Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Awfully hard to believe I left the States a month ago already.Gosh time sure flies fast!I am continuing to enjoy myself as I have been studying, socializing, and sunbathing.
Rebecca and I have been doing a lot of talking about how everyone says "Studying Abroad makes to you to be so independent, self- reliant, mature Blah blah blah"(Well naturally we all know I am already all of those things haha) But really, we are coming to see what all of that talk really means.
Example:Yesterday we ventured to Perth in efforts to change my ticket for my return home.My travel agent at home instructed me that I had to go to the Qantas Office in Perth to be able to make any changes.So once we had found the building we walked in to see a front desk with no worker.A note was presented on the front stating that there is no receptionist available and for assistance you need to call this 1-800 number.Now this boggled me because I traveled all the way to the office to talk to someone in person, not to call!After 15 minutes of waiting to see if we could track down an employee a man from a back room had came up.He had informed us that we were in the Qantas Administration Headquarters and that no booking or reservation changes could be made here because that department closed down two months ago!
Reluctantly I picked up the phone and dialed, little did I know it wouldn't be for another 45 minutes until I finally got connected to a person.(You can all imagine my patience by this point) Just after my arrangements were worked out and I was about to give them credit card info, the Rep hung-up on me!You can probably hear me saying my standard line, "JOKE" (practically at the top of my lungs).I was just livid.We have now been in this office for a little over an hour. Rebecca and I were on the phone once again sitting at the front desk with no other employees around.Another 45 minutes later I was in contact of another, but different Representative.
Throughout this call was I told that the process of changing tickets requires you to call and make the request and then call back in 48 hrs to make sure it was confirmed. (Meaning on Monday I will then have to call back to make sure the change was successful) After explaining my story and getting my flights sorted the Rep was attempting to charge me an $80 service fee.Needless to say, I was not having that!! So I replied to her, " Could you please explain to me what this service fee entails because I have waited on the phone for 45 minutes to get hung up on and then to wait another 45 to find out I have to call back in 2 days to see if it even worked.Is there anyway I could speak with someone in efforts to get this fee waivered because I cannot justify paying $80 for this phone call."Now that I can say I am $80 richer I am a happy girl.The supervisor had agreed to the waiver and now it will only cost the stopover fee!
Isn't that quite the story!I was in a sense stuck because there was no way my pre-paid phone would have enough credit on it to wait for 2 hours, so I had to use the company phone they provided.Soon enough I will have my flight confirmed and will be exploring the East coast of AU with a bunch of you.Crazy to think by the time I get back to the States I will have seen practically the entire continent.
Moving on, I hear everyone is wondering how I am doing with my cooking .Lets just say "adios sandwiches everyday"!Becca and I have created a system.We make a grocery list and meal plan every Friday for the following week.On Sunday we go shopping down to the market and buy for the week.We are such the hot commodities in the kitchen.Everyone always asks what we are having for dinner and drools as they watch us eat our home cooked meals.Pasta, tacos, nachos, grilled chicken (yup you read right, I used the grill yesterday), beef stroganoff, and mash potatoes just to name a few.
We are off to the wild life tomorrow to play with the Kangaroos and Koalas, so stay tuned for pics!I have posted pictures of my "backyard" too so check them out, but don't get too jealous!
Hope everyone had a Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Until next time I send my hugs & kisses
- comments
Aunt Maria What a story. I just hope all those transactions go thru. You sure know how to work things out. Good for you. And I am so proud to hear about your cooking skills. You and Arlena might have a little bit of competion going. Also saw your pictures with all those animals. Amazing. It looks to me like your having to much fun. love you!!!!
GRANDMA SWIERCZ GOOD EVENING, JUST TALKED TO YOUR MOTHER....SHE HAS A COLD. ARLENA IS OUT TONIGHT....DAD IS WORKING.... WAS TO CHURCH WITH AUNT MARIA & AUNT ANNE...WENT TO GRANDPA TONY`S. CAME HOME TO READ YOUR LETTER....SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE DOING VERY WELL. ENJOY THE SUNSHINE...WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO OURS. ALL IS WELL ON MARSAC... YOURS PICTURES TELL YOU ARE SEEING A LOT OF THE OTHER SIDE OF WORLD. ENJOY AND WORK AND PRAY.....PEACE AND LOVE GRANDMA
Kurt Hi Nichole:) I am glad that you are enjoying yourself..minus the flight issues. You have been blessed with such an awesome experience. I may even be jealous. I can't wait to hear all the stories. Keep writing.