Day 14 - Imma outta here!

 And that's a wrap.  14 days quarantine compete. Leaving in 3 hours should every department talk to each other proper.

Got my to do list done.  Squished in comedy series Fisk. Made new friends.  Started a new business adventure. My pimple finally fell off left a scar :p

Life's good :)

Iso Day 13

 So close!  Good bye room,  good bye free food,  good bye amazing bed,  good bye mindfulness two week retreat :p

Did what I needed to do Yay!  Well,  mostly. Didn't have time to start kath&kim or Utopia but that wasn't high on the priority list.  

Called exit team to triple check they have me ready to leave at crazy hours of the morning to catch my flight. Didn't seem convinced it's in the system.  >< we shall see tomorrow 

Iso Day 12

Woken up at 815AM so i am told by my neighbour when COVID swab team came in. yuk, the smell of tonsils up nostrils is gross. But here they don't poke your brains out so that's nice.

Surprisingly there was a different breakfast item, eggs, kale, mushroom, tomatoes. Vegan.

Since i got no desktop to view website progress, trusty friend helped video what my site is up to hahaha. fun conversation that followed. 

Spent the rest of the day powering through resume editing, cover letter advice and mock interviews!

hmm codes

Ploughman's lunch

yoghurt with museli

Iso Day 11

 Tis the home stretch.  Completed the X-men adapted series The Gifted by Matt Mix. Here's my thoughts.  For an X-men fan, I loved the series.  

The elements from the comics that were strongly and in my opinion successfully carried over were the tension and battle between mutant vs humans, origin story telling and character development of each person, themes of family, love and belonging, and  importantly the ethicial boundaries behind fighting for a cause.  

For a non-fan I could see how this never got extended for a third season,  as it was slow moving for a series in an 'action' genre and spoiler alert,  too many deaths. The plot developments are slow,  not that different to comics where it's released episodically and a comic fight may last three releases.  In the same manner,  The Gifted,  took it's time to tell the story,  not rushing the dialogue,  camera and close ups of character tension.  

The format of season 2 I liked.  Starting with a flashback that sheds light into different characters and episodes end with lyrics over emotional melody.  Highlight for me would be the origin stories of each character equally, which is no easy feat considering the complex casts and possibilites, and Nix was still able to weave it so that you may relate and sympathise with them even if they were undergoing a project you didn't agree with.  Acting and casting was spot on.  

Now powers and teamwork.  The X-men series is well known for mutant abilities and training together,  such was the highlight of the graphic pages and 90s cartoon series.  The combination of all talent to beat a foe,  plus it's pretty in colour as a kid reading it.  Translating this in live action settings has proven difficult in many cases of X-men adapted pieces.  Usually mutants individually beam off their powers but there is no collaboration of combing the powers themselves,  hence I was super disappointed at the Apocalypse end scene. Wasted mutant talent =.=. Where that failed,  The Gifted succeeded, partly helped by the fact a major plot line was a family's dark powerful history when they do combine abilities.  

Visual display.  The sound and visuals for each character's ability I couldn't fault. It wasn't jarring and despite being repeated often, wasn't tiring.  The homage to and the Dangeroom was spiffy and a tick for fans. 

Ultimately for a series that didn't feature the X-men or the Brotherhood,  it had all the elements - mutants,  outcasts,  war,  belonging, sentinels, Sinister, morlocks,  asteroid M dreams, Xavier vs Magneto worldview tension, redemption, sacrifice and teamwork. I would stay Stan Lee would be proud. 

In the end,  I imagine if this content was in the form of a movie,  it may get better reviews and more praise then it received,  as mainstream viewers may not have the patience to sit thru lots of episodes to know the ending, compared to a fan that's invested.  

On the side_

Ran out of toilet paper today. Lol. Had to ask reception for more 

~

Iso Day 10

 Wow.  It's the last week now!  Managed to dial in Greg and Betty for the church zoom session so that was good :)   sermon was on James 5, focusing on prayer for each other. 

Made some progress on my website, final elements left. Would love to have a free hearing screener on my website but waiting on manufacturer to tweak it for me. *fingers crossed*

Had an exciting dialogue exchange of faith, philosophy, Scripture and Jesus with my neighbour!  Wonder if we will have more convos.

Another neighbour got fined $5000 for alledgedly not wearing a mask :/

Sunday is survivor night... Final 4!!!! 🙌

Iso Day 9

 Social Saturdays 

So i am really loving iso. Last weekend in the quarantine resort and everyone is out and about on the verandahs having a good chat. Someone in the next block is pumping out Celtic tunes on their harmonica and it makes me just want to clap and be merry.  

There is a fence separating us from the international iso people and I noticed a man walking up and down peering into our village section. Exchanged details and did a deal. He's a tradie, so he can give me window reno advice whilst I swap him ear advice haha. Everyone needs to wear ear plugs and stop poking their ears with things such as ear candles and cotton buds. Since he lives about 6 rooms away, everyone could hear our conversation. No privacy here haha. 

Dating in iso. Did someone just ask me out? LOOOOL so funny.

Spent most of the day working on the final bits and pieces of my website/resume thingy. Passionate about honest and accessible health care.  

The plan tonight is everyone meeting outside at 6pm on our verandah to eat dinner, watch the sunset and listening to the couple at the end of the block on their guitar. I found out today they have spent 10years at sea! on their own private boat and now they are ready to settle on land back in Oz. Such interesting folks!

A surprise dessert treat that didn't repeat!

 

Iso Day 8

 So an entire week has officially passed and the meals repeat. In the last week, although I did get some work done,  I could have been more efficient.   Another random unrelated point,  is the fat as pimple on my chin has also been here for a week and isn't getting any better. =.= 

I've been getting great sleep though and was curious what mattress I'm on.  It's better than the one I have at home.  Turns out it's a brand called simply the best.  Haha how fitting. Called them up and they only are in WA and she said all the mattresses here are 10 years old stock and they don't make that specific one any more.  :o.  Wow. They usually are suppliers of hotels.  

With half of Australia in lockdown and working from home if they can,  it is a worry when the county will open up.  In my industry goods to service clients regularly pass through Qld,  Nsw and Vic. Something I've ordered early August still hasn't arrived and there is no ETA,  so surely other clinics and clients are having it tough.  

Then you get this. If you skip to 230. Thats when the report turns,  even they couldn't hold back the laughter of how ironic and jarring the situation is. 

Still using my phone to edit a website and that's very fiddly.  

 Youth group was a blast. So fantastic to see 10-11 kids join on zoom despite lockdown. Gunning for the gospel. wooohoooooo.

Duck salad would probably be one of my fav dishes on the iso menu

Iso Day 7

wow! half way though. crazy how time has passed. Thanks to the doc across the road I've been inspired to pump a little more energy into kicking off a side business so writing up all that has kept me busy. 

 

Today I was woken up by temperature checkers knocking on the door.  Nooes. So wrecked due to binging The Gifted til 2am . Even without my glasses on as I stood in the gap of my open front door,  I could feel and see the laughter in the docs face as he saw me in zombie mode.  

When I came round and had salad lunch on deck,  I realised they gave us fresh linen and towels.  That's nice. 

To do list today_

.prep for youth group

. Investiage stripe

.work on website

.video chat with granny,  who's just shy of 107!

Iso Day 5

Theme - I R O N Y

 

As another day blips past way too quickly, slept in until 11am. I cannot help but think of the irony of my quarantine situation. Though I am in theory isolated for 14 days, the Victorian reality of restrictions is much more severe. Here I can walk outside my room after 9pm, there's no curfew. In the last four days I've met 7 new people with extremely interesting backgrounds. Making new friends in person is pretty much impossible in Melbourne given the situation. I also don't have to worry where my next meal is coming from, as it's all organized and am very blessed work is paying for all this. And up here, COVID doesn't exist (kinda). 

The nostalgic childlike joy of running-to-the-letterbox-to-see-what-the-postman-has-delivered-vibe is being relived. Between 5pm-7pm our meal for the night and next day is delivered onto our doorstep, and you first know its coming from the sound of the wheels on the food carts. The anticipation of what is going to be in my parcel is a simple pleasure but a highlight. Probably shows I love food, and especially if its free. :P Ive decided, although I don't like wasting food, I probably shouldn't eat all of it, as I'm not needing all the energy and have too much of it. 

There's a peace here as well. Rest and recovery. Away from family , away from work, away from industry for 14days. Spending more time in prayer for friends and church. 

Today's a short day. Forgot about the time difference and missed 30minutes of learnings about middle ear disease on zoom, will take a work phone call, social phone call and watch SURVIVOR!!! 

Had a lovely chat with the psychiatrist opposite from me, which involved exchanging research. *link* and me whipping him to finish his report writing by dinner. 

Tomorrow will be a more productive day ><"

 binge list_
I'm about 6 episodes in now and am thoroughly enjoying it. reason being im a nerd and the series does capture the dynamics of mutant vs human complexities the comics raise. Always a delight to try and guess the new mutant that pops up each episode also.

Iso Day 4

Interestingly last night there was non stop fireworks and extremely close by!  Turns out it was Territory Day  

Wanted a sleep in but mental health team, called and woke me up at 930am to check in on me -.-" yes. im fine. 

This morning got up to_

-wait in line for 30min with qantas to check status
- Looked for doors that can fit my unit
- enquire about medical equipment for personal practice
And internet is intermittent on the laptop. 

Met the guy that moved into the room directly opposite of me, a young psychiatrist, from Melbourne. Still getting dorm life vibes here.

Then got locked out of my own room due to the swipe mechanism battery door dying. Eek 15min outside in peak sunshine hour is exhausting. Had to get my neighbhour to call reception since i don't usually take my phone with me

Dinner lamb shank. Yuuum

Iso Day 3

 Social Sunday!
Opened up the computer to get ready for zoom church, to find an email that announced a friends engagement . WOOOOT! First time hearing of a proposal over zoom but such is the covid-life we live. More good news came rolling in as church member announced they have a third child on the way! 

 Had a chillax brief moment after lunch (yummm healthy poke bowl like thing) reading a few chapters in the following. Interesting as it was written just as the pandemic was staring and there are moments in the book where it refers to the reader, reading as if COVID has passed! Hope to finish this read in my 14days iso. 

Chatted to neighbour across the village street who told me cases have now gone into his regional vic town. sigh. looks like vic might still be in lockdown by the time i fly back home. :(

The day ended up being one call after the other, USA, QLD and VIC. Eeek. So preoccupied i didn't even notice the dinner delivery.

Dinner ~ CURRY LASKA <3

i am definitely developing a food baby XD it occurred to me that my 14 days here are probably more nutritionally balanced than what i do back at home. 

end the night with good ol reality tv - survivor :P

oh what a life.

binge list_

Started The Gifted, an older series based on mutants
im biased, i do love anything xmen related. though there is a super high point in mutant series, and that is the casting. It natural lends itself to a multicultural cast. Acting so far is ....okay. storyline the usual, sentinels vs mutants, mutant life as second class citizens and in this series "criminals" for holding the X-gene for their dangerous disruptive power.

nothing beats the cartoons but this will do :P 

Iso Day 2

Day 2. 

Tried to sleep in but nope. Had covid negative test return yay. Here they dont seem to poke your brains out like in Victoria.  

The plan today was "do nothing, get logo done". Working on my own business and coming up a logo im happy with. Really procrastinating the research into legal documentation, services, terms and conditions. That will come next week. Attempted to log into the dashboard to edit website, I guess my laptop is too old to handle it. Website work will have to wait til I'm back home. 

Sound travels really easily here. Can hear the man jamming on his guitar about a block away. Kids laughter and the chit chats from neighbours. Maybe I can run trivia night for my block. 

It was nice for work to call concerned if i had a good sleep and if the pillow was okay, if not I could click and collect a new one from big w. I suppose routine up here in quarantine is not that different from back home. Church is still remote 3X a week and the wifi here is decent enough to run youth group . YAY!. Can still participating with helping new mums out by uber eating food to them. Interesting how much we can do remotely 3740km away. Still also selling my stuff off facebook marketplace and housemate placing the items outside the front door XD.

Today I am thankful for_
- the sunshine
- my housemate
- the internet

Dunno what this dessert was, but it was delicious! 

Iso Journeys Day 1

a super empty skybus rank

 

Arriving into the purpose built quarantine centre before relocation for essential health care work was rather an interesting experience.  No issues on flight and the meal was a lot better than I remembered. Hot food + juice yum!

Caught the  movie "The Dry" with Eric Bana which was refreshing to hear all the Aussie accents. Was an interesting watch, and the editing/cinematography was simple yet reflective of the vast rural landscapes. The music editing and sound mixing was what gave this film tension and a dynamic edge. A simple plot yet it kept you intrigued enough to finish the movie.  

took about 2 hours to get from airport to the facility. Slow, hot, but orderly. We weren't really in a rush. though the chocolate snacks in my bag have all melted. its surprised me this place has on demand movie streaming, decent wifi and hot meals for dinner delivered with next days breakky and lunch to pop in the fridge. Comfy bed. got everything i need! Feels like tiny home, work from home.

 

I'm just chilling,  chatting to my iso neighbors . Really fun actually.  Ones a navy captain,  another is oil rig engineer, one guy locked himself out of his room. 

Us on the verandah chit chats 

'good morning did you have a good sleep'  oil rig guy
'did you remember your key?' navy guy as he looks in my direction
'of course she did,  she's a woman,  they're smart 'oil rug guy 
'I'll have to write your names down,  I forgot my hearing aids '  lady two doors down
"oh im an audiologist" - me
"sorry about yesterday I have pants on today,  I just got so comfortable in my jocks and sat outside " oil rig guy to the lady neighbor without hearing aids. 

we are like a bunch of adult kids on school camp hahahaa.
someone's pumping out some tunes in the next block, others on their hammocks.

chill vibes
day 1