Firstly, the last week or two have been GREAT, mostly because, for the first time since I left China, I've been BUSY! It's so hard to go from doing heaps and never having enough time for anything, to having almost nothing to do, but with assignments due, helping out with AIESEC and a trip to Melbourne, I felt like a real person again :)

Firstly, dancing :) yes for aaaages I've been saying that when I came back to Adelaide I'd learn to dance. So I dragged Loz (welcome back babe!) & Laura(to you too!) from AIESEC and Julia & Rhiannon from Saints Girls along to Salsa & Merengue class at the gym at Adelaide Uni. There were only 3 other people in the class so it was pretty casual, with 2 instructors (who can really dance!) and lots of stepping and wiggling. Actually, I could feel it afterwards... it wasn't like there was sweat dripping off us, but it's definitely good for the stomach muscles! I missed last week but will go again this week. Finally gonna learn to shake my arse! :)

So, AIESEC. Azz asked me to speak at an IBW event about the Chinese SN pool and process, as the event was focussed on working with AIESEC to gain access to Chinese SNs to help to develop and implement international trade in China. The turnout was small, but it was great, I really enjoyed it. It's something I'm still very passionate about, and I loved the chance to share that! Plus, hanging out afterwards with a few of the old and new guys to enjoy the bar tab was also fun :)

The next morning I was off to Melbourne! I went to catch up with Vincent from UIBE after his CEED at QUT, and made a weekend of it by also seeing Luke from USA, Sam from ANU and Michelle and Simon from RMIT. I used my frequent flyer points and in the first time in a couple of years, I had both leisure time in a different place (ie wasn't there for a conference!) and some money to spend (as I know I can come back and eat for free at home 'till I recover financially!)

It was great catching up with Vincent again, and meeting Alvin, Teon and Shu Shu as well. We spoke random (well, I was random, anyway) Mandarin, ate Greek, Italian (although Vincent had kangaroo!), went to Crown, the Old Gaol (only from the outside!), the Queen Vic Markets, Max Brenner's (thanks for the suggestion Lil!) and more. We had dinner with Michelle and Simon too (huge "parmi"s at the pub), as they're both off to Beijing soon and it's never to early to start to get to know the locals ;) I stayed with them while I was in Melbs and gave them ideas on what to take and stuff. Thanks so much for the hospitality guys! It's kind of weird though - it feels like it was all a dream sometimes... did I really live in Beijing?

Luke took Michelle, Simon and I to an AWESOME breakfast place near Brunswick St that I'll definitely revist when I get the chance, and I had Japanese with Sam at the Chocolate Buddha (there was no chocolate involved but the place and food were both pretty funky so we didn't mind!). It was great to catch up with both of them :) And I visited KokoBlack for THE best hot chocolate in my 23 years (thanks Michelle you were right!). So, as you can see, friends and food were the themes of my weekend :) Books, coffee and walking walking and walking were also important! Oh, I went to see the second half of a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performace too. Random! I went in to ask about shows but I'd missed the start of everything. Went to use the nice bathrooms before I left and heard an announcement that the second part was about to begin and there were tickets for $5! In the end they didn't even want my $5 - great - coffee and cake!

Despite the rain and the huge cash expenditure, I totally enjoyed myself, both spending time catching up with friends and just spending time on my own exploring. The decision to go was the best one I've made in ages. And so, on to the next decision. Friends repeats are on soon and I think I should be ready with some tea and something hot to eat - so enough for now! I'll post photos when I work out how :)