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No Fosters Thanks

a travel blog by no_fosters_thanks


It's a 14 month trip around the world...for someone who gets lost on the way to the supermarket.
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Homesickness and job interviews...my favourite things

Vancouver, Canada


Ok. So I'm a big sook. A BIG sook. I acknowledge and accept that fact. And yes, Vancouver IS that cold. So I haven't blogged much lately, not a terrible amount has happened. But what has, I'll fill you in on.

So I came to Vancouver on New Years Eve, and it was a kicking night! Had a few beers, and guess what, Canada has some good beer. Met some awesome people, and the bar went off. An really cool local band played, and you should have heard their last set. They did Johnny Cash covers, and the place went nuts. Hell, I did. Everyone was dancing and just letting go. Good fun.

But unfortunately the next day, I got rather ill. Turned out I had tonsilitis for the millionth time this year, and after a feverish and uncomfortable night (and to be honest, a big fat lecture from my mum via gmail chat) I went to the doctor and got some sweet antibiotics. So, basically the first week in Vancouver, I spent in bed. Didn't venture out too much, just tried to get better. Still have a bit of a cough, but I'm hoping that will bugger off soon.

So during the week, the craziest thing happened. In the morning, I ventured outside the hostel, and there was this huge amount of ice, on this car. And I was like, 'hey, wow, they get so much ice here...must have been a cold night'. Fine. Then I look at the rain, and I was like 'hey, why is the rain white?' (and yes, I am that daft. It took me looking at a nearby park before it clicked. It was SNOW. I have NEVER seen snow in a city before. You should have seen my face!

So I trudged through the snow, making the job applications, and a little bit of a lack of love. It's weird, never really looked for a job like this before. Aside from KPMG, all my other jobs have just sort of...well, happened. So I got a little discouraged by an overwhelming lack of enthusiasm on behalf of my life. Although, I nearly landed the BEST job. It was mine if I could have made the commitment, but I really like the owner, and I wasn't willing to shaft them. It was at a photo lab, selling photos frames and albums, and playing with digital photos. I was so excited. But, alas, it was not to be.

Found out my phone doesn't work here...so I bought a new one. I mean, it probably works, but telstra isn't in canada. So, I ended up getting a new telephone, which is great, I can text people! Awesome. But phones here work funny, and you dont pay for calls you make, you pay for 'airtime'. So no matter what you do, call OR recieve, you have to pay airtime. But, on the bright side, the airtime rates aren't that bad. And I dont really know anyone, so my bill shouldn't be too bad.

So friday night, I realised I was moping about, so I gave Kaths friend Amber a ring. Brilliant! We ended up catching up the next day, and it was really good. Ambers a really great chick. Amber also works with a recruitment agency, so she put me in contact with Accountemps, on monday morning. (yesterday).

So sunday I moped around again in spectacular fashion. Also did a bit of it yesterday. Did another big job search monday walking around. Been pretty homesick, it's hard to meet people in my hostel too. So I think I might change hostel. I may admit to having a cry in the bathroom. But, it's not the first time, and I'm sure it wont be the last.

I will also admit to having a sneak peek at flights home. But, I would refuse to forgive myself if I gave up, so although I ring tom quite often seeking emotional support, I'm sticking it out. The worst was when I was at the doctor, with a fever and he asked me if I had someone who could take care of me. Such a little mushbag am I.

Um....so accountemps rang me last night, at like 5.30 for an interview in the morning, so this morning was a mad rush to try and buy some interview shoes....an hour before my interview. But I managed! They are ugly, but black shiny boots nonetheless. And cheap:)

Also have an interview

permalink written by  no_fosters_thanks on January 9, 2007 from Vancouver, Canada
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A Job and a house

Vancouver, Canada


So, just a quick update, I have a job with the accounting temping agency, and i think I will be started my first assignment on Monday! Yay! So that should be really good. Have another interview with the Roots store tomorrow, and I have another interview on sat for a bar/food place on the beach. So, not sure what I'm going to do, I'd rather work as a waitress, better to meet people. The idea is monday to friday accounting, and then bar or store work on the weekend.

Also, I thought I had blogged about it, but I guess I deleted it accidentally (such a computer whizz am I), but Tom is coming to Canada! He just has had his work permit approved, so I'm looking for flats at the moment for the two of us, to start leasing March, as we both fly into vancouver early march. There is one I'm looking at this weekend, it's near Kitsilano beach. At least with two of us, we can get a one bedroom flat for about the same price as getting two separate rooms in a house, so we should have a nice place to ourselves. Yay! So we're going to continue the rest of the trip together, which should be a great experience. Looking forward to it. Still haven't changed the travel plans, except we're probably going to spend more time in Eastern europe now, which I'm really excited about. And we will prolly head up to Norway at some stage and annoy John and Kath for awhile.

Also looking forward to Australia day here, trying to find somewhere that will be streaming the triple j hottest 100, but failing that we're going to have a second bash at it in Malaysia with Kim and Tom. And probably a whole world of alcohol. But I'm already a little prepared, as part of my chrissy present Tom sent me a MASSIVE aussie flag, so I'm planning to be a disgrace to all aussies. Sorry.

Talk soon, although planning to be working my sorry little tush off as of monday. Awesome.

permalink written by  no_fosters_thanks on January 11, 2007 from Vancouver, Canada
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I'm starting to get my shit together

Vancouver, Canada


Hi everyone,

just a quick note to let you know that I'm alive and working! I'm working two jobs...hell tired. Doing accounting temp work during the day, and hostessing at night. Also moved into a house for the next month!

Took a photo from out the front of the restaurant. It's on the beach. And yes, that's snow on the beach.

So tired, will talk to you later after a snooze. And if you want to talk, I have skype! sarahk.barton is my username. Scary people, please don't ring me. If you know me, thats a little different.

Guess what! Tom and I got the apartment we wanted! We will be living in a cute little one bedroom apartment in Kitsilano! Very very very excited. We move in as soon as we come home from Malaysia. fully furnished...and best of all...across the road from the bottle shop.

Thanks.

permalink written by  no_fosters_thanks on January 15, 2007 from Vancouver, Canada
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Everything is gone :(

Vancouver, Canada


Before I left aus, I packed up all my stuff, took it to the g-town and put it in storage. Today Dad rang me, there was a fire at the factories, and everything is gone. And uninsured. It's unbelievable, and I'm completely shattered.

Luckily, before I left I thought everything was going to be stored at Mum and Dad's house, so I took a few of my valuables that I didn't want my little brother going through (now, god bless him being the trouble he is) and left them at Toms house. So, I still have my photo albums, shiny things and a few really special items. But everything else is gone. What really upsets me is losing all my quilts that I was half-way through, and especially all the gifts from my 21st. Gutted. More upset that Alf is gone. Sure, I'm not sure he's had a shower in the last 18 years...but I'll still miss him:(

Trying to look on the bright side...at least everything will be matching when I get back. And I totally don;t have to stop myself buying shoes....no longer shall i say 'but i have plenty at home'. Hahaha. I don't have any anymore.

After work I went and bought a block of chocolate. Then stopped off for a hot chocolate. Then stopped at the bottle shop for a 6 pack. Feeling a little better for it, and chatting with Tom for a few hours has really helped too.

Blergh.

permalink written by  no_fosters_thanks on January 31, 2007 from Vancouver, Canada
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6 days left in Vancouver (for my first go)

Vancouver, Canada


Wow, it's already nearly time to leave Canada! Only heading to Malaysia for three weeks, but I've been getting itchy feet (and not from hostel showers) to get travelling again. Haven't got much planned for the trip yet, but we'll work it out once we arrive there.

Things have been pretty crazy here, still working heaps of hours, not to mention having a bit of a social life now. I've been at the College for the last month, and really enjoyed my time there. My role has been mainly account recievable monkey work, but it's been a great opportunity, and I love the people. Made good friends with Shannon and Erika, and heading out this Saturday night for Erika's birthday drinks.

This week has also been rather draining, the whole fire thing has really hit home, and it's left me quite odd. It will be fine, but I'm actually really glad I've been on my own. I haven't been able to crawl into a ball and not deal with it, I spazzed out that day, got drunk once or twice (ok, twice), but aside from that I've still had to get up everyday and get on with it.

Have more photos, but I'm using a mac at the moment, and as much as I love them, for some reason safari doesn't want to play when it comes to uploading photos. But I'll add some more in soon. Promise.

Something I love about Vancouver, is the sun rises and sets usually while I'm on the skytrain on the way to work. And it's always amazing. Especially as you can see the mountains, all pink, it really makes you go all mushy. And there are people on the train, who don't even see it. It makes me wonder what I miss when I'm on the train going to work back home. Hmmmm...footscray. Yep, maybe not quite the same.
A big thanks to the people who have emailed or texted and the like, it's been great to hear from you.

Little Nana Conlan - Hope all is well, thinking of you and hoping the heat isn't too bad for you at the moment.

Katie and Phil- Good luck on the house, hope you got it (and if you get a puppy, take photos!)

Em and Malte - Still up for the Com fest in scotland? Really keen to make that a definite plan

Missing everyone, but it's 7 sleeps until I'm kicking around with Kimba and Tom (or T-rex as she prefers to call him now) so it's all good from here:)

love sarah

permalink written by  no_fosters_thanks on February 5, 2007 from Vancouver, Canada
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Selamat datang

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


After a squillion hours of travel (most of them quite fine..) I have arrived in Kuala Lumpur! It's amazingly muggy, but the view from the balcony, more than makes up for it! We're staying with Tom's parents here, and we're having a great time. Catching up with Kimba today, as soon as she calls we're going to meet up in KLCC and have an explore. Or a beer. Or maybe both.

Still trying to work out a game plan for Malaysia, but to be honest it really so far does involve a fair bit of relaxing and nothing to stressful. Both Tom and myself have been working hard to save up for travelling, and will continue when we get back to Vancouver, so now is a good time to just chill and relax for awhile.

We are staying right next to the Patronus towers which as super impressive, but it's amazing how western the malls are underneath the towers. It's weird, just like being back in Aus. I know it's not the same, however it's the closest I've seen since I left home.

The travel here was quite interesting, on the Seattle to los Angeles flight was sat next to a really good guy from Seattle, who was flying to Australia to study! So we had great chats the whole flight, and ended up having dinner together and a few drinks at the bar. It was like some Christmas movie...where we where in Denver and snowed in or something. It was just really nice for both of us, I could tell him about Aus, and vice versa.

The flight to KL was interesting...I found out when I was looking at the board I has read my flight wrong. Turns out it wasn't a 14 hour flight. It was a 14 hour flight to my STOPOVER IN TAEPAI! and then two hours there and ANOTHER 4 hours to Malaysia. On finding this out, my initial reaction was to swear, and then try and find out where Taepai was. Turns out I was going to Taiwan. Interesting. And unexpected. We all got pulled of the plane and had a random security check, which I find intimidating after they announce on the plane over the PA that they are required to remind us, the penalty for drug trafficking is DEATH. Riiight. Lucky I had left all the drugs in Bolivia. (only joking dad, I can't afford drugs...beer costs to much).

Will update again later, hope to talk to everyone soon. Also, Erin, totally hope to catch up with you in canada, we'll be heading to Toronto later in the year, I'm not sure how long you will be there for, but let us know!

Love
Sarah

permalink written by  no_fosters_thanks on February 14, 2007 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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So yes - sweet

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


So, seeing as Tom and I will be travelling together for the rest of the trip (score), we did discuss the possibility of having a shared blog. But, it's a lot of commitment, and due to the potential of artistic differences (ok, really we have different ideas on what my nana might like to hear about) Tom has his own blog.

It's more interesting than mine... so please go and check it out. He's already written about our travels in Malaysia (quick summary-couch to fridge to couch. Then couch to shop with beer then to fridge then couch. Awesome)

http://www.blogabond.com/haveyouseenmypassport

Will write soon, but very busy with beer and food. And pash rash. Ok, so mine isn't always nana friendly too.



permalink written by  no_fosters_thanks on February 21, 2007 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Jungle and the city

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


Explored some more in the last few days, knocking the major tourist stuff off the list. There is so Buket Bintang, Menara Kuala Lumpur (big tower), and a little Jungle walk too. The food in Kuala Lumpur is to die for, we've had Japanese, Thai, Australian, Spanish tapas and all of it has been amazing.

With visiting the Menara Kuala Lumpur, to be honest, I expected more. Even though it was a comparatively clear day, it was still hard to see quite far. The smog and the distant rain just made it hazy. However at the bottom of the tower there was a little 'jungle' walk, which was far more interesting the the tower itself. The first section itself had two types of monkey, and they were just playing around in the trees and on the path. The rest of the walk was quite interesting, strange experience walking through the 'jungle', with big arse leafy trees and mozzies and then the sound of the freeway. Nothing like a tranquil walk...and then walking across a couple of startled locals sharing some pot. I don't think they expected to see us!

Tomorrow the plan is to hit up a photography gallery and maybe a craft centre. Lucky tom.



permalink written by  no_fosters_thanks on February 23, 2007 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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More food...

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


The last three weeks have absolutely flown past, Kimba has already gone home, and we'll be heading off to our respective countries in two days time. Finally done some more sightseeing, which we managed to squeeze inbetween meals.

Kimbas' aunt (film star in Malaysia back in the day) took us to Putrajaya, which was stunning. Toured around the new office building, went past the palace, the prime ministers residence and the national mosque.

Would have loved to see inside a mosque, however I doubt Noor thought we were quite the devout muslims and didn't offer to take us inside....so we didn't ask. However Noor did take us to Royal Selangor Golf Course, which is pretty amazing (although the drive by of KLGCC- much more impressive) and we had lunch there. For some reason it had the most amusing signs...but I'm the first to admit, it took me a little too long to realise that it really meant that no horns allowed. Kim had mentioned how she was forcefed by her aunt....which we were all subject to. You - eat this. Stuffed full wouldn't even begin to describe it.

The post lunch expedition took us to some wetlands, but we struggled to see the wetness. Strange considering how much it rains in KL. Not really much to report there. Kimba did dance for us at the top of the, tall thing with stairs. Wouldn't call it a tower...but it had some height.

Post stair thing, we headed back to Kimba's aunts place, and chilled till her cousin Kay finished uni, then headed to Sri Hartamas for various adventures....none of which dad I can confirm resulted in me getting a tattoo. I did consume a few beers. We had a great night, some of Kay's friends came with us, we had dinner and beers and some sort of massive smoking thing, that tasted like watermelon and apple. Very tasty.

Proud to say we acted like responsible young adults...and bought a little bottle of vodka and smashed it with our Coke, seeing as the venue was beer free. Honestly. In the words of Kahmahl, why are people so unkind?

Altogether we had a smashing time (brilliant and beer-wise), but I'm sad to be leaving:( It's been great seeing everything, and spending time with Kimba and Tom, and Tom's family.

Tomorrow is our last day here before I fly out, and then it's back to Canada and responsibility. And work. Argh. But there will be plenty more adventures coming up soon.

permalink written by  no_fosters_thanks on March 2, 2007 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Blading at Stanley Park

Vancouver, Canada


Not much I can say about this really, Tom, Erika and I hired sweet rollerblades, and skated around part of stanley park. Although, watch out for the salmon crossing, no-one likes roadkill.



permalink written by  no_fosters_thanks on April 9, 2007 from Vancouver, Canada
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