G’Day everyone! March has continued to be an exciting and energetic time in my life, stirring a joy in me that I could have never expected. I have been at my job for and my house for the last two weeks, and every day is more of a gift than the first.
Things with my job are going wonderful at this time. WSP Lincolne Scott is a very kind and relaxed company and people have done wonders to make me feel welcomed into the family. It is a lovely place to work with the kind people and free coffee - not to mention that every Friday we can dress casual and in jeans! Unlike my previous reception role at UBS Financial Services, things are at a much more relaxed pace at WSPLS. Yesterday I was able to spend most the day catching up on paying bills, personal correspondence, and naturally wasting time on Facebook… perfect for a backpacker!
Life is better than anything I could have imagined it to be. Every day I wake up enthused to go to work, and end the day I am satisfied and walk home with a smile. I constantly am feeling thankful and that I am experiencing the epitome of bliss. Though I was convinced it would take an opposite effect, my social life has not declined nearly as much as I assumed that it would… only to add to my satisfaction of my experience thus far.
First of all, my dear friend Francis returned to Sydney after his travels to Melbourne – which has been why even my weekday nights have been filled. After meeting Francis for a brief week and half last June, I knew that I had found a dear and special friend. I told Joy then that Francis is, “the friend that I always wanted to have, but could never find.” Surviving as a hippie in his van he so lovingly called Macy (due to a spray painting of Macy Grey on the side), I reunited with Francis with his shoulder-length hair and bare feet by the Sydney Harbor Bridge. With the last week and a half of his time back in Sydney, I have managed to uncontrollably laugh and smile and maintain a more care-free spirit myself. With the closure of his year visa, I am grieved to say that my friend is leaving me tomorrow to head back to Thailand for a bit, and return to Austria. Once again Francis has managed to paint my life with colours and images that will remain with me… and I hope only to share the beautiful things I have learned from him with others.
Though one dear friend is gone, I am incredibly thrilled and thankful that my other friend Lisa has decided to return to Sydney after a few weeks in Brisbane! Arriving just yesterday, I was blessed to spend the evening with her and look forward to another tonight (I reckon and hope this is a frequent occurrence)! Finding it difficult to achieve work in Brisbane and with more links in Sydney, Lisa has decided that this city is a better fit. Trying not to be too biased during her decision making, I attempted to have little influence on what she was debating, but I have to say that this has turned out in my favour!
Discovering my new residence of Surry Hills has created many thrilling moments for me! Located in the heart of many great pubs, I have found a place where I intend on spending a lot of my time when going out with friends. Known as the Shakespeare Hotel, this pub is adorned with a Victorian-themed interior, dark carpet and wallpaper, creaky wood floors, chandeliers made out of deer antlers and candles, private rooms to play games in, and brilliant electronic music in the background. On top of that, my favourite Cider known as Bulmer’s is on tap and there are Greek salads for on $4.50 (it’s hard to find a meal less than $8)! So if any of you come out to see me, you can guarantee that we will be taking a short stop at the Shakespeare Hotel :)
I guess at this point I don’t feel that I have too much to share; just loving life as much as I can with work, living and hanging out with friends! I would have to say that overall, I can’t remember being this happy in a long time; it seems that life is truly a gift and a blessing with each passing day. I am learning a lot about myself and enjoying many new things and people. I want nothing more than what is in front of me – and there is something truly beautiful about being able to exist in this mindset and experience undisrupted satisfaction. There are things that would make this experience better, such as the attendance of loved ones, but other than that I could not be happier! One month has already gone by and I can only imagine that the next 11 will follow its lead. I love you and miss you all…
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Home sweet home
It seems that the final piece of my uncertainties have officially been solved! This last Saturday I committed to a house located in my beloved area of Surry Hills. I look forward to moving out of China Town and escaping the hustled and over-crowded streets known as George and Pitt. Though this has been a lovely and familiar place over all my Australia travels, I need to move on.
My new home in Surry Hills is located in the heart of Crown Street, which is painted with small cafes, local music venues, Irish pubs, small fruit markets, parks and trees with flowers that are starting to fall with the change of seasons, and heaps of vintage stores. I can’t think of a location that would be more suiting! Settling in my new home at 366 Crown Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 (in case you wanted to send anything:), I am creating a new home with my immediate 23-year-old Irish roommate, another from France, another from Egypt, an Irish couple, and a gal who recently moved to Sydney from Perth. It seems like a rather cohesive and friendly group, with everyone living a bit quieter of a lifestyle. Based on my social and active role as a receptionist, I thought that this environment would be suiting!
Surry Hills is located only minutes walk from Oxford Street, 10 minutes to the Paddington area, 10 minutes from China Town, 15 minutes from the CBD, and buses that lead me directly to the city’s most beautiful beaches. The house is a bit older and not fancy by any standard, but it had a good feeling when I visited it. Joylynn came to the home with me on Saturday, and with her supported affirmation, I decided to commit my stay!
Being in Sydney is great, but I always have been a bit more of a nature-oriented person myself. It amazes me the amount of sadness and emptiness that is apparent on so many faces. During the day I tend to spend most of my time alone, with a lot of thoughts evaluating my life. It is during these moments that I am able to really analyze my heart and motivates and discover changes that I want to exist in my life. It is interesting getting comfortable with being alone because I tend to surround myself in very social environments. I guess I am just trying to get comfortable with this space – and I think that I am realizing that even though it can be incredibly lonely, I really do my best thinking in these moments!
Highlight of the week: the arrival and reuniting with my brilliant friend Lisa from Germany! Lisa and I originally met while working in the Outback during my first visa. Though our paths crossed for only over a week, she is one the people that I grew closest to during this time. Lisa is a 21-year-old who is leading a life very different from everyone else back in Germany. Though they may not understand her intentions and may experience moments of envy, she is going forth with her dream to return to Australia for another year.
In many ways, Lisa is a kindred spirit to myself – kind of like the younger sister that I would want if I wanted one. Though it is difficult to articulate through words, Australia brings about a sense of peace and inner understanding that neither one of us has experienced before and seem to only grasp while here. It goes without reason that we are just most ourselves and comfortable in Australia. Lisa is a great friend to me and I constantly admire her ability to express strength and such a gentle spirit at the same time. I love her deeply and am saddened that she has moved north to Brisbane, but I have no doubt that we will meet again quite soon.
It seems like the 80’s have struck Australia in full force with the midriff-baring shirts, tight and high-wasted jean shorts, and a black bra is the newest found hot accessory often being revealed. I think that I will stick to my boho/simple ways on this one and wait for this fad to fiddle out…
Overall, I am still really happy! I look forward to getting out of the hostel lifestyle – six roommates, awkward social interactions, drunken games in the common areas played by the 20-year-old travelers, and waiting for the hostel’s only elevator, have all gotten a bit old after nearly three weeks. I can’t believe I am saying this… but even the free food shelf has gotten boring!
I can’t explain it, but I just feel that this is where I need to be and it amazes me how the pieces have fit together so easily. It’s funny because after many unexpected and undesired changes of plans in life, I decided that we cannot really expect things to be a certain way because they always seem to go in the opposite direction of our plans (God is funny like that sometimes). I came to Australia with the hope of getting an office job and living in Surry Hills, but I almost expected that this wouldn’t happen because it was what I wanted – I came with an open mind and ready to move to the Outback again if need be. But for the first time in a long time, things are going in a direction that I would have hoped! I still recognize the instability of life and won’t be disheartened if things change. My friend keeps telling me how proud of myself I should be with all my efforts, but the only response I have to give him is that I feel incredibly blessed and like everything has been outside of my hands.
Words that have encouraged me today: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle is not yours but God’s. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20: 15, 17
Peace and Love,
TK
Thursday, March 4, 2010
How the beauty has begun to unfold...
Today is my two-week anniversary with my beautiful new life in Australia! It seems that this place is more lively and encouraging than ever before – and it seems that things are falling into place quite easily for me.
I am quit happy to report that I secured a six-month reception/admin role at a company called WSP Lincolne Scott! I received a phone call last Friday from Robert Walters (one of the temping agencies I signed up with), describing to me the position and what my expectations should be. And I cannot even begin to describe how good of a fit this is.
First of all the length of the time is quite appropriate considering my situation. How the 462 work/holiday visa functions is that I am not to stay at one place of employment for more than six months. I was getting a little nervous with the temping agencies when I continually received phone calls for only one-day assignments. But when I my beloved new friend Vicky phoned me, I had an instant turn around in hope when she said I can expect a six-month role!
Second of all, I really agree with the pursuit of the company, which is something I would hope to accomplish within my field of work. WSP is a green engineering firm that seeks to make non-residential buildings more carbon neutral. The goal is to have carbon emissions down by 50% by 2020 to help create greener cities!
Third of all, the people in the office seemed to be really suiting for me. It is a very young office with people ranging from my age to about 38. When I sat in the lobby and observed all my potential new friends, I was thrilled about meeting more people my age (it seems that most backpackers here are from the ages of 19-22). So it will hopefully be a really great place for me to meet some new friends!
Fourth of all, the office is a bit more casual than other positions I was apply for in the Central Business District (CBD) of Sydney. I started to feel overwhelmed at the financial investment in clothing I would have to make to find an office position. But luckily I am able to wear my clothes of comfort and choice (flats, leggings, and bright dresses – you know my style).
So that is my job situation in a nutshell! I am starting next Wednesday, but it honestly could not come to me any sooner☺ Now I am in the process of finding housing… which should not be too much of a problem. I am meeting with a guy from a company called Furnished Properties today to check out a place in a part of Sydney I am really interested in (Surry Hills)!
Other than those updates, my social climate is still bringing my heart great warmth and delight. Yes, the life of the unemployed can be so difficult! All I seem to fill my time with is café outings with friends, sight seeing with epic symbols of this country, sitting in parks, an occasional shopping spree, perhaps a pub on some nights, and sitting in the common rooms of my hostel where I am continually confronted with beautiful new souls. It is difficult, I know, but I seem to be managing!
I would say the highlight of my last week was actually just last night with my best mate, Joylynn. Being that she lives about an hour away, we decided for both of our sanity to meet half way during the week! Given our appreciation for the Irish culture and a good cider, we have discovered a place called DJ Galaghers that we will meet at each Tuesday! So now I have something stable and exciting too look forward to every week. I love that girl a lot; it’s nice to have a sense of home when being so far away.
Well that is about all I have to report at this time – sorry if it is a bit too mater-of-fact, but that is how my mind is functioning at the moment. Guess I should probably enjoy these last few moments of freedom… and take a nap ☺ Thank you and I love you all!
I am quit happy to report that I secured a six-month reception/admin role at a company called WSP Lincolne Scott! I received a phone call last Friday from Robert Walters (one of the temping agencies I signed up with), describing to me the position and what my expectations should be. And I cannot even begin to describe how good of a fit this is.
First of all the length of the time is quite appropriate considering my situation. How the 462 work/holiday visa functions is that I am not to stay at one place of employment for more than six months. I was getting a little nervous with the temping agencies when I continually received phone calls for only one-day assignments. But when I my beloved new friend Vicky phoned me, I had an instant turn around in hope when she said I can expect a six-month role!
Second of all, I really agree with the pursuit of the company, which is something I would hope to accomplish within my field of work. WSP is a green engineering firm that seeks to make non-residential buildings more carbon neutral. The goal is to have carbon emissions down by 50% by 2020 to help create greener cities!
Third of all, the people in the office seemed to be really suiting for me. It is a very young office with people ranging from my age to about 38. When I sat in the lobby and observed all my potential new friends, I was thrilled about meeting more people my age (it seems that most backpackers here are from the ages of 19-22). So it will hopefully be a really great place for me to meet some new friends!
Fourth of all, the office is a bit more casual than other positions I was apply for in the Central Business District (CBD) of Sydney. I started to feel overwhelmed at the financial investment in clothing I would have to make to find an office position. But luckily I am able to wear my clothes of comfort and choice (flats, leggings, and bright dresses – you know my style).
So that is my job situation in a nutshell! I am starting next Wednesday, but it honestly could not come to me any sooner☺ Now I am in the process of finding housing… which should not be too much of a problem. I am meeting with a guy from a company called Furnished Properties today to check out a place in a part of Sydney I am really interested in (Surry Hills)!
Other than those updates, my social climate is still bringing my heart great warmth and delight. Yes, the life of the unemployed can be so difficult! All I seem to fill my time with is café outings with friends, sight seeing with epic symbols of this country, sitting in parks, an occasional shopping spree, perhaps a pub on some nights, and sitting in the common rooms of my hostel where I am continually confronted with beautiful new souls. It is difficult, I know, but I seem to be managing!
I would say the highlight of my last week was actually just last night with my best mate, Joylynn. Being that she lives about an hour away, we decided for both of our sanity to meet half way during the week! Given our appreciation for the Irish culture and a good cider, we have discovered a place called DJ Galaghers that we will meet at each Tuesday! So now I have something stable and exciting too look forward to every week. I love that girl a lot; it’s nice to have a sense of home when being so far away.
Well that is about all I have to report at this time – sorry if it is a bit too mater-of-fact, but that is how my mind is functioning at the moment. Guess I should probably enjoy these last few moments of freedom… and take a nap ☺ Thank you and I love you all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
