Hello new home!

I don't remember the last time I blogged - I blame Facebook! The new online craze is just too easy to update, find out what others are doing and there's really no where to blog (so ppl don't have to sit for ages reading through your stuff to know what's going on with your life).

ANYHOOS - I now own my very first property. I'm so excited!! But sad at the same time thinking about the mortgage repayments...for 20 years...for life. Haha!

I'll be in Canberra for the rest of the year, so if anyone is there during the weekday - come visit me! Hope all is well and life is happily treating everyone safe and swimmingly.

~Jenn

Because I said so

Saw this movie with mum on the weekend - a really good mother/daughter chic flick to watch. I loved the interactions between Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore! For those who love to go "awww" =)

For the most part of life, it's important

To relish in its' offers
To forgive misunderstandings
To believe there is more
And to love unconditionally
~Jenn

Forty One

We had our 4yr Anniversary at the Forty One restaurant located at Chifley Tower.
Funnily enough, it actually sits on level 42 of the building.

After an ear-popping experience up the elevators, we were greeted with a warm ambience, delightful sparkling views and a smile to a face. We arrived a bit early and was ushered to comfy lounges while we waited. I surprised Peter with the Seiko Arctura Kinetic watch (having spent the entire morning wandering around the watch section in Myer in the city and settling with the luxurious piece). He was ecstatic!

We had the option between the 4 ($130/person), 5 ($140/person) or 6 ($150) course dinner. In the end, we chose the 5 course dinner each – with Peter choosing the matching wines for an extra $60. The menu had a variety of dishes and in the end, we decided on:

Steamed Western Australian Yabbie Tails, Asparagus & Bread Sauce, Vanilla Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Roast Boneless Rack of Gippsland Lamb, Creamed Leeks & Parsley, Sauteed Potato Gnocchi, Black Olive Infused Lamb Jus

Crown Roast of Wild Hare, Celeriac & Pear Puree Chartreuse Jus

~Jenn

Beyonce Concert

OMG - the Beyonce concert was absolutely amazing!! It was so much better than I thought it would be. This has go to be my most fav concert so far =)

She was empowering, entertaining, "booty-licious", sexy and super gorgeous. And she can sing the roof off!!

I loved her all-female band, her costumes, backdrop and mini-skits/instrumental performances which made the whole show a non-stop breathtakinng experience.

She started the show with this beautiful dress - ahhh =) A must see show again if she ever returns!

*hugs*

Jenn

Easter Break

Hope everyone had a fantastic much-deserved Easter break!

I spent mine filled with two movies (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Becoming Jane”). I found TMNT quite disappointing, mainly because I was hoping for some reminiscence of my childhood but didn’t get it. The Turtles, Splinter and April characters turned out quite different to how I remember they were – but hey, I guess being older may have put things into a different perspective?! =P

My mum and I got super teary (I know, corny!) in Becoming Jane – what can I say, we’re suckers for classic romance (sis thought it was boring – ahh, what do the teenagers of today know anyways? Haha).

My last day of the Easter break was topped off with a day spent at the Hyatt Day Spa at The Rocks with Mel and Jenny. 2.5 hours of glorious bliss (included massage, body exfoliation, wrap and conditioning, vichy shower and facial), valet parking and gourmet hotel food for both brekkie and lunch made the end of my long weekend superb! (apart from the overblown budget ;).

The masseur was absolutely to die for – she’s had 7yrs experience and knew exactly where my stress points were - ahhhh. I could have given the Iluka Combination a miss – the vichy shower room was quite claustrophobic and treatment felt rushed. All in all, I’d come back for the massage ;)

Next stop is Spa Chakra at the Taj Hotel at the end of this month with Nattie – I can’t wait! =)

*Hugs*
Jenn

Blue Mountains - Mountain Heritage Hotel

Just spent the weekend away on a relaxing pamper trip with Peter to the Blue Mountains. We stayed at the Mountain Heritage Hotel on a "Divine" package deal. It included: 1hr Massage session, Spa/View room accommodation, buffet breakkie, champagne/strawberries/choccies on arrival, spa bath bliss package and a cocktail each. It was so great!! I feel so relaxed now - exactly what I needed!!

We also went to the Blue Mountains "Scenic World" - where we got to ride the railway (which is the steepest incline railway in the world!!) and see the view from a cable car. Very touristy ;)

We drove up for another 30min to visit a "Carnivorous Plants" display on at the Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens and were bitterly disappointed as we missed the information session and the plants weren't even that great. Ok, so to be honest, I expected large moving sized plants munching away at meat - but I guess not.... haha!

P.S. The lack of original photos from my camera was due to my battery pack failing out on me 1 hour into the trip *sighs*.

Chris, Zena, Peter and I also tried out a new Jap restaurant on Sat night that was recommended by a friend from work. "Sakana-Ya"! We had: Sake, Chicken skewers, deep fried chicken, nimono-style swordfish belly, smoked salmon/salmon roe/challots on a bed of rice, Barasushi (fresh sushimi, fish roe.... on a bed of rice), green tea pudding/green tea icecream/japanese dumpling filled with sweet red bean. Our dinner in pictures...

Hope everyone is making an effort to take time out for yourselves and enjoy life!

*Hugs*

Jenn

Degustation@Peppers

This is my 7th week in Canberra and I’m really enjoying it here. Work is exactly what I want to be doing, the people here (both Syd and Canberrians) are great, badminton is really kicking off and the extra $$$ is a bonus! I’m going to start driving down to Canberra next week – go my Civic! =)

Met up with Jason and Magz for dinner the other night – it was good to see them again. We’re planning to catch up every week for dinner. Should be fun =)

I’m also starting to try out different restaurants every week – I’m becoming a food critic ;) Peter and I tried this restaurant called “Peppers” in Balmain last weekend. A 7 course Japanese fusion degustation. The food was OK - not as tasty as I would have liked it to be, but check it out in pics -->>

Starting with the bread, oily dip and olives (also super yummy hot green tea for me cos I was feeling sickie)

First up for me - Asparagus spears with poached egg, Grana Padano and truffle vinaigrette

First up for Peter - Nicola potato and mushroom terrine with parsley pesto, tomato concasse

We each both had the seared scallops with crispy chorizo, apple, smoked eggplant and sherry vinaigrette

My 3rd dish of the night - Kingfish fillet with papaya, tomato, caper and Spanish onion salsa, lemon oil

I ordered a beef dish, which you can see turned out way too raw for me - so Peter ate this one ;)

We each both had the crispy pork belly with enoki mushrooms, soba noodle, sweet and sour sauce

I swapped my beef with Peter's (thanks dear!) Duck confit tart with pickled cherries, walnut and witlof salad, pinot reduction

Life has definitely taken a turn for the better (and it’s getting more exciting). I’m more focused into my finances, Peter, family and friends. It’s now in life when you’re starting to get older that you realise how important all of these things are.

Let’s make the most of what we have!

*hugs*
Jenn

Happy 30th Bday Adrian!

~Happy Birthday Adrian~

Early Valentines

Peter and I celebrated Valentines early this year – mainly because I’m here in Canberra for Valentines Day. We celebrated by eating yummy food at “Bills” café in Surry Hills on Sat for Brunch. We ordered Corn Fritters and Pancakes and let me tell you, it was yummo!! Highly recommended – but be warned, it does get quite packed. Expect a waiting period.

I then took Peter out to “Rise” at Darlinghurst and experienced the Japanese Degustation. Pictures will tell all…

BLAG-ED

Yes I know, I’ve been a BLAG (it’s a new word I just made up, short for Blog Lagger). Let’s see what you guys have missed:

- Our visit to Bangkok from Phuket
- Christmas 2006
- New Years 2007 @Cruise Bar
- IBM Summer School
- Girly Wollongong Trip
- Lynda’s farewell forever to the UK
- Pumi’s b’day picnic

I’ve also successfully rolled off the Vodafone project and am now working on the Medicare portals team in Canberra. And so begins the travelling again, although this time I don’t mind it so much. I fly in on the Monday morning (yes I have to get up at 5:30am) and I get to fly home on the Friday afternoon. The team I’m working with is great, very friendly. The working dynamics are a lot better – I didn’t believe there were normal working projects outside of Vodafone, but thankfully YES!

Life in Canberra is also quite different – I’m physically more active (played Badminton last Mon and went for an 8km power walk on Wed around the lake) while I’m here and there are a lot more peops from IBM Syd around to hang out with. I also get to hire a car and have managed to get lost at least once everyday. That’s 6 days and counting– I wonder how long it will take me before I really know my way around Canberra. (And everyone keeps saying it’s a small place – nuh-uh - WRONG! =p)

Dinner Degustation @Ottoman for Vanessa's B'day (Me, Ali, Vanessa)

Will keep you all updated.

*Hugs*
Jenns