Besides knowing that I wanted to come to Australia, I didn’t have any solid plans for how I was going to spend my year. I wasn’t too worried about it, though. Others pretty much did the worrying for me (doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for them caring!) I can’t count the number of times I had a conversation along these lines: Friend: “So are you excited for Australia?” Me: “Does a bear shit in the woods?” (Okay I didn’t use that exact term) Friend: “What’s your plan? Me: “I don’t really have one.” Friend: “So you don’t have a job??” Me: “No.” Friend: “Do you have an apartment???” Me: “No…” Friend: “What are you going to do?!?!” Me: “I’ll figure it out…?” I’m actually surprised I didn’t freak out. I thought as my departure date got closer, I was going to start getting really nervous, maybe have a panic attack on the plane (like I sorta did when I left for study abroad). This is my third time moving abroad, but it’s the only time I had absolutely nothing planned or laid out for me in advance. All I knew is I was flying into Sydney and had a place to stay for the first week or so (thanks Sara!).

I’m almost at the two month mark of being in Oz and still can’t believe how fast it’s going. But I do have more or less of a plan by now. Ish. I realized I never really made it clear what I am currently doing: I took a job as an au pair in Brisbane, with a family of a friend of a friend (thanks Kate!). It’s a pretty sweet gig; I nanny 2-3 days a week and in exchange I get accommodation, food and a weekly stipend. I signed up with an event staffing company and am picking up events on my days off. Brisbane is nice, although I’m not sure I would have chosen to live here had it not been for the job offer. I’m definitely appreciating it more and more since arriving (1 month ago already). Plus, it’s in a good location, with both Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast only an hour away in each direction and a short plane ride to a lot of cool places like the Whitsundays, Cairns, etc.

I figure I can save up by not having to pay rent, and when I’m done nannying in March I’ll travel until I need to start working again. Australia is expen$$ive. Anyway, I’m glad I didn’t make a plan. Before coming to Australia, I had no idea what I was getting myself into and I wouldn’t have wanted to lock myself into something I later may have wanted to get out of. In my opinion when you’re traveling for an extended period of time, it’s better to leave certain things open-ended. It’s fun to see where the journey might take you!