It’s always a lot of fun when you find yourself in the middle of an important time of your life–a time when every decision you make could very well change your future, a time that you’ll remember and second-guess all the time. I’ve hit the road running in this transition time, and while it’s a bit stressful–I’m going to stand by my old philosophy that 22 is the best age to be. I’m now done university, have moved across the globe, and am settling into a new life in a new country.

It’s not an unfamiliar feeling for me, though, this feeling of uprootedness and novelty. Moving from Revelstoke to Vancouver for university was very much the same, and I’ve already moved from Vancouver to Sydney once before, too. The last few weeks with friends and family have played host to no small amount of “things will never be the same”-type conversations. Now that I’ve made the leap across the Pacific to our new apartment and a “new” city, I’m actually rather struck with how undifferent it all feels. From still being surrounded by my own stuff–Luke was able to bring over apartment basics in his extra luggage space in July–to the same people–Luke and Jeremy–to a city which I’m still rather familiar with, I don’t feel as if I’ve been transported out of my life, just into a sunnier, warmer version.

Sydney is as beautiful as I remember. A busy city (in comparison to Vancouver), with palm trees and colourful flowers, thinking of it conjures up orange and brown sandstone, cliffs and hills and rolling parks, the perfect purple hue of the Jacaranda, and raucous birds with elevator eyes who always look a bit bizarre. The White Ibis, for example, is often poking around alongside crows or pigeons, but is easily double the size and has an enormously long beak. Going about your rather ordinary business on a rather ordinary day, the Ibis is just a small reminder that Canada is a long ways away.

I’ve been back for about a week and a half now, and time has rather flown by. We had our housewarming party last Friday, and it was a bit of a whirlwind of reuniting / meeting new people, but quite fun. Our apartment is pretty well set up for hosting parties–all we need now is a barbecue and perhaps some more seating. We’ve been out to Ikea a few times to pick up the essentials for setting up house, and I’ve found myself a desk that fits in our room. There is some decorating that needs to get done–such as reupholstering our dining chairs, putting things on walls, getting rugs and curtains so it stops echoing in here–but this little apartment already feels like a home. We’ve signed a lease for a year, and while I’m hoping to stay longer, even just knowing that I don’t have to move for a whole year feels great. Since leaving for Australia in July of 2007, and including my move back now, I’ve moved a total of nine times. Suffice it to say that I am good and ready to settle down and work, at least until I save up enough money to be able to travel more.

Oh, did I mention that I finished university, too? That’s a change which is still settling in. I convocated from Simon Fraser University on October 9th, the Thursday before I flew out to Australia. It was a nice ceremony, though not all that exciting since I didn’t know that many people–with a trimester system and such flexible degrees, it’s anyone’s guess with who and when you’ll graduate. I was just glad we had beautiful weather, my parents were there, and we had fun taking a few photos after the convocation. Though because we were staying at the Simon Hotel (which is the top level of one of the residence towers), I more just felt right at home than anything else (i.e., graduated).

Now my life is consumed with job finding in Sydney, and trying to make my last few dollars stretch as far as they can. I’ve got some leads at some local cafes/delis/stores, and have been looking around online, too. Nothing quite yet, but I may hear back over the weekend for something next week. Cross your fingers.