Gosh Friday night feels like such a long time ago. Had my last full daylight drive to Canberra, and was stunned at how green the countryside is at the moment.

We had beer and sweet chili and sour cream potato chips for dinner .. naughty .. :) Watched some telly and ended up watching Ella Enchanted.

Saturday morning went out to Gold Creek Village to Cafe Injoy with A&S and the kids and had their all day breakfast, which was delicious

Then went across the road and caused a koi feeding frenzy

And the ducks wanted in as well, but one duck decided the whole pond was his and was chasing all the others away.

We all headed out to Belconnen to go to the fresh food market. The kids played in the giant mushroom, and the Stus found a sign that caused them great amusement

This amused me too

S&K&J came by in the arvo too which was nice.

For dinner we went to Pulp Kitchen in Ainslie for their six week dry aged sirloin, which was yummiferous, although I didn't quite go for the oysters they put on top. I've had two oysters in my life previous to this, now I'm up to about five :)

After dinner Stu took me on a magical mystery tour. He tried to convince me that we were really going home, but we were just going the wrong way entirely hehe. He took me up Mt Ainslie, where I took some photos of the city, but sans-tripod. So will have to back again at some point :)

He also took me to Manuka and we had a little bit of a wander around and checked out where all the trendy people hang out.

On Sunday we were going to go to church, but it was 9C and I didn't have a jumper (it was 35C in Sydney on Saturday - how am I meant to know to bring a jumper?? heh). So we didn't end up going out. Well not then. We did later to get coffee, and went to Big W and bought A Beautiful Mind.

While we were out I noticed how clear the sky was from all the rain all day Saturday and the strong winds in the morning, so made Stu take me up Black Mountain

Stu's work is down there

Belconnen Bunnings and the food markets just in front

Varekai in its final weeks in Canberra

Mt Stromlo, minus the forest around it that was devastated in the Jan 2003 bushfires

National Museum of Australia

And a couple more shots of Canberra city

Cooked steak and veggies for dinner and watched A Beautiful Mind.

Today Stu went to work and I telecommuted. The connection was a bit laggy, but I think that it's actually my work computer which is just chugging these days. During my lunch break I went shopping, and did a scrumptious pork roast for dinner. And Stu has a few days worth of leftovers to keep him going :)

Don't really feel like going to work tomorrow....

As seen at Bren's a while back

1. Can you touch your nose with your toes?
er, lemme try. Yes!
2. Who were you with last night?
Noone, all alone with Mr Bowie :)
3. Are most of your friends in your life new or old?
Bit of a mix. Mostly old.
4. Do you like candy necklaces?
er, I suppose so. Don't know that I've ever eaten any tho.
5. Do you eat raw cookie dough?
Sure, but really only to lick the bowl/beaters
6. Pancakes or French Toast?
Pancakes. The one and only time I had french toast was at Dennys in Las Vegas in 1983
7. How do you like your eggs?
Sunny side up
8. Creamy or crunchy peanut butter?
Never liked peanut butter
9. Instant or home-made mashed potatoes?
Home-made. Instant is awful
10. Can you handle the truth?
Probably not. I hate not knowing though
11. What is the compliment you get from most people?
Nice hair
12. If you were another person, would you be friends with yourself?
No
13. Is anyone on your bad side right now?
Shrug
14. Whats the best drinking game?
Never played one
15. Do you like your music loud or soft?
In the middle :) Depends what it is though. Some things I like cranking up loudish.
16. Do your jeans have rips, tears, and holes in them?
Yes. Way overdue for new ones
17. When was the last time you fell over or ran into something?
I fell over at work a few months ago tripping over crap on the floor
18. Whats the first movie that gave you nightmares?
I've been fortunate in my life to never get nightmares. But the first movie that would have (and I think did once) was Friday 13th I saw when I was about 11 (flipping irresponsible parents of a sleepover I went to allowed that one)
19. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be?
I wouldn't. A few years ago I might have said Jason Isaacs, and before that David Bowie, maybe a few others
20. Have you ever sung in front of the mirror?
Probably. I don't make a point of it though
21. Do you talk a lot?
No
22. Do you make up your own words?
Blurgle bloggle bling blong
23. Are you typically a jealous person?
Not the suspicious/mistrust sort, but I can get jealous of anyone that takes up Stu's time away from me
24. What is something you say a lot?
Are we having fun yet? It wasn't me I didn't do it? It's true I'm not lying.
25. What was the last movie you saw in theaters?
Casino Royale. It was really good
26. Deep Thoughts About Life and You in it?
er.. are we there yet? can I go home now?
27. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
With someone. Although admittedly sleep isn't as good as when alone
28. Who have you kissed on your top friends?
What sort of expression is that? Kissed on??
29. Do you still talk to the person you had your first kiss with?
Nah. It was a holiday romance and I never saw him again
30. Do you stay friends with your ex's?
Not friends with first, out of contact with second, still friends with third and with unofficial one
31. First Loves Are Never Over; is this true for you?
No
32. Think of all your exes. Would you take any of them back?
I'd probably take Guy back. Well that is assuming neither of us were in other relationships heh. None of the others though
33. What attracted you to your recent ex?
For the last official one, we used to hang out in a lab together on irc. Did fun things like playing ping pong in #netsex until we got thrown out heeh.
34. What didnt you like about your recent ex?
He often tasted like coffee :(
35. When was your last kiss?
A week ago in the driveway downstairs
36. Are you/have you been in love?
Yes (why bother asking that now after all the other relationship questions? heh)
37. Would you wear a boyfriend/girlfriends clothes?
Sure. Except Stu's completely don't fit me :)
38. What would you say if an ex said "I love you."
er ... okaaaaaay. Pretty unlikely to happen though.
39. Do you consider love a mistake?
No
40. What do you find romantic?
Um. I suppose just little things; treats; having him pay for things
41. Turn-on?
Confidence
42. Turn-off?
Bad breath
43. Do you prefer knowing someone before dating them or just diving in?
I prefer to know someone first. Didn't quite work that way with Stu though, kinda jumped in with him :)
44. Have you ever wished it was more socially acceptable for a girl to ask a guy out?
er, not really, I don't think there's any problem with it, I just tended to lack confidence. Then I got old. I asked Stu out on our first (and really only) date :)
45. Have you ever been naked in a public pool?
No
46. Have you ever had sex on the beach?
No
47. Have you ever been cheated on?
No
48. Are you too forgiving?
I'm not forgiving enough
49. Believe its possible to remain faithful forever?
Yes
50. Do you feel pretty, and witty and gay?
er, not really

As seen at Dave's the other week

A- Available or Single? No, engaged to Stu :)
B- Best Friend? Stu
C- Cake or Pie? Pie (most fruits)
D- Drink of Choice? Orange juice
E- Essential Item? My digital camera
F- Favorite Color? Aqua blue
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? er.. worms mabye
H- Hometown? Sydney, Australia
I- Indulgence? right now, Doritos cheese supreme
J- January or February? Dunno. January probably - usually quieter at work, but too hot
K- Kids and Names? Don't have kids
L- Life is incomplete without�? Stu
M- Marriage Date? Dunno yet. Maybe October.
N- Number of Siblings? One
O- Oranges or Apples? Probably apples. I like oranges, but they are too sticky/messy
P- Phobias/Fears? Cobwebs
Q- Favorite Quote? Live long and prosper
R- Reasons to smile? Stu, I'm healthy, and got enough money to do some of the things I like
S- Season? Spring
T- Tag 3 people? I don't tag
U- Unknown Fact About Me? er.. dunno
V- Vegetable You Hate? Brussel sprouts aren't very pleasant.
W- Worst Habit? No comment :)
X- Xrays You�ve Had? My left foot, my chest, my teeth (don't have that one though)
Y- Your Favorite Foods? Roast pork with crackling, cheese flavoured potato crisps, my potato bake
Z- Zodiac? Leo

So I thought I'd go down and see the Queen Mary 2. As it seems, did the rest of Sydney. Couldn't get down Oxford St. Then found out they'd closed Art Gallery Road. Went back round to Crown St and down, but then couldn't get across William St. Ended up going round more blocks and stopping in the first park I found on William St and just walked down.

So yes, it was big. They say the biggest ship to ever visit Australia. But I'm sure the Constellation was bigger (or longer rather). I'll have to go check the stats. I think the Independance is even bigger than the Constellation but I didn't get any good pics. But I digress. EDIT: According to the SMH the largest ship ever to have been here before was the "Iron Pacific" - which I've been on!!!

Fought my way through thousands of people. Took some piccies of a big boat. Watched the news being broadcast live. Took pics of reporters I don't actually know the names of. Waited impatiently for the QE 2 to arrive, as I was in a parking spot half an hours walk away that was rapidly running out of time. Got a glimpse of the QE2 coming down the harbour, then attempted to race back down Mrs Macquaries Road. Against thousands of people walking up the road. Argh! Managed to be far enough back to the car when the QE2 came by, and managed to get a photo of the two ships together! Sweet! And got a cool movie of them singing to each other. And then nearly died trying to get back up to the car before my time ran out.

So here's some pics.. :)

First up, the lovely Queen Mary 2. Gotta love a wide angle lens!

Some channel 7 reporter I think EDIT: Samantha Armytage I think

And another channel 7 reporter

A channel 9 reporter I think EDIT: Damien Ryan, Channel 9

The whole spectacle

Queen Mary 2 through the trees

Life boat trials

Big red funnel

Bridge closer up

I bet you guys weren't expecting to be on the internet in your bath robes hey? hehe

These things were buzzing up and down the harbour all evening

Cameraman hanging out the door of this helicopter

Crowds gathered on the back of the Queen Mary 2 to see the Queen Elizabeth 2 come in

QE2 down the harbour

QE2 a bit closer, behind cloud unfortunately

QE2 nearing Circular Quay

Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2 in Sydney Harbour

I'm amazed at how thoroughly useless my higher school education was. Really. I mean it was useful for getting me into and through uni, but the real world? I use basically *none* of anything I learnt during the HSC in real life. In fact the only mathematics I use is pretty much just simple arithmetic. When was the last time any of you needed calculus to run a windows server? Some of the general science stuff I suppose stuck, but really just as general knowledge. I had a bit of a giggle over my year 10 geography notes (1989) which were predominantly USA and USSR. Ah the joys of the cold war lol.

As you may have guessed, I've been purging my old high school stuff. I am keeping some stuff, mostly things that were creative, or that I put a lot of effort into, or were useful or informational. I've also got a pile of stuff that I'll scan before chucking.

And remind me never ever to move house during summer, or overpack book boxes.

The last time I bought a hair brush was ten years ago, after the one I had previously was lost in the bag that was stolen out of Luc's car when we were rollerblading one day. I've been thinking about replacing it for a while. So as I walked past a hair dresser today and saw the brushes near the entrance, I decided to look and see if they had one like I got last time. And they did! Woot!!

I'm tempted to get a couple more of them to last me a lifetime, but they're $28 each .. ouch ..
Makes brushing my hair a whole lot more difficult too - so much more resistance now! :)

From Bren:

1. Will you be looking for a new job?
More than likely - in Canberra
2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
Nope :)
3. New house?
Perhaps. We'll see how we go with job stuff first
4. What will you do different in 07?
Try to remain calm, especially on the roads
5.New Years Resolution?
Haven't made any
6. What will you not be doing in 07?
Being so slack about stuff
7. Any trips planned?
There was thoughts of a Europe trip, but job uncertainty makes that a bit hard. Maybe a small one somewhere
8. Wedding plans?
Yup!
9. Major thing on your calendar?
Nothing has been defined with a date for putting on any calendar..
10. What can�t you wait for?
Living with Stu
11. What would you like to see happen different?
Not sure..
12. What about yourself will you be changing?
Trying to be calmer and more organised
13. What happend in �06 that you didn�t think would ever happen?
I'd ever actually want to leave my job
14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about?
I will try
15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 06?
Nope
16. Will you start or quit drinking?
Nah
17. Will you better your relationship with your family?
Maybe
18. Will you do charity work?
Probably not
19. Will you go to bars?
Not often
20. Will you be nice to people you dont know?
I try
21. Do you expect 07 to be a good year for you?
Hope so :)
22. How much did you change from this time last year til now?
Not a lot?
23. Do you plan on having a child?
No
24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?
Probably
25. Major lifestyle changes?
Only ones associated with moving
26. Will you be moving?
Probably, to Canberra
27. What will you make sure doesn�t happen in 07 that happened in 06?
Dunno..
28. What are your New Years Eve plans?
Games with J&G
29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?
Yup yup :):):)

From Woosang:

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
Walked outside at the top of Sydney Tower, went to Floriade, played poker for money
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make much in the way of new years resolutions. But I did keep the one I made three years ago to completely read the Bible in three years
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No
5. What countries did you visit?
Australia only
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
A husband :)
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
14th Feb - little brother got married (family tradition, soon to be a broken tradition tho heh)
14th April - went live with new file server (it was Good Friday and James' birthday)
24th/25th December - got engaged (a week early from family tradition)
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
er.. getting engaged? is that an achievement? :)
9. What was your biggest failure?
er.. some of my fish keeping?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just the usual colds and flu, and an episode with flat feet hurting
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Probably Stu's Christmas present (a camera)
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Stu's ..? :)
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My neighbours
14. Where did most of your money go?
Probably on the mortgage. After that, travelling to see Stu
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting engaged :)
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Dunno..
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier - yeah I think so
Fitter - possibly
Thinner - about the same
Smilier - yeah
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spend time with Stu
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Stressing
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Lunch with the parents, dinner with the in-laws
21. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Was already in love
22. How many one-night stands?
None
23. What was your favorite TV program?
The Amazing Race
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nah
25. What was the best book you read?
Well the *only* book that I completed was The Half Blood Prince
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
er..
27. What did you want and get?
A proposal :)
28. What did you want and not get?
New taps
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Cars (of the ones I saw at the cinema).
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went to work. Turned 33.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Living with Stu
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Jeans and a t-shirt
33. What kept you sane?
um.. it's not possible for me to be sane :)
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
n/a
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Political issues don't stir me..
36. Who did you miss?
Stu most of the time
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Diana!
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
Know when to hold em .. know when to fold em .. know when to walk away .. know when to run ..
*shrug* hehe
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
hrm, see above?? :) I dunno ...

So. Where to begin. Gosh.

Well, Friday night the boy arrived and we had a lovely dinner of kangaroo steaks and potato bake. The kangaroo was absolutely delicious, restaurant quality :)

Saturday we went to Luc and Cynthia's for a BBQ lunch. Was lovely to catch up with them, as hadn't seen them in ages. Also managed to get a parking spot in the shopping centre in about one minute, instead of the fifteen I allowed :) After lunch we did some Christmas shopping for the kids, and did a blitz walk-through of Ikea - I was looking for a lamp that I saw there last time, but they didn't have them this time, so that was a bit annoying. We had leftovers (kangaroo, sausage and potato) for dinner, and watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Sunday we trekked over to see Nana at her favourite restaurant. Meal was ok. And Nana shouted us so that was nice .. but only my parents came so didn't get to see any of the uncles.. oh well. Came home via Bunnings and bought a lamp - a bit more expensive and not quite the same as the Ikea one I'd liked, but it works well and now Stu has a decent reading light at my place :) Sunday night I started getting stressed at everything I still needed to do. I baked another batch of cookies, which Stu was suitably impressed with, and packaged them up for the various clans. Also wrapped the remaining presents while watching Carols by Candlelight.

After the carols finished, we went for a drive, and on the tranquil shores of Botany Bay, under city lights, and Christmas fairy lights from an apartment block above, Stu asked me to marry him and be his partner through life. I made him wait the few seconds til Christmas day to answer yes :) (ok so it wasn't quite the family tradition of proposing on New Year's Eve, but we were impatient :) ). We took some photos and I cried, then we came home and went to bed.

We decided not to go to church in the morning, for the simple reason that we wanted to avoid people making a fuss. That and we'd had a late night and we still hadn't packed, watered plants, fed fish, that sort of nonsense. So we did all that and went directly to the parents' for lunch. Mum of course wasn't fooled. She'd been *looking* for a ring. Flipping heck. Well I suppose at least we didn't have to announce it. But they did make the expected fuss. Gave Luc a call to let him and the entire Coates clan know, so that was an easy tell. Then D&Y turned up and they were suitably excited as well :) Much present opening followed. My biggest surprise was Airwolf season 1!! Which I didn't even know was on dvd yet! Then we had lunch (roast pork yumm), but unfortunately we couldn't hang around (which was disappointing because everyone was in a good mood and it was all very pleasant), as we then had to drive down to Yass. Where Annie had done a *delicious* roast turkey roll. More present opening for more kids, and I finally got Stu to open and play with his present heh. Finished the night with a game of scrabble with Rebecca and Alex, which I flipping won, which like so totally never happens - I hate scrabble! Beating Stu was quite bizarre too.

Which leaves us with today. Decided we needed a quiet day, so slept quite late, snuggled, and eventually got out to go get some food just before lunch time. But because we'd had a late breakfast, we went to Starbucks and played a game of chinese chess on their chess/checker table. It took quite a while, cause I'd never played, and all the symbols confused me for a while. But after a few good suggestions of moves from Stu, I ended up removing all his attacking pieces, so he conceded defeat. Totally unexpected outcome, given that we'd checked each other quite a few times during the game, and I was fully expecting to lose, it being my first game and all. Totally bizarre :) Did our food shopping and came home for a very late lunch of a delicious wrap Stu made. Followed by him painting tin soldiers and me working on my Titanic model. Then a late dinner of kangaroo steaks (same sort we had the other night, and just as delicious) and watched Total Recall.

There we go, all caught up. Phewf. :)
Good night! :)

So it was a bit of a day of farewells today. Some that wanted to leave and were happy about it. Some that had gotten used to the comfy life and were being forced out. Some that had a lot of time left but were being paid out to just *go*. One of them I was glad to have leaving. Wished it could have happened *years* ago. The one that with them leaving would mean more work for the rest of us - about a whole five to ten minutes per day extra. The one that even the new IR laws would not have made a difference to and it took a whole paradigm shift to make happen. All I could say was "best wishes" and "good luck". He'll need it.