Today I:

• Called the Lane Cove Council about a job I applied for (two weeks ago). "Junior Shelver" at the local library was the official position. I have ALWAYS wanted to work in a library and was hoping they'd hire me on for some casual work until February. The woman in charge of hiring only just returned from leave, so I'm not out of the running yet. As instructed, I'll call again after Jan 5th, if I haven't heard anything. 
• Mailed (via International Express Post) my US taxes to H&R Block in Kansas City. A word here about the US. I'm not impressed that they make their ex-pats file taxes and potentially owe money not earned in the US. I file my Australian taxes - why should I have to also file with the US. Because it's the law. So, ok, I'll do it. The least they could do is make it easy, but NOOOO it's the most complicated thing I've ever seen. I'm thankful to H&R Block for offering ex-pat services, even if at a hefty fee. 
• Booked some Gold Class movie tickets for Christmas week. I was given two expired tickets by the owners of my house sitting house in the hopes that I could sweet talk my way into the cinema. Job done (only it didn't really take any sweet talking because they had a one month grace period). For those of you who don't know, Gold Class movies are in reclining, over sized seats. You can order food and drinks to be delivered throughout the movie. I always order a drink at the beginning and coffee towards the end (usually with dessert) but regret it at the end of the movie when I'm busting. Still, it's a great Christmas treat!

It is a gloriously warm day. I think I'll read a book and take a nap. Ahhh. Now this is a Monday.

My adventures begin by house/dog sitting for three weeks in Colebee NSW Australia. The house (and dog) belong to very good friends of mine. The dog is an amazing 8-year-old black lab named Jake.

I am lucky enough to have the use of my friends' car, which is fabulous for getting around, since I sold my car back in September and have been using public transportation ever since. To be honest, Sydney has great public transportation options. You can get nearly anywhere by train or bus - even way out to Colebee. But having the car for a few weeks is a luxury I am happy to have. I will end up using the car tomorrow to go Christmas shopping, and on Christmas Day to join another friend's family Christmas dinner.

For the most part, I plan on staying in the house, except for regular long walks with Jake. It's the perfect place to unwind after years of work routines. I can curl up with a book or watch Cricket on TV. I even finished the LOTR trilogy (for the first time). It took me 8 days, but I did it. There's also no shortage of good weather, it being the start of summer.

Today, I caught up on Lifelisted.com - a brilliant website. If you've never heard of it, go check it out. It is great for travel advice and inspiration for setting and reaching goals. The gem today was a video on how much it costs to travel the world. Of course it depends on which continents you go to, or how you decide to live when you get there, but it was a great baseline to familiarise myself with.

Also, I've been looking into WWOOFing. Volunteer work on organic farms. Usually, one works for 4-6 hours a day in exchange for a room and meals. The thing that appeals to me about it, other than the obvious "free" room and food, is that WWOOFing would give me more time in another country with guaranteed interaction with the locals. I love the idea of putting in some hard work, getting to know people and maybe even learning some new skills (and/or languages - at least phrases).

I have about two months before I fly out of Australia and start my travels. Two months feels like a long time to be without income, if I'm not out exploring the world. I know I'm only two days in, but I'm already antsy. Perhaps that's the residual work/job routine still in my blood, but I hope and plan on relaxing into this sabbatical of sorts.

p.s. As a writer, I feel like I haven't found my voice for this blog yet. I guess I'm feeling entirely out of sorts, but I'm happy to be writing again.

For the month of July in 2008, I was willfully unemployed for the first time in my adult life. It was actually the first time in my adult life that I was unemployed for more than 2 days (a weekend between jobs). I had sold all of my belongings - bar a few boxes of bits and bobs - and had grand plans of moving to Australia for a year. At the time, I was 29 and able to apply for the Work & Holiday Visa. This particular Visa allowed travelers under the age of 30 to work for no longer than 6 months at a given job and be in Australia for no more than a year. My (well practiced) story goes like this:

On 8/8/08, I boarded a plane in San Franscico. Thanks to the International Date Line, I landed in Sydney Australia on 10/Aug/08 (the opening ceremonies to the Bejing olympics were on a TV in the airport bar as I walked by). Two days later, I took a bus to a recruitment agency, having made an appointment prior to leaving The States. While at the agency, I was in a room alone filling out the basic paperwork. A recruiter came into the room and said, "A fax just came through that might be perfect for you." And it was. Within 6 days of landing in country, I had scored a job with Wella (A Procter & Gamble company). It turned out to be a pretty good job too, because 6 months later they wanted to keep me on. So, with some fancy paperwork they hired me through a different legal entity. Six months after that, they still wanted to keep me, so they sponsored me with a 457 Visa (Employer Sponsored Visa). Thanks to this job, I also met my (now) ex-spouse. I was able to apply for and get Permanenet Residency (de-facto relationship) and after much anicipation, I am about to become an Australian Citizen (dual American/Australian citizenship) - And on Australia day, no less! 26 Jan 2015!

All of this story telling was my preamble for what is happening this Friday. For the second time in my adult life, I will be willfully unemployed. Over the last 18 months, I have worked for Samsung Electronics and the 19th of December 2014 is my last day. It is my sincere intention to go all Walter Mitty and travel to my heart's content - or until the money runs out.  

I have grand ideas, imaginations, fantasies, hopes and dreams. But if I've learned anything in my years on this Earth, it is that the future is a mystery. I don't know what's going to happen next. Everthing could fall in line with my plans - travel through Europe, drive across country in the US, settle down here or there. But the day-to-day experiences will take me by surprise. And I am looking forward to sharing it all with you - my friends, my family.