I feel as if every post starts off apologizing for my lack of writing...this one being no different. So it's been nearly a month since I've given an update on everything in the land down under!! I moved into my apartment on December 4th. The apartment is on George Street which is the main street downtown!! It's honestly so amazing to live in the middle of everything downtown; I love the energy and chaos and noise all around! We are so lucky to have a balcony overlooking the city as well!
 |
| Darling Harbour around Christmas time |
As much as I love Sidebar, I have branched out from the hostel bar and have been exploring a bit more places at night. Been having lots of fun going to new places with friends! I've been here nearly two months now and I feel as if I truly live here now. This is my city and I'm starting to think like a local instead of a tourist. I love being able to help people with directions or transportation, because it confirms to me that I know what I'm doing here and that this is actually happening aka I'm really living in Sydney.
 |
| Christmas Eve Boat Cruise |
The best part about Sydney is definitely the weather. I've adapted to Celsius since no one else in the world uses fahrenheit, but we've ranged from 20-40 degrees! There have been some crazy hot days and it's so unbelievable because uh..it's December! I'm so not used to this, but I absolutely love it!
 |
| 'Snow Queens' on Christmas Eve in Darling Harbour |
This past Wednesday was Christmas Eve, and my English friends and myself went on an Oz Cruise Party! We sailed around the Harbour for three hours and got an amazing view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, while also having unlimited free drinks and food! On Christmas we all went to Coogee Beach and had a bbq (if chips (crisps) and dip count as a bbq) on the lawn and just hung out all day! Defintely got caught in the storms later on...but made for a good day! My Christmas dinner of course consisted of Mcdonalds (take the girl out of the country, but can't come between her and Mcdonalds). Did a secret santa with the roommates, and also exchanged gifts with Lexi, making it feel a bit more like a real Christmas. Also, got a couple of packages from my mom with great essential items, thank ya mom, way to come through! Definitely a different feeling at Christmas this year with no snow, no traditional celebrations, and no familiar family and friends around, but still a great time. Everything here is going to be different from back home but it's just a matter of embracing it for what it is. This whole experience is going to go by way too quickly and that already makes me so sad! I can't believe in the next month or two I'm going to have to start seriously thinking about where I want to be placed for my second six months (Working holiday visa says you can only have one employer for up to six months, and as much as I love Sydney, I want to see more of Australia and do my second six months somewhere new). It will be winter when I move in May so I am planning on going somewhere north, maybe Gold Coast or Cairns, we will see! I have lots of time to figure that out.
 |
| Christmas Day at Coogee Beach |
New Years Eve is this Wednesday, don't have many plans yet, but will figure it out! I work the following morning, so nothing too crazy, probably just enjoy the firework show over the city. How exciting it will be to ring in 2015 in Sydney with new friends!
As a closing, I will now get annoying and sappy about 2014. Truly what an emotional year! I was
challenged and overcame obstacles like never before with student teaching, felt like I got dumped by UD when they made us actually graduate, had to learn to live at home as a post-grad wishing everyday I could just go back to UD in the fall, planned 6 weeks of trips across the US visiting friends who meant the world to me, and then finally fully committed to Australia, landed the job, and flew to Australia less than two weeks later. I am officially living in Sydney and loving life. I can't say enough how much I love this city; I'm seriously so happy. I never thought I could be away from UD this long since that's been my happy place and my home the past four years..but I'm managing quite well. To be honest, I can't believe the current seniors only have one semester left...where did the time go!? Have I really been graduated that long? Time truly goes by SO fast. I'm so happy with this decision to move out to the other side of the world on my own. I've become so independent and confident in my abilities of figuring things out and getting by and providing for myself. I really wish the U.S. allowed the working holiday visa here to be extended because if that was the case, I honestly would do it in a second. We will see what I end up doing, but let's just say this travel bug has hit hard :)
 |
| Best friends at the best place in the world- University of Dayton |
-just to add
Being here surrounded by people from all over the world really makes you think about the country you're from and how you were brought up. It's so interesting meeting people from all over and hearing how different their lives are. One girl I met in the hostel was from Israel and told us all about how everyone in the country is required to go to army boot camp essentially, for two years so that they are prepared for a war if need be. She described everything they went through and I honestly could not imagine myself in that situation. She said it was hell at the time, but she really appreciates her time spent there now because it made her overcome so much and grow as a person. I personally couldn't imagine not having a say though in going..there is no choice. Another thing I found interesting is that in England you could be done with school at 16 if you choose. At 16, you either choose if you want to go full time into work, or into college (university comes afterwards). A few of my friends have been working full time and have been done with school since age 16! How crazy is that! Thinking back to how immature I was at 16, I personally couldn't imagine being already career focused. I think it's so impressive that the country trusts the maturity of their own at that age. My thoughts still come back to not knowing what I want to do with my life at 22 though...so probably a good thing I didn't have to know at 16.
 |
| New Years Eve in Botanical Gardens |
Also, random note, but everyone here has tattoos all over. Whether they're from Australia, or some country across the world, tattoos are common, even in the workplace. It's very different, but I really like it! Makes me feel kind of ridiculous for feeling like I need to hide my little one on my ankle back home when not with friends. It's nice how accepting people are here of personal expression. Not to mention that everyone wishes everyone a 'Merry Christmas' here regardless of religion, and no one gets offended. I never once heard someone say 'Happy Holidays'. Merry Christmas simply was a friendly expression used to great others...no hidden agenda, or dig at one's beliefs. Everything just makes sense.
Anddd that's the end of the post that got sent to drafts. An actual update will be posted soon, since so much has happened since this December post! If somehow anyone is actually reading this, you are too sweet and I'm sorry for all my nonsensical ramblings! :)
