First Day on the Job

I can finally report that I have a job!! It's taken me 4 months and over 80 applications but I've finally had a working day. 

It's been extremely frustrating job hunting every day and hearing hardly anything back. But finally, after handing in my resume before Christmas I heard back from the same cafe which Kirsty works in. Although Kirsty works as a waitress the only position the cafe had was a dishwasher so I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. I now work two days a week which I know isn't a lot but it's a whole lot more than nothing!

After my first day today my whole body is aching! I went in thinking it would be easy as it's 'just dish-washing' but I've never felt more like a fish out of water. All day I was constantly on the go and was told that the cafe was quiet today! It took me forever to finish up and I was just exhausted. I was up at 6:45 in fear of being late and although that was the time I woke up for work back home my body was definitely not ready for it and was almost in shock this morning!

I've got a whole lot more respect for anyone who does/has done a dish-washing job as it's definitely not as easy as you may think!! Here's hoping Sunday is quiet too...

Iona x

Beautiful Day at the Beach

Being a city girl I'm use to the hustle and bustle with which that brings. So on days like today, when we take the time to go to a beautiful beach and spend the afternoon doing nothing, it makes me realise how much we need some calm every now and then. Usually I enjoy being kept busy and don't like having nothing to do but today that was just what I needed.

Our friend picked us up and drove us to a different beach to our normal one. We had a picnic lunch, blankets and an umbrella to keep the food and drinks cool. We have never been more prepared in all our lives...well on trips to the beach at least. 

We munched on carrots, cucumber, peppers, celery, hummus, soft cheese, rice crackers, watermelon and sandwich's and then we simply spent the rest of the afternoon splashing in the warm (!!) sea, sunbathing and reading our books. It was sunny but with a cool breeze so we were never uncomfortable hot and didn't get cold It genuinely was just such a nice day and made me realise how incredibly lucky I am to be able to be in such a beautiful country, with amazing friends (new and old) and just take time to relax and enjoy life.

All in all, today was a very good day!

Iona x

Australia Day!

Something which I have learnt about Australia since being here is that they have an 'Australia Day', which is usually celebrated on the 26th of January. I have since learnt (looked it up for this post) that the reason for this is to celebrate the anniversary of the first arrival of British Ships in 1788 and the raising of the Great British flag. People use it as a day to celebrate the "diverse society and landscape of the nation" according to Wikipedia.

I'm still unsure what the traditional way is to spend the day is but I know there was parades going on and firework displays around the country in the evening. We spent it down the beach with friends and then headed to the pub in the evening to raise a glass to the beautiful country which we are in. 

Although I still don't fully understand the purpose of the day I really enjoyed the atmosphere which seemed to cover the whole country. It was almost like another Christmas- just without the presents and Christmas dinner! When I go home I will continue to celebrate Australia Day  as a reminder of my time here. 

Happy belated Australia Day!!

Iona x

Episode 16!

As previously mentioned (in this post here) as well as this blog I also have a YouTube channel and for those who are interested in watching I have left the latest video below. 

The videos have gone up under headings of Episodes. This was to help those watching to watch in order so our journey unfolds in the same way as we lived it. This will also be how I will title the posts whenever I upload a YouTube one onto here.

This episode includes a Scottish party we held which was amazing! We're all very proud Scots and have been missing some traditions from back home so thought that since we can't go to Scotland for a wee while yet we would bring Scotland to us! 

As well as that we tried frying an egg on the ground during the four day heatwave which saw every day having heat between 41-44 degrees...FOUR DAYS!!!! I've honestly never sweated so much in all my life, it was disgusting! Anyway, hope you enjoy this episode!

Iona x

Australian Open

A few days ago I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the Australian Open and was able to go see Andy Murray's first game. Obviously, being a fellow Scot, I was extremely excited to see him play and sing a round of 'O Flower of Scotland!'.

We arrived around 11:30 and headed straight to the face painting tent where Kirsty and Michelle got Scottish flags on their faces with Murray written underneath. After that we'd already melting so heading into the arena for a bite to eat and to enjoy the air conditioning! We ate some lunch, stocked up on drinks and headed out to watch the Tsonga match. 

Our seats were amazing and as we went to sit down we realised we were sitting next to two other Scottish guys- one was dedicated enough to be in a kilt!! 

Tsonga won his match and leaped around a bit so we felt able to leave and sit in the air conditioning. Again, we stocked up on more drinks and waited for the Murray match.

The match was SO good and although it didn't last long with Murray winning in 3 sets (c'mon Murray!!!!) it was long enough as we were now sat directly in the sun and the temperature had raised to 43 degrees!

I had never sweated so much in all my life but would do it again in a heart beat as the atmosphere was amazing and we just all had such a good time there.

Iona x

Water fans to cool down

Tsonga on the right

Murray's Coin Toss

Watch Our Journey

As well as keeping this blog going throughout my year abroad I've also started up a YouTube channel with my fellow traveller Kirsty. 

It's something which we started to help keep our friends and families up to date with our travels but have enjoyed doing it and thought it might also be good for people who are thinking of doing something similar and who may have questions. We would love as many people as possible to watch our videos and ask any questions which they may have. 

It's not anything we're taking too seriously nor is it extremely well edited with high-tech equipment but if you are into YouTube and want to follow our journey then please go over to our channel and subscribe! You can find us here: www.youtube.com/thelittlelassies

Iona x

Happy New Year!!!

A very happy New Year to you all!!

Hope you all had a brilliant New Year and are excited for what the new year has to come.

I've never been one to make new years resolutions as I often think we should be making new goals/challenging ourselves throughout the year. 

However, this year I thought I'd give it a go! And starting with posting on here more often. I am aware of how lazy I have been on here recently and I blame myself getting distracted by life. Hopefully having made a post about blogging more often being my resolution will force me to do so! So, brace yourself and be ready to get hit by plenty more nonsense from me. 

Iona x