final update for in_australia
Well, here I am. Updating for the first time in a million years. Sorry about that delay, folks. And lack of pictures. I still have some to get developed though.
The last couple of weeks in Mackay were very hectic. I spent most of my time helping Tanya grade papers, do other school things, and get ready for the move. We had to leave at the end of the first semester of her school year (around June 24) because she quit her job teaching at that shitty school (I don't know how many of you know this, but Tanya got a job teaching middle school just outside of Atlanta with this recruitment company. She was trying to get a job in Texas, but GA was the closest she could get). The two of us held a massive garage sale and sold EVERYTHING except for what would fit in the car. Poor girl even sold her guitar... her prized possession because there was no way we could afford to fly it over to the States. We cleaned like mad men to get the apartment ready for its inspection, and were so happy to drive out of Mackay for the last time! Wee!
We drove 10ish hours to Toowoomba to stay with Marie and Jarred, Tanya's old roommates from college, for a few days. On our way, I saw FIVE LIVE KANGAROOS on the side of the road! I had the best time meeting all her old friends and going to the old hangouts. I was finally able to put faces to names. One night, we went out with her pal Dr. Jerm and got pissed drunk. Drunk as in peeing on fences, stealing a bottle of Jim Bean, and puking in the gutter. ROCK AND ROLL!, as Dr. Jerm would say.
After that, the next two weeks was spent at Gympie with her grandparents, or in Kureelpa/Rainbow Beach with her mom. I had a great time with her family... they were all so generous and accomodating. The funny part was, Tanya and I had to sleep in twin beds on the opposite sides of the room at her mom's house. Oh, moms... Tanya's step dad on the other hand was a piece of work. NOBODY likes him except for Tanya's mom and sometimes even I don't think she does. He's really obnoxious and asks stupid questions like "Steph, have you ever thought of joining the armed services?" (yes he called me Steph and he asked me about joining the armed services TWICE... and if any of you know me, you know that that is the most retarded question anyone could ask me) and "Do you know what city in Mexico manufactures parts for Volkswagens. Ah.... no. I don't. Wiggety wack.
Three days out of those two weeks was spent in SYDNEY! Tanya had to go down there for her Visa interview. There were lots of dramas about that, but eventually she got her E3 Visa. We stayed with her gay friend Joel from high school. He lives in this beautiful apartment with hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings in a gorgeous neighborhood. Cha-ching! Joel took us down to Oxford Street, which is THE gay area in Sydney. We went to a few bars but were pooped from running around everywhere. Slack. Haha. Sydney reminds me alot of Boston. Lots of people and tall buildings, but not packed like NYC.
Leaving Australia was really sad. Tanya's mom, grandparents, and Marie and Jarrad showed up to tell us goodbye. Everyone was crying, and I tried to keep poor Tanya from having a breakdown (she gets airsick as well...). The long flight was ok... unusually warm though, which was annoying. Neither of us slept. However our flight was delayed 2 hours which caused us to miss our connecting flight in LA to Atlanta. The airline put us up in the Hilton for the night and rebooked our flight.
We stayed at a Holiday Inn in Atlanta, which was where Tanya's job orientation was being held. Granted, the Holiday Inn wasn't as luxurious as the Hilton, but it was fine for a week. Now we are at her new home. Back in Australia, I found a guy named Mike who put up an ad on craigs list for a roommate. It turns out that he used to work in the school district that Tanya got a job in and said that even if she didn't move in with him he would still help her out as far as getting to know the system goes. He's really a nice guy... and the house is in a great location. And a great deal too.. fully furnished, bills included in the rent. Mike has helped us out alot. He took us to run mundane errands around Atlanta and even drove us 45 minutes to buy a car (one I also found on craigs list!).
I plan on staying in Atlanta for maybe two more weeks. I really don't want to go. I love Tanya more than I've loved anyone else, and have gotten so accustomed to having her in my life everyday. Its going to be so hard to leave her here. But I know we can make it work. If we survived the first two crazy months of not sleeping or eating then we can do this. She is required to stay with this job for a year, and after that she can move wherever she wants... ex: Texas. I don't know if I can last a whole year on phone calls, Skype chats, and occassional visits. But we'll see.
Sorry this was so long, guys, and big kisses to whomever actually read the whole thing. I didn't mean to end it on a sad note. But let me say this. All love things aside, going to Australia was the best decision I've ever made. This whole experience has shown me that you can handle alot more than what you think you can. I learned a new money system, new foods, culture, environment, slang, etc. Also, it made me appreciate the great things that we have here in America and more aware of how at the same time, we're slowly ruining it all.
God Bless America.
The last couple of weeks in Mackay were very hectic. I spent most of my time helping Tanya grade papers, do other school things, and get ready for the move. We had to leave at the end of the first semester of her school year (around June 24) because she quit her job teaching at that shitty school (I don't know how many of you know this, but Tanya got a job teaching middle school just outside of Atlanta with this recruitment company. She was trying to get a job in Texas, but GA was the closest she could get). The two of us held a massive garage sale and sold EVERYTHING except for what would fit in the car. Poor girl even sold her guitar... her prized possession because there was no way we could afford to fly it over to the States. We cleaned like mad men to get the apartment ready for its inspection, and were so happy to drive out of Mackay for the last time! Wee!
We drove 10ish hours to Toowoomba to stay with Marie and Jarred, Tanya's old roommates from college, for a few days. On our way, I saw FIVE LIVE KANGAROOS on the side of the road! I had the best time meeting all her old friends and going to the old hangouts. I was finally able to put faces to names. One night, we went out with her pal Dr. Jerm and got pissed drunk. Drunk as in peeing on fences, stealing a bottle of Jim Bean, and puking in the gutter. ROCK AND ROLL!, as Dr. Jerm would say.
After that, the next two weeks was spent at Gympie with her grandparents, or in Kureelpa/Rainbow Beach with her mom. I had a great time with her family... they were all so generous and accomodating. The funny part was, Tanya and I had to sleep in twin beds on the opposite sides of the room at her mom's house. Oh, moms... Tanya's step dad on the other hand was a piece of work. NOBODY likes him except for Tanya's mom and sometimes even I don't think she does. He's really obnoxious and asks stupid questions like "Steph, have you ever thought of joining the armed services?" (yes he called me Steph and he asked me about joining the armed services TWICE... and if any of you know me, you know that that is the most retarded question anyone could ask me) and "Do you know what city in Mexico manufactures parts for Volkswagens. Ah.... no. I don't. Wiggety wack.
Three days out of those two weeks was spent in SYDNEY! Tanya had to go down there for her Visa interview. There were lots of dramas about that, but eventually she got her E3 Visa. We stayed with her gay friend Joel from high school. He lives in this beautiful apartment with hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings in a gorgeous neighborhood. Cha-ching! Joel took us down to Oxford Street, which is THE gay area in Sydney. We went to a few bars but were pooped from running around everywhere. Slack. Haha. Sydney reminds me alot of Boston. Lots of people and tall buildings, but not packed like NYC.
Leaving Australia was really sad. Tanya's mom, grandparents, and Marie and Jarrad showed up to tell us goodbye. Everyone was crying, and I tried to keep poor Tanya from having a breakdown (she gets airsick as well...). The long flight was ok... unusually warm though, which was annoying. Neither of us slept. However our flight was delayed 2 hours which caused us to miss our connecting flight in LA to Atlanta. The airline put us up in the Hilton for the night and rebooked our flight.
We stayed at a Holiday Inn in Atlanta, which was where Tanya's job orientation was being held. Granted, the Holiday Inn wasn't as luxurious as the Hilton, but it was fine for a week. Now we are at her new home. Back in Australia, I found a guy named Mike who put up an ad on craigs list for a roommate. It turns out that he used to work in the school district that Tanya got a job in and said that even if she didn't move in with him he would still help her out as far as getting to know the system goes. He's really a nice guy... and the house is in a great location. And a great deal too.. fully furnished, bills included in the rent. Mike has helped us out alot. He took us to run mundane errands around Atlanta and even drove us 45 minutes to buy a car (one I also found on craigs list!).
I plan on staying in Atlanta for maybe two more weeks. I really don't want to go. I love Tanya more than I've loved anyone else, and have gotten so accustomed to having her in my life everyday. Its going to be so hard to leave her here. But I know we can make it work. If we survived the first two crazy months of not sleeping or eating then we can do this. She is required to stay with this job for a year, and after that she can move wherever she wants... ex: Texas. I don't know if I can last a whole year on phone calls, Skype chats, and occassional visits. But we'll see.
Sorry this was so long, guys, and big kisses to whomever actually read the whole thing. I didn't mean to end it on a sad note. But let me say this. All love things aside, going to Australia was the best decision I've ever made. This whole experience has shown me that you can handle alot more than what you think you can. I learned a new money system, new foods, culture, environment, slang, etc. Also, it made me appreciate the great things that we have here in America and more aware of how at the same time, we're slowly ruining it all.
God Bless America.