OH! Ho! Ho! that Christmasy Feeling

You would expect things to go back to normal once I put our mother on the coach home, however I went off shopping to sort a few last bits for the Christmas tree and soak in the christmasy atmosphere on O'Connell Street for the turning on of it's Christmas Tree and whilst getting a free packet of Tayto, I got my photo taken with Mr Tayto, sure be rude not to. On the route home, hopped into the Church of Adam and Eve, the National Shrine to St. Anthony, to check it out.
                   
The craziness continued on, with Bernadette, Helen and Myself going for a night at the dogs in Harold's Cross  on the Tuesday for a mini work night out, which I had free entry into, thanks to my bus ticket from my last journey up from home. After a few mins of checking things out, we all got settled in and started placing a few bets on and getting the drinks in. We all had such a laugh and fun and there was a slight Christmas atmosphere about the place, due to the Christmas Parties around. I surprisingly managed to finish out ahead with my bets which was a pleasant surprise and capped off a great night out. Later in the week, on the Friday night was the Hospitality Staff Christmas night out, although Nicole and myself were working late in work, we both got changed and met everyone else out in town later. By the time, we met them most people were on a good buzz and for some reason ended up in a club in Portobello called Rain. Didn't take us too long to get into the spirit and fun of the night. It was such a random and interesting night, the way most work nights out are. The following day was spend recovering watching crap on TV under a duvet, only way a hangover day should be spent. To finish off my weekend off decided to go shopping and treat myself to a mini Christmas pressie.

 To start off the week right, +Niamh managed to get us 2 tickets for Fleetwood Mac, I booked our train tickets home for Christmas and we received our first Christmas Cards of the season. By time Friday came, we were excited to go see Gloria, a GLB choir who were performing at +StPatricksCathedral Dublin for their Christmas Concert, which was turning into an annual tradition. The concert itself was sold out with over 1300 people in attendance. A particular highlight was the all male version of Santa Baby and like every year, Gloria gave an amazing festive filled performance.

After literally a day from hell in work on Saturday, luckily I had Niamh's home made cake with ice cream to make things better while watching Strictly, which made me happy out. To top off the week, Niamh and myself decided to attempt the 12 pubs of Christmas after I finished work on that Sunday. The fun all began, in the Brazen Head, which is Ireland's oldest pub and worked our way through various pubs which all started to mesh together.

Things started to get a tad foggy after around pub 10/11 but all and all, it was quite a fun night experiencing such different pubs, some which I had never been in before. Surprisingly enough I felt right as rain the next morning which was a shock to both Niamh and myself.

Lucky enough I had no hangover as I had to work that evening, which was a tad annoying as I had won tickets for +Dumb To thanks to +cluborange and +Universal Pictures Ireland in the +Savoy Cinema, lucky enough Niamh went instead, was happy that the tickets weren't wasted despite slaving away in work, so she could enjoy herself.

Luckily enough that Niamh noticed that she had a missed call from the electrician during her shift at work, I quickly rang him back, and he was nice enough to call around straight away and finally sort out our issue with the boiler, although he didn't get finished until midnight and we both were up at 5.30 am for work. It was worth the lack of sleep as in the morning, I had the best shower in weeks which was like heaven. Although I was working so early, at least I was finished and home before work became crazy altogether which was nice. I ended up having a nap on the couch under my new fleece batman dressing gown and then when I woke up, I was all set and ready for my Chinese takeaway and heading into town to meet Niamh at the +TheGeorgeBar Dublin for Bingo and the Christmas show which was great craic as ever. Although Niamh went home towards the end of the show, I decided to stay out as I met up with mates of mine and somehow ended up in 4 Dame Lane until 3 am, despite getting up at 7 am for work, will I ever learn, seems unlikely. Niamh and myself were chilling when our dad rang, if we could get him a few bits from town, although we were finished ourselves, off out into town we went shopping, which ended up being fun, as always the way ended getting more than we planned and had a lovely meal out too, before finally getting home about 10.30.

At least we both had a slight lie in, the following morning we organised everything for our journey home for Christmas. When we arrived at Heuston Station to board the train, we got a plenty surprise to discover that we were travelling home 1st Class. People only on the list were even allowed to enter the 1st class carriage and was been guarded by the conductor. The journey home was so comfortable with the extra leg and we had fun and laugh with other passengers around us which was nice. After arriving into Ennis, we were collected by our dad, and then we dropped into our mother at work, to wish her a Happy Birthday, which made her day. Later that night, after a home cooked meal and surprising her with a cake, we headed out to a Christmas Party night at An Shibeen in Doora, where I actually won a prize for best Christmas Jumper. We all had such a brilliant night and our mother said best birthday in years.

 When we were leaving the next afternoon for our Granny's, a neighbour's big dog started climbing onto the car, which definitely showed to me that I was back in the countryside. For my first Christmas mass in over 4 years, we went to a wee country church which was packed to the rafters for the Children mass which had an amazing singer, band, kids choir and Fr. Ted Crilly type priest, wasn't sure if it was like a concert or a religious event, which was hilarious to witness. As it tradition, later that night ended up back at the local pub, the Bogdale House near our Granny's. It was almost 3 am before we got home to bed, I would say that was a rare thing, but my last Christmas home 4 years ago, was about the same time then too. Before bed as is tradition, we swapped our Christmas presents, everyone seemed happy with their presents which is always good. Christmas morning was all go from the onset, with the calls and visitors wishing our Granny a Merry Christmas and preparations for the dinner underway.

After only a slight lie in, before the calls and visitors began to arrive at my granny's. The merriment and drink which started so early, should have told me how the day was to pan out. We finally made our way down to my Uncle's for Christmas dinner which was a joint effort between my mother and aunt. With all the food and the heat, the food coma had settled in and didn't want to go. I nearly swear I've never eaten and drank so much on Christmas day. We finally got back to my granny's about 9.30 that night, after a visitor arrived down and played some music. People started to drift off to bed gradually, as per usual I was last to bed. It was definitely one of the best Christmas in years, fun and craic was had by all.

Xmas 2012

Thursday 6th, we got a pleasant surprise, when Niamh received Xmas cards from our Granny and our folks and surprisingly got a Christmas Card from her agency. It was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. I needn't have felt left out as my Christmas cards arrived the next day along with a heart felt letter from the folks wishing us a Merry Christmas.

I met Niamh in town after her shift and we went christmas shopping, so after some searching, we found our tree and decorations. We made the journey home to excitely put it up and make the house christmasy. As we rushed out the door to get a few necessary supplies from Coles before it closed, what did I spy lying on our porch step, but two parcels, one for me and one for Niamh. So after quickly putting them into the fridge and dashing to the shop. We came home and excitedly opened our parcels, to find inside all the goodies one would miss from Ireland, Irish Cadburys, Hunky Dorys, Nestle, few Christmas Chocolates and to our expectant delight in each parcel was a Christmas decoration with our name on it, was really so cute and meant so much.

On the Saturday, we decided to make the trek towards the River Stage in the Botanic Gardens, for the Lord Mayors Carols in the City Concert, starting at approx 5.30 pm with a pre-show and the Main evemt beginning about 7.30, with artists such as Marina Prior, Troy Cassar-Daley, Belladiva, Christopher Wayne, New Empire, amongst others performing that night. The venue was at Capacity from early on, with thousands in the venue and a queue outside still trying to get in. One of the highlights of the evening, was witnessing the Jingle Bells Aussie version, we were in stitches.

On the Sunday, We decided to continue this wave of celebration by going to Brisbane Square to the Chanukah in the city, for the celebration which was the lighting of the Menorah. It was an interesting experience to witness. To round off the night they had the International Mini - Bike Stunt Team perform, who came to prominence on Australian Got Talent reaching the Semi Finals. To round off this evening we had a skype call with our folks and Granny, who it was great to see and talk to.

After our routine coffee, at our local spot, Gloria Jeans, we decided to go shopping once the rain had ceased . We had to go jeans shopping for one of us, coughs Niamh, on the hunt for her annual Christmas outfit. After we found a nice cheap pair, some how we ended up in Pandora, where Niamh got her Aussie charm, a kangaroo one, for her bracelet. Later on in the week, we decided to go to cinema, we managed to get cheaper tickets online, and we saw Pitch Perfect, which was an hilarious comedy with a catchy soundtrack. Niamh through the cinema app and membership managed to get 4 dollar medium popcorn.

On Friday, I met Niamh at Central Station, after her shift, on our way up Queen Street, we stumbled upon Betty and the Bettys, who were performing on the specially constructed Xmas Stage. One of the highlights was their version of 12 Days of Christmas and Wishing you a Merry Christmas, which had us and the gathered crowd in stitches. Been one of the highlights so far of the festive season.

We went out for dinner, ended up in Wagamama in the Wintergarden, I tried my regular dish Yasai Katsu Curry which was I found even nice than home. We tried and shared sweet potato kubasi side after it was recommended by the waitress and agreed was yummy. From here we made our way out on the Mall, to get an observation spot for the Myer Christmas Parade, which was to followed by a Pantomime in  King George Square where also a twilight Indie Market was taking place. The Parade itself, actually had real live animals taking part such as camels for the 3 wise men, sheep, Donkey for the Virgin Mary and of course a few reindeer to pull Santa's Sleigh. Other acts included Little Drummer Boy, Dance Troupe, Brass Band, Marching Band, Carol Singers, Story telling, Aerobatics and of course no Aussie Christmas parade is complete without Jingle Bells Aussie Style. The Pantomime involved a story around the Little Drummer Boy. Once the panto was finished, Santa made his way in his sleigh towards the Myer Center, where people got a chance to meet Santa and his reindeer. I felt like such a kid, getting the opportunity to touch the reindeer and their antlers, which felt a bit like velvet.  

Procession of Christmas Animals

Cirque du Brisbane

Santa and his Sleigh

In the excitement for our return trip to Dreamworld and heading to Whitewater Theme Park Sunday 16th,  we ended up buying tickets to WB Movie World Theme Park (VIP Pass) and White Christmas for this Thursday to celebrate Christmas, food, show and all.

After a slight detour, we finally made it to Whitewater World, and Dreamworld. First thing we did was check out the Kung Fu Panda's Land of Awesomeness, newly opened ie the day before. First ride of the day was the Skadoosh Bumper Cars, lots of bumping and crashing into each other. Niamh was out for revenge. Ironically karma bit her in the ass, as she got rejected from Kung Fu Academy, oh well. After this, we queued to go on the new thrill ride, Pandanonium. Of course, when it was my turn, the ride was on the hard cycle, which sends you round and round, side to side and upside down at up to 3.8 G-forces. Soaring eight metres high under the watchful eyes of the mighty dragon, only martial masters will be able to outlast theses 150 seconds of kung furious pandemonium. Pandamonium is one of the Big 8 Thrill rides in Dreamworld.

                 Pandamonium

As I was on an adrenaline rush, I decided to go on the Big Claw right after. We decided to go to the water park after this, however we got sidetracked on route towards the Cyclone roller coaster ride, which actually goes through the water park. Once in the Water Park, we got a quick bite to eat and souvenir drink cups, which we got unlimited free refills as we are pass holders and can use the next time we go to Dreamworld/Whitewater World.

The afternoon in the water park, reached a temperature of 30 plus degress. Once we had ourselves organised, stuff in the locker and creamed up we went on the Green Room ride. The Green Room towered 20 m above the ground which accelerated us through a 75 m tunnel to a 15 m funnel before literally dropping out. Ye are thrown into the upper hemisphere off back to back vertical banks before a neddle nose splashdown. After a quick recover and ejecting from the 4 clover shaped raft, we made our way towards the Temple of Huey. Where we got our donut rings and went on both the 2 Broken Heads and Cut Snake. 2 Broken Heads was fast and a thrill. The Little Rippers was a cannon bowl of fun, I nearly got stuck duelling with the ride but was all go in the end. From here we strolled towards The Bro which consists of a race head first into a maze of twists and turns. We decided to chill and swim in the Cave of Waves when horn beep for the next onslaught of waves, which was class. Towards the end of the afternoon, we managed to get on to The RIP ride where again the tube was a clover shaped raft, and it was full on carnage, crazy fun. We just about managed to get on Super Tubes Hydrocoaster before the park closed at 5 pm, this was a pretty full on water coaster ride and was a highlight of the day.

On route home, we got off at central station to get a bite to eat in a restaurant on Queen st called Jo-Jo's restaurant, oh my, where do I begin, I ordered Tofu Thai Green Curry but it came with also pieces of chicken, lucky I noticed before I had any. The manager refunded me the cost with his apologies. So as a treat we got some Danish ice cream and got to see the Menorah fully lit, prior to getting the bus home.

An early but excited rise, to make our way to Park Road,to catch the Gold Coast train towards Helenvale Station, which is the nearest station to Movie World, where we got a bus. On route we passed Wet  n Wild and in awe we saw the crowds queuing to get in, which was something unreal. We were counting our lucky stars that we weren't going there then. Once we entered Movie World, we got started queuing for the rides. The first queue we joined was the Batwing Spaceshot, once I was strapped into the ride, there was no going back, it literally shoots 60 metres into the air at a 4.5 G of extreme power. It was an out of this world experience to say the least.

After I exited this ride, we both hopped on the Justice League ride which is an 3D interactive ride experience. We both quite enjoyed this ride. We were on route to queue for The Superman Escape ride however was closed due technical maintenance, so I queued for the Arkham Asylum, in the past was called Lethal Weapon. Once the queuing time finally came to an end, I got strapped into the train which has electfying on-board audio, and the rocket speeds up to 85km whilst experiencing 4.2 G stomach churning inversions. We trekked to the other end of the park completely to go on the Wild West Falls Adventure, which is a water thrill action ride that contains a 20 metres drop at the end. We got completed soaked but was such a laugh. Perfectly on queue, on our way towards Main Street, we came upon Batman and his Bat Mobile on parade. I finally managed to persuade Niamh onto a rollercoaster, Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster which was inspired by the movie, has top speeds of 45 km, laser lightning and sound effects, was a spooky funtastic ride.

From here we decided to go collect our VIP passes for Movie World and sister theme parks. I tried once again in vain to get onto the Superman ride. We made the 2.40 pm showing of the Ice Age Mammoth Christmas 4-D in the Roxy theater, it was a cute funny yet bumpy wet motion experience. Along Main street  we encountered, Harry Potter Store, The Flash, Green Lantern, Marilyn Monroe among others.

As I was determined to get on all the thrill rides, we made our way towards the Green Lantern Coaster. The ride contains the steepest drop in the southern hemisphere, reaches heights of 33 metres, speeds of 66 km and 488 metres in length. Once I recovered from the Green Lantern, we went to collect our wristbands for White Christmas later that evening. We decided to try to get on Superman once more, as they were finishing technical tests, I managed to be there at the right time by getting on the first available ride. It was worth the wait, where the rides comes from 0 to 100 km in 2 seconds which was such a thrill.

We decided to rest for a small while before White Christmas, so we joined the wristband area. The opening of White Christmas celebrations commenced at 5.30 pm by the Christmas Fairy Princess. We went for dinner at Ricks Cafe for a Christmas Buffet dinner with free refills, we were so stuffed afterwards. When we came out on to Main Street, it was a superb sight with Carol singers, Santa Claus, Mrs Claus, and Lola Bunny. The countdown to illumination of the Christmas lights, which was an unreal sight. We decided to try get on a ride as we had some free time before the parade at 8pm, so went onto Justice League 3D ride. We got our spot for the parade along Main street. Whilst waiting we both got some free drink refills. The parade itself was such a christmasy sight and experience, full of Looney Tunes goodness. Once the Parade had ceased, the rides re-commenced for a few mins, and I managed to get on Superman Escape again even been allowed to skip to get on quicker as it was just me. The ride itself was a totally different experience by night, was more thrilling, fun and out of this world experience. Doing this roller-coaster at night was one of my highlights of all the rides. The journey home was in itself an adventure.    

As there was an advance screening of Les Miserables showing at our local cinema, we decided to go see it early Saturday afternoon. We managed to get a deal on popcorn and soda, well done Niamh. The movie was unreal, such an emotional beautiful piece of film. We managed to get last few bits we needed for Christmas dinner, for Niamh turkey one and my veggie roast one. Before getting the bus home, we decided to call into Irish Murphys for a Christmas drink. We left a Facebook comment on our mother page to wish her a Happy Birthday once it became the 23rd. Later we had a phone call with our parents and our granny.

Christmas Eve, to get into the Christmas spirit, we  went firstly to the Pancake Manor on Charlotte St, and shared a long stack, was so tasty after we went to see the Rise of the Guardians in 3D, was such a cute and funny movie. As we gotta home we watched Christmas shows and movies and relaxed which was nice. As the bells rang for midnight we exchange pressies with each other and had some of the chocolate, our parents had shipped over to us. Christmas Morning we received calls from our parents, granny, cousins and friends from home. We got up and began preparations for Christmas Dinner, me making the stuffing and Niamh preparing her secret potato mash. We were both stuffed, we decided to go for walk to South Bank and the beach, where it was all happening, packed everywhere.

I meet Niamh after her night shift on Thursday Morning, we went for a morning coffee where we decided to go see The Hobbit in 3D. Now just gonna wait till next year to see part two.