Happy Anniversary to ME[lbourne]

One year ago today I moved to Melbourne.

I stepped on a plane early in the morning with every intention of being back in kiwi-land eight weeks later. 

However, as they do, circumstances changed.

The opportunity to live here presented itself once again.

And although my stomach said no, my heart and my head managed to argue their way to a yes. 

The first third of my time consisted of: wintry weather, exploration/orientation of the city, car purchasing, food discoveries, church hopping, a trip to Brisbane, two trips back to NZ and moving three times.

As great as Melbourne was, I yearned for the comfort, smiles and normality of 'home'.

The second third of my time was when a shift in mindset was required. I wasn't a temporary visitor, doing a bit of work and being a tourist.

I was an Australian resident, with a full-time job and bills to pay.

I needed to settle down and focus on being a Melbournian. 

These four months consisted of: finding an amazing church, making wonderful friends, learning the art of living in an oven, choosing and officially supporting a footy team, a continuation of food discoveries, two more trips back to NZ, and feeling properly settled in this foreign land. 

And this final third of my time so far...well...life continues to go through its ups, down and intriguing situations, but I have nothing to complain about (though I still manage to) and I am happy. Properly happy. 

I'm never sure what's next.

I tend to live week to week.

But right now, I'm officially a statistic...

One more kiwi living in Aus.

Just over a year ago I was plodding along in little ol' Aotearoa, attempting to complete a list of culinary must-do's in Auckland, and loving spending time with my beautiful family and friends. 

Suddenly a curve ball was thrown at me. 

I didn't really want to play. 

So I shut my eyes and prayed for the best...

Home run Melbs.

A small insight into Melbourne life

Summer is here!

Some may say that today is day 21 of winter.

Others may say it's only getting colder from here.

But those people are confused. 

Today is really the first day of summer.

Today is the day when we start saying goodbye to these dark mornings and dark evenings.

Today, we begin our journey towards the glorious creation that is heat.

I welcome you short and ugly June 21.

And now I look forward to the next 71 days of 'winter', as they will be brightened by the fact that summer is actually here.

My American Dream

A little while ago, when I was unemployed and dreaming of all the things I could do with the money I wasn't earning, I designed my ultimate American Road Trip.

No Route 66
No Pacific Coast Highway
No Great River Road
No Million Dollar Highway

No.

Just one mega trip in which I would see every State (Hawaii and Alaska would have to be flying visits, after the fact), go to every attraction, eat every classic dish/food (unless it involves plastic cheese in a can), and meet every culture America has to offer.

There are two main obstacles in which make this a very difficult task:
#1. The cost...quite clearly it'll be expensive...and I would like to have a friend/companion with me on this journey, so *boom*, I just doubled the price.
#2. The visa. America is a very tricky country to get into for anything other than a short term holiday. And although this is a vacation of sorts, the three month window provided with the travel visa would not be sufficient for this to work. 50 States + numerous things to see in each + 90 days = methinkno.

Nevertheless, it's a thought...it's a goal...and you just never know.

This really is My American Dream