Tour de Chambre & The Horse Race

If you ask me, I would say that Friday's Tour de Chambre was the best party in Australia ever. Each of 16 rooms had a unique theme and drink. My theme was the Eighties, and my drink was a vodka sunrise (I kind of modified the screwdriver by adding raspberry cordial and glazed cherries). Inga did a western theme and had whiskey and coke, Maija did a sauna theme, Judith's room was the forrest and she had Jagger Bombs. Alice's room was "under the sea," and she had jello and ice cream. Soyoung had Asian beer and coconut rice laid out in an Asian setting, complete with origami cranes. Sara's room was a pirate ship. Laura's theme was France with French martinis. Toby's room was Mexico, and, naturally, he had tequila shots - and in addition he had oranges with cinnamon! Props to Rasmus who thought the whole thing up. When you walked into his room you were transported to a drinking festival in Denmark. Morten and Henrik had great music and Red Bull drinks. My favorite two were Tom's Fire Fighters theme with flaming sambuca shots, and the Scottish boys' teaching everyone how to do some Scottish jigs and dances to bagpipe music! Oh, it was such a great time. After making the rounds I felt like I'd been around the world in 16 mini-parties: Finland, Germany, the US, Denmark, Scotland, Mexico, Asia, France and even the sea!

Yesterday was Australia's premier spring horse race! Even after a night of drinking and mayhem 13 of us managed to be up and looking fine for the race (it's a very posh event). I'd been to the horse tracks once before in Anderson. It wasn't anything like the race in Brissie, though. Here women dressed up in fancy ensembles, complete with feathered hair accessories, and the guys wore suits and ties. We had a lot of fun. Horse #2 won the race that we watched. Shortly after that we grabbed some lunch, hung out, and then Inga and I went to see the horses after they raced. Horses are such beautiful creatures! I learned that horses used to have a thumb-like digit but it's kind of sawed away - you can spot it on the inside of the horse's knee. Any way, it was a fun event! (Here's the website for the race.)

Back home the family has been busy, busy! Mom has taken on several new children at the daycare, including some babies. I don't know how she does it, but she's a powerhouse. Sam is tossing around the idea of getting a summer job. He's thinking about the go-kart track or the horse track. Dad's been busy with work and senior portraits, and Chucky just started life guarding at the Dolphin Club.

Yesterday a bunch of my family and Adam went to run a race for cancer for my Aunt Dawn. It didn't quite go according to plan, but the bottom line was that everyone made the best of it, had fun, and got Coldstone Creamery ice cream. = )

Here is some new Aussie slang:
*Goodonya = good job, good for you
*Goon = cheap, boxed wine
*sexy time partner = friend with benefits
*are you right? = are you okay?, are you being helped at the moment? (in a shopping setting)

New Aussie food/snacks:
*meat pie (think pot pies but not nearly as good)
*tongue brush mints (they're Eclipse mints with ridges so you can brush your tongue)
*nougat (mmm, plain, with almonds or ginger - yum!)

Some Aussie differences:
*speed limits are painted on the road
*tyre = tire
*people don't wear tennis shoes unless they are doing something regarding sports
*fries in Australia = chips in the US
*biscuits in Australia = cookies in the US
*women wear stretchy pants and tights with just about anything

The other night I saw Ironman. I am so proud of myself: I have no quelms with going to the movies alone. It was kind of nice. I got the popcorn all to myself, hehe! Any way, I had no idea what to expect of the movie since I'd never heard of the comics and hadn't seen any previews. Turns out Downey, Jr. and Gweneth did a great job! I loved it - the suit and house were pretty awesome! I thought it was pretty funny when Pepper said she even took out Mr. Stark's trash, haha!

I've been working on plans for an un-official Purdue C&IT reunion in Florida while I'm in the area this summer. Should be lots of fun. It sounds like we'll be in Melbourne and Orlando so we'll get both the beach and city night life. I miss those guys so much, too! Now we just need the Sees, Leshney and Peelman to move South, haha.
purdue reunion in florida

New Nike+ challenges have been started. Last I checked I was in the lead with 7 miles. The challenge is the first to 40 miles. I can't let my mother beat me, again! = P

Here is the plan for my three weeks in Indiana before I head to Orlando for my internship:

29 June - Return to the US
1 July - Mother/Daughter day
2 July - Father/Daughter day
3 July - To Indy with Adam
4 July - Picnic with Adam and company, to Salamonie
5-6 July - Camping at Salamonie
7 - Evening with Mom
8 - Zoo with Mom and company
8-9 July - Purdue visit
10 July - Running with the ARRC
11-16 July - Dale Hollow with Adam and family
17 July - Adam's Ultimate game
20 July - To Orlando

It's going to be three crazy weeks! Oh, I am excited, though - I miss home so much!

New Photos are up on Facebook (that wraps up Easter Holiday - yay! I did it!):

Easter Holiday: Fraser Island, 28 March
Easter Holiday: Fraser Island, 29 March - Part 1
Easter Holiday: Fraser Island, 29 March - Part 2
Easter Holiday: Fraser Island, 30 March

Okay, that's all I've got for now.

-Amanda