Bettina Here!
I’d been brainstorming for months and getting nowhere. I knew I wanted to start a blog but didn’t know what about. I wanted something that would provide value to its readers—not another blog turned diary—and I needed an outlet for me to be honest and unleash my creativity.
The idea for I Want That Kangaroo! came in mid-June of 2012 after a one-on-one with my boss. She came up with the brilliant idea for me to blog about my move to Australia. After that meeting a light bulb switched on… what an awesome opportunity!
I‘m a university graduate and hold an Honours BA in English Literature. I spent a year in college studying Creative Advertising and my full-time job specializes in providing television listings under a nationwide media company. When I’m not writing or blogging, I enjoy hanging out with friends, reading anything and everything (especially things travel and/or personal finance-related) and volunteering for environmental initiatives in Toronto.
I also love doing anything crafty, sporty, outdoorsy or tree hugger-like (hiking, snowboarding, gardening); keeping up with the latest news in anything indie music; and of course cheering on the good ol’ Maple Leafs (they’ll get there… eventually).
The blog…
In December 2011 I impulsively booked a flight to Sydney, Australia for August 2012. I knew that if I hadn’t booked that flight, I wouldn’t have followed through. As an aspiring jet-setter, my goal is to soak in the Aussie lifestyle by travelling the large island while making a few steady paychecks along the way.
For all the fellow travel-obsessed peeps out there, my hope is that this blog will give you an insight into what Australia’s all about, as well as share with you things I did along the way to help make my move as cost-efficient as possible. And for those not interested or planning on paddle-boating to Oz anytime soon, I aspire to provide some sort of value through my writing and day-to-day experience.
Enjoy! 🙂
Disclaimer
This blog is my baby! Everything is written, edited and managed by myself and the opinions and experiences come from yours truly.
I am in no way a travel expert, couponing queen or accredited financial mentor… just an average girl wanting to share her experiences (both good and failed) to any readers who may be interested.
Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product, service or person should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
coffeepoweredmom
GO LEAFS GO!
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iwtkangaroo
Must….. remain….. hopeful 🙂 Ha!
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grant macintyre
…congratulations!!! …you will love Sydney… such an amazing city… safe travels g*
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iwtkangaroo
Thank you!! I really excited 🙂
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bluebutterfliesandme
Your a cutie and smart too. I love English Majors.
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kenposempai
Thanks for the like and for stopping by! :o)
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iwtkangaroo
Thank you!
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tjh67
My dream is to someday visit Australia. Maybe in another ten years or so my bf and I will finally be able to get there! 🙂
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iwtkangaroo
I hope you do! 🙂
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kposh
thank you for the follow! I’ve been enjoying your blog so far as well! Im trying to move back out to California (which is nothing like Australia, I know! 😉 ) which has been a dream of mine since I moved away. Finding a job has been the hardest! Good luck in all you do!
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iwtkangaroo
Thank you! Go for it! 🙂
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prideinphotos
YOU ARE SO BRAVE GIRL!!! I love your spirit!! You are going to have a fabulous time!! Keep in touch.
Laurie @ Pride in Photos
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iwtkangaroo
Thanks Laurie. Will do! 🙂
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Tim Mushey
Hey there thanks for liking m blog post today! I am very interested to hear about your upcoming Aussie adventure. I did 7 months there several years ago, so if you need any advice, let me know! I am a Winnipeger living in Edmonton 🙂
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iwtkangaroo
Hey there fellow Canuck! No problem. And thank you… I’ll definitely let you know! 🙂
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Tim Mushey
Sounds great! Good luck with all of the planning..
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stephglaser
Bettina — You will love Australia. I lived there a year with my family when I was on a teacher exchange. It’s an amazing place and the Aussies are definitely “no worries” — very cool people. I think you have a great concept for a blog! Thanks for stopping by Travel Oops and liking the Friday Travel Ahh… I have a few posts about Oz with more to come if you’re interested.
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iwtkangaroo
Thank you! Can’t wait.. I’ll check ’em out! 🙂
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fymywydbach
Now, you see, yours is amazing!!!
You could set up a little side line producing these for other bloggers! Boost the budget.
Ps. I love your name 🙂
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iwtkangaroo
Thanks. 🙂 That sounds like a great idea actually!
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judlaw
Thanks for stopping by Mind Traveler. Your new blog sounds like fun and I will definitely be reading it! My son spent several months in Australia a couple of years ago and loved it.
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iwtkangaroo
No problem! I really enjoyed your post about the ‘biker congregation’ going on in Ontario. It looked like it was a lot of fun. That’s great that your son had such a good time!
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Sailor Lady
Thanks for the like and for stopping by Cruising With Phoenix. Your adventure in Australia sounds terrific and I’ll look forward to learning about Australia by reading your posts. When we had our sailboat, we always thought we’d sail to Australia and New Zealand, but life got in the way and we had to return to Western Washington after sailing to Mexico and Hawaii. Even though we didn’t get as far as we hoped, we thoroughly enjoyed our ocean sailing adventures.
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Laura Howarth
I LOVE the name of you blog!
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sunsetledge3
make sure you get to see new zealand on your travels, especially the north island.
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iwtkangaroo
Thanks for the tip.. New Zealand is a definite!
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♡ The Tale Of My Heart ♡
Thank you for being to my space, I will be comming back again to read more…… 🙂
Have a wonderful week….:)
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jademwong
Hi, Bettina! Thank you for liking a post on my blog. I really appreciate it. Best of luck on your Australian adventure! Stay safe, and I hope you have some money to spare at the end! Lol 🙂
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iwtkangaroo
So do I!!! HA!
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mouseytong
Thank you for dropping by! Now that you are going to be down under, I hope you get to visit some of Asia too! Have fun!!! Anything new is always so exciting and interesting.
Will wait patiently…..for your updates! 🙂
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iwtkangaroo
I’m definitely planning on checking out Asia!! Keep ya posted! 🙂
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Anne Bonney
I love your blog idea – best wishes on your great adventure.
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iwtkangaroo
Thank you! 🙂
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Bruce Meisterman
Hi bettina,
Thank you for liking my “Once more into the breach…” post on arnnarn.com. I hope you come back soon.
Bruce
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Raethen
Oh awesomes! Good to see a fellow traveler, and English Lit grad. I’m excited for you and your upcoming trip. Good luck with everything, and as said previously don’t be disheartened by faults in places that you go, it wouldn’t be an adventure otherwise.
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petriesan
Intersting site. I was an engligh lit major before I went to the dark side. . . often think about going back, but the reading. . . .
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louiseagnes
I now nominate you!
I have to say I got very happy when I saw that I have been nominated for a Liebster Award by Urbanrunninggirl. Thank you so much! Now I nominate You
The Rules:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the 11 questions the person giving the award has set for you.
3. Create 11 questions for the people you will be giving the award to.
4. Choose 11 people to award and send them a link to your post. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No tag backs.
Questions for my nominees
Are you breaking the law if you drive past those road signs that say “Do Not Pass”?
What is the #1 most played song on your iPod?
What is one of your favorite quotes?
What do you absolutely hate doing?
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
What is you most proud about?
What is the hardest thing you have even done?
When was the last time you were nervous?
What story does your family always tell about you?
What is the best part of waking up?
Three words to describe you?
http://www.louiseagnes.com
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Subhan Zein
Great to see you enjoy this country, Bettina! I have been here for about 5.5 years and I love it! 🙂 Surely you will have great posts to write with this blog. 🙂
And I gotta tell ya that Kangaroos hop around happily in the university where I teach. They love wandering around. In fact two nights ago I was driving and a kangaroo was jumping and suddenly stopped. It was nearly fatal for him. But luckily he was standing just approximately one centimeter to the left side of my car. It was one of those great moments in life when I saw his eyes gazing at me. Unspoken words though. Precious. Very previous moment it was.
Subhan Zein
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iwtkangaroo
That sounds beautiful!!! Also thrilling. 🙂 Thank you for your generous comments! Glad to find another lover of Oz.
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photographymemoirs
Greetings from Australia,
If ever you come back to my lovely country, visit Victoria, it has some beautiful sights like The Great Ocean Road, Ottway Ranges, Grampians and the place that I love most ….Wilsons’ Promontory an absolute Paradise on Earth. Take great care; I’d love to visit Canada it looks so beautiful to behold.
God bless
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