It's raining in Chicago. Hope it doesn't rain much in Australia. What a naive thought. They are pretty much constantly in a drought.

Ooooh that means it's warm. You know where it's NOT warm? That's right- Chicago. Spent all winter freeeezing and now it's "spring" and trying to live without the heater is nearly impossible but we are too stubborn to pay for it so instead suffer through each fifty (10C) degree day.

Oh what I wouldn't give for an endless summer

Here's a haiku entitled Yellow:
Daffodil sunshine
Spreads like butter; a fern bends
Tossing sharp shadows

Save the Date

Career

I don't know if I have mentioned this already or not, but I am teacher. And I don't know if you are aware or not, but teaching jobs are not easy to come by in America. Thus comes yet another reason why I should move to Australia. I heard they want teachers there and I am hoping that's true. I spent the past two weeks preparing an essay about my ability to teach. Now on my fourth version, hope this time it's done. Getting a job would just be THE BEST. Imagine....(cue dreamlike clouds) I get a job offer while still in the states and accept it before moving. I could have a place to stay and a consistent income. I could undoubtedly make it work.

Though, I do not hope for the best, because what if it fails? I'd rather aim for the worst and then be surprised. That's my secret plan for happiness - hope for the worst.

And we all know...when you're angry and depressed the words just flooooow. So hopefully if this whole moving to Australia turns out to be a horrible idea, I will at least get a lot of good material for my poetry! ;)

Let's not talk about that though. I would rather focus on preparation. Apart from writing a long letter of my qualifications, I am very satisfied with the hiring process in Victoria. It seems as though people will actually look at my application unlike in CPS where in order to get a job I had to take my resume to each and EVERY school. That didn't work for two years, so I'm done.

My other jobs in Chicago were pretty sweet though. Starbucks, oh my dear love, Starbucks. You're my first and true love. Held me in your caffeinated arms when I arrived lonely and tired. I owe you so much. Mainly because I get too much for free, but also because you helped me transition from country girl to big city living. Maybe I will miss Chicago and especially my Starbucks friends. Stuck by me. Thanks, guys. Keep in touch!

<3 Chicago

Teardrops

I thought I was ready but my heart remains a little undecided. In class today I wrote a story problem that began " I have two brothers and two sisters.." that's when they started. The teardrops rolling down my cheek. I thought, I have four siblings yet I never see them. We live only five hours away yet I lost touch. Being the oldest I feel like I abandoned them.

I let myself fall into the moment.

Luckily it passed and my desire to move came back. It will be an adventure. It will be a challenge. I am so excited and besides maybe it will only be a year. Yet I can't help but feel that my destiny lies in the land down under. Perhaps the most intriguing part is that I have so many questions and so few answers.

All I know for sure as sit in the Starbucks where I worked after first moving to Chicago is that I will make it work. Things will end up alright. Maybe it is my attitude or maybe it's my motivation. Either way I am going to move and I will be okay.

Decision

So in the words of Adele, "I've made up my mind, there's no need to think it over. If I'm wrong than I'm right, no need to look no further..."

I am moving to Australia.

Because I want to.

I've set a date : August 5, 2010 or in the format of my soon-t0-be home 5 August 2010.

I know it is crazy and maybe I am being very impulsive, but I honestly cannot see the downside. I have always wanted to live in Australia now is the perfect time. My job is ending, my lease is ending, I am ready to leave Chicago and not ready to return to my hometown, so how about Australia. Why not.

Why not? That is my answer to the reoccurring question, "Really? Why are you moving to Australia?" Why not. You've got to grab life by the horns.

So far I have no regrets. No wondering of "if I had done this instead...." blah, blah, blah. So I am not going to start now. I want to move to Australia, so I will.

Don't get me wrong, I know people will miss me, I am not heartless, a little conceded maybe, but I am not heartless. Though, I already live at least five hours from all my family members which limits communication to phonecalls and messages. I can call and message them from Australia - no worries. I will miss being around them though. Eating dinner at my Grandma's on Sundays when I am in town. Heading to the lakeshore on Spring evenings. Drinking extra large sized beverages....

Oh, America, I will miss you.

But Australia is just sweet as.

So I'm moving to Australia. Welcome to my blog and welcome to the journey.

05-08-10