karine-in-oz

Sometimes I don't remember if I already talked about certain things, but a quick reminder wouldn't hurt.

In term of social networking I found that your skills and proficiencies in areas such as sports, musics, languages or anything uncanny were actually very efficient to find new friends. 

Let me give you some examples. Last year, a friend of us introduced us to a very good salsa dancer and instructor. The first thing he did when he came here, was to hit all the salsa places every single day for two-three weeks. In that amount of time, all the regulars would have spot him and asked him where he was from and what he was doing here. Usually for a normal dancer, it would have taken a few more months, sometimes up to three months to create some familarity. But in his case, his level was so high that his integration in the salsa community was close to instantaneous. He has what I called the critical level where you get to be part of the community because you've reached that level of profiency where people believe you are on the same level. Of course, some people may argue that the salsa scene is superficial, but still, it is a place to start.

Another example. I have that (famous) bilingual friend whose French is as perfect as a Native speaker. Personally I couldn't believe she wasn't French when she told me she was Spanish and only spent six months in Paris. But her level is so high that she would have got only French friends for her first three years in Sydney. And it was the first time ever she would have had that many French friends. In Paris, people thought she was a local and she actually didn't make any French friends in France. 

So what do we call the critical level ? Some people talk about the expert level where you need to add up 10,000 hours. For me, it is the level where your peers accept you as one of them based on a particular skill (i.e salsa dancing, French speaking...).

And what if you don't practise anymore ? Would your brain keeps a residual level which would be equal to the critical level ? This is the whole problem where I haven't found the solution yet !! I don't really know how long you need to practise a specific skill so your residual level will always be close to the critical level...

Five years ago, when I came to Australia, I was fiercely against the idea of dating. It was a black and white vision of the things : you were either a girlfriend or a fucking buddy ('plan c*l' in French). Hence the notion of relationship anniversary in France as the day you kissed was the day your relationship started. In Australia, the dating is messing up the whole concept because you don't really know when the relationship starts until you discuss about it, even if you were already intimate and met the folks.

And it used to drive me crazy...

But lately I realised that they are people you don't really see yourself being intense about, but you still have a nice time with them and you do like them, but for some reasons, the butterflies are not here. So there is no need to become intense about it or to get committed. Hence, you don't really see the person on a frequent basis. I don't like to use the word 'casual' because it refers to only physical intimacy.

The fact that you don't really keep in touch in a consistent basis, doesn't allow you to be so much involved (and hurt). And let's face it, women too have a libido which kicks in high every three/four months, so a bit a s***** release surrounding by proper treatments is more than welcome in these sort of moments ;) And this is where the dating is useful and appreciated.

I can't call it just fucking buddy, because it is not it, as there are dinners, sleepovers, breakfasts and the likes. The majority of the time spent together is not physical and if for one night, you are treating like a girlfriend (French style) or date (Aussie style), and you don't project yourself for more than one night, it's OK, that is the whole purpose of dating...

At the end of day, it is all about having a good time :)

Last time, I bump into my workmate laughing while he was reading a joke about language at work. I thought I would share it with you, as I often complain that Australian culture tends to avoid conflicts. But apparently in the media industry, it tends to be the opposite:

"Dear employees,

It has been brought to management's attention that some individuals throughout the company has been using foul language during the course of normal conversation with their co-workers. 

Due to complaints received from some employees who may be easily offended, this type of language will no longer be tolerated.

We do, however, realize the critical importance of being able to accurately express your feelings when communicating with co-workers.

Therefore, a list of 18 New and Innovative 'TRY SAYING' phrases have been provided so that proper exchange of ideas and information can continnue in an effective manner.

Number 1

TRY SAYING: I think you could use more training

INSTEAD OF: You don't know what you are doing

Number 2

TRY SAYING: She is an aggressive go-getter.

INSTEAD OF: She's fucking bitch.

Number 3

TRY SAYING: Perhaps I can work late.

INSTEAD OF: And when the fuck do you expect me to do this?

Number 4

TRY SAYING: I'm certain that isn't feasible.

INSTEAD OF: No fucking way.

Number 5

TRY SAYING: Really?

INSTEAD OF: You've got to be shitting me!

Number 6

TRY SAYING: Perhaps you should check with...

INSTEAD OF: Tell someone who gives a shit.

Number 7

TRY SAYING: It wasn't involved in the project.

INSTEAD OF: It's not my fucking problem.

Number 8

TRY SAYING: That's interesting.

INSTEAD OF: What the fuck?

Number 9

TRY SAYING: I am not sure this can be implemented.

INSTEAD OF: This shit won't work.

Number 10

TRY SAYING: I'll try to schedule that.

INSTEAD OF: Why the fuck didn't you tell me sooner?

Number 11

TRY SAYING: He's not familiar with the issues...

INSTEAD OF: He's got his head up his ass.

Number 12

TRY SAYING: Excuse me, sir?

INSTEAD OF: Eat shit and die.

Number 13

TRY SAYING: So you weren't happy with it?

INSTEAD OF: Kiss my ass.

Number 14

TRY SAYING: I'm a bit over overloaded at the moment

INSTEAD OF: Fuck it, I'm on salary.

Number 15

TRY SAYING: I don't think you understand.

INSTEAD OF: Shove it up your ass.

Number 16

TRY SAYING: I love a challenge.

INSTEAD OF: This fucking job sucks...

Number 17

TRY SAYING: You want me to take care of that?

INSTEAD OF: Who the fuck died and made you boss?

Number 18

TRY SAYING: He's somewhat insensitive.

INSTEAD OF: He's a prick.

Thank You"

Last time we had a function, I discovered that one of my closest workmates was a true blue Australian as his ancestors were from the First Fleet of convicts sent to Australia. He told me that he had a reunion a decade ago and kept a souvenir booklet  where they showed copies of documents such as tickets of leave and certifications of freedom. 

When he brought it at work, I was so excited to see something close to historic records and realised how young the country was.This coworker is now the 6th generation of these first Australians. I actually realised that First Fleet wasn't only one boat but series of boats which came to Australia between 1788 and 1850's. His ancestors were sent to Australia because one stole spectacles and the second a pig. As result, they were sentenced for several years of Australian jail.

For some reason, I wasn't excited as much when I met a French aristocrat, whose family was dated from 1500's and who still owns castles (ruins?), territories and the likes, but an Australian fellow mate from the First Fleet ?? It made my day !

http://www.australianhistoryresearch.info/the-first-fleet/

We went volunteering in Manly Beach for Clean Up Australia Day. There is an area next to Manly wharf where small penguins used to hang out, but due to dogs and garbages, most of the them died and they are now only a few. You can either pick up the garbages from the coastal area or you can dive, if you have the PADI (Open Water). It is shared action with Oceanworld, Eco Divers and Sydney Aquarium Conversation Fund. Definitely something to do again !!

http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/

http://www.sacf.org.au/

http://www.oceanworld.com.au/

http://www.ecodivers.org.au/animal-rescue.html