Australia: Tales from a Canadian Nomad: Becoming a Melbournite

my bedroom, big window behind the bed

I am a shameful blogger. There are a few reasons for that, but overall laziness does factor in. My laptop screen has stopped working; my new iPad does not allow an sd card to upload my photos; and I've just switched teams at work, so finally spend less time in front of a computer. After spending all day in front of one, I don't always feel like doing the same at home, particularly if the experience at work was unpleasant and frustrating. The photo thing is a real pain, but then I remembered that I still had my old little purple computer - has internet, working screen, and most importantly - allows for my sd card.I need to sort out the issue with my laptop. It's probably something stupid like a monitor button I pressed but cannot find to press again. Who the hell knows. I got my iPad about the same time so have just been using that. I had been thinking about getting an iPad for months, and they finally dropped the price of the iPad 2, as the newest version is now out, so I picked up the iPad 2 for $398. I also bought the keyboard so I can use it at work too, like when I'm sitting around at court all day, I can work on case notes and other docs. There's talk at work that we will all have an iPad before the end of the year, which would be awesome.

I love my new team. Good group of folks, minor frustrations, and very welcoming. I certainly feel like I fit on this team. My new pod is directly across and down one pod from my old one, so see all my former team members all the time. My new position is much more what I like. Still an enormous amount of paperwork, but that's the nature of the biz, both government and social work - if you didn't document it, it didn't happen. My favorite part though is the contact with families, and the opportunity to help a family reach goals, and make positive changes in their lives.It's very different from Alice Springs - I'm back to sitting in peoples living rooms or kitchens and taking paper notes on a table. How very different from sitting in the red dirt and sand with a family in the shade of a gum tree. I miss Alice Springs.

the rest of my bedroom

I've finally been feeling better and well enough to go exploring, as well as finish up my apartment. It's much smaller than my last place in Alice Springs, but it works well for Dundee and I, and I am enjoying life in Footscray. I began tutoring a Vietnamese woman on Saturday mornings. She has very little English so we focus on whatever she would like to know, written and/or spoken. It's been very interesting to finally volunteer again on a regular basis. I haven't been able to do that in the past with work schedules and bush trips that chopped up my time. I do miss the bush though, just being out there in the middle of nowhere surrounded by the red desert, camels, and the bright blue sky. I'm glad I bought some artwork during my time there, and having it all over my walls reminds me all the time of the beauty of central Australia.
I have been so happy with the weather, though the recent high winds were beginning to piss me off. I never could sleep when the wind blew back in Canada. I can sleep through rain, thunder, and barking dogs, but the wind has always worried me. I think partly because I have seen what it can do up close and personal, particularly when I lived in Grand Bruit. The temperatures are still fairly chilly here compared to Alice Springs where it's already been 38C...gross. Good move coming here. I can actually wear sweaters and socks. I am looking forward to a bit warmer weather so I can go to the beach. There are so many nice ones close by, so I'll be visiting most of them!

I've gotten comfortable enough to find my way around Footscray without the GPS, but the rest of the city is still a bit tricky. I know the general direction and big highways, but it is a fairly big city, particularly compared to Alice Springs. The traffic is bad at times, but public transit is pretty good, so I often just jump on the train and head into the masses. I've been to visit friends, stroll the downtown streets, and explore the many parks. I came across a cool one the other day not far from my house. I happened along it by accident. I've got a separate post in progress about the park with a group of photos. Stay tuned!
Dundee has settled right into the new digs. I bought him a new bed which he seems to be happy enough with. He loves the balcony, and hangs out there for hours on end. I like leaving the door open to keep the air fresh. It's not too smelly where I live - no restaurants next door or factories. I'm far back enough from the road that I don't smell any exhaust fumes from my place. And on that note...time to head off to bed!