After going for a run this morning (O.O) I know! First time in yonks! Margaret and I went out for lunch in Chatswood at a legit Shanghai restaurant for some realy dumplings! I've never had dumplings before- at least, not that I remember-- and we ordered 3 dishes + jasmine tea! Jasmine tea was very lovely, we ordered some fried chicken with chili sauce which was delicious, some green beans with shrimp and something else-or-rather which was also quite yummy and the best of all was some pork and coriander dumplings. They were absolutely divine. Yum yum.
This evening I went to a play with Margaret called Kindertransport. Directed by Margaret's lovely friend Caroline (Carole Moore). It was absolutely fantastic! Absolutely incredible. Pretty much, this nosey, selfish bitch of a daughter (called Faith) comes up to the attic and starts nosing around and finds this old suitcase with letters, documents and a German edition of the Pied Piper, all belonging to a girl called Eva. A Jewish girl sent to Manchester, England to escape Nazi Germany. She was 9 years old when she was sent to England. Faith questions her grandmother about it and gets all upset when she tells her to put it away and to stop it, and keeps right on nosing into this painful affair and discovers that this little girl that was sent to live with them in refuge from Germany is her own mother Evelyn. Faith gets absolutely upset and starts yelling at everyone how this is so unfair that she doesn't know this part of her heritage and why did everyone lie to her about everything and how she hates them. During this, you get scenes on the other side of the attic which doubles as a train station very convincingly, which is Evelyn's life starting when she was 9 and sent to England, and her life in England. It is absolutely fantastically done. So Faith is pushing and pushing Evelyn to remember everything- bringing up painful memories that Evelyn has put in the back of her mind to protect herself- and Faith (having no empathy for her mother what-so-ever) brings those things forward on a very selfish basis. Everything for this Faith character was all about me me me. (From the moment this character stepped on stage, I wanted to slap her, and especially by the end I definitely had a strong dislike for the character. The actor wasn't great either.) So Evelyn's character as a young child goes through all this painful hustle and bustle of life during the war, and then when Evelyn turns 17, her mother turns up having survived Auschwitz. Her mother wants Eva to come to New York with her where they can start a new life, but Evelyn having gotten settled in England doesn't want to leave, she doesn't remember this hollow-eyed, gaunt looking woman who she used to call mother. Evelyn does not pass this on to her british mother- that her real mother showed up until much later when she's telling her life story to pushy, selfish Faith.
In the end, it was a very, very well-done play. The set was amazing- spectacular. Lighting was superb as was the sound! Definitely one I would reccommend. I'll write a little bit of the director's notes because it is quite interesting:
Kindertransport was when 10,000 Jewish and other children went from Europe to England on the brink of World War 2, and was brought on by Kristallnacht (Night of broken Glass) on November 9 1938. The British governement allowed the children to come to England, and the first of the Kindertransport arrived on December 2 1938. At least 2 transports were made each week, and the children were placed in private homes and institutions where they were cared for. After the war, many chose to stay, some reunited with family members but most lost their entire families. As the director mentions there is a commemorative statue at Liverpool Station in London. This play deals with the emotional and spiritual dislocation of families after World War 2.
This play is one of the best I have ever seen.
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Monday, 29 July 2013
Royal Botanical Gardens in 24C!
Yesterday was a gorgeous day in Sydney! I was planning on going to Manly but after sleeping through my alarm, I was too late and decided to enjoy a day reading in the Royal Botanical Gardens instead. Lovely hot day :) Thoroughly enjoyed myself.
The walk to the Gardens. The Rocks.
Circular Quay.
The big blue!
The Gardens
So after pampering myself, lying on the grass, reading in the sunshine, I was looking for a place to eat. And didn't come across one that tickled my fancy or if it did, it was much too expensive. So I decided to get on the bus. I only had cash with me, and finally after 20 minutes of waiting in a crowd of people the bus driver shook his head at me and said, "Monday-Friday, 7 until 5 only. You should know that." Only when I looked like he had punched me in the face did he add, "Pay at the booth over there. There's still a few minutes." I got off the bus and went straight back into the Queen Victoria Building thinking how the %&(# am I going to get home. I walked around the entire building again and told myself, go find that booth that idiot was talking about. And sure enough it was right next to where I had been standing and easily bought myself a ticket, and only 5 minutes later did another bus come by. I was home just after 5 and relatively hungry.
Today I'm supposed to be cooking dinner and I'm just thinking of going to make some fresh pasta with pesto and salad, or if all else fails, frozen pizza. But for dessert I'm making a raw chocolate pudding it should be delicious!
I have no idea what the plans are for the next few days but I'm sure it will include some cleaning as well as cooking. I seem to have earned the nickname here of Cinderella or Cindy while staying in this marvelous household.
The weather was so fantastic yesterday +24C with not a cloud in the sky, today is not quite as nice, but still not bad at all for a winters day! +19C with clouds...and it might rain a bit this afternoon.
Today I'm supposed to be cooking dinner and I'm just thinking of going to make some fresh pasta with pesto and salad, or if all else fails, frozen pizza. But for dessert I'm making a raw chocolate pudding it should be delicious!
I have no idea what the plans are for the next few days but I'm sure it will include some cleaning as well as cooking. I seem to have earned the nickname here of Cinderella or Cindy while staying in this marvelous household.
The weather was so fantastic yesterday +24C with not a cloud in the sky, today is not quite as nice, but still not bad at all for a winters day! +19C with clouds...and it might rain a bit this afternoon.
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Chatswood: Full of eye-candy
Today I walked to Chatswood which about about 1/2 an hour walk. It was quite nice and I didn't get lost! I was originally out looking for a sweater to replace this canada one..and first bought some chocolate which I saved until getting home to share, and may I just say, it was DIVINE!
So after wandering around and not finding anything else, I decided to find a place for lunch, and it turned out to be a large Korean restaurant. It was run by Koreans, the menu was in Korean, there were Korean posters, Korean music and full of Koreans! And then a little white blonde girl walks in. hehe ^.^ I managed to order some beef short ribs soup otherwise known as galbitang or 갈비탕! I'd never had it before, but it was absolutely delicious. But first, arrived the side dishes. I was a little gob-smacked. I had absolutely forgotten about the side dishes, and it took me a while to figure which ones were what..
The red one is kimchi (I believe, there's broccoli..not sure what the other ones are called..
But regardless it took me an hour and I still didn't finish it. But it was absolutely delicious. (Plus I got to enjoy some eye candy.. hehe)
I was tempted to buy some makkoli (막걸리) or soju (소주), but I didn't because I had already treated myself to buying some chocolate for later.
I then began to head home, and was pulled short at Kathmandu by a sign that said "Clearance." I went in and found a sweater! Yay! And it was on sale, so I got a new sweater than I needed to replace the canada one :)
Successful day, and I got home nice and safely, listening to the kookaburra's in the trees and a whole ton of other birds who fills the air with their songs. It was lovely walking home.
I just looked up and the sky is actually purple and pink. Wow. That has never happened before! Purrrdyyy!
Anyway, tomorrow I'm planning to go to Manly Beach for the day! Some more photos should be hopefully coming your way for that!
So after wandering around and not finding anything else, I decided to find a place for lunch, and it turned out to be a large Korean restaurant. It was run by Koreans, the menu was in Korean, there were Korean posters, Korean music and full of Koreans! And then a little white blonde girl walks in. hehe ^.^ I managed to order some beef short ribs soup otherwise known as galbitang or 갈비탕! I'd never had it before, but it was absolutely delicious. But first, arrived the side dishes. I was a little gob-smacked. I had absolutely forgotten about the side dishes, and it took me a while to figure which ones were what..
The red one is kimchi (I believe, there's broccoli..not sure what the other ones are called..
I was tempted to buy some makkoli (막걸리) or soju (소주), but I didn't because I had already treated myself to buying some chocolate for later.
I then began to head home, and was pulled short at Kathmandu by a sign that said "Clearance." I went in and found a sweater! Yay! And it was on sale, so I got a new sweater than I needed to replace the canada one :)
Successful day, and I got home nice and safely, listening to the kookaburra's in the trees and a whole ton of other birds who fills the air with their songs. It was lovely walking home.
I just looked up and the sky is actually purple and pink. Wow. That has never happened before! Purrrdyyy!
Anyway, tomorrow I'm planning to go to Manly Beach for the day! Some more photos should be hopefully coming your way for that!
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Post-haircut
So last night, or rather, early morning, 2:30 am I was woken due to a horrid feeling in my stomach. I vomited and I believe it was all due to that powerful stench that reeks from my hair because of the perfume of shampoo, conditionner and mousse and whatever else they used in my hair. It was so gross and I will never go to an expensive hair salon again. I don't like being sick because of smells. Nasty chemicals.
I've never liked strong perfumes or any kind of perfume at all really, but I never had it made me sick before. And that's horrid, when perfumes are so strong they make you literally sick to your stomach. Something is wrong.
Anyway, this morning I had a long shower and cleaned my hair with non-perfumed shampoo to get rid of that disgusting smell. Now I'm feeling much better but still a little hollow-stomached.
I tried to book my tour and decide on dates that I should leave to Melbourne. I feel bad staying in one place for 5 weeks less 1 day in a welcoming home. I don't want to over-stay my welcome. And I feel that that's what's happening. I don't know where else I can go though.
I am about to go with my book and a cup of tea and sit out on the porch and read for a while. Sounds very nice and relaxing especially because the sun is out and shining something lovely.
I've never liked strong perfumes or any kind of perfume at all really, but I never had it made me sick before. And that's horrid, when perfumes are so strong they make you literally sick to your stomach. Something is wrong.
Anyway, this morning I had a long shower and cleaned my hair with non-perfumed shampoo to get rid of that disgusting smell. Now I'm feeling much better but still a little hollow-stomached.
I tried to book my tour and decide on dates that I should leave to Melbourne. I feel bad staying in one place for 5 weeks less 1 day in a welcoming home. I don't want to over-stay my welcome. And I feel that that's what's happening. I don't know where else I can go though.
I am about to go with my book and a cup of tea and sit out on the porch and read for a while. Sounds very nice and relaxing especially because the sun is out and shining something lovely.
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Haircut
It was definitely a good thing I put my alarm clock on yesterday. It woke me up from the deepest of sleep at 9:30. I had a hair appointment at 10.30. It was totally overpriced and expensive, but it was very nice to have my hair washed by someone else and then cut and styled. Wow. I'll probably never do that again in my whole life but it was nice while it lasted.
Pretty much the same as before. It was amazing how much thinning he did, but I think I like it. Well, I better like it after how much money I spent. Goodness. lol
After that, I went and closed my bank account that I didn't need anymore and took out all the money which should leave me enough cash for the rest of my journey in Australia and New Zealand.
This afternoon I looked up transport from Sydney to Melbourne and Darwin to Cairns, via trains, buses and airplanes. It looks like there are no buses from Darwin and Cairns with greyhound, so I'll have to fly that section...I think. So from Sydney to Melbourne I'll probably bus it because of that credit I have on my account from my cancelled return to the Snowy Mountains. Otherwise, I'd take the train. Other than that, not alot has happened. Last night, Margaret and I watched Mao's Last Dancer. I will never get sick of that movie. Ever.
It's been quite cold today, the wind is blowing and it's not sunny. I have a feeling it could rain.
So still I have no indication of my dates yet. But I am planning to book my tour tomorrow that goes from Melbourne to Darwin! Eeeeeeekkk!! So excited.
After that, I went and closed my bank account that I didn't need anymore and took out all the money which should leave me enough cash for the rest of my journey in Australia and New Zealand.
This afternoon I looked up transport from Sydney to Melbourne and Darwin to Cairns, via trains, buses and airplanes. It looks like there are no buses from Darwin and Cairns with greyhound, so I'll have to fly that section...I think. So from Sydney to Melbourne I'll probably bus it because of that credit I have on my account from my cancelled return to the Snowy Mountains. Otherwise, I'd take the train. Other than that, not alot has happened. Last night, Margaret and I watched Mao's Last Dancer. I will never get sick of that movie. Ever.
It's been quite cold today, the wind is blowing and it's not sunny. I have a feeling it could rain.
So still I have no indication of my dates yet. But I am planning to book my tour tomorrow that goes from Melbourne to Darwin! Eeeeeeekkk!! So excited.
Monday, 22 July 2013
Successful dinner and Volunteering!
Last night for the dinner...*drum roll* was.....!!! Thai style vegetables with rice! Turned out to be a huge hit, and for dessert I made a brownie cake with vanilla ice cream and some chocolate on top for decoration. I believe Laurie and Margaret liked it very much, so much that we ate the whole stir-fry in one night. I thought it would have lasted for at least 2 meals, but it was liked so much it was gone within 30 minutes of me completing it! I'm very happy ;)
This morning I went to volunteer with the RDA, riding for the disabled. It was very interesting, the people were wonderful and friendly. But it was a little boring. All I did was pick up poop. Twice. In the whole 1 1/2 hours. But that's okay, it was nice to watch! I definitely miss horses. I so wanted to ride myself. Oh well. I'll save that for Cape Tribulation. Oh, there has been a huge change of plan about my trip which sounds much better! And I've booked a hair cut for tomorrow which I'm very excited about.
So the plan is now, go down to Melbourne, around beginning of August. From mid august, do a tour for 18 days from Melbourne to Darwin. From Darwin go to Cairns. And do the trip I was planning from Sydney, backwards. So start in Cairns (maybe visit kuranda, palm cove, port douglas, daintree, cape tribulation and cooktown), and work my way down visiting the Whitsundays, Great Keppel Island, Fraiser Island, Noose, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Byron Bay, back to Sydney. I haven't planned what to visit between Sydney and Melbourne yet because I've only been focusing on going north of sydney because that was the plan until yesterday afternoon! So I've still got lots of planning to do, but I have lots of time to do it in. I am very excited I have to say! It sounds much more organized, and relaxing! I am ready!! WHEE!!
This morning I went to volunteer with the RDA, riding for the disabled. It was very interesting, the people were wonderful and friendly. But it was a little boring. All I did was pick up poop. Twice. In the whole 1 1/2 hours. But that's okay, it was nice to watch! I definitely miss horses. I so wanted to ride myself. Oh well. I'll save that for Cape Tribulation. Oh, there has been a huge change of plan about my trip which sounds much better! And I've booked a hair cut for tomorrow which I'm very excited about.
So the plan is now, go down to Melbourne, around beginning of August. From mid august, do a tour for 18 days from Melbourne to Darwin. From Darwin go to Cairns. And do the trip I was planning from Sydney, backwards. So start in Cairns (maybe visit kuranda, palm cove, port douglas, daintree, cape tribulation and cooktown), and work my way down visiting the Whitsundays, Great Keppel Island, Fraiser Island, Noose, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Byron Bay, back to Sydney. I haven't planned what to visit between Sydney and Melbourne yet because I've only been focusing on going north of sydney because that was the plan until yesterday afternoon! So I've still got lots of planning to do, but I have lots of time to do it in. I am very excited I have to say! It sounds much more organized, and relaxing! I am ready!! WHEE!!
Saturday, 20 July 2013
Coffee Festival and Backpack!
A big day today! Went out with Margaret into the city and visited to Aroma Coffee Festival. It was so busy, one lively market day! So busy, in fact, we couldn't even get a cup of coffee, so we satisfied our needs with cupcakes instead. After wandering around there, we saw a man playing the fire torches, juggling chainsaws and even climbed on top of a pole with a bike on it, and while sitting on the bike swallowed a blow-up sword which was so gross I stopped watching there. I was excited though to finally see a fire-eater, but he wasn't one. Pooey. Oh well, we then made our way up to the Quen Victoria Building, and had a coffee and a bite to eat. We made a trip to an outdoor store too where I bought my travel backpack which is the one that's coming with me all around Australia! It's so big and roomy and super comfortable to carry on my back...so far anyway ;) So I'm that one step closer to my voyage!
I've also started looking at the Queensland Railway, and I can't find a map that tells me where the stations are in certain areas/towns. It's so ridiculous, I might have to go into somewhere where I can talk to someone who knows things about this train! I'm very excited if I get to travel up to Cairns on the train!! *squeal!*
I can't post any photos I took today because I seem to have run flat all my batteries. So that's on my shopping list that I'm going to pursue tomorrow.
I've also started looking at the Queensland Railway, and I can't find a map that tells me where the stations are in certain areas/towns. It's so ridiculous, I might have to go into somewhere where I can talk to someone who knows things about this train! I'm very excited if I get to travel up to Cairns on the train!! *squeal!*
I can't post any photos I took today because I seem to have run flat all my batteries. So that's on my shopping list that I'm going to pursue tomorrow.
Friday, 19 July 2013
Paddy's Markets and Chinatown
Today was a pretty busy day for a holiday. This morning, I went to the apple store to pick up my computer from a repair job. (I dropped it off yesterday.) Then Margaret and I went out into the city to meet her mum for lunch which was really sweet and delicious. Her mother is such a sweetie!
After lunch, I went over to Paddy's markets. On the way, I saw the protest for "Refugees are welcome here!" against Rudd's decision of making them un-welcome. Pretty exciting stuff. Go them! I also signed a petition in chinatown for Falun Gong. It's about Falun Gong practitioners having been imprisonned without trial in labour camps, prisons and mental hospitals throughout China. Thousands of prisonners have died from torture and many more have been murdered for their bodily organs which are sold on the transplant market for profit. Interesting stuff. Falun Gong is a form of qigong. I'm learning something every day.
So at Paddy's markets I wandered around, and nothing was really super interesting. I bought a pair of flipflops, and I was looking for backpacks but I didn't find anything. Then after Paddy's markets, I wandered Chinatown and bought some coconut milk tea w/pearls. Which I promptly spilled all over my hands, so I had sticky hands all the way home! I got on the wrong bus which took 20 minutes to get home! What a day, lots of fun and interesting for sure!
Tomorrow, there is a aroma coffee festival in the city that I could go explore, or I could go to Manly Beach for lunch with Margaret. I cannot decide which one.
My planning is going quite well! I've planned my stops starting at Byron Bay all the way to Cairns, but I haven't decided if I'll get to go beyond Cairns, so we'll see about that. Now all that's left is sorting out transport, accommodation and a backpack and I'm all set. I have to stay in Sydney until July 24 for my deposit from my accommodation at Perisher. Hopefully there is no problems there.
After lunch, I went over to Paddy's markets. On the way, I saw the protest for "Refugees are welcome here!" against Rudd's decision of making them un-welcome. Pretty exciting stuff. Go them! I also signed a petition in chinatown for Falun Gong. It's about Falun Gong practitioners having been imprisonned without trial in labour camps, prisons and mental hospitals throughout China. Thousands of prisonners have died from torture and many more have been murdered for their bodily organs which are sold on the transplant market for profit. Interesting stuff. Falun Gong is a form of qigong. I'm learning something every day.
So at Paddy's markets I wandered around, and nothing was really super interesting. I bought a pair of flipflops, and I was looking for backpacks but I didn't find anything. Then after Paddy's markets, I wandered Chinatown and bought some coconut milk tea w/pearls. Which I promptly spilled all over my hands, so I had sticky hands all the way home! I got on the wrong bus which took 20 minutes to get home! What a day, lots of fun and interesting for sure!
Tomorrow, there is a aroma coffee festival in the city that I could go explore, or I could go to Manly Beach for lunch with Margaret. I cannot decide which one.
My planning is going quite well! I've planned my stops starting at Byron Bay all the way to Cairns, but I haven't decided if I'll get to go beyond Cairns, so we'll see about that. Now all that's left is sorting out transport, accommodation and a backpack and I'm all set. I have to stay in Sydney until July 24 for my deposit from my accommodation at Perisher. Hopefully there is no problems there.
Thursday, 18 July 2013
Arrival in Sydney & Food Frenzy!
After a 6 1/2 hour long bus ride, I am back in Sydney!
Yesterday, I made a trip into Sydney to get my computer looked at because that charging problem has come back- my computer is now at 9% and fully charged. Yeah right. So I have an appointment now with the apple store at 2.30pm. After visiting the downtown apple store to get that darn appointment, I went to a little cafe and treated myself to a soy mocha and a pain au chocolat <3 YUM. Did it ever taste good! I then got on the bus and returned to lane cove. Wandered around at went to the supermarket to get some almond milk, and then I past the bakers shop and couldn't resist getting 3 pain au chocolat's to bring home! So I ate lots of yummy things yesterday!!
Yesterday I also started my planning for trekking up north to Cairns. Places I want to see on the way, where to stay, etc etc. It's actually alot harder than I thought. I've read pretty much the entire Lonely Planet Guide to East Coast Australia, and it's awesome, and I've written down places I want to see, north of Sydney. So now all I need to do, is write an itinerary of what I want to do and see in each place, how long i'm staying there for and how I'm getting to it. It'll be quite interesting I have to say.
Today on the agenda is baking!! I've really, really wanted to start cooking about 10 days after getting to the snowfields. I've looked up recipes and I'm kind of half-dreaming about cooking/baking them all. The only thing I need to do now is actually get the ingredients and start cooking!
I am actually cooking dinner on Monday night, and I'm actually quite looking forward to it. I don't know what's gotten into me.
This morning, I really want to make scones and an orange almond cake. But for the latter, I want my mum's recipe and she hasn't sent it to me yet! So I can't go shopping for the ingredients because I don't know what I need! For scones, all I need is to make sure we have enough ingredients here, but I think we don't have any butter. So I'm going to have to make a trip into Lane Cove to get some butter, and I'm pretty sure a few other things are needed as well. I'll just have to check.
Yesterday, I made a trip into Sydney to get my computer looked at because that charging problem has come back- my computer is now at 9% and fully charged. Yeah right. So I have an appointment now with the apple store at 2.30pm. After visiting the downtown apple store to get that darn appointment, I went to a little cafe and treated myself to a soy mocha and a pain au chocolat <3 YUM. Did it ever taste good! I then got on the bus and returned to lane cove. Wandered around at went to the supermarket to get some almond milk, and then I past the bakers shop and couldn't resist getting 3 pain au chocolat's to bring home! So I ate lots of yummy things yesterday!!
Yesterday I also started my planning for trekking up north to Cairns. Places I want to see on the way, where to stay, etc etc. It's actually alot harder than I thought. I've read pretty much the entire Lonely Planet Guide to East Coast Australia, and it's awesome, and I've written down places I want to see, north of Sydney. So now all I need to do, is write an itinerary of what I want to do and see in each place, how long i'm staying there for and how I'm getting to it. It'll be quite interesting I have to say.
Today on the agenda is baking!! I've really, really wanted to start cooking about 10 days after getting to the snowfields. I've looked up recipes and I'm kind of half-dreaming about cooking/baking them all. The only thing I need to do now is actually get the ingredients and start cooking!
I am actually cooking dinner on Monday night, and I'm actually quite looking forward to it. I don't know what's gotten into me.
This morning, I really want to make scones and an orange almond cake. But for the latter, I want my mum's recipe and she hasn't sent it to me yet! So I can't go shopping for the ingredients because I don't know what I need! For scones, all I need is to make sure we have enough ingredients here, but I think we don't have any butter. So I'm going to have to make a trip into Lane Cove to get some butter, and I'm pretty sure a few other things are needed as well. I'll just have to check.
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Exploring Jindabyne
I'm now in Jindabyne! It all went smoothly yesterday, the packing, the cleaning, the good-byes... and this morning I've been out and about! I think I woke up at 6:30 am again, but forced myself to try and go back to sleep after all, it was pitch black in my room. Which I did, and I believe I ended up getting up at around 8:15ish.
I went to the post office to get all my mail forwarded back to Sydney and then went for a little walk around Lake Jindabyne. It definitely is beautiful! I've seen 5 different kinds of birds already this morning! (And dead kangaroos and wombats from roadkill...) but it's really pretty here. I particularly like the trees, and i was even blessed with blue sky today, although the mountains look dark and rainy-- haha suckers!! Anyway, tonight is my bus to Sydney and I'm planning to maybe go out for another walk or just chillax in Tessa's house. Everyone is out and busy, so I'm pretty much on my own.
These were taken last night on the road from Perisher...
Above is Smiggin Holes where Willow Lodge(my dorm) was based. This was before the rain hit. it's brown and closing now.
This view from my room window.
I went to the post office to get all my mail forwarded back to Sydney and then went for a little walk around Lake Jindabyne. It definitely is beautiful! I've seen 5 different kinds of birds already this morning! (And dead kangaroos and wombats from roadkill...) but it's really pretty here. I particularly like the trees, and i was even blessed with blue sky today, although the mountains look dark and rainy-- haha suckers!! Anyway, tonight is my bus to Sydney and I'm planning to maybe go out for another walk or just chillax in Tessa's house. Everyone is out and busy, so I'm pretty much on my own.
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| This is Lake Jindabyne on my morning stroll. |
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| Look at the pretty trees!! |
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| Even blessed with blue sky today!! It's so warm, and the mountains are covered in gray rain clouds-suckers! |
Sunday, 14 July 2013
unemployed
So I no longer work at Perisher. What an interesting day.
Got no work, except for the meeting that we had this morning. And then, they called me in and so they wanted me to leave today. So I didn't really have a choice, and so I am supposed to leave in I think 2 days. Wow. Short notice, but oh well.
I'm just doing one last laundry run in Willow and I'm drying out my boots so tomorow will be busy packing packing packing. And then I believe Tessa said I could come over to her house Tuesday and sleep there and then decide what to do.
Bt you know what the sad part is, some lyrics popped into my head after I left the locker room with all my shit, "I'm on my way from misery to happiness today...uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh." wow. That's the sad part. Oh well.
My wrist is still excruciatingly painful and it's getting worse as the day's go on, so I might have to do something about it.
oh well. I have a little bit more to do. so byebye
Got no work, except for the meeting that we had this morning. And then, they called me in and so they wanted me to leave today. So I didn't really have a choice, and so I am supposed to leave in I think 2 days. Wow. Short notice, but oh well.
I'm just doing one last laundry run in Willow and I'm drying out my boots so tomorow will be busy packing packing packing. And then I believe Tessa said I could come over to her house Tuesday and sleep there and then decide what to do.
Bt you know what the sad part is, some lyrics popped into my head after I left the locker room with all my shit, "I'm on my way from misery to happiness today...uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh." wow. That's the sad part. Oh well.
My wrist is still excruciatingly painful and it's getting worse as the day's go on, so I might have to do something about it.
oh well. I have a little bit more to do. so byebye
Saturday, 13 July 2013
Rain, rain, rain!
So this season is apparently the worst they've had, it hit a whole +10 C yesterday and so now everything is on the melt, and it's raining because it's too warm! The snow is shitty and everything is getting super wet! I went into work this morning, didn't get a lesson at 9, so I stayed in the locker room with the other instructors that didn't get a lesson. We played cards, and then one round there was a punishment of the loser having to run/crawl between the legs of the other players while getting spanked getting through. And guess who was the first loser. ME. lol it was funny, and it was particularly hard because one I was in ski boots and two because my uniform pants are like 10 x too big, so by the time I had passed the first two, my pants were falling down. Ooops. Oh well, it was fun. Then we went out for 11, and again didn't get a lesson...and I was told not to sign out and go home because I'll be needed for a 1:30 lesson. So I stayed and sure enough 1:30 came around and I didn't get a lesson. So now I'm at home drinking the hot chocolate I'd been imagining drinking all day!
I think my termination of employment is going to come sooner than I expected...I'll keep you posted.
I think my termination of employment is going to come sooner than I expected...I'll keep you posted.
Friday, 12 July 2013
Grumpy overall
So I'm kind of grumpy today, but for a few different reasons.
Reason number 1 is that I don't have any chocolate left because I ate it all last night. And I couldn't find any chocolate at work for $2 or under. So I am being denied my chocolate... ><
Reason number 2 is that I didn't get any work today and still had to get up and show my face. I don't even get paid to do that. Ridiculous
Reason number 3 is that I am seriously considering just leaving. I still am not feeling like I am able to put forth my 100% towards teaching like I was at COP. I love loving to get up in the morning and go to work because I love my job. Here I don't feel that love. I don't want to get up and go to work.
Reason number 4 is that I came home and I was craving an egg and ham sandwich and it didn't even taste as good as I wanted it to. BOO!!
Reason number 5 is that the part-time instructors all got sacked yesterday because there was no work, and only now I realize that all the friends I made were part timers. So now, I have to start again. great.
Reason number 6 is the my wrist has never been so painful before. It's still no swollen but its weird because it seems to be a slightly redder/darker skin than the other wrist...it might just be my imagination but still. I'm not happy about this injury. Its so f&(&%^ sore!!
So I am overall quite grumpy. I'm going to give this place another week before I ask my supervisor for my end date. I have booked a bus to Sydney, and all I need to look into is seeing how to cancel the return. If that's the way this is going to go down.
So very upset.
But the good thing is that I am now going to volunteer while I'm in Sydney! With riding for the disabled which is super exciting!! WOOT WOOT! I'm quite excited about that!!
And then Malala Yousafzai addressed the united nations youth assembly!!!! SUPER COOL! She is definitely an inspiration!
Reason number 1 is that I don't have any chocolate left because I ate it all last night. And I couldn't find any chocolate at work for $2 or under. So I am being denied my chocolate... ><
Reason number 2 is that I didn't get any work today and still had to get up and show my face. I don't even get paid to do that. Ridiculous
Reason number 3 is that I am seriously considering just leaving. I still am not feeling like I am able to put forth my 100% towards teaching like I was at COP. I love loving to get up in the morning and go to work because I love my job. Here I don't feel that love. I don't want to get up and go to work.
Reason number 4 is that I came home and I was craving an egg and ham sandwich and it didn't even taste as good as I wanted it to. BOO!!
Reason number 5 is that the part-time instructors all got sacked yesterday because there was no work, and only now I realize that all the friends I made were part timers. So now, I have to start again. great.
Reason number 6 is the my wrist has never been so painful before. It's still no swollen but its weird because it seems to be a slightly redder/darker skin than the other wrist...it might just be my imagination but still. I'm not happy about this injury. Its so f&(&%^ sore!!
So I am overall quite grumpy. I'm going to give this place another week before I ask my supervisor for my end date. I have booked a bus to Sydney, and all I need to look into is seeing how to cancel the return. If that's the way this is going to go down.
So very upset.
But the good thing is that I am now going to volunteer while I'm in Sydney! With riding for the disabled which is super exciting!! WOOT WOOT! I'm quite excited about that!!
And then Malala Yousafzai addressed the united nations youth assembly!!!! SUPER COOL! She is definitely an inspiration!
Thursday, 11 July 2013
Another bluebird day!
So, today was another day that was difficult to get up out of bed for. But the weather is nice and warm and the sky is blue and the sun continues to shine down!
I had no work this morning so went free skiing with my two part-timer friends which was a blast!
Today, they sacked all of the part-timers because there wasn't enough work. So, that's rather unfortunate. So this last skiing morning that we did, we went up to the ridge and had a fantastic view of the mountains. The snow was a little slushy, but for the aussie mountains, that was excellent snow, so I might have to lower my standards alot.
But then I had a very beginner kids class which was incredibly boring, but what can I say? the kids were the ones that either didn't want to be there or got ahead of themselves and were crashing all the time. And I can't pick up any kids or even help them so it definitely was a longer class, but oh well.
No work this afternoon either which is fine by me. I went grocery shopping at the perisher mart, just to stock up on those necessities like bread and chocolate, carrots and canned spaghetti. So I should easily be able to last for at least another week until I can get to Jindy with Tessa!
My right wrist is still really sore, like there is a sharp pain..but it's not swelling or anything so I'm just going to wait and see what happens.
I am still super duper excited about my trip to Sydney, and I for certain have those days off! Woot!
Also next week, everyone is supposed to get 2 days off because there isn't enough business to go around which makes me believe that maybe they will be sacking more people :( Oh well, we'll see how it goes, I want to at least make it until the middle of August!
I had no work this morning so went free skiing with my two part-timer friends which was a blast!
Today, they sacked all of the part-timers because there wasn't enough work. So, that's rather unfortunate. So this last skiing morning that we did, we went up to the ridge and had a fantastic view of the mountains. The snow was a little slushy, but for the aussie mountains, that was excellent snow, so I might have to lower my standards alot.
But then I had a very beginner kids class which was incredibly boring, but what can I say? the kids were the ones that either didn't want to be there or got ahead of themselves and were crashing all the time. And I can't pick up any kids or even help them so it definitely was a longer class, but oh well.
No work this afternoon either which is fine by me. I went grocery shopping at the perisher mart, just to stock up on those necessities like bread and chocolate, carrots and canned spaghetti. So I should easily be able to last for at least another week until I can get to Jindy with Tessa!
My right wrist is still really sore, like there is a sharp pain..but it's not swelling or anything so I'm just going to wait and see what happens.
I am still super duper excited about my trip to Sydney, and I for certain have those days off! Woot!
Also next week, everyone is supposed to get 2 days off because there isn't enough business to go around which makes me believe that maybe they will be sacking more people :( Oh well, we'll see how it goes, I want to at least make it until the middle of August!
Wednesday, 10 July 2013
Great day
Great day today! Got approved of my week off, and so I booked my bus! July 31 to August 10th! Woot, a whole 9 days away! Yay!
Great weather today too and good groups. Had an adult beginner class who ended up being able to parrallel turn by the end of the 2 hour lesson. (I don't believe them when they told me they were beginners)...then a kids group which was really slow. Beginners as well, but 4 teenagers and then a 5 and 7 year old. So ridiculous age split. The teenagers got stopping easy but the 5 and 7 year old struggled lots, so we had to stay with stopping for the whole lesson. I felt bad for the teenagers to be not doing anything new. But what can I do? Last was the private lesson I had for the past 2 days, awesome free skiing all around blue cow! so woot!
I had to fill out an injury report for myself though. My right wrist is quite painful after yesterday. (I had to help a large kid stand up over and over again..) I thought it was going to be okay because my wrist does get sore easy, it's weaker, and it's happened at COP. But this is like 10 x more sore than before. I can't even rotate my wrist. It hurts picking up the smallest thing like a water bottle. So I filed an injury report and if it gets any worse I have to go down to the medical room.. boo!
Another sucker for today is that internet issue that I had...that telstra doesn't accept canadian credit cards, well it doesn't like my paypal either. So it obviously doesn't want me to recharge at all...booo
Still haven't recieved my medicare card either so I'm going to give them a call soon or wait until I go down to sydney and talk with them in the office.
I can't wait for my 9 days off! It's only 20 days away! Then it's split my season right down the middle which makes it seems shorter than it already is! I am very excited to go back! I got an evening bus going, and I have a early morning bus leaving which is rather unfortunate but what can I do?
So I have no idea whats for dinner tonight, but whatever it is it's going to taste yummy and have something green in it. Maybe spaghetti again? or baked beans on toast? or a grilled cheese sandwich? I don't know, we'll see. I only have a very minimum amount of ingredients...it'll probably end up being spaghetti. But I don't know! We'll see if there are any left over saucepans!
Great weather today too and good groups. Had an adult beginner class who ended up being able to parrallel turn by the end of the 2 hour lesson. (I don't believe them when they told me they were beginners)...then a kids group which was really slow. Beginners as well, but 4 teenagers and then a 5 and 7 year old. So ridiculous age split. The teenagers got stopping easy but the 5 and 7 year old struggled lots, so we had to stay with stopping for the whole lesson. I felt bad for the teenagers to be not doing anything new. But what can I do? Last was the private lesson I had for the past 2 days, awesome free skiing all around blue cow! so woot!
I had to fill out an injury report for myself though. My right wrist is quite painful after yesterday. (I had to help a large kid stand up over and over again..) I thought it was going to be okay because my wrist does get sore easy, it's weaker, and it's happened at COP. But this is like 10 x more sore than before. I can't even rotate my wrist. It hurts picking up the smallest thing like a water bottle. So I filed an injury report and if it gets any worse I have to go down to the medical room.. boo!
Another sucker for today is that internet issue that I had...that telstra doesn't accept canadian credit cards, well it doesn't like my paypal either. So it obviously doesn't want me to recharge at all...booo
Still haven't recieved my medicare card either so I'm going to give them a call soon or wait until I go down to sydney and talk with them in the office.
I can't wait for my 9 days off! It's only 20 days away! Then it's split my season right down the middle which makes it seems shorter than it already is! I am very excited to go back! I got an evening bus going, and I have a early morning bus leaving which is rather unfortunate but what can I do?
So I have no idea whats for dinner tonight, but whatever it is it's going to taste yummy and have something green in it. Maybe spaghetti again? or baked beans on toast? or a grilled cheese sandwich? I don't know, we'll see. I only have a very minimum amount of ingredients...it'll probably end up being spaghetti. But I don't know! We'll see if there are any left over saucepans!
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Night-skiing
Last night, I went night-skiing with my room-mate Mari! It was a blast!
I can tell you that for sure! It was spectacular, and what was even awesomer was the fireworks! FIREWORKS! WOOT
So that was the best night ever.
This morning it wasn't too bad. I had 2 retail kid lessons which were okay, then the private that I had yesterday which was lots of fun as always! The weather wasn't as hot as yesterday but still nice and sunny with a few dark clouds. I heard that over the weekend, it's supposed to rain! Good-bye snow! But we'll see how that goes!
Today I also asked for a week off in the beginning of August so I am able to come down to sydney for a week or so! That would be totally sick! So I'm debating on whether or not to book the bus today or not. I think I'll wait until tomorrow to see if I get the OK first. XD YAY! That definitely gives me something to look forward too which is in the closer future. It also splits the season in half which will be nice!
I'm also having a little bit of trouble with the USB Telstra prepaid internet stick thing. It won't let me recharge so I'm going to run out of internet very fast. So if anyone has a trick.
It tells me after I enter my credit card details and such, it says without any delay 'sorry, the 'financial instituition' declines this transaction. So no matter how hard I try, it will not let me to recharge...
I can tell you that for sure! It was spectacular, and what was even awesomer was the fireworks! FIREWORKS! WOOT
So that was the best night ever.
This morning it wasn't too bad. I had 2 retail kid lessons which were okay, then the private that I had yesterday which was lots of fun as always! The weather wasn't as hot as yesterday but still nice and sunny with a few dark clouds. I heard that over the weekend, it's supposed to rain! Good-bye snow! But we'll see how that goes!
Today I also asked for a week off in the beginning of August so I am able to come down to sydney for a week or so! That would be totally sick! So I'm debating on whether or not to book the bus today or not. I think I'll wait until tomorrow to see if I get the OK first. XD YAY! That definitely gives me something to look forward too which is in the closer future. It also splits the season in half which will be nice!
I'm also having a little bit of trouble with the USB Telstra prepaid internet stick thing. It won't let me recharge so I'm going to run out of internet very fast. So if anyone has a trick.
It tells me after I enter my credit card details and such, it says without any delay 'sorry, the 'financial instituition' declines this transaction. So no matter how hard I try, it will not let me to recharge...
Wonderful, gorgeous day in Blue Cow!
What a wonderful Day! The sun was shining, blue sky everywhere and the snow stayed hanging on the trees all day! It was absolutely gorgeous!
this morning I had a private which was very nice, and then a kids group. (the one I taught yesterday, the one with the missing kid) which was okay, it wasn't my favourite at all...but oh well. And then, at one o'clock I had a surprise lesson which I didn't know about until 1:10...so I was 10 minutes late but no one had bothered to tell me so it's not my fault. Either way, the lady seemed understanding about it and I pushed it 10 minutes after the lesson so they got the full hour. So today I got 5 hours and even got to ride the chairlifts today! woot woot!
Tonight I'm going night-skiing with Mari, my room-mate and I'm very excited about that. I also heard rumors of fireworks!
Today I decided that I am going to stay the whole season.
I have also decided that from August 1 to the 10th, I'm going to go back to Sydney for a week! I'm going to ask tomorrow for the time off. The bus doesn't leave until 5 pm from Bullocks Flats so I can work August 1, and then I come back in the afternoon on the 10th, so it'll be really nice after that break! It gives me something to look forward too, and that way it splits up the rest of the season pretty well down the middle. 3 weeks until then, then after 4 or so weeks afterwards. So it makes it quite nice!
This makes me excited for something!
Also last night I was reading my lonely planet guide which made me want to start writing itineraries and planning my adventure after work!! so we'll see what happens for sure. Finally things are starting to look up! Let's stay on this positive track!! WOOT!!
this morning I had a private which was very nice, and then a kids group. (the one I taught yesterday, the one with the missing kid) which was okay, it wasn't my favourite at all...but oh well. And then, at one o'clock I had a surprise lesson which I didn't know about until 1:10...so I was 10 minutes late but no one had bothered to tell me so it's not my fault. Either way, the lady seemed understanding about it and I pushed it 10 minutes after the lesson so they got the full hour. So today I got 5 hours and even got to ride the chairlifts today! woot woot!
Tonight I'm going night-skiing with Mari, my room-mate and I'm very excited about that. I also heard rumors of fireworks!
Today I decided that I am going to stay the whole season.
I have also decided that from August 1 to the 10th, I'm going to go back to Sydney for a week! I'm going to ask tomorrow for the time off. The bus doesn't leave until 5 pm from Bullocks Flats so I can work August 1, and then I come back in the afternoon on the 10th, so it'll be really nice after that break! It gives me something to look forward too, and that way it splits up the rest of the season pretty well down the middle. 3 weeks until then, then after 4 or so weeks afterwards. So it makes it quite nice!
This makes me excited for something!
Also last night I was reading my lonely planet guide which made me want to start writing itineraries and planning my adventure after work!! so we'll see what happens for sure. Finally things are starting to look up! Let's stay on this positive track!! WOOT!!
Sunday, 7 July 2013
Organized? Chaos
What an interesting day...
So I actually got 4 hours of work today, made $89.24! WOOT!
In the morning, I had a never before skier kids lesson which was good and fun. Aussie kids are so quiet and don't like being loud, they don't show any enthusiasm what so ever, very unlike Canadian children. So that was okay. I then had another group of kids who I thought were a never-before skier group, but actually they were a group that had skied before, as the supervisor pointed out. So that was rather embarrassing because no one had told me that, so here I was beginning a lesson for people who had actually skied before. I had a group of 9 kids i think. I also think that aussie kids have listening disabilites because I have not had one group where they actually listen to what I ask/say. Anyway, so after that embarrassing start, there was a little girl that was crying her eyes out because she didn't want to be there, and so her dad (I assumed) stayed with her for the whole time. After the first run, he asked if he could take her out of the lesson and do some free skiing on her own. I said whatever, and by the time we were at the top, the two other girls who had shown up with her also decided to leave the lesson. So- it's up to them so whatever- I don't care. Now I only had 6 kids. After the 3 girls had left. Funniy enough, I only counted 5 and got my class card out to count, and I didn't find anyone missing, so I must have miscounted or something. So anyway, I had one kid who had a really weird name like munigo or something and I had been calling him something like Parker for the whole first hour, and he didn't say anything to me until 40 minutes before the lesson ended. So whatever. Oops. Then my supervisor came up to me with a kid in tow, crap, so I did actually loose one. But it definitely wasn't my fault. I had told them where to meet at the top of the lift, and it's a group of 9 kids, if that kid just stuck with the other kids then he would've have gotten lost and I know he wasn't the first one on the carpet so he just wasn't paying attention or listening. Whatever. So at the end of the lesson when we were on our way up the carpet, the carpet stopped for a really long time and so our class got a little separated because half of them were up the carpet starting to walk up and half of us were still at the very bottom of the lift. At the end of the lesson when we finally got up to the top, I couldn't see any of my kids, and I only spoke with 1 parent to pick up that funny named kid. Not one of them had listened to me to wait for them at the top. And because they hadn't listened the 2nd time we went up the carpet, I spoke to them and made sure they knew what they were supposed to do, and the next run they did it. But for the final run they just ditched at the top. I'm in the 'whatever' mood because I don't have to sign them out or anything anyway. But still, it's so different from COP, it's ridiculous. Also they expect us to hear and answer our phones out on the hill, and I can't hear mine whether it's on me or not, so I don't bother bringing it generally. That is unprofessional if you ask me, having instructors teaching a lesson, answering their phones when it rings etc, etc. Freakin retarded.
Anyway, so after lunch of my vegemite and cheese sandwich, Tessa talked me into going out skiing to explore. So I went by myself and explored a little bit of Blue Cow, and she is right. It's not hard and really hard to get lost, so that was good. However, it's sign posted horribly. Again, if it doesn't say anything, you're on the main run that you are desperately looking for. I took some photos too of what it was like up there, and yes, it is pretty.....
So I actually got 4 hours of work today, made $89.24! WOOT!
In the morning, I had a never before skier kids lesson which was good and fun. Aussie kids are so quiet and don't like being loud, they don't show any enthusiasm what so ever, very unlike Canadian children. So that was okay. I then had another group of kids who I thought were a never-before skier group, but actually they were a group that had skied before, as the supervisor pointed out. So that was rather embarrassing because no one had told me that, so here I was beginning a lesson for people who had actually skied before. I had a group of 9 kids i think. I also think that aussie kids have listening disabilites because I have not had one group where they actually listen to what I ask/say. Anyway, so after that embarrassing start, there was a little girl that was crying her eyes out because she didn't want to be there, and so her dad (I assumed) stayed with her for the whole time. After the first run, he asked if he could take her out of the lesson and do some free skiing on her own. I said whatever, and by the time we were at the top, the two other girls who had shown up with her also decided to leave the lesson. So- it's up to them so whatever- I don't care. Now I only had 6 kids. After the 3 girls had left. Funniy enough, I only counted 5 and got my class card out to count, and I didn't find anyone missing, so I must have miscounted or something. So anyway, I had one kid who had a really weird name like munigo or something and I had been calling him something like Parker for the whole first hour, and he didn't say anything to me until 40 minutes before the lesson ended. So whatever. Oops. Then my supervisor came up to me with a kid in tow, crap, so I did actually loose one. But it definitely wasn't my fault. I had told them where to meet at the top of the lift, and it's a group of 9 kids, if that kid just stuck with the other kids then he would've have gotten lost and I know he wasn't the first one on the carpet so he just wasn't paying attention or listening. Whatever. So at the end of the lesson when we were on our way up the carpet, the carpet stopped for a really long time and so our class got a little separated because half of them were up the carpet starting to walk up and half of us were still at the very bottom of the lift. At the end of the lesson when we finally got up to the top, I couldn't see any of my kids, and I only spoke with 1 parent to pick up that funny named kid. Not one of them had listened to me to wait for them at the top. And because they hadn't listened the 2nd time we went up the carpet, I spoke to them and made sure they knew what they were supposed to do, and the next run they did it. But for the final run they just ditched at the top. I'm in the 'whatever' mood because I don't have to sign them out or anything anyway. But still, it's so different from COP, it's ridiculous. Also they expect us to hear and answer our phones out on the hill, and I can't hear mine whether it's on me or not, so I don't bother bringing it generally. That is unprofessional if you ask me, having instructors teaching a lesson, answering their phones when it rings etc, etc. Freakin retarded.
Anyway, so after lunch of my vegemite and cheese sandwich, Tessa talked me into going out skiing to explore. So I went by myself and explored a little bit of Blue Cow, and she is right. It's not hard and really hard to get lost, so that was good. However, it's sign posted horribly. Again, if it doesn't say anything, you're on the main run that you are desperately looking for. I took some photos too of what it was like up there, and yes, it is pretty.....
Saturday, 6 July 2013
No work...again
Haha okay, well maybe that was easier said than done.
Didn't get any work today again, and felt quite frustrated. I think that the supervisor picked up on my unhappiness and talked with me after dealing with everyone else. He baby-talked to me about how Blue Cow runs, where the runs go, and pretty much told me everything in a rather sarcastic tone. Which made me even more angry. So in a huff, I went off into the office to speak to the head manager at Blue Cow. I told her how I'd been feeling and everything, but of course as soon as I'm in a position to talk badly to someone I've never met, I shrink up and don't have much to say at all. That's embarrassing as it comes because I can rant and rant on and on to anyone who knows me even a little. So anyway, she pretty much told me to keep it together and try to stay for at least another two weeks, until the school holidays finish and then give it another week, just to be sure that you're not enjoying it still and you can't stand it. She understands about me wanting to quit, and how did she put it...the season starts off straight to the get go straight into the holidays and it is up to our necks in deep water and management is still trying to figure out how to manage all the blue cow retail lessons. (Maybe that's where it's all going wrong..because no one knows anything about anything...)
So she says I can come to her anytime I want to talk about anything. She says, once the school holidays are done there is going to be training sessions and stuff. (Which are un-paid)
You know what else isn't good. Here, I have to get up every day and go into work, get dressed and ready for work, go out on snow and if there's no work for the first session, then I have to wait 2 hours, for the next session to see if I get lucky. But all that waiting is un-paid. Hmm.
So in the end after waiting 3 hours, I came home and there's another international girl from the UK here and she was also having a rough day and got sent home too. The same thing happened to her as it did to me on my first day of discovery. The supervisor comes up to you and says, "This person here is going to take over the lesson. Introduce the kids to him/her and come talk to me after." She thought she was going to get the sack, as I did when that happened to me. (After, we ate cookies, drank tea and watched Finding Nemo) Both her and I went on a rant about how awful we are treated as employees and how that if we did end up getting in trouble how we wouldn't trust that our supervisors/managers would have our backs. They seem to have the idea that the customers are always right, and we abide by their rules even though we are the ones organizing and running and offering the lessons. I mean, on the first day of work at Blue Cow, I had no idea what the sign out procedure was, and I had a parent come up to me and take their kid, she asked if it was alright, and of course, at COP, it was very strict that they had to wait until I got back to the flag and collected the password from the parent so that we knew they weren't some kidnapper, so I had no idea. She got very upset with having to wait around and said in a firm voice "I'm taking him, he's my responsability now." and of course I raised my hands in the surrender position and said whatever, you take him if that's the way it works. So of course, I just let him go. And it's times like that where no-one has told you anything about signing out.
So I asked that supervisor that was mocking me about the duty of care, and he just said, yes you just sign them out. not explaining, saying it's just like Canada. Well obviously it's not because I could never have let that parent take that kid without her signature and password at both the start and end of the lesson. But they just drop their kids without talking to the instructor at the beginning and if they are swapped around the parents get upset. And it seems like we're at the parents beck and call, we'd have to wipe their bottom if they asked us too. So it's freakin retarded.
So on the 20th of July, I am going to ask the question, Is this worth fighting for?
Also I've heard rumors that after this school holidays that they are sacking lots of staff because they are way over-staffed. Of course, they couldn't figure that out when they were hiring us. But nope, I've heard that quite a few people in all the departments are going to get the sack in a week or two.
We'll see what happens I suppose.
Didn't get any work today again, and felt quite frustrated. I think that the supervisor picked up on my unhappiness and talked with me after dealing with everyone else. He baby-talked to me about how Blue Cow runs, where the runs go, and pretty much told me everything in a rather sarcastic tone. Which made me even more angry. So in a huff, I went off into the office to speak to the head manager at Blue Cow. I told her how I'd been feeling and everything, but of course as soon as I'm in a position to talk badly to someone I've never met, I shrink up and don't have much to say at all. That's embarrassing as it comes because I can rant and rant on and on to anyone who knows me even a little. So anyway, she pretty much told me to keep it together and try to stay for at least another two weeks, until the school holidays finish and then give it another week, just to be sure that you're not enjoying it still and you can't stand it. She understands about me wanting to quit, and how did she put it...the season starts off straight to the get go straight into the holidays and it is up to our necks in deep water and management is still trying to figure out how to manage all the blue cow retail lessons. (Maybe that's where it's all going wrong..because no one knows anything about anything...)
So she says I can come to her anytime I want to talk about anything. She says, once the school holidays are done there is going to be training sessions and stuff. (Which are un-paid)
You know what else isn't good. Here, I have to get up every day and go into work, get dressed and ready for work, go out on snow and if there's no work for the first session, then I have to wait 2 hours, for the next session to see if I get lucky. But all that waiting is un-paid. Hmm.
So in the end after waiting 3 hours, I came home and there's another international girl from the UK here and she was also having a rough day and got sent home too. The same thing happened to her as it did to me on my first day of discovery. The supervisor comes up to you and says, "This person here is going to take over the lesson. Introduce the kids to him/her and come talk to me after." She thought she was going to get the sack, as I did when that happened to me. (After, we ate cookies, drank tea and watched Finding Nemo) Both her and I went on a rant about how awful we are treated as employees and how that if we did end up getting in trouble how we wouldn't trust that our supervisors/managers would have our backs. They seem to have the idea that the customers are always right, and we abide by their rules even though we are the ones organizing and running and offering the lessons. I mean, on the first day of work at Blue Cow, I had no idea what the sign out procedure was, and I had a parent come up to me and take their kid, she asked if it was alright, and of course, at COP, it was very strict that they had to wait until I got back to the flag and collected the password from the parent so that we knew they weren't some kidnapper, so I had no idea. She got very upset with having to wait around and said in a firm voice "I'm taking him, he's my responsability now." and of course I raised my hands in the surrender position and said whatever, you take him if that's the way it works. So of course, I just let him go. And it's times like that where no-one has told you anything about signing out.
So I asked that supervisor that was mocking me about the duty of care, and he just said, yes you just sign them out. not explaining, saying it's just like Canada. Well obviously it's not because I could never have let that parent take that kid without her signature and password at both the start and end of the lesson. But they just drop their kids without talking to the instructor at the beginning and if they are swapped around the parents get upset. And it seems like we're at the parents beck and call, we'd have to wipe their bottom if they asked us too. So it's freakin retarded.
So on the 20th of July, I am going to ask the question, Is this worth fighting for?
Also I've heard rumors that after this school holidays that they are sacking lots of staff because they are way over-staffed. Of course, they couldn't figure that out when they were hiring us. But nope, I've heard that quite a few people in all the departments are going to get the sack in a week or two.
We'll see what happens I suppose.
Friday, 5 July 2013
Wake up Call much..!!
So, I was having a hard time with life at the moment. And obviously, thinking of quitting and leaving Perisher because they suck. (Perisher does suck no matter what else I say in this blog)...
So I was messaging Lalaina (my bestest friend ever!!) about my problems and my unhappiness, and she told me some really helpful things that I'm going to share. They gave me tons of motivation and after all, this is an excellent experience for me, and this is just the beginning of adult life of complications and hardships. So Lalaina told me a quote, "Every time you wake up, you should say to yourself, what should I celebrate today?" I thought that was absolutely great, and have started to think this way. It is a lot harder than it sounds for sure, but it's very worth it. Happiness is an inside job. Sometime we have to have the strength, courage and determination and we must go through hardships. That is what shapes us and makes us better people. The choice is, is this hardship worth fighting for? The hardships make you realize what is important to you and shifts your views, goals and life altogether. Remember even Disney princesses have hardship and then the happy ending. It's not happy all the time. For what I've decided to do, traveling over to the other side of the world without knowing what's going to happen takes courage. Far away from family and friends and everything familiar and that is hard. But maybe the universe is giving you an opportunity for a challenge...but is it worth fighting for? Only you can answer that. Think of the whole experience, think of the worst that could happen. Is it worth staying? What am I worried and afraid of most? If you leave now, Lalaina told me all this pretty much word for word, you are going to be comfortable or used to quitting when things are not the way you wanted or are very challenging. You need that. The earlier you get to experience it the better so it doesn't come as shock later on. Then again, there will be more hardships heading my way, guaranteed. Be strong for the next ones. Lots of difficult things will be thrown at you, but those things are like a gift because overcoming them is phenomenal. When you look back, you are gaining a valuable lesson which will help you in your future to come. Beautiful experiences don't come easy. Trust yourself.
What great advice hey? It has totally put everything into perspective. After all, here I am on the other side of the world, my dream of coming back to Australia after school has come true, and now I'm thinking of quitting this job because it's hard. That makes sense and is reasonable, but look at how far I've come. I've pulled my suitcase and skis all the way across an ocean and up into the Snowy Mountains and after a week, I'm thinking of packing up. I am going to push myself for at least another month and try and make the most of it. It's only 10 or so more weeks. And after, it's party time with traveling the rest of Australia.
So thank you Lalaina so much! You are the best.
I also called Nanu this morning and said hi. I decided today, I am going to celebrate Nanu!
The only question that I cannot answer yet is it is worth fighting for? If I stay, I'll have another season of experience, and not only that, an experience of overseas employment. Even if my own skiing does not get better, or my tool-box of skiing tactics stays the same size, I will still have the experience of teaching abroad. And in future, I will know roughly what is to come and what it'll feel like and now I've had experience with more hardships. I am going to push myself through. And in a month, revisit that question, is it worth fighting for? Then I'll have been here for a month and then I can properly judge if it's worth it. I have only been here a week after all, the busiest week.
I shouldn't let Perisher-no matter how crappy they are and how awful they treat their instructors..-make me unhappy. I am on the other side of the planet. I will do my best to the best of my ability, even if I don't know my way around the mountain- that's their fault and their problem. If a customer comes up and asks me something that I don't know the answer to, that's Perisher's problem, not mine. Even if I don't like Perisher, it isn't going to stop me from having a good time and earning money. I don't have to come back to Perisher, or talk about them in a good way. I have my own opinions and I'm not afraid to tell people about them. I am going to have a blast while I am here in the Snowy Mountains. I am going to push through these next 10 weeks of my life. and it'll be great.
So I was messaging Lalaina (my bestest friend ever!!) about my problems and my unhappiness, and she told me some really helpful things that I'm going to share. They gave me tons of motivation and after all, this is an excellent experience for me, and this is just the beginning of adult life of complications and hardships. So Lalaina told me a quote, "Every time you wake up, you should say to yourself, what should I celebrate today?" I thought that was absolutely great, and have started to think this way. It is a lot harder than it sounds for sure, but it's very worth it. Happiness is an inside job. Sometime we have to have the strength, courage and determination and we must go through hardships. That is what shapes us and makes us better people. The choice is, is this hardship worth fighting for? The hardships make you realize what is important to you and shifts your views, goals and life altogether. Remember even Disney princesses have hardship and then the happy ending. It's not happy all the time. For what I've decided to do, traveling over to the other side of the world without knowing what's going to happen takes courage. Far away from family and friends and everything familiar and that is hard. But maybe the universe is giving you an opportunity for a challenge...but is it worth fighting for? Only you can answer that. Think of the whole experience, think of the worst that could happen. Is it worth staying? What am I worried and afraid of most? If you leave now, Lalaina told me all this pretty much word for word, you are going to be comfortable or used to quitting when things are not the way you wanted or are very challenging. You need that. The earlier you get to experience it the better so it doesn't come as shock later on. Then again, there will be more hardships heading my way, guaranteed. Be strong for the next ones. Lots of difficult things will be thrown at you, but those things are like a gift because overcoming them is phenomenal. When you look back, you are gaining a valuable lesson which will help you in your future to come. Beautiful experiences don't come easy. Trust yourself.
What great advice hey? It has totally put everything into perspective. After all, here I am on the other side of the world, my dream of coming back to Australia after school has come true, and now I'm thinking of quitting this job because it's hard. That makes sense and is reasonable, but look at how far I've come. I've pulled my suitcase and skis all the way across an ocean and up into the Snowy Mountains and after a week, I'm thinking of packing up. I am going to push myself for at least another month and try and make the most of it. It's only 10 or so more weeks. And after, it's party time with traveling the rest of Australia.
So thank you Lalaina so much! You are the best.
I also called Nanu this morning and said hi. I decided today, I am going to celebrate Nanu!
The only question that I cannot answer yet is it is worth fighting for? If I stay, I'll have another season of experience, and not only that, an experience of overseas employment. Even if my own skiing does not get better, or my tool-box of skiing tactics stays the same size, I will still have the experience of teaching abroad. And in future, I will know roughly what is to come and what it'll feel like and now I've had experience with more hardships. I am going to push myself through. And in a month, revisit that question, is it worth fighting for? Then I'll have been here for a month and then I can properly judge if it's worth it. I have only been here a week after all, the busiest week.
I shouldn't let Perisher-no matter how crappy they are and how awful they treat their instructors..-make me unhappy. I am on the other side of the planet. I will do my best to the best of my ability, even if I don't know my way around the mountain- that's their fault and their problem. If a customer comes up and asks me something that I don't know the answer to, that's Perisher's problem, not mine. Even if I don't like Perisher, it isn't going to stop me from having a good time and earning money. I don't have to come back to Perisher, or talk about them in a good way. I have my own opinions and I'm not afraid to tell people about them. I am going to have a blast while I am here in the Snowy Mountains. I am going to push through these next 10 weeks of my life. and it'll be great.
Thursday, 4 July 2013
Australian Snow Blizzards
So Blue Cow got shut down today and for good reason. The wind is so strong it can blow me across the ice on the road. Really scary. It's snowing, so I forgive it, but the snow is like ice shards, and the wind is so strong it hurts when you have to walk into the wind.
I got no work today, and I think that very lucky in a way, weather-wise.
Again, Perisher is very annoying. They expect me to take lessons on terrain that i don't know- it's retarded. I know not alot is open but still. Everytime someone comes up to me to ask me a question, my answer is I don't know becuase I don't know. No one has told me anything. I don't like it. And I'm getting fed up not knowing anything.
Last night, I was brain storming as to why I came here to teach skiing, or why I chose to go into the skiing industry in the first place. Why I originally chose the skiing industry was because it earns a little more than the minimum wage and I quite enjoy skiing. Then I got my job at COP and I absolutely adored it. I wanted to go into work every morning, snow or sun. The atmosphere was very friendly and we were all one big family. We had great team-work skills and everyone made sure everyone could count of everyone else just in case something went wrong. Everything was shared and it was very wonderful. I wanted an experience just like at COP, for the team-building. What I liked about it was it was individual teaching, but when one of us set up a course with our poles, everyone could use it, if something happened to a kid, another instructor would come up and help you with the rest of your class or with that certain child. You were never left to struggle on your own.
However, here is totally different. It's like a big company in this industry for the money and that's it. They don't care about the safety of their clients or making sure the clients get what they want for their money. That's what I don't like. There is no team-building. No one shares tactics like at COP, no training sessions (as of yet). My toolbox is staying the same and not expanding any from this job. That's what I don't like. At COP, I was always learning new things everyday, and I felt really well supported, that I was cared for and respected as an employee. If you had any questions, people would answer you honestly and helped you out in any case scenario. Especially the team-leads, they were amazing. But at Perisher, they are not your friends. You work by yourself with your group. If you want a course, you set it up yourself, no one will lend you one already set up. If you get in the way of another group momentarily, you receive the death glare from that instructor. I don't feel respected, I feel like a number on the board. I don't think anyone cares the way that you're feeling towards their company, and honestly, I can easily talk badly about Perisher to anyone who asks because they haven't shown me their best side either. I mean, wearing the Perisher uniform doesn't mean anything. We are not informed about anything. It's awful and reflected badly on the company, as it rightly should do.
So as an international instructor, I am not happy with the way Perisher treats their employees. Ta-da.
I got no work today, and I think that very lucky in a way, weather-wise.
Again, Perisher is very annoying. They expect me to take lessons on terrain that i don't know- it's retarded. I know not alot is open but still. Everytime someone comes up to me to ask me a question, my answer is I don't know becuase I don't know. No one has told me anything. I don't like it. And I'm getting fed up not knowing anything.
Last night, I was brain storming as to why I came here to teach skiing, or why I chose to go into the skiing industry in the first place. Why I originally chose the skiing industry was because it earns a little more than the minimum wage and I quite enjoy skiing. Then I got my job at COP and I absolutely adored it. I wanted to go into work every morning, snow or sun. The atmosphere was very friendly and we were all one big family. We had great team-work skills and everyone made sure everyone could count of everyone else just in case something went wrong. Everything was shared and it was very wonderful. I wanted an experience just like at COP, for the team-building. What I liked about it was it was individual teaching, but when one of us set up a course with our poles, everyone could use it, if something happened to a kid, another instructor would come up and help you with the rest of your class or with that certain child. You were never left to struggle on your own.
However, here is totally different. It's like a big company in this industry for the money and that's it. They don't care about the safety of their clients or making sure the clients get what they want for their money. That's what I don't like. There is no team-building. No one shares tactics like at COP, no training sessions (as of yet). My toolbox is staying the same and not expanding any from this job. That's what I don't like. At COP, I was always learning new things everyday, and I felt really well supported, that I was cared for and respected as an employee. If you had any questions, people would answer you honestly and helped you out in any case scenario. Especially the team-leads, they were amazing. But at Perisher, they are not your friends. You work by yourself with your group. If you want a course, you set it up yourself, no one will lend you one already set up. If you get in the way of another group momentarily, you receive the death glare from that instructor. I don't feel respected, I feel like a number on the board. I don't think anyone cares the way that you're feeling towards their company, and honestly, I can easily talk badly about Perisher to anyone who asks because they haven't shown me their best side either. I mean, wearing the Perisher uniform doesn't mean anything. We are not informed about anything. It's awful and reflected badly on the company, as it rightly should do.
So as an international instructor, I am not happy with the way Perisher treats their employees. Ta-da.
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Windy!!
It was so windy today! I've never seen the clouds move to fast!! I saw so many people get blown off the carpet today! Not just kids, adults too! It was that strong!! I was so surprised that they didn't shut the carpet. I mean, isn't that a safety problem? The wind is so strong that it's blowing adults over on the carpet, along with tons of kids, and they keep it open. Gosh, Perisher is such a money sucker. They don't like spending money, that's for sure. And safety for their customers obviously don't matter alot to them.
I had 2 12 year olds at 9 am for 2 hours. That was very boring, and then at 11 I had an adult group of 7. They were okay but exceptionally boring and no one would really listen to me all day today so I just kind of gave up and let them do whatever while at the top of the run I would say, try this.
Thankfully didn't get any work this afternoon because it was so windy, and stupidly I only had my really thin gloves so my fingers were freezing and the tips were really red at lunch...Luckily, another instructor had a spare set of warm gloves and lent them to me after lunch just in case I did have work.
I bought a travel mug today so I can drink tea anytime I want without having to wait for a mug. I think we only have 4 between everyone in the kitchen...so it's good to have your own. Another thing, I had to find out for myself.
I had a nice hot shower too because I was so cold. The dorm is so weird. when I first arrived, it was super hot, but now inside is really cold and miserable. It's cold outside too and that doesn't help.
Yesterday evening was lots of fun. I bought all my groceries home as you know which were really heavy, and made the journey from bus to Willow seem extremely long. But anyway, Mari( my room-mate) and I were in the kitchen cooking dinner. And during this time we always leave the room unlocked because we're in the building. Alice (My other room-mate) was leaving for Jindabyne that night and locked the room behind her while Mari and I were in the kitchen. When Mari was finished and went back to the room, she couldn't get in. It was locked. We had both left our keys inside because the room is always unlocked whenever someone is in the building. So Mari and I were locked out for around 4 hours until the care-taker with the master keys came and unlocked the door for us. During that 4 hours, we finished our meal, did our laundry that we'd started when the room was open and sat in the TV room and watched The Proposal. Good times.
I've made a huge pro and con list about whether or not to stay instructing here. I have to say the con list is much much bigger than the pros. But I've heard there is a supervisor who is super organized is returning next week, so I'm going to wait until then before I decide anything else.
COP is so much better than here.
I had to update my phone plan because I had mis-read a few things and quickly ran out of money. So now that I know what it means, it is a total rip off, but I have to stick with it because I'm on the mountain and can't do anything much from up here.
Here are some pictures of Blue Cow in the morning- the mountain to which I was transferred. It is gorgeous...
I had 2 12 year olds at 9 am for 2 hours. That was very boring, and then at 11 I had an adult group of 7. They were okay but exceptionally boring and no one would really listen to me all day today so I just kind of gave up and let them do whatever while at the top of the run I would say, try this.
Thankfully didn't get any work this afternoon because it was so windy, and stupidly I only had my really thin gloves so my fingers were freezing and the tips were really red at lunch...Luckily, another instructor had a spare set of warm gloves and lent them to me after lunch just in case I did have work.
I bought a travel mug today so I can drink tea anytime I want without having to wait for a mug. I think we only have 4 between everyone in the kitchen...so it's good to have your own. Another thing, I had to find out for myself.
I had a nice hot shower too because I was so cold. The dorm is so weird. when I first arrived, it was super hot, but now inside is really cold and miserable. It's cold outside too and that doesn't help.
Yesterday evening was lots of fun. I bought all my groceries home as you know which were really heavy, and made the journey from bus to Willow seem extremely long. But anyway, Mari( my room-mate) and I were in the kitchen cooking dinner. And during this time we always leave the room unlocked because we're in the building. Alice (My other room-mate) was leaving for Jindabyne that night and locked the room behind her while Mari and I were in the kitchen. When Mari was finished and went back to the room, she couldn't get in. It was locked. We had both left our keys inside because the room is always unlocked whenever someone is in the building. So Mari and I were locked out for around 4 hours until the care-taker with the master keys came and unlocked the door for us. During that 4 hours, we finished our meal, did our laundry that we'd started when the room was open and sat in the TV room and watched The Proposal. Good times.
I've made a huge pro and con list about whether or not to stay instructing here. I have to say the con list is much much bigger than the pros. But I've heard there is a supervisor who is super organized is returning next week, so I'm going to wait until then before I decide anything else.
COP is so much better than here.
I had to update my phone plan because I had mis-read a few things and quickly ran out of money. So now that I know what it means, it is a total rip off, but I have to stick with it because I'm on the mountain and can't do anything much from up here.
Here are some pictures of Blue Cow in the morning- the mountain to which I was transferred. It is gorgeous...
Finally Internet on the Mountains.
Well, hi there. It sure has been a looonnggg time and lots and lots have happened.
The bus ride from Sydney to Perisher Ski Tube was long but tolerable. So glad I packed some food. I arrived and sure enough, my good buddy Tessa met me and helped me wheel all my luggage up into Smiggins where I'm staying. SO pretty much, Perisher has 3 villages within it. Perisher Valley, Smiggins Holes and Blue Cow.
I arrived pretty much without any knowledge of anything. And I have to say, I was very, very VERY glad Tessa was there to help me out with everything. I wouldn't have known to ask the ski tube people to get a staff pass, I would've just said I need to get up to HR...help? But thank goodness for Tessa, she knew exactly what to do and got me my staff pass super easy. We then hopped onto the ski tube which is a super old rickety train- kind of like one of the real old C-trains in Calgary. It's very noisy and about a 10 minute ride up to Perisher Valley where HR is. I needed to go to HR so I could check in, and that all went relatively smoothly and I paid all my rent- so I should get straight pay without being deducted rent for the first week. I had a knee test and everything was good, then we had to make our way into Smiggins where my accomodation Willow is. From Perisher Valley to Smiggins, there is a blue bus that takes you which was fine, but getting from Smiggins to Willow is a walk up the carpark, and let me tell you, that carpark starts feeling really big when you're lugging skis and a suitcase up there... but I arrived and all was well, I met a wonderful girl named Alice from Brisbane, and she ended up being one of my room-mates. My other room-mate is a Japanese ski instructor named Mari. They are both super nice and I am very very glad that I'm sharing a room with them! So when I arrived I didn't have any food, didn't know where to go or nothing, so I felt very overwhelmed, lost and very hungry. I ended up buying a can of baked beans the next day, but for that night I was very lucky; Alice works in the kitchen at Perisher Valley so she sometimes brings home left-overs and luckily she fed me! For breakfast, I ate a left-over granola bar from the trip. The room is quite simple, and us 3 girls share a bathroom.
Next day, I got my ski check done and went to find the manager becauase I was very upset that I didn't know anything and I was supposed to start work the next day. I don't like the lack of communication here between instructors and managers. It is very, very awful. So once I set eyes on the manager, she ended up avoiding my rant-on the verge of tears I was- and whisked me off to a training session thing where a supervisor explains how things work, which was incredibly useful. I was just very surprised that no one had told me about it, and if I wasn't upset and hadn't come to complain to the manager then I would've missed it. So during this session, we were shown around as well, around the lodge and the hill a bit. So I went to collect my uniform that afternoon and they didn't have my size, so now I have snowpants that are much too big for me and unfortunately, no belt or suspenders.
First day of work, totally overwhelming. I was put on a level 3 group, and I didn't know my way around the hill- but luckily these kids had skiied here all week so they knew their way around pretty well. The work I was given at Perisher Valley was 6 hour camps for kids which included lunch, so I had to take them in at a certain time and was given precisely 1/2 an hour before the next age group was sent in for their lunch. Totally stressful... the only good thing was that we got fed too.
Second day. Recieved news of my Pappy. He passed away. Love you lots and lots.
Alot more miserable and chaotic. Sad and stressed the whole time....I was put on ages 3-4, no one told me anything about how these work. I was told to sit at this table and wait, then get up and help this other instructor sort out her kids with their lockers (which I couldn't open because no one bothered to tell me they only open with a magnet) so here I was embarrassing myself and the uniform because I didn't know anything. I believe I lasted 1 1/2 hours with my group before the supervisor came with another instructor and told me to introduce the kids to him, and go inside and find Rebecca(my manager). During this whole period, I was on the verge of crying my guts out. The supervisor I worked under the day before found me and got me shadowing another instructor for the rest of the day. After that, I got the finally speak with the manager who seemed to have discovered that I could not handle this intense busy-ness and disorganization of Perisher Valley, so they transferred me to Blue Cow.
Third Day, my first day at Blue Cow. This hill is much higher up and you have to get back on the ski tube at Perisher Valley and continue up the mountain. Maybe another 10 minutes? This was much better, the atmosphere was alot friendlier(except for the guy that gave me the death glare today for momentarily stopping my group in front of his before I realized I was infront of another group and moved on..) and it reminds me alot more of COP. Yay! I was working with school groups for the morning, and Tessa is also stationed at Blue Cow, so I got to eat lunch with her as well. In the afternoon, we didn't get any work which was good because I was on my way to Tessa's house that night for a sleepover and grocery shopping. (I had been surviving on over-priced bread and over-priced jam that I could get at the on-mountain grocery mart). It was a blast to get off the mountain, a sort-of new start to starting at Perisher. It was very good, considering I had been considering to resign ever since I started. I wanted to get on every coach I saw- it was so overwhelming and I didn't know anything, I felt like crying all the time...
Anyway, I went home with Tessa where I got an internet USB thing so I can get internet on the mountain, and met some of Tessa's friends for milkshakes and then cooked pizza for dinner when Tessa's mum and sister came home from Canberra. It was very nice being in a house/family setting again! Bright and early the next morning, Tessa's boyfriend drove us to work. There was a spectacular sunrise over the Snowy Mountains- definitely something to see before you die. Absolutely gorgeous. And here I was laden with groceries plowing my way up to Blue Cow, where I kept it in my locker and if it needed refridgerating, in the fridge. today, I got no lesson at 9, but I got one of 11, then again at 1:30. I taught both adults and kids today both beginners which is absolutely awesome. Then carried those heavy grocery bags down back to res where I cooked chicken and ate it with a salad for dinner tonight. Delicious!
Okay, 2 separate stories and then I have to go to bed.
1. In front valley, on the first day, I got a kid who was trying desperately to tickle me so I grabbed her hands to stop her from doing that. I was kneeling and she kicked my knee with her ski boot and it really hurt. Now I have a massive colourful bruise on my knee. I don't think I've ever had one this colourful..I hate that girl.
2. This evening, Alice left for Jindabyne while Mari and I were in the kitchen cooking. We don't take our room keys with us because we always leave the room un-locked when we are in the building. So we don't loose the key or anything. So when we tried to get back into the room, it was locked. Alice had locked us out of our room, and our keys were inside. This was around 5:30 pm, and the care-taker wasn't going to be back until 8:30 pm...so we ended up eating our dinner and then watched The Proposal in the TV room downstairs while we waited for the care-taker to unlock our door to let us in again.
The bus ride from Sydney to Perisher Ski Tube was long but tolerable. So glad I packed some food. I arrived and sure enough, my good buddy Tessa met me and helped me wheel all my luggage up into Smiggins where I'm staying. SO pretty much, Perisher has 3 villages within it. Perisher Valley, Smiggins Holes and Blue Cow.
I arrived pretty much without any knowledge of anything. And I have to say, I was very, very VERY glad Tessa was there to help me out with everything. I wouldn't have known to ask the ski tube people to get a staff pass, I would've just said I need to get up to HR...help? But thank goodness for Tessa, she knew exactly what to do and got me my staff pass super easy. We then hopped onto the ski tube which is a super old rickety train- kind of like one of the real old C-trains in Calgary. It's very noisy and about a 10 minute ride up to Perisher Valley where HR is. I needed to go to HR so I could check in, and that all went relatively smoothly and I paid all my rent- so I should get straight pay without being deducted rent for the first week. I had a knee test and everything was good, then we had to make our way into Smiggins where my accomodation Willow is. From Perisher Valley to Smiggins, there is a blue bus that takes you which was fine, but getting from Smiggins to Willow is a walk up the carpark, and let me tell you, that carpark starts feeling really big when you're lugging skis and a suitcase up there... but I arrived and all was well, I met a wonderful girl named Alice from Brisbane, and she ended up being one of my room-mates. My other room-mate is a Japanese ski instructor named Mari. They are both super nice and I am very very glad that I'm sharing a room with them! So when I arrived I didn't have any food, didn't know where to go or nothing, so I felt very overwhelmed, lost and very hungry. I ended up buying a can of baked beans the next day, but for that night I was very lucky; Alice works in the kitchen at Perisher Valley so she sometimes brings home left-overs and luckily she fed me! For breakfast, I ate a left-over granola bar from the trip. The room is quite simple, and us 3 girls share a bathroom.
Next day, I got my ski check done and went to find the manager becauase I was very upset that I didn't know anything and I was supposed to start work the next day. I don't like the lack of communication here between instructors and managers. It is very, very awful. So once I set eyes on the manager, she ended up avoiding my rant-on the verge of tears I was- and whisked me off to a training session thing where a supervisor explains how things work, which was incredibly useful. I was just very surprised that no one had told me about it, and if I wasn't upset and hadn't come to complain to the manager then I would've missed it. So during this session, we were shown around as well, around the lodge and the hill a bit. So I went to collect my uniform that afternoon and they didn't have my size, so now I have snowpants that are much too big for me and unfortunately, no belt or suspenders.
First day of work, totally overwhelming. I was put on a level 3 group, and I didn't know my way around the hill- but luckily these kids had skiied here all week so they knew their way around pretty well. The work I was given at Perisher Valley was 6 hour camps for kids which included lunch, so I had to take them in at a certain time and was given precisely 1/2 an hour before the next age group was sent in for their lunch. Totally stressful... the only good thing was that we got fed too.
Second day. Recieved news of my Pappy. He passed away. Love you lots and lots.
Alot more miserable and chaotic. Sad and stressed the whole time....I was put on ages 3-4, no one told me anything about how these work. I was told to sit at this table and wait, then get up and help this other instructor sort out her kids with their lockers (which I couldn't open because no one bothered to tell me they only open with a magnet) so here I was embarrassing myself and the uniform because I didn't know anything. I believe I lasted 1 1/2 hours with my group before the supervisor came with another instructor and told me to introduce the kids to him, and go inside and find Rebecca(my manager). During this whole period, I was on the verge of crying my guts out. The supervisor I worked under the day before found me and got me shadowing another instructor for the rest of the day. After that, I got the finally speak with the manager who seemed to have discovered that I could not handle this intense busy-ness and disorganization of Perisher Valley, so they transferred me to Blue Cow.
Third Day, my first day at Blue Cow. This hill is much higher up and you have to get back on the ski tube at Perisher Valley and continue up the mountain. Maybe another 10 minutes? This was much better, the atmosphere was alot friendlier(except for the guy that gave me the death glare today for momentarily stopping my group in front of his before I realized I was infront of another group and moved on..) and it reminds me alot more of COP. Yay! I was working with school groups for the morning, and Tessa is also stationed at Blue Cow, so I got to eat lunch with her as well. In the afternoon, we didn't get any work which was good because I was on my way to Tessa's house that night for a sleepover and grocery shopping. (I had been surviving on over-priced bread and over-priced jam that I could get at the on-mountain grocery mart). It was a blast to get off the mountain, a sort-of new start to starting at Perisher. It was very good, considering I had been considering to resign ever since I started. I wanted to get on every coach I saw- it was so overwhelming and I didn't know anything, I felt like crying all the time...
Anyway, I went home with Tessa where I got an internet USB thing so I can get internet on the mountain, and met some of Tessa's friends for milkshakes and then cooked pizza for dinner when Tessa's mum and sister came home from Canberra. It was very nice being in a house/family setting again! Bright and early the next morning, Tessa's boyfriend drove us to work. There was a spectacular sunrise over the Snowy Mountains- definitely something to see before you die. Absolutely gorgeous. And here I was laden with groceries plowing my way up to Blue Cow, where I kept it in my locker and if it needed refridgerating, in the fridge. today, I got no lesson at 9, but I got one of 11, then again at 1:30. I taught both adults and kids today both beginners which is absolutely awesome. Then carried those heavy grocery bags down back to res where I cooked chicken and ate it with a salad for dinner tonight. Delicious!
Okay, 2 separate stories and then I have to go to bed.
1. In front valley, on the first day, I got a kid who was trying desperately to tickle me so I grabbed her hands to stop her from doing that. I was kneeling and she kicked my knee with her ski boot and it really hurt. Now I have a massive colourful bruise on my knee. I don't think I've ever had one this colourful..I hate that girl.
2. This evening, Alice left for Jindabyne while Mari and I were in the kitchen cooking. We don't take our room keys with us because we always leave the room un-locked when we are in the building. So we don't loose the key or anything. So when we tried to get back into the room, it was locked. Alice had locked us out of our room, and our keys were inside. This was around 5:30 pm, and the care-taker wasn't going to be back until 8:30 pm...so we ended up eating our dinner and then watched The Proposal in the TV room downstairs while we waited for the care-taker to unlock our door to let us in again.
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