Australian Expats: A Year Away From Home!

Pop the champagne! Sprinkle the confetti! It’s a celebration on the blog today as I have now been away from the sandy shores of Australia for one year. Which also means 12 months since I have seen my family and best friend, but also 365 days of escaping the comfort zone and making a life for myself in Vancouver. It has been tough at times, but I am ultimately so glad I decided to live the expat life. Here is what month 12 had in store for me:

The Highlights

May has actually been all about the entertainment for me. First up is the music factor. Broods were the first show I went to, which was a short and sweet set by the brother and sister duo from New Zealand, but I love their music. I can’t get enough of their songs as both of their voices are hypnotic and the synth background just keeps me hitting repeat. Haim was concert number two and these sisters put on a performance that I had never had the pleasure of seeing previously. In a couple of instances, there were guitar solos from two of the sisters before all three started hitting on the drums HARD. Oh, and you know, a cover of Beyonce’s XO. I was wiggling my butt the whole time.

I was also meant to see the one and only Lady Gaga at the end of the month but her concert was cancelled. Instead, we went to support our friend, Katie who was doing a gig at a local cafe. I wish I could sing like her: all folksy, sweet and soothing.

As for the other entertainment, I went to the cinema twice, which is also the same amount of times I had been previously! First up was Neighbours, which was hilarious. The three main stars were excellent and their chemistry worked well. Seth Rogen is a genius, that is all I have to say. On the other side of the spectrum, film two was the latest instalment of X-Men. I have loved these films since the beginning, particularly because of Hugh Jackman (sigh) but I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first two movies. There was just something about that older crew that made me fall in love with the franchise. BUT nevertheless, I did get to see a naked Hugh and Jennifer Lawrence can seriously do no wrong. She’s a superstar.

On the work front, I have been enjoying returning to working one job. The food truck has done some cool events this month, including local markets. The North Vancouver Shipyard Markets are such a great event on a Friday night. You have approximately 20+ food trucks and stalls to choose from; a beer garden; local products and a live band covering some old and new tunes. It doesn’t even feel like work when you are talking to friendly families, oohing and aahing over every cute dog that walks past (which is a lot mind you) swapping food with fellow vendors and dancing to the music.

We also had a staff party at the end of the month, because we can. We have a great team and I could have been back home sitting on a fellow employee’s patio next to the barbecue, if not for the fact we were drinking out of those red solo cups that feature in every American movie and TV show. Oh, and there was also the fact of the keg in the corner.

My friend also took me along her favourite seaside stroll: the West Vancouver Seawalk. It is a lovely, long walk that is too picture-perfect. As I was walking I knew I would have to return to take some photos with my camera soon – of the flora, the rocks and the view of the Vancouver skyline.

To wrap up the month we visited our favourite Aussie pub, Moose’s Down Under to watch the State of Origin. My team lost *insert crying emoticon here* but it was still a good night meeting new Australian friends on the other side of the world.

And that brings us to June. To summer. To the best time to be in Vancouver. I don’t have too much planned for the month, but when I am not working you are guaranteed to find me in the sun with my camera.