11/11/10
I woke up this morning, fresh for my second interview..made sure my research was all done and got my map ready..i was on my way. I hopped on the train, wandered aimlessly round the streets trying to find this building. When I got inside there were about 8 other people sitting there. I was getting ready to be 'observed' as it said on the email, so I thought that Id be on the computer doing stuff like data entry..ohhh nononono this was not !

I got pulled aside into a room with the MD and taken off into the streets where I was told to start chatting to the public! I was given a script and told that I was there for 'The Eye Guy' to create awareness of blindness due to the sunshine and then get some charity donations. Yes I was one of those people..annoying t*** u avoid in the T-shirt. So I was given tasks..for my observation..bearing in mind it was supposed to last about an hour, I had to approach randomn people and ask them for objects..objects I could keep. So theres me..little girl in her own clothes going up to people and askin them for old receipts and train tickets, they must have thought-what an English tramp, asking strange questions and not even wearing any form of a uniform, I would have probably wrestled me down to the ground and shouted 'dont even try to mug me little girl!' if I was the poor people in the street!I then had to approach some old man and get him to stop while I drew his portrait. I had to go up to groups of people and get 3 randomn jokes .. get 10 different star-signs..I had to go up to people and compliment them, following with half the script I had memorised, and as Im not in uniform I had to follow with 'Im here for team building with my manager' but I couldnt say I was there for the Charity Organisation. Wow the whole day pushed Cringe to the max. So after my hours observation..I was still there at 3pm. The interview started at 9am!My mentor 'Sarah' took me for a coffee and we sat and chatted during her lunch break, we were chatting about the fun times I had doing cabin crew, and this was when I realised their job couldnt have been so good as Id convinced this girl to leave her job in Oz to go back to the UK and fly for Thomas Cook without even trying to and in less than 5 minutes! (suprising scenes as it came from someone as bitter as me!) As this was my interview I had to turn down her offer to stay and help them raise money till 5pm...but thanks anyway..!I made my way home thinking about the tradgic but kinda fun i suppose day that Id just had!
12/11/10A day free from interviews! Shayne and I met Bondi beach today, it was really busy but still so gorgeous. We found a little quiet spot beside some scenic spots so we could hide away. We sploshed on some sun-cream and began the toasting. Just as I got comfy, Shayne suggested playing with the waves.I looked up..these were no ordinary waves, they were mahoosive! I was slightly apprehensive ..but off we trotted! I havent laughed so much in ages! I dont see myself as a pansie girl that screams at everything, but as each wave chinned me, I was leaping with a cackle, nervous shout, and the odd pathetic scream. Shayne was now..my wave guard. When they got a bit fast I was grabbing him round the neck Kung Foo stylee and plunging myself up as high as possible. At one point Shayne started warning me, and he shouted 'RACH, HOLD ON!!' hahaha, people were loving the show we were performing. The sand was disappearing beneath my feet as I was trying to scuttle backwards, with no wave guard to hand, I was moving quicker. Yep before I knew it, I was on my arse with waves sploshing right over me! I eventually managed to drag myself up, Shayne laughing, me cackelling..I shamefully realised when we hushed..juuust how loud we had been in that water lol.

We hid in our private spot! We layed there for a while before deciding to get back.

This was the day that 'The wave guard' was created. This is the poor unfortuanate soul that must guard me from the waves as Im practically 5ft nothing and one small splash on someones tummy is drowning my whole body!! We had some drinks before snoozie time and got prepared for our RSA drinking lisence course tomorrow.

sat 13th November

Nice early start to the day... We really didnt wanna be getting up early to be taught how to serve booze. Well, we got ourselves sprooced and head for the train station, grabbing a coffee on the way, and finding the building we needed to be sat in for the next 7 hours. A strange looking 'lost' man entered our classroom..about 20mins late..then he left. Then he came back, slammed the door shut and BLIMEY his voice was loooouuud. Was way too early for this! This guy introduced himself as 'Rudolph'...and yup. We liked him instantly. Good old Rudie had a common phrase 'WATCHING'-even if he told us to write something down...he then followed with 'WATCHING' ..way too much for my brain to handle ! We did the test, passed, got our pre-printed certificate and made our way home to prepare for some Thai take-away..whilst Marc and Hannah were on standby for Hannahs bro, his girlfriend and his mate to arrive in the early hours on Sunday.

Sunday 14th November

Another bright start, exciting stuff- The Blue Mountains! I felt bad for Marc and Hannah as they had been up pretty much all night catching up with Hannahs bro, but they were still raring to go and start our day out. We set off on the long journey which actually went far quicker than I thought, and arrived at the car-park. We walked into this massive building and jumped on the first cable car to the start of our treck down the mountains. Now these were just steps..they were worn away, un-even, steep, bendy, sooooo scary and not even fenced off stairs, cliff faces...this was immense lol. The steps went down and down, over looking these beautiful mountains, the view was amazing. When we made it to the bottom with our wobbly legs we hopped onto a cable car which took us up so high to view the mountains, and this amazing view with the 3 Sisters in the distance. This was the steepest cable car ive ever been on, but it was soooo worth it (plus saved walking all the way back up!!) We had to grab another cable car to the other side to get closer to the car, and on the way we went over amazing waterfalls, gushing down over huge rocks..this view was like nothing Id ever seen before. We had walked miles and were physically drained..so what better way to treat ourselves than a big feast..this was the best lunch ever in the cutest English pub! yep..I said English..but it was good..and did the best pistachio and choc milkshake everrrrr.

Monday 15th November

This was my first day at work with the first interview.. (with the company with the English dude interviewing me) I got there and realised I was working for the Red X. I got all dressed in the beautiful Red T..and got out there with some German dude. We hopped on a train..and got to our first street. Yes..I was working as one of those annoying people knocking on your front door. Best bit was that I started at 2pm and finished at 8 ...so I was knocking right when you wanna be eating your dinner..lol. This was my only day at the Red X..I didnt make much cash as this was just based on commission. So far I was -8dollars (train tickets to different places) The people were lovely, but I just wanted something that gave me a guaranteed wage.

Tuesday 16th November

This was a beach day! And as I didnt go back to the Red X..I enjoyed a day at the beach with Shayne, Marc, Erraan (Hannahs bro) his g/f Charli and his friend Scotti.

Wednesday 17th November

I had an interview at the Neilson cafe and restaurant..this place was A-maaaze--ing. It was a gorgeous cafe set on its own beach, it had its own ice cream parlour, a seperate cafe, a la carte, bar, kiddies area...and the view of the beach..wow. I chose not to take the job as they only offered weekend work and I managed to get another interview with a shoe shop in the shopping centre so I didnt go to first day at the cafe! I went out with Charli, Erraan and Scotti and had a wicked night with lots of booze at the Bondi Hotel...even if on the way in I asked the doorman if he could get my ID out of my bag for me!! oooopsie!

Thursday 18th November

This was my trial at the shoe shop...'Novo Shoes' ...went well! I start tomorrow!

Friday 19th November

First day at Novo..10-1pm followed by my first visit to Paddy's Market..this place has everything, shoes tops trousers skirts dresses hats glasses souvenirs make up..o m g HEAVEN! ...! and so so cheap..lol, easily pleased. another successful day out..and get me! (no purchases today :-)) I went out in the evening for some farwell drinks for Scotti with Erraan and Charli.

Saturday 20th November

We had the best fry-up ever..(minus the meat for me) -and yes..it is still good !..and then hit that beach.

Sunday 21st November

Sunday consisted of a yummi roast dinner after work 12-4pm

Monday 22nd November

Charli and Erraan left today, I chilled at home until they left us :-(

Tuesday 23rd November

Got hair done out here by an Irish girl, that must have thought blonde hi-lights meant orange all over and lo-lights meant dont do any haha. Hannah and I had lunch with her friend Maria from Benefit.

Wednesday 24th November

Worked at Novo 11-4pm

Thursday 25th November

Worked at Novo 11-4pm

Friday 26th November

Worked at Novo 3-6pm after a lovely walk to the beach in the morning on my own, chilling and taking in the fact that I had made it to Australia! After work I met Marc and grabbed all the bits from Coles for a nice Stir-fry.

Saturday 27th November

Marc, Hannah, Myself, Shayne, Laura, Blaise and Maria and her friends all enjoyed drinks at 'The Tea Gardens' Irish Pub in town..got extremely merry and then Shayne and I went out fort some gay clubbing, met some randomn gay guys and tagged along to a club with them..had an awesome night!

Sunday 28th November

Oh wow...hangover and a half..am sure I'll prob experience more like this on my travels..but at the moment, this is the worst Ive ever had so far!!

I had to be up at 10am for work this morning, I managed to drag myself into the shower at 9.30am! ..This wasnt looking good. I have seriously never felt so bad after a night out..I could barely stand let alone talk to people or climb 8ft high ladders!!

When I got home after work Shayne and I had the best hangover food ever at the almighty famous Bondi Pizza!

Monday 29th November

The second day of hanging...lol this hangover was fierce! I had work at 12-5pm today and just chilled out as if was overcast.

Tuesday 30th November

worked 12-6pm today

Wednesday 1st December

Went shopping with Hannah today, then met Laura for lunch, Marc came along and then we met Shayne on his lunch break and had a bevvy with him.

Thursday 2nd November

Worked at Novo 4-9pm, was Lydie the lovely girl at works birthday today so I took in some cakes for us to make us all smile!

Friday 3rd December

This was my day off so I went down to the beach on my own

Saturday 4th December

Worked at Novo 11-4pm

Sunday 5th December

Went down to the beach today on my own and then had some fish and chips by the sea with Hannah after she had finished work

Monday 6th December

Worked at Novo 12-5 then after work we went to a place called Hurricanes in Bondi, this was the most amazing food ever and at such a good price! It was so good I could hardly walk home afterwards! I tried drinking some bevvies but this didnt help all too much..lol was sooo yummi.. I was about to pop!

Tuesday 7th December

Worked at Novo 12-5pm and then just chilled in at home tonight with Han and Marc

Wednesday 8th December

Went down to the beach for the morning with Shayne and Han, then I worked in East Gardens Novo store, where I met so many more lovely people, I worked 1-5pm today.

Thursday 9th December

worked 4-9pm tonight, and went to the beach to get the lais for new years so we all look pretty and 'beachy' for the themed night ahead of us!!

Friday 10th December

Worked 1-6pm at Novo today, went to the beach on my own this morning and enjoyed some wine with Hannah afterwards.

Saturday 11th December

Worked at Novo 11-4 today, and came back to a yummi pizza with Hannah and Marc!

Sunday 12th December

This was the day I handed in my notice to Novo shoes, I really was realising how much I would miss these lovely people that had made me feel so welcome and made me laugh so much throughout the last month. I also realised just how hard it was going to be along my travels meeting people and then having to go separate ways!

This was also the day that Hannah visited the sweetshop! On her way home from the beach, she decided to grab a lovely refreshment, so she went into a local corner shop...she was just browsing the drinks when she decided what she wanted. She approached the till and realised no one was to be seen...! She called around and no-one came..the next minute some people were the other side banging asking her to let them in!! She tried to open the door...and she had been locked inside!! She was in there a good ten minutes before a lady came back and seemed very shocked as to how Hannah got inside the shop..lol. The lady served Hannah..yep! -she still had to pay haha, and then she was on her way!! Nice bit of excitement for the night!

Monday 13th December

This was my work do at Bondi Pizza with the girls from Novo! My manager Malin had got the number for a nice Swedish Pizza place..we were just about to call when she realised it was closed...on Mondays! haha..so we went to the all famous Bondi Pizza again!...woop woop. We had such a giggle, we ordered our vino and the pizzas and already began browsing on the desert menu...(well i had anyway) I laughed so much that evening the wine almost went all over Malin!! We ordered desert..the yummy rocky road...now this isnt the average ice cream you get at home, this was a warm soft pastry, with ice cream, cream, a mix of melted chocolate, brownies, marshmallows and cherries...it had a warm chocolate sauce over it too...oh wow. I would recommend this to anyone!! We also found out whilst we were sat there, that as Oprah had just got to Sydney..we were sat outside on the balcony and we could see over the whole City...the bridge in the city and just above the bridge, Oprah was switching on a large O on the top of the bridge at sunset! Such a good night..keep in contact girlies!!

Tuesday 14th December

Worked 12-5 at Novo

Wednesday 15th December

Went to the beach with Hannah and then shopping for our new years dress...no messing around, in and out...just the way I liked it!! We then had our romantic meal together in the evening!

Thursday 16th December

Worked at Novo 5-10pm

Friday 17th December

Worked 10.30am-3.30pm at Novo

Saturday 18th December

Day out to K-mart!

Sunday 19th December

Worked 12-5pm

Monday 20th December

Beach day! Then worked 1-6pm

Tuesday 21st December

Worked 10.30am-3.30pm and read my book in the sun after work!

Wednesday 22nd December

Went to the beach today!

Thursday 23rd December

Worked 2-7pm and went shopping after work for all the crimbo essentials...:-) (food and booze)

Friday 24th December

Worked at Novo 10.30-3.30pm and then after work we had some drinkies to start getting into the festivities...forgetting the fact were away from our family and remembering that its all part of the experience! Enjoying the sun and forgetting the fact we have no snow like everyone at home this year lol!

We sat there and we were looking at the box that Hannah had been given her flowers from work to her in as her leaving present...it was conviniently green...Marc decided to put it in the corner as our tree!! I was staring at it and then started asking for some encouragement to decorate the tree...they were saying just do it...but it wasnt enough for me...the excitement built up and I ran to get all my coloured nail varnishes that I could find!! everyone grabbed a varnish and added their own bit of sparkle to the tree! So ....we had the food...the bevvies and the plan for the day tomorrow...the BBQ at the beach! The tree was done...time for bed!!

Saturday 25th December!.......XMAS DAY!!!!

We woke up nice and early...packed the car up and drove down to Coogee Beach! The sun was shining and it was a beautiful beach! We met Laura and Blaise down there and found the perfect spot..we sat on the grass close to the beach and right near other Travellers...(English and Irish lol) everyone was wearing santa hats...including myself thanks to Gemma Bettis! (Thanks hun) lol, and we were close to the toilets and opposite Maccy D's...!! haha. We got the bbq set up, poured some drinks and had a good chat. The boys started on the BBQ...It was a good while ...and it still wasnt lit... lol we were waiting patiently...their Scouts skills werent coming in to play at the moment. We came to terms with the fact it wasnt going to happen lol..we shamefully wandered over...and back...with a Maccy D's bag in hand! haha, we still didnt give up on the BBQ idea though...lol we went home and then got it going later that eve! We had some vino and beers going and we had every food you would want on crimbo, including Mince Pies which we suprisingly didnt eat that day! We had a good giggle and when it got late we went to bed! Such a good and different Christmas!

Sunday 26th December

Boxing day!!

Worked 11-4 and then came home for some more celebratory drinks tonight!!

Monday 27th December

Worked at Novo 11-4pm ..I went to the cinema tonight with the girls from work as this was my last day at Novo!! It was so sad...I took some sweeties in and a card to thank everyone for taking me under their wing the last few weeks. It was so sad...there were a few tears and some huggles, so we decided to go to the cinema and watch 'Love and other Drugs' It was such a good laugh!! You girls better keep in contact..I really have found true friends in you, and this is hard to find in people, especially in such a short time..please dont lose touch xxxxxxxxxx