Eve of leaving

Well my last week has just flown by, and it is now my last night before heading off on a lunchtime flight tomorrow.  Furniture moved and goods moved around mid week and parents place moved into for the last few days.  Lots of last minute catch-ups with friends and family and basically now all which is really left for me to do is to actually go.

I am feeling a bit nervous now, I have to admit.  Hopefully the interlude in Singapore will give me some perspective and a chance to re-focus my thoughts.  Also looking forward to a couple of day trips I have booked and maybe a bit of shopping…

Cross your fingers for me that I can get all my luggage on the plane tommorrow.  It is SOOO hard to pack for this.  Not sure when I will be back on the internet, but hopefully I will find some cafe’s or hotel access so I can update on Singapore along the way.  Otherwise I am going to have major withdrawals.  So, till next you read and next I write, happy and safe travels (for me) and farewell Australia for a little bit!

Last Day at Marino

Today was my last day at Marino (although will be around tommorrow packing and cleaning), and last night here, with last sunset from the back door!  Had a busy day , including packing and furniture preparation and had a champagne outside looking at this great view to relax and finish the day.  The next photo was from a couple of days ago, a glider went right by the door.  Will miss the Marino place, gorgeous location.  Off to folks place tommorrow for the next 3 nights before departure.

 

7 days

Well, about to head into the final week, before departure on Sat 17th May.  Have had a very busy and productive week, with lots of excitement, stress, fear…you name it, I’ve probably thought/felt it this week.  I was doing a bit of scouting around the internet and found an interesting opportunity to rent a flat in Paris.  It looks really cool.  Once I have made it to London and have a bit more of an idea what I am doing, I might look into this, possibly later in the year, outside of the peak season.  These are the types of opportunities that I would love to be able to take advantage of!

I will post the link to the wordpress blog with all the details, so I can access this later on http://parismontparnasse.wordpress.com/

Started doing a bit more job hunting and agency contacting over the last few days.  Will start to ramp things up a bit more over the coming week…7 days to go…7 days to go..

 

Quote of the Day

Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to be always part of unanimity.
  - Christopher Morley

May arrives

Well, today is the first day of May, the month that my journey begins!  It is a countdown of days rather than weeks now, which is scarey and exciting at the same time.  My to-do-list is coming along nicely and I will keep working through it..  Today is not so exciting, some packing of boxes this morning, followed by dentist this afternoon…oh well…has to be done. 

I changed the name of my blog last night and also changed the header picture.  The picture is from the flowers I received from my workmates last week - Singapore orchids, and signifies Phase1 - Singapore stopover!  Plan to change the photos regularly.  Yesterday I purchased a new backpack, which you can store a laptop and all your camera equipment - it is nice and padded and also has a bit of extra room for your belongings.  So, have the means to transport some of my camera stuff.

Better go and start sorting through all my clothes and goods, have to get started.  Preparation in full-swing!

Getting sorted

Now that I have finished working and I am spending more time on getting organised, things are moving along nicely.  I have crossed a number of items off my to-do-list and organised appointments for pretty much all the critical things.  Feeling pretty good about that.  Still have the majority of packing to get done, Thursday morning is going to be my serious start to this.  Finding homes for all my soft toys is going to be a top priority!!

 

Quote of the Day

“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” - Roosevelt

3 weeks to go

Yesterday was my last day at work, and I am now on count-down.  Up until now this has felt a bit like a ‘concept’ to me, but the reality is starting to kick-in, that I am really doing this…

This week is filled with appointments, car, dentist, podiatrist.  Who knew there were so many people to see!  It will also mark the start of the packing-up effort.   Starting..with clothes.  Hopefully by the end of this week I will have crossed off a lot of tasks from that excellent to-do-list.

Organised my sidetrips to Singapore (done) and received my new Drivers Licence in the mail on Thursday.  Have attached a few photos of some beautiful flowers that my teammates gave me on my last day.  Also we had lunch - pizza and wine, not to mention a chocy brownie with icecream!  Very nice day…

 I went to a dawn service for Anzac Day this morning, so starting to feel a little sleepy now..and its only early!  Will check in again soon with progress updates

Time to get organised!

I made a big list today, of all of the tasks that I need to get done in the next 4 weeks.  Getting everything down in writing and commencing the planning and organising process makes me feel much better and in control.  Tasks for this week :-

- Finalise a FINAL DRAFT of TAFE assignment and check on hand-up date (Sun)

- Book car service appointment

- Book some day-trips with Travel Agent, for Singapore (Mon)

- Enjoy last week at work (including celebration lunches) and keep up exercise.

- Attend Anzac Day dawn service on Friday 25th April - ANZAC Day 2008

4 weeks to go

OK, I thnk I am allowed to officially freak-out with 4 weeks to go.  I have so much to organise still.  Next week I finish up at work, so there will be no income coming in, so the pressure is on to spend wisely in the lead-up to going away and not to blow all the savings in one fell swoop….

I have got a few more things organised over the last few weeks - International Drivers License, Drivers License renewal, Bank account is set-up, but need to set-up money in it.  Next week I will organise some trips to do in Singapore and start to sort out insurance, phone and internet (these will be fun to sort-out now doubt)!!

I also still have to do my packing, sort out my tax and important documents, finalise furniture distribution…the list goes on.

OK  - this is not helping..stress levels are rising.  On the weekend I am going to go through my check-list and work-out exactly what still needs to happen over the next 4 weeks.  There is still plenty of time

Trying to chill-out.  Deep breathe