Certainty

There is a lot of things that are uncertain in my life right now.  It is to be expected when trying to create a life full of adventure and passion I suppose.

There are plenty of articles and studies done on how what you focus on becomes part of your reality.   It's about perception, the brain cannot process all of the observations it takes in, although it does give it a really good attempt. Therefore, it has to limit what makes it to the conscious mind.  It does so in part by disregarding things that do not fit the established parameters.  In practical terms you often see what you are looking for, what you expect to see.  Looking for a new specific car, you'll start seeing it every where. Expect to be snubbed, you'll remember every time someone didn't talk to you at the party instead of the four people who did.  There was even an interesting video done that demonstrates this phenomenon. Or the video might show that people are not observant in the first place, or that people don't want to seem dumb - any of the above.

All that to say, I could list out all of the things that I am uncertain about right now, but I have decided to stop dwelling on it and instead write out all the things I AM certain about in my life with the hopes that this will start my brain in the positive mindset of looking for more certainties.  It worked for my month of Thankfulness back in November where by the end I was struggling to just pick one thing to mention.

The order is stream on consciousness and I can guarantee they will not be all of equal significance (Look at that, the certainty is starting already)

I know being near (relatively when compared to half way around the world) to my family is important to me
I know I have the skills, and in truth, enough stubbornness to eventually find a job.
I know I can beat almost anyone is Settlers of Catan
I know I will eventually make it to my final continent and hate the cold every moment that I am there.
I know ballroom dancing is therapy, exercise, and a great way to meet people all in one hobby
I know there are people in my life who love and support me no matter what.
I know I have family and friends who will help me during these transistion periods.
I know that transition periods are just that, periods of time that will not last forever
I know driving a standard transmission car is way more fun than an automatic
I know running a marathon is tough work but well worth the bragging rights
I know taking the risk to move to Australia (and then back again) was well worth it
I know my sister and I are going to take a bazillion pictures at her wedding in April
I know asking for help when I need it is hard and yet important
I know voluntourism is an amazing way to travel

Prisons

Over New Years vacation I was introduced to a program called Books for Prisons. 

The process is straightforward for a new volunteer.  Prisoners write into the program requesting books.  Some of the requests are for specific books or authors, others are more general such as westerns or business development.  Volunteers open a letter, try to find a few books that match the request as best as possible, wrap them up, write a quick note to the inmate, and send them out to brighten up someone's life.  

DC Books for Prisons does not limit its participation to prisons by geographic area and therefore supplies books to 150 prisons around the country.  However, if you are not able to attend the Wednesday night volunteer nights, there are quite a few similar programs throughout the country. A quick Google search will show you local options for volunteering.

Cairns

Before I leave Australia there was one more city that I had to visit to leave feeling like I hit all the places that I wanted to see... Cairns, the Adventure Capital of Australia. Almost any adventure activity can be found within a two hour drive.  I did a short trip, only a couple of days, and had a wonderful time. Cairns reminded me a lot of Hawaii.  The temperature and plant life is remarkable similar, there are old sugar mills and the economy is supported almost exclusively by tourism.

Great Barrier Reef This is the reason that I got SSI Scuba Certified.  I wanted to be able to dive on the GBR.  It is a natural wonder of the world, and due to changes in climate and an increase in tourism  it is disappearing.  A lot of it has been protected and tourism boats are only allowed to certain islands.  While the reef looks like a lot of uniquely shaped colored rocks, it is actually the biggest single structure made from living organisms known as coral polyps.

I did three dives.  With my limited diving experience I still use a lot of air so my dives tend to be a bit shorter than the rest of the team. There was a large "castle" of coral which spiraled down for 18 metres. Around the castle were all sorts of fish, including one that I wasn't able to identify from all the fish books back on the boat.  Therefore, the logical explanation is that I found a new species of fish. :) There was also a giant clam, a rare little red fish, ugly eels, sea cucumbers of every color and shape, multiple variations of clown fish (nemo), a turtle, christmas tree urchins, and bull rays. My favorite moment was when a pod of dolphins were swimming above us.  While they didn't come to say hello they looked like they were playing, jumping in and out of the water. 

Bungee Jumping I was disappointed in Bungee.  I think because when you have done skydiving with your own parachute there just isn't the same thrill jumping off a board.  Or maybe the drop was too short. I realized while I am a high risk/high reward individual, I enjoy adrenaline activities that involve overcoming that adrenaline to successfully complete a task. At least I got to check it off the not fully formed bucket list.

Wildlife Preserve Once again, I wanted to steal the wallabies.  They are so adorable.  I held a koala which is a lot smellier than I anticipated; they are cuter from a distance.

Daintree Rainforest One of the largest rainforests in the world.  The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and pointed out baby crocodiles on our river cruise (the big ones can jump so I'm glad it was just babies), poisonous trees (yep even the fauna is dangerous in this country), and took us to the beach at Cape Tribulation (where you couldn't get near the water because of blue bottle jellyfish, crocodiles, sting rays, and rock fish).

The rest of the time I spent wandering around the city and sitting out by the man made beach/pool at the waterfront. It was a nice vacation and the time to cross off most of the things left on my Australia to do list. 

Thankfulness

Through the month of November I shared something that I was thankful for each day on facebook.  The whole experiment was a lot of fun and got me into the habit of spending my day thinking of all the things I might post that evening as the one "Thankful" thing.  It's easy to forget all that we have in our lives to be thankful for when we compare ourselves to others or simply get lost in the day to day routine.  The items are in no particular order - just what I was thinking about on the given day. As one of my friends pointed out, they are not of equal value.  I think that was part of the point.  There is a range of things everyday to be thankful for, whether it is simply being about to get up or having an life changing positive experience. 

1: I'm thankful that all my friends in NYC are safe after the storm.

2: I'm thankful for spontaneous late night/early morning phone calls that make me smile and laugh.

3: I'm thankful that the biggest decisions in my life right now are between all wonderful positive things. I have a blessed life. My most stressful decision is do I go to NZ for Annual leave or up to Cairns.

4: I'm thankful for full filled weekends of mischief, mayhem, and memories.

5: I'm thankful for the education I received and the freedom to speak my mind. I'm realizing that there are a lot of pieces that are in place without my recognizing it: Teachers giving their time, no laws preventing me as a woman to get an education, parents who sacrificed to send me to college... and the list could go on.

6: im thankful that I would make a bad exclusive brethren wife.

7: I'm thankful for the fascinating chance to "watch" a presidential election from a different cultural perspective. Very insightful.

8: I'm thankful for lectures that make my brain go "huh?" And revert to a protective stance of just processing individual words, like "photon" and "in", instead of anything in phrases. And I think I learned that teleportation is possible if neither side knows what orientation the photon is in.

9: I'm thankful the emotional meltdown my team seemed to have today because it have me the chance to practice positive conflict resolution.

10: I'm thankful for my health especially given my poor eating habits which I am slowly changing to more nutritious. 

11: I am thankful for lazy Sundays where I don't have to do anything on my to do list.

12: I'm thankful I'll be able to attend both my good friend's and my little sister's weddings.

13: I'm thankful for how similar this time in australia is to a second uni -undergrad not grad.

14: I'm thankful that when I put in my notice at work I was told I always have a job with them if I want. Not that I would ever use it... but it's nice to have options.

15: I'm thankful for good music shared with good company.

16: I'm thankful that I have everything I need in life and can focus on creating a wonderful life instead of worrying about food, shelter, or security.

17: I'm thankful for days so wonderful that I can't pinpoint which part I loved the most. Great dancing, great company, great skyline at sunset, great party, great company, great conversations with great people here and abroad, great dinner randomly made for me... simply a great day.

18: I’m thankful for technology that keeps me connected to those I love. 

19: I'm thankful even though my company car had the radio completely removed that does not stop me from singing show tunes at the top of my lungs when stuck in traffic.

20: I’m thankful I no longer appear to be allergic to carrots. 

21: I’m thankful I have all my limbs. I saw a news clip where a virus ate away a women’s limbs. I realized almost everything I love to do required the use of legs and arms so I am thankful for something basic today.

22: I’m thankful for lifelong friends with people from around the world. As cliché as it may sound, the really great friendships are the ones where no matter how much time has actually gone by since you have talked it is as if no time at all has passed, there is always a couch to crash on when in the same time zone, and different perspectives and experiences are shared in such a way to enrich everyone’s life. I am privileged to have these exceptional friendships in my life.

23: I’m thankful for my dance studio. Seriously some of my favorite people in Australia. We are all so different yet come together with a shared love of dancing. As individuals and as a collective they are funny, intelligent, supportive, free to be fully themselves, and all around a lot of fun to hang out with. And a special shout out to my dance instructor who is a cool person, incred

ible dancer, and especially awesome teacher matching his style so that each student gets the most of what they want out of dance.

24: I’m thankful my 1 scuba dive turned into 2 dives. Saw some bull rays and nurse sharks, swam in the middle of a school of fish, and started to finally feel more comfortable (and calm) in the water. Can’t wait for Cairns Monday week.

25: I’m thankful the event I planned ran smoothly even though I was late. It reminded me how much I enjoy creating events for people to meet potential friends and try something new. 

26: I’m thankful I have only 1 more week at my current company. There have been a lot of challenges, a lot of on the job training as a manager, and a LOT of stories.

27: I’m thankful for my siblings. You don’t get to pick your family but you do get to pick how yo

u relate to them. I am so happy that my siblings and I are not just forced to get together at holidays like some families but genuinely love hanging out with each other. It’s nice to know that no matter what happens I have two people who have my back no matter what, who understand me better than anyone and who I count friends. If I could pick my family, I wouldn't pick anyone else.

28: I’m thankful that after picking up and moving countries I still feel financially secure. I can buy food and pay rent and still have fun on the weekends. There are a lot of people who don’t know if they will be able to feed their families and I get to go scuba diving. 

29: I’m thankful for my eternal safety net, my parents. My life may not look anything like what they expected for me but they have always allowed me to take risks with the knowledge that I am loved and have a place to come back to whatever the result. 

30: I’m thankful for this whole Australia Experience… Chapter… Adventure… Whatever title you want to use. Seriously feel like the luckiest person right now for having had this experience. I have grown as a person, faced and overcome challenges, done a lot of interesting things, learned how to handle uncertainty better, met some incredible people, and just plain had an amazing time.

Idioms

I've written before about the large amount of slang and idioms used everyday in Australia.  I've heard enough new ones to necessitate a revised record. The following list is in no way exhaustive as anyone listening in on an Aussie chinwag for five minutes will tell you.  Over the past year and a half, the list of words and phrases I use regularly has grown dramatically.  However, I still need to ask for periodic translations. 

‘Aggro’ Aggravated
‘Ambo’ Ambulance
‘Arvo’ Afternoon
‘Aussie´An Australia / A way of doing things that is distinctly Australian 

‘Back in Your Box’ You’re overstepping your boundaries / Stop being a jerk
‘Banger’ Sausage
'Beano' A celebration
'Beaut' Beautiful
'Billabong' Watering hole
'Bikie' Motercycle rider
'Blow'n' A commuter / Someone not from the area
'Bogan' Uneducated / Country person / Person of low economic standing
'Boot' Trunk of a car
'Bottlo' Liquir store
'Buggar All' Nothing / Not Much

'Cash in Hand' Payment without reporting it to the tax department / 'Under the table'
'Casual Work' Temporary Worker
'Capsicum' Pepper
'Cardi' Cardigan
'Chewy' Gum
'Chinwag' A conversation
'Chips' French Fries
'Chrissy' Christmas
'Chuffed' Pleased
'Chuck a Sickie' Call in sick to work when not really sick
'Cray cray' Crazy
'Crisps' Potato Chips
'Crook' Sick

'Devo' Devastated

'Derro' Derelict
'Drop Bear' A fictional dangerous animal (because they need to make more up?)
'Dux' The smartest person in a class (I think, it sounds like 'ducks' to me but I was corrected)

'Esky' Cooler

'Fair Dinkum' genuine
'Fair Go' Given a chance
'Fairy Floss' Cotton Candy
'Flat' Apartment
'Flat Out / Full On' – Working hard
'Footy' Rugby (just league, not union)
'Full Stop' Punctuation Mark '.'  Also used to emphasize what was just said. 

'Gridiron' American Football

'Hair of the Dog' Drink to recover from a hangover
'Head Down, Bum Up' Time to work hard
'Hen’s Night' Bachlorette Party
'Hoo Roo' Goodbye

'I'm Alright Jack' Thanks anyway / I didn't want one in the first place (Sarcastic) 
'In the Duff' Naked
'Ice Block' Popsicle

'Jingoes' surprise
'Jumper' Sweatshirt / light jacket

'Kanga' Kangaroo
'Kiwi' Someone from New Zealand
'Knackered' Tired

'Lemonade' Carbonated drink similar to 7Up or Sprite
'Lift' Elevator
'Lolly' Candy
'Loo / Dunny' Toilet

'Maccas' McDonalds
'Mate' Friend
'Middy' A drink of middle size.

'Nappy' Diaper
'Narky' Moody
'Nick Off' Go Away
'No dramas' The younger version of 'No worries'.
'No Worries' It doesn't matter / You're welcome

'On ya mate' Short for 'Good on ya mate' / Well done
'Outside the Square' Thinking 'outside the box' as American's would say
'Oz' Pertaining to the land of Australia

'Petrol' Gasoline.  (Some cars run on natural gas so a distinction is needed.)
'Polly' Polititian
'Post Code' Zip Code
'Pram' Stroller
'Prang' Car Accident
'Pressies' Presents
'Push Bike' Bicycle

'Rack off' Go away
'Ranga' A redhead. Short for orangutans.
'Rego' Registration
'Rellies / Relo' Relatives
'Reno' Renovation
'Ressy' Reservation
'Reverse Park' Parallel Park
'Ripper' Great
'Robe' Closet
'Roo' Kangaroo

'Schoolies' School holidays
'Seppo' An insulting name for an American
'Serviette' Napkin
'Servo' Petrol Station
'She'll be apples' It's okay. It will work out.
'Shout' Turn buying a round
'Shoot the Crow' Leave  
'Singlet' Strapless shirt
'Smoko' Break
'SMS' Text
'Sook' Someone being silly
'Squib' Coward.
'Stubbie' Small beer
'Stubbie Short of a Six Pack' Idiot
Sunnies Sunglasses
'Sus' Suspicious / To figure something out
'Swag' A type of camping gear similar to a sleeping bag
'Swaggy' A swagman - someone who travels and carries all of their possessions in a swag 
'Sweet As' Awesome (Create a wonderful simile for the best thing in the world, then leave off the last word)
'Swimmers' Swimsuit

‘Ta’ Thank you
'Take Away' To Go
'Taking the Piss' Teasing
'Tart' Derogatory for woman
'Thong' Flip flop
'Tradies' People who work in a traditional trade such as construction
'True Blue' Genuine
‘Too easy’ Said when a task requires a few steps to demonstrate that you don’t mind doing it.
'Torch' Flashlight

'Unco' Uncoordinated
'Under the Pump' Under a lot of pressure 
'Uni' University
'Ute' Utility vehicle / truck

'Vendo' Vending Machine
'Vego' Vegetarian meal (I haven't heard it used to describe vegetarians)

'Westie' Someone from the western suburbs. Insulting use: uneducated, not classy
'Whinge' Complain
'Woop Woop' Far away from civilization

'Zed' The letter 'z'

Flashback

Most life/career coaching books ask the question:  If you had unlimited amounts of money what would you do?  Another book, which I forgot the title of so I cannot give credit, asked:  What did you love to do as a child?  I thought about it and realized, just as the things I struggled with seem to come up in life lessons time and again, so to the things I love to do, the things that energize me, haven't really changed from when I was younger.

Organizing Events: When I turned 10, I got to host my first group sleepover for my party. I had an itinerary with food, crafts, and games, to maximize fun for everyone who attended (which nobody followed but that is a different lesson).  My sister and I organized a "Nature Club" for our friends with projects to complete and an awards ceremony.

Dancing: I was always dancing whether it was in classes or just around the house.  Almost all little babies move around to music, I just never grew out of it.

Writing: I wrote one of my first stories about a jelly bean who was unlike the other jelly beans in the Easter basket in kindergarten.  I have kept a journal since I learned how to write, rereading them as I scanned them before moving to Australia.  Some of my favorite words of wisdom: "If I could anyone I would be just me" (1st grade) "I love horses if I had anuf money I would by a horse. I have 15.00 now I ned 200.00 to get a good horse." (3rd grade) "I know giving is better but receiving is more fun" (4th grade)

Now how to I go about crafting these things into a job?  Ignoring the visa limitations for the moment.

ASDAC

Videos from the Crown Competition at The ASDAC in Canberra. 

Smooth Crown:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYvm5EeDG9E  (black and white dress starting in the top right corner)

Rhythm Crown:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K002z-AQrIU (red and black dress starting in front right corner)

As already mentioned many times on this blog, I love ballroom dancing.  After I got my full time job, I started looking for a dance studio and found Firefly. A few months after I started there, they mentioned there was an American/Social style competition coming up.  My hand was in the air before they even said when or where it was. At that time, I couldn't sign up because I didn't know if I would even be in the country as it was after my initial visa would expire.  As soon as I got my visa I talked to my instructor and signed up.

I have never trained so hard for a dance competition. I was at the studio 5-9 hours a week in group classes and lessons .  Like my other dance competitions, I signed up to compete at a higher level than where I was comfortable, saying I would rather lose at a higher than win at something I knew I could do.  As it got closer to the competition, my inner competitive nature came out and I realized that is a lie...  I want to win at the challenging level not just compete.  

The trip was a full weekend and I went with 4 other students, our 2 dance instructors, and another instructor from our studio who would be judging. It was nice to have a team.  When I went to the competitions in the States, my family and freinds where able to see me and it would have been sad to go alone.  

Our poor dance instructors not only have to teach us, cover for our mistakes during the comp, but also become therapists, helping each person cope with the stress and excitement of competition in our own unique ways.  I need to know I have a chance before, have fun during, and debrief immediately afterwards.  I initially can only see the mistakes I made and either tear up or full out cry as the adrenaline wears off.  On the first day of competition, I ended up in tears after the tango which upon later review that night was my strongest dance. All a part of the process. Ash, Emily, and Lauren were all wonderful training and supporting us throughout the competition.  Plus just pure fun to dance with. 

Friday night was a party where the different dance studios came to size up the competition. I mean, dance with other social style dancers from all over Australia. It was a lot of fun to dance with other students with slight differences in moves.  

Saturday were the single dance rounds.  I danced at Level 3 which involved Bronze 3 and 4 and Silver steps.  I went into it slightly flustered as my hair was not behaving and I found out as soon as I walked in that I would be dancing my most challenging dance in the first heat with less then a half hour to collect myself.  I made quite a few mistakes and still had a wonderful time and performed well.  When all the dance couples ended up in the same corner I reminded myself to keep smiling and trust that my instructor could get us out of the mess.  I danced in six: Foxtrot (which is in my opinion my weakest dance but I won first place), Waltz (2nd), Tango (where I cried afterwards but won 1st),  Cha Cha (2nd), Rumba (2nd), and East Coast Swing (2nd).  The whole team did amazingly well placing in almost every level we competed in. 

Saturday night was a ball, a chance to get/stay dressed up and socially dance.  Again dancing with people with styles and leads different than how we were taught.  I danced with one of the judges and was scared the whole time because I didn't want him to remember all the mistakes and lack of technique the next day.  Far from it, he was complimentary, a lot of fun, and an exceptional lead.  A few other couples from Firefly came down for the ball and to support us. 

Sunday were the Crown competitions where I danced at level 4.  Three dances one right after another in the rhythm and smooth categories.  Scoring is based on the overall total. I went in with the hope of just holding my own and doing my best and walked away with a first place in the smooth crown (waltz, foxtrot, tango) and second place in the rhythm crown (cha cha rumba, swing). At the comp they did not announce that I placed second. I was initially disappointed but upon reflection, knew that I had had so much fun and did my best that I wouldn't have changed anything in order to win.  Then it turned out I got second so even better.  Easily my best performances and results from the three comps I've been in, and also the hardest I've worked it. 

There were only a few differences I found competing in Australia.  1) People were nicer.  When near collisions happened, the instructors would look at each other and mouth "sorry".  There were far fewer (ie none) full body "mean girl" scans from the ladies. 2) Competitors dressed appropriately for body type and age.  Well all except for one lady at the ball.  3) More closed work for all the smooth dances even at level 6.