457

Australia by the numbers:

1 New tattoo

2 Other Aussie cities I have visited

3 Apartments I have lived in

4 People on my team at work

5 Jobs I have held in the past year ranging from accountant to waitress to customer service manager

6 Meetup events I have hosted

7 Days it took to approve my visa once it was submitted

8 Weeks it took my boss to submit my visa

9 Other people living in a two bedroom flat in my second apartment
10 Days spent in Hawaii over Christmas to see my family

11 Months I have been here

24 Days left until my working holiday visa expired

26 Hours of travel time to get here

10,056 Tears I have cried due to stress and fear

All of that equals a 457 Employee Sponsored Visa!

Two weeks ago I got the final approval to stay in Australia.  I know it’s a little delayed for a blog entry.  To be honest, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it; I still don’t.  This process has been unlike anything I have faced.  For the past year, I have had one all consuming goal: to make a life in Australia.  I worked crap jobs, cried more than I would care to admit, and kept moving forward even when the road was unclear.  A friend asked me if I would do it again, knowing what I know now… Absolutely.  Not just because Australia is an amazing country and I have made some wonderful friends, but also because I have developed more confidence to face future challenges while still smiling.