When I left home in 2008 I wasn't sure when I would be back (or if), but I did have some vague idea that I might come home at the end of 2009. I did go home for Christmas, but I wasn't officially "back". I realized some time ago that it would be a waste of my Australian visa to leave so soon, especially since I am enjoying myself down under and have a job to keep me going. Also, I still have not been to New Zealand and it seems like passing up a perfect opportunity were I to NOT visit it - I'd probably never forgive myself for passing up the chance to go there, particularly since it's a country I have been wanting to visit for years. So, since it seemed once again that I wasn't sure when I'd be coming home to stay, I decided that I would take what time I could at the end of December to go home and see my family and friends.
Despite the initial shock of feeling cold weather for the first time after spending over a year in tropical or sub-tropical countries, it was amazing to be home and wrapped in comfortable familiarity, especially at Christmas. It's strange, but with people who you are really close to, it's so easy to pick up where you left off it almost feels like you never left. But then later as I looked back over some pictures with my family it almost seemed unreal how long I'd been gone. In fact, before I went home I designed a photo book featuring pictures from all the places I went. It was quite something to go through all my pictures - with so many memories and crazy experiences packed into the past year and bit I had forgotten some already.
I got to catch up with nearly all of my family and most of my friends at some point during the two weeks I was home, and enjoy what turned out to be lovely, wet, west coast Christmas at home - big tree, turkey stuffing and all. I am grateful to all and anyone who came to see me at late notice or odd hours - it turns out that two weeks was pushing it in terms of giving me enough time to see everyone I wanted.
Now I am Korea, still visiting family in fact. Since I was going halfway around the world anyway I figured I should make the most of it and visit my brother in Korea. Due to his work schedule he couldn't make it home for the holidays, and you could argue that Korea is sort of on the way back to Australia anyway. All I can say is that it's a good thing I decided to visit Jordan after going home, because it's way colder here, and I probably would have died of shock rather than just caught a cold had I not been slightly acclimatised from my visit to Victoria. I had to buy a coat, fleece gloves and long johns at the markets here because the clothes I brought with me just aren't warm enough, no matter how many layers I have on. Despite the cold I have still managed to see some of the sights in Seoul, and hopefully those will include a visit to the school where Jordan teaches tomorrow!
I have less than a week left here in Seoul now, and then I'll be heading back to Brisbane, which I guess makes this more of a "There and back, and back there again" story. I will continue working for USM Events where I am now a paid employee (yeay!), and living at the same place as I was before, although due to visa restrictions I can no longer work at the bike shop. This should suit me fine though, since I've been wanting more time off to see more of Australia. I have about four months left on my current visa, so hopefully I should have time to go on a few trips, not to mention put to good use all my skills for traveling cheap and living on a budget!
It is possible to obtain an extension on a working-holiday visa in Australia, but I don't think I meet the criteria so I will likely leave once my visa runs out at the end of April. Besides, with all these hobbity references it can't be hard to see that I have New Zealand on my mind. I'm not sure how long I will stay there, it depends if I need to work or not, and if I do what kind of work I can find - we'll just have to see how things go.
If anyone wants to have a look at the travel photo book I created you can see it at www.blurb.com, just search my name and it should come up. I will try to get a link up on my blog soon. If you are reading this and are someone I met while traveling, take a look - you may be in it!
In the mean time I better get to bed if I am to face a class of Korean school children tomorrow. As for the pictures below, the first four are from Korea, and the rest are from Christmas at home, and visits with family and friends. Hope everyone had as wonderful a holiday season as I did. Blog to you soon,
Carla
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