A very social week

With the holidays coming up, we've been included in some social activities and celebrations. Yay!

Wednesday

On Wednesay, our friend Scott generously offered to pick Toby up and take him on his monthly comic book shop run. They managed to squeeze in lunch at an Indian place, too. But first, Scott took Toby by Bunnings, which is the Australia equivelant to Lowes. Toby said it was just like being in a Lowes in the U.S., except for all the "No Junk Mail" stickers and tiny cooktops.

He also scored some dirt for our lime tree, which had been languishing in its starter pot since we picked it up. It's looking much happier now.

Late Wednesday night I traveled out to the airport to meet Megan. She had a 12-hour layover in Sydney on her way back to the States, so she stayed with us. She had managed to travel with only 2 suitcases and a backpack, but each of the suitcases seemed to weigh a solid ton. I think we provided a lot of free entertainment to the other train passengers as we wrestled them from platform to train and generally fell over and into each other.

In the morning, we went out for one last Australian brekky before she headed to the airport.

Then she (wisely) decided to have a cab take her and her bags to the airport. It was so great to see her before she left! I'll miss knowing she's in the same country!

Thursday

On Thursday I went out after work for karaoke for a friend's birthday. The karaoke was at a Japanese restaurant and it was like no karaoke place I've seen or heard of before. Rather than one big room where you sing in front of everyone, individual parties can reserve private rooms. You order food and drinks from a touchscreen, and then they are delivered to your room. You use another computer screen to key in the songlist. Very high tech!

There were about 15 people in our room and 2 microphones, so everyone got plenty of chances to sing. We also did some group songs on the really powerful ballads like "Living on a Prayer" and "Gangnam Style" - you know, the classics!

There are no pictures that will be shared from this activity!

Friday

Friday was Christmas drinks at work. Lots of people brought their families to see the new office and generally kick off the holidays with free drinks.

First though, we did a countdown so we'd know when the world ended.

8 minutes to go!

Toby came in to see the new office and meet some of the people he's heard so much about. I think he was generally in disgust at how many of the cool quirks in the office are wasted on me - all the nerdy conference room names that I don't get and such.

After Toby's tour, we headed up to the party room, which was all decorated.

There was also a lot of food, much of it Australian Christmas food, like mince meat pies and such.

Some of the kiddos that were there discovered the candy bins. This guy was going nuts in there - I'm glad I wasn't the one who would have to try and get him to bed in a few hours!

We stayed for a few hours, having drinks and mingling. Toby really liked my workmates and the office, and it was overall a great time getting to know some people better!

Sunday

On Sunday evening, we had dinner company! I've been hesitant to invite people to our apartment since it's so small and we don't really have seating for more than two people, serving dishes for food, or anything on the walls to look at. But, this particular couple, Esther and Andres, just moved here from Spain, so they know exactly what it's like! In fact, they said they thought their place is a little smaller than ours, something I thought was impossible.

 

Anyway, we had a lovely evening with them. Esther and I talked about work, and Toby and Andres talked about soccer. Of course, we all had things to say about the peculiarities we've noticed since moving here, things we miss from home, and all those ex-pat type things. They liked dinner, I think, and learned a new word when I served cobbler for dessert. =)

 

I was so busy having a good time that I forgot to take any pictures, even of the amazing quiche Toby made. It was nice to spend time with people who have been having many of the same experiences we have. Not only that, but they are really lovely people, so it was an absolutely perfect way to close out the weekend and kick-off Christmas Eve.

 

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