Otter Paddle.

The 20th of November: Hamlet's first day at the beach.



It was 24 degrees and Nick, Hamlet and I headed to the Dog beach in Brighton. Hamlet was overwhelmed by all the new experiences, smells and placement. We took him a on the walk to the sand he was bombarded by all the people and dogs that passed on the way. When we got there, he was a little skeptical, slinking back whenever he got the chance. By within half an hour, he managed to slut his way onto many laps and into counted teenage girls arms. As well joining in the chase of dogs around the beach. His poor little legs didn't get him too far in the race, but he did the absolute best he could.



Eventually we got him into the water. And he didn't like it. And all he get was his paws wet. Soon we managed to get him to swim. He looked like an otter through the water, he was so small and when got out he looked like a drowned rat. Poor thing, he looks nothing like a dog when he's wet. And so managing to venture to the first lap he saw for comfort. Haha.





It was time to leave, we had all the 'he's gorgeous, how is old he? 'and 'what type of dog is he?' we could handle. We headed back home. Fish and chips for dinner as stereotyped. It was a long and relaxing day. We loved it!

A Long Time Forgotten

I have realised that I haven't written in a while and figured I would give it my best to write again.
I am finding the world is full of unexpected surprises. There's feelings you develop and thoughts you process that you realise you haven't discovered before. I guess that's a part of growing up in a sense. I am sometimes frightened of how things can suddenly jump out at you and how you feel you've ran into a giant reality-bricked wall. There's a lot I am slowly trying to understand. And a lot I am learning to be mature about. Life is like a carousel. It goes round and round until you get dizzy and want to get off and try something new. And it's okay to do so, it's alright to try new prospects and experience things that are at some points increasingly challenging.

What I am getting at is that as I grow older, I decide I want more things. Nothing materialistic, that's never been a characteristic of mine. It's mostly emotional. Like discovering a side of you that you didn't know exsisted and never thought could ever surface. I am finding the mirror reflects different faces everytime I glance into it; it shows a different me - a more attractive, intelligent, exciting personality. An individual that's not so afraid anymore.

There's also new additions to my life. Both unexpected and joyful. For instance, my four boys: Nick, Zepplin, Hamlet & Diego. All of which overwhelm me. I am finding nothing fulfils me more than the experiences I have with them. They're my family.

I guess I am having some sort of revelation, an epiphany of you will. I am realising that there are things I want in life. And that is something that has eluded me for quite some time. I am not trapped in a bubble anymore. I know what I want to be and who I want to be with and where I want to go. I have made a decision; for once in my life, I am certain.

Strawberries in Wine & Chocolate

My Birthday.

It all started, waking up in the morning and realising Dawn and Chris were still in bed, when they said they were leaving before I even wake up. I walked in and am about to wake up Dawn when Chris looked at me and smiled. I asked him, ' I thought you were suppose be gone before I got up?' He asked, 'What time is it?' 'Twenty past seven.' 'Shit! Dawn, your alarm didn't go off.'

It gave me a chance to say goodbye to them this morning seeing as I wasnt going to see them before they go to New Zealand. Dawn gave me a big hug and wished me happy birthday and said, 'My alarm did go off, but I think I turned it off and went back to sleep :p' Haha.

From there I went to class where I was greeted with many birthday wishes from my friends. We had a small party for the end of class and my birthday with some fabulous cheesecake made by my teacher Chris. After that I met Nick at Oakleigh station and we headed into the city for the night.

Park Hyatt Hotel

We checked into the Park Hyatt. Such a big and beautiful hotel. We got our key and Nick managed to direct us to the wrong elevator, typical :) The room was magnificent, the view was interesting. You saw the little gardens behind the pool.

King Size Bed

The bedroom/bed was ginormous. It practically swallowed me whole. The doona was filled with feathers and the mattress was so soft; I could've stayed there all night.

Bathroom, including spa bath.

The bathroom looked like it was sparkling with diamonds, that's how bright it was. The bath was even better and later that night, Nick brought out candles and lit them around the bath itself and we had strawberries dipped in chocolate and wine while we relaxed in the bubbles. I felt all my stress release from my body and was content staying there for an hour or so.

From left: Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi & Frankie Valli

Before the bath though, we went and saw Jersey Boys. We sat six rows from the front. It was fantastic! And with Nick sitting there in his suit, he could've almost joined them; it would have been funny seeing him try to sing that high. The music and dancing were incredible and I just loved it!

The whole night was amazing. Nick took me on the ferris wheel that lived near the MCG. You could see the whole city from up there. The south bank shimmered in the lights from the Casino and Arts Centre. The breeze was on my face and Nick was yelling everytime we got to the top. It was the best surprise! It was just the two of us going round and round. The whole night was something I could only dream about.

Waking up was very hard indeed. I really didnt want to leave. Shower and dressed and away we went. Then a couple of minutes wait for the person who brings up the cars to bring up Nick's. Then the hotel was just a distant memory before it became a tiny speck in the background. It was a night I would never forget and the best birthday ever! Thank-you, Nick. xx

Flanagan's!

The night of fun has begun. We all went out for Chris' 23rd birthday. We, as in Nick, Dawn, Chris, Ben, Steph, Kristi, Michael and I, went down to Flannie's at about 9. Drinks started, then dancing started. To begin with, it was just Steph and I up on the dance floor shaking our booties, and getting lost in the smoke machine swirling round the dance floor. The music was pumping.

Eventually, after much persuasion and many Southern Comforts, Dawn got onto the dancefloor with us. I figured, after way too many attemps, that Dawn cannot shake her bootie :p She reckons she's 'too good for bootie shaking.' I think it's just laziness. I personally enjoy dancing, and nothing beats a very good bootie shake. BOOTIE SHAKE! (yes, I am going to keep repeating it)

Chris, Ben, Steph, Kristi and Michael went to JB's pool for a couple of games and left Dawn, Nick and I at Flannie's. I danced on the floor by myself for a while because I wasnt going to leave Dawn at the table by herself. I realised that that was probably a bad idea, because I was alone on the dancefloor. This probably skipped through this guy's mind because he decided to grab my butt. Not nice. I told him to back off because I had a boyfriend. It shocked me when he did (they usually don't.) So I got to continue for a little while before dancing by myself got lonely. I went back to the twosome and waited with them until the rest of the guys got back.

The guys got back about an half an hour or so later and Dawn, Steph, Nick and I got dancing again. Then everyone joined in. By this time we all had very many drinks and the night was just getting started, or so I thought, apparently Chris etc didn't and decided they wanted to go home. Nick and I didnt like this, so we stayed. Why leave when you're enjoying yourself so much. It was hilarious watching Nick try and play a game of deer shooting on one of the arcade games whilst being drunk. Safe to say he didnt hit many. We stayed until 2am before taking the hike back home.

The night was full of fun and laughter, it was good to go out dancing again. I haven't been for a while. It was nice to spend some time out with friends. Happy 23 rd Birthday, Chris!

Dawn & I before a fun night out.

From the left: Nick, Me & Dawn.

Weekend at Warrnambool

It started with a three hour train ride from Southern Cross Station. On the way I met a young girl who was heading home for her holidays from Ballarat Uni, of which she's studying Drama. Other than that, I read the rest of the way. When I got to the station, I practically fell into my dad's arms as I was so exhausted from a day that started at 7am.

I got to my dad's house and caught up with my step-mum and sister(who is going to Perth this Saturday, very sad). I finally saw my new sister Abigail-you know pictures really do make people look bigger than they are, she's so small and adorable. That night when I went to bed, my sister Mandy started talking and eventually climbed into my bed. We talked about pretty much everything, I've missed talks like that, and am going to miss them even more when she moves. It was good to spend some quality time with her and am planning on seeing her again before she leaves.

The next day started again at 7am, leaving my 5 hours sleep after our catch-up chat. That's when I got to see the rest of the Medwin clan, including: Elijah, Jeremiah, Bethany, Naomi and of course Abigail. Also Ashley was there too, who is not my sister but knows our family quite well enough to be one of the tribe.

We headed to a lookout to take many pictures for Mandy to take with her to Perth and so Dad had recent ones of us. After rolling down the hill and managing to get grass stains all over our pants, we dropped Mandy off at the station, said our goodbyes(very emotional) then trotted over to a nice little restaurant called 'Pebbles'. I shared a very nice satay chicken salad.

Next and last day at Warrnambool was spent having a lovely morning bacon and egg Mcmuffin from 'Maccas', then got dragged to a small church hidden in a primary school gym. Afterwards it was my turn to go home. And after a three hour coach ride, an hour v-line train ride and another hour long metrapolitan train ride, I was home.

Rain was pouring at intervals of every five minutes and the millipedes and snails found their way to the front door, as well as late night 'Pride and Prejudice' and reading more than I can handle of the 'House of Night series', the weekend that was Warrnambool, was and will always be a cherished memory. Miss and love you all, Medwin Clan.

Cairns Birdwing

Nick and I arrived at the Melbourne Zoo, and already we were in a flurry of confusedness. Firstly, I was reading the map wrong. I thought we entered through the main gate but really, considering that we took the train in, we came in the train entrance. So my search for the gorillas was pointless, as they were on the other side of the Zoo. Nick, of course, took the reigns after that not trusting me with the map.

We had arrived quite late in the day and thought we weren't going to see everything in the Zoo. Baby Mali was on show that day, but we didn't get a chance to see her, considering the massive line that was a hundreds years long(yes, I am exaggerating, but only slightly :P)

We saw all the Australian animals first, can't tell you that that was a highlight, far from it. It got more entertaining as we moved onto the zebras, watching them interact with giraffes was quite amusing, as was Nick's cute teasing that I should get him an ice-cream because he'd been a 'good boy', hah not likely. But I am nice so he got his ice cream and we headed to the big cats. I love big cats, the way they are exactly like small cats except they're bigger and could probably rip your throat with their teeth. My cat, if he had the chance, would rip my throat out for not getting his dinner to him on time. Bless his soul.
The lions, I found, quite whiny. But that's like most males. I guess it can't help being couped up with other males and not having a female in sight, as well as, having the hyenas' devilish laugh right in the next pen. Yep, I'd be very whiny too.

Eventually we got around to everything in our short space of time. Got on the train very exhausted. And even Nick's little muse about 'nobody ever falls asleep on the train' didn't stop him from taking a small nap on my shoulder. Overall, a fantastic day and one I plan on doing again somewhere in the future.

Cairns Birdwing: Rare Queensland Butterfly.