boxing Day Then we watched DVD’s in the evening – totally relaxing!

I love the 10 day break from Uni closure – it’s one of the best things about working there. Over my break we had a girls dinner out with Clare over from Sydney – that was fun. I swam a lot, found a new beach which I just love, Sorrento Beach. It’s shallow, beautiful clear aqua water and not to many big waves and hardly any kids – perfect! Read some books – Paullina Simon’s latest – A Song in the Daylight – pretty good (fav author), Eclipse – 3rd vampire book, JP latest book in Alex Cross series, I, Alex Cross – awesome, totally love this series, plus a few more. Had friends over for a scrapbooking afternoon, they totally inspired me and now I have finished my Egypt album! (will post photos later) Only 3 more to go before I start my Africa album. I went out and bought some scrapbooking goodies with vouchers I got for Xmas.

Had Meg’s 30th birthday the night before NYE. That was great, a shame it was a little cool, but we all had a ball and Megs loved her birthday present from the gang – an antique ring, which Charlotte found online and was posted to us from the US – great work Charlotte!

NYE day caught up with old ECU friends and then Rod and I drove to Albany for 4 day weekend. It was so much fun. We chilled out, played some chess, swam at Emu Point Beach, caught up with Charlotte and Leigh and had the best time!!!!! The weather was perfect, even warm enough for me to swim, it was like a bath at Emu Point. Water is so shallow there, superb for me!

It was a great break and I am so relaxed from chilling out and swimming as much as I could. I’m refreshed and looking forward to an awesome 2010.

A Special Christmas message

 

To all my dear friends and family,
This year I decided to be environmentally friendly and not send xmas cards to everyone. Now I have my blog I thought I’d send an extra special message online instead. One of the lovely ladies I met on our South Africa trip sent me this verse. I enjoyed it and wanted to pass it onto you all. Enjoy! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and the New Year brings you lots of happiness and fun-filled memories.

I have a list of folks I know, all written in a book
And every year when Christmas comes, I go and take a look,
And that is when I realise that these names are a part
Not of the book they’re written in but in my very heart,
For each name stands for SOMEONE who has crossed my path
Sometime
And in that meeting they’ve become the rhythm in each rhyme.
And while it sounds fantastic for me to make this claim
I really feel that I’m composed of each remembered name.
And whilst you may not be aware of any “Special Link”‘
Just meeting you has changed my life, a lot more than you think.
For once I’ve met somebody, the years cannot erase.
The memory of a pleasant word or of a friendly face.
So never think my Christmas cards are just a mere routine.
Of names upon a Christmas list forgotten in between.
For when I send a Card that is addressed to you,
Its because you’re on the list of folks whom I’m indebted to.
‘Cause I am but the total of the many folks I’ve met
And you happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget
And whether I have known you for many years or few
In some way you have had a part in shaping things I do.
So every year when Christmas comes, I realise anew,
The best gift life can offer is meeting folks like you.
And may the Spirit of Christmas that eternally endures
Leave its richest blessings in the hearts of you and yours.

Xmas Parties Galore

It’s been a busy couple of weeks at work. I’ve had the combined Library IT party, the VC’s party and this week my own section lunch party. 2 out of 3 I helped organise. The VC’s party wasn’t as fun as past years, the food was a bit average, but we did have 2 people – both friends of mine, win prizes, the big hamper and Festival tickets. Finally someone from the Library won!

Our IRAM lunch was lots of fun. Everyone said they had a great time. I wore a new dress which I purchased from Ezibuy – love that online shop! (Seems like some work colleagues may also get addicted to my favourite shop).

It’s the silly season

It’s the best time of the year! I thought I would share this with you, that a colleague introduced to me and I love it. I think I could use it for scrapbooking. Its Word Mosaics, from Image Chef. Basically you choose the words and the shape and it does it for you. Like a Wordle, but I think more fun. I’d love to try a suitcase or something travel related.

So as it’s the Silly season, best time of year, going into summer – I am being very silly at the moment. Running from function to function organising many Xmas events within and outside of work, going camping, and still need to do Xmas shopping – but it’s all so much fun!