Today is the last day of January and im sure most of you are going where the hell did the month go? for me i welcome it cause apparently the world and its monther(including myself) have their birthdays in January. So after an alcohol infused month I have decided to take a break from drinking for the whole month of Feb and what better way to do it then to do it for charity. So today I signed up for Febfast: the following is borrowed from the febfast website explaining the fundraising:
"The funds raised through FebFast 2011 are earmarked for a variety of organisations working to prevent or reduce the impacts of alcohol and other drugs on young Australians "
I will keep you all updated on my fundraising. If you would like to donate please do so through the following link http://www.febfastfundraising.com.au/claire_king_5
I have a goal set of $500 please help me achieve it. Please pass on the world :)
Thanking you in advance
Claire
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
"Who wants to live forever" - Queen
Last week I put the following up as my facebook status "Who wants to live forever anyway". A dear friend of mine corrected me by saying that anyway doesnt belong at the end of that line. My response was that I put it there for a personal reason. I know the real line is either the line in the title of this blog or "who waits forever anyway".
In July 2006 Myself and a really close friend Sarah went to the opening night of "Queen at the Ballet" in The Point Depot in Dublin. It is a South African production run by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to raise money for AIDS in Africa. Due to the closeness the charity has with Ireland through fundraising they decided it would be lovely to have the 1st ever show outside of South Africa in Dublin. The rummor was that Nelson himself was going to be there for the opening of the show and do a speach. In the end due to illness Mandela couldnt come but sent his daughter instead. Her speach was amazing.
It was a last minute decision for us to go( we were both huge Queen fans so that persuaded us to go in the end). We were really surprised to get tickets to the 1st night. I was a bit iffy about how ballet would work with Queen songs. "Radio GaGa" was funny, "Barcelona" had the hairs standing on the back of my neck. Their singers were amazing. However "who wants to live forever" came on, it was beautiful and moving and the dancing worked so well with the song. I remember it like it was yesterday. There was 3 couple performing. 2 male and female couples and a couple of 2 men. They danced amazingly with each other but by the end of the song they had all died in each others arms. I remember Sarah turning around and saying "omg I can't stop crying" to which my response was "me either". We left the show completely overwhelmed mainly by that dance alone.
On October 12th 2006 I received a phone call to my office from a friend of Sarahs telling me she had died the day before. I was devastated, I had only known her for 2.5 years but she had become one of my closest friends in that time. We were both going through tough times and were there to support each other. Sarah has suffered from depression a lot longer and a lot worse to what I had. Her father said at her funeral "She has died from her disease". I got a family friend to make a beautiful wreath for her and on the card I wrote "We will always have 'Queen at the Ballet'. Who wants to live forever anyway... Claire". Her sister told me later that she was touched by those words as it meant something to both myself and Sarah. Rather then the usual RIP notes.
I still miss her and am teary sharing this now. I cannot listen to this song without crying as it reminds me of that night.
Happy 28th Birthday Sarah. Wish you were here xxx
In July 2006 Myself and a really close friend Sarah went to the opening night of "Queen at the Ballet" in The Point Depot in Dublin. It is a South African production run by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to raise money for AIDS in Africa. Due to the closeness the charity has with Ireland through fundraising they decided it would be lovely to have the 1st ever show outside of South Africa in Dublin. The rummor was that Nelson himself was going to be there for the opening of the show and do a speach. In the end due to illness Mandela couldnt come but sent his daughter instead. Her speach was amazing.
It was a last minute decision for us to go( we were both huge Queen fans so that persuaded us to go in the end). We were really surprised to get tickets to the 1st night. I was a bit iffy about how ballet would work with Queen songs. "Radio GaGa" was funny, "Barcelona" had the hairs standing on the back of my neck. Their singers were amazing. However "who wants to live forever" came on, it was beautiful and moving and the dancing worked so well with the song. I remember it like it was yesterday. There was 3 couple performing. 2 male and female couples and a couple of 2 men. They danced amazingly with each other but by the end of the song they had all died in each others arms. I remember Sarah turning around and saying "omg I can't stop crying" to which my response was "me either". We left the show completely overwhelmed mainly by that dance alone.
On October 12th 2006 I received a phone call to my office from a friend of Sarahs telling me she had died the day before. I was devastated, I had only known her for 2.5 years but she had become one of my closest friends in that time. We were both going through tough times and were there to support each other. Sarah has suffered from depression a lot longer and a lot worse to what I had. Her father said at her funeral "She has died from her disease". I got a family friend to make a beautiful wreath for her and on the card I wrote "We will always have 'Queen at the Ballet'. Who wants to live forever anyway... Claire". Her sister told me later that she was touched by those words as it meant something to both myself and Sarah. Rather then the usual RIP notes.
I still miss her and am teary sharing this now. I cannot listen to this song without crying as it reminds me of that night.
Happy 28th Birthday Sarah. Wish you were here xxx
Monday, January 17, 2011
Another year older and somewhat wiser :)
So today is my 28th birthday I am offically now in my late 20's and as you do on your birthday you reflect on your years gone by. I can offically say having completed secondary school almost eleven years ago I still have no idea what I want to do in life, what career path I want to follow. I'm also sure I'm not alone there. But you know what it really doesnt bother me. I have worked with many people who spent 4-5 years studying in university amazing subjects where there are either little or no jobs in that field. Where did these people end up working in the bank with me. I dont regret not getting a degree in anything and I wouldnt change any decisions I have made in my life. They are the reasons I am here today.
I would never have guessed this time last year that I would be in this visa situation. Its taken me 7 months to make a decision that will invole me not spending all my time on Facebook. Since starting to write this blog (and I know ive only writen 5 posts, I have been quite busy this past week to do more), my brain has completely switched its self on. I have had some amazing ideas and thoughts (usually at night time when im trying to sleep, note will need notebook by the bed). SOOOOoooo to get back to the point. Im going to try and write a book. no really, im serious, Ive spent the past few days coming up with plots and characters. ive spoke with friends about it and they love my idea. Im not looking to get a book published or anything I was never that good a writer. Its about achieving self-actualisation (am i using the right work here?)
So watch this space everyone :)
I would never have guessed this time last year that I would be in this visa situation. Its taken me 7 months to make a decision that will invole me not spending all my time on Facebook. Since starting to write this blog (and I know ive only writen 5 posts, I have been quite busy this past week to do more), my brain has completely switched its self on. I have had some amazing ideas and thoughts (usually at night time when im trying to sleep, note will need notebook by the bed). SOOOOoooo to get back to the point. Im going to try and write a book. no really, im serious, Ive spent the past few days coming up with plots and characters. ive spoke with friends about it and they love my idea. Im not looking to get a book published or anything I was never that good a writer. Its about achieving self-actualisation (am i using the right work here?)
So watch this space everyone :)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The 'rents have left the building.
Well the day has come. My parents have vacated my home, are on their way to the airport and I am sad. Yes there were tears.
I have been pretty lucky since I have moved over to Australia, I have returned home 3 times and my parents have visited twice. So in the space of 2.5 years I have spent time with them 5 times in total. I know a number of people who have been lucky to have seen their family once or twice in that time. I guess you could say that i have been spoilt.
My parents have been here for 8 weeks sharing our tiny 1 bedroom apartment and yes at times it felt crowded and sleeping on a mattress hasn't been fun (oh and the fact that they can bicker like teenagers to a point i would jokingly say "silence or ill turn this car around" :) ). But it has been nice having them here. When they were here the last time i was working so i only got to hang with them in the evenings. When I have been home ive been busy catching up with the world and his mother (last time it was showing Matt around Dublin), so I didnt get a lot of time with my mammy and daddy. This time however I have spent a great deal of time with them both and it has been wonderful. I cant remember the last time i spent a full day just hanging with them(let alone weeks). I have cherished every moment of it.
As I was saying goodbye to them this morning the realisation that I wont be seeing them for over a year and a half set in and I got quite upset.(Thankfully Matty had stayed back to say goodbye and comforted me). It will be the longest time I will have spent away from them. Next time will be my wedding in Dublin.
For now though I guess I just gotta go and sort out the apartment and put things back where they belong. Oh and take down the blow up mattress. but first things first Curves :)
I have been pretty lucky since I have moved over to Australia, I have returned home 3 times and my parents have visited twice. So in the space of 2.5 years I have spent time with them 5 times in total. I know a number of people who have been lucky to have seen their family once or twice in that time. I guess you could say that i have been spoilt.
My parents have been here for 8 weeks sharing our tiny 1 bedroom apartment and yes at times it felt crowded and sleeping on a mattress hasn't been fun (oh and the fact that they can bicker like teenagers to a point i would jokingly say "silence or ill turn this car around" :) ). But it has been nice having them here. When they were here the last time i was working so i only got to hang with them in the evenings. When I have been home ive been busy catching up with the world and his mother (last time it was showing Matt around Dublin), so I didnt get a lot of time with my mammy and daddy. This time however I have spent a great deal of time with them both and it has been wonderful. I cant remember the last time i spent a full day just hanging with them(let alone weeks). I have cherished every moment of it.
As I was saying goodbye to them this morning the realisation that I wont be seeing them for over a year and a half set in and I got quite upset.(Thankfully Matty had stayed back to say goodbye and comforted me). It will be the longest time I will have spent away from them. Next time will be my wedding in Dublin.
For now though I guess I just gotta go and sort out the apartment and put things back where they belong. Oh and take down the blow up mattress. but first things first Curves :)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Thats right I am now on twitter you can follow me there at http//:twitter.com/clairemarieking
Monday, January 10, 2011
Are you there Immi? Its me Claire (Part 1)
It has now been 4 months since I handed in my visa application in person to the Sydney Office. So I decided that from now on they will be getting a monthly call for an update. I received an email from a girl I got chatting to through a forum who is going through the same ordeal as myself, in it she let me know she called herself for an update and was informed that her case is now in the process and awaiting a CO to make a decision. Feeling somewhat optomistic I decided to give them as call for an update.
I spoke with the lovely Lang who informed me that everything they need at present has been received but unfortunately I have not been placed in the "process as of yet" and that I need to be patient. The current time line for this visa is now 6 - 9 months. Which thankfully is a step down from the 9 - 12 I was told in September. Once I receive a CO if they require anymore documentation they will write me a letter requesting it. I explained the reason why I called we because on a forum ive been visiting there seem to be a lot of cases being completed within 3 - 4 months some less then that. Her response was that they are all treated on a case by case basis which unfortunately contradicts what I was told by the guy on the reception at the sydney office in November when I was handing in my police and health check. I was informed then that all applications are treated in order in which they are received. Hum! it has been evident to me since the beginning that this is not the case.
I guess as always I just have to sit and wait. Que sarcastic yay. Yes im still happy. But I would be more happy having a job and being able to move to a nicer apartment/house and also start to plan my wedding :)
I spoke with the lovely Lang who informed me that everything they need at present has been received but unfortunately I have not been placed in the "process as of yet" and that I need to be patient. The current time line for this visa is now 6 - 9 months. Which thankfully is a step down from the 9 - 12 I was told in September. Once I receive a CO if they require anymore documentation they will write me a letter requesting it. I explained the reason why I called we because on a forum ive been visiting there seem to be a lot of cases being completed within 3 - 4 months some less then that. Her response was that they are all treated on a case by case basis which unfortunately contradicts what I was told by the guy on the reception at the sydney office in November when I was handing in my police and health check. I was informed then that all applications are treated in order in which they are received. Hum! it has been evident to me since the beginning that this is not the case.
I guess as always I just have to sit and wait. Que sarcastic yay. Yes im still happy. But I would be more happy having a job and being able to move to a nicer apartment/house and also start to plan my wedding :)
Friday, January 7, 2011
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." — Eleanor Roosevelt
I first heard this quote used in the movie "The Princess Diaries" back in 2001. To which my reaction was "Wow, that is so true". It made me think about my life and how easily I was always pushed around and taken advantage of. I had very low self-esteem and self-confidence so it really was easy for a confident person to have power over me. Anyways, I decided that from that day onwards I would work on my self-esteem and become a more confident person. Unfortunately I was still quite young at the time and very nieve and the end of 2001 began a series of events that over the space of 6 years that spiraled me into the ups and downs of a depressed soul.
Refering back to my first blog I mentioned that my 1st trip to Australia helped knock me out of my funk. They say "change is as good as a holiday". But what about adding both of them together? That was apparently my cure, let me explain. So here I was in Australia, on a 3 month holiday from work. I was on the otherside of the world in a place id never been before but seen and heard so much about. A place I had only dreamed of visiting. I was free from my homelife away from 95% of my problems. I felt like I had escaped something but I really wasnt sure what at the time. Within a couple of weeks I felt alive, I felt like me, the me I hadnt been in so long. oh i missed me :)
The next step in the journey was to get a job. There was no way I would afford the holiday without it. Many a backpacker has found it hard to get a job in Sydney but not me. I registered my CV with Hays recruitment and within a day they had me an interview with a super company in the city. The day after the interview I started working. I was confident in myself going into that job, I was going to show people what I could do. AND I did. It was only meant to be a 3 week contract but the manager told me he wanted me to stay on for as long as i could, I was doing the same amount of work as 3 of his employees put together. Which I regret to say he brought up in their reviews. I was open with Brad. I had never felt the courage before to be able to express my worries to my employer before. I loved that job and I was so sad to go when I had to leave(and return to my old job). I am still in contact with a number of my old colleagues and my boss to this day 3.5 years later and hopefully maybe when my visa is sorted I might be working there again.
So there I was confident and feeling amazing about myself and returning to Ireland. As previously stated in Blog 1, I had 8 miserable months back in Ireland. Well would you blame me?, I was so free and alive in Sydney and then I returned back to the things that brought me down before. It was 5 months after returning that my relationship ended. That was where it all began for me, I think the trip to Australia (and another quote from E Roosevelt) gave me that boost I needed to make the decisions that have led me to become the person i am today almost 3 years later. The person I wanted to be in 2001. Incase your wondering what quote I am talking about I have it under my profile, "Do in your heart what you feel to be right for you will be critisied anyway. You'll be damned if you do and damned if you don't" - Eleanor Roosevelt. Call me what you will, but these words that were spoken by a truely amazing woman are my guidence. I had spent my 25 years trying to please everyone and making myself misserable. I needed to make decisions that will make me happy. So I did and here I am today still confident. Im going through one of the toughest times of my life, but im happy. My decisions have led me to where I am today. I may have hurt those I love along the way to which I am deeply sorry for. Please forgive me.
I have often quoted that very line to friends when they are in difficult situation where a life changing decision has to be made. I know a number have found comfort and truth in it. It is your life, you have one chance to live it so be selfish for the right reasons from time to time and be happy.
I will close of this blog with another quote from the amazing Mrs Roosevelt. (get used to them they will appear alot)
Refering back to my first blog I mentioned that my 1st trip to Australia helped knock me out of my funk. They say "change is as good as a holiday". But what about adding both of them together? That was apparently my cure, let me explain. So here I was in Australia, on a 3 month holiday from work. I was on the otherside of the world in a place id never been before but seen and heard so much about. A place I had only dreamed of visiting. I was free from my homelife away from 95% of my problems. I felt like I had escaped something but I really wasnt sure what at the time. Within a couple of weeks I felt alive, I felt like me, the me I hadnt been in so long. oh i missed me :)
The next step in the journey was to get a job. There was no way I would afford the holiday without it. Many a backpacker has found it hard to get a job in Sydney but not me. I registered my CV with Hays recruitment and within a day they had me an interview with a super company in the city. The day after the interview I started working. I was confident in myself going into that job, I was going to show people what I could do. AND I did. It was only meant to be a 3 week contract but the manager told me he wanted me to stay on for as long as i could, I was doing the same amount of work as 3 of his employees put together. Which I regret to say he brought up in their reviews. I was open with Brad. I had never felt the courage before to be able to express my worries to my employer before. I loved that job and I was so sad to go when I had to leave(and return to my old job). I am still in contact with a number of my old colleagues and my boss to this day 3.5 years later and hopefully maybe when my visa is sorted I might be working there again.
So there I was confident and feeling amazing about myself and returning to Ireland. As previously stated in Blog 1, I had 8 miserable months back in Ireland. Well would you blame me?, I was so free and alive in Sydney and then I returned back to the things that brought me down before. It was 5 months after returning that my relationship ended. That was where it all began for me, I think the trip to Australia (and another quote from E Roosevelt) gave me that boost I needed to make the decisions that have led me to become the person i am today almost 3 years later. The person I wanted to be in 2001. Incase your wondering what quote I am talking about I have it under my profile, "Do in your heart what you feel to be right for you will be critisied anyway. You'll be damned if you do and damned if you don't" - Eleanor Roosevelt. Call me what you will, but these words that were spoken by a truely amazing woman are my guidence. I had spent my 25 years trying to please everyone and making myself misserable. I needed to make decisions that will make me happy. So I did and here I am today still confident. Im going through one of the toughest times of my life, but im happy. My decisions have led me to where I am today. I may have hurt those I love along the way to which I am deeply sorry for. Please forgive me.
I have often quoted that very line to friends when they are in difficult situation where a life changing decision has to be made. I know a number have found comfort and truth in it. It is your life, you have one chance to live it so be selfish for the right reasons from time to time and be happy.
I will close of this blog with another quote from the amazing Mrs Roosevelt. (get used to them they will appear alot)
"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Claire
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tequila, it does bring you Happiness
Many people have asked me for the story about how Matt proposed in Paris. So I thought why not share it here.
1st things 1st a background on our relationship. Yesterday I meantioned that my story was like a bad romance novel or a chick flick. in a way it really is. I 1st met Matt at the beginning of June 2008. Literally days after arriving in Sydney. We were introduced through my brother Stephen at a bar in Newtown. Lets just say we didnt hit it off at all and that continued for about 3 - 4 months. I found Matt extremely arrogant, One of those "I know everything and ill argue my point even when im wrong" kind of people( we all know them). Unfortunately im the kind of person when I know im right wont back down so I got into many a heated arguement with him. I had a severe dislike for the guy and often left the pub because of it. Looking back on it we sometimes wonder whether we had felt a spark back then and just tried hiding it by being nasty to each other. Also Matt did confess that he used to argue points he knew he was wrong about because it was fun having someone to debate with??? FUN? SERIOUS? it was not fun!!!!!
So where did that change. I Bumped into Matt at Kings Cross station one evening when he was on his way home from work. We chatted like "normal people" aka not biting the head of each other. Although for some people that is the norm.. We had discussions and not arguements for the 1st time since we met. From that day forward we were friends.
I noticed by about June 09 that my feelings for Matt we changing again and by mid July I was thinking his were too. There were the usual hints and signs which I wont bore you with. Anyways after our friend Naomi's Birthday picnic in Camperdown park we all headed back to Kellys on King (the local haunt) to continue the celebration. Matt had been working but joined up with everyone in Kellys after work. By 5 or 6 feeling quite tipsy at the time. Arran a friend convinced myself and Matt to join him at his Bimbo Bingo (seriously the chick that was hosting it was SLOW). Were we got completely smashed. In the words of Terrorvission "Oh Tequila, it makes you happy". Listen here That was the night oh many Tequilas that resulted in us getting together and being inseperatable ever since. Seriously we disgust our friends still.
Ok so you have the background now on to the proposal.
lets just say I had an idea it was coming and when I say I had an idea, basically I mean Matt told me one night a couple of months before the trip that he was planning on asking me on top of the Eiffel tower. To which my response was "don't you dare do that its such a cliche" and he responded "Oh" :p
So there we were on top of the Eiffel Tower, which to me was the most unromantic place in the world. it took 2.5 hours to get up to the top and it was packed. The wind was howling and anyone that knows me knows i hate highs so i was shitting myself and thinking at the same time please not here, please not here. Thankfully it wasnt there. Phew!! It came to our last night after 3 days in Paris and I started wondering if he was going toask. Maybe i didnt remember telling me that night or he said it just to make me smile. We were sitting in the terrace area of Chez Felicie, Montparnasse after have dinner. We were chatting(and sickingly gazing at each other) about our whole trip and about how sad we were to be going home to Sydney the next morning. Matts look changed. and the following to the best of my knowledge happened.
Me: Why are you looking at me like that?
Matt: What do you mean?
Me: Your looking at me funny!
Matt (smiling): Ok so you told me not to do it on the Eiffel Tower (he remembered) and I've been trying to find the best moment all weekend. I have a question to ask you. I can get down on one knee if you like?
Me: Oh god no please dont do that!
Matt: What ask you a question or get down on one knee?
Me (freaking out): Please dont get down on one knee, people will look.
*Que soppiness*
Matt: I have never felt for anyone else the way I feel about you and ive never been in a relationship that was so easy. I love you Claire and I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?
I was crying and speachless so I kissed him.
Matt: I take that as a yes then?
I nodded. Matt got teary and knocked back the rest of his wine to calm his nerves and ordered another...
1st things 1st a background on our relationship. Yesterday I meantioned that my story was like a bad romance novel or a chick flick. in a way it really is. I 1st met Matt at the beginning of June 2008. Literally days after arriving in Sydney. We were introduced through my brother Stephen at a bar in Newtown. Lets just say we didnt hit it off at all and that continued for about 3 - 4 months. I found Matt extremely arrogant, One of those "I know everything and ill argue my point even when im wrong" kind of people( we all know them). Unfortunately im the kind of person when I know im right wont back down so I got into many a heated arguement with him. I had a severe dislike for the guy and often left the pub because of it. Looking back on it we sometimes wonder whether we had felt a spark back then and just tried hiding it by being nasty to each other. Also Matt did confess that he used to argue points he knew he was wrong about because it was fun having someone to debate with??? FUN? SERIOUS? it was not fun!!!!!
So where did that change. I Bumped into Matt at Kings Cross station one evening when he was on his way home from work. We chatted like "normal people" aka not biting the head of each other. Although for some people that is the norm.. We had discussions and not arguements for the 1st time since we met. From that day forward we were friends.
I noticed by about June 09 that my feelings for Matt we changing again and by mid July I was thinking his were too. There were the usual hints and signs which I wont bore you with. Anyways after our friend Naomi's Birthday picnic in Camperdown park we all headed back to Kellys on King (the local haunt) to continue the celebration. Matt had been working but joined up with everyone in Kellys after work. By 5 or 6 feeling quite tipsy at the time. Arran a friend convinced myself and Matt to join him at his Bimbo Bingo (seriously the chick that was hosting it was SLOW). Were we got completely smashed. In the words of Terrorvission "Oh Tequila, it makes you happy". Listen here That was the night oh many Tequilas that resulted in us getting together and being inseperatable ever since. Seriously we disgust our friends still.
Ok so you have the background now on to the proposal.
lets just say I had an idea it was coming and when I say I had an idea, basically I mean Matt told me one night a couple of months before the trip that he was planning on asking me on top of the Eiffel tower. To which my response was "don't you dare do that its such a cliche" and he responded "Oh" :p
So there we were on top of the Eiffel Tower, which to me was the most unromantic place in the world. it took 2.5 hours to get up to the top and it was packed. The wind was howling and anyone that knows me knows i hate highs so i was shitting myself and thinking at the same time please not here, please not here. Thankfully it wasnt there. Phew!! It came to our last night after 3 days in Paris and I started wondering if he was going toask. Maybe i didnt remember telling me that night or he said it just to make me smile. We were sitting in the terrace area of Chez Felicie, Montparnasse after have dinner. We were chatting(and sickingly gazing at each other) about our whole trip and about how sad we were to be going home to Sydney the next morning. Matts look changed. and the following to the best of my knowledge happened.
Me: Why are you looking at me like that?
Matt: What do you mean?
Me: Your looking at me funny!
Matt (smiling): Ok so you told me not to do it on the Eiffel Tower (he remembered) and I've been trying to find the best moment all weekend. I have a question to ask you. I can get down on one knee if you like?
Me: Oh god no please dont do that!
Matt: What ask you a question or get down on one knee?
Me (freaking out): Please dont get down on one knee, people will look.
*Que soppiness*
Matt: I have never felt for anyone else the way I feel about you and ive never been in a relationship that was so easy. I love you Claire and I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?
I was crying and speachless so I kissed him.
Matt: I take that as a yes then?
I nodded. Matt got teary and knocked back the rest of his wine to calm his nerves and ordered another...
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Rundown! - Who am I and Why am I here.
It sounds like a hollywood chick flick or probably a bad romance novel but this is where it all begain. (appologies in advanced for shocking grammer and puncuation)
Im 27 (almost 28, my birthday is in 1.5 weeks) and im originally from Ireland. Dublin to be Exact. So how did I end up in Australia??? Well it all began in 2007 when I came to Sydney on a 3 month holiday(Stupidly using up my 1 year WHV). I lived in Bondi Beach. Amongst most of the Irish community living in Sydney, cause well we thought that was the place to be. I worked, partied, made friends and fell in love with Sydney (but not the 33rd county of Ireland, ala Bondi). Sydney kicked me out of the depressed funk I had been in for years.
I returned to Ireland where I spent 8 months misserable and longing to go back to Sydney, I had an amazing job but my heart wasnt in it anymore and I was in a relationship that wasnt going anywhere and was causing me to sink back into depression. Luckily for me that relationship ended in Feb 08. I was FREE!!!! Having spent most of my later teens and my early twenties trying to please everyone and making my self unhappy, I decided it was time to make ME happy!!! within 4 weeks I had booked my flights for the end of May 08, sorted our a 6 month holiday visa and quit my job. I was heading back to Australia and I was using my life savings to do it.
It helped that my brother was living in Sydney at the time I was moving back, He was on a sponsorship visa, a visa I was hoping to get once I got there. Things seemed to start to work out for me. The company Stephen rented through were looking for a new staff member AND they offered sponsorship. I secured an interview when I was in Ireland for when I arrived. 4 interviews later and the Job was mine sponsorship and all. Myself and Stephen rented a 2 bedroom unfurnished apartment in Newtown signed a 1 year lease :) I had a job and an apartment, Life was good. Over the next 2 years I continued to work hard for the company that hired me. After 6 months I realised the owners didnt have a heart(they fired a colleague who had just found out he had Chrons Disease). Not being the only one on a sponsorship visa, ( in fact most of the office had been sponsored) they liked to use your Visa as a device that they could use against a staff member to ensure that everything was done 110%. basically everyone was too frightned about loosing their job that they did everything that was asked of them.
Over the next 2 years, i worked, partied, made lots of friends and fell in love with Matt whom I moved in with last January. I loved the work that I did, was great at my job and I worked well with clients and staff. well most staff members. One of the directors seemed to dislike me and i still dont know why. I had to watch what I wore, how i did my hair. what COLOR I dyed my hair etc. TBH I really think it stems from the fact that I was into heavy metal so I was stereotyped. Sometimes his treatment would get to me but most of the time i ignored it. In June 2010(a week after forking out for a trip to Ireland for Matt to meet my family), I was unexpectidly fired, I will not delve into the details except that it was illegal and unfair. I considered reporting them to immigration and sueing for unfair dismissal, but decided against it as one of my closest friends in Sydney was getting her permanent residency through them and I couldn't risk her loosing her visa and having to leave too.
I put my head down straight away to find a new job. but was unsuccessful. all I wanted to do was be with the man I love in a country that stole my heart. Unfortunatly due to a lack of time and ruling moving to Ireland out due to the GFC (best to have one unemployed in Australia then 2 in Ireland) we applied for a 12 month relationship visa. Having been in a relationship for over a year at the time but only been living together 9 months meant we applied too early but it was all we could do to be together. Immi informed up that there it up to 9 months waiting just to get a case officer :/. so to put it short we wait 9 months with a 95% chance of being declined :(.
So here I am almost 7 months later still unemployed and having heard nothing from Immigration about my visa application, however immensley happy about the fact I dont have to go to that horrible office everyday and im still in Sydney with Matt. Although in saying that im extremely bored and my brain has started to slow down due to non activity. Main reason for starting a blog.
On a happy note Matt insisted we took the last of our savings and continued with our holiday to Europe where he popped the question in the terrace area of a Parisian Cafe. :)
Im 27 (almost 28, my birthday is in 1.5 weeks) and im originally from Ireland. Dublin to be Exact. So how did I end up in Australia??? Well it all began in 2007 when I came to Sydney on a 3 month holiday(Stupidly using up my 1 year WHV). I lived in Bondi Beach. Amongst most of the Irish community living in Sydney, cause well we thought that was the place to be. I worked, partied, made friends and fell in love with Sydney (but not the 33rd county of Ireland, ala Bondi). Sydney kicked me out of the depressed funk I had been in for years.
I returned to Ireland where I spent 8 months misserable and longing to go back to Sydney, I had an amazing job but my heart wasnt in it anymore and I was in a relationship that wasnt going anywhere and was causing me to sink back into depression. Luckily for me that relationship ended in Feb 08. I was FREE!!!! Having spent most of my later teens and my early twenties trying to please everyone and making my self unhappy, I decided it was time to make ME happy!!! within 4 weeks I had booked my flights for the end of May 08, sorted our a 6 month holiday visa and quit my job. I was heading back to Australia and I was using my life savings to do it.
It helped that my brother was living in Sydney at the time I was moving back, He was on a sponsorship visa, a visa I was hoping to get once I got there. Things seemed to start to work out for me. The company Stephen rented through were looking for a new staff member AND they offered sponsorship. I secured an interview when I was in Ireland for when I arrived. 4 interviews later and the Job was mine sponsorship and all. Myself and Stephen rented a 2 bedroom unfurnished apartment in Newtown signed a 1 year lease :) I had a job and an apartment, Life was good. Over the next 2 years I continued to work hard for the company that hired me. After 6 months I realised the owners didnt have a heart(they fired a colleague who had just found out he had Chrons Disease). Not being the only one on a sponsorship visa, ( in fact most of the office had been sponsored) they liked to use your Visa as a device that they could use against a staff member to ensure that everything was done 110%. basically everyone was too frightned about loosing their job that they did everything that was asked of them.
Over the next 2 years, i worked, partied, made lots of friends and fell in love with Matt whom I moved in with last January. I loved the work that I did, was great at my job and I worked well with clients and staff. well most staff members. One of the directors seemed to dislike me and i still dont know why. I had to watch what I wore, how i did my hair. what COLOR I dyed my hair etc. TBH I really think it stems from the fact that I was into heavy metal so I was stereotyped. Sometimes his treatment would get to me but most of the time i ignored it. In June 2010(a week after forking out for a trip to Ireland for Matt to meet my family), I was unexpectidly fired, I will not delve into the details except that it was illegal and unfair. I considered reporting them to immigration and sueing for unfair dismissal, but decided against it as one of my closest friends in Sydney was getting her permanent residency through them and I couldn't risk her loosing her visa and having to leave too.
I put my head down straight away to find a new job. but was unsuccessful. all I wanted to do was be with the man I love in a country that stole my heart. Unfortunatly due to a lack of time and ruling moving to Ireland out due to the GFC (best to have one unemployed in Australia then 2 in Ireland) we applied for a 12 month relationship visa. Having been in a relationship for over a year at the time but only been living together 9 months meant we applied too early but it was all we could do to be together. Immi informed up that there it up to 9 months waiting just to get a case officer :/. so to put it short we wait 9 months with a 95% chance of being declined :(.
So here I am almost 7 months later still unemployed and having heard nothing from Immigration about my visa application, however immensley happy about the fact I dont have to go to that horrible office everyday and im still in Sydney with Matt. Although in saying that im extremely bored and my brain has started to slow down due to non activity. Main reason for starting a blog.
On a happy note Matt insisted we took the last of our savings and continued with our holiday to Europe where he popped the question in the terrace area of a Parisian Cafe. :)
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