the birm*

Visa? Yes please!

I recently found out I’ve been working “illegally”…well, not quite. I went to apply for a short term residency card (due to my visa expiring in March) and was told that I couldn’t get one without returning to Australia!

I assumed that the wrong information had been passed on (I know I can’t get a renewal on my visa, but I know I can apply for a “carte de séjour”), so I went to the chief of personnel and asked about that.

It appears that I was supposed present my work visa to get a piece of paper saying that I could work in France (despite the fact that my visa said I could…).

Because I hadn’t done this (I had no idea I had to!), I wasn’t supposed to be working, so I might have to take some forced break until it gets sorted out (which would be great!). The head of personnel has been great and she has connections with the proper authorities. They’re going to try and get me a 3 year seasonal work permit, which would be excellent (rather than applying for one every year).

Evidently things may not get sorted out, which would mean I’d see you aussies sooner than expected! In any case it’s out of my hands now and as always, God is in control and will determine what the outcome is…

Chopper !

I had to accompany a girl down to the ambulance the other day (she wasn’t badly hurt, but, since she had insurance, it’s procedure), cause she was a minor. Because we were about half way up the mountain we had to get airlifted out, meaning I got a free ride in the med-evac chopper. Dropping off the face of the mountain in a tiny helicopter with glass floors was unreal! I prob won’t get to go again for a while, as you really have to be at the right place at the right time…

Turning to the dark side ?

Well I’d never thought I’d actually say this (well…write it), but I may have turned into a skier. Working on skis everyday has made me a better skier, which means I actually have JUST AS MUCH FUN now on skis as I do on a snowboard (yes, even in knee deep powder). I know, I know, it’s incredible, but it’s true…

In any case I’d do neither on a regular basis if it wasn’t for the free lift pass I acquired…

So long and thanks for all the fish fingers.

Well I had the pleasure of having 3 friends from aussie land come and say g’day over the last few weeks (they managed to come at 1 day interval from each other, without planning it!).

It started with stittman, from Newcastle, who was here for a week over Christmas. Great times (like watching the moon rise over the mountains around a campfire in the snow fro Christmas eve) were had and it was great to catch up.

Next was Katie, an ol’ friend from Church/youth group/fruit picking, who was on her way to England to do a month long prac/course/medicine thingy for her medical degree.

Finally there was Tezza, a mountainbiking-climbing-surfing-fun-times mate from newie. He’s been here for a week to ski and loved it (despite the crazy weather).

It’s been busy, busy, busy, but a real treat to have friends come and see me at this time of the year, so thanks guys!

Too busy to blog…

Well it appears that things like blogging, facebook, flickr and even email, are not really priorities in my life. So yeah, I’ve been too busy lately to kkep up with people (sorry) and to share my life on this blog (for the few people who read it from time to time).

So anyway, I started my job at the ski resort, which has been great but tiring. I’m in a team of 5 people, giving info to people, handing out surveys and making sure that everyone is ok on the slopes. I get to ski a wee bit (anywhere from 10 mins to 2 hours a day), which is excellent.

My main purpose for working there was to get to know people in the area, which is happening, and to work in the mountains (which, evidently is also happening!). the season lift pass is obviously a pretty good bonus…