Dinner with Neighbors

We had dinner with our neighbors a couple weekends ago. A good old Aussie bbq. It was actually a very international event with us being Americans, our neighbors Aussies and the neighbors on the other side German. We decided to each bring something from our native countries. Mel and Hugh supplied plenty of meat, ranging from their version of a hot dog (grilled sausage eaten on white bread with "tomato sauce") to chicken skewers and steak. Nina, Mark and their cousin brought beer and a tomato and feta bake. We decided to make macaroni salad and rice krispy treats! Can you believe that they have never had rice krispy treats before?

It was funny that the dominant conversation that night was about what Germans do on Saturday mornings. Hugh was so interested that he kept asking questions. What time do you wake up? Do you wash your car first or go to the local bakery? What happens if you don't open your blinds by 7am? What do you eat for breakfast? We spent quite a few minutes discussing this last question. So much so, that we decided our next dinner would consist of only international desserts. A German fruit cake (what we would consider a fruit custard tart), pumpkin pie and the Aussie pavlova (a marshmallow casing with fruit inside). I'll remember to ask for recipes!

A Touch of Circus

Every year, KPMG Sydney's social club puts on a ball. Last year it was a Masquerade Ball and this year, the theme was "A Touch of Circus". The ball was to be held at a circus venue, similar to a combination of Family Fun Center and Knotts Berry Farm. When I first found out about the theme, I was thinking jumbo red shoes and zebra mask and tail. Then I realized this was not Halloween and that no one else was going to dress up! Lili brought a bag of big bows for us to use but it never made it out of the bag. Probably because everyone else had the bright idea of wearing the exact same big bows.

I am highly dissappointed that I did not get a picture of the most amazing part of the night! When we walked in, we were flanked the entire way by waitors holding trays of alcohol... multiple types of beer, red wine, white wine and champagne. This is the way that all parties should start!

You could tell that the social comittee put a lot of effort into the night. There were streamers everywhere, colorful lights, smoke mister and a DJ. To be honest, it reminded me alot of my high school prom. Except this time around, the alcohol was legal and free flowing.


Besides the okay food, the plentiful alcohol and the pretty cool circus performers, I also got a tattoo! Unfortunately, I do not have a photo to show you. But take my word for it, it was a bad ass Chinese dragon across my back. It only lasted about 2 days.

Overall, we had a good time. But not as good as our friends Renae and Dylan. Just look at them rocking out on the dance floor!