Readjusting to American Life

So I've been in Kansas for 2 1/2 weeks now. And I miss Australia so much. My family and best friend surprised me at the airport with a huge poster "From Australia to Kansas" Everyone from my flight was jealous, of course! It was great to see my family and friends, but I miss Aussie life. I am ready for the Aussie reunion!!

Okay, and I didn't realize just how self-centered Americans are. Seriously. I had one guy ask me if Australians actually have grocery stores. (Just for your information, YES, Aussies have grocery stores). Direct quote from this man: "Don't they just have farmer's markets over there?"

There is so much more to learn and see. So much that I have seen that makes me almost feel anti-American. Kind of ironic especially since I just celebrated 4th of July. Honestly though, Americans live in a egocentric bubble. We only care about what WE think, WE feel, countries that WE are interested in. Makes me feel like the U.S. is suddenly so small when I thought I was on top of the world being an American citizen.

Being in Australia makes me want to explore other parts of the world and really put myself out there after I graduate from K-State. There is so much more to life than going to school, getting married, and settling down (that seems to be the trend with most of my highschool class). And of course I want those things- but it is time to explore the world!

Australia- I miss you so much!

Dedication

I wanted to send a note out to all of my Aussie friends (Orion Party Possy) to let them know they mean the world to me! Each and every one of them. I have been so blessed this entire trip to meet such great friends. I will always stay in touch with these people and am excited to plan the reunion for next summer- Canada baby!!

Now, on to the dedications...

Texas and Thade

I am so glad we became such close friends over the semester! We have so many great memories and funny moments, nights where I laughed & laughed! You both are truly great guys and awesome people to travel with (especially when I'm navigating with the map). Sydney and Melbourne would not have been the same if I hadn't gone with you both. Ice bar, Opera House, iMax, clubbin' and trying to get into the hotel room after Alex left us, never going to forget that! Hands down, you both are some of my favorite people in the world! Thank you so so much for being the greatest friends, we are definitely seeing each other soon.

Ashton and Jess

Wow, we've had some awesome girls nights! I loved being able to go out for a great dinner and spend the night dancing away at The Standard or going to Mary's! Thanks for being the best girlfriends I had down here! I will never forget all of our SATC moments and being supportive when we had are up's and down's. Ashton, our trip to Byron Bay to learn how to surf was so much fun, I'm glad we made that trip together! Jess, I'm making a trip to the Bahamas!

Betty

My partner in crime! We planned a great going away party! Thanks for being one of the sweetest girls I know. I had so much fun getting to know you, learning how to cook Chinese food, and helping me out when I was stressed! I am going to miss you so much, hope to make a trip to Beijing and explore China with you! Love to you.

The guys

Basically, you all made living in Aussie the best experience for me! I will always remember our classic moments, living it up at Orion and spending countless nights in Lismore being completely idiotic and hilarious at the same time.

Mike- My roomie!! You and I started this whole experience together first and I am SO glad we lived together this semester. You kept me sane while Anne & Tim drove us up the wall. Can't wait to see you in Manhattan and relive our glory days from Lismore.

Danny and Alex- my awesome Canadian cuties! You both are so much fun to just hang out with and then spend the rest of the night going out to party. Danny, you will forever be my Starbucks buddy- thanks for being my tour guide in the Gold Coast. Just say "when" and I'll start the event planning for Toronto '10! Alex, I just love all the accents you can do- Russian, British, Irish. You could use that as a pick up line? Haha, thanks for showing us around Sydney but no thanks to leaving us! Makes for a good story that I had to pretend to be your girlfriend though. Glad we got to live it up one last time in Cairns!

Ford and Schmerles- you both are unique in your own way and that is why you guys make the group! If it wasn't for you, who would we tease? Just kidding, I enjoyed getting to know you both and having a great time in Aussie!

Uncle Bradley and Uncle Huey

My Aussie boys! Thanks for looking after me when it was necessary and just being there when I needed to talk. I had a lot of fun getting to know you, it really depresses me though because we have only scratched the surface of who we really are. Guess we'll find out more when I see you next. Hugh, you always keep things interesting especially since you are the keeper of secrets! Brad, I really owe you for the week I spent at your house! It was much needed especially so I could get away from Lismore. Thank you for listening when I needed to get some thoughts out, you truly are a great person! Love to you both.

There are so many people I haven't gotten to so I'll leave this with some pictures of my Aussie friends that have given me the best experience possible. Liz and Lisa, you girls are so much fun! I felt that we could relate because we were so new to Lismore and being from the US helped me know that other girls were going through the same thing! Katie and Allira, my Aussie girls! Both of you are hilarious and always in high spirits. I love the energy you give the group. Keep in touch with video chat hehe. Keegan, wish I could've spent more time with you down under but I hope to make it up to St. Cloud with the girls- road trip! Aymi and Cotti, hands down the best roomies EVER! We had some awesome nights, goon girls and goss- never a dull moment! Can't wait to meet in Aussie again and go to Newcastle!

Thanks to ALL of you for making this trip so special for me. I loved living Aussie life with you all, can't wait to see you again, no worries!

5 Interesting Things...

Being in a different country for over 4 months has brought me many changes. Some are quite a surprise, others are just confirmations in my values. This experience has given me some revelations and I believe that this change has brought many good things my way. So, some of these might shock you or maybe you'll just learn something new about me!

1. I really enjoy cooking-- I used to think cooking was okay, just another chore to do back home. But going out to shop for groceries in a different country has stretched my culinary abilities! One of my favorite dishes that I've made down here are cheesy potatoes and a chicken & mushroom pasta bake. So yes Mom, believe it or not, your daughter has a talent for cooking- and loves it!

2. I have a new found appreciation for a CLEAN house-- Okay, so a couple dirty dishes in the sink doesn't bother me much but when the floor has not been mopped for months, the dirty dishes sit in the sink for days, and there are particles of dirt clearly visible on the carpet then we have a problem! I admire a spotless kitchen, makes it SO much easier to cook on! My landlady cannot seem to grasp the concept of cleanliness!

3. Age is just a number to me now-- I used to think, "Wow, seniors in college seem so old! I could never hang out with them!" And now, it's like big deal! The group of amazing friends that I've made down here (and I mean amazing) are all different ages and it doesn't bother me. Not one bit. Because in the end, we are all going through life together and if I'm not allowed to share a laugh with a 25-year-old just because he's 25 is a little ridiculous to me. I embrace friendships that are age-defying.

4. I will be content in any city I choose to live in-- Being in Australia and on my own, is not such a scary thing. In the beginning I had so much anxiety about coming here by myself. But everyone adjusts and if you're lucky, you'll meet lifelong friends like I did. No matter where I go after I graduate, I know where I'm at will bring me a positive experience. (P.S. I've always been an optimist, I've just found a new way to express it!)

5. My worries are insignificant now-- Okay, I admit. I tend to freak out when I'm stressed. I get overwhelmed at all the things I have to do back home. But here, I take time out and look at the problem and think, "Is it really that big of a deal?" And usually it's not, so I stop worrying and stop thinking about it. In the end, I feel so much better, just having fun while keeping my responsibilities intact. No matter what the current issue is for you- just take a deep breath, close your eyes, and let it go! Just blow it all away. Things work themselves out without stressing over the what-if's.

Hope that was insightful for you, I have discovered some interesting things in Aussie and when I see you again, just know I am not the same girl. I have been changed, for good!

Beginning of the End

I hate packing. Even back home when I moved between home and college, I hated it. It takes time and effort to pack efficiently. So I sit among my suitcases, hair ties, jewelry, and shoes and blog.

I spent a relaxing weekend up in the Gold Coast at my friend Brad's house. His house is beautiful! I was reintroduced to a dishwasher and cable TV. It was like entering the real world again. It felt wonderful. Not only that, I had a free day to go to the mall, where I bought a good chick flick novel and spent the afternoon sunning on the beach and reading. Oh, and guess what? They had a Starbucks!!! Tall caramel macchiato over ice, please. And the next day? White chocolate mocha frappacino with whip, please. I highly recommend the Gold Coast to anyone looking for a getaway.

But now it's back in small town Lismore, the house is freezing (remember no central heating or A/C) and I am overwhelmed at how many things I have to pack. It's like, where do I even begin? I was talking to Brad about this: How I have become so involved, so tangled with my Aussie life. I went in to this experience knowing I only had about 4 months to stay yet I attached myself to the people, the culture, the know-how. I can't help it, guess it's just being human. I took the bus back from the Gold Coast to Lismore last night and thought about how much I'm going to miss it here. The sun was setting, the sky a pale orange. The trees were outlined black with the orangey-red showing through the branches. And I got so overwhelmed at it's beauty and my mind racing at the fact that I'm not sure when I'll be able to see this again. So I put in some Bob Marley, John Mayer, Dave Matthews and let them serenade me while I look upon exquisite features of this vast land. Australia, I am going to miss you so much.

I Live With Hippies

Not lying, I live with my landlady who is a certified hippie. She walks/drives/shops almost anywhere with no shoes, has a household decor from the 60's, and uses such phrases as "far out". Get with the times woman!

Stylish kitchen, right?

I apologize if I sound rude. I am grateful she is giving me a place to stay for my semester in Oz but at the same time, this is my blog, and I can vent if I want to. I'm ready for some up-to-date modern civilization, who's with me!?

Lismore Flood

We had some huge storms roll in off the coast and heavy rain settled in for nearly 3 days in Lismore. The wind gusts were up to 60mph and the creek flowing through downtown Lismore busted, overflowing into the street and soccer fields. Water in the street was over 4 feet high.

My house is safe & dry. We are located on top of a hill so there was no chance of us getting flooded but I was still apprehensive as I've never experienced a true flood before!

The rain has subsided for now and most of the water has been cleared from downtown and nothing but sunshine from here on out (I'm hoping). Here are some pictures of the aftermath!

Main street heading into the CBD

People floating on the water, car is submerged!

This WAS a soccer field!

Conversations with an Australian, Pt. 5

Australian: "Do you have to make deviled eggs to join a sorority?"
Me: "Is this a joke?!"