Life is full of surpises..

Life is like a box of chocolates .. full of surprises.

And that also the way how my new life is. In fact, the surprises already got started long before I left. To start with my visa for Australia. When I applyed for my visa on the website of the Immigration Service at the end of the application the following message came on screen, "Ms. de Fijter, if you continue you will lose your current visa". Earlier this year I went to Australia but that visa was only valid until 1st of May. So I did'nt understand it.. how was it possible that this visa was valid? After checking my mailbox I found my old visa and was suprised to see what happend:My ticket for the 1st visit to Australia was bought in June '09 including a visa for 3 months. But, in Sept. '09, I lost my passport so in Jan. '10 I asekd the office if they could change my new passport number on my visa. Apparently they've not only changed my passportnumber but also the type of visa and validity.. (and at that time I haven't seen this). So at the end.. did'nt have to apply for a new visa 'cause I already had a valid visa, with multiple acess and valid until Febr. '11. Just right for me to return to Australia. As if it was meant to be ...
The weeks before departure were also full of surprises and they have touched me in a way that I can not not hesitate to write about it.

Donations
So many people attended the benefit dinners for the children of Thailand (and not to forget all the people who have made the dinners possible). And of course, all the other donations that have come through friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances and strangers. They alle have made the value until now up to € 2.700. A great result! You still can donate money for this project on bankaccount: 35.70. 62.299, NAA Fijter, Rabobank in Amstelveen.

The final touch ..
It was not easy to get all the stuff packed (how much does a human beeing store and don't even need it..). Thanks to my super mom who came over and as a suprise Patricia and Valentina came over the help as well (without their help I wasn't finished until now..). Together we made the house completely empty and clean. My backpack is also packed and had a weight of exactly 20 kilos. However, appeared at the airport maybe it was also a good idea if I've weighed my hand luggage as well 'cause it was too heavy. Also at work I have putted all my stuff in boxes .. the last week I won't be living in a box but everything that is left.. is in a box ;-).

Farewell
Well .. it's almost time for Sinterklaas (Dutch Santa).. an exciting time for many children. But this time also for me, I leave on 5 December: Sinterklaas Eve. But first I was surprised by colleagues from work who, whithout me knowing it, organized an farewell party. Surprise Surprise! Tom and Jeanine had colletect money and the handed me a big pig with money. Together with other colleagues who already had donated this was obviously a really super sweet and warm farewell! Thanks!

Last snowball fight :-)

The last I also got surprised by the cold weather and there was some beautiful (but cold) snow. All that snow made me also worried how to get to my parents... (yes, exactly on dec 4th all the trains stop to work). In a desperate way to get to Central Station, friends Alex and Maruscha pulled me back and dragged me along for another surprise, a video with 50 messages from people of the CCA Amsterdam. So very well done and so heartwarming. And to finish the evening with one more last surpise.. they brought me to my parents home by car.

Now the time has come to say goodbye. I said goodbye to my family, who had made a surprise as well; a book with pictures and stories of them. And then it was really time to go. Into the new adventure, time for new surprises!

Bye bye family

Goodbye at Schiphol Airport

Goodbye at London Stansted

Arriving in Melbourne, I soon discovered that Melbourne is full of surprises. The weather changes quickly, more than in the Netherlands and they say here that you can have 4 seasons in one day. I can believe it! One moment it's 30 degrees and the other moment is 10 degrees. After my arrivel I've suprised a friend to show up at his gradution, just to continue the suprise stories ;-). After my arrival I have taken some days to do absolutely nothing but I really needed it after the long journey (departure Sunday afternoon and arrivel on Tuesday morning). After resting, I've got surprised by a throat / tonsillitis and I've even been to the doctor and I'm on medication right now. Despite the pain of this .. My English classes have already started, I met some nice people and so far Melbourne has surprised me :-)))

LIFE is not about the destitnation, but the journey