February 14, 2018 marked my eight month in the Land Down Under and 25 years on Planet Earth. Before I started this adventure, I promised myself I’d be in Asia for my birthday. Just like everything else on this trip, my plan did not work out and I couldn’t be happier for that. Because I’ve met people in Melbourne who went out there way to plan an entire brunch celebration without me lifting a finger. For those who’ve known me pre-Australia know that, there’s few things I love more than brunch. We bought the finest 5 dollar champagne Woolie’s had to offer and made our own bottomless mimosa brunch. It’s safe to say my Melbourne friends “get me”. They are also the same friends who admit they only read my blog to see if I’ve named dropped them. So *cue the bubbles* and allow me to make some introductions.
The ladies who brunch are all English and they’re all lovely (obviously). Emma, my roommate-life manager-fellow Netflix binger, who knows I hate surprises, took it upon herself to make this birthday brunch happen for me. All the mimosa induced shenanigans took place at Fran and Jenny’s house. Two mates who I hit it off with immediately after moving to St. Kilda. The house is huge and has a doppelgänger of Maxx, named Leena. Jenny and Fran are convinced Leena’s the only reason I come over, but it’s only a bonus. Tracey and I got the party started. My northern English girls were there; Jody and Chevaugne. And my Darwin babe Becks even came through. It was the best day. The type of birthday when your friends hook up a piano outside to sing you a song.We left our brunch spot back to Nomads St Kilda, where I was living. The entire roof also sang the birthday tune. My friends Hannah made me cupcakes. I was unemployed at the time. It was happy days.
I took way too long to post about this day but it was one of the best all year. Melbourne is some of my favorite memories from Australia and thinking about it now, I’m smiling to myself. We ate eggs Benedict and drunk mimosas all day. It was perfect.