Just another part of the process...
Everyone that knows me knows how much I love music, from rap to classical depending on my mood. Well, here are an accumulation of songs that have played a part in me processing my decision to go to Australia. Again, this may not make sense to people but it does to me...
Some of these songs are straight up secular but some of them I find spiritual to me and my relationship with God...
Breakaway- Kelly Clarkson
Brand New Me- Alicia Keys
Uprising- Muse
Unwritten- Natasha Bedingfield (shout out to FOY staff :-))
Take Me Away- Fefe Dobson (shout out to high school me)
Paradise- Coldplay (shout out to Leah N.)
Like a Bird- Nelly Furtado (middle school me shout out to Melia lol)
I Will Possess Your Heart- Death Cab for Cutie
No Limits- Israel and New Breed (shout out to THOTL)
He Wants it All- Forever Jones
Hello Fear- Kirk Franklin
I'm So Gone- Thi'sl
Take Off- High Society Collective
Weird Fishes- J.R.
The Climb- Miley Cyrus (don't judge me lol)
The Anthem- Good Charlotte (shout out to high school me)
Awake My Soul- Mumford and Sons
Okay I think that you all get the idea now :-)
Feel free to add some songs that come to mind for you when you think of adventure and change...
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
...oh, it's happening...
Hello there,
The latest in trip information is that I purchased my plane ticket!!! I'm leaving on July 6 and arriving July 8. I could have gotten the flight cheaper if I'd have purchased it sooner. I was waiting to see if a friend of a friend could get me a deal, then another friend of a friend, finally after seeing the prices go up I decided to just buy it. By far the most expensive thing I paid for in my life (at one time).
I've been looking at which hostels I'd like to stay at when I get there and figuring out some sort of itinerary (I mean that liberally). I'm really just planning on playing it by ear as much as I can. I did get a hotel room for the first 2 nights just to help with the initial jet lag since I'll be 15 hours off of my regular time and have been on a plane for so long. Plus I figure the people in the hotel will be pretty cool and helpful. I'll head to hostels from that point on. Who knows, maybe I'll camp outside for the first time in my life at some point?
Something that I need to do before this trip include hopefully taking a self defense class, (fingers crossed) getting a deferment or forbearance on my student loan, obtain travel medical insurance, talk to my bank about leaving the country and getting an appropriate credit card to avoid USD to AUD currency fees.
My last day at work is May 17 and I'll be moving out of my apartment soon after.
Exciting things to come :-)
The latest in trip information is that I purchased my plane ticket!!! I'm leaving on July 6 and arriving July 8. I could have gotten the flight cheaper if I'd have purchased it sooner. I was waiting to see if a friend of a friend could get me a deal, then another friend of a friend, finally after seeing the prices go up I decided to just buy it. By far the most expensive thing I paid for in my life (at one time).
I've been looking at which hostels I'd like to stay at when I get there and figuring out some sort of itinerary (I mean that liberally). I'm really just planning on playing it by ear as much as I can. I did get a hotel room for the first 2 nights just to help with the initial jet lag since I'll be 15 hours off of my regular time and have been on a plane for so long. Plus I figure the people in the hotel will be pretty cool and helpful. I'll head to hostels from that point on. Who knows, maybe I'll camp outside for the first time in my life at some point?
Something that I need to do before this trip include hopefully taking a self defense class, (fingers crossed) getting a deferment or forbearance on my student loan, obtain travel medical insurance, talk to my bank about leaving the country and getting an appropriate credit card to avoid USD to AUD currency fees.
My last day at work is May 17 and I'll be moving out of my apartment soon after.
Exciting things to come :-)
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
...does it have to make sense...?
I have been repeatedly asked the same questions by different people from various walks of life (foster children to my own family) regarding my decision to do this. These are a couple of the questions and my responses. I can admit the responses probably make more sense to me than they will to others but I don't owe anyone answers I'm just trying to provide some insight.
1) Why Australia?
I chose Australia mainly because they speak English there and that fact itself provides me with some comfort. Everyone that knows me knows that I am random but yet I am still somewhat of a planner. I prayed about my decision to go to this particular country and I believe through a series of miscellaneous acts that I was given permission from God to go. Additionally, Australia is somewhere that I have always wanted to visit. I don't know when else I will have the opportunity to really explore any place so I am taking advantage of my chance now. It is the furthest and I believe one of the most expensive places for me to visit so I'm starting at the top of my list of places to go and can hopefully move on down it as I get older.
2) What do your parents think?
Let's see... I believe that they love it and hate it. Love that I am independent and adventurous and hate that I am independent and adventurous :-) My sister and I noticed that for a few generations back it is a pattern for the women in our family to break the mold a bit and challenge the female social norms. Nothing too extravagant but just enough to stir up a reaction (totally unintentional). So the way I see it, it's in my blood to do something like this, I can't deny my genes!!! My dad, being a dad, obviously does not like the idea and the conversations we have had have been brief and frustrating. I do believe that some of his rebellious blood has gotten into me, imagine that!
3) Who is coming with you?
Me.
I do have a friend that is planning to come during the last month of when I plan to be there so from the front end I'll be alone, but then at the end I'll have someone with me. As I've talked about this more people have identified friends, family, acquaintances that are over there or have been there and are helping me out with the upcoming journey.
Any other questions? (no really, I don't mind answering them)
1) Why Australia?
I chose Australia mainly because they speak English there and that fact itself provides me with some comfort. Everyone that knows me knows that I am random but yet I am still somewhat of a planner. I prayed about my decision to go to this particular country and I believe through a series of miscellaneous acts that I was given permission from God to go. Additionally, Australia is somewhere that I have always wanted to visit. I don't know when else I will have the opportunity to really explore any place so I am taking advantage of my chance now. It is the furthest and I believe one of the most expensive places for me to visit so I'm starting at the top of my list of places to go and can hopefully move on down it as I get older.
2) What do your parents think?
Let's see... I believe that they love it and hate it. Love that I am independent and adventurous and hate that I am independent and adventurous :-) My sister and I noticed that for a few generations back it is a pattern for the women in our family to break the mold a bit and challenge the female social norms. Nothing too extravagant but just enough to stir up a reaction (totally unintentional). So the way I see it, it's in my blood to do something like this, I can't deny my genes!!! My dad, being a dad, obviously does not like the idea and the conversations we have had have been brief and frustrating. I do believe that some of his rebellious blood has gotten into me, imagine that!
3) Who is coming with you?
Me.
I do have a friend that is planning to come during the last month of when I plan to be there so from the front end I'll be alone, but then at the end I'll have someone with me. As I've talked about this more people have identified friends, family, acquaintances that are over there or have been there and are helping me out with the upcoming journey.
Any other questions? (no really, I don't mind answering them)
Saturday, April 13, 2013
and it begins...
Okay so I have officially received confirmation that I have a visa to travel to Australia!!! WOOT WOOT!!! (yes, I did do a little dance, how well you know me). Now to get everything else in order regarding the trip and the rest of my life affairs before I go on the trip...
I think that I was overly ambitious with my thoughts and comments of leaving the country for up to a year on my savings. I saw something that someone said,
LOL... Pardon the language but it does add some extra emphasis here. I have decided that 3 months is sufficient and so that is my new goal; a major jump from 11 months, I know. If you want to pay for the flight then I will gladly stay longer but seeing as that has not been an offer I've received, I'm cutting back. Plus, I am sure that 3 months is more than enough time to explore and experience the culture, people and country :-)
EVERYONE has been muy encouraging about this trip... clients, family, friends, acquaintances. I have been asked on multiple occasions to get on Facebook to share the experience. I will not be getting back on Facebook so you will just have to suffer through me blogging and hopefully posting pictures to share.
Thanks for all of the encouragement, interest, information, concern, help, and prayers. I hope to have an accumulation of awesomeness (and randomness) to share with you all.
Camille
I think that I was overly ambitious with my thoughts and comments of leaving the country for up to a year on my savings. I saw something that someone said,
"Whenever I start feeling spontaneous, my bank account reminds me to calm the f*** down."
LOL... Pardon the language but it does add some extra emphasis here. I have decided that 3 months is sufficient and so that is my new goal; a major jump from 11 months, I know. If you want to pay for the flight then I will gladly stay longer but seeing as that has not been an offer I've received, I'm cutting back. Plus, I am sure that 3 months is more than enough time to explore and experience the culture, people and country :-)
EVERYONE has been muy encouraging about this trip... clients, family, friends, acquaintances. I have been asked on multiple occasions to get on Facebook to share the experience. I will not be getting back on Facebook so you will just have to suffer through me blogging and hopefully posting pictures to share.
Thanks for all of the encouragement, interest, information, concern, help, and prayers. I hope to have an accumulation of awesomeness (and randomness) to share with you all.
Camille
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