Fireworks on the Cahill

Marion got free tickets to the 9pm fireworks, so we headed out. Janet got pulled up at the entry gates for having an umbrella in her bag, so she refused to give it up and went to watch the fireworks outside Customs House. Kaylene, and I joined Marion and Evan was given a special position with the help of Ken.

Bindy had got tickets for the 12midnight fireworks, but not enough for all, so I gave up mine to Marion, and went home with Janet. Kaylene stayed out with the Seetos and Marion to see in the New Year.

Christmas 2009

LTS Christmas Dinner 2009

Thursday 17 December 2009

Went to dinner at the Watergrill restaurant in the Sydney Rowing Club at Abbotsford.

Pat went there early to mind a table for us who ventured there after work.

Berry Picking

Huntley Berry Farm Huntley Road, Huntley, near Orange airport, 6365 5282. Nov-May, strawberries $6, raspberries, currants, youngberries, brambleberries and other berries $7; feijoas, about $2.

Saturday 12 December 2009

Marion decided to go berry picking near Orange and so I followed. It was over 30 degrees, and we got there at the most hottest time, picking berries in the midday sun.

The raspberries were delicious and juicy, but so delicate, you had to be careful when picking that you didn't bruise the fruit..any bruised fruits ended up in the mouth.

After the raspberries, we went on to pick youngberries, marionberries, currents and strawberries.

Kaylene's Year 9 Formal

Kaylene's Year 9 Formal

The dress & shoes were bought in Kuala Lumpur, the bag was on loan from Jane and the bling was on loan from mum. Mum helped with the make up and she had her hair done that afternoon.

She looked so beautiful...the little girl has blossomed.

Kaylene's Cut & Style

I made an appointment for Kaylene at Alan Coban's so that Kaylene could have a treat for her Year 9 Formal.
Shampoo, wash, cut and then curls which were styled in a half up do. Looked very nice.

Fiona's House Xmas Party

6 December 2009

Janet gave each House carer a china mug, and each resident a money tin with chocolates?

Fiona gave :

Seeto's - Hamper
Lily -
Janet -
Megan - Thomas Sabo humming bird pendant
Kaylene -

New Car

We finally went out a bought a replacement car. Another Mazda, but slightly smaller.

We (Janet, Darren, Lily and I) first went to Toyota to look at the Yaris, but the boot space was too small and the dashboard was in the centre, and Darren looked so big in it.

So we went to Leichhardt Mazda and after test driving the Mazda 2, Janet negotiated and signed the paperwork and we walked out, owning a new car.

With window tinting, paint protection, 6 year warranty and service, it totalled approx $20,000.

Dinner with the Family

Sunday 29 November 2009

Dinner with the family at Hong Kong Noodle Restaurant.

Linda's Baby Shower

Saturday 28 November 2009

Host:Marie Villanueva
Location: "At the mother in law's"52 Bathurst StreetWakeley NSW 2176 Other
When: Saturday, November 28, 2:00PM to 5:30PM
Phone: 0414423038
You are invited to Linda's Baby Shower Tea Party.Come along and enjoy an afternoon of fun and games and afternoon tea.You are also welcome to stay for dinner.Please RSVP for yourself and/ or group by Saturday 14th of November 2009.Kids under 5 years old are also welcome.

Marion drove us there.We sucked at the baby games, considering our team of Helena, Mare, Bindy and I are all single. Of course the mother's groups won.We gave Linda a Magazine subscription, baby outfit and lamb scarf.

Cherry Picking 2009

Saturday 21 November 2009

Went cherry picking with the family in Young:

Uncle David, Aunty Cathy, Lily, Janet & Kaylene.

Was a very hot day. The cherries weren't as nice as the year before and the temperatures were also in the extreme.

Kaylene was too hot and didn't really pick any cherries at all. Took us longer to pick cherries this time, with the heat, flies and slim pickings.

Managed to stop and take a photo of the wombat at Wombat Heights. Janet bought some "wombat" eggs, and we stopped off at the Big Merino, Goulburn on the way home.

Ministry of Food 2009

It was time to hold another Ministry of Food. After much discussion and verbal to and fro, we were to produce a dish from our background.

The following attended and this is what they made:

Roy: Agadashi and Salt and Pepper Tofu
Steve & Marisa: Coconut Macaroons
Quan & Wendy: Lebanese Mince Pizza
Bindy, Evan & Ken: Hainan Chicken Rice
Marion: Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls
Mandi & Dan: Shanghai Pan Fried Dumplings
Linda & Tones: 777 fish with onions
Megan: Fried Wontons
Casey, Shirley & Matty: No time to cook, so they bought sushi

Girl's Night In 2009

Jane & Veronica organised a Girl's Night in to raise funds for Breast Cancer.Door prizes, bags for sale, games and raffle tickets, with lots of finger food and drinks.

Kaylene's Science Award

5 November 2009

She received an award for her science project which was an experiment in washing detergents.

Darren's 19th Birthday

4th November 2009

We went out to celebrate at Hurstville RSL Palace Bistro.

Janet's 47th Birthday

We went out to Canton Noodle House to celebrate Janet's birthday.

Shangars Ashfield

Jacq & Richard paid a visit to Sydney and came out to dinner with the tennis crowd to show Ollie off. Matty also paid a visit with Casey & Shirley popping in for dinner. Just about everyone got a turn at holding Ollie.

Janani's Homebush

Friday 23 October 2009
Janani
32 Burlington Road
Homebush NSW 2140

Went out to dinner with Roy, Jessica, Julz, Bevan, Marisa, Steve, Linda, Tony, Lily, Jim, Quan, Wendy, Jarrod (Quang) to sample some Sri Lankan food.

Organised by Linda, who did the ordering, we tucked into naan, roti, curries and mango lassi.

K L Part 3: Shopping & Sightseeing

We spent most days shopping. Jane couldn't get enough of it. Lost count of the number of bags, shoes and bling bought by all the girls. Packing was a nightmare...but I managed to fit all of Jane's purchases into their 3 bags.

On our last days there, we went to the Foot Master for a fish spa..where little fish nibble at your feet...feels like pins and needles and is very ticklish. Kaylene and Alysha had the giggles and were reluctant to put their feet in.

Went to the Menara, Times Square, Royal gates, Twin Towers...by bus, rail, monorail and feet.

K L 2009 Part 2: Kuala Lumpur

We stayed at the Classic Inn for one night before rolling our bags up streets and footpaths to KL Plaza and then for another night before catching our flight back to Sydney via Melbourne.

Its a nice enough place, with a family atmosphere and great breakfasts of roti and fresh fruit. The bus boy was also very helpful, lugging our heavy laden bags up and down 2 flights of stairs.

Most people who have stayed here leave their mark on a wall, which looks to be painted over every year.

It's situated just behind Times Square, has free wireless and comforts of home with nice comfy beds, but the combined shower/toilet needs some getting use to. Lucky we had connecting rooms, so had 2 shower/toilets and could use one as a toilet and the other as a shower.

 

8/10/2009 Email
Hi all

I'm typing this in the lobby of our hotel for which are are staying at for 1 night before we move into out timeshare apartment.

We spent today shopping in Times Square, but I didn't buy anything...showing some restraint..plus still feeling tired from our flight.

We flew to Melbourne arriving about 12noon. Met up with friends who live there, who were kind enough to lend us their place to have a late lunch and then who brought us out to St Kilda and showed us a bit of the city. Had dinner in Lygon street, pizza and pasta, before heading out to the airport.  Thanks Jacq, Rich & Oliver for your hospitality.

Our flight left Melbourne at 1.45am the next morning, so as soon as we got on the plane, we tried to get some sleep, but the seats on the planes these days are so narrow, couldn't even get comfortable.

Got to KL at about 7am, but had to wait for our pick up van which was booked for 9am. The van took us to our hotel which is just behind Times Square, and all of us just took to the beds to try and catch up with our sleep.

Anyway..hopefully we'll have more free internet available where we will be moving to tomorrow.

Hope you are all well..will update when possible.

K L 2009 Part 1: Melbourne

Sydney Domestic Airport: Jet Start flight to Avalon Airport, Melbourne

The start of our KL shopping trip. We had a day stopover in Melbourne with Jacq & Ollie taking us around.

Who went:

• Mark
• Lily
• Kaylene
• Janet
• Megan
• Jane
• Alysha
• Patrick
• Marion (only to Melbourne)

We hired a Tarago and Jacq & Ollie met up with us at the airport to take us back to Point Cook, where a few of us went shopping for lunch, which we had at Jacq's place. After lunch, we headed out in 2 cars to St Kilda. Because it was cold and Ollie was hungry, Jacq stayed with Ollie in the car park, while the rest of us, walked Acland Street and had an afternoon coffee/tea/hot chocolate at Monarch's cake shop. We then drove into the city to meet up with Richard, who took us around the city showing Kaylene the sights. We had dinner of pizza and pasta, before heading off to the airport. Said out goodbyes to Jacq, Richard and Ollie, before dropping off our hire car.

We had to wait to board as our flight was delayed. So to kill time, we took photos and had some fun. Jane & Patrick got to board ahead of us. By the time we got on board, it was way past midnight, so we all tried to get into a comfortable position to sleep through the flight. Very hard to do as the seats were very narrow and not so reclinable.

Picannini Tennis End of Season Dinner

Monday 5 October 2009
Crystal Seafood Restaurant, Strathfield

Attended by 14 Members:
Dan & Mandi
Steve & Marisa
Quan & Wendy
Tony & Linda
Roy & Jess
Evan
Kaylene
Megan
Marion

Menu:
Mud Crab French Style & Mantou bread
Mud Crab with Ginger & Shallots & Noodles
Salt & Pepper Seafood combination
Combination bean curd in Hot Pot
Fillet Steak with Black Pepper sauce
Chinese gai lan with garlic
Pork Spare Ribs Peking Style
Chicken Pieces & Special Sauce Hot Pot
Pork Fillet with Vegetables
Fried Crispy Skin Chicken
Prawns with Snap Baby Peas
Stir Fried Baby Bok Choy
Steamed Rice

Wedding of Moomba & Boomba

Marisa organised everything from the wedding down to the actual decor of the reception.

The wedding was held in the gardens at the back of the Conservatorium of Music. Kept small and simple, Evan and I helped set up the chairs, while Marisa entrusted me to decorate the railings and chairs with small purple pompoms, glass balls and twine.

The reception was a high tea at the Intercontinental. Petit fours, a few hot savouries and a selection of teas.

M & S Wedding

Evan took this pic...I just love it

Red Dawn

Wow..can you believe what it looks like outside?

When I woke up this morning, the sky was glowing eerily reddish orange, then it turned to a yellow colour and then by the time I walked out the door, it was I don't know what colour, but worst than on a foggy morning. Am now staring outside my work window, it is just like someone pulled the doona over Sydney. Uuggh. The cars on the streets were covered in dust. Car wash businesses will be counting the moolah. Had to walk to work with a tissue over my nose and mouth, just so I didn't breath in the dust.

I hope the 100km winds forecast come along and blow it all away and it clears up by Sunday.

Evan...are you taking any photos...first time I've seen this in all my years.

Burwood Spring Festival 2009

We rode our bikes, while Janet and A. Cath walked there. Caught up with Maria and Helen. Lots of food stalls but having had congee, we were too full to even consider buying any food.
Lots of cars on display, this festival gets bigger and bigger every year. At least I didn't have to man the Library tent, even though I used to enjoy doing it.

Lynn's Hens Day

Pasta making class

"Lynn's going to the chapel and getting married!" YAY!

Here are the details of Lynn's Hen's Day:

COOKING CLASS:
WHEN: Saturday 19th September 2009

TIME: 2-6pm

WHERE: Simply Sumptuous Food:http://www.simplysumptuousfood.com.au/

ADDRESS: 2/58 Osborne Rd Manly NSW 2095

WHAT TO WEAR: We are going out for drinks afterwards so bring a pair of "going out shoes" to change into. Aprons will be provided.

DRINKS:
TIME :Straight after the cooking class: 7pm

Cooking teacher- Georgina.

We are preparing a 3 course meal- Pasta class- with a "Special Dessert: Apple tartin" for Lynn!

The cost is $95 per person.
Menu:
Fennel soup with Toasted bread, ricotta cheese, dill
Pumpkin tortellini in mushroom suace and tagliatelli with basil pesto sauce
Apple tartin

Marisa & Steve: Rehearsal

Steve & Marisa's rehearsal afternoon

On Friday 18th Sep, Marisa rang up in the late afternoon asking for a favour. Would I mind going to the wedding rehearsals..also could we deliver the chairs and decorate venue on the day...since Evan was driving, he was already informed by Marisa of what was required.
Rehearsal was set for Sunday afternoon, so Steve and Marisa were going to pop around and pick me and Evan up at 3pm.
They were running late, but picked us up a little after 3pm. Before they came, there were a few showers, but it seemed to clear up. Evan was worried his camera equipment would get wet.
Steve parked at Macquarie Bank parking in Pitt Street and we walked up to the Conservatorium gardens, checking out driving and parking conditions, so we wouldn't be caught out on the day. Marisa was leaving everything to the last minute. She had only just booked her makeup and hair person, so no time for a trial run.
The celebrant was already waiting there, as was her sister, Betty, her husband, Michael and their 3 kids. We were later joined by Mark, Julz & Bevan, Sony and his model girlfriend.
Lots of debate as to where the actual cermony should take place. But Marisa wants privacy and privacy she will get. A quick test of the PA system, with music and a quick run through with the kids and what was expected of them, before the celebrant went on her way.
There was no actual run through of the ceremony, so no timing, but we know we have to be there around 12.30pm, same time that Steve will be there waiting.
It started to rain soon after, and didn't look like it was going to stop. Only Marisa had an umbrella, so we waited until it was a light sprinkle and came out from under cover.
They dropped us back home, in time for us to help prepare the fried whitebait, fish and potato for dinner that night.

"a celebration of life"

On Sunday 13 September, we went to see Fiona perform in the Star Performers & Twinkle Stars 9th annual show.

When her group came out to perform Thriller, by Michael Jackson, they received such applause..the costuming was outstanding and we couldn't believe our eyes that Fiona was dressed as a ghoul.

She also performed to We Rock and Hoedown, each time, she was front right of stage, doing her thing. I'll have to try and grab the photos off Evan.

I did manage to get some videos of her performance but will have to work out how to upload.

Marisa's Hens Night

Safi's has been booked for Saturday night at 7pm. http://www.safidining.com/ under "Julie" (duh). ;p

After our day of whitewater rafting, we all rushed home to shower and change. Suzy was kind enough to be our chauffeur for the night, so she went around and picked up Linda, myself, Marisa and Wendy, before we made our way to North Sydney and joined the rest of the hens at Safi - Middle Eastern dining ($50 each). So much food, we couldn't eat it all, by the time the meats came out, we had stuffed ourselves with leb bread, hummus, eggplant dip, falafels, and other delights. Following Marisa's Q & A time..how well did she know what Steve would answer Q's about her...she did pretty well, but she failed a few and had to pay the penalty..pinch the waiter's "buns". We moved on after dinner to Bravo's gelato...yummy hazelnut icecream, and Marisa was given a few little gifts, including a scrapbook album of recipes and advice from the hens, compiled by Julz.

After icecream, we (Suzy, Linda, Wendy, Lilly, Mandi & I) continued on back to Marisa's apartment for some brewed Monk Pear tea and some girlie gossip. We ended the night around 2.30am. I got into bed around 3am.

What were the boys doing in the meantime for Steve's bucks night???

Apparently they went to Crinities, which is situated next to Hurricanes http://www.crinitis.com.au/
where due to a mix up in booking and confirmations, they didn't end up getting their ribs until 9.30pm, by which time, we had finished ours. By the time they got their ribs, Steve had been plied with drinks and after eating his pile of ribs, was not feeling very well. Jana's report was that he was hugging the porcelain bowl. Later found out he had fallen asleep in the cubicle.
The boys, Evan & Ken, ended up bringing home two boxes of takeaway ribs for Kaylene and the boys. They ended the night around 12 midnight. As for Steve and his entourage???

Justin's 20th Birthday

Saturday 12 September 2009

11am and we went down to Crystal Palace Seafood Restaurant in Strathfield for yum cha.