Well Hi!
Indeed it has been quite the while.
I meant to do a finale blog for my time in Melbourne, but it seems that time passed by.
Currently I am sitting amongst 1 of 3 computers available for internet use at the Manhattan Holiday Inn. Hooley, Dooley. I arrived in NY on Monday night, flying from San Fransisco. Rentals caught their plane 1/2 hour before mine, so they greeted me at the baggage counter and we began our time on the east coast.
I feel though, it may be better to start at the beginning. So lets see.
I arrived in America after a big night out with some friends in Melbourne. My friend Kat's band Lionhead Staple had a gig at the Tote, and after we headed out to one guy's house in the outer south-eastern suburbs for some funs. I got a couple of hours sleep before catching an early train back home to sort out some last-minute preparations.
There was a bit of a kerfuffle with my debit card, which I was only able to activate 1/2 hour before leaving Dudley St indefinitely. Luckily though, this happened without a problem - thanks to some smart manoeuvering by my cousin J- and all was settled.
Emma and Rosie took me out to the airport at 10am Monday 22nd. It was a nice way to depart, I had an absolute ball living with them folk (and the absent Kath-dizzle) and they bade me adieu.
Then, the same time on Monday 22, I arrived in San Fransisco, into the arms of parents and older sister. It was exciting to see Lee Lee after so long. That day we lazed around, ate some amazing Vietnamese food and slept on the lawns of San Fransisco's town hall. That night we saw Wicked which was wunderbar. I was so tired but it was a great show.
Then I hung out with Leah for two weeks, indulging in ferry rides, gay pride festivities, exploration, meeting her co-op pals, eating great food. All this has been very pleasant.
I THEN spent 5 days with a cool bloke Caius, camping and hiking in the Kings Canyon National Park. Unbeknownst to many, the Kings Canyon is the deepest canyon in the WHOLE of the States. Whopper eh. So Caius conned me along with the claim that we'd be walking 25 miles. Turns out it was 40 miles, over the course of 3.5 days. Now, for all youse aussie boags, that's a good 60 kilometres. Up and down mountains. Through snow! Through valleys! Through mountains! But it was great. Tricky, at times, but great. I had a flight to catch the next monday morning, so that definitely kept me going. We had to hitchike from Fresno into the canyon, which was probably 60 miles each way. We did this with ease upon arrival, it was a lot of fun. Coming back we got stuck in the forest due to a fire, which kind of mucked up our plans a little bit. I shan't focus on the rest of the detail but rest assured we did make it back in San Fran in time for the flight.
I will upload pictures onto facebook.
And I've spent two days here with the parents. This has involved exploring the amazing Central Park, visiting the Met, eating Ruben Sandwiches, going to Times Square, and walking. We caught a ferry past statue of liberty around the bay (free!, hooley dooley) which was lovely. The weather here is very beautiful and the city seems to come alive in the summer. There are also lots of tourists.
We caught the musical 9-5 on Broadway which was pretty il speco, with Alison Janney in a lead role. My my my, CJ.
Parents nicked off to Washington this morning, which leaves me free here for a week before catching up with dear ol' chum Donell in Canada. Last night we caught up for dinner/ beers with Cousin Justin and family friend Pete. Justin's office building is right above Times Square, which is pretty amazing. What's also radicool is that he's offered me a bed at his place until I leave. Yes please! So that will be fantastic.
After this I'm gonna take my old trusty backpack there and then explore parts of Chinatown, Chelsea, Greenwich Village. It's amazing to just bump into places with so much cultural history. Ex- The 59th St. Bridge (anyone feelin' groovy?, Chelsea Hotel, yada yada. New York City Cops,
Dylan, and the folk and jazz that has come from here.
Tonight Matisyahu is playing for free in Central Park. Count me in, rangas!
Love for all, hope youse are kicking bums.
xoxoxo GG
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Bread and Butter Pudding
I'm currently making bread and butter pudding.
I've never made it before, so it's quite the adventure.
I remember a boy in my grade once said that his favourite food was bread and butter pudding. Mum and I went out for afternoon tea later that day and I took the chance to get a slice of 'bread and butter pudding'. Mum was dismayed at my choice, when there was plenty of hummingbird cake, mud cake, pavlova and the like. I can't remember it even being that good. What a nut job Mitch was, I thought.
But now! I am left with a stale half-loaf from Threshermans which was a mere $2. How could I resist? I ate a good few slices, except then my baby grew old.
I'll have to let you know how it goes. It currently looks like arse, I'll be frank.
Less than two weeks, my fine feathered friends. I've slowed everything down and am now only volunteering a couple of times a week. Tonight I'm getting my nap sack and going on a fun two-day adventure to Bairnsdale, to visit my friend Jo. I've been meaning to do this trip for the good 4 years that I've known her, but I've never got there. Now is kinda my last chance though, so why the heck not.
This weekend I'll be embarking on a 20 hour TEFL course in South Melbourne. 20 hours! Over two days! I've not done anything this lengthy/ intense for quite the while, maybe since last year. You know, sitting in one room having someone talk at you. Actually, the first aid course was like that. That was so bad. But yes, hopefully this course isn't like that. And then next week is it! No more Dudley Street for me. Crazy times. I'm so looking forward to overseas, but with that comes the end of being here, obviously. Meh. It's been mega fun whilst it's lasted.
I'm now going to read Pride and Prejudice in front of the heater. See youse all round like rissoles.
g.o.o.d.b.y.e.
I've never made it before, so it's quite the adventure.
I remember a boy in my grade once said that his favourite food was bread and butter pudding. Mum and I went out for afternoon tea later that day and I took the chance to get a slice of 'bread and butter pudding'. Mum was dismayed at my choice, when there was plenty of hummingbird cake, mud cake, pavlova and the like. I can't remember it even being that good. What a nut job Mitch was, I thought.
But now! I am left with a stale half-loaf from Threshermans which was a mere $2. How could I resist? I ate a good few slices, except then my baby grew old.
I'll have to let you know how it goes. It currently looks like arse, I'll be frank.
Less than two weeks, my fine feathered friends. I've slowed everything down and am now only volunteering a couple of times a week. Tonight I'm getting my nap sack and going on a fun two-day adventure to Bairnsdale, to visit my friend Jo. I've been meaning to do this trip for the good 4 years that I've known her, but I've never got there. Now is kinda my last chance though, so why the heck not.
This weekend I'll be embarking on a 20 hour TEFL course in South Melbourne. 20 hours! Over two days! I've not done anything this lengthy/ intense for quite the while, maybe since last year. You know, sitting in one room having someone talk at you. Actually, the first aid course was like that. That was so bad. But yes, hopefully this course isn't like that. And then next week is it! No more Dudley Street for me. Crazy times. I'm so looking forward to overseas, but with that comes the end of being here, obviously. Meh. It's been mega fun whilst it's lasted.
I'm now going to read Pride and Prejudice in front of the heater. See youse all round like rissoles.
g.o.o.d.b.y.e.
Friday, June 5, 2009
most of the time
Hi there.
I'm lying in my bed, it's 1.21pm Saturday arvo. The blinds are shut and my friend Louise has crashed on the mattress next to me. Twas a big, fun night last night.
It was kinda a going away party for myself (and also my housemate who is going to Nepal for a couple of weeks). The housemates brought a majority of the party-goers though, so I'm grateful. Is that the right, grateful? Greatful? No, it's not that. Hmm. You don't wanna think about that in the literary sense, grate full. Gratings. Ok, enough of that.
Danny's Burgers. A genius place. I've wanted to go there the whole time I've been in Melbourne. This desire was heightened once it was featured in the Good Weekend magazine. It's just down the road, a couple of blocks away. It's a 24/7 burger joint and by joes is it a happy place.
So I'm heading outta this land soon. I feel different somehow after being sick. I just feel less need to do stuff, to rush around. I think I was creating all these things for me to do, and placing high importance on all of these things. And being sick just stops everything and your sense of time changes.
And this feeling is lingering. I can't involve myself in any new projects because there's a limited amount of time. I feel stuck, in a sense. Work is slow, only a coupla shifts per week, and I'm just waiting to leave.
Hmm. I think that's it for the moment. Hope youse are doing well! Au reviour mes petites.
I'm lying in my bed, it's 1.21pm Saturday arvo. The blinds are shut and my friend Louise has crashed on the mattress next to me. Twas a big, fun night last night.
It was kinda a going away party for myself (and also my housemate who is going to Nepal for a couple of weeks). The housemates brought a majority of the party-goers though, so I'm grateful. Is that the right, grateful? Greatful? No, it's not that. Hmm. You don't wanna think about that in the literary sense, grate full. Gratings. Ok, enough of that.
Danny's Burgers. A genius place. I've wanted to go there the whole time I've been in Melbourne. This desire was heightened once it was featured in the Good Weekend magazine. It's just down the road, a couple of blocks away. It's a 24/7 burger joint and by joes is it a happy place.
So I'm heading outta this land soon. I feel different somehow after being sick. I just feel less need to do stuff, to rush around. I think I was creating all these things for me to do, and placing high importance on all of these things. And being sick just stops everything and your sense of time changes.
And this feeling is lingering. I can't involve myself in any new projects because there's a limited amount of time. I feel stuck, in a sense. Work is slow, only a coupla shifts per week, and I'm just waiting to leave.
Hmm. I think that's it for the moment. Hope youse are doing well! Au reviour mes petites.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Hello there blue
Lying in bed.
Today has involved a mere 4.25 hours of work, and me feeling massively tired.
For those who don't know, I've been bitten by a mega flu. I'm basically over it now, just a residual cough, but it took a good two weeks outta me. I went home a week ago feeling dodgy, and spent the next 5 days in and out of sleep land, bathing, feeling shit, reading. Turns out I then got tonsilitus, which is another story! It's the sickest I've been, which really is testament to my health. Don't know what you've got till it's gone, eh? Now I understand that I am indeed a healthy specimen and that's very important in day-to-day living.
Melbourne this morning was shrouded in cold, cold fog. My alarm went off at 9am, which felt way too early, even though after 7 hours of sleep. My bed was warm, the house freezing, the dread of work looming. It was not looking good, people. The fog lifted, and work ended up not being terrible, but I was still tired, which has lead me back now to my bed. A full circle.
And so another week is about to begin. So far it's looking pretty busy; a gig lined up, volunteering, work, going away party on friday night, overseas injections, an amnesty youth night. Plus lots of fun time doing nothing, I envisage.
The heater. It's such a love/hate relationship. I've never known such tumult. For one, it tends to dictate whether or not you go out at night. It brings people together, and one is loathed to be the anti-social house member leaving the house, away from conversation and company. Oh, the irony. As much as I hate it, it makes me feel homely and domestic and warm and snuggly when I intend to have a good night out. It makes facing the cold Melbourne air even more of a struggle. I hope you understand where I'm coming from here. It's a lazy way out, but it's just so goddamn good. The fact that my bed is right next to the heater doesn't help either. Hmm.
Three weeks, people. Three weeks. It's a massive light at the end of the tunnel- especially in terms of doing work that I don't like doing. It has become a ray of hope during an arduous 7 hour shift, when another waitress asks what I'm up to this year. Oh, you're going to California, Canada, Argentina. Oh! In three weeks' time! Wow! How exciting! I'm jealous! It makes waitressing a little bit more bearable. Thanks, L.J. Hooker.
Another thing, this year has really done a lot to boost my motivation to work in a job that I want to do. The - dare I say it- hatred I have felt for some certain cafes down here has been immense, and it seems unfair that these are the only jobs going. It teaches you to grin and bear it, and flattens any hope of doing anything more worthwhile. Yet it also fuels this desire to be paid to do good, meaningful things. The only thing between here and there is further education, I feel.
So that's probably it for the meantime, boys. Tonight I think I'll make some nice baked pumpkin soup. An easy night in, in front of the heater, calls. Take care ya'll, until next time. xoxox g.
Today has involved a mere 4.25 hours of work, and me feeling massively tired.
For those who don't know, I've been bitten by a mega flu. I'm basically over it now, just a residual cough, but it took a good two weeks outta me. I went home a week ago feeling dodgy, and spent the next 5 days in and out of sleep land, bathing, feeling shit, reading. Turns out I then got tonsilitus, which is another story! It's the sickest I've been, which really is testament to my health. Don't know what you've got till it's gone, eh? Now I understand that I am indeed a healthy specimen and that's very important in day-to-day living.
Melbourne this morning was shrouded in cold, cold fog. My alarm went off at 9am, which felt way too early, even though after 7 hours of sleep. My bed was warm, the house freezing, the dread of work looming. It was not looking good, people. The fog lifted, and work ended up not being terrible, but I was still tired, which has lead me back now to my bed. A full circle.
And so another week is about to begin. So far it's looking pretty busy; a gig lined up, volunteering, work, going away party on friday night, overseas injections, an amnesty youth night. Plus lots of fun time doing nothing, I envisage.
The heater. It's such a love/hate relationship. I've never known such tumult. For one, it tends to dictate whether or not you go out at night. It brings people together, and one is loathed to be the anti-social house member leaving the house, away from conversation and company. Oh, the irony. As much as I hate it, it makes me feel homely and domestic and warm and snuggly when I intend to have a good night out. It makes facing the cold Melbourne air even more of a struggle. I hope you understand where I'm coming from here. It's a lazy way out, but it's just so goddamn good. The fact that my bed is right next to the heater doesn't help either. Hmm.
Three weeks, people. Three weeks. It's a massive light at the end of the tunnel- especially in terms of doing work that I don't like doing. It has become a ray of hope during an arduous 7 hour shift, when another waitress asks what I'm up to this year. Oh, you're going to California, Canada, Argentina. Oh! In three weeks' time! Wow! How exciting! I'm jealous! It makes waitressing a little bit more bearable. Thanks, L.J. Hooker.
Another thing, this year has really done a lot to boost my motivation to work in a job that I want to do. The - dare I say it- hatred I have felt for some certain cafes down here has been immense, and it seems unfair that these are the only jobs going. It teaches you to grin and bear it, and flattens any hope of doing anything more worthwhile. Yet it also fuels this desire to be paid to do good, meaningful things. The only thing between here and there is further education, I feel.
So that's probably it for the meantime, boys. Tonight I think I'll make some nice baked pumpkin soup. An easy night in, in front of the heater, calls. Take care ya'll, until next time. xoxox g.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Push pineapple, shake the tree
Mm.
I'm starting to feel like my time left in this wonder city is limited. Although I have over a month left here, I'm starting to see the transience in all that has become comfortable and familiar to me. People, Open mikes, Opportunites to catch up, Bicycle adventures; all no longer seem to be accessible through an infinite space. Instead now, they must be categorised, slotted in strategically so that I get everything done in due time.
There are big looming questions hanging over my gap experience. Due to start in August, the project coordinator is somewhat abanoning my pleas for help for a higher prioritised group leaving sooner. Nothing yet is organised for my placement- locations, dates, families, prep courses, and it all feels like it's sliding a little out of hand. My phone calls and emails are left unanswered for weeks and urgency is increasing. It will all happen, I just want to get stuff out of the way as soon as possible, to give me more time to rump around.
Tomorrow I'm going busking. I received my permit in the mail. I'm not sure how regulated the system is- plenty of people do it without a permit- except I thought I'd stick to my guns. Don't want any irksome fine to sabotage my day. No thanks.
I endeavour to have a nice and early wake up tomorrow and head to Piedemontes to get me some food. I have no breakfast material so it's quite a question of life and death. You'd be surprised at how innovative one can be when it comes to concocting breakfast, without actually having any food. I ate my crusts today, with some of Emma's Grandma's award-winning raspberry jam. That was good. But now I must seek out higher ground, with less-pov qualities.
Mum has told me that the Ginni-van has died. I hope to the heavens that this is lie. I can't imagine my life without her. And our fun times together had only just begun. Please, Ginni-van (T-rag to some) may you be reincarnated with a slightly less shonky running speed, giving you more reliability. We all love and miss you. Come back home.
Well it's midnight, so I best scadoo. I think I ought to read a little. I wish I could read faster. There are so many good things to read. Take care,
Until next time.
ggg
I'm starting to feel like my time left in this wonder city is limited. Although I have over a month left here, I'm starting to see the transience in all that has become comfortable and familiar to me. People, Open mikes, Opportunites to catch up, Bicycle adventures; all no longer seem to be accessible through an infinite space. Instead now, they must be categorised, slotted in strategically so that I get everything done in due time.
There are big looming questions hanging over my gap experience. Due to start in August, the project coordinator is somewhat abanoning my pleas for help for a higher prioritised group leaving sooner. Nothing yet is organised for my placement- locations, dates, families, prep courses, and it all feels like it's sliding a little out of hand. My phone calls and emails are left unanswered for weeks and urgency is increasing. It will all happen, I just want to get stuff out of the way as soon as possible, to give me more time to rump around.
Tomorrow I'm going busking. I received my permit in the mail. I'm not sure how regulated the system is- plenty of people do it without a permit- except I thought I'd stick to my guns. Don't want any irksome fine to sabotage my day. No thanks.
I endeavour to have a nice and early wake up tomorrow and head to Piedemontes to get me some food. I have no breakfast material so it's quite a question of life and death. You'd be surprised at how innovative one can be when it comes to concocting breakfast, without actually having any food. I ate my crusts today, with some of Emma's Grandma's award-winning raspberry jam. That was good. But now I must seek out higher ground, with less-pov qualities.
Mum has told me that the Ginni-van has died. I hope to the heavens that this is lie. I can't imagine my life without her. And our fun times together had only just begun. Please, Ginni-van (T-rag to some) may you be reincarnated with a slightly less shonky running speed, giving you more reliability. We all love and miss you. Come back home.
Well it's midnight, so I best scadoo. I think I ought to read a little. I wish I could read faster. There are so many good things to read. Take care,
Until next time.
ggg
Sunday, May 3, 2009
who are you, what have you done?
Hello, my lovely lady lumps.
I sit at my kitchen table. It is flippin' cold. Sure, it's no comparison to the icy Arctic, but this unexpected cold is really biting at this midnightly hour. Melbourne today was glorious. Not a cloud dans le sky, and it was warmer outside than in the house.
On the table are fresh flowers, and lots of wine. Kathleen celebrated her 21st on friday night which included many merry-making and fun times. It's nice meeting all of these people as most of them I have heard so much about (to their detriment, no doubt) yet have never seen. College gossip tends to hang around years after its creation.
Some of my Dong friends have been down for the past couple of nights which has been swell. It's very different playing host to more than one when I've not played host for quite some time. Back up at home was easy to play host, but here it is harder- mainly, there are not many people who I'm able to play host to.
I have started doing some volunteering at La Mama. I called up one day, hoping for the best but expecting the worst, and I got invited in the next day. I'm mainly doing ticketing, which is dandy, and is keeping me occupied. I have so much respect for the place and the people here and all of the writers/ directors/ actors/ sound technicians come into the office and be cool, and they just exude amazingness and history and importance. I'm trying to soak it up, but I still feel on the outside- the nice volunteer who brings in the coffee. Maybe with time it'll make sense who everyone is and I can find out more about them. All I know is that they are quite mystifying.
I also had an afternoon batch of employment today at the football. It was very nice. Easy work, happy clients, you know the dealio.
Tonight I've been looking at the documents I need to do in order to get me overseas. Visas, travel insurance, TESOL courses, more. It's all new to me so I guess I'll be learning pretty quick smart. I'm filling out a police check as we speak and it is very particular. Grug.
It's probably my bedtime now.
I endeavoured to play music and read my book tonight, except jobhunting took a good long time. Then researching my travels. And then lappy being demandingly slow. Meh, tomorrow.
I think I have saggy eyes now.
Bonne nuit.
xo thoia.
I sit at my kitchen table. It is flippin' cold. Sure, it's no comparison to the icy Arctic, but this unexpected cold is really biting at this midnightly hour. Melbourne today was glorious. Not a cloud dans le sky, and it was warmer outside than in the house.
On the table are fresh flowers, and lots of wine. Kathleen celebrated her 21st on friday night which included many merry-making and fun times. It's nice meeting all of these people as most of them I have heard so much about (to their detriment, no doubt) yet have never seen. College gossip tends to hang around years after its creation.
Some of my Dong friends have been down for the past couple of nights which has been swell. It's very different playing host to more than one when I've not played host for quite some time. Back up at home was easy to play host, but here it is harder- mainly, there are not many people who I'm able to play host to.
I have started doing some volunteering at La Mama. I called up one day, hoping for the best but expecting the worst, and I got invited in the next day. I'm mainly doing ticketing, which is dandy, and is keeping me occupied. I have so much respect for the place and the people here and all of the writers/ directors/ actors/ sound technicians come into the office and be cool, and they just exude amazingness and history and importance. I'm trying to soak it up, but I still feel on the outside- the nice volunteer who brings in the coffee. Maybe with time it'll make sense who everyone is and I can find out more about them. All I know is that they are quite mystifying.
I also had an afternoon batch of employment today at the football. It was very nice. Easy work, happy clients, you know the dealio.
Tonight I've been looking at the documents I need to do in order to get me overseas. Visas, travel insurance, TESOL courses, more. It's all new to me so I guess I'll be learning pretty quick smart. I'm filling out a police check as we speak and it is very particular. Grug.
It's probably my bedtime now.
I endeavoured to play music and read my book tonight, except jobhunting took a good long time. Then researching my travels. And then lappy being demandingly slow. Meh, tomorrow.
I think I have saggy eyes now.
Bonne nuit.
xo thoia.
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