Hunted!!
Went in for an interview, left with a job. Praise the Lord! I start Monday at 8:30 and I'll be trying it out for a couple weeks. Still, what an excellent opportunity. The owner, Ted, seems really, really nice, and so do the other people who were there today. The job description is very similar to the office work I was doing at Tomko, plus a bit more word processing.
The only thing he wasn't sure of was my wage, but the bare minimum in Australia is $12.30 an hour, which is better than what I was making at home. SO IT'S ALL GOOD. The way I see it, even if they let me go after two weeks, that's 4 days of income.
Woot.
So, last night I went to Fuji Yama, one of those Japanese restaurants where they throw food at you and then set things on fire and cook at your table. Very fun. The best part hands down was the company. I think there were 14 of us, girls' night out, and it was so lovely. Lovely, lovely, lovely.
Hmm... that's all I have to say right now! I have been in such a fantastic mood all day (it's only 12:31, mind you!). Talked to my dad, and Megs, and Nicki, and then had breakfast with Karana and Andrew, made plans to go see Madagascar, have some great tunes in Shufflepants McGuggin, and it's sunny!
I think I should go translate some Chaucer though.... I have to remember that there's this whole SCHOOL thing to think about!
I kinda miss my dog... and the girl who took this pic.
Hunting
I spent a few hours looking for a job today. I've never done it before, so it was a new experience altogether. No one that I talked to was hiring, but a bunch of stores took my resume for their file. The record store looked like it had the most potential.
Interestingly enough, however, right before I left my room I was searching google to see if there was a Starbucks in Wollongong, and I found a site called "Wollongong Exchange" which is a general message board where you can advertise that a) you want a job or b) you want someone to fill a position. Among the typical "we need a tutor" and "earn a kabillion dollars in our telelmarketing scheme" ads was one that was just posted today. They were looking for someone to do general office work on a casual (part time basis).
I figured, meh, I'll send 'em an email, and then I took off on my hunt. I returned later to find a response from the manager asking for my resume and references. I forwarded it to him, and right before I left this evening, he had emailed me again asking if I could come in tomorrow morning for an interview. The office is about a 15 minute walk from my place. He knows the hours I'm available, knows I'm at uni, knows that I'm on a working student visa (20 hours a week max). So I'm pleasantly surprised.
The other night I went out for dessert with some girls from Lighthouse, and the girl who gave us a lift, Louise, commented that if God wants me to have a job, He'll give me a job. Not to get my hopes up, but it would be a gift if this worked out, the day after I started looking for a job.
Anyway... I should probably get ready for bed. I had an amazing evening, which I'll probably blog about tomorrow. But here's a hint!
xoxo.
A Comedy of Errors?
Today just doesn't seem to be my day! I ran outside to watch the bus driving away, meaning that I won't be going to my only Wednesday class. It's a lecture, which, oddly enough, isn't mandatory, and I DO have a friend in the class who can hook me up with notes. Still not so good.
What's next? It's turning into a comedy of errors and it's not yet noon!
Note to Self
Note to self: All doors are locked during 6:00 am fire drills. Take keys or you will be very, very annoyed.
Sydney (on the cheap!)
Warning: Long.
As previously mentioned, today was Sydney day. I had to go to DIMIA (the Department of Indigenous and Multicultural Something Something) to get a label stuck in my passport. I thought I would be all smart and prepared, so I woke up before the crack of dawn and was at the Fairy Meadow train station before 8. (Did you know that I live in the suburb of Fairy Meadow? Isn’t that cute? That is sooooo cute!) I arrived at DIMIA by 9:50, having made an excellent connection at Thirroul, and then took a number. 5 minutes later I was upstairs with another number. It was really very easy. Despite the warnings from my Canadian friend Angele, it wasn’t a 3-hour ordeal. More like 15 minutes.
I was loose on the streets of Sydney by 10:30, and I realized that it had cost me 14 million dollars to get there (read: $10.80), and why should I go back? I didn’t have class today. I had no commitments.
So I set off in search of the heart of Sydney. The things that make it tick (or go BOOM). I wanted to know what the HYPE was about.
Yeah that was lame. I just wanted to use the picture. I’m hanging my head in shame at that one, don’t you worry.
They say the best way to find your way around a city is to get lost in it.
No problem! I closed my eyes, spun around in a circle, and then started walking. No, first I opened my eyes again and THEN started walking.
There are lots of interesting and random things to see in Sydney if you just pick a street and wander down it.
(Mom, if you’re reading this, don’t worry… I had all my vitals in my front zipper pocket and a map in my backpack just in case.) In less than a block, my eyes had feasted on all sorts of random things.
Large, pointy objects that ascend into the sky…
Chalkboards with random Sara-esque ramblings. Yes, I had eggs this morning actually.
BIG BEN… wait, wrong country…
Pretty buildings…
Incredibly good-looking women in the glass…
The Pleasure Chest! Oooooh, I want to go there.
An Irish Pub…
Umm… I don’t know what this is, but we’ll call it the Crap Bag…
STARBUCKS! Eeeeeeeeeee!
Armed with a White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino Light, I took to the streets once again.
(Note: Do you have any idea how hard it is to take a picture of oneself, while standing on a busy street, in a foreign town, in a new country, drinking Starbucks, trying to look “pensive?” No, you probably don’t. Because normal people don’t DO that.)
Well, if I ever feel the need for (FAMOUS) fried chicken, salted chicken, or beef noodle soup after church, I’ll know where to go for a hookup.
What to do, what to do? I had my options.
I could join a union.
Apparently Sydney is big on unions.
Pop into the Bank of Austral…asia… pub? Wait, what?
Then I saw this sign. Did I know what the Anzac Bridge was? Nooo. But there were signs pointing in a direction that I was prepared to take.
My travels ended in disappointment, as I couldn’t access the alleged “bridge” on foot from where I was.
Off in the distance, however, I spotted this building and took off after it.
A different view of the city…
I went on Darling Walk, which is a big tourist trap that takes you through a world of bungey-trampolining and pedal boats and 600 dollar burgers and cheap t-shirts and water-taxis and a view so stimulating that it took me a few minutes to recover from all of the goings on.
I walked around the park and must interject at this point with the gleeful realization that struck me around 11 am. The best thing about going on Monday is that it’s dead and you can see whatever you want to see! The sucky thing is that other people have class and can’t come with you.
And then to the marina where all the boats stay!
When I was two-thirds to the top, I saw a sign informing me that I was climbing the stairs! Thank you SO much, city of Sydney. For a moment there, I’d been worried that I was climbing some sort of broken escalator…
Dead I tell you!
Hee-hee! Hee hee hee hee hee hee hee!!!!!
Done. Sign me up. Take me there. Now.
What is it with those Aussies and their constant quest for naval supremacy? Battleships just LYING around everywhere. Oh John Howard, you and your “axis of evil.” I don’t think you’re going to find Osama with that water-tank of yours.
Actually, what the battleship and submarine were advertising was a free (read: FREE) maritime museum. Having spent a pretty penny on the train ride, I was delighted and spent a good twenty minutes in there before I realized that I really, umm… didn’t care? Actually, there were some interesting mast-heads and stuff, but I can see why it was free. And to be fair, I did have the overwhelming urge to become a pirate after leaving. So there ya go.
If you wanted to tour the battleship and sub, you had to pay, like, money or something. So I by-passed that and returned to the Northern Territory Museum for another event that screamed FREE.
Ok, I see what the plan is. They get you in there for a free concert and then the music is soooo good that you feel like you have to make a donation to support this guy’s livelihood. Those SNEAKS. Whoa, does this guy ever play a mean didjeridoo. I was SO impressed.
And now I’m back! Yay!
Time to do some freaking homework.
FOOLS! BWAHAHAHAHA!
The Australian government has given me a work visa....
"Would you like chips with that, Guvna*? To have here or take away?"
So I'm off to Sydney again, this time to have a little sticker put on my passport. I think I might buy a ferry ticket while I'm there this time, and perhaps take a prance over the bridge. And find a Starbucks...
I've decided to start a new segment called "Aussie Lingo 101". This will include a few fun tidbits of Australian linguistics that will be beneficial if you ever travel to this fair land, or if you want to understand the crazy jibberish that I will surely insist upon using when I get home.
Aussie Lingo 101ArvoMeaning: Afternoon.
Example: "Whatcha doin' this arvo, mate?"
Fair DinkumMeaning: Real / Genuine
Example: That Jess Darby, she's fair dinkum (Jess Darby is one of my roommates. She is wonderful. And very much fair dinkum.)
Sarar'll come weech yuh.Meaning: Sara will come with you.
Example: "Sarar'll come weech yuh to the doining huwl if yew gew pound on 'er dooohr."
Note: This one is best enjoyed if spoken aloud with great enthusiasm.
Try them in a sentence today! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!
I love Australians, I really do, so please don't think I'm trying to put them down or make fun of the way they talk. I think it's delightful.
*Note: I am aware that this is British rather than Australian... that was for John.
Things of Interest (perhaps)
Hello, hello. I hope this beautiful winter's day is greeting you warmly (literally! nyuk nyuk nyuk!), and that all is well in Canada. I have a few things that may be of interest to some of you (though perhaps not):
- Thirsty Merc is a very good band, despite Sally's claims that they are also the ugliest band on the face of the planet!
- Living three minutes as opposed to eighty minutes from campus is a delight!
- I have tried countless toilets in several cities here, and have yet to come across a toilet that spins the water when it flushes. Imagine my disappointment to discover that the water just rushes forward? I suppose my Simpson's experiments will have to wait.
- The soundguy at UniBar does an excellent job. I have debated telling him this, but I'm a bit wary, because whenever I compliment a soundguy after a concert, I get the, "are you coming on to me?" look. I'm not quite sure why... it might be because I start each conversation with, "Hey baby, I like the way you turn those knobs..." (kidding)
Dum dee dah, life has become somewhat normal. Tonight I'm going to Hillsong church in Sydney with a busload of young adults from Christian Life Centre. Should be interesting, given that I don't know any of them! Whatever. When you're brave enough to move to the other side of the world all by yourself, you're brave enough to hop on a bus to Sydney... at least that's what I keep telling myself. Crazier things have happened!
Last night I went to see Thirsty Merc, and I thoroughly enjoyed them!
Classes started for me this week and they look good (though who really knows from a one hour lecture?). I'm taking
Chaucer,
Eighteenth Century Literature and Culture,
Democracy in Theory and Practice, and
North and South: Approaches to the Relationship Between Advanced Industral and Less Developed Countries.
Why am I taking these classes? Well, because there are courses at UBC with almost the exact same names, that's why! YAH FOR DIRECT TRANSFER CREDIT. Except for the last one. The last one just looked fantastic and a poli sci minor at UBC just requires a certain number of credits at the 300+ level.
Well, je pense que it's time for me to do something else for a while... and after I upload some more pics, I'll take you on a tour of my room!
How ya goin'?
Having some internet issues... and by issues I mean I just don't have it yet. I can check my free uni email account but that's about it until I sign up for a different service. I'm starting to get over my need to blog every three and a half minutes and check my email twice that often. I think it's a good thing.
Looking forward to school starting on Tuesday. I have a pretty good schedule, with class three days a week. Leaves lots of beach time!
I just came from a lovely if not slightly unfamiliar church service at
Lighthouse Christian Centre. It's a good place, I'll definitely check it out again. I've been to Fairy Meadow Anglican twice now also, and they're lovely as well. Definitely different, and running at the same time, so I suppose I'll have to commit to one.
I was struck by the universality (is that a word?) of Christian friendliness this morning. I'm here on the other side of the world and yet when I introduced myself to a lady today, she said, "welcome home", referring to church. It's so true. I think that's why I've felt a little bit lost mid-week. I crave Christian contact and fellowship and teaching. I gotta say though, it's pretty fantastic to worship God for His creation when you're sitting on a white sandy beach.
Ah well. All in time. On that note (white sandy beaches), here are a few pictures that I managed to upload (I'm at the net cafe).
My favorite poem is that one called Footprints. The sand is so beautiful, and you just sink right into it. Did I mention that I'm 5 minutes from this? Well, I'm 5 minutes from this, and those are my (giant) footprints in the sand.
Speaking of footprints, here's a funny story: I was visiting some friends in a different building a few weeks ago (can you believe I've been here for over two weeks now?), and I was running back to my room in the pouring rain and got caught in some mud. My flip flops came off, and I thought, well I shouldn't be wearing these anyway because they're terrible and my podiatrist would yell at me anyway, so I'll just leave them in the mud and get them in the morning. Totally forgot about them, of course. A few days later I was watching a movie with some people and one of the guys was like, "HEY! LOOK AT THESE FLIP FLOPS I FOUND IN THE MUD!" And sure enough, he was wearing my shoes. I told him the next time I saw him and we had a good laugh. I told him that they were worn and he shouldn't be wearing them and he said, "I notice that every time I wear them I get a bit knock-kneed!" And a few days ago, he came up to me and he was like, "Sara!! Someone stole our shoes!" So by the time I leave, I expect to find them again. I just think it's silly that someone would pick some shoes out of the mud and make them their own.
There is something different about seeing it with your own two eyes. I went to Sydney and did the typical touristy things, and it was definitely as pretty a picture as you might expect. Only it's not a picture. When you're there. And I was. Thank you, Captain Obvious! The train took about 2 hours, and it was an interesting journey. One minute you're staring at beautiful water and forest, and then all of a sudden the whole train car stinks and you're zipping past a cement plant or garbage dump. Very odd indeed.
Campus is beautiful. It's very well-maintained and there are duck ponds and lots of green space for studying out in the beautiful sun. Don't be fooled, though. Mad props to Rose, who advised packing my warmest pajamas. They have come in VERY handy, Rose! It's clear and COLD, especially at night. I can't wait for the weather to turn warmer, but in the meantime, this is about as cold as it gets (which isn't so bad if you consider freezing rain in Vancouver up until late spring!).
Another shot of campus. It's very lush as you can see. The campus is smaller than UBC by more than half, so it's not so easy to get lost. I still manage to of course, but they have directories all over, thank goodness. There are all sorts of interesting birds... instead of crows they have these black and white and red birds that are just about as annoying but much prettier. I've also seen a few wild budgies, which is bizarre. They don't look like my budgie, Jasmine, but bigger and a bit less colourful. Still cool!
I love the beach. Just so you know. Every time I go there, it's different, and stunning and wonderful and captivating. I feel like even the clouds hang differently over here. Hmmm!
I've been doing well over here. I've been to a few parties, a few pubs, a few churches, and I've had time to explore Wollongong a bit. The place is PACKED now and I've had the pleasure of meeting some pretty cool people so far. I look forward to the start of the session too, because I've got some good classes lined up (read: NERD ALERT hehehe!).
I was invited to dinner at the house of a couple that I met at church, so I went for seafood yesterday evening. I had baby octopus!!!!!!! Can't say I liked it very much, but it was a lovely evening. I thoroughly enjoyed fixing and sharing dinner, then watching a movie (About a Boy = EXCELLENT soundtrack!!!).
I've got a busy week ahead I think, and I'm looking forward to it! I hope everyone at home is doing well.
Alright, time to shut up for a while.
Still Alive, Still Alive
It's not actually 8:34 on Friday night, but that DOES explain why no one is on MSN back home. It's 1:35 on a sunny Saturday afternoon and I'm just finishing up some shopping with a group of American girls who've recently arrived.
The beach is unbelievably beautiful, and the Aussies continue to impress me with their friendliness. Now that there are actually PEOPLE in residence, things are looking good. I think my mom, in her wisdom, will be proven correct when she predicted that the quiet I enjoyed this week will be something I will be craving for the rest of the term.
Still no internet hookup, probably a good thing for a little while, though I'll be happy when I can actually post some pictures and talk to people for more than a moment at a time.
So far there are only two canadians in the hall (of 500). Ryan's from Nova Scotia and did his undergrad at Dalhousie. Soooo pretty much the opposite side of Canada, but we've shared comraderie nonetheless.
Missing home, but not really homesick, which is rad.
And She's Arrived
Hello from Wollongong. I'm sitting in an internet cafe at the moment because I haven't been registered for my classes yet and therefore don't have an internet username or password for the residence.
The flight was decent; I sat beside a nice Christian guy who was going to visit his daughter in Sydney. I managed to sleep for most of the flight, so that was a real gift.
When I arrived at Campus East, the RA eagerly loaded me up with information and took me to my room. I think it was then that it hit me that I am alone in a foreign land. She asked if I had any questions. "Yeah, can I go home?" Kidding... I went through the whole "what have I done?" thing for about 20 minutes and then felt a lot better. Called my parents, called Brea to wish her a Happy Birthday, and then slept for most of the rest of the day, despite my best efforts to stay awake.
Yesterday (Sunday), I woke up at 6 and made myself stay in bed until 7 then proceeded to shower and wander over to the office to get a map. It was then that I took my first adventure by myself, up and down a few roads to Fairy Meadow Anglican Church. It was a bit dry, but the pastor immediately spotted me and advised me that I would probably prefer the 7 pm service. I stopped at the store to get things like shampoo and a laundry basket and then hung around my room for a while before grabbing dinner and heading back to the church. I did like the 7 pm service better, but I'm not sure if I'll commit to that either.
I was just craving human contact. Everyone is still on their session break and won't be back for a week. I'm lonely. Not sad, just lonely. I went on my first train ride today (sorry Mom, it's kind of necessary to ride the train if you want to get anywhere remotely far away), and set up a bank account.
The plan now is to find a travel agency and see if I can take off for a few days. Because I don't think I can handle being here alone for another week.
So that's that. People here are friendly, but no one is in residence. I haven't been to the uni yet, the weather is beautiful in the day and cold at night. I'll post a proof-of-life photo when I have internet access in res. In the meantime just trust that I'm doing ok, and that you'll here from me soon.
Men Without Hats!
See Ya Down Undah (Govnah!)
Not looking forward to the 18 plus hours of plane time, but looking forward to the three trashy magazines I bought. Mwuahahaha!
