Blah sunday...

Yesterday was great... went to a night time AFL game.  Certainly not the same as my beloved American gridiron, but still a LOT of fun!!!  Certainly no happy camp, all day tailgating, etc... sometimes I wonder why Aussie's haven't adopted the tailgate experience?  Everything here involves alcohol and fun... so tailgating to me seems pretty standard! lol.

Anyways, today I've woken up with a sore throat, right ear is TOTALLY clogged, and I feel overall yucky! It IS Winter here.  It's cold.  And it feels very strange to be this cold in June, nearly July.  I keep thinking that Thanksgiving MUST be right around the corner, right?  Wrong.   Anyways, I think part of it is moving countries my immune system is much more crappier than it use to be.  I'm sure allll the bugs I've become immune to over the years are different here.. so, welcome to life down under, I reckon.

In addition to feeling like crap, I woke up with some "female" problems this morning (andddd... every male reader just closed the window!! lol.. dont' worry, no details!)  However it couldn't have mentally come at a worse time.  Last night I had a very vivid dream that we had a baby.  I remember so much of the dream, even the sex (girl) and name.  It felt so real that when I woke up, it almost felt in a strange way that I had lost a child.  That's the problem with my vivid dreams, they seem so real.  Not that we are trying to have a baby, and yes, we ARE using birth control... I guess I'm just approaching the age where one of the things I want most in this WORLD is for us to start a family.  I just can't wait.  I hate to admit it but sometimes I feel so jealous when people post pictures of their ultrasounds and such.. of course I'm happy for them, but still sometimes a little jealous.  If someone gave me the option between my bucket list and a family, the family would be my choice.  I guess a family has become my bucket list, to be honest.   I just sometimes worry about the "what ifs".  Even though us even starting to attempt a family is at least a year off... I think it's just the age, and that whole biological clock thingy.  Anyways, enough about that........ for now.

In 31 days we leave for America.  I'm excited, and nervous, all at the same time.  I'm very happy to see my friends and family.  Wayne and I are planning our to do list, and some of those include some theme parks, beaches, drives (west coast in Cali or Grand Canyon maybe!), etc, etc.  After all, it's nearly 4 weeks, and there is NO work involved.  We are planning on going to Cedar point and I'm SOOO excited about that.  Have never been but have always wanted to go.  We looked at the website the other day, and I must've sounded scared, because Wayne said "it sounds like you are about to shit yourself just looking at this picture!"  And it's true..... I was terrified in looking at the picture, but at the same time I just can't wiat!

We will land in America on the 26th of July.  EXACTLY one year from when I left to permanently move to Australia.  We didn't plan it that way, but that's the way it will work.  It's amazing how quickly time has flown.  I really am excited to see my friends.  I am so thankful for social networking and email...those are the methods that allow me to keep up with my friends and family.  Very few people know of my blog, and I keep it that way so I can still have a place to vent without worry of who is reading it.  So if you are hear, feel blessed..or cursed perhaps?? lol.  My blog is like how Facebook was before ALL your friends, coworkers, and family joined.... freedom! haha. 

I have now submitted my application for my NEXT visa (working visa).  Hopefully that will all be finalized soon.  It's so overwhelming sometimes, the whole visa process. And this isn't the last visa!!  Sometime late this year or early next we will apply for a Partner visa.  It's just a never ending redtape/paperwork trail.  And to top it off, I still have to file taxes in America based on my Australian earnings!  That's so jacked up.  Some people actually pay DOUBLE taxes on stuff!  Every day is a learning process to living in a new country, but at the end of the day, it's part of it.  And hey, nothing worth having comes easy, right?

I also received some GREAT news at work recently.. that may result in MORE education... and more MONEY and OPPORTUNITIES!!!!!!  I'm excited, but still too much to find out to fully post.  So consider this a sneak peak!!  LOL.  Hey, my blog isnt' that exciting, so gotta keep ya'll coming back somehow!! LOL!! But, I will post more as soon as possible.. or for more info, shoot me an email!  I try to keep some things vague on here, as you do......

Hope everyone is doing well.. and hope to see you soon!! If you are reading this and wanna get together when we are in the states...shoot me an email!!

xoxo

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

I wake up in the morning, when it's still the night before.

When I go to bed, everyone is getting up.

And no, I'm not on night shift. Just on a different continent, in a different hemisphere.

I shower with products that I've mostly never heard of.

The toilet doesn't flush the same. It doesn't actually twirl though, mostly just shoots straight down.

I use a funny shape plug to use appliances that cost at least twice as what they should, and again, brands I've never heard of.

I leave work and get into the wrong side of the car and drive on the wrong side of the car.

Rush hour is the same worldwide. It sucks. Rainy mornings make it even harder to commute, much less get out of bed.

I arrive to an office where everyone sounds different, yet I'm told I am the one with the accent.

Everyday is a learning experience. Even after doing this for 13 yrs, some days I'm over whelmed with what I have to learn about my new world.

Even punctuation has new names. Ever heard of a full stop? Apparently it's the word here for a period at the end of a sentence. A full stop? That's what my car makes when I come to a stop sign.

Which, there are none of here.

I can't say I miss those dreadful four way stops.

Having said that, round-a-bouts are a part of my daily life. I had never seen one until my late 20's and had no CLUE what the hell it was. I think they are wonderful inventions.

I go to the store and don't reconize hardly any brands. Even when things look similar, they are different. Even if they have the same name (ie, Coke) yet again, they are still different.

Every week I go to a new place. This is exciting, yet terrifying. This caused me to have a mini-breakdown recently.

The TV shows are mostly American tv shows.. but tons of repeats. Thank god for Internet tv and HDMI cables.

Burger king looks the same, only it's called Hungry Jacks.

Big W is a store that hired the Walmart advertising people to do their advertising campaign. IT. LOOKS. THE. SAME. Therefore, I STILL call it "Walmart" only for people to look at me and say "umm..where?"

It's all english, but it's Australian english.

Here you don't say root..that means sex. So no, you don't "root, root, root for the home team" Unless you are a whore.

I have no clue where to buy clothes...still. The sizes for clothes are the same numbers, but the numbers aren't the same size. Bra's have a different number. When I go shopping, I have found ONE store that I can tolerate.. if they have nothing, I. Am. Screwed. I have curves, boobs, and shoulders..... apparently most the retail stores here are worse than American women's clothing stores.

I don't have a checking account. Hardly anyone does. I have a bank account that is a savings account, and a bank card. My bank doesn't have branches. I do all my banking online...or at.... the post office.

I miss my friends and family and the ability to pick up a phone and call them, or hop in a car to see them. Now a phone call is tricky because of the time difference, and the commute to my friends is a 36 hr or more airplane ride.

Somedays it all just feels wrong. OK. Most days it all feels wrong.

But... there is always a but....

No matter how wrong or different my life, there is still one person who with just the touch of his hand makes it all seem ok. He's the reason that no matter how hard things seem, I know I'm right where I belong. I am home.

 

True shit

One Tree Hill

A few...ok, several years ago I became a fan during the first season of a show called "One Tree Hill".  The things I loved about the show was they Incorporated awesome music, always had a decent story line (sometimes a little over the top, but still enjoyable), and for me, the quotes were always the icing on the cake.  Here's an old entry with 20 quotes from One Tree Hill.

I've been home the last couple of days with a stomach bug.  Yuck.  The good thing is that Wayne is away, so I can be miserable and not bother anyone.  The BAD thing is that Wayne is away and too often it makes me feel really isolated because I feel very alone.  The other positive is I get total control of the tv!  So for the last few days, I've caught up on the last 2 seasons of One Tree Hill, leading into the final season and the series finale.  I'm sad to see it go, but hey, all shows end at some stage, right? 

And in OTH fashion the show ended with a quote.  Well, a long statement that all the main characters participated in the voice over...  thought I'd share.  It spoke to me about some personal things, so maybe it'll speak to you.  And hey, maybe my wishes will come true.......

"It's the oldest story in the world. One day you're 17 and planning for someday and then quietly and without you really noticing someday is today and then someday is yesterday and this is your life." - Nathan

"We spend so much time wanting, pursuing, wishing. But ambition is good, chasing things with integrity is good. Dreaming." - Haley

"If you had a friend you knew you would never see again what would you say? If you could do one last thing for someone you love what would it be? Say it, do it, don't wait. Nothing lasts forever." - Brooke

"Make a wish and place it in your heart. Anything you want, everything you want" - Mouth

"Do you have it? Good. Now believe it can come true." - Milli

"You never know where the next miracle is going to come from." - Quinn

"The next memory, the next smile, the next wish come true." - Clay

"But if you believe that it's right around the corner" - Chase

"You open your heart and mind to the possibility of it, to the certainty of it" - Chris Keller

"You might just get the thing you wish for" - Skills

"The world is full of magic, you just have to believe in it." - Julian

"So make your wish. Do you have it?" - Brooke

"Good. Now believe in it" - Nathan

"With all your heart" - Haley

Monday's staring at me!!

Make it stop!! lol

Sigh.  I had a four day weekend this weekend, although that was mostly due to the fact that we had Wayne's grandma funeral.  It all went well.  Drama free (which happens when you are with a normal and wonderful family!) and it was really a beautiful service.  I was glad to be able to be there for Wayne, and I was glad that I was able to meet his grandmother prior to her passing...although it was after her stroke, I still am glad I went to the hospital that night to meet her prior to her passing.  She lead a tough life, and for that was an extremely tough woman.  She was loved by her family and ya know, at the end of the day, that's all we can ask for isn't it?

The funeral did bring a little bit of "reality" to me.... the fact that I'm living so far away from my family and that death is a part of life, is something I can't ignore... I can delay thinking about it, but it's still there.  My mom has already expressed an interest in discussing their death wishes when we go to America.  And while the adult in me understands that this is necessary, the kid in me thinks, nah..you'll be around forever.   Sigh.. if only that were true.  But, again..part of life.

Today we've had STRONG storms.  On Thursday a TORNADO hit the suburb I work in!!!  (side note:  I was told "Perth doesn't get tornado's" before moving here).  And, they don't.  This is VERY rare.  And the pictures and videos don't look like a Tornado... just a big strong breeze to be honest.  However, I was super glad NOT to be at work.  Today the winds have been HORRENDOUS!!!  CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE!  As I type, the winds are howling and the rain is pouring.... not a bad way to spend a night in, though.

Over the weekend we put together our new IKEA dresser (only took 7 hrs!! lol)  and today I bought a tv for the bedroom.  It's transforming the bedroom from a bachelor pad to an actual couples bedroom (esp with my nice blue and chocolate comforter and pillows from the states....hehehehe.... ).  It looks great.  Oh, don't forget the chocolate curtains.  Man, I so wish I had taken pictures before and after.  It looks great though!  I'm sure if Wayne reads this, THIS is where he will be rolling his eyes..lol.  "what's the purpose of these pillows???"  is the question of the week! haha.

Wayne is off to the East coast for work (again.....) so tonight has been dinner with his folks, a chat with the boy, and organizing of closets and such.  I find it sad that I get excited when I have the house to myself...and what do I do??? Clean and organize!!  LOL.  Paaaaathetic.  Oh well.  Time ain't gonna waste itself!  At least tonight I get to snuggle into an empty bed (okay... take UP said bed) and watch trashy Sunday night TV before starting the lonnnnnggggg week. 

I am ending tonight with a quote from a movie.  Recently I've talked to a few people who don't seem to realize that while I do live in Australia... I do experience life.... pain.... heartache.....WINTER!  lol.  It's a great movie, The Descendants (George Clooney)...... this says it all really......

"My friends on the mainland think just because I leave in Hawaii, I live in paradise, like a permanent vacation.

We're all just out here, sipping Mai Tais, shaking our hips, catching waves.

 Are they insane? Do they think we are immune to life?

How can they possibly think our families are less screwed up,

 our cancers less fatal, our heartache less painful?"

Updates, updates, updates.....

Well, life down here is still as busy as ever.  Wayne's grandmother passed away Friday night so tonight is the Rosary service and tomorrow is the funeral and wake.  Everyone seems to be coping pretty well with it.  She had severe dementia and required 24 hr care in the nursing home.  Up until the stroke that lead to her passing, her body was perfectly healthy.  It was just that her mind was not.  Death is never easy, even when expected, but sometimes factors such as that make dealing with the death just a little easier.  It's the first family death either of us have had since entering our relationship nearly 2 years ago, and I'm glad to be here with Wayne during this time.

Work is...ehhhh... work.  Really starting to get annoyed with a few things, and I know that's part of it.  Awaiting the visa stuff to be processed, then may considering looking at options.  Just not sure if I can make the same money elsewhere.. we'll see though later this year.

Last night we booked our flights to America.  We leave in a little less than 7 weeks.  Really excited to see everyone!  Glad the tickets are booked, feels more real now! lol.  Starting in Florida at my folks, then Kentucky for my best friends wedding, catch up with friends in Lexington, Indy, etc, then head up to Detroit for a wedding, then the last part of the trip will be a vacation on the west coast (grand canyon, California) for the two of us before coming back home.  Unless we kill each other over the four weeks! lol.

Last night while looking for something on an email account, I stumbled upon some emails from my love that made me smile.....  I won't put the whole thing here, but did want to copy and paste two parts.... 

 "And if I promise something, I mean it, I keep my promises.

 I may not promise much, but when I do, I keep them." 

 "as long as I have you, thats all I need. And I do need you. My life feels incomplete

without you here. Cant wait til we are together again. "



These were both in emails before I ever took my first trip here.  I love looking back on our old emails.  Wayne printed off some emails between us from April/May'ish 2010 before we ever even became a couple.... at the time we had no clue but looking back on it wow were we down right flirty! lol.  We had a really good laugh reading through them.  However, the very sweet emails from Wayne once we became a couple really make me smile.  He's not an OVERLY romantic guy, but when he is it is very sincere and that makes me appreciate the things like those emails even more.  My friend Brandi printed off all of her and her now husbands emails and IM chats and put them into a binder.  I would love to do something similar to keep, but lord with the number of emails we exchanged as part of the long distance, it may require a Forrest to be chopped down! lol   I also found a website that will print off your blog into a book.. may look into that someday, although not sure many of my posts are worthy of being printed..lol  Not that it's a book that you would sell, just one to keep for keepsake purposes. 

It's still winter here and COLD!  I am such a wimp now!  I want warm temps!!!!  LOL!

Ok, off to do some housework and get some stuff done prior to the Rosary service tonight.. until next time.... tootles!!!!!!