Certification in Two Countries: To Keep or Not to Keep?

That is the question.

Hi, folks!

When moving abroad, people who work in the Allied Health field want to know if it is worthwhile not only transferring credentials internationally, but also maintaining professional certification and license to practice in their home country.

When I moved to America, I renewed my certification and membership with Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) each year. Since moving back to Australia, I have maintained my certification with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and renewed my Florida state licensure.

Feeding Time on Siesta Key 
Florida, USA
Photo taken by Maree Richardson

Downside:

• Expensive! It costs me about $937 AUD ($647 USD) per year to maintain all three  certifications/licenses.
• Time consuming to update professional development hours and check progress toward compliance for three certifications/licenses. After I complete a training course, I login to three different websites to enter the information, as each association has their own requirements.

Upside:

• Freedom of moving between countries and being allowed to work right away. This makes it easier to find a job and reduces financial stress. You don’t have to repeat the laborious and costly application process for certification. You're ready to go!
• Although expensive, certification/license fees are due at different times of the year, which means you can budget and don’t have to "fork out" all the money at once. SPA fees are due by end of June, whereas ASHA and Florida state license fees are due by end of December.
• You can apply the same professional development hours to all certifications/licenses. For example, speechpathology.com offers unlimited, online continuing education courses which are recognised by all three professional associations who I am certified/licensed with. 

So, is it worth it? 

For now, yes. The advantages currently outweigh the disadvantages.

I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this topic. Feel free to comment below.

Cheers!

Maree

Where Did We Move To?

Hi, folks!

The previous post about packing up our first home finished on the ultimate cliff-hanger ...

Where did we move to?

Many people asked for Part Two of the series, so without further ado, let's "spill the beans". We have moved across the other side of the world again, this time to ...

The Land Down Under!

G'Day from Queensland, Australia
Photo taken by Gregory Richardson (drone photography).

Although Australia is my home country, it will take some time to adjust. After living in America for 6 years, the first few weeks back in Australia felt like a foreign country.

Initial musings about moving back to my homeland:

- Everyone has an accent, and it sounds really bogan! During our first week back, we were in a restaurant in Brisbane and I made a quiet comment about the two blokes sitting at the table next to us: “Hey, I think they’re from Australia ...”, forgetting that we were no longer in America. 

- My accent is a hybrid. It sounds really confused! For those new to the blog, I work as a Speech Language Pathologist, and part of my job is to help children articulate their speech sounds correctly. Thus, while living in America, I had been consciously trying to make my “R’s” strong and my vowels long. Now I have to retrain my own articulation skills to sound Aussie again!

- Jacaranda trees are stunning! I’ve never truly appreciated them until now. For my international friends, Jacaranda’s are large trees that bloom gorgeous, purple flowers in October/November; Springtime in the Southern Hemisphere.

Jacaranda Trees
Photo taken by Gregory Richardson.

- Upon starting a new job in Australia, I’m steadily learning about the changes in the healthcare system over the past few years, including the nationwide roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Understanding healthcare systems in two countries can be overwhelming.

- You know how foreigners suppose that Australian animals are out to kill ya? Now I understand their point of view - our spiders are huge! A couple of weeks ago, we visited the local Botanic Gardens and were greeted with a nightmarish mass of entangled webs and spiders the size of an outstretched hand. There are memes made of this stuff!

- Never had I ever been stung by a blue bottle until, you guessed it ... now. Last weekend the little blighter wrapped its tentacle around my ankle and hung on for all it was worth. Ouch!

- Cricket is a strange sport. With field positions like "Silly Mid Off" and "Short Leg", and test matches that last up to 5 days, no wonder why Robin Williams said: "Cricket is basically Baseball on Valium". I took Greg to his first ever live cricket match and he enjoyed tolerated it for 3 hours. We agreed this was a pretty good innings for his first experience. 

Greg's First Cricket Match
Photo taken by random crowd member.

- Aussie sangas (sausages) are amazing! So are plain mince pies with tomato sauce (ketchup). 

- I have complained about Australia’s high income tax rates. Goodbye, pay check!

- It’s easy to find vacant beaches all to yourself with sand that stretches as far as the eye can see.

To our friends and family:  if you’re up Queensland way or fancy taking that bucket list trip to The Land Down Under, feel free to drop in! As Paul Hogan once said, we might even "slip an extra shrimp on the barbie" for ya.

Cheers!


Maree

Life Update 2019

Hi, folks!

It has been awhile since I've updated you on my whereabouts. The last time was in 2017, and the time before that was in 2015.  Apparently I like odd numbers.

We are still in Florida, enjoying the sunshine, palm trees, and occasional hurricane. In 2017, Hurricane Irma, the strongest hurricane in terms of maximum sustained winds in the Atlantic, unbecomingly graced us with her presence. We evacuated our home for a few days, and then returned to repair the damage and clean up the debris.

Surprised Greg with a picnic in the spot where he proposed a few years ago.
Location: Sarasota, Florida, USA
Photo credit: camera, tripod and 10-sec timer. 

In 2017, Greg underwent spinal surgery. The hospital health care team had him up and walking that same day, and he has since recovered well, accompanied by a cute little tail (scar) on his lower back. I have also had ongoing lower back issues, so we are both taking life a little slower these days. Yoga, stretching, and hiking have become our new best friends. While we're on the topic of surgery, I recently had all four wisdom teeth removed. Fun times!

My journey as a Speech Language Pathologist transitioned to a school-based setting. If you're interested, here are links to read about how to transfer degrees/licenses internationally and obtaining state licensure in America. I'm currently placed at an Elementary (Primary) School and Preschool, providing assessment and therapy for the communication needs of school-aged children from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds. Learning to cater to varying needs in small-group settings, rather than on an individual basis, has been a challenge. A shorter commute, an opportunity to brush up on my Spanish skills, and developing relationships with my sweet kiddo's has been a blessing. Oh, and the school holiday schedule is a bonus. 😉

A couple of 2017 highlights included a fleeting trip to Australia to visit family, friends, and a special mother-daughter trip to Tasmania, Australia. In December of that year I officially became a U.S. Citizen, and am now honored to officially call myself a dual citizen of Australia and America. If interested, you can read about my transition from Resident to Citizen. 

Location: Honeymoon Bay, Tasmania, Australia
Photo credit: Maree Richardson

2018 was the year of adventure: a road trip through the Wild West, hiking various National Parks and Monuments in Texas and New Mexico; a bridesmaid for my bestie's wedding; a wonderful mother-daughter trip through the forests, oceans, and delectable wine country in south-west Western Australia; roughed it through our "first-timers" #vanlife trip through the breathtakingly beautiful National Parks of California and Oregon. Wow - what a year!

Aside from traveling, we renovated our guest bathroom. Our house was built in 1958, so the original tiling was ... mature. We started with the intention of completing the entire renovation by ourselves. Too high of expectations, perhaps? An enormous thanks to my colleagues' husband, who helped us finish the drywall and tiling - what a legend! The guest bathroom is now sparkling, modern, and minimalist. It's our favorite room in the house!

BEFORE Bathroom Remodel

AFTER Bathroom Remodel

Now, we find ourselves in the depths of 2019. We spent New Years with family in Wagga Wagga, Australia, followed by an awe-inspiring trip to Thailand. I'm continuing to learn and work as a Speech Language Pathologist in the local school system. Greg is continuing to work as an I.T. Consultant for an international company. We attended a beautiful Greek/Italian wedding, and are completing some minor repair jobs around the house.

Bring on the rest of 2019!

Please feel free to reach out to me with any comments or questions regarding working and/or living abroad, transferring degrees/licenses internationally, travelling around America, or just to say "G'day!". I would LOVE to connect with more friendly faces. 😊

Have a great day,

Maree

How to Survive a Long Distance Relationship

Wow! You did what?! How did you do it? That must have been hard!

These are just some of the reactions we receive when people find out that Greg and I committed to an overseas long-distance relationship for 4 years. 15,288 kms (9,500 miles) between us, but who’s counting. 😉

"Distance means so little, when someone means so much." - Tom McNeal.

Window Seat Photo #1 by Maree Richardson

Whether you and your partner are commuting between countries, states, or towns, distance is distance, no matter how large or small. Over the years, many people have asked for advice on surviving a long distance relationship. Here are some common suggestions that arose:

1. Sweet Surprises 
Send each other gifts every now and again, for Birthdays, Valentine's Day, or simply "just because".  It could be sexy underwear, a personalized stubby holder, a golden rose, you name it.

2. Communication
This may sound cliche, but communication is KEY to any successful relationship. Be open and honest with your partner. Keep it natural and unforced. Talk when you want to talk, not because you have to. In difficult conversations, approach your partner calmly and respectfully, ensuring you listen to and acknowledge their ideas and point of view. You might learn something.

"Our separation of each other is an optical illusion of consciousness." - Albert Einstein.

3. Explore Different Platforms for Communication
Capitalize on all of this amazing technology that we are offered today. FaceTime and Skype are life-savers! Text messages and phone calls are great, but don't forget about the old hand-written letter. So romantic! Who doesn't get excited by personalized letters in the mail?! Much more satisfying than bills, I say. Other ideas include cute cards, drawings, photos ... get creative!

4. Plan your Next Visit
This gives you both a common goal to work towards, and something to look forward to. It increases the excitement as you count down the days until you get to see your partner, from triple digits to double digits to single digits. A bit like an advent calendar!

"Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation." - Khalil Gibran.

Window Seat Photo #2 by Maree Richardson

5. Sacrifice 
Relationships are all about give-and-take, 50-50. However, at some point in time, one person may need to contribute a little more to make things work, such as packing up and moving to a new town, state, or country. Remember to be patient, and keep things in perspective. The favor may be returned.

6. Trust 
This is so damn important. Don't be clingy and controlling. Don't send text after text asking where your partner is. Stay cool, man! If you are in an honest and trusting relationship, than both partners should be allowed to do what they want (within reason), to go where they please (within reason), and be trusted. If you cannot trust your partner, than perhaps they are not worthy of you ...

"I believe in the immeasurable power of love; that true love can endure any circumstance and reach across any distance." - Steve Maraboli.

7. Long Distance Dates
Have you ever tried to "Netflix and chill" simultaneously via long distance? Our fabulous Insta-friends Erika and Dale introduced us to Rabbit, an App that enables you to sync your Netflix with somebody else's around the world and chat to each other long distance. A total game-changer. 😊 Obviously it's not as good as the real thing, but you do what you gotta do, right?!

Window Seat Photo #3 by Maree Richardson

8. Enjoy Time with Family & Friends 
Make the most of your time with family and friends, as you may never have this much time to spend with them again in your life. Their company may help to keep you happy, positive, and distracted from feeling sorry for yourself.

"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?" - A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh.

9. Money 
They say money does not mean anything. Well, it kinda does! [insert Russell's voice from Rules of Engagement]. Particularly if you partner lives overseas! Airfares are not cheap! You may need to work an extra shift or second job to make the money to visit your partner. I worked in a coffee shop (and I hate coffee!), and Greg worked the night-shift at Walmart (and he is a morning person!), until we could save enough money to purchase airline tickets to visit each other.

10.  Celebrate!
Even the little things. 1 month on the countdown? Celebrate! Next visit booked? Celebrate! Ya know what I mean. And yes, it is totally viable to "wine and dine" over FaceTime or Skype.

"You can't just give up on someone because the situation's not ideal. Great relationships aren't great because they have no problems. They're great because both people care enough about the other person to find a way to make it work." - Unknown.

Window Seat Photo #4 by Maree Richardson

If you're looking to add a little spice, or needing some reassurance, hopefully some of these suggestions were helpful.

Side note: Greg and I have now been together for 8.5 years, so we must have been doing something right. 😉

Please share your thoughts and ideas.

What would you recommend to others who have just commenced a long distance relationship? How did you and your partner get through the tough times?


Have a great week!


Maree

10 Things I Have Learnt Living Overseas

Hi, folks!

Here is my raw and brutally honest review of things I have learnt living and working overseas.


1. The longest period I spent away from Australia without visiting was just over 12 months.  Upon returning, I felt like a foreigner in my home country.  I wandered around feeling like a naive tourist, and commented on the strong Aussie accent of passersby that I once used to have.

2. Speaking of accents, mine keeps changing! Australians say I sound American, Americans say I sound British/South African/New Zealand/German/French - some days I am unsure where I belong.  My career in Speech Language Pathology most likely contributes to my accent change, because I need to be understood by the children and parents I serve, and teach my clients how to produce sounds and words according to their dialect.  Slowly converting American children to Australians, one accent at a time ... Just kidding! 😉 When I first touch base in Australia, my friends and family say I sound really American, and make fun of me for "taking a shower to get cleaner and feel better".  However, after a day or two of immersion into my Aussie culture, I soon fall back into "taking a showa to get cleana and feel betta, maaaaaate".

3. TIP: Prepare a "catch phrase" or clever response for those times when people ask "Where are you from?".  Sometimes I feel like saying "I'm from Antarctica with the polar bears", just to really stump them.  Only on rare occasions do unfamiliar people guess my accent correctly. 

4. I love trying new foods from all different cultures.  Whenever we go on a date night, Greg and I usually choose an ethnic restaurant.  However, sometimes I have those days where I just crave a good ol' Aussie vegemite sanga.

5. Americans LOVE Australians.  They love our laid-back attitudes and accents.  We are associated with iconic legends like Steve Irwin "The Crocodile Hunter", and Paul Hogan's catch phrase "Put a shrimp on the barbie".  They also think we are tough and strong, having to deal with all of the dangerous animals that are apparently out to kill us ... please, America, have you forgotten about your brown bears and alligators?? 😉

South Beach, Miami. Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

6. TIP: Remember and/or practice entering your bank account details for your home country on a regular basis.  On one of my visits to Australia, there was an uncomfortable moment where I forgot my bank account number and password.  After entering it incorrectly a number of times, I was locked out of my bank account.  I called a representative who asked me a bunch of questions including my secret questions.  Turns out I must have answered them incorrectly, also.  After a series of hesitant "okay"'s and "a-huh"'s from the representative, she said she could not assist me at that time and suggested that I visit a branch to sort it out.  Long story short, I visited a branch and was served by the most lovely and understanding bank employee who helped me renew everything.

7. People in other countries often talk about how friendly and happy Aussies are, but I had never noticed this concept until I had been away for over 12 months.  The lady who helped me at the bank branch (from the prior story) spoke to me like a friend, and I left the bank feeling calm, warm and fuzzy (not usually how banks make one feel).  When visiting Tasmania for the first time, and aimlessly getting lost around the streets of Launceston, a friendly person working in the street stopped what he was doing, and took time out of his day to ask if we needed help and gave us directions.  So kind! 

8. It's OK to talk to strangers on planes.  This tends to happen more when I am flying by myself.  You know within the first couple of minutes of making "small talk" with the person sitting beside you whether they are in for a chat or prefer to be left in peace.  I strongly believe you can learn something from everyone you meet in life, whether they stay in your life for 5 minutes, 5 years, or forever.  In the words of Dr. Seuss, "You can learn something new everyday if you listen".

Started out strangers, ended up friends!  Rocky Mountain National Park.
Photo taken by Colorado Sightseers.  

9. Be prepared to translate everything - vocabulary; measurements; dress sizes; humor.  My temperature conversion skills from Celsius to Fahrenheit are improving, but I still use the Converter App on my phone at times.  You will often hear short pauses in my conversation when I am thinking about my audience and which word I need to use - "boot" or "trunk", "bonnet" or "hood", "jumper" or "sweater", "Autumn" or "Fall", "Primary" or "Elementary", "thongs" or "flip flops" - you get the point.  When someone asks me for my dress size, I have to convert Australian sizes to American sizes and vice versa.  There's even jokes and phrases I sometimes use that cause a confused expression on my communication partner's face, which I then have to explain what it means, and by then it has lost all meaning and humor.

10. You will STRONGLY appreciate spending time with your friends and family.  Having a specific, often short, time to spend with my best friends and family means that I am totally invested in them.  We truly make the most of quality time together and it never goes to waste (often at the expense of little to no sleep!) but the memories made are always totally worth it.  Quality over quantity.


Who can relate?


From the utterly confused and happily exhausted,


Maree

2017 in Review - Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Friends!

Here is a brief update of our 2017.

It was a “rocky start” for us. The herniated discs in Greg’s lower spine worsened.  He ended up having back surgery in May. We were slow-going for awhile, however, with physio appointments and at-home stretches and strengthening exercises, Greg is much improved. 

Career-wise, I transitioned to working for the local School Board as a Speech Language Pathologist. I'm currently stationed at 3 different schools, and enjoy the variety of working with preschool and elementary/primary aged children.  The School Holidays will be a bonus, too! 😉

Hurricane Irma pummeled through the Caribbean and into Florida in September. We evacuated our house and drove up to Alabama to wait it out. It was a bit nerve racking waving goodbye to our house and not knowing what it would look like when we got back. Fortunately, the storm veered to the right and avoided a direct hit in our area. Our hearts go out to all those who did not fare so well.

We visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee for a second time. This place holds a special place in our hearts.  I also spent one week exploring the beautiful Australian state of Tasmania with my Mum.  We experienced some of the clearest waters, cleanest air, untouched nature and the most diverse geography.  Tassie is bloody beautiful, mate!

Honeymoon Bay, Tasmania, Australia.  Image captured by Maree Richardson.

To top the year off, I officially became a dual Australian-American Citizen. After 4 long years the wait (and paperwork!) has finally come to an end and a new chapter begins.  You can read more about this in my next post. 😊

Have a great week!

Maree

Surprise Trip!

"Surprise!" I shouted as I greeted my best friend and my parents at their doorsteps. Yes, you guessed it. I have been back on home soil!

Greg landed a work contract in North Sydney, Australia, this year. With two more weeks of freedom before my job started, I decided to jump on board for his first work trip. It was only a very short trip, a few days in length. The best part about it - my family and friends didn't know! I could hardly contain my excitement on the flight over.

When we flew into Sydney, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and boats were lounging on the peaceful waters of Sydney Harbour. We checked in early to our hotel to freshen up after the long flight. Showering after flying long distance is one of the best feelings in the world. It makes you feel human again. Similar to the feeling of showering after a long, hot day in the shearing shed (that's the farm girl side of me talking)!

The first thing on my to-do list was to surprise my best friend, Rach, who had recently moved to Sydney. To ensure she would be home, I called her on Facetime to 'catch up' and find out her schedule for the day. Greg had the brilliant idea of shutting the curtains and switching the bed lamp on in our hotel room to create the illusion that we were in Florida, where it was night-time. I had asked Rach for her address a week in advance, stating that I had a parcel to send her. Little did she know that the parcel was me... :)

I found Rach's apartment, rang the buzzer and said "Ma'am, I have a parcel for you to sign off on". "Okay, I'll be up in a minute", she responded. Her series of reactions were priceless. She froze, gasped, swore, attacked me with a huge hug, and trembled for the following 10 minutes in complete shock. It's all captured on video, too. I wish I could post the video here, however I don't think Rach would be happy with me if I showed the rest of the world what she looks like in her pyjamas. ;)

Blackwattle Bay and Sydney CBD. Photo credit to Will Jury.

Stand up paddle (SUP) boarding in Mosman.

The next thing on my to-do list was to surprise my parents. I was warned that I should ensure Mum was not standing on a hard surface when I surprised her, because, well, you know what mothers are like.

It was not quite the 'wow factor' I was going for, as Mum was not going to be home the night I had planned to come home. Thus, I called my parents just before my flight, telling them that there would be a very important package waiting for them at Parkes airport that afternoon. Of course, neither of them 'clicked' that it would be me, so I bluntly told them outright what the 'important package' was. My brother also made it home for the weekend. Needless to say, Mum and Dad said it was the best surprise that they could ever ask for. Daughter points right there! ;)

After a joyous weekend, I flew back to Sydney and caught up with a couple more of my besties. Since leaving the country and talking with foreigners, I have found a new appreciation for Sydney. It really is a unique city. I would recommend taking a ferry ride across the Harbour - superb views of the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Ferry ride across the Harbour.

Outside Luna Park. Happy faces!

I also went out to dinner with Greg and his two work mates from New Zealand. I had spent time with these Kiwi's in England and Germany a year ago (on another one of their work trips). They are some of the most intelligent guys I know, with a wicked sense of humour. I haven't heard from them since they lost the Cricket World Cup to Australia this weekend... Go figure. ;)

If you're ever on the north side of Sydney Harbour, I recommend dining at a little Indian Restaurant called Harbourside Indian Restaurant. The service is exceptional, price is reasonable, and the views - SPECTACULAR. You can see for yourself here.

Although a very short trip, it was perhaps one of the best I've ever taken. I find that when I am strapped for time, I don't take it for granted. I make the most of each and every moment.

Who else has visited Australia? What were your experiences?


Have an awesome week,

Maree