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.