The Day the Dust Flew In

Last night was the first night I actually stayed at the hostel since I moved back in last Thursday. I have been staying overnight at Jaime and Patrick's because, well, it's just better over there! A German girl moved into our room and she has taken over. Girls apparently need more than one bed for all the crap they bring with them on holiday, so I have had to resort to a top bunk. Not ideal, but it's a free bed, so I can't complain too much.

I woke up this morning and finished my laundry across town at Jaime and Patrick's place. I figured since I was using their facilities, I would be nice and clean their stove top, which was in need a major cleaning. It looked almost brand new by the time I worked my magic on it! I hope they were impressed.

After my laundry was complete, I headed to the city for my second day of training. We started at 3pm today. We reviewed how to use a scanner and a bunch of other brainless skills that I already knew. I am enjoying having some stability now though. I like the idea of having something productive to do every day as opposed to constantly looking for jobs. I will never put myself in a position where I am struggling to find work again! I don't want to even tell you how many grey hairs I am finding on my head. I am going to have to get my dear friend Claire to take care of this when I get home. Going grey before thirty is unacceptable!

We finished up training today around 9:30 and I caught the 10:15 ferry home, which means I will get home around 11:00pm. I am looking forward to a good night's sleep before I get up to make a few phone calls home and to paint in the morning. I plan to take an hour or so around lunch to soak up the sun at the beach if the weather is nice. A break is well deserved!

The next day ...

I didn't get the good night's sleep I was after. Partly because I drank several cups of coffee and tea while at work so I was a little wired. Won't make that mistake today. The main reason was the noise level in the hostel. People were slamming doors all night and there were people yelling and singing and the guys next door had their radio blaring until past 3 am. I am about over hostel living. I am looking into my options for moving out now that I have a paying job.

My Russian roommate woke up me at 6 am telling me I need to come outside and see the sky. I could see from the room window that it was glowing red outside. When we walked outside it was like stepping into a sci-fi movie. The sky was this red-orange haze, kind of like fog, and it smelt of dust. We didn't know what was going on, but later learned that a major dust storm blew in from the west. This is the first time this has happened to Sydney in over 100 years so it is pretty exciting to be living here during such a rarity. Google the news today and you will see tons of photos.




I am on the ferry now and the windows and railings outside are covered in dust. The dust is settling and should be clearing up tomorrow. It isn't red any more but the skies are very hazy and the air is very dry. Not good for us contact wearers!

I am heading for my third day of work. I'm loving this regularity.