Final thoughts

Well this is it - my last entry! I'm safely back on American soil in Hawaii.  I'm feeling really excited to be here despite the fact the first song I heard on the radio was TSwift.  After a whole year away, I really thought she might decide to take a little break.  Let us miss you Taylor.  

My green dolla dolla bills are in hand and I even got a rude comment from my taxi driver when I told him I was using a Visa card instead of cash.  Oh, it's good to be back:)  

Pam and I wanted to do something significant for our 30th year and that goal was achieved.  This Aussie experience wouldn't have been the same without her or the others that I've met along the way. 

I feel lucky to have met so many intelligent, worldly, like-minded individuals whom I can now call friends. I can’t wait to see how their lives unfold and where we will end up in the world.

Gosh, the world may seem enormous, but it is smaller than you think.  I realized this when I met an Australian with family in Pittsburgh who own a pizza shop.  Or the Mom I worked with who went to study abroad at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  We are all connected.

A HUGE thank you for following the blog and for the positive feedback I’ve received over the year.  I really started this blog as a way for my family to stay connected and current on what I’ve been up to around the world.  And now it has had over 14,000 hits!  I’ve been surprised at the overall interest and grateful for all your compliments.  I've felt insecure and strange at times putting my life out on the Internet, but it's turned out to be a fun and creative outlet for me.

My hope this year is that I’ve inspired one person along the way to follow their heart, to follow their own path, or to shake things up a bit.  Maybe to try a new recipe, to explore a novel part of their city, to take that trip, or to open up their heart.  You’re never too old, too set in your ways, or too broke to try something new.  Be brave and have faith.

What is it time for now? Pots of coffee, TJ Maxx, shopping at 9 PM at Target for normal priced cosmetics and tennis shoes, birds that don't sound like dinosaurs, American TV and commercials, sports, Chipotle, hummus and pretzel chips, and to see all my AMAZING family and friends in America who are so supportive.   You rock and I can't wait to hug you in person.

I am now going to listen to my own advice I've given TSwift and call it quits.  I've been in your face about my adventures for over a year, so it is now officially time to take a break.    

THE END

#1 - Top 10 reasons why I love Australia

Close your eyes and picture this.  Pam and I.  Two single ladies out on the town.  It's hot.  It's an outdoor bar.  It's Miami.

October 2011.  We're still on cloud 9 from an Enrique Iglesias/Pitbull concert the night before, but that's a story for another time. 

  

Two Aussies appear.  Hot Aussie NRL players.  There's flirting.  And drinks.  One too many of those blue drinks from the Clevelander.  There's plenty of discussion about the Land Down Under.   Lots of communication difficulties.  Lots of laughs.

What finally made me decide to live in Australia? You could speculate the rock hard abdominal muscles of those boys influenced my choice.  You could guess their pride and boasting of the natural beauty of the country caught my attention.  Those are both possible reasons why I fell in love with Australia before even stepping foot on its soil.  I can 100% guarantee you it had nothing to do with the dancing skills of these blokes, and it had everything to do with the number #1 reason why I love this country.

WHY I LOVE AUSTRALIA

#1.  THE ACCENT.  Everything sounds better to me with an Aussie accent.  It made me giggle in Miami.  It still makes me giggle over one year later.  Thank you God for creating Australia and the men and women who speak proudly from it.

To all Australians, you possess something I can never have.  Embrace it and use it to your advantage.  It's one of a kind.

#2 - Top 10 reasons why I love Australia

They say you learn something new everyday.  And as a speechie, one of my favorite things I've learned in Australia has come from multiple communication failures.  The blank stares and "What did you say?"  moments are priceless. 

WHY I LOVE AUSTRALIA

#2.  The vocabulary.  I've covered many words in previous blog entries, so I won't go into detail listing them again.  But I'm keen to share the new slang and lingo with my mates back in America soon enough.  No time to type, time to pack up.  One year - one suitcase.  Last sleep down under.

#3 - Top 10 reasons why I love Australia

Life in Australia is pretty laid back and for the most part, the people are easygoing.  For example,  I had a boss let me borrow her BMW every week just so I could go grocery shopping. And  another employer let me use her car once for the entire weekend to go to the Sunshine Coast.  No problem.

WHY I LOVE AUSTRALIA

#3.  No worries.  You're late? No worries.  You just got a speeding ticket when you borrowed your boss' car? No worries.  You forgot to write that report?  No worries.  You need a place to stay for a few weeks while I travel through Europe? No worries - you can stay in my house.  This popular phrase is now a permanent part of my vocabulary and one I have to remind myself to use as I reenter the US as a 30 year-old unemployed single chic moving back home.  No regrets from me and hey- no worries:)  Life has a way of working itself out!

#4 - Top 10 reasons why I love Australia

I think I have commitment issues.  My Top 10 is running a bit behind because I'm feeling the pressure from promising a daily blog entry.  Sorry for the delay folks! 

WHY I LOVE AUSTRALIA

#4.  Coffee, wine, and thai/malaysian takeaway

It took me awhile to adjust to life without a coffee pot which produces way more joe than one person ever truly needs.  And I can't wait to brew pots and pots of Starbucks when I get back just because I can.  However, let me give some love  to the coffee scene in Australia - especially in Melbourne.  They take their expressos, lattes, and long blacks seriously.  It's not uncommon for people to comment on the coffee before the food when brunching here.  

An unexpected surprise - how much I love the smooth and tasty pinot noir from Tasmania. 

Thai and Malaysian takeaway beats our Chinese take out any day.

Our hips don't lie - Two thumbs up for Laksa King!

http://www.laksaking.com.au/

#5 - Top 10 reasons why I love Australia

Most of Australia's shops are open until 5 or 6 PM.  As an American who is used to access to everything at anytime, I often find this infuriating.  Why can't I go shopping after work or go to Target at 10 PM or go to Macy's for the late night sale? 

WHY I LOVE AUSTRALIA

 #5.  Australians believe in work/life balance.  They truly work to live and don't feel guilty about leaving work on time. It's a big generalization, but it seems after 5 or 6 PM, most people go home.  Or goes to play sport.  Or goes to the pub.  They receive 4 weeks holiday standard.  And they often take it all at once for extended travel.  It is a beautiful thing.  Good on ya Australia.  

#6 - Top 10 reasons why I love Australia

Through this year away, I've stayed in 38 "beds." Actually 38 places is a lot more accurate.  Some of those places include campervans, tents, and shared accommodation which were on farms, in the outback, and in the rainforest.  But all of those lovely places (I use lovely loosely - the things you do in the name of travel!) led me to my last place in Australia.  Which brings me to number 6.

WHY I LOVE AUSTRALIA

#6.  Melbourne.  I am a city girl through and through and fall in love with city lights.  Walking through a city you can feel the excitement, the possibilities, and the creativity energy.  This city has music, food, art, festivals, comedy and is more multicultural compared to other parts of the country.  But you can also  hop in your car and in 1-2 hours drive to beautiful surfing towns for your getaway.   And call me crazy, but I like 4 seasons.  A long winter is not necessary, but I couldn't go without some time in my jacket, scarf, and boots.  Leaving a little of my heart in Melbourne.

Last night out - Naked for Satan

Matty J, Andre, McDewey

Roomie of the year - CC

Want some drink with that ice?

Cat and Caz

Lovely ladies of Melbourne

#7 - Top 10 reasons why I love Australia

"Sweets don't do it for me" said I - NEVER.  Sweets are my weakness.  I love dessert and chocolate.  So here is a  short but "sweet"  entry for you today :)

WHY I LOVE AUSTRALIA

#7.  TIM TAMS - Arnott's tasty biscuit cookies come in many flavors.  Dunk it in your cocoa for a Tim Tam Slammer or just enjoy solo.  You can't go wrong with a Tim Tam.  

#8 - Top 10 reasons why I love Australia

Australia is populated by about 23 million people.  And Australia has over 16,000 miles of coastline.  I guess when you hear those numbers it is not surprising to learn that I have been on many beaches where I am one of the few, if not the only person present.   If I had an Aussie 2 dollar coin for every time I said, "It feels good to be back at the beach", I'd be coming home a slightly richer lady.  Which brings me to number 8.

WHY I LOVE AUSTRALIA

#8.  The beaches are striking.  Each one possesses its own personality.  I've covered mostly Eastern Oz: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania and loved each and every shore my bare toes have been lucky to touch.  If I ever own a home, the walls in some room will be painted  "Australia blue."  The color of the water here is fantastic.  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Bondi 

Newcastle

North Stradbroke Island

Byron Bay

Palm Cove

Fitzroy Island

Coconut Beach, Cape Tribulation

Southern Tasmania

Kewarra Beach

Wineglass Bay, Tasmania

Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas

Sunshine Coast

Brighton Beach, Melbourne

Cape Paterson

Southern Tasmania

Noosa Heads

Phillip Island

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful drives in this country.    Cairns to Cape Tribulation

St. Kilda

Cozy Corner, Torquay

12 Apostles

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

Burleigh Heads

Apollo Bay

Lorne

Great Ocean Road

Last but not least, one of my favorites...

Jan Juc, Torquay

This was photographed one morning when the only people on the beach were the surfers and the dog owners.  The sun was just peeking through onto the beautiful waves.  

At the start of my year, I made a goal to see every beach in Australia.  Although that is an impossible feat for one year, I would say I've done pretty well!  And I've left plenty of miles in Western Australia to explore when I return.

#9 - Top 10 reasons why I love Australia

 I love music.  I choose music over TV often.  My Spotify boasts many playlists to choose from which are fairly good indicators of my daily mood.  If the "Sassy Pants" playlist is on, you can bet I'm wearing my gold heels ready for night out on the town.  If the"Yeehaw" playlist is cranking, it is usually a sunny weekend day when I'm feeling like a loud and proud 'Merican.  Which brings me to the next reason on my list.

WHY I LOVE AUSTRALIA

#9.  Australia impressively holds its own in the music world and has heaps of local talent.  I have become a big fan of the local artists who are well supported by many Aussies.  

If you ask an Australian in our age range what station they tune into, I bet 9 out of 10 times the answer would be Triple J.  Triple J is a nationally networked station emphasizing mostly Australian and alternative music instead of commercialized pop choices.  They are known for breaking new local acts and those from other countries that don't receive air time. Ever heard of Midnight Oil?  I mean who doesn't love a little Beds are Burning right? Thanks Triple J.

http://youtu.be/-1aeWZ0COR4.

And every Australia Day, the station runs their Top 100 of the most popular songs chosen by the public.  For those who crave new music, Spotify has some of the Top 100 playlists available online. (Try Triple J Top 100 of 2013). Or stream live at http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/media/listen.htm.

Here is a small list of artists I enjoy. They have been passed along to me which I will now pay  forward to you.  I'm sure there are many more, so feel free to comment to add to the list.  Happy Listening!

Actually before I list new artists, can we back up for a second and talk about ACDC?  I have apparently been living under a rock for my entire life, but they are an Australian band.  And they had ACDC Lane in Melbourne named for them in 2004.  

Okay some music to check out: Angus and Julia Stone (Together or Solo), Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio, Missy Higgins, Quarry Mountain Dead Rats, San Cisco, Asta, Flume, The Living End, Powderfinger, Bec Laughton, Miami Horror, The Cat Empire, and The Beautiful Girls.

I have not even touched on the music festivals in this country, but there are HEAPS.  I wish I made it to more of them, such as Byron Bay's BluesFest.  If you come to Australia, you should plan to go to at least one.  I promise there is a festival to suit your style.

#10 - Top 10 reasons why I love Australia

So you may or may not know this, but I am a huge fan of composing "Top 10" lists.  And you may or may not know that I am also very sentimental and emotional.  When I feel a lot of love, I have to get it off my chest and out into the world for I fear I will explode.  I've also been called dramatic - shocking but true ;)

So I want to share with you dear friends my "Top 10" of Australia.  Although there are many reasons why I have enjoyed my year here, let me narrow it down to my favorites.  Since I have 10 days left,  I will post a different reason each from my list of why I love Australia.  Let me build you a pyramid and get to the point!

WHY I LOVE AUSTRALIA

#10.  The people of Australia have a fantastic sense of humor.  They are constantly joking and teasing each other or just making fun of you to your face - with a large amount of love thrown in of course.  Upon arrival, my inner uptight American rejected this, but now I embrace it.  There's nothing better than being able to laugh at yourself and the stereotypes that exist in the world. 

Like totally right?  I'm like not even joking right now, so true! (That was typed with my best blond girl accent while drinking a Starbucks frappaccino, eating my supersized Macca's, while putting on my eye makeup and driving an SUV of course.)

Aussie words - Round 4

My Aussie vocabulary keeps growing and growing!  Here are a few more words to try out with your mates.

The weather man says rain is a comin'! Don't forget your BROLLIE.

I'm feeling a bit PECKISH....

Let's grab a bite to eat.

She is feeling CLUCKY...

She's ready to make a baby (not a taco - how ridiculous is this costume?).

He's a 2 BEER SCREAMER ...

He can't handle his alcohol.

Traffic was a real SHAMOZZLE!

The roads were a mess.

On a side note, I officially have 10 days left in Melbourne before I start my journey back to America.  It feels very bittersweet right now, but I'm starting to get excited to see everyone and for the next life adventure.  Where in the world will I end up in 2013???

Flemington Racecourse

Saturday was Community 

Day at Flemington Racecourse, home of the world famous Melbourne Cup.   Although it was a more quiet day at the races, I was hooked as soon as I arrived. The grounds were beautiful and overflowing with roses.  The ladies were donning their hats and fascinators, and everyone was enjoying the excitement of the races.  If you make it to Melbourne in November, I would say the Melbourne Cup is a must-see.

http://flemington.com.au/

Rockin' my hair fascinator! Thanks Supanee.