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Monday, October 29, 2012
Finally....
Wow, its almost been a year! I cant believe it!! Ive started many posts but havent had a chance at all to actually finish them and get them published! Argh. But ive missed this blog. I think about it alot. Its very therapeutic in dealing with the stress of everyday life. I seem to be becoming one of those bloggers that posts once a year with a run down of everything thats happened. Well, while alot has been happening over the past 18 months that has prevented me from posting more regularly I am going to try to make more of an effort!! But before I do that of course Im going to have to show you something a little special that happened in April... and I will actually get a post up to go with it, but before I do here is my excuse for not having had as much time/energy to spend with you:
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Moving Foooorward
So the end of 2011 marks another end and another begining. After an extremely intense year of self-exploration and self-discovery begining with our spontaneous trip overseas, saying goodbye to the dream of traditional midwifery and returning to study social work, spending days and days applying to jobs and finally landing one that while for the most part was an extrememly important learning curve for my career was also very challenging and isolated. The Ocean Man and I also got engaged and brought our relationship *cue doom music* 'to the next level' and spent hours and hours surfing realesate websites, attending open inspections to eventually land a grown up house for a home! Its been a crazy roller coaster that has really thown us into adulthood. Now I know Ive already talked about this super full-on year and while im known to repeat myself, like any true Italian, but I really want to talk about my excitement for what's started to happen and play out for our future!
Some really spontaneously magical and what I could only see as fateful or serendipidous events occured in the last few weeks that have created a snowball that have seen all those plans that we've been dreaming and hoping for (that we thought would take years) actually start to take form. Ocean Man has spent the last year juggling 3+ jobs, even though he's a qualified teacher and has always wanted to specialise in PE and Art the state of teachers and actually obtaining permanent work is almost unheard of, especially if youre just out of uni (unless you go to the counrty). So like so many other new teachers he's been on-call for relief work, while juggling work as an outdoor ed facillitator at two different camps as well as OHSC in the holidays for a couple of schools. Its been fun for him to have a few different jobs and not be tied down to anything, but that fun is starting to draw thin as its hard to know how much work he'll have (and therefore money) from week to week. He's just been hanging out for some stability!! And that wish came through with not only a contract for next year, but one where he can specialise in PE. Woohoo, Im so proud of that boy!! Its not full time, but what an excellent achievement and 3 days stable with paid holidays will make all the difference.
And me, well im pretty excited to announce... nope not pregnant yet! but I got offered 3 jobs in one week!! Just out of the blue I got called up for 3 interviews that I had to somehow fit in between work and end of year stuff and got offered all three. It was incredible, and not just that, but they are all jobs working in a school as a youth worker or counsellor- MY DREAM JOB! I cant tell you the excitement and the much needed self esteem boost I was given. This year took its toll on me physically and mentally and there were many times I thought that I was just not cut out and should go back to retail or secretarial work. I lost all my confidence and really didnt think I was good... at anything really! But to have these schools call me and do almost anything to have me, putting me in the power position to choose was just such a buzz and reminded me that maybe I was doing ok considering my experience level and lack of support this year- that maybe I had something to offer them as well as for them to offer me. So, after a number of interviews and some serious (very confusing and frustrating) nights of writing pro and con lists I chose two of the three to do as part time each. Im so excited for next year I could squeal like a school girl. One of the position is as a school counsellor in partnership with another counsellor, and its going to be so awesome to have my own office that I can decorate with posters, bean bags and funky stuff; to run groups with students and go on camps and to actually get to know the school community. The other is as a case manager where I will have a case load of students with a flexible timetable, but I will also be assisting with sexual health and education, pregnancy and parenting groups for young mums in the area and networking with local agencies like the hospitals and childcare centres. This is exactly what Ive been working toward and trying to combine my social work and midwifery. Birth and sexual education in schools is the journey ive been trying to find! and im on my way. This school is also one that Ive had a bit to do with in my current position, so ill also be able to help continue a girls-group that I started and maintain support with those students.
One thing im finding tough though has been trying to find a replacement for my current position. I told the agency I wanted to be a part of it all as its been a project that has been my baby for the year and I didnt want to see it all just fall into a heap so im in charge of recieving applications and narrowing them down and far out is this harder than I thought. Its one thing to be the nervous applicant, its another to be on the other side of the fence having to essentially judge people on their emails, phone calls and resumes and become part of the power play. It feels very very strange. Plus im trying to find someone to replace me, which in itself is strange. I didnt realise I had so much attachement to the project until now. But its got to be done if im to take on these awesome opportunities.
Another move forward has been a replacement of my beloved Melvin as I had to return my work car after my resignation. Of course I couldnt have any other colour car than Green and after alot of contemplation and a narrowed list of a Toyota Corrolla, Honda Jazz and Subaru Impreza hatch I went for the subaru (which ocean man and my brother also drive). My dad and OM found one on the net for a great price, and had to drive it back from Newcastle (yep that is a long way, but worth it for a good deal). Its so nice to have my own car, all with the mod cons. Just needs a new stereo and im set. The only downfall.... paying for my own petrol :s I have to try to learn the cheap days again!
So now to brace myself for the adrenaline rush of last minute christmas shopping, the continuous emails from applications for my job, dog-sitting OM's mums insulin dependent dogs, and this horrible changing non-summer weather before we can relax at the beach over new years and enjoying the holidays and unpacking some remaining boxes that I never got to... oh and wedding planning! before we get back to these exciting new jobs and starting the new year that will hold a whole lot of new adventures, challenges and fun times.
.... as you can tell ive neglected the wedding planning a bit with all this other stuff going on so hopefully ill get to that in a post very soon.
Some really spontaneously magical and what I could only see as fateful or serendipidous events occured in the last few weeks that have created a snowball that have seen all those plans that we've been dreaming and hoping for (that we thought would take years) actually start to take form. Ocean Man has spent the last year juggling 3+ jobs, even though he's a qualified teacher and has always wanted to specialise in PE and Art the state of teachers and actually obtaining permanent work is almost unheard of, especially if youre just out of uni (unless you go to the counrty). So like so many other new teachers he's been on-call for relief work, while juggling work as an outdoor ed facillitator at two different camps as well as OHSC in the holidays for a couple of schools. Its been fun for him to have a few different jobs and not be tied down to anything, but that fun is starting to draw thin as its hard to know how much work he'll have (and therefore money) from week to week. He's just been hanging out for some stability!! And that wish came through with not only a contract for next year, but one where he can specialise in PE. Woohoo, Im so proud of that boy!! Its not full time, but what an excellent achievement and 3 days stable with paid holidays will make all the difference.
And me, well im pretty excited to announce... nope not pregnant yet! but I got offered 3 jobs in one week!! Just out of the blue I got called up for 3 interviews that I had to somehow fit in between work and end of year stuff and got offered all three. It was incredible, and not just that, but they are all jobs working in a school as a youth worker or counsellor- MY DREAM JOB! I cant tell you the excitement and the much needed self esteem boost I was given. This year took its toll on me physically and mentally and there were many times I thought that I was just not cut out and should go back to retail or secretarial work. I lost all my confidence and really didnt think I was good... at anything really! But to have these schools call me and do almost anything to have me, putting me in the power position to choose was just such a buzz and reminded me that maybe I was doing ok considering my experience level and lack of support this year- that maybe I had something to offer them as well as for them to offer me. So, after a number of interviews and some serious (very confusing and frustrating) nights of writing pro and con lists I chose two of the three to do as part time each. Im so excited for next year I could squeal like a school girl. One of the position is as a school counsellor in partnership with another counsellor, and its going to be so awesome to have my own office that I can decorate with posters, bean bags and funky stuff; to run groups with students and go on camps and to actually get to know the school community. The other is as a case manager where I will have a case load of students with a flexible timetable, but I will also be assisting with sexual health and education, pregnancy and parenting groups for young mums in the area and networking with local agencies like the hospitals and childcare centres. This is exactly what Ive been working toward and trying to combine my social work and midwifery. Birth and sexual education in schools is the journey ive been trying to find! and im on my way. This school is also one that Ive had a bit to do with in my current position, so ill also be able to help continue a girls-group that I started and maintain support with those students.
One thing im finding tough though has been trying to find a replacement for my current position. I told the agency I wanted to be a part of it all as its been a project that has been my baby for the year and I didnt want to see it all just fall into a heap so im in charge of recieving applications and narrowing them down and far out is this harder than I thought. Its one thing to be the nervous applicant, its another to be on the other side of the fence having to essentially judge people on their emails, phone calls and resumes and become part of the power play. It feels very very strange. Plus im trying to find someone to replace me, which in itself is strange. I didnt realise I had so much attachement to the project until now. But its got to be done if im to take on these awesome opportunities.
Another move forward has been a replacement of my beloved Melvin as I had to return my work car after my resignation. Of course I couldnt have any other colour car than Green and after alot of contemplation and a narrowed list of a Toyota Corrolla, Honda Jazz and Subaru Impreza hatch I went for the subaru (which ocean man and my brother also drive). My dad and OM found one on the net for a great price, and had to drive it back from Newcastle (yep that is a long way, but worth it for a good deal). Its so nice to have my own car, all with the mod cons. Just needs a new stereo and im set. The only downfall.... paying for my own petrol :s I have to try to learn the cheap days again!
So now to brace myself for the adrenaline rush of last minute christmas shopping, the continuous emails from applications for my job, dog-sitting OM's mums insulin dependent dogs, and this horrible changing non-summer weather before we can relax at the beach over new years and enjoying the holidays and unpacking some remaining boxes that I never got to... oh and wedding planning! before we get back to these exciting new jobs and starting the new year that will hold a whole lot of new adventures, challenges and fun times.
.... as you can tell ive neglected the wedding planning a bit with all this other stuff going on so hopefully ill get to that in a post very soon.
INTRODUCING.....
BARNEY the Bunny!!!!! The newest and littlest member of our little family:
Updates will come....
Friday, September 16, 2011
Oh What a Year! Part 6:GOODBYE to my old self; HELLO strong, healthy, confident, self aware, adult ME!
So as you can see its been an intense year!! The months from May-Aug were really full on, with lots of self doubt and bouts of sadness and anxiety. There were some of the toughest months Ive faced in a very long time, if not ever! I am so thankful that my relationship with OM is so stable and in such a great place. I just had to really search deep to find more of myself to help me cope with everything that was going on. It helped me assess the priorities in my life, where I want to be going, am I on the right path and who can I count on to be on the path with me. It really is true that in times of crisis you learn who your true friends are and you learn more about your relationships and yourself than any other time. I had to reassess a few of my relationships and unfortunately I was let down by a number of people I counted on- which just compounds that sad, self doubting feeling. But I came out the other end and Iam thinking more clearly than ever and feel that I finally have direction. I am actually proud of myself and OM for what we've acomplished in the last year, and I finally have more time for those that matter most who were there for ME when I needed them because they know that no matter what I would (and have been) there for them.
I feel like this year has tested us (and many we know have also had a really rough year) but we passed and are now (sadly) removing the shells of our childhood and youth and embarking on lives as adults. Last year I felt in a way that I took a little break from my life, with trying midwifery and testing new things, and now im back with all this new knowledge and experience which are armoring me with whats to come. Im no longer relying on others, Im no longer saying yes just to please others or to make myself feel better (helping others does make me feel good, but no longer at the expense of being exhauseted of feeling used)- Iam self aware enough to say NO when I cant or just dont want to do something. I have more faith in letting things just happen the way they are meant to, and trust that there is a plan of some kind. I am trying to listen to my body more and work more with energies and breathing. Im in the mind set that my direction will take me to a place of helping people- and ive learned now that advocating for women and birth wont come from midwifery in this country so ill use my skills and strengths to do this through social work, through working with schools, through childbirth and sexual health and fertility education which I hope to strart studying soon, and a passion for working with high school students has really begun to flourish (so who knows whether my end to uni will last). I cant wait to be married to my OceanMan and have our beautiful secluded forest wedding, which hopefully also be the time where we will be ready to start making babies! I feel refreshed (although a little worn and exhausted), but inspired to see what comes next! Hopefully things will continue to flourish, fingers crossed that I update more often too!
Oh What a Year! Part 5: Goodbye being single, Hello Married Life!
As mentioned in an earlier post, we are engaged!! Yep, we have succumbed to adult life!! That trip away (particularly Varkela and Pai) really strengthened our already strong relationship and made us realise that what we want in life are the simple things like sunshine, beautiful surroundings, fulfilling jobs that are not too stressful, and to always have time for and with each other! Some of my family members of our family had bets on that we would get engaged overseas, so for those of you who did also i say haha, NOPE! He was tricky about it and didnt want to be cliche. We arrived back on the 29th Jan. A week later on the 7th Feb we celebrated our 7th Anniversary together- from what I understand about 7's is that it is a powerful number things are often made or broken around the number 7, and I definitely believe it to be true. Daisy-Lady was also coming up to 7 years with her partner and sadly at that time they separated. Its as if after 7 years we start to really reevaluate our priorities and what we want in our life. OceanMan has never really liked talking about commitment- especially not putting labels on it. Of course he was always committed, common, 7 years! but just didnt really like to talk about marriage and the future, it was always just far away in the future. After my cousin got married, well my family really started to be on to him about 'putting a ring on it' which I sometimes got sucked into a wondered whether he ever would 'want' that (even though I wasn't sure I wanted it, I just wanted him to want to want to think of me as forever... how silly is that!) and other times brushed off because i know i dont need a silly ring for him to be committed to me- our culture is so backwards!!
Because he had always avoided those conversations as much as i thought it could happen that day I didnt really think it would because he just hadnt really given any indication that things were different and he was 'ready.' But it was an amazingly special day that is going to be hard to put into words. First we were so lucky with the weather, it was beautiful and sunny and warm. We were still in the blissful post-travel bubble- reality hadnt quite hit. I woke up to a beautiful REAL Lotus flower sitting on the table for me- Lotuses are my absolute favourite flower and obsession and have always wanted a real one. Turns out it was quite the effort to get it and hide it from me! We got dressed up and went for a buffet breakfast at our favourite hotel that we go to sometimes on special occasions which is overlooking the beach at Glenelg. Its pretty expensive so I thought it much be a special day for him to justify spending money we didn't have! We went to a wander down to Brighton where there is a bench that we used to sit on a look over the beach and chat when we first started dating. After a while down there we went home where we made sushi together a he got changed and said I might like to too. He "suited up" in a cool vest-suit hed found in an opshop, which he never does and I thought was a bit odd. I got changed too and we went for a mystery drive to the Botanic Gardens at Mt Lofty which is another of our favourite romantic spots that we used to often fo to when we first started dating and go on special occasions. We had a picnic lunch and lay out in the sun just discussing the coming year. After a while he got a bit jittery and fidgety. He put on some music with his ipod- my favourite (which he isnt a big fan of) Ray LaMontagne which was when things started to seem more sus, then he got out some wine and my fav Gin and orange and proceeded then to pull out a ring, get on one knee and read out a poem that he had written in Varkela while was was doing my Reiki course. I bawled my eyes out like a little baby- its funny how you never know how you are going to react to a situation like that . The poem was beautiful and the ring! well the ring was extra special because he walked up and down the streets of Varkela trying to find something special and sentimental and that matched the style I liked which was similar to the antique rings of my mum and Oma's rings. On our last day when he thought he had exhausted his search he had found one that I loved and secretly went back to buy it and hide it the whole way back home. It is so beautiful. (although because it is silver and marquesite and wont last long enough to become an heirloom we decided to have it remade, incorporating aspects of my mums ring into it- I get it from the jewelers on wed so will be sure to update!) When he asked me amidst my tears I just kept asking in laughter "are you sure, are you sure?" of course I said YES! It was such an amazing and surreal day and we were on cloud 9 for the next few weeks! It really did bring us closer together because we had made that next step. It is all symbolic but it does feel like there is a slight psychological shift too that we have now commited to spend our lives together and wouldnt have it any other way. We love each other more than words can say and have a great communicative, trusting, warm and most of all FUN relationship and while I hate all the negative connotations that come with marriage and what it used to mean for women in terms of being 'owned' and of course how exclusive our society has made marriage, to mean between man and woman instead of between two people who love each other (no matter what gender they affiliate) we will make marriage mean what we want it to be and have fun with it- even if that means just embracing the commitment we have made to one another.
I didnt tell anyone that we got engaged that night, even though I was busting to! We decided to keep it special and between us before all the wedding crap began. We also didnt want to tell one parent before another so we decided to get them all together as it would be fun to make an announcement and keep them guessing for a while. Whats funny though it that most people thought we were pregnant, then they thought we must be moving away and only lastly did they think we were engaged!! It was so much fun to call up our family and ask them to meet us as a desert bar on a monday night and lie to them about why we were going there- each person something different! My mum had her suspicions, but everyone else was pretty suprised but overjoyed and over the moon. There were lots of tears and moist-eyes and we were able to cotinue our bliss with our family's support.
I have to admit that engagement party planning (especially without Mac) and wedding planning have not been quite as fun as that first initial week, and really we should have just had a surprise wedding at the engagement party, but the stress of moving house, trying to find new tenants, selling my car, settling in to a new tough job AND planning an engagement party (while only close family still ended up around 65 people) was a tough gig. Its hard working around what you would like a wedding to be about- in our case we want it as Eco, DIY, close-nit, earthy, with just close family, representing our individuality and love for each other- and NOT about the expectations of others. Our engagement party while stressful to plan (but giving us good practice) was a really fun day. We made it a Mad Hatters Tea Party Theme and collected lots of teapots and tea sets to decorate the hall. We invited only close family and everyone did their bit to contribute. My parents made the food, OM's mum and sister helped with the tea sets and organised and amazing dessert bar, his dad and dad's partner organised alcohol and decorations and some food and my best girlies (who were so patient with me) and I decorated the cake and hall. Updates on wedding planning will follow as there is not long to go now and im not very organised- any hints or tips are very welcomed!
Because he had always avoided those conversations as much as i thought it could happen that day I didnt really think it would because he just hadnt really given any indication that things were different and he was 'ready.' But it was an amazingly special day that is going to be hard to put into words. First we were so lucky with the weather, it was beautiful and sunny and warm. We were still in the blissful post-travel bubble- reality hadnt quite hit. I woke up to a beautiful REAL Lotus flower sitting on the table for me- Lotuses are my absolute favourite flower and obsession and have always wanted a real one. Turns out it was quite the effort to get it and hide it from me! We got dressed up and went for a buffet breakfast at our favourite hotel that we go to sometimes on special occasions which is overlooking the beach at Glenelg. Its pretty expensive so I thought it much be a special day for him to justify spending money we didn't have! We went to a wander down to Brighton where there is a bench that we used to sit on a look over the beach and chat when we first started dating. After a while down there we went home where we made sushi together a he got changed and said I might like to too. He "suited up" in a cool vest-suit hed found in an opshop, which he never does and I thought was a bit odd. I got changed too and we went for a mystery drive to the Botanic Gardens at Mt Lofty which is another of our favourite romantic spots that we used to often fo to when we first started dating and go on special occasions. We had a picnic lunch and lay out in the sun just discussing the coming year. After a while he got a bit jittery and fidgety. He put on some music with his ipod- my favourite (which he isnt a big fan of) Ray LaMontagne which was when things started to seem more sus, then he got out some wine and my fav Gin and orange and proceeded then to pull out a ring, get on one knee and read out a poem that he had written in Varkela while was was doing my Reiki course. I bawled my eyes out like a little baby- its funny how you never know how you are going to react to a situation like that . The poem was beautiful and the ring! well the ring was extra special because he walked up and down the streets of Varkela trying to find something special and sentimental and that matched the style I liked which was similar to the antique rings of my mum and Oma's rings. On our last day when he thought he had exhausted his search he had found one that I loved and secretly went back to buy it and hide it the whole way back home. It is so beautiful. (although because it is silver and marquesite and wont last long enough to become an heirloom we decided to have it remade, incorporating aspects of my mums ring into it- I get it from the jewelers on wed so will be sure to update!) When he asked me amidst my tears I just kept asking in laughter "are you sure, are you sure?" of course I said YES! It was such an amazing and surreal day and we were on cloud 9 for the next few weeks! It really did bring us closer together because we had made that next step. It is all symbolic but it does feel like there is a slight psychological shift too that we have now commited to spend our lives together and wouldnt have it any other way. We love each other more than words can say and have a great communicative, trusting, warm and most of all FUN relationship and while I hate all the negative connotations that come with marriage and what it used to mean for women in terms of being 'owned' and of course how exclusive our society has made marriage, to mean between man and woman instead of between two people who love each other (no matter what gender they affiliate) we will make marriage mean what we want it to be and have fun with it- even if that means just embracing the commitment we have made to one another.
I didnt tell anyone that we got engaged that night, even though I was busting to! We decided to keep it special and between us before all the wedding crap began. We also didnt want to tell one parent before another so we decided to get them all together as it would be fun to make an announcement and keep them guessing for a while. Whats funny though it that most people thought we were pregnant, then they thought we must be moving away and only lastly did they think we were engaged!! It was so much fun to call up our family and ask them to meet us as a desert bar on a monday night and lie to them about why we were going there- each person something different! My mum had her suspicions, but everyone else was pretty suprised but overjoyed and over the moon. There were lots of tears and moist-eyes and we were able to cotinue our bliss with our family's support.
I have to admit that engagement party planning (especially without Mac) and wedding planning have not been quite as fun as that first initial week, and really we should have just had a surprise wedding at the engagement party, but the stress of moving house, trying to find new tenants, selling my car, settling in to a new tough job AND planning an engagement party (while only close family still ended up around 65 people) was a tough gig. Its hard working around what you would like a wedding to be about- in our case we want it as Eco, DIY, close-nit, earthy, with just close family, representing our individuality and love for each other- and NOT about the expectations of others. Our engagement party while stressful to plan (but giving us good practice) was a really fun day. We made it a Mad Hatters Tea Party Theme and collected lots of teapots and tea sets to decorate the hall. We invited only close family and everyone did their bit to contribute. My parents made the food, OM's mum and sister helped with the tea sets and organised and amazing dessert bar, his dad and dad's partner organised alcohol and decorations and some food and my best girlies (who were so patient with me) and I decorated the cake and hall. Updates on wedding planning will follow as there is not long to go now and im not very organised- any hints or tips are very welcomed!
Oh What a year! Part 4: Goodbye to Good Friends
My bestest friend who I will call 'Mac' (because i dont know anyone else so obsessed with Apple and is my techno assist) who was featured in a previous post left for a 5 month exchange to Japan the day after we got back from our trip so we had to say goodbye to him just as we were saying hello. The thing about him being away, apart from missing the movie nights, and drunken foolishness and his constant knowledge on the most ridiculous things- and important things like what movies and shows to download, but he was in Japan during the Earthquakes! He was fine of course, and didnt really see what everyone was so worried about him because he was *soo* far away from them, but still, its nice to have him back again! He brought us back the most ridiculous Kit Kat flavours (yes giving in to the evil of nestle, but only for Mac) like sweet potato, cheese and green tea!!
Mac saying hello with his hat in honour of not being around for out mad hatters engagement party!
Check out his photography blog at: http://www.talesfromthecamera.blogspot.com/
so with all the changes and craziness, grief and loss came in every way imaginable this year!
Oh What a year! Part 3; Goodbye LTL 174;
It was a very sad day the day I had to say goodbye to my Melvin. My baby, my pride and joy, my second love! As youve probably gathered I have a great love for my VWs, and Melvin was the car I had always dreamed about as a little kid. I have wanted a Beetle since I was 3 and I got a toy one and stated to my parents that this was the car I was going to have when I grew up... and with the help of my dad I made it my mission. I bought a yellow beetle when i first got my license, but it was riddled with rust and needed a lot of work, so I set out to find the Green beetle id always wanted. I found Melvin on Gumtree in Melbourne with the numberplate LTL 174 (unfortunately though the numberplate had to be changed when it was registered in SA). It was the perfect car! We did lots of work to it, but it treated me well. I never thought I would have to say goodbye to my 1974 Grasshopper Green VW Beetle! It was the perfect colour, I loved the fact that it was air cooled and always the perfect temperature, the mag wheels, the sun roof, the waves from other VW drivers, the punches you see from kids doing 'punch buggy' and most of all the sound of it coming up the driveway! We had to make a decision about Melvin because I got a work car with my job that even had paid petrol so Melvin was just sitting in the driveway not being used. I didnt have the money to just keep it or do it up like I wanted to, and I knew id have to upgrade evenutally because its fiddly if youve gone shopping or have others in in. I couldnt have it as a car to take kids around in mostly due to space requirements (2 door) and safety, it needed new tires and a few things done and it wasnt getting used. And of course after driving a new car it was hard to get back in to it and think of it as a main car. I had always thought that I would just keep it and be able to afford to get another main car, but that wasnt really practical when we thought about the logistics of that, especially when we had the Kombi that needed to be stored somewhere, AND it goes against our eco ethics. I also couldnt afford to keep it registered and insured and do the things that needed doing. It seemed like money just sitting there being wasted which could be put into the Kombi that we want to go travelling in and could take kids in.... but could I really sell it?? I decided to advertise on Gumtree and see if I got any interest. With the amound of work that I had done I put the price higher than James thought I would get, but what I felt it was worth and if I had interest then it was meant to be, and if not then I wouldnt sell. I didnt get any interest to begin with, but then I got a phone call from someone in Mt Gambier who didnt even need to negotiate and just wanted it like that! I was shocked and in denial- how could I be doing this??! For the price he was offering i would be silly to refuse- but I had always said I would be buried in my Bug, and that I would keep it and restore it because their value just keeps going up and this was a prized car! But with our current situation it was silly to not take it up, so two weeks before we moved house and while I was getting settled into my new job I had to say goodbye to my favourite little Beetle- yes I cried and cried as I heard it drive out of our driveway for the last time....
I have had updates from the new owner that Melvin has had a total new respray (same colour), all dents and rust fixed, new interior, reupholstered seats, and a whole lots of other work done so at least he is being loved and having done what I would have liked to do and who knows maybe one day I can buy him back!
Oh What a Year! Part 2; Goodbye cozy unit, Hello grown up house in the hills!
The next thing to say goodbye to was our house- yep, we finally did it! After getting the job we finally had better credentials to be accepted for somewhere, but man this was hard work! We went to soooo many house inspections and Daisy-lady started to get pretty fed up with hearing about our latest 'perfect-house' and then whatever happened to make it not so perfect! There were many we just didnt get, there was one we wanted to sign up to immediately, even though it was pretty far away and in a isolated location, and then we found out that the person was leaving because the house kept getting broken into, there was one we loved but it was being sold so there was no stability, there was another that had amazing views (and OceanMan fell in love with) but it was falling apart, had a dangerous driveway and had the most hideous wallpaper you have ever seen! We would have to do ALOT of work like painting and pulling up carpet to make it comfortable which I just didnt want to have to deal with- especially on a rental. and then there was OurPlace... We were started to get disillusioned that we just werent meant to move, that maybe we werent ready, maybe we should just appreciate the security we have, or maybe move into OceanMan's mum's place to save some money. The lease was quickly running out and we didnt want to have to break lease, or stay for another year.. time was ticking and real estate.com just wasnt providing! I found OurPlace at the same time as the one that was falling apart that he loved but I wasnt sold on. He didnt get to go to the inspection, but I did and it turned out to be the same agent that have us the chance on our first place which we ended staying in for three years! She got excited about us in this place immediately and hinted that if we wanted it it was ours. We filled out the forms for both places and were convinced we would be offered both and then which do we choose? One was big, unique, with amazing views and the other was in a great location but what OceanMan referred to as the 'Safe' option- I personally liked the safe option- especially if were going to stay for a while and have kids! Turns out we didnt even get the big unique house because we didnt offer more money (and turns out that tenant only lasted a month and did all these renovations without even asking permission!). We of course got the place where we knew the agent and were so excited (and apprehensive seeing as I was the only one who had seen it). But we did have to break the lease by around a few months so we arranged to not move in for about 6 weeks which gave the current tenant time because she was also breaking her lease, and us to find someone else so we werent up for heaps of fees. The agents (different to our original agent and the one who gave us this house, she is great) were terrible in assisting with finding new tenants- while it is up to the tenant to find new people and pay the costs, she didnt even come to the inspections- we had to do it all! It was pretty awkward for people to be walking around our house while we were standing there and not the agent! But anyway we found someone good and the fees ended up being very small because we had been there so long. So on the 15th July we moved into our new big hills place! Its 2-3 bedrooms, big kitchen, lounge, sep dining, laundry, 2nd toilet, new bathroom, BIG yard!! and OceanMan loves it!! Its in a great location, we can have pets and it just suits us so well.
The only issues have been... we just had to begin by getting rid of the mouse infestation in the kitchen/oven and now its all good. We also live right next to a school (who own it) and we have heard rumours that they want to bulldoze it and turn it into a basketball court asap and even though we stated on our application specifially that we wanted somewhere we could stay for a few years, they can do what they like so if we have to move in a year we will be devastated!!! So for the moment Im holding off from getting my chickens. The best part though is that my Nonna will finally be able to know that ive moved out of home without condemning me to hell for living in sin- or causing her extra stress that she doesnt need. Updates will follow!
Oh What a Year!! Part 1; Saying Goodbye to UNI and Hello to the Real World!
This has been one MASSIVE year!! With this post hopefully you'll understand why I have been so absent! There have been lots and lots of goodbyes and many hellos and new beginnings, so id like to dedicate a post to these. We began the year on a plane entering Delhi where we were flabbergasted by so many emotions of being in such a foreign place- but enjoyed the adventure of course. While there we had to make some big decisions about the coming year as it was soon approaching and we were up in the air with so many things. We had to make decisions on pretty much everything- do I go back to uni? which degree to I finish? Where will OceanMan work? where will I work? Do we resign our lease on our tiny unit or find a bigger place? How will be afford a bigger place? Should be stay in SA or move to somewhere more tropical like Byron or the great ocean road? Should be start thinking about getting married yet? Are we ready for a baby yet?
Saying GOODBYE to UNI and HELLO to a new JOB:
We were getting back in to Aust in Feb, and uni goes back in march so I had to decide what to do about uni, and whether I could find a job that could double as a placement for my social work degree so that we could afford to pay back our trip, move house, upgrade our cars and plan for a family... stressful times!! I wasnt really enjoying the midwifery degree like I thought i would, i felt it went against so many of my ethics and values, and the degree itself was just a joke- no one gives a shit about you! the curriculum had so many flaws and no matter how many times people complained they were made to feel small and silly. The bullying culture in midwifery is unbelievable and there is no support for students- particularly when they need to debrief and I just couldnt continue in something so against what I believe to be right. This was pretty much made concrete after an amazing inspiring and mind blowing placement at the woman centered and empowering Pregnancy Advisory Centre where everything I wanted from a job in Social Work that combined truly women centered care was highlighted- that it could be achieved. After getting a nursing supervisor whom I had never met, who had strong personal prejudices against abortion and those who are pro choice, AND who had no idea about the requirements of midwifery students began to bully me (and I have never been bullied before in my life!) starting over the internet I was fed up! I was so thankful to the staff at my placement who supported me and stood by me and advocated for me, but I could not say the same for the uni staff who seem to enjoy this bullying culture! I missed the Social Work faculty so much and was fed up with bitchy, catty, manipulative, closed minded, uneducated, unethical and over medicalised views! The birth culture in Australia is just getting further and further away from the Midwifery I want to practice, and with a good friend- know is the most knowledgeable and experienced midwife I know currently on trial for the death of a baby that would have happened in a hospital, the fear and stakes are too high and I will just have to find another way to advocate for women without becoming a brainwashed robot.
So our trip away really was the start of a whole new life for us! The first thing I did was contact the social work department to say I was coming back to finish my last 2 topics, then midwifery to say I was deferring (who tried to be sickly sweet so I wouldnt leave because the drop out rate for the year was so excessive). Then I left my job at the organic store and embarked on an intense (and confidence rocking) few weeks of application writing!
OceanMan luckily came back to Aust with some steady work for the first term, but was still finding it difficult to nail down teaching jobs. During this time of me sitting at home writing applications all day and fretting about money we hunted for houses, and tried to decide whether we were going to stay (because we didnt really have anything stable here and it would be a good time to pick up and go), or move to Byron or Tourquay. We put in a couple of applications of houses, with no success. The retail market had just shot up and prices were rising, and more and more people were applying- without stable jobs it was going to be hard to get something. We kept changing our minds from definitely moving, to definitely staying. On a day when we had finally decided 'yep were moving' I got a call from a job I had applied for and James got a call for an interview- so we took it as a sign that with no money at all and a hate for too much unplanned change with reluctantly decided it was a sign that we should stay and try to make it work for a year while we save up!
So things started to fall into place! I said goodbye to uni, to my dreams of midwifery (for now at least), to my job in retail which I had been in since high school and hello to the real world! I got the job as a Youth Project Officer at a Mental Health organisastion where I facilitate and plan an 8 week program for youth in schools- AND I got to use it as my final placement so ive finally got a 'thing' and I can officially call myself a social worker!! This was a tough six months as everything was happening at once and like I said Im not great with too much change and disruption all at once. My job was more challenging and isolating that i had expected but i feel that I have really surpassed my own expectations of what I thought I could achieve and my own skills and abilities. It took alot of confidence rocking and self doubting to finally reach an understanding that actually I CAN do it, and I AM good at it, whether ive got concrete evidence or not. I just have to keep reminding myself this, and not let it become a struggle like it did this year. Ive also got a Social Work Student that i started supervising in Aug, and another work colleague who I both adore and are helping keep any self doubt at bay (for now at least)! I do miss my mid friends and being in the birth-community more actively, but things seem to be going where they should and my passion for working in a school environment and empowering adolescent girls just keeps growing. And after 12 years of school, 6.5 years of uni and 2.5 degrees, ive officially said goodbye to uni/school for the first time ever and it feels great!
Saying GOODBYE to UNI and HELLO to a new JOB:
We were getting back in to Aust in Feb, and uni goes back in march so I had to decide what to do about uni, and whether I could find a job that could double as a placement for my social work degree so that we could afford to pay back our trip, move house, upgrade our cars and plan for a family... stressful times!! I wasnt really enjoying the midwifery degree like I thought i would, i felt it went against so many of my ethics and values, and the degree itself was just a joke- no one gives a shit about you! the curriculum had so many flaws and no matter how many times people complained they were made to feel small and silly. The bullying culture in midwifery is unbelievable and there is no support for students- particularly when they need to debrief and I just couldnt continue in something so against what I believe to be right. This was pretty much made concrete after an amazing inspiring and mind blowing placement at the woman centered and empowering Pregnancy Advisory Centre where everything I wanted from a job in Social Work that combined truly women centered care was highlighted- that it could be achieved. After getting a nursing supervisor whom I had never met, who had strong personal prejudices against abortion and those who are pro choice, AND who had no idea about the requirements of midwifery students began to bully me (and I have never been bullied before in my life!) starting over the internet I was fed up! I was so thankful to the staff at my placement who supported me and stood by me and advocated for me, but I could not say the same for the uni staff who seem to enjoy this bullying culture! I missed the Social Work faculty so much and was fed up with bitchy, catty, manipulative, closed minded, uneducated, unethical and over medicalised views! The birth culture in Australia is just getting further and further away from the Midwifery I want to practice, and with a good friend- know is the most knowledgeable and experienced midwife I know currently on trial for the death of a baby that would have happened in a hospital, the fear and stakes are too high and I will just have to find another way to advocate for women without becoming a brainwashed robot.
So our trip away really was the start of a whole new life for us! The first thing I did was contact the social work department to say I was coming back to finish my last 2 topics, then midwifery to say I was deferring (who tried to be sickly sweet so I wouldnt leave because the drop out rate for the year was so excessive). Then I left my job at the organic store and embarked on an intense (and confidence rocking) few weeks of application writing!
OceanMan luckily came back to Aust with some steady work for the first term, but was still finding it difficult to nail down teaching jobs. During this time of me sitting at home writing applications all day and fretting about money we hunted for houses, and tried to decide whether we were going to stay (because we didnt really have anything stable here and it would be a good time to pick up and go), or move to Byron or Tourquay. We put in a couple of applications of houses, with no success. The retail market had just shot up and prices were rising, and more and more people were applying- without stable jobs it was going to be hard to get something. We kept changing our minds from definitely moving, to definitely staying. On a day when we had finally decided 'yep were moving' I got a call from a job I had applied for and James got a call for an interview- so we took it as a sign that with no money at all and a hate for too much unplanned change with reluctantly decided it was a sign that we should stay and try to make it work for a year while we save up!
So things started to fall into place! I said goodbye to uni, to my dreams of midwifery (for now at least), to my job in retail which I had been in since high school and hello to the real world! I got the job as a Youth Project Officer at a Mental Health organisastion where I facilitate and plan an 8 week program for youth in schools- AND I got to use it as my final placement so ive finally got a 'thing' and I can officially call myself a social worker!! This was a tough six months as everything was happening at once and like I said Im not great with too much change and disruption all at once. My job was more challenging and isolating that i had expected but i feel that I have really surpassed my own expectations of what I thought I could achieve and my own skills and abilities. It took alot of confidence rocking and self doubting to finally reach an understanding that actually I CAN do it, and I AM good at it, whether ive got concrete evidence or not. I just have to keep reminding myself this, and not let it become a struggle like it did this year. Ive also got a Social Work Student that i started supervising in Aug, and another work colleague who I both adore and are helping keep any self doubt at bay (for now at least)! I do miss my mid friends and being in the birth-community more actively, but things seem to be going where they should and my passion for working in a school environment and empowering adolescent girls just keeps growing. And after 12 years of school, 6.5 years of uni and 2.5 degrees, ive officially said goodbye to uni/school for the first time ever and it feels great!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Where do i start??!!
As you can see ive really neglected this little project over the past few months, but i think once i explain all my reasons, maybe ill be forgiven? So in a nutshell, I finished my most stressful year of study in the 6 years ive been at uni, we spontaneously planned and went on a 6 week trip to 3 countries, im job hunting, and house hunting, AND we got Engaged!!! now before you point the finger and exclaim about my usually fairly negative views of marriage let me explain....
but....First though i think our travels are more deserving of a post at this time:
As usual the partner and i (who i think ill start referring to as my Ocean Man, because he needs his own title, separate from me that better describes him), were musing (and complaining) about how much we were hating our lifestyle. Cramped into a small unit, constantly on the computer, and not really living. We have always talked about our dreams of travel, and i especially have dreamed of traveling through India since i was about 15. We always travel to the great ocean road, and do lots of camping, and loved our trips to new zealand and a remote island in Fiji, but we both knew that our life was being put on hold (jobs, house, kids, marriage) until we had had that amazing life changing experience that is world travel. We talked about how we could try to work for 6 months and leave in the middle of the year, and about how we could fit in our very much talked about Australia trip in the kombi, but we were sick of talking about it and just wanted to do it. We also worked out that going in the middle of the year and trying to leave a job might be difficult, but even more of a turning point, the weather in India is less than appealing at that time of year. And so, after asking to borrow some money to fund us, and telling my mum and nonna that we wouldnt be here for Christmas, we got everyone's blessing decided to leave in less than 6 weeks!
After much researching (and stress between exam study and work) we narrowed it down to Bali so i could visit the Bumi Sahet Birth Centre, Thailand and of course India. With not alot of time to decide on where and book, we left alot of it up to fate to assist us to book along the way. We left on the 16th of December, after many night up packing and organising and christmas dos, and with a few tears because i was in a bit of shock that this was all happening and i was leaving my family and saftey during my favourite time of year for a third world country!
Our first night in Kuta, Bali (out of necessity) was interesting, and as Australians we wished
to be of any other nationality there- Australians who visit Kuta really dont like to make us look good thats for sure, with the uniform of BinTang beater-shirts, boardies and a stubbie in hand- if youve been there you know what i mean. So it was not-too-soon at all to move on to Ubud which i had had really quite high expectations for. We stayed in an amazing Eco Hut a few kms from the main town, and it was beautiful...but Ubud as a whole really want not what we had expected. It was quite a bit more expensive that we had thought, and surprisingly we found it difficult to find reasonably priced veg food- until of course Daisy-lady came to the rescue and recommended an amazingly cheap and delicious place that she had spent alot of her time when she had been in Ubud. I loved walking down the street and seeing wild (and huge) lotus flowers, and saying hello to the friendly locals. The dogs were pretty scary though and we had never been so glad we got our rabies shots as when we were walking down the street to the main town and a barking dog ran up with teeth baring and getting way to close for comfort to Ocean Man's knee!
One of the reasons id wanted to go to Ubud specifically was to visit the birth centre set up there called Bumi Sehat. Its really an eye opener to go to a place like that and realise what we've got here. The centre was set up (from what i understand) by an American midwife to provide a free service to the women because otherwise they have no other choice but to birth in the hospital, which incurs a fee; and if the fee is not paid, the baby will be kept by the hospital until it is paid. Additionally, unwanted interventions are high in the hospital so the birth centre provides a safe place for the women to give birth naturally. The only problems of course are trying to keep up the funding, getting enough staff and enquipment to keep it running. We packed a whole lots of donations to give, and really enjoyed a tour of the centre which is complete with an acupuncture and natural therapies room, postnatal rooms for women to stay in, and an inbuilt spa decorated with pebbles- all of which can be used as birthing spaces when the centre is overcrowded with women birthing all at the same time. If you want to visit or donate check out their website.
Bali had been our first experience of Asia, and the challenges that comes with this travel like currency, food, language, weather and customs. so while it wasnt our favourite place out of the trip, we were able to appreciate it at the end of the trip probably more than we did while we were there, and were greatful for having gone there before India to prepare us for what was to come.
Next stop was Chiang Mai, Pai and Bangkok, Thailand. Probably our favourite part of the trip Thailand exceeded our expectations in many ways. We purposefully avoided the tourist hotspots like Phuket, other beach islands and decided to disappear into the hills. Thailand is a really easy place to travel in, which in someways makes me feel a little guilty about enjoying the 'easier-for-me' western influences, but nonetheless it was still an amazing, interesting and culturally diverse place that made us feel really peaceful and happy. Some of our favourite things about Thailand were the never-ending second hand bookshops filled with a really diverse and stimulating range of books, the very open and important place of Buddhism in the culture with beautiful temples on every corner and the ever present Monks walking the street in their bright orange clothes, but best of all the people were the most friendly and genuine we had met on our trip. People were always willing to lend a hand, or just have a chat and this to us is what travelling is about. You can only see so many monuments and buildings, but until you get to know the people you never really get to see a place.
At Daisy Lady's recommendation be did a cooking course at the Baan Thai cooking school, and it was really worthwhile. We got to meet some other tourists, learn about thai ingredients and best of all we cooked and ate some delicious dinner. I made my favourites, Pad Thai and Paw Paw Salad and a green curry, and OceanMan made a red curry, some noodles and spring rolls. We didnt have such a great massage though ....
All id wanted was to enjoy a few great experiences with natural health/medicine during the trip like massage, yoga and meditation. Unfortunately the Thai massage experience was not quite up there, and left us bruised and sore. Poor OceanMan hadnt ever had a massage before, and with DaisyLady becoming the greatest Remedial Massage Therapist i know, our hopes were high to try a few things to report back to her about. We at least had some funny stories! We were just so glad that we'd opted for the 30mins instead of the full hour! most painful $3 we ever spent.
We spend christmas in Pai up in the hills, and while the bus ride was 5 hours of never ending twists and elbow-turns, my dose of Slippery Elm, Novomin, Ginger and acupressure bracelets seem to ward of any unwanted sickness, making the trip much more enjoyable. Pai has a similar, but more more oranic and genuine feel to Byron Bay or Nimbin. It is a hidden little alternative town filled with wandering travellers, Families, Rastas, Hippies, musicians Nomads, Bohemians, and psychedelia from all around the world who come to find a peaceful and natural place to chill out, and try to locally (and often accidentally) produced mood enhancers. The building are quaint, the food (and smoothies) are amazing, the people are friendly and the surroundings are breathtaking.
We stayed with the most beautiful couple at the Bueng Pai Farm about a km from the main street. They had built the whole place themselves, complete with hammocks, private bamboo huts, a library, organic fruit trees, all situated around a lake that they offered fishing in (only if you put the fish back), and had the most delicious Thai food- our christmas day consisted of fresh Pawpaw, jasmin tea, Bueng Pai special friend rice and Banana and chocolate pancakes, and a beautiful bannana leaf wrapped gift which all helped to ease the christmas homesickness. Orn and Run who manage and own the farm were just so lovely, i was brought to tears after talking with the one day about their health issues but you would never know what they have been though with their light hearted jokes, laughter and radiating warmth that they give out to their guest through their pure joy of running the farm! After a bad batch of rice for dinner one night Orn even went out of her way to look after us, and bring us tea and bananas, extra toilet paper and charcoal tablets when we got sick. And they're dogs (the only friendly ones we met on the trip) always greeted us when we came back in the evenings. This couple has been through so much which we found out accidently through our conversations with them, and yet are still the most happy and generous couple. If you even make it to Pai make sure you pay them a visit and enjoy their amazing place, with their degrading health you never know how long theylll be able to keep it going, Their smiles and best food it town, and pure beauty of what theyve hand built is by far one of the most memorable parts of our trip!
We also hired ruby red the mopehead to get around Pai because it really is the only way to get around! And it didnt help OceanMan's desire to get one back home. It was so fun, and helped to bring us even closer because i was the little voice in the back of his mind telling him to slow down, or watch out for elephants or whatever, and had to make sure i was holding on tight! We loved out little Ruby Red, so were sad when we had to leave and give it up.
Bangkok was our next stop and we were a little worried about how much we'd enjoy it after we'd had many people telling us to not stay long, or not even bother with the place, but actually we really enjoyed it! it was a fun place to be. After a few gos on the TukTuks i started to really enjoy the trips, and even the haggling was getting easier. We went to see a movie in 3D- where we had to stand and sing the national anthem before it began, we tried some pretty funky tasting Thai pizza, we checked out the oversized and over stocked shopping malls, learned all about silk and architecture at Thompson's house, we wandered around the Kao San, taking in every sight, sound and smell (and haggling abilities), and enjoyed the absolute peace that ive never felt before, in some of the most beautiful buddhist temples. We'd really wanted to check out the medical museum, but after a short but rocky boat ride to get there, it turned out it was closed for a public holiday.
Some of my favourite things about Thailand, apart from its natural beauty (and forgetting about the choking pollution and heartbreaking poverty) were the friendly people who would go out of their way of lend a hand, but would always do it with a genuine smile and handshake, something i would hope that i would also do and wish for from all, which i really felt might have come from the strong buddhist influence which i also loved being a part of. I loved being barefoot and being expected to take shoes off before entering a house or room- so sensible that i wish we could implement here, and i loved the prayer-like gesture that says so much in a respectful way that i loved so much more than a handshake, but i cant explain why. It was really like being part of a big friendly community that I wish we could have here- but I guess we'll just have to return to get it back.
So on New Years eve, while everyone was getting ready to party and celebrate the new year and I was wishing to either stay and continue soaking in the amazing heat and festivities, or go home and celebrate christmas with our families who were boasting over skype about the cheeses and nonna's food they were enjoying, we were boarding a plane, nervous and tired, on our way to Delhi, India!
Now India and on finding a house and work will need a post to itself i think- hopefully i can remember it all!
but....First though i think our travels are more deserving of a post at this time:
As usual the partner and i (who i think ill start referring to as my Ocean Man, because he needs his own title, separate from me that better describes him), were musing (and complaining) about how much we were hating our lifestyle. Cramped into a small unit, constantly on the computer, and not really living. We have always talked about our dreams of travel, and i especially have dreamed of traveling through India since i was about 15. We always travel to the great ocean road, and do lots of camping, and loved our trips to new zealand and a remote island in Fiji, but we both knew that our life was being put on hold (jobs, house, kids, marriage) until we had had that amazing life changing experience that is world travel. We talked about how we could try to work for 6 months and leave in the middle of the year, and about how we could fit in our very much talked about Australia trip in the kombi, but we were sick of talking about it and just wanted to do it. We also worked out that going in the middle of the year and trying to leave a job might be difficult, but even more of a turning point, the weather in India is less than appealing at that time of year. And so, after asking to borrow some money to fund us, and telling my mum and nonna that we wouldnt be here for Christmas, we got everyone's blessing decided to leave in less than 6 weeks!
After much researching (and stress between exam study and work) we narrowed it down to Bali so i could visit the Bumi Sahet Birth Centre, Thailand and of course India. With not alot of time to decide on where and book, we left alot of it up to fate to assist us to book along the way. We left on the 16th of December, after many night up packing and organising and christmas dos, and with a few tears because i was in a bit of shock that this was all happening and i was leaving my family and saftey during my favourite time of year for a third world country!
Our first night in Kuta, Bali (out of necessity) was interesting, and as Australians we wished
to be of any other nationality there- Australians who visit Kuta really dont like to make us look good thats for sure, with the uniform of BinTang beater-shirts, boardies and a stubbie in hand- if youve been there you know what i mean. So it was not-too-soon at all to move on to Ubud which i had had really quite high expectations for. We stayed in an amazing Eco Hut a few kms from the main town, and it was beautiful...but Ubud as a whole really want not what we had expected. It was quite a bit more expensive that we had thought, and surprisingly we found it difficult to find reasonably priced veg food- until of course Daisy-lady came to the rescue and recommended an amazingly cheap and delicious place that she had spent alot of her time when she had been in Ubud. I loved walking down the street and seeing wild (and huge) lotus flowers, and saying hello to the friendly locals. The dogs were pretty scary though and we had never been so glad we got our rabies shots as when we were walking down the street to the main town and a barking dog ran up with teeth baring and getting way to close for comfort to Ocean Man's knee!
Bali had been our first experience of Asia, and the challenges that comes with this travel like currency, food, language, weather and customs. so while it wasnt our favourite place out of the trip, we were able to appreciate it at the end of the trip probably more than we did while we were there, and were greatful for having gone there before India to prepare us for what was to come.
Next stop was Chiang Mai, Pai and Bangkok, Thailand. Probably our favourite part of the trip Thailand exceeded our expectations in many ways. We purposefully avoided the tourist hotspots like Phuket, other beach islands and decided to disappear into the hills. Thailand is a really easy place to travel in, which in someways makes me feel a little guilty about enjoying the 'easier-for-me' western influences, but nonetheless it was still an amazing, interesting and culturally diverse place that made us feel really peaceful and happy. Some of our favourite things about Thailand were the never-ending second hand bookshops filled with a really diverse and stimulating range of books, the very open and important place of Buddhism in the culture with beautiful temples on every corner and the ever present Monks walking the street in their bright orange clothes, but best of all the people were the most friendly and genuine we had met on our trip. People were always willing to lend a hand, or just have a chat and this to us is what travelling is about. You can only see so many monuments and buildings, but until you get to know the people you never really get to see a place.
At Daisy Lady's recommendation be did a cooking course at the Baan Thai cooking school, and it was really worthwhile. We got to meet some other tourists, learn about thai ingredients and best of all we cooked and ate some delicious dinner. I made my favourites, Pad Thai and Paw Paw Salad and a green curry, and OceanMan made a red curry, some noodles and spring rolls. We didnt have such a great massage though ....
All id wanted was to enjoy a few great experiences with natural health/medicine during the trip like massage, yoga and meditation. Unfortunately the Thai massage experience was not quite up there, and left us bruised and sore. Poor OceanMan hadnt ever had a massage before, and with DaisyLady becoming the greatest Remedial Massage Therapist i know, our hopes were high to try a few things to report back to her about. We at least had some funny stories! We were just so glad that we'd opted for the 30mins instead of the full hour! most painful $3 we ever spent.
We spend christmas in Pai up in the hills, and while the bus ride was 5 hours of never ending twists and elbow-turns, my dose of Slippery Elm, Novomin, Ginger and acupressure bracelets seem to ward of any unwanted sickness, making the trip much more enjoyable. Pai has a similar, but more more oranic and genuine feel to Byron Bay or Nimbin. It is a hidden little alternative town filled with wandering travellers, Families, Rastas, Hippies, musicians Nomads, Bohemians, and psychedelia from all around the world who come to find a peaceful and natural place to chill out, and try to locally (and often accidentally) produced mood enhancers. The building are quaint, the food (and smoothies) are amazing, the people are friendly and the surroundings are breathtaking.
We stayed with the most beautiful couple at the Bueng Pai Farm about a km from the main street. They had built the whole place themselves, complete with hammocks, private bamboo huts, a library, organic fruit trees, all situated around a lake that they offered fishing in (only if you put the fish back), and had the most delicious Thai food- our christmas day consisted of fresh Pawpaw, jasmin tea, Bueng Pai special friend rice and Banana and chocolate pancakes, and a beautiful bannana leaf wrapped gift which all helped to ease the christmas homesickness. Orn and Run who manage and own the farm were just so lovely, i was brought to tears after talking with the one day about their health issues but you would never know what they have been though with their light hearted jokes, laughter and radiating warmth that they give out to their guest through their pure joy of running the farm! After a bad batch of rice for dinner one night Orn even went out of her way to look after us, and bring us tea and bananas, extra toilet paper and charcoal tablets when we got sick. And they're dogs (the only friendly ones we met on the trip) always greeted us when we came back in the evenings. This couple has been through so much which we found out accidently through our conversations with them, and yet are still the most happy and generous couple. If you even make it to Pai make sure you pay them a visit and enjoy their amazing place, with their degrading health you never know how long theylll be able to keep it going, Their smiles and best food it town, and pure beauty of what theyve hand built is by far one of the most memorable parts of our trip!
We also hired ruby red the mopehead to get around Pai because it really is the only way to get around! And it didnt help OceanMan's desire to get one back home. It was so fun, and helped to bring us even closer because i was the little voice in the back of his mind telling him to slow down, or watch out for elephants or whatever, and had to make sure i was holding on tight! We loved out little Ruby Red, so were sad when we had to leave and give it up.
Bangkok was our next stop and we were a little worried about how much we'd enjoy it after we'd had many people telling us to not stay long, or not even bother with the place, but actually we really enjoyed it! it was a fun place to be. After a few gos on the TukTuks i started to really enjoy the trips, and even the haggling was getting easier. We went to see a movie in 3D- where we had to stand and sing the national anthem before it began, we tried some pretty funky tasting Thai pizza, we checked out the oversized and over stocked shopping malls, learned all about silk and architecture at Thompson's house, we wandered around the Kao San, taking in every sight, sound and smell (and haggling abilities), and enjoyed the absolute peace that ive never felt before, in some of the most beautiful buddhist temples. We'd really wanted to check out the medical museum, but after a short but rocky boat ride to get there, it turned out it was closed for a public holiday.
Some of my favourite things about Thailand, apart from its natural beauty (and forgetting about the choking pollution and heartbreaking poverty) were the friendly people who would go out of their way of lend a hand, but would always do it with a genuine smile and handshake, something i would hope that i would also do and wish for from all, which i really felt might have come from the strong buddhist influence which i also loved being a part of. I loved being barefoot and being expected to take shoes off before entering a house or room- so sensible that i wish we could implement here, and i loved the prayer-like gesture that says so much in a respectful way that i loved so much more than a handshake, but i cant explain why. It was really like being part of a big friendly community that I wish we could have here- but I guess we'll just have to return to get it back.
So on New Years eve, while everyone was getting ready to party and celebrate the new year and I was wishing to either stay and continue soaking in the amazing heat and festivities, or go home and celebrate christmas with our families who were boasting over skype about the cheeses and nonna's food they were enjoying, we were boarding a plane, nervous and tired, on our way to Delhi, India!
Now India and on finding a house and work will need a post to itself i think- hopefully i can remember it all!
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