Hello!  Well just to warn you, this is likely to be my last blog post for a while as I am off to the wilds of Queensland to start my regional work to try and extend my visa for a 2nd year.  So I will get you up to date with the the last few months, which has been a lot of work but thankfully lots of play too! 

I ended up working full time (and more!) at Parliament House, the home of the Victorian Parliament.  Hard work and long days but an amazing team of people to work with, some seriously good food and the chance to work inside an incredible building and learn a little something about politics at the same time.  I was also working the week the Victorian Premiere resigned his position...drama drama drama indeed - and very difficult to get into work with all the media everywhere!

So anyway, amongst all that work there was still plenty of time to have fun....had a picnic in the Botanic Gardens and watched The Hobbit in the outdoor cinema (the rain even held off until the end credits woohoo!), spent weekends at the beach and had a few fun parties at the flat. 

One of the things Melbourne really knows how to do, is put on a free event (London take note!)  And for one night in February, Melbourne's whole CBD was taken over from 7pm to 7am by art, music and dance for the White Night Festival.  Building's were lit up, there were exhibitions everywhere and bands playing on stages all over the CBD and light and laser shows over the river.

And then there was the Australian Grand Prix!  Held in Albert Park (out towards St Kilda Beach) you could hear the cars all the way in the CBD...sooooo loud! It was a great atmosphere when we got there and so much to see...but the most important thing is to get a good spot to see the race!  And what a spot we got!! The boys won us all tickets to go up to the top level of the XXXX bar, which was right between the start line and the first corner.  Covered from the weather, right by the track and with a free beer...what more could you want!! It was a great day :-)

And then it was time to start packing up and getting ready for regional work.  Catching up with all the amazing friends I have made in Melbourne and having one last night out to celebrate how awesome we all are :D  We got dressed up and went to the Crown Casino for champagne and music and dancing...such a fun night - thank you to everyone who has made my time in Melbourne so fantastic!  But now it is on to the next adventure.... Lots of Love and I will be back and blogging as soon as I can xxx

After a fun New Year (flat party and watching the fireworks from our balcony - did I mention how awesome our flat is yet?!) January was a month filled with fun.  The great thing about Australia is that after Christmas it is difficult to get the January blues because it is so sunny!  And for a girl who has had a winter birthday for 27 years, 2013's birthday was very exciting!

Just after New Year, we went to Brighton Beach and saw the kite-surfers and the colourful beach huts and also went to watch the football at AAMI Park, and the team we were supporting won!!

After the football we went back to St Kilda beach (where we were on Boxing Day) and met up with old friends to try and see the elusive penguins.  I saw one penguin...it was very sweet....much smaller than I had expected! And there was also a beautiful sunset...

And then before too long, it was my birthday! I have to admit, I got a little sad a few days before as none of my UK family and friends would be around to help me celebrate...but then I was surprised with a party on the beach with all my Melbourne friends!  It was such a great day with people arriving all day long and into the night...thank you so much to everyone that made it so special :D

And so another month comes to an end....stay tuned for the February and March episodes..! Lots of Love to you all :D xxx

Hooray!! Christmas! And it is slightly strange it being 30 degrees and over and playing Christmas tunes about snow but I love the sunshine so it's all good with me! And get yourself a tree and a massive three course Christmas dinner and there's not much else you need (apart from maybe a teleport to get your family there)!

Melbourne does Christmas very well....and on Christmas Eve, a small bout of homesickess was cured with a trip to see the Town Hall lit up by a light and music show.  It was so good we watched it three times in a row!  Here's some pictures...

We had the hostel gang over for Christmas dinner and had a wonderful three course dinner together....was soooo full afterwards!! Yummy! And what better way to recover from all that food than to hit the beach on Boxing Day - I could definitely get used to this life :D

And a big thank you to everyone for all of my presents!!

Oops....behind on the bloggin again! I would blame the fact that we haven't had internet in the flat for a while but to be honest, I have just been having too much fun :D

Well anyway, after getting back from Thailand, Melbourne was slowly coming into summer....woohoo! However this did mean the hostel was getting super busy and sharing a kitchen with 300 people just isn't that fun when you are working! So into a flatshare I went...and what an amazing flat! I have been absolutely blessed to have lived the last 4-5months in a flat in the centre of Melbourne, with a view of the Etihad and the river and a stunning sunset every night.  Oh and did I mention the gym, pool and jacuzzi in the building? AMAZING!  This is the view...

All moved in and happy happy happy, it was time to see a bit more of Melbourne.....we went to see the War Memorial and the Botanic Gardens, where we saw a turtle in the lake(!) and I saw my first black swan.  The gardens are very beautiful and definitely a great place to go for a picnic...

And of course, you can't explore Melbourne without checking out its bars and cafes - which is very fun!  One place we found down a little laneway is called Chuckle Park and the lights haning in jamjars above you are interestingly reflected in the way your drinks are served...

There are also lots of great rooftop bars in Melbourne, all with great views...unfortunately I just forgot to keep taking pictures!!  But you can just believe me (or come and see for yourself!)....they are all fab :)

So apart from busking, waitressing and soaking up the city, not much more to report until....... (see next post!)