Moving Out and Moving On
A lamb meat pie from a market in Canberra
The past two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind. My life has changed so quickly, and I have not even had the time to fully process everything. I have moved twice in just two weeks: first, a 10-hour road trip from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Lexington, Kentucky, followed by a 36-hour plane ride from Lexington to Canberra, Australia. Moving twice in such a short span felt surreal. With so much happening, it is almost like watching my life unfold on a movie screen. Being in a completely new country has my brain in overdrive, trying to absorb everything I have experienced.
Over the last year, I lived with my older sister and her husband. It was an amazing time, especially since my sister and I had not lived together in 11 years. This was the first time we have lived together as adults. We have always been close, but living together allowed us to grow even closer—not just as sisters, but also as friends. I realized how much I missed being around her and how much we have both grown as individuals. She has been more than just an incredible sister; she has been a mentor of sorts, helping me become more independent.
Our time together gave me the chance to reflect on who I am and what I want from life. I have learned a lot about myself—from my strengths to areas I need to work on—and for that, I am deeply grateful. Saying goodbye is hard after getting so used to having her around, but it is comforting to know we have strengthened our relationship in ways I had not anticipated. And then, there is my brother-in-law. Over the past year, he has become more than just my sister’s husband; he is like another older brother and my go-to foodie companion.
But now, it is time for me to move on and start a new chapter of my life. As I write this, I have been in Canberra, Australia, for four days, settling into my new role as an Au Pair. While the experience has been intense and full of culture shock, it has also been exhilarating. In just a few days, I have explored parts of the city, tried delicious meat pies, and discovered the magic of flat white coffees (and no, I am not addicted to coffee… yet). Most importantly, I have met my host family, and they have been nothing short of wonderful.
The kids I am caring for are full of energy and constantly keep me on my toes, but they have also been a joy to be around. Their parents have welcomed me with open arms, making this transition much easier than I expected.
Moving to a new country was daunting, but I already feel a sense of belonging here. The future is uncertain, but I am excited for the adventure ahead. Next on my to-do list: learning to drive on the left side of the road.
