Part Deux

Hehe, didn't take too long for me to be up on the blog again. I swear it's a sickness.

So where was I? Sunday I believe. Sunday was one long lazy day which is really what they're for, right? I went to Rogda's house where she's staying for the next week or so. It's a really small but pretty terrace house where she's living with these 2 guys who are friends of friends. To preface, they're gay and French, thus the house is impeccably decorated. I mean, these guys have only been there a month and it looks like they've been living there for years. They have everything that's bright, shiny and new, an awesome music collection (really and truly everything), and a wine rack with 72 bottles of wine (I counted)! Plus they are so clean...I need to find a gay Parisienne couple to live with.

After we cooked lunch (way too hot to be over a stove, btw), Rogda showed me pictures of Perth where she studied English for 5 months. On her birthday, she went skydiving and she showed me the DVD. It looked so amazing although I don't think I could ever do it. Every time she speaks about it, she starts to glow. She said it was the best birthday present she ever gave herself and the best birthday she ever had. She sounded almost spiritual the way she talked about it. I'm sad she's leaving Australia in a week...she's become a really good friend and an awesome person to talk with (and she talks a lot!). In happier news, Becca's coming back to Sydney! I'm excited she's coming back although frustrated for her that she hasn't found anything in Noosa. There are probably many more opportunities in Sydney.

Sunday evening, Rogda and I met up with Vicky who was determined to drag me along to the Aus. Open men's finals which was playing on a large screen at the Opera House. I usually don't enjoy watching sports, especially tennis, but I agreed because I had nothing else going on and it sounded cool to sit on the steps of the Opera House watching a game. And oh boy, was it ever! About a thousand people gathered to watch this game. Apparently tennis is really big in Australia and England, although I guess it's big in America - I just don't pay attention. It was so cool to be in the large crowd of people with such boisterous gaming spirits. It was pretty exciting, but as the game went into the 4th set, I started to get restless and my bum hurt. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on who you were rooting for), the game ended in the 4th with Fedderer defeating Bagdatis.

Now for the job news. I wish I could say I have one, especially since this is what the assistant manager told me, but as it turns out there was a miscommunication. I went into the cafe this morning and spoke with the main manager and he told me they're still doing trials and that's why he hasn't called me back. Argghhhh! I wish I had known this instead of stressing for the past week. I don't know how I'm faring in his mind, but I didn't like the look he gave me. It was something like, I don't think this is going to work out, maybe you should look somewhere else. Of course I probably just imagined the look, but I don't feel good about it. We'll see...he said he'd call tomorrow, but you know men. I have other options so I'm not too stressed about it.

That's all for now. Talk to ya'll another day...or later today as the case may be.

"So Much To Say"

Yes folks, it's not often one gets to quote Dave Matthews, so when I get the opportunity, I run with it ;-)

Oh boy, where to start? I've had a couple mini-revelations this week so bear with me in case this turns into a novel. Australia Day was good fun. Really good fun. Met Kate and Zoila at Milson's Point where we had a picnic with Kate's host "mum" Tess and her friends, including an impossibly adorable 2 year old girl named Teagan. So I was going to paraphrase Kate about the meaning of Australia Day and a fun tidbit about the bicentennial, but figured everyone should just read for themselves.

After a relaxing afternoon drinking cheap, but tasty wine, eating mounds of Cadbury and watching the boats in the harbour, a bunch of us went to a pub down the road and drank lots of beer. Here's where mini-revelation #1 comes in. As many of you know, I've been considering going into teaching. After talking to Tess, who taught ESL for a while, and in light of my new friends who are here studying English, I decided that this might be a rewarding career possibility. Of course, many of you also know that I can't make a decision to save my life, so that's why this is only a mini-revelation. Damn my lack of commitment!

That night, Kate and I walked over the Harbour Bridge to Darling Harbour to watch the fireworks. I have to say I was a little disappointed. I saw footage of the New Year's fireworks and while these were pretty cool, they were nothing in comparison. I heard the NYE ones cost something like $3 mil so I can understand why they wanted to tone down Aussie Day. Anyway, it was kind of anti-climactic but the day was great.

Friday I met Joe, this Aussie guy I met whilst in Scotland on the Haggis tour, in a pub in Newtown. He brought his awesome roomie, Katrina, and her friend Danielle met us there as well. Nathalie and Kate joined. We chatted, caught up and such. He left early though so I ended up hanging out with Katrina and Danielle. We went to a club in Coogee which was pretty cool and right on the beach!

Saturday I went to the funky Glebe outdoor markets, which are a lot like the Camden markets in London, except not nearly as big. I bought a pretty bag for $10, which already started to rip! Ah well, I suppose you get what you pay for. That night I met Rogda, Zoila, Kate and Vicky for l'opera in The Domain. They were showing Puccini's Madama Butterfly for free! We brought boxed wine (goon) and snacks and sat under the clear Sydney sky...couldn't be better. Actually, a hot Australian man would have made it better...c'est la vie. After the opera I had mini-revelation #2: I'm sick of meeting backpackers. I want to meet some real people dammit! Obviously, I really enjoy backpackers (I am one after all) and I like my friends a lot, but it just seems I'm having the same conversation over and over, ie. where are you from? how long are you here? where are you going next? etc etc. I'm feeling a little starved culturally. I might try to find some kind of writing group or anything that doesn't consist of mainly travellers.

Part 2 of my weekend will commence at a later date, so stay tuned for revelations galore (or revolutions, whichever you prefer) and updates on the job sitch.

Moving day is tomorrow...whoopeee!

Part 2 of randomness

I really hope my ramblings are entertaining everyone, if not educating as well. Ah, who am I fooling? This journal is pure ego...maybe a splash of concern for others. What was that you said before, Alanna, about how you're supposed to be selfish in your 20s? After reading friends' journals, I realized I want to be a little more soulful, not purely descriptive. I say this as I record the minutiae of my day.

OK, enough insight, back to me! During my Chinese Gardens/IMAX day, I finally sorted out the housing issue. I move into the pink house in Surry Hills next Tuesday! So far I'm sharing the room with Nathalie, which is fine because the rent is cheaper that way. The room is a little small for my taste, but we'll make do. In total, 7 people will be living in the house. One Spanish guy, an Irish lass, 3 American girls, an Asian nursing student and a French Canadian...what a mix!

I started my trial for work yesterday and I am not exaggerating when I say that the cafe is the size of my bedroom at home! In fact, my bedroom may be bigger. There's an outdoor seating area though, and when I say outdoor, I mean in the middle of the hall of the arcade. But it's an adorable cafe and they played the new Coldplay album (is it still new?), which earned big points with me.

Later that day, I met Rogda to go to the aquarium and we met up with her 2 Chilean friends. Instead of going to the aquarium, however, we went to Pizza Hut and the movies to see The Producers! This is when the surreal bit kicks in. I'm sitting in a Pizza Hut, an establishment I would never patronize in America, with 2 Chileans and a Swiss girl (who, btw, was born the same day as you Alli). I know it may not seem that weird to anyone else, but it just struck me as strange. Meanwhile, this 38 year old guy from Chile (whose name, funnily enough, is spelled German despite being pronounced like Herman) is in Sydney to study English and although he was struggling with some words, he actually spoke it quite well despite having only taken lessons for about a month. He actually could not stop talking...he seemed to delight in the challenge, which I really admire. He also could not stop fawning over me although he's married and declared that he's old enough to be my father...it was more of a friendly thing anyway rather than flirtatious. I swear, it seems Italians and South Americans really have no problem expressing themselves emotionally. It makes me feel hard as stone in comparison.

Watching The Producers was also a little surreal and not just because it is flamboyantly over-the-top. It opens with a scene of Manhattan and I know it's probably only a movie set or something equally fake, but I could not stop smiling. I wasn't so much homesick as glad that I have a relationship with the city. Many times, when I tell people I'm from NY (and when people ask where I'm from, I never say America, I always say NY), they tell me how much they love it if they've been there or how much they want to visit if they haven't. It makes me proud to be a NYer, not that I'm not proud when I'm actually there, I just appreciate it more when I'm overseas.

Tomorrow is Australia Day! Celebrate by having a schooner of beer at your local pub (preferably VB, Toohey's or Cooper if they have it...or if you must, a Fosters).

Clipped and curt...somewhat

I have to admit, I really like this blog thing. I was resistant at first, but I actually look forward to updating...it's fun!

On that note, I have to keep this short, because I only have 10 minutes left before my account runs out, and I'm too cheap to buy more minutes.

Random and surreal are the key words for the past few days. I spent the day on Monday doing touristy things like visiting the royal botanical gardens and Mrs. Macquaries point, the ultimate picture postcard spot. Then I went to the Chinese Gardens and ran into this Swiss German girl, Rogda, who I met at Becca's hostel in Bondi last week. She had been talking to these 2 Italian lawyers who were dressed up in these kimonos that the Gardens let you wear for $10 and after chatting for like 2 minutes, they asked us for our e-mail addresses, then to their house for dinner, then out later for drinks. Man, these Italian men move fast! Of course, we didn't comply cause that's just too shady, but I got their email addresses if I want...who knows, maybe I'll feel like some spaghetti one of these days ;-)

After the Gardens, Rogda and I went to the IMAX theatre to check prices and times for The Polar Express in 3D and it happened to be starting in 10 minutes, so we just bought tickets. It was typical schmaltzy Tom Hanks/Robert Zemeckis, but cute nonetheless and awesome on IMAX and 3D!

3 minutes left so Part 2 at a later date.

Ciao!

Just a few random musings

We went to the Domain again on Saturday night for another free concert. This time it was the Sydney Symphony playing Gershwin! And yes they played Rhapsody in Blue and an American in Paris! It would have been such a pleasant evening had it not been for the gaggle of obnoxious backpackers who came with a friend of ours. They were talking so loudly and shouting that I could hardly hear the music. And they were supposedly really rude to Kate. There was one cool guy from Blackburn, England that I chatted with and told him I knew that Blackburn was in Lancashire because it was mentioned in the Beatles song "A Day in the Life." There were fireworks at the end when they played the 1812 Overture. What Tchaikovsky has to do with Gershwin I have yet to realize, but the fireworks were cool. I think whenever Sydneysiders have an excuse to set off some fireworks, they run with it.

Sunday I visited my local Friendly Grocer (which is the actual name of the store) and the Bi Lo (like Walmart I guess) for some cheap groceries. I've really gotten to like Glebe quite a lot. It's not quite as cool and hip as the Village, but it definitely reminds me of Brooklyn. Too bad we haven't found any good places to live there. But yay! We saw the house in Surry Hills yesterday and it's a winner! The landlady is super sweet and she really seems like she takes care of the place. She spoke about it proudly which is a good sign to me because that means she'll respond to complaints and stuff and perhaps take care of us as well. We're still waiting to hear from Nathalie to see if she wants to share the double, but I think we'll definitely take it either way. Ah, relief.

Last night after seeing the house and buying groceries, I hung out in the TV room with my roommate and some other guys, all British. I then realized I am the only American in the entire hostel. I don't know how I feel about that fact. On one hand, it's quite cool because it makes me different, but on the other hand I feel like I'm representing all Americans in a way. All I know is that I have never felt so American in my life talking to a bunch of Brits, one of whom I could barely understand because his accent was so thick. Maybe I should start practising my English accent...

My Man Howard

So I managed to land myself a job! I'll be working as a waitress in this tiny cafe in the Strand Arcade. And no Heather, it's not the kind of arcade where you play DDR LOL. It's in the CBD so hopefully that means lots of tourists which equals tips. Yeah, tipping is not necessary at bars and restaurants here which is great for you when you want to go out for a drink, but not so good when you're actually working in one of these establishments. Supposedly waitresses and bartenders get paid enough. We shall see.

As for the apartment search, well that's a whole other story altogether. My friend Kate and I met the landlord Howard at the first house we saw and he seemed perfectly nice and unassuming. The place, however, was a dump. Oh Howie, if only it could've worked out better for us...we could've had a nice future together. The next few places weren't nearly as bad, but just nothing I could see myself living in. Most places we called were share rooms, something neither of us were interested in. But things are looking up. A friend of ours, Anna, just moved into a house in Surry Hills and there are 2 rooms available. One is a single, the other a double. I could maybe see myself sharing a room with another person, although I'd prefer not to. One of my old hostelmates, Nathalie, said she would consider sharing with me. It would only be $120 a week, so that sweetens it a little. We're seeing the place today. Cross your fingers for me.

In other news, the weather just turned beautiful...finally! We went to Manly beach yesterday and it was gorgeous. However, at the end of the day, I started to resemble a crustacean despite reapplying sunscreen 3 times! Maybe it was that 4 hours in the sun that did it. Anyway, I'm much better today, the burn didn't turn out too bad and I'll be staying out of the sun for a while although it is tempting. I even went swimming despite the presence of blue bottles (known to most as Portugeuse man o' wars). And those aren't even close to the most pain-inflicting creatures that lurk in the ocean. The water was really rough but fun! And very salty.

Today is a laundry day for sure considering most of my clothes have been worn and then stuffed into a backpack...ah the life of a backpacker...

No Worries!

Question of the day: Do Australians really have "no worries" or do they just say it constantly in hopes it will come true?

OK, so if anyone is in Sydney right now for the Museum of Sydney exhibit, Bondi: A biography, they must check out the 16 minute video from the 60s in the theatre! It follows a typical Sydney family on a typical Sunday in the summer. The "Browns" consist of Mom, Dad, older bro, younger bro, and little sis. They enjoy a day at Bondi beach including ogling pretty sheilas, eating a sandy lunch and going for a walk. But, oh no! Little bro is drowning. Not to worry - big bro is a lifesaver and rescues him! Dad angrily asks big bro, "Why weren't you looking after him?" to which big bro replies, "Why did you let him go swimming so soon after lunch?" Dad looks sheepish. Mind you, this is all said in the narrators voice with the actors lipsynching...hilarious! I've never laughed so hard at something that was supposed to be serious. You just have to see it for yourself. Check out the skinny, pale as ghost nerd get the aforementioned sheila while all the beefheads watch in dismay.

I started looking for jobs yesterday (before my lovely excursion to the museum) and there were a couple of promising responses. Basically most said they will be hiring in a couple of weeks, after most students go back to uni. I handed out my resume to about 10 different cafes/bistros. It's my dream to work in a cute, local cafe...or at least it's my dream right now until I actually get the job. Today it's more job searching as the damn clouds are making it hard to actually go beaching. No worries! This weekend is supposed to be nice.

BTW, I forgot to mention that the morning after my gig as tambourine-ist, some guy came over to me in the hostel, showed me the picture in his digital camera and asked if the strikingly gorgeous female in the picture was me. Okay, he didn't actually use those words exactly, but the intent was there...I think. Anyway, indeed he did have a picture of me from the previous afternoon at the Mercantile. So don't be surprised if you happen to see my picture posted all over the internet!

Too Much

It's day 4 and I've moved on to a neighborhood called Glebe. There are lots of Uni students and cafes...practically any ethnic food you can think of is located in Glebe. The past few days have been kind of a whirlwind, so here are some highlights:

-Walking over the Harbour Bridge
-Playing tambourine with an Irish band at the Mercantile Hotel in the Rocks (old historic neighborhood)
-Attending a New Orleans Jazz festival in The Domain (which really reminded me of Central Park in an uncanny way)
-The coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee
-The beer! esp. VB (Victoria Bitter) and Tooheys - not to mention sneaking 2 bottles into a bar and drinking them openly!

So far the weather's been crap, but I still got burned! Damn hole in the ozone. I've been meeting people from all over the world (ie. Canada...lots of Canadians, England, Australia naturally, some Americans but not too many, some Swiss). It's kind of crazy how many people are here doing exactly the same thing I'm doing. Back home, this is not the norm, but for so many in other parts of the world, traveling is just as natural as going to University. I met an older woman in the hostel this morning (who shared her peanut paste, er, butter) who was telling me about all the places she'd been. I asked her how often she travels and she told me that during the summer, she and her husband go on a smaller trip somewhere locally (ie. around Australia or New Zealand) for about 3 weeks and on top of that takes a second larger trip to Europe or Asia for a couple of months! In America, a 3 week trip is the big trip. It made me realize how not well-traveled Americans are. I don't mean to put us down or anything, but seriously, we need to get out more!

On that note, because of Daylight Savings Time, we are 16 hours ahead, not 14 which I previously thought. I think it ends sometime in May. Sorry, that was completely random and irrelevant.

Whoa!

The first thing I want to write about is that I saw the entire city from the plane on the way in, including the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House! Simply incredible.

OK, now that that is out of the way...I'm here! Arrived around 10am this morning to gray skies and moderate temps. Just minorly disappointed that the weather is kinda crappy, but it's bound to clear up, right? Sydney is supposed to have something like 342 days of sunlight a year. I'm just glad it's not boiling hot, which is normal for the middle of the summer, which it is right now. As for the plane ride - I can't believe I'm saying this, but it actually wasn't that bad. Not something I'd want to do anytime soon, but definitely tolerable. My butt fell asleep numerous times, but I hung in there. Plus, there was no one sitting next to me and the woman two seats away is a Jersey-born ex-pat who lives in Canberra and she gave me her number to call if I'm ever in the ACT! That's just the way things are here, folks...strangers giving out numbers to other strangers on public transportation. I even met 2 D.C.-ians on the shuttle ride to my hostel who I might hang out with later. Man, people really are friendly when they're lonely.

So far all I've seen of the city is my hostel (very nice...you can view it at http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/details.cfm?hostelid=29), this internet cafe, which doubles as a sushi bar where I had my first meal in Sydney, and the HSBC on George Street where I withdrew my first AUD. So I think it's about time I get outta here and explore a little, eh?

Cheers amigos!

Qantas Eve

It's the night before I board the flight for Australia (which means I won't actually arrive in Sydney until Friday morning EST in Australia) and as you can imagine I'm feeling a fairly wide range of emotions--excitedness being the foremost, nervousness following not too far behind, a little sadness, etc. But mostly it's this new feeling that I can only describe as openness, which is fitting considering I'm visiting the land of vast openness. It's a strange sensation of anticipating the unknown...very scary but kind of cool and freeing.

Before I get ahead of myself, I want to state that I'm not altogether comfortable with this idea of keeping a blog. I've never been good at keeping journals. I always hate how I sound after reading back what I've written--just so self-absorbed or something. So I'm aiming this blog to be more of a travelogue than a personal diary, but of course it would be impossible to bar emotion and personal experience from my writing completely. So in the words of Shekinah, shhhhh just let it happen :-)

Anyhoo, I hope this blog becomes a sanctuary for my Australian experience, as well as a place for my family and friends to visit and live vicariously or at least feel like they are in touch with me even through words. I strongly encourage everyone to leave feedback, comments, anything silly, stupid, funny, enlightening, etc. And pass it along to anyone you think might be interested (and those who just need a hint to get outta the house!).

P.S. I want to thank everyone for encouraging me to do this (both the blog and the travel thing). Before I wax sentimental and tell everyone how much I love them and will miss them, I'm going to sign off. Words are never satisfactory...