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!

And another new job!!

In my last post I was telling you all that I had a new job to start, working in a cafe..

Well…

Yesterday I went for an interview at one of the top fine dining restaurants in Melbourne.
I applied because my only opportunity to stay in Australia is through my catering qualifications and a 457 sponsorship, something that I’m only likely to be offered at this type of establishment.

I was kinda completely honest with the owner and told him that I can only work until December, because of my visa.. which is true.

As always, I presented myself through a well-articulated cover letter and a polished resume.. which I may have bent a little..

At the interview I was honest and upfront, I explained I didn’t want to commit my whole years visa to working in Melbourne, neglect the chance to travel and see some of Australia, only to not be sponsored at the end of it and have to leave the country.

The owner seemed understanding of my situation and decided to give me a trial shift on wednesday. If i impress enough to be offered a full time position, he said he’d know and tell me within a month if he’d be prepared to sponsor me. He seems pretty genuine and at least I’ll know where i stand with enough time left on my visa to adjust my plans, if the sponsorship doesn’t materialise.

I’ve been out of a “proper” kitchen for a long time now but I’m actually pretty enthused to take this on. It feels new and exciting and because the produce on this side of the world is so alien to me, I don’t feel any pressure or weight of expectation.

The position I’m going for is on the bottom rung of the ladder in the kitchen, which is perfect, I can prove myself and work my way up. I’ve got transferable kitchen skills which carry me through and I’m pretty good at thinking quickly on my feet and adapting to most situations.

I know that to be offered the job, and ultimately sponsorship, I need to approach my trial full of passion, enthusiasm and show a desire to learn and develop.
I’m socially intelligent enough to be able to “chat the other chefs up” and get them in my corner and the job is in the bag!

This could potentially restart a career for me, which I really didn’t expect to happen.

I don’t know how this will all work out but I’m going to give it my best shot and see where it takes me..

For the first time in my life I actually feel like I’m driving my own life forward, not just bumbling through.

My decisions are considered rather than whimsical. I know that depending on how I use this year in Australia, I can change my life forever..

I hope I get it right!!

As much as my heart is with my friends and family in England, there’s nothing there for me, in terms of a future..
I’m going to do everything I can to stay here, my friends and family will just have to come and visit me in beautiful Australia! What a nightmare for them!!.. 😉

Anyway, I’ll keep you all updated with progress over here..

Until next time, peace. X