Wide planked hardwood floors
A fire place for roasting marshmallows
A white kitchen with stone & timber bench tops
A magical backyard where gnomes and fairies play
A safe place for the girl
An organic veggie patch
Chickens and fresh eggs
The coast
Tire swing
Op shop treasures
Home-made goodness abounding
Cockatoos & kangaroos
my dream home.
There are two types of people in the world. Those that ease their way into the water…step by step, and those that just jump in. Well, maybe more than two kinds of people because then you also have to account for those who sit in the sun and bake wishing that they were cooler, but not really willing to do anything to make it happen. Unless you are a sun baker (someone who wishes for success but does nothing to achieve it), you have every reason to reach your goals — some just may be faster than others.
I’m a jump right in kind of gal. I set my goals and then I go hard until I achieve them. So far, this method has given me incredible success. It’s not a lifestyle for everyone, and it is often one that evokes some pretty crazy looks/opinions. This doesn’t bother me. In fact, I welcome people’s negativity simply because it fuels my fire to prove them wrong. I get some kind of sick enjoyment out of it. Motivation is still motivation, after all. So after arriving back in the land of the jobless, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands. The last time I had a problem with finding a job in the interior design field, I just started my own business. That worked out pretty well…and let to a pretty awesome kitchen/bath opportunity. So I figure, I’ll try that road again. In addition to the design business (which will always hold priority if work presents itself), I have also embarked on the J.Hilburn business adventure.
As someone who researches, researches, and then researches some more…I’m pretty confident in my decision to come on board as a partner with this company. I am going to be working as an independent stylist — I will be my own boss, work my own hours, and be able to continue looking after Tanami the way I feel best. I’m very impressed with the products the company offers which is luxury men’s wear and accessories. The company basically revolutionizes the way men shop. When you think about it…what man likes getting out, fighting the crowds, and trying on clothes? Ok, ok, what straight man? What J. Hilburn does for men is allow them to have a stylist come to them, be it at their home or their office. She takes their personal measurements, listens to their preferences, and orders luxury custom-made men’s wear for a fraction of the price of what you would see garments of equal quality costing. Our products are made from the same Italian fabric and in the same mills as super high-end designers , but are offered for less because we sell them directly to the gentlemen. Cheaper, easier, and custom-made to the individual, well who wouldn’t stand behind that? I’m not only impressed with the product quality & craftsmanship, but I’m impressed with the level of training and support that is offered by the company itself. I’m headed to ATL again next week to begin the training process…that is in addition to the hours I’ve already logged in over the internet. My friend who brought me into the company has been quite successful and can honestly say she loves her job. I think liking what you do is a REALLY big key to success. I personally have never thought I’d ever want to be a men’s stylist…but I have a new drive to succeed at the moment, and that’s getting this loan paid off while still providing the type of life I’d like to have for my family. I’m not going to use this blog as a way to promote myself, but I will be putting a facebook link on my page, so if you’d like to keep up with it or show your support just “like” me on FB. And then if you find yourself in need of my services, well then just give me a call.
Speaking of jumping in whole hog…we are also considering skipping the renting step altogether and going ahead and purchasing a duplex. I have no intentions of buying a house in TN for my own residence, but since we are going to be here for a while we thought it might be a good idea to invest in an investment property. We could buy a duplex, rent out one side, and live in the other while we are here. At the moment, some of the ones we are looking at would have units that are renting out for $600/mo. each with a mortgage payment less than that. I can’t take credit for coming up with the idea because it’s really just following in the foot steps of what one of Mat’s old co-workers did…but it worked for them and I can’t see why it wouldn’t work for us. For what some of them are going for at the moment, we’d have the 20% down payment as well as a healthy little nest egg for the “things that break that need to be covered by the landlord”. We wouldn’t be throwing our money away on rent, and we’d be able to live in a better area than if we were to get an apartment. This is all just an idea at the moment, but we are going to begin searching for properties and working towards getting pre-qualified. Who knows where this road could lead.
Many people look at my life and decisions I make (usually before they come to life) and think that I’m crazy. I can count the people that stand behind my decisions and support me through thick and thin on one hand. I’m a cautious risk taker. I am not afraid to LIVE, but I make educated decisions. I can only imagine how crazy my life looks from the outside…but from the inside, all I see are all the things we have accomplished in such a short amount of time. I know it might sound trite, but my Brother’s passing gave me the will to live life to it’s fullest. If I was to tell him of the things going on in my life he would never be anything but supportive. He believed in me, and I believe in myself. Sometimes it seems like it’s me and my little family of 3 against the world…but we’re going to make it. We might take the long way, the untraveled way, and even get lost somewhere along the way…but eventually, we are going to come out on the top…I just know it.
It’s my New Year’s Resolution to not make any New Year’s Resolutions. I believe that if your only motivation for doing something is the calendar changing from Dec. 31st to Jan. 1st, you are only setting yourself up for disaster. Instead, I generally evaluate the previous year, and prepare myself for the successes and failures to come in the new one.
2010 has been a huge year for adventure and success for our little family. Our original plans were to purchase a house, settle down, and start our family. Lucky for us, the American economy gave us the confidence we needed to change our plans, and our lives. Losing my Brother showed me that life was for living, and there was more adventure to be had before we settled down into a mundane routine. Three months into the year we were on a plane following the best dream that could have happened to us. Financially, this has been the BEST year ever for us. We are now down to 23 more months of payments on the student loan, have around 13K saved in our American account to put towards a future house, and over 6K saved in our Aussie account. While we live frugally, I don’t feel that we miss out on much. We have done and seen incredible things this year. We have stood by the ocean under the stars in complete darkness listening to the waves. We have pet wild kanagroos and hand fed wild parrots. I’ve stood with my feet in the water on Bondi Beach. I’ve opened a business and began a successful career using my degree. We’ve danced competitively, and won 1st place, for the first time. We watched amazing fireworks over the lake on a picnic with friends. We’ve stood in front of, touched, and walked through the Sydney Opera House. We’ve been tourists, wild animal rescuers, and masquerade ball go-ers. We’ve had a year of winter and celebrated traditionally cold weather holidays in the Aussie heat. We’ve made a home out of nothing. We’ve created life.
2010 has taught me (or re-affirmed) that life isn’t always fair and tomorrow isn’t a given right. I’ve learned that I can survive and make a life out of only 2 suitcases. I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter whether your home-ware came from a department store, or the reject shop…they all work the same way. I’ve learned how to survive without a dishwasher, dryer, blow dryer, air conditioner (in over 100 degree heat), or 2 cars. I go DAYS without touching a cell phone, and probably have sent about 20 texts in the last 10 months. I’ve learned to recycle more and use plastic bags less. I’ve learned that our marriage can withstand all the obstacles life can throw at us. I’ve learned that nothing else in the world matters when you believe your child can be in danger.
My expectations for 2011 are high, while still observing our obvious attraction to obstacles and hardship. This year, we will become a family of 3 and welcome a daughter into our family. Mathew will *finger’s crossed* be granted his 10-year green card. We will return to the states and continue to let life unfold however it chooses. We would like to get a studio up and running and purchase our first home, though we are not sure which will come first nor are we setting any sorts of time limits for these to happen. If nothing else, we have learned to steer clear of “instant gratification” and hope that this will pay off for us if not in 2011, then sometime in the near future. 2011 will continue to be a period of “living in the moment”…and it will change our lives forever.
I made it through Titanic without shedding a tear…ok, at least not until the credits rolled…but here I am bawling over the finale’ of So You Think You Can Dance Australia. I have such a love/hate relationship with these types of shows. The shows that showcase people’s souls, what they have worked to perfect since they were 3 years old, and compares them to other people. It is incredibly emotional. It just breaks my heart when people work so hard and get voted off…even if they do deserve it. I am such a sucker for following your dreams.
It was a relatively low key day…but even on a low key day there is a little excitement to report. First of all, I cooked another traditional Aussie dinner…sausages, or “snags”. Probably better on the BBQ, but they were ok. They have nothing on Texas sausage though. Of course my husband is not here yet to enjoy my amazing rendition of his Aussie staple because he is busy getting his SECOND promotion in less than 2 months. I couldn’t be more proud. He was given the worst store in the district, cleaned it up and turned it around, thus being awarded a higher-traffic store with much more potential. It makes my heart smile to know that he is being recognized for what he does best…he’s a good manager, he’s a good business person, and I can’t wait to see what happens with his dance business.
Yesterday, life gave me a rainbow…two actually. Things are good.
I may never get where I’m goin’ yeah,
But then again, I might.
You can’t get inside my head
Can’t be my safety net
I’m standing on the edge
Yeah I know it’s a long way down
But you can’t walk the wire
For anybody else
I might hit the ground
But at least I’ll have a story to tell
She said “I gotta find out for myself…”
I walked down to the playground yesterday just to get out in the beautiful sunshine while Mat was at work. I sat on the swings for a while and was overcome by a tremendous feeling of liberation. I suppose I have been running like crazy since I hit the ground in Sydney, and it finally dawned on me what I’ve done. I have moved across the world. Starting over with 5 suitcases of clothes, and slowing building a new life in a place where you originally knew no one is very empowering. I took the hugest leap of faith by believing in myself, putting my trust into my husband, and relying on my marriage. This adventure is the breath of fresh air I had been craving. Before we left I was starting to doubt myself, my education, my decisions about my future, and had grown weary of the daily grind. I resented myself for creating this massive student loan that rendered a degree I wasn’t even able to use. Moving to Australia has given me the confidence to know that there are no obstacles that cannot be overcome. My new found confidence, coupled with the promise I’ve made to my Brother to seize every moment of life while I have the chance, has given me the power to jump into the unknown – fearless.
Many opportunities have presented themselves since we got here. Yes, I think Australia will be very kind to us. We are starting to settle in. We are starting to get back on track with our budget and remembering our first priority of paying down the student loan. Because we got off easy with paying less in bills than we did when we lived in Brookhaven, we are going to be paying even more money towards the student loan than originally expected. I have confidence that I will be able to get my design business up and running here. I certainly did not think that way when I was in Atlanta. The market was too saturated and the economy was too poor. We are going in all or nothing while we are here. We have nothing to lose. Mat has made phenomenal connections in the dance world, and I have every ounce of faith that he will go far. I feel like we would do better here working with Fred’s and getting competitions here started, but who knows where it will take us. You just don’t get anywhere in life when you are afraid to take chances, to give it a go, to trust that fortune favors the brave.
I’m not nervous about my job interview tomorrow. I know that I have plenty of qualities that make me perfect for the position, as well as reasons why I wouldn’t make the best candidate. However, I have never been to a job interview where I didn’t get the job, and I don’t see any reason to start now. The job will be a great way to meet potential design clients since it is a tile and flooring company. The one thing I am nervous about is trying to figure out how to get there. The bus system is wonderful, but we live on the edge of the city and getting to Fyshwick is a bit of a pain. And when I say edge I mean…
Neighborhood on one side…
This on the other:
Tonight we will be going around to Mat’s best mate’s house for his little girl’s 3rd birthday. We were supposed to be going to a party last night, but we opted to order Chinese and watch Croc Dun Dee and The Castle. How appropriate.
