House Hunters!!!

So, I spent all day yesterday doing the preliminary house search!  We really lucked out and I got to see some amazing places to live.  It was really exciting getting to see the homes after months and months of looking at everything online.  After strolling around in the few areas we liked, we decided that we would be happiest in South Yarra, a suburb very close to downtown with great shopping, cafes, bars and parks with beautiful tree lined streets.

 I took this picture while having breakfast (yumm fruit toast is to die for) the other morning :)

Today Brian came with me to make the final decision after I narrowed it down to only 2 places.  So here's what we saw....

1.  An apartment near the Yarra River, close enough for Brian to bike to work (which he is strangely excited about!)  It is 2 bed/2 bath and has 2 parking spots.  It is new and modern with granite counter-tops (or benches as they like to call them here) and has a nice outdoor area for entertaining.   Its also a little less expensive.

2.  A 3 bed/2 bath house which is closer to shops, the supermarket, cafes, park etc.  It is quite a bit bigger with much more closet and storage place.  It is older but feels very homey-- much like what were used to!  It has a great open floorplan which would be great for entertaining and beautiful wood floors and slate tile in the kitchen.

Soooo now its time to decide!!!  We'll let you know which it is after our Easter holiday!!!  (your on pins and needles, I know haha)

We're Here!!!

Well it seems like I've been talking about moving forever but somehow it still seems so strange looking around and thinking this is going to be home...

We left Tuesday evening from Houston and flew to LA.  From there we got on a huge double decker plane (we were on the 2nd floor-- cant say Ive ever even seen a plane with 2 floors!)  It took about 14 1/2 hours from there to get to Melbourne.  It honestly was not a bad flight at all (we did get to fly 1st class so that probably helped!)  I slept a good 6-7 hours, we got pj's, a toothbrush and hot towels to wash our faces, ate Minestrone soup (Brian had rack of lamb haha) at what felt like 3 in the morning, watched Love and Other Drugs, Keeping up with the Kardashians, Modern Family, had a delicious breakfast of fruit and coffee--then next thing I knew we were in Australia!!  We got there at what was about 10 in the morning Thursday (about 7pm Wednesday Houston time)

It was a little strange getting in a cab with the driver in the passenger side but thats something I will have to get used to!  After we got a little settled we went out for a quick lunch!  We decided to go into the downtown area to a little cafe (very little!)  That is when I realized were not in Kansas anymore Toto.  It was so different.  We were in this tiny little alley-- it was all graffitied and a little dirty and off it were probably 30 cafes!  All about the size of a crackerbox!  We sat RIGHT next to people that had to move their table over for me to fit in the booth!!  I kept looking out at the alley and thinking "where are we!?"  But... I have to say the food was amazing!!  I found a few pictures of where we were....

Anyways, thats all for now!!! 

GOODBYE!

The past few months have flown by!!!  I have really enjoyed spending time with friends, family and colleagues.  I am going to miss everyone so much but can't wait to start our new journey down under.

We are set to move April 12th-- only 6 months after we got married!  We have definitely made some life changing decisions in our first few months but I am looking forward to sharing very special memories with my new husband without any house projects and good TV :)  No distractions!!

When we get there we will be living in a hotel until we find our Australian home.  Hopefully, that wont be too long, room service can get pricey!!  I'm excited to drive around to find a home and check out our new city with a real estate agent who knows where they are going!  We will probably be going on a road trip in the first few weeks because they get a week off for easter (YAY!)  Hopefully my next entry will be filled with pictures of our trip and the adventures (I really hope we see a kangaroo!) and of finding a place to live (House Hunters International)!  After we have found a house we still wont have any of our things-- apparently it takes awhile to ship things across the world, like a few months!!!  Then in June our puppy Brody will join us down under!!  I can't believe he wont be with us but rules are rules.... So it seems like I have my first few months planned with organizing a road trip, finding a house and getting it all set up so it feels like home.

 We still have a lot to do in the next few days!  It's crazy how fast time has gone by.  We love everyone so much and will miss everyone terribly but we really appreciate the support we have gotten.  It makes us feel very loved and special.

I wanted to give an extra note to my parents who I am sooooo sad to leave because you are both so supportive and loving and I cant imagine my life without you being a short drive away ... BUT I know we will stay in touch with no problem-- we just may need to plan better!  I cant wait to spend the next week with you both as we finish our packing AND then getting everything ready in Australia for your first visit!!  I love you (take care of bubby for us!!!!)