Canberra, the city that keeps on giving

Lorenzo's, next to XXX shop #8755. This just seemed so appropriate.

46 hours and counting

Insurance is done, phone is done, packing is... half done. I'm fairly certain I'm ready to roll and now that I've acquired the handheld version of tetris there ain't
no stopping me!

***

No matter how people that have done this before try and prepare you it just doesn't do the emotional rollercoaster you experience justice. Maybe I'm a little more prone to nervousness or anxiety than others but I've still got my brave face on. Check back with me on Wednesday and that could be a very different story. That said, apart from selling my car I haven't got any worries left. I have money in the bank (well... some), 2 job interviews lined up and somewhere to stay when we land. I'm thinking it'll be the weather that'll primarily knock us for six.

I'm, oddly enough, really excited about the plane ride. I can't stand flights between Adelaide and Melbourne and the Canberra flight was a stretch but the whole idea of boarding a craft about 3 times the size of those and being in 4 different countries within 23 hours has me feeling a sense of anticipation.

***

Tomorrow is our last day in Canberra and unfortunately I still haven't seen the sights. I would have loved to visit the War Memorial, Parliament House and the National Gallery. I'm hoping I can fit something in tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath. I'm thinking more and more that I'd like to go on an Australian adventure after I return from Europe. But, that's just slightly further ahead than I should be looking right now.

Off to write a few more emails while we are blessed with online access (oh how I miss regular emails) then I MUST pack. Hmm... maybe tomorrow...

So, Canberra.

Purveyor of the finer 'arts', fireworks and young athletic types. I like Canberra, I prefer Adelaide (something I thought I'd never say) but it's been good to relax somewhat over the past few days.

Doing last minute shopping and packing. Bought one big arse jacket today half off, very groovy (ha), there will be no need to try so hard to look good in the UK if everyone is walking around sporting this kind of garb. We had a practice run of sorts this afternoon, it absolutely pelted down and we ended up experiencing an hour long hailstorm. Somehow I think the UK is going to be a little more than what I expected.

Surprisingly I'm dealing quite well with bundling whats left of my wordly posessions into a backpack and heading off to a foreign country. I have no fears of flying and look forward to the massive change. Will miss everyone DEARLY but know they're only a call away. It was harder than I thought to say goodbye.. I haven't cried so much for a while, but the tears quickly subsided when I realised I was going to be ok.

So, 4 days left in home sweet home then we're outta here.

I look forward to snow, royalty, trash UK mags, accents and new slang, the tube, wearing beanies 12 hours a day, roast at xmas time... when there's finally a need for it and new beginnings.

Lets see if my thinking on any of this changes in the next few weeks.

Adios (or should that be Toodle Pip?)
x

Numbers

.5 - points value of cookies for the plane
4 - hours slept last night
6 - days in Canberra
7 - days left at work
12 - days left in Adelaide
16 - points wasted on schnitty hangover lunch today
18 - GB's used on the pod
20 - kilogram restriction of luggage allowed. PFFT.
23 - hours I'll be trapped in a plane to London
26 - days of paid leave (at an ASO3 rate. FUCK YEAH.)
35 - photos taken last night
45 x 35 x 20 - dimensions of hand luggage allowed
53 x 33 x 20 - dimensions of my stupid luggage which won't be allowed on the plane ARGH
300 - dollars I've wasted this week out of my London funds
5,567,095 - times I've thought OH MY GOD I DON'T WANT TO GO ANYMORE