One year

 Hello everyone.

It's been a year since I have moved into Pakenham and it has been a very big year to date. I was hoping to do a big post on Facebook but for some reason I can't work out, it's not possible as such but on the other hand, I can use this blog to do so then put it on Facebook. But now, let's get this going.

Back in the last months of 2021, I was wanting to wait and see until I'll get full time work but I've worked out with my budget as I was working casually and at the same time receive my disability support pension, it'll be sufficient for me to live independently.

Next, I went looking for my first ever rental. I was after a small house either a unit or a townhouse. I came across a 2 bedroom unit with a single garage, went to have a look, then applied but astonishingly with no tenancy record, I have been accepted as a tenant. It was a feeling I hadn't felt before but it was huge. I felt grateful my times in Gippsland had finally come to an end.

I have moved to this unit in December before Christmas. It was good but what's hard is how much money I had to fork out on new items plus some Christmas presents. It was hard to maintain my budget especially having appointments with my new chiropractor when my private health insurance is out.

But eventually, I got through. Once I get my private health insurance back on in the new financial year, I'm all comfortable now only paying a fraction of every fee when I attend.

In the meantime, I thought of working on a project car for my bucket list. Although I didn't know a lot of people, I had spoken to some Repco staff members about it and they seemed warm about it. There are other things that can be done when people work on cars such as flipping them and even sell spare parts from broken cars and that intrigues me even more.

I came up with an idea to make a start. What I'm currently doing is build up an initial budget of $5,000 AUD. Next is to find someone who has a mechanical workshop to share which is in progress. But in the meantime, I'm currently doing some work on my car and eventually hope to help other people on their project cars. I have also bought cheap lawn mowers to fix and sell and so far sold 2.

But then, I've hit some hurdles this year.

There was the last of Centrelink. Because I was working casual for the moment, I've had around 3 weeks my earnings reports were over the threshold but one last encounter with Centrelink was really hard. I was given the news they'll stop my pension which was a bad time for me as I was working 4 days a week. I was worried sick I'll be short on money but unfortunately, they didn't change. I was upset with them big time and left their office in such dismay.

I then went on Facebook to post about wanting a little casual job to keep myself afloat. I was able to work with someone doing mulching for 2 weeks until the job fell through. Then I called other Repco stores to fill in some extra shifts. I hadn't had much luck until I contacted the Cranbourne store and I've been able to fill in some shifts. It was a great idea as I was given great opportunities to learn and gain experience in customer service, parts picking and delivery driving as opposed to doing stock at the Doveton store.

And then, there's a big issue on making friends. I had to move out of Gippsland as my life there hadn't panned out in the end. Going to pubs to meet people hasn't been straight forward and neighbours who aren't great to meet up. I have caught with a small handful of friends who live in the Melbourne area which is easy in a way but they can be busy with their lives.

But gradually as I was having small chats, they gradually lead me to bigger conversations and lately, I'll be keeping in contact with a few people who've been good and supportive which really matters to me especially when I hadn't had the greatest times growing up.

It's rather funny how some people reckon I should have a pet. However, I hadn't seen an appeal to have an animal for company when I just wanted to meet people and make friends. I feel that people who prefer to have pets might have given up when it's too hard for them to meet people but I do have a can-do attitude and I've spoken to many people in my life. Another funny thing is my dealings with disabled people make up a small fraction on the total amount of people to date. The reason being that some people reckon because of my Autism, I should in a way associate with other people with disabilities. My biggest problem has been a feeling of segregation from the general community.

But anyway, I've made it to the end of the year and I'll keep going. I haven't moved to Pakenham to slow down as I'll still be building up my new life. And rest assured, my tenancy situation is all good as I'm placed on a month by month contract so I can rest easy until I'll be ready to move to another rental as long as I give my real estate agent 28 days notice.

Another thing I'll be looking to take up again is art. I hope that one day, I'll have my own art exhibition. It'll be nice to do things to show my new community I exist.

That's all from me. Have a merry Christmas and a new year!

See you next time!