Well, so far so good - I caught my plane without hassle and am now sitting in the warm humid climate that is Thailand! I so love this place, I have only been here for about 3 hours and it's still early morning and things are just beginning to wake up.Memories of my last time here keep popping up randomly in my minds eye and I have half a mind to jump on a train or buss to the countryside and disappear for a while. Reason must reign tho and I'll have to make sure I catch that plane on Tuesday morning.
Life has been really good and busy of late which is why it's been a while since my last blog. I've changed jobs (again) to that of Customer Services Executive with First Great Western - the train company for the area of England where I live. I've been in my new role for a total of 2 weeks so far and am really enjoying it and all that I am learning. My boss is a friendly Welsh man and I also work closely with a Welsh woman - Lesley, who is also lovely! I can tell that it's going to be a lot of hard work but also immensely rewarding, and I am more than up for the challenge. I have finally made a step forward career wise and plan to make the most of it!
As it's still so early I am starting to feel a little delirious from lack of sleep so I'll sign off... just one last thing though - I'm soo looking forward to catching up with everyone back in Melbournous! Hope everyone is alive and kicking along spectacularly.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
As promised, some pictures...
My darling Dad, Ann and me!
Davey and Kathleen, this is the couple responsible for the flat where Dad and Ann stayed whilst in Ireland, lovely, lovely people with big hearts!
The guy who showed us how to make Brandy Balls. A fun morning with a funny & sweet Irish guy! If ever in Belfast, check out Aunty Sandra's Candy Store.
An example of some of the art work/murals around Belfast, a prod one (I think)
Another example - from the Catholic part I think.
And me at an IRA shrine to those who died for 'The Cause.'
My darling Dad, Ann and me!
Davey and Kathleen, this is the couple responsible for the flat where Dad and Ann stayed whilst in Ireland, lovely, lovely people with big hearts!
The guy who showed us how to make Brandy Balls. A fun morning with a funny & sweet Irish guy! If ever in Belfast, check out Aunty Sandra's Candy Store.
An example of some of the art work/murals around Belfast, a prod one (I think)
Another example - from the Catholic part I think.
And me at an IRA shrine to those who died for 'The Cause.'
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
I wanted to post a bunch of pictures but the computer at home has been playing funny buggers and not allowing me access to my blog, as though it's my mum or something! Anyway, I will get it sorted out at some stage, but in the meantime I'll do it from work.
So tomorrow, expect a blog with some pictures too!
So tomorrow, expect a blog with some pictures too!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Well I have booked my ticket back home and home I will head in May! Can't wait actually, being able to catch up with everyone again, see my best friend tie the proverbial knot with her beautiful man and with a touch of luck be able to meet that beautiful and blessed niece of mine & first born of my li'l bro!
But before I head back home I'm heading to Belfast on Thursday to see my father (and step-harpy). Unfortunately he decided that he wasn't going to stop in England any longer than necessary to catch his flight from Heathrow to Ireland and then back to Aus. So I'm heading over there... Never been to Northern Ireland/Belfast before though (or really wanted to) and I haven't seen the old man for about 3 years now so in more ways than one I'm sure it will be an interesting experience if nothing else. Quite possibly a bit of fun too, we shall see... I have checked it out on the net and there are a few places I wouldn't mind checking out while I'm there if I have the time. Depends on what Dad and Ann have planned I suppose.
Fortunately I was able to get a reasonably cheap return and my train to the airport isn't that expensive either even without the crazy discount I get for working on the rail-roads. (Sounds a bit early slave-American that, or possibly convict Austrailian - don't it?)
The game-show that Mark and I auditioned for hasn't called back so we're guessing that we didn't cut the mustard on that one. Mark thinks it's his fault for saying I was brought up in a cult until I was 16 and kicked in the head by a horse at an early age. I think it's possibly because I told them he shat on his friends when in India. I guess we may never know though... A friend suggested I call up to ask, but I doubt they'll be interested in looking into our file and giving us a true reason for not being allowed to play. They must've interviewed/auditioned shit loads of people. Anyway, I'll still be watching it when it airs here.
Anyway, I shall leave you with the image of Mark shitting on his mates - enjoy! Ha ha!
But before I head back home I'm heading to Belfast on Thursday to see my father (and step-harpy). Unfortunately he decided that he wasn't going to stop in England any longer than necessary to catch his flight from Heathrow to Ireland and then back to Aus. So I'm heading over there... Never been to Northern Ireland/Belfast before though (or really wanted to) and I haven't seen the old man for about 3 years now so in more ways than one I'm sure it will be an interesting experience if nothing else. Quite possibly a bit of fun too, we shall see... I have checked it out on the net and there are a few places I wouldn't mind checking out while I'm there if I have the time. Depends on what Dad and Ann have planned I suppose.
Fortunately I was able to get a reasonably cheap return and my train to the airport isn't that expensive either even without the crazy discount I get for working on the rail-roads. (Sounds a bit early slave-American that, or possibly convict Austrailian - don't it?)
The game-show that Mark and I auditioned for hasn't called back so we're guessing that we didn't cut the mustard on that one. Mark thinks it's his fault for saying I was brought up in a cult until I was 16 and kicked in the head by a horse at an early age. I think it's possibly because I told them he shat on his friends when in India. I guess we may never know though... A friend suggested I call up to ask, but I doubt they'll be interested in looking into our file and giving us a true reason for not being allowed to play. They must've interviewed/auditioned shit loads of people. Anyway, I'll still be watching it when it airs here.
Anyway, I shall leave you with the image of Mark shitting on his mates - enjoy! Ha ha!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Time flies! Weather your having fun or not, it just goes! One minute it's the beginning of a new year and the next your planning things for June, or later. It's just god damned CRAZY I tell you!
I started a new job two weeks ago with a train comapny here called First Great Western. It's and Admin/PA type role for two of the areas and working at two different train stations for two different bosses - here in Swindon and north a bit in Gloucester. So far it seems to be going pretty well. There's loads to do even though I am still waiting for a computer in my new office (I have my very own office!). It seems that I am kind of responsible for staff in a round about way too which is kinda good. Anyway, it's only been two weeks on the job, but I've settled in pretty well I think and I reckon I'll enjoy it there more as time goes on. Only one way to tell hey?
Anyway, here's some pics of where I am working -
This is Swindon station, and this is the train I catch to Gloucester too. (Wow-wee!)
And this is Gliucester station - on finding this picture I also found out that this is the longest platform in the UK and is in the Guiness Book of Records because of it! How about that then?!
Week before was of course my first week of work! One of my mates came to stay for the weekend and then decided to stay until Thursday morning as she had holidays and I would've been on my own in my first working week as Mark had absconded to Brussels for a school trip - cleverly planned to also be away over Valentines day! So while she was over we enjoyed a few bottles of wine and got together a valentines gift for Mark when he returned. She kindly took some photos of me in my underwear (she has done a degree in photography) and even managed to make me look pretty much human too! I was quite impressed with the results, and I'm pretty sure Mark is too. I had bestowed upon me a box of Belgian chocolates, some turquoise earrings and some Belgian lace & silk stockings when Mark got back as a gift from afar and my Valentines gift all in one (or rather three!). I reckon I did pretty well!
Aside from the photo sesion with my firend it was great having her over. We always have such a laugh and it was nice to have someone to come home to and tell about my first days in a new position. So I will leave you now with some pictures...
You didn't really think I'd put truely saucey pictures of myself on the net did you? I quite like this though, black and white and a bit arty really...
I started a new job two weeks ago with a train comapny here called First Great Western. It's and Admin/PA type role for two of the areas and working at two different train stations for two different bosses - here in Swindon and north a bit in Gloucester. So far it seems to be going pretty well. There's loads to do even though I am still waiting for a computer in my new office (I have my very own office!). It seems that I am kind of responsible for staff in a round about way too which is kinda good. Anyway, it's only been two weeks on the job, but I've settled in pretty well I think and I reckon I'll enjoy it there more as time goes on. Only one way to tell hey?
Anyway, here's some pics of where I am working -
This is Swindon station, and this is the train I catch to Gloucester too. (Wow-wee!)
And this is Gliucester station - on finding this picture I also found out that this is the longest platform in the UK and is in the Guiness Book of Records because of it! How about that then?!Week before was of course my first week of work! One of my mates came to stay for the weekend and then decided to stay until Thursday morning as she had holidays and I would've been on my own in my first working week as Mark had absconded to Brussels for a school trip - cleverly planned to also be away over Valentines day! So while she was over we enjoyed a few bottles of wine and got together a valentines gift for Mark when he returned. She kindly took some photos of me in my underwear (she has done a degree in photography) and even managed to make me look pretty much human too! I was quite impressed with the results, and I'm pretty sure Mark is too. I had bestowed upon me a box of Belgian chocolates, some turquoise earrings and some Belgian lace & silk stockings when Mark got back as a gift from afar and my Valentines gift all in one (or rather three!). I reckon I did pretty well!
Aside from the photo sesion with my firend it was great having her over. We always have such a laugh and it was nice to have someone to come home to and tell about my first days in a new position. So I will leave you now with some pictures...
You didn't really think I'd put truely saucey pictures of myself on the net did you? I quite like this though, black and white and a bit arty really...
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Unfortunately there aren't any pictures on the computer from our old digs in Hastings or of the town itself. It's a shame as it is/was such a lovely place to live. But rather than just moan about the lack, here are some pictures of us now, in and around our new place of residence...
My first carved pumpkin atempt! Marks pumpkin is below, funnily enough this was the first time he'd ever carved a pumpkin too... A halloween first - for that story you'll need to scroll down.
So to explain the pics below briefly... A friend of ours Teresa is from Portugal and shortly after getting here to study on the same course as Mark she had her 22nd birthday, far from home. So we invited her around to ours with some other people from Swindon College so she could still celebrate.
This is the cake I made for us all, complete with 22 candles, which I may add, Teresa managed to blow out in one go!
Teresa the birthday girl cutting the cake whilst Mark bubbles with anticipation.
Our friend Hege who also came along to help celebrate.
And Jenny, also in the same class and celebrating Teresa's birthday. Jenny only studies part time though and also works at some sort of archaeological records place.
Me when I was still a 'Fag Ash Lil' Now I am the new and improved Smoke Free Vic! Yay for 3 weeks of smokelessness! I feel so proud and itchy! (itchyness due to the patches, nothing more, nothing less!)
And the lovely Mark, in' he bewdifool?!
Me, I like this picture because I look like a complete NORBERT! In fact, I liked it so much that I used it on my ID badge for the night shifts at the post office.
And just so I don't seem completely self asbsorbed, a picture of Mark in Avebury somewhere with his class. Or maybe Wessex somewhere, he did say... See - I AM completely self absorbed!
We headed out to Cheddar gorge not long ago and this is the sunset from that day. Lovely sky, so very very red, which is supposedly a sheppards delight innit?
And Marks Mum, she's lovely absolutely lovely. I'm always really scared and nervous before meeting Mum's, doesn't matter who's they are but Mum's freak me out a little. But this Mum, ACH! I had absolutely nothing to worry about, she's a gem and completely sane!
Ah! Em and Aaron's leaving do. Loads of fun, got very very drunk and had a big giggle - can't quite remember exactly what about but definite giggly time! Oh, and this is my friend BEN! No not the rat from the Michael Jackson song - BEN FROM HIGH SCHOOL! How cool is that? So nice to bump into each other all the way over here.
And Ema and Aaron, don't they look all spiffy? Beautiful people! Miss them now they're back in Aus, enjoying a laid back life in the sun, baking in the heat on the beach in St. Kilda, or wherever...
OK, 'It's Christmas in Heaven, all the angels sing...' Actually, Christmas at Marks brother's Terry's place. Terry and Brenda per or post dinner... can't remember which. For some reason we don't have any of Debbie, she must be a master camera dodger!
Lee, Mark's li'l bruv! innee cute?
Christine, Marks sister, I did have one of Amber somewhere too but it seems to be evading me... Actually she's in the first one of Christmas, sat on the floor in front of Terry!
A friend from work - Kimberley - on a night out with the work crew! Good night, probably drank a li'l too much but there you go. Oh, not Kimberley, me...
My action figure from the Art Machine at the Beehive near the old town. Now I have a pair of them - 'well cool' Ha ha ha!!
My friend Kathrin who came to visit last weekend from Brighton, was wicked to see her, it's been an age!
And that's it. If it's not enough you can scroll down further to see one or two of my own pics from when I was travelling to Ol' blighty, and even further to get the soundtrack. Ha ha, without sound. Maybe soon they'll invent that too if they haven't already... Not counting you tube.
My first carved pumpkin atempt! Marks pumpkin is below, funnily enough this was the first time he'd ever carved a pumpkin too... A halloween first - for that story you'll need to scroll down.
So to explain the pics below briefly... A friend of ours Teresa is from Portugal and shortly after getting here to study on the same course as Mark she had her 22nd birthday, far from home. So we invited her around to ours with some other people from Swindon College so she could still celebrate.
This is the cake I made for us all, complete with 22 candles, which I may add, Teresa managed to blow out in one go!
Teresa the birthday girl cutting the cake whilst Mark bubbles with anticipation.
Our friend Hege who also came along to help celebrate.
And Jenny, also in the same class and celebrating Teresa's birthday. Jenny only studies part time though and also works at some sort of archaeological records place.
Me when I was still a 'Fag Ash Lil' Now I am the new and improved Smoke Free Vic! Yay for 3 weeks of smokelessness! I feel so proud and itchy! (itchyness due to the patches, nothing more, nothing less!)
And the lovely Mark, in' he bewdifool?!
Me, I like this picture because I look like a complete NORBERT! In fact, I liked it so much that I used it on my ID badge for the night shifts at the post office.
And just so I don't seem completely self asbsorbed, a picture of Mark in Avebury somewhere with his class. Or maybe Wessex somewhere, he did say... See - I AM completely self absorbed!
We headed out to Cheddar gorge not long ago and this is the sunset from that day. Lovely sky, so very very red, which is supposedly a sheppards delight innit?
And Marks Mum, she's lovely absolutely lovely. I'm always really scared and nervous before meeting Mum's, doesn't matter who's they are but Mum's freak me out a little. But this Mum, ACH! I had absolutely nothing to worry about, she's a gem and completely sane!
Ah! Em and Aaron's leaving do. Loads of fun, got very very drunk and had a big giggle - can't quite remember exactly what about but definite giggly time! Oh, and this is my friend BEN! No not the rat from the Michael Jackson song - BEN FROM HIGH SCHOOL! How cool is that? So nice to bump into each other all the way over here.
And Ema and Aaron, don't they look all spiffy? Beautiful people! Miss them now they're back in Aus, enjoying a laid back life in the sun, baking in the heat on the beach in St. Kilda, or wherever...
OK, 'It's Christmas in Heaven, all the angels sing...' Actually, Christmas at Marks brother's Terry's place. Terry and Brenda per or post dinner... can't remember which. For some reason we don't have any of Debbie, she must be a master camera dodger!
Lee, Mark's li'l bruv! innee cute?
Christine, Marks sister, I did have one of Amber somewhere too but it seems to be evading me... Actually she's in the first one of Christmas, sat on the floor in front of Terry!
A friend from work - Kimberley - on a night out with the work crew! Good night, probably drank a li'l too much but there you go. Oh, not Kimberley, me...
My action figure from the Art Machine at the Beehive near the old town. Now I have a pair of them - 'well cool' Ha ha ha!!
My friend Kathrin who came to visit last weekend from Brighton, was wicked to see her, it's been an age!
And that's it. If it's not enough you can scroll down further to see one or two of my own pics from when I was travelling to Ol' blighty, and even further to get the soundtrack. Ha ha, without sound. Maybe soon they'll invent that too if they haven't already... Not counting you tube.
First of all a few long overdue pictures from my travels on the way to England:
Thailand - this waterfall is in the national park that I hitch-hiked to. Seems aeons ago now and I would so love to do another trip overseas for a few months or more. Guess I should start saving eh?!
Cambodia National Park - where we got lost.
A sunset from the south of Thailand where Mark and I stayed when he came to meet me on my travels, what bliss, what fond memories...
Possibly a better way to see the mountains in Nepal - by white water raft! Best fun, I did it for two whole days!!
Thailand - this waterfall is in the national park that I hitch-hiked to. Seems aeons ago now and I would so love to do another trip overseas for a few months or more. Guess I should start saving eh?!
Cambodia National Park - where we got lost.
A sunset from the south of Thailand where Mark and I stayed when he came to meet me on my travels, what bliss, what fond memories...
Possibly a better way to see the mountains in Nepal - by white water raft! Best fun, I did it for two whole days!!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
I was half way through my news and then Mark got home so I signed off.... So I said I would blog again soon and here I am back again!
Mark & I have applied to be contestants on a game show titled 'For the Rest of Your Life'! Initially we knew hardly anything about it so we applied to find out more and we were sent an application form and no other details, so we filled that out and waited to hear something back. The evening after I sent the form in we got a call from the game show people and they interviewed us briefly over the phone for about 15 to 20 minutes. After the call we headed out for the night and were almost certain that we'd hear nothing more as they didn't sound too thrilled with our answers in the interview and we were still none the wiser as to what the show was all about. Anyway the following Monday I got another call from them asking us to go to an audition on the weekend! So of course I said yes! Definitely! When would you like to see us and where? So after making the arrangements we both started getting nervous about the audition - obviously neither of us has done anything like this before and we had no idea what to expect. So Mark and I got on the net and did a quick google search on the show title to see what I could find and hopefully shed some light on what we'd applied for. Here's what we found.
Courtesy of www.ukgameshows.com:
Couples play a game of chance in order to win large amounts of money every week for potentially the rest of their lives. This involves standing on squares and hoping that the ball underneath the large lidded plinths was white, which increased the prize money on offer, and not red, which lowered it and forced you to play on. If you lost all your red balls, or your money fell below zero it was game over. In round two, instead of money you played for time. One half of the couple played the game in the studio, the other half stayed out back and was relayed information via computer screen. Each white ball took you one step up the time ladder (beginning at one month and ending with "for the rest of your life" (which appears to be a straight forty years)). Red balls took you down the ladder and forces you to play on, lose all your red balls and go away with nothing. The extra jeopardy is that both contestants had to decide for themselves whether to play or stop, and the lowest place on the ladder that one of them stopped is what they'd take away. Clearly they were hoping for a moment when the player out front went all the way, whereas the player out back decided to stop on five years, say. Needless to say, the odds against anyone getting to the top of the ladder before quitting (which would involve risking as much as £500,000 on an (at best) 25% shot) were rather slim.
On the Sunday just gone we headed up to London for our audition with the hopes of finding out more about what the show is all about as the internet isn't very clear and we were sure there was more involved considering the questions we'd been asked and forms we'd had to fill out. Once there we were sworn to secrecy and asked to sign a form to ensure we didn't divulge any details about the show that we found out on the day or afterwards. Therefore I can only tell you what we found out ourselves from the google search. Fingers crossed that we get a chance to play and possibly win a nice chunk of cashola!
Mark & I have applied to be contestants on a game show titled 'For the Rest of Your Life'! Initially we knew hardly anything about it so we applied to find out more and we were sent an application form and no other details, so we filled that out and waited to hear something back. The evening after I sent the form in we got a call from the game show people and they interviewed us briefly over the phone for about 15 to 20 minutes. After the call we headed out for the night and were almost certain that we'd hear nothing more as they didn't sound too thrilled with our answers in the interview and we were still none the wiser as to what the show was all about. Anyway the following Monday I got another call from them asking us to go to an audition on the weekend! So of course I said yes! Definitely! When would you like to see us and where? So after making the arrangements we both started getting nervous about the audition - obviously neither of us has done anything like this before and we had no idea what to expect. So Mark and I got on the net and did a quick google search on the show title to see what I could find and hopefully shed some light on what we'd applied for. Here's what we found.
Courtesy of www.ukgameshows.com:
Couples play a game of chance in order to win large amounts of money every week for potentially the rest of their lives. This involves standing on squares and hoping that the ball underneath the large lidded plinths was white, which increased the prize money on offer, and not red, which lowered it and forced you to play on. If you lost all your red balls, or your money fell below zero it was game over. In round two, instead of money you played for time. One half of the couple played the game in the studio, the other half stayed out back and was relayed information via computer screen. Each white ball took you one step up the time ladder (beginning at one month and ending with "for the rest of your life" (which appears to be a straight forty years)). Red balls took you down the ladder and forces you to play on, lose all your red balls and go away with nothing. The extra jeopardy is that both contestants had to decide for themselves whether to play or stop, and the lowest place on the ladder that one of them stopped is what they'd take away. Clearly they were hoping for a moment when the player out front went all the way, whereas the player out back decided to stop on five years, say. Needless to say, the odds against anyone getting to the top of the ladder before quitting (which would involve risking as much as £500,000 on an (at best) 25% shot) were rather slim.
On the Sunday just gone we headed up to London for our audition with the hopes of finding out more about what the show is all about as the internet isn't very clear and we were sure there was more involved considering the questions we'd been asked and forms we'd had to fill out. Once there we were sworn to secrecy and asked to sign a form to ensure we didn't divulge any details about the show that we found out on the day or afterwards. Therefore I can only tell you what we found out ourselves from the google search. Fingers crossed that we get a chance to play and possibly win a nice chunk of cashola!
In addition to the excitement of the game show posibility, I have been offered a permanent and full time job with First Great Western which I interviewed for last week! Although they said they'd be in touch on the Friday I had a call the day after the interview with the offer of the job - so they must've really liked me after all and not been women in disguise as parrots! They're the train company in our area and it seems to be a pretty interesting job plus one of the major bonuses of it is free train travel on their trains for both me and for Mark! I have accepted the offer and yesterday headed off to a medical examination and drug and alcohol testing in Bristol as my contract is dependant on the results from that and my references coming back good. I've been really good recently, have quit smoking as of about 3 weeks ago and haven't done any of the green since Christmas/New Year, but being just my luck, I made some naughty chocolate truffles on the weekend before my interview and tried one of the on the Sunday. After checking the net I found that canabis stays in your system for aproximately 4 weeks after you've taken any, hence panic ensued! I did find a solution to my ridiculous problem though and bought a 100% guaranteed detox drink to pass the drugs part of the examination. So I'm £30 down, but fingers crossed a permanent job up, which seems like a reasonable trade. So it's almost a dead cert, unless I have something wrong with me that inhibits me doing the job that even I don't know about. Test results come back today and if I don't hear anything from the hospital then all is well. I start there this coming Monday and although it'll be a shame to say goodbye to Council where I have been working for the last two months or so I'm really excited and nervous (in a good way) about starting in a new position that I can settle in and get my teeth into - so to speak. I won't be biting anyone unless absolutely necessary.
As for the quitting - I have gone onto nicotine patches and haven't smoked at all for almost 3 weeks now (3 weeks on Friday - last fag was the 19th of Jan) So I'm pretty damn proud of myself. I did have a slip up though on Friday night last week - everything go on top of me - Dad not coming over to visit us in England has been a big let down and organising to head to Belfast and make the effort to see them has been a bit of a stress and hassle. So I was pretty upset and spent some of the day in tears -I know girly weakness got the better of me! hence the two cigarettes, but I haven't had one since and my Quit Counsellor said that I am still doing really well and should be really proud of myself, especially seeing that it's not the only upset I have had since giving smoking the arse!
In other news, Dad and Ann have arrived safe and sound in the UK and are currently in Belfast. Unfortunately they won't be making their way to England for any length of time (just to catch their flight from Heathrow to Belfast and back from Belfast to Aus they stop in Heathrow again) and therefore won't get to see Mark, where we are living or what we are doing, which is a major shame. But I will be heading over to Belfast to see them for a self imposed long weekend at the beginning of March. I can't have them travel all the way to the other side of the world and not make the effort to see them! On the up side - I haven't been to Belfast before and seeing that it's been about 3 years now since I saw either of them in the flesh I am majorly looking forward to catching up and being able to give Dad a big hug for real rather than the virtual hugs, or best wishes over the phone.
So last week was pretty full-on and this week it's been a bit more of the same, but not as crazy (thankfully, I don't know if I could've stood another 'high octane' week!)
It's been ages since I posted any pictures too and seeing that they've updated the services on Blogger I will post some of our own pictures of us, where we're living and things we've been up to recently in the next couple of days/weeks. Also if I get to take the digi camera to Belfast I will post some pics of that trip too.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Oh Lordy - it was well before Christmas then since I bothered to log on here! No wonder I had trouble remembering my logging in details. Anyway - Sor'ed now! Seeing that it's been over two months since I blogged there's quite a bit to catch up on. But also considering the group email I sent (sorry 'bout that) there's only about a months worth of news I should ramble on about, so that should make it all a little less painful for everyone!
I would paste in that groupie email, but it's long gone! So anyway, ON WITH THE SHOW!!
Ah, life has been a little hectic of late with responses to job applications that I sent of just before and after New Year. Today I had an interview for a permanent position with First Great Western who are the train company in our part of the UK. Not a bad job - Team Support and Customer Services - and I think I did ok, although I am never sure about English responses here - are they being polite, or did they really like you?? To hard to ascertain really. Anyway, it went for 1/2 an hour instead of an hour (who knows if that's good or bad really?) and most of my answers they seemed to agree with as they said things like 'Oh, I do that too' and 'That's what I'd do as well' which I reckon can be taken as a good thing... Unless they were trained parrots in disguise as women working for the rail system - you NEVER can be sure I guess... The good thing about this job is the perk of free rail travel and discounted rail travel on other companies systems. The bad thing about it is I applied for another job with the same company shortly after and I am much more interested in that one. But we shall see how it goes - I find out on Friday... Either way it goes it should be good!
I also have an interview first thing tomorrow morning at 8pm. Because of where it is, this means I will be getting up BEFORE 6AM - something I'm not terribly keen on doing, but you gotta do what you gotta do I guess. This one is for an Account Administrator with a telemarketing company (but no calling involved), this one's a little od, they called me for a phone interview and short listing and when they asked me what my 'minimum acceptable wage' was said they were wanting to pay £2,000 less. So I said that was fine and if it cut me out of the running so be it. Next day they called me back and asked me for an interview... Who knows if this means they'll pay more - never can trust a telemarketer until you have the details in writing hey?!
There is other stuff happening too, but Mark has just gotten back from the pub, it's almost time for my bed and I wanna spend some time with my man before I go off to snooze land!
Will blog again shortly.
I would paste in that groupie email, but it's long gone! So anyway, ON WITH THE SHOW!!
Ah, life has been a little hectic of late with responses to job applications that I sent of just before and after New Year. Today I had an interview for a permanent position with First Great Western who are the train company in our part of the UK. Not a bad job - Team Support and Customer Services - and I think I did ok, although I am never sure about English responses here - are they being polite, or did they really like you?? To hard to ascertain really. Anyway, it went for 1/2 an hour instead of an hour (who knows if that's good or bad really?) and most of my answers they seemed to agree with as they said things like 'Oh, I do that too' and 'That's what I'd do as well' which I reckon can be taken as a good thing... Unless they were trained parrots in disguise as women working for the rail system - you NEVER can be sure I guess... The good thing about this job is the perk of free rail travel and discounted rail travel on other companies systems. The bad thing about it is I applied for another job with the same company shortly after and I am much more interested in that one. But we shall see how it goes - I find out on Friday... Either way it goes it should be good!
I also have an interview first thing tomorrow morning at 8pm. Because of where it is, this means I will be getting up BEFORE 6AM - something I'm not terribly keen on doing, but you gotta do what you gotta do I guess. This one is for an Account Administrator with a telemarketing company (but no calling involved), this one's a little od, they called me for a phone interview and short listing and when they asked me what my 'minimum acceptable wage' was said they were wanting to pay £2,000 less. So I said that was fine and if it cut me out of the running so be it. Next day they called me back and asked me for an interview... Who knows if this means they'll pay more - never can trust a telemarketer until you have the details in writing hey?!
There is other stuff happening too, but Mark has just gotten back from the pub, it's almost time for my bed and I wanna spend some time with my man before I go off to snooze land!
Will blog again shortly.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Ooh! It's soo close to Christmas and still it isn't freezing cold here yet. I can't believe though how fast the year has gone, and how old it makes me feel to think that, let alone say it!!
The past few weeks I have been working with a recycling company, putting together spreadsheets etc. Not the most exciting of jobs, but better than nothing and the guys here are friendly enough. One of the cleaners even knitted me a scarf! How sweet is that??
Last night we went to see Borat at the cinema. Bloody funny! Such a good movie, I don't think I have laughed so much at the cinema ever. If you get the chance to go see it, do; it's well worth the effort.
Yesterday I had the day off work to train for my Christmas assignment as a postal sorter for Royal Mail and go to an interview for a full time job. The training was a piece of piss and the interview seemed to go ok, so fingers crossed that it works out. I'll try not to say anymore in the hope that I don't curse my chances! Getting a permanent position has proven to be a little harder than I thought it would be, but at least I'm still working.
The postal sorting is only for some extra Christmas cash - weekend work at nights for the three weeks leading up to Christmas. Should keep me out of trouble and go a little ways to buying some gifts and filling up the home coffers! Seems easy enough although Mark seems a little worried about me working nights in a warehouse with a load of blokes. I reckon I'll be ok though and if it gets too much I can always quit - it's not a huge commitment or anything.
One of my close friends - Em - is heading back to Aus permanently. Mark and I are off to London this weekend to catch up with them one last time in the UK and say good-bye. It'll be sad to see her go and although she and her fiance have been talking about going back for a while now I didn't think it would happen so soon! Still she's been over here for about 10 years now so I guess it's time for a change. It'll be nice to catch up one last time, and at the end of the day it's another friend to visit when I go home to Aus for hols! Every cloud has a silver lining eh?
The past few weeks I have been working with a recycling company, putting together spreadsheets etc. Not the most exciting of jobs, but better than nothing and the guys here are friendly enough. One of the cleaners even knitted me a scarf! How sweet is that??
Last night we went to see Borat at the cinema. Bloody funny! Such a good movie, I don't think I have laughed so much at the cinema ever. If you get the chance to go see it, do; it's well worth the effort.
Yesterday I had the day off work to train for my Christmas assignment as a postal sorter for Royal Mail and go to an interview for a full time job. The training was a piece of piss and the interview seemed to go ok, so fingers crossed that it works out. I'll try not to say anymore in the hope that I don't curse my chances! Getting a permanent position has proven to be a little harder than I thought it would be, but at least I'm still working.
The postal sorting is only for some extra Christmas cash - weekend work at nights for the three weeks leading up to Christmas. Should keep me out of trouble and go a little ways to buying some gifts and filling up the home coffers! Seems easy enough although Mark seems a little worried about me working nights in a warehouse with a load of blokes. I reckon I'll be ok though and if it gets too much I can always quit - it's not a huge commitment or anything.
One of my close friends - Em - is heading back to Aus permanently. Mark and I are off to London this weekend to catch up with them one last time in the UK and say good-bye. It'll be sad to see her go and although she and her fiance have been talking about going back for a while now I didn't think it would happen so soon! Still she's been over here for about 10 years now so I guess it's time for a change. It'll be nice to catch up one last time, and at the end of the day it's another friend to visit when I go home to Aus for hols! Every cloud has a silver lining eh?
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Halloween! I carved my first ever pumpkin the night before last - I did one side and Mark did the other. We put the candle inside and lit it so two ghoulish faces glowed from the window sill where we'd sat it in full view of the street. Having tested it and seeing that it worked (and taking a few photos of our handy work) we extinguished the flame and brought it up stairs and put it on the window sill in the lounge. Last night when night finally descended we re-lit the candle and the pumpkin glowed at the window while we ate dinner and watched telly. After a few hours the inside got too hot and the 'lid' began to shrink and burn while the flame guttered and went out. We took the top off, but forgot to re-light the candle and went back to our East Endders program, or whatever it was we were watching. After half an hour or so I looked up and there was the pumpkin, glowing again. The candle seemed to have come to life all by itself! Our very own weird Halloween experience. Other than that though we didn't see any ghosts of our ancestors or receive any messages from beyond the grave - maybe next year...
I have been temporarily out of work this week. My assignment with the joint company came to an end when they made me an offer of permanent work at a wage well below what I was willing to accept. After speaking to my temp agency I found that this was because they'd told the client that my lowest acceptable wage was £2,500 less than what it was... ARRGH! Pretty frustrating and I'm not too happy with the agency, but that's the way it goes. The people I was working with though were great and gave me a really nice send off with a box of chocolates and a thank you card wishing me all the best for the future etc.
I'm working again on Friday and all of next week though (and possibly the week after) through another agency and have put in for a full time position as a PR and Communications Assistant in Devizes, a town about 20 minutes away by car. It's more the kind of work I'd like to do so fingers crossed it works out for me! The job spec seems really interesting, a possibility to enhance and use the skills I already have and further develop others and the company's benefits are enticing too! On top of that I may begin working part time as a postal sorter in an effort to get enough money together for Christmas as it's quickly approaching. Generally things seem to be looking up despite the hiccoughh with my last position and the incompetency from the temp agency I was working through. Funnily enough I haven't heard much from them since then...
I have also been looking into other work I can do from home - and today am further checking out some freelance writing websites in an effort to get work doing something I'd really like to do, when I have the time to do it. This seems to be a perfect solution although I need to look into it further to make sure I'm not setting myself up for a major rip off or swindle. So far it's an interesting prospect that with any luck will turn out to be just what I'm looking for.
So all in all things aren't too shabby and although I have had an unexpected 4 days off, it's been the perfect time to follow up on other things I have been thinking about looking into for a while now.
I have been temporarily out of work this week. My assignment with the joint company came to an end when they made me an offer of permanent work at a wage well below what I was willing to accept. After speaking to my temp agency I found that this was because they'd told the client that my lowest acceptable wage was £2,500 less than what it was... ARRGH! Pretty frustrating and I'm not too happy with the agency, but that's the way it goes. The people I was working with though were great and gave me a really nice send off with a box of chocolates and a thank you card wishing me all the best for the future etc.
I'm working again on Friday and all of next week though (and possibly the week after) through another agency and have put in for a full time position as a PR and Communications Assistant in Devizes, a town about 20 minutes away by car. It's more the kind of work I'd like to do so fingers crossed it works out for me! The job spec seems really interesting, a possibility to enhance and use the skills I already have and further develop others and the company's benefits are enticing too! On top of that I may begin working part time as a postal sorter in an effort to get enough money together for Christmas as it's quickly approaching. Generally things seem to be looking up despite the hiccoughh with my last position and the incompetency from the temp agency I was working through. Funnily enough I haven't heard much from them since then...
I have also been looking into other work I can do from home - and today am further checking out some freelance writing websites in an effort to get work doing something I'd really like to do, when I have the time to do it. This seems to be a perfect solution although I need to look into it further to make sure I'm not setting myself up for a major rip off or swindle. So far it's an interesting prospect that with any luck will turn out to be just what I'm looking for.
So all in all things aren't too shabby and although I have had an unexpected 4 days off, it's been the perfect time to follow up on other things I have been thinking about looking into for a while now.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Finally the weekend has rocked around again and we have nothing planned for once! Ahh! A quiet weekend - they're like rare gems found on quiet beaches... So I plan on doing as little as possible, life has been kind of hectic of late and once more I could be accused of being a bad blogger. Although I have set up another blog site where I am posting the short stories I write. You can check it out at - http://fablesandfantasies.blobspot.com I'm posting a story there so far on average of about once a week.
Since getting to Swindon I've been temping in various positions. Firstly with the Research Council as a P.A which was pretty good - they give grants for a variety of disciplines. They're really nice people and the work was easy but good. I was only filling in for someone on long term sick leave though so no permanent work eventuated from that.
From there I went to Swindon Borough Council, P.A again to the Chief Executive. OK work and the C.E is really nice but councils here are frustrating. No one wants to take responsibility for anything, however small it may be, so a lot of time is wasted chasing around different departments for answers to the simplest of questions. The money was fantastic though. Again I was filling in for someone who was on holiday, so no full time work eventuated from that either...
I bounced back to the Research Council for a week and a bit and then at the eleventh hour when I thought I'd be out of work for a few days and was worried where the next pound was coming from, my temp agency rang with an offer of an interview.
I headed out to South Marston Park - about 20 minutes on the bus from Swindon to a company that makes orthopaedic implants (knee, hip, elbow and shoulder joints, plus a variety of other stuff for severely broken bones and skin grafts) to meet and impress the Customer Services Manager. I did well and was offered the job after about 15 minutes. It's a temp to permanent position. Temp for the first month, which I'm half way through and then after that if they're happy with me and I like them I can negotiate a better wage for a full time and permanent position.
So far it's going well. The work is really interesting and there is a shit load to learn, but I'm enjoying the challenge. Again the people are really nice and the offices are comfortable with some pretty park surrounding them. I'm doing quotes for hospitals, taking orders for body parts and answering complaints. They seem to like me so far, so I just have to keep up the act for a few more weeks! Ha ha... The boss who interviewed me is on holiday at the moment and back next week so that's when I'll really have to shine... Still so far so good. If all goes well as part of my training I will have to gown up and go into surgery to watch a knee/hip/elbow or shoulder replacement. It sounds as though it'd be quite interesting if I manage to stay conscious and not pass out!
We've made a few friends through Mark's course and last week had some people around to celebrate Teresa's 22nd Birthday. Teresa is here to study from Portugal hence he birthday being at ours when we've only really just met. It was a good day though - Mark cooked a chicken roast and I did the birthday cake. We had balloons and presents - the whole shebang! Afterwards we headed out to a pub in the old town for a few pints. I was completely knackered after the weekend and Monday morning dawned way too soon for my liking!
Still I shouldn't complain - it wasn't really that long ago when I was unemployed, homeless and looking for a job. Now I have both and it still isn't good enough for me! Women hey - we're never happy!
Our new place is great - much bigger than the last with an upstairs and down stairs. We're yet to get a couch and a coffee table, but aside from that we're settled and it feels like home. It's light and airy and has a good feeling to it as soon as you walk in the door. In a few weeks we're getting a new bed - donated from Mark's Aunt and Uncle, some sort of wizz-bang orthopaedic sleep master. It will make a fine replacement from the one we have where the springs tend to find their way into your ribs whichever position you lie in. There I go complaining again...
The herbs I am growing on the windowsill are growing at a remarkable rate, and all of the different varieties have sprung to life. I've never before been able to grow basil, but both the Thai and plain variety are doing well and changing me from the woman who can't grow anything to the woman who has a remarkable way with herbs.
We now have a digital camera which Mark had to get for his Masters, so when I have figured out how to do it I will post some pictures of our new place, new friends and things we have been seeing and doing on this space. It shouldn't be too long in coming as I'm not so bad at working out how to use various forms of technology.
Since getting to Swindon I've been temping in various positions. Firstly with the Research Council as a P.A which was pretty good - they give grants for a variety of disciplines. They're really nice people and the work was easy but good. I was only filling in for someone on long term sick leave though so no permanent work eventuated from that.
From there I went to Swindon Borough Council, P.A again to the Chief Executive. OK work and the C.E is really nice but councils here are frustrating. No one wants to take responsibility for anything, however small it may be, so a lot of time is wasted chasing around different departments for answers to the simplest of questions. The money was fantastic though. Again I was filling in for someone who was on holiday, so no full time work eventuated from that either...
I bounced back to the Research Council for a week and a bit and then at the eleventh hour when I thought I'd be out of work for a few days and was worried where the next pound was coming from, my temp agency rang with an offer of an interview.
I headed out to South Marston Park - about 20 minutes on the bus from Swindon to a company that makes orthopaedic implants (knee, hip, elbow and shoulder joints, plus a variety of other stuff for severely broken bones and skin grafts) to meet and impress the Customer Services Manager. I did well and was offered the job after about 15 minutes. It's a temp to permanent position. Temp for the first month, which I'm half way through and then after that if they're happy with me and I like them I can negotiate a better wage for a full time and permanent position.
So far it's going well. The work is really interesting and there is a shit load to learn, but I'm enjoying the challenge. Again the people are really nice and the offices are comfortable with some pretty park surrounding them. I'm doing quotes for hospitals, taking orders for body parts and answering complaints. They seem to like me so far, so I just have to keep up the act for a few more weeks! Ha ha... The boss who interviewed me is on holiday at the moment and back next week so that's when I'll really have to shine... Still so far so good. If all goes well as part of my training I will have to gown up and go into surgery to watch a knee/hip/elbow or shoulder replacement. It sounds as though it'd be quite interesting if I manage to stay conscious and not pass out!
We've made a few friends through Mark's course and last week had some people around to celebrate Teresa's 22nd Birthday. Teresa is here to study from Portugal hence he birthday being at ours when we've only really just met. It was a good day though - Mark cooked a chicken roast and I did the birthday cake. We had balloons and presents - the whole shebang! Afterwards we headed out to a pub in the old town for a few pints. I was completely knackered after the weekend and Monday morning dawned way too soon for my liking!
Still I shouldn't complain - it wasn't really that long ago when I was unemployed, homeless and looking for a job. Now I have both and it still isn't good enough for me! Women hey - we're never happy!
Our new place is great - much bigger than the last with an upstairs and down stairs. We're yet to get a couch and a coffee table, but aside from that we're settled and it feels like home. It's light and airy and has a good feeling to it as soon as you walk in the door. In a few weeks we're getting a new bed - donated from Mark's Aunt and Uncle, some sort of wizz-bang orthopaedic sleep master. It will make a fine replacement from the one we have where the springs tend to find their way into your ribs whichever position you lie in. There I go complaining again...
The herbs I am growing on the windowsill are growing at a remarkable rate, and all of the different varieties have sprung to life. I've never before been able to grow basil, but both the Thai and plain variety are doing well and changing me from the woman who can't grow anything to the woman who has a remarkable way with herbs.
We now have a digital camera which Mark had to get for his Masters, so when I have figured out how to do it I will post some pictures of our new place, new friends and things we have been seeing and doing on this space. It shouldn't be too long in coming as I'm not so bad at working out how to use various forms of technology.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
I don't think I've had the chance to blog since I got working here in Swindon so there's a little news to share - albeit a little!
Moving up here turned out to be a bit more stressful than what moving normally is, the agent messed us about with our move in date and in the end we had to come up here on the Saturday of a long weekend, drop our belongings off in the new house and then head back to Hastings as we weren't allowed to be there until the following Tuesday evening. All a bit of a hassle, still we managed to hire a van and it was the first time I have ever driven on British roads. Was pretty good really, a big SWB van, mod cons like radio and air-con. All slightly reminiscent of my across Australia jaunt with Briony too long ago to mention (it makes me feel old!). Mark wanted to drive for most of the time - I don't think he trusts me behind the wheel, but I put my foot down and did nearly all the driving from Hastings to Swindon (aside from the going through London bit - I chickened out at that) and we made it there in no time. Mark drove back though and I reckon I could've beaten his time by at least a quarter of an hour, if not more. It's too tempting to speed when it's not possible to get points on your licence! Maybe it was best that he drove....?
Speaking of which I checked into getting a Brit licence and all I have to do is send them my Australian licence and some moolah. I need to check that I won't need my Australian one when I have to get it renewed in January of next year - yet another thing to ad to the 'to check about & do list'. Seems to be a never-ending story/list at the moment although not nearly as much fun as having a Luck Dragon fly you around places and a world being eaten up by 'The Nothing'.
On the Monday night before we (or rather I) came up here I headed over to my mates place in Brighton to spend the night. We went out on the town (for an early-ish evening) enjoying a couple of pints at our 'usual' and then some Greek food from plastic touristy plates in a typical Greek restaurant. Lovely. Was great to say a proper farewell to Kathrin, even though I will definitely be seeing her again both here and at hers in Brighton. Only thing that wasn't so lovely was having to get up at 4 the next morning to catch a train to Swindon by 8.15am. But I managed to do it, arrived on time and took up my first temping assignment at the Swindon Research Council.
Really lovely people at the Research Council and I enjoyed my time there. Was an easy assignment for my first two weeks here as it finished at 2 in the afternoon leaving me time to organise most of those things that go along with moving into a new place. Everything but the phone... which is due to be connected and working on the 14th - this week (and more than likely the day this blog will actually go up)! Mark finished work in Hastings the first week I was here so there was a some agonising time apart until really early Monday morning when he arrived mightily pissed off at the traffic jam he'd been stuck in in London for about 4 hours. Oh the joys of a huge city! Also a bit pissed off at me for getting jacked at him for not getting to Swindon even vaguely when he said he would. I should be used to his tardiness by now really....
I had an interview for a full time position at a recruitment agency the following week and seemed to impress them enough to have them ring the day after my interview and offer me the position. I said thanks and that I'd get back to them later that day if not early the next after discussing it with 'my partner', which I was told was fine. Strangely enough though, after deliberating about it for a day and deciding to take the safety net option and accept the offer the following day they'd decided I'd taken too long and weren't going to give it to me after all - nice one Randstad
! Ach, not to worry, I can't really see myself hugely enjoying the job anyway or being an ideal recruitment consultant. The reason I went for it was I thought I'd have first pick of all the really good jobs as well as a bit of financial security for Mark and I from a permanent position! Ha ha serves me right I guess. There are other jobs I have thrown my hat in for that are more my kinda thing so fingers crossed for that, I'm sure something will be coming up shortly.
On my last day with the Research Council they asked me if I was going to come back the following week and as much as I wanted to I'd already accepted my current assignment with the Council and was heading there that afternoon for the 'hand over' with some woman with the surname 'Goodenough' - weird. So I headed off back across the railway tracks buoyant from the kind words and with my farewell bottle of wine in hand (from the Research Council staff) to meet this Goodenough woman... Well - oh me, oh my! What a completely stuck up woman she turned out to be. The hand over consisted pretty much of watching her type 'very important emails' and be completely rude to the cleaning staff and anyone else she felt was underneath her in her highly regarded position of 'PA to the Chief Executive' (including me as I'm a lowly temp you see). I can't think of anything specific that she said, but the way she looked at people and spoke to them was appalling - unless of course they were Councillors or other management staff. I have never met such a stuck up arse licker in my whole life! Needless to say I arrived home that day in a pretty bad mood so the farewell bottle of wine went a long way towards soothing my temper.
After dinner and finishing off the wine with Mark we headed out to our local to see what it was like. Not too bad - friendly enough definitely, although the walls are covered in warnings about anti-social behaviour getting you barred for life from every pub in the area. Pints were reasonably cheap though and the company as always was good. From there we headed to the town centre (or what Mark and I commonly call the 'New town' as there is an 'Old Town' in most English towns from the looks of it.) and a few bars around there. Went straight past the 'walkabout bar' which is the Australian themed pub, as much as I sometimes miss home I can never bring myself to go into one of those themed bars... Do normal Australian pubs really look that tacky?? I don't think so. Anyway, we avoided that one but checked out a few others, all much the same as the last - big screens with video clips that didn't match to the music playing, loads of scantily clad female punters and insolent looking guys... I think I'm getting old but it wasn't really my cup of tea, although I reckon I probably will end up down that way again at one stage or another. This coming weekend though I'd like to check out the Old Town night life and see what that's like in comparison, it can't be too much worse I wouldn't think and quite possibly it's better.
So that's about it. We've almost settled into our new digs, still need to get some furniture like a couch and a few other bits and bobs, but it'll come and it's beginning to feel like home. A nice light and airy place all our own. Mark starts his Masters next week so that will bring new adventures for him which I think he's more than ready for and has been impatiently anticipating for a while now. I should be in full time work soon, well as soon as I can find something worth ditching the temping for, but for now the temping seems to be going ok and paying the bills! So that's it, until something else exciting or out of the everyday happens. Or even until the guilt of not being in contact gets the better of me and I decide to have a public on-line ramble about nothing!
Moving up here turned out to be a bit more stressful than what moving normally is, the agent messed us about with our move in date and in the end we had to come up here on the Saturday of a long weekend, drop our belongings off in the new house and then head back to Hastings as we weren't allowed to be there until the following Tuesday evening. All a bit of a hassle, still we managed to hire a van and it was the first time I have ever driven on British roads. Was pretty good really, a big SWB van, mod cons like radio and air-con. All slightly reminiscent of my across Australia jaunt with Briony too long ago to mention (it makes me feel old!). Mark wanted to drive for most of the time - I don't think he trusts me behind the wheel, but I put my foot down and did nearly all the driving from Hastings to Swindon (aside from the going through London bit - I chickened out at that) and we made it there in no time. Mark drove back though and I reckon I could've beaten his time by at least a quarter of an hour, if not more. It's too tempting to speed when it's not possible to get points on your licence! Maybe it was best that he drove....?
Speaking of which I checked into getting a Brit licence and all I have to do is send them my Australian licence and some moolah. I need to check that I won't need my Australian one when I have to get it renewed in January of next year - yet another thing to ad to the 'to check about & do list'. Seems to be a never-ending story/list at the moment although not nearly as much fun as having a Luck Dragon fly you around places and a world being eaten up by 'The Nothing'.
On the Monday night before we (or rather I) came up here I headed over to my mates place in Brighton to spend the night. We went out on the town (for an early-ish evening) enjoying a couple of pints at our 'usual' and then some Greek food from plastic touristy plates in a typical Greek restaurant. Lovely. Was great to say a proper farewell to Kathrin, even though I will definitely be seeing her again both here and at hers in Brighton. Only thing that wasn't so lovely was having to get up at 4 the next morning to catch a train to Swindon by 8.15am. But I managed to do it, arrived on time and took up my first temping assignment at the Swindon Research Council.
Really lovely people at the Research Council and I enjoyed my time there. Was an easy assignment for my first two weeks here as it finished at 2 in the afternoon leaving me time to organise most of those things that go along with moving into a new place. Everything but the phone... which is due to be connected and working on the 14th - this week (and more than likely the day this blog will actually go up)! Mark finished work in Hastings the first week I was here so there was a some agonising time apart until really early Monday morning when he arrived mightily pissed off at the traffic jam he'd been stuck in in London for about 4 hours. Oh the joys of a huge city! Also a bit pissed off at me for getting jacked at him for not getting to Swindon even vaguely when he said he would. I should be used to his tardiness by now really....
I had an interview for a full time position at a recruitment agency the following week and seemed to impress them enough to have them ring the day after my interview and offer me the position. I said thanks and that I'd get back to them later that day if not early the next after discussing it with 'my partner', which I was told was fine. Strangely enough though, after deliberating about it for a day and deciding to take the safety net option and accept the offer the following day they'd decided I'd taken too long and weren't going to give it to me after all - nice one Randstad
! Ach, not to worry, I can't really see myself hugely enjoying the job anyway or being an ideal recruitment consultant. The reason I went for it was I thought I'd have first pick of all the really good jobs as well as a bit of financial security for Mark and I from a permanent position! Ha ha serves me right I guess. There are other jobs I have thrown my hat in for that are more my kinda thing so fingers crossed for that, I'm sure something will be coming up shortly.On my last day with the Research Council they asked me if I was going to come back the following week and as much as I wanted to I'd already accepted my current assignment with the Council and was heading there that afternoon for the 'hand over' with some woman with the surname 'Goodenough' - weird. So I headed off back across the railway tracks buoyant from the kind words and with my farewell bottle of wine in hand (from the Research Council staff) to meet this Goodenough woman... Well - oh me, oh my! What a completely stuck up woman she turned out to be. The hand over consisted pretty much of watching her type 'very important emails' and be completely rude to the cleaning staff and anyone else she felt was underneath her in her highly regarded position of 'PA to the Chief Executive' (including me as I'm a lowly temp you see). I can't think of anything specific that she said, but the way she looked at people and spoke to them was appalling - unless of course they were Councillors or other management staff. I have never met such a stuck up arse licker in my whole life! Needless to say I arrived home that day in a pretty bad mood so the farewell bottle of wine went a long way towards soothing my temper.
After dinner and finishing off the wine with Mark we headed out to our local to see what it was like. Not too bad - friendly enough definitely, although the walls are covered in warnings about anti-social behaviour getting you barred for life from every pub in the area. Pints were reasonably cheap though and the company as always was good. From there we headed to the town centre (or what Mark and I commonly call the 'New town' as there is an 'Old Town' in most English towns from the looks of it.) and a few bars around there. Went straight past the 'walkabout bar' which is the Australian themed pub, as much as I sometimes miss home I can never bring myself to go into one of those themed bars... Do normal Australian pubs really look that tacky?? I don't think so. Anyway, we avoided that one but checked out a few others, all much the same as the last - big screens with video clips that didn't match to the music playing, loads of scantily clad female punters and insolent looking guys... I think I'm getting old but it wasn't really my cup of tea, although I reckon I probably will end up down that way again at one stage or another. This coming weekend though I'd like to check out the Old Town night life and see what that's like in comparison, it can't be too much worse I wouldn't think and quite possibly it's better.
So that's about it. We've almost settled into our new digs, still need to get some furniture like a couch and a few other bits and bobs, but it'll come and it's beginning to feel like home. A nice light and airy place all our own. Mark starts his Masters next week so that will bring new adventures for him which I think he's more than ready for and has been impatiently anticipating for a while now. I should be in full time work soon, well as soon as I can find something worth ditching the temping for, but for now the temping seems to be going ok and paying the bills! So that's it, until something else exciting or out of the everyday happens. Or even until the guilt of not being in contact gets the better of me and I decide to have a public on-line ramble about nothing!
Friday, August 25, 2006
Ahhh, dying for a pee but at the computer in the library and thought it best to make the most of my time before it runs out - hopefully I won't be leaving a wet seat when I get up!
Mark and I have found a lovely new place in Swindon - a one bedroom house - and we plan to move in this weekend. Not a moment too soon really as he starts his Masters in about 3 weeks and I have been having to knock back offers of work as we're not in Swindon yet... Thankfully the processing of our application only took a week so there's been no immediate need for me to check out the backpacker places around Swindon (closet ones are in Bath, about 1/2 an hour train journey from where we'll be living)
I have a few interviews next week, but more exciting the possibility of work starting on Tuesday - I am still waiting to hear back from the agency. Sounds a bit daft really - when I'm working I wish I had more time off to myself and now I have all the time in the world I wish my days were taken up with work. Women eh? You never can please us! Mark has been great, making sure the rent on our temporary residence is paid, sorting out the rent and bond for our new place and generally looking after me. It's a bit of a new experience! And one I don't really mind having although it will be great to begin earning again and in a position to contribute financially to our lives. Being a 'kept woman' gets a little boring after a while... Maybe if we were hideously rich it would be a different story, but then I'd be a lady (no make that woman still...) of leisure, pursuing various dreams and whims....
Anyway, the pressure from my bladder is becoming unbearable and the time on this machine is almost up. Will update again shortly.
Mark and I have found a lovely new place in Swindon - a one bedroom house - and we plan to move in this weekend. Not a moment too soon really as he starts his Masters in about 3 weeks and I have been having to knock back offers of work as we're not in Swindon yet... Thankfully the processing of our application only took a week so there's been no immediate need for me to check out the backpacker places around Swindon (closet ones are in Bath, about 1/2 an hour train journey from where we'll be living)
I have a few interviews next week, but more exciting the possibility of work starting on Tuesday - I am still waiting to hear back from the agency. Sounds a bit daft really - when I'm working I wish I had more time off to myself and now I have all the time in the world I wish my days were taken up with work. Women eh? You never can please us! Mark has been great, making sure the rent on our temporary residence is paid, sorting out the rent and bond for our new place and generally looking after me. It's a bit of a new experience! And one I don't really mind having although it will be great to begin earning again and in a position to contribute financially to our lives. Being a 'kept woman' gets a little boring after a while... Maybe if we were hideously rich it would be a different story, but then I'd be a lady (no make that woman still...) of leisure, pursuing various dreams and whims....
Anyway, the pressure from my bladder is becoming unbearable and the time on this machine is almost up. Will update again shortly.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Ahh haa... so the fleas and other tales of the inflicted.
Our new room/temporary place of abode has been wicked. A really nice and friendly share house. Only problem was that as it was a store room before we tidied it up and moved in so there were fleas in the carpet. Seeing that I am ALWAYS the one who gets bitten the most (I must taste delicious to insects) Mark didn't mind too much. Meanwhile my ankles were ringed with lovely little red bite marks and random patches up my legs... After a few spray treatments of the carpets etc it seems to have been knocked on the head and my ankles have now begun to heal...
The first week back in Hastings meant catching up with a few mates here and frantically looking for work. On Friday night (a little while ago now) we decided to catch up with a friend of ours and bowled up to his place unannounced. Generally he wouldn't let us in if he didn't know we were coming, but we struck lucky and he answered the door. Fortunate for us/him it was his 40th the following day and he was in the mood for a little celebration. After touring a few bars etc he suggested we check out a new bar called 'XS' (classy I know) where they had caves out the back and 'women just come up and sit on your lap'. Me being me and not at all subtle asked if it was a strip club in a bit of an excited way. I've never been to a strip club before and only a few days before had been talking to Mark about the prospect of visiting one for a look-see. Said friend denied the strip club suggestion and said it was just a new place and he'd not spent much time there before... Hmm sounded slightly suspicious, but I was up for it anyway. A new experience...
So we headed off to 'XS' and paid the guy a tenner each to get in. Funnily enough, I had been almost right. It wasn't a strip club as the girls there were already near naked, walking about in their underwear and occasionally pole dancing. I tell you I have never seen a near naked gorgeous girl climb a pole so quickly before in my life - and then slide down it again like some sort of slow motion fireman.... Intermittently they came up to each of us and tried to get us to have a lap dance. I wasn't up for it as I like to take these things kinda slow - maybe on my next pole dancing club experience I'll go for a lap dance. But seeing that it was our mates birthday we bought him a dance and he got two girls for the price of one. Not bad....
Over all the place was so... ordered. I expected it to be far sleazier than it was. Sure there were the obligatory old guys (and young ones too...) oggling the girls, but not touching, rude or loud behaviour like you might get in your average pub in the city (or town) And all the girls were really nice natured. But then again I guess it is there job.
So that was my first strip/pole dancing/lap dancing club experience. After leaving there our mate got a little upset at us for getting him a lap dance as according to him 'It just leads to frustration, you're not allowed to touch and that's all you want to do'. Myself I can't understand the temptation, but then I ain't a guy.
Next day we headed to our local it was a bloody lovely day (one of the few we've had since I've been back) and proceeded to get reasonably pissed up. Got talking to this Scot guy who is a hod carrier and shaves his nuts. Apparently it stops him getting so sweaty. But he wasn't too keen to go into detail about it with me and he upped and left before I could ascertain if he shaved with an electric or normal razor...
Oh! Also have to mention for those few friends out there - I did try out my 30th b'day pressie on the plane, and it's a damn goody. Quieter than you'd expect and a lot quicker than a manual job. No need for further explanation I hope and I don't think this means I get included in any mile high club...
A few weeks have passed since all of that and Mark and I have now found a lovely little one bedroom house in Swindon which we hope to move into shortly - hopefully this weekend if everything goes well with our application.
I would like to stay and write more but my time on the computer has run out. Should be in work soon - being a kept woman gets a little boring after a while... Will catch up on the last few weeks and move etc when I am able.
Our new room/temporary place of abode has been wicked. A really nice and friendly share house. Only problem was that as it was a store room before we tidied it up and moved in so there were fleas in the carpet. Seeing that I am ALWAYS the one who gets bitten the most (I must taste delicious to insects) Mark didn't mind too much. Meanwhile my ankles were ringed with lovely little red bite marks and random patches up my legs... After a few spray treatments of the carpets etc it seems to have been knocked on the head and my ankles have now begun to heal...
The first week back in Hastings meant catching up with a few mates here and frantically looking for work. On Friday night (a little while ago now) we decided to catch up with a friend of ours and bowled up to his place unannounced. Generally he wouldn't let us in if he didn't know we were coming, but we struck lucky and he answered the door. Fortunate for us/him it was his 40th the following day and he was in the mood for a little celebration. After touring a few bars etc he suggested we check out a new bar called 'XS' (classy I know) where they had caves out the back and 'women just come up and sit on your lap'. Me being me and not at all subtle asked if it was a strip club in a bit of an excited way. I've never been to a strip club before and only a few days before had been talking to Mark about the prospect of visiting one for a look-see. Said friend denied the strip club suggestion and said it was just a new place and he'd not spent much time there before... Hmm sounded slightly suspicious, but I was up for it anyway. A new experience...
So we headed off to 'XS' and paid the guy a tenner each to get in. Funnily enough, I had been almost right. It wasn't a strip club as the girls there were already near naked, walking about in their underwear and occasionally pole dancing. I tell you I have never seen a near naked gorgeous girl climb a pole so quickly before in my life - and then slide down it again like some sort of slow motion fireman.... Intermittently they came up to each of us and tried to get us to have a lap dance. I wasn't up for it as I like to take these things kinda slow - maybe on my next pole dancing club experience I'll go for a lap dance. But seeing that it was our mates birthday we bought him a dance and he got two girls for the price of one. Not bad....
Over all the place was so... ordered. I expected it to be far sleazier than it was. Sure there were the obligatory old guys (and young ones too...) oggling the girls, but not touching, rude or loud behaviour like you might get in your average pub in the city (or town) And all the girls were really nice natured. But then again I guess it is there job.
So that was my first strip/pole dancing/lap dancing club experience. After leaving there our mate got a little upset at us for getting him a lap dance as according to him 'It just leads to frustration, you're not allowed to touch and that's all you want to do'. Myself I can't understand the temptation, but then I ain't a guy.
Next day we headed to our local it was a bloody lovely day (one of the few we've had since I've been back) and proceeded to get reasonably pissed up. Got talking to this Scot guy who is a hod carrier and shaves his nuts. Apparently it stops him getting so sweaty. But he wasn't too keen to go into detail about it with me and he upped and left before I could ascertain if he shaved with an electric or normal razor...
Oh! Also have to mention for those few friends out there - I did try out my 30th b'day pressie on the plane, and it's a damn goody. Quieter than you'd expect and a lot quicker than a manual job. No need for further explanation I hope and I don't think this means I get included in any mile high club...
A few weeks have passed since all of that and Mark and I have now found a lovely little one bedroom house in Swindon which we hope to move into shortly - hopefully this weekend if everything goes well with our application.
I would like to stay and write more but my time on the computer has run out. Should be in work soon - being a kept woman gets a little boring after a while... Will catch up on the last few weeks and move etc when I am able.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Instalment two should be able to bring me up to date....
So I landed in Heathrow about 2 weeks ago now. Not a bad flight aside from the army veteran sitting next to me. Apparently he'd fought in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Nice enough bloke, but a bit bloody annoying after a while. We chatted as the plane took off (taking off in planes is one of the highlights for me of going somewhere - I love that feeling of being pushed back in my chair from the whole speed thing....LOVELY. Also like turbulence, but that's a whole different thing..) and through dinner. While eating dinner I told him that I had some 'drugs' to make me sleep. And took them. Shortly after dinner I was snoozing - lovely as I never sleep properly on transport - what seemed to me moments after getting to sleep this bloke is poking me on the shoulder to wake me up, no, we hadn't arrived, there was still another 6 hours ahead, but he thought I should wake up for a drink of water. So I obediently drank it and went straight back to sleep. Same thing happened about 2 hours later and then on until we landed. So much for sleeping through your flight!
I'm good at complaining eh? And I've only been back for 2 weeks... Ha ha ha
Anyway, the flight between Bangkok and Heathrow was quite, I had about 3 seats to myself. The hostesses were lovely gave me a pack of cards and entrance into some competition for a free flight to Thailand. Fingers crossed that's a winner. Noice one!
Met Mark at Heathrow. He was a little late, but then some things never change. From Heathrow we went straight to Swindon where we'll be moving to shortly. This is what it looks like around that part of England:
Anyway, Mark did his interview thing as you know and got offered a place on the spot. Wicked. So we stuck around there for about 6 days checking out things. Not just Swindon though, as to be honest, Swindon is really just another English country town with a college. But the surrounds is gorgeous. Bath is only a half hour away, so we headed there camping. Went into the roman bath thingy thinking we'd be able to have a dip there. (it was lovely and warm weather) But unfortunately for your £11 you just get to have a look at it all. So we turned tail and decided to wait until mid August when we've moved there and they've finished the renovating work. By then they'll have finished the thermal baths that they're building on the roof of the place and we will be able to go for a dip.
After two days in Bath we got itchy feet again and decided to go to Wales. I blindly chose the town on the coast of Wales called Barry. I wanted a beach and to call a town Barry seems pretty weird to me... As we crossed the bridge to Wales it began to rain and the further into Wales we got the harder it rained. It was pissing it down well hard by the time we got to Barry, and Barry was pretty boring and shit, so we decided to head for the hills instead - the Brecon Beacons to be precise.
Wales is absolutely gorgeous. We found a lovely little B&B above a pub only 4 miles out of Brecon and stayed there for two nights while we had a little look around the area. Brecon was/is a funny little town. Loads of men shouting in the pubs and streets. It's a strange sound that of yelling welsh men.
Also checked out the Usk reservoir on my birthday, which was stunning.
The picture doesn't do it much justice, but it was beautiful and I will go back to Wales again for another look around one day. Maybe the north of Wales next time.
All too soon it was time to head back home to Hastings. We stopped at Avebury on the way for a pint and a look around the standing stones there - again bloody beautiful, and loads of white horses cut into the hills in the area. Like this:
We eventually arrived back in Hastings around 7ish, picked up the rest of our gear from Jamie’s place and moved into another friend’s place who had offered Mark some studio space and a room. Lovely place, lots of natural light. But I think I have gotten fleas from it. Sorting it out now, but I'll leave that story and recent others for another time.
So I landed in Heathrow about 2 weeks ago now. Not a bad flight aside from the army veteran sitting next to me. Apparently he'd fought in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Nice enough bloke, but a bit bloody annoying after a while. We chatted as the plane took off (taking off in planes is one of the highlights for me of going somewhere - I love that feeling of being pushed back in my chair from the whole speed thing....LOVELY. Also like turbulence, but that's a whole different thing..) and through dinner. While eating dinner I told him that I had some 'drugs' to make me sleep. And took them. Shortly after dinner I was snoozing - lovely as I never sleep properly on transport - what seemed to me moments after getting to sleep this bloke is poking me on the shoulder to wake me up, no, we hadn't arrived, there was still another 6 hours ahead, but he thought I should wake up for a drink of water. So I obediently drank it and went straight back to sleep. Same thing happened about 2 hours later and then on until we landed. So much for sleeping through your flight!
I'm good at complaining eh? And I've only been back for 2 weeks... Ha ha ha
Anyway, the flight between Bangkok and Heathrow was quite, I had about 3 seats to myself. The hostesses were lovely gave me a pack of cards and entrance into some competition for a free flight to Thailand. Fingers crossed that's a winner. Noice one!
Met Mark at Heathrow. He was a little late, but then some things never change. From Heathrow we went straight to Swindon where we'll be moving to shortly. This is what it looks like around that part of England:
Anyway, Mark did his interview thing as you know and got offered a place on the spot. Wicked. So we stuck around there for about 6 days checking out things. Not just Swindon though, as to be honest, Swindon is really just another English country town with a college. But the surrounds is gorgeous. Bath is only a half hour away, so we headed there camping. Went into the roman bath thingy thinking we'd be able to have a dip there. (it was lovely and warm weather) But unfortunately for your £11 you just get to have a look at it all. So we turned tail and decided to wait until mid August when we've moved there and they've finished the renovating work. By then they'll have finished the thermal baths that they're building on the roof of the place and we will be able to go for a dip.
After two days in Bath we got itchy feet again and decided to go to Wales. I blindly chose the town on the coast of Wales called Barry. I wanted a beach and to call a town Barry seems pretty weird to me... As we crossed the bridge to Wales it began to rain and the further into Wales we got the harder it rained. It was pissing it down well hard by the time we got to Barry, and Barry was pretty boring and shit, so we decided to head for the hills instead - the Brecon Beacons to be precise.
Wales is absolutely gorgeous. We found a lovely little B&B above a pub only 4 miles out of Brecon and stayed there for two nights while we had a little look around the area. Brecon was/is a funny little town. Loads of men shouting in the pubs and streets. It's a strange sound that of yelling welsh men.
Also checked out the Usk reservoir on my birthday, which was stunning.
The picture doesn't do it much justice, but it was beautiful and I will go back to Wales again for another look around one day. Maybe the north of Wales next time.All too soon it was time to head back home to Hastings. We stopped at Avebury on the way for a pint and a look around the standing stones there - again bloody beautiful, and loads of white horses cut into the hills in the area. Like this:
We eventually arrived back in Hastings around 7ish, picked up the rest of our gear from Jamie’s place and moved into another friend’s place who had offered Mark some studio space and a room. Lovely place, lots of natural light. But I think I have gotten fleas from it. Sorting it out now, but I'll leave that story and recent others for another time.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Ahh, it's been a while since my last blog and I'm a little backed up - sorry for the lapse in entries to whoever still bothers to read this! This will be a big one as there's a bit to catch up on.
Where do I start.... I guess with the whole immigration thing as that's where I left off with my last entry.
It seems so long ago now! Marks and my immigration appointment was on a Tuesday before I headed back to Aus so we jumped on the train in the morning and headed up to Croydon for the interview at 11am. After stressing about it on the 1.5 hour train journey there we finally arrived and were allowed into the first level of enquiry, reception, where we met a nice enough guy who asked to see our forms and supporting documentation. We complied and dumped reems of paper work into his little tray thing for him to sort through. He wasn't that impressed as it was in disaray, never the less he sorted through it and brought to our attention a 'missing period' of documentation of about 5 months which was when Mark was sent back to England from Australia and then I subsequently went travelling through SE Asia. I explained this to him and said that the lady on the enquires line for the IND had said our passport stamps would be enough to verify this period. He said that he didn't care 'what any lady on the phone said' and told us that we didn't have enough evidence and he wouldn't even send us to the next level where we were to pay £500 and then see a case manager as we would be rejected.
Steam started whistling from both our ears - how were we supposed to prove we were together as a couple when we were on different parts of the planet and in housing that had no bills etc in our names?? He told us that contrary to what it said on the forms we were suppose to show postcards, phone bills of calls and emails sent to each other during this time and we should go home and get these. Unfortunately this wasn't an option as there wasn't enough time... So we made another appointment for later on that same afternoon and headed off to an internet cafe in the hope of finding an email or two from the 'missing period'. Both of us not feeling very confident that it would work.
We first checked Marks account as he keeps EVERYTHING that's ever been sent to him. Unfortunately though he hadn't accessed his account for over a month and the people at hotmail had 'kindly' deleted all his old files. So without much hope we checked my email - I usually delete anything sent to me after I have replied to it. I searched all my folders with hope fading fast until tucked away at the bottom of my saved items I found one email from July 2004. I guess my filing wasn't that good! Or maybe it was...
So we printed that out thinking it wasn't enough but we'd have to give it a go anyway. Sat and had some lunch and sorted our paperwork into three seperate pile of Marks, mine and ours - all the time worrying that I wouldn't get my visa and that we'd be throwing away £500.
Back we went to reception where we met a different man. He flicked through the documents etc with hardly a glimps at it, stamped where he needed and gave us a big smile as we headed upstairs to pay our cash.
We laughed and joked with the payment guys, did some basic magic tricks with them and then waited to be called by the case worker - we had at least made it to the hard level.
The case worker asked for all the paper work again and began wading her way through it quite a bit slower than the reception guy. As she got to the email she stopped and was about to ask us something when the guy from reception downstairs walked past, saw us and said to her 'oh, I've seen this one, it's all ok'. She never asked what she was going to and finished by flicking through the rest of the stuff and saying 'You'll have your visa in about an hour and a half, you just need to wait over there' I asked if we needed to let her know our new address details as we were planning to move in September and she laughed saying 'You can if you want, but no one else does and we don't really need to know. When you come back in two years we will need the same sort of information so start collecting it now.'
With that the visa process was done and we headed bak to the train station floating on clouds and hardly able to believe our good fortune.
So the following Saturday, or the one after I cannae remeber now, I flew out of England to Australia knowing that I was able to return without any hassle and leaving Mark behind working... After about 35 hours in transit I finally landed in Rockhampton, hung over and delerious from no sleep. I hardly recognised my own sister and nephews! From there I was whisked away to Dad's place in Yeppoon where Yvette and her family were staying while they finalised their new house and move from Victoria to Queensland.
Yeppoon:
I spent a week there in the sun catching up with my nephews (one of which I hadn't met before) sister and brother-in-law. The weather was perfect - about 25 degrees and sunshine every day. One the weekend we went to Great Kepple island
where we lazed about on the beach drinking beer and snorkling most of the day away. Bloody lovely it was!
Before I knew it, it was time to head south to Melbourne to catch up with friends and my brother. So I jumpped on a plane for my 3.5 hour flight south. I landed in Melbourne a little better for wear than when I arrived in Rocky and met up with a friend of mine - Julianne - who was kind enough to home my lovely dog Summah when I first left travelling. We headed back to hers and as I walked into her house I could hear the familiar bark of Summah. When she saw me she stopped dead still for about 30 seconds, and then sniffed me all over while her tail increased its wagging velocity. She remembered me!! After getting stuck into the red wine with Julianne we headed for bed and Summah snuck into my room and slept on the bed with me... Ahhhh.
The 3 weeks in Mebourne were a whirl wind of catching up with mates, sorting out the things I had stored at my brothers place for sending back to the UK, and some other stuff to be sent to my Dad's in Queesland. I didn't manage to see Dad while I was there as he went drinving accros to the other side of the country and then up the west coast to Darwin. Maybe we'll be in sync next time...
I had my hair chopped off at the salon I used to work at about 11 years ago (which was a strange experience), caught up with my best mate Jen and her partner and kids, spent some 'quality time' with my brother, sister-in-law and little sister, saw the Picasso and Dora Maar exhibition at the NGV and got pissed each night I was in Melbourne with a different friend... Time went so quickly. I tried to get another tattoo as well but wasn't able to find a good tattooist with a spare appointment when I had time. The world at my feet wil have to wait until I am again gainfully employed.
The last weekend I was there I decided to celebrate my 30th birthday early and invited all my old friends out to my old 'local' the Union Club Hotel in Fitzroy. After emailing them all and having found my old wig I decided that although it wasn't a dress up party, a wig wasn't so dressed up. So I went along with long dark curly locks. Probably not the best idea as my brother almost didn't recognise me (he though it was some strange chick waving at him when he arrived) and a few people turned up and then left before realising I was there.... Ach well.
So on the 24th of July I headed back to the UK. The return flight wasn't that bad aside from the annoying war veteran that kept waking me up between Melb and Bankok. But I'll have to leave that part of the story for a different time as I have run out of internet time.
Where do I start.... I guess with the whole immigration thing as that's where I left off with my last entry.
It seems so long ago now! Marks and my immigration appointment was on a Tuesday before I headed back to Aus so we jumped on the train in the morning and headed up to Croydon for the interview at 11am. After stressing about it on the 1.5 hour train journey there we finally arrived and were allowed into the first level of enquiry, reception, where we met a nice enough guy who asked to see our forms and supporting documentation. We complied and dumped reems of paper work into his little tray thing for him to sort through. He wasn't that impressed as it was in disaray, never the less he sorted through it and brought to our attention a 'missing period' of documentation of about 5 months which was when Mark was sent back to England from Australia and then I subsequently went travelling through SE Asia. I explained this to him and said that the lady on the enquires line for the IND had said our passport stamps would be enough to verify this period. He said that he didn't care 'what any lady on the phone said' and told us that we didn't have enough evidence and he wouldn't even send us to the next level where we were to pay £500 and then see a case manager as we would be rejected.
Steam started whistling from both our ears - how were we supposed to prove we were together as a couple when we were on different parts of the planet and in housing that had no bills etc in our names?? He told us that contrary to what it said on the forms we were suppose to show postcards, phone bills of calls and emails sent to each other during this time and we should go home and get these. Unfortunately this wasn't an option as there wasn't enough time... So we made another appointment for later on that same afternoon and headed off to an internet cafe in the hope of finding an email or two from the 'missing period'. Both of us not feeling very confident that it would work.
We first checked Marks account as he keeps EVERYTHING that's ever been sent to him. Unfortunately though he hadn't accessed his account for over a month and the people at hotmail had 'kindly' deleted all his old files. So without much hope we checked my email - I usually delete anything sent to me after I have replied to it. I searched all my folders with hope fading fast until tucked away at the bottom of my saved items I found one email from July 2004. I guess my filing wasn't that good! Or maybe it was...
So we printed that out thinking it wasn't enough but we'd have to give it a go anyway. Sat and had some lunch and sorted our paperwork into three seperate pile of Marks, mine and ours - all the time worrying that I wouldn't get my visa and that we'd be throwing away £500.
Back we went to reception where we met a different man. He flicked through the documents etc with hardly a glimps at it, stamped where he needed and gave us a big smile as we headed upstairs to pay our cash.
We laughed and joked with the payment guys, did some basic magic tricks with them and then waited to be called by the case worker - we had at least made it to the hard level.
The case worker asked for all the paper work again and began wading her way through it quite a bit slower than the reception guy. As she got to the email she stopped and was about to ask us something when the guy from reception downstairs walked past, saw us and said to her 'oh, I've seen this one, it's all ok'. She never asked what she was going to and finished by flicking through the rest of the stuff and saying 'You'll have your visa in about an hour and a half, you just need to wait over there' I asked if we needed to let her know our new address details as we were planning to move in September and she laughed saying 'You can if you want, but no one else does and we don't really need to know. When you come back in two years we will need the same sort of information so start collecting it now.'
With that the visa process was done and we headed bak to the train station floating on clouds and hardly able to believe our good fortune.
So the following Saturday, or the one after I cannae remeber now, I flew out of England to Australia knowing that I was able to return without any hassle and leaving Mark behind working... After about 35 hours in transit I finally landed in Rockhampton, hung over and delerious from no sleep. I hardly recognised my own sister and nephews! From there I was whisked away to Dad's place in Yeppoon where Yvette and her family were staying while they finalised their new house and move from Victoria to Queensland.
Yeppoon:
I spent a week there in the sun catching up with my nephews (one of which I hadn't met before) sister and brother-in-law. The weather was perfect - about 25 degrees and sunshine every day. One the weekend we went to Great Kepple island
where we lazed about on the beach drinking beer and snorkling most of the day away. Bloody lovely it was!Before I knew it, it was time to head south to Melbourne to catch up with friends and my brother. So I jumpped on a plane for my 3.5 hour flight south. I landed in Melbourne a little better for wear than when I arrived in Rocky and met up with a friend of mine - Julianne - who was kind enough to home my lovely dog Summah when I first left travelling. We headed back to hers and as I walked into her house I could hear the familiar bark of Summah. When she saw me she stopped dead still for about 30 seconds, and then sniffed me all over while her tail increased its wagging velocity. She remembered me!! After getting stuck into the red wine with Julianne we headed for bed and Summah snuck into my room and slept on the bed with me... Ahhhh.
The 3 weeks in Mebourne were a whirl wind of catching up with mates, sorting out the things I had stored at my brothers place for sending back to the UK, and some other stuff to be sent to my Dad's in Queesland. I didn't manage to see Dad while I was there as he went drinving accros to the other side of the country and then up the west coast to Darwin. Maybe we'll be in sync next time...
I had my hair chopped off at the salon I used to work at about 11 years ago (which was a strange experience), caught up with my best mate Jen and her partner and kids, spent some 'quality time' with my brother, sister-in-law and little sister, saw the Picasso and Dora Maar exhibition at the NGV and got pissed each night I was in Melbourne with a different friend... Time went so quickly. I tried to get another tattoo as well but wasn't able to find a good tattooist with a spare appointment when I had time. The world at my feet wil have to wait until I am again gainfully employed.
The last weekend I was there I decided to celebrate my 30th birthday early and invited all my old friends out to my old 'local' the Union Club Hotel in Fitzroy. After emailing them all and having found my old wig I decided that although it wasn't a dress up party, a wig wasn't so dressed up. So I went along with long dark curly locks. Probably not the best idea as my brother almost didn't recognise me (he though it was some strange chick waving at him when he arrived) and a few people turned up and then left before realising I was there.... Ach well.
So on the 24th of July I headed back to the UK. The return flight wasn't that bad aside from the annoying war veteran that kept waking me up between Melb and Bankok. But I'll have to leave that part of the story for a different time as I have run out of internet time.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Only one week 'til immigration, 2 weeks 'til the end of work in Brighton and 3 weeks 'til I head home to Aus for a visit! Time is going so quickly now, it seems to speed up with each passing day.
Can't wait to see everyone, meet my newest nephew and generally relax and catch up on everything I've missed over the last 2 yeas or so. Then head back here to celebrate my birthday again in a joint celebration with Mark - our 70th! Ha ha, should be a good laugh.
Will be nice to be on the road again too for a short jaunt up and down the east coast of Aus....
Ahhh, the familiar sights, smells and feeling of being somewhere you know without question. Looking forward to it.
Can't wait to see everyone, meet my newest nephew and generally relax and catch up on everything I've missed over the last 2 yeas or so. Then head back here to celebrate my birthday again in a joint celebration with Mark - our 70th! Ha ha, should be a good laugh.
Will be nice to be on the road again too for a short jaunt up and down the east coast of Aus....
Ahhh, the familiar sights, smells and feeling of being somewhere you know without question. Looking forward to it.