So if you have been following along (in RL), You'll remember that I had decided I wasn't going to go to Australia because I thought the timing of my birthday and the rules of the visa would stop me from saving enough money to feel comfortable before I went. Well, a good friend of mine from working for Royal Caribbean suggested I apply and if I got it I'd have the option, if not then I was only out the application fee (which he mentioned was $160). At this recommendation...and with slightly over a week left before my birthday (the cutoff date)...I applied. Well, as it turns out, the VISA application fee was $420USD ($391AUD). Since this is where I REALLY wanted to go, and I didn't have much time to think about it, I went ahead and applied. I spent the next 3 weeks selling stuff I wasn't going to need where I was going selling things on eBay to pay for it all. September 25th, a week after my birthday, I received the email with my approval! Unfortunately when I got it I was at work, so I couldn't celebrate too much

Since finding out about my approval, I've joined SUBS (Sydney Underwater Buddies) and Sydney Gaymers so I can make some friends before I head down under. I'm also looking for a springboard diving group so I can continue what I've learned here. It's one of the most fun and challenging things I've taken up recently. I spoke to SUBS about trying to find an LGBT dive shop...or at least one more friendly to our people, and they said all were LGBT friendly! That's awesome! I have heard Sydney is the Gay Mecca of Australia, which makes me happy that I'll be in a place I consider to be similar to what I picture Miami, FL to be. Australia does have it's Texases...but I've read that Sydney, for the most part, is all LGBT Friendly. Here's hoping! And I'll keep you all updated.

-Brenden

P.S. Make sure you comment so I don't think I'm writing this to myself.