Such a good day

Today has been a great day. I feel like everything is falling into place and I deserve it! I didn't understand my horoscope this morning but now I do --

Tonight at dusk - when it's not quite daytime and not quite nighttime - you need to make yourself open to messages about your future. This in-between place is symbolic of a situation in your life right now. What you're experiencing may make you feel as through you are in limbo, not knowing where - or how - to go to the next step. But, as nature takes care of the passage of light to darkness and darkness to dawn, you will soon find yourself in exactly the right place. Don't over-think it. Just let the universe guide you.

I had forgotten all about this horoscope until way after the events that unfolded this evening and I think it's sending me a message. I bumped into Kirsten Long and two friends here in Melbourne while I was wandering around aimlessly and she invited me to have dinner with them. They're all doing Uni and are from Tassie and that in itself was funny. I think one is living here, but Katie, I think she's living in Tassie and they are both lovely girls. So. We got talking about Uni and both Katie and I are intending to move to Sydney next year and we might end up living together! She's got another person in mind and we might leave room for a fourth but I think it's all fate, bumping into Kirsten like that! FATE! Mum had called while I was having dinner and called her after we were done and had said our goodbyes and mum's friend Kerin knows someone in Sydney who will be willing to rent me a room for $70 a week. This is all working out perfectly. It feels right and like my dreams will actually come true. Katie is going to email me about house opportunities, hopefully in Newtown which is in the opposite direction to Glebe, and will probably move in at the start of February or around there. It should all work out with Fronting MONA and finishing up at thebeach. I sure hope it does.

After wandering around Melbourne today and hanging with Carly, I realised how much I don't want to live here. I don't like it. It's too grungy and like a labyrinth for my taste so I'm extra hoping I get into the Uni of Sydney. I probably wouldn't be able to afford living in Sydney alone, not anywhere near the city anyway, so this is a good substitute. Living with people I know and like will be good and I'll meet people that way, maybe even my future husband! It'll work out nicely and it won't be forever. I can handle it.

Shopping today with Carly was good. I bought a cute tea canister from T2 and a 'MAIL' letter holder and 2011 desk-top calendar from Typo. There is a small Typo section in Cotton On in Hobart but we went to the actual store and it was fantastic! I really love it in there. I'm going to love living in a big city and it'll be nice having friends there and living with them won't be so bad. It'll be great actually. I am so very excited.

I've had a headache for a while but I went for a bit of a lie down after hanging with Carly and took two Nurofen and felt better after a while. I'm rooming with two Canadian girls and a third person I haven't met and the funny thing is the place we went to for dinner, the Mess Hall, was where one of the Canadian girls works! How weird. I'm going to go straight to bed after my time has finished here in internet land [10pm], have a snack, then possibly read manga for a bit then sleep. Tomorrow I need to get to some of the museums and possibly the Uni even though I'm set on not going here. It might be worth a look. The museums will be good at any rate. I haven't heard from Amy yet but I might hang with Carly again tomorrow. I'd like to go to Bimbos and have cheap pizza and maybe go to Savers. Kirsten mentioned it and how she bought a few cheap dresses. Apparently it's a second hand store, I guess like an op shop but better, as Carly has also mentioned it. Many possibilities. I just need to get a good nights sleep tonight and I'll be okay. I was so tired on the flight over and afterwards, even now. 40 mintues and I'm there.

I bought two mangas today. One was buy an author I have read but can't remember the name of the manga, and one was called Black Butler [I think] which is a different name for an anime series I already have. I think the manga will be great. I have loved getting back into manga over the last day, or less than a day, and want to buy more cheaply from Just Manga. It's such a good site and a while ago I stopped buying things from there when my manga candle burned out but now I'm back and ready to buy again. Not just yet but soon!

I am so looking foward to bed. Hopefully I'll get to sleep fairly quickly. I haven't had enough lately and it's catching up to me. I hope tomorrow will be good too. It's way after my bed time!

My future Sydney apartment

I'm going to get this bedspread and take it to Sydney with me. I think it will remind me of my goal after I get my second degree or certificate -- that I want, and will get, to go to the UK and live and work and visit my family all the time. I want to move over there, to live in a cute little cottage, and find my future husband.

I like thinking about how my Sydney apartment room will look like. Hopefully I'll get a cute apartment/flat/studio for myself in Glebe close to Uni that will be all mine that I can decorate however I want. I imagine myself getting just a mattress with this fabulous duvet set on it, with some cute shelves and second-hand furniture. It will be very basic but as long as I have a TV, DVD player, some of my DVD's and a laptop [might have to invest in a new one] then I'll be okay. I would have loved to live in Manly near the beach but it's so far from the Uni I'd have to spend a lot of time travelling and I don't want to always be going through the city. I want to be close to Uni as that's what I'll be there for and only go to town when I want to. I think that's the best way to do it.

I saw a cute second-hand furniture store on the main street in Glebe. Lots of couches outside on the street for example. I'll definitely have to go in there and find myself a bargain. I'll need a few tables to work at and sit at for dinner, a couch or armchair, and a chair. Not much really. I think it'll be a great experience not living with much.

Something like this would be cute, to hang my keys on and put my mail on. I've always wanted one of those, even one to sit on with a mirror. I have a few in mind, one from Gilmore Girls and one from Sex and the City. I just love the idea of having a little table with possibly a bowl for keys, a space for letters and my phone and wallet or bag, somewhere to sit and be organised, a place for my daily planner. I like Carrie's one in her New York apartment with the mirror on it too. Something along those lines would be fantastic. This picture isn't the greatest but it's close to what I'm thinking.

I would also like a really cute armchair to sit in and relax in. I've always wanted one but have never gotten one. There is a great looking one in The Sims 2 that I love. It's stripy and just how I picture the one I would like so that's a must on my list. I hope that once I'm in the UK I can start collecting great furniture. The only bad thing is I have a great chest for clothes that I got from Mt Nelson but there is no way to transport it cheaply, not that I know of. One day it might be worth looking into. I really love it. I will spend the rest of the year planning my Sydney apartment!

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.