where to start. well, things turned around SO quickly from my last blog. it's funny because i was all bummed about everyone leaving and then, quite literally, the next day i was offered to go apartment hunting with some people from work! a guy and girl (tom and sabrina) were talking about how the hostels they are staying in are bogus, so i mentioned that they should check out my place. they thanked me for the offer, but said they were looking at places in bondi beach. then, they offered for me to move in as well! i was sooo excited!! so it's me, tom (from the UK), sabrina (from germany), and glenn (from belgium). they are some of my favorite people at work, so i was pretty pumped. plus that totally took me out of my mini-funk. i originally wanted to live on the beach when i decided to come to sydney. i swear, it's like everything has been working out and i don't even have to try!
in other news, i met two new americans -- and i'm a fan. they are sisters: claire and meghan. meghan just popped by our house one day (she lives next door), and introduced herself. she mentioned that she was going to an irish pub and invited everyone to go. all my roommates were tired and we had plans to go out the next night (i'll mention THAT fiasco of a night in just a moment). but i'm always up for meeting new people, and i loved the last irish boy i met... so i figured, why not? i'm only young once! so we went to this pub... and seriously, we were the ONLY non-irish people there! it was crazy. let me just tell you, the irish are not intimidated by anything. they will approach you with the confidence of a supermodel. and as soon as you mention you're american, they'll fall all over you. it's great :) haha. i loved both of the girls, and we made plans to go out again this weekend!
SO, let me just tell you about last night. *sigh* never in my life have i experienced such ridiculousness amongst grown men and women. so we made plans about a week ago to go out monday night because aubrey, my sharemate/roommate, is leaving this week. so we planned a sending off party. the night started off fine. we made tacos and were just hanging out. then the tequila came out.....
people are doing shots of tequila. and more shots of bacardi. and more shots of vodka. and more shots of malibu.....
and drinking beer. and drinking wine.
i knew it was going to get ugly. let me just take the time to mention that i'm really not a big drinker. i like going out and having drinks, and i'm not trying to sound high and mighty or anything... but i really don't need alcohol to have a good time. i order drinks that taste good... not drinks that will get me wasted.... and i drink them at a normal pace.... i don't chug. with that being said, by the time we left the first bar, i was horribly bored. i wear my heart on my sleeve, so it was fairly obvious that was i over it by about midnight. however, i've been out with drunk people and a little bored plenty of times before, so i wasn't stressing it. back to the story... we leave the second bar (to go to a third) and all of a sudden shit hits the fan. two of the roommates are arguing and the situation is NOT getting resolved, another roommate is drunk and doesn't know what's going on, another roommate is placating to some dude he works with so he can't be bothered by the rest of the group....
i can't even begin to describe the horror of trying to keep together a group of 7 drunk people who are starting to turn into angry drunks. again, NEVER in my life have i been soooooooooo annoyed. i was literally to the point of tears, i was just so angry!! it was cold out, i was stone sober, one of the roommates literally ran away and was essentially making people chase after her. AHHH! i don't do drama. especially not with a bunch of immature youngsters who can't control themselves when they're drinking.
anyway, suffice it to say... that it's going to take me a minute to get over that one. i did not recieve an apology this morning from ONE person for the way they behaved or the things that they said. i knew i wouldn't. and while i don't hold grudges, i expect things to be resolved... i don't just make nice like nothing ever happened. i would hate for something so silly to taint my experience with some of the roommates, but i'm ready for them to go. or for me to go. at least that's how i feel at the moment.
i guess things can't always be perfect!! haha.
oh my... as i'm writing this blog... someone just apologized! i feel a little better. i don't want to go out anymore with people who don't know their limits, but i'm glad that they had the manners and sense to do the right thing. look at that. it works out after all...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
too good to be true
so tonight i'm a little bummed. i knew that most of my roommates would be leaving fairly soon (mid-july to mid-august). but as it turns out, half (or more?) are leaving in a week!! my roommate, aubrey, hasn't been very successful in finding a job (but bear in mind that she has only been here two weeks), so she has decided to go home early -- this wednesday to be precise, because it's too expensive to stay. then tonight, the florida girls (who i have grown to love) are leaving a week from sunday. luke, from ohio, also decided just today that he too will be leaving earlier than planned, or in about a week. aubrey will be going directly to the states, where as the florida girls and luke will be traveling for a couple weeks and then returning to the US. BUT, philip was planning on travelling with luke.... so.... maybe he is leaving too?! that would leave me, james (the brit), and the two french girls in the house.
it's quite sad. as much as i would love to travel with them, i really can't right now. i mean, what would i do with my stuff? i don't want to pay rent here AND take off work AND spend money travelling. at least, not this soon. and i can't take off a week or more from work already..... my manager is a jerk, and i really don't think he'd give me the time off, even if i dared to ask. so.... yeah....
like i said, i knew this time would come, but i just wasn't expecting it to be so sudden. and most importantly... everyone will miss my birthday!!! my 23rd birthday was epically tragic.... it consisted of me, alone in my apartment in bulgaria with popcorn, chocolate, and a movie. at the time it wasn't a big deal... i was actually still excited to be in BG... but this year i'm in sydney and i wanted to go all out. i had a theme planned and everything! and we had this whole BBQ shindig planned for the fourth of july.... complete with watermelon, hotdogs, jello shots, fireworks.... the whole package!
*sigh. i feel as though this is the only problem living in the share house. people will be coming and going quite frequently. and now i'm all worried. what if i hate my new roommates. i feel like i lucked out this time around. i know, i know... the majority of the people traveling - in theory - are "like me." (as in like-minded, similar goals, experiences, etc.) but i can't help but feel anxious!
anyhow, i suppose not all is lost. on a happier note, i really do like my coworkers! i went out again with them for a "quick drink" after work on wednesday, and next thing you know... i walk in the door at 4am! the picture is of us from sunday night. conveniently, this is the majority of my favorites. (from left to right: front row - tom, allistair, glenn. next row - sabrina, me, ariane, jeremy. back row - melanie's bf, melanie, zelani, petra, norman)
it's quite sad. as much as i would love to travel with them, i really can't right now. i mean, what would i do with my stuff? i don't want to pay rent here AND take off work AND spend money travelling. at least, not this soon. and i can't take off a week or more from work already..... my manager is a jerk, and i really don't think he'd give me the time off, even if i dared to ask. so.... yeah....
like i said, i knew this time would come, but i just wasn't expecting it to be so sudden. and most importantly... everyone will miss my birthday!!! my 23rd birthday was epically tragic.... it consisted of me, alone in my apartment in bulgaria with popcorn, chocolate, and a movie. at the time it wasn't a big deal... i was actually still excited to be in BG... but this year i'm in sydney and i wanted to go all out. i had a theme planned and everything! and we had this whole BBQ shindig planned for the fourth of july.... complete with watermelon, hotdogs, jello shots, fireworks.... the whole package!
*sigh. i feel as though this is the only problem living in the share house. people will be coming and going quite frequently. and now i'm all worried. what if i hate my new roommates. i feel like i lucked out this time around. i know, i know... the majority of the people traveling - in theory - are "like me." (as in like-minded, similar goals, experiences, etc.) but i can't help but feel anxious!
anyhow, i suppose not all is lost. on a happier note, i really do like my coworkers! i went out again with them for a "quick drink" after work on wednesday, and next thing you know... i walk in the door at 4am! the picture is of us from sunday night. conveniently, this is the majority of my favorites. (from left to right: front row - tom, allistair, glenn. next row - sabrina, me, ariane, jeremy. back row - melanie's bf, melanie, zelani, petra, norman)
Monday, June 15, 2009
just dance
so i deleted my last post... i feel a bit ridiculous for posting it... but i was SO upset at the time. ah well, live and learn!
onto more important and happy things.
well.... kind of happy.
the good news: i had a BLAST sunday night. i went out with all my co-workers... and true to restaurant-fashion, they're crazy! but crazy in a party-all-night way. we started off at a rooftop bar. loved the place! it was super chill and you would never know it was there! definitely a local spot. cheap drinks, chill vibe, nice views. after that, we went to king's cross. i've been dying to go there! we went to two different places: world bar and moulin rouge. the first place closed shortly after we arrived, so we moved on to moulin rouge. i would say moulin rouge was a new experience for me. i danced my ass off for about 4 hours. i was dripping sweat by the time we left. they played pretty intense techno/trance, which is not normally my style, but everyone was just having such a good time. it was contagious! plus, people here don't grind on each other like they do back home which is sooooo refreshing. i can just dance around and not have to worry about being harrassed by various sketchballs. i shared a cab home with one of the guys from work. (his name is allistair -- possibly the coolest name ever!). apparently he lives a block away from me! we're practically neighbors! i was excited about that. he was cool and super nice. he paid for the taxi, which i thought was very gentlemanly of him. it's the small gestures that make a big impression. plus, i'm always looking for new people to hang out with.
the bad news: i lost my phone. it really sucks because it's a prepaid so now all my contacts are gone and i have to buy a new one. and they're kind of expensive considering how crappy they are. i don't know how i lost it! i remember having it with me at the first bar... and i swear i put it in my purse before we went to kings cross!! but apparently, not. i've called it a few times... but no one answered. and i checked back with the bars... also to no avail. *sigh* i'll have to be more careful next time i suppose.
OH, and today i got asked for directions!!!!!!!!! how cool is that? not only did i get asked, but i actually knew how to direct the person to their desired location. i'm SUCH a local. :)
the weather is back to gorgeous. i think i'll take a ferry out to one of the islands tomorrow. such is the life of leisure.
onto more important and happy things.
well.... kind of happy.
the good news: i had a BLAST sunday night. i went out with all my co-workers... and true to restaurant-fashion, they're crazy! but crazy in a party-all-night way. we started off at a rooftop bar. loved the place! it was super chill and you would never know it was there! definitely a local spot. cheap drinks, chill vibe, nice views. after that, we went to king's cross. i've been dying to go there! we went to two different places: world bar and moulin rouge. the first place closed shortly after we arrived, so we moved on to moulin rouge. i would say moulin rouge was a new experience for me. i danced my ass off for about 4 hours. i was dripping sweat by the time we left. they played pretty intense techno/trance, which is not normally my style, but everyone was just having such a good time. it was contagious! plus, people here don't grind on each other like they do back home which is sooooo refreshing. i can just dance around and not have to worry about being harrassed by various sketchballs. i shared a cab home with one of the guys from work. (his name is allistair -- possibly the coolest name ever!). apparently he lives a block away from me! we're practically neighbors! i was excited about that. he was cool and super nice. he paid for the taxi, which i thought was very gentlemanly of him. it's the small gestures that make a big impression. plus, i'm always looking for new people to hang out with.
the bad news: i lost my phone. it really sucks because it's a prepaid so now all my contacts are gone and i have to buy a new one. and they're kind of expensive considering how crappy they are. i don't know how i lost it! i remember having it with me at the first bar... and i swear i put it in my purse before we went to kings cross!! but apparently, not. i've called it a few times... but no one answered. and i checked back with the bars... also to no avail. *sigh* i'll have to be more careful next time i suppose.
OH, and today i got asked for directions!!!!!!!!! how cool is that? not only did i get asked, but i actually knew how to direct the person to their desired location. i'm SUCH a local. :)
the weather is back to gorgeous. i think i'll take a ferry out to one of the islands tomorrow. such is the life of leisure.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
confessions of a shopaholic
greetings everyone! wow i'm in a good mood. the other day i reread all of my blogs from bulgaria. yikes! was i in a perpetually bad mood or what?! unlike lovely australia, where every day is a holiday. truly!
although, i am slightly dreading a very long weekend at work. oh well. i am actually looking at some part-time nanny/babysitting jobs. again, it's not the most ideal work, but the hours and pay are amazing! it's just too good of an opportunity. if i could babysit two, three days a week and work at the restaurant on the weekends... i'll bank. with my visa restrictions (did i mention this already?), i'm kind of limited to what type of work i can do... so i've decided i'll do whatever, simply as a means to an end. right now i feel like i'm making enough money to cover basic living expenses and then either 1) save for traveling or 2) spend going out and attending various activities/festivals around sydney. i want both!! i want to be able to save AND go out with my roommates... not just to bars, but movies, dinners, concerts, etc.
not to mention the fact that i want to take surf lessons, cooking classes, dance classes, photography classes, japanese language classes.....
and it all adds up! i have actually looked into all of the above things. surf lessons at manly beach -- they have an excellent weekend package. i'm simply waiting for a bit, because i don't want to request a weekend off from the restaurant when i've only had four shifts! cooking classes are available everywhere! they are SO expensive, but there is a free one that i found online yesterday and am going to sign up for. hopefully i can get one of the dates scheduled for the end of the month.... they are apparently very in demand (obviously). there is a dance studio right down the street. a bellydancing course JUST started last week. i'm bummed i missed it. but they have a casual/drop-in hip-hop class on thursdays that i'm DYING to try. i wanted to go last night, but it was my roommate's birthday and the house had plans. i'll start this week for sure. finally, i found a local school that has casual courses, specifically for people who want to try something new. the photography and language classes already started back in may... but they end this month. so i'm going to call and hopefully a new course will be starting in july!
last night we had another roomie birthday. one of the florida girls, perrin, turned 22. i feel that i should mention that i really like them now. not that i didn't like them before, but.... you know how sometimes it takes a minute for girls to bond. by the way, did i mention that we have a new roommate? we do. aubrey from LA. she's cool. she's gone out with us already. she does a lot on her own during the day though. it's a full house for sure. (but fun!)
it's turning cold here. yesterday it was in the 40's. apparently it's like, record lows! of course they would have the coldest winter when I got here!! but it's just a cold front, so i'm thinking it will pass and we'll carry on with pleasant weather. i did, however, purchase a black pea coat. on my quest for said coat.... and believe me, it was a quest... i stumbled into a department store called "myers." it was like walking through the pearly gates. rows upon rows of the most gorgeous dresses, tops, and jackets i have ever seen!!!!!! of course everything was completely out of my price range, but i have made up my mind that i will own at least one dress from that store! if i get the babysitting job i want, i'll be able to do it!
well, i was just about to upload some pics... but... i can't seem to find my camera cord!! *sigh* i will go through everything more thoroughly later. i really hope i didn't forget it. anyhow here is a pic of me and some of the roomies. this was for british james's bday. from left to right we have james, aubrey, sarah, perrin, and then philip in the back. ♥♥♥
although, i am slightly dreading a very long weekend at work. oh well. i am actually looking at some part-time nanny/babysitting jobs. again, it's not the most ideal work, but the hours and pay are amazing! it's just too good of an opportunity. if i could babysit two, three days a week and work at the restaurant on the weekends... i'll bank. with my visa restrictions (did i mention this already?), i'm kind of limited to what type of work i can do... so i've decided i'll do whatever, simply as a means to an end. right now i feel like i'm making enough money to cover basic living expenses and then either 1) save for traveling or 2) spend going out and attending various activities/festivals around sydney. i want both!! i want to be able to save AND go out with my roommates... not just to bars, but movies, dinners, concerts, etc.
not to mention the fact that i want to take surf lessons, cooking classes, dance classes, photography classes, japanese language classes.....
and it all adds up! i have actually looked into all of the above things. surf lessons at manly beach -- they have an excellent weekend package. i'm simply waiting for a bit, because i don't want to request a weekend off from the restaurant when i've only had four shifts! cooking classes are available everywhere! they are SO expensive, but there is a free one that i found online yesterday and am going to sign up for. hopefully i can get one of the dates scheduled for the end of the month.... they are apparently very in demand (obviously). there is a dance studio right down the street. a bellydancing course JUST started last week. i'm bummed i missed it. but they have a casual/drop-in hip-hop class on thursdays that i'm DYING to try. i wanted to go last night, but it was my roommate's birthday and the house had plans. i'll start this week for sure. finally, i found a local school that has casual courses, specifically for people who want to try something new. the photography and language classes already started back in may... but they end this month. so i'm going to call and hopefully a new course will be starting in july!
last night we had another roomie birthday. one of the florida girls, perrin, turned 22. i feel that i should mention that i really like them now. not that i didn't like them before, but.... you know how sometimes it takes a minute for girls to bond. by the way, did i mention that we have a new roommate? we do. aubrey from LA. she's cool. she's gone out with us already. she does a lot on her own during the day though. it's a full house for sure. (but fun!)
it's turning cold here. yesterday it was in the 40's. apparently it's like, record lows! of course they would have the coldest winter when I got here!! but it's just a cold front, so i'm thinking it will pass and we'll carry on with pleasant weather. i did, however, purchase a black pea coat. on my quest for said coat.... and believe me, it was a quest... i stumbled into a department store called "myers." it was like walking through the pearly gates. rows upon rows of the most gorgeous dresses, tops, and jackets i have ever seen!!!!!! of course everything was completely out of my price range, but i have made up my mind that i will own at least one dress from that store! if i get the babysitting job i want, i'll be able to do it!
well, i was just about to upload some pics... but... i can't seem to find my camera cord!! *sigh* i will go through everything more thoroughly later. i really hope i didn't forget it. anyhow here is a pic of me and some of the roomies. this was for british james's bday. from left to right we have james, aubrey, sarah, perrin, and then philip in the back. ♥♥♥
Friday, June 5, 2009
working hard for the money
ok, so things are moving along quite nicely. i found an apartment the first week i was here... and i found a job by day 8! i have to say that i am quite impressed with myself.... about the job thing that is. it takes most people at least two weeks, if not a month, to find work. i got hired at the first place i walked into! granted, IEP (the organization who helped with my visa) suggested i go there... but still! i'm giving myself a cookie no matter what.
that being said... my new job. i'd say i pretty much hate it already. i'm working at a place called Jordon's International Seafood. (yeah, yeah, i'm jordan working at jordon's -- how original).anyway, i'm more or less a version of a cocktail waitress. all i do is run drinks all night. and maybe set the tables. you'd think it'd be easy. what's not to like, right? but the restaurant is some upscale joint on the harbour. and they act like everything is a life or death matter!! the wine levels have to be JUST SO. the logo on the tea cups have to line up with the logo on the saucer, the wine glasses have to form a perfect square on the tables. it's just so ridiculous!! i can't stand it. i feel like if i make one mistake, i'm going to get fired. and the managers are SUCH assholes. why can't people be polite and pleasant? especially when it's some one's first day! i mean, i wore earrings yesterday.... and it's not like i was wearing giant gold hoops or something... and the manager said i needed to take them off. "we're working not going to a disco." (that's a direct quote). or i told the other manager (the GM) that i had all my paper work ready (copies of my visa and passport, other necessary documents), and he asked "why are you still talking and not presenting them to me." um, my freaking bad! but it's really good money, actually. and at least i have a job. i am thankful for that. i'll just continue the hunt and as soon as i find something else, i'm totally done with that place!! i will say that i really like the people who work there though. there's a variety of people there. (surprisingly i'm the only american!). one of the british guys teases me all the time.. it's always, "say this, say that." i don't mind. i'll forever think southerners are the most charming :)
although.... i met an irish guy when i went out with my friends the other night. talk about charming. *sigh.* too bad he's only in sydney for a week. he was soooo cute. he sounded just like gerard butler in "p.s. i love you." i mean, could you not just die?! dublin, ireland anyone? haha. but really....
it's no big deal though, because i already met my future husband. i went to church the other sunday and stayed after for a little bible study group. the guy who was leading it was truly handsome. and it was at church, so he was just so sweet and genuine. and i actually loved his accent. it wasn't too over the top -- some australian accents are! he will be mine. oh yes, he will be mine.
so it's british james's birthday this weekend. did i mention he's turning 19?!?! frick i'm old! he doesn't act 18 though... maybe it's the british thing. plus, i love him. he's just precious. sadly, i will be missing out on the first half of the festivities because i'm working. they're all going to a house party at james's australian friend's house. hopefully by the time i get off work and get ready to go out, they'll all be back at a bar in sydney. i really want to go to king's cross. it's supposedly the "red light" district of sydney... i'm not sure if they meant that literally or not... but it's where all the club are. apparently, it's one of those things where you should be weary, but at the same time you have to experience it at least once! but i'll be in a big group... with guys... so i'm not worried about it. it's going to be so sad when all my roommates leave! they're all like, students, so they're leaving around august. it would be super clutch if lindsey was here by then... but we shall see.
i think that's all for now. i promise i will start taking and uploading pictures soon. now that i have everything sorted, i can feel free to explore the city more and do some touristy things!
hope you all have a lovely weekend.
xx (the british way cause i'm so posh like that)
that being said... my new job. i'd say i pretty much hate it already. i'm working at a place called Jordon's International Seafood. (yeah, yeah, i'm jordan working at jordon's -- how original).anyway, i'm more or less a version of a cocktail waitress. all i do is run drinks all night. and maybe set the tables. you'd think it'd be easy. what's not to like, right? but the restaurant is some upscale joint on the harbour. and they act like everything is a life or death matter!! the wine levels have to be JUST SO. the logo on the tea cups have to line up with the logo on the saucer, the wine glasses have to form a perfect square on the tables. it's just so ridiculous!! i can't stand it. i feel like if i make one mistake, i'm going to get fired. and the managers are SUCH assholes. why can't people be polite and pleasant? especially when it's some one's first day! i mean, i wore earrings yesterday.... and it's not like i was wearing giant gold hoops or something... and the manager said i needed to take them off. "we're working not going to a disco." (that's a direct quote). or i told the other manager (the GM) that i had all my paper work ready (copies of my visa and passport, other necessary documents), and he asked "why are you still talking and not presenting them to me." um, my freaking bad! but it's really good money, actually. and at least i have a job. i am thankful for that. i'll just continue the hunt and as soon as i find something else, i'm totally done with that place!! i will say that i really like the people who work there though. there's a variety of people there. (surprisingly i'm the only american!). one of the british guys teases me all the time.. it's always, "say this, say that." i don't mind. i'll forever think southerners are the most charming :)
although.... i met an irish guy when i went out with my friends the other night. talk about charming. *sigh.* too bad he's only in sydney for a week. he was soooo cute. he sounded just like gerard butler in "p.s. i love you." i mean, could you not just die?! dublin, ireland anyone? haha. but really....
it's no big deal though, because i already met my future husband. i went to church the other sunday and stayed after for a little bible study group. the guy who was leading it was truly handsome. and it was at church, so he was just so sweet and genuine. and i actually loved his accent. it wasn't too over the top -- some australian accents are! he will be mine. oh yes, he will be mine.
so it's british james's birthday this weekend. did i mention he's turning 19?!?! frick i'm old! he doesn't act 18 though... maybe it's the british thing. plus, i love him. he's just precious. sadly, i will be missing out on the first half of the festivities because i'm working. they're all going to a house party at james's australian friend's house. hopefully by the time i get off work and get ready to go out, they'll all be back at a bar in sydney. i really want to go to king's cross. it's supposedly the "red light" district of sydney... i'm not sure if they meant that literally or not... but it's where all the club are. apparently, it's one of those things where you should be weary, but at the same time you have to experience it at least once! but i'll be in a big group... with guys... so i'm not worried about it. it's going to be so sad when all my roommates leave! they're all like, students, so they're leaving around august. it would be super clutch if lindsey was here by then... but we shall see.
i think that's all for now. i promise i will start taking and uploading pictures soon. now that i have everything sorted, i can feel free to explore the city more and do some touristy things!
hope you all have a lovely weekend.
xx (the british way cause i'm so posh like that)
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