My weekend in Sydney

While I was in Sydney, I wrote my journal posts on a little note pad so I think it's time I typed them up. I do love having a journal. Sometimes I go back through them, not very often, but it's great having it there to look back upon. It's also my therapy. So here is my weekend in Sydney:

* Just a note. I keep changing tense throughout so please ignore that.

Day 1. Friday 27th August.

I had an early start this morning. Dad drove me to the airport in horrid weather but it was lovely seeing the snow down so far on Mt Wellington. Once at the airport I checked in and made my way through to the lounge to wait for my slightly delayed flight. I saw Scottie Brown from work and we had a bit of a chat, but it's one of those relationships that you wouldn't feel comfortable sitting next to the person while waiting for a plane. We wouldn't have had much to talk about so I went off by myself and listened to my MP3 player, something I hadn't done in a while because my car player is out of action [that's the time I listen to my music]. The flight eventually came and we got on board and started the trip to Sydney. The flight was quicker than I thought. I imagined it taking 2 hours when it only took around 1.5 hours. I had a nice chat to a lady next to me in the aisle and watched a cute family with kids running up and down, imagining my life like that one day. Once we landed, I found my way through the airport and got directions to the shuttle bus service to my back packer's. The drive was crazy! He sped up through orange lights and went too fast; everyone was talking about it on the bus. I chatted to some nice ladies on the bus and once I was alone, the last passenger to be dropped off, I had a call from the Federal Group representative and we talked about my wanting to stay in Hobart and that she would give my application to the Hobart rep. By the time the call was finished I was at Base, and after I settled in and figured out my plans I hit the streets. I started at King's Comics on Pitt Street in the opposite direction of the city. It was great! So much stock. The manga wall at the back was amazing. I saw some titles I knew and some I wanted to get. I buy my manga online though as they always have what I want. I'm not a fan of ordering books in. I like dealing with it all online. After King's Comics I walked all the way up Pitt Street towards the Bridge and Opera House and looked in some shops on the way. There was a dress I had a look at in this cute store, but it wasn't right. I got some postcards and lollies and a V, then went back to Base for a rest. I was feeling a bit lonely at that stage. It was a trip I felt would have been better done with a friend or a boyfriend. Mum called and we had a bit chat about it. She said to take note of how I'm feeling as it might be an indicator of whether or not Sydney is right for me. It's not a quick trip home and I don't know many people but it all depends on how I feel for the rest of the trip. At that stage I thought it might be better to go to Melbourne, but then again they don't have the Masters and the Uni is ugly. I shouldn't let being scared turn me away from the better Uni. It would be different from when living in Sydney and going to Uni. If I lived in Manly with George's cousins I would have the security of people living close by. After the chat with mum and once I had settled myself, I went for a walk to Darling Harbour and got some Maccas for dinner as I couldn't find anything else. I looked in on the IMAX theater but it was all a bit expensive. I asked the receptionist at Base if there was a normal cinema around and she directed me to the Event complex, which had many movie cinemas, an area for buying popcorn, a restaurant, a gaming area, a sushi train, and other shops. I went and had a look but the times and movies didn't suit so I planned to go the next evening. Back at Base I met my room mate: 2 nice Korean girls. I jumped into bed and listened to my music and thought. I think that once I'm studying I'll be okay. I'm already getting to know the city and once I have a home and some of my belongings it will be better. The course is superior. It's the reason I chose Sydney to begin with. I need to be stronger. I'm too timid. Tomorrow will be better.

Day 2. Saturday 28th August.

Last night's sleep was horrible. At midnight, 5 more Asians arrived at the room and the light was on and they were making noise and I couldn't sleep. It was horrid. Horrid horrid horrid. I tried to get a bit more rest before the Open Day once they left for the day but it didn't work. I looked so haggard thanks to them and my 3 or 4 hours sleep. I had a shower and felt better. The shower was nice. Those places always need more hanging room though. After I was ready I went to George Street for a croissant and a hot chocolate at a coffee shop. I used my phone's map and "Places" app to find it. It was a lifesaver. After breakfast I caught the bus to Uni. The campus was amazing, so old and huge, very historic and beautiful. The Open Day was great. So many people and balloons. I got a goodie bag with lots of information and talked to some people about museum studies but didn't get all of the information I needed as the day was more for undergraduates when I'm a postgraduate. I had a look in the Nicholson Museum and it was great. I didn't go on a tour or look at the residential colleges as the campus is too huge so instead I went for a walk towards Victoria Park and got stopped by an Australian Conservation Foundation worker, Pete, who signed me up for $30 a month to help their cause. He said I should go to Glebe for the markets and the park, really close by, so I did, and it was wonderful. Glebe is great. It reminded me much of South and North Hobart with the main street with everything happening. Apparently it has a large student population as it is so close to the Uni and not far from the city either. I got some Thai for lunch at Thai Space on the main road and I ate in the open window [those huge door windows] and looked out on to the street. I realised that it would be a fantastic suburb to live in and I could really picture it. After lunch I caught the bus back into the city [$2 each way not on a return city] and got off early to go to Paddy's Markets. It was in a huge warehouse and it reminded me of the Hobart Show with the setup. I bought some patterned stockings then went back to the city via Chinatown. I had a brief rest at Base then headed out for more shopping. I bought some crazy bright shoes at Footlocker and a skirt at Supre, but I didn't feel successful. I went back to Base again after that and talked to one of the Chinese ladies in my room. At first I assumed they were all Korean as the original 2 were but it shows how much I can't differentiate between the different Asian countries. After the chat I went to the bar next door, Scary Canairy, for a $5 meal of fish and chips and a $3.50 glass of Trevi champagne before heading to Event for the 640pm showing of Toy Story 3 3D. I felt smart wearing the glasses. Then it was back to Base again and I got into bed. I looked up rental properties in Glebe and found it was affordable but it would depend on the house and whether or not it had a laundry or shared bathroom. It will turn out well.

Day 3. Sunday 29th August.

I had a much better sleep today. I was late to get up and I needed to stay in bed that little bit longer. I went to Zibar, a cafe, on the way to Darling Harbour for breakfast. I ate in and had raisin toast and a hot chocolate [not a good one as it was yucky syrup and not powder] then headed towards the attractions. In Darling Harbour I got money out and walked around the area past the "Urban Street Stream" to the Chinese Garden of Friendship. The garden was lovely, and had wonderful ponds and huge half-meter fish [Carp, perhaps?] that looked like huge goldfish. It reminded me of my holiday with Yorick in Vanuatu. It got me thinking and made me a bit sad, as that was something I would share with him and it was depressing doing it alone. I missed having him there all the time, and that he always knew what was happening with me. Then again, someone is more worthy than him. Love will find me when I'm ready for it. I need to strengthen myself first so I don't lose myself when I'm in the forever relationship. I want the security of knowing I won't have to go looking for Mr. Right again once I've found him and have gotten married. That will be great. I know it's not the right time but walking around the garden made me miss Yorick and the holidays we shared. I miss having my boyfriend to travel with. It's the only way I really love it. Sigh. That's why the trip had been hard. After I had finished in the gardens I bought a necklace on the way out. I sat outside in the shade for a little while before heading to the Powerhouse Museum. I found it too huge! I did remember it from when I went with my parents and brother and sister when we were younger. After I was done I slowly walked back to Base, eating some chips on the way and feeling horrible about my body. After a nap at Base, I booked the next morning's shuttle bus to the airport for 610am. I then walked up to Circular Quay with the intention of getting a ferry but it was going to cost too much so I didn't do it. On the way there I bought the dress I looked at on the first day there and got it in the size smaller. It's really cute. Back at Base I wanted sushi for dinner. I looked at the movies options and realised I wanted to see Step Up 3D so I ran to Event, paid for my ticket, watched the movie, and found the sushi train on the way out. I got a roll each of avocado, cucumber and tuna. They were so yum. Step Up 3D made me want to enroll in a dance class to get fit and flexible so it's something I will look into in Hobart. Then it was bedtime. I found it hard to sleep as I had to get up at 515am to prepare for leaving. Knowing you have to get up early makes it hard to sleep.

Day 4. Monday 30th August.

After an early start, making a bit of noise in the back packer's on the way out, I waited outside for the shuttle bus and was getting anxious as it was late. Another crazy ride to the airport and I got a berry smoothie and some Maccas [egg muffin and a hash brown for $4] for breakfast before waiting in the gate lounge for the plane to arrive. Once we boarded, we had to wait a little while for the plane rush. We were waiting in line behind a few planes for them to leave the airport. Peak hour at the airport. Airports always remind me of where I've been and usually remind me of times spent with Yorick as he's the only one as an adult I have gone place with. Sad. The trip back was good. Was a bit late to Hobart but Sarah was there to meet me. We went to the Raincheck Lounge in North Hobart for some breakfast and had a great time. We eventually went to Margate and I was finally home.

I had a good time on the trip but didn't really find out all the information for the course I was hoping to get. I might only have do to 1 year there as I might be able to go straight into the Masters. However, there is a different HECS scheme I need to look into as I might have to pay up front but who has that kind of money!? I'll find it all out on the Graduate Options day later this month. It was fun though, and I loved seeing Glebe. All in all it was worthwhile.