One Twenty Five

• I KNOW. Who runs on treadmills when pretty, wintery paths are waiting for them? False. It was gross and windy and snowy out, so I opted for the gym (thankyouverymuch mother for a free pass).
• 2 seconds fwd. 1 second back. How time works on treadmills. #fact
• Firstly, it was supposed to be 15k, but apparently I don’t know how math works. So when I got 8 miles in my head, that was that. 12k done and done.
• Running on a treadmill is infinitely harder than running outside. But I’m not going anywhere… #hamster
• I chose the end treadmill (obviously - less eyes could see me there), but that came with a window reflection of myself running. Watching yourself run is AWFUL. My arms really jiggle. Like actually, the underpart of my biceps really fly around.
• I am completely caught up on my celebrity gossip news. Poor Heidi and Seal - won’t somebody think of the children!
• I will never forget headphones again when running on the treadmill. I will never forget headphones again when running on the treadmill. I will never forget headphones again when running on the treadmill. I will never forget headphones again when running on the treadmill.
• The man next to me was wearing JEANS on the treadmill. I was more impressed by his apparent anti-chaffing skin than anything else.
• I should have invested in LuLu Lemon. Everyone at the gym was wearing it. Every. One. Including myself.
• I can’t believe how sweaty I got. It was weird as my treadmill was facing the road so I was watching snow pound the ground, but still sweating my buttocks off.
• File under #thingsIhate. When the gym puts a 30 minute restriction on the treadmills (which I usually say screw that to!) but they had programmed the treadmills to turn off after 1/2 an hour. SO ANNOYING. I really wanted to take a photo of my final stats.
• OHMYGOD IT TAKES FOREVER TO BURN A CALORIE WHILE RUNNING.  I would kill time by watching the calories burnt number - slowest, number, ever. It made me feel like never eating again. I kid, I kid, hmmm food.
• I foam rolled like a ninja afterwards.

ps - look at the snow!

Photo Cred

Why Melbourne?

Because “I heard it was nice.” Does that answer the question? Not really, but that’s all I really got. I’ve never been to Melbourne, I know nobody there, and my work didn’t transfer me, so why Melbs (<— local slang. look at me learning)? I was bored a few months ago and just googled imaged (I know, I’m so profess) London (history), Vancouver (mountains), Edinburgh (jobs!) and Melbourne (beaches). Melbourne/beaches/sun won!

How long are you planning on staying there?

Australia is far. Like REALLY FAR. Like 16,253.65km (10,099.83miles) far. Like a 35 hour flight far. Like a $3,000 round trip far. Like a 14 hour time difference far. Which means no matter my love for the city/country I don’t think I’ll live there forever. Why? Because of my family.

The thought of being *that* far away if my sister gets preggers, or brother moves downtown sucks. It’s so easy to say when you’re young “I want to move far, far away!” but the older I’ve got the more I’ve come to realize how oh-so-very-important family and good friends are.  

[note: my mom is convinced I’m going to meet a hot, beautiful, funny, perfect, Australian man and never come back…]

Will you ever go back to Toronto?

Never say never, so, umm… I doubt it? I am head over heels in love with NYC and Chicago and if I could ninja my way through the State’s immigration system I would luuuurrrve to move/work/live/have-a-family in one of those cities. (Especially as they’re a 2 hour / $150 flight away from Toronto.) But really, I don’t know. As you guys can probably tell I change my mind all the time. (Remember when I was moving to London?)

How are you working there?

I have a work/travel visa (Subclass 417 - Working Holiday (Temporary) which allows me to live and work in Australia for one year (I’ve heard it’s easy to make it two years though). I think anyone can get it if they’re under 30 for a about $200.  There are some annoying loop holes in the visa though - such as you can’t hold a job longer than 6 months.

Things to do before I leave

I’ve been crazy-busy-ohmygod-I’m-screwed busy the last few days because suddenly I have SO MUCH TO DO. Firstly, I had to get my Ontario  (it’s a province people. Like a state. c’mon!) health insurance leave of Absence form to ensure Ontario still pays for my health insurance while I’m away (thankyouverymuchCanada). But then I also had to get additional health insurance because Ontario insurance only pays for the bare min.

Then I also had to get my international driver’s license for $25. Good thing it wasn’t an actual test as my parallel parking skills are seriously sub par.

And finally there was my whole iPhone debacle. If issues kept me up at night, my iPhone issue would have kept me up at night. I am locked in a 3 year contract which means even when I’m in Australia I have to pay $50/month for a phone here. I still don’t know what to do about this… BOO.

Packing!

I used to love (love!) packing as a child. As a 27 year old? Not so much. But I will say this, packing to move to Melbourne is a lot easier than packing to go backpacking - I had to stop myself from getting carried away by bringing my whole room!

I am taking two *very* large suitcases with me which include high heels, work dresses, lots of summer clothes, and maybe even a medal or two or three to hang on my wall!

Finding a place to live

This has proven way harder than I thought it would be. Firstly, I am shocked (SHOCKED) at the rent prices in Australia.  I’d see $800 and be all like, ‘yay! that’s soo good,’ but then realize that’s $800/week and for a 1 bedroom in a 5 bedroom house. Craziness. You always hear “so-and-so city is sooo expensive,” but I really do think Melbourne is pricier than NYC/London/Paris etc. And then when you add in how stellar their dollar is doing these days? Yea… gonna be on a strict budget when I land.

As of right now I am still homeless and staying in (yet another) hostel for a week when I get there.  I’ve already got 4 places lined up to get my jet lagged self to go and see, so fingers crossed one of them will do!

It’s hard because I have to figure things out like, am I willing to pay more for a better part of the city, because my whole experience in Melbs will probably be more enjoyable? Am I willing to live with 22, 23 year olf university students? What about a mother and son? Lots of decisions!

Also. Craig’s List > Gumtree. Just sayin’

Finding a place to work

Can we please not talk about this, mmmkay? Because this isn’t going too well, like, at all.  I’m determined to get an actual/routine/desk job (9 - 5 type job) as apposed to a traveling bartending job, but who knows… I feel like it’s getting to the point where beggars can’t be choosers.

okCupid in Melbourne

Long answer short? I am too lazy/not that into okCupid. It takes so much effort and I’ve been way too busy to respond to my potential suitors.  On the whole, I’ve found guys have been really nice and welcoming, and “willing to show me around the city.”

When loneliness really sets in next week I’ll probably put more effort in, and of course, keep you posted. :)

[note: there is one guy I’m pretty excited about. but I don’t want to jinx myself just yet!]