2013 in Review.

It's New Year's Eve here, so as I prepare myself to start drinking copious amounts of champagne I'm
having a mental recap about all the craziness that 2013 held. I'm a little (or a lot) in awe about the amount of changes that can happen in a year. I wouldn't believe me unless I had lived through it.

I was inspired by an article I read in the Huffington Post and thought I would do my own little rendition.

In a very dumbed down version, here is what 2013 looked like for me:

Rang in the New Year in Paris, then off to Morocco, Turkey and India for my first buying trip topped off with a little R&R in Thailand. After that, landed in Central Oregon for a few months and took our little business on the road for the summer which gave me the chance to visit friends in Idaho, Montana, Arizona and California. Organized a memorial walk for my mom which was an overwhelming success and have done a lot of reflection on our relationship! Attended weddings in Portland, Vermont, North Carolina and South Carolina. Reconnected with many friends I've met throughout the years traveling to all corners of the world. Made lots of new friends. Led a tour through Western Turkey. Joined back up with my old company, FMYI, for a little bit. Took some side trips in there to Boston, more California and all around Oregon. And although the business didn't end up going the way I hoped, it gave me the kickstart I needed that and ultimately gave me the opportunity to fulfill a dream of mine of coming back to Australia on a WHV. So here I am!

I've learned a lot about myself during the course of these experiences and learned a lot about others too. Thanks to everyone who joined me on this roller coaster ride, you've made it exciting and at moments when needed, bearable. There have been lots of ups and many downs but at the end of the day, I've vowed to live my life to the fullest and take some chances. I think it's working.

Here's to 2014!

Sparkles and the Eiffel Tower for New Years 2013! Paris, France

Paris Love Locks and an admirer. Paris, France.

Getting lost in the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery. Paris, France. 

A stall at the Paris Flea Market. Simply brilliant!

View of the Galata Tower. Istanbul, Turkey.

Camel Wrestling. Selcuk, Turkey.

Joining the crowds at the Camel Wrestling. Selcuk, Turkey.

Lively activities in the Djemaa el-Fna. Marrakech, Morocco. 

A typical door in the Fez Medina. Fez, Morocco.

The Cave of Hercules. Tangier, Morocco. 

Jama Masjid. Delhi, India. 

A moment of zen. Delhi, India.

Block printing magic. Jaipur, India. 

View from Spencer Butte. Eugene, Oregon.

The glorious Smith Rock State Park. Terrebonne, Oregon.

The Turkey Eleven Tour! Ephesus, Turkey.

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey.

Wine tasting in style. Sonoma, California.

Lowndes Down Plantation destination wedding! Charleston, South Carolina. 

On top of the world. Outer Banks, North Carolina. 

The Great Ocean Road. Victoria, Australia. 

A Koala Named Harry.

An Aussie Moment.

As predicted, I knew I couldn't/wouldn't stay away from the Great Ocean Road for very long. 12 days to be exact. While on this little excursion I came across something worth sharing. A koala. I shall call him, Harry. There we were just winding along the road, enjoying the beautiful scenery when we came around a corner to cars stopping and people getting out. And what do you think we should see in the middle of the road causing this little roadblock? Yes, a koala. He (in reality though, Harry could've been a Harriet), was just plopped down on his rump in the middle of traffic with no sign of guilt whatsoever. After a few people attempted to scoot him out of the way, a guy got out of his car who looked as though this was not his first rodeo, picked up Harry by the nape of his neck like a cat, and drug him to the side of the road where he swiftly gave him a kick to the ol' behind. Harry started running down the road and tried to climb up the first thing he saw. Sad to say, in the few seconds we were able to watch, it looked like he was striking out with the street lamp pole. 

I didn't capture the moment on film because I was too busy smiling from ear to ear at the absolute preciousness of the situation. However, a ways down the road on the way to Cape Otway, we were able to catch a couple handfuls of koalas chillin' in the trees up above. So without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Amy.

Not Harry. 

A Very Merry 'Orphan Aussie' Christmas.

Christmas Down Under.

This is the second Christmas ever that I've been away from my family for the holidays. Coincidentally enough, the first Christmas away was 4 years ago and also spent in Australia. There is something to be said about starting the day at the beach, eating outside and lathering up in sunscreen (SPF 30+).

Thanks, Oliver for hosting!

I wasn't exactly sure how things would pan out. Would I be an emotional wreck? Would I feel lonely? Would I get in the holiday spirit? I'm happy to report: no, no, yes. One MAJOR benefit to traveling the world and putting yourself into new situations, is that you are never too far away from a friend.

Enter Oliver. I met Oliver four years ago in Sydney (and who is coincidentally from West Linn!) and he was thoughtful enough to include me for Christmas with his Australian family and another 'orphan' from New Zealand. It was pretty stinkin' magical!

The Day's Events.

The morning started out with a short walk and a plunge in the ocean at Jan Jac beach. I call it a plunge, because although the sun was shining high and bright, the water hasn't quite got the memo that its summer yet. But I can guarantee you I'm not complaining! And the day just continued to get better from there.

By definition, I am a vegetarian. BUT there is something about Christmas that calls to my inner sea child and I literally cannot eat enough crab. I mean, literally cannot stop. (Side story for perspective: two years ago at xmas, my dad had to tell me to stop inhaling the crab so I wouldn't make myself sick. Truth.) Usually I spend the eve of Christmas with my Aunt Diane's family where we indulge in crab cakes and whiskey sours, so fortunately for me, my 'adoptive family' feels the same way about seafood at Christmas, but instead of whiskey sours, there was endless amounts of Sol brewskies.

Prawn Sandwich in the making.
(Thanks Mark!)

In addition to the crab we had for dinner, I had my first taste of a prawn sandwich! My dad was chirping inside my head so I only allowed myself one, but I must say it was quite delicious and I saved myself from getting ill.

Food and booze were definitely a focal point of this "Very Merry 'Orphan Aussie' Christmas," but other things were happening while we weren't stuffing our faces. There was the secret santa festivities. I got an awesomely large beach towel that will quickly become my new best friend. There was the walk down to the beach to reenergize ourselves before our eight meal of the day. There was the setting of the table and cleaning of the dishes (this probably took up about half the day due to the amount of meals we committed to). And of course the poker game to end the night. No, I didn't win.

The Analysis. 

So, there you have it folks. I think one of the best ways to cope with being away for the holidays and not being with your loved ones is to not try and compare too much of what you are doing in this moment to what you would be doing if you were at home. However, there is no escaping the fact that I missed everyone dearly, especially the ol' pops and brother (and even more especially, my mom).

Group shot: Devin, Oliver, Me,
David, Jenny & Mark.

Another coping mechanism is to bring with you an old tradition to the new experience - wouldn't be Christmas without making mom's Christmas Crack! But let's get real, even that had an Aussie spin to it because I had none of the original ingredients. If I've learned anything over the last year and a half, its that you've got to live your life to the fullest! It sounds cliche but it's oh so true. When you're given opportunities to try something new or invited along to do something that's out of the norm, seize that moment. You will be pleasantly surprised by the people who let you in and the invaluable experience it will bring to your life. And, if it totally sucks, well...at least there's a story in that too.

Cheers to Christmas Crack and all of the goodness that is waiting just around the corner.

xo,
Court

Christmas Crack. Maybe one day you'll be lucky
and I'll share the recipe with you! (Best served in a
Christmas tin.)

The Great Ocean Road: As seen in 36 hours.

When I boarded the plane in Portland a week ago bound for Melbourne, Australia, I never would've thought I'd kick this adventure off so perfectly with a road trip along the Great Ocean Road! The entire route is 151 miles of dramatic and breathtaking coast lines and small towns. This route was built by soldiers who returned from WWI to honor those who lost their lives during the war and is the largest war memorial in the world. 

I don't think I have the right vocabulary to paint the proper picture of just how majestic this stretch of land is. So hopefully my photos can communicate what my words cannot. This route pictured here was done only in 36 hours, but honestly I could dedicate a week (if not longer) to exploring the beaches, towns and little treasures off the beaten path that this stretch of land has to offer. For example, did you know that Victoria, Australia has it's own Californian Redwoods planted in 1939? Neither did I!

Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. India and the wildlife of Africa have always been in my mind the most photogenic places I've ever been. The GOA has now joined the ranks. I can say with confidence that this will not be my last visit to the Great Ocean Road during my Working Holiday Visa and I can't wait to share what I come across next!

Road trippin' - You can't go on a road trip without writing something in the sand and then taking a picture of it. That would just be wrong. 

A little piece of the Best Coast found in Victoria, Australia. Small in comparison to the Redwoods in California, but mighty and enchanting all the same. 

It smells like home. Huge ferns surround these massive Redwoods and just beg you to keep walking deeper into the forest.  

 The Twelve Apostles dart out of the ocean to give one of the most breathtaking views you'll ever have the pleasure of seeing. So hurry and get here - only 8 of the 12 are still standing.

 Endless pockets of beaches are tucked all along the impressive coast line. No shortage of awe-struck moments. 

 My heart breaks a little every time I wear my Beth's Walk tank, but it also feels like a giant hug!  

 A striking contrast of colors. Enough Said.

Smile,
Court

Australian cement.

Whelp, I've  landed on Australian soil, or rather cement. It's a strange, liberating, exciting, nervous, giddy, holy shitballs, here-goes-nothing kind of feeling! Waiting in Sydney right now to board my flight to Melbourne which is where the real adventure will begin. 

Thanks for the amazing send off everyone. Love to you all! Now, let's do this thang...