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.

https://www.facebook.com/raishac/media_set?set=a.10154725833519933.1073741843.514274932&type=3&pnref=story

Gloria

You haven't met Gloria yet, allow me to introduce our automotive companion. Gloria. A Toyota 19'something . Apollo owned and operated, license plated Queensland the Sunshine State!

Twas about a month ago, Tadhg , Sam and I sat infront of our laptop screens browsing and scrolling through possible campervans . Seems so long ago really. We found the Apollo company webpage, filled in the infomation feilds , watched the loading circles twirl, decided they had what we needed and made the reservation. The first day of the trip I remember we were nervous. 1. to drive for the first time in awhile and 2. for the size and condition of the van. But there she was like double cherry pie, like disco superfly . wow.

Now here we are smelling not of sex but alot like candy, inside  of our loving maternal vehicle Gloria. She really is a beauty. Apart from the broken, drawer, leaky fridge, loose screw, one week with a broken table, uphill difficulties and mysterious disappearences of anything smaller than a shoe. Let's just say she keeps us together whilst she crumbles apart. As any loving mother does. We've got 12 days left. TWELVE DAYS. For us that's basically 12 loafs of bread and 36 more times to curse at the broken drawer. Or 11 cramped, sweaty nights. 2 headphones , 4 phone chargers, 1 cup, 1 bowl , 2 jars of peanut butter , 4 of nutella and who knows how many pairs of Tadhg's socks..

She even has a theme song. Gloria by Abba. We've even chosen her over a/c, wifi, attractive people and comfy couches. This is true love in its most pure form. The way the sun shines through the sandy coloured curtains that make her interior feel like dune walls. Or a coffin when you lay with your head to the back. Oh and the endless possibilities for finding a place to hang towels or undies to dry. It's really uncany.


We will miss you Gloria. Perhaps most of all ... directly quoting from the mouths of her other off spring.

"Air conditioning."

Ps. Tadgh said he'd miss nothing but I think that's just denial.

Currently she is carrying us to Whitsundays for a few nights and than Cairns than back to Whitsundays for a boat tour and than dare I say it  we hfjk make our hdaj way back to jshSydney. Sorry my tears were hitting my keypad there. *sniff sniff sigh.*


Kids hugs your parents and tell them you love them. When they ask why just tell them Salty Skinned Honeys x Gloria only 12 days left.

Salty Skinned Honeys x Gloria x Day 10

Without further adieu Salty Skinned Honeys x Gloria x day 10.

One thing I want to shout out quickly, I wrote a little memior of my favourite moments at work that I forgot to publish before leaving. Would you please join me in a moment of silence for the titled "Can You Dust The Sofa"

*uno momento silencio*

Lest we forget. which is a perfect segue to the first 2 days of the roadie...

Lest we forgot: 

1. How to drive manual. Practice makes perfect

2. To take corners slowly

3. To turn the gass off so it doesnt leak out everywhere!

4. How simply beautiful a stary sky is at night after living in the city for the past 6 months.

Oh yes I should introduce by name each Salty Skinned Honey. In no particular order: 

Sam- french lady

Tadhg- only boy in the world

Me- entertainment 

Kate- driver extraordinaire !

First nights dinner by Chef Tadhg. Fish curry served with rice. Bon appetite! Cutesie beach community, amazing sunset, our second camp site was pimping. The community kitchen/louge was fully equipt. Surround sound plasma tv, a magic bullet for a morning smoothie and a cockroach the size of small rat. 

Made Bolognese. Roach free.
Day 4 we made it to.. Bryon Bay!

Very peacefull, swavy, beachy melodic rhythm in the air. (Im trying not to use the word hippie) This is where perhaps by the powers of devine intervention; four weary eyed , sweaty, campsite-less honeys stumbled towards the greyhound kiosk, in seek of knowledge about where to park for sleeping that night. We ended up melting in the palms of a travel guru. He pulled out the big map, the photo albums , the charming smile.. we ended up replanning our whole trip.

For better and for worse. I'll save the details for my next post because our first excursion is but 3 days away now!! 
We spent two nights in Byron than chugged on to the Gold Coast. By this time the sun burns are out and the bras are off. It's a hot mess and our first inside joke is born. Six socks, one shoe , a pair of womens panties. An ode to Miami Beach, Surfers Paradise. 
From there we did Brisbane, Elimbah, Sunshine Coast and now Noosa! Birth rate of induendoes is on the rise and we've got nicknames: Double T and Double F and of course Salty Skinned Honeys. The van has carried us in her womb so naturaly we've come to know this mama as... Gloria. 
10 days in and we are loved. We are well fed and showered. Someone tell our Mothers. Xx Pray that during the next 20 we can still confidently call our mothers saying the same thing.
Halleluja.

She's claimed territory ("Gloria's Nest" Elimbah QLS. 27.0150°S, 152.9470° E) Scalled mountains whilst we aided heartbreak to the man of the tribe and manage to stay sain cleaning up after him. 

No Time to Get Down Cause I’m Moving Up

Yesterday my manager introduced us all to the new guy coming to replace me at my job!! First thing. HE’S SO CUTE. He’s tall and wears fashionable glasses. Second. I’M SO SAD TO LEAVE  I LOVE EVERYONE.

This week I’ve felt myself slip from a physically and emotional “wowie” week to a “wow” week. Translated from Latin Raisian dialect to English that means thing have been just soaring, flying, it felt like there wasn’t a star in heaven that I couldn’t reach . To oh wait there it is the star damn. AM I MAKING SENSE.. NO.. OK. So my last day at my job is Sunday then I leave for the road trip Thursday. It’s like YAY but it’s also like haaaayyyy . I’m going to really really miss these people! All sad and said it won’t be the last time I see them ever. I’ll be back in Sydney for a little while  after the road trip.

I just get all emotional when it comes to changes. Not like “ I wanna watch sad movies and eat 14 litres of ice cream” emotional but like “I’m gonna nap, listen to sad songs, interpretative dance and cry”. I’m basically a well rested mess. This rut will usually last as long as a day or a week.  I know mental health week passed recently and I haven’t shared internetly anything about mental illness in my life. Mental illness runs in my family immediate and generationally  and I tend to put these melancholy times under a microscope. It’s important to take the time to acknowledge and evaluate internally before moving on. I realize these days come and don’t last forever and remind myself overall my life is good so interpretive dance for the greater good no fears no tears. Just me and my weird body moments!

I’ve been in the middle of my families bullshit. It’s inevitable. I thought of Oz as my one way ticket to freedom. To take the flower blooming in a dark room and trust it.  Being here made me realize that shit wasn’t just external and I couldn’t just find poetic justice so easily. It’s internal, It’s my being , weather I can fully admit it yet or not, It’s me. I cringe a little every time I do something or say something exactly like my parents. It’s really so weird sometimes. I thought once I was away from “everyone else’s problems” that things would less complicated ...  could I sound any more naive ?

Anyways I’ve learned I have a lot to deal with within my self. One way I’ve always done this is just being very open with people. When I’m stressed about  some thing I have people to talk to and I do .When I feel something stressing me that isn’t tangible it feels impossible to articulate, even to myself.

Yesterday was blah and I’m glad I have my room mates around. Today has been YAH and I'm even more glad. I’m gonna miss every one I’ve fallen in love with!!!!!

During the road trip I’m going to be like boom boom, driving, yaa yaa, wine in a box, ukulele , camp fires, woah where are we, I love this song! WE MADE IT. Sooo I’m going to post more poetry than lengthy writings. Some poems from the archives, when times are hectic and of course poetic synopses of our caravan crusade.  

 IM EXCITED AND SAD AND THIS IS LIFE. It’s wowie and its wow. If you take nothing else from this I leave with these words:

Eat ice cream for breakfast, ask people about their ulcers, stare wondrously at tall boys, get a pedicure and dance naked.  Fill yourself with pure love where ever and whenever. Because it’s the one thing we always need no matter where life takes us.

Skating and Yoga: Chapter 1 - Raisha’s finds insight to the real world through this contrary couple.

This week I’ve been back on my skateboard for the first time since the first time.  Just casually.  I realized it’s virtually impossible to skate to and from work. It’s stressful enough to be a pedestrian in the city, trying to skate is like trying to rap a viscous Kendrick verse with little to no breaths and dab flawlessly in time for the bass drop . In the wise words of  RUN-DMC .... It’s tricky. So I just go around my area in the evening. I found this really great trail along the harbour it’s so nice!

I see these guys skating in Hyde Park almost every day now I do one of those cool and composed head nods to signal confirmation of their skatrobaticss .  jk lol I can barely walk in a straight line forget trying to not get run over and look like I know anything about skateboarding.

Inhale, change , exhale, cobra pose, inhale, jump or step forward to downward dog, exhale and hold downward dog. Feel your breath, let you head relax, hands closer together hun.

Saturday I attended my first ever yoga class!!  It was nice. I was late and sweaty, I missed stretches . When I got there we were starting a routine of breath, pose, breath, new pose etc. Starting very slowly, very calm, getting slightly faster and than doing it in almost one continues motion.

Honestly yoga felt very confidence restoring for me. I felt capable and calm and cool. Also the simplicity of strength is so under rated. Holding the downward dog whilst controlling breathing seems like forever. I’ve never like an orthodox work out. Sometimes I look at people jogging and want to throw donuts and couches. It’s like a subconscious self induced form of torture!! That’s just my very dramatic, very individual opinion. Anyways yoga is strengthening in terms of focus, relaxation and simple yet very involving movement.

Which got me contriving one of my maybe farfetched yet maybe exactly what the human race needs to be saved, theories.  SKATBOARDING AND YOGA ARE SO SIMILAR.

Think about it

Ah.. Uh huh. Yeaahhh. Okay so you’re with me.

Balance, focus, strength, confidence, homies,  %100 bitches will want you guarantee.

Goodness golly Raisha why so gang ster today. IT’S CALLED A REVELATION. I’m hyped up , flowing, kick push, I’m going, inhale exhale, yoga ing . word

Next Saturday hopefully I’m off and I can go again, who knows what kind of revolutionary cognitive, imaginative, connections will exude from my being as I inhale, kick, exhale , push through this week.

Until then, if you need to read something from the real world to bring yourself back to clarity. Options may include: the American election, vegan recipes or memes combining the two... Better yet sleep till next week and come back here!

Ps. T- minus 2 weeks until I leave for the road trip. Wow wow!!! AND IM TRYING TO BUY TICKETS TO SEESTICKY FINGERS OCT 28 ENMORE. PRAY FOR ME.