the things I will do to see a naked man.....

Its been a while since ive blogged, and i had a great trip to bangkok and caught up with the Hong Kong gals and had a great time. There is photographic evidence, and one of these days I will upload them. sometime...

I bought a bike (what else is there to do in canberra?) and today rode to work for the first time. I left pretty early as i wasnt sure how long it would take and where the shower was and all that stuff. So I got to work after riding my bike for 25 mins and pushing it up 2 hills. I locked my bike in the bike shed, and headed off to the showers. It was about 7:30, and no one else was around. I wandered through the 2 security doors, and found the lockers and showers. I took my time showering (it is a better shower than my one at home!) and then got dressed and headed up to the office and got to work.

I had a very slow uneventful day at work, and then was ready to ride back home, with the last of the daylight. I went back downstairs to head to the shower/change room. I went through the 2 security doors and was about to walk into the locker room, when i realised the one i went to this morning was the blokes one. I walked in to the girls one this afternoon and yep, it definately wasnt the one i went to this morning. So I showered in the mens changeroom. And nope unfortunately (or thankfully) i didnt run into anyone in the shower.

Other notable thingies:

*I signed up for volunteer work, and found one i wanted, and they told me they didnt need anyone for the next few months and they would call me when they do. They don't want me! So need to find a different one - and you know how picky i am.

* I'm thinking of signing up to a night class to do something during the week. and I was thinking english grammar. Cause let's be honest, i know shit all about grammar - and it will come in handy with all the documents i seem to be writing lately. (and yes i cant be bothered with caps atm)

* I might be in sydney this weekend to be fed a pesach (passover) feast, and b/c im sick of being alone in canberra.

Wish me luck for the ride tomorrow!

Happy St Paddy's from Bangkok

so its St Patricks day, which is also Will's birthday and I am in Bangkok watching the american verion of "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?". It is less offensive than the aussie version, ie. im still watching it. Im not sure why. Is it because the american host is less offensive than Rove? Or is it because its more fun to watch stupid idiot yanks than aussies? No offense katie, or jen or amy ;)
Maybe no one reads this and im safe ;)

Ive had a lovely week in Bangkok. My manager was in town with me last week, and we had a great time. of course she has now resigned. What is it with me and my managers resigning? its not fair. I continually find one i like and then they leave! oh well. if they keep sending me business class to fun places i may stick for a while...
By the way - are you smarter than a 5th grader - has a topic called Earth Sciences - the question was about american politics. Does this make sense?

So 2 more days of work, then im on holidays. I have organised a cooking course for thursday - cant wait! and Mandy and Sarah arrive thurs night, and shaz and amy arrive saturday. Going to be a very fun weekend. And then I return to Canberra for my boring life ;)

Oh and I dragged myself to an irish pub for st paddys, and had an overpriced beer and listed to amusing irish music an watched a very funny dorky thai fiddler.

Happy St Paddys to All, and Birthday to Will!

Qantas Club is the most happening place in Canberra!

I think this is because its Friday night. But I walk into the Qantas club and the place is buzzing! Almost no seats available and everyone in groups, drinking and chatting. Its like being in a bar. Except a cool bar that isnt in Canberra. So this is where everyone goes . (out of town). About half an hour later the next sydney flight is called and all the party animals split. Oh well I have my Heineken (which I had to spell by reading the bottle) my sausage rolls and my spinach and ricotta triangles. No more, as Im having dinner with the parents when I get back to Sydney.

So Im off to Sydney tonight then tomorrow night off to Bangkok. Finally getting excited. Maybe because im feeling slightly prepared - or more likely as I found out im flying business class. I cant wait! Its been a while since ive enjoyed business class on a flight that lasts more than 4 hours. Oh if anyone has any BAngkok recommendations let me know!

What else? Had a fun drunken housewarming - photos to come. Been working too hard this week. Found a tiny red back spider in my bed (very traumatic!) and now leaving Canberra yet again. Dont think I'll be in canberra for a wkend until mid april. Oh Well.

OK gotta go find the plane - may report from BAngkok (or sydney) ;)

Either I am getting better at building beds, or IKEA beds are very difficult!

When I first arrived in Hong Kong, and knew no one I bought myself a bed from IKEA. At this point I did not know they offer to assemble for an extra charge, so I set to build the bed myself. It took many painful days, and probably would not have been completed if not for Ben's phone call say "aren't you using an electric screwdriver?" and me going out to buy one.
So in the end I had a very shaky bed, and only then because Kevin arrived from Oz on the final day and help correct my mess.

So now it is 2 years later, (almost), and I arrived in Canberra - and this time I checked - no they don't offer the assembly package. Bugger. My flatmate and i managed to somehow squeeze the bed frame boxes into her old (well not new) sedan. I slowly set to put the bed together once again myself - still being without friends.

First up this dodgy cheap better didn't need a screwdriver - just 2 different allen keys. Its a lovely metal (and some wood) construction. And it was pretty easy. Really!

Who thinks this is because I have improved in the trade of bed building????

Wednesday the bedframe was finished - but no mattress yet so I put my blow up mattress on the bedframe. It was a little scary but I survived. Thursday my mattress arrived, so i have now had 2 nights on a real bed. Its been good, and I really thought that a real bed will erase the pain of the floor - but I think I still need a massage before I'm going to forget about the last 3 weeks!

I'm kinda enjoying the bed for other reasons. Its a great place to throw things on when I cant be bothered hanging them up, and don't want to throw them on the floor. Its great to kick things under, and due to my lack of other furniture its a great desk substitute. As exhibited now while updating my blog on the bed.

Alright as my be obvious by now, I am updating my blog to avoid tidying my room. I have to go and make my place ready for guests who will be arriving sometime this avo. Glad they're coming from Sydney (and Melb) - I may not be excited for the party, but I am excited to see my friends.

Oh and I made Choc Fridge Cake last night - and it tastes a little weird. (from licking the bowel). At first I thought it was because I used bundy rum instead of white rum - but I actually think it it because I used dodgy Aldi Chocolate. I was reading the packet - and i think it may have soy milk in it!!

Don't worry will only serve the cake once everyone's sloshed!

Why do I do this to myself?

Another year, another city, another bunch of strangers.
For those who haven't heard I have taken a job in Canberra.
Canberra is the capital of Australia, chosen because Sydney and Melbourne were fighting over it, so they stuck it in the middle of nowhere. Now Canberra is obviously not in the middle of nowhere - it is now a planned city - in fact Australia's largest inland city. Wooped de doo - basically that means the beach is 2.5 hrs away. I have just had my first weekend in Canberra and found a few things:
* Canberra is every bit as expensive as Sydney, and possibly more
* Buses can not be depended on at any time, but especially not on weekends
* Without a car, you are stuck (the exception to this may be a bike, but will let you know if that works for me)
* Strangers dont come up to me and beg for my friendship (OK not that this happened anywhere I have moved to but I live in hope)
* Everyone here works for the government or goes to university
* Everyone is in pairs - rather remenicient of Noahs ark
* There seems to be a shortage of things open after 5pm in Canberra (or 4 on a sunday)
* Friday night is their late night shopping (need I say more).

I have been living in Canberra for a couple of weeks but was out of the city the last two weekends. This weekend I managed to buy a bed, (not yet delivered) and spend masses of time alone - yet again. Once again I am reminded of how much I hate my own company. If nothing else it is good motivation to find friends.
The air is cleaner then Hong Kong. I am sitting on the balcony, in the evening sun eating turkish bread and hummus (dont think possible to get in HK) drinking some NZ white, and watching the little spider spin its web around my laptop. Yep nature - gotta love it. ( dOnt worry folks- i havent changed, that spider is no longer).

So im not sure if this blog will continue, but if you do stumble across it feel free to leave a comment. Oh and Im having a fight with my internet provider, so may be without internet very soon.

Next saturday is my housewarming. My flatmate is having at least 30 people, i am hoping for 5. Thankfully a few friends are coming from sydney so I dont feel so pathetic. Being friendless sux.
Oh bugger just got a mosquito bite. Damn nature.