16/10/09

This is Zoro, Tenille's cat. He's been getting a few cuddles recently as I've been battling a bit of homesickness :( It's funny, I've spent a decade working, studying, travelling and living abroad, which have helped me come to the conclusion that to pursue the kind of lifestyle I desire, Australia is probably my best bet. And now I'm finally here, I haven't been feeling too happy! There's nothing like packing up one's entire life and moving to 'nothing', starting everything from scratch, to let the doubt set in. The thing is I've done it before, to an extent, when I lived in Oz the last time, but this time it's different. It's more permanent. And with the events leading up to my departure, a great summer catching up with people and exploring parts of the UK I'd never seen before....the realisation that this really is a big goodbye to many loved ones, familiar places, mum's Sunday roast with the yummiest Yorkshire puddings and gravy...I've been wondering if I've done the right thing!

Ahh but I know it's still early days and shouldn't put so much pressure on myself. I haven't even been in Australia for 2 weeks! I guess part of it is just wanting things to fall into place quickly, and things are still going quite slowly. I guess for the first time ever (!) I'm feeling ready to settle down, so finally I'm saying 'OK, I'm ready now, let's get on with it', but not much is happening! I know, I'm expecting too much ;) I just need to be patient. I think of all the advice people kindly gave me before I came, and it's a reminder that it's not supposed to be easy at the beginning....

So yah, work-wise there's not much going on. What little there is, I'm overqualified for, apparently. There is a job at one of the BHP Billiton mines down the road (1/2hr away) in Collie, but I need a car for that. I'm very reluctant to get a one at the moment because the value of the £ has dropped immensely – almost 30% in the last year or so, (in the last couple of months around 18%!) so I'm very reluctant to transfer any of my savings over just yet. I'd be quite happy cycling to work. I came here for an active lifestyle after all!

So, my days of unemployment are being spent mainly on a bicycle. I've been exploring, to an agency interview, signed up at the Dolphin Discovery Centre (training starts on Monday for 3 mornings), and going to the town's new fancy sports centre. I was offered a free 7-day pass so yesterday went for a 2km swim in their lovely Olympic-sized 50m pool. Have cycled around 35km over the last couple of days, but after yesterday's additional indulgence in the pool I'm feeling a little decrepit today.

I bumped into the guys I knew at the hostel, so will be popping over for drinkies sometime over the weekend probably. I joined Tenille and some of her friends for a gourmet pizza night, and tomorrow we're heading out on motorbikes for a ride somewhere. They're all divers so there's already been talk of trips, and have been invited out to the Gili Isles in Indonesia in Jan! I've heard it's an amazing place, but I've already got Borneo on the cards...

So, in some ways things are going ok, which I am grateful for. I'll get over the homesickness. At least I have my ticket home for a visit next year. Gives me options :)