Rays of sunshine.....

Tree planting, bonfire and fireworks extravaganza at James' farm in Braidwood.

Having the morning "off" tomorrow to attend a Canvas workshop. You know, for when all my brilliant results necessitates a poster at next year's ANS conference.

Pay day from Centrelink. That's right, I am child of Welfare.

Cat Power is coming to Canberra! Better still, I already have a date for the show :)

A house warming, a birthday and two cocktail parties all in the next few weeks!!

Rumours (?) that next year's base PhD scholarships will be increased to a cool $24,000/year tax free.

Clouds to rain on my parade.....

Experiments. Damn them.

Well, my Gran passed away on Sunday evening. My Dad had gone over earlier in the week and was able to spend time with her before she passed away and Mum will fly over later this week for the funeral.

I swear the world is spinning differently on its axis.

In my life, all 22 years of it, myself, and my family, have never been through a year like this.

We just found out that my Gran, Dad's Mum and 92 years old, has pancreatic cancer.

Four days of fun in Melbourne!

Friday - after scraping the frost from all of the car windows, made it to the airport and left on a jet plane (I wonder if the pilots have the same problem with their hands going numb as they use their credit cards to get the ice from the plane's windshield?)

Big Lunch in the big city then walks around St Kilda (Secret Life of Jane and Lou). Back home to rest (big lunch = big sleepies) then grazed on yummy dips and crackers and Brie and olives and some divine red wine whilst prepping for big night out. Two clubs - The Croft Institute and HonkyTonks - that you need a well drawn map and someone 'in the know' in order to find. Drink drink drink, dance dance dance - not too late though 'cos we had big plans for Saturday!

Saturday - sleep in. Big breakfast in Fitzroy (eggsbaconpotatoestoastsourcreamhollandaise saucethickmaltedchocolatemilkshake), bought jewellery for ourselves, copped a $100 parking ticket, tried to buy Jane a new mobile phone and then, drumroll, watched 'Charlie's Angels Full Throttle'. I could not have imagined a better time or better person to see this movie with! Totally removed from reality, totally fun! Homemade laksa for dinner (in specially bought Jane and Louise laksa bowls), more red wine, Signs and Bridget Jones' Diary. Pillow fights in business shirts on the fold out bed (Oh ok, that was just for the boys).

Sunday - sleep in. Smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado on fresh bread. Freedom (spent 95c), JB HiFi (two CDs), Ikea (bought lots and was disillusioned by $1.00 hotdog), Vietnamese (at least now Jane knows she *doesn't* like rice paper rolls), yummy yummy cakes and coffee, strawberry daiquris (with paper umbrellas and what tasted like $11 worth of alcohol!), singing in the car to Sonia Dada and missing out on Dirty Dancing on DVD (damn, have to visit again).

Monday - Jane wakes up early and goes to work. I tidy. Tram it into Carlton. Try to buy a fcuk shirt, debate about whether to buy Harry Potter, do buy a fanastically authentic Japanese lunch. Mild panic and rush as I try to get home, get a taxi and get to the airport on time. Arrive in Canberra to be greeted by flowers.

I had an absolutely wonderful time which only made me realise just how much I miss Jane! Phone calls are not the same thing (as she knows well). Old friends = good friends = fun and laughs and giggles and plenty 'o boy talk.

If Jane reads this: Thanks for the weekend!

Tuesday Afternoon*

One kickass new haircut............................................................$16.00
Second part of Jane's birthday present.....................................$18.00
Mail redirection so I don't miss my 2003 group certificates........$22.00
One and half hours away from this computer..........................priceless!

*with apologies to Mastercard