Endeavor Drive

Previously in Raisha's world. ..
Proceeding with a perplexing professional position...

13 days deep and 6 to go. My infamous Monday-Friday employment.  I've only cried once and that was just on the second day. I really didn't know what I was getting myself into.  To keep things professional and with respect to my employer, I'm going to use an alias and try to avoid pronouns.  I'll just say Pat. 

 Pat is almost totally impaired from the waist down and has minimal strength in the arms. My job is doing housework , a little shopping, cooking and basically whatever else I'm asked to do. Sounds sweet and simple right.

*Que dark clouds, thunder, lightning and maniacal laughter*

Pat is what I've decided to describe as "Spicy". From the first day I knew Pat would add some flavour to my life. The day we had our interview one of the first things Pat said to me was regarding my nose rings:

" I'm intrigued by those things in your nose, you obviously have more money than sense ."
The second day was a lot more intense. The spicy thing about Pat is the way Pat talks at me. Pat is extremely tidy (I would say obsessive compulsively) because Pat can't leave the bed I have to take pictures of everything I've done too show Pat.  And everything is to be done.. I quote.. "Methodically"

"Open the cupboard under the sink, take out the small dish put it on the table. Take out the container with powder put it on the table. Neatly. Beside the other one. Open the container. Put it down. Take out the soap. Put it on the table. Bring the container and the small dish so I can show you exactly how much you need to fill it."

This manner is the way I am instructed for everything. Absolutely every detail.

"Quick. quickly"
" BE CAREFULL"
"Like a lady come on"
"Use some f***g initiative"
"Do you understand stop? Is English your first language?"

By the end of the day we are both exhausted. In what I've come to know as the cool down period (the last 5-10 minutes before I leave for the day) Pat and I are talking about politics, my roommates, baking and dogs! After the first day Pat said

"I bet you're not going to come tomorrow are you? Just don't say yes than not show up"

I gestured a pinky promise and assured Pat that I will continue to come until my incompetence and lack of detail for everything falls even more unbearably below the standards that are so fiercely enforced.

By this time not only would I say we're used to each others ways. (Pat and the throat cutting spice and me... I can admit I'm not always the sharpest tool in the shed..)  but I swear by the precisely stacked rolls of toilet paper. I heard Pat say... in between a story I was telling during the cool down.. Pat said.... I like you.

I try to keep up with Pat but it's almost impossible. Pat keeps telling me "use your initiative" "you have no initiative" "what would initiative say right now?" but whenever I try and think for myself or do something I do everyday anyways or just before she says it, it's wrong. There are a few things I've picked up on that do help me not look like such a nincompoop!

1. "Cupboard" (in the room) = dresser
                         ( in kitchen)= pantry
                        or lastly the hall closet
2. Blue container with blue inside= hand sanitiser with blue label
3. Bench= kitchen counter
4.  Put the blanket straight= slightly angled because Pat's eye view is different than where I stand.
5.  Washing machine door half open= quarter open

So I just keep my tail between my legs and  chase the instructions like a dog playing fetch. Actually this analogy has some weight to a real life. One occasion particularly wherein my tail was not so between my legs and I was barking back at Pat. In this event I was dusting the windows and moved the duster to far over from the part I had just done. Spurs of dust and words of fury filled the air. Pat was telling me to shut up..
"Don't tell me again to shut up like that"
"Just f***g listen. Don't talk."
"If you want to talk to me like a dog, tomorrow I'll wear a muzzle."

We are like cinnamon and brown sugar. Chilli sauce and fried chicken. Nutmeg and egg nog.
Spice and something that falls under it and is made a bit better.

Pat shares recipes with me, I gave Pat a painting of a dog for Christmas, Pat loved it. Pat gave me antiseptic and band aids after I fell off my skateboard. We've established that I'm the first call in an emergency. (last week something important fell and Pat was in distress so I had to come back after work). It's definitely been intense. Maybe I've been a bit untethered from life lately. This could be the universe saying I'm getting soft?!! Anyways I'm not sure yet how to describe the whole experience .

I knew this job was not going to be easy. Honestly after crying the second day I made an oath to myself to stick it out. Pat may be fierce but I'm not afraid or wounded by words that come from Pat  because I understand the situation Pat is in. I'm there to do a job and it is only for a short period of time. Although today I was almost ready to not come back ...than we had an ice cream together.. 6 DAYS LEFT of this paradoxical place.

Btw I hope every ones Christmas was peaceful and delicious. And HAPPY NEW YEARS.
love and life and liberation for you all!!!

Poetic Interlude

In the last month or so that I had spent in Sydney, I found myself caught in this poetic, comedic milky way made up of short complimentary narratives that passed through my mind with every stranger. I kept them in notes in my phone and would just scribble the thoughts down during the day, than read them at the end if the day. There all really weird and random but recently I read them again thinking daaannnng these are clever! I should share these words with my world! Also I feel I want to be more consistant with my blog! Alas I give to you one of the first from this "series"  called ......

Me:

No furniture just art on the walls

I can tell I've been in the city too long because i walk fast even when i have nowhere to go and j cross at the most inappropriate times

Its like you look up and you see forever

Idiosyncratic 

Id rather be dancing

If it is than it is

I have my charger, wallet and underwear. thats important. Ok

Its funny how shes still beautifull

New Faces and New Places

Hello, It’s me..

I’m just updating you on this past week.

I hope, that you’re well

and preferably in a sitting position

 I do have so much to tell...

So it’s been one week (you can stop reading with the Hello melody btw) in my new place, new flatmates, new job... and things are good! Work is another story actually but all in all the fact I have a job is the good part.

I’m living in Mona Vale, which is a little beach community one hour via bus from the Sydney CBD.  My flat is a five minute walk from a beautiful beach!! Initially I had wanted to stay in the city but the price was right and I think after the road trip my mind was still loose so getting back to the real world in a more tranquil environment was the best move!

My flatmates are six boys. Four from Germany, one from France and one from Malaysia! Don’t tell my Mother. Just kidding she’s probably reading this anyways. If that is the case MOM IT’S FINE. We all get along indubitably! Everything is just peachy keen. In fact we’re planning our Christmas together. We’re making a tree from their empty beer cans and Germans celebrate on the 24^th, me on the 25^th thusly we shall make feast and festivities for two days! Huzzah!  (ever since Bundaberg I love saying Huzzah!)

I should briefly introduce you to my brethren:

Alex- Germany, very much loves Australia and photography.

Nicholas- France, Artist, Video Game addict and innuendos I never catch onto.

Matt- Malaysia, I’ve maybe talked to him three times (he works nights) , but he seems nice!

Fynn-Germany, Artist, Energetic and improving his English.

Henrik-  Germany, stylish, doesn’t need music to dance!

Tim- Germany, eldest of the three amigos, not sure what else to say actually ...hmm..

We’ve got this quirky family dynamic going. Last night we made pizza’s and a toast to our one week of coexistence! The beginning of the week the boys went swimming at night, I thought they were totally mad because it was cold. But Mother Nature being the beautiful mother figure she is, the water is slightly warmer than the air and it’s the most refreshing thing to do at the end of your day! We watch movies,  play ball, well they actually play and I just get a pass so I don’t feel left out. They even ate and enjoyed my oatmeal cookies despite the burnt tops.  Oh and I was making jewelry and they all wanted a bracelet so I made some!

MAN IF THIS ISN'T FAMILY I DON'T THINK I KNOW WHAT IS.

Also the remaining Salty Skinned Honey, Tadhg, left Australia, back home to England on Thursday Morning.  *Fist to chest pump and deuces* So much love to you brother.  See you in Canada!!

Now my job situation as I mentioned is a story in itself. To establish for you a bit of a plot-

Scene one : Raisha searches Gumtree for job. Next day gets a call for an interview whilst shopping, catches next bus to the place.

Scene two:  The place is sort of gated community for elderly people; Raisha follows the directions of her director and arrives to the destination.  The two meet. An interview is executed and a job is accepted .

Scene three: Upon leaving the neighbourhood and returning home Raisha ponders the business matter, the character of her new employer, from phone call to first contact. She has an inclination that this new position will be as, if not more so, particular and peculiar as this first encounter.

To be continued...

It's Not Over Till It's Over

So it's been almost a week since the end of our road trip. The salty Skinned Honey's are but a memory. Gloria is probably testing the patience of yet another set of travelers.

It's as if the road trip were a round-a-bout , bringing our paths into harmonious junction until we reach our exits than go individually down the road to the next destination. I actually started writing this 3 days before the end of the roadie. Time and electric outlets were sort of out of hand during those days from Airlie to Sydney. Friday getting back to Sydney till now (Wednesday) I'll say was a combination of being too emotional, hung-over, homeless and really enjoying the last bit of salty skinned company.

Anyways to pick up and finished from where I had started....

Tuesday morning we went for our last snorkel aboard the mandrake, the beautiful aquatic vessel which had kindly took us in as guests the past 3 days.  Airlie beach has been our last stop on the road trip and conducive with any great story, the best was saved for last.

So I've introduced the O.G 4: Sam, Kate ,Tadhg and I. Now for our way back to Sydney we have knighted two more salty skinned honeys into the tribe.

Anton- beautiful blonde boy

Lars cool, calm ,collected.

Both from Germany ! huzzah!

We met Lars on Fraser Island his travel plans were similar to ours and we met up again in Airlie beach. From Airlie we had our Whitsundays 3 day 2 night sailing trip. That's when we met Anton!

One of the most beautiful things about being a nomad is the people you meet! Being acquainted with people from across the world who feel like neighbors you've know your whole life.

Comparable to "the immaculate conception" if I do say so myself. Travelers free from permanent residences and 9-5 jobs , weary and full of goon. Some follow stars, search for wise man, speak in tongues, barter for food and carrying baskets with offerings and tools. They come together often in a place to rest, with standards as low as their budgets. It is in these most humbling circumstances the birth is witnessed and the stories are shared for generations.

I'm looking back at all the photo's and I'm not sure If it's just me but I swear we look different. It's weird to see changes from just one month. It could be the decrease in showers per week. Heat stroke or the bad nights sleep. Possibly even the stress of being a passenger while Tadhgs driving. IM KIDDING. I WAS JUST AS BAD.

Now I'm sitting here in the library trying to manifest the moments into words. Trying to remember the sounds and the feeling of being in Gloria for like 10 hours a day. All the little moments that at the time I didn't even perceive as something I'd think of as leaving impressions at all. It was just life, what we were doing, where we were, how we smelt. It just became such a norm. Singing and dancing at any given space or moment. Not wearing shoes. Checking for cockroaches on the toilet paper rolls. Sam's snoring, Tadhg's farting, Kate driving Gloria to the limits. Anton’s charming magic tricks and Lars as our DJ.

I'm even at a loss of words for a good metaphor for this. Now that's a big deal. Basically the road trip brought 6 beautiful people together in time and space. Through love and loathe. Till death of our contract with the rental van did us part.

It's a month I will never never forget with people I will love forever.

Check out some of the pictures taken, may they rekindle the authenticity of the moments we shared together. Amen.

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