So much for my idea of writing a blog series.  It lasted for precisely one post.  Well I will get back to the topic of fashion and clothing eventually.  Emush has poked me into writing for her, so here you go, E, this one’s just for you.

Since my last post, what have I done?  It’s been a couple of weeks full of birthdays and food, by the looks of my calendar.  I’ve…

...been to the Moore College open day, where I sat on the floor, played with Ellie Morrow and chatted to various people I hadn’t seen for ages.  Although I haven’t actually applied yet, I’m planning to go there next year to do a Diploma of Bible and Youth Ministry part time (so over two years).  I’ve met with Tara (the Dean of Women) and talked about it all, and she seems pretty positive about me getting in.  So there you go!  The word is out!

...saw Up in 3D at the Ritz. Absolutely adored it, though was surprised at how sad it was in parts.  Not a cheesy or overly manipulated sadness, but a genuine, heart-aching sadness.  Still, it had many joyous moments, was beautifully animated and I liked the fact that the two main characters weren’t your standard heroes.  An old, cranky guy and a fat half-Asian kid - love it!  I also liked that the movie showed what life is like through all its phases, through youth, old age, and everything in between, and how it is possible for young and old people to relate to one another (eventually).

...celebrated George’s birthday at Real Thai, and had lots of fun just hanging out with lovely church people.  There were other non-Wild St people down the other end of the table, but I didn’t really get to chat to many of them (I left fairly soon after eating, as I was feeling a bit flat).  I was surprised and pleased though to see a few people I hadn’t seen for ages, and I didn’t even realise they were friends of George’s.  She has a wide-reaching circle, or perhaps a number of wide-reaching circles that overlap.  It’s great.

...held a Pseudo Autumn Festival dinner with lots of wonderful friends, delicious Chinese food and an array of mooncakes, purchased by H. 

I do love mooncakes, though I know they are not to everyone’s taste.  Lachy described it as being like eating a glue stick.  But it was a great night, which devolved into playing Wii Sports and then watching The Apprentice Australia (I left the room by that point to talk with the Grown Ups in the kitchen).  Also we learned that we can seat 19 people in our small dining room.  Just.

...had a delicious dinner with Stacie at Twelve in Newtown. It was pouring down rain and we drove around for about 40 minutes looking for a parking spot.  But the meal was wonderful - main was a pork chop with a rosemary and prune crust.  And dessert was soft meringue with berry sorbet.  Mmmmm.  It was also great just to sit with Stace and talk.  She’s one of those people who tells it like it is, so our conversations are always real and frank and I love that.

...celebrated Dave’s birthday at the Sands Hotel in South Maroubra. We were commanded to dress in our best rock gear or to impersonate a rock star, and trawling through my cupboard, the closest rock star I could manage was Amy Lee from Evanescence - Goth Lite (TM)!  I had heaps of fun in a tacky $11 wig and false eyelashes, wearing an outfit that I actually did wear in my geniune Goth Lite days at uni (at one point, Neil leaned over and asked, “are you meant to be a fortune teller?")

After dinner we howled our lungs out to Beatles Rock Band and Guitar Hero, which is so much more fun than regular karaoke for some reason.  And hilarious watching a bunch of people born in the 90s jumping up and down while Dave screamed Smells Like Teen Spirit into the mic.  We also tried to teach Nick, who came wearing his school uniform complete with blazer and cap, how to do Angus Young’s moves; he almost had it by the end.

...took mum to Lilianfels at Katoomba for her birthday. 

It was a lovely, albeit short, trip.  The weather was cold, grey and drizzly, but we just spent it inside eating, drinking, reading and resting.  We had a scrub treatment downstairs at the spa and I swear my skin has never been that smooth or that soft.  Today we went for a walk around the hotel.

After checking out we had a coffee at the Whisk and Pin cafe/shop at Medlow Bath and then wandered around Leura, before driving home.  We went and had absolutely mammoth Jager schnitzels at Una’s in Darlinghurst for dinner (that’s schnitzel and mushroom to you and me).  Now mum is in the living room saying “How can somebody be so stupid?” as she watches Are you smarter than a 5th grader, and I am about to go and pour myself a glass of wine, which I will drink in your honour, Miss Em.