Has it been a week already?!

I physically embarked on my adventure one week ago today – and I have to say that I am rather pleased with how the trip has gone thus far! I have strained my body probably a bit more than necessary with my late-night outings and inability to sleep, and in result, I have swollen lymph nodes and a chronic sore throat. But needless to say… It is worth it!

Upon my arrival I reunited with Joylynn after five months of agonizing separation. Spotting her in the hostel lobby, we flew into each others arms as if some sort of tragedy had struck but we both made it out alive. It took no time at all to pick up where we left off. We got settled into our six-person mixed dormitory at the Wake Up hostel, and headed out to a going away party for our English friend we met seven months ago. Knowing the fun that was ahead of me on the first night, I took a nap in preparation. After staying up until 3am (10am was what my body was use to) and for nearly 24 hours, I managed to get four hours of sleep the first night… and then again on the second night… and once more on the third. My body and mind are tired, but it seems that the social euphoria only has expanded and I refuse to let it slow down.

Australia is beautiful for many regards, but I have to say that my favorite component is the amount of international exposure. In the first week I have met people from England, Germany, Jordan, Kenya, Russia, France, Canada, Fiji, Malaysia, Holland, Thailand, and even a few Australians (they are hard to come by in Sydney). And on top of that, I have been able to be with people again who had such an impact in my life during my first visa just four months ago and were part of the reason for my return! Being back in Australia feels great and as if I had never left. Though some things seem different, such as the absence of Joy in my daily life and being able to walk outside in a tank top, I can say with much confidence that this is where I want to be right now. I seem to appreciate Sydney with the more time I spend here. With about three hours of wandering each day, I am able to piece streets together and have a better understanding of where the different places I have been fit together.

I have made many beautiful memories already in my short time here: going away party for my friend Yvonne, coffee and making lists at Starbucks with Joylynn on our old stomping ground, sitting in the park with friends and watching the skateboarders, sneaking onto the roof of the hostel I use to be able to afford to take in the view, grabbed a drink at the famous backpacker bar Scubar, sitting in my favorite park and watched the ladies feed the pigeons, standing with friends on George Street to watch the Chinese New Year parade, met new people while having a BBQ at Bondi Beach (quite cliché but it is something you have to do), and simply indulging in the pleasure of people-watching.

The job hunt has proven rather successful for me thus far. I have managed to have an interview on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with three different temping agencies in Sydney! A few positions have already come up, and I have faith that only more will from here. Life often is crazy and take many twists and turns, so in a way I am simply anticipating the inevitable and open to any jobs that might lead me in a different direction or city. I would like to stay in Sydney if possible, but if a job opens somewhere that seems like a thrilling decision, I have no problem with getting up and moving the next day.

Weekend agenda: Mardi Gras parade on Oxford Street. What will happen? Joy and I don’t really know that yet. Are we nervous? Perhaps a bit but I think anxious would be more suiting. Will I take pictures and share them with you? Without a question I say yes!

Thank you for taking the time to check in on me and read my blog – I sincerely value your interest in this stage of my life. Bless you heaps!

And so the story begins...

Hello dear friends and loved ones! As you know, I am headed back to my one-year adventure in the beautiful land of Oz. After many quick efforts and rapid movements, I moved home from Colorado and back to Australia in less than a month (impulsive actions have been know to strike me before).

I don’t really consider myself a gifted writer, but there are a few reasons that charge this new behavior of public expression through words. My best mate, Joylynn, had a blog that she created upon our first arrival in Australia back in May 2009. Through her positive feedback, I started to see the benefits of having a blog when on an adventure that removes you from loved ones. If you know anything about me, it is about how poor my long-distance communication skills are. It has nothing to do with a lack of care for those in my life; the energy exerted just seems to exhaust me before I even get started! So, in my attempts to be a better daughter, sister and friend, I am hosting a blog of my adventures, updates, and insights to keep me accountable to all of you!

So I apologize in advance for my writing, but I value all of you and want to keep strong in my relationships. I also just got skype so if you have it and want my name please let me know! See… doing better at this communication thing already.

Well, I am sitting at the airport as I write this, leaving my family only moments ago. My words today have been few… not really sure which feeling I should reflect on at the moment. I am excited for the unknowns to be seen and unfold before me. I am nervous with so many unknowns that lay in front of me that are not yet unfolded. But right now, I most strongly am grieving the temporary distance between my loved ones. Leaving my family was incredibly more difficult than I would have imagined.

Unable to sleep and growing tired of being restless with making last minute to-do lists in my head, I awoke at 4:59 this morning. It was a day of hustle, to say the least. With the all-inclusive help of my family, my parents were running around the house printing resumes for me (of course the printer would not work, my dad blamed Karma for my reliable last-minute behaviorJ), hemming my newly purchased black pants (thanks again mom), helping me pack (I made it without the additional charge by skimming the limit at 49 pounds!), making me coffee, cleaning out my car (thank goodness because we found week-old left-overs… you can only imagine the damage if found a year later!) and helping me process the eternally difficult question: should I bring the weave?? But with the five hours of effort, we made it out five minutes ahead of schedule! After picking up my generous and always flexible sister, we even had time to get one last Carmel Highrise at Caribou; not a bad way to exit the country!

And now… I am about to embark on to the first leg of my trip… four days in sunny California with Grahm-Cracker (Grandma Wanbaugh)!!!

So without boring you too much, I just want to say: I love you all! Thank you for the support you have provided in helping me pursue my dreams and passions that I always seem to find in Australia. If I did not have the security in my present relationships I would not have the courage to take such plunges in my travels. Bless you all…. and may you find beautiful new insights daily (and please feel free to share them with me)!

xoxoxo,

Tara Kay