November 22, 2002

Much has happened since the last time I wrote.  I am now a permanent resident of Australia.   I have completed the single subject "Introduction to Psychology."  Somehow I managed to achieve high distinctions.  Several weeks after the exam, I applied to get into University, to do a Bachelor degree in Psychology & Management/Marketing.  I should get an answer from the University within the next month or two.  I'm very anxious. 

In 4 weeks I will be doing my driving test for "P plates" (this will allow me to drive by myself).  I have already booked it.  Tomorrow I am doing a lesson with an instructor.  I feel very comfortable driving  already, but I can use some help with parallel parking.  Besides, I have been given advice to take some lessons, because they will prepare me for the exam.  Those instructors know exactly what will be tested and what is expected by Vic Roads when you do your driving test. My biggest incentive to get my license is that I just bought a car.  My first car.  It's about time.  I had been looking for several months and a few weeks ago I found the right car.  It is a 1998 Hyundai, Excel.  It has a CD player, air conditioning, power steering, power windows and a rear spoiler with a break light.  To see a photos of the car Click Here. 

Work is good.  As a matter of fact new opportunities are coming my way at the moment.  I will let you know more when I can.  

I will be adding new photos to the Gallery next week.  Have a look.  Summer will soon be here!  YAHOOO!!!!  I love taking photos during the summer.  So hopefully I will be adding and changing the photos more oftern.

Till the next time.

Joelle

July 8, 2002

Wow!  It's been a while since the last time I updated this page.  I have been so busy.  

I have been learning how to drive.  I now have a total of over 30 hours on the road.  I'm getting there.  I could probably pass to the next level and get my probation license if I tried.  But I'm going to get more practice with my learners first.  Statistics say that a learner with 120 hours practice has 30% less chance of getting into an accident.  I have waited 26 years so the extra time won't really make all that mush difference.  Except that I will be a better and safer driver.  

I have also started studying.  I am doing Introduction to Psychology.  It is a university level subject that is offered threw Open Learning Australia.  My first assignment is due in one week.  I had to write an essay titled "What is punishment and does it work?".  Between the lessons and the assignment, as well as work I have been very busy.  It doesn't leave me much time for anything else.   This last weekend I went on a study marathon of over 25 hours in two days.  

I still haven't heard anything from Immigration about my permanent residency.  As they say "Patience is a virtue!". 

Take care!  Till the next time... Sooner rather than later I hope!

Joey

May 11, 2002

Well...This will be a quick one.  My computer let me down and I have had to reload everything on it.  I lost everything!!!!!!!!  But that's not the end of the world, at least my webpage was still saved on Tripod. Thank goodness for that.  

I have been going to the gym several days a week.  It's great, although I came down with a nasty cold and have not been able to go since last weekend.  

I finally got my leaner's permit.  After 26 years I am finally on the road and learning to drive.  I love it! 

My permanent residency application has been submitted and I should find out if they'll have me here in Australia within the next few months.  I'll let you know how I go.

It is now late.  I have made a few changes on the webpage, give me some feedback, some advice, anything....

CIAO

March 17, 2002

Aren't we all busy?  Well I must try to make more time to update my site.  If you wish to help you could email me some good jokes, useful links or any other suggestions you have.  

Since my last update Skip has turned one.  He is still very cheeky, but getting a bit more mature, making it easier for us to train him.  

Andonis has re-designed his studio.  We have created a website to display some of his work. http://artbyandonis.tripod.com Please, visit the site and give us your feedback. 

February was a busy month for us.  We celebrated Andonis' birthday, our 2nd wedding anniversary and of course St-Valentines day.  

We have been to the beach a few times, but the weather here in Melbourne has not permitted us to go as much as we had wished to.  Yesterday we went fishing, as usual I didn't catch a thing.  Maybe next time.  

Basically I've been juggling between work, play and sleep as most people do...  

Till the next time,

Joelle

PS: I promise to get some more photos up in the gallery within the next few weeks    

January 31, 2002

As you can see it has taken me a while to find the time to update my webpage.  Well lots has happened since the last time I wrote.  Christmas has past and it was a wonderful year.  Andonis, Skippy and I had fun opening our gifts on X-mas morning.  I shall scan some photos and put them in our gallery.  For New Year we went out to a nice restaurant and made it back home before the 12 O'clock rush.  We had a nice bottle of Champaign waiting for us.  It was a great evening!

Mom came to visit for 12 days.  She got here on the 6th of Jan. We had heaps of fun!  We did the tourist thing in Melbourne and surrounding area for a few days. We visited Healesville Sanctuary, the old Melbourne Gaol, the Crown Casino, Yarra Valley wineries & the Rippon Lea Estate. We had a nice lunch in St-Kilda and a beautiful dinner in Brunswick .  We also spent some time shopping in the city.  Then we hired a car and took four days to drive up to the Twelve Apostles and back.  We stayed overnight in Apollo Bay, Port Campbell and our last night in Lorne.  We took so many photos and  I will put some of them on the site soon. 

Oh! Just before my mom left my sister in-law gave birth to a beautiful little girl.  She's so cute.  It feels nice to have a niece.

During the time Mom was here the weather was very mild and often cloudy.  After she left I still had three days of holidays left. This is when the weather changed from low 20's to 30 degrees and up.  That weekend Andonis and I went to Sunnyside Beach.  It was awesome!

After that back to work...I have been enjoying being back.  We have made some really good changes at work.  Our company is growing and this year should be very good.  I have been made Office Manager and we now have 2 new people starting soon. Very exciting.  This year should be a wonderful learning experience for me. Thinking about learning  I have been teaching myself, with the help of Andonis, to read and speak Greek.  I can actually read it now.  Although I can't translate every word yet, but I think if I keep at it I will eventually be able to speak it.  

It's just after 10 pm now I should get off the computer and give my eyes a rest.  Looking forward to the weekend.

Joelle

December 18, 2001

It's been a while since I had time to work on my webpage.  I hope that will not discourage you from coming to visit my site.  Christmas is almost here.  Just a week to go.  Andonis and I are almost ready.  We bought a real X-mas tree on the weekend.  My first real one!  It's beautiful and huge.  I'll put up some photos after the holidays. 

Next Friday, we have only half a day at work.  At noon we closed the office.  We have a reservation on the terrace of one of the restaurants at the Crown casino.  It should be fun.  Only 3 1/2 days left before my one month vacation.  I can't wait.  Mom will be here for two weeks in January.  We might go to Sydney.  I've never been yet.  

At the moment  I am listening to X-mas music.  The song playing is "Little Drummer Boy" in Greek.  Very nice.  The whole program on this radio station for an hour is in Greek.  I'm starting to understand some of it.  But I still have lots... to learn.  

At the moment it is 10pm and I am a bit tired.  I can't think of what else to write so I will sign off for now.  Till the next time. 

If I don't get a chance to write something before the 24th, MERRY X-MAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

Joey xoxo

November 23, 2001

Because it rained last weekend we were somewhat limited on what we could do.  I read a book called "Gender Games".  I recommend it to anyone who wants to pick up new ways of building better business relationships with the opposite sex.  One of the things it mentioned was that many women tend to give a lot of details, where as men are often more direct and to the point.  Basically we have different ways of communicating and doing things.  By being aware of some of these factors it can help you make better use of your time and energy in the office.   

Last Friday I went out with some friends and end up meeting many more really nice people.  It was really fun!  It was a late night so I slept in on Saturday morning.  In the evening we went to see “The Others”.  It was OK.  But if you haven’t already seen it, I suggest you don’t pay to go to the theatre, instead rent it. 

 Today I bought Billy’s X-Mas present.  Now, I’m debating on wether I should post it or give it to Mom when she comes down.  I’m going to try to send out my Christmas cards by next Monday or Tuesday.  I hope the will get there in time. 

 The weather today was quite nice.  Tomorrow we are expecting a high of 27 degrees.  It’s about time.  Tonight, I heard the crickets.  They were very loud, but I think it’s a sure sign that summer is on the way. 

 I have made a few enquiries about copyrighting some of my writing.  It is very easy to do here in Australia.  No need to register it and it will cost me barely anything.  As soon as I get a move on that, I will add a few stories and poems on my website.  I look forward to that. 

Keep in touch!  I miss everyone!  Big hugs!!!!!!!!!

Joelle

November 9, 2001

As you can see I have been learning how to use HTML and various other software that help me design my web page. It takes lots of time but it's fun!

Summer is soon on it's way here! Yahoooo!  A few weekends ago we went to Fitzroy Gardens.  It's incredible how you can enjoy the beauty of nature right in the middle of the city.  We had fun and took lots of photos.  I have added a few to page 2 of our gallery.

Last Tuesday was Melbourne Cup day!  Everyone in Melbourne got the day off work to go to the races.  Horse races that is.  It is tradition for both men and women  to get dressed up in their best clothes on the day.  Women wear all different types of hats.  It's a very colourful event.

Last weekend I bought some pastels and Donny got me some books from the library to help me learn how to use them.  I have surprised myself!  I really enjoy it.  Maybe sometime I will scan some of the drawings and add them to our homepage.

I will let you know again how things are going soon !

Joelle