Xtina in Oz

Ok, so about a month ago I started a blog post. But then I had to leave to go to the airport. And so I never finished it. So, I've been back in Australia for just over a month now, and it's fantastic. It feels like I never left! I had some adventures in Sydney the first few days I was there, and it took me probably 10 days to a week to finally recover from my jet lag. But upon arriving in Melbourne, I slept soundly and easily. Guess it just feels like home! Have moved out of my friends' house and into a flat of my own - well, ok, I share it with two other people. But it feels very nice to have my clothes all unpacked, and a room to call my own. A lot of things are different about my venture here this year, but so far they are all working out well. For one, I'm living in Melbourne's Northside, in Carlton. There is a big Northside/Southside rivalry in Melbourne, and a few weeks ago I would have never considered living north of the river, but since moving in I&#

Ch-ch-ch-changes! Well, it's crunch time now, as my departure looms. It's also my favorite month, October. My birthday is tomorrow, which marks 26 years I have been upon this earth, and also the end of parental-sponsored health insurance (thanks for 2011 though, Pres. Obama!). So I've been getting all my medical care taken care of, and birthday wish-requesting, which is more stressful than one would think. Had a bit of a snafu with my roommate and so told her she was a bitch and moved in with my parents for the last few weeks. Hurrah! Life's too short, though, to be with people who make you miserable. True, she initiated this, but a week later I feel like it was for the best. It's my last week of work at ye old 8.0 - just 3 more days! Must put together excellent earring/sock combinations so I really go out with a bang. Have also been taking some time out to enjoy the finer things in life - or just the fun ones, anyway. Took last Saturday night off to go to s

Previously in Christina's adventures: I came back from Australia just before Christmas. Moved to Texas in January, got a job waitressing at a bar/restaurant, and that's pretty much what's been going on for the last 7 months. But now, I've been approved for a tourist visa to go back to Australia. My good friend Heather is getting married in Sydney at the end of October, so I decided to go back for the big event and stay as long as possible. My visa does not allow me to work. It is a tourist visa. But I've got 6 months to find a longer-term solution, and past experience has taught me that when I set my mind to something, I make it happen. I plan to go back to Melbourne, stay with friends, maybe move back into my old St Kilda house, and pursue sponsorship like it's my full time job. For those of you unfamiliar with visas, sponsorship, immigration, and all the rigamarole that goes along with it, let me try and explain it: To move to another country, like