"This is the story of eight strangers...living in a house...when people stop being polite, and start getting real..."
I ♥ my roomies!! I was really nervous about meeting everyone, but it went exceedingly well. The only thing is that they are all really young... (19/20) and it makes me feel horribly old. Whatever. Here's a rundown of the roomies (in the order I met them):
1: Phillip from Louisiana. He helped me with my bags, so he automatically gets a star in my book. He went to LSU so there's a little in-house rivalry. He seems really cool, and we've already had a few laughs. I think we'll end up being good friends.
2. James from the UK. I mean, he's British. Enough said. But seriously, he has the scenester look going on with his little skinny jeans and converses. Super cute. He's actually really funny... without trying to be.
3&4: Two girls from Florida. They were a bit cold at first in typical girl fashion, but I think they are warming up a little. Some of James's friends came over to the house last night and everyone kicked back and had a good time. They're only here for two months. They're spending the summer (well, American summer) in Australia and then going back to FL for school. I haven't really made my mind up about them. I think they'll be fine as roommates, but not life long friends or anything.
5: Luke from Ohio. One word: adorable. He has gorgeous eyes and the sweetest smile. Did I mention he's 18? Or maybe 19. Either way, he's a child. He seems very genuine though and easy going. Makes me wish I was in high school again.
6&7: Two French girls. One of them is actually Chinese, but she's fluent in French. I'm not sure if she was born and raised in France as well or what... both of them are kind of hard to understand. Their English is so/so and their accents are pretty heavy. They're really quiet, but sweet. I think they understand most of what you are saying. Kind of like me with Bulgarian. You understand a lot more than you can speak!
That's the rundown of who's in the house. It's extremely reminiscent of the MTV show "The Real World." I told Phillip this and he said he was thinking the same thing. We were joking about making a confession booth somewhere in the house! haha. Anyway, I think I'm really going to enjoy my time here. As far as jobs go, I'm going to start door-knocking on Monday, resume in tow. I'll probably just get a hospitality type job. I really didn't want to do that, but I have come to realize that with the restrictions I have on my visa, any serious kind of work is not really an option. I'm totally fine with that though. I just want to make as much money as possible and spend it on more travelling and other extracurriculars.. like dance classes, surf classes, etc. Plus a restaurant job is really flexible, and it will be an easy way to meet people.
I think that's about all for now... plus, I'm tired of writing. I will make sure to keep updating regularly and hopefully catch ya'll on Skype from time to time!
xx
Friday, May 29, 2009
Part I: the nitty gritty
Ok! So now that I have a semi-permanent residence and free internet, I feel like I can finally write a proper blog! Where to start?! I suppose the trip to LA first and foremost.. the beginning of my journey.
So, I spent two days in LA before I went to Sydney. My friend Jennie, a friend from work/college, was nice enough to let me crash with her (since I purchased my ticket from LA to Sydney and bought my own connecting flight from Atlanta). I loved LA!!! Ironically, she wasn't too thrilled with the city and is actually considering moving back to Atlanta. I understood where she was coming from though when she told me why. I didn't have a lot of time there. My flight from Atlanta was canceled on Thursday, so I ended up getting there Friday afternoon. (I have the WORST luck with flights :P). But we went to her friend's apartment... apparently the same building where Kristen Cavillari and Tommy Hilfiger's son live... and chilled at the pool. Then we went out for one of her friend's bday's to a dive bar in Playa Del Ray. Saturday we went to Santa Monica (my fav area of all we saw) and had lunch, walked around, etc. It was nice and relaxing.
Saturday night I checked into the airport. My flight was scheduled to leave at 10:30, but was delayed for an hour. (told you i have the worst luck with flights...). The flight itself was ok. A bit turbulent in the beginning actually. Totally full flight -- blah. (One day I WILL be able to afford first class and have one of those little cocoons!!) The food was horrible, but I expected no less and had adequate snacks. I watched "He's Just Not That Into You." Sooooo good!!!!! Definitely in my top 10! Then I started to watch Twilight (*Robert Pattinson*Sigh*), but I was getting drowsy and dozed off. I was pretty much in and out of sleep for the majority of the trip. I had a window seat, so I propped myself against the window and somehow managed to get a little rest. I woke up at one point though and REALLY had to use the restroom... but the other two women on my row were sleeping and I felt bad waking them up. I mean, I know how hard it is to fall asleep in the first place... so I just held it..... for a realllllly long time. Other than that, the 14 hours went by quicker than I thought it would! By the time I looked at the "flight path" on the little tv screen, we only had 2 1/2 more hours!
I got to the hostel around 9:00am. I was rooming with a British Girl, Si Si, and a Korean girl. I forgot her name. She woke up at 7:00 every morning and did not come back to the room until 9 or so that night, upon which she promptly went to bed! haha. She was sweet though. I loved Si Si. Like Amanda said, there's just some kind of chemistry between me and the Brits. I swear, my destiny is in London!! Moving on... there was a German girl in our room for two days and she was quite strange and annoying. That's all I will say about that. The hostel itself wasn't bad, but it wasn't that cheap. Plus, I have soooo much stuff that it made me nervous to know that it was sitting in the room just waiting for someone to take it!! I had a lot of really nice clothes, jewlery, shoes, computer stuff... everything!! And sadly, you just can't trust people these days. So I was really ready to move out and really feeling the pressure/stress of finding a decent, affordable place!!
On Wednesday, I had my orientation with BUNAC, the company I applied for the visa through. The girl who lead orientation was really nice and really Australian, but in a totally endearing way. I was kind of hoping to meet a few more people... but there was only one other Canadian girl and she was with a friend. It made me a little sad actually, because I really wish Lindsey was here. It was a lot harder to say goodbye this time around. I think I mentioned that already, but what I can. She is my life partner, after all.
*SIDE NOTE: at my friend's bachelorette party, a girl asked if Lindsey and I were friends and I said "yes, more like life partners." I didn't even think about it... well apparently, the girl thought Lindsey and I were lesbians for the rest of the evening. HA. oops!*
Anyway, BUNAC referred me to this housing agency, Sleeping With the Enemy. (cute, huh?). I made an appointment to see the place and was immediately sold. It's a share home, so I'll be sharing a room with another person, which I did NOT want to do at all. But, housing prices here are insane and I don't have a job yet... so my options are a bit limited at the moment. Plus, the house is soooo cute and brand new! They just renovated and opened it 3 weeks ago.
Ok, now I'm going to break the blog into two parts, b/c I have SO much to say about the house, and this will just get ridiculously long!
So, I spent two days in LA before I went to Sydney. My friend Jennie, a friend from work/college, was nice enough to let me crash with her (since I purchased my ticket from LA to Sydney and bought my own connecting flight from Atlanta). I loved LA!!! Ironically, she wasn't too thrilled with the city and is actually considering moving back to Atlanta. I understood where she was coming from though when she told me why. I didn't have a lot of time there. My flight from Atlanta was canceled on Thursday, so I ended up getting there Friday afternoon. (I have the WORST luck with flights :P). But we went to her friend's apartment... apparently the same building where Kristen Cavillari and Tommy Hilfiger's son live... and chilled at the pool. Then we went out for one of her friend's bday's to a dive bar in Playa Del Ray. Saturday we went to Santa Monica (my fav area of all we saw) and had lunch, walked around, etc. It was nice and relaxing.
Saturday night I checked into the airport. My flight was scheduled to leave at 10:30, but was delayed for an hour. (told you i have the worst luck with flights...). The flight itself was ok. A bit turbulent in the beginning actually. Totally full flight -- blah. (One day I WILL be able to afford first class and have one of those little cocoons!!) The food was horrible, but I expected no less and had adequate snacks. I watched "He's Just Not That Into You." Sooooo good!!!!! Definitely in my top 10! Then I started to watch Twilight (*Robert Pattinson*Sigh*), but I was getting drowsy and dozed off. I was pretty much in and out of sleep for the majority of the trip. I had a window seat, so I propped myself against the window and somehow managed to get a little rest. I woke up at one point though and REALLY had to use the restroom... but the other two women on my row were sleeping and I felt bad waking them up. I mean, I know how hard it is to fall asleep in the first place... so I just held it..... for a realllllly long time. Other than that, the 14 hours went by quicker than I thought it would! By the time I looked at the "flight path" on the little tv screen, we only had 2 1/2 more hours!
I got to the hostel around 9:00am. I was rooming with a British Girl, Si Si, and a Korean girl. I forgot her name. She woke up at 7:00 every morning and did not come back to the room until 9 or so that night, upon which she promptly went to bed! haha. She was sweet though. I loved Si Si. Like Amanda said, there's just some kind of chemistry between me and the Brits. I swear, my destiny is in London!! Moving on... there was a German girl in our room for two days and she was quite strange and annoying. That's all I will say about that. The hostel itself wasn't bad, but it wasn't that cheap. Plus, I have soooo much stuff that it made me nervous to know that it was sitting in the room just waiting for someone to take it!! I had a lot of really nice clothes, jewlery, shoes, computer stuff... everything!! And sadly, you just can't trust people these days. So I was really ready to move out and really feeling the pressure/stress of finding a decent, affordable place!!
On Wednesday, I had my orientation with BUNAC, the company I applied for the visa through. The girl who lead orientation was really nice and really Australian, but in a totally endearing way. I was kind of hoping to meet a few more people... but there was only one other Canadian girl and she was with a friend. It made me a little sad actually, because I really wish Lindsey was here. It was a lot harder to say goodbye this time around. I think I mentioned that already, but what I can. She is my life partner, after all.
*SIDE NOTE: at my friend's bachelorette party, a girl asked if Lindsey and I were friends and I said "yes, more like life partners." I didn't even think about it... well apparently, the girl thought Lindsey and I were lesbians for the rest of the evening. HA. oops!*
Anyway, BUNAC referred me to this housing agency, Sleeping With the Enemy. (cute, huh?). I made an appointment to see the place and was immediately sold. It's a share home, so I'll be sharing a room with another person, which I did NOT want to do at all. But, housing prices here are insane and I don't have a job yet... so my options are a bit limited at the moment. Plus, the house is soooo cute and brand new! They just renovated and opened it 3 weeks ago.
Ok, now I'm going to break the blog into two parts, b/c I have SO much to say about the house, and this will just get ridiculously long!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
dizzy
everyone wants to know what's going on. i'm busy people!!! i'm living in a hostel, trying to find an apartment, trying to meet people, trying to find a job, trying to get my bearings, getting a cell, setting up a bank account, filing my tax number, etc, etc, etc.
i have so much going on... i'll update when i can. the big city is overwhelming and really freaking hard to conquer. i'm safe and sound, just going about things like a chicken with my head cut off.
sydney in a nutshell: diverse with amazing weather. 70 degrees in the "winter?" yup, i'll take it. oh, and every girl wears leggings like they're pants.... really not a good choice for most people. but i'm thinking (or hoping) the trend will fade soon.
xo
i have so much going on... i'll update when i can. the big city is overwhelming and really freaking hard to conquer. i'm safe and sound, just going about things like a chicken with my head cut off.
sydney in a nutshell: diverse with amazing weather. 70 degrees in the "winter?" yup, i'll take it. oh, and every girl wears leggings like they're pants.... really not a good choice for most people. but i'm thinking (or hoping) the trend will fade soon.
xo
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
australia's for lovers
just had to point out the fact that i am 17 short days from SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i'm just so excited. i have no clue where i'm going live... and i have no job prospects, but that's the best part! i'm just going to walk off the plane and figure it all out upon arrival. it's like in a movie or something. (which totally proves my point that things in movies really can/do happen in real life!)
anyhow, i'm crazy busy till i leave. bachelorette party, florida trip, concerts, and then packinggggggggg. we all know how daunting of a task that can be. but i think i have learned from my bulgaria experience to be honest with myself (as far as what i will actually wear and what i'm bringing "just in case i meet prince william" <-- an exaggeration but you get the point). and let's keep it real. i LOVE to shop... and sydney isn't going to be lacking clothes, shoes, and more. so i'm going to try and keep the suitcases light.
also, this might be kind of morbid, but an old friend of mine passed away saturday. he was 24. even though i hadn't seen him in a while, we still kept in touch via facebook and such. not to sound completely cliche, but it just made me think about how you never know when it could all end... and how important it is to live life to the fullest! which is exactly what i intend on doing♥
but i will miss my bestie and soulmate: L. i mean... come on.. how cute are we??
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