23.1.13

Unpacking and packing : the big smoke



So I'm home. On English ground. Or snow to be precise.

Not quite have I managed to get over my jet-lag nor sort out niggly bank stuff then I'm off. Not that I'm complaining of course...I'm absolutely over the moon to have a job in this current climate - let alone in London, and let alone in the area which I want to work in. I was getting ready to settle into months of sending cv's, signing onto the dole and re-runs of Coronation Street...yet a week on and no sooner then my suitcase has touched the cupboard then it's out again.


The Big Smoke calls and a job at Splice TV in Shoreditch. A great company, and one that I'm very excited to be a part of! (And no friends I can't introduce you to Jamie Oliver sorry!)


I'm staying with my '2nd parents' (my lovely godmother and husband) until I find myself a place. It's like the childhood I never had- home baked bread every morning, home made jam, home-made cakes for my lunch (which they insist on making)...and a cat. Lucky me!


It was always going to be tough to acclimatise, lets face it; basking in 30 degree heat for months to come home to minus temperatures would prove shocking to anyone. But I've been dealing with it the best I can - hot-boxing myself in my room with two fan heaters diagonally pointing. It's quite ingenious and if I close my eyes I can almost pretend I'm back on St Kilda beach. Although there is the constant threat of my mother coming in, walking into a wall of heat and screaming about the electricity bill. (Which has happened several times).


I'm so excited about the upcoming times in London Town, and being reunited with friends whom I have dearly missed down there.

London is calling... And I can't wait!


Emily x

 



10.1.13

Goodbye...

So once more I've packed my bags and am headed off. But this time back home! To carpeted floors, proper towels, central heating and good mayonnaise. I've sun baked my arse off for the last few weeks so my fellow Brits can gaze in envy at the errrm few tanned body parts that may be on show in the current freezing weather back home. And that would be hands and face. But wait, hands will be covered with gloves. So basically just my face. May as well have just bought a good bronzer then and saved myself hours of sweating it out. Hmmm bollocks didn't really think this 'tan in January' plan through. And now I have I'm on the bus to the airport and its a little too late!

My plan was to be home for a few months, then head off to Canada to work for the year. But alas when I tried to apply for the visa a few days ago I realized that I have been out the country for more than 18months in the last three years - something which is not kosher with Canadian visa requirements. In fact I've been out the country for just over 21 months without returning so that's now put a halt in future work abroad plans. Basically England I'm yours (for two years at least...or until the lure if sunnier climates kick back in). But I wouldn't have changed this length of time out of the UK for the world...

Dear Australia. I will miss your "how's it gairns" your dodgy tattoos, hot water coming out the cold tap, French onion dip, boardies  being a staple clothes item, the never ending goon sacks, and road signs featuring kangaroos. I will proudly use the word maccas, wear 'thongs' all through summer, BBQ any future meat and use sea salt instead of a hair brush.

This little list can only touch on the love I have for Australia, it's people and the hope, dreams, and fun I've had here. If it wasn't so far away I wouldn't be choking up right now, and if it wasn't so far away I would make plans to return. Australians are fiercely proud of their country and their culture, and oh boy do they have something to be proud of.

I'm now going to chase the dream in the big smoke (London), and I'm uber excited to relocate down there with all my friends!! As a young person London has to be one of the most exciting cities in the world to live and work in, and I can't wait to see what it has in store for me.

So for the final time on this side of the world I write this blog post. And I can only apologize for my hastily written ramblings...struggling with a large suitcase, 2 SLR's and a laptop whilst writing on my phone has never been a strong point.

Australia, g'night!

Emily x