Monday, September 22, 2008
A possum that scared me to death and me at the Tahune Airwalk
This possum was making weird noises outside my front door.. didnt know it was a possum at first.. made me jump a mile.. not helped by the fact Malcolm then appeared from the bushes too.. anyway nice to see the wildlife in the city.. one day when I'm in England again possums will seem all exotic!
So Amber has politely informed me I need to get a move on posting photos from our girls weekend so am going to make my way through my camera card so she can copy them to her blog!
This is me at the beginning of the Tahune Forest Airwalk in the Huon Valley
Thursday, September 18, 2008
No Pain, no gain?!
So got back into my exercise kick today after eating way too much while Amber was here by starting off with Pilates which sounds all gentle and nice but isnt! My stomach and thigh muscles are killing me! A few minutes ago my stomach was hurting so much I though I was catching a stomach bug or something.. but then I remembered no its my stomach muscles complaining that I used them today!!
Me and Amber are not seeing each other for 6 weeks and have agreed to both me on health kicks till then and then show off how fit and healthy we are!!
Alana got back from her holiday in Alice Springs Tuesday night which is cool so we went shopping this afternoon.. missed her while she was away..! But she isnt too keen on the idea that in 6 weeks time I am leaving for good with no plans to come back to Tasmania.. so I dont suppose I really have a right to complain about her going away for a week! Just as well my friends in England are forgiving since I've gone and left them for a few years now..!
The guy who lives in the flat above mine who I kicked out my flat the other day told my boss he's moving out this weekend so thats a relief - maybe because he thought I might tell his wife or my boss about him hopefully.. I was feeling uncomfortable as he has been behaving bizarrely standing in the shadows in the dark watching me and things. I have been telling him not to talk to me and get away from me everytime he sees me and not accepting gifts left outside my door but it would be great to know he's not in the building anymore. I guess that is one of the issues of backpacking.. the hostels attract lots of weirdos.. just a few minutes ago I got a phonecall from the police asking for a bed for the night.. they were quite surpised when I said no he couldnt stay here (after I'd asked if we were going to get problems from him and she said well.. um.. turned out he'd been exposing himself in public places.. and now he wants the cheapest accomodation possible which would be a mixed dorm.. oh great idea!)!!
Me and Amber are not seeing each other for 6 weeks and have agreed to both me on health kicks till then and then show off how fit and healthy we are!!
Alana got back from her holiday in Alice Springs Tuesday night which is cool so we went shopping this afternoon.. missed her while she was away..! But she isnt too keen on the idea that in 6 weeks time I am leaving for good with no plans to come back to Tasmania.. so I dont suppose I really have a right to complain about her going away for a week! Just as well my friends in England are forgiving since I've gone and left them for a few years now..!
The guy who lives in the flat above mine who I kicked out my flat the other day told my boss he's moving out this weekend so thats a relief - maybe because he thought I might tell his wife or my boss about him hopefully.. I was feeling uncomfortable as he has been behaving bizarrely standing in the shadows in the dark watching me and things. I have been telling him not to talk to me and get away from me everytime he sees me and not accepting gifts left outside my door but it would be great to know he's not in the building anymore. I guess that is one of the issues of backpacking.. the hostels attract lots of weirdos.. just a few minutes ago I got a phonecall from the police asking for a bed for the night.. they were quite surpised when I said no he couldnt stay here (after I'd asked if we were going to get problems from him and she said well.. um.. turned out he'd been exposing himself in public places.. and now he wants the cheapest accomodation possible which would be a mixed dorm.. oh great idea!)!!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sleep.. oh for some sleep!! and damn we forgot the tattoos!
So at work last night I said to Derek.."its okay you dont have to say it I know I look rough". I must have looked bad because he even offered to do my washing up..! I wasnt quite sure how to take it when he was talking about the uptight people checking in and saying they needed to chill out and have a drink and how he thought more people needed to have a drink of an evening. This would have been fine if he hadnt finished this statement off by saying apart from you of course.. you dont need to drink anymore.. hmff! I do btw have a tendency to exaggerate everything.. I actually dont drink that often..once in a blue moon really.. okay maybe a full moon.. they do happen more than blue moons!
But anyway I told you I'm having a pink and fluffy life from now on which doesnt involve throwing up red wine and feeling like death in the morning.. now you might not believe me but actually no alcohol was consumed during our girly "weekend". I am however pale as a ghost from lack of sleep.. and my voice is gravelly and sore from laughing and gossiping too much!
On the Monday we went out for beakfast to "Salt" in Moonah (very nice btw) with Melinda and then we borrowed Melinda's car for the day and headed out to explore. We went and did the Tahune airwalk and the swing bridge walks which were really cool, and before we knew it after we'd stopped for picnics, for photo stops and coffee stops it was 6pm, so we headed back to Hobart and to the state cinema where we watched "The Visitor" which I liked but Amber wasnt so keen on.. it did have a crap ending I have to admit.. but I just made up my own ending in my head so that was all good!
Amber had to get a present for a hen night and everyone knows what kind of presents are needed to embarrass blushing brides on raucous hen nights.. so this amusingly resulted in a sex shop tour of Hobart.. (in case you were wondering theres 3.. which for a small town is quite alot really.. I thought!) Two were the dark, basement dodgy type ones full of things that you look at and go "What the hell is that for?!", but the one in Moonah is the nice, well lit type with a friendly female staff member that kind of reminds me of the mainstream Ann Summers type in England... anyway for 10am on a Monday morning all 3 shops were very very busy which must say something about the locals! Anyway gift was purchased there and we could go on with our exploring of Hobart!
It was great to have a car and be able to drive off to places on a whim!!
Tuesday we went on a rather crap cruise down the Derwent river.. I mean it was beuatiful scenery and all but the commentery had obviously been taped about 20 years ago.. and every so often the tape player would stop chew up the tape and /or jump an entire half hour or something so nothing actually matched where we were.. and when we went to go out on deck (in the freezing rain) the door fell of the runners.. hmnn reassuring.. thats when you start to think actually it might sink any minute.. still we didnt let that bother us and proceeded to just gossip for the full 1.5 hour cruise before we headed back into town and had lunch.. by which time it was time for me to be going to work, so Amber met up with Melinda for a few hours before popping back in to my work and saying goodbye and flying home.
I've decided I want Melinda's job.. shes a day nanny so she gets to go home to her own bed and home at night and she earns really good money.. my main problem with nannying is that you end up working 24/7 and can never relax because your in someone elses home so therefore your really never off duty.. but day nannying would be cool! (if you could get a decent one that pays well.. most opair type jobs are really just slave labour). I'll probably just stick to my long term dream of having a family daycare centre (childminding in my own home- which of course cant happen until I own my own home).
But anyway I told you I'm having a pink and fluffy life from now on which doesnt involve throwing up red wine and feeling like death in the morning.. now you might not believe me but actually no alcohol was consumed during our girly "weekend". I am however pale as a ghost from lack of sleep.. and my voice is gravelly and sore from laughing and gossiping too much!
On the Monday we went out for beakfast to "Salt" in Moonah (very nice btw) with Melinda and then we borrowed Melinda's car for the day and headed out to explore. We went and did the Tahune airwalk and the swing bridge walks which were really cool, and before we knew it after we'd stopped for picnics, for photo stops and coffee stops it was 6pm, so we headed back to Hobart and to the state cinema where we watched "The Visitor" which I liked but Amber wasnt so keen on.. it did have a crap ending I have to admit.. but I just made up my own ending in my head so that was all good!
Amber had to get a present for a hen night and everyone knows what kind of presents are needed to embarrass blushing brides on raucous hen nights.. so this amusingly resulted in a sex shop tour of Hobart.. (in case you were wondering theres 3.. which for a small town is quite alot really.. I thought!) Two were the dark, basement dodgy type ones full of things that you look at and go "What the hell is that for?!", but the one in Moonah is the nice, well lit type with a friendly female staff member that kind of reminds me of the mainstream Ann Summers type in England... anyway for 10am on a Monday morning all 3 shops were very very busy which must say something about the locals! Anyway gift was purchased there and we could go on with our exploring of Hobart!
It was great to have a car and be able to drive off to places on a whim!!
Tuesday we went on a rather crap cruise down the Derwent river.. I mean it was beuatiful scenery and all but the commentery had obviously been taped about 20 years ago.. and every so often the tape player would stop chew up the tape and /or jump an entire half hour or something so nothing actually matched where we were.. and when we went to go out on deck (in the freezing rain) the door fell of the runners.. hmnn reassuring.. thats when you start to think actually it might sink any minute.. still we didnt let that bother us and proceeded to just gossip for the full 1.5 hour cruise before we headed back into town and had lunch.. by which time it was time for me to be going to work, so Amber met up with Melinda for a few hours before popping back in to my work and saying goodbye and flying home.
I've decided I want Melinda's job.. shes a day nanny so she gets to go home to her own bed and home at night and she earns really good money.. my main problem with nannying is that you end up working 24/7 and can never relax because your in someone elses home so therefore your really never off duty.. but day nannying would be cool! (if you could get a decent one that pays well.. most opair type jobs are really just slave labour). I'll probably just stick to my long term dream of having a family daycare centre (childminding in my own home- which of course cant happen until I own my own home).
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Pink and Fluffy and why oh why do I drink?
Am very pleased with my new pink blog.. am sure any of the boys following my blog are just exstatic! ah well.. shame!
So I was shattered last night after my hot yoga and then having to go to work and practically crawled home ready to fall into bed and I was so desperate to get into my bed I could have cried. Malcolm was waiting at the front door (creepy now I think about it) with a glass of wine which I said no to and then was persuaded that one glass would make my headache go away.. 3 bottles of red wine later.. my headache was well and truly gone and I was happily telling him that I liked my stressfree, uneventfull, calm life at the moment (well it has been that way for at least a couple of weeks which feels like forever in my mind!)and he turned into a complete tosser which resulted in me physically kicking him out of my flat (literally and believe me he deserved it) before proceeding to throw up the 2 bottles of wine I drank.. and burst into tears in the shower while Malcolm banged on my door for the proceeding 3 hours while I told him where to go in no uncertain terms... 2 hours later Amber flew in.. so we went out for lunch and walked around town.. and now I'm back at work... tired... me?!
For god sake I'm nearly 30.. shouldnt I have learnt from this as a teenager, its not as if I missed out in my teenage years or anything and never went out?!! (yeah dont answer that please - I know the answer really). Amber just raised her eyebrows when I said I dont really like the drinking scene anymore and dont want to be part of it.. of course it doesnt appear that way when I look like death from a hangover..
I just want a pink and fluffy life with no dramas.. which I realise of course means I have to stop drinking bottles of wine with strange men and creating my own dramas.. oh god I think the time has come.. I might just have to grow up and act my age.. and actually get the life I want rather than just saying it! I am perfectly happy travelling at the moment but I am looking forward to settling down somewhere in 18 months or so's time.. of course thats a random date plucked out of the air and doesnt mean anything but I have actually got plans for what I want to do and stuff!
BTW no lectures please have beaten myself up enough over it..
Anyway, tomorrow I have the day off so Amber has borrowed a car from another friend she has in Hobart so we are going on a road trip! Yay!!! Am very excited!
Have been looking into cage diving with great white sharks in Port Lincoln too.. am thinking of booking a trip for November.. its almost fully booked so I need to make a decision really soon! I realise I just said I dont want drama in my life and then proceed to tell you I'm going to get in a cage surrounded by sharks that could eat me but hey I cant help it if I'm contradictory!!
So I was shattered last night after my hot yoga and then having to go to work and practically crawled home ready to fall into bed and I was so desperate to get into my bed I could have cried. Malcolm was waiting at the front door (creepy now I think about it) with a glass of wine which I said no to and then was persuaded that one glass would make my headache go away.. 3 bottles of red wine later.. my headache was well and truly gone and I was happily telling him that I liked my stressfree, uneventfull, calm life at the moment (well it has been that way for at least a couple of weeks which feels like forever in my mind!)and he turned into a complete tosser which resulted in me physically kicking him out of my flat (literally and believe me he deserved it) before proceeding to throw up the 2 bottles of wine I drank.. and burst into tears in the shower while Malcolm banged on my door for the proceeding 3 hours while I told him where to go in no uncertain terms... 2 hours later Amber flew in.. so we went out for lunch and walked around town.. and now I'm back at work... tired... me?!
For god sake I'm nearly 30.. shouldnt I have learnt from this as a teenager, its not as if I missed out in my teenage years or anything and never went out?!! (yeah dont answer that please - I know the answer really). Amber just raised her eyebrows when I said I dont really like the drinking scene anymore and dont want to be part of it.. of course it doesnt appear that way when I look like death from a hangover..
I just want a pink and fluffy life with no dramas.. which I realise of course means I have to stop drinking bottles of wine with strange men and creating my own dramas.. oh god I think the time has come.. I might just have to grow up and act my age.. and actually get the life I want rather than just saying it! I am perfectly happy travelling at the moment but I am looking forward to settling down somewhere in 18 months or so's time.. of course thats a random date plucked out of the air and doesnt mean anything but I have actually got plans for what I want to do and stuff!
BTW no lectures please have beaten myself up enough over it..
Anyway, tomorrow I have the day off so Amber has borrowed a car from another friend she has in Hobart so we are going on a road trip! Yay!!! Am very excited!
Have been looking into cage diving with great white sharks in Port Lincoln too.. am thinking of booking a trip for November.. its almost fully booked so I need to make a decision really soon! I realise I just said I dont want drama in my life and then proceed to tell you I'm going to get in a cage surrounded by sharks that could eat me but hey I cant help it if I'm contradictory!!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Do you think anyone has ever died from doing hot yoga?!
So after reading this article in the local paper about the new hot yoga craze I thought I'd better give it a go.. Derek got quite excited having different ideas about what the word hot might mean..
but no when they say hot they mean that the room is a furnace... basically like doing exercise in a sauna..
I seemed to have forgotten that I can only stand about 30 seconds in a sauna when I set my alarm to get up ridiculously early (9am!!!) for my 10am class.. and happily arrived at class with my instructed 2 towels and big bottle of water.
So as I walk into the room I nearly pass out from the heat.. and am ready to start glugging down my bottle of water when the teacher comes in wearing just his boxer shorts and informs me that no we cannot drink water during class (apparently the water is just for looking at longingly!)
I seriously thought I might die several times. I think I just went into shock and followed the dutch guys army like instructions in a kind of stupor. He didnt do any of the exercises, he just walked round telling us to push further and hold it longer (etc etc) dripping sweat.. so if you think he was dripping sweat just being in the room imagine what it was like for the rest of us.. I think he might be a masochist. Especially when I said no to doing certain poses and he completly ignored me.. (until I reminded him that my shoulder was strapped up for a reason)
At times when I was upside down folded into strange shapes with my nose to my chest I was wondering if I was going to suffocate in my own boobs (literally!)
Every so often we got 120 seconds to lie down between poses.. in which we were meant to relax.. I literally threw myself down and collapsed every time.. as for relax it took me about 120 seconds to get in the "relaxation" pose.. then it was time to do vigorous sit ups..
This is a new class (been running a couple of weeks) so what I couldnt understand is why everyone else seems to be experts and so thin I could have snapped them with my bare hands. There I was struggling a) not to die and b)not to fall flat on my face in a puddle of my own sweat..
so one the walk home I must have looked a state, I bumped into Malcolm who seemed genuinely worried about me as he gave me his bottle of water while I took gulps sitting on the pavement in the middle of busy North Hobart.. I have never been so glad to see a shower in my life.. or breakfast (no eating or drinking for 3 hours before classes)..
I then thought I'd have a little nap.. dont the magazines tell you power naps are good for you? Bollocks.. There I am practically unconsious.. just drifting off into a wonderful sleep when 20 minutes later my alarm goes off and tells me its time to go to work...
So here I am at work with a rather shocked and exhausted expression on my face.. all my muscles aching already drinking pint after pint of water thinking hmnn wonder when the next class is?! (yep I am clearly insane!)
but no when they say hot they mean that the room is a furnace... basically like doing exercise in a sauna..
I seemed to have forgotten that I can only stand about 30 seconds in a sauna when I set my alarm to get up ridiculously early (9am!!!) for my 10am class.. and happily arrived at class with my instructed 2 towels and big bottle of water.
So as I walk into the room I nearly pass out from the heat.. and am ready to start glugging down my bottle of water when the teacher comes in wearing just his boxer shorts and informs me that no we cannot drink water during class (apparently the water is just for looking at longingly!)
I seriously thought I might die several times. I think I just went into shock and followed the dutch guys army like instructions in a kind of stupor. He didnt do any of the exercises, he just walked round telling us to push further and hold it longer (etc etc) dripping sweat.. so if you think he was dripping sweat just being in the room imagine what it was like for the rest of us.. I think he might be a masochist. Especially when I said no to doing certain poses and he completly ignored me.. (until I reminded him that my shoulder was strapped up for a reason)
At times when I was upside down folded into strange shapes with my nose to my chest I was wondering if I was going to suffocate in my own boobs (literally!)
Every so often we got 120 seconds to lie down between poses.. in which we were meant to relax.. I literally threw myself down and collapsed every time.. as for relax it took me about 120 seconds to get in the "relaxation" pose.. then it was time to do vigorous sit ups..
This is a new class (been running a couple of weeks) so what I couldnt understand is why everyone else seems to be experts and so thin I could have snapped them with my bare hands. There I was struggling a) not to die and b)not to fall flat on my face in a puddle of my own sweat..
so one the walk home I must have looked a state, I bumped into Malcolm who seemed genuinely worried about me as he gave me his bottle of water while I took gulps sitting on the pavement in the middle of busy North Hobart.. I have never been so glad to see a shower in my life.. or breakfast (no eating or drinking for 3 hours before classes)..
I then thought I'd have a little nap.. dont the magazines tell you power naps are good for you? Bollocks.. There I am practically unconsious.. just drifting off into a wonderful sleep when 20 minutes later my alarm goes off and tells me its time to go to work...
So here I am at work with a rather shocked and exhausted expression on my face.. all my muscles aching already drinking pint after pint of water thinking hmnn wonder when the next class is?! (yep I am clearly insane!)
Girly weekend ahead!!
So my friend Amber is coming to stay on Sunday for a few days which I am really excited about! I met her in NZ, shes a kiwi, but she came over to oz a few months ago and is currently living in Melbourne.
By the way Amber if your reading this your scaring me by informing me I quote "No girly weekend is complete without the obligatory tattoo!" Mum, Dad before you start panicking I said I'll watch!!
Physio have strapped up my shoulder to try and keep it in place.. I can still swim and do pilates and stuff tho as its waterproof. Its quite good as it does hold it in place and remind me to keep my shoulders back rather than slouched! (The shoulder and neck are the main bits needing physio now). Of course typically me being me I seem to be allergic to the strapping and by arm is now itchy and red..
I know I am a backpacker but really backpackers do drive me mad sometimes!! They are so rude!! They are all flashpackers.."Wheres the lift?", "I cant pick up my bag its too heavy for me" "Do you serve breakfastin bed?", "Wheres the spa? swimming pool?" "Please organise my life for me.. book dinner every trip I will ever do for the rest of my life.. and while your at it please wipe my arse" I enjoy working in a backpackers and within the tourist industry.. I just need to sound off every now and then!
By the way Amber if your reading this your scaring me by informing me I quote "No girly weekend is complete without the obligatory tattoo!" Mum, Dad before you start panicking I said I'll watch!!
Physio have strapped up my shoulder to try and keep it in place.. I can still swim and do pilates and stuff tho as its waterproof. Its quite good as it does hold it in place and remind me to keep my shoulders back rather than slouched! (The shoulder and neck are the main bits needing physio now). Of course typically me being me I seem to be allergic to the strapping and by arm is now itchy and red..
I know I am a backpacker but really backpackers do drive me mad sometimes!! They are so rude!! They are all flashpackers.."Wheres the lift?", "I cant pick up my bag its too heavy for me" "Do you serve breakfastin bed?", "Wheres the spa? swimming pool?" "Please organise my life for me.. book dinner every trip I will ever do for the rest of my life.. and while your at it please wipe my arse" I enjoy working in a backpackers and within the tourist industry.. I just need to sound off every now and then!
Monday, September 08, 2008
My inner what?!
Had a good weekend.. was utterly lazy for most of it..laying about in the sun and flouncing around in my new skirt.. but went out for cocktails Saturday night with Alana which was fun.. there were these barmen at Onba who were just like those from Cocktail (they even had the same banter with each other, it was very entertaining!!) and of course we played the role of the girls sitting at the bar chatting up the barmen very nicely (there was nowhere else to sit.. it was busy.. honest!!) Then we went to the Lizbon bar and after saying we were short of money the barman made us cheap cocktails.. its a hard life!!
Then stayed up very late with some girls staying at the hostel watching DVD's. Saw that film Juno thats recieved all those awards.. good film..
Sunday I hauled myself out of bed by at least midday, had breakfast and went back to bed and eventually got dressed by 3:30pm and made myself go and get some exercise (a couple of hours walk and 50 lengths of the olympic pool) before I came home and fell into bed again.. oh the harshness of life!!
Monday I went out shopping with Alana and she bought loads but I didnt buy a thing (probably a good thing since I'm very poor and saving up for my travels)! But am looking for some summer clothes.. think I'll wait till I go to Melbourne though where theres some decent shops. As Louise and I were saying to each other on the phone the other day.. after both living abroad we shall never complain about English shops again.. I miss English shops!!
This morning I went to a Pilates class... only it was an advanced class and I hadnt a clue what she was on about most of the time.. now hold your inner glucosal muscles and stretch your something or other muscles?!! I felt knackered afterwards and it hurt holding the poses so I figure it was good for me! Couldnt do the ones involving weight bearing or stretching up my arm but could do most of it.
Theres some free tai chi classes running next week which I might try.. but they are at 6:10am which isnt quite so appealing so I'm not sure whether than will actaully happen.. my excuse is that I'm working lates and that just would not be enough sleep..
Then stayed up very late with some girls staying at the hostel watching DVD's. Saw that film Juno thats recieved all those awards.. good film..
Sunday I hauled myself out of bed by at least midday, had breakfast and went back to bed and eventually got dressed by 3:30pm and made myself go and get some exercise (a couple of hours walk and 50 lengths of the olympic pool) before I came home and fell into bed again.. oh the harshness of life!!
Monday I went out shopping with Alana and she bought loads but I didnt buy a thing (probably a good thing since I'm very poor and saving up for my travels)! But am looking for some summer clothes.. think I'll wait till I go to Melbourne though where theres some decent shops. As Louise and I were saying to each other on the phone the other day.. after both living abroad we shall never complain about English shops again.. I miss English shops!!
This morning I went to a Pilates class... only it was an advanced class and I hadnt a clue what she was on about most of the time.. now hold your inner glucosal muscles and stretch your something or other muscles?!! I felt knackered afterwards and it hurt holding the poses so I figure it was good for me! Couldnt do the ones involving weight bearing or stretching up my arm but could do most of it.
Theres some free tai chi classes running next week which I might try.. but they are at 6:10am which isnt quite so appealing so I'm not sure whether than will actaully happen.. my excuse is that I'm working lates and that just would not be enough sleep..
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Well that'll teach me not to eat chocolate!
So the next day after an entire day without chocolate I promptly woke up with flu.. I figure this is a sign and I shouldnt try and risk a day without chocolate again!!
But waking up feeling grotty I decided to dose myself up with cold and flu tablets and spend the entire day sleeping on the balcony in the sunshine.. seemed to do the trick.. did the same the next day and I feel okay again! Its a hard life!
Been for another swim today.. am building it up gradually trying to improve my muscle tone in my arm again.. will go for a massage at physio in a bit (I repeat.. its a hard life!)
Now I have got used to working the late shift I like it as I get to have a life during the day and then go to work when I would probably only be sitting in front of the TV or something anyway! Have been doing extra hours too which is cool! It'll all go in a matter of weeks when I am on the road again!!
I have however probably squeezed too much of a life into today as I feel ready for a nap and not to go to work!
I went out for coffee with Kathryn yesterday as she wanted some clothes she had given me back so that prompted me to start sorting my flat out.. and once I start sorting out I cant stop! Its all good, am going to have to sort it out enough so I have a nice light backpack for my poor arm and shoulder anyway. (Although its the arm that broke its the shoulder and neck that are now having most of the physio done on them.. bit weird but its funny how hurting one part of your body effects the nerves and muscles of another part of your body!)
I have the next 2 days off (and actually at a weekend too) so Derek's going to come over for dinner tomorrow and then Alana and I will probably go out for a drink later on..
Amber is going to come over and visit next week which I am really excited about as I havent seen her in a year.. she's a kiwi friend I met in Nelson, NZ, but she is currently living in Melbourne. When I leave tassie in November I'll go and stay with her for a few days too, but I am looking forward to showing her a bit of Tassie and having some girly gossips!!
But waking up feeling grotty I decided to dose myself up with cold and flu tablets and spend the entire day sleeping on the balcony in the sunshine.. seemed to do the trick.. did the same the next day and I feel okay again! Its a hard life!
Been for another swim today.. am building it up gradually trying to improve my muscle tone in my arm again.. will go for a massage at physio in a bit (I repeat.. its a hard life!)
Now I have got used to working the late shift I like it as I get to have a life during the day and then go to work when I would probably only be sitting in front of the TV or something anyway! Have been doing extra hours too which is cool! It'll all go in a matter of weeks when I am on the road again!!
I have however probably squeezed too much of a life into today as I feel ready for a nap and not to go to work!
I went out for coffee with Kathryn yesterday as she wanted some clothes she had given me back so that prompted me to start sorting my flat out.. and once I start sorting out I cant stop! Its all good, am going to have to sort it out enough so I have a nice light backpack for my poor arm and shoulder anyway. (Although its the arm that broke its the shoulder and neck that are now having most of the physio done on them.. bit weird but its funny how hurting one part of your body effects the nerves and muscles of another part of your body!)
I have the next 2 days off (and actually at a weekend too) so Derek's going to come over for dinner tomorrow and then Alana and I will probably go out for a drink later on..
Amber is going to come over and visit next week which I am really excited about as I havent seen her in a year.. she's a kiwi friend I met in Nelson, NZ, but she is currently living in Melbourne. When I leave tassie in November I'll go and stay with her for a few days too, but I am looking forward to showing her a bit of Tassie and having some girly gossips!!
Monday, September 01, 2008
Am I unwell?!
So I decided to go on a health kick the last couple of days.. eat healthy and get some exercise.. banana smoothies for breakfast and the physio finally gave me permission to go for a gentle swim today.. so you'd think people would be saying oh your looking fit and well or something might you?! So far all I've had is "oh god are you okay? you look like your going to faint" and "You look like a ghost, your so pale" and "Did you not sleep last night, you look shattered.." Hmmff!! my response is.. "um well er no.. I just got some exercise.. and didnt eat any chocolate today thats all.."! and of course I'm in agony with my arm.. I did take it gentle.. only 10lengths (admittedly of an olympic pool but I used to be able to do 50-100 pre breaking my arm). The physio gave me a nice massage and stuff after (am I glad of medicare!) so I feel a bit better.. but could still do with a nap! Shame I still have to go to work and wont be getting my nap till after 11pm!
I have been walking lots since I live miles from work so always walk a minimum of 1.5hours a day but still want to get a bit more exercise.. so hopefully I can build up the swimming gently without passers by telling me to sit down and take a rest or without people calling the doctors because I look unwell!!
Am very excited its finally spring time here!! Nice to have some sunshine and warmth!! It was 20 degrees the other day though and I nearly died of shock.. thought I was going to overheat and die.. am a tad worried about what I'm going to do when I get travelling again and venture into the warmer parts of Australia!! I am very excited about the hot weather though and running around in beaches and hopefully not getting eaten by sharks! Am having to restrain mylsef from packing.. I have a sign on my wall that says "MELISSA YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PACK YET!!" I cant help it.. I'm an organised list making obsessive and I like stressing over packing!! I have set myself as the 23rd October as when I can start packing! Its not as if I am not content here, I enjoy my job and love my little flat.. I'm just excited about being on the road again and seeing new places!
I have been walking lots since I live miles from work so always walk a minimum of 1.5hours a day but still want to get a bit more exercise.. so hopefully I can build up the swimming gently without passers by telling me to sit down and take a rest or without people calling the doctors because I look unwell!!
Am very excited its finally spring time here!! Nice to have some sunshine and warmth!! It was 20 degrees the other day though and I nearly died of shock.. thought I was going to overheat and die.. am a tad worried about what I'm going to do when I get travelling again and venture into the warmer parts of Australia!! I am very excited about the hot weather though and running around in beaches and hopefully not getting eaten by sharks! Am having to restrain mylsef from packing.. I have a sign on my wall that says "MELISSA YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PACK YET!!" I cant help it.. I'm an organised list making obsessive and I like stressing over packing!! I have set myself as the 23rd October as when I can start packing! Its not as if I am not content here, I enjoy my job and love my little flat.. I'm just excited about being on the road again and seeing new places!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Is England as dangerous and depressing as it sounds?
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?
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?
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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