Shocked

I felt I should write at least a quick entry to let you all know what's going on.  I'm not sure how many of you may have heard, but yesterday Starbucks Australia held meetings all over the country to let us know that they were closing about 60 stores.  What this means is that there are only about 20 stores left open in the whole country.  Unfortunately, the store that I was working at was one of the stores that closed.  We were told that we could try to apply to the stores that were going to remain open, but otherwise they said our jobs had become "redundant".  I did apply to go to another store, however, I am among almost 700 others that have also become "redundant" and have been given the same opportunity.  Since I am only wanting to work now for 2 more months it may work as an advantage or disadvantage to me in getting a position, so I don't know what's going to happen.  I'm currently looking at all my options, and I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do.   Yet, I also want to say not to worry about me.  While it's been a shocking thing to have happen, I know I can find something else if need be and it's just a matter of deciding which option I want to choose.  I will keep you updated and let you know what's going on and what I've decided.  

In the meantime, if you want to see my store and some of the people I worked with, you can go to the video clip attached to this news article http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/4836317/union-shocked-starbucks-closures

Moonlight in Bronte

I've officially moved out of the place I was staying at in Bondi, and spent my first night at my new place in Bronte.  I literally feel like I've stepped out of one life and into another.  Not to say that living in Bronte was bad.  It was nice living there, having a place to myself for a while and I guess just sorting things out.  I woke up this morning and everything was quiet and peaceful.  I went for a quick walk by the beach, and now I get to start at my new Starbucks store today (hopefully the one I'll be staying at the rest of the time here).  I guess it's just nice to know that I don't have to move for a while.  That I can completely unpack (and I already have) and just live.  It probably helps that it is a really nice day out with the sun shining and a fairly reasonable temperature, and that my flatmate has nicely kept me laughing so far (there may just be a book of "isms" by the end of this trip).  Yet, life in Bronte also means limited internet access, and no tv and that will be interesting to get used to.  So this is it.  This is my world, my life in Australia.  

Random Thoughts...

When I look up at the sky at night, I don't recognize the stars.  I wish I had someone to explain them to me. 

 

The fashion here reminds me of Robin Hood Men in Tights.  Robin and all his merry women are running around the streets of Sydney!

Sydney doesn't feel like a typical major city.  It feels quite young, with an Asian flair, a European foundation, and yet it retains the feel of a small city someone just happened to decide was important. 

They have a store here called Boost Juice.  It's kind of like Jamba Juice (for all who've heard of that), and I think I'm addicted....

Happy 4th of July!

It's funny celebrating holidays in countries that don't recognize them (it's even funnier when someone asks why and misses the fact that it's American Independence Day, but hey we all have our moments).  Being here, yesterday didn't feel like a holiday.  I suppose, yes, I missed the fireworks, Summerfest, and parades among other things, but this was not the first 4th of July I've missed.  I could have gone to a bar, as some of the backpacker bars celebrate it for all the American travelers, but it wouldn't have been the same.  So instead, I celebrated by relaxing most of the day and taking a walk by the beach at night.  So, I had my own little parade down the beach, the waves were my fireworks, and the night before I went to a local musician event down the street so I suppose you could say I had a little hint of Summerfest.  All in all, it's been a nice weekend. 

Nevermore...

Good news! I got the job at Starbucks, and I start on Monday.  Since next week marks the start of World Youth Day (in short a big deal to encourage young people to come together to celebrate Catholicism with all sorts of events all week long, culminating in a mass held by the Pope), they are in desperate need of extra help.  So, surprise, I had a double interview today and got hired for 2 stores.  Of course I am super excited to be working at Starbucks again over here (and I know some of you are laughing).  I guess for the time being, I still plan on working at the other temp job part time, and we'll see how things pan out.  It's funny because one job pays more, but I can't be guaranteed enough hours, and the other I can be guaranteed the hours but it pays less.  Life is funny.

Speaking of how funny life is...I need to explain the reason for the title of this entry.  For the past couple nights there has been this annoying bird right outside the window. Two nights ago it was so bad it kept waking me up.  Well, today I decided to see if I could figure out what kind of bird it was, so I went here: http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/feature/top-40-bird-songs.cfm.  From what I can tell, it's an Australian Raven.  Although, I did have to go by the sound as I haven't actually seen the bird, so I could be wrong.  Still, if you go listen to the clip on the website above, imagine waking up to something like that. Should I start writing a poem?

Getting in touch

I apologize that it's been a while since I added an update.  I felt like I had a lot going on in the past couple of days.  I had an interview on Monday, which was slightly confusing, but I believe I have that job.  She gave me all the tax forms and told me what I needed for a uniform.  So, you would think that I have it, but I guess I have to go back for an "induction" which I think is like a let's-make-sure-we're-on-the-same-page training thing.  After that, then I guess I can be put in the system to be chosen for an assignment.  I don't have any idea how many hours I'll be getting, and generally all this uncertainty has made me want to have a back up plan (which arrived today).   I know that many of you may think this is somewhat hilarious, but I have an interview with Starbucks tomorrow... and I am super excited.  

Other than this, I have a place to stay in Bondi, which is a suburb of Sydney.  It only takes me about 20 minutes on the train to get into the city center, and it's right near three beaches.  It's absolutely wonderful.  It's only a temporary situation at the moment.  I'm essentially house-sitting for someone while she's away for 2 weeks.  Can I say it's a little weird living on my own, especially in another country?  I've thought a lot about living by myself, and now I guess I get to try it out.  Well, unfortunately I have to wrap this up now and get some sleep before my interview.  I hope you are all doing well, and I'll write again soon.