trippin on sunshine

It's been almost a month since I last updated so I'll try to fit everything in one entry. First things first. I LOVE MY NEW APARTMENT! It's so close to Australia Fair (which is one of the major shopping centers in The Gold Coast) and the main bus station. Which means that it's very convenient for a girl who doesn't have a car and lives on her own because it's like living in Makati except there's heaps more fresh air and polite people, it's 5 minutes from the beach, and it's dotted with lovely parks! The apartment is fairly smaller than Nexus, but the major difference is that I now live on my own. So the size doesn't really bother me since I don't have to share it with anyone.. I like it cozy anyway :) It's a one bedroom apartment with a kitchen, en suite, living room and a balcony. I'd love to post photos for you guys but I'm not done fixing it up yet. I promise to do that when I get back from holidays.

Next up is the reason why i've been so busy lately..I've got a new job and I'm enjoying every bit of it!! I am a bartender. Yes, Eena is a bartender. I work at the Grand Hotel's Sports Bar in Labrador. It's one of the busiest sports bars in the Gold Coast. It's a huge place and the main attraction is the 55 meter long timber bar that curves it's way through the hotel. It also has 35 taps of 14 different beers spread throughout the bar. It's an awesome place to work at mainly because I'm learning more and more about the Australian culture. It's in a sports bar where blokes let their guards down after a long day and chill with their mates. Sports, apart from the beach, I reckon, is the pinnacle of Aussie culture. Be it Rugby, Footy, Cricket, Horse racing, or even Surfing.. They just love sports. Imagine working at 10am on a Friday and the place is already half full!! ganun sila ka baliw with sports and beer! haha! 

What I also love about it is that I always learn something new everyday. New slang words like how they call their glasses over here: Pint- Large; Schooner- Regular; Pot- small. And the amount of different beers they have! exagge, I was so confused on my first day.. Imagine combining the thick accent with confusing glass names, and confusing beer brands twas ridiculous! But after hundreds of "I beg your pardons" I finally got the hang of it and I can now grab orders from 3 different people and pour the perfect beer with just the right amount of head (Froth on top of the beer). 

Apart from that, I also love how the sports bar doesn't only accommodate hard core blokes. I often get the granny with her girlfriends ordering gin and tonic and heading off to the pokie machine, or the glamorous city girl that orders a midori splice before heading to the clubs, I also once served this very entertaining Irish man that ended up doing the moonwalk for me! hahah I tell you, the amount of random and very unique people I've met and will meet in that place is heaps! 

I never pictured myself to survive working in a bar though, I always thought that I couldn't handle so much physical and mental stress.. I never thought that I would excel. But lookie hookie.. Just a month of doing work placement in there and the supervisor already offered me a part time job! I was so stoked I almost dropped the beers I was holding. I'm still thinking about accepting it though. I obviously enjoy working there but it's a dead end job.. it doesn't progress to management or anything. If ever I do accept it I might just stay a casual and do 2 nights a week and apply for another job at the Marriott or another major hotel. Let's see how things go after the holidays.

The past weekend was the most hectic of all. I worked 4 days of 8 hour shifts straight. I'm sleep deprived, my legs are sore, and I feel like my back is giving out. But even if, I believe that was the best weekend i've had in months! I worked at the grand on Friday and Saturday, volunteered for the biggest restaurant and catering event in Queensland on Sunday, and was the Maitre 'D at the bistro in TAFE yesterday. It was stressful and chaotic but for some reason, I enjoyed every bit of it. Just goes to show how I like having  a busy lifestyle I guess.. Or maybe, I love being busy because it makes me appreciate days of rest even more since I seldom have any nowadays. 

So today, since I called in sickie for work, I might chuck the big lump of laundry in the wash, clean my apartment and maybe do some grocery shopping and walk around town.. I swear nothing's better than an unscheduled day. :) 

...hopefully! 

I hate the fact that i have to spend hours on end packing everything I own knowing that I'm going to exert the same amount of effort to unpack and organize everything again. I abhor moving. But this move will be for the better. I can't wait to finally live on my own.. without noisy flat mates and a dirty kitchen. I CAN'T WAIIIT. But of course that new luxury comes with more responsibilities... BILLS. 

Speaking of.. I haven't applied for an internet connection yet so I'll be without internet for a minimum of 2 weeks! the horror.. i know! I hope to get some free time next week so i can choose and apply for the best internet plan as soon as possible. 

Anyhoo you's can just email me and i'll reply fo sho! Multiply's one of the blocked sites in school but thank gahd yahoo mail is accessible. so there that's about all the info i can give you right now. i'll try and sneak in some super late uploads next week il be all mission impossible looking for a free wifi signal lol.  

Smoochies! 

The whole family had dinner out to celebrate so Mum calls me and I end up getting passed to everyone on the table. They even kept me on the line while they were singing happy birthday to Lola!

It really made me feel like I was with them somehow.. and you's have no idea how happy that made/makes me. I left the flat tonight with the biggest smile plastered on my face. I may have looked like an idiot when I got into Meng's car cause she asked me if I was drunk haha! But seriously.. I've the best family in the world and I can't wait to see everyone again!! :) 

And just to add.. here's how my conversation with my 3 year old cousin Nzo went: 

Isn't he the cutest!? I love you little boy! Don't grow too fast okay?! Cause I swear.. he's like ginormous for his age! hahah 

So I just got home from The Drink's first ever battle nite... it's 2am and i've to wake up in 5 hours ayayay all for a girl named Go Un. The battle was pretty awesome..My babe's crew got into the finals so claps for them! 

Flips represent! There were so many Pinoy dancers tonight that it made me feel like I was back in Manila ...but when I started talking to them they had thick aussie accents so I kinda felt outta place haha!

Oh and there was this totally out of place 60 year old dude that dominated the dance floor even if he sucked heaps. Imagine everyone's horror when he joined the mini comp! gaaahh everyone was like "check his heart rate!! he might just drop dead or something!" I've a vid for you guys don't worry hahah it's very youtube material, yo! (vids up! click click!) LOL. oh and just so you know... he won HAHA. but it was a joke really cause they made the audience vote instead of the real judges. 

ANYWAY. gotta go sleep now. Stock control and management class tomorrow ZzZzZzZ theory classes really make me wanna sleep in.  

Nyts everyone! Smoochies :*

So Australian Fashion week is over and I've been drooling over so many pieces!! Sass and Bide Vie's A/W 08 collection made me FROTH. And how about LIFEwithBird's grey tones?!?!? aaaahhhh!! 

BUT the single piece I can't wait to get my shopping deprived hands on is THE ruched black rats tights from sass and bide! gaaahhh I sure wish that by winter someone comes up with a much affordable version with the same look and quality of course. 

I used to only work during lunch service cause the bus times won't allow me to make it for brekky shifts. Apparently the manager wanted their trainees to experience different kind of shifts throughout our program and since I didn't have my own transport it was just impossible for me. I just found it so unfair cause I wasn't getting paid anyway. Considering the situation..I reckon that they should have been more lenient with me. I was offering bloody free labor!! 

Oh well I'm over it. And I came to the conclusion that for me to finish my 200 hr requirement and possibly to get another job (that pays!), I should transfer to a different suburb that has 24hr bus service. So as of the moment I am apartment hunting yet again. Hopefully I'll get out of Ashmore by the second week of May. I've set up a few apartment inspections this coming weekend and I truly hope that at least one would be livable and worth the price.. will definitely keep you guys posted. 

Hey you know this actually made me realize that I haven't posted photos of my current flat yet! so here it is take a lookie at my cozy little room :) 

major LSS alerttt..."you're just time away..." doesn't that line just hit home?! well at least for me it does. anyhoo carlo and i are trippin on so far away by bamboo. I know it's so random haha just wanted to share.. cause i cant sleep it's 11:30 pm and i've got an 8am class tomorrow... why oh why did i drink a cup o tea an hour ago? i should know by now what caffeine does to my body ayayay. 

Oh I just got off a 10 day long vacation by the way, it was.. well.. really cold and gloomy (cause of the showers and some storms) ergo very boring except for the 2 day trip I had with some friends. We checked out Moreton Island just off the coast of brisbane and man was it a lackluster as well. I haven't got the photos with me yet so I'd rather expound on that when i have all my proof with me.. yes? okay. 

Can I just announce that Yahoo Messenger for Mac finally has VOICE!!!! FINALLY. wooot. I've tried it out and it did not disappoint! YM totely kicks skype's bum. 

Since I'm rambling anyway, I guess i should sneak in that I now work 2 jobs and neither of 'em gimme moolah. It's been fun though cause I've really been learning heaps. The job at the casino is getting a bit of a pain cause it's just too far by bus from where I live.. if let's say my shift starts at 11:30 am I have to get on the 9:10 bus just to get there in time. which means i have to wake up at 8am. that's 2 1/2 hours wasted just for transport huhu. If I had a car It would only take me around 20 mins to get there but yeah.. dream on eena. On a more positive note, I started working at the cafe in ashmore TAFE yesterday and it's quite interesting cause it's a semi fine dining bistro meaning i can turn up the charm and act all professional! --> a total contrast to food fantasy ugh. 

Ohhh Ohh and after the shift the prof called out the roster for next week and guess who's Maitre D' baybee?! ME! wooot. I'm exciteddd! Can't wait to boss people around and feel like I own the place haha! 

okay my head pretty much feels like goo right now.. it's been a long day so forgive te crappy writing. catch ya later.. smoochies! 

demmet daniella! I miss you! Enjoy your much awaited istates side trip lahit 2 days ka lang in NY! haha 

I was totally in the zone.. finishing up some of the schoolwork that piled up over the weekend. And then next thing I know i'm talking to mum and she's telling me about the jazz festival in Manila.. 

BOOM. That 4 minute call finally made me homesick.

I miss the traffic

I miss having a car to get around town

the ready to eat meals at home

the ready to wear clothes at home

the noise

People speaking in Tagalog

My Windeh's

My Senors

My parents

My sister

My pool

My sauna

My room

My bed

My closet

My Kalee

My family

mMy Lola :c

I MISS MY HOUSE. I MISS HOME. I MISS MANILA. :(

 

Depression and Loneliness have tracked me down after two months of being here and it ain't pretty.... i feel like crap tonight. Good thing I have a 6:30 AM shift tomorrow tsss. *ROLLS EYES*.

I woke up at 5am this morning literally shaking cause I left my window open last night. So I put on some socks, slipped into some sweats and then tried to sleep again. When it was finally time to wake up for uni I checked the temp and lo and behold it was 17deg this morning! I know it's nothing compared to what other countries are experiencing this time of  year but please consider that I come from a tropical country that averages from 27-35 deg C almost year round so this is just so new to me. lol. It was a bit bizaare though cause the sun was shining so bright but the wind and temp remained so cool til about 10am and then the ever so reliable aussie heat permeated the classroom windows til the afternoon.. but of course it was back to chilly weather after 5. I'm loading up on vitamins cause it's just been so erratic these couplea weeks. I'd always have to lug around my umbrella, sunnies, and a jacket when i go out just in case the weather decides to go haywire. It's such a hassle, really. But I'm loving it anyways.. When it doesn't rain the weather is just perfect to be in shorts and a light top, and then if it gets a bit cold or windy just throw on a jacket and you'll be fine. FALL IS HEEERRREE AND WINTER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER BABEEH! :D

--- I can't imagine how I'd survive winter though. They say the lowest it could get is about 5-9 deg at the height of winter. I know It's not below zero and it will always be sunny in qieensland but since I live so near the coast I presume the wind will be insanely harsh (like how it is now during dusk). gaah I reckon i'd wake up every morning feeling like a popsicle. Maybe I should get one of those bar heaters? the small ones that you just plug and it'l heat a small place... yeah i definitely need one for my ensuite cause apparently it's a freezer there every morning!

anyhooo off to some more serious stuff. I started work yesterday. Well it was training/orientation day but it's still considered as my first day. It's work experience that I have to do for uni so it's basically 200 hours of unpaid labor (it's crap.. i know). Although I was severely annoyed to hear that it was unpaid I'm still thankful that I got a better training provider than most of my classmates who ended up with work at the cafe in school. BOO. Anyway to cut it short Conrad Jupiters in Broadbeach agreed to take me in. woooot. So if you for some reason drop by the coast and head over to broadbeach for some gambling at the casino and drinks at the bar come over to Food Fantasy and gimme a hug. hahaha!

One more thing.. This ID/Pass is the most valuable thing i ever own right now. Apparently all staff of Conrad get 2 free passes to the underground staff buffet with this card. I tried it out yesterday an it was HEAVEN. It's a buffet all you can eat type of canteen so I filled my plate like a madwoman. Aside from that there's another counter full of free food that the staff can pick up without swiping their cards.. there's like a bottomless supply of cereals,milk,coffee,scones,toast,muffins etc. drooolll... if only i had breaks every hour i swear i'd be there filling my thighs with those sweet tarts lol.

So even if I don't get paid for it, at least they'll feed me well. And I'm telling you that lovely food perk is enough to make me complete this 200 hour requirement :D

Off to bed for now. Will post a long overdue entry about my weekend next. NYTS!

Now I know that I shouldn't promise to do anything anymore. I know I said that I'd post a photo of my room but I haven't found time to fix it up exactly the way I want it to look. It actually looks good now but the canopy isn't up yet and I haven't got my photos printed yada yada yada... basta there's still a lot of stuff to be done for it to feel homey.

Before I came here I knew that I was more than ready to go back to school, especially when I found out that full time students here only go to class 3 days a week with only 3-4 subjects max. So I thoguht that's just pure heaven for someone who endured 2 years at UA&P!

While folding up a full load of laundry the other day, I realized the importance of this semi full load thing they have going on in australia.. the system in manila where you're in school 5 days a week and doing 27 units per sem just wont work here!

main reason? NO HELP. How'd Beyonce say it? "me, myself, and i that's all i've got...lalala"

Take a look at my schedule for first term:

Monday: 8-3pm
tuesday: FREE
wednesdays: 10-5pm
thursdays: 8-5pm
Friday-Sun: FREE

Seems like I have too many free days eh? Those free days are actually for work,chores, homework, and rest. So if you come to think of it I've only got Sunday to relax and maybe watch TV at the moment. But when I start working next week.. Sunday will then be my only day to do laundry, cook, clean, and rest. lovely isn't it?!

Don't get me wrong I am totally not ranting. I love being busy. It takes my mind off the things I don't want to think of. It also forces me to manage my time wisely. I'm telling you guys.. living alone is no easy task but once you get the hang of it.. you will totally get hooked. It's like you're in a trance where you're totally focused and goal oriented. I don't know if that made sense but anyway my point is that it changes you.. and I think it's a good change. yeah im pretty sure it is..

So there, just wanted to share my realization haha. I wonder how my first day on the job will go. I hope I don't get all clumsy and nervous. aaack.

New adventure= more stories to share.

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OH and can i just say.. INCUBUS WAS IN AUSTRALIA AND I ONLY FOUND OUT THE DAY AFTER THEY LEFT! GAAAH. :(

They didn't visit Queensland though.. but still! Sydney is just a 12 hour train ride away! I would've endured that to see and hear BRANDON BOYD again! BOO!!!

To whoever is watching them next month please tell brandon that I love him! :(

I finally moved into my permanent appartment today. It's amazing how something so mundane, like changing linen, becomes so significant when you're moving in and living alone for the first time.. every move you make will feel so monumental. This afternoon I kept on going "oooh that's like the first time i'm going to move this bed that i'm gonna sleep in for the rest of the year... and i'm doin it on my own!" you get the picture.. it's a bit hilarious how i was so giddy the whole day despite the major workout it took to transfer all of my things from one apartment to another. I did it all by my lanky self and i'm so proud hahaha.

I swear after all the carrying, pushing, and struggling instead of feeling bitter and exhausted I felt the total opposite. I was literally smiling from ear to ear 'cause I realized that since I'm now in my permanent room, with a permanent desk, bed, and ensuite.. I can now fix it up the way I want it to look. Which means I can now finally call this pretty awesome city my home.

 ..and maybe in time it will eventually feel like home.


P.S
I bought a canopy to go over my bed.. Isn't that absoeffinlutely awesome?! I know.. the little girl inside me is doing a major comeback. Anyway I'm gonna fix that up on tuesday along with the other home organization stuff I got from IKEA hahah. I'm soo exciteeeddd!! Will post photos of my masterpiece when it's all done. :D

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