In the last three months, I have experienced the wonderful world of Perth, Australia. I have made some unforgettable memories: my 21st birthday spent in a beautiful casino, surrounded by many friends. I've toured wineries in Margaret River, played Super Golf, enjoyed chocolate from two factories, an array of delicious cheeses, witnessed the magnificently turquoise waters of Australia's West coast, danced the night away after going to an amazing cocktail bar, enjoyed the delectable dinners of very hospitable friends, attended a charitable party for breast cancer, Saw penguins and a massive lizard the size of my arm on Penguin Island, and many many other incredible times. There is so much more to see and yet not very much time at all to see it in. I am regretful to say that I will be coming home on November 12th. Many things have played into this decision. The first is Jamie and I going our separate ways. The second was the passing of my Opa. Part of me wanted to stay in Australia to finish my exploration but the other part of me felt as though I was an outcast now that Jamie's friends were no longer mine too. I do have an amazing friend here, Elle, but she is also heading to the US next week (for three months), leaving me in "Jamie's country" with nobody; alone and fending for myself without help. This choice started to seem very depressing. My other choice was to go home to Orange County. While I love the familiarity of my hometown, its is the very thing I hate about it. I've always wanted to go out and get lost in some random city and fend for myself, building up my life from scratch. Now that I've experienced this, I can say that it's easier said than done; but not difficult enough to go back to living at home with my mother (no offence, Mom), to the same streets, freeways, buildings, and monotony that I've always felt. So what to do? That's when I was given a third option that trumped the others by far; giving me a visible ladder to move myself up in the world. This option would give me a place to live, an opportunity to find a job outside the part-time hospitality position, and get me back into school. This option was graciously offered by my sister Katie and her fiance, Nick, to move in with them and get back on my feet. I'm moving to Eugene, Oregon!! I am so ready to gain that level of independence that I haven't felt since living in San Francisco. To not answer to anyone. Make my own decisions and have confidence in them because only You are in charge! I think I may even get my own little kitty when I graduate from Katie and Nick's house :) All the possibilites in the world are at my fingertips. Who knows what Eugene has in store for me..???
I am very sad that my relationship with Jamie is coming to an end but the time I spent with him is something irreplaceable. He has played such a huge part in my life the last few years and I owe a lot of my happiness and emotional well-being to him for being my rock and my constant through some very difficult times. He is such an amazing person and I wish him nothing but the best for the future.
As mentioned, my Opa has recently passed away on the 1st of November. He was the most genuinely loving and most selfless man who devoted his life to helping others and serving God. I know that God is holding him close to his heart and taking good care of him in heaven. The world isn't the same without you, Opa <3
