'Tis the Season

I started applying for a few other jobs today.  I plan to go to a temp agency next week to see if they can help me find some work.  The restaurant should be calling me sometime next week as well.  I hope I can get quite a few hours, but there are quite a few employees right now, so I want to make sure I have options.  In the meantime, I have been trying to find volunteer work.  While I was jogging the other day, I heard a dog behind a fence.  It all clicked, I could volunteer at an animal shelter!  After I had mapped out which bus to take for an hour long bus ride and then a walking route of 31 minutes after the bus (thank you google maps for providing walking routes!) I would find my nearest animal shelter.  They supposedly don't take volunteers...or American Volunteers...It wasn't going to deter me or to find somewhere else I could volunteer, 'tis the season to give back.  I was also thinking it would be a great way to stay busy and meet people.  Down the street from where I live is a retirement community.  I decided to try to go there to volunteer.  Yet again, I was told they do not accept any volunteers.  If it is this hard to find work I would do for free, I get scared I won't find a job that people will pay me for!  I am now even more determined to find a place that will let me volunteer :).

The past few days I have been keeping pretty busy with my roommates.  On Tuesday, Eva and I went shopping and then decided to see a movie, "Life as We Know it."  I know the movie has been out for several months in the states, I also know that I could probably view this movie in the states at a dollar theatre, while here, I paid $11 because Tuesday is their discounted night.  Movies are typically $15 here.  Nonetheless, we had fun!

On Wednesday, Bridie (Our roommate, Tony's, girlfriend), took me to Frankston Beach.  It is about a 30 minute drive.  We had plans to eat lunch al fresco at this cute bistro on the beach.  Unfortunately, when we started driving, it began pouring rain!  They say there can be all 4 seasons in one day here, I tell them I know all about that from back home :). It didn't stop me from trying to take my first picture this trip of the ocean!  It is our nearest beach from Berwick, so I am sure I will be visiting regularly.  They are also going to begin building huge sand sculptures there!

View of Frankston beach from the restaurant

Thursday, my roommate Justin and I, went to a town called Brunswick.  It is about an hour away and just a couple miles north of Melbourne.  Justin wanted to check out some vintage stores and also some record stores to add to his vinyl collection.  Brunswick is known to be multicultural, artsy and an alternative town.  Later that evening, Kieran, Tony, Bridie and I went to a karaoke bar--my first bar I have been to since I arrived!  We were all pretty tired, so we didn't stay out too late.

Brunswick, Justin refused to pose for a picture 

Back home, I have always enjoyed Christmas, but now I have found a new appreciation for Christmas.  It is the holiday that starts with a response letter from Santa (which Santa's letters have matured just like us kids over the years) and ends with Valentino's pizza and a game of Skittles...Where somewhere in-between, is grandma's house, grandma's waffles, laughter, family, more laughter, and more food.  It is always cold, often times with snow and always a Christmas Tree.  Kieran and I decided that this Christmas we will stick to tradition, and thus, we needed a tree.  We even got red bows and beads to try to replicate his tree from home.  This will be Kieran's 3rd year in Australia for Christmas, my first away from family.  Although it is perfect weather in Australia, the lack of cold & snow, along with the lack of Christmas lights and decorations doesn't make it feel much like Christmas.  Even the shops and malls aren't decorated.  We also decided we would make a traditional Christmas dinner with turkey, ham and some English traditions.  It will be our family meal: Eva, Tony & Bridie, Kieran and me.  Kieran and I continued the Christmas spirit last night with a home cooked meal and Christmas movies.  Tonight, we are going to keep in the groove, and go iceskating!  It is disco night at the rink!

Kie's and my Christmas tree

I hope everyone is enjoying family and friends--and Christmas lights!!!