Well 2007 has indeed been the year of feathers and smiles. The feathers were all over the stage of Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, which I have had the pleasure of seeing a mere ten times this year, and the smiles relate to my extreme dental makeover in Bangkok - the Land of Smiles.

The year began in the Southwest. Mum and I went on a road trip for Xmas and New Year. We explored Margaret River, Augusta, Albany, and Walpole. We explored caves, admired landscapes, visited lighthouses, meandered through forrests, survived a nasty heatwave, car breakdowns, and got home just before a cyclone hit the area ! We had a couple of stuffed travel companions on the journey and they got their very own photo album - check it out in my photo albums.

In January I was excited to be able to view a comet from my balcony every night for a couple of weeks. In February I spent the hottest day in several decades at a friends wedding. We sweltered and drank ! Also in Feb I was overcome to finally see Topol in his infamous role in Fiddler on the Roof. He really does completely inhabit the role. I will admit to getting a little teary when he first came on stage, then again during the standing ovation. Mum and I had lovely front row seats and really enjoyed the show as a whole.

March was dominated by hassells at work and major dental pain was ongoing.

April was the beginning of a new theatre addiction. A few days in Sydney to catch up with friends, old and new, getting caught in incredible storms, and seeing Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical twice. What a stunning production. Feathers, a big bus and ping pong balls. It was everything you could ask for.

April was also a catalyst for decision making regarding the teeth issues. While on holidays in Sydney I decided to go for broke and get something done about it. So I booked a trip to Bangkok, Thailand to have all my teeth removed and replaced with titanium implants. So just a month later I was on my way.  For two and a half weeks over May and June I battled the humidity and heat and busy roads of Bangkok. A 9 hour surgery in a stunning hospital left me with no teeth, part of my jaw was gone and ten titanium implants were firmly located in my jaws. I left Bangkok with a plastic bridge of lower teeth and an upper denture. These were a temporary measure while the implants settled into my jaw.

The rest of June and July was Karina time. I stayed at home and retrained my tongue and throat and rested up after realising how sick I had been all year - what with blood poisoning an all ! I did treat myself to a quick weekend in Sydney to see friends and enjoy Priscilla another two times. I also managed to win two performance awards at work while I wasnt even there!

In August it was time to return to work and absorb the million changes that can occur when you are absent that long!  At the end of the month I returned to Sydney for a long weekend of mega Priscilla magic. I went to the final four performances. Two of them I even managed to get pulled up on stage for a dance !!! We had spectacular front row seats for the very final Sydney show before the production packed up and moved to Melbourne.

October was a quiet month. Just working, applying for promotions, having phone interviews, and preparing for the return to Bangkok. Then November was here before I knew it. I spent two and a half weeks in Bangkok again. During this time my titanium bridges were created, fitted and coated in porcelain. I returned home able to eat and smile again ! Cows should beware of me ! I returned to work just in time for a job interview.

December began with a tattoo to celebrate the new smile and the Priscilla addiction. Then off to Melbourne to catch up with my Sydney pals. A side trip to favourite film locations of Echuca and Hanging Rock, then a mass of musicals ! A night with Phantom of the Opera, two more helpings of a new and improved Priscilla, and for desert - two servings of Spamalot - a cackfest from start to finish. Then back to Perth to see Python legend Eric Idle in Not The Messiah - a culturally hilarious evening. In Melbourne I even managed to squeeze in a movie - my only one for the year - a black UK comedy called Death At A Funeral.

So yes its been a huge year for me. Medically and entertainment wise. There are still a few days left so it could well end with a promotion at work - but who knows. Either way - so far 2007 has been life changing.

My photo albums can be found here: http://www.karina.phanfare.com/  and if you know of anyone who wants the full story on dental implantology in Thailand - I made this site to pass around: http://dentalimplants.homestead.com/index.html

So........ another year has slid by. I wish you all the very best of the holiday season and hope everyone has a wonderful 2008.