Renege!

Last Tuesday marks two weeks since I’ve worked last. Funny, that also happens to be the last time I wrote in my blog. Ironic, how as soon as I put something down in words, the opposite happens.

About a week ago, I was called in for an informal interview with Law in Order for a full-time position in another department (they were afraid they might lose me because I wasn’t getting enough hours as a casual). They offered me the job, only to take it away again when an employee decided to switch shifts.

I’m not going to pity myself— although I need money, I was ready to leavc Brisbane anyways. I’ve already called the Sydney division office for job openings. One of my backpacker friends also contacted me with an invitation to join in fruit picking. Perhaps ?

I haven't written and I apologize for that. I've been working. And when I haven't been working, I've been traveling. And when I haven't been traveling, I've been soaking in Brisbane. And when I haven't been soaking in Brisbane, well...it's hard to sit down and write with so many people around.

Ever since Woodford, many travelers have passed through the house (some never left). Strangers have become friends, many of whom I hope to see again. The lease here ended, so some of the housemates will be different. The problem has been that no one here has been quite prepared to leave. Therefore, the house has been simultaneously full of old and new housemates. It's beginning to settle down now, seeing as how a few people have left for month-long trips to places like Port Douglas and New Zealand.

And where have I been?


A few weeks ago I went to Byron Bay, which is known for it's lighthouse and the most easterly point of Australia. From the lighthouse, we could see dolphins, manta rays and some white floating stuff that I think was just sea phlegm. It was still pretty.

A few days before Obama's Inauguration (!!), I went to Melbourne. I liked Melbourne for it's lack of humidity in comparison to Brisbane. What I did not like, however, was how easily I got sun burnt-- I heard from people that the ozone is the worst in Sydney and Melbourne. In Melbourne, we shopped in the Camberwell and Queen Victoria Markets, walked around Federation Square and sat just outside the Australian Open in Melbourne Park.


For the last two days of our stay, we drove down The Great Ocean Road from Geelong to the Twelve Apostles (above, taken from Justin's camera). I think it may have been one of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen. The road leads to Adelaide and I hope to take the whole thing one day (either from Melbourne to Adelaide or vice versa).

Other updates that I'm too lazy to weave in:

1. We have chickens in the backyard now. There are four.

2. I have officially given up pork (it's been serious for about 3-4 weeks now?). I couldn't eat it after I found out pigs have the brain intelligence equivalent to that of a 3 or 4-year-old child.

3. I've also been cutting down on beef for global warming purposes (methane from livestock). It's something I'm going to avoid, though I'm not sure if I'll ever have the tenacity to cut beef out of my life entirely.

4. Australia Day was yesterday. Happy Australia Day! In my opinion, it's a lot like the poor man's version of America's Independence Day. There's lots of drinking, except they aren't celebrating their Independence and there are no fireworks.

Woodford Folk Festival

Taken at sunrise (just before 5 AM) upon a giant hill at Woodford on New Years Day:


In the distance are the Glass House Mountains. If you are wondering if that's a viking up close, you are absolutely 100% correct.

Sometimes, it's best not to ask questions.

We left for Woodford around 6 AM the morning of my birthday and stayed until January 2. We slept in tents, which became unbearably hot to sleep in at any point past 7 AM. As a result, not much sleep was had throughout the week.

To avoid paying $450 AUD to be there, I volunteered as a bar cashier for 3 or 4 5-hour shifts. It felt like a pretty good deal, considering the amount of free time I had.

The focus of the festival was International Arts. With over 2000 performers, it involved concerts, dances, forums, street theater, circus shows and a film festival. A few music artists I took away from it based upon live performance were That 1 Guy (really, amazing), Kate Miller-Heidke and Jambezi.

I noticed many of the local performers always seemed to incorporate one of my favorite instruments, the didgeridoo.

On New Years Eve, I was surprised to hear references of Obama coming into the White House and what a big step it is for mankind. Although I realize it's a big step for the USA, the whole comment just felt so out of context considering it was said in an ampitheatre at a festival consisting of thousands of (mostly) Australians in Australia...

Although I didn't meet any people from the United States, I befriended a handful of Canadians at the festival. I met two Canadian backpackers, in particular, who made me reconsider how I'm spending my time in Australia. Because I arrived here extremely low on cash, I've stayed mostly in the same spot until I can make enough money to travel somewhere else. Having arrived around the same time as me, they've been traveling up and down the whole coast using a car they bought, picking fruit for money. While they were jealous of my grounded lifestyle, I, in turn, was extremely jealous of all they've seen-- from Melbourne to Sydney to Brisbane and all that's in between.

I suppose there isn't much I can do except wait until money from work begins to build up (there's been setbacks such as health insurance). I'm leaving for Melbourne for 4 days in about two weeks with Adam and Justin, which I hope will subside at least a little of my traveling antsyness.

dEYEagnosis

This is going to be a short post, considering my eyes can't handle staring at a computer (or anything, for that matter) for very long.

My eyes have been hurting all week, although they didn't get bad until Saturday morning just before I was to go to NEVEREVERLAND. I went to the doctor and explained that my eyes were constantly irritated and I had trouble looking at light. I suggested they may be scratched. He didn't seem to care much and prescribed me antibiotics. From there, I went to the NEVEREVERLAND festival, which had already started.

After handing my passport to the security guard at the gate, I was told to remove my sunglasses so that he could compare my face with my photo. Naturally, my eyes were heavy and red from the light. "Have you been drinking today?" He asked. It took me awhile to convince him that I had a condition and was, in fact, sober.

The event lasted from 2 PM (I came around 4) until 10:30 PM. While the individual acts were great, the "festival" itself was a disappointment. Because Modular Records canceled 11 out of the 20 booked acts (particularly Muscles !) and there was only one stage, it felt more like a long concert...

But, back to the subject of my eyes. Having seen no improvement with the antibiotics, I spent my whole day today in a hospital waiting room to get a real diagnoses. It turns out my eyes are not infected at all-- they have multiple cuts as a result of dry eyes and wearing contacts. I have to wear glasses for three weeks, which is a pretty big bummer. I suppose it could be worse, though.

So that's the update, for now.

Happy Holidays, everyone!!

Cedar Creek, My Job and Plans.

Life has been more than active since Stradbroke. First and foremost, I'm now working Monday through Friday as a Paralegal for a company, ironically called "Law in Order." I finished my second day today. The job mostly involves digitalizing legal materials. Although it will only last the next few months, it feels great to finally feel busy and make a steady income. The hours are from 2pm until 10pm, which gives me time to live life in the morning while there is still sun.


Speaking of doing things in the sun, I went to Cedar Creek earlier this week. We hiked over rocks, trudged through mini rivers and swam under waterfalls. Because it's a place that is off-the-map (yet very close to home!) and not listed in any type of tour guides, we passed very few people.

I'm not sure about America, but most people I know in Australia have seen the movie "Australia." Although my Australian friends warned me of the movie's insufferable corniness, I went to see it simply because I'm in the country and felt I should show my respects. Although there were 234987 places where the movie could have ended before it did, I didn't think it was that bad. If anything, the cinematography (which I believe the Australian tourism board may have helped support) made up for the movie's silliness. I can honestly say it genuinely built upon my desire to road trip to Northern or Western Australia at some point in my time here.

At least that's my plan in the long-run.

In news of short-term plans, I'll be volunteering as a bar cashier at the Woodford Folk Festival December 26th- January 2nd. That way, camping and the festival will be free. It will also grant me my RSA in the process. Apparently, the Nepalese throat singers are out of this world.

Stradbroke Island

In case you aren't sick of me on beaches...

This is Kate and I, off of some rocks on Straddie. Bri's good friend, Gabby, has a place there that she invited us to use for the night. It was very spur-of-the-moment, considering I found out about the trip about 5 minutes before I left to go. Everyone in the house went (about 8 of us) except for Caitlin, Justin and Andy. Gabby, Kate and Gabby's friend Stef came as well. As far as beaches in Australia go, Stradbroke Island is my favorite so far-- stretching sands, clear water and enough shore that the beach always feels secluded. We didn't arrive until close to sunset, when this picture was taken.

This morning, some of the girls and I went for a 7am swim (it was too hot to sleep). The waves were much larger and stronger than I've ever experienced. Although my helplessness would only last for a span of seconds, I realized I somewhat enjoy the lack of control nature is able to force upon me. Similar to looking up at the stars, the giant waves curling toward me reminded me of the feeling of insignificance I sometimes forget. In other words, it gave me the humbling reminder that no matter what, there will always be forces out there greater than ourselves. It was a refreshing way to wake up.

For lunch, we celebrated Bri's birthday with carrot cake, bread, avocado and fruit. We read and played cards and when we were sick of that we grabbed a surf board and scurried back to the beach. The waves were much friendlier in the afternoon. I got Dan and Kate to teach me the very basics-- and I mean basics-- of surfing. The waves weren't big enough for me to seriously bother trying to stand, which I probably wouldn't have been able to do anyways. I got some scrapes on the front of my hips from the board in the water... I don't think I've ever been so proud of wounds.

House Drought

Bamboo Banga/Priderock's main pipe burst Saturday night, leaving everyone (there's about 11 of us now...) high and dry for the past 2 days. No showers, no flushing toilets, no tea-- you get the point.

I had an 8-hour shift yesterday, so at least I had bathroom amenities. My job basically entailed calling people all day and asking them to take a survey. I decided it's a job I can handle about once or twice a week, no more. I've also decided not to do the cocktail waitress thing due to inconvenience.

Until then, I'm still looking for part-time summer work.

The landlord sent over a plumber today and I believe the pipe is being fixed as we speak. Oh Happy Day.