This past week has been insane due to the holidays and unexpected visitors in town; I have literally been all over the place. Christmas was spent with my immediate family, parents and brother, and was very laid back. This was amazing for me considering how stressed out I had been about finally getting packed. I originally had planned to have completely finished before Christmas, but of course that didn’t happen and there I was struggling to get my suitcases finally zipped up and ready to go at the last minute. Also the fact that I could only pack 70 pounds to move across the world did not help. Now that it’s done I’m actually glad I couldn’t bring more shit because I’m having issues navigating what I have with me now.
Christmas Eve dinner with my lovely family!
Goodbyes are always hard and it never helps when you’ve gotten two hours of sleep the night before and are an emotional wreck for numerous reasons. The dogs were my first goodbye and of course I cried. Giorgio, my tripod, shook in my arms as I kissed him goodbye; he knew I was leaving. Valentino is always on “Cloud 9” and when he got his kisses goodbye he was not fazed and walked away wagging his little stump of a tail. Next was my brother Ryan, which was quite the water works display. Finally at the airport the hardest goodbye took place with the parents. I obviously cried as I said bye to my Dad and lost it as I said bye to my Mom. It was hard to say goodbye to them even though I know they will be visiting me Down Under within a few months.
My boy Giorgio acting as a great gift!
Valentino tanning with his puppy…what he does best!
So once the tearful goodbyes were over I proceeded through the grueling security line in Phoenix. Of course I got searched and they messed up my strategically packed carry-ons. The flight to Los Angeles was quite painless and the warmth of my Bailey’s and hot cocoa helped a lot as I thought about what was ahead of me in my life. After re-claiming my bags at LAX and re-checking them in for my V Australia flight I proceeded through another horrible security line and went to my gate. I made my last phone calls and boarded my plane with mixed emotions. The idea that I was about to fly 14 hours to another country to live was a trip, but I knew that it would pave my future and would no doubt be the experience of a lifetime.
As enjoyable as a 14 hour flight can be, my flight from LAX to Melbourne was quite painless. A window seat, super nice American girl next to me, (who was in my shoes a year before) and a great electronics set up helped. We all had individual screens with dozens of movies, shows, games, and also the ability to charge your electronics through a USB port. Needless to say I ate dinner, had a glass of Australian wine, and passed out. Thank god for Ambien because I think I was unconscious for about 12 hours and the flight was a breeze. I can also say that I really enjoyed V Australia’s service and the ambiance of their brand new planes.
My excess baggage in Melbourne…those carts saved my life and my back!
Once we landed in Melbourne it finally set in that I was in Australia and I couldn’t have been happier. All went well through customs and I re-checked my bags one more time for my quick flight to Sydney. Other than freezing my ass off on that flight and the lady next to me awkwardly breast-feeding her kid, I can’t complain. Once in Sydney I met up with my friend Rhodri and we headed to Coogee Bay to get ready for New Years Eve. Things went surprisingly smooth on this journey and I can only hope that my trip continues with a similar vibe. Everyone be in touch and please comment and respond to my blogs, I think this will be a great way to stay in touch! 
Happy 2010 to all of you…more blogs about my life Down Under to come soon!
Fireworks over the Sydney Bridge! Happy New Year! 
