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!  

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?

Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Ireland

Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Ireland
Book #5
Authors: Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group
ISBN: 9781626341951
Hardcover: 192 pages
Genre: Young adult, adventure, travel

About the Book:

While on vacation in Ireland, Gannon and Wyatt visit medieval castles, climb the Cliffs of Moher, and explore the ancient Newgrange monument. But after Gannon kisses the Blarney Stone their adventure takes a dramatic turn. While volunteering on a farm to connect with their Irish roots, they learn that a deadly blight is wreaking havoc on the Irish farmland. Determined to uncover the true cause, the courageous explorers embark on a secret mission to gather evidence against a ruthless suspect, but soon find themselves running for their lives. Ultimately, they must rely on their wilderness survival skills and Gannon’s “gift of gab” if they hope to bring justice to their ancestral home.

In the tradition of the historic journals kept by explorers such as Lewis and Clark, Dr. David Livingstone, and Captain James Cook comes the adventure series Travels with Gannon and Wyatt. From Africa to the South Pacific, these twin brothers have traveled the world. You never know what they will encounter as they venture into the wild, but one thing is certain wherever Gannon and Wyatt go, adventure is their constant companion.

You can find Gannon and Wyatt’s blog, photographs, and video footage from their real-life expeditions at travelswithgannonandwyatt.com.

My Thoughts:

Get ready to go on adventure with Gannon and Wyatt in Ireland! Book number 5 of the Travels With Gannon and Wyatt series, this book will take you on an adventure to the Emerald Isle! Visit some exciting landmarks including the Blarney Stone (complete with pictures). I had no idea how "fun" it would be to kiss that stone until Gannon gives it a try!

Full of adventure with two home schooled boys, this novel is sure to keep the reader engrossed to the end! Throughout the boys travels, one will see and experience Ireland and the locals as well as become entwined in a great mystery adventure.

Gannon and Wyatt are both great characters. Like most brothers, they are both interested in life but from different points of view - one from the scientific side and the other from the humanities side. This leads to some disagreements but also shows how things are viewed from all sides and creates an interesting story from both points of view.

Great for middle school boys and girls, this series can be started anywhere. Match them to your studies to bring a sort of living history to them. This series is fun, so don't be surprised if your young reader wants to read them all!

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