Changing Fortunes

The legendary Lunar Park in St Kilda

A lot can happen in 3 days.

After my parents granted us a reprieve with their kind loan we continued our relentless search for work.  I attended 2 interviews, one which didn’t go very well but it was good practice but the second interview I thought went very well indeed however I still didn’t get a job offer.

Paul continued to answer ads, sending his CV out to all and sundry, only to be harassed by marketing people when he applied for jobs on Gumtree (people selling advertising space place misleading ads and then try to get you to pay for advertising in some journal or another).  It was enough to drive you to distraction and he almost stopped looking on Gumtree altogether.

Desperate Times

Little penguins on Philip Island

With no work in sight we had to face some harsh realities.  Paul could get financial help from the state but I wasn’t entitled to anything (not surprisingly as I haven’t paid into the system) but neither could Paul claim for supporting me so the help Paul could get would not even meet the rent payments, never mind food and bills. Things were beginning to look a bit bleak.

Counting Parrots and Peas

Parrots

While we waited rather impatiently for work to turn up, or more accurately, for our many applications to transform into something remotely resembling a job, we spent a lot of time twiddling our thumbs, sitting out on the balcony, watching the peas poke their little heads through the soil in the tubs, and counting the parrots who flocked to feed on sugar and water put out by our neighbours opposite. 

Finding Gainful and Meaningful Employment

Securing employment was to prove frustrating to say the least.  It had taken us 5 days to find the apartment and move in.  Paul wanted to be working by the following Monday.  However things didn’t happen like that in Australia and it took a while for us to settle in for the wait.

Boring but Essential Practicalities

There is so much to do before you can start functioning in another country.  Well, that is if you want to do it all legally and above board.  Luckily Paul was familiar with most of the systems although most of it has now been computerised which you would think makes the whole process easier but it doesn’t.

I deal below, in no particular order, with mobile phones and internet, tax file numbers, Medicare cards, bank accounts and ambulance cover.

Furnishing Our Nest

Peas on the balcony

As soon as we had word that we had been approved for the lease on the apartment we were able to start stocking up on essentials like crockery, cutlery and bedding.  We would also need a fridge (for beer, obviously) and we managed to find one on Gumtree;  the bloke threw in a washing machine for another $150 (we didn’t know at that time there were laundry facilities outside but even with hindsight it was a good investment).

Finding Somewhere to Call Home

The view from the balcony of our new home

We had 5 days booked in our temporary accommodation and Paul seemed to think that this was ample time in which to find somewhere to rent and be moved in by the weekend.  He is ever the optimist whereas I, on the other hand, given our lack of income, references and other such nonsense honestly didn’t believe this was possible.  As it turned out, however, the market favours tenants at the moment and lots of places were empty and ready for occupation.  Ever the pessimist I still had my doubts.  I like to think our relationship is a balancing act.