Gerber daisies from Camilla
Tracey and Cassie at URS
New housemates Daniel and Jade
Kari Anne, Gabe, Tim
The rabbits: Phill, Jade, and Nellie
Sam, Hacky, and their friend
Laine, Susan, Steven (aka Forest), Linton
Casey and me
Nellie the nuzzler
Lisa, Cassie, and Phill
Nellie, Jade, Linton, me, Norelle with the pavlova
What a weekend! Friday I received a second set of flowers delivered to the office. These beautiful gerber daisies were from Camilla, who was mid bike ride across Iowa at the time. These thoughtful people are just too good to me. Then, two girls from work, Cassie and Tracey, sang me happy birthday (loudly) in the middle of the office and gave me two sets of great funky earrings. Thanks to everyone who has really gone out of their way to make me feel special and loved, being away from home and not entirely settled here yet. Friday Night Drinks were followed by a bar outing at Bear Brass, just down the promenade from the office. I drank nearly as much water as beer, so I was thankfully in top form for the big day.
Saturday started with my sister and parents getting set up with skype - YAY!!! That was birthday present enough for me, but I proceeded to open the presents they sent me with them on the phone. It was great having my entire family on the other end. They are so good to me. Katie and Lisa went shopping for me, which is just fabulous and telepathic. I had just told Cassie at work on Friday that the only thing I miss from home is my wardrobe, as I dejectedly feel forced to wear the same clothes all the time. The other loot was pretty fabulous as well, including my parents buying a camcorder to send me videos of Jack. Can't wait.
The day was great and relaxing with final preparations for the party that evening. Phill and I started the party - were the party - for a little bit. That's when a terrible sinking feeling starts to set in that perhaps no one will come. They did, but had they not, I'm confident we could have had a phenomenal party on our own. Casey came bearing gifts from the USA food store - three varieties of wild rice, which I had complained I was unable to find at the market (grocery store). Others came bearing Australian gifts (flowers, lemingtons, chocolates, candles, soaps, etc). Norelle and Linton made me a pavlova birthday cake. It's a meringue style traditional Australian cake that's crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, with fresh fruit on top. Delish! There was some glass breaking, pashing, and dancing, as was expected. The party was raging until around 4 AM when we ran out of drinks. Some of the people moved onto bars, but I called it a night, a good night.
