doing much better since last post, although I'm impressed at how cool/calm I portrayed myself as. It was one big fat lie, as the first week here was total struggle town.

have established the basic framework of a life. I have a home, (still working on sitting on the couch as I fear everything associated with the communal areas), a job (where they won't allow me to do any work) and a smattering of friends. tick, tick, WIN! not sure how well I'm doing at the moment, just dividing things up into achievable goals. bite sized pieces of life to make it more manageable for the slightly less gifted.

work is good, my desk is the only one that doesn't look out on the park and is in the old nurses' quarters. I was initially snobby about this, but I like the idea that the room has so much (potentially saucy) history. I haven't been unleashed on the community yet, but I picked up a few cases this week. I haven't forgotten how to talk to people it seems...odd that one of the things I still felt so inexperienced at in Perth is something I now put in the 'not stuffing this up' category.

I am still in 'operation survival' mode - I still get a sense of achievement out of completing very basic tasks. Going to IGA and purchasing basic essentials? achievement. except the point where the check out chick had to walk me through the process of making up $30 in gold coins because I was so exhausted.

Have had some interesting tram experiences, they do appear to be a 'mental health express' of sorts. a lovely lad kindly waited until I was centimetres from flopping onto a tram seat covered in vomit RIGHT IN FRONT of him before telling me in disgruntled tones...before proceeding to ask me if I 'do magazines.'

even so, I can't judge too much. it took me a few minutes to realise that I was standing next to my roommate on the tram - bit tricky to avoid that one the whole tram/walk home. avoiding eye contact or conversation is fine but here you can decently smash into someone without a wiff of apology. might need to toughen up.

but generally feeling a lot better. I love that this is my space, I wish I had more friends here so I could joke about 'kicking them out of my pad.' (The two people that have been over already probably aren't going to take too much more of that.) part of being alone is really refreshing and not only am I processing things, I'm learning that I'm actually a tougher nut than I, or others, give me credit for. so there, RB.

until my next evening of sheer boredom when I've run out of food...

Kel.