Both my nearest and dearest and readers of this blog will know all-too-well of my love for the land down under. My time here has had been anything but smooth-sailing, but despite it all; the heartaches, the humiliations, the horrible bosses and the homesickness, my love for Sydney – and my home in Bondi – rarely falters.
I’ve blogged previously about the visa issues I’ve faced of late, and while my initial plan had been to apply for the partner visa with my boyfriend on returning to Sydney from Bali, due to the fact that we’d been apart for 3 months instead of the planned 3 weeks, we made the decision to wait until we’ve been together for a year to ensure our application is watertight.
And so, with another three months ahead of us before being able to apply for defacto, we’ve decided now is the time to seize the metaphoric day and head off on adventures anew – and this time we’re moving to Hollywood. My boyfriend is a dancer and wants to suss out the Hollywood scene, and given that I’m not able to work in Australia, it makes sense – not least from a financial perspective – for me to go too.
I’ve had a long-held love affair with America since my younger years when I grew up reading The Babysitter Club books, Nancy Drews and Point Horrors a-plenty, and as the day we depart draws ever near, both my excitement and apprehension is building. If nothing else, this year has taught me to accept change, to embrace adventure and that the only true certainly in life is that life is uncertain.
And so, as I begin to pack my bags and ready my room before setting sail for LA, I’m looking forward to seeing what State-side life has to offer. I’ll be doing some further yoga teacher training at Wanderlust in Hollywood, raiding the city’s best bookshops for unread treasures, and will be exchanging my morning coastal walks along the beach for hiking in the Hollywood hills.
While I’m looking forward to moving to Hollywood, I’ll be counting down the days until I can return to Sydney and make it my home once more. The homesickness will never not be heartbreaking; the distance from friends and family in the UK will never be easy, but however much the past twenty months have tested me, however bumpy a ride it’s been, Sydney, I’ve always been sure of.
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Yay! This is so exciting! So glad you’re able to take a trip and have a fresh start after all the ups and downs of visas etc. this year. It’s funny where the world takes us sometimes…
Funnily enough, I’m also heading to the States this summer – an epic road trip with my oldest friends around California (maybe I’ll cross paths with you in LA? I’m there for 3/4 days), a few days wearing cowboy boots in Nashville and then two weeks exploring New Orleans before heading down to Mexico and setting myself up as a full-time remote worker (I’m not a fan of the term ‘digital nomad’). It’s going to be somewhere between Thelma and Louise and Crossroads! At the moment I’m most excited for the weather and a good burger.
Anyway, so far my reading list is Lonely Planet guides and Kerouac’s On the Road. Any recommendations?
Wow, Amy – that sounds like an epic adventure! When will you be in LA? We’re there from August 13th until November 4th so would love to meet up if our dates coincide. I’m actually currently compiling a reading list as I plan to read lots of American Lit while I’m in the states. I don’t know any specifically set in Nashville or New Orleans but some of my favourite American books are Of Mice and Men, The Third Life of Grange Copeland, anything by Toni Morrison, The Goldfinch, Catcher in the Rye and, my all time favourite, A Little Life xx
Wow, Amy – that sounds like an epic adventure! When will you be in LA? We’re there from August 13th until November 4th so would love to meet up if our dates coincide. I’m actually currently compiling a reading list as I plan to read lots of American Lit while I’m in the states. I don’t know any specifically set in Nashville or New Orleans but some of my favourite American books are Of Mice and Men, The Third Life of Grange Copeland, anything by Toni Morrison, The Goldfinch, Catcher in the Rye and, my all time favourite, A Little Life xx
Just so long as you DO come back…. 🙁
Stay in touch, my lovely, and we’ll see you both in November.
Oh I will come back don’t you worry! xx
What an adventure, Lucy! I know if might seem tough but I think you are really lucky to have this opportunity to experience living in different parts of the world before you settle. Make the most of it!
Yep for sure – it’s definitely been a rocky road but know how fortunate I am to be able to do this before any real responsibilities kick in! xx
A Confederacy of Dunces is set in New Orleans.
Oh Amazing, thanks Ken! I’ll make sure I read it while I’m out there and will dedicate my review to you xx
Awwww. I thought you’d check out NYC. Enjoy California though.
We’re definitely hoping to (budget dependant!) xx
I hope you have a great time! California is one of my favorite states. I hope you get out to Route 1 as it is a great road trip! Looking forward to the next update.
Thanks Karen – will add it to my ever-growing stateside bucketlist. Looking forward to using your tips when I visit NYC! xx
Do enjoy your visit Stateside! I’m from Trinidad, West Indies and Colorado is my second home in the US. Do visit if you get the chance! I remember my primary school days of reading Nancy Drew and BSC ! Memories I tell you.
Hey! I’ve actually already booked flight to Colorado as it’s been somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for a while. I fly into Denver on September 20th, leaving on the 25th but haven’t yet planned anything further. Would love any tips you might have! xx
This is really exciting!! I know about the problem with visa-issues, I am now moving as well because of that. All the best for the move!
Visas have certainly become the bane of my life! Where are you off to? xx