Below you find the very first post I wrote over 4 years ago. I have republished this for all my recent readers to get a feel for my hot messiness from the start.
“Hey Mich, wanna hear something cray cray?” – Casually asks a co-worker.
“Of course, alwayyyyysssss” – I curiously reply.
“You are moving to Australia in a month, like Australia, like… holy shit, you’re crazy!!?!” – She screams.
“Prettyyyy Much!”
I suppose this is where I should begin my introduction and already make my first apology for using the term ‘cray cray’ and cussing (Ear muffs). But hey! It was a direct quote and you might as well get a head start on getting to know the author if you don’t already 🙂
My name is Michelle, and I decided to create a blog to capture, record, document etc etc., this daring decision of mine to pack up, sell all my shit, and move to Australia. My posts will cover everything and anything about this experience starting today (a month till take off) and ending ummm…hopefully with a hot Aussie and a pet penguin! (FINGERS CROSSED).
I will cover everything from food to beaches, to douchebags and bars – Pretty much my whole experience. Expect to find a laugh here and a cry there while trying not to get to distracted by my OH SO AMAZING grammar skills (said no one, ever). Run on sentences? Oh ya! We love those here! Weird references? Yup, as normal as blueberry pie. I write like I talk, and I talk how I feel, so just be prepared for a more realistic writing flow and not one of a serious writer with a stick up their ass. I am not shy, nor afraid to express myself, so the chances of thinking to yourself, “WOW TMI” at any given time, is highly probable.
Hot Mess? awwwwww yes, how does one explain this? I would describe it more as an experience really lol.. but hmm let’s go with this…I am primarily made of loosely organized chaos, with thoughts and actions being pretty unpredictable at any given time. As you will soon enough find out, I can be a bit all over the place at times. I am, just like the current state of my room is a weeeeee bit of a unique mess, an interesting mess….. a HOT MESS.
WHY BLOG AND FOR WHOM?
- For my memory, or lack of thereof.
- For my kids one day to be able to look back and see how awesome their mom was #truestory.
- For anyone who is looking for inspiration to do something they never thought they could do.
- For my mom so she doesn’t cry. HI MOM! I LOVE YOU.
- For anyone who loves living vicariously through others adventures.
General Rule: This blog is NOT for those who are haters slash trolls (or whatever you negative bully people are called). I understand writing publicly on the web sets one up for criticism. But, Screw that! Be nice or be quiet. Also..not for anyone who goes crazy when people let past, present and future tenses party together at the same time ( I’m sure many readers have already pulled out all their hair in frustration ….annnndddddd, you’re welcome) 🙂
No bad vibes allowed here, move along now, please and thank you.
Why am I moving so freaking far away?
I have had many failed attempts at trying to live abroad over the past 6 years. Germany twice, Italy, and now Australia for the 3rd freaking time. But due to incorrect timing and an inadequate amount of courage, it just was never done. It wasn’t until this past year where I felt as if my life was becoming as bland as a bar of soap! (And not even the kind that at least leaves residue).
No love life! At all! Feelings? Huh! I think someone killed all my butterflies – The closest thing I have come to a relationship in the past 2 years is my relationship with Cowboy Bark from Trader Joes (so good, so good)!
14 Hour Work Days –Between my job and my MBA Program, my life was becoming more routine than my coworkers morning bowel movements.
Orange County. Vapid – is a term I heard recently and now can’t imagine describing The OC in any other way. Though beautiful, the only culture I have been able to find here exists in my daily consumption of cheese.
Anyways, there was not a single day that would go by where I wasn’t daydreaming about Australia and I knew there was only one way to make it stop – To finally SHUT UP, stop talking about it and actually DO IT.
But why Australia? – You ask…..
YOU ALL ASK…
Well, let me briefly tell you just a couple reasons why…
Reason #1 The Beaches
As someone who loves the ocean and living at the beach as much as I do, living along the coast of OZ is a no-brainer.
Have you seen these beaches?? Have you!?! Let me show you
- Manly Beach
- Byron Beach
- Bondi Beach
Reason #2: THE PEOPLE
Till this day, I have never met an Australian I did not like. Sydney has some fun people! This could be a bit biased because of my unknown lifelong love for them. But regardless, I am a fan. Friendly, relaxed, a bit crazy – what’s not to love?
medianet_width = “600”;
medianet_height = “250”;
medianet_crid = “932216742”;
medianet_versionId = “3111299”;
Reason #4, 5, 6: THE SURFERS, THE MEN, THE ACCENTS
Exhibit A. Go ahead Julian Wilson, help assist with this little demonstration.
Get it now! No?! Well, then I guess I will just have to keep going!
Exhibit B. Chris Hemsworth, take it away!
“What do you expect to find in Australia?”
I don’t really know, and I think that’s the beauty of it. The one thing I am sure of is that I will continue to find myself and grow as a person. Get cultured? Discover new ideas? Fall in love? Travel to unknown lands? Experience vegemite? Embrace weird animals? Stalk surfers? Huh!? What!?!..
I am going to LIVE, that’s what.
Even if this living consists of getting my heart broken the first month I arrive or frantically looking for a job as my bank account quickly diminishes, or I am forced into sleeping on a strangers hammock because I have no place to live…
I AM CRAVING THIS…ALL OF THIS… EVERY OUNCE OF THIS!!
Conclusion
As of the moment…
Do I “TECHNICALLY” know anyone in Australia… erm well…..
Do I “TECHNICALLY” know where I am going to live… um, hmmm…
Do I “TECHNICALLY” know where I am going to work… uhhh
I am aware this sounds just absolutely crazy to many of you. But for me, this feels right. Till this day I have never felt so sure about myself as I did when I applied for my visa, when I bought that one-way plane ticket, and when I quit my job. And no, I am not stupid or naive and think everything is just going to be so easy peasy. I do not expect to arrive in Sydney with the cast of Australian’s Thunder Down Under waiting for me at the airport, with frozen yogurt in one hand and baby turtles in the other (Although, if anyone has the urge to arrange this.. by all means). I want people to understand why I am doing this, I really do. But at the same time, just like many other aspects of my life, it’s more likely I will be misunderstood, and frankly, I’m perfectly okay with that.
You don’t understand it? Great! You don’t need to.
This is my Journey, not yours.
But I would love for you all to ride along
<3 Hot Mess
Writing requests, questions, and comments are welcome below 🙂