****WARNING: I will be exploding heaps of typeface onto this first blog. I haven’t even started yet and I know it’s gonna be a book….
I’ve had brief moments of “what are you doing, Joylynn” throughout my life. I was sprawled out on the Manly Ferry on Australia day, trying very hard NOT to put my feet on the seat across from me (yes it is against the rules, yes I have gotten chastised for doing it). I had just left behind the “no shoes, no worries” of Manly and was heading into the first part of my last leg to Sydney’s western ‘burbs. All about were blue flag bedazzled Australians crazed with the excitement of celebrating their country. Now, none of my Aussie friends can tell me why January 26th is Austalia Day. No historical significance apparently. But that in and off itself is Australia. It is a land of celebration and, what’s more, celebration for the sake of high spirits (and spirits in general) and frivolity. I, myself, nearly shouted out “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” in response to the overly animated “cheerleader” Australians on the rival ferry but realized my American accent would call me out. I laughed out loud at my silliness, our collective silliness.
My brief moment of “freak out” had come about a week earlier, as I prepared myself to leave, yet again, the faces (and warm embraces when they let me) of all “my people” for the newest adventure. Unlike four months earlier, I’d be making this latest trip to the Down Under on my own. And I would be living in an unknown family’s home. And I would be away from the travelers’ hub bubs, so making fast food quick friends would not be happening. I live a spirited life, occasionally a brave one, but the sudden idea of having a very holey support net made me freak. Not to mention, I felt as though I was leaving a bunch of loves in a bit of lurch with my impending absence. For years I’ve designed my life to fit around the joys and sorrows of those I care about. Did I really want to miss weddings and proposals and late night girl fests and moves and birthdays and graduations and, God forbid, tragedies???
As my feet somehow made it to the seat across from me without me allowing them to, I looked up from my lovely Ann Lamot book, to see a father (grandfather?) follow a chubby toddler all about the ferry. The man is only three or so steps behind, letting the young one explore all the crannies of our vessel. He doesn’t stifle the little footsteps but he definitely doesn’t take his eyes from his precious little guy. I had noticed them earlier. The father had plopped the boy down and gave him some home packed breakfast of some sort. The two of them munched together happily. Now, the father scooped him up and began to thoroughly wipe sunblock from ear tips to chubby big toes. The little boy just sat on his lap and smiled contentedly. The thought popped into my head. THIS is the real life illustration of God being my daddy through this all. His sunblocked covered hands have been all over this latest adventure from its birth.
One Sunday in early December, I found myself feeling extremely frustrated with how stuck I felt in my current life situation. Nothing seemed right in a place that was so right before my first Australia trip. So, I started cruising an au pair website I had signed up for back in September when I first got back from Australia. Literally, hours later a family contacted me, interested in me to work for them as an au pair. A few emails later and a skype interview, I had a job halfway around the world. In less than a week. The visa took 24 hours. The plane ticket was inexpensive (as international travel goes). I would arrive in time for Australia Day. I could stay with my dear friends in L.A on my way out of the States. My beautiful cousin, who I never see nearly enough, volunteered to pick me up at LAX and treat me to dinner (along with her very impressive new diamond ring and equally impressive fiancé). Two brilliant gentlemen mates assured me they would pick me at the Sydney airport after my long weary hours of travel and safely deliver me to Manly. Another friend from my Outback workdays made room for me on her double mattress to rest for my first days back in the “Holy Land.” Um yeah. No need to freak out, ay?
I had someone following three steps behind me and, of course, three steps ahead. In 24 hours before I left, I had a sequence of fortunate events that made me just sit contentedly. I was invited to an Aussie Day BBQ. My best friend and his fiancée had me over for a breakfast of champions. Starbucks, quickly followed by outrageous telling of black listed stories to my friend’s boyfriend, thrown in with some laughing faces of my closest Sioux Fallsians, mixed together a joyous farewell brew. And as I burned the midnight lights, one kindred spirit curled up on my bed, telling me to definitely bring two pairs of high heels. My parents bestowed upon me St. Christopher, the Saint of travelers, and a prayer for safety and serendipity. The security check kept me from tears. My cell phone warned off loneliness.
I laugh and shake my head at my own worries. Why am I always amazed by how well loved I am? Once more, is that it doesn’t stop there. Oh no. It all exceeds my humanly hopes. Little moments along the way that have bolstered my strength. Travelers who become my friends and a part of my story. Residents of Australia who embrace me into their homeland. Amelia taking me dancing and us having to make a run for it when a guy was mad about her drink being spilled on him. Rescue missions for “family” in icky circumstances. Walking for 30 minutes because the bus failed to come and knowing its worth it when I see Yvonne waiting outside of Maca’s. A splendid Barbie on a super hot day. Bubz keeping me company and chuckling at my pineapple cutting skills. Christine and I talking about the wonderful world of nursing (because I failed at talking about WoW), even though she doubted my coolness after discovering my love for “Twilight.” Trying to sing with Sam for Wii Guitar Hero (“trying” is so key here). Finding a kindred moment with Riaaz. Knowing in my gut the family I live with are good people. Successfully driving on the left side of the road. Skyping at 6 a.m (with crazy hair and sleepy eyes). with best friends when I needed to just hear the voice of someone who “sees” me (Avatar reference anyone? Love it). And all of those mini stories could have their own chronicle. Wow. The meaning of “no worries.”
I put on my running shoes today and the song I started pumping my legs to had my flinging out my arms and raising my face. My ipod shuffled me to “Run” by Snow Patrol.
“Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannont hear my voice
I’ll be right beside you, dear”
This is my adventure, my latest moments of inspiration and intrigue. As if I had a choice.
;)
As Chris suggested, I’ll be doing a bit of a Colbert report rip off to end my blog…
“That’s Brilliant” award goes to the ginger haired kid getting his hair cut today. His red hair was cut all asymmetrical and haphazard in the Aussie style I’ve come to love. Why is that only Aussies can really pull that off?
“Lame as” award (yes there is only suppose to be one “s” there) goes to the driver that honked at me in the roundabout yesterday. You were going waaayyyyy too fast. Who thought roundabouts were a good idea anyway? Or driving on the left side of the road?
