Packing up

Every time I pack I realize just how much stuff I have an how little I really need. I'm planning on spending a month in San Francisco (my visa got delayed) and six months in Australia bringing only one suitcase and a backpack, as well as a laptop. I will still probably end up bringing too much stuff. That's the thing about stuff - it weighs you down and makes it harder to move around. I remember this every time I travel and forget about all the things I keep around my house for no apparent reason. One day perhaps I'll improve and actually throw things away, rather than just moan about putting it all in boxes. I'm doing a better job than I have in the past, but the idea of putting everything I own in boxes and suitcases is paralyzing.

I know from experience, though, that once I leave I won't think at all about any of the things I've left behind. I might long for the people and the places but none of the stuff is essential. Perhaps when I get back I'll pare down my possessions to 100 or 200 and emulate minimalist bloggers and people who make that a priority.

The issue I've always thought would hinder me is the lack of colorful options available when you cut your stuff. At that point it makes sense to wear only gray and black and decorate your home in a few colors, but that doesn't jive with my personality and has always interfered. I'm realizing that's a thin excuse and I should get a better one, or walk the talk and cut back to the essentials: some clothes, a cast iron pan, a computer, and some headphones. And all my glasses - beer just doesn't taste the same out of anything else. 

I'm moving!

If you're reading this it's likely true you've already received the below email, but I figured I needed to get back into the swing of things here. 

‘Ello mates!

For those of you who don’t understand the above reference, I am excited to share some news: I’ve just accepted a six month transfer to Sydney, Australia. I’ll be continuing to work at the same company, but working from home in our Australian office, which will consist of me and my manager (and and a computer and hopefully a view of the ocean - there's no physical location).

The biggest "downside" to this arrangement is the timing: I’ll be there July to December, which turns out to be winter down under. Fortunately I’ve head Australian winter is comparable to winter in California, so I don’t expect it to impact my beachgoing too much.

I’m eagerly anticipating a change of pace and the opportunity to live abroad (and maybe less than eagerly anticipating both packing up my apartment here and the plane flight), and look forward to exploring a new place. Before I get there, though, I thought I’d ask my current friends for help finding new ones.

1. Do you have friends/siblings/college roommates/third cousins/a guy you met on the bus one time who live in Australia/have even been to Australia/know where Australia is located on a map? Dig up those email addresses and introduce me! I would really appreciate it. I know zero people in the whole country and I can’t even think of anyone I know who lives within a 10 hour plane flight (this is a lie: it’s only 9 hours and 40 minutes to Tokyo! Emily Coleman, how long are you staying?)

2. Would you like a post card from down under? Reply to this email with your mailing address and your wish is my command (but not for a few more months, unless you request one from DC or whatever airport I connect through to get there).

3. The blog’s coming back! There are no new posts yet (ed. note: this is now false, but it's not a true new post given that it's been sent out in email form) but feel free to look back and relive my time in Asia (or experience it for the first time if we weren’t friends before). I anticipate this will be a good way to keep track of me from 17 time zones away. (kidding, it’s only 14 if you live on the East coast!)
Finally, I really wouldn’t have even applied, and certainly wouldn’t be moving to the other side of the earth, without all of you and your support up until now – even if you didn’t know you helped! Thank you!