Day 304! I’m finally getting back behind the bar today! What was supposed to be a 7 hour work day, turned into a solid 10.5 hour work day! It was a blast! I also finally tried my first Australian chicken parmi…

I woke up this morning to my alarm and the sun blasting through my room. I had to keep the blinds up because of the winds from the storm… and with western facing windows, it was full daytime in my room.

So I got up to make myself breakfast. But before I did that, I hopped over to a nearby grocer (a different one than normal) and got 3 mangos for $5! I saw on the notice board Facebook group that this deal was going to happen today, so I took advantage.

I’ve missed having mangos as a part of my diet. The mango smoothies in Thailand are unrivaled, but this mango was really good and ripe as well! It was a nice and hearty breakfast, which was needed because I was going to have a long day of work.

I got caught up in a pretty deep conversation with one of my roommates. We talked about everything from life, to how parts of Australia are getting too “mainstream,” to some conspiracy theories he believed. He’s a very nice and interesting guy. Also it was nice to have a solid conversation with someone!

Before I headed to work though, I saw that one of my book reservations at the public library was ready for pickup. So I quickly hopped on my bike and pedaled my way over there.

I didn’t realize just how big the second book of the Way of Kings series was going to be. It’s less pages but this book is printed much different than the other one I read… it feels like a dictionary or encyclopedia! But I’m super pumped to get reading it.

It was time for work instead, so I made my way up the hill to get back to bartending!

My morning shift was supposed to be 2 hours, but the lunch crowd was fairly busy. So I was able to get another hour out of the deal.

It was a really nice shift and it was great being back behind the counter. I was a bit nervous that I would’ve forgotten things over the week off, but most (if not everything) came back like second nature! I even was pouring a beer in front of my manager and he said, “that’s a beautiful beer.” A big compliment!

(Good thing he didn’t see the pretty bad pour I had the one before)

My 3 hours were up and I hustled on home for a short break!

I made myself two PB&Js and had a clementine. I felt like I was eating a middle schoolers meal… but it’s all I had time for!

I got to sit in bed for about 15 minutes and I read the beginning of my new book. I didn’t want to put it down, but then it was time to head right back up the hill for my next shift of the day!

This shift was supposed to be 5 hours… but it was super busy so I was able to get 7 hours in and worked all the way to 11:30pm. I did get a break during that time, where I had, officially, my first Australian Parmi!

It was good, but I’m sure I can get even better elsewhere. It’s not anything new I guess, since we have them in the US, but it is a staple of Australia.

I got my first tips on this shift as well! Which just go directly into my pocket. There’s no split tips in this bar. AND I actually met someone from the US.

I heard her accent and asked where she was from. She’s from Minnesota and is currently working at a restaurant nearby to where I’m living. She’s leaving rather soon though unfortunately, but I’ll try and pop by her work before she heads out.

This shift was a blast. And I was doing a good enough job that they kept me on way longer than was scheduled… which I was very happy with. I was pouring beers left and right, mixed drinks, wines, champagnes, you name it! I was still cleaning glasses and tables, but I’m not just exclusively doing cleaning now!

After my shift, I had my post shift beer and was sitting by myself listening to the live music. Randomly, one of the people I had been serving asked if I wanted to join her and her friend outside. I said yes, I was very game to meet new people!

Their names were Rachel and Hannah. They’ve both spent many summers during University in Yamba and Hannah just moved here full time. Rachel lived a bit away but said she’d be around a lot this summer, and used to work at the same hotel. We chatted a bit, they were both very nice, we’ll see if our paths cross again! But I bet they will. It was nice to finally mingle with people my age! Hopefully more of that comes from working this job.

They went back inside to enjoy the music and that’s when I called it a night. I made my way back down the hill to shower and pass out. I have another double shift tomorrow and I can’t wait! I hope it’s just as good, if not better than today’s.

– Elie