We finally handed it the audit report I’ve been slaving over. I am proud of all 127 pages of it, even though I would do it differently if I had to do it again. It looks like I’m getting time in lieu for the extra hours I worked, too.

On Tuesday, I performed my second Toastmasters speech. My speech, ‘The Art of Giving Gifts’, was about two gifts that I’ve been proud to give to my friends. I wrote the speech the night before and hadn’t practiced. I had also forgotten that the District and Divisional Governers of Toastmasters in our region were coming to our meeting.

It went well. I pulled it off. Delight abounded.

On Thursday, I was in Coburg supervising trucks moving 20 tonnes of asbestos-contaminated soil. It was an enjoyable day, despite the rain. I got to mingle with blue collar workers, which is not something I’ve done much before. I had fun tailoring my conversation to what I predicted their views to be. I think I have successfully ingratiated myself into the crew. It was dishonest but harmless, I think.

A warning, then, to you all. If you find that I am likeable and that we seem to share many things in common, I might just be manipulating you to pass the time 🙂

On Friday night, I went to a Aux Batifolles, a French brasserie in North Fitzroy. I came in with high spirits but was soon reduced to a paranoid, unhappy, nervous little girl because I was convinced the waitpeople hated us. It was their expressionless faces and melodious alien accents. I was on a loud, disorganised, cheerful table. I felt uncouth.

I ate a snail.

“What’s French for snail?” Damjan asked.
“Escargot,” I replied immediately. Ooh! It’s not often I get to teach European Damo about European stuff.

On Friday, Jason also sold his white Nissan 180 SX.

On Saturday, I cooked all day in an empty house. My parents and Jason drove up to Daylesford to pick up Jason’s new car, a yellow Honda S2000 convertible.

“It’s hot,” Jason sighed.
“It’s hot,” I agreed.

	Jason’s old Nissan 180 SX
	Jason’s new car, a Honda S2000 (an old man’s car, because only old men or young men with big loans from parents can afford it). Needless to say, Jason is chuffed.

Before mum left, she gave me detailed instructions on how to marinate chicken, fry dumplings, cook rice and make dough. I executed these instructions slowly but with minimal clumsiness.

Damjan and I held our first self-catered dinner party for friends on Saturday night. It was very successful, although without mum’s help, it would have run less smoothly.

Today, I went skating with Megan and Damjan. I was ruthless and mowed down talented children with smaller legs. Then we came home and made crepes.

The end.