Being Josh Aviñante

It was cold and raining in Sydney when I left that fateful day for an island in the Witsundays hoping for a new start. Among the excess baggage I carried with myself was a prized red towel, a jersey from a failed relationship, fear of people in the industry and most important of all, running into the same problem, that is people with a penchant for verbal abuse and who have contributed to my feeling of self worthlessness. However, the first sight of this beautiful paradise shed away a few doubts, well at least as it appears to be. You can never underestimate the power of reality to search and destroy. The welcome letter from the company gave me an idea that this would be a different experience. Indeed, the first sight, as we approached the harbour, was a group of enthusiastic GOs waving at us for our proper welcome. In case you wanted to know, GOs stand for Gracious Organizers, to realize later that some disgruntled elements in the island would refer to as Generally Obnoxious, lol

Dear Diary, I saw Carla today. She is soooo cute!!! Kaya lang, she thinks I drink too much! So from now on, Goodbye Vodka! Goodbye Rum! Goodbye Johnny Walker! Goodbye Merlot! Goodbye Carbernet Sauvignon! Goodbye Pinot Noir! Goodbye Beer! Hmmm ... Goodbye Carla! Hehehehehehe!

Dear Diary, I saw Carla today. She is sooooo cute!!! Kaya lang, she might think I'm fat. So from now on, Goodbye ice cream! Goodbye croissants with butter and marmalade! Goodbye pan cakes with maple syrup! Goodbye bacon! Goodbye sausages! Goodbye beer! What? No more beer????!!!! Hmmph! Goodbye Carla!!!!! LOL

Dear Diary, Today, I sit here at the hostel lounge waiting for check in time, which will not happen for another one and half hour.  Until then, its quite nice to sit in a couch again daydreaming, doing nothing and generally being unproductive.  The fast pace of life in the hospitality industry, excacerbated by an expensive Sydney lifestyle, has trained me to live like a horse, just running without looking backwards or sideways, just forward without you knowing if your horseman (life) is leading you to a triumphant march into a conquered city or a suicidal cavalry charge against a larger army.  Now that my horseman is on break, I can take off those wretched horse eye patches and reflect on what I need to do.  But then, you realize how dreadful the past few weeks have been and the coming more weeks with those cavalry charges without knowing where your horseman will lead you.  Is Sydney the beginning of my march to greatness or rather my road to perdition?