A New Chapter

Well I made it; it's a whole new day for me. After waking up to a warm breeze and parakeets outside the window, it hit me that I was actually in Sydney, AU. It's already been an adventurous 24 hours since landing in the down under metropolis. After dropping off my things that Marcus' place, Alex returned to work and I signed up for a bank account and phone. From there I ventured to Bondi Junction for a lunch of Sushi Train (soooo good) and shopping at K-Mart for toiletries. Finally we returned back to Alex's place for dinner and beers with her roommate and friends.

Today I took the ferry into the heart of Sydney and retraced the steps of my semester abroad. Seeing the beautiful city, Opera House and Hanger bridge really took my breath away. With songs from Spring 2007 on my iPod, I returned to the places that were so familiar to me 2 years before, finding that some places had changed while thankfully, some places had remained the same. For example, the fusion building is the same as well as Broadway Cafe, where I had lunch with Cal, but there is no more Well Being or Nando's.

I got to venture into Surry Hills as well, visiting Smart, the agency where I interned at 2 years ago. While I only saw Jordie because Ashley and Mischie were both out, it was nice to catch up and learn about their agency, any opportunities they knew about, or how the industry was here.

I now sit in an internet cafe, as Alex doesn't have internet capabilities at her apartment. It's weird, for as much as I expected to feel scared or out of place here, I find that there is a sense of familiarity to this city. I feel as though a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Also - a side note - Alex and I have a place to live in Rose Bay!!! Her friend Bob is moving to Germany for at least 6 months and we are taking his place, fully furnished. It's a gorgeous apartment in a beautiful area.

So here I'm starting a new life. There will be much more to come in the future, including many pictures. Stay tuned.

Till next time.

Just waiting

Well...here I sit in LAX, waiting to board in less than 2 hours for my 14 hour 40 minute flight to Sydney, Australia, where I will be starting a new life for at least a year. I've had a hectic, but wonderful last week, with adventures in NYC, Boston, and LA, connecting with friends for the last time for a while. As the sounds of the 81st Academy Awards and messages in every language imaginable echo in the background, I can't help but feel a swell of emotion. On one hand, there is pure excitement. I'm actually moving around the world! While I talked about it before, I've actually made it happen and now this is the home stretch before stepping off the plane to a Sydney morning. I also get to see Alex once more and get to prove to myself that everything I've experienced taught me something that will now help me start fresh. And of course, I'll be in Sydney once more. On another hand, there is pure fear; fear of the uncertainty of the life I'm entering, fear of the loneliness that plagues many of my friends who have gone overseas, and the biggest fear of all, failing again. I can't fail. I must make it work. I can't help to feel some sadness too, for I'm leaving behind a loving family and the best friends in the world.

Who knows what will come my way. All I know is that I'm really opening a new chapter in my life. And as the wise Joseph Gregory tells me, "hello world of opportunities."

Till next time.

Goodbye America

My plane takes off 5.5 hours. Then I'm off to LA for 36 hours before leaving the country for a while. This is weird.

Till next time.

Saying Goodbye

Before I get to the main point of this entry, a quick fill in. Joey G has been living with me in the Conc for the past 3 weeks. And while it's been fun to connect again and act as roommates, he now understands what I've been saying about it the entire time. While I've been at work (I ended last friday), he's sat at home or at the library all day and realizes the utter boredom that the burbs bring.

Now onto the main section:

Well, I've almost reached the end of my time here in the States. It's funny, how for the most part I've wanted this entire time to speed ahead, bringing Sydney sooner and my escape from Concord to the forefront. And now that I can see the end, I'm more hesitant about my departure. Not to say I'm rethinking my decision or wanting to get out of Concord any less, because those are both set in stone, but it seems like there is just so much to do within the next 6 days (yes, 6 days) before I leave for LA and I don't really know how to do it all.

I've been able to say goodbye to a majority of my friends in NYC this past weekend, which was lovely. I saw most of the Sydney crew on Valentine's Day as we danced and sang to our middle school popular songs, ate delicious food, and just relaxed in our own company. I got to say goodbye to some freshman year friends, JR and KyKy, whom I haven't seen in quite some time but it was like we were back in West Campus or Warren towers all over again. And I got to say goodbye to some home people, Chris and Jess, who proved to me once more that good things can come out of Concord and Carlisle. Although I missed some people who I really wanted to say goodbye to, the trip was a complete success and I'm glad I got to have that last NYC time.

I'm now sitting in the Aberdeen Bed & Breakfast (Schmidty and Jean's place) getting ready for my day to say goodbye to Schmidty and B.Forte. It's going to be hella sad.

For the rest of the week I have to pack, a lot, say goodbye to the rents and my sister (boooo), go hear the Trebs one last time and say goodbye to the Boston loves of my life, go out and party with some Razzi people for the first and last time, and basically tie any loose strings before I leave on Saturday morning. It's going to be one hell of an emotionally draining week.

Till next time.