The End

Well this is it.

The end to what was, without a doubt, the best year of my life.

[This was written over multiple sessions and is all over the place but oh well, I sort of tried. And I'm back as of last Thursday.]

The amount that I want to be going back to the states is virtually 0.  The one thing I'm looking forward to is seeing my friends but aside from that, in no way shape or form do I want to be going back.  It feels a bit like I'm coming back from uni for summer break except I don't get to return. I've established a great little life here and really do not want to go back to the land of $8 an hour work, crazy high rent, hipsters, astronomical health care costs, and now Emperor Trump.

Because I've been asked this a million times, no, I can't stay.  Permanently moving to another country is not something you can just do.  You have to deal with visas and unfortunately it is very hard to get a permanent visa for Australia.  There are a few ways it can be done which I will pretty much be devoting every free second of my life to trying to accomplish. I can come back for up to 3 months at a time on a tourist visa but you can't work while you're a tourist which makes things hard. The visa I was on is a one time deal so I can't do that again. So if any Aussies reading this hear of a job that would sponsor, or wants to be business partners and open something up, I'll be on the next plane there (seriously though - that's a 100% genuine statement).

I remember returning to Adelaide from my trip to Queensland. I was getting excited because it felt like I was coming home. I then had a terrifying realization that even though it felt that way, I'm not allowed to stay. The same thing happened when I got back from Kangaroo Island (haven't updated this in a long time - I went to KI).  I'm well aware this is sounding like the biggest first world problem but this really is hard.

It's so frustrating that because I was born in a certain place, I'm not allowed to live in another.  That's not to say the US is bad but from the start I've felt so comfortable in Australia.  I feel like I get along so much better with Australians.  The laid back style of life, casual attitude, and especially the sense of humour, are some of the things I'm going to miss the most. I've lived in 4 different cities around North America, Europe, and Australia, and Adelaide has by far been the one I could actually see myself living in long term.

This was the first time doing everything completely on my own. I had some help at the start getting logistical stuff together but after that, I figured everything out by myself.  This was also the first time I was completely financially independent as well and it was a great feeling.

Like I expected, this experience wasn't always easy.  There were some very hard times, especially towards the beginning. At the end of December/start of January, I seriously considered going back to the states. I was living in a hostel, had an exhausting job that barely paid the rent with no money left for anything else, had nothing to do during the days, and at times was overwhelmed with a feeling of loneliness.

Things got better though.  I moved into a house, found a much more appealing job which allowed me to quit the other, started to meet some new people, and was settling in. Everything seemed great until the housing situation fell through without much time to find a new arrangement.  With only days before I had to move, I found an even better house in a great location with the best housemates I could ever ask for.

I did most of my travelling when I was here last year but did make it to Cairns this time around and got to swim at the Great Barrier Reef.  But besides that, the day to day life was such a unique experience. Just heading out to bars in town with old and new friends was always such a great time. My original plan going into this was to work for 6 months and then travel the rest of my time.  I got so settled into life that I wanted to make the most out of living in Adelaide.  Plus, as I have discovered over the course of this year, I'm not a massive fan of solo travel.  It's fun every once in a while but I like to have someone else with me.

One of the biggest reasons I came over to Australia and pretty much the only reason I went to Adelaide was so I could spend more time with two people I met at CSU. They were only there for about 5 months and that just wasn't enough time for me. Although there were some speed bumps along the way, I feel like I got much closer to both of them and will forever be appreciative of having Liam and Vlad as friends.

So what's next for me? Please don't ask. I have no idea and being reminded of that constantly doesn't really help. My goal is to get back to Australia once a year.  The ultimate goal is to figure out how to live in Australia permanently. Like I said, I will be on the next plane back the instant I can make it happen.

With that said, although there are too many to name, a few of my favourite memories that come to mind:

• Walking in thongs with some red tinnies looking at rock faces in the hills
• Weekend at Marion Bay
• Australia Day  (+ carrying the West End case down Stephen Terrace)
• Watching local Saturday footy and later abusing monopoly money at the footy club
• Lucky's Beach Club
• My birthday evening/night
• Last day at the RCC
• Convincing people I was a pong champion at a housewarming
• My housewarming party
• Connect 4 at the Woody
• Jessica not putting us on the list

There are some people I have to thank without whom this experience would not have been what it was:

First off, yet again my Aunt Cindi for hooking me up with some crazy flight deals. Money would have been much tighter at the beginning if I had to pay full price to get there/back.

Second, the Rella family, who welcomed me into their home for about a month and continued to be absolutely wonderful the whole time I was in Australia.

The Rella Clan (minus Amy and Shane)

Third, but probably the most important, is Liam.  This guy is the definition of an absolute legend.  He went out of his way so many times to help me with logistical things, invited me to do stuff with him and his friends, helped me move, hooked me up with free drinks on nights out, was always down to do anything, and was just a fantastic all around friend.  I 100% think I wouldn't have made it the year without him. Liam, there are really no words to describe how thankful I am for everything you did for me and I'm going to miss you like crazy. Hopefully I'll be seeing you soon.

A little rough at this point in the night. Best housewarming of all time.

Next, and along the same lines, are Liam's friends who were all so welcoming and genuinely nice people. Oh boy moving to the other side of the world by yourself can sure be lonely. Having people to socialize with really helped. Kieran, Henry and Jono specifically, you guys are awesome.

Jono in the back, Kieran, Liam

I also have to give a shout out to my workmates at Scroll.  I met some pretty cool people there and made some good friends.  Special mention to Lynn and Linda because they asked me to.

Linda and Lynn

The bosses

And lastly my Gilles St. housemates. I can't believe how incredibly lucky I got with my housing situation. After moving around the city, living in 4 different places, I ended up with the most amazing, friendly, awesome, and best housemates I could have ever asked for. Haydn and Cassie, you guys are freaking incredible and I'll miss you both terribly! Thanks for all the laughs, nights in, nights out, card games, Survivor/Bachelor viewings, and so much more. I expect you both to visit me in the states ASAP. And an invite to any special "celebrations" that might happen in the future...and Cassie I look forward to you being my boss at Society when the time comes 'cough' 'cough.'

Quite possibly the grossest picture of all time but I kind of love it. Me, Vlad, Cass, Haydos

Alright well the tears are starting to form so let's wrap this up.

Thanks to everyone I met this past year. I miss you all already. I'll be back as soon as possible to sleep on all of your couches.  If anyone is coming to the states, let me know and we'll have heaps of fun. Please stay in touch!

That's all for now, Australia.  Bye.    :(

Guns

From a modern day context, the second amendment is one of the dumbest things that has ever happened in the US (and that's saying something). If you're a gun nut, stay with me for a minute because there's some videos I want you to watch.

Last Sunday I stayed up all night watching a live stream of some news station in Orlando, Florida covering the horrific and tragic shootings that happened on back to back days.  As it should, whenever these things happen (which is way too often), I get incredibly mad/angry/frustrated/depressed/disheartened. 

The actual event is awful but the thing that usually hits me even harder is when I make the terrible decision to read comments on articles covering the event.  On any article about a shooting, gun control will be brought up.  The ignorant, hateful, idiotic, non-logical, paranoid, responses so many people write are disgusting.  When the best answer someone opposed to gun control can give is "it just won't work" even when they are presented with real world cases and evidence, you have no argument.  

The case against gun control just makes absolutely no logical sense.  I was going to write a long piece about why I hate guns and why they should be banned but figured I wouldn't be putting out anything that hasn't already been said.  Instead I'm going to give you two clips of Australian comedian Jim Jefferies talking about guns in the US.  I remember watching these when they first came out.  Everything he says I 100% agree with and is what I would have written but he makes it hilarious whereas mine would have been a frustrated rant.  

A few warnings before watching: If you get offended by swearing, don't watch.  The guy is Australian and uses a word Americans tend to freak out over but it is said a lot here and really isn't a big deal.  Also, he is making jokes about shootings so if you're sensitive, maybe don't watch.  If you're someone who thinks people should be allowed to own guns, Mr. Jefferies will shoot down your arguments so I hope you do partake.

That said, enjoy:

I'll leave you with one last thought: If being able to own a gun is more important to you than potentially someone's life, you might want to rethink your views.

That's all for now.  Bye.

David Down Under - Back to the States

Well I'm back in Oregon. I normally try and keep these things fairly upbeat but I'm going to be completely honest.  I really don't want to be here. 

The day before I left, Vlad and I went to a dessert cafe called Chocolate Tree.  It lived up to its name.  I drank probably the best hot chocolate I've ever had and devoured a chocolate and strawberry waffle.  The sugar coma was great.

The next day we headed into town for some last minute souvenir shopping and Vlad had to go to a class.  Later that night we went out with Charlotte to a few bars.  Adelaide sure is wild on Tuesdays (sarcasm is hard to come across in writing) but it was a good time.  The rest of the night we stayed up, officially making this a tradition (we stayed up all night before Vlad left the US).

From the first day I got to Australia, I felt at home.  Australia is kind of like a hybrid of the US and the UK.  More specifically, from the time I spent in Adelaide, parts of it almost felt like a bigger version of Fort Collins.  I love it. 

It's not only the big things like getting to see my best friend everyday or traveling around doing incredible things that I'm going to miss, it's also a lot of the small things.  For example, I'm eating Tim Tams and watching Kath and Kim while writing this.  Won't be able to do that much longer.  When I woke up this morning (or night because my sleep is so off) I was craving an ice coffee and a meat pie.  Also seeing completely different wildlife than I'm used to like birds and possums (and Ziggy).
 

As bummed as I am to be back, what a unique experience this was. Yes, I was in Australia and got to go to 4 states which was amazing enough as it is but I also got to live with an Australian family for roughly a month.  Not only that but I got glimpses of Serbian life as well since they are Serbian.  Not many people get the chance to live with a family from another country and see day to day life.  Because of this, the only people I met were Australian (I only talked to 1 American the whole time which was wonderful). 

So some things that have really confused me about the US now that I've been to Australia:

• Chip and pin cards.  Seriously, why is this not a thing here yet?  The card I used had a chip but no pin which made it a crap shoot if it would work in machines.  I'm pretty sure the US is one of the only places in the world to not have this.
• Metro cards in Portland.  How is it that a city which is supposed to be ultra green and environmentally friendly still uses paper tickets for public transit?  Spend a little money and put in card readers!
• Censorship on TV.  People swear on Australian TV all the time.  I think some of it has to do with the time the show is airing but TV in the US is so restricted with what is allowed to be said/shown.  Lighten up!
• Tim Tams.  Not much else to be said.  Why do we not have these?
• Rounding up change.  There's no equivalent to a penny in Australia.  Their smallest coin is five cent.  If something costs $5.99, you give $6. 
• Kind of on the same line, they include their "sales tax" in the price so you know what you'll pay when you get to the register.
• For fear of starting a debate, I'm just going to say the minimum wage in Australia is $17.29... 
• Airport security. 
• Radio stations are way better.

I don't want to sound like I'm completely hating on the US so there are a few things I do like in comparison:

• Customer service is much more a thing here.
• Everything is cheaper (but let's think about minimum wage again...).
• People in general are a little more aware of things they say
• You can use your card pretty much anywhere on anything without charges.
• Being able to buy heaps of different things in the same store.

No words will ever be enough to say this properly but a massive thanks to the whole Zecevic clan who are some of the nicest, genuine, funny, and friendly people I have ever met.  Giving me a bed to stay in, copious (and I mean copious) amounts of food, driving and picking me up from the airport and other places, the list of thank yous goes on and on.  I feel like I have a new home/family now and will 100% be back.

Also, this is kind of weird but it was on my mind.  Thanks to CSU.  Without that school, I would never have met Vlad which means I probably would never have done any of this.  That and they don't put expiration dates on their student IDs and I got away with saving a ton of money using mine on concession tickets because of it.

Start of the shrine

The jet lag hit pretty hard coming back which has made me stay up all night thinking about some scenarios.  If certain things go according to plan, I will be returning a whole lot sooner than I originally thought...

That's it for David Down Under (I cringe every time I read that)...for the moment.

That's all for now.  Bye.


Oh wait one more thing!  I completely forgot to post this when it got put up but here's the little video Vlad and I filmed in Sydney.



Ok now that's all for now.  Bye.