Changing Seasons

Its hard to believe its been close to 6 months since I arrived in Australia. It seems just like yesterday that I stepped off that plane.

Life in the South Pacific is different. Even though people appear to work longer hours here, they seem to be more care free and unattached to "labels", whether it be their careers or education. I like that.

Since being here I've had to adjust to being on my own most of my days. Something I've never had to do before. I've always, and I do mean always, had brothers and sisters around.  And even though I've just about gone mental from spending so much time in front of a screen applying for jobs and getting little to no feedback, spending time on my own is something I'm learning to enjoy and appreciate.

Monsoon season has arrived and I couldn't love it more. The seasons here seem to glide from one to the next, unlike Indiana which quickly vaults from summer, to autumn, to winter then spring. (Something I know I'll miss.) Seeing the skies turn dark and listening to the thunder roll in from the mountains in the west or the ocean in the east has become one of my favorite things. I love turning off all the lights in the house and opening all the windows and sliding doors and let the tropical winds rush in to cool down the overheated rooms.

Change, change, change. That's been my story. I'm thankful for those who's love and kindness has changed and challenged me for the better. And I hope and pray that will continue for a long time to come.

Simplicity and Peace

Life is simple. More so than I can ever remember it being. My days consist of applying for jobs, helping out where I can when it comes to renovating the house we currently live in. Also trying my hardest to stay in contact with my (unbelievably missed) family back in the States and squeezing in every moment I can with my incredibly hard working husband. Simplicity.

I never knew there could be so much peace that came from the consistency of day to day life. And even though this season in life will pass when work, traveling and children come around, and it will, I'm overwhelming thankful.

For this Peace. For this Simplicity.

"Peace is when time doesn't matter as it passes by."

Wedding, Honeymoon and the Big Move

The wedding week finally came! What a crazy mix of emotions: Sick to my stomach to think about leaving my sweet family and friends, not knowing when I'll see them again. But also excited beyond belief to marry and start a new, exciting, unknown life with the one person who makes me the happiest I've ever been.

However, when the morning came, all my nerves vanished! Everyone kept saying "Liz, I cant believe how calm you are.". I only started feeling crazy excited and nervous right before I walked down the isle.I couldn't WAIT.

 Here are some photos my talented brother in-law who photographed our special day. 

                 

And then the hard part. Saying goodbye. These make my heart pang when I look at them.

It was a completely perfect day. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing in the world. I had my family and my a few close friends there to witness Jamie and I marrying. All the people I love most in the same place! What could be better?!

A few days later, Jamie and I headed off in a jet plane to an unknown (to me) honeymoon destination  Jamie organized and planned the entire trip. 53 hour of traveling before we checked in to our Hilton Resort on the Island of Phuket, Thailand. Ummmm...."wow" is an understatement! He did such an amazing job!! It was honestly and truly paradise! 

9 long days of of relaxing in pools, swimming in the ocean, canoeing through ocean caves, elephant riding, sleeping in, eating amazing foods, exploring local towns and fully enjoying our time away from everything and everyone we knew.

Pretty soon it was time to head back to Brisbane, our home, as a married couple. WEIRD!

                                           Here I am, with all that I packed up and took with me.

My new home!

      

                                                        Our first piece of "official" mail :D

Much love! -Elizabeth

What Brought Me Here: Part II

When I left Australia in 2010, I never expected to see Jamie again. Or to stay in such close contact with him. But that's exactly what happened. Over the next two years, Jamie and I chatted every few weeks. Like i stated in an earlier post, dating this amazing man was completely out of the question for me, having been in a long distance relationship previously.

Its amazing what two years, many challenges, hardships, trials, kindness, support and love can do to change someone. When Jamie and I started talking more towards the end of 2011 and then almost every day at the beginning of 2012, I still had no idea he was interested in me. Call me " Lizzy the Clueless". I've never been fast that way.

Anyway.

By March of 2013 we were texting or talking on the phone every day. On my 21st birthday, Jamie asked me to be his girlfriend. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. He blew me out of the water!

March 26, 2012

Jamie was able to fly over to the US a few short months after we began dating. July was there before we knew it. He stayed for 6 weeks and we had a blast getting to know each other as "boyfriend and girlfriend". I realized how very much we'd both changed in the past two years. We spent a lot of time with my family, giving Jamie, and them, a chance to get to know each other. We spent a week in our favorite little town, South Haven, right on Lake Michigan, we took a few road trips to St. Louis and Kentucky to see my sisters. With the exception of this year, last summer was the best one of my life. Falling in love is one of the most amazing things ever! :D Here are some photos of our summer together.

We were also maid of honor and best man in Douglas and Magdalen's (our older siblings) wedding.

                                           And then.....we had to say goodbye. Again!

I left Australia, again, but this time for the last time. We decided the wedding would be on June 1st. The following months were full of planning and organizing, working long hours, especially for Jamie, and trying our best to talk every day. Which proves to be very difficult with a 14 hour time difference and totally unpredictable internet reception. But I will say, "THANK THE GOOD LORD IN HEAVEN FOR IPHONES AND SKYPE AND THE LAMEST MOST AMAZING APP, VIBER!".  

Next blog: Wedding, Honeymoon and the Big Move

What Brought Me Here: Part I

Jamie Edward Davidson. I first met my tall, olive complected, crooked smile, golden eyed, kind and gentle man in June of 2010. I was 19 and Jamie had just turned  21. I traveled to Australia to visit a pen-pal I'd been writing to since I was 14. Through an odd twist of fate, we met through a friend of a friend of a friend and quickly clicked. Things with said pen-pal ended in pretty....awkward way. Jamie's mother insisted I stayed the rest of my time in Australia with her and her family. The short month I was in Brisbane flew by. Jamie and I spent almost every day together. We went camping, skydiving, visited an amusement park, a rain forest and a zoo. The list goes on! Here are a few photos of our time together.

              Photo credit goes to Jamie's brother who took it upon himself photograph the two of us THE entire time I was in Brisbane, haha.

One of my favorite photos :)

By the time I left, I was sure of my feelings but had put it out of my head as an option. I despised the idea of a long distance relationship. Aside from that, I was completely and utterly unaware that he had any interest in me, whatsoever. Which seems silly in retrospect....especially after seeing these photos.When I border my flight back to the States, I cried. I didn't think I'd see him again. If only I had know what would be coming :D

........To be continued.

A New Beginning

Well, here I am. Sitting in my living room in our little house located in Loganlea, a small suburb of Brisbane in the sunburnt country, Australia.

Its been 9 weeks, to the day, since I made the hardest, most exciting, rewarding, bravest and wonderful choice to marry my love, leave my small hometown of West Lafayette, my family and everything I knew to move across a continent and ocean and make this place my home.

I'm hoping this blog inspires and challenges those who read and follow my journey in settling into a newly married life and culture. 

I'll be posting stories and pictures, hopes and dreams, challanges and joys of everyday life. 

So here's to a new beginning. A new chapter. A new life. The best is yet to come!