Back to the grind

The last 4 months have been a blur. I completed my Masters at the end of November and went straight into a contract role doing marketing and communications at an organisation very dear to my heart – St John Ambulance. It’s been a heck of a ride. From being on a set filming an educational motorcycle first aid video to producing a family first aid booklet with one of the top circulating weekly magazines in Australia, it’s been pretty full on. As much as I relished the opportunities presented to me, I realised my writing had fallen by the wayside. But all good things come to an end and so I wrapped up my contract just recently.

It’s been a two-pronged approach over the last few days. On the one hand, I’m moving onto the next phase of every postgraduate student upon completion of their course – finding a real job and getting back into ‘that’ life. On the other, I’m hoping this is the opportune time to pick up the ole writing again. So much so, I’ve been toying with the idea of entering Script Frenzy. For those not in the know, it’s the torture (but so much fun) of writing 100 pages of script in the month of April. It took me close to a year to write my screenplay and I still don’t think it’s at the final draft stage. So, 100 pages which is usually a full length feature screenplay is akin to running a marathon every day for a month.

But back to job hunting. I’ve become acutely aware that the approach to looking for work has changed. It’s no longer looking for jobs online and sending out your CV and cover letter. These days it’s about who you know and what you say. In my professional career, I’ve secured a job via word of mouth twice. Once through a classmate when I was doing my Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma and the other through an ex colleague. I’m hoping the same will hold true this time. Although I’ve had a few blunders which I won’t get into now as it still stings a little.

I will end on this however. Sitting at supper in Chinatown with a mate at 3am (as you do), he said something I’ve been unable to let go. He said if you love something, just persevere and do it. Even if you’re knocked back, get up and keep going and look forward. Eventually, if you want it bad enough, it’ll come to you. The universe will conspire to grant your wish.

So, here’s dusting off the job rejections and blows to my self-esteem and getting up and chugging ahead.

Writing again

After what seemed like 3 months of not writing, I finally got back into it today. Honestly, I think I just needed a break but it just wasn’t possible to let it go completely. Even when I was on holiday my characters would incessantly invade my thoughts, my dreams and my conversations.

It’s time to start a new project. A new play or screenplay. The spark has been lit.

Bondi’s sculptures

Last weekend we went to the 14th annual Sculpture by the Sea event along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. The popular summer event is known to attract hoards of Sydneysiders and tourists with its interesting and at times quirky sculptures. With over 100 works by Australian and international artists, it is free to the public and the largest outdoor sculpture exhibition in the world. I’ll let the amazing sculptures speak for itself.

Concert

George Benson at Sydney Opera House

Last night I went to my first ever concert at the Sydney Opera House to watch George Benson. He was such an amazing and talented performer starting off the set with a tribute to his hero – Nat King Cole. Playing to a full house, this was Benson’s first visit to the Sydney Opera House with three nights of sold out concerts. As he crooned to Mona Lisa, When I fall in Love and many other classic Nat King Cole songs – the crowd started dancing in their seats. With the backing of members of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, it brought a completely different sound to the jazz hero.

Night view from Sydney Opera House

Once he completed the first set, it was time for the Benson party! The winner of 10 Grammys launched into his record breaking single: Masquarade and the crowd jumped to their feet. It was time to dispense with propriety at the Opera House and boogie with the multi-talented jazz, soul, r&b great. For one night, the Opera House became the Party House.

As we left the concert hall, we were all dancing and pumped with Benson magic and filled with positive, feel good vibes. What an awesome, awesome night!

Wedding

Carolyn and Stuart

I’ve just returned from the wedding of my friends Carolyn and Stuart in Canberra. Going to the capital city for the second time was exciting as I wasn’t going as a tourist but as a friend to celebrate a momentous occasion for two special people. The wedding was actually held in a little town called Bungendore, about 45 minutes drive out of Canberra. The ceremony and reception was at this quaint building called The Stone House, which had a beautiful garden and flowers.

The initial plan was to have the couple out in the garden as they said their vows but that had to be scrapped as the weather wasn’t very favourable. In the end, they decided to have it on the patio. Carolyn looked beautiful as she walked out in her champagne vintage inspired dress and Stuart had a tear in his eye as he watched her coming towards him with her father. In fact, all of us were tearing up as they said their vows to each other. It was so wonderful to share the great love they have for each other. In his excited haste, Stuart couldn’t wait to kiss the bride but was stopped by the celebrant who then said, “You may now kiss the bride” and then only was he allowed to kiss Carolyn.

After that we had champagne and there were plenty of photos with family and friends before we retired to the French restaurant 10 minutes up the road for a scrumptious gastronomic meal. It was a yummy three course meal with lots of wine and more champagne. The highlight of the evening was the band called ‘Who’s your Daddy?’ of which the saxophonist was Stuart’s cousin! Everyone got onto the dance floor and boogied the night away. What a fantastic way to end the weekend. I was almost sorry to return to Sydney.

Grandpa with Layla

Melbourne Cup

Go, you good son!

Yesterday was the day the Australian nation stops for a race – the famous Melbourne Cup Day held on the first Tuesday in November. It is the day everyone puts down whatever they’re doing to watch the race either at the racecourse or on telly. Since it was my first ever Melbourne Cup and the 150th race, I joined a few university friends to the Royal Randwick Racecourse on the eastern side of Sydney to watch the race. Although the race is actually held at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, the Randwick Racecourse was filled with race goers and Sydneysiders decked out in suit and tie and pretty frocks and not forgetting interesting hats.

Everyone was worried about the weather as it had been raining the last few days but that didn’t dampen the spirits at the Racecourse. There was a huge TV screen on the grounds so that we could all watch the races in Melbourne and there were also actual races at the Randwick course for the punters. The grounds were filled with people placing bets for the big race at 3pm. Everyone was discussing which horse would be a good bet: So You Think which was last year’s winner was a big favourite, Descarado was another favourite as was MaLuckyDay for its catchy name. Then at 3pm, the race started and the crowd was hushed at first staring at the big screens. As the horses got closer to the finish line, the crowd got loud and excited. People were waving their bets in the air yelling out the names of their horses. Here’s a video of the race:

The winner was Americain and it was a magnificent and exciting win as the winning horse pushed forward right before the finish line. What an excellent finish to a dreary day.

 

Halloween

I was quite surprised to see how Sydneysiders took to Halloween this weekend. It is a BIG DEAL here and there were so many parties (house and organised) around this weekend. This is the time of year people are given permission to dig deep into the sick recesses of their minds to come up with the best costume at a party. I have to admit, I am struggling with this. Either a) I don’t have a sick mind or b) I have too sick a mind.

I’ve been invited to a Halloween party tomorrow night – 1 November. Yes, it seems a bit weird since it’s ‘after’ Halloween but it’s hosted by Americans so perhaps we’re still on US time at the party. Everyone seems to be excited about what they’re dressing up as except for me because I’m drawing a blank. I think the stress of University assignments might have short circuited my brain.

I do however have a back-up. If I can’t think of a decent, scary costume by tomorrow evening, I can use my flatmate’s costume which is an ‘angel’. But I don’t think angels are very scary unless you’re Tilda Swinton in ‘Constantine’ in which case I have to look fairly androgynous and wear a really nice suit. My cousin suggested he might come as Steve Irwin with a barb wire sticking out of his chest. Funny but in quite bad taste. Decisions, decisions.

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The last two weeks have been an absolute nightmare in terms of assignments and Uni work. First I had to hand in a four thousand word short story which took me forever to write as I kept changing it. Then after I handed that monster in, I had to continue work on the big masterpiece – the 100 page screenplay. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d be able to complete it in time for the deadline.

Try as I may to keep at it, I found it really difficult to keep writing scenes and dialogue as I continually wanted to edit previous scenes and characters. I truly believe it’s been the hardest thing I’ve had to write! I admit I never fully realised the enormity of writing a full length feature screenplay. Which gives me a new appreciation for screenwriters out there be it for movies or TV. In fact, I think writing scripts for TV is actually harder than writing for a movie. Actually, that’s not a completely fair assessment. It’s akin to comparing apples to oranges as both employ different sets of writing techniques.

After handing in my screenplay yesterday evening, I told my lecturer I felt as though I’d given birth to the thing. I swear I’d been gestating the creature for the last nine months and when it was finally delivered, I was filled with a rush of relief. Now, comes the hard part of waiting for my grade. As much as I try to put it out of my mind so I can focus on my next assignment, it does gnaw away at me, haunting me with wanting to know how it stands in the world of good or bad scripts.

But it’s part and parcel of being a writer. As much as you agonise about putting your creation onto paper, there will come a time when you have to release it into the world and then prepare yourself for the response be it favourable or crucifixion. For now atleast, I’ll try to stay the execution and put my attentions on the next assignment that’s due in soon. Ah, Uni life…

Assignment stress

The best head stand

Everyone has been stressing about assignments, exam preparation and end of semester deadlines. In the library the other day we were all having a conversation about ‘stress’ and how we each handled it. I used to drink copious amounts of coffee to help me write and stay up late. My flatmate tends to ‘beautify’ herself to relieve stress so when it comes to exam period and all of us look like death warmed up, she always look impeccable with her manicure and pedicure and facial masks!

Another of my study buddies is an adrenalin junkie and he will run 6 kilometres every morning before coming to class. Since I decided my coffee habit was getting out of hand – too expensive and it was starting to give me the shakes, I have taken up yoga to help relax and release pre assignment stress.

I’ve done yoga in the past, my first foray in a yoga studio in Maida Vale when I was based in London. The studio taught Iyenger yoga which used props (belts, blocks, pillows) to help you build up your strength and stamina. I went with my friend Barbara and we throughly enjoyed the classes to the point we stuck with it for two years.

Now, fast forward a few years on it was interesting getting back into it again. For one, the yoga studio I attend now teaches Hatha yoga which includes more meditative techniques in the practice. All of which is perfect for alleviating stress or calming myself down. I admit I’ve been able to sleep better using the breathing techniques I’ve learnt and being able to soften my tense neck muscles. Many of my study buddies have complained of body aches and soreness from hunching over the table, staring at the laptop for too long and just general overexertion. The yoga moves have come in handy to depress the tension on these poor muscles. So, it looks like a few of my study buddies will be joining me for yoga classes!

Surfing

Catching the wave

It’s peak season at Sydney University and the final assessments are coming hard and fast regardless of the course you’re undertaking. Therefore, my classmates and I decided to take a break from studying for exams and writing essays to do something fun. As the weather slowly warms up, we all decided to learn how to surf at Manly beach and it was good we got to do it as a group as we’re all beginners and can proceed at the same level.

Before I started my lesson, I tried to learn a bit about the basics and foundations of surfing. That’s when I came across a really cool video with clear, simple instructions of what to do. What I like about this video is her instruction is specifically geared towards girls who want to learn to surf. Check it out:

On the day itself, about 30 of us rocked up at the surfing school where we met our instructors (Alex, Nate & Bud) who gave us our wet suits and boards. Although the day was sunny, it was cold and windy which meant the waves were big and at times, about 10 feet high. All very daunting for someone learning to surf for the first time! Anyways, after squeezing myself in my wet suit (yes, I didn’t think getting into a wet suit would be SO hard as it’s SO tight); I was nevertheless thankful for it once we got into the water which was freezing!

However, before we got into the water our instructors gathered us in a circle where they taught us how to paddle out, look for the wave then catch it. We had to do a few leg and arm stretches to warm up our body and muscles then lie on our boards and jump up on the correct position. Too close to the nose of the board and you could fall in head first, too close to the tail and the board could flip up. It all came down to balance and finding your middle ground (literally!). After going through a few exercises, it was time to hit the water!

We were told to look out for rips (pockets in the water that could pull you under) and were dangerous to surf in and to take notice of the Australian life guard flags scattered around the beach (in case you need help).

Once you were in the water, you had to keep your wits about you. First, you need to be aware of your surroundings and look out for other surfers and their boards. Then it was time to paddle out to catch the wave. This was by far my hardest obstacle. Just looking at the waves breaking then rising up like a giant tsunami coming towards you was enough for me to stay on my board instead of catching it. Realising I needed to snap out of my fear, I turned my board towards the shore, climbed on and started paddling as I’d been taught waiting for the wave to catch me. Next thing I knew, I felt a massive ‘push’ beneath me and knew it was time to get up which I did gingerly and before I knew it – I was surfing!! Wow! what a rush and I made myself fall off my board before I got too close to shore.

I did this a few more times and realised I can get on the board ok and have a pretty good sense of balance. What I need to work on is my fear of catching the wave and how to end my ride. But this all takes practice and one thing we all learnt at the end of the day – we are now all addicted to surfing. So, once assignments and exams are over – next stop, the beach!