It's okay to stop and smell the roses....
I quit my job in November. I've always had a job since turning 16 years old. I remember spending my 16th birthday driving through town with another friend (who celebrated her birthday earlier) to apply for jobs. I quit high school sports because I wanted to work more. Before that, I would side-hustle and ask to detail my parents' cars for money, do the laundry, mow the lawn - anything to make some coin. Since 16, I had been working.....but for what?! What's the purpose? What's my purpose? I guess one can say, I am still searching.
I chose to not have a job because I think it's about time to smell the flowers and relax for a bit. Yes, it was a scary decision I made but I was ready for the unknown. The unknown and the uncertainty is what makes life's precious moments. The unknown is what inspires us.
My sabbatical started in November in The Land Down Unda. This was my first time ever in Australia and I didn't know what to expect. I was excited for the journey. Upon landing, we directly took the drive down to the Great Ocean Road. Let me tell ya, I have never seen miles and miles of never ending shore! It was so pristine and untouched, I couldn't believe it.
Apollo Bay sunrise then a rainbow. I was jet lagged and took a stroll into town. I heard the waves calling and immediately ran towards it. Sometimes jet lags can be a positive thing!
In between Apollo Bay to Lorne, there's a cute little Koala cafe where one can pet koalas, parakeets, and parrots. The birds are so friendly, several of them land on your shoulders and arms. This was my favorite part!
I spent a month in Australia and spent it like a tourist (1) Brighton Beach to see the bath houses. En route there, we also fed the Wallaby's at the Moonlit Sanctuary (2) Went up Eureka Tower in Melbourne (3) Saw the 12 Apostles (4) Sydney Opera House (5) Enjoy the beaches
My favorite tourist-y thing I did in Oz was visit Tasmania (or Tazzie as the locals call it). If you visit Oz, perhaps spend around 3 days in Tasmania and do everything you can from MONA, wineries, surf, and enjoy the food and scenery by the wharf. The best activity from the trip was Mount Wellington Descent. There is a tour where they take you up the mountain in a van and they have the bikes ready for you once you get up there. Let me tell you, going down was one of the best feelings ever. It almost felt like a metaphor for the situation I was in --- the hill represented the unknowns of life. There was really no way I could control it, the only thing I could do was embrace it, let go of inhibitions, and simply enjoy the ride.
I was sad to leave Australia; it felt like there is so much to do that one month isn't enough time to explore. Five days before I left, I was once again embraced by such breath-taking, warm, Australian sunrise.
Top 3 things I loved about Australia: (1) how restaurants cook their mushrooms! (2) no judgment on who you are, what you do -- people are genuinely interested in you (3) nature is well kept - I don't think I will ever see beaches or animals like what I've seen in Australia compared to any parts of the world.
Next stop: Brazil!