So, this is an update about the past weekend and my birthday celebrations. Basically, I had a three day celebration that lasted the entire holiday weekend. It was spectacular. I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant to be in Australia to celebrate my birthday without family or close friends around, but I needn't have worried.
Let me begin by telling you that turning 21 is a huge as deal in Australia. Even though the legal age is 18, like Canada, everyone goes all out for their 21st. I've been told by my Aussie friends that some people spend the equivalent of a small wedding on their party. This was not my plan at all, but I was warned that I was going to have a good time. And by good time, they meant that I would probably not remember the next morning. Derek did tell me that if I didn't throw up, he would not have done his job as my cousin.....
Plans first started off with Marilyn and Jean who were going to plan a dinner party for me at the house Marilyn is staying at in Brisbane. It was just a family type dinner, with cake and some good company. This was going to be on the Sunday of the weekend, which was Anzac Day. I was pretty excited for this, as Andrea and Derek were going to make it back to Brisbane in time for the party so not only was I going to get fed a fantastic meal, I was also going to be able to catch up with them after 3 months!!
However, I also knew that I needed to include my uni friends in something, and we all were itching for a good night out on the town. Since Anzac Day is a public holiday and things close at midnight on the Saturday and Sunday, I chose Friday night as the ideal night to party with the gang and hit up some clubs in the city.
We started out at my place with some drinks and appetizers. Andrea, Derek, my housemates and about 10 of my uni mates all came over to my house and we just chilled for a bit on the balcony, sharing some laughs. Highlights of the night included a "shot game" where I was supposed to find the sprite amongst the shots of vodka on the table....surprise! There was no sprite - only vodka. It was rough. And all Derek's doing. As well, at one point, I was sprayed by champagne and had to wash my brand new dress before going out.....at least I think I remember putting it into the dryer, but I don't think I actually ran it through a wash cycle. Maybe I just rinsed it in the sink....
After we had decided that we probably should make a move, we aimed for the city as our destination. Along the way, we stopped to snap some photos with bronze statues in the park, scare some innocent walkers and probably disrupt the general public. Our first spot was a bar called Union Jacks, where I spent no time getting right up on stage and dancing, Chynoweth-style! I was wearing this big Aussie hat that said, "It's my 21st BDAY!" so I had heaps of people buying me drinks and wanting to dance. They also mostly wanted to steal my hat, and I did spend a fair amount of time trying to get it back off of random people's heads!!
Derek and I did climb onto the garage roof. It was Derek's fault.
Our next bar was a karaoke bar called the Victory. I remember doing some tequila shots while waiting to sing Don't Stop Believin' by Journey, but apparently the queue was too long so we left before we got a chance to sing. Probably for the best, since it was at this point that things got a little hazy for me....
I was told we then went to the next bar, Down Under, where I entered a dancing competition to win $200. I don't remember dancing on stage, losing, or exiting the bar shortly after. I'm told that I was practically carried down a couple blocks to Pancake Manor (a 24-hr pancake hub) where I ordered pancakes and wedges....I do remember eating some, but I was SO tired and the only proof of the manor was a doggy bag in my fridge at home the next morning.
Saturday was probably the worst hangover I have ever had - I could barely sit up until around 3pm, when my housemate forced me out to eat Maccas. Then I spent the rest of the day lying on the couch watching a movie (The Hangover, actually, fitting eh?) and then early to bed. Overall, the photos tell a great story and I will post some of the more appropriate ones here for you to see!!
Sunday evening was Marilyn and Jean's party for me. It was a nice meal, followed by cupcakes and presents! I was so surprised and overwhelemed at how they went all out for me. I couldn't have asked for anything better.
After the dinner party, Kelsey and I went to a bar called Normanby's to meet up with her mates for a while. We lasted a couple hours before peacing out and walking home (turns out that this bar is really close to my house, and it's really good so we plan on coming back!). I didn;t drink much on Sunday - partially because I was still recovering and partially because I knew I needed to be semi-functional for the next couple days and get some work done.
All in all, it was a fabulous weekend and I can't imagine how my birthday celebrations spanned an entire weekend. I almost felt like it was non-stop partying, but I guess that's how the Aussie's do a 21st!! Now, I'm in the process of cleaning my house, organizing school work and preparing to get back into the swing of things over the next couple days!
Thanks to all who sent me birthday messages and cards - Auntie Cheryl and family, Uncle Morris and Auntie Elaine, Gma, Auntie Sharon, Auntie CC, Dad and all my friends on facebook. I feel so loved and despite missing you guys, I know you are all thinking of me!
All my love,
xoxo Daniellle
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