hello all, happy new year !! hope you all had a good one. Just a short blog, sorry. i qued up with friends for FIVE HOURS to get into the botanical gardens, spend the day there, and get ready for the fireworks...didnt have a great view, because surprisingly enough, there are loads of trees in the gardens, which made it impossible to see! had a good time, although I have had such a bad cold, I have not drunk for nearly 5 days now! well until last night!....

my dad's boss jaspal took me out for dinner with his family to a brasserie in kings cross, it was lovely, he was so very kind. I had oysters, and mojito cocktails, wine, tiger prawns and chocolate fondant! very tasty indeed. He also gave me my favourite christian dior perfum as a christmas present!! I was so surprised. I'm glad I took them a decent bottle of wine when I arrived now! but I got white and I think he drinks red...whoops. It was a lovely evening and I can't wait to spend some time with them again soon on the beach when I move to coogee on the 5th!

Rachel from my oz intro group has arrived, so im going to take her to see the harbour today as its a bit overcast...again!! I am starting to miss the girls a little! after seeing their new years/christmas photos of them all together, looks like you had a great time!! :-(

Am really looking forward to seeing the gang now, the oz intro week is going to be such a laugh! and then cant wait to book my first proper leg of my trip and head up the east coast. Went to see surfside backpackers room last night where rach is staying, till we all arrive...what a dive! compared to wake up. I'll miss wake up! it has been like a hotel compared to the other hostels I will experience on my trip I'm sure! Oh well, all part of the backpacker experience I suppose!!

Right best be off, I'll try and write a decent blog as soon as I can, perhaps after my oz intro week, then I'll have so much to say! Miss everyone, xxxxx amy