the forecasted weather is 30ish degrees, and storms. Everyday.
Amazing.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Great Unknown
Two things:
-Visas.
I get why they need to be so complex and difficult, but damn it's hard. Visa on Arrival I can handle, but now that I'm not classed as a tourist, I need to get a different kind of Indonesian visa- the kind that you can't just pay for when you land. I've been trying to contact people here and there but all the consulates and embassies seem to be closed for the new year and holidays still. Still have some time up my sleeve to work this out, thankfully.
- New Phone.
I'm not a phone person. I mean, give me a computer and I good, even other gadgets and I'll be fine, but phones have always been a bit out of my range of tech-savvyness. So, I took the plunge in a big way yesterday when I bought my new iPhone 4. It's pretty amazing, but it's going to take some getting used to for me- a person who swears by a good phone that just sends messages and makes phone calls, nothing more and nothing less. I feel like my world is about to change. Oh, and the lovely man who helped set it up for me unlocked the phone too so I can swap an Indo sim card in for cheap calls while I'm away.
-Visas.
I get why they need to be so complex and difficult, but damn it's hard. Visa on Arrival I can handle, but now that I'm not classed as a tourist, I need to get a different kind of Indonesian visa- the kind that you can't just pay for when you land. I've been trying to contact people here and there but all the consulates and embassies seem to be closed for the new year and holidays still. Still have some time up my sleeve to work this out, thankfully.
- New Phone.
I'm not a phone person. I mean, give me a computer and I good, even other gadgets and I'll be fine, but phones have always been a bit out of my range of tech-savvyness. So, I took the plunge in a big way yesterday when I bought my new iPhone 4. It's pretty amazing, but it's going to take some getting used to for me- a person who swears by a good phone that just sends messages and makes phone calls, nothing more and nothing less. I feel like my world is about to change. Oh, and the lovely man who helped set it up for me unlocked the phone too so I can swap an Indo sim card in for cheap calls while I'm away.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Resolutions And Stuff
The end of the year/beginning of a new one always makes people nostalgic and remember the things that have happened over the last 12 months. It also makes people think about the future and what they hope to achieve in the next 12 months. I kind of touched on the last 12 months and a few of my favourite memories of 2010, but I thought I'd write a little more about what I hope to achieve this year. Sorry if it's a bit boring for a post, but my first resolution will hopefully explain why I'm doing this.
Resolution #1: Increase regular bloggings to at least 2 times a week.
They don't have to be long. But I want this blog to be a decent recount of my little adventure, and being that the adventure isn't going to be that long, I figure I'm gonna need to bulk it out. So, if the posts are boring, too bad!
Resolution #2: Learn to play the keyboard. Properly.
I tried when I was in year 4 or something, and gave up because there weren't enough keyboards on stage at the Christmas Concert and I missed out. I was upset, and it took me about 10 years to try again. Last year, I bought a dodgy keyboard from ebay, which was subsequently lost to the flood of my bedroom in 2010. This year, probably on return from Bali, I will buy a decent keyboard and I will spend a decent amount of time learning how to play it well. It's about the only instrument I can feel really comfortable behind, like maybe I could get somewhere with it with enough practice.
Resolution #3: Start respecting my body.
More gym. More healthy eating. Get more sleep and 'stop burning the candles from both ends' according to my parents. Less junk food. Pretty simple, in theory.
Resolution #4: Make the most of my year.
I've mentioned it a few times on here already, but this is my last year as a student, and possibly as a 'recreational' worker. I want to really enjoy my time in Bali, which shouldn't be hard. I also want to really throw myself into my job, but in an enjoyable way. I figure if I can make resolution #3 work, then enjoying work and succeeding at work shouldn't be such a hard task. All I really need is my energy and enthusiasm...
Resolution #5: Maintain relationships with my loved ones.
I felt like a had a decent balance of friends and family in amongst my other commitments and I really hope to keep that up this year. Things have been harder these last two months with my new job and getting used to that, and going overseas for a month will also throw a spanner in the works, but I hope that I can find that balance somehow anyway. I suppose this blog will possibly help for the month I am away.
Those are really my main goals this year. They seem quite simple, pretty straight forward. Hopefully I can keep them all!
Resolution #1: Increase regular bloggings to at least 2 times a week.
They don't have to be long. But I want this blog to be a decent recount of my little adventure, and being that the adventure isn't going to be that long, I figure I'm gonna need to bulk it out. So, if the posts are boring, too bad!
Resolution #2: Learn to play the keyboard. Properly.
I tried when I was in year 4 or something, and gave up because there weren't enough keyboards on stage at the Christmas Concert and I missed out. I was upset, and it took me about 10 years to try again. Last year, I bought a dodgy keyboard from ebay, which was subsequently lost to the flood of my bedroom in 2010. This year, probably on return from Bali, I will buy a decent keyboard and I will spend a decent amount of time learning how to play it well. It's about the only instrument I can feel really comfortable behind, like maybe I could get somewhere with it with enough practice.
Resolution #3: Start respecting my body.
More gym. More healthy eating. Get more sleep and 'stop burning the candles from both ends' according to my parents. Less junk food. Pretty simple, in theory.
Resolution #4: Make the most of my year.
I've mentioned it a few times on here already, but this is my last year as a student, and possibly as a 'recreational' worker. I want to really enjoy my time in Bali, which shouldn't be hard. I also want to really throw myself into my job, but in an enjoyable way. I figure if I can make resolution #3 work, then enjoying work and succeeding at work shouldn't be such a hard task. All I really need is my energy and enthusiasm...
Resolution #5: Maintain relationships with my loved ones.
I felt like a had a decent balance of friends and family in amongst my other commitments and I really hope to keep that up this year. Things have been harder these last two months with my new job and getting used to that, and going overseas for a month will also throw a spanner in the works, but I hope that I can find that balance somehow anyway. I suppose this blog will possibly help for the month I am away.
Those are really my main goals this year. They seem quite simple, pretty straight forward. Hopefully I can keep them all!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Selamat Tahun Baru!
or.... Happy New Year!
Since I am working tomorrow and will no doubt need every minute between work and party to get ready, I thought it best to blog in early. I don't really have all that much to talk about, except perhaps a few of the great things that have happened this year.
Let's see... 3 of my closest friends in the world all turned 21, which made me feel old, but was spectacular fun anyway. I have grown even closer to them this year than last and am so excited to get stuck into 2011 with them (Jess and Ali in Bali, and Steph in Melbourne to start with!). Dave and I made it 3 years this October, which also put into perspective the fact that we will be apart for 21 days straight next Feb... something we haven't come close to doing in well, over 3 years. I'm pretty sure I'll be ok, with my visitors and being in a foreign country and all, but I can tell he is getting worried. Chin up love! Two of my other close friends got engaged this year! Again, making me feel old, but I am so thrilled for them! I got to spend majority of the year in a fantastic job at my old primary school with some of the greatest friends/co-workers, and then was given the fantastic opportunity to change into my new job and make amazing friends there as well. I think I've really had some good karma this year...
It's kind of hard to remember all the stuff that's happened this year, hell it still feels like June to me! But I couldn't be happier that this year has flown (for obvious reasons, ahem...). I've taken a huge leap of faith this year by organising this trip. I think all of next year will hang in the balance of whether it goes well or not. And there are still plenty of ways it could go wrong (none of which I will actually write/admit to because i'm too superstitious like that...). But at the end of the day, this is my last probably chance to take an adventure like this. I'll be too busy doing things to make a living. Next year is my last year to do things to tick off those little boxes on my own personal to-do-list. After all that, it'll be about other people too. Which isn't a bad thing, I am just utilising this window of opportunity. Hopefully, I am utilising it well.
I have exactly 32 days until I fly out. So tomorrow night when everybody is celebrating the New Year, I will also be celebrating my one-month mark to departure! Hoorah!
Happy New Year!
Since I am working tomorrow and will no doubt need every minute between work and party to get ready, I thought it best to blog in early. I don't really have all that much to talk about, except perhaps a few of the great things that have happened this year.
Let's see... 3 of my closest friends in the world all turned 21, which made me feel old, but was spectacular fun anyway. I have grown even closer to them this year than last and am so excited to get stuck into 2011 with them (Jess and Ali in Bali, and Steph in Melbourne to start with!). Dave and I made it 3 years this October, which also put into perspective the fact that we will be apart for 21 days straight next Feb... something we haven't come close to doing in well, over 3 years. I'm pretty sure I'll be ok, with my visitors and being in a foreign country and all, but I can tell he is getting worried. Chin up love! Two of my other close friends got engaged this year! Again, making me feel old, but I am so thrilled for them! I got to spend majority of the year in a fantastic job at my old primary school with some of the greatest friends/co-workers, and then was given the fantastic opportunity to change into my new job and make amazing friends there as well. I think I've really had some good karma this year...
It's kind of hard to remember all the stuff that's happened this year, hell it still feels like June to me! But I couldn't be happier that this year has flown (for obvious reasons, ahem...). I've taken a huge leap of faith this year by organising this trip. I think all of next year will hang in the balance of whether it goes well or not. And there are still plenty of ways it could go wrong (none of which I will actually write/admit to because i'm too superstitious like that...). But at the end of the day, this is my last probably chance to take an adventure like this. I'll be too busy doing things to make a living. Next year is my last year to do things to tick off those little boxes on my own personal to-do-list. After all that, it'll be about other people too. Which isn't a bad thing, I am just utilising this window of opportunity. Hopefully, I am utilising it well.
I have exactly 32 days until I fly out. So tomorrow night when everybody is celebrating the New Year, I will also be celebrating my one-month mark to departure! Hoorah!
Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Happy Proclamation Day!
I've been looking forward to today for quite a while. Nope, not the 25th. I mean today, the 26th- Proclamation Day in Adelaide, Boxing Day in the other states. And no, I hate cricket so that is not the reason I promise. But I doubt I'm alone in saying that today is definitely a winner of a day.
Sure Christmas is great. Catching up with family and friends, having some drinks and eating tasty food all day- it's almost always a good combination for my family anyway.But the 26th is the day we can all just relax, sleep in, nap on the couch get over the hangover, eat left overs, get out the gifts and really enjoy them... Yup, it's just as good as Christmas only without the stress of driving and remembering everything and making sure everything runs smoothly. The pressure is over, and now we can all just veg out. There is a resounding "ahhhhh" throughout the house.
Now that New Years is only a matter of days away, my trip is also approaching very quickly. 36 days to be exact! I think I might spend these couple of days off organising some of the smaller stuff so that it doesn't all creep up on me at the last minute. I got a great tip from one of my Mum's best friends (I might as well call her my second Mum really) which is basically a whole drawer dedicated to "Bali Stuff" so that when it comes to packing the luggage, you can just empty the drawer in and you're all done! I reckon I have a spare drawer that I can use... thanks Inge! :)
The boyfriend and I also just bought ourselves a brand-spanking-new camera for Christmas and thanks to the tips my fantastically talented Aunty Paula has been passing down (and the recommendation for the camera itself) I'm starting to feel kinda confident behind the lens. I hope I can keep learning about it so I can take some decent pics in Bali, and you'll all be able to see them on here. 'All' pretty much meaning you Mum...
All for now. I hope everybody had a really great Christmas and stay safe for the rest of the holiday season! xx
Sure Christmas is great. Catching up with family and friends, having some drinks and eating tasty food all day- it's almost always a good combination for my family anyway.But the 26th is the day we can all just relax, sleep in, nap on the couch get over the hangover, eat left overs, get out the gifts and really enjoy them... Yup, it's just as good as Christmas only without the stress of driving and remembering everything and making sure everything runs smoothly. The pressure is over, and now we can all just veg out. There is a resounding "ahhhhh" throughout the house.
Now that New Years is only a matter of days away, my trip is also approaching very quickly. 36 days to be exact! I think I might spend these couple of days off organising some of the smaller stuff so that it doesn't all creep up on me at the last minute. I got a great tip from one of my Mum's best friends (I might as well call her my second Mum really) which is basically a whole drawer dedicated to "Bali Stuff" so that when it comes to packing the luggage, you can just empty the drawer in and you're all done! I reckon I have a spare drawer that I can use... thanks Inge! :)
The boyfriend and I also just bought ourselves a brand-spanking-new camera for Christmas and thanks to the tips my fantastically talented Aunty Paula has been passing down (and the recommendation for the camera itself) I'm starting to feel kinda confident behind the lens. I hope I can keep learning about it so I can take some decent pics in Bali, and you'll all be able to see them on here. 'All' pretty much meaning you Mum...
All for now. I hope everybody had a really great Christmas and stay safe for the rest of the holiday season! xx
Monday, December 6, 2010
It Ain't So Different...
Weather-wise today. Lightning, thunder, rain...and it's not that cold. Increase the humidity and add some of that 'rotting blessings' smell and I doubt it'd be much different in Bali right now... or so my dashboard tells me. It also tells me I have 55 days. :)
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Silly Season
Surely I'm not the only person who is starting to wonder where the year has gone, right? Geez, it only feels like a couple of months ago we were celebrating the new year, and now the year is almost out! And there is no need to explain just how crazy things get in December... Something I had slightly forgotten during my hiatus from retail. Something I can see becoming an issue in the not so distant future.
The store has been reasonably busy, but you can always tell when the silly season is approaching by the carparks. On the one hand, they are usually maxed out, and the only spot you can get is really far away or you drive around in circles waiting for somebody to leave. It hasn't quite got to this stage yet, but I'm sure it will. I did see a different kind of indication today though- or lack of indication it would seem. I went to get my lunch today, and a guy with his young daughter went to cross the road. A four-wheel-drive pulled out from a side road and turned even though he hadn't indicated and, although he was going slow enough to let the man and his daughter across, the dad came back out onto the road to abuse the driver. Nice parenting champ.
Yep, the silly season has definitely begun. But I've never really hated the whole Christmas thing, in a working sense. In retail the days are so busy that your days fly by, and besides the crazies who think you can perform magic and fulfil all of their half-assed, last minute requests, most of the customers are happy enough because, hey... it's Christmas. And in OSHC Christmas was always fun, as you'd expect, because of the kids. If anything, it made me realise that Christmas' at home are now a little bland. We, the 'kids', are no longer kids by most of the classifications of the term, so the hype of the day is kind of lost. But the plus is we can all drink together, and it's days off for all of us this year. Can't complain at all.
Christmas also means extended hours and additional shifts for casuals like me, which is doing the Bali savings account a lot of favours already. I paid for the bond/deposit of my villa last week, which was very exciting. Besides actually getting there, most of my trip is organised now! And with 57 days to go still. I've probably forgotten something really important... murphy's law (refer to post last month).
Dave 'shared' my blog on facebook today while I was at work, which was really sweet, but I thought it best to repeat this: I do not expect anybody who stumbles upon this blog to find it interesting. Awesome if you do, but at this point in time, its just another outlet for me to be excited and write lists and stuff. I expect the better postings will actually come while I am in Bali (here's hoping), or at the very lease, and I quote, "so that my mum and dad know I'm still alive". Depending on the internet connection and how often I can be bothered, I will try to upload photos and write about what I'm doing so that people who want to know don't have to wait for personal emails and stuff.
Well, that's it for now. :)
The store has been reasonably busy, but you can always tell when the silly season is approaching by the carparks. On the one hand, they are usually maxed out, and the only spot you can get is really far away or you drive around in circles waiting for somebody to leave. It hasn't quite got to this stage yet, but I'm sure it will. I did see a different kind of indication today though- or lack of indication it would seem. I went to get my lunch today, and a guy with his young daughter went to cross the road. A four-wheel-drive pulled out from a side road and turned even though he hadn't indicated and, although he was going slow enough to let the man and his daughter across, the dad came back out onto the road to abuse the driver. Nice parenting champ.
Yep, the silly season has definitely begun. But I've never really hated the whole Christmas thing, in a working sense. In retail the days are so busy that your days fly by, and besides the crazies who think you can perform magic and fulfil all of their half-assed, last minute requests, most of the customers are happy enough because, hey... it's Christmas. And in OSHC Christmas was always fun, as you'd expect, because of the kids. If anything, it made me realise that Christmas' at home are now a little bland. We, the 'kids', are no longer kids by most of the classifications of the term, so the hype of the day is kind of lost. But the plus is we can all drink together, and it's days off for all of us this year. Can't complain at all.
Christmas also means extended hours and additional shifts for casuals like me, which is doing the Bali savings account a lot of favours already. I paid for the bond/deposit of my villa last week, which was very exciting. Besides actually getting there, most of my trip is organised now! And with 57 days to go still. I've probably forgotten something really important... murphy's law (refer to post last month).
Dave 'shared' my blog on facebook today while I was at work, which was really sweet, but I thought it best to repeat this: I do not expect anybody who stumbles upon this blog to find it interesting. Awesome if you do, but at this point in time, its just another outlet for me to be excited and write lists and stuff. I expect the better postings will actually come while I am in Bali (here's hoping), or at the very lease, and I quote, "so that my mum and dad know I'm still alive". Depending on the internet connection and how often I can be bothered, I will try to upload photos and write about what I'm doing so that people who want to know don't have to wait for personal emails and stuff.
Well, that's it for now. :)
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