// Austin VS Preparation//

The closer I get to returning home, the more anxious I get.

I’m stoked to go on my backpacking trip from Byron to Cairns but a bit nervous as well. It’ll be the first time I’m going somewhere with absolutely no plan at all. When I decided to come to Sydney, at least I knew I had a job and a time frame. With this, I’m leaving with all my belongings with me. 

It’s exciting.

The main things I’m stressed about is what happens once this is all over and I’m back in California? When will I start work? Will I get accepted into Uni? Should I continue to pursue music? I need to replace my computer that was stolen. I need to get a camera and lenses. I need to buy a car! Getting finances together is getting difficult. Being grown up sucks! But again, exciting.

I’m trying to start living by the day, but I like plans, so it’s a bit difficult for me.

Tomorrow I think I’ll be going back to the Blue Mountains for the day. See some things I may have missed. It’ll be cold there for sure. 

As I’m finishing up here in Sydney, I’m feeling the same things I was feeling when leaving California to begin with. Excitement, but change is uncertain. Just as I leave, I start making great friends to attempt to return back home hoping my other friends are still around and not moved away. Half of my friends just graduated college, half of them are moving away. I haven’t even been able to start that part of my life yet. I feel behind. It’s been hard to keep up with people without a phone here. Can’t really blame either side.

I just know that once I get back into my parents house, I’m going to unpack, shower, sit on my bed, and feel like none of this actually happened. That it was a dream or made up fantasy of traveling and seeing the world. 

This has truly been the trip of a lifetime with lots of time to reflect and change.

I’ve definitely changed a lot. 

korthero asked: Dude, you need to go to Cairns! So much better then Melbourne... and its even better then Byron Bay... I know, I've lived in all 3 places :) - Courtney

I’m excited to get to Cairns! Where should I go there??

// Austin VS Melbourne//

I had some holidays saved up and wanted to use them all before I take off to travel up the coast.

I flew down to Melbourne with a mate from Sydney and checked out a couple hostels.

First, Base in St Kilda.
Lots of fun. Met cool people from all over and bonded with a guy from Seattle which we eventually belted out the American anthem for all to hear.

Second, Nomads.
Not as exciting. Didn’t really meet anyone, nothing going on around the hostel.

Third, The Nunnery.
This place was really nice. It’s basically an old mansion turned into a hostel.

I went to Crown Casino and won pretty well the first time! Did roulette and blackjack.
Walked in with $20, walked out with $110.

Right now I’m stranded at the airport.
I was 5 minutes late for check in and they refused to let me through.

I paid for a new flight, went through security, and my original flight was still boarding. They would not let me on.

I’m stuck here a while and it kinda sucks. But I’ll get back into Sydney before night and back to work in the morning.

Only 2 more weeks before I start backpacking up the coast.

And then back home to California.

// Austin VS Strep Throat//

Well Sydney, you beat me again.

Onwards with my unstoppable bad luck in Sydney, I’m now sick.
Strep throat.
2nd time in under 2 years.

Since I told have Medicare here in Australia, I had to pay for the visit and medicine on my own.
Ouch.

Can’t eat, drink, anything to do with swallowing.
My last meal was noodles yesterday at 8pm. I’ve now reached 25 hours no food. My throats too closed up.

On top of my throat, my head is now hurting from lack of food, and by right hear is hurting from a build up from my nose trying to run.
Cute, I know.

Had to use my last sick day at work today. Luckily I have the next two days off as well and I’m really hoping I feel better. Although last time I had this my body shut down and I needed shots.

Yet through struggle after struggle, I can’t say that I haven’t enjoyed this adventure. It’s just been a tough one.

Just took ambien alone side of my other medicines. Need to sleep for a while.

It’s just odd to me. I don’t recall having this much bad luck back home. Or maybe I was just oblivious to it? Not sure.

As always, working on the problems on my own.

To my friends and family that reads these posts, thank you for being so supportive. Supporting my decision to move here and try it out alone. Hoping this is the last of my bad luck before I come back to California June 21.

There better be a welcome home party waiting there for me! And since I was here for my 21st birthday, I’ll gladly accept those presents as well.
Love you all.

// Austin VS Future Plans//

ANZAC Day is something I’d compare to Memorial Day. It’s the remembrance of Australia and New Zealand teaming up and going to war.

It was fun to be apart of a holiday here in Australia. It blows up here! So many people in the streets, massive parades, big services at 4AM, and two-up.

Two-up is a fun game that’s only legal on ANZAC Day. I went to a couple different pubs and saw different people play. Unfortunately, I wasn’t confident enough to play since I’m still so tight on money. Basically, it’s like flipping two coins. You call heads or tails and bet money on what it will land on. 

I went out with my Brit boys, Will and James, to Bank Hotel. Needless to say, we celebrated.

I’ve got some travel plans coming up that I’m excited about.

May 17th-20th I’m going down to Melbourne. I made a friend who lives there and she agreed to show me around a bit. After that, I’ll come back to Sydney and give my 2 weeks notice for work and for my house. Once the 2 weeks are up, I’m flying all the way up to Cairns and attempting to work my way down alone with only a backpack with clothes. I definitely want to stop in Surfers Paradise and go to Byron again. 

I’m not sure exactly how long I’ll be in either place, but I know I have to be back in California by July 14. Will and James will be driving down to LA then off to Vegas for a short trip. I’m going to jump in their car in LA and go with them. Then from Vegas, I’ll get my one way ticket back to Orange County where I’ll finally settle down for a little.

Once I get home, I have to cancel my visa to Australia and file to receive my tax and superannuation back.

But then the part I fear.

Up till then, I have a plan, places to go, things to do. But once I’m home, I’ve got nothing. I don’t really want to buy a car and spend $5 a gallon just to drive. I don’t really want to return to community college if I don’t get accepted into a school for film and return to the monotonous re-teachings of math, science, and all the other things that don’t matter to me.

My minds been throwing around the ideas of going to film trade schools or applying as an intern somewhere, but even that I worry about. 

I’ve considered just jumping around different places working for the same company and just seeing other parts of the world. But even with that, I still want my education and actually get work in the field I want.

My problem is I have far too many things on my to-do list and I wish I started on it earlier. But then I remind myself that had I started earlier, I wouldn’t have been mature enough to follow through like I’ve done now.

// Austin VS Byron Bay//

Finally, I was able to take a holiday and get away from the city and work.

I flew up to Ballina at this small airport with only 2 terminals. It looked like a big house that was turned into an airport it was so small. Took a shuttle from Ballina to Byron Bay where I stayed at a very hippie backpackers lounge called Arts Factory.

It was the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been here.

I stayed in a teepee, wagon, and dorm.

Beautiful sights, met amazing people, and it’s really made me want to be a backpacker. At least to try it out.

One of the days, I took a shuttle over to Nimbin where I jumped into a waterfall.

Now that I’m back in the city, I’m itching to get back out.

I’ll be working nonstop and not spending any money and during the first week of June, I’m going to go to the top of Australia one way with only a backpack and clothes, and try to find my way down to the south.

Cairns to Melbourne.

Nervous but excited.

I’m going to take my time and meet as many people as possible and see as many things as I can.

If you’re in the route on the east coast, show me around!

After backpacking, I’ll be heading back to California for a bit to figure things out, then hopefully onwards to my next adventure!

// Austin VS Food Poisoning//

Yikes.
This country hits me again!

After robbery, having to stay up for days recreating a college video application, being told the college is missing things, having a package stolen from outside, pouring rain and slipping bruising my back, I get food poisoning on top of it all.

Ate some bad chicken from a popular grocery store.

If I were smarter I’d get out while I’m still alive. To take them all as a sign.

But a las, I’m very stubborn.

Still staying positive and taking it all in as an experience rather than struggling to keep my head above water.

Currently I’m stuck on the worlds longest bus ride because there’s track work at my station. Makes me feeling sick feel awesome!

I am starting to feel better though.
Tonight, work through a prom night styled party. It was about 6 other stores from around Sydney all gathering at The Ivy.

I’ve got about 4 friends that are planning on visiting me back from the states. Definitely can’t wait to see some familiar faces.

I’ve got the next two days off work where I plan to stay home, vomit the rest of this sickness away, and fight back telling this country to lay off the poor American boy.