DISCOVERING AUSTRALIA

This journey here has been a very humbling experience. Traveling these days as an American, its not a positive one. American’s have wonderfully attractive qualities like exhaustively loud conversations, manipulative tendencies, a need to be right, and above all a very pleasant way of over enunciating our words. It is my general view that when an American opens their mouth we are more white noise than embellished thought. Being so, having an Aussie boyfriend in the states got me used to everyone asking, “where are you from?”, “Awe, Australia, I thought so! I love your accent!”… I didn’t think there would be a novelty like this when in Australia (our accent kills that luster for most), but I wasn’t sure if I would be welcomed. I think I was more worried about that actually, than the Aussies I’ve met. Overall, people generally don’t often understand my accent, and have become a bit more shy in the process of meeting people. Honestly, this isn’t a bad thing as it’s given me a chance to sit back and observe the culture, rather than really exert myself tying to make an impression. Observing the culture & general differences across the two nations has been a wonder. Isaac has been but one shade (unself-acknowledged hybrid) of a great culture, but as I have come to this great country; I see where culture has greatly influenced his behaviors and made up much of the essence/air about him that I revere.

SUSTAINABILITY/ETHICAL FARMING vs. ORGANIC PRODUCTS

Unlike America where these terms like “sustainability” and “organic” seem to be posh phrases reserved for larger affluent cities that can sustain farmer’s markets and the purchasing power to attract organic vendors like Whole Foods, here it is different. In any sort of product, you may see one or rarely two, lines of product that are organic. I think this is due to the fact that the framing practices are generally more well known and regulated by the government (which has its hands in more things than the US but actually manages it better). Also the population here is generally more concerned with where their food comes from. Because of the desert center of Australia, most farming is done decently close to the coast, which is where the majority of the population also resides. For this reason, I think citizens are generally more aware of what farm their beef came from, or what locality made their honey. They aren’t so far separated from their food that they look past the farming practices and what happens to their food before they get it. Also being fairly close to their food promotes sustainability which enhances local commerce and shortens travel time & expense resulting in better quality, better tasting, and longer shelf life food.

Though I really revere Isaac for it now, one of the things that drove me mad about Isaac when I began dating again in my mid twenties was that he always had to have organic beef, chicken, eggs, etc. I was at the time only part way through my masters degree and trying to kick start a business. Money was scarce and what little I had I didn’t want to spend on stuff like that; I’d rather save money to get new equipment or put it back into the business. After knowing what the “less expensive option” in the US goes through or the chemical treatments (farming ethics & practices), I cannot imagine having lived any differently. Having been here, and having lived in a posh town like Columbus, OH (posh enough for a Whole Foods & a Daily Farmers Market), I am aiming to get back to a more centered way of life and where we get our food.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF OTHERS

I never thought of myself as a particularly rude person. I always give credit where credit is due, I try to be humble, but yet I am always concentrated on “correctness”. Not knowing, I normally correct bad grammar, pronunciation, brand names, slight mistakes, etc. Australian’s are much less concerned with this, and other than to have a laugh in the confidence of someone you care about, they don’t aim to make others uncomfortable. Reliability here is more important than correctness.

Finding the ability to let lie other’s mistakes, is something that Isaac has always been incredibly gifted at. I never understood it, but it’s a little clearer since I’ve been here that as much of it is that it’s an excellent habit of his, it is also embedded in his culture. I can’t imagine Isaac ever accepting any person that constantly diminished others, and can honestly say that this in him keeps me always on the straight and narrow.

DREAMS & HAPPINESS

Australia is rated one of the happiest nations in the world. Generally things are more expensive here, but the nature of many of the jobs (many are hours away from settlements) create this inexplicable urge to escape the ordinary and produce grandiose dreams in nearly everyone I’ve met. Surprisingly they achieve them too! With the wages generally being much, much greater than the US (it is not uncommon for an average citizen to make 70-80,000 + per yr), buying property that is $200,000- 300,000 and putting a $150,000 as an investment is an achievable goal. These off civilization jobs also boast a common 3 weeks on, 3 weeks off rotation that funds the Australian’s culture for traveling, holidays, and happiness. Thus, making the pace of life here slow to a pleasant halt. The government takes the time to care for each of their citizens providing a competitive but assured lifestyle. Despite America gloating about being ‘the land of opportunity’, I can’t say that I don’t feel the same about Australia during the short time I’ve been here.

This constant pursuit of logical boundaries, dreams, and happiness is something that used to trouble me about Isaac. He seemed aloof and almost too much of a dreamer at times. I could never understand how on Earth he was going to achieve these out of the ordinary paths through life. It used to frustrate the logical practitioner right out of me! However in the past few years the goals and aspirations, that are within reach, I’ve set have been largely due to his mission to live an un-ordinary life. Honestly I’m guilty of wishing Isaac were more “normal”, but am so glad that his drive & passion outweigh any expectations the preconditioned general mouth breather has. I’m sure that there will be many others that fail to understand this about him, but I can say that he has my full and unwavering support to push himself and others who are willing. I am sure there is some cultural connection here, but I’d like to believe that this is something that he has cultivated beyond his predisposition.

HEALTH & LONGEVITY

Okay so there are “fat Australians”, and I confess I came to Australia hoping that I would be put out of my misery one day when I got to be so old that I was missing crucial organs, couldn’t use the toilet by myself, and couldn’t express myself or understand life. I do have the feeling however, that I will leave feeling much different. Australian’s seem to be generally concerned with their health/fitness, and how long they will live & thrive. You cannot judge an Australian just by looking at them either. Besides physical longevity, Australians generally do well at managing their finances to promote financial longevity as well. They’re not a materialistic culture for the most part and refrain from driving their lives into debt with clothes, and short term expenditures that will jeopardize their long term livelihood. That doesn’t mean that they don’t love their toys (anything that will get the adrenaline kicking or having nice things), but they OWN those things. Coming from a country, who for the most part, is mortgaged out the wazoo I found this to be a very admirable thing.

Isaac still has the shirt I bought for him for his birthday (wears it routinely too) 7 years ago from Holister in the U.S. when we were first “boyfriend & girlfriend” (cute & endearing right?). It’s got a few extra holes around the collar, that surprisingly didn’t come from the manufacturer (despite this being the style of the brand). I actually had to take Isaac shopping (something I don’t really enjoy doing for myself even), and help him spend money on some professional clothes when he got promoted to a Senior Designer at a local firm. We struggled to communicate the need between the items he was purchasing. We struck a cord when he saw them as an investment into his career. This is just one example, but the restraint he shows day to day is really a indicator to his upbringing. Not to mention he is equally focused on his physical longevity– the goal is to be 120 years old (0:

I’m sure there is so much more to this list that I will likely add. Just a few of the things I have observed about the culture here, and interestingly enough what things I would have never expected has some cultural foundation in my constant companion. Anyhow, hoping to do some more on the landscape & commerce here too but we shall see when I get some time to really reflect. This, however, will have to suffice for now. 🙂