6 Sleeps to Departure - 27.09.14 in Your Face

This morning I woke and got myself dressed and ready to get the bus to the dentist. I put some beef ribs and potatoes in the slow cooker, planning to shred the meat for sandwiches for dinner.

I had a horrible time at the dentist because of my fear of people touching my teeth. I had a scale and clean and fluoride treatment. I was shaking by the time they finished the clean, and felt embarrassed. The dentist and her assistant were very patient with me, though. I do need a filling re-done, which I am petrified about, and which I need to organise at another dentist, because the woman I saw today isn’t working in any of the few free slots I have before I go. My mother has kindly offered to pay the costs of the filling, which is a huge relief.

I got two buses to get back to mother’s house, where I collected the stationery and stamps I got for my little cousins, and visited my neighbour. The kid (who is 20) from down the road wanted to go and get some phone credit and cash, and my neighbour needed a gas bottle filled, so I took my neighbour’s car and ran the errands with the kid.

After that, it was time to get the bus to another suburb to meet my mother, and as I was leaving I saw my cousin in his moving van. He had been moving my other cousin into the house on the front of mother’s block, so I scored a lift up to where I was meeting mother.

I had some spare time, so I browsed some suitcases, looking for a large, cheap one that can get me to the US, where I could spend some time seeking out a better quality (and reasonably priced) one. Luggage is ridiculously expensive. There was nothing at Target or Big W that was suitable, and I thought I’d try K-Mart another day, as I had seen some bags there. Then, I passed a bag store that had up to 70% off, where there was a suitcase for $79 (reduced from $239). I snapped it up, as it’s the same brand as the bag I was given by my work colleagues and is great quality. It was only slightly above the amount I wanted to pay, and now I don’t have to buy new luggage for at least a few years.

I carted that back up to the main road and met mother, and we then dropped past my sister’s house so I could grab a few more things for my cousins. We went to my aunt’s house to have a party for her son, and hung out there for a few hours. I gave my cousins their stationery etc, and they were so sweet. They’re “old fashioned” kids, not into television and toys, they prefer bikes and board games. I am really very fond of them.

After the party wound down, I got a lift back to my sister’s house, jumped in the shower, and my Heslop picked me up to go for dinner and a movie. We had dumplings, played some games at the arcade, and saw The Mazerunner (pretty good!).

I’m now “home” again (my sister’s house) and am trying to wind down a bit after what felt like a very hectic day. I am clear until 1pm tomorrow, when I am having lunch with my friends. That means I can snooze a bit in the morning (provided I don’t wake up at 5am again, like I did this morning) and get some laundry and cleaning done here.

Things are coming together.