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Published: February 20th 2013
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As I sit here under the shade of a palm tree, surrounded by beautiful and peaceful gardens, happy with my life and the world, I feel compelled to write my next blog. Rewind just 24hours and it was a completely different story. This blog entry is less of the exciting travel adventures and amazing fun, but more to capture the real roller coaster of emotions I've been through this last week or so as real life hit with a bang.
I have often spoke of the stress of having no money. Living in an expensive city with no job is enough to make you sweat with fear (even more so when the cheap hostel you're in has no air con). This week however my luck was finally in. I went to an interview weeks ago and had not heard a thing back. They wanted someone to do door to door sales. I said 'no thanks' - a guy I'd met was doing the same and was spat on in the face by an angry resident. After I said no, they said they might need people in their call centre following up leads gained by the door to door guys. Finally,
Monday this week, they phoned and offered me the job. Down to my last $1000 I grabbed the opportunity with both hands, arms and legs.
To cut a long story short, I lasted 1 day, of which half was training that I didn't even get paid for. After the first day, once I'd gone to bed, I woke up countless times checking my watch and dreading the time my alarm sounded to signify it was time for my 2nd day. The hours were 12-7, 6 days per week, doing non-stop cold-calling of people who couldn't want anything less than to talk to the English girl with no clue about their electricity and gas. Turns out I don't have that direct sales technique that's needed, and I don't like my boss looking at me expectantly after every call and looking disappointed each time I told him the person either hung up on me or simply diverted me to an answering machine.
This morning I got up, and skyped a friend back home. She is one of the most lovely, laid-back and supportive friends to have. It's too easy to moan to her as she always puts a smile back
on my face. I have to apologise for being so miserable during the first time we'd spoken since I left the UK. It all came tumbling out: the money worries, how shit my job was, how I'm sick of being in a hostel, that I wasn't having fun anymore and that there'd be no time for fun with a 6 day per week job. Bla bla bla. It was when I got off Skype I started to think 'so, what are you going to do about it?!' I chatted through some options with my boyfriend. And here I sit now, a weight lifted, happier than ever with a strong sense of who I am, what makes me happy and the reasons I'm here. How the dramatic turn-around you ask?
1) I remembered I'm here to travel this amazing country and have a great time, there's no time to be miserable. I need to make the most of it.
2) I got a call from an agency that want to interview me for a temporary HR job tomorrow
3) I started to make travel plans to get out and see a bit more of Oz
4) I quit the call centre
5) I skipped out of the call centre with a huge smile and sense of relief
6) in a great mood, I decided to go for a little walk in the sunshine. As I walked, I saw a big patch of grass. I walked over to sit there. As I walked, into the horizon appeared this beautiful building. I went to it.
7) the beautiful building turned out to be the most amazing war memorial. I have spent a happy 2 hours there, learning from the guides about Australia's role in WW1 and WW2. They really brought it to life, and, being the history geek I am when it comes to the world wars, I wondered around in awe and silence.
8) next door to the remembrance centre are the Royal Botanical Gardens, which is where I am as I type this. Sat in glorious sunshine in complete peace. It's beautiful here and the view of the lake and palm trees are the perfect setting to sit and type my blog.
Tonight I'm off to the night market in north Melbourne for an amazing dinner and to catch up with friends. You know what? Life is awesome when you don't sell electricity and gas. Life as an unemployed bum suits me just fine for now.
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Karen Brettle
non-member comment
Attitudes
How lovely to read of your positive side. I know it's hard sometimes to see the good in things, but ther are millions out there worse off. You are adopting the right mind set - you always have achieved in life and will continue to do so. Things always work out. Sending love waves from Halesowen. xxxx