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 But you may also be curt, withdrawn, calculating, petty, cruel, unpleasant, ruthless, selfish, dull, rigid, slow or skeptical.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!

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.

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.

Australia Day

Not much to report other than I really want a baby. Hehe. I had Etta on my lap for a while and I had a nice hold of her. I totally want my own but I will have to wait for 1. a man and 2. a few years. Drat that. I just want to keep cuddling her all day!

Packing is getting better. Got to pack another bag which will get send/brought up later once I'm settled full of things like books and DVDs. I do want them straight away but I won't be using them and it won't be practical so later is fine, better in fact. I want to get a house asap if it's right but I also need a job asap. I'll look and apply for houses and go on a job hunt too. Hopefully Saturday will be the day for paper job/house hunting. I'll have to get up early. I'm making a list of houses to see and they are from 1030 onwards. I might have to get a cab from one to another.

So, when I get to Sydney, Saturday morning I can get the paper, look at houses, look at jobs, go around with my resume, and hope I get a job asap. I don't mind stay in the backpackers if I have a job and am waiting to get a house. I'm trying to change my Deakin enrollment to the Certificate but I'm struggling with the website. Once that's done I can apply for Centrelink. I've just realised that I can't complete the certificate in 6 months as there are 3 compulsory units to do and one is only available in the second semester! Drat it. Hopefully I hear back from Sydney and if not I will apply again with my updated details. I didn't mention the Maritime as work or Fronting MONA. That would have made a difference if I don't get an offer. Bugger. I guess I'll have to stick with the Diploma at Deakin. I'll wait until I find out from Sydney then apply again possibly. Drat again.

I said I'd go into work today and get my pay slips but I might do that another time. It's so long to get there and back just for that. I also need to do more packing. Tomorrow Jan and Fra and I will have some lunch in Sandy Bay, then I'll meet up with Andi, then with Emma and Holly for Onba and Cool Thai. Friday I could stop by work on the way to G and Etta's before the airport. It's funny feeling my time in Hobart running out, that I won't be here to do things anymore. I'm not sure the Co-op will be open so I might not be able to sell my books. Hmm drat. It wouldn't have been possible anyway since I'm leaving before they allow books to be sold for that semester. I might be too early.

Anyway, I should scan more important documents for rental applications. And pack more. And pack other things to be sent/brought up later.

Certificate versus Diploma

I was just thinking this morning that instead of doing the Diploma at Deakin, I can do the Certificate, and can apply to upgrade from the Deakin Certificate to the USYD [I think that's the shorter version they use of the University of Sydney] Diploma! They might go for that. I might still get an offer in the final round, it's possible, but if not I might switch to the Deakin Certificate, if that can be done, so I can apply to do the USYD Diploma mid-year. That would be better. I don't want to abandon all hope. Nope I don't.

I've been thinking of the renting situation. Yesterday I found a cute room with en-sweet that was fully furnished in a "friendly share house," which happened to be on Mary Ann St [my mum's name is Maryann] and close to Darling Harbour and the city. It looks like a nice room with a really nice bathroom and it has French doors that open out onto the backyard with a table and chairs. I'm not sure I'd like it though because I'd feel weird about cooking with others around and walking in their house. I will see if I can get my own place of get in contact with Kirsten's friend Katie.

It's all feeling a bit strange. I'm heading off this time next week I reckon. I finish work this weekend [so glad about that] but it's all up in the air. It'll be good to get there and visit these houses and make a decision. Hopefully I'll have one within a week. That might be pushing it. I'll see.

I really need to start my Fronting MONA essay. Eek. It's due on the 11th of February. Heaps of time! Still, eek!

Kyü

Last night was great! I saw Kyü at Mona Foma and they were fantastic live. I wanted to get their CD at the merchandise tent but they were all sold out. I think I can get it online though. All is well. I had been at Orford for the day with mum and Jan and Fra visiting nan and pa and got back at a bit after 5. I tried to contact Holly and meet her to see Fourplay but she didn't answer her phone. I decided to head on down there anyway and check it out. I'm not sure I've ever seen them live before, or really heard much of them but I do love their work. I've had a classical music up-bringing so I really appreciate classical instruments, like violins, being used in a rock band. I like that bridge. While I was there, Holly and Ruben found me. We stood together in the sun watching Fourplay then went back to Holly's boat for some pizza and cider. At 8 we went to see Kyü. Fantastic is all I can say. Lost for words then and now. They are so amazing. I'm listening to them now on their Myspace page but they are way better live. I really need to get back to my room and finish my second assignment for Fronting MONA so I can hand it in at Art School today. I also need to take Katie for a walk and probably meet Sarah for some boots shopping. Eek! Enough on the computer.

Actually, after Kyü had finished, and Andi had just arrived, Andi and I went for a wander and had a drink at Irish. She bumped into a friend there and he was with an Englishman! He was really nice, we had a good chat, and it just gave me hope that I will meet my UK man. They are out there, especially since this guy said there are job shortages over there. I'll meet my man.

My own house

I did love it but I'm so glad being out at MONA has finished. I'm not cut out for early morning starts when there is a lot of travel involved. It wouldn't be so bad if I were only going to thebeach as it's not that far away and I wouldn't have to get up extra early. Golly gosh it was hard. I do miss being out there and that is the kind of job I want to do, not specifically a front of house position, but something to do with museums. And that is where I'm headed.

I'm currently looking on Seek for jobs to apply for and have found some I would like to get. There is one in a music store I am extremely qualified for, one at Flight Centre, and one at Todae, an eco-friendly store which I probably wouldn't get. The draw card was that it starts on February 1st 2011. I'll apply and see what happens. I also need to look at houses again. It'll be better being there so I can actually go and check them out as I don't think I'll line one up just via the internet. I am a bit worried about where to stay when I first get there and how long it'll actually take to get a place of my own. I could stay on cousin Sam's couch if that's okay or in a backpacker's if there are any cheaper ones, or couch surfing. It's tricky. I still have time to organise this stuff though.

Andi and her partner Darren are moving into a lovely house on York Street in Sandy Bay. Apparently his sister is buying it and they'll pay her back over 30 years or something. It's such a lovely house, so adult, so mature, and I wish I could have that. I don't have that much money though. I have to rent and it won't be as nice as that. That's okay though but I wish I could have a better house. One day...

A short hello

I was so tired last night after not getting enough sleep the night before. I went to bed at 930pm after watching a bit of A Walk to Remember again to wind down. Jan and Fra finally arrived yesterday so we had a bbq dinner with James and George and Etta as well as me and mum and dad [Sarah had to work] and it was really nice. Didn't get much time with Etta as she was a bit upset not too long after I started holding her. I think other faces spooked her. I love that adorable girl though. So gorgeous. I can't wait to see what she looks like a little older.

Today was the second last day out at MONA. The morning was interesting with lots of talks about the artwork, the history of the artworks, and other valuable information. One of the talks was from the librarian there and it was amazing the kind of stuff she new about. Mum thought I should be a librarian because I'm quiet and I liked books as a kid but I would only do it if it were in an ancient library. Mary, the librarian at MONA, knew so much about ancient artefacts and I'd love to know what she knows. It got me considering being one if I could do it like she did. Maybe there's a special course. I have no idea.

Stuff with Sydney is still on hold. Still waiting for the 19th to roll around to find out if I'm going to be studying there or not. I talked to mum and whether or not I should hang around for another week or something if I don't get accepted and she said I should just go then anyway. I agree. I kinda always knew that I would. I want to start my new life as soon as possible!

For right now, I have to go and get ready for dinner at Mures with the family and Jan and Fra. Heading to my sister Sarah's first to car pool. I think I'll wear my new skirt, the grey one mum made.

A funny start to the week

I experienced all the amazingness of MONA yesterday. The whole site is breathtaking from the vineyards to the bars/restaurants to the museum itself. I could never have imagined what the museum would be like from what I've read in the papers and I'm glad I couldn't. Seeing it without knowing what to expect was better. A lot of the artworks weren't up because things are still being built but just the building is an artwork. I loved the huge and super tall sandstone wall and how some rooms were cut so tall people would bump their heads. I was a bit tired by the time I got to the museum tour as in the morning I had been on the grounds tour so I wasn't as excited as I am now thinking back. It's a great building. 3 floors underground. It's amazing. I'm back there on Wednesday for 930am again. I was so tired yesterday. It was a long day.

Most of yesterday and a bit of the day before, I had noticed my car has been playing up a bit. She revs too high and won't lower it automatically and it got to be a problem yesterday. Once I was on my way home, I thought I had better stop for petrol and I made it to Margate. I got petrol, paid for it, hopped back into my car and it wouldn't start. I went into the car-fixing office and Dale was there, the mechanic who we've known for years, and he said I had a flat battery. He rolled my car down a slope backwards to the RACT van, charged it, and said that the alternator has been playing up and thus not charging the battery properly. The car is now in their shop. I called dad and he came and got me. It's just funny, that's all.

Today I'm going back to the Maritime to do some of my last volunteering. If I get into the University of Sydney I might only have two shifts left there but it all depends on the 19th. I really hope I get in. Then tonight I have work. Not looking forward to it but alas I need the money. This Wednesday I should get a great pay. I'll put most of it away. I don't need to spend much.

It's been raining for a little while now and we're to expect it will stay until the weekend. It made me not want to get up this morning so I watched A Walk to Remember and cried not only for them but for me. I can't wait for someone to love me like they were in love and for me to love them back, for us to get married and have a family. It's one of my hugest dreams and not having it on my radar now sometimes makes me sad. This is my year though. I'll get it. The rain also makes me want to stay home, but there's nothing to do here and I like volunteering at the Maritime so it's best that I go. Work will be good too. I like having contact with the other staff members but sometimes the work annoys me. I have to take dad's car today too. I'm going to go and collect my first Fronting MONA assignment from the Uni before I volunteer at 2pm and hopefully warm myself up on the walk from near the Uni to the museum.

I went to Illusions yesterday to inquire about an appointment for my first tattoo and the lady there said my small tattoo would cost $90! I think that's ridiculous. It's so tiny! What can cost that much? Holly said to leave it with her and she'll do some research for me. That's way too much to pay especially since it's almost $100 and I have to save everything I can. I hate that I had to put my car in for a service. It's going to set me way back. This week I will get a good pay though so it won't be too bad but still, it's annoying. I want to get this tattoo done but not for that price. It ought not to be more than $50.

I want to get a collection of photos of my family together to print out before I head off so once I get to Sydney I'll still have my family around me. I can't wait to have a unit/apartment and feel adult having my own space. I need to re-watch Sex and the City episodes to get ideas from Carrie Bradshaw's apartment. I want photos of James and George and Etta and one of the whole family and just some great moments that have been captured over the years. That is one of my little projects to be completed soon. One afternoon this week might work.

I need to eat something before I head off. For some reason I sometimes make myself nervous before going to something new even though I know it'll be fun and cruisy and therefore can't eat. It's a strange habit and it annoys me but it happens. I thought of this because I'm feeling like I won't be able to eat much now. I hate being put off eating. It wouldn't hurt me though because I've been letting myself go a bit with food. I'm in a bad weight rut. Sydney will be my opportunity to fix it. Tonight when I get back from work I want to look into other accommodation options, like cheaper backpacker's or caravan parks that I can utilise once I get to Sydney wile trying to find a place. I won't have time tomorrow afternoon as I'll be spending time with Jan and Fra! I should go eat.

The end of another week

Tomorrow I start my week [minus Tuesday and the weekend] at MONA. I think it's going to be great, confronting, yes, but great. I have to take a lunch and will bring some water along to have on the breaks around 12-1 I think. I can't remember if we get an hour's break or just half an hour. I have to get up quite early. I need to leave home at around 8-815am to get out there for a bit after 9am. We officially start at 930am but I want to be there early so I'm not late. I wouldn't want to be late. No way. Afterwards when we finish at 330pm I'm going to head to Illusions, the tattoo place, and book an appointment for Wednesday afternoon at 430pm probably so both Holly and Emma can come. My sister also wants to come so fingers crossed that that day and time works for all of us. I want them all there.

Lately I've been thinking about how I'll probably get lonely in Sydney and cry and have to work through the feelings. I'm sure I will but I just have to stop and feel what I feel and let it pass. I'll be doing greater things there than I would be doing here if I stayed and just because things are hard doesn't mean they shouldn't be done. I want to live alone, and I want to live in Sydney. It's my choice and with that reasoning I'll be okay. People are only a phone call away and if I'm really desperate I can book a flight home or at least to Melbourne to visit my friends. It's worth going because it'll change my life for the better [I think] and just because I'll feel lonely or sad doesn't mean I shouldn't go. I'll go and have a great time, get upset a bit, but in the long run it'll be fantastic. I can listen to music and meditate when feeling upset, go for a walk in my new city and have some more adventures. I'll be right.

Holly can't make in on Wednesday but I might have to go ahead on that day because I'm not working. Maybe I should leave it until she's available on the day I have free... The following week might be better. I think I might prefer to have all 3 of them there. Time will tell I suppose.

On a work break

Today at work has been horrible but I'm on a break until 6pm so that's something. It was just really busy and contantly busy, both of which I hate, and I felt so pressured and stressed because we needed another staff member and didn't have one. I have had a nice break so far though. I love catching up on TweetDeck updates as there are always lots in the morning and afternoon/evening as the people I follow are from the USA. It's a fun part of my day. I also had some dinner and am trying to relax in the last 20 minutes I have before I head back downstairs. I'll probably get to go fairly early though as I've been on since 11am. Today is a public holiday so the pay will be nice. I'm kinda glad Uta called me up but also not because it's been a horrible day. Not a fan. I keep wanting to quit but I'm only here for a few more weeks. It sucks though.

Tomorrow mum and I are going to meet in town after my classes and once she's finished work and go to Spotlight and look at making me some maki skirts. I'm so excited. I want a black one and a red tartain one and whatever else I can find. I have always wanted some but have never had success finding any. They always cling to my bum and that's not flattering at all. I hate that. I want a nice maxi dress also but they fit wrong. Sucks. I'm looking forward to some lovely home-made skirts. I want some that have toole underneath, or something that makes the skirt look big, but that will have to wait. Hopefully I can do the sewing myself with mum's supervision so I can one day buy my own machine and make my own clothes. Lots of skirts basically until I thin down. Class will be fun tomorrow. I'm excited to be going back after a fairly long break. Next week we actually get to go to MONA. I am looking forward to that a lot. Better get back to work now though. Sad. I hope I only have to stay a few hours at the most. Maybe till 8 or something.

An action plan

Next year when life is better I'll do a 2011 recap and it'll be fantastic. I know this year is going to be great. I can't wait for it to take off when I move to Sydney. January is going to be good. Jan and Fra are coming for a visit, I have Fronting MONA, the Maritime, packing and moving to Sydney, and experiencing the trials [I'm sure] of finding a house and getting settled. I wish I could live alone and slowly fill all rooms of the house with my things but I'm not sure that will be possible. I'll get used to living with people, plus I won't be so lonely. It won't be forever and I can always move. I truly believe this year I'll find true love. I'll get thin and fit and do all the things I want to change in my life. It'll be a great year.

In the next week I need to --

+ organise my written references from Alison [thebeach] and Rona [the Maritime]

+ apply for jobs in Sydney

+ go to Centrelink and get the ball rolling with future payments

+ start work on assignment 2 [and 3] for Fronting MONA

+ visit Holly

+ possibly make an appointment for my first tattoo

+ contact Kirsten Long's friend Katie about her plans for Sydney, and

+ look into photography courses in Sydney.

I have lots of little things to do, especially with the move creeping closer and closer, so if I can make sure I keep lists of all the things that need doing then I'll be on top of it all. It'll get me into the routine of making lists and getting myself organised. Wonderful!

Christmas Eve

I am so excited for Christmas tomorrow. I have finally gotten all my presents wrapped and raffle ticketed, except for the present I'm waiting for dad in the mail. That's a bit of a shame but I can't do anything about it. There are so many there. I'm glad we had a $50 limit but it's nice to see so many there. I love the unwrapping process using the ticket system. That way it lasts longer and we can all see what each other got. I love our traditions.

I'll be moving in a month! I can't remember who I was talking to about it the other day but they made me realise how soon I'll be moving! It won't be real and set until I get my acceptance letter/email [fingers are always crossed] and have booked my flights. Then I'll start getting nervous and hugely excited. I can't wait to have a date in mind. I wonder how packing will go. What will I take? I did start making lists. I won't make as much money as I hoped but I'll do alright with what I have. I won't need to spend too much in the beginning, hopefully, and I'll aim to have a job in the works before I even get there. I can do this.

In the new year I'm going to have to get organised with my major essay for Fronting MONA. I already have so many things in mind, like describing the two museums I'll use for my private-public comparison and showing how from the outside these museums differ. I am very excited about seeing it take shape. I'll ask for lots of help from Sara at work. She's brilliant with essays.

I don't know what to wear for Christmas tomorrow. I'm sure Sarah and I will be showing each other our options and changing a million times and I think that will be a fun filler between presents and lunch. I have two dress options I want to try out but one is a little dirty/stained from the staff party. Oops. I should have washed it. It'll get done.

"New" [to me] bands I'm listening to --

+ The Shins

+ The Broken Bells

+ Closure in Moscow

I desperately need my mp3 player back. In fact I need a new one because I doubt I'll find my old one. I remember taking it on a walk then putting it in my pocket because it wasn't working and from there I'm not sure. The car? No idea really. One day once I'm settled in Sydney and have money I can part with for frivolous things I'll buy a new one. It'll suck not having music until then but I have my laptop. It'll have to to.

Off to bed soon. Sarah is coming from work, it's pretty late but I'll hang in the main house until she arrives. Then to bed! Christmas is so exciting. If only Jan and Fra were here to join us as planned. Silly Europe snow!

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!

Quick update

I'm off to Melbourne so I'm doing a quick update. I finished early at work tonight and I'm really glad because I've had late nights for the past few nights and early starts. Monday I had Fronting MONA then work and today I went to the Maritime then worked for 3 hours. I like being busy but I'd also like to feel refreshed from getting enough sleep. I can sleep on the plane tomorrow also. Unfortunately I don't have music to take with me but I have a museum related book -- An Introduction to Museum Archaeology. That will keep me occupied.

I might be getting more volunteer work through the Maritime. Liz, a lady who I officially met today, asked me if I wanted to do more volunteering and mentioned two projects I forgot the names of immediately as I had no idea what they were. She emailed me what she emailed to the organisers, I think, so they might get back to me tomorrow. I might not be busy at work over the next 2-3 weeks so this will fit in nicely. It'll also fill out my resume relating to museum studies more and I'll get more experience. One of the projects is at the Oatlands Gaol concerning conservation and archaeology. I'm fascinated already!

Mondays lecture was great. I loved learning about more of the museums around Australia and know what my essay will focus on. The word count, formerly 3250, has been dropped down to 2250. I am completely jazzed about that. I suck writing over 2500 words. It drags on and I get bad marks. This suits me very well.

I can't think of what else to update about. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the lack of sleep and the early morning and this busy week but it's better than being bored. Got to get up at 7am tomorrow, have a shower and something to eat, then go out to the airport with dad. I'll be there for 830ish and my flight is at 10am but it's better to be early. I was hoping to be there for 9am but this is fine. I'll read my book and pass the time. It's a shame I have no music to take along with me.

I think that's it for now. I'll update again soon.

Changes

I have my work schedule for the next 3 weeks and I'm not completely happy with it. Next week is good as I have 4 definite shifts and I am going to Melbourne but the following weeks I only have 2 definites and a maybe.

Monday 13th Dec 6pm

Tuesday 14th Dec 630pm

Friday 17th Dec 630pm

Saturday 19th Dec ON CALL PM -- I wouldn't mind missing this one as I'm planning to go to Opossum Bay while James and George are there with friends. Only staying for the day would be okay but not having to rush back and stress about getting to work on time is something I don't need.

Sunday 19th Dec 930am

Tuesday 21st Dec ON CALL PM

Thursday 23rd Dec 11am

Friday 24th Dec 1230pm

Tuesday 28th Dec ON CALL PM

Thursday 30th Dec 11am

Sunday 2nd Jan 4pm

It's nice to have some time off so I can study for Uni and see my aunts Jan and Fra who are coming out on the 23rd of December but I need as much work as I can get so I can save! Hopefully I'll find a job to go to wherever I move so I won't have too much pressure regarding money but I would like to be busy now and earn money while I have the chance. Drat this Mrs Kim. I'll just write a note on the roster saying I'm available for work if anyone needs to give any shifts away. I didn't think when Alison and I were talking on the phone last week to say no when she said she was giving me time off. It just didn't click. She blind-sighted me with it so I couldn't think. Never mind. It'll all work out.

My sister doesn't like the design I have 99% chosen for my first tattoo --

I really like it. I think bar codes are a products' DNA in a way and to me, my surname and my heritage is the same. That will never change and it's so very important to me. Plus it looks cool. I'm going to book something for the new year. A Saturday when Emma can come and possibly in the afternoon so Holly can come too. I'm excited!

Monday I have another lecture and tutorial for Fronting MONA then work. Tuesday I am going in for most of the day to the Maritime to help with an upcoming exhibition then work. Wednesday I'm off to Melbourne. I wonder when I'm going to pack? I won't need to take much so it won't take long. Maybe Monday after Uni and before work as I don't know how long I'll be at the Maritime for on Tuesday. I'll get it done.

Speaking of Fronting MONA, I need to work on my first assignment [the application for a job there] before it's due on the 20th. The cover letter needs to have so many elements in it that I'm going to start writing in dot points all I need to include in it then go from there to round it out. I just don't know who it's going to so I can't add the right address in. I'll ask the tutor in class tomorrow.

After tonight I will have worked around 25 hours and that is good. I'll get about $400 and put most of it away. As long as I have a job to go to I'll be okay. I might only make $2000 before I head off. That will cover bond and a bed but not much else. Centrelink will help but having a job to go to would be best. A house will fall into place and it'll all work out nicely. It shall! I'll apply for the Body Shop and for gallery attendant jobs and just about anything that sounds good. Day work is a must. It'll happen.

Uni, Uni, Uni

I really liked going back to Uni today, as I did last Monday. I love looking forward to this. Today, as boring as it might sound, we discussed writing an application for a position at MONA. The position is for a Gallery Attendant and we are to submit an application as our first assignment and then I believe it will also be sent off to MONA. Some of us will get jobs but I don't think I'm right for it. Plus I'm leaving the state so that won't help. Bad timing. I might have to do this sort of work on the way to being a curator so it can't hurt finding out about the job.

I had a brainwave today. If I don't get accepted to the University of Sydney, that doesn't mean I can't move there. I can still do the diploma via distance at Deakin and move to Sydney! I think that's a great idea! Mum might think it's a bit weird but I'd rather live in Sydney because I find it beautiful and that's where I'd like to do the masters and end up. I am still hoping I get accepted to the Uni in Sydney because the course and the campus are far superior to that of Melbourne but it's not up to me. I'll plan to move there no matter what. That makes me happy. Sydney is fantastic.

Bored yet again

Once again I'm bored. Summer School hasn't really started, assignment and reading wise, so I don't have much to do there except wait for Monday to roll around to go to classes again. Monday will be great. Tuesday I have the Maritime again, as per usual, and I'll probably be checking artefact boxes and making sure all the items in the boxes are in the system. I love museum involvement.

If I had my ideal guy, I wouldn't be so bored. We would do things together often. That's what I miss. I miss having a best friend to hang out with always. That's why I'm so bored. I don't see my friends enough because they're all busy and I don't have enough other things to occupy my mind with. I could start work for Fronting MONA. I should type up my notes and put them into sections, like things to do with the assignments. That would be a good place to start.

It's raining. I need to shower then get ready for work, maybe have a snack despite snacking all day, then watch more Gilmore Girls before heading to Big W then to work. Got to get my act together.

Back online

I love my niece Etta so much, she makes me want to have a baby now. James and George and Etta came over for dinner tonight with mum's friend Christine from Launceston and it was so lovely seeing a happy, awake, and alert Etta. She's getting more and more like that. She's 4 months old! How time has flown by. I can't wait to start a family.

Speaking about starting things, I started a Spring/Summer unit at the Centre for Arts, aka Art School or Fine Arts part of the Uni, and it's to do with MONA, a new private museum [to be the largest in Australia] started by David Walsh. We have 6 weeks of 1h lectures and 1h tutorials then in January we go to the MONA [Museum of Old and New Art] site out at Moorilla for 5 days from 930-330 and do some intensive learning. It'll be fantastic! I'm loving being back at Uni even though the studying hasn't quite started yet. I won't be hugely bored this Summer! I'm pleased about that. And it's extremely relevant to my future studies. There is a chance of employment through this course but it's to be someone who mediates between the art and the viewer. It's not curating or anywhere near it but it'll be great to see that side of things and it might be a necessary stepping stone to one day being a curator or assistant curator. I'm very, very excited about it.

I'm going to get another Threadless tee! And as I told Holly when I saw her last week, I keep thinking of things in terms of tattoo's so this is a possibility. I think this addition to my collection makes 17 as I bought two the other day. I'm not sure why the name doesn't have a capitol and from my position it doesn't say anything about the design [art should speak for itself though and it does. Rona and I discussed this today at the Maritime] but it's not about the title it's about the beautiful work itself. And I truly love it.

sol

As I mentioned above, I went to the Maritime today. I felt like I was really doing something important. I was helping with a quest to find any evidence [through Hobart Regatta silk winning lists] that a particular carved whale bone and the family involved is linked to Tasmania. It is the hopes of the people asking for it to be brought to the Maritime and put on display, otherwise it'll stay in the USA, where is currently resides. I'll be continuing on with that next week! I'm pleased.

I have to pay my car rego tomorrow. I'm sad. I don't want to part with any more of the money I've been saving. Luckily I get paid tomorrow and this week I'm doing 5 shifts so it won't seem like too much has gone. It does make me sad watching it going down. It is, fingers crossed, the last time I'll have to do it for a few years and I'll, also fingers crossed, get some of this "investment" back once I sell it before heading off to Sydney or Melbourne.

For now it's off the computer and to bed! Some Gilmore Girls before sleep is inevitable and hopefully I won't wake up too early with the sun in the morning so I can feel rested instead of tired. That would be nice.