Borderline, Author, Nerd, Vegan.

Olliegami

Hey!

Someone really kindly sent me some money directly to my account here... then told me to pay it forward. ;_; I'm a little overwhelmed, and feeling terrible about it at the same time. It's going to be so hard for me to accept help from the government when I get back home.

I'm trying not to fret about anything, but yeah - it's easier said than done. I really need to take things one step at a time.

The weather today is pretty overcast, and chilly!! The last two days it's been like 25C though! Melbourne is about as changeable as the UK, only with more heat!

determined_new_ms

Olliegami wrote: »

Hey!

Someone really kindly sent me some money directly to my account here... then told me to pay it forward. ;_; I'm a little overwhelmed, and feeling terrible about it at the same time. It's going to be so hard for me to accept help from the government when I get back home.

I'm trying not to fret about anything, but yeah - it's easier said than done. I really need to take things one step at a time.

The weather today is pretty overcast, and chilly!! The last two days it's been like 25C though! Melbourne is about as changeable as the UK, only with more heat!

Wow that is so kind! I know what you mean, it's hard to accept help from others, there's a pride issue. But when I feel like this I try to remember how when I want to help someone it's not because I pity them but because they have struck a cord with me that makes me want to help and I am in the position too.

Good to see the universe looking after you

Olliegami

DNM, I was so shocked. I'm so pleased though, too.

I know what you mean. I've helped so many people out since being in Melbourne, and you just do it because you CAN and you care. It's just weird when it's the other way round. I'm so desperate to be independent, it's frustrating when you can't be.

Thank you. xxx

Olliegami

So, things have finally worked out well and come together.

My step-dad has been amazing. I wish I knew how to properly thank him, I'm not sure that it will ever feel like enough. Not only has he bought and paid for plane tickets from Australia to Alaska, but he's also bought tickets from Alaska to Heathrow in December.

AS WELL as that - he sent me $1,000 to my PayPal account as 'travel funds'. To say that I'm a little overwhelmed is an understatement.

This does mean that I'm leaving Australia on Tuesday, which is a little difficult to get my head around too. I'm pleased to be going, but that doesn't mean to say I'm not going to miss the friends I'll be leaving behind, and the friends I've made and whatnot. I am glad to be going somewhere 'safe' and hopefully calm.

Today has been a pretty awesome day in general though! I woke up and was asked if I would help out with housekeeping here in the hostel as they had a HUGE number of check outs. This was awesome because along the way I picked up A$2 in coins that had been left behind. Which will go toward my ticket to the airport. I've managed to get the cash together by selling some stuff that I really don't need. I still have some things to 'get rid' of, and I wish I could stick them on ebay but there's just not enough time to do that any more.

I went for lunch with my 'boss' and another co-worker friend today... and was bought lunch @ Macca's and then won a small hot drink so I'll be using that tomorrow.

This afternoon I met up with a very very good friend of mine and he insisted on both buying me a coffee and getting dinner at an amazing vegan burger place here called Lord of the Fries. It was wonderful! I managed not to cry but I think that was only because I'll drop in tomorrow morning to see him at work because he didn't write in my book!!! (This is important! I bought it before I left, and have had a lot of people make notes or write something or draw something in it. It's incredibly important to me... seems dumb, but it's been really helpful.)

I also went through some stuff I'd packed away when I left the US and found $13.57, 2 Hong Kong Dollars, and 10 Malaysian Sen.

I'm going to make the most of my last day in Melbourne. My flight has a ridiculous lay over in Los Angeles, sooooo. I might just venture out whilst I'm there!

AspiringButAnxious

Glad things are going well

There's no shame in accepting help — as long as you do the same for others if/when you can. Nobody chooses to be in a position where they have to rely on charity or benefits, but accepting any support you can get (financial, emotional or otherwise) is essential for making the best of any situation. If a friend was in your position, you would tell her not to hesitate in accepting help and not to feel guilty!

Bake your stepdad his favourite cake to say thank you — it's relatively easy, but shows you've put a lot of thought into it

belleandthebudget

Hi Ollie, sounds like you're already making huge strides! I agree with cake baking or something similar to say thank you but people don't do these things to get something in return and I'm sure your Step Dad knows how grateful you are!

determined_new_ms

how wonderful for you Ollie! Definitely the universe is looking out for you :T sometimes if you have a little faith it will give you just what you need.

It's hard to accept such generosity, at least it is for me, but people only give what they can and what they want to. If he wants to help you, it's because he can and loves you so wants to help. There'll be time enough in the future to repay him (in another way not cash iyswim?). My brother went through a terrible situation a few years ago and as soon as he told me, I helped him get rid of his dodgy tenant who he was sharing a house with (he was being intimidated by him and he didn't pay any rent in 3 months), ended his tenancy and let him move in with us for 4 months rent free. His marriage for 23 years had broken down and he had lost his family. It was nothing to me, I was glad to help my brother in his time of need so it was no imposition. A year later he encouraged us to and helped us buy our first home (he's a mortgage advisor) and he did loads of work for us - he's incredibly handy with diy - and saved us thousands. Swings and round abouts. Neither of us feels indebted to one another either now or at the time. Enjoy it!

How exciting the next step on your adventure :beer:

crazy_cat_lady

So pleased to read that things have turned out well for you and that you're all sorted for your travels. It's funny how things usually turn out ok in the end, and I echo what the others have said about your stepdad helping you because he wants to and because he can. I'm thrilled that you are off to see your mum really soon.
And I love your book idea. I did the same thing when I left college, which seemed daft at the time - but it still makes me smile when I get the book out now, 20 years later, and have a read through it.

Bobarella

Wow Ollie I can't believe how quickly things have moved since you posted a couple of weeks ago. It is amazing what your family are doing, but they obviously love you and want to help. As well you deserve. It all sounds very emotional saying goodbye to your friends even though it's for the best at this point.

Safe journey if I don't get to say it before you travel.

Bob

Olliegami

Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for all your positive comments and encouragement.

I'm in Alaska now, feeling incredibly chilled out. Things are kinda weird, mostly because my Step-Dad and I have VERY different political views, and politics are something that come up a lot in conversation, so I'm trying to stay calm about it and not feel bothered by the things that are going on.

After all, it's hard to be mad at someone who provides for you like he has been doing. I have money in my English account, and my paypal account, and my purse because of him. As well as being here with Mum. It's been good.

On the money saving side of things, I've obviously been having a LOT of NSDs and it's my intention not to spend pretty much anything. I was given $200 'incase I need anything from the shop', not sure how I feel about that. Mostly I'm just tempted to save it?? I just want to save everything, make as much money as possible, and blah blah blah. It doesn't help that I want to be as healthy as possible, but meals are huge here, and there's ice cream every evening and sweets everywhere... So! Haha. We'll see. I'm going to start making a conscious effort to eat healthier whilst I'm here.

On the money MAKING side of things, I need to get into gear. It's difficult here because we have satellite internet which means it's incredibly slow. I'm starting to think I need to focus my attention on just a few sites. I'll ditch the advert/video sites and stick to a select few others.

I WAS thinking about looking into matched betting whilst I'm here and can focus on it to generate some money, but another problem with being out here is that some websites require you to be in the UK to access them. I thought about entering some competitions, so I'll be checking out the competitions board at some point too. Wondering if I should set aside a day just to focus on comps!!

Anyway! Basically, I'm feeling great - and looking forward still. =D