In case you're wondering what the latest news is about my return to Australia, here's a breakdown of the most recent information. I applied for a work visa which will enable me to work in Australia for at most one year. If I decide to stay longer I will need to be sponsored by a company or organization.
If all goes to plan, I will be moved out of my apartment in Monterey by the end of July and will fly back to Australia on Aug 1st. I hope to have a BBQ at the end of July before I leave to say goodbye to this foggy town and its inhabitants. Sadly Reef will have to move in with my parents...I don't want to talk about it cause it hurts too much so don't ask me.
Once in Australia, I will probably crash with Zeus near Brisbane, and help out with data from the Straddie Survey and help prepare for HARC (the next volunteer position) in September. This will keep me busy until work comes through as a marine mammal observer (MMO) north of the Great Barrier Reef in Makai. MMO's make sure that the operation in question does not interfere with the well being of marine mammals that are within a certain proximity to the vessel. This is required by the government in most industrialized countries.
This has not been confirmed yet, but apparently they want to train me to become the backup pilot for the research boats used to tag the humpbacks in HARC. Which would be RAD.
After HARC is over in October, I will hopefully have work lined up as an MMO to go offshore on seismic vessels used to explore for new oil reserves off of Australia and possibly New Zealand.
Other possibilities include attending grad school in Australia, flying to Fiji in November, road trip around South America soon, New Zealand in August, and US road trip in 2011 to the Marine Mammal Conference in Florida. I plan to fly back to the states periodically to visit over the next few years. There will also be chances for you to come visit me, so let me know if you're seriously interested and I'll see what I can do.
That's it for now, check back for the latest to come.
"I plan to fly back to the states periodically to visit over the next few years." Ahh! Youre breaking Andrew's heart! We will miss you so much! We have to see you before August 1st!!
ReplyDeleteYes you do have to see me. If you can't make it I will be able to hang out in the Valley before I fly out. I going to miss you guys, but it may just be temporary so don't panic.
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