The Next Adventure(s)

Less than a week left here at ol' Carnarvon. The thought of leaving is unreal, I haven't fallen in love with a place so much in my whole life. More on this later though because if I get into it now we'll all be crying and blubbering and I haven't even had to say goodbye yet.

This little post serves as a dual announcement!

The first is that I will be returning to America for most of December and January! The folks are living in Maryland now, but I've already been planning quite a few road trips around the East Coast and if I haven't talked to you already, please get in touch so we can hang out!  All this pending that I even make it with the wet season at Carnarvon (trapped in), snow storms in America (stuck out), and the line of questioning at customs regarding my whereabouts the last few years (held in secret location).

The second is that I will be returning to this side of the planet for the first few months of 2015! I've taken a new governess position with a family who own a plantation on Karkar Island, Papua New Guinea. It'll be hot, it'll be beautiful, and there is an active volcano so what can go wrong!?

After that plans are a bit...undetermined. But what have we learned this year? That's okay, the unexpected is often best.

Its actually quite funny, I'm more nervous about returning to the States than going to PNG. Its been...over 2 years since my last stint in the old mothercountry. And, well, I've changed. Its easy to go new places and have new experiences and become this beautiful new person when you're out in the world on your own.

But how do you take that person home?

I've got about 50 hours of travel in the next week, so I'll let you know if I come up with any answers.

Books! 'Tis A Dull and Endless Strife

Recently I've discovered that among all its finer qualities, I love reading specifically because it demands all of your attention. That in a world where you can sit on the internet scrolling through mindless crap for hours, its very admirable and takes a special dedication to even sit down and read for pleasure for 20 minutes.

And I know there are those out there who read while they do this and that and the other thing. I am not one of these people. I have come to accept that in my life I will never be the cute interesting girl reading a book at the cafe. I am the girl who is trying to stuff an entire roll of sushi in her mouth because its falling apart and I only have one hand and this chapter is really intense so I can't put the book down and I wonder how long I can leave this imitation crab on my shirt before it stains*.

So you want to know what I'm reading!? Yay! Great! Sharing!  *Internal screaming*  Well, let me tell you that I do tend to have this irrational sort of fear about suggesting things to people. I mean, if its something that I really love, I'm just worried people won't like it and that will just break my heart.  So y'know, go easy on me, I'm taking big steps here people.   Deep breath.

For awhile now, I've been hooked on the poetry.  I like that sometimes I don't understand whats going on in a poem, but somehow it gives you all these feelings. How do they do that? The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, perfect example...I lie in wait for the day that I just start reciting that out of nowhere and someone recognizes it. Other favorites are a pair which makes it difficult to stay in the schoolroom all day considering the nature of our surroundings - The Tables Turned (Oh, the irony...) and The Moment (If you also get chills when reading the latter, I love you a bit).

Novel-wise I just finished The Bridges of Madison County in a day.  I can see why it was in the Lonely Old Lady book section (why I was there is a different story), very insightful about the love and the feelings, not quite inspired to go see the real bridges in Iowa again, though. Sorry Mum, once is enough for some things. But I do imagine it'd be a small sort of accomplishment to say that I've been to Grundy Center, Iowa twice in my life. Alas, we can't have it all.

So because of that same fear I mentioned earlier, and the notion that everyone must be thus afflicted, I also tend to take suggestions given to me very seriously just in case the act of suggesting this book means that you are indeed bearing your soul.  So to the two lovely blokes that suggested them, I'm finally making a dent in Clan of the Cave Bear (its like evolutionary fiction...awesome!) and the autobiography of an Australian man called A Fortunate Life. Such an amazing and tragic story. If I had his insight and outlook on life my autobiography would probably be called Holy Crap, How Could I Have Ever Complained About Anything, Its All Pretty Much Candy and Sunshine.

So go spend some time with a book.  And if you can handle it, tell me what you're reading or send me a poem or suggest something awesome**.

*Not very long. It stains immediately. Inspired by true events.

**Do not send me cat videos.

25 Insights From My Sad Handwritten Book

Just recently I've passed the halfway mark of my time here. Six months since landing down under and I'll be honest, there are days where I forget I ever lived somewhere else, and there are days where that first ride into Carnarvon seems so close I could touch it. In consideration of this special occasion, I've decided to let you all in on a little treat.

Up until now, every diary I've ever had has two entries. One about how excited I am to start a new diary. And another a few years later about how I'm really sorry I didn't stick with it. But, good news! I'm finally seeing something through! What this means for you is that by the time something makes it up here on the blog, its been written in the diary, mulled over in my mind, discussed with a few people, written on the computer, and edited four or five times. On this special day though, I offer you a few glimpses into those fresh, straight off the paper, live from the scene reports...plus a few very poor doodles when I'm feeling artistically inclined:

Day -6:  But this time before leaving is hard. Whenever I look at someone a huge part of me is aware that I only have a few days left to see them. And everyone seems to see the same when they look at me.

Day 1:  Its so f*cking hot here.

Day 3:  Made a good new friend, she said something I think I'll keep in mind the rest of my life: “You should travel three times in your life. By yourself, with your other, and with your children.”

Day 11:  The evolution/creation question came up at dinner...Jess asked “But which is true?”...It's hard for me sometimes to portray the argument unbiasedly. Some people think the world is too perfect to have occurred by chance. I think its perfect because it did.

Day 29:  We have a new saying..."Monday is the new Friday at Carnarvon." Sadly Tuesday at 7 AM isn't quite the same as Saturday afternoon...For as nice as we've been with each other, nothing bonds folks like getting' a bit sloshed together. *Chris loves to talk...Alison tends to be more of a listener. 

Day 68:  Maybe when you've had a life like mine where the most unthinkable things have happened, you have a hard time separating the dreams from the dawn. I wish I could say I was always practical or realistic...I seem to be in some walks of life.

Day 74:  Dad called last night and he sounded a bit lonely. I really miss him...he's one of the few people I can just sit and chat with for ages.

Day 76:   But maybe there is more. More that I could be doing with my skills...I guess sometimes I'm just too romantic about science.

Day 82:  I hate that sinking feeling though...when you know something is going wrong and you're not sure what to grasp onto.

Day 84:   I do find that more often than before I feel a strong need to just spend some time alone with the trees and the grass and the birds...I'm feeling a certain sickness, not homesickness (cause where is home?) but more sea sickness. Not sure where I'm going or where I want to end up...and its sort of bumpy all the time and everyone is always throwing up.

Day 88:  Chris, the girls, and I went out for some fishing this morning...I need to be more vocal about when I enjoy things cause when I love doing something I tend to get into it and forget to say thank you and tell them I'm having a great time.

Day 92:  There is just a basic primal bond between humans and nature and taking time to appreciate the latter strikes such a true chord within me.

Day 104:  Whether its two months or eight, I will have to leave, and that's just changed my perspective on everything. I want to take more walks, climb more trees, give more hugs and all that. On a less dramatic note, it is crazy cold.

Day 106:  For all the feigned sophistication a person might have, Dr. Seuss is probably one of the best sources of wisdom one might have on their shelf.

Day 130:  Last night we went out to check the fires and there was a big one heading up a big hill and we just turned off all the lights in the car and stared at it. It was so beautiful. On one side there were hundreds of little burning stumps which looked like twinkling stars. And the other side was just a spreading ring of fire. It is just one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.

Day 138:  And I see all this here, and part of me is involved, but part of me knows it isn't mine. And I begin to worry – how lucky do you have to be to have all this?

Day 150:  Letters are physical. An object you can hold on to and come back to when we can't hold on to and come back to each other.

Day 158:  Its one of my favourite things. Going along with people who you can just share a silence with or discuss whichever errant thoughts cross your mind.

Day 162:  I'm excited for her [my mum] to just chill out and experience the life I have there at Carnarvon. Cause that's really what I have. Its not about sites and being a tourist. Its about meeting my people. Experiencing our life. ...I miss the Carnarvon stars.

Day 164:  Did my first proper bush wee. Thought I could hold it until we got back, but I was busting, and we're laughing so hard cause Chris had to stop to wee three times, he thought there was something wrong with me. “They're going to have an erosion problem back there.”

Day 170:  Boy do I love her, but Mum sort of gets on my case about everything. It just gets a bit heavy. I suppose that's what mothers are for. If someone has to pull you back to reality, at least they cook you your favorite foods and give you cuddles.

Day 172:  We escaped to light the woofer. This thing uses pressurized air, a mix of petrol and diesel, and a fire ring to blow gigantic smoke rings. There is also a huge explosion and its AWESOME.

Day 173:  Went out to one of the old sites. Its amazing, you find all sorts of things left over from lives long past. Hand made nails, tea cups, cut throat razors, horse rein parts, belt buckles. Its really just another of those things about Carnarvon that makes you feel small and momentary and at the same time connected to something more.

Day 176:  Apologies, dear Reader, if you are my child. Mum was wild once too!

Day 185:  I've already started thinking of what I'll say when I leave. Maybe I should say those things sooner.

*This is completely, 100% backwards. I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote that.  

Assimilation

At some point or another, it becomes a writer's main purpose to just get over writer's block.  I mean, we want to come up with an excuse that some how makes us sound good despite the fact that we've essentially been failing at what we set out to do. I of course am not here to convince you that I've gotten over my writer's block. But I will share with you some things I've realized while trying to figure out why I have it.

Simply put: I've gotten used to the place. Now usually when people say that, it means they've gotten bored of it. But its the complete opposite. Because I've gotten used to things, I don't feel like an outsider anymore. I don't feel this need to tell the world what us weirdos are doing out here all the time. We're weird, we're doing stuff, all the time – alright? Maybe we don't want you to know.  Don't worry, I'm just kidding Mum, really we're fine. *Rides off into the sunset with my gun not wearing a seat belt.*

Full Assimilation:  Got me a real cowgirl hat. 

Really, despite my decline in writing about life out here - its fantastic. Everyday we do something I could write a novel about. So summing it up in a blog post or a Facebook status is just too difficult.

I have learned though, that if you stop cataloging and recording everything you do, you wind up having some pretty wonderful experiences because you're paying attention to the situation instead of thinking what's going to happen next or how you're going describe it afterwards. Yeah, it makes it hard to share with everyone else. But, you'll share it with the people who you did it with, and I'm beginning to realize that's enough. It's more than enough.  A few simple moments with the people you care about are what your lasting memories will be made of.  Dancing in the kitchen, exploring on a hike, looking at the stars, talking by a fire.

So, it isn't really writer's block I'm suffering from.  I'm suffering from just having too good a time.  And what a privilege to have such an affliction. 

What was I saying about not recording everything? This video is actually a bit old now, old news to any of you following me on Facebook, but I wanted to put it up here now because it just shows exactly what I'm saying here – too many amazing times to keep track of and I'm lucky enough to have them every day.  

10 Things That Have Happened Since I Last Posted Here

Well, sometimes this thing just sort of gets away from me. Its been a busy few weeks since I last posted, and with all the running around we've been doing there has rarely been a moment where I have the free time and the internet connection to post something. Lots to catch you all up on, so let's get to it.

1. On our way from Lake Tinaroo to Townsville we stopped at Milla Milla Falls. No one should be surprised by this point that I convinced the girls to swim out underneath them.
   

   
2. We stayed at Baygal Beach just outside of Townsville at the girls' grandmother's house. It was absolutely lovely, and we ended up staying an extra week so we had to start school on the road! Also, saved some sea turtles!
   

   

   Can't you see we're struggling?  It really isn't the best work environment.

   
3. With three adults riding abreast in the front of the car, you better believe we got up to some hilarious antics (be proud of me that I didn't draw on any sleeping people until the last day). This is how I was taught to navigate T-intersections:

Chris: Anything your way mate?
Kaitlyn: *flawless Aussie accent* Naw mate, she's alright, get up 'er!

Every.  Single.  Intersection. 

Unrelated road stop: "Bit high don't ya think?" We definitely didn't lack for entertainment on the road.

4. After the two day journey back to Carnarvon, we were welcomed home by a few A-list guests. Bob Brown (former senator, leader of the Australian Green Party, and founder of Bush Heritage) and his partner Paul were visiting and we had a few great nights round the campfire. Lovely blokes!
   

   
5. I started a bush fire! Planned burning, so its controlled, but still very exciting. I've never really been a pyromaniac but...there is something very alluring and thrilling about lighting a fire that big, I've never seen anything like it to be honest. To me, controlling fire is one of those basic fundamental adaptations that made us human, so the whole idea of controlling those flames just stirs something primal in me I suppose.
   

   

   Casually light everything on fire on the way home.

   

   Honestly, how could you not be amazed?

6. We went to mini-school again! A few more foreign govies like myself this time. Favorite moment of the whole trip of course came when an Aussie, Canadian, Brit, Irish, and an American (with Scottish influences) all had go at each other about vocabulary and accents, truly an international panel!
   

   

   The Outstation, swag and a bag is all you need!

7. We came back from mini-school, had a weekend off and then a mob of Bush Heritage folks came out to Carnarvon for a week of 4WD courses, barbeques, and beer as far as I can tell. They were great fun and I loved having some folks around the cottage (especially bacon and egg breakfasts everyday) and some great nights around the fire having a chat, howling at the dingoes, drinking too much, singing songs, playing guitar, making fun of each other – ahhh, bliss.
   

   
8. Learned lots of things and made lots of friends that week, but some of my favorites were learning to drive the quad, shooting the pig hunting gun, and learning how to properly chop wood and start a fire for the soon to come chilly Carnarvon nights.
   

   

   That's a big bullet.  But more than anything, I've discovered its a loud bullet.

9. Chris is now realizing that I'm “like having a four year old boy around”. While probably meant as an exasperated shot at me somewhere between “can we play with the welder” and “can we go push over burning trees”, I'm choosing to take it as a compliment. Safety first of course, but if you're not exploring and having fun, what's the point? And I mean, I only wanted to push over the ones that were going to fall over anyway.
   

   

   
   

10. It only took until about noon time the day everyone left for Katie and I to proclaim our boredom, whereupon we decided we had nothing better to do so we might as well hike to the top of Mt. Lambert. As far as I can tell, my adventurous kindred spirit Katie is the only kid that's ever done it properly, and we had a jolly good time. Tough hour and a half climb, but some beautiful views and we slid on our bottoms most of the way down so we made it back in a third of the time.

That just about brings us up to the present, a crazy few weeks for sure!

(Wow, I've just reread what I've written and seen the number of times I talk about fire and I think maybe I do have pyromania problem.  Send help.  Or fire extinguishers.)

Atherton Tablelands

From Karumba we've headed east towards Cairns and are relaxing around Lake Tinaroo and the Atherton Tablelands.  The area is gorgeous, shaped by many now extinct volcanoes, and lush with subtropical rainforests. 

Highlights include Dinner Falls (where I got the girls in trouble for running off-trail for a dip in the waterfall), Lake Eachum (where I got the girls in trouble for jumping off the viewing platform into the lake), and the massive Cathedral and Curtain fig trees (where I got no one in trouble because now they've caught onto my ways and endeavor to keep me away from the call of the water).  Also spotted some a giant croc (made as a to size model of one shot in the area), lovely wind turbines (made by Germans) and The Crater (made by escaping volcanic gasses).

All this camping and beach and lake is bringing back fond memories from childhood - Longport shore days (41N. Pelham still home to the best outdoor showers known to man), mass camping/skiing trips with the Pittsburghers, and my mum cuddling me to death in the Adirondacks because she feared me freezing or getting eaten by a bear.  With all the international travel I've done/am doing I forget sometimes where the travel bug first bit me.  I sometimes fear returning to the Motherland, but these memories do give me something to I can fondly look forward to revisiting and rediscovering again.

Leave me some comments, tell me when and where I should visit you!

Karumba

So I'm with the Watson's now, and we are in Karumba!  Exciting!  Well, a bit.  Karumba is essentially an extremely hot fishing town on the northern gulf coast of Queensland.  Fishing is literally all there is, you can't even swim in the ocean because there are crocodiles. So we've been mostly passing the time swimming at the campground pool, a little fishing (with handlines!  Classic!), and eating Barramundi and chips for every meal.  We're heading to the Atherton tablelands tomorrow, hopefully its cooler there!