Darwin Day Zero

I have decided to day to blog my time in Darwin. I have been trying to write a diary but it's not working for me. It seems that whether anyone reads what I write or not, that I would prefer to write for an audience than for myself. It helps me give some structure to my thoughts.

It has been a whirlwind week. I decided last Saturday to take the job in Darwin with Matrix on Board (delivering financial literacy training to indigenous communities). On Monday I got told I would need to be in Melbourne Thursday and Friday for induction, then ready to go on the ground in Darwin on Monday of the next week. Given that I was going to be at North's Rugby for 2 long days on the Tuesday and Wednesday, it didn't give me much time to prepare!

But, I've always wanted to be the type of person that can "pick up and go" and now I have done it. I'm excited about this opportunity, strangely calm about it, basically the next four months will be what they will be, and I have a strong feeling that I am exactly where I should be right now. Why I have to be here ... in this place, in this frame of mind, I don't know ... but apparently I am so ... here I am!

Friday's induction was pretty confronting, it was a with a local Aboriginal, Lance, who challenged any and all existing beliefs I had, whether they were related to Aboriginal culture and understanding, or any other aspect of what I believed in.

One of the bonuses of taking this job, was the opportunity to go to Melbourne for the weekend, and catch up with family and my closest friends. Funny that I have lived in Sydney for nearly 9 years and my closest friends are still in Melbourne. So Thursday I stayed with Jodie, somebody I lived with when I first moved to Melbourne. We don't keep in contact a lot, but when we do catch up the bond of our friendship is still as strong as ever. Jodie always relates a story that demonstrates the strength of our relationship, but it is her story, not for me to tell here. She is in love with a lovely Kiwi called Rachel, living on the 29th floor of an apartment in Docklands, running her own business and seems pretty darn happy with her lot in life! One of the things I love about Jodie is that she has a innate belief that she is worthy of love and deserves the good things in life. And while she has been through some tough times like all of us, she is very resilient and always seems to fall on her feet, and goes about her to day to day live with a vibrance, energy and happiness that you don't see in a lot of people.

Friday night saw an impromptu family reunion ... at Pat and Bob's in Vermont. It reminded me of my Christmases growing up, for years we spent our Christmases with Pat and Bob, and yet again they dragged out the trestle tables and set up dinner for 12. Bob cooked a great barbecue and it was wonderful chatting with family members that I haven't seen properly in years.

Saturday was a funny day ... being my lucky last day in Melbourne I wanted to see as many of my friends as I could ... so it started with a 9.00am breakfast with Karen, getting to see her (and Mark's) new (not so new ... 8 months old now!) baby Patrick ... who is gorgeous ... in Karen's words a "ranger"... and he observes the world with both his eyes and his mouth open! I'm sure that boy will capture a lot of flies in his time! Every now and again in his observations he breaks into a massive smile! Gorgeous!! 3 year old Nicholas is the biggest chatterbox and tells you the story of the cartoon show that is on ... as you are also watching it! Mark was off with Aaron at table tennis, but I still got to say a quick hello as they got home, and I had to bolt off to my next visit.

Rebecca aka Diesel and Simon were next, getting to see the next phase of their ongoing renovations. I admire anyone that can renovate while living in their house, it's going to be awesome when they are finished, and what they have done so far is great, but I couldn't do it ... nowhere near the patience nor the ability to finish a project!!

Then we went off to watch Springvale get absolutely spanked by Doncaster! The only game that Springvale has lost for the year, so of course I copped the blame for the loss! They play off in finals next week, and with Ella back and Doncaster cocky over the win, they should knock them off pretty easily (I hope!).

Dashed off to see Rob's renovations ... another one I admire ... how they do it I don't know. Rob and Kelly have the best backyard ... its a mini baseball diamond complete with dirt infield, and highlighted with japanese style sculptures and plants. Beautiful.

Final (sort of) destination for the day. Marion and Steve's. Bowen and Tamsyn have almost grown up ... amazing how they change so quickly at that age. Steve cooked yummy avocadoey carbonaraey pasta ... yum!! With a few bubbles and a vodka under our belt, Diesel, Maz and I took off to the Elsternwick on advice from Wiggle. hhmmmmm.. ACCA DACCA cover band brought in a clientele that we probably wouldn't normally rush to hang out with ... the chicks dancing bogun style were funny for the first dance, but not when it was their ONLY style! We played some very funny, very bad pool ... with Maz and Diesel cheating at every opportunity! Maz also tried to kill my big toe by viciously stomping on it ... fortunately it's not black today!

I was excited when we ended up on Chapel street, in order to get a good ol souvlaki ... but in the end I was so sick (flu) ... and it was not cooked properly ... so I didn't eat it .. and perhaps may never eat another souvi again! More than a little put off!!

That got us home and into bed about 3.45 with the alarm set for 5.45! I got up and my eyes wouldn't open. Thankfully Maz helped me put my stuff in the car. Then I drove to the airport rubbing my eyes the entire time! I was worried looking at the street signs cos I couldn't focus my eyes! Not from the alcohol but from lack of sleep and being sick!

That got me on the plane to Darwin ... might start another page for that ...