Here we go again...

SO a week after me being laid off from my job at the nursing agency, I land one working at a local tourist attraction.

I'm a firm believer of being in the right place at the right time and this has, so far, paid off. I was laid off in the cull of company cutbacks on the Monday night, sent a random email to a company where I thought I might like to work that night, had a call from them on the Tuesday, interviewed on the Friday, offered a job on the Monday and was on their payroll come the Thursday.

And what a place this is to work. This is the place I've promised all my visitors I'd take them to. And that was before I became one of their many employees. It's a natural hot springs centre and people come from far and wide to sample the therapeutic benefits of its mineralised and naturally heated waters.

I was offered the chance to sample one for myself after clocking off last week. I wasn't too sure about accepting the invitation seeing as though I had no bathers with me but in one of their 'private baths' that's exactly what you don't need. So after some gentle persuasion - in the form of a colleague throwing a company towel at me with a smirk on their face - I was shown to my bath after a short walk through the tea trees along the subtly lit pathways and into a brushed fence area away from life's hustle and bustle.

In the dim light, I was left alone to bathe in the 40C waters but that was after I'd checked out the place for hidden security cameras. T'was a strange feeling being there - outside - alone - in the dark - getting naked and close to nature. I wanted someone with me to giggle with but after I'd gotten over the shock of it all, in I went.

Looking up to the moon through the Eucalyptus trees above me while the birds chirped away, I just couldn't stop thinking about how this seemed like a prank. "The new girl's gone naked in the private pool, guys" I imagined them chortling back in the control room and when my time was up, I took my red and overheated - but extremely relaxed body - back to the staff room.

Instead of my vision of them all crowded round a TV monitor having a good laugh, they were all just going along with their usual business of making sure all the other guests were looked after and relaxing like they should.

Next on my 'things-to-do-at-work' list is to get a facial, have an Aboriginally-inspired relaxation massage and master the art of printing a gift voucher. Although, the latter will surely come before the former - have to earn the dollars from this company before I can trade it back!