Saturday, April 30, 2005
Central Station
Thought I'd put in a bit of how I travel. Here is a short little photo essay on Central Station, where I go almost everyday.
What did I do today?
This morning I somehow managed to take a shower, get dressed and make it out of the house in 35 minutes, no easy feat considering I had to pack a bag, go back and get my keys, hunt for the back-lock (ie pakaw) of my earrings and fend of cody at least three times. I made it to the train station, still late (yep, i didnt get outof bed on time again, although in fairness I have never been late to class and I always wake up on time. I just dont get up.) and made it to central by 11:05. Got on the bus to Liechhardt (www.whereis.com.au for details) only to find that there was a more direct route. I took the 370 and we went the back way, past annandale and lilyfield instead of straight down paramatta road. I found my way to the house to view easily enough.
I really liked the house. Nice large-ish bedroom for $125, plus quarterly bills. House has cable and broadband (paid monthly, but split by 4). Nice couple plus another guy and two cute doggies. Five minutes walk to the bus, then ten minutes to uni. Called them later on to say I wanted to get the room. Hope that I hear from them tomorrow.
After rushing to that appointment I headed over to my next one, in Surry Hills/Redfern. I had had the appointment rescheduled due to early morning lateness. I got on the bus to Coogee, as it passes through cleveland and was planning to walk from the corner of crowne street when Jojo called and said he could give me a lift. I got off on Eddy Avenue right next to Central and he passed by on his way back from Glebe. We went to the wrong end of the street first but after crossing through a coles supermarket parking lot, we found our way there.
In fairness, it was a nice house. However...
When we rang the bell, the house had a screen door. They could see us, but we couldnt see them. The girl, who was a bit squat and butchy said, "Oh, you've brought a handbag!!!" I didnt bring a bag, just a little notebook and a pen. She then proceeded to introduce us to everyone in the house as Larissa and her handbag, Jojo. Now, this is the sort of thing you would do with friends. Im sure this girl had good intentions but nevertheless to quote jojo, "hello are we friends? we've just met!!!"
It was a cool house, they had installation art in the form of a shitload of white supots (not even plastic bags, there is nothing else you can call them but supots, the fill with softdrinks sari-sari store kind) on a board on the living room wall. Nice kitchen and bathroom. The catch? No tv, no internet and no transport! Apparently the bus to uni stops at 7pm and although its a 20 minute walk, you have to pass through redfern, right near the station, aka the dodgy area where the aborigines have been known to attack people, (this is not racist, it is a fact) and where no one from our school goes except in a security bus at night. So I think Ill pass on this one, which must have been the twelveth or ifteenth or something house i saw. (Have seen an average of at least 3-4 a week for the last 4 weeks)
After the house visit, Jojo and I had lunch/merienda at "Lemon", this cafe in Surry Hills. Had a chorizo breakfast - after all had only eaten twisties and a chocolate bar the whole day - and he had bruschetta. Then off we were to visit Nic in Hyde Park. Nic, our friend through Sanya had arrived from Brisbane the Wednesday before for a mini holiday. She is in the last year of her undergraduate course, is about a year younger than me and is about 1/4th Aussie, raised partly in Manila (assumptionista ito) and in Australia (yes, she may not look it but she is the great great great granddaughter of Mrs. Donald Charles something or the other). I brought her my last pack of Winston Lights for the memory of Manila feel and we took some pictures (see below). After some yummy coffee and ambiance and a whole lotta chika, we headed off to the Art Gallery of NSW as Nic wanted to see their Asian Collection. It was mostly Buddhist sculpture and art - they were doing an exhibit on Asian Religion - but there were some great paintings, installation art and a permanent Chinese Pottery and Japanese Art Collection, which included Samurai swords.
When we were done - as the gallery closed at 5 and we arrived at around 4 - Jojo drove us by the back way so that we could get a look at the view from Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, a famous spot that is named after the wife of the guy that was one of the first governor generals of Australia (I think). Then he dropped us off at Kinokuniya and headed off to his dinner in Kirribilli (lets figure out where that is now. and how to spell it.) Nic and I hung around there for a bit, then we ended up in J&B records - where they had discount DVDs and CDs. Nic got three cds and I stopped myself from buying two dvds, as I had reserved the Firefly DVD that was on sale for purchase next week. We stepped outside for a quick smokie before heading out to dinner.
We were originally supposed to go to Chinatown, but after passing a pizza place called Macchiato at the corner of Pitt and Liverpool we decided to stay there. Sacha joined us after walking all the way from home (Go Sacha!). We had a really good all meat pizza (aka the Texas pizza) and a "Macchiato" which was all veggies and feta cheese, which we dutifully picked out for Sacha, woman who does not eat cheese. In fairness I had one slice of the veggie pizza, as I am known as the woman who does not eat vegetables. We had some pretty good discussions on thoretical physics - Sacha's masteral dissertation in particular - what we wanted to do with our lives when we were kids and now, religion, the pope looking like he had gone to the dark side and needing eye bag surgery, national anthems, john howard's teeth (sacha hates them, nic hates his eyebrows, i just think maybe he's had enough time in the house), transcendental meditation and other normal things. We also consumed two hot chocolates with soy (me and nic) and one regular one (sacha) and had exceptional service. We parted ways after that and I made my way home, taking pictures of central station to document my regular almost daily journey (see previous). I walked home to the tune of Britney Spears (yeah, I know, I like her anyway) and now am off to bed.
I really liked the house. Nice large-ish bedroom for $125, plus quarterly bills. House has cable and broadband (paid monthly, but split by 4). Nice couple plus another guy and two cute doggies. Five minutes walk to the bus, then ten minutes to uni. Called them later on to say I wanted to get the room. Hope that I hear from them tomorrow.
After rushing to that appointment I headed over to my next one, in Surry Hills/Redfern. I had had the appointment rescheduled due to early morning lateness. I got on the bus to Coogee, as it passes through cleveland and was planning to walk from the corner of crowne street when Jojo called and said he could give me a lift. I got off on Eddy Avenue right next to Central and he passed by on his way back from Glebe. We went to the wrong end of the street first but after crossing through a coles supermarket parking lot, we found our way there.
In fairness, it was a nice house. However...
When we rang the bell, the house had a screen door. They could see us, but we couldnt see them. The girl, who was a bit squat and butchy said, "Oh, you've brought a handbag!!!" I didnt bring a bag, just a little notebook and a pen. She then proceeded to introduce us to everyone in the house as Larissa and her handbag, Jojo. Now, this is the sort of thing you would do with friends. Im sure this girl had good intentions but nevertheless to quote jojo, "hello are we friends? we've just met!!!"
It was a cool house, they had installation art in the form of a shitload of white supots (not even plastic bags, there is nothing else you can call them but supots, the fill with softdrinks sari-sari store kind) on a board on the living room wall. Nice kitchen and bathroom. The catch? No tv, no internet and no transport! Apparently the bus to uni stops at 7pm and although its a 20 minute walk, you have to pass through redfern, right near the station, aka the dodgy area where the aborigines have been known to attack people, (this is not racist, it is a fact) and where no one from our school goes except in a security bus at night. So I think Ill pass on this one, which must have been the twelveth or ifteenth or something house i saw. (Have seen an average of at least 3-4 a week for the last 4 weeks)
After the house visit, Jojo and I had lunch/merienda at "Lemon", this cafe in Surry Hills. Had a chorizo breakfast - after all had only eaten twisties and a chocolate bar the whole day - and he had bruschetta. Then off we were to visit Nic in Hyde Park. Nic, our friend through Sanya had arrived from Brisbane the Wednesday before for a mini holiday. She is in the last year of her undergraduate course, is about a year younger than me and is about 1/4th Aussie, raised partly in Manila (assumptionista ito) and in Australia (yes, she may not look it but she is the great great great granddaughter of Mrs. Donald Charles something or the other). I brought her my last pack of Winston Lights for the memory of Manila feel and we took some pictures (see below). After some yummy coffee and ambiance and a whole lotta chika, we headed off to the Art Gallery of NSW as Nic wanted to see their Asian Collection. It was mostly Buddhist sculpture and art - they were doing an exhibit on Asian Religion - but there were some great paintings, installation art and a permanent Chinese Pottery and Japanese Art Collection, which included Samurai swords.
When we were done - as the gallery closed at 5 and we arrived at around 4 - Jojo drove us by the back way so that we could get a look at the view from Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, a famous spot that is named after the wife of the guy that was one of the first governor generals of Australia (I think). Then he dropped us off at Kinokuniya and headed off to his dinner in Kirribilli (lets figure out where that is now. and how to spell it.) Nic and I hung around there for a bit, then we ended up in J&B records - where they had discount DVDs and CDs. Nic got three cds and I stopped myself from buying two dvds, as I had reserved the Firefly DVD that was on sale for purchase next week. We stepped outside for a quick smokie before heading out to dinner.
We were originally supposed to go to Chinatown, but after passing a pizza place called Macchiato at the corner of Pitt and Liverpool we decided to stay there. Sacha joined us after walking all the way from home (Go Sacha!). We had a really good all meat pizza (aka the Texas pizza) and a "Macchiato" which was all veggies and feta cheese, which we dutifully picked out for Sacha, woman who does not eat cheese. In fairness I had one slice of the veggie pizza, as I am known as the woman who does not eat vegetables. We had some pretty good discussions on thoretical physics - Sacha's masteral dissertation in particular - what we wanted to do with our lives when we were kids and now, religion, the pope looking like he had gone to the dark side and needing eye bag surgery, national anthems, john howard's teeth (sacha hates them, nic hates his eyebrows, i just think maybe he's had enough time in the house), transcendental meditation and other normal things. We also consumed two hot chocolates with soy (me and nic) and one regular one (sacha) and had exceptional service. We parted ways after that and I made my way home, taking pictures of central station to document my regular almost daily journey (see previous). I walked home to the tune of Britney Spears (yeah, I know, I like her anyway) and now am off to bed.
Intermission
Before I continue with my photo essay, I'd like to answer one question that Ive been getting for a while now.
Do you have a boyfriend/Are you dating?
The simple answer being, if you were my friend, would you be asking this question?
Those who know me would know me well enough to know how much I hate this question, and how much it insults me. It implies that being single is a fault, that one should be in a relationship to be happy and that its something that everyone should have. What is bloody wrong with being single and why must everyone always ask me if I have found a boyfriend already?!?!
First, consider the facts. I have just moved to another country where I know no one, have to find a house and a job and pass all my subjects after not studying for at least three years - lets be honest, since college, since I never really studied for my last attempt at masters. Considering all that I have to go through, do you think I have time or want to add yet another complicated factor to my already challenging existence?
Second, its not that I have anything against relationships. Its not that I dont want one someday or that Im bloody lesbian (not that there's anything wrong with that, to all my dyke friends). Its just that right now, its not in my priorities.
Third, Must you all ride on the bandwagon that is being promulgated by the chick magazines that we all read that say, "it's okay to be single!" like being single is a crime that everyone needs reassurance for since its not normal or its not okay to be without someone or that its something you have to remind women to be proud of. Its a natural fact of life. Can everyone get over the whole "its okay to be single" thing and the whole "do you have a boyfriend because you should be in a relationship because it makes you really really happy" thing? I know it does, belive it or not I had one once upon a time ago. And it's cool that you're in a relationship, I have nothing against them, Im genuinely happy for you and I will support you all the way. At the same time though, Thank you for wishing your happiness on me but its not the end of the world that I dont have one, and its not the only way to acheive happiness.
Fourth, Get a life. I spent four freaking years with everyone linking me up to every single man I have been friends with and I am sick of it. All my friends are men. Get over it. If you want to see me with someone just to see me fall because Im such a fucking butch of a bitch then you're gonna have to wait and get in line because its not gonna happen anytime soon and Im not gonna do it just to make you happy. And yeah Im probably gonna get all mushy and girly and all that but y'all arent gonna be around to see it anyway because you're not here.
Fifth, If you cant think of another question to ask (either because the FAQs have answered them all or what), then fucking make something up. Im sure there are other questions to ask in this world, like the capital of burkina faso, or my favorite color, or cool spots to visit here or what else im doing in my life!!! Hello, there is more to life than being in a relationship!
In short, let me all assure you that if I do get one and I find you worthy of this information then I will tell you about it. In the meantime, it is safe for you to assume that the presumed partner does not exist.
In the meantime, the next person who brings this up will do so at their own peril.
If I offend anyone with this message, I offer no apologies. You try being a person who is happy to be single for a really long time and have people keep coming up to you and asking if youre in a relationship and why youre not in one.
Do you have a boyfriend/Are you dating?
The simple answer being, if you were my friend, would you be asking this question?
Those who know me would know me well enough to know how much I hate this question, and how much it insults me. It implies that being single is a fault, that one should be in a relationship to be happy and that its something that everyone should have. What is bloody wrong with being single and why must everyone always ask me if I have found a boyfriend already?!?!
First, consider the facts. I have just moved to another country where I know no one, have to find a house and a job and pass all my subjects after not studying for at least three years - lets be honest, since college, since I never really studied for my last attempt at masters. Considering all that I have to go through, do you think I have time or want to add yet another complicated factor to my already challenging existence?
Second, its not that I have anything against relationships. Its not that I dont want one someday or that Im bloody lesbian (not that there's anything wrong with that, to all my dyke friends). Its just that right now, its not in my priorities.
Third, Must you all ride on the bandwagon that is being promulgated by the chick magazines that we all read that say, "it's okay to be single!" like being single is a crime that everyone needs reassurance for since its not normal or its not okay to be without someone or that its something you have to remind women to be proud of. Its a natural fact of life. Can everyone get over the whole "its okay to be single" thing and the whole "do you have a boyfriend because you should be in a relationship because it makes you really really happy" thing? I know it does, belive it or not I had one once upon a time ago. And it's cool that you're in a relationship, I have nothing against them, Im genuinely happy for you and I will support you all the way. At the same time though, Thank you for wishing your happiness on me but its not the end of the world that I dont have one, and its not the only way to acheive happiness.
Fourth, Get a life. I spent four freaking years with everyone linking me up to every single man I have been friends with and I am sick of it. All my friends are men. Get over it. If you want to see me with someone just to see me fall because Im such a fucking butch of a bitch then you're gonna have to wait and get in line because its not gonna happen anytime soon and Im not gonna do it just to make you happy. And yeah Im probably gonna get all mushy and girly and all that but y'all arent gonna be around to see it anyway because you're not here.
Fifth, If you cant think of another question to ask (either because the FAQs have answered them all or what), then fucking make something up. Im sure there are other questions to ask in this world, like the capital of burkina faso, or my favorite color, or cool spots to visit here or what else im doing in my life!!! Hello, there is more to life than being in a relationship!
In short, let me all assure you that if I do get one and I find you worthy of this information then I will tell you about it. In the meantime, it is safe for you to assume that the presumed partner does not exist.
In the meantime, the next person who brings this up will do so at their own peril.
If I offend anyone with this message, I offer no apologies. You try being a person who is happy to be single for a really long time and have people keep coming up to you and asking if youre in a relationship and why youre not in one.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Okay its been a really super long while
i typed this, clicked publish and it disappeared. damn. and it was a good post, too. next time. gotta go morph into a nerdier person.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
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