My days off.

This past weekend was pretty fun. I only worked until 11am on Saturday. It wasn't very busy so we just did some cleaning, then finished for the day. It was a nice sunny day so I went for a walk before I had lunch. After lunch I was hot from the walk so I decided to go to the pool for a few hours to work on my tan. I got home late in the afternoon and decided to do some yoga in the back yard. I then watched some TV and had some supper. I felt good about getting outside and getting active. I slept well that night from all the fresh air.

On Sunday I started off slow then went for lunch over at the coffee lounge. I helped Lyn with a few things she needed moving. I was there for a few hours visiting with Harry, Cheryl and helping out Lyn. I then decided to go for a walk to see some more of Southern Cross. It was hot so I didn't walk to far, but to a few places I hadn't seen yet. I like walked near the eucalyptus trees in the heat since it makes them smell so good. After the coffee lounge closed Harry, Lyn and I went out to Kelly and Marks place to go quading. We took Alexa and Felicity with us. I had so much fun. Harry likes to drive fast when Felicity rides with him. But since it is dusty Lyn and I didn't go as fast, but still fast enough for me. It felt a lot like home except the dirt was red and we saw a few kangaroos. I was so dusty when we got back I felt a need for an immediate shower. I ended up putting it off and staying at Lyn and Harry's for supper. By the time I got home it was about 9pm so I just watched a bit of TV and went to bed. I also slept well since I got lots more fresh air.

Today has been not as exciting. I have spent the day cleaning and doing laundry. I did a bit of yoga and went for a little walk. I forgot that I wanted to get to the library until after 4pm which is when it closes. I will try and finish work early and get there sometime during the week. I am looking for a book on yoga since I don't know enough about it. Tonight I am just hanging out with a book and maybe a little bit of TV. It has been a more active and fun weekend then I have had in a long time. I am wondering about venturing to Kalgoorlie to check it out. I wish I had a car so I didn't have take the train and spend the whole weekend there. I guess I will spend the week figuring it out.
Until next time,
Cindy

Poll

Does anyone have any poll ideas?

Nothing new

Well I don't have much to write about on here. I have just been working working working. I don't feel like I have even been working hard. It is not that busy at the salon so most days I clean or sit and watch the traffic go by, even that is not very exciting. I work Tuesdays to Saturday and then have not a lot to do on Sunday and Monday. Yesterday I went to the pool for a couple of hours. I also rented a few movies to watch and came for a visit with Lyn across the street. Today I am just doing laundry and hanging out at the coffee lounge updating my blog. It isn't sunny so it doesn't seem like a good idea to go to the pool since yesterday it was hot out and that pool was freezing! I will likely just finish my laundry and watch a movie. I have also been watching the tv series "Charmed", I don't really like it but its something to watch. I would love to be doing some yoga to keep myself active but I don't know much. I can't even remember the wii fit yoga all that well. I have been checking out a few things online and may just try a bit in my back yard today. I tried to sit outside at the coffee lounge but was attacked by flies. I hate bugs! It is so frustrating to try and sit with a coffee and a book or computer and constantly have to wave flies away. I have tried piling on the fly spray and it doesn't even seem to help. I have yet to encounter many mosquito's but the flies are relentless. Well this is my exciting life at the moment.
I am really looking forward to going to Cairns. I want to go snorkel on the great barrier reef. I enjoyed the ningaloo reef so much and really hope it is better. I also look forward to seeing Bobbi, Nick, London, Gord and Diane. I haven't decided on any plans for what I will do after that.
Sorry this post was so short and boring. Hopefully something exciting will happen so I will have more to write about.
Until next time,
Cindy

Goodbyes, Cards, and Fires

I move into my new place tomorrow. I won't likely get in until the afternoon, since Sam and Brad are leaving in the morning and Lyn wants to go clean shortly after. I haven't unpacked much of my things while here since I know I will be moving over there. It is just across the street. I am starting to really enjoy Southern Cross. I mean I am excited to have my own space that is for sure, and I think once that happens I will feel very comfy here. Sam and Brad are very well known and liked in this town. Harry, my boss, adores her. I have some pretty big shoes to fill. Last night we went to the local motel for a going away supper. We had some drinks and appetizers and then a delicious meal. We came back to the coffee lounge and played a serious game of bullshit aka cheat. Harry was pretty funny to watch, he figured it was the game for him all he has to do is mumble when he throws his cards down. Then we played a game of shithead, which is the usual game we played. I helped Harry since he didn't know how to play. Ray didn't like this because he figures I have a mean streak in me especially when I play cards. I am not a sore loser but enjoy bugging him about pouting.... I actually tell him a bird will poop on his lip.... I recall my cousin Laurel telling me this when I was a kid, likely because my dad told that to her. I have a lot of fun playing cards with everyone, it is very entertaining. It wasn't a very late night since Sam and I had to work in the morning. On Saturdays the salon is only open from 9am until 12pm, so it is just a short day. We were busy this morning, but nothing like a Saturday at home. After work Sam packed up her stuff and we headed back to the coffee lounge for lunch and a few games of cards. This evening we went for a BBQ at Mark and Kelly's. Mark is Harry and Lyn's son. It was another going away party for Sam and Brad. There were a lot of people there that I haven't met yet. I came back early with Harry and Lyn, since I didn't really know anyone. Now the three of us are watching the news. There are a bunch of fires around Melbourne. There are 14 people confirmed dead but they think there could be as many as 40 dead. It is very hot and windy there so the firefighters are working hard to get all the different fires under control. Canada plays its part in this by lending our water bomber helicopters to help. Since Canada doesn't need them this time of year they are almost always in Australia to help with the bush fires. I am hoping my friends in Melbourne and the anywhere in Australia are alright, and hope to hear from them soon. None of the places named on the news were near where I lived, but still it is close to Melbourne. I pray for all the people who have lost family and friends as well as homes. I also pray there is an end in sight.
Until next time,
Cindy

Southern Cross

Not only is Southern Cross a constellation in the sky as well as the stars on the Australian flag, it is also a small town in Western Australia. I am living in Southern Cross. The town is located about 3 1/2 hours east of Perth. I arrived on the train on Monday February 2nd just before lunch. Cheryl, a friend of the salon owners picked me up at the train station. She brought me to the local cafe which the salon owners also own. Lyn owns and runs the cafe. Harry owns the salon, and his daughter, Bec, manages it. Sam, another backpacker from England, is currently working at the salon. I am her replacement. She and her boyfriend Brad are leaving for Perth on Sunday morning. Right now they are living in the suite behind the salon where I will be living for the next 6 weeks. Currently I am staying with Lyn and Harry, and their son. Sam is showing me what I need to know for the salon since I will be there mostly on my own. Bec just had a baby a few months ago so she isn't real up to leaving her little one to come to work. Doesn't matter to me, I am fine working on my own. The salon is nice, and there is lots of room. I look forward to moving into my suite so I can have my own space. My accommodations are included with the job, as well as lunches. So far I am enjoying the town. It seems like a very friendly place. There was another Canadian working at the salon before Sam started. Everyone really liked her, so they are excited to see another Canadian. They already have to start looking for another stylist because I won't be here long and it can take awhile to find someone. So far it has been hot! On Tuesday the temperature got up to 43 degrees and even today seemed close to 40. I can tell I will be spending my days off either inside or swimming at the local pool. Everyday after work Sam and I go over to the cafe and play cards with Ray, a local. Sometimes Lyn joins in as well. Diana and Helen taught me the game while I was in Melbourne (can't even remember what it is called) so it didn't take me long to catch on again. Each of them thinks the others cheat so it is pretty interesting. After today, Ray is sure I am a card shark. He saw me deal and now thinks I count cards and worked in a casino. I didn't want tell him I learned from watching my big sister deal. But I don't do so bad at the game so he can think whatever he wants. Other than that, I haven't met too many people yet. I have done a few men's haircuts, mostly #2 clipper cuts to either miners or farmers. Everyone is really friendly. So far so good, even though I am counting down the days until Cairns.
Until next time,
Cindy