It is hard for me to believe I've been here over 13 months now. The old saying "time flies when you're having fun" echoes through my thoughts when I reflect on the last year.
I've learned a lot about Australia and a bit about myself too.
Australian weather (especially Melbourne) is about as reliable as any boyfriend I've had in the last 10 years, and all too often raining on my parade. And whilst we're on the topic of men, Australian men just don't measure up to Texas men. "G'day" just doesn't sound as sexy as a deep voiced "Howdy". Every time I see a man sitting on a tram, as I'm delicately balancing on my centimeters of high heel surface area, I longingly remember what it was like to always be offered a seat.
Not having a car has been interesting, and secretly enjoyable. I don't miss trips to the petrol station (aka gas station), time/money spent on car maintenance, and most of all paying hard earned dollars on a depreciating asset. Occasionally, I think about how much easier life was when I could drive to work, the grocery store, the post office, the dry cleaners or the mall. I would say, I've probably saved money just because I can't easily get to the places where I would spend money. With all that said, I would have never survived without a car here if I didn't have many friends who offer me a ride whether that's home or on one of our group adventures.
Very early on I learned clothes dryers really are a luxury, and I can survive without one (just takes a bit more planning on what I'm going to wear until the next round of laundry). Other luxuries that have been noticeably absent from my Aussie lifestyle are central heating and air conditioning. I never thought I would say this, but lucky enough, the weather temperature here was cool year around (or the few days that were unbearable, I found a cold beer and swimming pool).
I've travelled my little heart out (5 new countries, and many amazing places within Australia), and become even more independent (yes, surprisingly that was possible). I should write a whole blog on the people I've met when I was travelling alone. It really is an experience everyone should have at least once in life.
My liver has taken on new challenges in last year as well. My university wild child drinking days won't hold a candle to the intoxication of my drinking buddies here. There is no sarcasm to the notion that the Irish and the Brits can drink this American under the table any given day. I've also divorced sparkling (aka champagne). It took me a few stubborn times to get to the conclusion that we just don't get along.
If the next 12 months are half as exciting as the last 12, I will be leaving here one very content woman: a couple of years older, a few dreams fulfilled, an ever growing bucket list of things to do and places to see, and rich with a lifetime of friendships I could have never imagined.
I've learned a lot about Australia and a bit about myself too.
Australian weather (especially Melbourne) is about as reliable as any boyfriend I've had in the last 10 years, and all too often raining on my parade. And whilst we're on the topic of men, Australian men just don't measure up to Texas men. "G'day" just doesn't sound as sexy as a deep voiced "Howdy". Every time I see a man sitting on a tram, as I'm delicately balancing on my centimeters of high heel surface area, I longingly remember what it was like to always be offered a seat.
Not having a car has been interesting, and secretly enjoyable. I don't miss trips to the petrol station (aka gas station), time/money spent on car maintenance, and most of all paying hard earned dollars on a depreciating asset. Occasionally, I think about how much easier life was when I could drive to work, the grocery store, the post office, the dry cleaners or the mall. I would say, I've probably saved money just because I can't easily get to the places where I would spend money. With all that said, I would have never survived without a car here if I didn't have many friends who offer me a ride whether that's home or on one of our group adventures.
Very early on I learned clothes dryers really are a luxury, and I can survive without one (just takes a bit more planning on what I'm going to wear until the next round of laundry). Other luxuries that have been noticeably absent from my Aussie lifestyle are central heating and air conditioning. I never thought I would say this, but lucky enough, the weather temperature here was cool year around (or the few days that were unbearable, I found a cold beer and swimming pool).
I've travelled my little heart out (5 new countries, and many amazing places within Australia), and become even more independent (yes, surprisingly that was possible). I should write a whole blog on the people I've met when I was travelling alone. It really is an experience everyone should have at least once in life.
My liver has taken on new challenges in last year as well. My university wild child drinking days won't hold a candle to the intoxication of my drinking buddies here. There is no sarcasm to the notion that the Irish and the Brits can drink this American under the table any given day. I've also divorced sparkling (aka champagne). It took me a few stubborn times to get to the conclusion that we just don't get along.
If the next 12 months are half as exciting as the last 12, I will be leaving here one very content woman: a couple of years older, a few dreams fulfilled, an ever growing bucket list of things to do and places to see, and rich with a lifetime of friendships I could have never imagined.
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