When the Cheshire emerges...

I have returned to Australia. I have lots of different things I want to write about on this blog. But to start slowly...

Today marked my official return to reality when I stepped into the newsroom about 8.47am. It not only felt strange because of my near-two-month absence, but also that I've been given 9am shifts for the week. I can safely say this hasn't happened since about week three of my time at the NT News...

My desk was tidy enough because I'd thought to clean around it before leaving.

There have been more changes in the office than I was aware of, and I was alerted to one change that directly affects my role. I don't think it's official yet so I won't reveal anything, but let's just say I'm actually pretty excited about it.

It's been a whirlwind few days since returning to Australia. I first handled a blustery Sydney – but as I'm finding each time I visit the big smoke, the day was lovely... filled with wonderful people old and new in my life, and productive shopping to boot. I was even given a beautiful early birthday present which welcomed me home so nicely.

I'll be trying the tea out later Carina, thank you lovely!

I was really looking forward to returning to Darwin's nice weather, and it's delivering. On hearing it's been warmer than usual after a cooler few weeks, I'm not minding at all. IT'S DRY HEAT. Which I can handle. And the nights are amazing... I've been writing this from my balcony, which will now be getting quite the workout. Eating dinner outside - with no flies FYI – is also rather amazing.

I'll admit though, I have slight post-South America stress disorder. There's no denying that. I get all gushy every time someone asks me about it, then I can't believe I'm back in Darwin and at work... back to regular life. I miss everybody. I miss the continent. Articles about Colombia – where I didn't go and apparently should have – keep popping up. And then there's the wristbands. I can't bring myself to cut them all off. I've had this problem after previous trips, but I wasn't in such a job as my current position with any of those. I wore a long-sleeved blouse to work today in case I needed to step out for a story and cover up (to look professional, y'know?). But tomorrow could be the day for them to go... it's my special day of the year so it could be a poignant moment.

There was one more to come after this...

As for the holiday itself? There are so many stories. I hope to share a few of them on here soon. Know that for now they are swimming in my head, most smiling at me. Happy times far outweighed the sad and they are the ones that stick.

I was so caught up in the craziness of my first day at the NT News and in Darwin that I completely forgot to mention the Japanese travel show hosts after lunch. Yes, I had cameras in my face as was asked to appear on a Getaway-type show... until they asked me the question. Something about poles on buildings that channel lightning strikes to avoid damage according to intern Tamara, who came in and saved the day. I was stuck between her heroism and the sweaty melodramatic faces of the two hosts, and there's a good chance I'll look the fool in front of millions in the land of Mt Fuji...

***

Backtracking to yesterday, I found one or two briefs (three-paragraph stories) of mine in the day's paper. Baby steps. I end up spending the bulk of my day in the Magistrates Court (lower court) this time, looking out for two offenders that were part of a ram-raid on a corner store and property. They had stolen $20 and a bottle of Bundaberg rum, but caused $20,000 worth of damage. I then only had to write a brief on each of them, which totally took me by surprise...

Today I discover I have two stories in the BusinessWeek section, about fracking and Andrew Forrest's indigenous employment review campaign. Woohoo! It was a great edition, and I'm noticing more about what really makes this paper a great one.

Story-wise I was kept busy. I did the street poll, went to a closed community to try and find out about a murder, and found out how 11 people were stranded in west Arnhem Land for two days because of heavy rains. The police reports for Tennant Creek were interesting; a man was run over by a bus while asleep on the road, and the town's power went out for 90 minutes after an explosion at the power station.

There was also a farewell as a Walkley 2013-nominated colleague finished up. Sarah taught me a bit about court straight up so it's a shame she has to leave. I hope she wins tomorrow night.

But before some (not all) of this... I did my first crocodile story.

SCHOOLIES IN THE CAGE OF DEATH!

Facing a croc in formal dresses for the heck of it. Love it. Now I'm keen to get amongst it.