Happy Birthday to me

It's that time of year again!!

A work tradition in my department is that we all put in a gold coin donation to buy a cake.  [The cake is pre-requested].  The birthday boy/ girl is obligated to pretend they are unaware this is happening and then act all surprised when they are presented with the cake and a chorus of 'happy birthday to you...'.

One of the advertising campaigns of a major bank says, "We don't pretend it's our xth birthday five times in a row"  How apt!


borrowed

Because deep down, we really do want a big fuss don't we?


borrowed

This is how work celebrates for me;

This is what my some of my crazier friends have said.  Emphasis on the crazy;

This is what it looks like on the husband-front


borrowed













Better than this right?

Night Market

Last night May, Lyn, Ant and I went to the Suzuki Night Market. The night markets run every Wednesday in Summer.

seafood paella

We had a yummy dinner of seafood paella, bbq sausages, and a savoury pancake which I have forgotten the name of.

Security is present because alcohol is served so that's quite reassuring.  Except for the really big crowds, it's fun thing to do on a Wednesday night. 



Melbourne New Year 2011

It's New Year and the fireworks have finished and the weather has cooled down.

Today (31/12/2010) Melbourne experienced one of our famous heatwaves where the temperature reached 41 degrees and it was a windy 45 knots. The Yam's described it as being in an oven and Fiona exclaimed, 'the wind is making my eyeballs burn!'

Luckily our itinerary for the day was Highpoint Shopping Centre which was blissfully air conditioned.  Anthony and I did a quick tour then went to Borders for some free reading.  It was so hot that when Mr Yam popped out for a cigarette break, the heat was too much for him and he had to retreat indoors, sans nicotine hit!

We came home and had a quick shower and light dinner before leaving for the New Year Eve fireworks.

Melbourne was treated to two lots of 10minute firework spectacles - one at the family friendly time of 9:15pm and another for the adults at midnight at multiple spots within the City.

I took Anthony and his family to the 9:15pm one at Docklands and from the get go we had to fight and dodge our way onto the tram into the city, then wait ages for the Docklands tram which was naturally packed.  The Waterfront was packed with families and we contributed to the crowd.

After fighting our way onto the packed tram back into the City, we went to Pepperoni's which is my favourite pizza shops in the city.  We had a late dinner where we almost polished off 2 large pizzas, garlic bread and a 1.25litre drink as part of the au$29 deal.  I say Almost because had about 3 leftover slices.  Not too shabby considering we had Fiona with us and she doesn't eat much!

Fiji Day in Melbourne 2010

Fiji Day this year was held in Moorabbin on 09/10/2010.

There were about 20 stalls and there was a lovely kava ceremony and meke.  It was good weather for it too, being a bright and sunny day.


The evening event was a fashion show at the Langham in Melbourne.  I would have loved to have gone to the fashion show but tickets cost au$150.  This included a sit down buffet meal and 20min fashion show.  A bit too steep for my budget!

There was yummy food galore albeit not at the usual Fiji price of course!  The lovo pack cost au$30 but it was money well spent!  There was Fiji style curry, palau and cassava cake.

Alas I didn't get to try any of the yummy food pictured here because a certain someone didn't mention she was going to the Fiji Day celebrations which means I missed out!

Happy Fiji Day!