I'm sitting at home and really enjoying being here. I haven't spent too much time in my house recently and I really love it. It's quiet and warm and comfy. I have the candles lit and the music on. Life is good!!!
I spent all of last week (Sunday - Saturday) in Steve Linder's Neuro Strategies course. Most of you reading this will know that I've done a lot of Tony Robbins work. I really see Steve as someone who is standing on Tony's shoulders; adding Tony's work to others' (including traditional NLP) and using his brilliant mind to combine it into distinctions which are uniquely his own. Plus, he has a way of "chunking things down" to make them elegantly simple and very accessible.
What did I gain? I feel like the cobwebs are cleared from my mind. My ability to recall things from both short and long term memory has been enhanced. I'm remembering things from my past in vivid detail all of a sudden. Including the weave of people's clothing. It's amazing.
More importantly though I gained a lot of strategies to retrain my own mind, to put more empowering meanings on events from my past and to keep myself at cause in my life instead of at effect.
Most importantly I gained the ability to use these tools to help others make a real difference in their lives. I am confident that I can help anyone at anytime overcome challenges. I can help them create an empowering future for themselves and teach them some tools to live into that empowering future. I can also help people get out of debt, gain better health and wow their friends at cocktail parties by lifting people out of their chairs with just two fingers. :)
And, I gained three certifications that I can now put on my profile: NLP, Time Line Therapy and Hypnotherapy. Cool stuff.
And I've already been using some of these distinctions. I met with a couple of men I'll be working with to deliver sales training and offered up Steve's "buying strategies" model. They loved it and will incorporate it into a sales round table that we are participating in tomorrow.
I also introduced some of the concepts to the RCSA (the recruitment industry's trade organisation in ANZ) when talking to them about delivering a series of webinars.
I know these tools and strategies will make a huge difference in my life and others and really can't wait to start sharing them.
To that end...if you are in Sydney...I will be holding a training day to go over some of these distinctions on the 8th of August. Location TBD. 10 AM - 5PM. Let me know if you are interested and I'll tailor the content to the majority of the group.
Unfortunately the late hours have played havoc with my yoga practice. But I have gotten back into it slowly over the last couple of days with just standing poses. Tomorrow will be a full self practice before the round table.
Scooty and I have been having a lot of fun. We've been buzzing all over town...including an impromptu, white knuckle trip over the Harbour Bridge (very windy) at 9:00 last night. I think I was driving about 40K's. Luckily there was very little traffic.
Busy week this week again. Lots of potential opportunities...more on that later!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Haven't forgotten about the blog
Have just been busy with a full on course on Neuro Strategies. I'll update tomorrow or Tuesday latest, I promise!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Yogic Life
The reason that my blog is called "A Yogic Life in the Modern World" is because that seems to best describe how I am currently living my life. I am caught up in the day to day life of modern, western civilisation...but trying to stay true or at least as true as I can to the philosophies and practices that I'm learning through yoga.
A quick note. When I talk about yoga I talk about it in the macro sense...all of Pattanjali's 8 limbs if you will (google it for those of you who don't know what I mean). Not just the physical practice or asanas. But the yamas and niyamas (moral codes) and the spiritual practices as well.
That's what I love about Ashtanga...which means "8 limbs." The asana practice incorporates it all.
I began an Ashtanga yoga practice in 2000 and practiced regularly for a year before moving to NZ. I had a very sporadic practice for 4 years and finally went back in September 2006 to the Auckland Yoga Academy run by my dear friends Jude Hynes and Peter Nilsson after having lost 50 lbs / 22 kgs. I developed a 4 - 5 day / week practice and it truly became part of my life. I also started to study yogic philosophies with Peter and Jude and developed a wonderful friendship.
Now, Ashtanga is an absolute miracle for me. It's the most dynamic of yoga practices and builds incredible stamina and strength in addition to flexibility. It's an hour and a half to two hours of constant movement and very challenging poses. There are something like 47 push ups spread throughout the practice as well (it took me a year of constant practice to even do one of them!)
I've never been particularly strong. In fact, growing up my parents used to call me Cupcake Muscles! So, for me to have a regular Ashtanga practice is a miracle. For me to be able to do the entire primary series in completely unexpected. But here I am.
If you are a dedicated Ashtangi you go to Mysore, India: the source for Ashtanga where the founder of the practice Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (Guruji) lived for most of his 93 years and died just this past May. I did go to Mysore and spent 4 months there from July - October of last year. I wrote my first blog about those experiences, "Eat, Pray, Love: the Kim Smith Version." This was a life changing experience for me on so many levels.
Not only did my yoga practice deepen imeasurably, but I also had the privilege to study philosophy and TM Meditation with another true guru and true yogi, Narasimhan. Then there was India herself. What an amazing place with stunning people. My friend Amna Ali Kamal says it best in her song, "White Cow", "Take me back to India, she's got me through the souls of my feet."
India gets into your DNA. Once you've been part of you never leaves. I get homesick for India just like I get homesick for the States or New Zealand...yet somehow even more profoundly. The only way to explain it is that I feel its the true home of my soul.
One of the best things about Sydney though is my teacher here, Eileen Hall of Yoga Moves. Eileen was one of Guruji's first western students and is an amazing teacher. My practice has come far in the 8 months that I've been with her.
Much of the joy in my life comes from my yoga practice. As silly as it sounds to non yoga practitioners every yogi and yogini will understand when I say that I could lose everything in my life, but as long as I had my yoga practice I'd have everything I need.
It's not always easy balancing the demands of modern daily life with a yoga practice...but then again that, in itself is yoga.
A quick note. When I talk about yoga I talk about it in the macro sense...all of Pattanjali's 8 limbs if you will (google it for those of you who don't know what I mean). Not just the physical practice or asanas. But the yamas and niyamas (moral codes) and the spiritual practices as well.
That's what I love about Ashtanga...which means "8 limbs." The asana practice incorporates it all.
I began an Ashtanga yoga practice in 2000 and practiced regularly for a year before moving to NZ. I had a very sporadic practice for 4 years and finally went back in September 2006 to the Auckland Yoga Academy run by my dear friends Jude Hynes and Peter Nilsson after having lost 50 lbs / 22 kgs. I developed a 4 - 5 day / week practice and it truly became part of my life. I also started to study yogic philosophies with Peter and Jude and developed a wonderful friendship.
Now, Ashtanga is an absolute miracle for me. It's the most dynamic of yoga practices and builds incredible stamina and strength in addition to flexibility. It's an hour and a half to two hours of constant movement and very challenging poses. There are something like 47 push ups spread throughout the practice as well (it took me a year of constant practice to even do one of them!)
I've never been particularly strong. In fact, growing up my parents used to call me Cupcake Muscles! So, for me to have a regular Ashtanga practice is a miracle. For me to be able to do the entire primary series in completely unexpected. But here I am.
If you are a dedicated Ashtangi you go to Mysore, India: the source for Ashtanga where the founder of the practice Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (Guruji) lived for most of his 93 years and died just this past May. I did go to Mysore and spent 4 months there from July - October of last year. I wrote my first blog about those experiences, "Eat, Pray, Love: the Kim Smith Version." This was a life changing experience for me on so many levels.
Not only did my yoga practice deepen imeasurably, but I also had the privilege to study philosophy and TM Meditation with another true guru and true yogi, Narasimhan. Then there was India herself. What an amazing place with stunning people. My friend Amna Ali Kamal says it best in her song, "White Cow", "Take me back to India, she's got me through the souls of my feet."
India gets into your DNA. Once you've been part of you never leaves. I get homesick for India just like I get homesick for the States or New Zealand...yet somehow even more profoundly. The only way to explain it is that I feel its the true home of my soul.
One of the best things about Sydney though is my teacher here, Eileen Hall of Yoga Moves. Eileen was one of Guruji's first western students and is an amazing teacher. My practice has come far in the 8 months that I've been with her.
Much of the joy in my life comes from my yoga practice. As silly as it sounds to non yoga practitioners every yogi and yogini will understand when I say that I could lose everything in my life, but as long as I had my yoga practice I'd have everything I need.
It's not always easy balancing the demands of modern daily life with a yoga practice...but then again that, in itself is yoga.
Dating Life
As I mentioned, I'm divorced and dating vigorously. Well, technically I'm separated as NZ has a 2 year mandatory separation before getting a divorce. After August 4th my husband Brad (whom I'm still great friends with!!!) will take our separation agreement and $25 down to the court house to finalise our divorce. He'll be happy...no more joint US tax returns!
It's interesting dating at 48. In many ways it's much easier than when I was younger, maybe because I'm much more self-confident...maybe because I'm much hotter than I was back then (see told ya I have a healthy opinion of myself). :)
But the last few months have been quite the experience.
Now, I'm primarily using RSVP, an online dating site in Oz to find men to date. I love RSVP because you don't get as many weirdos and scam artists as I found on Match.com. It's also a great system because you can "kiss" people you're interested in and, if they are interested in you, they will reply positively and then you spend money on a "stamp" to send an email. For women it's a very cheap way to go as you get more than enough hits. I rarely send kisses...only if there is someone that really attracts my attention.
I use RSVP because I think it's a tremendously effective use of time, gives me access to a much broader cross section of men. And I can "date" in the comfort of my own home wearing old sweat pants and no make up.
I've had email exchanges with over 100 guys, met over 30 for first dates and had exactly 3 second dates. Yes, I'm picky.
I've learned some things along the way too:
I've only I met one guy that totally lied in his profile. He said he was 5'9" (5'6" is being generous) and that he had an athletic body (maybe he did 10 - 15 years ago but now he's almost as wide as he is tall). Now I would tell him that he'd misrepresented himself and walk out. But this was the early days and I didn't want to hurt his feelings. Mid way through my first and only glass of wine he asked me how he was doing and if I'd like to see him again. I said no.
The other guys were nice, but not compelling enough for me to spend more time with.
Of the three second dates I had...
One has turned into a great friend (probably my best friend in Sydney) and business associate. He doesn't feel a "spark" for me, which is fine. We have a great time together and don't seem to get bored with each other, which is ashtonishing for both of us, really.
One wanted to move really really quickly. I suspect he was more looking for a mother for his children than a romantic partner. I like him a lot and was attracted to him but I just didn't seem to connect with him like he said he was connecting with me. Part of it was the fact that he didn't take particularly good care of himself physically, which is a big deal. Part of it was something else that I just couldn't put my finger on. But he's now in a relationship that seems to be working really well for him and I'm happy.
The third was smart and funny and cute and a Kiwi (I have a soft spot in my heart for Kiwis). Our second date was the day before my birthday. He "took me out" to celebrate...and made me split the bill. Needless to say, there was not a third date.
The best date I've had through this entire experience was the biggest learning experience of all. He was smart, very funny, extremely successful, accomplished and driven and very sexy. We spent a great 3 hours together and he had me giggling like a school girl! He was extremely masculine which brought out the feminine in me. It was just about perfect...until
As we were finishing off (he was running late to pick up his kids) I got up to go the bathroom. When I came back he stood up, pulled me towards him, gave me a nice kiss on the lips and walked away. He didn't mention paying so I thought he must have taken care of it.
I had a networking meeting in the same hotel and went to that. A waiter came by with a tray of drinks and I took one. Shortly there after another waiter came by with a bill. Now, I've been to a lot of networking meetings before and I've never seen a system where they offer you a glass on one tray and present you with a bill a minute later. Then I looked at the bill. $58! That's an expensive glass of champagne!!!! But no, it was actually our bar bill. My guy had left without paying.
Now, my first reaction was that he forgot. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a very direct communicator. Normally I would have just gone home, written him and email asking if he'd forgotten and we'd be laughing. But, I was so stunned by this (and a bit tipsy at this point in time) that I started telling people what had happened. I love a good story and I thought this was a good one. After I got over the initial shock I was laughing. But, to the person, everyone I told (men and women) all told me that he most likely did it on purpose and that I shouldn't give him a second thought because he was either a complete ass or a game player. Unfortunately that was congruent with some of the emails that we'd exchanged before meeting (although my experience of him in person was definitely not that!) But, I took this to heart and, instead of writing the email I would have normally written, I wrote him a very ambiguous one and one he took the wrong way.
A month went by with little communication. I did ask him to make up for leaving me with the bill by donating some items from a store that he owns to my Rotary Club's 4th of July celebration which he did.
Then finally curiosity got the best of me and I emailed him and asked him why he left like that. Well, he'd forgotten, like I'd originally assumed. Then he mis read my email and thought I was hard work so he forgot about me. Unfortunately for me and luckily for him he's also met someone else and is madly in love. I am happy for him and I learned a lot through this experience.
And there will be many more adventures to come, that I can promise you!
It's interesting dating at 48. In many ways it's much easier than when I was younger, maybe because I'm much more self-confident...maybe because I'm much hotter than I was back then (see told ya I have a healthy opinion of myself). :)
But the last few months have been quite the experience.
Now, I'm primarily using RSVP, an online dating site in Oz to find men to date. I love RSVP because you don't get as many weirdos and scam artists as I found on Match.com. It's also a great system because you can "kiss" people you're interested in and, if they are interested in you, they will reply positively and then you spend money on a "stamp" to send an email. For women it's a very cheap way to go as you get more than enough hits. I rarely send kisses...only if there is someone that really attracts my attention.
I use RSVP because I think it's a tremendously effective use of time, gives me access to a much broader cross section of men. And I can "date" in the comfort of my own home wearing old sweat pants and no make up.
I've had email exchanges with over 100 guys, met over 30 for first dates and had exactly 3 second dates. Yes, I'm picky.
I've learned some things along the way too:
- If they are under 6' tall they lie about their height...take 1 - 3 inches off (you know how bad men are with measurements). :)
- If all of their pics are taken with a cap or hat on they are bald.
- If all of their pictures are scanned in they are 5 - 10 years old.
I've only I met one guy that totally lied in his profile. He said he was 5'9" (5'6" is being generous) and that he had an athletic body (maybe he did 10 - 15 years ago but now he's almost as wide as he is tall). Now I would tell him that he'd misrepresented himself and walk out. But this was the early days and I didn't want to hurt his feelings. Mid way through my first and only glass of wine he asked me how he was doing and if I'd like to see him again. I said no.
The other guys were nice, but not compelling enough for me to spend more time with.
Of the three second dates I had...
One has turned into a great friend (probably my best friend in Sydney) and business associate. He doesn't feel a "spark" for me, which is fine. We have a great time together and don't seem to get bored with each other, which is ashtonishing for both of us, really.
One wanted to move really really quickly. I suspect he was more looking for a mother for his children than a romantic partner. I like him a lot and was attracted to him but I just didn't seem to connect with him like he said he was connecting with me. Part of it was the fact that he didn't take particularly good care of himself physically, which is a big deal. Part of it was something else that I just couldn't put my finger on. But he's now in a relationship that seems to be working really well for him and I'm happy.
The third was smart and funny and cute and a Kiwi (I have a soft spot in my heart for Kiwis). Our second date was the day before my birthday. He "took me out" to celebrate...and made me split the bill. Needless to say, there was not a third date.
The best date I've had through this entire experience was the biggest learning experience of all. He was smart, very funny, extremely successful, accomplished and driven and very sexy. We spent a great 3 hours together and he had me giggling like a school girl! He was extremely masculine which brought out the feminine in me. It was just about perfect...until
As we were finishing off (he was running late to pick up his kids) I got up to go the bathroom. When I came back he stood up, pulled me towards him, gave me a nice kiss on the lips and walked away. He didn't mention paying so I thought he must have taken care of it.
I had a networking meeting in the same hotel and went to that. A waiter came by with a tray of drinks and I took one. Shortly there after another waiter came by with a bill. Now, I've been to a lot of networking meetings before and I've never seen a system where they offer you a glass on one tray and present you with a bill a minute later. Then I looked at the bill. $58! That's an expensive glass of champagne!!!! But no, it was actually our bar bill. My guy had left without paying.
Now, my first reaction was that he forgot. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a very direct communicator. Normally I would have just gone home, written him and email asking if he'd forgotten and we'd be laughing. But, I was so stunned by this (and a bit tipsy at this point in time) that I started telling people what had happened. I love a good story and I thought this was a good one. After I got over the initial shock I was laughing. But, to the person, everyone I told (men and women) all told me that he most likely did it on purpose and that I shouldn't give him a second thought because he was either a complete ass or a game player. Unfortunately that was congruent with some of the emails that we'd exchanged before meeting (although my experience of him in person was definitely not that!) But, I took this to heart and, instead of writing the email I would have normally written, I wrote him a very ambiguous one and one he took the wrong way.
A month went by with little communication. I did ask him to make up for leaving me with the bill by donating some items from a store that he owns to my Rotary Club's 4th of July celebration which he did.
Then finally curiosity got the best of me and I emailed him and asked him why he left like that. Well, he'd forgotten, like I'd originally assumed. Then he mis read my email and thought I was hard work so he forgot about me. Unfortunately for me and luckily for him he's also met someone else and is madly in love. I am happy for him and I learned a lot through this experience.
- Don't let other people's opinions influence you! Go with your gut.
- Direct, clear, open, honest communication is the only way to go.
- Seize the moment. If you see something you want go after it!
- There are men out there that can make me giggle like a school girl. They may only come around rarely but they are out there and I can find them and attract them (he later told me that we'd be dating had my email not pissed him off). :)
And there will be many more adventures to come, that I can promise you!
Friday, July 17, 2009
48? How did that happen????
I'm finally launching the blog that I've been promising to so many people for so long. My first blog, "Eat, Pray, Love, the Kim Smith Version" chronicled my life changing 4 months practicing Ashtanga Yoga at it's source in Mysore India. People seemed to enjoy reading about both my inner and outer journeys during that experience and they've been encouraging me to start another. I've made several attempts but never really got very far...until my 48th birthday on July 3 of this year.
48???? How did that happen? I certainly don't feel 48. I think I look and know I feel better than I ever have! I'm definitely in better shape mentally, emotionally and physically than I was 10, even 20 years ago. So, while I tell myself that 48 is just a number, sometimes it seems like a big one.
But then again, part of what has made me who I am is my 48 years of experience. So which years would I wish away? Which experiences would I trade for a different year on my birth certificate? None of them!
The truth is that I'm happier, healthier and more comfortable in my own skin as a result of my 48 years on the planet. And, since I plan to live past 100 I'm not even 1/2 way through my life (but I am getting close to launching the 2nd half of it).
So, what will I do with the second half of my life? How will I spend it? What will I accomplish, who will I be, who will I serve? Who will I love? Big questions. Exciting questions. I hope that the insights that I share in this blog as I answer these questions for myself with help others along the way...or at the very least I hope they will entertain them.
I don't have a lot of ego. Many of the people who know me will disagree with that statement. To put it differently, while I have a healthy opinion of myself and my capabilities, I'm not afraid to try almost anything and I'm not afraid to look stupid or to stumble and fall...and I do plenty of that in my life. And I'm doing plenty of that now, being in a new city, starting a new business and, (gasp) dating at 48. I've had lots of adventures already in the 8 months that I've been in Sydney and plan to have many more to write about here.
So, a little background to get started for those of you who don't know me and to catch up those of you who do.
I grew up in the US (lived in Wisconsin, Tennessee, Florida, Ohio (go Buckeyes), Massachusetts and Texas (Austin, heaven on Earth!). I spent 4 years in hotel management at The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, a beautiful, turn of the century, renovated 5 Diamond property. Then I went to Ohio State and trained as an accountant (yuck). I worked for 2 years at KPMG in Boston and Dallas and then floated around a bit in other accounting jobs. I fell into recruiting in 1994 with Robert Half International...one of the best companies on the planet.
I had a fabulous 15 year career in recruiting, primarily but not exclusively with Robert Half. I got married in 2001 at the age of 40 and moved to New Zealand with my new husband to restart the 10 month old and struggling Robert Half office in Auckland.
I had an AWESOME 6 years in New Zealand. It was the best professional experience I've ever had. I was incredibly successful, was in the media a great deal, helped to build the office to arguably the number 1 brand for accounting and finance recruitment in Auckland, met some amazing people and basically had the time of my life.
New Zealand itself is a stunning country. It is, unarguably, the most beautiful country on the planet with spectacular views around every bend in the road (of which there are many in NZ). The Kiwis are the most friendly people on Earth and are very sophisticated, intelligent and worldly. An incredible thing for people who litterally live at the end of the earth.
But, paradise has its problems...and NZ's problem is it's weather. Specifically Auckland's problem is its weather. My ex-husband used to say that it's either raining, getting ready to rain, or just stopped raining in Auckland. The rain didn't necessarily bother me...but the damp cold did. Especially when your house does not have heat (don't get me started!) :)
So, after becoming a citizen and proudly carrying an NZ passport I did what so many Kiwis do (both natural and naturalised) I moved to Sydney.
Now, Sydney is a beautiful city with one of the most stunning harbours in the world. The weather is MUCH better than Auckland, I'm pleased to say. And the number of people who live in Sydney equals the number of people who live in all of NZ. So, there is more opportunity here.
I struggled the first 6 months I was here. Aussies are very different than Kiwis and Australia is a hard place to live. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the continent is the 2nd most inhospitable place to live outside of Antarctica! Maybe that effects the mentality here. I don't know. But I do know that the banking and telecommunications systems are better in some third world countries than they are here. I also know that customer service sucks and that there is a high degree of apathy that pervades the culture.
Having said that, I've met some really amazing people here and am starting to carve out a niche, a community...a tribe. In the end it's the tribes that you associate with that impact the quality of your life and mine is shaping up to be the best I've ever had.
So, come with me as I continue to explore my new city and country, build my business, date up a storm and practice my wonderful Ashtanga yoga.
I'll stumble and fall a lot, but I'll always pick myself up smiling and I hope I can make you smile as well.
48???? How did that happen? I certainly don't feel 48. I think I look and know I feel better than I ever have! I'm definitely in better shape mentally, emotionally and physically than I was 10, even 20 years ago. So, while I tell myself that 48 is just a number, sometimes it seems like a big one.
But then again, part of what has made me who I am is my 48 years of experience. So which years would I wish away? Which experiences would I trade for a different year on my birth certificate? None of them!
The truth is that I'm happier, healthier and more comfortable in my own skin as a result of my 48 years on the planet. And, since I plan to live past 100 I'm not even 1/2 way through my life (but I am getting close to launching the 2nd half of it).
So, what will I do with the second half of my life? How will I spend it? What will I accomplish, who will I be, who will I serve? Who will I love? Big questions. Exciting questions. I hope that the insights that I share in this blog as I answer these questions for myself with help others along the way...or at the very least I hope they will entertain them.
I don't have a lot of ego. Many of the people who know me will disagree with that statement. To put it differently, while I have a healthy opinion of myself and my capabilities, I'm not afraid to try almost anything and I'm not afraid to look stupid or to stumble and fall...and I do plenty of that in my life. And I'm doing plenty of that now, being in a new city, starting a new business and, (gasp) dating at 48. I've had lots of adventures already in the 8 months that I've been in Sydney and plan to have many more to write about here.
So, a little background to get started for those of you who don't know me and to catch up those of you who do.
I grew up in the US (lived in Wisconsin, Tennessee, Florida, Ohio (go Buckeyes), Massachusetts and Texas (Austin, heaven on Earth!). I spent 4 years in hotel management at The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, a beautiful, turn of the century, renovated 5 Diamond property. Then I went to Ohio State and trained as an accountant (yuck). I worked for 2 years at KPMG in Boston and Dallas and then floated around a bit in other accounting jobs. I fell into recruiting in 1994 with Robert Half International...one of the best companies on the planet.
I had a fabulous 15 year career in recruiting, primarily but not exclusively with Robert Half. I got married in 2001 at the age of 40 and moved to New Zealand with my new husband to restart the 10 month old and struggling Robert Half office in Auckland.
I had an AWESOME 6 years in New Zealand. It was the best professional experience I've ever had. I was incredibly successful, was in the media a great deal, helped to build the office to arguably the number 1 brand for accounting and finance recruitment in Auckland, met some amazing people and basically had the time of my life.
New Zealand itself is a stunning country. It is, unarguably, the most beautiful country on the planet with spectacular views around every bend in the road (of which there are many in NZ). The Kiwis are the most friendly people on Earth and are very sophisticated, intelligent and worldly. An incredible thing for people who litterally live at the end of the earth.
But, paradise has its problems...and NZ's problem is it's weather. Specifically Auckland's problem is its weather. My ex-husband used to say that it's either raining, getting ready to rain, or just stopped raining in Auckland. The rain didn't necessarily bother me...but the damp cold did. Especially when your house does not have heat (don't get me started!) :)
So, after becoming a citizen and proudly carrying an NZ passport I did what so many Kiwis do (both natural and naturalised) I moved to Sydney.
Now, Sydney is a beautiful city with one of the most stunning harbours in the world. The weather is MUCH better than Auckland, I'm pleased to say. And the number of people who live in Sydney equals the number of people who live in all of NZ. So, there is more opportunity here.
I struggled the first 6 months I was here. Aussies are very different than Kiwis and Australia is a hard place to live. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the continent is the 2nd most inhospitable place to live outside of Antarctica! Maybe that effects the mentality here. I don't know. But I do know that the banking and telecommunications systems are better in some third world countries than they are here. I also know that customer service sucks and that there is a high degree of apathy that pervades the culture.
Having said that, I've met some really amazing people here and am starting to carve out a niche, a community...a tribe. In the end it's the tribes that you associate with that impact the quality of your life and mine is shaping up to be the best I've ever had.
So, come with me as I continue to explore my new city and country, build my business, date up a storm and practice my wonderful Ashtanga yoga.
I'll stumble and fall a lot, but I'll always pick myself up smiling and I hope I can make you smile as well.
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