What a Year Can Do
It is absolutely bizarre to think about but it has been one whole year since I landed in Australia. 365 days. A full orbit around the sun. A lot has changed in that year and I am very fortunate for all of it.
I did not fully comprehend how amazing my trip to Australia was while I was over there. I didn’t understand how neat it is to scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef and to show people my photo with Maggie (the enormous fish that lives on the reef). I didn’t understand how amazing it is to walk along the Sydney Harbour Bridge and see the Sydney Opera House. There are so many people that can only dream about seeing and exploring the things I saw over there and it truly took many months to realize that. I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience those things.
However, as much as I appreciate the “tourist attractions” over there, what fills my heart with the most joy is the quality time I had with amazing friends. My trip would not have been a quarter as wonderful without Maya, Alaina and Torii. It did not matter that I hadn’t seen them in a year or two. Or that Maya had never met Alaina and Torii (fun fact: Maya and Alaina are now roommates). I was able to spend the better part of three weeks with friends who strong, independent women that lifted each other up. I wasn’t judged for my obsession with donuts and other unhealthy foods. Instead of rolling their eyes at my Dr. Martens my friends complimented them and thought they were cute. I was completely surrounded by love and that was the best part of the trip for me.
I was with friends who were all at similar stages in life. All of us were single and enjoying it while still dreaming of finding someone that would love us for who we are. We were in school or recently graduated. It was clear we all loved to travel and had to decide if we could ever find somewhere to settle down. We were able to talk about our deepest desires and fears with complete acceptance and that is what I cherish most.
Every time I look at my koala tattoo I think back to the day I got it. I was enjoying a pastry and coffee (I do miss the good Australian coffee) with Maya and Torii when Torii asked when I was getting the tattoo. She wanted to be with me for it. You see, Torii came to Melbourne from Perth (pretty much like flying from Cali to the East Coast) a week or so prior to my trip so we only had a limited bit of time together. Alaina was in class so I shot her a message on Facebook to confirm what tattoo parlour she recommended (she was the resident expert) and then I sent some emails back and forth with the shop and they confirmed they could take me later that same day! It was a great day and I was able to explore so much. Then when I got my very first tattoo I had friends with me to provide input on the design and placement. Afterwards we went and enjoy happy hour and I remember Maya came into the bathroom with me to help clean off when the plastic wrap became displaced. I had truly wonderful humans with me the entire day and that makes my tattoo even more special.
As I mentioned in the beginning, a lot has changed in the year since my trip. I no longer work in a job that doesn’t fulfill me. I have much less daily stress in my life. I have a set schedule at a job I enjoy and am engaged with. I’m working with a company that truly has the potential to be a career location. I still have amazing friends and continue to make new ones. I’ve got a really extraordinary man by my side. I’ve been to new European countries. I feel at peace with where I am in life and I have incredible excitement for the future.
But without my time in Australia with my friends, I truly do not believe I would have been in the right mindset to accept what life had to throw at me. I would have resisted the changes and unknown. I would have kept people at a distance because I was afraid of their intentions. I would not have embraced the past 365 days as much as I have. So while I am so lucky for having seen incredible things in Australia what I am more lucky for is the amazing friends I was able to spend time with. The coffee dates followed by writing in the library or the funny poetry reading with a pint of beer and chips (aka fries) are what I needed the most and I am forever grateful.
Now, I just need Maya, Alaina and Torii to make their way to Pittsburgh to come and see me!
