Over the last few months a lot has happened. A lot that I could have written about. That I wished I had written about. That I wanted to get off my chest and out of my head. But when it would come down to it, I would sit at my computer, logged into my Blogger account and I would go blank. I can have a conversation with myself or what sounds like it would be a good blog entry just fine, but then.. nothing.
I had a conversation with my mother where I learned that she misinterpreted some of my reminiscing as ‘bad mothering’, as opposed to life lessons.
I had a friend get angry at me on my birthday and then accuse me of having a pity party when I asked why.
I had many friends show up to a first ever birthday “party” that I planned.
I haven’t felt as loved as I did the night before I left for Australia, thanks to the many friends who showed up to my going away dinner. Some whom I haven’t seen for months or even years. The support was overwhelming.
My trip to Australia was amazing, to say the least. It was above and beyond what I expected, dreamed of and hoped for. I survived three cyclones in as many weeks, made new friends and participated in adventures that I will never forget. It is a spectacular country with a fantastic culture. It was hard to come back to a city that is so tense, rude, self-involved, greedy, impatient, unfriendly and in the middle of a harsh winter. But, with each experience comes a life lesson. When you are surrounded by the same thing everyday, you’ll sometimes overlook the small things.
I learned a lot while in Aus. I learned a lot about myself, other people and a new culture. I was able to come back home and appreciate things that are overlooked daily. I guess it’s like the cliché, “never know what you’ve got, til it’s gone.”
The most important thing that I took back home from my trip was that people have too much stuff; too much space, and not enough appreciation. We are very fortunate to live where and how we do. People constantly complained throughout the tour about our accommodations (granted I threw in my two cents, but I don’t believe it’s unreasonable to hope that your room does not come with large bugs or mouse traps under the bed..). However, as time went on, I realized that as long as I had a clean bed, a clean, functioning bathroom and my suitcase, I would be fine. People don’t NEED BlackBerry’s or $5,000 beds. There is a huge difference between want and need, but people nowadays are only concerned with status and appearance – having “the best” of everything. Forgetting that there is always someone worse off than they are. In more actual NEED.
I was recently asked what the six things I couldn’t live without were. My answer? Oxygen, water, food, shelter, clothing..and puppy (of course). That doesn’t mean designer jeans and million dollar mansions, though. I’ll be the first one to admit that I always try to find a bargain when shopping and always try to only buy what I need. But when it’s minus “ohmygosh” out, I believe that you will get what you pay for. So if paying $200 instead of $50 means I’ll stay warm and alive? I have the ability, the privilege, of being able to provide that for myself.
So now I’m home. It’s starting to warm up and I’m thinking.. what’s next? I feel like I just got out of high school. Sure, the world is my oyster, but for so long I was working towards my “one day” of getting to Australia. Well, now I have. So now what? What’s the next big thing I want to strive for? Where do I want to go? Work? Live? Explore? Who do I want to share my life with? What’s best for puppy? Etc, etc, etc.
I’m faced with questions, challenges and excitement. Yet still, I know that some people can only dream of their next meal. I am lucky to be me. So I take it day by day and am grateful for every sunrise; my favorite time of day. Because you never know what the day will bring..
