Had a nice chilled out weekend. Awesome weather to boot. I had the house to myself since my Aunty was away, so was very nice to lounge around without feeling like I should be doing something! Had a brilliant catch up with Jem, Mary, Meagan and Paul, so very nice to talk to all! I went over to Paula's and watched 'The Castle', crackin' up all thru it as I do!

Had a good day at work today too. I spoke Japanese with a customer for the first time! I came back from my break and the girl beside me says, "Selene this woman on the phone can't speak English!" I said that my Japanese wasn't great but I'd try talking to her. So I got Yasuko on the line, and spoke slow simple English, until I tried to tell her the line rental at her house was thru Telecom. She didn't get me there, so I spoke Japanese. I think I need to brush up my telecommunication Japanese, but she understood me, and I said everything that she generally needed to know! Was very fun actually! Not long after I ended up talking to a chick who's sister is on Jet in Kyoto too.

So that was all fun, and broke the monotony of a usual day at work. I'm going home this weekend for a wedding, and have taken Monday off work just because. Hopefully good weather for the standard post-wedding bbq and drinks on Sunday.

Past to Present

Kate, Tans, Matt, Casey and Dad at the annual Donovan Christmas BBQ at home. Was perfect weather for beers, barbies and playing hacky on the lawn!











My mate Shanna in the Xmas Eve spirit wearing the reindeer outfit I had to wear at work. Lucky she found some Santas also in the spirit!











Me in the main street of Timaru (yes, we have 'a' main street) with its beautiful Christmas lights. Unfortunately I was unable to take photos of the carnival in full flight!















Steriogram at New Years. Such a high energy, fun and funky group! Such an awesome New Years!


















Last weekend in Timaru for Jem's farewell party weekend extraveganza! Jem and Phil left for Dublin today. Starting Friday night with a quiet bbq at home. Saturday night was the farewell party in town. They'd hired out the bar, and somehow (I think due to lack of preparation rather thank drinking in excess) they ran out of kegs and had to go get more from the bar down the road! Had a pretty massive night and we headed for home about 3.30am. Home alone I slept off the hangover by sleeping til 1pm, then were back on it at Jem's for Super Sunday by 3pm. Jem, Phil, Tans and I went over to a friend's flatwarming, then headed into town to see a mate of my bro's Rangi play and sing at The Sail (photo above). Ended up being a decent night with us heading home at about 1.30am! The plan for Monday was to make Thai, but we couldn't be bothered, so we just made an awesome pot of Tom Yum soup. Hung out, then it was good byes so I could head back to Christchurch. Great weekend, and perfect send off for Jem.