Reflecting on time before I MADE THE PLEDGE

Today (May 20, 2014), I made the pledge and became an Australian Citizen. This day provided me with an opportunity to reflect on my last seventeen years since I landed for the first time in the Dream Land of many people -- Australia (July 17, 1997).

My parents -- Marienka and Zdenek

Why Australia? Well, it was actually meant to be Canada -- where I could be close to great ski slopes as often as possible. However, I came across for an opportunity to study English for 6 months in Sydney. What did I know about Australia? NOTHING. 

First of all, I wasn't very excited about this move. OMG, those Aussies with a weird accent who actually think, they don't have any accent and the most annoying thing was that they could not understand me! It was so bad that I couldn't even ask for a white coffee in McDonalds without pointing on the menu.

It goes without saying; my biggest hurdle was a massive language barrier. Consequently, I was limited with my job choices. However, I was pretty stubborn and didn't give up easily and dealt with those challenges as they came.

Three years later, (after some humbling experiences working in the hospitality and food industry) I was somehow still in Australia and (finally) had a job back in the commercial environment. This was for me a big achievement as I couldn't imagine this would ever have happened on this continent. I was able to speak and write fluently (making a lot of mistakes along the way) and people around me somehow accepted my imperfections.

 

A partial Brown Dogs's team

During this time, I met the Brown Dogs -- a great group of triathletes that used to meet for training three times per week. This was massive step forward for me as I was suddenly surrounded by people with very precise language skills and ability to argue anything -- you have to love these people. 

What could I do? Not much so, I was back to my "silent" communication at a dinner table. My best solution, how I could remain in this group, was to get on with Triathlon and so, I could fit in with those people. I had a great time as prior to my time with Brown Dogs, I was used doing solo sports. Triathlon introduced me to a team sport as I was doing a few team races. I can tell you, I hated "getting up" early in the morning and going in "cold" water for swims .. just the thought gives me shivers!

Sri Chinmoy -- Canberra

In 2007, I made a decision to remain in Australia -- for good. I bought a property in Mosman. My parents were proud of me and scared at the same time as I was the first person in our family who took on a mortgage. Well, it was scary -- I can still remember having butterflies in my stomach when I was writing a cheque with a BIG deposit. I handed it over and then I was dreaming about starving to death being able to pay for my property. However, I had a great feeling as well -- I was a property owner.

A year later, my life change as I met my Prince Charming (as my friend Dita describes her man) -- ROB. He made me feel myself, no baggage no hidden agenda - what you see what you get. Rob was and is very supportive of me in every single way and everything that I decided to do. I think, everybody deserves a partner like this. No day goes by when I'd not feel grateful for having ROB in my life. I know many of you would agree with me as Rob is also a great friend and supporter to many of you. He's a keeper. 

Rob

Things change sometimes for good and sometimes for bad. Last year in February, we moved out from Sydney to the Wild West of Australia -- Geraldton. For the first half year, I wasn't certain about our relocation – it wasn’t without its challenges of resettling, missing our old friends, learning the local “ropes”, navigating the local politics, etc, but now that we’ve made some great new friends and things are feeling a bit more settled,  now I'm certain it was for better times. 

Even though, it had some challenges to start with we're now settled and surrounded by many nice people. We also see many new opportunities coming our way in the near future.

Today, I made the pledge and I feel proud of my determination to "make it" in Australia. On this special day, I feel that I should say THANK YOU to all people who were on this journey with me – my parents, Livka and Andrew, Anezka (R.I. P. my dear friend), Brown Dogs and my sweet girlfriend Cherelle, Laura and David, Kate and Jack, Kerry de Waal, my co-workers in Haymarket Media and the great Dee Why crew, Denise and the extraordinary team of people in AudioClinic, Jill Flusemann and my bestest friend and partner ROB. Without you, it would have been much harder -- I feel very lucky to know you all.

Kat