Hell Week

...so last week was one of the most draining weeks in our existence EVER. You know that old expression "When it rains, it pours?". Last week was our Noah's Ark. In the span of one week:

My older sister, Maria (who is THE strongest, bravest person I know) had a heart attack on Saturday. She was in a coma on the weekend but fortunately she came out of it fully by the Tuesday. I was telling Matt that nothing prepares you for seeing a loved one in hospital. My sis has been through it all before and so she's one of those "Don't give me sympathy" types. The hardest thing was putting a brave face in front of my sister when all you want to do is collapse.

The light at the end of the tunnel is that she's doing much better now. She was out of intensive care at the end of last week and was placed in Coronary Care Unit. Today's she's getting a defibrillator fitted (You know those big paddles that jump start the heart? Do you know they make mini ones and attach it to your heart? Techno-nogical!) which should regulate things. It'll be a slow road to recovery but I'm thankful that she'll get there.

Last week also, Matt's auntie was diagnosed with cancer. We visited her in hospital on the weekend and the diagnosis doesn't look good. She's surrounded by family though and isn't in pain which I guess is all we can ask for right now.

Oh and finally...I came out to my parents last week. That's a story I'll reserve for when we're having a drink or three. :)

THANK YOU to all our friends who have lent us a shoulder to lean on. Your support has been invaluable and our families are very grateful. I'm convinced everyone's positive energy has been transferred to our loved ones in some way.

Song of the Day: "Sunshine" - Ricki-Lee Coulter

Alcohol much?

...so Mikey emailed me the pics from new years eve in New York and the memories just came flooding back!

Beginning of the night:



Middle of the night:



Later in the middle of the night:



End of the night:



For the full set of pictures click here. Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Seasons of Love" - RENT soundtrack (the original broadway soundtrack...not the crappy movie)

Happy New Year!

...so Matt and I are now back home after a month of travelling the good old US of A and we just wanna say thanks to everyone who hung out with us, bought us a drink, shared a cigarette, went clubbing and ate meals with us.

Hopefully I'll blog more regularly in 2006 but I've just been too damned busy and/or drunk in the past few weeks to post anything. To give you a quick update though...

- Totally abused Mark's GAP discount in San Francisco. Thanks Mooks!
- Started tearing in the cereal aisle of Safeway when I got a text message from Rhandy telling me that he and Maria are engaged. Congratulations guys! Woot!
- Had an awesome new years in New York surrounded by new friends, old friends and Grey Goose. What more can one ask for? AND the best part of it is, just when you thought there couldn't be any more incriminating drunk photos of Steve...he created a whole new category!
- Actually, we had a blast in New York the entire week. I was happy that we got to see snow for an hour on new years eve. I was also happy that I managed to go the entire trip without throwing up once. Steve on the other hand...
- Getting licked on the face by some random guy at "Gym" (gay sports bar in Chelsea) was not a highlight.
- Got hit by jet lag on the way back which is weird because I almost NEVER get jet lag. It knocked me out for a full day and now I'm sick. My body is telling me to stay on vacation.
- Cooked dinner for our friends last night (Maz, Rhands, Jill, Eric, Ed, Shaz, Iven, Jane, Phong and Lisa) which was great 'coz no one has seen each other since early December. Matt cooked spaghetti bolognaise and four bean salad and I cooked cupcakes from the Magnolia Bakery cookbook (AKA Instant-Sugar-Rush-Cupcakes)

Matt and I are on the hunt for a new dining set today 'coz we eBayed our old one a month ago and everyone has to eat on their lap. I'm leaning towards a cherry solid timber table with antique eating benches. I think the novelty of having eating benches will wear off pretty quick though. Matt's leaning towards regular dining chairs. We'll see who wins. :)

Song of the Day: "We Be Burnin" - Sean Paul