What's up?

Ahh Monday AGAIN! There are definitely more Mondays in my weeks than Saturdays and Sundays... At least it feels like it today.
Weekend was a good one, nice and relaxing.
On Friday night I stayed in and had the house to myself! Quite peaceful energy with no-one else around. Got the chance to do some writing and chill in my own space. Was love-er-ly!
Jahe got up the next morning in a foul mood that he felt the need to share with Very and I. Not wholey appreciated, so I went out for a long dog walk along Merri Creek to the beginning of St Georges Rd. A nice walk through parkland, with Very & Summah who enjoyed herself plus it was good for me to get out of the house for an extended period to somewhere calm like that.
So the rest of Saturday was spent doing washing and the like until late afternoon when I left to go to my cousins place in Bacchus Marsh for a BBQ. Was a nice evening, but for some reason I was put on the kids table along with my brother and his wife who - like me - also aren't that fond of little children. So we were left to supervise and look after them while the parents and couples that DID want or do already have kids had a lovely child free meal! What's that about I ask? A plot to keep the kid lovers loving kids by not having to deal with them... Hmm. Crafty!
Sunday was a treat day. I stayed in bed til late and then went and saw a movie with Michelle - Brother Bear was the movie of the day. Not bad, I do have a soft spot for the od cartoon, but it wasn't anywhere as good as what I had anticipated. Not to worry it wasn't a complete dead loss of a day, and again nice to get out and about doing something that didn't involve lots of cash at the pub!
Today was my final appraisal - well not final, but appraisal for the past 6 months. Had a good old chat and have passed probabtion, although I was told that earlier on this month with my pre-appraisal. So no huge surprises there. But was good to sit and have a chat, talk about me going away and (as I think I wrote last week), I have already been able to make a start on organising some programes to look at while I am away. So all is good in my world.

Reception relief - the perfect time to blog seeing that there's nowt all else to be doing.. Not that I am complaining, got all my work finished pretty quick today, it's only those damn outbound calls that I have to have a crack at this afternoon. So much for the 'just a bit of outbound calling, not much' that I was told in the interview.... What a sucker I am, almost every day I have to call some geezer about joining us, or debit details. Arrgh!
Anyways, what have I been up to? Not a hell of a lot really. Last night was a quiet one, got on the bike and rode to the supermarket with Jahe, first time since I fell off. So I'm even less confident than when I first tried. But I need to get over this stupid childhood fear, and mybe rid myself of my accident prone-ness at the same time... Possibly I am expecting too much from this bike.
I have started to organize myself a little better for this going away business. Today I get to meet with some of the people from programes to sort out a visit to them when I get to S.E Asia, which is brilliant. I have organized a dentist and accountants appointment for a few weeks time. So I can find out about making my trip tax deductable, and setting up a company that I can get paid by when I go to work in the UK. Or at least find out if it is worth my while to do that. Dentist is not the favorite of the appointments - it means fillings and needles... Not looking forward to it but I expect having dental problems whilst in Nepal or Laos would be much worse. Then it will be injections and inoculations for things like rabies... Fun to be had!
So things are chugging along well, will probably book my ticket weekend after this one, and start to pay that off. Need to start saving a little more, but after setteling in from the move I am finally able to do that. All is going well!
Oh and power of attorney - have to remember to get that done before I go too.. Still plenty of time yet... sorta.
We have organised to have out housewarming party on the 20th of March, now that Very has moved in! It's a pretty good household. The guys are clean if strange, and it's a comfortable atmosphere. Very is slowly sorting out his stuff and the front porch is re-emerging from the depths of old newpapers, coathangers, and other miscellaneous rubbish.
Anyway that's about it, you can't expect too much to happen in just one night!!

Reception relief - the perfect time to blog seeing that there's nowt all else to be doing.. Not that I am complaining, got all my work finished pretty quick today, it's only those damn outbound calls that I have to have a crack at this afternoon. So much for the 'just a bit of outbound calling, not much' that I was told in the interview.... What a sucker I am, almost every day I have to call some geezer about joining us, or debit details. Arrgh!
Anyways, what have I been up to? Not a hell of a lot really. Last night was a quiet one, got on the bike and rode to the supermarket with Jahe, first time since I fell off. So I'm even less confident than when I first tried. But I need to get over this stupid childhood fear, and mybe rid myself of my accident prone-ness at the same time... Possibly I am expecting too much from this bike.
I have started to organize myself a little better for this going away business. Today I get to meet with some of the people from programes to sort out a visit to them when I get to S.E Asia, which is brilliant. I have organized a dentist and accountants appointment for a few weeks time. So I can find out about making my trip tax deductable, and setting up a company that I can get paid by when I go to work in the UK. Or at least find out if it is worth my while to do that. Dentist is not the favorite of the appointments - it means fillings and needles... Not looking forward to it but I expect having dental problems whilst in Nepal or Laos would be much worse. Then it will be injections and inoculations for things like rabies... Fun to be had!
So things are chugging along well, will probably book my ticket weekend after this one, and start to pay that off. Need to start saving a little more, but after setteling in from the move I am finally able to do that. All is going well!
Oh and power of attorney - have to remember to get that done before I go too.. Still plenty of time yet... sorta.
We have organised to have out housewarming party on the 20th of March, now that Very has moved in! It's a pretty good household. The guys are clean if strange, and it's a comfortable atmosphere. Very is slowly sorting out his stuff and the front porch is re-emerging from the depths of old newpapers, coathangers, and other miscellaneous rubbish.
Anyway that's about it, you can't expect too much to happen in just one night!!

Wednesday - hump day. At least we are at the 'top of the hill' and now it's just a short roll to Friday.
This week has been good though so far, and I expect it'll continue in the same vein. Sunday I stayed in and did some gardening and housey things with my new house mate Jahe. Am getting along well with him, only thing is he says he 'hates' English people and England. Don't know where this animosity comes from, but in any case it's not a good start for lots of my friends...
Monday was plum picking. The tree in the back yard is so laden with fruit that the branches are practically laying on the ground. So we picked all we could that were ripe or near too, and then Jahe made Jam. I bought the stuff and he did the work - not a bad arrangement I don't think. It's yummy jam, but I think there is something wrong with me today because my toast tasted like I had parmesan cheese on it this morning, not plum jam... Hmm. Still ate it though. Mmmm cheesey plums.
Yesterday Very finally moved in. He has so much shit, you can hardly get around the house at the moment, hopefully it will be sorted when I get home tonight and I will once again be able to use the front porch for sitting and smoking...
I went to the 'Wheel of Beer' last night. Was a good evening. Caught up with Liam & Ethne, Sarge & Alison, Zorb and someone else - sorry don't know who you are. Chatted with Liam and Ethne for a while though, grilling them about their trip to S.E asia especially Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. From the sounds of it 3 months should be long enough to have a good look and have loads of fun too. So Ankor Wat will be on the list of things to see, along with those rice bank initiatives, and of course some beach time... Gotta relax at some stage don't you? Can't wait! Think I will book my ticket this weekend and start paying it off - a bit more motivation for the savings factor... Which although going well, could be going much better.

Everything has fallen on top of me today. I don't know why, but I feel like throwing the whole of today into the 'too hard basket'. Maybe it's just because it is Monday, although I was fine when I woke up...
Mind you it wasn't until I got to work and found out that I still don't have a safe home for Summah, and I feel like I am fast running out of time. Maybe I am putting too much pressure on myself over this? But she needs a home when I go, otherwise I'll have to stay... I don't want to stay. I want to go, the sooner the better.
Hopefully something will come up soon... Before I book my ticket preferably.

What a gorgeous week it has been! Weather wise as well as everything else wise. And Friday has come around so quickly!
On Wednesday Ian and Ricci came over for dinner. Ricci is dieting for her wedding in April so I didn't have to cook for her, just Ian and myself! Yummy food, good company, what more could you want?
Yesterday was my divorce hearing. I was done pretty quickly which was good, was expecting to be there until at least after lunch, but it was all over by 11am, so I had the time to start sorting out flights and visas for my O.S stint. Looks like I will be able to sort it all out myself, without needing to borrow any cash off friends or family. I can get a one way ticket - no need for a return flight where the return bit is written off! So that means a saving of about $1500 - NOICE! I have to renew my passport today as it is due to expire in May 2006. But I can just go to the post office for that and then they post it to me in around 2 weeks time. As soon as that comes back I will be applying for my UK work visa, and should be paying off my flight by then too. It's all coming together and is so much easier than I first thought! So yesterday afternoon after getting my divorce, seeing the different travel agents and stopping in at the passport office I spent the afternoon looking through travel brochures, filling in forms and writing down things I need to do between now and then to make sure everything is taken care of before I go.
Summah won't be going to Sylvias' brothers place anymore - they have decided to buy a puppy. But no need to dispair yet! Sylvia is still on the case - bless her heart! She said that she knows a few people through her horsey connections that may well be interested in taking her and these people don't have kids, so it may well work out a lot better than first expected. I guess it's just a case of wait and see. But I have confidence that it will work out one way or another. Steve reckons he is still looking into getting her across to England, but monkeys may also fly out of my butt! (Just stealing expressions from Waynes World, don't mind me...) But if he does get his act together, then I am still more than happy for her to go there. I just doubt that it will occur.
So now I am single again, free to do what I want without the worries of an old disused marriage.... Life is working out well.

Came a gutsa on my bike last night - Ouch. Am limping around the office today grazed and sore. I feel like I am about 6 with skun knees, hands & face. But at least it wasn't on the road, and I didn't get run over as well. Still, I will have to get the bike fixed and try again... Also earlier in the evening I got stuck in the tram tracks! Scared the crap out of me, but I didn't lose it.... Kept that one for later in the evening.



The Swing dancing classes haven't gone ahead.. They were too far away, we were already late and so we piked.
Steve called this morning. Wasn't really feeling up to talking to him, but he said that he still wasn't sure about the dog - every time he calls about this there is another obstacle, this morning it was that he lives with his Mum, and he's had to send a photo to Defra so they can decide if she is allowed across due to being part pit-bull. So I've told Sylvia to give my number to her brother, so that I can sort out her home. Enough of being stuffed around. I think she will probably be better there anyway, he may not have a home to give her when she arrives from the sound of it.
So all systems are go, and things are getting done... Time is starting to pass so quick! Soon I will be away. Bring it on!

Yoddel-ay, yoddel-ay, yoddel-ay-ih-hoo!

Dinner in celebration for Aarons 30th year were in order last night at the Cuckoo in the Dandenong ranges. What a beautiful setting, and what a strange restaraunt! But it was heaps of fun, and a good laugh. Plus it's always good to get the whole family together.
Dad is off soon too, so possibly that was the last time I will see him - depends if I go up to Warragul on the weekend. I may do, am waiting to hear what Linc and Brigitta are going to do and if I can get a lift from them. I know I will, and expect to be, put to work though if/when I do go up.

Apart from Aarons dinner it was a reasonably quiet weekend. I went out for a few quick drinks on the Saturday night to say good bye to a friend who returns to England shortly, and sweltered in the heat. I'm lucky not to have ended up as a puddle of Victoria on the pavement as it was soo hot and we were sat outside rather than in the pub with the air con. Silly peoples that we were.

On Friday night I caught up with Luce and Ashley, the first time I have seen either of them since they have returned from the UK. Mind you both are going back - well Ash already has, and Luce plans to go back some time in May. So it was good to see them while I had the chance. Plus it is nice to know that I will have some friends over there when I do get there. Both have said I can stay with them if I want to, plus there are a few other people that I have met this year that have said the same - I may be able to get away without paying rent the whole time I am there! Wouldn't that be good?! Doubt it will actually happen though, I don't think I could put up with almost 2 years of constantly sleeping on someone elses floor.

Are you jealous yet??





First stop Thailand, the ideal place it would seem to unwind for the trip of a life time!

What a beautiful day it has turned out to be! Makes you smile automatically when the sun is shining. Dad and Ann will have permanent smiles shortly!
Work is good, although I almost didn't make it in this morning - haven't been feeling well, pains in my belly. But I plan to go to the doctor early next week and get it looked at find out whats going on there.
Went around to my friends (Liz) last night and picked up her spare bike which she has kindly lent me until I leave for O.S. It took me only about 1/2 an hour to get home from there rather than the usual hour it takes on public transport. Mind you I didn't compeletly scorn the transport system and caught a train to Moreland and then rode the rest of the way home.
Aarons birthday party is just around the corner too. I'm cadging a lift from Linc and Brigitta there and back which makes it hell easy for me. I can drink and make merry and don't need to even think about driving, or how I will make it home!
I have to clean my old house this weekend, but am hoping it will all be finished on the Saturday - it's not a big house and there is no carpet. If I get there early-ish I should be able to finish in one day - Al will be helping too. So I don't see why we wouldn't be able to.

Anyway that's about it. A pretty boring weekend lined up until the Sunday night, and nothing else planned really. Have to try tuning my tellie in again tonight, but that's not really a treat...

Tired today and not feeling too well. Should've gone to bed earlier, but was good to have Linc and Brigitta around all the same.
Looking forward to Aarons' do on Sunday - a good chance to catch up with the whole family in one go.
Other stuff going on, but will try to blog later.

Not much has gone one since yesterday.
I had a friend around for dinner last night - almost burnt the pizzas, but was still tasty and the garlic bread turned out well.
He also did a spiritual clean of my room and a few other places in the house which was kind of him. Ended up having a reasonably early night though which was good. Especially after last week and feeling so tired all the way through.
I found the snooze button on my phone alarm this morning, don't know if it is a good thing, but I enjoyed being able to drift and know that I wasn't going to be late for work because of it.
Linc may come around tonight to visit, which will be good, haven't seen him in a long while now and it's about time we caught up. Especially seeing that he is only around the corner from where I have moved to. Hopefully this weekend or sometime this week I will have a bike (on loan until I go) so I will be able to visit friends and family a whole lot easier than I am able to now. Just need to get over my fear of bikes and riding down hill.
Next week I start swing dancing lessons with my friend Liz. Ian and Ricci are having a swing band at their wedding, and Liz and I have decided we would at least like to have some small idea of how to dance to them. Should be fun, and will probably meet some interesting people I would think.
Well that is about all the news I have to share. Am still waiting to hear from Steve what he wants to do with Summah, but should have an answer soon. Still would think that she'll be going to the family here. Divorce hearing is just over a week away.

Monday, and just before the aware run. Not much to be done today, so looks like I'll be doing filing.. what fun.
Had a good weekend catching up with family. Got a little pissed at Dad's but enjoyed having a chat and just relaxing with everyone. I cut Dad's hair with his new flat topper comb and it was SO qucik! Excellent, I couldn't believe it. Made my job so much easier.
Sunday I had to myself. Linc and Brigitta were supposed to come over but I got a last minute text letting me know they weren't coming. I suppose that he is still getting back into the swing of work. Would've been nice to know a little earlier in the day, but that's the way it goes with Linc I guess. He said he has the next 2 days off, but unfortunately for him, I already have plans. Ahh well I will catch up with him sooner or later I'm sure.
Not much planned for this week, have a friend coming over for dinner tonight, and tomorrow night as well, but will be staying in most of the week - or all of the week. So I should be able to get those little niggling things done that I have left for the last week or so.
Anyway that's it. Will blog again soon.

The end of the week, and again I have 2 days to myself. Will be nice to catch up with you all and actually have the chance to relax! It's been a busy past month or so.

I'll be cadging a lift off Aaron and Marie tomorrow to get to Dads, and then back the same day. So it's going to be a long day, but worth the effort, and at least I can try to sleep in on Sunday - although lately I have been waking at 6.30 am each morning, so maybe I wont and I'll just have an afternoon nap instead. Will see how I go.
No new news to report, but I will fill you in on my weekend on Monday. Adios!

So this weekend will be the last time I see Dad and Ann for a long time. Maybe I will get up to Qld before I go, but I'm not too sure - will have to make the most of this trip! If a really cheap flight comes up I'll nab it and go, otherwise this will be the last time I see them for ages! Sounds like it is going to be a hot one though, so I will be taking my bathers and using the pool I think. Will be nice to spend the day down there catching up and hearing their news - and of course telling them my news!

My divorce hearing is coming up pretty quickly. I was going to take off 4 days that week so that I could book my flight to Vietnam around the same time. I have changed that now though as Mark is coming back from the UK for two weeks at the end of March, and as I want to spend some time with him, I'll be taking those 3 days off when he is here. I may book my flights before he arrives, just go into the travel agent on a weekend, but I may leave it until he gets here, depends on the money situation. Everything always comes down to cash... If it was looks and talent alone I'd be on a winner - Ha ha ha! I may fly into Bangkok instead of straight to Vietnam as it may actually turn out cheaper even though it would mean more visas and a bus trip. Still it could be a lot more fun, and I'd definitely get to see more of Asia that way.
So if I get time - depending on how long the hearing goes for, hopefully not too long - I may even go into town and start sorting out the whole travel thing that day, but at the moment it is a matter of seeing how it all goes. Hopefully smoothly, and hopefully these final bills for the house wont be that big and I can start saving a hell of a lot more than I am at the moment. Ahh, I get a little stressed when I think how close it is and how much more I need in the bank before I can go. But I am getting there, it's just a matter of knuckling down a bit more when I have paid off the moving expenses.
Apart from all that life is going along pretty much as per usual. Nothing particularly exciting has been happening, my new place is working out well, and I have found a new home for Summah and am just waiting on a reply from Steve to see what he is planning on doing. I doubt he will organise for her to go to England before I go, so she'll more than likely go to this family, if they like her and vice versa. It's a shame to have to give her away though.

Tra la la! The sun is shining again, I was starting to wonder if summer was over already!

I have found a new home for Summah! Although I have to confirm details with the family she is to go to, and with Steve. But it looks like I will be letting her go sometime over the next month or so. She will go on a 2 week trail basis first and then if all goes well they will keep her. But it sounds like it will be perfect for her, and I will be able to check in on her every now and then over the next few months to make sure she is ok.

I have almost paid off my back pack, and should have it no later than the end of next week which is when I will do my trial pack. I'm so excited about going and it's still about 5 months away!

Ian and Ricci's wedding is coming up pretty quickly. I'll be flying up to Qld for that, but will only be there from the Friday afternoon to the Sunday afternoon, and then be back home. Summah will probably be with her new family by then so I wont need to worry about a baby sitter, or rather dog sitter. Looking forward to having a short holiday though, will be nice to spend some time in the sun - and hopefully will make it to the beach at some stage over the weekend. Here's wishhing for good weather!

Work is good, I've been given a little more responsibility and am writing procedures for some of the work that we do. Is good to have that little extra, nice to know I am trusted!

This weekend I painted, and painted, and then did a little more painting! But now my room is all the one colour (aside from the skirting board, door and window frames, which are yellow) - it's called 'High Tide, its a darkish sort of blue, but looks really good - especially with all my posters and pictures on the walls. Feels like my place now.

I also caught up with a few friends that I haven't seen in ages, but with all the painting, and other usual weekend chores didn't have that much time for catching up which was a shame. Still it was great to see them and have a little natter!

My divorce hearing is coming up pretty quickly, it's a little nerve wracking the idea of going to court, but it's all just procedure, I have all my papers in order and copies of them so really it should go smoothly. I guess it's just inertia of something I haven't done before, although I have been to court a couple of times to just sit and watch what goes on.

Anyway that's all my news - not much for a Monday, but I've not been that exciting lately! Will try to change all that so it's a better read for y'all!