Sunday 5 January 2014

Wrapping up 2013

Happy New Year!! 새해 복 많이 받으세요! 

Thank fuck the holiday season is over... It's nice to see everyone being festive and all but I'm glad I don't have to think about it for another 12 months :) 

I feel like 2013 went really slowly. You know how people would normally be like 'whoa where did this year go??' But this year really dragged on for me. Probably all that waiting for visa, new country, new work, new people, New York (see what I did there??), and not having Ally close by too. Looking forward to new adventures in 2014 though! It's gonna be a good one, I can feeeeeel eeeeeet!!

T.Hanks' interpretation of how 2014 is going to be.
So, what have I been up to? Other than working a lot, I managed to fit some social life into schedule. One of our long time staff, Kit, was leaving to move back to sunny California (which I am super jealous about. You will see why soon) so naturally we went out. I was super tired and possibly closing? So was going to sit down and have one or maybe two drinks and probably pass out. Well, sat down and passed out I did, just not at home or after two drinks. 

You know how these things go. We've all been there right? Have a big boy bottle of delicious cider to quench your thirst after a long, hard day at work. Then someone offers a shot. My mum always told me it's rude to turn down shots. So you gratefully accept it. My mum also told me always to return a favour. So I offer in return. I get another bottle of cider and another..I somehow find energy to sing and dance from the darkest corners of my body and more likely the brain. I get increasingly Asian and throw Asian high fives in every photo (this bit might not happen to everyone).


Asian Hi-five!

Again...

And again....
Then I went to the bathroom because I thought I needed to make some room in my tummy via the ancient method of power chuck. I didn't. Instead I sat down and 'rested my eyes' for a second. Many more seconds went by, I opened my eyes, went back upstairs (bathrooms are downstairs at this place. Terrible idea for a pub) and it was very quiet. Turns out the pub was closing, doors locked with everyone outside. Needless to say I got put in a taxi home. I blame the Russians. Damn Russians. 

And then there was Xmas. The thing about working in restaurants is that these holidays just kind of sneak up on you. I was lucky enough to have Xmas eve to 27th off so I decided to escape the cold and to see my cousins in LA.

Sunny California
I did not want to leave......I think I briefly considered moving to LA as well. It was like 20+•C, family, too much food....it was just awesome. Catching up with my cousins is always fun. I'm super stoked I got to hang out and bond with them more over the past few years. Mostly because now I speak English good. And I'm in the same country. It was just super nice. Can't wait to see them again later in the year. 

Presents!
Cards against humanity. The best family game to play on Xmas.
New Year's Eve service was interesting. We had two seatings, 5.30 & 9.30 where everyone was sat at the same time. There was a live jazz band which was awesome. We should do that all the time. Oh and BIG bottles of wine. 15L bottle of champagne and 5L bottle of Chateau D'Yquem.

Tiny Asian with a giant bottle of champagne.

Normal size Asian with the giant bottle of champagne.
At midnight everyone got a glass of champagne (including the dining room and kitchen staff), got to come out and make a toast. Hugs & kisses everywhere, it was an incredible feeling to be a part of it all. There was a sense of loneliness in there too, the one person I truly wished I was with was not. Scarlett Johansson. Ally! Ally is what I meant.

I think Pam cropped me out of this picture for her profile pic...I was happy..promise. 

Happy New Year!!
The next night was the holiday party! 500 odd people attended, open bar, a great band and one incredible DJ, one of EMP's staff, who absolutely crushed it (GFU Seigel. GFU buddy). 

I'm just gonna put some photos up for that part.

I know, I know. I look adorable. 


GFU


Look at this handsome devil!




Partying with the chef




I do hope everyone had amazing holidays and wish all a very happy new year! Miss all of you in the Southern Hemisphere and am very jealous of the sun you are all enjoying! 

Cuz it's freezing here...

 COME AT ME 2014!!!!!