Aspiring Barista 2.17.11

We were smoothly settling into the 3rd week of being in Australia. Culture shock was dissipating, but price tag shock was not. It still pained me every time I looked at the price tag of, well... everything. $4 for a can of soda, $8 for an ice cream cone, $10 for a "value meal" at Burger King... So pretty much, whatever you get in the U.S., DOUBLE the price and that is Australia's price. I wanted real food, Australian style clothes, and to pay for a trip to Melbourne. And, I had alot of time on my hands.

Solution: This girl needed a job!!

Quite a few Americans had applied at every place that would accept their resume. No luck. So, I prayed about it - about where to apply and for the guts to do it! So, as I took a walk down the Corso, I saw this sign:

HERE!!!:

If that wasn't an answer to my prayers - I dunno what is!! So, I talked with the barista on duty who was very encouraging, took a day to update my resume, and turned it in to sweet little (manager) Alix who told me she liked me and to come back on Saturday and have a talk with the owners!!  Not sure what my plans were - but I was free!!!

Saturday morning came and I marched back down the hill to the Wharf to see Alix and the owners of Gloria Jeans. One of the owners was able to slip away and have a chat with me. He said my schedule looked great and I'd make a great addition to the team. Then, he double checked just to make sure that I was studying abroad for a year. I kindly corrected him that my Visa was up in May. At that, he smiled and said "well I'll certainly keep you in mind."  Fail. Had the job and lost it because I told the truth. It was shortly after that, that I was informed by my peers the only way to land a job here is to lie and say you're in Australia to stay.

Mmmm... nope. Can't do it. Pretty sure that if you get a job by lying it's real bad karma.

No dice. But I was oddly okay with that. I've worked 2 jobs my entire college career. I was in Australia - there is no better place to have some extra time on your hands.

The only bummer? I wasn't going to get a discount on coffee. Merrrr.