Tara in OZ

Well, what can I say? I’ve been far from consistent in keeping up with this blog, and now how to sum up the past year? What I can say is that coming here was one of the best things I’ve ever done. The growth I’ve undergone here is tremendous. In some ways, it’s been the most incredible year of my life.

Maybe it would be easiest to tell you about the things I’ll miss the most.

8 Hardy Street, North Bondi. My home since January. A roomy old house with three bedrooms for two people and even a backyard, the holy grail of city living. Low rent, perfect location, a ten-minute walk from the beach. Cockroaches in summer, absolutely no insulation in winter, but perfect all the same. Oh how I’ll miss this house.

The girl I shared 8 Hardy with. Steph changed her name from Fanny when she moved from Sweden four years ago because “fanny” is a dirty word in Australian, but I call her Fanny anyway because how often do you have the chance to have a friend named Fanny?? She is the ultimate housemate: clean and thoughtful. I can’t believe I’ve only known her six months; we’ve shared so many good times and become so close. She has such a beautiful soul. Not to mention, she got me this on my birthday.

Various other friends. Some Aussie, some American transplants, some from other parts of the world. Wonderful, independent, adventurous people. These photos are from my birthday dinner and party.

These views. Are you kidding me?

Australian food. I don’t know how the word hasn’t gotten out about this. From stir fry at Thai Terrific to organic salad from Madame Char Char, fish pie at Brown Sugar to the most amazing thin-crust pizza just about anywhere (Mad Pizza, Bondi Pizza, Love Supreme—I’m seriously drooling), just about everything tastes better Down Under. They even get Mexican food right with garlic chili lime prawn tacos at the Beach Burrito Company. Here's a photo of the world's best scrambled eggs, at a place called Bills in Woollahra. I have no idea how they make them but they're heavenly.

Australian chocolate. Violet Crumble, Dark Chocolate Tim Tams, Cherry Ripe, Time Out, Cadbury Fruit and Nut…I could go on. Developing a two chocolate bar a day habit wasn’t great, but what’s worse is going somewhere where Cadbury isn’t readily available. Pretty sure Amazon.com is about to take on a new role in my life.

Regular writing workshops. For my thesis for my program, I turned in about 40% of my novel. That was written with tons of invaluable input from professors, my peers, and of course my supervisor, Dr. Jane Messer. Thinking about writing the other 60% without that feedback is terrifying—like taking off training wheels. But it’s the next step. Hopefully I’ll be more successful than I was when I actually took my training wheels off my bike. That didn’t go so well.

I’ll especially miss my friend Jo from my program. She and her husband Ross took me around Sydney’s northern beaches a few months ago, and before I left she had a little get-together for me at her house and cooked everyone dinner.

C3 Bondi. This was the first church I joined on my own as an adult, and it was such a massive part of my life-changing experience in Sydney. Although I’ve always been a Christian, in the past year I put my faith above all other things, where it belongs. The pastors and congregation of this church, right on the coast of Bondi, showed me the way and walked by my side during this period of spiritual growth. The utter peace and happiness that have come with this growth are nothing short of astounding—more than I ever could have imagined. Above all else, this is what defines my year in Sydney. Here are some girls from my church.

Can you tell? The truth is, I’m heartbroken to leave. But I’m bringing with me so much more than I dreamed I’d gain before setting out for this journey. My time in Sydney has been eye-opening, formative, and endlessly beautiful. As I move forward to future destinations, I’ll treasure my memories of Australia and guard them fiercely. They’re worth more than almost anything else I possess.

And who knows? Maybe someday I’ll find my way back there.

Thank you for supporting me along the way. All my love.