So... It has officially been over a month since I have last posted on here...My apologies, I totally suck at this. However, I have some time now, over this weekend, to catch you all up on my happenings. hmmm... so where to start???
A week from today it will have been 2 months since I left home. The time has absolutely flown by. Let's see... how can I summarize the month of November. Majority of the month was spent forming some sort of a routine. Getting back into the workforce proved to be harder I originally thought.
I have been working for a recruitment agency and learning a lot about HR and the recruiting process. I spend A LOT of my time on the phone...which is funny because I get a lot of people asking ME to repeat something because they can't understand what I am saying. haha! What a change, huh? I'm still trying to determine if this is an industry that I would like to pursue more, but as of yet... I'm thinking not. For every great phone conversation where I get to tell someone that they got a great job, I have to make 3-4 phone calls telling someone they didn't get a job. It's not very fun in that sense. However, it is a wonderful opportunity for now and I will be working there until the beginning of May.
One thing I have truly amazed by in the Australian workforce is their paid time off. Everyone works very hard when they are at work, but hardly anyone works past normal work hours. Also, in my 6 month contract I get 2 weeks paid holidays, and 8 paid national holidays. I don't know about all of you American readers, but this is more paid time off then I got in a whole year at Target. Crazy huh?
Well, also in November, we had a paid national holiday to celebrate the Melbourne Cup... yes, a day of horse racing...a paid holiday. Below are a couple of pics. It was a wonderful day and Nick's girlfriend Lucy was able to get us members seating which made a huge difference as it was a really, really hot miserable day.
Chris and I before going to the races.
Lucy and I at the races.
Guess what?!? I put $10 down on the winning horse and walked away with $135! This is me after collecting my winnings....check out the girl in the background with the sunburn!
Chris and I were able to get away for a day a couple weeks ago and go to the coast for my first taste of the absolutely stunning beaches. The coast town of Bateman's Bay is about and 1 1/2 drive from Canberra through the most beautiful mountain range ever. It reminds me of the Black Hills of South Dakota - in the size of 'hills' and density of the forest, but with plants and trees of a more dessert climate. Most unusal but breathtakingly beautiful. Below are a few pics of our day:
Pretty Beach...really pretty isn't it?
Chris and I standing over the lookout over Merry Beach.
Me on the lookout over Merry Beach.
Breathtaking isn't it? Not a sign of civilization anywhere.
This is what the good ole' Aussie bushland looks like. Gum trees and dry grass. Just watch out for snakes and spiders!
Me and my kangaroo friends on the beach.
You have to be careful when they have babies with them...this mama wasn't to happy about me getting very close.
This is Pebbley Beach...one of my favorite places on Earth!
See how the rain forest comes right up to the edge of the beach?! Amazing!
Chris hanging out with the local wildlife. There are parrots everywhere on this beach. They will come straight up to you and fly onto your hands if you have food. I will write more soon...and this time I swear!!! I hope you enjoy my posts!
xoxo
Iowa Girl @ <3
