A night at the 'DUNDER' Bar ( 30 days until I leave for Canada)

How do you end up at 24 hour pancake house at 3am, with your future Canadian house mate Alex, who you only meet for the first time 9 hours ago? 
You’re now both sharing garlic bread and a bowl of wedges, while laughing hysterically together over this 'Key & Peele' skit.

 This is how…if I can remember.

Friday night 6.30pm, pre-departure drinks were happening in the city at The Down Under Bar, or locally know as ‘The Dunder', for all the Brisbane based kids heading to Canada this November, through The Working Holiday Club.

Jake Gibbs from TWHC organizes these shindigs in each city for 2 main reasons.

1. To meet and greet with future co-workers and potential flats mates,who are heading to the same resort as you.

2. To the have the best Friday night drinks you never expected to have with a bunch of strangers. Strangers? No way! Check out your Facebook and Snapchat friend requests!

Before heading into THE DUNDER, I already knew 2 guys who would be there, my future Canadian room mates , Alex and Peter, who I meet months ago on our THWC Grouse Mountain Facebook group page, but never in person.

So I was crossing my fingers, toes and eyes that they weren’t a bunch of nutters, who looked nothing like their profile pictures, so excited to finally meet my awesome new friends and  I couldn’t wait to see if our online chemistry had as much spark in real life as it did in our Facebook chats.

First I meet Alex, who will be working on the Grouse Skyride lift. I catch him walking outside past the bar concentrating on his phone, I call out to him. Yep , he looked exactly like his profile pic (good start). His was even suited up, like in his profile pic, and out-dressed me. *note to self, buy nicer clothes*.

I go in for the hug, I think I scared him a wee bit, so I quickly shake his hand and introduce myself. 

Nice save Amanda.

Inside we find Jake, we introduce ourselves, get our free drink card and apologized for giving him grief on Facebook for choosing The Down Under Bar.

If you’re not familiar with the place, it’s probably the dirtiest, messiest, stickiest bar in Brisbane.
It’s crawling with European backpackers and you have to be doing something extremely stupid before security kicks you out. Like setting yourself on fire.

This place was pretty loose and we liked it! 

So, sorry Jake we ever doubted you.

Jake from TWHC and Alex.

Jake then introduced us to Kimberly, who will be working in Guest Services on Grouse Mountain. We got along famously, instantly became bff and fbf, and made her our newest roommate. Poor girl.

Then we finally meet Peter, Grouses newest Lifty. He was taller then what I expected him to be from his photos; I went in for the hug. I think I caught Peter off guard too when he said, 
“oh we’re hugging?”. 
Look I’m just a hugy kinda gal, plus I was on my second Canadian Club.

From that point we all became instant friends, (hmm, I see you're using the ‘F’ word so early in the relationship, risky move Amanda). The four of us just talked about how pumped we were for Canada and discussed anything we were worried about; like housing, having enough cash or coming across any Canadian drop bears.
(I've heard if you get chased buy one, you should run down a hill to slow them down. They're a real thing, right?)

The rest of the night was pretty much just awesome. We traded our drink cards for one of those wanker, hipster, jam jar cocktails; I showed Kimberly how to pull off the ‘scuba suit dance’ and Alex was doing his best pulling girls. 
Meanwhile Pete was standing back wondering what the hell he got himself into.  
This place was going off!

Now after a few hours and few extra Canadian Clubs under my belt, things got little bit random...

I go missing for about an hour. Where was I ? We will never know....so mysterious.

I received about 7 Facebook notifications:

Alex Stark wrote on your wall: “Dude are you still alive?”

Alannah Muir and Peter Mote Like this.

Alannah Muir* commented: Wild night guys? J

Alex Stark commented : Yeeeaaa dude.

Alannah Muir commented: Good stuff!

*Future Grouse co-worker ,who was clearly face-flirting with Alex.

Kimberly West Sent you a Message: “Yo Lady face where r u? There is a Nelly song on and I need a crumping partner.”

My phone dies. Fuck.

I magically reappear, ta-dah!

 I find Alex outside the bar giving evidence to police, after witnessing some poor bugger getting a black eye. Pete and Kimberly had already taken a taxi home and I had toilet paper stuck to my shoe.

 Hmm? A clue to where I went missing maybe?

Thrilled that I'm not dead, Alex gives me his jacket like a gentleman and walks me to my car.

Yes. I drove in. What a dick.

Walk to the car park building, take the lift, get off at the level I parked at.

No car and the car park looked nothing like where I left it. WTF?

We walked FOREVERRRRRRRRRR around the city.

We take a pit stop toilet break at the Hilton Hotel foyer.

Have an Oprah styled, deep and meaningful conversation on the hotels fancy art deco lounges.

Had a 'lightbulb moment'... I took us to the wrong car park.

Alex no likes me.

I apologized immensely then came up with the brilliant idea of going to the 24 Hour Pancake Manor for a midnight snack. Genius!

Alex likes me again!

Which brings us back the Pancake Manor at 3am, bonding over this Youtube clip and laughing like nutters together.

I think Alex and I  are going get along just fine.

Until next time dude.

Amanda x

Discover your WORKING HOLIDAY CLUB adventure here!

We are family ( 38 days before I leave for Canada)

I recently moved into a new place and I think I've scored a pretty sweet pad.

It’s got everything!

Three bedrooms, beautiful kitchen, stunning spacious bathroom and a very comfy lounge room with a giant plasma with Foxtel.
It also has a beautiful garden growing it's own herbs and huge entertaining area for all my friends. 
It's just perfect!
The place even comes with a full pantry and fridge, plus a little Maltese dog named Piper...

Who am I kidding, I've moved back home with my parents.

Yep.

Mum and Dad have very kindly let me move back home, keeping all my belongings stored in the garage and live rent-free until I fly out to Canada, which will be happening in the next 6 weeks.

I’m a very lucky duck.

A bit has changed since the last time I lived here.

Our 13-year-old pampered pooch, Piper, has somehow negotiated with Mum and Dad to move her dinner-time from 4pm to 12pm. 
Who does this dog thinks she is? Miranda Kerr!? Her average dinner consists of  raw organic eggs, steamed vegetables and RSPCA approved chicken wings. 
Then she finishes her night with a teaspoon of vanilla bean ice cream. This bitch runs this mother!

The back yard has now turned into a bird sanctuary, thanks to Dads DIY bird feeders. 
One mother bird, her boyfriend and 2 kids, have set up home in one of our oversized hanging plants, but the thing is, it's plastic. A fake.

So I sat her down and I said, I said pet, I said love, I said pet, I said love. Your baby daddy needs to get himself a J.O.B, and he gotta get you and your babies a real living plant or a decent gum tree to live in. You know what I'm saying girlfriend?

Lets see what else...Oh and my old room has been transformed into what looks like Martha Stewarts bedroom, if she was sent to a mental institution - pretty pillows, beautiful linen, floral arrangements and scented candles, all in the same shade 'Bipolar white'. ( get the joke? Polar, like the Arctic Circle, Polar Bear, snow... which is white and Bi-polar is what craziess have...and mental instiutions are white...get it? No? Ok, fair enough)

Moving back home has come with its perks.

Home cooked meals, my clothes are being washed, and there is actually food in the fridge as appose to an out of date carton of almond milk and a jar of garlic. Try using those two ingredients in a Master Chef challenge.

Then there are the not so perky perks.

I really truly wish I had OCD, because my messiness tends to get me in trouble and drives people a little bonkers. Mum can't understand how one person can destroy a bathroom ,just from brushing her teeth; Dad knows when I have attempted to pack the dishwasher and my sister Jenna starts hyper ventliating when I hang a dress, I borrowed, up the wrong way and in the wrong section of her wardobe

The one thing I never missed about living at home, was the dinner tables favourite conversation topic.

Australian Politics.

This house is the Labor parties number one fangirl, and Mum and Dad love bitching about Tony Abbott with a passion, these two are like a pair of Mean Girls.

Abc News is on 24/7 and Mum chooses to watch 'Parliament Question Time' over any other daytime tv show. 

She has even had a 2 week ban from Facebook, after a Liberal Party support group reported her. What a bia-tch!

How you vented before Facebook.

Living at home is never really that bad, even if you are in your late 20's.

I was worried about moving in at first, as Mum and I do tend to butt heads like elk during the breeding season. But I think knowing this will be the last time I'll be seeing my family for a very long time, we're not sweating about the small stuff ,like  4 plates, 2 cups and the blender I used for a banana smoothie a dirty plate in the sink. Instead were are just enjoying and appreciating each others presence before I say goodbye.

Again, please excuse me while I go to my room and cry like a Tully, and smash a family sized, Cadbury block of chocolate.

Until next time pet.

Amanda x

Discover your WORKING HOLIDAY CLUB adventure here.

In the words of Mr Chow "So long gay* boys!" *just to clarify they are very straight boys who have lady lovers. (52 days until I leave for Canada)

Ten months ago my friend Renae and I went to a Caxton St bar for drinks with our old school mate, Ashley, who I last saw nine years ago, and with him was his younger brothers, Brad and Christian.

After one jug of some kind of tap beer and an expensive round of tequila shots (thanks to me), Renae and I some how ended up at a Brisbane Roar Football game with the boys.
I will admit I didn't have a frigging clue what was happening on the field, but I did know that Renae and I were drunk, giggly and taking selfies like morons. Yes, we became those girls at a sporting event.

Anyway, we all had a blast and Ash was still the same funny, easy going guy I remember from school, except he got a little bit taller.
A few days later, Ash asked if I wanted to move in with him and his brothers, as they were looking for a new flatmate after buying a house together.
One month later the Hemingway bachelor pad was my new home. I was the token new girl.

Today I sadly packed up my king single bed (I know, I know I'm pathetic human being!) and said goodbye to the best three flat mates a girl could ask for, so I can move back into my parents home, to save cash for Canada.

Life at the Hemingway home was never a boring one. Everyday was a "f*cking sweet!" day! 
Not one day went by without a laugh-a-thon, a friendly fiery debate, a sarcastic but loving "F*ck you" thrown at each other and we never went to bed without a "Goodnight roomie". 
Can I get anymore soppy or sentimental? Yes I can!

I fell in love with the Hemingway boys and I will miss everything about living with my adopted brothers. I'll miss listening to Ash sing the same Red Hot Chili Peppers song every time he cooked dinner, I'll miss Brad asking me "Is she hot?", whenever I mention one of my friends ,and I'll miss Christians sweet shy character, along with his outspoken alter-ego when he gets drunk.
They changed me for the better and their friendship healed the damaged parts of my life without them even knowing it.

Brad + Ashley + Christian = :) Amanda

Hemingway House Highlights

• Opening me to the world of Star Wars, The Regular Show and Adventure Time. I have learnt that there is NO age limit when in comes to cartoons.
• Teaching me the importance of football (soccer for those playing at home). The passion, the excitement, the passion, the build up, the passion....THE PASSION!!!! These kids are the craziest die-hard football fanatics I have ever meet, and I've learnt 2 things from this. 

1. Never try to nurse a hangover in bed when a football final happening in the lounge room. Stay at your mum's.                                                                                                               

2. Whatever you do, never ever, don't even think about it, are you crazy they will kill you in your sleep, ever call football that forbidden word Soccer. It's the same as saying the name Voldemont in Harry Potter land. It's forbidden!! (NERD ALERT!)

I think this guy loves football?

The Regular Show

To Ash, Brad and Christian, I will always be grateful to you boys, for you letting me live in your home. I thank you for putting up with my sometimes, most of the time, OK majority of the time messiness. I thank-you for accepting the times I hogged the TV to watch Offspring and Fashion Police, for understanding why I had to take over 80% of the shower shelf storage and for doing your awkward best at comforting me, when I was hormonal crying mess.

I can't thank-you enough or express how much I will miss you boys.

Now please excuse me, while I go to my room and cry like a little bitch with a pack of Tim Tams.

I love you roomies!

Until next time bro!

Amanda x

Discover your WORKING HOLIDAY CLUB adventure here!

Enter Witty Title here....because Im too buggered to think of one. (60 DAYS BEFORE I LEAVE FOR CANADA)

You watch The Ellen DeGeneres Show right? Shut up yes you do! You watch it when your at home 'sick',after the local bars 'Tuesday's $2 Taco and Corona' night. Am I right? Or am I right? Whether you have seen it once because you were too hungover to find the remote, or it's recorded daily on Foxtel (it's OK, It can be our little secret) you will know these 3 key things about Ms E.

1.The only way Ellen can get to her chair, is to sumo squat across her coffee table as she avoids getting hit in the crotch by a tulip.

2. Stand next to her and you will always be the better dancer in the room.

3. She is Supercalifragilisticexpialidociously RICH!!! $$$$

Everyday she is giving out Hybrid cars, super sized novelty cheques and island holidays, like I give out like the middle finger on my daily drive to work. The trick to scoring yourself a spot on Ellen's nice and not naughty list, is to send her a tear jerking letter about how broke you are, your dog running away, getting dumped by your boyfriend and losing your job along with your sanity ; but you still see the vodka bottle half full. Next thing you know, BOOM! You got yourself $10,000 in a briefcase given to you by a man in cotton briefs. Happy days!

(If my dog goes missing in the next week, don't ask questions.)

Damn! My life would be so much easier right now, if Ellen was my own personal Fairy Godmother/ Genie. But instead of a golden lamp, she would be coming out of a bottle of tequila.
Then every time I do a shot, she would grant me a wish.

*shot number one*
 Me: "Ellen, can I please have luggage and clothing to take to Canada."
 Ellen: "Here you go!"

* shot number two*
Me: "Ellen!!! I need like an unlimited credit card that I never have to pay back!"
Ellen: "All yours!"

*shot number three*
Me: "Ellen!... Ellen!! I neeeed like a bloody snowboard and shit, for the snow and shit you know!?
" OK, OK. One snowboard coming right up"

*Shot number four*
Me: "Ellen you f*cking bitch, where's my thermal onesie?"
Ellen:"I think you should slow down Amanda"

*Shot number five*
Me: "Ellen I can't feel my face, and why the f*ck am I dressed like a giant penguin?"
Ellen: "Screw this I'm calling a taxi"

Now, my imaginary fairy Godmother Ellen might dump my drunk sorry ass at the taxi rank, but I know my real life friends and family will be there to chip in for cab fare and shout me a slice of vegetarian pizza for the ride home. Winning!

During the past few months I've been completely amazed by the financial and emotional support that has come my way, since I announced my plan to live in Canada. It's such a reassuring feeling, knowing I have a bad-ass cheer squad behind me 100% , shaking their pom-poms and their bon-bons for me. (OK I just got a Ricky Martin flash back circa 1999)

So for that, I would like to thank the following people:

Marisa Mackail. This naughty little girl bought me a Ripcurl backpack! I had it on Lay-by for just ONE day, before she went into the shop, paid off the rest ,then surprised me with it! Tricky,tricky little Mariska. Thank-you! xx (p.s and thank-you for all those freebie movie tickets, so we can still have a social life together!)

Janet Heslop. A regular snow enthusiast, gave me one of her sheep skin jackets to add to my winter clothing collection. Thanks Janet! xx

Antonis Michael: For never ever letting me pay for my lattes at work and  for constantly paying for our breakfast dates, so I can save money. Thank-you xx

Antionette Stellino: My work sister, has been so kind to let me park my car at her place every morning so
 I don't have to pay $60 a month for staff car parking. Thank-you! xx

Bree Singleton: For shouting me a soy latte today...oh and for all your encouragement. Thank -you for telling me to stop being a bitching sook and just book the stupid flights. I love you Bree! xx

Marisa's mum Diana. Giving me a free feed one night! Free food is always good. Thanks Mrs Marisa! xx

Kin (my work mum). Always bringing in lunch and nicking veggies from her mum's garden for me. Thanks Kinny! xx

Mum and Dad. Offering me to move back home, rent free, until I fly out. Huge thanks xx!

Uncle Peter and Aunt Sue. For your second-hand thermal legging that look like they have been very, very used...Thanks?

And last but not least, to every single person who have been giving me all their advice on the Canadian weather.
Apparently it's going to be cold? 

I THANK YOU!!!*


Until next time Harry.

Amanda. x

*SARCASM!!!

Discover your WORKING HOLIDAY CLUB adventure here!

You're looking at the next bachelorette...but don't expect any roses from me. (82 days to go)

Let me introduce myself...

Name: Amanda Kate Maguire

Optional name choices: Moinga, Moing, Manda, Mandy, Amand, Aman-duh, Ama, Dickhead.

Star Sign: Gemini (Talkative,Witty, Outgoing, Indecisive, Sarcastic, Forgetful)

Location: Brisbane, Australia.
Age: 27, but I can still pass for a 25 (and half) year old.

Marital Status : Single...unless my boss, Maria, has anything to do with.

WANTED

Single young man aged between 21-27years old willing to start a long term relationship with one of my employees. 
Amanda, 27 year old female, brunette, tall, quirky, funny and was the 2010 regional cupcake eating champion. 

You must be charming, make Amanda fall madly in love with you and have her convinced you are the 'ONE', so she change her mind about quiting her job here in Australia, and moving to Canada.

    Our preferable candidate should be a tall, good looking man with decent facial hair. 
You must be funny, intelligent, well-mannered, employed and have NO Southern Cross or Australian patriotic tattoos.
  You must also have a lot of patiences to deal with her absent seizes....
 Extra consideration will be given if you have a love for the TV show 'OFFSPRING,' and can understand why Patrick dying is a legitimate reason to call into work sick to mourn his death.

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!
*Salary will be discussed during time of interview

Email: maria@imnotacceptingherresignation.com.au

R.I.P Patrick...shut up, yes I know he's not real!! BUT IT'S PATRICK!

So apparently getting a boyfriend is easy, just quit your job! Now I'll be expecting an assortment gentlemen lining up at my door with with red velvet cupcakes and the complete series of Offspring! Now this is my idea of true love.

My current job is in retail, with bunch of great/wonderful/special/beautiful/hilarious/super clever peeps, who over the past 2 years have become some of my closest friends and biggest supporters.
I'm also lucky enough to work for a couple of terrific bosses, who have always been supportive.
So I can guarantee you I'll will be shedding a few tears on my last day before smashing a few espresso martinis at our local drinking hole Byblos later that night to celebrate.

When I rang my boss Maria, to tell her the news of my resignation, the conversation went a little bit like this:

Thursday Morning
Me: Maria are you coming into the shop today?
Maria: No I'll be in Monday morning, a new girl is starting. Did you want talk to me?
Me: Yeah
Maria: Yep, what's up?
Me: Umm, I'll be leaving work in late October.
Maria: Oh why?!
Me: I'm leaving the country to runaway to Canada, to hopefully become a reality TV star.  

Real Aussie bums of Vancouver.  I'll be a working at a Grouse Mountain Resort, Vancouver, for 6 months.

Maria: Wow, we are going to miss you, can't you just go for a week and get it out of your system?

Me: No

Maria: OK.

3 hours later...work phone ring.

Me: Hello, Worlds Best Work Place Amanda speaking

Maria: OK ,so I have an idea. What if you go overseas for just November, December and January while the Uni students are on holidays, so they can cover for you, then when they go back to uni, you come back too!

Me: No.

Maria: OK.

5 days later during monthly team work meeting...

Maria: OK everyone, Amanda thinks she is leaving us, but I am not accepting her resignation because I have a plan! Does anyone have a brother, male cousin, a guy friend who is single? If we find her the perfect boyfriend she will be crawling back for her job!
New Girl: Oh, I have a cousin who is a Pilot!
Maria: Perfect!
New Girl: He lives in Adelaide.
Maria: Well that's not going work.
(at this point my face was as red as the Canadian flag)
Me: Great plan, but you have 5 days to find me Joseph Gordon-Levitt or Passenger before I book my flights this weekend.
Maria: Well I suggest you make sure your flight is refundable!

No Joseph and no Passenger, very disappointed. 

Well my flights are now officially booked and there is no looking back! No boy is going to stop me, even if you are a dreamboat , you can't compare to my dream waiting for me in Vancouver.

Sorry Maria, I'll send you a post card :)

But remember, If your ever looking for love, forget dating sites just give Maria a buzz!

Until next time Lovers!

Amanda x

Discover your WORKING HOLIDAY CLUB adventure here!

"It's not about the money,money,money" (89 days to go)

You're right Jessie J! Life's not all about the cha-ching cha-ching or ba-bling ba-bling, you just wanna make the world dance with your catchy pop songs that make you zillions of $$$!
However Miss J, when you're trying to save what you can to live overseas, a big fat money tree can sure come in handy.

Everyone knows saving for that dream trip comes with a price tag and a long list of budgeting sacrifices, and it can be even harder when you have a short time frame to save, you're a working student or you have a few annoying credit cards and loans to pay off.

But fear not fellow adventuring enthusiasts, miracles do happen! That plane ticket and a big bucket of loonies and toonies can be yours. 

You just need a bit of faith, a real close look at your spending habits and make a saving plan pronto!
Yes, yes; budgeting can be as painful as seeing another pointless Instagram of your selfie-absorbed friend, but I can tell you, it will be worth it at the end. @amanda_maguire

Thumbs up for my rad sweater #itwasonsale #ishouldhostplayschool @amanda_maguire

I have been on a spending detox for a while now and I have managed to survive and save a tone of cash, however I have noticed I 've develop a condition I like to call, 'Stingy Tight Ass Syndrome'.

Symptoms include:

• Obsessing about using the absolute last drop of my Moroccan hair oil , the last dollop of the toothpaste and the last smige of lip balm until it's bone dry.
• Forgetting my bank card PIN number, because it's been so long since I last used it.
• My pick up line at the bar is "So what drink are you buying me?"
• Sentencing myself to house arrest, in fear of going outside and spending money.
• Finding anyway I can to get a free feed, including samples at the supermarket to inviting myself over for dinner to my parents, even when they're not home
• My favourite meal to order is 'Soup of the day'
• I scramble for that 5 cent piece I dropped on the ground, when I would normally let it roll away.
• My Facebook status reads "Found a $5 note in an old pair of jeans! BEST DAY EVER!"
• The pantry is overflowing with 2 minute noodles because Coles had an awesome special happening.

"Let see what happens when I eat 2 minute noodles every night for the next 3 months" #selfie#broke #poor # saving
 #mystomachisfucked

"My worst Nightmare "#selfie #expensivetaste #whyyyyy??? #broke #myhairisfucked

"hang in there mate,  just 2 more days till pay day!" #selfie #broke #saving #sad #myteetharefucked

When I first looked at my financial situation, I put my accountant hat on and had my monkey assistant add up the figures. I almost pulled the plug on the whole show. It seemed impossible.
How on earth was I going to come up with thousands of dollars to pay for flights and winter gear, when I already had a hefty credit card to pay off and still afford my everyday essentials?
Then I had one more look (but this time I got into character and pretended I was financial guru Kochie, by wearing a beige swimming cap, my reading glasses and forced my flat mate, Ashley, to put on a blonde wig and lipstick to play Mel. He wasn't too impressed)

(PLEASE NARRATE THE NEXT PARAGRAPH WITH KOCHIES VOICE IN YOUR HEAD)

Its was possible! I looked at EVERYTHING I was spending my money on.
Rent, car insurance, health insurance, phone plans, gym fees, grocery shopping, transport to work and absolutely everything in between I spent my pay on.
First things first, I made paying off that nasty credit card my number 1 priority. No excuses!
Next, I cut out the 'crap' I could live without (magazines, gym, paid parking) and chose cheaper options for things I do really need (phone plan, car insurance, soy lattes). Simple.

At the beginning it was a pain in the backside and a little stressful, but just trust me.
Keep with it, and you will soon start to see a mighty fine figure in your bank account, and not on your credit card statement.

So here's to happy Saturday nights in on couch, with my 2 minute noodles and cheap wine. CHEERS!

Until next time cherubs

Amanda x

Discover your WORKING HOLIDAY CLUB adventure here!