I had a realisation confirmed to me the other day, admittedly I was the only one involved in the confirmation so it may be biased, that I wanted to mention here. It's about being aware of the bad stuff. Yes, it's useful to know that 'bad stuff' is happening but how useful is it to absorb the negativity and carry it around with us, infecting everything we think and do? It's not going to help me get a job, knowing there's a global crisis and dwelling on the despair of it all. In reality it will dampen my job-hunting enthusiasm, which is hard enough to maintain at the best of times, and make me procrastinate on those applications, fearing unambiguous and abundant rejections. No use at all. Not for my job-hunting progress or my wellbeing. Or anyone else who I'm around at the time.
However, I read somewhere that opression stimulates creativity. I prefer this view. I have decided not to get depressed (apparently my mood is a choice). I'm going to get creative.
So, onto the update. In a nutshell...arrived Sydney, job-hunted, job-hunted, job-hunted. Got rejected. A lot. Job-hunted some more. Tried to avoid being infected by the TV news. Avoided newspapers. Who needs them anyway when every new person I met leapt straight into giving me the (uninvited) update on the global crisis and generally how bad things are. Became aware of sponsorship visa quotas being withdrawn. Got quite down. Read more rejections in my inbox. Got a bit more down. Wrote woeful letters to friends and parents, got support, felt better. Took advice to enjoy Sydney (thanks Tim!), went on a boat to Manly Beach, loved it. Went on a pub crawl, drank a lot, ended up at the Ivy, loved it. Decided that I'm bloody fortunate to be here, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Counted my blessings - supportive parents, lovely friends, healthy (reasonably) of mind and body, lovely friends, lovely friends, am in a beautiful city and have English as a first language (don't ask). Oh, and just having had the best ten months of my life. Ever.
I met up with Catherine and Geoff, friends from Laos and Koh Phi Phi and shared a few goons (happy boxes) of cheap but drinkable red wine while sharing ideas and keeping each other positive on the jobseeking front. Went to the fabulous (cheap and backpacky) Scubar for cheap beer and crab racing. And then, just as I was getting run down and needing some TLC, I got a very kind and warm invitation to go to Cleveland. Near Brisbane. So I packed my bag, hopped on a plane (it really is the cheapest way to travel domestic over here) and was met at Brisbane airport by Kevin Holley, an ex-colleague of my Dad's.
I've spent the last four days and nights, sleeping (thankfully!), eating delicious home-cooked meals (a lot), sharing fabulous wines (er...did I say detox?) and re-awakening my yoga-deprived body. I'm just losing that Cocaine-chic look and can just about recognise the person staring back at me from the mirror. Well, I'm being a bit dramatic, I know. Must be all that opression.
I've got a few plans in the pipeline but it's too early to mention them here. Basically I've got a marginal to zero chance of getting a 'proper' job and have started asking around for 'casual' work (cash in hand) along with everyone else. Needless to say, even this sector is flooded with applicants and they've got experience which I haven't. Not since my student days anyway. Plan B: Marry an Australian millionaire is highly unappealing although I have friends who disagree. Plan C: 'Marry' your mate in a mutually beneficial platonic arrangement has been discussed as a last resort but let's hope it doesn't come to that. Wouldn't want to spoil the friendship. So I'm on to Plan D: TBA.
Next up : the photo diary. Although I warn you, there haven't been many photos of late. Job-hunting isn't very graphically entertaining. Or good for posture.
Ruthie 'personalising' the balloons in preparation for Colin's 'Welcome Home' beach party on the balcony.
Some Australia day souvenirs being recycled as party props.
The balcony crew model their new home for the next 5 weeks. I was SO tempted to jump in and go with them!
Djemal and Claire bear wave goodbye Sydney. Cairns here we come!
Bye Becs! Bye Ruthie!
And the famous Bondi Beach. Yea, it was pretty overcast but hey, I was excited.
And yes, there really WAS a FREE HUG day. Friday the 13th! As being ably demonstrated by Colin and his cousin, Shaun. 
Hugs were free down at The World Bar, Kings Cross. Where you drink cocktails. Out of teapots. Splendid!
It's the start of the Mardi Gras season and this is 'Fair Day' which was held in Victoria Park on the 17th February. It was brilliant and very funny. My camera ran out of batteries though so you might have to use your imagination. Just imagine a LOT of well-maintained men in tight clothes and you're there.
Unbelievable sunrise from my bedroom window the other day. I'm still getting used to having a room to myself. The luxury is...er...different. But very welcome!
Yoga with a view.
Heading off for our sail on Saturday, looking back at the house from the boat.
My two lovely hosts, Kevin and Pam Holley aboard 'Squiggle'.
Yea, I could get used to this. It's certainly good for my health.
However, I read somewhere that opression stimulates creativity. I prefer this view. I have decided not to get depressed (apparently my mood is a choice). I'm going to get creative.
So, onto the update. In a nutshell...arrived Sydney, job-hunted, job-hunted, job-hunted. Got rejected. A lot. Job-hunted some more. Tried to avoid being infected by the TV news. Avoided newspapers. Who needs them anyway when every new person I met leapt straight into giving me the (uninvited) update on the global crisis and generally how bad things are. Became aware of sponsorship visa quotas being withdrawn. Got quite down. Read more rejections in my inbox. Got a bit more down. Wrote woeful letters to friends and parents, got support, felt better. Took advice to enjoy Sydney (thanks Tim!), went on a boat to Manly Beach, loved it. Went on a pub crawl, drank a lot, ended up at the Ivy, loved it. Decided that I'm bloody fortunate to be here, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Counted my blessings - supportive parents, lovely friends, healthy (reasonably) of mind and body, lovely friends, lovely friends, am in a beautiful city and have English as a first language (don't ask). Oh, and just having had the best ten months of my life. Ever.
I met up with Catherine and Geoff, friends from Laos and Koh Phi Phi and shared a few goons (happy boxes) of cheap but drinkable red wine while sharing ideas and keeping each other positive on the jobseeking front. Went to the fabulous (cheap and backpacky) Scubar for cheap beer and crab racing. And then, just as I was getting run down and needing some TLC, I got a very kind and warm invitation to go to Cleveland. Near Brisbane. So I packed my bag, hopped on a plane (it really is the cheapest way to travel domestic over here) and was met at Brisbane airport by Kevin Holley, an ex-colleague of my Dad's.
I've spent the last four days and nights, sleeping (thankfully!), eating delicious home-cooked meals (a lot), sharing fabulous wines (er...did I say detox?) and re-awakening my yoga-deprived body. I'm just losing that Cocaine-chic look and can just about recognise the person staring back at me from the mirror. Well, I'm being a bit dramatic, I know. Must be all that opression.
I've got a few plans in the pipeline but it's too early to mention them here. Basically I've got a marginal to zero chance of getting a 'proper' job and have started asking around for 'casual' work (cash in hand) along with everyone else. Needless to say, even this sector is flooded with applicants and they've got experience which I haven't. Not since my student days anyway. Plan B: Marry an Australian millionaire is highly unappealing although I have friends who disagree. Plan C: 'Marry' your mate in a mutually beneficial platonic arrangement has been discussed as a last resort but let's hope it doesn't come to that. Wouldn't want to spoil the friendship. So I'm on to Plan D: TBA.
Next up : the photo diary. Although I warn you, there haven't been many photos of late. Job-hunting isn't very graphically entertaining. Or good for posture.
Ruthie 'personalising' the balloons in preparation for Colin's 'Welcome Home' beach party on the balcony.
Some Australia day souvenirs being recycled as party props.
The balcony crew model their new home for the next 5 weeks. I was SO tempted to jump in and go with them!
Djemal and Claire bear wave goodbye Sydney. Cairns here we come!
Bye Becs! Bye Ruthie!
And the famous Bondi Beach. Yea, it was pretty overcast but hey, I was excited.
And yes, there really WAS a FREE HUG day. Friday the 13th! As being ably demonstrated by Colin and his cousin, Shaun. Hugs were free down at The World Bar, Kings Cross. Where you drink cocktails. Out of teapots. Splendid!
It's the start of the Mardi Gras season and this is 'Fair Day' which was held in Victoria Park on the 17th February. It was brilliant and very funny. My camera ran out of batteries though so you might have to use your imagination. Just imagine a LOT of well-maintained men in tight clothes and you're there.
Unbelievable sunrise from my bedroom window the other day. I'm still getting used to having a room to myself. The luxury is...er...different. But very welcome!
Yoga with a view. Heading off for our sail on Saturday, looking back at the house from the boat.My two lovely hosts, Kevin and Pam Holley aboard 'Squiggle'. Yea, I could get used to this. It's certainly good for my health.
