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.

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.

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.

Be brave

Today I had my last day of volunteering at the Maritime. I really like/d helping Rona [the curator] out. I will miss it. I think I'm not too sad about it because I'm so preoccupied with being scared about Sydney. I thought on the way home that I might have to write myself a check list to read when I'm there and feeling lonely or sad. It should rationalise everything, like how I don't like Melbourne, there's nothing here for me in Tasmania, and things like that. I will need to remind myself to keep my chin up, to think about the big picture, and that others are the world have gone through worse than I ever will and to keep it all in perspective. I think it'll help. I also want to get some pictures of family together so I can surround myself with them.

I also want to write a list of all the things I want to do while I'm there, like dance and photography classes, creating in my 365 journal, listening to music in the park, taking photographs whenever I can [hopefully a few times a week] and planning/organising my world. I can always catch the train to Melbourne because I find it so hard to get to and from the airport once you get to the Southern Cross Skybus station. Train might be better. Hopefully I'll get a job fairly soon after I arrive. I can't believe I'm probably heading off next week. Sometimes I am truly excited, but most of the time I think about how lonely I'll be and that I'll crack and cry. I will be lonely and I will cry but what I'll be doing will be fabulous especially if I get into the Uni. I will make friends and I will find my future husband. It'll all be okay.

I'm just looking up back packer's now. It'll cost me a bit so hopefully there'll be a house available for not this weekend but next, otherwise I'll be spending a fortune waiting for a house! Eek. That's not too good. I just hope I'll find a place sooner rather than later. I'm sure I'll be okay. Off to do some washing and walking of Katie. Then I need to write some job applications!

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 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.

Houses

Very recently I have begun thinking about having my own place and feelings of loneliness that will inevitably visit me and have started picturing things I'll have in my house. I did some searches on the Fantastic Furniture website this morning and will be able to pick up a bed for between $200 and $300 and some other furniture in my budget range. I want a hall table and a dining set and a screen/partition or two in case I get a studio apartment and a little lamp/bedside table and a desk and an arm chair and a couch [normal because their sofa beds are expensive] and a coffee table and I'm sure there are other things I'd like to get. I can't go too crazy. I picture myself getting just a bed to start off with, living very simply, but over time filling my house with cute things. It'll be nice. I do want to get a few things before I head off, like some kitchen items I'll need for Making the Cut. I'll try and fit in a few pots and pans and things like that so I'm not having to buy that stuff again. It's becoming more and more real, which is scary and exciting at the same time, but if I get lonely I have to remember that life is great, I have my health and my family and friends, who are only a phone call away, and that I was bored here in Hobart. It'll work out. I can always go and visit Joyce and cousin Sam and will probably meet Annie over there on/around Australia Day. I'll be alright.

I am going to take this opportunity [aka the move] to cleanse out my life, to finally get organised once and for all. With the help of Sorted: The ultimate guide to organising your life -- once and for all and these posts by Kendi Everyday [Create a Working Closet, Part 1: Purge; Create a Working Closet, Part 2: Assess; and Create a Working Closet, Part 3: Organise] I will finally get organised and get into great habits. I will be taking the 30 day challenge with Jillian Michaels and thus be organised in the kitchen and be changing my life forever. It will all be great. I am worried about not having the internet but I can always go to the Uni for that. I might get it one day, when I get a new laptop that is, but I'll be alright to begin with.

Alison said she would rather be a referee instead of writing me a reference. I guess it makes it easier for me but I wanted to avoid people having to keep calling her over the years but I guess once I'm in the museum business I won't need to have her on my reference list anymore. I will get one from Rona though and Tony Mathews, a family friend, will write me one. I just think it'll be easier but each to their own. Alison said she can say more over the phone and that she wouldn't know what to write. Fair enough. I wouldn't know what to write either. I can't wait to finish working there. My last day will be Sunday the 23rd just because if I get into Sydney I'll head off sometime in that week starting Monday the 24th so just to be on the safe side I'll finish on the 23rd. I am really looking forward to it. I might make a bit over $2000 before I head off, and hopefully Centrelink will kick in soon after I get my Sydney acceptance [still praying I do] and can actually fill out the online claim. I can't until I have details such as my student number. It'll all work out. I am seriously wondering if I can line up a house before I even get there but I'm not sure how that will go. If not, I haven't organised a home stay because the friend of a friend room for $70 might still be occupied. I could stay at BASE for a few days or at cousin Sam's but it'd be great if I could have a place to go to despite not being able to see it in person. I might actually have to wait to inspect things in person. Otherwise I might not be happy. That's a bit annoying though. Drat it. I might be able to set up inspections and only have to stay in a backpackers for a few days. Hmm. Tricky stuff.

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!

Stream of consciousness?

I hate it when I don't write for a day or so and forget what I've written about. It's not like talking to a partner, Yorick for instance, who I would almost always remember sharing things with. It's different somehow. So Sunday was the staff party! We never got around to doing the staff meeting part of the gathering, which was meant to happen before we started partying, but I don't think anyone minded. I had nice chats to Grace 2 and new Sarah and Josh. I had a few drinks too, at least 5, maybe 6, and I was glad I partied because I am always too responsible. I got home at around 330am and I'm very proud of myself for that. Getting up in the morning for class was a struggle and for the whole day I was really tired but it was worth it. I hung out with Andi after the lecture [also being before the tute] and after the tute. We had chats and went to Mures for a late lunch. We are planning to have a park picnic date possibly on Boxing Day so I can see Ivy. I miss that little girl. I handed in my first assignment. I had to keep printing parts out because I noticed small errors but I hope it's okay. The lecture was pretty dry but it's all still fun and where I want to be. I had my regular Tuesday volunteering at the Maritime today. I listed some donated maps and finished off checking some artefact boxes along side the computer listings. I also helped a little with the new exhibition going up to do with the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Tomorrow I am doing the last of my Christmas shopping. I have work on Thursday and Friday so I won't be making much money from now on in but I also won't need to spend as much so I'll limit my personal purchases to a minimum and just write a list of the things I want to get myself and be content with what I have. That will be hard but it'll have to be done if I want to get sorted for next year in Sydney. I can do it. I've just watched new episodes of One Tree Hill season 8 and The Vampire Diaries season 2 that I got off my sister's portable hard drive so I'm quite tired. I haven't had enough sleep over the last week but I'm getting back to it. It's way better than being bored. I should try and make a start on my essay once Christmas has passed. In sad news, Jan and Fra have been delayed in the UK due to all the snow. Barely any flights are getting out so I think they have rescheduled until the 12th of January till around the 5th of February so I'll get to see them for a bit. It would have been wonderful to have them for Christmas. They were meant to arrive on Thursday and be here for Christmas but alas, no luck. At least they're coming. I was worried when they weren't coming it meant that they weren't coming at all, but it's just that the dates are changed. Sarah said she could tell dad was sad. He hides things so well, I couldn't tell. I love that we're slowly getting closer, talking more. We're both quiet but it's not an awkward thing. I hope I get to see Etta often. I want to get back from Sydney every 2 months or so. I'll have a "flights fund" and if I can put $25 away each week I'll be able to manage it. That's not too hard. I don't want to miss Etta growing up and I definitely don't want her to forget me. I see her about every 2 weeks now, roughly. I'm very tired now so I'm going to play my last Facebook game [Country Story] then get a drink of cordial, go to bed and watch some Gilmore Girls, eat my last doughnut then brush my teeth and sleep. I am so bad with brushing my teeth.

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.

Museums

Today I had my third summer school lecture and I really enjoyed it as Joe, the lecturer and tutor, did a presentation on public and private museums across Australia, most of which I haven't heard of. This is also the topic of our essay and I have chosen to talk about the Museum of Contemporary Art, which is in Sydney. I went there when I was in Sydney a few months ago and quite enjoyed it. So the MCA will represent the public museum focus in my essay and MONA is to be everyones focus with the private museums section. Today after the lecture I went and gathered as much information I could find on the internet so I'm off to a good start. Sara from work said she'll give my work a look when I have something to show her. She really helped me with my previous summer school unit [Magic, Spirituality and Religion].

I have work tonight. I'm glad I do because I don't have much after this week. After I'm done on the internet I'll go relax on my bed and watch some TV [Gilmore Girls at the moment but I might start a movie] until it's time to get ready. Tomorrow I'm at the Maritime from 10am. I'm half looking forward to it which means I'm half not looking forward to it. Way to point out the obvious, Anna! When I'm there I love getting stuck into the work. I'm just down playing it in my mind, which is one of my faults. It's like with exercise. I think it's worse than it is and put myself off doing it. I'm silly.

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.

Badness

I have been totally sucking at work over the last month. I keep doing things wrong, forgetting things, and I think it's all because I have an approximate leaving date in mind and I'm getting slack. I'm dreading going to work this week although it's Joerg's last week and he's been the one there when I've been doing these things. My mind isn't working as well at work as it used to. I'm hating it.

I don't feel like doing anything today. I really need to take Katie for a walk, unless dad can do it later on, and then I have my Tuesday volunteering at the Maritime. Then after that I have work. I've been getting into bad sleeping habits again. I go to bed late and even though I get woken up early by the sun, I have adapted and can go back to sleep now for a few hours and the light doesn't bother me. No! I loved getting into good habits. I'm sad I'm not anymore.

I can't wait for next year. I really want to get into the Uni of Sydney because moving there anyway would be better if I had that Uni to go to instead of doing Deakin via distance. I hope I get a second round offer. Damn not making it into the first round. I'm in a crappy mood.

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.

5 things to do by the time I turn 25 -- A post inspired by Katie Kukulka

5 things to do before I turn 25.

1. Get on my career path.

I am so glad I have finally figured out what I want to do, and that is to be a museum curator. It makes sense as throughout high school I really loved watching shows on mummies and tombs and ancient civilisations. In SOSE I loved the history but I never really though about doing anything related to that at Uni. Sometimes I wish I had figured it out earlier [to tell the truth I didn't figure it out, I went to a career counselor at Uni and he suggested it when I mentioned I was interested in anthropology and archaeology], done a more relevant degree, but I am where I am and it's too late to start heading in this direction. It's going to be a fascinating journey. I have already started volunteering at the Maritime Museum, have been accepted to Deakin, am waiting to hear back from Sydney, and once I know where I'm heading I'll volunteer more and stick my head into the text books. The Spring/Summer school unit I'm doing at the Art School is super relevant and will give me even more experience. Once I have a diploma in museum studies I'll be able to apply for jobs, work in the field, then do my masters part time. I want to travel the world and work in museums, do some archaeology volunteering perhaps, and work in a field I love. I hate waiting to find out whether or not I'll be accepted to Sydney as I can't make plans as to where I'll move to but knowing what I want to do is great and I'm already on the path. I just want to start the diploma and truly be on the path.

2. Get into shape.

After years of wishing I was thin and confident enough to wear jeans with no skirt over the top or bathers with no board shorts, now is the time to kick myself into shape. I am going to religiously follow Jillian Michaels' Making the Cut next year when I'm in my own home and can have no distractions like other foods and can use the whole kitchen worry-free unlike at my parents' house. I want to be able to focus solely on this quest and make it last longer than the 30 days so I can keep my newly rocking body. When I'm in my new home, I want to rent a treadmill and use it everyday. I want to take with my my exercise DVDs and not just look at them while feeling guilty. I want to feel confident in my own skin and realise I have the best body I'll ever have. I want to be in the best shape of my life and stay that way.

3. Get organised.

This is something I have always craved but never quite mastered. It can come and go in waves when inspiration hits but I want it to stick. At work I'm organised but at home I'm lazy, I'm messy, I feel guilty and do nothing about it. I want to keep my clothes and whole house tidy and organised. I want to keep to a cooking and grocery shopping menu/list. I want to have an exercise regime and, one again, stick to it. I want to be super organisational girl, like a superhero. I want to stop the laziness, have my to-do lists going, and get things done. I want to be busy with Uni and volunteering and work that I will have to keep on top of things. I don't want to slip with this. It's important to me and I will succeed!

4. Have my own home [rented but mine].

I can't wait till I move out of my parents' [still shocked I'm here at age 24 but it happens] and have my own home, to set it up just how I like over time and get into the best habits of my young life. I want to come home and be so proud of myself, how adult I will have become, so independent, and of that fact that I'll be living my own life. I can't wait to get handed a set of keys and realise that I did this. It will be a great day.

5. Find my one true love.

Around the age of 25, I hope I will have found my one true love but it's things like this that you can't plan. I just hope it doesn't take years to find him because I don't want to be too young before we start having a family. I want to be in love. I want to share my life with someone and have them share theirs with me. I want to be on the same level with him and be in a partnership, not a one-sided battle for involvement. I want to feel secure and blessed that I have found the perfect match for me. I want to plan holidays and the future with him and feel fulfilled. I can't wait for love.

So they are the major things I want to achieve before or around the age of 25. Thank you Katie for for inspiring this post and getting me thinking about what I want to achieve. I need to kick myself into gear!

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.

Heat wave

I'm meant to be going to the Maritime today but it's 28 degrees or something stupid. I did my first catalogue walk today and the heat was unbearable. It was horrible. I'm not sure how I'll go doing it again if the weather keeps up like this. Also, there are far too many streets to cover. I'm doubt I'll keep going. I have a fair few left over too. I thought I covered almost all of the streets in the allowed area. After I got home I jumped straight into a cold shower and I'm feeling better now but I don't want to go back out into the heat. I shouldn't miss the volunteering though as I said I'd go and Rona has probably got some tasks for me written down. I don't have long to decide either. I might be needed at work tonight and I really hope I'm not because of the weather. It'd be packed. Knowing my luck they'll get me in. I don't have much time to decide if I'm going to the Maritime or not. I wouldn't do much here at home. I'd eat as I'm hungry, and try to escape the heat while reading my new museum book Making Museums Matter. I don't know what to do. I'd have to call up at some stage. Ahhhh I may as well go. Once again I'll die of the heat but whatever. I may as well go. I just hope I don't have to work as well. Ahh.

Headache

Why does volunteering at the Maritime give me a headache? It seriously happens each week. This was my 4th session there and got back into categorising papers and photographs. I would have added my tasks to my resume except it has some sort of virus and my anti-virus software wants me to pay to use it. No way! Everything needed to fix your computer should be free unless you can't find someone to do it for you. SNERT is here so I can ask James to take a look at it quickly. It might take ages to fix though. One day I'll get a new computer when I know how much ram and that kind of stuff to watch out for. I want high speeds but have no idea what all their hard drive specifications mean. You can tell, can't you.

I can't wait for my SARK posters to arrive in the mail, as well as my museum text books so I can start studying. I just want to be productive and start studying now so I know at least something before the course starts. I want to be working towards something and be using my time for something productive as opposed to wasting it by watching too much TV. One day in the next few weeks I will write to Danielle and get some advice about how to improve my life by getting into good habits.

Tomorrow I'm going to go to the catalogue man's place and get started. I'll probably go out on a Monday and do the catalogue drop as I don't usually do much on a Monday. It'll be nice to start the week off that way too. I had a dream about dropping catalogues last night. I haven't even done it and I'm dreaming about it. I think it'll be good to make a little bit of money while taking a walk. Easy cash. It'll add up.

Monday

I was walking down the drive way to get the mail not long ago and I thought about how great it'll be to have my own home in Sydney. I truly can't wait till I move there [I'll be sad if I don't get it] and do it all myself. My house is going to be so cute. Over time it'll get full of furniture and my things. Lots of fish, flowers and art is my goal. I'll be starting with the SARK posters I'm expecting in the mail any time soon. I'll also get something from The Picture Gallery. I love that gallery. It has beautiful artworks. I want a huge one.

I want to buy more museum/archaeology books but should wait until Wednesday till I get paid again. I don't want to keep digging into my savings while I'm trying to save for next year. I also want to get my Portman's lay-by off lay-by and put on lay-by a beautiful white maxi-dress they have in their Summer catalogue. Next year my wardrobe will keep getting fabulous.

I want to write to Danielle from Sometimes Sweet and ask her for some help and advice on getting the lazy out of me. I want to be as organised in my home life as I can be at work. I just don't know how to make things stick. I really want to change my fitness level next year for a start. Next year will be a huge year of change. It'll be fantastic. I can't wait to meet my future husband. Reading Danielle's notable post on how she met her husband Hank made me wish so hard to have something as wonderful as that. They both knew they were meant to be right from the beginning. I want that.

Work tonight and a menu tasting. The Maritime tomorrow and the possibility of attending the Annual General Meeting for the Maritime at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. I'm "on call" at work so hopefully I won't be needed and be able to go to this meeting. It'll be great for my career path. I'll probably go hang at Sarah's or Holly's after I finish at the Maritime at 5 before this meeting at 730. It'll be good to hear more about how museums are run. I wonder what kind of work I'll be doing with Rona tomorrow. Maybe more conservation and putting things into the system. At any rate I'll learn a lot.

Got to get off the computer and take Katie for a walk, do something productive. I need to do my covered buttons. I want to get the right amount of each kind made, then I can go to a market like Holly does. Then again I want to make some of the rice balls too. One day I'll get there.

Uni related. Resume nerd.

I've been a bit worried over the last few days about my application to Sydney Uni but I am now half way through my inquiries, which will give me all the information I need to know. I called the website I applied on and they said they can access my UTAS academic transcript on my behalf. I was worried about that because there was no question asking me to attach it. I tried to call the Uni itself and ask when I should expect an offer but I couldn't grab the right person so I sent them an email. They are usually fairly quick to respond so hopefully I'll know that soon also. I read last night in the undergraduate section that offers can be given out on the 6th of January! That's a long time to wait for a reply. I am wondering if that will be the same for postgraduate or as mum said because there won't be as many people applying maybe it will be sooner.

In resume/cover letter news, I just checked out the website Holly told me about regarding these documents and have a few tips and tricks to look over in order to adjust my resume and cover letters in the future. They have all been written for specific purposes and I think it will be very helpful when I'm applying for jobs in Sydney to do with my degree [once I complete the diploma] and also when applying waitress jobs while I'm there. I am such a resume nerd.

Tomorrow I'm going to order more museum/archaeology books off the Book Depository. I will get one or two of the following --

+ The Archaeology of Britain;

+ Archaeology: An Introduction;

+ An Introduction to Museum Archaeology; or

+ Museums and the Shaping of Knowledge.

They are all between $26 and $43 so I will have to be careful which combination I choose to get this week.

I'm going to the Maritime today then work at 6pm. I think I'll ask Rona whether I can start doing full days at the museum so I can get more experience. I may as well do full days. I don't do much else of consequence and it'll be good for my career. I also love adding what tasks I've done to my resume. I am definitely a resume nerd.