Its true!!
After 3 months without a job, I have finally landed myself a nice cushy little number!
I am currently working for a huge mining company here in Australia, doing computers, well, not really doing computers, but being involved in people getting upgraded computers. The company is upgarding everyone to Windows Vista so need helpers to go around and make sure everything is working fine on their systems. Thats where I come in.
Its a pretty handy job. Decent money too. I've already stocked up on crates of beer and have booked a day trip to Rottnest Island.
Next stop is Transformers 2 with the Gold Pass, which basically means you get to watch the movie in a huge comfy chair, with a table beside you that gets stocked up with champagne when you need it!! Its 3 times the price of a regualr ticket but what the hell, I've been living crap for 3 months now! I deserve it! And it'll get the missus off my back for a while too!! :D
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
I got my second visa!
Today I got an email from the immigration department telling me I got me second working holiday visa! I'm so excited!
I cant believe this. I was nervous for the last week but today I am so happy! This means I'll be able to spend another year in Australia, maybe go up to the Whitsundays again, see what Melbourne is like. Maybe take in Ayers rock and a few other places! I'm so happy!
All I need now is a job to fund all this travelling!! :D
I cant believe this. I was nervous for the last week but today I am so happy! This means I'll be able to spend another year in Australia, maybe go up to the Whitsundays again, see what Melbourne is like. Maybe take in Ayers rock and a few other places! I'm so happy!
All I need now is a job to fund all this travelling!! :D
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Still no job
I still have no job.
I've been looking every day since I left my last job, but still I can't find anything. It's not that I'm not getting interviews for jobs that I applied for, its that there are no jobs that match what I'm looking for!
I did get a phone call yesterday about 1 job I applied for. She rang me and asked what visa I had. I told her I had a Working Holiday Visa and she said "oh...well we're looking for people on permanent visas, or residents. bye" and that was that.
I dont think I'll work again in Perth.
I've been looking every day since I left my last job, but still I can't find anything. It's not that I'm not getting interviews for jobs that I applied for, its that there are no jobs that match what I'm looking for!
I did get a phone call yesterday about 1 job I applied for. She rang me and asked what visa I had. I told her I had a Working Holiday Visa and she said "oh...well we're looking for people on permanent visas, or residents. bye" and that was that.
I dont think I'll work again in Perth.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Bed Bugs
We have bed bugs!!
We've been living in this new house in Northbridge for 2 weeks now, and over the last week or so, we've been noticing an increasing number of bites on our arms, legs, and torso.
We initially thought they were mosquito bites, but after showing them to a friend, they said they were bed bug bites. So we tok off all the bed clothes and checked the mattress and base for any signs of bed bugs, and sure enough we found some of the little F*ckers!!
They're bigger than I thought. They're like baby cockroaches, or brown woodlice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cimex_lectularius.jpg
Heres a little youtube video showing one in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfKCcSPCOQo
More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedbug
They're such a pain in the ass. Between myself and AnneMarie, we must have about a hundred bites on us. :(
We've been living in this new house in Northbridge for 2 weeks now, and over the last week or so, we've been noticing an increasing number of bites on our arms, legs, and torso.
We initially thought they were mosquito bites, but after showing them to a friend, they said they were bed bug bites. So we tok off all the bed clothes and checked the mattress and base for any signs of bed bugs, and sure enough we found some of the little F*ckers!!
They're bigger than I thought. They're like baby cockroaches, or brown woodlice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cimex_lectularius.jpg
Heres a little youtube video showing one in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfKCcSPCOQo
More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedbug
They're such a pain in the ass. Between myself and AnneMarie, we must have about a hundred bites on us. :(
Monday, March 2, 2009
holy crap! Everyone is going home!
Oh my god!
I just got word that Christy, Dave and Nikki are going home to Ireland! This is mental! They spent the last week down south planting trees for a horrible farmer. They were meant to stay for a month at least but came home after a week. Now, because they've given up on finding a job, they've all decided to go home! This is a pity! I hate seeing people going home early because they run out of money or can't find a job. It especially bad in this case because I work for a company who specialise in getting people, with trades, jobs in mines! These mines are also in rural areas so would count towards the 3 months rural work needed for the 2nd year visa!! Also, my new landlord said he put the word out that he knows people looking for carpentry work in Perth. I reckon they could have had jobs in a week or two easy!
Even after I told Christy this he still decided he was going. He has his flights booked and paid for. Dave and Nikki changed theirs yesterday. Now, Ciara is considering changing her flights too! Donna is still in Sydney, Jeremie is gone off to some island a few hours flight north, so that leaves myself and AnneMarie in Perth by ourselves.
The reason they came back up from the outback soon was because the farmer guy they worked for was a right dickhead. He was shouting abuse at them all the time, using woeful language, and calling them all names. He also didnt pay them the correct hourly rate, and charged them 35 dollars for bed and board instead of 10 dollars that he was meant to charge. What an idiot! It was back breaking work, not made any easier by him. They all came back with their hands covered in huge blisters all over. I doubt its something they'll forget too soon, for all the wrong reasons!
Christy said he'll probably try come back to Australia in a couple of years and make a proper go of Australia. Hopefully he'll get the visa. In the meantime, I'll have to get used to having that many less friends over here!
Its a sad day. :(
I just got word that Christy, Dave and Nikki are going home to Ireland! This is mental! They spent the last week down south planting trees for a horrible farmer. They were meant to stay for a month at least but came home after a week. Now, because they've given up on finding a job, they've all decided to go home! This is a pity! I hate seeing people going home early because they run out of money or can't find a job. It especially bad in this case because I work for a company who specialise in getting people, with trades, jobs in mines! These mines are also in rural areas so would count towards the 3 months rural work needed for the 2nd year visa!! Also, my new landlord said he put the word out that he knows people looking for carpentry work in Perth. I reckon they could have had jobs in a week or two easy!
Even after I told Christy this he still decided he was going. He has his flights booked and paid for. Dave and Nikki changed theirs yesterday. Now, Ciara is considering changing her flights too! Donna is still in Sydney, Jeremie is gone off to some island a few hours flight north, so that leaves myself and AnneMarie in Perth by ourselves.
The reason they came back up from the outback soon was because the farmer guy they worked for was a right dickhead. He was shouting abuse at them all the time, using woeful language, and calling them all names. He also didnt pay them the correct hourly rate, and charged them 35 dollars for bed and board instead of 10 dollars that he was meant to charge. What an idiot! It was back breaking work, not made any easier by him. They all came back with their hands covered in huge blisters all over. I doubt its something they'll forget too soon, for all the wrong reasons!
Christy said he'll probably try come back to Australia in a couple of years and make a proper go of Australia. Hopefully he'll get the visa. In the meantime, I'll have to get used to having that many less friends over here!
Its a sad day. :(
Moving house
Yesterday afternoon, we moved to our new place in Northbridge. We were paying 425 dollars a week in our last place so the new rent of 290 a week is a lot easier for us, especially with AnneMarie still out of work.
We spent all yesterday (bank holiday monday) packing and moving with the help of Christy. It took us 3 runs to get all our stuff moved! How did we manage to pick up all this excess baggage! In Thailand I had the one rucksack and carry on, now we had about 6 or 7 bags!!
Anyway, the new house is nice. Its 3 bedroom, like the last place, but a little smaller. It has all the essentials, ie 50 inch sony plasma television, Sony Playstation 3, and Microsoft Xbox out the back. Well, maybe not the bare essentials, but enough to get by!! :D
The house has a nice living room, with actual real life sofas (something that was missing from the last place!!) and the back garden has concrete and brick tiles leading up to the converted garage. The landlord has it converted into an outdoor lounge room. with sofas down either side of the coffee table, and a TV, DVD player and XBOX in the cabinet. Perfect for warm summer weekends when friends come over for a beer! :D
The problem now is, yesterday was a Bank holiday (Labour Day) so I wasnt working. Monday is also the day I submit my timesheet in work! As a result, I never submitted it! I didnt even think about it until I was getting into bed after 10! Cue a scramble to get my laptop out and mail my Agency rep about getting my timesheet approved. My boss and agency are located over the east of the country so they didnt have the Bank holiday and were all working, hence why the submmission date was still in effect. I don't think its fair that they don't take into account other states public holiday. Now I don't have enough for next weeks rent! Hopefully I'll get paid this Thursday.....else we might be moving again!!
We spent all yesterday (bank holiday monday) packing and moving with the help of Christy. It took us 3 runs to get all our stuff moved! How did we manage to pick up all this excess baggage! In Thailand I had the one rucksack and carry on, now we had about 6 or 7 bags!!
Anyway, the new house is nice. Its 3 bedroom, like the last place, but a little smaller. It has all the essentials, ie 50 inch sony plasma television, Sony Playstation 3, and Microsoft Xbox out the back. Well, maybe not the bare essentials, but enough to get by!! :D
The house has a nice living room, with actual real life sofas (something that was missing from the last place!!) and the back garden has concrete and brick tiles leading up to the converted garage. The landlord has it converted into an outdoor lounge room. with sofas down either side of the coffee table, and a TV, DVD player and XBOX in the cabinet. Perfect for warm summer weekends when friends come over for a beer! :D
The problem now is, yesterday was a Bank holiday (Labour Day) so I wasnt working. Monday is also the day I submit my timesheet in work! As a result, I never submitted it! I didnt even think about it until I was getting into bed after 10! Cue a scramble to get my laptop out and mail my Agency rep about getting my timesheet approved. My boss and agency are located over the east of the country so they didnt have the Bank holiday and were all working, hence why the submmission date was still in effect. I don't think its fair that they don't take into account other states public holiday. Now I don't have enough for next weeks rent! Hopefully I'll get paid this Thursday.....else we might be moving again!!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Midnight at the Casualty Ward
Last night, I brought AnneMarie into Hospital.
She was sore all last night and pretty much all week, but last night it just got really bad. We were out for dinner with my aunt and uncle (owners of Bayview House) who were over visiting Perth for a holiday, and afterwards we came home. AnneMarie was still in pain after all the pain killers she took so we decided that she needed to go to hospital. Last year she had an abscess that had to get operated on, and it seems it has returned. Although, it never really healed to be honest.
We went into casualty at about 1am. We saw the nurse soon enough and he took down her symptoms and told us to go see the other lady behind the glass window, who took down contact details and personal information. This was all in the space of about 15 minutes so we figured we'd be seen to fairly fast.
Unfortunately, more and more people came in after us with more severe injuries. We could see the ambulance pull up, bringing in people who had been in car crashes, or fights, or that had broken bones and heart attacks. Fair enough, they were worse off. It would still be nice to get home to a bed though, especially since I had work in the morning.
After a few more hours, we were called in. It was about 4.30am. AnneMarie was put into the bed and the on call doctor looked at it. She decided it needed to be operated on. She could have drained it there and then and sent us home, but she didn't want to, for some reason.
After another hour, the surgical consult came around and he said he'd operate in a few hours. I had been drinking a few too many beers so was starting to sober up at this stage. Unfortunately, the on-set of the hangover, and lack of sleep forced me into getting sick in the toilet in the Casualty ward, within earshot of all the sick people! I even woke some women up with my sick noises!! oops! :(
Anyway, I went home for some sleep at about 6am and called work telling them I won't be in today and explained the situation.
AnneMarie sent me a text when I woke up. She was moved into a ward to await the operation. However, it didn't go ahead as planned. They said they'd operate early Friday morning, but then said Friday evening. She was in pain all this time so I wasn't happy.
Friday evening came and they said they can't operate yet. She hadn't eaten since the dinner the previous night so they gave her some jelly, fruit and a small sandwich to keep her going until the morning, when she was promised the operation again.
Next morning, still no sign of the operation. I was in visiting her again. I spent most of the 2 days beside her keeping her company. She was still in pain.
Eventually, that evening she was brought in, about 6pm. She was waiting for half an hour and then went into theatre. 45 minutes later she got the nurse to phone me to tell me to come back in, as she was out of the operation. It only took about half an hour!
Anyway, she has to stay in overnight. Hopefully she'll be home soon enough.
The problem now is, if she can't move her right arm coz of the abscess, how is she meant to do rural work to get our 2nd year visa? Will I be home in the 365 days stated in this blog title? Or will I get to stay a little longer??? I honestly don't know...
She was sore all last night and pretty much all week, but last night it just got really bad. We were out for dinner with my aunt and uncle (owners of Bayview House) who were over visiting Perth for a holiday, and afterwards we came home. AnneMarie was still in pain after all the pain killers she took so we decided that she needed to go to hospital. Last year she had an abscess that had to get operated on, and it seems it has returned. Although, it never really healed to be honest.
We went into casualty at about 1am. We saw the nurse soon enough and he took down her symptoms and told us to go see the other lady behind the glass window, who took down contact details and personal information. This was all in the space of about 15 minutes so we figured we'd be seen to fairly fast.
Unfortunately, more and more people came in after us with more severe injuries. We could see the ambulance pull up, bringing in people who had been in car crashes, or fights, or that had broken bones and heart attacks. Fair enough, they were worse off. It would still be nice to get home to a bed though, especially since I had work in the morning.
After a few more hours, we were called in. It was about 4.30am. AnneMarie was put into the bed and the on call doctor looked at it. She decided it needed to be operated on. She could have drained it there and then and sent us home, but she didn't want to, for some reason.
After another hour, the surgical consult came around and he said he'd operate in a few hours. I had been drinking a few too many beers so was starting to sober up at this stage. Unfortunately, the on-set of the hangover, and lack of sleep forced me into getting sick in the toilet in the Casualty ward, within earshot of all the sick people! I even woke some women up with my sick noises!! oops! :(
Anyway, I went home for some sleep at about 6am and called work telling them I won't be in today and explained the situation.
AnneMarie sent me a text when I woke up. She was moved into a ward to await the operation. However, it didn't go ahead as planned. They said they'd operate early Friday morning, but then said Friday evening. She was in pain all this time so I wasn't happy.
Friday evening came and they said they can't operate yet. She hadn't eaten since the dinner the previous night so they gave her some jelly, fruit and a small sandwich to keep her going until the morning, when she was promised the operation again.
Next morning, still no sign of the operation. I was in visiting her again. I spent most of the 2 days beside her keeping her company. She was still in pain.
Eventually, that evening she was brought in, about 6pm. She was waiting for half an hour and then went into theatre. 45 minutes later she got the nurse to phone me to tell me to come back in, as she was out of the operation. It only took about half an hour!
Anyway, she has to stay in overnight. Hopefully she'll be home soon enough.
The problem now is, if she can't move her right arm coz of the abscess, how is she meant to do rural work to get our 2nd year visa? Will I be home in the 365 days stated in this blog title? Or will I get to stay a little longer??? I honestly don't know...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Barrack Obama in - George Bush out
To celebrate the induction of President Barrack Obama, I have decided to clear out my Bush back catalogue and post a final list of Bush-isms, ie dumb things Bush said during his presidency, and a few from when he was governor. Lets hope Obama delivers on his promised changes, and we don't see some Obama-isms making their way into the media!
See below for Bush-isms.
ON HIMSELF
"They misunderestimated me."Bentonville, Arkansas, 6 November, 2000
''I know what I believe. I will continue to articulate what I believeand what I believe - I believe what I believe is right." Rome, 22July, 2001
"There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probablyin Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on... shame on you. Foolme - you can't get fooled again."Nashville, Tennessee, 17 September, 2002
"There's no question that the minute I got elected, the storm cloudson the horizon were getting nearly directly overhead."Washington DC, 11 May, 2001
"I want to thank my friend, Senator Bill Frist, for joining us today.He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. Karyn is with us. A WestTexas girl, just like me."Nashville, Tennessee, 27 May, 2004
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
"For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one ofthe great and enduring alliances of modern times."Tokyo, 18 February, 2002
"The war on terror involves Saddam Hussein because of the nature ofSaddam Hussein, the history of Saddam Hussein, and his willingness toterrorise himself."Grand Rapids, Michigan, 29 January, 2003
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They neverstop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, andneither do we." Washington DC, 5 August, 2004
"I think war is a dangerous place."Washington DC, 7 May, 2003
"The ambassador and the general were briefing me on the - the vastmajority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we willfind these people and we will bring them to justice."Washington DC, 27 October, 2003
"Free societies are hopeful societies. And free societies will beallies against these hateful few who have no conscience, who kill atthe whim of a hat."Washington DC, 17 September, 2004
"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq tothe war on terror."CBS News, Washington DC, 6 September, 2006
EDUCATION
"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"Florence, South Carolina, 11 January, 2000
"Reading is the basics for all learning."Reston, Virginia, 28 March, 2000
"As governor of Texas, I have set high standards for our publicschools, and I have met those standards."CNN, 30 August, 2000
"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass aliteracy test.''Townsend, Tennessee, 21 February, 2001
ECONOMICS
"I understand small business growth. I was one."New York Daily News, 19 February, 2000
"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."Reuters, 5 May, 2000
"I do remain confident in Linda. She'll make a fine Labour Secretary.From what I've read in the press accounts, she's perfectly qualified."Austin, Texas, 8 January, 2001
"First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarilykillers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you'rewilling to kill."Washington DC, 19 May, 2003
HEALTHCARE
"I don't think we need to be subliminable about the differencesbetween our views on prescription drugs."Orlando, Florida, 12 September, 2000
"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN'saren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."Poplar Bluff, Missouri, 6 September, 2004
TECHNOLOGY
"Will the highways on the internet become more few?"Concord, New Hampshire, 29 January, 2000
"It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kindof human cloning to come out of that chamber."Washington DC, 10 April, 2002
"Information is moving. You know, nightly news is one way, of course,but it's also moving through the blogosphere and through theInternets."Washington DC, 2 May, 2007
OUT OF LEFT FIELD
"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."Saginaw, Michigan, 29 September, 2000
"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."LaCrosse, Wisconsin, 18 October, 2000
"Those who enter the country illegally violate the law."Tucson, Arizona, 28 November, 2005
"That's George Washington, the first president, of course. Theinteresting thing about him is that I read three - three or four booksabout him last year. Isn't that interesting?"Speaking to reporter Kai Diekmann, Washington DC, 5 May, 2006
ON GOVERNING
"I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together."Bartlett, Tennessee, 18 August, 2000
"I'm the decider, and I decide what is best."Washington DC, 18 April, 2006
"And truth of the matter is, a lot of reports in Washington are neverread by anybody. To show you how important this one is, I read it, and[Tony Blair] read it."On the publication of the Baker-Hamilton Report, Washington DC, 7 December, 2006
"All I can tell you is when the governor calls, I answer his phone."San Diego, California, 25 October, 2007
"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out whathappened inside this Oval Office."Washington DC, 12 May, 2008
lol
See below for Bush-isms.
ON HIMSELF
"They misunderestimated me."Bentonville, Arkansas, 6 November, 2000
''I know what I believe. I will continue to articulate what I believeand what I believe - I believe what I believe is right." Rome, 22July, 2001
"There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probablyin Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on... shame on you. Foolme - you can't get fooled again."Nashville, Tennessee, 17 September, 2002
"There's no question that the minute I got elected, the storm cloudson the horizon were getting nearly directly overhead."Washington DC, 11 May, 2001
"I want to thank my friend, Senator Bill Frist, for joining us today.He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. Karyn is with us. A WestTexas girl, just like me."Nashville, Tennessee, 27 May, 2004
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
"For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one ofthe great and enduring alliances of modern times."Tokyo, 18 February, 2002
"The war on terror involves Saddam Hussein because of the nature ofSaddam Hussein, the history of Saddam Hussein, and his willingness toterrorise himself."Grand Rapids, Michigan, 29 January, 2003
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They neverstop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, andneither do we." Washington DC, 5 August, 2004
"I think war is a dangerous place."Washington DC, 7 May, 2003
"The ambassador and the general were briefing me on the - the vastmajority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we willfind these people and we will bring them to justice."Washington DC, 27 October, 2003
"Free societies are hopeful societies. And free societies will beallies against these hateful few who have no conscience, who kill atthe whim of a hat."Washington DC, 17 September, 2004
"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq tothe war on terror."CBS News, Washington DC, 6 September, 2006
EDUCATION
"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"Florence, South Carolina, 11 January, 2000
"Reading is the basics for all learning."Reston, Virginia, 28 March, 2000
"As governor of Texas, I have set high standards for our publicschools, and I have met those standards."CNN, 30 August, 2000
"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass aliteracy test.''Townsend, Tennessee, 21 February, 2001
ECONOMICS
"I understand small business growth. I was one."New York Daily News, 19 February, 2000
"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."Reuters, 5 May, 2000
"I do remain confident in Linda. She'll make a fine Labour Secretary.From what I've read in the press accounts, she's perfectly qualified."Austin, Texas, 8 January, 2001
"First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarilykillers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you'rewilling to kill."Washington DC, 19 May, 2003
HEALTHCARE
"I don't think we need to be subliminable about the differencesbetween our views on prescription drugs."Orlando, Florida, 12 September, 2000
"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN'saren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."Poplar Bluff, Missouri, 6 September, 2004
TECHNOLOGY
"Will the highways on the internet become more few?"Concord, New Hampshire, 29 January, 2000
"It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kindof human cloning to come out of that chamber."Washington DC, 10 April, 2002
"Information is moving. You know, nightly news is one way, of course,but it's also moving through the blogosphere and through theInternets."Washington DC, 2 May, 2007
OUT OF LEFT FIELD
"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."Saginaw, Michigan, 29 September, 2000
"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."LaCrosse, Wisconsin, 18 October, 2000
"Those who enter the country illegally violate the law."Tucson, Arizona, 28 November, 2005
"That's George Washington, the first president, of course. Theinteresting thing about him is that I read three - three or four booksabout him last year. Isn't that interesting?"Speaking to reporter Kai Diekmann, Washington DC, 5 May, 2006
ON GOVERNING
"I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together."Bartlett, Tennessee, 18 August, 2000
"I'm the decider, and I decide what is best."Washington DC, 18 April, 2006
"And truth of the matter is, a lot of reports in Washington are neverread by anybody. To show you how important this one is, I read it, and[Tony Blair] read it."On the publication of the Baker-Hamilton Report, Washington DC, 7 December, 2006
"All I can tell you is when the governor calls, I answer his phone."San Diego, California, 25 October, 2007
"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out whathappened inside this Oval Office."Washington DC, 12 May, 2008
lol
Monday, January 19, 2009
We got a house
We got a house!
After spending a week in the hostel, paying 400 dollars for the week, we found a nice new house, for 425 a week. I suppose its pricey but the house has a nice big king size bed, a flat screen TV in every room with all the Foxtel channels and a big flat screen in the main room. The house is really nice too, and has a nice little seating area in the back garden, with a picnic bench, and another telly with Setanta Sports! Brilliant! Now I can finally watch the premiership and see Irish 6 nations matches. Its located on Palmerston St., right across the park from Rosie O'Gradys pub.
The problem though, with neither of us having a job is, how much longer can we keep up paying this rent. The rent in Syndey was 290 a week and we were both working. Hopefully I can get a job soon.
The landlord is mad in the head too. He was driving us around all the houses he has in Northbridge, along with another couple, and he came across like a right little Del Boy! Hes obviously had experience selling these houses before!!
Incidentally, we ended up meeting up with the couple again for a few beers after. At least thats someone we know in Perth now that we can go for a few pints with when the situation calls for it! :D
After spending a week in the hostel, paying 400 dollars for the week, we found a nice new house, for 425 a week. I suppose its pricey but the house has a nice big king size bed, a flat screen TV in every room with all the Foxtel channels and a big flat screen in the main room. The house is really nice too, and has a nice little seating area in the back garden, with a picnic bench, and another telly with Setanta Sports! Brilliant! Now I can finally watch the premiership and see Irish 6 nations matches. Its located on Palmerston St., right across the park from Rosie O'Gradys pub.
The problem though, with neither of us having a job is, how much longer can we keep up paying this rent. The rent in Syndey was 290 a week and we were both working. Hopefully I can get a job soon.
The landlord is mad in the head too. He was driving us around all the houses he has in Northbridge, along with another couple, and he came across like a right little Del Boy! Hes obviously had experience selling these houses before!!
Incidentally, we ended up meeting up with the couple again for a few beers after. At least thats someone we know in Perth now that we can go for a few pints with when the situation calls for it! :D
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Perth
So we arrived in Perth Yesterday.
First impressions, its really nice. Like Cairns except bigger! We are living in a place called Northbridge and staying in a hostel called the Britannia on William Street. The hostel has no air conditioning and we had to ask reception for a spare fan, but I suppose a bed is a bed. It just would have been nicer if we werent melting the whole time in this hot weather!
We arrived in Perth after midday anyway, and decided to celebrate with a cheeky quick pint. We went to the nearest pub, The Brass Monkey, wher I got a pint and AnneMarie got a bottle of Corona. 17 dollars it came to!!!! 17 dollars! We were told Perth was more expensive than Sydney and this is out first taste of that. We had out drink and moved on.
We looked into a few sites we might want to go visit while we are here. Kings Park is meant to be real nice, and Perth has its own zoo, so that'll definately be on the cards at some stage.
Northbridge seems to be the backpacker hub of Perth. You won't see much Aussies here! And I can see why its become the hub, since its just full of bars and clubs, hostels and restaurants. This will be our home for the next while so hopefully it'll be as fun as Sydney.
First impressions, its really nice. Like Cairns except bigger! We are living in a place called Northbridge and staying in a hostel called the Britannia on William Street. The hostel has no air conditioning and we had to ask reception for a spare fan, but I suppose a bed is a bed. It just would have been nicer if we werent melting the whole time in this hot weather!
We arrived in Perth after midday anyway, and decided to celebrate with a cheeky quick pint. We went to the nearest pub, The Brass Monkey, wher I got a pint and AnneMarie got a bottle of Corona. 17 dollars it came to!!!! 17 dollars! We were told Perth was more expensive than Sydney and this is out first taste of that. We had out drink and moved on.
We looked into a few sites we might want to go visit while we are here. Kings Park is meant to be real nice, and Perth has its own zoo, so that'll definately be on the cards at some stage.
Northbridge seems to be the backpacker hub of Perth. You won't see much Aussies here! And I can see why its become the hub, since its just full of bars and clubs, hostels and restaurants. This will be our home for the next while so hopefully it'll be as fun as Sydney.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
I sold my bike
Well, after having it for about 4 months since Brisbane, I had to sell my bike.
You see, as we are going to Perth, I can hardly take it on the plane with me, and it'd be a waste to just leave it there in the Terraces.
So I threw up and ad on Gumtree and got a few bites. One guy came to see the bike and took it after a quick test cycle.
I sold it for 325 dollars, including the helmet, lights and lock. I think he got a good deal, considering 4 months ago it cost me 600 dollars, and I've barely ridden it since then!
You see, as we are going to Perth, I can hardly take it on the plane with me, and it'd be a waste to just leave it there in the Terraces.
So I threw up and ad on Gumtree and got a few bites. One guy came to see the bike and took it after a quick test cycle.
I sold it for 325 dollars, including the helmet, lights and lock. I think he got a good deal, considering 4 months ago it cost me 600 dollars, and I've barely ridden it since then!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
I set up a website - www.dingostew.com
I'm not sure if this has anything to do with travelling, but its my blog and I can post what I want to! :D
I have just set up a website, using a company called Strike Data (an excellent cheap web hosting service) at www.dingostew.com if anyone is interested. Its an online web forum that people can come to chat and leave messages and discuss anything on their mind. Its just a bit of fun but I'll see how it goes. I might even try make money off it by sticking google ads on the site and hope people click on them!! I'm sure I'll make hundreds of cents if i'm lucky!
The site has a number of sections. There is:
All the sections a site could need!
Anyway, have a look at the site. Sign up if you want, and leave a few messages. Spread the word too, if you can.
Thanks,
Eoin
I have just set up a website, using a company called Strike Data (an excellent cheap web hosting service) at www.dingostew.com if anyone is interested. Its an online web forum that people can come to chat and leave messages and discuss anything on their mind. Its just a bit of fun but I'll see how it goes. I might even try make money off it by sticking google ads on the site and hope people click on them!! I'm sure I'll make hundreds of cents if i'm lucky!
The site has a number of sections. There is:
All the sections a site could need!
Anyway, have a look at the site. Sign up if you want, and leave a few messages. Spread the word too, if you can.
Thanks,
Eoin
Friday, October 31, 2008
Halloween in Sydney
Our first Halloween in Sydney. I say "first", coz I'm starting to entertain the possibility of staying longer than the initial 1 year visa. This will involve 3 months working in the outback pickign fruit or working on a farm, so its not nice work, but its compulsory so....
Anyway, it was halloween last night. Australians love dressing up so everyone around town was up for it and dressed up in all sorts of cool and funky costumes. AnneMarie was dressed up as a bumble bee, and I was dressed up as a musketeer. AnneMarie bought her costume in a costume shop in Newtown, but I just got random bits around Woolworths and K-Mart and when I put them together, I closely resembled a musketerr, so I figured "Hey, I may as well go with it!".
Everyone in the terraces was dressed up. We started off at a house party in one of the houses and went out into Sydney City afterwards. I met up with an old friend of mine from school and his little brother. It was good fun. The rest of the Terraces ended up in there too so there was a lot of us there.
Ater,we went home and had a few beers in the house. Waing up this morning was a killer. I dunno what it is about Austalia, but the hangovers are a LOT worse than Ireland!!! :D
Anyway, it was halloween last night. Australians love dressing up so everyone around town was up for it and dressed up in all sorts of cool and funky costumes. AnneMarie was dressed up as a bumble bee, and I was dressed up as a musketeer. AnneMarie bought her costume in a costume shop in Newtown, but I just got random bits around Woolworths and K-Mart and when I put them together, I closely resembled a musketerr, so I figured "Hey, I may as well go with it!".
Everyone in the terraces was dressed up. We started off at a house party in one of the houses and went out into Sydney City afterwards. I met up with an old friend of mine from school and his little brother. It was good fun. The rest of the Terraces ended up in there too so there was a lot of us there.
Ater,we went home and had a few beers in the house. Waing up this morning was a killer. I dunno what it is about Austalia, but the hangovers are a LOT worse than Ireland!!! :D
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Sydney Terraces
So, we've been living in Sydney about a month. The Terraces are great craic.
We've gotten to know the lads from number 17. When we moved here first, there was 2 girls who were moving home. They were absolutely mad! Drinking all the time. It was some laugh. They used to come down to our house and offer me drink to ply guitar up at their house party, which I duly obliged! :D
But unfortunately, they left after about 2 weeks. We've still been going up to number 17 anyway to the boys. They're some drinkers! The whole area is full of alcos, but 17 is the main party house on the street. There doesn't seem to be any rules! Walls do be kicked in, ceilings do be punched through, doors knocked off their hinges. It's a great laugh!
We're getting to know the area well enough now and have started venturing up to Newtown to a couple of the bars. The place is full of lesbians and brothels! What more can you want!
We've gotten to know the lads from number 17. When we moved here first, there was 2 girls who were moving home. They were absolutely mad! Drinking all the time. It was some laugh. They used to come down to our house and offer me drink to ply guitar up at their house party, which I duly obliged! :D
But unfortunately, they left after about 2 weeks. We've still been going up to number 17 anyway to the boys. They're some drinkers! The whole area is full of alcos, but 17 is the main party house on the street. There doesn't seem to be any rules! Walls do be kicked in, ceilings do be punched through, doors knocked off their hinges. It's a great laugh!
We're getting to know the area well enough now and have started venturing up to Newtown to a couple of the bars. The place is full of lesbians and brothels! What more can you want!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Rabobank
So, I started my new job today. I am working for Rabobank in Daring Park Tower, beside Darling Harbour.
The job is an IT helpdesk job. This means I sit at my desk taking calls all day from people having problems with their computers. The majority of the calls come from rural areas, but we also get a lot of calls from people in the building. This can break the monotomy of sitting down all day as you can walk down and fix the problem in person. I've done helpdesk jobs before and the main thing I hated about it was tht you sat down all day on your ass. At least this job I can walk around a bit.
The building is nice. It's part of Darling Park Tower, with Price Waterhouse Cooper, and IBM. I think Google has an office in there somewhere too. I'm on the 17th floor so I can see everywhere in the city. I'm also overlooking the Maritime museum in Cockle Bay Wharf, so I can see a warship and a submarine semi-submerged in the bay from out my window. The kitchen also has a big plasma telly with all the Foxtel channels, which is nice for watching premiership highlights. I've still yet to see a full 90 minutes of soccer since I left Ireland! I doubt I'll get to see any in work, but at least I might get to see more highlights.
The people are nice too. My boss is Irish, from Kilkenny and there's a few other Irish people floating around the office. Should be good for the free office beers after work every Friday! :D
The job is an IT helpdesk job. This means I sit at my desk taking calls all day from people having problems with their computers. The majority of the calls come from rural areas, but we also get a lot of calls from people in the building. This can break the monotomy of sitting down all day as you can walk down and fix the problem in person. I've done helpdesk jobs before and the main thing I hated about it was tht you sat down all day on your ass. At least this job I can walk around a bit.
The building is nice. It's part of Darling Park Tower, with Price Waterhouse Cooper, and IBM. I think Google has an office in there somewhere too. I'm on the 17th floor so I can see everywhere in the city. I'm also overlooking the Maritime museum in Cockle Bay Wharf, so I can see a warship and a submarine semi-submerged in the bay from out my window. The kitchen also has a big plasma telly with all the Foxtel channels, which is nice for watching premiership highlights. I've still yet to see a full 90 minutes of soccer since I left Ireland! I doubt I'll get to see any in work, but at least I might get to see more highlights.
The people are nice too. My boss is Irish, from Kilkenny and there's a few other Irish people floating around the office. Should be good for the free office beers after work every Friday! :D
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Luna Park
Today we went to Luna Park Amusement Park just on Darling Harbour.
It was good fun. They had all the usual stuff you'd expect from a small carnival. teacups, dodge ems, whirly-go-rounds and what not. We played a few of the side attractions, and won some teddy bears. I won a huge gorilla teddy and AnneMarie won a small teddy (which is how it happened, regardless if she says it was the other way around ;))
There also seemed to be some ball on, as there was a lot of people dressed in evening wear going into one of the bars/restaurants in the park itself. It was either an early christmas party of someone won the lotto or something!
There was also a cool performing act we saw there. There was an old guy, about 71, up on a huge pole, about 70 feet in the air balancing on his hands, and sswaying the pole from side to side. I had seen him on the news a few days earlier. Hes the oldest performer in Australia, I think it said. He was very good.
Anyway, after that we had our fill of the park and headed home back across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and home. The park isnt bad for a small park. Good for a day out.
It was good fun. They had all the usual stuff you'd expect from a small carnival. teacups, dodge ems, whirly-go-rounds and what not. We played a few of the side attractions, and won some teddy bears. I won a huge gorilla teddy and AnneMarie won a small teddy (which is how it happened, regardless if she says it was the other way around ;))
There also seemed to be some ball on, as there was a lot of people dressed in evening wear going into one of the bars/restaurants in the park itself. It was either an early christmas party of someone won the lotto or something!
There was also a cool performing act we saw there. There was an old guy, about 71, up on a huge pole, about 70 feet in the air balancing on his hands, and sswaying the pole from side to side. I had seen him on the news a few days earlier. Hes the oldest performer in Australia, I think it said. He was very good.
Anyway, after that we had our fill of the park and headed home back across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and home. The park isnt bad for a small park. Good for a day out.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
I got a job!
I finally got a job!
I went for an interview with Transfield for the HelpDesk role, but didn't think it went that well, so the girl from the agency arranged to meet with me face to face and work on my interview skills after my other interview for Rabobank. So after the Rabo interview, I came down the lift, walked out of the building, walked up the street towards the agency and 2 minutes later I got a call offering me the Rabobank job that I had just interviewed for!
Apparently, straight after the interview my new boss phoned the other agency and said straight away that I have the job. They tried calling me back to tell me but couldn't get through to me. I later figured out this was because there was no phone coverage in the lift! So then he phoned me back 2 minutes later when I was outside informing me of my new job! Brilliant!
I start next Wednesday (15th) :D
I went for an interview with Transfield for the HelpDesk role, but didn't think it went that well, so the girl from the agency arranged to meet with me face to face and work on my interview skills after my other interview for Rabobank. So after the Rabo interview, I came down the lift, walked out of the building, walked up the street towards the agency and 2 minutes later I got a call offering me the Rabobank job that I had just interviewed for!
Apparently, straight after the interview my new boss phoned the other agency and said straight away that I have the job. They tried calling me back to tell me but couldn't get through to me. I later figured out this was because there was no phone coverage in the lift! So then he phoned me back 2 minutes later when I was outside informing me of my new job! Brilliant!
I start next Wednesday (15th) :D
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs...not!
So, I still haven't got a job yet.
I've had a few rejections and some people saying they won't hire me because I'm a backpacker and only on a holiday visa, and they're looking for someone more long term. Pain in the ass.
I have a couple of more interviews coming up this week so hopefully something comes up.
The first one is with Transfield in Sydney for a HelpDesk role, and the 2nd is for RaboBank in Darling Park for a desktop role. I'm hoping for that one. Its more money, and basically a better job. I've done enough of sitting on my ass answering phones so at least in that job I wont be confined to my chair.
Lets see how things go...
I've had a few rejections and some people saying they won't hire me because I'm a backpacker and only on a holiday visa, and they're looking for someone more long term. Pain in the ass.
I have a couple of more interviews coming up this week so hopefully something comes up.
The first one is with Transfield in Sydney for a HelpDesk role, and the 2nd is for RaboBank in Darling Park for a desktop role. I'm hoping for that one. Its more money, and basically a better job. I've done enough of sitting on my ass answering phones so at least in that job I wont be confined to my chair.
Lets see how things go...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Getting a job in Sydney
We're starting to get really low on cash at the moment. I would have been broke a couple of weeks ago if it wasn't for Anne-Marie coming over with her life savigns to blow on me! :D
So, to remedy this lack of disposable cash, we've been forced to get one of those "job" things. You know them things that force you to get up early and pay attention and exert effort into what you'r edoing? Yeah, well we've all had to try get one of those.
I've been applying online to a number of job websites here in Sydney. I've applied mainly to IT jopbs, but if I can't get an IT job, I may be forced to look elsewhere, like in a pub or restaurant or supermarket. Hopefully I'll get an IT role though. If not, I'll then also need to get an RSA (Responsible Supply of Alcohol) card. These cost about 60 dollars and you've to sit through 4 hours of powerpoint presentations to get it, and nobody will hire you without one. Not officially anyway! :p
So, to remedy this lack of disposable cash, we've been forced to get one of those "job" things. You know them things that force you to get up early and pay attention and exert effort into what you'r edoing? Yeah, well we've all had to try get one of those.
I've been applying online to a number of job websites here in Sydney. I've applied mainly to IT jopbs, but if I can't get an IT job, I may be forced to look elsewhere, like in a pub or restaurant or supermarket. Hopefully I'll get an IT role though. If not, I'll then also need to get an RSA (Responsible Supply of Alcohol) card. These cost about 60 dollars and you've to sit through 4 hours of powerpoint presentations to get it, and nobody will hire you without one. Not officially anyway! :p
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The girls going away party
The 2 girls from number 17, ,Donna and Karen (Karn-age), are going home in a few days so they had 1 last big bash before they went.
These girls are gas. At any given time of the day they'll be going into all the houses, drunk off their faces, full of energy, and getting people to come party with them! They are the life and soul of tge whole street.
But alas, they're going back to Kildare.
The night was fun, as expected. We started off in the terraces having beers, and a bit of a sing song with me guitar. Then when everyone was suitably drunk, we went to the Side bar in town. More drinking ensued and it got pretty messy! Then afterwards, back home to the terraces for more beer and fun.
Myself and Anne-Marie went to bed and left them continue to party. Next morning, their rooms looked like a bomb went off. Bodies all over the place, mattresses and sheets everywhere, beer bottles here, bags of goon there!! haha nothing less than you'd expect from the Terraces!
Unfortunately, the girls go home now in the next few days. They'll be packing today. Its gonna be a lot quieter without them.
These girls are gas. At any given time of the day they'll be going into all the houses, drunk off their faces, full of energy, and getting people to come party with them! They are the life and soul of tge whole street.
But alas, they're going back to Kildare.
The night was fun, as expected. We started off in the terraces having beers, and a bit of a sing song with me guitar. Then when everyone was suitably drunk, we went to the Side bar in town. More drinking ensued and it got pretty messy! Then afterwards, back home to the terraces for more beer and fun.
Myself and Anne-Marie went to bed and left them continue to party. Next morning, their rooms looked like a bomb went off. Bodies all over the place, mattresses and sheets everywhere, beer bottles here, bags of goon there!! haha nothing less than you'd expect from the Terraces!
Unfortunately, the girls go home now in the next few days. They'll be packing today. Its gonna be a lot quieter without them.
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