Rhymes with Banana (at least if you're Aussie it does)

'Arana' is the Aboriginal word for moon (at least that's what we've been told), and it is now the new name of one of Australia's largest biotechnology companies.

Kristi's company, EvoGenix, recently merged with a Sydney-based biotech company, Peptech, and the newly formed entity decided that re-branding was in order to create a new face of Australian biotechnology - voi la, the birth of Arana. Here is our new logo, lovingly known as the Arana donut!

To commemorate the unity of the two companies and to share the vision of Arana and everyone's role in the future of the company, all of the folks from Melbourne were flown up to Sydney for a day-long 'Integration Event' last Friday. Although there was much skepticism surrounding the event, in the end everyone had a lovely time - and who can complain about a free trip to Sydney!

Our morning was basically spent playing get-to-know-you games and listening to presentations from the management team, and then in the afternoon we were split up into teams to go on a treasure hunt around portions of Sydney (we were led by pirates and all - too funny!) My team actually ended up winning (thanks in part to one team member's red undies) and were rewarded with a wonderful bottled treasure to take home. Here we are doing one of the challenges for extra points...anyone interested in wagering a guess as to what in the world we were trying to do???

After the afternoon of running around we were treated to rides at Luna Park (the venue for our event). It is wonderful being given the opportunity to be a kid again and, after enjoying the sunset from the Ferris Wheel, I joined various colleagues in rides that hung us upside down, threw us up and down, and spun us round and round like we were in a centrifuge! However, my favorite ride of the night was the 'Dodgem Cars'!

At that point the night had just begun as we headed inside for dinner and dancing. The meal was beautiful and afterwards it was quite fun to see folks come out of their shells and shake their booties on the dance floor - although the constant flow of alcohol all afternoon/evening probably helped some break that shell more easily!

Before heading home on Saturday afternoon Kristi spent time meandering through the Rocks market, taking a run across the Harbor Bridge and past the Opera House, visiting Bondi Beach, and spending time with friend Nikki (we met up with her on our initial Sydney trip). It was an absolutely beautiful couple of days in Sydney!