9 out of 12… …moving house…

Hey guys,

So we’re now into September and the 9th month of the 12 month visa I’m on..

It’s been a couple of weeks since I last posted.

Not much going on to tell you about..
I’ve been working pretty hard and just trying to get everything ready for my 457 via application.

I’m in the throws of moving into a sharehouse with 3 of my friends. We’ve apllied for a three bedroom house in Fitzroy, Melbourne. I’ve pretty much moved out from Baz and Fi’s house and I’m currently living with my friends in the old house in Fitzroy. Its cool living there, always a party or something fun going on..

The housemates are being evicted from the old house due to the landlord wanting to renovate the property..
We’re all going to move together, just to a new house. This house I’m talking about is legendary around these parts!

Hannah, one of my friends I’ll be living with has been in the old house since the beginning, 6 years ago!.
She’s seen many characters come and go through the house in that time.  some official housemates, others like me.. kinda unofficial (not paying rent) 😉

So…

For this reason, this weekend there’s going to be the biggest house leaving party of all time…

We think there will be around 100-150 people coming.
Oh and by the way, it’s a three day event…

Gonna be cray!!

I’ll be taking lots of pictures and a few videos so you’ll all be able to check it out and see a little of what we’re getting up too!.

Anyway, just a quick check in. I’m happy and well and Loving life! 

‘Til the next one..

Love
X

UPDATE!!!

Hey guys,

It’s been a little while since my last post..
I guess it’s because when I started this blog I figured I’d use it primarily as a holiday journal, a way of keeping all of you guys in the know with what I’m getting up too.

Well, as it turns out, I’m 8 months in to my 12 month stay and I haven’t really been “holidaying”.
I’ve had a couple of trips away which I’ve posted about but I’ve just been living in Melbourne, trialing life as an Australian.
I’ve been working, trying to establish a life for myself. I’ve had so much fun along the way and met some lovely people (and some Assholes too).
I’ve now got a tight circle of friends, a good, well paying job and I’m happy.

Whatever it takes, I want to stay here.

There’s been times when I thought it’d be easy for me to stay and times when it’s looked like a long, arduous and really expensive process.

The only way for me to be able to stay past my 12 month visa, is to be sponsored..

I’d already made the concious decision to just “let life happen”, I’ve always tried to force things in life, everytime failing. I think life gives you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. However it may come or be disguised..

I’ve been working pretty hard at my job, I’m running the kitchen as head chef so I’m really getting stuck into it. I’ve added a couple of things to the menu and tweaked a few things.
The biggest change I’ve made is that we’re now baking fresh bread every day, rather than spending a small fortune on buying it in..

The job is perfect for me and I get on really well with the owners. So much so that today my boss, Nic came up to me and said they’d been in touch with their immigration Lawyers and have begun the ball rolling to sponsor me!

Boooom!!
Best news ever!

I’m not getting too excited yet though. There’s a lot of hoops to jump through and alot of potential for it to fail. I’m just keeping a positive mental attitude, working hard and enjoying the ride, wherever I end up!

Anyway,
That’s all for now.
I’ll try and post a little more often..

Thinking of you all, always.

Love, peace!

Back in Melbourne and looking to stay…

So I’m back in Melbourne after an incredible week in Byron Bay..

I’m now really focusing on trying to secure a sponsorship deal to be able to stay here in Australia.

I have actually been offered a couple of chef jobs.

One of the jobs is in the snow fields of Mt Buller (yes snow in Australia!!). The contract is only a temporary thing though, as it is very seasonal work.

The other job is at Manly beach in Sydney..

I have an interview arranged for next week in sydney, the owner is already an approved sponsor and has said the opportunity is there and that there’s potential for me to earn the right to stay..

I’m not sure what I’m going to do.

I like the idea of working a few months of the winter season in a ski resort, but there is no chance of sponsorship.

The other job means relocating to Sydney… I’m not sure its worth trying for if I’m going to be unsuccessful in my 457 sponsorship application anyway.

I have looked at every possible way I can stay in Australia but to be honest I don’t know that I’m going to be able to make it happen.

There is alot of “red tape” with immigrating to Australia and I don’t think I quite fulfill the criteria.

I need to be able to prove at least the last 12 months in the catering industry and at least three years of work history since gaining my chef qualification.

I am a time served chef but the problem arises with proving it!

I can’t prove my working history with references etc…

If it’s looking like I can’t stay indefinitely, I think I’m going to work in Melbourne and save all my money for the next 4 months.
I’ll then exit Australia when my visa ends, head to NZ for a holiday and then return to Australia on a tourist visa.

Who knows whats going to happen, I’m just enjoying the ride for now..

Anyways,  just thinking aloud..

I’ll let you all know what happens

That’s all for now.

Love ya x

World Cup Disaster!!…

 

Hey,

 

Just a quick post to keep in touch…

 

So it’s official, England Football team are useless! We whimpered out of the world cup after losing our first two group games..

Poor show!

Only another 4 years until we can try again..

 

Anyway,

Nothing much happening over here, I’m pretty much just trying to secure a future in Australia at the moment, I’ve put a massive focus on working and finding the right position to commit to.

 

People that know me personally will know i like to change up my job from time to time..

so..

 

Yes, you guessed it! I’ve got another new job.

This one is a Central City Cafe, it’s excellent money, perfect hours (6am-4/5pm, five days a week). Best of all, the company is already a registered sponsor of oversees chefs…   … It’s just a case of proving myself over the next 3 months and it’s bye bye England, Hello Australia!

 

I start my first shift in 2 days…

 

I’ll let you know how i get on.

 

That’s all for now,

love ya.x

 

 

 

 

 

Working/Holidaying…

 

Hey,

In my last post i mentioned i had a work trial at a pub/restaurant, well, the trial went well and I’ve been working there the last 4 days.

It seems a pretty cool place and the money, hours and conditions are right for me.

The boss said we’ll talk about sponsorship in a couple of months, obviously based on my performance, which is perfect for me. If the sponsorship doesn’t materialize, i’ll still have enough time left on visa to travel around Australia a bit before i have to come back to England.

If the sponsor comes through then happy days!

Either way i’m really enjoying my time and having loads of fun living here in Melbourne, it’s a great city and I’ve met some fantastic people.

My working hours are

Thursday: 3pm – 11pm

Friday: 3pm-11pm

Saturday: 11am – 11pm

Sunday: 11am – 11pm

 

I’m really happy with those hours. The 4 days pays pretty good money and with 3 days off a week, it gives me enough time to to explore some of Victoria before i have to head back, to start work Thursday afternoon. Until i buy myself a vehicle i’m thinking about hiring a car for a couple of nights away each week.

 

I’d like to visit:

Wilsons Prom’ national park

The great ocean Road

Phillip Island

The Grampians

 

That’s just for starters…

There’s loads to see over here, I’ve not really seen much yet but that’s just because I’ve been focused on getting myself in a position where i can stay in Australia indefinitely, or at least maximize the time i can stay here and away from England!

I’ve done as much as i possibly can to align myself with the potential for work sponsorship, now i’ll allow that to run it’s own course and see what’s meant to be, in the meantime i think i’ll spend some time “holidaying” on my time off work.

Anyway that’s it for now, just keeping you all up to date..

 

As usual, i’ll let you all know of anything exciting happening over here.

 

love ya.