G'day!

So 3 months. 12 weeks. 90 days. Wow. Some days it feels like I've been here for years, other days it feels like I arrived last week. Not sure which is the better feeling...

Not sure what to write about in this 3rd blog, but I'm sure I'll manage. The last two blogs I had a defined reason for writing, this time, I feel like perhaps I should get my feelings written down, not just the practical side of living in Sydney. Practical side first though anyways, methinks...

So have a new lease of life now that I've signed up to the car 'rental' scheme. It's absolutely genuis. And it gives me the choice of being able just to 'pop' out for a couple of hours to do those dreaded errands that are a nightmare on foot. I've considered actually buying a car, but for the times that I need to use it, the rental is definitely the cheaper option. Next on the shopping list is a bike - buying it this weekend. Have realised there's quite a few bike trails for us to use on the weekends around Balmain, so gets me out of the house, I get a little excercise and it's FREE! And yes, I probably will look like Hetty Wainthrop on my bike :)

It amazes me that Australia as a whole seems to be advanced in some ways, but decades behind in others. They are leaders in sun skincare (there is never an adbreak on the tv without being reminded of skin cancer - hence the 30 factor everyday, even if its overcast), their fresh fruit and veg in the supermarkets are divine (does put Tesco et al shame) and just general lifestyle ways are so ahead of the UK. People seem to spend so much more time outside (obvious fact insertion of good weather here), but they think of nothing of driving 4-5 hours at the weekend to go away somewhere, just for a break. If we drive over 5 hours in the UK, we're nearly in scotland - anything over an hour or two is classed as 'too far' for a weekend getaway on a friday. We only consider driving those hours if we're going away for a week. But the Aussies are raised on acknowledging that their country is so big, you have to drive (or fly) for that long, just to get somewhere interesting - and they make that effort. We could do more, considering that you are never further than 75 miles from a beach in the UK....

The negatives would be that technology is about 10 years behind. The nightmare I had to get a landline and Wifi installed was horrendous (i'll never complain about Sky or BT doing the whole thing in a day again). However, the one thing I have noticed is that it sometimes feels that you has stepped back in time to the 1950's. Example: Most kids get out of their seats on the bus for older passengers without being asked - its instinctive. Men on a whole are a lot more chivalrous out here - whenever I get into the lift at work, as soon as we get to the ground floor, the men stay back and let all the women leave the lift first. Every. Single. Time. Its so lovely to see. And I'm not saying the british men don't do that, its just its not very common. And here, it's every shop you go in (men hold the doors open), at the bars (men allow you to get served first) - its just a little 'old school'. And I like that. And I hope that that part of the Aussie way doesn't change too rapidly. So, last week I was on the bus (public transport is brilliant out here - although if it was tweaked slightly, it would be world class) - and my ticket got swallowed up by the machine. After lengthy discussions with the driver (whilst he was negotiating the streets of sydney), he told me to write down my name and address and i'll have it sent back to me. I was a little hesitant as a) how do I know I will get it back and b) I've just given my address to some random driver. Anyway, I handed my address over, convinced that I wouldn't see said ticket again and that my flat would be burgled! However, today, I get home and *TA-DA* my ticket is in an envelope which had been posted to my address with a note apologising for any inconvenience. Would that happen in London? Would you be so trusting? Would they?

So, that's some of the detail of living in a different city. Some of these things are state-the-bleeding-obvious simple, but some aren't. Sydney is a wonderful place. It has amazing parts that constantly surprise you (the little bars down side alleys which you find on a random lunchtime walk), the access to the beaches, the harbour bridge and the opera house (natch). You can't beat those views when having a cheeky drink after a hard day at work. However..... For those of you who know me well, I was never a 'london-ite' and to get me into the capital took a lot of cajoling, blackmail and promises of copious amounts of red wine. But what I have noticed is that in london, you have an abundance of different areas, that no matter what time of day (or night) you get there, they seem to be teeming with people and just by taking a left hand turn, you're in a different area completely. I just don't see that in Sydney. Its very spread out and there just doesn't seem to be that general *vibe* here. Although, on the flip side, I feel extremely safe walking around sydney at night alone. There are no 'gangs' of kids on street corners and there are no *yoofs* with their trousers halfway down their arses, walking around like they have a tennis ball caught under one foot. God, I'm beginning to sound like my mum.

Funnily enough, I've had a lot of chats with my sydney girls, my workmates and, obviously, my family and close friends about my time here so far. And I know that, right now, I can't see myself living here long term. Yes, its an amazing city, I do love Australia - but its not going anywhere and I can come back for holidays as often as I want. I'll always have good friends living here (accommodation - sorted!), but to me, my family and close friends mean everything to me. My immediate family consists of 12 people - that's a lot. Most people only have 3 or 4. But they are my lifeline and I need to be with them. That's just me and how my world works. And I have missed being with them, arguing, laughing and having a cuddle off them all....

So, my plan is this - stay in Sydney for another year - make the most of it and have the lifestyle that I've always wanted. Then, around May next year, plan my route home (hopefully taking in some travelling like Vietnam, Hong Kong, Cuba, Hawaii and the states), just in time for the summer months in the UK. And then try and find a job - and not in recruitment sales, I've decided. I want to change my career (not sure to what yet, so any ideas would be gratefully received) and live a more work/life balance existence - because Sydney has given me that. It's made me get off the corporate wheel and sit back and look at what I have, what I've done and what I want.

There has been a lot of thinking and weighing up of the pros and cons since I've been here. I've spent more time on my own out here than I have collectively in my entire life! And I've grown to realise that I like my own company and that being alone (but not lonely) is a good thing. Gives you space and time. But, regardless of where I end up, by coming out here I've proved to myself that I can achieve things, if I put my mind to it. Without Sydney, I would never have sold the house and got out of that catch 22. Without Sydney, I would never have known that home is where *my* heart is. And without Sydney, I wouldn't be planning to change my life again.

Watch this space :)

Big snogs

Hols

xxxxxx

Two months....and counting

Okay, so I've passed a milestone (I think). I've been here two months now and, honestly, it feels like 6.
The day to day of living in Sydney is actually amazing. I get the bus to work (via the Anzac Bridge) and I'm now getting complacement about seeing the harbour bridge out of the bus window everyday :) What a view. The public transport is superb, although, like all major cities in the world, unless you know exactly where you're going to, you can't find the right bus. Apparently there are a number of apps that help, but if you don't have an iphone, you're screwed. For instance: had to get over to Cremorne for drinks last saturday. Got into the city and went to *where* I assumed the bus would go from. It was only when I asked a bus driver, he looked at me with pity and explained that on this particular road, the buses go the opposite direction to where I want to go. Oops. So I had to walk two blocks to get the right bus. Of course, silly me.  I've since found out that there is a superb travel website that will help next time. The blonde strikes again.

My apartment is literally my sanctuary. I hadn't realised for a long time how much I missed having my own space. I loved having the house, and I lived with some awesome people (who have become dear friends), but just the general upkeep and cleaning made me exhausted. So now, when I clean the kitchen and I come home the next day - Ta da! Its still clean. Who knew? :) Although I do wonder who will be my first guest from home to come and stay with me. I have a brand new sofa bed ready for that first overseas guests....so, get booking, people!

I know I've said it before, but Facebook has been a lifeline to me. To hear about whats been happening at home, to know what my darling family and friends have been up to is music to my ears. But, it's also made me realise how fragile life is. Over the past two weeks, I've had friends and family go through terrible times and being over here makes me feel completely helpless. I know there's not much more I can do there, that I can't do from here (apart from give people a hug), but its the realisation once again that I am so far away. So feeling a little deflated and homesick today. It was bound to happen.

Work is amazing - the work/life balance in sydney is one that I think London should adopt more of! I don't think i've worked 9-5pm since I was about 20. I suppose it helps that when you pop out for a sandwich at lunchtime, the sun is shining, you see people in flip flops (thongs!) and with their sunnies on. Yeah, that definitely helps.

So I've lasted this long without a car and so far, I've loved it. There have been times where I needed that car immediately (like trying to get 12 bags of shopping home from the supermarket), but on the whole, its a real revelation to me. As I literally drove everywhere at home. Walking? Moi? Never....But now, because I don't have that option to jump in the car, I get my trainers on and just walk. Ha! However, one of my friends has pointed me into the direction of the 'Go Get' car hire. So, there's a number of cars dotted around the city and suburbs and you pay a deposit and they send you a swipe card. Go online, book your car and walk to collect it. Swipe your card over the windscreen (it opens the door) and the key is attached to a pully. Off you go! And it only cost $10 per hour. All in. Bloody brilliant. So, next time I'm at a loss as to what to do one sunday, that's me and the micra off to find another beach.

I have to say, I am finding the cost of living in Sydney very expensive (someone did warn me about it, but I refused to acknowledge it). LOL! So, for instance. In the local pub, a bottle of house wine is (on average) $40 per bottle (26 quid - don't have a pound sign on this keyboard). For a bottle of house wine??? Dear god. I went to the supermarket at the end of last month to do my 'big shop' and I filled up the half sized trolley (not the really big ones). I literally bought the essentials (lots of stuff to freeze) and it came to nearly $300! I nearly passed out. So, although the salaries at basically double what you would get at home, in dollars, the cost of living is literally double. But its do-able. Just.

So I can't do my blog without mentioning my new gorgeous friends. First of all - the aussies. I met them through my cousin Don, and from the start, they made me feel like I had known them years. So, I'd like to introduce Lisa, Kirsty, Clare & Louie. Top, top birds. And they get me drunk. All the time. Love them.

And, naturally, my 6 sidekicks from the british contingency. I was at a loss as to how to make new friends when I first got here. Yup, it surprised me too, but the average aussies don't really want to get involved with you. They seem to have their circle and don't want to add to it. Which I understand. However, when you're far away from home, being taken under someones wing could make the difference of staying or going home. So, step forward the 'Brit Girls'. We had all signed up to a website called 'poms in oz' and one girl had put a posting about needing new girlie mates for, and i quote "tea, cakes and champagne'. So we arranged to meet one tuesday night - it was like the strangest blind date ever! But the 6 of us hit it off immediately and we had a great night. So my brit girls are: Hayley (a teacher), Jayne (an accountant, married to Ian), Sarah (married to stu), Angela (telecomms engineer, married with a little girl) and Zoe (and editor, living with Tom). Then we met Sophie not long after and she's become part of the 'originals' too. We all meet up on a thursday for 'thirsty thursday' drinks and a few of us do the pub quiz on a wednesday night. Plus, we try and meet up over the weekends. And literally, within a few weeks, all of these ladies (along with the aussie girls) have become my lifeline. We laugh like drains, we all have a lot in common and we just genuinely love each other's company. So, even being 11,000 miles away from home, I am once again blessed with amazing friends.

So, that's my update for now. I have had some people blow me away with their support and encouragement from home. Others...hmmm, not so much. I get it that people's lives still carry on without me (i'm not *that* important LOL!), however, taking that huge step to leave everyone I love to come over here, alone, has been the toughest decision I've ever made. And yes, I know I always give off the impression that I'm the strong one and that I don't need anyone or anything, but *newsflash*.... I do. I need to know that I'm still a part of your life, that I haven't been forgotten. And as dramatic as that sounds, its how I feel out here - across the other side of the world, without my life support system. And if you are busy, just drop me a txt. Say hi. I don't need an email that the equivalent to war and peace, but just let me know I'm in your thoughts. Because I'm damn sure if it was the other way around, it would be a different story.

Oh, and I turn 37 in two weeks. Am *SO* not happy about that.

Love and laughter

Hols
xxxxxx

The leaving, the arriving, the settling.....

So, I promised to start writing a blog about my time here in Australia. Now I’ve got my internet up and running, now seems to be a good place to start.....I’ll try to be as honest as I can J

So, the week leading up to leaving was very emotional. If I could have twitched my nose and skipped the goodbyes, I would have done.  Arriving at the airport, I had a ‘little’ issue with the weight of my large suitcase, so had to quickly buy another suitcase and redistribute some items. Thank god my sister was with me.  Dad, Pat, Stu & Sue all arrived at Heathrow and we sat and had some dinner, whilst we were waiting for me to go through to departures.  At one point, I had a slight ‘panic’ about going and had one of my family members asked me not to go, I would not have got on the plane – that’s how serious it felt. It suddenly dawned on me exactly what I was doing and I questioned at that point whether I could do it.

The goodbyes had to come at some point. I was doing okay, until I got to departures and my dad held out his arms to me. I literally sobbed my heart out. I don’t think I’ve cried that much and that hard since losing mum. I couldn’t let go of my dad and he kept telling me that I can do this and that they’ll all just be at the end of the phone and if I want to come home at anytime, I can. Stu was very brave and just told me to go out to Oz and kick some ass. Then it came to say goodbye to Kim. And I lost it again. All she whispered to me was ‘I can’t say anything’ and I said ‘then don’t, I know it all already’. And I just clung to her as if my life depended on it. 

I got through to departures and I couldn’t really function properly. The heaviness I felt in my heart about leaving my family and friends hit me like a freight train. All I wanted to do was to run back through departures and get into Kim’s car and come home. All the braveness that I had about coming to Oz over the past year deserted me. And here I was, in Heathrow, on my own.  I can’t seem to put into words what that felt like, but believe me, nothing will ever be that hard again as getting on that plane was.

The first leg of the flight was fine – slept most of it (thanks to a cracking sleeping tablet) and I was seated between two blokes – Ben (who was 30) and who was moving to Oz to be with his girlfriend of 8 years and John, who lives in Manly, and who was returning home after visiting the UK. They were lovely and we kept each other entertained. The 2^nd leg was tougher, as I seemed to be all ‘sleeped-out’, so I tried to keep myself occupied by watching about 5 films!

Got to Sydney and was greeted by Bernadette and Dan – was excited to be there but, typically, it was raining! Got back to their apartment and I felt all out of sorts......just the thought of being here, finally, was hitting home.  The jet lag kicked in, so I went for a sleep – got up 2 hours later, could hardly string a sentence together, so went back to bed. Finally got up at 6pm and we all went to the pub for some food. I was a little low, trying to put a smile on my face, but failing miserably.

On the Monday,  I got up and thought ‘right, need to find somewhere to live’. Walked into Balmain town and tried to register with a number of estate agents, but they were all so rubbish! All of them told me that it would take me 3-4 weeks to find something and once i did, I would have to put an application in and then its up to the landlord??? Saw one apartment, which was a two bed, but it was awful. Smelt of mould and was quite gloomy (not much natural light), so this then set me back a few paces. Got a call from an estate agent I had been in touch with when I was in the UK and she asked me to go and see her. I turned up and she took me for a walk to show me an apartment which was coming up for rent in a few days. I took one look at it and loved it. Got the paperwork to her and it was mine by the end of the day! Apparently, I’m now in Sydney folklore as no one finds an apartment within one day J

Now I had the place sorted, I just needed to find the furniture. Bern mentioned that ‘Radio Rentals’ were still in business over here, so I looked on their website, rang the store and got it all ordered for my moving in date! I know that sounds very easy, it was, but there was a lot of paperwork to do which i won’t bore you with. Needless to say, without the help of my boss, the estate agent and bern & dan giving me references, I wouldn’t be sitting in my gorgeous flat now. Managed to do a lot of shopping at Target, Big W and Ikea......the retail therapy worked wonders :)

I needed to also find my way around Balmain/Sydney – so managed to find the bus routes and off I went. I spent a lot of my first week just walking down Darling Street (the main street in balmain) and also walking round Sydney city. I even managed to get myself over to Manly and spent an afternoon sitting on the beach, watching the surfers (where I managed to lose two of my favourite rings, when I took them off to reapply suncream and forgot to pick them up again). Dammit!

Went in to meet the new team – our office is just on the corner of Darling Harbour and the views are immense! Its kind of like a regus office, but its so central, it’ll be handy when I’m doing my ‘coffees’ with new clients. The team were awesome – Ed is my boss, he’s originally from the UK and he’s been here for over 7 years. He’s married to Tamara, who does the HR/Marketing side of the business. And lastly, there’s Adam. He’s originally from Newcastle, so it was hilarious to hear a Geordie twang inside an aussie accent.  They made me feel so welcome, and I couldn’t wait to start with them.

So the rest of the week was just in limbo – I didn’t want to be a burden to Bern & Dan (they have been phenomenal to me), but I also didn’t have the luxury of having a) a car or b) a list of people to meet for lunch or to have drinks with. That’s a tough lesson that i’ve learnt too. Moving to a new country and a new city is exciting, however, the people and accessability I had to my friends and family I think I may have taken for granted. I know that I’ll meet new people and get my own circle of friends going, but right now, not having that network here is a brand new experience. Not necessarily an enjoyable one (!) but I know that will change once I get into work.

However, the txt messages, the emails and the phonecalls I’ve had with my family and friends have made the first two weeks much happier. There have been times I’ve been crying with laughter at drunk txt messages I’ve received and I’ve been laughing down the phone, having random conversations - and thank god for the amazing technology of skype!   

And I’ve realised that, although  I may be 11,000 miles away, I’m always close to peoples hearts and in their minds. And for me, that’s enough.

(thank god for facebook!)

xxxxxxx

Not there....Yet

So, decided to make a blog to share the ups and downs of my relocation to Australia - and to let you know of all the wonderful new things that may happen during my time in sydney.

Not due to leave until January 14th - so may be a while before I update the blog - but just wanted to get started.

Hols
x