Wise words from my brother

When Kristen and I decided to start a series about our lives "Swappin' Countries" as expats, I asked other bloggers to give us some questions and prompts to help kickstart us.  Welllllll...life happens...so, Kristen and I haven't been superb at keeping that series alive just yet, but we have a post in mind, coming soon...

I started answering one of those questions months ago (from Dani from Faster Than Forever) who asked:  "How did your family/loved ones take the news?" (that I was moving to the other side of the world) 

But, that post sat in draft unfinished.  Until I read Audrey's post "Get Out of There" because it got me thinking about our life choices about where we live and who we live life with.

When I announced that I was moving from Texas to Australia, I received varying degrees of support from loved ones.  Most of the family was less than thrilled. 

My mother cried and cried and didn't really know what to say except "please don't go."  This was the one and only time in my life that my always supportive father told me that I was disappointing him, and he meant it.  The conversation included me trying to be strong through tears streaming down my face, and I was collapsing inside.

My brother suggested that he and I go for a walk around his neighborhood. 

Back story: My brother met his wife when he was 18, got engaged at 20, and married at 21.  He worked at a big international accounting firm in a big city for a few years...then moved back to raise a family in College Station, Texas (a town of about 100,000).  He has 3 glorious children.  The family is close.  Top priority.  Their social activities revolve around school, church, and extra-curricular activities.  He and my sister-in-law have been married for 25+ years, and their relationship is an inspiration.  Their relationships with their children is a beautiful thing to witness.  Nobody, no one, no family is perfect.  They are the first to admit this.  But, they are as close to perfect as a collective whole as I've personally witnessed, and I am in awe of them.

So, when we took a walk around the neighborhood...I mentioned something about him being the "golden child" and the one that always made our parents proud and was never a disappointment.  He discussed that his life made him happy and fulfilled...but, he said he knew that if I led the life he had, I'd have been bored.  He said that he knew we were different.  The things that excited me or fueled my zest for life weren't necessarily his.  But, that there was nothing wrong with that.  There was nothing wrong with me wanting to take risks.  There was nothing wrong with me wanting to live in a different country.  Sure, I'd be missed, terribly, but I needed to live my life in a way that would be fulfilling and make me happy.  And, I was always welcome to come home.

Tears are falling as I remember this conversation from over 8 years ago.

In an ideal world, my loved ones wish that I lived closer.  But, it's the words of my brother, knowing that he "got me" that still fill my heart. 

Eventually, other family members have come around.  No one likes that I live so far away.  Heck, I don't like that I live so far away from them.  Sometimes, I think that me living so far from home actually encourages communication with some family members.  You know, the ones we take for granted that live close, yet we still don't see often?  I hear from some aunts and cousins more than I did when I lived in Texas.  Others, I don't hear from as much.  But, we all have to make an effort to maintain connections and relationships, regardless of distance.

The support from my brother, his calm and wisdom, will always be something that I cherish.  We don't talk much.  We don't have to.  He knows I am filled with imperfections and flaws, but I know he loves me unconditionally.  I do not take this for granted.

My mom says this is her favorite picture of us, so I recycle it every now and then.

Have you received wise words from a loved one at an important time in your life?  I encourage you to reflect on them and share them (if you feel moved to do so).

Australian Anniversary

This week marks the anniversary of my arrival to live in Australia.  Seven years.  In some ways, it seems just like yesterday that I embarked on this new adventure.  In other ways, it seems that I've been here a looooong time.  I thought I'd take us on a pictorial journey of some of my many highlights in Australia....warning: "heaps" of pictures coming atcha!...all were taken by me and my iphone (or my phone was given to someone else to take) with the exception of a couple of paid touristy shots that I've designated with a *.......
What have I been doing the last seven years?

I've seen some spectacular views:

I've stared at blue water and contemplated my life:

I've attended the Vivid Light Festival:

I've made friends with some wildlife:

And ran scared from others:

I've explored caves:

I've hung out with these handsome boys under blue, cloudless skies:

I've watched the World Cup on massive screens at Darling Harbour:

I've watched the Sydney fireworks for NYE from my bedroom window three years consecutively (this is no longer the view from my bedroom):

I've had picnics in the grass:

I've gone to music festivals with friends:

I've seen this view from an airplane window:

I've got in a tank with one of my bestest Texas friends...and some aquatic life*:

I've worn a "stinger suit" in the Whitsundays (not knowing if that was to protect me from stingrays or jelly fish stings):

I've slid down the Stockton Sand Dunes:

I've hugged a giant koala:

I've celebrated the 4th of July with other Sydney Americans:

I've displayed the Stars & Stripes on September 11th:

I've attended an Australian (rules) Football game:

I've met up with other graduates of Texas A&M University:

I've celebrated Australia Day:

I've put my toes in the sand of several Australian beaches:

I've hiked to lighthouses:

I've seen fog over the Blue Mountains:

I've stood in the Pacific Ocean with my mom and stepmom:

I've stopped and admired unique architecture with beautiful scenery:

I've been a bridesmaid:

I've climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge*:

I've wandered through the most beautiful cemetery I've ever seen:

I've been stopped by tourists from Beijing asking to take their photo with me:

I've sipped cocktails under Palm trees and blue skies:

I've watched giraffes at sunset in Taronga Zoo:

I've experienced shock and horror by inflated Sydney prices:

I've been to Luna Park:

I've learned that winter can look like this:

I've met Jay, the koala, with my mama*:

I've been to the Great Barrier Reef:

I've eaten dinner with my dad and stepmom while overlooking the Sydney Opera House:

I've been on a Dolphin Cruise in Nelson Bay:

I've enjoyed ferry rides and water taxis:

I've seen kangaroo in the bush:

I've met Australian rock royalty, Kirk Pengilly of INXS:

I've become a public train commuter:

I've read a book while soaking my feet in Sydney Harbour:

I've been on a harbour boat cruise for a friend's birthday celebration:

I've danced the night(s) away with a great group of girlfriends:

 I've been to a rugby match:

I've adopted three kitties:

I've become a mama to two mutts:

I've become a stepparent:

I've found the man that challenges me, loves me, completes me...and I married him:

All of this and so much more. I've lived an enriching life since December 2008. I've learned, laughed, and loved. 

 

All the while, I've missed my family & friends, Tex-Mex, college football, and more.  I feel extremely fortunate to know I have loved ones and a place to call "home" in more than one place in this great big beautiful world.