This weekend I travelled down to Carrum Downs once again to see Tom and Jill for my birthday. The 11th of February was the day, and I am now the ripe old age of 25. Tom and Jill offered to take me out for an indian buffet meal in Frankston, and I could not pass up that offer!

On Friday the 10th, I checked out of North Melbourne Metro hostel for the second time, and headed into the centre of North Melbourne. After a second stay, North Melbourne still holds a warm place in my heart, and the hostel has not decreased in my ratings. However, some of its inhabitants have.

The start of the week at the hostel had me alone in the dorm room, but as the week went on the room filled up. On wednesday night I experienced my first sleepless night, thanks to the most disgusting smelling person I have ever met. I can not exaggerate this enough. I have been able to sleep through road works, through people vaccuming the room, through people getting up and about at 3am, but the stench this man emitted was enough to keep me awake. Truely horrific. Thankfully this is the worst experience I have had in Melbourne Metro and one sleepless night I can deal with.

Walking up into the centre of North Melbourne was a new experience for me, having spent most of my time heading the opposite direction, towards the CBD. North Melbourne is a predominantly quiet suburb, espeically the deeper you head into it. As I reached the centre I snapped some photos of the town hall and surrounding area, before catching the tram out to Flinders street. Upon arriving at Flinders street, I quickly transferred to a train on the Frankston line, my final destination Carrum Downs.

After arriving at the house, I said hello to Molly and passed out on the couch for most of the day. It was a nice relaxing break from a more intensive week of work, and a very welcome one. One fantastic piece of news I received was that, finally, my banking issues had been resolved. I now have money in an Australian account, opening up the last remaining barriers to getting a house share and sorting out my internet connection out here. I was very happy, actually scaring poor Molly with my exuberant cheering. Later in the day Tom and Jill returned from work and we spent the evening catching up, before the clock struck 12am and I turned 25.

The day of my 25th birthday was a quiet and lazy one for the most part, just what the doctor ordered. In the evening Tom, Jill, Stuart (Tom and Jills son), Brooke (His wife) and Cassie took me out for my birthday indian buffet, and I enjoyed the evening immensely, managing 3 plate fulls before having to pass on any more food. My stomach has definitely shrank in the last month! Sunday the 12th of Febuary was again another lazy day, mostly spent talking with Tom, Jill, Phil and Cassie. One amusing event was the bathing of Molly, the results of which are photographed for your viewing pleasure. Bless her!

Monday arrived all too quickly, and it was back to the city and to South Yarra, returning to the Claremont Guest House. I did a quick video review (feedback welcomed again) of the place, before spending the day house share hunting.