Living Down Under - One Year and Then Some

Our one year Anniversary of living down-under has come and gone - September 9 was the day. I wanted to write a lengthy post summarizing our adventures, our feelings and thoughts, everything that we love and hate, but given the fact that we now have a new little one in the house, that is just not going to happen. That in itself is a whole new adventure. I also don't want this period to go by and not say something.

I guess the big questions are - do you we like it here? Yes and Yes. Australia is a beautiful country and for the most part Aussie's live up to their reputation of being fun and friendly people. Are we glad we made the move here? Yes. Would I do it again? Yes. Do we miss our family and friends? OF COURSE we do and this is hard on ALL of us at times. We also miss San Francisco and our little apartment. Annmarie still talks about number five.

Knowing we will be back one day helps with the homesickness. We know this is temporary, so we are trying to live it up. We live in a great community and are close to some of the best beaches in Australia. Also, I get to have this incredible break from working and have this special time with my children (Did I just say children? I think that is the first time I have typed that!). I'll go back to work one day, because yes there are things I miss about that lifestyle as well.

It's also a good thing that Jamie and I like each other, because let me tell you - you spend a lot of time with a person when you move to a foreign country and don't know a lot of people. It has been a good year for us as a family. It's also going to be hard when we leave and Annmarie is going to have to say goodbye to all her mates. But I'm hoping this adventure will also provide her some good life lessons.

Here are some of the more simple things we miss from the U.S (in no particular order).

1. Our favorite stores - TJ's and Whole Foods
2. American Sports, in particular SF Giants
3. Mexican food
4. American TV
5. Certain Internet sites like Amazon and Hulu

This quote has been popping up all over the Internet in light of Steve Jobs passing. It sort of speaks to our decision to move here. You only live once - and this will probably be the most wild and crazy thing we'll ever do, but let's hope not.

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." - Steve Jobs