Design is over!!!

Well it was over October 26. Up until then I was spending countless hours finishing up my report and working on some other stuff. But finally, on Thursday afternoon, we handed in a massive report - I reckon the total page count was near 700. Then I relaxed in the evening shopping with Alicia and Sasha in the city.

Friday morning I had to get out of bed and bus it to UNSW for a final presentation. And then on the way back, some more retail therapy.

Friday night was the Design Dinner. I got a little lost along the way after I misheard the bus driver tell us to get off because he was making a detour due to some demostration on the street, but as I was walking I saw him go in the direction I wanted to go! Then I walked too far and ended up walking through some dark, quiet streets. Finally, after failed attempts, I asked someone where this place was and although he didn't know, he pointed me in decent direction which I followed. Then I encountered a map, and found out I was really far away. I turned around and walked some more, then asked a hotel reception. Turns out, the restaurant was just around the corner from there. And, might I add, I had passed this hotel not 20 minute before! A little annoyed at my lack of direction and idiocy at not brining a map, I finally encountered the restaurant "The Belgian Biere Cafe".

I found a seat among the 3 large tables of students, some profs and their partners. I ordered off the set menu and mingled. I chatted with some classmates and people talked about their plans for the summer and grad jobs. It was fun. I forced myself to talk pictures and did the rounds. Dinner was okay but the Belgium waffle for dessert was great. Then Chris (aka "Chicks") and Varun ordered me a drink. The best line of the night was Varun's response to the waitress telling him they didn't have Red Bull... he said, "Then just give me your number." Unfortunately, it didn't work. So we had two drinks there and did some more chatting. Some of the guys made up some fun awards to give eachothers, like the "I don't deserve to graduate" award to Milan, the "Babysitting" Award to Don (our Design prof who put up with some pretty unintelligent design questions throughout the year), "I'll Hard your Drive" award to Yish (being accused to doing it in the comp lab), "Marrying to Money" award to Gaz who it going to work for Halliburton in Perth as a Field Engineer. And there were a few others, I just can't remember them all.

After that, people began to leave and others made plans for the afterparty. I said my last good-byes to some of my classmates. And all the while thinking I wish I had gotten to know them better. I wish design and thesis wasn't so stressful for everyone and that we all could go out more often. But I'm glad we had that night. Because it only got better...

After the restaurant, we went to the Orient Bar just down the street. Nancy didn't have ID so we pulled the old switcheroo and another Asian girl Mei, went in earlier and Matt (aka "Grog") brought her ID out. Sandy got in easy as pie. We all sat around the table, our group had shrunk a little. Varun, Chicks and I hit the bar once more. I had my first (of 3 that night) Jagerbombs. And wow! Were they ever good. It's a shot of Jagermeister dropped (bombed) into a glass of Red Bull and you are meant to chug it soon after. We also had 2 shots of Tequila and I downed a beer of XXXX in a matter of minutes. Needless to say I was feeling nice - and rightly so after working very hard for the previous 3 weeks. We danced a little as well, even to some cheesy R&B/Hip Hop oldies, but soon we got sick of it.

People began to split and we hopped into a maxi taxi, but half the group wanted to go to Star City (the casino), Chicks, Varun and I didn't want to go, so we were dropped off at Darling Harbour, thinking the rest of the group was at a club in the area called "Slip Inn". But upon our arrival, it was confirmed they were actually at "Ship Inn" near Circular Quay (aka too far). So we headed into Cargo Bar and by this time, it was about 2am. We drank a little more and hit the dancefloor. The music was really pumping and we were loving every second.

Sometime at around 4 am or so, we all got kicked out because they were closing. We went out closer to the water, just dangled our feet over the water and laid down on the concrete pier. We watched the stars and chatted (although I can't remember what about). At some point, a very drunk Irish girl came to join us and sat down. A while later, she got up and walked around a few meters behind us to the other end of the pier. Next thing we know, we heard a big "splash" and all that was left were her shoes and bag. We ran across and found her bobbing up and down in the water trying to swim. Chicks, the hero of the night, stripped down and jumped in after her to save her. They swam a few meters to get to the Sydney Aquarium boat. Varun found a way to climb the gate and helped her over. He offered her his jacket as she shivered. We walked over to Cargo Bar to ask for help or a blanket. The security guard and waiters inside wouldn't help - not even open the door!! It was rediculous. So we grabbed our stuff that was on the pier and walked this girl home. She claimed the pier was slippery but it's iffy what really was going through her head. And I can't even imagin what would have happened if we were there to help her. We walked across Pyrmont bridge to were she was staying. And although she invited us in for coffee, we kindly declined as by now, the sun was rising and Chicks decided it was best if we didn't get more involved with this obviously crazy, drunken girl. I can't imagine how dirty that water is and she obviously swallowed some. Gross! And considering there is a stretch of lounges and restaurants, I wonder if that sort of thing happens often.

We then walked all the back to the centre of the city and got some Macca's (Mc Donald's) breakfast. Varun and Chicks grabbed a train and I walked to Central to grab a bus. My feet were very sore at that point and I now have 4 blisters in places I never thought they could exist. I got home and not feeling too tired, found David, Diana and Steph online so we chatted. And I think I finally went to bed at 8 am. Overall it was a fun night and one of those great stories you'll have for a while.

I went shopping Saturday afternoon and bought a big backpack for my travels. Then I crashed from 7pm onwards until I woke up this morning at 8. The weekend just flew by.

So here are some pictures of the night. I didn't take any pictures of the rescue, but I suppose it would have been "too paparazzi-ish". Click here for all PICTURES

Me, Monica and Nancy

Fiedl design group (Yish, Me, Jemma, Will, Adam (in front) and Ven is missing)

Yes, Jagermeister!

Rob, Milan, Me, Varun and Chris

Future Australian Chemical Engineers

Presenting some fun awards (Don in the red)

In the maxi taxi

At the base of a massive Christmas tree in Queen Victoria Building

It goes all the way to the top, with crystal ornaments and a huge starburst and a few security guards to boot.