Hello!
I have lots of good news to share - in the last few days we have found out that we have got the dream 2 bed flat in mooloolaba and I have got a job!
We found out on Tuesday that the flat (or unit as it is called here) is ours, we move in tomorrow (Friday). After handing out resumes on Monday I also applied for one job online. It didn't really specify much other than 'sales & marketing' but it said 'travelers, students and visa holders welcome' so I thought it was worth a shot! On Tuesday morning the agency called me and invited me for an interview that afternoon, which went well. I got a phone call half an hour later asking me back for a follow up the next morning, and then that afternoon I found out the job was mine. Today I spent five hours learning about the product that I'll be selling, doing some mystery shopping and taking a two hour test at the end of it! It's been a quick but detailed process! Basically I'm working in the local shopping mall (and can take work trips to other shopping malls throughout Queensland) selling cable TV. It's time to see if my selling skills are any good!
As a perk, we get the full package for free! That means unlimited Kardashian's for me and unlimited NFL for James. I'll let you know how it all goes... First day out on the floor selling tomorrow. I'm hoping to charm these Aussies with my British accent. ;) I think the tricky part may be keeping myself out of the other shops... I have found a shop called Sportsgirl, which despite the name actually sells gorgeous Topshop, French Connection-esqe clothes.
I am very excited for the big move tomorrow, see ya laters Nambour. I'm about to hit Target to get kitchen stuff as it's furnished apart from that. :)
In further news, here are some random observations...
Cost of living here is expensive,food, clothes, drinks etc. Hense James' excitement about Aldi.
We are about to come into 'swooping season' apparently, which is where birds swoop down from trees,landing on people's heads a peeking. Apparently blood can be drawn. I am afraid.
Birds (particularly the colourful ones)make a lot of noise as it gets dark, an I mean a lot. I think they are calling their babies back.
Kangaroo meat tastes quite sweet, a bit like sweet ribs. I couldn't quite finish mine as I kept thinking about my stuffed Kangaroo friends back at home from my childhood.
Although I was scared by driving the Honda, which I now like to call my otter, I now actually love driving it and totally know my way around the area better than James! I guess he is hard at work 'saving lives' during the day. And as my wise Dad told me, as cars are bigger here so are the parking spaces and roads. :)
That's all for now! Sorry for the lack of pictures, I can't seem to load them from internet cafes! Coming soon, I'm sure!
xoxo
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Monday, 10 October 2011
The first week
Hello!
Today is my first day completely on my own! James started work at 7.30 am this morning, I got up with him like a good girlfriend and made him his coffee and toast while he ironed his shirt. My first taste of co-habiting in suburbia. We'll see how long the getting up at 6am thing lasts.
Anyway, here I am in an internet cafe, finally with time to tell you about the last week...
We landed in Brisbane at 6am on Tuesday morning and were met by my cousin Sean and his beautiful daughter Madeline. I hadn't seen Sean for 14 years and hadn't met Madeline before so this was quite a big moment for me. As we walked out of the airport the first thing that hit me was the fresh smell of the eucalyptus and palm trees. We drove back to Sean's house to rest for a little bit before venturing into Brisbane to get the final part of James' medical registration sorted.
Although we said we wouldn't, we fell asleep for a bit and here started the jet lag. After finally dragging our tired selves out of bed we taxied into Brisbane to get some stuff sorted, re-buy my cosmetics after the Dubai fiasco and have a wander. Later that night my other cousins Dean and Mike came over for our first Oz meal - a BBQ of course. It was also great to catch up with Sean's wife Jodi and their kids Alec and Madeline. It was lovely to be together and talk about our Mums and Nana, although I hadn't seen them for years it didn't feel that way at all. All we needed was for my sister to be there to complete the 5 cousins!
After a strange sleep James and I drove up to Nambour the next day. We're borrowing my Aunt's old car, its a beast = a Honda Accord 2.4 Automatic. No part of that description is familiar to me. For those of you that know me well, you'll know driving isn't the most natural thing to me. I drove it for the first time today, to come here to write this blog and to look for jobs, and lets just say it was a challenge and I had several small heart attacks. Think I'll let James drive where possible!
Anyways, When we got to Nambour we had temporary accommodation in Motel, complete with a library of VHS tapes. Old school. Nambour itself is also very 'old school'. It reminds me of small town America. Lots of stone washed jeans (not in a good way) and 80s hair (also not in a good way).
We battled the jet lag for a few more days but have done a lot. We've found the shopping mall at Marochydoor, James found an Aldi (his face LIT up), we went to the Beach in Noosa Heads, we got mobile phones, we explored Alex Heads and Mooloolaba.
On the apartment hunting front, we had a full day of looking on Friday and managed to rule out what we didn't want, we decided 'resort style living' just isn't right when you're there for a year, we don't want to be in a building where the neighbours use their balcony as a dumping ground for crap, we don't want a place with rusty appliances. But we decided that we DID want to be in Mooloolaba - it really is the most beautiful place. SO we went to every real estate agent and got their rental lists, when reviewing them on Saturday morning with renewed energy we found a few to go back and look at. And the first was a real find, 2 bed, brand new appliances, great furniture, one road back from the beach. We put in an application and find out tomorrow if it's ours - fingers crossed!
I think that's about it for now, I will try to blog more regularly in the future so its not so much of an essay!
I'm off to hand out 'resumes' (not CVs). Think good employment and apartment thoughts for me!
xoxo
Today is my first day completely on my own! James started work at 7.30 am this morning, I got up with him like a good girlfriend and made him his coffee and toast while he ironed his shirt. My first taste of co-habiting in suburbia. We'll see how long the getting up at 6am thing lasts.
Anyway, here I am in an internet cafe, finally with time to tell you about the last week...
We landed in Brisbane at 6am on Tuesday morning and were met by my cousin Sean and his beautiful daughter Madeline. I hadn't seen Sean for 14 years and hadn't met Madeline before so this was quite a big moment for me. As we walked out of the airport the first thing that hit me was the fresh smell of the eucalyptus and palm trees. We drove back to Sean's house to rest for a little bit before venturing into Brisbane to get the final part of James' medical registration sorted.
Although we said we wouldn't, we fell asleep for a bit and here started the jet lag. After finally dragging our tired selves out of bed we taxied into Brisbane to get some stuff sorted, re-buy my cosmetics after the Dubai fiasco and have a wander. Later that night my other cousins Dean and Mike came over for our first Oz meal - a BBQ of course. It was also great to catch up with Sean's wife Jodi and their kids Alec and Madeline. It was lovely to be together and talk about our Mums and Nana, although I hadn't seen them for years it didn't feel that way at all. All we needed was for my sister to be there to complete the 5 cousins!
After a strange sleep James and I drove up to Nambour the next day. We're borrowing my Aunt's old car, its a beast = a Honda Accord 2.4 Automatic. No part of that description is familiar to me. For those of you that know me well, you'll know driving isn't the most natural thing to me. I drove it for the first time today, to come here to write this blog and to look for jobs, and lets just say it was a challenge and I had several small heart attacks. Think I'll let James drive where possible!
Anyways, When we got to Nambour we had temporary accommodation in Motel, complete with a library of VHS tapes. Old school. Nambour itself is also very 'old school'. It reminds me of small town America. Lots of stone washed jeans (not in a good way) and 80s hair (also not in a good way).
We battled the jet lag for a few more days but have done a lot. We've found the shopping mall at Marochydoor, James found an Aldi (his face LIT up), we went to the Beach in Noosa Heads, we got mobile phones, we explored Alex Heads and Mooloolaba.
On the apartment hunting front, we had a full day of looking on Friday and managed to rule out what we didn't want, we decided 'resort style living' just isn't right when you're there for a year, we don't want to be in a building where the neighbours use their balcony as a dumping ground for crap, we don't want a place with rusty appliances. But we decided that we DID want to be in Mooloolaba - it really is the most beautiful place. SO we went to every real estate agent and got their rental lists, when reviewing them on Saturday morning with renewed energy we found a few to go back and look at. And the first was a real find, 2 bed, brand new appliances, great furniture, one road back from the beach. We put in an application and find out tomorrow if it's ours - fingers crossed!
I think that's about it for now, I will try to blog more regularly in the future so its not so much of an essay!
I'm off to hand out 'resumes' (not CVs). Think good employment and apartment thoughts for me!
xoxo
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Goodbyes and the loooong journey
James and I have now been in Australia for six days and there is so much to talk about. But first I need to mention all the goodbyes from my last week at home. We both worked up until the Friday before flying out on the Sunday evening, so things were a bit hectic, to say the least.
After handing in my notice at the start of June, my countdown finally got to one week to go and that last week went really quickly. When Friday arrived I walked into the office to see that my lovely work friends (and now regular friends) Lisa and Jo had decorated not just my desk, but the whole of the office I sit in with ballons, streamers, pictures of kangaroos and koalas and 'good luck' posters. I also had my own desk in the middle of the room (centre of attention!)so I felt very special all day! After competing in my own custom made games of 'Mastermind: The Kardashians' and 'I'm an Editor - Get Me Out of Here' it was time to say goodbye, for now, to all my friends and colleagues at Care Choices. It was a great two years working there and there are lots of people that I'll miss and lots that I know I'll see again.
I also had emotional goodbyes with my BFF's Pascale, Nikki and Kat, and baby Lucas as well. I love all my friends so much and am already looking forward to seeing you all again soon.
I have to say, saying goodbye to my Dad and Sister was the worst, but bless my sweet Sister she held it together so well, I was so proud of her for being strong. Our final goodbye was to James' Mum, Debbi, and her partner Paul at the airport. I know it was hard for her to say goodbye to James but we're already looking forward to her visit next year and I 'm thinking of her when we view two bedroom apartments!
After that goodbye it was through security and boarding the flight to Dubai, which at six and a half hours was much more manageable than the 14 hour flight that followed it!
I didn't find the flights too bad but poor James had a cold and at his height travelling in a airplane just isn't comfortable. Me sprawled across him asleep for a fair amount of the journey probably wasn't great either! The only real problem for me came at Dubai airport. When we boarded the second leg of the journey the security staff re-checked our hand luggage and because my clear plastic bag of liquids didn't have a sealed edge they stole my deodrant, Frizz Ease, toothpaste, foundation and, most upsettingly, my brand new Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, which was a gift from work. I tried to argue with the mean lady that it didn't make sense that I had already flown from London with these items with no problem, so why did she need to take them? I'm hardly going to bomb the plane with my Frizz Ease?! The lady started to get annoyed so James quickly ushered me past, promising to re-buy the items for me. By this point I was feeling very tired and emotional and burst into tears. Poor James stayed very calm as I explained, through sobs, that the Elizabeth Arden Cream was expensive and had been a gift, and that I wasn't happy about arriving in a hot country without these items as it would surely result in me smelling, having very big hair, blotchy skin and no way of brushing my teeth! After a good cry, much to the bemusement of my fellow passengers, I pulled myself together and boarded the plane, where true to his word James bought me some more Elizabeth Arden from the Duty Free. SUCH a great boyfriend.
Next stop...Brisbane.
After handing in my notice at the start of June, my countdown finally got to one week to go and that last week went really quickly. When Friday arrived I walked into the office to see that my lovely work friends (and now regular friends) Lisa and Jo had decorated not just my desk, but the whole of the office I sit in with ballons, streamers, pictures of kangaroos and koalas and 'good luck' posters. I also had my own desk in the middle of the room (centre of attention!)so I felt very special all day! After competing in my own custom made games of 'Mastermind: The Kardashians' and 'I'm an Editor - Get Me Out of Here' it was time to say goodbye, for now, to all my friends and colleagues at Care Choices. It was a great two years working there and there are lots of people that I'll miss and lots that I know I'll see again.
I also had emotional goodbyes with my BFF's Pascale, Nikki and Kat, and baby Lucas as well. I love all my friends so much and am already looking forward to seeing you all again soon.
I have to say, saying goodbye to my Dad and Sister was the worst, but bless my sweet Sister she held it together so well, I was so proud of her for being strong. Our final goodbye was to James' Mum, Debbi, and her partner Paul at the airport. I know it was hard for her to say goodbye to James but we're already looking forward to her visit next year and I 'm thinking of her when we view two bedroom apartments!
After that goodbye it was through security and boarding the flight to Dubai, which at six and a half hours was much more manageable than the 14 hour flight that followed it!
I didn't find the flights too bad but poor James had a cold and at his height travelling in a airplane just isn't comfortable. Me sprawled across him asleep for a fair amount of the journey probably wasn't great either! The only real problem for me came at Dubai airport. When we boarded the second leg of the journey the security staff re-checked our hand luggage and because my clear plastic bag of liquids didn't have a sealed edge they stole my deodrant, Frizz Ease, toothpaste, foundation and, most upsettingly, my brand new Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, which was a gift from work. I tried to argue with the mean lady that it didn't make sense that I had already flown from London with these items with no problem, so why did she need to take them? I'm hardly going to bomb the plane with my Frizz Ease?! The lady started to get annoyed so James quickly ushered me past, promising to re-buy the items for me. By this point I was feeling very tired and emotional and burst into tears. Poor James stayed very calm as I explained, through sobs, that the Elizabeth Arden Cream was expensive and had been a gift, and that I wasn't happy about arriving in a hot country without these items as it would surely result in me smelling, having very big hair, blotchy skin and no way of brushing my teeth! After a good cry, much to the bemusement of my fellow passengers, I pulled myself together and boarded the plane, where true to his word James bought me some more Elizabeth Arden from the Duty Free. SUCH a great boyfriend.
Next stop...Brisbane.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
We have a departure date
We have finally gone and booked our flights! Hallelujah. After several weeks of avoiding the 'have you booked your flights' question I can finally answer 'yes'! And the date is Sunday 2nd October. One week tomorrow... the mixture of excitement and nerves is making me feel slightly sick right now. I don't even finish work until Friday and then I'll be off...
Last weekend I had my leaving drinks at Keston Lodge and had a great night catching up with friends but because we didn't have our flights booked yet I thought I'd see them all again, for one last farewell... Alas, that is not to be because James has to get out there asap for work, he's a big fan of the last-minute plan. I, on the other hand, love to plan and this kind of rash decision makes me feel a bit dizzy.
Luckily I had yesterday off work and I started my packing, when I say started I mean the spare double bed in my house is covered with clothes and shoes. When booking the flight we learned that package allowance for flights to Australia is not the most generous - one bag! One bag? How on earth can I put belongings to last one year into one bag?! There are some horrible people out there setting these rules. Thank goodness James agreed to fly with Emirates, they allow 30kg rather than the standard 20kg. He's a good boy.
So here's to my final eight days in the UK... I am going to fill them with finishing work at Care Choices, saying goodbye to my Saffron Walden friends and gorgeous Godson, spending as much time with my Dad and Sister as possible, and attempting to make wise packing decisions! Wish me luck!
xoxo
Last weekend I had my leaving drinks at Keston Lodge and had a great night catching up with friends but because we didn't have our flights booked yet I thought I'd see them all again, for one last farewell... Alas, that is not to be because James has to get out there asap for work, he's a big fan of the last-minute plan. I, on the other hand, love to plan and this kind of rash decision makes me feel a bit dizzy.
Luckily I had yesterday off work and I started my packing, when I say started I mean the spare double bed in my house is covered with clothes and shoes. When booking the flight we learned that package allowance for flights to Australia is not the most generous - one bag! One bag? How on earth can I put belongings to last one year into one bag?! There are some horrible people out there setting these rules. Thank goodness James agreed to fly with Emirates, they allow 30kg rather than the standard 20kg. He's a good boy.
So here's to my final eight days in the UK... I am going to fill them with finishing work at Care Choices, saying goodbye to my Saffron Walden friends and gorgeous Godson, spending as much time with my Dad and Sister as possible, and attempting to make wise packing decisions! Wish me luck!
xoxo
Friday, 16 September 2011
Australian memories
I'm still waiting on my exact departure date (yawn) but surely it's only a matter of weeks now! This week I've spent a lot of time thinking about being in Australia as a child and getting excited/nervous about being there as an adult.
For those of you that don't know, my Mum is Australian (well she was born in Kent but emigrated when she was two so always considered herself to be an 'Australian'). Growing up in the UK, I remember my Mum constantly moaning about living here and wanting to move back to her home town, Brisbane. It's a strange twist of fate that I'm now heading to Queensland myself, I so wish she was here to share this adventure with me.
Growing up my Mum would often take me and my sister, Catherine, off to Brisbane for a few months to spend time with our Nana, Poppy, Aunty Dee (Mum's identical twin), three cousins - Sean, Dean and Michael, and Uncle Tony. My Dad's brother Ed also lives in the country, in Sydney. Defiantly safe to say I have more family in Australia than here! Sadly, my Nana, Poppy and Aunty Dee are all in heaven now with my Mum, it would have been amazing to have had the opportunity to see them more.
I want to share some of my Australian family history and memories with you. Here's two beautiful ladies enjoying the Gold Coast - my Mumma and Aunt -
My first trip to Australia was in my Mum's tummy, she always said I was such a calm baby because she spent so much of her pregnancy at the beach and floating in my Aunt's pool -
Meeting a Koala for the first time aged 4 -
Going to Sydney Opera House aged 7 -
Here's to lots more memories (hopefully I'll be wearing slightly more fashionable clothes in upcoming pictures!)
xoxo
For those of you that don't know, my Mum is Australian (well she was born in Kent but emigrated when she was two so always considered herself to be an 'Australian'). Growing up in the UK, I remember my Mum constantly moaning about living here and wanting to move back to her home town, Brisbane. It's a strange twist of fate that I'm now heading to Queensland myself, I so wish she was here to share this adventure with me.
Growing up my Mum would often take me and my sister, Catherine, off to Brisbane for a few months to spend time with our Nana, Poppy, Aunty Dee (Mum's identical twin), three cousins - Sean, Dean and Michael, and Uncle Tony. My Dad's brother Ed also lives in the country, in Sydney. Defiantly safe to say I have more family in Australia than here! Sadly, my Nana, Poppy and Aunty Dee are all in heaven now with my Mum, it would have been amazing to have had the opportunity to see them more.
I want to share some of my Australian family history and memories with you. Here's two beautiful ladies enjoying the Gold Coast - my Mumma and Aunt -
My first trip to Australia was in my Mum's tummy, she always said I was such a calm baby because she spent so much of her pregnancy at the beach and floating in my Aunt's pool -
Meeting a Koala for the first time aged 4 -
Jumping the waves with my Mum -
Going to Sydney Opera House aged 7 -
Whale-watching with my family -
My Mum driving my Uncles 4x4 on Fraser Island -
My Nana in hanging out by the pool on Christmas Day 1997 -
Here's to lots more memories (hopefully I'll be wearing slightly more fashionable clothes in upcoming pictures!)
xoxo
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Hello, or should I say g'day...?
Hi there. Welcome to my blog. I've been debating if blogging is a good idea... I don't want to be one of those self-indulgent bloggers banging on about how perfect everything is and writing vacuous SATC carrie-isms. So I'll try to avoid that but if I do start to annoy you perhaps don't follow me anymore! So here goes...
I've decided (after checking with some honest friends) that now is a good time to start a blog. I'm about to leave the UK for a year, maybe a bit longer (we're getting one-way tickets). As you'll probably know, my boyfriend of two and a half years James has got a job out in Queensland, Australia. He's a pretty funny guy, kind of cute and I quite like him so we didn't really fancy being separated for a year. Plus saying 'yes' to going to live in Australia for a year wasn't hard. I will be travelling the 10245 miles from Saffron Walden to Queensland and using this blog to keep you updated on my new life.
So here we are in September and it look's like start of October will be the departure date! I have three more weeks of work left, I need to sell my car (let me know if you want to buy my Ladybird), we haven't booked flights yet and I need to pack! Then it's just the simple case of flying 24 hours+, finding an apartment, a car, a job for me and perhaps some friends might be a good idea! Arghhh... makes me feel a bit nervous!
I'll keep you updated with progress...
xoxo
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