Bye Bye 2011

2011 Has been a fantastic year!

I welcomed in the New Year back home in Melbourne.
In February my Father visted Nina and I at Ayers Rock, we all had a fabulous time!
Then left Ayers Rock Resort after fifteen months and a much healthier bank balance, but sadly had to say goodbye to my beautiful Sister, who I miss and think about everyday! Nina and I have become so much closer whilst we were at the Rock together and its nearly been a year since we have seen each other :(
I watched my best friend Penny, Marry the love of her life and was honoured to be one of her Bridesmaids.
I lived on the Amazingly beautiful Lizard Island for Six months with Shota. The Island is in far North QLD and situated right on top of the Great Barrier Reef, it was an experience we will both never forget.
Also my Mother came and stayed with Shota and I on Lizard, we had many surprises in store for her and it was a Holiday she and I will never forget.
I was also lucky enough to have two of my girlfriends come and visit us on the Island, thanks Amy and Katie, we had a lovely time.
Later in the year Shota and I were lucky enough to be a part of Morgans tropical Wedding, a good friend from Ayers Rock, who married her sweetheart in Palm Cove.
Finally I ended the year in Japan, with the man I love and his family.

It has been a wonderful year for me...

So this blog post is just going to be a collection of photos from the past year, from the start of the year to the end.

Sayonara 2011 and Konichiwa 2012!!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!
xxx

My First Christmas in Japan

Christmas Morning was nearly the first time in two months that we were all present... everyone was there, except Shota's Sister.. who was having a sleep in. So the five of us enjoyed Smoked Salmon and cream cheese.

These were our gifts under the pot plants... My beautiful friend Amy sent me the parcel in the POST bag and Mummas were wrapped and underneath...

Our presents from Mumma included a Bon Bon's with a Christmas hat each and a packet of "furry friends" to share with the family :)



Chisa and Nobutaka with their Australian themed Calandar from Amy Little... they loved it! It is currently on the fridge.

At 12pm Nobutaka, Kohei and I popped down to the local station to collect Claire, once we returned the feast began...

Festive Corn Chips...

Gyoza (handmade by Chisa) Cheese, Hummus and Chandon...

Ricepaper rolls

One of my Christmas presents from Amy Little, a stylish pink floppy hat...

Chicken & Potato in a mushroom sauce

More Chandon.... thank-you very much Claire :)

The festive window display

And later after we had eaten so much, Claire and I moved onto Red Wine and it was present time!!  We had decided to all spend 1,000 YEN on a present (roughly $12) then we all picked a letter out of hat, which determined which present we received.

It was a relaxing and slightly lazy Christmas Day.... but I had a wonderful time! We did have Desserts as well, I just failed to photograph them. I made Rocky Road, Chisa made Stollen and Shota made a Chocolate Log cake! All delicious!

Oh and by the end of the night Nobutaka and Kohei were "asleep" infront of the telly...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
xxx