Let Real Life Begin!... anytime now..

I tried to include pictures in this post, but the Blogger app I downloaded for 7.99 is letting me. Expect customer service to get an earful!

I've now spent just over three weeks in Melbourne. It's starting to feel more like home. 

I'm familiar with the area that I live in and a few others. I now look the right way before crossing the road. It's actually harder than it seems. We are so accustomed to traffic coming from a particular direction that my first few weeks here, my crossing the road happened only after my head had swiveled back and forth a minimum of 5 times. 

I blend in much better here than in Mexico... I've been asked no less than 8 times for directions. Three of those times I actually game good directions.

Work has been a little sparse to start. Waking up at 6 am for no reason really sucks. Being the semi-motivators individual that I am, I have a few other leads on the go. One of which is working at a cafe near a beautiful beach in the Sandringham suburb. Most hilarious interview ever. The owner did not ask me any questions. 

 

Sandringham Beach

Actually, that's a lie. I asked him if he had any questions for me, to which he responded, "Do you have any questions?" Either way, work is work. I'm hoping next week will be busier for subbing. I make about 2/3 more here as sub. I've only worked 2/5 possible days, but ive been requested back to a school that was an hour and a half  away by public transport. School was really good though! Kids are the same as here except they wear cute little uniforms. Always some bad boys in the bunch. Almost ALWAYS boys. Haha.. this school was worth the commute. So far the schools are very open air with lots of light. 

 

I've found a gym to continue crossfitting. It's more money than home, so I wasn't going to continue. I tried an anytime fitness- which was fine, but I missed the group dynamic. I tried a few Crossfit gyms and have been REALLY impressed with 

Schwartz Crossfit Melbourne. The owner, Ben Schwartz was generous enough to give me a full week trial period. The level of coaching is phenomenal! There have been multiple coaches working with the group each night. I got no repped and corrected so many times. Felt like I took a few steps back, but I think that their strict approach to technique will help me with some movements that I've become stagnated with. (Is that the proper use of stagnated?) The gym has a reputation for sending many competitors to regionals. Wry excited to continue my Crossfit journey! 

After sleeping on a mattress on the floor for two weeks, I've been so excited about my bed frame being delivered! So, it get here last night and I assemble the hell out of it by myself, using only an Allen key (which was provided...).  Hour and half later, feeling quite proud of myself, I throw my mattress on top. And..

It. Doesn't. Fit.

I check my bills. Both the frame and the mattress are doubles. I clearly was given the wrong size of one of them- I think the mattress, as I had trouble with getting the sheets on as well. Needless to say, I slept on it anyways. The head end was inclined like a hospital bed, which was really helpful when you're eating Pizza Hut pizza in bed. Bed food is my favorite. I'll keep you posted on how Super Amart chooses to compensate me.

 

 

FUN FACT: There is no Walmart here! They do have Kmart and target. Apparently something to do with not paying workers well enough...

FUN FACT #2: Now, when the Burger King franchise came to Australia, they were not allowed to have a reference to royalty in their business name. Therefore, Burger King is known as Hungry Jacks here. So someone told me.

  

Today, I'm going to see an AFL game, which my roommate attempted to explain to me. After a couple YouTube videos, I think I get what he was saying. I don't understand what he says a lot of the time. For example, I thought he was a "Buddha," for a full day, before I realized he said "builder." Did I tell that story last post? I don't care, I think it's super funny. Anyways the game is rough, no padding, hard hits. And of course, athletic dudes in short shorts. Don't mind if I do. 

Miss you dear sweet friends! My life will become more thrilling once the cash starts flowing! 

Melbourne is a beautiful place to live :)

 

   

A Journey to Thirty

Just like that, my twenties have disappeared. I feel as though I've squandered too many days. In saying my goodbyes, I've come to realize how fortunate I am to have so many wonderful people in my life.
I get caught up in isolation and monotony; I miss too many moments. It has been in these goodbyes that I feel regretful of the moments that I missed with these people. Not to say that I haven't had great times, because I certainly have! Just not enough. I'm sad to leave my wonderful friends, but this journey to Australia has made me painfully aware of how much I love them.

I began writing my first blog just before I left for Australia 🇦🇺. With the big 3-0 on the horizon and living my life in solitary splendor, my appreciation for what I have has become so prevalent my clear. I am lucky for everything in my life.

My wonderful friends and family from home: I MISS YOU!!

To reflect on my first weeks here in Australia, here is a quick overview of what I have learned so far:

1. Always get an aisle seat. Unless you enjoy being smashed into a wall without the ability to touch your toes for 14 hours straight. Not to mention only being able to use the washroom when the lovely couple next to you decides to or having to wake them up because you waited too long.
2. In Australia, they say bathroom or toilet. It's endearing to them when we say washroom. I'm going to keep saying it in an effort to demonstrate my Northern exoticism.
3. Two cats are better than one. My roommate has two cats of her own which has helped to fill the hole in my heart left by my little fur balls. Honestly, the greatest cause of any twinges of being homesick has come from thinking about them. I can talk with my human friends. To them, I'm just gone.
4. Canadian camaraderie is real. I've met a few down here and the instant connection and willingness to help out is unparalleled. From the girl I was randomly paired up with at the gym to my teaching collleagues, to the servers and bartenders I've met along the way, the fellowship has been undeniable. I feel like we could make a Molson Canadian commercial out of my experiences.
5. Being a small town girl living in a massive metropolis means you're going to get lost. More than once. Live and learn, right? One of my public transit mishaps led to me exploring a beautiful beach while I waited for the next bus.
6. Sometimes you have to make do with a floor bed and the lesser than fine things in life.
7. You're never too old to try new things and put yourself out there. I've just been thinking about how being in this situation is forcing me to learn and helping maintain the malleability of my mind. Monotony and routine lead to mental decline and rigidity. This was certainly happening to me back home. I was getting caught up in my ways. Trying to navigate has made me use my brain in ways that I haven't had to in years. So far, I've had the pleasure of learning how to paddleboard, enjoys tapas in the park (with a little wine) with a diverse group of expats, playing volleyball with another diverse  group of expats followed by a shared Pakistani dinner, and using Uber the first time when I missed my train stop for some reason that did not involve alcohol. Breaking out of the mold is important for me. I thrive under pressure and I need experiences like this in order to not grow stagnant. 

I've had some headaches when dealing with paperwork- mostly because I hate it so much, not because it's been difficult- but everything is nearly in order. I begin work tomorrow! I'm very excited to see how things compare in the Australian classroom! Ms Deremiens Down Under!!

Please hold me accountable for writing this blog!! Im notorious for starting things like this and leaving them unfinished. I'd like an account of my adventures here!