Entry from London 3rd May

Bit behind the 8 ball cos i don't have regular internet...and when i do its DIAL UP (whats with that?)

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So im writing this as I wait for my flight at terminal 4.....having got here way too many hours early for my flight I am considerably bored and a bit annoyed that wireless connection isn't free but anyway. Eventhough the 24 hour slog of a flight in cabin class more or less sucks by anyone's standards there is something fun and exciting about getting on a long haul flight and hanging around the airport. I guess anything is a novelty when you don't do it very often. Which I don't.

Im really not sure how long i'll be home for but after a relaxed weekend with Anna (who convinced me that it was a good idea to pack up all my stuff!) and having a bit of a chat about the reality of this situation – I have definitely been given a grand opportunity to completely access where I am at and actually consider all my options, both abroad and at home. So what if I don't get my visa? And what if I do? Nothing is set in stone – and there is something exciting about that.

Mel has been great and offered me short term HR role in the company she works for in Adelaide which I am actually really looking forward to. I don't know exactly what I will be doing yet – but just a change of environment and chance to do something different is always a big motivator for me. And who knows what might happen?

At the same time it has been sad to get goodbye phone calls and messages from everyone in London – I do have much to go home to there but im sure 6, 8 or 12 weeks will just fly by anyway. And at least now I have a job to keep me busy....

Looking forward to catching up with the crew in both Adelaide and Melbourne so im sure there will be photos and stories to follow!

Coming back to blogging...

So i went through a long stage of non-blogging. There was no time, no need, no reason to blog....life was just cruising along. But now that i have non-voluntary holidays or sabatical or a 'career break' whatever you may call it - i have changed my mind.

I have been given a blessing actually. Been told i can take 3 months off work to just hang out while the visa gods (the home office) decides my fate of legality to work in this grand city. It might come up roses and ill be back in the office by June - but at this stage i am not holding my breath.

Instead im getting loads of reading done while i watch the rain fall and fall in London's spring time days.

A New Earth was sent to me by a friend who must have known i was about to lose my job temporarily and though hard to read all at once - has really made me stop and think. No rather, not think at all, but to try and find stillness in life. And considering how much time and space i now have on my hands its a good to contemplate the theory of sprituality this book explores. Highly recommend the webcasts that go with it as well....

More thoughts to come...

Sneaky work time post

So i usually dont post at work...but i have a bit of space to reminise about what i did on Sunday. On Sunday i found the Australian Supermarket here in London and i had a bout of home sickness as i realised that it was 15 months ago where i could go to the shop and buy Milo and Pizza Shapes and Tic Tocs - who remembers Tic Tocs?? I mean i wouldn't buy them at home, but the fact that i hadn't seen them for ages i felt the need to rekindle my love for tic tocs! Though i didn't - i decided to buy a rediculously expensive tin of Milo. And no - not the 'UK Milo' which you can get at Tescos which tastes strange - but the real, Australian Imported Milo. In fact i dont even know why they bother selling the option of UK milo in an Australian Supermarket. Obviously the die hards will pay the extra couple of pounds for the real stuff! And i found bottles of Pale Ale - and not the stuff thats made in the UK and doesnt have that unique SA taste - but the imported variety!

And speaking of all things South Australian....i found a list of things that also reminded me of home on facebook but here are some unique highlights that made me smile:

You know you come from South Australia when...

• You proudly admit your love of the Fritz Sandwich (so having one of those when i get home)
• Your wedding cake was made entirely of Balfours Frog Cakes
• You will never forgive Melbourne for stealing our Grand Prix. Never
• You know how 'dance', 'pool', 'castle' and 'graph' are SUPPOSED to be pronounced
• You get offended when people from Western Australia call SA part of the "East Coast"
• You insist on calling AAMI Stadium, "Footy Park"
• You consider Coopers to be a food group (Totally!! Even after all the beers in Belgie i love a good cold pale ale)
• You know there's more than one way to have a good time in Hindley Street.
• Your favourite bands include Wolf & Cub, The Hilltop Hoods and The Superjesus (what happened to Superjesus??)
• One word: Haighs
• Another word: Fruchocs
• The Barossa is for Lovers
• You know that Victor Harbor is the only place to be for Schoolies
• France imports our wine
• So which is it? Crows or Port? (Crows!)
• How many of the other states have a peninsula shaped like a leg?
• You know the people out on the Torrens are either tourists or rowers. No one else would go near that water
• You think the Festival Centre is a wonder of modern architecture
• Despite all our faults, at least South Australia wasn't built by convicts.

Yes - it makes me laugh, ive still got some south australian in me!

It has been awhile....just makes me look forward to seeing Kim, Anna, Mel and Al and all other aussie friendly faces during the summer - even more! Oh and this is a message to Kim and Anna - put your aussie item orders in girls for our Croatian Holiday!

MIA

You know you are behind on your blogging when you start getting emails from your friends asking the what for? Yeah i know, i suck, but im halfway there - tonight i bit the bullet and bought myself a shinny new laptop which i will get in the next 7-10 days. Exciting!! So watch this space! I will get back here eventually...

Rain

So everyone says the weather sucks in London - and usually it does! But since arriving its been nothing but sunshine all round! Except today....May is full of public holidays and today marks another 3 day weekend and its raining. Movie weather - for the first time!! Actually it also means staying up late to watch movies on the movie channel which i did last night and saw a really good french canadian one - C.R.A.Z.Y. Which you wont know why the title is spelt like that until the end - but i really recommend this one!

I must admit - only checking out the blogs once every week and a half is taking its toll. I'm feeling quite disconnected. As Anna appropriately remarks, that we indeed have a 'life online', as well as a life in the cities where we are based. So while i'm enjoying the free time and 3 day weekends on late - i am looking forward to more time being connected....so i can spend more time talking to people and planning out holidays! :o)

But as an update: This week marks a new challenge...i plan to attend my first meeting at the theatre group Eddie put me in touch with and i wonder - will it all make sense and will i find what i think i'm searching for? or will it be something that doesn't fit anymore and i need to find something new to explore? Either way - answers will be given! And it will be a step outside the comfort zone for once....oooooo, scary.