Why, hello there.
I know I am a bad person and it has been a terribly long time since I last got in touch with you all. I'm sorry. Life gets in the way, and truth be told I've been wondering if there's any point in me bestowing my knowledge to you all, I mean, the journey is there for the taking, go forth and discover!
But I've been comparing health systems around the world in my head lately and thought I might do a little post on general GP visits whilst in London. I'll mention before I begin I'm a relatively healthy commonwealth citizen, and as such my experience may be entirely different to someone 'more' foreign (i.e not entitled to healthcare as easily as I was) or of course, a British national.
First thing, and how I would more or less sum up the entire post:
The NHS is cheap.
Any form of prescribed contraception is entirely free (and, yep, those rates of teen pregnancy in the UK still occur), more impressively (depending on how you view it) everything is subsidised to the point of costing only £7, whether it's for antibacterial wash or a more 'hardcore' medicine (such as a retroviral drug for example). In Australia the prices of medication can get very expensive, very quickly, and initially I was gobsmacked, in a good way.
But the cracks do begin to show. When I first caught a cold that didn't budge I was told the easiest way to get treatment would be to go to a little general clinic at Whitechapel hospital. You take a number and sit in a waiting room full of all the walks of life you could comprehend. They take your details and ask why you don't have a GP. Then (in my case at least) they tell you they won't do anything about your cold and you should just go home and sleep it off.
Well. Thanks.
So I figured that wasn't my cup of tea. And set off to find a GP.
There are two main points of difference with getting a GP in the UK that I found new/interesting.
1. You need to live in the catchment area (i.e bring a proof of address/passport etc)
2. The GP needs to be accepting clients.
Both totally reasonable, but in Australia I go to a doctor who would certainly not be in my 'catchment area', and when I can't get there I'm always confident I can walk in to any clinic around me and they'll see me.
Also as soon as I arrived for an appointment I had a very fast urine test for kidney disease. Which was very unusual to me, but I suppose it must be common in that area.
The GP's seem knowledgable, friendly, but also fairly impersonal. Which is not only understandable, but fine. They will palm certain things off to nurses (injections, pap smears, etc) but in such a densely population, what else would you expect? Ultimately, you'll be looked after.
I also want to briefly mention dental, I wasn't entitled to squat on the public system, so everything I did was on private and was damn expensive, but very good. I actually had to get a crown on one of my teeth, and I love it.
Aside from giving some travelllers out there some vague instruction on how to get a GP appointment, but I would also be curious to hear what the locals think? There must be an incredible amount of public funds going in to keep prescription and similar costs low, do you get what you pay for?
Until next, when I hope to post something a little more light hearted!
Saturday, 24 November 2012
Thursday, 8 September 2011
A brief Interruption - Because today the news is good!
Hello my lovelies, and apologies for the enormous gap. Realistically I shouldn't actually be writing to you at all at the moment, I am disgustingly busy with uni (calm, calm, I have a small break in two weeks, I will write something for my Live in London series then). But I have news.
Firstly - I am 21 on Sunday. That's exciting. It's actually more exciting than any other birthday I've had. But also precarious. 21. Now even America thinks I'm an adult, I suppose I have some growing up to do. So, over the next year - some resolutions...
Firstly - I am 21 on Sunday. That's exciting. It's actually more exciting than any other birthday I've had. But also precarious. 21. Now even America thinks I'm an adult, I suppose I have some growing up to do. So, over the next year - some resolutions...
- Learn to drive (I will never own a car, but I am a failure in my family if I don't get these skills).
- Learn InDesign, the CAD programs and become AMAZING at creating and understanding Manual Drafting (because at the moment it looks like nothingness, and I want this as a career).
- Travel, everywhere, anywhere.
- Paradoxically, not quit uni because you're bored or need adventure. One degree, that's all I ask.
- Take up French.
Secondly - and much more interesting for you! Mon amour has a job! In Brisbane no less. He is an engineer in the city, all grown up, I am so proud and ecstatic he gets to stay. He is even now applying for sponsorship to stay long term. I will keep you all updated.
The (minor) downside of this is that he booked a one way ticket to France and I leased a '1 person only' place the week before we discovered he would stay. So I'm in a minor real estate rut. But, in reality, whatever. I am so happy I don't have to suffer the woes of having a partner on the other side of the world? Does that even work? I'm doubtful.
The other news is that my degree is thrilling but evil. I love and hate every second. The good news is that (so long as I pass!) I will be finished 1st year by November. That's very close. Cross your fingers ;)
Until next, besitos! x
Monday, 11 July 2011
Live in London (part 1)
Perhaps the title of this post isn't clear enough. This post isn't going to be mainly about living in London (although it is, in fact, all of these posts are), it's more about 'Live' things that go on in London, bands and various other events you'd be foolish not to see whilst in London. And the best part? Most of them are cheap, if not, free.
As a big music buff, I'm going to be mainly talking about music here, but there's a few other bits and pieces I feel morally obligated to throw in, starting with cultural events, which will be my first post in a 3 (ish) part series.
Firstly, there is Chinese New Year, I'm sure you are all more than familiar with London's Chinatown that stretches between Covent Garden and Holborn, a veritable goldmine of dumplings and herbal stores. While Chinatown is great at any time of year, I can not recommend the Chinese New Year celebrations enough. Generally taking place in February, London is still pretty cold and dark, but the sheer magnitude of these events are sure to warm your heart. Firstly, there is a presentation in Trafalgar square, choirs, singers, dancers, dragons and all the various fare. If you then walk back in to Chinatown, (and yes, it gets devastatingly crowded, so take your best sense of urgency with you!), there will be beautiful lanterns, special meals, little stalls full of kitsch Chinese New Year paraphanalia (think red drums and golden cats) followed by a small and smoky firework presentation in Leicester square.
Whilst in Leicester square, I should also mention West End Live, which I believe you may have already missed this year (it was on in October-ish last year, so I didn't expect it to come around so early!). Basically, the Westminster council groups a few of the West End's stellar theatre companies together, and gets them all to perform a short song, dance, snippet from their play, etc. It's fascinating stuff and they also generally include a few stalls full of science projects, maybe face painting, or comic book sort of things (I suppose you could generalise it all as being 'kid friendly'. The best bit? Well, you get to see a bit of a London fesitval for free!
Heading up North a bit now, to Holborn, I wanted to tell you about the Bloomsbury festival, a nice little bricolage of music, dance, theatre, UCL students and food! It generally lasts a few days in October-ish and is a great way to celebrate the end of the British Summer (I can hear all you poor antipodeans grumble, I know, the fun settles down from this point a bit!). The festival has been cancelled for two years before 2010, so I'm not sure if you will be lucky enough to see it again - here is a link for reference: http://www.bloomsburyfestival.org.uk/
Now toward the east, presenting the London Fields Festival! I have told you so many times about the wonders the East (my old hometown) have to provide you with. And I maintain my belief that it is one of the most 'alive' corners on London that you may ever find. Now, London Fields and Brick Lane both have markets every weekend (on the Saturday and Sunday respectively), but around August, London Fields turns in to a wonderful little festival scene, totally free, with a real sense of community pride and happiness. I cannot recommend you go enough. However, I have just checked the site and, in what seems to be an ever more stifling style, it has been cancelled for this year at least, a true pity and I am so sad that you have to miss out on this. If you have ever been, follow my lead and make your complaints known! http://www.littlelondonfields.co.uk/
Fear not however, there are a few more wondrous things that the East has to offer, firstly of course there is the spectacular Guy Fawkes fire work night, held in November-ish most years in Victoria Park, it gets very crowded and if you want any bearable view you need to get there early (yes early, I'm talking to you my Italian friends!!!). It also tends to be freezing, but take a coat and a thermos of tea, and you'll be fine!
Well, I think that's it for cultural events, I may have to present another post later with things I may have forgotten - I hope this has provided a jumping off point for you - there is so much to go and see in London, so please make the most of it!
x
As a big music buff, I'm going to be mainly talking about music here, but there's a few other bits and pieces I feel morally obligated to throw in, starting with cultural events, which will be my first post in a 3 (ish) part series.
Firstly, there is Chinese New Year, I'm sure you are all more than familiar with London's Chinatown that stretches between Covent Garden and Holborn, a veritable goldmine of dumplings and herbal stores. While Chinatown is great at any time of year, I can not recommend the Chinese New Year celebrations enough. Generally taking place in February, London is still pretty cold and dark, but the sheer magnitude of these events are sure to warm your heart. Firstly, there is a presentation in Trafalgar square, choirs, singers, dancers, dragons and all the various fare. If you then walk back in to Chinatown, (and yes, it gets devastatingly crowded, so take your best sense of urgency with you!), there will be beautiful lanterns, special meals, little stalls full of kitsch Chinese New Year paraphanalia (think red drums and golden cats) followed by a small and smoky firework presentation in Leicester square.
Whilst in Leicester square, I should also mention West End Live, which I believe you may have already missed this year (it was on in October-ish last year, so I didn't expect it to come around so early!). Basically, the Westminster council groups a few of the West End's stellar theatre companies together, and gets them all to perform a short song, dance, snippet from their play, etc. It's fascinating stuff and they also generally include a few stalls full of science projects, maybe face painting, or comic book sort of things (I suppose you could generalise it all as being 'kid friendly'. The best bit? Well, you get to see a bit of a London fesitval for free!
Heading up North a bit now, to Holborn, I wanted to tell you about the Bloomsbury festival, a nice little bricolage of music, dance, theatre, UCL students and food! It generally lasts a few days in October-ish and is a great way to celebrate the end of the British Summer (I can hear all you poor antipodeans grumble, I know, the fun settles down from this point a bit!). The festival has been cancelled for two years before 2010, so I'm not sure if you will be lucky enough to see it again - here is a link for reference: http://www.bloomsburyfestival.org.uk/
Now toward the east, presenting the London Fields Festival! I have told you so many times about the wonders the East (my old hometown) have to provide you with. And I maintain my belief that it is one of the most 'alive' corners on London that you may ever find. Now, London Fields and Brick Lane both have markets every weekend (on the Saturday and Sunday respectively), but around August, London Fields turns in to a wonderful little festival scene, totally free, with a real sense of community pride and happiness. I cannot recommend you go enough. However, I have just checked the site and, in what seems to be an ever more stifling style, it has been cancelled for this year at least, a true pity and I am so sad that you have to miss out on this. If you have ever been, follow my lead and make your complaints known! http://www.littlelondonfields.co.uk/
Fear not however, there are a few more wondrous things that the East has to offer, firstly of course there is the spectacular Guy Fawkes fire work night, held in November-ish most years in Victoria Park, it gets very crowded and if you want any bearable view you need to get there early (yes early, I'm talking to you my Italian friends!!!). It also tends to be freezing, but take a coat and a thermos of tea, and you'll be fine!
Well, I think that's it for cultural events, I may have to present another post later with things I may have forgotten - I hope this has provided a jumping off point for you - there is so much to go and see in London, so please make the most of it!
x
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
A streetcab named rip-off
One little ditty for you all as, once again, I am hindered from posting anything decent to you all for a while. The next month or so I'm going to be very busy finishing my first semester at uni (don't ever say design isn't a challenge, you've never met my lecturers!). So far I'm doing pretty well, and I intend to keep that up.
So, the purpose of this note is not just to say 'bye for now' of course. Would I do that to you? I just wanted to give you all a run down on the public transport in London (from b to t - bike to tube and everything in between).
Bike: The hire bikes were introduced to London (in zone 1 and a teeny bit of zone 2, though extensions were planned) and so my expertise on them is fairly limited. Pay a fee, and you can hire the bike out day by day, or of course you can get a membership which is more cost effective. Unlike in Australia, you don't need to wear a helmet, but the sheer amount of traffic may make you want to invest in one anyway. London has hoons, don't assume the English are as polite as their reputations may make you think.
Bus: Much cheaper than the metro and, if you live in zones 1 or 2, again, just as effective as the tube. Old Boris has been slowly jacking up all public transport prices, but the bus still beats the tube costwise, and, you'll find, sometimes it's just as fast (particularly if you know how to bus-hop). Also, when you're new, it's a wonderful way to see London and get your bearings.
DLR: The information under 'metro' (particularly regarding strikes) will be of great value for you as well. The DLR is fairly fast, and a great way to get to Southern areas like Greenwich, but be prepared for lots and lots of works going on the weekend.
Metro (tube, underground): The tube is a bit love/hate. Firstly, it's more expensive than the bus. Secondly, 'signal failures' are much more common than you would hope (and spending an hour underground waiting for the bleeding tube to move whilst you run ever more late for work) is hell. Thirdly, the staff are not paid enough and like to strike, I would say 3 - 5 times a year, at inconvenient times, it causes supreme havoc. Also, catching it in peak hour is disgusting. On the brightside, when it works, it really works. And you will get wherever you need to go super super fast. The best (i.e most reliable lines) tend to be Piccadilly, Central and the Northern. Stay the flip away from the District and Circle.
Overground: Similar to the tube really, links you to a lot of places that weren't accessible via the tube previously (Dalston, Haggerston, etc) therefore I also blame it for a huge jump in rental prices in the east. Having said that it's quite nice and modern.
Taxi (cab): This really threw me off when I arrived in London. There are two forms of taxis: the very cute, horrifically expensive 'Black Cab' (like you see in all those pictures) and private cabs, much cheaper, from the outside, look like a normal car. The general rule is, you can't hail a private cab down, I've tried before, they thought I was a prostitute. The issue is, they are all run by little call centers (you'll know the numbers when you see them, they look like any other business number), and, if you don't know where you are (this will happen), you're a bit screwed. Also, if you're too far away from the number you called, you are also screwed. The lesson is, be prepared for paying a lot in a black cab, store millions of private cab numbers in your phone for any occasion, remember all your local nightbuses and, ideally, never leave zone 2 after 10pm!
Funny story on that note - a friend used to have a 'no-one-nighter-or-relationship' policy with anyone living further than zone 2, that transport issue just gets awkward. 2 hour train ride of shame early Sunday morning? No, ta.
So, the purpose of this note is not just to say 'bye for now' of course. Would I do that to you? I just wanted to give you all a run down on the public transport in London (from b to t - bike to tube and everything in between).
*
Bike: The hire bikes were introduced to London (in zone 1 and a teeny bit of zone 2, though extensions were planned) and so my expertise on them is fairly limited. Pay a fee, and you can hire the bike out day by day, or of course you can get a membership which is more cost effective. Unlike in Australia, you don't need to wear a helmet, but the sheer amount of traffic may make you want to invest in one anyway. London has hoons, don't assume the English are as polite as their reputations may make you think.
Bus: Much cheaper than the metro and, if you live in zones 1 or 2, again, just as effective as the tube. Old Boris has been slowly jacking up all public transport prices, but the bus still beats the tube costwise, and, you'll find, sometimes it's just as fast (particularly if you know how to bus-hop). Also, when you're new, it's a wonderful way to see London and get your bearings.
DLR: The information under 'metro' (particularly regarding strikes) will be of great value for you as well. The DLR is fairly fast, and a great way to get to Southern areas like Greenwich, but be prepared for lots and lots of works going on the weekend.
Metro (tube, underground): The tube is a bit love/hate. Firstly, it's more expensive than the bus. Secondly, 'signal failures' are much more common than you would hope (and spending an hour underground waiting for the bleeding tube to move whilst you run ever more late for work) is hell. Thirdly, the staff are not paid enough and like to strike, I would say 3 - 5 times a year, at inconvenient times, it causes supreme havoc. Also, catching it in peak hour is disgusting. On the brightside, when it works, it really works. And you will get wherever you need to go super super fast. The best (i.e most reliable lines) tend to be Piccadilly, Central and the Northern. Stay the flip away from the District and Circle.
Overground: Similar to the tube really, links you to a lot of places that weren't accessible via the tube previously (Dalston, Haggerston, etc) therefore I also blame it for a huge jump in rental prices in the east. Having said that it's quite nice and modern.
Taxi (cab): This really threw me off when I arrived in London. There are two forms of taxis: the very cute, horrifically expensive 'Black Cab' (like you see in all those pictures) and private cabs, much cheaper, from the outside, look like a normal car. The general rule is, you can't hail a private cab down, I've tried before, they thought I was a prostitute. The issue is, they are all run by little call centers (you'll know the numbers when you see them, they look like any other business number), and, if you don't know where you are (this will happen), you're a bit screwed. Also, if you're too far away from the number you called, you are also screwed. The lesson is, be prepared for paying a lot in a black cab, store millions of private cab numbers in your phone for any occasion, remember all your local nightbuses and, ideally, never leave zone 2 after 10pm!
Funny story on that note - a friend used to have a 'no-one-nighter-or-relationship' policy with anyone living further than zone 2, that transport issue just gets awkward. 2 hour train ride of shame early Sunday morning? No, ta.
*
P.S: www.tfl.gov.uk - a lifesaver, that's no lie. (At least I had *warning* I had to make the 1 hour journey to my work by foot at 5am, in December, at least 3 times). *sobs*
Sunday, 20 March 2011
East/West Side Story
Having just moved in to the West End of Brisbane (which I love, despite my moaning about my expensive studio here) it got me to thinking I should give you all a (incredibly biased) tour about town. So, part one, for you lucky travellers - where should you find a house?!
Le copain and I lived in totally different areas of London. I in zone 2 East End (just past Liverpool st, a veritable gold-mine of sub-continental Asian immigration and dodgy landlords, and him in the (so aptly named) 'frog-valley' that is South Kensington, zone 1. Big, white apartments, interior design stores & macarons. I don't even need to describe it... I have pictures.
Observe.
Obviously this is generalization at it's worst, but, for an antipodean tourist (or indeed, any tourist) - this is going to help you work out where you will want to live.
For those who need a cheap place and don't mind a bit of grit: Council houses in the East or South. Let me admit - I couldn't hack that. I did for a few months and then upgraded to a full time job and thus a little studio in a block of apartments above a pub. Maybe I lived in a particularly dodgy one, but getting followed home at 10pm or, should you choose the 'safer' option and take a cab, being solicited by the driver. I paid about 200 more (per month) to live on a main road closer to a night bus. Highly recommended.
Hot spots to visit in the South and East: Brick Lane, Columbia Road, Brixton, New Cross, London Fields, Borough markets.
For those who want somewhere right in town, a little gritty, a lot cool: Try up North, Camden (good luck to your bank account), Angel/ Islington, Highbury. You'll be paying more rentwise - but the area is vastly populated and seems more peaceful than in the East - I've always felt fine walking around there at night (as a young lady, that seems important). If you're willing to go a bit further out of time I highly recommend Stoke Newington - feels a little edgy and cool, but also a bit like a village. Other people are on to this though, so prices could rise.
Hotspots in the North: Camden market, KOKO nightclub, Regent's canal, Notting Hill.
For those who don't consider money a factor: Lucky you! Take your pick! Honestly, if I were young, single and had a very full bank account I would probably still live in the East, maybe Shoreditch or so. But, the real budget busters are South Kensington, Notting Hill, Chalk Farm (Primrose Hill), Kensington, Knightsbridge, Chelsea, etc (there are so many horribly expensive places I'm not going to name them all - I defy you to find someone who will!). The boy was living in a teeny student residence and was paying 170 per week. About double what I paid for a much bigger room. I suppose it's all about the postcode, darling.
Hotspots in high society: Harrods, V&A Museum, Museum of Natural History, Hyde Park, Mayfair.
Most of the people I worked with would choose to live somewhere far out of London (Northampton, Kent, Reading) and commute in daily. But watch out for nasty train fares - and for the younger generation, living out of the smoke is certainly not 'cool'.
All the luck possible guys. Get in contact if you want an opinion.
(P.S: Again, excuse my monumentously awful generalizations and, indeed, the fact that the South and North of London are more or less cut out - this blog is for illustrative purposes!)
Le copain and I lived in totally different areas of London. I in zone 2 East End (just past Liverpool st, a veritable gold-mine of sub-continental Asian immigration and dodgy landlords, and him in the (so aptly named) 'frog-valley' that is South Kensington, zone 1. Big, white apartments, interior design stores & macarons. I don't even need to describe it... I have pictures.
Observe.
 |
| East |
 |
| West |
Obviously this is generalization at it's worst, but, for an antipodean tourist (or indeed, any tourist) - this is going to help you work out where you will want to live.
For those who need a cheap place and don't mind a bit of grit: Council houses in the East or South. Let me admit - I couldn't hack that. I did for a few months and then upgraded to a full time job and thus a little studio in a block of apartments above a pub. Maybe I lived in a particularly dodgy one, but getting followed home at 10pm or, should you choose the 'safer' option and take a cab, being solicited by the driver. I paid about 200 more (per month) to live on a main road closer to a night bus. Highly recommended.
Hot spots to visit in the South and East: Brick Lane, Columbia Road, Brixton, New Cross, London Fields, Borough markets.
 |
| Towards Liverpool street on Shoreditch High St. |
For those who want somewhere right in town, a little gritty, a lot cool: Try up North, Camden (good luck to your bank account), Angel/ Islington, Highbury. You'll be paying more rentwise - but the area is vastly populated and seems more peaceful than in the East - I've always felt fine walking around there at night (as a young lady, that seems important). If you're willing to go a bit further out of time I highly recommend Stoke Newington - feels a little edgy and cool, but also a bit like a village. Other people are on to this though, so prices could rise.
Hotspots in the North: Camden market, KOKO nightclub, Regent's canal, Notting Hill.
 |
| Camden Markets |
For those who don't consider money a factor: Lucky you! Take your pick! Honestly, if I were young, single and had a very full bank account I would probably still live in the East, maybe Shoreditch or so. But, the real budget busters are South Kensington, Notting Hill, Chalk Farm (Primrose Hill), Kensington, Knightsbridge, Chelsea, etc (there are so many horribly expensive places I'm not going to name them all - I defy you to find someone who will!). The boy was living in a teeny student residence and was paying 170 per week. About double what I paid for a much bigger room. I suppose it's all about the postcode, darling.
Hotspots in high society: Harrods, V&A Museum, Museum of Natural History, Hyde Park, Mayfair.
Most of the people I worked with would choose to live somewhere far out of London (Northampton, Kent, Reading) and commute in daily. But watch out for nasty train fares - and for the younger generation, living out of the smoke is certainly not 'cool'.
All the luck possible guys. Get in contact if you want an opinion.
(P.S: Again, excuse my monumentously awful generalizations and, indeed, the fact that the South and North of London are more or less cut out - this blog is for illustrative purposes!)
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Interlude
I have moved to Brisbane and share 1.5 rooms of heaven with mon amour. University started on Monday, I'm already 45 times more artistic than I ever thought I would be, (hooray, now I have a reason to be pretentious!).My head is exploding with knowledge and, aside from the fairly common panic attacks over how on Earth I am meant to pay rent, fund uni and eat over the next month, life is good.
On a more relevant note for you guys - my notebook has died in the journey over here and all of my photos I need to show you are hidden somewhere on that harddrive. Fear not, I should have them by next week and then you will be post-ified and updated on London once again.
Thankyou, lovelies.
On a more relevant note for you guys - my notebook has died in the journey over here and all of my photos I need to show you are hidden somewhere on that harddrive. Fear not, I should have them by next week and then you will be post-ified and updated on London once again.
Thankyou, lovelies.
Monday, 7 February 2011
Back in Bris-bane of my existance.
Oh goodness. It's been a whole month since I've spoken to you all! Sorry, sorry. I think since the very moment I got off the (incredibly turbulent) plane my head has been in a total swirl of nothingness. I want to tell you that it's lovely to be back in a city you know, with familiar faces and a way of life you know like the back of your hand.
But I can't.
Don't get me wrong, I've loved seeing my family again, I loved looking at pictures of me as a baby and remembering the golden era of times when the hardest decision was, well there wasn't any. But there is this huge social wall around me, I'm still waking up at 6.45 am to get ready for work like I'm still in England, I'm spending money like I still have an income, I'm still assuming that my boyfriend is going to stay because we're only an hour from his family. But none of it's true. It's like adjusting back to the old way of life is just as hard as adjusting to a new one. I don't want to call any of my old friends, I don't want to reminisce about the 18 year old who left. On the other hand, nor do I want to talk about the 20 year old who's come back.
Of course, the bigger issue is that the love of my life is not adjusting well either. Queensland is a beautiful, laid back land, and perhaps I've been naive, but I thought he'd have a job by now. But since we've been hit by a cyclone (Yasi, google some satellite pictures) and enormous flood damage have slowed the Queensland economy and pushed up rental prices. As such, le copain has no job, and we are renting a house that neither of us can actually afford. More to the point, he has widened his job search Australia wide - which means I have driven right in to financial shit creek (without a license - how did I do that?!) if he goes.
NB: Don't sign a lease with someone who is planning to leave. I know everybody tells you that, and you think something like 'psh yeah, whatever, nobody is stupid enough to do that' but it seems to strike when you least expect it.
I am hoping that it all works out soon though, we are slowly moving in and making maison Brisbane look slightly more maison-ly and I am jobhunting for anything that will provide me with an income so I can support myself through study, and my poor adorable Frenchman through his jobsearch. Chin up though, something has to give soon. Le copain still has some valuable leads, and I? Well, I'm going to be a student, I'll muddle through.
I attach a few pictures of the end of France and through South East Asia. After this, I'm going back to London (in this blog, at least).
Wish us luck, you know we need it!
But I can't.
Don't get me wrong, I've loved seeing my family again, I loved looking at pictures of me as a baby and remembering the golden era of times when the hardest decision was, well there wasn't any. But there is this huge social wall around me, I'm still waking up at 6.45 am to get ready for work like I'm still in England, I'm spending money like I still have an income, I'm still assuming that my boyfriend is going to stay because we're only an hour from his family. But none of it's true. It's like adjusting back to the old way of life is just as hard as adjusting to a new one. I don't want to call any of my old friends, I don't want to reminisce about the 18 year old who left. On the other hand, nor do I want to talk about the 20 year old who's come back.
Of course, the bigger issue is that the love of my life is not adjusting well either. Queensland is a beautiful, laid back land, and perhaps I've been naive, but I thought he'd have a job by now. But since we've been hit by a cyclone (Yasi, google some satellite pictures) and enormous flood damage have slowed the Queensland economy and pushed up rental prices. As such, le copain has no job, and we are renting a house that neither of us can actually afford. More to the point, he has widened his job search Australia wide - which means I have driven right in to financial shit creek (without a license - how did I do that?!) if he goes.
NB: Don't sign a lease with someone who is planning to leave. I know everybody tells you that, and you think something like 'psh yeah, whatever, nobody is stupid enough to do that' but it seems to strike when you least expect it.
I am hoping that it all works out soon though, we are slowly moving in and making maison Brisbane look slightly more maison-ly and I am jobhunting for anything that will provide me with an income so I can support myself through study, and my poor adorable Frenchman through his jobsearch. Chin up though, something has to give soon. Le copain still has some valuable leads, and I? Well, I'm going to be a student, I'll muddle through.
I attach a few pictures of the end of France and through South East Asia. After this, I'm going back to London (in this blog, at least).
Wish us luck, you know we need it!
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| Christmas in Toulouse, 2010 |
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| Toulouse in Winter, 2010 |
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| Hindu temple in Singapore - January 2011 |
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| 2011 - Year of the Rabbit, Gong xi fa hai (I think?) |
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| The Petronas Towers - Kuala Lumpur. January 2011 |
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| Finding a bit of France even in Singapore, January 2011. |
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