Time to Unplug

At this point, all I can say/scream is AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

I vacillate between sheer excitement for the adventure of the move and the tortuous task of determining what stays and what goes. This has been a month long purge that finally sent me over the edge. The evenings of sorting, trashing, Craig's List ad-ing have taken their toll not to mention that while theoretically I should be slowing down at work I seem to be busier than ever!

Larry has not escaped either. He is working 12+ hour days to finish work on his project. He barely sleeps while he is gone and then every weekend is jam packed with projects! There is virtually no down time!

We needed a break, so Larry and I packed the car and with many thanks to his parents, Frank and Jan, enjoyed a fabulous weekend in Cedar Key, Florida, a drinking village with a fishing problem (on several t-shirts and signs).



Before we left, being the quintessential foodie, I researched restaurants and chose two for our dinners. The first night was at Tony's where they make the world's best clam chowder - no really, they won a big chowder contest and it was the best chowder I have ever had!



I followed that up with a low country boil...



Can you tell I would love to be a food writer?

So after all of the food the night before, Saturday morning we decided to do a bit of kayaking. We rented a tandem and off we went to paddle around the islands that make up Cedar Key.



Here is an action shot of Larry paddling me around so I can take some pictures...



And the kayak Diva in her Jackie Onassis sunglasses...



That night we enjoyed another great dinner at the Island Room and got to see a ridiculously beautiful sunset



It made for great photographic light as evidenced of this picture of my handsome husband



When we planned the trip, I wanted to use the weekend to forget about the fact that we were moving half way around the world. I wanted to make a rule that we were not to mention Perth or talk about the move at all, but that ended up being unnatural. Instead of avoiding the topic, we were able to integrate it into a completely free form weekend free of tasks and to-do lists. We simply enjoyed being: being together, being with nature and being at peace. It was rejuvenating, and God knows I needed it (Buddha, too, Larry, and Mohamed for good measure).

Our First Apartment!!

Even before our feet touch Australian soil, we are constantly learning new things about our soon to be home. We have a technical book on the emigration process, another book written by people like us 3 years after being in Australia, and another book that is simply about etiquette and culture (who wants to be considered uncouth?). Larry and I have both spent countless hours researching everything from visa requirements to the local Aveda salon (curly haired girl has to have her hair products).

The most extensive research we have done by far is the different areas of Perth. It seems that every few blocks of Perth is a different suburb and each seems to have its own unique character. Some of the areas we have been targeting:

Subiaco - a trendy upscale mix of modern buildings and classic federation style homes. It seems to be where the yuppies live.

Northbridge - the greatest collection of night spots and pubs. Seems to have a lot going on after the sun goes down.

West Perth - a smallish enclave close to downtown where if your apartment faces the right direction and is at the right height will provide you with an iconic Perth skyline view. It is also the closest to Kings Park, a gigantic park smack dab in the middle of the city.

Highgate - the location of lots of theatres and cultural events.

Leederville - a family friendly suburb with a mix of homes, condos, cafes and parks.

When we set out to rent a place, we looked at the real estate websites there www.domain.com.au and www.realestate.com.au. We throught - wow look how inexpensive the rent is!! Then we realized that the charge a per WEEK. I was not about to make a 6 month or year long committment without actually seeing the location of our apartment. Not to mention, that no one will rent you an apartment in Perth unless you see it first!

We then changed direction and started looking for a furnished and equipped short term rental. We found a gem in Leederville and I am so excited to get there. They supply everything we need when we first arrive with only our suitcases so dishes, cookware and sheets are provided. The villa is close to a large preserve (park) and there are not 1, not 2 but 3 Indian restaurants within walking distance!! We are also close to an internet cafe and a bikram yoga studio and you can probably guess who is excited about what.







#5 Brentham Street, Leederville, WA, Australia - our new home!


Now that we have a home (at least for three weeks), we can start thinking about what we need to bring...

It is Official

Family know, friends know and now my work knows. Larry and I are moving from the sleepy hamlet of Ozona, Florida to the bustling metropolis of Perth, Australia. I am creating this blog to document our incredible journey and to keep our large group of family and friends apprised of how we are doing during our first year.

Larry and I were recently married, 28 October 2009 to be exact. Larry is among other things such as my husband and my best friend and my personal psychologist, a management consultant for the largest consulting firm in the world. I am about to be an unemployed lawyer. We are 44 and 35 respectively and are about to press control, alt, delete on the life we have here on the west coast of Florida, U.S.A.

We've been to Australia before. In fact we were married in Australia, Katoomba, NSW. Thanks to Susan Muldrock (http://www.sraephotographicart.ifp3.com/) we had a smashing elopement. During our honeymoon, we fell in love with the country and often joked with each other about moving there. In fact, prior to meeting me Larry almost transfered to his company's office in Melbourne. Wouldn't that have altered history! When the opportunity presented itself for Larry to make a growth career move, we jumped at it.

Our big moving date is August 5, or should I write 5 August. After 24 hours in three different planes we will reach Perth in the afternoon on the 7th of August, just in time for a nap before dinner or supper or whatever they call it. As the smallest ethnic group in the Perth metropolitan area it will be interesting to see how we adjust to life there: right hand drive, vegemite and footy are only some of the unique atributes of Australia.

Hopefully this blog will not only keep us connected with our family and friends, but let everyone who reads it find the courage to make that leap, whether it be a move of this magnitude or something much smaller, to actualize their dreams and attain their goals.