LAST night, we clinked our way up the road to some new friends who were having a social soiree.
Packed up with a curry and plentiful amounts of grog, we expanded our networking circle by another 10. There were northerners, southerners, scousers, Scottish and us, Welshies, so a good smattering of UK presence.
Come the strike of midnight, we were drinking shots out of eggcups and promising to keep in touch and make a date for another night. Alongside my promises for countless jewellery, clothing and even Tupperware parties.
I was going to give my liver a welcome break and offered to drive, but something happened during the early part of the afternoon that made me want to celebrate.
Yesterday, I was offered a job and for one reason and another, it came just at the right time.
So yesterday, I was a graphic designer. Today, I am the new girl at a shoe shop and taking part in the success story that is JackRIVER.com.
This local woman started selling shoes from home and over the past two years has outgrown her back bedroom and is due in the next week to open a shop in an affluent part of the peninsula.
A 10 minute drive and I'll be in work, and what's more, it's part-time so I'll get to spend more time with my boys. It sounds simply perfect for me. I wanted something totally different and totally different this is.
I get a better hourly rate than what I do now and anyone who knows what things have been like for me over the past couple of weeks, this couldn't have come at a better time.
Being part time now means the boys get to have the puppy they've longed for since we've been here and I'll get to spend balmy evenings on the beach playing cricket with them without coming home in the dark, all tired, grumpy and wincing at the pile of ironing in the corner that never gets tackled.
Things can only get better.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Grogged out
THESE days, you can tell what mood I'm in purely by casting a glance at the label on my wine bottle.
The liquour stores here are grog-warehouses, packed to the rafters with hooch and moonshine galore. We can get all the brands of European beers we know and love and the Australian wine shelves are something to go at. If I had a different bottle every night, I'd never get through them all before my time on this earth is done.
A lot of the restaurants here are BYO (bring your own). Something I'm not used to yet is kerchinking my way to the table and popping corks DIY-style all over the place. My next investment is a two-bottle insulator so I can keep my grog by my side and all chilled out.
Last time I had one of those things was when the boys were babies to keep their bottles warm. Oh how things have changed...
So, when I've had a good day at the office, I'll go for the Heaven's Gate and when it's been challenging, it'll be a hefty serving of Arrogant Frog that goes in my glass.
I often have more than my fair share of Promised Land because that's exactly where we are and when I'm feeling mischievous, I'll pick up some Mad Fish or Monkey's Cousin.
After spending a little too much on my essential items like a mascara wand that vibrates to separate my painted lashes, I'll choose a bottle of Cock & Bull. Because that's exactly what I dish out to convince husband it was only half the price I actually paid for it. And when it's been applied, I go straight for a Queen Adelaide Shiraz Cabernet... because that's exactly who I feel like with my lengthy lashes a-plenty. Thank you Ms Lauder.
The liquour stores here are grog-warehouses, packed to the rafters with hooch and moonshine galore. We can get all the brands of European beers we know and love and the Australian wine shelves are something to go at. If I had a different bottle every night, I'd never get through them all before my time on this earth is done.
A lot of the restaurants here are BYO (bring your own). Something I'm not used to yet is kerchinking my way to the table and popping corks DIY-style all over the place. My next investment is a two-bottle insulator so I can keep my grog by my side and all chilled out.
Last time I had one of those things was when the boys were babies to keep their bottles warm. Oh how things have changed...
So, when I've had a good day at the office, I'll go for the Heaven's Gate and when it's been challenging, it'll be a hefty serving of Arrogant Frog that goes in my glass.
I often have more than my fair share of Promised Land because that's exactly where we are and when I'm feeling mischievous, I'll pick up some Mad Fish or Monkey's Cousin.
After spending a little too much on my essential items like a mascara wand that vibrates to separate my painted lashes, I'll choose a bottle of Cock & Bull. Because that's exactly what I dish out to convince husband it was only half the price I actually paid for it. And when it's been applied, I go straight for a Queen Adelaide Shiraz Cabernet... because that's exactly who I feel like with my lengthy lashes a-plenty. Thank you Ms Lauder.
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Hitting the heartstring pulling times
THE ever-inevitable has happened this week. Pangs of homesickness have thrust themselves on me ... particularly as I "witness" two of my best ever friends celebrate milestone birthdays as merely an overseas-onlooker.
I'd arranged over the past weeks to transfer money to be a part of the present buying process and have kept in touch by email and phone on what gifts had been chosen but not taking an active part in that has made me feel a little jaded.
The top hat on it all came at 5.30am on Thursday when I'd arranged to make a surprise phone call to the surprise party - 8.30pm UK time. The guests had had a few glasses of wine, I could tell, and my chum was obviously brimming with excitement at having landed in the middle of her guests to lap up the birthday moment.
I was okay up until the moment she said "... there's two empty chairs here, get a flight quick!" And from that point on, my eyes started to well and my voice quivered.
I'm glad her background noise was at fever pitch because I wouldn't like to think just because I couldn't hold the situation together, it would spoil her special night. So we exchanged our words of love and hung up ... she went back to her lobster thermador and I went back to my pillow and cried into it until the sun came up and it was time for work.
And if that wasn't enough, the celebrations continued over the weekend and during Sunday afternoon, the phone here rang and I found myself talking again with the birthday girl herself, having just arrived home after a night in the city.
With her she had another tanked up chum who I haven't spoken to since I left. Even this conversation ended in tears, but not mine this time. Now THAT made a refreshing change!
In a day or two, it'll have to be done all over again when special friend number 2 hits the big 40. Only this time, I think I'll put the call in when I'VE had a few glasses of the fizzy stuff and it's morning over there. It'll give me the Dutch courage I require so much before picking up the handset and hearing about life overseas and what I'm missing out on.
Some people are so terribly irreplaceable. And it's these times that hit me the hardest. But it's ME that's moved away so has to be ME that has to get over it. I simply need to give myself a good talking to and look forward to welcoming them all for visits.
But I'm dreading the "goodbyes" before I even get the "hellos"...
I'd arranged over the past weeks to transfer money to be a part of the present buying process and have kept in touch by email and phone on what gifts had been chosen but not taking an active part in that has made me feel a little jaded.
The top hat on it all came at 5.30am on Thursday when I'd arranged to make a surprise phone call to the surprise party - 8.30pm UK time. The guests had had a few glasses of wine, I could tell, and my chum was obviously brimming with excitement at having landed in the middle of her guests to lap up the birthday moment.
I was okay up until the moment she said "... there's two empty chairs here, get a flight quick!" And from that point on, my eyes started to well and my voice quivered.
I'm glad her background noise was at fever pitch because I wouldn't like to think just because I couldn't hold the situation together, it would spoil her special night. So we exchanged our words of love and hung up ... she went back to her lobster thermador and I went back to my pillow and cried into it until the sun came up and it was time for work.
And if that wasn't enough, the celebrations continued over the weekend and during Sunday afternoon, the phone here rang and I found myself talking again with the birthday girl herself, having just arrived home after a night in the city.
With her she had another tanked up chum who I haven't spoken to since I left. Even this conversation ended in tears, but not mine this time. Now THAT made a refreshing change!
In a day or two, it'll have to be done all over again when special friend number 2 hits the big 40. Only this time, I think I'll put the call in when I'VE had a few glasses of the fizzy stuff and it's morning over there. It'll give me the Dutch courage I require so much before picking up the handset and hearing about life overseas and what I'm missing out on.
Some people are so terribly irreplaceable. And it's these times that hit me the hardest. But it's ME that's moved away so has to be ME that has to get over it. I simply need to give myself a good talking to and look forward to welcoming them all for visits.
But I'm dreading the "goodbyes" before I even get the "hellos"...
Sunday, 12 July 2009
More school holidays...??
THE days I've been dreading have finally caught up with me.
I've now put in a fair few weeks of full time work and then the schools go and break up for two week's holiday. ARRGH. I need my mum. And and my mother-in-law. And other friends and family who usually rally together to help us out with free childcare.
But a week in and we've lived to tell the tale. Sharing the kid-cover responsibilities has been a four-fold combination of newbie friends, well-trusted neighbours, official childcare and holiday leave.
I haven't worked long enough to accrue any annual leave yet so I worked all through the holidays, just dropping the boys off at their designated daily destinations each morning. I never usually felt bad about working through the school breaks but this time, however, I've had pangs of guilt. They've been sent to all parts of the peninsula and have had a great time being spoilt rotten by our newfound carers but I'm always humbled by the efforts of everyone else when it comes to me and my workplace commitments.
I've always worked a full week (some former colleagues may disagree with that!) but really feel, without my UK network, that part time hours would be a much more acceptable option. I am finding full time a bit of struggle and spend the weekends catching up on housework and laundry but I don't mind it too much now because it's winter.
Come the summer, the laundry won't get a look in as I intend to spend my daylight hours on the beach with my boys, watching them kayak their way around Fisherman's Beach and playing cricket on the sand 'til the sun sets. Times like that are priceless and don't last forever and quite simply, I won't allow myself to miss them. Even if it does mean the breakfast dishes remain in the kitchen sink at dinner time and the ironing basket continues to be an overflowing one.
Mum...? You got your airline ticket booked yet?? I need you...!
I've now put in a fair few weeks of full time work and then the schools go and break up for two week's holiday. ARRGH. I need my mum. And and my mother-in-law. And other friends and family who usually rally together to help us out with free childcare.
But a week in and we've lived to tell the tale. Sharing the kid-cover responsibilities has been a four-fold combination of newbie friends, well-trusted neighbours, official childcare and holiday leave.
I haven't worked long enough to accrue any annual leave yet so I worked all through the holidays, just dropping the boys off at their designated daily destinations each morning. I never usually felt bad about working through the school breaks but this time, however, I've had pangs of guilt. They've been sent to all parts of the peninsula and have had a great time being spoilt rotten by our newfound carers but I'm always humbled by the efforts of everyone else when it comes to me and my workplace commitments.
I've always worked a full week (some former colleagues may disagree with that!) but really feel, without my UK network, that part time hours would be a much more acceptable option. I am finding full time a bit of struggle and spend the weekends catching up on housework and laundry but I don't mind it too much now because it's winter.
Come the summer, the laundry won't get a look in as I intend to spend my daylight hours on the beach with my boys, watching them kayak their way around Fisherman's Beach and playing cricket on the sand 'til the sun sets. Times like that are priceless and don't last forever and quite simply, I won't allow myself to miss them. Even if it does mean the breakfast dishes remain in the kitchen sink at dinner time and the ironing basket continues to be an overflowing one.
Mum...? You got your airline ticket booked yet?? I need you...!
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
"Brrrr"ing on the Spring
OPENING up the Google website on June 21 told me, by it's topical graphics, that it was officially the first day of winter.
'Winter' and 'June' are two words I have never before put together. But here they are, hand in hand, down under on the other side of the globe.
Although I'll openly admit I feel a little envious that you guys over there are enjoying sweltering temperatures but for winter, this is one I'm not minding in the slightest.
Today in Melbourne, it's been a lowly 18C - not exactly cracking the flags but a winter temperature like that I can more than welcome, thank you very much.
When we left Manchester back in February it was -7C. We arrived in Australia in time for that weekend's fatal Black Saturday when thermometer-busting 45C temps were recorded all over the region.
Now, I'm not particularly good with my sums but you don't really have to sit down and do the math to realise how much of a difference that actually was.
From what I remember it was like having a hairdryer blow in your eyes for a week... not pleasant to the locals but to us it was a novelty and we soaked it up accordingly.
So yes, I am wearing a jacket to go to work in the mornings, and today I even had to button it up, but generally, come midday the sun puts its hat on and it can get to an average high of 16C. Not bikini weather by any stretch but short sleeves are an acceptable item of clothing, providing you're doing something and not sitting down still and inactive for too long.
I suppose I'm still wearing what I would be at this time over there, but just have to bear in mind I have to keep myself on the go to keep warm.
On the day I write this, I see that London was enjoying temperatures of 27C - comparable to our European cousins in Rome, Athens and Barcelona. In fact, you Brits have not been far behind Tel Aviv and Hong Kong who shined in at 30 and 31 respectively. So yes, I'm green as...
But my turn for sunshine will come and I look forward to Spring with one of my best British stiff upper lips.
'Winter' and 'June' are two words I have never before put together. But here they are, hand in hand, down under on the other side of the globe.
Although I'll openly admit I feel a little envious that you guys over there are enjoying sweltering temperatures but for winter, this is one I'm not minding in the slightest.
Today in Melbourne, it's been a lowly 18C - not exactly cracking the flags but a winter temperature like that I can more than welcome, thank you very much.
When we left Manchester back in February it was -7C. We arrived in Australia in time for that weekend's fatal Black Saturday when thermometer-busting 45C temps were recorded all over the region.
Now, I'm not particularly good with my sums but you don't really have to sit down and do the math to realise how much of a difference that actually was.
From what I remember it was like having a hairdryer blow in your eyes for a week... not pleasant to the locals but to us it was a novelty and we soaked it up accordingly.
So yes, I am wearing a jacket to go to work in the mornings, and today I even had to button it up, but generally, come midday the sun puts its hat on and it can get to an average high of 16C. Not bikini weather by any stretch but short sleeves are an acceptable item of clothing, providing you're doing something and not sitting down still and inactive for too long.
I suppose I'm still wearing what I would be at this time over there, but just have to bear in mind I have to keep myself on the go to keep warm.
On the day I write this, I see that London was enjoying temperatures of 27C - comparable to our European cousins in Rome, Athens and Barcelona. In fact, you Brits have not been far behind Tel Aviv and Hong Kong who shined in at 30 and 31 respectively. So yes, I'm green as...
But my turn for sunshine will come and I look forward to Spring with one of my best British stiff upper lips.
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