Busily Skating Past!

Hi!

Well. Yet another busy week skates by. But good busy. I like good busy. And the weekend, my god it went just as fast, if not faster. That's kinda bad. But hey, another one is scheduled for 5 days from now and if the weeks keep shooting past like they have been, well, that weekend, it'll come in the blink of an eye!

So work. Yep. Is good. Busy. Made even busier as they discover more for me to do. I even had the fleeting thought today of: "Gosh it'd be nice of there were two of me to do this job." But if I think about it, I can do it all. No problem. I like having lots of stuff to do. You remember how bored I was with nothing to do? Yeah. Tho I hope no one cottons on to the fact that half the time I feel like I'm stumbling around in a pitch black room with all the lights off trying to find the light switch! And man, sometimes it feels like it's a big room!

But the week was good too in that Lauren (gal I work with) and I did a banzai Ikea run on Thursday after work (Thurs & Fri are "late night shopping" - when stores alllll over town are open until 9pm - oooooooh). I now have lamps! I can see in every room! And got a little stool (am short after all, and it's a tall world) and a couple little rugs for when those toes hit the floor in the mornings. I know what you're thinking, that I should better save my money for Adventures. And you're right. But lamps are needed to better see these Adventure books by! But really, what can I say - I came here with nothing more than a suitcase fulla clothes, not lamps and rugs! Don't worry, the Adventures are never ever far from my mind......

And then the weekend. Saturday was errands. Picked up my newly-framed Art! Wow! It's sooooo cool! Ok, so I know I didn't need art, let alone art in a frame, but you know what? I'm kind of kicking myself for that thinking; thinking that if I ever bought any kind of art, that because am not "settled" in one particular place, it's a waste of time and money, not to mention the hassle of packing, shipping, insuring and worrying about said art to follow me around the world. But I wish all this time I had bought art. So no better time than the present!

And today was more errands, and a bit of work too. Sad, but it had to be done. I have a meeting tomorrow with My Boss and I want to dazzle him with facts and lists and Stuff that I'm working on, so I enlisted the help of Bruce, a guy I work with/for to give me some hints and tips while he was doing a shift in the fire station down the road. Got some good ideas and that's what it was all about. See, he knows stuff I can be working on, I don't. So I had to write it all down cos there's lots. Won't my Boss be impressed! I know I am!

Otherwise, things are fine. That didn't take long after vacation to settle back into the routine. But that's ok - always happy to have a nice happy job routine in the first place!

So that's about that. The weather is lovely and cool. In a few days the days will start getting longer as we hit the "solstice"! More sun - hooray! Don't get me wrong, it's nothing like winters in NYC, but I know I move a lot faster in the mornings with some sunshine! So come on down - there's another 6 more months of fantastic weather!

BYE! J!

Busy Relaxing....!

Hi!

Well. First off, apologies for the late check-in. 1)I kind of lost track of time, 2)I went to a BBQ with Natasha to her friend Veronica's house around 2.30pm yesterday and, well, yeah, it turned into a very late night. Thankfully it's a holiday today (hooray for The Queen having her birthday honored today!) Otherwise, it was a very short, busy and very speedy week. Yeaaaa for 3 day weekends!

So yeah. Work. Is good. Didn't go back to work until Thursday, that's when Mommy flew home, or was meant to until the Qantas engineers decided to have a hissy fit and strike. So her flight was delayed for 15 or so hours. But I had to get back to work and Mommy just read, napped and sat around the little apartment entertaining the cat. And then next thing I know she was in a cab speeding away to the airport! It was a fantastic visit. Busy. But when you only have like a week & 1/2, it's not much time to cover as much as you can. Oh well, on another visit! But otherwise, work is fine. Was only there for 2 days. But busy because I was away. I don't mind busy. Makes the time shoot by! So yeah. The week/visit was really very good.

Mon, Tues & Wed we hung around Brissy. Went to see the new Raiders of the Lost Ark movie on Mon., it was gooooood! Kinda cheesy in some parts but then they all were. Ahhh, I really liked it! Then Tues I had planned to surprise Mommy with a hot air balloon ride, but the weather got disgustingly fogged out so it was called off (at 4am...). Shame. Next to Sydney, that was one of the things I was looking forward to most. But, you can't do anything about fog! Ahhhh well, another time! And we really just sat around, ran errands, napped, read. The previous week was pretty gogogogo, so it was really nice to have time to just sit.

And then it was back to work for two days, and then it was suddenly the 3 day weekend! Friday went out to after work drinks with a couple folks from work. That was nice. Always nice, especially when the pub is a two second walk from work and the couple of work folks are way cool! And Saturday was chore day. Big time. But got it all done (hooray for teeny apartment!). Sunday was Veronica's BBQ, and today is chill-out day (it's rainy and a bit chilly). Might fire up the DVD player and watch movies......

So there it is! A fantastic end to a most excellent visit with Mommy, and a good break away from work! I'd have to say the trip was a success, so c'mon down!!!!!

BYE!
J!

Hooray for Adventures! (At Last!)

Hi!

Well. That’s been an exciting, fun and bloody busy week! Sorry for not checking in last night. Was beat after Sydney. It has been all go since Mom arrived last Sunday. Hooray for visiting Mom’s! Hooray for vacation time!

So yeah. Monday we just wandered some more around the city. Looked at stuff, ate some lunch until Mom pooped out. Good ol’ jetlag. We rested a bit, then headed with Cindy over to Janette’s for a “typical Aussie bbq”. It was really nice. So I borrowed Janette’s car, and Tuesday Mom and I headed up to Australia Zoo. Since I was there last with Sheldon and Scarlett, well over a year ago, not a couple months after Steve checked out, the “Crocodile + Show” has gotten so absolutely cheeseball, we decided it was really for kids. Gotta say, I don’t think Steve would be too pleased. It was a really lame way to spend an hour (tho man it felt like a heck longer). I can’t say more than that really. It was lame. But ahhhhhhhh, the weather was absolutely perfect, there were no crowds to speak of, it was a most excellent day. Such a nice spot he’s set up there. Aussies should be proud.

And Wednesday….. hang on, let me think back…….. Ah! Wednesday, after staying the night in a really cool, really empty hotel right in the Glasshouse Mountains with views to die for, we headed through Maleny and up to the Eumundi Markets, apparently one of the most famous markets in Australia. Man, it was huuuuuge! Sooooo many stalls! There was no way to see it all in one go. Plus, it’s only open until 1.30pm on Wednesdays. But, it was really good and interesting and I bought my first art. A painting by a local guy of eucalyptus trees. Hmmm. I’ll have to take a good picture of it, hard to explain….. Then we continued on over to Noosa for a bit of lunch and a wander. Then it was on home down the Coast Highway…. I have to say, it’s nothing like 101 in California but nicer than the main, busy highway.

Thursday….? Thurs. Jan took us over on the car ferry to Stradbroke Island. It’s beautiful over there. Absolutely stunning. Even in the torrential rain, which it did pretty much all day. Didn’t matter tho, we had a great time. Had a picnic that Jan had prepared, complete with champagne. It was excellent. Even saw a (soaking wet) wild kangaroo running across someone's front lawn!

And Friday, Saturday and Sunday we went to Sydney! How coooool! I’ve never been (well, Mom neither). I liked it. It reminded me of a funny blend of San Francisco, San Diego and in some parts, of Lower Manhattan (The Village). It’s a nice city. Big, sprawling, but not too busy or intimidating or crazy. And then there’s the Harbour. Wow. They have a million and one things jammed into that Harbour, not to mention the Opera House and bridge. And it’s full of lovely little coves all tucked away and around cliffs. It was really nice. The beach suburbs are amazing. Nothing but old money and big mansions and BMW’s and Mercedes’ parked on the sides of the roads. To look at Sydney and gauge the country just on the city, Australia is a pretty prosperous country. They’re all happy, healthy and lively and get to live in a clean, lovely and sparkly city. But I wouldn’t want to live there. I’m done with big cities. But can’t wait to go back and visit time and time again!

Saturday we toured the Blue Mountains. What can I say – it was beautiful and not at all touristy (until we got to the main launching point for the easy walks and tram-ride and gift shop). But there are walking trails all over the place, unspoiled views and dirt roads. It was excellent, but far too much to take in in one day. That’s the kind of place that needs years to explore. And the weather was with us the whole trip. Bright blue skies, not too cool and certainly not too hot, nice breezes…… couldn’t have asked for better!

And so here we are at Monday. It’s been raining all day so we’ve decided to stay put, recharge the batteries, get some laundry done and just basically chill out. Ahhhhhh. So nice not to be at work! Not sure what we’ll do the rest of the week……. Mom leaves on Thursday morning….. so that leaves us Tues and Wed…… Well, this rain is supposed to go out to sea (to New Zealand probably!) and leave us with decent weather, so tomorrow and Wed should be good to get out and run last minute errands and souvenir hunting! And then it’s back to it Thursday……!

So there it is. See? Adventures can be had after all! C’mon down! I have maps of Sydney!

BYE!
J!

All Hail Vacation!

Hi!

Well. What a week. Busy. Getting everything ready for Mom’s visit. Bansai trips to Ikea. Multiple trips to the grocery store. It’s been all go!

So work. Yep. Is good. Busy though, which is really good. To the point where I’m actually having to write stuff down because I can’t keep track of it in my head like I usually do. Man I do a lot of stuff for seeming like I don’t do much at all! And can you believe it – I actually gave my boss my cell phone number “just in case” while I’m away on vacation! Ha! Like I have that kinda stuff to do that’s soooo important they have to call me on vacation. But, am only new and trying to keep everyone happy. I don’t mind. It’s not like I’m going to be sunning myself on a beach in Fiji or climbing Everest.

And the rest of the week was running around, errands and chores. Thursday after work Alan, Christine and I made a quick run to Ikea where I picked up a couple of cool rugs, new kitchen towels, biiiiiig wine glasses, etc. Afterwards we went to Pizza Hut and discovered that they didn’t actually have any dining room, so we took the pizzas and had an in-car picnic in the underground parking lot at Ikea! It was excellent! Sooooo good! And Friday we (my new work-mates) went to the pub for lunch and then again after work, and then it was off to Cindy’s for more wine! Poor liver! But have never had a pub lunch with this new work crowd, or after-work pub drinks, so it was really good to bond. Has to be done when you’re a newbie. And I haven’t seen Cindy in a while, and that’s always a good time when we catch up. And then Saturday was haircut, errands and cleaning. Whew.

And today, Sunday – Mommy’s here! She arrived tired but fine first thing this morning. Jan took me to the airport to pick her up (that was nice, apparently the price of a cab ride has gone up $20 bucks, up to $50 now, since I’ve been here. Waaaaah, the rising cost of gas or some babble. Humph.). So far we’ve had an excellent and filling breakfast at a lovely café down the road from me, then we walked over the bridge to the Cultural Centre, then over another bridge to the Queen Street Mall, then over to the Riverside markets and then to the bus home. She’s done well. Had a short nap and seems to be surviving the first day of jet lag pretty well. It usually takes a few days, but thankfully the weather is bright and sunny, which makes it a whole lot easier. I think it’s easier to come here than it is to go back. Not sure why or if it’s true. Perhaps you get over it quicker because it’s a new and exciting place, whereas on your way back, ehh, you’re home again and pooped from so much international excitement. Dunno. I went to Film School.

So that’s about that! Oh boy! A week and a half off work! We get to go to Sydney! Never been there. Hmmm. Well, we have lots planned. Busybusybusy. Hooray! So yeah, now that I think about it, next week the little blog might be a day late as we don’t get back from Sydney until late Sunday night. But Monday and Tuesday will be chill-out days, so Monday night I should be able to check in. Either way – hooray! Adventures! You should come too!

BYE!
J!

Krispy Cells of Franchises

Hi!

Well. That week went pretty quick for being a semi-full week (I had to take a day off due to, uh, fatigue, yeah......). But regardless of the quantity of days, it was a speedy week. And it seemed to be one of those weeks where I didn't really sit still, was busybusybusy, yet didn't get much accomplished. Hmmm. But first, I have to warn you, am a bit distracted - I just bought a brand-spankin' new cell phone and I can not wait to fire it up and see what it does! This is a rare occasion as I only buy a new cell phone once every 3-4 years or so. Never a purchase taken lightly. So there! New toy!

So work. Yep. Is good. Do you know (probably not unless you're keeping score at home), that I've been at my job (sorta) for just over a year now? Cool huh? Time flies when you dig your gig! And this current incarnation of my gig is going really well. Slowly but surely we're all figuring out why I'm there and what I should/could be doing. It's good. Friday we had after-work drinks and nibbles (at work/in the office). Man, it was fantastic! We had wines and cheeses and pate and feta-stuffed olives, and stuff, and lots of people came and had a chat - it was a success! I'm not sure who's idea it was (I kinda think it was mine, but shucks, never mind), but it was fun and nice to talk to people like normal people instead of only when you need something workish. It was great. Did I think to bring my camera? Nah. Of course not! But, another one is being planned for next month perhaps.........! But otherwise, work is good. I like it.

And the weekend. Well. Let's just say 'let the chores begin'! Mommy is due this coming Sunday, so I have to do the best I can with what I got. I also shanghaied some moving boxes from work (must figure out how to get them home by neither scooter nor bus........), would love to pre-pack some of this clutter, in preparation for The Move in August..... So yeah. Anyways, looking forward to seeing Mommy and going on little adventures, and being paid to be away from work! So Saturday was cleaning. And today, Sunday, was errand day. Actually it was running around looking for stupid stuff like bedside lamps (still need a couple) and rugs and a little silicon thing that you use to take trays out of ovens instead of old-fashioned oven mitts or a towel that could catch fire and burn the whole place down......... Yeah. Man, I covered lots of ground but didn't actually find what I was looking for, except a new phone..... But you'll never guess what I discovered in my travels - a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop has sprung up down here, in the middle of town. And my god you should have seen the absolute liiiine to get in! Suckers! Well, you can, I took pictures I was so amazed. What is the world coming to. No wonder everyone hates American franchises. Yet, they line up to buy the stuff..... Hmmm.

So there it is. Gosh, if you do come down, we'll have to get right out of town so you don't think you flew in one big circle and landed in L.A.! But fear not, am working on the sight-seeing tour! At least I'm learning the stuff to avoid! Well, unless you flew all this way to buy yourself some Burger King (Hungry Jack's) and Krispy Kremes.........! Then a tour of American franchises it will be! Just get down here!

BYE!
J!

Days of Wine & Yawns

Hi!

Well. That was a nice week. Short, because of Labor Day. Tomorrow it’ll be back to 5 days of it. Hmmm. I have to say last week was tough to get through for some reason, a couple of the days just draaaagged. Maybe it was because the boss wasn’t there all week. Dunno. Probably was the short week thing. Maybe I just need a real vacation!

So work. Yep. Is good. Still don’t have a whole heck of a lot to be doing, but I still reallyreally like it. Just you try to take my little job away from me! I think as I learn more about who does what, what can be done, what can’t be done, then I’ll come up with ideas and stuff and be busy. Still learning I guess. But I must say, no matter how much I dig this gig, I can’t wait to have 8 days off when Mommy comes for her visit! Hooray for a break and sightseeing! And the best part is – it’ll be $ paid $ time off! Every single day of it! Yiiippiiieeeee!!!! Hooray for work!

And then the weekend. Oh my god, will you be disappointed or what. I’ve done nothing. Nothing. I read my James Bond book “From Russia with Love”, surfed the ‘net, watched a little bit of tv but fell asleep. And today, pretty much the same. I’ve not been as tired as I have been the last few weeks, but maybe I’ve been fighting off something. 2 people in the office have been sick, like take 3 days off kinda sick, and one guy even had to go to the doctor for it. Eeessshhh. After the last time I got sick? Hell no I don’t want that ever again! So that could be why I’ve kept low this weekend. Another reason could be that my partner in errand-running, Natasha, is in NZ with her family and really sick Dad. Hmmm. But otherwise, the weekend has been nice. The weather is almost summer-like, which makes lounging on my couch reading (the novelty of having real furniture just never gets old) that much nicer. Yeah. A bit dull, certainly, but nice. After last week and the week before of day after day after day after evening of running around and spending money I shouldn’t, having a week and weekend in, man, it’s nice. And the bank is happier too. I have to save because The Ghan (train ride north to south, or vice versa) has introduced a new level of service/class – Platinum, and that’s a cool $3,000. So before I was sort of but not really saving for the Gold class (that was only $2,000!), and now they do this to me. And the first trip is in September. I would love to be on it. So must save. ‘Course, I have moving to save for, and that’s more important at this point. Ahhhh yes, reason #2 to not live below anyone – my ceiling has sprung an annoying little leak right smack in the middle of the living room, which is directly underneath Monster Boy’s bathroom. Yeah. I really hate living underneath people. So yes, moving is a priority over Platinum service on The Ghan at this moment. Sad.

And that’s really about it! Hope you’re all well up there and are planning your visit down here! C’mon down, the weather’s fine!

BYE!
J!

Labour 0 vs. Rest 1!

Hi!

Well. Yet another week speeds by. But hooray! Another three-day weekend! This one is to contemplate our labor. Never could figure out why it's called Labor Day when you're not actually doing any labor. Hmm. Not gonna argue about a day off!

So work. Yep. Starting to pick up slowly but surely. Wish I had more to do, but am happy things are starting to drift my way. Still sort of helping out my old department, but that's just really finishing up a project. Nearly finished. And it's most excellent that my new boss is happy to let me help finish off old projects for them. Cool. I'm so nice. Could have left it all up to the new gal, but I'm nice. Sigh. I wish I could charge extra for being nice.

And the weekend. Well, I have to say it was a pretty buzzy week before the weekend even came! Monday night I met up with Roger (& his parents visiting from England) and Mav and Malcolm, their friend from Sydney. We had a lovely but short catch up and an extremely below-average dinner, after which we decided to meet again the next night at the Paddo. So Tuesday we met at the pub, and that was most excellent! Such good food. And we caught up on all the little bits of gossip (not much really). Nice to meet up with them after so long. They're usually pretty busy so their schedule has to be booked way in advance. Ahhhhh, married people! Wednesday was groceries, Thursday was errands with Alan (sounds like a sitcom..... hmmm), Friday was, get this - a rugby game in a corporate box! Waaaahhoooo! And, get this, it was Brisbane vs. Auckland! Hahahahaha! And guess who won - Auckland! I had to laugh. Man it was funny and quite a good night! Turns out the owner of the printing company had a spare few tickets so he invited me, my boss and his wife! What a good night! And after the game me, my boss and his wife wandered up to the pub and had a couple glasses of wine before calling it a night. Man. It was fun! Always neat to spend time with work folks outside of work. And then Saturday was errands with Natasha and today was, whew, chores and resting! Such a little social butterfly this week! And here's me supposed to be saving money. But man, it's been a good week. Now am broke. But ahhh, at least the little apt is clean! We had a couple days of dust storms, so it needed it. Am starting to get kind of excited - I have approximately 2+ months left to go in this little place. Am kind of dreading the looking part because once I put in my notice that I'm leaving this fine palace, I have to find something in about two weeks. And you know how it is - every time you're not looking there's something good to be had; when you are looking there's nothing. So come moving time - here's hoping!

And that's about that! Oh, how cool is this - earlier this week my cousin and his family (and my aunt & uncle) met Hillary Clinton while she was campaigning in South Bend, Indiana! And this past Saturday they met Bill Clinton, as VIP's for one of his speaking engagements! How exciting for them! Neat! Now hope they get out there and vote come crunch time!?

So there you are. Things here are fine, the weather has settled into beautiful, cool, bright sunny days, life is good. So c'mon down! Oh, and I stand ever so embarrassingly corrected - if you come down here, you unfortunately won't be the first, or even the second tour I'll have conducted of this fine little city; Sheldon and Scarlett were the first out of the gate, soon to be followed by my Mommy at the end of this month. So there you go, I've had a bit of tour guiding experience now! It's Hotel de Genevieve with the lights left on for ya. C'mon down, the weather's fine!

BYE!
J!

3 Days for Veterans, Hair and Fashion

Hi!

Well. Pretty speedy week. Course, it helped to have Friday off for Anzac Day (like Veteran's Day). It's kind of neat to have a holiday on a Friday. And apparently, we get this coming Monday off for Labor Day! Hooray! Tho I have to say, they sure bundle up their holidays. I think we went like 3 months maybe between holidays? Hmmm. Really, if those Romans were thinking, instead of drinking wine and eating grapes in the bathtub, they'd have come up with more holidays. At least one a month.

So work. Yeah. It's good. Wishing for more stuff to do, but am not complaining. I have a feeling a gig like this takes time to grow. It's going really well tho. It has much potential! Just wish that potential would hustle!

And yeah, the 3 day weekend! Did the chores on Friday. Maaaaan, the weather has broken and has finally turned to good, warm, breezy, bright and sunny days, with lovely cool nights. No more rain and overcast! Ahhhh bliss! Hooray for the little scooter! I can actually start racking up the kilometers/miles! So yeah, chores were pretty easy with the weather co-operating. Saturday, went with Natasha for a haircut. Man, having short hair now means having to visit the hair shop more often. That's ok tho. It keeps it different. And man she's cheap! She's quite a hike, at least a half-hour bus ride to Springwood, but for $30 bucks versus $85 here in town? I'll take the bus for 4 hours if I have to! And she does a fantastic job too. Bonus!

And today, I must confess, I shopped for clothes. I never shop. But I did today like I'd won the lottery. Honestly, you shoulda seen the state of my closet. A gal can only get so many miles out of one suitcase full of clothes over two + years. Plus, I have no "winter" clothes. Tee hee. Winter here means it gets down to 50 at night. Ooooh. Burrrrr. And they're so funny, they sell hats and scarves and gloves almost like they're expecting polar bears to rock across their front lawns. Ahhhhh, nothing will ever be cold after living in NYC! Nothing! So yes, I now have new clothes. It's nice. And some shoes. Hooray! Won't have to do that again for a while now!

And that's it. Slightly dull, but I have new clothes, so I don't care how dull you think things are down here! Nothing's dull when you have a closet full of new clothes and a coupla pairs of squeaky new shoes! And if you're that bothered by the constant and utter dullness, get your butt down here and let's go on some adventures! Heck, my Mommy is the first one out of the gate! So, c'mon down! I'll keep the light on for ya!

BYE!
J!