Starting a Life
Being the mostly optimistic person that I am, I searched for a flat whilst still searching for a job. I didn't want to be a bother in anyone elses house anymore. I was committed to living a life in Sydney for at least a few months and I needed lodging.
The first flat I viewed was in Cremone, near my very dear friend Minea. The occupants were 2 boys: Theo, an overly muscly English boy in his mid 20s; and Rhod, a kooky Welsh fella of about 23. The flat was small, the room for lent was large, the rent was cheap, and all parts of the flat were filthy. The toilet room (yes, that's 1 room for the toilet alone) floor was sticky with God knows how old of dripped pee. I don't even want to comment on the kitchen.
I viewed a few other flats, however, the room size, location, and price of the room in Cremorne won me over. I picked 2 Gerard St and it became my new home!
My first 2 weeks in residence consisted of searching for jobs online and watching movies. 3 months partying in South East Asia killed my immune system. I had a cold that lasted nearly a month. I slept early and woke up late.
After the disastrous immune system dilemma I started going out again and meeting up with friends in Sydney. We met Chris' family Di and Ed for dinner; Alex and Sammy came back from Thailand (thank God); my lovely and amazing Cyprian friend Caroline came back to Sydney; my cousin's friend Helen from the states stayed with me for a bit and my Swedish friend Karine stayed with us for a week.
Meanwhile I was busy searching for jobs. I interviewed every other day, but most company's were reluctant to hire a gal on a 6 month work visa restriction. I decided to apply for anything and everything. Why do what I do back home? Why not just throw luck to the wind and apply for anything and see what happens? I then began to interview at coffee shops - due to my new found love for gourmet Aussie coffee. I also saw an add for a Sale Representative for a wine distributor. WINE? I am knowledgeable on anything that contains alcohol. I may not be a guru, but my many trips to Napa have taught me a little about the complexities and differences of wine.
I was contacted right away. They wanted me to interview me for a position in Melbourne. I was open to anything. The interview went great and the Sales Manager wanted me to start right away IN SYDNEY. He wanted me on his team. Who knew being a lush would be so beneficial some day!?
My new job was to conduct wine tastings in an attempt to promote a wine distributor that distributed wine all over the country for 400 different vineyards. It was a sales job, but I have to admit that it was pretty fun... and I got pretty good at it. Chatting all day about wine isn't a bad gig.
One of our flatmates was to leave us. Theo felt it was time to go home, and Rhod was a little sad puppy because of it. They were close and the day Theo left I felt so sad for our poor little Welshy. It was a Tuesday and that night was their weekly quiz night at our local pub. Rhod asked me to go in Theo's absence. I couldn't say no... and that's when I met the melange of nationalities there were to become my friends.
First off there is Rhod. Welsh, young, funny, and extremely charismatic. Rhod could hook up with the prettiest woman in any club with his gift of the gabber. Terry, Rhod's English friend, is a pretty brunette. She has the most amazing London accent, can drink any man under the table, and is probably one of the strongest women I have met at her age. It took awhile to warm up to her, as her strength can be perceived incorrectly and can be a bit intimidating. Mike and James were roommates. Mike, a quiet Kiwi with a love of rugby; James a 34 year old awkward English ladies man with the funniest laugh. A couple of other people joined our group later... but we will get to them later.
While Karine was staying with me Tina had told me that a Welsh girl she had met in Thailand was in trouble. She had met a boy, moved in with him, and it had gone very sour. Left practically penniless and homeless she was in despair tottering on going back home. I had met this girl once at a barbecue and so I invited her to our quiz night to meet the gang. That is when I began my crazy life in Sydney with Jessica.
Wifey
I knew Jessica was like me right away. Even weeks before when I had only chatted with her at a barbecue, I could just tell. Jessica is Welsh, opinionated, fire-y, energetic, funny, and caring. She was beginning to learn what I had recently discovered: you don't have to accept the 'normal,' most traveled life path. I felt like I was seeing myself 2 years earlier when I left California and went off to Europe with a broken heart and a fear of what was next. When Karine left Sydney I offered Jessica stay with me until she got on her feet. Quickly we both noticed that living together was a fabulous idea and she moved in indefinitely. I won't say we were like an old married couple, because old married couples fight and bicker. We were more like soul mates. When one of us was sad we would go to the veranda with ciggies and cheap wine and talk it out. When one of us was happy or excited we would go to the veranda with ciggies and cheap wine and talk it out. In either situation we ended up with the giggles. Sometimes we would go to bed singing songs at the top of our lungs.
Due to the fact that we both wanted to save as much money as possible - and we ARE both boarder line alcoholics, we worked and played HARD. We became regulars at our local pub as well as a backpackers pub in town. Our 3 am visits to Hungry Jacks (Burger King) resulted in sharing a bed with french fries and chicken nuggets some nights. We met interesting 'people' from all over. Like Irish boys that seemed so much better looking and sweeter at the pub. Or a group of army Australian men that we unfortunately identified as such AFTER an anti-war rant. Our room always looked like 5 hobos and a pony lived in it. Not to mention the time SOMEONE came home drunk and decided to have a little self tanning session and then sleep on the white sheets! The combination of support, trust, love, debauchery, and friendship transformed us into sisters.
Alex: A side note on an awesome Aussie friend
Once Alex returned from Thailand I was able to spend lots of one on one time with him. While in Thailand I knew he was a great guy, once I got to know him better I saw that he is an AMAZING human being. Alex in one of my soul mates. I know, I mentioned Jessica as a soul mate, and she is. I have many of them and they are scattered all over the world. Alex is my Aussie/Malaysian soul mate. Alex is my cool tech-y alch-y soul mate. Alex is my i-can-do-anything-and-have-a-fraking-kick-ass-time-with-him soul mate. He is my brother and days spent with him drinking at the roof top bar, wondering the streets of Sydney, recovering from all the aforementioned activities are some of the most memorable days in my life thus far. I love you Alex!
I met a boy
Jessica and I both dated a variety of men in Sydney. Being that we are both ballsy young ladies we went for the blokes we liked.We both met our share of douche-bags, continually supporting each other after each douche-baged discovery. I even dated James, the 34 year old divorce from our group of friends.
James is a great guy. He is funny, caring, giving, and - unfortunately - pessimistic when it comes to love. I suppose if you are married and it doesn't work out it is difficult to be optimistic about love. I can imagine that divorce can change your view on a lot of things. James is strong, but he is also extremely hurt. It was a hurt I recognized, but could not fix. I tried to be with James, but it didn't take long for me to realize that it wasn't right. He was not really in it, nor would he ever be. It stung a bit, but I've been through enough where I'm a bit numb to that sort of loss. Life goes on.
After a short stunt with a cute Brazilian cook that I just didn't click with I met Mark. My work was hosting a wine tasting/education meeting. A wine show judge was coming in to show us some of the new wines we were getting. The sensible employees where tasting and spitting. If you haven't already noticed - I am not so sensible. Mark was one of the top selling wine agents. He had worked late that night and came in with a few others a bit late. By the time he walked in I was 3 tastings in.
I had seen Mark before. He had come to work the late afternoon shift after one of my morning shifts. He introduced himself and after I had explained that I had broken down some boxes and didn't know where the bins where, he offered to show me. This was extremely unusually because you are not to simply leave your post for such a silly reason. He could have simply told me where they were, but instead walked me over AND carried over the broken down boxes. I thought it was bizarre, but didn't read too much into it. Months later he confessed that he just wanted to talk to me.
Needless to say that after the numerous tastings that night at the meeting, I was a bit tipsy. We were invited to drink the rest of the wines and the cheese platters after the meetings had ended. Mark and I instantly went to each other and started chatting. We spoke until we were kicked out and the night ended in a blur - but I knew that I was interested.
We went on our first date about a week later. I met him at The Oaks, one of my favorite spots for some beers. He kissed me right when he saw me, which I thought was a bit different. Usually, first dates are awkward because of that looming kiss. You drink and until you can find just enough liquid courage to go for it - or ask for one. We talked, played pool, and danced. It didn't feel very much like a first date because although a little unsure of his thoughts and feelings, I felt comfortable. I knew that I liked him.
Mark left to Byron Bay to visit his friend the day after our first date. He was gone 2 weeks. When he came back we started spending more time together. We didn't have to do very much at all in order to have fun. We were happy with a case a beer or a bottle of wine (okay, maybe a few). I can talk to Mark for hours and its not because we always agree; it is because we can comprehend and even expand each others knowledge. He has a big heart and believes that doing the right thing should be done because it is the right thing and not for the virtuous nature of it. He is a lush - like me. He is really good at frying eggs. He sucks at cooking pork chops. He is a beautiful human being and I'm lucky to spend time with him.
I told Mark about my plan to continue to travel... and of my lack of an actual plan. Mark was finishing up school and was unsure between a beginning a career or travel. When I first met him I got the impression from him that he was leaning towards the former.
The looming issue was that I had been planing to leave Sydney and go north to Cairns to get my dive masters in 4 weeks. Due to financial reasons, I extended my stay to 6 weeks. After those 6, I found that I no longer wanted to go that very moment. I know that changing plans for a boy is one of my 'rules', however, the only other rule is that I live by no rules. I knew that I was in love.
Honestly, I am a difficult person to be with. I mean, not to get along with, but there aren't many people that actually want a partner that is not career driven or prefers wondering vs stability. I thought that perhaps some day a hippie with dreadlocks and a few piercings would recognize my values and accept them as a valid life choice. I didn't go out into the world looking for such, and knew that any relationship might die at the prospect of the next destination. Mark understands my choice because he does not accept norms and he bases rationality on truths.
After extending my stay in Australia and 5 months of getting to know Mark, I had to leave to meet my family in Rio for the holidays. My plan was to quickly pass through the US to tie up any loose ends and spend time with loved ones. Mark and I have decided to travel together through SE Asia in a few months time, and then try to start a life (semi-perm or how ever it goes) in the UK.
Goodbye Sydney
I had a life in Sydney. I built a life from nothing. Have you ever wondered how you would do if you had to start life all over in a different town where you didn't really know anybody? Well, I always did. In Sydney I proved to myself that not only can I survive, but I can thrive. I loved my life there and it has made the top of my list for possible future residence.
Next stop... Rio.
