All my ducks in a row

I’ve taken a few weeks to visit family and friends and relax, but it seems like I have still been very busy getting my ducks in a row to leave the country. I think (and hope) that I’ve gotten the big things taken care of.

Visa. I now have a temporary entry work (skilled) visa, subclass 457. Applying for a visa was almost like applying or a job. Qualifications, skills, and CV attached. I had a “case officer” and everything. They asked simple questions such as, have I committed a war crime? (If I had, would I admit to it?) Everyone has to prove their English proficiency, luckily, applicants from the US are excluded (wouldn’t it be embarrassing if I couldn’t pass it?) Everything was completed within a week.. While researching visas, I came across the Life in Australia booklet for people who are becoming Australian citizens. It was very informative. Check out these fun facts I learned.

• Many people regard the kangaroo as Australia’s national animal emblem, but it has never been officially proclaimed.
• It is compulsory for all eligible Australian citizens to enroll and vote. Although the penalty for not voting is relatively small, Australia has one of the highest voter participation rates in the world, with more than 90 per cent of voters participating in the electoral process.
• ·Most Australians tend to be relatively informal in their relationships with acquaintances and work colleagues. In the workplace and among friends, most Australians tend to call each other by their first names. However, this informality does not extend to physical contact. When meeting someone for the first time, it is usual to shake the person’s right hand with your right hand. People who do not know each other generally do not kiss or hug when meeting.
• Most Australians blow their noses into a handkerchief or tissue, not onto the footpath. When sharing food with others to prevent the spread of germs, it is usual practice to pick up food using the utensils provided.
• Many Australians live close to the beach and the sea. On hot days, they may wear swimming costumes or little clothing on the beach and surrounds. This does not mean that people who dress to go to the beach or swimming have low moral standards.

Health insurance. Because I’m only on a temporary visa, I had to find my own health insurance. Can someone tell me what a “theatre fee” is?

Plane ticket. A one-way ticket. Hartford to Dallas, Dallas to Brisbane, Brisbane to Perth. 34 and ½ hours, can’t wait!

Accommodation. When I moved to South Carolina, I moved into a place I had never seen, with a roommate I had never met. Luckily I have until October 18^th to figure out where I want to live and meet potential roommates (if any). The first week I arrive in Perth, my future boss has arranged accommodations in the CBD, right near Perth’s beautiful Kings Park. Then for the next month, I will be housesitting in Scarborough beach, for a couple who is returning to the State to get married. The house sitting gig also includes a built in companion, Daisy.

Car. I was going to keep it. Then I was going to sell it. Now my sister may buy it until I come back in two years to buy it back. Still working out the details on this one.

Cell phone. I may be off the grid for a day or two, but finding a cell phone will be my Day One task. If anyone calls or texts my old number, my sister may get it, so be nice J Time to start get used to using Skype.

Australian money. Got my spending cash ready for the minute I step off the plane. The bills are very colorful and each denomination is a different size. It will take a while to believe it’s real money, and not play money for my Fisher-Price cash register.

And today, I finally picked up that dry cleaning…

All that I can't leave behind

The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind

-U2

I’ve spent months thinking about what I’ll bring and what I’ll leave. Predicting what is worth taking for the next two years, and what I can do without or buy in Perth. I have spent weeks thinking about how I was going to pack it all. I’ve practice packed, packed, unpacked, and re-packed. It’s been very therapeutic. Turns out that all that I can’t leave behind fits into two suitcases, a hiking backpack, a backpack, and a computer bag. Or at least I will make it fit.

Shoes:

• Two pairs of my Brooks Green Silence running shoes. One of them is a brand new pair (I’m afraid they’re discontinuing them!
• Inov8 trail running shoes (They’re awesome! Thank you Caitlin!), to double as outback bushwalking shoes if necessary.
• My new fancy New Balance Minimus Life black Mary Janes. Multipurpose and purposeful.
• Puma (my comfortable Ireland shoes). As one of the benefits of working in exercise science, I also use these for work.
• Cycling shoes (and their pedals). I may not be able to take my bike, but I took a piece of it.
• My dancing shoes. After all, I’m going to Oz, I might as well have some “ruby” slippers
• Flat dress sandals, because I can’t always be a giant in heels when I’m dancing.
• Red patent leather boat shoes, after all, I’m a New England girl at heart.
• A new pair of my everyday Rainbow Flip flops. They’re the closest I can get to walking barefoot in public.
  
  

Clothes:

• Jeans, pink & red pants, dress pants.
• Three multipurpose jackets. It’s all about the layers.
• Dress shirts, tank tops, and shorts, the basics.
• Dresses and skirts for all occasions. (I’ve been in the South long enough for them to become a staple of my wardrobe. I had to get rid of half the dresses in my closet. Thanks to Will for modeling them and making my decisions easier).
• My neon pink running jacket.
• One Sweatshirt and pair of sweat pants, both Maryland, go Terps!.
• T-shirts including my one and only piece of University of South Carolina gamecocks clothing (COCKS shirt, I hope the Australians appreciate it).
• Two layer, North Face waterproof jacket and fleece. For the wet and cool winter. I learned my lesson in Ireland.
• My suit, which is being dry cleaned. I figure if I don’t wear it for my “job” now then I don’t need it. Ever.
• Running shorts, shirts and tanks, only my favorites that I wear regularly.
• Five bathing suits. I’m going to be in Australia, in it’s sunniest city, on the ocean. Enough said.
• Hats and gloves. Mostly for running, my hands get cold easily!
• Socks and underwear stuffed into shoes, little pockets, and any extra space I can find.
  

• Running hat and visor for when it rains or is too sunny (or just to look hard core, because real runners wear hats).
• Miscellaneous running and cycling gear.
• Jewelry, belts, two purses and bedazzles. Because after all, the only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.
• Basic cosmetics and hygiene products for my first month. I’ll be moving around a bit when I get there and meeting lots of people. Don’t want to be the bad smelling and dirty American.
• My favorite mugs for a taste of home. I know I don’t need to take these, but they are my comfort splurges.
• A pillow and a few DVDs to somehow figure out how to sleep on my 16.5 hour flight.
• Important papers and copies of files, like the email saying my work visa is approved and I can get into the country. Also including my Connecticut calendar.
• Four “school” books to look smart (with a couple on the way from Amazon to pass the 34 hour travel time).
• My laptop computer. You can’t be an academic without a computer.
• Most importantly, my passport.

I’m sure over the next week I will gather more things that I forgot and stress about having to find a place to pack them. But I know whatever I forget, I can get there. After all, less is more.

It goes a little like this

It’s no surprise that every conversation I’ve had with people I’ve met or seen in the past months has ended up on the topic of my moving to Perth. The conversation has become pretty standardized with little variation. It goes a little like this…

 “Where in Australia are you moving to?”

“Curtin University in Perth. It’s on the Western coast of Australia, far, far away from everything else. Head east from Perth, and it’s about 3,000 miles to Sydney, head west and the first land you hit is Madagascar. It’s closer to Bali than Sydney.”

“What does your family think?”

“My dad is planning his visit already, and my mom thinks it’s a great adventure, I just better come back to the US in two years.”

“My [insert distant relative or acquaintance’s name here] went there. They loved it! But I’m not sure where…”

“It was probably on the east coast. That’s where most of the people are: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne.”

 “What will you be doing?”

“I will be doing research on physical activity and mostly children. They have lots of data, so I’ll primarily be a little writing monkey. Eventually, I’ll also get to teach undergraduate classes one day a week as the crazy American professor.”

“I’ve always wanted to go there. I’ll come visit you!”

This is often followed by, “If I only had the money for the flight, It’s so expensive!” “That’s a looooonnnng flight to get there.” “If you fly me there in your private jet.” “Maybe I’ll take a cruise ship there.” “All visitors are welcome [well almost everyone]. All you have to do is get there, and your room and board will be taken care of. You can always take a raft and float over.”

“Watch out for the sharks! [spiders, snakes, fish, kangaroos, etc]”

“Yup, good thing I’m not an animal person.” Australia is home to many of the most deadliest animals in the world including the box jellyfish (most poisonous animal in the world), taipan snake (most poisonous snake in the world ), blue ringed octopus, cone snails, stone fish, saltwater crocodiles, red-back spiders, and great white sharks to name a few. I could live in a plastic bubble, but considering millions of people survive among these animal demons, I think I’ll be ok. Note to self: watch out for creepy, crawly things, and fins cutting through the water during my surfing lessons.”

“You are going to have an amazing adventure and this is the time to do it. Are you excited?”

“I hope so, and definitely! It will certainly be an adventure.” I was speaking with a colleague who moved from Britain to Australia to complete her PhD. Before she left the UK, she was having second thoughts and almost convinced herself not to go. One day, on the train home, she saw a billboard  for a travel agency with a picture of an old woman with the caption, “Remember that time we almost went to Turkey…” I don’t want to say, “Remember that time I almost moved to Australia…” Now is the time. Go big or go home.

 “You’ll find a tall Australian cowboy there to marry.”  

“That’s not why I’m going.” I must clear any rumors. I am not going to Australia to find a husband. Rather, it is a once in a lifetime experience to travel the world, see new places and people, not to mention an opportunity to learn new skills and network for my career. But if I do come across a younger Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe or Craig Alexander, who knows what could happen?