A year (and some) in review

Livin' in Brisbane!

In November of 2009 I decided to leave the beautiful city of Juneau, Alaska, and the job I so loved as a Ranger at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center to move on to different adventures in my life. There were a number of reasons I left, but I would rather focus my energy thinking about the ups and downs, and adventures I've had in 2010.

In January of 2010 I was in my last preparations before heading to Australia. I've known for a long time that I wanted to come back some day and possibly even start a life Down Under, that's if God willed it to be of course. God had not though, and although I had originally planned to enter into Australia on a semi-permanent skilled labors visa, I was forced to take a few steps back when the Australian government decided that Park Rangers were no longer a needed skilled. I was instead to settle for a working holiday visa. It took me a little while to get used to the idea, but after a while I found that I was excited that I would be using Australia as my jumping off point for other travel.

As most of you know one very excited Kate arrived on Australian soil on the 14th of February, 2011.I spent some time in Melbourne visiting family and deciding if I wanted to stay in Melbourne or move back to Brisbane, the city I know so well because I did my graduate studies there. In the end the weather helped me decide. I figured that after all the rainy days in Juneau I was due for some sunny weather, so off to Brisbane I went.

My dear friends Robby and Di, and Dani and Matt helped me get settled by providing me with somewhere to stay during those first weeks of the job and apartment search. My first win was a job at the Queensland Museum as a Visitor Services Officer. Working for the government is always crazy, but I enjoyed what I did. I enjoyed speaking with the public. Then again, I've always enjoyed teaching and chatting with the public. I was in a really good place to find an apartment.

When I had finally found a place, a number of friends helped me move in. I was so excited... until I was losing sleep and the stairs were demolished. I moved from there quick like. Thankfully I won the court case later and was refunded some of the money that the real-estate and landlords were keeping from me. I was glad to be done with that mess.


After a while, Brad came to join me in Australia. I was excited to show him around, until we both realized that it wasn't feasible to have him here, and in August he left again. I felt that I had been too busy keeping us afloat to show him anything more than just Brisbane.

Something I continually learn and relearn though is that life gets busy for myself and others. I find myself getting caught up in my job, making new friends, and general every day affairs that I don't spend enough time pursuing "catch-up time" with friends that I've known for years. Some day that lesson will stick though and I'll spend more time with friends in general.

Jumping back a few months though, I was able to catch up with a few friends in June however when I met Zeb and Amanda in Japan. What a trip!! Tokyo, Kyoto, awesome temples and shrines, and even a group of Japanese men singing Beatles songs! Not to mention meeting new friends, seeing old friends, and experiencing a public elementary school! I'll never forget it!

Then my trip continued to Singapore and Malaysia where Zeb, his mom, and I got to see Singapore from an amazing ferris wheel ride, got lost in the confusion and ended up at a hotel in a strip mall quite a distance from Kuala Lumpur, and floated down a river in a Malaysian tropical rainforest.

After nearly a month in Japan and Malaysia Brad had begun to miss me, so it was a good thing we met up in Bali. (Thanks Mom and Carl!) In Bali we survived crazy Indonesian drivers and Bali belly, and thoroughly enjoyed the mountain town of Puri Lumbung. The rice fields were beautiful!

Upon returning to Brisbane, it was time to head back to work. During that time of just "living life" I met some amazing friends that I hope to know for a very long time. I thank Andrea for taking Brad and I to a number of places for one, and being so supportive.

The end of August brought tragedy, not only had Brad left, but Australia lost one of the most amazing men I know, my uncle Brian. His funeral was filled with love and people from all over Australia. It truly was a beautiful tribune to him. He will be gravely missed, but will live on through his loving and energetic family. 

From the end of August through October I was foot loose and fancy free. I spent a number of those days working and playing around with friends, and on my birthday I went to one of the best pizza places in Brisbane, Vespa Pizza! It was wonderful to be surrounded by friends, and I even raised $100 for a local charity the Pyjama Foundation!

Although October brought the end of working at the Queensland Museum, it also brought Brad back and a job at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. I've thoroughly enjoyed working as an usher at QPAC. I've not only been paid to make patrons comfortable and watch shows such as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Rock of Ages, and Marry Poppins, I've been able to make great friends in only a matter of months.

November brought be to sing in the University of Queensland Choir and with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in a concert. It really was the chance of a life time. I thank my friend Marilyn for turning me on to it. Mike and Marilyn have been great friends that have really been life savers and great company.

In December we spent Christmas with Mike and Marilyn, and got to visit a few other friends around the Brisbane area.

Although I didn't get the chance to travel around Australia the way I had hoped, I can't say it was a total bust of a year. I got to see friends I hadn't seen in 5 years, I made new life long friends, I got to work in two professions I never thought I'd ever work in, and I got a taste of Asia. The year 2011 has been one for the books. I hope 2012 is the same.

Things to look forward to this year... at the top of the list is seeing family and meeting my new niece,... though following very closely behind that is, well, ....   planning the next adventure.

I know it's late, but Happy New Year!! Wishing everyone out there a year full of love, health, and ADVENTURE!  :)