Yadda Yadda Yadda

Just some more photos


Sunrise one morning over a dune


Sunrise over staff housing


Some typical landscape around here


Just another pretty picture


Kate, Olivia & I when they came to visit

I booked my flight home last night! Tues 28th of October is the date! I was planning on coming home the day before, but the flight sold out. Oops....

So things here have been good lately. Apart from being totally exhausted from work that is. This is the hardest job I've ever had and the lowest I've ever been paid. Go figure. I'll be leaving in about 3 weeks though. I'll be home at the end of the month. Yay! I'm glad I came up here, but 9.5 weeks is long enough for me! It's getting hotter all the time and the work is just so hard! Did I mention that it's really hard work?!

Kate left yesterday and Olivia left the day before. It was great to see some faces from home. I enjoyed hanging out with them and letting them see where I live and work. Kate & I played a gig at the resident's club here on Wed night. Lots of fun! I've been getting so much positive feedback about it, so that's good! We even got paid for it! Whoo!

That's all from me for now. I'm hanging out for my day off on Tuesday!
Love you to all!

Kate arrives tomorrow. Yay! It'll be nice to see some familiar faces. Olivia arrives soon too.

It's now been 5 weeks since I arrive at Yulara. Things are pretty much as they were. Work is still exhausting, the people are still nice. But I'm feeling like I don't fit in. For starters, I'm about 5 years older than most people. There are a few people my age, but most (where I live at least) are early 20's, still 'finding themselves'. A lot of them basically get as drunk as possible as often as possible. I'm way past all that stuff. I don't mind a few drinks, but I'm not up for getting smashed all the time. I guess I have other priorities and a different respective on life. A lot of people here are very selfish and one outworking of that is that people get things stolen a lot. I do have some friends here that I connect with, but I'm still feeling out of place. I'm not sure I'll stay the full 12 weeks I was intending to stay. I'm not sure I want to spend another 7 weeks in this environment.

Don't get me wrong, it's not terrible, it's just not quite right. There are lots of good things about being here too. I love the weather (I even have a bit of a tan!), the scenery is stunning (see photos), the people are nice (well some of them are!) and it's nice to do something a bit different for a while. I just think I might be ready to come home soon. Maybe I'll come home in a couple of weeks. We'll see. Kate is coming to visit on Sunday. I'm looking forward to a familiar face! We'll play a couple of gigs while we're here which I've set up. That'll be fun! I'm really looking forward to that!

That's about all I've got to report for now. Now for some more photos!


The sunset last night at the oval. So pretty!


Gerrard & I the other night at the res.


Tiff & Maddy spinning around on the oval last night at sunset. Lots of fun!


The hotel I work at at sunset the other night. Lovely!


Card on the head game! I taught Tiff & Maddy the other night. Awesome fun!



Uluru at sunset the other night viewed from a sand dune

Tiff & I with our sexy upside down sunnies!


Tiff on a sand dune at sunset the other night.

Today is the 4 week mark. And Thursday will be a month that I've been here.
I have nothing else to report really. Things here rarely change. More work, more of the same.
Apart from the fact that I keep getting sicker. I thought I was getting better, but no. The last 3 days I've been having uncontrollable nose bleeds. They last most of the night, and sometimes during the day. Usually lasting 3-4 hours at a time. It stopping me sleeping which means I'm exhausted. I went back to the doctor today. He said now I have an ear infection, a minor eye infection and an infection in my nose which is contributing to my nose bleeds. Great. How fun it is to be me right now. I know this sounds like a whingy, sympathy seeking post, but I honestly feel like utter crap. I am tired all the time and feel really sick. I have today and tomorrow off work again. My eyes are all bloodshot and I look awful.

If I'm still sick in 2 weeks I've decided I'm just going to pack up and go home. I'm not getting better. I feel so awful and I'm having to take time off work without pay because I don't have any sick hours saved up yet. Today is my 3rd sick day in 4 weeks. And I have tomorrow off too. I've been trying to go to work sick, but it's making me sicker. I feel guilty for taking so much time off when I'm so new to the job. But my bosses are being really understanding which is great. But I'm sure they'd still rather not have a sick worker...

Anyway, now that you've read my whinging rant I'll leave you to do something more fun with your time!

Today is my last day off before I go back to work...
I've enjoyed having time off. Some people say they get bored up here with lots of time off, but not me! There are lots of great people to hang out with and I've done a bit of reading which has been nice.

Speaking of which. I got a BARGAIN!!!! I went to the library the other day to get some books to read and they had a shelf of books they were getting rid of for 50c. I'd never heard of any of them, but then I saw the 5th Harry Potter book. They had excess copies, so they sold it to me for 50c! Oh yeah! I finished the 7th book about 3 weeks ago, but I don't own any of them. So I might start buying the books seeing as I have one now. Bargain! I LOVED the series!!! So addictive and compelling!

I'm almost better now. I'm feeling so much better than I have been, but I'm still not 100%. It shouldn't be long now!

I've been getting to know some different people which has been good. I've made some great friends! As you can see from lots of my photos! I have more photos on facebook if you want to check those out.

The weather has been stunning! It's low 30's at the moment, fine and sunny! I love it! All dry heat! I'm not a fan of the humidity. But the nights are hot, so yay! Best of both worlds! I might even get a tan if the weather keeps up!

The girl I'm sharing with in my half of the house is moving house next week, so I'll have half a house to myself which will be nice. She's great, don't get me wrong, but it'll be nice to have some more space.

That's all for now! Stay tuned for more of the adventures of Megan!

So I'm pretty sick at the moment...
I've been sick for about 2 weeks now and I finally went to the doctor yesterday. I'm not on any medication (he said it wouldn't help), but I do have some time off work so I can rest and get better. The problem is that I haven't been sleeping since I got here so I'm not getting the rest I need to get better. I'm not sure why I can't sleep. All I can figure is it's a psychological thing to do with being in a new environment. So the doc gave me a low dose of valium to help me sleep. I took some last night. That stuff is completely useless! I slept even worse last night than I normally do. All I need is a few good nights sleep I think...

Today it was nice to see some familiar faces! A family from my church, the Gawler's are up here at the moment as part of their caravan tour of Australia and we spent the afternoon together. We'll catch up again tomorrow after I finish work. It's nice seeing some faces from home!

I also started a new job tonight. I'm working at Tali bar when I've got some free time. Get some extra cash. It's good so far. It's a small bar in the 5 star hotel I'm working in.

Now for some photos! There are photos on facebook too. These are just some of the gang I've been hanging out with up here.



















These last 2 are from the sand dune I walk over on my way to work. On one side, Uluru, the other Kata Tjuta. Stunning! Not great photos though unfortunately... I'll have to take some better ones.

Today marks 2 weeks since I arrived.
So far so good. In general that is. There are a handful of downers...
1. Being sick and not being able to afford the doctor...
2. Having it rain for the first time in 8 months and having the water get into the electrics so the fire alarm goes off in your room at 1am for aaaaaaaages when you have to get up at 6:45am for work the next day, and having the fire fighers not able to turn it off for aaaaaages
3. Having insane idiots who like to party super loud near your house.

Ok, so 3 has only happened once, but it's still enough...

Apart from that, it's going great up there. People are lovely and so is the place. Work is exhuasting, but I'll cope.

I hope to get more photos up soon, but I'm having trouble uploading.

So things are going well.
I have a day off tomorrow!!! Whoo!!! I am sooooo looking forward to a sleep in! I'm getting up at 6:45am each day and I'm finding myself rather exhausted. I'm NOT a morning person as anyone who knows me will tell you...
People here are nice, so that's a big plus!
It's not what I expected, but it's not a bad thing. Just different.
I'll attempt to upload some photos again!


Lyndal, Gerrard & I at my place one night


My morning walk to work


Just near where I live as the sun is rising


Part of Uluru, where people can climb


Some of the gang at Uluru


Uluru again

Hey hey fellow bloggers. I finally have some photos. Oh yeah! It’s not really a blog from me without photos eh?

Things up here are good so far. On Tuesday we had an afternoon tea thingy where they showed us around the hotel and we met the people we’ll be working with. Then on Wednesday we had our orientation day. That was with the new people from all over the resort, whereas Tuesday was just people from my hotel (Sails in the Desert). There are about 30 of us who arrived this week, so there were lots of new people to meet who didn’t really know anyone. So now I have some friends. Yay! They took us out to the rock where we did a bit of a short tour thing, then went to the cultural centre to learn a bit more about the area. Then back to the resort for the legal orientation stuff. Not so much fun, but we did get paid for it! Then we spent the rest of the day hanging out around the resort getting to know people. There are 5 hotels here and a town square, so lots of places to go!

Then on Thursday I started my job. I’m just doing housekeeping at the moment. Not very exciting, but the people I’m working with are really nice, so that always makes a huge difference. The work is relatively easy, but not very interesting. At least I’ll be able to save lots of money while I’m here! There isn’t much to spend your money on!!! Although some people manage to drink it away…

There is a residents area that has a gym, pool and pub which we spend a lot of time in. Wireless internet is there too. Yay! It’s a great place to meet up with other people who have time off. No one here works a Mon – Fri job. We work 5 days a week, but it changes each week, so all sense of time disappears. It’s just what days you have on and off, weekends don’t really matter here. So anyway, so far so good. Now for some photos!

Ok, so it looks like I can't get the photos to upload...
I'll post some soon! If your'e on facebook, I've managed to upload some there!

It's official! I'm at Yalara living in the housing area of the resort. I'm living with 3 other people in a share house. We have an intro afternoon tea this afternoon, then a full day of orientation tomorrow. Then on Thursday I get trained to do my actual job. So far so good!

I'm moving in 4 days! Aaarrrggghhh!

Sometimes you just want to reassess your life.

Well I'm definitely moving to Uluru for a while! I got a phone call yesterday late arvo offering me the job! I'm leaving on the 18th and staying for 3 months!

Well it looks like I may be heading off to Uluru soon for a 3 months stint. I applied for a job up there ages ago. A friend mine is cheffing up there and I thought it'd be a nice place to go do something different for a while. I had resigned myself to not going seeing as I hadn't heard back from them. The first time I applied to go up there was about 5 months ago. And again 2 months ago. Finally yesterday they rang and it looks like they want me to go up soon. Maybe even as soon as 2 weeks! I've got a second phone interview today so I'll let you know how it goes! This is the resort.



EDIT:
I just had my second phone interview. However I still don't know what's going on... Not sure if they are officially offering me a job yet... They said they'd call me back in a couple of days. I guess I'll know then.

I'm feeling conflicted...
I've been watching Dexter...



For those of you that don't know, here is a quick summary of Dexter. The idea behind the story (it's a book turned tv series) was to create a likable serial killer. Seems impossible right? Well not really.

This guy, Dexter, is a blood splatter expert who works for the Miami police. He tracks down serial killers, then, on his own time, kills them. The idea is that he's some sort of weird, disconnected guy who does not experience empathy or sympathy. He has been trained by his (now dead) foster father to fake human connection so as to fit in with society. However, he feels disconnected from everyone and has an urge to hurt and kill. He has managed to channel this urge so that he kills those who 'deserve it'. Very interesting concept.

So is he a good guy that does bad things or a bad guy who does good things?

To me it seems absurd and I totally disagree with everything about it. There is never an excuse for murder. However, I find myself liking Dexter. Even though I disagree with what he does. Conflicting right? Although I'm sure it's just conflicting because it's a 'romanticised' tv show. If it was real I can't see myself being conflicted. I would disagree with Dexter entirely. However in fictional form I find the show, and character of Dexter, intriguing...

If you haven't seen this show you either live overseas or just haven't been exposed to the awesomeness that is The Hollowmen! It's on ABC1 Wednesdays @ 9:30pm and ABC2 Thursdays @ 9pm. The Hollowmen is an Australian television comedy series set in the offices of the Central Policy unit, a special think tank personally set up by the Prime Minister to help him get re-elected. It's produced by Working Dog Productions who also made Frontline, The Panel and Thank God You're Here. It is a very clever show showing how politics can often lead to ridiculous outcomes! Things don't get done, yet there is still the appearance that things are getting done. There are so many clashes behind the scenes between various departments that someone is always upset with the course of action. Hilarious stuff. Rob Sitch is perfect as Tony, only concerned with tomorrows headlines and no idea of what it takes to create lasting change. He is both hilarious and infuriating! Lachy Hulme is perfect as Murph who's job it is to mediate between everyone and somehow get some policy up and happening whilst still keeping everyone happy. Very funny stuff! And lots of people are saying how scary it is because it's probably pretty damn close to reality! Maybe slightly exaggerated, but it can't be too far off! Anyway, do your self a favour and watch this show!



Oh, and this has definitely reinvigorated my massive crush on Lachy Hulme....

I just saw "The Dark Knight", the new batman movie for those of you living under a rock. I don't want to spoil any of this movie for anyone, so I'm not even going to review it. I'm not going to say anything about it, other than it is seriously awesome and you have to go see it!

Last night we played a gig at Ruby's Lounge in Belgrave. Great venue that has heaps of massive acts! We really, really enjoyed playing there! Great sound, great vibe, heaps of people. It was just awesome! We're playing there again in about 3 weeks as part of an unsigned band comp. Yay! Should be great! If you can, please come along, because the audience decide the winner and we would love all the support we can get! There are some massive prizes up for grabs and we want them!

After we got off stage last night a couple of girls from Sydney got up and they were brilliant! I recommend you check out Sam & Sarah's music!

And don't forget tonight! Very exciting! The Hollowmen premieres on ABC1 @ 9:30pm. This is the new Working Dog project which looks just awesome! I can't wait!!!

So I have a couple of new album's.
Let's start with Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida'



Now I'm a big Coldplay fan, but this latest album is disappointing. It's not a bad album, but it's not a good album either. It's ok I guess, but I'm not that impressed. The songs don't really grab me as being anything exciting or inventive. It's more of the same. It's actually very U2-esque. Lots of strings and a full sound. I like the song "Viva La Vida', and Violet Hill is good too, but the rest is just a bit meh. Disappointing from such a good band. My favourite Coldplay song of all time is still 'Warning Sign'. So this album is ok, but don't expect great, new things from the guys.



The other new album I bought was Newton Faulkner's 'Hand build by robots'. Now this is a brilliant album! And if you want value for money, it has 17 tracks! This guy is very inventive with the way he plays his guitar, his chord progressions as well as his melodies. I'm a huge fan! Lots of fascinating, intertwining vocals with difficult, inventive guitar work. If you're a fan of good acoustic tunes, then go out and get this one! His lyrics don't always grab me, but what they lack, the music makes up. Although, having said that, he has some very good lyrics too. These tunes really grab me and hold my interest. They are interesting and catchy all at once. I highly recommend this one!

What the?!
That's the best review I can come up with. It's by the guy who make Donnie Darko, Richard Kelly. Now, I liked Donnie Darko, however, this movie is beyond confusing. Take the confusing factor of Donnie Darko, multiply by 500, imagine an alternate reality of present day where we are in WW3 and the government monitors everything the citizens do, and there is an underground neo-marxist movement. Now that you understand the simple part, stop trying to understand anything else. The rest makes very little sense. The characters do odd things, and the story goes places you can't predict, and even when the plot developments are revealed, they still make no sense. Their motivations are unclear and there is no resolution. The resolution that does happen, once again, makes no sense. Just expect no sense. At the end, you'll still have no idea what happened.



Here are some reviews:

If Mulholland Drive had a prettier, younger, and developmentally-challenged sister, it would be Southland Tales.

An incomprehensible, self-indulgent mess of post-apocalyptic anxiety and political paranoia, a confusion of half-baked social critiques, pop-culture references, sci-fi whimsicalities, and anti-corporate satire straining for significance.

Ouch.

Hey fellow bloggers!
I have a new song up on Triple J unearthed!
I'd love for you to jump on and rate the tune. So here's the site if you wanna check it out here
It's called "On My Way"
Yes yes yes... this is shameless self promotion...

I finally got around to seeing "Once" last night. It's the most incredible film! There isn't a huge amount that happens in terms of events, it's more of a character development story. And 60% of the movie is sung. It's not a musical per se. It's about 2 musicians and the music they create together. It's some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard in my life. What talented people they are!

I bought the soundtrack to the film this morning. I can't get enough. And I watched the film again with my family this afternoon. They all really liked it too. If you haven't seen it, go and hire it. That's an order.

I have a new job! Yay! I'm now working in Student Services at Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School. That's where Dad teaches. They needed some extra help so I got a job. Lots of fun! The people there are really great and I get some dosh. Whoo!!! Yeah, good job. I've been working much more than expected too. The lady I was working with has been sick, so I'm doing all her shifts. It's going well really so far.

It's my Mum's 50th today! Yay! Happy birthday Mum! I love you heaps and appreciate you always!

Remember to sign this!
http://www.makepovertyhistory.com.au/healthpetition.aspx


Quick Summary:

Pledge of support
Reducing child mortality and improving maternal health are two of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In Southeast Asia and the Pacific, 16 of the 22 developing countries in the region are NOT on track to achieve Goal 4, a two-thirds reduction in child mortality. Seven countries are NOT on track to achieve Goal 5, reduce maternal mortality by three-quarters.

I support:
1. Increasing aid for basic and reproductive health in Australia's aid program by $400 million, to $1000 million by 2010-11.
2. Improving coordination of international assistance to the region.
3. Resolving major impediments to better health in the region.

On Sunday I headed off to the Mind, Body, Spirit festival with my Mum. Lots of interesting stuff around. I even got my some fisherman pants for $5! Whoo!!! And some super hot chilli sauce. Yummo!

While I don't buy into most of the stuff they had around (and some of it was really out there!) it's interesting to see what is around. In a culture where the new age line of thinking is increasingly popular, I think it's important to be well informed on all the options available to people. If we live in a multi-faith society, shouldn't we know what other faiths/belief systems are out there? I want to be able to engage people in dialogue about spiritual things and if I have no idea where they're coming from, how can I do that? So this was an attempt to understand more of what schools of thought are out there and what kinds of things people believe in. Very interesting.
Did anyone else go?

I sent this around as an email last week, but thought I'd put it on my blog for those I didn't email in case you're interested.

I had an idea. I'm sure most people are aware of TEAR's useful gifts catalogue. If not, check it out here:
http://usefulgifts.org/
I was wanting to get something/lots of things off it just because it seems like a good thing to do. No reason. So, if you are interested in being a part of it, let me know! We'll all pool our money together and get a whole lot of stuff from the catalogue to help those less fortunate who don't have the means to help themselves. Put in whatever you can, and together I think we can get lots of money and help a lot of people and communities!

So I'm planning on buying stuff on Saturday. If you want to be a part of it you'll need to let me know asap. Those of you who want to give me money please do so asap, and those of you who were going to buy stuff yourself off the site with your credit card please feel free to do so and let me know what you got so I can collate the 'results' and share them with everyone. Thanks!

On another note:
I FINISHED MY UNI DEGREE!!! Yesterday was my very last day of classes and I handed in my last assignment! It's such a great feeling! Whoo!!!

A couple of weeks Amy came over to visit from Tassie. I've been slack in getting the photos up, but fear no more! Here they are! We had so much fun! Lots of shopping, hanging out in cool places, and one night we headed into the city and stayed in a hotel. Lots of fun! I miss Amy heaps and it was so awesome to see her again! Marty features heavily in all our photos. Marty is my lovely moose who travels around with me. He lives in my car so he can come on all my fun adventures! He comes everywhere Amy & I go!


I think this is us giggling in our hotel room


Having a beer with Marty


Awesome new gloves we bought at the vic markets! So comfy and warm!


This is Bram, Leonie's son. We caught up for a coffee with them. Lots of fun! Isn't he a cutie?


Eating Lord of the Fries. Yummy! If you haven't tried LOTF you just have to! There are only 2 shops in the city right near flinders st station. Most amazing food ever!


Marty having a soy chai latte. Mmmm....


Our standard Zoolander pose!