Last post of the pre-job time

Friday... As Sandra would say, the most beautiful word in the English language... I have spent the last few days writing away and recreating Luz's world as I was not satisfied with how things were going. But I now am =)

She finally coming into her own spiritual self, just like the author.

And I am finally healthy and functional, just in time to start new job on Monday.

How things work out... only good news today...FINALLY!

"If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves." - Thomas Edison

Last post of the trip ....

Well well, as I await the second to last flight from San Francisco to Toronto in a hotel, I reflect on what this journey has brought me. I have for sure realized that I could live abroad, but most likely by myself, not working for someone as a personal assistant. Second, I have found out so much about myself, this trip has bee a revelation as well as a blessing. A lot of soul searching, a lot of thinking as I was away from everything I knew and with no one to talk to, and coming to terms with the decision I made to leave.

On the first flight out of Melbourne, I already felt better and lighter, and the feeling was only enhanced from Sydney to San Francisco, over the 12+ hours of flight time. Now, as I am about to finish this journey and head back home, I can honestly say I LOVE MONTREAL and that I missed it so much: missed my family, missed my friends, missed the everyday life, missed ...everything. Can't wait to get back, and the city's welcome committee decided to give me a 25 degree day for my return.... THANK YOU =)


“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” - Bill Bryson

3 dodos and counting

OMG. It's almost here, the Montreal return. Sat April 25th... after a total of 26+ flight hours in less than 1.5 days...
Can't wait. Trying to keep quiet as much as possible to save energy reserves and keep health on good track for travel as it's been iffy from day to day. The main reason I am coming back.

On another hand, finished CHAPTER 4 last night... yey! Only a few more to go and then Luzisphère in a bookstore near you...=) Will get cracking on chapter 5 today, and hopefully I get through it. So goal before heading home: finish 2 additional chapters!!!!

"Enthusiasm spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment." - Norman Vincent Peale

It's official: Montreal bound

Can't wait to see all of you... Booked flights last night after dinner at yummy Vietnamese place... Departure date: April 24th, itinerary: Melbourne-Sydney, Sydney-San Francisco, San Francisco- Toronto, Toronto-Mtl.

Phewww. Just reading about it makes me think I'll be in airports or plane for a full day. Better get ready! But cannot wait to be hoooooome. In the cold. =)

Every ceiling, when reached, becomes a floor, upon which one walks as a matter of course and prescriptive right.- Aldous Huxley

Pondering, wondering...

Yours truly is truly thinking it's time for her to come home. Can't explain why, just a feeling. SO am writing away and seeing-weighing different options allowing me to come back home earlier...

Keep you posted
Muah.

In everything the ends well defined are the secret of durable success.- Victor Cousins

Easter weekend and sun...

Had a great weekend filled with sooo many activities. Saturday, wrote, wrote, wrote, and decided to test fate and send an email to the hotel in Merida, Mexico, where Luz is staying, asking them for a free one-week stay as they are mentioned in the book, etc etc...

Then, went to a fabulous Vietnamese dinner at Chilly Peppers, a BYOW...but not to worry, the food didn't compare to the Mtl Vietnamese =). After that, had a Sex and the City night in due form, as it had been a while. Educating boss at the same time with the ladies.

Sunday, Easter, went to Fitzroy gardens in the afternoon for a picnic (which I cut short as I wasn't feeling too good, but it was so pretty!). And get this. At a point, I look up in the sky and what do I see? These words spelled out by a plane: CALL MUM. So funny. It's part of an advert campaign from a major telecommunications cie, but they are even using the sky on EASTER to do advertising. Think Mtl should catch up on this one...

Then attempted to go to my favorite church because of the reverend who's so cool for Easter mass, but that was closed. Tried a second one, which had a service at 6pm, but the priest was old, boring and dry. But still got my "rebirth" of Easter... and I had forgotten all about the link with baptism. I'm such a great Catholic =)

And had an Easter epiphany. Decided to cook a salmon pie from scratch, with dough and everything. Took me 2 hours, but I DID IT! Becoming a real chef! And my bechamel sauce was to die for...hihihi... Completed it all with a few chocolates (possibly the only time in a year when I eat them).

On Monday, we rented a Smart Car and went off to shop. Bought 2 amazing Aussie designer dresses (one of which is for Mai Mai's wedding...so gorgeous!), purse...but still missing the sparkly shoes I have been eying at Nine West (think Dorothee of Oz...but not red, silver and black...SO cute!). Looking for them everywhere. I KNOW I'll find them in my size...7.... anyone? hihihi

Drove up to Mt. Dandenong (a Melbourne equivalent of Mt. Royal mountain) and enjoyed the little antique shops, etc etc. Then had tea at Mrs. Marple's Tea Room (famous character from Agatha Christie's books), the proper English way with scones, jam and cream. Headed to the skyline lookout- which Phil, as a good Melburnian, had no idea existed) and marveled at the beautiful city views.

And at night, they played the Mtl Just For Laughs festival galas, with all Aussie comics. Was SO great. I LOVE Mtl.... Can't wait to be back.

Today, Tuesday am, is one of the last "summer" days. 26 degrees, so headed to South Melbourne Beach, where I spent the most part of the day. Can only compare it to....CUBA baby! So sunny and hot, it was exactly what I needed.

Now home, catching up on blog...sorry I've been lazy.
But I feel I will have exciting news soon... keep reading!

Caro X

"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want."- Ben Stein

And do I EVER Know what I want...hihihi

Luz is ALIVE... and other things, too =)

Ok, alright, here goes. I started writing again, for real. 5 pages a day, minimum, AND the best is that I can now do it daytime (as opposed to midnight writing) AND without wine. It's unbelievable. So, at this rhythm, chapter 4 should be finished by the end of the week, and I'll be well on schedule to finish the book by the time I return home. Promising!!!

On another note, celebrated Good Friday as it should be, with fish: oysters, prawns and mornay crayfish. Yummy. Then watched a ridiculous, but entertaining funny 70's movie, The Rise and Rise of Micheal Rimmer.

Forgot to mention that tomorrow, I get to revamp the whole wardrobe of boss...SO exciting. Played What not to Wear as he showed me his collection of 80's ties, and shirts, and we will take care of business tomorrow, Easter. So it won't be an Egg hunt, but a Clothing hunt. Couldn't ask for more.

Happy Easter to all of you Canadians... muah!

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them."- Mark Twain