April 2012 I quit my job in new and used car sales in Townsville, Queensland Australia. I was not happy.
I started in August 2011 knowing nothing about cars, by December I broke down after I kicked out my boyfriend of 4 years. I was torn apart, couldn't concentrate at work, always on the verge of tears. Everyone noticed but hardly anyone knew or cared to ask why.
I flew down to Soldiers Point, NSW to stay with mum and dad, I ended up staying for the whole month only coming back in May to go to Groovin the Moo in Townsville as I had Sunni from Norway, an exchange student, come and stay with me for the weekend.
While in Soldiers Point I applied for the University of Tasmania's School of Architecture and Design to study an Associate Degree in Furniture Design. To my surprise I was actually accepted and the month of June consisted of deciding what to do, how to get there, what to do with my things and mainly freaking out that I was actually making the commitment to turn my life upside down.
I sold everything I had, my beds, fridge, washing machine, candles, pictures, everything. Only keeping what I could pack into my 1994 Suzuki Swift Cino. Dad flew up to Townsville on the 24th of June and we departed on Monday 25th June with our first stop in Rockhampton to stay with Garth and Deb. The drive went well, I realised I could only drive for an hour and a half at a time so I was very grateful that dad had come with me. As we arrived into Rocky the wheel bearings started to make a noise that turned my car into a boat, so first thing the next morning we were off trying to find someone to replace them.
We departed Rocky for Brisbane at lunch time and made our way to Dedree and Adrians house. It was so great to see them both and their puppy bundy, even if it was just for the night. In the morning we braved peak hour and a navman who didn't know where she was going and made it to Blue Sky Cafe to see Holly who I haven't seen in about 3 years. Even though she was working it was amazing just to hear her voice, see her and taste the amazing hot chocolate and fruit toast! We had 30 min parking so we departed for Soldiers Point after dad had his Swan Coffee. Lots of hug and photos, well worth the traffic!
We arrived into Soldiers in the dark, straight to bed and then coughing and sneezing for a few days. Dad must have caught something on the plane as we both had the plague, I went to the doctors for antibiotics while dad braved the pharmacy way.
On Sunday 1st July we jumped into the car again headed for Gundagai on our way to Melbourne. The Gabriel Motor Inn was excellent accommodation, the room heated up nicely, Chinese food was around the corner for dinner and the breakfast menu the next morning of sausages eggs and bacon was just what we needed to get us out of bed.
We arrived in Melbourne at about 2pm on the 2nd the Habitat HQ way a superb back packers, Dad had booked a room with bunk and queen bed so we had it to ourselves, there was off street parking and we were in St Kilda so a short walk and we found Acland Street where we had dinner at Grill'd. Earlier on our way in to Melbourne, dad decided that he was not going to fly back to Newcastle as he couldn't equalise his ears. He then cancelled and booked a train. By the time we got to the back packers dad received a sms saying the train was cancelled and he would be travelling by bus. Unfortunately this was unavoidable as a truck had a collision with a rail bridge. He jumped on the bus that night and I stayed at the back packers by myself.
In the morning I decided to go for a walk, I walked to Acland street, then Luna Park then ended up walking the beach all the way up to the Port as I could see the Spirit of Tasmania. I wanted a photo of the ferry which I would be catching that night, I walked for 3 hours, strolling along taking photos waiting for 2 o'clock when Rhia would come and visit me. I caught a taxi back to Luna Park and met Rhi at Acland street where we had friend rice and dumplings and noodles. She then drove me to "The Block" where I snapped a few photos while we drove past, stopped in at a Woolies for chocolates, strawberries and a box of tissues for the ferry and she dropped me off at Habitat HQ right on 4:30pm.
I jumped in my already packed car and made my way back down the Esplanade to the line for the Ferry, I was on and in my seat by 6:30pm ready to depart at 7:30pm. The ship was huge but I chose to find my seat, make myself comfortable with my pillow and blanket, pull my beret over my eyes and pass out. I slept 9 of the 11 hour voyage.
Then next morning we arrived before dawn, when called, I jumped in my car, passed through Quarantine and off. I was starving but when the radio station told me it was -1 degrees I skipped breakfast and drove the hour trip straight through to Launceston. With the help of my trusty navigation on my phone I made it through the city and found the University of Tasmania, Newnham campus. After a quick call and some directions I picked up my key card, was pointed in the right direction and moved into my room. It took several trips back and forth to unpack my car, then I spent the next few hours arranging it how I wanted.
I headed off at lunch time to buy some sheets at the Sheridan outlet store I had driven past and a welcomed feed of KFC. I spent the rest of the day driving up and down the main road between the campus and the city trying to get my bearings and not get confused by the road signage.
Thursday I found centrelink to sort out my new details and just wandered. Friday I walked around the Newnham campus to get a bearing where all the buildings were and also got my Student ID card.
Saturday I drove to Seaport in the city, parked my car and went for a walk along the waterfront. I ended up finding the Zig Zag track of Cataract Gorge without knowing. It was the best thing I could do as I spent the day walking up the track, to the First Basin and then back around the other side of the gorge after crossing the suspension bridge. I saw annoying peacocks at the rotunda and once I made it back into Launceston I walked through City Park and watched the monkeys that live there.
Sunday I wasn't well so spent the day in my room just trying to relax and stay warm as I still wasn't over the plague.
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