Two weeks of a bit of Eating, Pamering and Partying

So I woke up realizing that I did not want to work… So I didn’t!!!! Caitlin to no surprise had the same feeling once she realized that I wasn’t going in for work. We decided that today could be a tourist/spa/write postcards at a café day hee hee. It’s funny how you are so tired and never want to get out of bed when you have to go to work but all a sudden we had the biggest burst of energy when we decided not to go to work. I must say it was a little rush using the liberty and benefits of casual teaching, where I don’t have to work if I don’t want to!
We got all dolled up and went out for the day. We stopped at the post office first because I had gotten a notice that I had a package. I was thrilled because my mom and niece had told me a week or so ago that they had sent off a gift to me. When I picked it up it was the perfect gift, a cute leather jacket that I had seen before I left and had wanted. Since it is winter here the gift is quite fitting plus it looks great on me… according to Caitlin of course because I am not smug enough to come out and boost about how good I look.
After putting on my great jacket (or jumper, which is what Australians call jackets here), we were off to the city. We stopped at a souvenir shop first and got 10 postcards each. We then went to Southbank, the cute modern area on the otherside of the river. We went to a darling café to get a cup a coffee and write our postcards to our most dear family members and close friends. It was such a beautiful day that we sat outside while enjoying our coffee and getting writer’s cramp. Afterwards we went to a great shopping area to find a spa. We found one but wasn’t too impressed so we went down St. Kilda Rd. We stopped at the most delightful restaurant. The ambiance was incredible, small and classy without being pretentious. We had an amazing lunch with a glass of wine. The staff there is super friendly and super attentive. We ended up both getting the lunch box special. It had a little bit of everything, white bean soup, beat salad, sausage roll and the best part, a praline éclair. It was delicious and we were on cloud nine. We then went home to look up the spa we had seen over the weekend. We found it and called to make appointments. They couldn’t get us in then but they were able to for the next day.
A little while later the other flatmates came home and we got ready for our big Friday night on the town. The first part of the night consisted of us having multiple guests over to start the night off. It was fun to have our little Australian home as a meeting place for our now expanding crew. We had the usually, the flatmates (Caitlin, Amy, Dean and me), Sam, and our new friends Danni and Nicole. We were all delved into wonderful conversation and lots of laughs. Danni is an actual Australian, so it was cool to have her over. Nicole had only been in Australia for a day and was mentioning she wasn’t thrilled with the location of the place she was living at. We mentioned we had a pull out couch that she could sleep on if she needed. She was overjoyed to hear that and said she would love to split rent 5 ways with us if we are serious because she loved us and our place. We instantly accepted and that is how we now have a 5th roommate. The rest of the evening went very well with some very funny mishaps along the way. It was a great night with some great stories for the recovery breakfast the next day.
After breakfast Caitlin and I were off for our spa appointment. We went to St. Kilda Beach where the spa was directly located. We were first escorted to the changing room where we got into our comfy robes and sleepers. We entered the relaxation room that had hot tea and water, comfortable lounge chairs and a view of the ocean. After a nice relaxing time in the area we were swept off into our massage room. The massage was literally the best massage I have ever had!!! I was so completely relax that when it was finished and we were back in the relaxation room I was like butter on the chair. After a bit we finally got up and went down to the pool and hot tub area. The weekend before we had seen for ourselves a few people actually swimming in the freezing cold ocean water then going back into this building. It turns out that they were running back into the hot tub and indoor pool. So like all responsible and sane minded people we decided to try it out ourselves. We left the hot tub to dare the winter air to find out it felt quite nice. I suppose the hot tub had brought our temperature up enough that the breeze was refreshing. Then we stuck our toes in and then yes, yes we did dunk our whole bodies in the cold ocean water. It actually wasn’t too bad but it definitely was still cold. However standing on the beach still felt good after. We finally went back in to enjoy the hot tub some more and of course some time in the steam room. By the time we left we were praising this place and in love with our wonderful day. We were so happy we decided to walk back because it was so nice out.
That night I had my first movie experience here in Melbourne with the girls. We went to the cinema down the road from our house. It turned out to be quite nice. It had curtains over the big screen and they opened when the previews started. The food was actually decently priced instead of ridiculous although the tickets would have been crazy expensive if it wasn’t for the backpackers discount. The popcorn was good but this cinema didn’t butter it. We watched Salt which we all loved all the plot twist and action. It was a perfect way to end a great day.
The next week Jamie moved to town. Jamie is my Kiwi friend that I met at the hostel over a month ago. He moved here for his new lawyer job. I invited him over for dinner with my roommates and I. Dinner ended up being delicious of course because I cooked! Later on that week Jamie and I went to the Rooftop bar in downtown Melbourne. It was awesome. The view of the city was just amazing and they had nice heat lamps to keep us nice and warm. We then went for a walk around the city with our take away coffees because it was such a nice night out.
Friday night was teacher’s drink night once again and this time we were determined to get there early enough to actually meet some of the other teachers. So we did. We got there at 6:30 and I stayed till 1:30am. So needless to say a good night. I met some teachers from our agency and some of the wonderful office workers who call me every day for my placements. Jamie also showed up to mingle with all of us. Dean met a girl he fancied and spent most of the night talking to her. The girls headed over to our friend Danni’s place across the street but I decided to stay and dance. It was a great bar in a nice area. The dance floor was packed and played great songs.


Saturday was a fun filled night that started off at Sam and Jamie’s hostel. We then headed downtown to the Red Bar to once again dance the night away. It was fun but while leaving we all got split up a bit. Caitlin and Dean thought we were leaving and went downstairs but the rest of us didn’t know it so they took a cab. Sam, Nicole (our newest roommate), Amy and I were ready to leave a bit later but had a hard time finding Jamie. We eventually left but poor Sam had heels on so I walked slowly with her.
Nicole and Amy didn’t realize and ended up going all the way to Flinder’s station by the time they figured it out we were way behind. They ended up getting a taxi from there and going home. Sam and I got to Swanston street in just enough time to get a little food before the bus got there to take us home. As we were getting on the bus I saw Jamie and shouted at him to get on the bus as well since it was goes past his hostel. We all got home safe just in many different ways that night. Sunday was a nice quiet day at home which was just what was needed. Upcoming this week is Amy and Sam’s bday on Wednesday and our last weekend home until our trip. So much excitement in the air!