I am a native of the New Jersey Shore who came to Australia in January 2010. Before coming overseas, I lived in Philadelphia for nine years. During that time, I worked as a tutor for children and adults with learning, physical and mental disabilities, a reporter for various Philadelphia newspapers, a magazine editor, a professional blogger and a babysitter.
After losing my job in the economic downturn in 2009, I decided to move to Sydney, Australia on a work and holiday visa and pursue a career as a
full-time freelance writer, two dreams of mine. Almost three years later, I am now a permanent resident of Australia and engaged to the Philadelphia man I met two weeks into my arrival in Sydney.
My travels have taken me to 40 American states and a dozen countries, including China, Italy, England, Fiji and New Zealand. My writing career has given me opportunities to write for major publications and web sites such as CNN, AOL, Travel+Leisure and Jetstar Magazine.
7 Things About Me
- I knew I wanted to pursue writing for a living from the age of 5. My first “stories” were based on the then super-popular Baby-sitters Club series. My backup careers were law and dance.
- On that last note, I am a trained dancer in the areas of jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, modern and musical theater. I have participated in dance competitions and conventions around the New York tri-state area, at which I met some of the choreographers and judges who appear on shows such as So You Think You Can Dance.
- My first overseas trip was at age 14 when my parents decided to let me choose where to take the next family vacation. I chose Mexico.
- My life has been plagued with strange illnesses and injuries. I once got an earplug stuck in my ear that had to be sucked out by an ear, nose and throat doctor. I have had random allergic reactions resulting in severe hives and face swelling since I was a kid. I was also sick with a rare syndrome called Guillain-Barre while in college.
- People often ask me about my ethnic background and race and tell me I look part Asian or Pacific Islander. My background is purely Caucasian and European: Irish, Italian, Polish, Austrian and German.
- I have started each day with a single cup of coffee since I was a teenager and ended each day with some form of dessert since I was a child.
- True crime is one of my obsessions. I love to read or watch documentaries about criminals like Charles Manson, the Night Stalker Richard Ramirez and Richard, the Ice Man, Kuklinski.

Dear Lauren,
You are such an inspiration!
I have lived in four countries so far, traveled many more, but I am yet to ‘break’ my life…it seems!
Traveling and writing have been passions of mine ever since I remember myself, yet I never found the confidence to let them drive my life. Instead I chose the safety of another career.
Lately I’ve been feeling the strong itch for both, and finally I realized that I should not try to be good at it, but just give it a go! Travel and write …
So I started blogging!
I know I am yet to learn a lot about it…but I can’t wait any longer, I have to take the plunge!
I just found you on Twitter and quickly browsed your site. NICE!!!
Will be reading it… and happy to follow you on Twitter!
Good luck with everything and enjoy Oz!
@OliveTravel
oh how I miss the adventure!!! It’s so great that you have done so much!!! I’m currently scheming about where to go next. Maybe Australia again – but Melbourne this time. Maybe South Africa. I don’t know but I can feel it in my bones/heart/soul that it’s time for a change!!! I appreciate your blog!! You’re definitely an inspiration. (: *hugs!*
Awe! See Daisy loves you too. She’s got great taste!
I love your story. I mean I don’t love that you lost your job and I don’t love the economic climate that lead to it. But I love that you took the chance and broke your life. I love that phrase too. I broke my life before coming here. I married my high school sweetheart, like everyone did in the midwest. I was leading a sad and boring life and I wasn’t happy. I had to change it. I broke my life. I may not lead a ‘glam’ life now, but and I’m on such a better path and I’m so much happier. I’m glad I broke my life. I’m glad you did the same!
The right side picture is The Great Ocean Road in Mel, right?
Hey Lauren!
Read about your “2 Expat Love Story” thru GoOverseas newsletter and I loved it. I’m a California girl living in the Netherlands with my Dutch partner. He lived in San Diego prior, gaining international experience and working there… while I was working in Los Angeles, just a mere 1.5 hours away. We ended up meeting in Barcelona where we were studying in the same MBA program. Funny how we were neighbors but didn’t connect till we were on the other side of the world. Now, we’ve relocated to his home country and have settled in Amsterdam and I couldn’t be happier. It’s an overwhelming experience to be submersed in a new country but in a good way. Like you, I also have a lifestyle/expat blog: http://www.glocalgirl.com
Take care and love from Holland –
Jeanelle
I just found your site. You ARE an inspiration. I hope to do the same thing some day (support myself with freelancing). I’ll be following along on our journeys!
great story Lauren and it’s awesome that you’re living how u wanna live! As a ‘lifestyle designer’ myself, i couldnt be happier when i see more people living their dreams
Lauren… I contacted you months ago after reading about your travel to Australia.
You are an great inspiration, as many have already stated.
Your story gave me the motivation to sell everything and follow my heart.
After my trip to Australia in January, 2011, A month later my boyfriend and I were already making plans for a permanent move to Brisbane, QLD.
I continue to follow some of your blogs and you truly are an incredible person!
I just want to say thank you, and keep up the good work.
-Rissa
http://www.ponceinlet.org/
Landed on your site from Suzy Stumbles. Love the title for your blog! I’m glad you rose above and chose to turn lemons into lemonade. It sounds like you are glad you did
Dear Lauren,
You are such an inspiration!
I have lived in four countries so far, traveled many more, but I am yet to ‘break’ my life…it seems!
Traveling and writing have been passions of mine ever since I remember myself, yet I never found the confidence to let them drive my life. Instead I chose the safety of another career.
Lately I’ve been feeling the strong itch for both, and finally I realized that I should not try to be good at it, but just give it a go! Travel and write …
So I started blogging!
I know I am yet to learn a lot about it…but I can’t wait any longer, I have to take the plunge!
I just found you on Twitter and quickly browsed your site. NICE!!!
Will be reading it… and happy to follow you on Twitter!
Good luck with everything and enjoy Oz!
@OliveTravel
+1
I like your blog, sounds awesome! I have a good friend in Sydney who has been begging me to visit. Maybe I’ll read some of your posts about living there. And its cool to find another fellow jersey girl!!
I am doing something similar. I do not like my job and I am ready for a change. I only have 3 months to apply for the visa so I decided to go for it. I am quitting my job and moving over to Australia and New Zealand. I am excited but scared. It is good to see online other people that have done it.