Our Book
Saturday 26th January 2008
at 03:58pm
The Once in a Lifetime Fan
“Because at some point you have to stop living the life you’ve fallen into and start living the life you want.”
Our future may not yet be certain but one thing is for sure; our book is being written so you’d better look forward to it. It’ll centre on the beauty that is life and the ability that we all have, to do what we want, if we’re big enough to get out there and do it for ourselves.
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It’ll talk alot more about the reasons I became a fan of the Green Bay Packers in the first place. What it was like growing up without access to the team and my desires to grab anything “NFL” that I could get my hands on. (The attached picture is when i was 15 years old. I have been saving it for the right post all of this time.)
I’ll also write about the planning process, the ups and downs and the reasons we decided that now was the right time to take this trip. This will include the realisation that I hadn’t fulfilled the desires of my younger self to do the things I promised him that I would. It’ll also include the idea that I had finally come to terms with the fact that the things I wanted in life were never going to be gifted to me by another person, or coming flying out of a magical, genie filled bottle.
Perhaps the most detailed parts of what I plan to write though, centre on the experience itself and the things I didn’t dare write about here on the site:
• The struggle of being away from all family, friends and regular routines
• The difficulty we faced in the first few days as we fumbled our way through an empty downtown
• Having to set up a home and buy things that we already owned but couldn’t bring with us
• The challenges Kelly and I faced, as parents, with the realisation that things may in fact be a lot more difficult than we first anticipated
• The number of times, through the first 6 weeks at least, that Qantas was only a phone call away
• The road trips, game days and what went on before and after
Sure, we had a ton of fun, for the most part it was the time of our lives. In some of the harder times though it was incredibly difficult. Kelly and I have come out of this, I believe, alot stronger than when we came in. We did something for ourselves that alot of people don’t and I’m proud of both of us for that.
Apart from the obvious Packer related story line, our journey and the lessons we learned as a husband and wife, mother and father will be included also.
I’ve learned alot about being an individual since we arrived. About, quite literally “living the life you want, not the life you’ve fallen into”. I believe I’m a better husband, a better father and a better friend. I’m certainly less focused on material things and I appreciate firsthand the things that Kelly does for the three of us that I would never have seen if our lives had stayed the same.
Kelly, despite being comfortable with the life we were already living has learned that as a family unit, good or bad, you can get through whatever life lays before you. She has learned that obstacles don’t come down to “I can’t do it” they come down to “how can I do it?” I don’t know that Kelly could have been a better Mother than before we left. She is certainly stronger as a result of the travel though.
Since Ben was born the four of us have never been together for as long as we have over the last 6 months. I’m hoping that one day, our children, how ever many there end up being, will look back on this trip as the guidance they need in their lives to pursue their dreams and experience everything that life has to offer.
The idea, the decision, the plan and the experiences along the way have been some of the best of our lives. When you throw in details of what turned out to be an incredible season of football, the game day commentary, our day to day experiences here in Green Bay, the people we met, the things we did and a complete budget from Visa applications to excess baggage costs on the way home, you can see there’s plenty, if not too much, for us to write about.
Both Kelly and I look forward to sharing the story with you all in its full fledged, sometimes difficult, usually happy, fun-loving and carefree entirety.
Make you sure you leave a comment, send us an email or join the mailing list so I can keep you posted re: its release.
(See link on the noticeboard if you need to find this again easily)
Comments
Wed 30th Jan 08
at 05:08am
Safe travels Wayne and Kelly, all the best to you in the future.
Thanks again for bringing a perspective about the Green Bay Packers that we often take for granted living in their backyard.
Looking forward to the book!
Thu 31st Jan 08
at 02:49am
Wayne...Wish you and the family a safe trip back home (which this area should be considered home as well!) and will await your book. It was so refreshing to follow you (and the family) as well as our beloved Pack during a great year. Hope your back soon and will miss your wonderful attitude and great personality...G’Day Mate
Thu 31st Jan 08
at 04:38am
First off I am signing on so I can get notified of when the book comes out and I am really looking forward to that.
Second, I wanted to write to say that you have gotten me to step back and ask what really are my dreams again and are they something that I will pursue. I will be taking some time to decide that because of the adventures you provided your readers.
What I enjoyed most about the blog is the “view through a childs eye” that is hard to capture. You did that for me. I felt like a kid in a candy store every time I read your blog. It brought back the emotions and feelings I had the first time I experienced many of my Packer moments and the perfect image we all have in our minds of what it can be like. Thank you for that!
Lastly, for those of you who wonder about Australia and Australians, I have been to Sydney and I can say from a first hand experience that it is a great place with great people. If I could go back there today I would in a heartbeat and if circumstances were different I would move there. It is such a beautiful city with the Botanical Gardens, harbour, beaches, boat rides, dining, Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Blue Mountains, weather, history and so much more!
Wayne and family thank you for rekindling the fire that often times needs to be stoked!
Take care and have safe travels,
Tony
Thu 31st Jan 08
at 07:48am
Dear precious family,
I found out about your story only days before the game against the Giants and have becomea true fan of all of you. I was born in WI, and according to my Aunt, my first words were “Go Pack!” taught to me by my Grandfather who lived for the Packers. Thank you for reminding me to stop and smell the roses, in a simple way, that is what you have done. Enjoy what you have and what is around you. God speed back to your home, and keep us posted with you new adventures down under. My only question is, when the Packers get to the Super Bowl next year, will you come for the game?
j
Thu 31st Jan 08
at 04:08pm
Dear Wayne, Kelly, and kids,
Thank you for being an inspiration to me. I’ve followed your entries since I learned of your story early in the season. With your motivational story, I hope to find the courage you all have found to move to an entirely different culture, adapt, and find happiness in it and spend a few months overseas myself, following my favorite football teams in Germany (the football that uses your feet). Your story is proof that people are good enough and kind enough to help others and welcome them into their country, their cities, their homes, and their hearts.
Go Pack!
Sincerely,
Packer fan since birth, life-long Wisconsinite.
Sat 09th Feb 08
at 07:17am
Thanks for the wonderful year. The season was made even better by looking at it through your eyes.
This community was made better by looking at it through the eyes of your wife and children. We take so much for granted that we need to be reminded how lucky we are.
Maybe you can strike a deal for your book through the Packer Pro Shop.
That way alot of people would be able to enjoy your journey.
Have a safe trip back home and God Bless you & yours.
Please let me know when your book is available.
Thanks again for the wonderful year.
Nanc
Tue 12th Feb 08
at 06:42am
let me know when your book is out.
be sure to go online and visit
http://www.markmchalefootball.com
Wed 13th Feb 08
at 06:28am
I so admire your courage to live your dream—so many of us just “do” and think our dreams are unachievable—most likely because someone else has told us to be practical. I also admire and respect your wife and your relationship - it had to be strong before this journey to have allowed it to happen. I also want your book when it’s finished - along with an autograph?? Good fortune!
Sun 23rd Mar 08
at 09:04am
The Once in a Lifetime Fan
“Because at some point you have to stop living the life you’ve fallen into and start living the life you want.”
I love it already 
I can’t wait till the release of your book!
Mon 24th Mar 08
at 12:39am
Just checked out your website,love it!!!I’ve been a season ticket holder of the Packers for 50yr & a fan for ever. My love for the Packers is like yours, only I live in Green Bay. Let me know when you book is out. Good luck to you & your family.