So, I have arrived at the Kishumundu Secondary School in Moshi, Tanzania. It took me 4 days to get here, bit of a long journey all the way from Cairns but was well worth it. I flew from Cairns to Sydney, Sydney to Johannesburg, Jo’burg to Nairobi and then [More]
Only two working days, one weekend and a few hours until my flight departs to the UK and I’m still
organising myself. I’m not sure if I am disorganised or just feel that way but I’m sure there’s still so
much to do and too little time.
January seems to have flown by which may have something to do with all the catch-ups, farewells
and birthday celebrations I enjoyed however, there are only a few days left and I’m sure I won’t get
everything done. [More]
It’s my birthday today so I’ve had a glass of champagne at breakfast and am now thinking about
going to the beach for a while. Ah, this is the life and this is definitely the weather. I’ve always loved
having my birthday in summer, pool parties and beach trips – there’s nothing like it.
Whilst I’m enjoying all this I’m wondering what on earth possessed me to head to the Northern
hemisphere at this time of year. I remember thinking it would be good to start my next adventure as
close to the beginning of the year as possible but now think I was a little careless in the timing.
We’re only a week into January and already I’ve been a little naughty. Not surprising for a girl who’s only rule is to have no rules but I did think I’d make it to February and my UK adventure before getting too out of hand.
I could use the excuse that it’s the silly season so I can’t be blamed for this lapse in sensible
behaviour but perhaps I should own up and say I’m behaving true to form, unable to pass up a great opportunity and leave it at that.
What did I do? [More]
It’s almost Christmas and I hear John Lennon asking, “what have you done?” That’s a signal to check off lists and consider New Year’s resolutions.
I don’t do resolutions as they often fall into the same bottomless pit as rash promises and unrealistic expectations however I have completed the list for this week.
One week may not seem much but what a week it’s been.
Amidst the whirl of Christmas socialising, visitors from Scotland, unexpected work (yes, I took another temp job to avoid packing), buying presents and trying to fit in some exercise (I tried), I managed to complete another relocation task.
Yay – the shipping is done. Today I sealed the boxes so nothing else can go to London and as I decide the hairdryer would be handy tonight, you know where it is don’t you? [More]
So, I’ve read all the info and now have more decisions to make. I was happy to stop at one decision – go on another adventure. That’s good enough for me.
I wonder if Christopher Columbus had to do this much planning? Maybe life was simpler when they thought the world was flat! Haha, if it was maybe I could walk to the UK and save myself an airfare (plus arrive fit and thin).
Anyway, my enthusiastic Restless contact sent me all the information I need to ensure when I get to the UK I have a place to live, a job, a bank account, a sim card with great rates and won’t pay too much tax. All I need to do is decide which of these things I want and when. [More]
Is what I’m asking myself now it’s time to start the next adventure. What was I
thinking, why did it sound simple, when did I forget I hate forms, how can I get
someone else to do the boring bits for me?
Remember I said I have my UK Ancestral visa? Well, that process took several
glasses of wine, many sighs and moments of procrastination. I expected a form but
this was a mega-form that out-formed my application last year for a US J1 (work)
visa. [More]
Getting back to the plan, I mentioned it earlier but only covered the first, have ticket
will travel, part. You might say the fun part.
The next part goes something like; visit family & friends in Australia, work a few
months, apply for a UK Ancestral visa, return to the UK by Christmas.
Why the UK? Was it my favourite place? No but it’s a great base to travel from. Not
only is everything a lot closer and cheaper to get to, the pound has a better exchange
rate than our Aussie dollar. Oh, and I speak the language quite well.
As far as plans go, mine’s still on track if a little behind schedule. [More]
To kick start my life as an International Woman of Mystery (IWOM), I took a Christmas
cruise that had port stops around Western Australia. I had friends to farewell and
thought it would be a nice way to travel. The fact that most people don’t use an ocean
liner as transportation confirmed to everyone that I was serious about this new IWOM
career. [More]
The question is; where to start? I was born in Fremantle, Western Australia…no, that’ll
take too long.
What about, “as a child I dreamed of faraway and exotic things, seeing pyramids and
palaces, deserts and tropical islands, speaking different languages and teaching funny
Aussie words to eager listeners.”
I also wanted to be part of the Von Trapp family (made famous in ”The Sound of Music”),
sail with pirates and travel in a caravan across the desert with Bedouins and yes, I got
most of these ideas from watching old movies. Doesn’t everyone? [More]
