Creating a Network

      Hello everyone! Quite a bit has happened since my last entry. I'll start typing what I've done and elaborate if necessary as I go. I met a friend at work named Elle, who is dating a boy from Texas ironically enough. Jamie and I went on a double date with them to the Kingsley Tavern just up the road where we stayed laughing and talking till after the place closed. While Jamie was at work on a different day, his best friend, Asha, took me with her boyfriend to meet a couple they hang out with quite frequently: Steph and Simon. I almost didn't go because of the "fifth wheel" fear but it ended up being one of the best nights I'd had in a while. A few strawberry daiquiris and cheese platters later and I felt as though I'd known them all for much longer than 3 hours. Last weekend Jamie and I went down South with our friends Trent and Daniella. We went wine tasting at many locations, went to two chocolate factories, cheese tasted, and played super golf, among many other things! It was the perfect weekend away from a stressful few weeks at work for both of us. To top it all off, I drove 2 out of the 3 hours home on the left side of the road and the right side of the car! It can be done! Speaking of driving...just a few days ago Jamie and I committed to buying a scooter for me to gain some freedom while he's at work and even when he isn't. This bad boy goes up to 70 km/hour or 43 mph. At least I know I won't be getting a speeding ticket, right? ;)
      So, as most of you know my birthday is coming in about 3 days! The weeks leading up to the present have been very bitter-sweet. But with a little more bitter than sweet. Thinking about your birthday and the ways you usually spend them: surrounded by family and long-time friends, with home-made cake and wrapping paper that needs to be saved for future gifts: and then realising that you're 9000 miles away from any tradition close to that is quite a reality check. Fortunately, Jamie has been my knight in shining armour as usual and distracting my never-ending tears and helping me to get out of the house. Today before he went to work he begged me to text Asha so that we could spend some time hanging out. Again, reluctant to go but ended up having a great time. We even picked up Steph before going to a boutique and picked out a dress for my special night. By the way we invited 10 friends to join us at The Atrium Restaurant in the Burswood Casino for an evening of classy fun :)
     I'm trying to think of anything else that's exciting enough to update you on but as of now I'm drawing a blank. So have a wonderful weekend everyone! I will add pictures later when I'm less sleepy so check back in a few days!
     Also, please keep my Opa in your prayers. There isn't a better man in the world more deserving of many more healthy years to come. I love you, Opa. Stay strong!!! <3

I'm Surviving!

     Hellos from Australia! It's my third full week here in Perth and so far I have loved EVERY moment of it. Jamie and I started off our first morning together, and the few after that, at the ungodly hour of 4 am. Yes, I said 4 am. Hello there jetlag! At the earliest possible minute Jamie took me out to a surprise breakfast at Trigg Island Cafe, and from there took me clothes shopping. Isn't he the best?! In between then and now we've basically been speed dating all of his friends. Lunch with one, dinner with the next and drinks or a movie with another. I can see us having a really good time with all of them so far.

     In other news, I got a job at the Lakeview Cafe, literally right behind his house. When I say literally I mean that his kitchen window looks over the entire patio area. The up side is I'll never have to worry about transportation: the down side is that I can't get away from it! It's there every time I go get something to eat or drink. It's a bit much! It wouldn't be so bad if my supervisor weren't a condescending witch but hey, no job is perfect, right? So my question is...has it been six months yet? Sorry for the negativity but I've been needing a vent session.

     As for Jamie, it was his first day back at work today and my first day conquering Australia on my own. While Jamie was gone I tried to keep myself as occupied as possibly: I ran around the lake, went to the shops across the road for the best back massage I've ever had, bought both my sisters' birthday presents, watched Black Swan, and had some quality bonding conversations with Jamie's Nan. To top it all off, Jamie came home an hour earlier than expected. I'd say it has been a very successful day.
     The only thing I'm really having trouble with is my identity. I feel as though I'm in limbo land and don't really belong anywhere. Obviously my family is in the US, and obviously Jamie is in Australia, but as for me...I'm somewhere in the middle of the Pacific in a tug-of-war. I imagine this is something that many immigrants go through (even though I'm not officially an immigrant). I recently found out that an acquaintance from high school is going to school about 30 minutes South of here so I might just make plans with him to get in touch with my American side again.
     Tonight I'm meeting Jamie's best friend's girlfriend. We're going bowling and to dinner! Lots more adventures to come! I hope all is well in the US!