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.
2 Comments
Denise Euell
23/5/2017 07:36:47
Iam so happy that your getting to experience all of this!!!Iam also happy to get to meet you in fiji🌷
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Denise Euell
23/8/2017 13:13:28
Sister I'm just sitting here reading all the things that you have to say and all the depth and insight that flow from the words that you write. I miss you and some of the things you write about make me cry but what's new I'm a crybaby right! My trip to Fiji has been a month past now and I still remember the sand in my toes and you're relaxed way about you that you've always had courtesy of Dad I miss you and I miss Shane to my twenties where the most responsible I've ever had my thirties all hell broke loose and now in my forties I'm just waiting for that next trip for the next adventure for the inconsistency that I have also craved my whole life. I have a career teaching that I love but I know here soon life will be a lot different for me Elise is talking about moving out and I don't really have any reason holding me in Post Falls to live at least. I hope to see you again here soon in Australia or somewhere else cool I love you little sister so much so so much Keep On Keepin On and know that my prayers and my love are with you all the days of your life🌏💙💚👄
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Blissful BettieAusI want to see, do, explore, wander, and live to the fullest. I hope to inspire the next generation travelers to journey on. |