Door closes, another flings wide

So recently I've been thinking about big decisions for the future, like what happens after graduation, what career path to take, while also deciding how I should un-clutter my current war zone of a lifestyle. Decided some things that need to be dropped (one being SBS unfortunately, it requires too much commitment and extra time which I don't have), some that are worth keeping, but as for the future, it's looking as misty as it ever was.

Just when I was about to simplify things and drop it all, go on holiday or something, I received an email telling me I won!! I'm being funded to go to the Brisbane AMTA Conference this year~ so guess that's my mini "holiday", yay :D Cannot wait! It's always exciting to win something ^^~

From Weeks 26-28, 2011

Celebrate with some dessert wine from Hunter Valley winery?~

So on Tuesday, I went with a couple of classmates to Hunter Valley, just for a quick day trip. I've been there before with my family. First time, I was underaged, everyone else was wine tasting, I was bored. Second time, I was over the age limit, but didn't drink, everyone else was wine tasting, I was bored. Third time, it was for the Christmas lighting at the Hunter Valley Garden. That was fun.

From Weeks 26-28, 2011

This time, I went with friends who don't drink much! :D Had some cheese at the Cheese Factory first~ free taste testing!

From Weeks 26-28, 2011

I tried all but the blue cheese. I really liked their "golden cheese", as they called it in their shop. Think it's exclusively sold at the Cheese Factory, it's a slightly stronger version of Brie.

From Weeks 26-28, 2011

Right next door is McGuigan Winery, where we were given extremely good service by a lovely lady who appears to be the boss there. We got to try so many types of wine!

From Weeks 26-28, 2011

Being absolutely terrible at tolerating alcohol, I took tiny sips of all the wine. Nothing serious happened :D

From Weeks 26-28, 2011

I did buy a bottle of red wine which I thought was pretty good home for my dad, and bought the Blue (first photo on this entry) dessert wine home for any special occasion. Probably when my sister comes over. That stuff is lethal- it's so sweet, one would never guess it's anything but cordial. I would probably be able to drink the whole bottle without suspecting anything had I not known, and face the consequences afterwards =______=

From Weeks 26-28, 2011

This was like $50 per bottle... dry stuff that made us feel hungry.

We actually saved a lot by bringing our own food for "lunch". It was really just watermelon, cupcakes, maltose biscuits and bread with luncheon meat, but it sufficed. Great sitting out on the grass under an overcast sky having a picnic.

From Weeks 26-28, 2011

Took lots of tourist pamphlets~

From Weeks 26-28, 2011

Chocolate Co. and Fudge Factory. Not a fan- too sweet.

From Weeks 26-28, 2011

To prepare, boil with sugared water. Serve with Baileys and ice cream.

There is more to come, so part II tomorrow. Or sometime. My eyes are watering for some reason.... sleeping time.