Tuesday
11th November - Thursday 20th November 2003
Week 38, Day 128 to Week 39, Day 137
I had been so excited about heading home and seeing everyone again.
I hadn't realised just how much I had missed being around the fam and
all my friends. I was greeted at the airport by my parents and Nikki
& Jules. Nikki, I discovered from the moment I came down the walkway,
is now obssessed with taking photos and took some shockers of me as
I arrived. Did she not realise I had just travelled for 30 hours?!!
The hectic life began the next day. I took mum to work and then did
some errands - seeing doctors, buying clothes, sorting out bank accouns
and the like. I took my father to lunch - spending quality time with
my parents was high on the agenda. Went to Redfern to visit Jan (my
old neighbour) and also ran into Evie so I chatted with them for ages.
I went into a store nearby to check out some dresses for my sister's
ball, and found one for only $50! What a bargain! Came back home, got
ready and then Nikki picked me up for my night out. We went to a Latin
Funk class in Netwon (I always thought I had some kind of coordination
until that point) and then over to The Sly Fox for cheap cocktails and
a Drag King night. When I had said to my friends that I needed more
oestrogen in my life, that's not what I had in mind! Yes, it's a lesbian
place on a Wednesday night, but it was somewhat hilarious and the cocktails
were a dream. Jules, Amanda, Cassie and Bron all turned up. Even had
a surprise visit from Amy and Jules' cousin, Paula, which was great.
It was just like old times. Highlight had to be the remix of Justin
Timberlake with 'Pump up the Jam' by Technotronic - talk about flash
back!
The next day saw more errands, this time with mum in tow. We headed
to Marrickville so I could get some Vietnamese spring rolls - yum!!!
Then headed to Eastgardens for lunch so I could purchase some food items
for my cook off for Saturday and I couldn't resist the urge to have
a Boost juice - one of the many I had that week!! They are SO addictive.
Was meant to go out that night to Loaded, but everyone was calling in
ill so I decided not to go.
Friday was the big one. More running around like a mad person and then
the evening saw a big night out. Jules came by and my mother dropped
us off at William St. We met up with Amanda and Cassie for Big Boys
Thai. Jules' friend Cade, and his g/f Michelle also joined us. While
we were about to order, who should pass by? Santi and Carolyn! So they
popped in for a bit too, and were late joined by Ben. It was lovely
to see the guys again and catch up with everything.
We then headed to Bar William, which is now called Fusion and is alot
more expensive than I remember it. Cocktails are not so good, or perhaps
it was just the bad bar tender! I want to say a big thanks to all those
who turned up that night because it was awesome. Rob & Sam, Belinda,
Mark, Stephen, Jason... it was so great to see you guys. We stayed long
enough to get a little tipsy and then those who weren't going home moved
over to the very tacky World Bar in Kings Cross. Jules, Nikki, Amanda
and I were trying to recreate the fun atmosphere from when we visited
the World Bar in Queenstown, New Zealand and discovered the joys of
cocktails in teapots. So bought a bunch and then just had those. I was
not drunk at all, nor was Jules. But Nikki kept saying to me 'I have
never been so trashed!' and Amanda and Cassie were pretty gone themselves.
Bron was about doing the rounds, and I ended up talking to some friends
of the guy Amanda had ended up chatting to. I was pissing myself with
laughter over the conversation I had with one of them, Lee, and how
we were breaking down the horrible body language we were seeing from
all the people around us, and taking bets on how old we thought the
two young lads were in front of us. Nikki and Jules eventually went
for coffee at Deans around the corner, and I then joined them. It was
really weird to be back there as that had been our regular meet up place
for some time before I came over. And the funniest of all was to see
Danny, the waited that Jules had a crush on and called Diego for a long
time before we found out his real name. Just like old times. Then us
three caught a cab home and went to bed.
Saturday saw my sister Nicole back home (so we caught up) and me cooking
- you know I'm in my element when I get the chance to do so. I was so
prepared that it was 5:30pm and I had nothing to do! Dinner wasn't until
8pm. The menu was as follows:
Starters - Artichoke dip + toasted Brioche
Entree - Two-toned Vegetable soup
Main - Beef with Bousin sauce, Kumera & Feta Fritatta, Warm Mushroom
Salad &Fried Rice
Dessert - Mini White Chocolate Cheese Cakes with Almond Bread and Baked
Summer Fruits
All in all it went well. Even made room for some Krispy Kreme donuts
which were brought in on my behalf (as I had never tried them and are
all the rage at the moment) and then picked at some English chocolate
and crisps I brought in for everyone to try. Nikki was most impressed
with the Yorkie bar with it's two captions - 'Not for Girls' and 'Do
not feed the birds' written in large letters on its packet.
Sunday was the family day. Helped mum with cooking - dessert was my
thing so I made a pavlova (even though it turned out a little flat)
& mum's favourite portuguese cake, Bolo De Molato (it's a cinnamon
cake). I also made my Aunt Helena's Portuguese Pork to show mum how
to do it. My brother Mario, Carmen, Bianca & Justin came, as did
my godmother Lourdes, sister Luisa with niece Sonya, and family friends
Nini & Silva along with Tanya & her b/f, Tony. We were all there
for ages just eating copious amounts of good food and talking. Just
like most sundays spent back home :)
Monday was time to get cracking on some preparations for Nicole's presentation
ball - the whole reason I went to Australia! We booked some appointments
and bought some jewellery. I took my father for lunch again and then
hung about until the evening when I went to Nikki's for dinner. Bec
and the kids - Jessie, Matty & James - were there as was Jules.
It was great to see those kids again as they've really grown in the
last 9 months, especially James who is just an adorable kid. Again,
just like old times with the girls!!
On Tuesday, Nicole and I went to visit the hairdresser for them to work
out what to do with her hair. On the way, we stopped to buy a hand bag
to match Nicole's outfit. Then we returned for lunch and went to get
our nails done and a pedicure. Mum joined us too. That evening I went
to see Gillian and Doyle, the couple I used to babysit for, and the
kids - Olivia, Nicholas & William. Again, kids really grow up in
a short amount of time! I sat talking for a while and it was nice to
be in that familiar household again. Jules then picked me up and we
went for Sushi with Bron and Nikki down at Bondi Beach. The whole purpose
of the evening there though was for me to have Pompeii's gelato - and
boy did it taste good! I had Raffaelo, Pistachio and Tira Misu. Ahhhhh,
heaven!! I briefly met Bron's cute boyfriend, Chris when he picked her
up and then headed home.
Wednesday was the big day. Nicole and I went to the hair dresser, where
I ran in to Mel's mother who was also going! That was rather funny.
Spent hours getting our hair done and talking to my hairdresser, Fred,
about Australian Idol and how it's much better and not as rigged as
Popstars (what the?!). After, we went home briefly before going to get
make-up done. As I sat there watching my little sister Nicole get hers
done, I got all sentimental with the realisation that she's all grown
up. She looked so beautiful!
Came back home in time for Nicole to be picked up by her partner for
the evening, Nikki's brother Dave. They went off for pre-drinks at Nicole's
friend's place, and I got ready. I discovered that I had a horrible
burn mark from the pedicure the day before, only to come to the conclusion
later on in the evening that it wasn't a burn mark, but an allergy from
whatever they had put in the water! It looked so hilarious - as you'll
see in the photo - but I was lucky I had a long dress so you couldn't
see it.
The evening went well, without a hitch. All the girls looked great (some
attrocious but at least most of them were lovely). Danced a little,
and socialised a little but I was just so tired and we were home by
midnight.
Thursday came and I spent most of the day packing my things. I couldn't
believe just how fast the time had passed and how much I managed to
do! That afternoon I met up with Rachel, a friend I met through Dave,
and had coffee. It's funny meeting up with friends after the time I've
been away because it felt like I had never left and there's always this
feeling of familiarity and comfortableness that makes you want to never
leave. Of course it was the same with Rach, and it was lovely to see
her smile again :)
It wasn't long after that that I headed to the airport (after devouring
my favourite Sushi Roll sushi ;) ). I was worried I wouldn't get on
with my luggage and would get charged, but not a word was said and everything
went on fine. My brother Mario, Carmen, Bianca & Justin came to
say their goodbyes too. And then it was all over. I was back on the
plane, the long haul to the UK. The flight back was awesome though it
seemed longer. I was on a Qantas flight with the new entertainment system
- where everyone in Economy has their own TV screen and there are games
and things to play on it too. So I managed to amuse myself most of the
way.
So that was my trip! And it felt like it happened a million years ago
when I got back already! Oh well! Next time :)
All photos ©Vanessa T. Martins & Nicole M. Samra,
2003.
