All My Bags are Packed, I'm Ready to Go...

Okay... so maybe my send off is not going to be as dramatic as the movie Armageddon... But this is the biggest adventure of my life, thus far.

For the last month, I have planned, packed, and prepared everything possible to make this trip go off without any problems. I know it seems silly to be sad in any way shape or form to leave. But I think just the idea of NOT being able to just drive home when I want will be an odd feeling. I also think that you should do things that make you nervous and take you out of your comfort zone... Which is exactly what I am doing!

I cannot thank the people around me enough... my family and friends. WOW! I am really feeling the love. Not many people's parents would encourage them to follow their dreams and be okay with them quitting their job to pursue this kind of opportunity. Mom and Dad, words could never describe how amazing y'all are. You love and accept me for exactly what I am. Thank you.

My sibs... I feel like I have more than I ever deserve. I have a big family that loves me and cheers me on through every triumph and failure. It isn't every day that you can call your siblings your best friends, but Cori, Ruthie, and Bug you definitely are! Shout out to the JH's also. Please take care of my sisters :) and Jon please continue to email me entries for our "last name game" :) HABOO

Embry, Ford, and soon to be niece Lucy... my hearts. There is no deeper love then the one I feel for these kids. I have lost sleep imagining not seeing these babies for the next 6 months, but I keep reminding myself that y'all will never remember me being away :) I know we will be frequent users on FaceTime!!!

Amal.... living .2 miles away from you always seemed far.... this is truly going to be a test for us! After 20 years of friendship, I know there is no one with a better heart and soul than you. Thank you for always being my biggest cheerleader in everything I do.

All I can say is thank goodness for FaceTime

As bittersweet as I it is to leave my family and friends, I feel so incredibly excited to join my host family in Melbourne, Australia. I already feel so connected to the family there and I know I will fit right in. Although I will be stepping off the plane in a foreign country, I already feel like I have a family there. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have received this opportunity.

I will try to update this blog as much as possible! And I plan on staying in touch via every form of social media.

Thank you to everyone for your support and prayers!

xoxo
Tomi

Write to Me!

See you soon Mr. Styles

I received the GREATEST Christmas Present from my new family in Melbourne, Australia! Tickets to One Direction's concert on February 15th! AHHHHHHH

For those of you who don't know me or follow me on social media, I am head over heels in love with One Direction... more specifically Harry Styles. This love began last year when I watched their movie "This is Us." If you haven't seen it... I highly recommend it! Between Harry's British accent, curly locks, and hilarious personality, I can hardly contain my obsession. Part of my obsession is I enjoy telling people about it and gaining more members in my Harry Styles Fan Club. I corrupted my best friend Amalia to be a fan and we finally had the opportunity to take that love to one of their concerts! We designed shirts and held up England flags to get Harry's attention. Hands down, one of the best days of my life!

Forever one of my favorite t-shirts

"Mrs. Styles"

That man-bun though......... LOVE

Yes we were really THAT close!

When I was researching my move to Australia, I found out that One Direction would be touring in 2015 with several stops in Australia! I immediately began my hunt for tickets. I mentioned to my host family that I was a huge fan and wanted to go to the concert. Fast forward 2 months later, I was finishing up Christmas Shopping and starting to pack for my big move. One morning, I received mail from Australia! My sweet host mom, Jodie, had told me she would be sending me a Christmas gift. I opened up the package and BOOM! There lay my tickets to the ONE DIRECTION CONCERT IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA!! I screamed and cried and FaceTimed my host Family to tell them thank you x 100000000! I mean really could life get any better??!?! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. 

xoxo,

Tomi

My Home Away From Home

Check out the amazing home I will be living in when I move to 
Melbourne, Australia on January 4th!

The kids are active tennis players, I am so excited to learn!

^This one is my room!!!

I mean does it get any better than this? I don't think so... 

xoxo,

Tomi

In the last year...

Saying this has been a busy year for me would be an understatement.

Just about 1 year ago, I graduated a semester early from Texas A&M University... WHOOP! I graduated with a degree in Communication and minor in Business and so the opportunities were infinite.

For a hot minute I thought I was going to pursue a career in Broadcast Journalism. I was given the opportunity to intern for a news station in Austin, Texas. While I was there, I got to work with some amazing people and learn some amazing things. Unfortunately, I learned pretty quickly that it was not my passion. From what I have heard, that is the point of internships. Find out what you like and what you don't like, before you accept a position full time.

Soon after my internship ended, I took a position as an Account Executive in Media Sales for a radio group in Austin, TX. I figured mixing my passion for Media with the high potential salary of sales would be a good fit for me. From the start I loved my job! Everyone I worked with was great and I was selling radio advertisements and event sponsorships -- pretty fun job!

Since I graduated early and I have a summer birthday, I started working when I was 21 and recently turned 22. I found it interesting that anytime I told someone at my office my age - everyones' jaw's dropped. They were surprised that such a young gal would have her head screwed on straight and be so responsible. After awhile these comments started getting to me. Not that anyone meant anything offensively by it.... but I started looking at my life. I am only 22 years old. Is this ALL that I am going to do with my life? That question popped in my head and continued to gain more strength as time went on. I was beginning to look at my life and realize I needed/wanted/desired something more. I needed some adventure.

I heard of girls going to different countries to be nannies or Au Pairs before but hadn't given it much thought. But certain things kept happening that were pointing me in the direction toward Australia. I was starting to get unsatisfied in my job, I was living at home, I had a bunch of friends visit Australia and LOVE it... So one day I decided do some research and find out what this whole thing was really about. I joined an agency and limited my search to Australia. Within days I was skyping and talking with different families. It was pretty clear the first time I spoke with The Quicks that I was going to go live with them. I have been a nanny for a long time and I know how important it is to have a connection with the mother of the house - since you will be spending a lot of time with her. With Jodie, it felt like we have known each other for years. After doing due diligence, she invited me to be their Au Pair/Nanny and I accepted! I committed to 6 months but who knows when I will come back :) haha!

From the time I accepted their offer to the day I leave on Jan 4, I talk to them in Australia via Skype or texting! Crazy trying to stay in touch with a 17 hour time difference, but we make sure to do it. I think this will help when I get off the plane in Australia - I won't feel like I am in a foreign country strangers. I feel like I am apart of their family already. I definitely hit the jack pot.

Leading up to my departure, I am spending TONS of time soaking up my family and friends and hitting up every local restaurant I will miss. If you know me, you know I am addicted to my family - more specifically my niece Embry and my nephew Ford... and my unborn niece Lucy. I am nervous to leave my them, but my family has so kindly reminded me that my nieces and nephew will not remember me being gone... they are babies and THANK GOODNESS FOR FACETIME! My parents and brother have already booked a trip to come visit me for 10 days in March :) I am hoping some of my friends will come visit me too!

I hope everyone will keep in touch with me and reach out to me via every form of social media to follow my journey.