The power went out last night, just as we were going to watch some TV. So it was back on the laptop for another one and a half hours or so. Talked to Andrew about his new beer fridge he is making out of aluminum and peltiers.




Got up at 9am, went back to sleep, then Chrissy woke me up at 10:30am. We headed out to Fremantle did some shopping had lunch. Chrissy really wanted to spend her Gift Certificate ($30) so we went to three different stores before she finally found what she was looking for.

I ended up flirting with this girl at a food shop as well. She was really nice and stuff. Tobad I was leaving Perth in 2 days, otherwise I might have asked her out!




Tonight we are going to Sunset Cinema. Which is like a movie theather, but outside in King's Park. Going to see "what lies beneith". I am also meeting up with some of Chrissys Friends as well, which will be nice. As for after the movie, going out for some drinkies and stuff at local bars/pubs. We originally were going to go out clubbing, but apparantly I need to have nice dress shoes, which I don't. Seems a little retarded to me, but Chrissy insisted that they are pretty strict about it.

I just got the popularity thingy working on my new journal. So now you can see how many people have viewed each entry! I am going to finish that whole thing when I get back - so far I am impressed with its performance and stuff.

Chrissy is soooo nice to her parents. Every day she either gets them wine, or flowers, or chocolate. Makes me feel heaps guilty about not doing the same with my mommy and daddy back in Canada.

I have been thinking a lot about home lately. Mostly how I am going to save up enough money intime for my trip to Europe in September. I don't really want to push the trip any further, because well, winter sucks when you are traveling - that is of course, you will be doing some skiing. There are still a lot of things I need to buy before I can go on that trip. Plus I have my credit card to pay off and stuff as well. I did get two books on Europe yesterday. One by Lonley Planet, and the other one by Let's Go. I really like the Let's Go one, since its written by students.

I also got the oppourtunity to wear my new shorts today. They were super comfey as well. I think tonight I am going to change into my new pants, since we will be outside and it is going to be a little bit chilly tonight. I think they will go well with my white top that I am wearing right now.

Anyways, Chrissy wants to use her computer, and she is poking me to get off!! Arggg!@&#@(&*@

What a relief! Its so much cooler today, about 25C . And the breeze is coming from the west, off the ocean. It was nice to be able to sit in the car and not get all sweaty and stuff. I am also glad we didn't go to Margaret River, because it would have sucked big time with the heat.

We visited Chrissys 'extended cousins, or whatever you want to call them' in the hills today. Very nice drive. I am totally awesome when it comes to driving now, and the roundabouts no longer bother me. Anyways, we had afternoon tea, and I was able to take some photos of the City from far away. Although it was a little foggy/smokey. I will have to see how they turn out either later today, or when I get home.




We also stopped off at King Georges Park (again), this time so I can take some photos of the city during the day. I took two photos of "South Perth" and I am going to try to stich them together in a panorama. Then it was of
f to McDonalds for some food - much needed food.

So whats on the agenda tomorrow you ask? Well, I am not sure to be honest. I think we are heading out to Fremantle Prison. I know for sure that night we are going out clubbing and drinking. I also think we are going on a pic-nic with some people in the park. I just got informed by Chrissy, that the pic-nic is on Saturday.

So far, I have been enjoying my self immensly. All thanks to Chrissy and her family. I can't thank them enough for allowing me to stay at their home during Christmas. I only wish I can return the hospitality if they ever come to Canada. I think I am going to get them a thank you card and stuff before I leave. Which is on Sunday Morning :)

Got some shopping done today, twas nice to spend some money on my self :) Call me selfish, but I kinda need some new self entertainment. Which is why I got 3 new CDs! No Doubt, NIN, and Mandalay. These three babies should keep me entertained at least for the flight back to Sydney - considering Ansett's in-flight "entertainment" is pretty lack lustre.

I got up pretty easy this morning, to call the family for Christmas. My mom was crying - she misses me heaps. I guess the fact that she also hung up on me kinda compunded the situation. It was easliy rectified by me calling back ;) I was also able to talk to my brother for more than 10 seconds, which was good. He wants a didjeridoo (sp), so I have to make sure I have enough money before I go to get him one.

Today was another really hot day, around 40C. We are going to head out to the pool in a few minutes to kill some time and get cooler. Then it's off to dinner. I am soo need f00d.

Not sure whats up tomorrow. I am not sure if we are going to head to Rottnest or not - I will see what Chrissy feels like doing. It would be nice to be able to see some bush/country - take a small road trip someplace. Bah! I don't know, just play it by ear :)

I will be putting up some photos I took yesterday at the beach soon. I havn't been taking heaps of photos, just not in the photo taking mood. I will see what happens tomorrow, possibly go on a photo spree.

Plans for New Years are non existant - trying to get something organised before I get back to Sydney, since I am arrving on New Years Eve.

Ahhh, it's so nice to be able to sleep in once in a while. Our original plan to go down to Margaret River have been canceled. Which is good, because I got to sleep in, and don't have to spend 4 hours in the car sweating like a pig :/




We went out to Amandas place yesterday to go swimming in her pool - it was sooo nice. Spent the whole day there. We just lazed around in the pool for probably 2 or 3 hours. Then Chrissy and I played Santa Clause for the rest of the day, delivering presents to all the good boys and girls.

Today we are going to be going to see a movie, most likely 'Bring it on'. It will be nice to spend this really hot day in the theater. Going to go see it at 2pm.

 TODAY'S TEMPERATURE:                   Maximum: 40 

    TOMORROW'S TEMPERATURES:  Minimum: 24  Maximum: 40 

    TODAY'S UV INDEX:     12 [EXTREME]  

My alarm is also set to give my parents a call tomorrow - I need to get up at 7am. Which should make it around 6:30pm their time on boxing day.

Yup yup, I made it safely. Although my flight was delayed about one and a half hours - we got free drinks to 'try to make up for it'. I'm just glad the pilot didn't make a stupid comment about meeting Santa on the way over there. Another uneventful flight by yours truely.

Got off the plane and did the usual hug 'n greet with Chrissy and fam. Then it was off to Kings park for some photo opportunities. I took some photos of the city at night, along with this really cool driveway with coloured lights shining on the trees. Not to mention my driving from the airport to the park. I think Chrissy was freaking out "stick to the left!!!@!@!@!!(*@()*&@)(!^@&". Yeah, I am pretty used to it now - at least I dont make the windshield wipers go instead of the turn signal. The car on the other hand... whoa nelly! A 1976 carbourated manual transmission car, that uses leaded Gas.

Plans for today include Christmas lunch with the family and stuff, the going out and doing something ;) Chrissy has everything planned, I just keep on forgetting what we are doing. That fine, cause I want things to be a surprise.

I am going to try to get some pictures up soon, not sure about what I can install on her laptop. I started taking my photos in flashpix format, I think I am going to change back to jpg. Just for simplicity, the fpx format has better quality, but you can't really do much with them unless you have Photoshop.

Hope everyone at home had a good Christmas and stuff :)

This is my first journal entry in my new and improved journal entry system :) Nothing too exciting, at least for the person reading it.

I am just killing time before my flight to Perth. I am leaving my place at 5:30, to be able to catch the 5:55 train to the ariport. Only takes me 5 min to get from central station to the airport. Plus it being a domestic flight, I don't need to get there 23982038 hours early.

Since its only a three hours difference, I wont be experiencing that much jet lag. Whenever I go to Vancouver, only takes me a day to get used to things. Plus I will be driving as soon as I get out of the airport, so that will be.. ahum... an experience :)

It's going to cost me $10 for a one way ticket to the airport via train. Why not get a Round Trip one you say? Well, yes, if I do get a round trip ticket I will save $5, but the ticket is only valid until 4am the next day! There is the option of the bus. $12 round trip and the ticket is valid for two months. The train.... soooo fast, 5 min travel time compaired to 45 min by bus.

This is the worst time... just sitting here waitin g for 5:30 to roll around.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas holidays have started for me :)

I sware, the coolest shit is happening back home. By the time you read this, most of you
probably already know of the meteor shower thats happening on the 22nd in North America.
You also probably know that a solar eclipse is happening on Christmas day. The last one of
the 2nd mellenium to boot! So while everyone is experiencing the first day of Winter, I
my friends, will be basking in the Western Australia sun on the first day of Summer :).

I am still amazed at people when I show them some Canadian money, and the firs thing out of
their mouth is "Wow! You guys have the queen on it?!??". Umm of course we do, she's our
head of state! Sheesh! Apparantly for this year only, Australia is going to be removing the
Queen from their $5 note, and replacing it with a Centenary Special Edition Note (since Jan
1st, 2001 Australia will be 100 years old or something).

I am visiting my sick friend, Melanie, tomorrow. Going to bring her some chocolate and
flowers, try to cheer her up. She's a really nice chikypoo, kinda reminds me of Kristen.
Just... uhm.. more crazy :)

Tomorrow will just be filled with nothingness, well wait - let me rephrase that. Tomorrow
I am going to Mels place, then off to a Christmas party at Virginias place (so many girls,
so little time ;) ). I wont do any packing until Saturday, plus my flight doesn't leave
until late Sunday night. I guarantee you the pilot is going to make some lame ass comment
about "running into Santa Clause" on our way over (it being late Christmas Eve and such).

When I get back, I am off work until about the 8th of Janurary, then its work for 2 or
3 weeks :) (yaay). From that point on it will be either, stay here and bring money home.
Or go off to Noosa and do some skydiving. I like the latter idea a lot better :).

** Two days later **

It was so hot yesterday. So hot, infact, that the pavement was melting/boiling in some
locations. I have a photo of it, but I can't be bothered to put it up. So i'm walking to
Melanies place, in 42C heat. I probably drank about ten or twelve litres of water yesterday.
I was so hot and tired and sweaty, that I didn't really feel like going to Virginias
place for her christmas party.

I changed my mind

It was a good party, lots of new people as well. Infact I spent zero time talking with the
usual croud and mixed with the new people. I kinda wish I had more time to get to know them
better. I am feeling really wiggy lately. My trip back to Canada, to me is more of a holiday
/vacation. Sydney feels like my home now. I have gotten into a routine, I am close to my
new friends. I am going to miss this place a lot when I go back to Aurora... Don't want to
think about it.

So what did I do today? Just bummed around, I got up at 8:30! (Automatically I might add). I
just bummed on the computer. I started writing a CGI that will start storing all my journal
entries in a database. This way it will be easier for me to add entries, plus you will be
able to do a keyword search for things. It also means that everytime I update my journal
I dont have to edit 2398243270947 files. It will also allow me to do some pretty cool things.
Like attach commments to particular entires (comments readers will leave). It is also version
1 of the journal application that I will be introducing for friendsnetwork.org.

Andy and I are going out to see Verical Limit in a few hours. Don't really want to see it,
but nothing else on, and it just came out - so what the hell. I am getting some beer and
nibblies, so we will probably end up going in a little bloated and tipsy - but what better
way to see a fucking shitty movie? (other than stoned, but you all know I ain't into that
shit).

Tomorrow, packing, flying to Perth. Hope everyone has a good christmas, I will write from
Perth in a few days, with possibly some photos :)

Got up this morning, and opened my window - I was almost knocked back off my feet from the
slam of warm moist heat that hit my face. It's going to be a hot one today.

Hopped on the bus, and started heading to work when I got an SMS on my phone from work. Boss
was telling me that if I didn't want to come into work, I didn't have to. Because of the heat.
I hopped off the bus at the next stop (just before the stop where I would trasfer onto the
254 - once you get on that bus, you dont get off until work ;) ). I replied back asking her
that I am willing to work from home to get some stuff done. Considering I have air
conditioning here - I dont mind doing the work. In fact, I love my job. This is honestly
the first time I have said that. I wake up in the morning with that good feeling that I am
going to do something fun, exciting and challenging. I am going to miss that job just as
much as Australia.

The above was yesterday.... Today the heat isn't as bad, but still hot nontheless. I keep
hearing about all the snow that has fallen in Aurora/Toronto the past few days. Starting to
miss it :/ Then again, I think of all the hours wasted shovelling the snow, then I smile
and are glad that I am in the land down under for this season :)

I have been working on my budget tonight - some interesting facts came up. I will have spent
$7239 on rent/accomidation. Around $2372 on transportation and about $1620 on food. These
facts are probably wrong, but one thing that is for sure. I will have to spend $1436 for
rent from now until I leave Feb 15th. So I am debating, should I pay her that lump sum right
now? Not having to worry about spending money and such for the rest of my time here. Or
should I observe "self control" and pay her every two weeks. I also want to take money home
with me, plus pay off my credit card . In otherwords, I want to go home debt free. There
are just too many things on my to do list for that to happen. The next few days will be
planning out the financial situation.

Excited for my trip to Perth. I got confirmation that we have accomodation booked in Margaret
River and Buffelton. I have no idea whats there, but apparantly Chrissy knows whats she's
doing. I really want to see Rottnest though. We can't go because schoolies are happening there.
What are Schoolies you ask? Well my friend Josh put it this way: "basically, 2 weeks in which school leavers go away on holidays and get pissed/root".
(oh yeah, root = have sex). I dont see why we can't go, all these grade 12ers, who just graduated
from High School - sounds like fun to me :)

more to write, but must sleep.

Everything is well and good in Aussie land.

I had a super long weekend this time around. Having Friday AND Monday off. Things at work
are starting to wind down. I have been able to fill the time with some BPI work that had
to be done.

Friday night I went to the movies with Anthony and Dave. They went to see The Dish, I went
to see The Cell. Bad idea on my part. We went for drinkies afterwards.

Saturday I was awoken by Kristy giving me an SMS. Stupid me, I left my phone on "outdoor"
so all the tones and beeps were SUPER LOUD. Normally this would have been ok, except for the
fact that she did it at 8am on a saturday morning. We ended up going to Andrews house for a
bit (He was driving us To Gavins place). Once at Gavs, we just hung around, watched a few
DVDs, orderd pizza. All in all, it was pretty good. Relaxing - just having a good time.

Sunday was uneventful. Did some cleaning up around here. Laundry, Vacuuming, stuff you
normally do on a Spring Sunday afternoon. I went to Andys house that night to play some
multiplayer Half Life - I am starting to get addicted to that game again.

Today - going to finish my laundry as well probably head out and get some fresh air. I might
head out to Bondi and do a little shopping. I want to get a new wallet, and I saw a really
nice one at Mambo. I might also get a new pair of
shoes. Things are on sale here, trying to get rid of the spring goods. I have to be at the
University of New South Wales today at 4:30. Meeting James and Veg - Have to give James
a hard drive that he is buying off me. Veg is borrowing my digital camera for a few days.
Probably end up having a drink or something while I am there.

*** Few Days Later ***

I just got a notice from Australia Post telling me I have a parcel ready to be picked up at
the post office. I really hate those things - why can't they just put the parcel in the
letter slot? My cd that I ordered could easily fit - but they decided to give me that lame
"you have a parcel at the post office and the postie is too lame to put it in your slot"
card.

** The Next Day **

The package I got was from my mommy - it was a bunch of christmas stuff. I am soo happy!
Even 40,000Km away and the "Life Savers" tradition has not been broken. I also got my
24 chocolates (one to eat each day in December until Christmas) which didn't really make
the trip. I also got a present - something soft and mushy, but I wont be opening that until
Christmas :)

The weather has been pretty good lately. Getting up to close to 30C now. I got my tan back.
Everyone is in a good mood - Christmas and Summer! I think the reason why Aussies arn't
really into the whole Christmas thing is that there is no snow! It really isn't as big here
as it is back home. Thursdays still suck though - especially now, because everyone is
Christmas shopping. Took me an hour and a half to get home. blah

Andrew and I were planning on going down to Victoria for a bit when I got back from Perth.
Looks like the plans have changed, Andrew decided to spend the money on new Lenses for his
camera instead :/ I am still going, just by my self this time - which really isn't good
because bushwalking by your self kinda sucks (and dnagerous) so I think I will just be
driving around and staying in motels/hostels instead of camping. It's going to suck though
because I was really looking forward to Andrew coming. Spend some quality time before I go
back to Canada.

I might or might not go to Pascals birthday party tomorrow. I wont finish work until around
6pm or so. Plus I don't really have the money to spend.

**The Next Day**

Well I went to Pascals party ;) Everyone was already there when I showed up, which felt
really wiggy considering I am normally the first person to arrive and stuff. Had a SUPER
great time. Finally got to spend some more time with Jenny (his girl friend), in most cases
it's just been "hello and goodbye" sort of thing.

It was really cool, after most of the people left we popped out the champaigne (those
frenchmen really know how to throw a birthday party ;) ) and the atlas. Yes, Atlas everyone
seemd to wanted to know stuff about Canada. Told them all about it - then we all talked
about various countries where people went/saw/were from. Was really nice - informative too!
I am really going to miss these guys when I leave :/

The social schedule is starting to fill up. I have a work Christmas thing next Friday, then
the Friday after that I have another Christmas party at Virginia's place. Then Saturday I
will spend the day packing for my trip to Perth. Sunday at 7pm my flight leaves Sydney. I
also have to remember to call my parents on Boxing Day. The problem is, I will probably
be calling on my cell phone because I will be on my little road trip with Chrissy (stupid
time difference).

My camera is aching to take some photos, so I decided to walk into coles and start taking
some photos of really odd and weird Aussie foods. Expect to see that "Photo Essay" somtime
in the coming week.

Time for me to get some lunch :)