See Ya Real Soon

It's been just over three months since I stepped back through the wardrobe into my Australian reality. Sometimes it feels as if no time has passed. As if I lived in America for a Disney year, but only an Australian minute. 

 

My post Disney College Program life forever compared to the action-packed Year of the Pizza. I've spent the past three months reacquainting myself with Australia. I even started a new blog to help.  

http://backyardtours.blogspot.com.au

The climate gave me a warm welcome. 

 

I was concerned I might not receive such a warm welcome from my friends and family. I'd been gone for over a year. I barely had time to intermittently contact those always on my mind. 

Thankfully I've been blessed with the most wonderful friends and family who embraced me with genuine excitement, love and invitations to spend time together upon my triumphant return. 

I met childhood friend, Bec's adorable new addition, Lucas. 

 

 

Celebrated the commitment of the gorgeous Ashleigh and her dream man, Danny. 

 

Accepted a role with my fabulously fun Blue Mountains Musical Society friends. 

 

 

Partied into the morning at the lovely Aly's birthday bash. 

 

Showered an expectant, beautiful Keish with love. 

 

I even found a job just two weeks after emerging from the wardrobe.

 

My medical receptionist position temporary, but my dreams of new international adventures and the consequential need for money are not. Damn that awakened wanderlust. 

People ask about my time in America and sometimes I stare blankly for a moment... I can barely believe I lived on the other side of the world, let alone have the ability to succinctly articulate how I feel about my year abroad.

Growing up shy, I never considered living overseas. I certainly never imagined forging such amazing life long friendships. 

 

Growing up a scheduled planner, I was surprised to travel around America and The Bahamas after only booking transport and accommodation. 

 

Growing up emotionally stunted, I never expected to shed so many tears for each farewelled friend.  

Life is now coloured with a tinge of melancholy. I'll always have a hidden Mickey shaped part of my heart reserved for all my friends of Disney.

To the pancake eaters,

 

the spicy Uno players, 

 

 

the Miami explorers,

the Pizza Planetears

 

 

and the Impractical Jokers,

 

 

thank you for being the stars of my caesar soaked life and my pizza infused blog. 

People question if I'll ever go back, unaware of just how much America means to me. 2015 was a year of courage and confidence. I genuinely thank Disney for the opportunity. 

 

Finally, I also extend a deeply heartfelt thank you to everyone who encouraged me on this wild blogging ride. Thank you for reading this silly little blog that was only supposed to chronicle a five week holiday in 2013, but turned into a three year writing extravaganza. 

As my old pal, Mickey says, "See ya real soon!" my treasured American adventurers. xoxo

Homecoming "Dream"

This was it. 

The day had arrived. 

The day I feared. The fear stemmed not from the emotional dread of departing a country I'd called home for a year or the impending geographical distance between friends who became family. No, the fear was a consequence of the unfortunate knowledge of just how long I would be spending in airplanes and airports... alone.

I know B.O.B. likes to pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars. He's obviously never taken the full day plane trip from Miami, USA to Sydney, Australia. When I say full day, it's not the same as when people brag they did a full day of work. Honey, you only did a 7 hour shift. Nope, it was an entire day of travel. 

It all began with a goodbye to this Miami apartment I'd spent about a month in over the past couple of years. 

Then Alicia, Carlos, 4 suitcases, a carry on, a backpack, a travel wallet, a big coat, travel pillow and I set off for the airport. 

Last time I left America we ate lunch at Chilis, so we decided to establish a tradition by doing it again. We skipped dessert this time because America had already done a bang up job assisting with my unwanted weight gain. 

After lunch we thought there was enough time for hugs, to snap the obligatory departure photo

shuffle through security and board my flight. 

How mistaken we were. There was plenty of time, but not quite enough to get severely lost and confused trying to find my departure gate. I arrived about 15 minutes before my first flight's scheduled take off and my seat had already been given to a standby passenger. There wasn't even an announcement over the airport speakers to warn me that my seat was about to ripped from beneath me. Thanks American Airlines. Top job. 

Another gentleman who arrived before me also had his promised seat taken. We made the walk of shame to an American Airlines counter and were placed on the standby list for the next flight. If I scored a seat on this flight I would be able to make my connecting flight from LA to Sydney. If I missed this one then I'd be forced to live a life on the run in America because that connecting flight would be sailing through the sky. The stakes were high, but all I could do was wait. Wait and hope that some poor passenger would also be lost and miss their flight. 

To my relief I was able to park my toosh on a plane seat cushion. But not before I had no where to put my bag, no flight attendant to assist me and the compounding pressure of being the final passenger not buckled up. I scoured the plane and finally found a flight attendant to help. 

Upon finishing Straight Outta Compton I'd arrived on the American west coast. Then I got straight outta my seat and made the journey to the Qantas terminal. I even arrived with enough time to sit in the airport and snap a selfie showing just how terrible you can look while travelling!

On the epic overseas flight I indulged in genuinely delicious plane food, naps and a few movies. My selections were Anna Karenina, The Dressmaker and Pitch Perfect 2 because I wanted a comedic film to distract me from my post working holiday blues. After crying at a scene where the Barden Bellas talk of leaving their friends behind it was time for some more snacks. Then I flew into this humble harbour accompanied by a Destiny's Child Jumpin' Jumpin' soundtrack even though it was 8:30am and the club was not jumpin' jumpin'. 

Somehow I transported all my luggage solo through the airport and customs. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard would be so proud because I declared everything when I came to Australia. No awkward apology videos from me. 

I saw my mom, tipped my luggage trolley then stood there. I was home. Reunited with these old folks. 

 

And I was greeted with this balloon because apparently I'd been missed.

 

I may be up-to-date with my posts about my adventures, but I'm really drawing this blog thing out because I'm not ready to say goodbye. So standby for my last post in this instalment of American Adventures.

Ms Worldwide

The first few Miami days involved recovering with sleep and binge watching an entire season of Once Upon a Time. Then Australia Day arrived and I thought it was time to experience the world beyond my pyjama clad laziness. 

Carlos and I began with a Target trip for some Aussie Day essentials. 

We left the wine at the store. 

That night I taught Carlos how to do a Tim Tam Slam. 

The Miami skies delivered a light torrential downpour the following day as I went to school. 

Apparently I just can't get enough of educational institutions. I went to meet the year two students Alicia assists as a teacher's aide. 

I was called Ariel, told I have a better accent than Alicia and learnt some Spanish numbers when I won a couple of bingo rounds. Maybe it was unfair to play against 7 year olds, but I don't care because I won a pencil. 

Later that day I could no longer ignore this.

My American life strewn over the floor. 

Another night we discovered watching videos about serial killers well into the morning is not a bedtime routine that should be repeated. 

My final full day in Miami began in the art district at Wynwood. 

We soaked in the displays of creativity. 

The trendy district provided an array of inspired brilliance. 

It was a fun family outing. 

We even ran into Carlos' cousin, Vanessa and her two sons, Nicholas and Aiden. Here we see Nicholas in his unnatural habitat at the plant nursery. 

Carlos, Alicia and I took a night walk. 

Dinner that night was served alongside a DJ at the Wynwood Diner. 

The atmosphere and decor were on point, on fleek and totally bae.

The boozy shakes were a great concept, but not something I'd run back for. I might stroll back, but not run. 

My last American supper was the traditional and delectable chicken and waffles. 

I couldn't let my final night in America end there, so I suggested a wild evening of rock star karaoke. 

Carlos commenced with a questionable rendition of the 90s classic Wannabe. 

We sang through a hefty selection of tunes, pushing our vocal skills to infinity and beyond. 

Alicia toddled off to sleep city while Carlos and I continued the festivities. Eventually concluding with the karaoke essential, Livin' on a Prayer to Alicia's delight. Not because we sounded any good, but because it was over. 

That may have been my final day in the great United States, but this isn't my final blog post. I still had a whole new adventure of travelling back to Australia.