Graceful and free

Anna means grace/graceful.

Frances means free.

Grace/graceful is onkei in Japanese.

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

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

Sun sign -- Scorpio

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

Rising sign -- Capricorn

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 But you may also be curt, withdrawn, calculating, petty, cruel, unpleasant, ruthless, selfish, dull, rigid, slow or skeptical.

Moon sign -- Leo

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

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

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

So that's me!

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

Essay hell

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

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

Full steam ahead

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

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

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

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

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.

Deakin possible timetable

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

AIM721 Museums: Context and Issues

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

AIM723 Heritage Interpretation

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

AIM709 Intangible Heritage

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

AIM 714 Cultural Landscapes

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

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

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.

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.

Art School

Hanging at Art School until 330 when I meet mum at Spotlight to check out patterns and fabrics to make me some maxi skirts. Very excited. Unfortunately I have to go add more money to my meter. I guess I can come back after that. It's just annoying. Drat, I should have done that first!

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.

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!

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.

Back in Tasmania

I am so very glad to be back. This morning wasn't a very fun trip back though. First I had to get up at 6am. Not completely unpleasant but tiring. Then I misplaced my return Sky Bus ticket so once I got to the station I had to buy another. Luckily I got on the Sky Bus that was already there. I didn't want to be late. When I got to the airport I almost had to pay another $80 because my stuff was too heavy and I had an extra bag with my goodies in it. The lady at the desk was really nice though so she said to stuff it all into the one bag and hope that I didn't get my bag weighed or I'd have to pay the money. That was so nice of her. When she mentioned the $80 so many things were racing through my head for 20 full seconds she must have felt bad for me. Then on the plane people kept slightly bumping into me. Melbourne is not for me. I don't like it! Fate was telling me I'm meant to be in Sydney, and I think my horoscope agrees.

Horoscope -- To Be Blogged because I'm far, far away from my phone

I've been chilling most of the day since I got home. Sarah and I did a rush shopping trip to pick up some lay-bys after she got me from the airport at 925am then I got home and had some food immediately as I hadn't eaten all day. Then I did some homework [almost finished my cover letter for the first assignment for Fronting MONA. So proud] and watched Gilmore Girls. I have to work at 630pm, which is a bit annoying, but tomorrow Sarah and I are off to Opossum Bay to visit J and G and E. Then I might have work on Saturday evening and definitely have work Sunday-day, which I'm not too jazzed about, but it means I get work over and done with. We have the staff party that evening so that will be fun. Not a big one for me though as I have Uni the next day. I'm kinda glad work won't be so busy for me, although the money will suck. Hopefully I hear back about more volunteering.

I'm tired. And I feel weird. I'm not liking today and I'm not liking Melbourne. I'll have a late one tonight too so getting enough sleep before tomorrow won't be good. I'll have to get up at 830-9am to make sure I have enough time to shower and eat something. Drat it all. I'm getting tired again. Sarah gave me a V as soon as I got in the car and it worked but now it has worn off, at least I think it has. I never know if it's working or not. I just like how it tastes. I can never tell with it, or Red Bull.

I might go back to bed and watch more Gilmore Girls before it's time to head off to work.

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.

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.

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!