There is no road less travelled.

Life is today.

Fact.

However, I have a tendency to think about tomorrow and the next day and the next, and is there life after death? You get the point.

Monday I was on the bus travelling from the airport and a man, who could have been my fathers age, sat towards the back and phoned his parents.

“Hey Ma! Guess what, I’m in New York! I know Ma… Yeah, it was kinda last minute, I know… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I have to do this for myself… I’ll pay you back soon, I promise”.

It got me thinking, there’s a fine line between finding yourself and losing yourself. I don’t know the mans story, and perhaps he is very happy, with his life in order. But I got the feeling he was still searching, and perhaps to his own demise?

We've all heard of the “the road less travelled”, which when Googled consists of paths weaving off into a beautiful forest. As if it’s some mystical adventure, with few who have lived to tell the story. Many look from a distance but stay where they are.  While some decide to wander off onto this road, stay too long and never get back on… to anything, ever. Others accidentally fall off the cliff hiding to the right and others become distracted by the birds and dance off into the distance.  BUT, and there’s always a but… some flourish, radiate and do more than just survive, they become alive. But, was that really the road? Or the person?

There’s a reason why travel, a change in occupation or setting off into the night alone, away from all of those we love, (referred too as the road less travelled) is rarely done, rarely commended and more often than not, feared. Because, in search of themselves, some people stay permanently lost. Like the man on the bus perhaps? In search of himself, did he lose himself? Was he so busy trying to find the road that he missed it?

I live in a world, where young adults are in constant conflict. Often it can feel like we have 1 of 2 options. Get into a top University, work our brains off, graduating top in the class. Land a job working for a company leading in the profession, promising a steady income with great career progression. Others are tempted to pick the apple from the tree, set off into the big wide world, walk streets they've never been too, talk to strangers, taste foods they can’t even pronounce and look up at the stars in wonder and think “what the hell am I doing here? Crap, should I go back now?”  But the crazy thing is, if you’re doing one, you’re often wishing you were doing the other. And usually, you can't do both at the same time. It's an internal battle to do better, be better, see more, earn more. 

As a girl, if you had straight hair you wanted curly and if you had curly, you wanted straight. What you don’t have, you want. But is the road less travelled complete rubbish? (no offence Robert Frost). Life is full of contradictions and this is surely one, because “walk a mile in my shoes” just goes to show, not one road is the same, so essentially we are all going down our own roads that are less travelled?

Whatever road we’re on, let it be just that – a road. No better or worse. We are all trying to find ourselves, but don't get so fixated that you lose yourself in the process. I decided to do my searching in the streets of New York City, but it may have turned out to be the nights alone in my bedroom staring at the ceiling that made the difference. I thought it was the road less travelled, but then I met so many people on the road that I wanted to push them off to give me some space to breathe again! And I realised, it wasn't any less travelled at all. 

There is a fine line between exploring and waisting time. I've been gone for 1.5 years now and I've decided to pull this New York adventure to a close 2 months earlier than planned. A mixture of reasons, and one being that my days were rolling by and I realised I'd squeezed the sponge for all its got. New York has been an amazing ride, I met people who will stay in my life forever, I've tasted some incredible food, learnt to be a little more assertive and yesterday I used my skills from high school athletics, needing to literally jump over a homeless man wedged in my front door, again. 

While I've been here, others are studying abroad, some working towards careers, getting married, building a family, working or studying. Every road imaginable being filled by hundreds everyday. I realised, it's time to stop worrying about the road, and more about the brain thats walking us down it. Just take a look at Instagram. Our feeds are full of #life (88 million) and #love (673 million) quotes, everyone has their own philosophy when sitting behind an iPhone screen. We love to post quotes saying "if its meant to be it'll be", but for the man laying outside of my apartment building this morning, his head cracked open from presumably falling onto the pavement, with no one around him but the owner of the grocery store - things didn't work out so good. 

So yes, life is today. But don't forget about tomorrow and remember to learn from yesterday. Worry less about the road and build that brain up to take you onward and upward.  

xxx

How did you move to New York?

I’m on the home stretch. 

In less than three weeks I’ll be packing my New York life into 4 large suitcases (if I’m lucky), a carry on and a large handbag. At 25 years old I have moved 20 times and October 17^th will mark 21, and people wonder why I’m a restless soul! It’s basically stitched into my DNA. I boarded my first plane when I was no older than 6 months. Between the ages of 1 – 15 I was on a plane at least 4 times a year to visit family in different states. As I got older my travel increased, visiting places and friends around Australia: Melbourne, Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Alice Springs and Tasmania. Germany, Korea and America make 9 (soon to be 10) long-haul flights and my 18 months abroad has seen me visit LA, Las Vegas, Hawaii and Florida by air. And as I write this blog I’m flying through the air, Florida to New York. Travel and change has kept my eyes open, my brain switched on and my heart beating.

 “When the time comes for you to make a change or grow, the universe will make you so uncomfortable you will eventually have no choice”. 

Paper Planes is what I named this blog over 18 months ago. A perfect symbol for my journey, not only to New York, but my entire life. A Paper Plane is something created and can be constantly recreated. It’s unpredictable, with no steering to control its direction. It will never land where you expected it too and it can always be picked up, have its nose straightened out and sent off again. A Paper Plane is having faith and seeing what happens.

Recently, I’ve received several emails from people asking about my move to America. How is it possible to move to New York? Why did I do it? How am I working? No, I didn’t win the green card lottery, no I’m not secretly half American and no I’m not a studying. As my end is fast approaching I thought I would take the time to write down what I did and how I did it.

When did you move?

April 22, 2013.

What made you want to move?

I spent 2 weeks in New York City for the Christmas of 2012 and fell in love with it. I had just graduated from University and before I became too ‘stuck’ I jumped at the opportunity to do something different for a while.

What visa are you on?

J1. This is a visa for Australians. I was on an Au Pair J1 visa for 6 months and then transferred to a J1 12 month visa. This visa is only eligible to Australians who have graduated university within 12 months of getting their visa. This visa cannot be extended or issued twice. It really isn't easy to move here. There aren't a lot of options and the reality is, this country is desired by many countries around the world- its hard. Being Australian, there are more options and it is possible but it'll take time to find the right visa. Usually a J1 or E3 are the most frequently used. 

How long did it take to organize?

I landed back in Sydney on January 7^th 2013 and left for America on April 22 2013, so roughly 3 months. I had to figure out what visa I would be eligible for, which seemed like the hardest task I had ever embarked on. Visas like an E3, H1, J1 listed for pages in what seemed a foreign language and there didn’t seem to be an easy, straightforward answer. Several times I gave up and I'm sure nearly got my first grey hair- it was stressful!  After looking through a few options and with my impatient nature, I decided an Au Pair visa would be the easiest and quickest option. This would essentially give me instant employment and housing, which I thought was a smart option, when moving to a country I had no idea of navigating. However, after 6 months I was restless and felt restricted so I quit in November 2013, returning to Australia to swap visas while I still had time, and then returned to Manhattan in December 2013. 

How much did it all cost?

My Au Pair visa, including the agency fees (InterExchange) was $700.00 (flights were included) and then consulate fees were approximately $200.00. In addition to this I took a lot of savings as an Au Pairs wage is minimum  I also sold my car, settled any phone plans etc. Transferring to my second J1 visa cost $1,400 for sponsorship (through CICD via GrowUSA), $200.00 for consulate and then flights.

How did you find a job?

I was lucky enough to have met some people in the hospitality industry and my resume was sent to my employer. I then had an interview, a trial and then a 5 day training period, followed by a menu and cocktail test. After that was all passed I got the job as bartender on 18th and Park Avenue. Craigslist is also a good way to find jobs, its not some creepy website like it is in Australia. People really do use it. 

How did you find somewhere to live?

Through a facebook group called GrowUSA. There are lots of pages for Aussies in NYC and they're full of Aussies willing and wanting to help. People are always in and out of NYC. I got lucky and found a room with two other American girls in Manhattan (and we now have a little kitten!). The apartment was already fully furnished and I bought the bedroom furniture from the girl leaving (an Aussie) and then did a big trip to IKEA to fill the rest. 

Did you know anyone?

Two people, who I had briefly met 5 years earlier while they were studying aboard in Sydney. I also have two Uncles who live in Florida. But essentially, it was just me. 

How did you make friends?

It was difficult at first. I made some friends when I was nannying in New Jersey and then through the Australian facebook pages I met people and then when I started work I met a whole new group of people. People are very welcoming in NYC, this city is full of people from everywhere but here and we've all been alone in the beginning like you. Put yourself out there and the rest is easy. 

Didn't you get lonely?

Oh for sure! Cried a lot to begin with, and sometimes still do! But thats part of it. 

What phone plan?

T-Mobile. Not the best service but being an international, for $70 a month its unlimited text and call in the U.S and unlimited calls to Australia.

How do you get around?

A few months back I finally decided to get a Citi-bike membership- BEST THING I EVER DID. It's $99 a year, compared to the subway which is $113 a month. I find it super convenient and its some light exercise at the same time. I'll catch the subway if I have too ($2.50 a ride) and a taxi if I’m wearing heels or its raining.

Whats your favourite thing about New York?

This city is so big, with so many people. You really can be whoever you want to be and you'll find someone out there just like you. Anything you want to eat, drink, listen too or watch - New York has it - and at all hours of the day and night. 

Favourite restaurant?

Catch, Buddakahn or TAO to name a few. All in the Meatpacking. I also LOVE Cafe Gitane

Favourite bar?

Le Bain, Standard Rooftop. 

Favourite place?

Walking the streets in the West Village, and the Hudson River bike path. 

 What are you excited about in Australia?

Hmmm there's a lot. Driving a car, good food, strangers with manners (like helping cary a suitcase up the stairs), the ocean being only streets away, being able to invite friends over for dinner because where I live will be big enough (I love you Manhattan but your apartments are too small!), seeing my family whenever I want - good coffee.