Thank you and Good Night

Since I'm no longer living in Australia, I've decided to close off this blog for now and start a new one about our lives "in America" (as the Aussies say!). I've loved writing about our overseas travels and time in Australia, and I sincerely hope those of you who have read this blog, have enjoyed following along with our adventures. My only regret about this blog is that I didn't start it sooner... but better late than never, right?

So, if you've enjoyed reading this blog and are craving for more, please check out my new blog, It Feels Like Home. The adventures continue!

Thanks Heaps.
xx

Until We Meet Again

Our time in Australia has come to an end. After three years abroad, we decided to pack up everything and move back to the US. Unfortunately, Dad is ill and my family needs help. It's really hard to care for an ailing parent from so far away, never mind from another country. So, Paul and I have decided the right thing to do is to move home.

I know despite the illness, my parents would want us to live our lives and not worry about anything. In fact, Mom being mom has still tried to shelter her kids from the harsh reality of dad's illness. But after three years, we've had a good run in Sydney. We had fun and will always look back at our time abroad with fond memories. Although our lives were really good in Australia, it just wasn't right to being living the high life while things are not going well on the home front. At the end of the day, life isn't all good if your loved ones are struggling. Dad's illness seems to be finally confirmed by his doctor and at least now we know what we're facing. Paul and I need to be there for our family... we don't want to miss anymore time.

Luckily, Paul's work has been extremely understanding and offered him to work from the US for the same Sydney company. He's telecommuting and will hopefully be making a few trips a year back to OZ. So, in a way, it's not a final goodbye to Sydney. I'm confident we will be back... even if it's just for a few visits here and there.

We had some really amazing experiences while living abroad. We travelled heaps, experienced different cultures, learned much and have come away with a different perspective on life and our lives. I am so thankful and feel so fortunate to have had this experience and look forward to perhaps living abroad again in the future. I honestly think if one has the chance to live overseas, they should. I know it's a big change and there's a lot involved in uprooting one's life but the experience is so rewarding in so many way- too many to really communicate. You get out of it what you put in to it and I think we really gave it our all, which is why we loved it so much. Don't get me wrong, living overseas can be difficult in many ways, but you just have to keep things in perspective, give it a chance and be willing to make compromises and sacrifices. In the end, the benefits and the experience, at least for us, out way any obstacles.

We will miss Sydney and will always think of it as our second home. It's a beautiful city with just about everything you could want- beautiful beaches, scenic harbours and views, green park lands, mountains, wine valleys, culture, arts, business, fine cuisine and on and on. I know I'm a bit partial since we've called Sydney home for three years, but I really do think it's one of the best cities in the world.

I'm not going to say goodbye to Australia because I know we will be back so here's a short re-cap in pictures of some of our good times living and travelling in Australia.

South East Asia Highlights

I have finally gotten around to downloading our photos from our time in South East Asia. It truly was an amazing trip and such a beautiful part of the world. Each country has its own charm, culture, history and character and we really enjoyed experiencing it all. There's just too much to go in to so I've decided to show some trip highlights through pictures. Oh, and after Cambodia, we went back to Bangkok and I must say we left with a much better impression of the city than last time. OK, enjoy the photos!


THAILAND:

Bangkok Skyline


River House


Eating a Grasshopper!


Tuk-Tuk (local taxi)


Elephant ride in Chiang Mai




Buddhist Temple


"Sleeping Buddha"


"Big Buddha"


Grand Palace



LAOS:

Ultra modern Buddhist temple


Sunset on the Mekong River


Local village along the Mekong


Village kids


Night Markets in Luang Prubang


Luang Prubang




Pigs in a tuk-tuk


Laos Theatre


Day Markets


Sunset on the Mekong River


Paul playing with the village kids during our overnight stay



VIETNAM:

Halong Bay




Hanoi






"Uncle Ho's" Mausoleum


Family of four on a motor bike


Incense maker


Monk student


Hoi An






My Son (4th Century ancient ruins)


Bad Ass biker- BEWARE!


Cyclo Paul


Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)


Cu Chi Tunnels



CAMBODIA:

Angkor Wat


Sunrise


Preah Khan (Jungle Temple)




Bayon Temple




Phenom Phen




The Killing Fields (warning- sensitive images)






Walking on bones (the white specs in the dirt- it's everywhere)


Mass Graves


Siem Reap

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is Dad's birthday and for the first time in three years, I'm here to celebrate with him. All he wanted for his birthday was for Paul and I to come home and so, he has his wish. It makes me happy that I've made him happy. These are tough times for Dad and our family so being able to celebrate another birthday of his is such a wonderful thing. Although he's not the same old Dad he once was, he's still my dad and I'm so thankful he's still "with us" to know it's his birthday and that he's excited about his big day.

Things are changing for Dad and although I'm not too sure what the future holds for him and our family, I'm grateful for all the time we've had and continue to have together. Just like Mom, Dad has also been the backbone of our family. He's provided a loving, stable familial foundation for Sister and I. For as long as I can remember, Dad was always there for us... even when most Dads are too busy with work. He was always our soccer, basketball, and softball coach through all of our years. He was always there for every swim meet, dance recital, school concert, girl scout ceremony, and anything and everything you can think of. He always made it a point to be there for us and I remember it all. I'm not quite sure how he did it all but he did and in my book, that makes him my super hero.

But not only was he there for me for school, sports and all those crazy extracurricular activities, but he also worked hard to provide a financially sound household for his family. He was extremely good at his job and served as a strong role model to us of what hard work, brains and determination can do. He showed us that we could be anything, do anything and succeed in many things. And, every now and then there might be hurdles and failures, but that's part of the learning process and it only makes you better. Dad has been and continues to be an integral part in making me who I am today. He taught me to learn, to dream, to face challenges and how to over come them. I've learned many life lessons from him whether he knows it or not. He always made time to listen and care. He made my worries and sorrows go away. He's a kind, gentle soul who can make friends with anyone. He's quite the jokester and is always up for a good time. Everyone always loves Dad. I guess the point is, is that Dad was always there for us. Now it's time for us to be there for him.

I'm very close to Dad. I love him dearly and I know he loves mom, me and my sister more than one could ever imagine. We are his pride and joy and just as he is always proud of us, I am even more proud of the man and the father that he is. So thanks, Dad. I love you and wish you many more happy birthdays. xo

Honey, We're Home

What's that...

We've arrived in the land of smog, chain restaurants, strip malls, 12 lane freeways with bumper to bumper traffic...

Oh yes, you're right. We're home. So why did we leave again?



Get ready for life back in the U S of A.

There's more to come.