Rumble In The Jungle

Back in the World of the Working

2013-02-16T01:58:00.001-08:00

Yes - its official! Finally I have a job!

Three days a week, in an office environment (in air con and out of the heat) and I've been there about 3 weeks now and while its taking a bit of getting used to - I am enjoying it.

So would you believe one of the first things I had to buy with my first few pays was door handles for my car!! Not first on my bills list however I couldn't have got my car registered which means no way to get to work out of town. So all in all over 3 weeks wages my car would have cost me $700 but it will be great to have door handles again. Yay!!

Noumea, Isle Of Pines, Fiji and Port Vila, Vanuatu Cruise

2013-02-16T01:49:00.001-08:00

Having just returned home 3 weeks ago from our cruise, I thought it best write about it straight away instead of waiting for weeks and weeks and losing my mojo (and memory).

Firstly, I must point out that I thought I would hate cruising! My BF originally was the one wanting to cruise and since it was his long service leave from work (2009 / 2010), I went along with it while thinking I would need to take up knitting, crochet and embroidery to fill in the time on board. So we booked a 30 day cruise that left from Sydney and finished up in LA (and that was after spending a month travelling in Thailand after celebrating my 40th birthday in Ao Nang, near Krabi). More on all these trips later.

This last cruise was our third to date and for 11 nights departing from and returning to Brisbane. To date we have always travelled with Princess Cruises, because of feedback from seasoned cruisers and also to build up our loyalty status. Also we always pay for a Future Cruise Booking while on board our current cruise as this has added benefits of a lesser deposit required with the next booking and some onboard credit.

Generally I search a couple of Cruise booking websites for the cruises as these sites usually also provide some onboard credit and offer a special price too.

www.justcruises.com.au
www.cruiseaway.com.au

However I always do a new search also in case there is a new website up that may also offer extra good specials.

So getting back to this cruise, we departed from Brisbane - which entails dropping off your main luggage (head onboard only with what you will need for that day and night), lining up to check in where you receive your cabin cards and number allotment for boarding the ship. As there is a great range of shops and eateries at Brisbane Cruise Terminal we got our allotted number and headed off for a wander and a meal before boarding the ship around 3pm.

After 2 days at sea our first port of call was Noumea, New Caledonia where we caught the locally provided shuttle bus into town to wander around. We checked out the Museum showcasing the local history, War Histories and Nickel Mining history. Small but informative. We just basically wandered around for a few hours then caught the bus back to the Wharf to board another bus shuttling everyone to Lemon Beach offering Cafes, Restaurants and Bars overlooking a very busy beach. Again we just wandered around a bit and then headed back to the ship.

Isle Of Pines we arrived at after 1 day at sea and due to the size of the wharf we were all tendered over to the island, which took about 20 minutes. Isle of Pines was my favourite out of all the places we stopped. Apart from being completely overrun from the passengers on the cruise ship the beauty of the aqua clear water and crisp white sand made up for it. The local folk had little market stalls set up selling sarongs and the usual tourist souveneirs (all made in Thailand or Indonesia incidentally). We had a lovely afternoon just sitting on the beach, going for the occasional dip in the ocean and we tried a local beer at the only food/bar establishment on the beach. There was a huge line up to board the tenders back to the ship so we just planted ourselves on the beach nearby and waited the few hours till the line had dwindled enough.

After another sea day we arrived in Suva, Fiji. As we had been here before and didn't really enjoy the haggling and hassle, this was the only day we booked a Princess Tour which drove us an hour away to a resort where we were provided with a buffet lunch, local dance display and a very informative tour guide. We had the use of the resort for swimming and relaxing, however we were happy to sit at one of the outdoor bars and try some of the yummy cocktails. As the ship leaves port the local Fijians put on a fantastic and energetic farewell.

Next stop was Port Denarau, Fiji and we didn't leave the ship to explore. Two reasons being that the tender ride was a lot longer and we also wanted to enjoy the ship with a lot less passengers onboard. We had a lovely day!! After hearing some reports back that there wasn't much to look at onshore we didn't feel AS guilty.

One more sea day and we arrived at Port Vila, Vanuatu and as again as we hadn't booked any tours we just toddled off the ship and went for a wee stroll until the heat got too much and we took a taxi to town ($10 for 2 of us). As we hadn't done any shopping at all, this was our last chance so that was first on our agenda. I pretty much bought my usual fare of sarongs (nice large ones for $5 each), a dress, a skirt, a tropical top which were all very well priced (again made in Thailand or Indonesia). BF always likes to stock up on his alcohol so we visited a Duty Free shop with the most amazing prices we have ever seen. Half price of the duty free prices on the ship!! BF used my quota too! For lunch we found a restaurant as we wandered along, BF ordered a coconut crab and while the Flying Fox on the menu sounded interesting I settled for a good ol' burger and must say it was the best I'd had for a long time (I don't eat burgers much anyway but YUM!) We did a fair bit of wandering around, found a very lovely flash looking restaurant/bar overlooking the water and I tried a few very refreshing and filling mocktails and smoothies. Just to try something different we hired a water taxi back to the ship which was really nice to be in the breeze and also a different view.

After a few more nights at sea (with another formal night thrown in) we returned to Brisbane - sniffle... Princess offered a shuttle to the airport which we gladly paid for just for simplicity of it all. We did learn some more from this trip - for future trips we will study the ship size and capacity and age. Also we think we will stick to balcony bookings again - can get fresh air instead of having the air conditioner on 24/7.

All in all - I was very happy with my holiday and we both made future cruise bookings but also decided to try another cruiseline or ship next time.

New Year - Cruise, Clutter and Coin!

2013-01-25T04:48:00.001-08:00

Once again its been a while since I posted, and there have been some positive developments in the last four months. Apart from it being a new year (and nearly through one whole month already!!), and apart from yesterday just stepping off a cruise ship after 11 days cruising New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanauatu AND apart from starting a new job in a few days - I was/am determined to commence 2013 with a positive attitude no matter what life throws at me. Ooh - and I'm an Aunty for the first time - a REAL Aunty too! Not just another title from my friends children. So I have started off pretty well into 2013 I'm a thinking.

Sure - there are some negatives too - being in debt after so long unemployed - more clutter in the house after receiving the inherited family heirlooms and furniture. My clothes are wearing out due to really really trying not to buy anything until completely necessary and my car (which I had half heartedly tried to sell for 9 months and now need to travel to work) needs a bit of maintenance. But heck, I can live with all that!

So in the spirit of the new year I have decided to set some new years resolutions which I generally don't bother with - mainly because I know I am crap at following things through. BUT this year in following with the positives happening already - I feel I should. About a decade ago I stopped being a goal setter. Although I was still achieving - more education, new skills etc, I haven't actually sat down and done a 5 year plan for ever! Well - 10 years!! Interestingly I have just realised that is how long I have been with my partner... Hmmm.... Note to self - must spend a while analysing that!!

Anyhoo - so to celebrate my new found wisdom and goal setting resolve I will set up a new label so I can track my basic goals. Interestingly enough - while packing up my childhood home I found notebooks full of goals I had set since my mid-20's and 95% of the goals had been achieved. I also realised recently, I need to build myself a new "Things to do before I die List" (I don't like the name "Bucket List") as apart from travel to Costa Rice & Belize - I have achieved everything else. Saw AC/DC and Kiss Live, travelled to Vietnam & Laos just to name a few. Maybe another label called for...

Throw Another Log on the Fire

2012-10-15T16:36:00.001-07:00

Brrrrrrr!!!!

Its freezing here!! I arrived 'down south' 10 days ago. Perth was rainy, windy and cold for the 24 hours I was there. And the road trip Thursday to Kalgoorlie was the same. We left Perth around 11.30am 9 days ago and it took us pretty much 6 hours exactly so by the time we got to 'Kal' my friend had finished work and I went back to her place for the night. She has just installed a 'donga' (transportable quarters of 5 small rooms) behind her mums house, that she bought second-hand.

As I am broke, broke, broke - I am on a strict budget. My friends mum had a heap of orange trees and a mandarin tree in the backyard just full of fruit so if I felt a bit peckish I would have a couple of them. My friend had left me instructions to help finish off the 'extra' Jenny Craig meals in the freezer that she had left over. Happy to help fix her guilt problem! And with the shopping for the camping trip (which I still had some food left over) I managed to go without another big shop while I was there. I did pop to the corner shop to get 2 loaves of bread, 1 lt milk and a small jar vaseline for my chapped lips for $19!!! I nearly fell over!

I then scored another lift with the bloke who I had travelled to Kal with, to my hometown where I have been (exept for 3 nights away on my mates farm) ever since. My brother has an excellent vegie garden in so I have been making vegie soup every day and am really only shopping for staples every 3 or 4 days - milk, bread etc. When I went to visit my friends farm I also gathered 2 large bags of pine cones to burn in the fire, 2 bags of lemons (I have made one batch of lemon cordial* already) and we made a heap of soap that is now curing. More for fun than budgeting.

*Lemon Cordial Recipe

2 cups lemon juice (and then I strained it before use)
2 cups sugar

Heat in a saucepan till all sugar dissolved, cool and pour into bottles for storing in the fridge.

Dilute as per shop bought cordial.

Whats left?

2012-10-15T16:07:00.003-07:00

Its been a range of many emotions while I've been packing up my late fathers house. My mother passed away 2004 so theres also all her 'stuff' to contend with too. They both kept everything!! I mean everything!! So apart from grief, I mostly feel overwhelmed. Mum had cancer so I guess when she knew that it had got the best of her, she had time to label stuff and sort, and also write a list of what pieces of belongings whould go to whom - my brother or I. Dad on the other hand died suddenly of a heart attack, and with his latest passion being research there was stuff just everywhere. Each room - except his bedroom had papers and old photos and little scraps of paper spread everywhere. He obviously had a system but in our frenzy to clean up in preparation for incoming rellies and funeral arrangements we pretty much just had to throw all of it into a box and stack it away. And it hasn't been touched for over 15 months.

So its been a hugely slow process although I started with the easy stuff. Sheets, blankets, dads clothes and mums (dad hadn't got rid of much of mums stuff either) clothes too. Hundreds of books, over a hundred ornamants, mums art and craft work (everything from paintings to handpainted fabric made into cushion covers etc). There were blankets from our childhood and quilts that I have put aside and as I go through all the belongings I find other 'stuff' that is tugging at my heart strings, my pile of stuff is building up and then I have to cull that too. I have inherited some furniture (most of it made by my late great grand father) so I have to arrange for removalists too. So can send it all back with that.

But as I go through each room and throw out mostly everything, I also sort of wonder what my parents would have wanted me to keep? And I know that I can't take heaps back to my house so its very tricky to say the least. Whats left of their lives after their passing that isn't just a bunch of trinkets? I mean dad published a book (he must of had a reprint before he died as there are about 7 boxes of them) and mum was an artist so there is heaps of her art too. Out of all of their photo albums (did I mention dad was into photograhy so there are mega amounts of photo albums and packets of negatives) I will only be able to keep a few photos from each otherwise it will just be out of control. But basically it seems their lives has boiled down to what they let behind. And frustratingly what my brother and I can't keep - there are just so many memories in everything but it would be impossible to hang onto it all. We both live in smaller dwellings and physically cannot keep everything we would like to, and thats probably a good thing (that we physically can't fit all this stuff into our homes) as I could imagine trying to add all this stuff to my stuff at home - phew!!

May I suggest that everyone go through their stuff and do a major cull? Luckily I had been reading for a year prior to my father passing, a heap of organising books (and though my BF can't see it) I had been systematically going through each room and trying (its not always easy) to get organised. Clothing that hadn't been worn for a year - donate or sell! Trinkets - regift, upcycle or donate! Now I am glad I had been doing all that as I have more stuff to come in.

I miss my dog...

Party Time..

2012-09-22T15:24:00.001-07:00

So its only 4 days till I head off down South so today (Sunday) I organised a party for lunch time - my birthday is next week so its sort of for that too.

Usually it seems only a third of people turn up from the invite list but so far I have almost 30 people coming!! So just having a "Barbie" and easy food to heat up.

I'm quite looking forward to it and decided to invite so many people coz I'm sick of only catching up with people at funerals as seems to be the case this year.

Owl @ Wildlife Park 2012

More on Dentist Run to Bali

2012-09-21T16:53:00.002-07:00

I noticed a lot of people interested in the Bali Dentist trip so thought I would add some more detail.

As I mentioned in my previous post a week or so ago we had been told about

Bali 911 Dental Clinic

They take a couple of weeks to reply to email queries but heard you could just turn up and pretty much could get in straight away. As our trip was spur of the moment we just took a punt and showed up at the Kuta branch of 911Dentist. They were booked out so we took the taxi straight to Denpasar. The street outside might look grubby in comparison to Western standards but the front is swept a few times a day and the inside is clean although a bit worn.

For a crown and I believe veneers too - you need to allow at least a 10 day trip - the crown takes 5 days to make after the initial consultation. The day we went back for the fitting was a very long day. Our appointment was for 1pm. After having our new crown fitted to size it then went next door for glazing which took an hour or more. The clinic does have water, tea, coffee making facilities, and these little sachets of like a rice porridge stuff that you add hot water to. I would recommend maybe just carrying some food with you if you use the Denpasar branch, as there doesn't seem to be much close around (although I didn't think to research that before we went) . There is a toilet there too. The Kuta one is located in a shopping centre so that is no problem for food, toilet or entertainment while waiting. There is also a laptop in Denpasar for free wifi access while you wait. The waiting room is quite small and sometimes full and a few people hang out the front - smokers mainly of course. There aren't any seats out the front and the parking area is usually filled with cars and drivers waiting for their customers inside the clinic. I'm sure the clinic would call a taxi for you after your consultation so that shouldn't be a problem.

Like I said previously, there is a 5 year guarantee on crowns and 1 year on veneers. All in all I am happy with the experience and would definitely go again.

See my other Bali Dentist Run post - for other details.

2011

Stunned as a Mullet!!

2012-09-21T00:46:00.002-07:00

So I just got the estimate of my refund from the accountant. I was hoping for 10k. i got 1k!!! Less $200 I owe the tax Office from 2011 year - less nearly $700 for accountant bill. So bugga all in the end and that unfortunately was my big grand plan of survival for the month ahead plus a chunk towards planned 2013 trip. To say I am feeling numb is an understatement!! And I don't think it has truly sunk in yet.

As luck would have it my BF - as a birthday present and contribution towards my farewell / birthday party expenses, popped $1000 in my bank account for me without me knowing for a few days. So that was completely awesome of him - I haven't used any yet but had planned to so will just have to budget a bit wiser for the party and when I am away.

Wow.....what to do....

A Few Dollars

2012-09-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted for a couple of weeks - my depression got the better of me. It was 1 year since dad died in May, but then in the last 2 weeks - Dads birthday, Fathers Day, World Suicide Prevention Day and the 1 year anniversary since my cousin hung himself. Suppose its normal to feel depressed.

Today I have about 4 hours work with one of the clients left over since I closed my business down, and I have advised him that today will be the last visit. So I should have enough money to scrape by on bills for another week hopefully when he pays me.

Somehow I am just managing to scrape through financially - I withdrew some money from a little investment account I have -only $500 and then my brother and I have money in a joint account for the house down south so we both took some from there. And this week - the work.

And then I am off next week for about 4-6 weeks to finally pack up dads house down south. I should find out in the next few days the refund amount (hopefully) from the Tax Office as my accountant is close to finalising 2 years income tax. Thank goodness. At least I will know where I stand financially - hoping for $10k but not sure if that is a bit optimistic.

And today I must remember to post away and ask for pretty much the last of the money from my investment account - $500 so that I have some money for on the road for the 5 days before I get to dads house. And after that, not sure - it'll be 3 weeks to a month I'd think before I see my tax refund.

Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Jan 2012

Organisation

2012-09-09T15:32:00.003-07:00

When I first quit my last job (end of June 2012) - the one I had for few months - after closing my business in February 2012, I spent many an hour reading from Down To Earth blog. A great site on living frugally and simply, saving money and enjoying the simple things in life. I originally started reading this site as I found myself with a lot more time on my hands from when I was self-employed and also I was learning to live on income at least a third or half of my previous income. Of course a lot of those expenses actually came from having my own business -subscriptions to industry organisations, Professional Indemnity insurance, seminars to keep up to date with industry changes and so on. By cancelling all these expenses I was able to reduce my bills quite substantially - saving about $250 a week. The job I had (learning to make picture frames and such) and earning $500 a week, just covered my mortgage payments and and bills, after I canclled all my industry related expenses. Any extra I made on the side by working for a couple of old clients I used for entertainment or extras I wanted.

It was while reading the afore-mentioned blog that I was first switched onto the idea of setting up a household folder and I had also read about this in a great book on being organised (the name of which has eluded me at the moment) but the author was one of the founding members of Messies Anonymous. As per the book, I listed Daily tasks to do, Tasks by the day and seasonal checklists. So even I missed one days checklist, it would be done the following week as per the schedule. This system worked for probably a couple of weeks or so and then it lapsed as I became distracted / absorbed by other things. So the last few days I have been working on a bigger and better version of the folder after reading some more tips on the website Organized Home. They have printable forms online but as I don't have a printer right now I am just using handwritten notes for now and probably that is the way to go until the folder is set up properly and I tweak my checklists and schedules. And I am using a bigger folder!! So it is not as easy for me to ignore.

And I have been working off my Dailies checklist and my Monday checklist this morning in between coffees and blogging. This way it is not so daunting for me either -looking at a whole house to be cleaned and tidied can seem quite overwhelming, so by breaking it down room by room, or chore by chore it doesn't seem so impossible. And technically each week will get easier as the standard of tidyness increases day by day according to my weekly checklist.

These following tips are helpful

Finish The Job!! My biggest problem. Half finished projects laying around when I get distracted by something new or even tidying up after I make coffee (I'm a messy blighter). My brother is a nightmare when it comes to this. He seriously cannot/does not even put lids back on jars or milk back in the fridge after making a coffee!! Dude...

If a chore will take less time than 30 seconds do it straight away - I am perfectly capable of walking over and around, say a piece of thread or similar on a floor. Instead I should just pick the sucker up!! For me one of my main 'problems' is the bedroom - if I get changed a few times a day - each old set of clothes ends up flung on the bed or on the floor and every few days I have to sort the piles into dirty laundry, clothes that have another wear in them and so on. If I could just deal with it straight away it will save a bigger job later down the track.

Speaking of which - I had better finish off my 'Dailies Checklist' and Monday chores - I have almost finished so I can start the day feeling virtuous and under whelmed - is that a word?

Great Ocean Road - Jan 2012 - "Stowaway"

Have a great day!!

Another Market Day

2012-09-09T03:11:00.001-07:00

Another day another dollar....

Reasonably successful day (measured by the fact I can pay the mortgage tomorrow - yay). And apparently other stall holders said that it was a quiet day. Will have to get some stuff together for next week which should be better I'd think being Government payday.

Will be sitting eagerly by the phone tomorrow morning waiting for a temp call. Hows that for positve thinking? Will it to happen.

Oregon 2010

More online revenue ideas..

2012-09-08T02:23:00.003-07:00

Okay so I have spent a bit of time today online registering with a couple of websites that I hope will bring me some location independent income.

Elance

Rent-A-Friend

With Rent A Friend I am the only female for my area (I am only accepting female only contact) so hoping that I have some luck here.

Dentist Run to Bali - August 2012

2012-09-07T20:44:00.000-07:00

While I wasn't working is seemed like the perfect time to do a Dentist Run To Bali. We'd been talking about it for ages and after receiving quotes from our local dentistsin Australia (my required treatment worth almost $2000 and BF about $6000AUD)

Anyhoo - we found flights for $500 return each on Jetstar which is actually a very expensive fare - you can get them as low as $140 return when they are on sale. But we we booking pretty much last minute - only a few weeks in advance. Using Lateroom we booked the first few nights for $54 a night - reduced (apparently) from $165 a night. And the other 6 nights we were 'booked' to stay at a mates villa for only $50 a night for the two of us.

Quest Central Park Kuta - $54 a night per room

We initially rocked up at the Kuta 911 Dental Clinic but as they were booked out for a few days we decided to jump in a taxi (we only ever use Bluebird taxi's as they use their meter every time!) and head straight to the Denpasar Clinic. Taxi cost would have only been about $8 AUD from memory. We were ushered pretty much straight in and after explaining what we wanted - I needed a crown and clean and BF 2 crowns and root canal - they got down to business - ground my tooth back, made a temp and mould for new tooth - charged me $410 and booked me in to finalise the treatment for a few days later.

3 days later we headed back to the dentist - by now we had moved to the villa in Jimbaran Bay area so we organised a driver for $5 an hour who took us for our appointments, waited for us and took us via the local supermarket on the way back. And we lashed out and bought Thai fusion take-away since we had to wait about 5 or 6 hours for both of our treatments. My treatment was to remove temp crown - grind tooth a bit more - fit new crown -send it off for an hour (luckily just next door) to glaze it and then wack it in. BF's 2nd one got buggered up by an overzealous dentist on his grinding foot-pedal so he was booked in to return 2 days later to finish his treatment. All in all I was very happy with my dental treatment - they offer a 5 year guarantee on the crowns. And even if we had to go back twice for repairs we would still be in front financially even after paying for a holiday at the same time.

Friends Villa in Jimbaran Bay area - quiet and tucked away - $50 a night or 2 of us

In between the dentist trips - we did only the minimum of exploring around Kuta (involved stepping out the doorway of the hotel and walking in any ol' direction) and even less in Jimbaran Bay until our friend joined us for the last 2 nights.

The Homefront Update & Getting Organised

2012-09-07T15:11:00.001-07:00

Well after all my raving on about how much I love to travel, I also love the fact that I have a 'base' to come back to. But more than just a base I guess - an actual home. My parents house (that I have recently inherited a 50% of) was my base for a while but never really felt like home after I'd been gone so long and mum went sick redecorating and reclaiming our bedrooms.

Now I am lucky enough to have a 'home'. And I have lived here with BF for 8 years I guess. After all my years of travelling solo I also now have a wonderful travelling companion. I may not be such a wonderful travelling companion for him of course - I snore, always worry about what I can shove in my belly next and am quick to emotions - just to name a few of my 'issues'...ha ha...

Organisation skills (on the homefront at least) - are completely lacking in me for some reason. Housework is not a priority on my list - apart from the fact I do like a clean bathroom and we are tidy in the kitchen (more BF than me I must admit). I have trouble with 'Finishing The Job'. Today being a classic example - I am surrounded by fabric and half finished projects from the last 3 days, that need to be mostly finished by tomorrow morning to have a stall at the markets.

Over the last 2 years I have been reading and researching organisation skills - yes- it is possible to learn this and it is possible to be lacking in this too. Because I am prone to distraction easily I can quite easily 'forget' about sweeping the floor or hanging out laundry. Or at least not prioritise it as I should.

Last night after much 'research' on the net, I started to put together a 'Household Folder'. This is to include such things as Cleaning Schedules, maintenance schedules, Daily clean list, weekly clean list, recipes, budgets, bills, instruction manuals etc etc. Most of this I already have half organised due to my attempts previously and so once I finish this rambling I will work on that for another half hour before tackling my daily chores.

De-cluttering is the other most important duty as well as being organised. Usually if there is crap laying around everywhere, it is one of two things - the item doesn't have a proper home or there is simply too much crap. I am going to have another purge today (which will also give me more to sell at my markets tomorrow).

So my plan is that by de-cluttering the physical space around me, it may also help to de-clutter and calm my mind into actually being able to get my act together. And if not, at least I will have a super clean house and would have got some exercise.

Online revenue...is it possible??

2012-09-06T16:33:00.003-07:00

A few months ago I signed up to ews (sort of like an online shop linked to Amazon) - originally my wesite was aimed at the cruise industry. Today I have updated it to be called Travel Gear Pro and linked it to the products I have been researching myself lately and that I hope to own one day. (Update 26th Jan '13 - I have since discontinued using this site mainly due to the cost - $30 a month for no sales and am focusing on updating a website I already have prepaid for - more on that later too once up and running) Therefore I can also provide accurate reviews of the products from personal use. And this still would apply to the cruise industry.

Imagine if someone were to sponsor me to use and review their products. Sort of like the No Bag Challenge offered by Scottevest. I already have a travel vest from Scottevest though my item is now not in stock any more - mine being a lighter version of the this featured vest. Actually the No Bag Challenge has been on my mind the last couple of days as I have reading blogs from people who have completed the challenge already. So a thought to tuck away for future use.

Me 'travelling lite' with a day pack and large messenger bag - 2011

I guess now that I have my 'shop' set up, I need to promote it somehow. While popping it on my blog seems the obvious choice, I doubt very much to be able to survive on any income I may derive from my current traffic of 2 readers (hello).

So on with learning about HTML and widgets and stuff.

Passion...

2012-09-05T16:13:00.002-07:00

Travel Gear Pro - my site I set up the day after this post.

You know- after I finished my post yesterday - I realised what my funk is all or at least partly about.

I just don't want to work for anybody else!! I've been self-employed for 8 years and believe me, I just cannot feel passionate about going to work for someone else!!

Just by analyzing the passed weeks worth of web surfing and activities - I can tell you that my passions are

TRAVEL

TRAVEL

TRAVEL

CRAFT

And yesterday after this revelation, I decided to spend all day (see when you are passionate about something it is not a chore) sewing and making travel accessories to sell at the markets!!

You may remember me mentioning in a previous post (if there is anyone reading my blog - hello hello?) that I have trouble actually finishing... well... anything. By late afternoon yesterday I had a pile of unfinished products. My main reasoning at the time was that I needed to purchase extra materials. So I made myself think outside the square slightly and just made do with what I had! I ended up with 4 finished products - a mini travel pillowcase (stuff with clothes at night for cushioning and doubles as a stuff bag for dirty laundry or whatever),a smaller bag with zip, mobile phone cover and another wee storage bag.

etsy.com was a great source of inspiration and I will endeavour to set myself up on etsy.com too.

With all my "research" on the web during the week it was no surprise I ended up actually purchasing something - a new High Sierra AT605 backpack. BF is working away for a week so I am hoping it turns up while he is away - not sure how to break it to him I 'needed' a new bag. Oh - and I also found on ebay some convertible quick dry pants that zip off to 3 different lengths!!

The reason for all my "research" lately is the forthcoming trip for 4 months overseas next year. My best friend will be joining me for part of it and I am hoping with all my nagging that my BF will come and join me at the end too.

While its still fresh in my memory I will start a new page on my blog about the proposed trip.

New Orleans - 2010

Feeling funky...and not in the good way

2012-09-04T14:56:00.004-07:00

Aaaaaagh....

I cannot seem to climb out of this deep unmotivated rut I am in. (Not sure if there is such a thing as an unmotivated rut but there you have it)

I literally have only enough money to pay the mortgage this week and then I'm out of cash. But the thing is - I cannot seem to get motivated enough to actually want to work - well not for someone else anyway. Although I did do over 5 hours on the gate of the local rodeo and earnt myself $100 on the weekend. Previously being broke has been the biggest motivator I need to get my act together but not this time.

The employment agency has now registered me (I know this because I missed a call from them Monday morning about work - rats!!) so I shower and get dressed early and sit by the phone by 9am the last few days. And then if there is no phonecall I sit at my notebook all day just researching...well...stuff! Mainly researching travel to be honest. BF often comments that if I put that much commitment into looking for work I'd be earning by now. Can't deny that.

So a couple of the sites that I have found and have been "researching" are

Wise Bread

The Professional Hobo

Excellent resources on frugal living, travel, independent living and everything in between.

All good

2012-08-26T19:01:00.000-07:00

Well I am pretty happy with my market yesterday - made a $100 less market stall fee of $24. It doesn't sound like much but I can tell you it will be very handy.

I have just finished more online tests with the employment agency so hope all goes well there and I get a call for work tomorrow. They rang this morning to chase up the tests so hoping that means they are keen to get me on the books coz they have work.

And supposed to be (according to my own schedule) taking in a heap of recycling here for cashing in. We get 10 cents a bottle for glass, plastic and cans. This just started here earlier this year. So I have a few friends that I collect from as they can't be bothered with it all. And once a month I do run and get anywhere from $50 to $80. It all adds up I suppose.

This cute little lizard from Thailand 2009

Market Stall tomorrow.

2012-08-24T23:04:00.000-07:00

Well... I've rang the market organisers and if I turn up at 7am tomorrow (Sunday) they will allocate me a spot for my market stall. $24 for the day to have a stall and the markets run from 8am to 2pm.

I've spent the afternoon - doing a practice set up of my stall at home. And I will finish the labelling, pricing in the morning and experiment with lay-out through the day to keep me busy.

For about 2 and a half years I did the markets when I first moved here. I sold beads, jewellery, crafts, recycled clothing and bits and pieces. Although I also worked full-time back then, the markets were my first taste of being self-employed and I loved it!!

My main aim at this stage though, is to bring in some money while having a big de-clutter before I have to fit in some inherited furniture later in the year. And to have a bit of fun!

So the car is packed.... and I'll do an update after the markets - hopefully with good news to report!!

Cushions I made a few months ago - given as a gift. 2012

Feeling pretty pleased with myself!

2012-08-24T19:33:00.001-07:00

Well - I feel I've done heaps this week - yay!!

My tax stuff except for say 5% is through to my accountant (2 years worth)

I have completed registration at the employment agency (just 3 online tests to do before Monday)

Again I noticed still having trouble entirely finishing tasks but thats my mission Monday coz hoping I should pick up some temp work Tuesday.

And I'm about 75% complete with organising my market stall for tomorrow - although I don't feel ready at all!! But one of my favourite sayings when I wasn't feeling motivated is "Don't Think About It - Just Do It!!" So thats my plan. Just get ready, pack the car and just head off in the morning and see what happens!!

Technically, though and especially if I take the recycling in to cash it in and after the markets - I should have some money on Monday!! Yippee...

Wild Orchid in Western Australia 2011

Plus check out some of my Pages - I have updated Travel Links and Travel 2011/2012

Distractions...

2012-08-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

Singapore - save the elephant campaign 2011

Focus - I have to tell myself that all the time - I am soooooo easily distracted - I have so much running around in my head. And I try and do too many things at once without actually completely finishing anything. And so the house and outdoor area looks like a bomb has hit it - half finished market stall stock ideas, the recycling has built up and I need to cash it in, we have moved furniture out of the house and the stuff that was inside said furniture is still awaiting my inherited furniture to arrive (which won't be until at least November) . So today starts with a list - housekeeping first on it!

In saying that - I feel I have actually achieved something this week. I was going to list what I had finished this week, but true to nature I realise how little I have finished but how much I started.

So what I started this week that I need to finish:

Registration at employment agency
Tax for Accountant
Market Stall
Housekeeping

I just realised that Housekeeping ended up down the bottom of the list again - but if I finish the first 3 things on the list, it all means money in my pocket. I am housekeeping in between paragraphs though, as I have spread out with trying to organise stock for my market stall.

I'll do a separate post on the market stall later.

Well as much as I would love to keep on about being distracted - I'd better go and do some stuff (sigh)....

Homefront Update

2012-08-19T15:28:00.001-07:00

I was just looking back over my posts of the year - didn't take long - ha ha but it was interesting and thought I might provide an update - more for my records and for future motivation.

My crocheting is going well - have spurts - the original rug is huge - and after the next pattern finishes I will finish the rug. Its too big to take with me so I used to make cushion covers instead during my lunch hour. I made our dog a wee blankie too - a bit chilly this dry.

The vegie garden was going okay - until the scrub fowl got in there while we were in Bali and dug 50% up. So I will replant, repair the fence and go again. Still getting good supply of chillies though and a few tomatoes (if I can beat my chooks to them) and my Lime tree is flowering heaps so I am hoping for a good supply this year - its only ever produced 2 limes 2 years ago for first fruiting.

My first attempt at preserving (Dill Cucumbers) was a flamin' disaster - the recipe asks for 1 cup of salt in the brine!!! Completely inedible!! Yuk!! Although I did a fair bit of banana chipping there for a while and I experimented with a loaned food sealer - love it!! I also bought a 4 tiered sprouter (must put some in today) which is awesome.

And I have been doing maintenance (like the chairs below), and tiling and grouting the new shed bathroom - looks great - if I do say so myself.

Crunch Time

2012-08-19T15:01:00.002-07:00

Its official - I'm broke!!

Soooooo....I know I should be a completely stressed out mess but I'm not. In fact a little excited about the challenge!!

The last month of unemployment - just a few hours of work here and there - has chewed through the last of my savings. And a month of high expenses - my notebook finally died so I had to get another so loving that, and we also travelled to Bali for the dentist (which I saved over $1000 compared to visiting an Australian dentist after flights and expenses were taken out!!). So that cost too - yeesh....

However the clarity (and therefore motivation) I have gained in Bali regarding my short term future is a relief!! Maybe chewing through a book everyday and generally relaxing and not overthinking allowed my mind to settle.

So the plan (so far) is:

In late September I will be flying "down south" to attend to my dads estate and I will book a one way ticket. And just stay until the job is done. Hoping not more than a month though. Mentally and emotionally I feel I just need to get this done.

So in the meantime - get some income in - last week I registered and completed online tests and induction for an employment agency who I will go and visit. I'll list on ebay also and if nothing comes through straight away work wise I will do a market stall this weekend. Love it - reduce clutter and make some money! And I will just do temping until I go south. I also am going to do my tax return for 2 years!! Aim to have that in today!! Whatever I get back will hopefully provide me with money for when I am away.

So all in all - a pretty good plan I reckon - not ideal but still a plan!!

I have used this particular photo - from the opening of the new Art Centre on Tiwi Islands - with the kids dancing - its all like a new era - a fresh start

Feeling lethargic...

2012-06-26T20:10:00.001-07:00

Lack of motivation and energy seem to be the issue today, although I have left the yard to actually do some paid work. I was only thinking yesterday arvo how busy I've been since finishing work a week ago. Usually I try to squeeze in a 'nana nap' on the days I don't work and I haven't even been managing that, so maybe its time to slow down and maybe head back to bed with my crocheting for a couple of hours.

Yesterday I did some painting in our linen cupboard, delivered extra eggs to a friend, crocheted and then helped B grout the new tiles in his shed bathroom. I did manage to squeeze in a nana nap too.

Homemaker Day

2012-06-25T00:56:00.001-07:00

Monday's lately have been my homemaker day - cleaning, gardening, diy hobbies etc

Currently in my food dehydrator are seasoned tomatoes, with bags of apple and finally bananas (to make banana chips) to also go through the dehydrator in the next two days. Preserving fruit and vegetables is something I am keen to learn more about especially since our vegie patch only produces mainly through the dry season and also the price of some of the supermarket vegetables at certain times of the year is double what it is at other times.

Online yesterday I ordered some organic vegetable seeds and 3 different fruit trees - Ice Cream Bean tree, Mandarin and Strawberry Guava to add to my vegetable garden. And I will pot up some spring onions also bought from the supermarket today - repotting keeps them fresh and they continue growing on in the pot for months.

Tomato flowers

Another project I started this morning - due to the cold weather - are some crochet rugs for my dog to sleep on and I pulled out a patchwork quilt that is only half finished. Scrounging through my clothes drawers and old fabric remnants I found some more pieces I can cut up and add on and hopefully also finish this project this Dry season.

My fish aquarium pump gave up so I spent some money today on a new filter and some more fish - I figured no point having "stuff" if its not working properly.

And that was pretty much this Monday....