Movie Night

Today was rainy and cool all day.  I had big plans to head to the mall and apply for part time jobs, but ended up on the phone and skype most of the day, then just didn't feel motivated to go out.  I also got my first ever speeding ticket in the mail today.  I can't believe that happened!  I thought Joel was the culprit, but I can see blonde hair and sunglasses in the photo.  Guess there's a first for everything right?  With that came our hot water bill, which was way less then expected ($15 for four months!) and  cute card and some little keepsakes from Baby Sister.  Love that she addressed the envelope to Victoria "Spicy" Hunt (I call her Little Chicken, Big City, she calls me Spicy Chicken.  Long story).

  I did do alot of thinking of what our plans should be for the rest of our time in Australia.  Joel found out yesterday that Audi will sponsor us to stay here longer, but it's going to cost us a pretty penny that we are nowhere near saving (nor am I interested in spending that much to stay here).  Tonight we need to have a good talk and decide what are next plan of action will be.  On our current visa we can only work at one job for a max of six months.  This means in August Joel will now have to find a new place of work.  We need to decide if we should stay on the Gold Coast, move to another city, or just come home.  I'd love to just travel, but we are not making enough to do that either.

On the bright side, I cleaned the apartment top to bottom.  I tend to do that when I'm upset about things here.  Joel is working late and hanging out with a co-worker, so I decided to cuddle up in bed, have some popcorn (which is becoming my Thursday night tradition) and watch a movie.  Tonight is "Wife Vs Secretary" an old black and white Jean Harlow movie.  I just finished another one of her biographies from the library last night, so thought it fitting to watch one of her movies. I love old movies, and Harlow is my favorite.  Can you guess why?

Bring Out Your Parkas...

...because "winter" is nearly here!  It officially begins on Friday.  Yesterday morning on the drive to the golf course they announced that it was "freezing" and one of the coldest mornings of the year.  It was ten degrees.  One of the girls at work actually wore a parka.  I will agree, it is cooler in the early mornings and evenings, but still feels like an Edmonton fall.  Joel wore a light jacket last night and said he felt wrong wearing it. 

I haven't really been up to much this week.  I didn't even take any pictures!  Joel and I have been going for a lot of evening walks along the boardwalk. There are outdoor exercise machines spread out along the path, so we've been stopping at those both ways.  Pretty novel to be working out outside.  On my days off I take my laptop up to the roof and do my workouts too.  Feels much better to workout in the fresh air then in front of the air conditioner.

This weekend was the Broadbeach Blues Festival.  This is a big weekend event of free live music (lots of well known Aussie performers headline) and people come from all over Australia for it.  Michelle and I took a walk through yesterday evening.  It was really busy.  I wasn't that interested as I get bored watching live music, but it was cool to walk around and check it out.  We did a little snooping through the shops and I bought myself a pretty red scarf on sale.

We got some awesome news yesterday.  Joel's BFF Dean and his girlfriend Alana are coming to visit us for three weeks in September!  That made my day.  I wonder what kind of trouble Joel and Dean will get into down under?

Joel's still golfing up a storm.  He won another contest last weekend so he's pretty proud.

I hope I have something a little more exciting to write about next week!  Feels pretty same old same old right now.

Happy Victoria Day!

Happy long weekend to everyone back in Canada.  Australia does not celebrate Victoria Day (what?), so it was a regular work day here (they do, however, celebrate the Queen's birthday in June).

Last weekend was super chill.  On Saturday we walked through a nearby neighborhood, the Isle of Capri, and rated the houses.  Some are really modern, boxy styles, others are old sixties style homes that lack any interesting qualities.  All have big fences and gates around them to keep out the neighbors.  There is not really any space between houses.

After we sat on the balcony, drank wine, and watched the sun go down.  This is becoming a regular Saturday night tradition.  (Never thought I'd become such a wino!).  Next dinner at our favorite (so far) Japanese restaurant.  On our drive home we saw a guy walking around in a North Face style puffer jacket.  It was about ten degrees.  A bit dramatic I thought.  He topped off his "winter" style with shorts.  Joel wanted to take a picture and send it to What Not To Wear: Australia (which is the one reality show they don't have here!  Probably because a good part of the population would be on it.  They love the eighties a bit too much here).

Yesterday I met up with Ashley for coffee and a walk along the beach.  It felt so good to spend the afternoon in the sunshine.  She was in Switzerland recently for a conference and brought us back some Swiss chocolate, which is already almost gone...  It was good to catch up with her as I hadn't seen her since before she left.

Brutis has been a very bad boy lately.  On Thursday morning he was having trouble starting out in first.  I felt like a student driver!  When I went to pick Joel up from work, he wouldn't start!   I called Joel and he gave me a few things to try, but no luck.  I was so mad I gave him a good kick.  Luckily Joel is a clever mechanic and fixed it when he got home later.  Glad he figured it out.  I was thinking Brutis was dead and ready to have a panic attack. 

 Not much picture-wise to share.  We've been pretty lame lately (mostly just too tight on cash todo anything crazy ).  I thought I'd share with you the most annoying man in Australia.  Somehow this guy ended up being a newscaster on The Project, an evening news program that makes fun of the news (that's how Oz  rolls).  He thinks he is HILARIOUS and God's gift to the world it seems, but I can barely stand to watch the show because of him!  His teeth are not nice enough for television and neither is his voice.  At least these pictures are making me laugh.

A Quick Update About This and That

Today I start work a little later (ten o'clock) and have a few minutes before I need to leave, so thought I'd cuddle up in bed for awhile and blog.

First, we finally got a NEW bed!  I had low hopes when it was first delivered, but now that we have all our bedding on it it's pretty nice.  Not so springy.  However the last few nights I've been having a hard time falling asleep (my mind doesn't like to shut off at bed time) and when I do I've been having bizarre nightmares.

Last night I had a color class.  We had to bring in model's for a complete restyle.  Thankfully Michelle's mom, who has just moved to the Gold Coast from New Zealand, was able to be my model.  At first I was really frustrated, because as always our trainer Tamara made me feel stupid and like I don't know anything.  Marina, the salon manager, came over and spent time showing me different foiling techniques and was more patient.  I really like what she showed me and she was impressed that I was willing to go out of my comfort zone and try something new.  She gave me a few tiny tips for cutting and blowdrying (or blow waving as they call it here) too, so by the end of the class I was feeling more confident.  My color and cut turned out beautifully and I felt better.  Our next class isn't for another month, so thank God I don't have to see Tamara for awhile.

Joel and I are hoping to plan a long weekend getaway to the Whitsundays next month over the Queen's Birthday long weekend.  We thought a little getaway from life and a chance to explore a new area would be good.  I got the ok for some time off, today he'll find out if he can take a few days.  The airfare to get there is alot less then I thought.  Now to find a good deal on a hotel!

I want to mention a few things about the "news" in Australia.  There's not much news to report (aside from how crap their government is), so the news mostly contains recaps and gossip from reality shows.  Reality TV is a big deal here and EVERYONE watches it.  There is Australian X-factor, The Voice, Dancing with the Stars, My Kitchen Rules, Master Chef, and the Biggest Loser.  When there is "news" it's usually lame stories like "angry granny" (an angry senior who harasses her neighbors).  There does seem to be a few bits of crime.  Mostly bikies (motor cycle groups) who cause havoc across the country.  They interviewed an older bikie and he said things are "way worse now" than in his time.  Another big article last night was how expensive life is here.  Ikea's prices in Australia are 70% higher then in the US!

On Monday I had a shorter work day (slow day) so checked out a few scrapbooking stores here.  I went to the Kaiser Craft Outlet, which is pretty good and full of lots of things you wouldn't find in Canada.  The next store was in the most awful shopping center and was so small and full of outdated products that I spent an entire two minutes in there and left!  I hope I have more goodies coming from TM soon!

The weather here is still beautiful.  It's been sunny everyday with barely any clouds.  Yesterday was 21 degrees and everyone was in boots and scarves and complaining how cold it was.  Right.  I've been doing my work outs upstairs on the rooftop which I love.  What better way to workout then in the sun with the wind blowing and the ocean in your line of vision?  No ones up there during the day.  No one's ever at the pool either.  Joel and I laugh because everyone must look at us crazy for going in when it's "so cold".

I'm starting to get more comfortable here.  I have accepted the fact that although it might not be "home", it is home for now and I need to make the best of things.  When I have a bad day I know I can always come home to big hugs from Joel, and that always makes things better.  I still miss everyone, but I know it will just be that much better when I see you all again next year!

That's all for today, time to head to work!

Some Sunshine and the Golf Course

The weather here the last few days has been phenomenal-  bright blue skies with no clouds, sunshine,  26 degrees and just the slightest of breeze to cool things down.  I spent as much time as possible outside as I could.  Yesterday I found a comfy place along the sandbar and read at the beach until the sun started to go down.  I finished "Vintage Alice" - so good!  When I came home I had a nice little Papyrus card and treat in the mail from my mom.  Thanks Mom!  I added it to my "shrine wall".

 

This morning I dropped Joel off bright and early at Colonial Golf Course, where he is a member, then headed off to work.  I worked till one o'clock, then went back to pick Joel up.  He had just finished his round, so I joined him for lunch on the patio.  My knowledge of gold courses is limited (this is maybe the first time I've stepped on a golf course like, ever), but to me this is a beautiful course, well manicured with views of the hinterland mountains.  Too bad about the giant power poles that run through!

  

  It felt so good to sit on the patio and just chill and enjoy the view.  Lunch at the clubhouse was amazing too.  We both had club sandwiches, which had boiled eggs added to the mix for added goodness, and I had a nice glass of sparkling wine from South Australia.  We met a few other golfers from Melbourne who told Joel that Melbourne features ten of Australia's best courses.  Now he's open to relocating there he says!  Ha, golf will get him to do anything.

 After lunch we headed to the driving range so I could video his swing for critique.  Yes, he is wearing bright orange shorts and a hat.  This is his tribute to his current favorite golfer, Ricky Fowler.  For those of you who don't know who this is, he's a big US golfer who wears bright orange every Sunday tournament for good luck.  Some of the other golfers were calling Joel Ricky today.

Poor Joel was tuckered from his game in the hot sun.  When we got home I picked up some wine (the sole bottle of Gewurztraminer on the Gold Coast) from our local BWS and we sat on our balcony enjoying it and watching the sun go down.  We played an entertaining game of "What car would you rather drive?" (basically "Who would you rather?" but with cars) and Brutis featured often (not wining).

Joel is already in bed asleep, so I have some time to catch up on some scrapping.  I started a little mini album last night of images from home.   I find it really helps to get my thoughts on paper, so I thought this would be a good way to clear my brain a bit.  Basically it will be a journal about happy memories that I can look at on the days I need some extra comfort, along with some of the nice pick-me-up emails I've been getting from friends and family.  It felt really good to sit down and write about all the things I love about home that I've taken for granted.  The nicest thing about traveling is that you gain perspective on things.  I've learned that Edmonton really isn't as bad a place as I thought (except for the extra long winters!).  I noticed my scrap stash is slowly dwindling and the scrapbook stores here are limited, so I'm getting very crafty!  Might be good for me to think out of the box a bit.  I'll post some pics once it takes more shape.

For now, here is my "den/vanity".  Beside the bed is where all my books, magazines, scrapbook supplies and mail is going.  Normally I never put this kind of stuff in my bedroom, but as we are lacking a den I had to adapt.  I don't have room for a vanity stand,  so my make-up and perfume sit sadly on the bedside table.  Behind the table is my "shrine wall" as Jill calls it.  This is where all the pictures, artwork and cards I'm receiving are going (send me something and it will join the collection!).  Next is my craft drawers.  I realize the bright colors are pretty cheesy, but it was the only large plastic drawers I could find.  This is where my selphy, smash books, tools, paper and embellishments live, each in their own designated drawer. When I want to scrapbook, I just pull the drawers over to the kitchen table and everything has it's own happy place in easy view (I have mild OCD so organization is key for me).   Underneath the nightstand is my mail drawers, for my address book, postcards to send, envelopes and stamps.  Now if only Joel would get all his papers this tidy!  (They are currently littering the coffee table).

Also thought I'd post a few of my favorite songs right now.  This is what I'm listening to as I'm cleaning the house, scrapping, or driving in the car (stupid Brutis):

Nicki Minaj- Starships

Immelda May- Johnny Got a Boom Boom

Yael Naim- New Soul

Hotel Song- Regina Spektor

Boston- More Then a Feeling

Bic Runga- Hello Hello

Blist- Brainbird

Lorene Scafaria- We Can't Be Friends

Bedouin Soundclash feat. Coeur De Pirate - Brutal Hearts 

One Direction- One Thing (I know, I fell into their trap!)

If anyone has some cool music, please share!  Aussie radio pretty much sucks, so I'm relying heavily on my ipod.  Most of these songs are off of movies I've seen lately.

Upside Down and Turned Around

Sorry I have been a bad blogger as of late.  I really haven't felt all that motivated to blog.  This has been another tough week for me, just missing home and feeling stressed about life and money.  I'm trying to be positive and look on the bright side, but sometimes it's really hard to do.

Last week was a slow week at work.  Like really slow.  I think I ended up working ten hours.  Therefore my paycheck this week was pretty crappy and depressing.  So I've been thinking about finding a new job.  (I've also had enough of Joel complaining about sharing the car, so I'd like to find something I could get a bus or walk to).  I've been spending hours scouring seek.com (Aussie job site) for ANY job that I could possibly do.  There's not much out there that I'm qualified to do (maybe I should have thought about becoming a pipe fitter instead of a hairstylist!) and I'm getting frustrated that I'm not getting any replies.  I had a bit of a cry yesterday and Joel told me to relax and stop being so hard on myself and that something will come up when it's meant to, just be patient.  We went for smoothies and a walk and I felt better.

I think the reason I'm having such a hard time is because everything is new here.  I don't feel confidant at work because I don't know the color line or products as well as I did back home. I find myself second guessing things.  We also have a nasty rep who comes in to train us (with the most annoying accent- no comes out "ne-ohw") who makes me feel like I don't know anything.  (To get back at her for making me feel this way I make sure to call her Tam-eh-ra instead of Tam-ah- ra.) When I have a bad day I can't eat a bowl of KD or Alpha Bits (don't laugh) and curl up to watch House Hunters International or Teen Mom because they don't have it in Oz!  My favorite stores aren't here to pick me up with some happy window shopping (and the few that are suck).  I don't have any comforts to turn to, except Joel.  Money is also tight, so we feel we can't do and see as much as we'd like to.

I'm trying to take my Mom's advice and before bed write down at least two good things that happened that day, then focus on them instead of the things that are worrying me as I fall asleep.  Cheesy as it is, it really seems to help.  However the last few nights I've been waking up at four am from awful nightmares.

  I need to start thinking about why we came here (the beach, thinking out of our box) and start focusing on that.  My friend Lyrissa gave me some good advice.  She said to find something about Australia to love and be happy about, otherwise I'm going to really regret our time here when we go back home.  I know I've been glamorizing life in Edmonton and forgetting that we did need a big change to stir things up a bit.  I need to be more grateful for the opportunity I've been given.  I could be in way worse places then Australia!

So today I'm taking a day off from my worries and I'm going to do a good work out on the rooftop terrace (overlooking the ocean) then take my book down to the beach and read.  I'm actually reading a really good book right now called Vintage Alice.  It's about an English girl who's made the big leap to start a new life in Australia.  I didn't realize this when I picked up the book (just wanted to try out the author) and I'm finding it very comforting and I can totally relate to the main character. 

What I've Been Up To...

..not much. The sun finally decided to come out this week, so I've been trying to get outside and enjoy it.  It is now officially "fall" here.  The weather is still pretty warm, usually about 24 degrees, but there is a coolness to the air that I've especially been noticing at night.  Now it is dark at about five o'clock.  Joel and I have been going for good walks after work along the promenade each evening.  We keep marvelling at how cool the ocean looks at night when the waves are lit up by the moon.

I took an online class on editing photos in photoshop, which was quite useful.  I've been learning more about the various settings on my camera and am amazed at all the stuff it can do! I'm still learning, but here are a few practice shots at the beach.

 

It's been a slow week at work.  Since I'm casual time, I'm always the first to get sent home.  This is really frustrating.  I've been using my extra time to catch up on a few blogs.  Also too much time on facebook.

This weekend is another long one.  Monday is labor day here in Queensland.  Joel's been golfing each morning (while I sleep in) and then we head to the beach.  The water is much cooler now.

Yesterday I was feeling pretty blue, so Joel took me out for dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Guzman y Gomez.  When we got there it was decorated in red, white and green with tons of balloons.  I've been so off track with my days that I didn't realize it was Cinco de Mayo.  So we got some free entertainment along with our meal.  After we went to see The Avengers.  Joel wanted to see it so bad but had no one to go with.  I told him if he did something nice for me, I could be persuaded to go.  So I had my own bag of popcorn and he agreed to a photoshoot on the beach (practicing what I've learned with my camera) today.  I didn't care for the movie that much, but he loved it.

Yesterday was also National Scrapbooking Day.  I don't think it's celebrated here. I did do some scrapping in honor of the day, which felt really good. I'm so glad I was able to take this hobby with me to Australia.  It really relaxes me and takes my mind off things (my mind won't stop thinking about where life is going right now some days). I'm really behind on posting any new pages from my Smash book, I'll get to it, I promise.  For now, here are my latest pages for the TM staff challenge kit.

Happy Birthday KK!

Today is my dear friend Kirsten's Birthday.  KK likes making funny faces, so to honor her I attempted some funny shots.  Sadly I am not able to get a decent funny face when sober, so this is the best I could do!  Hope your day is fab!  (and I really enjoyed your birthday muffin!)