Life is Good

Hello, Hello! I am currently laying on a bed looking out the window and thinking about how crazy and wonderful and exciting life is. I am also currently 14 hours ahead of New York, the future is lookin' real good for you guys over there ;) - I am in Australia! Last week, again, Eric and I played the "how long can we put off packing" game (hint: until less than 24hrs before our flight took off) and packed up as much of our lives as we could fit into two suitcases each and hopped on a plane. Flying to Australia from New York is a long trip, but flying here by way of Taiwan is another story. 10/10 would not recommend. If any of you did that trip to come visit us, I am pretty certain you would not be returning! NY to Taiwan is 16 hrs, add in a layover (ours was 6) and then an overnight 9 hr flight to Australia and you have a recipe for the sorest butt/back/body in all the land. California to Brisbane is where it's at. 

Sunrise at Point Cartwright

 

We are so excited and happy to be back living on the Sunshine Coast! The amount of times Eric and I have looked at each other and said "this doesn't feel real" is crazy. We had talked about it for so long and after first coming here two years ago, it became a dream to get back. The way things work out is crazy and in the grand scheme of things, I hope everyone realizes you are exactly where you need to be; everything happens for a reason. Looking back, if you asked either of us why certain things played out the way they did over the past few years, we wouldn't have the slightest clue. But, I am so glad we "trusted the process" and ended up right where we did! That is all every bit as cheesy as it is true. 

100% candid, just happy to be here

The Sunshine Coast is total paradise. It is so colorful, tropical and laid back. It immediately feels like home and we have spent the past few days going to some of our favorite spots from when we were here last and exploring new ones. I am so excited to keep exploring and adventuring, the things to see and places to go are endless!

La Balsa Park Sunset 

Eric is playing basketball here with a new team, but with some teammates/friends from last time. He also accepted a position working with the club! It is so exciting and I am so, so proud of him. This job is a two year commitment and after that- who knows! The past few years have taught me to embrace uncertainty (super difficult for an obsessive planner) but I am so grateful to just be going with the flow and trusting everything is unfolding how it is meant to! So, in the meantime, I'll be touching base from the wonderful Sunshine Coast, missing everyone back home like crazy, and anxiously waiting for visitors!

The best kind of view

FAQ:
Are the spiders huge?
Some are! You'll be fine.. really. 

Do all of the animals want to kill me?
No, you're good. 

(statement) It's so far.
Yeah, it is. Don't knock it till you visit though ;) 

Is the long flight worth it?
110% yes.

Brightwater Lake

Lots of love + light from my corner of the world to yours~
xx 

Australian Month-aversary

I've been seriously slacking on blogging, all other forms of social media too. With no wifi in the house and limited data on my phone the only time I really have on wifi is when I tag along to practice with Eric. The gym has wifi but usually I start chatting and get totally distracted from what I meant to do. I did have a post written about two weeks ago, but going back and reading it.. It wasn't interesting and it wasn't totally truthful, it did have pretty pictures though! But now it's time for a post I'll actually upload~ 

So, it's been a month + a few days! It feels like it's been longer, I'm not sure if it's the huge time difference, the area we are in (it kinda feels like home) or the amount of change that's happened. Maybe a combo of everything. But time really does fly! It's been an interesting month. 

The Sunshine Coast was really livin up to its name for awhile, completely exceeding my expectations. I can 100% say I wasn't prepared for the humidity and hotness we arrived to. In the last few weeks it's cooled down a bit, but it's still shorts, tank tops and bathing suit weather. Apparently it'll stay like that now, which completely works for me! The last two-ish weeks have been rainy, way more than it usually is. As much as I'd rather be at the beach, I can't say I mind the rain a whole lot; I know my skin is appreciating the break from the intense sun! 

      The beach at the end of our road

               Noosa, Main Beach 

   The river/boat ramp down the street

Our living situation has been the most interesting (& the biggest challenge for me). I wasn't going to mention much about it, but in the spirit of honesty + authenticity (and the fact I'm not friends with anyone we live/lived with on fb) I'll go for it... I don't think I was mentally prepared to go back to living with people (besides Eric). Especially moving in with total strangers, after my experience freshman year (it was a nightmare) I swore that off forever. Until it was out of my control and now here we are lol. So, we live with one of the guys on the team and two girls from the women's team were also living with us; all the imports under one roof. The girls didn't know they were living with other people until they got here (I found out we were a few days before we left). Living with us totally didn't work for them and we are honestly not sure why, but they moved out today. So the last two-ish weeks with them being so miserable in the house were a bit rough. I've been trying to make the most/best of it and they didn't try at all. But now, they're out and there is more space for us so whatever!

Our other roommates are geckos.. Lots of them. 

Besides the living situation I've been seriously missing having Tito with us. In France it was great to have him when Eric had practice or an away game, he's the best company & adventure-er. Everyone has dogs here so it makes me miss him extra, he would love it. But he's having a blast at home and is being spoiled a ton! 

I still haven't seen a kangaroo but we do know where to find some wild ones so we will probably venture over there sometime this week! We are going to be going to the zoo soon, I CANNOT wait to hold a koala, hang with the kangaroos and see their tiger cubs! 🐨

I totally blanked on our official month-aversary, it was on Saturday. Eric thinks I'm crazy but I'm always down to celebrate something~ and we kind of unknowingly did celebrate! They had the first regular season game and won by a ton against the rival team! It was a really good game, the stadium was PACKED and had great energy. After the game we went out and had probably too much fun 😉

Australia is so great, everyone is extra friendly and welcoming. I was trying to compare it to France and realized that it's impossible. France had its positives too, I loved it there but they're both just so completely different. I have been struggling to settle in more here but I think that's just because it's Eric and I +1 constantly, and the +1 isn't Tito lol. Not that his teammate isn't a nice guy, he really is; it's just different. Anyway, who am I to complain? I'm in Australia. 

On a more positive note: it's my birthday month and I have a new found love for Tim tams & Australian wine~ 

Xo 

Sunshine Livin

A few days ago, after 2 days of traveling we made it to the Sunshine Coast, Australia! Eric and I had different flights but met up in Sydney and took the last flight to Brisbane together. Luckily it was nothing like getting to France and the trip was uneventful in the best way. 

As soon as we got here I realized I 100% underestimated what the temperature was going to be. Holy crap, it's hot here. It's also super beautiful and cool and different and perfect. I had no idea what to expect, I didn't know the living situation up until two days before we left. I didn't set any expectations and was completely blown away.

We are living in a house with a guy from Eric's team and two girls on the women's team. None of them moved in yet and we aren't completely unpacked yet (the worst part in my opinion). The house is super cute and has a lot of room for everyone which is a huge plus! I never really wrote about our kitchen in France, or lack there of.. It was basically one counter, a 2 burner hot plate and an oversized toaster oven... Lol. A huge challenge but we made it work and I got creative. This kitchen now is huge and such a nice change, I'm excited about it. Once there is wifi in here, we are set (I'm phone-less without it).

We are about a 5 minute walk from both the beach and the store, depending on which way you walk. Super ideal since we haven't gotten the car yet. The beach completely blew us away, pictures will never do it justice. We have been there twice a day since we have gotten here, it's so perfect. 

Things I've learned & realized (so far):

- the sun is SO strong, don't underestimate it when you're at your palest (you'll regret it). 

- remembering to keep left is something you have to make a conscious effort to think about.

- I needed a technology detox but wifi is still a miracle. 

- I need an Australian accent. 

- when I die, I'd be totally fine with coming back as a dog living here. 

I think I can speak for both of us by saying, we wish everyone we know and love could be here experiencing this amazing place with us. So grateful, life is good. 

Cheers!