One is Silver, the Other is Gold

I don't know about you guys, but recently my life has been a never-ending, constantly spiraling, black hole of juxtapositions. Even more specifically, an awkward explosion of my old life meeting my new one. There isn't a part of my day-to-day routine that isn't a step forward into my evolving Aussie lifestyle, but there is always an ever-looming shadow that is colored in red, white, and blue hues. The more accustom I become to the little differences here, the more I feel my old habits being highlighted in the back of my mind. Even though I try to push these nagging voices aside, sometimes they are pretty deafening.

For example, when I'm grocery shopping and go to grab a bag of the Red Rock Deli Dijon Mustard & Honey potato chips - my subconscious kicks in, "Why aren't you getting baked chips? Do you know how bad these are for you? These aren't even close to Baked Lays! When was the last time you even had regular potato chips?" I'd like to note that I'm not voluntarily picking these chips... Baked Lays are actually nowhere to be found in this city. And Americans get the stereotype for being unhealthy... pshh...

Or when I'm talking to my Irish friends and they ALWAYS pronounce "th" as just "t". It has taken me a couple of weeks, and many teeth grinding sessions, to stop correcting them that "taught" does not mean "thought" in English. And when they say, "I was tinking, and tinking, and tinking.." it actually means "thinking". Even though we're speaking the same language, it sure doesn't seem like it sometimes. *I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly apologize to Sean McGoldrick for telling him that he needs English as a Second Language classes.*

Onto another aspect of old vs. new... I got a job! I'm working as a part-time waitress at a restaurant in St. Kilda called "BeachComber" (google it!). It's 15 feet from the rolling waves of the ocean and shows off tons of stunning orange umbrellas on their terrace. We serve Kangaroo and us staff proudly sport the bright orange in cute t-shirts with white "Beachcomber" block letters down the side. Now, I bet some of you are thinking...waitressing, not so new or foreign of a concept...?

Wrong people, very wrong.

What would you do if a couple asked for a "weak, skinny, latte" and a "short, black"? Or what would you do if one woman came in at 10AM and stayed until your shift was over around 4PM - you'd probably think she was a bit weird right? False. This is very normal for people to take their time... relax... and enjoy themselves. In the States, lunch is characterized as "get in and get out". People scarf down their food and rush back to work, trying to squeeze every minute into their day to close that deal, get the promotion, and "hit the mark". There is an air of leisure that I've noticed in Europe as well as Oz. Enjoying life and taking one's time is definitely understated back home, while here it is underlined and practiced. I'd like to take a page out of their book, what do you think? :)

So as you can see, the more I'm adapting to this fantastic new culture... the more accentuated the little things that I didn't even notice before are becoming. Although I'm trying my best to fully embrace all the new quirks and twists, I definitely miss a couple things from back home. However, I'm lucky enough to have gotten a taste of the good ol' U S of A this morning in the form of a brown, square package with the return address being Abercrombie & Fitch. Now this certain surprise contained a TON of my favorite things in the whole world. Yes, most of them were food... and I couldn't be more excited about it! 2 boxes of wheat thins, 4 packages of baked lays, a king sized box of Junior Mints, a family sized Peanut M&Ms bag, and two Reeses Peanut Butter Cups unpacked on my shelf - new mix CDs downloading on my computer - and a new shirt to prance around in makes me a happy girl :) There are those vices from home that are irresistible, especially when unattainable!

So for this coming weekend, ladies and gentleman, I'd like you guys to give yourself the luxury of indulgence and the adventure of exploration. Give into those couple of things that make you go "ahhhh". But for every Junior Mint you pop, or Wheat Thin you crunch, try something you've never stumbled upon before! In the words of the ever-wise David Meyers, "Broaden your horizons." There's nothing more exhilarating than pushing your limits and finding something new that quickly becomes your "ahhhh", your familiar Achilles' Heel.

As for me, while munching on peanut m&ms I'll be searching through Melbourne's "Haunted Book Store" and maybe, just maybe... trying Kangaroo.

"The Things They Carried"

I'm not sure if everyone has read this book, but Tim O'Brien came to mind while lugging my 50 lb suitcase, hiking backpack, vera duffel, and two HUGE purses over to our new place! Packing up and leaving Jessica House was such a relief. I couldn't wait to get out of the smokey, cat filled, dusty room that was our "home". I'm really not that picky of a person, I've lived outdoors for weeks at a time... traveled to Europe and back... moved about a bazillion times in my life... but for some reason, this place was just too much. It might have been due to the fact that the bathroom had cracked 1950's style black and white checked floor, or that the rug felt like sandpaper, or maybe it was simply due to our neighbors who painted us into our room for the day. I can attribute any of these reasons to why Patty and I have lugged all "The Things We Carried" over to our new residence on Carlisle Street!

I'm going to be honest. Carlisle Street is definitely what you call, "a fixer-upper". Yes, the ladies of the night do prowl around the street ouside our gates... and yes, we have had to kill a mouse... and yes, we did have to assemble our own bunk beds. BUT, I think we have now found our Australian "home". We have finally been able to unpack, after 3 weeks, and boy it feels good to be able to figure out what I'm wearing based on weather/mood/event rather than what is on top of my suitcase. I'm not a girly-girl, but seeing my pretty dresses hanging up nicely definitely gives me something to smile about. However, looking at all the (again, for lack of a better term) crap we brought I feel kind of silly. Who needs 6 different pairs of sleeping shorts? Or twelve pairs of shoes? Gosh, you would think I was moving to the moon for the rest of my life by the amount of stuff I brought. It just makes me think about the things we need and the things we can live without.

For example, my old highschool grey "Wooster" shirt... I could not live without. But, my j.crew flip flops? Toss them. The clutter that we find ourselves clinging too doesn't seem so important when you have to physically carry it around the world. Trust me... your shoulders, back, and legs will thank you if you leave those 10 pairs designer jeans at home. My dad and Scott don't know this yet, but when they come to visit, whoever gets here first... will be bringing back a 50 lb suitcase full of the things I have realized I can part with. It doesn't make sense for me to be carrying my weight in clothing... so to hell with it, I can wear a couple of things over and over again. I'm at the laundromat now aren't I? Washing machines were invented for a reason.

A lot of my friends have moved over the past year and a half. Some far away, and some a little bit of a jump instead of a leap. Either way, moving is hard and you always find yourself staring at piles of things you feel like you need... but in the long run, can leave behind. I'd like to give a shout out to a group of cute girls, my family, and one very frat-astic looking boy who made the frames I brought over. Those things, are definitely pieces that I will never be able to send back... or leave behind.

So let's jump to the metaphor that I'm getting at, all the worries and the problems that you have in your life... the day-to-day things, and the ones that have lasted longer than that. Let them go. You can only shoulder so much, and make sure that the things you all carry are beneficial and life long. Carrying things with you that are fleeting, and are only harmful is kind of unnecessary - don't you think?

Take a look around and let the pieces fall where they may, when push comes to shove you'll be left with the important things and lifelong people. Let those be the ones you worry about... let those be the ones you carry :)

Cross your fingers for warmer weather, less mice, cheaper beer, and new friendships - at least that's what I'm doing!

Many The Miles

I think everyone, no matter who you are, has a mental list of songs that (for lack of a better term) puts a kick in your step. Walking back to Jessica house with my arms full of groceries... and by groceries, I mean chips, wine, an Aero bar, water, and redbull... one of my new favorite songs came on my iPod. I don't know if many of you are familiar with Sara Bareilles besides her overly played "Love Song", but "Many The Miles" is plainly... one of the best songs ever. Maybe it's just because, in my head, I warp the lyrics to fit perfectly with my Australian adventure... but either way, I suggest you all download it. Immediately.

Onto more up-to-date stuff, PATTY AND I ARE MOVING! Yes, this will be our third move in two weeks! #1 - to the hostel, #2 - to Jessica house, and now... keep your pants on Twilight fans... #3 - to Carlisle Street!! We're going to be in a duplex of sorts, but we don't care - anything to get out of this smokey, stinky flat we have now. The bottom apartment houses four Irish boys who are super nice and friendly, and the top has a German girl, a girl from Finland, and soon to be two girls from the States! The walls are painted all sorts of different colors and... drumroll, please... we have an actual kitchen and a cute bathroom! Phew! Patty and I also both have interviews for jobs next week as well... So not all is lost in the Land Down Under! This weekend will definitely be one filled with tons of cheap celebrations! In fact, we've already sprung for bottles of Yellowtail instead of Goon...

Although the house hunting process has been a very annoying one, it's been really eye-opening as well. It's been cool to see a lot of different living situations and we've gotten to meet a bunch of people too. Although, we definitely will not be living with the two Irish guys who wanted to get drinks after we saw their apartment and called us "American Dolls". As I've said a couple of times, this sure has been interesting.

Time to start the weekend festivities, but I'll leave you all with some lyrics from the genius that is Sara Bareilles...

"There's too many things I haven't done yet,
Too many sunsets I haven't seen...
You can't waste the day wishing it'd slow down,
You would've though by now...
I would have learned something."

..."Free"...

I think one of the main reasons, if not THE main reason, why I decided to move halfway across the world was ::: to be able to search for, understand, and find what it really means to be "free". Like most everyone else I know, up until a year ago my life had pretty much been planned out for me. This life consisted of school, sports, friends, and family. There wasn't much else, and I didn't need much else. After college I did what millions of other recent grads do, moved and found a "this pays my rent" job. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for Quest Software (shout out to all my former co-workers!) for hiring me, but it was a monotonous lifestyle. Get up, go to work, go to lunch, go back to work, go home, go to sleep, repeat. I bet some of you (if anyone is actually reading this) are nodding their heads thinking, "that is my life". Well guys, I woke up one cold March morning and it hit me - it was time for a change. And this change, this resounding feeling - had to happen soon.

It's human nature to want to be around the ones we know and love, in a place that is safe and familiar. Rarely do we get that itch, that desire, to break from everything we have come to call "home" and turn our lives upside down. I don't know if it is an act of bravery to be able to do this, or cowardice to end what we have worked so hard to create. Either way, however you twist it in your head, coming to terms with this feeling is alone an act of setting yourself "free".

However, here I have found myself yearning for many of the familiar things I thought I wanted to stray from. I want a home, not a place to stay, but a home. I want friends, not just to go out with, but ones that are familiar and warm. I want a family to look forward to the holiday's with and who know my shortcomings so well, and love me for everything I am and everything I am not. I want a career, not a job, but something that sparks me… that molds me, and creates me. Doesn't sound too different, or too "free", than I was before - huh?

When I told my friends and family about my decision to move here, I usually got the same response - "this is so YOU". The ones who know me the most went on to say something along the lines of, "you won't be happy until you do this". So maybe, just maybe… I'll figure out this feeling of freedom here. It won't be due to my location…who I'm with, or what i'm doing… I'm thinking it'll be the little things that start the slight change within me… and when I understand what this feeling of "free" is, I'll let you guys in on the secret.

So I'm sitting here, in my new favorite cafe - drinking my favorite drink - twenty feet from the rolling waters of the ocean and still feeling the same pressures as I did at home, if not more. However, I'm starting to realize that the "free" factor that I'm looking for isn't due to a far away place, but it's going to start in my thoughts and then trickle down to my actions… soon enough I'll begin to live freely although I'll have the same constraints as I did back home. It's not the palm trees, or the white sand, or the (very) cold salt air… but it's in how I look at things and how I see others. Most of all, I think that it's going to be how I see myself…

Here's to finding your own freedom, friends. No matter where you are. xoxo.

We No Speak Americano

For those who don't know, Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP has a song called "We No Speak Americano" and it is the number one song played over here in bars and clubs. No, I'm not telling you all this so you can add it to your next playlist or put it on a mix CD, it's relevant because over here I constantly find myself in situations where the people, country, and culture "No Speak Americano".

For the past week and a bit Patty and I have been figuring out pretty fast what the similarities and differences are between Melbourne and the States. Here is a small list of pretty important differences : the pizza, prices, size of soup bowls, accents, slang, drinks, dancing, coffee, and the complete and utter lack of personal space. The pizzas are basically toast with three inches of whatever toppings you ordered, the prices are sky high, soup bowls are the size of small swimming pools, accents are just outrageous and hard to understand - same with the slang (ex. want to go for a feed?), drinks consist of bitter beer and "goon", dancing is amazing and incorporates fist pumping and fast swaying, coffee is tall or short or black or white, and apparently there isn't a point where talking one inch away from the other person is uncomfortable. It's a lot to get used to.

We've done pretty major things in the past week... got a place to stay, got a bank account, found some new friends and connected with old ones :) The next step is finding a j-o-b. This is extremely necessary due to the amount we are spending on food, rent, and drinks. We don't want to be living in a frat house or surviving off of PB&Js for much longer. This life if luxury is a little different than we wished but it definitely makes for fun stories! We also have a Teddy Bear dog named Tobey who roams around the house... he is definitely the light of our lives right now.

I'd like to note that although we've complained a bit to our families and friends about all of the above, this city is definitely one that we can fall in love with. It is gorgeous with a beautiful harbor and a river running through it. Saturday night we went to a rooftop bar with some of our new friends and the sight was stunning. The beaches are perfect, although a tad cold, and the suburb we live in is always bustling with things to do. Life could be worse and this adventure of ours is finally starting to take shape.

Love and miss you all and for those back home... enjoy the crisp fall season with bonfires, football games, sweatshirts, and warm food. We'll be coming into Spring any moment now :) I hope...

the adventure begins...

One week and one day ago Patty and I were flying somewhere above the ocean trying to manage our way from the East Coast of America to the South of Australia... fast forward until today and here we are, living "the dream" in Melbourne! Let me tell you guys, this dream that we are apparently following is a tad different than what we had imagined... bare with my story telling, it will never do the journey here justice.

My parents, who as most of you know, aren't very clingy with me and instead, always push me to go somewhere and do something. Well, they were pretty unrecognizable as they were standing next to the security line waiting for me to get through okay and snapping pictures on their camera phones. It was so great to have the support but also, very embarrassing. As I said goodbye for the last time to the two people who have helped me along every step of my life, I started walking down to my gate and watched my last Charlotte sunset through the window. LA bound.

In LA I met up with Patty and the crazy idea that we came up with a couple months prior finally came to reality. It didn't matter that her flight was delayed... or that going through security for the 3rd time took 45min... or that the bar we went to closed, physically SHUT their gates, on us - we were off :) A couple glasses of wine and champagne, a movie that normally wouldn't have been a tear jerker, and a never ending conversation with an Australian wake boarder brought us to the gorgeous sight that was Auckland, New Zealand. The flight flew by and we were touching down in never-never land.

Auckland was a bit chilly, a bit rainy, but everything that we could have pictured. Green, hilly, wet, and little did we know they had Pita Pit! No, we didn't act like complete Americans by going in... but we did take pictures. We were only in the city for a couple of hours due to our flight so we booked it back to the airport and headed toward the terminal that would take us to our long awaited destination - Melbourne, Australia! After making a couple duty-free purchases (Jameson & Toblerone) we boarded the hardest part of our 35 hour journey. The trouble with this can be summed up in one, single word : Clark.

Clark was a Vietnam Vet from South Vietnam who would. not. stop. talking. He barely spoke any English but managed to explain to us the importance of love of humanity and family as well as spitting/lecturing Patty constantly. I guess that to this older foreign gentleman I was "innocent and Patty was stubborn" - direct quote. He gave us graphic details about the war and proceeded to tell us his life's shortcomings. Needless to say, it was a terribly long ride but we managed to get Clark on Patty's video camera before landing which will probably be the next youtube sensation.

We landed in Melbourne a little after 5:30PM on Thursday and had our first Australian beer while waiting for the shuttle. Warning to all Americans : Australian beer is BITTER. We barely gulped it down and we were driving through this HUGE city that we could have never imagined to be Melbourne. It's more like New York with all the lights and cabs... the shuttle dropped us off at our Hostel which was cleverly, and deceptively named "The Ritz for Backpackers". We made a very typical loud, American entrance with our many bags and headed down for some food at the bar below, "The Elephant Wheelbarrow". Apparently "wedges" here aren't a type of salad but are big french fries with sour cream and, what they call, bacon. Australian bacon is actually thick pieces of ham... surprise! We snarfed the wedges and a beer each and after paying $30 (IT IS EXPENSIVE OVER HERE) we stumbled back into our hostel room (aka orphanage) and slept for 13 hours.

I'll write more about actually getting settled in over here a bit later - and for all of you with Facebook, check out my pictures! Cheers! :)