Happy Birthday Big Brother! (Not THE big brother, my big brother). Chadine is the ripe ole age of 28 today (but yes, derives from the same 30 year old mother. Strange...). Hope you have recovered enough to enjoy it in true Yerevan style!

Not much news on the NZ front... another quiet Friday after a somewhat large week. Tuesday I was at Cat & Wayne's for a bbq (absolutely divine, I had been deprived much too long) and a bottle of Harrington's honey ale. Wednesday Anne, Sol, Gemma, Cat & I ended up visiting Harrington's (staying much longer than intended) and last night Roz, Gemma & I (the lifers) went over to a cozy cafe nearby for a coffee and cake (hazelnut, caramel and chocolate. Tell me, who of you could have resisted?). Again, absolutely no cultural experiences but another fab week. Tonight Gem & I had a nice dinner with Pete & Veronica, a middle-aged British couple who have just bought 2 houses to turn into a hostel and a separate ski shop! Really interesting couple with great ideas.

That's all. I have no more. Tomorrow there is a "works do" (no, not a celebration of civil servants, a night out for the staff of Doorways). There are loads of mid-winter activities taking place now. Tuesday, the shortest day of the year, is our Christmas mid-winter feast at the hostel. I'm told Monday night we're going to watch a Christmas movie to make it feel like Christmas Eve. Too fun!

I'm braindead. Good night.