Rain has been to just about every one of my birthdays since I moved to the West Coast (since my 9th birthday). I forgot to tell rain that it wasn't invited this year, so I guess I can't blame it for coming.
My first summer birthday was more like an early spring birthday in Vancouver. It was okay though. We couldn't have gone to the beach even if it was a really nice day. My birthday has this habit of falling right before final exams. For the last four years, Scotty has had to balance my birthday with studying.
I'm used to the drill. I had made a plan to go to the Art Gallery because it's something I wouldn't mind doing on my own if Scotty needed more time to study.
 |
| BIRTHDAY WEATHER |
 |
Source: google.co.nz via Chelsea on Pinterest |
 |
| FINALLY GOT AROUND TO MAKING THE WILDFOX "LET THEM EAT CAKE" TANK TOP |
Scotty shook his head when I told him of my plans to spend the day alone so that he would have ample time to study. I really didn't mind. He's just about done his degree, it won't always be this way. Plus, he pushed our return flight from Australia back so that we would get to have New Years there, AND he got us flight our departure out of Sydney so that I could have my dream of a New Years Eve in Sydney (I think it's from always watching the News and seeing celebrations all around the world- Sydney has always stuck out to me).
 |
| FAIRY BREAD |
Brian gave us a lift down to the Octagon (thanks dad)- Maya's kindy was having her Christmas party that day, and it was Maya's duty to bring the "fairy bread"- a Kiwi/ Aussi classic. Kid's love it. Can you guess what it is by the picture?
Fairy Bread Recipe:
- hundreds and thousands (kiwi way of saying "sprinkles")
- butter
- bread
Scotty was seriously grossed out. Brian tried to force him to eat it and when that didn't work, he strong-armed the birthday girl into giving it a try.
Sweet. Crunchy. Buttery... not my favourite, but I am sure that Fairy Bread would be a hit at any kid's party in Canada too. Kid's go bananas for sprinkles.
 |
| ENTRANCE OF DUNEDIN ART GALLERY |
 |
| GYMNAUSEUM BY JANE VENIS |
Dunedin's art gallery is entirely free to the public. We've now been to two art galleries in New Zealand (we went to the one in Oamaru). That's twice as many Art Galleries as I have been to in Canada.
The Gymnauseum exhibit was interactive. The punching bag made noises when you hit it, the stationary bike made fun of panic dieting, and the Absolution provided an immediate six pack. I heard some art snob whine, "this is art?"
Yes, "Mr. No-fun": EVERYTHING IS ART.
Art galleries are some of the best spots for people watching. Some people stick up their noses at everything, while others stare at every single thing as if it has some deeper meaning that you just don't get.
 |
| ABSOLUTION... IMMEDIATE RESULTS |
 |
| ROCK AND ROLL STEPFORD WIFE |
I'm the girl who takes pictures in the art gallery- such a big "no-no" (relax, I'm not using flash), but I can't help myself. They had a Monet that I just whizzed by. Whoops.
 |
| "DARLING, LET'S BE ADVENTURERS" |
 |
| ART GALLERY CARDS |
I'm beginning to get "clued in" to the art gallery gift shops. So many interesting things in there. The Vancouver art gallery has a really great shop. I just want to bring back truck-loads of souvenirs for all my friends and family.
 |
| I SPY SOMETHING FOR JAC, PENNY AND SOPHIE |
After the art gallery, we hit the public library. Scotty studied while I raided the CD collection for Christmas music to upload, then I found some DVD's to rent and then I caught up on some of the current news stand magazines (magazines are $9 each here!).
 |
| FRANKIE. BEAUTIFULLY BIZARRE |
 |
| VOGUE AUSTRALIA- WE ALL NEED SLIPPER SHOES LIKE THAT |
When I started getting antsy, I headed out to shop for a little birthday pressie for myself. I settled on a crepe, floor length, fuchsia dress from Glassons
We returned to the hostel just as the boys were finishing up their dinner, so Brian got them all to stand up and sing "Happy birthday" to me while I stood there all awkward and red-faced.
Thanks.
 |
| L&P A KIWI CLASSIC "FIZZY DRINK" (NO ONE SAYS "POP" OR "SODA" HERE) |
 |
| BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE KARLIN TO BAKE MY BIRTHDAY CAKE- THESE WILL DO. |
 |
| MADE MYSELF A BIRTHDAY HEAD BAND OUT OF SCRAP FABRIC |
Scotty scoured online menus while i tried to do something with my frizzy rain hair and watched the beginning of Family Stone. We settled on Italian. My mouth started watering when I came to "Broccoli and penne in a blue cheese sauce"- sold.
We finished our meal with a slice of Tiramisu... my favourite, and came back to a present from the Satake's. They're trying to "woo" us into staying longer than May.
 |
| MAYA GAVE THIS TO ME AND SAID THAT TE HEARTS WERE FOR "WHEN YOU GO BACK TO CANADA AND I MISS YOU".... |
 |
| IT'S WINE O' CLOCK |
 |
| WE'VE FOUND THE PERFECT FIZZY SUBSITUTE FOR CHAMPAGNE. SCOTTY ACTUALLY THOUGHT I WAS GIVING HIM WINE. HE STARED AT ME AS IF I HAD LOST IT, AND KEPT HIS STARE ON WHILE HE SMELLED HIS L&P. NEVER TRUST A BIRTHDAY GIRL- WHO KNOWS WHAT SHENANIGANS SHE'S UP TO. |
 |
| POOR GIRLS BIRTHDAY HAT: THE FRONT PAGE OF HER BIRTHDAY DAY'S NEWSPAPER FOLDED INTO A PIRATE HAT. I'M REALLY ONTO SOMETHING HERE: IT'S GONNA CATCH ON. |
Being that we are 21 hrs ahead of Vancouver time, all the messages and emails came the following day. I felt loved, and missed and so so blessed.
"Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live"
NY's eve in Sydney: they have a giant Fireworks display in Sydney Harbour (hello, dream) that my sis & her hubby will be at. Actually, my bro-in-law's dad is on the Pyro team, so they will be on the boat. Holly's invite is pending. So, check out Sydney harbour; if you see a solitary gorgeous girl walking around, it's my sister. Give her a hug from me. If not, she is out on the boat. Give her a wave for me.
ReplyDelete