Two more sleeps and still awaiting my visa

I had previously intended to start this blog a little earlier and document the whole AYAD process from application, to training to saying goodbyes and so forth however life has a way of speeding up just when you want it to slow down a little.  So here is a quick update for those friends who have no idea where I am or what I am doing...


I applied for an Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) social work assignment in Mongolia at the beginning of May this year...and you guessed it I was successful and now many months later I am back in Adelaide having completed all the necessary medicals, injections and training in Canberra and once again packing my bags for another adventure.  Those that want to know more about AYAD follow this link : http://www.ayad.com.au/home


I have been having an on again off again relationship with my home town for the past three years now.  Adelaide has always been good to me, treated me well and put up with my commitment issues.  Unfortunately Adelaide and I no longer share that so very important spark.  "Dear Adelaide, I love you but I'm not IN love with you."  I've tried to make it work but realised that it was just to please others and silence their nagging voices...and by others I pretty much mean my mother.   It seems that my dear mum would probably explode with sheer  happiness if I got over this silly little travel idea, settled down, got a full time "normal" job and started popping out the grandchildren.


Not going to happen...however those nagging voices (sorry I mean maternal concerns) are hard to silence sometimes.  I did often wonder why I studied for five years to just laze about in Phuket, eating som tam and occasionally heading to the gym.  It was a good little life at times but I needed more.  My time living in Thailand was unreal and taught me a lot about what I want in life and more importantly what I don't want.  My poor bank account has also taught me that there are other factors to consider in life other than 'what do I feel like doing today??'  Yes that is important, very important in fact however so is having a career that I am passionate about.


My assignment in Mongolia is a way to have the best of both worlds.  An opportunity to blend adventure, career, travel and new experiences.  I will be working for 12 months at an orphanage in the capital city Ulaanbaatar.  I will write more about this as time passes.  Don't worry we have a whole year to sort out the details...however I am still waiting to receive my visa so I probably shouldn't get ahead of myself.  Any of my friends that have been around me long enough know that visas and Erin do not ever run smoothly.  Nothing like last minute I say...get's the adrenalin pumping!  


Now my commitment to blogs in the past has been sporadic so I am declaring now to at least make the effort to document a photo per day... maybe not always post on the actual day but you get my drift!  I've always loved 'photo a day' blogs so I think that should keep my interest and easy to manage.  If you know me well then you know I'm not particularly camera shy so it should work out okay.


So in the spirit of this blog here is the first snap shot: Thursday 28th of October

Henley Square and long overdue catch up drinks at Ramsgate.  Needing as much beach action as possible before being land locked in minus degree weather.


Fingers crossed the postman has an envelope for me tomorrow...


Erin xxx