3 Down, 11 To Go

So 3 weeks have come and gone. The past week has gone by pretty quickly, though! But looking back, it has been a good week so far. Things are going well out at the client, and the guy in charge seems to be pretty happy with how the project is going, so work is good. Now that my work schedule is pretty much booked between now and the end of September, I think things will really get rolling.

Friday was a pretty easy day. I had training in the morning - I had the privilege of getting a 90-minute crash course in Australian Accounting Standards. This secondment is going to be interesting, to say the least. I am still trying to figure out what some of the differences are that we discussed. But nothing too difficult (I don't think). I still keep getting questions from the Aussies, though, about US stuff, so something tells me it's tougher than I think.

The training ended at lunchtime, and I had to run to the Australian Department of Immigration. I had a couple of documents that told me I had to go and have my work visa officially documented in my passport. So I figured out where I needed to go, and I hopped on the train to get there. I managed to find the office with no real problem, and got in line. When I got to the front, there was a lady standing there to direct people. I told her why I was there, and she said, "You know, it is not required to have the visa documented. You can see it online. So it's up to you if you really want to have it lodged." WHAT? So I looked at her, laughed, and said, "Well, since I'm already here, I may as well get it done." So she took my passport and within 5 minutes was back with things all set up. Then I headed back to the office to get some stuff done.

When I got back, I met with a couple of folks about next week. There are a couple of people coming out to do to pre-audit planning work next week. Neither one of them have cars. So they asked if I could give them a ride to the client next week. I have to say - I am a little excited about it. First off, it will be nice to have someone else to talk to during the hour long commute each way. It will also be a little more exciting to have some people out on site who will actually talk to me. Don't get me wrong - the people at the client are nice, and most people at least say hello. But only three people there have actually held a conversation with me, because I really don't work with anyone except the CFO. Aside from all that, though, it might be nice to have someone else pick up some of the tolls!

So all in all, it was a nice way to wrap up the week. Other than that, my Friday was pretty uneventful. But as I was adding my Thursday post to the blog on Friday night, I kind of came to a realization. As I go through my day, I try to make mental notes of stuff to share with you guys. So in some weird way, I guess you guys are here with me all the time, because I am going to end up sharing my stories with you. With that thought in my head, I came up with a new idea. At least something to help me go exploring on my own... I decided that I am going to try to come up with somewhere new around here to visit each week. I'll take my camera and make lots of mental notes. That way, I'll (hopefully) have some good weekend stories for you guys.

Since I was behind in posts, I thought I would give you guys a little gift today, so today was the first big outing. I thought it might be nice to get some pictures to share with everyone. I have added two new slideshows to this blog page (as always, you can check out my albums at http://picasaweb.google.com/JPisDownUnder). Oh, as a side note, I continue to update the "Photos From Home" slideshow. So if you want me to put a picture on, just send it along and let me know you want it added!

But back to the albums: The first album is a series of photos from the neighborhood around my apartment, just so you guys can see the area where I live. The second album is from my little adventure. I went down into the city and hung around for a little while in Darling Harbour. Those of you Real World fans might recognize the area from the latest MTV season. (I can't say I saw it; all I know is that they were in Darling Harbour.) But I then headed over to Circular Quay, too, and got some decent photos of the area. Now, I want to just emphasize something I have told you guys before: It gets dark here early. These photos were all taken before 5:30 pm, and you can see that the last ones are pretty dark! I also want to say that I took a couple of these from the ferry on my way home, and it was freaking freezing! Well, it wasn't that bad, but I only had a t-shirt on, and most people on the boat were wearing coats. And they were all sitting on the inside of the ferry, not the outside like an idiot tourist taking pictures! So just for you guys, I was willing to take on the cold!

Oh, and I added a special photo just for you, Don. Since you called me out for not being in any pictures, I added one that I am in just for you. Hopefully it proves that I am here in Australia.

Okay, so my random story for this post took place tonight, after I got back from my "Outing of the Week." I came home, finished up my grocery list, and headed over to the store. It was around 7 or 7:15 when I left the apartment. I walked over to the shopping center, and figured out rather quickly that the store closes early on Saturday nights. I missed out, but no big deal - I'll just go tomorrow. On the way back, I was walking along the sidewalk near the shopping center, and I looked down to see what I think was a huge cockroach. Those of you that know me well know that roaches are the one thing that really gross me out. But I am not being overly dramatic here in calling it huge. Why? As disgusting as I think those bugs are, I really had to laugh at what I was seeing. The roach had picket up a cigarette butt, I guess in its mouth. The cigarette was sticking out, and it looked like the roach was walking around, puffing on a cigarette. I don't know why, but I thought this sight was absolutely hilarious!

Anyway, so I couldn't get into the grocery store, but I went on down the road to go to a liquor store so that I could buy some beer. They don't sell it in any stores other than liquor stores, and I have not gone out and bought any for my apartment since I got here. I thought it was about time I find the store. I had looked on the Internet, and there was supposed to be a place pretty close to me. I walked down the road, and figured out (after a 10-minute walk) that this place did not exist. So I turned around and headed back in a different direction, towards a spot where I knew one was located. (The bus goes by it on my way home.) Well, buses don't come by very frequently on Saturday nights, so I ended up walking what I think was a good 2+ miles to get to this place. I walked in, found the beer, and about choked when I saw it was $15 for a 6-pack. Yikes! Then I noticed a sign that said for $35 you could get a whole case, so I opted for the bargain option, figuring with the location of this place, there was no way I was walking back any time soon for more beer.

What I didn't consider in my effort to be "cost-efficient" (my good friends will all tell you I'm cheap) is how in the world I was getting a case of beer back to my apartment. The bus stop near the liquor store still had a good 30 minutes before the bus would come by. And since I am so impatient, I decided I'd start to walk and wait at the next stop. Well, that next stop was a good ways away, and it was all uphill. Holy crap! But I made it to the stop, and saw that I still had a good 20 minutes before the bus would be there. In fact, as I stood there, the bus came down the other side of the road, and headed down towards the wharf where it would turn around at the ferry and come back. So I knew I had a good wait still, and decided to keep walking. I finally got to a bus stop where there was a bench where I could sit (another reason I didn't want to wait at these other stops), and there were several people there. So I sat for a few minutes before a group of guys walked over and looked at the schedule only to start looking for a cab because the bus was still 25 minutes away. So I sat another minute and then got up and continued my walk. I did come across a short-cut on my walk home, which was good. But I still think I ended up walking 2 miles home carrying this stupid beer.

When I started this adventure, I thought I might come home and work out. By the end of this journey, there was no way I was going to do anything tonight but sit on my butt on the couch! I finally made it home, and I think I still beat the bus back up to my section of the neighborhood. But I got in, put the stuff in the fridge, and broke down the box. While I was breaking it down, I noticed the note on the box that said, "Gross weight: 14.1 kg." Holy crap! I carried freaking 31 pounds of beer 2 miles, mostly uphill. My trainer, Erin, should be proud of me! But my back is going to be killing me tomorrow morning! I have to say, though, I drank one as soon as I got home. I don't think I have had a beer that tasted that good since I got over here!

Well, I probably should wrap this thing up now. The party across the hall finally wrapped up (it is 1:30 am), so I think it is quiet enough to go to sleep now. I swear, I thought I was living back in a college dorm. Loud music, people coming out in the hall to shout at each other... Man, I am getting old!

To wrap up, I think I owe you guys on my promise from the last post. So, without further ado, the mX update from Friday night's paper. Hooray! Okay, a couple of stories, and a couple of text message vent quotes for you guys:
STORY 1 - Apparently there was some Rastafarian in Italy who was busted with enough pot to roll 70 cigarettes. But since the Rastas consider weed to be a sacrament, the court let him off. Why? Because the court decided that that amount "appeared reasonable for personal use." Holy crap!
STORY 2 - In England, two 78-year-old women got into a fight in a supermarket while on those mobility scooters. They started punching each other (apparently over money), and then started "ramming each other like dodgems." How freaking funny would it have been to see two old ladies playing bumper cars with their scooters? Sweet!
VENT 1 - "Can the person on the 6.20pm train to Hornsby please invest in a vaporiser for those sinus issues? Your breathing was annoying." - SB from Burwood.
VENT 2 - "The world would be a better place if I could bulldoze all of the slow-walkers out of my way at Town Hall station. I loathe you people." - Kailei from Cronulla. RIGHT ON! Those people are terrible - you can't get anywhere in that station because people are just standing and staring once they get out of the station and into the shopping area. It's a mall, people! Either shop or walk, but don't stand still in front of the train gates!

Okay, everyone. I hope you have a great weekend, and I'll have another update for you soon!