What is "home"?

Now that I am back to the land of > 12% unemployment and people speak Spanish instead of Vietnamese, the question to be is: what is 'home' for me?

Uprooting myself twice in one year, living through a divorce from a company of 8 years service and being unemployed and 'homeless' is quite a journey for one year's time. 2009 was incredible for changes; "new responsponsibility for our era" as Obama claims in his inaugaural speech. Lessons learned: will never be hasty to make decisions in business even though it sounds "cool" career-wise or a cool location. I already miss Melbourne!!

BTW, here is a photo of my goal being in Australia. Had to hold a koala and finally did it! They are the sweetest things until they scratch you with their marsupial claws. (Cohunu Koala Park, Perth)

Can't forget the other cuddly animal in Australia - this one was expecting a snack from me (Caversham Wildlife Park, Perth).






The place that has won my eye on the most beautiful is Tasmania. Colourful botanical gardens, historical location of the penal system for convicts from UK, and cool coastal formations.
(Japanese gardens)

(remains of the hospital in Port Arthur for convicts)



coastal formation between Tasman arch and Devil's Kitchen - other side of Pirates cove Penance, Tasmania)

Here is a photo of my best buddies in Melbourne - miss them dearly! John, Steve and Darrin.

On to a new chapter in life....

Holiday Time for Reflection

For those who are reading this blog.....I have completed my divorce from my employer with most items that I have requested. It's a matter of seeing the details fall into place as signed for, etc. for the remaining 6 weeks here.

Now my effort still entails obtaining my retirement fund from this country to roll over to my IRA and waiting for all finacial transactions complete with my bank account e.g. residual penalties for breaking my rental lease. I will be without a computer for some time until I get back to the States and find the time/funds to purchase one and get internet connectivity.

Melbourne is a wonderful city, there is no recession here. Australia is the first country to raise interest rates since they are doing very well here. Will be interesting going back to the States when I have lived in a higher cost of living where the economy is growing. In the meantime, I will try to enjoy Australia while I am still here.

Oh by the way....there are koalas in the wild just not in the city. This weekend I am excited to see the Philip Island penguins :)

See you when I get back to the States!

Back to Reality

For those who are paying attention: I have celebrated my infamous 9-11 here in Melbourne. Been given the termination paperwork at my job of 8 years today after being sent home and stay away from the office on 9-11. Misconception and disception: thought things were the same as the projects I worked in America - wrong! Note to all: when one is terminated, the employer does not care about you and that you have traveled half-way around the world to join their team! Some happy birthday I have been having - had to post the hot Italian while this crap was all going down.

Options of going back to Nursing; active licenses in US or reciprocity here in Australia. Otherwise I have applied for 2 jobs here in Melbourne and 2 jobs at Community Memorial Hosptital in Ventura.

Life is definately a journey with humbled events. Now have experienced a layoff and now termination - what fun at this age. This experience is like going through a divorce! Meanwhile lives are lost in Samoa - WTF!!

Birthday with a Hot Italian

Hello everyone .... it has been a very long time since I posted here. I have been truly preoccupied with work drama but now am able to come out of the depths to post something :)

Sunday was my birthday here in Melbourne. I invited my close network of friends to a wonderful Italian restaurant (well, the waiter is a hot Italian) called Terra Rosa. This is my second time there and for the eye candy...check it out! Meet Andreas. He is from Milan and has a beautiful thick Italian accent.


I came out of the rest room and he accidentally ran into me - wow! I have to have that happen to me more often. The "boys" that were with me at this dinner were jealous that it didn't happen to them :) I enjoyed the lovely kisses that Andreas gave me. Mamma Mia!


In the end we all had a great time. Ronda got a phone number from another young Aussie blond waiter so that truly made her night. Success for us cougars!! Even Darren snuck in a kiss from Andreas as we left the restaurant.

Clockwise: Darren, Ronda, John, Steve, Erica and Stephen

Clare the Bogan

Clare Werbeloff and the phrase "Chk Chk Boom" have become famous since this interview a couple weekends ago. The shooting really did happen in Sydney; her interview was all made up. She and this interview, along with other youtube mixes, are all over the internet; "Chk Chk Boom" on T-shirts, coffee mugs and other paraphenelia since this interview. She was interviewed in Aussie's "A Current Affair" and said she did not mean to be racist ("Wog") and that Aussie poke fun at the media all the time so she made up that story in the interview.

Great for the papperatzis (sp?); maybe the celebrities should follow her methods if they are angry with the media frenzy: make it all up.

Arrival of Wordly Possessions

Mid January was when my belongings were picked up in Ventura; just received them this past Monday here in Melbourne! So much for overseas shipping. Good thing I didn't pack actual furniture.

Now I can stop buying more yarn here in Albert Park - my stash has arrived! All bins: cashmere, wool and wool blends, silks, cottons, sock yarns galore! My other things e.g. jewelry, CD's, videos and DVD's are all in as well. Haven't checked out the quality of this medium yet since I dont have a DVD and CD player. Photo albums - when I was still taking 35mm....one album has my collection of photos for when I was first here in Melbourne, Sydney, the Outback and New Zealand. I was facinated in the old Victorian buildings here in Melbourne back then. What also is creepy that my hairstyle was the same back then - bobbed with bangs. Just my body is wider. Wow! Anyway, the stuff is now tucked away in my second bedroom. A comforter was immediately taken out for my bed since I am freezing at night: winter now. Took out Flo's quilt that she made me and I have that for my couch and comfy chair in the living room.

Was a bit apprehensive to receive this stuff in a way since I have gotten used to living without all those items. But I am glad the memories are here with me especially my 2 flutes. Thinking of joining a community concert group in Melbourne; if this job ever lets me out enough. The balance of isolation and want to be isolated is a challenge with this job. Also tough when I can't contact people in the US as much as I would hope. There is always a 2-way street of communcations! :)

Ta for now.

The Best Video Clip

Stand by Me

Something that I can relate to no matter where I am in this world.

Perimenopause and Winter in June Ahead!

Ok..almost a month since I posted something here. Still struggling on getting all my safari photos in facebook. Ravelry....well, where can one find the damn time to get on the internet with the work that I am doing all f#$%*g day on the computer? I have started other knitting projects and the novelty of taking photos and spending time to upload and update Ravelry, facebook, personal email and this blog...drudgery.

Saw in the news that a guy won the 'best job in the world'; blogging while living on Hamilton Island here in Queensland. I would not qualify if I had diarrhea every day in Africa. As you can see my mood about computer time will not work for me. Can you see how perimenopause is now affecting me? Now winter is coming into my world again!!! I just got out of it. AAAAHHH!

Btw, here is a great photo...this poor guy was trying to make the moves on a special lady but we spoiled it for him shortly afterwards - got a photos before complete shrinkage.


Here is what I am looking for these days but haven't found the opportunity to seek this potential:



Mood swings and abdominal cramps galore.....definately hormone changes happening. Meanwhile work is heating up. I frankly am experiencing my dream of living here in Oz but what timing in my life. I met a very nice lesbian (sexual preference is very open down here) who localized from Canada earlier this week. She made me miss my kitties since she transported 3 cats into quarrantine when she moved here. She lives in Sydney but travels for her work as well. We shared cat stories, she shared her experience of localizing with her partner and now filing for citizenship. I am still not sure if I would stay here permanently or else my kitties would be down here in a heartbeat. The apartment that I am living in now is across the street from a night club. They have extremely loud and vibrating live music on the weekends. One week they also woke me up on a Wednesday night with the howling maniacs in front. Now am looking for another place to live in the "city suburbs" instead of the CBD (central business district). I can tell I am definately getting old when the noise factor is bothering me. Living in tall city buildings = sound filter magnified.

Here is one last note for this posting....it's May and I have my shipment of stuff finally in Sydney port - quarrantined. Dont' know when it will be shipped to my location in Melbourne. January > May - good timing to get my comforters and sweaters! I am freezing at night with my bathrobe, first knitted cardigan as my blanket at night and wooley socks on my feet. Therefore I am not having a very good month thus far. One good note, my house was rented end of March. Still bleeding money out of every orifice but I don't notice it if I don't have time to know any difference. A nice meal in the evening cost $50 Aussie dollars; translates to ~$35 USD.

Enough of the Babylon for now.....Cheers and Ta!

Photo Safari

Here are my highlight photos from Tanzania. We went to Tangerie National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and then the Seregeti National Park for 4 nights of camping; to view the wildlife. I woke up 2 nights in Seregenti by lion noises; they were that close in our camp. Learned the animals in Swahili. All a terrific experience for the adventurous. These photos are from Tangerie National Park...there were more animals (e.g. lionesses) that we saw but these photos were the closest and the best from my little sure-shot Olympus camera.

Yes, they get that close to us in the jeeps.









This is the smallest antelope in Africa called 'dikdik'.




Sunrise at the Berunge Camp site where are permanent luxurious tents were pitched on wooden platforms.

More animal pics to follow...only can upload so much a day.

Entry from a Globe Trotter

In case anyone is wondering and still reading here....I am home in Melbourne from a month-long sabbatical. The trip entailed flying to California for the Jane Thornley workshop in San Juan Capistrano, Oxnard condo stay, to flying to Tanzania via Amsterdam to start my African safari. Then I flew back via Amserdam to LAX, stayed overnight then flew back the next evening to Melbourne. It's not world travel; it's globe trotting! I did this before when I lived in the UK: flew back to US to fly to New Zealand only to return back to the States to get back to the UK for work in 2005.

I kept a paper journal of the daily events while in Africa so I will not be rewriting the details here. My photos are not great since I ony have a small Olympus shure-shot camera with just a 3x zoom. Others in my travel group had a 10x zoom or a 200x lens on their digitals. I am not worthy for technology this time around; I used to be queen of technology on such trips. I am loosing my touch or probably more pre-occupied for such priorities. Once I have my photos and others' available, I will be posting them here in another entry. The winner of imagery is between seeing lion cubs in a pride or watching a newborn gazelle takes it first steps, slimy with the birthing on it still. Now I see how the Lion King story was created. There is the 'circle of life' while in the Ngorongoro Crater.

Here is what I have to say about Africa: everyone should take the opportunity to see this developing country to understand how we take EVERYTHING for granted in life. Yes, I know some of you wouldn't want to take such a trip because it's uncomfortable or inconvenient to your king and queen lifestyles. It is a life changing experience to visit with the local African tribe and learn about the differences of our cultures.

As for now...I am very jet lagged and I imagine it will take a full week before I am really back to normal.

"I love your Accent!"

Here are more of my adventure of Down Under before I return to the States. In case you are wondering; I am returning for my Sabbatical and then to the African safari.

A bunch of very young girls heard me speaking at the tram stop in the evening. I said something and they all said, "I love your accent!" Isn't that great! I have always been facinated by Aussie accents as well. I am surprised that they understand me when I speak faster however I am not able to understand when they speak faster with their cool accents. Even an American here cannot undertstand me but then there is something wrong with the other American in my company...(long story)

Walking around the city for more sites. They are famous for the beautiful art in the ally ways.

Still love the Victorian buildings in Albert Park. This is where I have found a wonderful yarn shop, same as what I used to hang around in Anacapa Fine Yarn in Ventura.



Here is a Magpie couple in a park, female squawking at me for food.




Then of course I couldn't resist in buying another project to make - my shipment of stash is STILL in Long Beach. They are waiting for my crate to fill a vessel before it's shipping overseas. The yarn store is called "Wool Baa" in Albert Park.

Work: had a successful client session event that was straight foward on what is to be presented. It marks a mid-way point of our events but lots of work to accomplish before the system goes "live". They love my story of the "Black Robbers" that was circling around in the USA emails and also a true story. It's a good story to break the ice while reflecting the same perspective with our project efforts. Have to be creative for the audience to keep them awake and amused for such drone material. I just keep knitting when I can in the evenings; long hours in the office prevents me to finish as fast as I did while in US. Hard to be on conference calls since I worked out of my home office. Here I am in a real office every day - no knitting during the working hours.


Finally got a fridge, washer and furniture in the apartment. But before all that was in, I took this photo: my sole worldly possessions in the official first night staying there. What would I do without my ladybug?

More Creature Comforting

More hot and thirsty Koala photos...these were sent to me; I wish I had that in-person encounter. Poor guy had to stop a bicyclist for water. Some day when I have my real life back....

Creatures of Australia and Misc.

Have secured my apartment so I will have a wonderful view of the city and the torches along the South Bank at night. Moving all my immediate belongings in weekend of 16 Feb even though I have access starting the 6th. Taking advantage of all amenities for free while I still have the time alloted.

Here are cute photos that were sent....a result of the dry hot heat we are having down here. Otherwise, I will be very consumed in work and moving therefore not be blogging too much in the next few weeks. Enjoy the expressions in these photos - I couldn't stop smiling when I first saw these.

"It has been so hot in South Australia for over a week…40+ degrees Celsius everyday, very dry also.

A guy at work lives at Maude. His wife sent him these photos of a little Koala which just walked into the back porch looking for a bit of heat relief. She filled up a bucket and this is what happened!"

People in Melbourne and Misc.

Last Friday night after work, a bunch of us went around on a pub-crawl. We ended up in "Squires"; part of the Portland Hotel on Russel Street. I ordered fish & chips and round of drinks for my colleagues. Meanwhile, the men's semi-final Australia open was on the TV. I was rooting for Verdasco since Nadal is #1 seed. I want to see the underdog win. There was a guy in the pub who made a bet with me: I buy him a drink if Nadal wins the first set / he buys me a drink if Verdasco wins the first set. Low and behold, I got a free pint out of it! What a sweet guy - he was half my age and from the area called Fitzroy, his name is Donnie. I didn't have my camera with me or else I would have definately taken a photo of us. He said that they all love Obama down here. Yes - they do love us Americans even though they are contained under the Commonwealth.

Went home appliance shopping today at the "Good Guys"; which is the equivalent to our Amercian "Best Buy". Selected a washing macine, vacuum cleaner and microwave all to be scheduled for delivery when the washer is available. Attempted to use my corporate credit card from the States and couldn't use it. I guess the security on this is working. Amercian card being used on extraordinary credit purchasing amounts. Last weekend it was David Jones charges for the chair and bed purchase. 2 more weeks in my temporary confines and waiting for my acceptance into the Bourke Street city apartment.

The public transport is very easy here. MetCard purchase includes trains, buses and trams - how cool is that? Too bad California couldn't be that gracious. People on these public transports all speak different languages; made me feel right at home in Southern California. Unfortunately, I am not dressed as a girly-girl with sleeveless tank tops anymore. Not exactly a Vogue model here from the States :P The locals here are very helpful when you are asking for directions and help to get around. In Los Angeles, you are lucky you find someone who is willing to not think of themselves in order to help out.

Found great Indian food here but I think I ate the wrong item yesterday....my tummy has not been the same. Cropped up some IBS issues (irritable bowel syndrome). Nice to have when in the stifling summer heat waiting for the tram with other people.

Otherwise, I am knitting up a storm. I am finishing up one sleeve for Flo's Blossom remake and finished one cashmere sock for Frank; top down size 2 needles. I made him a pair toe up size 0 and I am thinking of redoing them since they turned out too large and clumsy looking than the top-down. When I redo that first pair, I will use size 1 needles since I have already severed the yarn for the one sock. I miss hanging out with the Ventura knitn kitns and wondering if they really miss me. Waiting for all of my stash to arrive in shipment April. Yes, all of my yarn stash is coming over here. I get the feeling that the quality of fibers here will not be the same.

Stifling Heat and Drought

Yup...just like living in California again.

This past week, finally got my temporary place sprayed for bugs and the bathroom sink unclogged by a plummer. Also getting identity checked by the apartment management company I have been selected to be the renter. More paperwork and checks to get here. Apparently these folks have taken stringent security precautions for anyone to enter, work and live here in this country since 911 tragedy.

Been watching the Australia Open (hooked on it since last weekend) and it's now down to the finals. I thought of going down there to see a live match but the heat and crowds are not for me. I see the plays much better on the TV anyway. Melbourne park does show the match on a screen but once again...heat and crowds. Wanted to see Nadal lose last night for the sake of seeing Verdasco the underdog win. Guess it will be a rematch of Wimbeldon with Federer and Nadal. Haven't been watching much of the woman's matches. Good luck Serena!

Today I selected more furniture for my antipcated place and a fridge from Brooke, our admin support in the office. Just a matter of scheduling movers to pick this stuff up and move it in. Still needing to get a microwave, TV and washer/dryer. I have to find a place first where I can get all of these items in one place; Good Guys, whatever.

Noticing sayings with people:
"heaps" - translates to 'a lot'
"on the back foot" - translates to 'being behind'
"bloke"

There are others but I cannot understand them as they say them too fast for me. Far dikcum (spelling?) was what I thought is a common saying but nobody I have run across has said that yet.

Australia Day!

Posting on the last day of January living in my fourth continent....

They eat Skippy down here! I found out last week that they eat kangaroo meat down here on the BBQ. They cannot cook it too long or else it becomes too tough to eat. So...they eat mutton and kangaroo. Have I eaten any yet? No way. I ate a silk worm larvae while visiting in Korea and that is about the extent of my adventurous taste testing. My apetite is happily decreasing with the very hot dry weather now and the fact that I am walking everywhere. My mid section is finally feeling a bit trimmer.

On Australia day (last Monday), I went to Port Melbourne. It was an equivalent to San Pedro harbor in Los Angeles but much cleaner and prettier! There are ferries or ships that go to Tasmania from here. Because it was a holiday, there was the Young Endeavor and The Enterprise ships sailing in and out of the port. What a nice surprise! I LOVE authentic vessels like these.


Young Endeavor - replica of the ship that Capt. Cook came over to Australia in.





The Enterprise

Wishful thinking...the barge you see in the background, I was fantasising that all of my shipped belongings were arriving into port. Haha


St. Kilda Beach (reminds me of Miami Beach). I realised that my thick American accent is not always understood. When I was asking a woman about the ships approaching if it's a race or an event...she said "Talk to my husband, I can't understand what you are saying". If I talked to a husband in America, I would have been slapped by that woman. Such subtle social differences here.
Have to find the time to get to Tasmania and find a devil. I was told from a man I met watching the boats come in that there are not many left.

Off to shopping I go - bought this bed




and this chair and ottoman but will be in grey-pewter color


Down on Elizabeth street, I felt like I was visiting mini-Korea. Here is an artist doing the beautiful name banner in pictures....same what I saw in Seoul in 2000.



Then there was this poor pathetic 76 y/o performing with a sign in front of him stating he was injured during the Korean war

He is standing on a box with a hoola hoop with this garb on. A little bit of Venice Beach flashback.

More City Scenes

Took this photo on my way to the Immigration office early morning; I love the old gothic church structures they have here. It's not the whole church but the morning light was shining through that window in the steeple just at the right time.



Yes, I am a foreigner! Got my 457 working VISA in my passport - I am official as a working employee now.




Here is the river that separates the city of Melbourne; similar to the River Thames in London. Much cleaner and more modern here.





Hmmm...I don't remember all of this high risers when I was here in 1986! It definately has grown and there are still more high riser building in progress all around the city. These river photos were taken from the south bank where a wonderful line of restaurants were - I can't wait to try eating at one of them; some more expensive than others. At 9 PM a line of torches blume out flames about 3 times. The apartment I chose (or the owner chose me; that is how it works here) has that view from the living area. I do notice that women really dress up on Saturday nights here. Something we don't pay much attention to in California. Guess I need to dust off my business casual outfits more so. Unfortunately, I only have fall/winter ones.

More photos to come as I peruse the areas.

Living Update

Realized that I should have opened bank accounts in another bank that doesn't charge monthly transaction fees. So at the moment I have 4 accounts opened.

Went on a private apartment inspection based on a work colleague referral (check out the link while it's there!). It took me several hours afterwards but I did call him back and said that I will take the place, unfurnished. It's close the the very large Southern Cross train station, tram stop right in front of the entrance, swimming pool and exercise room including tennis courts. This means I have to go out and get stuff starting from scratch. This will give me an opportunity to experience Australian consumerism. I will stay in the temporary bug infested apartment until I have a comfy bed and eating conveniences in the new place! Take a look at my buddy in the temporay apartment I found this morning. This is the result of community living.

Photo Catchup

I realized that I did have the plug adapter to plug my camera battery charger in the Australia wall, the converter is already included in the whole unit, duh! Here are pictures.

Yup, they have a Chinatown here in Melbounre


How can you be anywhere in this world without a McDonalds?






Down hidden ally ways there are cool pubs, coffee kiosks and bistros





Then I ran into the local artist George Kamikawa on Bourke Street (central shopping area of CBD); the Japanese cowboy. I am a sucker for live music entertainment.


Then I found him again this weekend while walking along the south bank to Queensbridge square so I had to get more photos of him with me this time.