So.. I have been watching the news lately.. and apparently England is going through the worst economic crisis in 60 years.. apparently your all falling apart with debt? is it true? can anyone finacially survive in England anywmore? I couldnt cope with the financial situation when I left 3 years ago so it scares me that it has got even worse? it is possible to live a life in England without being in debt?
Then of course theres all the stabbings.. I quote the latest one
"A 14-year-old boy has been stabbed to death following a fight with a group of youths, police said. The latest incident brings the number of teenagers killed in London this year to 25"
This is London alone.. and just the ones who have died.. not just the ones who have been injured? Should I be scared?
The trouble is its in every country isnt it? Louise and I were discussing this on the phone the other night. (She is in shock being back in England and insists there are no chavs in Italy where she has been living for the last year..) I am searching for a place without it but dont believe it exists (though had better go to Italy and check that out!) because Tasmania still has the kids hanging out in the mall everyday drinking and taking drugs.. people that are having fights and shouting at passers by at bus stops.. and I am constantly evicting people from the backpackers with issues.
The other day I did wonder whether I was a little mad as I stood on my own in the bedroom of a guy telling him he had 20 mins to pack his stuff and be out.. (I was very nice about it and understanding that he had only got out of rehab that day.. but that trashing our hostel just wasnt on mate..) Luckily he was really nice about it since I hadnt thought to take a body guard with me and only realised I might be in danger once the door shut and I realised I was alone in the bedroom of a guy who it has taken 3 police to remove him last time he had stayed at our hostel.. My fault I hadnt checked out list of people to not let in...
I asked Malcolm (the guy who lives in the flat above mine) the other night (he's been nagging me to go up for a glass of wine since I moved in so I finally relented) since he is a local and a social worker whether he thought Tasmania had more people with social problems than other Australian states and he thinks so.. that surprised me.. Tasmania is after all this beautiful green island state.. and I am not sure thats true and i havent seen much of Australia to be able to make fair comparisons and it is certainly less than England.
Our theory is that because neither of us can drive and have to take public transport we see more of this kind of stuff. People in cars see less of this kind of stuff because their enclosed in their little bubble away from it all? thats not a dig at car drivers.. I wish I was one and had a car and I dont want to be stuck up but I wish I didnt have to hold my breath when someone sits next to me at the bus stop wondering whether they are going to start a fight or start raving abuse at me or anyone else.. I want to be able to have a quiet drink at the pub without some psyho burning it down, or seeing someone get bottled.. maybe I'm getting old or something? But I want a life without all the horrid stuff in it.. does that exist?
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
My new place
So this is the place I moved to a coule of weeks ago. I was a bit scared and lonely at first but now I love it and love having my own space!
Its a fantastic deal too being free!
The friendliest Wombat ever?!
This really cool wombat was hand reared and lives at the rescue centre!! he's so cool! I want a pet wombat now!!
A Possum
Apparntly there are something like 25 different species of possum in the wild here.. ones this colour are fairly rare thugh and dont tend to do very weel in the wild.. this one was rescued after its mother was killed and then hand reared.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tassie Devils
No still havent seen them in the wild..these were in a rescue centre on the way back from my trip to Mount Field last weekend
Insane Skiers
If you zoom in you can actually see some insane skiers clinging to the mountain up there!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
logging trees like this.. insane?!
I know England is no better so I have no right to criticise but Tasmania has this reputation for being the green state.. the last state of wilderness and it seems a tradgedy to be destroying it.. there are a sdtack of tree hugging activists in tassie.. maybe I should go join them?!
Tall Trees at Mount Field National Park
The trees are massive in the park.. soem about 400 years old.. they are amazing.. but you know the worst thing? just outside the National park they are logging trees just like this one..
Mount Wellington
So as you can see it was a stunning (if a tad cold) day up Mount Wellington when I went up at the weekend!
Cascade Brewery
The oldest Brewery in Australia apparently.. the beer is meant to be good but since I cant stand the stuff I woulsnt have a clue.. they do make very nice Sarsparilla though!
Thank you Cadbury's!!!
Now I may have mentioned once or twice my penchent for creme brulee and that if its on a restaurant menu there is no other conceivable option.. but the fact it never seems to be on menus has been rather distressing and although I havent required counselling quite yet for the lack of creme brulee in my life I have I admit walked round towns when I travel searching for creme brulee on menus.. so imagine my reaction when strolling through Coles (Aussie equivelent to tescos) and seeing Cadburys had a new flavour.. creme brulee. It took all my self restraint not to drop my shopping basket there and then and launch myself into the impressive display.. but I managed to get myself to the till and pay for it first.. then I thought.. Why not torture myself further? other people manage to get out of the shop and down the road before eating their chocolate.. they even manage to get home and enjoy it after dinner... so I trudged home eagerly awaiting a time when I could eat it without guilt.. so it was only 11am when I got home.. who says thats too early for lunch?! at precisely 11:03 I swallowed the last bite of my lunch and could now have my desert..! Did it live up to my expectations?! you could taste the yummy glazed bit when the chef attacks it with a bunsen burner.. and for it to be coated in chocolate who could complain?! I had to eat the entire lot before I could safely assess whether I liked it or not!!
By the way.. they do have cadburys desert chocolate in England now dont they? It was really exciting coming over to New Zealand and Australia and finding all these exciting flavours.. surely England has caught up by now.. it does seem a tad bizarre since the first every cadburys was in England?!! Anyway if we dont have Cadburys Deserts range in England (specifically the choc brownie one and the creme brulee.. couldnt give a toss about the lemon meringe one..) I am not coming back.. so really we need to start campaigning now for them to bring them out?!
The View from outside my new house in Newtown
I cant complain can I really?! I miss not being up in time for the sunrises but am still lucky enough to have a snowy mountain to look at! and lets face it if I missed the sunrises that much theres really nothing stopping me getting up and seeing them is there?! yeah right like thats going to happen... my bed is far too appealing.. and besides i am mainly working late shifts now which means I dont get in till 11pm or 11:30pm and then quite frankly there is NO chance of me getting up to watch the sunrise!!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Cuddly wombats and your guaranteed to see platypus?! (yeah right!)
So Alana and I went out on the town on Friday night.. had a good night.. Alana was funny and just looked in shock as I took her to louder and louder bars as the night progressed (I guess for someone thats never really been to a pub to be taken on a pub crawl on a busy Friday night might be a slight shock)! But we had a good night.. I didnt have a hagover the next day (probably because I threw it all up before I went to bed!) so that was good.. and since I had Saturday off work I had every intention of not leaving my flat the entire day!! so had a great day mainly sleeping!!
I took advantage of getting free trips through work and went to Mount Field on Sunday.. it was great.. I had a brilliant day!
First we went up Mount Wellington and played in the snow and took photos, then we headed to Mount Field where we went hiking in the snow (3 different hikes to different spots.. waterfalls etc.. will put photos up soon!) and made a snowman (of course!!)
On the drive back down an echidna ran past the car so now I have seen 2 in the wild I didnt squeel with excitement QUITE as much the second time - although enough to wake the Taiwanese girl sitting next to me up with a start!
Then we went to this little wildlife sanctuary that was soo cool!! they had this wombat that the guy could pick up and cuddle and turf upside down and tickle its tummy like you would a dog.. and it runs up to you to say hello (he'd been handreared.. he was so funny and I got to have a stroke which was cool.. and then there was a koala that just slept in the guys arms but didnt seem to mind us all stroking it!!
Now on all the walks I had been looking out for the elusive platypus in all these streams.. we apparently had an 80% chance of seeing them... but no joy.. so at the rescue park I was happy to hear that I was practically guaranteed to see one in the river running through their property.. so we waited and stared and waited and stared and waited.. with the amount of rivers I have practically fallen in waiting to see the bloody platypus I am beginning to think its just not meant to be.. and that I am never going to see one..! But I'm not one to give up so just give me time..!
Then Monday I met Alana after work to test out the new Onba in North Hobart as they have been offering free tapas between 5-6 pm everynight.. but unfortunately they have stopped the free tapas everynight and moved it to Friday nights only.. so we tried a couple of tapas anyway which were scrumptious but small and expensive leaving us ready for some proper food.. they have the most amazing drinks and cocktail menu and these gorgeous leather couches which would make a great (expensive) night out but since it was 6pm on a Monday night and we were both feeling broke we moved to Annapurna next door and had a curry. I was complaining to Alana that I try to order something different but never manage to.. chicken tikka masala it is (how English am I?! isnt it meant to be the most popular dish in England nowadays?!) but when my meal arrived half way through I was a little confused as to why I hadnt found any chicken yet.. it was nice but where was the chicken..? I didnt want to complain but I did want to know what I was eating so when the guy came round to check if we were enjoying out meals I asked what it was I was eating and he said the chicken and then said wait.. had a stir of my curry and said "thats not chicken tikka.. apparently I was eating pumpkin masala.. nice but not chicken.. they were so apologetic even though I insisted I didnt mind.. so I ended up being given a chicken tikka masala to take home with me.. so thats cool!! two nights meals for the price of one and I got to try something new!!
I took advantage of getting free trips through work and went to Mount Field on Sunday.. it was great.. I had a brilliant day!
First we went up Mount Wellington and played in the snow and took photos, then we headed to Mount Field where we went hiking in the snow (3 different hikes to different spots.. waterfalls etc.. will put photos up soon!) and made a snowman (of course!!)
On the drive back down an echidna ran past the car so now I have seen 2 in the wild I didnt squeel with excitement QUITE as much the second time - although enough to wake the Taiwanese girl sitting next to me up with a start!
Then we went to this little wildlife sanctuary that was soo cool!! they had this wombat that the guy could pick up and cuddle and turf upside down and tickle its tummy like you would a dog.. and it runs up to you to say hello (he'd been handreared.. he was so funny and I got to have a stroke which was cool.. and then there was a koala that just slept in the guys arms but didnt seem to mind us all stroking it!!
Now on all the walks I had been looking out for the elusive platypus in all these streams.. we apparently had an 80% chance of seeing them... but no joy.. so at the rescue park I was happy to hear that I was practically guaranteed to see one in the river running through their property.. so we waited and stared and waited and stared and waited.. with the amount of rivers I have practically fallen in waiting to see the bloody platypus I am beginning to think its just not meant to be.. and that I am never going to see one..! But I'm not one to give up so just give me time..!
Then Monday I met Alana after work to test out the new Onba in North Hobart as they have been offering free tapas between 5-6 pm everynight.. but unfortunately they have stopped the free tapas everynight and moved it to Friday nights only.. so we tried a couple of tapas anyway which were scrumptious but small and expensive leaving us ready for some proper food.. they have the most amazing drinks and cocktail menu and these gorgeous leather couches which would make a great (expensive) night out but since it was 6pm on a Monday night and we were both feeling broke we moved to Annapurna next door and had a curry. I was complaining to Alana that I try to order something different but never manage to.. chicken tikka masala it is (how English am I?! isnt it meant to be the most popular dish in England nowadays?!) but when my meal arrived half way through I was a little confused as to why I hadnt found any chicken yet.. it was nice but where was the chicken..? I didnt want to complain but I did want to know what I was eating so when the guy came round to check if we were enjoying out meals I asked what it was I was eating and he said the chicken and then said wait.. had a stir of my curry and said "thats not chicken tikka.. apparently I was eating pumpkin masala.. nice but not chicken.. they were so apologetic even though I insisted I didnt mind.. so I ended up being given a chicken tikka masala to take home with me.. so thats cool!! two nights meals for the price of one and I got to try something new!!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
i booked my flight!!
Well I thought rather than just talking about it I would book it... so it is official.. I leave Tasmania on 1st November! I went into work and talked to my boss first so he wouldn't have a shock and get upset and to check the date was okay with him.. he said he doesnt ever want me to leave and no date would be good for him but if the 1st November is when I want to leave then that ok.. so I took that as an approval and its done and dusted!!
I really dont like the travel guide I have of Australia either so I have succumbed to getting a Lonely Planet.. I dont like to be a sheep but its well written and I got a 50% staff discount so thats cool! now i can look up what to do on my jounrye accross the Nullabor!
Just been to physio again and once again now i'm in lots of pain and I have been told a resounding no to swimming (and a rather shocked expression for asking.. with a question of asking whether I wanted to antagonise it?!) oh well worth a thought.. I thought swimming was meant to be good physio? she said yes it is for some injuries.. not for mine though..
I really dont like the travel guide I have of Australia either so I have succumbed to getting a Lonely Planet.. I dont like to be a sheep but its well written and I got a 50% staff discount so thats cool! now i can look up what to do on my jounrye accross the Nullabor!
Just been to physio again and once again now i'm in lots of pain and I have been told a resounding no to swimming (and a rather shocked expression for asking.. with a question of asking whether I wanted to antagonise it?!) oh well worth a thought.. I thought swimming was meant to be good physio? she said yes it is for some injuries.. not for mine though..
I GOT MY VISA!!!
Yay.. well it was stressful 48 hours (I jest.. the poor Japanese girl giving me a bikini wax yesterday did look at me in disdain/amusement when I said I'd waited a stressful 48 hours to hear about my visa.. when of course she has had months/ years of stressing over visas.. well anyway since it said when I applied that I had to have medicals and xrays.. it even sent me an email telling me where to have them done etc.. I emailed immigration and basically said "Do I really need to have a medical?" and they bascially emailed back and said "No its okay.. dont worry.. heres your visa" SORTED!!
So that saves alot of stress and incovenience and I know I can stay in Australia until 9th December 2009.. then its chuck out time!
I will add though that 48 hours did feel like a long time.. my first visa was emailed to me within 12 hours.. I am so bloody lucky.. I guess I am very lucky to be from England.. it makes visas etc a lot easier.
Anyway I am very happy about that!!
Working late shifts has been a shock to the body clock.. but I dont mind it..and am getting used to having a lie in and my days free.. well freesish I have physio and stuff to go to and since I bought a swimmsuit the other day am going to beg my physio to let me go swimming.. I know its going to hurt but am sure if I am gentle.. I'm sure I've heard somewhere swimming is good physio.. have discovered a gym within 2 minutes walk of my flat and they have a free gym trial and stuff so would love to give that a go!
The girl on reception at Adelphi is very shy and has bascially never been out on the town.. so.. after the cleaners trying to get her to go out for the past 2 years she has been instructed (by myself) to meet me from work at 10:15pm and we are going to go to a pub or two on the way home.. so that will be good for both of us.. I am not dressed to go out in the least.. but nevermind!
Now I just need to book my flight from Hobart to Melbourne.. have started looking today and the cheapest is $29 but thats with no luggage.. so with $20 extra so I can take my backpack the cheapest is about $50.. not bad really.. I should probably just book it or I will miss out..!
So that saves alot of stress and incovenience and I know I can stay in Australia until 9th December 2009.. then its chuck out time!
I will add though that 48 hours did feel like a long time.. my first visa was emailed to me within 12 hours.. I am so bloody lucky.. I guess I am very lucky to be from England.. it makes visas etc a lot easier.
Anyway I am very happy about that!!
Working late shifts has been a shock to the body clock.. but I dont mind it..and am getting used to having a lie in and my days free.. well freesish I have physio and stuff to go to and since I bought a swimmsuit the other day am going to beg my physio to let me go swimming.. I know its going to hurt but am sure if I am gentle.. I'm sure I've heard somewhere swimming is good physio.. have discovered a gym within 2 minutes walk of my flat and they have a free gym trial and stuff so would love to give that a go!
The girl on reception at Adelphi is very shy and has bascially never been out on the town.. so.. after the cleaners trying to get her to go out for the past 2 years she has been instructed (by myself) to meet me from work at 10:15pm and we are going to go to a pub or two on the way home.. so that will be good for both of us.. I am not dressed to go out in the least.. but nevermind!
Now I just need to book my flight from Hobart to Melbourne.. have started looking today and the cheapest is $29 but thats with no luggage.. so with $20 extra so I can take my backpack the cheapest is about $50.. not bad really.. I should probably just book it or I will miss out..!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
So I put in my application for my second working visa last night and now I am beating myself up over not having applied for it earlier. I mean I did wait for good reasons firstly I had only just arrived and thought well what if I dont like oz and dont want to stay for a second year.. and then of course I broke my arm and since you have to answer the question are you receiving medical treatment I wanted to wait until I could truthfully answer no. But now I've put the application in they've made all these new changes on 1st August making the visas harder to get, costing more and requiring medicals and chest xrays and all sorts... so now I'm really stressed I wont get the second year..
I also spoke to my boss about my leaving day and am leaving November 1st (which if I didnt get my second year visa would give me exactly 5 weeks to travel all of Australia.. so lets hope I get the second year!!).
I guess I will I mean it helps being english and its not as if I have any criminal convictions and I dont have TB which is what the xrays are all about.. and am healthy.. so theres no reason why they shouldnt.. its just a pain in the arse and expensive to have all these medicals and stuff.
So now I just need to look for cheap flights to Melbourne and get my medicals done..
Went to see Mama Mia at the cinema the other day.. that was bizarre seeing Pierce Brosan and Colin Firth singing in a musical! But really enjoyed the film nevertheless and now I want to go to Greece (where its set!)
Have arranged to go to Mount field this weekend on my day off.. free through work.. am really looking forward to it.. just have to hope it doesnt get cancelled due to all the snow.. it has been cancelled alot lately.
There is blue sky today which is a relief though!! and I went and bought a swimming costume so am going to try and start getting some exercise. I will check with physio first though but am hoping as long as I just do gentle breast stroke or something that it would be good for it.. I had a few physio specialists look at me yesterday and they have decided I have nerve damage.. (the areas affected are bascially from my neck to my hand or soemthing bizarre like that.. ) hopefully that can be worked on I'm not really sure.. but the physio is going well and I feel I have good movement back.. the main thing I want to be able to do is sleep in my favourite sleeping position without pain.. and of course to be able to lift things again and win arm wrestles again!! They are now doing shorter sessions more often as I scared them with my arm turning purple and swelling up.. damn that high pain threshold! So now they are insisting I be careful with it and not do too much physio!! So am behaving..! At least the hospital is conveniently within sight of my job so thats cool!
I also spoke to my boss about my leaving day and am leaving November 1st (which if I didnt get my second year visa would give me exactly 5 weeks to travel all of Australia.. so lets hope I get the second year!!).
I guess I will I mean it helps being english and its not as if I have any criminal convictions and I dont have TB which is what the xrays are all about.. and am healthy.. so theres no reason why they shouldnt.. its just a pain in the arse and expensive to have all these medicals and stuff.
So now I just need to look for cheap flights to Melbourne and get my medicals done..
Went to see Mama Mia at the cinema the other day.. that was bizarre seeing Pierce Brosan and Colin Firth singing in a musical! But really enjoyed the film nevertheless and now I want to go to Greece (where its set!)
Have arranged to go to Mount field this weekend on my day off.. free through work.. am really looking forward to it.. just have to hope it doesnt get cancelled due to all the snow.. it has been cancelled alot lately.
There is blue sky today which is a relief though!! and I went and bought a swimming costume so am going to try and start getting some exercise. I will check with physio first though but am hoping as long as I just do gentle breast stroke or something that it would be good for it.. I had a few physio specialists look at me yesterday and they have decided I have nerve damage.. (the areas affected are bascially from my neck to my hand or soemthing bizarre like that.. ) hopefully that can be worked on I'm not really sure.. but the physio is going well and I feel I have good movement back.. the main thing I want to be able to do is sleep in my favourite sleeping position without pain.. and of course to be able to lift things again and win arm wrestles again!! They are now doing shorter sessions more often as I scared them with my arm turning purple and swelling up.. damn that high pain threshold! So now they are insisting I be careful with it and not do too much physio!! So am behaving..! At least the hospital is conveniently within sight of my job so thats cool!
Monday, August 18, 2008
So heard from my swiss friends Melanie and Mark yesterday.. remember I helpx'd with them at Tom and Margarets place? she always keeps up with my blog and stuff and we chat via facebook etc.. anyway.. they are returning home to Switzerland in 2 weeks after their year travelling.. BUT they are getting married first!! on a private island in the great barrier reef.. white dress bare feet... wow!!! How cool is that?!! CONGRATULATIONS you two!!
I have got settled in my new place now! I love living alone! I can do exactly what I want to when I want to.. no thinking I should be doing this and that.. its obviously making a difference as everyone at work is laughing at the new relaxed me!
The internet has been down at work for 5 days which is a major stress and basically means nothing works.. but I dont really care.. what I cant fix it and I cant do anything about it..
I am reading this book at the moment called "100 days of solitude" about a women that goes to a cabin in the woods for 100 days.. the one thing that sticks in my mind is about meditation. Now, I try to meditate but find it really difficult unless I do a guided one telling me to smell the sea etc etc.. and it chills me out.. but without that my mind wanders.. she says the mind is like a puppy.. wanting to wander off and play and get into everything.. but with training and rewards of telling the puppy to stay and gently bringing it back eventually it does.. good analogy I thought.. makes me feel better about my puppy of a mind!!
Am a bit scared of working late shifts at work.. only becauase I havent done them before..I start them tomorrow.. which means I have the entire days free so might try and get a second job.. see if theres any relief childcare or something.. that way I can save up before my next travels..
Now my boss has sorted out my accomodation everyone seems to think I will stay forever (or at least long term) so I need to at some point tell them I will be leaving and decide on a date.. I have November 1st in my mind as a good day..
Also need to work on extending my visa so I can stay in this country another year and see it all!
I have got settled in my new place now! I love living alone! I can do exactly what I want to when I want to.. no thinking I should be doing this and that.. its obviously making a difference as everyone at work is laughing at the new relaxed me!
The internet has been down at work for 5 days which is a major stress and basically means nothing works.. but I dont really care.. what I cant fix it and I cant do anything about it..
I am reading this book at the moment called "100 days of solitude" about a women that goes to a cabin in the woods for 100 days.. the one thing that sticks in my mind is about meditation. Now, I try to meditate but find it really difficult unless I do a guided one telling me to smell the sea etc etc.. and it chills me out.. but without that my mind wanders.. she says the mind is like a puppy.. wanting to wander off and play and get into everything.. but with training and rewards of telling the puppy to stay and gently bringing it back eventually it does.. good analogy I thought.. makes me feel better about my puppy of a mind!!
Am a bit scared of working late shifts at work.. only becauase I havent done them before..I start them tomorrow.. which means I have the entire days free so might try and get a second job.. see if theres any relief childcare or something.. that way I can save up before my next travels..
Now my boss has sorted out my accomodation everyone seems to think I will stay forever (or at least long term) so I need to at some point tell them I will be leaving and decide on a date.. I have November 1st in my mind as a good day..
Also need to work on extending my visa so I can stay in this country another year and see it all!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
So had 1.5 hours of physio yesterday.. my arm is now killing me.. I figure its good pain though..! they are very impressed with my movement and stuff considering its been out of action so long.. but certain bones, muscles and tissues need lots of work.. my scapula and stuff and we have to work on my arm so I can straighten it again and lift it high normally again and be able to lift with it.. so lots of intensive physio for me.. they are very good though.. its a teaching hospital so at least evrything got explained to me and the students but was glad I had nice undies on since I had to take my t-shirt off and stand around in my bra for the entire time so they could see my shoulder blades in action and stuff..!
Have been kind of avoiding the guy who lives upstairs.. he's a nice enough guy but have heard from Derek he's into his younger women and he's trying to persuade me to come up for dinner or go out for a drink. As much as as social life would be nice I was a bit dubious with the soft music and candles when I got persuaded to soem up for a cup of tea!
But I can be pretty private in my own place if I want to and not see anyone.. which is great! its nice to be able to relax properly and not feel like I'm in someone elses home!
I went to the supermarket and stocked up for what I hope is a very long time considering how much it cost me! also bought a cheap bedside lamp which is cool.. its very dark in my room and i hate haveing to walk accross it to switch off the light at night.. and this one was $17 (like 8 pounds fifty) and has speakers attached and you can plug in your mp3 player. I didnt expect it to work if truth be told so was amazed when it blared loud music around my place!! so now I have light and music.. which is cool as I dont have a TV and its very very quiet!!
There is a TV lounge in the hostel which is separate from my flat so can always wander accross the courtyard when I'm desperate.. was very amused to find the 17 year old homeless boy I'm always chucking out of Montgomery's in there this morning... he obviously does the tour of all the places!!
Have been kind of avoiding the guy who lives upstairs.. he's a nice enough guy but have heard from Derek he's into his younger women and he's trying to persuade me to come up for dinner or go out for a drink. As much as as social life would be nice I was a bit dubious with the soft music and candles when I got persuaded to soem up for a cup of tea!
But I can be pretty private in my own place if I want to and not see anyone.. which is great! its nice to be able to relax properly and not feel like I'm in someone elses home!
I went to the supermarket and stocked up for what I hope is a very long time considering how much it cost me! also bought a cheap bedside lamp which is cool.. its very dark in my room and i hate haveing to walk accross it to switch off the light at night.. and this one was $17 (like 8 pounds fifty) and has speakers attached and you can plug in your mp3 player. I didnt expect it to work if truth be told so was amazed when it blared loud music around my place!! so now I have light and music.. which is cool as I dont have a TV and its very very quiet!!
There is a TV lounge in the hostel which is separate from my flat so can always wander accross the courtyard when I'm desperate.. was very amused to find the 17 year old homeless boy I'm always chucking out of Montgomery's in there this morning... he obviously does the tour of all the places!!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
I have moved!
So I moved house last night.. and started to make myself a new home. I had been a bit dubious thinking it was dark and cold but I slept like a log and it felt pretty homely.. wont take me long to have some pics on the wall and for it to be home!
Its lovely to have my own place and not worry about anyone else.. its a 32 minute walk downhill to work so we'll see what I think of the walk on the way home when its all uphill!
Its quite funny as Mike said he would sort out a new bed for me but thats not sorted yet so I have a bunkbed.. so its kind of like being a kid, a flat to myself but with bunkbeds.. well at least I can have my friends over to stay?!! But things have changed.. I dont want the top bunk nowadays like when I was 6!!
I cant believe how much stuff I have accumulated!! How did this happen?!
Well, Kathryn and Cheryl bought me lots of things when I first broke my arm and Kathryns contributed lots of clothes and I guess I've just relaxed and allowed myself to collect stuff.. so when it came to packing I had my backpack and a suitcase the size of a wardrobe and 3 shopping bags.. hmnn think I'll need to have a sort out before I intend to go backpacking again!! Just as well I had graham to help me move or it might have taken a few journeys on the bus!!
Yesterday I almost didnt get to work as there was so much snow the roads were closed... but luckily Graham took me via Taroona.. and luckily we went when we did as when he tried to drive home again the road got closed and he was trapped in town!!
You will never guess what I did this morning? the day after getting my arm brace off?!! yep you guessed it.. slipped over on the ice and went flying.. I was so scared that I carefully angled my other arm to take all the pressure (and my knees), I felt my bad arm jolt with the force of falling even though I didnt hit it but its okay (thank god dont think I could handle another 14 weeks in a brace!!).
Cheryl is going to be in hospital a while I think, she has had alot of difficulties after the op, but Graham will come and get me to go and visit her and she phoned me last night to see if I was okay in my new place even though she was feeling terrible!
I got my tax back yesterday.. now to put you in the picture my friends are all planning their holidays with their tax rebates.. fiji anyone?! their getting between $1000 and $2000.. theres even a guy in the hostel now happily holidaying on his tax rebate.. and on his way to fiji tomorrow.. sooo.. imagine my face when I opened mine up with excitement and saw that I had been rebated $1.02 yes that is right ONE DOLLAR AND TWO CENTS rebate.. needless to say while I was on hold for 30 minutes ringing up the tax office I was telling myself to stay calm and not swear.. and apparently it is completely right.. hmnn well I guess I'm not going to fiji then.. not that I was (although I do want to one day!) but the money would have been nice!
Its lovely to have my own place and not worry about anyone else.. its a 32 minute walk downhill to work so we'll see what I think of the walk on the way home when its all uphill!
Its quite funny as Mike said he would sort out a new bed for me but thats not sorted yet so I have a bunkbed.. so its kind of like being a kid, a flat to myself but with bunkbeds.. well at least I can have my friends over to stay?!! But things have changed.. I dont want the top bunk nowadays like when I was 6!!
I cant believe how much stuff I have accumulated!! How did this happen?!
Well, Kathryn and Cheryl bought me lots of things when I first broke my arm and Kathryns contributed lots of clothes and I guess I've just relaxed and allowed myself to collect stuff.. so when it came to packing I had my backpack and a suitcase the size of a wardrobe and 3 shopping bags.. hmnn think I'll need to have a sort out before I intend to go backpacking again!! Just as well I had graham to help me move or it might have taken a few journeys on the bus!!
Yesterday I almost didnt get to work as there was so much snow the roads were closed... but luckily Graham took me via Taroona.. and luckily we went when we did as when he tried to drive home again the road got closed and he was trapped in town!!
You will never guess what I did this morning? the day after getting my arm brace off?!! yep you guessed it.. slipped over on the ice and went flying.. I was so scared that I carefully angled my other arm to take all the pressure (and my knees), I felt my bad arm jolt with the force of falling even though I didnt hit it but its okay (thank god dont think I could handle another 14 weeks in a brace!!).
Cheryl is going to be in hospital a while I think, she has had alot of difficulties after the op, but Graham will come and get me to go and visit her and she phoned me last night to see if I was okay in my new place even though she was feeling terrible!
I got my tax back yesterday.. now to put you in the picture my friends are all planning their holidays with their tax rebates.. fiji anyone?! their getting between $1000 and $2000.. theres even a guy in the hostel now happily holidaying on his tax rebate.. and on his way to fiji tomorrow.. sooo.. imagine my face when I opened mine up with excitement and saw that I had been rebated $1.02 yes that is right ONE DOLLAR AND TWO CENTS rebate.. needless to say while I was on hold for 30 minutes ringing up the tax office I was telling myself to stay calm and not swear.. and apparently it is completely right.. hmnn well I guess I'm not going to fiji then.. not that I was (although I do want to one day!) but the money would have been nice!
Monday, August 11, 2008
I'm free I'm free!!!
woohoo!!! I got my brace off today.... I have 2 arms again!! yay!! no lifting for another month and physio twice a week but nevertheless... am very excited!!
Now the two bones are joined together by this huge sphere of bone growth.. weird but good!!
Its actually hurting loads since I no longer have the brace supporting it but I figure I'll get used to that!!
Have had a manic day going from appointment to appointment but its all good and now tonight I need to pack because tomorrow I move out to North Hobart..
I feel guilty as Graham and Cheryl are both upset but I've got to do whats right for me.. and I keep saying I am only in town.. not over the other side of the world!
Now the two bones are joined together by this huge sphere of bone growth.. weird but good!!
Its actually hurting loads since I no longer have the brace supporting it but I figure I'll get used to that!!
Have had a manic day going from appointment to appointment but its all good and now tonight I need to pack because tomorrow I move out to North Hobart..
I feel guilty as Graham and Cheryl are both upset but I've got to do whats right for me.. and I keep saying I am only in town.. not over the other side of the world!
Street entertainer
at the salamanca markets on saturday there was this street entertainer swallowing swords very impressively.. once down his throat he can bend over and then straighten up again which apparently is very impressive.. i thought it was impressive enough getting the sword down your throat.. wonder how you train for that kind of thing? hardly something to try at home is it?!
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