Ok, so there has been a cold spell on the blogfront, so sorry!
I’ve moved into a new house with Matt and his friend Cam. It’s a brand new 3 bedroom, 2 bath townhouse and it’s situated in the much more conveniently located suburb of Maidstone. This entitles me to a 25 minute commute to the city instead of a 50 minute – 1 hour commute which is exciting. We were able to move everything in one trip (basically) and didn’t need any help unpacking, in fact, I think Matt has completely unpacked everything. So, in theory, this has been the easiest move of my life!
I’m still not exactly sure where I am but got the bus this morning to Footscray train station and then it was only 2 more stops into the city (instead of the usual 10). Now that I have seen Romper Stomper (Russell Crowe, skinheads in Melbourne), I can’t get that opening scene out of my head where they beat that guy up in Footscray station! Unfortunately (or fortunately) I did not run into Mr. Crowe, but yesterday I had another train mishap. Let me first say that although it is great that I am able to get places on the public transport, and most times of the day the trains are fine, I seem to always have an annoying train story to tell by the end of the day. First it was just the train running a few minutes late which I can deal with, but then came the time when I hopped onto a train, it went one stop, then made us all get off and said the line was no longer running and they would be taking buses into the city. I later found out this was because a 7 year old boy had been hit by the train, but of course at the time I had no idea what was going on and was cursing Connex under my breath. Then came the time going home when there was a faulty train on the line and I had to get off halfway through my commute and then switch to buses. And of course yesterday, the train would not go to the station which I would have liked, but due to an accident of some sort, we were made to get off 3 stops before mine and be bused to the rest of the stations. Luckily Matt has been available each of these times to pick me up but I know that will not always be the case. Also, the trains get so packed that at every stop when the doors open you hear the same rants and rave about how people need to move, yet there is nowhere for people to go, and then they get angry, and ra ra ra. Fun!!!!
Enough of that. I enjoy riding the trains through neighborhoods and busy suburbs and seeing parks and the city and sleepy towns.
Another update is that I have applied for my new visa! My working visa expired on Feb 23, so after my unsuccessful attempt to get a tourist visa online, I went into the immigration office on Feb 22 for a grueling two and a half hour wait. When I finally spoke to Glenn, my really awesome immigration officer man, he was going to grant me the tourist visa right then and there, but instead put me on a bridging visa that will allow me to still legally work until March 13. A few more weeks of pay and then my tourist visa will be granted on March 14, and then I will have about a month off to chill out and enjoy this city. I have done a few things here and there but will enjoy the time to sleep in and just spend some time with myself (and maybe a kangaroo in the zoo). So, being nice to your immigration officer does help, just in case you were wondering.
What has Amy been up to as of late? Hm.. Well, Saturday I woke up at a decent hour and went to the art museum in Federation Square in the city with my work lady friend Leonie. There was a fashion exhibit there called “Black is Back” and it looked at the color black in fashion and had a few dresses on display. Apparently in Queen Victoria time, as when her husband died, she was made to wear the color black for a year and a day in mourning, and only after then could she began to weave a bit of drab color into the wardrobe, such as grey or brown or a different shade of black. We explored a bit more of the museum that had Aboriginal works but were getting a bit silly and immature for an art gallery so we left and did a bit of shopping. There was a huge used book sale outside which was fun, and a live band playing. It seems like there is always something going on in this city, which I am not used to!
A week or so ago I started going to an acupuncture student clinic in Fitzroy that offers low price services and consultations. My appointment took a whole two and half hours and that was partly because I was questioned by two different students one after the other and then checked on by the supervisor. This didn’t really bother me for the price, but you know what they say, time is money! Apparently I have “liver wind” and a “hot tongue” which I’m not really sure what that all means, but I know that I now think my tongue is abnormal. One of the things they do when they diagnose you is to have you stick out your tongue and supposedly mine shakes and diverts to the left a bit. Have you ever really inspected your tongue? Yeah, me neither. I have some herbs to take but I haven’t begun them because they take a while to prepare. Basically though at this point it is nice to be doing something for myself, even if I don’t know what the hell is going on in my windy liver.
After accunpuncture I met up with some work friends at a karaoke bar, but instead of just one karaoke stage, this place was actually a building made up of karaoke rooms that you rent! How cool!? I busted up into a room with 8 drunk coworkers singing Marilyn Manson and the Macarena. How could I not sing when I didn’t have to risk the embarassment of singing in front of strangers?! This thing is the best invention ever. You could pick any song you wanted so I of course sang “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey and well, any song that I knew that I could steal the mic for. I think there was video taken but I hope I never have to watch it. Please don’t immediately jump over to youtube, for my sake, thanks.
There are certain things I miss that are things I can live without but that I feel very comforted by when I have them near. For example, I miss mozzarella sticks. I miss real mayonnaise. I miss Vitamin Water. I miss the American accent (shocking). I miss Target. I miss driving. I miss being independent.
I’ve been listening to www.wrir.com Richmond Indie Radio while at work because when I start, the evening show is just coming on and I’ve caught a lot of aweseome bluegrass/twangy music that I didn’t realize I would miss so much while I was gone. I feel an even stronger pang when I hear this music, such as today when they were doing a tribute to Johnny Cash for his birthday. The music gives me a sense of pride of where I come from and something that although I do nothing but enjoy it and listen to it, I can somehow claim it as mine, it comes from my land, it comes from my people. I suppose that sounds odd but from halfway around the world I find it comforting and important to connect with that which you sprung and lately I’ve been realizing the impact a geographical location has on your identity. I do miss home, it must be said.
I would love to ramble on but at the moment my mind is fogged with missing payment lots and the confusion that will be finding my way home during rush hour. Although I am a participant in this society I still feel at times a huge outsider and know that the moment I open my mouth I will be found out. Too many emotions going on at once in my mind to spit out at the moment.
I’m reading a Murakami short story book and his writing just about sums up my life at the moment – absurd, observational, random, lovely, moving story yet leaves you completely confused at the end.
