Things I have yet to do during my visit here:
** Watch a Canucks hockey game in a sports bar. (Like I'm a hardcore Hockey fan. NOT!...but it makes me nostalgic for my country of origin. Perhaps I will become hardcore in absentia.)
** Eat a donut... or even better, a box of Timbits at Tim Horton's. (I'm not sure about drinking a Double-double. I think I've become a coffee snob.)
** Eat a Dilly Bar at Dairy Queen. Is it a problem that my checklist mostly consists of food and eating?
** Drink a Sleeman's Honey Brown Ale. (at least one.)
** Buy something at The Bay.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Her name is Darcy, and she is not my "Good Buddy".
...Well, she is, and I love her. She is, however, too good a friend to describe with a CB handle. She deserves better than that! (This is perhaps a Tribute Post!) She flew to Victoria especially to hang out with me for 5 days, and we had a great visit...and we will have THE BEST VISIT EVAH when we meet in Hawaii in October!This time, it was generally a (an?) hangout vibe: we ate out at good restaurants, went to the gym for workouts, went for walks and visits and parties, and talked and talked and talked. I can harly wait until we meet up again later in the year!!
Smart Women Having Babies
My friends Linda and Darcy are both happily pregnant. Linda is due any day now, and Darcy will have her third child in April. I have confidence now in Canada's future generation!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Out and About
My best friend, Darcy flew into Victoria from Calgary,and she I have spent some time wandering around the city. It's been good weather,albeit freakin' cold! We discovered that to be completely comfy, 4 - 6 layers of thermals and jackets are necessary, and even ankles need to be covered! 
Despite the sun, views of the city were somewhat underwhelming from the Observatory at the top of Gonzales Hill. (The Observatory always looks cool, though.)
Yesterday, I made Darcy walk way too far....but we were rewarded with some good views of the harbour, the Olympic mountains and fog banks at the Breakwater,and later on, a belated Christmas Dinner hosted by our friends Lori and Peter.
Despite the sun, views of the city were somewhat underwhelming from the Observatory at the top of Gonzales Hill. (The Observatory always looks cool, though.)Yesterday, I made Darcy walk way too far....but we were rewarded with some good views of the harbour, the Olympic mountains and fog banks at the Breakwater,and later on, a belated Christmas Dinner hosted by our friends Lori and Peter.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
It's Cold Here
Back in Victoria, BC it is fully Winter. The snow has mostly melted, except for the ice piles left in the corners of car parks. There was frost on the sand and driftwood at the Lagoon this morning. Needless to say, I went for my run wearing long tights, a toque and two long sleeeved thermal tops!
Yes, we do have Crocs in Canada!
Yeah. So if you squint...this piece of driftwood REALLY DOES look like a Crocodile. Um. Yeah.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Departure Checklist
** Hectic last minute souvenir and gift shopping accomplished.** Warm clothes and everything packed in borrowed Extra Large suitcase.
** 4+ hours sleep.
** Aussie brekkie of Vegemite and tomato on toast with a strong Macchiato.
** Good friends to give you a lift to the airport.
** Good friends with great taste in music to play ACDC's latest album, Black Ice on the way to the airport!
** Big hugs at drop off area at International Departures.
** Trashy mag to read while waiting for boarding.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Soaking up all of Summer before heading into Winter
I fly back home to Canada the day after tomorrow for a visit with family and friends. It seems a bit surreal. True to Murphy's Law, the weather and the swell are improving on the Surf coast as I get ready to leave. Oh well! What can you do?
It will be very, very good to catch up with those people who are close to me, some of whom I haven't seen for such a long time! I'm really looking forward to that. I feel a bit strange leaving Australia now though...and not just because it's summer and starting to heat up.
How BIZARRE is it to fall in love with a country? I feel as "at home" here as I do back in Victoria, BC. I love the weather, the landscape, the cities and the ocean. I like the generous, open and friendly attitude of most Australians. I love that all my friends here are as ready for a serious debate or conversation as they are ready to have a laugh or to take the piss out of me or each other!
Henry, the Echidna almost walked over my foot as I was sitting outside my little shack house the other evening, and Buddy the Koala growls outside my window each night. It's kind of the Australian equivalent of Squirrels and Racoons... but I can't stop the smile that lasts long after Henry waddles off down the hill or Buddy scrambles up a tree to eat dinner!
I mean, come on! You know it's love when you're smiling on the tram or as you walk to get groceries or when you're on your surfboard catching absolutely nothing!
I'm smiling because I'm actually on the tram in Melbourne and everyone but me is grumpy on the morning commute; or because I can smell the eucalyptus on the air as I walk to the shops; or because the water is so damn turquoise and clear and those old dudes on big Mals can really surf!
Yes. I'm gone! Head over heels....Down Under..how corny is that?! And they say that distance makes the heart grow fonder! I know sometimes that's right. This trip back to Canada is about me taking a bit of space and making sure about what I want. And I'm pretty sure Australia will still be there when I'm ready to come back.
It will be very, very good to catch up with those people who are close to me, some of whom I haven't seen for such a long time! I'm really looking forward to that. I feel a bit strange leaving Australia now though...and not just because it's summer and starting to heat up.
How BIZARRE is it to fall in love with a country? I feel as "at home" here as I do back in Victoria, BC. I love the weather, the landscape, the cities and the ocean. I like the generous, open and friendly attitude of most Australians. I love that all my friends here are as ready for a serious debate or conversation as they are ready to have a laugh or to take the piss out of me or each other!
Henry, the Echidna almost walked over my foot as I was sitting outside my little shack house the other evening, and Buddy the Koala growls outside my window each night. It's kind of the Australian equivalent of Squirrels and Racoons... but I can't stop the smile that lasts long after Henry waddles off down the hill or Buddy scrambles up a tree to eat dinner!
I mean, come on! You know it's love when you're smiling on the tram or as you walk to get groceries or when you're on your surfboard catching absolutely nothing!
I'm smiling because I'm actually on the tram in Melbourne and everyone but me is grumpy on the morning commute; or because I can smell the eucalyptus on the air as I walk to the shops; or because the water is so damn turquoise and clear and those old dudes on big Mals can really surf!
Yes. I'm gone! Head over heels....Down Under..how corny is that?! And they say that distance makes the heart grow fonder! I know sometimes that's right. This trip back to Canada is about me taking a bit of space and making sure about what I want. And I'm pretty sure Australia will still be there when I'm ready to come back.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
She works hard for the money...
Paola's Hospitality CVExperience:
Front Desk Reception at Great Ocean Road Cottages
Skills:
Excellent phone voice
Superior guest relations
Increasing proficiency with RMS Computer system
Mastering the fine art of linen folding (Really good at fitted sheets!)
Hot! Hot! Hot!
It's summer in Australia! The mercury topped out at 38 degrees here on Tuesday. Today it threatened to be a cool change...and it was...by 10 degrees! Check out the local headlines.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Melbourne Catch Up
I sped back to Melbourne at the beginning of the week to meet Nadia at Rancho Deluxo when she returned from Sydney. 
If you'd like a rundown on my activities during that time, they are as follows(And if you don't care...too bad! Here they are anyway!):
We had brekkie, went for a swim at The Fitzroy pools, and then met Sapidah and friends in North Fitzroy for lunch. We finished the day with a Yoga class in Clifton Hill and a couple episodes of City Homicide. The next day, I got my hair done, and did some shopping in the city before I returned to Lorne.
If you'd like a rundown on my activities during that time, they are as follows(And if you don't care...too bad! Here they are anyway!):We had brekkie, went for a swim at The Fitzroy pools, and then met Sapidah and friends in North Fitzroy for lunch. We finished the day with a Yoga class in Clifton Hill and a couple episodes of City Homicide. The next day, I got my hair done, and did some shopping in the city before I returned to Lorne.
Buddy's Back
I looked out the kitchen window this morning, and I saw Buddy, the Koala climbing the tree just outside. Buddy and Henry the Echidna are locals on the hill below Waverly 13. I've seen Henry quite a bit, but never when I've had my camera!
Monday, January 5, 2009
New Home
Whilst in Lorne, I am staying at Waverly 13. It is a rickety old beach shack at the top of a steep hill up behind the Cottages! I live with three other girls: two of them live in tents and share our kitchen and bathroom, and my friend Emma lives in Waverly 5, a semi-detached-addition-kind-of-a-room. 
Our kitchen is where all the socializing happens!I am waiting on some more furniture, but for now, all I need is my little bed, and my can of bug spray!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Note To Self #17
Wear work gloves when doing hard yakka...especially yakka that involves raising big top tents! I did get a free VIP ticket to see the Falls Festival, though!
The Falls Festival has been happening for 16 years in the countryside just outside of Lorne. It's a great music festival and is attended by at least 15 000 people. This year's musicians included Donovan Frankenreiter, The Kooks, The Hives, Tegan and Sarah, Soko and Franz Ferdinand. 
Last Tuesday night, I rugged up and met Alex and his friends there and heard some good music: Sharon Jones and The Kooks.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
HERE'S WISHING EVERYONE EVERYWHERE A REALLY GREAT YEAR IN 2009!
While most of Lorne was raucous and feral, we had a mellow, yet fun time welcoming in '09. Earlier in the evening, we had drinks and nibblies at reception and a good game of bocce, once again pitting Australia V. The World. Then we walked up to the golf course to watch the Town Fireworks at the Pier.
It was the first time in three years for fireworks in Lorne. The past years, it has been too hot and dry to risk them. It was a good time! With clear views to the Pier and the Bay, we popped a bottle of Moet and rolled down the hill at midnight!
While most of Lorne was raucous and feral, we had a mellow, yet fun time welcoming in '09. Earlier in the evening, we had drinks and nibblies at reception and a good game of bocce, once again pitting Australia V. The World. Then we walked up to the golf course to watch the Town Fireworks at the Pier.It was the first time in three years for fireworks in Lorne. The past years, it has been too hot and dry to risk them. It was a good time! With clear views to the Pier and the Bay, we popped a bottle of Moet and rolled down the hill at midnight!
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