Hmm, so what’s new since the last update? Let’s see, new blog layout, new URL, new year, new home, new job… in a nutshell. Wonder what’s new with you?
I’ve been on quite a journey since July. Didn’t start with a particular destination in mind, though I had a vague idea of where I wanted to go. Â I quit my full-time, well-paid job. The hardest part was not making that decision, though it took me 3 tries. The hardest part was dealing with people’s judgement. After all, much of who we are in this age is defined by what we do. And if you’re not doing anything…well, then…the conclusion often ends with nothing!
I wasn’t nothing. I needed to look back a bit to see what got me here, what I could still take onwards with me and what I needed to leave behind. Those who know me will testify I’m not the fastest decision-maker in the world – understatement. So I’m really grateful to Bram for his support and patience. Especially since my emotions side-tracked me here and there. But it’s all part of the journey, in the end this is the part where I needed to follow my gut feeling and not think too much about what others expected of me.
To cut a long story short, my focus now is on travel and photography. I can only travel part-time as Bram is still based in Sydney. So in June I am photographing 2 weddings, one in Mexico and one here in Sydney.  I am really looking forward to this. I love love. Weddings make me happy, especially when couples plan the wedding themselves and it reflects their unique personalities, like Bram and I did.  So fingers crossed it will go well and I don’t suck. Meanwhile I am also learning about Australian taxes and how to make a business plan i.e. marketing, financial plan, operational plan and all that jazz. If it sounds interesting, it really is ;-).
And Bram and I have also submitted our application for permanent residency! If all goes well this should be approved by September and we can apply for citizenship next. Europe allows for dual citizenship so we can keep our Belgian passports and also acquire Australian nationality at the same time. Win-win.
But first…New Zealand! Bram and I are leaving for Wellington tomorrow.  Our first holiday with just the 2 of us since…well since erm April last year? Can’t wait to count all the sheep and make fun of Bram’s fuzzy Hobbit feet.  No bungee  or airplane jumping this time. We’ve rented a campervan and will see where the road takes us. To happy places for sure :).
Mmm, New Zealand again… Have a nice trip, folks! Wish we were there 😉
Good to see you’re both still enjoying living in Oz. From the sound of it it’s about time we caught up with you guys again over dinner somewhere. Lots of changes on your side of Sydney.
Interesting to read that Europe allows dual citizenship because we’ve been having some of the same discussions you have had whether to apply for Australian citizenship or not because the Netherlands doesn’t allow dual citizenship….
And yes, permanent residency. We start end of this year after my previous employer kind of killed our first plans prematurely.
Good luck with setting up your business!!
Hey Bas! Didn’t know the Netherlands didn’t allow it!? Good luck with the application, lots and lots of paperwork, but let us know if we can help with anything. Told Bram about diinner, somewhere in the city?