Age is JUST a number....

I must say, I think I was born in the wrong country because turning 25 in the Southern Hemisphere was just pure magic.

Woke up in Apollo Bay, a tiny coastal town along Victoria's famous Great Ocean Road. Enjoyed a bad coffee and brick toast from a dodgy side-of-the-road cafe, stood with the 12 Apostles (which is actually 9, thanks to nature and time), ate some McDonald's along Torquay Beach, followed by a dip in the ocean along one of Victoria's best beaches. Returned to Melbourne and had some Afghan food "on the floor" (our Sunday night tradition), surrounded by some of my best friends from South Dakota and Australia.

All signs are pointing to a fantastic year.

'Oh the weather outside is frightful....'

Believe it or not, I chose to live in the most unpredictable, extreme climate in Australia. Just like my home state, the weather motto around here is "If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes and it's sure to change." I can attest to that now....

Christmas Eve: 'Rain Rain Go Away'.... Our mission to the 11pm Christmas Carol Service required jeans, and a jacket. There was no white, but we're feeling the Christmas magic....

Christmas Day in Melbourne: a crisp 70 degrees F- perfect for carrying out Australian Christmas traditions: Bon Bons, BBQ at the park with fellow Christmas Orphans (hot dogs, Budweiser, and chips and dip), followed by a free tram ride to the square for drinks.

New Years Eve: Unapologetically hot. I think I took 3 showers that day. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to. My Tina Turner dress and dress-up mullet did not help the situation. I learned of my true ability to "sweat like a pig" and "smell like a dog." 

New Years Day: Back to long sleeves and pants. The 19 hour heat wave over, I shower off last nights sweat and rain, and embrace what I have decided is the year of the ?-Mark

11 January- Turns out we made history this day. Hottest night in over 100 years. Don't think I slept at all that night. Walking into handover at 7am on the 12th, I could tell by the look of everyone the difference in who had air con, and who didn't.... 

12 January- Out for drinks at the local warehouse bar, back to jacket and jeans..... 

And I just wrote a blog entry based on weather... what is my life coming to????