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Published: February 2nd 2015
Well here I go again route number 734 to the train to Hallett Cove to the bank to get the money for my newest purchase. What else is new really? Well Hallett Cove shopping Center is and I can check off another coastal town lol. Hallett Cove Shopping Centre doesn’t have much but it is a change from Colonnades. I hit up Neds which is an upscale dollar store with cute decor that is of course right up my alley. How is it that all the things I would love for my home are in every little shop I go into, the burning question always is do I REALLY need this and what can I throw out so I can fit it in my suitcase. This is a reoccurring conversation I have and quite often with myself.
After I sorted things out at the bank, again, I headed back on the train to that’s right you guessed it Colonnades. I had to figure out what insurance I was going to need for the car or I guess more importantly other peoples cars seeming as driving on the “wrong” side of the road was going to be a whole other world.
It wasn’t going to be the first time that I felt as though I was doing something again for the first time as opposed to having been doing something for many years prior. Well that whole process seemed quite easy and painless and I left shocking surprised and relieved that it wasn’t going to be that expensive. However, at this point in the journey I should know better than that and that nothing is easy.
Tuesday, January 2oth was my last official day of summer holidays or at least so I thought. Although I have really enjoyed getting to know so many great people and the area, I really should have clued in that this is my longest break and that I don’t get July and August off. Well, that is ok I will just have to maximize my other 2 week vacation times! I decided to take the day easy and hoped to head to the beach, but unfortunately it was windy and cloudy. I did however manage to contact home and have a great gal chat with one of my dearest friends Jenny B. It was such a nice treat and SO refreshing to hear a familiar
War Monument?
This on is a guess-sorry!voice from home, other than my mom and dad of course! Unfortunately I missed Jaime. Don’t you ladies know you are all on a 300 minute rotation with my parents come on! Lol, kidding, I should have probably informed you of that prior to making the calls. early to bed as I was anxious for the next day-BIG DAY!
The PE leader picked me up and we headed to school. I finally got to meet the Principal who was very welcoming and politely informed me that I didn’t have to be there until tomorrow. Well you don’t have to tell me twice, on the bus I went. Not 734 this time moved on to 751! An hour later I arrived home, changed my clothes, hit the 734 to the train to the city. I decided to reward myself at the end of this year and purchase an opal and some pearls so I decided to start shopping for that and got an Opal education! Which one did I like, yup you guessed it the nineteen thousand dollar one! Only just slightly out of my price range-I guess I would just have to sacrifice the pearls. No biggie, bling, bling,
money ain’t a thing! Then just for my mom I headed to the mall to try on this Aquamarine ring I had eyed up the other day. It is dark in colour, square and about what I would guess a square quarter would be size. It had small diamonds around it and on the band which was white gold. I was told she could make me a deal from a small price of nine thousand dollars to just fewer than six. Bah, between that, the opal and pearls, I think I am doing rather well and heck you only live once. It was absolutely stunning on my finger, but looked even better in the window.
Well, after that shocker I need some fresh air and decided to walk along one of the main streets of Adelaide and check out the local sights. I took in the Museum, Art Gallery, and University of Adelaide from the street and look forward to further exploring them when I have more time. I headed back to CB where I needed to do some yard work. Needless to say at the end of it all I had a welt on my leg and a
flooded front entry way! Nothing serious and that I couldn’t handle of course. It is always a learning experience when living in someone else’s’ house, Then I headed to Quiz night up the road at the hotel-now a regular and a member of the team. Teresa and I made a 2015 Bucket list for her and I to continually add to and complete. Let’s make this happen woman! Ok now I was officially headed to work the next day.
Thursday- first official day of work without students. Everyone was very welcoming and super friendly. You somewhat feel like a celebrity as everyone knows who you are and I had no clue. I did do an introduction but really didn’t need to; I think it was just so that they could hear my accent. Later in the meetings, which are very similar to first days in Calgary, I was called up by the Principal. I was spoiled with Aussie gifts, dressed up and again I think it was for their benefit. The school has some amazing facilities and so many different programs to cater to all sorts of different leaners. They have twenty two acres of land with alpacas, goats,
chooks, cows, vineyard and they grow olives to make olive oil. They also have many outdoor tennis courts and basketball courts. Another staff member was kind enough to give me a ride home where I walked the beach. All in all a great day and quite similar conversations and start up as at home.
Friday was more meetings, a nice wine and cheese on the deck of one of the new buildings and then off to buy a car. Kevin was kind enough to pick me up, I purchased the car and he drove me back home. I still wasn’t confident enough. We stopped to get petrol, not gas or diesel I’m still unsure if petrol and our gas are the same and of course flashback in time, you can’t pay at the pump. I went to show off my new 80’s wheels with my personalized paint job to the neighbors and they were kind enough to have me for tea.
Saturday I attempted to get to Willunga for the end of the Tour Down Under and that proved to be difficult, hmm, really shocking? I think not. I did make it as far as McLaren Vale hoping
to catch the last lap of threeand thought I had missed it. I wandered the main street and found a few cute shops and again the dialogue in head regarding: do I need this? Will it fit in my suitcase? Then, saved by the cowbells, I realize sweet the riders have one more lap to go. If you had have blinked you would have missed it but the support of these small town is phenomenal, quite the sight to see and you could feel the buzz of excitement. Then V&G were riding along behind the tour and met me in McLaren Vale after they caught the end of it in Willunga.
We headed back into town and they invited me to tag along to a BBQ of friends of their's who had just returned from Red Deer Canada on a teaching exchange. It was very nice of them to include me and after I met the exchanges I walked into the backyard and there were familiar faces. How could I know this woman? then I realized she was from Calgary and I had met her in the meeting prior to the departure. It was neat to get to chat
with her and hear all about her adventures and experiences thus far. It also made me realize that I didn’t maximize my time off. I headed back to take the train and had just missed it so I waited an hour, it wasn’t the first and won’t be the last!
Sunday Ben’s mom and sister were kind enough to offer to pick me up and head to Victor Harbor. It was again a chilly and windy day, but we made the best of it. We walked over to Granite Island where we watched a few dolphins and seals frolic. We had great fish and chips, did some shops, and headed home. Overall it was a great day. One thing I have noticed is that eating out is quite costly and the customer service is quite, well, shit most of the time.
Well Monday was the big celebration, Aussie Day! I accompanied Lisa and Jake to their family’s BB, where we played tennis, ate, and had drinks. Again I was reminded how this is not typical Aussie weather, more like winter than summer. Ironically, that day in Calgary it was 17 degrees, not far from what the temperature was
in Australia. Overall, another great day and again very grateful to be here and surrounded by such great people. Luckily I have made such great connections, as little did I know, it’s these connections outside of work that are going to get me through the next week and most likely the year! Stay tuned. I am about to get a real, shocking wakeup call!!!
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Rob Van Winkle
non-member comment
Hi Mel
It's been so interesting reading about your experiences. It seems like you are getting connected into the community really quickly. The people seem really warm and helpful! the sites are beautiful too. I couldn't help but feel nervous for you. Thinking of how your first weeks are going. Hoping the kids we'll get to see how much you can offer them! Just tell them we yell because we care! :-)