Wassup!

I believe I left off last week talking about how Luke and Jessie headed up to Perth a day earlier than us to spend some time in the city before we all got there and before his enlistment. So yeah, Sunday the other four of us, (parentals, ya girl and Connor) drove up to Perth through the wind and rain and met Luke and Jessie at the hotel.

I started reading a book I’d been meaning to read for a while in the car on the way up (The Pause by John Larkin) and HOLY SHIT. It’s about a boy who jumps in front of a train, but pauses and his life splits in to two, one life where he paused and lived, and another where he died. Like I understand a book about suicide is not a light topic, even though it is a teen read. But that wasn’t even what got to me the most. It was more about their family dynamic, the description of how his mum hugged him in the hospital, how things were never the same with his dad again. About how he met people in hospital who had such big issues and were using different ways to cope. About his girlfriend, who he ended up getting back together with even after years apart.

I don’t know, it all hit really close to home. Like for someone who’s been through that and made it out the other side, the way Larkin wrote about it felt like a personal account. I genuinely do not think someone could write about those events in such a heartbreaking and lovely way, unless they had been through the same thing.

Just a beautifully written novel honestly.

Ok back to reality…

Us four younglings then headed out to the Hay/Murray street malls for some shopping, even though its a Sunday night a fair few places were still open – including Dymocks. Naturally, Jessie and I both bought Rupi Kaur with a promise to read them and swap books when she visits us.

Yes, because despite my brother, her boyfriend, is leaving home to join the navy, mum has insisted that Jessie still visit at least once a month.

Then Luke, Jessie, Connor and I ducked into a sushi train for a bit of an appetizer before we met the parents back at the hotel restaurant for proper dinner. Not again. I ended up paying 50 bucks for less than four pieces of sushi each. Money sucker.

Our godfather joined us for dinner, which was nice for Luke and Connor, because they’re all really close. Godfather’s just a bit loud and excitable for me sometimes, but thats ok.

After dinner Jessie and Luke went up to bed (they were not going to sleep though if you know what I mean) and I went for Yochi with godfather.

By the time we got back to the hotel I could not feel my hands. It is so much colder down south compared to Geraldton.

Dad was in an absolutely foul mood all of Sunday. But the issue is he doesn’t use proper words to explain why, or what he needs from us, so we just deal with how shitty he is by staying silent and avoiding him. Like, if this was some sort of, ‘Omg my son’s leaving to the navy, first child to move away’ he literally could have said that and we would all 100% understand. Or if he didn’t get a good sleep or had a headache. But he just doesn’t use his words, and instead takes it out on us. I’ll be driving home in mum’s car tomorrow.

Even though we thought only 4 people could be in attendance for the enlistment, I set an early alarm anyway. I was sharing a room with Connor and he is a nightmare to get out of bed; especially on cold mornings, so I made sure it was early enough for both of us to get ready and take photos with Luke when we went to see him.

Luke had to be at the defense building at like 6:30 and dad was escorting him there, so when I woke up at 7 to a message from mum saying, “They’ve taken him already.” my heart stopped!

Thought this was some sickening navy scare tactic, not letting new recuits say their final goodbyes. No. Mum meant they’ve taken him to do some paperwork so dad was back at the hotel waiting for us at the buffet breakfast. What the heck mum!

Yep, so Connor and I got all dressed and ready and went to enjoy our multitudes of pastries and fruit and hot breakfast. Jessie came down all ready and when breakfast had been consumed we all walked down to the defense building to watch the enlistment ceremony.

The best part – nobody was counting guests. The five of us there for Luke all got to be there for the enlistment ceremony. And he looked so so happy to be up there. Not just happy but comfortable? Some of the other recruits looked like they were shitting themselves and hadn’t prepared for leaving at all, but Luke was so confident about his direction and choice, it definitely made all of us feel better about it.

We got our photos and lots of hugs. I had sent Luke a big paragraph as a scheduled message so he got it earlier in the morning. (I didn’t think I could say all those words out loud without bursting into tears.)

We were allowed to follow the recruit bus out to the airport, but our family didn’t want to. Luke had his own time to reflect before undergoing one of the hardest things anyone can go through… ADF basic training.

In the end, no one cried. Not in front of Luke anyway. I gave him my pack of gum as he hadn’t eaten all morning. And he was off.

It’s still a bit scary to think he’s so far away and being yelled at in the freezing cold, but because he’s under 18 the commanding sergeant has been keeping dad updated on Luke’s progress at least once a week. We don’t get to call him until the 4 week mark but I think Luke is so sociable and hard working, he’ll be too busy for us anyway.

We got back home Monday afternoon and Connor moved into Luke’s fully furnished room, that’s about it.

But it was Monday night I got… The Email.

Due to some unforeseen but necessary renovations, work has been advised to shut while repairs are happening, approximately 4 weeks.

I am out of a job. For a month.

UGHHHHHH

I just got the job! It is so shit, because while I don’t technically need the money, like I live at home with my parents, I kind of need it.

Still have the gym, my spotify, pole dancing classes, scripts, the buses to pay for. This shut down has forced me to do some things I didn’t really want to do, or need to do until now.

I’ve applied for Jobseeker Youth allowance from Centrelink, but there is no option to say “Workplace is undergoing renos”. Can confidently say government agencies are still SHIT.

I’ve also enrolled to do my RSA (finally) at TAFE so I can apply for some different jobs. I didn’t want a second job, but I am being forced into it by not having a first job at the moment. At least I know the local pub is hiring so once I get my RSA I should be easily employed… right?

Not getting paid really makes me miss the money I’ve spent. (I say, continuing to spend even more money throughout the rest of the week)

Wednesday I had my first pole dancing class! I used to do dancing when I was younger (re: before I had my second major depressive episode) so it was great to be back in a studio. Obviously, I had never done anything like this, I only did mainstream dances like hip hop, jazz and tap. This is way WAY out of my comfort zone. But it was so much freaking fun!

Like I said, I knew Missy a little bit and it’ll be cool having her teach me now. There’s only myself and two other ladies in the beginner class. One of them is a mum who’s done the class a few times now. The other is also totally new, but she’s got a really long model-like body so she’ll be good at pole because reaching high up is important.

I actually didn’t suck as much as I thought I would. For someone who would look like a spinning potato, not only did I enjoy it but understand the moves quite easily. Then again, it was the first lesson of a beginner class so it’s probably not that much of an achievement.

Missy said that neurodivergents enjoy pole because of the spinning, which makes so much sense. I literally used to just stand around the house spinning around, or sit in a desk chair reading a book and spinning myself around. Always loved to stim through spin lmao.

The next day though, omg, the pain in muscles I didn’t even know I had! Missy says pole is really great for core strength and I’m going to say arms as well so that’s half my gym routine I don’t need to do as intensely this term.

When mum picked me up, we went shopping for a canvas. She has commissioned me to paint a statement piece for the wall opposite our front door. She’s picked a design everyone likes and now I just have to paint it.

Now I haven’t even picked up a paintbrush in probably years. I used to paint heaps, but like songwriting, poetry, and running, it was something I used to drown the thoughts in my own head. I love being happier and less anxious now, but I sure was a bunch more creative in the depths of my depression.

Anyway. This canvas in 36″ by 60″. Like a meter and a half long and nearly a meter wide as well. It is not a small canvas. Ergo, it will be a very large painting. I usually paint on the miniature canvases so this will definitely be a long work-in-progress piece.

At least I don’t have work now! **sobs**

This specific canvas actually wasn’t in stock in Bunbury, so mum and I made the trip to Mandurah on Friday to pick it up from the art supply store there, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Thursday mum had to go into town for a post-op checkup. Funnily enough, the doctors was super close to Lifeblood, so I just said, “Hey I’ll donate blood while I wait for you”. I walked in, and wasn’t really sure what to say. I literally said to the lady at the front desk, “Uh, hi. Do you want me to donate?” Dumbass, of course they do. And although my blood type is in low stocks at the moment, she roped me in to giving plasma instead, which is also in low stocks and desperately needed. So I ended up being an hour and a half extra and donating plasma instead lol.

Also, I recommend giving blood or plasma if you can. Its literally no inconvenience to you, plus you get free chocolate milk, cakes and sandwiches. I decided if I’m low on money in uni, I’ll go donate blood to get a free meal.

That night, my cousin Rosie tagged me in a comment on an instagram reel from a band she follows, trying to win me free passes to their concert in Busselton on Friday night. I got mum involved and then us three spent like 20 minutes just commenting on the bands one reel to try to seem super pumped to get free tickets. This was the band I saw in Sydney with Rosie when I went over for her birthday. They were really awesome to be fair, and I’m telling you, if that drummer didn’t have a girlfriend…. lets just say I’d hope the drums wouldn’t be the only thing he’s hitting on that night 👀

Friday, Connor would not get out of bed! Mum and I were supposed to be heading to Mandurah early, I had a phone interview with someone from Services Australia to verify my Jobseeker claim, and then we were planning to meet Steve (who moved to Mandurah shortly after I left Gero) after the art store. After a veryyyy slow start due to a certain stubborn sleepyhead, we eventually got on the road.

Got the canvas no problem, and then caught up with Steve for a wayyy overdue coffee/hot chocolate (because Steve KNOWS I can’t drink coffee).

I got to see Steve and Mary’s new house, and see their gorgeous border collie Bingo again. Border collies are one of the only dogs I’m not afraid of and Bingo is so silly and happy. 12/10 good dog.

It was so great to catch up and I promise I’ll make an effort to come up more regularly. Steve was one of my bestest friends for a whole 4 years at least, so I for sure owe him some more coffee brunches.

On the way back home from Mandurah, mum asked if I really wanted to go to this concert. We didn’t win the free ticket but I mean, we hadn’t had a girls night away for ages….

So we bought the tickets and booked a hotel for the night. Mum told me to ask dad if we could go, however I left out the teensy detail that the show was in Busselton. We picked Connor up from school on the way back in to Bunbury, got home and packed our bags for the night. Which is when dad discovered we were not coming home and they were playing in Busso.

Bye dad!

Andd so there was more driving. Got to the hotel and had dinner at the joining pub, which was yumm even though the Korean fried chicken was spicier than I thought it would be and I had to scull like four glasses of water. And the bartender was rather lost making my midori illusion, so it ended up with malibu coconut rum and orange juice, but it just tasted like a tropical and very alcoholic breakfast juice.

Then we went and got ready, and when I tell you the outfit was OUTFITTING! Even though I forgot my hair clips, I felt so hot it was fabulous. The venue was only 200m from the hotel, so once we were dressed for the night and double-checked we had the room keys, we were officially out on the town!

The venue was set up really well. They had food and heaters outside which made it a lot nicer to sit while all the inside tables were taken. I bought us both a drink which was one of the specials of the night and very refreshing. That was my second and last drink of the night.

By the time it started to get busy, the few tables inside and all the table outside had mostly been filled up. I had gone to the bathroom (broke the plug, shame on me) and when I went back to the table mum was at, there were two other girls sitting there as well. I’m guessing they were my age, considering it was an 18+ event. Turns out they were both from Australind which is super close to where we live in Bunbury.

Their names were Eliza and Jenny. Eliza is at uni studying occupational therapy (cool) and Jenny’s a huge fan of the opening band. This was their first time actually hanging out, their mums had set them up to go out together. By the time the opening band came on, mum was happy for me to go in and stand with the girls while she sat outside with her handbag and drink.

I appreciate my mum so much, I think she was just happy I was making friends in public. And the fact mums not as young as she used to be and the whole thing was practically mosh pit.

We ended up right at the front, and I had the best night. No panic attacks, no drunken stumbles, no creepy guys trying to put their hands in my jean pockets.

Once both the bands had played, they were DJ-ing a silent disco, but I was pretty tired from the day and mum had to drive home the next day so we headed off.

I got Eliza’s facebook and I’m going to ask if she has anyway of contacting Jenny. They were just really fun to hang out with, and I’m so thankful that mum was happy for me to go off with them.

I ended up getting merch because I am unfortunately a sucker for spending money, and I met some of the band members’ mums? So that was wicked lol.

Once we got back to the hotel (we passed one guy throwing up in the bushes, and one girl IN the bushes on the mere 200m walk) I chugged a complimentary hot chocolate and we both went straight to bed.

I slept so awful. I don’t know if the hotel milk was off maybe? because I only had two alcoholic beverages and one lemonade. Not sure, but I was up for ages anyway thinking I was going to throw up, which is a bad enough feeling as it is, let alone in a hotel room.

Saturday morning, after I recovered from my ailment, we checked out of the hotel and headed out to walk the Busselton jetty! I hadn’t been to Busso before this weekend, but it was blowing its freaking guts out. Like I was worried my face would get stuck because of the wind.

We only made it about halfway before we turned back around and conceded defeat in the name of warm breakfast.

Walked into the restaurant and what do you know? The band whose merchandise I am wearing, is sitting right there! Small world. They recognised me of course, and acknowledged that I was wearing their very expensive windbreaker.

Got sat at a table right next to the fireplace (YES) and online ordered. Mum got bacon and eggs on toast, but I am a sweet breakfast person, so usually aim for waffles or pancakes or something along those lines.

Lo and behold…. Strawberry Cheesecake Buttermilk Pancakes

Um yess!!?? 🤤 Two of my favourite cakes, cheese and pan, put together. And it was every bit delicious as I had hoped. As we ate we watched a little bird that found it’s way into the restaurant and was eating the crumbs off the floor. Beautiful entertainment.

We finished breakfast, spectacular, and attempted to not be blown away on the walk back to the car park.

Then we went to visit one of the girls I went to pre-primary with in Perth, and her family that live down in Busso. That was good because our mums always have a blast together (Tammy has come up for coffee with mum a few times).

And then we made our way back home, where I had a 5 hour nap to make up for lost sleep.

Today was pretty chill, went grocery shopping for dinner, gym-ed, cleaned my room (finally) and now I’m writing this blog.

I have another very busy week coming up.

Tomorrow is mums first day at her new job, dad is giving a statement in court about some boys that have been harassing Connor (info next post), and I’m starting my RSA at TAFE (hopefully, tafe is useless with their emails. They haven’t actually sent me the email regarding start time and location)

Dad and I are going to the movies on Tuesday, in the hopes of rekindling our relationship in the least interactive way possible. Second pole class on Wednesday, heading up to Perth on Friday to watch the Beauty and the Beast musical with my Nan (dads mum, not my great nana).

I have organised a bunch of flowers for mum on the weekend as well, its the one year anniversary of my other Nan’s passing away, which I know is going to be so incredibly difficult for my mum. I managed to get to the flower shop before Luke left, so he’s signed the card as well. And it’ll be a surprise, mum doesn’t know I’ve spent a good $95 dollars on flowers and delivery.

Yeah so thats it! My very very busy week.

And I’ll scribe you again next week for more busy-ness despite lack of a job.

Peace out x