Home is where the heart is and mines in Europe

When you start to realise that the world really is your oyster, it suddenly opens up to you with endless possibilities. So maybe it has taken me a few years to achieve this realisation, but now that I have, my god, do I feel liberated.

When I left for Europe, four months ago, I had every intention of going back to Oz (or in hindsight maybe that was just my subconscious helping me deal with the farewells and physical departure). But ever since my size 10 feet planted themselves rather comfortably on Europe's fertile soil, I have been toying with the idea of staying and becoming a permanent fixture in this European wonderland. Deep within my mind there has been a rather ferocious battle for destiny, but thankfully (for both my sanity and my loved ones) this war has now been won, I have reached clarity... and this little girl won't be clicking her ruby red heels for some time.

Maybe I've fallen too quickly, but I know my life in Australia like the back of both my left and right hands. I know the way I groove there, I know the way others groove. Sure I could opt for a sea change and try another city or town, but I've been dosed up on Aussie culture all my life and now that I've tried the European stuff, yeah, I may be addicted but at least I'm honest.

The beauty about making a grand decision in ones life, means that you get to live it and see what comes to fruition. Who knows where this pathway will lead me. But I'm wise enough now not to be afraid and to know that I have (or will gain with slight pestering!) the support of so many amazing people which will make the experience that much more incredible. Blessings to you all.

So now with this decision made, I just have two little things to deal with. These are called bureaucracy and reality. GEEEZZZZ...

First on the agenda is hitting up the Italian and UK embassies for some very special and important documentation. To live and work for an extended period of time in the EU I need an EU passport. Thanks Dad for being born in Italy, makes this notion highly achievable! Supported by the 2yr UK visa, I will have the freedom to live and work anywhere in Europe! How's that for 'the world is your oyster'.

Next cab off the rank is a job.

"What do you want to do?" I ask myself, and then "Where do you want to live?"

Right now these questions are a little difficult to answer. Just as the battle field in my mind became barren, another war has been declared.

Should I base where I live on the job that I find or should I base my job on the place I want to live?

Ouch, my head aches and then I realise, "Duh, don't narrow your opportunities now, just when you've realised the world is your oyster!"

So I won't. I am open to any opportunity that comes my way. Sing it with me, "I am open to any opportunity that comes my way!"

But of course, being me, I can't help but commence the decision-making process...

Naturally, given that English is my mother tongue, living in the UK seems the sensible option. I could find a really awesome job where I wouldn't need to worry about any language barriers and live pretty comfortably, well as comfortably as UK weather permits. I've got friends there, the music and art scenes are rocken and so yeah, it would be pretty sweet.

But there is also something very exciting about living in a non-English speaking country where you are challenged from the get-go - communication after all is the way we communicate! And I must admit, I love living in Italy. I'm slowly finding my Italian tongue, minus the 'rrr', and it would be such a shame if I didn't pursue this language that is my roots. I was recently inspired by an old school friend who is making a life with her family in France. She couldn't speak a barr of French before they got there, but five years on and she is brilliant (Rach you may not think so, but you are!). Then of course I only need look to my own family, where both my mother and father left their non-English speaking countries of birth for true-blue Aussie-land so many years ago. Now they both speak fluent English! So why should language be an issue?

The comforting thing is that I still have time. All of this won't happen until mid-next year, after I have returned to Australia to spend time with my family and friends, witnessed the exchanging of vows by my dearest and oldest friend Kathy and Stu, trekked through the southwest forest, swum in its beaches, returned to work and settled all else that remains unsettled. After which, Europe will be my new home (quiet eeks of joy!!!)

But for now I am going to continue to make more-than-the-most out of the travelling joy ride I am on, knowing that with every corner I turn, I may just find the opportunity I cannot refuse.

They say change is as good as a holiday, so imagine then a holiday that sparks incredible change. I am blissful in life, loving the adventure, thriving on the energy that greets me every day with the people I meet, the things I see and the experiences I have. I'll always love Australia and I want to come back one day, but for now, my place is here, in this European wonderland, where the earth is rich and the history richer, where cultures thrive and languages hum.