It's about time I write (or rather, talk) about the birds in our neighborhood. The birds are only a fraction of the local critters that have been a daily part of life in Bondi, but more on them later.
For this very special edition, I have created and uploaded The Southern Half's very first video blog. So sit back, relax and press play to learn all you need to know about our little feathery friends (and enemies)
This is a blog documenting my life and adventures in the "Southern Half" of the world. Based in Sydney, Australia in the lively beach community of Bondi, I write about my personal encounters and unique perceptions as an outsider from the states.
Oct 31, 2011
Oct 24, 2011
The Job
So my first week of my new job was actually a lot like going back to school. Since we have a week of training, followed by a week of mentoring, I haven't had too much hands on experience with talking to actual customers. However, this week was just as difficult as coming back to Uni at the end of a summer break.
The training was lecture style with about 5 others including myself, so for 7 hours a day (1hr lunch break) we sat and listened to ALL the ins and outs of the online gaming world. The worst day was probably the one where we discussed "banking" and how the players can deposit money into their online casino accounts using credit cards/instant banking/ ewallets (things like paypal). We needed to know which one was appropriate for which player based on whether he had a credit card or not, whether they had online banking, which country they were in, which bank they had, etc. We also needed to know things like how long each deposit would take to show up in their account (which, of course, varied depending on which method of depositing they used). Brain. fried.
Despite this though, the job is actually really cool. We get free breaky (Aussie for breakfast!) which is usually fresh fruit every morning, along with coffee/soda/water throughout the day. And the best part is fresh pressed juice twice a week! :) The people are awesome and come from all over the world. And I mean all over! We actually have two girls in our office from Mauritius, a small (1.5hr driving from coast to coast) tropical island near Madagascar. Crazy!
Surprisingly I am the only American. Maybe its because only about 30% of the population actually have passports. A number which is thankfully growing as the years go by but SERIOUSLY AMERICA!? Get up and get out!
Anywhos, thanks to the on-site gym at work I can get in a few workouts during the week so I can start getting fit for summer! (which will probably be the topic of my next post, unless of course I finish that video I made about the local birds. I mean, what?)
The training was lecture style with about 5 others including myself, so for 7 hours a day (1hr lunch break) we sat and listened to ALL the ins and outs of the online gaming world. The worst day was probably the one where we discussed "banking" and how the players can deposit money into their online casino accounts using credit cards/instant banking/ ewallets (things like paypal). We needed to know which one was appropriate for which player based on whether he had a credit card or not, whether they had online banking, which country they were in, which bank they had, etc. We also needed to know things like how long each deposit would take to show up in their account (which, of course, varied depending on which method of depositing they used). Brain. fried.Despite this though, the job is actually really cool. We get free breaky (Aussie for breakfast!) which is usually fresh fruit every morning, along with coffee/soda/water throughout the day. And the best part is fresh pressed juice twice a week! :) The people are awesome and come from all over the world. And I mean all over! We actually have two girls in our office from Mauritius, a small (1.5hr driving from coast to coast) tropical island near Madagascar. Crazy!
Surprisingly I am the only American. Maybe its because only about 30% of the population actually have passports. A number which is thankfully growing as the years go by but SERIOUSLY AMERICA!? Get up and get out!
Anywhos, thanks to the on-site gym at work I can get in a few workouts during the week so I can start getting fit for summer! (which will probably be the topic of my next post, unless of course I finish that video I made about the local birds. I mean, what?)Oct 13, 2011
I'm makin' paperrrr
After several weeks of searching, I have finally landed a job!
Not the most glamorous position but I'm ecstatic to finally have some income! I will be working with a company called ITS management in a customer service role. Essentially, I am providing customer support to player's of online casinos and making sure they are doing alright and assist them with new bonuses and keeping the loyal customers loyal.
More important than the details of what I'll be doing is my actual work environment. I will be communicating with customers in German and ITS offers support in several different languages. This means that many of my co-workers will be from all around the world and the majority will be bi-lingual. During one of the interviews they said there are plenty of activities they do together including playing soccer, volleyball, rugby, having bbq's, and a lot of other fun social events.
And ultimately I just need to start making that money! I can now start hunting for apartments and need to save up for the dreaded security deposit (which is usually a month or two of rent). And now I'll actually be able to go out and DO THINGS! (you know, cuz I'm in a foreign country and all...)
Not the most glamorous position but I'm ecstatic to finally have some income! I will be working with a company called ITS management in a customer service role. Essentially, I am providing customer support to player's of online casinos and making sure they are doing alright and assist them with new bonuses and keeping the loyal customers loyal.
More important than the details of what I'll be doing is my actual work environment. I will be communicating with customers in German and ITS offers support in several different languages. This means that many of my co-workers will be from all around the world and the majority will be bi-lingual. During one of the interviews they said there are plenty of activities they do together including playing soccer, volleyball, rugby, having bbq's, and a lot of other fun social events.
And ultimately I just need to start making that money! I can now start hunting for apartments and need to save up for the dreaded security deposit (which is usually a month or two of rent). And now I'll actually be able to go out and DO THINGS! (you know, cuz I'm in a foreign country and all...)
Oct 5, 2011
That not-so-exciting post about nothing
I figured it was due time I updated my blog. Unfortunately, however, I haven't done anything too terribly exciting in the last few weeks. My first weekend here was spectacular, yes, but that seems to be the only bit of excitement I've experienced lately.
I mostly spend my time on the pull out couch in Ryan's living room applying for jobs that will inevitably reject my American resume. Employers here have this image that people from other countries aren't in it for the long haul and are just looking for crap jobs - not to mention Fulbright and UW-Madison carry no weight here which makes my resume simply "less than".
I mostly spend my time on the pull out couch in Ryan's living room applying for jobs that will inevitably reject my American resume. Employers here have this image that people from other countries aren't in it for the long haul and are just looking for crap jobs - not to mention Fulbright and UW-Madison carry no weight here which makes my resume simply "less than".
I'm not sure if this was mentioned before but Sydney is expen$ive! around 9 dollars for a burger, 6 bux for a coffee and 40 for some drinkable vodka (you can clearly see where my money goes when I have it). Thankfully though, I've been able to spend about $30 on groceries for the week. Essentially I can't start doing anything fun until I find a job!
On the bright side the weather outside hasn't been TOO inviting with its strong winds and overcast gray skies - perfect weather for applying to unattainable jobs, watching the birds outside attack each other, and listening to Disney songs. Oh, the glorious life I live.
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