Difficult Discussions

I have been reflecting a lot lately. Reflecting about life, about the choices I have made and those I have ahead of me. It is amazing how negative I am feeling about everything. My feelings have really changed a lot in a short time - when I was reflecting on 2011 I was so positive about the year to come.

The more I think about it, the more I think I need to make big changes to get myself out of this rut. I'd like to move back to Perth, start hunting for my own house to buy, find a more challenging job and something that I actually enjoy.

My manager has been increasingly inaccessible this year to date. He is hardly in the office, and when he is he doesn't have time to invest in the team. This means that I'm not getting challenging tasks, and I am getting tidbits of tasks rather than being part of a whole process.

Yesterday I bit the bullet and spoke to him about how I'm feeling about work. He suggested that maybe I was feeling this way because "the novelty has worn off". I replied that when I first started, I enjoyed getting across new subject matter and that it was challenging and enjoyable. But that's not challenging forever. I asked about the possibility of a transfer. He said 'no'. I asked if I could take a few days off to clear my head, and he said 'maybe, it depends on work loads'. That's fine, but I haven't had any 'work load' for the past 3 months, so what's going to change in the week?

The real problem is that I don't know what I want to do work wise. If I felt passionately about a career path, I would do whatever it takes to get there. Unfortunately, I am feeling uninspired by every choice available to me, and it's disheartening.

I have worked as a lawyer at a top tier firm. Hated it. I decided to move to Government, so that I could have a better work life balance and still do interesting work. While I was getting across new subject matter, I found it satisfying. I had slow, boring times and busy, exciting times. Now I am no longer challenged, and I'm not getting any personal satisfaction. It's too early to ask to transfer into a different area within the same Department in a general transfer round - I'd have to stick out the job I'm in for the next year if I stayed here.

My options if I move back to Perth:

• Move back to a law firm, perhaps a smaller one. It will be challenging to do this as I have very limited experience at a law firm, and Government work is not really valued. It is do-able, but I'd have to take quite a substantial pay cut and who knows if I'd even enjoy it. I suppose I have nothing to loose.
• Move to a different Government Department in Perth. This could work if a job came up at my level that sounds interesting. I have been scanning the APS jobs and WA Government Careers websites and nothing seems suitable at the moment. I'm not sure how easy it would be to transfer after only having 18 months experience in Government - 2+ years would make it a lot easier.
• Go back to uni. I could study psychology or something else and look at going down a totally different career path. I cannot justify this after all the study I have already done, the large HECS debt already accrued and the amount of time I would have wasted on my previous studies (6 years!).
• Take a break. Become a nanny again, as I did part-time during uni. The problem with this is that it would make getting back into my degree related workforce very tough. It doesn't look good that I have worked for a few months, taken a year off (that was 2010 - the year I traveled, and nannied, and was supposed to 'find myself), worked for another 18 months and then taken another year off. A prospective employer would ask why, and there isn't an honest answer that wouldn't make me look uncommitted and/or unbalanced. 
• Find a job working on the mines. This could pay quite well even for a menial position. I think I'd find this interesting, but it presents the same problem re getting back into the workforce. It might also be difficult to secure a job because a law degree is not as helpful as a tafe diploma and/or work experience in getting a job as a kitchen hand for example! I don't have enough experience to get a FIFO job in law or anything related to my career to date.

There is no option that is that appealing at the moment, which is disconcerting. Anyone have any advice? How did you find a career path that you love? Did you have to try a few things first? I'd love to hear if anyone else has felt similar.

That's It! Online Shopping Ban in Force

My latest Dorothy Perkins order arrived today, and since I have just been on a Melbourne shopping spree, the timing was not good. I no longer want, and definitely do not need, most if not all of the items in the order. I am also disappointed, because the one item that I really wanted (leather boots for 15 pounds) was not included in the order because they were 'sold out', despite being in stock on the website when I ordered. I don't think websites should be allowed to charge a high flat shipping rate and then vary your order by omitting items, without the customer's consent!

I also almost made an order on Urban Outfitters today - luckily the main item I wanted sold out while I was deliberating.

I have been spending money to make myself happy, but that is wrong on so many levels. I have so many unworn items hanging in my closet, and not enough space to store everything.

 I am feeling really annoyed at myself, so I plan to do the following in the month of February...

(1) Total Online Shopping Ban - I am not to buy anything online for the whole of February. I will avoid websites like Ozbargain and the Vogue Forums, which encourage me to buy.

(2) Fashion and Accessories Retail Shopping Ban - I will not buy any clothing or accessories (including jewellery) for the month of February from any retail store. *excludes op shops

(3) When op shopping, I will pause and think twice about every item before buying it, and remember that I need to de-clutter!

(4) I will sort through my wardrobe and create a 'for sale' section on this blog, so that my readers can buy some of my unworn or pre-loved items at bargain prices.

The year that was.... 2011

2011... time has gone fast, I can't believe it is new years eve already.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my readers. I hope you have a wonderful night and stay safe.

This year has had the usual highs and lows. Overall it was a challenging year for me, with lots of upheavals and changes. 2012 should be more settled, so things can only get better (hopefully). I'll start with the Challenges (I'll be positive and won't call them Lows) and then move on to the Highs, so we end on a positive note...

Lows Challenges

•  Moving to Canberra - a new city, a 5 hour flight from my family and friends. A city where I knew no one, where I had to find somewhere to live and where I started a brand spankin' new job. Stressful times.
• Having no car for the first two months I lived in Canberra - due to some sort of ridiculous delay in trucking my car across the country. This was made very stressful by the fact that the car company were rude and unhelpful when I asked where my car was. I got to know Canberra's bus system intimately.
• Returning to my parked car to find that someone had smashed into it and driven away, leaving a major dent. Having said dent panel beaten out, and going without a car for another five weeks while this was done.
• Breaking my ankle while playing mixed netball, a mere 4 months after I had arrived in Canberra. I hardly knew anyone, and had to call on favours from almost-strangers to drive me to hospital, and then to and from work for 6 weeks while I could not drive. To make matters worse, it meant I had to delay my hip operation by 6 months which inconvinienced people who had taken time off work (and made fill in arrangements) and booked flights to look after me!
• Experiencing Canberra hospital emergency department with the broken ankle - what a horrible, over crowded, dirty and disgusting place. I really hope we're not sick again while we live in Canberra, as the emergency department is the pits! There's nothing like sitting on a ripped chair while others have to sit or lie on the floor due to lack of space... a room filled with coughing people, screaming babies and people vomiting into plastic bags... a 3 hour wait at midnight, after which no one in the waiting room had even been seen and I was told I'd be waiting at least another 6 hours to be seen if I stayed there that night (due to the arrival of a helicoptor dropping off seriously injured patient(s)).
• Living on the third floor of an apartment block with no lifts while I had a broken ankle, and then having to move house, with a broken ankle. This was absolute murder, but I somehow did it.
• The passing of my Grandmother in Perth, and not being able to get to the funeral. It made living interstate so much harder, as it brought to the surface thoughts about wasting time away from those who I am closest to.
• Having my hip operated on for a second time.

Highs

• Starting my job with a fantastic manager and team, who I really enjoy working with. Being challenged and getting exposure to new areas of law. Being valued and rewarded for my ability and the work I produce.
• Meeting lots of new people and making friends in Canberra, through work and sport (netball and touch rugby, both social which I joined to meet people) teams.
• Living a 5 minute drive from work, in a city with hardly an traffic. Being able to park a short walk from work, for free, whatever time of the day I arrive.
• Lunch time walks outside amongst the greenery, an excellent escape from the clinical office environment and necessary to get my daily dose of vitamin D - this isn't possible if you work in the CBD.
• Moving house and finding an excellent living arrangement the second time around, with great landlords. The arrangement allows me to save more for my own house deposit (because I'm saving money on rent), and I have a lot of space and privacy.
• As boring as Canberra may be, it's a great place to raise kids and is very family friendly, with lots of open spaces and it's easy to get from A to B. Bub and I have enjoyed exploring the parks and childrens activities that are on offer.
• Exploring Canberra and its many cafes, and experiencing its events, including Floriade and Tropfest.
• Making the most of Canberra's proximity to Melbourne and Sydney (not as much as I could/should have though) and visiting them for weekends away.
• Having a witness take down the number plate of the dishonest lady who smashed into my car and drove away. I gave this information to the police, who eventually sent me her details. This was a lovely surprise as it meant I didn't have to pay my insurance excess and didn't loose my no claims bonus.
• Lucking out with excellent panel beaters who did a really good job on my car, and finished it even earlier than expected.
• Having my hip operated on a second time, with my Mum there to look after me and pick up the pieces during my recovery... and finally getting the operation over and done with.
• Spending Christmas with my family and friends, and spending a few days by the beach in Rockingham with my close family.
• Discovering and pursuing a love of op shopping, which has caused me to accumulate junk (as I probably would have done anyway) but at least it hasn't cost me as much as retail priced junk accumulation would!
• Starting this blog, which I have really enjoyed and is a great outlet for me. It has also allowed me to meet some very interesting and friendly people online. One day maybe I'll meet some of you in person.
• Learning to be independant and resilient, and that I can rely on myself and cope with a lot without the support of my family and friends.

Things I Discovered in 2011

Online
* Blogging - so much fun!
* Google friend connect
* Tumblr
* Bluefly.com
* Madeit

Beauty / Makeup
* ASAP facial cleanser = amazing for my face
* Aesop primrose cleansing facial mask = again, amazing
* Natio moisturiser

Fashion
* How expensive it is to get clothing altered, even to just have trousers shortened
* That I really really can't find any nice suit trousers that fit me properly off the rack.
* Skinny belts
* Middy skirts and maxi dresses (I was incredibly late to the maxi dress party, always thinking they didn't suit me - but now I love them with wedges)
* Rediscovered wedges

In other news, today hurts... a lot. I went shopping yesterday at the Galleria with my friend. We didn't do the whole mall, and I had my trusty crutch to help me walk... but I obviously got overexcited and overdid it! Now I'm back on the strongest painkillers that I was taking right after the operation, and I'm still in a lot of pain. It was the most walking I have done since the operation. Oops, I will certainly take it easy over the next few weeks!

I did manage to buy some PJs, which you can never have enough of. I love Sussan's pajamas and these were such a bargain. Reduced to $20, with a further 30% off... $16 for a long sleeved top AND pants!

Loving the cute herron / oriental print.

The (NOT SO) Wonderful World of Operations

 

I loved the board game. Nothing like getting an "electric shock" when you fail. But really, I have good childhood memories involving eating ice cream smothered in Ice Magic and playing Operation. Go figure.

I am currently bored, sore and grumpy. I am about a week out from my long awaited *second* hip operation. They tell you that it's good for kids to play sport, stay active etc etc. But putting your body through the paces as a child and teenager certainly catches up with you. The hip thing happened during my soccer days.

I had operation number #1 about 3 years ago in Perth. Operation number #2 happened in Melbourne. It took me one failed operation, done by a surgeon who I never trusted or believed he know what he was doing, to realise that it's totally worth the extra cost and inconvinience travelling interstate to see a specialist who actually knows their stuff. The whole experience has taught me:

1/ Don't trust doctors unconditionally just because they spent however many years at med school and then training. Not all doctors are equal.

2/ Go with your gut feeling. If you don't think your doctor knows what they're talking about, it's worth getting a second opinion. And finding a new doctor.

3/ If your condition is complex, and medical science has only recently evolved in the area, find someone who is at the forefront of said medical science. 

4/ We generally perceive doctors to be ethical and we respect them. There are exceptions - some are uncaring, money hungry and completely unethical. 

Can you tell that I had a really bad experience with the first surgeon!? *Rant over*

Anyway, I am in Perth sweet Perth but there's not much sweet about a place when you are laid up in bed. I have been keeping busy by:

Eating way too many Ferrero Rochers... they are so damn good!

and

Watching season 1 (or now, season 2) of Weeds

and

Taking pain killers which make me sleep.

Bring on recovery, strength and the ability to exercise again. And cheers to surgeon #2 who may have fixed me, and at least convinced me he knows what he's talking about. In happier news, my stitches come out tomorrow - woohoo!

Reasons to hate Kyle Sandilands

#1. He is not funny or entertaining. He has no personality, no talent, no style, no looks and no intelligence.

#2. He is arrogant, insensitive, disrespectful and adds nothing to TV or radio. Every time he makes the news for another 'head stuck up his bum' incident, we hope and pray that it will be the last that we hear of him. Like herpes, he resurfaces, more painful than ever.

#3. I am ashamed to be associated with him as an Australian. He is an absolute embarrassment, and it is a sad reflection on our society that he is still a public figure and role model despite his continued indiscretions.

Let's look at some of his behaviour in recent years....

* The latest incident in which he said that about a journalist who gave his new (crappy) TV show a negative review: “Some fat slag on the Telegraph website, sorry, the news.com.au, has already branded it a disaster...What a fat bitter thing you are, you deputy editor of an online thing. You’ve got a nothing job anyway. You’re a piece of shit... you little troll... You should be fired from your job. And your hair. Your hair is very 90s. Yeah, and your blouse. You haven’t got that much titty to be wearing that low cut a blouse. Watch your mouth, girl, or I will hunt you down."

This is ongoing, and he has made matters worse by refusing to apologise, and continuing his despicable tirade. This is his supposed "apology": "If you took a personal offence to it Ali I'm sorry, but maybe you should think again before you start going (against) different people. If they say I can dish it out but I can't take it, I never ever dish it out first. I only ever retaliate to someone else's crazy allegations."

* He commented on air that Magda Szubanski, who publicly battled to shed weight, would lose more "in a concentration camp". Szubanski, whose father was a Polish freedom fighter who hunted down Nazis, said Sandilands' remarks were "abhorrent".

*  In 2009, a 14 year old girl admitted on air that she had been raped when she was 12 years old, during a lie detector segment. Kyle's reply? "Right.. is that the only experience you've had?"

* After being fired from Australian idol, he called Ricki-Lee Coulter a "bitch" with a "then-fat mouth" on air in reference to her publicly agreeing to the decision to fire him. This aggressive response to criticism is a continued theme.

* In 2010, he interviewed 3 of Tiger Woods’s former mistresses, asking one of them in reference to the size of the star's genitals if he was a ‘‘massive donkey’’. When she responded with yes, he asked her: ''Were you surprised, [saying] 'Man, you're half Asian, half black, obviously the half black is what's going on downstairs'?''

* In 2006, Sandilands called a heavily pregnant journalist, Fiona Connolly, a ‘'fat toad'’, ‘'fat lying mole" and a ‘'little cretin'’, after a column she wrote about faked phone calls on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. He also said he would hire a private investigator to film her and her family "then I'm going to put it on a website and I'm going to show everyone what members of her family do that are dodgy".

* In 2007, Kyle was a guest on Big Brother. He went crazy when denied coffee in the house, and one comment made to Big Brother was “This might work with your little peasants you’ve got in here, but this is a different story dealing with me. When I am speaking you will shut your pie hole.” Kyle then refused Big Brother’s request to remove his hat as part of the rules for being in the diary room. A 15-minute stand off ensued as Big Brother refused to talk until Kyle removed his hat. The shock jock demanded to be released from the room and repeatedly bashed a microphone stand against the door. 

* He spent 20 minutes threatening violence and yelling at the guys from Australian band Frenzal Rhomb because they mildly insulted Jackie O. This was in response to Jackie O turning up at 8pm to MC a music festival, when she was scheduled to start at 11am (only 9 hours late). The band started playing music over Jackie O's drivel - the festival was already running late, and the band had to play to a reduced set time. Later that night at the after party, Jackie O's personal bodyguard confronted the boys and threatened violence. On air, Kyle told them "if it was me up there, it would have been on for young and old from the start". When the band asked Jackie if she endorsed her body guard threatening them, Kyle jumped in and said "Yes, well I do" and continued to say they would never have their songs played on the network etc.

* Threatening violence is quite a theme. On TV, he said he wanted to punch comedian Dave Hughes in the throat. He has also told journalists he'd "punch (them) in the face" if they invaded his privacy. Another quote: "Lot of dirty, filthy, rotten, disgusting tricks from a lot of media companies and I'll never forget who they are and one day I'll be in a position to seek some sort of revenge... I've got a list and I will slowly weave my way through it". Yes, sounds like a psychopath.

* He made these comments about Geoff Field, a newsreader on his Breakfast show:  “he's closer to dumb than most people think” and “like a step child you can't get rid of.” He went on to say, "He was running off down to HR . . . bitching and carrying on . . . I told him you can argue back . . . but you are never going to win . . . Geoff's an older gay man, easily offended.”

*  He forced one staff member “to masturbate in the Black Thunder one night because he'd done something wrong”, while another staff member verified it. “It took him about eight songs to do it,” Sandilands recalls.

* The most deplorable? In 2009, a young Cambodian-Australian woman, whose family were refugees from Pol Pot’s regime, entered a competition to bring the aunt she had never met to Sydney from the US. When the plane landed, they were told of the‘‘twist’’: the aunt would be concealed behind one of three doors and unless the niece chose the right one, the aunt would be flown back home immediately. The niece chose the wrong door. For eight minutes they cried and pleaded, even falling to their knees. After news and ad breaks the aunt was finally allowed to stay. 

Those are some of the main incidents that made the news, but there are way more. 

Apart from "Vile Kyle", there are others to blame.

(1) Jackie O, who continues to work with him for her own personal gain. She agrees with most of what he says and doesn't ever criticise him, just laughs along like a dumb floozy. She obviously has no morals, and is equally despicable. If Kyle finally gets the boot over his latest incident and she survives, that is not a proper outcome.

(2) Fox and Austereo, for continuing to bankroll him despite his continued bad behaviour. Obviously the "personal counselling" that he has undergone to keep his job has not helped. Good try!

But who is the most to blame?

THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC... for continuing to listen to him, ensuring that his show has high ratings so that immoral, money grabbing executives and his co-star continue to support him. If he didn't bring in money, no one would employ him. 

I have never liked him, but I also have not made a conscious decision not to listen to his show until now. After all, Canberra has seriously limited radio options and the Take40 show plays good music and interviews good bands. That means that until now, I have contributed to this problem. I urge you all to reconsider your support for Kyle's radio shows and change stations if you hear his voice!

To paraphrase Shakespeare, "The fault lies not with the stars, but with ourselves"

Melbourne: Quirky Spots, Brunches & Flight Cancellations

You may remember this post, where I complained about Tiger Airways cancelling all Canberra routes and having to rebook my Melbourne girls weekend away flight tickets. Turns out I attract flight cancellations, because I re-booked with Qantas and of course was caught up in all the strike action, and the grounding of their entire fleet.

I don't know whether it's Qantas or the unions to blame, probably both... but I don't really like how Qantas dealt with the situation. On their website, via an sms from Qantas, via the media... I was told to phone customer service, that they would organise accommodation, meals, transfers and flights for passengers between flights. They didn't say that they'd reimburse us if we organised it ourselves, so I was hesitant to book another night at the city hotel I was at. This would have been fine if I could actually get through to customer service.

On Sunday morning, I spent 2 hours and 45 minutes on hold, before being disconnected. Luckily I have family in Melbourne, so I went out into the suburbs to stay with them. That night, I spent another 2 hours and 30 minutes on hold, before deciding I had wasted enough of my life listening to Qantas hold music. I logged onto the internet and booked an expensive flight home with Virgin (I was lucky to log on right after Virgin had released new seats), and am back in Canberra now, only 1.5 days late.

Source: ABC News

I can deal with the flight cancellations, the grounding etc... what really annoys me is that I wasted 5.25 hours on hold to Qantas because I was told to do so, and even then didn't get to talk to anyone or get any help. OK, *rant over*.

Despite the stress of trying to organise a new fight, and taking a bus out to the suburbs and back to the airport (which made me feel sick), I had a lovely weekend. Melbourne is such a vibrant, colourful city. It is SO alive, especially compared to Canberra.

My girlfriend and I spent the weekend eating and shopping mainly, with some cocktail drinking thrown in too. Here is a rundown of the weekend (excluding shopping purchases which warrants a separate post!):

(1) Friday AM - brunch at Sette Bello, Hardware Lane. Chilled atmosphere, great coffee [They use Genovese beans, which I love], simple but yummy food. I had the vegetarian breakfast pizza:

(2) Friday PM: Some Jennifer Hawkins spotting, and then dinner at an Italian restaurant on Lygon Street.

(3) Saturday morning - brunch at cafe (McIvers Coffee and Tea Merchants) outside Vic Markets. People watching and relaxation, followed by a stroll through the markets.

(4) PM - Lunch/arvo tea/coffee at Thousand Pound Bend, a quirky inner city spot with great decor if you like vintage:

(5) PMPM - Cheap and cheerful cocktails at the quirky and cosy Prudence Bar in North Melbourne:

(6) Sunday AM - brunch at the Auction Rooms, North Melbourne. Delicious food, great service, great prices... I found the coffee to be a bit weak.

Look at the perfectly poached egg, it makes my heart sing! Pity I had my mobile phone glued to my ear all through brunch on hold to Qantas...

(7) Shopping shopping shopping, to come in the next post. Isn't this inner city, inner mall free for all community herb garden a wonderful idea? (inside Melbourne Central):

I didn't get a chance to visit Brunswick St, or go op shopping... but there is always next time. Melbourne is my favourite city in Australia!

Asos purchase, and a warning about their customer service

I boycotted the Asos website for a few months, but I have decided to give it a try again because they now offer an Australian returns address.  Here is the (way too long) story of Asos's terrible customer service....

It all relates to a purchase made way back in the vintage era of January 2011. I ordered a lovely Vila one shoulder dress, and what arrived was a horrible Asos maxi dress. Completely incorrect item, and by then of course the dress I wanted had sold out. 

Asos instructed me to return the dress, and said they would reimburse me for return postage and refund me for the dress. I went to the post office, had the parcel weighed and took home a list of postage quotes. I emailed Asos listing the postage quotes for different types of postage and asked how they’d like me to send it. I noted that if I posted it seamail, it could take 3 months to arrive and was uninsured – I said I didn’t want to wait this long or take any chances for a refund, since the situation was their fault. Asos quickly replied, saying they would refund the postage and the amount for the dress upon receipt of proof of postage (not upon receiving the item). 

Perfect, that's fair, I thought. I wasted yet another lunch hour going to the post office and sending it off. I scanned and emailed the receipt to Asos, filling out their forms exactly as required.

What has followed was SIX MONTHS of emails back and forth between me and Asos, asking why I haven’t received my refund. Sometimes they wouldn’t reply, another time I had to resend my scanned postage receipt, every other time they would ask question which they would already know the answer to if they kept proper records, or I was promised that they would ‘look into the issue with the finance department’... Finally, after 4.5 months and 35 emails, I received a refund for the dress (but not postage). 

It took 1.5 further months and 10 further emails to get a refund for the postage.  I suppose because I had already spent so much time and expended so much effort in getting a refund for the dress, I was angry and wanted to get some sort of positive result to finally appease my anger. 

I don’t care if the first and second postage refund cheques supposedly went missing (this is what they eventually claimed), it doesn’t take this long to sort out a refund to which I’m entitled, and there’s no explanation for why it took me so long to be refunded for the dress when I was PROMISED that if I used the cheapest postage method, I would be refunded immediately upon providing proof of postage. I don't know anyone who would define "immediately" as 6 months later.

If they cannot be trusted to refund money rightfully owed and resolve a situation where the buyer is polite, rational and makes life easy for them by listing the events in detail in every detail sent (in recognition that a different staff member may deal with it every time), they certainly cannot be trusted with higher value items or problems. I am still very unhappy with Asos, and I will not be trusting them with much of my hard earned cash.

However, I could not go past these super cheap leather ballet flats when there was a voucher floating around for a further 20% off:

 $26 for a pair of genuine leather ballet flats? Yes please!

It S'not fair

I’m not happy with Bub’s day care at the moment. Whenever I drop her off, I notice the snotty, coughing, sneezing kids everywhere and I think, if this were a good day care centre, those kids would be sent home as soon as they walk through the door. It’s not hard to tell that they’re highly contagious… On the other hand, when I’ve had Bub at home sick for 2 days, I have sent her to day care (still sick) on day 3 as I don’t want to spend another day cooped up at home, being nurse to grumpy child. So while I acknowledge that I’m a total hypocrite, I can’t help but feel annoyed almost every day when I drop her off. 

The other reason I am annoyed is because when I went to pick her up today, the day care room was absolute chaos. There was a ratio of ten 2-3 year olds to ONE carer, and the kids were getting up to all sorts of mischief and putting themselves in danger. Bub was crying because she had been scratched on the face by another girl, and the carer hadn’t even noticed. Apparently they are having trouble getting staff, but that’s no excuse – there are legal specifications as to acceptable child-carer ratios for a reason.

I can see some people reading this and thinking, OMG - I’d pull my child out of there in a second. The problem is, this is a *good* centre, one of the best even. We sure pay the price, it’s $25 more expensive per day than the centre just around the corner. Until childcare improves across Australia, most families will not be able to have 2 working parents. That’s from the perspective of people who can afford care (1 child is a damn sight cheaper than 2+) and have got a place in care – meaning it’s even worse for those who cannot afford it or are on endless waiting lists. *end rant*

As you may have gathered, I am not at all happy to be back in Canberra and back to work. I had such a lovely weekend over West; it’s always hard to settle back in here. Sometimes I think it would be easier not to visit home…

The good news is, on my last day in Perth I went op shopping again and found some amazing kitchenware – so my final Perth Op Shopping post will be the best of them all. I also had a lovely flight back, with 3 seats to myself to stretch out and relax. The movie was ‘Something Borrowed’ starring Kate Hudson, and it was okay- typical chick flick with nothing special, I wouldn’t recommend that anyone go out of their way to watch it.