Why yes, it HAS been a while!

It's been a full MONTH since I have last posted.  My has life been super busy!!  I have quite a few things to report!!!!!

I won't go into the full details here.. and chances are if you are one of my friends I talk to on a regular basis, you already know the behind the scenes story..... however my boss quit in the past month.  She actually walked out one day angry.  This left me to oversee things while they sorted things out with her (unsure if she would return or not).  I guess I should also just tell you that here in Australia, the employees have all the rights.   Totally different than America.  So anyways, here I was without warning having to step up to the plate and prove myself.  After all, I have for years wanted to move into management, and this was my chance to prove to them, as well as myself, that I could do the job... and do it well.  About 2 weeks ago, my boss made it official and resigned.  I was asked to continue to "fill in" in her absence.  I had done the "smart" thing about 2 weeks prior to her walking out and starting expressing concerns that I had. 

So, anyways, one week ago I was officially promoted to Practice Manager and Nurse coordinator and given a nice little pay rise.  I am so thrilled.  Today I conducted interviews and have hired a part time nurse to add to our nursing team to allow me to focus on management more than I am able to working full time as a nurse.  Starting soon I will also not be working weekends and only Monday-Friday.  As a nurse, I can't even begin to tell you how THRILLED this makes me!!!  And the pay rise also makes me happy.  I started at this job 9 months ago.  It originally was going to be a part time, 2 day a week job.  Within a week, I was offered full time.  Within a month they agreed to sponsor me.  Now at 9 months, I have gone up nearly 27% in pay and am the boss with a Mon-Fri job.  Life is good! 

Australia has certainly been the best thing I have ever done.  I am at the highest salary I have ever had, am in the highest position I have ever held, and am happier in my career than I have EVER been.  I am also the happiest I have ever been.  Sure there are times I am a total crab (lol.. hey, I am a woman after all).  But it seems like everything in my life has just all come together at the same time.  I am at peace with a lot of things from my past, I am at peace with myself, and just feel I am the happiest I have ever been.  I have quit drinking and have decided to attempt to become healthier.  I am basically trying to be the best ME I can be.  Plain and simple. 

Well, that is all I have for now... hope everyone is doing well!!!!!!  Until next time...

Happy Birthday to the Queen!

Calm down, it's not MY birthday, you didn't forget to wish me a Happy Birthday (although chocolates and flowers will be accepted if you must....)  Today in Western Australia was a public holiday to honor the Queen's Birthday...... who's birthday was ACTUALLY in April.  I must research why they celebrate soooo late.  However, I really don't care.  lol.  Any day off WITH pay is fineeee by me!  And on a day like today, we can celebrate ANY occasion!   It was sunny and warm.... actually HOT in the sun!  It was 34C/93F!  We had a luncheon at one of the Dr's I work for in his other office (a Burmese Luncheon) then home and I felt like I should do the responsible thing and do housework..... actually, no, not at all.  I threw on the bathers (what they call swim suits here) and HIT the beach!  Of course, with my "Greenbay Packers" beach towel in hand.  What a gorgeous day.  Then home to wrap up Teen Mom online, a little dinner, and now some Internet and loose ends before starting the week.

 

This week should be a good week.  I am only in the office two days.  I am off Friday and have a three day weekend ahead (and the forecast is looking beach worthy!) and have a work conference in the city on Thursday.  I'm looking forward to the conference, but NOT going into the CBD (city business district.. aka DOWN town).  Parking is a nightmare AND bloody expensive, the commute is a bitch.  Chances are I will be taking public transportation.  Oh well, work is paying for the conference AND I get the days pay still, so it's almost a 4 day weekend next weekend.

 

Some big changes may be coming up at work... fingers crossed at least.  I've decided to push for something... it could turn out REALLYYYYY good for me, or nothing will change.  But, I'm hoping for the BIG change!!  I may know more as early as tomorrow.  I have my list and am prepared... so we'll just hope for the best!

 

The other "secret" stuff is coming along well.  Basically only one "thing" left to do.........  ;)  again, as soon as I can, I will update on that. 

 

Alright, off I go to waste the night with some t.v!  TTFN...

I'm alive!

I guess since my last post was about possible terrorism in Perth, I should update that this American is safe and sound!  No terrorism or protests, so all good.  We spent the day they were expecting the terrorists about an hour north of here having lunch outside on a very nice sunny Sunday afternoon at this really tasty bakery.  On the way back, curiosity got the best of me and we rode to the areas that they were thinking protesters would be at.  I thought, nobody can tell by looking at me in a car that I'm American.  Wayne was wearing his UK national championship shirt, and I'm pretty sure if anyone was burning the US flag, he would have gone after them... lol. 

 

In Kentucky we had a saying "If you don't like the weather, wait a few hours" because the weather was so sporadic.  Well, lately I feel like I'm in Kentucky.  Well, minus the Aussie accents, Kangaroos (which there was a HUGE one dead on the freeway the other day, I'm thinking the car was hurt MORE than the MASSIVE dead kangaroo!!) and the GORGEOUS beaches.  This week, the temps were in the 40s' at night/morning, and 50's/low 60's in the day (on a GOOD day) with winds and massive rain.  Today was sunny and 60's.  Tomorrow, 80's.  Monday, 90's.  Damn.  Helloooo Beach.....and helllooooo to the not-ready-for-the-beach-body.  Even though I am at my lowest weight in probably 4 years now!

 

Tonight was a nice night in with Pizza and a DVD.  Nice and quiet.  Monday is a public holiday here which means no work!  Woot!  It's the Queen's Birthday Holiday.  However, it's NOT the Queen's ACTUAL birthday.  It's just when Western Australia Celebrates it???  Yeah, I find it quite odd..but I will certainly not complain about a day off work WITH PAY!

 

Anyways our big night in is ending withi a bedtime before 11.  Oh, who am I ??????    lmao.  Until next time!

Shit is getting real....

And real close to me!!

This is an email that was sent out........

"Consulate General of the United States
LEVEL 4 16 ST. GEORGES TERRACE, PERTH WA 6000
+618-6144-5100 http://canberra.usembassy.gov/
...

PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS IMPORTANT
Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens

Perth law enforcement authorities have advised of possible
demonstrations in Perth for Sunday, September 23. U.S. citizens should
avoid Perth's King's Park, the area around Parliament House, Forrest
Place, and Hyde Park.

Fast-forming anti-American protests in Australia remain possible. U.S.
citizens should in all cases avoid any political demonstrations that may
develop and continue to monitor the Australian media and Consulate
messages to obtain the latest information. In the event an
anti-American demonstration develops, U.S. citizens should leave the
area promptly.

The Department of State remains concerned about the threat of violence
against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. U.S. citizens
are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance, to be aware of their
surroundings and to take appropriate steps to increase their security
awareness. The U.S. Consulate General has advised its staff members to
avoid attracting attention to themselves as U.S. citizens. For
additional information on maintaining a discreet profile, please refer
to "A Safe Trip Abroad"
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html> .

U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of
alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend
public services to assess their security posture. In those instances,
U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide
emergency services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens abroad are urged to
monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate."

 

Anti American things.. right here.. in the city I live in!  Crazy.  Bullshit.  Scary... yeah, those three words sum it up!

Mail....

I'm usually excited to get mail.  For example, this week I received a t-shirt from my very dear friend (and kinda like a brother) Steve.  It was our annual tailgating tshirt for "Happy Camp" (the name my tailgating crew has gone by for years).  It totally made my day.  Even though anytime I wear anything that says "UK" on it, people ask me if I'm from the UK...... smh.  Anyways, it meant the world to me, as silly as that sounds.

 

Anyways... today was NOT a day I was excited for mail.  No, I haven't gotten ANOTHER speeding ticket... but the payment information for the loan on my new car.  Sighhhhh.   Granted, a newer car was a necessity.  (And it's sometimes exciting to know that this car will one day have baby seats in the back.....)  It's just been nice to not have to deal with a car payment.  Oh well, such is adult life I reckon! 

 

Wayne gets back in about 48 hrs.  Cannot wait.   Tomorrow I get my keratin done (3 HOURS!!!!) and dinner with two pals (Americans).

 

This weekend they are suspecting anti-American protests and such in some areas here.  How scary.  And such bullshit.  I'm off work tomorrow (and busy as previously mentioned), but I'm thinking I will play it safe on the weekend and stay home.   Or if I go out, pretend to be mute??  smh.  What is the world coming to!!!!!

 

Anyways, off to finish the night off with some t.v. and counting down the hours until my love is home!! You would think after over a year of living here and being use to trips, I would adjust to them..... however I've only gotten to physically talk to him once this week, the rest is by text.  It's part of us, but I always miss him so much.  Maybe one day I'll adjust.

 

Until next time! 

Rainy night!

After such a beautiful weekend... it's a rainy week!!!   At least its warm.  I love the sound of rain though. 

Today, down under, was Monday.  My boss was out, which meant a great day.  I will have her job one day.  Just wait.................................................

Enough said on that.  For now......

The big trend now??????  Mt Dew now has caffeine down under. Up until a couple months ago it was a caffeine FREE soda............ I WOULD  say "third worlding it" but since my love is LITERALLY third worlding it right now, I will zip my lips.  But seriously... why else would anyone DRINK Mt. Dew????

I'm really missing Wayne tonight.  I think it's because it's been AGES since he was on a long trip.  But that's part of our life.  At least it's not months of long distance.  Right now our only communication is by text.  I am really hoping to hear his voice tomorrow though.  yeah, yeah, yeah..... I'm not a sappy gal, but I love my Aussie.  Deal with it, yo!  ha.ha.

Anyways, off to watch some girlie tv (as I do when I have control of the tv!) and a possible EARLY bedtime as I am wiped!!!

ttfn

Spring in September?

One of the hardest things to adjust to since moving to Australia is the different seasons in the southern hemisphere.  At Christmas, it's hot.  In July, it's the coldest month.  Wait.  WHAT??  As I have mentioned before, there are many times in our winter (June/July/August) that I would find myself thinking about Christmas gifts, Thanksgiving, etc.  Only to go "waiiittttt a minute.  It's JUNE??".  My birthday (which I have refused to admit having since I turned 29 essentially..haha) is at the end of August.  In the northern hemisphere this is close to the end of summer, and the beginning of a new school year.  Here, it's the end of winter and a tad chilly.  It just feels so weird.  I know it'll never feel the same, so I've convinced myself instead of comparing to what I'm use to, to teach myself THIS is how it is NOW.  And it actually works pretty well.  For the most part. 

 

This weekend was a gorgeous one.  Blue skies.  No clouds.  Slight breeze.  I spent a couple hours late this afternoon at the beach about 5 minutes from our house.  I strolled along a path getting a nice walk in, then sat at a bench and observed, and on the pier and observed.  There is one set of rocks wayyy out in the ocean at this beach that every time I see I think of my dad.   Why?  Because he was joking around on his trip here in February that he wanted to swim out to the rocks...but was scared of sharks....and then suggested I swim ahead of him so if there were sharks, they'd get me first... lol... do ya feel the love???  Its little things like that that I always remember and cherish.

 

Anyways life down under has returned to normal since our trip.  I'm over the flu (thank GOD!) and work is back to giving me the total shits.  Oh well.  Wayne is currently away on his longest trip in months.  And not in a glorious area.  It's a country where apparently cannibalism is still an issue!!!  Last night as he was trying to reassure me on the trip he said "don't worry babe, there is no cannibalism at the airport"  I busted up laughing and said "I bet that's a statement you NEVER thought you would EVER say..."   I always worry about him on his trips, but this one I'm more worried about.  I was fine until him mum and grandfather expressed concern.  I will miss him and HOPE we have some way to talk while he's gone.  The trips with NO way to communicate are the longest ones.  Ever. 

 

Everything else is going pretty well.  We are still busy with a certain thing, and as soon as I can I will go into details on that.   ;) 

 

Come on...everyone loves a cliffhanger??? Right?????

 

Hehehehe.

 

Anyways, I am off to watch some Sunday night t.v. followed by taking up the ENTIRE bed (one of the only benefits of the boy being away.)  Until next time...