Yesterday was Australia Day and I spent it in the city. First, Lizzo and I apartment hunted, although that turned out to be a fail. We viewed one that had 10 people crammed into a tiny ( I reapeat: TINY) two bedroom. Two people even lived in the living room.
Then, Lizzo and I realized just how much we hate Mike and Tim (Or, Tim Tam, as we call them)... our British roomies. 3 days and I'm done with them!
But, we rallied together and went north to the Rocks (the area right by the Opera House and Harbour Bridge). Met some American friends to drink on the roof of the Glenmore hotel, with a gorgeous view of the harbour and Opera House! Talk about breathtaking. Oh, then I ended up looking down at my feet to see myself standing on a baggie full of crack. At least I assume it was crack based on episodes of Cops I've seen. I felt diseased just by looking at it.
We then left the city and went back to sit on the beach, enjoyed some ice cream, and stayed until it was dark and cold and time for bed.
Two things I've learned about Australians: 1. the guys are arrogant, loud and like to fight. 2. the girls are arrogant, loud and like to fight.
On that note, I witnessed my first Aussie girl fight outside, by the beach in Coogee. There was hair pulling, scratching, and a nice slam to the ground accompanied by many punches to her pretty face. Stillettos were kicked off, bikinis torn, nails broken... cops were called. It was a... sight.
I'm off work now and headed into the city to grab some drinks with my English, Irish, and American friends. It's like the United Nations... of beer.
Love,
Michaela
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
I wish the sun would come out to play...
I've been sick this weekend... spent most of the weekend with my head in the toilet, emptying the contents of my stomach (by the time I got to numbers 3, 4, and 5 there was nothing left, but my stomach apparently thought otherwise.) I'm feeling better though... successfully kept down a Hungry Jack's (Burger King) meal for lunch!
I've decided that nothing makes a person more homesick than being sick. I miss my friends and my family... I miss comfort and familiarity. The feeling is a little less so today, but yesterday I was wanting to be at home so bad. I also miss Chinese food... like, China Place, where you get heaps of greasy food for so cheap. And, they deliver it to your front door, even when you live right next door, but it's just too cold to leave! I also miss baking cakes/brownies/cookies at least twice a week with Sara... eating about half of what we baked in about 24 hours. Sometimes even all of it... like eating a whole box of stuffing or a box of macaroni cheese (family size) in one sitting. Or, watching the Hills every monday night, even though I really hated the show. Going to class (never thought I would say that) and trudging my way through the icy/snowy/slushy streets and guarding my face from the piercing Iowa winds (that you truly have to experience to believe... they're killer). I also miss Peggys and West End, and the occasional Dublin... of course I miss Wednesday nights at the Library (not a lot of reading got done here). I miss not having to worry about stretching my money... paying rent... But, hey... if you don't miss anything, you can't appreciate where you are and what you're doing!
All that aside, I booked a Sky Dive. I'm officially going to throw myself out of a plane on my birthday! Let the nail-biting begin.
Also, I went skinny dipping Saturday morning. Sorry mom and family... but, it was so fun! Nothing like being with your closest friends, deciding at the crack of dawn, after hanging out all night and meeting random Australians, to jump butt naked into the ocean. Talk about a thrill. I apologize to any tourists, or locals, who saw my pale butt. Check that off the lists of things to do before I die!
Okay, I'm off work and off to the grocery store... one day of work and then Tuesday is Australia Day! It's a public holiday, so I get the day off to spend barbequing my the beach... or whatever Aussies do on their "4th of July."
Cheers!
I've decided that nothing makes a person more homesick than being sick. I miss my friends and my family... I miss comfort and familiarity. The feeling is a little less so today, but yesterday I was wanting to be at home so bad. I also miss Chinese food... like, China Place, where you get heaps of greasy food for so cheap. And, they deliver it to your front door, even when you live right next door, but it's just too cold to leave! I also miss baking cakes/brownies/cookies at least twice a week with Sara... eating about half of what we baked in about 24 hours. Sometimes even all of it... like eating a whole box of stuffing or a box of macaroni cheese (family size) in one sitting. Or, watching the Hills every monday night, even though I really hated the show. Going to class (never thought I would say that) and trudging my way through the icy/snowy/slushy streets and guarding my face from the piercing Iowa winds (that you truly have to experience to believe... they're killer). I also miss Peggys and West End, and the occasional Dublin... of course I miss Wednesday nights at the Library (not a lot of reading got done here). I miss not having to worry about stretching my money... paying rent... But, hey... if you don't miss anything, you can't appreciate where you are and what you're doing!
All that aside, I booked a Sky Dive. I'm officially going to throw myself out of a plane on my birthday! Let the nail-biting begin.
Also, I went skinny dipping Saturday morning. Sorry mom and family... but, it was so fun! Nothing like being with your closest friends, deciding at the crack of dawn, after hanging out all night and meeting random Australians, to jump butt naked into the ocean. Talk about a thrill. I apologize to any tourists, or locals, who saw my pale butt. Check that off the lists of things to do before I die!
Okay, I'm off work and off to the grocery store... one day of work and then Tuesday is Australia Day! It's a public holiday, so I get the day off to spend barbequing my the beach... or whatever Aussies do on their "4th of July."
Cheers!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Island in the sun.
Things that America needs to import from Australia:
*Fresh pumpkin sold YEAR ROUND to be used in veggie medleys
*Passionfruit
*Freshly squeezed juice stands on every corner (you watch your fruit/veggies go from whole to liquid in a matter of seconds!)
*Kangaroo (homemade Kangaroo steaks are the best)
*Cadbury bars at every gas station/grocery store check out instead of nasty Hersheys (now that Kraft has bought Cadbury they should implement this)
*Caramel Slices (like a little slice of heaven.)
Things that Australians need to do that Americans do right:
*Bacon (they just don't get it right here... it's ham here, not bacon, so stop calling it bacon!)
*Sausage (it's nasty here)
Other than that, I'm content.
P.S. I do more than just eat here... I just realized all that was based on food. I had no intention of that... apparently I'm really hungry.
---
On a much more serious note, I'm homeless in 1.5 weeks. Our lease is up and I need to figure out what the heck to do. I might just go back to hostel living, although I'm not really looking forward to that. I like having my own space, and you don't get that in a hostel. And, I have to live out of my bag... I never, ever feel clean.
But, I also feel much more at home not really ever knowing what I'm doing that far in advance. I could do ANYTHING tomorrow, and that is so exciting. Most likely I'm going into the city to book in a skydive for Feb 5th. Yes, that's right: skydiving ON my BIRTHDAY. Oh Snap! I just got really scared thinking about it... but, also really excited. You only live once, right? Might as well live it right.
Speaking of my birthday, I can't believe I'll be 23 in 2 weeks. I'm getting old, yet I still feel so young. I like that. Thinking back to this time last year, I was ready to sign my life away to a guy that I was crazy about... I wanted to be with him, no matter what it took: I saw us living together, me getting a job in Des Moines, etc... Obviously it didn't work out that way, and I'm soooo glad (times a thousand! ha!) I like that I haven't settled down (or settled for anything/anyone in general). Some people might look down on me for being this age and traveling, not having a permanent job/residence (hello homeless in 1.5 weeks!), but I love it. I wouldn't give it up for the world. I'm still too young to settle down into a job, or get married... heck, even get a dog... or a fish. I can admit that I'm pretty selfish and can barely take care of myself. So, no... I have no idea what I'm doing with my future... I may be 23 and completely lost, but that's okay. I really have no desire to have everything figured out... it's much more fun this way.
Until next time!
Teenagers by Hayley Williams
I'm gonna go on living like I never met you,
And it'll feel wrong at first, but I think I can forget you,
Ignore the fact that we sleep no more than three feet apart,
I feel you now your all around me, underneath me
Your all around me, underneath me
Well how was I to know,
That what we carved in stone would be so temporary,
So how was I to know that my first crack at love would not be the last,
It wont be the last
It's in the air now, bitter tears and broken hearts,
We're teenagers,
We count the years we think we're smart,
But we're not, we don't know anything.
So don't ask me where I'll go, cause frankly I don't know, and I don't give a shit, (Ahh-ahh-ahh)
Why must we all make sense of what just wont make sense,
For once I'm just gonna live, I'm just gonna live,
Teenagers, We don't know any thing,
We're tennagers, We don't know anything(Ahh-ahh-ohh)
Well how was I to know, that what we carved in stone would be so temporary,
I'm gonna go on,
Why must we all make sense of what just wont make sense,
For once I'm just gonna live,
I'm just gonna live.
*Fresh pumpkin sold YEAR ROUND to be used in veggie medleys
*Passionfruit
*Freshly squeezed juice stands on every corner (you watch your fruit/veggies go from whole to liquid in a matter of seconds!)
*Kangaroo (homemade Kangaroo steaks are the best)
*Cadbury bars at every gas station/grocery store check out instead of nasty Hersheys (now that Kraft has bought Cadbury they should implement this)
*Caramel Slices (like a little slice of heaven.)
Things that Australians need to do that Americans do right:
*Bacon (they just don't get it right here... it's ham here, not bacon, so stop calling it bacon!)
*Sausage (it's nasty here)
Other than that, I'm content.
P.S. I do more than just eat here... I just realized all that was based on food. I had no intention of that... apparently I'm really hungry.
---
On a much more serious note, I'm homeless in 1.5 weeks. Our lease is up and I need to figure out what the heck to do. I might just go back to hostel living, although I'm not really looking forward to that. I like having my own space, and you don't get that in a hostel. And, I have to live out of my bag... I never, ever feel clean.
But, I also feel much more at home not really ever knowing what I'm doing that far in advance. I could do ANYTHING tomorrow, and that is so exciting. Most likely I'm going into the city to book in a skydive for Feb 5th. Yes, that's right: skydiving ON my BIRTHDAY. Oh Snap! I just got really scared thinking about it... but, also really excited. You only live once, right? Might as well live it right.
Speaking of my birthday, I can't believe I'll be 23 in 2 weeks. I'm getting old, yet I still feel so young. I like that. Thinking back to this time last year, I was ready to sign my life away to a guy that I was crazy about... I wanted to be with him, no matter what it took: I saw us living together, me getting a job in Des Moines, etc... Obviously it didn't work out that way, and I'm soooo glad (times a thousand! ha!) I like that I haven't settled down (or settled for anything/anyone in general). Some people might look down on me for being this age and traveling, not having a permanent job/residence (hello homeless in 1.5 weeks!), but I love it. I wouldn't give it up for the world. I'm still too young to settle down into a job, or get married... heck, even get a dog... or a fish. I can admit that I'm pretty selfish and can barely take care of myself. So, no... I have no idea what I'm doing with my future... I may be 23 and completely lost, but that's okay. I really have no desire to have everything figured out... it's much more fun this way.
Until next time!
Teenagers by Hayley Williams
I'm gonna go on living like I never met you,
And it'll feel wrong at first, but I think I can forget you,
Ignore the fact that we sleep no more than three feet apart,
I feel you now your all around me, underneath me
Your all around me, underneath me
Well how was I to know,
That what we carved in stone would be so temporary,
So how was I to know that my first crack at love would not be the last,
It wont be the last
It's in the air now, bitter tears and broken hearts,
We're teenagers,
We count the years we think we're smart,
But we're not, we don't know anything.
So don't ask me where I'll go, cause frankly I don't know, and I don't give a shit, (Ahh-ahh-ahh)
Why must we all make sense of what just wont make sense,
For once I'm just gonna live, I'm just gonna live,
Teenagers, We don't know any thing,
We're tennagers, We don't know anything(Ahh-ahh-ohh)
Well how was I to know, that what we carved in stone would be so temporary,
I'm gonna go on,
Why must we all make sense of what just wont make sense,
For once I'm just gonna live,
I'm just gonna live.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
I get drunk on life, enjoy that natural high.
After being on vacation for four lovely days, I had a hard time getting back into the whole work thing. When I arrived back in Sydney last Saturday it was about 40 degrees Celcius here... which is about 104 degrees fahrenheit. The train station didn't have air conditioning, then I waited in the hot sun for my bus, then took a 30 minute un-airconditioned bus back to my home. I was drenched in sweat and a little sunburnt.
I woke up bright and early Sunday morning to start my work week (Sun-Thurs every week)... Even though the week stretched on, I managed to fill it up with some great memories. That night Arron and I watched Trainspotting, and have decided that heroin is a bad choice... and dead babies are creepy. Monday night I went out with my friend Anton as it was his last night out in Sydney. I went over to his place and hung out with him and his girlfriend (who are Swedish) and met a bunch of their friends, who consisted of people from Sweden, Turkey, France, Italy, Germany, and Chile. Sitting there playing Kings (Circle of Death) with a bunch of people with funny accents, I had one of those "holy shit, I'm in another country" moments. The more that I live here and am settling in, the less I think about being 9,000 miles away from home; but, it hits me every once in awhile. It's one of the weirdest (and greatest) feelings out there.
I ended up getting home at 2am (after waiting for the bus for 40 minutes, it never showed, so I spent 25 dollars on a taxi ride home... *sigh*). Then, I woke up at 6:30 am in order to roll into work at 8am. Now, a normal work day I can handle after little sleep, but I ended up working 11 hours that day! Yes... 11 HOURS! By the end of the day I had literally lost my voice and sounded like a 45-year-old lifetime smoker. I got home around 8:30pm, ate some food, and fell asleep... only to wake up at 6:30 to do it again.
Then, that night (Wednesday) I met up with my friend Eric, who is from France, as he was only in Sydney for a couple of days. We got dinner at a backpacker bar called Sidebar (which is under the hostel where we met 2 months ago!). Australians love Chicken Schnitzel, and I hadn't had it yet, so I order the Schnitzel and Chips (Breaded chicken and fries). Pretty delish! After a couple Toohey's (cheap beer) I headed home to fall asleep, exhausted.
Thursday I worked the late shift (12pm to 9pm), went home, and fell asleep. All caught up on sleep, I woke up bright and early Friday and joined a gym... yes, you heard correctly. I've gotten a lil soft and squishy here and miss running on the treadmill (never thought I would say that), so I forked over some cash and have signed myself up to Fitness First. If I go at least once a week for 3 consecutive months, I get $75 back. Let's hope that's enough motivation! Spent the rest of the day hanging out in Coogee, then made my way into the city (30 minute bus ride) to hang out with Hilary and Melisa. We met up at a bar called Cheers (like the TV show!) and I ended up talking to two of Melisa's friends who are an Australian lesbian couple who love Paramore. If you know me well, you know I love Paramore and love to talk about them incessently. So, I was giddy. They knew where Franklin, TN was!
Saturday I went and worked out (two days in a row, whooo!) then spent the day laying on Maroubra beach. It's the beach just south of Coogee and takes a 10 minute bus ride. Lizzo was going to teach me how to surf, but the waves were huge and rough and probably not what I want to learn on. I'm not the most graceful person and am known for hurting myself... probably best to wait and have a professional teach me! Then, that night we bought a bottle of Goon ($10 for 4 Litres of Wine Based Product... it's processed with Fish Eggs and Milk... yum!) for us three girls and spent the night gabbing and gossiping.
Now, Sunday comes around, here I am sitting at my work computer, sweating because the air conditioner isn't turned on and staring out the window at the gorgeous weather. I want to be out there!
Well, enough slacking, I've got emails to send and people to call.
Love,
Michaela
I woke up bright and early Sunday morning to start my work week (Sun-Thurs every week)... Even though the week stretched on, I managed to fill it up with some great memories. That night Arron and I watched Trainspotting, and have decided that heroin is a bad choice... and dead babies are creepy. Monday night I went out with my friend Anton as it was his last night out in Sydney. I went over to his place and hung out with him and his girlfriend (who are Swedish) and met a bunch of their friends, who consisted of people from Sweden, Turkey, France, Italy, Germany, and Chile. Sitting there playing Kings (Circle of Death) with a bunch of people with funny accents, I had one of those "holy shit, I'm in another country" moments. The more that I live here and am settling in, the less I think about being 9,000 miles away from home; but, it hits me every once in awhile. It's one of the weirdest (and greatest) feelings out there.
I ended up getting home at 2am (after waiting for the bus for 40 minutes, it never showed, so I spent 25 dollars on a taxi ride home... *sigh*). Then, I woke up at 6:30 am in order to roll into work at 8am. Now, a normal work day I can handle after little sleep, but I ended up working 11 hours that day! Yes... 11 HOURS! By the end of the day I had literally lost my voice and sounded like a 45-year-old lifetime smoker. I got home around 8:30pm, ate some food, and fell asleep... only to wake up at 6:30 to do it again.
Then, that night (Wednesday) I met up with my friend Eric, who is from France, as he was only in Sydney for a couple of days. We got dinner at a backpacker bar called Sidebar (which is under the hostel where we met 2 months ago!). Australians love Chicken Schnitzel, and I hadn't had it yet, so I order the Schnitzel and Chips (Breaded chicken and fries). Pretty delish! After a couple Toohey's (cheap beer) I headed home to fall asleep, exhausted.
Thursday I worked the late shift (12pm to 9pm), went home, and fell asleep. All caught up on sleep, I woke up bright and early Friday and joined a gym... yes, you heard correctly. I've gotten a lil soft and squishy here and miss running on the treadmill (never thought I would say that), so I forked over some cash and have signed myself up to Fitness First. If I go at least once a week for 3 consecutive months, I get $75 back. Let's hope that's enough motivation! Spent the rest of the day hanging out in Coogee, then made my way into the city (30 minute bus ride) to hang out with Hilary and Melisa. We met up at a bar called Cheers (like the TV show!) and I ended up talking to two of Melisa's friends who are an Australian lesbian couple who love Paramore. If you know me well, you know I love Paramore and love to talk about them incessently. So, I was giddy. They knew where Franklin, TN was!
Saturday I went and worked out (two days in a row, whooo!) then spent the day laying on Maroubra beach. It's the beach just south of Coogee and takes a 10 minute bus ride. Lizzo was going to teach me how to surf, but the waves were huge and rough and probably not what I want to learn on. I'm not the most graceful person and am known for hurting myself... probably best to wait and have a professional teach me! Then, that night we bought a bottle of Goon ($10 for 4 Litres of Wine Based Product... it's processed with Fish Eggs and Milk... yum!) for us three girls and spent the night gabbing and gossiping.
Now, Sunday comes around, here I am sitting at my work computer, sweating because the air conditioner isn't turned on and staring out the window at the gorgeous weather. I want to be out there!
Well, enough slacking, I've got emails to send and people to call.
Love,
Michaela
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Gues who's back? Back again... (Shady's back! Tell a friend!)
Just got back from a four day vacay in Melbourne/Geelong/Queenscliff. I went alone, but rarely felt that way. I met friends in Melbourne and Queenscliff and ended up having a really great time.
I had a lot of firsts this weekend...
1. Was picked up in CityMove removalist truck (4 tonne moving truck for the company I work for) in the Melbourne CBD by two guys who work with me to go to lunch. First time I've gone out to lunch in a moving truck.
2. Was picked up that night in the same truck to go bar hopping... again, a first.
3. Had no plans, totally guessed my way over to Geelong, hung out for the day, and guessed my way down to Queenscliff (I never used a map all weekend... and surprisingly, never got lost).
4. Met an Australian and German in my hostel and stayed up all night talking, playing cards, and drinking wine! Some of the most fascinating people I have met so far.
5. Went swimming/snorkeling with Dolphins AND Seals in the Pacific Ocean! Absolutely amazing. There are no other words to describe it.
6. Flew out of the smallest airport EVER... two gates. That's it... Even the Cayman Island airport was bigger than this one!
I spent a lot of time listening to music, reading my book (Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult... highly recommended! I finished it in 3 days!), and thinking (lots of thinking...).
Look for pictures soon...
I'm off... (like a prom dress on prom night... oh snap).
Michaela
I had a lot of firsts this weekend...
1. Was picked up in CityMove removalist truck (4 tonne moving truck for the company I work for) in the Melbourne CBD by two guys who work with me to go to lunch. First time I've gone out to lunch in a moving truck.
2. Was picked up that night in the same truck to go bar hopping... again, a first.
3. Had no plans, totally guessed my way over to Geelong, hung out for the day, and guessed my way down to Queenscliff (I never used a map all weekend... and surprisingly, never got lost).
4. Met an Australian and German in my hostel and stayed up all night talking, playing cards, and drinking wine! Some of the most fascinating people I have met so far.
5. Went swimming/snorkeling with Dolphins AND Seals in the Pacific Ocean! Absolutely amazing. There are no other words to describe it.
6. Flew out of the smallest airport EVER... two gates. That's it... Even the Cayman Island airport was bigger than this one!
I spent a lot of time listening to music, reading my book (Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult... highly recommended! I finished it in 3 days!), and thinking (lots of thinking...).
Look for pictures soon...
I'm off... (like a prom dress on prom night... oh snap).
Michaela
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
All the best DJs are saving their slowest song for last.
2009: Started the year crying in Zach's arms. Finished that night by drinking an obscene about Tequila and made a happy start to the New Year. Ended January by hating school and hating life... lots of fights with the "boyfriend," the family, and the roommates. February 6th was the best joint birthday party ever... Sara threw up jello shots in the bushes of Valley West Mall, the same parking lot that I once peed in. We're so classy. Sung lots of Karaoke and made a general (sober) fool of myself. Started doing pointe and was running a lot. Hello hot body! In March Kipp and I officially got back together, putting behind us the whole last year, went to Chicago together and saw the blackhawks! Threw a Jungle Party with Sara and Jon... night ended with 15 people in our tiny apartment, most of which we randomly invited up from our balcony. April was the end of my relationship with Kipp (for good... seriously.), then two days later had to fly home because my Dad had a heart attack and was dying in the hospital, stayed about 5 days at home, missed some school due to his bad condition. He spent the rest of April in the hospital. I finished out April getting drunk at Relays and finishing the school year out right. Oh yea, I was also working a lot for Drake Athetlics. May = Graduation! June, I began my job as Assistant Manager at Atlanta Bread Company. I got paid too little and did too much. July 4th I went on my first date since the end of my relationship... went on second date with said guy... he had a weird fascination with the band-aid on my leg. There was no third date. Began talking to the ex again, he apologized for the past, and began seeking therapy. I began playing guitar again. August was my parent's birthdays and I just remember lots of fights with my parents and being very depressed all summer and it building up into pure hatred during this month. September, I went to Des Moines for a week and remembered how much I missed... it was good to be "home" and see my friends. Spent time in Kansas City as well, which is my true home and got to see lots of old friends and family! Also saw my ex for the first time since April... went over well and he took me on a date... the first one we'd been on in a year! That week and a half seeing everyone cheered me up enough to get me through my next month and a half at home. October was work, work, work... trying to save up money to get the heck outta Tennessee! End of October the ex visited me... made me realize that I didn't feel the same about him anymore. Was ready to leave! Halloween I left America. November 2, I arrived in Sydney to a cold morning. Met new friends, got an apartment, got a job, spent 3,000 dollars in one month and got a tan. December I officially cut the ex out of my life forever and am the happiest I've been in a very very long time. Lots of sight seeing and being a stupid American... Christmas Day was spent rolling around Bondi Beach, tequila in hand. New Years Eve was spent sitting on the grass above Sydney's Harbour, with the Opera House to my right and the Harbour bridge right in front of me. Saw some fireworks, got a New Years Eve kiss (first one in my life!),sighed... and smiled. I am truly happy. I haven't been able to say that in a verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry long time.
I plan on living like there is no tomorrow, not wasting my time on things and people that only hurt me, and trying to be the best person I can be.
Could have given up so easily
I was a few cheap shots away from the end of me
Taking for granted almost everything that I would have died for
Just Yesterday
Honestly, can you believe we crossed the world while it's asleep?
I'd never trade it in, cause I've always wanted this!
It's not a dream anymore! No.
It's not a dream anymore! It's worth fighting for.
Phew. What a year! Here's to 2010 and hope that your year to come is everything you want it to be and more!
I plan on living like there is no tomorrow, not wasting my time on things and people that only hurt me, and trying to be the best person I can be.
It just takes some time
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything will be all right
You know they're all the same
You know you're doing better on your own, so don't buy in
Live right now
Just be yourself
It doesn't matter if that's good enough for someone else
Thank you to everyone who was there for me (the good times and the bad)... you all mean so much to me!
Love,
Michaela
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