Tuesday September 7 through Wednesday September 15

This was my first full week of work, and when I mean full, I mean full!  I went in to training at the Sydney Galleries and learned a lot on my first day.  I have to learn all the artists, their backgrounds, their styles, and last but not least how to make a sales on a piece of art worth thousands of dollars!  So I am getting some experience in sales which is relative to my degree (which I am sure my dad likes to hear!).  I also had to learn how to run the register or till as they call it, how to open up the store, how to package frames, prints, and canvases.  Lots of learning, but I went back in on Thursday and Friday and had more training.  Then on the weekend I had to open up the store and work all by myself for 5.5 hours! I only made a little but of sales, but one day I will sell painting for $4,900, it is my goal! 

On Tuesday night, I also packed up my stuff at Chris's house and was picked up by Nathalie Botha and two of the kids.  We drove into North Sydney, then their suburb of Mosman, and they took me to Thai! Yum! They are such a sweet family and I love working for them.  I finally got to unpack my suitcases, after 2 weeks, so I had some laundry and ironing to do.  Surprisingly, or not, I filled the closet and dresser full!  I think I over packed, but it has been cold and warm, so I am glad I brought so much.  Some days it is raining and freezing, and other days I am laying out in the backyard.  Of course with sun tan lotion because there is no ozone layer here.  But I am still not tan Laura, but I will be soon!  I take the kids to school, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays I get to care for the youngest, Charlotte, who is 5.  We go to the park, the indoor pool, and the library.  I can't wait to explore the beautiful suburb more! I have been able to a little bit because this week the dad has been out of town, so I get to use his car! I have just driven to the middle of town to do some grocery shopping and small errands, but it is kinda scary! When I get nervous and flustered I by accident turn on the windshield wipers instead of the directionals! And when I back out I look to my right out the back window instead of to the left.  Oh and I tend to get to close to the left side of the road, which is not the middle! I have gotten the hang of it now so I will start taking the kids around next time the dad is out of town.

On the weekend I stayed with Chris and we went to this awesome Magazine launch.  There were free drinks and bags of chips (yumm dinner on a budget).  I got a little too drunk and had a rough morning at the gallery, but I pushed through it!  Then we relaxed on Saturday night so I had a good Sunday at work!

This week I have been doing the same thing, and this will probably be my rhythm for a while. Lots of traveling to and from the city.  But I have met some interesting people on the bus! (A south african minister, a cricket player that is half aussie half brazilian!) I will update when things get crazy or fun or something really unusual happens like, oh um say, Oprah coming to town! This is the first time she has filmed outside of North America! Why is she following me?

Hope you are all having an enjoyable time back in the states, I miss it,. but I don't miss not making money!  I love the cash moneyyyyy!  Love and Best Wishes!!!

Alison