Australia is Awesome, Everything Else However Not So Much...

Hello again! I'm going to start with the bad so I can end this post on a good note because I honestly am having am amazing time here so far, but there are many little things that are making me just slightly miserable and are unavoidable.

First, I miss everyone in ways none of you even know. There is one person in particular that unfortunately has been on my mind because I hate how we left things. I know in time this will get eaiser to deal with, and I hoped coming here would take my mind off it but it seems to only make me feel worse.

Now as for my laptop. I just got back from the apple store and it looks like it will be OK but not for lack of sucking hardcore first. So all of my information is still there somehow, but I have managed to go through my THIRD harddrive. The woman said I just have really bad luck, but I'm starting to think that aple just fucking sucks cock. Excuse my language, but my one link back to home has been gone and making me very sad when I should be having a good time and not worrying about stupid things like getting to skype my parents. I had to buy an external HD because WHY would I pack mine from home? I have to go pick it up tomorrow and see what damage was done. There is a 1% chance I'll lose everything, so say a prayer with me to the apple gods that this won't happen. I'd rather not waste any extra emotion I have on a stupid computer.

That being said, Sydney is fantastic! As I mentioned before I met this kid Tchad from Canada who's pretty young and very much without a clue. He decided to come here spur of the moment and hasn't saved any money or made any sort of plan. It also doesn't seem like he's made an effort to find friends other than myself, which is fine, except we're not exactly on the same page when it comes to many things due to our age difference and his lack of research and planning on coming here. Last night though, I went to a BBQ held at my hostel and met some wicked cool Brits. They're my age and we get along great. It's hilarious for both of us as we make fun of our own clutural differences and bond over the new ones we share in Australia. One of the girls who is more outspoken than the rest has quite a mouth and throws out words that would be pretty innapropriate in the States, but luckily, as many of you know, I'm pretty hard to offend. I might hang out with them tonight if I can get a hold of them and I think we're going to try to go to Bondi beach tomorrow and then hit the bars in Kings Cross.

Today was the first day I got to do touristy things and I wish I had a data plan for my phone to post the pics I took, but hopefully that will remedy itself soon. (Just to clear things up, the sim card I got through my program only allows me to text and call other verizon phones and will not let me connect to the internet or have any data. When I get a chance I'm going to look into a Vodafone plan, but more updates on that to come). I went to the aquarium and Sydney wildlife center today. They were next to eachother and the wildlife place was basically like the aquarium but with animals. Without the pictures, it's not really worth going into great detail, but I saw a lot of cool stuff including sharks and kangaroos and lots of other stuff (detailed, I know, but I'm feeling lazy haha). After looking at all the animals I had lunch and walked back where I succesfully managed to turn my sholders and cheeks pink. I wouldn't call it a burn, but I'm sure if I end up at the beach tomorrow it will turn bright red.

On thursday I'm taking a RAS (responsible alcohol service) course so I can try to find a waitresing job. I booked the rest of the week at my hostel, but I need to do some research for a cheeper place to stay for the time being because I'd rather not pay the $40 a night I am now. When I stop to think about getting a job and a place to live I become extremely overhwlemed, but I need to keep thinking positive. Send me any positive vibes you can because it's times like that when I feel very alone :(

OK, I didn't want to end on a sad note. Opps... I'm off to facebook some more and then figure out a dinner plan. I miss you all more than you know!!

I'm here!

Greetings from Sydney! I don't even want to go into my flights here because it was honeslty one of the worst flying experiences I have ever had for many reasons including overweight baggage, people throwing up (not me, but the girl in front of me) and my laptop dying just to name some of the highlights. I forgot to mention this in my first post, but if you want to reach me, your best bet is to either facebook me or email me (ldrummond23@gmail.com). You can text me but I don't remember what my new Aussie number is and I'm too lazy to look it up now. If you want it message me and it's all yours. We can skype too (sukr4acoustik) but seeing as how my laptop is currently dead, I don't always have a reliable computer.

On to the more exciting things! My hostel is pretty cool. There's a pool on the roof, a decent resturant, tv, and a bar next door. I haven't checked out the bar yet because it's only Monday and I am beyond exhausted, but it is definitely on my list of things to do...

My first day was spent checking into the hostel, finding lunch and then taking a 3 hour nap. After waking up slightly refreshed I walked down to the harbor with my new Canadian friend Tchad (pronounced Chad) where we had a mediocore but expensive dinner and checked out the view of the Opera House and bridge. It's about a 30 minute walk from my hostel which isn't too bad. Along the way I also found an Apple store and have made an appointment with the Genius Bar to hopefully bring my laptop back to life.

I just finished going through my orientation with the Work and Holiday people here in Sydney and I have learned a lot. I haven't even begun my job search or apartment search and I'm already exhausted just hearing about how the whole process works. It's pretty similar to the US except for a few things. Your resume is MUCH more detailed and everyone needs one, even waitresses. That means no walking into a resturant and getting hired on the spot like back home. Finding an aprartment shouldn't be too hard but it is expensive. They pay by the week, not month, and it sounds like it adds up fast. Of course, the minimum wage here is twice what it is in the US so it all evens out eventually.

Not much exciting has happened yet, but I just wanted to send out an update for those who are interested. I'm off to try and figure out why my phone won't send texts and then probably take another nap before dinner..

Peace out America- Australia, Here I Come!

Welcome to my very first blog! I figured this would be the easiest way to stay in touch with everyone while I’m in Australia and tell you about all my adventures. Before that, however, I thought I’d let you all know why I decided to up and leave in the first place.

Before I even got accepted into college I didn’t know if it was for me. Don’t get me wrong, I know you need a degree to get a job, but at the time I felt like I didn’t know enough about where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do, so maybe something else would have been good as a transition. This was immediately shot down by my parents. Though my years at Clark were a blast and I wouldn’t trade the friends I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had, anyone who ever met me knows I never felt like I fit in there.

I was one of the lucky few who managed to secure a job after graduation, so two days exactly after receiving my diploma I started my paid internship at the Ad Club. I love event planning and have always had an interest in advertising so this seemed like the perfect job. I meet a lot of great people while working there, but again, I felt like it wasn’t exactly the right fit. Once my time there ended I was even more confused on what I wanted to be doing with my life.

Due to an ABUNDANCE of free time, I really got to think about what I wanted to do and not just do what my parents/society thought was best or what my degree suggested I was qualified for. I have always loved to travel and wanted to do something different, so while I have no responsibilities or anything holding me down I figured now would be the best time to pick up and leave.

For the first time ever what I’m doing feels right for me (I know- wicked cheesy, but it is what it is). I have always wanted to go to Australia and as I have no desire to teach English, as many kids choose to do after graduation, it seemed like a great fit. The program I’m going with (BUNAC.org, check it out if you want) helps you with job placement, getting a visa, figuring out your taxes and a whole lot of other useful things.

I’ll be starting off in Sydney but I don’t want to try to plan anything out ahead of time. My plan is to just go and see what happens. My visa is good for up to a year and I have no idea how long I plan to stay so far. So there it is. I hope you are fortunate enough to get the chance to do your own version of this, or that you’re already doing something that you love. I cannot wait to go and I cannot wait to share this adventure with you and the rest of the interwebs.