Recent Highlights of Australian Journey
Seven years in Australia; It will be emotional leaving, both good and bad. Australia has been my home away from home. I have friends, family, a job I loved and places to visit around me, the beautiful landscapes, beaches, walking trails, sunsets and sunrises, clean air. So peaceful, and safe feeling. I will miss all of it.
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26 months...that is the waiting to time to be processed as a permanent resident. My application went in November 2018. I am on a bridging visa which allows me to work and study freely, but if I want to travel outside of Australia, I have to apply for a travel visa. I feel sort of like a sitting duck because Chris and I can't buy a home or take a loan out to start a small business, or own a pet because we are renters. We want to do all of these things of adulting but at this point, we have to wait. I have been using my skills in hospo, working at cafes and restaurants to pay the bills. And am studying online in a New Small Business course. I would like to someday own my own little café that sells green living housewares and plants and provides eco friendly food and beverage products. Chris and I rent a 3 bedroom home on the Central Coast which is 1 hour North of Sydney. This is where Chris is from and where his family lives so it is nice to be near them. We usually get together at his nans house every other week for a get together, and we go play with the family dog Nala every couple of days. We have an excellent little creek behind the house that we kayak on, so much quieter here than our last apartment which was on a main road, but we did have access to the lake about a 3 minute walk. This new place will be good to live in while we wait for my acceptance to become a resident. Once I receive the notice, Chris and I have decided to move to the states to be close to my family for at least a year and feel out living over there to see if it might be a place to grow some roots. I want to share with Chris my side of the planet, where I grew up, what there is to see and do in the Northern Hemisphere. I think its good to get a perspective from both angles, so then we can decide where to live permanently. Who would have thought that I would take a year off to travel and end up becoming a resident of Australia? I am one to roll with it and take the road less travelled most of my life, this is one of those times and I couldn't be more pleased to go down the path with my partner Chris, who has supported me since day one, when he fell in love with my accent. Haha. He has been open minded and supportive of both of our needs, it is good to have that when times get challenging. This is where I leave my possible final chapter in my Australian blog, as I wait to become a resident. Thanks for reading. In case you need information on applying for a partner visa 801/820 click here 14/9/2017 You know those travel stories you hear about people living on board a boat out to sea, or job hiking in the Rainforest? Well I have my own adventure tale; I am living on a private island resort (Bedarra Island Resort), working as a waiter! I came over by boat on the 12th and started my first shift yesterday. The resort has no more than 20 guests at a time and can get here via boat or helicopter. It is a 15 minute boat ride from the mainland and is just across from Mission Beach in North Queensland. I am fortunate enough to have my own villa with bed/bath and kitchenette fully equipped. I am 50 feet from the beach and can hear the waves crashing at night. There are lizards, toads, geckos, birds and other small wildlife on the island. I will be working two shifts a day (breakfast, lunch dinner) and will have breaks in between. So far I have done yoga on the beach and have read a book in the staff gazebo. There are two main beaches, one for staff and other for guests. Although guests can come down to whatever beach they want. We know them all by name and what the special occasion is. I worked lunch and dinner yesterday. I learned every guests name, special occasion and dietary requirements. It is a pretty relaxed environment where I can chat with the guests and also assist them with what they need. The view from the restaurant is paradise with the blue water from the ocean down below and the breeze coming in through the front doors. There is the pool area below the terrace and private dining decks along the shelf of the beach. Each day the menu changes and the chef is great to work with. They want it to be all about the guest experience (considering they pay between $1,000 and $2,000 a night). Chris will be flying up to see me and I will be able to get a lift via boat or [herlicopter!] onto the mainland. I get 5 days on and 2 days off, really 3, considering I get off around lunch time and return around lunch time. Chris will have to rent a car to drive down to Mission Beach from Cairns which is about a 2 hour drive. The connection is patchy on the island and my phone service isn't the greatest. But with less screen time comes more explore time. There are several hikes on the island that takes you to different beaches and lookouts. There is one part that has private homes on it, but the rest is fair game. The staff are pretty close and they go on day excursions together, using kayaks and dinghys (small boat). I will plan to tag along as the "newbie" for awhile. 21/10/2017 - 1 month and 2 weeks on an island Waking up to waves crashing only feet from my little villa, tropical birds chirping in the lush green tree canopes, the sky reflecting off of the bluest waters of the ocean....this is the island life. I haven't gone crazy yet, as you might thing living on an island would do to you. I have gotten into my groove which consists of working my doubles, sometimes triples, then getting my mid afternoon breaks; I either eat lunch and do a quick workout in my villa, or eat lunch and do some reading down by the beach or the staff chapel. Most days are very humid with the bar fridges just dripping water off the glass windows. I mainly am in the shade, because the sun sneaks up and gives me a sunburn when I least expect it to. As far as work goes, I am getting into a nice flow of things and understand it all to a point where now I just focus on chatting with the guests and making sure they are taken care of. Coming into this journey onto the island I had this persona of a posh and high and mighty clientele, considering Bedarra is not only expensive, but a 5 star luxury resort. Well I can tell you now that the guests are more down to earth then even some travelers I have met in hostels. They want to know my story and how I ended up on an island. They are happy and relaxed and just wanting to enjoy their vaction, honeymoon, anniversary, etc. The best part of the job is interacting with the guests and welcoming new ones on the island almost every day. Today, I find myself in Mission beach, using a co-workers car to go shopping and of course, update my blog. The service is spotty on the island, so this is where I go to get some good screen time. I was on the mainland a little over a week ago with Chris. He flew to Cairns and rented a car to drive to Mission Beach. We had a lovely reunion, I missed him! He has supported me from day one and helps keep me thinking positive. I am working on this island to fulfill my second year visa requirements, in which I will have completed the required 88 days of work by mid November. Then I decide to either stay on the island until January, when they close for a couple months. Or I go back to Newcastle and settle down by finding a full time job, and this time not in hospitality. More along my career path of community Services or activity planning. Some big decisions coming, but for now I will sit in my summer sun dress and drink my vanilla latte, beach side, and will look forward to see my one and only in a week. :) Pictures can be found under the pictures tab. Trust me, they are not screen saver googled photos of the island; these are real people! Thanksgiving on the Island - 21/11/2017 I am the only American on the staff here at Bedarra, so basically there will be no Thanksgiving feast; no turkey in the oven, no hot cider and cold beers, no chatting around the veggie trays or hanging out by the fire in the backyard. It makes me sad, but I have chose my path of travelling alone and this is one of the repercussions of that very decision. I have filed my application for my second year visa, and while I wait for the approval to come through on that, I will work and live on the island. It will be my one year anniversary of saying bye to my family and my comfortable surroundings on December 3rd. I have already been looking back at my journey over the course of the year and have nothing but awesome memories. There were times that I wish I could share this experience with one or all of my close friends and family and be able to talk about memories made in Australia with them from back home. But I find myself fortunate to not only have been able to take this leap of faith on the other side of the world, but also find a new partner for my future travels. Most of my memories over this year have been made with Chris, my love. He has made it fun, exciting and willing to go on these crazy excursions with me. I can say I did not see love in my year here in AUS, but now that I have found it, I don't want to ever let it go! There is still lots to see and do here down under, and with Chris. We plan to travel after my island time and go to Thailand. Soon enough, he will be coming home with me for a visit; in order for me to feel completely whole in this cross countries relationship, I will need to show him what makes me, me. The island resort closes Jan 22nd and I plan to be back with Chris in the Central Coast then. But first a Christmas visit and one trip up to Cairns for Chris. It has been rewarding to work here and some of the guests have made an impression on my heart, but long distance relationships are hard and I can say I wont be living on an island again, unless Chris and I both get jobs :) Happy Thanksgiving to my friends in Jackson Hole, I will miss the pre season powder skiing. And Happy Holidays to my family and friends back home, I am missing you ever more during this time of year. I love you! _____One Year in Australia 5/12/2017_____ Wow, a year! 365 days in another country. As you would expect, I can't believe it has already been a year! Time flies when your surroundings are new and the variety of activities are endless. Ask me a year ago if I would miss home. Yes! Ask me a year ago if I will be coming home in one year. Yes! Ask me if I planned on falling in love....Um, don't think so. My plans have changed for the better and am so happy to be able to have the flexibility to make those changes. The highlights from my year in Australia: * Living in one of the world's most beautiful cities: Sydney * Being a part of a different culture and growing accustom to every day living styles * Having the option to see and do whatever I wanted to do, every day of my time here * Meeting Chris and being able to share laughs and hugs with a truly caring person * Seeing a whole different group of animals then where I am from, especially feeding kagaroos * Meeting people from all over the world, in pursuit of the same travel dreams as me * Living under the warm sunshine for an entire year without needing a fireplace to stay warm, or really ever a jacket! * Seeing my sister in Fiji, much needed family time! * Spending my birthday snowboarding...in July! * Making memories over 9 months with Chris and so many more to come! I couldn't have made the leap down here without the support from my friends and family, including everyone in Jackson that sent me off with an excellent going away party. I think of everyone very often and have so many good memories that make me smile all the time. I am still undecided on if I will continue my blog from this point forward. I know I will keep adding photos throughout the year. This has helped me express my feelings with travelling solo, missing important people in my life, and hopefully inspiring people back home to do what they love; I love travel and to be able to look in magazines and point to a picture and say, hey I've been there! As for my plans into the new year; Chris and I going to Thailand in February and Bali in July for a wedding. I will be making plans to visit home with him, hopefully over Thanksgiving. I am waiting on approval for my second year visa still. Once that comes through, I will be good to stay here for the year and then after that....we shall see! Wrapping Up the Island Life - Jan. 26, 2018 Where do I start? I mean, I lived and worked on an island for 4 months of my life. Something that I never imagined I would do. I can just picture a kid in college be like, "Ya, I think I want to spend some time on an island, see how we go..." Well this was not a Gilligan's Island, Island. This had working water, electricity and spotty cell service and wifi. So it's not like I was Tom Hanks in Cast Away, foraging off the land and sending SOS signals from the beach. I had it pretty good out there, with my own studio in the trees with TV and a kitchenette, and full time work with a decent wage. I can break down my experience down in the best parts about island life and the parts I most likely will not be missing: Some wonderful things I am taking away from the this experience include the guests; real down to earth people and actually wanting to get to know me, I really enjoyed most of their company. We only had a handful of bad apples, people with a chip on their shoulder or super cynical about everything. I will miss that warm ocean water, it was so easy to get in, feels like bath water. The views were breath taking, the bluest water on the some days and the panoramic views of the nearby islands from the lookout points, amazing!. Napping! Honestly, I can say I took a nap almost every day, and it was midday with no place to be other than sleeping on my couch, beach or bed. It was lovely. The things that I am so relieved to be leaving include the feelings of stuck on an island; every where you turn and walk to there's water! No escaping, feeling a bit anxious at times and stir crazy, just wanting to go back to civilization. I won't miss the bugs! So many little sugar ants, and the loud sikatas at all parts of the day. Not just bugs, but the reptiles as well; tree frogs were that bright green color and beautiful, but man they are loud at night. And sometimes running into big snakes crossing the tracks. They were mostly pythons but there were some venomous ones that luckily I never encountered. And the spider webs! So many I have walked through, ugh! One last thing that I will not miss is the lack of cell service. For me wanting to keep in contact with the outside world, it was hard to call home or Chris. I had to walk down to the beach or to a lookout and even that sometimes wasn't enough. If the wind was blowing the wrong way that day, no service. It was freeing for a while to be off my phone, but that faded away and I just wanted to connect! Bedarra Island Resort is every persons tropical dream and a piece of heaven to escape to for a relaxing holiday. I have learned a lot from the hospitality side of things and am so proud to have it on my resume. I take away the lesson of making time to slow down in this hectic world and look at your surroundings; finding beauty in simplicity....and it helps to have a view from an island also :) "Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow" - Lao Tzu August 4, 2017 After a 2 week vacation in Fiji with sis, I took another plane up North to Cairns. It is about a 2 day drive from Sydney...so it is pretty far up there. This is where you will find the Great Barrier Reef, tropical rain forests and a wet and dry season. Oh and of course all of the most deadly animals and insects on the planet. I moved up to find work for my requirements of my visa. I have to work in a certain post code for 88 days in order to apply for a second year visa.....yes, that is right. I am extending my stay in Australia. Did anyone see this coming? I decided to extend my stay not long after I met Chris. Not only do I want to be here because of him, there is really just so much more to see and do here in Australia. I mean, I barely touched the surface living in the Sydney region. So far, Cairns is almost opposite to what I have grown custom to in Sydney. It is very humid here, with light rainshowers throughout the day. It is about 10 degrees warmer up here right now since it is the winter season; you could compare it to year round Florida weather. And unlike Sydney beaches where you jump into the surf and have waves crashing on top of you, you want to only swim where its permitted because of box jelly fish and gators. I don't think I will be swimming any time soon, I will just still to underground pools at the hostels. Speaking of hostels, I am staying at Gilligans hostel and wow, comparing this place to the hostels in Sydney is like a 5 star hotel vs a broke down motel. This place rocks! With clean kitchen areas, big wide open areas for lounging, activity center, daily maid service and full night club and restaurant on site, I literally can sustain my entire Cairns stay right in the hostel without leaving. And it is reasonably priced at $155/week in an 8 bed dorm. As I am working on getting a job in the city, I will plan to extend my stay here. When I first moved to Sydney, I had everything planned before I crossed over borders; I had a job lined up, a place to lay my head, and a full bag of cash waiting to be spent. Moving to Cairns was a way bigger adventure because I did not have any of that planned. I mean, I booked my hostel and plane ticket 3 days before I moved here. I am such a planner that this put me a little on the nervous side. Luckily I have Chris around to keep me calm and tell me to enjoy myself and don't stress. Thanks babe :) But with my visa expiring in 4 months, I am pressed for time on getting a job and working no less than 6 days a week, just to stay legal in the country. C'mon, a little stressful right? With finding a job the only stressful thing on my plate at the moment, I have found some ways to not worry and be happy. Found some night markets in Cairns and bought a handmade bracelet watch, and got my feet nibbled on by fish that eat dead skin (not that tickleish!) There is a long walking trail along the water called the Esplanade and I think I will start jogging along it for a good workout. I also have see so many species of birds out and they sing with delight in the trees. Tomorrow I am renting a scooter and going up North to a rainforest village to hike around and hopefully on the next sunny day take a day tour out to the reef for a snorkel. Life is pretty great. 22/8/2017 Well it took only 2 weeks and 3 days, but I am finally "established" in Cairns. I have a full time bar and coffee job, I live in a 3 bedroom and apartment just 20 minutes away, and I bought myself a used cruiser bike with a sweet red helmet to make my commute more fun and quicker. I feel like a local already; knowing what street the good food is on and where to go for some sun bathing. I am really enjoying the warm days here. We have a community pool at this apartment complex, so lately to save money, I have been lounging by the pool with loads of sunscreen on. I have been working for a temp agency doing odd kitchen hand jobs, but I got a call back from this bar called Fusion Art Bar and Tapas. They have been training me on house cocktails and barista work. It is a small restaurant with only 13 tables, and there is local art hung up. It is connected to an art gallery the owner has, so it has a modern artsy/hipster vibe. Super bright and welcoming, and all the tables and chairs were hand made by the owners partners; made out of smooth wood and re purposed metals. I have been missing Chris every day. He has been so supportive through my move, and even offered to move up to Cairns with me, which is sweet, but I couldn't ask him to do that. He is planning to fly up here once or twice each month and the first trip is coming up in 8 days! So excited to go have adventures on the reef and the rain forest. I love having a travel partner over here with me, and someone to support everything I do. ---------Update: I have been let go at my job at Fusion Bar. Honestly, I was miserable there because I just wasn't recognized for any of my hard work. Now, I don't mean I need an applause every time I polish a wine glass, but when I am going above and beyond or not needing any assistance and understand my role, it would be great to not just get "was that done?" or "Did you get this?" There was just this tension with the owner, and it didn't help that it was a family run business and I was the odd man out. I have been on my feet ever since, looking for work. I think I have found something that will make me have to move out of Cairns, but I don't want to jinx it so I will wait until my next chapter to talk about it :) 12/9/2017 Well as fast as I arrived I am now leaving Cairns. It was dead ends every where I looked for work. I don't think this is a secret anymore, but I am working towards my second year visa, and that means I have to work 88 days in a certain zipcode and in a certain industry; hospitality. So I have been looking for bar and restaurant work. I was fortunate to get on at a temp agency that sends you to special events in the Cairns area, but that wasn't consistent. And my other job, well just look above for how that turned out. My first year visa expires on Dec. 5th( I can't believe it has almost already been a year since I've been gone!), so I will need to work full time up until then in order to apply for that second year. Wish me luck! I head off to a private island resort next and I gotta say, this is the kind of this I have been waiting for. What an experience! What a way to end my first year in Australia! I think my private resort will only be missing my partner Chris. He has been so supportive throughout my travels and has come up to visit me and calls me every day. When I feel low, he boosts my mood and encourages me to stay strong and reminds me everything will work out. Although I am living an amazing dream, I am so happy to say that 'happily ever after' came true once I met Chris. Couldn't have asked for a better outcome with this decision of mine to move across the world, and to find love. I opened my mind to travel, but then my heart opened up to love at the same time. :) Bye Cairns It takes courage to let go of the familiar and embrace the new... 17/4/2017 I have moved to Newcastle! It is about a 2 hour train ride North of Sydney and way less crowded. I have been in Sydney way too long; I was feeling like am overstayed guest, my time was all out there and I needed new scenery. I was working full time at the bar and going home to a house of 8 other ladies that spoke little english. Don't get me wrong, they are all so sweet and really nice but it gets hard not being able to connect with someone and being able to just talk about your day or what you miss from back home. Now, I know moving doesn't instantly make me friends who understand me. In fact, as soon as I packed up and walked down the steps from my flat, I got teary eyed because I was leaving the only people that really got to know me in Australia. I was leaving the familiar neighborhood, shops and friends who I have made over the first 5 months here. It made me sad, really. But as I was driving away looking back at my time in Sydney, I felt like moving on was the best thing I could do. I was more over it than into it. And, really, I came here to travel right? It did make it all the better when Chris stopped the car to come around to my side and give me a hug and tell me it will all be OK. I moved to Australia being so strong and feeling independent and not realizing I would need that kind of support along the way. I have really been so lucky to find someone here that supports what I stand for and wants me to be happy wherever I end up. Anyway, back to my move to Newcastle. I have found a 3 bedroom flat that is on a main road in Newcastle with shops and pubs and a young crowd vibe. I live with 2 ladies in their twenties and two cats. The house is furnished like your grandmas house with vintage furniture and lots of little trinkets. We are on the main level with a balcony full of succulents and light. It is cozy but enough space for all of us. I think I am really going to like it here. I will be looking for a job in the next coming weeks but for now I want to explore the beaches, shops, and museums; get to know my new surroundings. 27/4/2017 I learned something about myself today that I think I already knew but after watching a documentary, I can confirm I am a minimalist.... From www.theminimalists.com "Minimalism is a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important—so you can find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom. What I found in this thinking is that I simplified my life from owning items that meant nothing to me, to living out of a backpack and feeling free. Free enough to travel. Now, I do still have 5 totes of items stored at my parents house, but I wonder if I really need those things anymore? I have spent more money on experiences in the last year then any other time in my life. Before this, I bought a car, cell phone's, t.v.'s, tablets, furniture, etc. I live in Newcastle now and my room came furnished and I bought a candle and a clock to make it feel more homey. But I can honestly say that if I ever go broke, it wont be on a new car, house or owning a giraffe. It will be on gear to climb to the top of a mountain, boots to hike in the rainforest, sunscreen to lay on a secluded beach or tickets to a music festival with my person. Being a minimalist doesn't mean you only can own 5 things, it is just wanting you to be more mindful of how you are living with those things and if they make you happy. I hope from my travels I instill in my friends and family to live like a minimalist, to consciously live a purpose-driven life. 22/5/2017 Vacation to Yamba... Just got back from a magical place called Yamba. It was about a 7 hour drive from Newcastle. We arrived in Grafton at Chris' Aunts house where they have a big open property and they race greyhounds. We were lucky to be there when there were a litter of pups. So cute and soft! They had so many greyhounds and I learned a lot about the sport. To be honest I was skeptical with knowing the race dogs and not knowing if they were well taken care of. I am happy to report that these dogs are well taken care of. They have several acres of land that they take the dogs out for runs on, they have the softest coats from their spa they wash them in, and there food and vitamins are better than most humans' diets, especially mine. Two retired race dogs lived inside and were such cuddlers; just wanted all the attention. They loved their dogs and they definitely showed it. We stayed there for one night and left in the AM to Yamba, which was only an hour away from his aunts house. We settled into a loft in the back end of a motel. The ocean views were in the front but we still heard the sounds of waves at night. The only complaint I had about this place was how expensive it was. For 4 nights it was $540! But the entire town was like that, I should know better coming from a tourist town. The beach was a 5 minute walk and the full moon was out most nights. We were lucky with the weather, it was sunny and warm for most days. I tried surfing one day and got up only a handful of times. These waves are not fogiving, tired me out real quick. Chris tried Stand Up Paddle Boarding for the first time. Of course, he nailed it on his first try. In fact, I was the one that fell in the water first! But I got him by nudging his board...he looked hot, I knew he would appreciate the water :) For food I had Italian the first night, then seafood, then mexican, Thai and finally American. With it nearing winter here, the sun was only up for about 11 hours; from 6am-5pm. So it felt later than it was. We headed out of Yamba on Thursday and slowly made our way down the coast to an airbnb place in Port Macquarie. A town that sits along a river leading to the ocean. Really nice spot we stayed, right along the river with great views. Such a lovely couple to host us also. Laurie is a volunteer with the Olympics and had pictures of the past 10 years of ticket stubs, name badges and athletes hanging on the walls. He said he really enjoys being a part of it. His wife Barb is a cancer survivor and owns and health and wellness business. They surely live life to the fullest. I find myself back in Newcastle, on my bed, thinking back on my vacation with Chris. It's weird I came here on vacation and had one within my vacation. I find myself coming back home, to go to work and live a normal Monday thru Friday life. That is what life is turning into here. But starting in August I will again uproot myself and move North to Cairns. Nothing has become permanent here except Chris. He is my anchor to my boat that I am floating over here and I am Ok to have an anchor. He is just as much in love with travel as I am, so that anchor is really in my boat more than in the water holding me down. I see more travel together in the future. 30/5/2017 ...And tonight I fall asleep with you in my heart...<3 The one's I am missing in this moment Mom Living in Jackson, I only saw you once a year but somehow being this far away I feel like I miss you even more now than I did when I lived there. When I am by a river, eating from a fresh garden or even walking in the sand, I think of you. I want you to know you are a huge part of life and why I am who I am today. You have seen too much sadness for one person and how you have been able to move on and fight for your life, I am awed by that. You are strong and even the strong have their weak moments. That is one thing I have learned from you; it's OK to lean on others when you can't stay strong. I know you guard your feelings but I see you and I see your heart is heavy. This journey is more than just me travelling, it is me living a dream that you had once in your life, and now I can have you live it through me. Stay strong and know that I love you, no matter how far the distance. Dad You are my rock, my stable ground through my entire life. When the water gets rough I think of what you would do, stay strong and move forward. I only would see you once a year when living in Jackson or maybe twice a year, but whenever my car needed repaired or I got a promotion at work, you were the first person I would call. Looking up to you when I was young and even now, I have always wanted to make you proud. Me living in Australia, I sometimes will ask myself "what would dad do?". You are more of a homebody and I am the drifter that travels with only a backpack. Wherever I am though, you will still be a strong presence in my forward thinking and strong ambitions. I love you dad! Ry ry Most of memories over the last 5 years have had you in them. From you burning your hand on the wood stove and being a bum on the couch, to seeing you have passion with all that you do, from massage work to studying different religions and theories. I miss having my best friend around when I needed him. You make it easy to be your friend, you just have a light about you that comforts me and makes me laugh...sometimes a little too much. If I could fly you over to Australia, I would in a heart beat. We would tear up this country with our silly walks and break dance moves. You are one of the best things that came out of Jackson and into my life. Miss you buddy. Amanda My beautiful, silly and completely unique cousin (pretty much sister, I mean let's be honest, I am way cooler than Jenny :)) You know what I remember? When you were like in middle school and you had to write a paper on someone you looked up to. I remember you nonchalantly told me you wrote it on me. You wouldn't have know but that meant so much to me, that it encouraged me to be the best influence on you (minus our eating habits). I knew that whatever I did in life, I wanted to be someone that you could always look up to and want to follow in my footsteps. Man, I was so glad we moved to Jackson together. You are one of the only people in my life I can be my complete ridiculous self with and you most of the time will not judge me. Plus we get each others jokes! I wish you lived around the corner from me so I can just come over and sit on the couch and hang out while you are probably making some ridiculously spicy chicken dish. You wouldn't know this but you inspire me just as much as I inspire you. You have always given me full support on everything I do and that is one reason I moved here, because you said go for it! Even though I miss the old days of baking cookies, having you do my chores, and going to the YMCA to workout when really we just watched people work out, I am so looking forward to the days we grow old together and stay as close as we are. My best friend, I love you chunks! Sis My seester. I will see you in Fiji soon! I think I am honestly more excited to see how excited you are about our trip. It gives me happy butterflies when I hear how happy you are that you are going on a vacation. You are one of the most deserving people in life I know. When I am dressed cute and ready to take on the world each morning, I think of you and how much I have grown to become more like you. To take one day at a time and enjoy the moments. You have always loved with your entire heart, I don't believe there is room in there for any hate. And I love how at home I am with you and how you just want to have sleep overs and cuddle up and watch a movie and pretty much fall asleep as soon as the movie starts. And no matter what age you get, you are down to dance! I get my dance gene from you, I know it. I mean seriously, when I feel the need to dance I will get after it and do it. I miss you as my dance partner. You always believe in me too, even though you sometimes think about it for a minute...but then you usually answer with words of encouragement. I love who are and I love who you helped me become. Shane My brother... I think of you more often than not. I believe I think of you so much on this trip is because with different circumstances, I think you would be the traveler in the family as well. I see you surfing out on the waves and hiking up the tallest hills. I can picture your face looking down at everyone that is struggling to climb up behind you, and your face full of excitement and wonder and you saying "hurry up, you'll miss it!". I have the memory of you, me and dad fishing. I am in the middle of the creek, dad is upstream and you are down. The sun is setting and I see your silhouette in the water and your line casting. I hear you yelling and look over to see you have a fish caught on your line. You were the only one that caught a fish that day and I remember it being not to big but we took it back with us anyway. I was asked if I wanted to go to your viewing in the casket and I asked sis, should I? She said, if you have a memory of Shane that is a good one, then hold on to that memory instead. So that is what I did, and that is the last memory I have of you. But whenever I am doing something daring like skydiving or taking a deep breath in when I summit a peak, I instantly think of you and know that you would be by my side. You are there in my heart and in the wind of my travels. I love and miss you. At this point in my travels, as you can see, I am missing family and friends. The social aspect of travelling has become a little more hard now that I live with two people and work at a small restaurant. In order to meet new people I have become a volunteer, joined Meetup groups and occasionally go out. Just being able to find someone with the same interests is hard. I don't have any close friends here and that's what makes me miss home. Then again, if I were home, none of friends would be around anyway, considering they live all over the states. So really, what's the difference? I will just keep trying, putting myself out there and being open to meeting people. 15/6/2017 Happy Birthday to my Brother today! He would be 39 and far from an old man. I believe that he would have come for a visit to Australia and would be climbing trees like the koalas. Miss you everyday brother, you are with me always. So what's new? Well, I went to Sydney's Vivid two weekends ago. Wow, the light show that city puts on is pretty spectacular. My pictures don't do it justice. We started at Circular Quay where all the ferries and big cruise ships come in. This has a great view of the bridge and Opera House. We made our way to the stairs of the Opera House, where Chris has never climbed up before. So of course we had to go to the top! Once done there, we walked through the botanical gardens. When I lived in Sydney, this was the best place in the city to get away from the concrete jungle and get some shaded trees and nap time in on the grass. They had some neat light displays on the tree trunks and through the branches. Noise effects made it seem like we were in the amazon. Walking out of the gardens to the Rocks (Historical Downtown of Sydney) there were more light displays that moved with music and with people interactions. We got our picture taken in front of the bridge and there were swings people could get on that were all lit up and put a show on every 15 or so minutes. This was a free event which made it all the better. Now, if you don't like crowds, you would have hated this. It was literally a river of people and the organizers made it super easy to just flow into each display, but to stop and take a picture was like an obstruction in the current. Overall, awesome! I work Wed-Sat evenings at a swanky bar in downtown Newcastle, making cocktails and serving a quiet and upper end crowd of people. I don't get many hours unfortunately but I do like the people I work with. Since I have left Sydney, I have met so many more Aussies and that is essentially what I wanted. It is cool to meet people from around the world, but I like the home country connection I get and learning their cultures and everyday life happenings. One thing I am struggling with is making good friends. I mean, I have my roommates and apparently I am a cat person now with these two cats I live with. And I have my work friends and Chris' friends. I just miss an instant connection with another human being who gets me and we can talk for hours or goof off. Back home I have only a a handful of really close friends, I am hoping to make at least one best friend here. Chris is sweet though, he offers to be my friend. I have leaned on him a lot with this by doing most of my activities with him, plus he is super fun to hang out with. I have joined a meetup group and a gym so maybe I will get some more contacts eventually. In about a month, not only will I be 30 (wait what???!) but I will also be moving up North to Cairns or Whitsundays. This is per my visa requirements; I have to work in Queensland or Western Australia for a minimum 88 days. I am hoping to get bar work. It wasn't too long ago that the only work that they accepted was farm work. So at least I got out of that. It probably would be fun to work on a farm but it is tedious work and hard on the body. Plus, I am not sure if wages are all that good. I will post again before I turn the BIG 30. Until then, if you are reading this. I miss you! 30th Birthday ---->Fiji ----->Cairns As I wrap up my final two weeks in Newcastle, I have a lot on my mind. I will be celebrating my 30th birthday in the down under. With my event planning spirit, I wanted to do something spectacular and memorable, but only knowing a handful of people here, I will be holding a BBQ in the park instead. I think this will still be fun, and of course I will make the best of it with my party treat ideas. Of course I will get my dance on that night and really shine bright with my Dirty Thirty sash. Pictures to come! After my Birthday, I will be flying to Fiji to meet my sister. I feel like this will be my memorable moment for my 30th birthday, to celebrate it on a dream island vacation for eleven days and soak up the sun and sand. My sister is so amazingly excited for this trip; she hasn't been on a vacation for over 20 years, since she had 3 girls to raise. This makes me so excited or her. We will touch down in Nadi, rent a car, and head to Suva for 5 days of exploring. The last 5 days will be in Nadi and we hope to rent jet skis and tour some of the other islands. One thing after the other, back to back, I will be flying to Cairns once I come back from Fiji. Chris and I will fly to Brisbane for a couple days to explore and say our goodbyes. This goodbye will be as tough as leaving American soil and saying bye to my family. He has been so supportive while I have been living in Newcastle. He plans to fly up to see me every so often, the flights aren't too expensive. I don't know what my work schedule will be like or where I will live so this will literally be an open book adventure. When I first moved to Australia, I had a job already lined up and a hostel to live in. Now, I have only applied for jobs and have an ideal location to live and work. It is very remote in Northern Australia but tropical and warm. Right now it is their "high season", so workers are definitely needed. I am hopeful to start work the day I land. Good Til the Last Drop: July 17, 2017 On July 11th I went snowboarding! We went to Perisher Mountain and the snow wasn't too bad. It was a blue bird day to start then snowed in the late afternoon. It was great because Chris has never seen falling snow. The temp was around 50 degrees and the highest chairlift got you to about 6,000 feet. At the base there was 48cm of snow ( 1.5 ft ). It was so fun to experience snowboarding in July. Of course I am usually on the water in July but to switch it around was awesome. On July 15 I celebrated my 30th birthday with my new friends I have made here. I had a BBQ in the park, with some lawn games and sliders on the barbie. I blew out candles on some cupcakes my roommate made me and ate some fruit and veggie skewers. Later we went to The Williams Bar where I worked and had a feast of cocktails and tapas. They also brought out a big tray of desserts to share, it was so nice if the chef! To be honest, I have been dreading turning 30, just because I feel at 30 you have to have your life figured out and settled down. That is at least what I thought going into 30. Now that I am here, I feel confortable in my skin and know that I am in the right place at the right time. Everything happens for a reason and what I have learned in my twenties I will take with me into my thirties and grow from the life lessons I have learned. And now I have moved out of Newcastle. Sunday, the 16th was my last day. Now, I am not saying I wont be back, but under my visa requirements, I have to live and work up North for 88 days on either a farm or hospitality work. This will be more of an adventure than moving to Sydney because I already had a job and place to live when I moved here. This time I am getting on a plane with my backpack and see where I end up. Now, I know this sounds scary, but with my skills and ability to make a home where I land, I am confident it will all work out. Next Chapter of my Blog: Queensland and beyond.... _____________________________________From 20s to 30s; Growing up on my own time___________________________________________ I look back on my twenties and wow, what stories I could tell. I've never been one to pass up opportunities and I always have lived the more adventurous lifestyle. This is thanks to many of the inspiring people I have been lucky to have in my life in Jackson Hole and from College. They have shown me there are no limits to living life to the fullest. Some highs and lows of my twenties: 21: 2008 was amazing from my first international trip to Costa Rica, backpacking Utah and Whitewater rafting with my sis down the Deschutes River in Oregon. It was really my first year I realized that recreation and the outdoors made me the happiest. Hence me working towards a Rec Management Degree. The saddest day of my life was also in 2008 when I heard my brother passed away. To this day, I think about him and how much of an inspiration he is in all my adventures; he would be the one to climb trees, snowboard fast and feel invincible. When I am afraid of going into the unknown or afraid of failing, I think of him and what he would do, he would go for it! 23: 2010 Was when Lauren, Amanda and I decided to move to Jackson Hole. This was definitely the best decision I have made in my life. To live a ski bum life and not have a care in the world was so great. Sure, we only have a couple bucks in our pocket, but when you're with good friends and good spirits, you feel rich! We were lucky enough to find a great shack to live in with stall bathrooms and a commercial size kitchen. Our daily lives included work, snowboard and party. My life long friends are the ones I met in Jackson and most of them are the one's I am talking about with my adventure inspiration. This year was such an impact that I came back and lived in Jackson for the next 6 years :) 26: In 2013, I had the best and worst of both worlds happen to me. I had my first ever serious injury, tearing my ACL while snowboarding. I had my surgery in Jackson and was unable to work for 2 weeks. The surgery was expensive and I did some fundraising to help support myself during the time I was unemployed. I was so fortunate to get funding from St. John's Hospital and also the money donated online from friends and family. It made me being away from home a little easier. That same year, I scored my most favourite job I have had so far, working as volunteer and activities coordinator for the Senior Center of Jackson Hole. This was the reason I stayed in Jackson for the next 4 years. I felt I had a purpose every day, to make people smile and was able to use my creative and fun personality at my job! Soon the people I worked with became my close friends, and I felt right at home working at the Senior Center. For the next 4 years, I created activities and events that will be talked about for years to come at the Senior Center, and I will stay in contact with a few of the seniors, especially Sylvia and Em (my family away from home). 29: In 2016, I was getting an itch, an itch to travel and see more of the world. I felt very comfortable in Jackson and I am more in love with change than consistency. So I looked into travel and work abroad. I took the leap of faith and bought my one way plane ticket to Australia in June. I felt so much excitement and adrenaline that I knew I just made a decision that will re direct my life in a way I never imagined. I thought about moving away from my family and friends, and how I am giving up my job and life in Jackson. It all came down to the question of, if I don't do this now, will I regret not doing it? I decided that now is the time in my life to do this adventure, and I so I sold my car and my assets, quit my amazing job, said bye to my family and landed in Sydney on December 5th. I never once doubted this opportunity of a life time and will encourage anyone to follow their heart and dreams. my dream at 29 and goals before 30 was to live abroad. 12/3/2016 I am enjoying a mimosa in the expensive airport terminal bar. The tears are finally drying, the heart is slowing down and the nerves are subsiding. I am starting to enjoy this new beginning :) 12/6/2016 I started work at ICC Sydney. This place is huge! I'll be ushering for special events like concerts and exhibitions. Here are some insights of my first two days in Australia * The toilet water does not swirl the opposite way * I apparently am the one with the accent * The humidity is 90% * I have to make a concious effort to walk on the left side My Australia phone number is +61(country code) 0410771483 12/8/2016 I dipped my toes in the ocean today....ok, i took a dive and swam around like a happy fish that was set free from captivity. It is blue, clear, the sand is fine and the sun is hot! Manly beach is 7 miles away by ferry. The view by ferry is pretty spectacular. I had it all to myslef for the first part of the morning. I also went to the Toronga Zoo. Saw giraffes, koalas, elephants, lemers and zebras. Very fun End of Week one: 12/12/2016 This week went by fast. I was full of adrenaline with all the new things and places to see and do. To recap my week....I established a job at ICC Sydney as an Usher, I lived in a hostel that never sleeps, I have visitied 5 out of 7 tourist hot spots, I have layed on the beach and visited a local zoo. I walked over 10 miles throughout Sydney and have bought lunch and dinner almost every day (not cheap). I went to a free concert on Darling Harbour and have enjoyed many drinks in the evening (including dancing and karaoke). Everyone I have met so far have been so nice, mostly everyone under 20. They have been from Sweden, Germany, Scotland, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and Colorado. For my future in Sydney I have loved it so much I plan to extend my stay thru February. I have been looking for a short term apartment in the area near my work. This place has something always going on, and they have excellent transportation options and not super expensive. I also enjoy the night life. I will stay here, working part time and going to the places I will begin to get familiar with. I like establishing myself here, at least for now. Maybe at the end of my journey, I will come back to the starting point...Sydney. Second Week I am feeling more comfortable walking around Sydney. I wish I had a fitbit or pedometer because I know I have walked well over 20 miles. This city is big and there is so much to see. I have been doing all the usual tourist stuff and have taken advantage of all the free sights like the botanical gardens, harbours, coastal walks and beaches. I mainly spend my money on coffees and groceries. I listened to my mom and bought bread and all the fixings for sandwiches every day, so I don't eat out as much. If I were to eat out for all three meals each day, it would be around $80AUS. I learned very quickly it is not cheap to live in Sydney, but I have been able to stretch the dollar a little more each day. I went on a coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. It was 6km (3.7 miles). There were beaches along the way, and a huge cemetary that was beautiful. It was a quiet type of beautiful with a peaceful feeling. The water along the shores is so blue. I have always seeked out blue waters, even when hiking to lakes in Jackson. I have always been drawn to these wonderful places. And the clear and clean ocean water is magnificent, especially on blue bird days. The sand feels good on the toes also, not too hot and a light caramel color. Today, 12/18, I will head to Watsons Bay. This is more of a historical area with old brick buildings and an interactive walk through times past. Their public transportation is awesome here. I can take the ferry, bus, light rail and train all with one card, you just put money on it. And Sundays is "family day", so it's only $2.50 all day, wherever you want to go! So I am going to hop onto the ferry and take a look at Watsons. 12:00am on 12/25/2016 Merry Christmas from the Southern Hemisphere! I am just going to bed in New Castle, staying at my good friend Nikki's. With no snow, trees, presents or Christmas movies...I can't say I feel the spirit of Christmas. I am however so happy to share the day with friends. We will feast and drink all day :) My family will be on my mind of course. Merry Christmas to everyone, enjoy it with your loved ones! 12/29/2016 I learned something new today. Taiwanese women do not try to tan because being brown brings shame to their people. "To be white is preferred". I met a couple today on the ferry over to Royal National Park. Emile (Ameel) and Claire are from France and Taiwan. I asked if I can walk with them through the park. So we went on a walk about, longer than I thought. We did about 14 kilometers (8 miles) to the best beach I have ever seen so far, Marley Beach. Wow, this was a screensaver picturesque beach. The clearest blue water and calm waves, no one was there because we got there at 5. The sand was just cooling down from the hot sun all day, and man after 4 miles of walking that plunge into the water felt so good on the warm and sweaty arms and legs. The walk was along the coast of the Tasman Sea (my first sea!). It was colder water than the South Pacific which borders Sydney. The rocks looked like petrified sand that was blown over 1000 years into dunes along the shores, and the bushes were bent back from the harsh wind. The sand also changed colors from khaki white to caramel brown along the way. After a long trek, we get to the ferry and found out we had missed the last one for the day! So we settled on a taxi to the train which was spendy but was our only option after 7. When I head back to RNP I will go in from Otford and explore the Figure Eight Pools. To be continued.... 1/1/2017 Happy New Year! 2016 was amazing. There were adventures, loves and losses. I found my calling to travel and found that home is where you make it. To be in Australia for a new year and to be around others that have adventure in their heart, it is amazing and I feel full of love. The New Years party on the boat was spectacular. They welcomed us aboard with champagne and hors d'oeuvres. We took off from the Wharf (boat dock) around 6:45 and set sail with the rest of the big boats. The first set of fireworks were at 9 and we were 100 feet away from one of the barges. There were 7 barges in the harbour and they went off simultaneously. The night went on cruising the harbour under the bridge and over by the opera house. There were millions of people up on the hillsides and walkways. The boat stopped in front of the bridge for the big finale at midnight. Wow, what a sight. It felt as if it went on forever, and you couldn't tell what wasn't blowing up on that bridge. So many lights and colors. The pictures don't do it justice. I was so lucky to have met so many people, and from the states! There was a couple on their honeymoon from Washington, a single lady from New Jersey having a vacation a new good friend from up North that came down to have a good time. They all helped make my NYE memorable. I hope your new year brings joy and positive change. ________________________________________________________________________________ Hostel Living-Side Bar After moving into 3 hostels over the course of my one month here, I thought I would share some of the pros and cons of living in these cheap living spaces: Mad Monkey Hostel, duration: 1 week This was a big party hostel, they had tickets to go some where every night. And the TV room, though small, was always popping off with music and cheap boxes of wine. Really nice staff and somewhat clean, and ample fridge and kitchen space. This has overall been my favorite place. The girls I met in my room (plus private bathroom), and unlimited wifi. Close to everything also. Original Backpackers Hostel, duration: 3 weeks This hostel was pretty much across the street from Mad Monkey. The outside of it is Victorian with the old iron balconies and vines climbing up the sides. Inside, old wooden floors and staircase. Way bigger than Mad Monkey with I think over 20 rooms. The TV room was bigger and had Netflix. Not unlimited wifi so it was hard to stay in contact with the family and upload my photos. Other than the two owners, Brian and Bruce, the staff were terrible. They were not happy people, pretty much grunting while they worked. I think most of them got free accommodation if they work a certain amount of hours. I did get my slippers stolen from the TV room, was pretty bummed about that, They had a big kitchen and outdoor deck to sit on but closed at 9:45. This place was way overpriced. For 3 weeks I paid $800, no good. Central Perk Hostel, duration: Get me out of here! I was not smart and booked this place before reading the reviews. They were horrible. All about the cleanliness of the rooms, kitchen and TV room. I see it first hand now that I moved in, This is a short review on this one because....well let's just say I told reception I had a "family emergency" and have to shorten my stay to 5 days instead of 30 days and if I can get my money back, that would be great....so I am in the process of renting an apartment with 7 others. I checked it out and it's clean, has a big balcony, near my work and nice people there. Plus way cheaper. _____________________________________________________________________________ 1/8/2016 Just moved into a flat and I am so happy to have a clean kitchen and bathroom! I share a room with 4 other girls, not bad. And it is a 10 minute walk to work and the harbour. It is 2 bed 2 bath on the 7th floor of a big complex. There is a pool and gym also. We dry the clothes on the big balcony that catches the sun for the most part of the morning and early afternoon. I think I am going to really like it here. Today, I made a new friend whom I live with. Daisy, from Columbia, and I went to Manly beach and Shelley beach. Shelley beach is by far the best beach at this point I have been to. Instead of fine sand there are shells that have been broken down by the pounding water. And the water was a teal blue color, so beautiful. Sydney is in full summer swing, lots of people and the beaches are packed. Other things I have done in the past week is visit Sydney Olympic Park and Luna Park. I have taken the train to Cronulla and was a beach bum there for a day. I have finished 2 books and am on a third. I find something new to do everyday and take advantage of all the sunlight there is, unless it was a long night out, then I catch some afternoon z's :) When things remind me of home I definitely have a moment to miss it. So far I could really go for some real bacon and mac 'n' cheese. I have yet to find these items. Some food for thought: When travelling, is it better to meet people from that country or from all over the world? I have been missing my time getting to know Australians. By living in hostels I have met people from Germany, France, UK, etc. but I have only met a handful of Aussies, so that is my next plan...to meet the locals! Making Sydney Home I am finding myself settling into Sydney like it's Jackson. Well not quite, but I am sticking to my neighborhood, finding people I know on the street to say hi to. I have a go to grocery store and a cafe that I know the names of the employees. I have a group of people I hang out with at the beach or bars. It is really feeling like a third home for me. My travel plans may change now that I am finding it harder to leave Sydney. I keep extending my stay here, and I am OK with that. It is hard not to have time on my mind all the time. I mean, I have been here going on 2 months, that is only 10 months left! I can't even picture myself leaving, even a year from now. I really fit right in. I do however need to find a more steady job. I have seen most of all the tourist hotspots around here and now I am just going back to all my favourites (Bondi Beach, Scruffys bar, Botanical Gardens, Chain Valley Bay aka where Chris lives :), and at my flat with my roomies). It is even getting easier to speak a few terms they use here and they just roll off my tongue. Like sunnies, swimmers, arvo, and bogun. I have some February plans with Chris and hope to get another job in that time in a coffee shop. I will be rooting for the Patriots for the Superbowl and going to a Guns n Roses concert in a couple weeks. Days are turning into regular days with downtime and relaxation. I have spent less and watched more how I spend my money. I am 100% happy that I have taken this step in life and journeyed into the unknown only to be amazed and content in what has come my way so far :) First Date in Australia 1/27/2017... I met Chris singing karaoke one night at an Irish pub and we finally made time for a "first date". He is from Australia and lives about an hour and a half North from Sydney. He brought me flowers and took me to an Italian restaurant on the water at a place called The Entrance. This is where the lake feeds into the ocean, very pretty. We walked around the pier and got some Stone Cold Creamery type ice cream and watched the sunset. The next day we planned a beach day at Lakes beach. My last swim I felt some shocks to my arms and stomach. A blue bottle organism(not jelly fish) stung me! I was more in shock than actual pain. It just felt like a low level taser shocking me for about a half hour. I definitely was glad Chris was there because he calmed me down and said the pain will go away soon and to take a cold shower. It left some marks like a bunch of bug bites down my arm and around the side. My day did get better after that because we went to feed kangaroos at Morisset Park. They were just lounging in the sun and we brought some carrots. They were hopping over and eating them from our hands. They let us pet them and their fur is super soft. It is funny how I get upset with tourists feeding the wildlife back home but here I am feeding kangaroos! Later on we did some star gazing on the beach and I got to see the Southern Hemisphere constellations, so no big dipper last night. We did see some shooting stars, and there were night fisherman out. We ordered chinese food and watched a movie for the rest of the night. I have really enjoyed Chris' company and hope to have more dates with this Aussie man :) Change of Plans - Feb. 8, 2017 Well I got a second job as a bartender. I am excited to make cocktails and have more of a consistent work schedule. I might quit ICC to work full time at the bar. I have decided to stay in Sydney through April to make some more money to travel on. I will plan to do 3 months of travelling up the East coast and head to Cairns, starting in May. My sister will be meeting me in Fiji in August. Then I will plan to come back to Sydney for the remainder of the year. I feel like it is going by so fast, already two months. I have really grown to love this place and look forward to seeing more of it. Chris has been taking me on adventures North of Sydney like Port Stephens and Morisset. Next is one of his favourite places, Yamba. It has been really nice traveling with someone, especially an Aussie :) Some things I miss after 2 months away from home: Flavoured creams for my coffee, waking up to the snowy tetons, having my own place, living in a small town with way less pollution and people, more cereal options, cheaper drinks. Of course I miss my family and close friends, I think about you all often. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Aussie Trivia These are things I have learned here, can you answer any? 1. What is the capital of Australia? 2. True or False: People drive on the left side of the road 3. What city can you find the Opera House? 4. Name one famous celebrity from Australia? 5. What the notorious spread called for toast? 6. Who was the first explorer of Australia? 7. What three colors are on the Australian flag? 8. What season does July fall in? 106 Days in Australia I can tell you that the magic of being in another country and being far far away has worn off. I feel like I have made a normal home here in Sydney. Other than the fact that I live with 8 other people, my life is pretty normal. I have a full time job at Taste which is a restaurant/bar in Darling Harbour. I am learning to make cocktails and work under happy hour pressure. I also can make my own schedule and the managers are super chill. I am on my feet 6-13 hours a day but so far that is ok as long as I stretch after I am done. It helps that I take yoga 1-2 times a week. I go see my boyfriend Chris from Friday to Monday and we venture around the Central Coast and farther up North to new beaches and hidden destinations. He is really fun and funny. I don't explore much of Sydney anymore, like I said the magic has worn off and now it is an over run concrete jungle filled with pollution and cranes; there is construction every street almost and so many cars and people. I am so happy to get away on the weekends where Chris lives because it reminds me of Jackson, well not really, only that it is more open space and quieter. There are only a handful of shops and you have to drive a ways to get to the nearest mall. I have my favourite places to eat there already and a place with my favourite coffee :). I am looking into moving to Newcastle next which is 30 minutes North of where Chris lives. This will get me out of Sydney and I will be closer to him. Plus I need a change...and my own room. The girls I live with are lovely but it is kinda cramped and I would like my own space and privacy. From Newcastle I plan to head to Fiji with my sister end of July then move to Cairns where I will work at least 88 days, per my Visa requirements. I hope to get a job in bar work or hospitality, I am still researching my options. It is hard not to think about my future and where I want to end up. My plans have taken a complete 180 since the day I got here. I believe all things happen for a reason and I am so happy they are what they are. As I write this tonight, before I go to bed, I can tell you that I am happy, healthy and know that big things are in store for me here.... 17/4/2017 Goodbye Sydney, you've been a great starting point in my Aussie Adventure.... |
Blissful BettieAusI want to see, do, explore, wander, and live to the fullest. I hope to inspire the next generation travelers to journey on. |