Sunday, 7 September 2014
Big news! (warning: may contain traces of boring content)
Apologies for the extended absence from the blog, I've been a bit busy...
First things first: I quit my sales job. I really did not enjoy it and frankly I didn't come half way around the world to be unhappy every day. As soon as I knew it wasn't for me I decided to act as staying on wasn't doing anybody any favours.
I left work on the Wednesday and had completed my RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) and RCG (Responsible Conduct of Gambling) courses less than a week later. Whilst it seems a lot of red tape for working in a bar when you take into account all of the alcohol related problems it makes sense really. Also the training courses were fairly interesting and were delivered by a very interesting tutor which certainly helped. The gambling course is an odd one but is a necessity due to all of the bars here having pokies and sports betting facilities on site, and therefore the issues that surround problem gambling are in all the bars too.
I've been looking for work non-stop since and have had 3 interviews. The first went well but they could only offer me a casual/part time position which just wouldn't be enough. The second was an interesting opportunity but they didn't seem overly keen on me, their loss. The third was on Friday morning and was without doubt the briefest interview I have ever been a part of, it must have lasted all of about 7 minutes. I must have made an impression though as they asked me to go in that night for a trial.
I arrived at 5pm and within the hour it was absolutely heaving and it remained so for the rest of the night. I was incredibly nervous and made a few mistakes, including dropping a whole tray full of glasses which didn't help! Even so I must have done something right as the manager confirmed I'd got the job after only an hour and a half. The bar is a 5 floor venue and I'm going to be based on the sports bar level which suits me perfectly!
Even though I was only out of work for a week or so getting a new one has taken a huge weight off my mind and made me feel significantly better. I think my housemate was a bit worried as well so hopefully it will ease her fears now I'm employed again.
As I don't think I'll be starting work until later this week I'm going to take and post some photos of my flat and the surrounding area, I would have done so before but the weather has been awful! It's due to get a lot better anytime and it can't come quickly enough, fed up of rain now!
I think that's probably it from me for now, take care and speak soon.
Robert
First things first: I quit my sales job. I really did not enjoy it and frankly I didn't come half way around the world to be unhappy every day. As soon as I knew it wasn't for me I decided to act as staying on wasn't doing anybody any favours.
I left work on the Wednesday and had completed my RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) and RCG (Responsible Conduct of Gambling) courses less than a week later. Whilst it seems a lot of red tape for working in a bar when you take into account all of the alcohol related problems it makes sense really. Also the training courses were fairly interesting and were delivered by a very interesting tutor which certainly helped. The gambling course is an odd one but is a necessity due to all of the bars here having pokies and sports betting facilities on site, and therefore the issues that surround problem gambling are in all the bars too.
I've been looking for work non-stop since and have had 3 interviews. The first went well but they could only offer me a casual/part time position which just wouldn't be enough. The second was an interesting opportunity but they didn't seem overly keen on me, their loss. The third was on Friday morning and was without doubt the briefest interview I have ever been a part of, it must have lasted all of about 7 minutes. I must have made an impression though as they asked me to go in that night for a trial.
I arrived at 5pm and within the hour it was absolutely heaving and it remained so for the rest of the night. I was incredibly nervous and made a few mistakes, including dropping a whole tray full of glasses which didn't help! Even so I must have done something right as the manager confirmed I'd got the job after only an hour and a half. The bar is a 5 floor venue and I'm going to be based on the sports bar level which suits me perfectly!
Even though I was only out of work for a week or so getting a new one has taken a huge weight off my mind and made me feel significantly better. I think my housemate was a bit worried as well so hopefully it will ease her fears now I'm employed again.
As I don't think I'll be starting work until later this week I'm going to take and post some photos of my flat and the surrounding area, I would have done so before but the weather has been awful! It's due to get a lot better anytime and it can't come quickly enough, fed up of rain now!
I think that's probably it from me for now, take care and speak soon.
Robert
Friday, 15 August 2014
Big update this time.
It's been a while since my last post so there's plenty to update you on this time around.
Following last weeks ups and downs this week has been significantly more consistent. I went to see Juventus against what was very generously described as an "all star" team from the A-league. Whilst the match itself was rather underwhelming the stadium was incredible and it was nice to see live football for the first time in ages. Unfortunately as I had previously expected Australians know absolutely nothing about football and I had to restrain myself on several occasions from shouting obscenities at them.
Starting work on Monday was interesting as it's some time since I've done sales and I will admit I have lost my touch a little over the years. I've been steadily improving and expect next week to be a lot better in that respect.
Moving into my new place on Wednesday was a great feeling, not simply because it gets me out of the damned hostel! My housemate/landlady was kind enough to let me move in several days earlier than originally planned meaning I'm currently sharing the flat with her Russian friend and Mishka the puppy. I'm assured it's just a temporary thing!
Tomorrow I'm heading back to the ANZ Stadium (Olympic Park) to watch the Aussies play NZ in the rugby which should be awesome. Pictures to come shortly of the Juve game last week and my apartment.
Look after each other and have fun.
Speak soon
Robert
Following last weeks ups and downs this week has been significantly more consistent. I went to see Juventus against what was very generously described as an "all star" team from the A-league. Whilst the match itself was rather underwhelming the stadium was incredible and it was nice to see live football for the first time in ages. Unfortunately as I had previously expected Australians know absolutely nothing about football and I had to restrain myself on several occasions from shouting obscenities at them.
Starting work on Monday was interesting as it's some time since I've done sales and I will admit I have lost my touch a little over the years. I've been steadily improving and expect next week to be a lot better in that respect.
Moving into my new place on Wednesday was a great feeling, not simply because it gets me out of the damned hostel! My housemate/landlady was kind enough to let me move in several days earlier than originally planned meaning I'm currently sharing the flat with her Russian friend and Mishka the puppy. I'm assured it's just a temporary thing!
Tomorrow I'm heading back to the ANZ Stadium (Olympic Park) to watch the Aussies play NZ in the rugby which should be awesome. Pictures to come shortly of the Juve game last week and my apartment.
Look after each other and have fun.
Speak soon
Robert
Friday, 8 August 2014
Sunshine follows the rain...
Following my shockingly poor day on Wednesday I was due a win and today is that day!
I got a free bus ride to the apartment viewing I had booked this morning. Was served by the nicest coffee lady in the world when I went for a brew. Apartment was AMAZING and the landlady is really cool and very friendly, she even paid for my bus ride back to town! Should be moving in sometime this week. Managed to miss my stop but it did lead me to what can only be described as the hub of cycling in Sydney. Put a deposit down on a beautiful bike and now I can just chill out for the rest of the day. :)
Hope your day is as brilliant as mine. Be happy people!
I got a free bus ride to the apartment viewing I had booked this morning. Was served by the nicest coffee lady in the world when I went for a brew. Apartment was AMAZING and the landlady is really cool and very friendly, she even paid for my bus ride back to town! Should be moving in sometime this week. Managed to miss my stop but it did lead me to what can only be described as the hub of cycling in Sydney. Put a deposit down on a beautiful bike and now I can just chill out for the rest of the day. :)
Hope your day is as brilliant as mine. Be happy people!
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Today was rough!
I'm very pleased today is almost over. Interview prep is boring and nerve wracking enough without having your laptop spend 4 hours in the shop being repaired!! I suppose it did at least give me time to go for a stroll in the sunshine (pictures coming shortly).
Talking of sunshine, the weather here is really nice even though it's supposedly the depths of winter. Today peaked at about 18 degrees with a slight windchill, all in all very pleasant. I've never seen so many people in winter coats, scarves and hats in my life! Heaven forbid they ever visit a temperate country! Although I will admit the confused looks people gave me as I braved the winter cold in just a t-shirt were very amusing.
Managed to actually do some cooking last night in the shared kitchen, I must say I'm looking forward to having my own space and equipment to do that kind of thing. I've booked a viewing for a flat on Friday afternoon and I'm hoping I will know by then if I've got the job so I can put the bond down without any worries. A lot of the rooms for rent here are in a decent location but sharing the bedroom with 1 or 2 others but I really don't want to do that so I'm looking slightly further afield.
That's all for now, should be putting some photos of Darwin and my first few days in Sydney on later.
Take care.
Monday, 4 August 2014
Arrived in Sydney
Got into Sydney fairly late last night so didn't see an awful lot however I did catch a double decker train! Simple things eh. Went for a quick walk around today but only made it as far as the shopping centre near the hostel which was pretty cool but I didn't stay long. Managed to get an interview sorted for Thursday afternoon with one of the mobile phone providers over here so fingers crossed! Going to put some more photos up from my time in Darwin later and then head out for some food.
Have fun and take care of each other.
Robert.
Have fun and take care of each other.
Robert.
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