So I went back to North America from Dec4th till Jan 7th. I had a great time seeing friends and family, eating my favorite food, drinking at my favorite pubs. So here is a breakdown of my trip with some pictures.

I spent the 1st two days in Sydney before flying home. I bought a whole bunch of cheesy Aussie gifts and caught up both days with my friend Sally who had just recently moved to Sydney from Perth. I didn't really take many pics except a couple of last night when we went out for dinner to Japanese restaurant that cooks at your table.Me making stupid face after trying to catch food being thrown at me by the cook.
Now 17 hrs later of flying from Sydney (plus 1 hr layover in Honolulu for darn American customs) I'm back in...Vancouver. Spent a few hours in airport waiting for my next flight to Montreal. Here's a pic of our glorious Canadian Rockies from the plane window.
Back in sweet Montreal, 2nd night back I went out and caught up with most of my friends at St-Sulpice.

De-icing the plane on the way to Philadelphia to see my cousin Matt.
1st night back we went out with a couple of his buddies to an Irish pub, we got a wee bit drunk, they had a special for $1 beers, bad idea. Plus I was still jet lagged since only got back from 25 hrs of flying 36 hours ago with a night out back home with my boys already.
Playing games another day with a lunch at place called Dave and Busters.

One of his mate's birthday (2nd guy on left) so back to another bar for more fun.

We went to see an NHL game, the Philadelphia Flyers against the New York Rangers. Don't have to tell you that the Flyers lost since they suck ass this year! I would have loved to have seen my beloved Habs but they sold out ages ago and didn't want to pay ridiculous scalper prices.

Went indoor rock climbing another day.
Went to view some of the amazing Christmas decorated houses in the neighborhood.
It was a great 5 days to catch up with Matt. Had some drinks, did some sport, had a Philly cheese steak and basically just hanged out like the good old days. His wife April was busy with work but came out for dinner once otherwise she just let us out to have our fun, how nice of her. :-)
Of course fog came and my flight got canceled twice, spent day at airport, ended up getting plane to Chicago to spend the night and got home next morning (if I'd stayed in Philly I might have not get out next day since tons of people had cancellations due to weather and had to stay).

Then got back and decided to go see my friend Sophie in Ottawa for 24 hrs. So off I went with my friends Owen, his brother is there so he went to catch up with him.

Sophie and I out for dinner at Thai place, Owen was taking the shot.
Then there was dancing.

Back in Montreal I caught up with one of my best friends Sarah-eve. Went out for nice dinner with some wine to catch up they went down to Tokyo to see a few cheer leading friends who were up.

Ah back at good old Brutopia for Monday night trivia, everyone made sure to turn since I was back in town. We won of course. Guess only difference is now instead of going to class the next day everyone has to go to work but don't worry, won't stop the 5ish year tradition of Monday trivia.
Caught up with Marie-Christine and Joanie, two lovely girls from the south shore I met when backpacking in Australia. We had fun in Cairns together and then again in Perth. Had food and few drinks with them and their boyfriends.
I had to take this picture while out shoping, its got "eh" in it, bilingual and a beaver for Roots, how much more Canadian can you get. By the way, even funnier in Australia since to them the word root means 'quick fuck'.
Two of my longest and best friends Miguel and Bj catching up, know Bj since middle of high school and Miguel since beginning of elementary school.
Ate some fabulous poutine a few times while back!
Then I was off to Florida with almost my entire family (Matt couldn't get time off work but rest of aunts and cousins all came) for a cruise in the Caribbean. We had a day before and after in Fort Lauderdale to explore. It was only a 5day cruise that went to Florida Keys and Grand Cayman, weather wasn't best with storm coming across country but still good time, its like a 5star hotel on water.

A few sots of Fort Lauderdale beach.

The whole crazy family trying to get organized the morning of the boat outside of Hotel with the 3 sisters or mothers trying to control the show and everyone else just saying yes dear every time.
The room my dad and I had.
The theatre where there was shows preformed every night after dinner.
The top level of the cruise ship with 3 pools (1 indoor and 2 outdoor) and 6 Jacuzzis (2 indoor and 4 outdoor). Rock wall at one end, bungie tampoline at the other, and also a gym and spa.

Doing the mandatory life vest safety drill before the boat leaves the harbor.
All the many cruise ships lining up to leave Fort Lauderdale that night.
The slow eating adults table at dinner.
Taking a trolley ride around the Florida Keys.


Not bad looking eh...
One of the many towel animals that the maid left in our room everyday while making our beds. It's an elephant!!!
The crew doing Christmas caroling, I stayed for a bit before heading to casino where I gambled every night till 2:30am but hey I came out ahead like $90 in end.
The entire wait and cook staff singing for us one night.
The lights on the pools at night time.
There was one formal dinner night so here come the nice looking pictures of family, see I can clean up sometimes.
My Aunt Carolyn and myself.
My parents and I.
One night there was a gala midnight buffet with tons of food, cakes, ice sculptures, the works!




The casino on board in full swing.
After getting back to Fort Lauderdale we got news that my grandma was taken to hospital for what looks like a stroke so my mom and her sisters rushed back to be with her but the rest of use decided to stay on the extra day as planned to see the Everglades. We took one of those cool air boats to see gators, vultures and such.



Crazy alligator man telling us stuff about them and showing how to hold them. No wonder he only has 3 fingers on one hand.

Got back home and went downhill skiing for a day with a few friends to St-Sauveur, went night skiing so it was cheaper and runs were less crowded.


Went to one of my favorite live venues called Deux Pierrots on the 30th and the had a pre-new years countdown with streamers and sparklers and all.

New Years Eve was the hanging out at Bergie's apt with the boys playing drinking games, was quiet but none of us were up for going out to club or bar or anything. Had fun with best mates, always the way to go!
The 5 cousins all dressed in Montreal after grandma's funeral. It was a sad last couple days but she lived a long life and all 3 daughters were there for the end which was a really good thing. She was my only grand parent I had. I'll miss you and always love you Grandma.
The whole family together just before I left.

Great trip home overall but won't be back for couple years probably. I plan to visit somewhere new next time like Japan or Thailand or something. But hey with 4 weeks of vacation a year I have more opportunities than if working back home, haha suckers!!

Life been good since back, seen friends, working again, its summer so its 30+, back to dance class and just having fun over all. I'll put up more pics soon of Australia Day on the boat and of my chest wax but that's another day's story.