Sleepy after a long day

I am officially staying at Kirsten's. It's good to be in a home especially after Courtney left the back packer's, but I'm yearning to find my own place. There is one to look at tomorrow but it's right in the middle of one of the only things I need to attend at Uni. It's an afternoon tea for Arts and Education postgraduate students that goes from 430-6 and the house viewing is from 530-545. I'll check it out anyway as long as I don't need to stay at Uni. I think it's a one bedroom place and it's in Hawthorn, which is one of the two places I am thinking about as it took me 50 minutes to get to Deakin this morning from the city. I need to cut that time down.

So my first day of O-Week was good. I made a friend. She's 19 and doing Education so we won't see each other all that much but it's nice to know someone. I got my ID card and it's funny. I'm all shiny on my forehead and two spots on either side of my nose. Oh dear. Zain, my new friend, is a self-proclaimed 'curry' and although she had lovely brown skin, it's not as dark as it looks in her picture. Something's wrong with the photographs. Haha. We had a walk around together, waited a while for me to get my ID, had some chips, and I joined the Anime society! Tomorrow we have to be there for 9 so I'll have to get up at 6ish to make sure I leave the house for a 7ish tram to get to town at 730ish for an 830/845 arrival at Deakin. It's all a bit early but it's only one day.

On Wednesday, Nicole [Sarah's flat mate] is coming over, maybe for the night, and we'll meet up for lunch or coffee. She said to me via Twitter that she's thinking of coming over to Melbourne earlier so I'll check up on that and maybe we can get a place together. I just want to find somewhere soon. It's bugging me.

Friday night is Kirsten's house's party for several birthdays. I think it'll be a big one. I need to get champagne. This afternoon, after dragging my luggage from the YHA to the Bourke St tram and then here, Kirsten and I went for a bike ride to the shops. We both bought a few things from K-Mart and from Coles. I have a few food supplies.

I am really tired. This morning the YHA room smelt like bad breath. It was gross. So glad to be out of there because it was always noisy [at night it was the trams, in the mornings it was the other girls slamming the door and being annoying] so I'm looking forward to a better sleep tonight. I'm considering going to sleep now, but Kirsten said she might be back but to use her bed originally. I'm not sure what to do. Maybe I'll just jump in bed anyway. I have to get up at 6am after all.

First and last days

I'm leaving the YHA today and I couldn't be more happier. This morning when I went out for a shower and came back in it smelt like bad breath. Icky! Having the window open helps but it's still there. I have my CK One perfume on to help me out. I'm just trying to spend the rest of my internet card but I won't have heaps of time as I have to check out and hopefully avoid some of the rush. It give me a little time to do some of my favourite internet things though -- Scrabble, catching up on my favourites blog posts...

Today I have my first O-Week day out at Deakin and I'm pretty excited. I wonder how long the tram will take. I'm excited to time it so if I don't live on the West I'll know what to expect. If it takes ages I will be more than happy to go as planned and search for a house in Richmond or Hawthorn. I haven't had any luck, well much, even with Gumtree, but something will turn up. All in good time.

Apparently I have already used most of my internet time. It said $1 which I thought meant an hour, but $4 is an hour! It must mean 15 minutes then. Haha. Silly me.

I want to start a new blog about my life in Melbourne, only the exciting adventures to keep it light and remind me of all the fun things I can do if I forget. I'm sure I'll still write all the heavier things in here though.

So now, check-out, breakfast, head to Deakin, come back and get my bags, take them to Kirsten's then maybe go back to Uni if there are interesting things on. What a day! I can't wait.

Job, museum, friends and family

I had a job interview today at Kamel, a multi-cultural restaurant that Jess works at in South Melbourne. It didn't take long to get there on the tram and I might get a trial next week. Today I also went to the Immigration Museum and had a look around. I came across a lovely symbol for bravery that I'm considering as a tattoo. I'll have to scan it. I took a photo of it I might be able to get off Twitter. I need to be more brave and I think it'll remind me that I am brave. I'm proving that to myself here everyday. This afternoon I'm heading over to Kirsten's. She called me last night while I was heading back from Jess's house [we watched The Runaways and had a Thai curry] on the train and offered to have me over for a while. A German girl is staying I think and I'll be able to use Kirsten's room as she might stay at her bf Tom's. I got a $105 refund here at the YHA so hopefully I'll be able to head to K's tomorrow after my first day of O-Week! I can't wait to go there tomorrow. Super exciting. That's about all the news I have right now. I might go watch some more of Miss Potter before I get the tram to K's. Yahoo! Oh, I also had a chat to mum and dad this morning. I'm so glad things are so much less stressful than Sydney. It was great to talk to mum too.

Moved to Melbourne update

Success! I have finally gotten onto the internet here in the YHA Melbourne Central back packer's and there is no one else around to spy on what I'm writing. That's the worse. I'm in a small lounge room with two computers and a couch facing the TV and it's not private at all. I wanted to write in here but I hate the fact that people can be watching me doing this, which I am slightly embarrassed about when other people are watching, so I am really glad I'm alone!

So, it's Saturday and I arrived in Melbourne on Thursday. Holly and I were on the same flight, me in the middle and she was up the back, but we caught the Sky Bus together, had chats, then went to the back packers and dropped my bags off. They weren't ready with my room quite yet so I went back that afternoon and checked in properly. The place is great! It's the best one I've been in. The rooms are nice and have personal bed side lamps attached to the walls. The bathrooms are amazing, although there are only 3 showers on the floor, one of which isn't working as it has no tap handle. There is a toiled right next to my room though so it's very convenient. I met a lovely Canadian lass who is leaving today. She's heading back to New Zealand to study until June/July then back to Canada. We were going to hang out today but she had to check out and I suppose she had to give her key back so she might not be able to get back up to our floor. Might not see her. The other two in the room, one of which left last night I think, are weird and annoying. The traffic is pretty loud, which is a bit hard to deal with, so I didn't get much sleep on Thursday night. I caught up last night though. Very pleased about that.

So, Holly and I hung out for a few hours, did some window shopping, had a tea [Holly] and a milkshake [me] then went to where her job interview was. It was next to the ANZ Bank Museum so we had a quick look in there before she went in. After that Amy called me and we met up 15 minutes later at Riverland, a cute place next to / under the bridge next to Federation Square alongside the Yarra River and I met her boyfriend Cal. We had a pint of Bulmers each and had some lovely chats. I'm going to a hula hoop class with Amy sometime! I can't wait for that. Then they both went to work and I went to the back packers to check in. After that I went to my room, then got some dinner at Thai Culinary. I had a lovely Pad See Ew noodle dish, similar to what I have at Cool Thai, but not the same unfortunately. I doubt I'll find something as good as I have at Cool Thai. Sad. I got invited to the Thursday night free pub crawl by one of the roommates and I went for a little bit but I'm not a drinking fan so I left and watched some of a DVD. I met the Canadian roommate and we had some nice chats.

Friday was a sleep in day. I got some breakfast in the city, then went to Big W and got some shampoo as I had forgotten that I deliberately didn't bring my bottle as it was almost empty and that means when I go back to Hobart to visit I won't need to take any with me. After that I came back here and had a nap, then got up for my appointment to see Kate, a friend of George and Katie's who works at the Police Museum. We had a coffee/hot chocolate and a crumble lemon yoyo and talked about Uni and volunteering and houses. She's so nice and said if I ever need help seeing places that she can drive me and not to worry about asking her. There's nothing to go and see though so that's a shame. Then her colleague Monica came down and we had a nice chat. She's also doing the Diploma of Museum Studies via Deakin but is finishing it off this year and she does one day of volunteering at the Police Museum and one day, Thursdays, at Mission to Seafarers. She took me on a tour of the Mission and I'll be doing some volunteering there with her next Thursday! It's such an amazing place. It has a beautiful chapel and is still used for seamen/seafarers to relax and have a drink, play some pool, and use the internet. There are also functions done there [they were setting up for a wedding whilst I was visiting] and is an amazing apartment for a Chaplain to stay in as well as one for the caretaker[s]. I met Cally[?] and I'll be doing some hospitality functions work with her, paid work. I'm not sure how much work and how often but it's a start. She asked off hand if I had my RSA and I said yes and she asked if I'd be interested in work and I said yes and that was that! They said I was sent from Heaven or something like that. The previous volunteer had to leave or something so the timing is perfect. It's such a cute place and I'll get to do similar work to what I did at the Maritime in Hobart. Some of the main museums here get you started out the front, then you work your way out towards the back and the kind of work I'm interested in. Apparently the Mission will be useful for class assignments, Monica told me. I can't wait! That night I went back to Thai Culinary then watched another movie and chatted with the Canadian girl. Not sure we actually introduced ourselves. Haha.

Today I got up fairly early feeling pretty refreshed, although last night the girl who moved out was so annoying. She may have moved into another room but she was doing this at 11pm back and fourth out the door which has a loud slam and she kept her bed side lamp on and it was shining in my face and lighting up the whole room. How rude. She came back an hour or so later and turned it off. She did it again in the morning. Poo poo. Glad she's gone. So this morning I had a nice shower with my new shampoo, which didn't smell as it usually does [contemplated taking it back]. I read some catalogues that the Canadian girl left for us to check out letting visitors know what's on and where it's happening. Then I went to get The Age newspaper to look for jobs and houses but nothing took my fancy. First I need a place, then I will look for a job near by. I don't want to do hospitality but I'd rather go in and see the place before applying, and know how to get there and whatnot. So that's step two. Now I'm here and not sure what to do. I think I'm seeing Jess this afternoon but I'd like to go to some gardens and other museums at some stage. Tomorrow I'll go to the Campberwell markets with Amy and Cal then on Monday it's out to Deakin! I can't wait to get there and check it all out. I might only be going on Monday and Tuesday depending on the activities on the other days. I need to get my ID card and go on a tour, or take myself on a tour. There are some library tours available so that'll be fun. I can't wait!

I actually love being here. I love that there is so much to do, that I'm in a fantastic city, that I have many friends here that want to hang out with me, that there are trams, the weather, and so many other little things. I am surprised at how much I like it. It's nice that I do. Now I just have to find a house! Eek.

Hangs with Holly and Monika and packing and moving!

I met up with Holly today and we had a cup of tea at Fullers book shop in the Afterword Cafe. It was really nice catching up. Adult. As it turns out she'll be flying to Melbourne on the same day and same flight I am for a job interview! So we'll meet there and catch the Sky Bus in and get some food. We talked about my plans for the first few days there and she helped me set a goal to get a house/place first then let everything else happen, like sorting out some volunteer positions and a job. I hope I can find somewhere great within the first week so I don't have to stay at the Backpacker's too long. Please!

After meeting Holly I went next door to visit my old friend Monika. We sat outside and had a cup of tea overlooking Mt Wellington. It's such a great view and you can see so much more from there than our place, which is 100m away maybe, because our block has so many trees. It's still a lovely place though and I do dearly love it. It's just nice seeing a different view. I am so excited about moving to Melbourne and getting on with my life. It all changes permanently on Thursday! Yay! I can't wait to get a place and be settled. That in between period scares me a bit but hopefully it won't last too long. I can't wait to start class! Eep.

Tonight we're down at the Longs for dinner. Daddy's just having a shower and we'll head off. Tomorrow at 11 Sarah and I are going to visit Nan and Pa, then we'll grab some lunch then come home and I'll do more packing. Maybe she can help me with that. Then it's dinner with James, George and Etta. I can't wait to see Etta's first tooth. What a milestone! Eeeep again. I can't wait to get my stuff sorted. I always leave this stuff until the last minute, like assignments, but I just have to get it done. I'm more productive then I believe. I just don't know what to do with all the other stuff I won't take with me. Clean/tidy it up? I don't know. I'll be back every so often and can sort stuff out then. I'll probably take more things with me. Who knows until I get there and settled. I've packed boxes of things I'll definitely want like towels/tea-towels, Uni books, kitchen stuff, clothes and DVDs/books, so they can be sent over once I'm settled but everything else? No idea. I'll just do what I can.

Right! Off to dinner now. Yum, I'm rather hungry.

House hunting

I have just started looking at places near the Uni online and it's a bit confusing. Because it's student accommodation the houses are for over 5 people! That's a lot of people. I would rather fewer people to live with but I'll have to see what I can get. I might have to look elsewhere. Who knows. I'll stick with it.

Things to do before I move to Melbourne on Thursday

I have a lot to do before Thursday. Thursday doesn't count as a day I can do anything though because it's the day I leave Hobart! It's taken me a while but I'll get there. I need to call or visit my Grandparents and finish packing and organising boxes of stuff for my parents to send me. I have to take the dog for a walk tomorrow and Wednesday. I am seeing Holly at 3 tomorrow and hopefully Andi before that. Then it's to the Long's [the neighbours] for dinner. Wednesday I'm meeting sister at 1 in town for lunch and a wander, then it's home. That night is a pizza dinner with everyone but mum as she's away. Hopefully I can fit it all in. I'm most worried about the packing I think and the amount of time that takes up. It might be hard to fit anything else in. As long as Andi can work around my schedule! Time has suddenly run out. I also need to organise houses to view once I get to Melbourne. It might pay to schedule some earlier but then again it may not. I'd feel better doing it though. They might get snapped up before I even get there but they may not. We'll see. I think that's about it. I'll just have to get up earlier and focus on packing and utilise the time I have. It can be done!

Tonight I went and had Cool Thai with Emma and we hung at her place for a bit. I love our Cool Thai dates. They're awesome. Then I went to Jessi's and we chatted lots. It was really nice. Then I got home and had chats with dad. We're both quiet so it's nice when we have chats. They're uncommon but that makes them special. I usually talk to mum about everything and I know they know what the other knows. Hmm.

I can't wait to get settled in Melbourne. I don't like this in-between period but it has to happen unfortunately. I'll be quite busy though so that's comforting. I just hope I find a place soon/straight away so I don't have to spend more money in the back packers and so I can be settled before Uni officially starts on the 7th. Plenty of time, right? I hope so.

6 Week Running plan

Running for beginners.

"Haven't run since middle school gym? No sweat. This women's workout plan, designed by fitness guru Amy Dixon, will help you build from a walk to a run. By the end, you'll be able to run 30 minutes without stopping--and you'll be showing off a rock hard body under your running shorts.

Do all walking and running at an intensity level that feels challenging but comfortable. Feel free to switch the rest day, but make sure you do one day of rest each week. And don't forget to stretch after each workout.

The best part? You can print the entire workout plan to take wherever you go."

Week One

Monday One Walk 10 minutes. Next 6 minutes alternate running 1 minute and walking 1 minute. Walk 4 minutes. Stretch.

Tuesday "Tone Zone" Strength Training Program. Stretch.

Wednesday Walk 10 minutes. Next 8 minutes alternate running 1 minute and walking 1 minute. Walk 2 minutes. Stretch.

Thursday "Rock Solid Abs" Strength Training Program. Stretch.

Friday Walk 8 minutes. Next 10 minutes alternate running 1 minute and walking 1 minute. Walk 2 minutes. Stretch.

Saturday Rest Day

Sunday Walk 6 minutes. Next 12 minutes alternate running 2 minutes and walking 2 minutes. Walk 2 minutes. Stretch.

Week Two Monday Walk 10 minutes. Next 10 minutes alternate running 1 minute and walking 1 minute. Walk 5 minutes. Stretch Tuesday "Tone Zone" Strength Training Program. Stretch. Wednesday Walk 10 minutes. Next 12 minutes alternate running 1 minute and walking 1 minute. Walk 3 minutes. Stretch. Thursday "Rock Solid Abs" Strength Training Program. Stretch. Friday Walk 10 minutes. Next 12 minutes alternate running 2 minutes and walking 1 minute. Walk 3 minutes. Stretch. Saturday Rest Day Sunday Walk 8 minutes. Next 15 minutes alternate running 2 minutes and walking 1 minute. Walk 2 minutes. Stretch. Week Three Monday Walk 10 minutes. Next 10 minutes alternate running for 1 minute and walking for 1 minute. Walk 10 minutes. Stretch. Tuesday "Tone Zone" Strength Training Program. Stretch. Wednesday Walk 10 minutes. Next 15 minutes, alternate running for 1 minute and walking for 1 minute. Walk 5 minutes. Stretch. Thursday "Rock Solid Abs" Strength Training Program. Stretch. Friday Walk 10 minutes. Next 15 minutes alternate running 2 minutes with walking 1 minute. Walk 5 minutes. Stretch. Saturday Rest Day Sunday Walk 5 minutes. Next 21 minutes, alternate running for 2 minutes and walking for 1 minute. Walk 4 minutes. Stretch. Week Four Monday Walk 5 minutes. Next 20 minutes alternate running for 3 minutes and walking for 1 minute. Walk 5 minutes. Stretch. Tuesday "Lean Machine" Strength Training Program. Stretch. Wednesday Walk 4 minutes. Next 24 minutes, alternate running for 5 minute and walking for 1 minute. Walk 2 minutes. Stretch. Thursday "Lean Machine" Strength Training Program. Strength Training Program. Stretch. Friday Walk 4 minutes. Next 24 minutes alternate running 5 minutes with walking 1 minute. Walk 2 minutes. Stretch. Saturday Rest Day Sunday Walk 5 minutes. Next 22 minutes, alternate running for 8 minutes and walking for 3 minutes. Walk 3 minutes. Stretch. Week Five Monday Walk 5 minutes. Run 10 minutes. Walk 5 minutes. Run 5 minutes. Walk 5 minutes. Stretch. Tuesday "No Gear Here" Strength Training Program. Stretch. Wednesday Walk 5 minutes. Run 12 minutes. Walk 3 minutes. Run 5 minutes. Walk 5 minutes. Stretch. Thursday "Lean Machine" Strength Training Program. Strength Training Program. Stretch. Friday Walk 10 minutes. Run 15 minutes. Walk 5 minutes. Stretch Saturday Rest Day Sunday Walk 6 minutes. Run 18 minutes. Walk 6 minutes. Stretch. Week Six Monday Walk 5 minutes. Run 20 minutes. Walk 5 minutes. Stretch. Tuesday "No Gear Here" Strength Training Program. Stretch. Wednesday Walk 5 minutes. Run 22 minutes. Walk 3 minutes. Stretch. Thursday "Lean Machine" Strength Training Program. Strength Training Program. Stretch. Friday Walk 3 minutes. Run 25 minutes. Walk 2 minutes. Stretch Saturday Rest Day Sunday Run 30 minutes. Stretch. Can't wait to get stuck into this one! I would love to be a runner. This is a great way to do it and keep me on a track to getting better. Yay!

My customised weight-loss plan from Jillian Michaels

I can't wait to get to Melbourne and start my new exercise regime. I want to get a treadmill and I can do that for say $10 a month. I want to get into the habit of bicycle riding and walking and running and doing aerobic dance classes as well as eating better. I can't wait to eat better. I will change my life!

1. Sweat

"You're a Pear - but you can pare down!

Like all pears, you tend to store fat in your lower body, so you're probably carrying extra weight around your hips, buttocks, and thighs. Anyone can be a pear, but this shape is more common among women, and it actually evolved because fat stored in these areas aids in fertility and breast-feeding. It's an interesting fact — but I know as well as anyone that this type of fat is harder to lose.

Not to worry! I have exercises that will target your fat storage areas. My personalized program will help you alter your pear shape. But you got to get a grip — you can only win against genetics up to a certain point. Once you understand this, you can let go of unreachable goals and replace them with real ones.

I'll create your personalized exercise program based on the days you prefer to work out, the goals you set for yourself, and the exercises you enjoy. After all, if you enjoy your workout, it's easier to stick to.

I'll encourage you to:

+ Have fun aerobic dancing! Depending on intensity, you could burn 500 calories an hour.
+ Cycle — indoors or out. At 13 mph, you could burn 600 calories an hour.
+ Power walk. You can do it anywhere, and at 4 mph, you’ll be burning at least 250 calories an hour.
+ Run indoors or out. All you need are good running shoes. And at 5 mph, you’ll burn over 400 calories an hour."

2. Science

"You're a balanced oxidizer.

Because you crave fruit and bread as well as salty foods, cheeses, and meats, you may be a balanced oxidizer. This is the fancy term for your metabolic rate. It simply means that you need equal proportions of protein, carbs, and fat to process the nutrients in your food optimally, and to produce and use the resulting energy. Lucky you — your diet is the easiest to follow! You feel your best on a diet that incorporates a wide range of foods, and your ideal macronutrient ratio is 40% carbs, 30% protein, and 30% fat.

But the bottom line is, you have to burn more calories than you take in. That's it. And to really do this successfully, you have to eat the ideal diet for your body and metabolism. Believe me — I've struggled with this myself. And I've done a lot of research and work to figure out my ideal diet. And now I want to share my findings with you. I have recipes and snacks that will help you eat better for your body type. And I have secrets and tricks to make it easier. (I didn't say "easy.")

3. Self

"1. Avoid dangerous situations. STOP driving by the doughnut shop on your way to work. When you go out to dinner, ask the waiter not to bring bread to your table.

2. Get a hobby. Start taking your dog on longer walks. Fix up your attic. By focusing on positive activities, you'll find yourself becoming more relaxed, happier, and thinner!

3. Curb mindless eating. Don't eat while standing up, and don't skip meals. Brush your teeth after every meal and snack. Food never seems as appealing when you have that toothpaste taste in your mouth."

* I was just thinking about the toothpaste thing the other day! I hate eating after I've brushed my teeth and I thought that if I do that when I want to eat but am not hungry then I can stop eating unnecessarily. It'll work too.

Stream of consciousness

I haven't been updating as I normally do since writing in Twitter. Because I've written what I'm thinking/obsessing about in some form, I forget to do it in this form. Sarah and I saw No Strings Attached at the movies on Wednesday night. We had popcorn and frozen cokes and I had a vanilla ice cream. We were so stuffed. I had already had a lovely dinner out on the deck with mum and dad. They had bbq meat and I had bbq'd salmon and we had a nice salad. It was a nice, warm day on Wednesday. On Monday we did the same, having lunch out on the deck. It's these things that I forget to write. It was nice hanging out with them. I have also been re-reading Twilight and I love it. I want someone to ask me a million questions about myself and for me to do the same with them. That's what I love about their relationship. Amongst other things of course. I wish I could be in their world, or at least replaying it all over in my mind the way I see it, and the way it was written down. The movie has its good parts, like showing me how they run really fast and those types of scenes, but the little things aren't in there and that's a shame. I like the movie and the book in my head better. Today and yesterday the day was overcast and colder. Last night we had a family dinner and Etta was as cute as ever. Wednesday night next week, minus mum, we'll have a pizza night for my second going away do. Mum goes to Kuala Lumpur this Saturday for a week so she won't be here to say bye to me but I'll see her this afternoon and tomorrow morning before she goes. I'm out with Sophie tonight, which I kind of feel guilty about regarding mum, but it's not as if we won't see each other again. We shall, only in Melbourne! I am really looking forward to getting on with things and starting my life. Enough of this limbo. I'm over it. I really hope Emma moves with me so we can get our own cute house and I can eat healthily and exercise regularly. Ooh I hope. There is so much volunteering to do and Uni to do. I'm excited to get started. I could go and take Katie for a walk but I can't really be bothered and mum hasn't specified for me to or not. I will tomorrow for sure and Sunday and Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday but dad will have to Thursday and Friday as he'll be here alone. Even though there is heaps of time before I have to leave to go to Medicare then to Sophie's for 5pm I feel pressured by the possibility of walking Katie. I should do mum that favour. Hmm. More episodes for now though.

Where is my lover

I'm watching the Valentines Day episode of One Tree Hill and it's making me cry because I have no one to love me, no boyfriend, and that's what I want so badly. I want to be loved and I want a companion. I want to have someone to come home to, to look forward to seeing everyday. I miss that. This episode has made me think of Yorick. I miss the fun we had together. I miss the holidays to New Zealand and Vanuatu. I keep thinking about the early days. I can't wait to have that again with someone who's actually right for me. Until then I'll be waiting.

Emma, move to Melbourne!!!

I really hope Emma is serious about relocating to Melbourne. I hope she's ready to move not too long after I'm there. I would love, love, love to share a 2 bedroom house with her. She makes me laugh and is a really good friend. I just had a look at some rentals near the Uni and we could actually have a little house with a nice kitchen! I'm not quite sure where she'd want to live but hopefully it'll be to the East of Melbourne so it's closer to Uni for me. If she's ready to move in 2 weeks that would be perfect. Please!

Another hot day

I finally got my hair cut again today. Funnily enough it's been growing out but it's been getting a bit too long and silly so this morning I booked in at the Margate hairdressers for 145 and it's done. I don't quite know how it looks but I'll style it up nicely. I'll work around if it's not as great as I hoped. It's still a little damp and definitely not styled so I can't tell. Never mind.

I went to Uni today and have put my books in to be sold. I have to check in with them in one or two weeks to see if they've been sold, then I can claim my money! I had 7 books in, most for $30-35 and one at $18 so that'll make roughly $200 I think. Wow! That'll be a nice bonus if they all sell, which I am strongly hoping they do. I will be away though so I'll call them to check if they have been sold then send mum maybe to go and pick up the money for me, if she'll do that. I think she will. I also dumped a heap of old clothes into the Lifeline bin. Someone will definitely use them as I haven't for years. It's nice to cleans stuff like that.

I think my sister Sarah and I will be going to the movies tomorrow. I want to see Going the Distance and No Strings Attached and Gnomeo and Juliet and Black Swan and 127 hours and Tangled again. I'm not sure which one we'll see together, maybe No Strings Attached or Black Swan or 127 hours. She isn't as into animated movies as I am. Well that might be untrue but we love our chick-flicks.

Last night I had to abandon my room because I was pretty much surrounded by huntsmen spiders. Why can't they leave me alone!? Every time I go into that room I have to check and see if there are spiders on the roof [the roof is an a-frame] and if so get rid of them. Otherwise I can't sleep if I know they're there somewhere. That happened last night. I found one that I couldn't get, killed a baby looking one, then when I snapped awake thinking there were more, after 10 seconds of using my phone as a torch there was one crawling near where my head was only moments before!!! So I left my room for one of the other rooms over in the big house and that was that. I had a better sleep knowing the room was spider-free but also couldn't stop thinking about them. I HATE THEM! I wish they would all die die DIE! Arr. So I'm not sleeping over there ever again. Hah!

I am trying to look up cinemas in Melbourne. I want to be prepared for lonely nights while staying at the backpackers. That's what keeps me entertained although I shouldn't have a hard time with that due to my busy schedule.

I really need to wash my hair and get all the excess bits off my neck and top. They keep stabbing me!

Books books books

I have just bought some text books for half price on the Book Depository for one of my units at Deakin. I can almost always get Uni books on there for half price, unless they don't stock that book, but if I can get the majority of them off there then I'm happy. Luckily I only have 2 to get for Uni this semester. I am hoping the other 'reader' pack will be sent to me like the other 2 were free of charge as I was enrolled via distance. I then changed my 3rd unit back to distance so they can send that to me also, hopefully, fingers crossed. I don't want to spend a fortune on a reader especially if they'll send it to me for free. Please!

I think I might start reading the Twilight Saga again. I know I love reading it and it'll be an easy win for me regarding reading. I have a lot of books and I used to love reading but these days I think there's something better for me to be doing when there's not so I don't read much anymore. It's silly. I need to stop watching so much TV. Books are better.

Booked

I have now booked my accommodation for a week at the YHA Hostel in Central Melbourne. I'm glad that's done and it'll be nice to be able to treat that like a bit of a home instead of imposing on my friends. Amy works very late in the evenings so she wouldn't be there and it's just easier to stay in this hostel. It'll be fine, and I might even meet people!

I will definitely have plenty to do. Earlier next week, not tomorrow, I'll set up some share-house meetings. I'll also try and see Carly and Amy and Kirsten if they're not too busy. Then Orientation Week starts on the following Monday, the 28th, so that will keep me entertained, and hopefully it won't take too long to get a house and settled. Only a week would be fantastic!!! It'll be better in Melbourne.

Booking a flight

I'm trying to book my flight on Thursday the 24th with Jetstar and it's going slowly. I first tried to find it on www.flightcentre.com.au and it wouldn't let me get past the passenger details page to the payments page, which is probably a good thing, so I switched to the Jetstar site. It's still the same flight and all so that's good but I'm getting further with it. Unfortunately my bank card isn't with me on the computer and I'll have to walk over to my room and back to get it so that's a bit annoying. I'm also trying to book accommodation with YHA Hostels but it's going to be a little more expensive than I thought as I'm not a member. $245 instead of $220 isn't so bad I guess and hopefully I'll be able to find somewhere to live within a week. That would be the best. Here's hoping.

Drat this webpage still isn't working!! I guess I will have to keep trying or wait until tomorrow. Super frustrating.

Backpackers and flights

I can't believe it's almost 9 months since Yorick and I broke up. Holly shared some gossip with my yesterday and basically he's an old man, wearing hoodies and slouching with scraggly hair. What a mess. I'm glad I'm out of that. I am graceful and free after all! He he he.

I started looking at flights from Hobart to Melbourne today and it'll roughly cost me $100 to get there. I might also stay at the YHA Hostel for a week and see how I go with finding a house. Mum said it'd be better to stay somewhere like that instead of imposing on my friends. I would feel awkward, I know it, and like I'm in the way. This is probably better. I'll be keeping myself busy by looking at places to live [I will set up some share-house viewings to go to when I get there] and going to museums to get into some volunteering. The following week I'll start Orientation Week at Deakin, then the week after that my first class starts! Eek! I hope it all works out and that finding a place to live doesn't take too long. I hope I can make some wonderful flat-mate friends. That would be great. I'm really looking forward to Uni. I can't wait to start classes in a new school. Yay!

Wishing

Graceful and free

Anna means grace/graceful.

Frances means free.

Grace/graceful is onkei in Japanese.

I love that Holly means hiiragi. That's the name of her sewing business. I wanted one so we found this today. Onkei is cute. It can be a nickname for myself! Hehe.

It was so nice catching up with her today and talking about Melbourne. We had a hot drink over in Salamanca at Say Cheese [I'd never been there] then I went to drop in my final piece of assessment for Fronting MONA, then went back to Holly's boat for a few hours for more chats. We also looked up my/our rising and moon signs.

Sun sign -- Scorpio

Scorpios stubbornly cling to emotional attachments. They rarely forget or forgive emotional rejection. They have to learn that jealousy and possessiveness are self-defeating. Rechanneling negative feelings and experiences into constructive activity benefits others, as well as themselves. No other sign has the emotional strength as Scorpio (Daily Horoscope run down).

Rising sign -- Capricorn

With this Ascendant, you come across as serious, cold, disciplined, patient, focused, thoughtful, ambitious, indomitable, cautious, lucid, persistent, provident, steady, introverted, stern, willful, hard-working, responsible, persevering, honest, realistic, loyal, reserved, resolute, moralistic, quiet, rigorous, attached and reliable. But you may also be curt, withdrawn, calculating, petty, cruel, unpleasant, ruthless, selfish, dull, rigid, slow or skeptical.

Moon sign -- Leo

The Moon in Leo tries hard to create a decent and elegant lifestyle. He or she insists on buying clothes and items which are special in some way...

Playing, celebrating and partying are the best ways for Moon in Leo people to restore their energy after periods of stress. For good self-esteem, every now and again they also need to be viewed, appreciated, and adored.

If they don't have enough love in their life, Moon Leos can have problems with their heart, circulatory system or their general levels of physical energy. Problems with vision are also quite typical.

So that's me!

I'm so glad to be done with my essay. It'll be nice to relax tomorrow and watch movies or plan for Melbourne. I just won't want to have to do anything. That will be nice. Then again I'll be doing a lot of that I think. I also hope tomorrow I will feel better. Sarah and I went out on Wednesday night to Cbar for dinner and drinks, then to her place with 2 bottles of Trevi, then to Mobius for dancing. We stayed out until 530am. I have had a sore neck since waking up at 12noon that afternoon and all through today. I have also been feeling horrible. I'm not a fan! I just want to feel normal again. I hope it happens tomorrow. Please!

Essay hell

This week is essay week. I started out strong but have slowed down, probably because I did the easier part first. It's good to have so much under my belt, about half anyway, but I keep getting stuck and going to watch a TV episode or two then go back to it and struggle some more. It's not a good pattern and now that time is getting shorter I'm worried. I emailed my lecturer about something I didn't understand but until he emails me back I won't be able to deal with that part for each section. That's a bit scary but I'll do what I can first and add that stuff later. It's a part of the essay question itself I don't understand so please check your email, Joe! After I waste some time on the internet, I'll take Katie for a walk, shower, then get stuck into some writing. I just have to suck it up. I have some additional information I need to find to add to parts I've already written so I might do that first, as in after I shower after walking Katie.

I have 23 followers on Twitter and it makes me feel self-conscious. People are actually reading what I write, not that I know them [a few are people I know], but it's still scary. It makes me want to write perfectly but that's not what it's about. I don't have anything interesting to write now anyway as my mind is focused on this damned essay. Oh the pressure!

Full steam ahead

Last night I did a heap of work on my essay and I am so glad it's coming along nicely. It's not as much of a struggle as I thought it was going to be but I do know I'll have to cut a lot of it down once I've finished writing all the parts I need to write. I wonder how that'll go. I found some inspiration and got together the Code of Ethics for museums and I think that will help me greatly. Today I have to do more.

I also need to go to Centrelink today, which I am not thrilled about, but it'll be nice to know if/when I'll be getting money. They sent me a text message telling me to come in but duh, I already know that! I'm going in today. I can't believe they have such a stupid system that every time I go in to get money I have to supply my billions of forms of ID again. This will probably be my fourth time and it's so stupid. They need a better system. Everyone knows it. Free money will be great though.

I have my timetable for Uni. For some reason one of my units wasn't on my enrollment list so I fixed that. I thought that was sorted so I'll have to wait for a little bit and see if that one slots into mix of 3 weeks per unit. I'm sure it will. I might make my own timetable on a calendar or something. It would be nice to have something special but we'll see. I find their timetables hard to read so ever since I started first year at UTAS I've made my own. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I should get ready soon and deal with Centrelink, but I might have to leave it until after lunch as I'm sure that's their busiest time. See how I go.

Burwood

Burwood sounds like such a nice place to live! Nicole, Sarah's current house-mate and my semi-friend [we don't know each other well but have nice chats when I'm over and go to my brother's band's gigs together], just shared a good house hunting website with me. It says --

Burwood is one of the loveliest parts of Melbourne, the streets are quiet and tree lined, with shops, banks, gymnasiums, medical and dental assistance. All your requirements are just a short walk from your door.

They included this cute photo as well. Aww! I love cutesy maps. They make things so easier to understand.

Choose to be in a good mood

It's a brand new day, Scorpio. Isn't that wonderful? You can start anew, dream new dreams, or change something you want to change. But if you allow yourself to get caught up in something negative from the past, then it isn't really a brand new day after all. It's an old, dark, unforgiving day that you will live over and over again. Let go of something that's bothering you. Maybe it's a mistake you made. Maybe it's a mistake someone else made. Maybe it involves guilt. It doesn't matter. You now have a chance to start over.

I have to think more about this. I often get in a bad mood and don't know how to get out of it but it's a choice. It's not permanent and I can choose to snap myself out of it or do something fun and exciting to make me snap out of it. I like the idea of completely letting go of something that's been bothering me to start a fresh day. Otherwise it does keep coming back. There is something on my mind that haunts me a bit but I shall try to get rid of it once and for all. I don't intend to have anything further to do with it and I won't. Now to stop it entering my mind...

I'm working on my essay for Fronting MONA which is due this Friday. I'm gathering my last bits of information so today I might focus on organising the information and figuring out what I will include. I can't wait for it to be finished. So now I need to go attack it.

Bingo

Things just got even better! I can search for a room and specify how much I want to pay and that it's somewhere close to the Uni and it'll give me a load of options/ads! This is awesome! I can set up a lot of house inspections and get in somewhere pretty soon. Yahoo! Yahtzee!

Deakin possible timetable

I am a bit confused about the timetable I might be making as of Monday because it seems like the units are for 3 weeks each [one is unspecified] with two full-day seminars each week and they are spread over different months. I get it now I've put it into my own formatting but it's still strange. I guess they have to accommodate for professionals doing the course for professional development or whatnot. This will be interesting!!

AIM721 Museums: Context and Issues

Monday and Tuesday 10am to 450pm seminars for 3 weeks from the 7th of March

AIM723 Heritage Interpretation

Monday and Tuesday 10am to 450pm seminars for 3 weeks from the 28th of March

AIM709 Intangible Heritage

Monday and Tuesday 10am to 450pm seminars for 3 weeks from the 2nd of May

AIM 714 Cultural Landscapes

Thursday and Friday 10am to 450pm seminars for an unspecified number of weeks from the 26th of May

So it seems like I'll be focusing on one subject for 3 weeks then move onto the next one! That suits me very well, and I'll have the rest of the week to study and do other things like work and go to non-study-related classes and hanging out with friends. It'll be like little summer school units here! I love that kind of focused study. I remember more and learn more. This is rather exciting!

Blessings not dilemmas

A happy ending is just around the corner, Scorpio. It may be difficult to believe that there will be a sunny outcome to a conflict or problem that currently seems dark and gloomy, but there will be ... I think this relates to the fact that I have no idea where I'm going to live or who I'm going to live with in Melbourne. All I know is that I want to be close to the Uni, and that means living in Burwood, but that is as far as I've gotten. I stress myself out too much ... At this point in your life, you need to allow more healing in. You may be too focused on some issue that has you down, when there are so many other things going right ... I think this reflects being down about not having a man in my life. I want my future husband now! I don't want to be alone anymore ... With your present dilemma, let go of any feelings of sadness or anger or resentment, and think about your blessings. Let go of any feelings that aren't uplifting. This is totally harder than it sounds. I guess I'll have to try and relax and know that when I'm not looking I'll find my future husband.

-- From Thursday the 3rd of February.

All alone again

So my aunts left not too long ago, about an hour ago, and I'm feeling sad and alone in myself. I'm sad that they've left as it was nice having someone here all the time for back up when there was no one else here and to do things with, and now that they're gone I miss that. What I really miss is having a partner, the guy to complete me, to do things with, and share a life with. That's what I want and that's definitely what I don't have.

I don't want to do it all alone and alone I will be for a while at least. I do want to get in shape before I meet someone, but I'll go with the flow as love or a deep friendship might surprise me. I think about moving to Melbourne and I'm still scared even though I'll have friends there just because of the fact that I will be alone. I really want a partner to share it all with and to help me live life without being scared. With someone by my side I know I can do more. That sounds a bit pathetic but that's just me I guess.

I hate that I have to go to work today in some ways because of how I'm feeling, but it'll be good for me to get out, earn some money, and take my mind off things. I have plenty of time to feel crappy like this.

I like when mum and I are on the same wavelength talking about my future. We had a really good chat last night at dinner with Jan and Fra [the New Sydney] and I have decided to only focus on step 1. Step 1 is going to Melbourne and completing my diploma of museum studies. I have no idea what will come after that but I just need this focus to begin with. Anything can happen after that. I was about to write some ideas but I just have to leave it at this for now. Complete step 1 and decide from there. Getting work is the main idea.

I really liked having Jan and Fra here. It's always better when I'm older as I remember more and am more adult. Last night we went to dinner at the New Sydney. It was a bit of a shambles with getting a good table even though we booked and we had to sit on the stage. They are the nice tables but when the band comes and tries to set up around you it's a bit awkward. In the day we went to the Leworthy's for morning tea in the sun, then met up with Sarah and went to Bellerive for lunch and a stroll around the semi-boardwalk. Then it was to the Cascade Gardens to meet up for a drink with dad's friend Adrian who runs the place. Too much sun for me. I hate the heat. Then it was home and we all, minus Sarah plus mum, sat on the deck and had a glass of champagne before dinner. The day before, dad, Jan and Fra and I went to the Maritime Museum for a wander then to the TMAG [Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery] Courtyard for a bite and a beer [strawberry milkshake for me]. I wish I had written more down or remembered it more as now there are no more outings. I feel depressed. There have been lots of walks, like the Snug Falls one we did earlier in the week then to the Pancake Train in Margate. I didn't go with them sometimes. I just miss them and I miss that company because I now feel so alone and I don't want to be alone or go through life alone. Friends just don't cut it.

I need to snap out of this, or at least get on with my day. I have to shower and get ready for work with my dad, then head to my sister's to drop off her birth certificate then head to work for 4-5 hours with my dad. I'm meant to be meeting up with Sophie for drinks but I'm not sure I can be bothered. I'll see how I go. That means I might have to pack extra clothes. Drat it.

Right, definitely time to get off the internet and brave it and deal with the aloneness. I have a catch up with Holly to look forward to on Friday. All this week I need to spend it writing my essay. I might take it outside or just sit downstairs in the sun room. I find my room a bit depressing when I'm alone.

I'm mad at myself for not remembering more about their trip. I can look over my blog and see what's what. I know they went to Stanley for a while and there were lots of dinners and Etta fixes and things like that. I don't know why it bothers me so much! Arr.

Remix

Great tips about remixing patterns --

http://kristinemachine.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-mix-patterns.html

I hate the heat!

I had a coffee/hot chocolate with my old high school and primary school friend Angie today! It was really nice catching up with her. So much is happening and it seems like she's about to become an adult with her first real job after just finishing Uni doing engineering. Even her brother has an awesome job as a commercial pilot. And here I am, about to commence more studies, and I don't have a career yet. I wish I did but I'll be glad to have a relatively cruisy/cruisey year. I can't wait to be able to look for a 'real' job in cultural heritage or museums. That will be the icing on top of the cake.

I can't escape the heat! It's gotten hot here and it's really annoying me. I'm sick of the heat. I should go from one side of the world to the other eliminating summer. I think that would be great and it would suit me just fine! I'll have to do that one year. Gosh I hate the heat.

I have decided that next week I'll spend my time writing my essay and the following week I'll start studying the books Deakin has sent me. That is my plan. It's so nice not to have to work. Working for my dad doesn't seem like work but it'll nice to have a little income to top up what I've spent and will spend because I can't not spend anything. I might go a bit mad staying at home all the time but I'll just have to do it. Not to watch the last episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender. I am excited to see how it ends but I don't want it to end! Sad. Then it's off to my uncle and his partner's house for dinner. I might wear one of my new Sydney maxi dresses.

Remix Challenge

I think this is the best post for the 30 for 30 remix challenge --

http://kristinemachine.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-30x30-picks.html

What a perfect way to photograph ones picks!

Inspiration

I loved reading this from a wonderful blogger Sydney shared with her followers --

I am always striving to improve who I am as a wife, mother, friend, blogger, etc. etc. I always look for new ways to improve my health, & my home. I love finding something beautiful, that inspires me, & seeing a way to incorporate it into my life. So for me, style is comfortable, & style is growth.

Push yourself. Don't be afraid to know what you like, & to embrace it fully. At the end of the day you are the one that has to live with that shirt, or that art. One of my favorite quotes is by Dr Suess: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind"

January 2011

January has been a fine month. Nothing spectacular. This month I struggled with the two options of Sydney and Melbourne and by the end of the month, Melbourne won. Some lovely things have happened, like Jan and Fra coming out, finishing working at thebeach, and Etta starting to use her voice more but then the whole Sydney trip was a bit of a waste although I did need to go so I wouldn't regret not trying. I thought I had to go sooner rather than later to get settled and all of that but as it turns out, I don't want to do it all alone and Melbourne isn't looking as bad now I've let go of Sydney. It'll be much more fun, that's for sure.

In January I --

+ Saw Kyü at Mona Foma;

+ Spent Australia day with Kirsten and her two friends;

+ Made a list of things I want in my life -- house, career, to move states, travel and live in the UK;

+ Gained weight;

+ Figured out what my first tattoo will be but bolted when I realised it would be $90. It's too much money at the moment but if it's cheaper it might be nastier. It's something for Melbourne I think;

+ Met my lovely Welsh friend Sarah at the backpacker's whilst in Sydney. I now have someone to visit when I go over to the UK; and

+ Attended the Fronting MONA unit and went out to MONA for 4 days.

For February, I am going to relax more and not rush into heading to Melbourne. I have to finish my essay for Fronting MONA and I can start studying for my diploma. I think it will be a quiet month.

Happy February

I am home. I'm glad to be home but a little stressed already because I won't be working and I'm sure I won't want to be cooped up at home everyday for the next few weeks to a month. It is Jan and Fra's last few days here so that'll be fun. I also have an essay to write and I can start studying for Deakin as I have more of the books! It'll all work out.