Exchange Rate and Trip

Blue Mountains - Three Sisters

I'm beside myself with trying to decide if I should now be going to Australia. The exchange rate isn't looking as nice as it did when all things were set into motion. Unfortunately, because of the amount of time that the divorce settlement took, I lost my roommate. As of yet, I still don't have the settlement money in my account, so I still cannot apply for a Visa until I have proof that I have enough money to go out and stay. Who knows, with the way things are going, I might not be accepted because the amount of money I have isn't enough. This stacked up on top of being alone out there, makes me really antsy, to say the least. 

I do have all the paperwork finished and ready to send to the bank in Sydney. Now, I just have to find out if I can go and if I really want to face a huge city alone. Growing up in rural America and never really being in a big city for more than a couple of days puts me at a disadvantage. Or should I say it makes me a bit terrified. I will admit, I've not done much alone all the time I was married, so this is a huge step for me. Maybe I'm just getting cold feet because I'm facing the unknown alone.

My other option is to stay here in the States and look for a good place to go. I do have 2 options. One would be to go out to the West Coast and be near my daughter or the East Coast to be near my son. Both said they wouldn't mind sharing an apartment with me and it would help them, but I'm not sure if it really would be or if they are just saying that to help Mom out.

So here I sit, pretty much indecisive on what I should do. I need to make a decision soon as my time is running out. I hate this paralyzed feeling and how much I'm flopping back and forth. Hopefully I'll grow up soon and make a decision. Right now there's a whole world of options and I can't figure out which one is best!  

Book Review: Unforgettable by Cherie M. Hudson

Australia.... yes, you are going to hear a lot about it. It's what's consuming my time and energy these days. With the preparations to leave and the phone conversations with my mate, I'm growing more and more excited. When I was offered Cherie's book to read, I was quite bogged down with life, but but this was one that I had to read.... It was by an Australian writer and was centered around an Australian and an American. How could I pass that up?!!! 

Unforgettable
Always Series Book #2
Author: Cherie M. Hudson
ISBN-13: 978-1760301798
Publisher: Momentum (October 22, 2015)
Paperback: 284 pages
Also available in Kindle format.
Genre: Fiction, Romance, New Adult

About the Book:

My name is Brendon Osmond. I'm a 25 year old post-graduate student who knows three things with absolute conviction. I know damn near everything there is to know about keeping in peak physical shape. I have a plan to make a lot of money from that knowledge. I'm an optimist who's not easily rattled. But then the girl I fell in love with almost two years ago texts me out of the blue and everything I know is thrown out the window.

Am I rattled?

No.

Not until I fly to the other side of the world and discover the girl I fell for has kept a very big secret from me.

A secret that mocks all my knowledge of the human body and how to keep it healthy.

A secret that shatters my plans for my own personal training business.

A secret with my eyes.

A secret who needs me more than I can comprehend.

Ask me again if I'm rattled.

Now ask me if I'm still in love.

My Thoughts:

Brendon Osmond.... the man every female dreams of. He's a fitness expert, handsome, passionate, and very much in love with a girl from the United States. Nothing wrong with that, except he's from Australia and they are no longer together. Then, out of of the blue, he hears from her and he decides to fly to California to see her.

Cherie does an amazing job of writing from the male point of view. I swore it was written by a male - since Brendon is so true to character. Since Brendon is an Aussie, be prepared for the Aussie slang and their use of curse words. It's not overwhelming, but it's there and made Brendon extremely believable.

This is one of those heartwarming stories that makes you fall in love with the main character, Brendon. He's every bit a sweet and loving Aussie that loves his woman, Amanda, with ever fiber of his being. His life gets turned upside down when he finds out the secret that has been kept from him and his reaction to it will make your heart break, hurt, and sing as you get to know Brendon and his situation. I will warn you, when you start, make sure you block off a good amount of time, because it's difficult to put down. My advice is to find nice cozy spot and have your favorite beverage and plenty of tissues nearby. Just like the book title, this story is Unforgettable!!

Although this is the second book of the series, I found no problem with starting here. There was enough backstory that I wasn't lost. After reading "Unforgettable" I want to read the rest of the series now!!

***Please note:  Being a New Adult Romance, be prepared for some sex scenes. They aren't overly descriptive but they are there.


About the Author:

Cherie M. Hudson is happily married to the man of her dreams, a busy mum of two little girls (one nine going on sixteen, the other five going on twenty), a proud cat owner (although she suspects the cat thinks she owns her) and an insanely manic writer. She has written over forty erotic romances under the pen name Lexxie Couper. A long time ago she gave up trying to suppress the stories in her head constantly trying to escape and has been blissfully happy ever since. 

You can follow Cherie on her website, on Facebook, Twitter. and Pintrest

I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

90 Days to Decide

I have 90 days from the time of the divorce finalization to decide where to go. The house, most of the contents and cars went to the ex. I got a small bank account, a little retirement and what I can take with me, depending where I go. The bank account isn't going to last long, and with not working for the last 25 years, it's made life interesting.

Opera House in Sydney

My first choice is Australia. I've been enamored by it since high school, when we hosted a student from there. Family has lived there in the past and my best friend lives there. So, I'm really, really considering there. I have  all 18 pages of my VISA completed. I need forms certified to attach and another look to make sure everything is in order, then off it goes.

There is a huge drawback at my age. I cannot work while there on the VISA. I couldn't qualify for a working VISA because of my age, and I didn't qualify for the jobs posted because of my lack of education. The promise of allowing me to finish college never happened, and now I'm paying the price all around. That's just a minor setback. I'll find another way.

King's Canyon

I opened up a bank account and made sure I could transfer funds internationally, the cost, etc., etc....  I also looked into health insurance - wow!!! What a difference between there and here! I can do better as an international there than buying it here as a native and staying. I was dumbfounded to say the least.

Cost of living depends on where you decide to stay. I'm looking at a suburb of Sydney right now. The rent is about the same price as the area here, food costs are quite close, and wages are decent (if I decide to stay and can get sponsorship). I found a snag with apartment hunting though. They want me there and showing me apartments before they will discuss if I can rent or not. I've contacted different agencies and they said that all the owners want to meet their tenants before they will consider renting. That makes it a bit difficult and expensive on my end. I have to rent a hotel or something before I can consider looking. How long that will take? I have no idea.

If I do go this route, I leave the house with 2 suitcases and a carry-on. I start all over again from scratch. I leave everything behind except what's in those cases. My son says that it's a clean fresh start - to go for it. My daughter says I'm nuts leaving everything behind because I can set up house here with things and save that money. Yes, that's true, but with no vehicle, I must rent something to move as well plus maybe a storage unit if I don't find something right away.

There are so many IF's and MAYBE's. I'll have a little help from my friend, but everything hinges on everything else right now.

I'd love to hear your opinions. What would you do?