Don't Blink or You Won't Keep Up!

Phew!!! I'm back on the road and in Sydney, Australia and what a week I've just had.

I have a J.O.B.! Within three days of being here I was offered and accepted a position at the prestigous University of New South Wales. I will be using my interviewing, training and writing skills as a Policy Writer. I begin tomorrow.

Frankly, I was amazed to find work so easily (and it may have been a fluke that this position was available just when I was ready), because although my qualifications and experience are excellent, it is a general background. I thought this lack of specialisation would count against me. Not so. The hardest question they asked me was "give me a couple of titles of positions you would like". "Gosh...I don't know" I would say...."I can do this or this or this but to give them titles is not possible". Without fail they accepted that and went into bat for me. Anyway...I now have this six month contract and am looking forward to the challenge of doing something new. I thrive on this change.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Balmain area but had to move because of the difficulty in getting to and from the University. It's an eclectic mix of cafes, boutique shops and services housed in picturesque old buildings. It flows down to the water. Some other time I'd like to stay awhile there.

Instead, I've taken a lease on a place in Bondi Junction. Its incredibly central and reasonably close to the University. But....the downside of having a base for the next six months is I'm nesting. Horrors! I've even purchased cushions! So....just after divesting myself of all possessions unable to be squeezed into a suitcase, I'm buying again. Top of the list was beautiful sheets and a colorful duvet cover.

I'm loving.......being back on the road again. But....travelling and simply observing is very different to travelling and working.

I'm missing.....Olympic coverage with a NZ bias. Here its Australia, Australia and more Australia. Not that I think that's unreasonable due to the size of their team but something about other countries would be nice.

Best coffee......A few places in Balmain. The Bakehouse Cafe (the name belies a quasi sophisticated place) with great food and excellent coffee. Down the road Bertoni always had a queue so before I left went there and I cannot understand the fuss. Very average coffee.

I'm surprised.....absolutely gob smacked actually at how quickly I've scored a good job and accommodation. I must have several angels looking after me.

The papers and the media here are.....full of the Olympics and the Sonny Bill Williams episode.

Next I'll let you know how I cope with being a working woman after eight months of leisure.