#35 - go to a ballet

I decided that given that this task had been on my list in every iteration for so many years it was high time that I bit the bullet and went!

I looked for ballets playing in Brisbane in the next few months and found that the Brisbane City Youth Ballet Company were giving a performance of the Snow Queen in the next month.

I asked the girls at work if they would like to join me and despite a few people initially saying 'yes' it was only myself and Gina who ended up attending.  It was a beautiful story (based on the Hans Christian Anderson tale of the same name).  The costumes and sets made me very happy.  The dancing itself was not top notch professional but it was beautiful to watch regardless.

The big bonus was that when I bought Gina a program at half time we read through it and discovered that my high school friend Michael Braun was performing.

The scenes of the ballet were beautiful - from the charming village scene to the regal and exotic middle eastern scenes.  Perhaps the most glorious scene was the performance at the ice-castle where the full cast were on stage - and the little girls came out dressed as goslings.  *swan swoon!*  The scene involved fake snow falling and it was stunning.

I really want to go again later this year and perhaps take some of my nieces who are old enough to enjoy it.

#78 - go to Paniyiri

After missing this a few years I went at last with Lauren (pre-gluten free days).   It was quite an experience - baby octopus, vine leaves, stuffed capsicums and honey puffs amongst other treats.

#89 - get a breadmaker

I looked around at the different models and decided which one was in my price range with the features I wanted.   I saved and waited to find one on sale - which I did!

It made many loaves - my favourite being a herb and mustard flavoured one.  The below is just a plain white loaf.  Yum!

#84 - Have a Girl's PJ Party

Donna and I wanted to host an exciting vintage party.  It started with a vintage inspired afternoon tea with bunting, sweets and all girls dressed in pretty vintage.   

Then as evening fell we got into PJs and settled down for a night of pizza and Audrey Hepburn movies. 

It was a really great night - but as vintage PJs tend to be a little opaque we decided there would be no photos shared online - so sadly I won't share here.

I wore a very cute pink 60s frouffy nightie set which Kerry had bought for my birthday.  It was like wearing a big pink marshmallow! 

#68 - Go to a Strawberry Picking Farm

My little sister Sue was up from Sydney.  She wanted to spend the day together and instead of doing something typical and boring in the city I decided we'd drive up North to one of the Strawberry Picking Farms. 

She seemed pretty happy about it.  Though it was a stinking hot day.  

We went abut the task of picking strawberries.  It was a real pleasure hunting under leaves for those missed by earlier attempts by kids.  There was a sense of achievement when you found a big, juicy looking one untouched by bugs. 

We both picked WAY too much strawberries.  I believe my pile came to about $25. 

They looked so beautiful washed clean at Mum and Dad's house.   I had so many I didn't know what to do with them!  I made apple and strawberry pie, strawberry smoothies and strawberry cordial. Even then there were leftovers which went to waste. 

#42 Go to the Queensland Museum

I have been a few times now, both by myself and also with the ACG and Rhys' family (for a Treasures of Afghanistan exhibit).

The pictures below are from a day when I took an afternoon off work, crossed the bridge and wandered the gallery for the afternoon.   I loved the animal exhibit.  It gave a real appreciation for the diversity of animal life.

#36 - go to a play

I have been to a number of plays since making this goal including: Red, Pygmalion and Tequila Mockingbird.

Red was an interesting play set in the art room of a famous artist in his last few months alive.  His confidence and artistic notions are put in doubt by a series of conversations with his apprentice.  It was a striking play and very different to the other two I've seen.

Tequila Mockingird was a modern take on the story plot of To Kill a Mockingbird, set in a small outback town in Australia.  It was really fascinating to see not only how the play was written to allow Australian's to identify with the story but also to see the audience's reactions to different racial slurs and the treatment of women.

Pygmalion was more true to the original play by Bernard Shaw.  I loved it so much - the sets, the actors, the costumes.  I wish to see more like this.

#13, #15 & #16

13. Get a skin-cancer check-up
15. Go to a dentist appointment.
16. Get health insurance

Done (resulting in the removal of a suspicious mole on my back)
Done (resulting in the horrid experience of learning about the sound of a laser firing inside your mouth.)
and done.

'Nuff said.