Christmas in Summer???

So this is my first Christmas away from family, first Christmas overseas, and first Christmas in summer. So far I have struggled to feel like it is truly Christmas. The sun doesn't set until about 8:30pm, and the average temperature is about 26C (85F). I also have noticed that people and places don't seem to decorate (inside or outside), play Christmas music, or seem as excited about the season as America. People seem to be more focused on the school holidays aka summer break, and are planning fun summer trips and events rather than focusing all their time on Christmas like we do back home. I do have to say there are still plenty of people here that are as excessive in their holiday cheer as we are back in the states, but as a whole there seems to be less Christmas spirit.

I have discussed with several locals, my concerns about not feeling like it is Christmas. They believe that a lot of the differences have to do with the season. We have cold, short days, where we don't have anything to do or look forward to besides the holidays and the traditions you have with friends and families. Here, it's summer, so although they celebrate they also are outside enjoying the wonderful weather and doing "normal summer stuff".

I have struggled to find Christmas things here, however with the help of my fellow Northern Hemisphere friend we were able to find a Christmas light display and Christmas carols in the city. We also viewed the David Jones windows (like the windows in NYC, they are known for their Christmas display). I have started to make the traditional candies and goodies that I make every year with my mom, refuse to listen to anything but Christmas music, and had a night of Christmas light looking and Christmas movie watching with my friend that lives near by.

Although it's been hot and it's sunny for 10 hours a day, it's beginning to feel a bit like Christmas with some of the familiar traditions from back home.  As I am introduced to the traditions and experience of Christmas in Australia, I am also trying to share some of my traditions from back home with those I know here.

 Christmas at the house I'm living at

 Tree in Sydney's Martin Place

 Christmas light looking in the burbs

Santa in his shorts, sunnies, with his surf board

The light show on the side of Town Hall

Bye for now <3

Pictures

Per the request of some of my friends without Facebook, here are some pictures from my past few months in Sydney.

Trip to Taronga Zoo:

This past weekend I took a trip to Minnamurra (2 hours south of Sydney) to visit my friend and her parents. It is at the end of a river, where it meets the ocean. I was able to try paddle boarding and have a swim in the beautiful water. Looking forward to spending almost a week here again between Christmas and New Years. This is the spectacular view they have whenever they decide to have a quick weekend away. :

Bye for now <3

Thanksgiving Down Under

So Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I'm just now getting around to writing about it. I had Thanksgiving twice this year. I made a full turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, gravy, and rolls for dinner on Thanksgiving evening for the family I live with and an English friend. I wanted them to experience a tradition that we have back home, that is unique to America (and Canada). The family enjoyed the food and they were stuffed by the end of the dinner and enjoyed all the food. The one question I got at the end of dinner was "Now is it time for pumpkin pie?!?" I didn't know that pumpkin pie was unique to America, and not something they have here in Australia, everyone I have met/talked to about Thanksgiving has mentioned pumpkin pie. I however did not make pumpkin pie that evening.

Sunday evening I went over to a friend's house and made Thanksgiving again for her and her friends, we had turkey breasts and thighs, mashed potatoes, candied yams, salad, and pumpkin pie. Thankfully there was enough filling left after we made the pie (from scratch!) that I was able to bring home some filling and make pie for the family I live with. Everyone LOVED the pie and enjoyed experiencing an American tradition. I'm happy that I was able to share some of my traditions with a few people and am looking forward to experiencing several of the Australian traditions in the months to comes, like a summer Christmas, Australia Day, and ANZAC Day.

Bye for now <3

A Journey

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."-Lao Tzu

I feel like the quote is a great one to share, because people are constantly commenting on my adventure abroad. The most common statements; I wish I could do what you are doing, you're so brave, how are you able to do this, I'm jealous/envious of you. My comments back are you don't just have to wish or live vicariously through me, you can do it too! You can do anything you put your mind to and accomplish anything you want. Everyone has a reason or excuse why they can't or didn't travel or do that thing they always wanted to do, however if you really want it, it's all about prioritizing the things that are important to you.

I think the quote is perfect, I didn't overnight leave the country for a year. I decided 2 years prior, and started saving and planning about a year and a half before I left. It started with a single step, deciding that I wanted to go. From there, I needed to start saving, obtain visa, buy necessary items for trip, book flight, etc., but that didn't happen all at once. I took it day by day, step by step.  For those of you that wish you could've, should've, would've.....stop procrastinating, and find a way to do those things you always wanted to do. For me, it was travel, and I'm far from done with my traveling, but it's one step at a time.

Bye for now <3

Packing for a year overseas

Whether your packing for a few months abroad or a year away, in one country or a RTW trip; it's hard to pack your whole life into a backpack and not feel like you're leaving so much behind. I did much research and looked at many blogs about how to pack, what to pack, and what backpacks people liked. I thought I would contribute to growing list of options on the web about packing. 

I bought the Osprey Farpoint 70L backpack. See my previous post for links to some products I bought for this trip.  I liked the fact that you could unzip the daypack and use it for a weekend trip or day trips.  Also, I really wanted a front loading, not top loading, bag.

 

 

When packing, I had to think practical and only take neutral things, and outfits that could be mixed and matched. Since I'm gone a year, and landed in Australia in spring, I had to bring clothes to suit all seasons.

2 swimsuits
3 pairs of socks-2 regular, 1 running/sweat wicking socks
2 scarves
1 jacket
1 long sleeve shirt, 1 cardigan

make-up and nail polish. I'm relatively low maintenance, however I love my nails being painted and will defiantly not have the money to maintain manicures, so I brought 10 of my favorite colors with me. Excessive?!? Maybe to some, but it was a necessity for me.

2 towels (one for showers, one for beach) both quick drying
1 work out outfit (sports bra, shirt and pants)
sleep clothes-1 shirt, 1 yoga pants, 2 shorts

3 shorts
2 long pants-1 jean, 1 legging
2 skirts-1 maxi, 1 mini
4 tank tops
3 shirts

2 weeks worth of underwear
1 hat
4 dresses-2 nice/fancier, 2 cotton/ everyday
miscellaneous- thank you cards, adaptors, converter, pen, flashlight, "D" clip, USB, locks
5 shoes- sandals, wedges, runners, Toms, and flip flops
First Aid-Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, antibacterial cream, antihistamine cream, tweezers, can opener



 





 

This is what I brought and what seemed to work for me. Will it work for everyone? No. But I hope this list can help some people out there setting off for trips, figure out what they need and don't need. Since being here, I have used/worn almost everything in my bag, and have bought a few additions to the collection. Unfortunately I brought enough to not have too much left over room in my bag, however I have a carry on tote, so that I can buy some things while here.

 

 

 

All packed up and ready to head off on my adventure!

 

 

Bye for now <3



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settling In

I have now been in Australia for almost 2 months and have been living with my family that I am working for, for almost a month. I am finally settling in to my new everyday life. I currently am working part time for the family, half day Monday and Wednesday, full day Friday and some Saturdays. I am enjoying the family, they are gracious and caring and have taken me in as part of their own family. I will start next week working Thursday's for a friend of the family's, to get some extra hours/money. I am enjoying where I am living, close to the beach, city, and public transit. I walk EVERYWHERE, which is great except the past week it's poured rain everyday. (That's right it's not always sunshine and perfect weather in Australia). I have met a handful of people and are making some new friends, and enjoying being able to get out and do fun things with them.

I have started my planning for my trip to NZ. I will be going mid February to mid March and am looking forward to the exciting places and people I will meet along that tour. I also am trying to plan a few long weekend trips in January.

Not much new to report, because my life has settled down and I am settling into everyday life here in Sydney.

Bye for now <3

Things to do in Sydney

Here are a few things that I have done, or want to do while here in the Sydney area.

Wander the city....see the Royal Botanical Gardens, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, the Rocks, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Pitt St Mall, Kings Cross, and the list goes on.

Bondi Beach....that's Bond-i. It's probably the most famous beach in the Sydney area, with thousands of tourists going to it daily.

Paddy's Market (near Central Station). It's open 7 days a week and full of survivors and nick knacks that can easily be brought back as presents. 

Do the Coogee to Bondi Coastal walk. The views are quite magnificent and it's a great way to see all the beaches along the way.

Take the ferry to Manly.....The ferry gives a spectacular view of the city from the Harbour. Manly Beach is very nice, and might be a bit quieter than the normal tourist beaches.

Take a stroll through Centennial Park. In the heart of the eastern suburbs, there is this massive park. Explore the park, maybe catch an outdoor concert, and then explore the eclectic suburbs around it, each one is a bit different, and offers something unique.

Go to the Paddington Market. On Saturdays the Market is full of vendors from all over Australia, offering clothes, jewelry, crafts, food, flowers, candles, live music, and much more.

Go visit the Blue Mountains....the Blue Mountains are not in the city, but about an hour drive outside the city. There are plenty of companies that offer bus day tours out to the mountains, so you don't have to rent a car.

Go to the races....if you're here at the right time of year, check out the horse races, they are a fun event where people get dressed up for a day out at the races.

As I do more I will add to this this. What have you done in Sydney that you have enjoyed and think is important to add to this list?

Bye for now <3 

Sculptures by the Sea

I met up with one of the girls (Nicole) I met my first week in Sydney at the hostel. We went and walked the Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk, so that we could see the 'Sculpture by the Sea' exhibit. 'Sculpture by the Sea' is a 3 week art event that happens once a year. There was 80+ pieces along the coastal walk, with the great views of the ocean and unique landscape, I can understand why so many people come to see this exhibit each year. Here are some of the pictures from my visit. 

Bye for now <3