Dealing with life’s ups and downs down under

So let’s start from the beginning  I had talked about Australia for such a long time that I sort of lost track how long this has been going on for. Over 2 years ago I was all over the place applying for a scholarship and well, since I didn’t leave 2 years ago you probably know it didn’t happen. It was sad at the moment. A big part of me wanted to leave but wasn’t 100% convinced so I just left things at that.

But life has its ways of opening your eyes. I’ll never forget the voice in my head that kept on telling me go, go, go, you can do it, it’s the best decision. Things started getting uglier and I suddenly I was feeling a whole lot different… I saw my life going nowhere, I was tired, felt disappointed in everything, became intolerant and I knew that was it. I couldn’t stay there any longer. By the way, my friends who love to say I imagine things, the voice is real and I can’t thank him enough.

Except that it wasn’t going to work out how I would of liked it. I was dreaming of a permanent residency. Should have listened to my mom when she insisted in me studying accounting… not! So my career and experience wouldn’t do it and well if you know me good enough then you know how I am with researching… I found not just one way but all the ways. I think I must have spent over 50-60 hours looking, asking, and gobbling up PDF files! Not complaining…

I hope that all of you who asked me and to whom I explained how it works will find it useful and maybe I’ll see you around soon. If not, you can still visit.

For now, all I can say is I can’t believe I’m here! Everything is amazing! And yes, plenty of order, information and the best part, everyone is so polite and laid back it seems unreal. 

On the other hand, the city is a little more expensive than I thought but definitely worth it! So far so good.

So yeah it’s wonderful here but it’s only been 2 weeks and I’m still homesick. I can’t say how much I miss my family, my boyfriend, his family, my friends… I guess it takes time and university seems like it’s gonna keep me real busy. I’m also thankful because I had wonderful people looking after me even before I had arrived. Makes me feel like I have a family here and that’s been very comforting. Plus, they give me tons of advice which is really good. So I’m sure I’ll be up and going in no time because seriously, it’s unbelievably beautiful and there’s lovely people all over the place here!

I have already met quite a few. A very nice and wise university teacher I met in the hostel where I arrived said to me when I was leaving: ‘have fun in your adventure but not too much, remember it’s not supposed to be easy’. Boy he was right… so I’ll tell you about some of my adventures so far and then i’ll stop this testament:

First, my 30 hour trip from Caracas to Sydney turned into a nightmare when they cancelled my first flight out! 12 hours stuck in the airport and of course, you’re in Venezuela, chaos, no information and no organization. I’ll resume, 30 hours became 60 and didn’t know where my luggage was! I do appreciate the nice hotel AA provided for me in Miami because had they send me to NY with no luggage (no winter clothes), I would have frozen to death! I also gotta say: I love Qantas! Best entertainment provided ever on an airplane (watched HIMYM and they had tons of new movies)… the service too! From the ones I’ve traveled with at least. They give you the menu at the beginning of the flight and details to when they will serve, so thoughtful…

After all the craziness, I finally made it to Sydney! And my luggage was waiting for me here too! I got my mobile active in 5 minutes at the airport and went to find a cab. So funny when the driver asked me amused where I was going because I was on my way to get into the driver’s seat… everything is backwards here! Takes time to getting used to, specially when crossing the streets (always look right, always look right…)

Then, the first night I moved to my new room (which I was lucky I found in less than a week) had tons of mini-cockroaches! I almost went ballistic! I was so grossed out! Ran to the super market but some spray, killed as many as I could and finally slept around 2 am with the lights on (don’t laugh). The guy who lived here was so trashy, Yuk! But the agency fixed it in no time and they had my room fumigated and all cleaned up. I love my new room now!

Now I’m working on going to bed early because it’s summertime and it doesn’t get dark until 8 pm. but I have classes tomorrow so I’ll keep you posted!

XOXO,

S