What are the words to Auld Lang Syne, anyway?

The year has only just begun and yet so much has happened! First, I had to throw in this cute photo of our little mate Casey who just turned the big 1 year old! We had to get him a SunDevil shirt of his own since he is surrounded by ASU alum :)

I look out the window on Dec 30th to find this: Brian came home with a new (girlfriend) toy....a dirtbike! His Australian dreams have officially come true. He got a smoking end of year/end of month deal and came home giggling like a little girl who has just met Zac Efron.

I have no idea what kind this is....all his friends reading this are going to roll their eyes but its a..."dual sport?" Meaning its both street legal and can go off road (obviously). Its a 2007 Honda. (Sorry, that's all I know.) B and I actually had separate NYE celebrations as he went off to the Woodford Music Festival and then romped his new bike all over Straddie Island!

I, however, got invited to my friend Ian's hometown of Melbourne. This is the home of Phillip Island (motorbike racing), the Australian Open, the BEST shopping I've ever seen on one street (Paris Hilton was there the day before I got there and spent something like $9,000 in 45 mins), amazing culture, art, music, theatre, beautiful trendy people, and oh yeah.....COLD/WEIRD weather! Mind you its summertime, and I wore a scarf/jacket all week. It would be cold one minute, sunny and warm the next, and in the blink of an eye- raining. Here is Ian and I enjoying cup after cup of cappucinos since they were much cheaper and tastier than the ones in Bris.

This gorgeous city reminded me of Boston, since it is green with trees, has old historical buildings and landmarks, and an incredible public transport system. (Practically nobody drives a car, since you can get anywhere in the city with the subway or trolley) It is also laid out like a grid so you don't get lost as easily as we do in Brisbane.

Let's just say I had the time of my life...and am surprised I lived to tell about my trip! I made some fantastic new friends (above) and partied like it was 1999. I even missed the countdown since I was having so much fun! (Oh and if you're wondering if Brian was jealous at all these cute boys I hung out with....they were gay, so...no!)

2009 is off to a GREAT start! Hope everyone reading this is also off to a healthy and happy new year....we'll be seeing most of you in less than a month! Stay tuned for our AZ itinerary.