Australian Story – How ma get here? PT 3

The story continues….

I arrived in Sydney (after my camper van trek that you read about last week) and I did two days of galavanting before I moved in with the family. Okay. No Problem.

I was absolutely fine the entire time, until the morning of 🙂

That’s when I started to, FREAK. Out 🙃

“Alyssa, what are you doing? You don’t know these people? You met them on Facebook!! And you’re going to MOVE IN with them? What’s happening?!” (This was me talking to myself)

“What if they don’t like you? What if they’re crazy? Whhhyyyyy are you doing this??

My mind began to spiral …

with all the bad situations I could be getting myself into. I started to doubt myself and wondered if I was making a big mistake. Overwhelmed with emotions, I felt worried, anxious and nervous, all at the same time. I called my mom for re-assurance (even though I could tell she was a little nervous too) and even shed a few tears afterwards.

I was really freaking out yall. I was all by myself!

But eventually, the time came, and I had to get ready to go. I said, “Alyssa. Get ya self together. Either which way you’re moving in today. Whether they’re crazy or not, you’ll just have to deal with it when the time comes”.

So I grabbed my house and land* (T: my things – a suitcase and two bags), threw them in an Uber (a car), said a prayer and hoped for the best.

*Cue dramatic sound* Dum dum dummmm

The car pulled in front of an apartment building. It was at the end of a street in an inner city suburb and was very close to the city, and the water (Oooo). This was my stop.

I grabbed my bags, bid the driver adieu and thought to myself, “They might be the last person to see me alive you know. Who knows 🤷🏽‍♀️?”

I buzzed up and a lady’s voice told me what floor to go to on the elevator. With my life in my hands (Literally. I had everything I traveled with me in the suitcase), I arrived in their foyer. I felt vulnerable and nervous yet hoped for the best (is all you can do right?).

I took a deep breath *breath*, then knocked on the door….

When it opened…

I didn’t see Jay, the one who I’d been communicating with all this time. Instead, it was her son, this handsome 11 year old with a big smile on his face.

“Hiiii” He said with a big wave. “I like your hair cut”

“Hiii. It’s nice to meet you! And thank you SO MUCH!” I responded.

Cute boy who could be my brother say whatt?! He liked my short hair!! We were already friends! We gave each other a big (yet slightly awkward cause we don’t really know each other) hug and he started to help me with my bags.

Next thing, his mom was at the door with an even bigger smile, and she gave me hugs too. What going on?!

They quickly invited me inside where I was then stunned.

Yall, it was like a dream.

Their apartment was, phenomenal. Located right on the water, you couldn’t get a space or view much better than this. I tried to pick my jaw up from off the ground and concentrate as I began to take in the fact that this would be my new home.

As they helped with me my bags…

…and began to show me around, Jay asked how I was doing. I answered and decided to be honest when I said, “Actually I’ve been really nervous.”

Jay: “Oh my gosh. ME TOO!!”

Huh?? Really nice woman who’s welcomed me into her home say wahhttt ?!

She JUST came off the phone with her sister, freaking out and I said I’d just done the same with my mom!

Immediately, we confessed we both began to have doubts earlier about each other (even though we both sounded so chill on the phone). We thought, hoped and wished the other wasn’t crazy!

I mean, we still just met but at least we were both nervous about this big undertaking by the both of us. What a relief!

The Digs (my room)

After a bit more chit chat, they showed me the room I’d be staying in – a great space that had its own bathroom! (#winning). By this point, I genuinely felt like I was in a hotel. The layout, the views and then my own room and bathroom??

They even added some special touches to make my adjustment a little easier – a phone charger plug, bath wash, shampoo/conditioner etc. They thought of it all!

I took about 10 minutes to myself in the room, (quickly messaged my mother to say I arrived and was alive), then went outside to continue talking to the family.

We all hung out that evening and Jay’s husband met us for dinner (he was at work originally). This is where all of their lovely and bubbly personalities beamed and we realized we were all foodies (loved food).

I still couldn’t believe this was all happening…

The next day…

My first official day of work and I got the breakfast routine rundown. I saw what my mornings and evenings would begin to look like and I was content.

Soon after, when the house was quiet (school & work), Jay and I spoke and she said “Girl you a part of the family now! We all woke up alive the next day. You didn’t kill any of us in our sleep so we’re good to go!”

I cracked. UP! I was surprised by her comment but loved the sense of humor. And I actually felt the same exact way! Just the other way around of course lol

We were alive! We were all alive!

Fast forward two weeks…

And I was having an amazing time.

Yall, we were peas in a pod!

We got along so well, and realized we had a lot in common. They liked to read! As a FAMILY! Ahhhhhh 😍😍.

It was honestly like I stepped into this whole new world. A friend of mine described my situation as the Fresh Prince of Bel Air meets The Nanny. The experiences I had in those first two weeks were unbelievable (So much more to share with yall!)

By this point, I confessed to Jay what a great time I was having and couldn’t dare imagine leaving (wasn’t my bum leaving before winter hit? Eh eh). So I asked if I could stay with them for a full year .

Her response? “Of course! We’d love it if you stayed!”

And that my friends, was the beginning of my year long journey in Australia.

A Brief Message from Global Gyal to you

Yall.

Do you see how important it is to take that jump? That leap of faith? Even if you don’t know where you’ll land? You may be a wreck, before and maybe even after. It may or may not even work out. But you jumped. And you’ll land on your feet, either way.

May this story inspire you to act on your goals, despite of your fears.

Stay tuned. There’s so much more to come.

Yours Truly,

Global Gyal