Birthday celebrations with new friends, old friends, friends we just made and those I'm yet to meet

I celebrated my birthday last night. (My actual birthday is this coming Wednesday. And my legs have healed quite a bit, though still a little sore.) A group of good friends came out with me to Bopha Devi at the Docklands.

It was a fantastic night with lots of laughs. Some people didn't know each other, but they all got along.

I have made the best friends.

Some were old friends:

• Shawn from primary school - we reunited last year via Twitter after last seeing each other in 1992.
• Jo from Melbourne - I used to go to stay with her and her now husband in Melbourne since I was about 13.
• Steph who I used to work with in retail from 1999 - 2003 and we now both live in Melbourne.

And others were new friends:

• Cherie - Shawn's girlfriend, who, before we met, wrote a letter to the Northcote Trader's Association about the woman in the store who abused me - the kindness of strangers astounds me!
• Hayley - we met on Twitter because of our Rush discussion. We have since met Callan Mulvey together and both write for Ramp Up.
• Scott, Elvira and Phin - I met them through filming on Channel 31
• Trudie and her husband Dave - I worked with Trudie and now we belly dance, shop and see movies together.

I'd like to thank them for their friendship, for sharing good times with me, and for their lovely words in cards and gifts. Thank you.

Here are some photos from the night.

The view of the harbour.

Scott felt the need to hit me on the arse with a plastic drinks menu. I am disappointed he didn't use his hand. A plastic menu is so sterile (before it hit me on the arse).

Elvira warning the table about pissing her off.

Steph vicariously receives modeling lessons in her job.

Steph reminds the men of the world that she is a bride to be.
Men of the world are sad. But then rejoice that I am single.

Scott can no longer hide his disinterest for my unfunny jokes.

Trudie.

The arty shots:

Steph didn't believe that I had never seen a bong until this year.
*not an actual bong on the table.

Penis rolls!

Me with Cherie and Shawn.

Phin and I.

Hayley and I.

For the fashion conscious reader, my outfit was Wish coral floaty top, Kinki Gerlinki ruffle shorts, Chinatown diamante heels, Sussan longsleeved tee, Witchery bangle, Mimco headband and Target clutch. Necklaces were Tiffany and two beautiful gifts.

After Bopha Devi Hayley, Elvira, Phin and I probably spent two hours finding an exciting and accessible bar to party on at. It proved difficult. The Docklands were filled with private functions and drunken cruisegoers. It was also difficult finding a taxi. Queues were long, taxi drivers were disgustingly rude (one guy drove off when a friend was ready to get in) and people waiting for taxis were weird.

Once we did get a taxi, Elvira and I went to Crown Casino. Only one cocktail each.

We met three lovely new people in Lagerfield, chatted to them for a while, and then all headed off to the junkfood court. All class.

We convinced a bouncer to pose for a photo with us. We said we'd give him a cheeseburger. We never did.

I picked up a cheap and delicious date during the night.
Sadly, he didn't stay with me til morning.
Jerk.

This photo was actually upside down.

The line of the night was:

OMG...Elvira, you almost ended up in a WHEELCHAIR!! (Carly to Elvira as she crossed the road with oncoming traffic. In her wheelchair.)

Nothing like a $2.95 KFC molten cake and strangers singing happy birthday at Crown Casino's junkfood court at 2.30 am.

I did not eat all of this KFC. Honestly.

While in the queue at KFC, one of our new friends told many strangers that Elvira and I will be on Channel 31 this Monday night at 6.30 pm. He was so excited he had met two famous people, and now wants a spot on TV!

It was such fun.

Here are the beautiful cards and presents I received. I love them all :) Thank you - I feel very special, and each gift was so carefully chosen.

Tiger Tree necklace

Bling necklace

Matching bling bracelet

Coles Myer voucher and my favourite chocolate

The Princess Bride book

And today I received a surprise in the mail! The postman is starting to come on Sundays before Christmas!

A friend I've been speaking to online after briefly meeting earlier this year, because of our mutual love for Rush, posted me a U2 tour book. Thanks for thinking of me and being so generous, Alex :)

I also received a parcel from a friend I haven't met yet, but have been online friends with for about two years. We came into contact because we both love Trinny and Susannah. I can't wait to meet you, Kylie, thank you for sending me these lovely gifts!

We haven't met yet she knows me so well :) Simple wrapping with purple ribbon.

And beautiful gifts. Fabric bangles in lovely pastels.

A bird pendant by Kaboodle.

And a notebook - so very handy!

Something is on its way to you soon, Kylie :)

I feel very lucky and loved. To my new friends, old friends, friends we just made and those I'm yet to meet - thank you so much. ♥

The things I am thankful for

I know my previous two blog posts have been quite sad. Legitimately so, but I want to try to give this blog a positive vibe, while still maintaining honesty.

This week, particularly Thursday, has made me thing about what I am thankful for.

Bushfires

On Thursday 17 December I received news from a friend in the country that my parents' town had been evacuated due to bushfires. I cannot believe the rapid panic that came over me. Even though I spoke to my parents who were not at home when I found out (so they were safe), I was so worried about the dogs being left at home alone, with no means to escape. At that stage, I didn't know the location of the fires, just that they were in the main town. They managed to get home, water the gutters, pack some bags and remain on alert. I heard from them via phone calls and texts, and a few friends called me and kept me up to date via Facebook. But I am 300 km away, and the unpredictability of bushfires meant that even with reassurance of their safety, I was very scared. That Worksafe ad kept on going through my mind, the one with the Dido song. 'I won't sleep, until you're resting here with me'. Fortunately they are all safe. I am so thankful for that. Four houses were lost, countless damaged, and thousands of livestock were killed. But no human life was lost. The NSW Rural Fire Services website currently says the fires are contained and there is now low to moderate risk, residents need to remail vigilant. I am looking forward to getting back with them at Christmas. I really miss them in a time like this.

Friends

Last Saturday I had my birthday party at a restaurant called Bopha Devi. It's a Cambodian restaurant. The food was amazing. I love Cambodian and Vietnamese food so much it makes me want to take a food tour in these two countries. I had about 14 friends come, plus my Mum, and it was a fantastic night. At one stage, the whole restuarant, including two other parties, sang me Happy Birthday! I felt very loved, and I am so appreciative to have these great friends. I received many lovely gifts too - they were all very 'me'. Thank you to everyone that came and shared the meal and the fun time. Apart from that dinner, I've caught up with a few other friends over these past two weeks. It's been very social and very lovely.

Uni results

As I mentioned, I'm studying part time for my Masters of Communication. I push myself quite hard and don't strive for anything less than a distinction. I received my final result for last semester on 30 November, but I picked up an assignment on 7 December. While I didn't achieve a distinction in my graphic design subject (something I've never done before but enjoyed a lot and came out of it with a new skill - book binding), I achieved a distinction in my other subject of last semester - Communication and New Technology. I was escpecially pleased with the result for major essay, which was about how new technology allows for mobility and self empowerment. I focused on how the internet and mobile telephony creates identities and communities for people with chronic illnesses. I achieved a high distinction for this, something I was pleased with because it was such a hard subject.

Flair to Remember

Lastly, I was lucky enough to win a beautiful dress from a blog called Flair to Remember. The lovely Nikki teamed up with Freez clothing to give away a dress to a person who described how they let their light shine. I was honoured to be chosen from a selection of great entries. You can view my entry in this blog entry. The dress arrived on Thursday and it is so beautiful. I cannot wait to wear it at Christmas. Thank you so much to Nikki at Flair to Remember and also to Freez clothing for this gorgeous dress. I feel honoured and lucky to have been spoilt.

I had my work Christmas parties yesterday. We went on the tramcar restaurant, but unfortunately it ran out of power so it remained stationary for most of the 'journey'. Oh well, the food was great, and so was the company. This week I've been to FIVE Christmas parties and two morning teas. Phew! I'm exhausted and looking forward to the rest!

Hope you're having a relaxing weekend, not too stressed with the Christmas shopping. Mine's done so now I'm just enjoying the wrapping of the presents.

Talk soon,

Carly :)