Sydney sees RED

Yes. This seriously happened.


Wednesday, September 23rd, Sydney was blanketed with a thick dust storm that pushed air pollution levels 1500 times their normal levels and covered half of NSW. It started hundreds of kilometers inland when dry top soil was scooped from the earth and pushed by huge gusts of wind to the east.







I can't even begin to explain what it was like waking up at 5:30am to an orange glow coming through the windows. It was like waking up on Mars. Almost felt like it was the end of the world. I've never experienced anything like it... and probably won't ever again. But it's pretty cool to say that I did.

home{heart}sick

"Everyday there's a [girl] in the mirror asking me what are you doing here?
Finding all my previous motives growing increasingly unclear."

{Homesick}Kings of Convenience

I've been in somewhat of a homesick funk this past month or two. It's a strange feeling, really. I feel torn. I miss my friends and family but I'm loving the environment in which I live in. Knowing that I may never get another opportunity to live overseas keeps me from going "home." My mind continues to question my reason for staying. My heart persistently evaluates my level of happiness. Is staying what I really want? Each time my heart and my mind come to the same conclusion...

I'm exactly where God wants me to be.

BUT. This understanding doesn't take away the heaviness in my heart from missing my people back home and the huge milestones that are taking place while I'm absent from their lives. It hurts knowing that their lives are moving along without me there, but I remind myself something bigger is at work here and there's a purpose to all this. It excites me to know that I'm a different person than the one who moved halfway around the world 7 months ago. Even though I don't have a clue what's next for me, there's a bit of adventure in the unknown. I'll continue to figure out and grow into the woman God has created me to be and love knowing that He takes care of me and loves me every step of the way.

"Sometimes I wonder where I've been,
Who I am? Do I fit in?
I may not win but I can't be thrown
Out here on my own."

{Out Here On My Own}Sarah Blasko

It's the little things...

Route 387. Back of a crowded bus. People watching never gets old.

A well-dressed man stands in the aisle with 2 bags of groceries in his left hand while he uses his right hand to brace himself on the pole next to him. His girlfriend sits in the seat below holding shopping bags on her lap. As the bus momentarily stops, he reaches down with his right hand, fingers slightly curved, and lightly caresses her dark hair. She casually glances up to see the devotion in his eyes with complete contentment in his face.

Such a small, simple gesture. No one else on the bus may have noticed. But I did. And just like that... it took me back. And my eyes welled up with tears.

One year ago...

It was today, on this very day, my life changed... one year ago.

{week 1} California Girl receives email from Aussie Boy.

{week 13} Aussie Boy visits California Girl... love blossoms.

{week 22} California Girl moves halfway around world for Aussie Boy.

{week 28} Aussie Boy breaks California Girl's heart... into a million pieces.

{week 28 1/2} California Girl slowly picks up pieces -- devasted, lost, and alone.

{week 32} California Girl packs up for New Zealand to travel with SD Girl.

{week 36} California Girl and SD Girl explore NSW and QLD.

{week 42} California Girl makes Sydney her home [away from home].