There's No Place Like Home

I did it! For better, or worse I managed to last out 2 years teaching in Uzbekistan. There were a whole bunch of highlights, trials and tribulations and I am so glad to finally be back home 'Down Under'. One day I'll be ready to laugh about the whole experience - it's still a bit soon for that though. I don't want to disparage anyone else who lived/worked there as every one's experience is unique to them so at this stage I prefer not to elaborate too much on my experiences. Someone told me that over time you only remember the good stuff. I hope so.

I spent all of last week in New Zealand. I caught up with a bunch of friends, was shell shocked by consumption choices at the mall and restaurants, baffled by the price of things and totally devoid of any knowledge of popular culture. After 9 years of living overseas I felt a wee bit foreign in my own country. I did get to watch an All Blacks rugby game on tv with friends (we won against France! About bloody time after the horrendous result at the World Cup in 2007). I think it won't take much time for me to readjust and get back in the swing of things. I'm still dreaming of the day when I can finally buy a place of my own there. So in my 8 days at home I managed to consume more than my fair share of chicken chips. No, they're not made of chicken and don't really even taste like chicken but they sure are bloody good. I'll be looking out for something similar when I'm over in Canberra. Email me some brand suggestions :-)

For the next 3 weeks I'm in Queensland, Australia just chilling with my Mum and stepdad. Gosh I missed them so much. We got to spend a brilliant few weeks together in India over Christmas but again there is nothing like being together at home - even if it is in Australia (joking, I really do like it here). Went to the bowling club tonight and then out for dinner. BBQ planned for tomorrow and a few test matches to watch on tv. How quintessentially Australian is that! We have no fixed plans for the rest of the time just hopefully selling the house so that my parents can move back to NZ ASAP.

After my holiday up here I will be heading down to Canberra for university. My stepdad has given me his old car (haven't driven in 2 years and was pretty bad when I did) and I'll be loading it up with my stuff and driving down. I think it will take me about 3 days to get there. Boo hoo. I've finally got accommodation sorted. There is such a shortage of places for rent there and the prices are ridiculously expensive. I will be staying in a student dorm on campus. I'm almost positive that I'll end up lumped with a bunch of 18 year olds. I can just see their reaction now when they find out this old lady is sharing the apartment with them! Anyway I am totally stoked to be able to focus on studies as a full time student and not have to juggle work at the same time. Here's hoping for some decent grades! I have a few ideas for travel (if I can get the time) and will head down to Melbourne for a weekend some time at the end of July. Can't wait to catch up with friends that I taught with in North Carolina. I am also hoping to pick up my camera again and get back into photography. Life has been so stressful for so long that I haven't taken any pictures this year.