What’s changed?
- I said farewell to many friends, including Heather, Michelle, Jana and Adam.
- I took day trips to Palm Beach and Kiama.
- I saw my idol, Anthony Bourdain, at the Sydney Writers’ Festival.
- I spent two weeks in Hawaii, which I’m sure you already know about by now.
- I saw celebrity chef Toby Puttock at the Good Food and Wine Show.
- I celebrated American Independence Day with an outlandish party at City Hotel.
- I turned 23.
The last six months by the numbers
Items gained: too many
- 2 long sleeved shirts, 1 sweater and 1 pair of jeans from Cotton On (it’s getting chilly!)
- a whole lotta books (see below)
- birthday presents, including a new pair of boots
- a coat, jacket and e-reader sent from home
Items lost: 5
- that black t-shirt I bought in Melbourne now has 6 holes in it, so it’s getting the boot, along with my pair of black flats and potentially my Toms
- a pair of too-big black pants, as well as donated items from my roommate that didn’t fit
Books read: 10
- Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Helen Fielding: Decidedly unlike the movie version, I purchased this book for $1.50 at my local Vinnies. A good chick lit read.
- A Long Way Down, Nick Hornby: I borrowed this one from my roomies. It’s about a bunch of people who go to the top of a London building on New Years Eve to jump off, but decide not to and form an unlikely friendship.
- Brothers in Arms, Lindsay Simpson and Sandra Harvey: Another bikie book (I know, I know), this one is about a Father’s Day massacre between the rivaling Bandido and Comanchero motorcycle clubs in the Sydney suburb of Bankstown.
- Summer and the City, Candace Bushnell: The next book following The Carrie Diaries, this book describes the summer Carrie spends in a writing program, becoming friends with Samantha and Miranda.
- Lies Chelsea Handler Told Me, Chelsea Handler and Friends: I have an affinity for all things Chelsea and this was no different, even though she did not write it herself. This is the memoirs of her friends, family and co-workers who have had to suffer her pranks and lies. It made for a funny read.
- A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson: I borrowed this from Sammi while in Hawaii. While I’m not the outdoorsy one of the family, Bryson’s account almost made me want to hike the Appalachian Trail. Almost.
- This Charming Man, Marian Keyes: I almost read this book on the Melbourne road trip, until the flood molded it. I bought another copy for $7.00 in Hawaii and read it in a few days. It seems like a typical chick lit book, but has a domestic violence story line that makes it even more interesting.
- Sisterhood Everlasting, Ann Brashares: Sammi told me about this book and I can honestly say it’s not what I expected. The earlier books in the series have serious moments, but are light-hearted at their core. This book is significantly more intense and grown-up, to suit the characters, ten years after the last book. I’m still deciding how I feel about it, but I recommend reading to find out for yourself.
- The Castaways, Elin Hilderbrand: It’s a beach read mom bought to read in Hawaii that I took back to Australia so I wouldn’t spend so much money on books (even though I still have). It’s about 4 couples living in Nantucket, whose lives are all intertwined in a friendcestuous way, until one couple dies in a tragic accident and they all have to figure out what happened to them and where to go next.
- Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer: I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book, since it was released over ten years ago and a movie was made since. It tells the story of Chris McCandless’ sojourn into the Alaskan wilderness and his ultimate demise. I can’t help but feel a kinship with someone who leaves his comfortable lifestyle in search of adventure. If you haven’t read it yet, go out and immediately buy it.
Beers tasted: 4
- James Golden Sundowner Ale
- Firefly
- Fat Yak Pale Ale
- Dogbolter Dark Ale
- many more Hawaiian brews, including pretty much all of Kona’s offerings
States/territories visited: None, but lots coming up!
Life list items crossed off: None to speak of, but worked on a few partials.
- #25. Visit 5 breweries: Kona Brewing Company, Kona, Big Island, Hawaii
- #26. Visit all 50 states: Hawaii
Budget
I didn’t have to pay for hardly anything while in Hawaii, so that saved me some money, but since I wasn’t working during that time I basically broke even. I’m saving up for my trip to Uluru, so my spending will hopefully decrease.
Spending
- January: $369.12
- February: $1,730.70
- March: $1,261.26
- April: $1,893.24
- May: $2,108.56
- June: $1,342.41
- TOTAL: $8,705.29
Earning
- March: $1,488.87
- April: $1,509.49
- May: $2,052.92
- June: $740.04
- July: $1,895.01
What’s next?
- My friends Christine and Joey are coming to visit Sydney!
- Leaving my beloved job at CHB
- A trip to Uluru via Alice Springs through Groovy Grape Getaways
- My epic road trip to Cairns and back on Greyhound Australia
I think that sufficiently covers the past six months. If you have any questions for me, visit my Contact page!
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*I have placed Amazon affiliate links in this post for your convenience. If you are thinking about buying any of the books I’ve recommended, buying through my aStore will give me a tiny percentage. Thanks!*
Sounds like a pretty great first 6 months! I really like how you did this post, too — really gives us a feel of what you’ve been up to!
Here’s hoping your next 6 months are even better!
Thanks Amanda! Haha I probably share a little too much. Not sure anyone cares what books I’ve read or how many t-shirts I’ve bought since I’ve been here.
Congrats on your anniversary! A lot accomplished :)
Thanks Lauren! It’s been a great six months! Looking forward to hanging out with you hoodlums for another six.
Can’t believe you have been here for six months already! Boy does time fly. Sounds like it has been fun. Here’s to the next 6 months
Caz, I know! It seems like just yesterday, I was stumbling into Travel Tribe, trying to match Twitter pics to faces!
yay! 6 months! Can’t wait for you to go to Uluru as we didn’t make it there and I want to hear your thoughts on the trip.
Jade, I’m so excited! It’s definitely going to feel like I’m in Australia! No escaping it.
Sounds like a fun 6 months. How long is left on your visa?
Adam, I’ve technically got til Jan. 24, but I am leaving Dec. 1 to be back in time for my baby sister’s uni graduation!
We have such similar taste in books! I have read half the books on your list (and currently reading Summer and the City!!) and the other half are on my request list. I saw Into The Wild with my sister when she came to visit me in NZ and we both loved it and the book has been on my request list forever. I really need to get on that like now.
I did the exact same traveling you did and can’t wait to hear how it compares!
Have a great time!!
I loved Summer and the City! Apparently they are making them into movies.
Into the Wild is a great book. Jon Krakauer also wrote a couple of other good ones- Into Thin Air (about Mount Everest), Under the Banner of Heaven (an expose on the Mormon faith) and Where Men Win Glory (The Pat Tillman Story). He’s one of my favorite writers and my only complaint is he takes a long time between books. Bill Bryson is another one of my favorite, and I agree with you- A Walk in the Woods almost makes me want to hike the Appalachian Trail.
I’ve enjoyed following your Australian adventure! Can’t wait to read the posts about the Red Centre!
I can’t wait to read the rest of Krakauer’s books, although I don’t think any of his topics excited me as much as the Chris McCandless story.
Wow congrats! What an exciting six months! Looking forward to your upcoming adventures.
Thanks guys! Loving all the nice comments. I should spend six months in a country more often.
6 months already?! I guess so :-)
I’m really excited for your upcoming travels. Are you going solo, is Tommy joining, and/or do you have partners for different parts of the trip?
Nope going solo! I’m very excited to get back into it!
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