We will fail. It's a part of life.
If we’re batting 200 we’re not doing too well - if we’re bating 300 hundred we’re doing well and if we’re batting 400 we’re doing pretty damn well.
The point is, that we will fail. A lot.
But we can’t if we don’t go to the plate. So, having said that, and knowing full well that I may fail. I will attempt to fight arbitrage, the Australian immigration, the poor reputation of counsellors here, the bullshit and the lack of control that we all face. I will fight - for my dream job.
Arbitrage: Had I of applied for my student visa only a week before I did. I would be ineligible for the visa I am eligible for now. Funny how life turns out that way. Funny how I wasn't able to apply for my visa today because a website is not functioning. Funny how life actually works.
The Australian Immigration: I am, not, a “skilled worker.” My job, counselor, does not meet the requirements for a “skilled” worker. Because down-regulating an amygdala is not a “skill.” Right. Good on ya.
The poor reputation of counsellors: Counselors here can get a 1 year ‘degree’ in ‘counselling.’ That’s the equivalent of someone who is a junior in High School quitting High School and then going to become a ‘counsellor’ after 1 year of ‘university.’ You cannot engage the mind until you understand psychology. Understanding psychology takes an undergraduate degree; takes a mind that accepts subjectivity, takes a understanding of who people are in their world, takes a realisation that everything you thought you knew, is now wrong. Because psychology, like all science, will change your mind with every degree you receive. Understanding counselling takes a post-graduate degree. Because it does. I do not feel the need to substantiate that.
The Bullshit and the lack of control: I have no control over the bullshit above. Regardless, I will hope that those that are in control of the X, Y and Z’s can figure it out. I will hope that the X works with Y - and they and we are all happy when Z happens. I will hope that the bureaucrats create logical arbitrage. But, I have no control over that.
Give me a pitch I can hit.
The upshot is, that living abroad complicates all of this. I have no house to live at after graduation, two of my damn good friends just left Australia, my best friends are at home, I pay twice as much but make nothing, my former job is in Texas and I have to deal with visas. Living abroad, versus traveling, is different.
Because you may see Green Island.
But I see, where I may be if all of the above works out. I see the hopes and aspirations of the above working out. Not, the glory that is Green Island. This is not a life of Green Islands and adventure. It’s adventure where life allows. It’s adventure where finances; where student loans, where work and where bosses allow. It’s a life. It’s Green Island when Uni allows. It’s New Zealand when the immigration dept allows. It’s a life. Simple as that.
It’s a life full of failures - may I cite the GRE on this one. It’s a life full of arbitrage. What life isn’t? But you can’t see Green Island without the Australian immigration, the arbitrage, the bullshit and the lack of control we all face. Life, regardless if it is on Green Island, is full of failures. But, if I get it right 4 out of 10 times, I have done pretty damn well.
It’s a nomadic life: full of goodbyes, last hugs, facebook messages and skype calls.
This life is stressful - my anterior cingulate cortex hurts. If I strike out - I’m glad I went to the plate for my dream job. This Green Island may speak to the glory of Australia. But you can also see the arbitrage that is involved with this process of having the opportunity to go to Green Island.
Live high y’all.
