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The SITS Girls

The Secret to Success is Support

A Travel Blog Far From Kansas: Surviving Oz

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Lisa’s site might have started off as a potential travel blog, but instead she found a home in Surviving Oz. Read more about what took this far from the United States…

What inspired the title of your blog?
People tend to think three things about Australia: it’s hot (often true), it’s dry (often true), and it’s full of some of the world’s most dangerous creatures (very true). Of course it’s also a very modern and cosmopolitan country, but I think half my relatives still expected me to die in the desert when I moved here, haha!

You say you went to Australia for a three month visit, and have now been there for the past nine years! What was the initial reason for the visit and why in the world haven’t you left?
I went on a “working holiday” trip after I graduated from college – see the world before starting grad school, that kind of thing. And then I fell in love, got married, became a dual citizen and had twins. Turns out that nine years flies by when you’re having fun!

What can readers expect to find when visiting your blog for the first time?
Zombies. Bacon. S’mores. The Pirate Twins. Lots of photos. You know, the usual. 😛

What advice can you offer new bloggers about how to be successful in this space?
I think that depends on what you mean by “successful”. I’m not a professional blogger and doubt I ever will be, so all that advice you read online about targeting your audience, marketing your blog, etc. doesn’t apply to me. I just write about what I enjoy, and I have a steady readership who enjoy the same things. To me, that’s blogging success: sharing what you enjoy with an online community, and them sharing with you in return. I guess that sounds pretty mushy, eh?

After nine years of living in Australia…do you have a trace of an accent yet?
Americans think I’m Australian. Australians think I’m Canadian. Very few people guess I’m actually American. Go figure!

Other popular posts from Surviving Oz:

S’more-Apalooza: It’s the perfect time to get your s’more on. Take a look at all the different types you can make!
The One Where Lisa Is Weird: “I started making a list with my friend Elise about all the ways I’m weird. It’s gotten embarrassingly long…”
I’m Going To Call Him Jack: “Aussies like to yank tourists’ chains by intentionally playing up the stereotyped view of Australia.”

About Tracie Nall

Tracie lives in Arizona with her husband, teen daughter, and more books than her shelves will hold. She spends her days writing and editing. Many of her words end up on her blog, From Tracie. Find Tracie on Twitter @FromTracie and on Instagram where she takes pictures of things that are yellow.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. mangiabella says

    Australia? Rad! I jumped right over to the smores-apolooza post *blusing* – I’ve been dying to try the peanut butter cup smore for a while now, but I read your review carefully….hmmmm….I hate it when you expect the wow factor and it’s just ok….

  6. Lady Jennie says

    What are the dangerous creatures. I just think of wombats and kangaroos znd emu’s (right?). All not necessarily dangerous. I’m curious now. Off to click over.

  9. Michelle says

    Now I’m craving a s’more! They all sound delicious…and I’ve always wanted to visit Australia, it sounds amazing. I love the title!

  18. Jennifer says

    That’s so awesome you’ve lived in Australia for nine years. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia. Sooner than later I hope!

  28. Allison says

    Awesome! Maybe I need to go to Scotland for 3 months and I’ll wind up living there…I don’t think the hubs and kids would go for it though.

  29. Erica says

    Lisa is my girl. I’m stoked y’all chose to feature her today. She rules and it shouldn’t be a secret.

  32. Lauren says

    I love the header! I think it’s funny that she went down under for just a visit and has ended up living there. I’m intrigued! So, I followed. 🙂

  34. Jennifer says

    Um, why is it that all I want now are every. single. smore. on that post?! Beautiful photographs and site design! Congrats on your SITS feature, Lisa! I will most definitely be adding you to my Reader! 🙂

  36. Anne (Annie) Berryhill says

    WOW! I am so excited to read this! It has been my dream for many years to go to Australia and visit for 3 months to experience everything Oz has to offer but at a really relaxed pace! I can’t wait to get there and fully understand the stuff you referenced!

  40. Cottage By The Sea says

    Great blog, a self professing weirdo. She had me counting the ways I was weird too and I think I out numbered her. I’m following now so thanks for a fun new read.

  43. Tori Nelson says

    Hahahaha! I think your blog might just have to be added to my Daily Must Read Funnies. How could you not love a blog about “Zombies. Bacon. S’mores. The Pirate Twins” ?

  44. Kristin says

    I’m sorry… I still can’t breathe… the Flaming Captain Morgan S’more?!? That was awesome…. Thanks for a great read, Lisa!