I think I've lost weight already. Did so much walking yesterday.

Yesterday, I went for 2 house viewings. The ad for the first apartment stated that it was a 20-25 mins walk from the uni. So I took a map from the news agent, examined it thoroughly, and walked, using the map to navigate. And cos I was unfamiliar with the area, I took another route which took me 50 mins. In that 50 mins, I got lost once (went in a different direction) and had to ask for help twice. When I reached, I realised that if I had walked in another direction, I would have reached the place in 20 mins. The place was cheap. $150 per week, inclusive of everything: electricity bills, internet, water and I get to use the whole house. The only problem is that the young couple who owns the house (they are really nice) has a really young baby (5 weeks old) and 5 cats. I don't have an issue with that, but the house is a terrible mess. And we know how I am with mess. I hate it. The room's ok. They just called and told me they were offering me the place but I haven't committed yet. Yes, yes, I'm picky. But I'll be staying here for almost a year so I need a place that I would be comfortable in.

From there, I grabbed a bite at Nando's (yes, I actually had more than an apple and water this time round) and went to the 2nd apartment viewing. Again, I pored through the map and with great pride, I managed to get to the place without getting lost. That took me 25 mins. And it was a really nice place. The room was bright and clean and there would be 5 girls living there, including myself. The owner was going to offer me the place but I told him to give me a day to think about it. Cos I will have to take a bus to uni (about a 10 mins bus ride) but the bus comes every 1 hr. Which means if I missed it, I'm screwed. So I tried walking back to uni cos from the map, it looked do-able. So I walked. And I walked. Uphill, downhill, turn left, turn right. All these while looking at the map and making sure I turned at the right places. Cos if I got lost, I was dead. And all these in the scorching sun. Perth's summer is insane. It was 32 degrees yesterday. Lugging my heavy bag. It took me 50 mins to get back to the uni!! I was almost on the verge of tears when I finally got back.

In all, I walked for almost 4 hrs. 3 1/2 hrs, to be exact. My calves and thighs are burning. My butt's aching. And my nose started bleeding. Cos it was really hot and dry. Today, when I woke up in the morning, it feels like I just had a tough workout in the gym. I guess this is my way of making up for the lack of exercise and the excessive eating in Melbourne.

In the evening, I went down to one of the suburbs near the uni and had chilli mussels with bread and a bottle of iced water at this small Italian restaurant. I sat there for an hour, eating, and drinking and reading a book. Was I lonely? Yeah, I was. But it was pretty nice being on my own and enjoying my own company.

I hope to get a place by this evening and move out tomorrow morning. Orientation starts next Mon and I want to be ready by then.