Perspective

At the annual Christmas Eve's Eve dinner with my Dad, his Significant Other (SO) and my brothers (minus one brother and his wife this year), much to my amusement conversation focused on many of the differences between the US and Australia. From comments a neighbouring diner might have overheard, they might think we were going to an alien planet. "Do they use dollars?" "I'm looking for a book that explains Australian English..." "What do they look like?" Okay, not that last one, but you get the picture. My biased opinion is that most Americans are not well travelled and thus have a very narrow view of the world outside their microcosm that is the US. I would have to say that I am guilty of this as well, and have only recently begun to open my eyes to the possibility that yes, there is a whole other unbelievably beautiful and truly awesome world out there, with enough culture and art and peoples and places to experience and fill every moment and every day of the rest of your life. Yes there are many things to "see and do" in the US, but I'm not sure I understand what the reason is behind this lack of desire or motivation to leave the land of your birth, if just for a visit. Is it fear? Laziness? Disinterest?
Fortunately, most of my friends and acquaintances that know I am going are supportive/envious/excited for me. Perhaps some of them will be motivated enough to come, if just for a visit.

Stars Dancing On Water*

"What's that you said? That Sydney has over 340 sunny days per year? So almost any given day is a good day to go dip my toes in the ocean or people watch at Bondi Beach, or witness spectacular views in the Blue Mountains, or go crazy sexy cool shopping at Darling Harbour with the beautiful people, or go savour some shiraz in the Hunter Valley? Or any one of the countless infinite multitude of eye-popping or mind-boggling things to do or see? Well, that's what I thought you said."
"While you're at it, can you add Lake Cadibarrawirracanna to the list for me? Thanks!"
*Literal meaning of Cadibarrawirracanna

Bloody Far ...

... that is how far Australia is from where I was born, raised, and lived my entire life, which is the San Francisco Bay Area in California ... land of the Golden Gate Bridge, a gazillion restaurants and traffic maddening enough to make you want to buy an SUV and roll over all the slow people in the fast lane. But Bloody Far is where I will be in a few short weeks! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to begin a whole new life, a new adventure? Well, I'll let you know the ups and downs, the pros and cons. I'm apprehensive about driving on the left side of the road and learning the metric system (!!), but excited about seeing the many wonders of Oz for the first time. Stay tuned ...