lots and lots of broccoli and newyears in brisbane

my very last job in australia was cutting and packing broccoli at a farm where i was actually paid per hour!!! the hostel we stayed at was really nice and the people who worked there were so helpful and sweet and it was a very nice change from lillie's backpackers. every saturday night was 'bar night' and the kitchen/dining area was transformed into a bar. alcohol wasn't allowed at the hostel, except for these nights. we would also go on trips every now and again and the staff also brought us to the supermarket every week.
the work was a lot harder and we also worked when it rained. most people staying at the hostel also worked at this farm and every morning we were all dropped off and we would wrap ourselves in garbage bags because no one had a proper rain suit. the weather was really bad, but because it was christmas time and for some reason people like broccoli a lot, the orders were huge and we had to work over 11 hours a day sometimes. i was still in a bad mood from all the shit that happened at the other hostel and it took me a while to get my mojo back. i was just so tired of working so hard, but this time i was finally paid a normal, decent wage. my visa was almost running out and i think that looking back at my year in australia, i was a bit dissapointed and i wished i'd been able to do more cool stuff you dream about doing when you get to australia. of course i worked enough to be able to get my 2nd year visa, but i decided it was better to go back home and save and then come back and do all the things i wanted to the first time around.
after i finished working enough days to get my 2nd visa, i decided to spend my last week in brisbane. i'd saved a little bit to be able to go out and have fun and that's pretty much all i did. i also spent newyears there and i went to a lesbian party in the city. there i entered a karaoke competition where i came in second!! i had a blast and brisbane is such a beautiful city. people are very outdoorsy and friendly and i'm happy i was able to still spend a week there.
after australia i visited my family in the philippines again. there i met my little cute baby brother sean and saw the house for the first time! it was finished for the most part, but there were still a few things that had to be done, for example moving in a huge steal spiral staircase, fixing the roof which was leaking and finishing the outside. the house looked absolutely amazing and i think it was everything my dad and jade dreamed of. it was also so cool to meet my little brother who was only a few months old at the time. i changed a diaper for the first time in my life and experienced the noise that a tiny person like that can produce, my god!!
then three weeks later i arrived home afer 2 years and 8 months, even though i initially planned to be gone for three months...