A taste of the USA

Landed in LA and was swept through customs speedily (compared to non-citizens... hehe) so was relieved. Had jokes about "throwin' shrimps on the barbie" and had a few laughs. Then walked to the left escalator and was confronted by stairs rolling down... paused confused and then moved to the right laughing. 

Rapid Mobile Re-charger

They have 're-charge mobile phone' booths - saved my life! Stick your phone into the charger and voila - phone charged $3. We need this in Australia (for those that have experienced me hang up on you due to 'no battery' you would agree!) 

Got on the plane to hear the announcement "Excuse me ladies and gentleman, we currently do not have a pilot, we're trying to sort this out as soon as possible will let you know"... an hour later a pilot arrives. sigh. (glad my phone was charged). They also had cheeseburgers as a choice for food with the other option being thai salad... crazy!

Biscuits and gravy
Mine was like this but with double the gravy!

They have a lot of 'diners' here. You can sit at the 'bar' area and drink coffee and eat food, i realised it was similar to american tv shows ... just never commuted how strange it felt.

So this morning we went to one for breakfast and I had a taste of 'biscuits and gravy' - which are similar to scones but more cakey and the gravey was white - i thought it might have been mushroom sauce, but apparently its 'sausage gravy'? Interesting - definitely a cultural experience haha. 

God bless America - Psalm  118:24

Drank a 'peanut butter and banana' milkshake - AMAZING - and on the cup it stated "God bless America, Psalm 118:24". Verses of the Bible on Take-away cups now that's new (and awesome haha). 

I met up with my cousin that just got back from NYC. You can take a 'mega-bus' from Tennessee to NY for $1-5?!?! Can you believe that? Cheap travel all the way! 

We met up with some of Marko and Sarah's friends and took a walk in the "bush" (they called it a 'park' but i was thinking playground and they were thinking 'national park') or woods and located some places to go caving, which would be great fun. We explored an old quarry with no water in it - and ate fruit and veges in the shade :)

Then tonight we had a family dinner so all the priestley's (my fam) and partners were together and we sat around the fire and chatted about politics, love, and guns.... haha. My cousin Marko is trying to convince me to go to the shooting range - while im curious - i really feel its something i would abhor, haha.

But so far i've felt really comfortable - my bed is SO SOFT! I'm glad to have time to just hang out with family and have chats in the car and in cafes.

Marko and Sarah Priestley

I watched 'Machine Gun Preacher' the other night. It touched on issues close to my heart - the war going on in 4 countries in Africa due to the Lord's Resistance Army' War . If you ever want to watch a powerful movie... that exposes you to some of the brutality that is going on - this is a good one. It also shows how we're not meant to just sit on our but and indulge in luxury - but make change. It may be controversial in how he does it (ie. shooting) but for me - he's saving children's lives!

Too many goodbye’s…. and I’m exhausted!

A farewell from Team GA - gonna miss you guys!

I had my farewell this weekend, w close friends coming to chat, eat brownies ‘n choc-caramel slice, and avoid getting drenched by the rain. It made me realise how much I’m going to miss home, especially the thought of never returning to cozy lil’ Canberra (my life for the last 23 yrs). 

I also have had farewell from my GA Soccer squad and we had team photos and they gave me a signed soccer ball. I feel famous! I’m going to miss my work – especially the people! I’ve had fun with the social club shenanigans… not to mention the many chats at the café that has allured me to into a strict coffee addiction.

Tomorrow is my last day, and I’m having another farewell morning tea – if I can bear it, and then farewell from church on Sunday… and then I should be right to have said goodbye to most people here… epic?!

A week to go and fly out of here…

Thanks for all your kind encouragement and support! I really could not have made this decision without you. You are all more than welcome to visit me along my travels!

Love you Aussies!!! Keep in touch!!

packing up...

I had a crazy night last night. I have to pack up my room to move into a smaller room in my house. I told them I was ‘moving out’ in December so technically I still have to move out of my room so my other housemate can move in and get settled.

So, I just sold my desks and gave away my bed and bookshelves. And all of a sudden, as I packed my books in boxes – the realisation hit – I’m leaving and when I come back I may have nothing and be dirt poor. Travelling is not cheap.

So while I’m having a sook about losing my possessions… the words of Jesus entered my head “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

It shook me. As I desire to help the poor to help those suffering from injustice. And yet, I had got caught up in trying to hold onto things and have a ‘safety net’ to fall back on. I don’t want to live in comfort or have a safety net – but trust God that he will provide for all my needs. This is really hard!

I realised as well, I’ll be coming back to Australia after spending 3 months in India – and my mindset will *hopefully* be completely different anyway – so to come back to ‘wealth’ is going to be a massive shock to the system anyway.

It is still very overwhelming. I’m starting to make decisions on my own for what to do in the future, and the possibility of me slipping up seems quite high!

I admire my friend Sam – who packed up her things and left for England – found a job and is quite content with no massive worries. I need to just trust God and hope for the best.

I’m going to miss my friends – so I hope you keep in contact and remember to write letters or emails! I think the lack of ‘constant flow’ of friends visiting and going out is going to be weird. Hopefully – I’ll make some new ones in the US and India….

Unsettling.

Mexmas Party

Today - I'm celebrating xmas Mexican style! We have enchiladas, guacamole, mexican choc flan w mango, bunuelos (mexican doughnuts).... with margaritas and more! what more could you wish for?


So Feliz Navidad!


Merry Christmas everyone :) 

i've had quite a few friends ask for an update on my blog & considering i've had no internet... well kind of makes things hard. 

but, for now... i've stolen my house-mates net for a while - so quick update! 

i've decided to fly away....

i've been feeling a little 'unsettled'. despite the fact i'm 'settled' quite comfortably in an amazing house with 4 girls who are also amazing. i've got a really good job, which pays well & allows me to buy lots of ingredients to make new dishes. i've been enjoying making new recipes, baking, learning to drum, playing soccer (as always), laughing, getting into new music... and well being quite comfortable. 

but for some reason... this just isn't enough for me. i don't really want to get 'comfortable'. i want to explore the world, challenge myself, live out-of-my-comfort-zone. 

So next year... sometime in march/april? Who knows my plans seem to change as the sun sets and rises. but i'm off to see my family in the US. get to know them. get to know my history. see america as an adult. work. get tips from my aussie accent. travel and hope that friends like you... come visit. and then... india..

the song i've been listening to A LOT!