Party season (^O^)/

Ever since I went to the Chinese doctor/herbalist/acupunture therapist about my ankle, who gave it a painful massage, jabbed my un-injured ankle with acupuncture needles in 2 spots and gave it a smelly herbal treatment, it has been feeling a lot stronger. Or would it be the same with no treatment? I think going back to my weekly Pilates lunchtime class 2 weeks ago, has also helped the healing process. I think I will try to work it a bit more this week...might try the exercise bike and treadmill. I've been feeling so lazy and unfit these couple of weeks! *sigh*

I have been doing plenty of partying though.^^
It's been 4 years since I spent Christmas here in Sydney and it's busier than I remember it ever being.

The JETAA Christmas Party was 2 weekends ago. (Sorry, no photos...) They booked out one section of a hotel bar in Glebe which was quite nice. I spent most of the evening chatting with people I already knew, but I also met 2 nice Japanese girls on working holiday visas whose English was amazing. Too bad I didn't meet them earlier...they're leaving in February. (T~T)

Last weekend, I went to my cousin & cousin-in-law's joint b'day/xmas/graduation/new house party. It was also at a hotel bar, but in Newtown. The private space they booked was an open deck area with a small room attached, and access to a separate bar area. It was just the right size for the number of people who went. The finger food they served was great; there was a cheese platter, a fruit platter, sushi, sausage rolls, spinach and fetta pastries...almost buffet style! A big thumbs up, and congrats!^^

My work end-of-year party was last Monday night. Yes, Monday night. Probably coz it's cheaper and they organised it so late. It was my first work-related end-of-year party with an western company. Very different to the Japanese enkai.^^ I liked the venue, which had a great view of Sydney Harbour. We were lucky it didn't rain; it's been so wet and gloomy these 2 weeks. I wish my mood wasn't so dependent on the weather...(^^;) Anyway, there was quite a big turnout and most people seemed to be having a good time, myself included, despite the disappointing food menu (they served the same 5 or so dishes - which weren't particularly tasty or satisfying - throughout the night!) and LC dragging me out onto the dance floor (jk^^). I like to watch people dancing but I don't like to dance. I guess all those ballet and tap dance classes I took during my primary school years has done nothing for my dancing instincts - I'm too uncoordinated! I wonder if dancing lessons could help me now? Or perhaps it's a confidence thing...

On Saturday (after accompanying my friend to check out a local gym class and half a day of shopping^^) I attended my friend's work party at a German restaurant/bar at the Rocks which she kindly invited me to. Unfortunately I don't think I'm quite cut out for German food. It's a bit too rich and heavy for the likes of me. Though I must admit, the mashed potato was great! The live music was cheerful but it was rather loud, which made it very difficult to keep a conversation going for long. Shouting across the table didn't help my already sore throat. I hope I haven't caught the bad cough my youngest brother has...must get more sleep this week!

Photos here

Today, I tried out the Body Step class at another gym with APFC whoc is shopping around for a gym. It was my first time going to Body Step - it's quite hard core and requires good coordination. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep up with the moves (T~T). And it didn't help that my quads were sore at half time! I almost slipped off the Step a couple of times which was kinda dangerous. Well hopefully this will motivate me to do some more exercise this week!