Napa Valley - Easter - March 2008

A very fun weekend was had with Alexis and Zoe from the TA office. We drove from LA to Santa Cruz and stayed over night then made the 2 hour the next day to the Napa. What was supposed to be lots of tastings turned into lots of drinking and then hot tub action with one of the wines we bought that day, I felt very chilled most of the weekend. Very cool place and if you ever go you must look up the following places that we ventured into:

- Santa Cruz

- Wineries in Napa: Luna, Dariush, Hagafen, Altesa, Whitehall, Mumm, Black Stallion

- Bars in Napa: The Bounty Hunter

- Dinner locations in Napa: Ubuntu and Coles Chop House

- Lunch in Calistoga: Calistoga Inn

Awesome fun and a must do as a road trip so you can enjoy the amazing views of Big Sur.

Japan - Feb 2008

I had a great week (or very fast 4 nights) in Japan and went back to where I spent a year in Japan - Matsuyama, Ehime on Shikoku Island. It was great to see my old freinds from High School and meet my friend Naomi's fiance. I even helped lodge the Wedding certificate. I met my old ladies kendo teacher for the first time in 14 years, spent time with my host families the Kobayashi and Tanaka family and also saw the Sugeta family. What a great trip!

Australia - Feb 08

Was good to get home to see family and friends in Austalia in Feb after a conference in Melbourne. Taryn did my hair and I felt like a Princess - thanks Sis. Nothing like saving $250USd when your little Sis can do your hair twice as well!

G'day LA Ball - 2008

Another great night frocking up and living the high life of travel in LA. This year we celebrated Philip Noyce (Director) and Kylie Minogue. Livvy even had us all doing karaoke to her 'Lets get physical' and other oldie but goodie soundtracks. A great fun night and it carried onto 5am the next morning....my poor dancing feet!

Costa Rica - Dec 2007

Costa Rica, what a memory. What started to be a fun getaway for myself, Sam and Hatchie turned into a distant memory of fun and a vivid memory of the Clinica San Miguel where Hatchie endured drip after pain killer after anti biotic for 5 nights. A very scary experience but with no relation to Costa Rica - she carried it from LA. The time we were all well was fun, and we had some great friends in Lilliam and Alfredo to ensure the spanish language was not too much of a challenge. We would recommend Costa Rica for a holiday - it was pure and beautiful and untouched and the scenery was lovely. The people were amazingly friendly.

Yogathon - March 2008

Yogathon was a great experience and my first hand chance at teaching a class of people. My yoga teacher friend Elena and I raised money for my friend Nelune's charity and raised in excess of $450. I loved the day and even after 5 hours of yoga, I was still smiling.

Our last class was a candlelit class, and was a great way to finish such a special day.

Surfing on Santa Monica Beach - Aug 07

Hatchie turned 29 on the 2nd of August and her wish was to have a surf lesson. The part that was most interesting to me was the yoga lesson before it (included in the package) so we (Hatchie, Bel, Sam and I) set out for a day of fun.

I managed to stand up twice (no images for proof of course) but you will have to believe me.

Fun day, I am im no immediate hurry to return to the surf (still nursing bruised knee caps..) but was a great laugh.