To Another Adventure at The Pond's Edge: Playing catch-up (oops)

To be honest, last Monday feels like it was a decade away. I’m assuming it feels that way because a lot has happened in the past week, not because I’m getting older. Normally it seems that as you get older time goes by very quickly, and it feels “like just yesterday” that you were in college, or high school for that matter. I don’t think that being forgetfully has anything to do with my age either, I think that has to do with my obsession with T.V. when I was younger. It turned my memory to mush I think. (When was the last time I wrote a blog entry? … Last week sometime??... Moving on…)

This past week anyhow, I’ve moved into my apartment, met with several friends and made new friends, acquired a lot of furniture, dishes, silverware, and even helped my friend Robby construct my bed frame. Where to even start, when I can’t remember the sequence of events? Instead I’ll just give you the highlights… it’ll be a shorter entry that way anyhow. Technically I could probably write a good 3 or 4 pages on this week alone, but I’ll save you from suffering TOO much

Monday I was checking my bank account as often as possible to see if I had received money from the U.S. I am very thankful that Carl is such a wonderful and patient man to make sure all of the paper work to get an international wire was organized, however I should have asked for it earlier. The weekend really put a crimp in the works, and as some of you may know I’m an A+ worrier. I needed the money to pay the deposit plus 2 weeks rent for the new unit. I didn’t want the realtors to give away the apartment I had my heart set on! By the afternoon that day I realized that as anxious as I might be I needed to move on with my day, besides the wire wasn’t going to happen until the banks here opened on Tuesday morning. I knew that. My afternoon was spent in the Queensland Museum. I was scoping it out for when the museum asked for an interview. I found the museum to be highly fascinating. I was very impressed that they already had an exhibit for the Brisbane Floods 2011, and the Torry Straights Islander and Aboriginal exhibit really made me want to learn more about their cultures. I had a few suggestions for the suggestion box, but that’s how I am. I like coming up with ideas. I felt that they could use more interactive exhibits for adults (because they like to play too), and more talks (even if they’re just given by the museum staff). I’ll be keeping those thoughts to myself during the interview however. I don’t want to come off pushy, or full of myself, or whatever giving suggestions like that might sound like during an interview.

Tuesday I received the international money transfer from my U.S. account and straight away paid my deposit. Later that day I received my keys and went to the apartment to fill out a Condition Report. When I returned the Condition Report later that day, the realtor’s office was quite impressed. Most tenants take a few days to fill it out. I told them that I wanted to be on top of it, and I had taken pictures to boot. I want to make sure I’m not going to get blamed for anything that wasn’t my fault. Not that I think I have to worry though. The house that the unit is in is an old house with plenty wrong with it. My room looks as if it was used as a child’s play room, with kid height doodles on the walls. It’s not the most “perfect” place, but it’s my place. It’s close to transportation, the library, and a few quaint little cafes.

Wednesday my superb friend Deanne picked me up from my friends’ place, and we were off to find a bed, a fridge, a fan, and a few other things I would need at my place. The fan was a must, and I didn’t let Deanne forget it. It was only dropping down to the mid-80s at night (it seemed), was super humid, and Wednesday was to be my first night in the new place without a/c. We found a double mattress for a bargain and I decided to buy a fridge since it was going to be about $100 more in the long run to rent one. Both of those items were to be delivered on Thursday, and jumping ahead a bit chronologically, they were delivered on time! The rest of Wednesday evening, after I put my new fan together (very important), I spent putting together a clothing rack and a set of drawers. I had spaghetti for dinner with my new neighbor, David. He’s an interesting fellow in maybe his late 60’s who’s a bit protective, but I suppose that’s a good thing in the end.

Thursday I got groceries to put in my fridge! Just a few things… cheese, tomatoes, pita bread, and 2 pears. What can I say? I’m simple… plus I didn’t have anything to cook with at that point. I had no pots or pans donated yet. Those were to come on Saturday. I met up with my friends Mike and Marilyn, had a good chat with them, and got to take home some of their extra kitchen stuff! All very exciting! That night I met with another friend, had dinner, chatted, and was offered to do some contracted work on a webpage. I don’t really have a clue about those at all, but I told my friend that I would do some research and see what I could do. It’s a good thing that my neighbor David builds computers, and my other neighbor, Ben works IT. Between the two of them I’m sure I have plenty tech support. After such an adventurous day I was glad to fall asleep on the temporary cot I was calling a bed.

Friday, still no internet or word from the museum, and my neighbor, who has moved from the house next door has mentioned that the people from next door want to physically hurt him and that I should call the police if they come over. I think I may invest in a pad lock… There are a few things that worry me about this place and feeling completely safe is one of them. Don’t get me wrong, I feel safe… I just want to do everything I can to continue to feel that way, or better. I can’t wait for Brad to get here! During the day Friday I spent my day spending money once again. I’m getting quite good at it… I can’t wait to make money again though. Per usual I made a few friends as well; a librarian at the local library and a foreign linguistics student from Libya. John is super fascinating even though he sometimes struggles with the English language, but then again who doesn’t? His plan is to stay in Australia as long as there’s blood being shed in his country. He is quite worried about his family and friends, but says that he’s better off staying here and studying than being in Libya. Scary.

Friday night, after eating fish and chips and being semi-lectured about staying out too late by David, I headed out to a birthday party for a few of my friends. I got back at about 2am (I took a taxi all the way to the front door), and who was waiting at the gate? You guessed it, David. I found out later that he has a daughter about my age, and had a son about my age that was killed in Iraq… by an American soldier. Apparently it was a case of mistaken identity, but it doesn’t make it right. It’s very sad.

Saturday was the day we were promised internet and a washing machine. At least the washing machine came... on Sunday. Turns out there are a few things wrong with getting the internet, according to Ben and David; no phone line for each unit, no one had called to have the internet installed (*shrug*), and the company is one that overcharges for slow internet. That day I went to both the city and state libraries to find internet. I had no luck at either one. I spent most of the day reading and relaxing. There wasn’t much else to do. That evening I received my pots and pans! I can officially start cookin’!

Sunday... the day of rest, at least for people that didn't have bed frames to make. I helped Robby make my awesome bed frame on Sunday and received a small tv and xbox from him as well! A repair man (which I believe was also the landlord, but didn't get the chance to ask) came by the apartment as well that day and "fixed" a few windows. At least the windows are closed now, even if I can't open them. Oh well. I'm still pretty happy in the little apartment.It gets great light!

And that my friends was my week.

Enjoy some photo of and around Brisbane.