Words of Wisdom

 Dewey sent me this card awhile ago.  When I got it I thought it was nice and stuck it on my wall.  When we moved into our new Sydney apartment I put it up at my vanity.  I read it everyday while I get ready and I find it very empowering.

Tourist For the Weekend

This weekend is a long weekend in NSW!  Monday is Labor Day.  (Lucky me, I got two this year, as QLD celebrated theirs earlier in the year.)  Dean and Alana have arrived in Oz and will be making their way into Sydney Monday morning.  Joel golfed yesterday and today, which meant I had two whole days to myself.  Even though I'm fighting a small cold, I thought I'd get out and see the city.

I started out yesterday by taking the train into Circular Quay.  As it was a Saturday and it's school holidays right now, it was packed.  A few entertainers around, including disco-abo man with his didgeridoo.  I planned on following a walking tour in The Rocks laid out by my Lonely Planet guide.  The first few stops didn't interest me, so I ditched the book and did my own thing.  I walked all around the harbor and under the bridge, then through the Saturday market.  I picked up some sour licorice there which is AMAZING and all gone now!

The Rocks

Luna Park

After walking for awhile my cold starting bothering me.  Wasn't ready to go home yet, so decided to do one of the city Hop On Hop Off Tourist buses.  It wasn't really that exciting either, bu I learned a few interesting facts and got my bearings around the city.  Found some other areas I'd like to explore.  After the hour and a half tour I went home.  It was really windy and sitting on top of the bus in the wind tuckered me out.

The Queen Victoria Building, which is under refurbishment

Joel met two new friends at his new golf club, Eastlakes.  They are close in age and moved over recently from New Zealand.  They golf every weekend together.  Last night I dropped them off and picked them up so they could enjoy some beers after the game.  There was a big rugby (or football? or AFL?  it's all the same to me) game going on, Sydney vs Melbourne, so they wanted to get rowdy with the rest of the city.  Sydney won, so it was quite a party everywhere.

This morning I slept in and was initially going to rest all day.  But it was a nice, sunny day and I decided I should get out for some exercise.  I took the train back to Circular Quay and walked opposite the way I did yesterday, past the Opera House and through the Sydney Botanical Gardens.  It's a big park that is bordered by the water with spectacular views of the harbor.   There are lots of statues, fountains and gardens throughout.  Also tons of Asian weddings happening today.

Not sure where these came from or why they're here, but they are pieces of an old building

Government House

I will never tire of this view...

Mrs MacQuarries Chair (carved into the sandstone for the wife of Governor MacQuarrie in 1810 by convicts)

Sydney- it's just like Edmonton!

After walking through the park I decided it was time for some shopping!  As I was near the CBD I walked down MacQuarrie Street towards the big Westfield Center.  Saw a few more sights on my way.

Parliament of NSW

Sydney Hospital, Australia's oldest hospital.  Rumor has it if you pet the nose of the pig statue you will have good luck.

The Mint.  Used to be the old Sydney Rum Hospital.  The British government wouldn't give the Aussie's money to build one, so Captain MacQuarie gave it's two builders a monopoly on the rum trade build it for free.

Fountain in Hyde Park with the Registry of Sydney behind

Sydney Tower.

Westfields is a pretty fancy mall.  The top floors are all the expensive stores I would like to shop in but can not afford.  The bottom ones are more my range.  I headed to my two favs, Sportsgirl and Forever New, and treated myself to some retail therapy.  There was some seriously good stuff and I would have loved to buy more, but we do have a vacation coming up soon!

Kareoke

Yesterday was Detail's sixth birthday, so the staff got treated to a night out on the town at a kareoke bar!  Was not that excited about it, but ended up being a fun night.

I went into work to get my hair done (on a Saturday!  A novelty!) and a couple other girls were getting theirs done too.  It was like a big party, and after the clients were gone we brought out booze and got ourselves glamed up.  We went to a Japanese kareoke bar on George Street where we had our own private room.  Kareoke here is way more fancy then at home, where it's usually in a crap pub.  The night was paid for by the bosses, so many, many drinks were had.  Also an unlimited seeming amount of appetizers.  I did get up a few times to sing, but no solos.  By the end of the night everyone was singing together and were pretty smashed.

Cosmos, of course!

I ordered like a million gyoza, which I enjoyed with my new American friend Christina.

Joel picked me up later and I made him take me to McDonalds for ice cream to celebrate Dewey's birthday. 

Today I'm catching up on some house cleaning and more organizing.  Think I finally found a solution to our lack of closet space.  

This week I've been feeling tired and homesick.  Still not used to my long work weeks and it's taking a toll on my mind and body.  Went for a massage yesterday so I hope that will help.  I'm slowly starting to get back into a regular work out routine too.  I need to do my best to enjoy each day as it comes and remember home will always be there.  Even though my friends and family are far away they're only a text away and I love that they're always there when I need them!  We have four and a bit months left on this visa so I need to get over myself and make the most of my time here.

Happy Birthday Baby Sister!!!

Happy Birthday to the best baby sister ever!  Wish I could celebrate number #23 with you.  Love you baby chicken xoxo

Tuesday Blues

Tuesday has got to be my least favorite day of the week.  Always has been for whatever reason.

I was in a funk all day.  I had a difficult first client that put me in a downer mood and I just couldn't seem to get out of it.  One of those days I just wanted to go home and cuddle up in bed.

It rained tonight and unfortunately I got stuck in a big downpour walking home from the train station.  The water went through my supposedly water-repellent jacket.  Lovely.

Joel felt the same way and also had a yuck day.  We both were just feeling all over the place and not sure what to do next in life.  This trip was supposed to be about figuring "stuff" out, so hope we get some answers soon!  We decided this day called for some Cold Rock ice cream.  It wasn't the comfort DQ Smartie Blizzard I was craving, but it did help a bit.  Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully a better one.

On the bright side, we are off to New Zealand next month.  Dean and Alana wanted to head over to snowboard, so we are going for a long weekend.  Joel and I don't think there will be enough snow for them to snowboard, but they can find that out for themselves.  We're headed to Queenstown, which is on the south island.  We'll also be spending a weekend up in the Hunter Valley (two hours from Sydney) for some winery touring- yes!  I got an extra day off work while they are here, which also happens to be my godson's first birthday, so I can skype into the party.  Should be a good next few weeks!  Dean and Alana arrive a week Friday.

Population

Last night we were talking with Florian about different cities and their populations.  Sydney's is around four million, which I thought is decent.  Florian's off to Moscow in a couple weeks, which has a population of twenty million.  Makes Sydney seem like a small place. It doesn't even rank in the world's top fifty largest cities.  Quite small for the largest city in Oz.  Made me curious about other city's sizes, and how Canadian cities compare to Aussie ones.  So today I am treating you to a geography lesson!

 Canada's population 34,482,779

 Australia's population 22,620,600

Canada's largest cities and populations: 

1- Toronto 5.5 million (51st largest in the world)

2- Montreal 3.8 million

3- Vancouver 2.3 million (always thought Van was bigger then this)

4- Ottawa/Gatineau 1.2 million

5- Calgary 1.2 million

6- Edmonton 1.15 million

7- Quebec City 765 000

8- Winnipeg 730 000

9- Hamilton/Burlington 721 000

10- Kitchener/Cambridge/Waterloo 477 000

Over 50% of Canadians live in the bigger cities.

 Australia's largest cities and populations:

1- Sydney 4.6 million (94th largest in the world)

2- Melbourne 4.1 million

3- Brisbane 2.1 million

4- Perth 1.8 million

5- Adelaide 1.2 million

6- Gold Coast 576 000

7- Newcastle 540 000

8- Canberra (Oz's capital) 367 000

9- Wollongong 288 000

10- Sunshine Coast 241 000

Over 80% of Australian's live in the bigger cities.

Bronte to Bondi Cliff Walk

Our weekend got off to an early start- with a two am phone call!  We figured it had to be someone from back home, and sure enough it was Dean calling to plan their trip.  Joel talked to him for a bit, then told him to call back during our regular waking hours.  We went back to sleep and at nine were more awake to discuss things.  Joel was able to get off the whole three weeks that Dean and Alana are here off from work.  I wasn't, as there are some other girls away at that time, but hopefully will be able to get off an extra day for a long weekend trip to Queenstown, New Zealand.  It's going to be a pretty action packed trip!  I still have some research to do, but more or less have the itinerary planned.  Stay tuned for the full schedule.

This afternoon I did the Bronte Beach to Bondi cliff walk.  I've had quite a few clients recommend it and thought since it was a nice day I should go for it.  It did not disappoint!  Sydney's beaches are not a long strip like at the Gold Coast.  They are broken up by cliffs and rocks.  This walk takes you on a path right along the coast, up and down the cliffs and past various rock formations.  The full walk is 5.5 km and goes from Cogee to Bondi.  I decided on doing half and took the bus to Bronte, then walked up to Bondi.  Bronte is a pretty sweet beach, think I'll be coming back here again.

 And onwards to Bondi...

 

The famous Iceberg Pools and RSL Club.  Pretty cool huh?  I'm totally coming for drinks here sometime.

On my way home I made a random new friend at the train station.  I've been buying weekly train passes to get to work, but on Thursday bought one finishing at the wrong stop.  I had to get my ticket reissued and instead of a pass I can swipe in and out with, they had to reissue me a paper ticket.  This means I have to physically find a transport officer before entering and exiting the station to let me in and out of the gate (annoying).  On my way to Bondi the ticket guy at Redfern (my station) I found was pretty chatty.  He was still there when I came back and remembered me, and since he was bored decided we should have a chat.  He even gave me his special fob to open the gates for passengers and said if I needed a job I'm hired.  Ha!  After ten minutes he finally let me go, then walked me out of the station and said to come find him if I ever needed anything.  My random Sydney story.

We now have an official "place" that we like to eat.  When we first got here we happened on a restaurant called Time for Thai.  (They have peanut free options so I won't die!)  We went again tonight and it was so good and well priced.  It's similar to our favorite place in Edmonton, Matahari.

I've discovered why Aussie's whinge so much about the "cold" in their homes.  They only have single paned windows!  This isn't as insulating as our good old Canadian double or triple panes.  Hey Oz- clue into double pane and your homes will stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer!  But then they'd have one less thing to complain about...

Hard Day's Night

Why does it feel like a Friday but it's only Thursday???

I had a long day today- 9:30 am-8:30 pm- and couldn't wait to get home.  My body (and brain) is not used to working so much!  The morning was slow, but after lunch was busy so the latter half of the day went quickly.  I have mastered the new style of consultation, but now need to become a product selling ninja.  This has never been my strong suit so I have to work extra hard.  I've been doing well so far- already sold $300 this week (what I would normally sell in a month at home) but still have a few barriers to overcome.  I had a few moments this week where I felt frustrated with everything and wanted to give up, but I need to remember that to become better takes work.  I need to learn to relax, break out of my old routine, follow the new steps I've been given, and let myself grow.  I can do it.

Yesterday Joel switched dealerships.  After a week he just didn't feel comfortable at work and was coming home upset every night.  He's now at Audi Five Dock.  There are about fifteen guys working there and it's still a reasonable drive from home.  I hope he gets a better vibe here.  So far he hasn't been enjoying Sydney at all and has talked about coming home earlier a few times.  I think it's too big of a city for him.

We are getting ready for some visitors soon.  Joel's BFF Dean and his girlfriend Alana will be here in two weeks time.  We are trying to figure out a rough itinerary and know what days to take off work, but typical Dean has nothing planned yet.  We keep hearing different stories of what they want to see and do- sounds like they think Oz is smaller then it actually is!  Joel and I are really looking forward to their visit, but me being OCD I would like to have some cement dates!

Want to give a shout out to my cousin Larissa and her new fiancee John- they just got engaged and I'm really excited!  Hope I'll catch that wedding.  I have a feeling there will be a decent amount of weddings coming up next year, yeah!  I love weddings.     

The Weekend

I had my first normal person weekend, with a Saturday off!  I celebrated by staying up as late as I could on Friday, watching my new favorite Aussie shows Puberty Blues and Don't Tell the Bride online with Joel.  I intended to sleep in on Saturday, but Joel woke me up at nine o'clock.  This is the first weekend he hasn't been up early to golf, which means we got to hang out!  After breakfast at McDonald's we took the train into the city to the Museum of Sydney.  They had a special exhibit on called "On the Home-front", which was all about war time Sydney.   I saw this advertised and had to see it, as I really don't know much about Australia's role in WWII and am interested in that era.  There were all kinds of war time paraphernalia (including wedding dresses, ration books and gas masks) and real people's stories of life in that time.  I didn't know this, but Sydney Harbour was actually attacked by Japanese submarines.  It was unsuccessful, but it really brought the war home for most people.  There were also a series of letters from soldiers to loved ones back home.  My favorite was a display written to a popular pin up girl.  Single soldiers with no one to write home to would write to her, with hopes that she would write back and help keep their spirits up.  Some of the letters were funny to read, with soldiers describing themselves to her.  Even though she was married, she did write back to them all.  Awesome exhibit and I was glad we checked it out!

 We had a nice afternoon walking around the city and enjoying the sunshine.  Spring is officially here!  Also have the train system figured out now.  It works very similar to the NYC system.  It's very easy to get around and ticket prices are reasonable.  The station we got on and off  had a vintage look like some of the ones in NYC, so had to get a picture for Dewey!  She will be proud of my mad train taking skills.

 After getting everything unpacked in the evening, we ordered pizza and hung out with our new room mate Florian.  He is so cool!  Had all kinds of German beers for us to try out, then later busted out some oven fresh pretzels!  I think we stayed up till two am talking with him.  He's a very interesting guy and works as a photographer, so does all kinds of cool travel.

This morning we had more of  sleep in and went for breakfast at a neighborhood cafe.  There are so many neat little restaurants around, am really excited to explore the area and find our favorites.  Looks like there are quite a few yoga and pilates studios around, so I'm going to try and join up at one.  Joel has not found a home golf course yet, but is out this afternoon testing out a new one!

I am really loving living in Sydney.  It's such an amazing place and there is just so much to see and do.  I feel very at home.  My opinion of Australia has done a three-sixty in the time we've been here.  Much more what I expected life to be like.  I definitely recommend making a trip here if possible. 

Our New Place!

On Wednesday night we moved out of our yucky sharehouse and into our new place!  It is very bright and modern and VERY clean (so important!).  We're renting a room (with it's own private bathroom and balcony) in a duplex we found online on airbnb.com.  It belongs to a German guy named Florian, who also lives here.  He is a super cool guy and we all get along really well.  The unit is located in Alexandria, which is not far from the CBD and is pretty close to work for both Joel and I (just a quick walk to the train station and a short train ride for me- no more sharing the car).  It comes with a fully equipped kitchen (with a dishwasher, my savior!), laundry, and plenty of street parking.  Our room has lots of windows and we get tons of sunlight through the day, which I'm loving as we barely got any at the Marrakesh.

Front entry

Our bedroom and balcony

Walk-through closet and bathroom

Kitchen

Downstairs balcony

Living area

The only downfall is the closet is not that big.  I had to get really creative with space when I unpacked everything yesterday!  All the heavier, "winter" items are packed away in my suitcase and I had to store alot of things under the bed in boxes, but I did it.  I totally over packed and didn't realize how much clothing I had brought with me!  What else is new?  The bathroom is smaller as well, but the fact that we don't have to share one is awesome.  I think we did pretty well with this find.  Sydney is very expensive to live in, even for a dumpy place.

Detail for Men

Tuesday was my first day of work at Detail.  I spent alot of the day in training, getting to know my way around the salon, figuring out the computer and booking system, learning about new products, and trying to remember everyone's faces!  There are around twenty staff, made up of stylists, apprentices, spa staff, and reception (from all around the world).  Amazingly enough this group of all women gel really well together.  Everyone was super friendly and helpful.  I feel like I fit in well and am really comfortable working here.  I had a great first day and even got a few clients of my own. 

The rest of the week was busy and the days went by quickly.  I had a decent amount of clients and even sold some product and got some clients to rebook!  But by Friday I was ready for a day off.  I was feeling a bit frazzled as I had taken in so much new information over the week.  The hardest part for me is getting used to their way of consulting with clients.  They have a specific set of questions to ask and different ways of asking depending on the personality of the client (ie more to the point for the rushed business man, more facts for the analyzer etc.).   It totally makes sense and helps figure out exactly what a client wants, I just need to get more confident in it and break out of the way I'm used to.  There are also so many new products for me to learn as well, so I feel a little in the dark as I don't know the info on everything yet.  I think by the end of the month I'll have worked out the kinks and be feeling more confident with things.

By the end of Friday my poor legs were aching.  I'm not used to working such long days!  Have to get my body back into full time routine again.  My hours will be Monday to Friday 9:30-7, and a longer day Thursday of 9:30-8:30 (late night shopping day so everything's open longer) for a total of forty four hours a week.  I get a guaranteed lunch break, which is nice.  It sounds like everyone in Sydney works longer and harder then on the Gold Coast.

Life Is Good Today

This morning I had a trial day at one of the salons I interviewed at last week.  I had two models, a short and longer cut.  My short haired model was a random guy we met on the street, my long model Joel's golf partner from Saturday (oh look, golf does come in handy once in awhile!).  Model one went awesome, two was super picky and the manager gave me a few suggestions, so I was worried I didn't get the job.  But I totally did!!!  Praise Allah!  The manager, Stephen says I'm a "born hairstylist" and that he likes my work, but there's room for improvement.  He likes my personality and how I am with clients.   Felt awesome to hear these compliments from such an accomplished stylist (he's worked all over the world and does most of the GQ Australia styling).  I start tomorrow morning.  I'll be working Monday-Friday (what, Saturdays off!?).  Originally I was going to work Tuesday- Saturday, but Stephen thinks we gel well and wants me to work with him on Mondays.  I'm so excited!!!!  For anyone interested the salon is called Detail for Men.  I'll be getting paid WAY more then I expected, but will also be working forty-four hour weeks, which will be tough to get used to after my barely twenty hours on the Gold Coast.  I'll get super pay (retirement funds), sick day and vacation pay (WHOA!) and tons of training.  Once a month I'll have a one on one with Stephen and a model which is pretty cool.  This salon is primarily for men, but there are lady clients too.  I am going to learn so much here and can't wait to expand my skills.

The salon is in the CBD and super close to the harbor, so when I was finished I walked over to the Opera House and was lucky enough to skype into my cousin's wedding reception back home.  Congrats Jen and John!!!  Looks like it was a pretty fun party.  I got to congratulate the new couple and see some friends and family I haven't talked to since January, which was pretty special.  Love the magic of skype.  

If you look closely you can just make out John and Jen.

Just waiting for Joel to get home (he must love this job already as he's working overtime tonight) and we can get our new place finalized!  The place we are in now is so gross (more on that later) and after an incident on Saturday night we are getting out of here asap!