Its been a while since I last updated my journal. Been pretty busy with getting things back in order. I am pretty settled in right now.

I am so glad that Kristen and I are still friends :) It's great, I hope everything stays the way it is :) Mark and I are doing great too. Hopefully I will be able to sleep over at his place this weekend.

It's pretty amazing what a year will do to a city. A lot of things have changed. Some for good and some for bad. The mall is totally different, they have gotten rid of a bunch of stores, while others have moved around. There is a new movie theather in Newmarket, not to mention HEAPS of new stores. We also have a new $10 note - haven't seen one yet.

So what are my plans for the next week or so? Well I finished up my resume today, so I think I will start e-mailing it to people tomorrow.

I am so depressed. As soon as the airplane descended from the clouds and all I saw was white, I knew this was a bad idea.

It's nice to be home though, parents were happy to see me. We all had dinner together last night. It was nice to sit down and have a family conversation once again. It didn't seem like I was gone for a year. Things certainly have changed though. Definately going to take some time getting used to. I feel like I have been stuck in jail for the past 10 months. There is so much catching up to do.

In anycase, this is my last "Blake In Australia" journal entry. I miss everyone back in Oz already :/ Don't worry guys! I will be back!

Last night was great! I went out with all my close friends to dinner at Inferno Cafe at Brodway. I have some photos that I will post once I get back to Canada - but they turned out great :)

Kristy and Gavin got me some "cheezy australian stuff" - which I didn't expect. Anthony got me a VB shirt :)

I have been able to do some pretty good packing, but with the extra stuff I got last night, I had to use a second bag (my small blue valvoline bag). I am just a little worried about my green packsack, I really hope they let me carry it on board - which they did on the way here.

Short entry I know, but I have to get to the airport :)

This will probably be my second last "Blake In Australia" journal entry. Infact I am writing this from an Internet Cafe on Glebe Point Rd.

Today was mostly sleeping. I didn't get home last night from the b-day party until around 3am. I went to meet Katrina at The Paragon at around 1:30, and the line up was short. I decided to wait about 30 min, then a bouncer came out saying that the wait would probably be an hour long - I left. I had a good time at Anthony and Mays combined 21st birthday party at Hotel CBD. I got to talking with Sarah, she is someone that Anthony knows who will be going to UBC this summer (or winter, depending on where your're from :) ). She had heaps of questions about Canada and the US - which I gladly answered. I also left her my contact details back in Canada incase she ever heads out to Toronto. I might also head out to BC too - would love to see my uncle out in Surrey.

Tomorrow is going to be pretty busy as well. Heading out to BPI at around 10am, talk to Steve (give him my heater) as well as finalise some things before I head back to Canada. Then its off to Lunch with Pascal and Steve at Toxteth. After lunch (or before, not sure yet) I am going to need to get my haircut and I want to go to the beach before I head out. If I have time after I am done packing stuff, I might get my haircut now, but its already ten to six on Sunday.

I wont be going out with Kristen et al. when I get home. I guess I will pop over to Mark and Damons place and give Mark his souvenier. Will be nice to see those guys again - and to drive in the snow. Most of you can figure out that I am coming home soon, but just not when ;) i'm keeping it a secret so that a few people don't know I am coming.

I will probably write an entry while I am in London, since I have about eight hours to kill. In the meantime, I hope everyone has great weekend - it will be so nice to see you all again.

Its been a busy week - no doubt about it! Work has been great! The project that I am working on never ceases to challenge me. I also got a thank you note and a Calendar (that makes 3) from my bosses, since today was my last day at work. Well, sort of - I am working tomorrow as well (and possibly Sunday).

I just got back from seeing "The 6th Day" with Andrew, Dean, James, and Pascal. It was an alright movie - if you seen it, then you will know why it made me a little homesick ;)

I was able to sell about 90% of my stuff, including Laptop, Monitor, some Books, my Mp3 player, Modem. In anycase, I have enough money to get a new monitor when I get home, plus pay the ATO some money I owe them. I am still debating whether I should get a didgeridoo or not. Yet another thing to carry (not to mention Touristy), but I guarantee you people back home will be like " WHAT!?!?! You didn't get one?!". That's nice! Give me $150 and I will buy one.

I haven't talked to Kristen in over a week. 'Tis a shame too. I still want to be friends with her. I don't know if this is due to me coming back or not - but I don't like it. Kristen, I know you are reading this, so like e-mail me or talk to me or something.

I don't really know what to say tonight. I just feel really weird, this is my last weekend in the Southern Hemisphere for a long time. Monday is going to be all for me! Get a haircut, head out to the beach, take a nice dip in the pacific ocean and get some Aussie sun in, and quite possibly buy that Didgeridoo :)

I got up at 5 pm today - so pissed off that I got up so late. Went to a party last night with Anthony, was nice - went swimming and stuff. Also got to see Kristy and Gavin, who came back from their reef trip all nice and tanned!

I am working all next week, which is why I need to get sleep so I wont be tired and stuff - I really doubt that is going to happen.

I have sold almost all of my stuff - which is great! I won't have a lot to lug around and ship back home. I also made enough money (by selling my stuff) to get a new monitor when I get home too, so it works out nicely!

Ahhh, cityrail - a fine institution that has been an invaluable asset in my journey in Australia. I wanted to grab a tape recorder and make a small "sounds of Syndey" CD. The assuring 'ticks' of crossing signals telling you its not safe to go. It's so handy being able to 'hear' what colour the lights are. The 'beeps' and 'boops' of a Tangara warning tone always comes before its closing doors. The police sierns with thier 'go up the scale just a little bit higher than the Toronto ones so that your ears go deaf' noises. Sometimes if its really quiet outisde, I can hear the ferrys way down at Circular Quay tooting their horns.

*sigh* it's the little things that I am going to miss

I have been cooped up in The Loft for the past week. I haven't done really much. Work emailed me today with details of how much work I will have and if I am still interested. I decided to go to work for all of next week. The hours a pretty hazy, but I dont have to be in until 10 - which is all good :) I guess the fact that given the chance for me to work, the fact that I actually want to just shows my passion for it. It is the best job I have ever had, I love it - another thing to miss when I leave. I just hope I can find something just as enjoyable when I get back to Canada - that will make the time go by faster, until my trip to Europe.

The new website is coming along great. I am not going to release the url until i'm done with it - and it probably wont be until I get back to Canada. The small amount of people that I showed it to have been pretty blown away, so I am happy I am spending my days cooped up in The Loft doing something producive. I just have to keep an eye on my tan, don't want it to start fading before I go home. I also need a haircut, badly. Since I probably wont have time at all next week (due to work) I think I will get it done Tomorrow.

Tonight I am going to the movies - by my self - to see "O Brother, Where Art Thou?". It's Friday night and I REALLY need to get out, even if it is moving from one dark room to another.

I have been peeking around and reading other peoples journals. Some people are like me, they list what they did - what they thought the past few days. Other people put more 'expression' into things - more feeling. I personally just write what I feel like writing. Not everything makes it into the journal, and not usually in the best grammar/spelling. I just want a record of stuff that happened so that I can look back and be 'wow! I remember when that happened!'. Not, 'holy shit! I sound like a freak!'.

The social agenda is starting to heat up again, people are cramming in more events before the end of summer and the start of school. Tomorrow I am going to a 'get drunk, sleep over' party at Emmas house. I have no idea who this girl is, but she sent out mass invitations to everyone, who then passed on the invitations to their friends. I can picture something from "American Pie" developing here. Should be good for a laugh - and free drinks too! Next Saturday is May and Anthonys combination party with about 120 people or so. More mature, dress up nicely and hang with family sort of thing. I also have to pay a visit to The Paragon - it's Katrinas 20th birthday and I told her I would try to make it.

Weather has been good - hot and sticky. Going to be a HUGE shock going into the snow and ice. It's going to be good finally freeing the black hole and be able to see movies when they come out ( and not 6 months later). Plus things seem to move a little bit faster in Canada - who knows. I am also looking forward to seeing Mark and Damon again, hopefully helping them out with their final school project and possibly going to Florida with them in March. I just miss everyone back home.

I feel kind of dumb that it has taken me about 6 years to realise that I have been missing something and only now figure it out what it is. It's to embarassing to mention - but just a pointer
to all those out there reading, if you feel you are missing something in your life, find out what it is NOW!

I had a great day today with Melanie. She looked great all rugged up in her 'corporate suit'. You definately know you are getting old when you start hanging out with corporate chicks. I
don't know if I mentioned it in a later journal entry - but she had to get ACL surgery done (for all you non skiiers out there - it a ligament in your knee). Therefore, she has to walk around
with a cane because he knee still hurts and stuff. While we were walking to the restaurant, you should have seen some of the people give her the strangest looks. It's sad that people find
anything out of the ordinary - grotesquely(sp) interesting. Hello! It's not like she has six legs or something!

I changed the date of my flight back to Canada. Not saying when I get back into town - want to keep it a surprise for some people. I sleep now.

.... to Mandalay. Serioulsy people, spend the $30 and get their "Mandalay: Instinct" CD. I think I have become obsessed with them. I have both their albums and want to get the B-Sides. I would need to start purchasing their LPs though - something I will start doing when I get back to Canada I guess :)

Friday night I went to MrBoh's Birthday party. Was good! Went swimming in his backyard pool. Also got to see some pretty tame possums, we were feeding them some bread. Pretty cute things! I took some photos of them, which is on Andrews camera. I will post them as soon as I can.

Since I slept over at Boh's place, Saturday was pretty shot, day wise. I was sorta planning on going to Mays house that night - but once I heard its going to be a gaming party, I said "screw that". Spending the night playing video games just isn't my cup of tea.

So that brings us up to today! Which, I don't have anythign planned either. I am still sorta feeling sick, so just getting my rest and bumming around the computer. It just stopped raining, so maybe I will go outside for a walk or something.. I don't know.

For some reason Kristen is pissed at me. It's a really long story - but the problem lies with people either distorting what they read, or in most cases, misunderstanding what they read. Everyone thinks I am coming home next week - I am not. Read what I wrote: "I am going to call Kathryn from Digi Do on Monday to see if I will be
returning to work. If not, then I am going home most likely that week (or next)." Let me analyse that for you laymen out there. No job = no money = go home next week. Job = money = go home in February.

Things with Katrina and I seem to be patched up - She seems happy with the decision that we made, as am I. I just dont see myself getting into a relationship with someone, if I wont be around for a long time. We are friends - thats good :)

I haven't been eating properly the past month or so. Its mostly been Pizza and take-away. I can't really remember the last time I ate fruit (as opposed to the Mango Chicken I love so much). I don't really have the time. Especially if I start work again on Monday. If not, then I will go shopping at Coles and get some healthy eats :)

Its been quite a dramatic week for me, a few ups and a few downs.

I would just like to thank all my friends (you know who you are) for helping me out yesterday. I have been feeling really guilty lately about something I did over New Years and Wednesday. I can't say much (to protect the innocent) except thank you guys for helping me out!

Today was great! Melanie (who I have a little thing for) and I went out to Sydney observatory for a bit... her dad works there. I took some pretty good photos of the sunset behind Anzac bridge, which you can see in the photo archive. We took a quick peek around the place, then rushed out to see the International Space Station fly by - I was impressed at its brightness! After about 5 min of looking at the stars, we headed back down to George St. to meet up with Tim - her friend from Melbourne. We had some drinks and just hung out until her dad was done at the Observatory.

Well my trip to BPI a few days ago didn't go as well as I planned - there doesen't seem to be much work around. I am going to call Kathryn from Digi Do on Monday to see if I will be returning to work. If not, then I am going home most likely that week (or next). Right now I only have enough money for about 2 weeks, I can't really be bothered to try to find a job. I havn't really had the chance to see/do some of the things I wanted to see/do. You must not forget why I came to Australia - to live like an Aussie. I didn't want to be a tourist, I wanted to make friends, do what the Aussies do. I have done that, my goal is completed. If I go home next week, I will go home happy that I accomplished my goal. Whats stopping me from coming back and doing the tourist thing?

Australia has been home to me for the past 10 months - and me going back to Canada feels more like a vacation, than returning home. I am used to the way things are done here and I just know that I will catch my self looking the wrong way when crossing the street back in Canada ;) . I am really going to miss Sydney, especially all my friends. I know the next few weeks are going to be really depressing for me, but I have to keep my chin up and make the best of it!

Tomorrow I am going to a Birthday party, most (if not all) my friends are going to be there. It might be the last time I see them all together if I dont have any work come Monday. I just wish I could look into the future and find out if I will be staying longer or not - just so that I can make Tomorrow just that more special :)

Blah, I need to sleep, almost 3am. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any thoughts on helping me cope with 'travelers depression'.

Ugh, i'm sick. I haven't been sick since I got here last March. I am pretty sure I know where I got it from too! I guess the price you pay when you have a good new years party :)

I am going to head out to BPI in about 20 min or so. Have an appointment with Lee, he is going to try to hook me up with some work - which I really need. I am also going to have to give Digido a call on the 8th, about work as well.

This afternoon I am going on a date (!) with Katrina. I met her at the Paragon on New Years eve - so I hope everything goes good at lunch. We are going out to Bondi for something to eat, not sure where yet. All this is happening at 1pm.

Anthony and I went out for drinkies and saw "Coyote Ugly" last night. I didn't like the movie that much, it wasn't what I expected it AT ALL. For one, I didn't expect it to be a 'love story' between the protagonist and her boyfriend. I just figured it would be something like "Tequelia Sunrise". Kristen said it was good, and she loved it - usually her taste in movies are a little more developped. (my spelling is terrible today - ugh!)

Oh man - this has probably have to be the best New Years I have had in my entire life. Not to mention a great trip to Perth - what better way to end the year?

After arriving in Sydney, I hopped in the shower, got dressed and headed out to Darling Harbour. My plan was to dish out $75 and go to Home. Turns out that 100% of all the clubs/bars needed tickets to get in - sucky. So I got some dinner, then watched amazing fireworks at 9pm. I figured I would try my luck in The Rocks. I headed into The Paragon instead - I don't really remember much from that point on ;)

Today I got up at around 3pm and headed to Andys place to hang out and catch up on the week we lost while I was in Perth. He's doing good, and the beer fridge turned out really well. I'm not glad to be back in Sydney. I wish I was in Perth with Chrissy.

So what do I have planned? Well I have this week off work, have to call my boss on the 8th - she is still up north in the Gold Coast. Everything all depends on how much work I will have this month. Right now, I have enough money to last me about two weeks - which isn't enough to last me until Feb 16th. So, I can't say for sure what will happen until the 8th or so. In the meantime, I will have to keep an eye on the money situation.

I haven't felt this way in a long time. That feeling you get when something happens, but you dont apprecheate it until its over, then you regret for ending it. Now I wish I was back doing it again.