New job!

I have a new job! It's at Veludo in St Kilda and apparently it is, or was, a sister restaurant to Amy's work, The World Bar, on the South Bank! How funny. I popped in there after my trial tonight to share the good news with her. So I went around St Kilda last night with some resumes and after 5 places I found Veludo. I went in and had a chat to Kylie, an awesome lass, and she got me to talk to the manager and she asked me what I was lookingn for and I said waitressing or that I'd even do dishwashing, but she said because of my experience waitressing would be good. Someone had just left so it was prefect timing and it seems like such a thebeach. So the manager was thinking about when she could get me in for a trial and we said for tonight at 5pm. So I went in and was shown around by Kylie and it was awesome. It seems cruisy but I know it'll get really busy. I really want to master this place like I did thebeach. It'll be a good challenge. I already have 4 shifts lined up -- Wednesday 9am-9pm, Friday 7pm-close, Saturday 9am-9pm and Sunday 11am-3pm. I think I'll talk to the manager soon about permanent shifts but this is a good start! I should be getting quite a few hours. I'll just have to keep up with my studies. It'll help me get into better practice regarding time management. I really suck at that. Ha ha. So things are looking up!

House stuff stull isn't happening. Nicole, Sammy and I will stick together but we're going to get rid of Chelsea. She kinda stuffed us up with a cute house we got accepted to. We all had to get our parents to sign a form saying they would pay for us if we couldn't, so Nicole and I did, Sammy was prepared to if Chelsea could get hers signed. Her parents are spit up. Her mum isn't financially secure and her dad had to fork out a heap of money for her step-brother so it didn't look good. She also said it was too much money and that she didn't realise it would be that much, even though we told her when we all applied. She's just left it all to us basically and doesn't get it. She also doesn't have a job and won't be here past March next year so it's all a bit stuffed up. It's crap because we all wanted this place but can't get our shit together. It looks like we've lost it. Tomorrow will tell. It's shit because the owner wanted to give us a go but we have just proved them wrong. Drat it. Hopefully Nicole can get a job soon and the 3 of us can get an awesome place together. We have lots of TV series to watch together! It seems like the 3 of us are all on the same level, the same page, and Chelsea just doesn't fit. It's not all her fault. Sigh. Things are looking up. It's a challenge but I'm glad to be here.

Interesting developments

So, things are changing all the time. Yesterday Marie and I went and saw this awesome house but there were so many other people there and it made us depressed. Since then, I've been down and frustrated about the whole house issue. Nothing is coming of our work. To make things more interesting and complicated, Marie has been offered a room by a friend. She's going to look into it more but she might take that and I might find something else on my own. I'll at least look into it. I just like that we're friends, that I am comfortable around her and that I have someone to fall back on. Finding a new room might be tricky because I have high standards when it comes to room mates and the house so I'm getting a bit worried and anxious. So many feelings.

I need to look for jobs. I also need to look for rooms in already established houses but it's going to be hard. Things with Marie aren't exactly happening, just because we haven't found a third person who is 100% committed to us and that because there is just too much competition out there. It might be easier to find a room elsewhere but then again finding the right one will be hard. Kirsten found a few rooms for me on her Uni site so I'll have to ask her to check that out for me again. Ahh this is annoying. I would rather go into a new house with a friend but it might not work out that way. Hmm.

Yesterday I had the volunteering at the Mission. It was so good to be back. I did more scanning and we did a search for a pretty important artefact with no luck. Apparently it was borrowed then returned but it's not around. Hmm. It's a bit suss.

Monika is coming up from Hobart on Sunday to Tuesday! We're going to hang out on Monday night and have dinner and maybe see a movie or something. Very exciting! I can't wait to have a friend here, another one that is. I've seen Amy twice this week so that's been lovely. We went to Bimbo's and I went again this afternoon for lunch. I can't wait to get back 'home' and have something to eat. I'm starving!! Better have a quick look at houses then get out of here.

So much to say

Looking back over my last entry, I must say that the Roller Derby was fun! I did get McDonalds, naughty me, but being a bit sick made that food help. The Derby wasn't the fastest game, as Jess told me, but it was interesting watching it all the same.

I have finished lectures for my first unit but have 3 assignments to hand in over the next few months. I love that there are no exams. It's a brilliant way to organise the diploma. Today I will try and finish the first one and hand it in early as it's due on a Friday and why would I want to go out there for 10 minutes when it takes an hour each way to get there? I'll hand it in on the Tuesday like Dana will. She's a smartie that one. Next week we start the next unit. I'm sure I'll like it but it's just that there is so much to read as well as do the assignments. I'll never get it all done. I guess that's okay because there will be time after the last 3 week unit is done to finish those readings...

Last night I went and met Amy and we had dumplings and some spring rolls for dinner. Then we went and got some 5 Seeds cider and went back to her place and hung out. I love hanging out with her. She inspires me and makes me laugh and like myself. Once I get a place I am definitely going to start working on my health and fitness. She has an amazing room. She has a double bunk-bed and instead of sleeping on the top she has the mattress underneath on the ground and has made it like a cubby, with lights and fabric draped all around. I might do that when I get a room, but I might not. I was telling her how I am not very improvisational and that I have to see things to get inspired. I'm no good at thinking amazing things up. So in a way, the cubby would be awesome to have but a nice bed might be nice also. I'll think about it. It might be hard to put fairy lights up otherwise.

On Monday night I went over to Marie's and we applied for 3 places online. Now it's a bit redundant as what we'll do is print the applications out and take them filled out and prepared to the real estate agent there as one of the receptionists Marie talked to frowned upon filling out forms before having seen the property. So that is what we'll do. We're going to meet up at 330 today and fill out more forms, haha, then go see the first of 3 houses scheduled for the week. We have one today, one tomorrow and one Friday. Busy! I hope they are all fantastic so we can get them all then decide. I'm not sure if Elizabeth will be our third.

After that, I met Kirsten and Tom and we saw the last Girl with a dragon tattoo movie, oh, The Girl Who Played With Fire, that's what it's called! I keep forgetting. I wished I could have seen it with mum as per our tradition but never mind. I liked seeing how it ended. I had had a big dinner at Marie's so I was very full at the movie, even though I got popcorn and an ice cream. Hmm.

What else is new? Not a lot. I tried a wig on at Amy's. She shaved her hair for the Leukemia fundraiser I think it was so she and her bf Cal went and got her a wig. It's long and pink! Hehe. I hate my hair right now so I think I'll get a normal one and try that sometimes. I also need a bike. Shopping!

I need to apply for some jobs. I had best do that now.

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.

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.

Drunken [tipsy] ponderings

Today has also been a good day. I'm a little tipsy now as I just swung by Amy's work on the South Bank and had a pint of 5 Seeds cider. I met up with Amy at 1 today and we went to lunch next to the Federation Square bridge. She had a lamb bratwurst and I had some chips and we had 3 half pints of Bulmers cider each. We had a great catch up and I loved it. Seeing her work and her at work was amazing! It's all so fast. Much faster than at thebeach. She was just on drinks, making the orders and putting them on the bar with the dockets to be taken out by the waitors/waitresses. It was great. I like their system. It's not as busy at thebeach to implement this system but I admired it.

After Amy and I talked for 2.5 hours, I did some shopping. I bought a skirt from Dangerfield then went to Melbourne Central shopping centre and bought some stationary supplies. I got a stack of cards that you write down a task you want to achieve, then you tick it once it's done and get a reward you specified for it. I also got myself and Jodie [from thebeach work] this book on how to change your life in little steps. It's all about making the best of things, going out for cute outings like to watch the sunset, and enjoying life. I hope she likes it. I also got this book labled 365. It's red and has x's all around the edge of the front cover and it has on each page a different number starting from 1 going through to 365 and you can put anything you want in it. One of the suggestions is to doccument the first year of your baby's life. Another is to use it as a journal for a years task. I want to do something great in it. Maybe something to do with fitness and overall happiness and not being lazy. I haven't quite worked the details out yet but it'll be great.

Earlier this morning I went to the Carlton Gardens and to the museum there. I loved seeing the blue whale skeleton and how they came about acquiring it and putting it on exhibition. It was a great story. I am really not into Melbourne. It would only be great because I'd get to see Amy a lot more and go to lunch like we did today but I don't like the city itself. I would much prefer Sydney and have a fresh start there. It's much cleaner feeling. I want it to be my own thing and it will. It'll happen.

Tonight I have to pack my bag and get ready to make a quiet exit in the morning as to not wake my room mates. I have to be at the airport for around 730am so if I'm at the Sky Bus by 7am just in case then I should be fine. That means getting up at 6am to shower and pack then walk or train it to Southern Cross Station. It's not too far to walk but I don't want to stress about it.

Both Amy and my sister aren't sure about my tattoo idea, the barcode part of it anyway. It is up to me though, as Amy mentioned, but I like it. I like that it's not just my surname. I still have time to think about it and plenty of time to make an appointment. There's no rush.

I'm really tired now. Drinking does that to me. I think I got a little sunburnt on my face, definitely on my scalp, so I'll have an early night. I have 35 minutes left on here so once I play some games I might go get some McDonalds for dinner. I still have one or two mini mud cake cupcakes to finish off and some crisps but I might leave them for the girls to eat. It was silly to buy them. I'm looking forward to going to bed early. I'm not sure I'll get anything for dinner. I don't know if I need it. I might just have a mud cupcake and go to bed. Maybe I could just get a McChicken burger from McDonalds. Something light. Something to ponder for the next 20 minutes.